The bells have chimed at York Minster once again after volunteer bell-ringers were brought in ahead of a service last night. 

The Minster's bell-ringing team was sacked in October, amid safeguarding concerns.

Last night's ringers haven't been identified but, according to the Archbishop of York, they've come from across Yorkshire. 

Dr John Sentamu says a new permanent team will be in place soon:

Elly Fiorentini
BBC Radio York News

The top stories from our York newsroom so far this morning include:   

• The bells chime at York Minster again after almost three months of silence since the bell-ringing team was dismissed in October amid safeguarding concerns
• The Met Office issues a yellow wind warning for our region this morning, with gusts of between 50 and 60mph expected
• The widower of murdered Yorkshire MP Jo Cox will deliver this year's alternative Christmas message on Channel 4

BBC Weather

It'll become very windy through the morning in North Yorkshire.

Rain spreading from the north will become heavy and persistent during the afternoon, accompanied by very strong, gusty winds with gales in exposure. 

Rain clearing to east by evening with winds becoming less strong.  

BBC Travel

There are no significant delays on train services out of York Railway Station so far this morning. Take a look at the live departure board for the very latest details, external.

On the roads, the A659 in Tadcaster (Bridge Street) is currently closed in both directions due to longstanding repair work on the bridge.

And be aware there's a 30mph speed restriction on the A61 at Pannal due to roundabout work at Princess Royal Way.

Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York

I'll be with you until 14:30 with all the latest news, travel and weather from across North Yorkshire.

In the news this morning, the bells have chimed at York Minster once again after almost three months of silence, with volunteer bell-ringers brought in ahead of a service last night. More on that shortly.

Meanwhile, we'd love to see your pics like the one below showing moody skies over Great Ouseburn sent in by BBC Weather Watcher Rocki1.  

Remember, you can get in touch and send your photos via Twitter, external, Facebook, external or email. 

York Minster's main bells ring out for the first time since its entire 30-strong team of bell-ringers was dismissed.

York Minster's main bells ring out for the first time since its 30-strong team of bell-ringers was dismissed more than 10 weeks ago.

Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York

That's it from me today, but updates will continue throughout the afternoon and evening.  

Meanwhile, here are five things we've learned about our county so far today:  

1. It's going to be quite gusty over the next couple of days as Storm Barbara hits our region.

2. Travelling families affected by last year's floods in York have urged the council for more help if the floods are repeated this Christmas.

3. North Yorkshire firefighters have started 19 days of industrial action in a dispute about new replacement engines.

4. York City Knights have been bolstering their squad ahead of the 2017 Rugby League season.

5. ...And even if you only put "To Dad, from Thomas" on your Christmas present and then lose it, police in Filey will be able to reunite it with its owner.

With it being a crisp, sunny day today, I'm going to leave you with this lovely shot of Robin Hood's Bay. Many thanks to BBC Weather Watcher Garry Hornet for this:  

Mike Kemp
Reporter, BBC Radio York

Syrian families who've started a new life in Skipton have told BBC Radio York they're now starting to feel much safer after fleeing their homeland.

Almost 100 Syrian refugees are now living in North Yorkshire, and another 160 are due to arrive in the county between now and 2018. 

This is part of a government programme to resettle up to 20,000 refugees across the UK.

Malek Jalakh and members of his family - speaking through an interpreter - have been talking about life in Skipton: 

BBC Travel

If you're out and about on North Yorkshire's roads at the moment, there are a couple of problem areas being reported just now:

• Heavy traffic on the A61 Westgate in both directions in Thirsk at the B1448 Topcliffe Road junction
• Slow traffic on A1237 York Outer Ring Road eastbound in York at the Strensall Road junction

People living in York are being urged to make sure vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbours are coping, external over the festive period.

The appeal comes from City of York Council, which says that for hundreds of older and vulnerable people across the area the holiday period can be a difficult and lonely time.

