POLICE in Barnsley are appealing for witnesses and information after a cold caller snatched an elderly man's bag containing £600, photographs of his late wife and a lock of her hair.

The incident happened at 10.50am on December 14 at a home on Baslow Road, Athersley South.

A man in his late teens to early twenties with ginger hair called at the door asking for sponsorship for a bike ride.

The victim, aged in his seventies, agreed and went into the house to get some money.

But he was followed by the man, who snatched a bum bag, which contained the sentimental items and hundreds of pounds, before leaving.

The culprit is described as aged in his late teens to early twenties with ginger hair, around 5ft 6in and of slender build.

He was wearing a high visibility worker's jacket and carrying a clip board.

Mark Perry, South Yorkshire area fundraiser for Yorkshire Air Ambulance, said: "We don’t do any door-to-door collecting or approach people in the street, though we sometimes have stands.

"All of the charity's volunteers are registered and have an official uniform and photo identification."

Any witnesses or anyone with information about the deception is urged to call South Yorkshire Police on 101 and quote incident number 431 of December 14.

Alternatively people can ring Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555111.

A FATHER, his son and his daughter have been sentenced for their roles in a fail-to-stop collision in Barnsley which left a man with life-changing injuries.

On December 12 last year a collision took place on Racecommon Road, in which a 51-year-old pedestrian was seriously injured.

He spent four weeks in intensive care and now has permanent damage to his legs.

The driver involved in the collision failed to stop, and the only debris left at the scene was a wing mirror.

This was found to be from a Ford Mondeo.

Investigations by South Yorkshire Police led officers to the McManis family, from Grafton Street in Barnsley.

The family’s silver Ford Mondeo was found burnt out in woodland in Deepcar, Sheffield.

Scott McManis, 21, was identified as having been the driver at the time, having taken the vehicle without permission from his father, Gary.

He was charged with aggravated vehicle taking and perverting the course of justice.

Gary McManis was charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice, as was his daughter Stacey McManis, 24.

They pleaded guilty to those charges and were back before the court on December 13 for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court.

Gary McManis, 49, was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 12 months. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and pay £300 costs, as well as a £100 victim surcharge.

Stacey McManis was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months. She was also given an 80-hour unpaid work order and ordered to pay £100 costs, plus a £100 victim surcharge.

Scott McManis was sentenced to a total of 34 months in prison - 18 months in prison for perverting the course of justice, and 16 months in prison for aggravated vehicle taking.

He was also disqualified from driving for three years and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £120.

Inspector Pete Serhatlic, from South Yorkshire Police’s road policing group, said: "The McManis family have been brought to justice after a long and protracted investigation by South Yorkshire Police.

"I would like to wish the victim in this case every success in his determination to regain good health, and I would like to thank those members of the public that assisted us with our enquiries.

"The sentences handed down today should serve as a warning to those people that would contemplate leaving the scene of a collision."

"Not only is it morally irresponsible and the actions of a coward, but rest assured we, the police, will take all necessary steps to find and convict you."

A BARNSLEY woman suffered serious injuries when the car she was travelling in on the motorway was in a collision with an articulated lorry.

The 22-year-old was a passenger in a silver Renault Clio which was in collision with a blue articulated lorry on the southbound side of junction 37 of the motorway in Dodworth on December 6 at 7.20pm.

The driver of the Clio, a 22-year-old man from Wakefield, suffered minor injuries and the lorry driver, a 53-year-old from Sheffield, was unhurt.

Anyone who saw the incident should contact 101, quoting incident number 1021 of December 6, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD child from Barnsley has the same IQ as Einstein - if not higher.

Sherwyn Sarabi, who tuned four in September, has had his IQ measured as 'at least' 160.

The tests used by specialists cannot measure anything higher than 160.

The toddler, of East End Crescent, Royston, has read 940 books by himself - including books intended for children more than twice his age! 

He can name every country on a globe and every element on periodic table.

"I have to be very careful about what he is reading," said his mum Amanda, 37, a former school teacher who now teaches piano.

She took him to see Dr Peter Congdon, a consultant educational psychologist, a year ago.

His IQ was measured at 136. Amanda took him again two weeks ago and Dr Congdon said he has made 'huge progress'.

He said: "I specialise in profoundly gifted children. I have been doing this for 40 years and it's extremely rare to see a 160.

"It's difficult to say he's the most intelligent child I've met, because like I say, I specialise in this and I have seen thousands of children, including the most gifted.

"But I have only seen a small handful at this level.

"It's so important for such gifted children to be challenged and stretched. He has a very bright future ahead of him, so long as he is stretched at a good school."

A WOMAN accused of wounding and aggravated burglary was remanded in custody when she appeared at Barnsley Magistrates' Court.

Kizzi Bagley, 28, of High Street, Grimethorpe, was sent to Sheffield Crown Court where she will appear on December 17.

She made no pleas.

A HARD-UP family will be given a lifeline this Christmas by a Barnsley mum who has offered a seat at her family's table for Christmas dinner.

Mandy Nam, a lecturer at Barnsley College, has posted a message advertising 'A Happy Christmas Day' on the Facebook page Freecycle, which lists items people offer for free.

Hundreds commented on the post, including some offering to buy presents for those worse off then them.

