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Murder victim's relatives thank DNA pioneer Sir Alec Jeffreys for helping catch her killer

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The uncle and aunt of murder victim Lynda Mann last night had the first chance in nearly 30 years to thank forensic scientist Sir Alec Jeffreys for helping catch her killer.

Rob Eaton and his wife Lynda shed tears as they shook DNA pioneer Sir Alec's hand for his pioneering work on DNA fingerprinting carried out at University of Leicester.

The teenager's killer, Colin Pitchfork, was the first person convicted of murder based on DNA fingerprinting evidence, and the first to be caught as a result of mass DNA screening.

Mr and Mrs Eaton met Sir Alec at the opening of the University of Leicester's new Forensic Science Institute, which is named after him.

Mr Eaton, of Wigston, said: "I had waited 28 years for the opportunity to shake his hand for what he did to put Pitchfork behind bars.

"It was a very emotional meeting and Sir Alec was charming. It is clear he also pointed the police in the right direction."

Mrs Eaton, the Mayor of Oadby and Wigston, said: "He told us a lot of information which has put our minds at rest. He is a lovely man."

Sir Alec, who spoke with the couple for 10 minutes, said he hoped to have a private meeting with the family soon.

Leicestershire baker Pitchfork raped and murdered 15-year-old Lynda, of Narborough, in November, 1983, and raped and murdered Dawn Ashworth, also 15, from Enderby, in July 1986.

Pitchfork was caught after police took blood samples from nearly 5,000 men. He initially evaded capture by persuading a colleague to give a blood sample for him.

He was arrested at his home in Littlethorpe after the colleague was later overheard talking in a pub about what he had done. Pitchfork gave a blood sample and his DNA profile matched that of the killer.

He was jailed in 1988 for life for the murders.

The Home Office ruled in 1994 he should serve 30 years before being considered for release, leaving him eligible for parole in 2018.

The University of Leicester's new Alec Jeffreys Forensic Science Institute aims to be a leader in the field of forensic science. It will help police forces with some of the requests previously handled by the former Forensic Science Service, which shut in March after the Government said it was not cost-effective.

Sir Alec, who retired in September but is continuing as an Emeritus Professor, said: "When the university said they were thinking of naming the institute after me I was obviously very honoured.

"This institute has real potential to provide much-needed breadth and depth of expertise, especially in complex casework, as well as a voice for the proper funding of forensic science research in the UK.''

The university will fund the institute, which unites staff from the departments of criminology, chemistry, engineering, cancer studies and molecular science and will involve police agencies.

The new institute is being run by Dr John Bond, a senior lecturer in forensic sciences in the department of chemistry who was awarded an OBE last year for his services to forensic science, and Dr Lisa Smith, a lecturer in the Department of Criminology. Dr Bond said: "We aim to provide a forum whereby problems in policing can be aired and ways found to overcome them."

Dr Smith added: "By bringing together the various disciplines at the university we will be able to provide the criminal justice system with a wider range of expert consultancy, research and innovation, teaching and continuing professional development."

Murder victim's relatives thank  DNA  pioneer Sir Alec Jeffreys for helping catch her killer


New police website lists unidentified bodies

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Details and pictures of unidentified bodies have been posted on a new police website in a bid to find out their identities. The Missing Persons Bureau, which holds records of 1,000 people who have not been identified, some dating back to the 1950s, has set up the website. The site is also being used to trace living people, such as those who have suffered memory loss. Images that are too distressing are marked with a warning. Members of the public can search cases and provide information online. Any relevant details will be passed to the police or the coroner in charge of the case. The website includes two cases from Leicestershire - one from Market Harborough and one from Market Bosworth - and one from Empingham in Rutland. To see the East Midlands cases click here.

New police website lists unidentified bodies

Movember fever! Send in your top 'tache photos to raise awareness

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Movember fever has taken over the Leicester Mercury office – and now we are asking our male readers to show us their mos.

From handlebars to Magnum PIs, we want to see pictures of the moustaches being grown across the county.

Movember, which runs in November each year, encourages men across the world to grow a moustache to raise money and awareness of male health issues, specifically prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Mercury reporter Peter Warzynski, 32, and business editor Ian Griffin, 37, are among those ditching their daily shaving routine this month – despite some mild protestations from their fiancees.

Although enjoying the novelty of growing a moustache, Peter said there was still a serious message to get out.

He said: "I'm very aware of my own health and I think it's important that others are, too.

"My dad, Andrew, died from cancer in 2005 and shortly afterwards I decided to run the New York Marathon to raise funds for Prostate Cancer Research.

"The Mercury photography team took part in Movember last year and I decided back then it would be fun to see what I looked like with a moustache.

"My fiancee, Grania, isn't too keen, but I'll shave it off on December 1, which isn't too far away."

Ian said: "It's for some great causes and although it's been a bit itchy at times, I'm gradually getting used to it. It's not something I plan to keep for my wedding day, but it's been fun taking part in Movember."

The Mercury is calling on men taking part to e-mail us their photographs, along with their name, age, address, details of their reasons for taking part and information on how to donate to their cause.

Andrew Timms, a partner in business advisory firm Cooper Parry, in Leicester, is among a team of 11 from the company taking part. They have raised almost £1,000 so far.

