A cold weather alert is in place for Notts today.

Forecasters at the Met Office say it's likely it will snow in the area going in to Monday and today there is a 70 per cent chance of freezing conditions.

The alert is graded as yellow - level two - on a four-stage scale on which level four is the most severe.

It applies from this morning and is expeced to be in place until 6am on Tuesday morning.

Today temperatures are expected to drop as low as minus one degree centigrade, and it will not get higher than four degrees centigrade. 

The Met Office said: "The snow event on Monday may bring 2 to 5cm quite widely across England as it spreads southeastwards, with greater than 5cm falling over hills. This warning may be extended early next week."

It added: "Prolonged periods of cold weather can be dangerous, especially for the very young, very old or those with chronic diseases."

Information about how cold weather affects health is at www.nhs.uk. Anyone concerned about their health or somebody they care for, is asked to contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647, www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk or their local pharmacist.

MANSFIELD Town suffered an FA Cup hangover as they lost 2-0 at home to Kidderminster on their return to league action today.

After a heroic display in the 2-1 third round loss to Liverpool last Sunday, they were punished for a poor first-half showing this afternoon.

Kidderminster scored twice in the middle of the first half through Mickey Demetriou and Lee Vaughan, with Demetriou also hitting the post at the One Call Stadium.

Matt Green twice hit the woodwork for the Stags in the opening 45 minutes and despite pushing on during the second period and Kidderminster's Sean Clancy seeing red for a late lunge on Lee Beevers, Mansfield could not get back into this Blue Square Bet Premier match.

Paul Cox's men travel to Stockport on Tuesday night before visiting Southport next Saturday.

HEADED goals from Greg Halford and Elliott Ward helped Nottingham Forest overcome battling Peterborough and secure Alex McLeish's first win as Reds boss.

Defenders Halford and Ward both struck from corners, either side of an equaliser from Scott Wootton.

Peterborough had not claimed a single point after going behind in matches this season – but looked good for a point until Ward rose to head home at the far post in the 83rd minute.

It was a welcome moment for McLeish, who had demanded his side bounce back with an improved performance following their humbling FA Cup exit at the hands of Oldham last weekend.

Karl Darlow, starting a league game for the first time for Forest - after Lee Camp had been told he is free to find another club - was given a warm reception, by the City Ground fans.

And he had to be alert to race out of his box and clear the danger when Davide Petrucci chased a through ball in the first two minutes.

Petrucci, one of the Manchester United starlets on loan at Peterborough, produced the game's first real moment of menace. The striker's outstanding turn on the edge of the box helped him to elude Dan Harding, but Elliott Ward was across quickly to make an important block on his driven shot.

A driving, probing run from Harding almost carved out an opportunity at the other end, but Radi Majewski's attempt to slide him in down the centre was narrowly over hit.

Darlow had to make his first save of the game in the 12th minute and it was a good one as Dwight Gayle bent a precise shot towards the far post, which the keeper held well, albeit at the second attempt.

Majewski missed the best opportunity of the opening exchanges, following a flowing attack down the Forest left that culminated in a good cross from Harding, with the Pole lifting a shot over the bar from 12 yards, with the goal at his mercy.

When Majewski won a corner with some determined play of his own down the left, it led to the opening goal. Lansbury whipped the ball towards the far post where Halford rose to send a looping header towards goal.

Kane Ferdinand made a brave attempt to clear the ball off the line, but referee Eddie Ilderton, with the aid of his assistant on the near side, ruled that it had crossed.

Petrucci tested Darlow's reactions almost immediately as Peterborough pushed for an equaliser, but the keeper looked to have his shot covered as it fizzed into the side netting.

A combination between Cohen and Sharp carved out a half-chance for the striker on the edge of the box, but he flashed his shot across goal and wide.

Sharp was rather closer to a goal following some impressive skills from Simon Cox, who left the Posh defence for dead with a neat turn before crossing to the far post where Sharp saw his header brilliantly saved by Bobby Olejnik.

Former Forest loan signing George Boyd was denied by Darlow, with the keeper producing his best stop yet, sliding in bravely at the midfielder's feet and holding on to his shot well, from close range.

