CHILDREN have called on their new bishop to be someone who says no to drugs, watches Wallace and Gromit... and has a slight interest in Jesus.

That was the verdict of youngsters who were asked their views by the Church of England.

The Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham is going through the process of choosing a new bishop following the departure of Bishop Paul Butler for his new role as Bishop of Durham earlier this year.

Children's Ministry Adviser for the diocese, Nick Harding, sent a broad invitation out to church-based children's ministry staff and volunteers, asking them to have a chat with their children, and feed back comments about what our next Bishop should be like.

Nearly 200 children responded, with advice ranging from they should go on television, be wise, be charismatic and organise more children's services.

But as well as saying it "would be awesome to have the first woman Bishop," the stand out comment was: "Our next Bishop could be interested in Jesus a bit, should be nice to everyone and not take drugs, not get angry with people who make mistakes, and watch more Wallace and Gromit."

A spokesperson for the diocese said: "We asked our children and young people about the type of person they wanted as our next Bishop because they are a vital part of the Church, we value what they have to say, and we know that they will come up with creative ideas and suggestions that would simply not occur to adults.

"Their thinking is fresh and imaginative and it is important that they are listened to. Their ideas can be amusing, but also very wise, after all, we do want someone who is "interested in Jesus".

Mr Harding said: "We've had nearly 200 children respond via their leaders, plus some comments from the adults themselves. They give a good steer as to what we may be looking for, along with some amusing and honest child-like comments."

Representatives of the Prime Minister and Archbishop of Canterbury will visit the diocese for a few days in July and talk to people, including local politicians and other religious leaders, about the next appointment.

Once the preferred candidate has accepted and other paperwork is completed, an announcement will be made early next year, and the Bishop will be installed in a service in the Cathedral next spring or summer.

What qualities do you think the new Bishop should have? Let us know at opinion@nottinghampost.com.

PLANS have been submitted to convert city centre offices into 240 flats.

The proposals to change the old E.on offices at Newland House, on Mount Street, into accommodation have been put forward before. Previously 115 flats were approved.

Nottingham City Council's planning department will look at the plans before the conversion work can begin.

SEVERN Trent Water has been hit with a £10,000 fine for polluting Potwell Dyke in Southwell.

The company pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates' Court to one charge relating to the pollution after the Environment Agency brought the case. Severn Trent was also ordered to pay £2,659.63 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

In March 2012 the Environment Agency attended an incident at Potwell Dyke after the water company reported water pollution had discharged into the watercourse from its combined sewer outfall.

Although Severn Trent Water are permitted to discharge into the dyke during storm conditions, the weather was dry.

An Environment Agency officer said: "Although Severn Trent reported the discharge to us immediately, it was too late to prevent the pollution. We will not hesitate to prosecute when environmental damage is caused."

NEARLY 300 fines have been handed out to drivers for using a bus lane on Bank Holidays this year.

The Nuthall Bus Gate was introduced in 2003 but was not permanently implemented after a year-long trial.

Notts County Council decided at the start of the year to begin enforcing the restriction from Monday to Friday from 4pm to 6.30pm, including Bank Holidays.

Information released under the Freedom of Information Act shows 65 fines were handed out on Good Friday, 121 on Easter Monday, 78 on May Day and 33 on Spring Bank Holiday.

Of these 297 fines, 96 were handed to people living in the Nuthall area.

THE red and white bunting has come down and the Rooney Rump steaks are off the menu, but football fever is still going strong in Nottingham for the remaining teams in the World Cup.

England's drab goalless draw with Costa Rica on Tuesday was a fitting end to their disappointing campaign in Brazil.

But as the Three Lions return home, their rapid defeat has not stopped people in the city from watching the action or even backing those left in the hard-fought tournament.

Supporter Kevin Sheldon has removed his St George Flag trimmings from the front of his Clifton home.

But all the bunting for the other countries competing remain – alongside his Brazilian flag.

Mr Sheldon said: "It's the same story year after year for England. At least we got one point. I'm supporting Brazil now."

Staff at NG11 Cars, in South Church Drive, Clifton, are keeping up their flags in their cab office – and a mannequin they have affectionately named Ken.

Ken will wear his England kit until the tournament is over, said director Joe Clarke, and then he will be given a Hawaiian shirt to wear for the summer holidays.

Joe said: "We don't want to be seen to be taking Ken down just because England has lost. We want to keep the spirit of the tournament going.

"We are not going to take the bunting down just because England are out. We were hoping for them to get through but did not have high expectations."

At Harker's Farm in Clipston on the Wolds, best-selling joints they named after players are still for sale – but without their fun footballing monikers.

