The warm weather brought the crowds out to greet Prince Edward yesterday as he arrived at De Montfort University to officially open its leisure centre.

Young and old gathered to cheer his arrival in the city, with Bhangra dancers and Dhol drummers creating a fantastic display of colour and sound.

DMU's vice-chancellor Professor Dominic Shellard was there to greet him, alongside staff and students.

The prince enjoyed a tour of the £8 million building and its facilities, stopping to speak to students from sports societies, including DMU's swim and triathlon teams at the 25m pool, where he sounded a klaxon to start a sponsored swim.

He then unveiled a plaque to the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre, amid a huge cheer from the gathered crowd. The centre was so called after the Queen's visit to the university last year, as part of her jubilee tour.

Russell Theobald, from the university's rowing society, said: "He asked us about our rowing formations and seemed quite knowledgeable. He was very approachable and chatty so he made it easy for us to talk to him."

Keiron Piper, 20, from DMU's swim team said: "He seemed genuinely interested in what we did."

The prince also unveiled a plaque dedicated to the opening of the university's new Square Mile offices at The Chantry, where he met project leaders and children from Montrose School, in Aylestone. The project has seen trained students mentoring pupils from the primary.

Elyssa Wilson, nine, said: "It's been a really special day meeting the prince. He was really nice."

The prince also dropped into Fosse Neighbourhood Centre, where he was introduced to project leaders and participants in other Square Mile projects, including a stem cell donation drive supported by policeman Rik Basra, who has undergone a successful donor transplant.

DMU held a recruitment drive for young people to join the Anthony Nolan Trust bone marrow donors register recently, with more than 300 people signing up.

The event was supported by The Rik Basra Leukaemia Campaign. Rik's wife, Kas, who was also there, said: "We're so thrilled to have met the prince, we're still on a high."

In the afternoon, the royal visitor's schedule included a visit to North Warwickshire and Hinckley College's £12.8 million creative arts campus, in Hinckley, to talk to staff and students about their work.

He also travelled to John Cleveland College, in Hinckley, to meet students studying for their Duke of Edinburgh awards. Earlier in the day when he was asked how well the Duke was, following news the 92-year-old will have to undergo an operation, he said he didn't yet know.

Young Leader awards were also handed out.

Among those collecting one was Tom Morgan, 18, who said: "It's great to get the award after so much hard work, and even better to receive it in the company of Prince Edward.

A woman has been found not guilty of murdering her partner and dismembering the body.

Tara Swift (41), of West Street, Leicester, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court accused of killing Kevin Kennedy with her ex-partner Peter Healy.

Healy (52), of Lord Nelson Street, in Sneinton, Nottingham, was found guilty of the gruesome murder and will be sentenced on Monday.

Swift was cleared of murder, but convicted of perverting the course of justice.

Mr Kennedy's dismembered remains were discovered in a shallow grave in Sneinton on August 8 last year.

His head and arms are still missing.

After the unanimous verdicts were delivered, prosecutor Timothy Spencer QC told the judge the case had caused acute distress to Mr Kennedy's family – particularly because parts of his body have not been found.

There was hope the court proceedings could shed light on where the missing parts were, but Mr Spencer said: "That hope has been dashed. They will never know."

Afterwards, Chief Inspector Rob Griffin told how officers had gone to great lengths in the search for 50-year-old Mr Kennedy.

A fingertip search of a landfill site in Newark took six weeks and turned up nothing.

Locations near to the shallow grave where Mr Kennedy was found were examined, but all efforts were in vain.

"The only person that knows where the missing body parts are is Peter Healy, and unless he tells us they will never be found," said Ch Insp Griffin. "It is a particularly distressing case for the family."

A disabled man has claimed he was treated "like a second class citizen" after being left on a plane waiting for help for 40 minutes.

Norman Green, of Hinckley, said he, his wife and other disabled passengers were left for so long the cleaners and the pilot for the next flight stepped on to the aircraft at East Midlands airport.

Mr Green, 64, who cannot walk up steps or stairs after an illness, said: "We were all left there waiting for an ambilift which was to be provided by OCS – the people who provide them. It took so long it was very, very embarrassing.

"The cleaners came on wanting to clean up where we were and they were not happy.

