Plans to expand an oil and gas drilling site in East Yorkshire could "blight" the area, according to local councillors and residents.

Image source, Google

Rathlin Energy is considering adding six more wells to its site near West Newton.

It said it was committed to a public consultation before deciding whether to apply for planning permission.

If it is approved, the site could see up to 25 oil tankers driving in and out daily over a 20-year period.

Harry Clark, who lives in nearby New Ellerby, said: "It's gone from being a single development to being potentially something that could blight this whole area and turn it from what is an agricultural area into an industrial area."

East Riding of Yorkshire Council has told the firm it does not need need an Environmental Impact Assessment for the proposed expansion scheme.

But three Conservative councillors have written to the authority's chief executive asking it to reconsider the decision.

They cited concerns about the impact of a "significant numbers of HGVs travelling on country lanes".

Rathlin Energy declined to comment when approached by the BBC.

However, a statement on the company's website said it was "committed to facilitating public engagement on its plans in advance of the formal submission of the planning application".

Ipswich Town impressively coped with difficult footballing conditions to win 1-0 at faltering Hull City.

A Scarborough woman who deliberately coughed at police officers has been jailed for four months.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

Lisa Dawn Fisher, 31, of Westbourne Grove, pleaded guilty at Scarborough Magistrates’ Court to two counts of common assault against an emergency worker.

Fisher became "verbally abusive and obstructive towards officers before deliberately coughing at them", on 30 January this year, police said.

The incident followed reports of a breach of coronavirus regulations at an address in Scarborough, officers added.

Fisher, who was sentenced on 17 February, was also ordered to pay £75 compensation.

Ch Insp Rachel Wood said: “This sentence sends a clear message of how serious the criminal justice system takes such behaviour.

"All too often police officers and staff are subjected to assaults and threats while carrying out their work to protect members of the public – including the very people who abuse them."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A North Yorkshire MP has asked the Prime Minister if lockdown restrictions could be lifted faster if the Covid vaccination programme progresses more quickly than expected.

Image source, Parliament UK

York Outer Conservative MP Julian Sturdy said he “fully supports” Boris Johnson’s plans for a roadmap out of lockdown led by data not dates.

But he said: “If we are following the data, that flexibility has to work both ways.

“Is there scope and flexibility to go faster if the vaccination programme proceeds more rapidly than expected and the data shows enhanced effectiveness of the vaccine?”

Mr Johnson, speaking in the House of Commons, said: “This is already a very fast unlocking programme by other international standards.

“I think what people want to see and what businesses want is as much certainty as possible, rather than uncertainty - and that’s what we aim to provide.”

Mr Johnson added that the effect of easing lockdown will be evaluated at regular intervals.

Cannabis worth over £1.5m has been seized from drug operations in Wakefield city centre so far in 2021, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Two raids in January led to the seizure of 1,980 cannabis plants from a former nightclub in Queen Street and the dismantling of a cannabis factory in a former restaurant on Westgate end, resulting in the seizure of 40 plants, police say.

Meanwhile, 256 plants were found during a raid on a "large-scale" cannabis factory occupying several rooms of commercial premises at White Horse Yard in Market Street.

A man was arrested and charged on suspicion of drugs offences in connection with the White Horse Yard raid, police added.

Insp Paul Fraser said: "The start of 2021 has without doubt been a very busy one for us and has seen our officers prevent over a million pounds' worth of drugs from reaching our communities."

A warning's been issued to people drinking alcohol at home during the Covid-19 lockdown after 90 drivers were arrested in one month for drink and drug-driving offences in North Yorkshire.

Image source, PA M

A total of 39 motorists were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving during the first month of the current lockdown, with 51 motorists arrested in connection with drug-driving offences in the same period, police say.

Following the arrests, senior police and fire officers have issued a joint warning that "those who drink at home are just as likely to kill someone if they get behind the wheel".

Supt Emma Aldred said: “I am truly shocked and astounded at the number of people found to be under the influence of alcohol despite pubs and bars being closed to drinkers.

“This is a stark reminder that having a few alcoholic drinks at home could lead you to still being over the limit the following morning and being unfit to drive.

“Drinking at home can mean you easily lose track of how much you have had," she added.

Group Manager Dave Winspear, from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Every year, we as a fire service see the consequences of drink-driving at incidents we attend.

“Please don’t be tempted to have a few drinks at home and then get behind the wheel, and remember that you can still be over the limit the following morning.”

