Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner's breaking news service.

Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that's happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.

We'll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.

And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we'll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.

You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .

If there's something you've noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .

Dewsbury crash causing traffic congestion

Avoid Forge Lane at Thornhill Lees - there has been a road traffic collision. Looks like no-one seriously hurt.

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M62 delays continuing tonight

The M62 near Rochdale has now reopened in both directions but drivers are being warned to expect congestion on both carriageways tonight.

The motorway is experiencing long delays in both directions, according to Highways England.

An air ambulance landed on the motorway earlier this evening after a driver suffered a medical episode. He was taken to hospital in a serious condition.

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Man in 'serious condition' after M62 crash

A man has been taken to hospital in a serious condition following the earlier incident on the M62 near Rochdale.

Air ambulance at the scene of the M62 incident
Air ambulance at the scene of the M62 incident (Image: www.motorwaycameras.co.uk)

The man’s car hit the central reservation at around 4.10pm. Both carriageways were closed to allow an air ambulance to land. Both have since reopened although traffic is slow.

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman said: “We were called at 4.10pm to junction 20 of the M62 to reports that a vehicle had crashed into the central reservation.

“An air ambulance was called and the motorway was closed at about 4.35pm. The patient was taken to hospital via air ambulance in a serious condition.”

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M62 closed in BOTH directions

Traffic on the M62 near Rochdale has been stopped in BOTH directions to allow an air ambulance to land.

Police said there had been a ‘medical episode’.

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Traffic stopped on M62 due to 'emergency'

Traffic has been brought to a halt on the M62 westbound due to a ‘medical emergency’.

Vehicles were temporarily held between Milnrow and Rochdale while the incident was dealt with.

The nature of the incident has not been disclosed.

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Huddersfield woman jailed for drug smuggling conspiracy

A woman from Huddersfield has been jailed alongside a man from Barbados after the pair tried to smuggle cocaine into the country.

Gillian Weldrick, 53, has been put behind bars after she and Ortis Dexter Ollivierre, 45, conspired to smuggle a kilo of the drug through another man flying in to Manchester Airport last year.

The two were found when Border Force officers stopped their conspirator Andrew McCollin at the airport in September last year after flying in from Barbados. He lifted his shirt to reveal a kilo of cocaine stuffed in clear pockets wrapped around his body with a bandage.

The drugs had a street value of about £115,000.

Gillian Weldrick, 53, and Ortis Dexter Ollivierre, 45, jailed for conspiring to smuggle cocaine in the country
Gillian Weldrick, 53, and Ortis Dexter Ollivierre, 45, jailed for conspiring to smuggle cocaine in the country

Weldrick, of Alton Avenue, Dalton, was arrested after turning up to meet McCollin at the airport. National Crime Agency officers found that she and Ollivierre had paid for and arranged McCollin’s flight. Several unexplained payments of thousands of pounds were discovered to have been made between the pair. Ollivierre was later arrested in May this year after he flew in to Gatwick Airport.

Both of them were sentenced to 12 years at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today.

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Kirklees police teaming up with council and local charities to tackle exploitation.

An update on Anti-Slavery Day - Kirklees District Police have now announced they are teaming up with various organisations across the borough to tackle human sex trafficking.

Local police have collaborated with Trading Standards, Gangmasters & Local Abuse Authority, MASH, Kirklees Housing Benefits & Council Tax, Kirklees Housing Solutions Service, HMRC Fraud Investigation Service, Immigration Intelligence and Kirklees Council to tackle exploitation in the area.

Officers accompanied by partner agencies have visited several addresses in Batley, Dewsbury and Mirfield, gaining valuable intelligence as well as raising awareness about human trafficking.

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Nicholson, of Kirklees CID, said: “Human trafficking is a hidden crime and awareness events such as these help to educate the public about how they can help us to tackle it, as well as the sexual exploitation of victims.”

Police stock
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LUFC fan beaten up in football rivalry attack

A Leeds United fan had “Leeds scum!” shouted at him before he was attacked by a gang of three.

The “mindless” attack happened at Halifax train station. The victim, a man in his twenties, suffered severe bruising to his chest and suspected broken ribs in the assault.

Police investigating an attack on a Leeds United fan in Halifax have released this photo of a suspect
Police investigating an attack on a Leeds United fan in Halifax have released this photo of a suspect

Officers from British Transport Police have today released CCTV images of three men they wish to speak to. The incident happened at approximately 10.50pm on Saturday September 9. Anyone who recognises the men in these pictures should contact BTP by calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 236 of 11/09/2017.

Police investigating an attack on a Leeds United fan in Halifax have released this photo of a suspect
Police investigating an attack on a Leeds United fan in Halifax have released this photo of a suspect
Police investigating an attack on a Leeds United fan in Halifax have released this photo of a suspect
Police investigating an attack on a Leeds United fan in Halifax have released this photo of a suspect
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Police reveal figures for people rescued from exploitation

More than 140 potential victims of modern day slavery have been rescued by police this year, WYP have revealed.

