PRIME Minister David Cameron has insisted that cuts to Derby City Council's budget are "fair", despite a 12,000-name petition to the contrary.

The Fair Deal for Derby campaign is calling for the Government to reduce the cuts made to the city's grant, which total £75 per head since 2010 – compared to a national average of £62 per head for similar-sized councils.

But Mr Cameron said he did not believe the reductions were "unfair for individual councils" and the authority should "still be able to deliver good services".

During a visit to the Derby Telegraph yesterday, the Prime Minister also renewed a Government vow to consider the impact on the UK supply chain as part of tendering for a £1 billion train-building contract – boosting hopes for Bombardier.

He said he would not accept failing schools in the city and supported converting Derby's struggling primaries to academies.

And he backed the Telegraph's Save a Life campaign, encouraging people to give blood and learn first aid, saying: "Saving lives isn't just about NHS professionals."

Firmly and without any doubt in his voice, Prime Minister David Cameron said he did not believe Derby had been treated "unfairly" by Government cuts to council grants.

Campaigners calling for a reduction in the cuts to Derby City Council's budget would beg to differ but Mr Cameron yesterday said the authority must "do more with less".

The Fair Deal for Derby campaign, which has cross-party support at the council, has organised a 12,000-name petition calling for a review of the grant slashing.

They point to statistics which say the amount lost in council budget since 2010 equates to £75 per head in Derby, compared to the national average of £62.

But during his visit to Derby Mr Cameron said that, while he would look at the petition, he did not believe the Government had made "unfair reductions on individual councils".

He said: "I think what's right to look at is what the Government spend per head is. It's still well over £500 per head in Derby compared to, for instance, the area I represent (Witney, Oxfordshire) where it's just over £300.

"So I still think Derby City Council should be able to deliver good services with a combination of grant and council tax.

"They need to try and do more with less.

"In many ways we should look at what Derbyshire police have achieved – they've had cuts and still managed to cut crime by 10%."

Asked whether he had a vision for what local authorities should be providing in the face of cuts, Mr Cameron said: "They will go on providing what they do now but they've got to provide more value for money.

"When I look across local government they have been effective at making spending reductions. Every council has to make its own decisions about what assets it retains, what assets it sells."

But Labour's Derby North MP Chris Williamson told the Telegraph the Prime Minister was living in "cloud-cuckoo land".

He said: "The number of properties in Band D or above in the Prime Minister's constituency will be far greater than it is in Derby.

"Over 50% of properties in Derby are in Band A.

"That means that a rise in council tax will pull in considerably more cash in Oxfordshire than it will do in Derby."

A combination of further reductions in its Government grant, inflation and Derby's growing population, means that the city council will need to cut about £20.2 million from its budget in the 2013-14 financial year.

To plug the gap, the council has proposed cutting jobs and things like funding for charities, covering over flower beds and "reviewing car parking charges".

Mr Williamson said that the maths had not yet been done to see exactly how the latest settlement would change statistics for how the people of Derby are affected.

But he said there was no doubt it would not improve matters.

He said: "There is a clear imbalance across the country – not just in Derby.

"In Knowsley, on Merseyside, for example, they have lost £260 per head. It can't be right that the poorest areas are suffering the most."

City council leader Paul Bayliss said Mr Cameron's comparison with Witney was "very amusing".

He said: "Comparing the relative wealth there with the city of Derby is interesting. They perhaps don't need as many public services."

A PREDATOR posed as his own wife online to trick a woman into having sex with him.

Benjamin Ritchie called himself "Marina" and began a friendship with the woman, who was in her 20s, before asking her to help expose her cheating husband.

"Marina" asked the woman to go around to their home while she was at work and have sex with her husband, Benjamin, film the events and then send her the recording.

The woman did this but after some time received a message from "Marina", saying that, if she did not continue to have sex with Benjamin and film it, then the initial sex recording would be sent to her family and work colleagues.

So the woman, under duress, engaged in sexual activity again with Ritchie.

This happened on a number of occasions before the woman became suspicious and reported him to police.

Ritchie, who admitted rape and two counts of sexual assault, has now been jailed for seven years.

Investigating officer Det Con Claudia Musson said: "Ritchie preyed on a vulnerable young woman and deceived her at every turn.

"She was left deeply traumatised by what he did but she showed great courage in coming forward and speaking to police.

"Although seven years is a pleasing sentence, it doesn't compensate for what he did.

"I just hope his victim can now try to move on with her life in the knowledge that he has been jailed.

