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Transfer news: Leicester City's Martyn Waghorn goes on loan to Millwall

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Leicester City's Martyn Waghorn is set to join Millwall on a three-month loan, the Mercury understands. The striker is expected to complete his temporary switch to the Lions at the end of the week, in time for their Championship fixture with Derby County. The 93-day loan will mean Waghorn will return to City in time for their festive fixtures.

Transfer news: Leicester City's Martyn Waghorn goes on loan to Millwall


City of culture: Bid backed as poster is unveiled

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A poster campaign has been launched to get people behind Leicester's bid to become the next UK City of Culture .

The poster, which has the strapline "It's our time to shine'', was unveiled outside the city council's offices yesterday by city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby.

He said: "We've pledged to come up with a programme of events for 2017 that's simply dazzling. But we're not investing all this energy and money into a flash of activity that lasts for 12 months."

The campaign is part of a final push to get people to show their support for the bid.

Leicester must hand in a detailed report on its bid to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport at the end of this month.

We are up against Hull, Swansea Bay and Dundee on a shortlist for the title.

People are being urged to show their commitment to the bid by signing books provided by the council or through social media.

The poster has been designed by agency Reach and features three of its employees, Reema Patel, Leon Jackson and Maggie Goodman.

Maggie said: "Winning the UK City of Culture title would be brilliant for Leicester because it would give us an opportunity to show the world what a creative and cosmopolitan city we are."

Shops, businesses and schools are being encouraged to print off their own copies.

The city council is proposing to underwrite £10million for the cost of the artistic programme over the four years from 2014/15 to 2017/18, plus an extra £2million to cover the associated costs of delivering it, if Leicester wins the title.

Arts Council England has confirmed in principle to commit £3 million to the artistic events programme. The city's two universities are discussing the possibility of becoming event sponsors, with further sponsorship expected from local businesses.

Celebrity backers of Leicester's City of Culture bid include Lord Attenborough, author Bali Rai and Adrian Mole creator Sue Townsend.

Click to download a City of Culture poster.

City of culture: Bid backed as poster  is unveiled

Leicester's number of empty shops worse than national average

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A new survey shows more than a sixth of Leicester's shops are standing empty. The vacancy figure for Leicester is 18.6 per cent, according to the research by the Local Data Company. The figure is way above both the UK average of 14.1 and the East Midlands average of 15.8 per cent. The figure for Leicester is even worse than three years ago, when the same survey recorded that 18.2 per cent of retail space was unused. Martin Traynor, managing director of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said the problem was mostly outside the city centre with small neighbourhood shops closing down. He said he did not expect the figure to get much better because of the way shopping habits have changed. He said: "Retail is clearly changing and smaller shops outside the city centre are struggling. "Some shops that have closed down are unlikely to be used for retail in the future." City centre director Sarah Harrison agreed the area within the inner ring road was generally doing well. She said the vacancy figure for that area was more like 14 per cent. She said: "The city centre is doing really well and there are 25 empty premises I know of that are about to re-open and there are lots of positive signs." Shopper Alan Goss, 28, of Westcotes, Leicester, said the city centre still felt empty. He said: "Saturday afternoons used to be packed in town 10 years ago. "It's not the same anymore. "Half of Gallowtree gate is empty. Perhaps it's the Highcross that's made it worse as the old part of town now has nothing in it?" June Harrison, 46, of Enderby, said: "I don't come in to town very often anymore as Fosse Park is a lot closer for me. "But things must be bad now shops like Woolworths and Domino's are closing down." Dave Chatwani, who owns JC Sports in Granby Street, said trading remained difficult. He said: "There's been a big slump in trade in the last two years. "We have less people through the door as people don't seem to have any spare money and most people spend their money on the internet anyway." Matthew Hopkinson, director of the Local Data Company, many shopping areas in the country were lost for good. He said: "While the rise of empty shops has stalled it still remains stubbornly high for many towns up and down the country. "Since August 2010 the national average has been above 14 per cent, with a significant number being 'long term sick' with little or no prospect of reoccupation as shops. "Demolition or alternative use is the only option for the vast majority of these shops."

Leicester's number of  empty shops worse than national average

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Leicester City happy to bide time after Sean St Ledger injury setback

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Leicester City defender Sean St Ledger will not be rushed back into action after suffering a setback in his battle for fitness, says manager Nigel Pearson.

The Republic of Ireland international had returned to taking part in some of the training with the rest of the squad before City's last game away at Charlton two weeks ago following his knee injury.

But Pearson said St Ledger had experienced a setback and he was not putting a date on when he would be available again.

"He is not ready for us yet but he is doing okay," said Pearson.

"You can't rush injuries. It will take the amount of time it takes.

"He got very close and had a little setback. We will make sure he is right before we expose him again."

