A MAN who hates food and eats only to stop himself from starving to death says a daily dose of Marmite has kept him alive.

Fussy John Pearson will only 10 things: chips, plain crisps, cereal, chocolate cake, soft cheese, Yorkshire pudding, nuts, bread, butter – and Marmite.

The 48-year-old engineer, from Etwall, eats at least a kilogram of the vitamin-packed product every month and reckons it is the only reason he stays healthy.

John spends just £10 a week on food and was nicknamed "Breadroll" at school.

He is so fussy that his two ex-wives partly blamed his eating habits on their break-up.

He said: "Marmite has probably been my life-saver. To be perfectly honest, I hate food. I don't eat for pleasure. I eat because I'm hungry. I eat to stay alive."

John says his problems with food started when he was just 18 months old.

He said: "I got ill as a toddler and that's what triggered it all off. I had a virus and was throwing up everywhere.

"My mum called the doctor because she was worried. After I got better, I simply hated food. There was nothing I wanted to eat.

"All the food reminded me of being sick. I had an issue with colours and textures and I just couldn't eat it."

As he grew up John was warned that his poor diet could lead to blindness, rickets and scurvy.

Sessions of hypnosis and psychotherapy have failed to cure him.

But, despite his food fad, he is fighting fit and is a 2nd Dan black belt in karate.

John, of Springfield Road, said: "My mum tried everything to help me enjoy food but she says I just wouldn't.

"I ate bread and butter and that was about all I could manage. Before I got sick, I ate vegetables and fruit. I literally had the same meals as my mum and dad but on a smaller plate."

As a child he dreaded lunchtime when the dinner ladies would force him to eat his school meal.

"I'd sit there feeling really miserable just staring at my plate of food," he said.

"I knew I wouldn't be able to eat any of it. When the dinner lady took my plate away I'd smile with relief.

"The head teacher at school called my mum in to talk to her about my eating habits.

"She was worried about how little I ate and my mum tried to explain why I hated food so much.

"She told them about my illness when I was little. I don't think they really understood but life got a whole lot easier when I got to secondary school."

John said: "I hate the fact that I hate food. It really does ruin things. My issue with food was never the main reason why my marriages ended but both women said it was a contributing factor.

"I suppose living with someone like me, who has a huge problem with food, takes its toll."

Hot meals – apart from chips – are out of the question. John does not eat vegetables or meat and hates a traditional Sunday lunch.

"I have chips on a Saturday with my brother," said John. "But in the week, I pretty much live on sandwiches or toast. I like bread and butter so that's one good thing.

"When I get in from work, I have toast or Marmite sandwiches with a bag of plain crisps. And later in the evening, I might have some more.

"In the day, I sometimes have Marmite too. I eat at least one kilogram of the stuff every month."

John rarely goes to restaurants because he cannot cope with the food.

The most he can achieve is a pint in the pub followed by a bowl of chips – with a sprinkling of salt.

Next month, John's mum and dad have invited him out to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

"Thankfully, my parents like one particular restaurant and they've already asked if I can just have a plate of roast potatoes.

"I've been there before and I'm sure the staff will help me. They know that I'm fussy."

John's kitchen cupboards are virtually empty and he only keeps butter, cheese and milk in his fridge.

There is only bread in his freezer and his cupboards are home to his beloved Marmite and a couple of boxes of cereal.

"I go to the supermarket and buy everything I need for the week and it costs me about £10," he said.

"Obviously, I get a massive jar of Marmite, loaves of bread, cheese and butter. I get some coke and skimmed milk."

Despite his huge food fetish, John who has a partner, says he has not passed his problem to his two children.

Thankfully, 21-year-old Chloe and Michael, 20, are both "normal eaters".

"I remember once, when Chloe was just a baby, I was feeding her beans in her highchair," said John.

"I absolutely hate them but I was doing ok spooning them into her mouth.

"Then the phone rang and distracted me. I picked up the phone and left the bowl and spoon on the tray of her highchair.

"When I got back, she flicked the spoon and it landed in my face. I had beans all over my cheek and I literally froze.

"I didn't know what to do, but I knew I had to get the beans off my face.

"I ran upstairs, stripped off all my clothes and got in the shower. Twenty minutes later, when I was clean, I went back down to sort Chloe out.

"She was crying by now and I felt awful, but I had to go and have a wash."

John knows he can never change his eating habits. After sessions with a psychotherapist, he managed to eat raw carrots, grapes and bananas.

But those days are long gone.

"I couldn't keep it up," he said. "I used to dread going home from work because I knew I had to try and eat some banana or grape.

"Now I don't care. I am what I am and I can't change. I know I have a problem with food but I am too old to be cured.

