A trader who launched a petition to stop the demolition of Leicester's indoor market has said he has little hope of success.

Michael Montgomery's petition has more than 300 signatures calling for the city mayor, Sir Peter Soulsby, not to pull the 1970s structure down.

However, he said the damage had already been done.

He said: "So many people have already left the indoor market. There's another who left on Friday and another going at the end of this week.

"I don't think the petition will do any good, but people are still signing it to say they're not happy.

"I think it's a great shame."

The market is set to be replaced with a public square, with the fish and meat sellers relocated to a purpose-built pavilion next to the Corn Exchange on what is now Market Corner.

However, about 30 traders in the upper floors of the five-storey indoor market building fear they will not be able to afford the rents in the lock-up units Leicester City Council is proposing to create for them elsewhere in the market.

Photographer Mr Montgomery, who has run Studio B1 for seven months, said: "There are new units being built for us but they are going to cost more. I'm thinking of moving into a shop instead, but my rent will go up from about £2,600 to £12,000 a year, so it's a big jump.

"I'd still like the council to think again but I think people are resigned to it now."

Other traders, including Richard Lebutt, who runs The Toy Shack, and Vic Lee, of County Yarns Wool Shop, have backed Michael's campaign.

Mr Lebutt, who opened his business in July last year, said: "The idea for this place is awful.

"It's heartbreaking. We won't be able to afford the new units so we'll have to close.

"The meat and fish traders get a new building but we are out on our ears. Nobody from the council has been to talk to us."

A consultation on the demolition ended on February 22.

Sir Peter said there was no chance he would keep the indoor market.

"The place is squalid," he said. "If it ever was fit for purpose, it's certainly not now.

"We are working with all of the traders to meet their very different needs.

"Some are looking to move into the new lock-up units we're providing and others are moving into shops.

"The last thing we want to do is threaten the viability of the businesses.

"Where businesses don't have the money for higher rents, we want to help them increase their turnover and their viability."

A garage was destroyed in a fire caused by an electrical fault.

Firefighters from the city's Western station attended the blaze, in Bradgate Road, Anstey, at 5.10pm on Saturday.

Crews battled the flames for about two hours.

No-one was hurt or had to be rescued, a spokeswoman for Leicestershire Fire and Rescue service said.

She said the garage was a single-story, 5m by 5m building, which was not attached to a house.

The spokeswoman said crews went out to reinspect the area on Sunday morning to make sure it was safe.

Nine-year-old James Underwood, who lives nearby, photographed the scene.

He said: "The day was very normal but in the afternoon there was a petrifying surprise.

"I was watching TV when there was a big boom. The garage on the other side of the road was on fire.

"By 5.34pm there was barely anything left."

Bosses from the National Space Centre have been advising Leicester City Council as it prepares its plans for a Richard III visitor centre.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby intends to transform the empty 1860s-built Alderman Newton School, which stands next to the car park in St Martin's where the king's bones were found.

It is hoped more than 100,000 people a year will come to the centre to learn about the last Plantagenet monarch and the target for opening is spring next year, to coincide with the interment of the bones at nearby Leicester Cathedral.

Sir Peter, who oversaw the purchase of the building for £850,000, said he had been having informal discussions with space centre representatives – chairman Mike Kapur and chief executive Chas Bishop – about how the centre could run.

He said: "Running an attraction such as this is not part of the core business of the council, so it is sensible to seek the advice of people who do know more about such things.

"We have, in The National Space Centre, something that was unexpected at the time and has worked extraordinarily well. It has exceeded its original business plans and made itself sustainable. That is something the Richard III visitor centre will have to achieve.

"Mike and Chas have given us some very useful advice and told us of some of the potential pitfalls we may face when developing a major attraction."

He said more than 30,000 people had already visited the small and temporary Richard III exhibition in the city's Guildhall and the Alderman Newton School had 15 to 20 times as much space for exhibits and school trips.

Mr Bishop, chief executive at the space centre, said: "The focus of the discussion was very much about target audiences and how they can attract the people they want to attract.

"Do they want an adult audience, or do they want a family audience? Will it be heavy on information or will it be more interactive?

"Probably the answer lies somewhere in between."

Sir Peter has approved a £355,000 budget to develop the attraction, saying that without the investment a great opportunity for the city's economy would be lost.

That will pay for a creative director and an interpretation specialist to work on the project as well as feasibility work.

