A SIBERIAN husky racing event had to be cancelled over the weekend – owing to the wintry conditions.

The dogs might be able to cope with temperatures as low as -50C, but it was the ice that meant the British Siberian Husky Racing event at Sherwood Pines Forest Park was called off.

"It wasn't an easy decision to make but when we checked the course on Friday there was a lot of ice and given the speeds the racers go at we decided it was too dangerous for the meet to go ahead," said organiser Sharon Sargent.

"If it was just snow on the ground then we would have been fine, but it was just compacted ice.

"The safety and welfare of the riders has to come first – they travel at up to 25mph and it just wasn't safe when we inspected the course.

"It is a real shame, for both us as organisers who have spent a long time setting the event up and the competitors who were looking forward to the weekend."

The meet has now been cancelled until next year.

While the icy conditions saw off the husky racing, hundreds of people flocked to parks and fields across the county to make the most of the snow.

People wrapped up and took to their sledges at Woodthorpe Grange Park to make the most of the steep hill.

Among them was Fran Reynolds and her 10-year-old son Louis. Mrs Reynolds, 40, of Southview Road, Carlton, said: "This is the first time that we've come here sledging and it's fantastic.

"It beats doing the chores at home, everyone's having a good time and it's just been great fun.

"I understand there's more snow forecast but that doesn't worry me – the buses have been brilliant in getting us around."

Louis added: "It's great fun playing in the snow, making snowmen and sledging – I'm glad the snow has lasted all the way through to the weekend."

Evan Shaw, nine, was also sledging with five-year-old sister Megan. He said: "We've had snowball fights and gone sledging and built two snowmen, it's been excellent."

Notts County fans helped ensure their match against Sheffield United went ahead on Saturday. Snow had covered the Meadow Lane pitch but fans helped clear it along with club staff and youth team players.

Manager Keith Curle said that it was a "coming together" of the football club.

A 10-YEAR-OLD girl has made a heartfelt plea for people to sign up to the organ donor register in a bid to help her gran, who needs a lung transplant.

Carol Thomas, 52, of Rivergreen Clifton, has to spend 18 hours a day on oxygen and survives with a lung capacity of just 20 per cent, due to a genetic condition.

Her family, including 10-year-old granddaughter Bayleigh Thomas, is today urging people to sign up to the organ register, which could save their grandmother's life – and others like her.

Mrs Thomas is one of four people waiting for a lung transplant in Notts at the moment.

The same number of people have died in the last five years while waiting for one.

In a heart-warming letter, printed in the Post today, Balyeigh says that new lungs for her "mama" would also mean a new life for her.

She wrote: "Day to day our life is a struggle at the moment, because my mama is not as fit and active as she used to be."

Speaking to the Post, Mrs Thomas says all she wants to do is be able to work again and play with her grand children.

"I can't even pick up my youngest grand-daughter and I can't carry her around," she added.

POLICE are warning people to be on their guard after an elderly woman had cash stolen by a man clearing snow from her driveway.

Two men called at the house in Banks Avenue, in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, at about 4pm yesterday.

After clearing the drive one of the men asked for payment. He then asked to use the toilet and then for a drink of water. When the woman returned with the drink the man left hurriedly and she noticed cash had been stolen.

Investigating officer DC Stuart Temple, of Mansfield North CID, said: "This is an example of callous offenders exploiting the vulnerability of an elderly victim."

The man who went into the house is white, of slim build, with dark hair and a moustache. He was wearing grey clothing. The second man, who remained outside, is also white, of medium build and around 5ft 9ins tall. He had short mousey-coloured hair and is believed to be aged between 20 and 23-years-old. He also wore grey clothing.

A white pick-up, possibly a Nissan Navarro type vehicle, was seen nearby and police believe it may be linked.

Anyone who has any information about this incident or who may have received a visit from these two men should telephone Notts Police on 101 and quote incident number 000520-19012013 or ask to speak to Mansfield North CID.

Alternatively, call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

HELLO and welcome to the most depressing day of 2013 – no don't go straight back to bed, it's not as bad as all that, honestly.

Today has been officially designated Blue Monday, the bleakest date in the calendar, because we're all skint, it's cold and dark outside and we've got nothing to look forward to for ages.