The Facebook advert explains: "This time last year we had lost our home, the house we were moving into was sold under us and we had nowhere to go and no help.

"We'd been living out of boxes for two months and it was the worst time ever.

"This year things are a lot better, we have a nice home and are looking forward to a lovely Christmas and we'd like to share that with someone."

The free ad goes on to say the offer is open to either an individual or someone with children, and that she could even offer transport to and from her home.

Mandy, who has been contacted, said she did not want to add to what she had posted online because she 'wasn't looking for publicity' and she just wants to 'give something back' to someone who was having a hard time.

Mandy's kind gesture comes as Barnsley's Citizens' Advice Bureau is warning people to avoid the lure of expensive payday loans at Christmas, and reveals one case in which someone took out 17 of the high-cost loans.

Chief executive of CAB, Pat Heath, said lots of families were likely to be struggling to make ends meet this Christmas, and urged people to try and avoid high-cost lending.

He said: "You can pretty much guarantee that every new client we get wishing to see our debt specialist will have at least one payday loan.

"We regularly see people with three or four, and the record is 17 separate payday loans."

Pat said people struggling to balance their finances would be better going to the Credit Union as a more affordable alternative.

"What tends to happen with payday loans is they use it at the end of the month to plug a gap between income and expenditure.

"The trouble is, a month down the line, the same gap exists and they end up taking another, and it becomes a downward spiral.

"We fully expect there to be a surge of people coming to us in January once the new year blues starts and these repayments start to bite.

"We'd certainly encourage people to use the Credit Union instead of payday lenders."

A FORMER miner was cremated with a copy of the Chronicle in which he featured but never got to see.

Garry Gillis, 75, of Hartington Drive, Honeywell, was diagnosed with terminal cancer seven weeks ago.

He had asked more than 50 visitors to don a Father Christmas hat with beard and hoped to raise £500 for Macmillan Nurses and Marie Curie.

The area around his bed was trimmed with Christmas decorations and visitors had their photo taken which was then pinned on his wall.

He sadly passed away on December 5.

Originally from East Street, Goldthorpe, Garry worked at Barnburgh Colliery as a surface worker.

He lived most of his life in Somerset, but returned to his sister Jackie Goodall's in Honeywell to be nearer his family.

TWO men wearing balaclavas and brandishing a handgun threatened staff at a bookmakers during a robbery.

The men burst into Coral Sports betting shop on Hoyland Road at 8pm on December 9 and made threats to staff.

Police said the raiders had a handgun but no shots were fired and no one was injured during the incident.

The men left the premises with an amount of cash, thought to be a few hundred pounds.

Police were called to the scene and are investigating the incident.

Anyone with information is urged to contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 1104 of December 9.

A MAN who sent 'obscene' pictures of his wife to her relatives has been given a 20-week jail term.

Ricky Lee Rawson, 28, sent photographs of his wife Chantelle's genitals to her father Barry Galloway and her brother Shaun.

Ill feeling developed because the family did not approve of Rawson being in a relationship with Chantelle, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

Rawson married her without telling her relatives.

Rawson was called a 'kethead' in a text message from a member of the Galloway family, explained Gus Kennedy, defending.

He said Rawson, of Pontefract Road, Lundwood, responded with a message saying: "Don't call me a kethead. By the way, I have married her."

The message was accompanied with a picture of a wedding ring on a finger.

Mr Kennedy said Rawson had been drinking when he sent the obscene pictures and now wished he had never done it.

Mr Kennedy added: "Mr Rawson sent a number of personal pictures of his wife to members of her family. It's hard to imagine how distressing this was.

"Mr Rawson, who acted immaturely, has started a new relationship and wants to move on.

"There have been no problems between Mr Rawson and his wife. But there's ill feeling between the Galloway family and Mr Rawson which will not go away."

John Kavanagh, prosecuting, said: "It's difficult to imagine how upsetting it was to receive images of this kind."

Rawson, who admitted harassment without violence, was banned from contacting his wife and her family for three years.

FIREFIGHTERS are set to strike this weekend for the fifth time in a dispute over changes to their pensions.

Members of the Fire Brigades Union will strike between 6pm-10pm on Saturday and Sunday after 86 per cent voted in favour.

The union fears firefighters will lose their jobs if the retirement age is raised from 55 to 60 because they may not be as fit.

It has argued firefighters are likely to experience a decline in fitness in their 50s, meaning they would be unlikely to meet the fitness standard required by the fire service and could face dismissal.

FBU general secretary Matt Wrack blamed the government for the strike, saying it had ignored members' concerns about increasing contributions which means most firefighters will be paying more than £4,000 towards their pensions.

He said: "At 14.2 per cent this is one of the most expensive pension schemes for workers anywhere in the UK.

"By forcing firefighters into a new and worse pension scheme, the government is refusing to honour the pension agreement they made with firefighters on joining the service.

"Our members have paid their share and expect the government to deliver the pension we signed up to."

He said the government's plans do not take into account the physically demanding job firefighters do and the service fitness standards they need to meet.

"Expecting men and women at the age of 60 to meet the same fitness standards required of 20-year-olds is just not logical.

"Unfortunately the government is ignoring all evidence on this issue, including its own reports.

