A woman's been arrested after an 80-year-old pedestrian suffered serious injuries when he was hit by a car in North Yorkshire.

Image source, Google

The man was taken to hospital with serious head and leg injuries after being struck by the car in Castlegate in Thirsk on Saturday morning, according to North Yorkshire Police.

A black Seat Leon struck the man at about 10:00, police said.

The driver of the Seat, a woman in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of driving a motor vehicle with a specified controlled drug above the specified limit.

She has been released from police custody while an investigation into the incident takes place, officers said.

A police spokesperson said: "We're appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone who recalls seeing the vehicle prior to the collision, to get in touch as soon as possible.

"In particular, we are appealing for any dash camera footage of the collision."

The mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, has called the actions of the government "shabby" after it's emerged some local coronovirus restrictions have been changed.

Image source, Labour Party

Kirklees is among eight areas where the government is advising people to avoid indoor gatherings and not to travel into and out of due to cases of the Indian coronavirus variant.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock used a Downing Street briefing last Wednesday to announce an increase in surge testing in areas where the variant was circulating, but did not outline any specific rules or travel guidance.

Ms Brabin said: "It's very surprising the Cabinet Office updated it's website last Friday about changes in movement across Kirklees without informing local leaders.

"This is just a bit shabby to be honest - it's picking up a phone, it isn't difficult. It's caused a lot of confusion

"We can't find out information days later from journalists who've seen it on a website via Twitter."

Ms Brabin says the change to policy could cause "anxiety and confusion".

She said she would raise the matter urgently with Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi today.

Work and Pensions Secretary Thérèse Coffey told BBC Radio 4's Today programme the advice was "just about sensible extra caution and [trying] to get a grip locally with tackling the spread".

The MP for Stocksbridge and Penistone says she is confident a buyer will be found for Liberty Steel's Stocksbridge plant which is being sold as part of a restructuring plan.

Image source, Reuters

The company, which also has sites in Rotherham and Scunthorpe, announced the sale following the collapse of its main financial backer. Greensill Capital went bust in March.

Liberty boss Sanjeev Gupta is now struggling to finance his UK operations, and 5,000 steel jobs at the firm hang in the balance.

But Conservative MP Miriam Cates said: "I'm confident a buyer for Stocksbridge will be found who is passionate about steel and can invest in it and give it the future it deserves.

"While it is very worrying I do think there is a workable solution which will strengthen the future of the plant.

"Finding the right buyer has to be our focus for now, ensuring the jobs and livelihood in the meantime as we try to find that."

BBC Weather

A cloudy start to the day with some showery outbreaks of rain.

The afternoon will see a mix of sunshine and heavy and thundery showers, with hail mixed in.

This evening and the first part of tonight will be mostly dry with clear spells developing.

In the early hours, cloud and patchy rain will drift in from the north.

Kirklees in West Yorkshire is among eight areas where the government is advising people to avoid indoor gatherings and not to travel into and out of due to cases of the Indian coronavirus variant.

Image source, Reuters

The guidance for Kirklees, Bedford, Burnley, Leicester, Hounslow and North Tyneside was published online without an announcement on Friday.

The coronavirus infection rate in Kirklees is the fourth highest in the country - with 100 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 20 May - and is continuing to rise, according to official figures.

The guidance, published on a page titled "what you can and cannot do", external, advises people in the eight areas of England to:

• Meet outside rather than inside where possible
• Keep two metres apart from people who you do not live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don't live with
• Avoid travelling in and out of affected areas unless it is essential, for example for work (if you cannot work from home) or education

Health Secretary Matt Hancock used a Downing Street briefing last Wednesday to announce an increase in surge testing in six areas where the variant was circulating, but did not outline any specific rules or travel guidance.

Newly-elected West Yorkshire mayor Tracy Brabin said the change to policy could cause "anxiety and confusion".

Ms Brabin said she would raise the matter urgently with Vaccines Minister Nadhim Zahawi today.

Police in South Yorkshire are warning people about the dangers of unexpected doorstep callers and salesmen.

Image source, Whitemay/Getty

The reminder follows an incident in the Darnall and Tinsley area last week. On Thursday 20 May, an "elderly gentleman" answered his door to a man claiming to be from the gas board.When he was asked to show some ID, the caller made several excuses, ultimately refusing to provide any identification documents and then abruptly left the address, said police.

Sgt Katie Rowland-Wilson said: “This has all the signs of being a bogus doorstep caller; any genuine worker from an energy or gas company would be happy to show ID when asked. “The occupant of the address rightly challenged him and refused to let him in the house, despite him being very insistent. This is a really good reminder for all of us, to ask questions and be aware of the dangers of bogus callers.“If you have any information about this incident, or anything similar in the Darnall and Tinsley areas, please contact my team.”

A penguin at Harewood House in West Yorkshire has been marking a special birthday.

Minnie the Humboldt penguin turned 30, with keepers sharing the celebration on Instagram.

Image source, Harewood House

The West Yorkshire country estate's post read: "A very special penguin turned 30 today.

"She enjoyed lots of tasty fish in the sunshine with her friends, and the keepers even joined the party with fish-shaped biscuits!"

Happy Birthday, Minnie!

Image source, Harewood House

A man has been arrested after a passenger died when the car he was travelling in left the road and rolled onto its roof.