The concept is based on an admittedly dubious equation devised by a psychology professor a few years back – which decrees the third Monday in January is always the most miserable day of the year.

The formula – comprising a number of variables including (W) weather, (D) debt, (d) monthly salary, (T) time since Christmas, (M) low motivational levels and (NA) the need to take action – has largely been discredited as nothing but a PR gimmick.

And yet most people agree with the sentiment expressed by the "Blue Monday" theory.

Stephen Joseph, professor of psychology, health and social care at the University of Nottingham is one of many experts who remains sceptical about the whole idea.

"I'm not sure there's even such a thing as Blue Monday," he says.

However, Professor Joseph does add there are plenty of good reasons for us to try and "cheer up" in terms of the effect on our health and wellbeing. "There's been quite a lot of research recently on positive psychology and how it can make people feel better generally," he said.

"One of the most important elements of this is the role of gratitude. People who feel grateful are happier, they sleep better and they are less prone to stress.

"I'm talking about people whose approach to life is to have a more grateful attitude rather than to dwell on bad things that have happened.

"What I would suggest is for everyone to take some time aside every day and reflect on things that have gone well.

"Maybe take just 15 minutes out to have a think about this and that would be a very good approach, especially at this time of year."

Of course, in these days of economic gloom, there is no denying that people are generally feeling more stressed.

And that can have worrying implications on health.

But stress needn't always be problematic, according to the Mental Health Foundation.

In small degrees, stress is a normal response and can actually be beneficial, such as making us perform better under pressure.

Certain situations trigger the release of stress hormones adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol which, among other things, raise blood pressure and increase heart rate, preparing the body for "fight or flight".

With short-term, or "normal" stress, hormone levels will return to normal once a threat has passed. However, it's when stress is ongoing that it can develop into more serious mental health problems, like depression and anxiety disorders, as well as having a significant impact on physical health, which is why it's so important that stress is properly managed.

The Mental Health Foundation. has just published a new guide, How To Manage And Reduce Stress, on this subject, which is available to download for free from their website (www.mentalhealth.org.uk).

"Too many of us still aren't making managing stress a priority," says the foundation's chief executive Dr Andrew McCulloch.

"It's important to recognise the symptoms early to help figure out ways of coping, and save you from adopting unhealthy coping methods such as drinking or smoking."

Meanwhile, the official Beat Blue Monday website suggests ten things you can do to counter the effects of the most depressing day, including contacting a friend or relative, taking a break or being nice to a stranger.

Interestingly, though, when you click on the link, only nine suggestions appear. It's enough to make you really stressed...

IT WAS a point against Derby, but it felt almost like a winning draw. It was more than just a solitary point for Nottingham Forest.

And the way the Rams were time-wasting towards the end, in front of their home Pride Park crowd, showed how well the Reds played.

For me, Alex McLeish's side deserved the bragging rights at the weekend and after three straight defeat to their rivals I think the players and fans will be happy with what they witnessed.

Jamie Ward's leveller cancelled out Chris Cohen's first-half strike but, all in all, it was a solid performance and one that can now be built on in the coming weeks.

I must be honest, Derby have a great home record and I feared the Reds might be overrun in the middle of the park, that the Rams' engine room would win the battle and therefore the match.

But McLeish is adding a bit of steel to his side, a bit of bite and that is showing. And one player for me who has a great chance of finally stamping his authority on the team is Henri Lansbury.

The £1m buy from Arsenal had not featured much since his summer move under old boss Sean O'Driscoll, yet he has won promotion from the Championship while on loan at Norwich and West Ham in the past.

At Pride Park, I thought he played well and, with games under his belt, there is a real chance for him to push on.

The lad has a bit of class about him, can get stuck in and get up and down the pitch. He will only get better and better. I still feel there is a need for a Paul McKenna figurehead in the middle of the park, someone to play the Simon Gillett role but while being a real leader out on the pitch.

But Lansbury can be like a new addition for the Reds now and that can only be a good thing for the club as McLeish looks to build a promotion push.

Yes, Cohen got a bit lucky with his goal after completely missing his first attempt but when it fell invitingly for a second stab at it, he produced a cool finish to get Forest the lead.

