A father-of-six seriously injured in a fall from a balcony while in Tunisia is now back in England, where he is continuing his recovery in hospital.

Karl Nethercot returned to the UK on Friday night, and was taken to Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham.

Friends and family have been raising money to help cover the cost of the 33-year-old's medical bills, and on Saturday, friends in Leicester held a football match to boost the total.

The accident happened on October 2, in the Tunisian resort of Port El Kantaoui.

Because Karl had been drinking, his insurance company refused to pay his medical bills.

There had been worries Karl would also have to pay £22,000 for an air ambulance home, but he was well enough to board a scheduled flight home to Gatwick with his partner, Emma Huszarik.

Stewart Smith, of Newfoundpool, Leicester, partner of Karl's sister, Mandi, played in the match on Saturday.

He said: "They're keeping him at Queen's Medical Centre for a couple of days and then he'll go straight to a rehabilitation centre.

"He's still got a badly-bruised brain and is pretty confused.

"It could be 12 months before he's back to normal."

The football match was held at Fullhurst Community College, in Braunstone, and was arranged by friends of the family at the Breeze Bar, in Narborough Road, West End, Leicester.

Stewart said: "We're really grateful for everyone who's come along. They paid £10 to play and it'll be a big help."

The two teams were selected at random from family friends.

Others who attended to watch the match made donations.

The match ended in a 7-7 draw and raised about £250, which will be added to the £3,500 raised for the family so far.

The family have spent at least £8,000 on medical bills and other related costs as a result of Karl's accident, most of it loans they need to repay.

Spectator Richard Orme, 59, of West End, Leicester, said: "I've known Karl's parents for years. I've never known them to be more upset than after what happened to Karl.

"We're all glad he's back."

Angela Gimson, 57, of New Parks, Leicester, said: "We were all devastated by what happened.

"I'm disgusted the insurance company won't pay out. If you can't have a drink while on holiday without invalidating your insurance what's the point in having insurance?"

Among those in the crowd were Karl's aunts, Eunice Wright and Pearl Godfree.

Eunice, 55, of Braunstone Town, raised nearly £200 towards Karl's hospital bills and on Saturday was selling cakes.

Pearl, 61, of Braunstone, said: "We're just happy Karl's back."

Karl's parents, John and Dawn, who live in Leicester's West End, went to Tunisia after his accident and were due to get their flight home last night.

Karl's travel insurance, with Homecare, was provided free when his partner, Emma, took out an account with Santander.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation can do so to account 35349490, sort code 09-01-28, at Santander, in Narborough Road, Leicester.

Nigel Pearson said he fully supported his players who chose to make a statement about racism in football by boycotting the wearing of T-shirts in support of the 'One Community, Kick it Out' campaign.

All the City players were due to wear T-shirts supporting the campaign during the warm-up, but Lloyd Dyer and Jeff Schlupp decided not to.

Although Pearson admitted he would have preferred all his players to have donned the shirts, he said he had no issue with individual decisions.

Several high-profile black players chose not to wear the T-shirts before games on Saturday, including Manchester United's Rio Ferdinand and Reading's Jason Roberts, in protest at the perceived lack of progress in ridding the game of racism. But Pearson feels their stand may actually help the cause in the long run.

"Yes, it was their decision and I spoke to them (Dyer and Schlupp) before the game," said Pearson.

"I said to them they have our total support and backing.

"There has been a lot of exposure to this particular topic in the media, and certainly with what happened in Serbia (when black players in the England Under-21 side were subjected to monkey chants) was unfortunate and totally unacceptable, so if players decide they want to make a personal statement, then fine.

"What our players know is that the rest of the squad and the staff are behind them.

"If it is a statement they want to make, then fine, and if it heightens exposure to an issue we want to eradicate from the game and society, then fine.

"I would rather we were all together, but having said that we are together in how we back those players who decided not to. There is no issue with us.

"The fact that people have noticed it has perhaps intensified the need to deal with what is a totally unacceptable problem."

A photograph of a Leicestershire prisoner of war confronting Nazi leader Heinrich Himmler convinced Hollywood producers to make the soldier's gripping story into a movie.

A-list actors are said to be queuing up to star in the film about Horace Greasley, a Second World War soldier who risked his life repeatedly for his German sweetheart, Rosa.

Horace, from Ibstock, was a private with the 2nd/5th Leicestershire Regiment when he was captured on May 25, 1940, during the British retreat to Dunkirk.

