THOMAS Weir, 28, of Stephen Road, Newark, denied assaulting a female in the town on April 14. He has been bailed by magistrates in Nottingham to attend his trial on July 25 at 2pm.

GLEN Alexander Heinke, 21, of Dennis Avenue, Beeston, has been found not guilty of causing criminal damage. The case against him was dismissed at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He was accused of causing £3,600 damage to three cars on November 29 last year in Broughton Drive, Wollaton.

MARGARET Greaves, 53, of Mavis Avenue, Ravenshead, pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis in Ravenshead on April 17. She was fined £80 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. She was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

ALEX Hughes-Carter, 23, of Winston Court, Newark, is charged with using threatening behaviour in the town on April 18. He has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on May 23 at 2.15pm.

CHRISTINA Crampton, 38, of Leiston Gardens, Top Valley, will appear at Nottingham Crown Court on May 23. She is on bail after being charged with producing cannabis in Top Valley on March 3.

JOHN Sanson, 43, of Labray Road, Calverton, denied using threatening behaviour and assault in Nottingham on November 4 last year. He is on bail to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 20 at 10am.

DAVID Wharmby, 39, of Minerva Grove, Hucknall, will have a trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on September 1 at 10am. He denies falsely representing the extent of his physical capabilities to the Department for Work and Pensions on April 16, 2010. This was allegedly with a view to claiming Disability Living Allowance.

LLOYD Smith, 28, of London Road, Nottingham, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly in Lister Gate, Nottingham, on April 17. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was conditionally discharged for 15 months and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

MARK Rowley, 40, of Fritchley Court, Mansfield, has been caught drink-driving at nearly four times the limit. He was behind the wheel of a Ford Focus in Jubilee Way North, Mansfield, when he was caught on February 21.

When tested, he had 132 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. He pleaded guilty at Mansfield Magistrates' Court and was given a three-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. The court heard his drink drive reading was exceptionally high. Rowley will be supervised by the probation service for 12 months and must do 220 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay an £80 victim surcharge and £85 costs. He was banned from driving for three years.

JASON Smith, 34, of Norwich Gardens, Bulwell Hall, is on bail at attend a plea and case management hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on September 4. He is accused of possessing cannabis and cocaine with intent to supply in Nottingham on February 24.

JAMES Shirley, 24, of High Main Drive, Bestwood Village, is accused of possessing cannabis with intent to supply in Bestwood Village on February 27. He is on bail to attend Nottingham Crown Court on July 17.

TONY Bourn, 46, of Southwell Road East, Rainworth, is charged with driving without due care and attention and being a disqualified driver. He was allegedly caught driving in a blue Peugeot 307 in Valley Road, Old Basford, on March 11. He is on bail to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 30 at 2pm.

CLIVE Edwards, 44, of Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, has been bailed after he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a male in Broxtowe in February. His case has been listed at Nottingham Crown Court on May 23.

DAVID Jukes, 49, of Lymn Avenue, Gedling, has been fined for outraging public decency by behaving in an indecent manner and using threatening behaviour.

He admitted committing the offences in Rise Park on December 23 last year. He was fined a total of £200 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He was ordered to pay £45 costs, £40 compensation and a £20 victim surcharge.

JAMES Taylor, 32, of Shelford Road, Radcliffe-on-Trent, was found guilty of assaulting a female in Clifton on June 23 last year. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was handed a community order with supervision from the probation service for 18 months. A restraining order was made to prevent him contacting the victim. He was ordered to pay £200 compensation, a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £400.

MATTHEW Wingfield, 24, of Hodgkin Close, Clifton, was found guilty of not paying a rail fare at Nottingham Railway Station on November 13 last year. The fare amounted to £16.90, magistrates in Nottingham heard. Wingfield was fined £300, ordered to pay £16.90 compensation, a victim surcharge of £30 and costs of £85.

PLANS were put forward to close 44 libraries in Notts as part of proposals to find £83 million of savings, it has been revealed.

