Latest updates: East Midlands Live Wednesday 20 March

Summary

Thousands of tonnes of straw destroyed in fire
Taxi driver loses licence after A52 smash
New car deal boost for Toyota factory
Fracking 'overshadowing' communities
Man dies after falling ill in city centre
Window cleaner cleans road signs in spare time
Tennis: Johanna Konta confirmed for Nottingham Open
Updates for Wednesday 20 March

Live Reporting

Nick Smith and Gavin Bevis

Kate Beckinsale remembers dad on anniversarypublished at 12:19 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Sandish Shoker
BBC News
Kate Beckinsale has shared photos of her dad Richard on Instagram to mark 40 years since his death.
The Porridge star, from Nottinghamshire, died of a heart attack in his sleep, aged 31, in 1979.
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A mural of Richard was unveiled in his hometown of Beeston last year as part of an art project which also included murals of Paul Smith and Edwin Starr.
Voter ID pilot schemes 'are lawful'published at 12:11 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Press Association
A legal challenge over voter ID trials at the forthcoming local elections has been rejected by a High Court judge.
Ministers announced last year that 11 local authorities would take part in pilot schemes at elections in May, although two councils have since withdrawn.
Crowdfunded legal action against the government argued the pilots would prevent people from voting and said the proposed schemes were not valid under the Representation of the People Act 2000.
This has been dismissed on by Mr Justice Supperstone, who said the pilot schemes had been "made lawfully".
Under the pilots, voters in the participating areas will have to meet ID requirements, as set out by each local authority, to be able to cast their ballot.
The government is running the pilots with a view to rolling out voter ID nationwide in future elections.
The areas set to take part includes Broxtowe, Derby and North West Leicestershire.
'Outstanding' paramedic awarded for servicepublished at 11:48 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
A Derbyshire paramedic has received a national ambulance award for "Outstanding Service".
Image source, EMAS
East Midlands Ambulance Service said Tracy Cunningham, based in Ilkeston, mentors new staff and set up a homeless shelter over the winter.
The 52-year-old was awarded by the Association of Ambulance Chief Executives.
She said: “I do everything that I do because I love being a paramedic, I always have. So that’s why I have ended up with fingers in all the pies – I like to be involved with as much as I can and I want to make a difference."
Earlier this year, the BBC filmed at the homeless shelter which offers haircuts, foot treatments and Sunday roasts.
NFL quarterback to host Falcons training sessionpublished at 11:28 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
NFL quarterback Deshaun Watson is to visit Leicester Falcons this Sunday to host a coaching session.
The Houston Texans quarterback will be passing on his knowledge to the Falcons ahead of their first pre-season friendly against Oxford Saints.
Image source, Reuters
Leicester Falcons president, Guy Kersey, says: “This is a real coup for us as Deshaun is one of the most exciting young talents in the NFL and a real crowd pleaser because of his maverick, attacking style.
"Our quarterbacks especially are chomping at the bit to get some quality time with him and he’ll be passing on lots of high level tips around mechanics, movement and technique."
Last season, Watson became the first player in NFL history to record at least 4,000 yards and 25 passing touchdowns and rush for 500 yards and five touchdowns in a single season.
Football club 'still fighting' despite disappointmentpublished at 11:27 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
BBC Nottingham Sport
Notts County's all-time leading goalscorer has described the club's season as the most disappointing time of his life watching football.
Image source, PA
Les Bradd believes the club is at the lowest ebb he can remember, but says they're still fighting to stay up.
Child safeguarding 'improved' since deathpublished at 11:20 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
BBC Radio Nottingham
Nottinghamshire County Council has said improvements have been made to the way it deals with safeguarding children since the death of Amber Peat.
The 13 year old's body was found near her Mansfield home in 2015.
A serious case review recommended better information sharing between agencies.
It found that frequent moves of home and school had undermined efforts to help Amber - who blamed herself for problems at home.
The review found that Amber's death could not have been predicted. The county council has said processes have been improved to ensure systems are as safe as they can be.
Toyota to start making cars for Suzuki in Derbyshirepublished at 10:57 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Chris Doidge
BBC Radio Derby, political reporter
Toyota is to start manufacturing electric cars for Suzuki at its Burnaston plant, it was announced today.
The manufacturer's UK managing director Marvin Cooke said: "Seeking to produce additional volume for other customers is one example of all the efforts we are making to keep our UK manufacturing operations as competitive as they can be."
Huge dog sculpture at Chatsworthpublished at 10:48 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
BBC Radio Derby