The second half began with Forest having to hold out under a short spell of pressure. But when Gonzalo Jara lofted an outstanding pass down the centre of the pitch, it looked as though Cox was through on goal, before Olejnik raced out to narrowly beat him to the ball.

Ward, pushing forward from the back to join the attack, then found himself with a free header when Cohen delivered into the box, but sent his effort straight at the keeper.

Lansbury also came close to adding a second for Forest as he bent a shot from just outside the box that had Olejnik scrambling across goal nervously.

It proved to be a telling moment as, on the hour mark, Peterborough drew level. A corner from the Forest left was not cleared at the far post and, when the ball dropped to Wootton, he lashed the ball into the back of the net.

It was a moment the Manchester United man clearly enjoyed, having played for both clubs last season – and he celebrated joyously in front of the travelling fans.

Cox came within a whisker of putting Forest ahead again when he and Sharp combined, with Sharp crossing into the centre where Cox just failed to make contact with his head.

Peterborough's other former Forest man almost found the net then, with Boyd flashing a shot across goal and narrowly wide, with Darlow at full-stretch, diving to his left, to cover.

But Forest, driven by a lively performance from Majewski, were also not without threat. Gillett had a long range effort deflected for a corner, with Olejnik having to be dominant in his box as the home side delivered balls into the danger zone.

When Cox turned his marker and charged into space down the left, Forest should have taken the lead for a second time, but Majewski was uncharacteristically wild with his shot, after he had been picked out with a clever cut back.

Forest were creating opportunities, with a Cohen cross then narrowly eluding Sharp in the centre, before finding it's way through to Harding on the edge of the box, where the defender controlled brilliantly, before firing a shot high into the stand.

McLeish made a change with ten minutes to play, bringing on Jonathan Greening for the tiring Lansbury.

But it was to be another goal from a defender that edged Forest in front again, with Ward powering home a header at the far post after Majewski had curled a corner enticingly into the danger zone.

While Peterborough threw on a few attackers in the search for another goal, Forest introduced Guy Moussi for Majewski – and were able to hold out until the final whistle to secure a hard fought, but deserved three points.

Forest: Darlow, Jara, Halford, Ward, Harding, Cohen, Gillett, Majewski (Moussi 88), Lansbury (Greening 80), Cox, Sharp. Subs: Evtimov, McGugan, Moloney, Derbyshire, Blake.

Peterborough: Olejnik, Brisley (Mendez-Laing 88), Bostwick, Boyd, Rowe, Newell (McCann 86), Ferdinand (Gordon-Hutton 57), Little, Petrucci, Wootton, Gayle. Subs: Alcock, Day, Knight-Percival, Richens.

Referee: Eddie Ilderton, Tyne and Weir

Attendance: 22,777 (1,636 away)

NOW we know. Alex McLeish is not frightened to make big decisions.

Every new manager needs to lay down a marker when he moves to a new club.

In McLeish's case, it has come in the form of a foot planted firmly on the backside of Lee Camp.

And, trust me, it is a decision that will have left the rest of the Nottingham Forest dressing room sitting up and taking notice.

McLeish will have known exactly what he was doing when he told the long-serving keeper that he can find himself another club.

And it was about more than merely addressing a goalkeeping issue that has been a problem for more than a year.

It was about sending out a message – firstly the message that nobody is bigger than Forest.

But also the loud-and-clear notion that he is not to be messed with.

As recently as two years ago, Camp was regarded as being the best keeper outside the top flight. Many shared that opinion, including me.

For two seasons, he was absolutely integral to Forest finishing in the top six under Billy Davies.

Then, before the start of last season, Swansea made a bid for him. A Premier League club came calling.

And, since their approach was rejected by Forest, Camp has not been the same player.

The fire and passion that he had when he pulled on a Forest shirt seemed to disappear.

More significantly, so did the string of outstanding saves that had become his trademark – and the fist-pumping celebrations that often followed.

To Forest, he was still an important figure – and they had been trying to tie him to a new deal to secure his long-term future.

But an agreement could not be reached. And the stand-off that has followed has not helped his form either.

