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VIDEO: Firefighters tackle blaze at quarry in Croft

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Some 50 firefighters tackled a blaze at Croft Quarry last night. A total of eight crews from around Leicesershire fought the fire which broke out in a building at the quarry in Marions Way, off Coventry Road in Croft. A member of the public raised the alarm at 6.48pm last night after seeing smoke coming out of the 45m high building. A fire which started on a conveyor belt quickly spread throughout the 40m x 100m building. The fire crews had extinguished the blaze by 3.30am but returned at 8am this morning to search for hot spots. The cause of the fire is being investigated. No-one was hurt in the incident.

VIDEO: Firefighters tackle blaze at quarry in Croft


Store pull-out hits bus station project

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The future of the £80 million redevelopment of Hinckley town centre is hanging in the balance after Sainsbury's announced it was pulling out of the project.

Rescue talks have been arranged after Justin King, the group chief executive, wrote to the council saying that because of delays and other problems the bus station scheme no longer made financial sense.

But the Liberal Democrat-controlled Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, which is supporting the scheme, said: "The deal is not dead."

The project, known as The Crescent, included shops and a cinema, with Sainsbury's being its anchor.

Start dates for the project, which was hoped to create hundreds of jobs, have come and gone without work beginning.

Mr King wrote to council chief executive Steve Atkinson on April 29 saying the company was pulling out.

He was responding to a letter from Mr Atkinson on April 16 seeking clarification of the company's position. Mr King wrote: "I can confirm that we have today notified the developers, Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership LLP, that we will not be proceeding with our store within the proposed town centre regeneration scheme."

He said the conditions of the initial contract with Tin Hat had not been met.

He said: "A major part of the attraction of this project for us was the wider development, including the other shops and the cinema, with the physical improvement to the fabric of the town centre.

"However, we understand that a lack of demand from other shop tenants, the prohibitive cost of building the cinema and the incentive packages needed to entice other potential occupiers, coupled with the stringent conditions laid down by Tin Hats' external funders, means the developer can no longer build out the scheme as originally designed.

"This raises the prospect of our supermarket trading in isolation for an undefined period and, consequently, this significantly diminishes the trading and commercial back drop for us. We share your disappointment that the changes I have noted mean that Sainsbury's is no longer able to be part of this scheme."

Mr Atkinson said talks had been arranged and insisted the scheme was not dead.

He said: "We received notification of Sainsbury's intentions and responded immediately, requesting further discussions between the parties. The parties have agreed to take part in further discussions and these will be taking place as soon as possible.

"The council is doing its utmost to ensure that the development does take place. As it stands, the deal is not dead."

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: "Discussions regarding progress of the Hinckley town centre regeneration scheme are on-going between all parties. Updates will be provided to the community once discussions have progressed and the next steps are confirmed."

Peter Batty, Conservative group leader on the council, said: "I am very angry that the public has been kept in the dark over these major developments. It is clear the council knew there was a problem over the involvement of Sainsbury's well before the county council elections on May 2.

"The public deserves more openness. We do not want sweeteners, we cannot afford, to be offered to keep Sainsbury's on board."

Store pull-out hits bus station project

Reconstruction of Richard III's head on display for first time

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Hundreds of people came face to face with Richard III in Leicester today. Visitors queued for the chance to view a reconstruction of the king's head which was put on display for the first time at the Guildhall. It was created by forensic artists for the Richard III society based on a scan of the king's skull, which was found in a Leicester car park last year. The face, which is housed in a glass case on a pedestal, is part of the Guildhall's free exhibition and will go on a national tour after three weeks on show in Leicester. Duncan Bosher was delighted to get the chance to get up close and personal with Richard III after flying in from America. Duncan, 58, from San Francisco, said: "This is just amazing for me. "I grew up in Braunstone and love Leicester so for me to come back here with my partner and her son is fabulous. "There is so much history in this city and it is great for me to be able to share it with my loved ones. "What they have done with the face is wonderful but I think it is an incredibly flattering reproduction, perhaps too flattering." His partner Kristen Bole, 50, said she was excited about seeing the whole exhibition. She said: "The discovery of Richard III was big news in America. It was on all the front pages so to get a chance to be here and see the face and the bones is great." Her son Benjamin Bole, 10, said: "I think it is amazing that they can recreate a whole face from the skull and really bring it to life like this." Staff at the Guildhall said that more 250 people had seen the face in the two hours after the doors opened at 10am. Oriane Genol, Guildhall customer services advisor, said: "The response from the public has been very good indeed. "There has been a real buzz of excitement in the air and in the chatter of the people waiting to come in and see the face of the king." Masters student Ellie Darton-Moore, of Clarendon Park, Leicester, had brought her father to see the face. The 23-year-old, who is reading museum studies at the University of Leicester, said: "I am surprised at just how effeminate the face is. "The whole exhibition is brilliant." Her father Richard Moore, 59, who had travelled up from Sussex, said: "It is fascinating to be able to get a real good look at the face of Richard III. "It is also odd to come face to face with a monarch who was a lost king. The whole exhibition is exceptionally good." Zoe Jarman, of Groby, was at the exhibition with her two sons Jay, eight, and Roan, five, and her sister Holly. Zoe, 42, said: "This whole Richard III thing is great for Leicester. This exhibition shows just how fascinating it all is." Holy, also of Groby, said: "I think it is quite a modern looking face and I am surprised by that." Jay said: "I don't think he had a nice face at all." Roan said: "He looks like a bad man." The exhibition is open from 10 am to 5pm seven days a week until June 9. The facial reconstruction will move to Bosworth Battlefield between June 11 and July 16 before going on a national tour. Its final home is set to be the permanent Richard III visitor centre in Leicester, which is due to open next year.