You have to give him huge credit for that and I know Gillett got robbed of the ball for Derby's equaliser, but I don't want to dwell too much on it because, overall, it was a solid performance from Forest.

In the end, there was only one team that was going to win it and I feel Simon Cox is starting to look sharp again up top.

Afterwards McLeish told how the owners have made it clear how much they wanted the win so it shows how passionate they are getting, realising how big a rivalry it is between the two clubs.

And I know they have been quick to pull the trigger with a few sackings last week, like chief executive Mark Arthur, but it also shows they are not afraid to get things done.

McLeish is not afraid to speak his mind. He is animated on the touchline and the Scot is not one to be crossed. But that is not a bad thing to have in the dressing room, somebody prepared to bark orders because the players will not want to cross the line. They will do what they are told, no questions asked.

With that steel, it will help develop that winning attitude, or that mentality not to lose a game, at whatever cost.

With that, and the obvious backing in the transfer market from the owners when it comes to new signings as well, I really feel Forest can now move up the table, close the gap on the play-offs and then cement their place in the top six.

The weekend was more than a draw, more than a point. The performance proved Forest are heading in the right direction under McLeish.

LESS than a year after The Osmonds bid farewell to the UK, three of them are back in Boogie Nights, the 70s musical co-created by EastEnders star Shane Ritchie.

It will bring Jimmy, Merrell and Jay to the Royal Concert Hall next month, where the trio played to a sell-out crowd last April as part of what was billed their final UK tour.

"We will still perform together but a proper tour like that, that really was it," says Jimmy Osmond, 49, from his home in Utah.

The tour was tinged with sadness for the trio as brother Wayne was unable to perform.

"We were really concerned about his health and then the worst happened when just before the tour he had a stroke.

"We'd already sold around 100,000 tickets so we went ahead with just the three of us. And the fans were great. It was the best tour we ever did."

Jimmy was already committed to join the likes of Gareth Gates, Chico and EastEnder Louisa Lytton in Boogie Nights before the Osmonds tour had finished.

"My brothers were like 'hey, that was a blast, can we come?' So they kind of invited themselves," he laughs.

"I called the producer and he said 'absolutely, bring them along!'"

Boogie Nights was the West End's original jukebox musical, conceived by Jon Conway and Shane Richie in 1997.

"It was the first musical that I was in over in the UK," says Jimmy, who starred in it during its West End run in 2004.

"I'd been in Joseph and other shows in America but it really kicked off a lot of opportunities for me. After that I was in Chicago and Grease. It was when I was in Chicago that the bug really bit me. It's fun to part of a team.

"So this kind of show is nothing unusual for me, but my brothers have never done anything like this before."

The latest tour is more of a celebration of the music from the original show and features 70 songs.

"The play that was a hit in the West End was written by Shane and Jon about their experiences growing up in the 70s.

"I think that's why it has been successful; because people who come to see it are experiencing how they felt growing up in the 70s.

"And that's always a fun thing to be part of."

As well as doing Osmonds songs, the brothers will be covering hits from the decade by other artists such as Stevie Wonder and the Bee Gees.

Their visit to the UK coincides with Donny and Marie Osmond's arena tour, which comes to the Capital FM Arena on January 27.

"When I committed to Boogie Nights I didn't know that they were going to do their tour at the same time," says Jimmy. "I'm thrilled. My sister hasn't spent a lot of time in the UK.

"I used to business manager her and a bunch of other stuff, so I'm looking forward to taking her around some of the places that I love there.

"I've been in Nottingham quite a bit so I know the town pretty well."

Boogie Nights, featuring The Osmonds, Gareth Gates, Louisa Lytton, Andy Abraham, Chico and Shane Richie Junior, comes to the Royal Concert Hall on Tuesday, February 12. Tickets are £29.50 to £35.50 from the box office, call 0115 989 5555 or go to www.trch.co.uk.

ALEX McLeish says he still has the final say on player recruitment at Nottingham Forest – and hopes to make at least one new addition before the end of the week.

The Reds boss admits he is in the dark when it comes to the changes to the club hierarchy, following the departure of chief executive Mark Arthur and head of player recruitment Keith Burt on Thursday.