Mr Timms said: "It's something that's so easy to do and doesn't inconvenience anyone, so we thought it would be great to get involved and have a bit of fun."

Leicester Tigers players are also getting in on the action, with several sporting moustaches in Sunday's match against London Irish.

Matt Cornwell, Jordan Crane, Rob Hawkins, Toby Flood and Julian Salvi are among those getting involved.

Captain Geordan Murphy said: "We're having a good laugh about it but there's a serious side to it, too and, it's in aid of good causes."

Staff at Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service have also taken on the challenge. Steve Lunn, assistant chief fire officer, said: "We'd encourage everyone to support Movember.

"All manner of fantastic facial fuzz has started to appear on top lips at headquarters and fire and rescue stations, with styles varying from full-on mutton chops to a Burt Reynolds special."

Jon Sim, community manager for Movember, said: "It's fantastic that so many people are getting behind Movember.

"Even if they don't raise huge amounts of money, it can spark a conversation in the office and elsewhere and that all helps to raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer."

E-mail your photos and details to: newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Movember  fever!  Send in your top 'tache photos to raise awareness

Free running park walls too glossy to be used after Leicester City Council apply wrong paint

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Parts of a £40,000 purpose-built free running park have been left unusable by a council graffiti art project.

Leicester City Council officials asked youngsters to brighten up the site in Eyres Monsell by decorating its obstacles – but used the wrong kind of paint.

The surfaces of the walls have been left too shiny and glossy to be used safely by people who enjoy free running or parkour – a form of urban acrobatics involving jumping off buildings and bouncing between benches, phone boxes and street signs.

The graffiti project was carried out in November last year but the paint mix-up has only been brought to light now by Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Nigel Porter.

Yesterday, the council admitted the error and said the paints would be stripped off in the next few weeks.

The park was the first of its kind outside London when it opened in the summer of 2010.

Lewis Joyce, chairman of Leicester Parkour, the group which campaigned to get the free running site off Hillsborough Road, said: "It's been a bit of mess really. The graffiti project was meant to make the place look better.

"They should have used a special paint with ground granules in it that would help with grip but the stuff they used was sort of glossy and shiny.

"It looked okay and it was fine for a while but then it just got so you would slip off it.

"It was actually dangerous so we have been telling people not to use the bits that got painted." Mr Joyce said three of the taller walls were unsafe but the rest of the course could still be used.

He said: "It is a shame because for months the tallest parts – which a lot of people reckon are the best bits – have not been safe.

"We told the council and they said we would have to pay to get the paint removed. We said we wouldn't because none of this was our doing but now they have agreed to put it right."

Coun Porter said: "The council spent a lot of cash on a facility and then effectively made it unusable.

"When a resident first told me what had happened I didn't believe it could be true but it was.

"I should think this could have been sorted a long time ago. It's very embarrassing."

None of the painted area has been closed off and there are no signs warning people of the slippery surfaces. Graham Cox, 49, who lives near the free running site, said: "Effectively, all those walls are now are a very expensive place for kids from the estate to put their own graffiti. I don't see many people using it."

A city council spokesperson said: "A community graffiti art project was carried out on the site last year. Unfortunately, the paint used made the wall surfaces too slippery for parkour.

"We have looked at a number of options to put this right and get the park back into full use.

"The walls will now be taken back to a bare concrete surface by our graffiti team."

The council did not explain how it had come to use the wrong paint. It was unable to say how much the original graffiti project cost but said there would be no extra expense to remove the paint.

Free running park walls too glossy to be used after Leicester City Council apply wrong paint

Leicester City's Zak Whitbread sounds note of caution

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Leicester City can't get carried away with their 6-0 trouncing of Ipswich Town, defender Zak Whitbread has warned.

City recorded their biggest victory for 30 years when they dispatched the Tractor Boys in emphatic fashion on Saturday and Whitbread said everyone within the camp were thrilled by the performance.

But while the victory will have boosted confidence after four previous games without a victory, Whitbread said City must refocus quickly as they face back-to-back away games at Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday and return to Yorkshire to face Leeds United next Tuesday.

"We have been due a result like that for a while with the performances we have been putting in and the chances we have been creating," he said.

"The performances have been there and just a few things haven't gone our way recently.

"Credit to the lads, staff and everyone at the club for keeping their heads screwed on.

"We can't get carried away by it, just as you don't go too mad when you get beat. We are doing all right."

While the strikers were celebrating their goal glut, Whitbread said the defenders were taking great pleasure from their unparalleled seventh clean sheet of the season.

"We have been due one of those for a while and you need to keep them consistently in this league," he said.

"As a team, we have defended well and were very organised. It was a good performance in every area.

"It was a joy to watch some of the attacking play. The early goal took the pressure off but some of the attacking play was great and it means we don't have to do too much defensively, just keep our concentration.

"There was some great quality. We can take a lot of confidence from that."

On a personal level, Whitbread came through his sixth start in the last seven games and admits he is only just starting to get up to pace after missing the start of the campaign because of a troublesome calf injury he picked up last season.

"From past experience of coming back from a long injury, the adrenalin gets you through the first few games, but then you take a dip for whatever reason," he said. "It is hard to explain why. You are chasing games and you don't feel you have the quality and fitness there, but I felt a lot stronger against Ipswich.

"It is down to me to keep improving and get back to a level I am happy with.