Reconstruction of Richard III's head on display for first time

TV show Flog It! films in Leicester

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People searched their attics and dusted off their family heirlooms as a TV antiques roadshow rolled into town today. The queues started to form at 7am as hundreds of people took their collectibles along to a Flog It! valuation day at De Montfort Hall. Paintings, silverware, furniture, coins and even a wooden spear from the South Seas were brought along for a group of experts from the popular BBC One show to evaluate. A crew of 40 people, including eight cameras and the presenter Paul Martin, were at the hall all day to film enough material to produce five 50-minute episodes of Flog It! Hospice shop worker Sophie Chell took along a pair of gold cufflinks and a woman's gold and diamond watch which were donated to raise money for the organisation. Ms Chell, who runs three shops for the Dove Cottage Day Hospice in Stathern, near Melton, said she was delighted by the valuations. She said: "I found the cufflinks, which were from 1849 and made with American dollar coins, in a box of cufflinks handed in at a shop. "I thought they looked special and the experts said they would go for something like £150 at the auction. "The ladies watch was given to me by a volunteer at one of our tea rooms. She was clearing out and said we could have it to try to raise money for the hospice. "I thought today would be a perfect time to bring it along and the expert said it was from the fifties or sixties and valued it at about £300. "The items will be going for auction next month and if we get nearly £500 for the pair that will be marvellous news all round." Hilary Maddy and her sister Linda Foster and brother-in-law Jeff Foster turned up at the free valuation roadshow with a wooden spear and wooden club. Hilary, 63, of Thurmaston, said: "They are family heirlooms and had always hung up on the wall at our parents' house. "We thought we would pop along to see what they might be worth. We thought they were from the South Seas but that's all we knew." The experts told the sisters, who are fans of the TV show, that the club was a Maori item from the 1920s and the spear was Polynesian. Jeff, of Thurmaston, said: "They reckoned the pair would fetch between £300 and £500 at auction. "There is talk of them going online too which might draw a better price as there might be more interest from Australia and new Zealand." Julie Lillystone, of Leicester Forest East, was happy to learn how much her ornate french clock and matching candelabra were worth. Ms Lillystone, 58, said: "I live in a normal three-bed semi detached house and these are just too much for the house. "They told me the clock was from the 1870s and the set together would be worth between £120 and £180 at auction. "I am very happy with that. Flog It! presenter Paul Martin said the response from the public of Leicestershire had been remarkable. He said: "People have turned up in their droves today. It's wonderful. "We have such a fascinating and eclectic mix of antiques and collectibles coming in that it has made our job so much easier." Graham Hicken, front of house supervisor at De Montfort hall said they were proud to have been chosen to host the valuation day. He said: "It is a privilege for us to host this show. "Everyone has been very patient waiting to be seen and we have all had a good day."

