Daryl Ames

Trading standards officers seized illegal vapes and counterfeit tobacco from Lewiatan, a convenience store on Sackville Street in Skipton. The seized products included hundreds of vapes exceeding legal nicotine limits or breaching labelling rules, with some concealed in confectionery boxes, as well as counterfeit tobacco. Lewiatan Ltd and directors Shahram Sharifi and Araf Fathi pleaded guilty at York Magistrates’ Court. Sharifi and Fathi received fines and costs, while Lewiatan Ltd was fined £5,000 plus surcharges and prosecution costs. North Yorkshire Council and police said they would continue joint enforcement action to protect public health, particularly children.

Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith is backing Conservative proposals to make it easier for teenagers to take seasonal jobs. The changes would relax rules on shift patterns, evening work, breaks and time off, including allowing some 16- and 17-year-olds to work later during term time and without restrictions during holidays. Conservatives and UKHospitality argue that the reforms would reduce red tape, help seasonal businesses hire staff and give young people valuable early work experience. The proposals come amid a reported decline in the proportion of 16- and 17-year-olds in employment.

A guided tour of the churchyard at St Michael and St Lawrence Church in Fewston explores burials dating back to at least 1613, notable graves, unusual epitaphs and local history. The tour is linked to the Churchyard Secrets Shared project, following archaeological excavation and reburial work carried out for the Washburn Heritage Centre by volunteers and archaeologists. Visitors can also explore the Grade II* listed church and meet historical figures represented inside the heritage centre; places are limited and must be booked in advance.

A late-night garden fire on Beechwood Close in West Marton caused gas canisters to explode, waking nearby residents and sending flames around 20 feet into the air. The blaze spread to fencing, bushes and nearby property, damaging a pergola, pallet flooring and a garage door, while nearby vehicles were at risk. Two crews from Skipton attended, and the cause remained undetermined.

North Yorkshire Police are appealing for information after a man was seen approaching and tampering with a vehicle on Colne and Broughton Road in Thornton-in-Craven at around 1 a.m. on August 9. The man is described as white, with short brown hair, visible arm tattoos, a white T-shirt and blue shorts. Police are asking for CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage and other information, with reports accepted online, by phone, email or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

Skipton and Harrogate will receive part of a £27,500 grant secured by North Yorkshire Council for the third consecutive year through the national Chewing Gum Task Force. The funding will pay for pavement cleaning, specialist equipment and measures to discourage gum littering in high-footfall areas. The scheme, established by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and administered by Keep Britain Tidy, has supported cleanup work across several North Yorkshire towns and reportedly reduced gum littering by up to 86% in funded areas.

Bancroft Mill Engine Museum in Barnoldswick is seeking relatives of former workers to participate in a BBC Breakfast feature accompanying the return of Daniel Meadows’ “Shuttles, Steam and Soot” photography exhibition. Meadows will reunite with Stanley Graham, the mill’s last engineer, at the September 5 launch. The exhibition will run from September 5 to October 31, with free entry on most days and admission charges on designated steaming days. The volunteer-run museum relies mainly on visitor income, with additional grant support from local councils.