"The pilot who said he was flying the aircraft out to Portugal came on, too. He was not happy either. He asked us why we were still on the plane. He was so annoyed he called OCS three times and was told they would be there in a minute.

"It was terrible. We all felt like second-class citizens.

"None of us could get off without assistance, so we were stuck there like idiots."

Mr Green and his wife, Maureen, said they suffered the indignity after coming back to East Midlands Airporton May 23 following a 10-day holiday in Majorca.

Mr Green said: "I am not one for complaining, but this is just too much. We were just left high and dry. When a man eventually came from OCS he was very rude to us and we all felt so embarrassed it was awful."

Mrs Green said the delays were not over because, once they had got to baggage reclaim, their bags were not on the carousel. She said: "The carousel was not turning and the bags were not on it. The baggage reclaim carousel number we had been given had been changed to another flight."

The couple found a member of staff who turned the carousel on and put the bags on.

Mr Green said: "After all of this messing about we were one-and-a-half hours late and our taxi driver was moaning.

"He was due to go to Heathrow Airportto pick up another fare, so his firm had to send another driver. We got halfway home, then had to wait for another driver to meet us, who took us the rest of the way back.

"It was a comedy of errors but it was not funny. It is no way to treat disabled people who rely on others."

A spokeswoman for OCS said: "We handle more than a million people with reduced mobility transfers every year and are very sorry to hear of any occasion when our customers have been let down by our service.

"On the day in question, there was a fault with one of the ambilifts, which meant it couldn't be used. We apologise if this wasn't explained properly to the customer and for the obvious inconvenience caused."

An East Midlands Airportspokesperson said: "The Airportworks closely with all service partners on site to make sure our customers receive a high standard of customer service and we apologise that the service received on this occasion was not satisfactory.

"We are looking into this matter in conjunction with both the handling agent and airline."

Tiny Yorkshire terrier Skip has been praised after his frantic barking woke his owners as flames licked against their front door in a suspected arson attack.

It meant they were able to alert other residents of the three-storey block of flats in School Street, Syston, getting everyone to safety.

Skip's agitated barking at about 2.15am yesterday woke his owners, Andrew and Teresa Tebbutt.

Andrew, 44, who lives in a ground floor flat, said: "The dog was going hysterical. I looked through the peephole in the door and all I could see was flames.

"I was panicky and frightened. My wife is registered disabled and at first I didn't know how we were going to get out."

He phoned 999 and said the handler had helped enormously.

"The chap I was talking to when I called the fire brigade was great, he kept us calm and told us everything was going to be okay.

"He told us what to do and was very calm. He told us not to open the window, but I had no choice, it was our only way out.

"The fire service told us Skip did a great job in waking us up. If it wasn't for him we might not have got out. He seems okay now, but we've been told to keep an eye on him."

Once the couple got out, they went around banging on the windows of the other flats and shouting to people to get out.

Teresa, 45, said: "I just want to cry all the time because it's scared me. I'm asthmatic and I couldn't breathe in the flat, but we had to get out because it was getting hot."

A woman who lives on the top floor, but asked not to be named, said: "I was fast asleep when I was woken up by shouting. I jumped out of bed and ran to the front door, but I closed it quickly as the corridor was pitch black and full of smoke.

"I ran to the bedroom window and contemplated jumping out, but I would have hurt myself.

"I grabbed two pillow cases and put them over my mouth and nose so I would not breathe in too much smoke and made my way downstairs.

"I felt I had to get out because I didn't know how bad it was going to get.

"Some people in a flat below me were rescued by the fire brigade using a ladder.

"I'm just glad I'm alive – it could have been so much worse."

Firefighters rescued a number of people from the flats using ladders.

A fire service spokeswoman said the blaze, in a ground floor storage cupboard, was believed to have been started deliberately.

An occasional chat over the garden fence and a wave hello from time to time is what we all hope to enjoy with our neighbours.

But many people go above and beyond the call of duty, helping the people living near them and working to improve their neighbourhoods in all sorts of ways.

This summer, we're looking to recognise the best neighbours in Leicestershire and Rutland with our Good Neighbour of the Year 2013 competition.

