ONE of the city's most famous traditional breweries has launched a contemporary craft lager – and it has already sold more than 3,000 pints.

Nottingham Brewery launched Regal lager, a craft beer modelled on continental-style drinks, less than two weeks ago to a rapturous reception from landlords and drinkers.

And in that short time 3,168 have been supped by local revellers, with the lager being stocked at pubs across the city and region.

Director of the brewery Phillip Darby said the company had been planning to get involved in the craft beer market through fear of "being left behind" and was delighted with the impact the lager had made.

"For an unknown beer without national marketing it has gone extremely well," he said. "I don't think anybody has given us a negative comment."

A clever play on words, Regal spells lager backwards and encourages traditional drinkers to take a different look at the usually mass-produced drink.

Mr Darby said: "We like to think it has got better ingredients and is a better product than mainstream lagers. It's very much local produce.

"It's another way of looking at lager – we want people who are hardened lager drinkers to drink what we think is a product with taste rather than a mass produced beer that is made in millions of gallons rather than hundreds."

The lager is made using Cascade, Columbus and Nelson Sauvin hops which create a crisp, fruity and zesty drink.

And it is already being served at the Sir John Borlase Warren, the Roebuck Inn, the Trent Bridge Inn, the Woodthorpe Top and the Bell Inn in the city centre as well as the Three Crowns in Ruddington and the Hole in the Wall, Long Eaton, among others.

The lager is served cold and fizzy as it is poured through the keg system rather than cask.

The future of the beer as a potentially permanent addition to the breweries collection will depend on sales. And its production takes Nottingham Brewery to the very limit a micro-brewery is allowed to produce before becoming a regional brewery.

Mr Darby said: "We are happy to stay at the top of our game as a micro-brewery.

"The next step to go to a regional brewery will be for the next generation of Nottingham brewery – the brewery will live on but with our fellow directors being of an age that we are we are not looking for expansion, we are a bit too close to retirement."

Simon Ackrel is café bar manager at the Broadway Cinema, which stocks the lager, and said sales had been going well. He said: "It's all been positive. We had the launch of the beer here so that was really good.

"The staff will recommend it to people to try because it's a Nottingham craft lager."

SOLICITORS' clerk Leon Angel-Robinson has been jailed for 19 years after he led a secret life as the guardian over a £1.2m plot to supply cocaine.

Angel-Robinson worked in the courts, helping lawyers and criminals appearing before magistrates. But the 30-year-old had turned rogue – and was no better than the defendants he was supporting.

He governed the drugs conspiracy between criminal groups in Nottingham and Grantham. Police said he headed a network of Nottingham-based couriers who supplied about 45kg of cocaine to a trio of drug dealers from the Lincolnshire town between May 2012 and March 2013.

Angel-Robinson, 30, of Glamis Road, Basford, was sentenced following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

He was among seven defendants found guilty of conspiracy to supply Class A drugs after an investigation by the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.

Junior Mason, 29, of Nansen Gardens, Top Valley, and Martin Cooper, also 29, of Calder Close, Grantham, were each jailed for 15 years, while 12-year sentences were given to:

Nathan Stock, 29, of Mapperley Hall Drive, Mapperley.

30-year-old Greg Tulley, of Brendan Road, Wollaton.

Marc Fardell, 27, of Ambergate Walk, Grantham.

Jas O'Connor, 28, of Walton Gardens, Grantham.

Reuben Patterson, 29, of Noel Street, Forest Fields, the owner of a car used to deliver drugs to Adam Walker-Brown on the day of his arrest, was given a three-year sentence.

Walker-Brown, 29, of Stirling Grove, Clifton, and 26-year-old Desmond Buchanan, of Penlech Walk, Top Valley, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing. They were sentenced on August 4 to eight-and-a-half years and six years respectively.

Aaron Simpson pleaded guilty to his part before trial on July 31. Simpson, 29, of Nidderdale, Nottingham, was sentenced to eight years.

Lee McNeill, 28, Wistow Close, Whitemoor, Jermaine Oram, 29, of Gawthorne Street, Basford, and Shirlon Ankle initially denied their part in the conspiracy. However, they all changed their pleas to guilty on Wednesday and all were sentenced yesterday.

McNeill received five-and-a-half years in prison and Oram got four. Ankle, 31, of Duchess Street, Bulwell, was jailed for 11 years.

