Nick Wilson
BBC Radio Sheffield

Let's take a look at the top stories in South Yorkshire this morning:

• People in Sheffield are being told not to give money to street beggars
• There are big issues on the M1 and M18 after a collision earlier this morning
• And a team from Sheffield are getting ready for fire a pie into space

Charlotte Rose
BBC Radio Sheffield Political Reporter

People in Sheffield are being told not to give money to street beggars as it encourages people to stay on the streets.

Sheffield Council estimate half the people they find on the streets on any night will have accommodation they have turned down. The other half may have previously been kicked out or left a shelter.

In many cases people are suffering from long-term mental health conditions, chronic alcohol or drug abuse.

Many of you have contacted us wanting to find out how you can help homeless people in the city.

The rough sleeper team are asking people not to give money direct, but instead to give money to Homeless Charities like the Archer Project, external or Turning Point, external.

If you find someone who says they have nowhere to go and you are worried, you can call Sheffield’s rough sleeper service on 0114 263 6964.

BBC Travel

We've just had an update on the issues on the M18 and M1.

Get the latest BBC Travel news for South Yorkshire

Kat Cowan
BBC Radio Sheffield

Get ready mission control, stand by with the Hendo's.

A team from Sheffield is getting ready to blast a pie into space to "test it's molecular structure".

Luis Cox from Sheffield firm Sent into Space showed me the pie in the sky ahead of its launch:

Unfortunately, Cape Canaveral and Houston were booked up so it's being launched in Wigan!

The launch takes place at 11:30 at the World Pie Eating Championships.

We'll keep you updated on this pie-oneering experiment.

Charlotte Rose
BBC Radio Sheffield Political Reporter

I've been out with the team in Sheffield which counts the number of homeless in the city every year.

This year, Sheffield had 15 people compared to 11 people last year.

The authorities are asking us not to give money to those begging on the street - saying it doesn't help.

The city council says the generosity of kind-hearted people in Sheffield is keeping people on the streets.

BBC Look North

Researchers at Sheffield Hallam University are working with a lingerie company to develop a new type of bra.

It could help in the treatment of women with breast cancer. 

The garment is being designed to improve the accuracy of radiotherapy and improve patient dignity. 

Ronan Sully
BBC Radio Sheffield

I've been finding out about an unusual idea for Christmas - a reverse advent calendar!

Instead of opening a door and getting a present, they're giving gifts to others.

Each day a different child brings in a item to go in hampers which will go to nearby charity the Carmel Care Centre. 

Owain Wyn Evans
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

Well it's not looking much like a typical December scene at the moment.

That's set to continue as the mild weather stays with us.

It'll be cloudy for most of the day with a chance of showers this afternoon.

I've got a full forecast for you below:

BBC Travel

There is some severe disruption on the M1 Southbound this morning with three lanes closed.

It's closed between junction 32 for M18 and junction 31 for the A57 after a multi-vehicle accident.

Get the latest BBC Travel for South Yorkshire

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

Good morning, it's Kevin here.

I'll be with you until 18:00 with all the latest news, weather, travel and sport for South Yorkshire.

Did you see the amazing moon last night? It really impressed me.

But not as much as this photo from our Weather Watcher The Wild Garden of the moon over Sheffield.

Image source, The Wild Garden

If you've got a story or a photo to share we'd love to hear from you.

Why not tweet us on @BBCSheffield, external or drop us an e-mail?

BBC Sport

Yorkshire have appointed Gary Ballance as their new captain after Andrew Gale retired to become head coach.

Image source, AP

The 27-year-old England batsman will skipper the side in all three formats of the game.

Ballance said: "It is an absolute honour to be named the club captain and to follow in the footsteps of some great captains over the years.

"It was impossible to turn down. Being captain is something that I enjoy doing and hopefully I will do a good job."

The Zimbabwe-born batsman joined Yorkshire from Derbyshire in 2007 and helped them win back-to-back County Championship titles in 2014 and 2015.

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

That's it from me for today.

We'll continue to keep you updated overnight with the latest news and travel updates.

I'll be back at 08:00 tomorrow with the latest for South Yorkshire.

Here are five things we learnt today:

• There have been seven arson attacks in eight weeks at Doncaster parks
• Wentworth & Dearne MP John Healey has launched Labour's plan to end rough sleeping
• The campaign to expand Doncaster Sheffield Airport has been put to Transport Secretary Chris Grayling
• Non-residents won't be allowed to use Barnsley rubbish tips anymore
• And there are some unusual gifts available for South Yorkshire's pets this Christmas

But before I go - have a look at this tweet from Sheffield Children's Hospital which made me smile earlier today:

Paul Hudson
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

It's been a nice sunny day across South Yorkshire,

It's also been mild and that will continue throughout the night - although it will cloud over after dark.

I've got a full forecast for you below:

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

A new campaign against domestic abuse has been launched in Barnsley.

The Speak Up campaign highlights that domestic abuse is not just about violence but can extend to psychological and emotional harm.

Image source, Barnsley Council

If you are affected by these issues you can contact Pathways on 01226 731 812 or 07710 597037.

You can also contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 or if you are in immediate danger on 999.

Katrina Bunker
Editor, BBC Radio Sheffield

I was wandering through Sheffield city centre this lunchtime when I came across this busker.

You'll want the sound turned up to watch this amazing performance!

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

Police are asking for help to find those responsible for a series of arsons at parks in Doncaster.

Playgrounds in Rossington have been targeted with one on Atlee Lane so badly damaged the equipment had to be removed.

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Police are asking anyone with information to contact them on 101.

Alternatively you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Jenny Cork
BBC Radio Sheffield

There's been a demonstration outside the town hall in Sheffield today. 

It's in support of Syrian children who are being killed in the conflict.

The demonstration has been organised by the Syrian Association of Yorkshire:

Kate Linderholm
BBC Radio Sheffield

Let's take a look at the stories making the news in South Yorkshire this afternoon:

• Three Rotherham men have been charged as part of an investigation into child sexual exploitation
• A 42-year-old man has died after his car went into a wall in Rotherham
• And Barnsley Council has decided to ban people who don't live in the borough from using their rubbish tips

Kate Linderholm
BBC Radio Sheffield

A man has died after a car crash in Rotherham.

The 42-year-old lost his life after his Mitsubishi Evolution car went into a wall on Hollings Lane near to the Quarry Grange yesterday.

Image source, Google

The man passed away at the scene and was pronounced dead by paramedics.

His family have been informed.

Anyone with information is asked to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101.

People living outside Barnsley are to be banned from using waste sites even if they live a short distance away.