READERS of the Derby Telegraph have been inundating our website with comments about a story about thieves who took £15,000 of lights from a Derby school when police said they could not send anyone to investigate.

One reader called officers' lack of action "a pathetic attempt" while another defended police, asking how many officers would be on duty when the break-in took place.

Trespassers were spotted on the site of Osmaston Primary School just before 8pm on Sunday by a high-tech security system.

CCTV was triggered after offenders broke into the grounds of the school, which is undergoing a £5 million refit. An automated voice sent a recorded loudspeaker message to the offenders that they had been caught on camera and police had been called.

But the security monitoring company were told no officers were able to attend.

The following morning the works manager, Wayne Mears, arrived to discover £15,000 of lighting had been stolen and again called the police. But no one arrived until 3pm, more than 18 hours after the original call was made. Commenting on the Derby Telegraph website stivians11 said: "£15,000 for lights seems to be a little expensive. Hope the police are satisfied with a pathetic attempt to excuse their lack of action.

"Maybe they will refund some of their funds to buy replacement lights, even at £15,000, after sitting on their hands when a serious crime is committed?"

And Allentown left a message on putr site.

It read: "Ironic that the residents' group in the area launched the biggest Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the country a few years back... so that's obviously a roaring success.

"And police presence in the area is virtually nil, so hardly surprising that feral kids roam all over the place.

"Maybe the police should spend less time targeting cash-cow motorists, who are clearly the most criminal element in the country, and return to real policing." Following Sunday and Monday's break-ins, Mr Mears said he felt if the police had responded to the first call the theft would not have taken place.

In response, a force spokesman said the first call was to a report of trespass which is dealt with by safer neighbourhood teams, of whom none were available on Sunday night as they were seeing to other jobs.

Gissajob, on our site, said: "I wonder how many police are on duty on a Sunday in Derby?

"Everyone wants to play the blame game now before blaming the police.

"I would like to know if cutbacks or overtime being stopped was the reason they did not go on the callout?"

THE region's ambulance service failed to reach its patients quickly enough last month – following a surge in the number of 999 calls.

East Midlands Ambulance Service chief executive Sue Noyes had already told the Derby Telegraph that it would be "challenging" to meet targets in July.

She said this was because of an 8% increase in the number of 999 calls compared to the same month last year.

EMAS must reach three-quarters of its patients with life-threatening conditions in eight minutes.

Emergencies are classed as either "red one" calls, where a defibrillator is needed, or "red two" calls, which is all other life-threatening situations.

It must also get an ambulance to these calls within 19 minutes in 95% of cases. These figures must be achieved over the 12-month period from April to March.

Between April and June this year, EMAS hit their targets. But it achieved 70.71% for red one calls in July and 71.60% for red two. It got an ambulance to 93.22% of these calls within 19 minutes.

In August so far, it has achieved 71.58% for red one, 73.72% for red two and an ambulance has arrived at 94.12% of calls in 19 minutes.

PARENTS have been urged to get their children's car seats safety checked.

In recent safety checks by Derbyshire council officials, 74 per cent failed.

The county council will now hold a number of clinics to inspect car seats.

People can use this service at Belper Morrisons from 10am-12.30pm and Matlock Sainsbury's from 1.30pm-4pm tomorrow.

There will be further inspections in Dronfield, Crowne, Ripley and Alfreton.

Dean Collins, Derbyshire County Council's deputy cabinet member for jobs, economy and transport, said: "It's vital that motorists who travel with youngsters understand the importance of choosing the right seat and fitting it correctly."

Derby Telegraph's popular Win a Wedding competition is returning for another year and registration to enter will start in September.

This year, couples will be in with a chance of winning a £15,000 wedding at the beautiful Cathedral Quarter Hotel in August 2015.

Any couples who register for this year's competition will stand a chance of winning , with Derby Telegraph readers encouraged to vote for their favourite couple when the supplement is printed in-paper.

The top five couples as voted for by our readers will progress to the Win a Wedding Final Night held at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel in December and will compete against each other in a series of tasks to earn points. The couple with the most points at the end of the night will win this year's stunning prize.

In addition to the venue and wedding breakfast, the winning couple will receive the bride's gown courtesy of Stately Brides, groom's suit hire thanks to Brigdens, £500 towards wedding rings from bespoke jeweler Flash Jordan, invitations and a table plan created by P.S. I Love You, and a wedding cake from Cake Decor.

