Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

A man has been charged with drink-driving after a member of the public reported seeing a bus driver asleep at the wheel.

Police said they were called to a report that a bus driver had been unconscious at the wheel before waking up and driving the Local Link service through Beeston on the evening of 25 February.

Image source, Google

The bus was stopped in Bar Lane, Old Basford, where a breath test showed the driver was three times over the limit, officers said.

There were no passengers on board at the time.

A spokesman for operators CT4N said the driver was agency staff and procedures would be reviewed.

A 45-year-old man has been bailed to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 16 March.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

Police have arrested a man after a "pipe bomb-like" explosive was found under a hedge.

Officers set up a 100m cordon and evacuated residents from 40 mobile homes after being called to an address in Church Laneham, Nottinghamshire, shortly after 12:45 on Sunday.

The device was found not to be live, Nottinghamshire Police said, and residents were returned to their homes by 18:30.

The force said it is currently trying to work out when and where it was detonated.

Image source, Google

A 64-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of making an explosive substance with intent to endanger life or injure property. He remains in police custody.

Police added they do not believe the incident was related to terrorism.

Leicester Tigers appoint Welshman Leigh Jones to join the club in the newly created role of general manager on 1 May.

Nottinghamshire and England fast bowler Jake Ball signs a new contract with his native county until 2023.

The online clothing company is "confident" it can ensure it meets US import standards.

Amy Orton
Local Democracy Reporter

The family of an Alzheimer's sufferer who died just over a week after testing positive for Covid-19 say he was neglected in the weeks before his death.

Brian Jeffery, who lived at Aaron's Specialist Unit in Loughborough, died aged 82 in January.

His relatives say he had various unexplained injuries, was dressed in other people's clothes and was not properly cared for.

The family told the Local Democracy Reporting Service they took their concerns to Leicestershire County Council as the safeguarding authority, who have held meetings with the unit as a result.

Rushcliffe Care Group, which runs the unit, said it was co-operating fully with the local authority over the family’s complaint.

Image source, Family handout

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A teenager was pulled off his bike and beaten up while out on a family cycle ride, police said.

The 17-year-old's mum had to step in to stop the attack, which left the boy with a fractured jaw.

The victim was approached by a group of youths on the Forest Recreation Ground in Nottingham at about 16:30 on 14 February.

Image source, Google

Officers said with no provocation they pulled the boy to the floor, grabbed him by the throat and punched him.

They added if the boy's mother had not stepped in he could have had worse injuries, and she too was injured trying to help.

A police spokesman said: "This was a horrible attack which left the victim hospitalised. He has since returned home, but was in a great deal of pain and discomfort."

Officers said the offenders were described as Asian boys aged between 15 and 17 years old, although they believe one may have been about 22.

They have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

Mountain hares have new protections in Scotland, but in England they can be culled without a licence.

Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News Online

An arson attack on containers housing equipment for a Leicestershire social enterprise, which trains veterans and young people looking for work, will have a "knock-on effect for the whole community".

Emergency services were called to Holly Hayes Woods, near Whitwick, on Sunday morning.

Image source, Coalville Educational Partnership

Jason Knibbs, of the Coalville Educational Partnership, said: "We've lost the toilet block but also a tractor and trailer and all the tools.

"We do a lot of vocational training here. We have been building it up over 18 months.

"It's going to hit the students, the veterans, the volunteers, it's going to have a knock-on effect for the whole community."

Image source, Coalville Educational Partnership

Mr Knibbs said they would have to "take stock" before deciding on the future of the group.

Leicestershire Police said no injuries were reported and inquiries were ongoing.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Leicester has the second highest seven-day infection rate for Covid-19 in England, according to the latest figures.

The city has recorded 217.1 cases per 100,000 people in the week up to 25 February, down from 254.9 for the previous week.

Mansfield has the sixth highest rate at 196.7, which also is a decrease from 233.3 in the previous seven-day period, while Ashfield has dropped from 253.3 to 183.7.

Meanwhile, the infection rate for the borough of Oadby and Wigston rose slightly, from 171.9 to 177.1.

Image source, PA Media

BBC Weather Watchers

Another cloudy day is in store for much of the region, with high temperatures of about 9C (48F).

Today's BBC Weather Watchers picture comes courtesy of Curly Claire in Tollerton.