He then spent five years in prisoner of war camps, working in quarries and factories.

Horace met Rosa at a marble quarry labour camp in Silesia, then part of East Germany. She was the quarry director's daughter, and worked as a translator.

Rosa was also part-Jewish and was forced to hide her background – and her hatred of the Nazis – from everyone around her.

They forged a relationship and when Horace was transferred to a factory camp, Rosa was heartbroken. She pursued him and eventually tracked him down, but she had no access to the camp.

However, Horace managed to force apart the bars of his cell and, night after night, for two-and-a-half years, would sneak past the guards to meet Rosa in an old chapel, before sneaking back in – his arms filled with supplies for his starving comrades.

During an inspection, Horace came face to face with Himmler, one of the Nazi leaders.

Himmler was also head – or Reichsfuhrer – of the SS, the organisation which ran the Nazi extermination camps, where millions of people were killed.

Their meeting was captured on camera by a German war correspondent – and the image is now considered to be one of the most iconic images of the 21st century. Horace's amazing story was turned into a book called Do The Birds Still Sing In Hell? ghostwritten by Ken Scott, in 2008.

"I found the picture of Himmler and Horace when I was looking for a front cover for the book," said Ken. "Horace looked at the photograph and said, 'who is that with me'?

"I told him it was Himmler and he said, 'I only went over to show him my ribs and ask for some more food'.

"It was taken by a German war correspondent and, only about six months ago, the photo appeared in an online magazine in the US as part of a collection called the 40 most iconic photographs of the last 100 years. That is when all the action started."

The photo had appeared with a link to Mr Scott's book and, within weeks, 13 major film companies had called to buy the rights.

Ken chose US-based Silverline Productions, because they promised not to over-dramatise the movie.

"They said the tale was amazing enough already and they aren't going to change it to be something it wasn't, and I liked that," said Ken.

"A guy called Jason Usry wrote the bare bones of the screenplay and then it was sent to me to change the dialogue because they want Horace to be a British prisoner of war , not a GI from Texas."

The film is being produced by Straton Leopold, who was executive producer on Mission Impossible III and The Sum of All Fears, starring Ben Affleck and Morgan Freeman.

Ken is flying to Savannah, in Georgia, in the next few weeks for a read- through with students to test the script.

In the meantime, the actors are being chosen and a director is being lined up.

"I wish I could, but I can't say who is on board yet, as things are still getting signed on the dotted line," said Ken.

"But I can say it will be a mix of German and British actors and they are A-listers – you will know who they are.

"As for the director, they are currently choosing between two.

"One of those they were thinking of, they said that they might not get him because he had only done three major movies in his career – that's how big we are talking here."

Filming is due to start in north Poland in March or April next year, with scenes being shot in Pinewood Studios in the UK and a few being filmed in Hollywood.

Horace was liberated on May 24, 1945, and continued to receive letters from Rosa, by then a translator for the Americans.

But the letters suddenly stopped and Horace found out Rosa had died in childbirth not long after he got home.

Horace never knew if the child was his.

He married wife Brenda and the couple moved to Spain's Costa Brava.

Horace died two years ago, and Brenda returned to Leicestershire.

Ken said: "Finally, the world's attention will be on Leicestershire and people will see Horace's amazing story.

"I really hope that in a few years, when it is done, Brenda will be walking down the red carpet at the premiere."

Leicester City grabbed a late equaliser to extend their unbeaten run to six games and move to the top of the Championship.

But would it have been greedy for City fans to be lamenting two lost points? Because as it was, Nigel Pearson's men produced another impressive display and completely bossed the first half against the Blues.

With Anthony Knockaert again pulling the strings in a free role off the flank, it seemed as though the only danger to City was complacency. It was almost too easy at times.

An almost shocked hush descended on St Andrew's, even amongst the home supporters, when Peter Lovenkrands put the hosts in front completely against the run of play on the stroke of half-time.

The massively impressive City following, all 3,752 of them, would have been forgiven for thinking 'here we go again' as they recalled previous impressive, yet fruitless, away performances this season.

But this City side is growing in belief and while the second half became more attritional, as the tempo dropped, the visitors showed they have the grit and determination to complement their attacking flamboyance.

Ben Marshall went on to snatch a point with a trademark long-range effort, and he could have collected all three points with a superb free-kick which was spectacularly saved by England goalkeeping prodigy Jack Butland.

