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High-speed rail plans discussed

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Councillors and residents from communities which will be affected by the Government's high-speed rail line plans were granted an audience with project managers yesterday.

Up to 60 people gathered at County Hall, Glenfield, for a question-and-answer session with representatives from HS2 Ltd.

They included politicians representing county, district and parish wards in North West Leicestershire.

Also in attendance were leading council officials, residents from community forums in the area and members of the Tonge and Breedon HS2 Action Group.

As things stand, phase two of the £32 billion HS2 project, connecting Birmingham with Leeds, would cut through North West Leicestershire.

County council leader Nick Rushton, who chaired the meeting, said: "It was a non-political event to find out more about the proposals. This included plans for the proposed consultation, which the county council will be leading on.

"The official consultation will start in July and HS2 said it will be running exhibitions."

The county council has lodged a formal objection to the HS2 line cutting through communities in Leicestershire, with Coun Rushton describing it as "all pain and no gain" for the county.

His concerns include the potential loss of jobs and road improvements – referring to a Kegworth bypass – and business rate rises if the proposed line blocked the development of the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at East Midlands Airport.


Cricket: Skipper's loss takes shine off a good day for Leicestershire CCC against Kent

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Leicestershire's County Championship clash with Kent at Grace Road was finely poised as it reached the halfway stage.

County were on the verge of claiming second-day honours yesterday with a robust response to Kent's first-innings score of 406.

However, the fall of skipper Ramnaresh Sarwan in the final over of the day evened up matters.

The loss of Sarwan will have been a huge disappointment for the home camp.

He and Matthew Boyce had added 95 runs for the fifth-wicket, securing a second bonus point and moving their side to within seven runs of avoiding the follow-on.

The West Indian had played with great responsibility to reach 54, only for his resistance to end when Darren Stevens, armed with the new ball for the last six balls of a rain-affected day, had Sarwan caught behind by Geraint Jones.

That left Boyce unbeaten at the other end on 53, the left-hander having provided great support to Sarwan after the pair came together with Leicestershire on 155-4 and a whiff of trouble in the air.

Up to that point, County had largely controlled the day's play.

Openers Niall O'Brien and Michael Thornely got the innings off to a solid start – and how often has that been the case in the recent past?

They showed great patience – it was not until the fifth over of the day that the first run went on the board – and put on 53 for the opening stand before Thornely drove Callum Haggett straight to cover.

That brought Ned Eckersley to the crease and an enterprising stand of 80 followed as he and O'Brien played positively against the Kent seamers.

Eckersley, who had finished unbeaten on 99 in County's draw with Hampshire last week, found the boundary ropes on 10 occasions before he edged Haggett into Jones' gloves.

O'Brien had long since passed 50 at that point, again punishing anything loose that came along as the bowlers struggled in the windy conditions.

However, the Irishman fell for 63, just five runs after Eckersley's departure, and when Josh Cobb was bowled by Mark Davies for eight – beaten by a ball which kept horribly low on him – Leicestershire were suddenly faced with the task of rebuilding their innings either side of tea.

Sarwan and Boyce did exactly that and, by the interval, County had progressed to 197 without any further losses.

A sharp shower saw 10 more overs lost – five having been shed immediately after lunch – but the fifth-wicket pair still knew that they had 23 overs of batting to face if they were to consolidate their side's position.

It would have been easy for Sarwan and Boyce to go into their shells and for the innings to stall.

They avoided that with some excellent shot selection, the boundaries flowing as they had on the opening day.

But just when it appeared their evening's work had been done, former County favourite Stevens stepped in with the final word on another absorbing day's play.

Cricket: Skipper's loss takes shine off a good day for Leicestershire CCC against Kent

Hopefully, you won't even notice Marcos Ayerza is missing, says Leicester Tigers prop Logovi'i Mulipola

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Samoan prop Logovi'i Mulipola is determined to limit Leicester Tigers' sense of loss over Marcos Ayerza's season-ending injury.

The first-choice Argentine loose-head broke his collar-bone during the Heineken Cup defeat in Toulon and will play no further part in Tigers' tilt at the Aviva Premiership title.

Mulipola admits that is a "big loss" for the club, but it will give the 20-stone front-rower a chance to further prove his value after a season which has already included 25 appearances.

"Marcos is a big loss because he is a very important player for us," said the 26-year-old.

"Not only that, but he is a real help for someone like me, telling me what to do and giving me help with my scrum technique and the angle of my body.