The massive cut to the library service was one of a number of budget saving measures drawn up by Notts County Council.

In the end no libraries were shut, but council leader Alan Rhodes has said the service is one which will have to be run differently in future – with community groups and parish councils taking a more active role to ensure book lovers can still get their fix.

He told the Post: "People are less concerned about who delivers the service and more about the quality of the delivery."

He said that in future, community groups and parish councils could take on running of libraries full-time.

But he admitted that people may appear cold to the idea at first.

He said:"In Misterton, we went to the parish council and put our proposals to them.

"They were sceptical at first and had concerns about being saddled with it. Once we had assured them the support would still be there, they recognised the potential.

"It's innovative thinking and will save that service. We were faced with prospect of closing 44 libraries – that was put to us by officers.

"We said no to that, it was a red line issue. I don't want to be the council leader that closed all the libraries in Notts."

One of the first community run library is set to open in Annesley Woodhouse, whereAshfield Community Radio and Media Training (ACRMT) is set to run a new community partnership library within the Acacia Centre.

Both parties have agreed to the plans, and it is just awaiting legal sign off.

Peter Clarke, centre co-ordinator, said the project could be a blueprint for other areas of the county.

He said: "We want to create somewhere which is like a one-stop shop for the area – we'll have the library, a work club and SureStart centre here.

"It will be like a community hub. If people need something in the area, they'll know exactly where to go."

And Burton Joyce Library, in Meadow Lane, already has a team of eight to ten volunteers supporting a handful of paid staff after opening hours were cut in previous years.

Judith Wright is among them and said: "This is a very community-minded village, so people would probably come forward."

The plans to involve community groups, private companies and parish councils will not be limited to the library service.

It is part of a wider project called Redefining your Council which will see a mass review of how services can be delivered by outside bodies in the future.

The authority has said these steps are needed to ensure the financial stability in the face of increasing demand for services and decreasing funding.

But opposition councillors have accused the ruling Labour group of U-turning as it rejected Conservative calls to outsource services at a budget meeting in February.

Tory leader Kay Cutts said: "Labour have U-turned and now acknowledge that the council must work more with outside partners to deliver services, yet they remain hamstrung by socialist dogma and will sidestep some vital opportunities to divert more public money into frontline services."

Do you think volunteer-run libraries are a good idea? E-mail opinion@nottinghampost.com

FATHER-OF-TWO Chris Browne is faced with having to prove his identity after discovering that he does not have a National Insurance number.

The Post has previously reported that the 38-year-old, of Forest Fields, is currently unable to get a job because he lacks the number.

Mr Browne was born and educated in the UK, but has spent the past 20 years living and working in Sri Lanka.

He and his family returned to the UK last month, but for the last five weeks he's been unable to work due to an issue with HM Revenue and Customs locating his records.

They have now told him his details cannot be found as he doesn't seem to have a National Insurance number.

Mr Browne, of Exeter Road, said it had emerged that he was never automatically issued with a number because his parents never registered him for one.

He said: "I was 18 years old when I left the UK."

UK nationals aged over 16 are issued with a National Insurance number, which records their tax contributions and state pension entitlements. Mr Browne was born in Scotland but has lived for most of his life out of the UK.

After finishing his studies, he moved to live with his parents in the Middle East and spent time in India, before settling in Sri Lanka.

Mr Browne, his wife and their two children returned to the UK on April 8.

He wrote to HM Revenue and Customs on April 11 requesting his National Insurance details and had a phone call four days later to say it could take four to six weeks to resolve.

He now faces a further four week delay to reapply for a new number.

Mr Browne said: "My first thought was maybe they retire your National Insurance number if you do not pay taxes or do not claim benefits.

"It's taken that long to find out I don't have one and now I've got to reapply."

Mr Browne said the wait to resolve the issue has meant the family has been forced to seek the help from the Nottingham Law Centre's food bank as they have no money for food.

