The Derby Telegraph's story last week about giant spiders about to descend on Derbyshire had many people all of a quiver.

Here is our guide on ways in which you can keep the air-breathing arthropods at bay!

1. Horse chestnuts are known to repel spiders, although it is not known why. Chestnuts, walnuts and the fruit of the Osage orange tree appear to have a similar effect. Some speculate that some form of noxious chemical is emitted in the scent. To maximise this, try poking holes into a few horse chestnuts, or cutting them open, and leaving them where you are most likely to find spiders.
2. Spiders cannot tolerate the smell of the following essential oils: citrus, lavender, cinnamon, citronella, peppermint, tea tree or eucalyptus. Dilute 15 – 20 drops in a spray bottle of water and spray around the entrances to your home, or dab some undiluted onto balls of cotton wool and leave in likely hiding places.
3. Alternatively, mix five drops of any of the above oils with five drops of natural dishwashing liquid and one litre of water and spray once a week onto areas where you have seen spiders. Also try growing mint or lavender around the outside of your house.
4. Scatter a fine layer of diatomaceous earth, made from naturally-formed fossils of a water creature called the diatom (it's available from hardware stores), anywhere you expect a spider to be. When a spider crosses over the substance, its exterior gets cut open and its bodily fluids leak out, killing it.
5. Vinegar is both repellent and toxic to spiders. Place small dishes in dark corners to act as a repellent, or spray an equal mix of white vinegar and water onto any spider you see. Or replace vinegar with chilli powder or sauce.
6. Wipe surfaces with a mix of any citrus juice and water, as spiders cannot stand citrus fruits. Also try placing citrus peels in your garden.
7. Wipe outside window frames with kerosene-soaked newspapers. The combination of the ink and the kerosene dries almost immediately, leaving a residue that repels spiders.
8. Mix 12 ounces of five percent distilled white vinegar with a tablespoon of coconut oil and spray anywhere you are likely to find a spider.

A THUG who ordered his dog to attack a shop assistant bragged on Facebook that he had walked free from court – despite his pet being sentenced to death.

Jobless Jessiah Johnson told his terrier Tia to bite the assistant at the store in St Thomas Road, Derby, and it hung on to the 17-year-old's leg before Johnson's girlfriend called it off.

Magistrates gave the defendant a suspended sentence for the attack, but ordered the destruction of the dog, described in court as a "pit bull or Staffordshire" breed.

Johnson posted a photograph of himself leaving court on his Facebook page, gloating: "I was lucky today."

Tia will be destroyed within 21 days unless Johnson appeals, which the court was told he does not intend to do.

The story has sparked a wave of condemnation from dog lovers.

Mo Lakin, a canine behaviour expert from the Dog Father Training School, in Egginton, said: "This person has used their dog as a weapon – why would the dog be put down? It was following orders.

"To have been trained to attack, or bite, and then carry out the instruction, is the sign of a very well controlled dog, albeit totally in the wrong hands.

"I would have expected the magistrates to have sought expert opinion on the dog's temperament.

"We have had many 'people aggressive' dogs through the training school and, although it takes a good amount of time, the dog can – most times – be de-sensitised to the situation it was put into by its owner or previous experiences."

Georgie Gilbert, from Derby Animal Rights, said: "It is heartbreaking that some owners just don't care enough to attempt to prove otherwise. It's a classic case of a dog who is willing to please – Staffies, especially so – falling into the wrong hands."

Claire Murray, from Skyes the Limit Dog Services, in Breaston, said: "This is an awful story. It doesn't matter what breed it is, they are all dogs and all they want is calm, assertive leadership, just as they would get if they lived as a stray or wild dog."

And Lin Rawson, from Loose Leads training school, said: "There's no such thing as a bad Staffy – it's a bad owner."

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court was told Tia bit the victim after Johnson aggressively shouted: "Get him."

The assistant needed hospital treatment for the thigh injury – with the dog hanging on for just under a minute before Johnson's girlfriend called it off, magistrates heard.

Alison Wright, prosecuting, said Johnson and a girl went into the shop although he was banned. The dog had no collar or lead. Johnson asked the worker: "Why are you looking at me like that?"

