It may just have been a throwaway suggestion, but the thought of a rooftop gig in Leicester has tempted some of the city's musical heavyweights.

Earlier this week, the Mercury reported on possible suggestions for events should the city win the UK 2017 City of Culture title.

Among the more offbeat ideas was a live performance from the roof of Leicester Town Hall, mimicking the Beatles' impromptu London gig, which appeared in the film Let It Be.

Dave's Leicester Comedy festival founder Geoff Rowe ventured, partly in jest, the idea of getting Kasabian, Showaddywaddy and Engelbert up on the roof during a public meeting about possible City of Culture events.

What he didn't expect was that Enge would enthusiastically take up the challenge after reading about the idea in the Mercury.

The legendary singer tweeted that he'd be "up for it!"

Mr Rowe, a member of the consortium behind Leicester's City of Culture campaign, said: "It wasn't a serious suggestion at all. You couldn't have a performance on top of the Town Hall. There isn't enough space up there, for a start.

"I have thought about having some kind of performance from a rooftop, but I don't know what the venue would be.

"The purpose of the meetings was to find out what people would like to see as part of the City of Culture programme. If there is enthusiasm for it, we would be mad not to look at it."

Leicester favourites Uncle Frank have said they would be happy to offer their services should Kasabian or any of the others turn the gig down.

Na'im Cortazzi, one half of the soulful music duo, said they would even write a song for the occasion.

"We've spoken to our label and they would be happy to get involved to make this happen," he said.

"We love Leicester, so we'd be well up for it. We'd bring fireworks of sound and bling it out as well, it would be brilliant.

"You'd have to have a very good speaker system, but I think it could work. It would make a brilliant music video, that's for sure.

"We could definitely do a song as well. The music we make with Uncle Frank, there are a lot of different genres, and Leicester is very multicultural, so we'd be good.

"We could do a bit of that, but without it being cheesy. I'm thinking Kashmir, by Led Zeppelin – rock, but with an eastern feel to it."

After hearing Engelbert was also up for the gig, Na'im said the pair would be happy to share the roof with him.

Leicester has three rivals – Dundee, Swansea Bay, and Hull, for the City of Culture race. Each is preparing bids to go before Government judges which need to be submitted by the end of next month.

The winner will be announced in November.

A Labour politician has seen his chances of becoming an MEP significantly boosted.

Deputy mayor of Leicester Rory Palmer is one of the party's five East Midlands candidates in May's election and has spent recent months seeking the support of members across the region.

They have been voting to rank the candidates in the order they will appear on the ballot paper.

Yesterday, it was revealed Coun Palmer topped the ballot and will therefore be ranked second, behind sitting MEP Glenis Willmott.

Voters in European elections choose a political party rather than individuals and MEPs are then elected based on the proportion of the vote received by each party across the region.

Coun Palmer said: "I am delighted to have topped the poll and now we have to set about campaigning to get as many Labour MEPs as possible.''

Should Coun Palmer win a seat in Brussels he will have to step down from his £50,000-a-year post as Sir Peter Soulsby's deputy and as ward councillor for Eyres Monsell.

However, he has told party colleagues he intended to keep those positions for the "foreseeable future".

Leicester Conservatives and some Labour colleagues have questioned whether he can campaign effectively and maintain his current jobs.

He said: "For the foreseeable future it is my intention to continue my work with a full portfolio as deputy city mayor.

"As we get closer to the election next May, I will obviously review this and do so in discussion with Peter."

Labour's other candidates, Linda Woodings, Khalid Hadadi and Nicki Brooks, will appear on the ballot paper in that order.

A dog-owner who walked his pet in the children's play area of a city park and two months later allowed it to foul the park without cleaning up after it, must pay more than £300 in fines and court costs.

James Traae (27) of Odam Close, Braunstone, was found guilty in his absence at Leicester Magistrates' Court of permitting a dog to enter or remain in the play area at Westcotes Park on January 30, 2013, and allow it to defecate in the park on March 27, 2013, without removing the mess.

Nicki Agalamanye, for Leicester City Council, said Traae was seen by a park warden in the children's play area with his dog.

"The warden explained that dogs were excluded from the area and Mr Traae replied that the dog was on a lead. He gave his details and the dog defecated while they were speaking. Mr Traae scooped up the mess with a piece of card."

On March 27 the same man was seen in the park with his dog by a warden who saw the dog defecate.