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Hough, head of the special operations unit, said: "Given that someone employed as a solicitors' clerk orchestrated this conspiracy shows a stunning disregard for the law.

"Even the arrests of his couriers did not deter or concern him, and he simply turned to others to deliver the drugs on his behalf. It is fitting, therefore, that he should be handed such a significant prison sentence for his role."

Giltbrook: A television, laptop, jewellery box and cash have been stolen from a house in Tyrian Street. The burglary took place ovenight between Saturday, August 2, and 7am on Sunday, August 3.

Giltbrook: An attempted burglary took place in Tyrian Street between 12.30pm on Friday, August 8 and 2.30pm on Monday, August 11. The raiders entered the back garden and attempted to force open patio doors but were unsuccessful.

Wollaton: Police are appealing for witnesses to an assault which left a pub worker with a facial injury.

The attack took place at the Wheelhouse pub in Wollaton Road, on July 9.

A large white man with short grey hair, believed to be in his forties, is wanted by Notts Police.

He was wearing a light blue polo shirt, blue jeans and white trainers.

Arnold: A man is wanted in connection with six thefts from cars in two Arnold streets.

He was described as white, slim and around 5ft 10in tall, with short cropped hair and was said to be wearing a light-coloured tracksuit.

The thefts took place between Saturday, July 19, and Sunday, July 20, on Lynemouth Court and Pegswood Drive.

Long Eaton: Two iPods were stolen from an unsecured vehicle parked on Carlton Avenue overnight between Monday and Tuesday.

Clifton: Residents have been warned to check their windows are locked after another burglary in the area.

The theft happened between 2pm and 8.10pm on Fridayon Woodsford Grove.

The burglar got into the house through an insecure window at the back and stole a blue Acer laptop and a green laptop (make and model unknown), along with a Motorola mobile phone and eight packs of Parliament cigarettes.

Notts Police ask anyone with information about any of these incidents to call 101.

ALEX Cronin started his A-level results day unlike no other student – working on the tram extension in Clifton.

He was at work for 6am, left in time to get to Trinity School in Aspley to pick up his papers at 8am, then headed straight back to his job.

And it was worth the trip, as Alex gained A grades in maths, chemistry and product design to seal his place at the University of Nottingham to study chemical engineering.

He said: "I was a little nervous but I think going to work first thing helped. I'm very happy with how I have done."

Alex has been working with civil engineering firm McCann, which is helping build the new lines. He arrived at the school in a company truck, driven by a colleague.

Dressed in his work overalls, the 18-year-old from Aspley was one of 117 students picking up their grades at the school, many of them leaving delighted.

He said: "I am really pleased with how I got on. I've been doing some work on the tram but I wanted to go to university and I have got my place.

"It's a pretty exciting but I have to go back to work so I can't go and celebrate yet."

While Alex had been up at work early, other students from Trinity headed straight to the school to collect their results.

For two of them, exam success was reason for a double celebration. Megan Hickman turned 18 yesterday while her friend Holly Bonfield reached the milestone age 24 hours earlier. Both got three A*s.

"This is the best birthday present I could have asked for," said Megan.

The former Top Valley Academy pupil gained the top grades in biology, chemistry and maths. She will now study pharmacy at the University of Nottingham.

"I was very nervous when I got up," she added. "It's my 18th birthday but all I could think about was how I got on. It is an amazing feeling that I have done well."

Holly picked up her A*s in maths, chemistry and biology. She will do chemistry at York.

She said: "I think this is my best present. I was so nervous yesterday so couldn't enjoy my birthday as much. I will enjoy today, though."

Jessica Witts, 18, of Aspley, was also celebrating, gaining an A* in biology and As in maths and geography.

She said: "I'm going to do biology at the University of Nottingham. I can't wait for that. I was very nervous about getting my results but I am pleased with how I've done."

West Bridgford: Dean Wood, 51, of Pierrepont Road, is accused of using threatening behaviour towards two people on August 5. He has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on August 28.

Bulwell: George Augustus, 58, of Highbury Road, was found guilty of assaulting a male in West Bridgford on January 25. He was granted bail and the case was adjourned for sentencing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on September 17.

Basford: Christopher Russell, 20, of Bulwell Lane, denied assaulting a male in Bulwell on April 5. After he was bailed by magistrates in Nottingham, he was ordered to return to court on September 9.

