POPULAR radio presenter and writer Brian Tansley has died.

Mr Tansley, of West Bridgford, worked for BBC Radio Nottingham and Radio Trent during his career in broadcasting.

Latterly, he had written for the Nottingham Post, producing regular pieces for our Bygones section.

Mr Tansley had suffered from an illness and died at Queen's Medical Centre at 11.45am yesterday. He was 61.

His friend Vince Eager said: "I am very saddened by this. He will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.

"I had known him for many years. I went off to America for around 14 years and when I came back he came to see me straight away.

"He was a really good guy and was great at what he did. He researched what he did thoroughly. He always believed in doing that.

"He was a great believer that if you were going to do something, you should do it right and give it everything you can."

Mr Tansley didn't have any children. His elderly parents live in Weston-super-Mare.

He trained as a journalist when he left school in 1967 and contributed cricket and football reports to the fledgling BBC Radio Nottingham from July 1968.

He eventually became sports editor at Radio Trent, concentrating on Notts County, before switching to nightly music presentation and later becoming a presenter on BBC Radio Nottingham's Afternoon Show.

In 2003, he joined Ruddington company The Media Group, filming, writing and designing magazines for such clients as the Football Association.

He also contributed cricket reports for television on Sky Sports News and more recently he had been presenting on local radio station Solid Gold Gem.

Fellow Bygones writer and former Post journalist Andy Smart also paid tribute to Mr Tansley.

He said: "I first met Brian in the early 1970s when I was doing football reports on Mansfield Town for Radio Trent and he became a good friend over the years.

"He was always very professional with great interests in football and rock and roll, particularly The Shadows.

"He will be sadly missed by people across the city."

Staff at Solid Gold Gem yesterday e-mailed the Post to express their sorrow and turned their Facebook page black as a tribute to him.

Len Groat, speaking on behalf of the station, said: "Brian Tansley was truly a one-off.

"Brian needed little guidance, he was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the music and his audience that all he needed was occasional praise, which he always modestly accepted.

"We were proud to work alongside Brian once again on our internet station.

"All of his radio colleagues from over the decades will miss him, and particularly his friends and colleagues here."

THE vast majority of residents in Nottingham are satisfied to be living in the city, according to a new survey.

The 2012 Citizens' Survey was carried out by the city council in December, and the results have just been released.

2,000 Nottingham residents took part in the survey and 84 per cent said they were satisfied with their local area as a place to live.

This was down one percent from the previous year. The responses also showed that:

70 per cent of respondents believe that the city council provides value for money

66 per cent said they were satisfied with the way the council runs things

71 per cent said they feel the council kept them very or fairly well informed

89 per cent said they felt that their local area was a place where people from different backgrounds got on well together.

Council leader Jon Collins said: "I am pleased that such a high proportion of people are happy living in Nottingham, as the city council has a big part to play in this.

"The fact that two-thirds of people are satisfied with the city council, at a time when Government cuts are forcing us to make some tough decisions about services, shows that we are continuing to focus on the things that matter to local people."

The top factors that people complained about included crime, dirty streets and road and pavement repairs. There were also calls for more activities for teenagers.

AS the Post prepares to launch its Bark in the Park competition for the second year running, a Notts animal shelter has more than a dozen pooches waiting to be adopted.

Our annual competition is in search of the cutest canines in Notts.

Dog owners are asked to bring their pets to one of the city's parks to have its picture taken and they will then be in with a chance of winning a bowl full of prizes.

And every owner will receive a goody bag for simply entering the competition.

At Radcliffe-on-Trent RSPCA animal shelter there are currently 17 dogs of a variety of breeds which are in need of loving owners.

Kelly Rogan, who works at the shelter, said they always welcomed people to come along and see whether there was a dog suitable for them.

She said: "We encourage people to come down and see the dogs available for adoption. People who decide to adopt are asked to fill out a questionnaire and we then give them a home visit to check they are suitable for the adoption process.

"We are open from 12.30pm until 3.30pm every day including the weekend so people can just pop in for a chat.

"Different dogs need different owners and we are always on hand to give advice about which dog to adopt."

The week-long Bark in the Park event will run from Easter Monday, April 1, until Saturday, April 6.

All of the dogs pictured will be featured in a special supplement in the Post and readers will be able to vote for their favourite.

Last year's winner, a five-year-old Lhasa Apso, Oliver, took home three years' worth of dog food after seeing off competition from 364 rivals.

If you think your dog has what it takes to become Notts' most popular pooch then simply pick up a copy of the Post and fill in the entry form, or arrive between 9am and 1pm at the following parks throughout the week to enter your dog:

Monday April 1: Colwick Country Park.

