A family-run business in Long Whatton has been voted as our reader's favourite farm shop.

Manor Organic Farm Shop, in Loughborough has gained more than 50 per cent of the votes in an online poll which was launched this week by the Mercury.

A handful of farm shops from across the county were nominated, but Manor Organic Farm Shop was a clear winner.

Owner Graeme Matravers said: "It's fantastic, I would like to thank everyone who took the time to vote for us.

"We are a friendly traditional farm shop who pride ourselves on quality products.

"We always aim to give great service and our staff are key to our win."

The family have been farming organically for the past 20 years, with a herd of rare breed Longhorn cattle, sheep, turkeys, chickens, geese and ducks, donkeys, goats, rabbits all located on the farm.

Manor Organic Farm is also home to a butchery, bakery and tearoom-cafe.

"We sell everything and it's all organic," added Graham.

Helen Sutherland voted for the farm shop on Facebook. She said: "It's got to be Manor Organic Farm, lovely produce and run by lovely people. Food in the tea room is wonderful."

Anna Clayton said: "Manor Organic farm is great. The meat is lovely and my son loves feeding the animals there."

Jonathan Pearce said: "Manor Organic Farm Shop because they have a very friendly team of farmers, butchers and bakers which provide very high quality organic produce in a lovely setting."

Elizabeth Dodson said: "Manor Organic Farm has quality food, including delicious bread and cakes from their on-site bakery.

"They always give us a bag of food to feed the farm animals and regularly offer tours of the farm so you can see where the food comes from - a firm family favourite."

Farndon Fields Farm Shop, in Market Harborough was voted in second place.

In joint third place was Henley's Farm Shop, in Oadby, Picks Organic Farm Shop, in Hamilton and Attfields Farm Shop, in Whetstone, who all received the same amount of votes.

This week we are asking our readers to vote for their favourite pub or bar in Leicestershire.

Voting opens at midday on Monday and will close at midday on Wednesday.

To vote either visit our Facebook page by searching 'Leicester Mercury'.

Or alternatively e-mail reporter Yasmin Duffin at: yasminduffin@leicestermercury.co.uk

The founder of a holiday camp for diabetic children is delighted that friends of flight MH17 victim Richard Mayne are raising money for the charity.

Dr Peter Swift, who set up the annual Charnwood Camp for county youngsters, said the money would be vital in helping to keep the holiday treat running.

Richard, 20, from Western Park, Leicester, had been at the camp as a youngster and as a leader.

Dr Swift said: "What these young men are doing in the name of their friend Richard Mayne is wonderful.

"We rely on money we can raise each year from raffles, other events and donations, so for us to be benefiting in this way is most appreciated."

Dr Swift, president of the Leicestershire Parents' Support Group of Diabetes UK, set up the first Charnwood Camp in 1984, at Quorn Hall.

This year's camp was held at Beaumanor Hall, Woodhouse, from Wednesday until yesterday, and entertained 55 youngsters

Dr Swift said: "The main idea was to give children with diabetes a fun holiday and, particularly, give them a chance to get involved in activities they would not ordinarily experience.

"We got them involved in canoeing, climbing and going for long walks in the countryside.

"The camp was a chance to show the children how they could have diabetes but lead a full life at the same time."

Youngster Bailey Davis, from Barwell, who was diagnosed with diabetes when he was three, was at the camp.

The 13-year-old said: "This is my second year at the camp and it is just as good as last year.

"It is great to be able to meet other people who are suffering from diabetes and to make new friends.

"The highlight for me is the trip to Alton Towers."

Hannah Keefe, from Loughborough, said she was having a good time acting as a camp leader.

Hannah, 26, who was diagnosed as diabetic as a 10-year-old, said: "I came here lots of times as a young person, so this is my way of giving something back."

Fellow camp leader Grace Hetterley, of Stocking Farm, Leicester, said she had benefited from the camp after being diagnosed with diabetes at five years old.

The 21-year-old said: "Being a camp leader is very fulfilling.

"I knew Richard Mayne and he was a great camp leader and a great guy.

"We all miss him so much."

Dr Swift said it was a tragedy that Richard had been killed in the air disaster.