He was reminded of the ban and the worker said: "I am sorry I can't serve you." Johnson swept items off the counter and Miss Wright added: "He shouted loudly and aggressively 'get him!' The dog lifted its front legs and bit."

The court was told Tia also bit a police officer who searched Johnson on Hastings Street, Derby, on October 14. The officer was bit in the thigh.

Sixteen weeks' custody, suspended for two years, was imposed on Johnson, 22, of Portland Street, Derby. Johnson denied setting the dog on the worker but was convicted after a trial of having a dangerous dog out of control.

He admitted obstructing police and two counts of threatening behaviour. Johnson was ordered to pay £150 compensation to the shop worker and the police officer, as well as £50 to a former girlfriend he pushed in the street.

Asif Munir, mitigating, said Johnson had kept out of trouble in the seven months since the last incident. He acts as volunteer handyman and caretaker in the block where he lives.

POLICE and the bomb squad were called to Derby city centre after a factory was said by officers to have accidentally mixed a potentially explosive cocktail of chemicals.

Hundreds of people were evacuated from nearby streets, including students who had only moved into their halls of residence hours earlier.

Mill Street, Bridge Street and Nuns Street were evacuated and police were expected to work through the night to find alternative accommodation for students from Nunnery Court, and Princess Alice Court halls of residence.

Police incident commander Chief Inspector Steve Pont was on the scene last night.

He said the police had been waiting for the bomb disposal team, which arrived from Chilwell Barracks at about 7.30pm.

A senior member of the bomb disposal team was due to arrive on the scene to assess the situation late last night.

Chief Inspector Pont said: "The company accidentally mixed some chemicals in the wrong way and made a substance that made a potential explosive.

"There has been no damage to the building itself or to the surrounding area, but we evacuated the area immediately.

"We then moved people out to 200 metres, which is what the bomb disposal team recommended that we do."

He said there had been no injuries and that the incident was likely to carry on through the night, with police working with the university to find alternative accommodation for 700 students.

A spokesman for the University of Derby confirmed that two halls had been evacuated and said plans were being made to accommodate the students in another building.

Suzanie Anum, 22, of Princess Alice Court Halls, said: "I only moved in today. I arrived from London at 2pm and then we were evacuated at around 6pm.

"The first thing that I heard was the sirens but I just thought it was something like a fire.

"We were told to get out of our halls. We haven't been told what is actually going on but I heard there was a leak of some kind."

Francesca McCready, 18, who lives in Nunnery Court, was sitting with recycling bags on her feet after being caught without any shoes on when the alarms sounded.

She was relaxing in her friend's flat wearing her pyjamas when the alarms began to go off.

Speaking just outside the police cordon on Markeaton Street, close to where the incident took place, she said: "We were told to come straight out, so there wasn't time for me to get my shoes.

"We were all outside and then we got told to come up the road by the police."

She added: "I heard that there are possibly up to 1,000 students that they will have to find places for tonight.

"I don't know what is going to happen now."

Kieran Warren also lives at Nunnery Court.

The 18-year-old said he was told by one of the firefighters at the scene that there had been a "chemical mix-up" but neither he nor any of his fellow students had heard anything official from the university.

A police spokesman said: "Anyone that is currently still in their home is asked to go outside and beyond the police cordon.

"The cordon may be in place for some time while the area is made safe.

"Students living in the area should make their way to St Christopher's on Ashbourne Road or Peak Court on Lodge Lane."

Vicki Bark was the duty manager at Sainsbury's Local in Nuns Street last night and was confused and concerned.

She said: "At first I thought it couldn't be that bad but then they started evacuating people and I didn't know why they weren't evacuating us.

"We didn't know what was going on and then we heard that it was a chemical explosion from the fire crews, and they shut the road."

A statement released by the University of Derby last night read: "The university is aware of a chemical incident affecting the area around Nuns Street in the city centre. Students living in Nunnery Court and Princess Alice Court halls of residence have been evacuated as a precaution until the area has been made safe.

"More information will follow as the situation develops."

A SOLICITOR told magistrates it was "no mean feat" that his client had turned up sober for his court hearing.

Rob Langton said Darren Capewell usually entered Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court "from the cells and not via the landing" when he appeared to be sentenced for his latest offence.