"I would urge people to be careful when talking to people online.

"When forming relationships via the internet, you can easily be lulled into a false sense of security, which in turn can leave you very vulnerable."

Ritchie, 35, of Dovecote Drive, Borrowash, must sign the sex offenders' register indefinitely and obey a sexual offences prevention order which prohibits him from possessing any software to delete internet history.

NIGEL Clough picked out Mason Bennett's history-making goal as the magical moment of Derby County's victory over Tranmere Rovers in the FA Cup.

Bennett, a product of the Academy, became Derby's youngest-ever scorer at 16 years and 174 days when he scored the final goal in the 5-0 win in Saturday's third round tie at Pride Park.

The former Shirebook Academy pupil beat the previous record set by Lee Holmes, who was 32 days older when he found the net against Coventry City in October 2003.

Bennett now holds two club records.

He is also the youngest-ever player to appear for Derby, a record he also took from Holmes. Bennett was only 15 years and 99 days old when he lined up against Middlesbrough in October 2011.

Clough believes Bennett's first senior goal can prove to be a big moment for the youngster in his development.

"It's great for him and it was probably the high point of the day for us," said the Rams manager.

"He could have got a goal at Middlesbrough when he made his debut but he missed from a couple of yards when he hit the bar.

"A striker's first goal, whether the first of his career or of the season, is always an important moment and we are delighted for him.

"He's doing well in training and coming along nicely in terms of his development.

"Mason's first goal has also made history, which is really nice for him.

"It will be very difficult for somebody to beat that record. It might never be beaten but the way the club are bringing through young players, you never know!"

Saturday was Bennett's fourth appearance of the season and his first since the beginning of December. All his appearances so far this campaign have come as a substitute.

His goal was created by another of the substitutes, Conor Doyle, in what was his first game since September.

The 21-year-old American is back playing following an operation in October to remove his appendix.

Clough was pleased for Doyle.

"He made Mason's goal and we are slowly building his confidence back up," said Clough.

"We see things in training which we know supporters don't see but Conor has got some ability."

Kieron Freeman, 20, was the other substitute used on Saturday.

"It was good experience for the youngsters," said Clough.

"I think the experienced lads on the bench – Nathan Tyson, Jimmy O'Connor and Theo Robinson – all understand that although all of them could have come on, it's vital for the younger ones to come on and get experience."

A FORMER Derby Telegraph sports journalist and lifelong Rams fan has died, aged 84.

Edward Giles worked as a sports reporter at the Derby Evening Telegraph in the 1940s.

And despite his newspaper career taking him all over the country, his wife, Joan, says Derby was always in his heart for one good reason – football.

She said: "He enjoyed his work very much. It was his whole life.

"Derby County was the first and last team that he supported. It was his lifelong love always."

Mr Giles was born in Cheltenham and moved to Mugginton at the age of two.

He moved to Castle Donington when he was nine and attended Loughborough Grammar School.

He then joined the Derby Telegraph in 1944, at the age of 16.

Mrs Giles, 86, who lives in Orsett, Essex, said: "I think in those days it was quite different. Young, mainly boys and occasionally girls, would join a newspaper and more or less would be office boys and girls.

"He was moved into the sports department because that's what he was interested in. It was always football he loved."

At the age of 18, he served his National Service with the RAF.

He then returned to the Derby Evening Telegraph three years later, staying there until 1956.

Mrs Giles said: "It was actually at the Telegraph where we met. I was a secretary to the general manager.

"He was very easygoing. In those days, when the machines started running and they were printing the papers, the whole building shook.

"This was when the building was in the centre of Derby.

"We had many friends together in the workplace. There was a cricket team and we enjoyed a good social life."

The couple married in 1951 and had two children, Christopher, now 55, and Rachel, 52.

Mr Giles became the deputy sports editor at the Bristol Evening Post from 1956 until 1970.

He then moved to Manchester, where he worked at the Daily Telegraph until 1987 before switching to the London offices, where he worked as the northern sports editor.

He retired in 1993 and died on December 27 of prostate cancer.

Mrs Giles said her late husband spent his retirement writing 10 books.

"They were always about football, including Derby County," she said.

"His 11th book is with the publisher at the moment.

"He struggled to get his final book finished but we hope it will be completed in a few weeks.

"I always said he was a born writer because he was very disciplined. He would write every afternoon, week days, Saturdays and Sundays.

