PEOPLE in Nottingham are struggling with a dysfunctional private rented sector that is desperately in need of reform, Nottingham South MP Lilian Greenwood has said.

Ms Greenwood told the Commons that the standard six- month tenancy for people renting from private landlords is causing insecurity and exploitation for the "thousands of people in Nottingham experiencing the worst housing crisis in a generation."

Speaking in support of Labour's proposals to introduce standard three-year tenancies, she said: "People renting privately in my constituency tell me that they desperately need security so that they can build their lives in one place, become part of a community and live without the threat of eviction if they make a complaint about conditions or the management of their home."

Home ownership in the city has fallen from 39 per cent in 2001 to 27 per cent in 2011.

Labour's motion was defeated by 276 votes to 226.

BLIND bus passenger Julie Scarle and her trusty guide dog Elsa have been reunited with the "local hero" who came to their rescue when they were stranded in Nottingham.

The Post told of Julie's plight in her popular opinion column after she was left scared and confused when her bus was diverted on a different route during last week's taxi strike.

Fellow passenger Dawn Gostling stepped forward to help Julie as she got off her bus at the intu Broadmarsh shopping centre, a location Elsa has never guided her from before.

Dawn, 26, a customer services adviser for telephone answering service Answer-4u, and others on the same bus recognised Julie needed help in unfamiliar surroundings.

Dawn went one step further and walked with Julie through the city to ensure she got to her workplace, My Sight Nottinghamshire, where Julie is marketing and communications manager. Julie had written: "When you can't see, it's frightening not to know where you are and how to get to where you need to be. I find it one of the scariest things about life with a visual impairment.

"I can handle challenges if I know how to resolve them, but when neither I nor my guide dog know where we're going, and I can't get myself out of a tricky situation, I feel out of control, frightened and vulnerable. That's when the Good Samaritans, who clearly still inhabit our city, came to my rescue. It seemed like half of the remaining bus passengers gathered around me offering to take time out of their busy morning commute to walk me up to Canning Circus.

"It restored my faith in human kindness and I can only pay tribute to the heroes who were kind enough to help a stressed and frantic blind lady.

"I'd especially like to pay tribute to Dawn who guided me safely from Broadmarsh to Canning Circus. What an amazingly kind lady. She not only guided me safely across the busy city but filled me with confidence and made me feel safe."

Answer-4 U's marketing manager, Darren McCowan, saw the article and realised his colleague, Dawn, was the one who had helped Julie, and sent her company a tweet.

This week, Julie was able to say thank you to Dawn with a big bunch of flowers and a hug.

Sitting in My Sight Nottinghamshire's sensory garden, Dawn said: "It's lovely Julie has bought me some flowers to say thank you. I've formed a new friendship. Sometimes we sit together on the bus now."

Julie, a married mum-of-two from Long Eaton, said she and Elsa, an eight-year-old Labrador retriever cross, usually get off the bus at Canning Circus. They have never had to navigate from the Broadmarsh before. She hopes more people will volunteer for the My Guide service, which provides guides to people with a visual impairment.

Can you help? Call Julie on 0115 9706 806.

NOTTINGHAM'S iconic Emett Clock has gone on display at an exhibition in Birmingham.

It was temporarily removed from intu Victoria Centre in February as part of the centre's £40 million redevelopment programme.

The Emett Clock is now taking centre stage at an exhibition of creator Rowland Emett's work at Millennium Point in Birmingham and will return to Nottingham in 2015.

Members of The Rowland Emett Society helped intu Victoria Centre engineers to dismantle the clock before transporting it to a location in Staffordshire for storage for restoration works.

The clock, which is made up of 354 individual parts, has had its missing jewels replaced with iridescent copies and the surviving butterflies treated to make them bright and eye catching again.

Restoration has also seen the main frame of the clock thermal zinc sprayed and powder coated to resist water damage when it is reinstalled at intu Victoria Centre, and the other sections have been returned to original colours.

STUDENTS at a new city academy will have their first lessons at another college – because their £10 million building will not be ready in time.

The Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology had been scheduled to be open its building on the site of the old Dunkirk Fire Station for the new academic year in September. But construction has taken longer than expected and bosses at the academy say the site should now be ready by the start of November.

It means students will spend their first two months at New College Nottingham's Clarendon campus – more than three miles away. A change in leadership has also been announced.

Ailsa Gough, who had been set to be principal, will no longer take on the role, with Harkireet Sohel taking her place.

