Hucknall hurdler Andy Turner will retire from athletics at the 2014. 

The 33-year-old is a former European and Commonwealth 110m hurdles champion and has competed in three Olympics. 

He also won bronze at the 2011 World Championships. 

Turner failed to defend his Commonwealth title at the Glasgow Commonwealth games after he hit a hurdle and did not to finish.

He has said his final event will be the European Championships in Zurich. 

His mother Yvonne died suddenly in October aged 58, following a stroke. 

Turner said: "I've had so many ups and downs in athletics but there comes a point when you've just about had enough. When my mum died, I didn't want to do anything so to even make the championship was unexpected. 

"I just feel now is the right time for me to call it a day, I've had a great innings and accomplished far more than I could ever imagined. I would rather go out having done well than tailed off with poor performances."

Turner has achieved a lot throughout his career but said his highlight was winning the European Championship in 2010. 

Turner said: "After a turbulent two years leading up to the championship – getting cut from funding for being 'too old and too slow with no chance of improving' – it was very satisfying to cross the line in first place and silence my doubters. My Delhi gold and World bronze were just bonuses." 

Despite his plans to retire, the hurdler is not ready to give up his sporting background just yet. 

Turner said: "For the last two years I've been working on qualifications and have been personal training which is going really well. I would like to take that into teams like Forest.

"I also run a business called Antics which is a circuit training business that is doing amazingly well. It's tough but fun and choreographed to music. It's refreshing in the world of fitness so I will be looking at taking this to the next level. We're currently negotiating with a large gym chain to get the class into all of their gyms. 

"I'm also hugely keen on progressing into TV and radio work. I already have a couple of small TV offers so I'm hoping more come in. "I'm really excited about my retirement but also sad not to walk out into a huge packed stadium and hear the roar of the crowd."

TRAVELLERS who set up camp in Edwalton say they intend to stay until Sunday.

The group arrived on the Alford Road sport pitches on Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for Rushcliffe Borough Council said: "The travellers have stated they intend to leave on Sunday. However, the council has also started legal proceedings which will be used if necessary to enforce their departure."

LITTLE Nityashree Valmiki is already top of her class when it comes to smiling – with even her school report mentioning her number one "gurn".

But now the four-year-old is hoping that her animated grin will help her win over judges in the Post's Baby and Toddler of the Year Competition.

Dad Valmiki Shesha, 37, says that family and friends just can't get enough of Nityashree's cheeky smile and bold expressions.

"Every time we put a picture of Nityashree on Facebook it gets a lot of 'likes' from our friends and family," said the optician.

"She is really photogenic and pulls some great faces."

But little Nityashree has not always been so confident.

Mr Shesha said: "When she first started nursery, she was really quite shy, so we are really proud of her that she has become more confident.

"Everyone knows Nityashree for her big smile now and even her school teacher mentioned it on her school report that she had 'the best gurn in the class'."

Nityashree will be joined in the competition by big sister Krittika, who is also a hit in the classroom.

Mr Shesha said: "She is very expressive and very good at school.

"She wins lots of awards in everything from maths and English to good behaviour.

"She is very much a favourite among friends and family.

"I have wanted to enter the girls into the competition for a long time but have always been so busy, so I am really glad I have finally had the opportunity."

The Baby and Toddler of the Year competition is split into four categories: 0-9 months, 10-18 months, 19-35 months and 3-5 years.

The winner of each age group will be awarded £500 while the overall winner will be presented with a cheque for a further £1,000.

Post photographers will be at the Broadmarsh centre, in Lister Gate, until Saturday, August 23. Their stand will be open daily from 9.30am until 5pm – except on Sunday, August 17, when it will open from 11am until 4pm.

To enter, simply take your child along.

BT has come under fire for the time it is taking to fix cable damage that has left 600 homes and business without phone lines.

The firm has been working to fix the problem – in Beeston and Chilwell – which has left residents and traders without land lines or internet.

Emergency pull cords in homes for the elderly were also cut-off – although these have now been restored.

Joanna Parish, from Portsmouth, and said she was worried about her elderly mother who lives in Beeston.

She said: "My mum lives in Regency Court and she had a note through her door saying that the safety pull cords are not working and if there were any problems to call 999.

"That's all well and good if the old folk have a phone in every room where they fall."

Engineers believe 230 metres of cabling in Chilwell Road had been affected by rainwater after being accidentally damaged "by a third party".

The emergency pull cords were restored at 12.45pm yesterday and so far 60 of the affected properties have had their landlines reconnected.

Sonia Wallis, of Teesdale Court, said she had to keep checking in on her mother at Midhurst Close, in Chilwell.

