A DATE has been set for the trial of a man who was charged with two explosive offences after 200 people were evacuated from their homes.

Glenn Robinson, of Belvoir Crescent, Newhall, appeared at Derby Crown Court today.

He is charged with one offence under Section 2 of the Explosive Substances Act 1883 (cause an explosion likely to endanger life), one offence under Section 4 of the same act (make an explosive substance for an unlawful purpose) and the production of cannabis.

A date of January 12 has been set for a three-to-four-day trial

Robinson, 55, was remanded into custody.

Robinson will next appear at Derby Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on November 24.

Robinson was arrested from his home on July 26, as up to 200 people were evacuated from their homes and a 100-metre cordon placed around the flat.

THE University of Derby will bathe the staircase between the north and east towers at the Kedleston Road campus in red light from now until November 11.

It is in support of graduate Paul Cummins, who has designed more than 880,000 ceramic poppies which have been placed at the Tower of London to commemorate the outbreak of the First World War 100 years ago. The last one will be placed at the Tower on November 11.

THREE years of fly-tipping and drug use in a residential car park has left a mother too frightened to let her children go outside.

Mum-of-three Charlene Stephenson is tired of calling the city council to have mess cleared up outside her house – only for more to arrive the next night.

People use the car park on Dashwood Street, Normanton, as a hang-out to smoke drugs and dump litter.

Ms Stephenson has lived in her house, which overlooks the car park, for three years.

The 33-year-old says she has had enough and is calling for something to be done to stop the littering and anti-social behaviour.

She said: "It can be really intimidating out there.

"If my children go out, you don't know who they're going to come across."

She has wanted to move her sons, Niaz, 14, Riaz, 13 and Javen, 11 – who all attend Derby Moor Community Sports College – to another house since the day they moved in.

The family are registered with Derby Homefinder and Derby Home Swap – two council-run programmes for tenants to swap houses – but have received no interest.

"I've been trying to get out so desperately," she said.

"But no one is interested because they can see how bad it is here."

Another problem has been prostitution in the area.

Ms Stephenson says she regularly sees and hears people having sex in their cars in the car park.

And the stress of living there has had serious effects on her health.

She has suffered from depression over the past few years, having been diagnosed with cervical cancer ten years ago and needing three major operations.

"I'm just trying to get myself back together," she added.

Derby City Council says it is taking a tough stance on fly-tipping. Azaf Afzal, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and Streetpride, is determined to put an end to the problem.

He said: "This case is another reminder of the frustration we face when it comes to fly-tipping in Derby but we want to see this change and it is a priority for us to make this happen.

"Derby City Council is doing all it can to deal with the issue and I will continue to ensure that action is taken to remove dumped rubbish and enforcement action is pursued where the law and evidence available allows this to happen."

The council and the Derby Telegraph have launched a petition in a bid to rid the city of fly-tipping by changing the law.

Mr Afzal said: "Sign the petition and join us in our attempt to change the law on fly-tipping, which we believe could play a key part in reducing and preventing cases in the future."

The petition calls for property owners to keep their land free from litter.

It also calls for the burden of proof to prosecute for fly-tipping to be reduced from "beyond reasonable doubt" to "on the balance of probability".

People can sign the petition at http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/68218

A PAEDOPHILE who raped and abused six young girls three decades ago has been jailed for 20 years.

David Jackson, 59, of Sandringham Road, Chaddesden, was convicted by a Derby Crown Court jury of 14 counts of rape, seven of indecent assault and one of gross indecency with a child.

His victims were aged between five and 14 and some he abused for years.

One of his victims, who is now a mother and in her 30s, told the Derby Telegraph Jackson would say that if she told anyone about the abuse she would never see her mum again.

The woman said: "He knew I loved my mum and I never saw her much, so he used that against me.

"He would take me upstairs in his house and abuse me and then send me off to the shop to buy some sweets."

She said the abuse had a big impact on her life.

"It has made me wary with men around my daughters and it has affected my relationships," she said.

The woman, whom Jackson abused between the ages of seven and 12, said she was pleased she had gone to the police but wished she had reported it sooner.

