Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Firefighters were called to tackle a fire in a derelict building on Humberstone Road, Leicester last night.

The fire started shortly after 18:30 on the ground floor of the former International Hotel, which is currently under refurbishment.

Image source, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue

A spokesman for the fire service said the cause of the blaze is still under investigation.

Humberstone Road and Wimbledon Street were closed by police for about an hour while firefighters put out the blaze.

Image source, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A two car crash has blocked a road in Rutland this morning.

Ambulance and police are at the scene in Uppingham Road outside Oakham after being called at around 8.50.

There are not believed to be any serious injuries.

Image source, Rutland Police

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Emergency services, charities and healthcare professionals from across the East Midlands will be debating today the problems caused by the so-called zombie drug, known as spice or mamba.

They will be heading to the UK's first national conference in Sheffield to talk about how to tackle the problem of the illegal drug.

John Yarrien, minister of Bridge Street Methodist Church in Mansfield, told BBC Radio Nottingham about the shocking price of spice in the town.

"Mamba and spice is so cheaply available that you can get a hit of it for about 70p in Mansfield," he said.

"It's ridiculously low so we need to find ways of making that less readily available."

BBC Nottingham Sport

New Notts County manager, Neal Ardley, says injury victims Jon Stead and Kane Hemmings are coming back into the fold, and that one of them could feature this week.

It's not expected that either will be part of the squad for tonight's trip to Sunderland in the second round of the EFL Trophy - Ardley's first game in charge of the Magpies.

Image source, Getty Images

Mansfield Town are also at home to Bury, as they look to book a place in the Northern Area quarter-final.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A "full forensic collision investigation" is underway at the Codnor Lane crash which will close it for several hours.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

The teachers at this primary school have really earned their Christmas gifts from the children this year.

The halls and classrooms have been transformed at Brackensdale Primary School in Derby, with a massive Christmas tree covered in lights, a snowman couple and a fireplace covered in stockings.

We love your Christmas photos - you can send yours to our Facebook inbox, external.

Image source, Brackensdale Primary School

Image source, Brackensdale Primary School

BBC Weather Watchers

If you were up early enough this morning, you might have seen a crescent moon and Venus shining bright over the East Midlands.

With a clear sky the two could be easily seen and was captured beautifully by one of our Weather Watchers in Church Broughton, Derbyshire.

Image source, Mark Hallam

And there was this one as the sun came up in Kirkby-in-Ashfiled, Nottinghamshire.

Image source, Shell G

Not forgetting Leicestershire, this was the scene in Loughborough.

Image source, Hutch

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

A bit more on the Codnor Lane crash in Derbyshire this morning.

A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said it happened at about 07:25 and involves two cars.

She said the road is expected to stay closed "for several hours".

Image source, Google

David Pittam
BBC News Online

More than 30 people were stopped and searched and two arrested in a crackdown on drugs in Nottingham city centre.

The 33 were stopped during Operation Guardian on Saturday night and police seized cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine and cannabis.

Arrangements were made for eight people to attend interviews and four people were cautioned.

The aim of the operation is to tackle drug-related violence and more are planned in the near future.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Police are at a "serious" accident on Codnor Lane in Riddings, Derbyshire.

The crash is close to the Golden Valley caravan site and the road is closed between the Codnor Gate business park and Coach Road.

Derbyshire Police has advised motorists to use other routes.

Image source, Google

Harris Millar
BBC Radio Leicester

Meet Isla - she's named after Isla Tansey, the girl who inspired people around the world to hide decorated stones.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

One of the first mass-produced Christmas trees is to be sold at auction.

The 1930s tree from Woolworths has been in one family for 80 years.

Steve Rose, 74, from Syston, Leicestershire remembers his parents decorating it every year, and now carries the tradition on.

Image source, Hansons

Mr Rose said it's now time to say goodbye and give someone else the joy of decorating it.

He's hoping to sell the tree along with all its original lights and baubles for around £200-300 an auction at Bishton Hall in Staffordshire on 18 December.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Some of our teams found out who they will face in the third round of the FA Cup last night.

Nottingham Forest have an away tie at Chelsea, Derby are at home to Southampton and Leicester will face either Wrexham or Newport away.

The matches will be played on the weekend of 4 - 7 January 2019.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

The outside lane of the M1 northbound between junctions junctions 25 and 26 has been closed because of a crash this morning.

Traffic is moving but heavy and there is congestion from J24A until a little before J24.

Highways England does not expect it to clear until around 9.30.

Image source, Highways England

Sara Blizzard
BBC Weather

You might have noticed a bit more frost around this morning but it will get sunnier.

Here's the full forecast

David Pittam
BBC News Online

It's definitely feeling a lot chillier this morning so watch out for frost on your cars before you head to work!

Today we'll be bringing you all the news, sport weather and travel for the East Midlands.

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