About £135,000 of that will pay for promotional lamp-post banners and a marketing campaign.

In the long term, it is anticipated a trust – similar to the one running the space centre – will be formed to manage the attraction.

Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel said Leicester City's fate was sealed in the first half after their 2-1 defeat to Derby County at Pride Park.

Poor defending allowed Richard Keogh to head the Rams in front and then Chris Martin left City with a mountain to climb with a second just before half-time.

City came back in the second period and Jeff Schlupp reduced the arrears, but it was too little, too late for Nigel Pearson's men.

Schmeichel admitted it appeared as though the Rams wanted it more than City.

"We lost it in the first half, no question," he said.

"We didn't start well and they looked as though they wanted it more than us. It is very disappointing.

"In the second half, we showed more commitment, urgency and belief, but the damage was done.

"I can only do what comes at me and I couldn't do much about the goals. But it is very disappointing.

"We have to do better than that in the first half. Recently, it has been as if we have needed to concede a goal to get going.

"I think in this division you can't afford to go a goal down because it is very tough to come back, and it just wasn't good enough. I am absolutely devastated."

City go into the international break on the back of a run of one win in nine games, and Schmeichel said they had to regroup and reassess where they are going during the break.

"We definitely haven't performed as we should have done in the last eight or whatever it is games," he said.

"We go away on the international break and regroup, and I am sure we will bounce back."

Schmeichel is one of four City players on international duty.

Schmeichel will be away with the Denmark squad, while Andy King (Wales), Sean St Ledger (Republic of Ireland) and Chris Wood (New Zealand) will also be absent this week.

Development squad member Joe Dodoo is on standby for England Under-19s, while team-mate Steven Smith is with the Republic of Ireland Under-19s squad.

Leicester City made just one change from the side that was held to a draw at league leaders Cardiff last Tuesday night.

Paul Konchesky made a return at left-back after recovering from a hamstring injury, so Jeff Schlupp dropped to the substitutes' bench.

Sean St Ledger retained his place at right-back as Ritchie De Laet was not included in the squad, despite returning to training on Friday.

3 min: A good move from City as Richie Wellens plays in St Ledger down the right and his cross is hung up for Andy King, but his header is just over the bar.

16 min: GOAL 1-0 Jamie Ward sends in a deep free-kick and Richard Keogh out-jumps the City defence and heads past Kasper Schmeichel. City had started the brighter of the two sides but Derby make the decisive breakthrough.

20 min: Danny Drinkwater's corner causes problems in the Rams six-yard box but Chris Wood just cannot force the ball home.

22 min: Ward is booked for a lunging challenge on King.

23 min: A clever back-heel from Wellens plays in Konchesky but he cannot beat Frank Fielding from an acute angle. City still look the more dangerous side.

26 min: A great chance for Lloyd Dyer. Wellens does well and tees up David Nugent inside the Rams box and he crosses to the back post for Dyer, but he flashes his volley wide of the far post. He should have done better.

28 min: Nugent gets in behind the Rams defence and hits his shot first time on the half-volley, but Fielding saves.

35 min: Ward is inches away from connecting with Paul Coutts' cross after getting in front of St Ledger, and then appeals for a penalty for a push. The Rams are finally starting to threaten.

35 min: Coutts is booked for leaving his foot in on St Ledger.

41 min: Derby again appeal for a penalty when Wellens challenges Kieron Freeman.

42 min: Ward skins St Ledger and crosses for Chris Martin, but Schmeichel saves his volley. City have had a lot of the play but Derby have created the more clear-cut chances.

44 min: GOAL 2-0 Craig Forsyth whips in a cross and Martin out-jumps Michael Keane to head Derby into a two-goal lead. It was too easy for Derby to put in the cross.

45+1 min: Dyer does well to turn and whip in a deep cross, and King rises above the Rams defence but his header is over the bar.

H-T: Derby 2 City 0

51 min: Keane is booked for a foul on Conor Sammon.

58 min: Substitute Ben Marshall cuts inside Forsyth and shoots, but his shot is comfortable for Fielding.

62 min: GOAL 1-2 Marshall sends in a curling cross, Nugent controls it and lays it back for Schlupp who hammers a ferocious strike into the top corner of the net. Fielding had no chance.

63 min: City produce a great move on the edge of the box and Wood tees up Nugent but Fielding saves.

