Here's how Chatsworth House looked at dusk yesterday.
Today we're expecting a dry and bright morning before things turn overcast in the afternoon with prolonged heavy rain in some areas.
Image source, RaquelA family look forward to being reunited at Christmas, after being separated for 10 months.
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PA Media
A police officer who formed "improper relationships" with two women he met while on duty has been handed a final written warning.
Det Con Darryl Hart, of Leicestershire Police, was found to have breached professional standards of integrity and conduct following a disciplinary hearing organised by the force.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said the 41-year-old was investigated following allegations he formed an improper relationship with a woman he dealt with when she reported domestic abuse in 2015.
The watchdog said the relationship developed in November 2016 and continued to late 2018, when it was reported to the IOPC by the force, and further allegations were made in June 2019 that he had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with another woman who had been the victim of a sexual crime.
The IOPC said Hart "was found to have breached professional standards of integrity, authority, respect and courtesy, and discreditable conduct".
Supt Rich Ward, head of professional standards at Leicestershire Police, said the force expects officers "to maintain the highest standards of behaviour".
Quote MessageIn one instance, while the panel accepted there had been a policing purpose during the officer's initial contact with the woman, he later failed to maintain a professional boundary by developing a personal relationship with her. Similarly, he crossed that boundary while communicating via Facebook with another woman in circumstances when he ought to have known better."
Derrick Campbell, Regional director, Independent Office for Police Conduct
Two men and a woman have also been charged over the deaths of Gavin Rawson and Nathan Walker.
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Liam Barnes
BBC News
A man who spat in the face of a custody officer has been jailed for 18 weeks.
Derbyshire Police said Liam Bradshaw was being held in a cell at Chesterfield police station on Sunday when he pressed the call button to alert an officer.
When the custody detention officer opened the cell hatch to speak to him, the 31-year-old spat in their face.
Bradshaw, of Woodfield Road in Pinxton, was sentenced at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Monday.
Sgt Dean Tidd said it was "an abhorrent and disgusting act".
Image source, Derbyshire PoliceQuote MessageTo spit in the face of someone whose job is to take care of you is reprehensible. To do this when we are in the middle of a worldwide pandemic of a highly contagious and deadly disease only makes it worse."
Sgt Dean Tidd, Derbyshire Police
Stonesby House Ltd staff also told inspectors employees are not protected and "fired for raising concerns".
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Gavin Bevis
BBC News
The government has published its reasons for keeping most of East Midlands in tier three for a further fortnight.
A report, uploaded to the Parliament website, provides a short summary for all areas across the country and the reasons why decisions were reached.
It said the situation in the majority of Derby and Derbyshire had "deteriorated" and the "overall picture remained concerning".
It described a "mixed" picture in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire with cases broadly increasing but case rates among the over 60s falling.
And it said Leicester's infection rate remained high, with case rates also increasing in Leicestershire.
The report also said the situation in Rutland - which is in tier two - had "deteriorated" since the start of the month.
PA Media
Leicestershire County Council's director of public health Mike Sandys said an increase in Covid-19 infection rates over the past week had been the major factor in the area's tier three status remaining unchanged.
Mr Sandys said there had been a "resigned acceptance" over the past 48 hours that the county was likely to stay in the same tier.
Image source, Charnwood Borough CouncilHe said: "We can't escape the fact that rates have gone up in the past few days. It's probably the news we were expecting, but it's still disappointing."
Leicester's hospitals confirmed earlier this week that more people with Covid-19 are being treated than during the first wave of the pandemic.
Nick Rushton, leader of Leicestershire County Council, said: "We know that being in tier three is very tough for residents and businesses, in particular, and we would have hoped for a different outcome when the government made its decision.
"However, there is a wider acknowledgement that rates have risen over the past few days and what we now need is a collective effort to ensure people stay safe in the run-up to Christmas and beyond."
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
The leader of Nottingham City Council has criticised the decision to keep the area in tier three restrictions.