Pearson was waiting on the return of captain Wes Morgan from international duty to see if has a clean bill of health.

Morgan flew back to England from making his debut with Jamaica, while Kasper Schmeichel, Andy King and Chris Wood have already returned from international duty unscathed.

Wood was in Saudi Arabia with New Zealand, Schmeichel was a part of the Denmark squad which played in Malta and Armenia, while King was in action for Wales in Macedonia and Cardiff.

Pearson said he was relieved to have them all back in one piece and expects them all to have recovered from their travels in time to face Wigan tomorrow.

"We are quite pleased with how they have come back," said Pearson.

"There was a lot of travelling involved in some of these international trips, especially double-headers, and especially if they are both away from home. It is something you deal with.

"I think most teams in this league will have to deal with similar preparation problems. You just get on with it. It is part and parcel of it.

"The more experienced internationals we have are more used to it. As a manager, I fully expect that to be the case.

"I would always encourage players to want to play for their national side.

"It is a great honour to be involved at international level, but certainly from my perspective I always have an eye on whether they come back fit or not. That is the key for us.

"It is great for Wes to play international football. I have heard he performed pretty well. But the key is for him to come back and we will see what condition he is in and, hopefully, he is ready for tomorrow."

City's only other absentee for tomorrow's game is midfielder Matty James, who will serve a one-game suspension after his red card at Charlton.

• Follow Leicester City v Wigan live at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, September 14, 2013

Leicester City happy to bide time after Sean St Ledger injury setback

Loan deal can get the best out of Martyn Waghorn, says Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson

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Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson hopes striker Martyn Waghorn's loan spell at Millwall will help him rediscover his best form.

The 23-year-old has joined the Lions on a 93-day loan.

Pearson admitted Waghorn had grown frustrated by his lack of opportunities at City and needed a run of games. The final details of the switch will be finalised today.

Waghorn has made just two substitute appearances for City so far this season and started only 11 games during the 2012-13 campaign, although he made a further 17 substitute appearances.

Injuries and loss of form have curtailed Waghorn's City career in recent seasons.

However, Pearson hopes a spell at the New Den will give the former England Under-21 international the opportunity to show the kind of form which led to City spending nearly £3million on him just over three years ago.

"I think it is good for all parties," said Pearson.

"For him, he needs some games. Plus, we can recall him after 28 days if needs be, so we haven't left ourselves open in that regard.

"His frustrations at not playing will be eased by the fact that he can get some games in and, when he comes back to us, he will be in a better place, which is good.

"He hasn't had much luck. I think at mid-point last season he was back in the side and doing exceptionally well, and then had problems with his appendix.

"It has been hard for him to rediscover that sort of form.

"Hopefully, he can get some games in and start to get his form back."

Waghorn is expected to go straight into Millwall's starting line-up for tomorrow's clash with Derby as Lions boss Steve Lomas has a number of injuries to his strikers.

Waghorn, who has scored 20 goals in 114 appearances for City, will be ineligible for Millwall's trip to the King Power Stadium in the Championship on Saturday, November 30.

Meanwhile, Pearson said he was not ruling out bringing players in now that the loan window has opened.

He said there was nothing immediately on the horizon, and added: "I don't want to sound as though there is something imminent, but it is a case of we will look to see if we can strengthen.

"If we can, you will hear about it at the right time. But I am not ruling anything out."

Loan deal can get the best out of Martyn Waghorn, says Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson

Driver got partner without licence to take speeding points

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A driver has been jailed for getting his partner to take the blame for a speeding offence – even though she did not hold a licence.

Instead of owning up and paying a fine, Dilovan Mohammed persuaded his partner, Madison Rodgers, to take the points for him.

Passing sentence at Leicester Crown Court yesterday, Judge Michael Pert QC said the seriousness of swapping speeding penalty points was highlighted in March, when former energy secretary Chris Huhne and ex-wife Vicky Pryce were both jailed for eight months for a similar offence involving penalty points.

Mohammed and Rodgers, who have a child, were arrested and charged with perverting the course of justice, the same offence committed by Mr Huhne and Ms Pryce.

Mohammed (27) and Rodgers (24), of Windsor Road, Loughborough, both pleaded guilty. Mohammed also admitted driving at 58mph in a 50mph zone on the A6 at Quorn, at 5.13am on May 17.

He was jailed for six months and Rodgers was given a six-month sentence, suspended for a year.

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, said that after activating the speed camera, Mohammed – who was lawfully driving his Seat Leon – received a postal notice requesting driver details.

He completed the form saying his partner was at the wheel.

A notice was then sent to Rodgers, who falsely confirmed being the driver – and she also indicated she did not have a driving licence.

On June 20, the police visited their home and she told them she was the driver, but had no licence and was not covered by any insurance. However, a police officer obtained photographs from an automatic number plate recognition camera, near the speed camera.