Mrs Agalamanye said: "The warden told him and he just said: 'Oh, did he?' and made no attempt to pick up the mess."

Traae was fined £100 for each offence with £196 court costs and £20 victim surcharge.

A grandmother from Zimbabwe who fears deportation is submitting an application to stay in the country.

Evenia Mawongera, an outspoken critic of the Mugabe regime, has been fighting her threatened deportation since July 5.

Yesterday, the 55-year-old made her weekly visit to the Border Agency in Loughborough, where she was required to report in.

Evenia said: "I'm feeling confused because I'm still in the middle.

"I just try to relax, keep calm and not think about what could happen."

Evenia has made a number of unsuccessful applications for leave to remain in the country.

When she was in Loughborough yesterday, Evenia presented a letter to the manager at the Border Agency, which stated that her solicitor was in the process of submitting another application. The mother-of-two, who has four grandchildren, asked if she could report every three months, rather than every week, while the application was being processed. She is waiting for a reply.

Ambrose Musiyiwa, a University of Leicester student, who is supporting the family, said that if her application was accepted, her case would go to court.

He said: "We will just live week-by-week."

Evenia fled persecution in Zimbabwe 10 years ago and settled in Leicester, joining her two daughters, who were granted leave to stay in the UK after completing their studies here.

She has said that she feared she would be killed if she returned to Zimbabwe.

A lottery winner has 12 days left to claim a prize of £260,536.

The person, who bought the ticket in North West Leicestershire, has until 11pm on August 15 to grab the winnings.

The ticket matched the five main numbers and the bonus ball number on the lotto draw on Saturday, February 16.

A National Lottery spokesman said: "Time is running out for the winner of this prize, but we are still hopeful someone will come forward.

"We are urging everyone to check their old tickets one last time or look anywhere a missing ticket could be hiding.

"This life-changing prize could help make dreams become a reality for someone."

The numbers drawn were 7, 20, 27, 39, 46 and 48 and the bonus ball number of 49.

If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the deadline, the prize money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go to National Lottery good causes.

A ticket-holder this week failed to claim a £262,109 EuroMillions prize in time.

That person, who bought the ticket in the Hinckley and Bosworth area, had until 11pm July 31 to claim.

With all National Lottery tickets, players have 180 days from the draw to claim a prize.

Anyone who believes they have a winning ticket for any of the draws within the past 180 days should call the National Lottery Line on 0845 910 0000.

The grieving parents of a teenager killed by his friend in a car crash have hit out at his thoughtless actions afterwards and failure to apologise.

Ben Fairlie (16) died when the Renault Clio he was a passenger in crashed into a tree nearly two years ago.

Heartbroken Deborah and Stuart Fairlie say driver Louis Fleetwood (22) waited an agonising 21 months before pleading guilty to causing Ben's death by careless driving.

He admitted guilt on the day he was due to stand trial last month, after being told by a judge he would not immediately go to prison.

At his sentencing hearing yesterday, Leicester Crown Court was told how Ben's family were distressed by Fleetwood's insensitivity after the tragedy – including posting on Facebook how annoyed he was that his car insurance had increased.

Fleetwood, pictured, bragged on the social media site about splashing out £3,000 on tattoos, including a tyre mark print with the crashed car's registration number on his arm. He also turned up at their home, at the wheel of an even better vehicle, about a month after the death.

Mr and Mrs Fairlie, who have a 14-year-old daughter Ellie, were too distraught to work for several months and struggled to keep a roof over their heads.

Fleetwood, of Lacey Close, Lutterworth, received a 10-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, with supervision, and 200 hours of unpaid work.

He was also banned from driving for three years.

Judge Simon Hammond also imposed a restraining order forbidding contact with Ben's family, or entering the road in Countesthorpe where they live.

In a victim impact statement read out by the prosecutor, Mrs Fairlie stated: "Louis Fleetwood, you affected our lives forever... at this time we don't think we will ever be able to forgive you for that.

"You strung us out over 21 months with your plea of not guilty, preventing us from grieving properly, making it impossible for us to move forward in any way.

"Unlike Ben's, your life carried on and so far we've seen no remorse for your actions and no apology. We beg you to stay away from us and get on with your life in a respectful manner, leaving us the grieve in the respect we deserve."

The family also issued a statement after the case, saying: "No amount of justice will ever replace what we've lost.