The impression you got, from the outside, was that Camp had the look of a man who was already contemplating a future elsewhere.

Whatever the reason for it, whether the two things were connected or not, one thing cannot be questioned.

Camp has not been playing like the best keeper outside the Premier League for some time.

And fair play to McLeish for taking action.

If Camp was going to leave in the summer anyway, could you guarantee his 100 per cent commitment and drive between now and the end of the campaign?

If we are honest, you would not be able to guarantee it from many players in that situation. Not completely.

So, while it might seem like a drastic step to bomb out Camp now, what has it actually cost McLeish?

Not a lot. In many ways, it is a very astute move.

Camp would probably have moved on in the summer anyway. Now, if there is interest in him, Forest might collect a nominal fee.

And, as well as making room to bring in his own man, McLeish has sent out a message.

Yes, much will depend on who does come in to replace Camp.

But the names in the frame are not too shabby, are they?

It sounds like Robert Green may prove to be too costly for Forest's pocket. We will see if QPR are willing to pay more of his wages towards the end of the window, perhaps.

But Forest might be able to sign another former England man, in the form of Blackburn's Paul Robinson. He seems to have been around forever, but he is actually only 33, which is not old for a keeper.

And he has vast experience.

If not, Lukasz Fabianski, the Arsenal keeper, would not be a bad shout.

In the meantime, Karl Darlow is more than capable. He has a chance to demonstrate his potential, as Forest take on Peterborough today.

And there is nothing Forest fans like more than seeing somebody come through the youth system at the City Ground and prove themselves.

If he comes in and does well, it will give a lift to everyone.

Plus McLeish has also provided some motivation for the rest of his squad.

McLeish has demonstrated his own authority. He has shown the players who is boss.

It won't be the last big decision McLeish has to make before the end of the month.

It is not an exaggeration to say that what happens during the transfer window could shape the course of the rest of the season.

Forest are not too far away, but if they can make a few more quality additions, it could make all the difference.

There is also a lot to be said for dressing room harmony.

If Camp has been moping around the place, moving him on will not do any harm.

Forest fans might not appreciate the comparison, but the one thing Nigel Clough has achieved at Derby is to revive his dressing room; to generate a spirit of togetherness.

And he has done that by doing a lot of clearing out.

Players who were not entirely committed to the cause, who did not want to be Derby players, were moved on, without ceremony.

And that has become their strength. They do not have a host of outstanding players, but they have a strong team.

There are not many players you could accuse of being short of commitment at Forest, I would imagine. But, if there are one or two, then getting them out now will be a step forward; it will be a positive move.

And, with McLeish having flexed his muscles this week, it might inspire a little fresh effort from any who were short of motivation.

Roads across Notts are clear of major delays and incidents this morning.
However, drivers are being warned to take care because of the risk of ice after freezing conditions overnight.
Some routes could see snow settling on them later today as the first snowfall of 2013 is forecast to arrive in the region.

ALEX McLeish today paid tribute to the character of his Nottingham Forest side – but warned his players he will expect nothing less for the rest of the season.

The Reds claimed a hard fought 2-1 win over Peterborough to bounce back from their humbling FA Cup defeat at the hands of Oldham last week.

And McLeish was particularly pleased with the strength of mind shown by his players, as they responded to seeing Scott Wootton cancel out Greg Halford's opening goal by carving out a late winning goal from Elliott Ward.

"They showed great character to bounce back from the horrible result last week (Oldham) and also great character to bounce back after Peterborough had equalised," said McLeish.

"That is a credit to them, because they kept going. But I want that character in every team I manage.

"I am pleased. I am relieved – it is tough in the dugout, because you can get frustrated with the play at times, but also excited by a lot of the other things the lads have produced.

 "You have to keep believing, you have to stay positive. Radi Majewski had a couple of great opportunities. The pull back was terrific from Coxy, but Radi put it over the bar and he is hurting about that one.

"But he had a great game otherwise and you have to tell the guys to put those things out their system. Don't dwell on it, because there is  a game to be won still. In the end we managed to do that."

McLeish gave a full league debut to 22-year-old keeper Karl Darlow, after telling Lee Camp he has no future at the club.