The pictures showed two people in the car at the time of the offence, both males.

Mr Bannister said: "When arrested on July 17, Rodgers made full admissions, saying she had misled the police and lied.

"She wasn't the driver and was asleep in bed at the time of the speeding offence.

"She said her partner asked her to say she was the driver and she agreed because she didn't want him to face the penalty."

Balraj Bhatia, mitigating for Mohammed, said: "He's genuinely remorseful he got his partner into this predicament and she wouldn't be here if it wasn't for him."

Christopher Gabbitas, mitigating for Rodgers, said she accepted it was a serious case and that the custodial threshold was passed.

Judge Pert gave Mohammed three points on his driving licence.

He told the couple: "I don't know to what extent people think taking each other's points is somehow acceptable.

"There has obviously been discussion in the press about it following recent cases.

"It's so serious that the custody threshold is passed.

"To tell lies in the course of a police investigation has the potential to undermine public confidence in a system of justice of which we are rightly proud.

"For you to do something to undermine that is serious."

He told Rodgers: "Your personal circumstances mean I'm justified in suspending your sentence."

Driver got partner without licence to take speeding points

Leicester City v Wigan live

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Follow live coverage of the League Championship match between Leicester City and Wigan live at the King Power Stadium on Saturday, September 14, 2013.
Leicester City return to action after the international break this weekend – and it's a big game. Promotion rivals Wigan are at the King Power Stadium on Saturday at 3pm – and we'll be there with live text commentary. The side relegated from the Premiership have made a reasonable start to the season after an early slip-up away at Bournemouth. But they beat Nottingham Forest last time out and now sit just two points behind City in the table. If you can't get to the game, the Leicester Mercury's website will be covering the game live with text commentary during Saturday afternoon. Match-day commentator James Sharpe will be providing details of the action and analysis of the game. You will be able to put your questions, views and comments to James during the game through an interactive link on the match commentary or you can tweet him @TheSharpeEnd Some of those comments will be shared with the website audience. The action will start at 2.45pm on Saturday with the announcement of the teams and pre-match build-up - joins just before kick-off here:

Leicester City v Wigan live


Police search for street robbery gang

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Police have appealed for help tracing a gang of men who they believe carried out two street robberies in the space of 24 hours. Both attacks happened on Thursday, September 5 in the Stoneygate area of Leicester. The first robbery happened at 12.40am when the 19-year-old victim was approached in Sandown Road by a group of up to five men. One of the men punched the victim and the gang escaped with his HTC mobile phone, headphones, cash and bank cards. The phone was in a white River Island wallet which had yellow and blue smiley faces on it. The second attack happened at 11.10pm in London Road, near its junction with Clarendon Park Road. The 18-year-old victim was approached by two men, one of whom punched him and told him to hand over his property. They ran off empty handed when a passing motorist stopped to help the victim. Detective Constable Gemma Partridge said: "We believe due to the closeness in the locations and the similarities with the two crimes that they may be linked. "We are appealing for anyone who may have witnessed either incident in particular the occupants of the car who stopped during the second robbery. "The victim recalls it being a black BMW with four men inside. "If there is anyone who has any information about these robberies we would ask they please contact us." Contact Det Con Partridge on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police search for street robbery gang

Families could soon be able to scatter ashes along River Soar

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Council bosses have identified a number of potential sites on the River Soar in Leicester where families could scatter the ashes of their loved ones. City council officials say there are three possible places on the stretch of the river between St Margaret's Pastures and Watermead Park where an area for consecrating ashes could be established. It follows calls by city councillor Sundip Meghani, who has been contacted by members of the Sikh, Hindu and Jain communities. Councillor Piara Singh Clair, the assistant city mayor for culture, leisure and sports, said: "It is a facility that the city is lacking and I would like to have something up and running no later than March. "There will be site visits to each location and of course we will have to consult withe the Environment Agency but it should be something that is straightforward to do. "The eventual location will need to be accessible for disabled people and will need to have some parking. "It will need to be somewhere not too close to people's homes, a secluded place where families can pray." Concerns have been raised about potential pollution of the river both from the ashes and items such as wreaths and plastic flowers. Councillor Clair said: "We would have a policy for families who want to scatter ashes and officers would advise them." Coun Meghani said: "It's a bit of a turnaround because when I raised this at a council meeting a few months ago it looked like it was not going to happen. "I am very pleased and would like to see the possible sites. "It would be mainly used by Sikhs, Hindus and Jains but would be open to people of all faiths or none. "There are people who have had a connection with the river, like fishermen, who may want to be scattered on the water." There have been cases of families scattering ashes on the waterway in areas not sanctioned by the Environment Agency and it is hoped having an official site will lead to a reduction in inappropriate materials being put into the river." An Environment Agency spokesman said: "Ashes have little impact on water quality. "Other items should not be placed in water with them. "Wreaths can contain metal or plastic which can cause litter or harm wildlife." Coun Clair said there had not been any requests, to date, for a riverside open-air cremation site similar to those that are common in India.