She said: "My 79-year-old mum has no phone line and no other way of contacting people. If she has a fall how will she contact anyone?

"The only information we have had has been off Facebook; it is a disgrace that this has not been sorted sooner."

Personal assistant Cheryl Smith, of Nottingham Trent Valley Methodist Circuit, relies on her internet connection for work.

The Central Avenue, Chilwell, resident said: "I work from home and rely heavily on both my phone line and my broadband. They said I could have my calls diverted to another number so I chose my mobile.

"A week's worth of line rental should be refunded to all affected – but I won't hold my breath."

The problem was first reported at the weekend.

Contractors are currently working on Chilwell Road as part of Nottingham's tram extension project but Taylor Woodrow Alstom, which is overseeing the scheme, reaffirmed that its staff had not been working close to the phone lines for several weeks.

Phone line engineer Jon Speed of Beeston said: "I find it staggering that it should take a company such as BT nearly a week to restore service to its customers. Regardless of how the incident happened BT, being so heavily involved in these [tram] works, should have plans and supplies in place to move swiftly in the event of a cable strike."

BT engineers are working from the junction box on the corner of Devonshire Avenue and Chilwell Road.

A spokesman said: "We have in total 600 reported faults. There is a lot of engineering works still to do and it is likely to be well into the weekend before all people affected have been restored.

"They should speak to their individual service providers about compensation."

Beeston: Michael Connor, 46, of Gayrigg Court, was fined £600 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court after being found guilty of failing to provide information about the identity of the driver of a Ford Transit van allegedly guilty of a traffic offence in Arnold. Connor was ordered to pay a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £85. Six penalty points will be added to his licence.

St Ann's: Simon Mathews, 21, of Sullivan Close, pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates' Court to driving an uninsured Rover without a licence on the A60 Ravenshead on September 8 last year. He was fined £250 and ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge and £50 costs. He was banned from driving for six months.

Arnold: Dennis Powell, 51, of Ludgate Close, was found guilty in his absence of having an uninsured BMW. Magistrates in Nottingham heard the offence was in Thoresby Close, Hucknall, on October 2 last year. He was fined £255 and ordered to pay a £25 victim surcharge and £85 costs . Six penalty points were imposed.

St Ann's: A 13-year old boy is accused taking a black BMX bike and cap from a man in Nottingham on June 20 and trying to steal a moped in West Bridgford on July 22. The teenager, who cannot be identified, has been remanded in custody until September 2.

Beeston: Kyle O'Connor, 20, of Dennis Avenue, denied causing criminal damage when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. It is alleged he damaged a wooden side door in Bilborough on April 21. He was bailed to attend his trial on September 16.

VAN enthusiast Steven Kervick was devastated after finding his Bedford camper van "Boris" trashed in a gym car park.

Mr Kervick, of Drayton Street, Sherwood, reported his beloved red van stolen to police on Tuesday evening.

He believed the van, with a white pop-up roof, was taken from Marshall Street, Sherwood, between 7.30pm and 9.45pm.

Mr Kervick and his wife Diane Boulton then launched a campaign to find the van, pictured, with Ms Boulton even asking passing strangers if they had seen anything.

The van was found following a tip-off in the car park of My Fitness Local, in Pinfold Business Park, Stapleford.

Ms Boulton said that they found the van "completely trashed".

She said: "It is horrible – you work hard to buy something and then somebody just comes along and thinks they can take it.

"We want to find the people who did this, and they should have to pay for the damage.

"It is a pretty rare van – it is collectable."

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed that the van theft was reported to them on Tuesday night and that an investigation was ongoing.

STUDENTS who missed their predicted A Level grades were sent emails from Nottingham Trent University - a day before the results were officially announced.

The error saw "a small number" of emails sent to applicants on Wednesday saying that they had missed their expected results, but that the university could still offer them a place on a course.

It would have been the first indication that the students had not done as well as they had hoped.

The university said that the email was sent to 30 students, out of a total of 12,000 who had applied.

A Nottingham Trent university spokesman said: "A small number of emails were unfortunately sent to applicants who have exceeded or slightly missed their required grades. The issue was identified and resolved very quickly. The emails, which did not disclose any results, were to offer applicants a place on a similar but alternative course."

Students across the country will be opening their A-Level results on Thursday morning, but universities get the results ahead of this to help them plan class sizes.

NOTTS County has lost one of its greatest ever fans.

John Mounteney, who stood on the old Spion Kop at Meadow Lane watching the famous Tommy Lawton as a kid in the forties and went on to become the club's vice chairman for almost a quarter of a century, has sadly passed away aged 79.

