POSTIES in Notts have been attacked and injured by dogs more than 320 times while delivering letters, over the last four years.

Postmen and women in the county have suffered bites on the legs, buttocks and even genitalia while carrying out their duties, according to figures obtained by the Post.

While the number of attacks has fallen since 2009, Royal Mail said it is still a serious problem with more than one a week on average and it is warning owners to keep their pets under control as postmen face their busiest period at Christmas.

Postman Nat Moore, 46, who delivers mail along Mansfield Road, said: "It does happen a lot.

"I've been bitten in the past, it's something we shouldn't have to deal with.

"Sometimes I have to fend dogs off with my post bag."

He said that he has had to fend off a dog four times in the last two months, and he has reported the near misses to his manager.

A spokesman for Royal Mail said: "These attacks cause great distress and in too many cases serious injuries.

"Where attacks do take place suspensions to deliveries may be put in place in the short term in order to ensure the safety of our employees."

The spokesman also said that in the majority of animal attacks were caused by dogs.

However Royal Mail was unable to say how many households in the county were currently suspended from deliveries.

CHRISTOPHER Bellingham, 53, of Coopersale Road, East London, has been fined £1,000 for drink-driving on December 2. He was driving on the M1 northbound at Greasley with 67 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath. The legal limit is 35. He has also been ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and costs of £85. He entered a guilty plea to drink-driving at a hearing at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on December 17. He was disqualified from driving for 17 months.

MELANIE Guy, 37, of Emerald Grove, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, has been accused of drink-driving, She is due to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court, charged with driving over the limit in Stapleford on April 25. Her case was adjourned until January 8.

SIMON Blackham, 41, of Leake Lane, of Stanford on Soar, pleaded guilty to speeding in a Renault Megane in Colwick on November 15. Magistrates in Nottingham heard he was speeding in excess of 30mph. His case was adjourned until January 11. The hearing will consider if there are any mitigating circumstances, including exceptional hardship, for not ordering a driving disqualification.

MARK Bell, 29, of Beauvale Road, The Meadows, pleaded guilty to drink-driving in a VW Polo car in Carlton on December 1. He had 57 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, when the legal limit is 35. Magistrates in Nottingham imposed a £160 fine, ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and cost of £85. He was banned from driving for 40 months. No separate penalty was given for further admitted offences of driving the Polo without insurance or a licence on the same date.

NATHAN Willetts , 20, of North Hill Avenue, Hucknall, has been fined £125 for being drunk and disorderly in Nottingham on December 2. Magistrates in Nottingham dealt with him after he entered a guilty plea to being drunk and disorderly. As well as the fine, he is required to pay a £20 victim surcharge and costs of £85.

ERNESTAS Butkus, 39, of Atherstone Avenue, Peterborough, admitted two charges at Nottingham Magistrates' Court. He drove a Ford Transit van in Kirklington Road, Southwell, when disqualified from driving on October 9.

He also used the vehicle without insurance on the same date. He is on unconditional bail to return to court on February 7.

THOMAS Mucheru , 22, of Penrhyn Close, St Ann's, has been dealt with by magistrates for assaulting a police officer.

In one of the attacks he used handcuffs as a weapon, Nottingham justices heard.

Mucheru admitted assaulting three Police Constables in St Ann's on November 25 and he pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting works or behaviour on the same date.

For the assaults he was given an eight-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, because the offences were considered to be so serious and were committed in drink.

However, the court heard he was of previous good character, had been assessed by the Probation Service as a low risk and was remorseful. He will be supervised by the Probation Service for 12 months and must do 90 hours of unpaid work in that time.

ANDREW Wright, 48, of Shakespeare Street, Nottingham, received a community order for a public order offence. He admitted using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour toward two people in New Basford on September 14. He has been ordered to take part in a Controlling Anger and Learning to Manage it programme.

He will be supervised by the Probation Service for 18 months. He has been ordered to pay compensation of £50 to one of the victims, of New Basford.

No separate penalty has been imposed for resisting a Police Constable in the execution of his duty in New Basford on September 14, 2012. His guilty plea was taken into account when sentence was imposed.

NICHOLAS Tanswell , 31, of Pearson Close, Beeston, has been fined £250 for a road traffic offence. He pleaded guilty to failing to provide a breath test for analysis in Beeston on December 3. Magistrates in Nottingham imposed the fine, a requirement to pay a £25 victim surcharge and costs of £85. He was banned from driving for 16 months.