Mr Sohel, whose CV includes being deputy head at the successful Rushcliffe School in West Bridgford, said: "I am so excited to be opening an academy in such an iconic, landmark building.

"We anticipate a gradual move into the building over the autumn term to ensure that everything is in place to deliver our unique curriculum."

Mr Sohel's appointment came after the announcement that the Torch Academy Gateway Trust would be the academy's educational partner. The trust also runs Toot Hill School in Bingham and is opening a new free school in September.

Mr Sohel will be supported by Mark Henshaw, who has been appointed as vice-principal. The academy will initially open for students in years 10 and 12. Eventually it will cater for 860 students aged 14 to 19. It will provide practical experience as well as traditional qualifications, with big name industry partners signed up such as Toshiba, Rolls-Royce, Siemens, XMA and Experian.

Mr Sohel said students should be in the new site by the start of November.

One parent, who did not want to be named, said: "It is frustrating that the students are having to move into the college building at first but it is one of those things. The delay isn't too long. The new site is going to be great when it is ready."

John Tomasevic, chief executive officer of the trust, said: "Being involved in the Nottingham University Academy of Science and Technology is a unique opportunity to bring a new and much-needed educational provision to Nottingham and the surrounding area.

"(The academy) will provide the opportunity for young scientists, engineers and computer scientists to pursue their aspirations in world-class educational facilities with specialist teachers."

Despite Torch's involvement, the academy will still be sponsored by the University of Nottingham and the Djanogly Learning Trust.

Have you got a student going to the academy? What do you think about them starting at the college? Email marcus.boocock@nottinghampost.com

THEY employ more than 120,000 people, boosted their profits by an average of 25 per cent during the downturn, and 43 of them are from Nottinghamshire.

Meet the Top 200, a ranking of the businesses from across the East Midlands which have grown their profits most over the last three years.

What's more, the bosses of some of these businesses decided to freeze or cut their own pay while giving above-average increases to their staff.

The names of the firms were revealed today in a new report released by the advisory firm Grant Thornton and business organisation the CBI.

It's the second time that their annual Top 200 ranking has been produced and its authors say it shows why Bank of England boss Mark Carney says cities like Nottingham are the "bellwether" of the UK economy.

Grant Thornton partner Phil Sayers said: "These businesses have done really well to outperform the market and deliver strong, sustained growth, which is a testament to the East Midlands' economy.

"This is exemplified by the top ten companies on the list who have all grown their profits five-fold during the last three years, which equates to an average compound annual growth rate between them of 96 per cent."

The top 10 companies in the 200 include three firms based in Notts – Gellaw of Long Eaton, which manufactures tools for pharmaceutical tablet making; Bulwell travel and coach operator Skills, and Matrix Tooling of Sandiacre, which supplies cutting tools to manufacturing businesses.

The ranking does not look at major businesses like Alliance Boots, which is classified as being part of a wider overseas group because of the way the business is structured.

Gellaw is picked out not just because of its profit growth but because nearly 90 per cent of its sales come from exports.

It's one of the lesser-known names from Notts to appear in the Top 200; others include law firms Browne Jacobson and Freeths; international architects Benoy; Games Workshop; Source Bioscience, which does scientific testing and research; and Focus 100 – better known by its trading name, Armitage Pet Care.

The ranking also shows that, although the service sector accounts for the biggest chunk of fast-growing firms, manufacturing remains a major part of the regional economy.

Together, these two sectors account for nearly 70 per cent of businesses in the East Midlands ranking.

The companies in the ranking employ 122,000 people between them and have created 10,000 net new jobs over the past three years.

Average pay at these firms has gone up 9.6 per cent over the past three years, taking average salary to just under £24,500.

But bosses at the firms are paying themselves less, with pay freezes or cuts in some cases. Nevertheless, their average pay package is still worth £110,000.

Collectively, the firms in the ranking have boosted their profits by an average of 25 per cent a year for the last three years during a period when the UK's economic productivity fell by nine per cent

The Top 200 report says profit growth has come from a mix of greater profit margins on the goods or services sold or simply selling more goods and services.

But it also suggests many firms have worked harder at building deeper relationships with customers.

Lucy Haynes, the CBI's regional director for the East Midlands, said: "This report reinforces Mark Carney's view that the East Midlands truly is the 'bellwether' of the UK economy, with businesses here paving the way for the overall performance of the UK economy.