On top of this, they will also receive hair styling for the bride and bridesmaids at Harvey Luke, make-up by Sheelagh Powell, flowers from Jo Beth Floral Design, and coverage of their big day from Jakt Photography and Light Films, ensuring their happy memories are captured forever.

The bride will arrive for her big day in style courtesy of a beautiful white Rolls-Royce from Wedding Cars of Derby, while all the guests will be invited to dance the night away thanks to a disco from 4Events.

As weddings can be stressful, the wonderful Owl House Day Spa will provide some well needed rest and relaxation for the happy couple in the form of a Langley Lovebirds Package.

Last year's winning couple, Leeanne Moore and Stuart Groombridge, were married in August this year.

"It was amazing, a truly fantastic day," Leeanne said. "I married the man I love in the dress I always wanted in front of all our closest family and friends."

The pair won their £15,000 dream wedding by beating out fierce competition from other finalists last December, securing victory after providing the closest answer to the tie-breaker question after a closely fought contest.

Leeanne commented, "It means I now have no worries or stress about money for the big day."

"We're so lucky. It's one of the best days of my life, without a shadow of a doubt."

For more information on this year's competition, simply keep an eye out in your Derby Telegraph or like our Facebook page.

AN ex-soldier who became a conman must repay £5,000 to a widow after failing to organise home improvements for her.

She withdrew nearly £13,000 after visits from Jonathan Mather, who formerly worked for a housing firm, Derby Crown Court heard.

He had served in the Army and spoke of suffering from post traumatic stress disorder, gaining sympathy from the 72-year-old victim.

Recorder Mark Butterworth told Mather: "You were in financial difficulty and you were drinking too much but it is entirely clear your intention was deliberate and shameful.

"You befriended a vulnerable widow and conned her out of about £13,000. You committed that over a long period of time and committed it quite deliberately."

Mather, 34, of Parkside Road, Chaddesden admitted fraud by false representation and theft of £1,000 from another widow.

He was given a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must do 300 hours unpaid community work and was put on probation for a year.

Christopher Gabbitas, prosecuting, said Mather had a similar previous conviction while working for a double glazing firm in November 2011, two years before the latest incidents.

The recorder described it as "a highly relevant previous conviction for dishonesty," involving an elderly couple who trusted him.

After reading reports on Mather, the recorder added: "There is some evidence that he has suffered from post traumatic stress disorder.

"I will pay regard to the fact he was potentially injured as a result of his service to the country. But I find it impossible to say that injury had any direct bearing on his offending."

Lauren Sharkey, for Mather, said he served in Bosnia in 1998 and 1999 and had been diagnosed with post traumatic stress.

"He was suffering from nightmares and flashbacks. He was trying to avoid sleeping and was drinking alcohol as a self-coping mechanism. He was drinking to excess.

"He was not functioning properly at the time of the offences. The family home was being repossessed. He is extremely remorseful," said Miss Sharkey.

When questioned, he admitted the offences and wanted to pay compensation.

BURTON Albion continued their excellent start to the season with a 1-0 win over Exeter City at the Pirelli Stadium last night.

Stuart Beavon scored the only goal of the game just before half-time as the Brewers made it four wins on the spin – the first time they have done that since the 1956-57 Birmingham League Division One season.

This was a tight game, although some terrific saves from Exeter's teenage keeper, Christie Pym, kept the Brewers at bay.

The performance was solid and patient – and a second clean sheet of the season was welcome.

Burton made only one change, Callum McFadzean for George Taft at left-back, while the bench had a youthful look, with only Adam McGurk over the age of 23.

Lucas Akins wore a cast on his left arm after breaking his hand against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday.

After only 63 seconds, Pym pulled off a magnificent flying save to deny John Mousinho from 16 yards as he got on to a loose ball following an Akins shot.

After a couple of corners, Pym was again in the right place to claim a fierce Mousinho volley.

Following their sharp opening, Albion came under a spell of pressure.

But they held their shape well and broke out, with Akins slicing wide from a Beavon pass following an accurate Ian Sharps long pass.

Robbie Weir almost gifted Exeter the lead after 12 minutes with a back header to Jon McLaughlin that fell to Graham Cummins but the Brewers keeper was out in a flash to block the shot.

After 25 minutes, Akins stung Pym's palms with a fierce hit from the edge of the box after Phil Edwards had done superbly to keep the ball in. A yard either way and it was 1-0.

