John Sharp seems to be living in a fantasy world, when he praises the Tories for putting us "back on the road to success" (Mailbox, October 9).
I do agree that Labour bears
some responsibility for the 2008 crash, but this had nothing to
do with profligate spending, it
was about what they let the banks get away with, with the only Tory objection being that it wasn't enough.
What is more, the UK economy was then recovering, until George Osborne's austerity measures choked this off.
As a result we have seen the slowest recovery from recession since the Second World War.
Of course the Tories argue that they had no option, because of the level of government debt that they inherited, but Osborne's austerity measures have actually only served to push up the national debt, due to increased unemployment and a reduced tax take.
In fact he has ended up creating more debt in five years than the previous Labour Government did in 13 – and much of the debt created by Labour was a result of bailing out the banks, not spending on public services.
The Tories' handling of the economy has resulted in the longest period of falling real wages in
recorded history and soaring
unemployment, only partially
hidden by vast numbers of people's benefits being stopped – often for spurious reasons – and by a big increase in part time working and zero hours contracts.
However, it has not been a case of being "all in it together", because the incomes of the top few per cent have continued soar, as everyone else's have fallen.
Alongside this, the Tories have engaged in a cut-price sell-off of yet more public assets to their rich friends and large scale privatisation of public services.
This ends up channelling our taxes into the pockets of shareholders.
Leicestershire CCC wicket-keeper/batsman Ned Eckersley has signed a one-year contract extension while Aadil Ali has joined the professional staff at Grace Road.
The 24-year-old Eckersley has scored 3,180 first-class runs in 53 appearances for Leicestershire at an average of 36.13, including eight centuries.
Director of Cricket Phil Whitticase said: "It is great that Ned is staying with us at Leicestershire because he is a quality top-order batsman who has a big role to play here.
"Ned has scored more than 2,000 runs in first-class cricket over the last two years and has also had an impact in one-day cricket. Ned was our Player of the Year in 2013 and we look forward to him playing a key role in 2015."
Ali graduated from Leicestershire's academy in 2013. He went on to play a big part in the second team's treble-winning success last season.
He made 62 batting at No.3 in the Championship final against Essex and his 14 not out off just five balls in the T20 final against Somerset was crucial in their 11-run victory. Ali, who also bowls off-spin, scored heavily for club side Kibworth last season.
Senior coach Lloyd Tennant said: "Aadil played his role in the Second XI really well, whatever was asked of him. He can clear the ropes in one-day cricket and helped us to win some matches. His innings in the T20 final was one example. Aadil hit a couple of sixes towards the end of our innings and we ended up winning by 11 runs.
"Aadil also played solidly in the Championship. His innings in the final against Essex was terrific. When he came in at three we were a long way off getting past their first innings score, which was the first objective because it was the deciding factor if the game was drawn.
"We were also looking at winning the game, so needed people to score at pace. For him to come in and play the way he did, which was score at about a run a ball, was great. Aadil has done well for us in all formats. He is a real team player and deserves the opportunity to join the staff."
The Liberal Democrats are advertising for candidates to contest Leicester seats in May's General Election.
The party's East Midlands officials are looking for people to stand in Labour-held Leicester South and East constituencies.
Lib Dem spokeswoman Pat Wildgoose said the party had undergone a recent re-organisation in the city's West constituency - also Labour held - and so was "slightly behind" in the selection process for that seat.
She said she hoped candidates for Leicester South and East would be selected by the end of November.
Two amateur historians with a flying video drone are making a series of films about Loughborough's streets and landmarks.
Southfields councillor Ted Parton and Paul Mercer have been using the drone to fly high above the streets in Councillor Parton's ward for the videos.
The first video features the Carillion bell tower, opening with dramatic footage of the First World War before switching to aerial shots of the bell tower.
Other videos completed so far are about three Southfields streets - Curzon Street, Edelin Road and Herrick Road.
Coun Parton said: "Local residents have often asked me whether I knew the origins of a street name.
"And so I thought it would be a fascinating exercise to look into where the names came from and, so far, it has unearthed a fascinating insight into the history of the town.
"Paul owns the drone that we use to shoot the aerial footage.
"The response has been excellent.
"People are amazed at the quality of the aerial video and seem excited to learn about some of the history of where they live."
The nine-minute video about Curzon Street delves into the history of Lord Curzon, an MP and Viceroy of India during the late Victorian era.
The videos also reveal that Edelin Road was the first ever built by Louborough housebuilder William Davis.
It was completed in 1935 and named after William's son, Edelin.