"I'll stick to my 10 things and that will do for me."

MARMITE FACTS

1. Marmite was invented, by accident, in the late 19th century by German scientist Justus von Liebig.

2. During World War One, Marmite was part of the rations for British troops.

3. Love it or hate it, Marmite sells 50m jars every year and only 15% is shipped overseas.

4. Marmite is full of B vitamins and folic acid. It is also rich in niacin – which helps to boost the body's defences against bacteria, increases the immune system and kill bugs.

5. Marmite contains brewer's yeast, salt, spices and celery.

A 50% price hike for using the toilets at Derby Bus Station has been condemned by passengers.

The cost of using the men's and women's toilets on the site has increased to 30p in recent days, up from 20p.

Spending a penny there now costs as much as it does at Kings Cross and Birmingham New Street railway stations.

One regular male user of the toilets, who is 55, said parents had already been taking children out of the station to relieve themselves outside instead of paying the 20p.

He said the price rise would only increase that problem.

A Derby City Council spokeswoman said the increase was brought in reluctantly. She said there have been no increases for the past five years, and "it is felt necessary to increase the charge to meet rising running costs".

Julia Johnson, 64, of Wood Road, Chaddesden, said the price was "disgusting".

"It's just about making money out of people who are caught short. You've got to pay it," she said. "I should say 15p to 20p would be a reasonable price.

"I'll try and avoid using them from now on and use the free ones at the Eagle Market instead."

William Clewer, 68, of Chaddesden, said he had used the toilets in the past but that he would now be put off as 30p is "going too far".

The council spokeswoman said the toilets were retiled and refurbished in January 2014.

She said: "Since March 2010, the price to use the facility has been 20p. The charge was specifically brought in to deter vandalism and anti-social behaviour which was common practice at the old bus station.

"The current bus station costs over £600,000 a year to manage and maintain and all income generated is reused to support activities at the bus station.

"This includes the recent refurbishment of the bus station toilets, the introduction of real-time passenger information and resurfacing of the bus station apron."

When the Derby Telegraph visited the loos on Wednesday and yesterday, they found them being cleaned and they looked presentable.

On Wednesday, two of the toilets in the men's urinals had buckets underneath but these had gone yesterday.

The 55-year-old regular user of the men's toilets said the toilets were "quite often awash with waste material from faulty urinals".

He said: "If they put the prices up they ought to put the standards up.

"The council should review its charges for the toilets."

The council spokeswoman said the toilets "are cleaned on an hourly basis and as and when required if a particular incident occurs".

No change is given at the automated barriers but there is a change machine next to the toilets.

A Network Rail spokeswoman said the 30p charges for Kings Cross and Birmingham New Street were to pay for their upkeep and staffing.

We focus on keen amateur photographer John Chadwick, from Belper, a retired former Royal Mail manager and retained firefighter who has a passion for capturing the landscape of his native Derbyshire

Tell us something about yourself.

I am 76 and married to Eileen, and we have three sons and two grandchildren. Although born at Ashleyhay, I grew up in Wirksworth and attended the Anthony Gell Grammar School.

My first job was in textile engineering and during this time I had two years and six months of National Service, mostly in Germany. In 1966, I joined the GPO (Royal Mail) and during my career covered all head office jobs in Derby up to middle management. At the same time, from ages 18 to 55, I was a retained firefighter, firstly at Wirksworth when the station was in the Town Hall. Then I served 26 years at Ashbourne, where I retired as station officer. In semi-retirement, I was fortunate to be able to combine nearly six years in Community Fire Service, mainly giving talks in schools, and driving for the Derbyshire Mobile Library Service part time for 13 years.

In 1994, I had the honour of "turning up the ball" to start the game of the Ashbourne Royal Shrovetide Football. I was also honoured to receive an MBE from the Queen, for services to firefighting, in 2001.

How did you first become interested in photography?

As a teenager, I spent a lot of time cycling around Derbyshire with friends, enjoying the fantastic views and thought it would be good to show others – even though the photos were in monochrome and about two inches square.

What was your first camera and what is your equipment of choice now?

My first camera was an Ensign Fullview that had a large convex two-inch square view finder on top of the camera that could be easily used at ground level or upside down at arm's length above one's head, which was quite useful in a crowd. Next up was a Dacora Digna complete with a leather case that was purchased in Germany while in the Army. For quite some years, I used to take many cine films from my first wind-up standard 8mm to a digital video camera. I renewed my interest in photography with a Panasonic digital, upgrading to the Lumix DMC-TZ6 that I still use today. My latest acquisition, in 2014, was a DSLR Canon EOS100D with a Canon EFS 18-55mm lens and a Tamron AF 70-300mm lens.

