An emerging rapper from Hull says being awarded a grant to develop his musical career will "shine the light on Yorkshire".

Image source, Matt Molson

Chiedu Oraka, who's also known as the Black Yorkshireman, was awarded one of 21 national grants from MOBO/Help Musicians, external.

The grant is to be used to grow musicians' business skills and provide help during the coronavirus pandemic.

Mr Oraka said: "I'm from Hull, a city no one gives credit too. I am fighting the cause."

His is one of three awards to Hull-based musicians - the others have gone to Downton Kayoto and Dragg.

Mr Oraka said: "Covid has hit the arts very hard and we aren't able to gig. This money will help deliver my music, get help with publicity and take my career one step further."

The East Yorkshire city was not "one of your cultural hotspots for my music" when compared to London, Birmingham or Manchester, he said, but this was a "big step" for all three.

"In a nutshell, I make UK-based rap music and I am talking about the city honestly. And I give two fingers up to anyone who thinks Hull can't produce something great."

Mr Okara added that he was aiming to put Hull "on the map".

Two more people have been arrested as part of an investigation into the fatal shooting of a 20-year-old man in Sheffield.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Lewis Williams died after he suffered a shotgun wound to his face and neck during the attack in Wath Road, Mexborough, on Monday 11 January.

This morning, a 20-year-old man from Barnsley was arrested on suspicion of murder, South Yorkshire Police said.

Meanwhile, a 49-year-old man from Doncaster was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender and possession of ammunition, officers added.

They both remain in police custody.

Two boys, aged 16 and 17, have previously appeared in court charged with murder. They are next due to appear at Sheffield Crown Court next month.

A 32-year-old man from Doncaster and a 22-year-old man from Rotherham, who were previously arrested, are to remain on police bail while inquiries continue, the force added.

Two other men, both aged 20, also remain on bail.

A flood-hit road in West Yorkshire is to remain closed for the time being despite water levels in the area falling, Leeds City Council has said.

Barnsdale Road, in Allerton Bywater, near Castleford, was closed earlier this week, due to flooding caused by Storm Christoph.

Writing on social media, external, the council said: "Though the Environment Agency flood warning remains at Allerton Ings and levels are falling, the A656 Barnsdale Rd remains closed.

"Closure will be lifted when safe to do so."

Meanwhile, a Leeds weir has been "restored to its fully raised position", the council said.

The weir at Knostrop was lowered earlier to allow flood water to rapidly pass though.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A coronavirus vaccination centre is to be opened in Ripon after complaints that elderly residents are having to travel miles outside the area to get the jab.

Image source, Reuters/Paul Childs

The centre will be opened “in the next week or so” at a location to be confirmed, NHS officials have confirmed.

Earlier, Ripon councillors issued an “urgent” call for a centre to be set up in the city after warning that over-80s were struggling to reach appointments at sites in Harrogate or York.

Andrew Williams, leader of Ripon City Council, said expecting elderly residents to travel long distances during recent bad weather and on public transport was “wholly inappropriate”.

He said: “It’s welcome news Ripon will get its own vaccination site. It will make a huge difference to those who have been forced to travel as far away as York.

“We hope arrangements for the centre can be made as soon as possible to avoid any more long and unnecessary journeys for our residents.”

Amanda Bloor, from NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group, said the NHS would continue to look at whether further sites were needed in the county.

A fire at Leeds General Infirmary on Thursday caused "significant damage", police have said.

Image source, Holly Sophia

Emergency crews were called to the hospital at about 17:55 yesterday after reports a man was causing damage to a unit and making threats.

The area was evacuated and a 43-year-old man was subsequently arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

At the height of the incident, six Leeds fire crews plus an aerial appliance from Bradford Fire Station were in attendance at the hospital, according to West Yorkshire Fire Service.

No-one was injured in the blaze, according to West Yorkshire Police.

The 43-year-old arrested man remains in custody, officers add.

Det Insp James Entwistle said: "This was a very serious incident which caused significant damage to the hospital.

"Luckily no-one was injured and everyone in the hospital was safely accounted for.

"I would like to appeal to anyone who was impacted by the fire in either the A&E or X-Ray department between 17:00 and 18:00 to come forward with any information to assist our inquiries," he added.

Hull College Group said on Thursday it has "maintained this loss-making provision for some time".

Phil Bodmer
Journalist, BBC Look North

These are the latest pictures from the fields near York which are being used to hold floodwater to prevent it affecting properties in the city following heavy rain earlier this week.

Clifton Ings, just outside of the city centre, is being used as a temporary water storage area to reduce the peak level downstream in York.

The Environment Agency says it is capable of holding 2.3 million cubic metres of water.

Menwhile, a total of 31 flood warnings, external - meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - are in place in Yorkshire following Storm Christoph.

There are also 24 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - in place on Yorkshire's rivers.

CCTV footage has been released following a masked knife-point robbery at a bookmakers in Rotherham.

Two men entered the Bet Extra bookmakers on Frederick Street and threatened staff with a knife at about 19:45 on Friday 9 October 2020, according to South Yorkshire Police

The pair then fled the scene with a small amount of money, running through Rotherham bus station, police said.

One of the suspects is described as slim and about 5ft 8ins tall. He was wearing a black, grey and white deer-stalker hat.

The second suspect is described as wearing a blue coat and a grey hat.

Both suspects were wearing masks.

Anyone who recognises either of the men in the film is being asked to contact police.

A total of 31 flood warnings, external - meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - are in place in Yorkshire following heavy rain brought by Storm Christoph earlier in the week.

Image source, EPA

There are also 24 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - in place on Yorkshire's rivers.

People in York whose homes are at risk of flooding due to high river levels in the city following Storm Christoph are "safe", a city councillor has said.

