Firefighters are still tackling a fire at a Sherwood factory, more than seven hours after they arrived at the scene.

The Sherwood Works, in Nottingham Road, which is believed to be a clothing factory, was evacuated overnight.

The major blaze broke out at the SQP International factory behind Sainsbury's, off Valley Road at around 1.20am on Thursday July 31.

The owner, Lamber Johal, is away in India at the moment, but is making arrangements to get back.

His daughter Palo Basi was at the scene this morning and said he is "devastated". 

Dozens of staff from  Jones and Co button manufacturers next door were waiting by the cordon at the junction of Lortas Road and Nottingham Road while firefighters continued to put the flames out.

Sharon Brown, 40, of Hyson Green, works at the factory next door.

She said: "We are just waiting for instructions from our director.

"It looks like it has been a very bad fire. I heard about it on the news but it is still a shock to come and see this."

Her colleague Darren Saxton, 34, of Basford, thought he was arriving for a normal day at work.

He said: "I didn't expect to see this. It was a real shock when I arrived.

"The factory looks a bit of a mess. It looks like it has been a really bad fire."

Fellow colleague Sandra Brandom, 51, of Bulwell, said: "I saw it on the news when I got up and it looked really bad.

"I came down here as I wasn't sure what the situation was with my factory."

Mark Dickins, 51, who lives in Nottingham Road, returned home from a night shift at work at 3am.

He said: "Part of Nottingham Road was closed off. They only let me through as I live here.

"I could see the flames. It was lighting up the sky.

"When I got up they were still putting the fire out. Sadly the building looks destroyed."

An insurance assessor at the scene said: "That building will have to come down."

The firm has been based in the building since the 1970s.

Firefighters came from as far away as Retford to tackle the flames.

Incident commander Mark Mortimore, of Retford Fire Station, said: "When we got here the building was well alight.

"The fire has caused extensive damage to the building. We are unsure of the cause at this stage. Structural engineers from the city council are assessing whether it is safe for us to go in."

Yvonne Wyer, 75, who lives in Nottingham Road, was woken by the sirens.

She said: "I heard them and saw blue flashing lights.

"I looked out and could see the flames reaching a long way into the air."

Have you been affected by the fire? Get in touch: newsdesk@nottinghampost.com

TWO members of a town council are to resign over concerns about how the authority is run.

Green Party members Katharina Boettge and David Kirwan will formally announce their resignation at a meeting of Kimberley Town Council this evening.

The pair both said they feel the council has been spending too much and that it needs to improve its relationship with members of the community.

Mr Kirwan, who joined following local elections in 2011, feels the council has overspent on staff and local projects.

Mr Kirwan said the Greens' resignations would also create the opportunity for a council by-election, provided Kimberley residents support the idea.

Ms Boettge has been working as the council's press officer and as a member of its amenities and estates committee since last year.

She said: "When I joined I wanted to do something for the community. I thought it would be interesting.

"I think we spend too much money and we're not being given the opportunity to scrutinise."

Ms Boettge claims that she has not received financial reports in advance of meetings in order for her to study them before they are discussed.

Both councillors also said they were worried about the way in which the authority had dealt with residents.

Earlier this month, chair David Nunn rang the police when residents refused to leave a meeting during an item meant for discussion excluding the public and press.

Ms Boettge said: "They were protesting and think they should have been given the right opportunity to represent their case. I don't think calling the police is going to help build bridges between the council and the community."

Mr Kirwan added: "I am totally content that what they're doing is for the good of the community.

"The council has done an awful lot but it's a democracy and we need to be able to listen to everybody and bring in other people's ideas."

Mr Nunn said the council would not comment until the councillors resigned.

ROGUE car dealer Richard Loach will pay just £1 of a £400,000 confiscation order, and his wife gets to keep their house.

Loach ran a business buying and selling cars over the internet with his brother – but conned customers out of more than £1 million.

After going bankrupt in 2008, father-of-three Loach has no money available to give back his share in the fraud.

Judge Michael Pert QC ruled yesterday that Loach's benefit from his crime was £400,000.

But the amount he could pay was nothing and the judge ordered Loach to give a nominal amount of £1 in the next 28 days.

Loach successfully contested an attempt by prosecutors at the proceeds-of-crime hearing to claim money he had been paying towards the mortgage at the marital home in Roslyn Avenue, Gedling.

Nottingham Crown Court heard his wife, Dawn, had bought out her husband's interest in the house.

She was fed up with creditors knocking at the door and wanted to protect the family home.

Judge Pert said: "The defendant agreed. They wanted the house to be in her sole name in order to be able to assert lawfully that he had no interest in the house if there was to be a claim."

Richard and his brother, David Loach, ran the Left Hand Drive Car Company until an investigation by trading standards officers.

Investigators found many customers who paid for vehicles never received them or a full refund, while those who left vehicles with the brothers on a "sale or return" basis did not get full payment or any money at all.

