This year's York Pride - North Yorkshire’s biggest LGBT+ celebration - has been cancelled due to concerns over Covid-19, organisers have confirmed.

Image source, York Pride

Instead, an online Pride event is planned to take place on 5 June. Last year's event was also cancelled due to the coronavirus outbreak.

A spokesperson for the event said: "We have once again made the difficult decision to postpone this year’s York Pride, due to be held on Saturday 5 June 2021.

"Our committee has unanimously agreed there are still too many uncertainties around Covid-19 and holding large public events for us to confidently host a safe event of which ourselves and our community could be proud.

"We know many members of our LGBT+ community have been affected negatively by the pandemic, so it’s vital we’re still all able to come together and connect with each other, albeit virtually, at our online Pride on Saturday 5 June 2021."

Eileen Beaven's family arranged for a special performance to mark her big day.

The landowner of an illegal waste site is ordered to clear the land by the Environment Agency.

Tim Daley
Journalist, BBC Radio Leeds

The Debenhams store site in Leeds city centre could be transformed into student flats if new plans get the go-ahead.

Image source, Google

In January, it was announced that the Debenhams stores on Briggate in Leeds and at the White Rose Centre would close for good after the brand name was bought by online retailer Boohoo.

The Debenhams brand is expected to live on as an online-only retailer.

The plans for the Briggate shop have been submitted to Leeds City Council and include a proposal to keep the building's basement and ground floor open for commercial use while turning the rest of the upper floors into accommodation.

The Briggate site could house 90 studio flats which would create 124 new "bedspaces", the plans suggest.

Two men were injured in the attack in the Westfield area of Sheffield on Monday night

Do you recognise this man? Police want to speak to him after a woman was attacked in York city centre last month:

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

A woman was assaulted by a male at the junction of Clarence Street and the grounds of York St John University at about 06:40 on Friday 26 February, according to North Yorkshire Police.

The suspect is described as aged about 50 with very short dark hair.

He was wearing dark clothing and had a small dog with him, officers said.

Anyone who recognises the man in the image is being urged to contact police.

Hundreds of people have snapped up the chance to spend an hour high above a Yorkshire city in a glass and wood box keeping vigil at sunrise or sunset.

Image source, Benjamin Tovo

Hull Vigil is an art installation which will see 730 people - two per day for a year - keeping watch from a purpose-built pod on the roof of Hull College.

Mikey Martins, from Hull Freedom Festival, said those taking part would "watch the choreography of the city".

The 730 separate vigil slots were all taken within seven hours of booking opening and the waiting list is currently closed, said organisers.

The event is run by Hull Freedom Festival, which celebrates the city's links with anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.

Image source, Nikola Milatovick

Mr Martins, the festival's artistic director, said of the vigils: "You have your private moment, but become part of a collective."

Each participant is expected to spend the vigil without phone or camera, but with a panoramic view of the city, the River Hull, the Humber estuary and Humber Bridge.

After keeping vigil for an hour, participants will be photographed and their thoughts will be compiled in a book.

The shelter will be visible from vantage points in the city including Queens Gardens and is to be illuminated throughout the performance.

The year-long series of vigils is due to start at around sunset on 3 May and end with a sunrise vigil at about 05:21 on 3 May 2022.

A quad bike rider is in hospital being treated for life-threatening injuries after his vehicle hit a parked car in Leeds, according to police.

Image source, Google

Emergency services were called to Tong Drive, Farnley, just before 14:30 yesterday and a 33-year-old man was taken to hospital.

His quad bike was removed before officers arrived at the scene of the collision, officers said.

Anyone who witnessed or has footage of the collision, or knows the whereabouts of the quad bike, is asked to contact the West Yorkshire force.

Fly-tippers are being targeted in Selby after an increase in rubbish being dumped in the area, police have warned.

Image source, PA Media

The district has seen up to 2,000 tyres dumped in more than 35 separate incidents in the last 12 months, according to North Yorkshire Police.

PCSO Caroline Saville, said: “To tackle the issue we're increasing patrols to target known hot-spots, and working closely with landowners and Selby District Council.

