TOMORROW'S revival of the Milk Race in Nottingham should cement the city's place as the regional capital of cycling.

The competition will whiz through city centre streets 20 years after it last appeared in Britain.

It is coming back as a one-day festival of cycling, based around Old Market Square, with Olympic stars taking part in the race itself.

Gary Smerdon-White, Greater Nottingham Transport Partnership chairman and executive chairman of cycle training company Ridewise, said: "If you look over the previous five years, Leicester and Derby have had a lot of funding and events to do with cycling, but there's no doubt we've overtaken them.

"We are the cycling centre for the East Midlands, there's no doubt."

More than 10,000 people are expected to gather in the city's streets on Sunday for the event.

It follows a massive turn-out in Nottingham for the start of a stage of the tour of Britain in September last year, with Olympic champion and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins riding through the streets.

Next month, Cycle Live Nottingham – a three-day celebration of cycling around the Victoria Embankment – wheels in.

The festival, on June 23, will conclude with the 32nd running of the Great Notts Bike Ride.

Mr Smerdon-White added: "There is a big uptake in cycling locally for that, and that's down to cycling -related infrastructure.

"We've got cycling routes on all the radial routes and Citycard Cycle Hubs. We are doing really well. In cycling terms we punch above our weight.

The race starts at 11am tomorrow and lasts all day, with the men's race at 5.45pm.

Major names like Ed Clancy, Stephen Burke and Dani King will be taking part, with the public also able to ride the course from Old Market Square, up Friar Lane and St Peter's Gate to Long Row.

Former double world cycling champion Tony Doyle, race director, said spectators will be just inches from the action.

He said: "Cycling is one of those sports that's so accessible to the public. Riders are not prima donnas, they have got their feet on the ground.

"Tomorrow is a world-class event in Nottingham and it's free to go to. We're hoping it's really going to bring the city to life."

The milk race, a two-week stage race which ran for 33 years between 1958 and 1993, was the most prestigious cycling event in the British calendar.

Notts racer Alice Cobb, 17, from Clipston-on-the-Wolds, is taking part in the women's elite event in her first season of elite racing.

Councillor Jon Collins, leader of Nottingham City Council, and keen cyclist, said: "This Sunday will be a special day for Nottingham. Hosting The Milk Race event after such a long absence will create a buzz around the city and to top it off we have local young person Alice Cobb participating.

"We hope everyone across Nottingham comes to enjoy the activities and support Alice."

Follow all the action from the Milk Race on our live blog at nottinghampost.com.

We will be bringing you pictures and live updates from the men's elite race from 5.30pm tomorrow.

Join in with #milkrace and tweet your pictures to @nottingham_post.

THE NUMBER of people following Nottinghamshire County Council's Twitter account, @NottsCC has topped 10,000 for the first time.

Since launching its Twitter account in February 2009, the county council has tweeted more than 6,300 messages covering issues ranging from school and road closures to election results and events at country parks.

Councillor Alan Rhodes, Leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "As a keen user of Twitter myself, I know social media is becoming increasingly important as a way for local authorities and public figures to interact with the people they serve."

To join county council Twitter followers, go to www.twitter.com/NottsCC

ON a day-to-day basis Nottingham-born Nikki Stu works in an office job recommending the best computers to clients.

But as soon as she gets home Nikki rushes to her other desk - immersing herself into the world of magic and villains as she creates her next comic book.

The 27-year-old from Ironville has already had three comic book successes but now she wants to take the industry by storm with her new series Honeydew and Magic.

Nikki initially discovered her love for drawing at Matthew Holland Comprehensive in Selston.

From there she went on to study Fine Art at West Notts College, before taking a degree in illustration at the University of Lincoln.

She said: "I have been drawing since I was really young and have always been interested in comic books.

"I randomly went to a comic book convention with my friend and I realised I could make them myself.

Now Nikki who lives in Sheffield is looking to fulfil her hobby by creating a fourth comic book – this time in full colour.

She is already half way through inking Honeydew and Magic, a story about a tree spirit living in a girl's head, which Nikki hopes will be available by September.

She said: "It is a mixture of all the comic books I have read. I used to watch a lot of cartoons for inspiration."