The family has also been living without heating for two weeks, as is now cooking using a kettle and a small oven as their gas supply has run out.

He is also doing up his rented accommodation as a deal with his landlord, until he is able to pay rent in full.

In a letter to Mr Browne, HM Revenue and Custom said: "You recently asked us to confirm your National Insurance number.

"Unfortunately in this case we cannot provide you with written confirmation of your National Insurance number because we cannot find a National Insurance number for you. It seems that you do not have one."

Mr Browne is due to go to the Job Centre in Canal Street, Nottingham, tomorrow to have an 'Evidence of Identity' interview.

He said: "I have to do it. I have got to follow the rules.

"I may not agree with them but I've got no choice.

"I've my UK passport, my birth certificate, and council tax and household bills. How can I have a UK passport if I'm not British?"

A HM Revenue and Customs spokesman said they couldn't comment on Mr Browne's case specifically, but added: "Depending on when the individual left the UK it is possible that an individual is not issued with an NI number, for example if he left the UK before he was of working age.

"There is a standard process for applying for an NI number through the jobcentre offices and that does require a face to face visit with proof of ID."

For more details visit www.gov.uk/apply-national-insurance-number.

A COURT will hear from experts involved in social care and public protection before a pensioner is sentenced for wounding his wife.

Morris Poismans, 68, of The Patchills, Mansfield, is awaiting sentencing after he wounded wife, Margaret, 67.

She suffered 30 stab wounds to her mouth, head, back and larynx in November.

Her husband entered his plea on the basis he had not been in control mentally.

His case was mentioned at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday and adjourned for a date to be fixed.

1. Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra: Work from Rachmaninov, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich, with Yuri Simonov conducting and cellist Natalie Clein featuring as soloist. Royal Concert Hall, 7.30pm. Tickets priced £10 to £32.50 from 0115 989 5555 or www.trch.co.uk.

2. Wife After Death: Eric Chappell's comedy. Dave Thursby might be dead but he is still very much present in the thoughts and preoccupations of the mourners attending his funeral – and all are shocked to discover that they probably didn't really know him at all. Orchard Theatre Company, Duchess Theatre, West Gate, Long Eaton, 7.30pm. Tickets £6 to £8 from www.orchardtheatrecompany.co.uk.

3. Museums At Night: The Galleries of Justice Museum will be open until 7.30pm today – two hours longer than usual – as part of this national initiative run by Culture 24. Tickets cost £5 and must be pre-booked on 0115 952 0555 or www.galleriesofjustice.org.uk.

4. A World Defined: The Derby post-hardcore band, who made a recent appearance at Nottingham's Hit the Deck festival, are back in town for a gig at the Rescue Rooms. Tickets £6.75, doors open 7pm, over-14s only. Goldsmith Street, city centre. Call 0115 828 3173 or visit www.rescuerooms.com.

5. Godzilla: Warner Bros brings to life the story of "the world's most famous monster". Previews looked impressive but didn't give too much away about the monster itself, so catch openings today. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ken Watanabe, Elizabeth Olsen. Showcase Cinema, Redfield Way, Lenton, various showings in 2D and 3D. Details from www.showcasecinemas.co.uk or 0871 220 1000. And see our review in tomorrow's EG.

6. An evening of poetry and prose: Nottingham Industrial Heritage Association hosts an evening of poetry and prose based on transport. The event is at the King William IV pub, Manvers Street, Sneinton, at 7.45pm, with a range of material read by members and friends of the association. Admission free.

USING a cheap lock to secure a bike worth hundreds or even thousands of pounds is a false economy, a cycling expert has said.

Joe Kneip, from The Cycle Garage, in Exchange Road, West Bridgford, shared his tips for cycle security following a spate of bike thefts in the area.

One bike a day was stolen from a series of crime hotspots in West Bridgford throughout April with around 20 offences recorded in March.

Mr Kneip, 28, who has worked at the bike shop for almost three years, said: "During that period we had at least 10 cyclists come into the shop and five were on the same day.

