A NOTTINGHAMSHIRE family are leading calls to honour First World War lifesaver Ted McGrath with a Victoria Cross – nearly 100 years after his daring rescue of their ancestor.

Captain McGrath, an Army chaplain, braved intense enemy fire in No Man's Land to carry badly injured Clement Attewell 300 yards back to the British trenches in September 1918.

Now, almost a century after the pair first met, their two families – living on opposite sides of the world– have come together in a bid to honour McGrath.

Lieutenant Attewell, from Keyworth, went on to become chairman of West Nottinghamshire's divisional education executive and of Sutton-in-Ashfield Urban Council.

For more than 40 years, he taught at Yorks Secondary School, in Mansfield Woodhouse, and the grateful former soldier continued to correspond with McGrath until the priest's death at the age of 96.

Attewell's great-granddaughter Lynne Gadd, of Arnold, was contacted by McGrath's great-nephew "completely out of the blue" in April this year.

She said: "He is trying desperately to get the VC posthumously awarded to his great-uncle for his brave actions that not only saved my great-grandfather's life but also, if not for him, my family and I would not be here to tell the tale.

"It is a wonderful story and it would be amazing if something could be done to put this oversight right."

Of the 627 recipients of the Victoria Cross, 159 have been awarded posthumously.

But the Ministry of Defence said it would be unlikely to award a VC retrospectively, particularly relating to actions nearly 100 years ago.

Speaking from Australia, Tim Holland – McGrath's great-nephew – said that in 1919, recommendations were made to give McGrath the Victoria Cross but they were never acted upon.

He said: "I suspect that there was no decision not to award, and that essentially the recommendation was not reviewed at the time.

"When Clem raised it in late 1919, there was a perhaps understandable reluctance to deal with matters involving the war that they wanted to put behind them."

Two MPs are now backing plans to posthumously award the Australian priest the highest accolade in military service after his recommendation was put in the "pending tray" just weeks before armistice was announced.

Gedling MP and shadow minister for defence Vernon Coaker said: "This is a really remarkable story and even bravery shown all that time ago should be recognised today.

"It is a story which speaks across the generations and I am more than prepared to write to the Defence Secretary and find out how we can honour this incredible war hero.

"The anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War has really ignited people's interest and it is amazing how many truly remarkable stories have been uncovered."

Gloria De Piero, MP for Ashfield said: "Despite the horrors of a war, this is a truly heartwarming story of bravery and selflessness of the highest order. I'm more than happy to lend my support to the campaign and the two families who are leading it.

"Edward McGarth's actions to save Ashfield's Clement Attewell make him a hero in my eyes and it would be a fitting tribute to both men if this rescue is officially recognised over century on."

FATHER Ted McGrath led a life of great achievement.

His war record as a chaplain in the British Army was a small part of this, and included the award of the Military Cross for his actions in September 1918, when he saved a Nottinghamshire man.

He was subsequently nominated for the Victoria Cross for his bravery in saving wounded soldier Lieutenant Clement Attewell, of Keyworth, under intense fire in No Man's Land in France.

One of those recommendations came from the grateful victim, who wrote:

"On September 28, but after the capture of Beaucamp, I received orders to support with my section from the ridge around 400 yards in front of Lincoln Reserve Trench the advance of first battalion Cheshire Regiment.

"The ground between the ridge and the trench was being heavily swept by machine gun fire and the fire of several batteries.

"When about 300 yards in front of the Lincoln Reserve Trench I was severely wounded in the abdomen and arm by a 5.9 shell and lay out in the open in a very exposed position.

"The Reverend E McGrath, attached to the first Cheshire regiment on seeing me fall immediately came out to my help in spite of the intense machine gun fire and shelling and, lifting me in his arms, was successful in carrying me into the trench, a distance away of 400yards.

"There is no doubt this heroic act of the Chaplin saved my life at very great risk to his own."

Jeremiah Holland, a captain in the Royal Army Medical Corps, said: "He undoubtedly saved the officer's life owing to the very exposed position in which he lay and the severity of his abdominal wounds. This chaplain has been in the forefront of every attack with the Cheshires since their first advance on August 21."

