News in Coalville

North West Leicestershire Police are encouraging the region's children to spread some cheer for emergency workers based in Coalville.

PC Emma Holmes of the North West Leicestershire Rural Crime team has issued a message inviting local children to send in letters and pictures.

The Heather Scarecrow Festival has joined the growing list of summer events to fall victim to the Coronavirus crisis.

And even though the event takes place in the last week of July and into early August, the organisers feel that some of the current measures introduced this month to fight the disease could still be in place.

Coalville and Whitwick Slimming World group say they are in 'constant touch' with their members during the Coronavirus crisis - thanks to their virtual service.

In response to the need to suspend its 19,000 community groups across the UK and Ireland because of the pandemic, Slimming World is launched a new temporary 'virtual' weight loss service.

No-one can underestimate the seriousness of the Coronavirus crisis.

But you have to relieve the boredom of being stuck indoors all day somehow.

North West Leicestershire District Council has introduced measures to help people in the Coalville area pay their Council Tax bills during the Coronavirus crisis.

It says there are now flexible options available.

The increasing threat of Coronavirus was brought home to the Coalville area with the news that a doctor who worked at a hospital in Burton has died after testing positive for coronavirus - to become the first hospital frontline worker to lose their life to the disease.

Amged El-Hawrani, who was 55, worked at Queen's Hospital in Burton and died at Glenfield Hospital in Leicester on Saturday evening.

The Government has issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers about caring for their animals during the coronavirus pandemic.

There is no evidence of the virus circulating in pets or other animals in the UK and there is nothing to suggest animals may transmit the disease to humans.

North West Leicestershire District Council says that it will no longer collect garden waste or cardboard from homes in the Coalville area.

The council says staffing issues and social distancing measures are behind the withdrawal of the service.

An Ibstock company has urged tattoo parlours and beauty salons to donate equipment - after realising their specialist face-masks can be used by frontline NHS staff.

Firefly Tattoo Parlour in High Street has closed its doors due to the Coronavirus crisis.

Like all other forces throughout the UK and Northern Ireland, Leicestershire Police now has dispersal powers to help ensure everyone adheres to the social distancing guidance laid out by the Government and Public Health England.

These powers have been granted under the Health Regulations 2020 and came into effect on Thursday.