The hearing heard that Capewell, 34, had walked into the Royal Telegraph pub, in London Road, Derby, on the morning to August 8.

The landlord recognised him as someone barred from entering after he had previously assaulted a female member of staff.

Lynne Manning, prosecuting, said the landlord tried to remove him from the pub and Capewell, of Burton Road, became verbally abusive before spitting in his face.

Then, later the same day, police were called to St Peter's Street, Derby, where Capewell was being verbally abusive to passers-by.

Mr Langton, for Capewell, said his client had a number of previous convictions for similar offences and had only been released from an 18-week sentence 10 days before the two latest incidents took place.

He told the bench of magistrates: "I expect that all of you have had to deal with Mr Capewell on a number of occasions before.

"Today is a huge difference for him though, as he has come into court via the landing and not through the back door (the cells).

"He has been a chronic heavy drinker for a long period.

"To get Darren Capewell to court today sitting there sober is no mean feat.

"But he has had recent contact with an organisation that can help him and other people with mental health and other complex problems.

"He has not drunk for three days and for someone like Darren Capewell to achieve that is awesome."

Capewell pleaded guilty to assault and using threatening behaviour.

Magistrates handed him a 12-month conditional discharge, ordered him to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

EIGHT of Derbyshire's ten mobile libraries are set to be axed.

A county council report recommends the move as it would save £530,000 a year.

The service currently costs £720,000 a year to run.

The proposal – which is likely to be rubber-stamped by cabinet members on Tuesday – comes following a public consultation that saw almost 8,000 residents have their say.

The Labour-led council said cuts to its Government grants means it has to save £157 million by 2018.

The council's current mobile fleet consists of two large maximum capacity vehicles and eight smaller standard mobile libraries.

If the plans are approved, only two of the smaller standard mobile libraries will remain.

These would work to a four-weekly timetable covering just 150 communities – down from 383.

If the changes go ahead, approximately 20 staff will lose their jobs.

Councillor Dave Allen, cabinet member for health and communities, said: "I'd like to thank everyone who's taken part in this consultation.

"The proposals drawn up with their help will be carefully considered by cabinet next week to decide the next step forward.

"The proposals have been carefully considered to maintain a service to as many residents as we can while also making the necessary cuts.

"Sadly we have no choice but to review all our services but we are facing unprecedented budget cuts."

Residents who are unable to access library services in any other way would be offered the home library service if their existing mobile service were no longer available.

If cabinet members approve the report, it is expected the revised mobile library service would start on January 12 next year.

During the consultation period, the council invited the public to have their say on four proposals:

Option 1: Withdraw all ten mobile libraries to save £720,000;

Option 2: Withdraw eight and save two smaller mobile libraries to save £530,000;

Option 3: Withdraw eight mobile library vehicles, saving one large van and one small van, to save £560,000;

Option 4: Ask community groups to take over the service.

Cabinet members are recommended to vote for option two following the results of the consultation and further analysis into the cuts that need to be made.

The proposed timetable can be viewed at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/council/meetings_decisions/meetings/cabinet/3092014_cabinet.asp.

Earlier today, the council also announced plans to close two children centres - in Duffield and Ashbourne.

The Labour-controlled authority is also considering axing the council's Dial-a-Bus service, which is used by 1,300 people every month.

MAINTENANCE staff at Derby train operator East Midlands Trains are set to walk out for the second time this year in a dispute over pay.

Engineers who are members of the Unite union are set to strike from 6am on Sunday to 6am on Saturday, October 4.

The dispute centres on pay increases. In June, Unite members were offered a rise of 2.5%, which was improved to 2.75% in July.

The offer was accepted by 1,000 customer service staff - but Unite went ahead with four days of strike action involving engineers, despite being advised by East Midlands Trains that this would result in the 2.75% offer being withdrawn.

The latest action comes of the back of East Midlands Trains confirming that the engineering staff pay increase will now be the greater of 2.4% - the current rate of inflation - or £550.

Clare Burles, human resources director at East Midlands Trains, said: "Unite's planned action is completely unnecessary.

"It clearly has no thought for the impact on employees' families of losing thousands of pounds in lost wages, particularly a few months before the run-up to Christmas.