The Meadows: Charles Adewumi, 24, of Ryehill Close,was found guilty of assaulting a policeman in The Meadows on December 11 last year. Magistrates in Nottingham gave him a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He will be supervised by the probation service. Adewumi was ordered him to pay also £200 compensation and a victim surcharge of £80.

Aspley: Shakeel Amin, 22, of Aspley Park Drive, was sent to prison for ten weeks by Nottingham magistrates for a series of motoring offences. He admitted driving a Kia Rio when disqualified and without the consent of the owner, drink-driving and having no insurance on June 22. He had 74 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35. Amin was banned from driving for 20 months.

Bingham: Phillip Blagdon, 46, of Carnarvon Close, admitted stealing a purse from a female in Arnold on March 5. At Nottingham Magistrates' Court, he was given a six-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months. He will be supervised by the probation service and must pay £38 compensation, a victim surcharge of £80 and costs of £85.

Carlton: Justin Davis, 20, of Carlton Hill, has been fined £100 after admitting using threatening behaviour in the town on June 11. Magistrates in Nottingham ordered him to pay £50 compensation, a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

THIS is Nottingham's second Korean restaurant in a few months. We are talking South Korea, by the way, not that portion, north of the 38th Parallel, run by the fun dude with the wacky haircut.

Like Pan Asia BBQ in nearby Upper Parliament Street, the selling point is the grill that is sunk into the centre of every table. The idea is that you cook your own luncheon or dinner – but why would I do that? That's what I do at home.

With capable customer-chefs at the table, the gimmick adds to the dining room the exotic aromas of an eastern kitchen. Thanks to the cack-handed customer across the aisle from me, we got the aromas of an incinerator.

I stuck to the set luncheon menu but 40 minutes after placing a pretty straightforward order I began to regret not having brought my own spatula, tongs, fire extinguisher and burns kit.

Eventually the most charming waitress produced the goods with a disarming apology about a problem with the kitchen equipment.

It was eloquently done, which was surprising as earlier she had asked me to give her my order using the code numbers for each dish rather than the names.

I thought about K2, but it was too much of a mountain to climb. So I went for K3 – miso soup and chicken steak bab. That's bab, by the way, not kebab.

When the meal eventually came – both dishes simultaneously, which is how things are done east of the Raj – it was of a perfectly acceptable standard.

Let's be frank, it's hard to have a lot of fun with miso soup. This was about as close as it gets, with the thin, grey daishi broth enlivened by green leaves, spring onions, cubes of tofu and lots of those delicate little enoki mushrooms. Quite refreshing, in an "umami" sort of way.

The bab was basically a flattened chicken breast, breadcrumbed and fried, cut into strips and served on a bed of lettuce with a smear of really lovely dark sauce. It was the same colour and texture as hoisin, but not as sickly.

On the side was a ball of rice. I was working not with western eating irons but chopsticks – and silver ones, at that – so I was happy to discover that the rice was properly sticky. When you've been waiting for 40 minutes, there are not enough hours left in the day to be lifting fluffy rice grains with chopsticks.

I thought £8.50 for the food was exceptional value, although you don't have to slum it at Miss Korea. On the drinks menu I caught sight of Dom Perignon at £199. Next time, perhaps.

THE future of sport in Nottingham will be placed in the hands of judges in London today.

At 12pm, Nottingham's bid to become the country's official City of Football 2015 will be taken south on the train to Sport England for consideration in the form of an iBook.

The title and £1.6 million would be used to launch an ambitious plan aimed at massively increasing participation in the sport, particularly among women and ethnic minorities – and bringing a festival of football to the city.

Nottingham has been shortlisted for the prestigious award alongside Manchester and Portsmouth.

In September, judges will visit the city and the Post will reveal the details of the plan, with most of the information kept top secret and under wraps before the other cities submit their bids.

The bid has been led by community trusts from Notts County and Nottingham Forest. Graham Moran, chief executive of Nottingham Forest in the Community, said: "It would be a huge boost for the city in terms of being profiled as a city that's capable of delivering this scale of project.

"We know there's a huge amount of untapped capacity out there for people who want to play football. This will enable us to take football to a completely new level."

Nigel Cooke, of One Nottingham, which aims to improve the city, is helping with the bid. He said: "Football is traditionally quite male but Nottingham is not a very male city. It's about women and girls playing, black and minority ethnic groups playing and people playing in their neighbourhoods. I think it would be huge for Nottingham."