She said: "He's an old man now and has lived most of his life but I just didn't feel strong enough to do it before.

"I would encourage anyone who has been abused to go to the police, and it's never too late to do this."

Detective Constable Luke Harper, investigating officer in the case, said that the first victim had come forward in February last year and she told them she suspected Jackson had abused more. The others then made statements. Jackson denied the charges throughout.

DC Harper said: "I would like to commend the bravery of each of these six women who have all had to live for years knowing what David Jackson had done to them when they were children.

"They have all shown tremendous strength and courage to come forward to tell the police and the court what happened to them. I hope the findings of the court and the length of the sentence will help bring some closure so they can now move on with the rest of their lives.

"Derbyshire Constabulary always takes reports of this nature seriously and will complete thorough investigations in order to seek justice for victims."

AN engineering firm in Derby which owed creditors – including dozens of employees – almost £4m is being forced into liquidation.

The action has been taken against Hydra-Valve, which specialised in pipeline technology and employed about 30 workers based in Spondon.

The firm wanted creditors to agree to a Company Voluntary Arrangement – where it would continue to operate and pay back creditors – but Derby County Court issued a winding up order.

A document, prepared on behalf of Hydra-Valve by business recovery and rescue firm Silke & Co, listed 190 creditors which claim they are owed a total of £3,828,312 by the firm.

This includes £192,577 to 28 former employees, mainly from the Spondon site in Stoney Cross Industrial Estate, and a few from the firm's former base in Stevenage.

It also states £37,516 is owed to Derby City Council and £275,209 to HM Revenue and Customs.

Former staff have told the Derby Telegraph they arrived into work on March 24 to find a letter on their desks, saying a major investor was coming in to do a stock take and they were to be away from work for two weeks on full pay and to leave their cars, laptops and phones.

On May 9 they received a letter which stated their contracts were being terminated with immediate effect.

One former employee from the Spondon site, who is owed more than £20,000 by the firm, which includes money he should have received for a six-month notice period and wages, said: "I lived on my savings but I felt sorry for the young lads who struggled to support their families.

"Because our contracts were not terminated until May, no-one could claim dole. One lad resorted to selling his things on eBay."

Richard Smith, 54, who worked at the Stevenage site of Hydra-Valve, is listed as being owed almost £30,000.

He said: "Staff should have been laid off earlier. Instead, it was just dragged out."

Robert Waldron, who also worked at Stevenage, said he was owed £12,000.

The 47-year-old said: "Everyone has families to support and bills to pay. I don't think I will see a penny of the money I am owed."

Steve Foster, former direct of Hydra-Valve who is now living in Dubai, said last night that some of the larger values on the creditors list did not correspond with the company's accounts and needed to be validated.

Mr Foster appears on the list as being owed £1.4m.

In a statement, he said:  "HVL is a great company with huge potential. People need to understand the circumstances of where it is now.

"For the first two years (2010 and 2011) HVL was an extremely profitable company making substantial profits against turnover.

"Due to huge interest overseas, I had to spend a substantial time away from the UK operations during 2012/13, while developing this interest abroad.

"The interest was from huge global companies and this interest remains in HVL to this day. During this time we invested heavily in new management, a business development team, technicians and field engineers.

"We more than doubled our manpower. I left the running and operation of the business to our new and existing staff as they had great experience. I have to trust these people or why did we employ them in the first place?

"Unfortunately the business development in the UK never matched the investment I put in. We saw a constant decline in turnover and a constant increase in costs. Still I supported HVL, but there is only so much an individual can do.

"Many people (including the staff unfortunately) fail to remember that I funded the business to the tune of approximately £50,000 per month over the last year or more.

"I have almost single-handedly covered the wages for all of this time. I have given HVL every opportunity to succeed. I don't know of anyone who would have continued to make the investment that I did without return and the business in decline."

Mr Foster said that in 2012-13 he worked very hard to secure a £1.06m Government grant, which was to be match-funded by the bank. But, he said, within days of being awarded the grant he was made aware that the bank no longer supported the match funding programme and they lost the grant.

He said another downfall for HVL was the acquisition of Denholm Pipecare, more than a year ago, which "turned out to be nothing short of a disaster".