City boss Nigel Pearson was forced to sit and watch after undergoing knee surgery, but probably did not feel that compelled to race to the edge of the technical area to issue instructions as his side now look like they do not need continual coaxing.

The big question is now that City are on top of the table, albeit on goal difference, can they stay there?

Barely a quarter of the season has gone and there is such a long way to go it would be churlish for anyone around City to get carried away, but it also has to be said that they are starting to look like a side who can maintain a level performance that could see them remain in contention.

With two home games within a week coming up, City have a great opportunity to establish themselves at the summit of the division, and continue to build the self-belief that is ensuring that, even when things do not go their way, despite their best efforts, they keep going until the end, as they did at St Andrew's.

Gordon Fraser arrived in Leicestershire with a reputation as an experienced and talented police officer.

However, within 18 months he was suspended and placed under investigation for alleged fraud and gross misconduct, and he believed his near 25-year career was on the brink of ruin.

Leicestershire Police Authority had shortlisted Mr Fraser for the post of assistant chief constable early in 2009, and he took up the job in June that year.

As required by law, the authority submitted his and other candidates' names to the Home Office, which cleared him for interview.

About six months after his arrival in Leicestershire, Mr Fraser was promoted to the role of temporary deputy chief constable, after the then- deputy chief, Chris Eyre, moved to Nottinghamshire Police.

But about a year later, on December 6, 2010, Mr Fraser was suspended from his £100,000-a-year post on full pay under an investigation for alleged fraud and gross misconduct.

That inquiry, which is continuing, was into his alleged role in an overseas property business whose investors apparently lost money.

The 48-year-old's wife, Teresa, a detective with West Midlands Police, is also currently on suspension while the inquiry is being carried out.

It is understood the allegations first surfaced before Mr Fraser joined Leicestershire Police.

He was then working for West Midlands Police, where he held the rank of detective chief superintendent and had served for 22 years.

Merseyside Police was appointed to carry out the inquiry into the allegations as it had no connections to the Frasers, or anyone else under investigation.

The Merseyside force has provided monthly updates for Leicestershire Police. The force told the Mercury earlier this month that officers were still working on the case.

Mr Fraser was back in the headlines in July this year when he was charged with conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

He was accused of attempting to dodge a penalty for speeding in Scotland by asking his wife to tell police she had been driving at the time.

Mrs Fraser, 42, was also charged with the offence, which was investigated by Hertfordshire Police, again because it had no connection to the Frasers.

The investigation was announced by the Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service.

The area's chief crown prosecutor, Baljit Ubhey, said at the time: "A criminal complaint was made alleging that Mrs Fraser had accepted responsibility for a speeding offence allegedly committed by Mr Fraser on September 29, 2011, in Strathclyde.

"The essence of the charge is that Mr Fraser, having allegedly committed a speeding offence, falsely informed the investigating authorities that Mrs Fraser had been the driver of the vehicle in question, and she falsely accepted responsibility for the speeding offence."

On Friday night, it emerged that Mr Fraser had died after being hit by a train in Aston Magna, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire.

The couple were due to appear before magistrates in relation to the conspiracy charge in St Albans, Hertfordshire, today.

It is understood Mrs Fraser's appearance has been postponed.

Stunning Nehal Bhogaita has been crowned Miss India Leicester after impressing judges with her interview answers – despite not being able to hear the questions.

The profoundly deaf beauty therapist, who can lip read, spoke through an interpreter at the regional round of Miss India Worldwide, held in Birmingham.

Nehal works as a support worker for charity Action Deafness and had never modeled before the competition, where she competed against dozens of young women, whittled down from a shortlist of hundreds of online applicants.

The 24-year-old, who lives in the Abbey Lane area of Leicester, said: "The whole day was overwhelming and when they announced I was the chosen finalist for Leicester I was over the moon and completely shocked."

Judges asked Nehal what colour suited her personality best, and for her view on arranged marriage.

"I answered 'red' because it's loveable and fiery, although it represents danger and I like facing challenges," she said.

"I answered, ideally I would prefer a 'love' marriage as it would give me the opportunity to get to know the person myself," she added.

"However, like an arranged marriage, I would need my parents' approval. Without that there is no future."

Then Nehal faced the catwalk round. "I had never done one before and I was shaking," she said.

"But as soon as I started, I just became my own person and showcased my personality. I was shocked at how confident I became."

When she was announced as the winner, Nehal said she was "completely shocked".

