A ROADSHOW to help Derby people learn how to save money on their energy bills is to visit Alvaston and Allenton.

The Fantastic Homes roadshow will be outside the Allenton Co-op store tomorrow from 10am to 12.30pm and outside the Alvaston Co-op store from 1pm to 3.30pm.

The council's Home Energy team will also be at the Alvaston Christmas Celebration on Sunday from noon until 4pm at Alvaston Park to advise people on their bills.

There will be free advice about energy-efficiency, domestic renewable energy and grants for insulation.

There will also be some free water saving devices on offer to residents who visit the roadshow.

Councillor Paul Bayliss, chairman of Alvaston Neighbourhood Board, said "I would urge residents to come along to the roadshow or the Alvaston Christmas Celebration and see what our experts can do to save money on rising energy bills.

"The Home Energy team experts will give valuable advice and tips on how consumers can lower their bills and save energy as well."

For more information about the project and to sign up for any home energy workshops people, ring the Home Energy Advice Team on 01332 255004 or e-mail energy.advice@derby.gov.uk.

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ADAM Peaty stormed to the final of the 100m breaststroke at the world Short Course Swimming Championships in Qatar – smashing the British record twice on the way.

Now the City of Derby star could be in line for a first world title in Thursday's final in Doha.

He was the fastest qualifier in the heats touching in 57.02 seconds – a massive personal best, breaking the British record set by Michael Jamieson almost a year ago by 0.5 seconds.

His nearest challenger was Brazilian Felipe Franca Silva, who recorded 57.13 with Russian Kirill Prigoda third in 57.53.

Peaty, from Uttoxeter, smoothly booked his place in the final by going even faster in his semi, breaking the championship record held by Cameron Van Der Burgh.

The world record holder for the 50m long course breaststroke, Peaty touched in 56.43, 0.37secs inside the standard set by the South African.

Van Der Burgh still holds the world record of 55.61 but on current form, that too could be in danger from the 19-year-old.

Peaty and Pridoga were the only two of the 16 swimmers in the semi-finals to dip under the 57 second barrier.

However, the Russian was 0.5 secs slower than the British man, who after tonight's final will swim in the heats of the 200m breaststroke on Friday and 50m event at the weekend.

He will also feature in the British relay teams.

A WOMAN and a dog had to be rescued from a house fire and treated for smoke inhalation.

Firefighters from Nottingham Road were called to the incident in Cheyenne Gardens, Chaddesden, after a microwave caught fire just before 11.30am.

It is understood that neither the woman or dog were seriously injured.

THE pest control service at Derby City Council could be cut by two thirds, making it harder for poorer households to afford the work.

At the moment, the authority currently responds to 2,500 requests for the service a year.

Now it is proposing to save £23,000 by reducing the service in the year after April 1 next year.

The authority's deputy chief executive Paul Robinson said this would mean its pest controllers would be able to respond to about 800 calls a year.

A report drawn up on the budget for the 2015-16 financial year says: "The proposal will disproportionately affect those households on a low income, who will in future have to pay normal marker rates or go without a service."

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

DERBY City Council is planning to stop "proactively" repairing roads and pavements to save £350,000 a year. The move is in its budget proposals for the year after April 1 and would see the highways maintenance budget slashed from £2,490,371. The council's deputy chief executive Paul Robinson said that it would mean that the council would no longer "go out, look at a road, and think it's got six months left in it, let's repair it now". Instead patch-up work will be done once a pothole meets the authority's "intervention standard". Also facing a cut is the authority's budget for repair of highways drainage and watercourses from £494,851 to be cut by £139,000. The amount of cleaning for roads and pavements is also set to be reduced.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