Families could soon be able to scatter ashes along River Soar

Leicester City v Wigan - predict the score for all Championship games

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What's the score going to be this weekend between Leicester City and Wigan? It is the question we are asking Leicester Mercury chief football correspondent Rob Tanner, who gives us his prediction and also casts his eye over all this weekend's Championship fixtures. Don't agree? Think you can do better? Have a go yourself. Put your predictions in the comments section and see if you can beat Tanner. It's 3pts for a correct score and just 1pt for the correct result. If you score well enough, we might even invite YOU to have a go next weekend.LEICESTER CITY v WIGAN: King Power Stadium, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: This will be the toughest test of the season for Nigel Pearson's men against relegated Wigan. City's performances have been nowhere near their best this campaign yet, despite their 2-1 defeat at Charlton, they still sit in the top six with 10 points. Wigan's start has not been as impressive as some may have expected having kept a lot of Premier League talent such as Shaun Maloney but their victory over Nottingham Forest will have given them a great boost going into the international break. I think it will be tight but there will be goals.Prediction: 2-2
BURNLEY v BLACKBURN: Turf Moor, Saturday, 12.15pmTanner's verdict: Both sides come into the game having won two on the bounce, albeit one of Burnley's has come against League One Preston in the Capital One Cup. Burnley are unbeaten on home soil so far this term, sit joint third in the Championship, while Blackburn are yet to pick up a victory on the road. Despite back-to-back clean sheets, I think Burnley will struggle to keep the free-scoring Jordan Rhodes at bay. The striker has scored four goals in his last two games.Prediction: 2-1
BOLTON v LEEDS: Reebok Stadium, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Bolton were expected to mount a considerable play-off charge this season under manager Dougie Freedman, after being unfortunate not to make the play-offs last campaign. But they have had a shocking start and sit bottom of the table with just two points from five games. Leeds, meanwhile, have started brightly but their unbeaten run came to an end against QPR before the international break. Think this could be a tight one.Prediction: 1-1
BOURNEMOUTH V BLACKPOOL: Dean Court, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Newly-promoted Bournemouth have made an excellent start to life in the Championship and currently sit in the top six. Three wins from three on home soil they face top-of-the-table Blackpool, one of two unbeaten sides in the division. Three of Blackpool's four victories have been tight 1-0 wins but when Bournemouth have lost, they've lost heavily – 6-1 at Watford and 5-1 at Huddersfield. I fear their perfect home record will come to an end.Prediction: 0-2
HUDDERSFIELD v DONCASTER: John Smith's Stadium, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: While not the most enticing of footballing spectacles, tensions could run high in this Yorkshire derby. Huddersfield's home form has been excellent so far, having won three and drawn one in all forms while Doncaster have played just once on the road this term, a 2-2 draw with Wigan. I think the home side will win this one.Prediction: 2-1
IPSWICH v MIDDLESBROUGH: Portman Road, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Both sides have had uninspiring starts to their Championship campaigns with Ipswich taking four points from their first five games compared to Middlesbrough's six. Boro have drawn their last three games and I think this one will be no different. It's got draw written all over it.Prediction: 1-1
MILLWALL v DERBY: The Den, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Derby couldn't have a better chance to bounce back from their 3-0 home defeat to Burnley before the international break. Millwall are yet to pick up a win in the Championship and have been fortunate to grab two draws from their last two league games. Derby's record on the road this season has been excellent – three wins in three in all forms. Nigel Clough should be confident his side can make it four. I certainly am – Derby win. Prediction: 0-2
NOTTM FOREST v BARNSLEY: City Ground, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: I can see only one winner here. Despite Billy Davies' side suffering their first defeat of the season against Wigan last time out, Forest have started extremely brightly and look very impressive. With the club's owners splashing the cash on new faces over the summer, many are tipping them for great things this season. Barnsley are the complete opposite, only finding their first victory of the season last time out against Huddersfield, and losing three of their first five games. Forest to win, and win comfortably.Prediction: 3-0
QPR v BIRMINGHAM: Loftus Road, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Harry Redknapp's QPR are going to be extremely difficult to beat this year. They have conceded just two goals in the Championship this season and have ground out three 1-0 victories in a row up to now. They are yet to score more than twice in a game though this season but I think this is going to be the game to change that. Lee Clark's side are real relegation contenders and the manager looked a broken man after their defeat to Leicester City just a few weeks ago. I don't think there will be anything from this game that's going to change his mood. Another comfortable win for the home side.Prediction: 3-0
SHEFF WED v YEOVIL: Hillsborough, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Both these sides were tipped to be fighting relegation this season and neither has made any early showing to prove otherwise. Despite winning their opening game of the season, Yeovil have lost their last four league games, and haven't managed to score in any of them. Wednesday are yet to pick up a win in any form this season but have dug deep to scrape three draws in their last three. I think Dave Jones's side will just do enough to scrape it.Prediction: 1-0
WATFORD v CHARLTON: Vicarage Road, Saturday, 3pmTanner's verdict: Charlton's dreadful start to the season took an upturn when they beat Leicester 2-1 in their last game. Before that, they have picked up just one point from their first three games. Watford, last season's defeated play-off finalists, have been inconsistent so far this term with two wins, two draws and a defeat to their name. Charlton are dangerous from set pieces and I think they will cause Watford more of a problem that people might think. That being said, I still think the hosts will edge it.Prediction: 2-1
READING v BRIGHTON: Madejski Stadium, Sunday, 1.15pmTanner's verdict: Neither side has shown the early promise that a Premier League or play-off-achieving side would be expected to show. Reading have only lost once though, and went into the international break with a scrappy 1-0 win over Yeovil, compared to Brighton's two defeats. Both teams will be eager to get some momentum into their promotion campaigns but I think they will end up cancelling each other out.Prediction: 1-1

