MORE than 700 fines – more than ever before – were handed out to city parents whose children skipped school last year.

Following a city council clampdown on truancy, 728 fixed penalty notices were given out in 2013-14 – up from 338 the previous year.

The tougher stance was praised by Education Secretary Nicky Morgan. And the council warned parents that it will not let up, insisting they would not get away with allowing youngsters to dodge classes.

Mrs Morgan said: "I'm pleased to hear that there is more awareness now that pupils should be in school. Every missed day or half day affects children's education. I support the city council in what it is doing."

The council said it would take action when a child was "persistently absent" – missing at least 15 per cent of classes.

Councillor Sam Webster, executive assistant for schools in Nottingham, said: "All of the penalty notices have been issued to parents at the request of schools. This is not just about the city council; it is the law of the land that children have to be in education.

"The Ofsted inspection regime sets high expectations regarding attendance rates."

At the start of the last school year, the Department for Education brought in a new rule to make it more difficult for parents to get a school's permission to take their children out of class during term time. Many were doing so for cheaper holidays.

If a child is absent without good reason, fines of £60 per parent can be issued. This doubles to £120 if no payment is made in 21 days.

If the fine is remains unpaid, courts can impose tougher fines of up to £2,500 – and even prison sentences.

Bad attendance rates were a major factor behind seven city schools being placed into special measures by Ofsted last November.

At some of the schools – including Bulwell Academy and Farnborough School, Clifton – nearly one in five children were classed as persistently absent.

Following the bad Ofsted reports, the city council set up an Education Improvement Board, which had a remit including raising attendance.

The Post revealed last month that the council had set up a competition which will see the classes with the best attendances in city secondaries attend a private gig with Chart Top Ten girl band Neon Jungle.

Figures due to be released by the Department for Education on Thursday will reveal whether attendance has improved.

Sally Coulton, head teacher at Ellis Guilford School in Basford, said: "We believe that taking a tough stance on this communicates a clear and consistent message about the importance of being in school."

Bulwell Academy has been handing out prizes for 100 per cent attendance.

Principal Paul Halcro told the Post: "It is also about working with the parents to ensure they realise how important school is."

People are being given a second chance to get tickets for a ceremony where Carl Froch will be made an Honorary Freeman of the City.

The final batch of tickets will be released on Monday at 12pm for the event at the Royal Concert Hall.

On Thursday, October 16 the IBF and WBA World Super-Middleweight Champion will receive the award.

The evening will commence at 6pm with the official ceremony conducted by the Lord Mayor.

And this will be followed by a celebration of Froch's life and career with a question and answer session compered by Darren Fletcher.

Tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, a maximum of two tickets per person, by contacting the Royal Concert Hall box office on 0115 989 5555 or collecting in person at the Booking Office on Theatre Square.

If you miss out on a ticket, the show will also be broadcast on www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/froch

Jon Collins, Leader of Nottingham City Council said, "The response from the people of Nottingham to the news that Carl Froch is to be made an Honorary Freeman of the City has been overwhelming. It shows what strong local support there is for Carl, and what a popular ambassador he is for the city.

"To help meet the demand, we are releasing all available seats for Thursday evening's show at the Royal Concert Hall, and we will also be streaming the show live on our website. It's going to be an unmissable event."

Check our listings for details on firework displays and bonfire nights across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. If you have one you want to let us know about, fill in the form at the bottom of the article.

Clumber Fireworks and Fire Extravaganza, Clumber Park, Blyth Road A Pyro-musical firework spectacular with the biggest fireworks display in the area. Fire performers will be fire spinning, breathing and juggling throughout the evening. There will also be live music from Ruffas Folk, along with traditional fairground games including the coconut shy, hook a duck, bouncy castles. Gates open at 5.30pm, fireworks start at 7.30pm. Tickets are priced at £6.50 each or £25 for a family (2 adults, 3 children). They can be purchased at www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumberpark.