He said: "He was a truly special young man."

At least six friends and former housemates of Richard from Leeds University are to tackle an extreme 10 to 12-mile obstacle course, the Tough Mudder, to raise money for the diabetes group.

By yesterday, the total raised by the lads had gone past the £1,600 mark.

To donate to the Leicestershire Parents' Support Group of Diabetes UK, go to its Justgiving page at:

www.justgiving.com/ Richard-Mayne2

Leicester City winger Marc Albrighton believes he has not yet reached peak form this pre-season – and has more to offer before the opening Premier League game against Everton in two weeks.

The summer signing from Aston Villa was a 70th minute substitute in the 1-1 draw at Preston on Saturday and has featured in all of City's three previous friendlies against Ilkeston, Everton and Walsall.

Despite already showing glimpses of his superb delivery from the flanks, the 24-year-old insists fans are yet to see him at his best.

"There's plenty still in there," he said.

"In the first few games, you are a bit rusty with your touch and everything, but I feel fitter than ever at the minute and, if I can get my touch back and get my form there, I'll be fine."

"To be involved in every single game is what I'm looking to do.

"To be able to do that and get some game time in, that's the main thing for me at the minute.

"My form will hopefully follow that and I'll be ready for the start of the season."

Albrighton will appear in either tonight's match at MK Dons or tomorrow's trip to Rotherham before City's final pre-season clash against Werder Bremen at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

Though City are still striving to replicate the crisp, quality football that powered them to last season's Championship title, Albrighton says the squad's fitness will not be an issue come the opening day of the season.

"We've got a couple of weeks left (of pre-season) and we'll be absolutely fine fitness-wise," he said.

"I think we're looking good at the minute and we can only improve.

"I'm not sure what it was like here during training last year, but this year the tempo is so high, everyone's keen to impress and is running about for each other.

"That's how it should be and that can only improve us as a team.

"Competition for places is as high as ever and hopefully that will push every single one of us that extra yard."

Lights will be turned off tonight in memory of the 100th anniversary of the outbreak of the First World War.

A century ago today, Great Britain declared war on Germany and joined a global conflict which lasted for four years and cost the lives of millions of men and women.

To mark the exact moment Britain entered the fray, lights across the country will be put out at 10pm.

In Leicester, a single candle will remain alight at the cathedral during a service as worshippers take part in a shared moment of reflection and remember the fallen.

Similar vigils will be observed at the University of Leicester, Victoria Park War Memorial, De Montfort Hall, County Hall and many other locations across Leicestershire and Rutland. City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I'm glad here in Leicester we are able to join in with this national hour of quiet reflection, a fitting way to remember the outbreak of the First World War.

"Turning out the lights is a symbolic gesture of respect for those who gave their lives, as well as showing our solidarity with families everywhere who may have lost loved ones in conflict since the First World War."

The inspiration for Lights Out comes from a remark made on the eve of the war by Foreign Secretary Sir Edward Grey, who said: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime."

The Dean of Leicester, the Very Rev David Monteith, said: "The First World War affected every family and every community.

"Even today, we are still trying to understand our history and learn from it. When the lights go out, we need hope."

Leicester Cathedral houses the Leicester Regiment Military Chapel, which includes the names of those Tigers soldiers who died between 1914 and 1918.

The Mercury has also gathered the names of more than 5,000 servicemen and women from numerous regiments who were killed in the conflict and we have compiled a roll of honour on our website.

Leicester Mercury deputy editor Mark Clayton said: "The centenary gives us an opportunity to pay tribute to all those who laid down their lives and celebrate the courageous men from Leicestershire and Rutland who died fighting for our country.

"The roll of honour is our way of trying make sure as many servicemen as possible are remembered for their bravery and sacrifice."

Thousands of Leicestershire soldiers killed during the First World War have been commemorated in a roll of honour published on the Leicester Mercury's website.

The census names 5,293 men and boys who fell between 1914 and 1918.

The document was created from the archive at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC).

Peter Francis, a spokesman for CWGC, said: "We wanted to create something that allowed people to re-engage with those who had fallen.