"Some of the bikes had been completely stripped of their parts and some people came in for help with insurance claims.

"The cost to fix or replace a bike can range from £100 to £600 so it is worth investing in a good lock."

Mr Kneip suggested spending around £20 on a D-lock which should be looped through the frame and wheel both in public spaces and at home.

He said: "If you just lock the wheel it's pretty easy just to take the wheel off.

"Some people are deterred by how big the locks are, but if the cyclist feels like that then so will the thief."

Police have identified several hotspots in West Bridgford, including West Bridgford Library, in Bridgford Road; David Lloyd Leisure Centre and the National Watersports Centre; Asda, in Rugby Road; and ROKO, in Wilford Lane.

Keen cyclist Lisa Bailey, 40, of West Bridgford, advised people to check their privacy settings on GPS cycling and running apps such as Strava.

She said: "A lot of us use Strava which plots your ride and tells you where you are. If you choose to share that information everyone can see it."

Over the past two or three months six people have been arrested in connection with bike thefts in the area but Inspector Craig Berry says the situation is improving.

He said: "Bike theft is a problem across Nottingham but West Bridgford is suffering disproportionately, although this month the number of offences has halved.

"We are working together with the community to tackle the problem.

"Bike lockers may be installed in the next 12 months, and there are three BMX capture bikes which are being displayed around the area to remind people to lock their bike up."

He added: "We have spoken to business owners as they need to share responsibility too and they've happily got on board.

"So there are security guards keeping an eye out at the supermarkets and good quality locks available at the gyms. The main thing is we don't want people deterred from cycling."

Have you been the victim of bike theft? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

CRUMBLING schools promised multi-million pound new buildings two years ago are still waiting for the first brick to be laid.

Parents and teachers are becoming increasingly frustrated – with some wondering if the work will ever start.

The Government announced its Priority Schools Building Programme in May 2012 and promised that three city and 15 county schools would be rebuilt. Yet Fountaindale School, near Mansfield, is the only one where work has started – despite the deadline for completion being 2017.

For some, contractors have been appointed, but others, such as Top Valley Academy, are still waiting.

This means thousands of children will have to put up with lessons in outdated classrooms which often suffer from problems such as broken boilers in the winter.

Anna Grant-Thomas, head teacher at Glenbrook Primary School, in Bilborough, said: "It is frustrating. I just want children at my school to have the best, but we are having to wait. I understand that there is a lot of work to go through before the work can start. But our building dates back to the 1950s. The extra cost it takes to heat the school could pay for another teacher for a year."

Springfield Primary in Bulwell is also on the waiting list. Mum Kerry Saunders, 29, attended the school herself two decades ago and now sends her eight-year-old son Mitchell there.

She said: "Nothing has changed since I came to the school. It still has the same smell. Children in this day and age should not have to come to schools which are so out-dated. More effort should be given to making sure these schools get their rebuilds."

The Department for Education confirmed that contractors had been identified for some schools, though no dates for the start of work have been confirmed. A spokesman said: "We are now working on the designs."

SEPTEMBER 2017 is a date Peter Brown has firmly pinned in his mind.

That is the date students and staff at Top Valley Academy will – he hopes – move into a new building.

But Mr Brown, who is principal at the academy, has been here before.

In 2010, it was one of dozens across the country which were left in limbo when the coalition Government scrapped the old Building Schools for the Future programme.

Two years ago this month it was revealed a that new scheme – the Priority Schools Building Programme – would replace it.

To Mr Brown's delight, Top Valley was on the list.

Work has yet to start on that rebuild, but Mr Brown is confident that nothing can stop the progress now, as work is being done to identify contractors.

He said: "If everything goes according to plan we hope that building work will start at the end of next year and will be completed by mid-2017.

"This would mean we will be able to move in for the start of the 2017-18 academic year.

"We are the lead school in the last batch due for a rebuild. We have had a bidding day for contractors so the process is a fair way down the line.