Long Eaton United Football Club, Grange Park, Long Eaton, Nottingham A massive firework display in association with "Big Bang Fireworks." The newly refurbished clubhouse and bar will be serving alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. Hot and cold food will also be available throughout the night. Gates open at 6pm, and the fireworks start at 8pm. Tickets are £3 for adults and £1.50 for children. More information can be found at www.longeatonutd.co.uk.

King George V Recreation Ground, Standhill Road, Carlton Gates open at 7pm with the firework display starting at 8pm. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £2 for children.

Erewash Bonfire and Fireworks Show, West Park, Long Eaton Advance tickets are available from West Park Leisure Centre, Long Eaton Town Hall and Ilkeston Town Hall. Family tickets (two adults, up to three children) are £9.50, adult tickets are £3.90, 16 and under or 60 and above tickets are £1.70. Admission is free for children aged five and under. Tickets will cost more on the night.

The Old Cross, Church Street, Stapleford Barbecue and fireworks from 6pm. Tickets are £2 per person and can be bought by emailing staplefordcommunitygroup@gmail.com or on the gate.

James Mellors Amusements, in conjunction with Nottingham City Council, the Forest Recreation Ground The funfair opens at 5:30pm with the children's small firework display starting at 7:15pm. The main firework display will begin at 9pm. The firework display is free and open to all ages.

Erewash Bonfire and Fireworks extravaganza, West Park, Long Eaton The firework display will be set to music based on a theme of 'A night with the stars.' Gates open at 6pm with funfair rides, stalls and food all available. The bonfire will be lit at 7pm and the firework display beings at 7:30pm. Discounted tickets are available at Ilkeston Town Hall, Long Eaton Town Hall and West Park Leisure Centre. Tickets are priced at £3.90 for adults (£5 on the night), £1.70 for under 16s and over 60s (£2.50 on the night) and admission is free for children under 5.

Firewalk and Firework Spectacular, Nottingham Castle Gates open at 7pm, the Firewalk starts at 8:30pm and the fireworks display will begin at 9pm. Tickets are priced at £10 for adults, £7 for concessions and £4 for children. Tickets can be bought at www.mysightnotts.org.uk/events/firewalk-firework-spectacular

Pepperpots, 3rd Woodthorpe Scout Ground, Mapperley A fun family event in its 33rd year. This bonfire and firework display also serves traditional bonfire food. For health and safety, alcohol, personal fireworks/sparklers and cars are not allowed on the site. Tickets cost £4 for adults, £3 for children and under 5's are free. Email gsl@3wscouts.org.uk for tickets. Gates open at 6:30pm. Pay on the gate: Adults £4, kids (5-15) £3, under 5's free

Clifton All Whites FC, Green Lane, Clifton Fair rides, side stalls, hot food and inflatables will accompany the traditional fireworks at this family-friendly event. Admission is £1 on the gate and payment is to be made on entry. Gates open at 6:30pm. 

Great Central Railway, Mere Way, Ruddington Gates open at 5:30pm and the firework display starts at 7:30pm. Hot food, funfair, miniature railway, a licensed bar, chocolate fountain and live music from "The Pinch" will also be on offer. Tickets are priced at £5 for adults, £3 for children and £12 for a family in advance. Tickets can be purchased in advanced by calling 0115 940 5705.

Calverton Miners Welfare, Holinwood Lane, Calverton The Bonfire Party starts at 7pm and there will be a BBQ and bar on offer. Parking is also available onsite. Tickets cost £2 for adults and children go free. Call 07579003027/0115 965 4390 or email vivcorkytopclub@gmail.com for tickets and more information.

Trowell Uniformed Groups Community Bonfire, Trowell Hot food will be available as well as a bar. Brownies will be singing campfire songs. Tickets are priced at £4 for adults and £2 for children. They can be bought at Trowell Post Office or on the event's Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pages/Trowell-Village-Bonfire-Firework-Display

Nurses, midwives and paramedics are currently on strike in the city as part of a dispute about NHS pay.