And McLeish has not yet been told whether the club's owners, the Al Hasawi family – who also sacked club ambassador Frank Clark last week - plan to replace either man or create a position to help with the running of the club.

But the Scotsman was happy to see his players remain undistracted by the off-the-field turmoil, as they secured a point from the East Midlands derby at Pride Park.

And, regardless of the changes to the hierarchy, he hopes the club are close to making new additions.

"We have not sat down to discuss things. But the most important thing for me is choosing who goes on that pitch and who (in terms of players) comes into the club," said McLeish. "I am waiting on the owners' plan. I have not been briefed on the way forward.

"But I am picking the players, in terms of targets. We have had a few run by us by agents and I have said no to them. I have a clear idea of who we want. We have to bring players in who will enhance the squad. We are not talking about £5m fees or £30k a week wages.

"We want to remain prudent, in terms of the club, and make sure we only bring in players who will make us better.

"What do we need to win promotion or get to the play-offs, to go up automatically? I don't know. But I think we need four or five, if you include a couple on loan.

"We have to get on with it. These things happen at clubs all over the country; all over the world. In my day there was turmoil in the boardroom when I was a player. You just concentrate on your game.

"You show what you can do for the team. It is all about that and the players did that well (in 1-1 draw at Derby)."

Forest's targets include Birmingham winger Chris Burke, Peterborough's attacking midfielder George Boyd and Southampton defender Danny Fox.

And, while Peterborough are playing hard ball, a deal for Burke is understood to be close.

"I expect something to happen. I know the owners are keen for something to happen, so that they can show they are backing us," said McLeish. "I think the players would welcome new additions. These players are capable of getting into the top six.

"But I want to give them a helping hand, to make it more realistic for us to do it. Something might happen this week. But people play a game in the transfer window. We know what is happening and we will try to push one or two things. But we do not want to appear desperate."

• Denewood Learning Centre
• St Margaret Clitherow Primary School 
• Bulwell Academy except Year 10 are to attend for the exam
• Djanogly City Academy
• Farnborough School Technology College
• Fernwood Infant and Junior School, Wollaton 
• Whitemoor Academy
• Rosehill School, Bilborough 
• Unity Learning Centre will be 
• Southwark Primary School in Old Basford