"Marcos is a good player and a good man to have in the squad.

"With the scrum, if you get it wrong, you lose. But, if you get it right, you can be on the front foot.

"I am doing okay but I want to get better, keep on improving and help the guys win games."

Mulipola was part of a massive front-row effort against Wasps last week that got Tigers on the front foot early and drove them on their way to a five-try bonus-point victory.

The Samoan's impact at the club is best shown by the fact that he is set to make his 40th appearance for Leicester at Bath tomorrow, having only made his debut 15 months ago.

With a human battering-ram style of running with ball in hand, Mulipola has quickly been taken to the hearts of the Tigers faithful, and the affable Samoan says he, and the rest of the team, will have to take their perfromance up a notch for the last few games of the season.

"We have been playing well but we have to play better now because we want to win the Premiership," he said.

"We get better as a pack each year and we all help each other in what needs to be done.

"We are definitely one of the best packs in the league and we all have to give 100 per cent until the end of the season, and make sure that we are strong and powerful and get the job done.

"This is a difficult time of the year because we have to get to that final and the pressure is on.

"But the important thing is not to panic and stay clam and concentrate on what we need to do."

Hopefully, you won't even notice Marcos Ayerza is missing, says Leicester Tigers prop Logovi'i Mulipola

Metal recovered from cremated bodies raises £40k

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Metal recovered from cremated bodies is being turned into road signs and lampposts – and raising thousands of pounds for good causes at the same time.

Leicester's Gilroes and Loughborough crematoria are among dozens across Britain signed up to a metal recycling scheme.

While less-valuable metals are smelted down and turned into road signs, motorway barriers and lampposts, others, such as cobalt, are used in aircraft engines.

The metal parts include steel hips, plates and screws from bones, fillings, false teeth fixers and coffin handles and fittings.

Adrian Russell, director of environmental services at Leicester City Council, which runs Gilroes, said: "Gilroes has been part of the national metal recycling scheme, run by the Institute of Cemetery and Crematorium Management (ICCM), for the past 15 years.

"It's something which is only done with the consent of the family.

"It arose from the issue of what to do with bits of metal which can't be scattered with the ashes and would otherwise have to be buried."

About half of Britain's 260 crematoria recycle metal recovered from bodies, generating 75 tonnes a year.

At Gilroes, the sale of metal recycled from the 3,000 cremations last year raised £40,000 for charity.

The city council donated £10,000 of this to the Rainbows children's hospice, in Loughborough, while £30,000 was collected by the ICCM and donated to Cancer Research UK.

Mr Russell said: "The sale of recovered metal from Gilroes is £40,000 a year. The ICCM gives 75 per cent of the money to a charity of its choosing. We choose which charity the other 25 per cent goes to, and that is Rainbows.

"We have never had any negative feedback. It's something that appears to be a suitable solution for everyone concerned."

A spokesman for Dignity, which operates Loughborough Crematorium, said it had been involved in the recycling scheme for over a year.

Its chosen charity for 2013 is Marie Curie Cancer Care and the first collection will be made in the summer.

The Dignity spokesman said: "Loughborough Crematorium subscribes to a metal recycling scheme managed by the Association of Private Crematoria and Cemeteries (APCC).

"This is a not-for-profit recycling scheme for all metal recovered from the cremation process and the families of the deceased can decide to opt out of the scheme prior to the cremation taking place.

"Any metal residues following cremation are collected and any money raised from the recycling is paid directly from the APCC to a charity.

"There is no financial gain for the crematorium from subscribing to the APCC scheme.

"Loughborough Crematorium has been in the APCC scheme for just over a year and the first collection will be made this summer, so as yet I cannot advise on the amount of money that will be donated to Marie Curie."

Metal recovered from cremated bodies raises £40k

Is your school planning to celebrate St George's Day?

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Is your school planning to celebrate St George's Day? The Leicester Mercury would like to hear about your celebration, so we can capture the fun on camera. Whether you are planning a traditional party in the school's grounds, a competition or fancy dress, we want to hear from you. If you would like a photographer to visit the school and be featured in the newspaper or online, get in touch with the picture desk by telephoning 0116 222 4222 or email picturedesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Is your school planning to celebrate St George's Day?

Greggs new factory, in Hinckley, 'set to create 300 jobs'

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National bakery chain Greggs is to build a production plant for pies and pasties, creating an estimated 300 jobs.