"I just couldn't believe it," she said. "All the judges came up to me and said they chose me because of the way I gave my answers and the way I catwalked. I was filled with gratitude."

On Saturday, Nehal will compete in Oxford for the title Miss India UK. If she is successful, she will go through to the worldwide competition.

"I'm preparing my clothing and putting together my talent, which will be a collage of dances," she said.

"It's tough to do that while working, especially when you want it to be perfect, but I'm sure I'll get there with the help of my family."

Throughout the competition, Nehal is raising money for Ronald McDonald House, which provides care and support to parents who have seriously or terminally-ill children. "My being deaf is minute in comparison to the struggles these little children face," said Nehal. She is holding a bake sale, car wash and dance-a-thon to help raise cash.

Mum Mina, 48, said the family had gone to the regional final in Birmingham to support Nehal.

"We went along to watch her and I could not stop crying, I was so proud," she said.

"She was so confident and she answered her questions so well.

"She is so clever. And after all she has been through – she has not let it hold her back."

To sponsor Nehal, visit:

http://www.just giving.com/ nehal-bhogaita

Police in Leicestershire are in shock after a senior officer being investigated over allegations of fraud and trying to dodge a speeding ticket died when he was hit by a train.

Assistant Chief Constable Gordon Fraser was killed in Aston Magna, Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, shortly after midday on Friday. The 48-year-old's death is not being treated as suspicious.

Mr Fraser had been due to appear before St Albans Magistrates' Court today alongside his wife, Teresa, who is also a police officer. The couple were charged in July with conspiracy to pervert the course of justice by allegedly lying to help Mr Fraser avoid a speeding fine.

At the time of the alleged offence, Mr Fraser, who had been a police officer for almost 25 years, was suspended from his post while he was investigated for suspected fraud and gross misconduct.

The inquiry centres on his alleged involvement in an overseas property business, in which investors reportedly lost money.

After the news of Mr Fraser's death emerged, a source told the Mercury: "At Christmas, he will have been suspended for two years.

"Whether or not the investigation into the property investment business clears him, that is a very long time for someone to have to live with something like that hanging over him.

"This is a tragic outcome. People who knew him, or worked with him, are devastated and are struggling to come to terms with it all.

"The past 18 months have been a bitterly disappointing end to what had been a very good police career and there were great expectations about what that man would have done with his career in the future."

An officer, who asked not to be named, said: "I met Mr Fraser a couple of times and I was really impressed with him. I heard the news on Friday and rang colleagues to ask them what they knew about it and how they were feeling.

"None of us know anything about the investigations or what he's supposed to have done, but that's the nature of these things. People will be shocked and upset because he was widely seen as one of us."

In January last year, after he was suspended, Mr Fraser spoke to the Mercury to protest his innocence.

He said: "They are paying me to stay at home, which is nonsense. I have been a public servant all my career.

"All I want to do is get back to my job of protecting the public. It's what I was brought up to do. I was doing a pretty damned good job when I was working and I was making a difference.

"I'm desperate to help the investigation and I am convinced my name is going to be cleared.

"Obviously, they will dot every I and cross every T and it will take months and then they will start asking me questions. Even if I am proven to be totally innocent, my career is over."

Mr Fraser's 42-year-old wife, a detective with West Midlands Police, is also suspended as part of the investigation.

Burbage councillor Mary Sherwin was a member of the Leicestershire Police Authority panel which interviewed and appointed Mr Fraser.

Coun Sherwin, who is no longer a member of the authority, said: "He seemed a very capable and forthright man. I can only say how sorry I am for his family.''

As the force's assistant chief constable, Mr Fraser oversaw its performance on tackling and investigating crime.

Leicestershire Police and Leicestershire Police Authority issued a joint statement, in which they said: "Our thoughts are with his family and friends. Mr Fraser had been offered welfare support during his suspension."

A spokeswoman for British Transport Police, which is investigating Mr Fraser's death, said: "Officers were called to the railway line in Aston Magna, Moreton-in-Marsh, on Friday following a report of a man being struck by a train.

"Paramedics from Great Western Ambulance Service also attended but the man was pronounced dead at the scene."

The three people taking part in the race to become Leicestershire's first police and crime commissioner will appear at a hustings tonight.

Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth will chair the public question-and-answer session, organised by the Chartered Management Institute and Neighbourhood Watch.

It will take place at the Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Circle, Leicester city centre, between 7pm and 9pm.

