BBC Radio Leicester

Rescue teams at the site of Sunday night's explosion on Hinckley Road in Leicester don't expect to find anymore survivors in the wreckage.

Five people remain in hospital, one is in a critical condition.

The cause of the explosion is still unknown.

Image source, AFP

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

If you missed this yesterday, a man who was charged with the murder of a pedestrian has died in prison, it has been confirmed.

Simon Mellors, 56, of Berkeley Court, Nottingham, had been charged over the death of Janet Scott who was hit by a car on 29 January in Nottingham.

Image source, Janet Scott

Mr Mellors had also been accused of the attempted murder of another man in the same crash.

A prison service spokesman said he died in HMP Manchester on Sunday and an investigation had been launched.

Hugh Casswell
Reporter BBC Radio Nottingham

A man with Asperger's syndrome says his rescue dog has transformed his life.

Robin Jones from Mansfield said he couldn't even get up in the morning due to crippling anxiety and found it difficult to speak with strangers.

Now his six-year-old collie labrador cross Charlie has been trained to pull the covers off Robin's bed and force him to get up.

Here is Charlie in action...

Robin said: "With Charlie being able to get the blankets off and giving kisses, I am no longer getting up because mum is dragging me out of bed...Charlie needs me to get up because Charlie needs his breakfast."

Robin says Charlie has helped him to improve his social skills.

Derby Telegraph

Millions of pounds are to be spent by the city council, external on a major revamp of Derby Market Hall.

The authority has awarded a £5m contract to Wates Construction for the first phase of a three-year project.

The city council says the money is from its coffers for one-off projects, so the project does not mean money has been taken away from the day-to-day running of the city.

BBC Weather Watchers

The white stuff has arrived across much of the East Midlands this morning.

This was the scene at the Victoria Embankment in Nottingham.

Image source, Helen Skellett

There was a dash of spring with some snow flurries in Sneinton, Nottingham.

This was Market Warsop....

Image source, Windyshepherd

And here was Nottingham city centre...

Image source, Nottingham Playhouse

And this was near Melton Mowbray...

Image source, Pete

Chris Fawcett
BBC News

BBC Radio Derby presenter Andy Potter was remembered with a special blue plaque yesterday celebrating his contribution to the arts in Derbyshire, exactly one year after his death.

Andy died from cancer on 26 February last year, just weeks after announcing his illness live on the station's breakfast show.

At a ceremony outside the radio station yesterday, family, friends and work colleagues spoke about their memories of him and how fitting it is to call him a "champion of the arts".

Wife Anne said: "He would have been really happy with this tribute, we'd have never heard the end of it."

He presented the afternoon show at the time of his death and had a following of regular listeners who were thanked by Andy's son Simon.

"People like you make me realise what an impact he had on your lives...to the family, he meant so many different things...we just remember him and smile."

Nottinghamshire, One-Day Cup and T20 Blast winners in 2017, announce a pre-tax profit of £279,000.

BBC Radio Leicester

Shane, Sean and their mother Mary Ragoobar are believed to be among the five people who died in the blast at the flat above the shop on the Hinckley Road in Leicester.

Five people remain in hospital, one is in a critical condition.

The cause of Sunday night's explosion is still unknown.

Image source, Facebook

Krystian Pearce, Mal Benning and Omari Sterling-James sign new one-year contracts at Mansfield.

BBC Nottingham Sport

Nottinghamshire Paralympian Richard Whitehead says he is looking at trying a new distance at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.

The 200 metre gold medalist will be 43 in two years time but says running 400 metres will continue to motivate him.

Chris Fawcett
BBC News

A CCTV image has been released showing two people police would like to speak to, external in connection with the theft of a purse from a 94-year-old lady.

The incident took place at Marks and Spencer in Matlock between 15:00 and 17:00 on Saturday, 17 February.

Image source, Derbyshire Constabulary

The woman believes the purse was taken from her trolley as she was walking around the shop, as well as cash and bank cards.

The purse contained a silver horseshoe pendant which is of sentimental value.