At a creditors' meeting held last month, questions were raised about where all Hydra-Valve's assets had gone.

Following the meeting, Silke & Co told creditors the firm said "certain valuable assets" had been removed from company premises without the directors' consent. It said that assets had also been collected by finance companies, which were subject to agreements with Hydra-Valve.

In October, Mr Foster told The Derby Telegraph that the firm had achieved turnover in excess of £1m and was in the midst of a multi-million-pound investment programme which would see it take on 55 more workers.

Spondon ward city councillor Evonne Williams said: " It is sad we are losing another employer."

STATEMENT FROM FORMER DIRECTOR STEVE FOSTER

Steve Foster, former director of Hydra-Valve Ltd, said: "HVL is a great company with huge potential. People need to understand the circumstances of where it is now.

"For the first two years (2010,2011) HVL was an extremely profitable company making substantial profits against turnover. We had a very successful model and it worked. 

"Due to huge interest overseas, I had to spend a substantial time away from the UK operations during 2012/13, while developing this interest abroad.

"The interest was from huge global companies and this interest remains in HVL to this day. During this time we invested heavily in new management, a business development team, technicians and field engineers. We more than doubled our manpower. I left the running and operation of the business to our new and existing staff as they had great experience. I have to trust these people or why did we employ them in the first place?

"Unfortunately the business development in the UK never matched the investment I put in. We saw a constant decline in turnover and a constant increase in costs. Still I supported HVL, but there is only so much an individual can do.

"Many people (including the staff unfortunately) fail to remember that I have continued to fund the business to the tune of approx £50,000 per month over the last year or more. I have almost single handedly covered the wages for all of this time. I have given HVL every opportunity to succeed. I don't know of anyone who would have continued to make the investment that I did without return and the business in decline.

"In 2012/13 I worked tremendously hard to secure a Government grant to the value of £1.06m. This guaranteed funding had to be match funded and our bank was very keen on Guaranteed funding from the Government. It took me 12 months for the whole process and many late nights but it was worth it. HVL also had to go through very strict due diligence for this grant so at this time it was obvious HVL was a very viable business. This due diligence was conducted by third party organisation supported by the Government funding legislation.

"Within days of being awarded the grant, (announced in Government, Westminster), I took the award to our bank to authorise. At this time I was made aware that our bank no longer supported the match funding program and I was basically on my own! As we couldn't, (didn't have time), to find another funder we lost the grant in full. This effectively cost HVL £2.12m in funding. This grant was a major part of our growth strategy as we had to go through several stages of securing the grant we were confident of the award. You don't need me to tell you what this meant to HVL. We certainly wouldn't be in this position.

"I have to say at this point that our local MP, (Pauline Latham), was a God send to HVL. Pauline tried so very hard to help me develop interest in HVL from many sources. Pauline took time out of her exceptionally busy schedule to help me and HVL. We made some great progress but time was not on our side. Effectively, this put HVL on the back-foot during 2013. Still I invested into HVL.

"HVL is not a Toyota, Nissan, Starbucks or Burger King, so it was hard for us to find interest at the right level to help. However these companies get great assistance due to their size and ability to employ and invest. Little emphasis is placed taxation. Small companies like HVL fund 80% of the UK's taxation revenue that allows the Government to help these huge monsters. You will see I don't include the great British organisation that is Rolls Royce of which I have the greatest respect and deserves all the help that the UK can give it. What a national treasure!

"HVL tried hard to stop the decline and I agreed to finance the acquisition of a larger company, Denholm Pipecare. This was a very hard decision as you can imagine at this time. The business averaged approximately £250,000 per month over the last five years. Before the acquisition we were informed that a large part of this turnover, approximately £100,000, per month was a contract that would unlikely continue. HVL budgeted this out of the acquisition but strongly felt that the remaining £150,000 per month was significant enough to support the development of HVL and the value of the acquisition. I found the investment and we made the deal.

"Since the acquisition, over a year ago, HVL has not benefited from any business from the Denholm Pipecare acquisition. HVL has seen very little if nothing in relative turnover. What we have seen is the huge increase in wages, overtime and all the other associated costs. The Denholm acquisition was seen as an ideal vehicle to move HVL on and increase our perception in the market place including added resource and services. What it turned out to be was nothing short of a disaster.