Leicester City v Wigan - predict the score for all Championship games

'Devastated' by Maddie book claims

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A friend of missing Madeleine McCann's family has told a libel trial in Portugal that the girl's parents were "devastated" by claims made in a book written by a former police chief.

The Daily Mail has reported that Susan Hubbard, the wife of a clergyman, was the first witness to appear in the case against Goncalo Amaral.

Mr Amaral, 56, who initially led the investigation into Madeleine's disappearance, went on to write a book called, The Truth Of The Lie.

The McCanns have strongly denied the claims that have been made in the book, which allege Madeleine died in the holiday apartment and they staged a cover-up.

Ms Hubbard is reported to have told the court the couple had been forced to put all their energy into defending themselves against the allegations, instead of searching for their missing daughter.

Madeleine's mum, Kate, arrived in Portugal's capital Lisbon late Wednesday evening.

Mrs McCann, 45, was accompanied by her mother, Susan Healy, for the first hearing of the case against Mr Amaral.

The family, from Rothley, have said the book turned Portuguese public opinion against them and damaged the hunt for their daughter. They will be given £1 million in damages if they win their legal action.

Mrs McCann, 45, could be called as a witness but is not expected to give evidence.

Friends and relatives are expected to take to the witness box instead, including Mrs McCann's cousin, Michael Wright.

Family spokesman Clarence Mitchell, said: "Kate and Gerry McCann remain very confident they will win the case."

Mr Amaral is expected to argue that under Portuguese law he is entitled to make the claims published in his book.

His book was published in 2008 and was banned for a while.

The former officer was removed from the Portuguese investigation in October 2007 after criticising British police.

Madeleine was almost four when she disappeared from her family's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, in Algarve on May 3, 2007.

The libel case will be heard today and will be adjourned until next Thursday when the court will sit again for two days.

A final hearing is expected on Friday, September 27.

'Devastated' by Maddie book claims

Mayor defiant over revamp of historic city street

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Sir Peter Soulsby has rejected a request to trim back the budget of a scheme to revamp an historic Leicester street.

Councillors asked the city mayor to consider cheaper options to his proposed £500,000 refurbishment of Guildhall Lane.

The road surface is to be re-laid and evened out in a bid to improve links between the city's shopping streets and its historic attractions such as the cathedral, the Guildhall and Sir Peter's proposed £4 million Jubilee Square plaza.

Last month, members of a city council scrutiny commission questioned whether it was justified to spend that amount of cash on the road at a time when the council was under extreme financial pressure.

Sir Peter agreed to reassess the scheme but has now announced he will not be making any changes to his original plan.

In a letter to councillor Mohammed Dawood, chairman of the council's overview scrutiny committee, the mayor said: "In setting the budget, officers have been understandably cautious given the context.

"Very significant repairs to the highway structure will be needed because of their age and previous utility works.

"The works carried out will be in a highly sensitive conservation area and, in particular, in close proximity to the Guildhall and the cathedral.

"It may also be necessary to alter the underground services so a sensible contingency sum is included to allow for all these factors.

"The materials used to rebuild the street will be high-quality block paving and red asphalt and appropriate for the historic context.

"They have been selected to deliver good value for money and complement the more expensive Porphyry that is being used at Jubilee Square and the Cathedral Gardens.

"The cautious budget estimate provided by officers is, I believe, appropriate at this stage of the project but I hope the actual costs will be significantly lower as the project proceeds through its building phases.

