East Midlands Today

There has been a drop in the number of people who are unemployed in the East Midlands.

Today's official figures from the Office for National Statistics show there are 8,000 fewer people out of work from February to April compared with the previous period.

It means around 105,000 people in the region were unemployed in the three months to April. The joblessness rate now stands at 4.3%.

The UK’s unemployment rate has stayed at 3.8%, its lowest since late 1974.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

The most senior Roman Catholic leader in England and Wales has said he "does not agree" with the idea someone can chose their own gender.

Cardinal Vincent Nichols made the comments while on a visit to Nottingham's St Barnabas Cathedral this morning for its 175th anniversary.

He told the BBC: "The idea that anyone can simply chose their own gender is not something with which we would agree."

It comes the day after the Vatican published a document speaking against the idea that there are genders beyond male or female, or that you can chose how you identify because God has already given you a gender.

Some people feel they do not fit the labels of male or female, and others that they were born the wrong gender.

The document, released during Pride month, drew immediate criticism from LGBT groups, with some describing the church as "in the dark ages".

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A 23-year-old has been jailed for six years for bringing a loaded gun in to a Leicester nightclub.

Mohamed Abdulahi-Diriye of Bedford Street North had kept the weapon hidden in a bag across his chest, police said.

But police found and arrested him after they were called to a club in the city centre early on Easter Monday.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

He was sentenced yesterday at Leicester Crown Court to six years in prison for possession of a firearm and one year in prison for possession of ammunition, with the sentences to run concurrently.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

Trams are delayed in Nottingham after a Range Rover had to be removed from the tracks.

They were stopped between Old Market Square and The Forest for around 30 minutes this afternoon.

Although it is cleared there are still delays.

Image source, NET

David Pittam
BBC News Online

An 18-year-old motorcyclist is in a serious condition in hospital after a crash in Sherwood, Nottingham.

It happened in Hucknall Road shortly before midnight on Friday. Police want to speak to anyone who may have seen it happen.

Image source, Google

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A pub is having to close early because of a sudden decline in customers after a road closed.

The manager of The Bridge pub in Sandiacre has said the business is being affected by an emergency road closure.

A section of Longmoore Lane was closed yesterday after concerns that a van fire caused structural damage to a bridge.

Image source, Natalie Russell

Natalie Russell closed early yesterday due to a lack of customers. She's also preparing to cancel staff shifts while the disruption continues.

Engineers are currently carrying out structural tests and assessments on the fire-damaged bridge.

Image source, Natalie Russell

Derbyshire County Council has said: "We're working to get it open as quickly as possible but the safety of road users has to be our priority in this case.

"The emergency closure will remain in place until we’re satisfied there is absolutely no risk to road users but meanwhile we apologise for any inconvenience."

No play is possible in three County Championship matches on Tuesday because of heavy rain.

No play is possible on day one of Leicestershire's Championship game against Middlesex at Grace Road because of rain

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

This large willow tree behind the family stand at Leicestershire's Fisher County Ground has taken the brunt of the stormy weather.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

No real surprise but worth knowing if you're travelling in the Earl Shilton area.

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

The University of Nottingham has made its own version of the periodic table, celebrating the people and landmarks of the city.

Image source, University of Nottingham

It has been made to mark the 150th anniversary of the chart of elements and among those honoured are Robin Hood and legendary football manager Brian Clough.

Scientist Sam Tang, from the university, said: “This Nottingham periodic table is a fantastic celebration of the people and places that make the city such a great place to live, work and study."

Image source, University of Nottingham

David Pittam
BBC News Online

The government has issued an amber warning for a number of rivers in our region.

Image source, Gov.uk

An amber warning means flooding is possible in the areas marked on the map.

These are the Lower River Soar, River Devon and River Smite in Leicestershire and the Rivers Leen, Daybrook and Maun as well as some tributaries of the Trent in Nottinghamshire.

Mostly fields and playgrounds are at risk.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

An 18-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent after a woman was stabbed in Loughborough.

Image source, Google

The 20-year-old was stabbed in the thigh three times while on Burleigh Road in the early hours of 9 June.

She was taken to hospital with serious injuries but has since been discharged.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

It looks like the weather has caused more damage in Leicester.

BBC Radio Derby

The Derby-based theatre company Oddsocks has cancelled tonight's outdoor performance of A Midsummer Night's dream in Markeaton Park.

Image source, Google

The company's tour vehicle was vandalised in London where they were putting on a show - getting it repaired has meant they won't have time to build the set for tonight's performance.

The show will begin tomorrow night instead.

East Midlands Today

Work has begun to create the first joint station in our region for all three emergency services.

The "tri-light hub" will be based at the existing ambulance station site on Annesley Road in Hucknall.

Image source, East Midlands Ambulance Service

Managers have said it will enable the county's police, fire service and East Midlands Ambulance Service to work more closely together.

It's expected to be ready next year. If successful, more "tri-light hubs" could follow.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Wellies will be needed if you're heading out on The Banks in Bingham - the footpath and road is flooded.

Image source, @TrueBingham

Rail disruption caused by a broken section of track at Manchester Piccadilly could last up to three days, Network Rail has warned.

Platforms 1 and 2 are out of service after a piece of rail crossing - which allows trains to switch tracks - broke overnight.

Trains on routes between Hadfield in Derbyshire and Rose Hill Marple in Stockport have been reduced to one per hour, while trains running between Manchester and Hull will begin and terminate from Stalybridge.

A Network Rail spokesman said the complex job of replacing the crossing could only be carried out overnight because of the disruption it will cause to the station.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

It might be worth avoiding Ashby Folville, Leicestershire for a while.

Folville Street is covered in tree debris and looks pretty impassable.

Image source, @JezzyB

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

This fallen tree is partly blocking Wistow Road near to the Wistow Rural Centre.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

Insp Siobhán Gorman said: "Single cars can pass." She also warns there is branch debris on the A6 in Kibworth.