The shop's dream team had included top performers such as Ox-Cheek Chamberlain, Danny Wel-Back Bacon, Rooney Rump Steak and Lamby Lampard Chops.

All of the staff there, including husband and wife owners Rupert and Tracy Harker, donned England hats to show their support.

Who do you think will win the World Cup? Comment on our website www.nottinghampost.com

FORMER couch potato Paul McKay is preparing to take on the Ikano Robin Hood Marathon – after shedding three stone by taking up running.

And the 48-year-old has set himself the goal of completing 100 marathons by the end of this year, having already clocked up 16 since February.

Mr McKay used to weigh in at 15st 7lb and said it was seeing pre-holiday pictures of himself that gave him the incentive to start a health kick.

The father-of-three now weighs 12st 7lb – shedding an impressing three stone over the last two years.

Mr McKay, a service director for Nottinghamshire County Council, said: "I remember looking at myself; tears were in my eyes. Too many curries, too much chocolate, puddings, sitting around watching TV, they had all taken their toll.

"I was also going to do something about it but was always 'next week'. By December 2012, I was up to 15st 7lb and had just bought two XXL jumpers. I'd never been that big."

Mr McKay joined his local Parkrun organisation – which offered a programme of timed weekly runs.

He said: "At first the runs were very tiring but after about six weeks I started to notice my times were improving, and the amount of walking I was doing was less. I was starting to get fitter.

"Now I feel a lot healthier and confident in myself."

Now he is aiming to join 100 Marathon Club by the end of this year. It is a web-based forum for runners who have completed 100 events.

One of the events on his list is the Ikano Robin Hood Marathon in September. He will run for disability charity Scope.

Mr McKay, who commutes to Nottingham from his home in Leicester, said: "I've got two twin girls who have a disability so running the Nottingham marathon on behalf of Scope will mean a lot to me."

He said he would recommend running to anyone looking to get fitter or lose weight.

He added: "You don't need to run marathons, just two or three miles will help.

"I now play football regularly and the lads have commented on how much fitter I am. I've lost four inches off my waist and can now wear my wedding suit and see my feet. My wife Angela thinks running has probably taken over my life but she is really pleased for me."

Have you got a weight-loss story to share? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

THREE city schools judged to be failing by Ofsted are displaying the green shoots of revival, the watchdog believes.

Inspectors were impressed with work being done to improve Bulwell Academy, Ellis Guilford School and Big Wood School when they called for monitoring inspections earlier this term.

However, another school – Farnborough in Clifton – has been rapped for not making big enough strides.

The schools were among seven judged "inadequate" by Ofsted following a blitz of inspections late last year.

Last month's visits were the second round of monitoring inspections.

The inspectors noted that teaching was showing signs of improvement, though there were still inconsistencies. Attendance had got better, as had the behaviour of students in lessons.

Andrea Healey, head teacher of Big Wood School in Warren Hill, said: "I am encouraged by the improvements that have been recognised throughout this report.

"However, we are not complacent and staff and the governing body are striving to ensure the school is graded at least "good" at the next inspection. We are determined that the local community will gain confidence that pupils who attend Big Wood School will receive a good education and go on to succeed."

Head teacher of Ellis Guilford School in Basford, Sally Coulton, said: "We are working extremely hard to address the key issues raised by Ofsted and are on track to come out of the serious weaknesses category.

"There are a number of very positive things happening at Ellis Guilford at the moment which demonstrate our ambition for the school. We are introducing a new uniform and house system for September 2014, attendance is the best it has ever been and we are over-subscribed for next year. On top of this, we are expecting to achieve our best-ever GCSE results in the summer."

Bulwell Academy principal Paul Halcro said: "I am delighted that Ofsted have recognised the hard work and efforts of our staff and students.

"It is an encouraging endorsement of all the improvements we have put in place, we will continue to work hard to ensure that Bulwell Academy provides the best education to all our students."

Once Ofsted feels the schools have made significant improvements, it will conduct full inspections. Only then can the judgements be upped from "inadequate".

Farnborough School was told it was still not doing enough to track the achievements of students.

It has recently started working with the successful Rushcliffe School in West Bridgford. The arrangement has seen Rushcliffe deputy head Ben Chaloner take charge at Farnborough.

Rushcliffe principal Phil Crompton said: "We feel the report is an accurate reflection. It did note that things are heading in the right direction."

Nottingham City Council, which set up a Challenge Board in response to the judgements, said the latest reports show the schools are on target to be graded "good" by the end of 2015.

Councillor Sam Webster, executive assistant for schools, said: "I'm really heartened by Ofsted's assessment of progress at these schools.

"There's still a long way to go, but this is a very encouraging start."