"I have, therefore, concluded that the proposal put to me is soundly based and of high priority. Because of this, I now intend to reconfirm my approval."

Labour group chairman councillor Patrick Kitterick accepted some improvements were needed but had asked the mayor to look at making savings in the scheme.

Coun Kitterick said: "In 2008, it cost £105,000 to resurface Loseby Lane to a good standard and that has stood the test of time. I think we have missed a chance to bring down the cost of this scheme but this might be something on which we have to agree to disagree."

Tory opposition member Ross Grant said improvements could be made to the street at half the stated cost.

Mayor defiant over revamp of historic city street

The Wines Of Northern Italy

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When it comes to wines of Northern Italy, the Veneto region of north east Italy has become known as the Italian Bordeaux for its many fine reds. The area also produces the biggest volume of wine in the whole of Italy in a good year.

Lately, some of the region's wines, notably Soave and Valpolicella,have been criticised for lack of quality and for blandness. This is the result of huge corporate conglomerates in the middle of the twentieth century expanding the wine producing areas down from the north east foothills on to the plains below and producing masses of wines which were, quite literally, mass produced and virtually indistinguishable one from another.

Fortunately for the wine connoisseur there are still plenty of fine wines to be had from this region if you are prepared to sniff them out.

Wines have been made in this region since the bronze age, some three thousand years ago which makes Italy one of the oldest wine producing countries in the world. Before the Romans came to the area in around 200 BC most of the wine production was more or less on the basis of a hobby and was drunk by the locals. However, when the Romans arrived they set about carving the landscape into a series of fields for growing various crops, but much of it being for viticulture. The Romans also founded Verona and Venice.

Then the Barbarians arrived and the people had to scatter to the marshes and the coast. Once the Barbarians had left the wealth of the area began to soar as artisans in the Veneto area honed their skills and became the fashion designers and artists of their day. Through the port of Venice their products were distributed around the world and, of course, included some of the great wines from the region.

The Veneto area can grow a huge range of different vines because of its wide variety of climates. In the north east the rolling foothils are bordered by the alps and the winters can be cold down on the plains beneath. This sort of climate is ideally suited to both the Cabernet and Merlot grapes which are grown there.

Order these wines online at www.oakhamwinesonline.co.uk Tel: 01572 757124

By contrast the areas around the Adriatic Sea are more temperate, since the sea keeps the summers cooler and the winters warmer. The area can grow any number of different grape vines but particularly specialises in the Verduzzo and Raboso vines.

In the south west of the area around the city of Verona there are miles of rolling foothills covered in vineyards. Here again, the winters are less harsh than in the north east and this region is home to the Amarone grape variety.

There are more than twenty unique wine making areas in the Veneto region, each with it's own special processes and blends and there are quite literally hundreds, if not thousands of different wines produced as a result.

The classic Soave is one of the most popular wines produced in the area, despite its poor reputation over the last few years. This is made from the Garganega grape and also the Trebbiano and it is still possible to find some excellent examples. However, this is a wine that needs to be drunk young as it does not age well. The original region for Soave was in the hills and this is now the Soave Classico DOC area. Where it has spread out on to the plains below is simply the Soave DOC.

Another wine grown extensively is the Valpolicella which uses grapes that have been dried for no more than a few weeks. Valpolicella is a blend of at least 70% Corvina with Molinara and Rondinella blended in. This wine has strong cherry flavours with a smoky taste added.

Amarone is a new wine that is created by drying the grapes for several months before they are pressed. This creates a wine that is very full bodied with intense flavours. The process can be applied to any grape and several wineries are experimenting.

In fact it has been taken a step further with the production of Reciota della Valpolicella. Here the grapes are dried for at least a month longer and then the fermentation process is stopped at a certain point which makes the wine full bodied but also sweet. One would think that drying the grapes for longer would produce a drier wine, but this is not the case.

Then there is Ripasso where unpressed grapes are mixed with Valpolicella which produces a second fermentation. The result is an extremely heady red wine in some ways similar to a Rioja.

Masi Serego Valpolicella Classico Superiore is an archetypal Valpolicella which was described by Ernest Hemingway as "friendly as the house of a favourite brother". It is full bodied with rich berry fruits and spicy aromas. Also described as mostly dark cherry and earth. Obviously good with red meats.

From the same stable isMasi Campofiorin which has notes of raspberry, black cherry and plum. Again a hint of earth and a long full finish. It has a balanced acidity and firm tannins and goes well with steak, or a lasagne or pasta Bolognese.