The bid is backed by big names from sport. Forest owner Fawaz Al-Hasawi said: "With the help of this funding I am confident this city can continue as one of the nation's front-runners in football participation."

Former Reds European Cup-winning captain John McGovern added: "I would relish the prospect of helping the city once again establish itself as a force majeure in English football history."

Prime Minister David Cameron supported the bid. He said: "Nottingham has a good chance with a great football history."

THE Nottingham City of Football bid will be delivered to Sport England in an iBook today.

Sport England are expected to send feedback regarding the bid by the end of August. On September 10 an assessment visit will be held where the judges will come to Nottingham.

The final decision will be announced on September 22 with Nottingham competing against Manchester and Portsmouth for the title.

Along the way, Nottingham has seen off serious competition for the prestigious title from cities like Newcastle, Birmingham and Derby.

FORGET Manchester, Glasgow, even London. No city in the United Kingdom can measure up to the heritage of football in Nottingham.

Growing up as a football fan in this city is a privilege. Notts County is the oldest Football League club in the world and one with immeasurable history.

The legacies of Jimmy Sirrel and Les Bradd still loom large and Sean Derry is restoring some pride on the city side of the Trent.

The history at Forest has often been written about: Brian Clough turned an everyday provincial club into world-beaters, a proud symbol for the city across the world.

But Nottingham deserves to be the City of Football 2015 for more reasons than history alone.

Few cities can claim to have such a proud tradition of women's football. Nottingham Forest Ladies are run by an incredibly dedicated team of volunteers to high standards and Notts County Ladies are one of the best teams in the country. The City Ground has played host to the FA Women's Cup Final, with great results, and grassroots football for women is thriving.

This is a city ripe for investment, and one where the money would be valued and would make a genuine difference.

BEHIND the padlocked doors of most garden sheds are lawnmowers, plant pots and cobwebs.

But this 11.5m x 3m wooden shed in Burton Joyce is crammed to the rafters with 10,000 books.

Bookseller Gillian James, of Main Street, buys and sells from her back garden.

She keeps 10,000 children's books in one shed and a further 5,000 fiction and non-fiction titles for adults in a second. "People love the idea of the book shed," said Gillian, 54, who has operated from home for 13 years.

"I get collectors and people who really love their books who have a great time rummaging around."

Gillian specialises in children's books and her collection ranges from classic versions by iconic authors such as Enid Blyton and Roald Dahl to Ladybird books.

"I get them from all sorts of places," she said. "Obviously, you have the internet, then there are jumble sales, car boots and house clearances.

"I had to take my address off the website. People used to just turn up to have a browse and I would literally be in my pyjamas."

To keep the books dry and free from dust, Gillian has a waterproof double-lined shed with full insulation.

Her first shed was converted from a greenhouse made for her by her dad, Larry Robinson, who lived next door. "He was a joiner, so it was in great condition," she said. "It was a fabulous wooden greenhouse and he converted it."

Sadly, her father, who helped inspire Gillian's love of reading by taking her to Burton Joyce Library as a child, died in 2008.

"He used to take me down all the time," said Gillian, who confessed to having 110 books on her bedside table.

"That's where I got my great love of reading. I used to rearrange the books there too – when I was four."

Husband Mike, 63, has been ushered in to help run the Book Shed.

He said: "Living with all the books has never been an issue. It develops around you and has grown from a dozen to thousands."

More of a music man, Mike owns between 250 and 300 CDs ranging from Led Zeppelin to Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra.

"It's a drop in the ocean compared to the books," he said. "But it's my passion."

Gillian is hoping the book trade is making a resurgence despite the rise in reading tablets like Kindles.

"Books are so much more personal," she said. "They are treasured, which is why the industry has survived. When I take books from house clearances, there are some single ladies who didn't have any family.

"I take great comfort from knowing messages about them written into their books will pass on so they're never forgotten."

Earlier this week, the Post told the story of 62-year-old John Siggins, who has recreated the dining room of the Titanic in his garden shed in Ripley.

It is always a major event when a local derby takes place.

And this match between Nottingham Forest and Notts County in 1953 was no exception.

The game marked the 60th time that the two teams had met.

The teams played in front of an enthusiastic, packed out crowd at Forest's City Ground.

In the video, the Magpies attack straight away and make Forest work.

The video also sees a free kick given to Notts County, however Forest's goalkeeper, Walker, punches it over the bar.