LYNETTE Wallace, 42, of Allendale Avenue, Aspley, denies a series of offences. She pleads not guilty to theft, after it is alleged she stole beer from The Beacon pub, Beechdale, on December 2. She is further charged with assaulting a Police Constable, a Special Police Constable and two males on the same date. She has been granted conditional bail to appear at Nottingham Magistrates' Court for her trial on February 21.

GARY Smith, 47, of Mansfield Road, Papplewick, is accused of an offence under the 2003 Communications Act. He denies he made a grossly offensive telephone call in Carlton on June 22.

He is on conditional bail until his trial at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on February 20 at 2pm.

LARGE cities such as Nottingham face a "looming financial crisis" due to government funding cuts, it is claimed.

The claims have been made by city council leader John Colins, who has written to local government minister Eric Pickles calling for an urgent meeting.

Councillor Collins is one of seven city leaders who have signed the letter, warning of a coming financial crisis in core cities in England.

Figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government show Nottingham City Council's year-on-year spending power will drop 0.5 per cent in 2013-14 and then by 5.7 per cent in 2014-15.

However, the council says it has still not had the final figures from the Government, which it will not get until after Christmas.

The deputy leader Councillor Graham Chapman has also argued this figure does not take all the new council responsibilities into account that have been transferred by the Government.

Elsewhere in Notts, spending power for councils in 2013-14 will drop by two per cent in Mansfield, 0.7 per cent in Rushcliffe, 2.3 per cent in Broxtowe and increase by 0.7 per cent in Gedling. But the following year, the spending power for these four authorities will drop, with a between six per cent decline in Mansfield, and 2.6 per cent in Rushcliffe.

In the letter which has been co-signed by the leaders of Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Newcastle, Manchester and Leeds, the councils claim that reductions in Government grants have been unfairly distributed.

It says: "None of us is under any illusion about the need for spending reductions and the potential for efficiency savings.

"But the cuts we are now being asked to make in the years ahead will go far beyond the level at which we can protect vital local services.

"Many services that improve the quality of life are already at risk of disappearing in the next two years as we try to prioritise statutory services for the most vulnerable.

"Combined with unprecedented spending pressures, particularly in the social care services, the cuts we now anticipate will leave us unable to provide anything like the range or quality of public services we believe our citizens have a right to expect."

Nottingham City Council has made around £92 million of savings in the past three years and announced this week it will be looking to find £25 million in savings next year.

The city's mobile library service will be axed while elderly and disabled people face reductions in personal budgets given to them to spend on things like home care and day centres.

A Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman said: "Ministers meet council leaders regularly.

"Local authorities have been protected from further spending reductions for 2013-14, where the average spending power reduction is just 1.7 per cent. Government is helping councils grow their local economies through bespoke city deals.

"In addition the Government is offering a £450 million third year's council tax freeze – potentially worth over £200 to Band D residents.

"However, councils still account for a quarter of all public spending – £114 billion – so it is vital they continue to play their part tackling the inherited budget deficit by making all of the 50 sensible savings ministers recommend such as better procurement, greater transparency, using reserves more creatively and sharing back offices."

RESIDENTS have welcomed a decision to deny an application to build 140 homes on an allotment site.

Nottingham city councillors voted unanimously against the application to build on the Radford Bridge Allotments at a development control committee meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

The controversial plans had received more than 320 objections from local residents.

Representatives of tenant gardeners attended the meeting and a spokesperson for them said: "We are extremely grateful to the council planning officers for carrying out such a thorough and fair appraisal of the application and delighted that the committee unanimously voted to accept the recommended refusal."

"Obviously the applicant has the right to appeal and therefore the longer term future of the allotments is still unclear at the moment."

One allotment holder, who did not wish to be named, said: "I would be devastated to lose my plot and all the work I've put into it.

"It's been a lot of hard work and we use the vegetables and fruit from it and we get the benefits of fresh air, healthy exercise and good company."

A planning application for the site in Russell Drive, was submitted to Nottingham City Council earlier this year.

Officers at the council recommended that the controversial plans were refused.

The chairman of the North Wollaton Residents' Association, Lynne Dilks said: "We are pleased with the result, especially for the gardeners and those on the waiting list. We're also pleased with the way it's been handled by the planning department and the committee."

The plans were put forward by law firm Freeth Cartwright on behalf of property development company Commercial Estates Group.