And Magpies legends have paid their tributes to him.

"We were very close friends," said Don Masson.

"I came down from Scotland to play for Notts in 1968 and John was chairman of the Centenary Club, which was the supporters' club, and we became friends straightaway. Our families would go on holiday together.

"John's life revolved around Notts County and whenever we got together we would reminisce about the old times. He loved that.

"When he became vice chairman to Jack Dunnett he fulfilled his lifetime ambition. He always said he wanted to get involved to do something for the club.

"He was a supporter who used to stand on the Spion Kop as a small child, he was one of the lucky ones who got to see Lawton play, and he went on to do a lot of good things for the club, helping to take it into the First Division.

"It's very sad. There is never a right time."

Nottingham-born Mounteney was on the Magpies' board during two of the most successful eras in the club's recent history, as they won promotion into the top flight of English football under the legendary Jimmy Sirrel in 1981, having been made a director a year earlier, and as they enjoyed back-to-back play-off wins under Neil Warnock to rise from Division Three to Division One between 1989 and 1991.

"When I was a young manager at Notts John was great to me," recalls Warnock.

"We were like one big, happy family at Meadow Lane because our families spent so much time together. And we had some great success on the pitch that John was a very big part of."

"I can still see him now celebrating at Wembley, he was so chuffed to see his club back at the top.

"I will never forget those great times we shared."

Mounteney was also vice chairman when they won the Division Three title under Sam Allardyce in 1998, serving loyally in that role for a total of 24 years.

So many highs, Mounteney also witnessed some lows, the club falling into administration for 18 months just over ten years ago during which time its very existence was threatened.

Mounteney also gifted a ten per cent shareholding in the club to Munto Finance in 2009, believing it would inspire great success, only for Munto to sell the club five months later, leaving it with huge debts.

"If you asked me to tell you Notts County's number one fan I would say John. That is what he was uppermost, a fan," said the Magpies' all-time leading goalscorer Les Bradd.

"That's where it all started for him. He was a fan who went on to become a vice chairman, helping to bring some great times to the club.

"He brought Derek Pavis to the club as owner after Jack Dunnett.

"He was the man who searched high and low for someone to take over the club, putting a lot on Derek to be that person, and between them they brought some really successful times to Meadow Lane. That will be John's legacy, for me.

"He would always enthuse about those times and I'm sure he takes all of those memories with him."

Club chairman Ray Trew also paid tribute to Mounteney, who was an Honorary Life Vice-President at Notts County, and said: "I have met a number of people during my relatively short time at Notts County, but none can claim to be a finer gentleman than John Mounteney.

"His passion for the club was unrivalled and he was a valued cohort in many of my dealings, happy to offer advice and guidance when I turned to him for his opinion on any range of issues and giving me an insight to what this great club means to so many people.

"John will be sorely missed by all that knew him, all that had the pleasure of meeting him and all that have any association with Notts County Football Club, of which he was a true cornerstone for so many years."

Director Aileen Trew added: "John and his wife Daphne were some of the first people that I was introduced to here at the club and I don't think I could have asked for a better insight to what this club was all about.

"I would struggle to name two nicer people and my thoughts are with Daphne at this difficult time, to have lost such a wonderful man, who will be missed by everyone at the club.

"Home matchdays will certainly lose something without John's cheerful presence and willingness to embrace those around him, whether they be Notts County supporters or visiting guests, John was always a fantastic ambassador for the club."

Chief executive Jim Rodwell added: "At every level there is something that will bear John's hallmark and it will be our duty to do justice to John's memory in continuing to take the club forwards."

Mounteney was planning to celebrate his golden wedding anniversary with wife Daphne in September, with their only son Edward. He leaves all who knew him with golden memories.

And BBC Radio Nottingham's Colin Slater, who was a close friend of Mounteney, concluded: "John is probably the truest friend Notts County have ever had in all their long history.

"He was in a real sense a one club man and that club was Notts County, which he served with such diligence and loyalty.

"I cannot believe that out of the hundreds if not thousands of Notts County people who have known him that he had a single enemy and, in fact, deserved to be as popular and highly esteemed as he was."

NOTTINGHAM is set to spend thousands of pounds on a camera to enforce the controversial parking levy – despite the fact that all businesses are paying already.

The camera will initially be set up at Riverside Retail Park to check the Workplace Parking Levy – but has been labelled "invasive Big Brother nonsense" by critics.

Nottingham City Council has admitted that 100 per cent of the firms expected to pay the charge are already complying.

But it said the camera would be an easier way of checking up on them than the current method of officers driving around each car park in a vehicle with a portable camera fixed to the roof.

