Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Vandals have caused "appalling" damage to a Nottingham community garden in a series of attacks.

Storage sheds at charity, Bulwell Forest Community Garden, off Austin Street, have been the focus of problems for several nights, police said.

Doors have been torn open and panels apparently repeatedly kicked.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

PC Ashley Clark said: "It is appalling that someone would do this to a charitable organisation that is trying to better the community in so many ways.

"We will be keeping a close eye on the garden over the coming weeks, at all hours, as a means of preventing further damage and attempting to find those responsible."

An appeal has been made for witnesses to come forward.

Alex Smith
BBC News Online

Leicester City Council says residents in the lockdown area can make non-essential journeys, contrary to advice issued earlier today by the government.

The government, in published guidance, had said non-essential travel in Leicester was still prohibited, but the authority has said, external that from today, people can leave the lockdown boundaries, but cannot stay away overnight until Monday and not in other people's houses.

Visits to other people's homes in Leicester are banned - a measure which has also been implemented in parts of northern England - unless they have formed a single-adult support bubble.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been asked to comment.

Image source, PA Media

Alex Smith
BBC News Online

One of the many questions on the lips of residents in Leicester has been whether they are able to go on holiday both in the UK and abroad.

The government said, external earlier hotels, bed and breakfast sites, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites and caravan parks in and around the city could reopen from Monday.

But a number of people in the lockdown zone contacted the BBC to ask if this meant they could go on holidays.

Leicester City Council has since said in a Q&A section on its website, external that you will only be able to holiday with people you already live with, adding people cannot stay in another person's home while they are there.

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has been asked to clarify the regulations around holidays.

Image source, Getty Images

Jordan Sinnott's fiancée's statement is read in court as three men are jailed over his death.

Megan Metcalfe says she used her own card to help elderly customers at the Nottinghamshire bakery.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

It's sometimes a dirty job - but no-one should have to do it like this...

The Peak District National Park Authority has kicked up a stink over irresponsible dog owners leaving mess behind.

Pictures have been released showing what happens when a power strimmer meets carelessly-discarded dog poo.

Image source, Peak District National Park Authority

A member of staff was clearing grassy areas at one of the authority's car parks when he hit several bags hidden in the vegetation.

A spokesman said: "Lots of time lost getting cleaned-up and disinfected, which could be used looking after our beautiful national park.

"Big thanks to those owners who bag it, bin it or take it home".

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A pub manager in Leicester says she's pleased her business can reopen from Monday, external but said it's been anxious wait in lockdown.

Sarah Gillett, 52, said a delivery of beer came in time for her to be able to reopen the pub, but added it's been "a nightmare trying to follow" the new lockdown rules.

She said: "I'm glad we can open but it's a bit of a mixed message. You can't meet round someone's house but you can go to a pub?"

David Pittam
BBC News Online

Gillian Grant, a 55-year-old from Braunstone, echoed the thoughts of many residents in commenting on the confusion caused by the partial lifting of Leicester's lockdown.

Pubs and restaurants in Leicester are set to reopen from Monday as a number of lockdown restrictions in the city are lifted, but restrictions on household visits will apply in the same way as they do in parts of northern England.

"I couldn't make heads nor tails of it last night to be honest," she said.

"You can go the pub and have a drink now but can't see your family?"

Alex Smith
BBC News Online

Leicestershire County Council leader Nick Rushton has welcomed the government's decision to take Oadby and Wigston out of lockdown from Monday, but said more work needs to be done as infection rates in the borough are "still too high".

The borough, along with the city of Leicester, has been subject to stricter measures since 29 June and was not included when it was announced that certain suburbs would be released from the lockdown zone on 16 July.

In a statement, Mr Rushton said: "Clearly an extended lockdown is tough and residents have understandably felt frustrated. The announcement signals a move towards a more normal way of life and is great news for local businesses who can open their doors and start trading again.