Rob Gill, development manager for Commercial Estates Group said: "We are disappointed with the outcome of the meeting as this proposed scheme is in a highly sustainable location benefiting from excellent public transport links.

"In addition to delivering much-needed high-quality family homes in the city, the development can deliver a number of environmental benefits. We will review our position in the new year."

The outline plans were for 19 two-bedroom homes, 70 three-bedroom homes, 35 four-bedroom homes and 12 five-bedroom homes – all of which would be two storey houses.

Steve Parton , councillor for Wollaton West, said: "I'm delighted. I have totally opposed the development but I think that we've won the first round only."

FLOODING is continuing to cause disruption across the county.
Four Environment Agency flood alerts remain in place for the River Leen, River Idle and River Maun.
An alert is also in place for the River Trent from Castle Donington to Cromwell Weir this morning. 
Several roads also remain closed, including:
·Main Street, Lowdham
·Station Road, Lowdham
·Main Street (A612), Upton
·Goosedale Lane, Bestwood
·Brackenhurst Lane, Southwell
·Halam Road, Southwell
·Nabbs Lane, Hucknall
·Main Street, Woodborough (community road closure scheme)
·Moor Road, Bestwood

IT turns out there is a secret to Simon Cox's remarkable return from injury – and his Nottingham Forest team mates are very keen to let the world know all about it.

As the fit again striker talks enthusiastically about a potential return to action at Watford on Saturday, the other players slowly file past at the training ground.

And most seem keen to mention the same subject...

"Ask him about Dubai!", says one. "See what he has to say about his holiday", adds another.

For the second time this season, Cox has demonstrated rapid healing powers, as an ankle injury that was expected to see him sidelined for two months or more is shaken off in barely three weeks.

And he revealed: "When I had the scan results and it seemed as though it was going to be a long time out for me, there was not much I could do here. There are only so many weights you can lift, so much ice you can put on.

"So I was allowed to go away for a week and get some sun, which was nice, because it was cold over here.

"I took a couple of machines with me. I took crutches, a special boot and a machine that electronically exercises your thighs so that they don't diminish while you are out.

"I was doing that two or three times a day... when I had finished sunbathing. They say the sun heals people quite quickly, I hear..."

While his impromptu holiday might have earned him a few jealous glances in the dressing room, it also seemed to do the trick.

Having collected what was thought to be a serious injury on November 24, Cox was back in action by the second week of December.

"It is quicker than I expected. I always say to myself that, if it feels okay, I am happy," said the striker. "I have to manage things, I have to monitor things carefully in training.

"But hopefully I will be in contention to be selected on Saturday.

"As long as I have no adverse reactions, I should be fine – and I have not had any so far. I felt as though I could have got on last weekend, but I had not trained with the team.

"I was doing fitness stuff with the physios, working on changing direction and things like that, at the end of last week.

"Maybe if I'd had another few days, I could have been involved, but it was just a little too early."

It is the second time Cox has bounced back quickly, having previously suffered a scare when he collected what was feared to be a broken foot while on international duty.

At that point, Forest feared he was looking at several weeks on the sidelines – but he instead returned after two days.

"It is just one of those things. My feeling is that, if an injury feels okay, I will push myself. If it hurts, I will come off it," he said.

"The first injury I had, after international duty, was like that.

"When I had the scans following that, they said I hadn't broken anything or seriously damaged anything.

"So I came back to training. I don't like to miss matches."

Cox had travelled to Brighton on Saturday, in the hope of being involved.

He ultimately had to watch from the sidelines as Forest battled for a 0-0 draw. But he was encouraged by what he saw.

"First half, we were not great but, in the second, we were much better," he said.

"If we had gone 1-0 up when Billy hit the bar or when Reidy had a chance, we might have got the win.

"We did not play well, but we still got the point. If you are not playing well and still picking up points, then that is the sign of a good side.

"We are nearly at Christmas and we have only lost five games, that is not too bad. Yes, we have probably drawn too many.

"But our record is good, when you consider that we have only been together, as a squad, for four or five months.

"Everyone would love to be top of the league, sitting with 40 points at Christmas. But we are a brand new team.

"I think we have done really well, we just have to keep that going."

Cox admitted that Forest's players have discussed what has been achieved at Brighton, during three years under Gus Poyet.

"We were having that chat as a team... Brighton have been together for three years.

They have a way of playing," he said. "We have chopped and changed everything – manager, owners and players.

