Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill fronted-up to take full responsibility for his side's horror show at Bath.

The home side ran in five tries for a record 45-0 defeat and were completely dominant in every area of the pitch.

It was Bath's biggest even win over their old rivals and was only the second time that Tigers had failed to score a point in the history of the Premiership – the last time being against Northampton in 2003/4.

It was a humiliating day both for the players and for the sizeable travelling support who left The Rec to the sound of home supporters singing them the scoreline.

"When you have no set piece parity, you are always going to struggle," said Cockerill. "We were on the back foot and we got outplayed across the field.

"We had opportunities, we just were not good enough to take them. Credit to Bath. We were pretty average at best and we got just what we deserved.

"They played very well and we could not cope with their physicality with the side that we had available.

"It was not through a lack of effort, although watching it at times, it may have seemed like that. Bath were very good and we were very poor. We could not cope with their physicality.

"We got our bums smacked. There were no excuses. We got beaten at every contact, every scrum and every line-out.

"Every bit of skill that we didn't execute, they punished us for it. I am to blame. It's my fault."

Injuries robbed Cockerill of 13 senior members of his side before kick-off. And at the end of the game, Tom Youngs (shoulder), Mat Tait (neck) and Niall Morris (leg) and Geoff Parling (head) were added to that list.

In the front row, young Fraser Balmain had a tough day against Wales international Paul James, while tight head prop Logovi'I Mulipola struggled out of position at loose head against England international, Davey Wilson.

A rookie midfield partnership of fly-half Owen Williams and winger Niki Goneva were thrown together late in the week – when Ant Allen and Manu Tuilagi pulled out with injuries - and Bath clinically exposed any chink in Leicester's defensive armour.

"We had some guys who are still learning the game out there up against quality opponents," said Cockerill.

"You cannot have the quality we have missing in the forward pack and hope that it will not catch up with you.

"There was no Ayerza, Rizzo, Cole, Slater, Thorn and Deacon and we struggled to get parity up front.

"When you lose the physical battle, you are always going to struggle.

"Manu and Ant trained a bit in the week but they were not right. If you don't get rid of those niggles, they come back to haunt you. We need them fit and couldn't risk them.

"That was the best side we could have put out at this time. We missed Manu's ball carrying and Ant's guile and experience defensively.

"We could not get parity at set piece or dominance in midfield.

"That's not an excuse, we should be better. It's my responsibility. It's my fault, I pick the team, I coach the team.

"We will deal with all of that on Monday and we will get on with it."

An underage driver who took and then crashed his father's car has been found guilty of causing the death of his younger brother.

Chirag Jadeja, who was 16 at the time, crashed the two-seater Smart car into a telegraph pole in Leicester while his eight-year-old brother was in the boot.

Abhay Jadeja died from a fractured skull after hitting the frame of the vehicle's boot.

Jadeja, now aged 18, is due to be sentenced on October 30.

The teenager, of Harrison Road, Belgrave, Leicester, was found guilty of aggravated vehicle taking, causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving and causing death by driving whilst unlicensed and uninsured

Ranvit Singh, the 22-year-old boyfriend of the brothers' older sister, admitted being in the car when it crashed and will also be sentenced on October 30 30 October.

A trial at Birmingham Crown Court heard the crash happened when the siblings' parents were out on the night of July 3, 2012.

In a statement read to the court, Jaimina Jadeja said her eldest brother wanted to show her boyfriend how well he could park.

However, CCTV footage played in court showed the car driving off and crashing, minutes later, into a telegraph pole near the Gipsy Lane Chippery.

PC Stuart Bird, from Leicestershire Police's serious collision unit, said no-one was wearing seatbelts when the vehicle crashed at about 36.8mph in a 30mph zone.

Abhay was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where he died.

Singh suffered life-threatening injuries and Jadeja had minor injuries to his arms and fingers.

During the trial Jadeja said he could not remember anything between returning from Singh's home and being in hospital, but the prosecution disputed this.

Copy from BBC News Online

People were given the chance to try on and find out more about the most visible part of the Sikh faith in the city centre at the weekend.

A 20-strong group of volunteers were busy tying "extravagant and colourful turbans" on passers by - and distributing free food - known as Langar.

It was part of an event called Urban Turban put on by Leicester's Sikh community at the Clock Tower on Saturday(20) afternoon.

Charitable groups Chardi Kala Turban Academy, Basics of Sikhi and Midlands Langar Sewa Society, who specialise in turban tying, Sikh community awareness and feeding the homeless, staged the event.

Amandeep Rai, spokesman for the Leicestershire Sikh Alliance stated, "The turban is our Guru's gift to us. It is the most visible way in which we crown and identify ourselves.

"Whilst most people in Leicester may know that Sikhs wear turbans, very few actually know why. To foster even greater harmony and integration between all the communities of Leicester, it is vital we also understand each other further. Turban tying is a fun and practical way of learning through experience."