"Ben was very precious to us and his friends and will never be forgotten.

"Our loss is still raw and we've been unable to grieve properly due to this court case hanging over our heads.

"Ben, your flame will always burn strong in our hearts forever."

The judge was told that Fleetwood was assaulted by a youth after arriving at court, prior to the hearing, which Mr and Mrs Fairlie were unaware of and "would not have condoned under any circumstances."

Philip Gibbs, mitigating, said: "He (Fleetwood) is shattered by what happened.

"It's said the tattoos have been misunderstood and caused pain, but they were a tribute to his friend at a time when he didn't know if he could carry on with his life."

He said the delays were partly attributable to expert analysis "on the circumstances of this accident, as there were problems with the road."

He said: "The defendant was driving normally prior to the accident and made a momentary mistake on a bend.

"It will live with him for the rest of his life and he thinks of Ben every day. He blames himself. He want's Ben's family to forgive him and understands how much more their loss must be."

Fleetwood was said to be on medication for depression.

Mary Prior, prosecuting, said Fleetwood was driving Ben, in the front passenger seat, from South Wigston to Countesthorpe, at 8.15pm on September 10, 2011, when he failed to negotiate a moderate right bend on Countesthorpe Road, near Blaby.

The speed limit on the road is 60 mph. It was dark at the time of the accident and it had been raining.

Neither Ben nor Fleetwood were wearing seatbelts and both were thrown from the car.

Ben was found unconscious and later died.

Fleetwood, who cannot remember the incident, suffered injuries and, at that stage, Mr and Mrs Fairlie were forgiving and twice visited him in hospital. It was only later that things turned sour.

The bend had "slow" written on the road with a hazard warning sign after five crashes in the previous five years.

The road surface was found to be "slightly below" normal standard, but it did not cause the crash.

Mrs Prior said the cause was unclear, but Fleetwood may have been going too fast for the road conditions. No drugs or alcohol were involved.

Judge Hammond said: "These cases are some of the most difficult to deal with, it's every parent's nightmare. The lesson must go out that when you're in a car you wear a seatbelt."

In recent seasons, the Riverside Stadium has been a relatively happy hunting ground for Leicester City.

It has been more than 11 years since City last came away from Middlesbrough without something for their efforts.

A 1-0 defeat in the Premier League in March 2002 was the last time Boro got the better of City on their own turf.

In fact, in the 10 meetings since that win, they have never got the better of City.

It is a particularly lucky ground for Lloyd Dyer, who scored the winner for City there in 2009 and again last season, when his strike took a wicked deflection to give the visitors their first away win of the season and put a dent in Boro's impressive start.

All is not completely well at Middlesbrough since last season's dramatic collapse in the second half of the campaign.

Boro won only three games after New Year and ended the season in 16th position, having been promotion contenders in the first half of the season.

However, their home form was impressive. They won 13 games at home and only Bolton and Cardiff had more success on home soil.

In contrast, Boro's away form was poor with 16 defeats, equal that of rock-bottom Bristol City's record, and a major factor in their decline.

Manager Tony Mowbray was an overwhelming favourite with the fans when he took over because of his exploits as a player and influential captain, but there is a feeling that patience is starting to wear thin among the Boro following.

However, Mowbray has been working hard during the past two years in reshaping the squad and has moved on many of the club's big wage earners, a situation City boss Nigel Pearson has been facing recently.

Mowbray has been able to bring in two defensive midfielders in Dean Whitehead and Jozsef Varga and, so far in pre-season, Boro look a lot more solid. They were unbeaten in their four games and conceded only three goals.

In contrast to City's youthful squad, Boro are also among the most seasoned squads in the Championship.

Eighteen of the 24 current Championship clubs have had Premier League experience, and Boro are the second most experienced with 14 seasons.

The pressure is on Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson to deliver this season.

Another Championship campaign kicks off today (3.0) at Middlesbrough and, once again, expectations will be high.

Pearson is more than 18 months into his second tenure at the club and hardly a month passed during the last year where he was not questioned about his future.

Pearson knows that if City do not make a good start to the season, the speculation will begin again.

But he said he will never let it affect how he goes about plotting a promotion challenge.

"I try not to worry about it at all," said Pearson. "You get used to it.

"It is part-and-parcel of the industry. I would rather it wasn't, but it is what it is.