Monitoring reports on the other three schools – Djanogly City Academy in Forest Fields, and Hadden Park High and Nottingham University Samworth Academy in Bilborough – are due shortly.

PERFORMANCE in English and maths is improving at Bulwell Academy, according to inspectors.

The letter sent to the academy said: "There has been a noticeable improvement in the quality of marking and feedback since the inspection.

"The use of a marking stamp provides a structure for teachers' feedback. Students say that they like receiving feedback in this way and most, but not all, respond to the comments."

The report also said that there was more good teaching, with some being described as outstanding.

The academy was also praised for using a tracking system to plan lessons to ensure they were at the right level of difficulty for students.

"This information also gives a clear picture of students' progress in each class," the report added.

ELLIS Guilford head teacher Sally Coulton and other senior leaders were praised by inspector Philippa Darley for their "tenacity" in the way they are driving improvements.

Attainment by students, including in GCSE English and maths, is improving, though it is believed more-able students could be achieving more.

Work is also being done to improve the standard of teaching.

Ms Darley said: "During this inspection, it was evident that this work has had a positive impact on some teachers, although not all."

Ms Darley also said that subject leaders should be doing more to improve provision in their areas.

FARNBOROUGH School in Clifton has been told it must work harder to improve.

One of the main concerns of inspectors has been that the work of students is not being tracked enough. In his letter to the school, inspector Ian McNeilly, said: "This has still not been successfully addressed, though it is being worked towards.

"It is unlikely that special measures will be removed without an effective system being in place as it is fundamental to school improvement."

Mr McNeilly also noted that "work which is below the standard students can achieve" is often accepted by teachers.

However there were some brighter points raised, including making teachers more accountable for their work and that students were in no doubt about behaviour expectations.

BIG Wood School in Warren Hill impressed inspectors with its drive to improve the achievements of GCSE students.

This has included extra classes and revision sessions during school holidays.

However, inspector John Peckham did say there was "uncertainty" about this summer's results.

Mr Peckham's letter also highlighted improvements in the quality of marking and overall teaching. But he did pinpoint areas which still need to be addressed.

He said: "Teachers' and students' expectations about behaviour and the quality of students' work are still not high enough in many lessons.

"This makes it harder for the staff as a whole to establish good study habits and approaches to enable students to take a greater pride and involvement in their own work and progress."

THE summery weather is set to draw to a close today as showers are forecast to hit the city from Friday.

And the weekend looks set to be a damp one and cool for the time of year, with temperatures forecast to reach only 16c on Saturday and the same on Sunday.

There is also the possibility of thunder towards the weekend.

HUNDREDS of naked picnickers have been banned from holding a party in Wollaton Park.

Nottingham City Council has turned down a request by an organisation called British Naturism – whose members wanted to hold their 50th anniversary picnic in the park.

The council said the event could cause offence to others in the "family environment" but the naturists have labelled the decision a "real tragedy".

If plans had gone ahead, the organisation said that about 400 naturists would have turned up to the event in the grounds of Wollaton Hall.

Andrew Welch, of British Naturism, told the Post: "It's a shame that naturism is so misunderstood that the council feel the need to do this.

"It's not illegal to take off your clothes and enjoy the sun. There is nothing wrong with the naked body.

"We are a credible and courteous organisation, so we would let the council know our intentions before any event, even though we'd argue we didn't need permission because it is a public park."

The picnic in Wollaton Park was one of a number of events British Naturism, which has 10,000 members, wants to hold to mark its 50th anniversary.

Mr Welch said that among them is Nudefest, which takes place in Cornwall next month.

Mum Mary Waugh was at Wollaton Park with her daughter Mia, four, yesterday and said she thought the naturist picnic wasn't suitable.

Miss Waugh, of Wollaton, said: "I don't think I'd want naturists around when there are young people here too. And I wouldn't want a park like this closed off to other people just for their party."

But James Douglas, 32, of Wollaton, said: "It's a big park here, perhaps somewhere could be found for them to go away from other park users."

The naturists said they chose the park because it was a well-known beauty spot.

Rob Kirkwood, chairman of the Friends of Wollaton Park, said: "I'm not surprised the group wished to visit Wollaton Park because of its iconic status."

Under the Sexual Offences Act 2003 it is not an offence to be naked in public in England and Wales. But it becomes an offence if it can be proved the person took their clothes off with the intention to cause distress, alarm or outrage.

As and when a case comes to court under indecent exposure, harassment or outraging public decency, the prosecution must prove intention to upset.

A Nottingham City Council spokesman said: "We have no objections in principle to naturism, but we don't think it is suitable in a family environment such as a park for people to be present without any clothes on, as there's a risk of offending other park users.