"It's a callous way to treat men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect others.

"We demand the government sorts out the mess it has got itself into over this issue."

He said the FBU could not 'stand by and do nothing' as members conditions of service were 'eroded'.

Firefighters taking home £1,650 per month, and paying £340 more per month into the pensions scheme, face a retirement pension of £9,000 a year if they're unable to meet the physical demands of the job after the age of 55 - even if they pay into the fund for 35 years.

Matt added: "Firefighters are being punished for growing older. This is a disgrace. Politicians often praise the work of our members.

"The very same people are destroying our pension rights and imposing an expensive and unworkable pension which will mean thousands are facing the sack as their fitness declines.

"It's simply not acceptable."

BARNSLEY Zombie Run organisers have come up with another clever way of raising money for the Barnsley Hospital Charity.

The colourful Rainbow Run, to be held in May, follows on from the success of the post-apocolyptic zombie run held at Worsbrough Mill and Country Park in October, which more than 1,000 people took part in.

Katie Cartwright, from Barnsley Hospital Charity, says it will be the craziest, fun, happiest and most colourful five-kilometre route people will ever have the pleasure of taking part in.

"Not only will you be celebrating your way to being a walking rainbow, but you will also be supporting your local hospital charity," she said.

The Rainbow Run is a race that won't be timed and is less about achieving a personal best and more about 'loving life'.

Katie says at every kilometre marker point people will enter the run's colour stations, which she described as 'a mini disco' with 'rainbow warriors' who will create colour clouds for people to run and dance through.

There will also be a one-kilometre route called the Rainbow Parade which will be child friendly, buggy friendly and accessible to all.

Katie added: "You can run, scoot, dance and skip your way around our course which is fully accessible to all.

"We encourage you to start in white and leave us to add the colour."

As an incentive to help people along with their fundraising, the charity will send a souvenir T-shirt to anyone that raises £50 or more in sponsorship.

Those who manage to raise £100 or more we be sent a professional running vest.

To book your place, click here.

MOBILE speed cameras will operate on the following roads from Monday.

A61 Park Road, Barnsley

A628 Barnsley Road, Penistone

A628 Barnsley Road, Silkstone

A628 Cundy Cross to Shafton Two Gates

A629 three-kilometre stretch, Wortley

A633 Rotherham Road, Athersley South

A633 Rotherham Road, Monk Bretton

B6096 two-kilometre stretch, Wombwell to Snape Hill B6411 Houghton Road, Thurnscoe

Brierley Road, Grimethorpe

Pogmoor Road, Barnsley

A6022 Rowms Lane, Swinton

A633 Sandygate, Wath-upon-Dearne

Melton Green, West Melton.

SOUTH Yorkshire Police have been out in force across the county to tackle metal theft.

The activity was carried out over four days, from December 3-6, and was linked to the latest national day of action enforcing the new legislation around the illegal trade of scrap metal.

Across the county officers were stopping vehicles carrying metal and checking that they had a mobile collectors licence.

They visited scrap metal dealers to check they had a site licence, offer them advice and ensure awareness and compliance with the new rules.

One person was arrested on suspicion of the theft of power tools, one vehicle was found with red diesel and 63 were stopped in total.

Throughout the operation police officers worked in partnership with authorities including Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC), Environment Agency, SmartWater and industry partners from BT, Northern Power and Network Rail.

Chief Inspector Andy Kent, lead for metal theft, said: "The county-wide operation has been successful in helping to reduce this type of crime and it has achieved its aim to raise awareness of the new legislation.

"Metal theft is not a victimless crime, it can affect the whole community. That's why it's so important for police and partner organisations to work together with local communities, businesses and legitimate scrap dealers to tackle this type of crime."

Anyone with information regarding metal theft or suspicious activity in your area please contact South Yorkshire Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A QUICK-THINKING Barnsley doctor helped saved his friend's life - after he collapsed during a football match.

Dr Mehrban Ghani, who is based at White Rose Medical Practice, Cudworth, was playing football with his team in Sheffield when a player suddenly felt unwell and went into cardiac arrest on the pitch.

Tair Bashir, 42, of Rotherham, who had complained of chest pain during the match, was saved thanks to three fellow team-mates - all GPs.

Dr Ghani said: "A couple of other GP colleagues and I went to check over Tair and it was quickly clear that he was having a heart attack.

"His breathing had stopped so we performed CPR for about 20 minutes. We continued with it once the ambulance arrived when we used their equipment and were able gave him a couple of shocks, oxygen and some adrenaline."

Tair was taken to the nearest hospital in Sheffield where he received specialist treatment and is now recovering.

Dr Ghani, who is also the medical director at Barnsley Clinical Commissioning Group, added: "Tair was extremely fortunate that there were people around him who knew how to carry out CPR.

"It's really important that everyone between 40 and 74 gets their free NHS Health Check at their GP practice."

Click here for more information.

ARMED police are standing guard outside shops across South Yorkshire as a deterrent to would-be robbers.

Vulnerable security firms delivering cash to stores or collecting money have been working with the police to offer an additional deterrent in an operation named 'Monarch'.

Although the force provides a high-priority service to all cash carriers and their employees all year round, this service is intensified over the Christmas period when such robberies traditionally occur.