The strike - which lasts for four hours and runs until 11am - will see health service staff only respond to emergency situations, with non life-threatening work not undertaken during the period.

Ambulance staff at East Midlands Ambulance Service walked out from 7am on Monday, October 13 - responding only to "life-threatening" emergencies.

They will also refuse to work overtime until the end of Friday.

And midwives at Nottingham's hospitals have also taken action - for the first time in their history.

Speaking at the time the strike was announced, Cathy Warwick, chief executive of the Royal College of Midwives, which has 26,000 members, said: "This is a resounding 'yes'. It could not send a clearer signal about the level of discontent on this issue.

"The RCM will be meeting with employers to discuss our action and to ensure that mothers and babies are not put at any risk. "

A statement from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the Queen's Medical Centre and City Hospital, said: "We will continue working closely with the RCM to make sure patient safety and urgent care will not be affected in any way by the action."

It is not known how many staff in total are on strike.

Paramedics are striking over the one per cent pay rise that has only been offered to staff on the top pay band, denying the rise to 60 per cent of NHS staff.

The ambulance service said industrial action will cause a backlog of patients with less serious injuries and illnesses.

"The action will affect all non life-threatening emergency calls we receive and it is inevitable that we will face significant pressure both during and after the period of Industrial Action," said Sue Noyes, chief executive of EMAS. "The backlog may take some time to clear and patients may therefore experience some delays throughout Monday."

However, local union members defended the action.

Lee Goddard, EMAS representative for the Unison union, said: "We are not putting any lives in danger and we would like to make it clear we are striking against the government not the trust.

"We just want fair pay for a fair job."

A retired paramedic, who did not want to be named, said ambulance staff were undervalued.

"I think we are treated like those people who should deem it a privilege to be in the health profession," he said. "The people at the sharp end haven't had a pay rise for years now."

Usher, R'n'B singer, 36; Roger Moore, James Bond actor, 87; Ralph Lauren, fashion designer, 75; Sir Cliff Richard, singer famous for Summer Holiday, 74; Lourdes Ciccone Leon, actress and daughter of Madonna, 18; Steve Coogan, Alan Partridge comedian, 49; Saeed Ajmal, Pakistani cricketer, 37; Ben Whishaw, actor who played Q, pictured; actress Mia Wasikowska, 25.

ANOTHER two months have been allowed for talks over the sale of green-belt land near Hucknall earmarked for 1,000 homes.

Nottinghamshire County Council is in talks with a developer over the sale of the land at Top Wighay Farm.

If the homes are built, they will count toward Gedling Borough Council's target of 7,250 new homes before 2028.

Permission to sell the land was given in November last year but was set to expire after 12 months. Councillors at yesterday's finance and property committee meeting decided to grant an extension.

The council says it is close to finishing the deal but would not disclose which developer it was in talks with because of "commercial sensitivity".

Activists have campaigned to save green-belt land close to Hucknall, which lies near the boundaries between Ashfield District and Gedling Borough councils.

FRAUDSTER Aako Ali has been jailed after cloning credit cards and lying in court.

The 26-year-old, of Dryden Avenue, London, was arrested in April 2013, shortly after using a counterfeit card which was refused at Tesco Express in Alfreton Road.

He pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud on April 2 and 13 and one count of using a cloned credit card but sentencing was adjourned while proceedings concluded against a co-defendant.

At a hearing on June 10 at Nottingham Crown Court, Ali's defence team presented a reference document from a company Ali claimed to have worked for. Judge Michael Stokes questioned the validity of the reference and gave Ali opportunity to withdraw it if it was not genuine but the reference was submitted.

The statement was found to be a false and as a result, Ali was charged with perverting the course of justice.

On Friday Ali admitted perverting the course of justice and was sentenced to three months in prison to run consecutively to a nine month sentence for the fraud offences.

Long Eaton: Cuttings and a cat detector, an electronic device used to repel cats, were stolen during a greenhouse break-in Marlborough Road. The incident took place overnight between Friday, and Saturday. The thieves got into the greenhouse then stole a tray of cuttings and a cat detector from the garden.

