INSPECTORS have heaped praise on a school for the behaviour of its pupils.

Ofsted visited St Margaret of Clitherow Catholic Primary Academy last month.

In the report, which has just been made public, the academy, in Bestwood Park, was rated as good overall, the second-best outcome possible.

But it was rated outstanding for the behaviour and safety of pupils.

In his report, lead inspector Kenneth Thomas noted that pupils from all backgrounds got on well with each other.

He added: "Pupils are confident and polite in conversation with staff or visitors.

"Pupils have a good understanding of how to keep safe and are confident that any issues they raise will be dealt with promptly by adults.

"They have a firm understanding of different types of bullying, including physical bullying and persistent name calling, and the pupils that inspectors spoke to had no incidents to report."

The inspection was the first since the school converted to an academy in October.

In its previous inspection the school was rated satisfactory overall.

In Mr Thomas' report, the school was given 'good' ratings in the other three categories – achievement of pupils, quality of teaching and leadership and management.

He said: "The firm commitment of the head teacher to improve all aspects of the school has ensured that pupils' attainment is rising and achievement is good.

"The quality of teaching is good and, at times, outstanding because all staff work effectively together.

"Skilled teaching assistants provide good support for any pupils who need additional help."

Deputy head teacher Sarah Sweeney said both she and head teacher Christine Reilly were delighted with the report.

She said: "We are very pleased, especially with the behaviour of our children being rated outstanding.

"They are brilliant and their families are behind the school.

"Everyone works very hard for the best of the pupils, and it shows in the report."

She added: "We want to continue to improve. We want to try to get outstanding in all areas."

The report said the school had a number of areas to improve on if it was to become outstanding.

Mr Thomas noted that in some lessons pupils were set work which was too easy, while teachers' marking didn't always provide clear guidance of how to improve.

IF you're sick of I Wish it Could be Christmas Every Day and Mistletoe and Wine, there's a new homegrown festive song on the scene.

All the proceeds from Christmas is Here will be donated to the Maggie's cancer support centre in Nottingham by the city's answer to Band Aid.

The song, written and composed by Jake Buckley, raised £100 on the first day to help patients and their families who visit the centre in the grounds of the City Hospital.

Joining Jake, 28, on the single are fellow members of the band The Money, who opened the Splendour festival two years ago and friends including Joe Strange and Richard Howell.

Jake, a guitarist and vocalist, chose the Maggie's centre after it was suggested by his mum Elaine, who is battling cancer.

"I rang my mum and asked her what she thought," said Jake. "The name of Maggie's came up as a good cause to support.

"I looked into it. I like the architecture – it's cool as well as being helpful."

The song can be downloaded for a £1 donation and so far supporters have generously paid more than the minimum.

But hundreds of people have listened to it online for free – some of them twice – without donating, so Jake is urging them to support the charity.

"It's for a good cause and it's a good Christmas song," he said. "When people hear it they love it – they presume because it's a Christmas song it's rubbish, but it's good."

Jake wrote the song last year, performed it once at a Christmas Eve gig at the Punch Bowl, in Carlton, and forgot about it until a few weeks ago when he rounded up his musician friends to record the song in a rehearsal room in Sneinton.

"I played Bob Geldof for the day," he added. "It's been a bit of a domino effect. I asked my friends – they're a talented bunch – and it's just snowballed from there," said Jake, who lives in the Lace Market.

His mum Elaine, 56, from Mapperley, first visited Maggie's in July on the day she was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer. She talked to the centre head Kate Martin about the disease and benefits adviser Chris Bissett, because she had given up her job as a children's worker at St Jude's Church.

She now pops in for a chat and cuppa with other visitors whenever she has an appointment at the City Hospital.

"Your whole state of mind is different when you come out to when you go in," she said.

"It's great and there is so much potential so I would love to see as much money put into the centre as possible."

Christmas is Here features The Money's 'Stav' Mylonas, Scott Barnes and Paul 'PK' King. Other vocalists are Finlay Shaun Thorpe, Mark Storey, Hannah Cygan and Adam Dziuba.

Angela Kehoe, Maggie's fundraising organiser, said: "I really like it. It's great to hear a new and fresh Christmas song. People should definitely have a listen and pay to download the track.

"We are really grateful to Jake and his friends."

To download the song go to http://jakebuckley.bandcamp.com/

CONSTRUCTION firm Morgan Sindall was so impressed with three work experience candidates it took on, it decided to give them all jobs.

Matthew Grant, Thomas Sunderland and Wayne Wilkinson started work experience in September.

They were all asked to work on a project to design, supply and install 14km of new high- voltage cables for Western Power through Nottingham.

After four weeks, bosses decided to give them a three-month work trial, with the eventual aim of permanent employment.

The firm is one of many which have taken on work experience candidates during the Post's Get Notts Working campaign.

We asked companies in the city and county to take on one or more unemployed people for work experience, with the aim of reaching 200 pledges.

And we are fast approaching that target, with the current pledge total being 166.

Morgan Sindall linked up with Jobcentre Plus to find three work experience candidates, with Matthew, Thomas and Wayne being set on to help with their Western Power distribution project.

A spokesman for the firm said: "Through our existing national partnership links we contacted Andy Madeley at the local Station Street Jobcentre Plus in Nottingham, who worked with us and identified a range of excellent candidates who were interviewed.

"Three people were selected to work with our teams out on the project route."

All three said they were delighted with the progress they had made.

