Ben Truslove
BBC News Online

Detectives investigating the explosion at Spondon Post Office have found a car linked to the attempted theft.

Raiders blew up the front of the store in Chapel Street at about 4:45 today to get access to the cash machine.

Police now believe a stolen silver BMW - found in Oakwood this afternoon - was used in the attack.

Det Insp Chris Whiteley said: “The investigation is still in its very early stages, however I would like anyone that saw a silver BMW in the Spondon area between 4:00 and 5:30 to contact us.”

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

A black and white cat was found dumped in a lay-by near Buxton over the weekend.

The female feline was found on Manchester Road after a motorist noticed a Boots box with holes cut in the top.

He kept the cat in his vehicle until somebody from the RSPCA arrived.

The cat, which was covered in fleas but otherwise in good condition, is now in the care of the RSPCA where she will be looked after until she is ready to be rehomed.

Image source, RSPCA

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Police officers have started clearing the scattered debris from the front of Spondon's Post Office following the huge blast that caused extensive damage early this morning.

Postmaster Sandeep Sarda said the store would be closed for days, if not weeks, and it's still not known when it will be safe for residents living above the shop to return.

The full amount stolen has yet to be established but Mr Sarda said it could be anything up to £70,000.

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Mansukhlal 'Mo' Chohan died over the weekend and tributes from both national and local Labour colleagues have been pouring in.

Leicester City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, Leicester East MP Keith Vaz and Labour Party general secretary Jennie Formby are some of the most prominent to pay tribute to the Belgrave ward councillor.

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby tweeted: "Shocked and very sad. A dedicated campaigner and councillor serving the community, the Belgrave Road and the City - and for decades my good friend and colleague."

Keith Vaz MP said: "This is a terrible loss for his family and to the community of Belgrave. He was an icon a hardworking and dedicated Councillor and a true friend."

BBC Radio Derby

A teacher from Derby is celebrating after winning a national award in London last night.

Marie Watson works at the Royal School for the Deaf in Derby and won the Excellence in Special Needs Education prize at the Pearson Teaching Awards.

Marie is deaf herself, and went to the school as a pupil before she started teaching there - she was nominated by pupils, parents and staff.

Image source, Pearson Teaching Awards

BBC Sport

Leicester Tigers have said "thank you" to former forward Thomas 'The Tank' Waldrom after he announced his retirement from the game.

The New Zealand-born forward became a fan favourite during his time at Welford Road and helped the Tigers to the Premiership title in 2013.

Waldrom, 35, said it had been a hard decision but the time had come to hang his boots up.

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester Tigers posted on Facebook, external: "Congratulations on a fantastic career and thank you for all you gave for the Tigers family."

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

A woman has been airlifted to hospital following a two-car crash in Gibbet Hill Lane, Scrooby.

A man in the other car suffered injuries which are not believed to be life-threatening.

Police were called at 11:44 this morning and the road remains closed in both directions.

Motorists have been advised to avoid the area.

Image source, Google

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Two new galleries have reopened at Leicester's New Walk museum featuring more than 400 Ancient Egyptian exhibits - three times as many as were previously on display.

Investment of around £200,000 has funded the new galleries, which will feature items up to 5,000 years old and stories of how the pieces ended up in Leicester.

Image source, Leicester City Council

Deputy city mayor, Piara Singh Clair, said: "New Walk Museum is home to the most important collection of Egyptian artefacts in the whole of the East Midlands but, up until now, we’ve only been able to display around a third of the items in our collection.

"These new galleries will allow us to showcase more than 400 objects that will demonstrate that the Ancient Egyptians had lives that were as fascinating as their afterlives."

BBC Weather Watchers

Our Weather Watchers have been sending us some great pics over the past few days. We particularly enjoyed this one, taken in Curbar by Sam's House.

Image source, Sam's House

The passenger says the bus driver took out the paper at least three times on a 10-minute journey.

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

A student is calling for better policing following a number of muggings around Bede Park in Leicester.

Image source, AP

Oliver Catchpole, from De Montfort University, said he doesn't feel safe walking through Leicester at night after he was attacked while walking through the park in February.

He said: "I’m still getting over it now. I still go out in the evening and I’m constantly looking over my shoulder.

"If I can I’ll get a taxi."

Leicestershire Police are urging people using the park to take precautions, staying in well-lit areas and walking in groups.

The Reverend Darren Howie got clean from drug addiction and now helps others as a priest in Derby.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

The man who runs Spondon Post Office has said he can't believe how much damage has been caused by thieves who used an explosive device to try to steal a cash machine early this morning.

Residents were woken by a loud bang at about 04:30 when the front of the Chapel Street store was blown off in the blast.

Postmaster, Sandeep Sarda, told BBC Radio Derby: "Not only have they managed to blow off the front, they've also managed to blow the back end of the post office. There's also damage to the flats upstairs.

"Whatever device they've used, they've used it liberally."

Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Fire crews are working to free someone who was trapped following a two-car crash this morning.

Police and the air ambulance are also in attendance in Gibbet Hill Lane, Scrooby, Nottinghamshire following the crash at 11:45.

The fire service has urged people to avoid the area.

Image source, Google

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Alfreton Town, Chesterfield, Mansfield Town and Notts County will discover their opponents for the first round of the FA Cup this evening.

The four teams are all in the pot for the draw, taking place at Hitchin Town's ground at 19:00 and due to be shown live on BBC Two.

First round games will take place over the weekend of 9-12 November.

Image source, PA

Amy Orton
Local Democracy Reporter

Almost 2,000 people have signed a petition to keep intensive care beds at the Leicester General Hospital.

University Hospitals of Leicestershire NHS Trust plans to move the beds from the General to two existing units at Glenfield Hospital and Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Keith Vaz MP for Leicester East, started the petition. "This decision was made without public consultation, and marks a further reduction in the Leicester General's services."

Image source, Google

The plan is supported by the three clinical commissioning groups for the area but they have called for "greater involvement of patients".

Sue Lock, managing director of Leicester City CCG, said: "In the interests of ensuring continued safe services for patients while significant capital funding is available... the work to deliver the move of intensive care services from the General Hospital site should proceed."

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Three black kittens have been found dumped in a carrier bag next to a main road in Derbyshire.

The frightened female felines - thought to only be a few weeks old - were discovered when a passing driver noticed the Tesco bag rustling in a layby in Ladywood Road, Kirk Hallam on Tuesday.

They are now being looked after by the RSPCA and will be rehomed.

Image source, RSPCA

Inspector Helen Mead, from the charity, said: "It was lucky the man spotted the kittens because they were in real danger just left by the side of a busy road. Anything could have happened to them.

“Thankfully, he put them into his vehicle and took them home and then called us and all three seem to be in good health.

“There is never an excuse to simply dump vulnerable animals - it is a callous act."

Facebook

It looks like Simon Mayo has lots of fans in the East Midlands, where he once worked on Radio Nottingham.

Several people have commented on his announcement to leave Radio 2's Drivetime show on our Facebook , externalpage.

Image source, PA

Ceri Rees said: "What am I going to listen to now? Love Simon."

Pamela Rotton said: "Will miss you Simon Mayo, have enjoyed your show over the years, good luck for the future."

Ann Scothorne said: "I loved listening to Simon (when he was on his own) so sad to see him go."

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

It's been lovely to see so many eye-catching poppy displays going up around the East Midlands ready for Remembrance Day next month.

This one has just been unveiled in Hathersage, Derbyshire.

Image source, Simon Bull

A drama lecturer and sign language teacher are among 13 gold winners at the annual awards.