TV show Flog It! films in Leicester

Gone in 20 seconds - games that changed Leicester City's season

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Leicester City's season was encapsulated in just 20 heart-breaking seconds at Watford last weekend, as their quest for the Premier League came to a gut-wrenching end. Across 46 Championship games, two Capital One Cup ties, three FA Cup matches and, of course, two legs of a play-off semi-final, fans experienced twists and turns, ups and downs, exhilarating highs and some agonising lows. A season that, at one stage, promised so much, ultimately failed to deliver what everyone had so desperately yearned for – top flight football. Here is a look at the games that changed the season: CITY 2 BURTON ALBION 4 Capital One Cup (second round), August 28 Despite winning their first Championship game of the season, City came into this cup tie on the back of successive defeats to Charlton and Blackburn, despite dominating both games. A Capital One Cup tie with lowly League Two Burton was a golden opportunity for a much-needed confidence boost. But things didn't quite go to plan. A deflected free-kick, a calamitous defensive error, a questionable penalty and a fine curled effort later, and Gary Rowett's side had condemned his former club to their third straight defeat in eight days. The City players were met with a chorus of resounding boos as they left the field. BIRMINGHAM 1 CITY 1 Championship, October 20 City may have made a shaky start to their campaign, but their Burton humiliation seemed to kick Nigel Pearson's men into gear and they came into this game in imperious form, searching for their sixth win on the bounce. The contest did not go to plan for the visitors as Birmingham took the lead on the stroke of half-time. It looked as though that was how things would end up but, just four minutes from time, a flash of brilliance from substitute Ben Marshall grabbed a point. Their winning streak may have come to an end, but with news that Cardiff had lost to Nottingham Forest, City were left celebrating as they took their place at the top of the table on goal difference. CITY 6 HUDDERSFIELD 1 Championship, January 1 Throughout the back end of December, City's prowess in front of goal had faded and they were now guilty of creating chance after chance but failing to make them count with just one goal in four games. Fans were crying out for someone to be brought in during the January transfer window to give them that clinical edge in front of goal. Step forward Chris Wood. The New Zealander had set the Championship alight scoring 11 goals in 19 appearances for Millwall while on loan from Premier League side West Brom. Pearson signed the 21-year-old for £2 million and it didn't take long for the striker to make his mark. Just six minutes into his debut, Wood nodded home from close range before adding a second after 20 minutes as City went on to score six on home turf for the second time in the season. HUDDERSFIELD 1 CITY 1 FA Cup (fourth round), Jan 26 An in-form City came into this clash with Huddersfield, the same side they had thumped 6-1, on the back of five straight wins. A safe passage into the fifth round looked all but a certainty. But Pearson decided to alter a winning side and made four changes. Most notably, he left out strike pair David Nugent and Chris Wood opting to give a run out to Jamie Vardy and Martyn Waghorn. His decision almost backfired completely as City found themselves 1-0 down going into the final 10 minutes until Wood came off the bench to force a replay. City may have escaped but many have since pinpointed the decision to change a winning team as the catalyst for the awful slump that followed. PETERBOROUGH 2 CITY 1 Championship, February 9 If the FA Cup stalemate had started the rot, City's trip to bottom club Peterborough sent them into free-fall. Fans were left bewildered as Chris Wood's name was a surprise omission from the team-sheet. It was later revealed that the striker had picked up a knock in training. Even without their star striker, things seemed to be going to plan when Ben Marshall fired City ahead in the second half. Peterborough levelled before Grant McCann scored the winner two minutes from time. City's misery was compounded yet further three days later when an abject performance saw them crash out of the FA Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Huddersfield in their fourth-round replay. Before the game, City were in second place with their sights set firmly on automatic promotion. But this defeat started the club's worst run since Rob Kelly's tenure, with just one win in 14. CITY 3 BOLTON 2 Championship, April 16 By the time City faced Bolton, their dismal run had shattered all hopes of automatic promotion and even a play-off spot was doubtful as they sat two points outside the top six with four games left. City fans were left thinking 'here we go again' as their side went behind after just three minutes. But a thunderous left-footed strike from Lloyd Dyer and a penalty from Chris Wood put City ahead at the break. Bolton levelled in the 71st minute before Jeff Schlupp volleyed home superbly to seal the victory in a pulsating contest. As the majority of City's play-off rivals faltered, this spirited performance rejuvenated their promotion hopes and even saw them leapfrog their opponents back into the top six. FOREST 2 CITY 3 Championship, May 4 City needed two miracles when they arrived at the City Ground on the last day of the season. Sitting in eighth place, and two points off the play-offs, they knew they would first have to win at a ground where they had not won in the league since 1972. And then, they also needed Bolton, on their best run of home form for 20 years, to fail to beat Blackpool. With 90 minutes up, and the game set to finish 2-2, City fans were doing up their coats ready to draw a line under another season. But Anthony Knockaert broke away with Chris Wood and history was rewritten. City sneaked into the play-offs at the final moment. WATFORD 3 CITY 1 Championship Play-off semi-final (second leg), May 12 If City fans thought events at Forest were dramatic, they had no idea what was in store for them when they made the trip down to Vicarage Road, Watford. With Watford leading 2-1, tied 2-2 on aggregate, the game looked destined for extra-time. But Knockaert tumbled in the box, City has just one kick and were 12 yards away from Wembley. No City fan will ever forget what happened next. Just 20 seconds later, it was all over.