Tuesday April 2: Wood- thorpe Park, Sherwood

Wednesday April 3: Wollaton Park

Thursday April 4: Vernon Park, Old Basford

Friday April 5: Victoria Embankment, The Meadows

Saturday April 6: Wood- thorpe Park, Sherwood

We want to hear about all your amazing dogs. If you have an interesting "tail" to tell, e-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk or join the debate at thisisnottingham.co.uk.

MICK Leonard swapped the sunshine of Dubai and a significant pay cut to return to Meadow Lane almost five years ago.

But it is moments this season, seeing players like Fabian Spiess, Liam Mitchell, Haydn Hollis, Curtis Thompson and Greg Tempest play for the first team, which makes it all worthwhile.

Notts County is in his blood, having played more than 200 league games for the club between 1979 and 1988, and a call from then manager Ian McParland back in 2008 saw him straight back on the airplane home.

After being axed a couple of years before, the youth scheme was being brought back, from scratch.

And McParland wanted ex-goalkeeper Leonard to build it from nothing, quickly establishing a set-up from nine-year-olds to U16s and then scholars with the aim to generate players for the first team.

Less than five years on, after plenty of change at the club, the youth set-up has remained the one constant and already players have come through and Hollis for one could start again in the heart of defence at Swindon Town in League One tomorrow.

But while immensely proud of the job his close-knit team have done, Leonard views this as simply the beginning.

It is evident from the way he speaks it is sheer passion that drives him and, when it comes to the long-term future, he is looking at the likes of Crewe as the club to emulate in the youth ranks.

For two decades and more, they have produced players and sold them on for millions, like Danny Murphy, Dean Ashton and more recently, Nick Powell to Manchester United, in a deal worth up to £6m, last summer.

Add to that bringing young players to the club, giving them a first-team chance and seeing them blossom, like David Platt and Robbie Savage, they have a superb pedigree.

And Leonard sees no reason why, with a lot of hard work and dedication, the Magpies can't do the same so the youth set-up funds itself and not only that, could pay for an infrastructure that could be a solid foundation for the whole club.

"In such a short space of time, we have done so much and it is great to see youngsters getting a chance in the first team," he said.

"I am still convinced that a selling point of Notts County is our philosophy that young players will get a chance.

"We might be a smaller club than Manchester United but that does not mean to say we cannot recruit as well as others, or say our neighbours across the river.

"People will now see what is happening and know if they progress, do all the things right off the pitch as well with their education and how they conduct themselves, their chance will come and you will get that opportunity.

"The club is looking to develop assets and sometimes it is difficult convincing people about the long-term development of youth. I don't know why the Academy was scrapped in the first place, I wasn't here. But whatever the reasons, they weren't the right ones.

"I was just delighted to come back and start it up again because it was Ian McParland's vision, he knew it was vital. There is a long-term strategy and if you stick with it, you will produce results.

"Look at Crewe. I would say we are a bigger club but their business model for young talent is excellent.

"They will look to develop players and sell one every two to three years and that covers the cost of the Academy and that has been happening for 20 years now.

"They have done it again and again and I am convinced our club can get into a similar position in a few years' times to be doing the same."

Leonard said it is one huge team effort that has got the Magpies to this point, working with Darren Davis, Brett Adams, Lee Broster and Nick Palmer, as well as all the part-time coaches working with the age groups.

The fact players are already getting their chance should only help snowball the recruitment process, as the club is seen as one that is prepared to give youth a chance.

It might be a small team but Leonard believes it is that closeness that is making it so effective, with more focus rather than a network scouring the world for talent.

"I think I get more satisfaction doing this than if I was running the academy at say Chelsea where you can buy a youngster for £2m," he said. "Yes that would still be a gamble but it is one they can afford to take.

"We are not gambling, we are picking the best ourselves and doing what we can to develop them for first-team football.

"We want them to be proud to wear the black and white stripes. We want to instil the right discipline and principles into the players. This club has a rich history and a lot of proud supporters.

"I played for the club for ten years myself and took a lot of pride and satisfaction from that and to produce another young player to wear the black and white stripes with such pride makes me happy.

"This is the start of something and we have some exceptional young kids in the younger age groups too. I am not naive to think at ten they will go all the way because I have seen from experience that does not happen.

"There are a lot of negative influences out there and they might not be able to handle it mentally or be ready to battle, they might not develop physically or just want to do something else. Things change but we will keep plugging away.

"When I finally hang up my boots, which I don't intend to do for a long time, I would love to think a couple of players have been developed and sold on to invest in the club's own training facility.

"Maybe not at the level as at Forest or Derby, but if we do sell a couple of players, that money could be invested in that area for the club.

"Maybe it is just a pipe-dream but I would love to see us with our own training ground for the club and academy. It would further help to attract better young players and get us up to that next level."

AT the tender age of seven, Sami Mistry has saved his mother's life not just once but on numerous occasions.

