A judge at Carlisle Crown Court has had to pause a driver's appeal against a speeding conviction, because the appellant's iPad microphone was not working.

Judge Nicholas Barker and a magistrate were due to hear the appeal of 60-year-old Andrew Lilley, of Newark, Nottinghamshire against the severity of a sentence he received after being caught speeding at Ings on the A591 in South Cumbria.

Image source, Google

When it emerged Lilley, visible on a split screen video link, could not be heard, he held up a hastily-scribbled note to confirm he could hear other participants, and used text messages to exchange comments with the judge, who was sitting on his usual Bench and wearing traditional attire.

But after noting that Lilley would need the iPad to given evidence of the hardship he might suffer because of the speeding conviction, Judge Barker concluded the hearing could not proceed, and adjourned to a date to be fixed.

Residents say the number of vehicles was "phenomenal" despite a number of pleas to stay away.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

A healthcare practice in Derby is set to close after a move to shut the branch was approved by local clinical leaders.

Horizon Healthcare submitted an application to NHS Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) to close its Tufnell Gardens branch in Mackworth, which it said had been discussed with patients using the facility.

It had been operating from sister sites on Burton Road in Derby and Humbleton Drive in Mackworth since September last year "after it became clear building work had compromised a consulting room wall".

The CCG has now met virtually to approve the closure, which will take effect from this month.

Image source, Google

Liam Barnes
BBC News

A family of frightened ducklings were saved by highways inspectors after ending up stranded on the M1.

Highways England said it received reports of the birds stuck between junctions 27 and 28, and traffic officers arriving on the scene found nine animals huddled together close to traffic.

The northbound carriageway was briefly closed at about 16:30 on Saturday while they were whisked away to safety, before they were handed to Derbyshire Police to help find them a good home.

Image source, Highways England

Neil Heath
BBC News Online

A man has been arrested after a stolen Taser and two defibrillators were found at a house.

Officers visited an address in Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East, to issue a traffic offence report to the occupant on Sunday afternoon.

Leicestershire Police said he disclosed he was in possession of the items, which he said were stolen.

A 33-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possessing a firearm without a certificate and theft by finding. He has since been released under investigation.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

"Huge" queues are being reported at waste sites across Nottinghamshire after they opened for the first time in weeks.

Outside Beeston Recycling Centre, pictured below, people have told the BBC they had been queuing for about 40 minutes, while a staff member said people were arriving from 07:00.

Nottingham City Council said at its site in Lenton, there is a queue of three to four hours.

The council said on Twitter, external cars were being turned away and asked people to "avoid using this service today and store waste at home if it is safe to do so".

Nottinghamshire County Council said there have been "huge" queues at its waste and recycling centres this morning.

On Twitter, the authority added, external: "Traffic enforcement is in place, but unfortunately many are ignoring the advice - creating dangerous situations potentially for blue light services needing to get around the county."

"We can't stress this enough, this is the first day sites have reopened - you do not need to rush there, please wait a few days."

PA Media

Aldi has revealed plans to deliver groceries to homes in the UK for the first time through a partnership with Deliveroo.

The discount supermarket chain said it is launching the trial today at its Daleside Road store in Nottingham before going on to test it at seven other East Midlands stores next month.

Products will be selected by store workers before being delivered by Deliveroo riders.

Aldi said the trial will initially only offer a range of essential items such as bread, milk and fresh produce.

Image source, Google

Giles Hurley, Aldi UK and Ireland chief executive officer, said: "We hope the new trial with Deliveroo will provide more customers with access to great quality, affordable food at Aldi".

Ajay Lakhwani, Deliveroo's vice-president of new business, said the company was doing everything it could "to make sure that people get the food they need and want during this unprecedented time".

Deliveroo has also recently extended its grocery delivery service with M&S and linked up with Morrisons to courier food from 130 stores.

Nick Spittle is from Eyam which quarantined itself for more than a year during the plague in 1665.

Harris Millar
BBC Radio Leicester

Joe Bagley lives in a one-bedroom house and is surrounded by more than 1,400 plants.

During the coronavirus lockdown, the 20-year-old from Hathern, Leicestershire, has built a strong following on social media, giving advice to budding gardeners.

The garden centre worker now has people from around the world messaging for advice on their plants.