"We are all trying to get a way of playing, our own approach, in the same way as Brighton have done.

"We have different dimensions to us; we have different strengths.

"They do not have a player like Dexter, for example.

"But we do not have a player like Will Buckley, who has incredible pace down their right side.

"If we can gel everything together, if we can play to our strengths and keep churning out improving performances, there is no reason why we cannot be a force to be reckoned with."

The events of a remarkable summer and the work Forest have done in the transfer market since the summer have only raised expectation levels again.

But while the club's supporters and owners alike may have one eye on the Premier League, Cox insists that ambition is shared in the dressing room.

"We can achieve those expectations, given time," he said. "The manager got the job and then had to come up with a backroom staff and everyone behind the scenes.

"He then had to go after players. He had to integrate those players into the team, they have to get settled in Nottingham and then we have to start playing as a team.

"It is a long process and, how well we have done is going unnoticed, I think, in many quarters – but certainly not among the lads."

If Cox is right then, come the end of the season, the sun should be shining on the entire Forest squad.

A FTER a monumental year, West Bridgford quintet Dog Is Dead are now firmly in the festive spirit and frontman Rob Milton has big plans for his few days off over the Christmas period.

"I'm just going to eat tons of food, drink a lot… then fall asleep," says the 21-year-old.

For a band who released their debut record in October to acclaim from fans and critics alike, as well as winning an army of new fans through outstanding live performances, Dog Is Dead would have every right to celebrate with style.
Dog Is Dead - Glockenspiel Song on MUZU.TV.

However, Rob says that this year they'll be doing something a little different: "We're going to have our own little Christmas party. We have quite an unusual place of work – we don't have an office and we all hang out with each other all the time, so we're just going to have our own brand of embarrassing office do. Having said that, there won't be any weird, awkward moments between us… they happen all the time."

The band's festive enthusiasm has resulted in the release of a quirky cover of Paul McCartney's Wonderful Christmastime, some 12 months after gifting their fans with a rendition of Christmas Wrapping by The Waitresses, Rob's favourite Christmas song.

He says that this year's festive contribution was chosen for a very different reason, quite simply because it was really weird.

"I can't believe that it's a classic household Christmas song that's played all over the country, it's really strange.

"We thought we could have a lot of fun with the track, mess about with a lot of cool sounds and make it our own, which was quite nice."

The accompanying video embodies the sense of enjoyment the band were aiming for when recording the single, with silly string, turkey and party hats all featuring heavily.

"We had a lot of fun being stupid in front of a camera. A mate of ours directed it.

"We went to Asda and went to town on buying the most naff stuff we could find and just messed around."

Christmas songs have become almost a tradition for Dog Is Dead, and Rob has his sights set firmly on writing his own for next winter.

"I want to write my own. I was going to do it this year but Christmas crept up on me. I think it's quite fun to do something around Christmas because the rest of the year can sometimes get a little bit too serious."

Rob is quick to point out that he isn't the only one of the band excited at the prospect of Christmas, saying: "Every year Paul (Roberts, guitarist) tries to get us all to do secret Santa, and every year we forget. I guarantee you he'll bring it up later today.

"Everybody will say yes and then everyone will forget. That's the inevitability of it. I imagine he's going to be the first to do the whole 'going solo' thing."

Dog Is Dead could be forgiven for thinking that Christmas has come early.

Earlier this month, the band won the Original Penguin New Blood prize at the Artrocker Awards. This is Rob's first accolade for quite some time and could well be a sign of things to come for the band.

"We've never really won an award, apart from coming second in the school talent show, so this is a big deal; I've got something to put on the mantelpiece now.

"It's really nice to win something like this because you don't often get anything to show for all the hard work that goes into music.

"It's not like I've won an Oscar.

"Jamie Foxx gets introduced as 'Academy Award-winning Jamie Foxx', I'm not sure anyone will be referring to me as 'Artrocker Award-winning Rob Milton', but it's still really nice."

If this wasn't enough, the band were also rewarded by BBC Radio 1, who added their latest single Teenage Daughter to their playlist, among the likes of JLS and X Factor winner James Arthur.

Despite this individual success, Rob is keen to see the wider picture. "I think it's a good thing that any guitar bands are on Radio 1's playlists.

"People want to listen to it and the station is willing to play it.

"There is a change in music happening at the moment and I guess we're a small part of that… and that's a big deal to us."

Above all else, Rob classes this new exposure as a result of the band's hard-working approach.