The Conservatives have chosen recently-retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader, a parish councillor in Wing, Rutland, as their candidate for the post, while the Labour Party has selected Leicester's assistant mayor Sarah Russell.

Leicester community worker and businessman Suleman Nagdi is standing as an independent.

The event is the first in a series of hustings.

The CMI and Neighbourhood Watch are also holding a session at Rutland County Museum, Catmose Street, Oakham, tomorrow, between 7pm and 9pm.

The Diocese of Leicester is staging an event at Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough, at 7.30pm on Monday, October 29, and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce will hold a hustings in De Montfort University's Hugh Aston building, the Newarke, at 7.15pm on Wednesday, October 31.

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson was full of praise for his side as they sit proudly on top of the Championship table.

The delighted manager hailed his team's performance in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Birmingham as "great."

Substitute Ben Marshall struck a late equaliser to earn his team a well-deserved point.

That point was enough to take City top of the table on goal difference as leaders Cardiff were beaten by Nottingham Forest.

Pearson said a draw was the least his side deserved for what he called "a dominant performance".

"I thought we played exceptionally well again and sometimes things don't quite go your way," he said.

"What I will say is that, although on the balance of it people may argue it is two points dropped, for me we earned a really important point.

"We kept on going and showed a spirit and togetherness that I know has been there all season. That will stand us in good stead.

"We totally bossed the game. I can't remember Kasper Schmeichel having anything to do apart from playing as a sweeper.

"We defended well as a team and totally dominated possession. I am disappointed that the officials allowed the tempo of the game to be disrupted in a way which suited Birmingham, but you can't have it all your own way.

"Our players kept their concentration and were professional.

"We should have had three points but we haven't drawn a game for God knows how long, so a positive is that we haven't lost."

City were denied a couple of strong penalty claims in the first half as they looked to hammer home their territorial advantage. But neither a challenge on Lloyd Dyer inside the penalty area or a handball by James Hurst were given.

"The one on Lloyd Dyer is laughable," said Pearson.

"The second one, I have seen them given. It certainly hit his hand but he didn't know a lot about it.

"I think it is important that the officials try to get the decisions right. I think it is another example of where technology would certainly help."

An ambitious young filmmaker is dreaming of Cannes after his short film made a clean sweep of the top awards in a prestigious competition.

Joey Fallon and his film Glove scooped Best Director, Best Film and the Audience Choice prizes at the London 48 Hour Film Challenge.

The 24-year-old media production graduate from Wigston, who lives in the capital, roped in six friends to collaborate on the project.

His team, called They Aren't the Droids You're Looking For, was up against 44 other groups, with each crew given just 48 hours to write, shoot, edit and produce a short film of between four and seven minutes long.

Joey, a former pupil of St Paul's Catholic School, in Evington, said: "It was a bit daunting as we were up against some experienced filmmakers but we work well together and gave it our best shot."

Glove from InXplicable on Vimeo

Each team had a strict brief for their film. It had to be a drama with a fantasy element, with "cream" as a prop and a "minor celebrity" character called Charlie Cipriani.

It also had to include the line, "let me tell you a secret".

Glove tells the tale of a man who, consoling himself with a tub of ice-cream in front of the television after being dumped by his girlfriend, sees a late-night advert featuring a relationship guru who claims to possess the secret to true love.

By coincidence, he meets the guru on a park bench the next day when, after declining the guru's help, he finds a magic glove. The glove then takes on a life of its own and leads the protagonist through the streets of London and right to the woman of his dreams, who has the other glove in the pair.

"We had a lot of fun making the film but it was very intense and quite stressful because of the time limit," said Joey.

"I was pleased with the result but had no idea it would be such a hit with the judges.

"I couldn't believe it when they gave it best film, but to win the top three prizes going was just incredible."

The awards night was held at the Phoenix Artists Club, in London.

Sue Hodgkins, 48 Hour Film Project London producer, said: "Glove is a clever, well crafted little film that hits exactly the right note.

"Joey beat some hot competition from much more experienced directors."

Glove will be London's official entry in the 48 Hour Film Project's International Awards, held in Los Angeles in March, in Los Angeles, where it will compete with short films from 220 other cities around the world.

The prize for winning in London is a trip to the awards night in LA for Joey and film partner Jon Sankey, and a Canon A3100 digital camera.

Joey, who works as an editor for a firm producing movie trailers, hopes Glove can follow in the footsteps 2010 London winner The Girl is Mime.