A further recommendation from General Staff Intelligence HQ said: "Some 10 minutes after the leading waves had started, when the enemy was redoubling his barrage on our wire and trenches, he prevented their sending of supports."

Despite all this, it seems that timing worked against the heroic chaplain, because the war ended soon afterwards and the recommendation stayed in the "pending" tray.

When Clem, as he was known, discovered that the award was not going to be made, he contacted an army general, who replied that "if so much delay had not occurred in presenting the case, there is little doubt he would have received his award".

And there the story may have ended – but six months ago,

McGrath's great-nephew contacted Attewell's great-granddaughter and the pair are now attempting to get the Australian priest awarded the Victoria Cross posthumously.

Louis Tomlinson, member of One Direction (pictured), 23; Ryan Seacrest, American Idol host, 40; Ricky Martin, Livin' La Vida Loca singer, 43; Stephenie Meyer, author of the Twilight Saga, 41; Ed Miliband, leader of the Labour Party, 45; Amaury Nolasco, Prison Break actor, 44; Barry Chuckle, one of the Chuckle Brothers, 70.

THE bodies of five horses were found "dumped like rubbish" at the side of a Nottinghamshire road.

The grim discovery was made by a member of the public in Rempstone Road, East Leake, at just after 9am yesterday.

The passer-by phoned the police and the RSPCA is now investigating. Officers from the animal charity quickly removed the bodies.

Inspector Clint Davies, of the RSPCA, said: "This was a shocking discovery. Even in a nation of animal lovers, there are thousands of people who don't care about their animals at all. In fact, some literally treat them like rubbish."

Residents of the area were shocked by the incident.

Paul Tansley, 56, of Gotham Road, East Leake, said: "I'm extremely surprised, as you don't expect that sort of thing to happen – I can't imagine why someone would do that."

And Helen Rippey, owner of the Flower Shop, Main Street, added: "It's absolutely awful. There's not a lot of crime in the village, so to hear of something like this is a shock."

The RSPCA is appealing for anyone with information about what happened to the horses to get in touch.

Officers are not yet sure how the animals died.

RSPCA chief inspector Cathy Hyde added: "Over the past five years there has been a marked and very worrying increase in equine neglect and abuse."

If you have any information, contact the appeal line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018.

WHEN Tom Ince arrived at Nottingham Forest I don't mind admitting I thought it could be a match made in heaven.

Ince had set the Championship alight with Blackpool, but he never got near those standards in his loan spell at the City Ground, failing to make much of an impact in four starts.

Having not produced his best form, I don't think it will make much difference to Forest that he's gone back to Hull after being recalled early.

Sometimes these moves just don't work out as you expect them to. It might be because he didn't fit into the system, the dressing room, who knows?

Forest aren't short of options though, which is good as they have a crucial couple of games coming up. They've got Middlesbrough on Boxing Day and then Birmingham two days later.

Considering how well Middlesbrough have done all season and looking at the job Gary Rowett has done at Birmingham, it's clear they're two tough games for Forest.

No one ever said it would be easy for them to get to where they want to be and if they can get six points, that would put them on 37 points from 24 games, which would give the table a better look I'm sure.

Don't forget, the Reds aren't a million miles from where they want to be.

They're 11 points behind leaders Bournemouth with Ipswich and Brentford hot on their heels.

Who would have thought that would be the top three at the start of the season? I've got to say, it's magnificent for the Championship to have different teams up there.

The managers of all three clubs have done magnificent jobs and it will be interesting to see if those teams can stay up there with smaller squads.

Talking of squads, Forest will be hoping to have a couple of key players back in the next few weeks in Jack Hobbs and Andy Reid.

It's crucial in particular to get Reid back. He might not be at his best straightaway but he's someone who will make a huge difference.

Forest should be able to take some confidence from the draw with Leeds last weekend but I saw the manager talking about the nervousness of the players.

Considering they've not been winning games that's understandable, but I thought they played alright against Leeds.