Matthew, 20, of Thorneywood, said: "It's great to feel part of something big such as the upgrading of the high voltage cable system in my local area."

Thomas, 19, of Mapperley, said: "I really enjoy being a team member. Having a structure and purpose in my day gives me confidence."

Wayne, 21, of Forest Fields, said: "I enjoy waking up and knowing that my day will be full of interesting and varied work."

Their first day consisted of full company health-and-safety training covering hazards they are likely to find in their work. They also received personal protective equipment, with a red hard hat denoting their trainee status for easy identification on site. They have done a number of tasks including using utility drawings to find existing cables and prepare the ducts for installation.

One of their mentors, Aaron Lycett, said: "It's great that, as a company, we are encouraging young people into this industry – they have shown great commitment with excellent attendance, always asking questions and eager to learn more.

"You can see that they really want to be here."

TWO police officers have been given "words of advice" over their actions in a controversial television documentary.

The Post reported in January how two incidents in the Channel 4 series Coppers were referred to Notts Police's Professional Standards Board.

It has now emerged there were two internal investigations where allegations of misconduct were upheld after the programme.

The force has not confirmed exactly what incidents these probes referred to, but the two incidents sent to the board were:

A female police officer was seen pulling a 14-year-old girl to the ground on a city estate.

A man in Exchange Walk was seen being pushed over by a male officer.

Both were among scenes in the fly-one-the-wall series which drew criticism from some Notts politicians.

The two internal investigations finished in September but the results were revealed in response to a Freedom of Information Act request made by a member of the public and passed to the Post this week.

It stated: "Two officers were formally investigated, one received management action and the other management advice following a misconduct meeting."

In a statement the force said "management advice" relates to words of advice given to an officer or member of staff after an allegation of misconduct is upheld following a misconduct meeting or hearing.

The phrase "management action" refers to words of advice after a misconduct allegation is upheld but which did not need a misconduct meeting or hearing.

The Police Federation, which represents rank-and-file officers, yesterday said both officers were now back on the frontline. Phil Matthews, chairman of the Notts arm of the organisation, said: "Where the officers have been out of line they have admitted their failings, they've learnt from it and taken the punishment and moved on.

"To err is human – we don't always get it 100 per cent right but officers do the job for the right reasons under very difficult circumstances.

"With the benefit of hindsight you can always say 'can you do it better?' and that's what it's about - learning."

He added: "If you make a mistake on camera it's unforgiving - to be gone through in slow motion in freeze frame."

Most of the eight-part series, which ended in February, focused on the day-to-day work of Notts officers.

Their actions drew praise from some but scenes drew criticism from others, including Alan Rhodes, leader of the Notts County Council Labour group. He said yesterday: "I'm pleased the force took it seriously and are keen to uphold professional standards.

"I don't think it needs to be pushed any further provided the officers concerned are happy with the way it was conducted."

Following the end of the series the Post ran a poll on the thisisnottingham.co.uk website asking for people's views.

Sixty per cent of the 943 who responded said Coppers had improved their perception of police officers, with 26 per cent saying it had worsened theirs.

A Notts Police spokesman said: "All officers concerned have been dealt with appropriately in accordance with Police regulations. No officers have been dismissed. To provide details of the specific instances would breach the rights of the parties concerned."

A BRITISH man with a mental age of seven has been sentenced to more than four years in jail after he admitted starting a fire in a Spanish hotel.

Andrew Dmytruk, 51, of Netherfield, had been held in a Spanish jail for almost two years on remand after a Benidorm hotel was evacuated.

His case has been taken up by charity Fair Trials International and Gedling MP Vernon Coaker.

Fears for his safety increased after he made an attempt on his life earlier this year.

Mr Dmytruk, who has been on disability benefits for most of his life, was brain damaged after contracting meningitis as a baby.

He was arrested following the December 2010 fire which destroyed a fourth-floor room in the multi-storey hotel in Benidorm on the Costa Blanca.

Eleven people, mainly British pensioners, were treated for smoke inhalation after the Ambassador Playa was evacuated in the early hours of December 21.

Lawyer Marcos Castañer reached a plea bargain agreement with the state prosecutor on Thursday after its previous request for nine years was lowered to four years and four months.

Dmytruk had been celebrating his 50th birthday at the resort with Spanish friends and his 77-year-old widowed mother and life-long carer Doris O'Brien.

She left for the hotel at 2am but Dmytruk stayed out partying and reportedly did not remember returning to their room before the early morning fire occurred.

At the Provincial court in Alicante Dmytruk pleaded to be allowed to serve his sentence in Britain because his mother was ill with cancer and he wanted to be "closer to her".

Earlier this year Dmytruk was found in a pool of blood by a fellow inmate after slashing his throat and wrist.

"He nearly died," said Mrs O'Brien. "It is disgusting. He has never harmed anybody, never been in trouble with anybody," said the retired factory supervisor from Notts.

FOREST striker Billy Sharp and his partner Jade Fair have had a baby boy.

Leo Sharp was born yesterday, weighing 6lb 9oz, at 11.59am.

Both mother and baby are doing well.

Billy said: "Jade and I are absolutely delighted with the safe arrival of our beautiful boy Leo.

"As everyone knows, we tragically lost our first son, Luey Jacob Sharp, so the birth of Leo makes this special time for our family especially poignant.

"We are thrilled to become parents and we welcome Leo into our world with lots of love and are looking forward to starting family life together with our son."