Viewers also learn that Herrick Road was named after Sir William Herrick, a 16th century politician from Leicester who once owned Beaumanor Hall, near Woodhouse.
Councillor Parton and Mr Mercer used information from the 1911 census to research people who lived in the streets.
Mr Mercer said: "As well as researching the streets' histories we're looking at old census returns from 1840-1911.
"As well as looking at who lived in the older houses we have been able to find out what some of them did with their lives".
One former Loughborough resident Frank Bumpus, who grew up in Herrick Road, went on to design the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm's torpedo bomber aeroplane used in the 1920s.
Other prominent residents of that street included William Grudgings, who became headmaster of Cobden Street School, and Arthur Tucker of Gilbert Tucker & Son, the company that supplied the bricks for St Pancras Station in London.
After the videos are finished, letters are sent to the residents of the streets to let them know how to watch them.
Inspirational marathon competitor and fund-raiser Claire Lomas has been named Woman of Achievement at the 2014 Women of the Year Awards.
Claire, 34, of Eye Kettleby, was paralysed from the chest down after a riding accident in 2007.
Since then she has dedicated her time and energy to collecting hundreds-of-thousands of pounds for worthy causes by performing Herculean feats of endurance.
In 2012, she completed the London Marathon in 17-days using a robotic suit, and then in 2013 she cycled more than 400-miles using a specially adapted reclining bike.
Her fund-raising total has reached the £400,000 mark and she says she has no intention of slowing down.
On Friday, Claire was invited to the Hilton, in Birmingham, to receive the prestigious award for her achievements.
She said: "It's great, I wasn't really expecting it. I got quite emotional it's a big honour.
"I never thought I'd be receiving anything like this when I started planning to do the marathon.
"I never expected so much media attention, it's been unbelievable really.
"Reaching £400,000 is amazing and I'm looking at reaching £500,000 now - which would be such an unbelievable figure."
Award committee member Zalena Vandrewala said: "Claire Lomas is an incredible woman, who has worked hard to overcome a challenge most of us could never imagine recovering from.
"She is an inspiration to us all and very much deserving of this award."
This year alone Claire has raised more than £63,000 for the Nicholls Spinal Injury Foundation.
Earlier this month, an online auction, which included riding breeches donated by model Katie Price and a signed Manchester United shirt, collected £11,000 for the charity.
"They're so close to a cure," she said. "And I know 100 per cent of the money is being used for research so I try to do everything I can to help.
"But it's hard sometimes finding new ways to raise money.
"It's a full time job for me - and I have to fit it around being a mum too."
Claire's next fund-raiser is Bucking Fun, which takes place on November 8 at the King Power Stadium.
The event pits eventers, showjumpers, huntsmen, vets and farriers against each other on a mechanical bucking bronco machine.
Lucinda Green, six-time Badminton Horse Trial winner, will be part of the eventers team, with Holly Gillet among the showjumpers.
Quorn Hunt master Joss Hanbury and huntsman Peter Collins, farrier Jonathan Allington and vet Neil Ashton will also be taking part.
Tickets cost £60 – including meal – and are available at:
The mother of a murdered young Leicester sports coach says she is struggling to sell tickets for the launch of a foundation she is setting up in her son's name.
Cheryl Armatrading is establishing AAA 4 Success to honour Antoin Akpom who was stabbed to death in Highfields last September.
Cheryl wants the foundation help young people in Leicester reach their full potential in education and employment and intends to launch it with an awards ceremony for youngsters at the Peepul Centre in Belgrave on November 1.
However she says ticket sales are slow meaning she may not be able cover the £4,000 cost of staging the launch.
She is hoping to sell 100 tickets for the black tie dinner at £40 each.
She said: "It's been a bit tough. I need to sell the tickets but If I can't I won't be able to do it.
"It would be a shame because I wanted it to be a special launch for a project which will look to carry on all the positivity and good work Antoin was doing before his life was so tragically cut short."
The 20-year-old father-of-one was a youth coach at Leicester Nirvana FC and ran a company, Strike 4 Success, which he set up with friend Joe French.
He was also a sports coach and mentor at Sparkenhoe Primary School, Highfields, and Whitehall Primary, Evington, where he ran Bouncing Breakfast exercise classes.
Antoin was also involved in anti-gun and knife crime initiatives through his involvement with the city's Black Future Development Trust.
Cheryl, who has put down a £500 deposit on the venue from her own savings, said: "Antoin's slogan was "Challenging Behaviours Changing Lives".