Starring Martin Freeman, of The Office and The Hobbit, it won the 48 Hour Film Challenge International Best Film prize in 2011 and went on to be screened at Cannes, Los Angeles and Raindance festivals.

To view the film, visit:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

Members of the public last night had a chance to question the three people who hope to become Leicestershire's first elected police and crime commissioner.

The hustings, at the Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Circle, in the city centre, was organised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Neighbourhood Watch, and chaired by Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth.

About 50 people were able to quiz the three Leicestershire candidates ahead of the election, which take place on Thursday, November 15.

The Conservatives are represented by recently-retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader, a parish councillor in Wing, Rutland.

The Labour Party has selected Leicester's assistant mayor Sarah Russell, who represents the Westcotes area of the city.

Leicester community worker and businessman Suleman Nagdi is standing as an independent.

The police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will replace the existing police authorities which have traditionally set police budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised force performance.

The Leicestershire PCC will earn about £70,000 and will themselves be scrutinised by a panel of local councillors.

The Home Office believes commissioners will be more accountable to the public because they are elected, whereas police authority members include appointed councillors, magistrates and independents.

The CMI and Neighbourhood Watch are holding a session at Rutland County Museum, Catmose Street, Oakham, tonight, between 7pm and 9pm.

The Diocese of Leicester is staging an event at Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough, at 7.30pm on Monday, and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce will hold a hustings in De Montfort University's Hugh Aston building, the Newarke, at 7.15pm on Wednesday, October 31.

For a full report on last night's hustings, see tomorrow's Mercury.

Businessmen who paid £1 million for a section of a street in Leicester city centre say they cannot find anyone who wants to rent space there.

The three partners bought four buildings in Granby Street for £1,010,000 at an auction in London last October.

But Mehil Somani, one of the partners who bought the buildings – which spread from numbers 113 to 133 and incorporate office space and seven retail units – said the investment had not lived up to the businessmen's expectations as nobody wanted to rent any of the space.

"To say we are disappointed is an understatement," he said.

"Myself and my partners thought we would be investing in a prime section of Leicester city centre which would provide us with an exciting opportunity.

"Granby Street is a major gateway into the city because of the railway station and we want people to shop on it not just pass along it on their way to Highcross.

"Some people are renaming it cheap street and that is not helping us at all. We just can't get the businesses we need to rent the space."

Mr Somani said the partners had hoped to discuss "a way forward" with city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby but had "not been able to get past his personal assistant".

Sir Peter said he had checked and did not have a record of an approach by any of the three businessmen.

"However, if they would like to get in touch with me then I would be delighted to talk to them about the building and the city," he said.

"I have met with many developers over the past year and I am always happy to do so. In fact, I tend to meet them as a matter of routine."

Mr Somani, who lives in Bushby, said his two partners were Hitesh Ghelani, 51, a director of Ghelani cash and carry, in Catherine Street, Leicester, and Ajay Singh, 28, who owns the Blues pub, in Oadby.

He said the buildings were given a guide price at the auction of £450,00 and were described as "potential redevelopment opportunity for residential and student accommodation or hotel (subject to consent)".

A Leicester City Council spokesman said the authority had done much to improve the Granby Street area.

"We have invested heavily in improvements to Granby Street to support retail and will continue to do so," he said.

"The area has already seen over £3 million of investment in improved pavements, new trees and landscaping.

"It is also one of six priority areas in the city set to benefit from a £600,000 scheme to improve shop fronts.

"Recent improvements to the railway station, and work to strengthen office development in the area, will also help retail in this part of the city."

The buildings include the 157-year-old former Thomas Cook Temperance Hotel.

A property group which was given consent to demolish the building – despite a spirited campaign to save it – as part of a development of a seven-storey office block, shops and a restaurant went into administration in September 2010.

We have all seen the delighted faces on 60 Minute Makeover as residents' homes are transformed from shabby to chic. Now, Leicestershire has its own DIY hero.

Kind-hearted builder Danny Richdale, of Braunstone, is offering his services free to a pensioner couple in need of a new kitchen.

The 29-year-old said he wanted to do a good deed for someone who really deserved it, to give them an early Christmas present.

After putting out an appeal for nominations on Facebook, he decided to help out Joan and Arthur Whitehead, of Thurnby Lodge.

Danny, who is self-employed, said: "I lost my own nana 10 years ago and I was very close to her, having lost my dad at the age of eight in a motorbike accident.