They should certainly have won, but had two perfectly good goals ruled out for offside. That's frustrating, but it shows how difficult a job the linesman has.

It was certainly a surprise to see Britt Assombalonga on the bench. It was a strange one, but maybe Stuart Pearce wants to keep him fresh with a couple of massive games coming up.

If the Leeds result had have been what it should then people would have said how well it worked, as it was, I'm sure there will be one or two asking questions.

IT'S HARD to believe how quickly Jonas Gutierrez has returned to football after being diagnosed with testicular cancer.

He had surgery in September but was back playing for Newcastle Under-21s, captaining them against West Ham.

How great is that? Footballers at the very top level have wealth beyond the wildest dreams of the average working man, but all the money in the world can't guarantee your health.

Similarly, Stiliyan Petrov is also playing again even though he is still being treated for leukemia.

Okay, Wychall Wanderers isn't Aston Villa or Celtic, but it's great to see two men enjoying the only things they've ever really known.

SHAUN Derry says Elliott Whitehouse "deserved" his league debut for Notts County as he praised the midfielder's attitude in training.

Whitehouse shone in the Magpies' 2-2 draw at Rochdale as they maintained their unbeaten away record in League One.

The 20-year-old has had to remain patient for his chance this season, having signed in the summer following his exit from Sheffield United.

But he was finally given an opportunity by Derry, who says he was impressed by his contribution.

"Elliott has proved in the last month that he is very close to the team," said. Derry.

"I decided to play him against Rochdale because he deserved it.

"He has trained really well and I've always said it's not about what you do on a Tuesday night or a Saturday afternoon – it's what you do Monday to Friday.

"I'm really pleased for him because he's a good honest lad. He has a lot of ability which he showed against Rochdale."

Playing on the right side of midfield, Whitehouse recorded an assist at Spotland with a wonderful cross which led to Mike Edwards's opener.

"It was fantastic, one of the best (goals) we've seen so far this season," said Derry. "It was the type of goal I like us to score."

"With widemen getting the ball into the box when they can."

STUART Pearce insists he is still against video evidence being brought into football – despite seeing his Nottingham Forest side robbed of two points by two bad decisions in their last outing.

The traditionalist Reds boss does not want to change anything about the way games are refereed, whether it be an appeals system or instant replays of contentious moments.

And Pearce says he has come to terms with last weekend's injustice at the City Ground – where two perfectly good Matty Fryatt goals were chalked off in the 1-1 draw with Leeds – because he is convinced Forest will get the rub of the green later in the campaign.

"The answer to the question whenever I have been asked about video evidence, is no – and it still is," said Pearce, who's side face Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.

"I think the referee should be allowed to do his job. Or the fourth official in some cases. Let them do their job and understand that they will not always get it right.

"You spoke to me shortly after the Birmingham game and we spoke shortly after the two goals had been chalked off.

"It impinges on me, more than anyone else in the stadium, as the manager of this club.

"But you have to be open minded. The two offside decisions were marginal – but were definitely onside.

"You just have to accept that and believe that you will get the rub of the green somewhere down the line."

Pearce believes having the odd controversial decision is part of the fabric of the game – and adds much needed colour to football.

"I think there is a tradition to the game. I am also not a manager that massively bemoans decisions going against my team," he said. "I think I am level headed in my assessment of most decisions, for or against me.

"I would not like the stop-start nature of football that would bring.

"The beauty of football is those talking points. Make no mistake, we have had a couple of decent talking points in recent weeks. I could hide behind a few of those decisions, when it comes to the points and results we might have had.

"But I am not that way inclined. I like the fact you can debate things afterwards, for good or for bad. For me, video evidence is not right and proper. I am happy to leave things with the referees.

"All we want is honesty. We spoke with the referee at Birmingham and he said 'I missed it, I could not give it. But my assistant told me it was a penalty'.

"I was fine with that. But let's make sure that, when you set that precedent, they understand that people like myself will continue to go to the fourth official and demand that he tells the referee about it."

Pearce does believe that he is one of few managers to hold this point of view – and believes most would be in favour of video evidence being introduced.