"HVL continues to be a tremendous opportunity. Finding the right people to work with us or believe in us was the difficulty. Everyone seemed to have a different agenda to the HVL plan of success.

"I stand by each article previously written in the Telegraph. HVL continues to gain huge interest from overseas companies. Not a week goes by where we don't receive enquiries from abroad. We just can't fund it.

"Numbers quoted in past news articles are a drop in the ocean compared to the reality of what we will do. We may now have to take an alternative approach and the only loser will be the UK, but I will continue to develop opportunities for HVL. Its not over!"

STEVE McClaren wants his Derby County team to be more ruthless in front of goal.

Derby have won both games this season.

They needed a late winner from midfielder Jeff Hendrick to see off Rotherham United 1-0 on Saturday and then defeated Carlisle United 2-0 in the Capital One Cup last night, but had to wait until deep into stoppage time for a second goal, scored by Chris Martin.

The Rams had enough chances to make life easier for themselves, as McClaren pointed out.

"We will get better and the rustiness around goal is something we need to improve on," he said.

"Chris Martin should have scored earlier, but I kept him on to try and get a goal.

"It's good for strikers to score but we need to be more ruthless in front of goal and kill teams off when we get the chances.

"We made hard work of it last night and should have had it finished a lot earlier,"

New laws should be introduced to make it harder for pubs to be demolished or converted into shops, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) says.

On average around 31 pubs are closing every week this year - a rise of five a week on 2013.

The group said it was "perverse" that pubs could be demolished or converted without council planning permission and has called for a change in the law.

The government said councils already had powers available to protect pubs.

Under planning laws introduced in England and Wales in 1995, pubs can be turned into shops, supermarkets or a number of other businesses without planning permission from local authorities.

YOUR SHOUT: Do you agree new laws are needed? Have you lost a local? Tell us in the comments field below.

DERBYSHIRE'S police and crime commissioner has said the public should not be funding those who choose to shoot as a hobby.

Alan Charles' comments come as figures show the number of people applying for firearm or shotgun licences in the county has risen to almost 16,000.

He said he would "continue to lobby" that the Government should pay the administrative cost of issuing new licences, the responsibility of which currently lies with the police.

Derbyshire Police said it "does not know the full cost" of granting the licences but once the figure has been established, it would want the Home Office to recoup the cash.

Mr Charles said: "The public purse should in no way be supporting people who want to go shooting.

"There has been a lot of work done around this and there is a suggestion that the cost of issuing a licence should go up. But I also understand that the Prime Minister wants to kick this out.

"I think it is totally wrong that we should be supporting this and I will continue to lobby against it."

A report, prepared for Mr Charles and discussed at a public meeting with senior officers, heard that there are 15,840 licences that have been issued in Derbyshire.

The number sees a rise from 15,450 the previous year and 15,420 in 2011-2012.

In 2013-2014, 854 people applied for new firearms or shotgun licences, nine of which were refused, and a further 945 licences were renewed.

The report said: "The initial granting of a firearm or shotgun licence cost the applicant £50 and £40 for a renewal.

"Should an application be refused, the fee is returned to the applicant.

"The actual costs to the force of granting a firearm or shotgun licence is currently not known, although national work is on-going into the full cost.

"It is anticipated that once the cost has been established and agreed by the Home Secretary, Derbyshire Constabulary will move to a 'full cost recovery' position."

The meeting, held at Derbyshire Police headquarters, in Ripley, heard that, on the granting of a licence, every police database is checked for "relevant intelligence".

The meeting was also told that the number of incidents of gun crime in the last year has dropped from 204 in 2012-2013 to 197 in 2013-2014.

These are incidents in which a firearm or imitation firearm had been used or found illegally.

And there have been no fatal shootings in Derbyshire for six years.

A police spokesman said: "A firearm or shotgun applicant is visited and their referees contacted to fully inform the risk assessment.

