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 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 notification 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 .
Have you spotted a military helicopter in our patch?
We’ve had reports that a military chopper is in the Kirkburton area. We’re checking it out with the MOD but as yet we’re not sure why it’s there.
Have you seen it?
Town's Pedal4pounds cyclists
Big shout out to all those generous fundraisers taking part in the Pedal 4 Pounds 8 #P4P8 charity bike ride from Germany to Huddersfield.
The 130 cyclists set off from Dortmond, Germany at around 10.30am for the first of three days of cycling.
They had a delayed start this morning as @SeanMjarvis tweeted but we’ve seen a few pics coming through now they are mid way through the first of three days of cycling.
Share your views on Aldi's plans for Thongsbridge site
Supermarket Aldi are hosting an information session to discuss their plans for a new store in Thongsbridge.
The meeting will be held at Holmfirth High School on Tuesday 9th of May from 4pm to 9pm.
Heartbreaking appeal one year on to trace mother of dead tot
Detectives have renewed their appeal to trace the mother of a baby girl whose bones were discovered at a Wakefield beauty spot a year ago.
The tot’s remains were found by a member of the public at Washlands nature reserve, just off a towpath leading from Wellbeck Lane on May 3 last year.
The small bones were found in a blue plastic bag wrapped in a pair of dark coloured leggings bought from Matalan.
Officers have now built a DNA profile for the mother and appealed again for her, or anyone she may have confided in, to come forward.
Anyone with information is urged to call 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
US Jazz duo in Huddersfield tonight
Californian smooth jazz duo Marc Macisso and Kenny Herrera have flown in from LA and will be performing in Huddersfield tonight.
The guys are appearing at The White Swan at Outlane tonight from 8pm.
And if you miss them, they’ll next be appearing at The London Palladium playing saxophone for a range of stars including Maria Carey.
Pensioners robbed in THREE raids in Batley
A 44-year-old man has been arrested in connection with one of three robberies at senior pensioners homes in Batley.
Details of the incidents have just been released from West Yorkshire Police who are now appealing for witnesses.
The robberies happened in Carlinghow at around 10.40am on May 1, 12.30pm on May 3 in the Hyrstlands Park area, and 9.40pm in Soothill on May 3.
The victims were all in their 80s were shaken but uninjured.
The suspects are believed to have made off in a blue, Citroen Picasso.
Anyone with any information should contact police on 101, quoting crime reference 13170194907. Information can also be passed anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 111 555.
Former Emmerdale star Roxanne Pallett has left her starring role in hit musical The Wedding Singer.
The Manchester-based actress had been starring as Holly in the 1980s show which is touring the UK, but has not been seen on stage since mid-April, and her image was this week removed from publicity posters.
A spokesman for the actress told our sister title The Manchester Evening News that Roxanne has left the show “on the advice of her doctor”.
That's a lot of handshakes!
Unless you’ve been living in a cave (or just left your phone at home) this morning you’ve probably heard by now that Prince Philip is retiring from public service.
Social media went into frenzie at around 8am this morning as we awaited the palaces announcement which was made two hours later.
But we though it would be fun to look at the Duke of Edinburgh’s royal service in numbers:
22,191 - Solo engagements
637 - Solo overseas visits, including 229 visits to 67 Commonwealth countries, and 408 visits to 76 other countries
5,493 - Speeches given 785 - Patronages 54 - Presentation of colours 32 - Service appointments
14- Books authored
Don't forget to spend your old fivers!
The old paper fiver ceases to be legal tender after Friday so now is a good time to spend or swap them before they become waste paper.
Some retailers and banks may still accept the old £5 note, bearing the image of the engineer George Stephenson or the philanthropist Elizabeth Fry on the reverse side.
But from Saturday they will be perfectly within their rights to refuse them.
The plastic fiver, with an image of Winston Churchill on the reverse side, came into circulation in October.
Legal action to be made against South Yorkshire Police
Sir Cliff Richard has taken legal action against the BBC and South Yorkshire Police.
The action relates to coverage of a raid at his apartment in Sunningdale, Berkshire, in August 2014.
Lawyers representing the singer said in written submissions in October that he had suffered “profound and long-lasting” damage.
In December a BBC spokeswoman said bosses would defend the coverage.
She said the BBC had reported Sir Cliff’s “full denial of the allegations at every stage”. In June, South Yorkshire Police apologised “wholeheartedly for the additional anxiety caused” by the force’s “initial handling of the media interest” in its investigation into the singer.
More Star Wars fun from West Yorkshire Police
West Yorkshire Police are continuing the May The Forth celebration with this great video.
Kirklees Rural posted this video with a police officer donning a Chewbacca mask to mark Star Wars day.
Let’s hope it doesn’t cause quite as much of a stir as this similar Facebook post which went viral last year when a Texas mum was captured laughing in the iconic mask.
More reasons to shop at..Morrisons!
Yorkshire supermarket chain Morrisons has this morning announced better sales than expected due to price cuts and extra spends due to Bank Holidays and Easter.