"It would be a good thing for a lot of managers, perhaps even for the majority. It is probably something that I stand alone on, in fact," said Pearce.

"But I want to trust referees. I am a qualified referee, so I have to trust them.

"I have never refereed a game in my life, but I am a qualified referee.

"It is frustrating, make no mistake. But I have played in games where I handled on the line and got away with it. I did it for England and got away with it.

"You move on. It is how the game is played. That potential stop-start nature of it would not be for me. You just have to have faith that you will get the rub of the green overall."

 A centenarian looking back on 101 Christmases says one of her fondest memories is using her dad's socks as festive stockings "because they were longer than anyone else's".

Florence Winifred Mealor is celebrating her 101st birthday today with fellow residents at Westdale Care Home, in West Bridgford.

Miss Mealor is remembered by many as a teacher and deputy headteacher in Nottinghamshire.

And she said she always got a book for her Christmas Eve birthday.

"I always got a present despite it being the day before Christmas," she said.

"I also remember my first doll, which was a Christmas present. It didn't have any legs so my mum knitted some.

"On my eighth birthday I got a rocking chair covered with red velvet and I spent the whole day sitting in it."

Miss Mealor was born on December 24, 1913 in Darwen, Lancashire, and was named after her parents Florence and Fred. Her first teaching job was aged 16 at a private school in Accrington, in Lancashire.

In 1947, she moved with her parents to Nottingham, where her father found work with the local water board.

Her first Nottinghamshire teaching job was at a school in Gotham, then she moved toStevenson School, in Stapleford.

Miss Mealor also taught at a school in Clifton Village, where she was deputy head, and ended her career with a deputy headship at Edwalton Primary School.

She never married, though said that if she had she stayed in Lancashire she might have wed a man called George, who she had met at Sunday School.

Miss Mealor, who loved to dance as a young girl, said: "I have had a long life, but a happy one.

"The secret to a long life is to always have an interest and things to interest you, places to go and people to meet."

Miss Mealor survives four siblings, Joseph, Herbert Arthur, Robert Lionel Lee and Bernard Wilfred.

Her nephew Peter Mealor, 67, was travelling from his home in North Wales to visit his aunt on her birthday.

He said: "I always come to see her. My wife Tina's birthday is Christmas day, so it's double presents all round."

Home deputy manager Angela Attenborough said: "She is part of the family and it's a privilege to share her birthday."

John Leivers, 85, and wife Violet, 86, celebrated their blue sapphire wedding anniversary with a family get-together at the Punch Bowl pub in Mapperley. As well as receiving a card from the Queen, they had a surprise visit from the Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, to congratulate them on their 65 years of marriage. John and Violet, nee Towle, married at St Cyprian's Church, Carlton, on December 24, 1949, and have lived in Standhill Road, Carlton, in the same house, for all their married life. John worked as an estimator for conveyor belt firm Marshalls in Carlton and met Violet there.

It was a chance meeting when he had forgotten milk for his tea break and went on a mission to find some.

Violet worked in various jobs, including a spell with Lady Bay Cleaners, in West Bridgford. The couple have two sons, Alex, 49, and Andy, 46, and five grandchildren. They are planning a special anniversary holiday on the Isle of Wight.

Picture: Joseph Raynor NOJR20141221X-122_C

Sneinton: Karoly Borbely, 41, of Handel Street, was fined £200 at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. Borbely was found guilty in his absence of using a hand-held mobile in a Fiat Ducato in Mansfield Road, Nottingham, on March 29. He was ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85 and given three penalty points.

St Ann's: Chantelle Hudson, 26, of Foxhill Road, Carlton, has been bailed to be sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 14 at 2pm.

She admitted causing criminal damage to a front door, walls and a window at an address in Kelvedon Gardens, St Ann's, between October 6 and October 10.

Hudson also harassed a man in St Ann's between October 5 and October 17.

Lenton: Imran Amin, 39, of Balfour Road, is accused of two assaults and being drunk and disorderly in Angel Row, Nottingham, on November 25. City magistrates bailed Amin to attend on February 3.