"The union action is particularly irresponsible after the very fair pay offers we have made and which other staff have been happy to accept.

"We have been flexible in putting forward further reasonable offers but they have all been rejected by the union.

"More strike action will only reduce the amount of money available to fund a pay increase and hit the people whose interests the union is supposed to put first."

East Midlands Trains said that its door remained open to meet Unite for "sensible talks".

Meanwhile, the rail operator has vowed to continue running services while the strike takes place, with the majority of services running as normal between Derby and London, as well as Derby to Crewe.

A reduced train service or replacement bus service will be introduced on other routes.

A revised timetable will be available to view at eastmidlandstrains.co.uk from Thursday.

SIX tries and a great all round performance gave Leesbrook a flying start in their opening home match of the new season.

Leesbrook started the game on the front foot, putting pressure on at rucks and mauls and attacking well.

Great work rate and play saw them control most of the match against strong opposition who had won their opening fixture, with John Scowby, Steven Dickinson, Sean Room, Craig Lawrence, Guy Redfern and Danny Caves going over for tries.

Room kicked two conversions and a penalty.

POLICE are renewing their appeal for information about two women who officers want to speak to in regards with a suspected "bag-dipping" incident in Derby.

Gloria Astle, 71, of Ashbourne, had hundreds of pounds stolen from her purse while she waited for the bus in Albert Street.

A Derbyshire police spokesman said: "We have had a good response but so far have not made any arrests. We urge anyone who may have any information to call us on the non-emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

FORMER hostel buildings in Alvaston could be demolished and replaced with social housing.

Derby Homes, the social-housing arm of Derby City Council, has applied to knock down Ashlea Hostels in Coronation Avenue.

The buildings used to be short-break accommodation for people with learning disabilities.

Now Derby Homes wants to knock them down and build 13 two-bedroom houses and two flats in their place.

The move is part of a drive to create more two-bedroom homes which are "much-needed", because of the Government's so-called bedroom tax as well as a general need.

The planning application says the proposed scheme will provide "a development that seeks to enhance the visual appearance of the area, provide affordable housing facilities to the people of Alvaston, blend in the character of the built environment of the area and improve the visual appearance along Coronation Avenue".

The council is expected to make a decision by December 9.

TWO places, one a former village now part of Derby, have been in the Telegraph – one concerning a "lost" pub and the other a street water slide.

This slide in Mickleover, according to a local councillor, was created to bring residents together, as they seem to have the same problems of socialising with their neighbours as one does in less select areas of Derby.

Only time will tell if this water slide works to cure this apathy in the leafy suburbs of Mickleover. If it does, can we all have one fitted in our neighbourhoods? What I found reckless was that our supposedly hard-pressed firemen agreed to nip out and refresh the slide with water to keep it slippery. What if there had been a real emergency?

There are easier ways for a community to keep together without living in each other's pockets, like parks and community centres. Everybody can attend these, as opposed to hand-picked locals who were lucky enough to use the slide.

As for the lost pub in Findern village to be turned into a funeral directors, what does that possibly tell you about this small one-pub village which has a pub no more?

Joe Coleman

Tewkesbury Crescent

Chaddesden

DERBY County duo Richard Keogh and Jeff Hendrick have been named in the provisional Republic of Ireland squad for their upcoming Euro 2016 qualifying double-header.
Defender Keogh and midfielder Hendrick have made the 37-man list ahead of games against international new boys Gibraltar and world champions Germany next month.
Rams striker Conor Sammon, who is on loan at Ipswich Town, is also included.
Hendrick is currently recovering from a dislocated shoulder but could be back in action before the international break.
Ireland take on Gibraltar in Dublin on Saturday, October 11, and Germany in Gelsenkirchen on Tuesday, October 14.
Manager Martin O'Neill will reduce the size of his squad before the players are due to meet up on Tuesday, October 7.

THE Labour Party have said that they will abolish the role of the police and crime commissioner if they were to take power next year.

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: "To spent all that money on something where so few people vote, when you could put that money back into policing, is wrong."

Derbyshire's police and crime commissioner, Alan Charles,

said: "I accept that the current system has some flaws but there are other ways to address this instead of reinventing the wheel – again."

