Aisha Iqbal
Political Reporter

A series of roadshows to raise the profile of the Bradford's bid to become UK City of Culture in 2025 has begun.

A record 20 cities and regions are bidding for the prestigious, and potentially lucrative, accolade. Previous title holders have benefited from significant investment, jobs, regeneration and tourism.

The applications are being whittled down to an initial long list, and BBC Radio Leeds understands an announcement will be made later this week by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Bradford 2025: On the Road , externalwill be held over the next few months and people will be able to find out more about the bid, see what’s being planned and share their thoughts on events they’d like to see during a year of culture.

Richard Shaw, director of the Bradford 2025 bid, says: “The City of Culture title is a regeneration project. It’s really about bringing in new resources; about skills, training and opportunities for young people; about investing in the future of the city and reclaiming some of our civic architecture.

"And it’s about transforming the reputation of this district to the UK - because Bradford gets a really bad rap. Often people are writing stories about Bradford that they have no idea about."

The next event is at Keighley Market on Thursday 30 September.

The clock at Grimsby Minster has been showing a time of 12:05 for more than 12 months.

A man who reportedly tried to lure a teenage girl away with him in Halifax is being hunted by police.

Image source, West Yorkshire Police

Two girls were approached by the man, who engaged them in conversation, on Market Street in the town on Saturday 7 August.

As he tried to lure on of the girls away, a Good Samaritan intervened and told the man the police had been called.

He then walked away and both girls were left shaken, say West Yorkshire Police.

The force believes the man pictured may be able to help police with their investigation.

Det Insp Gary Stephenson said: “Enquiries into the incident remain ongoing and I want to reassure the community that at this stage we believe this to be an isolated incident.

“We are continuing to carry out extensive enquiries to identify the male pictured to understand what his intentions were."

Five of the 13 arrested are charged with firearms and drugs offences.

Fatally-injured Simon Maving died after friend Paul Bennett went to sleep following the crash.

A pedestrian hit by a car in Sheffield has died from his injuries.

South Yorkshire Police say the 42-year-old man was struck by a black Mercedes E Class on Prospect Road near to a car wash.

The collision happened at 13:45 BST on 20 September. The man died on 23 September say police.

They are now appealing for anyone with information or dashcam footage to come forward.

Relive the first Super League play-off semi-final as Catalans Dragons beat Hull KR to book a first Grand Final trip.

Vienna, who is six months old, will undergo private surgery after her parents' fundraiser smashes its target.

Sixty-one huge bear sculptures are to leave the streets of Sheffield today before they are auctioned off to raise money for a children's hospital charity.

Image source, The Children's Hospital Charity

The Bears of Sheffield art trail saw the 61 large statues and 100 smaller bears being placed across the city.

Sponsored by local businesses, the bears were painted and designed by schools and artists, with each one being unique.

The 2.1m-high fibreglass sculptures are to be auctioned off next month to raise money for a new £2.75m cancer and leukaemia ward at Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

The smaller bears are to be given to the establishments that created them as a permanent memento of the project.

BBC Radio Humberside

Thousands of jobs will be on offer at North Lincolnshire's biggest ever jobs fair later this month.

Image source, Google

Major employers – including 2 Sisters Food Group, EMJ Plastics and North Lincolnshire Council – will be among dozens of companies attending the Jobs Expo at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe, external on 19 October.

They will be looking to arrange interviews with prospective candidates – or even hiring on the spot, the council said.

Anyone looking for work, a career change or who wants to get back into employment after the pandemic is encouraged to go along.

Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said the event was an opportunity to get "lots of young people into their first employment because they've had a tough time towards the end of the pandemic".

"There are a great many jobs available across the area and a similar number of people looking for work," he added.

“We must be in a position to support our businesses to get the people and the skills they need to meet their ambitious plans for growth."

BBC Radio York

An online fundraising campaign to pay for facial surgery for a York baby born with a large birthmark on her face has raised more than £25,000.

Image source, Family Photo

Dan Brookshaw and Celine Casey say daughter Vienna needs the treatment for a rare condition called congenital meloncystic nevus.

It means she has a large birthmark on her forehead and between her eyes.

The couple needed to raise £14,000 to have the surgery, which is not funded by the NHS, privately.

The pair thanked everyone who had contributed and pledged to give the excess money to other families in the same situation.

Ms Casey told BBC Radio York: "The surgery will mean everything, she'll be able to have her first day at school where people won't be looking at her and asking questions and Vienna will be very thankful when she's older."

The 40-year-old was taken ill while being transported to a custody suite, Lincolnshire Police say.

Staff have access to free parking despite politicians urging people to walk and cycle more.

A man who died after suffering serious head injuries at a house in West Yorkshire has been named by police.

Image source, Google

Simon Hailes, 40, was injured at a property on Dark Lane in Pontefract in the early hours of Saturday 18 September.

Mr Hailes, from Worcestershire, was taken to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield but died a week later from his injuries, say West Yorkshire Police.

Two people have been arrested on suspicion of assault in connection with the incident on Dark Lane.

Det Insp Phil Davis said: “Mr Hailes has sadly lost his life a week after being admitted to hospital and we are investigating to establish the circumstances that have led up to his death.

“We are keen to speak to anyone who may have any information which could help our ongoing enquiries.”

From bottom of Super League to semi-finalists in 12 months - how coach Tony Smith revived Hull KR's fortunes.

It should be mostly dry today but there will be scattered showers which will pass across our area.

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A man was left with "serious facial injuries" after being attacked outside a West Yorkshire pub, say police.

Image source, Google

The 18-year-old man and his partner were walking past the Maypole Pub on Town End in Ossett when he was assaulted.

West Yorkshire Police say they were approached by the attacker at 23:00 BST on Thursday 9 September.

The teenager was attacked before the assailant ran away.

Police say the attacker is white, around 6ft tall, with a skinny build and a shaven head.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police.

Inspectors highlight "performance issues" in emergency care at Rotherham Hospital.

Tom Eaves rescues a draw for Championship strugglers Hull City with a late equaliser against Blackpool.