The Meadows: Kenneth Wallace, 47, of Beauvale Road, was remanded in custody to attend Nottingham Crown Court on January 8, accused of wounded a male with intent to do him grievous bodily harm in Radford on December 6.

1. Asda Nottingham, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, 110.7p

2. Clifton Express, Clifton Lane, Clifton, 110.9p

3. Tesco Beeston, Middle Street, Beeston, 110.9p

4. Sainsbury's Beeston, Cross Street, Beeston, 110.9p

5. Co-op Wollaton, Trowell Road, Wollaton, 110.9p

1. Asda Nottingham, Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, 117.7p

2. Asda Hyson Green, Radford Road, Hyson Green, 117.7p

3. Asda Long Eaton Automat, Midland Street, Long Eaton, 117.7p

4. Beechdale Service Station, Beechdale Road, Beechdale, 117.9p

5. Clifton Express, Clifton Lane, Clifton, 117.9p.

A CENTENARIAN looking back on 101 Christmases says one of her fondest memories is using her dad's socks as festive stockings "because they were longer than anyone else's".

Florence Winifred Mealor is celebrating her 101st birthday today with fellow residents of Westdale Care Home, in West Bridgford.

Miss Mealor is remembered by many as a teacher and deputy head teacher in Nottinghamshire.

She said she always got a book for her Christmas Eve birthday.

She said: "I always got a present despite it being the day before Christmas. I also remember my first doll, which was a Christmas present. It didn't have any legs, so my mum knitted some.

"On my eighth birthday, I got a rocking chair covered with red velvet and I spent the whole day sitting in it. I remember hanging stockings up and we would get my dad's because they were longer than everybody else's."

Miss Mealor was born on December 24, 1913 in Darwen, Lancashire, and was named after her parents, Florence and Fred. Her first teaching job was at a private school in Accrington, Lancashire, aged 16

In 1947, she moved with her parents to Nottingham, where her father found work with the local water board.

Her first Nottinghamshire teaching job was at a school in Gotham, and then she moved to Stevenson School, in Stapleford. She also taught at a school in Clifton village, where she was deputy head, and ended her career as deputy head of Edwalton Primary School.

She never married but said that if she had she had stayed in Lancashire, she might have wed a man called George, who she had met at Sunday school.

Miss Mealor, who loved to dance as a young girl, said: "I have had a long life but a happy one. The secret is to always have an interest and things to interest you, places to go and people to meet."

Miss Mealor survives four siblings, Joseph, Herbert Arthur, Robert Lionel Lee, and Bernard Wilfred.

Her nephew Peter Mealor, 67, was travelling from his home in North Wales to visit her on her birthday.

The major superstores in Nottingham will be open until the following times: Tesco: 7pm Sainsbury's: 6pm Morrisons: 5pm Asda: 7pm Aldi: 6pm Lidl: 6pm Co-operative: 8pm

These smaller stores from the big chains are open til: Tesco Express: 10pm Sainsbury's Local: 9pm Morrisons Local: 10pm

Dogs in an animal shelter will be enjoying a "paw-fect" Christmas Day thanks to their generous carers.

While most people will be tucking into turkey and opening presents tomorrow staff at Jerry Green Dog Rescue, in Blidworth, will be pulling out all the stops to make it a special day for the pooches in their care.

Over the past few weeks, the centre has been collecting presents so that the dogs will not be left out.

Manager Sapphire McInnes said: "Christmas is a normal week for us and the only day we are not open to the public is December 25.

"The dogs we have are each going to be given presents and doggy treats to make it a bit special for them.

"Last year, the dogs got very excited and ripped open their presents straight away.

"We want the dogs which have had a tough time to feel loved because it is a special day for them too.

"They will still be given their normal dog food but with a few extra dog-friendly surprises."

In the past year, the rescue centre has re-homed more than 100 dogs.

To make sure those in the centre do not get lonely throughout the day, there will be four staff on hand to bring festive fun to the kennels.

Centre trainer Warren Michaels will travel to work from his home in Blidworth.