The primary school pupil has developed a sixth sense about mum Rebecca, who has suffered from chronic Type One diabetes since she was a little girl.

Sami can spot the almost imperceptible signs that she's going into a hypo – a potentially deadly lowering of blood sugar levels – and springs into action to fetch her a juice drink to give a lifesaving sugar boost.

He can also administer a glucose solution through a feeding tube attached to Rebecca's stomach.

The impressive youngster has even had to regularly phone the emergency services, explain symptoms and talk them through the developing crisis until paramedics arrive.

Rebecca, 32, explains: "He's amazing, he knows exactly what to say.

"He calmly asks for an ambulance, and he'll say 'my mum's Type One diabetic, she has insulin, she's having a hypo and I tried to get her to drink, but she won't and I've put some juice in the tube but she's still not coming round.'

"I remember one of the first times it happened, when Sami was only five.

"He opened the door to the paramedics and they were looking round saying 'where's the lad that we were speaking to on the phone?' They couldn't believe he was so young and he knew all that complicated medical stuff. Sami has taken on so much – more than I ever imagined he'd be able to do. He's my hero."

With his missing front teeth and cheeky grin, Sami is just like any other boy his age.

But when a crisis hits, he turns into a true professional.

The youngster, whose family live in Rushcliffe Borough, finds it difficult to explain how he knows his mum is about to have an attack.

"It's not really like fainting," he says. "She goes into her own little world, like she's flying into space in her imagination and stuff. I know from the way mum's acting and speaking.

"Like last night, my little brother Luca was being a little bit naughty and mummy gets stressed out and that's how it starts sometimes."

Rebecca had to quit her job as a probation officer in 2010 when her condition deteriorated badly. She was on dialysis and had a kidney transplant shortly afterwards.

At its worst, she could be having two hypos a day, but after switching to a new insulin pump system she's hoping to get the attacks under control.

At present, they're down to three or four times a week, but Rebecca has to monitor her blood glucose every half hour – a reading of below four being the trigger for a hypo.

She adds: "The worst that could happen is I could fall into a coma and if I didn't get help and didn't come round, that could be it – I could die."

Alarmingly, Rebecca sometimes doesn't even know she is having a hypo – and has to rely on Sami or her husband to spot the subtle clues.

"Sometimes it happens too quickly for me to register," she says. "But Sami seems to know. Last night he knew I was having one and I didn't at all. He noticed because my hand jerked ever so slightly.

"He immediately knew and went off and got me a juice. He can walk into a room and tell immediately. I don't know how he does it – sometimes he says it's my eyes. Other times, I just don't know – it's instinct."

Sami is even training younger brother Luca, five, to spot the signs and come to mum's aid.

Being able to administer juice via a feeding tube has also proved invaluable as often Rebecca is unable to drink from a straw. "Sami has done that a couple of times," she says proudly. "It's been a lifesaver."

Rebecca is also convinced that there is something about Sami's voice which helps her come round from an attack more quickly.

"He knows if he talks to me, I focus on him," she explains. "Sometimes when my husband helps me, it's much harder for me to come round but if I hear Sami's voice, it really helps."

Rebecca fully supports plans by Notts County Council to give young carers like Sami more support.

"I don't like Sami having to do all this for me," Rebecca admits. "No parent would want to put that burden on a child. But this is how it is and I've got to accept it.

"It's a taboo subject. People don't want to think that children have to do things like this for an adult.

"They need to be given more credit. These children will grow into teenagers and it could go one way or the other for them – it could ruin their life or make it for them."

Sami has had regular support from the county's young carers service since he was five, including outings with other children and one to one counselling sessions in school.

The family are now hoping he'll be able to get additional first aid training.

Rebecca explains: "He takes it all in his stride, but it is scary for him. There have been hypos when he's been very distressed afterwards.

"At the time, he's really calm and collected, but it hits him quite hard afterwards.

"He sometimes has to sleep in our room and he won't go to sleep until he knows I'm okay.

"He's so good at everything, but you've still got to remember he's a child and sometimes he just needs his mum."

AT the time, it raised many an eyebrow when then boss Keith Curle released his retained list.

After steering Notts County to the cusp of the play-offs in League One, losing out on goal difference, Curle went about reshaping his squad for his first full season in charge.

And when it saw goalkeepers Stuart Nelson and Rob Burch both released last summer, many were perplexed.

Nelson had been a cornerstone of the team, one of the best performers. But Curle, along with goalkeeping coach Kevin Pilkington, wanted a new man.

And that arrived in the shape of Bartosz Bialkowski from Southampton, joining on a three-year deal with highly-rated Fabian Spiess and Liam Mitchell left to fight it out for a spot on the bench.

Now, with the season entering its final furlong, the decision has been vindicated. The 25-year-old Pole has made 40 appearances and pulled off some heroic performances in matches.