65 min: Substitute Ben Davies seizes upon Schmeichel's throw-out and his shot is just inches over the bar.

70 min: Schlupp does well down the left and pulls the ball back for Nugent, but again his shot is too close to Fielding.

74 min: City give the ball away in a poor area and Sammon sets up Martin. His shot is deflected but Schmeichel saves.

86 min: Martin gets past Wes Morgan into a dangerous position but his cross evades everyone and City survive.

90 min: Drinkwater shoots over and then Harry Kane slices a volley in a good position. City's shooting has been poor.

90+2 min: Kane makes space for himself on the edge of the box but his shot fails to hit the target.

90+5 min: The frustration boils over for St Ledger as he is booked for dissent.

90+6 min: The final whistle blows and there are discernible boos from the 2,000 travelling fans after yet another disappointing day as City's alarming slump continues.

F-T: Derby 2 City 1

Detectives investigating an alleged sexual assault on a teenager have released a photograph of two men they want to trace.

A 19-year-old woman told police she was attacked after spending the evening with a group of men in Leicester city centre on February 5.

She went with them to a flat in Eastern Boulevard, where she was later assaulted.

Three men, one aged 22 and two aged 20, have been arrested and released on police of bail pending further inquiries.

The force has now issued a photograph of two other men they want to speak to.

Detective Sergeant Emma Matts said: "We still need witnesses to come forward and we are particularly keen to speak to the two men pictured.

"If you are one of them or you know who they are, please get in touch.

"This photo is much clearer than the CCTV image we previously issued.

"Stop and take a moment to look at the faces of the men. Maybe they live in your area."

Anyone with information can call Det Sgt Matts on 101.

Derby County boss Nigel Clough hailed his side's battling victory against Leicester City as long overdue and absolutely vital.

The Rams went into Saturday's late kick-off just three points above the drop-zone after a run of eight games without a win, and they produced a display of grit and determination to overcome a City side suffering an equally alarming slump.

"I actually think that is the worst we've played at home this season in terms of our passing and creating chances," said Clough.

"But on the other side of that, it was one of our most determined performances of the season and the players put their bodies on the line.

"We need to get the balance perhaps a little bit towards that, when it comes to playing well and doing what we did (against City).

"I think this win is a reward for the last few weeks. It's funny how football works – against Crystal Palace we created stacks of chances and came away with nothing to show for our efforts.

"We needed a win after results before the game, and they probably had an effect on the tense atmosphere, but we can only control our own destiny and we're going to do all we can to get over the line as quickly as possible."

Clough said his side will need the international break to recover after the effort they put into Saturday's game.

"We need the break after that," he said. "The lads will be having a few days off this week and they deserve it – we've asked an awful lot of the same players week in, week out for the last few months.

"It's a brilliant three points for us and we are thrilled like you wouldn't believe to have won the game.

"The last half-an-hour was a real tester for us and we've been in that situation far too often.

"We were under a lot of pressure but the lads stood up to it extremely well indeed."

Leicester City's current form is as baffling as it is frustrating.

The same side that were sweeping teams aside at the turn of the year now looks as though it could not win a raffle, even if it was fixed.

Just one win in nine games is not just below par for a side that had automatic promotion aspirations just six weeks ago, it is relegation form.

But what has changed? Why is a side that was bristling with confidence, playing attractive football, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, now struggling to compete with a side like Derby, a team that went into Saturday's kick-off without a win in eight games?

City have been unfortunate at times this season, there is no doubt about that.

Their performances, by and large, have not been rewarded with the points return they have deserved, but they got exactly what they deserved at Pride Park – nothing.

What must be so galling for City fans is the sides they have lost to during this run.

It all started at Peterborough, then they were knocked out of the FA Cup by Huddersfield, then Charlton beat them on home soil, then it was Ipswich, Sheffield Wednesday and now the Rams – all teams that had been struggling in the bottom half of the table.

After so many games, the league table does not lie. Those sides are around the bottom because they lack City's quality. All they have is sheer endeavour, and sometimes that is not enough in a league this competitive.

But against City recently, it has been enough.

There is no doubt that City were simply out-fought at Pride Park in the first half, and the other sides all worked out that, if they drop deep en masse, then they can frustrate Nigel Pearson's side.

The result has been a gradual erosion of City's confidence and attacking belief to the point that the quality, which saw them break into the top two, is now fading.