BBC Radio Nottingham

A man from Nottinghamshire who relies on a private ambulance to get him to and from his hospital appointments says the Arriva Transport service is a waste of NHS money and "unreliable".

Andrew Turner from Annesley requires the vehicle because of his need for a special wheelchair and stretcher.

He said he's previously waited three days to be taken home after surgery and been several hours late for an appointment because of the ambulance.

A statement from Mark Feather, national head of operations at Arriva said: "We have contacted Mr Turner to apologise for the service he has received and also talked to him about his individual mobility needs."

The statement continued: "We are also working with hospital colleagues to ensure transport for patients with more complex requirements are booked in advance...we are fully committed to providing high-quality transport for all patients in Nottinghamshire."

Chris Fawcett
BBC News

Derbyshire Police are looking for a taxi driver who may have information about an assault that took place in Long Eaton.

A woman has told police she was pushed to the ground earlier this month by a man who later walked towards Ruskin Avenue.

Image source, Google

The 19-year-old had just got out of a taxi from Nottingham when she was pushed from behind by a slim man in dark clothing.

Police are hoping the taxi driver, an Asian man, who originally picked her up from Upper Parliament Street on 13 February, may have witnessed what happened and are trying to track him down.

Mansfield defenders Krystian Pearce and Mal Benning and striker Omari Sterling-James all sign new one-year contracts.

Chris Fawcett
BBC News

Medals once owned by a sailor some think could have stopped the Titanic from sinking are to be sold.

Retired headteacher Murray Shaw, from Derby, is auctioning off the collection which once belonged to Second Officer David Blair.

Image source, Hansons Auctioneers

Mr Blair was replaced when the ship docked in Southampton but accidentally kept the key to the locker containing telescopes for the lookouts.

It's thought they would have allowed lookouts to spot the icebergs before it was too late for the Titanic.

The liner sank on her maiden voyage from Southampton to New York on 15 April 1912 with the loss of 1,522 lives.

Image source, Hansons Auctioneers

Mr Shaw said: "If Mr Blair was on the ship, I don't believe it would have sunk...at an inquiry afterwards it was said, if the telescopes had been available, the accident could have been avoided...the key was taken totally by accident."

The medals are up for auction next month at Hansons Auctioneers in Etwall.

Chris Fawcett
BBC News

Derbyshire Police have re-opened the A52 following the incident earlier this morning...

Gillian Brown
BBC Radio Nottingham

A teenager has been left in an induced coma after being assaulted by a group of women in Nottingham city centre.

The attack on the 18-year-old woman happened outside the Victoria Centre at about 20:00 last Tuesday.

Image source, Google

She was punched several times before she was followed onto the number 27 bus where the verbal abuse continued.

The woman was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre where she remains in an induced coma.

Nottinghamshire police is now appealing for witnesses to the attack.

Namrata Varia
BBC Radio Leicester producer

A public meeting has taken place on Hinckley Road, following Sunday night's explosion and fire in Leicester.

Five people died in the incident, with five others being treated in hospital, one of whom remains in a critical condition.

The investigation into the cause of the explosion is set to continue in the area for a number of days.

About 80 people attended last night's meeting - including Leicester West MP Liz Kendall - organised by the emergency services and the city council at Dovelands School.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

Wesley Mallin
Reporter, BBC Radio Derby

Homeless charities say they're preparing to give extra support this week as the cold snap hits Derbyshire.

More snow is forecast today with a yellow warning issued by the Met Office and temperatures are struggling to get above freezing.

Managers at Derby City Mission night shelters are predicting they'll be at full capacity during this period.

Sean is homeless and told BBC Radio Derby that he's concerned about the incoming weather. He said: "I don't know how I'm going to cope to be honest, I will have to get some extra blankets and stuff to keep warm."

A 15-year old boy has been arrested after two teenagers suffered suspected stab wounds in Attenborough.

A 14-year-old girl and a 16-year-old boy were taken to hospital yesterday afternoon after the incident in Long Lane.

Nottinghamshire police said the extent of their injuries are not yet known.

Image source, Google