• Abbey Primary, Mansfield
• Abbey Gates Primary School
• Abbey Hill Primary and Nursery, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• All Saints CofE Infant, Huthwaite
• All Saints' Catholic School, Mansfield - Please note the school WILL be open for students sitting external exams today, students should make every effort to get into school.
• Arnbrook Primary School
• Asquith Primary School
• Annesley Primary & Nursery
• Annie Holgate Infant And Nursery
• Annie Holgate Junior School
• Arnold Hill Academy - School is OPEN for students taking exams. Please see school website for more information
• Arnold Seely Church Primary School
• Arnold View Primary School
• Ashfield School, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• Bagthorpe Primary School, Underwood
• Beardall Street Primary School
• Beckingham Primary School
• Beech Hill School, Mansfield
• Berry Hill Primary, Mansfield
• Big Wood School
• Birklands Primary & Nursery
• Bleasby C Of E Primary School
• Blidworth Oaks Primary School
• Bracken Hill School, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• Brierley Forest Primary & Nursery School
• Brinsley Primary, Eastwood
• Broomhill Junior School
• The Brunts School, Mansfield
• Burton Joyce Primary School
• Butler's Hill Infant & Nursery School, Hucknall
• The Carlton Academy
• Carlton Digby School, Nottingham
• Carlton Le Willows Academy
• Chilwell School
• Christ the King Catholic Academy, Arnold - Students due to sit A level and GCSE examinations should still attend as the exam will go ahead.
• Church Vale Primary School & Foundation Unit
• Colonel Frank Seely School
• Coppice Farm Primary, Arnold
• Crescent Primary School & Nursery
• Crompton View Primary, Bilsthorpe
• Cuckney C of E Primary, Warsop
• Dalestorth Primary & Nursery, Sutton-in-Ashfield
• Daneswood Junior School
• Daybrook Learning Centre
• Dean Hole C Of E Primary
• Derrymount School, Arnold
• Dunham On Trent C of E Primary School
• Eastlands Junior School
• Eastwood Comprehensive - Exams will continue as normal - candidates must make every effort to attend.
• Edgewood Primary & Nursery School
• The Elizabethan Academy, Retford
• Elkesley Primary & Nursery School
• Forest Glade Primary
• Forest Town Primary & Nursery, Mansfield
• Forest View Junior School
• Fountaindale Special School, Mansfield
• Gamston C Of E Voluntary Aided Primary
• Garibaldi College, Mansfield
• Gateford Park Primary School
• Greenwood Primary & Nursery School, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• Haddon Primary & Nursery
• Halam C Of E Primary School
• Hawthorne Primary & Nursery
• Healdswood Infant & Nursery, Sutton-in-Ashfield
• Heatherley Primary School
• Heathlands Primary, Rainworth
• Hetts Lane Infant & Nursery School
• High Oakham Primary, Mansfield
• Hillocks Primary & Nursery, Sutton-in-Ashfield
• Hillside Primary & Nursery School
• Holgate Comprehensive School - Still open for year 11 and A-level examinations students
• Holly Primary School, Mansfield
• Holly Hill Primary & Nursery School
• The Holy Family Catholic Primary School
• Hucknall National C of E Primary School
• Intake Farm Primary School & Nursery
• Jacksdale Primary & Nursery School
• James Peacock Infant & Nursery
• Jeffries Primary and Nursery, Kirkby-in-Ashfield
• John Davies Primary School & Nursery
• John Hunt Primary & Nursery School
• John T. Rice Infant & Nursery
• The Joseph Whitaker School
• Killisick Junior, Arnold
• King Edward Primary and Nursery, Mansfield
• King Edwin Primary and Nursery, Edwinstowe
• Kingston Park Primary & Nursery School
• Kingsway Primary School
• Kirkby College - Year 11 GCSE Geography students should report to school for their exam at 12.30 pm today. Arrangements will be in place to ensure the exam takes place.
• Kirkby Woodhouse Primary & Nursery School
• Kirklington Primary
• Kneesall C of E Primary, Newark
• Lake View Primary School, Rainworth
• Lambley Primary School, Arnold
• Lammas School, Sutton-in-Ashfield
• Landmarks Specialist College, Worksop
• Larkfields Infant School
• Larkfields Junior School
• Leamington Primary & Nursery, Sutton-in-Ashfield
• Leas Park Junior School, Mansfield Woodhouse
• Leen Mills Primary, Hucknall
• Lovers' Lane Primary School
• Manners Sutton Primary School
• Manor Park Infant & Nursery
• Mansfield Primary Academy
• Mapperley Plains Primary
• Meden School
• Morven Park Primary School
• Muskham Primary
• Netherfield Infant & Nursery School
• Netherfield Primary
• Nettleworth Infant and Nursery, Mansfield
• The Newark Academy
• Newark Orchard School, Newark
• Newlands Junior School
• Newstead Primary School, Newstead
• Normanton On Soar Primary School
• Northfield Primary & Nursery
• Norwell C Of E Primary School
• Oak Tree Primary School, Mansfield
• Ollerton Primary School
• Orchard Primary & Nursery School
• Peafield Lane Primary and Nursery, Mansfield Woodhouse
• Phoenix Infant and Nursery School
• Pinewood Infant & Nursery School, Arnold
• Portland College
• Priestsic Primary School
• Python Hill Primary School, Rainworth
• Quarrydale Foundation School - All students with examinations are still to attend.
• Rampton Primary School
• Ramsden Primary School
• Ravenshead C of E Primary, Ravenshead
• Redgate Special School, Mansfield
• The Redhill Academy - School remaining open for all exams. Students concerned should attend 15 minutes prior to the exam start time
• Redlands Primary and Nursery, Worksop
• Retford Oaks Academy, Retford
• Richard Bonington Primary & Nursery, Arnold
• Robert Mellors Primary & Nursery School
• Robin Hood Primary and Nursery
• Rosebrook Primary School, Mansfield
• Sutherland House School
• Samuel Barlow Primary School
• Selston C Of E Infant & Nursery
• Selston High School
• Sherwood E-act Academy
• Sherwood Junior School
• Sir Edmund Hillary Primary School
• Sir John Sherbrooke Junior School
• Southwark Primary School
• Springbank Primary School
• St Andrew's C Of E Primary
• St Anne's C Of E Primary School
• St Augustine's Infant & Nursery
• St Augustine's Junior
• St Edmund's C Of E Primary School & Foundation Unit
• St Luke's C Of E Aided Primary School, Worksop
• St John's C Of E Primary School
• St Joseph's Catholic Primary & Nursery School
• St Margaret Clitherow Catholic Primary & Nursery School
• St Mary Magdalene Primary, Hucknall
• St Mary's C Of E Primary, Edwinstowe
• St Matthew's C Of E Primary
• St Michael's C of E Primary School, Farnsfield
• St Patricks Catholic Primary School, Mansfield
• St Peter's CofE Primary & Nursery, Mansfield
• St Swithuns CE Primary School in Retford will close at 12.45
• Sutherland House School
• Sutton Community Academy - Closed to staff and students, with the exception of those taking examinations, who should come in as arranged.
• Sutton Road Primary School, Mansfield
• Thrumpton Primary School
• Tuxford Academy - Will be manned by skeleton staff as external exams will still run. Any students sitting external exams will be expected in school. Please see the school website for all updates
• Underwood C Of E Primary, Broxtowe
• Unity Learning Centre, Sutton-in-Ashfield
• Wainwright Primary Academy, Mansfield
• West Notts College - all sites, except for A Level exam students who should make their own way to Thoresby Street (the exam centre) in Mansfield for the scheduled time of their exam
• Whitemoor Academy
• Willow Farm Primary
• Wynndale Primary, Mansfield
• Yeoman Park School, Mansfield Woodhouse