"On that basis, we have turned down the approach for our parks to be used for the naturists' proposed picnic."

The council added that they would be willing to discuss with British Naturism about where to host the event in a "private setting".

Should the naturists be allowed to have their party in the park? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

THE debate around safety in boxing has been set alight since the death of Lance Ferguson-Prayogg after a bout in Nottingham last weekend.

The boxer collapsed as he left the ring on Saturday after losing his fight at The Forum. He then died in hospital the following day.

It is still unclear whether the death was related to the fight, but it has shone a spotlight on unlicensed matches held regularly across the city.

Although this match was called a "semi-pro" fight by the promoters, it falls into the area of "white collar boxing".

Such events first built a following in the US in the 1990s when city workers trained in gyms and put on fights between one another.

The trend then crossed the Atlantic to the City of London where bankers would take part in bouts.

But in the past 20 years the term has grown to include any unlicensed match of non-professional boxers, from charity fights through to groups like the Organised International Boxing Association (OIBA), which has its own rankings.

This means it doesn't have a governing board, unlike amateur boxing, which has the Amateur Boxing Association of England, and professional boxing, which has the British Boxing Board of Control.

And, as a result, it doesn't have the same level of medical checks before and after fights.

Martyn Waplington, 25, of Bulwell, has been a white collar boxer for two years and is ranked sixth in the heavyweight OIBA rankings.

He said the sport had "saved his life" by helping him slim down from 33st to 15st.

The boxer said: "I got approached by people at my gym about boxing and, because of being such a big kid, you could imagine the torment I went through, so I wasn't shy of a fight.

Mr Waplington boasts 17 first round knock-outs – something he believes he couldn't achieve with the head guards in amateur boxing – and thinks his "brawler" style works better in semi-pro.

But as well as a hard hitting technique, the boxer also favours going home with cash in his pocket.

Fighters get paid a minimum of £150 a bout, but can earn up to £500 at home events by selling extra tickets.

Mr Waplington said: "It is good for my mind, as it keeps me active and gets me out of the house. It is good for my bank balance, as you can earn a lot from the fighting. And I don't know how I'd survive without it."

The boxers were dedicated sportsmen, he said, adding: "I have got a lot of friends in the sport and the dedication and heart of these lads to boxing is incredible."

He recognised that regulation wasn't as strict with semi-pro boxing, but said it gave more people a chance to enjoy the sport they love.

He went on: "I am using this as my chance to get into the pros, but for other people it is their only choice.

"A top fighter from Nottingham, Anthony Johnson, had his retina detached in a fight with George Groves. He can't get a licence now because of all the medicals and testing so semi-pro is all he has got.

"I think it is down to the boxers about what they put in their bodies and how they take care of themselves. I wouldn't know where I was without the promoters. The majority of them are great."

Damian Hucker was the promoter of the match last weekend and has hosted a number of fights across the city.

He told the Post that, even without a governing body, the sport was subject to many rules which organisers of bouts followed.

Mr Hucker said: "All boxers are matched fairly as can be seen by anyone attending and is the reason the events are so popular. Of course the hoops to jump through aren't the same as a professional show but then these guys have bigger gloves, shorter rounds and less rounds, and the referee protects all the boxers and never allows them to continue beyond their capability."

But others in the boxing industry are concerned that not everyone adheres to what is essentially a voluntary code of conduct.

Frank Lynch, the chief medical officer for the British Boxing Board of Control, fears that the majority of promoters in white collar boxing take the easy route when it comes to safety.

He said: "A lot of promoters do it for charity and are looking to cut costs with the best of intent.

"I love boxing and because of that I am one of the cheapest medics around. But when I tell them it will cost £350 for me, the staff, the equipment and the ambulance, they say 'no way mate'."

Mr Lynch has seen the difference that having medical staff on hand can make.

He said: "When Johnjo Finnegan fought Ryan Clarke, it was a British Boxing Board of Control fight.

"All safety precautions were put in place, an ambulance was 25 yards away at the back door and security were briefed to part the crowd if anything went wrong.

"All that fell into place when he suffered from a bleed on the brain and was in hospital within 15 minutes and straight into a five-hour surgery. If all that had not been in place, he would have died, not be on the road to recovery that he is now."

The Post has heard differing accounts from witnesses of the fight on Saturday, some saying that medical staff were on hand and an ambulance was present, others saying the ambulance took 30 minutes to show up.

Mr Lynch has called for a shake-up of promoters, the majority of which he believes do not think of safety first.

He said: "We need to get rid of the cowboy promoters, the ones who don't check their medics out and the ones who don't have medics at all.