Day visitor to Leicester Jeff Ridgway,(c) from Congelton, Cheshire, who proudly wore his orange turban, said:"I was invited in, given some food and told about the Sikh religion, clothing and view on life, what a turban is and why it is worn.It took about ten minutes and I wore it with pride.

"It's been a really good experience which emphasised what a multicultural city Leicester is."

Leicester's Woodside Animal Centre has launched the biggest appeal in the history of the Leicestershire RSPCA.

It aims to raise £1 million through the "Care 4 Paws" appeal to build an onsite veterinary suite that will revolutionise the way animals are cared for at the centre.

The Scudamore Road centre, which takes in thousands of dogs, cats and other small animals each year, made the announcement at its annual gala day yesterday. (21)

IThe suite will reduce distressing and painful transportation to and from local vets.

The appeal has the backing of Leicestershire singing legend and patron Engelbert Humperdinck.

In a video message from his California home played to guests at the gala day, he said:" Animals have always played a very large part in our family and I certainly hope you will be able to raise the necessary funds to build an onsite veterinary suite at the animal centre.

"All of Leicestershire, please get together and make this dream a reality. Thank you."

Woodside's Branch Manager, Gary Wheway said: "The Care 4 Paws Appeal will ensure our centre continues to provide the best animal care possible, but we need £1million to turn our vision into a reality and we hope that the public of Leicestershire will support us to reach this target."

"We simply cannot sustain the year on year increases in incoming cruelty case animals and the essential veterinary costs."

He added: "These innocent victims of cruelty and neglect need our help and as Leicestershire's main animal welfare charity we need to tackle this growing problem head on, by reducing the overall treatment costs while giving the highest possible standard of animal care."

The vet suite will make animal treatment at Woodside more cost effective, so the centres resources can go further and help to treat even more animals.

Woodside takes in, on average, more than 2,000 animals every year including the RSPCA Inspectorate cruelty cases.

They are consistently one of the top RSPCA rehoming centres, with one of the lowest animal return rates, in the UK.

All proceeds from the gala day, where the Lord Mayor of Leicester,Councillor John Thomas made the appeal's announcement, will go to the appeal.

Mr Wheway added: "Although Woodside Animal Centre is proud to be part of the RSPCA, we are a separate self-funding charity and we are reliant on the donations we gratefully receive from the generous people of Leicestershire

"As an animal charity we receive no government funding."

To donate visit www.rspcaleicester.org.uk 

A new memorial to The Royal Leicestershire Regiment, the Tigers, funded by the generosity of Leicester Mercury readers, will be dedicated at a ceremony on Saturday, September 27.

The sculpture features a 4ft tiger on top of a limestone plinth denoting the battle honours of the regiment which will also be celebrating its 326th anniversary on the day.

The memorial has cost £40,000 to commission and install and much of the money was raised thanks to an appeal run by the Leicester Mercury last Christmas.

The dedication at the National Memorial Arboretum in Alrewas, Staffordshire will be hosted by Brigadier Andrew Fisher, president of The Royal Tigers' Association.

It will include a special service of dedication conducted by The Very Rev David Monteith, Dean of Leicester, and will be attended by the Lords Lieutenant of Staffordshire, Leicestershire, and Rutland.

The Very Rev David Monteith said: "The Royal Tigers' history is woven into the story of Leicester and Leicestershire and their Memorial Chapel is much visited in the Cathedral.

"This new beautiful memorial places that illustrious local story in the context of the nation's story now commemorated in the National Arboretum.

"The Tigers demonstrate the costliness of building peace with justice in our world, a task we continue to undertake for generations as yet unborn."

Royal Tigers Association chairman Captain Bob Allen MBE said: "The necessary funds to cover the cost of the memorial were raised thanks to the invaluable support of the Leicester Mercury and other local publications, and to the immense generosity of individuals, trusts, local authorities, schools, organisations and firms in the counties of Leicestershire and Rutland."

The Regiment takes its nickname – 'The Tigers' – from its badge, which incorporates a Royal Tiger and the inscription 'Hindoostan'. The badge was awarded to the Regiment in 1825 by King George IV, in recognition of its exemplary conduct in India.

The Royal Leicestershire Regiment was awarded a total of 73 Battle Honours ranging from the battle of Namur in 1695 to the campaign in Korea in 1952. Over the years, four members of the Regiment were awarded the Victoria Cross.

The Regiment's last operational tour was in Borneo in 1963-64, very soon after which it was incorporated into The Royal Anglian Regiment, where its heritage is carried forward in B (Leicestershire) Company 2nd Battalion and No 2 (Leicestershire and Lincolnshire) Company 3rd Battalion.

