BBC Local Live: York and North Yorkshire

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme, one of the bloodiest battles of World War One, a battle between British and French armies against German forces which lasted five months.

Second-Lieutenant Donald Bell, a North Yorkshire schoolteacher and professional footballer, was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in the Somme.

Here his great nephew Richard Bell talks about Donald's bravery:   

We reported earlier that organisers of this year's Tour de Yorkshire say the event brought an extra £60m in to the local economy.

You can see from this graphic how that was fuelled largely by a big jump in spending on accommodation over the previous year...

Welcome to YorkshireCopyright: Welcome to Yorkshire

North Yorkshire Police are urging people to keep an eye out for a wanted man, after his photograph was circulated on national TV.

Michael Walker, 30, is wanted in connection with the theft of a valuable diamond ring from a jewellers in High Ousegate, York, in February this year.

Despite "extensive efforts" to locate him, North Yorkshire Police say he "remains at large".

North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police

Police say he has a Liverpudlian accent, a scar on the right side of his head and the name "Kelly Hunter" tattooed inside his right wrist. 

I'm in France today as this week marks the 100th anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme. 

I'm finding out about this year's commemorations in France and hearing about how the battle affected families in North Yorkshire.

If you want to hear a few facts about the 141-day long battle, in which British forces suffered 57,470 casualties on the first day, listen to this report from my BBC Radio York colleague Jack Meegan...    

Already today our BBC Weather Watchers are providing us with reminders of just what a glorious place North Yorkshire is.

Yerfandsam (yes BBC Weather Watchers sometimes have interesting titles) sent us the view of Pendle Hill from Long Preston near Skipton and next to that is Bilton View's tranquil River Wharfe at Strid Wood, near Bolton Abbey.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The trio is completed by Tom's Lad, who sent in the lovely shot of Scarborough (above).  

We'd love to see more of your pics.  You can get in touch and send your photos via Twitter, Facebook or email.

North Yorkshire was one of the few places where some areas - York and Harrogate - didn't vote to leave the European Union.

I've been getting reaction from businesses in Harrogate and found myself at Baltzersen's Nordic-themed cafe.

Baltzersen's employs three EU migrants, but cafe owner Paul is worried he'll now lose them.    

Twenty-eight members of Labour's Shadow Cabinet have now resigned, in protest at Mr Corbyn's leadership. They've been replaced by new faces, including York's Labour MP Rachael Maskell. 

BBC Radio York's political reporter Nick Morris spoke to her about Jeremy Corbyn as the resignations began at the weekend and before the news of her new position was announced. 

You can hear that interview here:

The news of her promotion must have come as a shock. Just 24 hours ago she told BBC Radio York she was "wasn't even thinking about a promotion".

Quote Message: I'm not even thinking about that to be honest, my focus is entirely about how we get out of the constitutional crisis we're in and how we support people." from Rachael Maskell Shadow Secratary for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

I'm not even thinking about that to be honest, my focus is entirely about how we get out of the constitutional crisis we're in and how we support people."

This week marks the 100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and today I'm broadcasting for BBC Radio York live in Albert in France.

Last night I spent some time at a small cemetery near Corbie and as you'll see, if you take a close look at these pictures, things got a bit personal for me.    

BBCCopyright: BBC

We've rolled out the red carpet at BBC Radio York this morning because we've got an actual Oscar, given out in the glitzy award ceremony, right here in the studio.

It's actually belongs to North Yorkshire's Serena Armitage, who won it earlier this year at the Academy awards in Los Angeles for "Best Live Action Short."

BBCCopyright: BBC

We finally managed to persuade Serena to bring her award in, so I could get my sticky fingers on it and I thought I'd share this pic with you, as I doubt I'll get as close to one ever again.

The latest headlines from our newsroom in York include:

• York MP Rachael Maskell has been promoted to Shadow Secretary for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in the new Labour Cabinet
• Two men jailed for what's been described as "a ruthless blackmail plot" against a North Yorkshire farmer have had their sentences reduced
• And the county's £60m better off thanks to this year's Tour de Yorkshire, according to Welcome to Yorkshire

This year's Tour de Yorkshire boosted the region's economy by about £60m, according to new figures published by tourism organisation Welcome to Yorkshire.

Welcome to YorkshireCopyright: Welcome to Yorkshire

The race, which took place on the weekend of 29 April - 1 May, saw about two million spectators lining the route.

These spectators spent 20% more than they did last year, the new figures show, with spending on accommodation up just under 30%.

The race was televised in 178 countries and watched by about 11.4 million people globally - double the number in 2015, according to Welcome to Yorkshire.

Four shopfitters accused of taking part in the mock crucifixion of a Catholic workmate are cleared of faith crimes by a jury.

PACopyright: PA

Andrew Addison, 30, Joseph Rose, 21, Christopher Jackson, 22, and Alex Puchir, 37, were found not guilty of religiously aggravated assault.

It was alleged the men had tied the teenager to a wooden cross and suspended it above the ground.

They were cleared of the offence after a trial at York Crown Court.

Yorkshire Air Museum Director Ian Reid explains their involvement in this week's Somme commemorations and why their contribution is rather large.

It comes in the form of a World War One Royal Flying Corps plane.  

The Battle of the Somme began on 1 July, 1916, and there'll be commemorations throughout the week before a two-minute silence at 07:28 on Friday.  

Plans to build thousands of new homes in and around York could move a step closer today. 

The council's local plan has earmarked land on which to build 10,700 new homes by the year 2037. 

GoogleCopyright: Google

Councillors will vote this evening on whether to spend eight weeks asking people in the city what they think of the proposals.  

North Yorkshire's only Labour MP is going to play a major role in the new Labour Cabinet. 

York's Rachael Maskell has been promoted to shadow environment food and rural affairs secretary. 

BBCCopyright: BBC

The promotion follows a complete Labour Cabinet reshuffle by leader Jeremy Corbyn this morning after 14 Labour front-benchers and Junior Ministers resigned in a little over 24 hours.   

Speaking about the crisis that appears to be enveloping her party, Ms Maskell told BBC Radio York, the media is driving "personality politics" and it's "Jeremy Corbyn's policies" that are important to voters.  

Some cloud around first thing but generally quite a pleasant start to the day in North Yorkshire.

We should see good spells of sunshine throughout the day with variable amounts of cloud. 

There is the chance of seeing one or two patchy spells of drizzle throughout the day.

Watch my full forecast here:

The shortlist for this year’s White Rose Awards has been unveiled and it includes a lot of York names.

The awards celebrate the best of tourism in Yorkshire, with 17 categories, from the best Yorkshire pub to outstanding customer service.

YorkMixCopyright: YorkMix