"It was difficult sometimes to get him to come out shopping with me. He didn't like leaving what he was doing."

Mrs Giles said her husband was an avid Rams fan who dedicated his life to the team.

She said: "He would go and see them play when he could.

"His stepfather was George Richards, who was a professional footballer who played for Derby County during the war as well as playing for England.

"Since he was about 10 years old, he used to collect newspaper reports on sport.

"They were football reports and match results. That's what he did in those days because there would be no TVs.

"They were all beautifully stuck in exercise books.

"He was a happy man and extremely good-natured. He enjoyed his whole life."

Derby Telegraph columnist Anton Rippon said: "I first met Eddie when I was covering football for a national newspaper back in the 1980s.

"As soon as he knew I was from Derby, we became friends. He had so many happy memories of the town where he'd started his journalistic career on the Telegraph, and he was a great Rams fan.

"Until quite recently he'd still telephone or e-mail to get the latest news.

"He was a true newspaperman – one of the old school – and a thorough gentleman."

DERBY County's Championship clash with rivals Nottingham Forest on January 19 is heading for a sell out.
Ticket sales have already topped 30,000 and Forest have sold their allocation of 4,300 tickets.
The club is advising fans to secure their seat as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

A DERBYSHIRE lettings and estate agents has won a prestigious national award.

Nicholas Humphreys, which has offices in Derby and Burton and whose HQ is in Loughborough, won the Independent Lettings Agency of the Year (one to five offices) title in The Negotiator Awards 2012, which is run by the leading publication for residential agents.

The annual awards rate the work of estate and lettings agents from all over the UK.

An awards ceremony took place recently at the London Hilton, Park Lane, after finalists were judged by a top panel of industry experts including chairman of The Property Ombudsman Bill McClintock and president-elect of the National Association of Estate Agents Jan Hytch.

Speaking about the award, the agency's chief executive officer, Nicholas Humphreys, said: "The Negotiator Awards is a highly respected event in the calendar of the industry so to achieve an award win is a real coup for us.

"We're thrilled to have been recognised and the award is testament to the hard work put into the business and the fantastic team here.

"We feel we've made real headway in an industry undoubtedly hit by the challenging economic climate, and we've done this without making any staff cuts – in fact, we've recruited new people over the last few years to facilitate company growth.

"One of our single biggest achievements has been the franchising of the business, and we've also undertaken a company re-brand and invested £25,000 into our website to add functions such as an iPhone application, Google earth, online tenant applications and payments, to name a few."

Nicholas Humphreys' award success could also be attributed to its support of local charities, including a local disabled school and boxing club. The majority of its fundraising goes to Rainbows, the Loughborough-based children's hospice, to which it donated £5,500 this year from a golf day auction as well as £10,000 from its summer ball.

Grant Leonard at The Negotiator said: "Each year the entries get better and this year was no different. We saw some fantastic submissions for all of the categories, so competition was stiff. Nicholas Humphreys' entry showed real innovation and so its award was thoroughly deserved."

For further details on Nicholas Humphreys' serv-ices, visit www.nicholas humphreys.com.

WHAT'S IT GOT GOING FOR IT?

Dating back to Danish times, this thriving and attractive Amber Valley village is often described by locals as a "haven".

But despite its peaceful setting, Kilburn is far from remote. Well connected via the A38 and A609, it's less than three miles from Belper and only seven miles from Derby, making it particularly popular with commuters looking for a more rural lifestyle. Heanor and Ripley are also only three miles and five miles away, respectively. Kilburn offers a good mix of property types. A two-bedroomed starter home at the edge of the village could be yours for around £125,000, while a two-bedroomed mid-terrace house in the centre costs about £100,000. Expect to pay upwards of £300,000 for a four-bedroom home with character close to the village centre's conservation area.

EATING OUT

Kilburn is well served by good pubs, as real ale connoisseurs will testify. The three inns in the village include The Hunters Arms, which has won Amber Valley Camra's Pub of the Year title for the past two years.

With other well commended hostelries such the Dead Poets Inn at Holbrook and the Holly Bush at Makeney also close by, this part of Amber Valley truly is a traditional ale lover's paradise.

Most of the local pubs serve home-made food alongside their great choice of real ales. For a quick bite to eat there are takeaways in Kilburn and Belper.

HANGING OUT

Why not combine a pub outing with a nice country stroll? There are plenty of paths to choose from, with routes from Kilburn taking in scenic spots such as Horsley Woodhouse. If you fancy a longer walk, it's six miles over the fields to Ilkeston via Holbrook.