QUESTION marks hang over the future of Derby's historic Pickford's House after cuts were proposed to the grants for the city's Museums Trust. The authority gave the trust, which manages attractions in the city, £1.2m this financial year but is proposing to cut that by £314,000 for 2015-16. Pickford's House is a Georgian townhouse completed in 1770 and is now a museum. Councillor Alison Martin, responsible for leisure and culture, said: "Looking at the trust's attractions it's obvious that the priorities have to be the Silk Mill, which they've just made a bid for lottery money to refurbish, and of course Derby Museum. "Of course we've had discussions over whether Pickford's House would have to be part of their future offer. But what we are saying to them is they need to come back to us and say how they are planning to manage that budget." Tony Butler, the trust's executive director, said Pickford's House was a popular attraction. He said no decisions on how the trust's budget could be managed had yet been made but that the level of cut was "disappointing and a real challenge". Mrs Martin said that she personally valued Pickford's House and she had visited it many times with her children.

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

MORE than 250 jobs are set to go at Derby City Council as part of budget cuts in a bid to save £22 million, with the majority gone by April.

Chief Executive Adam Wilkinson has said this will mean some compulsory redundancies.

But the authority will aim to get as many employees as possible to leave voluntarily. The council says the savings are needed for the year up to April 1, 2016, in the face of cuts to its grants from the Government, inflation, and other pressures like new duties to help carers. 

Up to 256 full-time equivalent posts are set to go but the council's Labour leadership has said the number of actual jobs to be axed will be higher. At the moment it has 3,141 full-time equivalent employees and a headcount of 4,290. 

Posts set to go in the council's proposed budget include 28 from the closure of Moorways swimming pool in April.

Others at risk include jobs in street cleaning, the team which looks into out-of-ours noise complaints, and pest control. 

THE FULL IMPACT OF THE CUTS

Moorways to close but will get new pool - Riverlights pool axed

Pickford's House may close.

Late night service to crackdown on noisy neighbours to be axed.

All pothole repairs to be reactive.

Pest control service cut by two thirds.

New car park to be created at Markeaton Park to raise cash.

Libraries, children's centres, Darley Park Concert and Christmas lights are safe

Council leader Ranjit Banwait said it was a budget the authority did not want to propose. He said: "I am acutely aware of the desperate financial positions councils face, as the government-imposed funding regime forces us to make tough, even heart-breaking decisions.

"This certainly isn't what I want to be doing for Derby." Since the beginning of austerity in 2010, the council has already shed 1,051 full-time equivalent posts through voluntary redundancy and 153 through compulsory. A council spokeswoman said of the latest cuts: "The majority will need to be deleted by April 1, 2015 to meet the budget savings, with the latest expected date being September 30, 2015."

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

MOORWAYS leisure centre will close in April next year in a shake-up of council-run leisure in the city. A 50m swimming pool that had been planned for Riverlights in Derby city centre will no-longer be built there.

The pool is now set to be created somewhere on the Moorways site, potentially reducing the cost to the taxpayer by £10m. The city council has said that the recently refurbished athletics track at Moorways will be retained but that it is in discussions about handing that over to be run by Derby Athletics Club. Council leader Ranjit Banwait said closing Moorways after the completion of the new Derby Arena had been part of the council's strategy for some time. The £27.5 million arena is set to be open early next year and will include a cycle track, badminton court, and a gym. He said: "We are looking to close Moorways next year and go out to consultation as soon as possible on building a swimming pool on that site." Mr Banwait said Riverlights, home to the city's bus station, was the wrong site for the pool. He said: "It had the potential to cause all sorts of travel problems for commuters and public transport users. Bus operators had expressed concerns to me personally when I was chair of the strategic bus partnership." At one stage the city council had planned to close Queen's Leisure Centre after the completion of the Riverlights pool. Now there is no closure date planned for Queen's. Deputy chief executive Paul Robinson said building at Moorways would be considerably cheaper. He said: "That site [Riverlights] is very tight and an expensive site because it's near the river and near the ring road. There is about £10m difference in terms of what we could build for the same money [at Moorways]." The authority had first announced it was looking to build the pool at Riverlights in 2011 and had, at one point been aiming for completion in late summer next year. There is no set date for a completion of the pool at Moorways but Mr Robinson said the potential date would be early 2018. Councillor Alison Martin said that Moorways was looking "rundown and tired".

