Stefan Pidluznyj
Local Democracy Reporter

About one quarter of 999 staff working in the East Midlands were abused or suffered physical violence at the hands of patients, a new study has revealed.

Figures released as part of the National NHS Staff Survey have shown that 26% of 1,200 East Midlands Ambulance Service (EMAS) staff surveyed experienced physical violence at work from patients, relatives or members of the public.

This figure jumps significantly to 40% when taking into account harassment, bullying or other abuse 999 staff have suffered from patients and the public in the last 12 months.

A small number (2%) said they had been attacked more than five times by patients in the last year, with 8% of respondents claiming they had been bullied or abused by the public on more than 10 occasions.

EMAS performed better than the national average of one in three staff experiencing physical violence and 47% suffering abuse or harassment from patients.

Calum McKenzie
BBC News

On this day 25 years ago, the late Ayrton Senna won the European Grand Prix at Donington Park.

Image source, Getty Images

Qualifying in fifth, the Brazilian's drive in torrential rain at the Leicestershire circuit was described as "utterly breathtaking" by legendary commentator Murray Walker.

"I was as spellbound in the commentary box as everyone else watching," Walker added in an article for BBC Sport in 2013.

"It was a race that will live in my memory for ever. Few drivers have left as much of an impression on me as Ayrton Senna."

To mark the occasion, bosses at Donington Park, are reliving the day on Twitter., external

Chris Doidge
BBC Radio Derby, political reporter

The roadworks on the A52 near Wyvern retail park have gone over budget.

The scheme is creating an extra lane on part of the A52, external and was expected to cost £15m.

But workers have encountered problems which the local enterprise partnership D2N2 says "may impact the completion of the project".

Image source, Google

The council said the scope of the work has changed, there have been alterations to drainage, and "unknown ground condition issues".

It says it will have a better idea on costs by the summer and still expects the work to be completed in early 2019.

Calum McKenzie
BBC News

Adam Peaty and Sarah Vasey struggled to control themselves when BBC interviewer Mike Bushell fell into a swimming pool while trying to interview them live on BBC Breakfast.

The former City of Derby swimmers, who have both won gold at the Commonwealth Games, were left in stitches as Mike tried to regain composure.

Calum McKenzie
BBC News

Leicester Racecourse tweets...

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

The thin blue line just got a little cuddlier...

East Midlands Today

Villagers are demanding Severn Trent sorts out their drains after their village has been repeatedly flooded.

People living in Normanton-on-Soar say they've been given assurances in the past but have had to put up with the problem for decades whenever there's heavy rain.

One woman said: "It just kind of ruins people's car engines, [it is] hard to get about and you worry about dirty water."

Severn Trent said that while it appreciates the concerns of villagers, it's working closely with Nottinghamshire County Council and the Environment Agency to understand the exact cause of the problem and identify what can be done to reduce it in future.

Calum McKenzie
BBC News

Mansfield's hopes of making the League Two play-offs were dealt another blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Stevenage.

Image source, Getty Images

Will Atkinson's second half strike rescued a point, but the David Flitcroft's side have now gone nine games without a win.

Val's jaw has been reconstructed by "stretching" her own tissue and bone around a frame.

Calum McKenzie
BBC News

Almost 400 shops closed across the East Midlands in 2017, according to statistics compiled by the Local Data Company.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Although 271 new shops opened, there were 399 closures across the region, leaving the East Midlands with 128 fewer retail outlets.

That figure is up from the year before, when there was a net loss of 64 stores.

Andy Lyon, a consumer expert for PwC, said the impact of stores like Maplin and Toys R Us facing liquidation had not helped the situation.

He added: "On top of this, many retailers are increasingly feeling the impact of the acceleration of online shopping.

"Digital offerings are increasingly becoming make or break in areas like fashion, but also for banks, travel agents and estate agents – all of whom closed a significant number of high street stores last year."

Charlie Slater
BBC Weather presenter

Another grim start to the morning. Here's the outlook for the rest of the day.

Calum McKenzie
BBC News

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

Amy Woodfield and I will be with you until later with the best of the region's news, sport, weather and travel.