"It's nice to feel that nature is still around you even though you live on your own," he said, admitting he no longer has space for a wardrobe because the houseplants have taken over.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Derbyshire County Council's recycling centres reopened this morning with social distancing measures and a new entry system designed to minimise queuing.

The authority announced last week vehicles with an odd last number on their registration plate will be allowed to use the centres on odd-numbered dates and those with even last numbers can do the same on even-numbered dates.

Image source, Derbyshire County Council

The council has warned it is still expecting its nine sites to be very busy but said it would be providing hourly updates, external.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A member of NHS staff who spent more than three weeks in intensive care battling coronavirus has said it "feels absolutely fantastic to be going home".

Cyrus Casandra, a clinical support worker at the Royal Derby Hospital, was treated to a standing ovation by colleagues as he was discharged.

Image source, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

He had been suffering Covid-19 symptoms for a week when put on a ventilator on 12 April, and then needed 23 days in intensive care.

Mr Casandra, from Derby, said: "It feels absolutely fantastic to be going home. I've been really looking forward to this moment.

"Everyone here has been so caring and just brilliant. It feels special, especially as I've been surrounded by my colleagues the whole time."

Mr Casandra added he was already setting his sights on "building my strength back up and then getting back to work".

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Police are trying to identify these men, external after a fight involving bats and poles left one person injured.

The disorder happened in Northdown Road, Aspley, at about 16:00 on Monday.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Nottinghamshire Police said one man suffered minor injuries and the individuals left in various vehicles.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the force on 101.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Seven recycling centres owned by Leicestershire County Council have reopened - but only for online bookings, external.

The authority said it had introduced the appointment system to help keep people safe and minimise queues.

It has also placed limits on the type of waste it will accept at the tips.

Image source, Reuters

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Coronation Street actor William Roache says filming on the soap is due to resume in mid-June after being shut down due to the coronavirus outbreak.

However the 88-year-old, who has played Ken Barlow for nearly 60 years, said he and other older cast members will not be involved initially.

Image source, Getty Images

Roache, from Ilkeston, told BBC Radio Derby: "They've said It's all going to be very different - scenes will be about the lockdown so people will be isolating and scenes will be shot more simply with less people.

"I think the senior members of the cast won't be called back for some time."

He added he had been keeping himself amused during lockdown by creating a tightrope for squirrels in his garden.

BBC Radio Stoke

A consultation is starting today over up to 950 potential job losses at JCB's UK plants.

Image source, JCB

The firm says the roles are under threat at its 10 factories in Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Wrexham in north Wales due to disruption from the pandemic.

JCB currently employs about 6,700 people in the UK, including agency employees.

The consultation's set to last 45 days and talks are also due to start with staff representatives.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

East Midlands Railway has urged people to avoid catching trains unless strictly necessary and to wear face coverings if they do so.

The company has increased its number of services by 20% as people continue to return to work and has introduced social distancing measures at its stations.

It reflects changes being made by rail operators across the country.

Image source, East Midlands Railway

Managing director Will Rogers said: "The new timetable will only allow a small rise in the number of passengers we can accommodate.

"We urge everyone to only go by train if it is necessary and keep public transport for key workers and those who must travel."

Makers of the UK's only trademarked cheese hope the British public will start buying more of the product.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

A man has been charged with arson with intent to endanger life following a fire at a flat in Nottingham.

Nobody was injured in the fire, on the second floor of a property in Holgate Road, The Meadows, at about 22:00 on Saturday.

The 27-year-old was also charged with possession of a bladed article and is due in court later.

Image source, Google

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Two people died in fatal collisions in Leicestershire over the weekend.

A motorcyclist was killed on the A444 Church Street in Twycross on Saturday afternoon in a crash with a tractor, external.

Image source, Google

A man in his 30s also died when his BMW 5 Series crashed into a wall in Ashby Road, Loughborough, in the early hours of Sunday, external.

Witnesses are being sought for both crashes.

BBC Weather Watchers

Today is expected to stay largely dry with patchy cloud and spells of hazy sunshine, although the odd brief shower cannot be ruled out.

Thanks to Mark Hallam in Church Broughton for this splendid sunrise photo.

Image source, Mark Hallam