"It's about steadily progressing and growing all the time.

"I think that everything we've done has been a stepping stone to the next level so knowing that Radio 1 are hammering out the new single is brilliant, a sure sign of things to come."

Even with the events of 2012, Rob is keen to note that next year will be as important to the band's progression: "I think that our growth is going to accelerate even more.

"Since the record came out we've continued to grow as a band and now we have a platform, helped by the songs getting airplay on the radio."

The band have scheduled shows across Europe and the UK, before heading across the Atlantic for a run of dates in the United States, something which has clearly excited Rob.

"Next year will be packed full of music and great things, it'll be our biggest tour yet.

"We're going to have the chance to do all of the things we've wanted to do and visit some of the places we've always wanted to see."

SEAN O'Driscoll will not change his blueprint for success at Nottingham Forest – even if he is told he must win promotion this season.

The Reds manager was due to meet with new chairman Fawaz Al Hasawi in London last night, to discuss the club's plans for the future.

Forest's options during the January transfer window were set to be the main focus of the meeting.

But O'Driscoll was also set to discover if the Kuwaiti owners are set to demand promotion this season, after investing heavily in the squad to bring in 14 players since the summer.

Back in July, the Al Hasawi family stated they regarded their first campaign at the club as being one of consolidation.

But, whether they are now expecting more or not, O'Driscoll says his mentality must remain the same.

"Whether promotion is a 'must' in the first season or whether you are building over three or four seasons, you still have to make the right decisions," he said.

"You can't gamble with players' careers by bringing them in on the short term, or gamble with the club's reputation, more than anything else.

"We are trying to establish a way of doing things that will stand Forest in good stead, whoever the manager is.

"We want to carry it on, develop it and evolve it, which is what the best club in the country does, in the form of Manchester United.

"They have done it with one man at the helm, but that one man is always working to evolve and change things. The core ideals remain the same."

O'Driscoll says his priority is to install an ethos; an identity at Forest that will last the club for years to come.

"We are going to have a meeting to discuss how the running of the club will be effected," he said. "But there is a board of directors, a chief executive, a finance director – so there is a level of management above me who have more to do with the running of the club in a mechanical sense.

"I am trying to put the esoteric things in that you can feel, when you walk through the door.

"When you come here, you want the club to feel vibrant. When you ask a player what they want to achieve, you hope that they will all give you the same answer.

"They are the things you would like to do as a manager and you want to do that as quickly as you can.

"But I don't just want to pay lip service to it, I want to go and do it. We are trying to develop the club and to win football matches.

"If you win enough football matches, then you don't need to put time scales on anything.

"We are trying to do the right things, at the right time, at the right pace, without jeopardising the club as a whole."

Forest are close to completing a deal to sign winger Stephen McLaughlin from Derry City.

A fee has been agreed with his Northern Irish club and basic terms have been negotiated with the 22-year-old. "He looks to be a talented lad," said O'Driscoll.

POLICE are investigating after a man in his sixties was found collapsed in the street.
Officers were called to Carlton Road, near King Edward Park, at about 10.45pm yesterday.
The man was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, where he remains.
It is not yet known if he has suffered any injuries or whether he collapsed through ill-health.
A police cordon is currently in place in Carlton Road as a precaution, although the incident is currently being treated as unexplained, not suspicious.
Anyone with information should call Notts Police on 101.

On-loan winger Ryan Crowther may return to the Hyde starting line-up for the game against Mansfield.

Crowther was reduced to a substitutes' role last time out against AFC Telford due to a slight hamstring strain.

Striker Phil Jevons missed the Bucks match with a knock and he will face a late fitness test before this game.

If Jevons is unfit then Scott Spencer and Matthew Blinkhorn are likely to continue up front.

Winger Stefan Cox may again take a place on the bench as he is still carrying a slight groin niggle, but midfielder David Poole has fully recovered from a recent knee injury.

Hyde are in a fine run of form having won six out of their last nine matches in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

Goalkeeper Alan Marriot is likely to retain his place in Mansfield's starting XI.

Marriot is still not 100 per cent recovered from the serious shoulder injury which kept him out for three months earlier in the season.

However, he has come through two full games unscathed and is now nearing full match fitness.

Striker Jake Speight will be pushing for a start after being on the bench last time out. He will compete with the likes of Matt Rhead for a place alongside Matt Green in the Mansfield attack.

Defender Ryan Tafazolli is unlikely to feature as he recovers from a knock but could come into contention next week.