A sculpture of a dog, as tall as two double decker buses is being unveiled at Chatsworth House this morning.
Image source, Chatsworth House
The 8m dog made out of scaffolding is the work of the artist Ben Long.
It's all part of an upcoming exhibition, external celebrating dogs.
Police investigating cause of straw firepublished at 10:47 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
Police have confirmed they are investigating the cause of a blaze which saw 4,000 tonnes of straw and around 700 tyres catch fire last night.
The fire started at around 17:00 yesterday evening and the fire service are expected to remain at the scene in Saltby, near Melton Mowbray, for the rest of the day.
At its height, eight crews tackled the blaze.
Image source, LFRS
Reduced speed limit on more rural roadspublished at 10:35 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
East Midlands Today
A project to improve safety along rural roads in Leicestershire is to be significantly expanded.
Since 2017, the county council has already reduced speed limits from 60 to 50 miles-an-hour in 11 locations.
It's after a study found about 60% of collisions leading to injuries were caused by people driving above the national speed limit.
Now 24 more areas will have, external their speed limits reduced including roads in Ibstock, Stretton-en-le-Field and Foxton.
Two taken to hospital after crashpublished at 10:34 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
Two people have been taken to hospital following a crash in Nottingham this morning.
Police were called at 09:20 this morning to a two-vehicle crash at the junction of Carlton Road and Marmion Road heading into Nottingham.
The inbound lane is currently blocked and motorists have been advised to allow extra time for travel.
Image source, Google
Notts' Gurney signs new white-ball dealpublished at 10:26 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nottinghamshire's ex-England seamer Harry Gurney retires from Championship cricket to focus solely on white-ball formats.
Read More
Car crashes into house in Heanorpublished at 09:52 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
A car crashed into house in Heanor last night, which resulted in fuel leaking onto the road.
Fire crews attended the crash in Thorpes Road, making the vehicle safe before handing over to police.
Image source, Google
A Derbyshire Police spokeswoman said: "On arrival, officers found that a Hyundai Getz had collided with a parked Audi A4 and then with a property.
"There were no injuries reported and enquiries are ongoing as to the cause of the collision."
Blaze rips through thousands of tonnes of strawpublished at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
Thousands of tonnes of straw have been destroyed in a fire which is thought to have been started deliberately and continues to burn 12 hours after it started.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue believe the blaze, in Saltby, near Melton Mowbray, involves 4,000 tonnes of bailed straw and four tonnes of tyres.
At its height, eight fire crews from three different counties tackled the flames and firefighters expect to remain at the scene for the rest of the day.
The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and Leicestershire Police have been informed.
Image source, LFRS
Konta confirmed for Nottingham Openpublished at 08:40 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
BBC Nottingham Sport
Britain's number one tennis player Johanna Konta has confirmed she will return to Nottingham this summer, as she once again headlines the line-up at the Nottingham Open.
The current world number 38 is yet to win the Nottingham event, but was runner-up last summer, losing to Australia's Ashleigh Barty.
Image source, Getty Images
Konta is the first woman to confirm her appearance at the tournament, which takes place in June.
'I clean road signs in my spare time'published at 08:19 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Chris Waring
BBC News
Liam Wildish is on a mission to make roads safer by cleaning up grubby signs in his spare time.
More acts announced for Y Not Festivalpublished at 08:08 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
More names have been added to this year's Y Not Festival line-up.
Wretch 32, Reverend And The Makers, Jax Jones, Mike Skinner, comedian Phil Jupitus and many more have been added to the line-up for the festival, which takes place between July 25-28 near Pikehall.
This year's festival is headlined by Elbow, Two Door Cinema Club and Foals.
Image source, Getty Images
Man dies after falling ill in city centrepublished at 08:07 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Nick Smith
BBC News Online
A man has died after falling ill in Nottingham city centre last night.
Emergency services were called to St James's Street at about 20:00 but the man died later in hospital.
His death is not thought to be suspicious and his family are in the process of being informed.
Image source, Google
Delays on A47 near Thurnbypublished at 08:04 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
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Weather: Cloudy and mild start to springpublished at 08:01 Greenwich Mean Time 20 March 2019
Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather
It's the first day of spring and I'm sure we're all crossing our fingers that the cold weather is now behind us.
Today will be a mild and cloudy day, with some spells of brightness in the afternoon.