The memorial's large Irish Blue limestone plinth was donated by André Vrona, of Ketton Stone near Stamford. The tiger which sits on the plinth has been sculptured by Theodore Gillick of Stamford, and the plinth was engraved by Nick Johnson of Young Johnson, of Westbury in Wiltshire, who has now worked on 20 memorials at the National Memorial Arboretum.

Capt Allen said The Royal Tigers' Association committee initiated the project to build the memorial from a strong desire for the Regiment to be represented at the Arboretum, the UK's year-round centre for remembrance and for pilgrimage.

He said: "The Mercury has been outstanding and always been very supportive of us as a regiment."

Leicester Mercury editor Kevin Booth said the success of the appeal showed both the generosity of the people of Leicestershire and the affection and pride that was felt towards the Royal Leicestershire Regiment.

He said: "There can be no more fitting way to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and the 326th anniversary of the formation of the regiment than the erection of this fine memorial.

"It will mark the bravery and sacrifice of Leicestershire soldiers, both in that devastating conflict 100 years ago and in many other fields of battle."

People who wish to contribute to the maintenance of the memorial can send donations to: The Association Secretary, The Royal Tigers Association, Army Reserve Centre, Ulverscroft Road, Leicester LE4 6BY.

A logistics company has opened a new space for learning at their Ashby premises.

Ceva Logistics, based in Excelsior Road, has launched its first "Center of Logistics Excellence" in Europe.

The workspace, which has been opened in an existing building, follows the launch of two other centres in Jacksonville, Florida and Singapore.

The aim of the centres are to provide a space for learning for future apprentices, interns and graduates and also demonstrate their warehouse management technology to their customers.

Leigh Pomlett, president Europe for Ceva, said: "We are excited to establish a Center (CORR) here in Ashby to act as a knowledge and innovation hub for supply chain excellence and to support our customers' growth in Europe.

"The Center is a compelling example of Ceva's commitment to create value for our customers through excellence. Local talent and knowledge coupled with global expertise positions us well to design solutions that respond to supply chain challenges."

Ceva, which is based in Holland, has a major operation in Ashby Business Park, close to the A42, where it employs around 200 people.

A company which represents a variety of well-known celebrities has expanded its portfolio after buying a rival business.

Champions (UK), of Costock, near Loughborough, has bought Warner Music and Entertainments (UK) for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition, which will see founder Alan Warner join Champions (UK), gives it access to an additional 2,000 entertainers.

The deal is the latest boost for Champions after it won the contract to represent former boxing promoter Kellie Maloney, who recently hit the headlines after changing her name from Frank Maloney and deciding to live as a woman.

Alan founded his business in 1989 and quickly became established as one of the leading entertainment agencies in the UK supplying headline entertainers and musicians to many of the world's leading cruise companies, theatres and venues throughout the world.

As well as booking many well-known personalities, Alan has worked with many famous entertainers as a musical director and record producer, working with stars such as Norman Wisdom and The Supremes.

His company had offices in Leicester and Birmingham and employed eight people. Alan has now joined Champions' office in Costock.

One celebrity client of Alan's was Renato Pagliari, who held the UK number one spot with his 1982 hit Save Your Love by Renée and Renato. Alan played piano for as well as produced Renato's album, which gained considerable success worldwide.

Several years later, Renato introduced Alan to John Hayes, now chief executive of Champions.

Alan is also executive vice-president of the Agents' Association (GB), the largest association of its kind in the world, with members who either manage or represent many of the UK's famous names in television, theatre and the music industry.

Mr Hayes said: "The acquisition of Warner Music & Entertainments (UK) into Champions was a fantastic opportunity for all involved. It's especially exciting to welcome on board my longstanding friend, Alan Warner into the company.

"He brings with him years of experience, excellent client management and gives us the ability to enhance our celebrity offering for those in the public eye looking for management, even further."

Alan said: "Champions is one of the most progressive and successful branding and events companies in the UK. It also well known for representing and supplying many of the world's best sporting and TV personalities."

Chris Darlington, of accountants Mazars, in Meridian Business Park, Braunstone, advised Champions on the acquisition

Champions other celebrity clients include Coronation Street star Bill Roache, England and Leicester City football legend Peter Shilton and snooker player Jimmy White.

Leicester City (1) 5

Ulloa (17, 83pen), Nugent (62pen), Cambiasso (64), Vardy (79)

Manchester United (2) 3

Van Persie (13), Di Maria (16), Herrera (57)

Leicester City recorded a famous victory with an amazing comeback to beat Manchester United 5-3 at the King Power Stadium.

Two goals from Leo Ulloa, a David Nugent penalty, Esteban Cambiasso's first goal on his full debut and man-of-the-match Jamie Vardy sealed the win.

United's stellar cast of attacking talent allowed them to race into a 3-1 lead thanks to goals from Robin van Persie, Ander Herrera and Angel di Maria, who scored a stunning chip over Kasper Schmeichel.