It comes as the force announce they are marking Anti-Slavery Day with a series of operations across the county. The operations, which remain on going, are run to improve intelligence and understanding about the crime and to rescue any potential victims.

PICTURE POSED BY MODEL. File photo dated 31/07/14 of a silhouette of a person, as children are often left alone to deal with the "corrosive consequences" of abuse, a charity has warned. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Issue date: Wednesday January 27, 2016. The NSPCC said more must be done to give youngsters who have been abused better access to therapy. See PA story HEALTH Abuse. Photo credit should read: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire
(Image: Anna Gowthorpe/PA Wire)

Officers and partners have visited a number of business premises thought to have links to human trafficking to speak to the employers and employees.

Mark Burns-Williamson, West Yorkshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner and National PCC lead said: “Tackling human trafficking and modern slavery are a priority for me and West Yorkshire Police, it’s an area I have invested heavily in for a number of years based on threat, harm and risk. This is fantastic work from West Yorkshire Police and our partners in continuing to disrupt and raise awareness of modern slavery and is quite timely given that we have just had ‘Safeguarding Week’.

West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson.
West Yorkshire Police and Crime Commissioner Mark Burns-Williamson. (Image: Huddersfield Examiner)
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Man jailed for historic child sex abuse dating back 25 years

A man has been jailed for historic child sex abuse.

Richard Prendergast, 45, from Heckmondwike, was found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court on 28 September of 11 counts of non- recent sexual abuse against two young girls. The crimes date back 25 years.

Prendergast, of Westfield Road, was sentenced today to nine years in prison and will also sign the sex offender’s register for life.

Richard Prendergast
Richard Prendergast (Image: West Yorkshire Police)
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Events held to tackle hate crime across Kirklees

Police in Kirklees have announced a series of events across town to mark Hate Crime Week.

As part of the week, Kirklees District Police will be working with Kirklees Council, The University of Huddersfield, various schools across the District, as well as the Kirklees Involvement Network and Mencap to hold a series of events and information workshops.

Leaflets will be distributed at the University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield and Dewsbury bus stations and numerous other locations throughout Kirklees. A Hate Crime Awareness event will be held at Huddersfield Town Hall on Thursday morning which will focus on Disability Hate Crime.

Hate crime reports have jumped sharply as Britain was hit by a spate of terrorist attacks earlier this year, figures have shown.
Hate crime reports have jumped sharply as Britain was hit by a spate of terrorist attacks earlier this year, figures have shown. (Image: PA Wire)
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National news

Here’s a midday round up of what else is happening in the world today...

NHS WILL STRUGGLE TO MEET TARGETS WITHOUT MORE MONEY, HEALTH CHIEF SAYS

The health service will find it difficult to meet treatment targets without increased funding, an NHS executive has said. NHS England’s director for acute care, Prof Keith Willett, said the health service was trying to deal with rising demand. The comments came after a BBC survey found targets for cancer care, A&E treatment, and planned operations were being routinely missed.

UNIVERSAL CREDIT HELPLINE TO BE SWITCHED TO FREEPHONE NUMBER

Charges of up to 55p a minute for calls to a Universal Credit helpline are to be scrapped, Work and Pensions Secretary David Gauke has announced. Mr Gauke told the House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee that the line would be switched to a freephone number over the next month, and that all Department of Work and Pensions helplines would be free of charge by the end of the year.

CHINESE PRESIDENT URGES STRONGER STAND AGAINST ‘GRIM’ CHALLENGES

Chinese president Xi Jinping has urged a reinvigorated Communist Party to take on a more forceful role in society and economic development, to better address “grim” challenges facing the country, as he opened a twice-a-decade national congress. Speaking in the massive Great Hall of the People near Tiananmen Square in Beijing today, Xi laid out his vision of a ruling party that serves as the vanguard on everything from defending national security to providing moral guidance to ordinary Chinese.

Nurse, ward in a hospital, NHS, stock
The NHS are struggling to meet targets due to lack of funding, a survey has found
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Figures reveal numbers of EU doctors and nurses in Huddersfield are dropping

The rate at which staff from the EU are quitting Huddersfield hospitals is increasing, and the rate at which they are joining is falling.

Between December 2014 and December 2015, staff from the EU made up 1.2% of those leaving Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Trust. However, by the period between December 2016 and June 2017 the proportion had risen to 4.9%.

There were 52 members of staff from the EU who joined the trust between December 2014 and December 2015, compared to just 11 between December 2016 and June 2017.

The Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt has sought to reassure NHS employees from the EU that they continue to be welcome in the UK.

Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.
Huddersfield Royal Infirmary. (Image: Huddersfield Examiner)
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Readers' pictures

Simon Martindale has sent us these stunning pictures taken in Golcar and Marsden last night and this morning.