"My legs seem to be going in the same direction as my head wants them to go now. That is all I can ask for.

"A few games before they were on the other side of the pitch. Hopefully, I can build on that now."

Leicester City's Zak Whitbread sounds note of caution

MOVEMBER CUP 2012

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ONLY 4 DAYS TO ENTER YOUR TEAM INTO THE MOVEMBER CUP:

All you need to do is enter a team into our heat on Sunday 25th November at 3pm and make playing for Movember your Goal. Entry is only £40 of which a large contribution goes directly to the MOvember charities to support UK prostate Cancer UK and the Institute of Cancer Research.

You can also join in the fun on Facebook with our 'Mo of the Moment' updates! Through our Facebook competition you can also win a European adventure with a trip to see Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich for you and a friend.

This event is already extremely popular so make sure you and your team get involved with our Movember tournament!

Every team that enters will receive:

 Complimentary Gillette grooming kit for all teams worth £60 (Limited stock on a 1st come 1st served basis once entry has been paid)

 Fantastic Movember Cup for the Winners of the Tournament

 Tournament winners go into a special prize draw to win a trip to play against the Danish Movember 5's champions in Copenhagen on 2nd December!

Call 0116 2490555 to enter your Team

MOVEMBER CUP 2012

KIDS FOOTBALL PARTIES

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BOOK BEFORE 20TH DECEMBER AND GET £20 OFF

Our match winning birthday parties are provided for a minimum of 10 children. Your party will kick off with an hour of action packed football on our new rubber crumb filled synthetic grass pitches.   Parties are booked every day and start from 11:00am onwards & are 2 hours long.

Package includes: -

1 hour of action packed football with qualified football coach. (£12.50)

Birthday card/Team photo

Goals certificates for each child

Food & drinks (pizza, hotdogs, Burger & squash)

Ice Cream (Vanilla) 

Party bag for each child (£15.75)   

Invitations 

Trophy for the birthday child   

Medal for each child (£5.25)

Size 4 football for the birthday child (£8.50)

Birthday cake (£10.50)

Complimentary tea & coffee for parents

The party will be overseen by the head Goals' coaching staff that can organise the chaos while the parents relax in our Lounge. The coaching session will include soccer skills and new tricks with a match at the end including the drama of a penalty shoot out to finish the days play. At the end of the football session all children attending the party will receive individual match medals & certificates to take home along with their party bags.

Price: £170.00 for 10 children 

Extras: £12.00 per child

Basic Package: £126, Pitch Hire, Party Food, Complimentary Tea & Coffee, Certificates, Birthday card/ Team Photo, Trophy for the Birthday Child.

Deposit: A £85.00 deposit is required when booking

Price of party can be reduced by removing some of the items or services from the package listed above, please call at anytime to discuss options available.

CALL 0116 2490555 (OPTION 2)

KIDS FOOTBALL PARTIES

Campaigners in plea for 20mph zones across Leicester (POLL)

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Campaigners have handed about 100 letters to the city council calling on all residential Leicester streets to be made 20mph zones.

The Friends of the Earth representatives collected the letters from city residents calling for the change across Leicester, with the exception of the most important traffic routes.

It comes after they also handed in a 500-signature petition on the topic in January.

Group co-ordinator Jill Fisher said: "Twenty mph limits encourage walking and cycling and improve air quality, which improves health.

"We would like a city-wide 20mph limit on all but the arterial and ring roads. Portsmouth, Bristol, York and Southampton have done it and the Department for Transport is encouraging cities to do it."

Fellow campaigner Hannah Wakley said: "Bristol noticed it did not lead to a big drop in speed – just a few miles per hour – but it did increase pedestrian levels by up to 37 per cent.

"People just felt safer. We're just asking for signs because speed bumps aren't nice for cyclists or bus passengers.

"Where there are problem spots, traffic calming measures such as speed bumps could be looked at."

In 2008, the city council said it would introduce 20mph speed restrictions in every residential street.

The policy was introduced after a campaign by the Green Party and expected to be rolled out across the city.

This year, the council announced it would make 182 streets in the city 20 mph zones over the next two years.

When completed, the project will include streets in Newfoundpool, St Matthew's, Rowley Fields and Stocking Farm, along with the Aylestone Village area, parts of Mowmacre, Rushey Mead, Bradgate Heights and Humberstone Village.

Deputy mayor Rory Palmer, who was handed the letters yesterday, said he was fully behind 20mph zones in residential areas but that consultation had to come first in each area where it was proposed.

He said: "We are currently rolling out 20mph schemes around the city over the next two years at a cost of about £2 million.

"I've long been a supporter of them and they create a culture of safer streets.

"There are practical considerations such as funding and also getting the backing of residents. We wouldn't just impose city-wide limits without dialogue."

Campaigners in plea for 20mph zones across Leicester (POLL)


Should prisoners have the vote? (POLL) Leicester MP Keith Vaz wants your view

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Leicester East MP Keith Vaz has asked city residents to send him their views on whether or not prisoners should be able to vote in elections.

You can also vote in our Mercury poll and have your say at www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

The Government is expected to make a statement to the Commons on Thursday which will outline proposed legislation on the issue. This follows a ruling by the European Court of Human Rights which said Britain must remove its blanket ban on prisoners voting by Friday.

Mr Vaz said: "Prisoners in the UK do not currently have the right to vote. The deadline on Friday to remove the ban means the Government will be forced to legislate. This is clearly a controversial, yet important issue, and I would be grateful to hear constituents' views.''

Options in the bill could include votes for those serving less than six months, or those serving less than four years.

Currently, 18 European countries give prisoners the right to vote.

Let us know what you think - you can add your comments below and vote in our poll at the top right of this page. You can also tell Mr Vaz your opinion, e-mail: vazk@parliament.uk And take part in his poll at: www.keithvazmp.com

Should prisoners have the vote? (POLL)  Leicester  MP Keith Vaz  wants your view

Police name motorist who died following a collision on the A6006 Rempstone Road, Leicestershire.

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Police have named a motorist who died after he was involved in a collision on a country road last Tuesday. (NOV 13)
James Ernest Tooth, 55, was standing near his broken down car on the A6006 in Rempstone, near Loughborough when the collision with a van occurred, police believe.
Mr Tooth, who lived in Donington le Heath, near Coalville was taken to Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre, where he died on Friday.(NOV 16)
The van driver was not injured.
Police have appealed for witnesses to the collision, which happened shortly before 8am near the junction with Wymeswold Road.
They are keen to hear from anyone who saw Mr Tooth's red Ford Mondeo estate car and the white Mercedes Vito van at the time.
Detective Constable Nick Bryan said: "The van was travelling towards Wymeswold at the time of the collision and the driver of the Mondeo, which was parked on the same carriageway, was out of the vehicle as it had broken down.
"We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision or saw either of the vehicles prior to the collision."
Contact Det Con Bryan on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

'Britons satisfied despite downturn' ONS well-being report finds

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Real incomes have fallen and many have been struggling to cope financially since the recession, yet a majority of people in the UK say they are largely satisfied with their lives. That is according to a report published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Entitled "Measuring National Well-being: Life in the UK, 2012", the report paints a largely optimistic picture of people's life satisfaction. According to the ONS, more than three-quarters (75.9 per cent) of people aged 16 and over in the UK rated their overall life satisfaction as medium or high in 2011/12, and four-fifths (80 per cent) felt the things they do in their life are worthwhile. Life satisfaction has remained broadly stable throughout the past decade, the ONS found. Well-being is highest for the young and old, but is lower for the middle-aged. The report, designed to develop a trusted set of National Statistics which help people understand and monitor well-being, is the first snapshot of life in the UK to be delivered by the ONS' Measuring National Well-being programme. Launched in November 2010, the programme was designed to complement other National Statistics to allow a fuller, more informed picture of life in the UK. It kicked off with a six month National Debate, asking, 'what matters', to help understand what measures of well-being should include. Following 175 events, with 2,750 people and 34,000 responses received online or via other channels, the ONS developed a framework for measuring national well-being. Today, the body has published an interactive National Well-being wheel which allows people to see how the nation is doing in the round. It takes into consideration areas such as health, education, the unemployment rate and satisfaction with our health. According to the report, 67 per cent of people say they are somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with their social life, and 77.8 with their job standing. Meanwhile satisfaction with family life averages 8.2 out of 10 (where one is very dissatisfied and 10 very satisfied). Some 66 per cent agreed or strongly agreed they felt they belonged to their neighbourhood, and 96.8 per cent said they had someone they could really count on in a crisis. Meanwhile 75.1 per cent felt very or fairly safe walking alone after dark. And when asked to reflect on their feelings during the preceding day, more than seven out of 10 people in the UK rated their happiness as medium/high. In terms of anxiety people felt the day before, four out of 10 reported high anxiety. Some 68.3 per cent said they were somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with their health, but around one in five reported some kind of psychological disturbance or mental ill health. The report also notes that although "more recently, household incomes have begun to decrease," and in 2009/10 some 12.3 per cent of adults aged 16 and over in the UK found it quite or very difficult to manage financially, figures show "overall 57.2 per cent were somewhat, mostly or completely satisfied with their income in 2009/10." Stephen Hicks, assistant programme director for measuring wellbeing at the ONS, said: "By publishing this report we are trying to bring together a range of statistics. We are trying to paint a picture of what is happening in the UK. "Recently real household incomes have fallen and we know economic circumstances are difficult for people – one in eight is finding it hard to manage. But there are other measures we need to take into account when assessing wellbeing. "What was interesting is that although one in eight people are finding it hard to manage, life satisfaction remains largely positive over the decade." Mr Hicks noted the finding that one in five people reported some kind of psychological disturbance or mental ill health. "Mental illness is still a problem," he said. Simon Lawton-Smith, head of policy at the Mental Health Foundation, echoed this: "The finding that one in five individuals is experiencing some kind of mental health problem confirms previous estimates, and is worrying. "We know that the continuing recession is increasing the risk of depression and anxiety. More people are calling helplines and the past couple of years have seen an increase in suicide rates. "If we really want to see the UK population enjoy better mental health, we must commit far more resources than at present to promoting mental wellbeing, preventing mental illness and supporting early intervention services." Asked how the ONS intends the data to be used, assistant programme director Mr Hicks said: "We hope to allow people to use it to make an assessment of the wellbeing of the nation, but also decisions themselves – for example, where they might want to live. "Secondly, we hope it will be used in policy, by the Government and Local Authorities. Thirdly, eco-international demand – how does the UK compare with other countries around the world?" Asked whether the ONS data was a "statement of the bleeding obvious" – a criticism levelled by Labour – Mr Hicks said: "We are trying to measure for the first time well-being in official statistics. It provides us with much larger samples, so it can help people delve deeper than before." Mr Hicks explained the programme will run until March 2015, with new data being gathered on a continual basis. "We hope they will get below the surface to look at more detail," he added. To read the report in full, click here.

'Britons satisfied despite downturn' ONS well-being report finds

Man punched in face during assault in Conduit Street, Leicester

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A man was punched in the face during an assault in Leicester. The 36-year-old victim was in Conduit Street when he was approached by two men who asked for a cigarette then swore at him and punched him in the face knocking him to the ground. The victim was treated in hospital for injuries to his face and has since been discharged. The attack happened at about 2.50pm on Wednesday, November 14. Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward. One suspect is white, aged about 25, 5ft 2in to 5ft 5in tall, of medium build with short cropped brown hair, wearing a white zip-up jacket and dark blue sports trousers. The second suspect is white, about 28-years-old, 5ft 5in to 5ft 9in tall, large build, wearing jeans and a multi-coloured jacket. Pc Dan Robberts said: "This was a particularly nasty assault resulting in the victim having to undergo medical treatment. "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area and remembers seeing two men fitting these descriptions to contact us. Anyone with any information is asked to contact PC 2913 Dan Robberts on 101.

Man punched in face during assault in Conduit Street, Leicester

Leicestershire groups celebrate as they land lottery cash windfall

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Sports teams, village halls and community groups across the county are celebrating after being awarded thousands of pounds of lottery cash.

Grants of up to £10,000 from the Awards for All fund were announced yesterday.

In total, £158,755 will be shared between 19 organisations across the county.

One of the biggest amounts for Leicestershire was a £10,000 grant for Groby village hall to replace a 100-year-old floor. Village hall treasurer Colin Mitchell said: "Between 1,800 and 2,000 sessions are held there every year, including lots of children's groups and other clubs and societies.

"The floor has patches that need repairing and, as it's been there for 100 years, we've decided it's done pretty well and could do with replacing now."

Goldhill Play Association, in Leicester's Saffron Lane estate, will receive £6,334 to revamp its outdoor area.

Max Hiley, the special needs co-ordinator at the centre, said: "The money will pay for picnic benches children in wheelchairs can use, as well as triangular sunshades, a sandpit, planters, benches and a bike rack.

"It's going to make a huge difference here. All our picnic tables were scrounged from places that were closing down and none of them are wheelchair-friendly.

"We have about 2,000 children registered with us and about 200 of them have special needs, so this is important for us."

Desford Brass Band Club in Whitwick Road, Coalville, will receive £9,800 to double the size of its car park and resurface the area.

Club chairman Peter Smith said: "Awards for All has massively contributed to the work with this grant, so we're delighted.

"It's about £15,000 to do all the work but Aggregate Industries has also helped out. We're a proper community facility here and, as well as the colliery band, we've got an operatics society, ballet dancing and various council activities going on.''

Other grants include £9,813 for Oadby Town Football Club to run healthy eating sessions, £2,772 to pay for improvements to the play area at Wymeswold Washdyke, near Loughborough, and £4,065 for Broomleys Sports and Social Club, in Coalville, to fit new heaters.

Mick McGrath, the Big Lottery Fund head for the East Midlands region, said: "The National Lottery has been changing lives for 18 years.

"National Lottery funding doesn't just help large organisations but also makes a huge difference to small community projects run by a handful of people.

"Every week, National Lottery players raise over £30 million to help change people's lives."

Where the money went: How Leicestershire and Rutland clubs spent lottery money Oadby Town Football Club: £9,813 for healthy eating and fitness sessions for the community. Goldhill Play Association, Saffron Lane Estate, Leicester: £6,334 for wheelchair-friendly picnic tables and other improvements. Wymeswold Washdyke, Charnwood: £2,772 for fencing and trees around the local play area. Groby Village Hall: £10,000 for new flooring. Burbage Youth Project: £9,360 for gardening and vehicle renovation workshops for disadvantaged young people. Aspiro Opportunities Ltd, Leicester: £9,973 for an employment programme for people with mental health problems. The Aspire Educational Trust, Beaumont Leys, Leicester: £9,200 for a weekly education drop-in centre. Belgrave Baheno, Peepul Centre, Belgrave, Leicester: £9,428 for healthy lifestyle sessions. St John the Baptist Primary School, Whitwick: £9,950 for fitness activities for young people in a deprived community. Desford Brass Band Club, Coalville: £9,800 to resurface the car park. Crystal Clear Creators, Leicester: £8,200 for thinking skills workshops. The Leicester Enterprise Club: £9,380 for employability training workshops. Aqoon Schools HomeServices, Leicester: £9,575 for work placements for unemployed people. Focus Charity, Leicester: £9,516 for a leadership course for young people. New Shoots Gardening Centre, Hamilton, Leicester: £6,169 to create a community garden and vegetable patch. Action Homeless, Wigston: £5,300 for filmmaking and photography workshops for homeless people. Loughborough Cottages Social Group: £9,920 for healthy living sessions for older people with disabilities. Broomleys Sports and Social Club, Coalville: £4,065 for heaters for the sports club. Mantle Community Arts, Coalville: £10,000 for a street arts community event.

Leicestershire  groups celebrate as they land lottery cash windfall

Syston schoolboy hurt in accident set to make 'full recovery'

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A headteacher has said doctors hope a pupil who suffered head injuries after being hit by a car will make a full recovery.

Tony Pinnock, principal at Wreake Valley Academy, Syston, said Josh Robinson, a year 11 student, was making good progress in hospital.

Josh was injured after being involved in a collision with a car near the junction of St Peters Street and Melton Road Syston, last Friday.

Mr Pinnock said: "We have been in touch with Josh's family since the accident and have been monitoring his condition.

"His father told me that he has been eating, which is a really good sign. He also said the doctors told him it looked like they might not have to operate.

"Apparently Josh has a damaged eye socket, but is making good progress.

"The doctors also said they hoped Josh would make a full recovery. That is very good news and I have been able to pass on to Josh the good wishes of everyone at school."

Mr Pinnock said he sent two assistant principals to the scene of the accident on Friday morning.

He said: "As soon as we heard about it we sent members of staff there.

"One assistant principal stayed to comfort the three or four friends who had witnessed the incident. The other went in the ambulance with Josh to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

"She stayed with Josh at the hospital until members of his family arrived."

The friends who had seen Josh hurt were allowed to go home with their parents later.

All the friends were back at the school, which has 1,400 pupils aged between 11 and 18, on Monday morning.

Mr Pinnock said: "Josh was one of a group of Year 11s heading towards school. I do not know what happened but it was a very unfortunate accident.

"Josh is a very nice lad and a very popular pupil here. I have been in close contact with his father, Kevin, throughout."

Josh, who lives in Thurmaston, was transferred from the infirmary to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham.

A police spokeswoman said: "We would appeal for anyone who witnessed this incident to call Pc Steve Freer who is the investigating officer."

Witnesses can call 101.

Syston schoolboy hurt in   accident set to  make  'full recovery'

New police website aiming to identify mystery bodies

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Details of three unidentified bodies discovered in Leicestershire and Rutland have been featured on a new police website in the hope of finding out who they are.

The Missing Persons Bureau wants to identify a decomposed body found in a barn in Market Bosworth in February 1979.

The man – who was carrying a gold Swiss watch, three pencil stubs and a child's handkerchief – died of a heart attack about seven months earlier.

He is described as white, thin, aged around 45 to 60, with slightly prominent upper incisors and was wearing a tatty Homepride Bakery work shirt, with "district supervisor" printed on the pocket.

Bureau manager Joe Apps said the aim of the website, which was launched yesterday, was to "bring closure for the families and friends of the people featured".

He said: "With new unidentified person cases, we rely on modern forensic techniques for identification. But on older cases we look to use every tool available and believe that case publicity is the best chance of getting images recognised.

"This will be the first time families of missing people have been able to search through records for themselves and it will empower families to play an active part in the search for their loved ones."

The website includes an online profile for some of the 1,000 people the Missing Persons Bureau has on file.

Police are also hoping to identify a body found on the A508 in Market Harborough on July 10, 1975. Officers believe he had been struck by a number of vehicles.

His online profile states: "At about 9.10pm on July 9, 1975, a man of a similar description was checked by police near the scene and gave the name James Brennan. The male had an Irish accent and said he had left home on July 4 to attend a pop festival."

The thin man, aged between 20 and 35, was wearing a shirt covered in photographs of musicians and instruments, red and yellow striped trousers, and calf-length brown platform boots with a green toe band.

The third unidentified body was found by Leicestershire Police officers following a fatal accident in the A1 near Eppingham, Rutland, on November 3, 1992.

The Land Rover he was found in had caught fire and the man was badly burnt.

The vehicle had been stolen the previous day but he was not believed to have been the thief.

Police described him as aged between 20 and 50, of medium build, wearing black cotton trousers and carrying a green disposable lighter.

Detective Chief Inspector Rich Ward, of Leicestershire Police, encouraged people to help identify the men if they can.

He said: "We take all reports of missing persons very seriously and we never give up trying to find them.

"So, it is important that we try to identify the individuals listed on the national missing person's bureau website and I would encourage people to help with this."

The Missing Persons Bureau was set up four years ago and is part of the Serious and Organised Crime Agency, working with a host of charities, the Foreign Office and the Ministry of Justice to help missing people and their families.

www.missingpersons.police.uk

Leicestershire and Rutland cases White male, aged 20 to 35, found at 12.15am on July 10, 1975, on the A508, in Market Harborough. Thin and 168cm tall, dark brown hair and brown eyes. Clothing: white shirt with pictures of instruments and musicians, brown Lord Anthony brand trousers with red and yellow stripes, brown calf-length platform boots with a green toe band. Jewellery: Jowissa 17 jewel blue face calendar watch. Possessions: handkerchief, Stanley lino knife, three case keys, four-and-a-half pence, 8p stamp, blue biro, broken steel comb and foreign coins. White male, aged 45 to 60, found on February 24, 1979, in a hay barn on Wharf Farm, in Market Bosworth. Believed to have died around July 15, 1978. Thin and 170cm tall, dark brown hair with a full beard. Clothing – Blue pin stripe John Collier brand suit jacket, brown casual trousers, brown leather belt, cream short-sleeved knitted sports shirt with brown trimmings made in Portugal. Brown size nine shoes with a small diamond pattern, an old Homepride Bakery work shirt. Jewellery: A Le Cheminant Master Mariner gold-plated watch with a black strap. Possessions: Five pence, two combs, three pencil stubs, notebook, child's handkerchief, Swan Vestas matches, Tozer can, pale blue, cream and brown acrylic blanket. White male, aged 20 to 50, found on November 3, 1992, on the A1 near Empingham. Medium build. Clothing: black casual cotton trousers. Possessions: Green disposable lighter.

New police website aiming to identify mystery bodies


Sir Clive Loader ready to take on 'enormous responsibility' as Leicestershire's new PCC

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Former RAF chief Sir Clive Loader is due to officially assume the "enormous responsibility" of overseeing policing in Leicestershire and Rutland tomorrow.

Sir Clive, the recently retired RAF chief who won last week's election, will now hold Leicestershire Police to account on its performance in fighting crime and addressing the public's concerns.

Yesterday, Leicestershire Police Authority, which has served the same role of scrutinising the force since 1995, was officially disbanded to make way for Sir Clive.

The 17 members of the authority yesterday attended their final meeting before Sir Clive takes office tomorrow.

The authority's members included councillors, magistrates and other political independents.

Sir Clive told them: "I never made any bones about this during the campaign, you are going to be a hard act to follow."

After the meeting at police headquarters in Enderby, Sir Clive said he was determined to listen to people across the whole area.

He said: "I was elected to represent the people and to ensure their voices are heard – and I will do that.

"I was also elected to help drive down crime and to make the streets safer. That is what I will do to the best of my ability.

"Once things have settled down, I don't think I will need to be at force headquarters for more than a couple of days a week.

"I am looking forward to being invited to meet people across the area, whether it's councils, parish meetings, Neighbourhood Watch, the National Farmers' Union, schools or universities."

Leicestershire Police Authority chairman Barrie Roper, a Conservative county councillor in Rutland, said: "We go out with our heads held high and members of the authority should feel extremely proud of what they have achieved.

"The responsibility Sir Clive has taken on is enormous. We have left a strong legacy for the commissioner to build on and wish him every success."

Councillor Max Hunt, a Labour Loughborough county and borough councillor, said: "We will be supporting the police commissioner in the difficult job he will have to do.

"We will also be holding him to account throughout his time in office."

Sir Clive won the race to become Leicestershire's first police and crime commissioner last Friday, a day after just 16 per cent of those eligible to take part in the election voted.

Sir Clive, the Conservative candidate, was backed by 64,661 voters.

The job comes with an annual salary of £70,000.

He will now work with Chief Constable Simon Cole and other senior officers to draw up a three-year policing plan, which will come into effect from April. He will also work with the force to cut its spending by millions of pounds.

The commissioner will himself be held to account by a police and crime panel, made up of councillors from across the force area.

Sir Clive Loader ready to take on  'enormous responsibility' as Leicestershire's  new PCC

Police to forcibly close Why Not bar, in Melton Road, Leicester

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A bar which has continually ignored police and council warnings to stop selling alcohol will be forcibly shut after magistrates granted a court order to close it down.

It is the first time that police and council licensing teams have had to use a court order to stop a licensee trading.

They made the application at Leicester Magistrates' Court yesterday after the Why Not bar, in Melton Road, Leicester, was found to be selling booze despite having its licence revoked on September 20.

Officers from the police and council visited the premises five times after the September hearing and found evidence of trading, despite efforts made to cover the windows with black bags and seal the doors and fire escapes from the inside.

Magistrates yesterday granted the police and city council the power to use reasonable force to enter the premises and close it down permanently.

Sarah Khawaja, prosecuting, said: "This is the first time the council has made this application and it's not a step they take lightly.

"Because the premises is operating outside the Licensing Act, there are limited measures available. This is very much a last resort."

The review of its licence was held after numerous complaints from the public regarding violence and anti- social behaviour at the bar.

Licensing officer Pc Tejas Mavani gave evidence at court yesterday.

He said: "I put an application to have the licence reviewed after complaints from residents about fights with weapons and assaults inside and outside the premises.

"The city council revoked the licence in September due to the public safety concerns."

The bar's manager, Michael Selton, who was not in court yesterday, did not appeal the licensing committee's decision.

Last Friday, nine officers entered the building to find a group drinking at the bar.

Two of the girls were 16 years old.

Pc Mavani said: "The owner arrived and stated that these people were just meant to be emptying the bar and were not customers, but there's no doubt in my mind that alcohol was being served and paid for.

"We've been in and told him it's illegal, but he continues to operate.

"This is the only way I can see that will stop him from doing this."

Police to forcibly close Why Not bar, in Melton Road, Leicester

Villagers fear last orders ready to be called on pub in Mountsorrel

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A much-loved village pub could be demolished to make way for nine homes.

Everards brewery is looking to knock down The Lindens, in Mountsorrel, to make room for several large two and three-storey homes.

The company has applied to Charnwood Borough Council for planning permission to replace the pub with five four-bed and four three-bed properties.

Several residents and pub customers in the area are against the plans.

Robert Finch, 70, who lives near the pub and drinks there several times a week, said: "It is the only pub at this end of the village and many people that use it are elderly and won't be able to walk to any others.

"It would be such a shame to lose it. It is a beautiful pub and to just replace it with houses would be such a shame. Once it is gone, it is gone.

"I speak on behalf of many residents."

Four residents have also sent letters to the borough council's planners in a bid to persuade them to turn down the plans.

Sandra Powderly, of The Romans, wrote: "I feel that the village cannot cope with any more dwellings. It is already over-populated, the schools and doctors are struggling as it is.

"The Lindens is the only place at that end of the village for people to meet. It has provided my family with many a happy gathering.

"The Sunday lunch is the best in the village and would be sadly missed.

"The building is also a landmark for the village and I for one think it will be a great loss."

Lisa Sawdon, of Rockhill Drive, plays bingo and attends band nights at the pub.

She said: "I feel it is a local pub with strong links to the community.

"There will be one pub within walking distance. There are new houses appearing everywhere in Mountsorrel. I disagree with more houses being built in the village and not enough amenities."

However, Neil Asher, of Glebe Close, wrote in support of the plans.

"While the village is already short of community facilities, a small development such as this will not overburden them much more," he said.

"It is also on a brown field site, rather than wanting to encroach on the valuable greenbelt and separation areas that surround the village."

Mountsorrel Parish Council has also lodged an opposition letter, fearing the development would result in a loss of amenities.

A spokesman for Everards said the company was "committed to operating and investing in the pub estate" but that, in some cases, individual pubs were no longer viable.

He said: "In 2012 alone, we have completed a large number of investments, including significant developments at The Globe, in Leicester, and The Bull's Head, in Ratby.

"Everards also continues to invest in purchasing pubs and has acquired four pubs this year, three of which were closed and have been reopened following investment."

He said factors including the economic climate, changing social habits and high running costs had brought challenges and that, despite investment in the Lindens, it was no longer considered sustainable.

The spokesman continued: "Rather than allow such sites to deteriorate, we actively seek suitable alternative uses and that is why we have made a planning application for residential development.

"If the application is successful we will review the Lindens before considering a disposal of the site."

Residents have until the end of today to submit comments on the plans by calling 01509 634 771.

Villagers fear last orders ready to be called on pub in Mountsorrel

Cycling: Sprint queen Grace saves best for last in Trophy race

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Grace Garner chose the big stage to claim her first win of the winter season.

The Cosby all-rounder won the girls' under-16 race in round three of cyclo-cross' National Trophy at Southampton.

It has been a quiet spell so far for the 15-year-old national youth pursuit champion.

After a busy summer on road and track, she missed the opening round of the Trophy as she took a break to recharge the batteries.

Round two, after a week's training with British Cycling's Talent Team, saw Garner finish seventh at Ipswich, but she hit top form in the fast conditions on the south coast.

The Countesthorpe College student headed a one-two with RST-Trigon team-mate Abby-Mae Parkinson, the national under-16 cross champion, after the two girls dominated the race.

Parkinson, from Bradford, and winner of the opening two rounds, cut out much of the pace but it was the county girl who found the stronger finish.

She eased past her colleague and friend – the pair won the national under-16 madison crown together in September – on the final circuit.

Garner came home in 34min 44sec, one second ahead of Parkinson, with third-placed Amira Mellor (Holme Valley) a further 1.19 back.

Countesthorpe's Charlotte Broughton (MG Décor Team Carbon Bikes), who has also had a quieter time than normal at the start of the cross season due to a racing break and Talent Team commitments, was sixth.

She is eighth in the overall standings, two slots behind Garner.

Parkinson continues to lead the way with a healthy advantage at the halfway mark of the competition.

In the senior event, Dave Collins (Hope Factory) missed out on a top-20 berth.

The county off-road stalwart had to settle for 22nd in a fast-paced race

Welland Valley Whizz Kid Amy Garner put in a strong showing in the Eastern Cyclo-cross League.

She was second under-14 girl at Grafham Water.

Club-mate Louis Jakobson also found form to finish in fourth place in the under-12 section.

Cycling: Sprint queen Grace saves best for last in Trophy race

Cycling: Lucy Garner receives award from Olympic champion Jessica Ennis

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The accolades continue to come Lucy Garner's way after she was named Female Pupil of the Year at the Aviva/Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters awards.

The world, European and British junior road-race champion was nominated for the award by Countesthorpe College, and was presented with her trophy at Lord's by Olympic heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis.

"I am pretty shocked," said the 18-year-old from Cosby.

"I was up against some great competitors, so I feel really lucky to have won this award."

Garner's 2012 triumphs also included a brace of gold medals at the European junior track championships and two more successes in the senior national track championships at Manchester, in September.

She is currently in the Netherlands upping her winter training schedule before tackling a first professional season in 2013, having signed for the Argos-Shimano squad.

"I am moving up from junior to senior so I will be racing against the best women in the world. It really is a big step up," she said.

"I am expecting a lot of challenges, and I'm hoping to learn so much."

The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country and are part of Aviva's wider commitment to support the next generation of British sporting talent. For more information, go to:

aviva.co.uk/rugby-sponsorship

Cycling: Lucy Garner receives award from Olympic  champion Jessica Ennis

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