Warren, 25, said: "I will be here from dinner time onwards and I don't mind doing it because it is important.

"You can't leave them just because it is Christmas Day.

"We want to treat them as much as we can and we have had some great support from local people.

"I have worked Christmas Day in the past and it is pretty much like any other day but a bit quieter, which will be nice.

"I am actually really looking forward to seeing them."

Welfare assistant Simone Dewis will also be working and helping to distribute the 30 donated shoe boxes filled with presents for the dogs.

Simone, 25, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield said: "It is important that people who are getting dogs as presents remember that it can be a 16-year commitment, and they need to budget properly for the future.

"People find that their circumstances change and it becomes a lot harder to look after their dog."

Simone added: "Although it will be Christmas Day, there will be a bit of sadness because the dogs will be with us and not with a loving family."

A family who light up Nuthall with their Christmas decorations have already raised more money than last year.

Tony and Wendy Swift and stepson Adam Butler, switched on their lights at their home in Laurel Crescent on November 23.

Mr Swift said they had raised more than £8,400 for charity this year from donations by people who had seen the lights.

Santa will be in his grotto outside the house today from 4pm to 8pm and children will be able to get a free gift while stocks last.

Mr Swift said : "It's been amazing to see so many people here.

"We don't finish until January 2 but we have already raised £8,454.66."

A CHEF who used to cook for royalty, and wealthy clients of London diamond cartel De Beers, has opened a sandwich shop and deli in Nottingham.

Tim Carr specialises in local produce at the business, Tim's Kitchen, in Fletcher Gate.

Pastrami, maple-smoked ham, black treacle bacon, quiches and pork pies are supplied by New Ollerton butcher S Allwood & Son, while the bread comes from A&R Secchi Bakery, in Mapperley.

Tim also sells award-winning Hotch Potch gluten-free Scotch eggs, sausages and pies from Dorset, olives, salads and Grumpy Mule coffee.

Hot pulled turkey is all the rage this week and pastrami and dill pickle sandwiches are flying out of the door.

Come the New Year, Tim plans to serve bacon and sausage cobs.

He says: "Using great ingredients, I want to produce really good-quality food for people working in and visiting Nottingham."

Tim, who also catered at the RAF Club in Piccadilly, was once a prison officer before moving to Nottingham, his wife Amanda's home city.

The 48-year-old chef, who now lives in Arnold, previously ran a street food van which also went by the name of Tim's Kitchen.

CHRISTMAS will be "a dream come true" for one couple as they enjoy a day they thought they would never see with their baby daughter.

Sam Rowlson and partner Jack Masters, of Woodborough, feared they would not get to share a family Christmas after daughter Jasmine was born 11 weeks early and fought for her life in intensive care for three months – while at the same time mum Sam battled cancer.

Twenty-nine-year-old Sam started chemotherapy treatment for blood cancer just a week after giving birth by Caesarean section in March, with Jasmine weighing less than 3lbs.

But after their nightmare year, Jasmine has grown into a healthy baby and the family are looking forward to Christmas together at their Main Street home.

Barmaid Sam, who finished her cancer treatment last month, said: "I thought I would lose Jasmine. I can't have any more kids and if I'd lost her, I would have been distraught. But she was so strong.

"I thought we would never have a Christmas together. It's a dream come true.

"During that awful time I wasn't really thinking about myself. I had to be strong for Jack and Jasmine."

Jack, 23, who runs a pond maintenance business, had to juggle visiting his seriously-ill fianceé and poorly baby in Nottingham City Hospital.

Julie Chadburn, of the neonatal service family support team, described the couple – who got engaged last Christmas Eve – as "inspirational". She said: "I feel really humbled to have been involved in their care. They have always remained upbeat."

WHEN Sam Rowlson and Jack Masters got engaged last Christmas Eve, they were looking forward to 2014, excited about the birth of their daughter Jasmine.

But, then routine pregnancy scans showed a lump in Sam's pelvis and tests revealed that it was non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a type of blood cancer affecting the lymph system.