Police bosses believe that if criminals spot armed presence outside the shops they're planning to rob, they will then abandon their plans.

South Yorkshire Police has warned criminals not all officers carrying out extra patrols over the festive season will be wearing uniforms.

In addition to visiting stores where vans are due to be making deliveries, officers will also follow the vans as they're being driven around, in an other attempt at making criminals think twice about targeting them.

Operation Monarch is running for the fifth consecutive year.

Chief Inspector Caroline Rollitt said: "We'll use a combination of tactics to deter and capture offenders.

"These include deploying both covert and overt police resources, together with specialist firearms teams to keep track on security vans during this vulnerable time.

"The message to criminals is clear - if you intend to commit such offences you will be apprehended and receive a substantial prison sentence."

A WOMAN whose husband died in Barnsley Hospital has received an award after he donated his organs to help save the lives of others.

Victoria Beever, from Denby Dale, received the award from health charity The Sovereign Order of St John, in honour of her husband Charles, who died of a stroke in February, aged 44.

He donated his heart, kidneys and pancreas to three separate donors.

Victoria was presented with a certificate and a St John cross by Tim Hare, the Vice Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, at an event at the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield organised by NHS Blood and Transplant.

She attended with her mother Margaret Christian and Charles’s parents Robert and Christine Beever.

Victoria said: "I have always been passionate about organ donation, and in discussing it with Charles he said that he wanted to donate his organs too to help others.

"I was so proud to accept the award on Charles’s behalf. Although he lost his life he has given a great gift to others."

She encouraged others to donate, saying it was vitally important the right organs are available.

Jane Tute, specialist nurse organ donation at Barnsley Hospital, said: "It was wonderful to see Charles honoured in this way.

"You never know whose life you could be saving by coming forward and joining the organ donation register.

"There's a national shortage of organs and it's really important that people come forward.

"Approximately three people die each day on the transplant waiting list. To save lives, more people need to sign on the organ donor register, and discuss their wishes with loved ones."

A BARNSLEY Hospice shop has gone from strength to strength having marked its tenth anniversary!

The hospice's Mapplewell shop has grown from having just two volunteers to a small army of 17.

The recruitment of more volunteers was just one of the achievements celebrated when the Fountain Parade shop marked its tenth anniversary on November 21.

The celebrations come a year before Barnsley Hospice marks 20 years of providing care to those with life limiting illness across the town.

Azizah Plowes has been the store manager at Mapplewell since it opened and says she has seen many changes during that time.

One of those is the number of volunteers it has recruited who sort through donated items, prepare them for sale and work on the shop floor.

Azizah said: "The best thing about the Barnsley Hospice shop is meeting people in the community, both the customers and the volunteers who we couldn't do without.

"There have been more than 30 volunteers throughout those ten years who have helped us grow from strength to strength."

Julie Broadhead is one of the new recruits who has been volunteering there for a month.

She said: "I got involved after my dad passed away. I had left my job to care for him and after his death found it very hard.

"One day I was dropping some of my dad's things off at the Mapplewell shop and got talking to the volunteers and Azizah.

"I had wanted to do something for myself but didn't feel ready to back to work full-time so volunteering a few hours a week seemed ideal."

A PENSIONER suffered a fatal heart attack - just days before he was due to jet off on a dream holiday.

Derek Jackson, 76, collapsed on his way back to his car in Wombwell last Friday after having his regular pint in the Old Town Hall pub.

Derek, of Edward Road, West Melton, had been in Wombwell to finalise the details of a six-week Christmas holiday to Barbados that he and his wife of 46 years Janet were set to go on just two days later.

Widow Janet, 67, said: "He did have a mild heart attack in July but he was looking forward to getting away from all the doctor's appointments and spending Christmas in the sun."

A SHOPLIFTER who has spent nearly all of this year serving jail terms has been given a second chance.

June Downing, who did not get into trouble until she was 30, spent two or three years committing endless crimes because of drugs, Barnsley Magistrates' Court was told.

She spent more than 14 years off drugs, on the straight and narrow and had a job helping others with similar problems she had had, her solicitor Sean Fritchley said.

Mr Fritchley said Downing, 50, went back on drugs and started shoplifting last year when she had to care for her mother who suffered a stroke.

He said Downing, of Doles Crescent, Royston, was ready to give up drugs again.

Mr Fritchley added: "She has repeatedly stolen things to buy drugs. She has given up drugs and led a blameless life before and she can do it again."

Diane Goodwill, prosecuting, said Downing stole from a shop on Market Street while on court bail for stealing meat from the Co-op.

District Judge John Foster described Downing's stop-start criminal career as 'strange'.

He said: "You have failed to stop offending and it has been prison virtually all this year. What a waste.

"Your parents are old and frail. It would be a considerable fillip for them if you can keep out of trouble and successfully tackle your drugs problem. It would also improve your life.

"This will be a long haul. You know what the prize is at the end. The alternative is jail." 

Downing, who admitted shoplifting, was ordered to undergo six months of drug rehabilitation and given a 32-week jail sentence, suspended for a year.

She was ordered to pay a total of £74.18 in compensation, costs of £85 and an £80 victim surcharge.