Four minutes later, the 19-year-old Exeter keeper pulled off another tremendous stop to turn away Akins' powerful header from a cracking Edwards cross.

Albion had created some decent openings and earned their reward with half-time looming, as Beavon broke the deadlock.

Matt Oakley headed McFadzean's long throw up in the air and the Albion striker reacted quickest to slam a low volley across Pym from 10 yards. There was nothing the young keeper could do about it.

Weir tried his luck from range on 50 minutes but Pym was safely behind his shot.

On the hour, Liam Sercombe had a free kick deflected over for the visitors after Sharps was penalised for a foul on Cummins.

Four minutes later, Mousinho was left prostrate after a 50-50 challenge with Matt Grimes but recovered after some treatment from physio Nick Fenton.

Dominic Knowles cut in on his left foot on 70 minutes but Pym was right behind his low shot from the edge of the area.

Edwards also needed treatment after he was clattered from behind by Sercombe, who got a yellow card. He seemed to have hurt his shoulder.

Weir was next to catch a late tackle, this time from Jordan Tillson near the touchline.

With five minutes to go, Albion broke, through Beavon.

But he waited too long before shooting and also ignored Akins on his right before winning a corner.

From McFadzean's kick, Shane Cansdell-Sherriff, who was outstanding at the back, got to the ball but his header squeezed across the box.

With three minutes left, Scot Bennett almost nicked a point for the Grecians but McLaughlin parried his header and Albion scrambled it away for a corner.

There was still time for Marcus Harness to embark on an exciting run into the box and for Edwards to get clattered again, this time by Ollie.

BURTON ALBION: McLaughlin, Edwards, Sharps, Cansdell-Sherriff, McFadzean, Akins, Mousinho, Weir, MacDonald, Beavon, Knowles (Harness 81). Other subs: Lyness , Slade, Taft, Palmer, McGurk, Austin.

EXETER CITY: Pym, Butterfield, Bennett, Baldwin, Tillson (Watkins 86), Woodman, Oakley, Sercombe, Grimes, Keohane (Wheeler 61), Cummins. Other subs: Hamon, Davies, Dawson, Jay, Pope.

REFEREE: M Heywood (Cheshire).

ATTENDANCE: 2,099.

TODAY looks set to be a mostly bright and clear day in Derbyshire, according to forecasters.

The Met Office said to expect highs of 16C from 2pm until 5pm. It added that there would be a small outbreak of rain at noon until 1pm.

More sunny weather will return at 6pm until 8pm with temperatures reaching 15C.

Burton forecaster Paul Carfoot said: "Today there will be sunny spells, though cloud will build with some light showers.

"It will feel a little warmer today as the wind will be just light from the north-west, but still on the cool side for the middle of August.

"Temperature highs will be 16C or 17C with clear spells overnight but lows of 4C or 5C. There will be a ground frost and fog patches in places by dawn.

"Looking into Thursday, and fog patches will clear to bring bright and a few sunny spells with highs of 17C or 18C. It will stay mostly dry with just the odd isolated shower. The wind will be light from the north-west. There will be variable cloud overnight with the chance of a shower or two."

MORE than 60 past and present University of Derby students are seeking compensation over fears that possible botched blood tests and vaccinations may have put them at risk of developing HIV.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds could be awarded to the students for the "stress and worry" they have been caused, according to legal firm Cohen Cramer.

It said it was instructing just over 60 students after they received letters asking them to go for a blood test.

The university sent the letters in April to 629 of its former and current students as part of an investigation into potential "errors" with vaccinations and blood tests which were given to them by one healthcare worker between September 2005 and October 2013.

It is understood the worker – contracted from outside the university – incorrectly reused syringe barrels, putting students at risk of viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

Health experts said the risk was "extremely low" and that the offer of blood tests was a "precautionary measure".

But the Leeds-based legal firm said it was in correspondence with solicitors representing both the university and the healthcare worker and was hoping "there will be a determination of liability in the near future".

When asked about the likely level of compensation, solicitor Mike Massen confirmed it was instructing about 10% of all "potential claimants".

And he estimated "on a very conservative basis" that the total amount of compensation could be "in the region of £400,000".

Mr Massen said: "In some cases, the affected parties only became aware of the issue many years after the event – resulting in worry and concern for partners and children who fear that they may have been passed infection.

"In other instances – and equally distressing for the recipients – the news came in the last weeks of the final term, just as placements and assessments were being completed."

