Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

Rather than a partridge in a pear tree, Nottinghamshire Police have come up with a buzzard in a jacket.

The bird of prey dropped out of the sky and hit a police car being driven between Eakring and Caunton on Monday.

Force driver trainer Glenn Longden was with another officer when the buzzard fell into the road.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Mr Longden said: "It struck the windscreen and went over the top of the car and would have undoubtedly been injured.

"We retraced our route and I found the buzzard on the side of the road, obviously injured and trying to take off.

"I took my coat off and was able to catch 'Bazza', wrapping him up in the coat which calmed him down a bit.

"A quick examination showed he was not in a good way and we didn't want to leave him."

"Bazza" is now recovering at the Mansfield Wildlife Rescue centre in Mansfield Woodhouse.

The 33-year-old man is charged with offences under sections 1 and 2 of the Modern Slavery Act.

Tony Chadbourne's family described him as "an NHS hero who dedicated his life to his career".

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

The Met Office has issued yellow weather warnings for rain in parts of Leicestershire and for wind for the whole of the East Midlands.

The rain alert is in place for Leicester city centre and parts of the county, including Earl Shilton and Lutterworth, external, for today and tomorrow.

The Met Office said heavy rainfall could lead to flooding in places and disruption to travel.

Image source, Smiley-Sue

A yellow weather warning for wind is in place for most of England, including all of Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Rutland, on Boxing Day and 27 December.

Very windy weather is expected, which could lead to disruption to transport and utilities.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A man in his 80s has been taken to hospital after a house fire in Derbyshire.

Firefighters were called to Hilcote Street in South Normanton at about 19:20 last night.

They rescued the man after a neighbour raised the alarm and he was taken to hospital for treatment for smoke inhalation.

Image source, Google

The fire service concluded the blaze was likely started accidentally "due to smoking materials".

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters are in the area speaking to residents about fire safety.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A 33-year-old man from Leicester has been charged with modern slavery offences.

It comes after police arrested seven people following raids at addresses in Leicester and Narborough yesterday as part of an investigation into alleged modern slavery in factories.

Image source, Leicestershire Police

The man has been charged with conspiracy to commit offences under sections 1 and 2 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and is due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court today.

Six other people, two men and four women, held on suspicion of conspiracy to commit section 1 of the Modern Slavery Act 2015, have been bailed.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A 24-year-old man has been killed in a crash near Whitwick.

Leicestershire Police said a black Nissan Note was travelling from Whitwick towards the Leicester Road/Abbey Road/Warrens Hill Road crossroads when it left the carriageway just before 01:30 this morning.

The man was pronounced dead at the scene, while another man, 22, was taken to hospital to be treated for injuries that are not life-threatening.

Image source, Google

He was arrested on suspicion of driving while under the influence of drugs and has been released under investigation.

Leicester Road remains shut but is expected to reopen later.

Police have appealed for witnesses.

A blind woman takes legal action against the government claiming it has failed to keep her informed.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

A road roller has been stolen from a building site in Derby.

Derbyshire Police said the Hamm roller, similar to the vehicle pictured below, was taken from a site off Swarkestone Road in Chellaston between 16:30 on 5 December and 09:30 on 7 December.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in the area between those dates to get in touch.

Image source, Derbyshire Constabulary

BBC Weather

It's been a fairly dull start with cloud and light rain around this morning.

It will turn windier later with heavier outbreaks of rain through the afternoon. It's also expected to be a chilly day with highs of about 8C.

Image source, Weather Watcher JaneyB

About 800 people watched two performances from their cars at Melton Mowbray market.

Leicester's Boxing Day trip to Newcastle is called off after members of Tigers' squad returned positive Covid tests.

Ross Ball was killed in a "revenge attack" by a gang of "violent criminals" in Sutton-in-Ashfield.

Bradford is second in the UK's Covid-19 league table, says Dr John Wright, because it's a table of inequality.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Vernon Coaker has been nominated for a peerage by Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer.

The former Labour MP represented Gedling in the Commons for 22 years and served in a number of ministerial and shadow ministerial roles including Minister of State for Schools.

He tweeted he was "honoured" by the nomination from the Labour leader.

Image source, UK Parliament

He said: "My important new role will give me the opportunity and platform to stand up for fairness, equality and social justice and play my part with colleagues to hold the government to account."

He said he would continue with his current local roles, including helping to prevent human trafficking and modern slavery.

The Lord Speaker, Lord Fowler, has criticised the number of new peers, which will bring the total membership of the House of Lords to more than 830.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

The highest weekly rate of infection in England so far was recorded in Nottingham, data has shown.

Cases in the city reached 1,337 cases per 100,000 people in the week to 8 October.

Image source, PA Media

No other area has since reached that figure, although several areas across England are currently recording rising rates of more than 1,000 cases per 100,000 people.

The BBC's data unit said Merthyr Tydfil and Bridgend in Wales have also recently seen rates close to Nottingham’s October record.

The highest rate so far seen in Scotland was 395 per 100,000 in South Lanarkshire on 24 October.

Two £10,000 fines were issued for holding the gathering at a private residence in Leicester.

Leicestershire Police says it received reports of Hungarian nationals working in factories without pay.

Staff at Nottingham Express Transit (NET) will not receive their usual £25 voucher from the firm.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Two men and a woman have been arrested after a man was hit over the head with a baseball bat in Bestwood last night.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to reports of a fight in a block of flats in Monroe Walk at about 23:15 on Monday.

Officers gave the victim first aid at the scene before he was taken to hospital, a force spokesman said, adding his injuries aren't believed to be serious.

A 57-year-old man and 50-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and a 58-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of affray.

All three are currently in custody.