"It was about reconnecting – seeing the names and the ages and recognising the address and the street names where these soldiers lived to make it more real.

"Imagine what it was like when the telegrams started to come in. It gives us a sense of the great sacrifices that these young men made."

The document gives the names, ages and addresses of the fallen, as well as details about their next of kin.

It lists cemeteries containing war graves, including Welford Road and Gilroes in Leicester, but also dozens of others in Europe and further afield in countries such as Israel, Turkey and Iraq.

Many of the fallen were no more than boys when they were shipped off to fight for king and country.

Private AR Burdett, of 1st/4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment, was 16 when he was killed.

The list notes that he "died of wounds" and was buried at Le Treport Military Cemetery, in Seine-Maritime, France.

Closer to home are the graves of soldiers such as Stoker 1st Class W Chaplin, who died on November 27, 1918, aged 29.

He was laid to rest in Gilroes cemetery.

The list is not a definitive roll call of every Leicestershire serviceman who was killed in action, due to the way the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's records were compiled.

When a soldier, sailor or airman died, the commission was informed of his name, rank, unit and service number and given a next-of-kin address.

It sent out a final verification form, asking for any further details, before the name was added to its records.

However, not everybody returned the forms.

Families had moved away and some servicemen had no family to answer.

So if your relative should be on our list but is not, it does not mean his name is not commemorated by the commission.

The commission sees its archive as a regularly updated, living list.

Contact the commission in writing at the following address if you believe an amendment is needed: Commonwealth War Graves Commission, 2 Marlow Road, Maidenhead, Berkshire SL6 7DX. Alternatively, visit: www.cwgc.org

Leicester City play the first of their back-to-back pre-season friendlies tonight when they travel to MK Dons.

It has been an extremely hectic schedule for Nigel Pearson's men, who are in the middle of a run of three games in just four days, as they build up to their Premier League opener against Everton in 12 days' time.

City face another trip to Rotherham tomorrow.

Their clash against the Millers tomorrow will complete a spell of five pre-season games in the space of 10 days, starting with City's 1-0 victory against Everton, in Thailand.

"We have got probably one too many games for my liking but that is how it is," said Pearson.

"I would prefer to have more training-field time than playing games but we are slightly higher profile now and there is a need for us to play more games at times."

Pearson will select one team to face MK Dons, while a completely separate side will take on Rotherham, allowing all the first-team squad to have a full 90 minutes of football before taking on Bundesliga side Werder Bremen at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.

"If people then start making the assumption that the side that starts against Werder Bremen is the side that will start the Premier League, I think they will be getting ahead of themselves," said Pearson.

Jacob Blyth scored for Leicester City's development squad as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Scunthorpe.

Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby is not budging over the name of a £4 million public square, despite a campaign to change it.

Jubilee Square is being developed at St Nicholas Circle.

A petition signed by 1,378 people calling for it to be named Peace Square was debated by Leicester City Council members.

Campaign leader Sally Skyrme told councillors she thought the name Peace Square would bring international attention to Leicester and would be appropriate this year – the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War.

She said she had been surprised by the positive reaction to her petition.

She said: "I truly believe if we had asked people in the whole of the city they would have signed it."

She also said she thought it was arrogant the council had made Jubilee Square signs while the name was still being debated.

Sir Peter said he chose Jubilee Square two years ago to honour the Queen, who began her 60th jubilee celebrations in the city.

He said the campaigners had made their argument very powerfully and offered to look for an "alternative and significant space" to be named with a peace theme. He said: "I respect the petition but we had two consultations, in August and October 2012, about Jubilee Square.

"The commitment is made and it would not be appropriate to depart from that commitment.

"There were many comments about car parking and where the buses would go but, to the best of my knowledge, not a single comment about the name."

He also pointed out that the planning application for the project had been passed with the name Jubilee Square.

Some councillors suggested there should be another public consultation on the name given the level of support demonstrated by the petition.

However, Sir Peter said: "Jubilee Square has been in the public domain for a long time and I am not aware of any members of the council raising concerns about it."

He said the petition did not necessarily reflect the views of the wider city.

City councillor Adam Clarke suggested a compromise under which the public square that will replace the 1970s indoor market hall after it is demolished could be called Peace Square.