And the manager was more than happy with Darlow's performance, saying: "Karl was marvellous. The kid was really cool. I just told him to do what he had been doing to get into the team. I told him he did not need to be fancy or add anything to his game.

"The reason he was playing because of what we had already seen in him. He handled it really well, great credit to him for that.

"He made a good save at an important time for us. He had a very good debut for us. He is 22 now and that was the reason for the Lee (Camp) decision. We felt that Karl could play. But we will still be looking for an experienced keeper.

"I don't know how long that is going to take. It is not easy to say it will be in 24 hours, that it will be within a week… it is an on-going process."

McLeish was also impressed with the impact of loan signing Gonzalo Jara, who made his debut at right back after signing on loan from West Brom.

"Jara looked very competent on his debut, because he has not played for a while," he said. "He has good fitness, he is quick and his use of the ball is good, having grown up in South America. Being a Chilean international, he is comfortable in possession.

"He had a decent debut, to be fair to him."

DISGRACED TV star Jimmy Savile is alleged to have sexually assaulted a teenager in Alfreton.

A woman has told Derbyshire police the attack happened in 1966.

The claim follows allegations that Savile abused patients at a Notts mental hospital.

The alleged victim in the Alfreton incident, who was 16 at the time, said she could not remember the exact date of the attack but that it happened at a "public event".

A spokesman for Derbyshire police said: "In October 2012, we received a call from a woman who reported that she was sexually assaulted by Jimmy Savile in 1966. She was 16 at the time and the incident took place at a public event in Alfreton.

"We referred the report to the Metropolitan Police."

A report released by Scotland Yard says the Metropolitan police is investigating 214 criminal offences against Savile. They spread across 28 police forces in the UK.

Seven are alleged to have happened in Notts.

Among these claims is a report that the late TV and radio presenter abused a patient in 1971 at the old Saxondale Mental Hospital, near Bingham.

The hospital closed in 1988.

According to the report, Savile, who died in October 2011, abused his victims at 13 other medical sites, including hospitals, other mental health units and even a hospice.

THE number of younger police officers on duty in Notts has more than halved in the past three years, it has been revealed.

Figures released by the Home Office show the number of officers under 26 employed by Notts Police was 143 in 2009-10.

It fell to 55 officers in 2011-12 – a drop of 62 per cent. There were 89 in 2010-11.

Budget cuts and a freeze on recruitment have been blamed for the decline.

Notts Police and Crime Commissioner Paddy Tipping said: "They are pretty depressing figures that reflect the fact that there has been no recruitment. It does mean we are getting an unbalanced workforce."

Mr Tipping said that Notts Police "are struggling".

"It's an efficient police force, crime is coming down pretty quick but I'm very well aware of the strains that police officers are under."

He added: "There have been cuts in police numbers for some time now but these are too deep, too quick.

"We need to get more officers recruited and out on the streets."

The Post reported last week that 100 new police officers could be recruited in Notts within a year.

Mr Tipping pledged a total of 150 new officers over four years before being elected into the role in November.

He is due to announce when the first officers will arrive after finalising his first budget for Notts Police later this month.

Sergeant Phil Matthews, chairman of Notts Police Federation, said: "Because we have lost so many [officers] everywhere is having to be restructured.

"The frontline shifts have seen a massive decline in numbers.

"In the city centre, they used to parade on 20 officers on a night shift and now they'll only parade on six or seven.

"Basically, officers are being stretched further.

"Frontline policing is affected on a daily basis.

"I know the force is doing everything it can but it has been placed in an impossible position by the level of cuts."

The Home Office figures on officers' ages were released after a Freedom of Information request.

A Notts police spokesman said: "These figures reflect the impact of a recent recruitment freeze which had been imposed due to the well-documented budget constraints faced by the force."

Nationally, there were 9,088 officers aged under 26 in 2009-10. This fell to 4,758 officer in 2011-12 – a decrease of 48 per cent.

The highest fall was in forces covering Cleveland, North Wales and Staffordshire, where the number of officers aged under 26 has dropped by than 70 per cent.