DAVID Hardwick could fill a car's fuel tank with the amount of blood he's donated over the last 47 years.

The 65-year-old estimates he has given blood at least 104 times since he first began attending sessions while at university in 1965.

His efforts over the years means he has donated more than 50 litres of blood – or 11 gallons.

But Mr Hardwick, of Honister Close, Gamston, thinks nothing of his achievement.

"To be honest it's a routine and just something that I do," he said.

"It doesn't really cross my mind that I've donated over 100 times. I don't think what might happen to my blood – I'm just aware it goes to good use."

Mr Hardwick's son, Jonathan, 25, has also become a blood donor, while one of his daughters, Gemma, 33, received a blood transfusion as a child following an accident.

Mr Hardwick, who grew up in Mansfield, was presented with an award by NHS Blood and Transplant last year in recognition of the scale of his donating.

He said: "It's nice to be recognised but I would continue doing it with or without the recognition. That's what most blood donors would say.

"We don't get into it for the plaudits, we just do it."

The number of young people registering to become blood donors in Notts has dropped by more than a third in the last two years.

More young people getting tattoos and piercings is thought to have contributed to the dip, as anyone who has a tattoo cannot give blood for at least four months afterwards.

NHS Blood and Transplant say the decline needs to be addressed now, to avoid a shortage of supplies of life-saving blood in the years to come.

Mr Hardwick visited the South Notts Academy, the old Dayncourt School, in Radcliffe-on-Trent, this week, to speak with students about becoming stem cell, blood, and organ donors.

His visit was in support of blood cancer charity the Anthony Nolan Trust's Register and Be a Lifesaver campaign.

A YEAR may have passed since Nottingham Forest last visited Brighton, but the sense of injustice has barely faded.

After dominating for 90 minutes at the Seagulls' impressive new home last December, the Reds were condemned to a 1-0 defeat by an injury-time goal from Will Buckley.

Much has changed since then, with Lee Camp the only player who started that day to be sure of a starting spot this time around.

In fact, Camp, Radi Majewski and Guy Moussi are the only players still at the club who were in the starting line-up 12 months ago on the south coast.

But Frenchman Moussi has a long memory and, as Sean O'Driscoll's new look side prepare to take on one of their promotion rivals, the midfielder has revenge in mind.

For once, his laid back Gallic nature slips, as he admits Forest have extra motivation.

"Last season we had a really good game there, but we ended up losing 1-0 when they scored late on," said Moussi. "It was incredibly frustrating and it does leave us with a point to prove.

"But we have been working on how they play this week; we have been preparing, so that we are ready to go there again.

"I would love to batter them again, but this time to come away with the right result.

"At the very least, we want to come back with a point. But we will be aiming for a win."

Forest are a side packed with attacking threat, following a busy summer in the transfer market.

But Moussi believes it is the defensive side of the game, led by the new-look back four, which will be crucial in Falmer.

"If we can keep a clean sheet, we do feel that, at any time, we are capable of scoring a goal," he said.

"First of all, we have to stay focused and keep that clean sheet, because they are a side that likes to get forward and make forward runs.

"We have to stay focused on that and match their runs.

"We do have players who can score, who can make the breakthrough for us. But the first step for us is to make sure we keep things tight at the back.

"It is barely a year since we last went there, but there is only myself, Radi and Campy left here who started that game.

"We have some good players here now though, we have made good additions and I do feel as though we can do something good there, this time."

It has unquestionably been a transitional period for Forest, as 14 new additions find their feet in new surroundings.

And Moussi hopes that, now the new players have had the time to settle in, the squad's genuine strength will start to shine through in the coming months.

"It is a different squad. We have some good players," he said. "Mentally we are stronger this season, because I don't think we expected things to be that bad last time.

"Now we are starting again, starting from scratch when it comes to building a team.

"Nobody expected us to be top right now. But that is only because we knew it would take time to make these changes.

"Nobody thought it was going to be easy but, as players, we always knew that we needed to be patient.

"We have been, now we have to carry on, to keep working hard, and see where things take us as it comes together for us.

"If we carry on, if we continue to improve, we do have a chance of being where we want to be.

"In January, we will see where we are.

"If we can get ourselves into the play-off positions, then great. Perhaps we can still even aim for more. We will see.

"Let's get through December and January and see where we are after that. We are still coming together as a side.

"The team can continue to improve. We can improve a great deal when it comes to our position and our shape.

"At the moment, we are better than we were a few months ago and we have still been winning games.

"If we can keep improving, we are only going to get stronger."

For Moussi, this season has been a new experience, as he finds himself fighting for his place in the side.

Largely previously regarded as one of the first names on the team-sheet under Billy Davies, Moussi is now part of a fierce fight for places amid a Forest squad that is packed with midfield talent.

The 27-year-old makes no attempt to disguise his displeasure at the situation.

But nor is he the type to make a fuss and, while he may not be happy about being left on the bench, he pledges that Forest can rely on him to give 100 per cent whenever he is given an opportunity.

"I will never accept being a substitute, because I am a competitive player, I want to be playing," said Moussi.

"But, even if I do only play for five minutes in a game, people know what they will get from me.

"Whether it is for five minutes, or 20 minutes or 90, I will always give my best.

"Everyone knows that I am professional and I will always give everything. It has been frustrating, I have not started many games, I think it has been one in the cup and one in the league.

"I am not used to that. It is the first time this has happened in my career.