"With 47 companies still on the list from last year and 153 new names, it's clear there are sustainable businesses in the region along with an emerging, dynamic group snapping at their heels.

"From world-beating manufacturers to the services sector, our region is packing a punch and playing a major part in the UK's economic recovery."

BUDGET airline company Ryanair has called for action to ban strikes by air traffic controllers after a stoppage led to nine of its flights being cancelled – affecting 1,500 passengers.

In total, around 20,000 people using East Midlands Airport were affected by the French air traffic control strike.

More than 100 flights were delayed at the airport as routes to France and Spain were limited by strikes on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Ryanair was forced to cancel nine of its scheduled flights, with the 1,500 travellers affected having to arrange later flights.

A spokesman said: "We sincerely apologise to all customers affected by this unwarranted French air traffic control strike.

"We have again called on the EU Commission and French government to remove the right to strike from air traffic controllers.

"This is in line with workers in the USA, who are prevented from striking by law, and would prevent European airspace being repeatedly shut down."

The airline was quick to point out that the airport had done its best to ensure passengers were kept comfortable while waiting.

People were provided with extra seating and free wi-fi in the terminal.

Howard Ebison, head of customer service at the airport, admitted it was frustrating having to deal with a situation that was out of its hands. He said: "It has been challenging.

"There are so many different constituent parts to making sure passengers get to their destination.

"It has had a very big impact on a lot of people."

Mr Ebison stressed that keeping passengers up to date was the top priority.

He added: "The way that we have approached this has been to communicate with all passengers and ensure that their journey could be completed as easily as possible."

Air traffic controllers involved in the action want airport fees for airlines to increase by 10 per cent, but companies want them to go down and the French government is caught in between.

The SNCTA, the country's biggest air traffic control union, echoed mounting concerns that French air navigation tools are becoming dangerously obsolete.

The system used in the country to enhance radar monitoring and for separation of air traffic dates back to the 1980s, and is due to be replaced by a new system.

The tools used to control air traffic are also in need of change, it is claimed.

CCTV has been released of three men who attempted to rob a supermarket in Wollaton. 

 The men who were carrying knives assaulted staff before fleeing the scene when they could not get to the shop safes 

The incident took place at the Co-op store in Trowell Road at around 11.30pm on Monday, June 16.

The staff members were left extremely distressed by the ordeal but not seriously injured. 

 DC Jim Bravant said: "This was an ill-planned robbery where staff were subjected to a very aggressive assault. There will be a lasting impact on those staff because of the trauma they faced.

"The last thing these workers should expect in their jobs, serving members of the public, is the fear of violence or to be involved in a frightening robbery." 

 The three men were dressed in black clothing with their hoods pulled up. 

 One of them was mixed race and had brown eyes. He was of a medium build and about 5ft 10 ins tall. Another was of a chubbier build. 

One of the men was also carrying a Nike rucksack on his back. His black jacket had white patches above the pockets. 

 Police believe the offenders may have gained access to the shop via the rear garden of The Middleton pub. 

 Anyone with information is asked to call police in 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A WARNING has been issued for heavy rain by the Met Office who have said the downpours could cause localised flooding. 

The Met Office has put the warning in place until Saturday evening for the East Midlands.

Forecasters have said: "Showers will become heavy and thundery across southwestern parts of both England and Wales early on Friday, moving northeast to affect much of Wales, the Midlands, East Anglia and southern England during the day. 

"Some reduction in activity is expected on Friday night, before further slow-moving heavy and thundery downpours develop during Saturday, easing from the north later."

For the latest on the weather, click here.