Does the Derbyshire landscape inspire you and what are some of your favourite locations?

Working for Royal Mail, Derbyshire Fire Service, as a relief driver for the mobile library service in my retirement and also leading a walking group, I have travelled extensively in the county. I never cease to be inspired by the Derbyshire landscape. There are so many interesting locations, such as Padley Gorge from the Longshaw Estate, following the Burbage Brook to Grindleford; Lumsdale, near Matlock, for its history; and the views from Edale and Castleton. As a child, I was fascinated with Alport Stone and the panoramic views from Alport Heights.

What would be your dream photo commission, destination or subject?

Last year, I partially realised one ambition and that is to photograph the "Big Five" wild animals on safari in South Africa – the elephant, rhinoceros, leopard and buffalo, though the lion proved too elusive for a good 'shot' (maybe if there is a next time). I would be delighted to catch a swan at the point of touch down with the reflection on smooth water. Destinations I would like to photograph include Sydney Opera House, the Taj Mahal and Mount Cook, New Zealand – on a bright, clear day next time.

Any advice for your fellow amateur photographers?

As an amateur, I am not qualified to give anything other than basic advice. Consider the composition of your picture; is there anything that you would not want to see in it, such as a hat stand sticking up behind someone's head, telephone wires obscuring the subject or waste bins in the background? Just moving your position a few feet can make all the difference. Avoid your own shadow showing up in view in bright sunlight. It is not always necessary to use a flash indoors – using modern cameras with automatic focus can result in interesting effects without the danger of overexposure of the subject. With birds and animals, if possible, try to focus on the eye for the best effect.

Any ambitions for your photography?

I just want to enjoy taking photos of any interesting subject, whether it be wildlife, landscape or buildings, to share with friends or as a record of a family growing and a reminder of our travels.

Where can people see more of your work?

I have been fortunate to share some of my pictures with readers of the Derby Telegraph on the Opinion page. I have displayed photos as a "Know your Derbyshire" quiz and entered competitions at some local rural shows and Hazelwood Annual Fete. This year I also produced a small calendar with 12 images for my walking group and friends. I hope that these might inspire anyone to go out and enjoy the beauty of Derbyshire.

A QUARTER of passengers using services run by Derby train operator East Midlands Trains experienced delays on their final journey last year, according to a report.

The findings of consumer association Which? show that 25% of its customers suffered a delay on their most recent journey.

The report, which looked at the performance of 21 train operators, was the fourth annual satisfaction survey based on the responses of more than 7,300 train travellers.

East Midlands Trains was placed 14th in the table of dissatisfaction, which was topped by Southern, which had the worst score of any service, with 39% of passengers reporting a delay on their last journey.

The criteria for the survey included availability of seating, cleanliness of toilets and carriages, punctuality and value for money.

Travellers were also asked if they had experienced a delay on the last journey they had taken with their train company.

Which? executive director Richard Lloyd, said: "Long delays and consistently low levels of customer service are driving commuters to distraction.

"Passengers often have little or no choice as to the rail companies they travel with, so as ticket prices continue to rocket, more must be done to improve customers' satisfaction and to inform people of their right to a refund as a result of delays."

East Midlands Trains operates services between Derby and London St Pancras, as well as a number of local routes.

A spokesman for East Midlands Trains said: "We are always pleased to get feedback from our customers to help build on the work we are doing to drive up the quality of rail travel.

"East Midlands Trains has been the most punctual long distance train operator in the country for each of the last five years according to industry figures published by Network Rail and was also named Passenger Operator of the Year at the most recent National Rail Awards.

"In addition, customer satisfaction rose to 88% according to the latest data from the independent watchdog, Passenger Focus, well above the national average of 81%."

Yesterday, East Midlands Trains called on passengers to nominate their favourite member of staff for the 2015 Stagecoach Group Customer Service Champions Award.

The awards, run by Stagecoach, which is the parent company of East Midlands Trains, recognise staff achievements in a number of categories including safety, environment, health, innovation, community and customer service.

The awards are open to employees across Stagecoach's bus and rail operations in the UK and North America.

Customers who nominate a winning employee receive a cash prize ranging from £500 to £125, depending on whether that member of staff wins gold, silver or bronze.

East Midlands Trains managing director Jake Kelly said: "This is a chance for our customers to help local staff gain recognition at a national level as well as potentially winning a prize themselves.

"We hope people will take the time to nominate their favourite East Midlands employee."

To nominate an employee visit www.stagecoach.com or e-mail champions@stagecoachgroup.com.

The deadline for nominations is midnight on Thursday, April 30.