Last year, the winner of our competition was Sandra Francis, 63, who was described as a "knight in shining armour" by her neighbour Sylvia Kenney.

Sandra, of New Parks, Leicester, helps her neighbours, including Sylvia, whenever she can. The pair were on holiday recently where Sandra once again proved how priceless her help can be.

She said: "We were in Amsterdam together about six weeks ago and Sylvia had a heart attack. At the time we were just walking around the city and I told her she didn't look well and she said she felt poorly.

"She had a sit down and didn't get any treatment but, back in Leicester, the doctor said she had a heart attack, so we've been going into hospital every week.

"So you could say I'm being an even better neighbour this year!

"It was great to win the competition last year. The prize was a trip to Portugal, which was very nice."

This year's competition is being sponsored by East Midlands Housing Group (EMHG), which is committed to creating good neighbourhoods throughout the region.

Launching the search today, Chan Kataria, chief executive of EMHG, said: "The Good Neighbour award is an opportunity for us to promote the good work that so many people all around the county do to contribute to their neighbourhoods and the wider community.

"Last year, it was extremely uplifting to hear the stories about the nominees and to be able to celebrate the way these people go above and beyond the call of duty.

"When you hear about all the bad news that comes from neighbourhoods where there are problems caused by a minority of people it's very positive to have that balanced out in this way.

"As a housing group we have more than 17,000 homes across the region and our success partly depends on how we can contribute to sustainable communities where people want to live. We want to encourage community spirit, because that's what makes somewhere a good place to live, and I look forward to hearing many more stories from people during this year's Good Neighbour of the Year Award."

This year, the winner of our competition will receive £500 cash and the runners-up will receive hampers from Waitrose in Oadby.

The awards final will take place on August 22 at The City Rooms in Leicester.

To nominate someone, call Nikki Kandola on 0116 222 4310 or fill in the form below.

A husband accused of murdering his wife in a deliberate car crash, claims his leg went into a "spasm" causing him to smash into a tree, a jury heard.

Sally Marie Lawrence, 47, was allegedly going through an acrimonious divorce with former airline pilot, Iain Philip Lawrence (53) at the time.

They argued the night before she died about finances and the equity in the matrimonial home, it was claimed.

She suffered fatal head and chest injuries in the front passenger seat of her husband's Peugeot 406.

The crash happened in Gartree Road, Oadby, at about 6.30pm on October 6.

Leicester Crown Court was told Lawrence claimed to have "total amnesia" in the aftermath, but later recovered his memory.

During an appointment with consultant neurologist, Professor Nicos Evangelou, on February 23, the defendant described how he and his wife were "talking" during the journey. About 25 seconds before the accident his leg started to twinge. He claimed his leg went into a spasm.

Mark Wall, defence counsel, told the jury Lawrence told the professor: "He couldn't do anything. His leg almost became frozen and he couldn't avoid the tree."

Lawrence, of Ring Road, Oadby, denies murder.

The court heard Mrs Lawrence and the defendant had a young son, who was away on a school trip at the time.

She also had two grown-up daughters from a previous marriage.

Pc Tim O'Donnell, collision investigator, said he attended the scene at 7.13pm and examined the vehicle. He said most of the damage was to the front passenger side, with only minor damage to the driver's side.

The vehicle was in fifth gear and the speedometer needle was stuck at 54mph. He said the vehicle damage was consistent with a 50mph crash and there was no evidence of emergency braking prior to the collision.

Examination of friction marks on the seat belts indicated Mrs Lawrence was not properly wearing a seat belt but the defendant was, he claimed. His airbag had deployed and hers had not.

There were no mechanical faults with the airbag system and the car had no defects contributing to the collision.

Police video footage retracing the route to the scene, between Stoughton Road heading towards Leicester Airport, was shown in court. Pc O'Donnell was shown carrying out a series of test drives in the same make of car.

He attempted to recreate the effects of a leg spasm while driving, by suddenly forcing his foot on the accelerator.

The officer was able to negotiate a slight left bend past the collision-tree on his right, at up to 70mph, without affecting the stability of the vehicle.

Pc O'Donnell said the Peugeot must have made a right turn before following "a straight path into the tree".

