Sonia Kataria
BBC News

A pair of police community support officers were filmed on CCTV playing a game of hopscotch drawn by a little boy outside his house in Derbyshire.

Five-year-old Ted Bailey-Bowler drew the hopscotch on Smedley Street, in Matlock, using chalks he received for his birthday.

PCSOs Holly Meadows and Fiona Clancy were filmed having a go as they walked past his home.

Ted's mother Lis Bailey-Bowler said with a "little help from mummy" he chalked the hopscotch game during the coronavirus lockdown on Easter Monday.

"It was for anyone passing," she said. "It's a bit tricky at the end. PCSOs Clancy and Meadows loved having a go," she said.

The latest news, sport, travel and weather for the East Midlands.

Alex Regan
BBC News

A man who had drugs and cash seized by police has also been given a fixed penalty notice for breaching coronavirus restrictions.

Leicestershire Police said a man was stopped at 16:00 on Tuesday in Alsthorpe Road, Oakham.

A bag of suspected cannabis and cash were seized by police, and the man - who did not live in Oakham - was also issued with a fine under Health Protection Regulations 2020.

The man has not been arrested, and investigations are ongoing.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A 49-year-old man has been arrested after a body was found inside a flat in Leicester.

Leicestershire Police said they went to the home on Heathcott Road just before 17:30 on Tuesday following a report of concern for a man's welfare.

Image source, Google

Once inside they found a man dead at the scene.

A police cordon is in place and officers are carrying out house to house inquiries.

Leicestershire Police said the arrested man remains in custody but have not revealed what he is suspected of.

Derbyshire defer the signing of Australians Sean Abbott and Ben McDermott until the 2021 county season.

With coronavirus delaying the start of the 2020 County Championship, test your knowledge of the domestic red-ball game in the last decade.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Police investigating a hit-and-run in Coalville have recovered the car thought to have been involved.

The crash happened at about 13:45 on Monday on Belvoir Road in the town.

Image source, Google

Leicestershire Police said a 33-year-old man was hit by a Vauxhall Astra and taken to hospital, where he remains in a stable condition but with life-changing injuries.

Officers believe he was also assaulted before the crash.

Police said they have found the car, which left the scene after the crash.

They are appealing to anyone with any information to make contact with them.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Children in Nottingham have been helping to brighten up a supermarket window with rainbow pictures.

Image source, Kylie Holmes

The pictures were sent to the Co-op in Sneinton Dale as part of a competition.

The winners were announced on Monday but store manager Kylie Holmes said: "We still want to welcome the rainbows in store. We love seeing the children’s pictures; it lifts our spirits."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Robbers have stolen cigarettes from a petrol station in Nuthall after threatening the cashier with a crowbar, police have said.

Officers said they were called to St Mary's Filling Station on Nottingham Road just after 23:00 on Monday.

Image source, Google

It was reported three people used the crowbar to get into the shop and told the man inside to "stay in the corner and hand over cash".

Police said the robbers then took cigarette packets from the shelves and put them into a builder's bag before leaving.

Det Sgt Charlotte Henson said: "This was a horrible incident and another example of a key worker being targeted.

"The cashier was fearing for his safety after being threatened with the crowbar."

BBC Weather

Today will be dry and sunny with only light winds.

It will become a little warmer compared with the last couple of days, with a maximum temperature of 17°C (63°F).

Image source, Pete

Tonight looks set to remain dry with mainly clear skies allowing it to become cool with lows of 2°C (36°F).

Tomorrow will be another fine and mostly sunny day where it will become warm by the afternoon.

Former Aston Villa and Birmingham City player Ron Wylie, who later managed West Bromwich Albion, dies aged 86.

PA Media

A man who allegedly coughed on a police officer after he was arrested has denied assaulting an emergency worker.

Nottinghamshire Police said Stuart Hunter is alleged to have committed the offence after being arrested after a domestic incident in the Bulwell area in the early hours of Saturday.

The 37-year-old, of Chisholm Way in Nottingham, pleaded not guilty to one count of assault on an emergency worker.