Towards the end of the second half, Forest start to put pressure on their opponents and County's goalkeeper, Bradley, is given plenty to do.

Following two missed headers, Forest get the ball and move towards the Magpies' goal. Notts County's Bradley misses the ball and leaves the net wide open.

Moore races in from the wing and shoots and scores into an empty net.

Despite Notts County winning the local derby the season before, Forest were crowned the final victors this time with a full-time score of 1-0.

The Post's Paul Taylor will be answering all of your Nottingham Forest related questions at 12pm.

To ask a question, you can either tweet them in advance to @nottmtails, email paul.taylor@nottinghampost.com or leave them as a comment on the blog once we've started.

STUART Pearce today revealed Nottingham Forest have upped the ante in their efforts to keep Henri Lansbury, by putting together a new, improved contract offer for him.

The Reds have been attempting to tie the midfielder to a new deal since January, when a first round of discussions took place.

Premier League Burnley having made an offer of £3.5m for the former Arsenal man – which is believed to still be on the table.

And Pearce says Forest have responded by improving their contract offer for the 23-year-old, who has two years left to run on his current agreement.

"We have formulated a contract extension offer for him and we put that to him on Wednesday," said Pearce.

"We are hoping that he will extend his contract at this club.

"He has two years left to run, so we are in no manic pressure to offer him a new deal. But we feel it is right and proper that we do offer him a contract.

"He had negotiations back in January, with regard to a contract.

"I spoke to the chairman and he is quite happy for us to offer a new contract to Henri and his agent. We have done so and I hope Henri will turn around now and say 'do you know what, I like this manager and I am going to stay here'."

Burnley boss Sean Dyche yesterday refused to discuss their interest in Lansbury, who cost Forest £1m when he arrived in 2012.

But Pearce was less shy about praising the midfielder's qualities.

"We hope that he will agree to extend his deal, because we look a better squad with him in it. He is one of the better players in the Championship," said Pearce.

Boss Stuart Pearce has also moved to sign a new defensive midfielder, after German Robert Tesche signed a one year deal yesterday evening.

The Reds boss eluded to the fact he was after a defensive midfielder when speaking to the media hours earlier.

"The only position we feel we need to strengthen at his moment in time is in the centre of midfield," he had said.

"We would like another player in that area of the pitch, to bolster the squad just a little bit more. It is defensive midfield we are looking at.

"We have options in that area, and we feel that, for the balance of the squad, going forward, we could just about manage. Chris Cohen has done it for us and Michael Mancienne has.

"But when you look at the whole season, you have to make sure you have enough options.

"We feel that, when it comes to that defensive shield, it is an area that we could so with a specialist player."

And Tesche is clearly the man he was talking about.

FORECASTERS are expecting temperatures to drop across the county in the coming days.

By Tuesday, day time temperatures are expected to fall to 15 degrees Celsius, with night time temperatures in the single figures.

It comes after some very wet and windy weather, with Met Office forecasters still placing a yellow warning – meaning be aware – for rain in the county.

Last weekend a number of areas flooded, with deep water causing problems in West Bridgford, Southwell and Gedling village.

AN airline has revealed it will stop flying from East Midlands Airport next year.

Monarch Airlines has said the decision followed follows a strategic review after it appointed a new chief executive.

The final Monarch flight from Castle Donington airport will take place at the end of April.

Monarch say many of the 79 cabin crew, pilots and engineers based at Donington would be relocated to other airports, including Birmingham and Luton.

The airline said the decision was part of a move to transform itself into a scheduled low-cost carrier, offering greater flight frequency and "more sociable" departure times.

Monarch started operating from East Midlands after low-cost airline BMI Baby ceased trading.

It took on some of the routes vacated by BMI.

Mr Swaffield said: "I would like to thank all our customers who have used Monarch's services at East Midlands Airport in the two years we have been there."

"I would also like to pay tribute to our employees for all that they have done to bring the warmth, humanity and personal touch that should be our hallmark to our services at East Midlands Airport."

The airline said it would continue to operate flights from its Birmingham base.

Monarch also operates from London Gatwick, Manchester, Leeds Bradford and London Luton, where it is headquartered.

Andy Cliffe, managing director of East Midlands Airport said: "Whilst it is regrettable that the decision has been made to close their base here, huge choice remains on the same routes, served by Thomson, Thomas Cook, Jet2.com and Ryanair.