"I used to go to her house after school and she would take me to Braunstone Working Men's Club to play bingo."

Danny said he was moved by Joan and Arthur's story.

"We settled on helping Joan, who is 67, and her husband Arthur, who is 74 and unable to get out of his chair," he said. "Joan has worked all her life and at one point she held down five jobs.

"To this day, she works at a school in Highfields, cleaning from 2.30pm till 7.30pm, and then has to take the bus home alone to take care of Arthur.

"She's a mum of six and has 17 grandchildren, which keeps her busy at weekends.

"Joan is the heart and soul of her family – she likes to cook and keep everyone entertained."

Danny called on friends in the industry to help out with the project – and the offers came flooding in.

Building and kitchen merchants have provided everything from tiles to work tops, while friends have offered their time and cash donations.

"I've been self-employed in the construction trade for about 12 years and I've found myself doing a lot of favours for people, so I decided to call them in – and people have been fantastic," said Danny, who, with the help of carpenter colleague John Frisby, started work on the couple's bungalow in Ocean Road yesterday.

"Myself, John and the boys are all mucking in, using our spare time to help out this lovely old couple. We had a great response and some very generous donations towards the cost of materials."

Danny is hoping to finish the kitchen this week.

Joan, who was nominated by granddaughter Amy, 25, said: "It's absolutely marvellous. I can't get over it, they're such good people "The first I knew about it was when Amy told me she had put our names forward.

"Doors were falling off in the old kitchen and there was no room to put anything.

"You don't realise there are still people like this around. They're just lovely, what they're doing is so nice."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has said he is not ruling out giving his squad a boost by bringing in loan signings.

The City boss said there could also be players heading out on loan before the window closes on November 25.

Paul Gallagher has just returned from loan at League One side Sheffield United and could go out again.

And midfielder Richie Wellens is currently gaining match-fitness at Championship rivals Ipswich after having knee surgery.

"I am not ruling it out one way or the other," said Pearson.

"I wouldn't rule out either ins or outs, although I am really pleased with the players we have got.

"We have one or two players who may go out – or not.

"Richie Wellens is out on loan at the moment, and I think his loan is up on November 10 and he is due back here on the 12th."

He added: "The squad are really stretching each other. We have some healthy competition for places.

"Yes, we are a lean squad, so to speak. We don't have massive numbers but it's okay if you are able to minimalize the number of injuries, and certainly the suspensions.

"If you compare us to last season, when we had nine sendings-off which equated to probably 40 games where players are not available, all in all we are in a better position."

Brighton visit the King Power Stadium tonight, and Pearson said he could make some changes to his City side that drew at Birmingham on Saturday.

City were yesterday checking on the conditions of defender Zak Whitbread, who completed his first 90 minutes in the league this season at St Andrews, and striker Jamie Vardy, who dropped to the substitute's bench against Birmingham after missing training through illness.

"It was Zak's first full league game and he had a bit of cramp towards the end, but I thought he played exceptionally well on Saturday," said Pearson.

"Jamie Vardy has been out for quite a long time with illness and hasn't trained.

"We will assess the players and I wouldn't rule out changes, but I think one of our strengths has been the fact we haven't made too many changes."

City's only absentee is defender Sean St Ledger, who is on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring injury.

Ben Youngs says there is more to come from him in the weeks and months ahead.

The Leicester Tigers scrum-half capped a man-of-the-match display against Ospreys with a late try at Welford Road on Sunday.

He also played an important role in Manu Tuilagi's first try to restore parity in the first half after Ospreys had opened an early 10-point advantage.

His performance was a swift riposte, too, to the criticism Youngs had received following Tigers' Heineken Cup defeat in Toulouse the previous week.

Youngs only returned to action for Tigers against Sale Sharks, at Salford, earlier this month in the Aviva Premiership but he is quickly showing that he has recovered from the shoulder surgery that has kept him out of action since England's summer tour to South Africa.

"I'm not going to change the way I play," he said. "I've got some really good people around me in the players and coaching staff here.

"That was only my third game back in and it was nice to get out there and play at Welford Road again. It has been a long time.

"My fitness is pretty much there and I think by next week I will be just about where I want to be."

There was backing, too, from Tigers team-mate – and brother – Tom Youngs.

"When you come back from injury, it is always hard in the first couple of games or so," said the Tigers hooker, who continues to catch the eye. "But I knew he would pull something out of the bag after what happened last week in Toulouse.