Notts sit six points off the play-offs, ahead of a trip to Swindon today, but former player and now coach Pilkington believes the new No.1 has been a huge success.

"Nelson did fantastic but we wanted to bring somebody in and for Nels to be number two would not be right," said Pilkington.

"So we made the decision that he could go and find another club somewhere and he has gone to Gillingham and done a brilliant job so it has worked out for both parties.

"I am chuffed for him and hopefully they will win promotion and be in League One next season.

"Bartosz has done a fantastic job and I have been so pleased with him. He has a level head, is so enthusiastic and takes everything on board. He wants to work hard and his performances have proved we made the right decision.

"Bart has proved nothing hassles him and he has had that one nasty setback with his head injury, when he suffered concussion at Leyton Orient.

"In his first game back against Walsall, it did affect him a little bit when coming out for the ball, but from then he has been a different class and been vital for us in games.

"He has been the difference in some games and the lads love him to bits. Playing week in, week out is what he needed and it gets you sharper, more consistent so we have been pleased with the decision."

While he was out, Spiess got his chance and took it with some impressive displays between the posts.

He only turned 19 a few weeks ago but showed maturity beyond his years and Pilkington said the German-born stopper, as well as Mitchell, who is on loan at Tamworth, have been doing very well.

And while he has loved every minute of being goalkeeping coach, the 39-year-old said the adjustment has been strange, especially as he was still playing for Luton at the start of 2012.

"It has been different and a bit strange not playing and not being involved as a player on a Saturday," he said. "I have been getting used to it and it is never dull.

"I have been playing for the last 20 years so it was always going to feel weird but I like to keep fit, be around the lads and I still want to be a winner so it has been very enjoyable."

One blow came when Keith Curle was axed as manager earlier this year. And as the man who brought him back to Meadow Lane, it was a difficult time for Pilkington.

But he has remained in his position under new boss Chris Kiwomya and accepts it is just part and parcel of the game.

"When you take the job as a coach or manager you know at some point in your career either yourself or someone else is going to get the sack," he said. "It was disappointing because Keith Curle brought me in and I have a lot of time for him and made good friends with coaches Colin (West) and Colin (Lee).

"But we all know that's football and it is what happens and rightly or wrongly, at some stage it is going to happen.

"Just look at how many managers have gone from their jobs since the turn of the year, you just know it is going to happen at some point."

All his focus is on helping the club make the play-offs and Pilkington believes it is possible.

"The season is far from over," he said. "That win the other day against Scunthorpe put us six points off the play-offs and if we put two or three wins together, it is a different picture.

"We have to get back in the pack and need to put in a couple of big performances against the top teams coming up. If you keep pushing, keep believing, anything can happen. We saw that last season when the lads went so close.

"There is no reason why we can't put a run together, starting today at Swindon."

THE task facing Notts County this afternoon at the County Ground is not an easy one.

The Magpies face a Swindon Town outfit who have scored the most goals of any side in the league this season, with 63.

Another interesting statistic is that Swindon have conceded the fewest goals of any side in the league this season at 29.

Coupled together, this makes for a difficult clash for both the Notts attack and defence against a side three points off Doncaster in top spot and nine above Chris Kiwomya's 11th-placed side.

Swindon have also only conceded 13 times at home from 19 games this season and face a Notts side who are short of goals themselves – having scored only four times in their last six games.

"They have got a good forward line in their team and that is their big strength, so we have to be on our guard," commented Kiwomya.

"It's about looking at their strong points but also looking at their weaknesses. We spend time looking at both of those things, but we've got enough good players in our ranks to cause them problems and if we can get the consistency I'm trying to look for over the 90 minutes then we should be a good match for them.

"They've got good forwards and we've got to be alive to that, but we've also got to take the game to them because otherwise we'd be defending for the whole game.

"We've got good attacking and defensive players in our team so hopefully we'll get that blend right."

With another tough game against Brentford to follow, and then the visit of Yeovil on Bank Holiday Monday, Notts can take points off some of their play-off rivals in the next ten days.

"Every game we want to win, so therefore every game is a much-needed win," added Kiwomya. "Hopefully we can go to Swindon, which will be a very tough game, and give a good account of ourselves."

A GROUP of Notts footballers have been involved in a five-a-side-football feud so strong that they have played out their grudge match over 1,000 times.

The men have been contesting a weekly Reds v Whites match for 25 years.

The game, which takes place at the John Carroll Leisure Centre, in Radford, started in 1988 and, despite participants coming and going, the regular fixture has remained.

Organiser and Reds captain Nick Clark, from Carlton, is the only one left of the original ten players, but many of the current participants have been around for a lot of that time.

"We're all getting a bit long in the tooth," he said. "But none of us want to give up.

"At 49 I'm the youngest on our team, but age has its advantages. If we miss a week, our children can come in and take our places."

