Yorkshire breaking news: Latest updates

How do you cut down on litter in our towns and cities? How about using on-street bins to pay for donations to charities - much like the token system in some supermarkets?

BBCCopyright: BBC

In other words, the more litter you put in a certain bin the more money a charity gets.  

It's an interesting idea that has seen Selby town centre reduce litter by nearly 40% after bins were effectively transformed into charity collection pots.   

The more litter that goes into the bins (and the less on the ground) the more the featured charity of the month benefits.

Asthma UK has already collected £300 in January thanks to the project, with Macmillan Cancer Care now February's good cause.

A Skipton man has been jailed for 32 months after hitting a man with a plank of wood, leaving him with head injuries.

North Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: North Yorkshire Police

Simon Whiteside (pictured), 47, of of Greenfield Street, was sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday after he repeatedly hit a 53-year-old man with the plank in an alleyway in Skipton. 

Whiteside pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and two counts of breaching a restraining order against the victim.

Quote Message: This was a nasty assault that has left the victim with permanent scarring. Whiteside now has plenty of time to reflect on his actions." from Det Quita Passmore North Yorkshire Police

This was a nasty assault that has left the victim with permanent scarring. Whiteside now has plenty of time to reflect on his actions."

Three primary school children from Barnsley who helped at the scene of a car crash have been awarded certificates to acknowledge their quick-thinking.

South Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: South Yorkshire Police

Ten-year-old George and siblings Lauren and Leo, both aged 11, were on their way to school when they saw a car crash with a motorbike in November last year in Barnsley. 

George grabbed his mum's mobile phone and called 999. Meanwhile, Lauren and Leo ran over to the bike rider to assist. 

Leo also phoned 999 to explain what happened, and Lauren phoned her dad's work to explain that he was helping with a collision and would be late for work.  

Quote Message: These children remained incredibly calm and immediately began to help when they saw what had happened." from PCSO Claire Banks South Yorkshire Police

These children remained incredibly calm and immediately began to help when they saw what had happened."

Police in Wakefield have released pictures of two men they want to speak to after a "brutal" attack on a man at a pub in the city.

West Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: West Yorkshire Police

It happened at the Stereo Bar, on Albion Court, on 4 December. 　

A 29-year-old man was attacked in the toilets by two other men, meaning he needed urgent hospital treatment for facial injuries.

Quote Message: This was a brutal assault on the victim. We're releasing these images today in the hope of jogging the memory of any people [who were there] on the night of this assault." from Det Con Rachel Darling West Yorkshire Police

This was a brutal assault on the victim. We're releasing these images today in the hope of jogging the memory of any people [who were there] on the night of this assault."

A young woman from Sheffield with cerebral palsy has been recognised for her support work with disabled people.

Ellie SimpsonCopyright: Ellie Simpson

Ellie Simpson, who studies at Sheffield Hallam, set up CP Teens, an organisation aimed at connecting young people with disabilities and providing them with support.

She decided to launch the website after experiencing isolation during her time in sixth form. She realised how little social support there was for young people with cerebral palsy.  

Ellie's work has now been highlighted as a "Point of Light", recognition which comes directly from the Prime Minister.   

Quote Message: I have met some amazing people and I have made the most special of friendships along the way. I'm so excited about the future of CP Teens UK." from Ellie Simpson

I have met some amazing people and I have made the most special of friendships along the way. I'm so excited about the future of CP Teens UK."

The Deputy Chief Constable of South Yorkshire is to retire in April after 30 years' service with the police, she's announced.

GMPCopyright: GMP

Dawn Copley, who started her policing career in 1987, joined the South Yorkshire force in 2015.

In a statement, she says: "When I joined, I could not have imagined the many and varied experiences that lay ahead. Some have been immensely enjoyable, others terribly sad. 

"But together these experiences have added up to a fabulous career and I have met some truly wonderful people along the way."

Sheffield residents are sharing their views about the proposed HS2 high speed rail route at a community event in the city today. 

The event is taking place at the Aston Hall Hotel until 20:00 and anyone can drop in.

It's part of a series of consultations across Yorkshire by the team tasked with the construction of the project:    

HS2Copyright: HS2

Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to talk to after a serious sexual assault in Leeds. 

West Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: West Yorkshire Police

The victim, an 18-year-old woman, had been on a night out in the city centre and was walking along Briggate shortly after 04:30 on 14 January when she was approached by a man.

He walked with her until they entered the park between Servia Hill and Woodhouse Street where she was subjected to a serious sexual assault.

Quote Message: The victim contacted police on 3 February to report this incident. Clearly this has been a very traumatic ordeal for the victim and we urgently need to trace this man." from Det Insp Phil Jackson West Yorkshire Police

The victim contacted police on 3 February to report this incident. Clearly this has been a very traumatic ordeal for the victim and we urgently need to trace this man."

Have you got a head for heights? You'll need it if you happen to go to Brighouse in West Yorkshire soon.

ROKT climbing centreCopyright: ROKT climbing centre

Work's started there on a 36m high climbing wall which, when it's finished, will be higher than either the Tower of London or the Angel of the North.  

The £75,000 project is being led by ROKT climbing centre in partnership with Calderdale Council to help raise the profile and participation in the activity.

When it's completed in the spring, it will give daredevils views of up to about 20 miles across Yorkshire - on a good day, of course.

About 30,000 counterfeit cigarettes, amounts of cannabis, Class A drugs and a large quantity of cash have been seized during raids in Sheffield. 

South Yorkshire PoliceCopyright: South Yorkshire Police

Several homes in Parson Cross have been raided as part of an intelligence-led operation this week, according to South Yorkshire Police.

Quote Message: We would like to stress the dangers of buying counterfeit goods, in particular tobacco products, as it's unknown what chemicals and toxins are ingested, in addition to the known health risks associated with smoking." from Sheffield Tasking Team

We would like to stress the dangers of buying counterfeit goods, in particular tobacco products, as it's unknown what chemicals and toxins are ingested, in addition to the known health risks associated with smoking."

Officials in Leeds are stepping up the pressure on the government to give them more money to spend on the city's flood defences. 

PACopyright: PA

Leeds City Council says it wants more money to prevent flooding in the city and to avoid a repeat of the damage caused on Boxing Day 2015. 

The council's expected to decide to send a detailed report on the flooding directly to the desk of the Environment Minister Andrea Leadsom.

Quote Message: I think there's every likelihood it could happen again. I'd like to see a decent standard of protection for Kirkstall Road so businesses can be confident again." from Phil Marken Kirkstall Road businessman

I think there's every likelihood it could happen again. I'd like to see a decent standard of protection for Kirkstall Road so businesses can be confident again."

There's a lane closed on the M62 westbound between J26 and J25 because of an accident.

Highways England/Crown CopyrightCopyright: Highways England/Crown Copyright

As you can see, emergency services are there dealing with it and there are a few delays.

Highways England say they expect things to get back to normal before 17:00.

If so, a South Yorkshire charity wants to hear from you.

Greyhound Rescue has been asked to take in 30 greyhounds.

Staff there can't take all 30, so are busy finding places for them all.

They say they're desperate for fleece greyhound coats, as they'll soon have a total of 18 dogs in their kennels. 

The charity was set up to rescue greyhounds from being put to sleep and to find them loving "forever homes".