Council leaders say introducing mass testing will help curb the spread of the virus.

Patients with coronavirus who are in hospital in Barnsley are being discharged quicker than during the first wave of the pandemic, health bosses have said.

Image source, PA Media

The NHS trust which runs the site says patients are continuing to arrive in hospital with the virus, with 15 currently people being treated in intensive care.

The hospital adds it's "heartened" to see the infection rate in some communities decreasing.

A spokesperson for the trust says 135 people are currently in hospital having tested positive for Covid-19.

The spokesperson adds: "However, the figures fluctuate daily as many patients with Covid-19 are making a quicker recovery than in Wave One and so are able to be discharged from hospital.

“We are grateful for the support of everyone in following the advice of limiting your contact with other people outside your household, washing your hands regularly and wearing a face covering.

“Finally, we are asking people who are due to have an appointment or operation to come along as planned unless we contact you as we are continuing to carry out as much non Covid-19 care as possible at this time.”

Hull has the highest Covid infection rate in England, with more than 751 cases per 100,000 people.

Two Exmoor ponies have been released in the Yorkshire Dales as part of a conservation project.

The ponies, which are now in the Malham area, graze on invasive plant species such as common reed and willow which means that rare plants can grow nearby.

They've joined two other ponies introduced to the area in May 2019.

Roisin Black, a National Trust area ranger, says: "We have some very rare plants, [such as] the globeflower, that hopefully the ponies will make space to grow.":

Two men have been arrested in connection with the death of a Sheffield man.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Ramey Salem (pictured), also known as Remey Saleh, died after being found seriously injured at a property on Grimesthorpe Road South at about 01:00 on Monday.

Mr Salem died from gunshot wounds.

A 21-year-old man from Sheffield has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, police say.

A 33-year-old Sheffield man has also been arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in connection with the investigation, South Yorkshire Police added.

Both men remain in police custody.

Officers continue to appeal for information.

Businesses affected by a huge tyre blaze in Bradford which has been burning for four days are slowly being allowed to reopen, according to Bradford Council.

Image source, WYFRS

About 45 firefighters are still at the scene of the blaze which started in the early hours of Monday morning at a go-kart track in East Bowling.

Writing on social media, external, Bradford council said it's now "allowing as many businesses as possible back to their premises".

But officials warned people in the area should still "keep doors and windows shut".

Meanwhile, National Rail Enquiries says services to and from nearby Bradford Interchange will remain cancelled or diverted, external due to smoke, with disruption expected until the end of the day.

A number of road and school closures remain in place. You can see details of those by clicking this link., external

As part of the response to the incident the Environment Agency has set up an air quality monitoring unit, external.

A 59-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were arrested in North Yorkshire on Tuesday on suspicion of arson. They've been released on bail as inquiries continue, police say.

Leeds Rhinos prop Bodene Thompson signs a new two-year deal with the Super League club.

The father of missing North Yorkshire man Rory Johnson-Hatfield says five years since his disappearance he's still hopeful "someone, somewhere" knows what happened to his son.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

Rory Johnson-Hatfield, 29, from Skipton, went missing after a night out in York on 20 November 2015.

North Yorkshire Police initially feared he had fallen into the River Ouse, but his family disagreed and his body has not been found despite searches.

CCTV footage shows Mr Johnson-Hatfield with friends at about midnight on the night of his disappearance at York Travelodge.

He left the hotel and six minutes later appeared on CCTV footage coming from Skeldergate Bridge. Other footage then shows him on a balcony overlooking the river.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

His father, Doug Hatfield, says: "Rory's out there somewhere, we know that. We've had no evidence either way as to whether he's alive or otherwise.

"All we can do is hope for the best that he's somewhere alive and well, but just not ready to come home yet."

A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "We are still urging people to come forward with information.

"No matter how big or small this detail is, you could hold the key that unlocks the answers Rory’s family have been waiting five painful years for."

A woman has been arrested after an 89-year-old woman's arm was broken during a street robbery in Rotherham.

The victim was waiting for a bus on Roughwood Road, Wingfield, at about 13:30 on Tuesday when she was approached by a woman.

The woman grabbed the victim's handbag, knocking her to the floor as her walking frame was pulled away.

The elderly woman hit her head and broke her arm in the fall, police say.

More than £300 was taken by the thief, along with keys and bank cards.

A 31-year-old woman has since been arrested on suspicion of robbery, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Officials in York say they intend to ask the government for mass coronavirus testing of residents across the city.