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A fall in the number of children in Bradford getting the MMR jab has put the city at more risk of a measles outbreak, councillors have been told.

Image source, Reuters/Lindsey Wasson

Just under 90% of children under two in Bradford currently get the jab, down from 94.6% in 2013-14, the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee heard.

The lower take-up of the vaccine meant outbreaks of these diseases were more likely, public health bosses said.

A 95% take-up rate was needed for herd immunity, committee members were told.

Councillors were told the falling take-up of the measles, mumps and rubella jab is among several public health indicators meaning Bradford is "significantly worse" than where it needs to be.

Public health consultant Duncan Cooper told the Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee that measles was a particular risk in the city because it has a high R number - the rate at which the disease is transmitted in the community.

"We've heard we have to get the R level below one to reduce the spread of Covid. By comparison, the R level for measles is 14. That means if one person has it, they on average will pass it on to 14 other children," he said.

Neighbouring Leeds had seen "some really big measles outbreaks" and that showed Bradford's MMR jab rate needed to be back up to 95%, Mr Cooper said.

A dog stolen from a farm in East Yorkshire is believed to be about 130 miles away somewhere in Lancashire, say police.

Image source, Humberside Police

Three springer spaniels were stolen from an outside kennel on a farm at Thornholme near Burton Agnes between 23:00 on Thursday 11 February and 06:00 on Friday 12 February, according to Humberside Police.

Two of the spaniels have since been found, but one, known as Keedy, is still missing and thought to be in Preston, Lancashire, police said.

The dog is described as a two-year-old male, liver and white in colour with one black paw.

A spokesperson for the Humberside force said: "We believe Keedy could possibly be in or around the areas of Manchester, Wigan or Preston.

"We are now appealing for anyone with any information that would lead us to reunite the remaining missing dog with their elderly owner, who is naturally very distressed and worried about them."

The move to delay elections for a year is due to possible changes in how local government is run.

Do you recognise the man in the images below? The CCTV images have been released after a man left the scene of an attempted burglary in Rotherham, police say:

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

The man entered a house in Brinsworth Lane just before 22:00 on Friday 12 February.

He was disturbed by the occupants and left in a silver vehicle in the direction of Bonet Lane, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Anyone who recognises the man is being asked to contact police.

A 21-year-old North Yorkshire swimming teacher says it's "wonderful" to be surrounded by people again after becoming the youngest woman to row solo across the Atlantic Ocean.

Image source, Atlantic Campaigns

Jasmine Harrison, from Thirsk, set off on her 3,000-mile journey from La Gomera in the Canary Islands in December.

She docked in Antigua on Saturday, completing the journey in 70 days, three hours and 48 minutes.

Speaking on BBC Radio York today, she said: "I've not really had time for it to sink in yet, I've just been so busy actually just catching up with people.

"It's really nice to be surrounded by people again, it feels wonderful."

Ms Harrison's crossing was not without difficulty and she capsized just two days before crossing the finishing line, external, injuring her elbow in the process.

During the crossing, Ms Harrison would row for two hours and sleep for two hours on rotation.

As well as rowing into the record books, she has also raised more than £10,000 for charity.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new clean air zone could be fully implemented in Bradford by January next year, it's been confirmed.

Image source, Reuters

A vote on whether to move ahead with plans to charge the most polluting commercial vehicles up to £50 a day to enter much of the city centre is being taken on Tuesday 2 March.

A report to the council executive says the government has awarded £39.3m funding to Bradford to help implement the zone, and support the upgrade of the most polluting vehicles.

Operators will be able to use this pot of cash to upgrade their vehicles to either less polluting engines, or completely overhaul them to greener power such as electric.

HGV and bus operators could claim up to £16,000 per vehicle, while van and minibus operators could claim £4,500 for upgrades.

Of the total fund around £10m will be set aside for taxi operators to upgrade their vehicles.

The scheme will use a network of automated number plate recognition cameras to identify non-compliant vehicles.

Councillor Sarah Ferriby, said: “The government clearly recognises the urgent need to address poor air quality and improve health in parts of the city.

"The Clean Air Fund award is one of the highest announced so far, enabling the council to offer attractive grants to local businesses, and to develop a low emission economy in the city."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Work is due to start this week on a major scheme in York to transform underused land in the city into new residential neighbourhoods, cultural spaces and a commercial quarter.

Image source, City of York Council

Under the York Central plans (artist's impression above), work will begin at Leeman Road Millennium Green on clearing away brambles and shrubs around the footpath entrance to the green at Garnet Terrace.