A University of Derby spokesman said: "The University of Derby has been notified of more than 60 intentions to pursue a claim and we have responded appropriately to the claimants' solicitors.

"This has been a deeply regrettable incident and we know that it has caused distress to some of those involved, for which we are very sorry."

The university previously said affected students were on seven different courses – MA Art Therapy; MA Drama Therapy; MSc Occupational Therapy; BSc Occupational Therapy; BSc Diagnostic Radiography; BSc Nursing – adult and mental health; and Adv Dip in Nurse Studies.

Students on these programmes are required to go through health screening and get vaccinations ahead of work placements in hospitals and health centres among other places.

Officials said they spent six months examining health records at the university since 2005 to determine who might have been affected, before sending out the letters.

In June, a spokeswoman for national health body NHS England confirmed 491 of the 629 students notified had been in contact with officials to say they had received their letters.

She said, in this type of situation, the level of response was "unprecedented".

NHS England and Public Health England, another national health body, are carrying out the investigation and have already said the identity of the healthcare worker will not be disclosed. A spokeswoman for NHS England said the worker remained suspended "by their regulatory body".

She said they would not know the results of each student's blood test, as these were "confidential to the individuals concerned".

THE latest instalment of a popular video game franchise that was originally created by a Derby firm is set to hit the shelves next year.

Crystal Dynamics, the developer behind the Tomb Raider series, has said that its latest game – Rise of the Tomb Raider – will be released before the end of 2015, exclusively for the Xbox console.

It confirmed details of the release at Gamescom, Europe's largest video games exhibition, which was recently held in Cologne, Germany.

The Tomb Raider games, starring Lara Croft, originated in Derby, with game developer Core Design releasing the first installment in 1996. It went on to sell millions of copies and spawned several sequels, plus two feature films starring Angelina Jolie.

Core Design no longer exists and the Tomb Raider games are now made by US-based Crystal Dynamics, which rebooted the franchise last year with the release of Tomb Raider.

The game was based on her original adventure in the 1996 release.

Also at this year's Gamescom, Derby video game developer Deco Digital launched its first product – a puzzle-solving game called Pneuma: Breath of Life.

The game is due to be released globally at the start of next year.

STEVE McClaren insists Derby County will find their rhythm after watching his team slip to a first defeat of the season last night.

They lost 3-2 against Charlton Athletic at The Valley and have collected four points from their opening three matches.

McClaren says he is not worried but admits the team is lacking consistency.

"It's early season and we haven't found that rhythm yet," he said. "In certain areas we were good and certain areas we were poor.

"There's no consistency of performance but that's normal at this time of the season.

"I have no worries. I have said to the group, there are no worries at the present moment, we will get better.

"There is no consistency over 90 minutes, which we are searching for but it will come."

McClaren was disappointed by the defending.

Derby had kept three consecutive clean sheets going into the Championship clash at Charlton.

"You cannot win a game if you concede three goals," said McClaren.

"What has always been our strength has let us down.

"We made a bad start, then dominated the rest of the first half but the penalty on the stroke of half-time knocked the wind out of us.

"Then bad errors led to Charlton's third goal."

snicholson@derbytelegraph.co.uk

JAMIE Ward ended his goal drought with a double but it was not enough to save Derby County from their first defeat of the season last night.

Ward, without a goal since December, struck in each half, only for Charlton Athletic to find the net three times and run out 3-2 winners at The Valley.

Derby's normally tight defence had an off night and although the Rams pushed their hosts all the way, they can have no complaints about the result.

They continue to look rusty, as they did against both Rotherham United and Sheffield Wednesday, and this was the first time they had conceded three goals since throwing victory away at Birmingham City in February.

All of Charlton's goals came from Belgians – George Tucudean, Yoni Buyens and Igor Vetokele.

Tucudean gave the Addicks an early lead which was cancelled out by Ward before Buyens dispatched a penalty with the final kick of the first half.

Vetokele increased their advantage, although Ward's second of the night made the home side sweat in the closing minutes.

Derby went into the game unbeaten in eight matches against Charlton and named the same team who fought out a goalless draw at Hillsborough on Saturday.

Spaniard Omar Mascarell is pushing for a first start but head coach Steve McClaren stuck with Will Hughes in the holding role in midfield.

Ward and Simon Dawkins held on to their positions as wide attackers despite a lively showing by substitute Johnny Russell in the second half at Hillsborough and a strong half-hour from Leon Best.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope made his first start for Charlton. The 22-year-old came off the bench for the injured Stephen Henderson in the home victory over Wigan Athletic at the weekend.