Nick added: "When we first started it was a works thing – we all worked at the Notts Archives just off Canal Street and the opposition was made up of people we knew.

"It's intensely competitive. The older we've got, the more competitive it's got – it hasn't slowed down."

The group don't mind whether those replacements are boys or girls.

Reds player, Russ Bradley brought his daughter Sophie along – although she had to stop playing as she now represents England.

Nick's own daughter Hazel is also well-known in the women's game as the Notts County Ladies' goalkeeper.

"We had women in the game from the very start," Nick said. "Long before the ladies game was popular in this country the Reds were fielding Sheila Ferguson, whose support for Manchester United gave our team the shirt colour we still play in."

But how long can the veterans carry on?

Nick said: "We may be pushing it to do another 25, but I think there's a few years left in the old legs yet. We'll keep going for as long as we can."

Matt Pickles plays for the white team and has been involved in the game since 1995.

He said: "I got involved through mutual friends – it's a good balance between being competitive and having a good spirit."

Matt, who is originally from Sheffield but now lives in Sherwood, added: "It's not the same players. It's evolved over time, it's carried on because we're having a good time.

"It's a good way to start the weekend."

A NEW £11m college building features its own beauty salon and restaurant where students can learn real skills to prepare themselves for the world of work.

West Notts College has opened the flagship building at its Mansfield campus.

The £11 million centre in Derby Road will provide training for the hairstylists, beauticians, holistic therapists, chefs and hospitality professionals of tomorrow.

It is the centrepiece of a £24 million overhaul of the campus, which will also feature a new sports hall and arts centre. The main tower will also be re-cladded.

The centre, home to the college's Lifestyles Academy, was officially unveiled yesterday.

Students will be able to provide services to the public as part of their courses.

Student hairdressers and beauty therapists will work in a salon called Revive, while catering students will gain experience in a fine dining restaurant called Refined.

And with nearly one in 20 people in Mansfield out of work, it is hoped it will boost students' job prospects.

Melanie Barford-Cowley, 41, of Blidworth, who is doing a level two course in beauty therapy, said: "The building is excellent. We were previously in a tired building in the town centre, so to come here is amazing.

"We actually get the chance to have customers in here and put what we have learned into practice.

"I want to be able to get a job and possibly run my own salon in the future, so this will really help out."

Student hairdresser Sheema Morrabi, 21, of Mansfield, agreed.

She said: "It is a great place to come and learn. Everything in the building is state-of-the-art, like the equipment we use and even the products we have.

"I really look forward to coming into college now."

Professional cookery student Lathaniel Marshall, 18, is able to learn the ropes behind the bar.

He said: "The restaurant is great. I am able to practice things like cocktail making, which is really good experience."

The new building has three floors, catering for around 3,000 students.

It was designed by architects IBI Taylor Young and built by Mansell Construction.

Part of the funding came from a deal with Lloyds Commercial Banking, with the college putting up the rest.

As well as the salon and restaurant, there are also 17 classrooms, six IT suites and an open-plan resource area.

In addition to PCs and laptops, each classroom and IT suite contains hi-tech audio visual equipment.

As well as the Derby Road campus rebuild, the college is spending a further £16 million on its other buildings across Mansfield and parts of Ashfield.

Principal and chief executive Asha Khemka OBE said: "It's vital we equip students with not only the right qualifications but also the skills and characteristics that employers are looking for. By providing students with the most realistic working environment possible, they are gaining the all-important industry experience needed to succeed in a competitive jobs market."

The college's investment has been backed by the Derbyshire and Notts Chamber of Commerce.

Chief executive George Cowcher said: "It will give young people the opportunity to learn in a realistic workplace environment to ensure they understand the expectations of employers and are better prepared for the world of work."

TWO people were taken to hospital yesterday with life-threatening injuries after a crash on the A52.

The accident happened at the Saxondale roundabout at 12.50pm and involved two cars. The road was closed throughout the afternoon and only reopened at 5pm.

Josh Royce, 20, of Radcliffe-on-Trent, who works at the Royal Oak pub, said congestion was bad after the accident. He said: "I went to West Bridgford before I started work in the morning. But on the way back to Radcliffe the traffic was really backing up. It was pretty much at a standstill.

"It took me about an hour and 15 minutes to get back and I had to follow the diversion through Cotgrave.

"The snowy weather really doesn't help in situations like this either."

Jen Sheriston, of Stanton-on-the-Wolds, left work in West Bridgford at 4pm but by 5.10pm she was still stuck in traffic.

She said: "Normally it takes me 15 minutes to drive home but I was crawling along the A52 for ages.

"I thought it might be to do with people going home early due to the snow.