"I have been waiting for a death to happen for five years. It is a tragedy but I hope it serves as a wake-up call of the duty of care promoters have for their boxers."

Neil Perkins, a former amateur welterweight boxer, runs white collar boxing events in the Midlands but works with Mr Lynch to ensure fights meet British Boxing Board of Control standard.

He has called for a gold standard of boxing to be adhered to, including pre and post fight medicals, an anaesthetist and doctors ringside and a local neurological unit placed on standby.

He said: "From here each body can set its own gold standard depending on the demands of the level of competition. From what I have seen, the minimum standard alone would eliminate 80 per cent of the show shows going on in the country.

"If run correctly, white collar boxing can provide a fun, safe, once in a lifetime experience.

"But remember, you can play football, you can play rugby but you can't play boxing."

SENIOR figures in boxing have consistently voiced their concerns about white-collar shows because they allow any Tom, Dick or Harry to get into the ring.

Fighters on these shows do not have to undergo strict medicals – unlike professional boxers operating under the British Board of Boxing Control, who must have yearly MRI scans to ensure there is no evidence of brain damage.

If there is even a shred of doubt about their health, they will be refused a licence.

In fact, so strict are the BBoBC's medicals that some boxers have claimed they are too stringent and have subsequently launched court actions to overturn decisions not allowing them to compete.

But there are no such rules in white-collar boxing, in which a fighter will generally be given a once over by a doctor prior to going into the ring.

This is the bare minimum of health checks and certainly does not detect any underlying health complications.

And that is why promoters and senior figures within pro-boxing, including Dave Roden, chairman of the Midlands Area of the Boxing Board of Control, have attempted to highlight the dangers.

Such critics have always said that it wold be a matter of when, not if, somebody would be seriously hurt – or even die.

Sadly, nobody seemed to be listening.

Had somebody taken notice then perhaps Lance Prayogg's death could have been avoided.

Safe Boxing Standards Minimum

Paramedic crew ringside and ambulance on standby outside

Pre and post fight medicals

Pre-fight weigh-in where fighters fall within 10 per cent of each other's weights

Gold Standard

Paramedic crew ringside and ambulance on standby outside

Anaesthetist and doctors ringside and local neurological unit placed on standby

Pre and post fight medicals

Pre-fight weigh-in where fighters fall within 10 per cent of each other's weight

Full risk assessment

Matching criteria including check point spars

Approved and checked regulated gloves

Referee training

Approved rules and scoring criteria

Sanitisation of shared gloves between bouts

HIV and hepatitis B test for fights without head guards

1. Ghosts (12A): A high-definition recording of Richard Eyre's award-winning revival of Henrik Ibsen's poignant tragedy, staged at the Trafalgar Studios in London's West End, will be screened at Broadway and Cineworld from 7pm. Starring Lesley Manville as Helene Alving, the play was nominated for five prestigious Olivier Awards. Details: broadway.org.uk and showcasecinemas.co.uk.

2. Troubadours Triple Bill: Nottingham's alt-country music promoters Cosmic American present a trio of young US artists at The Maze, Forest Tavern, Mansfield Road from 8.15pm. They are David Berkeley, pictured, Peter Bradley Adams and Robby Hecht. Tickets are £11 from the venue, call 0115 947 5650 or go to themazerocks.com.

3. Three Lions: They may have exited the World Cup, but England are still the focus of the current exhibition at the New Art Exchange, which celebrates Benjamin Odeje, the first black footballer ever to play for an English national team, continues. Karl Ohiri's photograph Three Lions: A Portrait of Benjamin Odeje (2014) tells a story of how the determined footballer triumphed over a barrage of racial abuse and disapproval from his family.

4. In Notts We Love Dance: Launching today and running for the next three weekends, this is the city's celebration of world class dance from Dance4, Youth Dance England Big Dance. There are around 500 dancers taking part in 30 performances at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham Playhouse, Nottingham Contemporary and Lakeside Arts Centre, as well as the Old Market Square, Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, Trent Bridge cricket ground – and even on a tram. Full details: dance4.co.uk.

5. The Art Of The Steal (15): Kurt Russell and Matt Dillon star in an enjoyable heist caper about two brothers who attempt to pull off the greatest art theft in history. The bickering siblings are tailed by an idiotic Interpol agent (Jason Jones) and his reluctant former art thief informant (Terence Stamp). Showing at Cineworld at 6pm. Details: cineworld.co.uk.

6. Hop Scotch To Wide-Eyed Hero: A new play by Notts playwright Alan Dawson is presented at Create Theatre in Mansfield tonight and tomorrow from 7pm. Part of the centenary commemorations of the First World War, it tells the story of Ernest Smith, sent off to the trenches, whilst those left at home in Mansfield wonder what has happened to him. £5.50, 01623 633133, mansfield.gov.uk.