Her most successful comic so far is Thank Goodness for Herald Owlett, an action adventure story about a feathery blue monster who has to fight evil – which is now on its third volume.

Page 45, a comic and graphic novel shop in the city centre stocks all of Nikki's comic books.

Store manager Stephen Holland said: "She is amazing. Some people come in specifically asking for her comic books."

He added that the store would be interested in stocking her Honeydew and Magic once it is saleable.

Nikki is hoping to become a full-time comic book writer in the near future.

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A WOMAN has been left shocked after her mother's ashes were among the items taken in a Stapleford burglary.

Tina Rhodes and her husband Stephen were on holiday when thieves targeted their property in Hickings Lane.

Police believe the offender or offenders smashed through the back door to gain access between the morning of Wednesday, May 15, and Sunday, May 19.

Mr Rhodes's green BMW, an iMac computer, a camcorder and other items were stolen – along with the Mrs Rhodes's mother's ashes and wedding ring.

Mrs Rhodes said: "Drawers and cupboards were thrown everywhere and they smashed the back door. There was glass all over."

She added that she ran straight to the bedroom to see what was missing – to discover the white cardboard box containing her mother's ashes was gone.

The sealed box – which reads "Joyce at Rest" – was kept in a jewellery box along with her mother's wedding ring.

Tina added: "I was just numb, shocked and shaken. It was hard to take it all in and make sense of it all.

"My legs felt like jelly. I just couldn't believe what I was seeing."

She said she believes the thieves only took ashes because they were kept inside in a jewellery box.

"I don't think they read it. They would have just tipped it into a bag and because it was sealed they took it to open later.

"Hopefully it has not been taken apart – I would like to think the ashes are still in the box."

Detective sergeant Paul Cash urged anyone with information to get in touch.

He said: "The family has understandably been left very shaken by this break-in and the things that have been taken.

"While items like computers and cars can be replaced, the box containing the ashes obviously cannot.

"The victims are anxious anyone who might be able to help recover it comes forward.

"We'd like to hear from anyone who might have anything that might help us with our investigation."

Anyone with information should contact Beeston CID on 101 extension 8125623 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

MANSFIELD shoppers have been hailed for their bravery after a 27-year-old man was jailed for attacking a woman in a car park.

Javan Charles Tennant grabbed the keys to the young woman's car and jumped in to the driver's seat after grabbing her throat.

But he got out again and was restrained by a mystery 17-year-old boy after another passerby raised the alarm.

Tennant of no fixed address appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday charged with robbery, actual bodily harm and possession of Class A drugs.

He pleaded guilty to all counts and was sentenced to four years in jail.

The attack happened in a car park off Regent Street, in Mansfield town centre, just before 3.30pm on Sunday, May 5.

Tennant's 20-year-old victim was returning to her Fiat Punto after work when he grabbed her by the throat and demanded her purse.

She refused so he grabbed her keys and forced her into the passenger seat.

She managed to escape through the passenger door, running towards another woman pleading for her help.

Tennant approached both women, posing as his victim's boyfriend, but the 46-year-old saw through his lies and challenged him.

A 17-year-old boy heard her cries and pursued Tennant. He eventually managed to restrain him on the ground, with help from another man, before police arrived and found heroin in his pocket.

Detective Constable Steve Dunn, of Mansfield CID, said: "I'd like to thank the brave residents who intervened that day, meaning we were able to make an arrest and gather most of the evidence there and then."

If this was you contact Notts Police on 101, quoting incident 560 of May 5 2013.

NEIGHBOURS helped a couple and baby to safety after a house fire.

A man, woman, and a six-month-old child fled their home in Brooklyn Close, Highbury Vale, when a fire broke out in a upstairs front bedroom.

Notts Fire and Rescue Service say the cause of the fire is currently unknown, but neighbours say they heard a loud bang around the time the fire started at 9.40pm on Thursday.

Marie Wright, who lives next door to the terraced house, said she and her partner were in their kitchen when they heard a bang.

The 31-year-old mum-of-two said: "I went upstairs to check on my kids and saw smoke coming into our bedroom from next door.