But, however impressive United's Galacticos are on the attack, the fact remains this squad is woefully sub-standard at the back and Leicester took full advantage to record their first home victory over the 20-time champions since 1985.

Leonardo Ulloa headed in at the back post in the first half and David Nugent also found the net from the penalty spot after a needless foul by Rafael on Jamie Vardy.

Esteban Cambiasso equalised before Vardy slotted the ball past David De Gea after a counter-attack in which United's defence was all over the place.

Tyler Blackett was then sent off for hacking Vardy down in the box and Ulloa converted the penalty to make it 5-3.

It did not take long for Di Maria to start causing trouble at the other end though.

The former Real Madrid man drove at the Leicester defence and slotted Van Persie in behind, but Schmeichel ran out and blocked the Dutchman's shot.

United were now in full flow. They looked particularly venomous down the left, where Marcos Rojo and Di Maria were proving far too quick for Ritchie De Laet.

The former United right-back dived in and allowed full debutant Radamel Falcao, who started ahead of Juan Mata, to turn the ball past him in the 12th minute. The Colombian paused and chipped a pin-point cross to Van Persie, whose header flew past Schmeichel off Liam Moore.

Just three minutes later, Di Maria doubled the lead with an early contender for goal of the season.

The Argentine sprinted from inside his own half and picked a return ball up off Wayne Rooney before he scooped the ball over Schmeichel with his left boot.

Just 72 seconds later, Leicester back into the game. Vardy got to the byline and whipped in a flat ball to the back post where Ulloa powered a header past David De Gea.

There was no sign of the impending meltdown in the rest of the first half. Smalling, Daley Blind and Blackett all looked sturdy at the back.

United should have had their third just before the break when Rojo headed over from four yards.

Within three minutes of the restart Falcao had rattled the bar with a fine volley.

Herrera went one better in the 57th minute, as he turned the ball in to make it 3-1. The Spaniard cleverly flicked Rooney's goal-bound shot past Schmeichel from six yards after Rafael caused havoc in the box with a wicked low cross

The Brazilian quickly went from hero to villain though as he gave away a contentious penalty at the other end.

Vardy barged Rafael off the ball down Leicester's left and the defender lost his cool, nudging over the forward in the box.

Mark Clattenburg ignored United's protestations and pointed to the spot. Nugent blasted the ball down the middle past De Gea to score.

Within two minutes, United's defence went to pieces again and Leicester equalised.

Dean Hammond, given plenty of space on the edge of the box, saw his shot blocked in the centre of the area where Cambiasso pounced, stabbing the ball past De Gea.

Van Gaal slumped further into his seat with 12 minutes left when Leicester, amazingly, took the lead.

De Laet nicked the ball off Mata, who had just come on for Di Maria, and cantered down the left back before finding the unmarked Vardy, who calmly beat De Gea.

Yet more shocking defending was to come from the visitors. Vardy easily nudged Blackett aside and raced towards the box, only to be brought down by the young centre-half with an awful tackle from behind.

Mark Clattenburg had no option but to send Blackett off. Ulloa beat De Gea from 12 yards to seal Leicester's fairytale victory.

TEAMS

Leicester City (4-3-3): 1 Kasper Schmeichel; 2 Ritchie De Laet, 5 Wes Morgan,18 Liam Moore, 3 Paul Konchesky; 7 Dean Hammond19 Esteban Cambiasso (10 Andy King, 71min), 4 Danny Drinkwater; 23 Leonardo Ulloa, 35 David Nugent (8 Matty James, 75min); 9 Jamie Vardy (15 Jeff Schlupp, 85min).

Subs not used: 12 Ben Hamer, 26 Royad Mahrez, 27 Marcin Wasilewski, 39 Chris Wood

Man United (4-1-2-1-2): 1 David de Gea; 2 Rafael; 6 Jonny Evans (12 Chris Smalling, 30min); 42 Tyler Blackett, 5 Marcos Rojo; 17 Daley Blind; 7 Angel Di Maria (8 Juan Mata, 76min), 21 Ander Herrera, 10 Wayne Rooney; 20 Robin van Persie, 9 Radamel Falcao (11 Adnan Januzaj, 72min).

Subs not used: 3 Luke Shaw, 13 Anders Lindegaard, 24 Darren Fletcher, 25 Antonio Valencia

Yellow cards: Ritchie De Laet (City), Wayne Rooney (Man Utd)

Red card: Taylor Blackett (Man Utd)

Attendance: 31,784

Referee: Mark Clattenburg: 

A cacophony of car horns greeted one of the greatest comebacks in Leicester City's history toppling the might Manchester United by 5 goals to three.

Jubilant City fans danced in the streets as they fought to overcome the disbelief at Nigel Pearson's men dragging themselves back into contention after recovering from a two-goal deficit against the Red Devils.