Councillor Paula Widdowson said: "The next high peak for the river is predicted for noon today at 4.7m, so I'm confident the flood defences will hold."

Meanwhile, in Malton in North Yorkshire the River Derwent peaked at about 06:20 this morning at 5.05m above normal levels.

The leader of Ryedale District Council, Keane Duncan, said: "It's a slightly tense situation, but I'd like to reassure residents we're doing all we can and I'm hopeful we can keep things under control".

There are flood warnings in place for parts of Hull, external, on the River Aire in West Yorkshire, external and on the River Swale, external and River Ure, external in North Yorkshire.

About 10% of drivers who were breathalysed in South Yorkshire in December were found to be over the drink-drive limit, the county's police force has revealed.

Image source, Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Out of a total of 764 drivers who were given breath tests during the four-week crackdown, 75 were shown to be over the legal alcohol limit, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Roads Policing Sgt Bruce Yacomeni said: "In 2019, 11% of drivers stopped in December were found to be over the limit.

"Last year, although slightly lower, there were still a high number of drivers who have made a conscious decision to increase their chances of causing death or serious injury on our roads.

"Those who get behind the wheel after a drink or taking drugs need to ask themselves ‘Is it worth it?’"

Meanwhile, a total of 60 drivers were stopped and tested by South Yorkshire Police officers for cannabis and cocaine in December.

Of those, 47 of those drivers - that's 78% - tested positive, the force said.

These are the latest pictures of the River Derwent in Malton, North Yorkshire, as pumps are used to move flood water away from the town following heavy rain from Storm Christoph.

The River Derwent peaked in the town at about 06:20 this morning at 5.05m above normal levels.

The leader of Ryedale District Council, Keane Duncan, described the situation as "tense".

But he said: "We don't have any major property flooding outside the usual hotspots and we've had no calls to our floodline overnight.

Mr Duncan added: "All our fire crews are out and we've extra pumps in place, but things look to be under control."

Two flood warnings remain in the town at:

• Mill Beck at Welham Road, Norton, external
• River Derwent at Old Malton, external

BBC Weather

Today will be bright but chilly in Yorkshire with spells of sunshine and occasional showers.

Tonight will be cold with clear spells and the risk of a few rain, sleet or snow showers:

People in York whose homes are at risk of flooding due to high river levels in the city following Storm Christoph are "safe", a city councillor has said.

There are currently 10 flood warnings for the city, external, meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected.

City of York councillor Paula Widdowson says: "The latest forecast from the Environment Agency is that the River Ouse in York will not rise above 4.7m, therefore every single barrier we have will work, making sure the water does not go into the rest of the city.

"I understand residents' concerns over how high the river looks, but they are safe.

"The next high peak for the river is predicted for noon today at 4.7m, so I'm confident the flood defences will hold."

However, Councillor Widdowson warned people to stay away from the rivers saying: "The rivers are still raging and now it's cold you may slip on the ice."

Letters have been written to some people in York offering them emergency accommodation in hotels if flood defences are breached.

Saracens are forced to forfeit their Trailfinders Challenge Cup fixture against Doncaster after two positive Covid-19 results.

Huge efforts are being made to pump flood water away from Malton in North Yorkshire following heavy rain from Storm Christoph.

Image source, BBC/Louise Fewster

The River Derwent in the town peaked at about 06:20 this morning at 5.05m above normal levels.

The leader of Ryedale District Council, Keane Duncan, said: "All our fire crews are out and we've extra pumps in place, but things look to be under control.

"We don't have any major property flooding outside of the usual hot spots and we've had no calls to our floodline overnight.

"It's a slightly tense situation, but I'd like to reassure residents we're doing all that we can and I'm hopeful we can keep things under control," he added.

Two flood warnings remain in the town at:

• Mill Beck at Welham Road, Norton, external
• River Derwent at Old Malton, external

Occupants of 130 homes at risk of flooding in York have been offered accomodation in a Covid-safe hotel.

Image source, PA Media

People living in Clementhorpe and Peckitt Street have been contacted by the City of York Council and given the option of being moved to a hotel, going to stay with friends or family to create a new bubble, or stay in their homes.

At the moment the area is being protected by a temporary wall built from sandbags.

The River Ouse in the city just before 06:00 this morning was 4.62m above its usual level., external

Image source, PA Media

In Malton in North Yorkshire, which the council says is at risk of flooding over the next "several days",16 pumps are being used as rivers are due to peak later today at record levels.

The Environment Agency said North Yorkshire had seen about 120mm of rain since Monday.

A total of 43 flood warnings, external- meaning immediate action should be taken as flooding is expected - remain in place in Yorkshire.

There are also 31 flood alerts - meaning flooding is possible, be prepared - in place on the county's rivers.

Vaccines are reportedly being diverted from the North East and Yorkshire to other parts of England.

Nadhim Zahawi said no vaccine would be diverted from Yorkshire to other parts of England.

Police officer investigating the death of a 17-year-old who was found on the bank of the River Hull have been given more time to question a suspect.

Image source, Humberside Police

Connor Lyons' body was found at Ennerdale, Hull, on Tuesday.

A 21-year-old man, who has been arrested on suspicion of murder, theft and assault, is being questioned by police in connection with Mr Lyons' death.

Humberside Police say detectives have been given an extra 36 hours to detain and question the suspect.

Det Ch Insp Rhod Troake, who is leading the investigation, said: “It’s very clear that Connor was popular and well regarded and our thoughts are with all those who knew and loved him.

"Our focus is to establish exactly what happened to Connor and to bring to justice anyone found to have had involvement in his death."

The River Derwent is expected to peak on Friday and remain high for several days, a council says.