CO-OP department stores in Derby, Ilkeston and Long Eaton are to be closed, it has been announced today.

The West Bridgford Department store, in Central Avenue, the Ilkeston Department Store, in South Street and the Long Eaton Bed Centre, in Cross Street are all to close.

None of the food stores are affected by the closures, the company has said.

Midlands Co-operative confirmed the Society's plans to close its Fashion & Home business

MartynCheatle, chief executive, said: "Major changes in the retailing sector and the ever increasing growth in online shopping over recent years have created significant and fundamental challenges for the Society's Fashion & Home business. 

"Whilst our other businesses have flourished, the Society has been incurring substantial losses from the Fashion & Home operation for more than a decade and in spite of sustained efforts to improve performance, the latest financial projections indicate a further decline with increasing losses in future years. 

"Unfortunately, efforts to sell the business as a going concern have proved unsuccessful and after much consideration it is with great regret that the Board of Directors has taken this very difficult decision to close the Fashion & Home business. Please be assured this decision was not taken lightly and was necessary to protect the long-term future and growth of the Society as a whole. 

"A plan has been put in place for a phased closure of nine Fashion & Home stores over the next six months.

"This could potentially affect some 388 store-based employees, although every effort will be made to redeploy employees into other business areas and it is anticipated that the Society's ambitious new food store development programme will help facilitate this.  

"The Society is also exploring viable change of use options for the Fashion & Home sites. 

"As stated we will fully investigate redeployment opportunities in surrounding business units and Society operations. The Society is in full consultation with all affected staff and trade unions.

"All customer orders and gift vouchers will be honoured, and customer enquires will continue to be handled by staff at our Fashion & Home stores during the phased closure.

"In addition staff in our local food stores will be able to provide ongoing customer service; alternatively customers can contact the Society's Customer Service team at our Head Office in Lichfield."

Other stores set to close are Chesterfield Department Store, Elder Way, Coalville Department Store, Belvoir Road, Derby Department Store, Exchange Street, Stafford Department Store, Gaolgate Street, Wigston Department Store, Bell Street

MANSFIELD Town's match at home to Nuneaton Town has been quickly re-arranged.

The game, originally scheduled for tomorrow, was postponed this morning following heavy snow in Mansfield.

The match will now be played on Tuesday,  March 26 (7.45pm)  at the One Call Stadium.

A FORMER semi-professional footballer who was part of a gang that smashed their way into a student house has been jailed.

Reiss Morley was among masked raiders who forced their way into a shared home in Foxhall Road, Forest Fields, on October 14 last year.