The 31,784 fans raised the roof of the King Power stadium as Cambiasso drew the Foxes level before Vardy broke away to put City 4-3 up and Ulloa completed the visitors' humiliation from the spot to make it 5-3 after the Foxes went in 2-1 down at half time.

City fan Danny Corbett, 25, who travels from Derby to watch the Foxes, said: "I can die a happy man now. What an amazing game."

Alan Mitchell, 67, formerly of Leicester, now living in Sheffield, said: "The word is 'unbelievable'. I remember Ken Keyworth getting a hat trick for City at Filbert Street and Denis Law getting a hat trick for Man Utd in about 1963.

"A player called Terry Heath scored the first goal for Leicester, making it 4-3 to City, but we never heard of him again."

Noah Henry, 16, who had travelled from Colchester with his dad, said: "It was just unbelievable to come back from being two goals down against a team like that with the players they've got."

John Lewis, 52, from Appleby Magna, said:"At 3-1 I thought it was all over but the fighting spirit demonstrated by Leicester in every match I've seen saw them through.

"Pearson has installed confidence into the team and they just go for it - they don't understand the concept of losing, whoever they're playing.

"This will become one of those moments when people will ask ' where were you when Leicester beat Man Utd 5-3?'"

Michael Double, 65, of Kibworth, said: "City played really well and kept going till the end. I don't think we'll ever see a game like that again."

Ethan Hanson, 15, of Enderby, said: "Leicester showed great spirit and character to win, that's the third game they've come from behind."

Gracious in defeat Man Utd fan Kevin Lomax, 50, of Manchester, said:"Leicester have started this season just like they finished last season, playing really good football, but we really need to sort our defence out."

Pals Richard Keen, 28, and Martin Brooks, 27, of Loughborough, were on opposite sides of the fence.

Man Utd fan Richard said: "The first penalty changed the game, it was a turning point. I can't believe the score. I didn't think Man Utd would win 5-3, let alone Leicester."

Martin said: "I've been coming to games since I was about four or five and I've never seen a game like that."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said he was in shock after watching his side suffer an incredible 5-3 defeat at Leicester City.

United twice held a two-goal lead at the King Power Stadium – at 2-0 and 3-1 – before City scored four goals in 20 second-half minutes to claim a famous victory.

Van Gaal said in his 25 years in the profession, he has only once experienced a game like that. In 1998, his Barcelona side were 3-0 up against Valencia with a quarter of the game to play, before losing 4-3.

"That was also with a top club," said van Gaal. "You never expect that. When you are two goals ahead, for the second time, you have to kill the game and kill possession. But we could not do that.

"Then, of course, we gave it away with penalties and you cannot win a game anymore when you do that."

David Nugent scored his first goal of the season from the spot to make it 3-2 before Esteban Cambiasso and Jamie Vardy gave City the lead.

Leonardo Ulloa scored his second of the game, his fifth of the season, with a penalty of his own, after thundering a powerful header home in the first half.

City's first penalty looked a soft decision by referee Mark Clattenburg as Vardy went down under a challenge from Rafael but van Gaal said that should have made no difference on the outcome of the game.

"At that time, it was still 3-2. There is not any problem. You can kill the game, you can keep possession. You have to kill the game. We didn't do that."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson praised his side's never-say-die spirit to bounce back from two goals down to claim a famous victory over Manchester United.

City were 2-0 down and then 3-1 down with just over half-an-hour to go, but then scored four unanswered goals to claim a victory which will send shockwaves through the Premier League.

Leonardo Ulloa took his tally to five goals in five games with a double, while Esteban Cambiasso scored on his full debut and Jamie Vardy and David Nugent both scored their first goals of the campaign.

"What you have got to look at, in the entirety of the game, it was a committed performance from us," Pearson said.

"Even when things weren't going quite our way, I never felt that we were downbeat in terms of how we approached the game.

"When you go 2-0 down in a game as a player, you look around and you find out very quickly who's on-side, and who is not mentally.

"Our players can take a bit of satisfaction from knowing that they didn't fold when it would have been easy for some sides to do that. That is testament to their own belief in themselves and each other.

"I think at 3-1 down I would have been happy to get anything out of it, let alone come away with a win. It will probably generate more scrutiny about them than us but I am really pleased.

"It says a lot about the character of the side and we have got a bit more quality than people are maybe aware of.

"When you are 3-1 down against Manchester United, to win the game, regardless how people want to view where they are at the moment, it is an outstanding result for us."

Pearson said the team spirit among his side has been developing over the past few years.

"It is not just about quality, it is about other characteristics," he added. "We have shown so far this season, we have got a bit of resilience about us and belief, but that's not achieved overnight.

"So, Manchester United on another day probably would have seen us off but you make your own luck at times.