"I shouted my partner and grabbed the kids and ran out of the house. The woman next door then banged on our door telling us to get out, and I saw her front bedroom window was black with smoke."

She said her partner went into the house to get the man out, as he was upstairs trying to tackle the blaze himself.

"We were all screaming for him to get out," she said.

"I'm very shocked. It could have spread to our house.

"Everyone is fine though, which is all that matters. It could have been much worse.

"Both of them were distraught at the time, but she's alright now and looking on the bright side that everyone is OK."

Firefighters from Stockhill and Arnold attended the blaze, which was extinguished by 10.53pm. The two adults in the house required treatment for smoke inhalation.

A burnt mattress could be seen stood up beneath the house's front window yesterday, while a glass pane of the front bedroom window was missing and had blown into a neighbouring front garden.

Another neighbour, who asked not to be named, said he also went into the house to get the man out: "I heard a lot of shouting and someone saying 'get the dog, the house is on fire'.

"We got her and the baby out and I was going to go upstairs to get him but I couldn't see anything. I shouted at him from the foot of the stairs until he got out.

"The baby seemed fine and was gurgling and laughing, but they seemed shaken.

"You could see the smoke in the window. When the fire brigade ventilated it you couldn't see anything as the street was thick with smoke."

MUSLIM organisations and representatives from Nottingham's Interfaith Council met yesterday to respond to the Woolwich incident.

They were also joined by some community organisations as they met at the Islamic Centre in St Ann's to unite in their condemnation of the terrorist murder of British soldier.

Father-of-one Lee Rigby, 25, was hacked to death in daylight on Wednesday in front of horrified witnesses by two men.

Following the event Notts Police have already spoken out to reassure the public that they will not tolerate any action that may cause harassment or fear amongst residents.

Now faith leaders at the St Ann's meeting have spoken out to display the unity and cohesion that exists within the city.

Nottingham Interfaith Council issued the following statement: "We totally condemn the killing of an innocent person in Woolwich earlier this week and we also condemn all forms of extremism whatever they are.

"The thoughts of both the Muslim community and other faith communities in Nottingham are with the family of the man who lost his life and we pray for him."

The Muslim Organisation said in a statement: "These people do not represent the peace loving Muslim community or Islam at all."

There will be a unity and solidarity event on Wednesday, May 29, at 7pm at the Kashmir Centre in Carlton.

It is expected that more than 500 people will attend to demonstrate that Nottingham is united against extremism.

RAIL workers will be balloted over compensation for engineering work in Nottingham this summer.

The RMT union claims its members have not been offered any additional payments while drivers will get compensation for the impact the works will have on their jobs.

Despite the vote on strike action, an East Midlands Trains spokesman said the work was not going to cost or inconvenience staff.

Bob Crow, RMT general secretary, said: "We will not tolerate a position where our members working lives are turned upside down, for little or nothing in return, to fit in with events that are out of their control and which are set to last for much of the summer.

"We also expect all staff to be treated equally and fairly in respect of any agreements."

An East Midlands Trains spokesman said: "We are astounded to hear the RMT is preparing to carry out a ballot. We weren't aware of this and will be contacting the RMT as a matter of urgency to understand their position.

"The whole plan for the work has been designed to ensure that our people are not inconvenienced – our on-train team will still be able to commence their working day at Nottingham station as normal."

The work is due to take place from July 20 to August 25.

TWO Nottingham inventors have told of their pride at being made Honorary Freemen of the city.

Councillors are expected to confer the titles on Sir Peter Mansfield and Dr Stewart Adams at a full council meeting on Monday, July 8.

The honour is considered the highest the council can give and bestows a number of unusual rights, including permission to drive sheep over Trent Bridge and being able to graze cattle on "common lands".

Being allowed to take part in the government of the town's corporation is one of the more conventional rights of the title.

Sir Peter is being recognised for inventing the MRI machine and related equipment during the 1970s when he was a lecturer, reader and professor at the University of Nottingham.

Meanwhile, Dr Adams is to receive the title for his research which eventually led to the creation of ibuprofen.