Both city and county will remain in the highest level of risk until at least the next review, the government has confirmed.
After large falls, rates of infection in the area have been rising again - but officials said pressures on the local health and social care system were also important considerations.
Image source, PA MediaDavid Mellen, Nottingham City Council leader, said he had "mixed views" on the decision.
"I am disappointed for hospitality businesses which have done a lot of work to prepare and to be covid safe, it seems unfair that in places with similar levels of infection people can go and have a meal, whereas in Nottingham they can’t and that seems very unfair.
"On the other hand, we don’t want to see a rise.
"We want the slight rise that we’ve seen in the last few days to be short-lived and to continue our downward trend," he said.
Jonathan Gribbin, the director of public health for Nottinghamshire, said: "To help save lives and protect the NHS and our social care services, we must continue to observe the restrictions that apply.
"The roll-out of the vaccine to the most vulnerable groups is of course very positive news but it will be some time to come until we know how much it will impact infection rates more generally."
The next review date for the three-tier system is 30 December.
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
A man who was found stabbed at a property in Braunstone is still in a serious condition, police have said.
The 22-year-old was taken to hospital on Tuesday night after being found with injuries described as life-threatening in Gooding Avenue.
Image source, GooglePolice said they were still looking for his attackers, who are believed to have fled the scene before emergency services arrived.
The force said it wanted to hear from anyone with information or dashcam footage, external.
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
The MP for North West Leicestershire is unhappy his constituency being kept in tier three.
Conservative Andrew Bridgen says he fears for the hospitality sector which will largely stay closed in tier three areas.
He said: "People I've seen in hospitality have gone to huge lengths to make their businesses Covid-compliant - they're cleaning down, they're socially distancing.
"I honestly believe what these measures are doing is encouraging people to break the rules and have interactions in their homes where they're drinking alcohol and I believe that's where the virus is now spreading."
Mr Bridgen has called for "scientific evidence" that banning hospitality will lower rates.
He had previously lobbied for the government to treat Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland separately in tier reviews, something Health Secretary Matt Hancock had agreed to earlier this week.
Amy Woodfield
BBC News
There will be no change to Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire's tier three allocations.
It follows the latest government review of the three-tier system after officials met on Wednesday.
The three counties were put into the most restrictive tier when the national lockdown ended earlier this month.
It means pubs and restaurants in these areas will have to remain closed throughout the festive period except for deliveries and takeaways.
Households are not able to mix anywhere inside, or outside in private gardens and hospitality venues.
However, mixing rules will be relaxed over Christmas to allow people to meet a slightly wider circle of family and friends between 23 and 27 December.
Meanwhile, Rutland will remain in tier two, where hospitality venues can open but with restrictions in place.
East Midlands Today
A fire officer has called an attack on one of its engines "mindless".
Crews had been called to a motorbike fire in Braunstone Park on Tuesday evening when a group of youths were seen nearby and a bottle was thrown at the windscreen, shattering it.
Matthew Cane, from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, said: "It's really shocking when our firefighters, who are trying to assist the community and keep the area safe, then have to suffer something like this.
"I find it really quite upsetting."
He added the fire engine had to be replaced by another appliance, which took time, so they may have been delayed in their response if there had been a fire.
Mr Cane said: "I think this is a mindless attack. This affects the safety of their community – the area presumably they live in.
"Not only is this vandalism, it is also a criminal offence to prevent emergency workers going about their duties."
He said CCTV footage from the vehicle will be passed to the police.
Image source, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue ServiceLeicestershire Police said inquiries were ongoing and anyone who has any information about those responsible is asked to get in touch.
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Increased visitor numbers and social distancing efforts have led to grass and vegetation being damaged at Clumber Park, the National Trust has said.
The organisation has appealed to visitors to stick to established footpaths to minimise erosion at the attraction and its other sites around England.