"But I am not the sort of player to mess about if I am not playing; I will keep working hard.

"If the manager thinks I should play, I will work hard for him.

"There is competition, but I am not bothered about that. If I deserve to play, I will play. That is the gaffer's decision.

"If you work as hard as you can every day and you can say that you have done that when you get home at night, there is nothing more you can do.

"That is what I will continue to do."

Whether Moussi is given his chance in the starting line-up today or not, if the rest of the squad share his appetite for revenge, then Brighton will be in for a difficult afternoon.

RESIDENTS in a Forest Fields street have spoken of their shock after two people were arrested following the death of a 31-year-old man.

Stephen Wayne Lees, of Nottingham, was admitted to the Queen's Medical Centre on Tuesday with a head injury.

He died in hospital in the early hours of Wednesday.

Notts Police are treating his death as suspicious.

A 33-year-old woman and a 38-year-old man were arrested yesterday at a house in Alberta Terrace, Forest Fields, as part of the inquiry.

Police cordoned off the property yesterday, and officers also parked in a police car outside the address, while enquiries took place.

Residents said they saw police forensic officers coming in and out of the house.

Mum-of-six Rukhsana Hussain, 45, who lives in Alberta Terrace, said she saw police breaking into a house at around midnight.

She said: "We heard someone knocking on the door. They were shouting 'open up, open up'. Police cars were all around. I then heard a bang and saw about ten officers breaking the door down.

"A man was taken out and then a woman in a blanket with handcuffs on."

She added: "It's scary. At the end of the day people have all got children around here. It's not nice it happening on your doorstep."

A 32-year-old woman, who also lives in Alberta Terrace and asked not to be named, said: "We've heard banging and arguing at that house for about two weeks.

"They hadn't lived here long, only for about four months. Police came to my door earlier and asked me if I knew the man who had died. I said no."

Police have launched an investigation into Mr Lees' death following a referral from the Coroner.

A Home Office post-mortem examination found that Mr Lees died of a head injury.

The 33-year-old woman and 38-year-old man who were arrested yesterday have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Cox, who is leading the investigation, said: "We are keen to speak to anyone who knew Mr Lees and may have any information about what happened to him.

"We are particularly interested to hear from anyone who was in contact with him between last Friday, December 7, and 6pm on Tuesday, December 11."

Anyone with any information about the death of Mr Lees is asked to contact the Notts Police incident room at West Bridgford police station on 101 extension 844 6906, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

SEAN O'Driscoll says Nottingham Forest must continue to be wary of opposition strengths when they pick their own team for the rest of the season.

The Reds face promotion rivals Brighton on the south coast today and the manager says he will again try to find the right formula to nullify the Seagulls' most potent threats.

O'Driscoll says Forest will eventually get to the point where they can just pick a side and let the opposition worry about them – but warns that may not happen until next season.

And, in the meantime, he says the Reds must continue to look at the opposition strengths, as well as their weaknesses, as they seek a blueprint for success in the Championship.

"It has to be in your mind," he said. "You have to look at a team's strengths. We are not in a position yet where we can just turn up and play.

"We are not there yet and I don't think we will be this season.

"We have to look at the opposition strengths – but we will also look at their weaknesses and where we might be able to exploit things.

"A combination of the two is what you are aiming for. You can meld the two together."

Forest were criticised for fielding a 4-5-1 approach against Hull earlier in the month, to counter City's habit of packing their midfield.

But O'Driscoll believes comments from Watford boss Gianfranco Zola, after his side had been beaten by the Tigers 2-1 last weekend, vindicated that decision.

"It was interesting to hear Zola's comments after Watford had played Hull, when he talked about the threat they posed, when it comes to how they set themselves up and how they play.

"It is the professional thing to do, to look at those things.

"(Brighton manager) Gus Poyet will be looking at us, at how he thinks he can cause us some problems.

"It is up to us to deal with that. We have to make sure that, if plan A does not work, we have a plan B and then a plan C.

"If plan C doesn't work, then maybe we have a problem!"

Midfielder Simon Gillett has this week spoken about how he believes Forest are becoming increasingly adaptable in the formations they play.

"I am glad he is saying that!" said O'Driscoll. "That is what you would like to do.

"It is not to be clever, it is just so you have an alternative, whether that be to change your point of attack or to shore up part of your defence."

Two men who were behind a a targeted shooting which brought terror to one of Nottingham's busiest streets at rush hour have been jailed for a total of 26 years.

Remay McKenzie blasted a car with two shots from a sawn-off shotgun in Gregory Boulevard on Monday, April 30.

After missing his target, he jumped in to a car with getaway driver Ashton Alexander, who was on bail at the time awaiting sentence for his part in last summer's riots.

The pair were told by a judge at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday they would be locked up for a total of 26 years.

Three men were in a silver Citroen – the pair's intended target – as it stopped in a queue of traffic at the junction of Gregory Boulevard and Birkin Avenue at about 5.15pm.

McKenzie ran up to the car, pointed the shotgun through an open window, angled it towards the rear passenger seat, and pulled the trigger.

The driver crashed the Citroen into parked cars as he tried to speed off, but McKenzie ran after it and fired again, hitting the rear window.

The 22-year-old then ran to the nearby Volkswagen Polo driven by Alexander and the pair fled the scene.

Detective Inspector Justine Wilson said: "The men in the car were incredibly lucky not to have been injured.