West Bridgford: A burglar walked into a property on Priory Road after the back door was left unlocked.

The theft happened between 11pm on Sundayand 7.30am yesterday morning.

The intruder walked into the house and stole a handbag and car keys, before making off with the vehicle.

The car is a VW Touran in pacific blue with a 64 registration plate and a child seat inside.

Clifton: A thief stole a wallet from an unlocked car overnight on Tamworth Grove between 9.30pm on Thursday and 3.30am on Friday.

Wilford: A mountain bike has been taken from a garage in Ruddington Lane.

The thief broke the lock on the garage door to take the black and white bicycle from inside.

Police believe the theft took place between noon on Thursday and 6pm on Friday.

Clifton: Burglars have broken into a house on Farnborough Road.

The thieves smashed a ground-floor window at the back of the house to get inside between 1pm and 2pm on Thursday.

They then stole a Samsung Galaxy S3 mobile phone.

Gedling: Local officers have warned of a spate of thefts from vans in the area.

The area has suffered from 25 vehicle-related crimes in the past two weeks - 10 of which were work vans targeted for their tools.

Officers have warned van owners to always remove items of value from their vehicles and leave nothing on display.

Kirkby-in-Ashfield: Thieves have stolen a caravan from a back garden.

The old, white, 12ft caravan - worth £300 - was taken from Springfield Way - although the garden also backs onto Harris Road.

The incident happened on Friday.

If you have any information on these crimes, contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

MANY people will be disappointed with the Shadow Secretary of State for Education, Tristram Hunt.

The teaching profession in this country has been insulted by successive education ministers for some considerable time (none of whom were actually teachers themselves, I seem to recall).

Now we have Mr Hunt joining the political Gimmick Squad with his proposal to introduce a "public oath" for teachers, following his visit to Singapore.

No doubt there are many things that we can learn from Singapore; not least in the way they educate their youngsters.

Arguably, the way they make street crime less appealing to the prospective yob would be applicable here in the UK, too.

However, insulting the integrity and ambition of a newly-qualified teacher by suggesting they swear a public oath is a peculiar way to emulate the academic standards of Singapore.

To be frank, it's a peculiar way to achieve anything meaningful.

Zero out of ten, I'm afraid.

Mr Hunt is a competent historian by all accounts; albeit the only thing anyone remembers of his grasp of history is his ridiculous comparison of Oliver Cromwell to Islamic fundamentalists.

Let us hope that should he get into office next May, he will refrain from gimmicks and ideas that are designed solely to create a reaction.

If he chose instead to engage with teachers and as such make a real contribution to education in this country, he would be making a bit of history himself that people would take seriously for a change.

DAVID BRIGGS

The Green

Kingston on Soar

BRITISH Gas is joining forces with the Government to roll out free insulation across the country.

But research by the firm shows few people in Nottingham realise they are eligible for the scheme.

The company says around 90 per cent of homes are entitled to the free insulation, which starts with a free consultation from British Gas.

Both home owners and renters can take part in the scheme, which could see them save around £150 a year on their energy bills.

But only 20 per cent of those surveyed in the city thought their homes qualified.

Claire Miles, managing director of British Gas New Energy, said: "It's easy to see why people may not realise their home is eligible, as previous schemes mainly helped low-income and vulnerable households in order to provide support to those who needed it most."

CLUMBER Park is inviting visitors to taste the delights of their apple garden.

The park's walled kitchen garden has received national recognition from Plant Heritage this year for keeping alive varieties of the fruit from the East Midlands and Yorkshire that many thought were lost.

Now for the first time they are allowing members of the public to come and taste the apples which form part of the National Plant Collection.

Clumber head gardener, Chris Margrave, said: "The aim is to celebrate apples and orchards, link apple varieties with their places of origin and promote local diversity.

"Clumber's collection is keeping alive these tastes of the past."

There will also be apple-themed games for children, planned walks around the gardens and cookery demonstrations.