Charlton had collected four points from six in the League and progressed to the second round of the Capital One Cup.

"The team is still gelling and it will take time to get to where we want to be," said their head coach, Bob Peeters.

The confidence taken from the good start to the season was evident in the opening minutes as Charlton moved the ball around before Johann Gudmundsson fired a shot from distance straight at Lee Grant.

Rams first-team coach Paul Simpson was seen telling the players to stay calm when in possession but they found themselves trailing after only 11 minutes.

Gudmundsson nipped past Hughes, found Jordan Cousins on the Charlton left and his ball into the box picked out Tucudean, who was allowed to turn and fire a shot low and wide of Grant from 12 yards.

Derby had conceded for the first time this season. There was to be no fourth consecutive clean sheet and, therefore, no slice of club history.

The Rams needed to settle but Jeff Hendrick's low shot from the edge of the area lacked the power to trouble Pope.

Charlton – Gudmundsson especially – looked full of belief, while Derby searched for some rhythm. They gradually began to see more of the ball but did not stretch Pope in the opening half-hour, nor test his nerve on his big night.

Centres into the area tended to be hung up rather than delivered with menace and this invited the keeper to come and collect.

When a question was asked of Pope, he responded with a fine save from Chris Martin but was beaten seconds later.

Derby kept the move alive and Ward's cracking strike from 20 yards flashed across Pope and into the far top corner.

Ward has scored in each of his last three games at The Valley, although this was his first goal in 26 games. The quality of the finish makes the long wait all the more surprising.

The pendulum had swung. Ward's goal lifted Derby and dented the home side's confidence.

Bryson's 25-yarder was parried by Pope, Hughes wrestled back control of midfield and it was Charlton who needed half time.

But Derby shot themselves in the foot in added time to fall behind again.

Tucudean bundled his way into the area and was brought down by Richard Keogh, who was making his 100th appearance for the club.

Buyens converted the penalty coolly and, surprisingly, Keogh escaped without a card when the home fans wanted the referee to brandish a red.

It was sloppy defending by Derby because Charlton had barely been in the Rams' half following Ward's leveller, which was deeply frustrating after McClaren's men had worked their way back into the contest.

Mascarell, a substitute in the previous two League fixtures, came on again, this time at the start of the second half.

He replaced Hughes but it was Charlton's substitute, Franck Moussa, who could have made an immediate impact. Johnnie Jackson breached an unconvincing offside trap and his centre fell to Moussa, who dragged his shot wide from a good position.

Grant was forced to beat out an effort from Igor Vetokele as Derby's defence opened up again. As in the first half, the Rams needed to settle again; needed to start moving the ball.

They kept plugging away. Martin and Bryson closed down Pope on back-passes, Hendrick tried to drive the team forward, as did Cyrus Christie from right-back, and Bryson saw a shot deflected behind after a neat build-up, before Keogh's rising drive was a foot too high.

Derby continued to push Charlton back and the Rams fans welcomed Russell, who replaced Dawkins with 20 minutes of normal time left.

McClaren's third change saw Best join Martin up front but Derby fell further behind after 78 minutes.

They never fully recovered from Grant's poor clearance and Jackson's cross was flicked on by Lawrie Wilson for Vetokele to head into an empty net.

Ward reduced the deficit after 85 minutes, courtesy of Pope's blunder. The keeper looked certain to gather a low shot from the Rams forward only to let the ball squirm through his legs and trickle over the line.

Hope flickered again before it was extinguished by the final whistle.

A PASSIONATE Derby craftsman will head a popular alcohol brand's new advertising campaign as a "True British Character".

Rum lover Ben Edmonds was delighted to be named as one of the faces of the project.

Lamb's Rum has run the national campaign for the second year as a tribute to the brand's founder, Alfred Lamb.

Ben, 31, of Derby, made his first knife as a hobby three years ago, before taking up a full-time career in the craft six months ago.

He was self-taught after beginning by watching a "how to" video on YouTube.

Each knife is made by hand and his business, Blok Knives, now has a seven-month waiting list.

His rapid success has caught the eye of Lamb's and he was happy to be named as a poster boy for one of his favourite drinks.

He said: "It was a surprise.

"Being a knife maker, I get some very random e-mails but this was one of the better ones.