The factory, in Hinckley, will produce a wide range of frozen savoury products, which will be supplied to shops across southern Britain, where they will be baked to order.

At present, all of the company's savoury products are produced near Newcastle.

Greggs said it was to invest between £30 million and £35 million over two years on the 300m-long factory, to meet an expansion in demand.

The factory, which will be built on the former Johnsons Apparelmaster site, close to Ashby Canal, was approved by Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council on Tuesday.

Planning committee chairman Councillor Rob Mayne said: "This is great news for the borough. To attract a company such as Greggs to the area is a great boost for us.

"I have been told the factory will employ 300 people, many of whom could be local.

"I represent the ward where the factory will be built and I had thought I would savour the smell of sausage rolls being cooked.

"But it is a frozen food production plant and there will be no baking taking place here."

Coun Mayne said the factory would be on the part of the site nearest to the A5, which is also linked to the M69, so products and ingredients could be moved easily.

He said construction could start at any time.

"I hope work starts as soon as possible, creating much-needed jobs," he said.

Martin Traynor, managing director of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "This is fantastic news and demonstrates major chains such as Greggs are looking to invest in the county and create employment.

"The location of Hinckley is ideally suited for companies that need ready access to the motorway network."

Currently, Greggs supplies its 1,671 shops nationwide from a central savoury production unit, while 10 regional bakeries produce bread and other products.

In October, Greggs' chief executive, Ken McMeikan, said the company was planning a second savoury production plant in the south.

Last month, outgoing group chairman Derek Netherton announced the company was in the process of acquiring a site for "a frozen manufacturing facility in Leicestershire in order to meet the growth in demand".

A company spokesman would not go into details of how many people would be employed at Hinckley.

However, the spokesman confirmed the posts created by the development would all be new.

The approved plans include offices, cold storage and production areas.

The development will also have visitor and staff parking for 160 cars.

Greggs new factory,  in Hinckley,   'set to  create 300 jobs'

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is taking no chances with his players ahead of Crystal palace trip

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Manager Nigel Pearson is wrapping his players in cotton wool ahead of tomorrow's crunch trip to Crystal Palace.

Several of them are carrying the scars of battle after their gruelling victory over Bolton on Tuesday.

Pearson said they were being nursed through training this week to make sure they are ready to face the Eagles.

While there may be a touch of weariness, Pearson said the 3-2 win against the Trotters, City's first win in 10 games, had refreshed his squad mentally.

"We've had to be a little protective in terms of how much we do with them," he said.

"The other night we had a couple of players who haven't played a great deal coming back into the side, and we have a number who have played an awful lot of games.

"It is always about getting that balance right and making sure that, physically, they are recovered and we have the best preparation going into tomorrow's game. But the players are desperate to play, even if they are aching. That is the sort of mentality we want.

"Spirits are pretty positive after the other night and there is a sense of relief that we were able to see the game through and get the win.

"There aren't any injuries of any great concern. In those sorts of games, you always pick up a few bumps and bruises but, really, we will be more or less at full strength."

Midfielder Matty James, winger Lloyd Dyer and striker Jeff Schlupp were the stand-out performers on Tuesday.

All three have not played as much football as many of their team-mates this season, but Pearson said it was not just their physical freshness that had boosted City.

"It is not just physically, it is the ability to handle the situation mentally," he said.

"For people like Lloyd and Anthony Knockaert, who came back into the side, they hopefully see it as a fresh chance to go out and do their stuff.

"I think what is important is the mentality of the group, and we need the collective spirit to get through.

"If the side changes from game to game, then so be it. It is about getting the right result. The players are in a good shape mentally at the moment."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson is taking no chances with his players ahead of Crystal palace trip

Driver's windscreen smashed by rock hurled from bridge on A46 in Leicestershire

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A driver has described the terrifying moment youths hurled a rock at her car – smashing its windscreen.

Youths dropped a rock "the size of a fist" on to the woman's car as it passed under a footbridge on the A46 between Glenfield and Groby.

It shattered a small part of the passenger side of the windscreen, inches in front of the driver's 66-year-old mother.

The 39-year-old driver, who did not want to be named, believes the impact would have been far greater and the consequences more serious if she had not slowed down seconds earlier.

She said she decelerated when she spotted the youths ahead, as she anticipated "they were up to no good". "In my eyes, it's attempted murder," she said. "It would have been an awful lot worse if I'd been going at normal speed.