"The certificate holder's suitability is not then checked for five years, when it is due to be renewed, unless they come to police notice during the interim period, in which case their suitability and risk is re-assessed."

Ashley Cumberland, who is the joint-owner of Lowes Lane clay shooting ground in Swarkestone, said: "I would like to think that the cost paid by the individual who applies for the licence covers the administrative cost of the police but without seeing their financial accounts would be unable to say if that was the case or not."

AT times when the Rams play at home, there will be just 79 parking spaces at Derby's new Arena, a report has revealed.

This is 21 fewer than the authority believes there would be a demand for.

But Derby City Council says this was not an oversight and that no major events will take place on the site at this time.

It has said that it will be encouraging people to walk or take public transport to the venue.

There would usually be 1,179 spaces available.

Councillor Alison Martin, cabinet member for leisure and culture, said: "The football club has the rights to use the spaces at that time. "But we have a reciprocal relationship with the football club so at other times we can use some of their car parking. "At all times, we are urging people to walk or take public transport. There is a park and ride facility that runs from the city centre."

She said the 79 space rule would apply during games, in the two hours before a match, and in the hour afterwards.

She said: "We won't be holding major events at that time."

Mrs Martin added: "It's not an issue we have been surprised by. It's the kind of compromise you have to make with developments like this."

Of the 1,179 spaces available, 28 would be for blue badge holders.

A travel plan drawn up for the Arena by the council predicts a demand for 100 spaces at any one time when there is not a major event on.

It says: "The site's promoter and TRICS analysis carried as part of the site transport statement shows there to be a demand for 100 spaces to be available for Derby Arena."

A BRAND new uniform for Guides has been unveiled.

Young women studying fashion at Arts University Bournemouth have designed a fresh range of clothing for girls in guiding aged 10 to 14.

Girls now have a choice of tops to wear with trousers, leggings, skirts, jeans and shorts as well as a uniform dress and skirt.

The last major Guide uniform redesign was in 2000.

Feedback from girls was that the uniform needed an overhaul and five young designers from the university were put in charge of the project to bring the uniform up to date.

The young women spent the next year consulting with Guides about what they wanted and drawing up designs.

They told the designers they wanted choice, and asked for the clothes to be comfortable and not too 'boyish'.

Chief Guide Gill Slocombe said: "We're exceptionally proud of the young women who have taken such care over this project.

"We are thrilled with the designs - they're fresh, young and versatile. It was extremely important to select the right designers for this project and I am delighted we selected Arts University Bournemouth as they are clearly committed to ensuring fashion embraces diversity."

What do you think to the new uniform? Have your say below.

Here are some of the #GuideUniform">https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuideUniform?src=hash"... sketches that older Guides drew for us: pic.twitter.com/H9CHKNftkT

—">pic.twitter.com/H9CHKNftkT...">http://t.co/H9CHKNftkT">pic.twitter.com/H9CHKNftkT... Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) August">https://twitter.com/Girlguiding/statuses/499134841... 12, 2014

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Some more straight-on photos of the new #GuideUniform">https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuideUniform?src=hash"... - Inspired by Guides and designed by young women pic.twitter.com/RG9dkiIK07

—">pic.twitter.com/RG9dkiIK07...">http://t.co/RG9dkiIK07">pic.twitter.com/RG9dkiIK07... Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) August">https://twitter.com/Girlguiding/statuses/499116940... 12, 2014

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<blockquote lang="en"><p>We asked Guides how they wanted the new <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/GuideUniform?src=hash">#GuideUniform</a> to look, here are some of their pics <a href="http://t.co/2KBfk2EsrR">pic.twitter.com/2KBfk2EsrR</a></p>&mdash; Girlguiding (@Girlguiding) <a href="https://twitter.com/Girlguiding/statuses/499116326057545728">August 12, 2014</a></blockquote>

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WORK has started on a project to extend and refurbish a Derby supermarket.

It follows a successful planning application by Lidl to increase the size of its existing store at Southgate Retail Park, Normanton Road.

In its planning application to Derby City Council, the supermarket says: "Lidl has identified the need to modernise the current site."

The supermarket chain's plan involves demolishing a vacant neighbouring retail unit to create a larger, stand-alone store.