Gone in 20 seconds - games that changed  Leicester City's season

Speed cameras in Leicestershire and Rutland this week

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Mobile safety camera sites for Leicester, Leicestershire& Rutland week commencing 20/05/2013 Core Sites A4304 Lutterworth Road / Station Road, N Kilworth A5199 Leicester Road, Wigston A4304 Kilworth Rd / High Street, Husbands Bosworth A4304 Lubbenham Hill, Market Harborough A563 Glenhills Way, Leicester A607 Thurmaston Bypass, Thurmaston A447 Swannington Rd / Wash Lane / Ibstock Road, Ravenstone B5006 Tamworth Road, Ashby A47 Route: Billesdon - East Norton A47 Uppingham Road, Houghton on the Hill A6 Glen Road, Oadby A6 Harborough Road, Oadby B4666 Coventry Road, Hinckley A447 Hinckley Road, Cadeby B4114 Leicester Rd, Sharnford B581 Broughton Way / Station Rd, Broughton Astley Community Concern A4304 Lutterworth Road, Walcote A607 Route (Rearsby By-pass – Melton) A6006 Wymeswold A6006 Route (A46 - Asfordby By-Pass) B676 Six Hills Lane, Broughton & Old Dalby A511 Ashby Road Sinope, Ravenstone Swithland Lane, Rothley A444 Route (Fenny Drayton – M42) Glenfield Road, Leicester Roston Drive, Hinckley Outlands Drive, Hinckley

Speed cameras in Leicestershire and Rutland this week

Police investigate cause of house fire

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Police and firefighters are investigating the cause of a blaze that badly damaged a house in Loughborough. Firefighters were called to the two-storey home in Brisco Avenue at about 3am today after receiving reports of smoke seen coming from the house. They described the building as "fully involved in fire." Fire crews used four breathing apparatus, two hose reels, a covering jet and a pressurised fan to help them put out the blaze. They had managed to extinguish the fire by about 4am. Nobody was injured in the incident. This morning police scenes of crime officers, Leicestershire fire investigators and the fire investigation dog, from Derbyshire Fire Service, were at the house to try to determine what had caused the blaze.

Police investigate cause of house fire

Police concern for missing man

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Police are concerned for the welfare of a Melton man who has been missing for several days. Jason Fox, 41, was last seen on Thursday and was reported missing to police on Friday after he failed to return home. PC Tanya Lehane, from the Leicestershire police's missing from home team, said: "Both the police and Jason's family are concerned for his welfare as he doesn't have his medication with him. "We would urge Jason or anyone who knows his current whereabouts to contact us immediately. We would also urge anyone who recognises his photograph and believes they may have seen him since Thursday to contact us." Jason is white, 5ft 9in, of slim build, with dark brown (almost black) waist length hair which is usually tied up into a ponytail. He was last seen wearing a hooded top which had a zip on the front, white writing and white cuffs, dark brown polo shirt, pale blue jeans and black Lonsdale trainers Anyone with any information is asked to contact Leicestershire Police on 101, quoting incident number 260:170513 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police concern for missing man


Firefighters return to site of huge quarry blaze

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Firefighters re-visited a quarry today to check on a building which was badly damaged in a fire. The crews returned to Croft Quarry in Marions Way, off Coventry Road, Croft, after the fire on Friday night. At the height of the blaze up to 50 firefighters from 10 crews from around the county tackled the flames. A member of the public raised the alarm at 6.48pm on Friday after seeing smoke coming from the 45m high building. Smoke from the fire, which started on a conveyor belt, could reportedly been seen from miles away. Firefighters had the fire under control by 3.30am on Saturday but have revisited the site over the weekend to check for hot spots. The cause of the blaze is being investigated. No-one was hurt in the incident. Firefighters are to meet staff from the quarry at the site tomorow. It is believed the building is so badly damaged that it will have to be demolished. To see video footage of the fire click here

