The chief executive of the body which runs Sheffield's Ponds Forge leisure centre says the site's re-opening is 'fantastic news' for the city.

Image source, PA Media

The Sheffield City Trust-operated venue opened its doors for the first time in six months yesterday with social distancing and hygiene measures in place

Andrew Snelling said: “Naturally, we’re delighted at Ponds’ hugely successful reopening, which is the next step in a phased reopening of our facilities to the public and sports teams who use them."

Extra funds were made available by Sheffield City Council to re-open the centre after it was initially due to remain closed until April 2021.

Mr Snelling added: “It’s also fantastic news for the hugely talented elite athletes who train at Ponds Forge. I empathise hugely with the aquatics clubs who, in an Olympic year, were left without a training venue when Ponds Forge was forced to close due to the Covid-19 pandemic, however we now look forward to supporting them in their preparation for the rearranged Tokyo Olympics."

Councils in North Yorkshire are divided over how the county should be run in the future.

Football league newcomers Harrogate Town will face Skelmersdale United, the lowest-ranked side left, in the FA Cup First round.

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Harrogate, who are playing in the football league for the first time in their history, will host the ninth-tier side on the weekend of 7-8 November.

Elsewhere, Bradford City face an away trip to Tonbridge Angels, Doncaster Rovers will travel to FC United of Manchester and Hull City will host Fleetwood Town.

This is the stage at which League One and League Two clubs join the competition - no crowds will be permitted for any of the fixtures as part of the coronavirus restrictions.

To see the first round draw in full click here.

Police are appealing for information after 50 sheep were stolen from a North Yorkshire farm.

The flock of white-faced Texel cross breeds were taken from a field between Darnbrook and Arncliffe between 20 and 26 October.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police.

The number of people being admitted with Covid-19 at a hospital trust has doubled in a matter of days.

Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust said it was currently treating 53 patients with coronavirus, up from 21 last week.

Eight of those admitted are receiving critical care, it added.

Chief operating officer Teresa Cope said the increase in cases in such a short space of time was a "significant cause for concern".

"We've seen a very gradual increase in the number of Covid-positive admissions over the last four weeks, but in the last 72 hours we've seen quite a sharp increase.

"That's a concern because we knew we were about two weeks behind other areas during the first phase," she said.

At the height of the pandemic, the trust, which runs Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital, said cases peaked at about 110 in a single day.

It has also seen 229 deaths linked to the virus, including two members of staff.

"We anticipate seeing similar numbers - or exceeding the numbers we saw during the first phase," Ms Cope said.

Two dogs were found dead in a wood in Rotherham at the weekend, their bodies completely skinned.

The RSPCA is investigating after the animals were found by passers-by in a small area of trees near Treeton Dike, on Washfield Lane on Saturday.

Image source, RSPCA

The dogs were found alongside a skinned rodent - thought to be a rat - next to a black bin liner.

RSPCA inspector Jennie Ronksley said: “What’s not clear is whether the bodies have been dumped together in the bag and then dragged out and predated on by wildlife, or whether they were skinned before being dumped in this area.

“It’s a really shocking sight and I’m extremely concerned that these animals may have suffered before their untimely deaths so I’d like to hear from anyone with any information.”

From traces of fur left on the dogs it is thought one was black and the other was cream in colour.

Anyone with information is urged to call the RSPCA.

Almost £20,000 has been raised online for former Hull City player Chris Chilton, who now suffers from dementia and Alzheimer’s.

Chilton, 77, is still the club's record goalscorer having played for in the Tigers during the 1960s and 1970s at their then home, Boothferry Park.

The former striker scored a total of 222 goals for his hometown club.

He now needs 24-hour care and the money raised is to help with his treatment.

Francesca Sharp, organiser and daughter of another Hull City legend Ken Wagstaff, said: " 'Waggy and Chillo' are two names that just automatically go together like 'fish and chips' for everyone in Hull.

"So it is maybe fitting that the Wagstaff family are asking you to help the Chilton family in their hour of need."