It plans to expand the store both to the front and to the side, installing a new glazed frontage.

Lidl said the larger store would allow it to stock more products as well as create an in-store bakery and more warehouse space. Extra parking spaces would also be created as part of the proposal.

The retail units were first constructed in 2000.

Thieves have stolen an engagement ring from a devastated woman whose fiancé died a week after proposing.

Burglars entered the victim's unoccupied home in Powell Street, Derby, and took the ring, plus a matching bracelet and earrings.

Police say the ring was of great sentimental value to the victim as her fiancé was killed unexpectedly in a tragic accident a week after he had given her the ring for their engagement.

The bracelet and earrings and were given to the victim as a birthday gift from her fiancé's family.

The engagement ring is described as petite and made of gold with an opal teardrop design.

The bracelet and earrings were also in the same opal tear drop design.

A large quantity of cash was also stolen from the victim's home.

The break-in happened between 11.00am and 1.30pm on Wednesday, August 6.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police quoting crime reference 32824/14.

To report crime anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police are appealing for the owners of a number of items of silverware recovered at a property in Chaddesden to come forward.

The recovered items include silver teapots, a silver tray and a tankard amongst other items.

Officers believe the silverware may be owned by a number of different people.

Anyone who recognises any of the recovered items should contact PC Jodie Butler on 101, the non-emergency number for Derbyshire police.

By 8am, social media sites were heaving with tributes from shocked fans. On Facebook, the Derby Telegraph invited readers to name their favourite Robin Williams film. It led to a huge response – and the many answers was testament to the actor's work. Among the listed favourites were What Dreams May Come, Good Will Hunting, Mrs Doubtfire, Jumanji, Hook, Good Morning Vietnam, Aladdin and Patch Adams. Jude Kelf said there were simply "too many to name". Meanwhile, Andy Stephenson summed up the feelings of most. He wrote: "Seeing so much love for this guy everywhere this morning. Young and old, they all loved him. The guy was a legend." Williams, 63, was found dead at his home in California in an apparent suicide. The star's publicist said he had been battling "severe depression". Among the tributes by Derby Telegraph readers was from Sharon Barnes, who wrote: "RIP Robin Williams. What a sad loss. Such a wonderful legend." Delphine Topham said: "This man was a genius and made many laugh. I loved Mrs Doughtfire and Hook." Emma Brady wrote: "Such a legend and such sad news for young and old alike to be waking up to." And Hayley Neilson said: "All his films were brilliant. He was such an amazing actor. So sad." Elsewhere, Gail Iredale said her favourite Robin Williams film was "undoubtedly Mrs Doubtfire". She wrote: "Not quite sure how I'll be telling my 11-year-old daughter yet." Lisa Marie said: "Every film I've seen with him in has been fantastic. RIP funny man, the world will miss you very much." Maureen Hearn said: "RIP Robin, thank you for the joy." And Tina Jones wrote: "Such an icon and a sad loss. He will be missed." Among the celebrity tributes was from US president Barack Obama, who said: "He made us laugh. He made us cry. He gave his immeasurable talent freely and generously to those who needed it most – from our troops stationed abroad to the marginalised on our own streets."

Read more Facebook tribute here.

Leave your tributes and your choice for your favourite Williams film below.

Neil Dalton's parents and brother today paid tribute to the 22-year-old trainee doctor murdered in Borneo, describing him as a "caring, thoughtful and witty young man".

Neil, described as a "brilliant trainee doctor" was stabbed to death in Malaysia, along with fellow medical student, Aidan Brunger.

Neil's parents, Jan and Phil Dalton, said: "We are just a normal family and we cannot believe what has happened.

"Neil was a caring, thoughtful and witty young man, who never thought twice about helping others. 

"He achieved so much and made so many friends in such a short time. We are so very proud of him. 

"Neil was a hard worker and very academic.

"He kept himself fit and was very sporty; involving himself in many football and cricket teams over the years.

"Neil enjoyed cycling and running and was always up for a challenge." 

Neil's brother, Glen, said: "Neil was a best friend to many.