"The response of residents has been tremendous and the testing rate in the borough is 12 times higher than the rest of the UK – and I’d like to thank people for heeding our call.

"Unfortunately, rates in the borough are still too high. So let's not be under any illusions - there is still work to do. If you have symptoms get a test, self-isolate if you, or anyone in your home has symptoms, keep your distance and wash your hands."

Image source, Google

PA Media

The mayor of Leicester said the city has been left "out in the dark, very frustrated and very angry" following the government's "shambolic" lockdown announcement.

A number of Leicester lockdown restrictions will be lifted from Monday, with Oadby and Wigston set to move out of lockdown altogether.

Sir Peter Soulsby said Health Secretary Matt Hancock's words were "an inadequate response to the last four weeks of lockdown we have had to suffer" - describing the decisions made about the city as an "afterthought".

"Once again, it was shambolic," Sir Peter told a news conference on Friday.

"What we saw yesterday was something that left us here in Leicester out in the dark, very frustrated, very angry.

"What the government did yesterday, I can't help but feel, was make it up as they went along and frankly that's not the way to deal with this."

The mayor also called for more clarity from the government, adding there are still unanswered questions about people meeting up with family and friends and travel restrictions.

Image source, PA Media

County cricket returns on Saturday with the start of the Bob Willis Trophy - a new competition for the shortened season.

A commenter says the gnome had been "cut down in his Prime".

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A cyclist has been given "strong words of advice" after being caught using the hard shoulder of the M1.

He was spotted on the northbound carriageway between junctions 25 and 26 late on Wednesday.

Image source, Derbyshire police

The culprit, who was in dark clothing and had no lights, told officers he was taking "a shortcut".

Derbyshire Police said they had to close a lane and divert resources, including a police van for the bike, to resolve the situation.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

The full guidance on the changes in Leicester and Oadby and Wigston has now been released by the government, external after last night's announcement.

It states from Monday, Oadby and Wigston will see restrictions completely lifted in line with the rest of England.

The good news for Leicester is that from Monday, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, hair salons, non-essential shops, hotels, places of worship and museums in the city can reopen.

However, leisure centres, gyms and pools will remain closed.

Image source, PA Media

Residents in the city are still being told to limit travel to essential travel only, to not meet different households in their homes and gardens, and only meet outdoors in groups of up to six people.

Exceptions for single-adult households to form support bubbles remain in place.

The next review of the local lockdown will take place on 13 August.

Derby County tell out-of-contract striker Chris Martin the "door is open" for a return, despite him failing to agree a new deal.

Millions face new lockdown rules prohibiting separate households from meeting each other at their homes.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Here are the current details on lockdown measures in Leicester following Health Secretary Matt Hancock's announcement last night:

• Pubs, restaurants, cinemas and museums in Leicester are set to reopen from Monday
• Leisure centres, gyms and pools in the city are to remain closed
• The rules are similar to those announced for parts of Greater Manchester, east Lancashire and West Yorkshire, where separate households have been banned from meeting each other indoors
• The borough of Oadby and Wigston is set to move completely out of lockdown

Image source, Getty Images

BBC Weather

It is going to be a very hot day today with dry weather, barely a cloud in the sky, through the morning and into the afternoon.

With the heat, there is the potential for thunderstorms this evening and tonight it's expected to be very sticky.

Tomorrow fresher conditions will return again.

Matty Hatton, 15, has received messages from astronaut Tim Peake and TV presenters Ant and Dec.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

A man has been charged over an attack on police officers which resulted in one of them having their thumb broken.

Nottinghamshire Police said officers was responding to reports of a disturbance on Thorneywood Rise at about 02:00 on 29 July when they were kicked and punched by a man at the scene.

A force spokesman said a 43-year-old has been charged with causing actual bodily harm and causing fear or provocation of violence, and is being held in custody ahead of an appearance in court at a date to be confirmed.

Image source, Google