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK: Have your say on the cuts on Twitter, using #derbycuts or on our Facebook page."

BELPER Ladies sent out a message to the rest of the Midlands Premier League with a clinical win over Lichfield.

The Staffordshire side boasted a 100% record at home before Tom Sherratt's side tore them apart 4-1 – but Sherratt says there is plenty more to come from his talented squad.

He is delighted with how things have panned out so far in his first season since taking over as coach from Derbyshire cricket captain Wayne Madsen.

"We weren't sure we'd be up there this season, given that we'd introduced some new players and that it was my first season," said Sherratt.

"But, obviously, we're pretty happy with where we are.

"We have a stronger squad than we might have had, as a couple of players have come back to us after having babies.

"We'll have some challenges ahead but I also have plans to strengthen the squad for the second half of the season.

"We have even been approached by a couple of players who'd like to come to us."

The Nailers had the game at Lichfield done and dusted by half-time.

Sally Goodman hit the post from close range with less than 60 seconds on the clock and Belper continued to impress before taking the lead through midfielder Lizzie Lamb.

Three further goals followed in quick succession.

Lamb struck again, then Kyla Madsen got on the scoresheet and was followed by Jo Lane to put the visitors 4-0 up by half-time.

The only surprise was that they failed to add to their tally as they continued to dominate in the second half.

Goodman again hit the post – twice – while Charlotte Hobbs and Sarah Glenn went close as well.

Lichfield did manage a consolation late on but the Nailers go into the mid-season break with a one-point lead at the top of the table.

"We should have scored a lot more but it was a very satisfying win, given Lichfield's record," added Sherratt.

"I think the girls are looking forward to a break now but they'll be doing fitness and conditioning work and we'll be ready to go on January 3."

Belper play bottom club Sutton Coldfield in their first game of 2015, so they will be expecting to consolidate their top spot then.

Belper's men took a good point away at Loughborough Students in a 2-2 draw.

It was a game in which they had much of the play – but they still had to come from behind twice to secure the draw.

Following coach William Murray's instruction to be tight at the back alongside a high work-rate to combat Loughborough's direct style, the Nailers took an early lead. Matt Hickman seizing on a loose ball in the home side's D to slam in a clean shot.

It was against the run of play when the students converted a penalty corner to equalise in the 22nd minute.

Murray called for more of the same in the second half but it was Loughborough who started the stronger and they took the lead with a good team goal in the 44th minute.

The Nailers got back into the game after that but the second half generally remained open and Belper keeper Gavin Adams had to prove his worth more than once to ensure his side stayed only one goal down.

Time looked like it might be running out but it was Hickman who came to the rescue with a neat finish, taking his tally to five goals in the last two games.

GEORGIE Twigg made her 100th appearance for England – but it was a disappointing result for the former Repton School pupil, who was playing in the Champions Trophy in Argentina.

Danny Kerry's side were beaten 4-1 by the hosts, meaning they finish fourth in Pool B. Matlock's Ellie Watton and Belper's Hollie Webb are also in the England squad and played against the hosts.

The Champions Trophy sees the world's top hockey nations compete for the Trophy, with Commonwealth gold medalists Australia the favourites.

Sophie Bray fired England ahead but they conceded three times in the final quarter.

They will now play New Zealand, winners of Pool A, for a place in Saturday's semi-final.

Kerry said: "I believe we have gained a lot from the tournament so far. It's been a great learning curve for the less experienced players to compete at this level.

"We are starting to create genuine depth in the squad and this will stand us in good stead leading into the Olympic qualifier next summer."

England's quarter-final match will be shown live on Sky Sports at 1pm today.

DERWENT are still vying for top spot in the East Midlands Premier Division with Coalville after a convincing 5-0 win over Market Harborough.

Both sides have lost only once.

Coach Jon Barry praised his side and goalscorers Ben Everett-Li and Jeff Longden in particular.

He said: "In Ben and Jeff we have the players who can open up teams no matter how tightly they pack their defence.