"I'm sure the rock would have come through the windscreen – and my mother was in the passenger seat.

"Fortunately, I'd seen the three youths up there and just had a feeling they were going to do something like this.

"They looked like they were up to no good – and I'm so glad I saw them and reacted the way I did."

The woman, whose four-year-old daughter was in the car, continued along the A46 until she found a suitable spot to pull over. She then called the police.

"My mum was really shocked and my daughter was very upset, too, although she's so young she has shrugged it off," the woman said.

"I wanted to put this in the Mercury because I wanted to warn other drivers to be aware of the dangers.

"You have to pay attention at all times on the road, but not everybody would have looked at those young men on the bridge and thought 'they're going to throw something at me'.

"If I could speak to the youths who did this to us, I would probably want to wring their necks first, but I would try to explain to them just how dangerous and stupid their actions were."

Mike Salisbury, chairman of Glenwatch, the Neighbourhood Watch group for Glenfield, said: "There is no logic to this – unless they got some thrill from it. I really don't know.

"I can't recall anything similar happening here before, so hopefully this was an isolated incident and they have realised the consequences of throwing anything at a moving car."

Leicestershire Police are looking for the three youths, who were all dressed in dark hooded tops. One was riding a bicycle.

They are believed to have made off towards Groby.

A police spokeswoman said: "This is an extremely reckless thing to do.

"This action could cause serious injury to people travelling in cars below."

Anyone with information should contact Leicestershire Police on 101.

Driver's windscreen  smashed by rock hurled from bridge on A46 in Leicestershire


Narborough Road partially blocked after accident

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Narborough Road is partially blocked near its junction with Ashleigh Road, in Leicester, after an accident shortly after 8am. Area traffic control say traffic is moving slowly in both directions as a result of the accident with diversions in operation.• See more live travel updates here.

Narborough Road partially blocked after accident

Snooker ace Mark Selby donating £100 for each century break

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Snooker ace Mark Selby is hoping to rack up the century breaks at the World Snooker Championships, not just in his bid for glory but to help the youth club that nurtured his talent.

Selby learnt his trade on the pool and snooker tables of New Parks Club for Young People, in New Parks Boulevard, Leicester.

The world number one remains a frequent visitor, as the club's patron.

Now, ahead of his latest tilt at the world crown at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre, he has pledged to donate £100 to the youth club's coffers for every century break he makes in the championship.

"It's had a huge influence on my life and played a very big part in where I am today," the 29-year-old said of his childhood haunt.

"I feel it's the least I can do – to give something back to the club and New Parks.

"It's the place where my snooker career more or less started."

Mark was back at the club this week for a party celebrating its 60th anniversary, where teenagers Ollie Parker and Rhys Bifullco were among those who traded pots with their hero.

Ollie, 13, of Hackett Road, New Parks, said: "It's great that Mark used to come here to play pool.

"He has proved that success is there if you put your mind to it.

"I enjoy playing pool and I hope to get a ticket for the Crucible to cheer Mark on."

Rhys, 13, of Birds Nest Avenue, New Parks, is also is a member of Mark's snooker academy at The Winchester club, Wigston.

"Mark is a magnificent person who has time for others," he said.

"He is a wonderful patron of our youth club and supports us in so many ways.

"He's a joy to watch play and a great role model – I hope he carries on supporting the club throughout his career."

New Parks Club for Young People could be in for a tidy windfall if Mark runs into a bit of form.

He set the record for the most century breaks compiled in a single world championship match – six – in 2001, which was also the record for a best-of-25 match.

Mark also holds the record for the most centuries in a season, making 54 in 2010-11.

At the 2007 world championship, when he lost in the final to John Higgins, he had made 13 century breaks – more than any other player in the tournament.

New Parks youth worker Luke Smith-Brookes, 23, said: "It's fantastic what Mark's doing.

"He is an old boy and a great role model who has not forgotten his roots.

"He shows the lads and girls at the club that success can happen if you are determined and stick with it."

Club vice-chairman Neville Turner, 78, a stalwart for the past 45 years, said: "If he makes only five or six centuries, it's still fantastic.

"We have to raise all the money ourselves from subs and donations.

"Mark's a great lad. When Kaz Gray and Bob Holford – who used to drive and coach him when he was nine in local tournaments – turned up, a smile lit up Mark's face.

"All eyes will be on our TV screens for the next few weeks."

Mark's opening match is against Romford's Matt Selt on Tuesday.