UNIVERSITY of Nottingham scientists have discovered new genetic links which could open the door for better prevention and treatment of lung diseases.

The researchers were joined by their counterparts at the University of Leicester as co-leaders of a global consortium of 134 centres in the UK, Europe, the USA and Australia which has identified new genetics associated with lung health.

Professor Ian Hall, of the University of Nottingham, jointly led the study.

He said: "These important findings extend our knowledge of the genetic factors which determine lung function and help us understand their contribution to the risk of developing respiratory diseases. The work is part of an extensive programme of research.''

THIEVES took several tools after breaking into a shed in Gotham.

Police said they struck between 11pm on Tuesday and 6.30am on Wednesday in Leake Road.

The raiders broke locks off the door and stole the items, which included three DeWalt saws, a Stihl hedge strimmer and a Karcher washer.

It is thought a vehicle may have been parked up at a small pull-in in Leake road between Gotham and East Leake .

Anyone with information should call Nottinghamshire police on 101.

ALMOST double the safe number of fans were packed into one terrace pen when the Hillsborough disaster occurred, the inquests have heard.

Pen three on the Leppings Lane terrace in the Sheffield stadium had an estimated 1,296 fans inside when the safe capacity was just 678, the jury was told.

Structural engineer John Cutlack, a stadium expert, told the inquests that photos had been used to estimate the number of fans inside that pen on April 15, 1989, before Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans were crushed to death in pens three and four on the day of the disaster.

Mr Cutlack has been instructed by the coroner, Lord Justice Goldring, to give his expert opinion, following weeks of evidence from witnesses from Sheffield Wednesday FC, fire, police and the local authority, responsible for safety on the day.

Mr Cutlack also said the perimeter fence to stop fans getting on the pitch was a "pretty dreadful arrangement".

It had a trough at the bottom, struts jutting into the terraces which were trip hazards and uneven, narrow steps up to the gates in the fence.

Mr Cutlack added: "They could be said to be more of a hindrance than a help."

The five cheapest places to fill up within ten miles of Nottingham city centre:

Unleaded

1. Asda Nottingham, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, 127.7p

2. Sainsbury's Arnold, Nottingham Road, Arnold, 127.9p

3. Morrisons Gamston, Gamston District Centre, Gamston, 127.9p

4. Clifton Express, Clifton Lane, Clifton, 127.9p

5. Tesco Beeston, Middle Street, Beeston, 127.9p

Diesel

1. Mrh Wollaton Spar, Wollaton Vale, Wollaton, 130.9p

2. Mrh Nuthall Road, Nuthall Road, Aspley, 131.9p

3. Mrh Pierrepoint, Radcliffe Road, Holme Pierrepoint, 131.9p

4. Clifton Express, Clifton Lane, Clifton, 131.9p

5. Asda Nottingham, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, 132.7p

For the latest prices, check online at nottinghampost.com.

HAYDEN Mullins will lead a new-look Notts County team next season after he was made captain by manager Shaun Derry.

The former West Ham star will replace Alan Sheehan as skipper after the left-back quit the club to join Bradford City earlier this month.

The news was announced by Derry yesterday as the club returned to pre-season training at their new base, Arnold's Eagle Valley Stadium.

Mullins, who was Derry's skipper at Crystal Palace, said he is privileged to be given the chance to lead the Mapgies next term.

"It's a brilliant honour," said the former Portsmouth midfielder, who was a free transfer arrival after leaving Birmingham in the summer.

"I didn't really know too much about it until about a couple a weeks ago when the gaffer mentioned it to me.

"I just hope that I can help a few of the younger lads and I'll do anything I can.

"I've captained a few sides throughout my career, but we have a good group here and they don't need too much talking to and organising.

"They tend to look after themselves, but obviously the gaffer will look to me to get them through it on the pitch."

Explaining his decision to give Mullins (pictured) the armband, Derry said the 35-year-old, who has played in the Premier League, was the ideal candidate.

"Hayden is a true captain," said Derry.

"He was my skipper at Crystal Palace at a very young age and that's because he is a proper captain.

"When I spoke to him about coming back to Notts, I had no doubt in my mind that I was going to give him the armband."

The Magpies' clash with Bristol City has been put back by a day to August 31 because of a one-day international at Trent Bridge.

Notts' Capital One Cup clash at Championship side Sheffield Wednesday has also been confirmed for Tuesday, August 12.

Tickets are priced at £10 adults, £5 for over-65s and £1 for under-18s.