"He was able to mentor countless numbers of young people and actively campaigned in the community against violence.
"Antoin meant many things to many people he touched and inspired their lives.
"We are looking for support from the community to continue his legacy."
A number of artists including J Union, Ja Ja Soze and Noel de Souza have been lined up to perform on the night.
On October 25, at 2pm, a granite slab will be laid in tribute of Antoin on Sussex Street where he fell after being stabbed. A plaque presented on the anniversary of his death will be placed in Sparkenhoe School.
Hussain Hussain (19), of no fixed address, was convicted of murdering Antoin and was sentenced to 22 years in prison.
If you would like tickets to the launch email aa4success@live.com
10th October was World Mental Health Day. As an MP many of the cases I deal with involve supporting someone with mental ill health. Although people may come and see me about a housing issue or a debt or benefits problem often poor mental health is one of the root causes of the concern they have. Because of my interest in mental health I am also often asked to help when a patient or their family is struggling to obtain the right care or support.
It was good to hear mental health being discussed on BBC Radio Leicester this week and I welcome the fact that it is being discussed more openly now. However, the stigma remains and I know just how hard it is to talk about specific problems, particularly in a workplace. I am very pleased that the Department for Education is the latest Government department to sign up to the excellent Time to Change campaign.
I am also very aware that mental health problems can first occur when someone is very young. Prevention really is better than cure and I want our education system to be responsive to pupils and students mental health and wellbeing needs. That is why I have asked one of my Ministers, Sam Gyimah, to have specific responsibility for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services from an education perspective. And why I believe it is important that everyone involved in education is focused not only on high academic standards but also the character development which prepares our young people for life in modern Britain.
I welcome the pledge on waiting times for mental health treatment which Nick Clegg made this week. This Government has legislated for mental health to be given parity of esteem with physical health in our National Health Service. However, there is a long way to go to achieve that and I will continue to work to see mental health given equal priority and attention right across Government.
Parliament will be sitting on Monday after the recess for the Scottish referendum and the party conferences, apart from the one day MPs were recalled to debate the terrible situation in Iraq and the fight against ISIS. I strongly suspect that for most people they noticed the referendum more than the party conferences. So, in short, what do we know at the end of the conferences?
We know that Ed Miliband prefers to duck the difficult issues like the deficit and immigration by forgetting to talk about them in his speech. We know that David Cameron and the Conservative Party have a clear plan for Britain which includes enabling people to keep more of the money they earn. We know that UKIP have no plans other than not caring that a vote for them will help Ed Miliband to become Prime Minister and we know that the Lib Dems have shown why another coalition government is not in Britain's best interests.
Finally, I would like to send my very best wishes to everyone involved in the switching on of the Diwali lights this weekend. I know the Loughborough celebrations will be excellent as always and that Leicester's will be world class.
When Julie Clapham's son, Charlie, landed the role of Freddie Roscoe in Hollyoaks, it was obvious it would change his life. But she never really considered that it might change hers as well.
Freddie, who has been on primetime TV for well over a year now, has become one of the soap's most popular characters, thanks to storylines including a will-they, won't-they affair with his brother's girlfriend, a kidnapping and the whodunnit shooting of his drug dealing, murdering and all-round bad guy stepfather, for which he was later revealed as the killer.
So when the fan mail started coming, not long after his first appearance on screen, it wasn't completely unexpected.
It started with a letter, sent to Charlie's agent and then forwarded to his family, from a young girl in Ireland. She wrote to say she suffered from anxiety and that watching Freddie deal with his problems helped her cope. The second came from the mother of twins who had autism, who said there was something about Freddie that made their faces light up when he appeared on screen.
The letters from girls with crushes also poured in. But the majority were, and still are, from people who say Freddie has helped them in some way.
With Charlie often working on set from 7am to 9pm, he simply hasn't got time to reply to them all himself. But Julie, who lives in Humberstone, Leicester, has taken it upon herself to make sure every single one gets a response.
"When he first started, I remember that first letter. The girl said she focused on the character of Freddie and that it made her more positive,'' says Julie. She said it was because he was not a bad guy, really, and that he always managed to pull through any situation.
"After that, Charlie told me they would keep letters for the cast at Lime Pictures (where Hollyoaks is filmed, in Liverpool). I went up one weekend and there was a massive box for Charlie, full with about 800 letters. I was expecting about 50, at the most.
"I took it home with me and I took a weekend to open every letter and read every single story and some of them were just heartbreaking. There were some that really touched me. It's a strange world out there. People are willing to share so much with their idols, even things they've never told anyone else."