A DERBY school has been selected as a National Teaching School.

Liz Coffey, principal of Landau Forte College, said: "Teaching Schools take a leading role in recruiting and training new entrants to the profession, identifying leadership potential and providing support for other schools."

Introduced in 2011, Teaching Schools are rated as "outstanding". They raise standards through supporting other schools, engage in research and development, and ensure that talented school leaders are supported to become successful head teachers.

Other Teaching Schools include Harrington Nursery School and St Martins Special School, Alvaston.

CHOCOLATIER Barry Colenso will be the speaker at the next meeting of Take Heart (Derby).

The meeting will be held on Monday, March 9, at the Friends' Meeting House on St Helen's Street in Derby at 2.30pm.

There will be an informal lunch at the White Swan on Shepherd Street in Littleover at noon on Thursday, March 19. Pre-booking is not necessary.

The group has also recently presented equipment to the CCU unit at the Royal Derby Hospital. Members are pictured making the presentation to staff with David Rowe who leads the walking groups lying on the bed.

THE grandfather of the six Philpott children who died in a fire at their Allenton home will have his head shaved to raise funds for the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal.

Jim Duffy has been growing his hair since July and plans to have his shoulder-length locks cut on May 11 – the third anniversary of the youngsters' deaths.

Mr Duffy, 65, said he had been searching for a worthwhile charity to support when he read about the Colin Bloomfield appeal in the Derby Telegraph.

He is now encouraging people to sponsor him and donate their funds to the appeal – which aims to raise £45,000 to provide 100 Derbyshire and East Staffordshire schools with sun cream dispensers and information to raise awareness about skin cancer.

Mr Duffy, of Reginald Street, Derby, said: "Colin is a brilliant and brave man.

"When I heard that he was raising money to help school children, I knew I wanted to get on board."

The BBC Radio Derby presenter is battling stage four melanoma. His condition is currently stable.

The appeal is being run in conjunction with Skcin, the national skin cancer charity, which operates the Sun Safe Schools project.

Mr Duffy said he had carried out various different charity events but had never completed a head-shave before.

He said: "When I went to the hairdressers back in July I said I would not have my hair done again until May 11 – the anniversary of the children's deaths.

"I always had the intention of finding a charity to support.

"I've always had my hair in a tight crop and it's quite long now and I still have a few months to go.

"Every so often I feel like something's tickling my ear, then realise it's my long hair!"

Mr Duffy will have all of his hair shaved off and wants people to sponsor him by donating their funds directly to the appeal, which is being supported by the Derby Telegraph.

Mr Duffy's grandchildren, Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers Duwayne, 13, John, nine, Jack, eight, Jesse, six, and Jayden, five, all died following a fire at their home, in Victory Road, in 2012.

More than £6,800 has been raised for the Colin Bloomfield Melanoma Appeal so far.

MP Pauline Latham has thrown her support behind the campaign in memory of her brother who died of the disease 14 years ago.

Ashbrook Infant School, in Borrowash, and Morley Primary School, in Morley, have both supported the cause, as well as donations from various clubs and groups.

To donate visit, www.skcin.org/colinbloomfieldmelanomaappeal.

A MOTHER, forced to sacrifice her job to care for her sick daughter, is raising money to help a charity in the hope of finding a cure.

Olive Tabberer, a former primary school teacher and personal tutor, is full-time carer to her daughter, Abbie, who suffers from Ehlors-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) – a rare condition that attacks her joints and makes her susceptible to other dangerous illnesses.

She has become an Avon representative, and plans to donate any profits to help set up a singing group featuring young people which will raise funds for EDS UK.

The aim is for the group to educate people about the symptoms of "invisible illnesses" and also raise money for research into her daughter's conditions.

Abbie, 23, who lives with her mum and dad in Poyser Avenue, Derby, said: "My mum literally keeps me alive and always tries to provide me with the best quality of life.

"She's witnessed me being resuscitated twice and because she doesn't want anyone else to have to go through that, she's trying to raise money in the hope of saving the lives of other people's daughters."

The pair have helped organise a singing workshop for others who suffer "invisible diseases" – such as mental illness or allergies – and are aged between 11 and 25.

This will be held on March 22 from 1pm until 3pm at the Church on Oakwood.

They then hope to form a group – with the help of a London-based recording company – which will tour nationally, raising awareness and money for EDS UK.

Since Abbie's diagnosis, the family has seen their lives have changed dramatically.

Abbie has lost all independence and relies totally on her family.

She is fed through a tube, often confined to a wheelchair and takes an array of medications every day. She suffers from vomiting and dizzy spells on a daily basis and is in constant pain.