Snooker ace Mark Selby donating £100 for each century break

Sad, unused, unloved - inside Leicester's old Haymarket Theatre

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Leicester's Haymarket Theatre which once hosted acting greats now stands empty, and nobody seems to want it.

Its stage was once graced by acting greats such as Sir Ralph Richardson, Sir Anthony Hopkins and Peter O'Toole, but it now stands empty and unloved. The Haymarket Theatre, on a prime piece of land in the city centre, closed in 2007 to be replaced by Curve, yet remains a drain on council resources.

Yesterday, a group of city councillors took a tour of the former theatre to find out why the council has been unable to find someone to take over the building.

The tour, on which the Leicester Mercury was also invited, took the council members around the large foyer, the dark auditorium and the dusty backstage areas, which stretch like a labyrinth into the depths of the Belgrave Gate theatre.

The building, which opened in 1973, has rooms piled high with seating, crumbling plaster walls and long corridors of painted concrete.

The council has more than 60 years left on its lease, which means a £150,000-a-year cost to taxpayers for rates, maintenance and a service charge.

The council first put the building on the market for £500,000, but mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is now willing to negotiate a sum with potential buyers.

Yesterday's tour was for the benefit of members of the council's Economic Development, Culture and Tourism Scrutiny Commission, who advise Sir Peter.

Commission chairman Sue Waddington said: "We don't want the council to continue to pay for an empty building and, as we haven't been in here since the theatre closed, we thought we should take a look.

"We need to think of new ways to market the building and find a new owner to bring it back to use.

"It could be a good wedding venue or be put to a religious or educational use. It's a great opportunity. It's an enormous building."

Brendan McGarry, of the city council's property department, told the councillors he had showed many interested parties around the theatre, including religious groups, casino operators and people from London's theatre industry.

However, no one had so far expressed much of an interest in taking on the lease, or even sub-letting it short-term from the council.

Under the terms of the council's lease, the uses for the building are restricted and the limited capacity of the Haymarket car park may also be an issue for prospective tenants.

Councillor Culdipp Bhatti, the commission's deputy chairman, said: "One thing I think there is a demand for is a new ice-skating rink, but that's not possible under the lease."

Commission members were also there to consider whether the council might benefit from some investment to bring the interior up to date.

The theatre is full of reminders of the past, such as a swirly 1980s carpet and tatty posters of Wham! and Sigue Sigue Sputnik in the backstage area.

Councillors hoped the building could again be put to a use that enhances the city centre.

Councillor Ted Cassidy said: "With the removal of Belgrave Flyover, this is going to be a prime site in an important part of Leicester.

"I think there's tremendous potential as this is a focal point of the city centre, but it needs someone with vision and capital to invest. It might get easier if the economy improves."

Sad, unused, unloved - inside Leicester's old Haymarket Theatre

Ritchie De Laet on Leicester City's play-off hopes

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It doesn't matter if Leicester City don't keep another clean sheet this season as long as the strikers keep scoring, defender Ritchie De Laet has said.

Despite having one of the best defensive records in the Championship, City have not had a clean sheet for 10 games and face a Crystal Palace side tomorrow who have failed to score in their last five games.

De Laet reckons it is about time City added to their 16 clean sheets already this season at Selhurst Park, but said as long as City can pick up the required victories to ensure a play-off place then it wasn't a concern.

"We have to try and keep a clean sheet because it has been a while since we had one of those," said the Belgian.

"As long as we do that then we only have to score one to win the game.

"But I don't really look at the stats. We have defended well and Kasper Schmeichel has been great for us this season.

"As long as the strikers keep scoring, we will be okay in the last three games."

Tuesday night's victory over Bolton was City's first in 10 games and fired them back into the top six. De Laet said the win had boosted confidence.

"It was a vital victory for us," he said. "It can be tough when the results don't go for you but the gaffer has been telling us we have been doing well and we had to take positives out of every game.

"He is an experienced manager and he handled it well. As players, we look up to him.

"The confidence was always there. You don't become a poor team overnight. We knew we had the qualities from before that.

"It was just good to get that win finally. In those games against Brighton and Birmingham, we conceded in the last minutes but Tuesday we were able to grind it out."

Only three points separate Brighton in fourth and Nottingham Forest in eighth as the race for the play-offs hots up, making the last three games huge events for City.

De Laet said all the players were relishing the big occasions. "You want to play in these games," he said.