Earlier, Nirmal Shant QC, prosecuting, said: "It's clear Mrs Lawrence was afraid of the defendant and, most importantly, she wouldn't have got into a vehicle with him."

Mrs Lawrence was the managing director of a firm, Clear Spill, in Oadby. She allegedly told her boss, Herbert Boulting, of the marriage break-up.

He told the jury yesterday: "She was very, very frightened of her husband and what he might do to her."

He said there was "no way" she would have got in his car.

Under cross-examination he said he had "no idea" she had begun a new relationship. The court heard Mrs Lawrence had planned to meet her new boyfriend on the night she died.

The trial continues.

Armed police arrested a man after this shocking image was taken at a children's playground in Leicester.

Several parents were told by youngsters that a man with a gun had been in the Morton playground, off Hastings Road in Northfields, but they dismissed their children's stories.

The next morning, when one mum-of-three was sent this picture – apparently taken at the park at about 6pm the previous day – she called police.

Armed officers later arrested a 57-year-old man in Brighton Road, Northfields, in connection with the incident.

Police said imitation firearms were recovered by officers nearby.

The 26-year-old mum, who lives within sight of the playground but did not want to be named, said: "I was sent the photograph on my mobile phone early on Tuesday morning and could not believe my eyes.

"I felt so shocked and worried but also guilty, because my eight-year-old daughter had been at the playground the evening before and came in to tell me there had been a man with a gun.

"She said he had even given it to an eight-year-old boy to hold. I am ashamed to say I didn't really pay any attention to her, but after I saw the photo I called the police.

"They came round and I showed them the photograph."

The mum said that later that day she saw armed officers descend on the area. She said: "It was about 5pm and I looked over to see armed police everywhere. There were cars and vans and lots of officers with guns.

"They arrested a man on a street not far from the playground. They also searched his house."

The mum said police took a statement from her and chatted to her daughter.

"They asked her to draw the gun but she couldn't. She did draw the big shiny gold bullets in a magazine, though," she said.

"When I saw her drawing I was shocked. No eight-year-old girl should be exposed to this. It's awful."

Another mum, who lives opposite the playground, said: "My son told me he had seen a man with a big gun with bullets in, but I thought he was making it up. Then I saw the photograph.

"All the parents around here are scared. None of us want to let our children out.

"The police arrested a man but then let him out. We don't really know what is going on."

Merrydale Infants School, in Claydon Road, Northfields, sent a letter to parents on Wednesday telling them about what had happened.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Police received a call at 9.10am on Tuesday from a member of the public who reported that a man had been seen in the area of Longleat Close in Leicester the previous day carrying what was believed to be a firearm.

"Following police inquiries, armed response officers stopped a man in the area of Brighton Road, who was arrested in connection with the incident.

"A number of imitation firearms were recovered by officers nearby.

"A 57-year-old man has been released on police bail pending further inquiries."

Former county council leader David Parsons is to be billed for 29 occasions when he misused a taxpayer-funded chauffeur-driven car.

A new report, by investigators at County Hall, says 94 journeys made in the civic limousine by Mr Parsons, during his nine years in charge of the Tory-run council, were probed after a complaint made by fellow councillor Bill Boulter.

The report concludes that 27 times "the journeys were not sufficiently connected with his role as a county councillor or as leader of the council".

It adds: "In the other two, the purpose of the journey was acceptable, but the use of the car and waiting time of the driver was not, given the short distance involved."

The matter is to be discussed by members of the council's corporate governance committee next week. They are expected to authorise a move to calculate what the 29 trips would have cost and recover the cash.

The report does not list the 29 journeys, but the corporate governance committee has previously discussed Mr Parsons' use of the authority's car to attend his son's wedding.

Other journeys also previously discussed, included a trip to do a radio interview and a visit to a Conservative club, both in London.

The report says Mr Parsons disagreed with the investigators' findings when he was shown them. He was unavailable for comment yesterday.

The committee is also set to agree no further action will be taken against Mr Parsons, as he is no longer a county councillor. He did not seek re-election. He had resigned as Leicestershire County Council leader in July after he was censured by the council's standards committee over travel expenses he claimed, but then failed to promptly reimburse to the authority. He subsequently quit County Hall's Tory group.