Image source, BBC/Andrew Barton

The request could see new test centres set up in different parts of the city, with people who don't have symptoms offered a coronavirus test.

Members of the City of York Council Outbreak Management Advisory Board will write to the Department for Health and Social Care with its plans to set up the system.

Sharon Stoltz, the city’s director of public health, says once the request is submitted the system could be set up quickly.

She says: “I’m really excited by the opportunity to do more localised testing. We've been lobbying for this for some time.”

The government has announced it will meet leading figures from Hull as the city tries to tackle coronavirus.

Image source, PA Media

Hull continues to have the highest rate of infections in the country, with 751 cases per 100,000 people, more than treble the national average of 221.

On Monday, it was revealed council leader Steven Brady and the city's three MPs had written to the government asking for extra support.

After Hull North Labour MP Diana Johnson raised the issue in Parliament yesterday, the Cabinet Office Minister Penny Mordaunt said: "I have arranged for the Covid-19 task force to have a meeting with her and the Local Resilience Forum.

"The notes she has given us on further support are incredibly important and we will act on them."

The date for the meeting is expected to be announced later today.

Additional powers to tackle anti-social behaviour in parts of Leeds are to remain in place following a review by Leeds City Council, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Leeds City Council

In addition to the existing 13 Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs), a new order has been put in place for the village of Swillington on the outskirts of the city, the council says.

A PSPO can last for up to three years and can be extended upon review. All 14 PSPOs prevent people from consuming alcohol in public places.

Areas where prohibitions are currently in place include Armley, Harehills, Burmantofts, Horsforth and Garforth. You can see the full list of areas with protection orders in place here, external.

Councillor Debra Coupar says: "PSPOs have proved to be a useful tool in helping us tackle anti-social behaviour in designated communities across Leeds over the past three years.

"I'm pleased that following a review the previous 13 PSPOs which were in place will continue.

"Having listened closely to the views of residents, an additional PSPO will also be introduced to cover Swillington and forms part of our commitment to take whatever steps are needed to ensure our communities continue to remain safe," she added.

Fire crews are continuing to fight a huge tyre blaze in Bradford which has now been burning for four days.

Image source, @WestYorksPolice

About 45 firefighters are at the scene of the blaze which started in the early hours of Monday morning at a go-kart track in East Bowling.

National Rail Enquiries says services to and from nearby Bradford Interchange will remain cancelled or diverted today, external due to smoke and disruption is expected until the end of the day.

A number of road and school closures remain in place, according to Bradford Council. You can see details of those by clicking this link., external

Yesterday, the Environment Agency set up an air quality monitoring unit, external as part of the response to the incident.

A 59-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman were arrested in North Yorkshire on Tuesday on suspicion of arson and have been released on bail as inquiries continue, police say.

A man has died following a flat fire in Rotherham last night.

Image source, YappApp

Twenty firefighters were involved in tackling the blaze on Hill Top Lane, Kimberworth, at about 19:00, South Yorkshire Fire Service said.

Some neighbouring homes were evacuated as firefighters dealt with incident.

The police and ambulance service were also in attendance.

A multi-agency investigation into the cause of the fire is under way, the fire service added.

BBC Weather

After a cloudy and cold start with some showers, it will become a fine day with sunshine until dusk.

This evening will be dry with clear spells, followed by a cold night with a moderate south-westerly breeze:

The death of a woman whose body was discovered at a property in Sheffield is no longer being treated as suspicious, police say.

The 45-year-old was found at an address in Castlebeck Drive, in the Manor area of the city, at about 06:10 yesterday.

A 45-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of murder has been released from police custody.

Officers say a post-mortem examination was carried out which was unable to establish the cause of death.

A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Sophie from Huddersfield sought help to overcome loneliness.

Captain Danny Houghton signs a two-year contract extension with Hull FC, as he completes his 14th season.

The Sheffield authority has apologised for the error which caused people to "panic".

Restoration work on York Minster's grand organ has almost reached its final phase.

Image source, PA Media

The rebuild of the organ, which is one of the UK's largest with more than 5,400 pipes ranging in length from the size of a pencil to 33ft long, is expected to cost about £2m.

The "once-in-a-century" refurbishment saw the organ dismantled and removed from the cathedral in October 2018.

Today, the "voicing" of the organ, which is all done by ear, has been due to take place in an effort to ensure more than 5,000 pipes are playing the correct note, tone and volume.

The project is due to completed by Spring 2021.