Fellow striker Ross Dyer is a long-term absentee and will not return until next season as he recovers from a cruciate knee injury.

Watford are without Fernando Forestieri for the visit of Nottingham Forest.

The Italian striker has been absent with a hamstring problem for the last two games, during which time the Hornets have picked up just one point.

Midfielder John Eustace and defender Nyron Nosworthy both returned to training this week after injury but the pair are some way short of match fitness and will not be involved.

Defender Lloyd Doyley remains sidelined with a calf injury.

Boss Gianfranco Zola picked Alex Geijo alongside Troy Deeney in attack for the 1-1 draw at Burnley, but could recall Matej Vydra to face Forest.

The Hornets are three points behind Millwall in sixth, but will be leapfrogged by their opponents if they suffer a second successive home defeat.

Simon Cox could return to the Forest squad.

Cox has been out for almost a month with a foot injury but after a full week's training the Republic of Ireland international striker is pushing to be included in manager Sean O'Driscoll's plans.

On-loan Chelsea defender Sam Hutchinson and borrowed Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas are back in training after respective knee and calf injuries but neither player is likely to be risked at Vicarage Road.

O'Driscoll has the likes of defenders Elliott Ward and Greg Halford and midfielders Simon Gillett, Lewis McGugan, Henri Lansbury and Radoslaw Majewski available should he wish to make any changes from the side that drew 0-0 at Brighton last weekend.

Notts County will be without the suspended Damion Stewart when Leyton Orient visit Meadow Lane.

Stewart was shown a straight red card during the 3-0 FA Cup defeat at home to Rotherham on Tuesday night for elbowing Millers striker Alex Revell and he begins a three-match ban.

Fellow centre-half Dean Leacock missed that second-round replay with a hamstring injury and he remains a doubt ahead of Saturday's game.

That means Krystian Pearce could go straight into the starting line-up against the O's following his return from a loan spell at Barnet.

"He enjoyed his stint down there at Barnet, playing lots of games for them - which is exactly what he needed because he wasn't playing here," said Magpies manager Keith Curle.

"We've seen a couple of DVDs of the games he has played in for Barnet. They have been pleased with him and he's done exactly what he needed to do."

Lee Hughes has missed the last two matches through illness and it remains to be seen whether the veteran striker will recover in time for the weekend.

Michael Symes remains an injury doubt for Orient ahead of the trip.

The striker missed last week's 3-1 defeat by Scunthorpe with a hamstring problem.

Skipper Nathan Clarke is still sidelined after a setback in his recovery from a foot injury.

The defender suffered the injury against Portsmouth last month but a scan last week revealed a hairline fracture which will keep him out for another month.

But Orient have no new injury worries and boss Russell Slade could stick with an unchanged line-up despite seeing his side's eight-match winning streak grind to a halt against the Iron.

That would mean defender Scott Cuthbert starting on the bench again having recently recovered from a long-term hamstring injury.

A NOTTINGHAM shop decorated with a giant white snowflake and flying angels has won the city's Christmas window-dressing competition.

Businesses and artists decorated the windows of 12 empty shops as part of the 12 Windows of Christmas Cheer project, which aimed to give holiday shoppers something festive to look at.

Now architectural ironmonger Philip Watts has been awarded £1,000 after designing the Angels in Flight window, which can be seen on Friar Lane near its junction with Maid Marian Way.

"I am absolutely over the moon and extremely grateful to those who voted for us," said Mr Watts.

"The project was great fun to be involved with. It is such a simple and brilliant idea where everyone wins.

"It's been great for us, great for landlords, great for the high street and great for shoppers. Other cities should follow suit – and we should do it again next year."

The initiative was led by the Nottingham Business Improvement District (Bid) and Nottingham City Council to try and brighten up empty shop units over the festive period.

Designed to be a festive trail around the city centre, shoppers and visitors were encouraged to visit all of the windows and then vote for their favourite.

Geoff Williams, a director of the Nottingham Bid, said: "The Angels in Flight window looks lovely and certainly attracts the attention of people when they visit this part of the city.

"People can continue to enjoy this window and the others in the trail right through to early January.

"The initiative was a great way of improving the look of empty units over the festive season and we are delighted people took the time to vote."

Among the other windows is a Christmas Heart of Heritage design in Flying Horse Walk, A Winter Wonderland design in the Exchange arcade and an Enchanted Forest design in Pelham Street.