Ben Marshall's delivery has become erratic, David Nugent has looked lost on the flank, Chris Wood has looked isolated and Harry Kane has consistently failed to hit the target.

City's attacking prowess has been on the wane.

So when Chris Martin headed City into a two-goal lead just before half-time, there was always a huge doubt whether they could get back into the game, especially as they had only scored 18 goals in 18 away games this season.

Jeff Schlupp, who again showed his versatility by coming on at half-time and filling a wide-left role, scored a superb goal to get City back in the game.

But although they were able to get into plenty of promising positions, City's final ball or shot was left wanting.

To compound City's problems, the back five which had looked impregnable is now starting to leak soft goals, especially from crosses.

Richard Keogh headed the Rams into an early lead when he out-jumped the City defence to head home Jamie Ward's free-kick.

Craig Forsyth was given all the time in the world to pick out Martin with another cross from wide just before half-time, and the Rams striker was able to easily out-jump Michael Keane to head past Kasper Schmeichel.

It was similar to Rudy Gestede's 94th-minute equaliser for Cardiff against City on Tuesday night.

City's slide has come during a gruelling run of fixtures which has seen them play 10 games in 36 days, and it looks like the schedule has taken its toll on some of the younger, less experienced players.

The international break could not have come at a better time for City because now they have a chance to recharge, regroup, work on what is going wrong on the training ground and come back more focused.

After all, while this run has ended their automatic promotion dream, they remain in the play-off places and still have a great opportunity this season.

Pearson's men still have so much to play for.

A council leader has issued a plea to the Chancellor on rising fuel prices.

Nick Rushton has placed a motion before Wednesday's full meeting of Leicestershire County Council calling on the Government to "recognise the increasingly harmful impact of transport poverty on necessary, everyday journeys".

His motion quoted figures from the RAC Foundation which showed 27 per cent of disposable income in the poorest households was now spent on buying and running a car.

He is also calling on the Government to recognise distribution is a key part of the county's economy and the consequent impact of high fuel prices on businesses.

Councillor Rushton said: "The idea of the motion is to put a line in the sand and let the Government know this is what Conservatives in Leicestershire think of the tax on fuel.

"If you've not had a pay rise for two or three years and see the price of everything going up, it makes life very tough."

The RAC Foundation's report revealed the poorest 10 per cent of car-owning households – roughly 800,000 in the UK – are in transport poverty, spending at least 27 per cent of their disposable income on buying and running a vehicle.

Foundation director Professor Stephen Glaister said: "These figures should shock the Chancellor.

"It lays bare the truth about the extent of transport poverty in the UK."

Speaking about Wednesday's Budget, he said: "George Osborne is likely to tinker with the rate of fuel duty.

"For people already drowning under the weight of motoring costs, cutting a penny or two off the price of a litre of fuel will help but is ultimately futile.

"To make any meaningful difference to those on the lowest incomes, the rate will need to be cut much further."

Wayne Doherty, 35, of construction and fencing company E L Group, of Anstey, said: "I run 10 vans, so I've had to put my prices up.

"But people don't always want to pay the extra so you have to bite the bullet sometimes."

Lewis Allardyce, 24, of New Parks, who runs Boxtec, a not-for-profit amateur boxing organisation said: "It's affected us massively.

"When we go to shows we get paid expenses, but it doesn't cover your costs in getting there.

"I'm paying £100 a month insurance and £50 to £60 a week in fuel and with tax and tyres on top it's getting ridiculous."

Hasnein Dhirani, 37, of Anstey Heights, Leicester, who runs Wildcat Energy Drinks, said: "I was in Dubai and I filled a 4-litre car up for £17.

"I worked it out that it would cost £140 here.

"The price of a barrel of oil is going down but the price at the pumps keeps going up."

Michael Stevenson, 72, of Humberstone, Leicester, said: "I'm disabled and I need my car – it's a lifeline.

" I'm cutting back on food so I can carry on putting petrol in the car. I'm spending £30 a week on petrol which is a lot out of a pension."

The United Kingdom Independence Party says it intends to stand for all 55 seats on Leicestershire County Council.

The party said it was planning a serious challenge to the Tories, who run County Hall, as well as their Liberal Democrat and Labour rivals.

UKIP has two councillors but has yet to successfully contest a county council election.

