Kit Sandeman
Local Democracy Reporter

Charity collectors who approach people on the street for money - known as "chuggers" - could be banned from the centre of Nottingham.

Under plans drawn up by the city council, no-one will be able to stop or approach people and ask for "money, personal items, and charitable or other donations" without permission first.

Alternatively, rather than banning the fundraisers Nottingham City Council may choose to limit the number of places where they can operate, or restrict the number of days they are out on the street.

Nottingham city councillor Toby Neal said: "We are trying to mitigate what we think is a little bit of a problem for people. We know that people don't like it."

The council said it will consult a range of groups, including the police, the BID and city centre businesses

In Newcastle, a similar scheme was challenged by the Institute of Fundraisers. Instead, charity workers are confined to strict designated areas measuring 8ft by 3ft, external.

The latest news, sport, travel and weather for the East Midlands.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

The former Conservative MP for Nottingham South, Martin Brandon-Bravo has been remembered as "innovative" and a "true gentleman" by other MPs following the news of his death.

It was announced yesterday he had died aged 86 after being ill for some time.

Mr Brandon-Bravo served as an MP for nine years from 1983 to 1992, when he lost his seat to Labour's Alan Simpson.

Mr Simpson said despite their political differences they became friends and called him an "innovative and a real character".

The MP, who was a keen rower, was made an OBE in 2001 for his services to sport and was also the founder of the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont.

Other tributes have come from Conservative Sherwood MP Mark Spencer who said Mr Brandon-Bravo "was always dedicated to serving the people of Nottinghamshire".

Kit Sandeman
Local Democracy Reporter

Architects have been told to redesign an office block branded as "square, undecorated and ugly".

It had been expected a new, five-storey building next to Tesco on Station Street would be approved at the planning committee last night but councillors rejected the design.

Elements of the brick and glass building will now be re-modelled, before plans are re-submitted to the council in the coming months.

Image source, Franklin Ellis Architects

Councillor Michael Edwards who represents the Bridge ward for Labour, and said: "It has nothing to celebrate and it's just not nice enough. It's square, undecorated and ugly.

"When we think about what we are losing as well, if those buildings had been kept up to scratch they would be beautiful."

Nottingham Civic Society and Historic England both raised concerns over the scale of the development ahead of the hearing yesterday.

The development would have seen the buildings between Tesco and Hopkinson, pictured in 2015, demolished.

Image source, Google

BBC Entertainment and Arts

Ex-England and Nottinghamshire bowler Graeme Swann has been announced as a contestant on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Here he is leading the sprinkler dance after victory in the fourth Ashes test in Australia in 2010. And he claims never to have had a dance lesson.

Image source, PA

The former spinner will be hoping to emulate the success of cricketers Darren Gough and Mark Ramprakash, Strictly champions in 2005 and 2006.

Swann said he was worried about waxing his chest.

"It gives me clammy palms just thinking about it. It is going to be horrific," the 39-year-old said.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

Traders in Oadby, Leicestershire say they're "fed up" of disruption caused by a burst water pipe on a busy shopping street.

The Parade was closed on Monday after it was flooded - for the third time since 2015.

Severn Trent fixed the pipe in the same day and said they were working to make sure it didn't happen again, while the road still hasn't been repaired and is likely to stay shut until Friday.

Pat, manager at Scope, said the burst pipe had affected sales dramatically.

"We've lost a lot of customers because they can't come through here," she said.

"Before it was flooded and now it's covered in mud so it's very difficult for them."

Alex Hamilton
BBC Weather

It's a wet start but the rain will clear for a dry afternoon with some sunshine.

Sandish Shoker
BBC News

It's very wet on the roads this morning but hopefully I can brighten things up today with the news, travel and sport from the East Midlands.

I'll be joined later by Dave Wade so if you'd like to contact us you can email, or send a message on Facebook, external or Twitter, external.