BEN Slater celebrated his maiden first-class hundred and Cheteshwar Pujara was victim to a rare dismissal to start Derbyshire's final LV County Championship match of the season against Leicestershire at the 3aaa County Ground.

After losing the toss and being put in, Derbyshire made 289, with Slater, awarded a new two-year contract this week, scoring 104 of them.

Left eight overs to face before the close, Leicestershire were 25-2, with Mark Footitt taking his 100^th first-team wicket for Derbyshire this season.

Pujara was the third man out, having been given out handled the ball. It was only the 59^th time in the history of first-class cricket that such a dismissal has happened and was the first time it has happened in England since Karl Krikken was given out in a match against the Indians at Derby in 1996.

Derbyshire lost their first wicket in the 10^th over when Billy Godleman was caught at third slip off Ben Raine for 19 at 30-1.

Wayne Madsen followed three overs later, lbw to Charlie Shreck for eight at 43-2, but then came the Pujara incident as a ball from Atif Sheikh looked destined to bounce down on to the stumps until the Indian swatted it away.

After consultation between the umpires, Pujara had to go for six at 62-3.

Slater was in fine form, carrying on from his efforts at The Oval, and he profited from loose Leicestershire standards to reach his fourth Championship half-century of the season off 86 balls with seven fours.

Wes Durston joined him for a stand of 124 for the fourth wicket and Derbyshire were cruising at that point but when Durston was out for 52, sending a sweep at spinner James Sykes to deep backward square at 186-4, wickets fell to quickly.

Alex Hughes was lbw to Sheikh for nought, Harvey Hosein caught behind off Raine for 13 and Wayne White caught behind for nought at 228-7.

But Slater kept his nerve while all around him lost theirs and cover drove his 15^th four to take him to three figures for the first time, off 195 balls. He was finally eighth man out at 246 shortly after tea.

Tony Palladino (24) and Ben Cotton (21) came close to leading Derbyshire to a third batting point but, following a break for bad light, they were out in successive overs.

That left eight overs for Leicestershire to survive and they lost Greg Smith in the third over, caught at second slip off Footitt for 10, before night watchman Sykes was lbw to Palladino in the final over at 25-2, with Angus Robson seven not out.

DERBY County boss Steve McClaren has made six changes to his side for Tuesday night's Capital One Cup third round tie against Reading (7.45pm).
There is a debut for Dutch goalkeeper Kelle Roos, while Liverpool loanee Jordon Ibe is handed his first start for the club.
Also coming into the Rams' starting line-up are Ryan Shotton, Omar Mascarell, Johnny Russell and Leon Best.
From the team that drew 2-2 with Cardiff City on Saturday, Lee Grant, Zak Whitbread, John Eustace, Simon Dawkins and Chris Martin drop to the bench, while Jamie Ward does not feature at all.
Ivan Calero, who scored the winner in the previous round against Charlton Athletic, is among the Derby substitutes.
Shotton is expected to partner skipper Richard Keogh in central defence, having played at right-back in his previous two outings since joining on loan from Stoke City.

Midfielder Will Hughes makes his 100th appearance for the Rams.
Reading boss Nigel Adkins makes seven changes to his side following the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield Wednesday.
His starting line-up includes midfielder Aaron Kuhl, son of former Derby player Martin Kuhl.
Striker Glenn Murray and midfielder Oliver Norwood are both cup-tied for the Royals.
DERBY COUNTY: Roos, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hughes, Bryson, Ibe, Russell, Best. Subs: Grant (gk), L Naylor, Whitbread, Eustace, Dawkins, Calero, Martin.

READING: Andersen, Gunter, Obita, Pearce, Hector, Kuhl, Guthrie, Mackie, Edwards, Robson-Kanu, Pogrebnyak. Subs: Lincoln, Long, Cooper, Stacey, Taylor, Cox, Blackman.

REFEREE: S Hooper (Wiltshire).

WHETHER you use taxi firms in Derbyshire to cart your shopping back from the supermarket or simply to make visiting friends easier, we want to know which taxi firm is the best – according to you.

We are asking you to tell us your top company. Let us know either in the comments box, below, on our Facebook page or via Twitter (@DerbyTelegraph).