Among the donations is one for £1,000 from supporters' group the Senior Tigers Club.

More than 600 donors have already raised £17,620.

Former England and Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman has joined a campaign asking people in Rotherham to stay safe from coronavirus.

Image source, Rui Vieira/PA Media

'Safe Hands' Seaman, who is from Kimberworth, has filmed a video which is set to tour the borough on a digital display van, asking people to follow the guidelines to reduce the risk of infection in Rotherham.

Rotherham, which is in the tier three - very high alert level saw the infection rate per 100,000 people rise from 354 in the week up to 16 October to 482 in the week up to 23 October.

“My mum asked me to do it [the campaign], and you can’t say no to your mum, can you?”, Seaman said.

He added: “I’ve got a lot of great memories in Rotherham. It’s a place I know is really friendly and people all love to go out. But trust me, this is going to be a long winter and we all need to get through this together so stick to the rules.”

Image source, Rotherham Council

People are being encouraged to follow the key guidelines, which are:

• Keep two metres apart
• Don’t mix with other households
• Wash your hands regularly
• If you’ve got coronavirus symptoms, you must get tested
• Wear face coverings

The digital display van is touring Rotherham this week.

An investigation is under way in North Yorkshire after a "violent incident" in which man armed with a hammer allegedly assaulted police officers and a member of the public.

Image source, Google

Officers were called to Delaney Court in Settle at about 20:30 on Sunday evening.

A police spokesperson said: "PAVA spray and Taser were used to control the suspect, but it is alleged that he continued to make threats and forced the officers away before following them out onto the street while carrying a hammer.

"After discarding the hammer, it is also alleged the man assaulted the driver of another car after entering the vehicle on Duke Street.

"At this point, the police officers restrained the suspect and placed him under arrest."

The man was initially taken to hospital for assessment before being transferred into police custody for questioning, where he allegedly assaulted another officer, according to North Yorkshire Police.

Witnesses or anyone with information about the incident are being urged to contact police.

More than 50 MPs have written to the PM calling for a "clear road map" out of lockdown restrictions in northern England, warning the region risks being "left behind".

Image source, Peter Byrne/PA Wire

The letter from the newly formed Northern Research Group said the pandemic threatened Boris Johnson's pledge to "level-up".

They also called for an economic recovery plan for the region, arguing it had been hardest hit by the virus.

No 10 said it was "committed to levelling up across the country".

All the areas under the strictest restrictions of the government's three tier system, including South Yorkshire, are in the North or the Midlands.

BBC Weather

Rain spreading in from the southwest this morning will move through into the afternoon keeping things dull and wet, but it will begin to clear in the late afternoon.

Tonight will see largely clear skies after some early lingering cloud in the evening clears:

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Seven residents have died following an outbreak of Covid-19 at a care home in Huddersfield.

Image source, Go

A total of 24 residents recently tested positive for the virus at the Bupa-run Cleveland House in Edgerton.

Bosses said 20 members of staff were also affected and "have immediately isolated away from the home".

It said the majority of residents testing positive "do not have symptoms", and are receiving dedicated care in line with official guidance.

Rachel Spencer-Henshall, director of public health at Kirklees Council, said: "We take all outbreaks incredibly seriously, and together with the care home and Public Health England we're doing all we can to make sure people are safe.

"The safety of residents comes before anything else, particularly those who are vulnerable and rely on support," she said.

Bupa has confirmed the home is now closed to admissions, including from hospitals.

Luke Gale helps Leeds overcome Castleford with a try against his former side after the Tigers' Oliver Holmes is shown a first-half red card.

A suspected drug driver drove his car the wrong way down the A64 near York to avoid being pulled over by police.

Image source, Google

The driver was eventually stopped after police used a 'stinger' device to puncture the tyres of the car, officers say.

The incident began at 00:08 today after North Yorkshire Police were called by a customer at the McDonald's at Bilbrough Top on Tadcaster Road, reporting concerns about a fellow diner.