In May 2013, Richard Loach, 47, and David Loach, 50, of Main Road, Cotgrave, were both jailed for two years and three months after pleading guilty to knowingly carrying on a fraudulent business with intent to defraud creditors.

David Loach also benefited to the tune of £400,000, and £23,220 was ordered to be confiscated from him after a ruling at court on August 23 last year.

The court previously heard how the pair ran a number of companies over a ten-year period selling left-hand-drive cars.

The company ceased trading in December 2008 after failing to keep up payments to creditors and to deliver vehicles. It was found the brothers each owed more than £1.3 million when the company was wound up, relating to more than 60 separate claims from customers.

Friends of Tom Nixon have given huge thanks to everyone involved in their campaign to find the missing University of Nottingham student.

The 20-year-old, who lives in Lenton, went missing from his home last Thursday after a quiet night in playing Xbox with a friend. 

Fears for his safety continued to grow as the days went by after loved ones said the disappearance was "out of character" for the law student.

But on Wednesday night, almost a week after Tom went missing, the police phoned his girlfriend, Charlotte Beasant, and let her know he had been found safe and well in Manchester, and had been taken back to be with his family in Wigan. 

Miss Beasant, also 20 and from Lenton, said she was hugely relieved by the news. 

She said: "I am still in shock to be honest from the last week, let alone the phone call from last night. But as well as shocked, I just think it is amazing."

Friends of the missing student started a Twitter campaign after he disappeared with the hashtag #FindTom, which was shared across the country by people that knew him, as well as celebrities like Phillip Schofield and Graeme Swann. 

One of Tom's close friends from university, Tom Sokolyk, again 20 and from Lenton, was incredibly happy to know his friend was safe and sound. 

He said: "I am so, so, so relieved. We got the call about 10.30pm and I am still in shock.

"Everyone's support has been unbelievable and I just want to say thank you to everyone who helped spread the word. We are so happy he is back."

A statement released by Nottinghamshire Police said: "Missing university student Tom Nixon has been found safe and well. The 20-year-old, who had been missing since Thursday 24 July 2014, was located in Manchester last night (Wednesday 30 July 2014).

"Thank you to all those who helped in the search for him."

Missing University of Nottingham student Tom Nixon has been found safe and well, nearly a week after he went missing.

The 20-year-old, from Lenton, had been missing since 1am on Thursday July 24. He was located in Manchester on Wednesday July 30.

He had last been seen going to bed at his home in Elmsthorpe Avenue after having a quiet night in with a friend playing on his Xbox.

The second year law student, who had planned to stay and work in the city over the summer, then said goodnight and headed to bed, and that was the last time he was seen.

The alarm was raised the following day by his girlfriend, Charlotte Beasant, 20, of Lenton, when he failed to meet her in the morning.

Speaking to the Post previously she said: "I have been working at a summer school in Cheltenham and Thursdays are my day off, so he was meant to come down and see me, but he never showed up. I called his friends to just tell them to wake him up and get him out of bed but that's when we found out he was missing.

"I don't care where he has been, I just want him back."

Friends had launched the #FindTom hashtag in a desperate bid to find him.

SAM Oldham has returned home from the Glasgow Commonwealth Games after it was confirmed he suffered ankle ligament damage.

The Nottingham gymnast landed awkwardly from his vault routine during England's gold medal-winning team performance.

It meant he missed the final two rotations and had to be lifted up on to the podium by team-mates Louis Smith and Kristian Thomas after being left on crutches and with his foot in a brace.

The injury rules Oldham out of the individual events, for which he had qualified in the rings and floor, and may also put him in doubt for the World Championships in October.

A statement from Team England read: "Sam Oldham sustained an ankle ligament injury whilst performing a Draselescu vault during the Team competition at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

"The Team England Medical staff are working with British Gymnastics Medical team to ensure a collaborative management plan.

"Sam will return home to commence his rehabilitation in order to return to full fitness. He is under the best possible medical supervision provided by British Gymnastics and the English Institute of Sport."

Oldham had helped put England in a strong position at the end of the first day of the artistic competition, scoring well on floor and rings – and he had come to Glasgow hoping to add an individual medal to his collection.

Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: "We are hugely disappointed for Sam, and hope he will have a speedy recovery.

"We are incredibly proud of his Gold Medal winning performance with the Men's Gymnastic Artistic Team.

"Sam will be sorely missed in the Athletes' Village by all of Team England."

BEESTON Hockey trio Adam Dixon, Harry Martin and Ollie Willars are through to the semi-finals of the Commonwealth Games.

England beat Canada 3-1 in their final group game in Glasgow to secure their spot in the last four.

They enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half, but despite a succession of penalty corners, struggled to find a breakthrough on a slippery surface.

Ashley Jackson finally managed it in the 26th minute, and it didn't take long for England to add to that tally after the break, with Barry Middleton flicking the ball beyond the keeper.

Jackson then added a third from a penalty corner as England dominated the second half, before Scott Tupper pulled one back for Canada in the closing minutes.