"Offenders should know that this crime will not be tolerated.”

Councillor Chris Pearson, said: “We’ve seen lots of instances of tyres being dumped in our district recently and we’re committed to working closely with the police and landowners to tackle the issue."

Mr Pearson appealed to anyone who witnesses acts of fly-tipping to "record as many details as you can without disturbing any potential evidence - noting the date, time and location with a photograph - and report it to us."

Sarah Wakefield
BBC Radio Leeds News

Major repairs are going to be carried out on Halifax's Minster after it received more than £100,000 from the government's Cultural Recovery Fund.

Image source, Google

The Minster was awarded £124,000 from the fund, which was created to help cultural spots survive the pandemic.

The figure has been matched by The Friends of the Minster and the Headley Trust.

It means more than £200,000 can be spend on the repairs to the south and east elevations.

The 900-year-old building needs its stone work re-pointing, repairs to stained glass windows, stone replacement and restoration of the building's distinctive pinnacles.

The Rev Canon Hilary Barber, vicar of Halifax, said: “This work is not only helping to restore the Minster for future generations but it also provides much-needed work for stonemasons, architects and surveyors and scaffolding contractors."

Michael Henderson
BBC Radio Leeds

Almost 250 staff and researchers from the University of Leeds have written to the government asking for a rethink over expansion plans for Leeds Bradford Airport.

Image source, Press handout

Last month, £150m plans for a new terminal building were approved, despite objections.

Now a group, including professors and associate professors, has written to Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick asking him to get involved.

The letter says expanding passenger numbers at Leeds Bradford by 75% would make it harder for the UK to achieve its climate targets.

Chris Foren, chairman of the anti-airport expansion Group for Action on Leeds Bradford Airport ssaid: “The Secretary of State has the power to intervene in planning matters that conflict with national policies or that cause substantial controversy.

"Given the UK’s 2050 net zero target, and the international embarrassment caused by approving new airports and new coal mines in the year we are hosting COP26, it is critical he should now exercise that power.”

Supporters of the scheme say if the airport is not rebuilt, passengers will simply drive to other airports.

They claim that would just transfer emissions elsewhere.

MPs have urged the government to intervene to stop plans which could see the scrapping of a direct rail link between Sheffield and Manchester Airport.

The proposal to scrap the direct link is included in two of the three options being considered in a Department for Transport consultation, external on improving services in and around Manchester.

Labour MPs argue "any review of Manchester services should not be undertaken in isolation, but must consider the impact on the wider northern region".

In a letter to Transport Secretary Grant Shapps, they said “The long-established direct rail link between Sheffield and Manchester Airport is a vital part of maintaining Sheffield’s international connectivity.”

The letter from Paul Blomfield, Clive Betts, Olivia Blake, Gill Furniss and Louise Haigh, urges the transport secretary to retain the direct link after the consultation closes on 10 March.

The MPs write: "The loss of a direct rail connection will drive more road traffic onto already congested trans-Pennine routes.”

They add: “Sheffield needs international connectivity to attract inward investment and enable business to improve productivity."

Getting a share of millions of pounds of government cash announced in yesterday's Budget is "great news," for the North Yorkshire coast, businesses leaders have said.

Image source, Graham Robson/Geograph

Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced £199m towards Yorkshire and the Humber as part of the Towns Fund, external.

Scarborough and Whitby are to each get a share totalling more than £37m.

Simon Bull, the director of Scarborough Business Ambassdors, said: "This is great news. The town really needs it, there's a huge amount of work to be done.

"The high street has been decimated by this pandemic and I don't think it's going to recover easily on its own."

The government said the money would help to "level up" towns and aid recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic.

Twelve goats kept in "dangerous conditions" have been rescued by police officers in South Yorkshire.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Police said the animals were removed from an allotment in the Darnall area of Sheffield and handed over to the RSPCA after concerns were raised for their welfare.

Sgt Peter Heginbotham said: “A number of animals including guinea pigs, dogs and a pony were disclaimed and passed over to the RSPCA with no issues, but the goats had to be seized by our team.