"However, this does not detract from the traumatic impact this incident will have had on them, the members of the public who witnessed it, and also the shock caused to the wider community. The incident happened in the middle of rush hour, in broad daylight and in a very busy street."

After the shooting shotgun pellet holes could be seen in the wall of a takeaway near the scene.

Following the attack Notts Police flooded the area with extra patrols and detectives examined CCTV and reviewed forensic tests.

McKenzie and Alexander were arrested and both pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life.

McKenzie, formerly of Canterbury Avenue, Radford, was sentenced to a total of 15 years.

He was handed 14 years for the firearms offence.

He also pleaded guilty to affray and possession of cannabis with intent to supply and received a 12 month sentence for each, to run concurrently with each other and consecutively with the firearms offence.

Alexander, 20, formerly of Radford Road, Hyson Green, was sentenced to 11 years for the firearms offence, to run consecutively to a four year sentence he is already serving for riot.

DI Wilson said McKenzie and Alexander had already come across their intended target earlier that day and later decided to strike when they saw him again in the car.

She added: "Alexander then waited while McKenzie committed the offence before the pair fled Nottingham, showing a blatant disregard for the potential consequences of their actions.

"The sentences handed down today prove that anyone found in possession of a firearm should expect to go to prison for a significant time."

JAMAL Campbell-Ryce is hoping to return for Notts County today and use his artistic license to terrorise Brentford.

The winger was in outstanding form for the Magpies before being sent off against Preston last month.

He has since served a three-match ban and his comeback was put on hold in midweek, when the FA Cup clash with Rotherham was postponed due to a frozen pitch.

But today he hopes to get the nod to start and says the backing of manager Keith Curle is the factor behind his good form this season.

"The manager and his staff have been excellent for me and hopefully I can repay them now with getting back into form," said the 29-year-old.

"The management have been brilliant with myself, Judge, Zoko, Arquin, Bishop, Boucaud, Jeff (Hughes).

"They give us freedom to go and play. As long as we work hard, the manager doesn't mind if people give away the ball because everyone gives away the ball. I remember Messi doing it once!

"As long as you work hard, he said go and express yourself and try to do the right things. They are happy with that."

The last eight games between Notts and Brentford have ended all square. But with the Magpies seventh and just five points off the top, three points today would be huge.

And Campbell-Ryce believes the make-up of the team helps him embrace his attacking style, something he wants to show against the Bees.

"I believe you can only play as well as your team is and I have to be thankful to my peers for believing in me, giving me the ball and letting me dribble a lot with the ball," he said.

"You always find your way when you are playing regularly.

"If you're in and out you don't get that consistency but luckily I have had that."

IT was an afternoon of all things Notts as Keyworth Olympic medalist Sam Oldham was fitted for a suit designed by Beeston's Paul Smith, while the sounds of West Bridgford band Dog is Dead played in the background.

Sam Oldham was at Paul Smith's flagship store in Low Pavement getting a new suit for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, taking place in London tomorrow night.

The 19-year-old gymnast isn't nominated for the accolade, but big names including Jessica Ennis, Bradley Wiggins, Ellie Simmonds and Andy Murray are all in the running.

Sam's got a clear idea of who he wants to see win.

"Bradley Wiggins. He's just such a cool dude and what he's achieved, you know, Olympic gold and then winning the Tour de France," says Sam.

"It's an incredible achievement.

"Sunday night will be a great way to finish off the year because it's been a crazy 12 months with so much success in sport."

Sam was part of the British gymnastics team which won a surprise bronze in London this summer – the first GB team medal in the sport in 100 years.

As an Olympic medallist, attending such events has become part of his job and it's a perk he admits he enjoys.

With carte blanche to choose what he wanted in Paul Smith – completely on the house – he chose the slim-fitting Floral suit, along with a slim-fit white shirt and then added a bit of sparkle with a metallic tie.

Sam says: "I wanted it to be well-fitted but I knew it was going to be a task because I'm an odd shape. I've got short legs, a tiny waist but massive shoulders.

"Fortunately they've dealt with a few athletes before – a few years ago they suited Ryan Giggs and Chris Hoy – so they've got a bit of experience.

"It's awesome to have a free rein in Paul Smith."

Sam will going to the awards with his fellow gymnastic team members including Louis Smith who's competing in Strictly Come Dancing semi-final this Saturday night.

And Sam's looking forward to doing some celebrity spotting on the red carpet.

"I'd like to meet Beckham," he says. "Last time the other gymnasts met James Corden and Joe Calzaghe – just so many people you're never likely to meet otherwise."

Since the Olympics Sam has carried on with his gruelling 6am starts and has competed in two more competitions, but he did give himself some time off after ten years without a holiday.

He says: "I took good three weeks off. I went away with the rest of the gymnastics team to Marbella and then I went away with my friends from Nottingham to Spain.

"It was good to get away and have my first holiday in ten years and not think about gymnastics for a while."

Sam's been a gymnast since he was six and, when he was 14, started training professionally. Funding has been a big problem for him since that time and at one point his parents put their Keyworth home up for sale as they couldn't afford the daily drive to and from Huntingdon, in Cambridgeshire, where he trained.

Sam says: "It was very difficult when I was younger to try and get money and my parents struggled for quite a long time.

"I've got two sisters and a brother so it was pretty difficult for them as well."

As he started to rise up the ranks Sam got more recognition and these days he's sponsored by Red Bull, BMW, and Myprotein, while Castle Donington engineering company PJD stepped in at a vital time to sponsor him running up to 2012.

