Paralysed ex-rugby player appointed OBEpublished at 01:12 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2020
Matt Hampson set up a charity in 2011 to support other young people seriously injured through sport.
Read MoreSummary
Tributes paid to boy, 16, who died after stabbing
Man dies after car leaves the road in Leicester
Police investigating after cat killed by High Peak Hunt hound
Covid-19: Tier 4 restrictions for Leicester 'deflating'
Couple arrange wedding to beat tier 4 change
Police officers, ex-rugby player and health leaders honoured by Queen
Updates for Thursday 31 December
Paralysed ex-rugby player appointed OBEpublished at 01:12 Greenwich Mean Time 31 December 2020
Wollaton Hall Christmas lights close earlypublished at 18:43 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
David Pittam
BBC News OnlineWollaton Hall's festive light display has shut down early because of Nottingham being put in to tier four.
The huge Christmas-themed display was due to end on 6 January but will now be closed from tomorrow.
Organisers said this was "in line with the new restrictions and out of consideration for the safety of customers and staff".
They said they will be in touch with ticket holders with more information and added they plan to return next year.
Tier 4: 'Torrid end to tough year'published at 17:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Sandish Shoker
BBC NewsThe Confederation of British Industry East Midlands has called the tougher restrictions a "torrid end to an already tough year" for businesses.
Director, Rick Blackmore, said: “There is now a growing need to re-evaluate government support in January to ensure firms can survive through to the spring and beyond.
“While the vaccine rollout and efforts to increase mass rapid testing offer hope going into 2021, it is clear challenges will continue well into next year.
"Steadfast support should continue to help struggling firms and lay the foundations for the economic recovery.”
Image source, PA MediaResidents reminded not to mix for New Year's Eve celebrationspublished at 17:21 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Sandish Shoker
BBC NewsNottinghamshire County Council has reminded people to only spend New Year's Eve with their own household as new restrictions for the county are announced.
Dawn Jenkin, public health consultant, said: "Remember that the Christmas Bubble arrangements only applied on Christmas Day so you must only spend New Year at home with your own household or bubble.
"The rates of infection in our communities across the county are continuing to grow at a concerning rate.
"The impact this is having on our hospitals and the rate of infection in those aged over 60 are some of the key factors which determine how the government decides what tier to place each area into."
Image source, ReutersMs Jenkin said it was crucial for people not to let their guard down and added: “Make your New Year’s resolution to protect yourself, your family and your friends by sticking to these simple rules."
Leicester figures 'rising steadily'published at 17:16 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Sandish Shoker
BBC NewsLeicester City Council said the city’s infection rate per 100,000 people has been rising steadily but the effect of families mixing over Christmas was still unknown.
It said at the start of the month – for the week to 8 December - the rate stood at 240 per 100,000. Latest figures show that, for the seven days to 24 December, it was 305 per 100,000.
Image source, Leicester City CouncilLeicester’s director of public health Professor Ivan Browne said: “Although the rate of infection in Leicester has not been rising as rapidly as in other parts of the country, we have continued to see a general increase in the number of positive cases.
“At this point we don’t know the impact of any increased transmission that may have resulted from people mixing at Christmas, so our rates could go higher.
"I would urge everyone to follow the rules and to stay with their own household to celebrate the new year, as any further spread of the virus could have a terrible impact on our hospitals which are already stretched to the maximum, and of course on people’s lives.”
Council leader 'disappointed' at Tier 4 newspublished at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Sandish Shoker
BBC NewsThe leader of Derbyshire County Council said it was "disappointing" that parts of the county are being moved into the highest tier of restrictions.
Councillor Barry Lewis, tweeted: "Disappointing for significant swathes of Derbyshire that had low rates of Covid-19 and continuing blow to business and jobs.
"Especially in hospitality. With adherence to rules, rapid testing, vaccines & perseverance we can beat this and get back to normal quicker."
Image source, Barry LewisLee Rowley, Conservative MP for North East Derbyshire, had a similar response and said there was "a real challenge" ahead.
He tweeted: "Disappointed with change but increase in rates locally, plus potential challenge of the new variant, is the reason.
"There is light at the end of the tunnel but, in short term, we have a real challenge."
What does Tier 4 mean?published at 15:42 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Sandish Shoker
BBC NewsAs all the East Midlands, except Rutland, enters the highest tier of restrictions from midnight, there is a new set of rules:
These include:
- Residents should stay at home, unless they have a "reasonable excuse" such as work or education
- All non-essential shops must close
- Hairdressers and nail bars must close
- Indoor entertainment venues must close
- Hospitality is closed except for takeaway, drive-thru or delivery
- Gyms and indoor swimming pools, indoor sports courts and dance studios must close
- You cannot meet other people indoors, unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble
- People should not leave tier four areas or travel abroad, except for limited reasons (including work and education)
- Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies are only allowed in exceptional circumstances
Jonathan Ashworth: Leicester 'deeply worried'published at 15:32 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
David Pittam
BBC News Online"Months and months and months" of local lockdown is having a "huge impact" on people in Leicester, the shadow health and social care secretary has said.
Jonathan Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, said his constituents and those in Manchester will be "deeply worried that our areas have now been in a form of restriction for months and months and months".
"It’s having a huge impact on businesses and families," he added.
He made the remarks in the House of Commons after Matt Hancock announced Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire would all be put in to tier four.