"Ben is back to his very best after injury and Jeff is unbelievably clinical in the area. He converts almost every chance that comes his way.

"I was really pleased with the defence, too. They could have switched off and given the opposition a chance.

"Instead, they were on top form and goalkeeper Jamie Carlin had nothing to do."

Burton brought three hard-earned points back from their Midlands One trip to Bridgnorth.

With the loss of key players Jamie Cooper and Rob Wright – maybe for the rest of the season – the Red & Greens travelled with a squad of only 12 players.

It looked like being a bad day for Burton, who conceded a simple tap-in early on.

The visitors reacted well, though, and Mark Northcott levelled before Scott Woolley put them 2-1 up going into the half-time break.

Woolley added his second almost immediately after the restart before Burton went on a goal-spree, netting three more to go 6-1 up.

The Red & Greens conceded a second late on but Matt Abel restored the six-goal advantage in the dying moments of the game.

ASHLEY Harris scored a first-half hat-trick as Derby men celebrated a big win in East Midlands One.

They were 9-1 winners over visitors Nuneaton, while two goals from Matt Hexter led the men's second team to a 4-1 win at Atherstone Adders.

The thirds beat Nuneaton 2-1 but there was disappointment for the ladies' first team, who were beaten 2-1 by Ashbourne. Anna Neilson scored for Derby.

The ladies' second team beat Woodlands 3-1 while the thirds took a point from a 1-1 draw with Ashbourne.

Ramgarhia were beaten 6-1 by Mansfield in East Midlands One.

CRAIG Bryson and Simon Dawkins are knocking on the first-team door as Derby County prepare to face Brighton on Saturday.

Both impressed as substitutes in Derby's defeat by Leeds United at Elland Road at the weekend.

Bryson replaced Omar Mascarell and Dawkins came on for Jordon Ibe.

It was Bryson's superb strike that won the game for Derby at Watford a week earlier after he had come off the bench.

The Scottish international midfielder missed the home victories over Huddersfield Town and Wolverhampton Wanderers due to a hip problem and has been among the substitutes in the last two games.

Coach Paul Simpson said Bryson showed a "bit of fire in his belly" when he came on at Leeds.

"Nobody wants to be on the bench and that is the attitude and enthusiasm we want from everybody," added Simpson.

"Nothing that we do is personal. We do what we think is right for the team.

"We stuck with the same starting side at Leeds because they had got a good result at Watford.

"Now, because of the way the game went at Leeds, there are players who come into the manager's thoughts for the weekend.

"I thought Simon Dawkins was excellent when he came on, so we have options."

Dawkins has also been on the bench in the last two games having started three of the previous four fixtures.

Dawkins is one of four players vying to fill the two wide roles.

Ibe and Johnny Russell started at Leeds and Jamie Ward is expected to return to the squad this weekend after coming through 65 minutes of the under-21 game against West Bromwich Albion on Tuesday.

The options for head coach Steve McClaren in midfield are even more fascinating, with Omar Mascarell, Jeff Hendrick, Will Hughes, John Eustace and Bryson competing for the three places.

COACH Paul Simpson says there will be no room for complacency when Derby County face struggling Brighton.

The last time the teams met was in a two-leg play-off semi-final in May when the Rams recorded a 6-2 aggregate victory.

They meet again on Saturday with Derby leading the Championship by a point and Brighton in the bottom three, having won only three of their 19 games.

Defeat by Fulham, who Derby have beaten twice this season, saw Brighton slip into the drop zone at the weekend, while the Rams lost 2-0 at Leeds.

Derby are at home again after successive away fixtures and their record at the iPro Stadium is strong – five wins and three draws in nine League games and only eight goals conceded.

"It is a good game for us but a game we cannot afford to be complacent in," Simpson warned.

"Yes, we all know they (Brighton) have gone into the bottom three and they have had a tough time but they are a football side and we have to make sure we play our football better than we did at Leeds at the weekend.