In all likelihood, England will finish second in their group, unless New Zealand suffer a surprise defeat to Malaysia later on today, with defending champions Australia likely to be their semi-final opponents.

The match will take place on Saturday.

An inmate has bitten off the ear of a prison officer at HMP Nottingham.

The incident happened at the prison on Perry Road, in Sherwood, on Wednesday morning, with the member of staff having to be rushed to the Queen's Medical Centre for treatment. 

A source told The Post it was a senior officer that was attacked on the alpha wing of the prison - known as the detox wing.

The source said: "The senior officer had his ear bitten off. His earlobe and that area. I don't know what the prisoner is in for. 

"He went into his cell and he attacked him, grabbed him and bit it off."

A prison service spokesperson confirmed the violent incident.

He said: "Prison staff do an excellent job and their safety and security is of paramount importance. Anyone who is violent towards them - or anyone else in prison - can expect to face severe consequences.

"We have referred this incident to the police and are helping them with their enquiries. We always press for the most serious charges to be laid against anyone who is violent in prison." 

HMP Nottingham has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks after a report from the Independent Monitoring Board of prisons highlighted a number of issues with under-staffing and lockdowns. 

Shortly after, a prisoner gouged his own eyes out.

Brunette bombshell Megan Fox wowed the crowds this week at the Mexico City premiere of her new movie, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Wearing a dazzling embellished dress, the actress sparkled her way down the red carpet.

The 28-year-old, who is most famous for her role in the Transformers movies, kept to the metallic theme by teaming her dress with a pair of patent silver shoes and a statement box clutch bag.

Despite Megan's dress a designer creation by Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad, costing £4000, this look can easily be created on a high street budget.

Head to high street favourites including River Island, Motel at Topshop and Coast for a great range of party dresses at lower prices.

THE Nottingham Post is pleased to exclusively reveal Notts County's new away kit today.

It will go on sale tomorrow and – along with the new home kit – will be on the shelves in the club shop during an Open Day at Meadow Lane tomorrow.

Fans will also be given the chance to watch their heroes being put through their paces in a special training session.

And manager Shaun Derry and assistant Greg Abbott will show what goes on behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis.

The day begins at 10am for season ticket holders, who will have their picture taken with the players for a big group photo.

An hour later, the gates open to the public and they will be able to ask for autographs from the players and Notts legends.

Fairground rides, stadium tours and lots more will be going on throughout the day.

BEREAVED Rebecca Nevin was more than three times the drink-drive limit when she smashed into a skip while on route to her mum's grave – wearing just her pyjamas.

The 30-year-old was found sitting in her wrecked car, looking "vacant", by two men who had seen her swerving from side to side as she drove along Longmoor Lane, Long Eaton.

Southern Derbyshire Magistrates Court heard that Nevin, of Stapleford, had been drinking and had then decided to visit her mother's grave at around 10pm.

But while on route to the cemetery, she crashed into a skip, sending traffic cones spinning across the road.

The two men who saw her told police: "The driver looked vacant.

"We asked the driver if she was OK and she asked what we had done."

Nevin admitted drink-driving and magistrates banned her from driving for five years and gave her a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for a year. She was also told to attend a six-month course to tackle her problems with alcohol.

Prosecutor Peter Bettany told the court: "She didn't seem aware she had driven into a skip and was wearing her pyjamas.

"Police came and called out an ambulance but its staff didn't think she required medical treatment."

Jobless Nevin, of Lawrence Street, was taken to a police station following the smash, on May 14, and found to have 292 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood. The legal limit is 80.

She was then taken to hospital.

Mr Bettany added: "In a pre-sentence report, she said she was drinking and decided to visit the cemetery where her mother was laid to rest."

Nevin, who was also banned for drink-driving in 2010, must pay £85 prosecution costs and an £80 government surcharge.

District Judge Morris Cooper told her: "This is a very serious offence, I hope you have learned that.

"It is also a very worrying offence.

"Fortunately in your case, nobody was killed or seriously injured as a result of your utterly reckless driving and the extraordinarily high level of alcohol in your body."

He said Nevin could have been jailed immediately but told her: "You would be out in a few weeks and nothing would be done to deal with your alcohol problem.

"I am suspending it for the benefit of the public."

Lauren Sharkey, in mitigation, said Nevin had been her mother's "full-time carer" and told the judge: "Her alcohol intake increased since the death of her mother.

"She was missing her mother and consumed a large quantity of alcohol and decided to visit."

Nevin had seen a bereavement counsellor but the appointment was with a man and she "felt she would open up more with a female counsellor", the court was told.

Miss Sharkey added: "She had been drinking daily and feels she is dependent on alcohol.

"She has tried to seek help and has been to Alcoholics Anonymous and another alcohol treatment service run by the NHS.

"But she felt she had no support to stop her thinking about her problems and that made her feel worse.

"She wants some kind of structure to make sure she gets away from her alcohol dependency."