The event will take place on Saturday and sundayahead of national apple day on October 21. Entry fees to the garden of £3.90 will still apply, but there will be no extra charge for the apple event.

I AGREE entirely with Anthony Wilkinson's description of the NET Phase Two tram extension as a monstrously expensive, inflexible vanity project (Letters, October 9).

The Conservative group at Nottinghamshire County Council argued against the scheme at the public inquiry in 2007 and we still believe today that £600 million of public money should have been put to better use.

We withdrew county council funding from the project when we took control of County Hall from Labour in September 2009 but decision-makers elsewhere seemed determined to pursue the scheme.

As a result, we have seen residential and rural areas around both tram lines turned into building sites, with unrelenting traffic chaos and businesses suffering and closing. We learned only recently that the intended tram/bus interchange at Beeston Station is not fit for purpose, meaning buses will have to terminate at the other end of the town.

In the meantime, bus routes across the county are being cut on the grounds of cost, when only a fraction of the money being spent on the tram could have funded them for decades. So much for joined-up thinking on transport!

It seems that there is no limit to the amount of public money that can be spent in the name of "economic development". At some point down the line (pardon the pun) we should measure the relative short-term inconvenience and long-term benefits to the city and the county of the £600 million tram extension compared with the £150 million dualling of the A453, which the previous Conservative administration secured. In terms of cost/benefit, does anyone think the tram extension will provide a boost to the Nottinghamshire economy four times greater than an improved, safer A453?

RICHARD JACKSON

Conservative spokesman for transport and highways and county councillor for Chilwell & Toton

Nottinghamshire County Council

READING your article on noisy dogs, we live next door to a Doberman and a Westie who are kept in a yard. We have had hours of constant barking; some Fridays I have come home from work at 1.30pm and they have barked constantly until 10pm.

They bark at every single noise my husband and I make. I have every sympathy with the neighbours of Mr Dove mentioned in your article; when you have been at work and up at 5am it makes you so stressed and at your wits' end.

Eating out in summertime was a constant chorus of dog barking. I have complained to Broxtowe Borough Council who send them a letter, but it does not do any good.

Also, when we go to our bin, the Doberman throws itself at our fence, which my husband has had to repair many times.

I find these dogs scary. The annoying thing is they are never up in the mornings when we are but when you want to relax at night they start – it's a no-win situation.

ELAINE SMITH

Strathglen Close

Kimberley

I FIRST saw the stray cat on my landing in June 2007. Skin and bone and almost bald, he was badly in need of help.

After contacting all the animal charities and putting him on Lost and Found with no response from his owners, we took him in. We named him Basil and nicknamed him Ginger Bear, or GB.

He quickly became the most loving cat we have ever owned. More like a dog, he followed us everywhere and every day let us know through his love and affection how grateful he was to us for rescuing him.

He gave us far more than we ever gave him – always there, and in sad times sitting quietly with us, beaming his energy into us. Big, fluffy and ginger, he loved everybody and was gentle and tolerant with other animals.

This week, after a short illness, he has crossed Rainbow Bridge. The grief at his loss is overwhelming but the memories he leaves are worth every tear.

Thank you, GB, for entering our home and our hearts. Our lives are richer for knowing and loving you.

VICTORIA SLADEN

Swan Meadow

Colwick

ALEXANDER Britton, in his Personally Speaking article, talks about the use of letters. It's amazing how many people don't put pen to paper these days; instead they email or send texts.

For about 25 years I posted letters to the Nottingham Post and friends. Then last year I got to grips (well, almost) with how to send an email.

It saved a lot of money on stamps, although it's nice to post birthday cards and personal messages.

I have been buying books of stamps ready for Christmas cards, as I think there's nothing nicer than seeing the postman come to your door. A letter is a lifeline to lots of people.

I hope letter boxes don't start disappearing. But wouldn't it be nice if they had a 50p Christmas card stamp, just for a set amount of time? The post boxes would be overflowing.