They smashed the front door with a hammer and rounded up four terrified housemates in the living room.

One of the raiders held a knife to a man's ear and threatened to cut it off as he repeatedly demanded money, Nottingham Crown Court heard.

Another victim was confronted by one of the masked men in his bedroom and led out with a knife held to his shoulder.

A third was told he was "dead" if he called police.

Robby Singh, prosecuting, said the gang trashed the property in only 15 minutes and left with laptops, cash, wallets, passports and important paperwork. They fled when they realised someone had called police.

Officers Matthew Ellis and Caroline Walbey caught 23-year-old Morley, of Bracknell Crescent, Whitemoor, who said: "I only did it because I was skint."

His accomplices were never arrested and Morley was the only one sentenced. He had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

Judge Michael Stokes QC commended officers Ellis and Walbey for their "fast response" in catching the once talented sportsman.

And he told him: "Can you imagine what it must be like to be lying in your bed late at night, with the solid door firmly locked, to hear that door being smashed open with a hammer or hammers?

"And then for at least three, probably four, men wearing face covers to burst into your home demanding money, threatening you if you were going to call police and having a knife put to the throat or neck and then going off with valuable property?

"It must be terrifying, and I have noted over the last few months there appears to be an increase in this activity.

"I have a case to sentence this afternoon where a group of men burst into someone's home looking for a cannabis grow. This sort of behaviour cannot be tolerated."

The court heard there was a small amount of cannabis growing in an absent tenant's room but police did not believe it was why the semi-detached house was targeted.

Michael Evans said, in mitigation, that Morley, who has no previous convictions, was normally a very respectful and well-liked young man.

He had been a semi-professional footballer, although his team was not mentioned in court, and he had studied sport at South Nottinghamshire College and Basford Hall College.

Mr Evans said: "He apologises for his behaviour. He has a family who have no involvement with the criminal justice system."

KARL Darlow can step out of Lee Camp's shadow and become Nottingham Forest's first-choice keeper for years to come.

That was the message today from Chris Cohen, who says Darlow has possessed the quality to play in the Championship for two or three years.

The midfielder says the youngster has only had his progress stymied by finding himself down the pecking order behind one of the best keeper's outside of the top flight.

Darlow, 22, has impressed in his first two league starts for the Reds, helping Alex McLeish to secure his first win against Peterborough, before surviving the intense atmosphere of the East Midlands derby with a point from Pride Park on Saturday.

McLeish had hoped to bring in an experienced keeper as a replacement for Camp, after telling the former Derby and QPR player that he has no future at the City Ground.

But he saw enough of Darlow to believe he deserves a chance to shine – and Cohen has even more confidence in his team-mate, insisting: "Karl can be the Campy of the future for us.

"If you had seen him in training for the last six months, you would see his quality.

"Certainly every new player who has come in this season has been asking who this lad is, when they have come up against him in training.

"We have known about his quality even before he has been playing. He has just been unlucky that he had Campy in front of him. I am sure he can shine now and prove that he can be a Campy of the future.

"He has been fantastic in training for two or three years.

"Unfortunately, he has had one of the best keepers in the Championship in front of him.

"Campy was never the sort to miss a game, to get injured or sent off. So Karl never had an opportunity."

Cohen says Forest players are confident in Darlow's ability to step into the void left by Camp's impending departure.

"Everything he does looks calm. If you did not know what the circumstances were or who he was, you would think he had played hundreds of games," said Cohen.

"He looks very assured, his kicking is great. He has all the attributes to be a top keeper, I think.

"He is like Campy – and that is a compliment – because he comes for crosses, he is commanding, he is a good shot stopper. I hope he can continue the way he has played so far.

"For me, if they do bring in a keeper, fair enough. But they have somebody in Karl who can be a number one for some time.

"It is a learning curve for him. He will make mistakes and he will do things he shouldn't. He has to learn about playing in front of a big crowd.

"But he has had a good mentor in Camp. You see the same strength of character in Karl. He also has that same slight arrogance about him, which keepers need.

"Hopefully he can be here for a long time and be Forest's number one for a long time."

Darlow's mentor at Forest on why the youngster can shine – Pages 34-35