It has also emerged that Mr Parsons has begun to pay back some of the outstanding expenses. In October, he was invoiced by the council for £4,089 – the cost of chauffeuring him to and from airports for European trips he made as council leader.

He disputed the sum but papers published yesterday show his lawyers and council solicitors agree he should refund £3,100 – payable in installments. So far, he has reimbursed £1,600.

A council spokesman said: "We have reached agreement to recover 75 per cent of the outstanding amount, which we agreed to after bearing in mind the possible costs of recovery through the courts."

Liberal Democrat councillor Bill Boulter, who made the complaint against Mr Parsons, said he is pleased he is paying back the money he owes so far.

Coun Boulter said he was disappointed Mr Parsons would not face a full-blown standards investigation at County Hall but said he accepted little could be done to discipline someone who was no longer a member at County Hall.

Coun David Snartt, chairman of the corporate governance committee, said: "We should clearly pursue any money he (David Parsons) still owes but we should also try to draw a line under this now – especially as he is no longer a county councillor.''

The dust has now settled on last season's heartbreaking end to the campaign for Leicester City.

It is nearly a month since the momentous finale in the now legendary play-off semi-final defeat to Watford.

The players are away on holiday and there has been very little activity in the transfer market so far this summer.

So, with the players due to report back for pre-season training in just three weeks, what's going on at City and what's likely to happen this summer?

We put a series of fans' questions to our Leicester City correspondent Rob Tanner.

Q Is Kasper Schmeichel on his way out of the King Power Stadium? Are Leicester City going to let him go? How much do you think he is worth?

A A lot will depend on the player. If he indicates that he wants to go elsewhere there is very little point in keeping hold of him. Kasper has always been very professional and has stated how happy he is at Leicester, but he is also ambitious to play in the Premier League. City will want to keep hold of him and will slap a price tag on him to deter others, but, if someone comes in with a big offer and Kasper is interested, then they may let him go. He is rated at £4million in some reports and that would be accurate because goalkeepers of his quality are hard to come by.

Q Who do you see as a potential replacement for him, if he does go? Do you think Conrad Logan will be given a chance?

A It would be tough to replace him and City would certainly need to bring someone else in as Conrad Logan is seen as a deputy. City could consider a move for an experienced keeper who is available, such as Steve Harper at Newcastle United, Shay Given at Aston Villa or Mark Schwarzer at Fulham, or opt for a promising younger keeper who is looking for regular first-team action, such as Ross Turnbull at Chelsea.

Q There doesn't seem to be much speculation about incoming transfers. Do you think Nigel Pearson has been told he must off-load players before he can buy any?

A No. It is the notorious quiet time of the summer when everyone is off on holiday and very little business is done. Clubs are still sorting other issues as well, such as renegotiating contracts. It tends to all get going as we get close to July. Nigel Pearson has made no secret of the fact that he wants to off-load players he considers are no longer part of his plans, such as Jermaine Beckford and Neil Danns, which will be essential as City try to conform to Financial Fair Play. However, if Pearson identifies a target the club will back him.

Q Which players do you see leaving – there have been rumours of Richie Wellens returning to Doncaster. Do you think that would be a good move for both clubs?

A I think the likes of Richie Wellens and Paul Gallagher have been good servants to the club, but it is probably time for them to move on. Beckford and Danns will obviously be on their way, if deals can be done. Sean St Ledger has revealed he has been told he can move on as well. Martyn Waghorn may be another one. A move back to Donny for Wellens would be good for all parties.

Q Sean St Ledger has said that he has been told he is "surplus to requirements". Does this surprise you seeing how short of cover City are at the back?

A Nothing truly surprises me in football any more. That would indicate to me that Pearson is looking to bring in another centre-back and I wouldn't be surprised if they try to get Michael Keane back for another loan spell.

Q How much of a difference will Financial Fair Play make next season? Will City be able to abide by the regulations? Will it make their promotion push even harder? Is automatic promotion a realistic target under these rules?

A I think everyone is waiting to see how Financial Fair Play will affect the division and how clubs do business. It is designed to create more of a level playing field financially and stop clubs slipping into trouble, which is admirable. However, it will hamper City and their big advantage over others – their spending power – will be diminished. However, it is tailor-made for managers like Pearson who have shown in the past they can operate well on tighter budgets. Harry Redknapp will be worried though!

