Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

The wife of a motorcyclist who died in a crash in Derbyshire has paid tribute to her "wonderful" husband of 45 years.

Officers were called to the A50 exit slip road near Hilton at 12:30 on Tuesday after members of the public reported an injured motorcyclist.

Robert Redfern, 70, from Swadlincote, died at the scene, Derbyshire Police said.

Image source, Google

His wife Jean said: “Robert was a wonderful husband who I was married to for 45 years.

"He was kind, caring and hardworking and I am heartbroken.

“I would like to thank the kind members of the pubic that stopped to try and help him, I am very grateful.”

Derbyshire Police were previously trying to trace the driver of a Citroen Grand C4 Picasso but said this vehicle had now been eliminated from inquiries.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

An 18-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted arson with intent to endanger life after two police cars were set on fire.

Officers at Worksop Police Station discovered the fire in the Newgate Street car park at about 02:20 on Monday after hearing car alarms.

Nottinghamshire Police said the blaze was quickly put out by fire crews but the cars were damaged beyond repair.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Detectives are investigating whether it could be linked to any other incidents of criminal activity in the area, and said two people were seen on a motorbike shortly beforehand.

Det Insp Gayle Hart said: “Thankfully no-one was injured but this was still an incredibly serious incident.

“It is totally unacceptable and extremely dangerous that someone should deliberately set fire to our police vehicles. This irresponsible act could have led to someone being seriously injured or worse.

“We’re keen to speak to anyone who may have video footage, who may have seen the bike or who saw or heard anything suspicious or unusual around the time."

An 18-year-old man who was arrested has since been released on conditional bail.

Alex Regan
BBC News

It will be cloudy this morning with a few wet patches lingering through the day, but some can expect sunny spells.

There will be highs of 21C and lows overnight of 12C.

Image source, BBC Weather Watchers/Happy Walker Heanor WG

Navtej Johal
East Midlands Today reporter

The managing director of East Midlands Airport is calling on the government to set out a clear road map for reopening the travel industry after the pandemic.

Clare James said the airport was currently losing "millions of pounds a month".

"We need clarity over their decision making," she said.

"We need a road map for meaningful restart of international travel - none of which we're having at the moment."

On a standard day in June, the airport would expect to see about 20,000 passengers but yesterday it had just 504.

Donna Watson from Mansfield was among the passengers preparing to fly to Tenerife earlier.

She said: "I think the quarantine should be lifted - especially if you've had your two Covid vaccinations."

Ms Watson said it was time to "start getting life back to normal".

Cara Proud and her daughter Anais, from Leicester, were heading to Alicante in Spain to visit family.

Ms Proud said: "If it was a holiday I wouldn't travel I don't think. I just think you're safer to stay where you are at the moment - it's so up and down still.

"I think it's too soon to be coming out of restrictions."

Steve Foy from Derby was also heading to Spain to see family.

He was going to look after his poorly uncle and said he was concerned about having to quarantine when he returned home but is hoping the rules might have changed.

"I've had my vaccines so I think as long as you take precautions you should be all right," he said.

Lynne, from Doncaster, said the the prospect of 10 days in quarantine on her return from Tenerife didn't bother her at all.

"I don't mind. I find that it's quite reassuring to be able to travel under those conditions. I'm more than happy," she said.

An update from the government on the travel restrictions is expected tomorrow.

Simon Hare
BBC East Midlands

Hathersage in the Peak District is the best “hidden gem” holiday destination in the UK, according to a holiday rental firm.

The village scored top marks for its outdoor activities and pubs in the HomeToGo rankings.

Michael Wellington, who runs an outdoor swimming pool there, said visitors are amazed when they see the venue, surrounded by stunning scenery.

"We're very lucky to have it," he said.

"A lot of the local kids use it and a lot of people come from further afield are absolutely amazed by it."

Castleton, also in the Peak District, came eighth in the firm's list of best hidden gems.

It said neither Hathersage or Castleton feature in the top 500 most searched destinations for summer 2021.

Elliott Emery, who runs The Plough Inn, said Hathersage was well connected by train too.

"If it gets any busier there's going to be a real need for extra parking, but we are fortunate that we're on the main train line between Sheffield and Manchester so people can jump off and on here," he said.

Half of Mickleover FC's new artificial surface was taken by thieves overnight.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Splendour, one of the highest profile single day music events in the East Midlands, has been called off.

Held in the grounds of Wollaton Hall, Nottingham, it was due to be headlined by Richard Ashcroft, Supergrass and Rick Astley on 24 July.

But organisers have said the four-week delay to the full easing of lockdown restrictions has forced them to cancel.

Image source, Getty Images

In a statement they said: "We're devastated that we're having to postpone for a second year running.

"We know this will be disappointing to everyone who had plans to attend, but also for all the artists, contractors and staff who count on Splendour for work.

"We can only say how sorry we are that we couldn't make it work for this year."

Tickets already bought for this year will be valid in 2022, they confirmed.

The eight-year-old girl has been posting letters to her dad, who passed away when she was four months.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Lloyds Banking Group has confirmed it is to close a number of branches - including some of the Halifax arm of the business - in the East Midlands.

The Lloyds branch in Oakham, Rutland, will shut, along with Halifax branches in Hinckley and Market Harborough in Leicestershire and Chesterfield Central Pavement in Derbyshire.

These are among 29 Lloyds and 15 Halifax branches closing across England and Wales between September and November.