“Reports had been received that these lovely animals were being kept in dangerous conditions, being fed incorrect food and were likely to be destined for illegal slaughter."

He said the animal are now being cared for in a place of safety and the RSPCA will take charge of the investigation.

The UK's first infrastructure bank, which will channel billions of pounds into big projects and help tackle climate change, will be based in Leeds.

Image source, Geograph/David Robinson

Making the announcement in his Budget, Chancellor Rishi Sunak said it would support regional economic growth and help get rid of the North-South divide.

The bank would benefit from Leeds' position as an established financial hub, the government said.

MPs said it was a "welcome shot in the arm" for the whole region.

Mr Sunak said he would task the bank with delivering "world-class infrastructure" by investing in sectors such as renewable energy, carbon capture, storage and transportation, and providing low-rate loans to mayors and councils to fund projects.

He said the institution's objectives were to help deliver the UK's commitment to reach "net zero carbon" by 2050 and to support regional and local economic growth.

A motorcyclist who died after being hit by a car in an East Yorkshire village has been named by police.

Image source, Humberside Police

Stephen Chapman (pictured above) was killed in the collision on Staithes Road, Preston, just before 07:15 on Tuesday, according to Humberside Police.

Officers believe the 59-year-old was hit by a car being driven on the wrong side of the road.

A 33-year-old male driver arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving has been released under investigation.

Image source, Google

A police spokesperson said: "Our inquiries are continuing into the collision involving a dark silver Vauxhall Astra alleged to have ventured onto the wrong side of the road, colliding with the blue Yamaha motorcycle being ridden by Mr Chapman.

"We are appealing for any witnesses who have not yet spoken to us to get in touch."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

There are fears the reopening of bars and restaurants in York, combined with warmer weather and a relaxation of social distancing rules, could see more people jumping or falling into the city's rivers.

Image source, Geograph/Ian Capper

York Water Safety Forum is urging people to be cautious near the rivers and look out for friends as the city reopens.

Andy Blades, from North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We have concerns people may be tempted to enjoy the hospitality of the city more than ever and that could have serious consequences in terms of water related incidents.

“We know if you’ve been out for a few drinks it’s easy to not really think about the consequences of your actions, whether that’s jumping into the rivers because it looks fun, or slipping and falling in because you’ve got too close to the edge.

"Our message for when the city starts to open back up is to be aware of your surroundings and if you’re heading out for drinks look out for your friends and try to avoid taking shortcuts home that take you near the rivers.”

A man's been arrested on suspicion of firearms offences after armed police were called to an East Yorkshire village this morning.

Image source, PA Media

Armed officers remain at a property on Eastgate in Kilham to "provide reassurance to residents".

The incident came following reports a man in possession of a weapon was inside a property, according to Humberside Police.

A spokesperson for the force said: "The incident has now been brought to a safe conclusion. A man has been arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of firearms offences.

"There was no-one else inside the property, and there was not thought to be any risk to the public throughout the incident."

Yorkshire Vikings sign New Zealand one-day pace bowler Lockie Ferguson for the 2021 Vitality Blast.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The new post of West Yorkshire mayor should come with an annual allowance of £105,000, a panel says.

Image source, Reuters/Toby Melville

People will vote for the first West Yorkshire mayor - which includes the role of Police and Crime Commissioner - in local elections on 6 May.

The allowances package covers expenses like travel and overnight stays, and the £105,000 for the West Yorkshire Mayor has been suggested by an independent panel.

The figure is more than Sheffield's and Liverpool's regional mayors get because it includes the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) role.

Voters in Leeds, Wakefield, Kirklees, Calderdale and Bradford can all make a selection.

A decision will be made next week in a West Yorkshire Combined Authority meeting about how much the person in post will receive.

The West Yorkshire mayor role will see decisions on spending on infrastructure, housing, transport, regeneration and adult skills made locally rather than in Westminster.

The candidates who so far have said they intend to stand for the role in 2021 are listed here.