Sir Peter, 70, of Beeston Fields, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in 2003 for his invention, said: "I'm very grateful that someone in the town hall in Nottingham has thought of me. I've had a number of honours over the years but I've never had anything home-based, so I regard this honour from Nottingham as being rather special.

"In all honesty, at the time I had no idea the MRI would become what it is today."

Decades before Sir Peter's MRI machine, in the 1950s, Dr Adams was working from the front room of a Victorian house on the outskirts of Nottingham.

His research discovered the first active compounds that eventually led to ibuprofen.

"When I discovered ibuprofen, I didn't realise it was going to be quite as big as it has been," said Dr Adams, 90, of Redhill.

"To be given the title Honorary Freeman is a very great honour which came out of the blue.

"I found out about six weeks ago and was just very surprised, pleased and delighted about it."

Dr Adams and Sir Peter are the 38th and 39th people to be given the honour.

Past Nottingham notables to receive it include Alan Sillitoe, Sir Paul Smith, Torvill and Dean, and Brian Clough.

City council leader Jon Collins is delighted with the latest two additions.

"Nottingham is very proud of the life-changing contributions made by Sir Peter and Dr Adams," he said.

"Our city is inspired by their contribution to medical science. I look forward to their installation as Honorary Freemen of the City and seeing their contributions recognised by Nottingham."

But the 35-year-old three-time super middleweight world champion is confident that this time he will be victorious.FOR THE REST OF THIS STORY CLICK HERE TO VISIT OUR NEW WEBSITE, NOTTINGHAMPOST.COMTO FOLLOW THE FIGHT LIVE FROM 10PM, CLICK HERE

ORGANISERS of a free summer playscheme in Radcliffe-on-Trent are looking for volunteers for this year's sessions.

Radcliffe Family Playdays was set up last year in the village and offered children, parents and carers the chance to try a range of crafts and activities for free during the six-week summer break.

It proved to be popular, with an average of 70 people at each of the three sessions, held at South Nottinghamshire Academy Lower School.

There were 10 volunteers last summer but this year, organisers want to double the number of sessions and to do so will need to double the number of volunteers.

Group secretary Deborah Giles said: "Playdays was a huge success last year. It was a chance for families to do something together, for free during the long summer break and we got some great feedback.

"Activities included circus skills, dressing-up, puppet-making, theatre, den-building and rocket-building.

"The children particularly enjoyed making the rockets with bicarbonate of soda and vinegar and seeing whose went the highest.

"The joy of these sessions is that they are completely free and really bring the community together."

Deborah said that the sessions couldn't run without volunteers.

"Everyone who helped out last year was great.

"We plan to run six sessions this year, once a week from July 25 to August 22.

"If people want to just help out at one session, that is fine; all the help we get is very much appreciated".

The group was formed last year after the county council offered training to volunteers about how to set up a play scheme.

Radcliffe-on-Trent Women's Institute helped out with refreshments and the academy offered the building.

This year, sessions will take place on Thursdays throughout the summer break from 10am until noon.

The last session will coincide with the Radcliffe-on-Trent Parish Council fun day.

To find out more about helping out, contact Deborah on 07974 838306 or e-mail radcliffefamilyplaydays@gmail.com.

EXPERIENCED police officers don't tend to exaggerate when talking to the media. So when Chief Inspector Andy Charlton, of Notts Police, describes some drivers as "bonkers", you can bet they deserve it.

His comments follow a police crackdown on the "fatal four" traffic crimes – drink-driving, speeding, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt.

He has revealed some curious differences between the sexes. Despite the stereotype of the forever-chattering female, it seems that women, in particular, like texting while driving. Men, meanwhile, are the worst culprits for not wearing a seatbelt. They're hard, you see: catapult a bloke through a pane of glass at high speed and send him face-first down the tarmac or into a lamp post and he might need an aspirin and a bit of plaster but...

Seriously, though, it's daft enough to laugh at – if it weren't so dangerous.

Let's all give Chief Inspector Charlton a hand. Next time you see someone using a mobile phone at the wheel, make a mental note of their registration number and – when it's safe to do so – call the police.

Some might say that's being an interfering busybody. We would call it lessening the chances of one more distracted driver ruining your life.