We will then compile a list of the best firms and publish the results next week. 

A TALENTED musician and the founder of two arts organisations set up to help people with learning disabilities has died, aged 61.

Peter Charles Shelton, of Tansley, set up Action Space London Events in 1980 and First Movement in 1988.

The organisations were designed to allow people to create vibrant original art through music, visual, performing arts and creative new art forms.

In 2008, Mr Shelton created the Level Centre, an arts centre in Rowsley, Matlock.

Mr Shelton was born in Leicester to George and Joyce Shelton. He had one older brother, Ian. He attended Wyggeston Boys' Grammar School, where he became house music captain, and also took leading roles in school dramatic productions in the sixth form.

He excelled in maths and music and was taught piano by the legendary Leicester accompanist, Frederick Allt.

At the age of four, he composed his first piece of music, starting a lifelong dedication to the arts.

Largely self-taught, Mr Shelton played an active role on several committees such as Culture East Midlands, as chair of Creative Partnerships and in other major arts organisations in Derby and beyond.

In later years, he developed his own video and sound installations and performance art, exhibiting in the UK, in Istanbul, Turkey and at the Sokolowska Festival of Ephemeral Art in Poland.

Mr Shelton was an innovative musician, part of an experimental group called Ensemble 8 for many years and also developed his own music.

In the past three years, alongside his daughter, Leila Bagnall, he completed a life-long ambition to see all the operatic works of Wagner.

And in May 2014, he was included in The Independent on Sunday's Happy List, acknowledging the impact his work had on the happiness of many people.

With shrewd integrity, Mr Shelton enacted his old school motto translated as "work and honour" and combined it with a great capacity for friendship.

He is survived by his partner of 36 years, Caroline Bagnall, and his two daughters, Sarah Bagnall and Leila Bagnall.

A celebration of his life took place at The Level Centre in Rowsley.

Any donations are requested to be made to First Movement, an arts charity for learning disabled people which works across the East Midlands.

A CHARITY which supports grieving parents whose children have died has officially opened the doors of its new premises.

The Laura Centre has been operating in Derby since 2012 but its counsellors had been running sessions from the Royal Derby Hospital.

The year before, an appeal was launched to raise £150,000 to establish the charity in the city – which included the Laura Centre having its own premises.

And, yesterday, members and trustees of the charity unveiled their new home in Vernon Street – where counselling sessions will now be run two days a week.

Leading city figures were among those at the event, along with representatives of groups and organisations which helped with the fund-raising drive.

Among guests were Annette and Martin Smith, the first parents to receive support from the Laura Centre in Derby.

Their son, Alex, 11, a pupil at Alfreton Park Community Special School, died in February 2009. He suffered from epilepsy from a young age and later developed Stevens–Johnson syndrome – a rare and life-threatening skin condition.

Annette, 47, and Martin, 51, of Minster Way, Swanwick, said they did not go to the Laura Centre until three years after his death.

Annette said: "We struggled on and we tried to cope but it was three years on we felt the need for counselling.

"I think people presume the need for something like that is straight away but that's not always the case.

"We reached that point where we decided not to be afraid to accept the help available."

Annette said Alex's death had been particularly hard because he had appeared at one stage to be getting better.

She said: "It was cruel for us because we'd almost been prepared for Alex's death about a year before it happened. But then he had a major brain operation and we were able to bring him home at one point after months in hospital.

"But his condition deteriorated over Christmas 2008 and he died at the beginning of the February. He had so many seizures and he just didn't wake up from them.

"It was hard going to the Royal Derby Hospital for the counselling because, although Alex had been transferred to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham before his death, he'd had a lot of his care there.

"But our counsellor, Chris Dilley, was so good to us. You feel like there are things you daren't mention to others but he understood how you felt and, somehow, they help to try to take that burden off you because they know what you're going through. So it's wonderful to see the Laura Centre now has a place of its own – it's a lovely place and I really do think people will get a lot of benefit from it."

Counsellor Chris, along with colleague Alison Beck, will only be running bereavement sessions for adults at this stage but the charity is hoping to extend its services for children too.

At the official opening, speeches were made by several guests before a plaque was unveiled by Emma Curzon, of Kedleston Hall – where fund-raising events have been held for the Laura Centre.