Image source, National TrustGareth Jones, Clumber Park's lead ranger said: “One of our most popular walking routes is around the lake. As people have tried to create more space for social distancing, it has almost doubled in width in some places.
"This is damaging the grass and vegetation, which is not good from a conservation and land management point of view."
Image source, Christine EHe added: "Some people have sought quieter routes and left official pathways altogether.
"This can disturb the wildlife as well as erode the soil across the fragile heathland habitats of Clumber Park."
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
A lorry driver who killed a man when he crashed into his car on a hard shoulder has been jailed for 18 months.
Edson Makwebo (pictured with his children) had been sat in the car making a phone call when it was struck by George Caboc's lorry near junction 20 of the M1 in October 2019.
The 45-year-old died at the scene. A friend who was sat in the passenger seat was not injured.
Image source, Family photoLeicestershire Police said the lorry's internal camera showed Mr Caboc had swerved into the hard shoulder 38 times since the previous junction.
The 52-year-old, of Market Place, Romford, admitted causing death by dangerous driving at Leicester Crown Court.
Along with his prison sentence, he was banned from driving for 27 months.
Det Sgt Paul Hawkins said: "Caboc's manner of driving was extremely dangerous leading up to the incident and then ultimately cost Mr Makwebo his life. His actions have now left a family without a loved one."
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
Covid-19 vaccinations are to be given by GPs in Derbyshire for the first time from tomorrow.
The jabs will take place at the Stubley Medical Centre in Dronfield, with the Church Farm Primary Care Centre in Ripley giving them from Saturday.
It follows the initial launch of Pfizer vaccinations at the Royal Derby Hospital and Chesterfield Royal Hospital last week.
Image source, GoogleHealth bosses said they hoped to open further vaccination sites across the county in the coming weeks.
They said people would be contacted when it was their turn to be offered the vaccine, which is given in two doses.
They added the first jabs were being given to those aged 80 or older, along with care home residents and staff.
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online
Police are appealing for witnesses after a car involved in a collision with a female pedestrian left the scene.
The crash happened at about 19:30 on Tuesday near Narborough Road's junction with Upperton Road.
East Midlands Ambulance Service attended the scene and the woman was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre.
Image source, GoogleHer injuries are no longer thought to be life-threatening or life-changing.
The car, believed to be a light-coloured BMW - possibly a 1 Series - had been travelling county-bound along Narborough Road, police said.
After the collision, the driver fled, turning left on to Upperton Road and away from the area.
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
A 13-year-old boy needed hospital treatment for an injured hand after being bitten by a dog in Derby.
Derbyshire Police said the teenager was attacked as he passed a man walking two dogs - reported to have looked like Staffordshire bull terriers - in Rowditch Avenue at about 15:00 on 10 December.
Image source, Derbyshire PoliceThe force has released photos of a man they want to speak to about the incident.
Anyone who recognises him or has information has been asked to get in touch, external.
Gavin Bevis
BBC News
An announcement is due later on whether cities and counties in the East Midlands and across England will remain in their current coronavirus tiers.
It follows a review by the government yesterday after the latest restrictions were brought in two weeks ago.
Any changes will be detailed by Health Secretary Matt Hancock.
Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire are all in tier three - meaning they are subject to the toughest restrictions - but Rutland is in tier two.
Image source, Derby City CouncilPoliticians and health leaders from across the region have said they do not anticipate any change to the current tier levels at this point.
Ivan Browne, Leicester's director of public health, has also urged families in the city not to gather in large numbers when the rules are relaxed over Christmas.
"This is a Christmas that's going to be unlike any other," he said.
"With a vaccine on the horizon, I feel this is the time we should limit our contact, particularly among the vulnerable, so I'd really urge people not to congregate at Christmas."
Here's how sunrise looked in Weston-on-Trent yesterday.
Today we're looking at a largely dry day with extended sunny spells, though the odd shower can't be ruled out.
Image source, Jills Camera