"It is an indication of the short-term mentality in the industry. There doesn't seem to be a lot of tolerance or patience.

"I am battled hardened. I try to look at the lighter side of it.

"I don't think there was a month that went by when it wasn't mentioned, but I don't spend an awful lot of time trawling to see what people say anyway.

"It is what it is, and I don't tend to get too upset about it too much these days."

Pearson knows that results will be all that matters this season as City try to improve on their sixth-placed finish last time out, but he said the players were ready for the action to commence.

"We are going to be back into games where we are judged on the results again," he said.

"Performances are in many ways secondary for a lot of people. It is about getting the right result.

"We are as well-prepared as we can be, but it will all be judged on our results.

"We have to get on with it now and give ourselves the best chance of being successful."

When was the last time we had a close-season that was this deathly quiet?

This would be my best guess – Mark Wallington, Steve Whitworth, Dennis Rofe, Steve Kember, Jeff Blockley, Alan Woollett, Keith Weller, Bob Lee, Frank Worthington, Brian Alderson, Chris Garland.

That was the Leicester City line-up for the last game of the 1975-76 season against Manchester United at Filbert Street, and the same 11 players kicked off the 1976-77 season at home to Manchester City.

That was the last time there was so little transfer activity in the close-season. Even when the club were completely skint through much of the 1980s and the post-administration mid-2000s, we still managed a few modest new signings to stir the enthusiasm of the fans at season-ticket renewal time.

A single, low-key signing has been made – the free transfer of defender Zoumana Bakayogo from Tranmere.

Nigel Pearson has made it absolutely clear that that was the beginning and end of it: "The opportunity is not there to bring in any more. It doesn't matter if I need to bring players in or not, I won't be."

A football squad is like a shark – it has to keep moving forward. The addition of new faces now and again is vital to keep it fresh and maintain healthy competition. We are now entering a dark, new, belt-tightening age, even though we have wealthy owners who have proved that they are prepared to stump up large amounts of money to get us into the Premier League.

But under the new Financial Fair Play restrictions, everything will be different. It is so ironic that it hurts. How long have we dreamed of having rich owners who are prepared to invest heavily in the club?

Now we have them, but their investment opportunities are to be severely limited.

We know these new rules are coming in for the good of the game – too many clubs were losing too much money – but that doesn't stop the frustration!

Big earners Jermaine Beckford and Richie Wellens have left, and it is with some relief that the likes of Kasper Schmeichel and Wes Morgan have not followed them. But it is concerning that we have to rely on last season's side.

Can City consistently produce the results and performances required for promotion?

In fairness, they did, occasionally, play like world-beaters and, eventually, achieve a play-off place. And they were just one penalty kick away from a Wembley play-off final.

But before that, they had three months of results that, carried on over a season, would have seen them rock-bottom and relegated.

I don't think you can ever tell a great deal from pre-season friendlies, but the 3-0 beating by a Monaco side that hardly got out of third gear and the last-minute defeat at Northampton were not too promising, and did not lift the mood among City fans.

Pearson has said before that he has trouble managing the expectations of the Leicester fans. That might be less of a problem this season.

Angry residents have resorted to direct action in their bid to stop bakery shift workers parking outside their homes and blocking roads on their estate.

People living on the Thurcaston Park estate, in Leicester, have been complaining about the actions of some workers at the Bradgate Bakery, off Bennion Road, Beaumont Leys, for several years.

They claim agency staff employed around the clock at the bakery, which is owned by Samworth Brothers, are making their lives a misery.

"It's been going on for at least five years," said Taverners Road resident Surinder Kaur, 40.

"What's been happening is that workers, instead of parking in Bennion Road or at the bakery itself, park their cars in our estate.

"They are coming and going at all times, with shifts starting at 5am, 2pm and 10pm.

"It creates a lot of noise, keeping children awake at night and waking you up at the break of dawn.

"There's also rubbish thrown from cars strewn everywhere and then getting blocked in your driveway on the way to work.

"It's a small residential area with narrow roads, completely unsuited to on-street parking."

Campaigners believe agency workers are mainly responsible, but are unhappy with the response of both the bakery's management and bosses at A La Carte Recruitment, based in Granby Street, Leicester.

Yesterday, up to 15 residents took matters into their own hands by forming a human chain across Redruth Road at 5am, to physically prevent traffic either leaving or entering the estate. Mrs Kaur said: "Things have come to a head. We want something to be done."

