More than 100 Covid-19 cases in school outbreakpublished at 17:48 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
After initially closing for two days, the school will remain shut until after the weekend.
Read MoreMore than 100 Covid-19 cases in school outbreakpublished at 17:48 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Suspected arson attack causes 'significant damage' to housepublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News OnlineA suspected arson attack that badly damaged a Derbyshire house is being investigated by police.
Emergency services were called in the early hours of 4 May to Church Street in Riddings.
The fire started in the garden and a number of bicycles and a motorbike were destroyed, Derbyshire Police said.
Image source, GoogleThe force added flames spread and "significant damage" was caused to the outside of the home, two windows, and a fence.
However, no casualties were reported.
Police have appealed for witnesses.
Elections 2021: Dogs pose for polling station picturespublished at 14:10 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Amy Woodfield
BBC NewsThe 2021 local elections are under way in the East Midlands meaning the return of one of our favourite social media hashtags - #dogsatpollingstations of course.
Zachy (top) and Brew Dog joined their owners casting votes in Leicester and Radcliffe-on-Trent, respectively, during their walkies earlier.
Image source, Claire Jones
Image source, @cadilambertConsultant raises thousands for Covid-19 patients in Indiapublished at 13:55 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsA consultant at the Royal Derby Hospital has launched an appeal to raise £30,000 to buy medical equipment for Covid-19 patients in India.
Dr Rajeev Singh, a gastrointestinal specialist who moved to the UK from India in 1995, hopes his crowdfunding push will pay for 20 oxygen concentrators.
The machines can help patients who are recovering from the virus or whose condition is worsening to avoid them needing hospital treatment.
Image source, University Hospitals of Derby and BurtonDr Singh said he had already lost family members to the outbreak and felt it was important to do something.
"I have had a few relatives who have sadly passed away in recent weeks as a result of Covid-19, so when my phone rings in the middle of the night, I do fear the worst news," he said.
The fundraising appeal was launched a week ago and has just passed £5,000.
He said: "I've never done anything like this before but working in the field of medicine, I didn't feel it was right for me to just stand by and do nothing.
"I rang some of my friends who are in Delhi and they said that some small machines that could be used by those that can't make it to hospital would be incredibly useful."
Hit-and-run driver sought after man injuredpublished at 13:49 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Greig Watson
Reporter, BBC News OnlineA driver who failed to stop at the scene of a collision in Derby where a pedestrian was injured is being sought by police.
Derbyshire Police said the man was crossing Harvey Road in Allenton at about 17:00 on Monday when he was struck by a silver Volkswagen Passat.
Image source, GoogleThe 68-year-old suffered extensive leg injuries and a fractured eye socket and needed hospital treatment.
A number of people stopped to help, the force said, but officers said they believed there were others present who have not come forward.
Any witnesses are asked to contact the force on 101.
Toy car prompts boy, four, to dial 999 for ill mumpublished at 12:37 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Essa Khan read the emergency number on his toy police car when his mother, Charlotte, collapsed.
Read MoreNottingham 'among worst places for Japanese knotweed'published at 12:13 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Amy Woodfield
BBC NewsA company specialising in the removal of Japanese knotweed has said Nottingham is among the worst places in the UK for the invasive plant.
The city features in 10th place in Environet's top 10 hotspots for 2021 with 228 infestations with a 2.5-mile (4km) radius.
Japanese knotweed was one of several species of plants to be sent from China and Japan to Kew Gardens in the 1840s.
It's now known to be significantly destructive to buildings with the ability to push through cracks in concrete and cavity walls of homes.
Nic Seal, from Environet, said it can reduce a property’s value by 10%.
"The property market is busier than ever – but failing to carry out the appropriate checks for knotweed can turn out to be an expensive mistake," he said.
"I’d urge anyone buying or selling a property, or homeowners wishing to preserve the value of their home, to be vigilant for signs of spring growth."
Property owners who fail to stop the spread of Japanese knotweed on their land can face fines and even a jail sentence.
Pub marquee blows away in strong windspublished at 12:11 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Amy Woodfield
BBC NewsWindy weather conditions have caused a marquee in a pub garden to blow away, despite it being bolted to the ground.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service was called to the The Railway Arms in Kibworth by colleagues in Northamptonshire just after 19:00 on Tuesday.
Image source, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue ServiceIt was reported that a marquee had blown away from a nearby pub, over a neighbouring roof, and landed on Station Street.
Firefighters were sent to disassemble the marquee and safely bring it to the ground.
The fire service said the incident commander also liaised with the pub landlord about damage caused to the guttering of an adjacent property.
McGuane makes Oxford United movepublished at 11:49 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Oxford United sign former Barcelona youngster Marcus McGuane from Nottingham Forest on a permanent deal.
Read MoreSchool run mum commended for pulling woman, 90, from firepublished at 10:41 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Sonia Kataria
BBC NewsA mother who broke away from the school run to pull a 90-year-old woman out of a burning bungalow has been commended for her bravery.
Lauren Mottram was walking with her son when she saw smoke coming from Muriel Heathcote's home in Blackwell, Derbyshire, in March.
The 29-year-old said: "I didn't even think about anything other than going in there because I knew an old lady lived there.
"Once I got in, I couldn't see anything - it was just thick black smoke. I could just hear a little voice shouting 'help me'.
"As soon as we got out... the fire took hold. We got out just in time."
Image source, Derbyshire Fire and Rescue ServiceMs Heathcote was treated in hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation but was otherwise unhurt.
Now Derbyshire's chief fire officer Gavin Tomlinson has presented her rescuer with a special commendation for her "selfless bravery".
He said: "She risked personal injury by entering the property but thankfully was unharmed."