Her condition also means she is unable to socialise as she regularly has seizures.

The condition, which only affects 1 in 5,000 people, is so unpredictable that Olive says she is unable to make plans.

She said: "We never know how sick she is going to be from one day to the next.

"Our world revolves around Abbie and her health."

The family regularly travels to London so Abbie can receive treatment, as it is the only place in the country that specialises in her condition.

Abbie has created adult and child-friendly leaflets to hand out with the Avon catalogues in the hope of educating people on the condition.

Olive also invites people to ask any questions they may have on the subject.

Anyone interested in attending the singing workshop should e-mail invisible.friends@yahoo.co.uk.

The group already have their first performance lined up at Rugby Music Festival in July and hope to tour nationally.

MATTHEW TALLETT, 27, of Salisbury Avenue, Winshill, conditionally discharged for 12 months, ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and costs of £85 for stealing drinks from Sainsbury's in Derby on December 16.

JASON Dellow, 26, of Lodge Lane, Spondon, fined £110, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85 and licence endorsed with six penalty points for driving along the A52 without valid insurance on July 10.

CRAIG Goodband, 31, of Dexter Street, Derby, fined £110 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge for breaching a restraining order on October 29.

NATHAN Morris-Varley, 28, of no fixed abode, was sent to prison for eight weeks and ordered to pay an £80 fine for stealing a television from the Co-op in Derby on January 17.

ARRON Mills, 32, of Grosvenor Street, Allenton, fined £45, ordered to pay a £25 compensation order, a victim surcharge of £20 and costs of £85 for using threatening or abusive words and or behaviour on September 2.

FAROOK Madarbakus, 29, of Breedon Hill Road, Derby, fined £110, ordered to pay £85 costs and disqualified from driving for three years for driving along Shaftesbury Street in Derby while over the legal alcohol limit on January 5.

CHARLES Garnade, 57, of Osted green, Milford, Surrey, fined 3266, ordered to pay a £26 victim surcharge and £150 costs and licence endorsed with four penalty points for driving a car in Monyash while exceeding the speed limit on June 25.

SOHAIL Matloob, 27, of Norfolk Street, Derby, fined 3200, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge for driving without insurance in Derby on September 19, 2013.

MAREK Mirga, 23, of Hartington Street, Derby, was handed a 12-month community order and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge for assault in Derby on December 4.

LEE Potts, 21, of Regent Street, Church Gresley, was fined £174 and was ordered to pay £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and had his licence endorsed with three penalty points for driving with illegal tyres in Common Road, Church Gresley, on June 26.

MARK Salmon, 36, of Bretby View, Hartshorne, fined £145, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £100 for breaching a restraining order on June 12.

JOSEPH Spencer, 35, of Rockvale Terrace, Matlock Bath, fined £200, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge, costs of £600 and licence endorsed with three penalty points for using a hand-held mobile phone while driving along Derby Road, Matlock bath, on July 5.

GRAHAM Whaley, 57, of Moores Avenue, Sandiacre, fined £254, ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge and pay costs of £85 and disqualified from driving for 17 months for driving a Bentley car in Moores Avenue, Sandiacre, when over the legal drink drive limit on December 14.

KHALID Ahmed, 19, of Donington Street, Leicester, fined £400 and ordered to pay compensation of £7.15, a victim surcharge of £40 and costs of £135 for travelling on a train from Leicester to Derby on September 25 without paying the fare.

LASZLO Kelemen, 32, of Europa Hotel, Long Eaton, fined £110, ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and £85 costs and disqualified from driving for 18 months for driving a BMW car in New Street, Long Eaton, on November 22 while over the legal drink-drive limit.

VICTORIA Patterson, 30, of Havelock Road, Derby, fined £296, ordered to pay £29 and costs of £85 and disqualified from driving for 12 months for driving a Mazda along Vicarage Avenue, Derby, while over the legal drink-drive limit on July 26.

JOHN White, 58, of Drewery Court, Derby, conditionally discharged for 12 months, and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge for wasting police time by making a false report to Derbyshire police on August 27.

DHAYLAN Ramashandran, 39, of Foljambe Road, Chesterfield, fined £148, ordered to pay £20 victim surcharge and £60 costs and licence endorsed with six penalty points for driving a van in Shirland with no valid insurance. No separate penalty was made for driving while using a hand-held mobile phone.

MICHELLE Mason, 48, of Grosvenor Street, Derby, was given a two-year conditional discharge, ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs for using threatening, abusive or insulting words of behaviour and the crime was racially aggravated on November 20.

A THIEF was sent to jail for 16 weeks for three counts of shoplifting.