"It could come down to the last game at Forest and that would be incredible. But, if we can do the business before that against Palace and Watford, then even better."

Ritchie De Laet on Leicester City's play-off hopes

Cover version: How former Leicester student Storm Thorgerson changed the face of rock

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Storm Thorgerson, whose artwork graced some of the most iconic albums in the history of rock, has died aged 69. In 2007, features writer Lee Marlow interviewed the University of Leicester graduate. We are running the piece once more, in tribute to the man hailed as the best album designer in the world.
It is, when all is said and done, just a cow, a big, slightly angry-looking, black-and-white Friesian. In a field. "A cow?," spluttered the managing director of EMI, Pink Floyd's record company, when it was presented to him in 1970. "What has a cow got to do with anything?" At that moment, says Storm Thorgerson, the cover for Pink Floyd's fifth album – Atom Heart Mother – was born. There was no title on the cover. The band's name was also missing. Just that picture of a cow, in a field, with more cows on the back. "It was spectacular," cheers Storm today, officially a pensioner at 65, but still hanging out with rock bands and designing memorable album covers. "The cow was a mystery, a conundrum – and yet it's not, is it? It's just a cow." He designed more iconic covers – Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon, with its instantly recognisable refracted light through a prism – but the cow seems to best sum up what he does – striking, original album covers which delight guitar players and bemuse record company executives. Designing album sleeves is a funny way to earn a living, admits the man who has been designing them for 35 years. "I hang out with musicians – and then dream up visual ideas which best describe their music," he says. Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Muse, Black Sabbath, 10cc, Peter Gabriel, Rainbow, The Mars Volta, The Cranberries, Scorpions – they've all hung out with Storm so he can dream up way of describing their albums. Born in Potters Bar, London, during the war, Storm and his family moved all over England. It was the kind of frantic childhood that would make anyone slightly unhinged, he says. He arrived in Leicester in 1963, studying for an English degree at Leicester University. He left in 1966 with a degree, a broken heart after an unrequited love affair with a Yorkshire lass called Lizzie and a lifelong love affair with Leicester. "I loved my time in Leicester," he says. "It was a vibrant, colourful, multicultural city – even then. I felt at home there. "It was such a friendly city. I felt part of it. "As a student, you're always slightly removed from everyday life as it affects most people – but I shopped at the market, went to the Phoenix, drank in the pubs. I loved it." He returned to Leicester a few years ago to track down his old student digs. They had been knocked down and replaced with smart starter homes. After a spell at the Royal College of Art, he was asked to design the cover for Pink Floyd's second album, Saucerful of Secrets. He was second choice, he found out later, but it didn't matter. He impressed the band with his original ideas and a friendship was born. Album covers, he concedes, neither help nor hinder sales. The Beatles' plain White Album sold millions. Yet, he says, we all judge books by their covers. "I'm a translator. I translate an audio event, the music, into an artistic event." You must have a favourite cover? "You can't ask me that. I like them all," he says, snappily. "Well, I like most of them." He doesn't like the famous woman with chewing gum cover he did for the Scorpions' 1978 album, Lovedrive. "My theory is, why have a bad album sleeve when you can have a good one? Why have a dull thing in a world of dull things." He likes his album art to be real. So, for instance, the man who appears to be on fire on Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here album really was on fire. So is the Tree of Half Life – a Pink Floyd T-shirt of a face made from the branches of an old oak tree – real too? "Ah, maybe not. I should tell you to mind your own business here." Amid his arsenal of anecdotes about working with rock superstars, some of his best tales concern the bands who turned him down. Foreigner hired Storm's company, Hipgnosis, to design the cover for an album called Silent Partners. The band hated it, rejecting it as "too homosexual". They changed the name of the album – to "4" – and sold millions. There's no accounting for taste, says Storm. "We were turned down last year by Red Hot Chili Peppers for the cover for Stadium Arcadium," he says. "They went for something old-fashioned and trite, I thought, but it's their choice. "We have a good relationship with Muse (in the preface to Storm's book, Muse's Matt Bellamy describes him as "stubbornly grumpy and bloody- minded") but they turned us down for something last year. You have to click." Anyway, he says, that's enough. He doesn't like going public with stuff like this. Did you, by any chance, take a lot of drugs in the late '60s and '70s? This, you sense, is a question he's been asked before. "I have worked hard and I have played hard but, no, drugs are not the inspiration for my art. "They're not useful. They're recreational, not creative. It would be impossible to work as a graphic artist on acid, for example. You need to focus." Twenty years ago, Storm fell into a financial abyss. He still had work, but there was more going out than coming in. He says: "Financially, I was on the edge. It was a tricky time, one of the worst of my life." Graphic design, is not well paid. "Do I get royalties? I wish I did. It's a one-off payment." His book – a pricey but impressive coffee table collection of album covers three generations of fans have known and loved – was released this week. "I think we've done a good job with the book. We tried to make it flawless but nothing is flawless, is it? Except maybe a bungalow."