"I think because we responded positively and we didn't lose our belief."

Kasper Schmeichel: Was left helpless for United's first two goals, so good was the finishing, and a clever flick from Herrera beat him for the third. 7/10

Ritchie De Laet: Over committed himself for United's first goal but looked a lot more secure defensively in the second half and made some good surging runs. 7

Liam Moore: The youngster stuck to his task superbly after United's early onslaught. His stock is clearly rising with every game. 8

Wes Morgan: The movement of Falcao and Van Persie ensured the skipper had to be alert throughout. A solid display. 7

Paul Konchesky: Angel Di Maria was a real handful when he switched to Konchesky's flank but the City left-back never allowed his head to drop. 7

Dean Hammond: Another calm and assured display from Hammond, who is in the side on merit. 7

Esteban Cambiasso: An absolutely outstanding home debut by the Argentinian, topped off with his vital equaliser. 8

Danny Drinkwater: Demonstrated to United they had made a mistake letting him go. Superb in possession and worked well with Cambiasso. 8

David Nugent: His work-rate and willingness to sacrifice himself for the team was phenomenal and scoring his first goal will do him the world of good. 8

Leonardo Ulloa: The header for his first goal was superbly taken and his penalty in the second half took his tally to five in his first five Premier League games. 8

Jamie Vardy: His pace and willingness to put defenders under pressure was vital in City's fightback. Had a hand in every City goal. 9

Downton Abbey returned to our screens tonight for the fifth series in the epic family drama.

It's 1924 and Ramsay MacDonald is the new Labour Prime Minister.

Carson, who reluctantly accepts the chairmanship of the new war memorial committee, says he 'can feel a shaking of the ground' - is this the beginning of the end for the Downton way of life?

Not if you consider the lemon mayonnaise and salmon patties being prepared downstairs - and the incessant matchmaking between the members of the 'upper' house.

After all 'a single peer with a large estate won't be lonely for long' - cue Lord Gillingham. Will Mary ever succumb?

The magnificent Maggie Smith as Lady Grantham continues to cast her spell across proceedings - the ubiquitous lady of the manor who 'likes to help' where she can.

Edith is struggling to hide her maternal feelings for little Marigold - this is a secret which will surely blow up - "we need a way for you to live the truth without telling the truth."

Phyliss Baxter's prison secret came out on the hour livening things up a it and the arrival of teacher Sarah Bunting at the big party gave a little edge to proceedings. 

Her toe curling intervention during dinner over the pointlessness of war was classic Downton - brilliant.

Jimmy found himself in trouble when the insatiable Lady Anstruther arrives at Downton after her car started - ahem - making noises.

It felt like a slow start tonight (and there are still too many adverts) but a fire in Lady Edith's room put a spark back into the show.

Despite the anachronisms (filter cigarettes before they were invented) and the sometimes corny dialogue, Downton remains essential Sunday night viewing.

And of course we all need to know whether Molesley's hair will ever recover from his 1920's Regain treatment.

Leicestershire Police is appealing for witnesses after two men attempted to rob a 12-year-old boy.

The incident took place in Ingarsby Drive, Leicester at about 3.45pm on Friday, August 29 when the victim was approached by two men who attempted to grab his iPod.

Two of the victim's friends were also present at the time.

The victim was wearing a wrist strap attached to the iPod and the suspects were unable to get the item. The victim fell to the ground and suffered pain in his left hand due to the force used by the suspects.

The suspects are described as Asian men, approximately 16 to 20 years of age and between 5' 5" and 5' 8". The main suspect was of average build, with a beard and a moustache. The second suspect is of slim build with a long nose. He was wearing a top with the hood up.

Detective Constable Charlotte Mee, who is investigating the incident, said: "This was a distressing incident for the victim, who was been left very upset by what happened.

"We would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or saw the two men fitting the description of the suspects acting suspiciously in the area at the time."

Anyone with information about the incident should contact Detective Constable Charlotte Mee on 101; when prompted key in the officer's identity number 4468 and leave a message.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Following Leicester City's fantastic triumph over Manchester United yesterday, fans took to Twitter to mock their rival team.

A victorious performance at the weekend saw Leicester City beat Manchester United 5-3, despite being 4-1 down with 20 minutes to go.

And the reaction on the internet was phenomenal, with City supporters, as well as fans of rival teams, taking to social media sites to ensure Manchester United do not forget the final score.

Twitter became a collage, bursting full of pictures mocking Louis van Gaal's side.

One picture said: "What do Manchester United and Richard III have in common? They both got buried in Leicester".

As a Man U fan, you've gotta laugh :) pic.twitter.com/3lfTx6Unzw

— andrew moore (@moorey800) September 21, 2014

Another showed a photo of the Leicester City squad celebrating after a goal, with the words: "Passion > Money".