"He was upset by it (the tap and go) last week but he looked at the positives and he kicked well last week – they all came out well."

He added that it was important to draw a line under the negatives as quickly as possible and concentrate on moving forward.

"As a player, you cannot get strung up by the negatives too much," he said. "It's like me and my throwing. As a hooker, you can't get strung up on it or it ruins your whole day. You have to say it has happened and move on to the next week."

Leicester City must embrace the pressure of being top of the table, defender Zak Whitbread has urged.

City claimed top spot on Saturday after their 1-1 draw at Birmingham, and they will be expected to extend their 100 per cent home record when they entertain Brighton tonight and then Crystal Palace on Saturday.

In the past, City sides have wilted under such pressure, but Whitbread said they should enjoy being the team everyone else wants to beat.

"We have to relish being top and being the favourites," he said.

"We can't look at that as being a problem.

"People will use that title of favourites but, favourites or not, Brighton will be a tough game. We have to treat it as any other game.

"It will be a tough test because they are going well."

Against Birmingham, Whitbread came through his first full 90 minutes in the league since arriving at City last summer.

He admitted his relief to be back in action after a serious calf injury last season.

"I am delighted to be back, to be selected and to be involved," he said.

"It has been a long time to get fitness and getting through the first game has been the main thing.

"I need to use this as a platform and kick on. Hopefully, my fitness and performances will get better.

"I have been looking forward to it for a long time. To be here and be involved, nothing else compares to it.

"I can tick it off the list, and it is about getting my legs back and doing the right things in preparation for tonight.

"I have learned to take it game by game and not look too far into the future. Each game brings its own test. Now it is Brighton and I will get myself right for that."

Whitbread added: "I have to do everything right. I have every recovery drink and shake on the planet.

"Three games in eight days is part-and-parcel of the modern game and you have to give yourself chance."

Whitbread is hoping he can continue his partnership with captain Wes Morgan, and said the dominant central defender had helped him through his comeback.

"I have been watching all season and he has been immense, colossal," said Whitbread.

"It was easy playing alongside him with the experience, strength and pace he has got. He has the lot."

A father who was attacked in his home by three masked men has said he thought he and his family would be killed during the raid.

Jitendra Damani, 54, was struck with a hammer when he refused to hand over cash and jewellery to the armed robbers, who had forced their way into his home in Western Park, Leicester.

His son Neel, 25, was repeatedly hit with a hammer and left with a fractured cheek during the attack.

The robbery happened at about 9.50pm on Saturday, September 29, when the gang jimmied open the locked front door with a screwdriver.

Neel and his mother Divya, 53, were relaxing in the living room and Jitendra was asleep upstairs after finishing a long shift at work.

Jitendra said: "I woke up when I heard my son, Neel, screaming and shouting as they were beating him up with a claw hammer.

"I ran down and saw my son lying on the floor in the living room bruised and battered."

The men demanded Jitendra hand over cash and gold, and struck him on the head with a hammer when he refused.

"Two of them dragged me upstairs and the other stayed with my wife and son," he said. "He grabbed my wife and pulled the rings off her fingers and the chain off her neck."

Upstairs, Jitendra was threatened for a second time and handed over a briefcase which contained about £300, the family's passports, various documents and his Russian stamp collection valued at about £500.

"I was so shaken and a felt helpless – I thought we would be killed," he said.

"My son and wife were shocked and terrified.

"My wife can't stay in the house and has gone to her sister's house in London.

"We have to keep the lights on at night and the front door permanently locked."

Jitendra and Neel were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment to their injuries and returned home the following day.

Police have taken DNA and evidence from the scene.

The three raiders are white and aged between 22 and 30.

It is thought they made their escape in a silver car, which was last seen travelling along Hinckley Road, towards the city.

Jitendra said he wanted to speak to the Mercury about the horrifying raid because the perpetrators are still at large.

"It's been three weeks now and the police haven't found anything new, so I'm hoping by making the story public it will encourage people to come forward," he said.

Jitendra said the unique stamp collection which was taken in the robbery might hold the key to tracing the criminals.

"It's very distinctive and not many people will have similar collections," he said.

"It's in a small blue book and contains about 100 Russian stamps – there wouldn't be many places where the thieves would be able to sell it."

A spokeswoman for Leicestershire Police said officers were investigating the incident at the family's Frampton Avenue home.

Anyone with information can call police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.