A third one from Masi is their Amarone. This has been described as "once opened it is hard not to finish the bottle". The texture is smooth and the wine has notes of raspberry, black cherry, blackberry and plum together with several herbs - sage, thyme and bay to name three. Will go very well with game, lamb or a hunk of hard cheese and this is a nice wine to open on a cold winter's night by the fire.

www.oakhamwinesonline.co.uk Tel: 01572 757124

The Wines Of Northern Italy

UPDATE: Police name woman who died in motorbike crash

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Police have named a motorcycle pillion passenger who died in a crash. Susan Spiby was killed when the motorcycle she was travelling on crashed in Hill Top, Castle Donington at 10.15am yesterday. The 48-year-old, who is from Castle Donington, was killed when the Kawasaki ZX600 left the road. No other vehicles were involved. The rider remains in a critical condition in Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, police said. Detective Constable Pete Davies, who is leading the investigation, said: "The motorbike was travelling from the direction of Castle Donington towards the A453 at the time of the incident. "We would like to appeal to anyone who witnessed it or saw the vehicle prior to the incident to contact us." Contact Det Con Davies on 101.

UPDATE: Police name woman who died in motorbike crash


Traffic and travel updates

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3.50pm An accident between junction 21 on the M1 near Fosse Park and the Asda Island is causing tailbacks onto the M1 and M69. 3.50pmDrivers are also being warned that a lorry has shed some of its load in Granite Way, in Quorn, and the road is partially blocked causing delays. 10.30am Norman Way, in Melton, is now clear after an earlier accident.9.30am Drivers are being warned that care is needed on Norman Way in Melton Mowbray after a lane has been blocked after an accident heading towards Scalford Road. 7.30am There are no major delays reported on the roads in Leicester and Leicestershire. But drivers are being warned that Lutterworth Road, Leicester heading out of town is now closed from Soar Valley Way to Red House Road.For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report at: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/weather.CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Traffic and travel updates

Leicester Tigers injury list grows ahead of Bath clash

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Leicester Tigers have a massive injury ahead of tomorrow's clash with rivals Bath in the Aviva Premiership. Last week's captain Louis Deacon and British & Irish Lions star Geoff Parling have already been added to an already substantial list. Deacon and Parling join Toby Flood, Miles Benjamin, Rob Hawkins, Gonzalo Camacho, Graham Kitchener, Matt Smith, Mathew Tait, Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs who are also ruled out by injury. Flanker Tom Croft was, of course, also ruled out for the season earlier this week after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligaments. Marcos Ayerza is also away on international duty with Argentina. Steve Mafi, Ed Slater and Scott Hamilton go back into the starting line-up for Saturday's game at the Recreation Ground. Director of rugby Richard Cockerill includes back-rower Mafi in the forward pack following the injury to Croft, while Slater steps up into the second-row after an appearance from the bench in the Round One win over Worcester Warriors last weekend. Hamilton comes in on the wing after missing the game in Round One. The team at Bath will also include Premiership debutant Sebastian de Chaves, who joined Tigers this summer after a season in France with Mont de Marsan. Anthony Allen leads the team as captain with Flood and Deacon sidelined. Back-rower Jamie Gibson, a summer arrival from London Irish, is called into the match-day squad for the first time and scrum-half Sam Harrison is also included among the replacements. 15 Niall Morris 14 Scott Hamilton 13 Vereniki Goneva 12 Anthony Allen (c) 11 Adam Thompstone 10 Ryan Lamb 9 Dave Mélé 1 Logovi'i Mulipola 2 Tom Youngs 3 Dan Cole 4 Ed Slater 5 Sebastian de Chaves 6 Steve Mafi 7 Julian Salvi 8 Jordan Crane Replacements 16 Neil Briggs 17 Boris Stankovich 18 Fraser Balmain 19 Jamie Gibson 20 Thomas Waldrom 21 Sam Harrison 22 Owen Williams 23 Dan Bowden

Leicester Tigers injury list grows ahead of  Bath clash

Basketball: Leicester Riders agree venue deal

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Leicester Riders have confirmed they will play all their home games this season at the John Sandford Centre. De Montfort University has extended its deal the the treble-winning Riders until May next year. The extension comes as Riders are in the midst of talks to build a new venue, which has been earmarked for Grace Road, the home of Leicestershire Cricket Club. Riders are planning a partnership with the cricket club and Leicester College for a new 2,000-seater arena at Grace Road, but that project is still in the design and planning stage. The next games will be a pre-season double-header at the John Sandford against Division One outfit Huddersfield Heat tonight and against Loughborough Student Riders on Saturday, both tipping off at 7.30pm. The first BBL Championship game will again be at the John Sandford, against league new boys Birmingham Knights on September 28.