A MEETING is being held in Arnold this morning to discuss how to solve ongoing problems with smells at the Dorket Head landfill site.

Representatives of FCC Environment, which operates the site; Gedling MP Vernon Coaker; Councillor Michael Payne, deputy leader of Gedling Borough Council; the authority's chief executive, John Robinson; and representatives of Notts County Council, which monitors the tip, will attend the event at the civic centre in Arnot Hill Park.

Mr Coaker said: "We will be fighting the corner of residents, because this has been going on for too long.

"There comes a point where enough is enough."

Some residents have complained that the meeting is not being held in public but Mr Coaker said it was "simply never meant to be a public meeting".

But, he added, there may be public meetings in the future.

George Rose, 66, of Brechin Close, Arnold – around a mile away from the site – said his Christmas had been "ruined by the toxic smell".

He added: "I've lived here for more than 20 years and have never had a Christmas or New Year's Eve so terrible.

"Once the smell has got inside the house it is very hard to get rid of it.

"I had breakfast this morning and suddenly it started again. I couldn't eat my food after that."

FCC Environment has previously said it is continuously improving the infrastructure of the site to tackle odour issues.

COUNCILS in Notts are owed more than £27 million in council tax.

Figures revealed by the Post today show that some of the money dates back as far as 1993 but the bulk stems from the past five years.

There is more than £9.5 million still outstanding from last year alone.

Nottingham City Council has the largest amount of unpaid tax owed to any council in Notts – a total of £15.5 million.

The news comes as councils across the county are having to make huge cuts to their budgets. Liz Silver, of Notts Disabled People's Movement, said: "Every penny the city council is not being able to recoup is going to have an effect on services."

Georgina Culley, leader of the Conservative group on the city council, said people who paid their bills would find it "galling" so much was left uncollected.

The Labour-controlled council's deputy leader, Councillor Graham Chapman, said: "No company ever collects all of its debt. We're currently collecting around 97.5 per cent and doing that despite a recession. We don't give up on the other 2.5 per cent. We are doing our best to pursue it."

PLANS have been revealed to build a new creative business centre at the Broadway cinema, in Hockley.

The independent cinema has submitted plans to the city council to transform the lower ground floor at the back of the building, which leads on to Heathcote Street.

It hopes to create an open-plan centre that would give young people access to the latest creative technologies, with business support also on hand.

While it has not yet been decided what sort of technology would be installed if the plans are given the go-ahead, the Broadway's chief executive, Steve Mapp, said it was researching options from 3D printers to hi-tech knitting machines.

He said: "It's a place where ideas can be turned into new applications, products and services. It's trying to bring arts, technology, design and planning together in one space."

There would be an enterprise manager to help run the centre and external experts from different creative fields would be brought in to support artists.

The centre would benefit from the ultra-fast broadband that the Broadway already has in place.

Mr Mapp said: "It would create a focus for the new creative business economy and provide a space where young people can engage with people from the private sector, or higher education, in a non-formal education setting.

"The Government is interested in growth and we're all interested in funding new employment opportunities for young people.

"The creative industries have been recognised as one of the new emerging industries and opportunities for employment.

"We're providing a service that can connect globally with markets across the world, using new technology, and that's something Nottingham has a great strength in."

However, the plans still need to be approved by the city council – and depend on two separate funding streams, which have not yet been confirmed.

Currently, the space is being used for storage. But if the plans go ahead, the new business centre would have its own entrance on Heathcote Street.

The city council recently signed a "city deal" with the Government, which will bring £60 million investment into Nottingham.

It will create a "creative quarter" in the Lace Market and Hockley area, with a number of different schemes and grant funding made available for new creative businesses.

The Broadway's proposals are not directly related to this, although the media centre is seen as being at the core of the creative quarter.

MORE than 20 community sports clubs across Notts have been given a slice of a £1 million pot to encourage more people to take up sport.

Notts County Council set up the Sports Legacy Fund after the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The applications closed on December 31 and the first £28,000 worth of grants – ranging from £500 to £2,000 – have just been handed out.

Among the teams receiving funding is Hucknall Sports Youth Football Club, which bid for £768 to replace ageing Mini Soccer equipment which has been used for 10 years.