"This is evident from the number of his friends who have contacted me and referred to him as this and have passed on their happy memories that they shared with him. He will be sadly missed by so many."

Neil and Aidan were both on six-week placements as part of their studies at Newcastle University. They died in the early hours of last Wednesday.

Four men have been charged with the murders and, according to police in Borneo, have admitted they were responsible for the killings.

THERE has been an increase in the number of women wanting to drive buses following the introduction of a new apprenticeship by bus operator Trent Barton.

The passenger carrying vehicle driving apprenticeship, at the company's driving academy in Langley Mill leading to a diploma, is resulting in an improvement in customer service and reduced vehicle accidents.

Guy Gibson, Trent Barton's head of training, said: "In partnership with Access Training, we have been pleased to be able to help 43 of the people who have joined our driving teams in the last year to achieve a modern apprenticeship.

"Currently, we now have a further 31 colleagues working towards this important qualification. The work we have done with Access Training to develop our apprenticeship has updated and strengthened our training programme and this has been an enormous help in making sure that our drivers are indeed 'really good'.

"There has also been a rise in female bus drivers since the introduction of the apprenticeship."

Two bus drivers who have benefited from the training offered are Elaine Stokes and Lisa Jeffs.

Elaine said: "I really enjoyed the training and I learned some new skills like bus driving and customer care, and refreshed some old ones, boosting my confidence.

"After only one year in employment, I won the prestigious Driver of the Year award proving the training I received was worthwhile and valuable."

Lisa said she is "having the time of my life doing my apprenticeship".

She said: "There are people of all ages working with me and I am receiving lots of support to develop my industry knowledge and people skills, all of which will make me more employable and hopefully lead to a long and rewarding career."

DERBY County's Mason Bennett has joined League One club Bradford City on a youth loan until January and defender Mark O'Brien is set to complete a loan move to Scottish club Motherwell this week.

Bennett looked to be heading to Sheffield United earlier this month before a double deal involving Kieron Freeman collapsed.

Rams head coach Steve McClaren said at the time five or six clubs were interested in taking 18-year-old Bennett.

"Mason needs first-team football to continue his development and heading to Bradford on loan is a good move for all parties," said McClaren.

O'Brien, 21, is on his way back from an ankle injury.

A COUPLE have thanked Derbyshire Police for rescuing their big day after the car carrying their bridesmaids broke down.

Callan Fowler and her group of six bridesmaids were due to travel to Makeney Hall, in Milford, in a seven-seater vintage motor.

But the vehicle broke down on the A38, in Ripley, with the bridesmaids inside, leaving them stranded.

Luckily, a passing police car saw the bridesmaids and, after calling for another vehicle to assist, was able to give them a lift.

Callan, 24, said: "My first thought was for their safety as my 17-month-old daughter, Macie-Louise, was with them.

"But once I found out that they were in the police car I could laugh about it.

"All I could think was that it could only be my wedding day where the bridesmaids turn up with blues and twos!"

After a frantic scramble, a replacement car was found for Callan so she could make it to the wedding to marry her partner of eight years, Aron.

The couple, who live in Ripley, met at the funeral of Aron's friend, Drummer Thomas Wright.

Aron lost a leg in the booby trap blast that took the life of Drummer Wright.

While at Tom's funeral, Aron was introduced to Callan, a friend of the dead soldier, and they began a relationship as pen pals before falling in love.

Aron, 30, said: "I was already dressed and was having photographs taken outside Makeney Hall with my best man and page boys.

"Next thing, two police cars with their flashing lights turn up.

"As the car got closer, I saw one of the bridesmaids inside the car waving to me!

"I went and spoke to them and asked what had happened.

"I was worried about how Callan would get there but they said it had already been sorted and she would be coming in a Rolls-Royce owned by a friend of the family, Tim Lane."

The bride ended up being 10 minutes late to the wedding but was full of praise for the police officers who helped save their special day.

She said: "The police get a lot of bad press but the way they acted was fantastic and I am so thankful to them for everything they did."

Chief Inspector Tracy Lewis, head of road and policing for Derbyshire police, said: "We're delighted to be able to help in these situations.

"Hopefully their ride in the police cars added to the excitement of the day."