A 22-year-old Ilkeston woman died after taking class A drugs on a night out to celebrate a friend's birthday. Kimberly Bradbury, from Hedges Drive, died on June 8 last year after being rushed to hospital in the early hours of the morning. An inquest into her death was held at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroners Court, with Derby's assistant deputy coroner Paul McCandless hearing evidence from friends who were with her on the night. They openly admitted that drugs had been taken on more than one occasion through the night and that Kimberly was a recreational drug user. A postmortem found amphetamine and a drug called PMA in her system, which caused her death. However, in evidence, it became clear that the girls were under the impression that they were taking the drug MDMA. One friend told how they had taken the drug before going into an Ilkeston pub. They then got a taxi into Nottingham. At 2.30am they went back to a friend's house where Kimberly is believed to have taken what she thought was MDMA. Shortly afterwards she became unwell and her friend called an ambulance. She died at the Queen's Medical Centre. Doctor Andrew Hitchcock, consultant pathologist at Derby Royal Hospital said: "When a stimulant effect goes wrong it can produce hypothermia, brain swelling and epileptic seizures." The inquest also heard that the last text to her boyfriend, Craig Newton,read: "I love you my bear." Steve Holme, drugs advisor to Derbyshire Police, told the inquest the force had recovered more PMA than any other drug this year and there had ben six deaths in the county in the past two years through people taking it. He said: "The chemicals needed to produce MDMA haven't been available so drug dealers have been putting whatever they want in. Most ecstasy tablets haven't had ecstasy in them for four or five years. There is no such thing as an honest drugs supplier in this world." He said amphetamines should not be seen as a lesser drug and were illegal because they are dangerous, not to spoil people's fun. Mr McCandless recorded a outcome of 'drug related death.' He said: "The impression I get of the group is that there is a quite a blase attitude about the taking of stimulants and they are not mindful of the dangers. "I am in no doubt that this young woman had everything to live for and brought enjoyment to people's lives. "I can but hope that lessons are learned by those that have been left behind "Kim simply did not appreciate the risks she was running in terms of her behaviours."

Creating soundtracks to movies that have yet to be made Remember Remember's eccentric instrumental musing are heading to Nottingham on Sunday.

Famed for their use of everyday objects as instruments – including scissors, cutlery, coffee spoons, lighters and matches – the seven-piece bring together an exotic sonic palette with nods to krautrock, folk, eastern traditional music and psychedelia. 

Band founder Graeme Ronald, 33, describes the Scottish group offerings as the soundtrack to a rom-com and eighties Italian horror film. 

Originally from Glasgow the multi-instrument musician made the move to Nottingham in March after landing a dream job making music for video games. 

He said: "I'm really enjoying Nottingham, there seems to be a great music scene and some great venues

. "It is a lot smaller than Glasgow so it is nice to be able to walk everywhere, I am just finding my feet and all the good venues.

 "I'm looking forward to playing a gig in my new adopted home, I think it will feel quite special. 

"I am really into the Fat White Family at the moment and also Sleaford Mods, probably because I am in Nottingham now."

 The band will be playing at The Chameleon Arts Café on Sunday evening as the final leg of their UK tour to promote their new album, Forgetting The Present. 

Graeme said: "I've not been to the Chameleon yet but I've been told there's a lot of stairs so we will definitely have earned our pints by the time we've taken all our equipment up there. 

"I'll keep an eye out for the strong cider too." 

The new album, which is due for release on Monday June 30 has been nearly three years in the making. 

The Scottish Album of the Year Award-nominated band will be releasing their latest offering on Mogwai's Rock Action label.

 "I was playing music in the area and one of the people from the label saw what I was doing and liked it. "I think there's three or four bands on the label," said Graeme. 

Joining Graeme on stage and on tour is Tommy Stuart, on synthesizers, Joanne Murtagh, on glockenspiel and percussion, Joseph Quimby, on guitars, James Swinburne, on saxophone and keyboards, and Andy Brown on drums and percussion.

 "Although I am living in Nottingham I have to travel back up all the time for rehearsals because everyone else is there and we have a studio space, so I don't really have the chance to get home sick."

 The band will be joined by Kogumaza at the Chameleon, doors are at 8.30pm. Tickets are available in advance at The Music Exchange, in Stoney Street, or at www.wegottickets.com/event/276946. 

REUNITED and feeling good, Arnold's Jocelyn Rae and partner Colin Fleming got their Wimbledon mixed doubles campaign off to a flying start yesterday.

Four years ago the pair combined to win Commonwealth Games gold for Scotland and that winning chemistry was clearly evident, as they delighted a partisan home crowd on Court 10 at the All England Club.

They dropped just two games in a one-sided 6-2, 6-0 victory over Scott Lipsky and Jie Zheng – winning over 70 per cent of their first serve points in a dominant performance, with success secured in just over an hour.

But it won't get any easier with Rohan Bopanna, a quarter-finalist 12 months ago, and Andrea Hlavackova, the number seven seeds, their next opponents.

"I'm always excited to play with Jocelyn and she's got a big doubles game," said Fleming, the British doubles number one.

"She sent me a message about playing the mixed here and I said yes straight away without any hesitation. We had a great experience in Delhi and we've been to the third round here before, so anything is possible.

"She's having some success in women's doubles at the moment and she's got a lot of strengths to her game.