He also pleaded not guilty to actual bodily harm and common assault in connection with the incident he was arrested for when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on Easter Monday.

The defendant is next due to appear in custody for a preparatory hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 11 May.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

A man has been arrested after allegedly pushing an Aldi security guard and assaulting a police officer when he was refused entry to the store.

Nottinghamshire Police said the man barged into the officer whilst handcuffed, causing him to bang his head on the floor.

The officer sustained minor injuries at the supermarket in Daleside Road, Nottingham at about midday on Monday.

The 25-year-old man was reported to have not been abiding by government guidelines and shoving people.

He was arrested under suspicion of a public order offence and for police assault. He has been released under investigation.

Image source, Google

Supt Matt Healey said: "Again we are seeing essential workers being targeted for no fault of their own.

“It's never acceptable to attack someone for doing their job, especially in these worrying times.

"In this incident, the angry customer was denied entry into the supermarket for not obliging with the government's safety rules."

Roma Drinkwater's son says her neighbours "made it such a memorable day for her".

Sonia Kataria
BBC News

A £250,000 online fundraising campaign has been launched to help people in Leicestershire "suffering extreme hardship" due to the coronavirus lockdown.

The There With You Fund aims to offer grants of up to £300 in the form of vouchers or essential items.

It was set up by Leicester Mercury, Charity Link and the Randal Charitable Foundation.

Image source, Thinkstock

The Randal Charitable Foundation has donated £96,000 to the fund, which will be immediately available.

A trustee of the foundation said: “The speed at which the Covid-19 pandemic has spread is something that has taken everyone by surprise.

“This has inevitably affected some people in our communities more than others."

George Oliver, editor of the Leicester Mercury and LeicestershireLive, added the fund would help "those who do not have neighbours or family to look out for them."

The care home says it wants to show residents' families they are ok during the lockdown.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A body, thought to be of missing man Robert Law, has been found in Derby.

It was discovered on the edge of Rykneld Park, off Burton Road, Littleover, during a search of the area, officers said.

Image source, Google

Formal identification has not yet taken place but the 41-year-old's family has been informed.

Police said they did not believe there are any suspicious circumstances.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Three teachers in Derby are spending their Easter holidays making protective equipment for medical staff.

Ben Taylor, Kat Siviter and Alistair Dunn are making visors on the laser cutter at Lees Brook Community School.

They're using material bought by the school but are also using donations and old over head projector film.

Image source, Ben Taylor

Staff are also making scrubs and scrub bags.

So far their equipment has been donated to local care homes, community social workers, the police and the radiology department at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Image source, Ben Taylor

Another 100 of their visors are due to be delivered to the hospital's children's ward on Wednesday.

Mr Taylor said: "The response has been amazing. We have had a lot of request from different areas. We are continuing to make equipment until our supplies run out."

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A man has appeared in court after a machete attack which left the victim needing surgery to reattach his hand.

Police were called to Newark Court in Nottingham on Saturday afternoon to reports of an assault.

Image source, Google

The male victim underwent a "prolonged" operation on his left wrist and officers confirmed the injuries were "life altering".

A 21-year-old man has appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court charged with criminal damage, wounding with intent and possessing an offensive weapon.

He has been remanded in custody to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on 12 May.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A street cleaner, who has been redeployed during the coronavirus outbreak, has been making people in Mansfield smile by accompanying refuse collectors while dressed as a Stormtrooper.

Barry Snowdon said: “We had such a lovely reaction from people.

"We’re pleased we’ve been able to raise a smile or a wave, particularly off children, at this difficult time."

Image source, Mansfield District Council

The 52-year-old also thanked those that left notes, treats, cards and drawings on their bins.

"It’s a real boost for crews to know their hard work is appreciated by the residents of Mansfield," he said.

Image source, Mansfield District Council

Mr Snowdon chose to dress as a Stormtrooper, from the Star Wars franchise, because he wanted something that children would recognise but was also practical and safe for the job.

He's no stranger to dressing up - every Christmas he puts on a Father Christmas suit and gives away sweets to children.