Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

That's it from me for now.

Local Live will be back on Wednesday with the latest news, weather, travel and sport for Yorkshire.

But before I go here are five things we learnt on Christmas Eve eve:

• The M1 is starting to get busy as the Christmas getaway begins
• Gusts of 70mph have been recorded at Bradfield near Sheffield as Storm Barbara hits
• Police say you could be banned for two days from your local if you cause trouble
• The Arctic Monkeys are working on a new album in Sheffield
• And we have finally found out how Santa decides who's naughty or nice

And while I'm talking about the man of the moment here are some facts about Father Christmas you may not know!

Have a very Merry Christmas!

Keeley Donovan
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

Storm Barbara has arrived and she's showing her force.

We've seen a gust of 70mph recorded at Bradfield near Sheffield at 14:00.

We'll have the latest travel and weather updates online for you.

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

Festive revellers are being warned by South Yorkshire Police not to go mad with alcohol this 'Mad Friday' - or risk a two-day ban.

The force says it will issue dispersal notices banning those responsible for anti-social behaviour from the same area for 48 hours.

The last Friday before Christmas is typically known as 'Mad Friday' and is one of the busiest times of year for the emergency services.  

The force says it will have extra resources in place this afternoon to minimise any trouble.

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

Two more men have been arrested by police investigating the murder of 47-year-old Steven Fretwell in Rotherham.

The two men arrested on suspicion of murder are 27 and 35-years-old and are currently in police custody.

A 33-year-old man also arrested on suspicion of murder earlier this week is still in custody.

A 22-year-old man and a 23-year-old man who were previously arrested have since been released from the investigation.

Mr Fretwell was found dead at a property on Kingswood Avenue in Laughton on the 18 December.

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

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

A man in his 30s is in a serious condition in hospital after being assaulted in Edlington.

It happened on Princes Crescent at 15:15 yesterday.

Image source, Google

A 35-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assault and is being questioned by officers.

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

Yorkshire and the Humber are to be targeted as part of a new £60m annual fund set up by the government to help areas of England with high levels of second-home ownership to "tackle the problem".

Image source, PA

The money, to be shared by 150 councils over five years, will go into providing "affordable" housing for first-time buyers in places where demand is high.

The money has been raised through increases in stamp duty.

Housing Minister Gavin Barwell said this would help those who struggle to get permanent accommodation.  

Yorkshire and the Humber will get £6m, the South East will get £11m, the East of England almost £9m and the North West almost £6m.

Three cleaners who went on strike over a pay dispute are sacked in a move branded Scrooge-like by one MP.

Shamir Masri
BBC Look North

There's been speculation in the music press this week that the Arctic Monkeys will be writing a new album in Sheffield.

Frontman Alex Turner has confirmed to me that it's all true.

Alex told me how working on his other project, The Last Shadow Puppets, helps him pen songs for the Arctic Monkeys:

So expect their sixth studio album to drop sometime in the near future, possibly next year.  

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

A fundraising campaign launched by a Rotherham trucker has so far raised more than £100,000.

David Duncan launched the campaign for the family of Lukasz Urban (pictured), the HGV driver who was murdered in the terror attack in Berlin on Monday.

Image source, Opozita.com

He's currently on more than £109,000 on his fundraising page, external.

Jonathan Buchan
BBC Radio Sheffield Sport

Doncaster Rovers look to have set up their first signing of the transfer window.

Image source, Hythe Town

Hythe Town striker Alfie May, 22, has been linked with a move to the Keepmoat in recent weeks.   

Plenty of effort has gone into securing a deal over the player, Rovers say.

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

South Yorkshire Police has got two new police dogs for Christmas.

PD Quinn, a 14-month-old German Shepherd cross Malinois and PD Cairo, a four-year-old German Shepherd will start work later this month.

PD Cairo will work with his handler PC Pitcher for the force's Joint Specialist Operations Unit:

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Image source, South Yorkshire Police

Toby Foster
Presenter, BBC Radio Sheffield

We've had the interview of the year when the one and only Father Christmas popped in for a chat.

With anxious children wanting to know if they've made it onto the nice list this year - we asked the main man how he makes that all important decision:

Rough sleepers have described being urinated on, having belongings stolen and being sexually assaulted while living on the streets.

Image source, Sam Mellish

Homeless charity Crisis said of 458 street sleepers it interviewed in England and Wales, 80% had suffered an attack or abuse in 2016.

More than half said they did not report crimes, as many believed that the police would not be able to help them.  

Gary, who has slept rough in Yorkshire, told Crisis he feared gangs of youths who would roam the streets in the early hours.

"Anyone sleeping in the shop door was done. They used to brick them or worse still - a couple of lads that were sleeping on the streets with me got knifed while they were asleep."

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

Officers from South Yorkshire's Safer Roads Team have issued a warning.

They're asking us to leave extra time ahead of the big Christmas getaway and Storm Barbara's arrival:

We'll have all the latest weather and travel for you here on Local Live so keep checking for updates.

Toby Foster
Presenter, BBC Radio Sheffield

We're getting in the Christmas mood this morning!

The amazing Sheffield barbershop choir Hallmark of Harmony, external have been giving us a selection of carols.

Here's their performance of Silent Night - you'll want the sound turned up for this:

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

A helpline for victims of domestic abuse is extending its hours in the New Year.

From Tuesday 3 January the helpline will run from 08:00 to 20:00 Monday to Friday.

Image source, Thinkstock

It is also open on weekdays over the Christmas period from 08:00 to 18:00, except on bank holidays.

You can call the helpline for free on 0808 808 2241 or email help@sheffielddact.org.uk

Kevin Larkin
BBC Local Live, Sheffield

South Yorkshire Police are encouraging us to have a selfie with one of their armed officers.

The force has increased patrols by officers with guns in places like Meadowhall to reassure the public.

But the force is stressing that the officers are as friendly and approachable as their unarmed colleagues.

They add that we're more than welcome to say hello to them or even take a selfie with them.

Mick Lunney
BBC Radio Sheffield

Police are appealing for information after a collision near Tankersley in Barnsley last night.

At 20:05 a black BMW 3 series and a red Citroen C1 collided on Westwood New Road, near to the junction with Wentworth Way.

Image source, Google

A 28-year-old man driving the BMW and the 78-year-old female Citroen driver and her male passenger, 81, were all taken to hospital with minor injuries.

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

The widower of murdered Yorkshire MP Jo Cox will deliver this year's alternative Christmas message on Channel 4.

Image source, Channel 4

Brendan Cox will call for an end to the "rise of hatred" in the broadcast on 25 December.

He will also pay tribute to his wife and discuss the "awful year for our family" in the pre-recorded message.

Mr Cox will also tell viewers that now is the "moment to reach out to somebody that might disagree with us".

Mrs Cox was shot and stabbed to death by Thomas Mair in her Batley and Spen constituency in June.

Andy Kershaw
BBC Radio Sheffield News

I've been down to Dronfield Woodhouse this morning.

As we rush around getting the turkey and tinsel ready for Christmas I've been down to the farm shop at the Merryman family's farms.

I also found some animals - which you might associate more with Easter: