A feast of Asian arts and culture took over the city centre yesterday as the annual mela festival celebrated its 32th year.

Thousands of people came to the city to take part in the event which began as a small festival in Cossington Park, Belgrave, and has now grown to attract visitors from across the country.

Leicester Market was filled with exotic food, clothes and jewellery and a large stage was erected in Humberstone Gate featuring traditional and modern Asian music and dance.

All along Gallowtree Gate stall holders kept the crowds happy with various sweet and savory treats, while a large carousel entertained youngsters at the entrance to Leicester Market.

Mum Kush Kotecha, 31, of Belgrave, said: "I've brought my son down here and he loves it.

"I know it's a bit wet and miserable, but what kid wouldn't be happy once you fill him with sweets and put him on a merry-go-round."

The market was transformed from its usual fruit and veg emporium into an oasis of colourful stalls filled with jewellery, clothing and food.

Brijesh Valdera, of Krisha's Boutique - a sari and dress shop in Acorn Street, Belgrave - had set up a stall yesterday morning among the other bustling traders.

"This is the first time I've been here as a trader," he said. "But I've been to the mela before.

"I thought it would be a good way of trying to attract more business to the shop."

Also trying to catch the eyes of potential customers was Saj Damania, who had travelled up from Wembley, in London, to show off his clothing and jewellery.

He said: "We go to melas all over the country, but the Leicester one is nice because you get a more varied crowd, there's always a good atmosphere here."

Susan and William Keiths, from Narborough, were stood next to the market in Cheapside watching a man swallow a sword to the sound of traditional Indian drumming.

Susan, 58, said: "It's not every day you come to the city and see something like this.

"I think it's lovely - it's fantastic to see different cultures in Leicester especially because we all live so close to them."

Just a distance away, beneath the Clock Tower, a ssmall stage gave youngsters like Paarth Acharya, eight, and his sister Shivani, six, the opportunity to show off their Bollywood moves to the crowds.

Paarth, who is a member of the Desti Masti dance academy, based in Belgrave Road, said: "I enjoy the dancing because it's about nice moves. I like dancing with my sister too."

Outside Highcross, in High Street, a team of volunteers were encouraging visitors to describe their memories of the past 30 years of the mela.

Their recollections were filmed and will be included in a DVD, which will be released in September 2015.

Janky Kotecha, a volunteer for the project, said: "We want people to come and give us their memories of the mela from the past 30 years.

"There will be plenty of opportunities from now until November to visit one of our 'memory days' where they can tell us what they remember and bring us pictures and videos."

For more information about the project, visit: www.melaheritage.co.uk

Leicester Lions' two Bank Holiday Monday Elite League fixtures against Coventry Bees have fallen victim to the weather and will now be re-staged on Sunday.

The first match will take place at Coventry with the race starting at 2.30pm, and the return fixture will be held at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium at 7.30pm.

"It was disappointing to lose both fixtures," said Lions promoter David Hemsley.

"Our track was holding up pretty well but, with more rain forecast, we made the right decision to postpone the fixture until Sunday."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson insisted he would not be "held to ransom" on any potential signings.

The City boss also confirmed there had been progress made on the deal to bring former Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso to the club.

The potential capture of the 34-year-old Argentinian looked to have stalled after more of his representatives were said by Pearson to be "coming out of the woodwork".

However, the City boss said he was now more hopeful of completing the deal than he was at the weekend.

"There has been some progress but until we actually get to the stage where I can categorically say it is going to happen, I am very loath to say much more," said Pearson.

"I have seen it before when you think you are very close and it falls apart. We have made some progress but that is all it is.

"The important thing is that we secure a couple of additions to the squad before the transfer window closes."

With injuries currently ravaging Pearson's options, especially in midfield, the City boss admitted it is vital he adds to his squad before the transfer window shuts at 11pm on Monday.

However, Pearson insisted he would not simply add players to his squad for the sake of it, and hopes not to be working right up until the deadline.

"In an ideal world I would say that I wouldn't want to be doing that, but we may have to," said Pearson.

"Everyone who knows how we have worked in the past would know that we like to do our business as early as we can.

"Clearly, we have got an interest in a midfielder but, if we can add another defender and another forward, I would be very happy.

"This window has proven to be more difficult this year. The problems of the January window and late on in the summer is that there becomes the possibility of inflating prices because there is a need for it.

"My recommendations on that are don't do it. This club has had its fingers burned in the past with doing deals late in the window.

"I recognise we need one or two extra players but I am certainly not going to be held to ransom.

"My advice to the football club is always the same, If we can't get the people that we want, I don't intend to pad it out with players I don't think are either the right fit or not good enough."

Two amputees have been selected to represent Britain in the first international games for wounded servicemen and women.

Steve Gill and Leigh Bland, both members of Melton Mowbray Archery Club, will shoot for gold at the Invictus Games.

The London games, held at the Olympic Park from September 10 to 14, will see them compete against teams from 13 other nations.

Steve, of Cosby, took up archery a year ago.

"We had to go through a tough eight-day selection process, but to be selected to represent your country is very special indeed," said the 45-year-old Army veteran, who lost both legs and an eye in a bomb blast, in Belfast, in 1989.

"I'm really looking forward to it. Meeting and competing with servicemen and women, and veterans like me from around the world, will be fantastic."

For Leigh, from Sileby – a Royal Air Force technician of 16 years, based at RAF Wittering, near Peterborough – it is the "opportunity of a lifetime".

The 34-year-old father of one had a leg amputated below the knee following a fall in training in 2009.

"I badly damaged my ankle and, despite several operations on my ligaments, was left with severe nerve damage," said Leigh, who is to receive a medical discharge from the RAF next year. "I was living with extreme pain every day and began suffering with depression.

"The choice I faced was either pain for the rest of my life or amputation and I eventually chose the latter.

"Since then, everything has changed around. Before, I couldn't even carry my baby daughter – that really got to me.

"But now, I can get on with my life."

Leigh was introduced to archery this year, following an e-mail from the Help For Heroes charity, which is helping to stage the games.

"I looked into it, got some equipment with the help of Merlin Archery, in Loughborough, and only joined Melton in April, where I met Steve ," he said. "But I have really taken to it.

"It helps me to relax and keeps my mind busy.

"It's helped my rehab and to be chosen to represent Great Britain is a privilege.

"I don't think I've stopped smiling since I found out."

Steve has been involved with injured servicemen's charity Blesma and Leicester Cobras wheelchair basketball team and runs a charity – Baron Motorsports – giving disabled men and women the opportunity to race cars.

"Archery is new to me," he said. "It's something different but I really enjoy it and it gives me a lot of satisfaction."

The two men have been training at the National Centre for Disability Sport, in Stoke Mandeville, and at Syston Rugby Club.

They joined other athletes and games patron Prince Harry by Tower Bridge for the unveiling of the 130-strong British Armed Forces team.

Steve said: "He was talking to everybody and, being a soldier himself, there was a bit of lighthearted barracking."

The games will be covered on BBC radio and television.

The bond between a soldier and his beloved black labrador remained unbroken over a divide of 4,000 miles of land and sea, thanks to modern technology.

Colour Sergeant Wesley Norton, of Hinckley, missed his dog Gunner so much while posted in Afghanistan, he made sure he kept in touch.

Every weekend since deployment in February, for his second tour of the country with the Coldstream Guards, he has stayed in touch with his best pal using internet video phone service Skype.

The 34-year-old career soldier, and former John Cleveland College pupil said: "As funny as it sounds, Gunner is actually my best mate.

"I've had him since he was a pup six years ago and, when I'm home, he goes absolutely everywhere with me – we spend just about every moment together, we are practically inseparable."

But duty to Queen and country saw Wes fulfil a role as camp Sergeant Major, overseeing an RAF detachment supporting Afghan troops in the capital, Kabul.

He has been covering the busy period of the Afghan presidential election, and providing support to the British Embassy, the Afghan National Army Officer Academy and ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) headquarters.

"On this tour of duty, I began Skyping my mum and dad, and girlfriend, back in Hinckley," said Wes. "The first thing I'd ask was, 'How is the boy?'

"So, they started setting up the camera and computer so I could talk to Gunner.

"I carry photos of him everywhere I go, but it was so nice to see him on camera. He barks and stuff, and answers to my whistles. I'd like to think he recognises me.

"Bless him – smell is obviously the big sense for dogs and I'm not sure he really knows what's going on, but it's really nice to interact with him.

"It means so much to me, especially with me being so far away."

Family and friends joined crowds in Windsor last week for a homecoming parade for Wes and his 349 comrades of the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.

And there, waiting for his master, was Gunner.

"I got off the bus and saw mum and dad were waving at me from a distance," said Wes. "I noticed they had the fella with them and they let him off the lead. He came bounding through the crowd towards me. He just went crazy, he was so excited.

"He jumped up into my arms and was all over me – licking me to death.

"It was so great to be reunited again. I was a bit emotional, for sure."

Wes is now back home in Hinckley and ready for a short holiday, before resuming normal regimental duties with the Guards at their Victoria Barracks, in Windsor.

But he and Gunner will have plenty of time to enjoy each other's company.

He said: "My girlfriend and I like taking him to country shows and game fairs where we put him in for a few gun dog scurries – he's a natural and loves it."

Seremaia Bai is a "village boy from Fiji" hoping to make waves at Welford Road.

The 35-year-old veteran joined the club from Castres this summer after eight years in the Top 14.

He had an impressive Tigers debut at Nottingham and then made a second appearance off the bench against Edinburgh on Saturday.

With 49 international caps and two French league titles, Bai insists he still has plenty to achieve after moving to English rugby for the first time in his career.

Comfortable at inside-centre and fly-half (he played in both positions on his debut), Bai will add crucial depth and experience to the squad.

His know-how in the No.10 shirt could prove invaluable to Owen Williams, 22, and Freddie Burns, 24.

The Fijian, an international partner of last-season's leading Tigers try-scorer Niki Goneva, said he has settled in well in the East Midlands and that he is looking forward to helping the side out in any way he can.

"My team-mates have been good to me and, from the very first day, it felt like I had been here for a long time," said Bai.

"This is a bit of change for me. I always wanted to play in the Premiership and then Leicester offered me a contract.

"That was nice because not many clubs are interested in old blokes like myself.

"I respect the club and its history and my few weeks here have helped me grow as a player and as a person as well.

"I have been playing for a long time and I know it is going to be tough here.

"I am used to getting the best out of myself in pre-season but the way they prepare people here, it is amazing.

"I have learned something new every day and that is quite exciting.

"I have had to find a level here. I am coming to the end of my career but I still want to better myself and learn.

"I want to train hard. It's not about getting in the team but how I can bring my qualities to help the team."

Bai's vast experience at the top level could prove crucial as he is expected to mentor two of the club's brightest young prospects in the fly-half role.

With the World Cup on English soil next year, he is keen to make Leicester his home and remain on the Fiji national side's radar.

"I was quite surprised when Leicester made me an offer," said Bai, who has been joined here by his wife and four children.

"I was going to look for other Top 14 clubs before Leicester came in for me. I spoke with my wife and saw it as a good opportunity after eight years in France.

"I didn't want to finish rugby just looking for money. I always wanted to finish on a high so this is a good club where I can come and finish my career. I still feel that I have a lot to offer.

"I am just a village boy from Fiji. I have not grown up in an academy environment. I have just learned as I go along and I will help the team wherever I can."

Tigers Academy flanker Charlie Beckett led England Under-18s to a 30-22 win over South Africa away from home in Stellenbosch.

Fellow Tigers Owen Hills and Joe Maksymiw were also involved in the win which sees the Under-18s finish an incredible season unbeaten.

Fresh from her Women's World Cup win, Desford's Emily Scarratt will now become a full-time rugby player after being offered an England Sevens' contract.

The 24-year-old said on Twitter that she was "absolutely buzzing" for the opportunity.

9.37am: Western Power have closed the Great Central Way, with no walking or cycling access, between Upperton Road and Evesham Road, until Friday, August 29.

8.48am: All now clear and traffic moving well on the slip road from Lubbesthorpe Way towards the M1/M69 junction, in Leicester, following earlier accident.

8.25am: Heavy traffic on the A563 Lubbesthorpe Way, towards the M1 and M69, following an accident close to the Marriot Hotel.

7.40am: Area Traffic Control report that the M1 is very busy this morning following the bank holiday weekend. There are queues southbound towards junction 21. The A563, in Leicester, is also busy along Glenhills Way, towards Soar Valley Way.

7.33am: Queuing traffic on the exit slip road on the M6 southbound, for junction 19 of the M1, at the Catthorpe interchange, in the far south of the county, due to an accident in the roadworks area.

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 for Leicester and Leicestershire

CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Christine Anne Bridgett Fitzgerald (49), of Pluto Close, Leicester, was discharged conditionally for 18 months after pleading guilty to stealing alcohol and food, worth £268.15, from Asda, at Oadby, on July 16. She was ordered to pay £40 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Mark Richard Lee (36), of Neston Gardens, Leicester, was discharged conditionally for 12 months after pleading guilty to using threatening , abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress to a named person at Saffron Lane, on July 15.

He was also ordered to pay £40 and a £15 victim surcharge.

Mathew Stephen Walker (19). of Knighton Fields Road West, Leicester, pleaded guilty to wasting police time by making a false report that an offence had been committed on June 16. He was fined £110 with £40 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Walker was also ordered to pay £300 compensation and disqualified from driving for six months after pleading guilty to failing to stop after being the driver of a vehicle involved in an accident in Saffron Road, Wigston, on the same date.

James Alexander John Wallace (22), of Featherstone Drive, Eyres Monsell, pleaded guilty to failing to stop after being a driver involved in a road accident in Saffron Road, Wigston, on May 20. He was fined £200 with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge. His driving licence was endorsed with eight penalty points.

Wallace also admitted failing to report the accident and giving his details. No separate penalty was given.

Lee Anthony Tarbert (31), of Bolton Road, Western Park, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on July 10. He was given a 12-month supervised community order including six months alcohol dependency treatment. He was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

The sentence also covered a charge of criminally-damaging a mobile phone, value unknown, on the same date.

A woman was injured after rolling the car she was driving on a roundabout.

Emergency services were called to the Racecourse roundabout, where the A563 Palmerston Way meets the A6 Leicester Road, in Oadby, at about 7.20pm, yesterday.

A fire service spokesman said: "We got the call from the police and a crew from Oadby station was sent to the scene.

"On their arrival, they found a car on its roof.

"The female casualty had already been released and was being treated at the roadside by East Midlands Ambulance Service staff."

The extent of the woman's injuries are not known, but they are not thought to be serious, and the fire service could not say if she was taken to hospital for further treatment.

The scene was made safe and a stop message was received by fire control at 7.40pm.

Leicester City have had a £5million bid rejected for Wigan midfielder James McArthur.

Latics chairman Dave Whelan confirmed that City have made a bid for the 26-year-old but that he is "not for sale at that price" and they would have to return with an improved bid.

The 26-year-old is said to be keen for a move to the Premier League but Wigan are holding out for their desired asking price before the transfer window shuts on Monday.

"I wouldn't stand in the way of anybody wanting to playing in the Premier League, though, so we'll see how much Leicester want him," Whelan told the Daily Telegraph.

Fellow Premier League new boys Burnley are also said to be interested in the Scotland international and are reported to have had a £4m bid rejected, with the Clarets also looking to up their bid.

City boss Nigel Pearson has stated he wants to bring in another midfielder following injuries to Danny Drinkwater and Matty James.

Pearson is also hopeful of signing former Inter Milan midfielder Esteban Cambiasso after making "some progress" over the weekend.

Loughborough University and Leicester Grammar School will be part of Rugby's biggest event in 2015.

They have been selected, alongside 39 other venues to host teams competing in next year's World Cup, starting September 18.

Canada will prepare for their final pool D match vs Romania at Leicester Grammar School, in Great Glen. The school's excellent sporting facilities will provide the North Americans with ideal preparation conditions.

Meanwhile, Loughborough University, renowned for its sporting prowess and outstanding facilities will host Tonga and Namibia as both sides prepare for their pool C matches against Argentina at Leicester City Stadium.

Loughborough University will also welcome the play-off winner ahead of their clash against Australia at Villa Park.

Ben Aherne, sports business development manager at Loughborough University said: "I'm delighted that the university has been selected as an official team base for Rugby World Cup 2015, and that we will host some of the teams who will be playing matches in the Midlands region.

"We've built our reputation on sporting excellence and have vast experience of hosting elite teams that have competed at global sporting events.

"Therefore we look forward to welcoming teams onto our campus and supporting their preparations for the tournament."

Team bases include an outdoor pitch, indoor training facility, swimming pool, gym and nearby hotel and will be utilised by the teams in the lead up to and during the six week event.

The facilities must meet international team training standards and be located on one site or within close proximity of one another. Match venue locations were also taken into account as part of the selection programme.

The search for team bases was launched by the Rugby World Cup organising committee via an open tender process in May 2013 and over 90 bids from across England and Wales were received.

New College, in New Parks, Leicester, and Market Harborough Rugby Football Club, were among those whose facilities were on a shortlist, but have missed out.

A mix of rugby and football clubs, schools, colleges, universities and dedicated training facilities will be utilised by the 20 competing teams.

Debbie Jevans, England Rugby 2015 CEO, said: "As the organising committee for Rugby World Cup 2015 we are committed to ensuring that all participating teams have the optimum training environments available to them throughout the tournament and in this regard we are delighted to announce our official bases for the event. "Rugby, rightly, is at the heart of all our planning and we have worked closely with the teams to ensure that they have access to facilities and a base that meets their individual needs.

"I'd like to thank all those who have been part of the selection process. We're lucky to have some fantastic facilities right across the country and given this excellent range the teams can be assured of having all their training needs met whilst allowing us to spread the reach of the tournament even further throughout England and Wales."

King Power Stadium will be hosting three matches as part of the World Cup which will feature the top 20 teams in the world.

The stadium was chosen in a selection process which saw Leicester Tigers' Welford Road ground discounted because its pitch was not deemed to meet international standards.

Argentina will play Tonga at the King Power on Sunday, October 4.

The qualifiers from Americas 1 and Europe 2 will play on Tuesday, October 6, and Argentina will take on the qualifier from Africa 1 on Sunday, October 11.

Leicester's new Richard III visitor centre passed a milestone yesterday when it admitted its 10,000th visitor.

The attraction, telling the story of the life and death of England's last Plantagenet king, opened a month ago.

VIsitor 10,000 was Ann Goodwin, from Wigston, who was visiting the centre in St Martin's, with her husband Lee and daughter Sarah Barrell, from North Wales.

She was informed by staff of the significance of her arrival by centre managers who say they are pleased with the number of visitors so far.

The centre is in the former Alderman Newton school which was bought by Leicester City Council for £891,000 and transformed at a cost of £4,190,000.

Bosses hope to welcome 100,000 visitors in its first year.

Some 200,000 people visited its free forerunner which was open for 14 months in the nearby Guildhall.

Centre director Iain Gordon said: "We've had a fantastic response over the past month from local, national and international visitors.

"We are really pleased to have welcomed our 10,000th visitor within our first month of opening and look forward to welcoming many more.

"We've been doing really well particularly with coach groups visiting.

"It's new so we expected a lot of interest early on but it is hard to guess what will happen.

"We think there will be a lot more people coming around the time Richard's bones are interred (at Leicester Cathedral) in the Spring.

"The challenge for us is to keep it fresh and interesting.

"We have been asking everyone to let us know what they think about the attraction and, following the feedback received, we have been fine-tuning some elements of the exhibition."

So far visitors to the centre have included Canadians, Germans, Dutch, American and Australians as well many from closer to home.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has stressed the attraction, run by an independent trust, is intended to run with out a subsidy.

He said: "I am very encouraged by the enthusiasm shown so far.

"I have had many people from Leicester tell me they thought it was excellent and when Leicester people say that you know you've got it about right."

The visitor centre is open from 10am until 4pm from Monday to Friday and from 10am until 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Tickets are available to buy on the day but to guarantee admission, booking in advance online is recommended.

www.kriii.com

Leicester City target Esteban Cambiasso says he will make his decision this week on where he is going to play his football.

City have been locked in talks with the 34-year-old's representatives over the past few weeks in an attempt to bring the former Inter Milan midfielder to the club.

Pearson said on Monday that he was more hopeful of securing the signing after making "some progress" over the weekend.

Cambiasso has told the Italian press he is set to leave Italy but said his preferred choice would be just a one-year deal.

"I don't think I could ever give another Italian club what I gave to Inter," he told Sky Sports Italia.

"I'll see this week where I'm going to go, where I can be happy with my family.

"But wherever I go, I think that I'll sign a one-year contract. That's my choice."

Details the first major shake-up of car parking for 20 years have been confirmed by Leicester's mayor.

Sir Peter Soulsby has announced a package of measure which will change how and how much people pay to leave their cars in on-street spaces and car parks operated by Leicester City Council.

Sir Peter says the moves are designed to end an unfair and inconvenient parking set up which deters shoppers from coming into the city.

The measures, reported by the Mercury in March when they were first proposed, include bringing in a flat rate fee of £1 an hour to park in the city centre.

The current pay-and-display machines are to be replaced with 216 new models - at a cost of £900,000 - which no longer require drivers to input their car registration numbers.

The existing machines do not provide change and the council says that has meant drivers have overpaid around £1.5 million to park since 1999.

In a controversial move, free unrestricted parking on Sundays and Bank Holidays will be scrapped and a fee of £1 for three hours parking will come in.

This is expected to generate some £50,000 a year.

The council made £3.26 million from parking revenue in 2012/13 and the mayor says the changes will have a "broadly neutral" impact on income.

A four week consultation in March led to 179 people responding to changes proposed.

Half of them said they thought the city council's proposals would improve parking in the city centre.

Church worshipers complained about the Sunday charges as well as people who work in the city centre on that day.

Sir Peter said: "Commuter parking is the biggest problem on Sundays. There are people coming into work clogging up short-stay spaces that are there for shoppers and others visitors just coming in for a few hours.

"We want to encourage commuters to park outside the city centre zone.

"Overall these changes will create a simpler and fairer parking system.

"I know from my own experience parking how frustrating it is to get to a pay-and-display machine and fine you don't have the right change.

"What we will have is a system that means wherever you park in the city centre you know you will have to pay £1 an hour.

"It will be "Park for a Pound" to take the hassle out of parking - a hassle I am convinced puts people off driving into the city centre.

"We are also getting rid of the fiddly key pads on the machines which have never really served their purpose."

While most current charges will be rounded down to the nearest pound some will be rounded up.

The charge for the council's multi-storey car parks in Newark Street and at the Haymarket shopping centre will be £1 all day on Sunday.

As previously reported by the Mercury, council negotiations with NCP to provide short-stay places at its Holiday Inn car park failed. The council wanted to replace 50 spaces lost by the development of Jubilee Square at the NCP car park.

However a new 26 car park will be developed at Newarke Street, outside the Sue Townsend theatre. A further 22 spaces will be developed in Castle Street and seven disable spaces will be provided at Carey's Close near Jubilee Square.

Motorist Steve Finch, 43, from Braunstone Frith, said: "I do like the idea of a flat rate £1 an hour. It's common sense but scrapping free parking on a Sunday is a dreadful idea. It will have the opposite affect to what they want and I have never struggled to find a parking space on a Sunday."

The proposed new parking prices will be introduced in November when work to install the new machines will begin.

They will all be in place on by May. 

A campaign has been launched for a statue to be erected in Leicester to celebrate Richard Attenborough's life-long links to the city.

Lord Attenborough died on Sunday, aged 90, after a long period of poor health.

An online petition has been launched urging city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby to commission a statue of the actor and director, as well as his brother, renowned naturalist Sir David. The pair grew up in Leicester.

Sir Peter said he would help proposals to get such a statue in the city - if others raise the money for it.

James Skevington, from Leicester, has launched the petition on the website change.org.

James said the Attenborough brothers were "Leicester's finest and should be celebrated as such."

He said: "My dad mentioned that we don't have enough statues of local heroes in Leicester so in light of the recent passing of Richard Attenborough I have made this petition to Sir Peter Soulsby to commission a statue of the Attenborough Brothers."

So far only 40 or so people have signed the epetion but Sir Peter, a friend of Lord Attenborough's said he was enthusiastic about the idea, provided it did not cost the city council anything.

He said: "This city has a history of statues being provided by public subscription.

"If that were to happen here I would support it by finding a site for it and a base."

Sir Peter has promised similar support to a campaign by Labour city councillor George Cole who is raising funds for a statue of former South African president Nelson Mandela in the city.

Sir Peter, a friend of Lord Attenborough said: "I think having a statue is an excellent idea and I do believe good sculptor could produce a brilliant piece.

"There are many places it could go - Humberstone Gate or Jubilee Square perhaps?

"It could go outside one of the theatre's we have. There is space outside Curve.

"Of course, the venue he had the closest association with the Little Theatre though perhaps Dover Street does not have the profile of other areas where a statue might go."

Lord Attenborough grew up in Leicester and got his early taste for acting on stage at the Little Theatre.

In April 1937 he played Lucius in a production of Shakespeare's Julius Caesar.

In 1938 he appeared as the Herald in Othello, and in 1939 as the Second Player in Hamlet.

In December 1941 he made his last appearance on the stage of The Little Theatre as an amateur in What Happened to George before his graduation to Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Lord Attenborough rose to prominence in the world of cinema but remained a patron of the theatre and a benefactor.

He helped found the University of Leicester's inclusive arts centre, which was named in his honour and he went on to donate a priceless collection of Picasso ceramics to the city's New Walk Museum.

One of Lord Attenborough's last public acts was to support Leicester's ultimately unsuccessful bit to become UK City of Culture 2017.

To sign the petition visit: http://www.change.org/p/sir-peter-soulsby-commissi...

A motorist was injured when her car crashed on a country road near Tur Langton this afternoon.

The female driver of the saloon car was treated by paramedics shortly after 1.30pm, on the B6047 Melton Road following the collision.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said no other cars were involved.

Firefighters from Market Harborough were also called to the scene, but the woman was out of the vehicle before they arrived.

The crew cut off the fuel supply to the engine and made sure the car was safe and left at about 2pm.

The road was not closed.