"The traffic was at a standstill and we were all moving at a snail's pace." Elaine Lockett, who has lived in Radcliffe for 43 years, said she thought the A52 had enough safety measures in place with speed limits and cameras – but that the lead up to the new Saxondale roundabout could be confusing.

She said: "I wasn't aware there had been an accident because I've been at home all day. But I wouldn't say the road between Radcliffe and the roundabout was particularly dangerous.

"There are speed limits and cameras in place. I suppose the new roundabout could cause confusion for people who don't know the road though."

Anyone who witnessed the accident is asked to call police on 101, quoting incident 322 or March 22.

PARTS of Notts were hit hard by unseasonable weather yesterday as the Met Office issued an amber weather warning across the East Midlands.

More than 30 schools and colleges in the county and the city were closed due to the snow, including Garibaldi College in Mansfield, Healdswood Infant and Nursery School in Sutton-in-Ashfield, Holgate School in Hucknall and Jacksdale Primary and Nursery School in the city.

The city centre saw around one to two centimetres of snow in the morning but by and large it didn't settle.

Areas of higher land and the north of the county were the worst affected, with up to four centimetres of snow in some places.

However Elaine Shaw, 51, of Bestwood Park, was "appalled" that Bigwood School, which her daughter attends, shut its doors to students.

The childminder called the Post to say there was no snow in the area.

She said: "There is not one drop of snow here but I've just had a text from the school saying it is shutting. If we all decided to pack up tools because of a bit of snow what would that teach the kids?

"Everyone else has to go to work so schools shouldn't close."

But Carol Jones, 51, of Kimberley, said she couldn't get off her drive when she tried to go to work.

The mother-of-two, who works at a school in Derbyshire, said: "I couldn't believe how much snow there was. We live on top of a rather steep hill and it is pretty difficult to drive up or down it in the snow.

"I couldn't even get my car off the drive. This weather is utterly ridiculous for mid-March."

While East Midlands Airport stayed open, a spokesman said "several flights" were either delayed or cancelled.

A spokesperson for the Met Office said further outbreaks of snow were expected to fall throughout today but that it was expected to dwindle away tomorrow and Monday.

She said: "Friday has seen cloudy and cold weather across Notts with outbreaks of snow which have built up to several centimetres in some parts.

"There will be further outbreaks of snow and it will feel very cold in the brisk easterly winds, with a minimum temperature of minus two degrees. By Saturday the snow and strong winds will continue in Notts but will tend to become lighter and more intermittent later in the day.

"It will still feel very cold and will be frosty and icy overnight."

Sunday and Monday looked set to be cloudy with no forecast for snow, but would still be cold. The maximum temperature is expected to be just two degrees.

THE regeneration of part of St Ann's has moved a step closer to completion.

Plans to build 111 new homes at the Stonebridge Park Estate, off Carlton Road, were approved this week.

And cash for the makeover of the Rocket Park play area on the estate has also been promised.

The latest plans are a continuation of the regeneration of Stonebridge Park, which began in 2009, with several parts of the estate already built.

Building firm Keepmoat was given £620,000 from the Government's Get Britain Building fund and is working in partnership with the city council on the development.

Resident Richard Pearson, 55, of Belle Vue Court, had been writing to government ministers asking for money to be spent in the area.

He said: "We're quite pleased with the whole development.

"It's going to be a really good thing for St Ann's. It should make the area brilliant and a nice place to live."

The application for 111 new homes constitutes phases 3 and 6 of the regeneration project and relates to the eastern and central areas of the Stonebridge Estate.

City councillors have also pledged £11,000 toward the redevelopment of Rocket Park – a play area which sits in the heart of the estate.

Barry Crofts of Eastham Close, has been living on the estate for 32 years.

The 61-year-old said: "It's all being done well. It's good news. I walk my dog in Rocket Park and that will look a lot better."

The development of the estate involves 258 new homes and the upgrading of 243 existing houses.

Councillor Dave Liversidge said he was pleased the latest plans had been passed. "We're going quicker than I ever imagined in the area," he said.

"We need to get that park working for local residents.

"I think it's going to be an attractive area whether for council tenants or people in a bought house."

The new houses will be made up of 31 two-bedroom-houses and 81 three-bedroom-houses. Eight of the houses are due to be low-cost housing units, with the rest of them for sale as private homes.

Shaun Fielding, regional head of land and partnerships at Keepmoat, said: "It's a privilege for Keepmoat to work with Nottingham City Council and residents to continue the redevelopment of the Stonebridge Park area of St Ann's.

"The site will offer buyers the opportunity to own a home on the doorstep of the city centre, but for a fraction of the cost of a city-centre flat."

A MAN spent more than 20 hours on the roof of a community centre in freezing temperatures during a stand-off with police.

The 27-year-old climbed on to the roof of the Red Lion Community Centre, Commercial Road, at 2.30pm on Thursday.