Image source, Google

The 27-year-old died following the incident, which involved a white Volkswagen Golf, on Common Lane in Wakefield on Sunday evening.

A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently in custody, said West Yorkshire Police.

Police are appealing for any witnesses or anyone with dashcam footage of the incident to contact them.

More than 100 volunteers are taking part in a study examining the effects of giving people two different Covid-19 vaccines.

The research, which is being carried out at Castle Hill Hospital, in Cottingham, will see people being given one of eight combinations of the Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Moderna and Novavax jabs.

Researchers want to find out if mixing different vaccines increases immunity.

Lead investigator Dr Patrick Lillie said: "From an operational view for the NHS it means we can give whatever's in the fridge.

"So if there's a manufacturing problem with Pfizer then you can give the AstraZeneca one or the Novavax one.

"It just gives us a lot more flexibility in what you get when you get it."

Volunteer Melanie Vickerman (pictured above) said: "If people do not volunteer how are we ever going to find out.

"It's going to help, I believe, in the future with mix and matching vaccines so, yeah, I was keen to do it."

The danger of antifreeze to household pets is being highlighted after a cat died from suspected poisoning in North Yorkshire.

Image source, Cats Protection

Missy (pictured), is thought to have swallowed antifreeze near her home in Skipton, before becoming severely unwell, according to the charity Cats Protection.

Her owner Ann Bolland said: “I realised something was wrong when Missy seemed a bit subdued one morning and an hour I could see she was going downhill. I got her to the vets quickly but it was too late.

"The vet said all the signs were pointing to antifreeze poisoning.

"I think she had somehow come across it when someone was topping up their car with antifreeze," she added.

Cats Protection is campaigning for better labelling of antifreeze and is urging owners to be vigilant if their cats have access to garages or sheds where it may be stored.

Madison Rogers from the charity, said: "It only takes a spillage on the driveway or a cat walking through a puddle and then grooming its fur for the poison to be ingested.

"This summer, we’re urging owners to make sure any stores of antifreeze in sheds or garages are securely kept away from cats.

"Such a simple measure could help prevent the deaths of many cats."

York and Harrogate are each to receive £1.5m to speed up changes to make them greener as part of a project by Northern Powergrid, it's been confirmed.

The money is part of a £53m project to improve the electricity infrastructure in the north.

The cash means York and Harrogate should see an increase in the number of electric buses and electric charging points over the next two years.

As part of the project £7.3m is expected to be used to support rapid electric vehicle charging at Woodhall services on the M1 near Sheffield.

A woman in her 40s suffered life-threatening injuries in the blaze at a property in Skegness.

The man died after falling from the top of Castleberg Rock, Settle, says the Cave Rescue Association.

Police are appealing for witnesses to a street fight involving four men with weapons in Lincoln at the weekend.

Image source, Matt Fascione/Geograph

Three of the suspects were stabbed during the skirmish near Russell Street and the Boultham Park bridge at about 12:20 on Saturday, police said. Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

Lincolnshire Police said four men aged 18, 20, 33 and 41, have been arrested and released on bail while an investigation into the incident takes place.

Of the four men, two may have been wearing balaclavas, one with a black coat and another with a grey top and a baseball cap, according to Lincolnshire Police.

A spokesperson for the force said: "During the incident, which resulted in four people being arrested for GBH, a baseball bat and a knife were used to inflict injuries.

"We would like to speak to anyone who was in the area between midday and 12:30 on Saturday and saw anything suspicious or a fight between four men."

Mo Lea has been named as a probable victim of Peter Sutcliffe, but no charges were ever brought.

Deputy Chief Constable Lauren Poultney is named preferred candidate for the Chief Constable role.

A scheme aims to provide support for workers in a rural area who need to self-isolate.

Five newly-hatched ducklings have been rescued from a sewer in Hull.

Image source, Humberside Fire and rescue

The chicks were saved from their smelly home on Dunswell Road, Cottingham, by firefighters in west Hull.

Writing on social media Humberside Fire and Rescue dug a few puns out to explain: "A crew from West Hull have rescued five ducklings from a sewer.

"We must be 'quackers' to do this type of thing, but we're now 'winging' it back to station and there will be no 'bill' for the RSPCA."

Tackling the theft of pets is one of the new North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner's priorities, it's been revealed.

Image source, NYPFCC

Philip Allott (pictured above left), says he fears pet theft is an under-reported and growing crime.

He's raised the issue with North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable during his first week in the role.

Currently, dog theft is not defined as a specific crime, with dogs classed as "property" under the Theft Act 1968.

A taskforce has now been set up, led by DEFRA, to consider recategorising the crime.

Mr Allott said: "Pets are loved members of our families which is why it is wrong the law does not treat their theft differently to any other object.

"This needs to change and I made that case to the home secretary when I met her in York earlier this month."

"Priti Patel promised she takes this seriously, and I am pleased the government has now set up a taskforce to look into this issue and report on what more needs to be done."

Two lanes have been closed on the M62 in West Yorkshire following a multi-vehicle collision.

Image source, Highways England

Highways England say lanes one and two are currently closed between J30 and J29 Westbound due to the incident.

The exit from the M62 to the M1 is still open after the scene, the organisation said.