Nick Smith
BBC News Online

Image source, Google

Emily Anderson
Reporter, BBC East Midlands Today

After the explosion Aram Kurd was taken to hospital where police found he had Viktorija Ijevleva's phone. He claimed he had it because he'd been watching a video with the shop worker.

She was one of the five people killed in the blast.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

When speaking to officers in hospital Mr Kurd claimed he'd only met Ms Ijevleva the day before when she'd come in asking for a job. He said he didn't know her surname or where she lived.

Prosecutor David Herbert QC said this is "an obvious lie" as he had known her for weeks if not months.

Mr Kurd, along with two other defendants, denies five charges of murder, five charges of manslaughter and a charge of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

The trial continues.

Hugh Casswell
Political reporter, BBC Radio Nottingham

A number of Conservative MPs are calling for a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Theresa May as she pursues her Brexit deal.

The Mansfield MP is one of them.

Emily Anderson
Reporter, BBC East Midlands Today

The trial of three men accused of causing an explosion in Leicester which killed five people has continued this morning with the prosecution showing evidence about the shop owner's movements.

The jury saw CCTV from the back of the building which showed the explosion, closely followed by shopkeeper Aram Kurd crouching down and then climbing onto a bin and into the street.

Police body cam footage from the immediate aftermath viewed in court shows Mr Kurd on the road. He appeared upset and had a small cut on the back of his head.

The prosecution said: "He tried to make out he was an innocent victim, it was all an act.”

Mr Kurd had repeatedly told witnesses he’d been getting beer at the rear of the shop, which is why he wasn’t caught in the explosion. But the prosecution said he “knew where to be” to avoid being hurt.

Image source, PA

Mr Kurd, Hawkar Hassan and Arkan Ali all deny five charges of murder, five alternative charges of manslaughter and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

The trial continues.

Kit Sandeman
Local Democracy Reporter

Labour has retained a council seat in a Bassetlaw by-election, after the incumbent resigned his seat.

Councillor Matthew Callingham will represent East Retford West ward after winning with 49.6% of the vote.

He will only serve for seven months before he will have to defend his seat at a full election of Bassetlaw District Council.

Mr Callingham, pictured third from right, won with 49.6%, beating Conservative Emma Auckland who won 33.3% and Liberal Democrat Helen Tamblyn-Saville's 16.4% of the vote.

Image source, Local Democracy Reporting Service

Turnout was 23.82% with 889 votes cast.

The by-election at the Labour-run authority was triggered after the then councillor Alan Chambers failed to attend any meetings for six months. He blamed work pressures.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Motorists in the East Midlands are being asked to give gritting lorries more space.

Despite having a flashing amber beacons, Highways England said 36 of its gritters were driven into last year including 11 in the East Midlands.

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Furlong from Highways England said: “We have also noticed a growing problem with drivers using the hard shoulder to undertake gritters, risking a collision with stationary vehicles on the hard shoulder and causing a hazard to gritter drivers who need to exit at motorway junctions."

Barnsley sign Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Jordan Smith on a seven-day emergency loan.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

An injured goshawk found near Ladybower Reservoir on Monday is "doing well" at a rehabilitation home.

Image source, Derbyshire Police

The bird was found by a Forestry Commission ranger with a damaged wing.

An X-ray was carried out and showed there was no internal or external damage or injury. He's expected to be re-released in coming weeks.

Today Programme
BBC Radio 4

The chief executive of Rolls-Royce said the aerospace firm is stockpiling parts in case of a no-deal Brexit.

Warren East told the BBC that "any deal is better than no deal" but that the Derby-based business, which employs thousands of people in the UK, is continuing with its "contingency measures".

"This agreement, it's only a draft. There's a lot of steps to go between here and when we're done and we can't guarantee anything out of this - but I do have to guarantee that we can continue doing our business after the 29 March next year.

"Therefore yes we are going to continue with our contingency plans and that includes buffer stocks so we have all the logistical capacity that we need to carry on running our business."

Image source, Reuters

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Commuters in Nottingham are being greeted by a musical treat for Children in Need.

Brian Lund and his fellow musicians from the Keyworth Guitar Club are busking at Nottingham railway station with a little help from Pudsey himself.

Eight members of the band will take it in turns to play continuously from 08:00 till 18:00. It's the fifth year in the row that they've done this.

They're hoping to raise between £500 and £700.

Mohammed Emadur Rahman died in hospital after he was struck by a car in Loughborough.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Police carrying guns at a Christmas market doesn't really look very festive but Nottinghamshire Police have said armed officers will be visible in the city over the next few weeks.

This was when armed officers patrolled the market in 2016.

The force has said the officers will be there to provide reassurance to the public and make sure they can quickly respond to situations if needed.

It said: "While officers are patrolling, they are there if you need them, so please approach them and speak to them."

It's also asking for feedback from the public on how they about seeing armed police officers on the streets.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A teenage boy suffered a serious head injury when he was hit with a baseball bat in a Derbyshire park.

The 16-year-old said the attack, on Tuesday evening, happened in Millennium Gardens in Middleton-by-Wirksworth. He's currently in a serious condition in hospital.

Det Sgt Toby Fawcett-Greaves said: “This is a serious assault where the victim remains in a life-threatening condition and we are particularly keen to identify anyone that may have been in the area at the time.”

Ben Truslove
BBC News Online

Police have named a 12-year-old boy who died after he was hit by a car.

Mohammed Emadur Rahman was taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre after the crash in Meadow Lane, Loughborough on Tuesday evening but he later died.

The road was closed for several hours after the crash.

Det Con Seamus Burns, from Leicestershire Police, continues to appeal for witnesses.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A project in Derby that gets autistic children involved in creative activities is one of those to have benefited from BBC Children in Need.

In 2016, Q Club was given more than £80,000 to provide sessions like filming, coding and photog0.raphy.

Q Club is currently working on a digital app combining technology and the user's imagination to create a computer game.

Emily's daughter Lucille is one of those using Q Club and said it has been "life changing".

She said: "She had a diagnoses of autism just before Christmas. It's given her the opportunity to make friends, to engage and really become the child she always wanted to be in a safe environment."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The wife of a missing man from Leicester has said his sons are missing him and his mum is "constantly crying".

Image source, Leicestershire Police

Paresh Patel left his house, near Melton Road, on Saturday evening and hasn't been seen since. The 48-year-old takes regular medication and it's not known whether or not he has taken it with him.

Kalpana Patel said everyone is "desperately worried" about her husband.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

It's looking a bit gloomy out there this morning so here's a beautiful sunset photo to cheer us all up.

It was taken at Titchfield park in Mansfield last night by Matt Clark.

Image source, Matt Clark

Rich Davis
BBC Weather presenter

A mainly dry and overcast day - here's the full forecast.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Good morning East Midlands - happy Children in Need day.

I'll be looking after your live page today along with Sonia Kataria and Nick Smith.

As well as bringing you all the latest news, sport, weather and travel, we'll also look at how you're raising money across the region for Children in Need.

If you'd like to send us photos of what you're up to please do so by email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.