From January next year, thanks to his bronze medal, his funding from UK Sport will go from £200-£300 a month to over £27,000 a year – the maximum awarded to an athlete at world championship level.

"It will make my life a bit more secure to be honest," says Sam.

"It made it worthwhile this summer getting that medal. It's a massive relief to know that all of those hours of training and hard work have been worth it."

The long-term plan for Sam is the 2016 Olympics in Rio and next year he's got the World Championships and European Championships and Commonwealth Games in 2014.

"There is loads of stuff to work towards before Rio but that's definitely the end game at the moment," says Sam.

He's spending Christmas in Keyworth with his family, although he's only got three days off training over the holidays.

When Sam was a child he received offers from both Nottingham Forest and Derby County to play as part of their youth teams but he decided to focus on gymnastics.

He says he gets asked a lot whether he thinks he made the right decision and, without hesitation, answers: "I'm 100 per cent happy I chose gymnastics, especially after the summer. It was the best three weeks of my life."

NOTTS County lost 2-1 to promotion-rivals Brentford at Meadow Lane today.

The Magpies went 1-0 ahead almost midway through the first half when Bees defender Tony Craig sliced Julian Kelly's low cross into his own net.

But the visitors equalised on 37 minutes through midfielder Adam Forshaw and then striker Clayton Donaldson netted a late winner.

The Magpies were boosted by the return of on-loan midfielder Andre Boucaud from an ankle injury and winger Jamal Campbell-Ryce from suspension, but Alan Judge was banned.

Boucaud joined captain Neal Bishop and Jeff Hughes in midfield and Campbell-Ryce was part of a three-man attack, alongside Chris Iwelumo and Francois Zoko.

Dean Leacock, Gary Liddle, Kelly and Alan Sheehan started in defence, in front of goalkeeper Bartosz Bialkowski.

It took Notts less than a minute to threaten for the first time.

Bishop brilliantly turned past three players just inside the Magpies' half and hit a pass forward that Iwelumo helped on towards the penalty area.

Brentford defender Harlee Dean then made a complete mess of an attempted clearance and the ball fell to Zoko, who aimed a low shot at goal from just inside the box, but goalkeeper Simon Moore denied the Ivorian with his legs.

Notts continued to pile early pressure on the visitors and Leacock forced Moore into a good save with a close-range header on six minutes and Jeff Hughes flashed the ball dangerously across the face of Brentford's goal from the left moments later.

Bishop then came close to connecting with a right-wing cross into the six-yard box by Campbell-Ryce on 11 minutes, though Brentford hit back through Donaldson, who surged forward into the box and struck a shot that Leacock blocked.

The Magpies were quickly back on the attack and scored to take a 1-0 lead on 20 minutes as Kelly drove a cross into the six-yard box from the right that Craig sliced into his own net.

Leading, Notts survived a scare on 26 minutes as Donaldson broke through, but Bialkowski was there, typically, to block his effort.

Brentford equalised on 37 minutes, however. Controversially so too, because Forshaw looked offside when Marcello Trotta played the ball forward for him to race onto, but the linesman's flag never went up so he swept unchallenged into the box and drove a low shot past Bialkowski and into the bottom left corner of the net.

The Magpies made a substitution at the start of the second half, with Damion Stewart replacing Leacock at the heart of their back-four.

Bialkowski was also forced into making a good save soon after the restart, parrying a soaring free-kick from Brentford captain Jonathan Douglas over his crossbar on 51 minutes.

Notts then replaced Boucaud with Joss Labadie and he was quickly involved, getting forward into the box on 61 minutes to meet a cross, but he miscued a header well wide in front of the Kop.

The Magpies threatened again ten minutes later.

Kelly got forward down the right, crossed the ball into the box and Zoko directed a downward header at goal that Moore saved low down to his right.

Notts threw on Enoch Showunmi for Iwelumo soon after and they went close to scoring a second goal on 77 minutes.

Stewart swung a deep cross into the penalty area, Bishop headed it back to Sheehan and he struck a powerful volley at goal that Moore tipped over.

The game looked destined to end in a draw, but Brentford scored a winner on 88 minutes.

They caught Notts napping at a corner as Harry Forrester played the ball quickly to Shaleum Logan and he fired in a shot that Stewart cleared off the goal-line.

The ball only looped back across the face of goal, however, and Donaldson bundled the ball in from point-blank range.

NOTTS: Bialkowski, Kelly, Leacock (D Stewart, 46), Liddle, Sheehan, Bishop, Boucaud (Labadie, 58), J Hughes, Campbell-Ryce, Zoko, Iwelumo (Showunmi, 73). Subs: Mitchell, Regan, D Stewart, Bencherif, Mahon.

BRENTFORD: Moore, Logan, Craig, Dean, Bidwell, Kiernan (Adeyemi, 46), Douglas, Forshaw, Forrester, Donaldson, Trotta (Hayes, 91). Subs: Lee, Saunders, Hodson, Reeves, Legge.

ATTENDANCE: 5,307 (595 away).

AN outstanding save from Lee Camp helped Nottingham Forest hold on for a point at promotion rivals Brighton.

The keeper reacted brilliantly to deny Will Buckley, just as it seemed the winger was poised to snatch all three points for the Seagulls late in the game.

The first half had been dominated almost entirely by the home side, with Will Hoskins alone missing a trio of golden chances against his former club  – although Billy Sharp rattled the bar in injury time before the interval.