Councillor Carol Runciman says: "I'd urge people to pop in to check on vulnerable neighbours or make time for elderly relatives and friends to make sure they are warm, happy and healthy.

"No-one should be lonely over the festive period."

Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York

You might remember a story we mentioned here yesterday about a mislaid Christmas present which had been handed in to North Yorkshire Police.

Image source, North Yorkshire Police

The gift, labelled "To Dad, from Thomas", was discovered in Filey town centre earlier this month.

The good news is that the force's Found Property department, which has been very active about the lost gift on social media, says "Thomas" has now reclaimed the present.

Paul Hudson
Weather presenter, BBC Look North

This afternoon will be breezy with plenty of sunshine and a few showers. 

The top temperature will be about 7C (45F) with a moderate southwest wind. 

BBC Radio York

The top stories from our York newsroom this lunchtime include:

• North Yorkshire's firefighters have begun 19 days of industrial action in protest over plans to replace fire engines with smaller vehicles which require a reduced crew
• Anti-fracking campaigners who've set up a camp in Kirby Misperton say they're planning to stay there as long as it takes to get fracking stopped in the area
• Syrian families who've started a new life in Skipton tell BBC Radio York they're starting to feel much safer after fleeing their homeland

The Press

Actor, producer and star of BBC sitcom Mrs Brown's Boys, Rory Cowan, has made a donation of £10,000 to IDAS, the Independent Domestic Abuse Service, external.

Rory was announced as a patron of the charity earlier this year, and was moved to make the donation after meeting some of the users of the refuge this summer. 

More on the news that firefighters in North Yorkshire are starting 19 days of industrial action this morning following a ballot last week. 

It's in protest over plans to replace fire engines with smaller vehicles known as Tactical Response Vehicles (TRVs), reducing the number of crew needed.  

Members of the Fire Brigades Union have revealed the action will include a refusal to work any extra hours other than what's been contractually agreed. 

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, external says there'll be minimal impact on the delivery of the service and will respond to 999 calls as usual.

The TRVs would "have no significant adverse impact" on the service or on the safety of staff, according to the fire service.

Jim Addyman
BBC Local Live, York

A candlelit vigil is due to be held in York later to pay respect to those suffering in the Syrian city of Aleppo. 

Image source, AFP

The final phase of the evacuation of rebel-held eastern districts of Aleppo has restarted, after being stalled for a day.  

Syrian state TV broadcast pictures of buses leaving the rebel enclave and entering a government-controlled area.

The event in York has been organised by Refugee Action York, external and will start at 16:00 on the south bank side of Millennium Bridge.

BBC Sport

The top stories from BBC York's sport team so far today include:

• Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will miss the Australian and French Open next year after being ruled out for six months following hand surgery after a knife attack
• York City Knights sign six more players as they prepare for the new rugby league season
• Malton-based racehorse trainer Richard Fahey was Yorkshire's top trainer on the flat again this year and he says he's hoping for similar success in 2017

It's day two of an anti-fracking camp set up at Kirby Misperton in Ryedale.

Protesters are unhappy the drilling technique has moved a step closer in North Yorkshire. 

Earlier this week, the High Court rejected a legal challenge from campaigners, with a judge ruling the county council acted correctly in granting planning permission for the Third Energy site near Pickering. 

Yesterday, there were only four people at the camp - with none of them from North Yorkshire.

BBC Radio York reporter Mike Kemp has spoken to one of the protesters, Dr Stephen Peers, and asked him how long he intends to stay at the so-called "protection" camp:

Northern Powergrid says it wants to reassure its customers in Yorkshire that it's prepared should the forecast gales affect its network, external.

Image source, PA

It follows Met Office warnings for Storm Barbara, which is anticipated to hit our county from Friday morning onwards.

Current forecasts indicate potential gusts of up to 70mph, with a further storm system of strong winds also forecast for Christmas day. 

Northern Powergrid says it's "already taking action to ensure we have extra engineers ready to restore power and repair any damage".