JEAN TAYLOR

Barlock Road

Basford

IN the report in the Post about a nurse being struck off for assaulting a dementia patient, evidence of the nurse's deep-seated attitudinal issue was referred to.

"Deep-seated attitudes" do not develop overnight. Why was the whistle not blown before? Or was it, and was ignored by the management?

The nurse retired before she was dismissed. Was this straightforward or was retirement encouraged to avoid a legal wrangle?

There might be perfectly good answers but they should be heard.

R L COOPER

Harlequin Close

Radcliffe-on-Trent

FRAUDSTERS have been tampering with cash machines in West Bridgford, police have warned.

PC Paul Henson said a number of "fraud devices" with similar mechanisms had been found on ATMs in the Central Avenue and Bridgford Road areas in the past two weeks.

The fraud works by placing a strip over the front of the machine where customers enter the card. It often contains a camera and this is then used to record pin numbers.

PC Hanson said: "Please have a close look at the cash machine before entering your card and check that the plastic panel is fixed securely to the machine.

"This panel will look very similar to the normal cash machine front panel and may be made from metal or plastic.

"When using the machine cover the key pad with your hand to stop your pin number being recorded or seen by anyone nearby."

If you spot any of these devices, call Nottinghamshire Police on 101.

Bulwell: Charlene Simmons, 30, of Mulberry Gardens, Bulwell, is charged with producing seven cannabis plants at her address between January 9 and April 10 this year. Simmons has been bailed to attend Nottingham Crown Court on October 15.

Long Eaton: Peter Stott, 64, of George Avenue, Long Eaton, denied drink-driving and failing to stop after an accident. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he was behind the wheel of a Ford Mondeo, in Chilwell Retail Park, when he had 99 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, over the limit of 35, on August 5. Stott allegedly had an accident and failed to stop on Chilwell Retail Park on the same date, it has been claimed. He has been on bail to attend his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 28 at 10am.

Arnold: Dominic Carroll, 31, of Kilbrook Avenue, Arnold, is accused of theft. He allegedly stole a Samsung Galaxy 4 and a pack of cigarettes from a man in Arnold on June 17. Carroll has been bailed to attend Nottingham Magistrates' Court on October 21 at 10am.

Clifton: Macauley Diuk, 19, of Bridgnorth Drive, Clifton, has been handed a community order by magistrates in Nottingham. Diuk pleaded guilty to assaulting a female and causing her bodily harm and being responsible for criminal damage. He destroyed four ground-floor windows, valued at £352.37 belonging to Nottingham City homes, on July 26. Diuk has been ordered to be involved in an employment, training and education course for ten days and go on a thinking skills programme for 19 days. He will supervised by the probation service for 12 months and must pay £352.57 compensation.

TWO men have pleaded guilty to burglary and stealing gold jewellery.

Mohammed Ijaz, of Burford Road, Forest Fields, and Kamran Mahmood, of Laurie Avenue, Forest Fields, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday, charged with burglary.

The men, aged 20 and 24, admitted forcing a rear door of a house in Bradgate Road on the afternoon of February 26 and stealing a number of distinctive pieces.

Detective Sergeant Kate Savage said: "I'd like to acknowledge the victims in this case. Their insistence and willingness to give evidence should this have gone to trial may well have been the reason these men changed their pleas.

"In this case the victims had much of their jewellery returned to them, but in many other cases such valuable items are never seen again.

"Do all you can to reduce the chance of it happening to you. Secure your home by locking doors and windows, even if you are in. Use a burglar alarm and put your lights on timers so your home looks occupied even if it isn't."

Both men were remanded in custody until sentencing on Friday, November 14.

A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE man died at the scene of a car crash.

The collision happened one mile west of Winterbourne Abbas, Dorset, just after 8am yesterday when a silver Rover and a blue Daihatsu collided.

The 47-year-old man from Nottinghamshire, who was driving the Rover, was declared dead at the scene by paramedics.

Another man and a woman travelling in the same car were rushed to Dorset County Hospital.