Q It's Leamington and not Real Madrid for City this pre-season – will these lower-league sides be able to give them the right challenge?

A I think the early games are just to give the players some pitch time and get their legs going again. They don't want anything too testing early on as they look to reach peak fitness for the opening day of the season. The home friendly should be a tougher test and Northampton are a decent lower league side. City have played 'high-profile' pre-season games before and they haven't been too useful, such as the Bursaspor game in Austria two summers ago and Real Valladolid four years ago.

Q The City youngsters won the Hong Kong 7s tournament against some pretty tough opposition. City seem to be a good breeding ground for the next generation but rarely seem to get a chance in the first-team. Do you think this will be the case next season and do you think some youngsters deserve a shot?

A Well, in the last few years we have seen Liam Moore and Jeff Schlupp breaking through into the first-team squad, and Tom Hopper and Harry Panayiotou have both made their debuts, so City's record isn't bad. Plus Andy King has come through the youth ranks of course. With Financial Fair Play coming in, it places more of an importance on producing home-grown talent, which can only be good for the English game. City have invested heavily in their academy, which is not restricted under FFP, and will continue to do so. I expect a few more players to come through over the next couple of seasons. Michael Cain and Joe Dodoo, who has recently signed a new two-year contract, could be the next couple to come through.

Work to extend New Walk further into the city centre begins its first phase on Monday.

Leicester City Council is spending £700,000 rebuilding Southgates, which runs parallel to Vaughan Way, between the site of the former South-gates bus depot and the Magazine.

It will be part of a new footpath and cycle route linking the end of New Walk at Belvoir Street with the new Jubilee Square development and the wider Connecting Leicester project.

The city council received £550,000 from the Department for Transport's Cycle Safety Fund towards the project.

Pavements on both sides of Southgates will be rebuilt using the same finish as New Walk, which will match the improvements currently underway on nearby Applegate.

The west side of Southgates will have a separate two-way cycle lane, finished in red asphalt. New coach drop-off and pick up points will be built on the east side of the street.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "The work on Southgates illustrates what we are aiming to achieve with Connecting Leicester. This road will become a key part of a new, more attractive route for pedestrians and cyclists into Jubilee Square and the city centre.''

Hull have told Leicester City they will not meet their asking price for goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

City have rejected two bids for their highly-rated keeper of £1.25million and £1.75m, and are believed to value Schmeichel at £4m.

City do not want to lose Schmeichel, who is currently away on international duty with Denmark.

But the keeper has only one year left on his contract, and City would face a tough decision should the 26-year-old refuse to sign a new contract or indicate he wants to leave the club.

Schmeichel has repeatedly stated publicly he wants to play in the Premier League, where he broke through with Manchester City.

But he has always indicated he is happy at City and ambitious to make the step up with Nigel Pearson's men.

Hull boss Steve Bruce knows Schmeichel well as he is best friends with his father, Peter, from their time together at Manchester United.

Bruce's son Alex, who is also with the Tigers, grew up with City's shot-stopper.

Bruce wants to recruit at least one new keeper as he bolsters his squad for their return to the Premier League, and Schmeichel is his number one target.

However, reports suggest Hull will only consider upping their offer should a rival bid come in for Schmeichel.

Swansea were also understood to be considering a move for Schmeichel but that has yet to materialise, as manager Michael Laudrup has reportedly clashed with the club's hierarchy over his transfer budget.

Hull's offer for Schmeichel remains on the table, and sources say the club are still confident of getting their man.

City are in no rush to sell, though, and a lot will depend on Schmeichel when he returns from international duty.

Three crime-cutting projects have been shortlisted for national awards.

The schemes have been highlighted by national campaign group the Howard League for Penal Reform for their impact on youth crime, female offenders and offences committed by people who are addicted to drugs or alcohol.

Princess Anne will announce the winners of a series of awards at a ceremony in London next month.

The Just Women Project, based in Braunstone, Leicester, has been shortlisted for it work with women who have committed offences.

It is run by Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust and women's group, New Dawn, New Day.

