STROKE patients are using video game technology to learn to talk again, thanks to pioneering research in Nottingham.

A team from Nottingham Trent University is using Microsoft Kinect from Xbox consoles – which sense movements and voice commands – to help patients with facial paralysis.

A recorded speech and language therapist appears on the computer screen and takes the patient through exercises so they can practice at home.

It also records how well they are doing.

Professor Philip Breedon, of the university's School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment, is leading the project. He said: "This innovation will allow stroke patients, we believe for the first time ever, to receive interactive therapy exercises and feedback for facial weakness after a stroke.

"It represents a considerable advancement on the traditional methods currently used which are mostly based on patients reading a series of exercises from a sheet of paper.

"By making the exercise regime interactive, patients will receive much-needed encouragement and recognition for their accomplishments, no matter how small.

"We've received very positive feedback from the stroke survivors who've supported us throughout the design process and we hope this simple innovation can be used widely in the near future."

Connected to a PC monitor and a mini computer which contains the software, users are presented with a live image of themselves. An inset screen simultaneously shows pre-recorded clips of a speech and language therapist who guides them through their exercises and provides feedback.

The system, which has been developed with the input of stroke survivors, allows therapists to design exercise programmes to meet the individual needs of each patient.

David Goode, of Bakersfield, had a brain haemorrhage in 1999 and was told he would never walk again after being in a coma for two and a half months – but can now move around despite being paralysed on his left side.

The 56-year-old has been involved in testing the technology.

"It's a really useful tool," he said. "People's recovery time might actually be quicker.

"I've lost my smile, but with this I could get facial expressions back."

The project – funded with a £347,000 National Institute for Health Research Invention for Innovation grant – also involved the University of Nottingham, Nottingham City Care Partnership and Maddison Product Design.

Professor Pip Logan, professor of rehabilitation research at the University of Nottingham's Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, said: "Providing recognition and encouragement is a vital part of the recovery process for people who've been through something as devastating as a stroke.

"Until now it simply hasn't been possible for clinicians to give patients feedback on their progress on a daily basis.

"We hope that this technology will provide patients with an improved understanding of their recovery."

The team will bid on a second round of funding to continue the researched and create an advanced prototype before releasing it commercially.

AFTER wowing a packed out Rescue Rooms crowd, chart topping saxophonist Tyler Rix was looking forward to an after party with friends.

But the success of the night ended on a bum note after a taxi driver made off with his prized instrument in the boot of his car.

Mr Rix hoped that it was an honest mistake and that the saxophone he had been playing since he was 13 would be handed in.

But three days later, he fears that the sax will never be seen again.

Mr Rix had travelled up from his home in Finchley, North London, to play the new Yellow Bellagan night at the Goldsmith Street venue on Monday night.

"I have been up to Nottingham lots of times as I have friends up there, but this was my first time playing," he said.

The night was a raging success, with around 750 people through the door.

But as the venue closed and Mr Rix went to celebrate with friends, things took a sour turn.

"We had a taxi booked and paid for by the organisers and he was waiting for us outside at about 3.20am," he said.

"He got a bit agitated when I asked him if I could put the saxophone in the boot, but he eventually relented and we were on our way."

The group arrived at the Lace House in Hockley to find the bar was closed, and stayed in the cab whilst they decided their next plan of action.

"The driver was getting more and more agitated and wanted us to get out of the car," said Mr Rix.

"But the minute we did, he sped off with my saxophone still in the boot."

The musician - who reached number one in the classical charts with his debut album in 2009 - reported it to the police and began ringing around all the cab firms in Nottingham to see if anything had been handed in.

But as time ticked on, he was worried the mistaken taking was actually stealing.

Nottinghamshire Police confirmed the incident was now being investigated as a theft, as "sufficient time had passed for the driver to hand the property in."

The musician's mum, Ronda Rix, has been helping try to trace the saxophone, but is at a loss.

"He has won competitions with it, gone everywhere with it, it is just so sad and to him it feels like he has lost an arm," she said.

"You wouldn't believe how many phonecalls we have made. We are just desperate to get it back."

Mr Rix added: "To lose that instrument is to lose everything - and especially after such a fantastic night it is just heartbreaking."

If you have any information, contact Nottinghamshire Police on 101. 