Adam Collinge, of South Western Ambulance Service, was one of the paramedics that attended the crash.

He told the Dorset Echo: "We received the call at 8.13am to the incident after two cars collided head-on with each other on the A35.

"On arrival, there were four casualties, three from one car and one from the other.

"One of the male occupants was declared dead at the scene.

"The other three casualties, two men and one woman, sustained potentially life-threatening injuries."

POLICE were called to a building society after members of staff were left locked inside.

Officers responded to an alarm at The Nottingham, in Central Avenue, West Bridgford, at around 5.50pm yesterday .

When they arrived, they found three people had been locked inside the office accidently and could not get out.

A passer-by who saw the commotion said: "I was just walking past and there were three people in the window just stood there with the alarm going off.

"One of them definitely worked there but I don't know about the other two."

The key to the building was found quickly, the alarm was stopped and those trapped inside released.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: "Staff locked inside the building accidentally had activated the alarm.The key was found within 10 minutes and the alarm stopped."

PECULIAR pets have taken up residency at a school in Hucknall to help teach children valuable life skills.

Pupils from four classes at Broomhill Junior School help look after four different types of quirky animals.

For the past three weeks, Mr Langford's Year 3 class have been looking after two baby fire-bellied toads.

Megan Powner, seven, said: "Every morning our teacher feeds them crickets – I wouldn't want to do that job because it's pretty scary.

"I love the colour of them because they change and it's really pretty. Sometimes they're black and sometimes they're yellow."

Reece Watters, seven, said: "They often pose on the side of the tank with their hands and feet gripping on in a star shape.

"They're really fast and can jump very high. They also do back flips in the tank."

Next door in Miss Fearn's Year 3 class is the school's two-year-old old giant african snail. As a daily incentive the two best-behaved pupils of the day are chosen to look after the 11cm-long mollusc the following day.

Liam Dainty, seven, said: "We have to change the bowl of water every morning and put in fresh food. He likes salad and I think lettuce is his favourite."

Miss Martin's and Mrs Plaskit's year 6 groups are responsible for looking after five ducks and 24 chickens.

Helena Gomez, 10, said: "We feed them during last play and have to collect their eggs."

Lucy Ellis, 10, added: "We also have to clean them out once a week and change their water every day."

Lucy's twin sister, Abigail, 10, said: "Sometimes they can be hard to catch but once we have a hold of them, I really like hugging them as they're cuddly and soft."

Sara Duffin, learning mentor at the school, said: "Having pets in school gives the children the opportunity to learn about responsibility and teaches them valuable life skills.

"The Year 6s in particular have to remember their routine and go out themselves to look after the chickens and the ducks.

"For the young ones, it gives them the chance to care towards an animal. Some of them don't have pets at home, and even if they do, these ones are really unusual and interesting."

Do you have an unusual animal?

The Post is inviting pet owners to enter all creatures great and small in a competition to find the city's top pet.

The champion companion will receive a £250 pet gift card and a large canvas print.

To enter, visit nottinghampost.com/petidol before midnight on October 26 and upload a picture of your pet and answer a few short questions.

SNEINTON Market has been handed over to the contractors so work can begin on renovations.

Nottingham City Council gave the site to Wates Construction, with the promise of redevelopment beginning within weeks and completing by the end of 2015.

The aim of the plans is to make Sneinton Market a focal point for Nottingham's creative sector, with the empty units along three of the avenues being revamped into workshops and studios.

The work will be carried out with money from a £2.44 million European Regional Development Fund grant and a further £1.45 million from the city council.

A website will be launched in the coming weeks to keep people up to date on what is happening with the development and giving businesses a chance to get ahead of the game.

Reeta Brack, of One BC Bespoke Clothing – who has moved from the site until the redevelopment is completed – said: "We have been waiting for this redevelopment since we moved on to the site and have been wanting others to work with us to make improvements.

"We are really thrilled with the plans for Sneinton Market and that these improvements are now going to happen."