Probation staff at New Dawn, New Day's base in Cantrell Road, oversee community work being carried out by women while helping them with health and legal advice as well as life skills, such as financial management.

The group also helps women settle into life after they have been released from custody.

Leicestershire and Rutland Probation Trust's work with people with drug or alcohol addiction has been shortlisted.

Its Peer Mentoring Scheme sees ex-offenders who have beaten their own addictions work closely with those who have committed offences as a result of alcohol or drug abuse.

The scheme was launched three years ago and has trained ex-offenders to train as role models, or peer mentors, to criminals and show them they can overcome their addictions and beat the cycle of crime.

Leicester City Youth Offending Service has made the shortlist for its work to show young criminals the impact of their offending on their victims and the community.

Youngsters complete work such as removing graffiti and other environmental clean-ups either for their victims or for the benefit of the community.

In 2012, the scheme's participants completed almost 4,000 hours of reparation work.

The awards will be presented by Princess Anne at the Howard League's Community Sentences Cut Crime Conference, to be held at the King's Fund, in London, on Wednesday, July 17.

Frances Crook, chief executive of the Howard League for Penal Reform, said: "The Community Programmes Awards are a wonderful opportunity to champion the excellent work going on around the country to make our neighbourhoods safer.

"All evidence shows high-quality community programmes are far more successful than prison sentences at turning people's lives around and helping them to lead a crime-free life.

"They also come at a fraction of the cost.

"Well-resourced and well-structured programmes, such as these shortlisted projects, raise public protection, repay the damage done by crime and as result improve public confidence in community sentencing."

Businesses are being urged to bid for a share of £100,000 to boost the rural economy and jobs.

Leicestershire County Council wants to support small companies working in the food and drink and creative sectors.

The grants will be issued by the Leicestershire Rural Partnership and the bidding deadline is July 10.

County cabinet member Pam Posnett, chairman of the rural partnership, praised the input of small businesses.

She said: "Small firms are the life-blood of our economy and I hope that rural businesses will take advantage of the grants, to help them develop and grow. This is the second year we have run the grant programme – last year we backed a series of schemes, including a garden centre café, development of a new caravan site and expansion of business premises."

Rob Morton, proprietor of the Hallaton-based Bottle Kicking Cider Company, received a grant last year. He said: "The assistance the Leicestershire Rural Partnership has given us has been invaluable.

"We have been able to carry out our expansion plans with confidence, and we are now in a position to fulfil our increased demand"

For further information concerning the rural business grants ring Peter McLaren on 0116 305 3910. You can also download an application form and accompanying guidance notes by emailing Peter or visiting:

www.oakleaves.org.uk

peter.mclaren@leics.gov.uk

Residents are angry they cannot voice their opposition to a plan to base five lorries in the heart of their village.

An inquiry is being held today into an application by Woods and Co to have a depot in the centre of Groby.

But the hearing, being conducted by the Traffic Commissioners at the Fieldhead Hotel in Markfield, will not accept comments from residents or their representatives.

County councillor for the area Ozzy O'Shea said: "I am angry that I will not be able to make any comments at the inquiry.

"I was a police officer for 31 years and I know a great deal about road safety.

"But I did not know anything about the hearing until recently. I have been gagged because I did not register an intention to speak early enough."

The company wants permission from the Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (Vosa) to operate five tractor units and trailers from a plot in The Rookery. It has history of use as a small depot and has also been used to store vehicles.

Groby parish councillor Peter Batty, who is also a borough councillor, said: "There is a lot of anger that the community was not informed or consulted that there had been a licence application for five large vehicles. "

Charnwood MP Stephen Dorrell has written to Vosa raising people's fears.

The application is being opposed by County Hall.

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said: "As the highways authority, we can raise concerns and objections to an application on access, parking and road safety issues - and this is what has happened here."

A spokeswoman for Vosa said the inquiry was the responsibility of the Traffic Commissioner.

Groby resident Joyce Oneill, 66, said: "I don't think it's a very good idea. There are houses, old people and children nearby. I don't really see why we need it."

Fellow resident John Hitchings, 63, said: "It's a very narrow road to have a lorry depot on."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "My main concern would be HGVs coming down that road. You've got a lot of elderly people and children passing through."