"Once the contractor is identified then plans can be drawn up and then we will be able to get definite dates for work to start."

Mr Brown is confident that not even a change of government, following next year's General Election, would put the brakes on this scheme as happened with its predecessor in 2010.

And there are two other city schools along with 15 in the county with similar hopes.

They were all placed on the rebuild list by the Government but are yet to see a brick laid, unlike Fountaindale Special School, near Mansfield, where work has begun and should finish at the end of the year.

Some of the schools are nearer a start date than others, with contractors having been appointed. All of them have been promised they will be in new buildings by September 2017.

At Top Valley, the new building will mean they have room for 900 students, including sixth-formers, well above the current roll of 620.

The new building will go on a site next to the existing school, meaning lessons will not be disrupted.

Once it is finished, the current building will be knocked down and most likely replaced by a car park.

Mr Brown added: "It will be fantastic when we have the new building. We do believe there are more important factors in a school, for example the strength of teaching, but it will be nice for everyone here."

Mr Brown's optimism is not shared by all, with frustration expressed about the time being taken to start the rebuilds.

The other two city schools due to have rebuilds are Springfield Primary in Bulwell and Glenbrook Primary in Bilborough.

Kim Charman, 30, whose daughter Zoe, eight, goes to Springfield Primary, is concerned.

"I think the whole shape of the school is odd," she said. "It is very long and narrow, which is not very inclusive compared to modern schools.

"My daughter has only been going to the school for a few months. It is an old school. It would be nice if it was to get a new build."

All of the city schools fall into Nottingham North MP Graham Allen's constituency.

He has urged the Government to speed up the process.

He said: "My message to [Education Secretary] Michael Gove is to pull his finger out and get on with this.

"This is something that has been hanging around for some time and needs to be moved along. We want to give these kids the best schools possible, not those which are out of date. The scheme is grinding forward but every year we don't do this, young people are trying to learn and teachers trying to teach in facilities that are not at the standard they should be."

Do you think the school rebuilds are taking too long? E-mail marcus.boocock@nottinghampost.com

THE following city schools are waiting to find out when they will get a rebuild:

Top Valley Academy

Glenbrook Primary, Bilborough

Springfield Primary, Bulwell

In the county, work has already started at Fountaindale Special School, near Mansfield.

The following have had a contractor appointed but have not seen work start:

Lynncroft Primary School, Eastwood.

Sunnyside Primary School, Beeston.

Brierley Forest Primary School, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

John Davies Primary School, Huthwaite.

Leamington Primary and Nursery Academy, Sutton-in-Ashfield.

South Nottinghamshire Academy, Radcliffe-on-Trent.

A contractor is currently being sought for a second batch of schools in Nottinghamshire. They are:

Abbey Primary School, Mansfield.

Annie Holgate Infant and Junior schools, Hucknall (these are classed as two schools but will become one primary with a new building).

Newark Academy

The Flying High Academy, Mansfield.

The Wainwright Primary Academy, Mansfield.

Serlby Park Academy, Bircotes (this is a split site made up of primary and secondary level, hence classes as two schools).

BRITAIN'S relationship with the EU is not working.

For some time now we have been deeply unhappy with what the EU has become. The EU needs fundamental change; it's time for the British people to decide our future.

In 1973 we joined a Common Market for increased trade, growth and jobs. But today we have a European Union obsessed with political integration and harmonisation.

Its focus has changed from creating new jobs and opportunities, to producing endless red tape and needless legislation.

Too many powers have been given away to Brussels. It's time to bring powers back.

The EU is becoming deeply uncompetitive in the face of globalisation.

We need to refocus the EU on trade, not protectionism. It's time to look out to the rest of the world instead of in on ourselves, and it's time to create opportunities and jobs for our young people, so they can be proud of their country and have a bright future to look forward to.

This European election is the most important in a generation. I, like anyone under the age of 55, have never had a say on our relationship with the EU.