Looking over Golcar to Castle Hill and Emley Mast
Looking over Golcar to Castle Hill and Emley Mast (Image: Simon Martindale )
Evening sky over Marsden
Evening sky over Marsden (Image: Simon Martindale)
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Huddersfield weather

Here’s what Mother Nature has on the cards for us today...

Sunshine this morning but clouds expected later this afternoon with a high chance of showers in the evening. Temperatures of up to 12 degrees.

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Police seize cannabis after chasing down car in Huddersfield

Police officers chased down a car which failed to stop for them in the early hours of this morning.

After a pursuit, officers managed to stop the vehicle and seized several bags of cannabis...this may explain the reasons the people in the car weren’t keen on sticking around.

Cannabis seized after officers chase down car in Huddersfield
Cannabis seized after officers chase down car in Huddersfield (Image: West Yorkshire Police RPU)
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MP offers to show radio presenter "real side" of town centre

Barry Sheerman has vowed to show BBC Leeds presenter Liz Green the real side of Huddersfield after the two faced each other in a head to head about the town.

Liz Green, who presents BBC Leeds’ breakfast show, came under fire after her pessimistic take on Huddersfield’s town centre. She has since offered to take Barry on a “walk around town”, an offer which he has also made in return! We do love a good Twitter face off...

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Collision blocking road in Dewsbury

Reports of Town Street in Dewsbury being blocked due to an accident at Ossett Lane near the Spangle Bull Pub.

Motorists are being advised to avoid the area.

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Man taken to hospital after house fire

A man has been taken to hospital after a fire at a house in Calderdale.

Fire fighters were called to the home on Godley Road in Halifax at 2.30am after a stove that had been left on from cooking caused a fire in the kitchen. Extensive damage was caused to the kitchen with smoke damage caused to the rest of the house.

The male resident managed to get himself to safety and was taken to hospital as a precaution. He is not thought to be seriously hurt.

Fire fighters from Halifax, Illingworth and Odsal attended and were at the scene for an hour putting out the fire.

Godley Road, Halifax
Godley Road, Halifax
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Today's Examiner

Here is today’s front page - with our leading story today on superdad Ben Carpenter who is the first single and gay man in Kirklees to adopt.

Ben has adopted four children so far - and hasn’t ruled out a fifth - all of whom have disabilities. It’s a real feel good story, this one!

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Record number of 999 calls made this week

Police have asked the public to use alternative ways of reporting small crimes after hitting peak levels of calls last Friday.

WYP say they had 1,642 999 calls on Friday - more than last New Year’s Eve which is traditionally the busiest day of the year. As a result of the increased demand, West Yorkshire Police are reminding the public that there are several ways to contact police.

Non-emergency crimes can be reported online via the West Yorkshire Police website or by calling the 101 number. You can also report crimes to your local Neighbourhood Policing Team.

Police were called to a 'work related death' in Marsden

Tom Donohoe, Head of the West Yorkshire Police Customer Contact Centre, said: “The weekend’s high demand placed great pressure on our services and our staff continued to do a great job in answering calls to the critical 999 number. Our call handlers still answered 91% of 999 calls in under 10 seconds on the very busy Friday, with an average queue time of five seconds. We exceeded one hundred 999 calls per hour between 4pm and midnight on Friday, which equated to around 50% of the 999 calls for the day.”

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Traffic updates

No major incidents to report on this morning - just the usual spots of heavy congestion on the M62 eastbound at Chain Bar.

Here’s what’s happening on the local roads:

  • Slow traffic on Halifax Road heading into Huddersfield town centre from Ainley Top
  • Busy but moving on the Huddersfield ring road by the old Tech college
  • Heavy traffic on Wakefield Road through Mirfield
  • Also very busy heading towards Cooper Bridge on Wakefield Road from Brighouse/the M62
  • Slow on Ovenden Road in Halifax
  • Busy on Whitehall Road, Wyke, heading towards the M62
M62 between Junction 26 and 27
M62 between Junction 26 and 27
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Good morning, Huddersfield

Welcome to the Huddersfield Examiner’s breaking news service.

Stay with us throughout the day to be the first to know everything that’s happening across Huddersfield and the rest of West Yorkshire.

We’ll also be bringing you updates on crime, health, sport, politics, education and more live from the Examiner team.

And remember to check back before you travel as during peak times we’ll provide you with all of the latest traffic updates on the M62 and roads around the region.

Peaceful night, Blackmoorfoot Reservoir - by Ross Foden
Peaceful night, Blackmoorfoot Reservoir - by Ross Foden

You can also download our app to get news on the go and push notifications for the latest breaking stories here .

If there’s something you’ve noticed and want us to check out then please feel free to get in touch - you can call us on 01484 437712, email editorial@examiner.co.uk or tweet @Examiner. You can also find us on social media here .

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