PRIME Minister David Cameron was "unwise" to have spoken out about the conviction of ex-No 10 press chief Andy Coulson for phone-hacking before the case was concluded, Rushcliffe MP Kenneth Clarke has said.

Mr Cameron was criticised by the trial judge at the Old Bailey after he issued a public apology on Wednesday for employing Coulson while the jury was still considering other charges. Mr Clarke, a QC and a former Lord Chancellor, said that Mr Cameron had appeared not to have considered the legal implications.

"It was unwise. They should have taken legal advice but I doubt whether it crossed David's mind," he told BBC Radio 4's The World at One. "There obviously wasn't a lawyer sitting around when they were being pressed by the public and the press to give comments on the news that had come out."

When it was pointed out that No 10 had said it had taken "the best legal advice", Mr Clarke replied: "I think I know the source of 'the best legal advice' so I'll have a chat with him and he can correct me."

PHIL Evans, 32, of Litchfield Rise, Arnold, was banned from driving for 14 months and fined £200 after pleading guilty to drink-driving. Nottingham Magistrates' Court heard he was in Litchfield Rise when he was caught over the limit on May 31. When tested he had 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. Evans was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85. No separate penalty was imposed after he admitted having no licence on May 30 and no insurance on May 31.

MOSES Mpekansambo, 35, of Bradfield Road, Broxtowe Estate, pleaded guilty to drink-driving.

He was in an unlicensed and uninsured Mercedes in Aspley Lane, Aspley, when he was over the limit. When tested, he had 105 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The limit is 35. Magistrates in Nottingham handed Mpekansambo a community order with unpaid work of 100 hours, to be completed in 12 months. He was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £85. A driving ban of 20 months was imposed.

JOHNNY Quinn, 25, of Cinderhill Road, Bulwell, was fined £160 for separate offences of speeding and using a hand-held mobile phone when driving a Ford Transit. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he admitted he was using the phone in Nuthall Road, Nottingham, on June 4 last year. Then he was caught speeding over 30mph on the A611 Derby Road, Annesley, on August 10 last year. Quinn was ordered to pay costs of £35. Three penalty points will be added to his licence.

PHILLIP Mundle, 21, of Chapel Street, Eastwood, denied two charges of assaulting a female in the town earlier this year. He is on bail to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 23.

CALLUM Baxter, 24, of Awsworth Lane, Kimberley, denied assaulting a male in Hucknall on June 2. Magistrates in Nottingham bailed him until his trial on September 19.

PAUL Cairns, 56, of Foster Road, Collingham, was banned from driving for 23 months after he was caught drink-driving. JPs in Nottingham heard he admitted he was behind the wheel of a Vauxhall Insignia on the A617 in Newark on June 1. When tested, he had 108 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. Cairns was fined £430 and ordered to pay a £43 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

SHAUN Cash, 24, of Bolsover Street, Hucknall, has been charged with wounding a man in Lower Parliament Street, Nottingham, in August last year. He was bailed to attend Nottingham Crown Court on August 29.

DAVID Fogg, 29, whose address is care of Linby Grove, Hucknall, has been bailed on charges of theft and possessing a drug. He allegedly stole £100 worth of meat products from the Co-op, Annesley Woodhouse, on May 20 and then had cannabis in Hucknall on June 1. His case has been listed at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on July 3.

DAVID Mann, 41, of Welstead Avenue, Aspley, will appear at Nottingham Crown Court on August 29. He is accused of inflicting grievous bodily harm on a person in Ambleside Road, Aspley, on April 21. Mann is on bail.

PHILLIP Marriott, 34, of Rosecroft Drive, Arnold, pleaded guilty to two offences when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He was bailed after he admitted stealing groceries from Sainsburys, Nottinghamshire, on May 19, and to failing to surrender to custody at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on June 6. His case has been listed for sentence on July 11.

RAYON Johnson, 23, of Morrell Bank, Top Valley, pleaded guilty to stealing a bottle of perfume worth £75 from Debenhams, Long Row, Nottingham, on January 20. City magistrates conditionally discharged him for 12 months and ordered him to pay £75 compensation.

JODEY Ball, 33, of London Road, Newark, has been fined £75 for being drunk and disorderly in Spring Gardens, Newark, on May 17. After pleading guilty before magistrates in Nottingham, he was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

JULIE Dubko, 50, of Barrique Road, Dunkirk, pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour in Montpelier Road, Dunkirk, on November 19. Magistrates in Nottingham conditionally discharged her for 12 months and ordered she pay a £15 victim surcharge and costs of £50.

DAMION Humphries, 26, of Glapton Lane, Clifton, denied being drunk and disorderly in Nottingham on May 18. He was bailed to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on September 15 at 2pm.