"I like the idea of being involved in a project to bring the drink back because it's a cracking drink."

Ben is a perfectionist when it comes to his work, with most knives taking a day to make.

He meticulously grinds down sheets of steel until they are ready to be fitted with a wooden handle.

Customers can personalise their orders with images, which Ben draws on to the knives himself.

He also enjoys this side of his work, designing the branding for the company and its website himself.

But beneath all of this a determination to ensure every knife is up to the required standard. "I just make chef's knives because I think it is much easier to perfect your work if you specialise in a particular area," he said.

"A chef's knife needs to have a good balance, be a good weight and also be robust. But it must be delicate for cutting things like garlic and herbs."

It was wife Suzanne's love of cooking that prompted Ben to make his first knife.

And he is glad he has been able to build something that she can use for her work.

He said: "She is a chef so we have always enjoyed cooking together.

"I thought I should do something that she could use and it also meant we could both test them while we cooked."

Lamb's Rum is delighted to have Ben flying the flag for its project this year.

International sales and marketing controller James Wright said: "For our second True British Character ad campaign we scoured Great Britain for those people that had the attributes to fit and Ben was a character that stood out.

"Ben started making knives under his own steam, with only a YouTube video as a guide and went from there to build a business that is making a reputation worldwide.

"He represents everything that is British, not least creativity and the courage to just give it a go."

COUNSELLING charity Relate says it has seen a two-thirds rise in the number of couples whose relationships are rocky because of money worries.

The Friar Gate-based Relate branch organisation said 1,348 people registered to get help from the service in the first five months of 2014 alone – a 12% rise on the same period in 2013.

And the number of couples citing financial woes for their problems is up 66%.

Bev Miller, chief executive of Relate Derby and Southern Derbyshire, said: "We're seeing a significant number of people who are really struggling financially and it is causing stress and arguments. These arguments can then lead to a breakdown in communication."

Ms Miller said other couples are having problems because of their jobs.

She said: "People are coming to us saying they are experiencing additional pressure from the workplace.

"They feel their job is unsafe and so don't want to be seen having time off or not working as hard as others.

"That leads to them working more hours and coming home stressed and that puts a strain on the relationship.

"The other thing we're hearing is how people's jobs are changing. Maybe their workplace has made some staff redundant or downsized and, as a result, people are being given additional duties or tasks to fit into their working day.

"Many are not being given the time to do it all and the stress and strain they feel means they are coming home and finding it hard to unwind.

"Others may have thought they were in a position to retire but those plans are shifting. And some have been forced to cut back their hours.

"All these workplace-related issues can have a strain on a relationship."

Ms Miller said simply coming to Relate and talking about issues with trained counsellors can help.

One client who went for couples counselling due to financial problems, who did not want to be named, said: "It was so helpful for us to be able to speak with a counsellor because we had been through a lot in the past year.

"She helped us to see where we were going wrong and the different ways that we felt about issues."

Relate is a not-for-profit organisation and can offer subsidised counselling sessions for those that are struggling financially.

The cost of a session can be discussed with the counsellor if an individual or couple cannot pay the full cost of £50. To book an appointment call 01332 349177.

The Derby Telegraph is giving you the chance to get your hands on a brand new iPad mini.

All you have to do is head over to the Derby Telegraph's Facebook page and like, share and comment on the status with regards to the iPad.

Once we reach 20,000 likes on the page we will be picking one lucky winner, who will even get to choose the colour!

To have your say go here.

DERBY Telegraph readers have had their say on a renewed clampdown on people parking illegally near Derby schools.

To kick-off the new term, a patrolling camera car used to catch motorists flouting parking rules outside schools will return to the roads next month.

The vehicle, which has a CCTV camera mounted on top, has been monitoring 22 schools in the city during mornings and afternoons to check drivers have parked correctly.

But Derby Telegraph readers have been divided on whether the council are right to clamp down on parents.

Craig Cowley wrote on the Derby Telegraph's Facebook page: "About time. Children and parents' safety is being put at risk due to lazy parents who can't be bothered to walk their children.

"They have to park outside the school gates on red boxes and zigzag lines.

"The fines should be higher and points on their licences."

Jackie Davies agreed, writing: "Definitely in favour.

"Too many lazy parents using cars when they could walk. If you have to use a car then park a 5 min walk away from the school."

Stacey-Jayne Langford also believed the council was right in its approach. She said: " I agree. Far too many parents drive their children to school when they live walking distance to it.