"Her serve was big and that's key in mixed and I think we're going to be dangerous.

"It's great to start with a win but it just gets tougher at this level. We aren't looking too far ahead but if we play like that again, we're going to be tough to beat."

Rae was also delighted to win at Wimbledon again after being sidelined for the last two years with a career-threatening foot injury.

"It's just nice to get a win here, it's very special especially after having to watch the last two years on the television," she said.

"Everything that has happened has made me more determined, gave me more hunger.

"At the beginning, I thought that maybe this injury is too severe to get back on court, so this victory means a lot."

As the Official Banking Partner of The Championships, HSBC is helping fans get closer to Wimbledon by giving them the chance to win Centre Court tickets. Visit www.wimbledon.com/hsbc

The future of a well-loved music store in its current location may be under threat. 

The Post understands that Fopp, on Queen Street, is looking for new premises. 

Nottingham City Council has received an application from a company called Red Smoque Ltd to serve alcohol from the location, which will be converted into a barbecue restaurant. 

Managers at Fopp would not confirm what would happen to the store and HMV – the parent company of Fopp – weren't available for comment. 

But tweets from the music store's account on Thursday evening they were "desperately searching for new premises" before these messages were later deleted.

Music fans have been expressing their sadness at the news that the future of Fopp in the city is uncertain. 

Graphic artist Brian Maguire, 27, of Musters Road, West Bridgford, said: "I think half my DVD collection has come from Fopp and I've got hundreds of books and CDs from there too. 

"It just seems a shame that a good music shop is going to have to find somewhere else to go and it's going to be replaced with a restaurant. 

"I'd be gutted if they couldn't find somewhere else to go and I know I'm not the only one." 

Wife Claire, 26, added: "I probably shouldn't admit this, but it's pretty much the only place I go to buy Christmas or birthday presents for people. 

"They have a range of foreign films, classics and just so many good music and films that you can't get anywhere else.

"I mean, you have online ordering, but sometimes you just want to browse through the shelves and Fopp was amazing for that." 

Reece Chatham, 22, of Beeston, was in the store on Friday during his lunchbreak. 

He said: "Where else can you pick up two classic novels and get change from a tenner? I really hope they stay in Nottingham." 

The application for an alcohol licence suggests the store will become a restaurant called Red's True Barbecue. 

The company already run three other restaurants across the UK, one in Manchester and two in Leeds. 

The Nottingham Fopp store was one of only nine to survive after the company went into administration in June 2007. 

More than 40 other stores closed across the country, but the Queen Street reopened for business in July 2007 after the stores were taken over by the HMV Group. 

Four years later the parent company went into administration again, but it was bought out by a company called Hilco UK last April which meant the stores could stay open.

Do you hope that Fopp can find a new location in the city? E-mail opinion@nottinghampost.com

Andre Adams says "anything is possible now" for Nottinghamshire in the County Championship this season.

Having struggled against relegation from Division One last campaign – only avoiding this fate on the final day – Notts now find themselves challenging for the title this time around.

They head into their 11th match of 16 this season, against Warwickshire from tomorrow at Edgbaston, sitting joint on points with Yorkshire at the summit.

And veteran Kiwi Adams has his own theory as to why things have turned around for the team from the 2013 campaign.

"This team, this year, is different to what it was last year. Guys are playing a lot more for the team, it's a better environment and guys are enjoying their cricket," the 38-year-old told the Post.

"We've got some guys performing very, very nicely. You can go through a number of players like Samit, Riki, Siddle, Gurney.

"But it's key to have a team performance in every situation."

So does Adams, who won the title with the club in 2010, look in the Notts dressing room now and see a team capable of winning the County Championship?

"Absolutely," responded the experienced bowler.

"After a performance like that (against Somerset on Wednesday) and chasing 300 down to win that last game (at home to Middlesex the week before) I think anything is possible now.

"But you don't want to look too far ahead, you just want to take each game and then we've got a reasonable break to the next Championship game, so you have to keep the feeling of the high but also the confidence of playing well."

Having experienced the highs of winning Division One four years ago and with coaching knowledge from his roles back in New Zealand, Adams is well placed to give his verdict on what Notts will need to do in their final six games to achieve their goal.

The trip to Birmingham is the first of four straight away games in the four-day game, with Lancashire at Liverpool followed by Northants and then Durham, before finishing at home against title rivals Yorkshire and then Sussex.

"What's crucial is winning those key moments and I think this side is capable of that," said Adams.