Former deputy leader David Sprason defected to the party from the Conservatives this month, while Rob Fraser quit the Tories and was an independent until joining UKIP

The party said it had recruited 30 candidates so far and more people had expressed an interest in representing UKIP in the election on May 2.

East Midlands constituency manager Paul Oakden said: "In 2009, UKIP did not stand a single candidate in Leicestershire.

"We don't want a situation this time where people come to us after May 2 and say "I would have voted for you but you didn't have a candidate.

"Every day, we are gaining fresh people so it is an achievable goal to have a candidate in every seat.

"Will we take control at County Hall? Probably not, but we will take votes from the other three parties and that will play a major part in the results.

"We are past the point where people can dismiss us as an irrelevance.

"Ours will not be paper candidates. They will be real Leicestershire people who have something to say about the county."

Mr Oakden said one UKIP target was Valley, in North West Leicestershire, which is held by Conservative council leader Nick Rushton.

However, Coun Rushton said: "They won't win one single seat.

"They are just another right wing opposition party.

"I don't think anyone had given UKIP much of a thought here until David Sprason decided he wasn't a Tory anymore and went to join them.

"That caused a bit of interest – but not much.

"They are a single-issue party with nothing to offer people in Leicestershire."

Liberal Democrat group leader Simon Galton said: "I don't understand what their appeal is for councils.

"They want to take us out of Europe but they can't do that by winning seats at Leicestershire County Council.

"The outcome of the county council election won't change the Government.

"We will be fighting the election on local issues and the Tories' questionable record."

Mr Oakden said UKIP had policies relevant to local politics, such as opposition to raising council tax and holding county-wide referenda on issues such as the hunting ban.

He said: "Our opponents say we are a just protest party but if they believe people are voting for us in protest, why are they not listening?"

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has vowed to lead the club through their most difficult period of the season – and has appealed to the Blue Army to stick with his team.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Derby County meant it is now just one win from nine games for Pearson's men.

They are clinging on to a play-off place by goal difference, after appearing to be strong contenders for automatic promotion just six weeks ago.

City's form has also led to questions about Pearson's position at the club, but he said he would not be distracted from guiding his team back to form.

However, he admitted City's current run is threatening to scupper their entire season.

"It is a situation I have experienced before and I always work through it," he said.

"I am never going to hide. I will take the responsibility for it but I also expect other people to take their share of responsibility as well.

"Hopefully, they will stick with us. I can understand their frustrations at our form, there is no doubt about that.

"It is not a situation we can't salvage, but we are putting our goals for the season at risk with what is a poor run of form.

"We have to work hard. We have to keep grafting through it and make sure the players are aware of their obligations to the football club, as well as mine."

Pearson was asked whether his job was in doubt, and he admitted the speculation was understandable.

When asked if his job was in jeopardy he said: "I don't know but I am a scrapper.

"I will be working as hard as I can to make sure we still have a good chance to achieve our season's objectives.

"I think when you go through periods like this it is understandable and natural for people to be concerned and disappointed about the situation. We understand that. My job is to lead and bring us through a difficult spell.

"(Here next season?) I would hope so but I don't think that is a question I can really answer at the moment.

"My focus will remain on trying to achieve the next win.

"There has been speculation at various points of the season and I am fully aware of that sort of speculation.

"It is unfortunately part and parcel of management these days that you have to be prepared to deal with that.

"Because of the expectation at a club like ours, it is probably going to come around more often than not.

"What I have to do is keep the focus on the job in hand. Anything outside of that I can't really afford to get involved in that type of speculation.

"I have to keep my eye on the ball, and I will do."

A procession from Bosworth Battlefield to Leicester Cathedral could play a part in the reinterment of Richard III.

The bones of the monarch are due to be buried at the cathedral in May next year.

Proposals include the remains being brought in a procession from Bosworth – where Richard was killed in 1485 – to the city and displaying the king's coffin, to allow the public to pay their respects.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I think some form of procession is going to be an important part of the ceremony on the day.

"People will want to have an opportunity to share it publicly."

The Duke of Gloucester will be at the reburial as a mark of respect for Richard III, who held the same title for 24 years. Sir Peter said: "I'm very pleased the Duke of Gloucester is firmly committed to being a part of this momentous occasion.

"We don't yet know who else might be attending, but we do expect the event will draw in tens of thousands of people."

Acting cathedral dean, Canon Barry Naylor, said displaying the coffin was known as "a receiving into the church". He said: "It's just an idea at the moment, but we thought it might be fitting, given the interest."