Image source, Google

It brings the total number of branches axed by the business to 100 for this year.

The bank said it was responding to changes in the way people did their banking and nine out of 10 customers would still have a branch within five miles of their home.

The Unite union said the decision was a "bitter blow" to staff and customers and accused the bank of "walking away" from local communities.

Leicestershire sign former Sussex pace bowler Abi Sakande on a contract until the end of the season.

The mother of 17-year-old Benjamin Orton describes him as "loving, intelligent and sweet".

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Plans to reintroduce beavers to Nottinghamshire have moved a step closer after the county's wildlife trust was granted a licence from Natural England.

It is planning to rehome two beaver pairs and any dependent kits at an enclosure in Idle Valley Nature Reserve in Retford.

The trust said they could make the move from Scotland as early as September.

Image source, PA Media

Janice Bradley, from the trust, said: "We're delighted that our licence application has been approved, as this means we can continue with our preparations on site, including ongoing survey work to record the flora and fauna currently present in the new beaver zone and the construction of the fencing that is required to keep the beavers safe."

Both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire wildlife trusts are preparing to reintroduce beavers for the first time in more than 400 years.

Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, which has already received its licence, is preparing to release two beaver families in an enclosed area of Willington Wetlands.

All-rounder Matt Critchley will captain Derbyshire Falcons for the remainder of the T20 Blast, replacing out-of-form Billy Godleman.

Heather Burman
BBC News

A man has been arrested after a football fan's phone was stolen when it was knocked out of his hand as he filmed celebrations in Nottingham.

Police said the fan chased the suspect after his phone was stolen from the ground in the Old Market Square yesterday at about 22:20 and then handed over £60 to get it back.

A 40-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of robbery.

Image source, Gerry Molumby

Det Con Robert Love, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was an opportunistic attempt to steal a phone from a member of the public who was enjoying themselves in the city centre.

"While we would never encourage anyone to attempt to confront a suspected criminal, the victim did manage to recover his phone, albeit after an exchange of cash."

He appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

England beat the Czech Republic 1-0 at Wembley last night in the Euro 2020 tournament to finish as winners of Group D.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A puppy rescued along with 10 others from a guinea pig cage in the back of a van is "incredibly lucky" to be alive and well, the RSPCA has said.

Police discovered the Yorkshire terriers and spaniels in "cramped, dirty conditions" in Carlton, Nottinghamshire, on 2 March.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Eight of the pups had a highly contagious and deadly disease called parvovirus and six died but three Yorkies and two spaniels pulled through.

RSPCA officers said they believed they had been imported from Ireland as part of the illicit puppy trade, thought to be worth tens of millions every year.

All the puppies have now been rehomed and Chewie - originally called Topaz - is doing well.

Image source, RSPCA

His new owner, Elizabeth Morgan, said: "Chewie is still timid of certain loud noises and sounds and he's utterly terrified of carrier bags so we wonder if he's maybe been put inside one at some point in his previous life. Now he'll run away and hide if he sees one.

"Other than that, he's a normal, happy little puppy."

The 25-year-olds will both appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court next month.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Police are appealing for information after a woman was sexually assaulted in a Derby street.

Derbyshire Police said the woman was attacked in the early hours of 13 June at the junction of Upper Boundary Road and Crosby Street in the California area.

Image source, Google

The suspect is described as white, about 5ft 10in tall, in his mid-20s, with dark hair and was wearing a dark coat with a hood and a pair of dark trousers.

He ran off in the direction of Melandra Court.

Officers said they were continuing to conduct inquiries in the area.

Eight-year-old Arthur - named after a writer and gardener - had to be put down after the attack.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Nottingham's new director of public health has taken up her role of leading the city's ongoing response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Lucy Hubber joins the city council after being in the same post at Luton Borough Council.

As well as efforts to tackle coronavirus, officials said a key focus for Ms Hubber will be on reducing health inequalities in Nottingham.

Image source, PA Media

She said: "I am excited about joining Nottingham City Council as the director of public health - particularly at a time when the collective response to Covid-19 continues to be a priority for our city.

"I am passionate about getting things right for our citizens - the pandemic has shown how important it is to work closely with our communities and to support them."

Ms Hubber replaces the former director of public health, Alison Challenger, who joined West Sussex County Council in April.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A hospital's longest - and currently last - Covid-19 critical care patient has finally left the unit after 115 days.

George Paterson, 54, from Mansfield, was brought into Nottinghamshire's King's Mill Hospital after being diagnosed in February.

As well as being mechanically ventilated, he was put into an induced coma and needed dialysis when his kidneys started to fail.

His family was even told at one stage his condition had deteriorated so much he might not make it through the night.

Image source, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Mr Paterson's wife, Tonia, said: "All I kept thinking about before seeing George was whether it would look like him as we hadn't seen him in so long.

"But the nurses were fantastic and I spent time talking to him at his bedside and I told him that if he had anything left to please keep fighting for us."

His condition improved and in April, Mr Paterson was brought out of the coma.

Two months after that, on 10 June, Mr Paterson was moved out of critical care and can now breathe on his own.

The hospital said it was still unknown how long he will be on a ward for, but was making steady progress.

Debbie Jackson, one of the sisters on the critical care unit, said: "What made George leaving critical care even more special was that after almost 15 months of caring for patients with Covid-19 on our critical care unit, he was the very last patient with Covid-19 remaining on the unit."