Cover version: How former Leicester student Storm Thorgerson changed the face of rock

Leicester Tigers team announced to face Bath

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Leicester Tigers welcome back England stars Tom Youngs, Geoff Parling and Tom Croft for tomorrow's Aviva Premiership fixture at Bath. The international trio missed last weekend's bonus-point win over London Wasps but are fit to resume their places in the starting line-up. Thomas Waldrom starts in the back-row and Steve Mafi, who returned from injury with 40 minutes in the home win over Wasps, switches to the second-row. Matt Smith is given a starting spot on the wing. Interestingly, there is no place among the replacements for George Ford, who is set to be unveiled as a Bath player very soon. Club captain Geordan Murphy and Dan Bowden are selected among the replacements for the penultimate league match of the season. Director of rugby Richard Cockerill says: "We had a good win last week but the job is not done yet. We need the points to secure a home game in the semi-finals, and Bath are also chasing the wins they need to book a place in Europe next season so it will be a big occasion." Leicester Tigers team to face Bath: 15 Mathew Tait 14 Matt Smith 13 Manusamoa Tuilagi 12 Anthony Allen 11 Adam Thompstone 10 Toby Flood (capt) 9 Ben Youngs 1 Logovi'i Mulipola 2 Tom Youngs 3 Dan Cole 4 Steve Mafi 5 Geoff Parling 6 Tom Croft 7 Julian Salvi 8 Thomas Waldrom Replacements 16 Rob Hawkins 17 Fraser Balmain 18 Martin Castrogiovanni 19 Ed Slater 20 Jordan Crane 21 Sam Harrison 22 Dan Bowden 23 Geordan Murphy

Leicester Tigers team announced to face Bath

CCTV appeal after woman robbed in New Walk, Leicester

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Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery in New Walk, Leicester. A 21-year-old woman was grabbed from behind by a man as she approached the junction with Waterloo Way. The man threatened her and asked for her mobile phone. He took the woman's Samsung Galaxy S3 and ran off towards the city centre. He is described as black and wearing a dark hooded jacket with red trim. Police have released CCTV footage of a man they wish to speak to. The robbery happened at around 7.35pm on Saturday, March 23. Detective Constable Amanda Thwaites said: "We would ask anyone who can recall any information about this robbery to please get in touch. "Did you witness what happened? Perhaps you recognise the man in the CCTV? If so we would please ask you to contact police." Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Thwaites on 101.

CCTV appeal after woman robbed in New Walk, Leicester


Four hurt in crash

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Four people have been injured in a crash involving a lorry and two cars. The crash happened on the B4114 Coventry Road, near Broughton Astley, at 12.30pm today, and left one person seriously injured, two with head injuries and a fourth "walking wounded". The casualties were all taken to Walsgrave Hospital in Coventry and the most seriously hurt was taken by air ambulance. Fire, police and road ambulances also attended the crash, which happened not far from the Mill on the Soar pub just outside the village. One car is believed to have rolled over in the crash and the road remains closed south of Croft.

Four hurt in crash

Jewellery, cash and computers stolen from a house in Thorpe Astley, Leicester

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Police have appealed for help tracing jewellery and electrical goods which were stolen from a house. A number of distinctive pieces of jewellery were taken during the break-in at the house in Burchnall Road, Thorpe Astley, Leicester. They include a gold, red and pearl pendant necklace, children's gold bangles, a long gold necklace with black beads, a woman's Gucci watch with a square face and a Swarovski bracelet and earrings. Police hope members of the public will help them trace the stolen pieces. Valuables including a lime green Sony laptop, a black Toshiba laptop, an Apple iPad and a large quantity of cash were also taken from the house, which was targeted between 5.30pm on Saturday, March 30, and 10.25am the next day, Easter Sunday. Two men have been arrested in connection with the break-in. They have been released on police bail while officers continue their investigation. Contact Detective Constable Dan Williamson on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Jewellery, cash and computers stolen from a house in Thorpe Astley, Leicester