The procession would take place between May 4 and 25, with the memorial service four days later.

Philippa Langley, from the Richard III Society, said "We met cathedral officials and they suggested an honourable procession from the battlefield.

"To a man we thought it was the most wonderful idea.

"We're playing quite a big part in the plans. We went to see the Duke of Gloucester and he suggested using the royal undertaker.

"We thought that was a very fitting idea and we're exploring that at the minute."

A cathedral spokeswoman said: "The ceremony will probably be part of a longer celebration of Richard in the city, county and cathedral and ideas are being considered which reflect his life and times."

Richard Taylor, of the University of Leicester, said: "People need to be aware the remains are very fragile and this needs to be taken into account.

"Transportation needs to be minimised to avoid damage.

"One idea is that his standard is brought from Bosworth on horse and reunited with him on his way to the cathedral."

Related article: Space centre gives advice.

Coalville were crowned Midlands RFU Intermediate Cup champions after a fantastic 29-14 win in testing conditions against a battling Old Laurentians.

Coalville's reward is a game against North section winners Bridlington at home on Easter Saturday, March 30, for the chance to live out the dream of playing at Twickenham in the national final on May 4.

Heavy rain in the build-up made underfoot conditions treacherous at Whitwick's Memorial Ground, and that badly hindered the chances of free-flowing rugby and accurate kicking.

A healthy crowd of around 500 saw Old Laurentians seize the initiative as centre John Bean scythed through for a second-minute try.

Fly-half Dan O'Brien stretched the lead with a well-taken penalty four minutes later.

That should have been a substantial lead in the circumstances, but Coalville responded with some brilliant handling and running to record four well-worked tries.

Influential winger Miles Griffin was the catalyst as he made a superb break that resulted in several phases and a try from No.8 Stuart Tang.

After O'Brien stretched the lead with another penalty, fly-half Billy Measures combined well with lock Matt Chamberlain and Matt Twigg to allow Griffin to nip over the line.

Full-back Sam Blackburn added the conversion to put Coalville in front for the first time.

O'Brien ensured Old Laurentians re-took the lead with another firmly-struck penalty before Coalville went back ahead with Griffin's second score.

Centre Michael Richmond made most of the running from deep before the pacy Griffin again provided the expert finish.

The game was delicately poised at that point but Coalville landed a crucial blow right on the half-time whistle.

Twigg took a penalty that caught Old Laurentians unawares and he ploughed a lone furrow to put Coalville 22-14 up.

While Old Laurentians had been previously unable to make the most of their eight-point lead, Coalville controlled the game superbly when ahead by the same margin.

Place-kicking was almost impossible after the break and Coalville were content to soak up decent periods of pressure from OLs. The score remained the same until the 74th minute.

A visiting try at that point would have put the cat among the pigeons but it was Coalville who grabbed the clinching score. A break into visiting territory resulted in a five-metre scrum. Tang scored again with a pushover try and Blackburn added the extras.

Coalville have all but wrapped up the Midlands Two East (North) title but the play-off place is very much up for grabs.

Dronfield moved six points behind second-placed Oakham after a rearranged 5-3 win at Melton Mowbray.

Leicester Forest landed a 20-5 win against Bakewell Mannerians after tries from Adam Marlow, Dean Mooney, Tom Martin and Sam Driver.

A former Scout hut at the heart of a long row over plans to lease it to a Muslim group is to reopen as a community building this weekend.

The Forgotten Estates group has refurbished the property in Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, and intends to lease it out as a venue for clubs and community groups.

The group was formed in opposition to Leicester City Council's plans to allow As-Salaam Muslim community group to take over the hut.

The council rethought the idea after months of protests by residents outside a nearby community centre where As-Salaam was already meeting to pray.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby agreed the Forgotten Estates Committee would be given the lease on the hut, in Nursery Road, for two years rent-free.

Maxine Williams, landlady of the Stirrup Cup pub and founding member of Forgotten Estates, said: "We are very nearly ready to reopen.

"We have had new windows and guttering, a kitchen fitted and fire doors put in. It looks like a totally different building."

She said it would be renamed The 55th – after the Scout group that once met there.

She thanked residents who had raised thousands of pounds toward the refurbishment of the building, as well as tradespeople who had donated time and materials to the project.

She said: "People's generosity has made this happen. The 55th will be used most days of the week.