The grocer, which is the fourth-biggest in the UK said group like-for-like sales excluding fuel rose 3.4 per cent in the 13 weeks to April 30.
David Potts, who was hired in 2015 to revive the supermarket chain, said the turnround efforts were bearing fruit.
“These new initiatives are beginning to build a broader, stronger Morrisons,” he said.
“We’re selling more things to more people.” He credited initiatives such as improvements to own-brand products, a new stock management system and shorter checkout queues. Morrisons also said the coincidence of Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day and Easter in the period had helped.”
Biker death in Skelmanthorpe
A motorcyclist in his 20s has died in a road crash in Skelmanthorpe.
The crash happened at 5.15pm to Ponker Lane to the collision, which was involving a yellow Suzuki GSXR motorbike.
The motorbike was travelling in the direction of Shelly Woodhouse Lane before it crossed onto the opposite side of the carriageway and was in collision with a tree.
The rider, a man in his 20s, was treated by paramedics at the scene, but was sadly pronounced dead a short time later.
Police are appealing for witnesses following a fatal road traffic collision in Skelmanthorpe.
BREAKING NEWS: Prince Philip be stepping down
And here is the big announcement: The Duke of Edinburgh will no longer carry out public engagements form this Autumn.
Is the Queen going to have the builders in?
We’re all awaiting the Royal announcement at 10am but further speculation seems it may be about Buckingham Palace refurbishment.
Former Royal Press Secretary Dickie Arbiter, spoke out following reports senior aides from across the UK had been called to the Palace.
It was reported in November that the Palace in London was due to undergo a £369million, 10-year refurbishment.
The work, which will include replacing electrical wiring, water pipes and the heating system, was expected to begin last month.
Car fire in Dewsbury
Firefighters tackled a car fire in Sussex Walk in the early hours of this morning.
The Ford Focus was found alight at 3.56am and had possibly been abandoned after it had been wheel clamped.
Fire crews made the area safe and the blaze was brought under control.
Town's Pedal for Pounds cyclists on their marks!
Huddersfield Town’s Pedal for Pounds cyclists will set off this morning from Germany for the start of their epic 250 mile bike ride challenge.
Around 135 cyclists descended on Rotterdam yesterday morning after embarking on an overnight ferry to the Dutch city from Hull.
The riders were picked up by coaches at the port and brought to Dortmund around 160 miles away, where this mornings bike ride will begin.
To make the most of their trip before the hard work starts, they were treated to a tour of the Westfalenstadion in Dortmond.
But it would appear from this tweet from @seanMjarvis that they have been delayed and will set off slightly later than planned this morning at around 10.30am.
Watch: Shocking attack in Batley captured on camera
A man was knocked to the ground and repeatedly kicked and punched during a shocking road rage attack caught on camera in Batley.
The terrifying brawl in the middle of a street only came to an end when a female Good Samaritan rushed to the victim’s aid.
The unidentified woman can be seen rushing to split up the to men fighting in Town Street, Batley Carr.
The attack, filmed on a driver’s dash cam, is circulating on social media.
May the 'force' be with you
It’s just an ordinary day for many today but not for Star Wars fans.
May 4 is now celebrated as Star Wars Day all over the world, evolving from the film series’ immortal phrase: ‘May the force be with you’.
And West Yorkshire Police officers have also got in on the act with this cheeky tweet.
National: Queen calls emergency meeting
A “highly unusual” emergency meeting has been called at Buckingham Palace .
According to our sister site The Mirror the entire royal household staff has been asked to come to the Queen’s London resident at the last minute, sparking fears for Her Majesty and Prince Philip.
The Queen’s most senior aides reportedly ordered all staff from royal residences across the country to London, sparking frenzied speculation as to the reason behind the sudden request.
Following reports of royal staff spotted on the roof of Buckingham Palace, social media users shared images showing the Union flag is not at half mast.
Looking to be a high flyer for your next job? Could you join the National Police Air Service
The National Police Air Service (NPAS) is looking to recruit 1 Base Manager for its base at Carr Gate, Wakefield.
15 years on: Do you know what happened to Leonard Farrar?
Detectives are continuing to appeal for information on the fifteenth anniversary of the murder of Leeds pensioner Leonard Farrar.
The 71-year-old retired Merchant Navy officer was found stabbed to death at his home in Cardinal Road, Beeston, on May 4, 2002.
Despite extensive enquiries at the time and a number of renewed appeals over the years that followed, his killer has not yet been found.
The investigation currently sits with West Yorkshire Police’s ‘cold case’ team which regularly reviews unsolved murders in an effort to make a breakthrough in these long-running cases.
M62
If you’re heading over to Manchester or beyond there’s delays on the M62.
One lane blocked and there is queueing traffic due to broken down car on M62 Eastbound between J18 M60 / M66 (Simister Island) and J19 A6046 (Heywood), congestion on M60 to J16 A666 (Pendlebury).
Welcome to Thursday's live blog
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 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 notification 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 .