Kevin Kenny, 40, of Oxford Street, Long Eaton, pleaded guilty at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court to stealing hair straighteners from Wilkinson in Long Eaton on December 11; for stealing £86 worth of meat from the Co-op in Long Eaton five days later; and for stealing meat worth £32.50 from the Co-op on January 4.

Magistrates handed him a prison sentence because of his previous record for persistent shoplifting.

He was also ordered to pay £105 compensation.

MIXED weather is expected this weekend and for the start of next week. Experts have said that the sun could come out at times throughout the day on Saturday.

A Met Office spokesman said: "There will patches of cloud around after the rain stops and there could be some sunshine around during the afternoon.

"Clouds will start moving away and there could be quite a clear night and cooler temperatures of around 6C.

"There will be quite a bright start to Sunday but then another area of low pressure moves in bringing with it some heavy showers around lunchtime, and winds of up to 40mph.

"Heavy showers will continue throughout the evening and into Sunday night before easing off slightly in the night, leaving clear skies in the early hours of Monday."

The start of the week is looking wet and cold again, say weathermen but the rain could miss Derby in the morning.

The Met Office spokesman said: "There will be some more showers across the UK on Monday morning, but they could be missing Derby.

"There could be some showers early evening, from around 5pm or 6pm, but nothing too heavy, compared with Sunday.

"Wind speed is also looking to pick up, with speeds of up to 45mph looking likely."

Weather experts have said that Derby tends to miss out on weather extremes because the city is so central.

The Met Office spokesman said: "The thing is with Derby, you don't really get any extreme weather and it looks to be escaping the worst of it again.

"Derby has just missed the snow, only just. It is falling northern England, only settling in areas where land is above 200 to 300m."

AS Amy Caulton cradles her son in her arms, she cannot help but think about the little boy who lost his life and saved hers.

The 28-year-old, who had a life-saving kidney transplant when she was nine, is celebrating a double milestone – becoming a mum and notching up 20 healthy years after her op.

"When I was growing up, I always wondered if I would be able to have a baby," said Amy, who lives in Hatton.

"I had to change all my medication before my fiance, Ant, and I could start trying, but even then I didn't know if I would get pregnant.

"Then it happened and I was over the moon. I think Seth is our little miracle. He's everything we wanted and more."

Even before Amy was born, doctors knew she might encounter renal problems in her life.

It was clear on the hospital scans that her kidneys were small.

Amy said: "My mum was told that I would probably need dialysis and a kidney transplant.

"I managed to keep going until I was seven and then I started having dialysis.

"To be honest, I think I coped really well. I had the treatment at home and my mum and dad both knew how to do it.

"I'd have it four times a day. Probably the hardest thing was having to stick to a low salt and potassium diet. That was tough because I couldn't have chips, crisps and chocolate."

Amy's details were added to the NHS Organ Donor Register as soon as she started her dialysis.

It took two years for a suitable match to become available.

"My blood group is quite rare and that made it hard to find me a kidney," said Amy, who went to John Port School in Etwall. "When I was little, I knew kids who were having their transplants just a few weeks after dialysis.

"For me, the wait was much, much longer. I don't think I was bothered at the time. I was young and obviously I didn't know the importance of the transplant.

"Now I'm a mum, I can't imagine how my own mum felt about it. She must have been so worried."

Amy received her donation from a young boy, who lost his life after being involved in an accident.

Many of his organs, including his other kidney, lungs and liver, were given to others.

"He saved the lives of so many people, including mine," said Amy, who works at Sainsbury's in Burton.

"For a while, my parents kept in touch with his mum and dad. They wrote to each other for a bit but they aren't in contact now.

"I will always feel indebted to the boy. He saved me."

After her transplant, Amy had a tough six months. She developed infections and had to go back into hospital. She also got pneumonia.

"I think my mum and dad regretted the transplant for a while because I had been so well on my dialysis," said Amy. "After about six months, things settled down and it was fantastic for me to say goodbye to the regular renal treatment."

Amy was 20 years old when her care, which had always been in Birmingham, was transferred to the Royal Derby Hospital.

But from the moment she received her new kidney, she has been under the watchful eye of her renal team.

Amy said: "When I talked to my consultant at Derby about wanting a baby, he was very supportive.

"He said he would have to change some of the drugs I took and that I would have to wait three months for the other medication to leave my system before I could try and get pregnant.

"Anthony and I were really happy. Obviously, we had to be patient because getting the medication right was important, but we were in no rush.

"It was my blood pressure pills that had to change."

Three months later, after Amy and Anthony had been given the green light to try for a baby, they received some wonderful news.