It's time for change. It's time to let Britain decide on our future with the EU, with an In or Out referendum.

Only the Conservatives are committing to delivering real change in the EU and giving the British people their say in a vote.

So if you want to cut the cost of Europe and make Europe work for business, if you want to keep out of the Euro and take back control of our own borders, if you want to keep out of future EU bailouts and take back control of justice and home affairs, you need to Vote Conservative.

If you want to see real change in the European Union, and if you want to have your say in an In or Out Referendum, you need to Vote Conservative.

I am committed to representing you in the EU, defending the UK's best interests and making sure we take control of immigration and border control, stopping EU waste and corruption, and delivering a referendum on British EU membership.

I am passionate about my country. If you, like I, want to see real change, real results and get a real referendum the only option is to vote Conservative.

We are the party standing up for Britain in the European Parliament. We are the only party who have the desire and the power to deliver this for the British people.

It's time for Britain to govern its own future and decide its own destiny.

I'VE been in politics since 1999, and this is my fourth Euro election campaign. And I've never seen anything like it.

The response for Ukip on the doorstep and in the street is overwhelmingly positive, and the opinion polls indicate that Ukip could top the poll on May 22.

What's going on? It's partly a sense the old parties are simply not engaging with the concerns of ordinary people. By contrast, Ukip has a ring of authenticity. Like us or not, you know we mean what we say.

Immigration: People are worried about open borders, and huge numbers of immigrants coming into our country. Nick Clegg says Ukip wants "to pull up the drawbridge", but that's nonsense. We just want to control how many people come across. And we want to choose immigrants with skills our economy needs. Right now we're discriminating in favour of Eastern Europeans (often with low skills), and excluding highly qualified people from outside the EU (like Commonwealth doctors and nurses).

Jobs: It's preposterous that our opponents say "we need to be in the EU for jobs", when unemployment is higher in Europe than in Britain. Jobs in the UK are threatened by a series of perverse EU policies – over-regulation of employment, eye-watering energy prices driven by EU climate policy, open-door immigrationand the eurozone crisis, choking off demand for exports.

Wind farms and HS2: UKIP is the only party clearly opposed to these developments, both of which are politicians' vanity projects, wasting tens of billions of pounds for very questionable benefits.

Europe: Voters are fed up that the EU costs £55 million a day, that Brussels makes most of our laws, that we can't deport foreign criminals and terrorists. We believe the best people to govern Britain are the British people, not the Brussels bureaucrats.

The media likes to paint Ukip as "the Tory Party in exile". But the truth is we're attracting support across the board – and from people who haven't voted for years, because they recognise in Ukip an authentic new approach to politics.

JIMMY Spencer has promised Notts County fans they will get to see the best of him after he pledged his future to the club.

The highly-rated forward penned a two-year contract with the Magpies yesterday, which was a reward for his excellent form last season.

He played a crucial role as the club avoided relegation, scoring five goals, having only signed for Notts in January following his release by Huddersfield.

And now he is able to establish his roots in the city for the next two years, he says there will be more quality to come from him next season.

"I'm buzzing," he said.

"It felt right to sign for two years here after the four months that I've had.

"I was made so welcome when I came through the door that I knew then it was the right club for me.

"Signing for two years gives me a base rather than being at a club where I know I am going to be sent out on loan, like it was at Huddersfield.

"It makes such a difference knowing you are going to be settled and I'm determined to carry on the form of last season into the next.

"Now I have somewhere to lay down some roots, I think people will get to see the best of me."

Spencer said he owed a great deal of gratitude to boss Shaun Derry and his assistant Greg Abbott for giving his career a lifeline.

Spencer endured a tough time at Huddersfield, where he was sent out on loan numerous times, which included spells at Cheltenham and Scunthorpe.

But Derry and Abbott swooped quickly for the 22-year-old in the aftermath of his exit from the Terriers and he is determined to repay them.

"My confidence is very high because I've been playing games and that's down to the gaffer and Greg," he said.