"Fining them is the only way to get through to people these days because everything is about money."

But Becky As Salafiyyah questioned why people were surprised there are parking problems. She said: "It's ridiculous, they build schools in residential areas then complain when people park an collect their kids.

"Maybe the council should build a car park then for parents. Where do you expect us to park when we collect our kids?"

And Stacey Leigh agreed, writing "I'm fed up of people using my drive or blocking my drive as I live on the same road as a school.

"But I do agree there should be somewhere for them to park, as most people collect their kids from school straight from work so can't always just walk to school."

But Sarah Harrington did not see it as black and white as others did, saying that walking to pick her child up would be "impractical"

She said: "I agree that some parents are indeed really lazy and others I've seen park really badly without any consideration for the residents.

"It's completely impractical for me to take my daughter to school and then get to work on time if I walked or used the bus, so it's not always as straightforward as people think."

A £12,000 DIAMOND which dropped 100,000ft from space after being launched from a Derbyshire field almost a fortnight ago has still not been found.

The cushion-cut gem is understood to have been attached to a helium balloon earlier this month and launched into space from a field in the county.

It is part of a PR stunt, called #Diamondsinthesky, by London jeweller 77 Diamonds. The diamond is thought to have landed somewhere in a small village in Lincolnshire but it has not yet been found.

It was fitted with a GPS tracker, showing it reached 100,000ft before plummeting back to earth and landing somewhere in a five-mile radius of the village of Lea.

It is not known from where in Derbyshire the diamond was sent into space.

The firm has already said the finder of the diamond will get to keep it.

RANJIT Banwait has again proved that he has no idea about running a council.

The reason people shop at out-of-town supermarkets is not just about cost, but the space to park their cars.

Taxing out-of-town stores will not bring people back into town. It will put up the cost of living for many people already struggling to stay out of poverty.

It would do us all a big favour if he moved out of town.

Mike Kendrick

Bishops Drive

Oakwood

PROSECUTORS refused to disclose the bail address of a woman charged with stealing from the grave of a 21-year-old murder victim over fears her "life or wellbeing" could be at risk.

Kylie Eales appeared before magistrates yesterday charged with taking sentimental items over a two-month period from the grave of Connor Upton, who was stabbed to death in 2010.

Eales, 25, did not enter a plea to the charge and is due to stand trial in November. Although she has not been convicted of the offence, solicitors were concerned for her safety after a series of threats were made on social media websites. Magistrates in Burton were handed transcripts of Facebook conversations which are believed to have contained messages encouraging reprisals against Eales, of Burton.

The offences were alleged to have happened at a burial plot in Stapenhill Cemetery, where Mr Upton is buried.

Eales, flanked by two security officers in the dock, spoke only to confirm her name and address during the hearing.

The Crown Prosecution Service did not contest an application for bail but raised concerns for Eales' safety should the address of where she will be staying until her next hearing be made public.

Emma Thompson, prosecuting, told magistrates: "We have fears for her safety and her protection. Her life or certainly her wellbeing… it jeopardises her safety.

"We do not want to state the address in open court. We feel it is absolutely vital for her safety that the address should not be made public."

Michael Taylor, defending Eales, said: "I would hope that those aggrieved by this offence – the removal of items – will reflect that the law should be able to take its course and due process should be able to take place. My client will be dealt with by a crown court judge eventually."

Magistrates agreed to grant Eales bail, which includes a restriction of not going within 200 yards of Stapenhill Cemetery. She is due to appear at Stafford Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on November 24.

DERBY County head coach Steve McClaren was delighted with the response from his players as they thumped Fulham 5-1.
The Rams bounced back from their first defeat of the season at Charlton in emphatic style at the iPro Stadium.
Fulham midfielder Scott Parker cancelled out Jamie Ward's first-half opener but goals from Craig Bryson, Chris Martin (2) and Simon Dawkins sealed a comprehensive win for the home side.
"It wasn't so much the result at Charlton, what disappointed me was the performance," said McClaren.
"It wasn't Derby and we talked about that and the key thing in this league is how you react and the players have done it themselves.
"They were determined to rectify that performance and result against a very good team, so the reaction was doubly pleasing, because once we conceded the goal, coming back was so important and in the last 15 minutes we were totally dominant.
"We made it a bit difficult for ourselves by conceding the equaliser just after half-time but from that point, we got stronger and stronger.
"We played well in the last half an hour and were clinical with our finishing."