Police were called and the campaigners lifted their protest at about 6am.

Although workers parking their cars on the estate are not breaking the law, residents said they were flouting an agreement made with bakery bosses telling staff not to park on the estate.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "We've tried recording registration numbers and sending them into the bakery bosses, but that's not worked.

"And it's getting worse, with the bakery blaming A La Carte and vice versa.

"Sometimes you can't move on the estate when one shift is arriving before the other has left.

"We don't have a problems with other big employers in the area, like Walkers Crisps, who provide adequate parking for their workers."

A consultation on parking problems on the estate was carried out by Leicester City Council last year, resulting in double yellow lines being introduced on one side of Redruth Road, which is a cu-de-sac.

However, residents said the effect has been to transfer the parking problem to other streets.

More than 1,000 people work at Bradgate Bakery, which produces sandwiches and prepared salads for retailers across the country, but they have to share just 200 parking spaces.

A spokesman said: "We are trying to do everything we can to alleviate this issue. We've worked closely with local residents and the council over many years to minimise any problems.

"We do not allow either Bradgate Bakery employees or temporary staff from our staffing agency, A La Carte, to park on any residential roads in the area.

"There is also a very successful car-sharing scheme, which more than 50 per cent of our staff participate in.

"We encourage residents to get in touch with us if they have any particular concerns. If inappropriate parking is taking place by our staff we will take swift action."

No-one from A La Carte was willing to comment.

As Leicester City begin their Premiership promotion campaign against Middlesbrough at the Riverside this afternoon, Tim Healy asks people if the Foxes can succeed after the heartbreak of last season's play-off semi-final at Watford.

Patrick Gallagher, 26, unemployed, Northfields

"I really hope we can do it this year. We came close last time only to lose to Watford. We have not had any big signings and that could hold us back."

Chris Townsend, 34, insurance technician, Anstey

"I think we will be hit by a salary cap this year. We have not been able to offload players on high wages and bring in players to strengthen the squad. We will struggle to get into the play-offs."

Jake Gibson, 22, engineer, Hamilton

"I don't know how we will do this year. I just hope we beat Forest and end up above them in the league."

Harish Rajani, 64, city council worker, Leicester

"I hope we do well this year. I think we are in with a chance of getting promotion. But it will be difficult, as there are a lot of good teams in the Championship.

Mary Raynor, 74, retired, Newtown Linford

"I am very optimistic about Leicester City. Of course we will get promotion this year, after what happened last time."

Tyler Boyce-Hill 22, recruitment consultant, Clarendon Park

"If we are to succeed, we need to score our penalties and not lose vital games at the last moment. I think if we can get off to a good start, that will help. In the past, Leicester have had periods in the season when they went of the boil."

Cathy Noon, 64, retired, formerly of Highfields, now Adelaide, South Australia

"My husband, Richard, is a City fan and we follow the club from Down Under. We hope the Foxes can do it this year. If they do, we will be able to watch more of them on television."

Sally Munday, 43, housewife, born in Leicester now Adelaide, South Australia

"Our family, especially my sons, follow Leicester and listen to matches and catch up with them on the web. We hope they get promotion to the Premier League."

Ilfan Novsarka, 44, mobile phone franchise owner, Highfields

"I think Leicester City need to increase the power in the squad if they are to challenge for promotion this year. It will be good for Leicester if the team does manage promotion."

Julian Constable,49, teacher, Coalville

"I am more of a Tigers fan, but it would be good for Leicester if the Foxes do gain promotion. City have the ground and the support to do well in the Premier League.

Keren Coe, 57, housewife, Leicester

"I have been a Leicester City fan for a number of years and I really hope they can get promotion. The club deserves it.

Mark Brown, 40, engineer, Leicester

"I used to be a season ticket holder. I always used to think we would get promotion, too. Now I am not sure because we have not got any real stars. We won't be relegated, though."

Last month, outdoor education centre Aberglaslyn Hall closed its doors for the final time.

It was the victim of cuts by Leicestershire County Council, which said it could no longer afford the £57 annual cost of running it.

Campaigners who fought unsuccessfully to save the hall in Snowdonia have now collected a series of reminisces and photos from the thousands of children who passed through its doors in the past 50 years.

Dr Roy Loveday, from the Friends of Aberglaslyn Hall group, said: "It was a very sad day when the hall closed.