The fire service said despite Mrs Mottram's "quick thinking and courage", anyone else encountering a fire was advised to call 999 rather than entering the building themselves.
Image source, Derbyshire PoliceDeer crashes prompt police warning to driverspublished at 09:34 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsDrivers in rural parts of Nottinghamshire have been urged to watch out for wildlife following a recent increase in crashes involving deer.
Police said extra care was needed during the month of May as deer often search for new territories.
Ch Insp Chris Sullivan said: "I have seen with my own eyes the aftermath of these incidents and they can be very distressing for officers to deal with."
Image source, Steve A"Clearly accidents will happen when wild animals are forced to cross busy roads but there are things drivers can do to minimise the risks posed by deer," he added.
"So if you are driving in a rural area of the county, please do think about the possibility of deer emerging from the side of the road and lower your speed accordingly.
"This is especially important at night or wherever you see existing warning signs for deer."
Drivers who hit a deer are advised to pull over with their hazard lights on and call the police, giving as precise a location as possible.
They are also warned not to approach an injured deer in case it tries to flee and causes another crash.
Elections 2021: Water leak at polling stationpublished at 09:32 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsA polling station in Nottingham has been moved to an alternative location due to a leaky roof.
Voting had been due to take place at Radford and Lenton Library in Lenton Boulevard but was switched to the John Carroll Leisure Centre in Denman Street Central when the problem was discovered.
Image source, GoogleNottingham City Council said the leak had caused some minor electrical damage.
Signs have been put up at the library directing voters to the new polling station, which is about 600m away.
Elections 2021: Polls open for votingpublished at 08:23 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsPolling stations have opened in the East Midlands and across England, Scotland and Wales for this year's local elections.
Voting will continue until 22:00 but counting is expected to take longer than usual with social distancing measures in place. Some results are not expected until Sunday.
Image source, ReutersElections are being held for Derby City Council, Derbyshire County Council, Nottinghamshire County Council, Leicestershire County Council and Amber Valley Borough Council.
Voters are also being asked to choose their preferred police and crime commissioner for Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire.
And by-elections are being held for Leicester City Council (North Evington ward) and Erewash Borough Council (Hallam Fields and Nottingham Road wards).
Today's weather for the East Midlandspublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Another mixed day with patches of sun between the wind and rain, and top temperatures again around 10C (50F).
Today's BBC Weather Watchers picture comes from Leigh Pugh in Matlock.
Image source, Leigh PughDoctor gets Forbes honour for Covid risk researchpublished at 06:26 British Summer Time 6 May 2021
Leicester-based Dr Daniel Pan is named as one of Europe's top young medics by the business magazine.
Read MoreRoss apologises to Notts Co's Boldewijnpublished at 19:26 British Summer Time 5 May 2021
Maurice Ross publicly apologises to Notts County's Enzios Boldewijn for the "clumsy" and racially "insensitive" comment he made to the Dutch winger.
Read MoreMore than 1,000 Covid fines issued in five weekspublished at 18:28 British Summer Time 5 May 2021
Jeremy Ball
Social affairs correspondent, BBC East Midlands TodayMore than 1,000 Covid fines have been issued across the East Midlands in the last five weeks.
The latest figures show that 298 fines were issued in Derbyshire, 279 in Leicestershire, and 509 fines were issued in Nottinghamshire.
The number amounts to nearly a sixth of the 6,720 fines issued across the region since the beginning of the pandemic last year.
The large number of fines issued in Nottinghamshire came after the easing of restrictions in late March, which saw hundreds of people flouting the so-called rule of six and descending on Nottingham green spaces, like the Arboretum.
The county's Assistant Chief Constable Steve Cooper said: "We saw a bit of a perfect storm.
"We saw a lot of warm weather that took place, we saw the easing of restrictions just on the horizon.
"Some of the offences we've enforced have involved hundreds of people. That sees a significant number of fines taking place in a short spell of time."
Staff call for global boycott of universitypublished at 13:44 British Summer Time 5 May 2021
As well as a halt to marking and assessments, other academics are asked to boycott the university.
Read MoreDebenhams to close Chesterfield and Mansfield storespublished at 10:42 British Summer Time 5 May 2021
PA MediaThe last few Debenhams stores are set to disappear from high streets later this month as the brand becomes an online-only retailer.
The department stores in Chesterfield and Mansfield will close for good on 12 May, followed by the last remaining stores on 15 May.
Image source, GoogleA Debenhams spokesman said: "Over the next 10 days, Debenhams will close its doors on the high street for the final time in its 242-year history.
"Our sincere thanks go out to all of our colleagues and customers who have joined us on this journey.
"We hope to see you all one last time in stores before we say a final goodbye to the UK high street."
Stores in Leicester, Nottingham and Derby have already closed.
The Debenhams chain collapsed at the end of last year.
The closure of all its stores was confirmed after Boohoo agreed to buy its website and brand in a £55m rescue deal.
WHO boss made honorary University of Nottingham professorpublished at 10:30 British Summer Time 5 May 2021
Gavin Bevis
BBC NewsThe director general of the World Health Organization has been made an honorary professor at the University of Nottingham.
Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, 56, who was born in Eritrea, completed a PhD in public health medicine at the university in 2000 and received an honorary degree two years ago.
Image source, ReutersThe university said the honorary professor role within its school of medicine would see Dr Tedros teaching students on the Global Public Health Masters programme.
Dr Tedros said: "As an alumnus of the university, I have a deep appreciation of its expertise and dedication to protecting and promoting the health of people worldwide through world class public health training.
"I look forward to contributing to this extremely valuable effort and engaging closely with tomorrow's health professionals."
Dr Tedros will not be the only well-known professor within the faculty - it also employs the UK's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam.