After spending the night on top of the building, he climbed down at about 10.30am yesterday and was arrested by police on suspicion of theft, burglary and criminal damage.

People living near the centre said the man had been threatening to jump, while others said people had been passing food up to him.

Jane Walster, 51, who has lived in Gilead Street for six years, said: "I got home at about 5.30pm on Thursday and saw Commercial Road cordoned off.

"I did not realise what was going off until my husband said a lad was on the roof of the community centre. It was so cold that night, he must have been freezing."

"When he came down he was checked over by a paramedic who had been standing by.

"He seemed delirious and said he had lost the feeling in his hands. I think that worried him and was part of the reason he came down."

Mother-of-four Tracy Spowage, 47, of Gilead Street, said she had first noticed the man on the roof as she was walking to collect two of her children from school at 3pm on Thursday.

She said: "His family shouted at him trying to get him to come down.

"He was just wandering about on the roof. I don't know what he's done to put himself in that situation."

Patrick Cassidy, 61, of Severn Street, said: "I saw all the police coming up here in vans. They then ran down the back alley near the community centre, and I heard the man shouting from the roof.

"We couldn't move for police cars and vans along here. I've never seen anything like it."

Police cordoned off Commercial Road between the Gilead Street and Coventry Road junction, and its junction with Severn Street.

Officers from Bulwell station, which is only a few yards away from the community centre, were at the scene.

After the man, who is from Kirkby-in-Ashfield, was arrested, they cleared debris left on the road below the community centre.

The man remains in custody.

KARL Darlow has already proved he can be the next Lee Camp at Nottingham Forest.

The rookie keeper had some huge shoes to fill when he was handed his first-team chance following the departure of the unsettled Camp, on a free transfer, in January.

But Chris Cohen believes the impact Darlow has made in the 11 games he has played so far have already established his credentials as the long-term first-choice keeper.

Darlow has kept three clean sheets in the last four games and was close to keeping out Wolves' only goal at the City Ground on Saturday, when he almost clawed away a header from Matt Doherty.

And Cohen, who has been a regular in front of Darlow in the Forest back four, has been impressed by his confidence.

"I said how good he could be from the start. I believed he could be as good as Campy has been for us," said Cohen. "The one question mark over a keeper who has not played a lot of first-team football is always over 'can he come and collect crosses?'.

"You can't really prepare for that too much in training, because it is not the same.

"Over the last few games Karl has been fantastic. He has probably had more of that to do than he has had shots to save.

"We all know what a great shot stopper he is, because we have seen it in training.

"The thing that has impressed the lads the most has been how he has handled himself under pressure. The Hillsborough game was the prime example, when he was coming for crosses and being commanding."

Cohen admits it was always going to be a baptism of fire for the 22-year-old, who had only gained first-team experience during loan spells with Walsall and Newport County.

"Nobody knows how they are going to cope with pressure until they are in the spotlight," said Cohen.

"The experience at Walsall will have helped him. But the big game at Wednesday, with so many people there and with the television cameras as well, he was a big presence.

"That makes me think I was right when I spoke about what a good career he could have."

NOTTS County midfielder Greg Tempest is set to make his full League debut for the club at Swindon Town in League One today.

The 19-year-old has been named in the Magpies' starting line-up against the Robins.

Notts are also boosted by the return from injury of right-back Julian Kelly and Alan Sheehan faces his former club.

Enoch Showunmi will start as a lone striker at the County Ground.

NOTTS: Bialkowski, Kelly, Leacock, Liddle, Sheehan, Bishop, Boucaud, Tempest, Judge, Hughes, Showunmi. Subs: Pilkington, Hollis, Thompson, Bencherif, Smith, Arquin, Zoko.

NOTTS County were indebted to their no.1 goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski in a goal-less first half at Swindon Town in League One today.

The Pole made two good saves to deny the Robins in the opening 45 minutes at the County Ground, while the Magpies did not threaten to score once before half-time.

The big news before kick-off was that 19-year-old midfielder Greg Tempest started in the Magpies' midfield, making his full League debut for the club.

Notts were also boosted by the return from injury of right-back Julian Kelly and he joined Dean Leacock, Gary Liddle and Alan Sheehan, a former Swindon player, in defence, in front of Bialkowski.

Tempest was named alongside captain Neal Bishop, Andre Boucaud, Jeff Hughes and Alan Judge in midfield, while Enoch Showunmi started in attack.

The Magpies came under pressure in the opening stages of the game as Swindon winger Gary Roberts fired a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area on ten minutes and midfielder Simon Ferry dragged an effort wide from inside the box two minutes later, after Liddle had blocked a close-range shot from Andy Williams.

Tempest looked confident on the left wing and Judge was full of energy, but, with just Showunmi up front, Notts badly lacked a cutting edge and it was the home side who threatened again on 21 minutes, defender Alan McCormack smashing a shot at goal from 20 yards that Boucaud charged down.