Sam, 29, said: "It was a total shock. A lot of the symptoms of lymphoma are the same as those of being pregnant – tiredness, itchy skin etc – so I had never thought anything of it."

Treatment began immediately, with Sam receiving a course of steroids while she was 21 weeks pregnant, so she had to take time off from her job as a barmaid at the Nags Head pub in Woodborough.

"It was exhausting," said Sam. "But I just had to get on with it."

Doctors had planned for her baby to be delivered by C-section at 35 weeks. But Sam went in to labour at 29 weeks and Jasmine was born on March 19 weighing just 2lb 10oz.

She spent the next three months in the neonatal unit at Nottingham City Hospital.

Meanwhile, Sam was focused on recovering from her C-section and facing the next stage of her treatment. She had her first dose of chemotherapy a week after Jasmine was born, and a second three weeks later.

She spent some of this time at home but her recovery was made more complicated after she developed an infection in her C-section wound, so she spent a week in hospital.

She said: "It was really hard, especially when there were a few days when I had the infection where I couldn't go and see Jasmine.

"That was the worst part but Jack took lots of pictures of her and the staff on Toghill Ward were really good and let me stick them up round my bed so that I could look at them. At least I was only on the ward upstairs at City Hospital, so I could be taken to see her."

During this time, Jack, 23, had to juggle his time between his daughter in the neonatal unit and his seriously-ill fiancée. He took time off from running his pond maintenance business, JDM Ponds, and also from his job at aquatic shop World of Water, in Woodborough.

He said: "You just have to keep going, you don't have time to stop and think about it, but the support we had from all our family and the staff was brilliant."

Eventually, Sam and Jasmine returned to their home in Main Street, Woodborough, but a few weeks later, Sam was admitted to hospital again for emergency surgery on her bowel after suffering further complications.

Now, however, the family are preparing to celebrate the Christmas that, at times, they thought they would never see.

They will take the dogs for a walk on Christmas Day morning and go to Sam's grandmother Sandra Rowson's house for Christmas dinner.

Sam said: "Everybody is so excited. We are looking forward to some quiet time with the family. It's going to be amazing to have Jasmine there with us. .

"I am very proud of her. She's ever so strong. She gets dead excited about the baubles on the tree and she loves the Christmas songs and Michael Buble .

"It's exciting for me because she's here. It's going to be a nice family home."

Last month, Sam completed the final stage of her treatment, and she will have her final scan in January.

Jasmine now weighs a healthy 16lbs 6oz. Sam said: "It's been a really difficult year but we are so grateful to everyone who helped us. The care I received was amazing. We're just looking forward to a more positive 2015 now."

Last minute shoppers will be pleased to hear that Christmas Eve will be sunny throughout the day. 

But coats will be needed as temperatures are only expected to reach highs of 7C. 

The Met Office predicts that Christmas Day is likely to stay around the same temperature - meaning the chances of snow are low. 

There could also be some light rain in the afternoon, with temperatures dropping to around 1C overnight. 

Boxing Day will get off to a foggy start, but that will clear by around 9am. However, there could be some heavy rain in the evening. 

Temperatures are expected to be around 4C. 

Saturday is looking to be the worst day of the week - with light rain throughout the day.

Sunday will become drier and brighter but cold and windy.

Everything seems to be running smoothly on the morning of Christmas Eve in Nottinghamshire - with only one delay on the A453. 

The ten minute delay is being caused by roadworks, which are not due to finish until August 31 2015. 

We'll keep you updated throughout the morning.

7.40am: Congestion is beginning to build up both ways on the A610 at Alfreton Road. There is also minor delays on the A609 at Ilkeston Road. 

7.45am: Nottingham City Transport has tweeted that its services are running to Saturday times today. 

A reminder that we are running to Saturday times today (except C1, C2 which are normal). Last buses are by 20:00 too: http://t.co/iqIOnPclTx

— Nottm City Transport (@NCT_Buses) December 24, 2014

7.50am: Trentbarton buses has tweeted to say it is running a normal service today until around 7pm. After that, only the Indigo will be running until midnight. 

Nottingham Express Transit has no reported delays on the tram.