A KIND-HEARTED shopper was shocked to be slapped with a £70 car parking fine after buying food to send to typhoon victims in her native Philippines.

Emmy Frank, 46, who lives in Thurgoland, spent £63 on supplies for people struck by last month's natural disaster in Asia during a trip to Asda in Barnsley.

Her husband Tony, 58, who owns the vehicle, was then sent a sent a letter with details of the fine on Wednesday.

"My wife had apparently been in the car park and overstayed her welcome and triggered this outrageous charge," said Tony, of Belmont Terrace.

"What made it more unacceptable was that Emmy had been running around from one supermarket to another all morning to buy food and pick up clothes to send to the Typhoon Haiyan-affected area of the Philippines."

Emmy shopped for about an hour before returning to her vehicle but was unable to close a car door due to a faulty catch.

She phoned husband Tony for advice and was stranded until he returned her call and offered a solution, meaning she unknowingly spent too long in the car park.

A spokesman for Asda called the incident an ‘unfortunate set of circumstances’ and said the problem would have been resolved on the day had the car fault been reported in store.

"We are happy to review parking charges on a case-by-case basis, where a customer has a genuine reason to be at the store we will refund the tickets.

"On this occasion we have decided to cancel Mr Frank’s tickets."

A BARNSLEY man has been jailed for six years for his part in a spree of burglaries.

Sam Hearne, 38, from Pleasant View, Cudworth, had already pleaded to the offence, but failed to appear for sentencing at Sheffield Crown Court on December 10.

However, he handed himself in the day after and was finally imprisoned on Thursday.

Hearne received an extra four-month term for failing to appear and failing to surrender to custody at an appointed time.

Three other men from Cudworth were jailed for a total of nearly 30 years on Tuesday in connection with the raids on 19 homes, mainly in the Barnsley and Wakefield areas, which happened in March and April this year.

AN interview with ex-Barnsley boss David Flitcroft will be in tomorrow's Chronicle. Here's a snippet to whet your appetites!

Sacked Barnsley boss David Flitcroft says his legacy at Barnsley is Irish playmaker Paddy McCourt.

Flitcroft brought the former Celtic man to Oakwell on a free transfer and he has become an instant hit with fans, scoring two world class goals.

Flitcroft - who was appointed manager at League Two Bury this week - said: "By signing Paddy McCourt I have given Barnsley fans something they deserve.

"After a tough week you can go and watch Paddy on a Saturday afternoon and he’ll get you excited."

In an interiew with the Barnsley Chronicle, Flitcroft also said he had no regrets about his summer signings.

He added: "Captain Hindsight has never won a game of football in his life.

"He’s the all-seeing, all-knowing eye. I don’t regret anything. Dale Jennings came from Bayern Munich but really he came from League Two and League One.

"Maybe we should have got him out on loan straight away. That’d have got him up to Championship speed quicker."

Read the full interview in tomorrow's Chronicle.

A DEBT help charity in Barnsley has had to set on another worker - to combat waiting lists of up to three months.

More than 80 families have already been helped by Christians Against Poverty, but with people having to wait for months to have their case assessed, they have set on someone else to cope with demand.

It claims a third of clients have had suicidal thoughts, while more than half have consulted a GP over stress-related illness caused by their debt.

Centre manager Jonathan Tweedle said: "There are some desperate situations out there and people are leaving it too late before they get in touch.

"We’ve been in Barnsley since June 2012 and we’re now booked up three months in advance waiting to see new people who have contacted us asking for help.

"It’s shocked us how bad the situation is in Barnsley. Some people are suicidal while others are deeply depressed.

"Debt is ruining their lives - they’re too scared to answer their door, take a phone call or even open their curtains. That’s why we're here to help.”

Jonathan, who attends Gateway Church on Mottram Street which runs a food bank every week, says Christians Against Poverty - a national charity based in Bradford - contacts creditors on clients' behalf and sets out a budget to help people get debt free.

Contact Christians Against Poverty on 0800 328 0006 for debt advice.

ONE of the UK's favourite magicians will be bringing his box of tricks to Barnsley next year.

Paul Daniels and his assistant and wife Debbie McGee will bring 'The First Farewell Tour', their new show of tricks, comedy and illusion to The Lamproom on February 9.

Paul has become one of the country's most well-known magicians and is the only one to receive all the top awards of the London Magic Circle.

He was spotted in 1970 by a producer and hosted The Paul Daniels Show with future wife Debbie for 15 years.

He has entertained everyone from Princes William and Harry to the Sultan of Oman to John Major and more recently has appeared on Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, Strictly Come Dancing and alongside Debbie on Wife Swap and The X Factor: Battle of the Stars.

Paul performed 'It's Magic' at the Prince of Wales Theatre in the West End, one of the longest-running magic shows ever staged in London.

He has also designed special effects for stage and screen, including Cats and Phantom of the Opera.

BARNSLEY Football Club's chief executive Ben Mansford has released a statement on the management situation and the potential changing of the club's crest.

Having sacked David Flitcroft after the 3-0 home defeat to Birmingham City on November 30, caretaker boss Micky Mellon has overseen the club's first away win of the season at Brighton and the narrow defeat at table-topping Burnley.

Mansford said: "Nobody expected the start to the season that we've had on the back of the remarkable success David had last year.