Forest were much improved after the break and saw substitute Henri Lansbury come close to breaking the deadlock.

But the visitors also owed a debt of thanks to Camp for denying Brighton a late winner for the second year running.

O'Driscoll made four changes to the team that had beaten Burnley last weekend, with Chris Cohen, Adlene Guedioura, Guy Moussi and Daniel Ayala brought in and Lewis McGugan, Simon Gillett, Lansbury and Elliott Ward relegated to the bench.

A powerful run down the centre from Dexter Blackstock had Forest looking dangerous on the counter-attack but, after doing all the hard work by carrying the ball half the length of the pitch, the move broke down when the striker delivered a poor pass to Andy Reid wide on the left.

Brighton were committing men forwards with ambition early on and, after winning a corner, Inigo Calderon looped a header a few feet over the bar.

A well-timed challenge from Dan Harding on Will Buckley instigated a quick break, but this time it was Reid who was off target with a pass, ensuring that the move broke down.

A strong piece of hold up play from Craig Mackail-Smith carved out the best chance of the game so far, as he laid off the ball to Calderon on the edge of the box, from where the full back planted a shot against the foot of the post.

Former Forest man Will Hoskins then came close with a great chance, as he fired a shot into the side netting after Andrew Crofts had picked him out at the far post, with the Forest defence caught flat footed.

The Reds hit back as a shot from Sharp was charged down and fell kindly to Reid, who lashed a wild effort of his own high into the stands.

Harding had escaped a booking for a rugged challenge on Will Buckley but, when Reid brought down the winger in the 16th minute referee Graham Salisbury did show a yellow card to the Forest man.

Former England man Wayne Bridge pushed forward from left back and found himself with a shooting chance, but his powerful effort was always bending away from goal.

Brighton were building pressure and, after Buckley had headed a ball across goal, Hoskins lifted an acrobatic volley narrowly over from six yards.

A corner at the other end reminded Brighton of Forest's attacking threat, although Guedioura's low effort, following a short corner from Reid, never threatened the Brighton goal as it bobbled harmlessly wide.

Hoskins missed another glorious chance as Moussi's missed interception allowed Crofts to cross into the centre, where the on loan Watford player headed badly over.

Still, it was Forest who could have taken the lead when Sharp pulled the ball across goal for Reid, who hit a powerful shot that rose only a foot or two over the bar, from 12 yards.

Mackail-Smith then eluded the Forest defence with a darting run down the centre, latching onto a ball from Buckley, before angling a shot across the face of goal that was not far wide. Brighton were the better side at this stage, with Forest holding on to some degree.

Brighton were pushing forward with increasing menace, with Calderon again coming close with a shot that was deflected just over the bar after he had shown some clever footwork to carve out the room for a shot on the edge of the area.

Forest had been second best for much of the first half, but they still almost snatched the lead, as Sharp prodded a Cohen cross onto the bar. It was a clever effort from the striker, which just did not quite dip enough as it dropped towards the far post.

Greg Halford was introduced for Harding at half time and, following what was presumably something of a talking to from O'Driscoll during the interval, the visitors began brightly, with Cohen stabbing a shot wide following good work from Reid.

Halford had only been on the pitch for nine minutes when he was booked for a foul on Buckley, who continued to torment the Forest back four. And he received another long lecture from the referee following another foul two minutes later, with the Brighton fans baying for him to be shown a second yellow.

Reid was then involved in an off the ball class with Buckley, who furiously appealed for the Forest man to be shown a second yellow card, with almost the entire Forest team surrounding referee Salisbury to complain that the Brighton man had made a meal of it.

Forest made a second change as Henri Lansbury was introduced in place of Guedioura with an hour gone.

Lansbury's impact was almost immediate as he picked up a knockdown from Blackstock and drove a low shot towards goal that Tomasz Kuszczak saved with some degree of uncertainty.

Ayala then lifted an instinctive shot over from close range as Forest built their first sustained period of pressure in the game, winning a flurry of corners.

A deep cross from Halford then picked out Blackstock, who rose brilliantly to glance a downward header six inches the wrong side of the post.

Camp's reactions were tested when sub LuaLua drove a shot towards his near post, with the keeper doing well to push it away.

But Forest were looking more dangerous themselves going forward, with Blackstock again connecting with a Cohen cross and Sharp poised to pounce if the keeper had spilt the striker's header.

Camp had to make the save of the game after a slip from Halford allowed Buckley to race clear, with the keeper stretching out a hand to push the ball away when it seemed Brighton were certain to score.

Ayala then had to make a vital clearance to snatch the ball off the toes of substitute Ashley Barnes, when it seemed the striker was about to strike from close range.

But, unlike last season, when Forest were beaten by a late winner, this time they were able to hold on and make the long journey home with a point in the bag.

Brighton: Kuszczak, Greer, El-Abd, Hoskins (LuaLua 70), Crofts, Mackail-Smith, Calderon, Lopez (Barnes 78), Bridcutt (Hammond 85), Bridge, Buckley. Subs: Brezovan, Dunk, Dobbie, Harley.

Forest: Camp, Hutton, Ayala, Collins, Harding (Halford 45), Cohen, Moussi, Guedioura (Lansbury 60), Reid (Gillett 92), Sharp, Blackstock. Subs: Darlow, McGugan, Majewski, Ward.

Referee: Graham Salisbury.

