BBC Local Live: Sheffield and South Yorkshire

Isolated heavy showers dying out, becoming dry and clear later. A cold night tonight with frost and fog in rural places. 

Take care if you're on the roads early tomorrow. 

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Join me for a full weather report on BBC Look North at 18:30 on BBC One.

Now for more on this shocking story from Hatfield, Doncaster:

The top stories in Sheffield and South Yorkshire today include:

• Downing Street has rejected Labour demands for parliament to be recalled to discuss the future of the British steel industry. India's Tata Steel is to sell its British operations, which are losing millions of pounds
• Lambs have been targeted in another shooting at a farm in Doncaster. This time 12 lambs were killed - six found dead and the other six having to be put down due to injuries
• Sheffield United manager Nigel Adkins has refused to call tonight's game at Southend a "must win". The Blades are nine points off the playoffs after results went against them over Easter

The government is considering "all options" for Tata's Port Talbot steel plant, UK Business Minister Anna Soubry has told the BBC.

She says she wants the company to take enough time to find a buyer for the plant. Failing that, other options being considered include government support.

However, several MPs from the Labour party are now calling for immediate action from the government:

A new independent panel's been created in South Yorkshire to work with police on planning protests and marches. 

Since 2012 there have been 20 protests in the region - and policing them cost the force £4m over the last three years.

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Many of the demonstrations have focused on concerns around child sexual exploitation.

The new panel will have seven members who will advise the force when campaigners alert authorities of plans to protest. 

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More on this tonight on BBC Look North at 18:30 on BBC1.

Have you heard about our new elephant competition?

You can lead the herd and celebrate the spirit of Sheffield.

Sheffield Children's Hospital / BBCCopyright: Sheffield Children's Hospital / BBC

The Children's Hospital is highlighting its work by creating a sculpture trail of about 40 elephants in the city.

Be part of one of the biggest arts projects in Sheffield this year and design the elephant for BBC Radio Sheffield. 

Details here.

Following Tata's announcement that it will sell its UK steel business, putting thousands of jobs at risk in South Yorkshire, Labour's Shadow Business Secretary has called on the government to present a "viable" plan to protect jobs in the British steel industry. 

Quote Message: It's certainly possible for them to take them into some kind of public stewardship to preserve them while conditions change." from Angela Eagle

It's certainly possible for them to take them into some kind of public stewardship to preserve them while conditions change."

Twenty lambs have been killed at farms around Hatfield in two separate attacks.

You've been leaving your reaction to this story on our Facebook page...

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Quote Message: This is disgusting they are sick in head to do something like this. It makes my blood boil. Wish I could get my hands on them xx" from Sue Herring

This is disgusting they are sick in head to do something like this. It makes my blood boil. Wish I could get my hands on them xx"

Quote Message: This is a disgusting thing to happen, the police need to catch them and string them up, lock them up and throw away the key. Come on people name and shame these horrible scum." from Kath Burkhill

This is a disgusting thing to happen, the police need to catch them and string them up, lock them up and throw away the key. Come on people name and shame these horrible scum."

Quote Message: Sick sick sick." from Ron Sitting Buffalo Stancliffe

Sick sick sick."

Labour's calling for Parliament to be re-called to debate the crisis in the steel industry. 

The Indian firm, Tata Steel, says it wants to move quickly to sell its operations in the UK. 

It employs more than 2,000 people at plants in Rotherham, Stocksbridge and Brinsworth.

Angela Smith is the Labour MP for Penistone and Stocksbridge and she says the government must do what it can:

A digital company based in Barnsley is at the forefront of new technology which takes 3D viewing from the big screen to the palm of your hand. 

3DU has developed an app which turns any normal two-dimensional piece of video into 3D. 

It'll be launched at a major technology show in Birmingham tomorrow. 

Almost 20,000 people are employed in the steel sector, and more than one in six are now either losing their jobs or at risk of losing them.  

Britain's biggest steel producer, the Indian firm Tata, employs around 17,000 in the UK. Its confirmation of 1,050 job losses comes on top of the 1,200 jobs it axed last October and the 720 jobs it cut in July. 

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As part of the announcement in January the company said it would cut 750 jobs in Port Talbot, Wales, where it employs 4,000 staff and a further 3,000 contractors and temporary workers.

The implications for Tata sites in South Yorkshire remain unclear, but the announcement of plans to sell loss-making Port Talbot puts a large question mark over the future of more than 2,000 jobs in our region. 

• Stocksbridge                                       831
• Rotherham                                         1,235
• Brinsworth                                          106

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You've been sharing some of your thoughts about the news that Indian owners of the steel firm Tata plan to sell UK assets, including plants in Rotherham and Stocksbridge.

Here are some of your thoughts from our Facebook page.