A spokesman for the Traffic Commissioner said the process governing inquiries into applications was very strict.

He said the applicant was obliged to publish its application in a local newspaper which it did. Organisations then could register an objection within 21 days. He said the Traffic Commissioner had to inform the applicant of any objections so late requests to speak at the hearing could not be allowed. Vosa said the decision rested with the Traffic Commissioners. A spokesperson for Wood and Co said they had operated vehicles from the site before.

Staff at Yates's are celebrating after picking up two prizes at the Best Bar None awards.

The bar, in Belvoir Street, Leicester, was chosen as the most family friendly in the city centre in a contest involving a vote on the Leicester Mercury website and judging by a family of Mercury readers.

Yates's was also named best non-independent bar at the awards ceremony on Tuesday night.

The bar's deputy manager, Kate Howell, said: "It was so exciting to win the award.

"Best Bar None is in its seventh year and we've not won anything before.

"So it was brilliant to be there on Tuesday night and be the winner of two awards."

She said the bar worked hard to welcome families during the daytime.

She said: "Yates's is very different in the daytime from the night and we serve meals and, at half-term in particular, we do have a lot of families in. We have a special children's menu with things such as spaghetti bolognese, fish and chips, macaroni cheese and healthy snacks such as cucumber sticks.

"We have high chairs and balloons and children can do colouring."

Yates's was one of eight venues in the city to put themselves forward for the family friendly award.

The Mercury online vote whittled them down to three – with Curve and the Old Horse, in London Road – which were visited our secret judges, the Nicholls family, from Glen Parva.

Paul and Fiona and the children Imogen, 13, and Aimee, six, had applied to the Mercury to be the judges in February.

Paul said: "We really enjoyed dong the judging and had some very nice meals.

"We gave Yates's good marks because, although it wasn't the first place I would have thought of for a family meal, it was really great value with the family menu.

"The food was excellent and there were balloons and colouring in for my little girl and it was very good service.

"We actually went back again since we enjoyed it so much."

Forty-two venues in the centre of Leicester received Best Bar None accreditation on Tuesday night.

Other winners of the main awards included O'Neill's, The Rutland and Derby Arms, Firebug and The Fan Club.

The night was hosted by sporting legends Willie Thorne and Steve Walsh and the top awards were handed out by the Lord Mayor of Leicester, Mustafa Kamal, and Superintendent Andy Lee, of Leicestershire Police.

Men, women and children are pulling on their walking boots to help raise cash for medical research.

About 300 people are expected to join the Foxtrot charity walk on Sunday

It will be held in the grounds of Ratcliffe College, Ratcliffe-on-the-Wreake from mid-day.

Participants can walk anything from 600 metres, up to three miles on flat ground, depending on fitness and enthusiasm

Doctors from the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust will be joining patients, their families and friends for the event to raise funds for orthopaedic research.

Richard Power, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon at Leicester's hospitals, said: "We are aiming to raise a total of about £25,000 for equipment which tests material strength.

"It will help test the strength, for example, of cement used in joint replacements, metal rods used in some procedures and to test different tendon repairs.

"This will help us in research into how we can treat things in different ways. Orthopaedics is all about the strength of the things and this equipment will help both in researching the best materials and techniques.

"It will also help us with teaching in the work that we do."

So far, about £12,000 has been raised for the equipment.

Mr Power, who will be comparing the event on Sunday and leading the walks, said: "This money has already come in though donations.

"We have a very good and a very loyal band of patients and supporters."

People are invited to take a picnic and there will be a variety of activities for families and those who want to support the event but do not want to take part in the walk.

"These include a bouncy castle for children, a cake stall and a raffle.

There are also plans for a jazz band to provide entertainment for the crowd. The sponsored walk has been held every other year for more than 20 years. People can turn up on the day, but those who want to take part must register between 10.30am and 11.30am.

Proceeds will support the Orthopaedic Department at the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The event, which is run under the umbrella of the Leicester hospitals charity, is due to finish at about 2pm. To register in advance and receive sponsor forms, people should call the Foxtrot "hotline" on 0116 258 8531. Supporters can also donate by going to:

www.justgiving.com/Foxtrot2013