Alan Spray, club chairman, said increased numbers of children taking part in the sport meant the equipment needed to be in good shape.

He said: "We are delighted to have received this funding.

"We have 21 different teams to concentrate on within the club and in the current economic climate, money is a major issue, so this funding is a great help."

Swimmer Ollie Hynd, 18, of Kirkby-in-Ashfield – who won gold, silver and bronze in the 2012 Paralympic Games – has praised the scheme.

He said: "There has been a terrific response from people across Notts towards the county council's sports legacy fund – it was a great idea and we wish everyone luck with their bids.

"The level of interest demonstrates the passion for sport in our county."

Another team to get funding was Rushcliffe Squash Club, based at Rushcliffe Leisure Centre, in Boundary Road, West Bridgford.

The club has around 100 members but just ten per cent of them are women and ten per cent are children.

The club asked for £320 to start an outreach programme to attract more women and youngsters under the age of 16 into the game.

Club chairman Neil Coles said: "It was a great start to the new year to hear we have been successful from the county council with this funding.

"It means we can spend the £320 awarded on coaching equipment and laying on some free sessions to encourage, in particular, more women and children to take up the sport.

"Squash is great fun in a competitive environment and has a good social element too."

Councillor John Cottee, of Notts County Council said: "We are delighted that the Sports Legacy Fund has captured the imagination of local people and it is superb that so many people have taken the time and effort to apply.

"We anticipated a need for sports funding following London 2012 and the response has been terrific.

"We are also determined to ensure we build on the legacy of the Games without delay – which is why we are pleased to announce the first of the small scale grants.

"Congratulations to all of those successful applications – this money is sure to make a real difference and we look forward to looking at more of the bids in the coming weeks."

NOTTS County were not forced to let big-earner Lee Hughes go because of their cash problems, insists boss Keith Curle.

Striker Hughes, 36, left Meadow Lane for Port Vale just 24 hours before chairman Ray Trew revealed the club is having to make cuts to claw back a £70,000 overspend on wages or risk sanctions from the Football League.

But Curle says the two are not connected – and that Hughes wanted to go because he will earn a deal for next season if he fires Vale to promotion into League One, while the Magpies were not going to offer him a new contract at the end of this season.

Hughes scored on his debut for the Valiants on Saturday as Notts' league game at Portsmouth was called off two hours before kick-off because of a waterlogged pitch.

"Lee came to see me and told me what Port Vale had offered him and he said it was the right time for him to move because he has the opportunity to play more games and get another year's contract," said Curle.

"He said he wanted to leave and he went with our best wishes because he has been a fantastic servant to the club.

"When a player makes their mind up they want to go you have got to let them go.

"It's very difficult to sit there and say 'no' you've got to stay.

"If it had been a 24-year-old striker that was scoring a lot of goals, it would have been different, but Lee's 36.

"It was not a financial situation. It was purely based on Lee wanting to make a career move."

Hughes' exit has left Notts with just two strikers, in Yoann Arquin and Enoch Showunmi, until Curle can bolster his frontline.

And he says Showunmi is eager to be given a chance, having only started one league game all season.

"Enoch is chomping at the bit to get this chance and he's got ability – he's just got to bring it all together and show it," he said.

NICHOLAS Dyer, 40, of Willowdene, Cotgrave, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in Cotgrave on September 26. He was fined £50, and ordered to pay £50 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

MARCO Richie, 18, of Church Road, Greasley, was given a 12-month conditional discharge after he took a car without the owner's consent.

He admitted taking the Volkswagen Golf in Greasley on December 24. Richie was also fined £225 and had his driving record endorsed with six penalty points after also pleading guilty to driving the car in Church Road without insurance. He faced no separate penalty for driving the car without a licence, which he also admitted.

NATHAN Weir, 23, of Blackthorpe Close, Balderton, pleaded guilty to disorderly behaviour while drunk in King Edward Street, Nottingham, on December 22. He was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

INNOCENT Chirombo, 27, of Windmill Lane, Sneinton, has been banned from driving for two years after being caught drink-driving in Nottingham city centre.

