The famous Knaresborough bed race and two major venues in Harrogate have fallen victim to coronavirus as the council pumps in £1 million to help the most vulnerable.

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in North Yorkshire has risen by three to a total of 11, according to the Department of Health and Social Care.

It comes after the first COVID-19 patient at Harrogate District Hospital has died, just a couple of days after the hospital confirmed their first case.

---

4pm – Local council pumps in £1m to help vulnerable.

North Yorkshire County Council will make available at least £1 million from its reserves to help those most at risk because of Covid-19 to access food and other household essentials.

County Council Leader Councillor Carl Les said: “Supporting those in need in our communities is one of the most important things we can do as a council. We have a vital role to play in helping our residents deal with the challenges ahead over the next few months.

"This new fund will help those most in need with life’s essentials at what is already a very trying time.”

---

2.30pm – Curtain call on Royal Hall and convention centre

The Royal Hall and the Harrogate Convention Centre has postponed all of its events in spring over coronavirus.

All of the events which were due to be held will be rescheduled for later in the year and both venues will now close.

Paula Lorimer, the director of Harrogate Convention Centre, said: "It's the correct time to make this decision in the spirit of staff and public safety.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation in line with government guidelines and will review our position again on April 4 2020.

"We look forward to reopening the Convention Centre and our beautiful Edwardian Theatre when circumstances permit."

---

2pm – Famous Knaresborough race put to bed

Organisers of the Knaresborough Bed Race has announced that the 2020 event will no longer go ahead.

A spokesperson said today: "We are very sorry to have to announce that the Knaresborough Bed Race 2020 has been cancelled because of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

"Teams and sponsors will be hearing from us in the next few days. Thank you for your support, and we look forward to seeing you at Bed Race 2021."

---

12pm – Trains cancelled as commuters stay at home

Northern has cancelled its fast trains between Harrogate and Leeds as commuters stay at home during the coronavirus outbreak.

The trains, which are 15 minutes past the hour from Leeds and 2 minutes past the hour from Harrogate, will no longer run today.

Northern has said that it was sorry for the inconvenience but it's unclear how long the cancellations will run for.

---

11am – Number of COVID-19 cases rises in North Yorkshire

Official figures from the Department for Health and Social Care has revealed that the number of coronavirus cases is on the rise in North Yorkshire.

Currently, there are 11 people in the North Yorkshire area with COVID-19, which is a jump of three from yesterday.

There have been no further deaths in the area since an elderly patient with underlying health conditions died at Harrogate District Hospital on Tuesday.

Across the UK, there are 2,626 confirmed coronavirus cases and 103 deaths so far.

---

10am – All schools across Harrogate district to close

All schools in the Harrogate district will close from Friday as part of the government's response to try and contain the coronavirus outbreak.

It will mean that students will no longer sit A-level or GCSE exams and the government is still working out how students will be graded.

Some schools in the Harrogate district have already closed or partly closed to some year groups as they struggle with staff numbers.

The Stray Ferret will be talking to parents outside schools today to see how the move will affect them and their children.