Attendance: 26,684 (1,860 away)

NOTTINGHAM Forest were happy to make the long journey home from Brighton with a point – after being robbed on the south coast last season.

Assistant manager Rob Kelly admitted the Reds were still feeling the injustice of their previous visit to the Amex last December, when they were beaten 1-0 in a game they had entirely dominated.

This time it was the home side who were on top amid a one-sided first half in which Forest were hanging on under a barrage of pressure. But Forest were vastly improved after the break and Kelly was satisfied with a 0-0 draw.

"It was nice to come away with something this time. We were talking about last season with ten minutes to go, because it was probably the reverse situation this time around," said Kelly.

"We played well and created a lot of chances last season and were then hit with a sucker punch at the end.

"We were hanging on really, this time, in the first half. But other teams have gone under here and we did not do that. We showed a lot of spirit, our organisation got us through and we also rode our luck a little bit."

Kelly paid tribute to the Forest back four and keeper Lee Camp in particular.

"Lee was tremendous. The back four were as well. They worked hard to keep a second clean sheet and, as he normally does, Lee made the save when we needed it," he said.

"We will take a point, because it is a tough place to come. In the first half, they made it difficult for us – even if, strangely, during that period, we might have taken the lead.

"Half time helped us, because we were able to change things around.

"But, overall, we can be happy because we have taken a point, we have kept a second clean sheet in a row and now we move on to the next one."

KELVIN Jones, 33, of Cavan Court, The Meadows, has been given a conditional discharge for six months. He admitted an offence under the 1824 Vagrancy Act. He was found in a enclosed garden in Burford Road, Forest Fields, for an unlawful purpose, namely theft, on June 26 this year. No order was made for costs when the case was dealt with at Nottingham Magistrates' Court.

LEE Bird, 24, of Coningsworth Road, Carlton, denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in Nottingham on November 24. Magistrates in Nottingham granted him unconditional bail until his trial on February 12.

MARTIN Bardill, 27, of Sherwin Road, Stapleford, was found guilty of assaulting a male. Magistrates in Nottingham heard the offence happened in Stapleford on June 30 this year. Bardill pleaded not guilty but was convicted of the offence in November. Sentencing him this month, justices gave him a community order, with an unpaid work requirement of 180 hours, and supervision from a Probation Officer. He has to pay £250 compensation to the victim, of Stapleford, and costs of £100.

SHEHZAD Aziz, 33, of Aspley Park Drive, Aspley, is to appear at Nottingham Crown Court after being charged with fraud. It is alleged that he made a false representation in relation to 18 cars and the mileage display, intending to make a profit for himself. The offence happened between February 1, 2010, and November 8, 2011. Aziz is on unconditional bail.

SVETLANA Cvetkova , 46, of Bakewell Court, New Balderton, has been given a suspended prison sentence after she was more than three times the legal drink drive limit. Magistrates heard there had been a road traffic accident and Cvetkova tried to leave the scene.

She had been in a silver Ford Focus when she was arrested for drink-driving in Wilfred Avenue, Newark, on November 17. She had 132 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35. After pleading guilty, she received a sentence, which was suspended for 12 months. Magistrates decided to suspend her sentence because she is hardworking and has no previous convictions. She is required to attend appointments with a Probation Officer and do unpaid community work of 120 hours in 12 months. A victim surcharge of £80 was imposed and costs of £85. She was disqualified from driving for 36 months.

GARY Gilchrist, 50, of Meriac Close, Top Valley, is to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on December 20. He is charged with producing 38 cannabis plants in Meriac Close and possessing cannabis, both on December 15 last year. He is on unconditional bail.

THOMAS Mucheru , 22, PenrhynClose, St Ann's, is due in court after pleading guilty to assaulting three Police Constables.

He pleaded guilty to assaulting the officers when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on December 6.

The offences happened in St Ann's on November 25. He further admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour on the same date. His case will be listed at the magistrates' court on December 17 at 2pm. He is on unconditional bail.

JOSHUA Mullen, 21, of Main Road, Wilford, is accused of attempting to rob a male of his wallet and mobile phone in Nottingham on November 11. His case is listed at Nottingham Crown Court on April 4. He is on conditional bail.

KATE Sims, 39, of Ravenswood Road, Arnold, is to appear at Nottingham Crown Court on April 4.

She is charged with criminal damage to her front door in Ravenswood Road on November 25. The damage amounted to £726.93. The door belonged to Gedling Homes. She is also charged with having a offensive weapon, namely a knife sharpener, in Arnold on the same date. She is on unconditional bail.

MICHAEL Southward, 26, of Marhill Road, Carlton, denied two allegations when he appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He allegedly used a Mini Cooper in Carlton Hill without insurance and when he was over the drink drive limit on October 13. He is said to have had 70 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35. His trial is on February 19 at 2pm.

CALUM Turton, 23, of Sherborne Road, Aspley, has been charged with attempting to rob a male of a wallet and mobile phone in Nottingham on November 11. His case will be listed at Nottingham Crown Court on April 4. He is on conditional bail.

IAN James, 28, of Lincoln Street, Basford, is charged with assaulting a female in a nightclub and assaulting a Police Constable.

Magistrates in Nottingham heard there was allegedly an assault at Dogma nightclub, in Nottingham, and an assault of the Police Constable in Fletcher Gate, Nottingham, on September 1. Not guilty pleas were entered at court in September. He was granted unconditional bail to return to court for a trial on February 14.