Persistent absence in Nottingham secondary schools has been slashed by a half in two years.

But the city still has one of the worst records in the country, with one in 13 pupils aged 11-16 still regularly missing classes, according to the latest figures.

The city council has said a crackdown on truancy has helped but admitted that more needed to be done.

Sam Webster, executive assistant for schools at the city, said he was "encouraged" by the stats on persistent absence, which is defined as missing at least 15 per cent of classes.

He added: "Even though we are closing the gap with the national figures, Nottingham still has a long way to go and we will continue to take a robust approach to tackling absence.

"We have provided a consistent message to parents and carers that every school day matters and unauthorised absence will be challenged – even through fines and court action if necessary.

"We are determined to bring absence levels in line with the national average and give the children and young people of this city every possible chance to succeed in their education."

The latest Department for Education figures relate to Autumn term 2013 and spring term 2014 and show that 1,027 – or 7.4 per cent – of secondary school pupils in the city regularly miss school.

This is down from last year's figure of 9.2 per cent and the year before where 10.3 per cent of pupils were persistently absent.

But the figures still put the authority 14th worst out of the 152 local education authorities in England.

It comes after the Post revealed earlier this week that 728 fines were handed to parents last year for their children skipping school – more than double compared to the previous year.

In total, 728 parents were given the £60 fines for children being absent without good reason in 2013/14. This fine doubles to £120 if it isn't paid within 21 days.

And the city council's tough stance on truancy was praised by education secretary Nicky Morgan during a visit to Nottingham.

She said: "Every missed day or half day affects children's education. I support the city council in what it is doing."

Meanwhile, in Nottinghamshire the rate of persistent absences in secondary schools also fell from 6.6 to 6.1 per cent.

This puts the county 48th worst in the country – but below the national average of 5.8 per cent.

Denis McCarthy, Targeted Support Operations Manager, said: "These figures are positive for Nottinghamshire as we are in line with or below the national and regional averages for overall and persistent absences over the two terms.

"Schools play a significant role in reducing pupil absence and we continue to work in partnership to address absence rates and deal with individual cases both through enforcement and by providing support to families with underlying difficulties that are impacting on attendance."

The rate of persistent absence in primary schools is also on the slide in the city and county.

Nottingham City has seen a fall from 5.3 per cent in 2011-12 to 3.6 per cent in 2013-14 while the county's rate dropped from 3.2 to 2.4 per cent. The average across England is 2.8 per cent.

Nationally, authorised absence rates have fallen from five per cent in autumn 2011 and spring 2012 to 3.5 per cent in autumn 2013 and spring 2014.

The Department of Education said this was due to due to a decrease in illness and agreed family holidays as the levels of unauthorised absence remained relatively unchanged at 0.9 per cent.

There is no doubting that nits are a common problem that affect all children - no matter how clean their hair.

But this video posted on YouTube might be taking it a little bit too far.

In the video - which has received more than 4.5 million views - a woman can be seen struggling to pull a nit comb through a child's hair.

After a few minutes, the lice build up on the comb and the camera zooms in to show a cluster of the parasites writhing around.

It is enough to make you starting itching your own hair...

We think that this is one of the worst infestations of nits ever. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below...

THE daughter of a Nottinghamshire cricketing legend is embarking on a two-week test to bring a West Bridgford pub back to its glory days.

Sophie Clifton-Forbes has been managing the Test Match on Gordon Square with partner Tania Hazard for 18 months.

But now the pair have got the go-ahead from Greene King for a £140,000 revamp of the grade II listed building.

"It is quite bizarre that I have ended up back where I was born and where all my family came from to run this pub," the 37-year-old said. "I used to drink in here as a teenager!

"But it is great to be back to my roots and surrounded by all the history of my family."

Her father, Carlton Forbes, was born in Jamaica but moved to England and began his first-class cricket career with Notts in 1959. He died in 2009, but his memory will live in on in his local.

"It has brought the memories back being here," said Sophie. "Now we want to be able to bring the pub back to make it vibrant and new, whilst keeping that strong history."

The first thing to make a return will be the original wooden sprung dance floor from 1938 that the pair found had been under carpet for years. Tania said: "We want to bring it to life. We have lots of live music already and some people dance, but it will definitely encourage them more if there is a great space like this."

