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North West Leicestershire has England's second highest coronavirus infection rate, latest figures show.

The area's rate in the week up to 27 February was 205.6, according to Public Health England data.

Leicester is third with a rate of 197.1 and Ashfield is sixth with a rate of 181.4.

Further down, Mansfield is 12th (168.3), Gedling 15th (162), the borough of Oadby and Wigston is 18th (159.6), and Nottingham is 20th (157.7).

Overall, seven of the top 20 locations are in Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire, but all saw drops in their infection rate as national lockdown measures continue.

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The England average for the same weekly period was 86.3.

Multiple schools in the East Midlands have suspended online learning today following what's been described as a "cyber attack".

The schools, which include The Suthers School in Newark, Kirk Hallam Community Academy, Birklands Primary School in Market Warsop and The Garibaldi School in Mansfield, are all run by the Nova Education Trust.

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The trust told the Nottingham Post it had been subject to a "sophisticated cyber attack which has resulted in unauthorised access to the trust's IT infrastructure".

It said they had reported the attack to the Department for Education, the Information Commissioner's Office and the National Cyber Security Centre.

A freeport is set to open at East Midlands Airport, Chancellor Rishi Sunak has announced in this afternoon's budget.

He said eight freeports he announced could help economic recovery by making it easier and cheaper to do business in regions, as well as creating jobs.

The freeports, usually located around shipping ports and airports, mean goods which arrive into them from abroad are not subject to the tariffs normally paid to the government.

These taxes only become payable when the goods leave the freeport and are moved somewhere else in the UK.

Critics say they increase the risk of tax dodging and lower employment standards.

Find out more about freeports here.

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The airport, near Castle Donington, is one of eight UK locations.

Airport managing director, Claire James, said the news will "shine a spotlight on a part of the country which has so much to offer investors, existing businesses that wish to grow, and the supply chains that are linked to them".

She added the airport will play "a significant role in the government's ambitions for a 'global Britain'".

Maria Machancoses, director of Midlands Connect, called it "fantastic news" and said they would work with local authorities to make sure the site is well connected to trade locally, nationally and internationally.

Two people are in custody after a group of people were attacked with pepper spray in a park in Bulwell.

Nottinghamshire Police said officers were called to Southglade Fields at about 18:20 on Monday after a man was reported to have sprayed a substance in the eyes of three people.

The spray is not believed to have caused any serious harm to the victims, a force spokesman said, but police arrested a 36-year-old man on suspicion of actual bodily harm.

A 35-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of assault.

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A rainy and windy Wednesday is on the cards for many, with cool temperatures topping out at about 7C.

Today's BBC Weather Watchers picture comes from zannamac in Ashby de la Zouch.

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Police evacuated dozens of residents from their mobile homes after a suspected unexploded pipe bomb was found under a hedge.

Nottinghamshire Police said they were called to Riverview in Church Laneham at about 12:45 on Sunday.

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A 100m cordon was put in place while the package was dealt with and residents from 40 mobile homes were taken to a nearby pub while bomb disposal experts examined the situation.

The item was found not to be live, and residents were returned to their homes by 18:30, a force spokesman said.

It will be dry and bright with the odd patch of cloud, but there will be plenty of sunshine throughout the day.

Into the evening, it will remain mild for the time of year but another chilly night is ahead.

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