Speakers included Elaine Penton, chairman of the Laura Centre Derby trustees, who said: "When we were sat in a rented room in 2012, this day seemed like a very long way off.

"But we have since had support from some wonderful people and groups and this location is just perfect."

Neil White, editor of the Derby Telegraph, which supported the launch of the Laura Centre's £150,000 appeal, said: "As a father of two, the idea of losing either of my children sends shivers down my spine.

"So it is superb to see this new centre and the tenacity of the charity in creating a place which will provide comfort and solace to those who need it."

And Harry Moore, who co-founded the Laura Centre in Leicester with his wife, Gail, before bringing it to Derby, said: "It's been a long journey and it's not been easy.

"A lot of people think what the Laura Centre does is just talking but it's much more than that – it's about putting people's lives back together and helping them to function again."

To find out more about receiving support from the Laura Centre, call Derby 408026.

Funeral directors G Wathall and Son, Derby County Football Club, Derbyshire Cricket Club are just some of the organisations which have been helping to fund-raise for the Laura Centre Derby.

Their efforts have included a 130-mile charity walk from Derby to London, undertaken by staff at G Wathall and Son, and the Laura Centre's first-ever Colour Blast Dash in Derby in May.

Gail Moore, who founded the Laura Centre in Leicester with her husband, Harry, before bringing it to Derby, said: "This day is so poignant because it's taken three years of hard work to get here. Now we need to let people know we are here – both to support them but also to be on their radars so people can continue to support us."

To find out more, call Derby 343016, e-mail jemma@thelauracentrederby.org.uk or visit www.thelauracentrederby.org.uk. 

DERBY County and Reading's much-changed sides played out a goalless first half in their Capital One Cup third round tie at the iPro Stadium.
Rams boss Steve McClaren made six changes to his team, with Reading manager Nigel Adkins making seven.
Derby made a positive start, with Jordon Ibe looking lively on his first start.
Will Hughes, making his 100th appearance for the club, fired wide from 20 yards in the sixth minute.
Next, Craig Forsyth glanced a header across the face of goal from Johnny Russell's corner.
Craig Bryson then flashed a first-time effort wide after combining with Hughes.
It took the Rams 27 minutes to call Mikkel Andersen into action, the keeper pushing Leon Best's deflected 25-yarder away to safety.
Moments later, Best headed over from Bryson's corner.
Reading's best chance came in the 36th minute.
An error from Cyrus Christie allowed Pavel Pogrebnyak to send Jamie Mackie clear but he was denied by debutant keeper Kelle Roos, who saved well low to his left.
At the other end, Hughes shot straight at Andersen and Ryan Shotton headed narrowly wide from a Russell corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Roos had to be alert again to tip Ryan Edwards' dipping long-ranger over the bar.

THE Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre at Skegness is set to benefit from a weekend of fund-raising being held in memory of a "lovely man" who died of cancer.

Lorraine Froggatt, who runs the Windmill Inn in Heage, is organising a series of events – Redders Charity Weekend – named after John Redfern, who died last year from oesophagal cancer.

She said: "We wanted to do something in memory of John because he was such a big part of life here. I had known him for 14 years and latterly he worked here in the pub.

"It emerged at his funeral that, at his wish, no flowers should be brought but instead money should be given to the holiday centre. That was typical of him, he was a lovely man."

Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre provides short breaks for disadvantaged children from the county.

Each year, 450 children are given a five-day trip to the seaside and stay at the Skegness centre which has been providing holidays for 123 years.

Events at the pub's charity weekend kick off next Saturday at 8am when the riders will be gathering for a sponsored charity bike ride to the centre in Skegness.

Sheila Kirkland, the wife of John Kirkland, the boss of Heage-based construction firm Bowmer and Kirkland, is cutting the tape to start the ride, which has been organised by James Fox and Matt Simms.

During the rest of the day at the pub, there will be a sponsored silence by Gaynor Travis, a balloon race, car boot sale, bouncy castle and face painting and music performances by several local young people, including Cait Wood, Jordan Bednall, Toby Ingram and Jake Farrell.

The fund-raising will continue on the following day.