"They've injected that into me and for any player confidence is so important.

"You need to be given a chance to show your ability and they did that for me in the last four months.

"That's why I've signed now because they've given me that opportunity.

"I have massive trust in them and I know they'll bring good players in too.

"They want players who are hard working and honest and who will want to go far.

"We may even end up surprising a lot of people.

"I am happy and I am ready to go now."

News of Spencer's signing delighted the striker's fans on Twitter, with them quick to besiege him with good luck messages.

He says their backing has been fantastic since his arrival and is hoping to reward them with more goals next term.

"The fans are very good to me on Twitter, in fact they are brilliant," he said.

"When you are out there on a Saturday, they do help you.

"They are a great set of fans. They really get behind you and I want to repay them by scoring goals.

"They will not want a repeat of what happened last season, which is why the start is so crucial.

"It's vital you begin it well because if you don't pick up points in that period invariably you will be struggling by the end.

"If we can get off to a good start we will be right up there."

Meanwhile, Notts County fans can watch England's World Cup matches in the Meadow Lane Sports Bar.

The Three Lions will open their group stages with a game against Italy that will not be shown.

But games against Uruguay on June 19 (8pm) and Costa Rica on June 24 (5pm) will be available on the big screen. Food and drink offers will be available.

STUDENTS at Nottingham's two universities are among the happiest in the UK.

The University of Nottingham has been ranked tenth in the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey, released today.

Nottingham Trent University came in 40th – but was the tenth most improved on last year's position.

And students at the universities concur, saying they are happy with life here.

Dipo Areoye, 20, who came from London to study computer science at the University of Nottingham and is now in his second year, said: "I think it's a great university.

"The course is really good and is opening up some fantastic prospects for me and others on it.

"There are lots of other clubs and societies to get involved in and chances to volunteer in the community.

"I am really happy. Nottingham itself is a really good city as well."

The survey is done once a year and takes into account the opinions of hundreds of full-time undergraduates from every university.

Students rate their institutions in 21 categories that matter most to them, from the quality of staff and lectures to social life and accommodation.

Nottingham's position marked a rise of one place from the previous year.

Registrar Dr Paul Greatrix said: "We're really pleased at this vote of confidence from our students.

"We aim to offer an outstanding student experience across all our campuses – in the UK, Malaysia and China - in all aspects of student life and this result confirms that we are providing students with what they really value, including top class teaching, excellent learning facilities, a wonderful Students' Union and great employment prospects."

James Oliver, 21, a third-year sport, business and education student at Nottingham Trent, is also more than satisfied.

"It is a great place to be," said James, who is originally from Surrey. "The city has something for everyone and is not too big either.

"The uni itself is really good. It has good facilities, like the library, the union and the sports facilities."

Nottingham Trent vice-chancellor Professor Neil Gorman said: "We have invested a great deal of time, effort and resources into listening to our students, working in partnership to improve the NTU experience.

"Our focus has been on delivering excellent teaching and research, at the same time as transforming our entire estate."

What do you think of the universities? E-mail marcus.boocock@nottinghampost.com

1 University of Sheffield (previous year: 3)

2 University of Bath (6)

3 University of East Anglia (1)

=4 University of Dundee (8)

=4 University of Oxford (2)

6 University of Cambridge ((previous year: joint 3rd)

7 University of Exeter (26)

8 Durham University (16)

9 University of Leeds (7)

10 University of Nottingham (previous year: joint 11th)

And here is the top ten most improved, according to the survey (place in overall table in brackets).

1 University of Stirling (previous year: 35th)

2 Aston University (65)

=3 University of Aberdeen (41)

=3 University of Liverpool (=59)

5 University of Exeter (7)

=6 Royal Holloway, University of London (53)

=6 King's College London (55)

=8 Brunel University (27)

=8 University of Sussex (38)

=10 Nottingham Trent University (40)

=10 Royal Veterinary College (44)