Firefighters return to site of  huge quarry blaze

Fundraisers dress as superheroes to help Rainbows hospice

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Wonder Woman, Superman, Catwoman and even Superdog took to the streets to help raise money for a children's hospice. Hundreds of people - and a few dogs - dressed as heroes to take part in this year's Rainbows Walk of Life in Leicester this morning. With a choice of a 15-mile or a five-mile route, about 500 sponsored walkers took part in the event which is expected to raise tens of thousands of pounds for the hospice in Loughborough. The Rainbows mascot Bow Bear led the walkers off as they began their journeys at 10.30am from Leicestershire county cricket ground in Grace Road, Aylestone. Event organiser Beccy May said the theme of this year's walk was super heroes and their dogs. She said: "We invited people to take on board the super hero theme last year but this is the first year we have officially invited dogs. "Like the humans, the dogs will get a goodie bag and medal if they finish the walk." Lindsey Holling, of Sileby, dressed as Wonder Woman to tackle the five-mile walk and brought along her pet dog Tia - a nine-year-old black labrador/Collie cross. The 41-year-old said: "I had put a cape on Tia to make her Superdog but it was too hot for her to wear that. "It is a lovely day and a great opportunity to dress up, get some exercise and raise money for a wonderful cause." Teacher Joanne Checkley, of Loughborough, had created her own superhero - Bat Cat. The 53-year-old, who teaches maths at Rawlins Community College in Quorn, said: "I am bit of a cat and a bit of a bat so I'm Bat Cat. "The hospice does so much good work it is the least we can do. Besides it is fun to do this walk with friends and have a right old laugh along the way." Kate Shaw dressed as super Marilyn Monroe - donning a flowing white dress, sunglasses, heels, a blonde wig and a cape. The 33-year-old from Anstey said: "I sort of misread the invitation and realised it was super heroes not heroes so I just bobbed a cape on and became Super Marilyn." Friends Katie Neale, Rebecca Allen and Shannon Deacon were tackling the walk because they know a youngster who was treated by Rainbows. Katie, 23, of Blaby, who was dressed as Catwoman, said: "They do such a fantastic job and we want to help." Shannon Deacon, 15, of Glen Parva, who was dressed as Batwoman, said: "This is for the help the hospice gave our friend." Running partners and real life partners Bridie Darcy and Darren Beswick were the first to complete the five-mile route and they crossed the line hand in hand. Personal trainer Bride, 34, of Loughborough, who used to work at Rainbows as a play specialist, said: "This is just such a lot of fun - for a good cause." Darren, 42, also of Loughborough, said: "We always try to raise money for Rainbows because Bridie worked there and it is a very deserving local charity."

Fundraisers dress as superheroes to help Rainbows hospice

Kasabian's Serge gutted after son's first football experience is City defeat

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Kasabian's Serge Pizzorno says he's gutted his newborn son's first experience of football was Leicester City's crushing play-off defeat to Watford. Sege missed last Sunday's match at Vicarage Road as his son Ennio Silva was born just 24 hours beforehand. He told Sky Sports' Soccer AM, while appearing on the show with bandmate Tom Meighan yesterday, that he was devastated his son had seen the defeat on television. "I had a son on the Saturday," he told the show. "I had to pick him up on the Sunday and they said I had to be there at 12.30pm, which was kick-off time. I looked at Amy and she was like 'no chance'. "So I picked him up, got home with about 10 minutes to play and sat him in front of the telly." City lost the match after Anthony Knockaert's penalty and re-bound was saved by Watford keeper Manuel Almunia and the home side then went up the other end of the pitch and scored. Serge said: "We got the penalty and I'm doing the walk from the kitchen to the lounge thinking 'someone's got to get the minibus to Wembley, someone's got to get the face paint, we'll do a stop off at Toddington services...' We were there. "I went back in the lounge and I thought I'm not going to tell the boy about football. I'm just not going to tell him. He doesn't need to know. "One day old and he's already seen that!" The two front men of the Leicestershire-based band appeared on the show, just a few days after Tom had appeared in the Mercury how heart-breaking City's defeat was. He said on yesterday's show: "It was horrible. "I've kind of put it out of the back of my mind now. You dwell on it for a few days and you forget about it. It's happened now. "I was behind the goal and it was a complete panic for 30 seconds. I was there with my old man and everyone was euphoric when he went down and [the referee] pointed to the spot. "He stepped up and my old man said 'he hasn't scored yet' and turned the other way because everyone was celebrating. "He hit, it was saved, we didn't get the rebound and they went down the other end and it was just crazy. "It was just horrible, devastating. It was up there with the finals at Wembley we lost. There was a kid behind me crying before we even took the penalty! He was about 11 years old and I was like 'come on mate'. "As soon as they pitch invaded we left the ground. We were gone. Devastating."

Kasabian's Serge gutted after son's first football experience is City defeat

Air ambulance called to cricket match

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A cricket player has broken three bones in his ankle while fielding.

The player, believed to be aged about 40, was playing for the Langtons Seconds against Grace Dieu Park at East Langton on Saturday.

Langtons secretary Mark Ward said: "The player was fielding and he twisted his leg and broke his ankle in three places.

"The air ambulance flew here and a road ambulance also came and he was taken to Kettering General Hospital by road ambulance."

Air ambulance called to cricket match

New Dean welcomed at 'a time of great change'

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The Very Reverend David Monteith has been installed as the new Dean of Leicester.

The Very Rev Monteith officially began his new post after a service at Leicester Cathedral on Saturday.

The new Dean, taking over from Vivienne Faull, who last year moved to be Dean of York, has been at the cathedral four years having previously been the canon chancellor with responsibility for pastoral and educational life.

In his sermon to the congregation, the Very Rev Monteith said: "Cathedrals are called to embrace the interface between the spiritual and the secular.