Home furnishings tycoon becomes Leicestershire's first billionaire

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A businessman who once sold curtains on a market stall has become Leicestershire's first-ever billionaire. Bill Adderley, who founded homeware chain Dunelm at Leicester market, has seen his wealth soar by £390 million to £1.1 billion over the past 12 months, according to the Sunday Times Rich List. Mr Adderley and his family, who live near Uppingham, Rutland, own a 59 per cent stake in the Syston-based retailer. The 65-year-old founded the business with his wife Jean in 1979 when they lived in Coalville after leaving his job as manager of Woolworths in the town. He is life president of Dunelm, while his son Will is executive deputy chairman. A surge in the value of the business has seen the family retain position as the richest in the East Midlands. The Adderleys are worth double the amount of the next Leicestershire person on the rich list. Freddie Linnett and the Murphy family, the leading shareholder of property developer Charles Street Holdings, of Thurmaston, is worth £550 million, a valuation which has not changed from last year. John Bloor, owner of Hinckley-based Triumph Motorcycles and Measham housebuilder Bloor Homes, is worth £525 million after seeing his value rise by £114 million since last year. Sir David Samworth and family, owner of Melton-based pork pie and ready meal maker Samworth Brothers, is valued at £490 million, a figure which is unchanged from 12 months ago. Construction tycoon David Wilson, founder of David Wilson Homes and chairman of Davidsons Group, of Ibstock, saw his wealth climb by £40 million to £405 million, according to the rich list. The 25th annual Sunday Times Rich List will be published this Sunday.

Home furnishings tycoon becomes Leicestershire's first billionaire

Appeal for witness to come forward

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Police investigating a burglary of a village home have issued CCTV images of two burglary suspects and one of a potentially crucial witness. Intruders escaped with a haul which included cash, computers and jewellery from the house in Desford. A CCTV camera filmed two men outside the Manor Road house, as well as a potential witness walking past at the time of the break-in, which happened between 1.30pm and 1.50pm on Wednesday, February 27. Police today released CCTV images of the two suspects and the potential witness. At 1.30pm, CCTV cameras at the house filmed a man approach and go down the side of the property. Approximately 10 minutes later, a second man, who was carrying a green carrier bag, was also filmed heading in the same direction. A short time later he was filmed pulling a dark wheeled suitcase across the driveway and turning left towards Desford village centre. At this time the woman, who was pushing a pushchair and walking a dog, passed by. Detective Constable Pip Lynch said: "We are particularly keen to speak to the woman in the image who walked by as she could have witnessed something related to this burglary. "We are also interested in identifying the two men in the other images who were seen at the house and we would ask anyone who knows of their identity to please get in touch." The first suspect was wearing a dark cap, jacket and body warmer. The second man was wearing a grey and black hooded top, dark trousers or jeans, dark gloves and dark training shoes. If you are the witness, or you know the suspects, contact Det Con Lynch on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Appeal for witness to come forward

UPDATED: WITH PICS Bomb squad called after "device" found in Sileby

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Homes were evacuated and bomb disposal experts called in after a device was found in a village. Police were called to Peashill Close in Sileby at 3.30pm yesterday and half an hour later began going door to door ordering residents to leave their homes immediately. An Army bomb squad arrived to deal with the device but at the time of going to press there was no information about what it was. People living in Peashill Close were also not being told much about what was happening. Steven Wakefield, 63, said: "It was a bit after 4pm the police came round to ours and said there had been a device found and we'd have to evacuate immediately. "I'm not sure where they'd found whatever it is. Some people living near the top of the street were let back later so it's probably nothing huge." Richard Edwards, 71, said: "There was an air field near here during the Second World War so it's possible they've found an unexploded bomb from the war. "I don't think you'd find many guns or bombs around here otherwise. "Police only come to this area to do traffic speed checks." Dave Lawrence, 66, , said: "The police knocked on my door at about 4.30pm and that was the first I'd heard of it. "I don't know where it they've found something and the police won't tell us anything." Andy Paling, a Charnwood borough councillor for Sileby, who lives nearby, said: "I've tried to get the police to tell me what's going on but they won't. "There are a lot of residents down there who are very elderly and are having to stay with friends and family." The road remained closed for more than five hours. A police spokeswoman said: "We have an incident in Sileby and we are dealing with it. There are no further updates."

UPDATED: WITH PICS Bomb squad called after

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