Amy was pregnant and she says Anthony, a 33-year-old avionics design and section leader with STC Twenty One in Derby, was in complete shock at the news.

"It was hilarious really," she said. "Ant and I had talked about just how long it might take me to get pregnant and I'd told him it could be a while.

"Obviously, because of my kidney transplant and all the medication I took, I thought it could take us a good year at least. Happily, that wasn't the case.

"I got pregnant straight away and I was so thrilled. Ant was too.

"It was everything we wanted."

Almost as soon as Amy revealed a positive pregnant test, she was back seeing the renal team at the Royal Derby Hospital.

Checks were immediately carried out on her kidney function and doctors were pleased with the results.

At her 12-week and 20-week scans, the growth of Amy's baby was closely monitored.

Every two weeks after that, she went back for further scans.

"I was looked after so very well," said Amy. "It was wonderful to have so many scans. I got a bunch of scan pictures and it was great to see the baby growing normally.

"At the 20-week scan, special attention was paid to Seth's kidneys. I guess everyone wanted to be sure that he was all right."

Baby Seth was born six weeks early at the Royal Derby Hospital. He weighed a tiny 4lbs 8ozs and was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit.

"When he was born his heart rate dropped and a tribe of medical people burst into the room," said Amy.

"He was rushed to the baby unit and a while later we were told that Seth might have to be transferred to Kettering.

"Thankfully, he didn't have to go because his condition improved."

Amy cannot thank the renal team at the Royal Derby enough. She says the care she receives is superb.

It is thanks to them, she says, that her health has continued to be good.

"Having a kidney transplant could have stopped me from enjoying life," she said.

"But that has not been the case. I've done some wonderful things, like work in America, and my health issues have never got in the way.

"And when I wanted Seth, the team at Derby were only too happy to support and help me.

"I don't know what the future holds, no-one does. But I'm so proud of what I have achieved and my son will know all about what I've been through when he's older.

"I want to give him the moon and the stars – and I will.

"Thanks to my kidney transplant at the age of nine, I've been able to have so much.

"I still think about the boy who lost his life and his parents who allowed me to have one of his kidneys.

"Of course, I will be forever grateful and now we've got Seth, it's even more vital for me to stay well."

DOCTOR Janson Leung, consultant nephrologist at the Royal Derby Hospital, said: "Kidney transplants save lives.

"Professor Sir Magdi Yacoub described transplantation as 'one of the great success stories of the latter half of the 20th century'.

"But more than that, kidney transplant allows the patients to live the lives that they would not be able to live otherwise.

"Women with advanced kidney disease or on dialysis would frequently be infertile. "Even if they could get pregnant, the pregnancy itself would be very risky to both the mother and the baby.

"However, after kidney transplantation, the fertility of the patient recovers very quickly and the pregnancy will be a lot safer.

"There are currently more than 10,000 people needing an organ transplant in the UK.

"Last year, the lives of 4,655 people were transformed by a transplant. Their success depends entirely on the generosity of donors and their families who make this life-saving gift."

Encore Re-use on Mayfield Road, Ashbourne, is challenging members of the public to make-over one of its show pods in just one hour. The Recycled Interior Design Challenge 2015 will be judged on Facebook, and three finalists will have the opportunity to design Encore's shop window. To arrange a challenge spot, or for more information, call 01335 300 907.

A NEW 18-month lease for the Ilkeston Citizens Advice Bureau to continue to be based at the Albion Centre is expected to be confirmed next week.

The bureau has been at the Albion Centre for the past five years.

Councillors at next week's Erewash Borough Council meeting are expected to approve extending the lease, which will ensure the Citizens Advice Bureau team, part of the Derbyshire Districts Citizens Advice Bureau, can remain in the centre.

The council converted part of the centre into offices for the Citizens Advice Bureau offices in 2010, when it moved in.

The current lease runs out on June 23 and terms for the new 18 month lease to run until December 24, 2016, have been provisionally agreed.

Councillor Carol Hart, Erewash Borough Council's deputy leader and lead member for community engagement, says: "The Citizens Advice Bureau team offers an important service to the residents of Erewash and we are pleased to be able to offer the new lease so they can continue to be based at the Albion Centre.

"The 'rolling' short-term leases ensure flexibility in the use of the building for both the council and Derbyshire and Districts Citizens Advice Bureau."

The council executive meeting will be held at Ilkeston Town Hall on Thursday, February 26, at 10.30am.

DARRAGH Lenihan is having a dream breakthrough season in senior football – and is desperate to see it out at Burton Albion.

The 20-year-old Blackburn Rovers midfielder has made 13 appearances on loan to the Brewers and is set to add another away to Dagenham & Redbridge today.