Leicester City Football Club WON THE GAME & OUR HEARTS ! pic.twitter.com/L5QTuJDEsi

— 8 Troll Football (@8TrollFootball) September 21, 2014

A picture was posted of five cartoon characters, each representing a different team: Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal - standing at the grave of Manchester United.

RIP Manchester United: 1878-2014 pic.twitter.com/5QC1mLUnhm

— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) September 21, 2014

And it was not just photos that users uploaded but many tweeted their thoughts on the game too.

Gary Lineker tweeted: "Shat on Man United."

And later: "Joking aside, I think that's the greatest Leicester City performance of all time! Utterly, wonderfully stunning."

Joking aside, I think that's the greatest Leicester City performance of all time! Utterly, wonderfully stunning!

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) September 21, 2014

He again tweeted this morning: "Had this incredible dream last night that Leicester City came from 2 goals down to bash Man Utd 5-3. Seemed so real too."

Youngster and super-fan Kian Deacy, Wigston Harcourt, also took to the social networking site to share his excitement.

The seven-year-old, who is a season ticket holder watched the game with his dad, Liam.

Almost immediately after the final whistle, Liam uploaded several photos of his son celebrating.

He tweeted: "Love this boy. Kian Deacy, great company every game. Proud dad."

Love this boy!!! @KingKianLCFC great company every game!!! #prouddad. pic.twitter.com/s7hMWjFjB8

— Fundraising Fox (@Deacyliam) September 21, 2014

Sitting in the away stand was Kian's grandad, Vincent Deacy, 57, a lifelong supporter of Manchester United.

Liam said: "As soon as the game had finished, we went to find his grandad, to wind him up.

"Liam ran straight up to him and jumped into his arms, which lightened the mood - I think it would've been a bit of a different story if it was me running up to him for a hug."

Liam tweeted that seeing Kian's face at the end of the game was "priceless".

"It was a crazy game and a once in a lifetime experience.

"Kian was a bit down at first but as they kept scoring, he got more and more excited."

The first of a series of weekend trials breath testing pub customers suspected of having had too much to drink - before they are allowed inside - has been declared a success.

Four bars in Loughborough began testing selected customers on Friday(19) and Saturday(20) nights.

Customers who appeared a little worse for wear to door staff were asked to take a breath test.

Those with a high reading - put at around twice the legal drink drive limit - were refused entry, as were those who refused a test.

Phil Caswell, community engagement co-ordinator with Leicestershire Police, said: "Over Friday and Saturday nights 81 tests were carried out at four venues. Of those 13 were denied entry because it was considered they had consumed too much alcohol.

"A further 12 refused to take a test and were turned away.

"In Loughborough town centre there was no recorded violent crime over that period.

"The early signs are that people are engaging with it and that it has been fairly well received."

He added: "Door staff asked people they felt may be on the cusp of having had too much to drink take a breath test and make a decision on whether to allow them entry.

"The rough limit they were using was at or around twice the legal limit for drink driving, but also based on the demeanour, behaviour and attitude of the person involved."

He added: "We are asking the door staff to carry out the trial until early November.

"People wrongly thought everyone was going to be breath tested, but that is not the case.

"The idea is that it's another tool to help door staff do the job they do, trying to keep people away who might cause a problem."

He added: "Pre-loading by youngsters is something that has featured quite regularly.

"In Norwich this scheme was trialled in a couple of bars, but it is now used in around 25."

Charnwood borough councillor David Snartt, chairman of the community safety partnership in Loughborough, said: "I was at one of the bars on Friday night at about 10pm.

"I felt the scheme got quite a good reception and people were quite keen to try it out. The feedback was that if it stops people going into a place and causing a nuisance while they're trying to have a good time, then they were all for it."

Last week customers in pubs and bars in Coalville and Ashby were offered breath tests and alcohol calculators during national Alcohol Awareness Week to promote responsible drinking and raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol abuse. 

Leicestershire are likely to make changes for their final game of the County Championship season which begins at Derby today.

In the light of the County second team's success in lifting their championship title last week, that would make sense.

Ben Raine has to come into consideration after the way he demolished the Essex attack in making a double-century to virtually clinch the trophy.

Matthew Boyce has led the side well throughout much of the year in one-day and championship cricket, while all-rounder Tom Wells also made a century against Essex. Both are likely to be involved at Derby.

"Ben made 208 for us and also bowled well in short spells," said Leicestershire director of cricket Phil Whitticase, as County look for a plan which would finally give them something in the win column.

"If we can get 12 or 13 overs a day out of him that would be an option.

"Tom Wells has to be in consideration, too, after the hundred he got and James Sykes, too, if we are looking to play another spinner.

"The way they have played the second team lads have done themselves no harm in being considered for this game."

County will face a Derbyshire side which has finished the season positively with two wins from the three games that they have completed during September.