Covid: Most of East Midlands moves into tier 4published at 15:04 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsDerbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire are to be moved up to tier four of the national coronavirus restrictions, external.
Non-essential shops, beauty salons and hairdressers will be forced to close and people will be limited to meeting in a public outdoor place with one other person or people from their own household.
Image source, PA MediaThe switch was announced by Health Secretary Matt Hancock in the House of Commons.
Rutland will move up to tier three.
Mr Hancock said the new rules would come into force on Thursday.
Man dies in house firepublished at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
David Pittam
BBC News OnlineA man has died in a Boxing Day house fire which is believed to have been started by "discarded smoking materials".
Firefighters were called by police to a house on Brighton Road in Alvaston, Derby, at about 22:00 on 26 December.
They said the 58-year-old man was out of the house by the time they arrived, but was declared dead at the scene.
Image source, GoogleAn investigation has concluded the smoking materials were the most likely cause.
The fire service urged people to take measures such as checking smoke alarms weekly, using an ashtray and having an escape plan.
Nottingham one of UK's worst areas for obesitypublished at 14:22 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsNottingham has been named as an obesity hotspot in new figures released by the NHS.
The report, covering the period 2018-19, external, said the city's rate of hospital admissions where obesity was a factor was 3,205 per 100,000 people. The UK average was 1,615.
Image source, Nottingham City CouncilWirral had England's worst figure - 3,804 - while York and Stoke also recorded high numbers.
Public Health England has said obese people are three times as likely to die from coronavirus and seven times as likely to need ventilation if they catch it.
Probe into large commercial garage firepublished at 12:33 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
The fire on Great Central Street spread to neighbouring properties causing some damage, say police.
Read MoreUnpaid tax leads to clothing manufacturer banpublished at 11:46 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Liam Barnes
BBC NewsA clothing manufacturer from Leicester has been banned from acting as a company director for six years over an unpaid tax bill.
Surinder Singh, 62, was the director of Lady Fashion (UK) Ltd, which began trading in the city after being incorporated in September 2017.
The Insolvency Service said the company failed to pay £98,000 in tax dating from April 2018, and was wound up in July last year.
An investigation found Singh "had failed to ensure Lady Fashion kept accounting records" and could not explain why he withdrew £180,000 from company accounts.
Image source, Getty ImagesQuote MessageSurinder Singh tried to cloak his actions through a lack of records and attempted to gain an unfair competitive advantage by not paying the tax due. Directors have a clear obligation to make sure they maintain full and accurate records for their business, and we will take robust action against those who fail to maintain these required standards.
Robert Clarke, Chief investigator, Insolvency Service
Major fire at city centre garagepublished at 10:31 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsCrews have been dealing with a large fire at a commercial garage in Leicester.
The blaze broke out on Great Central Street shortly before 23:30 yesterday and spread to nearby buildings, prompting evacuations.
Image source, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue ServiceLeicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said nobody was injured in the fire, which involved cars and tyres.
Seven pumps were used to bring the fire under control and police also attended.
The road remains closed while investigations take place.
Anyone with information has been asked to contact the police, external.
Image source, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue ServiceAshworth: 'Let's go hell for leather' with new vaccinepublished at 10:28 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsShadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth has said the UK is in a "race against time" to get the new Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine rolled out.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced at 07:00 GMT it had given the green light for the new jab.
Image source, Getty Images"Let’s go hell for leather to get jabs rolled out," said the Labour MP for Leicester South on his Twitter account.
"We’ve seen how more virus circulating means opportunities for variants to emerge.
"This is now a race against time. We need vaccination ramped up, especially for NHS staff urgently."
The UK has ordered 100m doses and Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the roll-out would start on Monday.
Covid-19: East Midlands deaths increasepublished at 10:23 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
PA MediaThe East Midlands has recorded a week-on-week increase in the number of registered Covid-19 deaths.
The Office for National Statistics confirmed there were 337 deaths in the week up to 18 December, compared to 334 from the week before.
Five other regions in England recorded rises, with the greatest rise occurring in the south-east, while three regions saw the number of deaths from the illness fall.
Image source, Getty ImagesMan arrested as cryptocurrency seized by policepublished at 09:47 Greenwich Mean Time 30 December 2020
Liam Barnes
BBC NewsA man has been arrested on suspicion of fraud and money laundering as part of a police probe into an international operation of fraudulent offers of drone light shows.
Nottinghamshire Police said the force made its first-ever seizure of cryptocurrency - a digital form of money traded online and exchanged in a similar way to traditional units of currency - worth about £78,000 after executing a warrant on 7 December.
A spokesman said police also secured a restraint order at Nottingham Crown Court to freeze £500,000 worth of assets while the investigation continues.
The 49-year-old man, who was arrested in Huthwaite, has been bailed.
Image source, ReutersForest hit back to level in fog at Stokepublished at 23:02 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2020
Nottingham Forest come from behind to earn a point against Stoke City with the second of two freak goals in a foggy Potteries.
Read MoreRooney's Rams win 4-0 at Birminghampublished at 21:34 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2020
Derby County enjoy their best win under caretaker boss Wayne Rooney after Birmingham City cave in to three early goals before conceding a late fourth.
Read MoreMurder inquiry after stabbed 16-year-old diespublished at 20:58 Greenwich Mean Time 29 December 2020
Nottinghamshire Police say the teenager died after being attacked on Boxing Day.
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