"We are currently putting the final touches to the groups and the timings."

As-Salaam said it had now agreed terms with the city council over leasing the council-owned Raven Centre, next to Thurnby Lodge Community Centre.

Imam Mohammed Lockhat said the group had started moving in, ahead of formally taking over the lease on April 1.

As-Salaam had previously said it could not afford the city council's asking price for rent, but he said terms had now been agreed.

He said: "We are in the process of moving in. We have resolved all of the issues."

He said the protests which cost more than £200,000 to police and had deterred some worshippers from attending prayers, had stopped.

He said: "There have not been any protests for about a month.

"That is we are getting back to normal.

"I am trying to get all those people who were scared to come to return, but that is taking time."

Sir Peter said: "We have reached a position where everybody involved has the opportunity to fulfil their hopes and ambitions.

"It has taken a lot of patience from everyone involved and I would like to thank them for that."

Martin Crowson looks back at five key points from the weekend's rugby action.

1 One of the most lasting memories I will take from the Millennium Stadium on Saturday was the Welsh journalist next to me trying to keep his emotions in check as his country edged ahead and then kept adding to their score. He was desperately battling to maintain his professionalism but, finally, small punches of the air turned to a deafening "yesssssssssssss" as Alex Cuthbert ran in his second try. Contrast that with the young England fan sat behind me staring into space with tears rolling down his cheek at the final whistle. It was an emotional day for all concerned.

2 Quite rightly, in the wake of such a wonderful performance, there were plenty of Welshmen – and women – in Cardiff saying this was the start of a golden era and that Warren Gatland should just "pick the whole of the Wales squad" for the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia. But a word of warning. Stopping England winning a Grand Slam in their own back garden is one thing, beating big southern hemisphere sides in the summer and autumn is another – something Wales have failed to do with regularity for some time.

3 If England fans were disappointed on Saturday night, their only solace was at least they were not French or Irish. Two teams that were supposed to be up at the top of the Six Nations table finished at the bottom. Ireland lost to Italy and have been stodgy and predictable for much of the tournament, while France came close to losing all five of their fixtures after an edgy victory at home to Scotland.

4 At the risk of warranting some criticism, I thought referee Steve Walsh had a good game in the Six Nations title decider at the Millennium Stadium. England may have felt hard-done-to at the scrum at times, but he allowed the game to flow and gave the attacking team the benefit of the doubt at the breakdown. That created an exciting and fast-flowing contest and meant he was hardly noticed.

5 Back to domestic issues and the final five weeks of the Aviva Premiership season are set to be epic. There are some huge match-ups with 11 of the 12 teams still having something to play for. This week alone sees Leicester at Exeter, Harlequins at Saracens and Wasps host Northampton.

A man has been jailed after attacking his brother with a machete in an argument over dogs.

Anthony O'Neill swung the weapon and slashed his brother's hand during an argument at their parents' Ashby home.

Leicester Crown Court heard yesterday how O'Neill (29), of Overton Road, Ibstock, went to see his parents on September 25 last year.

Prosecutor Alan Murphy said: "There's a history of differences between the defendant and his parents.

"The issues appear to arise out of the defendant's demeanour and his leaving various dogs at his parents' house."

The court heard that at 11.15am, the defendant's father went to fetch O'Neill's brother, Michael, who was on leave from the Army.

Mr Murphy said: "There was an argument between Michael and his brother about the way the defendant treated his parents and about leaving the dogs there.

"The defendant went to the dining room and Michael described him picking up a machete and waving it towards him in a threatening manner.

"He then swung it and said something like 'Trust me, you'll get it'.

"The machete caused a one-inch cut and some abrasions to Michael's hand."

The pair then had another argument and a fight upstairs, the court heard.

O'Neill, who has convictions for 24 previous offences – including assaults on his mother and a police officer – denied using the machete and pleaded not guilty to causing actual bodily harm, at Leicester Magistrates' Court on January 9.

However, he changed his plea to guilty a few days later.

Gareth Wheatman, defending O'Neill, said his client had anger management issues, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had also had "difficulties in childhood".

Recorder Gregory Pryce sentenced O'Neill to 42 weeks in custody.

He said: "You assaulted your brother, who only came to the family home because of difficulties you were causing."

When O'Neill is released from prison, he will be subject to an unlimited restraining order, banning him from entering certain streets in Ashby.