"Coming in, I think Maurice Watkins and I felt that, along with the board and the owner, we would start off on a not dissimilar path to how we finished.

"That hasn’t happened. That’s through no lack of effort from David. David’s an incredibly passionate, energetic and committed individual who was incredibly desperate to succeed and continue to do well for Barnsley.

"We felt that it was a decision that had to be made, but it was an extremely difficult decision. I do wish David all the success that's possible at Bury.

"Our plan was always to allow Micky Mellon to be his own man. The changes to the staff have created an opportunity for him to do that.

"I’m absolutely delighted that Micky prepared the team sufficiently well enough with real expertise and experience to make sure we got a very, very good away win at Brighton.

"We always wanted Micky to have the opportunity to be his own person. He’s earned the right to do that and that's where we currently sit at the moment.

"Last year there was a very public process that occurred around who was and wasn’t going to be the next Barnsley manager.

"We want to do our business in private - in football terms it's the best way to do it. We're getting on with what we feel is right for the club.

"As and when there's clarity as to where we're going and what's going to happen, we’ll let the fans know at the earliest opportunity."

The controversial crest change proposals were next up, and Mansford said it's a close race between a new badge and retaining the current one. 

He added: "We’ve got a very close race between one of the new ones and potentially staying with the existing crest.

"We will be back to the supporters in the near future.

"The message to the Barnsley fans is thank you for the support you have given this year. It’s been a testing time. We aren’t where we thought we would be and that’s a huge disappointment.

"Stick behind Micky and the side. The fans at Barnsley have been incredibly loyal and passionate. I’m sure this Saturday against Yeovil the supporters will be behind our team."

What do you think to this? Have your say below.

TRAIN users in South Yorkshire are being urged to be on their guard against crooks over the festive season.

British Transport Police issued the warning as part of a new Christmas crackdown on theft across the railway network.

Special operations will be running at stations and on board trains in the run up to Christmas and the New Year.

There will also be more officers - both in uniform and undercover - carrying out patrols in a bid to deter potential thieves targeting presents, suitcases, bags, bikes, mobile phones and laptops.

Officers will be handing out luggage tags and leaflets with crime prevention advice as well as activity sheets for younger travellers.

As part of the new campaign, CCTV images have been released by British Transport Police to help officers identify people they believe could hold vital information about a number of offences.

They include the theft of a purse on a train travelling between Leeds and Doncaster - crime reference SS01 - and the theft of a suitcase on a Sheffield to Swinton train - reference SS07.

Superintendent Eddie Wylie said: "Traditionally we see a rise in the number of people using trains and stations at this time of year.

"Unfortunately we also see an increase in thieves targeting passengers.

"They often look to take advantage of people who may have consumed too much alcohol, may be travelling with a lot of luggage to visit family and friends, or unsuspecting shoppers carrying bags containing expensive presents.

"We want to create a hostile environment for thieves, making it as difficult as we can for them to operate on any part of the network.

"We’re now asking for help from members of the public. If you know any of these people and can tell us who they are, we want to hear from you."

Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 405040.

BERNESLAI Homes has been named as one of the top landlords in the country.

In a national poll conducted by 24 Housing magazine, a panel of housing industry judges compiled a list of the UK's top fifty social housing landlords.

The magazine's readers then voted on the final positions of the top ten, with the Barnsley company finishing in fourth.

Paul Tennant, president of the Chartered Institute of Housing and a judge in the competition, said: "What can be seen is a desire and passion to meet the needs and aspirations of a wide range of customers from all organisations irrespective of scale."

Berneslai Homes won plaudits from the judges for its efficient, resident-focused set up, with a range of impressive community projects.

"It’s a mix of the very solid and the very exciting," the judges said.

Berneslai Homes manages nearly 19,000 properties for Barnsley Council and under chief executive Helen Jaggar has won a reputation for excellent services, achieving three stars under the old Audit Commission regime and was voted amongst the top 100 not-for-profit companies to work for by the Sunday Times.

Tenant satisfaction stands at 90 per cent and Berneslai Homes has also started building new homes.

"This is a great achievement for Berneslai Homes and I'd like to say thank you to everyone who voted for us," said Helen Jaggar.

"Our ethos is excellent value for money services with tenants at the heart of what we do and we're very proud that this approach has been acknowledged at a national level."

A DAY in honour of a Barnsley-born missionary could be held next year - to encourage tourists from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

James Hudson Taylor was born on May 21 and Chinese businesswoman Mary Lui - who has moved to Barnsley and is working with several organisations in an effort to boost tourism in the town - wants an annual day to be named after him.

Mary, who returned to Beijing last week for the Christmas holidays but plans to return to Barnsley in the new year, said: "We want to have James Hudson Taylor Day on May 21.

"I believe people will come from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan and we could have lots of celebrations across the town that day.

"I've said many times that James Hudson Taylor is a hero in my nation. He came to China, learned the language and loved our people.

"I'm now doing the same for Barnsley and am enjoying my time here. I have rented an apartment in the town centre and I preached my first sermon in English at Gateway Church in New Lodge.

"There are already 50 people who I know will be coming for 2014 but the big celebrations will take place in 2015, which is the 150th anniversary of the launch of Hudson Taylor's organisation, China Inland Mission.