"This Cathedral is invited to create the kind of space which frees up others to explore this spirituality in countless languages, metaphors, images, experiences and church traditions."

During the service the Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Rev Tim Stevens welcomed the new Dean.

He said: "Few Deans have been installed at a time of such great change in their Cathedral. We have discerned in you the gifts and qualities this challenge require. May God bless you."

The service included music sung in Irish reflecting the Dean's native origins.

A piece written by Dr Chris Johns, director of music at the cathedral was premiered.

It uses a poem by Robert Herryck who is commemorated in the cathedral and whose family home was on the site of the Greyfriars Friary where Richard III was buried.

New Dean  welcomed at 'a time of great change'

Deadline nears in Richard III row

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The University of Leicester has until the end of the month to make its preliminary case in a legal battle over where Richard III will be laid to rest.

The university has said the monarch's remains should be interred at Leicester Cathedral, as part of the exhumation licence it obtained from the Ministry of Justice.

However, the agreement between the university and the ministry is being challenged by a group called Plantagenet Alliance. Members claim to be descendants of Richard, the last king of the House of York.

They are seeking a judicial review of the exhumation licence obtained by the archeologists and want the king's bones placed in York Minster.

They are arguing their human rights have been breached because there was not enough consultation on the licence before it was granted.

Lawyer Matthew Howarth, representing the Plantagenet Alliance, said the university and the Ministry of Justice had to submit defence papers to the claim by the end of May.

He said: "The ball is with them. They will have to make an initial decision about how they wish to respond.

"We have sent our papers to them – and to Leicester Cathedral."

Once all the documents have been submitted, a judge will consider them and decide whether to hear the case or dismiss it."

Yesterday, the university declined to comment but it has previously disputed that members of the alliance are descendants of the 15th century king. One leading member of staff called the case "tosh."

Despite this, the university may get drawn into a long and costly dispute if a judge views the alliance's case sympathetically.

Mr Howarth said: "When we began this action, the university was very forthright with its views.

"I think they should have waited to see what we were saying before describing it as tosh.

"We would not have brought this case if we did not think there was merit in it, nor would two senior QCs have decided to get involved."

Mr Howarth said it would probably be a month, from the submission of all the papers, before a judge looked at the matter.

Both Leicester Cathedral and York Minster have been named as "interested parties" in the proceedings.

The cathedral said it had been sent a box of documents with family trees supposed to show alliance members' descent from Richard. It has consulted the diocesan solicitor and is contemplating whether it needs further legal representation.

York Minster has already said it is happy for the king to be interred in Leicester.

Leicester Cathedral canon commissioner the Rev Pete Hobson has been put in charge of arranging Richard's interment, which must be done by August next year.

He said they really did not want to be involved in the case.

"We were named as an interested party in this by someone else," he said. "We are just getting on with the job of preparing for the interment.

"We are hoping the case will be dismissed because it is all a bit of a distraction."

Deadline nears in Richard III row

Fears raised over 'addictive' machines and casino culture

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Leicester's deputy mayor has raised concerns about "highly addictive" gaming machines in bookies.

Councillor Rory Palmer fears the "fixed odds betting terminals", which offer games like roulette and poker and are now common in bookmakers, are fuelling a rise in gambling.

He said research was needed to look in detail at the impact of gaming machines in Leicester and, if necessary, MPs should be lobbied to change the law to restrict them.

Coun Palmer said: "I want to be clear and say I am not against having a bet.

"However, the nature of betting shops is changing. They are not the bookies of a few years ago, where you would go in, study the form on the wall and then make an informed decision on how to place a bet.

"There are more fixed odds betting terminals and bookies are more like casinos.

"These things are highly addictive. They have been described as the crack cocaine of gambling.

"You see people at them hour after hour. They eat money."

According to figures from pressure group The Campaign for Fairer Gambling there were 220 such gaming machines in Leicester bookmakers in 2011-12 at which punters lost about £7.5 million.

Coun Palmer said there was a perception bookmakers were springing up in the city as other shops fall victim to the recession, increasing access to the machines.

The city council said there are 63 licensed betting shops in Leicester – nine more than were open five years ago.

Coun Palmer said: "They don't show a dramatic increase in the number of betting shops but we know there are more applications on the books."

Under current laws, betting shops are allowed up to four fixed odds betting terminals – with stakes ranging from £1 and prizes of up to £500.

Peter Craske, spokesman for the Association of British Bookmakers, said: "Gaming machines have definitely grown in popularity over the past 10 years, bringing in new customers and giving existing customers a new product to enjoy.

"This reflects the change in customer patterns, with customers wanting to bet on a lot more things than just horseracing or greyhounds – now people bet on football matches while they are taking place, or on who will win X-Factor or win the next General Election, and they also like to play on gaming machines.