Chirombo pleaded guilty to having driven a Volkswagen Passat in Upper Parliament Street on December 2 while he had 94 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – exceeding the 35 micrograms legal limit. He was also ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work within the next 12 months and pay £85 prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge. Chirombo also admitted two related charges of driving without a licence or valid insurance. He was not given any further penalties for those.

MIROSLAW Wrobel, 26, of York Road, Shirebrook, has been banned from driving for 15 months. He admitted driving a Renault Megane in Addison Street, Nottingham city centre, on December 23 with 55 micrograms of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath – exceeding the 35 micrograms limit. He was fined £120 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge. Wrobel also pleaded guilty to a related charge of driving without a licence. He faced no separate penalty.

BEN Slodczyk, 22, of Waterdown Road, Clifton, has been jailed for 49 days after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman by beating her in Clifton on December 2. He also admitted assaulting the same woman by beating her in Nottingham on November 24 and was jailed for a further 49 days.

LUIS Carneiro, 46, of Thoresby Dale, Hucknall, admitted stealing £38.50 of meat from the Co-op, in Sneinton, on November 13. He also pleaded guilty to stealing two bottles of Aramis fragrance, valued at £84, from Debenhams in Nottingham city centre on November 19. Sentencing was adjourned until tomorrow for a report to be prepared. Carneiro was remanded in custody until the hearing.

EDDIE Brown, 26, of Hereford Road, Bakersfield, has been ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work over the next 12 months. He pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards two people in Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, on October 1. Brown was also ordered to pay £200 prosecution costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

ASHLEIGH Crofts, 18, of Gladstone Street, Forest Fields, was fined £100 after pleading guilty to assaulting a woman in Forest Fields on July 22. She was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £15 victim surcharge. Crofts admitted causing criminal damage to a double-glazed window belonging to the woman, also in Forest Fields, on the same date. She was fined £50.

CALLUM Thorpe, 19, of Park Road, Barnston, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour in the Old Market Square on December 23. He was fined £100 and ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

ASHLEY Young, 19, of Sloethorne Gardens, Arnold, admitted twice stealing headphones from John Lewis in the Victoria Centre within the space of two days. He stole items worth £169.99 on November 30 and worth £179.99 on December 1. Young also pleaded guilty to failing to surrender to custody at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on January 2, having been released on bail. He was sentenced to a six-month supervision order and must pay a £60 victim surcharge.

MATTHEW Weir, 32, of Clipsham Close, Balderton, pleaded guilty to fly-tipping. He dumped a disused water tank and a cardboard box containing insulation material in a car park at Harrier Grove, Hucknall, on June 20. He was fined £400 and ordered to pay £250 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

GAVIN Daniel, 27, of Park Crescent, Eastwood, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on the A610 at Nuthall on April 12. He was fined £150, had his driving licence endorsed with five penalty points and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

NOTTS woke up to a chilly start this morning – with snow predicted to fall throughout the day.

With temperatures expected to hover around freezing for the next few days, the gritting team at Notts County Council has been out in force, spreading 200 tonnes of grit on the main roads of the county.

Charles Powell, a forecaster at the Met Office, said the recent cold spell was down to cold air from the north-east.

"We've had very mild conditions in recent weeks, due to mild air from the west. But the cold air from the north-east of the UK is now starting to take control of the country.

"There's a battle between the cold and mild air and the cold air is winning."

Mr Powell said a small amount of snow was expected in parts of Notts last night.

But more was to be expected this afternoon and potentially more tomorrow.

"Motorists should take extra care due to icy conditions," he added.

Andy Warrington, service director for highways at Notts County Council, said the authority had plenty of grit to cope with potential extreme weather.

A team of 21 gritters was distributing 200 tonnes of salt on roads all over the county last night .

With snow expected today, an extra shift of gritters was also tasked to salt roads from 6am.

"We have increased the gritting budget to £2.79 million this year and had 22,000 tonnes of salt brought into stock, which is 12,000 tonnes more than Government recommendations and 7,400 tonnes more than last year.

"We have about 16,000 tonnes left, which is more than enough."