Kilburn has its own nature reserve at the Toll Bar and there's a park with swings and other play equipment. The village is justifiably proud of its well-run village hall, home to a number of community groups and events, including the annual village quiz and treasure hunt plus many other functions and social activities.

There's a Methodist and a Baptist church in Kilburn plus St Clements Church in Horsley which serves the communities of Horsley, Kilburn and Coxbench.

Belper Leisure Centre is the nearest venue for sports and leisure such as swimming and fitness training.

SHOPPING

There are two local stores plus a post office. For a bigger shop, locals tend to go to supermarkets in Belper or Derby.

SCHOOLS

Younger children attend Kilburn Infant School, rated "good" by Ofsted, then progress to Kilburn Junior School. Older students travel to John Flamsteed Community School in nearby Denby, which also has a "good" Ofsted rating.

TRAVEL

With the A38 and A609 within easy reach, commuting to Derby is usually a doddle, traffic allowing.

There is a frequent bus service to Derby and regular trains to Derby and Matlock from Belper. Jetting off for business or pleasure? East Midlands Airport is only a 20-minute drive.

FINE interior design, subtle lighting and high-quality fixtures and fittings all combine in this superb two-bedroomed detached character Victorian cottage in Breaston's conservation area.

Built in 1844, Rose Cottage is at the end of a quiet lane in the heart of this desirable and picturesque village.

The owner has created a home that is alive with a unique selection of wallpaper and artwork.

The interior oozes quality and luxury, which continues throughout this Grade II-listed property. Its traditional features include period exposed beams, original internal doors, wood flooring, two original ranges (in the dining room and kitchen), charming sash windows and a spectacular tiled hallway.

On the ground floor, the cottage briefly comprises two reception rooms, both with period fireplaces, and a beautiful country kitchen leading out to a landscaped garden to the side.

Upstairs there is a master bedroom with an en suite bathroom, which includes a roll-top bath and period tap fittings, a second double bedroom and a luxury separate shower room.

The cottage has a private driveway and a second garden that wraps around the property and is well established with shrubs and flowers.

Both inside and out, Rose Cottage pays tribute to the imagination and expertise that has been poured into it and is a must-see for any person who enjoys the tranquility of rural living.

Just a mile from junction 25 of the M1 and the A52, Breaston offers excellent links to East Midlands Airport and Derby, Leicester, Nottingham and Sheffield, and trains to London run from Long Eaton station (one hour 35 minutes to St Pancras). Viewing by appointment only.

FLIGHTS have resumed at East Midlands Airport following an incident which saw the wheel of a Rolls-Royce-owned Spitfire collapse after landing.

The runway was shut at 3.20pm when the single pilot aircraft was left stranded on the runway.

But following safety checks and clearance works, airport users are now able to board their flights again.

An airport spokesman said: "Following a Spitfire aircraft sustaining a collapsed undercarriage on landing this afternoon, the airport has been working hard to remove the aircraft from the runway.
 
"During this time, flights were temporarily suspended with seven aircraft diverted to Birmingham Airport.

"The aircraft has now been towed from the runway and after a final runway inspection, flights have resumed.

"Passengers should continue to check in as normal and the airport is now fully operational."

No-one was reported as hurt.

A TEENAGER who died a week after being punched in the face was hit by his foster brother because he thought he was going to headbutt him, an inquest has heard.

Kyle Allen said he felt "quite threatened" by Sam Kirk and was just "reacting" when he punched him in the early hours of July 20, 2010.

But, when coroner Dr Robert Hunter asked Mr Allen why he did not just walk away from Mr Kirk, he said: "I don't know why I didn't just walk away."

Dr Hunter told the inquest into Mr Kirk's death how, in a police interview, Mr Allen had told police: "Sam started on me and I lost it."

The inquest had previously heard how Mr Kirk hit his head against a wall and fell to the ground after being punched by Mr Allen.

Mr Kirk – a labourer and a keen skateboarder – died seven days later at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre due to complications related to his injuries.

During the hearing at Derby and South Derbyshire Coroner's Court yesterday, Mr Allen said Mr Kirk – who had been drinking at the former's home in Stanley Street, Derby – had been sick and he had offered to take him home. But he said Mr Kirk was being "threatening" and "challenging" and raised his voice, before the pair moved into the alleyway leading to Mr Allen's front door.