It is his first taste of senior football and he wants it to continue as long as possible – hopefully all the way to a promotion party.

"I had two years out of the game from when I was 17 to 19 with a double stress fracture of my back and one or two little niggles," said the Irish Under-21 international.

"This year has been fantastic and I couldn't have imagined it would go this well.

"I said last year that being on loan at a team looking to win promotion was my aim.

"Touch wood, I can fulfil my aim at Burton in the next few months. They're a great club to come to and I'd like them to be in League One this time next year. That's the plan."

Lenihan says that Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has given him the confidence to go out and play his natural game.

The Brewers boss caused a stir when he dropped club skipper Lee Bell – now on loan at Macclesfield – in favour of Lenihan.

But that faith has been rewarded with a string of mature displays.

"He's given me a lot of confidence to express myself," said Lenihan. "That's what he says to a lot of the lads.

"He always tells you to express yourself and play your football – that's what we try to do.

"I like being in that type of role with the freedom to play my own game.

"It reminds me of playing schoolboy football – that's what he's giving you the confidence to do."

Now, Lenihan is hoping to stay at the Pirelli Stadium until May but accepts a final decision is not his to make.

"I'd love to stay for the rest of the season but at the end of the day it's out of my hands," he said. "I'm a Blackburn player and they make the final decision.

"But if it was up to me I'd like to stay and, hopefully, be able to put on my CV that I won promotion in my first loan spell.

"There's another five games this month, so touch wood I can play in all of them and, hopefully, win them all."

DERBY Athletic Club wants to take over the city's Moorways Sports Centre and has other organisations interested in helping with a bid.

The popular venue, which is currently run byDerby City Council, is due to close on Tuesday, March 31, at 10.30pm because the authority says it cannot afford to run it alongside Derby Arena.

But the council admits that the future of Moorways after that date has not yet been decided.

Derby Athletic Club had already revealed it was interested in taking over the running track, which is part of the Moorways complex.

Now it has said work was under way to see how feasible it would to be to take on the running of the sports centre as well, where it uses the sports hall for training.

Councillor Alison Martin, the city's cabinet member for leisure, said that "various bodies have shown an interest in taking over".

She said: "We have to look into whether that's feasible. It's going to close as a council-run sports centre. We've got the arena and we can't afford the maintenance cost to run both."

Athletic club chairman Keith Bullock said that two organisations had expressed an interest in joining with his to run the sports centre and track.

He did not want to name either for commercial reasons. But he said one was a Midlands-based sports and social organisation which already had experience of running places like the sports centre. The other is a football club.

Mr Bullock said: "It behoves us all to try and keep as many sports facilities in the city as possible. It would be wonderful if we could keep sport in that building.

"We are trying to put forward a proposal to the council to see if they would be interested in trying to develop that into a full-scale bid. At the moment we don't know whether the council will accept an offer.

"Let's face it, the council are running the centre at the moment and they've not spent a lot of money on it. It looks a bit tired but a lot of that is superficial.

"A good coat of paint would make a difference. I'm not denying there may be some work needed on things like heating and ventilation systems, rewiring perhaps.

"But first impressions from the sports and social organisation involved were that it was nowhere near as bad as they thought."

He added that the athletic club did have money set aside that could be used to make improvements to the track and clubhouse.

Mr Bullock said: "Our clubhouse is bursting at the seams so we need to extend that.

"We wanted to do that some time anyway but we've sat on it because we didn't know whether the club was still staying at Moorways.

"We didn't want to invest if we had to move elsewhere. What we'd be looking for is to use that with match-funding to get a considerable investment to develop the clubhouse or the club facilities."

He said that the possible joint-bidders would probably bring money to the project but would also bring expertise at running a facility like the sports centre.

Mr Bullock said the football club had apparently wanted to establish a base at Moorways for some years.

He said: "There are other football clubs interested I believe but this is the only one I'm concerned with."

A council spokeswoman said that, after the sports centre closes, the authority's first priority would be to secure the building.

She said: "Once this has been achieved, the council will be able to consider the options that could be explored for the future of the centre.

"The council will consider all the potential options before making any final decision."

When asked if the council had offered the clubs and organisations that use Moorways sports centre places elsewhere, she said: "Yes – all current clubs and organisations have been offered alternative slots at Springwood and/or Derby Arena.

"They have been asked to return their expression of interest to relocate to the other facilities."

Moorways swimming pool had also been under threat of being closed in April. The council announced in December that it was proposing shutting it to claw back £350,000 to help towards multi-million-pound savings it needs to make. But, earlier this month, the authority's Labour leadership announced money had been found for it to stay open for at least another year.