Liam Barnes
BBC News

Nottingham College has confirmed a member of teaching staff based at Maid Marian Way has tested positive for coronavirus and is currently being treated in hospital.

It closed a number of its campuses a day before all schools in England were due to shut today, but will be keeping some centres open next week to help the children of key workers, external and vulnerable pupils.

The Adams and Clarendon buildings will remain open next week, while the Stapleford campus will be open to Supported Learning students only.

Advising all students to "continue studying as normal", the college said it "will ensure all of our learners can continue to be supported by our staff, whether they are working remotely or not".

Image source, Google

How to lift the mood during a period of anxiety? These people chose to put up their Christmas lights.

"Bored" restaurants Jane and Kevan Pierrepont tried out some "innovative" service methods

Stand-up Scott Bennett's shows were curtailed but he's now performing virtual gigs to thousands of fans.

Pupils mark an emotional final day with concerts, discos and some snazzy dressing.

The syndicate is formed of warehouse staff who have been told their site will close in the summer.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The UK National Space Centre, that has temporarily closed to the public, is donating food from its cafe to Leicester charity Action Homeless.

Image source, National Space Centre

The attraction closed on Wednesday to protect the public and staff from the spread of coronavirus.

Jennifer Harby
BBC News

A French teacher is offering her classes to children online after her usual lessons were suspended because of the coronavirus measures.

Jemma Bennett, from Nottingham, usually teaches French to pre-school children at nurseries and soft play centres but held her first virtual classes via Zoom this week.

She said: "The virtual classes have been a great way to not only entertain the children, who are now stuck indoors, but it provides parents with that great sense of camaraderie and community at quite a lonely time.

"Hopefully we can continue the classes each week, providing a bit of normality for everyone."

Image source, Jemma Bennett

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A children's theme park in Nottinghamshire is among the businesses that have decided to close amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, Sundown Adventureland

Sundown Adventureland will close at 16:00 on Friday "until further notice".

Park director Gaynor Corr said: "We had to make the hard decision to close the park to safeguard our staff and visitors in light of the social distancing measures set out by the government."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The University of Leicester is to temporarily close from 17:00 on Friday, bringing the end of term forward by one week.

The university said this was to "protect and support all students and colleagues" during the coronavirus outbreak.

Image source, Google

Students have been advised to return home if possible - those unable to will be supported at university accommodation.

Lesley Sharpe thought she was going to have to spend her 67th birthday without her six sons.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

IKEA is temporarily closing all of its UK stores due to the spread of coronavirus.

The store in Nottingham will be one of 22 to stop trading at 18:00 on Friday with no mention of when shops will reopen.

Image source, PA Media

IKEA said "these are extraordinary times" and that its "absolute priority" was the health and safety of customers and workers.

Customers are still able to shop on the IKEA website with a "contact-free" home delivery option.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Nottingham Playhouse is releasing a series of videos which it hopes will keep people "engaged with the arts" during their time of social distancing and self-isolation.

The theatre said it will begin sharing an archive video of a Mass Bolero in Nottingham from 2014, as well as a singing tutorial from the choir conductor, storytelling and a pantomime exclusive.

The videos will be uploaded to the venue's Twitter, Facebook and Instagram pages.

Image source, Nottingham Playhouse

"At times of hardship and anxiety, our role in enriching the lives of the communities of Nottingham is especially important," said Martin Berry, head of participation.

He said online donations from anyone who enjoys the videos would be gratefully received.

The cash machine has since been recovered but money has been taken from it.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

The two lorry drivers involved in a serious crash in Lutterworth in the early hours of this morning suffered "life-changing" injuries, say police.

The men were cut free from their vehicles after the crash on the A426 Rugby Road, Lutterworth, and taken to University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire for treatment.

Leicestershire Police said the lorries had been travelling in opposite directions when they collided shortly before 02:00.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

Det Con Anita Rose appealed for anyone who witnessed the crash or saw the vehicles before the collision to get in touch with police.

The road remains closed from the Spitfire Island to the junction of Shawell Road for investigations to continue.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Rosemary Knowles is urging us to “look after one another like we did during the war” as she celebrates her 90th birthday in self isolation.

Ms Knowles, who was born in 1930, marked her milestone birthday in Elston, Nottinghamshire on Thursday.

Image source, Angelina Timson

Angelina Timson, Ms Knowles daughter, said: “As you can see she’s in good spirits.”

She has praised the Meals at Home service , externalbeing provided by Nottinghamshire County Council along with postal workers and BT - who she said are enabling her to keep in touch with the outside world.

Stand-up comedian Scott Bennett says he hopes it will cheer people up.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Firefighters cut free two lorry drivers after a serious crash in Lutterworth in the early hours of this morning.

Two lorries collided on the A426 Rugby Road, Lutterworth shortly before 02:00.

The fire service said officers worked to free the two trapped drivers of the vehicles before they were taken to University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire for treatment.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

Police said the road remains closed this morning and advised motorists to find an alternative route.

Anna Church
Weather Presenter, BBC East Midlands Today

It will be a chilly start, then lots of sun but with a persistent cold wind.

The government has advised people over the age of 70 to follow social distancing measures.