Mr Allen said Mr Kirk leaned forward towards him and was repeating himself. He said: "At that point, when Sam leaned back, I felt like he was going to headbutt me."

But Dr Hunter told the court none of the other witnesses to the incident said Mr Kirk raised his voice. He asked Mr Allen: "You lost it and you punched him?"

Mr Allen replied: "No."

The court also heard how Mr Kirk's stepfather, David Higginbottom, had gone to Mr Allen's house to get more information after his stepson was taken to hospital.

When Dr Hunter asked Mr Allen why he chose not to tell Mr Higginbottom he had punched Mr Kirk, he said: "I don't know why I chose not to, I just didn't."

The court also heard evidence from Mr Kirk's mother, Tracy Higginbottom, said she did not find out Mr Kirk had been punched until a friend of the teenager told them at the hospital.

The inquest continues.

AN expectant mum suffered crippling contractions lasting a gruelling two months, due to complications from a rare condition.

Debbie Mills, 24, fell pregnant despite having to cope with agonising nerve condition CRPS, for which she takes painkillers.

But, as baby Owen grew inside her, doctors told her it would be too dangerous to him if she kept taking her medication.

She came off the pain relief, but 28 weeks into the pregnancy she started having severe stomach pains, which were diagnosed as contractions – and they continued until Owen was born – at 37 weeks.

Debbie said: "I spent weeks having them. Sometimes I could deal with them but sometimes the pain would shoot up my back and that was agony. Just sitting down was like running a marathon."

Her resting heartbeat was measured at 120 beats per minute. She said: "The nurses actually thought their machine was broken when they first hooked me up, they couldn't believe that it was that high.

"I would eat but I was getting thinner and thinner because my body was burning the energy up just sitting down."

She said: "I finally went in to hospital for C-section three weeks early which I was really pleased with.

"The most amazing thing was when I was given the anaesthetic and I had no pain for the first time in ages. That was wonderful."

Debbie's condition – which stands for Complex Regional Pain Syndrome – left her unable to walk because she suffered agonising burning pain in her foot.

She was told by doctors that it was unlikely she would ever have children.

So she and her partner Dan Hamlett were surprised and delighted when she became pregnant – although she realised she would have to go through the pain barrier to have her child.

Then, partly due to her condition, she suffered an infection which began making her uterus contract.

She said: "I was in hospital for 26 days in June. I basically lost the whole of that month."

Debbie eventually gave birth to baby Owen, who weighed in at 7lb 12oz, on July 12, 2012. He was born with fluid on his lungs – usual for a baby who is premature – and had to spend a week in the Royal Derby baby unit.

After her troubled pregnancy, Debbie had another battle to face – looking after a newborn and managing her condition. Her illness means her entire right-hand side is very weak, which means that picking up baby Owen is near-impossible.

She said: "I can't pick him up. I can change him once he is up but I can't get him out of the cot. So poor Dan has been working in the day and then when Owen wakes in the night he has to get up in case he needs to be picked up.

Dan, who works as a overhead line engineer for Jacobs Rail UK, in Derby, said: "Doing a whole day's work and then doing a night shift with Owen was quite exhausting. My mum and dad have her on a Sunday which means we get at least one good night's rest though.

"We are very lucky to have both my parents and Debbie's parents close by and they are all very supportive."

For Debbie and Dan all the pain, time in hospital and worry over the birth have had a wonderful outcome.

Debbie said: "It has all been worth it. Cuddles with Owen are the best, he is just amazing. I am off the walker now but still on the crutches so getting around is difficult but it is just a matter of getting stronger slowly and building up to get back to where I was."

THE Tory opposition at Derby City Council has ditched its support for a cross-party campaign calling for a better funding deal for the authority.

Conservative councillors said they originally backed the Fair Deal for Derby Campaign in the belief it would try and address "historical difficulties in Derby's grant settlement".

The Tory group leader, Councillor Philip Hickson, claimed Labour had instead used it as a "party political vehicle" to attack the Coalition Government.

Statistics show that cuts made to Derby's grant total £75 per head of population since 2010 – compared to a national average of £62 per head for similar-sized councils.

And the council says it must save £62 million over the next three years in the face of financial pressures from cuts to funds from Government, inflation, and Derby's growing population.

Mr Hickson said neither the Labour group nor council officers had made a serious attempt to approach Government ministers to discuss the grant settlement and added that his party were upset at Labour plans to spend "thousands of pounds of public money" on advertising for the campaign.