"Like any retailer, we respond to our customers and give them the products they want.

"Leicester's betting shops employ more than 200 people, at a time when other major retailers are closing down, shedding jobs and leaving high street units empty."

Security guard Paul Grant, 32, from Rowlatts Hill, said he spent up two hours a week on gambling machines.

He said: "I lose more than I win. Everybody does. The machines wouldn't be there otherwise but I enjoy it.

"It's how I choose to spend my money and I don't think we need another politician saving us from ourselves."

Another regular player, who did not wish to be named, said: "I've lost £50 in a few minutes. It's different to betting over the counter where you have to look a person in the eye. It's just you and the screen and you can get so caught up in it."

Fears raised over 'addictive'  machines and casino culture


Two Leicestershire MPs support failed bid to change equal marriage law

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Two Conservative Leicestershire MPs last night joined a failed attempt to change a new law which would allow homosexual couples to marry. North West Leicestershire's Andrew Bridgen and South Leicestershire's Andrew Robathan were among 70 MPs who voted in favour of amending the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill. They wanted the proposed law to include provision that would allow heterosexual couples to to join in civil partnerships. The 70 MPs included 56 Tories, eight Labour, three Liberal Democrats and three others, who took part in the free vote. Conservative MP for East Worthing and Shoreham Tim Loughton proposed the amendment saying it would allow equality for heterosexual couples but critics have said it was simply an attempt to wreck the bill and delay it by up to two years. There were 370 MPs who voted against his amendment. The bill is due to get its final reading in the House of Commons today and go to the House of Lords tomorrow where it likely to face further resistance. If the new bill is eventually passed gay couples could be allowed to marry by next summer.

Two Leicestershire MPs support failed bid to change equal marriage law

VIDEO: Cars seized on the school run

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Two drivers had their cars seized yesterday morning during an unannounced road safety operation outside a city primary school.

Police and Leicester City Council road safety and parking officers targeted dozens of parents and carers dropping off children at Coleman Primary, in Gwendolen Road.

The aim of the operation, which ran between 8.30am and 9.30am and again between 2.15pm and 3.45pm – peak school times – was to clamp down on illegal parking on kerbs, yellow lines and zig-zag lines.

However, during the course of the morning, potentially more serious offences were flagged up.

During the morning session, officers seized a blue Vauxhall and a silver Skoda and spoke to the two male drivers.

One was believed to have no insurance and no valid UK driving licence, while the other's licence was believed to have expired.

The men have been told to produce the correct documents or face being fined or prosecuted. Mercury photographer Andy Baker caught the moment one of the drivers was spoken to by police on camera.

Officers issued eight penalty notices, including three to drivers who did not park correctly. The rest included offences of not wearing a seatbelt, overloading a vehicle and no insurance.

These drivers now face fines of up to £60 as well as possible prosecution, depending on the offence.

The move was welcomed by the majority of parents at the school.

Hira Modhvadia, who has a nine-year-old son at Coleman Primary and lives a three-minute walk away, said: "Although he's more than capable of walking to school himself, I won't let him because the traffic here is so dangerous.

"Some people park on the pavements and on the zig-zag lines – it's an accident waiting to happen so I walk him to school every day and pick him up.

"I wish the road safety officers could be out here every day."

Parent Billal Girach, who drives his son to school, said: "It's good to remind parents of their responsibilities and to make sure all children are kept safe.

"It's a difficult situation – the road is a busy one and there isn't a lot of parking available to parents who have no choice but to drive their children to school."

The operation was requested by head teacher Nigel Bruen.

He said: "It's not meant with any animosity, but we're on a road which gets very congested. It's a bus route and ambulance route to Leicester General Hospital and for that reason speed bumps aren't a viable option.

"That's why making sure that parents drive slowly and park responsibly is important."

Pc Rich Barber, from Spinney Hill Park police station, took part in the operation.

He said: "We want all parents to comply with the road traffic regulations and that means not parking on the zig-zag lines or yellow lines. They are there for a reason."

Council road safety officer Lyn Rowe said the operation had been successful and that drivers appeared to be getting the message. She said more operations outside city schools were planned.

VIDEO: Cars seized on the school run

Talks in deadlock over Leicester City striker Jermaine Beckford's possible transfer to Bolton

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Talks between Leicester City and Bolton about a possible transfer for striker Jermaine Beckford are in deadlock over the possible fee.

Bolton are keen to recruit Beckford, who is surplus to requirements at City as he does not feature in boss Nigel Pearson's plans.

But the two clubs are some way apart in their valuations of the 29-year-old, who City signed from Everton two years ago for £2.5million.