McCormack then swung a dangerous cross into the Magpies' penalty area on 23 minutes that Williams headed back across the six-yard box and Kelly hacked clear under pressure.

Sheehan got the first sight of goal for Notts, after Bishop was fouled 25 yards out on 30 minutes, but the Irishman miscued a free-kick badly wide against his former club.

Swindon were quickly back on the attack, however, and Bialkowski was forced into his first save on 34 minutes.

Roberts fed the ball to Town right-back Nathan Thompson inside the box, he struck it powerfully at goal and Bialkowski blocked it at his near post.

Bialkowski made a second good save to deny Tommy Miller four minutes later, parrying away a stinging low shot from the midfielder from 20 yards at full stretch to his right.

BARTOSZ Bialkowski was Notts County's hero in a goal-less draw against Swindon Town in League One today.

The Magpies' no.1 was in top form and made several great saves to deny the Robins at the County Ground.

Enoch Showunmi went closest to scoring for Notts with a second-half header that was deflected onto the crossbar and the home side also hit the woodwork after the break.

The big news before kick-off was that 19-year-old midfielder Greg Tempest started in the Magpies' midfield, making his full League debut for the club.

Notts were also boosted by the return from injury of right-back Julian Kelly and he joined Dean Leacock, Gary Liddle and Alan Sheehan, a former Swindon player, in defence, in front of Bialkowski.

Tempest was named alongside Neal Bishop, Andre Boucaud, Jeff Hughes and Alan Judge in midfield, while Showunmi started in attack.

The Magpies came under pressure in the opening stages of the game as Swindon winger Gary Roberts fired a shot over the crossbar from the edge of the penalty area on ten minutes and midfielder Simon Ferry dragged an effort wide from inside the box two minutes later, after Liddle had blocked a close-range shot from Andy Williams.

Tempest looked confident on the left wing and Judge was full of energy, but Notts badly lacked a cutting edge and it was the home side who threatened again on 21 minutes, defender Alan McCormack smashing a shot at goal from 20 yards that Boucaud charged down.

McCormack then swung a dangerous cross into the Magpies' penalty area on 23 minutes that Williams headed back across the six-yard box and Kelly hacked clear under pressure.

Sheehan got the first sight of goal for Notts, after Bishop was fouled 25 yards out on 30 minutes, but the Irishman miscued a free-kick badly wide against his former club.

Swindon were quickly back on the attack, however, and Bialkowski was forced into his first save on 34 minutes.

Roberts fed the ball to Town right-back Nathan Thompson inside the box, he struck it powerfully at goal and Bialkowski blocked it at his near post.

Bialkowski then made a second good save to deny Tommy Miller four minutes later, parrying away a stinging low shot from the midfielder from 20 yards at full stretch to his right.

The Pole was looking in good form and he made a third good save in the opening minutes of the second half, stopping a close-range header from Ferry on 50 minutes.

Swindon were appealing for a penalty a minute earlier, after Williams went down in the box in a tussle for the ball with Liddle, but ref Carl Berry rightly turned them down.

Bialkowski then tipped a dipping shot from Swindon sub Louis Thompson over the bar on 57 minutes, before Bishop threatened for Notts on 64 minutes.

Showunmi laid the ball off to him inside the box and the Magpies' captain drove it at goal, but it was blocked by a defender.

Notts then threatened twice more in the space of a couple of minutes.

Judge forced Swindon goalkeeper Wes Foderingham into a good save with a long-range curling shot on 69 minutes and from the subsequent corner Showunmi directed a close-range header at goal that Williams deflected onto the underside of the crossbar.

The home side hit the woodwork six minutes later, striker Adam Rooney heading against a post from inside the six-yard box on 76 minutes.

The rebound fell to sub James Collins and his shot hit Sheehan and deflected over the bar.

Swindon piled the pressure on Notts in the closing minutes, but Bialkowski refused to be beaten.

He made a great save to deny Collins on 87 minutes, spreading himself brilliantly to block his close-range shot and deflect it over the bar, and then stopped Darren Ward's powerful header from the subsequent corner on the goal-line.

SWINDON: Foderingham, N Thompson, Flint, Ward, McCormack, Williams, Ferry, Miller (L Thompson, 51), Navarro, Roberts (Collins, 66), A Rooney (De Vita, 85). Subs: Bedwell, Devera, L Rooney, Waldon.

NOTTS: Bialkowski, Kelly (Smith, 93), Leacock, Liddle, Sheehan, Bishop, Boucaud, Tempest (Arquin, 59), Judge, Hughes, Showunmi (Bencherif, 73). Subs: Pilkington, Hollis, Thompson, Zoko.

ATTENDANCE: 8,415 (217 away).