Basketball: Leicester Riders agree venue deal

Four people found dead in bedroom after house fire

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Four bodies were discovered in a bedroom of a house in the city when firefighters responded to a call that the property was on fire. The victims, described as a "humble, spiritual and learned family", have been named locally as mother Shehnila Taufiq, and her teenage children, Zainab, Bilal and Jamal Sattar. Mrs Taufiq's husband, Dr Taufiq Sattar, is understood to have been in Dublin where he works, at the time of the fire. Family friends, who asked not to be named, said he had flown back from Ireland early this morning. Leicester police said they are unable to rule out a link between the fire and the murder of a man in the city centre, last night. Local Imam, Ibrahim Mogra said: "They were a spiritual humble and learned family, and well respected within the community. This is a tragic loss of life." Officers say they were called by Leicestershire Fire and rescue Service at 12.35 am this morning to the house in Wood Hill, off Spinney Hill Road in the Spinney Hills area of the city. Four people were found dead in an upstairs bedroom and a major police investigation is under way. The upstairs windows of the mid-terrace bay-fronted property were severely blackened by the blaze. A next door neighbour, who asked not to be named, said:"I was fast asleep when I woke up to hear people outside throwing stones at the upstairs windows, but there didn't seem to be any response. The front door was on fire and there was a lot of flames coming from the bedroom windows. "The first thing I thought was to get my wife and daughter out, then I went back through the house to the garden and rattled on the windows of their conservatory."Picture of the blaze in Wood Hill taken by local resident Sandip Matharu The 56-year-old added: "Me and the next door neighbour on the other side were shouting and trying to alert them, but there was no response.There was thick smoke coming out of the roof.There was nothing anyone could do. I eventually went back to the front of the house to move my car which was parked outside to let the fire engines in. "It seemed to take the fire brigade a long time to get here, maybe 20 or 25 minutes. "The husband is a doctor who works in Ireland. the family came to live here because they were getting tuition at the local mosque. "I only heard at about 8.30 this morning that four people had died. I am devastated, it is shocking." Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said he had spoken to Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Loader earlier today, and was briefed by the Acting Chief Constable Simon Edens. He said: "I am shocked by the personal catastrophe of the fire that occurred in my constituency last night. "A mum and three teenagers have been tragically killed. They had their whole lives ahead of them. It is a very sad day for all those affected by this incident and I ask that everyone keeps the victims in their thoughts and prayers." He added: "I urge local residents to cooperate fully with the police so all the facts can be established. I will be visiting the Wood Hill area later today." Anyone with information is asked to contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.• UPDATE: House fire: Murder investigation launched after four found dead
If you are having trouble viewing the video you can watch it here: : Four people found dead after house fire• Reporting team: Alan Thompson, Yasmin Duffin and Pete Warzynski. Photography by Alex Hannam.

Four people found dead in bedroom after house fire

Historic railway tunnel opens to public

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It has been disused, locked up and largely forgotten for decades. But now a mile-long railway tunnel deep beneath the streets of Leicester has been temporarily reopened for visitors. The Glenfield Tunnel, built in 1829, was one of the world's first underground rail routes used by steam trains to carry coal from North West Leicestershire's pits to the city. It shut in the 1960s when British Rail sold it to Leicester City Council for £5. Now, the council has arranged for it to be reopened for visits guided by the Leicestershire Industrial History Society. The first took place yesterday for a 20-strong group who were able to tour 100 metres of the tunnel from its entrance off Stephenson Court, Glenfield.
The brick-lined structure re-emerges near Gilroes Cemetery but its other entrance has been bricked up. Society secretary David Lyne led the group along the unlit stretch. He said: "We are very grateful to the council for letting us see this amazing piece of the city's industrial heritage. Most people have no idea it even exists. "Coal is the reason this is here. In the early 19th century, Leicester tended to buy its coal from Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, despite there being coalfields in the county. "That was because Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire had access to the canal network and north west Leicestershire didn't.
"Pack horses brought the coal in from Whitwick but that was slow and more expensive. "The railway was built to address that and the price of coal in Leicester plummeted and the city's industry started to massively expand. This tunnel was very important for the city's industrial development." The construction of the tunnel took three years and cost more than £17,000 – well over its original £10,000 budget – because of complications and because it was a relatively untested process. Renowned railway engineer George Stephenson was brought in to do the job.
Mr Lyne said: "There are 14 air vents along the tunnel, some of which come up in people's gardens. We spoke to one woman who has one in her garden and warned her there might be some strange voices drifting up through it while we were down here. "The vents are closed off but when we were down there before we found the remains of a motorcycle." The tours have proved popular and those planned for today, tomorrow and Saturday have all been booked up. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who joined the first group into the tunnel, said: "I must thank the Leicestershire Industrial History Society for doing these tours. Only in Leicester would we lock up and hide away such a wonderful feature." Sir Peter said it might be possible to reopen the closed off end of the tunnel and have it as a cycle path. After 2000, a structural survey showed there was a danger of collapse because the tunnel was not designed to take the weight of the homes subsequently built above it. The city council spent £500,000 putting in concrete reinforcements.

Historic railway tunnel opens to public

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