"At the end of the day what we are trying to do is win each session and win each day and if we are worrying about winning the game that will come as a result of winning each session.

"We will certainly miss Siddle and Phil (Jaques) when they go, so the guys that come in will have to take over that role.

"It's massive (losing them both). They are two world-class players. Jaques, I think that was his 45th ton (against Somerset), and Siddle bowls for Australia who are the best team in the world.

"You take them out of any team, they would be massive losses, we'll just have to see what happens when they leave."

Asked whether the duo leave the team in a better position than they were in last season, Adams continued: "Oh yeah, 100 per cent.

"The energy that Sidds has brought in, he's a bit of a character and tries every ball, and Jaques is the ultimate professional and he hits more balls than anyone."

And on the first challenge facing them, after today's T20 Blast match against Yorkshire at Trent Bridge, Adams knows they need to improve their recent record at Warwickshire if they are to record their first County Championship away win of the season.

"They have had it over us there over the last few years," he added. "We haven't won there in the past so we will be trying to do that.

"It's an attritional game and you have to go out there and do the hard yards every time you play."

Shaun Derry will intensify his efforts to strengthen Notts County's squad after admitting he would like up to four new signings.

The Magpies boss has already had a busy summer in the transfer market having recruited Alan Smith, Hayden Mullins, Liam Noble and Taylor McKenzie.

But he is currently in talks with a left-back and an experienced midfielder and has been linked with a move for ex-Preston battler Nicky Wroe.

Having lost the likes of Alan Sheehan, Gary Liddle and Jamal Campbell-Ryce over the summer, Derry (pictured) believes their replacements will look to fill the voids left by the experienced campaigners.

"I have to say, all of the lads who left, I wish them well," he said.

"Some tough decisions were made in the summer.

"We offered them deals, but they decided not to sign them.

"I have to accept that and understand it.

"They've gone for what they believe is the best decision.

"They go with a lot of plaudits and pats on the back especially Alan, Jamal and Gary.

"They were key to why we stayed in the league.

"I think we will miss them in certain areas.

"But in the likes of Alan Smith and Hayden Mullins, I think we have the experience and nous to cover what we've lost.

"But the three or four other players I hope to bring to the club will hopefully fill them voids as well.

"And I am hopeful of them coming sooner rather than later."

Notts have handed trials to three players, but Derry was keeping their identity under wraps.

He wants to let the trio settle in before going into detail, but hopes they will take their chance in terms of trying to win a deal with the club.

"We've got various trialists in, but I don't want them coming in just to make the numbers up," he said.

"I want them to come in and prove to us that they are better than what we already have.

"The players we are bringing in have come from various levels and have come with reputations.

"We have vetted them and myself and Greg (Abbott) have met them all in person.

"I don't want to put pressure on them. I just want them to express themselves.

"I don't want to speak about them in detail. I just want them to find their feet and see how they get on first."

Meanwhile, the Magpies' trip to Sheffield United has been brought forward a day.

Derry's side will travel to Bramall Lane on Friday, November 28. Kick-off is 7.45pm.

Readers are being reminded to make their Cash For Your Community coupons count by sending them into the Post before Wednesday's deadline.

All coupons have now been printed - and the winners of the £35,000 giveway will be announced in the week commencing Monday, July 21.

The campaign, which is now in its fourth year, is a joint initiative between the Nottingham Post and Nottingham Building Society and aims to give a helping hand to up to 150 local clubs, groups and charities.

Cotgrave Playdays is one of the successful groups in the running to get a slice of the grant. It runs activities for children up to the age of 14 during the school holidays and will spend the money on providing a special Hallowe'en and Christmas session.

Treasurer Donna Chapman, 39, said: "The sessions give a chance for them to get out of the house for free. They love the activities on offer and the parents always give good feedback.

"The money will be spent on equipment for the special sessions. We would also like to hold a teddy bears picnic in one of the parks but it's a case of how many children we can afford to take at the moment."

The more coupons a group collects, the higher their share of the £35,000. The top three groups will also get a £1,000 bonus.

The Pearson Centre for Young People, in Beeston, is another entrant. It is looking for funds to cover the costs of its camping trip to Wales in the summer holidays.

Centre manager Wendy Kane said: "We have applied to the campaign every year it has run. We haven't received hundreds but every penny counts and every penny is important to us. The money would mean an awful lo to us this year and would allow the young people to undertake more activities on the trip."