Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Syston's mystery yarn bomber has struck again with a new Christmas display atop a postbox in High Street.

The festive arrangement features a group of colourful elves plus the message "have yours-elf a merry little Christmas".

The elusive yarn bomber is thought to have been behind previous displays, including a poppy-themed effort for Remembrance Day., external

It's led to he or she being dubbed Syston's "knitting Banksy".

Maddie Hayes says the attack has made her "more determined" to help people.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

Nottinghamshire Police's drone squad has been expanded with the addition of four new pilots.

The division, which is also used by Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, now has 17 pilots and three drones.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

The force said its drone team had helped to locate 12 high risk missing people and support 51 arrests since the start of the year.

Chief drone pilot, PC Vince Saunders, said: "We're actually a very small team when compared to a lot of other police forces, but the results we are achieving are right up there with the best in the country."

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Vaccinations against coronavirus will start happening in Leicester for the first time on Saturday.

The Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) said the hospital hub will begin vaccinating this weekend.

Image source, PA Media

Chief executive Andy Williams said: "We know that many people throughout our communities will be pleased we can start delivering this groundbreaking programme.

"Given the extended restrictions Leicester and parts of Leicestershire have been under, the vaccine is welcome news."

Those aged over 80 and care home workers will be prioritised for getting the vaccine as set out in the national guidelines.

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

A man has died in Nottingham following a report of concerns for safety.

Nottinghamshire Police were called to Upper College Street just after 16:40 on Thursday.

The force said officers are working to establish the circumstances of what happened and are asking anyone with any information to get in contact with them.

BBC Weather Watchers

Here's a serene shot of Holme Pierrepont to start off your Friday.

Today is expected to be cloudy in the main but with the odd patch of brightness and the chance of showers.

Image source, Curly Claire

Leicester City will be seeded in Monday's Europa League last-32 draw after sealing top spot in Group G with victory over AEK Athens.

Marlon Nelson cut a man's wrist in front of his 10-year-old daughter after a "ridiculous argument".

Liam Barnes
BBC News

Three new babies have been born in the space of a week at Twycross Zoo, giving the Leicestershire attraction reasons to cheer at the end of a "challenging" year.

Image source, Twycross Zoo

With the zoo closed to the public for much of the year, the arrival of a Diana monkey (top), a dusky leaf monkey (centre) and a Kirk's dik-dik have brought 2020 to a positive end.

Image source, Twycross Zoo

Image source, Twycross Zoo

Amy Woodfield
BBC News

Nottinghamshire Police are looking for the owner of a Staffordshire bull terrier found dodging traffic on a main road near to their Sherwood Lodge headquarters.

The dog, thought to be about 10 years old, was picked up by officers on the A60 Burntstump Hill at about 10:00 this morning.

Police said she was not wearing a collar and her microchip isn't registered.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

PC Jen Ellse said: "She seems very bright and doesn't appear to have been hurt in any way.

"I have contacted our local rescue centres and so far we haven't been able to trace the owner.

"We are wondering whether she's escaped from a garden nearby."

Anyone that recognises the dog or has information about its owner is asked to contact the force.

Samantha Noble
BBC News Online

A pet owner has been left "distraught" after her three dogs were stolen from Melton Mowbray.

Joss Williams, 28, said his mum Cheri Williams' pets were taken from stables in her yard in Kirby Lane between 01:00 and 06:00 on Tuesday.

Image source, Joss Williams

He said: “My mum is absolutely distraught. I am just really mad and upset.

“I want to know they are OK. I just need them home."

Jack Russell terrier, Scruffy, miniature dachshund, Sausage, and Hazel, a red sable dachshund, were taken while two other dogs were left behind.

Image source, Joss Williams

Leicestershire Police have asked anyone with information, or who has CCTV footage which could help, to get in touch.

“Anything helps. We just need to find them," Mr Williams said.

Melton Police said in a Facebook appeal: "This is a very rare crime and the first and hopefully the last of its sort to happen in our area in a very long time."

Image source, Joss Williams

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

A man has died after being hit by a lorry near Swadlincote yesterday.

The crash happened on the A511 Ashby Road in Boundary at about 05:45 and led to the road being closed for several hours.

Image source, Google

Derbyshire Police said the man's family had been informed and the force's thoughts were with them.

Anyone with information which could help the investigation has been asked to get in touch, external.

David Pittam
BBC News Online

A fire, which killed a man in his 90s in Derby yesterday, was believed to have been caused by an electrical appliance - the second in Derbyshire in two days.

Firefighters were called to Walbrook Road in Normanton on Wednesday morning. The man was declared dead at the scene.

An investigation has concluded the blaze was most likely an accident caused by an electrical appliance, although it has not been revealed what kind of applicance was involved.

Reports are now being prepared for the coroner.

An 89-year-old man died after a fire in Ilkeston on Tuesday.

Firefighter Steve Wells said: "It's devastating to witness a second fire fatality due to electrical appliances in two days, and once again I'd like to extend the thoughts and sympathy of everyone at Derbyshire Fire & Rescue Service to the family and friends of both gentlemen."

Muhammad Jan attacked four women over a four-week period last year.

Nottingham Forest are fined £5,000 by the FA after accepting a charge of failing to control their players in December's goalless draw with Watford.

Derbyshire pace bowler Dustin Melton agrees a one-year contract extension to return as an overseas player in 2021.

Holders and 2020 finalists Portsmouth will face fellow League One side Peterborough in the Papa John's Trophy third round.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

A man has been jailed for 16 months for harassing a woman he met in a pub and trying to shower her with unwanted gifts - including a voodoo doll.

Nottinghamshire Police said Simon Densham, 46, of Derby Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, took a shine to his victim after she asked to borrow his lighter at a pub in Warsop in August 2019.

Over several months the force said he tried to leave her gifts at the pub - including the doll and T-shirts - pestered her with erratic Facebook messages and shouted her name down a microphone during a karaoke performance, causing her anxiety and distress.

Image source, Nottinghamshire Police

In December last year, Densham was arrested and when questioned, said he had no intention of causing any harm despite the fact the woman had not replied to his messages or accepted his gifts.

Densham was then seen leaving a bag containing an axe in a club in Nottingham city centre in July this year, before contacting the victim's sister and implying he wanted to shoot a dog.

After being arrested and remanded, he pleaded guilty to harassment, possession of an offensive weapon and making a malicious communication at Nottingham Crown Court on 3 December.

In addition to his 16-month sentence, Densham was given a restraining order from the victim and her sister until further notice.

Gavin Bevis
BBC News

A driver has been left with what are thought to be life-altering injuries after his car hit a tree near Newark.

Police said the Ford Focus crashed on the A616 at Kneesall at about 16:15 yesterday.

Image source, Google

The driver was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre and a section of road was closed for almost 10 hours.

Anyone who saw the crash or has dashcam footage has been asked to contact Nottinghamshire Police.

The proposals, released "prematurely" online, were described as "ridiculous" by some people.