Next on the list is re-establishing the speakeasy-style cocktail bar upstairs, which the partners want to be filled with craft beer and mojitos as a secret getaway for visitors.

The showstopper will be the tea room they are creating, with pretty set tables, real china and freshly made cakes.

But there will also be a slice of Sophie's father's past in all the new finery. Tania said: "We both wanted to make sure he was remembered, so we have created a games room named the Carlton Room. It will be full of cricket memorabilia, but have modern games too, from darts through to giant jenga.

"We want the place to shed its old-man's pub reputation and become a place for everyone – from students through to tea dancers."

The pub will reopen on Tuesday, October 28.

SIDE Cars and margaritas at a Nottingham cocktail bar will soon be made with a centuries-old Mexican tequila recipe.

Brass Monkey welcomed Guillermo Sauza - the current don of Sauza Tequila - to its High Pavement bar yesterday to tell cocktail makers and tequila aficionados about the history of his family's drink.

From its 1850s origins in the Mexican town of Tequila - one hour from Guadalajara - to a live streaming of its distillery at this year's DISTILLE spirits festival in Berlin, its been a colourful ride.

Don Sauza, head of the family, said: "It's 100 per cent stone crushed - the same recipe my great grandfather used in the 1850s. We're so well respected in the industry that one bar tender even had his ashes buried in one of our bottles."

He was in Nottingham as part of a seven-city tour of Europe, where buyers in Paris, Stockholm, Amsterdam, Berlin, Rome and London were given the same presentation as he looks to worm his way in to the European market.

"Seven hundred bottles will be over here in the next 40 days and Brass Monkey will be one of the first to get a delivery," said Mr Sauza.

Liam O'Brien, manager at Brass Monkey, said the bar seeks out little-known brands to offer something different.

"I'm a big tequila fan and the gist of Brass as a bar is that we specialise in the specialist. You can go and get a Jack Daniels and coke anywhere.

"This is a pretty big deal because Guillermo is a big person in the industry. Tequila and other spirits made with agave are becoming more popular. Classic cocktails include the Side Car and Tommy's Side Car."

Liam invited members of the local bar scene to Brass Monkey for Guillermo's visit.

Charlie Rockley, bartender at Tilt, said: "We're here to learn more. Some of us don't have the best knowledge of tequila so we can take inspiration and use what we learn to create our own drinks."

As for Don Guillermo, his tequila is best taken straight with a side of water.

"It's so damn smooth that without the water you are going to get yourself in trouble," he said.

<>

Bloody Mariachi

Don Guillermo only drinks two cocktails. His favourite is a tequila-based take on a classic vodka drink:

Three parts tomato juice

One part Sauza tequila

Fresh lime juice

Worcestershire sauce

Pinch of pepper

Pinch ofcelery salt

Celery sticks to garnish

A former police officer who indecently assaulted a girl in the 1970s while off-duty has been found guilty.

Alan Martin, 71, of Teesbrook Drive, Wollaton, was convicted of eight counts of indecently assaulting the victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, in Bulwell.

He was a uniformed police constable at the time, who had worked at Bulwell, Hucknall and Radford Road police stations.

The jury found Martin, who denied all the charges, guilty after a three-day trial.

He will be sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court on November 7.

DC Neil Beddoe, who investigated the case, said: "Alan Martin was a serving police officer when the allegations were first made about his off duty conduct. "An investigation was launched but the victim was so distressed her family did not feel it right to pursue the complaint.

"Due to unrelated matters, Martin was required to resign in 1978.

"In July last year, the victim came forward in her search for justice, which today she has seen. She has shown significant strength to give evidence and talk openly about what happened.

Trainee solicitors in Nottinghamshire may have been classed as a cut above the rest decades ago.

But when war came they fought shoulder-to-shoulder just like any other man.

Those lawyers who died in the bloody battles for their country in World War 1 and 2 had their names engraved on two huge plaques hung in law libraries in Nottingham, then stored at Nottinghamshire Law Society and at Nottingham Crown Court.

Now they have been dusted down to be rededicated on Remembrance Day, as a poignant ceremony is being organised on the first-floor of the Canal Street court.

The county's Law Society is trying to trace relatives and friends of those who died.