People will be able to compete in a new annual darts and domino competition on Sunday afternoon with the John Redfern Charity Shield as the prize. Runners-up will receive a half gallon of beer.

This will be followed in the evening by an auction and raffle with items including tickets to a Derby County match, family day pass to Butlin's, Clarins beauty products and meal for two at Horsley Lodge.

Mrs Froggatt said: "We have run many charity events over the years but this is probably the biggest we have tackled as it covers the whole weekend. It promises to be really enjoyable and hopefully we will be able to raise loads of money for the holiday centre."

The Skegness venue relies totally on donations and costs in the region of £205,000 to run each year.

"Repair work and decoration costs an additional amount each year."

Last year, generous Derby Telegraph readers helped to raise £30,000 to pay for a new minibus, which is used to transport children to and from the Skegness venue each week.

Bill Tomlinson, chairman of the Derbyshire Children's Holiday Centre trustees, said that he was delighted the charity had been chosen by Mrs Froggatt and her team to receive the proceeds of the weekend.

He said: "It is amazing what lengths people will go to raise money for the centre, which many Derbyshire people hold dear, either because they see it as a very worthwhile charity or because they themselves have used it when they were younger.

"We have some additional expense coming up this winter, through necessary building repairs, so any money we are given is a bonus."

For more information about the events over the Redders Charity Weekend, call Lorraine on 07812 837539.

DERBY County are through to the last 16 of the Capital One Cup after a 2-0 victory over Reading.
Johnny Russell's first goal of the season put the Rams ahead in 67th minute.
And the third round tie at the iPro Stadium was settled when Alex Pearce put through his own net nine minutes from time.
Substitute Chris Martin had a hand in both goals.
Rams boss Steve McClaren made six changes to his team, with Reading manager Nigel Adkins making seven.
Derby made a positive start, with Jordon Ibe looking lively on his first start.
Will Hughes, making his 100th appearance for the club, fired wide from 20 yards in the sixth minute.
Next, Craig Forsyth glanced a header across the face of goal from Russell's corner.
Craig Bryson then flashed a first-time effort wide after combining with Hughes.
It took the Rams 27 minutes to call Mikkel Andersen into action, the keeper pushing Leon Best's deflected 25-yarder away to safety.
Moments later, Best headed over from Bryson's corner.
Reading's best chance came in the 36th minute.
An error from Cyrus Christie allowed Pavel Pogrebnyak to send Jamie Mackie clear but he was denied by debutant keeper Kelle Roos, who saved well low to his left.
At the other end, Hughes shot straight at Andersen and Ryan Shotton headed narrowly wide from a Russell corner.
On the stroke of half-time, Roos had to be alert again to tip Ryan Edwards' dipping long-ranger over the bar.
Derby almost went ahead six minutes into the second half.
Ibe made space for himself just outside the area and his fierce shot was superbly tipped onto the crossbar by Andersen.
From the corner, Shotton's header was cleared off the line by Aaron Kuhl, son of former Derby player Martin Kuhl.
It was not all Derby, though, and Hal Robson-Kanu saw his snap-shot kept out by Roos in the 55th minute.
Martin replaced Hughes in the 64th minute - and set up the opening goal three minutes later.
His pass sent Russell on the charge and the Scot beat his man before sending a low left-foot shot wide of Andersen from the edge of the box.
The Rams got a second goal with 81 minutes on the clock.
Simon Dawkins played in Martin on the left and his cross from the bye-line hit Pearce six yards out and went into his own net.
That was game over as Derby comfortably saw out the remaining minutes.
DERBY COUNTY: Roos, Christie, Keogh, Shotton, Forsyth, Mascarell, Hughes (Martin, 64), Bryson (Eustace, 83), Ibe, Russell, Best (Dawkins, 76). Other subs: Grant (gk), L Naylor, Whitbread, Calero.
READING: Andersen, Gunter, Pearce, Hector (Cooper, 87), Obita, Edwards, Kuhl, Guthrie (Taylor, 72), Mackie, Robson-Kanu (Cox, 76), Pogrebnyak. Other subs: Lincoln (gk), Long, Stacey, Blackman.
REFEREE: S Hooper (Wiltshire).
ATTENDANCE: 18,409.