While City know they will not recoup anywhere near their initial outlay for Beckford, they will not allow him to join the Trotters for next to nothing and there have been reports they have asked for £1m for the Jamaica international.

A resolution is unlikely to be reached within the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, City are reportedly among a group of clubs trying to sign defender Alex Baptiste.

Baptiste is out of contract this summer with Blackpool and there are a host of Championship clubs, and a couple of Premier League clubs, who have expressed an interest.

Derby manager Nigel Clough has publicly announced his interest, while Bolton are also known to be trying to woo the 27-year-old.

City are said to be interested, but yesterday Hull were also linked with Baptiste and the chance to return to the Premier League may prove to be the deal-clincher for the Tigers.

Talks in deadlock over Leicester City striker Jermaine Beckford's possible transfer to Bolton

Oliver's Royal Appointment!

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A seriously ill boy had a dream come true when he was invited to have tea with the Queen – the Dame Helen Mirren version.

Oliver Burton, 10, who is fighting cancer for the fourth time, travelled to London in a stretch limo before meeting the "Queen".

He sat in her "big" chair and fed her corgis biscuits while she served him tea, cola and sandwiches.

Then the lad from Birstall became Sir Ollie as the actress, who is appearing as the Queen at London's Gielgud Theatre, knighted him with her hand.

Mum and dad, Catherine and James, described the trip, which included their six-year-old son, Ethan, as "perfect".

Oliver, who has Down's Syndrome, was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2006, when he was three.

He has fought it three times but when he relapsed for a fourth time at the beginning of May doctors said there was little they could do.

His parents knew one of Oliver's biggest dreams was to meet the Queen.

When Buckingham Palace was unable to meet a request for a meeting made by the National Children's Tumour Leukaemia Cancer Trust, the charity hit on the idea of asking Dame Helen to step in.

Catherine said: "Dame Helen was brilliant. She stayed in character the whole time and spent a lot of time talking to Oliver and drawing him out of himself.

"She signed his British flag, which he waves all the time.

"Even now, if you ask him who he met recently, he smiles and waves the flag. He believes he met the real Queen and that's fine by us."

The family travelled to London in a stretch limo which had been organised by the charity.

Catherine said: "We were treated like royalty for a day. It has provided so many memories for friends and family. It gave us all such a lift."

Oliver's latest tests, last week, have come back clear.

Catherine said: "It is a complete roller-coaster. From being told to plan a funeral to this news – we have to take life one day at a time as Oliver could become very ill, very quickly.

"He doesn't know how poorly he is, he is such a happy chap.

"Meeting the Queen was top of his wish list. Other things include going to the park and feeding the ducks.

"We are so grateful to everyone who has donated to help pay for trips. The kindness and generosity from people has been humbling."

Andi Daw, family support worker from the National Children's Tumour Leukaemia Cancer trust, organised the London trip with fellow charity worker Karen Rogers, from Alfie's Cause.

Andi said: "I think Oliver's story struck a chord. He rang me from the limo and the highlight for him had been feeding the dogs biscuits and he told me how the Queen had spilt cola as she opened a bottle.

"She said 'silly Queen, making a mess'. He thought it was very funny. I was so pleased and excited for the family I was nearly crying."

Oliver's Royal Appointment!

Leicester's case to be crowned UK City of Culture is "overwhelming" says MP

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MPs representing contenders for the UK City of Culture 2017 title have been debating the contest at Westminster this morning. Leicester is among 11 places hoping to succeed current holder Londonderry in the Government-run contest. Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth told rivals the city's case was overwhelming. He outlined the recent discovery of Richard III's body, the city's history of radical politics and its diverse culture as plus points in its favour but said its people were its biggest asset. He said: "That's our trump card - The people of Leicester coming together. "That's what Leicester is about. That's why our case is overwhelming, because we have the best people." All the eleven cities have submitted initial bids and judges are to pick a short list of four later this summer. Leicester currently sits as second favourite with the bookies at odds of 5-1, behind Chester. It is expected that the eventual winner will see a surge in visitor numbers boosting its economy by millions of pounds. The debate was called by Southend West MP David Amess, who previously controversially described some of the other bidding cities as dumps. Today, while speaking in support of his own town's bid, he referred, in error to King Edward's remains being discovered in a Leicester car park, before correcting himself, as fellow MPs laughed. He said: "Saxon remains have been found in Prittlewell. "They are very valuable, being similar to finding Edward underneath the car park - Sorry Richard. Well, a king who deserved better. We, too, have royalty in Prittlewell. The remains were uncovered during a road-widening exercise." Details of Leicester's initial bid include proposals for a huge Richard III dramatic re-enactment in various locations around the city and a giant movable light show.

Leicester's case to be crowned UK City of Culture is

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