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Quote Message: I fear that the government comment is their usual rhetoric. Sure they will help secure 'British Steel' future! By consigning it to the bin where they put all other British heavy industry!! This is what happens when you sell British businesses to foreign buyers, they asset strip then dispose!! Be warned." from Kevin Richard Garlick

I fear that the government comment is their usual rhetoric. Sure they will help secure 'British Steel' future! By consigning it to the bin where they put all other British heavy industry!! This is what happens when you sell British businesses to foreign buyers, they asset strip then dispose!! Be warned."

Quote Message: Can see them saving the Wales steel industry, but not bothering about the steel plants in the North. Northern Powerhouse, never going to happen." from Joe Noble

Can see them saving the Wales steel industry, but not bothering about the steel plants in the North. Northern Powerhouse, never going to happen."

Quote Message: While I do feel sorry for people potentially losing their jobs the government should not be funding an industry that's costing the UK money. Just let it fail like any other unsuccessful business." from Thomas Andrew Lilburn

While I do feel sorry for people potentially losing their jobs the government should not be funding an industry that's costing the UK money. Just let it fail like any other unsuccessful business."

Quote Message: Great Britain, the cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution. Modern Britain, no bloody industry left." from Beverley Amanda Charlton

Great Britain, the cornerstone of the Industrial Revolution. Modern Britain, no bloody industry left."

More lambs have been killed in a second rural shooting spree in South Yorkshire. 

The attack on 12 lambs happened at a farm near Doncaster last night

They were killed in the same way as six lambs (pictured) in a similar incident at a neighbouring farm last week after which two other injured lambs were put down.   

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In the latest attack, six lambs were shot dead and six more so badly injured they had to be put down.

Two sheep were also hurt in the shooting. 

South Yorkshire Police said the incidents had caused "distress and outrage" and appealed for witnesses.

A few showers will spread from the west this afternoon, some of these with a wintry feel on high ground. 

There'll be light southwesterly winds, with highs of about 10C (50F). 

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More on the terrible news of lamb shootings in Doncaster. 

Springtime is usually a time for spotting a lamb or two like the ones below. But a Doncaster community is reeling after six lambs were shot dead at a farm in Hatfield. Another six will have to be put down.

Another eight lambs died after being shot in a similar attack nearby last week and police are appealing for information.

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Quote Message: Both incidents have caused distress and outrage not only in our local communities, but across South Yorkshire. It is simply intolerable and I want to reassure the local community that we are determined to find those responsible. from Insp Mark Payling Local Policing Team

Both incidents have caused distress and outrage not only in our local communities, but across South Yorkshire. It is simply intolerable and I want to reassure the local community that we are determined to find those responsible.

Hundreds of workers in South and North Yorkshire are waiting to hear whether they'll still have jobs at Tata Steel as rescue plans are discussed. 

The Indian owners of the firm have said they plan to sell its UK assets, including plants in Rotherham, Stocksbridge and York. 

But the government is understood to be ready to step in to save the industry if necessary.

A total of 2,200 people are employed across the South Yorkshire sites.

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We'll be live in Rotherham for full reaction to this story on Look North at 13:30 on BBC One.

The latest headlines in Sheffield and South Yorkshire so far today include:  

• Tata Steel says it can't give an "open ended" commitment to keep steel plants in the UK open while a buyer is sought
• There's been another shooting at a farm in Doncaster where lambs have been targeted again. A number of lambs were shot last week and police say nearby a further 12 lambs and two ewes have been shot overnight
• Police put out an appeal for help in finding a missing teenager from Rotherham

Coming up on BBC Look North at 13:30, more on the man from Yorkshire who posed for a selfie with a hijacker wearing a suspected suicide belt.

The image of Ben Innes standing next to his captor on the EgyptAir flight has gone viral on social media. He says he was trying to get a better look at the device. 

Mr Innes, who now lives in Aberdeen, told the Sun newspaper he wanted to "stay cheerful in the face of adversity".

Twitter / BBCCopyright: Twitter / BBC

You've been leaving your comments on our Facebook page:

Quote Message: Just shows how backward civilisation has become." from Jordan Grace

Just shows how backward civilisation has become."

Quote Message: Words fail me." from Jeanette Netty Dawson

Words fail me."

Quote Message: Maybe by distracting the hijacker for a photo, it gave chance for others to escape." from Helen Burnley Fc Solorz

Maybe by distracting the hijacker for a photo, it gave chance for others to escape."

Sheffield has been recognised by Unicef and the World Health Organisation for its work in promoting breastfeeding. 

Breastfeeding rates in Sheffield are one of the highest in the country with over 80% of new mothers breastfeeding their babies. 

Unicef is a charity that works for a better life for tomorrow's children. 

Officials from the charity are in Sheffield today to present an award to the city's Children's Centres for their best practice standards.

UnicefCopyright: Unicef