Former Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman tweeted his support for the cyclist.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

We had a very special visitor here at Local Live HQ earlier...

Say hello to Rufus.

He is retiring after nine years working as a guide dog with his owner Sarah Davison.

Sarah's employers, Leicestershire Police, have even recognised Rufus with his own special award., external

"Rufus has stopped me from falling off the edge of a platform at a station," Ms Davison told BBC Radio Leicester.

"He has weaved me and himself through market stalls, walked up Snowdon and charmed his way into many people's affections both at work and at home.

"I really will miss my fantastic and faithful friend but know he deserves a happy retirement by the sea."

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A student from Nottingham Trent University has designed speakers made from the roots of mushrooms.

Bertie Ford, who created FungiSound as part of his BSc Product Design degree, says his project sends out an environmental message about the imaginative use of natural materials.

Image source, Nottingham Trent University

He has used mycelium – a material produced underground by mushrooms - and has made casing which also acts as sound dampening for loud speakers.

Image source, Nottingham Trent University

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

Two East Midlands-based players have been handed wildcards for next week's Wimbledon warm up event in Surbiton.

Image source, Getty Images

Katie Boulter, from Leicestershire and Derby's Jay Clarke have been handed the chance to get in some grass court practice.

"We're thrilled that Katie and Jay are joining us at Surbiton," tournament director Dave Malia said., external

"We know that the crowds at Surbiton will really get behind the British players and create a fantastic atmosphere to play and watch tennis in."

The Aegon Surbiton Trophy, which runs between 5-11 June, will also feature former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis and grass court specialist Dustin Brown.

Jason Bourne
BBC Radio Leicester sport

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has been ruled out of Denmark's friendlies with Germany and Kazakhstan with a thigh injury.

Image source, FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

A zoo in Atherstone is urging people to recycle their old mobile phones to help protect great apes in the wild.

From Monday, Twycross Zoo is encouraging visitors to dispose of their unwanted handsets in an environmentally friendly way.

It's part of a scheme to raise awareness of the plight of the endangered bonobo species in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Listen to live BBC local radio commentary as Nottinghamshire face Derbyshire in the County Championship.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

A Derby County season ticket holder has laid this tribute in Manchester to remember the victims of last Monday's attack.

Image source, Stuart Faulkner

Stuart Faulkner, who has lived in Manchester for eight years, said he was moved to lay the tribute after seeing first hand the impact the attack had had on the city.

"I work in St Ann's Square [where the tribute is]," Mr Faulkner told BBC News.

"I'm an adopted Mancunian now and I saw a lot of flags from elsewhere so I just thought I would go and put mine down."

Mr Faulkner added that the number of tributes has continued to grow.

Image source, Stuart Faulkner

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A Nottinghamshire brewery, known for naming beers after celebrities and unsung heroes, is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

Castle Rock Brewery started out as one pub in Newark and now runs 21 across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire.

BBC reporter Hayley Compton speaks to Chris Holmes from the brewery.

There will be a weekend-long party in the brewery's yard, which is next to the Vat and Fiddle in Queensbridge Road.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

A children's choir from Derbyshire will perform on national television later tonight in an attempt to win a place in the final of Britain's Got Talent.

Image source, Pitch Perfect

Pitch Perfect, from Great Longstone, are made up of youngsters aged from eight to 14, and wowed the judges in the audition phase with a medley of Disney songs.

"We're all very excited to be honest," the choir's musical director Emma Hopkins said.

"We've been waiting all week watching all the other live shows and we're just raring to go."

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

If you haven't seen it, here's the video of a cyclist's close call with a car as it pulled into a bus and cycle lane.

Jonathan Hunt had to slam on his brakes to avoid a collision but when he reported it to police he was told to "go away", he said.

Officers have now said they will investigate.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

A man is in a critical condition in hospital after he was found seriously injured in Leicester last night.

Lower Brown Street in the city centre remains closed whilst a forensic investigation is carried out.

Leicestershire Police added it would like to speak to the people who were in a black Audi who stopped to give medical help, but left before the emergency services arrived.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

Preparations are underway at Derbyshire County Cricket Club for the big Elton John concert there on Sunday evening.

The stage, which is 180ft (55m) wide and 60ft (18m) tall, takes five days to build.

"We are well ahead of where we should be," site manager Mark Wolliscroft told BBC Radio Derby.

"The stage came in on about nine trucks, there's a crew of approximately 20-25 guys everyday just building the stage."

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Worth taking your brolly out with you today as a band of rain is due to sweep across the region.

BBC Sport

Leicester City's 12th place finish in the 2016-17 Premier League pocketed them more money than when they won the division.

Image source, Getty Images

The Foxes' total payment from the Premier League for 2016-17 was £115.8m, up from the £93.2m they received the year before.

The increase is down to the 2016-17 season being the first year of a record £5.1bn TV deal.

BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to BBC Weather Watcher Maggie T for sending in this stunning pic of last night's sunset over East Leake.

Image source, Maggie T/BBC Weather Watchers

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

Some trains in the region will be busier than usual today.

East Midlands Trains says this is because it has a higher than usual number of trains needing "essential maintenance".

Several services between Nottingham, external and Liverpool Lime Street, which stop at Crewe and Derby, will have two coaches instead of four.

Image source, PA

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

Leicester has been identified as one of Britain's top property hotspots, according to estate agents Zoopla.

Image source, Matt Cardy/Getty Images

The company found that homes listed for sale in the city received 56% more interest from house hunters than the average property listed across Britain, making it the fifth most "in demand" area.

Zoopla analysed the volume of email enquiries sent by house hunters to estate agents listing homes for sale on its website over the past year to make the findings.

Meanwhile, Derby was the tenth on the list for being one of the least "in demand" areas.

The property company analysed Britain's 50 biggest urban areas, but Nottingham did not make the top ten in either list.

Calum McKenzie
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome along to Friday across the East Midlands.

Maryam Qaiser and I will be with you until later with the region's news, sport, weather and travel.