"May 21 of next year will just be a taster of what is planned for 2015 and we will be releasing more information in the coming weeks and months."

A FATHER accused of murdering his 11-month-old son blamed the fatal injuries on the family dog in court.

Part-time gardener Michael Beaumont claimed his son Kadan was 'flipped over' by Staffordshire terrier Mia before banging his head on garden steps at their home in Chapel Street, Hoyland Common.

He told a jury at Sheffield Crown Court: "I saw Mia bang into him. I just remember Mia hitting the back of him and him hitting his head on the step. He landed on the back of his head."

Kadan died in hospital from massive head injuries the next day, in September 2011, but the prosecution says the injuries were inflicted by his father.

After his death, doctors found he had two recent fractures of the skull, bleeding in his eyes and on the surface of the brain.

Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, said the dog story was a pack of lies and Kadan's death was caused by someone striking him or throwing him against some surface shortly before the emergency services were called.

Beaumont, who has a son, six, from a previous relationship, told the jury he was 'right happy' when Barnes fell pregnant.

Beaumont said his son's injuries were sustained as he was playing with the rabbits in the garden and then crawled up the two steps on a path and stood up, before being knocked over by the dog.

Asked by Brian Cox QC, defending, if he had done anything to injure Kadan, Beaumont replied: "No, I tried to help him. I loved him and miss him."

Beaumont denies murder and causing or allowing the death of a child, while Barnes denies allowing the death of a child and cruelty to a person under six.

The trial continues.

A DETERMINED Barnsley man is all set to hand out much-needed supplies to the town's homeless this Christmas.

Adie Flute, 40, of Old School Court, Barugh Green, read about The Rucksack Project several weeks ago and decided to help out in his hometown.

Founded in 2009 by Mathew White in Bristol, the scheme has flourished giving the less fortunate help through the harsh winter months.

A Facebook page set up by Adie has attracted nearly 200 people willing to get involved and on Thursday, December 19, the packs will be handed out to those in need.

One man's determination has culminated in supplies being handed in by caring residents at drop-off points at the Digital Media Centre on County Way and at Barnsley FC's Community Sports & Education Trust building.

A further donation from retailer JD Sports has given warm clothing to the project.

"The response to the original article on We Are Barnsley and the Facebook event has been great," Adie said. "Now it's about putting that initial success into action.

"Given we're lucky to have relatively low numbers of homeless in the town, the packs will also help those who have fallen on hard times.

"We're asking that everyone gets their packs ready for the 18th and hands them in at our drop-off sites so that we have time to pull all these packs together for the next day.

"We'll then fill out the necessary slips to show that the packs have been donated through the project to avoid any potential accusations of theft."

It's hoped that more people will donate items to fill rucksacks filled with things such as sleeping bags, coats, hats, gloves, socks and underwear.

Flasks with soup and tins with ring pulls on are also being asked for.

Caroline Hyde, co-ordinator of the Barnsley Churches Drop-In Project (BCDP) who have helped Adie, provide hot meals three times a week for the town's less fortunate.

They've been running for 11 years and are there for people with addictions, debt problems and the town's homeless.

"We consistently get between 75-100 people per session here so there's a clear need," she said. "It's a brilliant idea and we were keen to get involved."

Founder Mathew was inspired to start the project after witnessing people fretting about unimportant issues.

"It's meant to be the season of goodwill," he said.

"I felt like we lost the meaning of Christmas, so I did something that was so simple to make a difference to people's lives."

Having approached local charity shops and explained his cause, slowly but surely kind-hearted people came out to help and Mathew took the donations to Steve, a homeless man on Bristol's streets.

"Words can't express how grateful they were," he added. "That's the best present I could have given anyone at Christmas."

Adie added: "The homeless and those in need do tend to get extra help around Christmas time as the cold season ties in with people's thoughts on giving.

"However, their need stretches far wider than just the months of December and January and so any packs that we have left over after the handout on the 19th will be safely stored away with the guys at BCDP so that they can be handed out at a future date when needed."

If you'd like to get involved, click here. Comment on the event with any questions or queries you may have. 

THREE Barnsley men have been jailed for nearly 30 years after a string of burglaries earlier this year.

David Sage, 33, from Acre Road, Cudworth, and Paul Cooper, 35, of Pleasant View, Cudworth, went on a month-long crime spree from March 19 to April 20.

Lee Wood, 36, also from Pleasant View, joined them until April 3 when they were arrested by detectives.

A total of 19 homes, mainly in the Barnsley and Wakefield areas, were broken into by smashing a window.

Eight cars were stolen after the vehicle keys were snatched. The gang used these to reach other target locations.

Four of the cars - a Nissan Navara, Honda Jazz, Golf TDi and a BMW Z4 - were sold.

But the offenders also took thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and a laptop, which contained around 7,000 family images that have now been deleted.

On the opening day of the trial on November 25, Wood pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and theft from a motor vehicle.

Wood received a jail term of six years and four months.

Both Sage and Cooper stood trial, but a jury found them guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and they were each sentenced to 11-and-a-half years in prison.

Superintendent Liz Watson, of South Yorkshire Police, said: "This has been a very long and detailed investigation that has resulted in a fantastic outcome for residents not only in this county but across the border in West Yorkshire.