Mr Hickson has now written to Paul Bayliss, leader of the city's Labour group, terminating the Tories' involvement in the campaign.

The letter said: "It has become increasingly clear that the Fair Deal campaign is being used by Labour as a party political vehicle both to attack the Coalition government and to disguise your clear inability to get to grips with the serious budgetary position which faces Derby at this time of fiscal realignment.

"Despite agreeing to support an approach to Government to enter into meaningful discussions about our financial settlement it remains a grave concern to me that no serious attempt has been made by you or officers of the council to arrange a meeting with ministers or civil servants; all that has happened is an increasing display of political grandstanding, some of which has been at taxpayers' expense.

"This is totally unacceptable and demonstrates, I believe, that there is no serious intent on either your own or your group's part to try and make responsible and meaningful representations to Government on behalf of the city."

Mr Hickson said he was aware the city council had made planning applications to put up "banners" on lampposts across the city, advertising the campaign, paid for with city funds.

He said that items in the 2013/14 budget such as grassing over flower beds and cutting funding for environmental group Wild Derby were "vindictive".

The letter says: "You will damage a hard-won reputation for financial competence that Derby has long held.

"This could have been mitigated if the council had effectively lobbied Government to address some of the issues in our grant settlement in the run-up to and before it was announced."

Last week, David Cameron visited Derby and said he did not believe cuts to the city council's grant were unfair compared to other authorities. Mr Hickson said this had nothing to do with his party's change of mind.

Councillor Ranjit Banwait, Labour's deputy leader, said he did not believe this and claimed the Conservative group's heart had never been in the campaign.

He said: "It goes back to when it was first discussed when they supported the campaign but also made grand speeches defending the Government. I'm sure this is all to do with the Prime Minister's visit. They are effectively agreeing with him that Derby is getting a fair deal."

He said accusations that his party was not engaging with ministers were "completely ridiculous".

Mr Banwait said: "Chris Williamson [Labour's Derby North MP] handed the 12,000-name petition into the House of Commons at the end of November and we've heard nothing back. The whole idea of the campaign is to bring the problem to the Government's attention and we've heard nothing."

On the advertising, Mr Banwait said "everything has been done properly".

He said: "The posters are part of a wider campaign. We are trying to prompt the public to get involved, join the campaign for a fair deal and have their say."

NEW Zealand batsman Martin Guptill may still play for Derbyshire again next season, even though the county have snapped up Shivnarine Chanderpaul as their overseas signing.

They are in talks with the powerful 26-year-old right-hander, who had spells with Derbyshire in the last two seasons, about joining them for next season's Friends Life t20 campaign, in which counties are allowed to recruit two overseas players.

Guptill will be in the country for two months in the first half of next season with the Black Caps.

Starting with a three-day fixture at the County Ground, they are to play two Tests and three ODIs against England before taking part in the Champions Trophy and going on to two t20 internationals against England.

The last of those is on June 27, with the domestic t20 competition due to start on June 28.

The timing there would work out well for Derbyshire but Guptill has yet to decide whether or not he needs a rest at the end of a hectic spell of international commitments.

"We are still in dialogue with him and it still is a possibility," said head coach Karl Krikken. "I spoke to him when I was in India and I texted him the other night and he's still thinking about it.

"It would be a bonus if he came but we'll see."

Captain Wayne Madsen also met up with Guptill in December, shortly before New Zealand's t20 series against South Africa.

Guptill missed the first match through illness but showed his prowess in the shortest form of the game with an unbeaten 101 off 69 balls to take his side to victory in the second.

"It was good to meet up with Guppy again and I had a good chat with him," added Madsen.

"We'd like to have him back for the t20 and he seemed fairly keen but he has a few things to sort out before he can make that decision.

"He does a heck of a lot of travelling through the year and sometimes you do need the down time.

"Since he left us, he's barely had four weeks at home and it is tough being an international cricketer from that point of view, so if he feels he needs to spend some time back in New Zealand, then he needs to.

"He's a phenomenal player and if we could get him back it would be another huge boost for us.

"As he showed a couple of days after I met him, he is a devastating player in one-day cricket."

A 25-YEAR-OLD man has been charged with burglary after a quad bike was stolen from a school.

The alleged offender, from Chellaston, has also been charged with possession of criminal property.

He is due to appear before magistrates in Derby on January 25.

Staff arrived at Ockbrook School, in The Settlement, on October 2 to find that an outbuilding on the site had been broken into.

A quad bike, trailer and various electrical garden equipment had been stolen.