Sir Peter told the Mercury he would not rule it out.

However, Ms Skyrme, from Thurnby Lodge, said: "An even better idea would be to name this Peace Square and rename somewhere else Jubilee Square. I'm sure the Queen wouldn't be too upset if we changed the name. She has other things named after her."

What do you think?  Vote in the poll to the right of this story.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said club record signing Leonardo Ulloa will be ready and firing come the start of the Premier League.

However, the City boss insisted the striker's £8million price tag would not guarantee him a start on the opening day against Everton.

Ulloa made his third appearance in a City shirt as the lone front-man in the 1-1 draw at Preston, but still looked like he was getting up to full speed following his move from Brighton.

After Ulloa's debut in the 1-0 victory over Everton in Thailand, Pearson admitted the Argentinian's fitness levels were behind the rest of the squad.

But Pearson said the 28-year-old has caught up quickly and will ready for Everton's visit to the King Power Stadium in a fortnight.

"I think the players recognise his qualities. He won some headers today that we probably have not had the ability to do in the past," said Pearson.

"His hold-up play is very, very good as well. It is about where we are in two weeks' time in terms of the players being ready for the season and he has fitted into the squad very well.

"There is also the question of understanding. Players don't just fit in overnight. We know what his qualities are and he complements the players we have here fantastically well.

"I am really pleased that he is in the squad and I'm sure he will play a big part in terms of scoring goals for us this season."

Pearson has some serious selection dilemmas ahead of the Premier League campaign with David Nugent and Jamie Vardy's pre-season form continuing from where they left off last season.

Vardy was withdrawn on Saturday after 36 minutes with a tight thigh, but that was described as only a "precaution".

Pearson insisted just because Ulloa broke the club's transfer record, it does not mean he is a certainty to start against Everton.

"Just because we pay transfer fees for some players, doesn't guarantee them a start, neither does it for players we get in on a free transfers," said Pearson. "Players that figured exceptionally last year have to do enough to earn the right to start again.

"That is how it has to be. I wouldn't be doing my job right if that wasn't the case."

It seems that pre-season friendlies are only completely meaningless until you fail to win one.

Leicester City had started their build-up to the Premier League in confident style with three successive victories against Ilkeston, Everton and Walsall. Quite rightly, though, no-one was getting carried away.

But following City's turgid 1-1 draw at League One side Preston, lit up briefly by a moment of brilliance from Liam Moore, it did not take long for the doom-mongers to stride back into the open and declare City foxes to the slaughter before they are even up and running. That is ridiculous.

To use Nigel Pearson's own words, City were "off the pace". There were errors – most glaring was the sight of Kasper Schmeichel racing forward to punch clear a whipped-in free-kick, only to miss it completely and allow Preston's Tom Clarke to head into an empty net.

There was a lack of fluidity, too, as City struggled to spark that sharp, vibrant tempo fans are now so used to seeing. Playing two games in four days following a 12,000-mile round trip to Thailand may not have helped.

Leonardo Ulloa still looks short of match sharpness. He showed a handful of good touches, with the odd clever run, but he still looks like he needs more time to settle in, to understand how the team plays.

But the main focus of these games, as the managers and players always say, is to get minutes and miles back into the legs and to rekindle their rhythm and touch. Of course, it is good to win. But it is mainly about learning lessons ahead of the opening game.

One such lesson is that those derisory sniggers from some parts last week when Gary Taylor-Fletcher said he still believes he has a role to play this season, look misguided.

The 33-year-old continues to be one of City's most impressive and consistent performers this pre-season. He has shown some real class "in the hole" behind the lone striker, linking up play effectively.

He may not be graced with the pace, physique or athleticism of some of his team-mates, but he has a superb football brain and the deft feet of an, albeit oddly-shaped, ballet dancer.

Taylor-Fletcher made the first impact of pre-season, nutmegging an Ilkeston defender to set up the very first goal of the campaign, before scoring the only goal in Thailand.