The diner, a 35-year-old from Bradford, drove off and failed to pull over when a police vehicle approached.

He pulled into a nearby hotel car park but was spotted by police and headed onto the A64 - travelling the wrong way along the carriageway.

Police halted their pursuit over fears for the public's safety.

Eventually, the vehicle was tracked by CCTV in York and police brought it to a stop on Shipton Road.

The driver was arrested on suspicion of drug driving, dangerous driving, failing to stop for the police, being a disqualified driver and having no insurance.

Police say they believe the car was stolen and cloned number plates were being used.

The juvenile peregrine died as a result of ingesting a highly toxic pesticide, police say.

There were 201 new admissions to Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals last week who had tested positive for coronavirus, almost double the number admitted the previous week.

Image source, Google

The trust, which runs hospitals in South Yorkshire and north Nottinghamshire, said eight of those require critical care, and more than 40 are receiving oxygen or are on ventilators.

Two patients died with the virus having played a significant factor in the cause of death, the trust said, but 14 had recovered enough to be discharged home.

The hospital trust said since March it had cared for 1,141 patients who had tested positive for Covid-19, and has had cared for 408 patients since infection rates began to rise again in September.

Image source, Getty Images

Writing on its Facebook page,, externalit said: "Our health heroes within Team DBTH are doing a job which is beyond any kind words and superlatives we can muster.

"We are in awe of them every day, so please continue to share your support with these brave men and women, without whom we would be lost."

Health bosses in Hull have said there has been a doubling of coronavirus cases at the city's hospital trust in the past 72 hours and that we are now in the second wave.

Doctors said they know a lot more about how best to treat Covid patients than they did in March, however.

Theresa Cope is the Chief Operating Officer for Hull University Hospitals Trust. She said: "The last 72 hours we have seen quite a sharp increase in the number of patients coming in who were Covid positive.

"That is a concern as we know we are two weeks behind other areas."

PA Media

Volunteers helping feed children in Pudsey over the half-term holiday say they have been left with "tears in their eyes" by the generosity of the community.

Image source, PA Media

Helpers at the Pudsey Community Project, based at Pudsey Parish Church, say they have been moved by the number of people donating food.

Rev Richard Dimery, said: "We've just been thrilled to see a sea of people, the voluntary sector and businesses stepping forward and saying 'we want to help those who are in need'."

"It's brought tears to the eyes of some of the volunteers to see people donating food - just coming in and bringing a bottle of squash or three bags full of donations.

"We know however many people come over the next few days and say 'we're in need, can you help' - we can say yes to that."

He said there are nearly 2,000 children on free school meals in the Pudsey parliamentary constituency.

Asked about whether he thought there would be a change from government in the near future, Mr Dimery said: "We're in this for the long haul".

A gang of three robbers broke into a flat in Grimsby on Friday, stealing a man's phone and cash.

Police said the men, wearing face masks and black gloves, assaulted the man at the property in Villa Court at about 10:00 BST.

Image source, Google

All were described as being of heavy build, one wearing a hi-vis vest, another wearing a black jacket with black flat cap and the third wearing distinctive black framed glasses with an accent not local to the area.

Officers believe it was a targeted attack with no wider risk to the community, but are asking for anyone who saw anything suspicious on Humberston Road at around that time to contact them.

A man has appeared in court charged with offences related to a plane crash which killed footballer Emiliano Sala.

Image source, Getty Images

The plane carrying 28-year-old Sala and pilot David Ibbotson crashed into the English Channel in January 2019.

David Henderson, 66, of the East Riding of Yorkshire, appeared via video link at Cardiff Crown Court on Monday.

Mr Henderson denies endangering the safety of an aircraft and attempting to discharge a passenger without valid permission or authorisation.

Mr Henderson is alleged to have arranged the flight of 21 January 2019, which was bringing the striker from Nantes in France to Cardiff, when it crashed into the English Channel near Guernsey.