GAVIN Jasper, 37, of Alexandra Street, Sherwood, is charged with having a stun gun and possessing cannabis in March in Nottingham. His case will be heard at the city's magistrates' court on July 11.

WILLIAM Turpin, 24, of Boat Lane, Hoveringham, denies assaulting a male and a female in Lowdham on April 10. He also denies drink-driving in a Ford Transit van in Lowdham on the same date. Turpin is on conditional bail to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on October 7.

WORK on replacing the stone floor in a city centre shopping arcade has been completed.

The Exchange's old floor had fallen into decline after 85 years of use, prompting owners to replace it. They have also installed three sets of new entrance doors.

The stone for the new floor underwent meticulous testing by the British Geological Survey to ensure it was exactly the same type as the original and consists of more than 25 tons of newly cut York stone.

The work was a detailed and sometimes difficult process, which was carried out in a series of night-time works over a six-week period.

Centre manager Neil Fincham said: "The fundamental aim of this work was to maintain this historic arcade in a manner befitting its status and that, unquestionably, has been achieved. The colour of the new stone is in complete contrast to that which it replaced, making the centre brighter.

"Although a long time in coming, the wait has been worthwhile, and with the addition of three sets of new entrance doors, the result is a high-quality and sympathetic refurbishment.''

ENTERING a boozer before noon sounds like desperately poor form so it was head down and collar up as I shuffled sheepishly into the Woodthorpe Top at 9.30am.

My excuse is that this is a JD Wetherspoon operation – one which, notwithstanding the chain's reputation for competitively-priced beer, caters not only for ale quaffers.

For instance, at 9.30am on Wednesday morning, half a dozen young mothers, some with tots, were weighing into their breakfasts and a couple of grans yapped over coffee.

So the most popular order at the bar was "lar-tay", although a chap on one of the four centrally-located sofas was giving the lager a work-out and at a table near the front windows, looking out to Mapperley War Memorial, a pint of grown-ups' beer was in evidence.

We are at the city end of the shops on Mapperley Top. Nobody will perish of thirst. On one side of the Woodthorpe Top is the Bread and Bitter, whose ale is thoroughly recommended; on the other, The Plainsman – in its Hardys & Hansons days a dominoes club for wrinklies but now a flasher operation.

If you are thinking solids, Mapperley also does it for tuck: Mange Tout, Bombay Brasserie, Deli-cious and a take-away for every day of the week.

Even if you are dining at home, it's one of the best shopping neighbourhoods in suburban Greater Nottingham: the fishmonger has long gone but we have two good greengrocers and butchers including Smith.

"Go home happily from Smith of Mapperley," says the slogan. No points for poetry but they know how to whack a cleaver into a carcass and do a beautiful Christmas capon.

The ambitious breakfast offering at the Woodthorpe Top runs from eggs Benedict to various combinations of standard English fare, including a veggie effort with Quorn bangers. My choice was the Large Breakfast, a 1,463-calorie job accompanied by a mug of what was described as "filter coffee". I had to dispense it from a bar-side urn and it wasn't terribly good, so I didn't take up the option of a free refill.

I took my place at Table 32 and briefly assessed the framed and mounted history lesson on the adjacent wall: a brief account of Richard Parkes Bonington, 19th-century watercolourist of these parts, whose name is commemorated in the Bonington gallery at Nottingham Trent University.

My breakfast arrived too soon for the entire thing to have been created by cook to order, although the two eggs had indeed been freshly fried; nobody likes eggs that have been vulcanised on a hotplate.

On a large, square, white plate, the eggs were accompanied by two sausages, two rashers of bacon, a mushroom, half a tomato, a dollop of baked beans, two rounds of surprisingly good white bread and two fridge-firmed pre-wrapped pats of the butter I grew up on – Anchor from New Zealand.

If quantity is a factor, this was value for £4.60. It should have seen me through to the weekend.

The quality was patchy. The sausages were undistinguished and, conforming to modern practice at high-volume cooked breakfast establishments, they had been deep-fried. The only way with bangers is a very slow shallow fry.

The bacon had something about it, the baked beans were of acceptable quality and the mushroom was tasty, which is more than can be said for the tomato – a typically English example with mid-pink flesh around an indigestible pithy core and a flavour that put one in mind of water.

Quibbles aside, I applied Luis Suarez tactics to the meal but didn't blame the tomato for its impact on my gnashers and retreated from Mapperley in a fairly good mood.

The service was exemplary, bar the request that I fetch my own condiments kit from a table at the back of the room. Next time I'll bring my frying pan and do the bangers.