He set up another goal at Preston, too, doing superbly to hook the ball back into play to allow Moore to chest, turn and volley City into the lead. His pinpoint through ball almost set up Jamie Vardy inside the first minute. If Moore's performance at Deepdale, too, is anything to go by, he should be the favourite to start alongside Wes Morgan on the opening day. His stunning goal aside, the young centre-back made some outstanding clearances, and some brave headers to keep out the Lilywhites.

And even when he drifted too far across to allow veteran Kevin Davies in behind, he used his pace to recover superbly. That pace is something City may well need in the Premier League.

After the game, Pearson made a cursory glance back to last pre-season where City were beaten 2-1 at League Two side Northampton in their final game before the Championship campaign. A Championship they would go on to win at a canter. While no-one is suggesting history will repeat itself, it is worth maintaining some perspective.

Six people were taken to hospital after two cars collided on a country road yesterday.

The air ambulance, as well as road ambulances, firefighters and police officers, were called to the B6047 south of Tur Langton at about 5.50pm on Sunday evening.

The crash involved a Honda car and a Renault car that had collided and the six people in the vehicles had to be cut free by firefighters.

One person was airlifted to Queens Medical Centre in Nottingham with serious injuries and four others were taken to other hospitals in the area with minor injuries. A sixth, uninjured person was taken to hospital as a precaution.

The road remained closed for about five hours while police collision investigators carried out a full examination of the scene.

Firefighters searched a section of the canal in Leicester after a motorbike was seen in the water.

Police received a call at about 10.30pm on Sunday from a member of public who had seen the motorbike in the Grand Union Canal near Abbey Park, Leicester, with its headlight still on.

Firefighters were called in to carry out a search for the rider. They recovered the vehicle, which later was found to have been stolen, but found no sign of anyone in the area.

The search ended at about 1.15am.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Firefighters spent the night controlling a blaze involving 20 tonnes of straw.

Crews were called to a farm in Mowsley Road in Saddington, near Kibworth, at 8.30pm on Sunday night where a large stack of straw bales had caught fire.

Firefighters, helped by the farmer, dragged the straw apart to help it burn down more quickly and they used a water jet to control the blaze.

They were still on the scene at 9am today. The cause of the blaze is not yet known.

Firefighters were called out today after smoke was seen coming from the window of a first floor flat.

At 9.20am this morning crews from Birstall and Leicester's Western Fire and Rescue Station went to a block of flats in Liberty Road, Glenfield.

Fearing their were people inside the building, two firefighters entered using breathing tanks. They found no one inside the house and that food on a cooker was burning.

Crews left the scene at 9.40am.

Firefighters were called out after a fuse board started a blaze in a garage.

The incident happened at 11pm on Sunday at a home in Leicester Road, Lutterworth.

Crews from the town's fire station arrived to find the fuse board and the garage door alight.

The garage was badly damaged by smoke. No one was injured in the incident.

Police are trying to trace a van that belonged to a drug dealer.

Sean Robert Downs (32) of Woodgate, Leicester, was jailed for three years at Leicester Crown court on July 17 after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine with intent to supply.

Among the vehicles he owned was a silver Vauxhall Astra van, which the police have been trying to track down.

PC Chris Blount said: "Following Downs's conviction we released information in relation to three vehicles associated with him that we wished to trace.

"Two of the vehicles, a black Volkswagen Golf and grey Yamaha motorcycle, have since been recovered but we are still looking for the third vehicle, a silver Vauxhall Astra registered KG56 AEN.

"The van has black and red writing on the side with the web address www.sddiagnostics.co.uk across the side.

"We would like to thank the pubic for their assistance in tracing the vehicles, however we are still keen to trace the Vauxhall.

"It is suspected that these vehicles were purchased by Downs with money gained by dealing drugs.

"Anyone with knowledge of the Vauxhall's whereabouts is urged to contact the police as soon as possible.

"If anyone is found to be deliberately concealing the vehicle from the police they could find themselves subject of a police investigation."

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact the police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police scrambled the force helicopter last night after reports of gunshots.

A member of the public rang police at 8pm on Sunday night to report hearing gun shots around Castle Hill Country Park near Beaumont Leys, Leicester.

Officers closed roads in the area and the helicopter soon found a man in the area with a rifle.