Most recently, they were eight-wicket winners at the Kia Oval, a result which dashed Surrey's chances of grabbing the second promotion place behind Worcestershire.

It is no surprise to see skipper Wayne Madsen leading the way at the top of the batting averages with 1,221 runs – and three centuries – to his name.

Keith Vaz today offered speakers at the Labour Party conference the chance to earn a little extra talking time if they paid tribute to Leicester's City's stunning 5-3 win over Manchester United.

The Leicester East MP, who attended yesterday's match at the King Power Stadium, was chairing the morning session of the party's annual conference being held in Manchester.

Mr Vaz promised speakers a little extra time if they included the eight-goal scoreline in their speeches.

Among those who took him up on the offer was Len McCluskey, the general secretary of the Unite union.

Mr Vaz said: "There were speakers who just said 5-3 as they started their speeches which wasn't very creative but earned them just a little bit more time.

"Len McCluskey, I think, took his time to extend his standing ovation.

"Ironically, we are here in Manchester and I have been made very welcome by the Manchester City supporters, who of course were delighted with Leicester's wonderful win."

Flanker Julian Salvi admitted the Leicester Tigers players were as embarrassed as the travelling fans after their record 45-0 defeat at Bath.

Tigers conceded 23 points in the first half and 22 in the second for their heaviest-ever Aviva Premiership defeat.

A typically battered and bruised Salvi said it was a hard loss to take.

"At 17-0 down, you can draw it back by getting in a couple of good positions," he said.

"But we never got into those positions to do that. Eventually in the second half, when we did, we coughed up ball, and that was crucial and enabled them to break away and score three more tries.

"We have to be better in that 'A zone' to convert pressure into points. Unfortunately, we coughed up ball in key areas and they ran the length of the field. We had troubles in the scrum too.

"The scrum is usually one of our strong points but we got penalised off the park and they were just kicking points and applying pressure back on us.

"We are as embarrassed as anyone after that and not getting on the scoreboard is even more embarrassing."

Salvi finished the game as captain and said he felt for the young guys who were on the pitch at the end with him.

Props Tiziano Pasquali, 20, and Riccardo Brugnara, 20, were joined by Sebastian De Chaves, 23, in the second-row.

"It was a tough loss and it's part-and-parcel of the learning experience for the young guys," said Salvi.

"They are put in these positions and they will get better for those experiences and being on the back of a thumping.

"They can draw on these experiences and we will handle it a lot differently next time."

Leicester will need to bounce back in a hurry with London Irish coming to Welford Road this weekend, and Salvi believes there is not a great deal of fundamentals to fix.

"After that performance, we have to prepare well for London Irish and make amends for that loss," said the 28-year-old. "There's not too much to fix. It's just about getting our heads switched on for the match."

Gary Lineker believes Leicester City's famous 5-3 victory over Manchester United was the greatest performance in the club's history.

City twice came from two goals down at the King Power Stadium, scoring four goals in 20 incredible second-half minutes to put five past Louis van Gaal's superstars.

"I think that's the greatest Leicester City performance of all time. Utterly, wonderfully stunning," the Match of the Day presenter tweeted after City had wrapped up the remarkable comeback.

Sky Sports pundit and former United defender Gary Neville praised City's work-rate and physicality as they "bullied" the "soft-centred" Reds Devils.

"Credit to Leicester and (Jamie) Vardy and (Leonardo) Ulloa – they really ran them ragged," said Neville.

"It wasn't intricate play or world-class football, it was just hard work.

"Grit, hard work, with a bit of quality mixed in with it, and United couldn't deal with the physicality of that team."

However, his Sky Sports colleague Jamie Carragher was more focused on pointing the finger at the soft penalty awarded by referee Mark Clattenburg that allowed City to get back into the game at 3-2.

"United were just coming into control, Leicester were running out of steam," said Carragher.

"It was a shocking decision. The result's gone for Leicester and (that decision) changed the result, it gets them back in the game."

Vardy was playing non-league football two years ago but scored a goal while assisting the other four in a man-of-the-match performance.

Match of the Day 2's Danny Murphy heaped praise on the former Fleetwood striker, who was named in the Garth Crook's BBC Team of the Week alongside captain Wes Morgan.

"Vardy epitomised what the whole Leicester side was about, with his display of commitment and passion," said Murphy.

"Leicester showed great energy and discipline and never sat back or gave up."

Soccer Saturday pundit Matt Le Tissier originally predicted City would be relegated at the end of the season but, after watching Nigel Pearson's men take eight points from their first five games, has since changed his mind.

Le Tissier, who made more than 500 appearances for Southampton during his career, paid tribute to another former Saints player after City's victory on Sunday.

"Very pleased for Dean Hammond. He didn't get a chance in the Premier League at Saints but is proving incredibly useful in that Leicester midfield," he said.