More is known about those lawyers on the First World War plaque after the Law Society complied a book on nearly all the members who died.

Only one solider stands out on a page in his picture but with no scripted background.

Private Reginald Turner was a trainee solicitor to GW Barrows, of Nottingham, and had been with the 10th Battalion Nottinghamshire and Derby regiment (Sherwood Foresters), before he was promoted to Lance Corporal in July 1915, one month before he was killed in action.

"He is a mystery man," said Pauline Armstrong, senior administrator at the law society in Friar Lane, who looking for background on all the men listed.

Another name on the First World War plaque is that of Denis Parr, a trainee solicitor for his father George Parr.

Denis rose to the rank of Lieutenant in the 9th Notts and Derby Regiment in September 1914. He went to France in April 1916, when he was attached to the 10th Sherwood Foresters, and took part in the great Somme advance in July 1916. He was killed near Mametz Wood on July 7 of that year.

Another name to appear is that of John Basil Pierce, who was born on December 14, 1888, and educated at the Nottingham High School. He was a trainee solicitor for his father, the late John Pierce, and was in active service in Belgium and France. He was considered to be the finest pilot in his squadron but was killed while flying over Menin on October 2, 1918.

His captain wrote of him: "He was the keenest and most enthusiastic fellow I ever met, and would carry out successful flights in the worst weather, when no one else in the squadron would think of going up."

Those organising the rededication of the plaques are Pauline, society deputy vice-president Michael Auty QC, vice-president Alan Radford and Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, who is based at the court.

Mr Auty said: "It is impossible to truly appreciate that these men, many of whom had taken years to qualify and were just starting to make their mark in the law, went to fight and gave their lives so that others might live the life they had worked tirelessly for."

Mr Radford said: "The Crown Court is a suitable, permanent home for the plaques."

Judge Dickinson said it would be a fitting for a relative to read out the names on the plaques at what will be a "short and dignified" event for the public and relatives to attend at 4.30pm.

* Can you help trace the people behind the names on the plaques or are you a relative? Contact Pauline on 0115 950 5324 or e-mail: pauline.armstrong@nottslawsoc.org

Names on the First World War plaque

Major JP Becher (cor)(DSO)

Lieutenant AV Bright

Captain FC Dietrichsen (cor) Captain GP Goodall

Captain RM Gotch

Lieutenant Colonel LA Hind (MC)

Lieutenant HE Hodding (MC) (cor)

Lieutenant FLH Jackson

2nd Lieutenant W Mc C Johnstone (cor)

2nd Lieutenant RH King

2nd Lieutenant HS Moore

Captain ER Oakden

Lieutenant JB Pierce

2nd Lieutenant DF Parr

2nd Lieutenant JH Robinson

Sergeant PF Shacklock

2nd Lieutenant RE Sheldon

Lance Corporal RS Turner

Lieutenant GL Tutin

Captain WEG Walker

Major JC Warren (MC)

2nd Lieutenant CE Whitworth

Captain LA Wilkins

Lieutenant AM Williams

Private AGE Wilson

Lieutenant JT Willis

Names on the Second World War plaque include:

Captain CB Barber (MC)

Lieutenant BD Briggs

Colonel PWM Leman (cor)

Flight Lieutenant JD Fletcher

Lieutenant JT Milnes

Nottinghamshire is facing an unwanted cat crisis as rescue homes are full to the brim – prompting a call for owners to neuter their pets.

The Cats Protection charity says its Nuthall and Mansfield adoption centres are already at capacity, but still have "hundreds" of cats and kittens on its waiting list.

It believes the increasing problem in overpopulation is partly down to fewer people neutering their pets, then not being able to afford to look after the kittens.

Yvette Tomlinson, neutering project assistant at Cats Protection, said: "Our helpline has said that for every one call they get from people wanting to adopt a cat, they have 10 calls from people wanting to give their cat up or report a stray cat.

"People say they have already contacted other rescues [before approaching the charity] and they have said the same thing, that they are full and can't take another cat in straight away.

"We could face an unwanted cat crisis in Nottinghamshire unless more cats are neutered before they start breeding.

One un-neutered female cat can be responsible for 20,000 descendants in just five years."