A police spokeswoman said: "We located a person with a rifle but after speaking with the landowner we learned they had permission to shoot on the land."

The incident ended and the roads re-opened at about 9.20pm.

Firefighters were called today after a mechanical digger burst into flames on a farm.

Crews from Coalville were called to a barn off Main Street in Congerstone, near Market Bosworth, at about 11am.

The vehicle, which was parked inside the barn, was completely destroyed in the blaze.

The cause is believed to have been an electrical fault.

MK Dons (0) 0

Leicester City (1) 2

David Nugent (24), James Pearson (68)

James Pearson, son of Leicester City boss Nigel, scored a stunning strike as City claimed another pre-season win last night.

City had lead through David Nugent's first half strike at MK Dons, his fourth of pre-season, when Pearson hammered home an unstoppable half-volley into the top corner.

His father scored a few goals himself during his playing career, but it is unlikely he ever scored one better.

It meant City retained their unbeaten record as they continue the build-up to the big kick-off of the Premier League.

Pearson had split his squad into two to give as many of his players a full 90 minutes of match action as possible with less than two weeks to the season opener at home to Everton.

City opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Chris Wood and David Nugent again teamed in attack, while Riyad Mahrez and Marc Albrighton were given run outs on the flanks.

Development squad players Pearson and Kieran Kennedy were also given starts in defence.

It may have been an exercise in match fitness but the individual performances were also important with competition fierce for starting berths against Everton.

City certainly dominated the first half and created some good chances with Jeff Schlupp, who is battling with Paul Konchesky for the left-back spot, testing keeper David Martin in the fifth minute after his overlapping run was picked out by Mahrez.

Albrighton, on the other flank, was also putting in some excellent crosses and it was his ball in to the box which was eventually turned into the net by Wood in the 19th minute only for the linesman's flag to rule his effort out.

City did take a deserved lead five minutes later when Nugent, who looked sharp, produced an excellent piece of skill to create space for himself. His shot from 20 yards out was deflected past Martin.

Martin was certainly the busier keeper and he was called on to stop efforts from Wood and Mahrez as City looked to increase their advantage.

The hosts finally started to threaten late on in the half and Ray Lewington's deflected shot was held by Ben Hamer, while Dele Alli went close just before the break after good work from Benik Afobe, on loan from Arsenal.

Nugent should have added another after the break when he met Mahrez's cross but he planted a free header over the bar from eight yards.

The hosts upped their game after that and almost equalised in bizarre fashion when Darren Potter sliced his cross and it beat Hamer and cannoned back off the far post to safety.

But City still looked as though they would take control again and Albrighton picked out Wood, who fluffed his volley.

Hamer has made a few errors during pre-season and he dropped a cross at the feet of Afobe, in the 66th minute, but Andy King was well placed to clear off the line.

But Pearson then smashed home his half volley from 25 yards, giving Martin no chance. Jack Barmby almost made it 3-0 just seconds after coming on but his finish was blocked on the line.

SCORERS

0-1 Nugent (24), 0-2 Pearson (68)

TEAMS

MK Dons: David Martin, Lee Hodson, Kyle McFadzean, Antony Kay, Dean Lewington, Danny Green, Darren Potter, Dele Alli, Benik Afobe, Dean Bowditch, Ben Reeves

Subs: Subs: Ian McLoughlin, Charlie Burns, Tom Flanagan, Mark Randall, Daniel Powell, George Baldock, Tom Hitchcock, Giorgio Rasulo, A Trialist, Luke Tingey, Ben Tilney, Harry Hickford, Will Summerfield, B Trialist

Leicester City 4-4-2): Ben Hamer, James Pearson, Wes Morgan, Kieran Kennedy, Jeff Schlupp, Marc Albrighton, Andy King, Dean Hammond, Riyad Mahrez, David Nugent, Chris Wood 

Subs; Conrad Logan, Jack Barmby (for Mahrez, 75min), Harry Panayiotou, Jak McCourt (for Pearson, 71min), Michael Cain, Jacob Blyth, Alie Sesay (for Kennedy, 79min)

Attendance: 4,332 (1,217 away)

Referee; Gavin Ward; Surrey