"A total of 19 burglaries have been solved and most of the key offenders have been handed lengthy sentences."

VULNERABLE young girls have been targeted for sex by drug pushers at a homeless complex.

A key worker at The Forge, on Smithies Lane, which houses and supports young single people aged 16 to 24, said she's 'concerned' about the vulnerability of some of the residents.

The building, staffed 24 hours a day, is run by South Yorkshire Housing Association and has seven bedsits and ten self-contained flats for homeless young adults and those in priority need.

The woman, who does not want to be named, is employed to befriend the residents, sort out benefits and help with appointments.

She said police have been called out 15 times in the last eight weeks to attend incidents and believes some young people are being wrongly placed at The Forge and should be better assessed before being housed there.

"The majority of residents are easy targets for drug pushers and those looking for sex," she said.

"There are people coming here and bringing alcohol and drugs, and are targeting vulnerable young girls for sex."

DCI Mark Wilkie is not aware of young girls being targeted for sex but did say police are often called there for other matters.

"Whenever you get places like The Forge there will always be a higher than average number of police incidents because you get people reported missing from places like that," he said.

"Some people in there have got problems and a lot of it revolves around drugs.

"We do get called down there but a lot of the time it's because people are missing from home.

"When we do attend it's because of calls we have received from staff there."

DCI Wilkie said the police are in talks with The Forge's management to see how any problems can be alleviated.

"We're all singing from the same hymn sheet," he added. "We're all trying to improve the people down there and to protect them from harm."

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Housing Association said the safeguarding of vulnerable people is paramount to the organisation.

She said: "Our priority is to ensure the young people living in our accommodation are protected at all times, and any concerns about behaviour or activity that may be harmful to the people we work with, are taken very seriously and acted upon.

"Any evidence brought to light that indicates the safeguarding of young people is threatened in any way, will be dealt with swiftly and in partnership with our local contacts at Barnsley Council and South Yorkshire Police."

ONE woman escaped and another collapsed after a fire in the early hours of a morning.

A smoke alarm alerted the two Barnsley women to a fire in their home.

The fire, on Ridgeway Crescent, Carlton, started around 1am on Monday.

Both women, in their 30s and 50s, managed to get out of the house before Barnsley and Cudworth fire crews arrived to tackle the blaze.

But the older woman collapsed, suffering with smoke inhalation, and was given first aid by firefighters at the scene.

She was later taken to hospital as a precaution.

It's thought the fire started accidentally and was caused by smoking materials.

Fire crews left the scene at 2.20am.

BOBBY Hassell had said he felt 'mistreated' at times under David Flitcroft's reign at Barnsley.

The defender, who is in his tenth season at Oakwell, has not been a regular in the starting 11 this term and admits his relationship with Flicker was strictly a working one.

"I've been out and about in the town and fans have asked me about my relationship with David," the 33-year-old said.

"The honest truth is that we weren't close friends. I felt mistreated at times but I'm not one to hold grudges and I certainly wasn't happy to see him go.

"He left on good terms with me.

"It's time for us to unite as a club - the hierarchy, the staff, the academy, the players and the fans. A house divided cannot stand."

TAXI marshals will provide a reassuring presence for customers of Barnsley's night-time economy over Christmas.

Stationed at hackney carriage ranks at New Street (adjacent to Chicago Rock) and Midland Street, the marshals will help people visiting town centre pubs, bars and restaurants get home safely at the end of the evening.

Marshals will be on duty on the evenings of Friday, December 20, Sunday 22, Boxing Day, Saturday 28, and New Year’s Eve.

In addition, officers funded by the Barnsley branch of the Hackney Carriage Association will patrol the area around Queen Street and Eldon Street.

Cllr Charles Wraith, chairman of Barnsley’s General Licensing Board, said: "The marshals will be there to assist with any public safety issues that arise and ensure people get home safely.

"They will also monitor any incidents of illegal vehicles picking up passengers, and any suspect vehicles will be investigated by officers from Regulatory Services.

"If people feel safe using the hackney carriage ranks they will be encouraged to use the town centre and increase the night-time economy, benefiting not only the taxi trade, but pubs, bars and restaurants, too."

OAKWELL will be filled with an extra 4,000 youngsters this weekend after the Reds handed out free match tickets in 25 primary schools.

Each child has been allocated one ticket plus an adult's ticket for Saturday's clash with Yeovil as the club seeks to engage with future generations of supporters.

Wayne Bullimore, chief executive of Barnsley FC Community Sport and Education Trust, said: "It's great to be able to offer this initiative to partner schools during the upcoming festive period.

"This will hugely support and reinforce the importance of the Trust's work and attending a game for any children is the icing on the cake for their whole Barnsley FC experience.

"Feedback from schools and parents has been overwhelmingly positive and we're all looking forward to seeing the North Stand bouncing on December 14."

Steve Iredale, headteacher of Athersley South Primary School, added: "I think this is a great initiative.

"It provides the opportunity for some of our children and parents to experience a match at Oakwell, particularly at a time of year when finances are tighter and attending a football match may not be high on a list of priorities.

"This again demonstrates the commitment of the staff at Barnsley FC to be fully involved with schools and local communities."