Several trees next to the footpath will be removed, the viewing platform will be refurbished, about 300m of footpath will be improved with stone and timber edging replaced.

The footpath will be closed and fenced off during the work.

Millennium Green will remain open, but access over Holgate Beck to Garnett Terrace at the southern end of the park will sometimes be closed.

A City of York Council spokesperson said trees will only be removed if it is essential.

The Millennium Oak and the mosaic will be protected while work takes place.

Council leader Keith Aspden said: "As ever, we thank all local residents and businesses for their patience."

More than 300 mature trees are set to be planted during later phases of the work.

A 12th Century Norman castle in South Yorkshire has been illuminated for the first time in 25 years.

Image source, Shaun Woodward

Conisbrough Castle, near Doncaster, will be lit up every night from dusk until midnight.

Councillor Nigel Ball said funding issues had prevented the medieval structure's lights from being replaced since they failed two decades ago.

He said local residents had wanted new lighting for the castle - one of the UK's oldest existing Norman keeps - ever since.

The ward councillor for Conisbrough said the £30,000 LED lighting system was paid for from Doncaster Council's community fund, with English Heritage agreeing to foot future electricity and maintenance bills.

He said: "This year has been really difficult for everyone ,but this has provided a real lift for people's spirits."

English Heritage said: "The magnificent keep at Conisbrough Castle is one of South Yorkshire's most striking landmarks."

PA Media

A sculptor from North Yorkshire is hoping to raise thousands of pounds to create a 2m-high bronze statue of Captain Sir Tom Moore to place in a Leeds hospital as a tribute to the Second World War veteran.

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Andrian Melka, from Bolton Percy, said he hopes the sculpture will provide inspiration for staff, patients and visitors and remind them that "one step in front of the other will get you somewhere".

The statue will portray the 100-year-old fundraiser, who was originally from Keighley giving the thumbs-up as he completed 100 laps of his Bedfordshire garden ahead of his milestone birthday last year.

Mr Melka said: "What made me decide was his determination for doing what he wanted to do at the age that he was and it just reminded me of that old generation who fought in the Second World War."

The sculptor said he began the two to three-month process by making a small model and will go on to create a full-size statue in clay (pictured) before making a mould for the sculpture to be cast in bronze by a London-based foundry.

He has set up a fundraising website to raise the £28,500 needed to cover the costs of the foundry and has so far raised more than £12,000.

Mr Melka added that he had been talking to Leeds hospitals about the possibility of donating the statue.

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Two drivers who died in a crash involving a lorry carrying livestock in West Yorkshire have been named by police.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Oliver Knott, 21, and Dr Maisie Ryan, 27, were in separate cars when the three vehicles collided near Addingham on Thursday, according to West Yorkshire Police.

Both were pronounced dead at the scene.

The lorry driver is in a serious condition in hospital, police added.

An investigation into the incident on the A65 Wharfedale Road is continuing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or who has dash camera or mobile phone footage of the incident is being asked to contact police.

Liam Tripp, 34, posed as a teenage boy online to get the 11-year-old girl to send indecent images.

A pub licencee has said being able to reopen outdoors in April is not ideal for many landlords due to the lack of outdoor space and the "risk" of poor weather.

Image source, Google

The route out of lockdown announced by the Prime Minister earlier says hospitality venues will be able to open their outdoors spaces on 12 April but will have to wait until May before customers will be allowed inside.

Paul Crossman chairs the Campaign for Pubs and runs three pubs in York. He said it was "good to have some dates" but said a lot of landlords were not sure outdoor opening worked for them.

"It does depend on the weather and the amount of space people have, plenty of York pubs have very small, if any outdoor space."

He said there are a lot of costs involved in setting up and that's a risk if you aren't sure you are going to get the customers.

Mr Crossman said many landlords might opt to wait until May when they could fully reopen and said they would be glad to see the back of the curfew and the requirement to serve a substantial meal.

The Prime Minister's announcement of the steps and dates when coronavirus restrictions will be eased has been welcomed by one hotel owner in Scarborough.

Image source, Google

Tony Bates, owner of Hotel Ellenby, said what businesses like his had needed was certainty and someone to clearly lay out the dates they could reopen.

He said: "I think what's been announced is actually right and I haven't said that for a long time about what the government's done."

Under the plans hotels can reopen from 17 May.

"It would be lovely if it was tomorrow, but to be honest, we're cautious, the public are quite cautious, I believe this is what the public want."