"We understand the council needs to save money but, in our view, the value of the place is far greater than the cost of running it.

"It was a place of so many memories for so many young people over the years and we did not want to let its closure pass without taking the chance to look back.

"We have collected some great pictures of the place and spoken to people who recalled wonderful times spent there.

"We want the staff to know how much they were appreciated by all the people they looked after, some of whom had been away from home on their own for the first time."

One person who stayed at Abgerglaslyn as a youngster told the Mercury: "Those happy memories are still with me as an adult.

"There aren't many amazing places that create memories for normal, regular people – Aberglaslyn is one of these places, a jewel in the crown."

Another youngster said: "I vividly remember watching a member of staff at Aberglaslyn coax a crying boy of perhaps ten to abseil over the edge of some rocks.

"The transformation from 'scared and can't' to 'elated and can' is a big part of what children gained from the Aberglaslyn experience."

Another youngster, who attended the hall several times during the 1960s while a pupil of Market Harborough Grammar School, said the experience had "turned the boy into a young man".

County Hall yesterday revealed Aberglaslyn, set within 48 acres of estate, had gone on sale for about £750,000. It is being marketed as an outdoor education centre with accommodation for 38 visitors.

A new planning blueprint setting out where thousands of new homes will be built in a district over the next 15 years could be torn up.

North West Leicestershire District Council has spent the last five years formulating and consulting on a "core strategy" to replace its local plan.

It spells out where up to 10,000 homes will be built over the next 15 years to satisfy a shortfall in housing and meet Government building targets.

However, the whole plan is now in jeopardy after a planning inspector suggested the council scrap the document and go back to the drawing board.

Inspector Michael Hetherington, in a letter to the council, warned that the core strategy takes no action to address the district's "serious and urgent" housing shortfall.

"The absence of provision for an adequate future supply of housing represents a major flaw in the plan," he said.

"It is difficult to see how this could be remedied in the context of the present examination."

Mr Hetherington also said the council's approach " may amount to a failure to satisfy the duty to cooperate" with the process.

The inspector said an "exploratory meeting" to discuss the issues raises was vital.

The district council's opposition Labour group has demanded an emergency meeting and criticised the ruling Conservative administration's handling of the whole affair.

Councillor Tom Neilson said: "They need to explain themselves for what appears to be basic incompetence from their leadership. The residents deserve answers.

"Communities are already suffering from the current free-for-all in planning applications."

Chris Tandy, vice-chairman of Ashby civic society, which is fighting unwanted development proposals in the town, said: "The district council has consistently failed to listen and act on criticism of their strategy by residents or councillors."

But deputy council leader, Councillor Alison Smith, said: "We believe our calculations are robust, appropriate and sustainable.

"We have a responsibility to develop the district sensibly and carefully. If we are forced to withdraw our plan, it could take another two years to develop a new one."

Plans for a £5 million sports facility have been unveiled by Loughborough University.

Along with a hall for a variety of sports, the building would house a fitness suite with treadmills and other cardiovascular equipment, as well as weightlifting facilities.

Plans have been submitted to Charnwood Borough Council and work could start this year if permission is granted.

A spokesman for the university said: "It will be located at the Holywell Park end of campus, near the Ford College building and the university stadium.

"The sports hall and fitness suite will be a replacement for Victory Hall, which was demolished last year as part of a landscaping project for the East Park part of the campus.

"It will offer four courts, providing space for a variety of activities, including basketball, netball and badminton and be used for inter-hall competitions.

"The fitness suite will house about 100 pieces of cardiovascular equipment, for those who want to be fit and healthy but don't want to participate in competitive sport."

The spokesman said the facilities would predominantly be for student use but he said there would also be opportunities for staff, campus tenants and members of the community to use them.

Hours of use are expected to be between 8am and 10pm and would not be limited to term time.

The spokeswoman said: "The hall and fitness suite will enhance our already impressive range of facilities.

"They will boost our provision for those who want to improve their health, fitness and sport performance and will help to reinforce our position as the country's leading university for sport."

The facilities would meet Sport England standards.

Plans are being drawn up by Associated Architects, of Birmingham, which has designed buildings for several other universities across the country.

They include the University of Leicester's new medical building, at the corner of Lancaster Road and University Road.

This aims to be as energy-efficient and environmentally- friendly as possible , using renewable technology.

The Leicester medical building is expected to be completed in 2015.