Image source, Curly Claire

Elita says despite offensive comments from some patients, she is "very proud" to be a nurse.

Police say "countless" numbers of visitors to Matlock Bath were told to stick to lockdown rules.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

The organisers of Download have announced that this year's festival will not be taking place.

The rock festival, based in Castle Donington, will instead return next year between 10 and 12 June 2022 with headliners Kiss, Iron Maiden and Biffy Clyro headlining.

Image source, Getty Images

Organisers said: "Following the announcement of the government’s roadmap and despite the extraordinary efforts the NHS have put in to roll out the vaccine, we can sadly now confirm that Download Festival will no longer be taking place this year,but we have exciting news for 2022.

"We never gave up hope of bringing the festival back to Donington this June and had been working so hard behind the scenes to make that happen, but sadly, we now know it’s not possible.

"We’re heartbroken for everyone in the Download family, from artists to suppliers and of course our passionate Download fans."

Tickets can be retained and carried over to next year or refunds are being offered, organisers added.

Connor Black, 24, died in hospital after being found stabbed inside a property.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

A builder whose van was stolen with his dog inside has said he was "so glad" to have him back.

Andrew Ash's vehicle was taken from Musters Road in West Bridgford at about 15:40 on Tuesday.

As well as containing £1,000 worth of tools, his pet Welsh Terrier, Max, was also inside.

Mr Ash managed to locate his van nearby with all the tools inside but the dog was nowhere to be found.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

The arrests of three people in Hucknall in connection with the theft led to Max being found in a garage nearby, Nottinghamshire Police said.

A 47-year-old man and girl, 17, were arrested on suspicion of theft of a vehicle and theft of a dog.

A 48-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit theft.

Mr Ash, 49, from Carlton, said: "I can't express how happy I was when I took that call, for two days since I'd lost him, I'd had no sleep and I honestly thought he'd be dead.

"I'm so glad to have him back. I'll continue to treasure him every day."

The three people arrested have been released under investigation while inquiries continue.

Sonia Kataria
BBC News

A cannabis grow was found by a gas engineer when he was called to change the meter at a house in Blidworth.

Nottinghamshire Police said the man was "shocked" to smell a "strong smell" of the drugs in the property and alerted the police.

Officers found about 30 plants in the attic and garage as well as in boxes, the force added.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Langton Machacha, 36, of Northfield Road, Bristol, pleaded guilty to drug production, abstraction of electricity and criminal damage at Nottingham Crown Court and was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

Det Con Christine Hewlett said: "We also found that the electricity had had been by-passed at the premises. This can put not only the offenders' lives at risk with illegal and unsafe tampering of the electricity supply but also their neighbours.

"The premises were made safe by Western Power before officers could dismantle and remove the plants."

BBC Radio Nottingham

Police in Nottingham are urging people to stick to lockdown rules after officers cleared a city park "heaving" with people enjoying the winter sunshine.

Nottinghamshire Police said they dispersed groups of people who had gathered at Nottingham Arboretum on Saturday, though no fines were issued.

Sally Longford, deputy leader of Nottingham City Council, said she believed many of the people moved on from the park over the weekend were in household bubbles but it did not mean they should be sitting around on the grass.

Current restrictions, external state should people should only leave home for exercise and other essential reasons.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Police evacuated dozens of residents from their mobile homes after a suspected unexploded pipe bomb was found under a hedge.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to Riverview in Church Laneham at about 12:45 on Sunday.

Image source, Google

A 100m cordon was put in place while the package was dealt with and residents from 40 mobile homes were taken to a nearby pub while bomb disposal experts examined the situation.

The item was found not to be live, and residents were returned to their homes by 18:30, a force spokesman said.

Liam Barnes
BBC News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of inflicting grievous bodily harm and breaching a restraining order after a 20-year-old was stabbed in Clifton.

Nottinghamshire Police said the victim was in his car in Gabor Close at about 01:00 on 30 January when he was approached by two men who opened his driver and passenger doors.

A force spokesman said one of the men punched him in the eye and stabbed him in the thigh.

He was treated in hospital but has since been discharged.

Image source, Google

The 32-year-old man who was arrested on Saturday remains in custody, while a 25-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm has been released on conditional bail.