A dog which was in a car which was stolen in South Yorkshire before Christmas has been reunited with its owners, police say.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

An appeal was issued yesterday for information about Lily the springer spaniel, who was in her owner’s car when it was stolen in Sheffield.

However, writing on social media,, external South Yorkshire Police now say: "Last night, someone spotted our appeal and provided the piece of the jigsaw we needed to get Lily back safe and sound.

"PC Ledger and PC Gould from Ecclesfield had the lovely job of returning her to her owners."

Scores of delighted well-wishers responded to the the news expressing their joy that Lily and her family had been reunited.

Leeds Rhinos induct legendary scrum-half Rob Burrow into their Hall of Fame.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The chief executive of Harrogate Hospital has paid tribute to NHS workers who have risked their lives during the coronavirus pandemic as the year “we will never forget” draws to a close.

Image source, Google

Steve Russell said 2020 had been an “incredibly challenging” time for nurses, doctors and other front-line workers at the hospital, and warned the risks of Covid-19 “will not simply disappear” in the New Year.

Mr Russell said: “I would like to thank our fantastic colleagues across the trust who've gone above and beyond, continuing to provide care at the very highest level while having to adapt to new ways of working, in ways that would test the resilience of anybody."

His message of thanks comes as NHS officials warned English hospitals were struggling to cope with rising Covid patient numbers, although admissions have remained stable in Harrogate.

Bosses at one of Hull's biggest tourist attractions say it's critical the operation returns to normal by early next year following months of uncertainty over coronavirus restrictions.

The Deep has depended on a government loan as well as donations to keep going during the Covid-19 pandemic this year.

Curator Ben Jones says: "We are 100% supported through door admissions, that's how we operate. There's no external funding from anywhere else.

"In 2021, our first critical period is February half-term and after that it's Easter. So we'd really like to be operating with some semblance of normality for February half-term."

People are being warned not to approach a convicted killer who has absconded from a prison in South Yorkshire.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Ryan Hill left Hatfield Open Prison in Doncaster on Christmas Eve, according to South Yorkshire Police.

The 41-year-old was jailed for manslaughter in 2008 and recalled to prison for burglary in 2019.

Prison staff became aware he was missing at about 22:30 on Thursday 24 December, police said.

Despite "extensive inquiries", officers have not been able to find him.

Hill is known to have links to Wakefield and Upton in West Yorkshire and Sowerby, near Thirsk, in North Yorkshire.

A police spokesperson said: "Hill is about 6ft 3ins tall, of medium build, with blond hair.

"One of his front teeth is missing and he has a number of tattoos including one saying 'bulldog bulldog breed oggy' on his right arm.

"If you see him do not approach him, instead call 999."

The Environment Agency has issued four flood warnings for parts of North Yorkshire.

Image source, Gov.uk

A flood warning means "flooding is expected - immediate action required."

Warnings have been issued for:

• River Derwent at Buttercrambe Mill, external
• River Ouse at Naburn Lock, external
• River Ouse at York - riverside properties, external
• River Ouse at York - St George's Field and Queen's Staith, external

The Environment Agency says it expects river levels to continue rising slowly over the next few days.

In a statement it says "incident response staff are closely monitoring the forecast."

York's coronavirus rate has overtaken all of the other Yorkshire cities, according to the city's health boss.

Image source, PA Media

A few weeks ago, the rate of infection in the city had dropped to below 60 cases per 100,000 people.

Sharon Stoltz, York's director of public health says: "A few weeks ago we had the lowest rate in the Yorkshire and Humber region.

"In York now our case rate is higher than the regional average and it's actually increased to over 200 cases per 100,000 people, which is a real disappointment."

Health Secretary Matt Hancock is due to detail any changes to the current virus tier system in the House of Commons after 14:30 today.

The Independent Care Group, which represents more than 200 care providers in North Yorkshire and York, called the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine news "absolutely brilliant and fantastic".

Image source, reuters

The vaccine's been approved for use in the UK, with the first doses due to be given soon amid rising coronavirus cases.

Mike Padgham, who runs four homes in North Yorkshire and is chairman of the Independent Care Group, said: "After the shocking figures released yesterday of the massive rise in infections, this gives us much hope.

"This should mean the mass vaccinations can now begin in earnest to those residents and all vulnerable people, particularly those in care homes and the staff who care for them, as a priority.

"Our thanks should go to those involved in developing this Oxford vaccine - we will be forever in their debt."

The UK has ordered 100 million doses of the vaccine.

This will cover the entire population, when combined with the full order of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said.

A 90-year-old man's died after being hit by a car in Wakefield, police say.

Image source, Google

Colin Benn died on Sunday 27 December after suffering serious injuries on Cliff Parade just after 13:00 on 15 December, according to West Yorkshire Police.

He was hit by a white Lexus IS 300h car near the junction with Wood Street, police added.

The driver, a 34-year-old local man, has been spoken to by police, officers confirmed.

Anyone who witnessed the collision, or what happened leading up to it, or who has dash cam or mobile phone footage of the incident, is asked to contact police.

BBC Weather

Today it will stay cold, dry and bright, following a frosty start.

It will be mostly dry and cold tonight with a gentle northerly breeze:

Dean Wilson is aiming to post 1,000 pictures of his "pebble of the day" discoveries.

A murder investigation has been launched after a man died after an incident at a flat in Selby town centre, police say.

Image source, Google

Officers were called to the property in Finkle Street just before 09:00 on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for North Yorkshire Police said: “When officers arrived they established a man had sustained significant and life-threatening injuries. He was treated at the scene by paramedics, but sadly died.”

A woman was also injured in the incident and was taken to hospital for treatment. Her injuries are not believed to be life-threatening, police said.

A man in his 30s has been arrested. He’s being held in custody on suspicion of murder and attempted murder, officers confirmed.