To try to ease the problem, the charity is running a campaign where owners can get their cats neutered for just £10 at one of 50 veterinary centres in Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

Lawrence Vet Centre, in Eastwood, is one of the companies taking part in the campaign.

Veterinary nurse Helen Sanders said: "As a veterinary practice we think the campaign is a good idea. The stray cat and unwanted cat population is a big problem, and an increasing problem at the moment.

"Since the start of the campaign we have neutered 11 female cats and three males. It has been running smoothly but hopefully more people will become aware of the campaign, and it will have a knock-on effect."

Ronnie McMillen, owner of Millwood Cat Rescue, in West Bridgford, added: "This year has been really bad for unwanted cats and kittens because people are letting them breed."

For more information contact the charity on 03000121212. 

BOXING legend and local hero Carl Froch was made Freeman of the City at a packed out event at the Royal Concert Hall.

See how the night unfolded below...

Police have been handed a "significant" new lead after a fresh appeal for information about a violent sexual attack in Mansfield last year.

BBC's Crimewatch programme staged a reconstruction of the attack, which took place on September 28 2013.

The programme was aired on Thursday October 16 and included an anonymous live interview with the victim.

She was punched to the floor while walking her dog on an asphalt path in Racecourse Park at around 9pm.

The white man, said to be in his 20s, then brutally sexually assaulted her for 20 minutes.

A phone call from a member of the public who had seen the show has led to a "significant new lead", according to Nottinghamshire Police.

Detective Chief Inspector Melanie Bowden also appeared on the show to appeal to anyone with any information about the attack.

"If you know someone who wore or still wears shoes like the ones pictured, if you recognise the person pictured in this e-fit image, or if someone you know came home that night with blood and dirt on their clothes, dial 101," she said.

The programme is still available to view on BBC iPlayer.

GEDLING MP Vernon Coaker has joined the list of objectors to a proposed new anaerobic digester.

Tamar Energy want to build the food waste recycling plant next to the Gedling Country Park, which is set to open in spring.

Mr Coaker, the Shadow Secretary of State for Defence, raised concerns over the amount of traffic created by the plant, which is said to be able to create energy for 6,000 homes.

The MP is also worried about the smell caused by the site, which would deal with 63,000 tonnes of food waste per year.

In his objection letter, shared with the Post, he said: "We are in the process of opening a beautiful country park. It would be scandalous to allow development of this kind to risk the enjoyment of that area."

Residents, local Labour councillors and the nearby existing anaerobic digester run by Bio Dynamic have all said the plant is not needed.

THE man behind the tram has been remembered with the unveiling of a new vehicle bearing his name.

The ceremony in honour of Jim Taylor took place on the brand new Karlsruhe Friendship Bridge over Nottingham Station and saw family, friends and dignatries paying their respects to the influential council worker, who had been at the centre of the city's planning department since the late 1960s.

Mr Taylor sadly passed away in February aged 65, but his hard work lives on across Nottingham, having played key roles in the rejuvination of the Lace Market, the revamp of Old Market Square and the design of the tram network throughout his 30 year career.

But now his name will also be emblazoned across one of the city's new trams - putting him alongside the likes of Sir Jesse Boot, Brian Clough and, most recently, Carl Froch.

Speaking at the unveiling, his son Joe, who lives in West Bridgford, said it was a fitting tribute to a much missed man.

"It has been an emotional day to see such a permanent tribute to dad," said the 36-year-old.

"He was passionate about his family, passionate about his friends and passionate about Nottingham.

"Now his grandchildren will get to ride of their Pappa's tram and what a great way for him to be remembered."

Chief executive of the council, Ian Curryer was joined at Friday's ceremony by Nottingham's twin city mayor, Dr Frank Mentrup, who had travelled from Karlsruhe in Germany for the official opening of the new tram bridge.

Dr Mentrup said: "Mr Taylor gained long standing merits in his work around this city and he worked together closely with our head of city planning to set up the European initiative in Nottingham.

"It fills us with great pride to have worked with him and contribute to the development of his Nottingham tram network."

Mr Curryer added: "Jim remains close to all of this work, especially in our hearts.

"He was a great family man, immensely sociable and it is hard to think of a better candidate to have a tram named after him."

The city's second tram line is due to start running from early next year.