Councillor Richard Jackson, cabinet member for transport and highways, said: "We have stockpiled more salt than ever before and will be doing everything possible to respond to adverse weather conditions in the coming weeks."

Glenise Martin, secretary of Nottingham Elders' Forum, is urging older people to stay indoors, keep their windows shut at night, have plenty of hot drinks and eat at least one hot meal a day.

She said: "Old people leave their windows open at night-time but when it is like this, you really can't afford to do that.

"And getting plenty of hot drinks and making sure you have at least one hot meal a day is also very important.

"Lots of old people just eat biscuits and sandwiches because they don't think it's worth bothering to cook, especially when they live on their own.

"But it is worth it.

"And they should not brave the cold when conditions are as icy as this.

"Old people's bones break much more easily when they slip.

"Walking on icy roads can be very dangerous for the elderly."

Birklands Primary and Nursery School, in Appleton Street, Warsop, will be shut to all pupils today, because of heating problems. Staff will still attend.

The closure was reported to the county council on Friday.

BEFORE Notts soldier Jake Ward went on his first tour of duty in Afghanistan, he got a send-off to remember – an early surprise 21st birthday party.

Now, with another possible tour on the horizon, he has gone one better – returning to the same pub where he had his birthday to celebrate getting married to childhood sweetheart Harley McCartney-Martin.

The couple tied the knot on Saturday at the Council House, in Old Market Square, before heading to the Fellows, Morton and Clayton pub, in Canal Street, for their reception.

Jake serves with the 2nd Battalion Mercian regiment, currently in training for possible deployment to Afghanistan later in the year.

With the prospect of this looming, Jake, 22, decided to pop the question to Harley, 19.

The pair have known each other since Harley was six and Jake was nine as they grew up as family friends in St Ann's.

Jake said: "I've been to places like Kenya and Afghanistan and I thought if I propose, it will strengthen us while I'm away and it will give us something extra to look forward to.

"It definitely does keep me going. When times are hard, I always want to come back and make her happy."

The last time the Mercians were sent to Afghanistan was October 2011.

Back then, Jake's friends and family threw him a surprise birthday party because he was going to be away for his 21st birthday.

Around 30 people joined him for one last party at the Fellows, Morton and Clayton pub before he left.

And the couple, of Netherfield, decided on the same venue, for their post-wedding celebrations.

About 40 family and friends were at the ceremony and about 70 toasted the couple at the reception.

After the ceremony, Harley said: "I'm so proud to have married him. It was an amazing feeling.

"It's hard when he goes away but it's worth it when he comes home. When you are apart a lot, you appreciate each other more. We are a whole lot stronger because of it.

"You can't help but worry when he is away, but you can't change anything."

They have a young son, Cameron, two, who was also at Saturday's ceremony.

Jake added: "I'll be sad to be leaving again but it's my job. She knows I will always be going away and it makes us stronger."

Since his last tour, Jake has been promoted to lance corporal.

He said: "It's a step up. I'm a first-rank commander. I think it goes hand in hand with getting married."

Later this year, the family are due to move to Belfast, Northern Ireland, where Jake is based, so Harley can be closer to Jake when he gets home from tours abroad.

Have you recently celebrated your wedding? Send us a picture and details to newsdesk @nottinghampostgroup.co.uk

POLICE say a man who went on the run from an open prison could have links to Notts.

Sean Cawthray, 41, was reported missing from HMP Leyhill, in Gloucestershire, last Monday night.

He is originally from Leeds but is known to have links to other areas, including Leicestershire, the South Yorkshire area and Notts.

He is white, 5ft 9ins to 5ft 11ins tall, of medium build, with short brown hair and blue eyes.

When last seen, he was wearing a pair of silver-coloured trainers, cream combat trousers and a light-blue top.

He may have been wearing either a worker's fluorescent jacket, a grey jacket with orange patches or a black jacket with a blue patch.

Detective Inspector Jill Kells, of South Gloucestershire CID, said: "Our efforts to locate Sean Cawthray continue and we will continue working tirelessly until he is apprehended and returned to prison."

Police have urged people not to approach Cawthray, but to call 999.