"We also have to make sure we continue to work as hard as we do.

"We hope Saturday at Leeds was just a blip."

One win in 15 league matches has left Brighton boss Sami Hyypia urging his players to take collective responsibility and show the character required to haul themselves up the table.

"If we feel too sorry for ourselves and miserable, and continue doing the wrong things or playing well until we score then forget everything, then we are not going to get out of it," said Hyypia.

"Now the loan window is closed and we have six loan players already, so we can't add any numbers until January and we still have a few games before January.

"So we need to all regroup, be together, help each other, encourage each other and, hopefully, we have one or two stepping up on the character side or mental side, then we get out of it."

Former England striker Darren Bent put Brighton ahead against Fulham on his debut following his loan move from Aston Villa.

"Darren is a good addition but he can't save us alone," added Hyypia.

"Everyone has to pick up, toughen up, maybe concentrate more."

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SNOW is on the way to Derbyshire this weekend, according to forecasters.

Wintry showers are expected to reach the county on Sunday as temperatures fall throughout Friday and Saturday.

Nicola Maxey, from the Met Office, said: "Temperatures are going to begin to drop on Friday into Saturday as there will be little or no cloud cover.

"On Saturday there will be increasing winds and rain later in the day.

"Sunday, however, will be much colder with blustery winds and wintry showers could be seen.

"On more exposed ground and hills there will be snow and in towns and cities there will likely be sleet.

"In rural areas there is the chance that snow could settle. However, in built-up areas, the ground remains quite warm and there is little chance of seeing this happen."

The news of the drop in temperatures and the chance of snow follows low numbers overnight during this week and even ice forming on some roads.

A car skidded on black ice and into a hedge in South Derbyshire today.

The female driver of the Vauxhall Astra was unhurt in the accident, which took place at 6.30am on Derby Road between Ticknall and Hartshorne.

Police say the road had to be shut briefly at 7.40am while the car was recovered.

A spokesman for the force said: "It is believed that the car skidded off the road after hitting black ice and we would remind drivers to plan extra time for their journey due to adverse weather conditions."

The RAC has given drivers advice about the best ways of driving in snowy conditions ahead of the weekend's expected snowfall.

A spokesman for the group said: "In snow, it's important to accelerate gently, use low revs and change up to a higher gear as quickly as possible.

"You may also need to move off in second gear as this will help reduce wheel slip.

"Stopping distances will also increase to as much as 10 times the normal recommended gap between you and the car in front

"And if you do encounter a skid, steer gently into it. Do not take your hands off the steering wheel or stamp your foot on the brakes."

The National Lottery Lotto draw has been made for Wednesday, December 3, 2014 - so are you feeling lucky?

The jackpot was an estimated £2.1 million tonight, plus 50 lotto raffle winners of £20,000.

The Lotto draw numbers were: 4, 17, 19, 25, 35 and 37. The bonus ball was 7. 

Are you a winner? 

Ticket sales for the next National Lottery draw re-open at 9pm, following the draw.

There will also be 50 Lotto raffle winners of £20,000 after tonight's draw too.

ONCE again, Jon Froggatt hopes Belper Town have put down a marker for a realistic recovery in their difficult Evo-Stik Premier Division season.

A point against Marine last week – a game they almost won – made it one defeat in four in the league for the Nailers and the performance pleased player-manager Froggatt.

The Nailers visit Trafford tomorrow, the team immediately above them in the table who are on the same number of points but with three games in hand.

If they could win – and if other results went their way – Belper could actually climb to fourth from bottom.

"Despite our frustration at not winning against Marine, we've actually had a decent run of late and it's having a good effect on the players' moods," said Froggatt.

"It's a massive kick in the teeth to only come away with a point. We were the better side and we deserved to win the game.

"I'm sure that's the first time since I've taken over that we've come from a goal down to take the lead in a game and that is a huge credit to my players.

"Their mentality is good and they're beginning to believe in themselves a little bit more.

"It's hard to smile when you're losing every week but we really need to use this as a building block now."