And it said that money raised through the levy was ploughed back into schemes to improve the city's transport such as the tram extension.

However, businesses and opposition councillors have accused the Labour-controlled authority of "throwing good money after bad".

Dean Hutchby, of Bulwell-based Cavalier Sheet Metal Works, which pays the levy, said: "I was always told not to spend money on something until you can afford it. The council is spending all this money on things to enforce the levy."

And Georgina Culley, leader of the council's Conservative group, said: "It's anti-business and it's invasive Big Brother nonsense."

There are already 216 cameras in Nottingham run by the council and police for monitoring traffic.

The new one be put up at the retail park for a trial and, if this is successful, will be moved around five or six other car parks used by a number of companies, to check compliance with the levy, if the pilot is successful.

It will use number plate recognition to check that the right cars are parking in the right spaces – and not using more than have paid for in areas where firms share parking space.

Brian Vaughan, 63, of Sneinton, is a member of the public who uses Riverside Retail Park. He said he felt uncomfortable that his number plate would be automatically scanned even though he did not work there.

"I don't think I feel comfortable with the council checking when I'm going shopping and sticking their cameras everywhere. It's all a bit too Big Brother for me. Why do they need to spend the money if everyone is playing by the rules?"

It has also emerged that the parking levy is not making as much money as the council anticipated it would.

Around 25,000 spaces were charged under the levy last year – bringing in £8.45 million. The council initially said the levy would ultimately raise £14 million a year and it expected to raise £8.7 million last year but said the difference was "not a cause for concern".

It says that money from the levy has gone towards improving public transport in the city, such as extensions of the tram, revamping the station and buying electric buses.

But businesses have called the charge a "tax" and some have left the city boundary to avoid paying it.

Neville Baxter, of freight business The RH Group, of Lenton Lane, said: "The Workplace Parking Tax is an extra financial burden that makes tough times for business even tougher. So it's particularly galling to find out that the tax isn't even raising the income it was supposed to."

Council transport chief Councillor Jane Urquhart said: "The trial to use fixed camera technology at specific sites will help both businesses licensing and the WPL team to gather information more cost-effectively. While only a very small proportion of the WPL funds are used to administer the scheme, any cost savings which can be reinvested back to further improve Nottingham's transport provision can only be a good thing for our business community and our citizens."

What do you think? Email opinion@nottinghampost.com

Group 3 RPU on scene at serious RTC Church Lane Brinsley road closed for a while. pic.twitter.com/jPYzrVe1rS

— Notts Roads Policing (@NottsRPU) August 13, 2014

AWARD-winning author Alison Moore will appear on Radio 4's Front Row tomorrow – but will miss listening to her prime-time performance as it clashes with the launch of her new book.

But for the Wymeswold-based writer who recently completed her second book He Wants, the diary clash may come as some relief.

"I don't like listening back to myself, you notice your ticks, but my husband will probably record it and I'll end up hearing it," she said.

The novel – which tells the story of retired teacher Lewis Sullivan and how he strives for more than a life which is just comfortable – will be launched at Waterstones in Bridlesmith Gate on Friday at 7pm.

Mrs Moore said: "I quite like the question and answer sessions because people tend to ask things on a subject which I've been studying quite closely for the past year.

"But then you get the questions that you haven't thought about before and that really make you think, which is interesting too."

Always a fan of writing, Mrs Moore only really committed herself to a life in print while on maternity leave with her first son, Nathan.

She said: "I was working at the Lakeside Arts Theatre and only left work two weeks before the due date – which was very late – but he ended up coming much later. I was given an extra month which I didn't expect and wrote what would become The Lighthouse."

This book was shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2012 and the National Book Awards 2012 and a number of short stories.

She continues to write from home, with husband Dan, 39, computer programmer "sometimes more of an editor than my actual editor" and Nathan, now five and at school.

Andrew Kells, novelist and member of Nottingham Writers Studio, said: "I read The Lighthouse and it's wonderful. Alison Moore's success must serve as inspiration to people in the area who are looking to try their hand at writing."

What's your favourite holiday read? Email opinion@nottinghampost.com

The incident took place at Stonebridge City Farm between 7pm on Tuesday and 8am yesterday.

Thieves used wirecutters to get into the farm's aviary before taking a yellow ring neck parakeet and releasing a zebra finch, which was later found dead by staff.

Marie Rogers is the manager of the farm, which is in Stonebridge Road. She said: "You just think 'why?' It's just absolutely senseless. It takes you back every time – you're trying to make a community resource and people just don't respect it."

The parakeet, which is called PJ, is bright yellow with a darker ring around its neck. He is said to be able to imitate a cat's miaow.