As Freddie's popularity grows, the higher the pile of post every morning.
Now, Julie reads and replies to about 600 letters a month, going through them all at Kazbah, the tattoo and piercing shop she runs with her husband, Martin, in the city centre.
"We actually now employ someone to help as it just became too much for one person, that's how many we get," she says. "We've made him a space upstairs, above the shop, and he does 18 hours a week. We open all the mail and see what kind of letter it is, and we have different letters that Charlie has written to send back.
"If it's a girl asking for a signed picture, we send a signed picture with a copy of a letter from Charlie. If the person needs a bit more help, we'll respond differently. Charlie wants it to be done properly, he doesn't like the idea of letters being left unopened.
"Not all are asking for signed pictures. Some people just want him to know how much they love him and the show. Some people ask for advice on acting.
"Charlie was chubbier when he was younger and a lot of his fans know that, and that he lost a lot of weight. Some fans ask about that, and ask for help about being bullied. It's become a sort of agony aunt thing.
And they come from all over the world. Last week, I think we sent 18 replies to America, because Hollyoaks is on a subscription channel over there. It's gone crazy."
Julie says the support from fans is very important to Charlie, who remembers what it was like worshipping his own idols growing up.
"People have a choice and they choose to follow Charlie and be a fan. We want to be able to say thank you, we don't want to ignore anyone.
"I know it's hard for the actors themselves. Charlie does such long days. I'm sure it can happen that some might take fans for granted. But to some of these fans, it's a lot bigger than a TV show. They see the characters as their friends, their allies. These kids, they really relate to what's happening on the show.
"Charlie gives them as much time as he can. The way we see it is that you need all the help you can get in life to get anywhere and if we can help then we're more than willing.
"We keep a record of everyone we've sent letters and pics to, we've got a database. And when a new picture or something comes out, I put it up on Twitter to see if people want one sending."
Charlie will now often receive free gifts, from companies maybe hoping for a tweet (he has more than 140,000 Twitter followers) or Instagram picture to promote their brand.
Most of these are now being sent to fans.
"Well, Charlie doesn't really need most of it," says Julie. "We always say thank you, but it's nice to give them to others. And they really appreciate it.
"Fans send him gifts as well, but obviously we keep those. You know those little plastic bracelets? Loom bands? We had more than 100 in two weeks. He gets teddy bears, T-shirts, underwear – men's underwear, for him, as a present – and bottles of vodka. For his birthday, we had 14 cakes brought to the shop.
"Someone actually asked what he did with his hair when he has it cut. But we're not sending hair out."
It's strange, says Julie, thinking of her son as a celebrity, a heartthrob for thousands of teenage girls.
"He's got groups of Twitter followers who will support him wherever he goes. We've got people who just come outside the shop to get pictures with the sign, even when Charlie's not there. They just want a picture of Charlie's shop.
"He did a personal appearance recently and me and his dad went with him and it was just crazy. We couldn't get out of the car as there were screaming girls all around. It's a wonder his hand hasn't fallen off because of all the signing he's done."
Charlie, who is very close to his parents, comes back to Leicester all the time to see friends and help out in the shop.
"He loves coming back, he always gets such an amazing response," says Julie. "He'll often get: 'Hey, Freddie! Why did you kill Fraser?'
"We were in Tesco a couple of weeks ago and a little old woman said to him: 'I love you Freddie, but you're turning into such a naughty boy.'
"He's made such amazing friends up in Liverpool but he comes home all the time. We've got a pretty big family in Kazbah. I love every minute of all of this and I'm so proud of him. "I think back to when he was about seven and saying he wanted to be an actor and now he's doing it, the job he always wanted to do."
Info: Watch Charlie in Hollyoaks, weekdays at 6.30pm on Channel 4.
Security, safety, access to justice… These are all things we have come to expect of our police force. They do an excellent job at keeping citizens safe, preventing crime, and bringing people to justice.
They provide us with security, and I've found in Leicester that they're very good at making their presence felt through effective, consensual neighbourhood policing.
But police forces across the country are facing huge cuts under this Tory - Liberal Government.
Already, the cuts to policing have resulted in the loss of over 15,000 officers at a national level. As a result, we are seeing disturbing increases in serious crime – and, worryingly, more criminals getting away with it.
Ministry of Justice figures show that recorded violent crime increased from 607,616 in 2012 to 614,464 in 2013. In the space of just one year, that's an increase in almost 7,000 instances of violent crime.
However, the number of people prosecuted went down from 207,920 to 197,136, and convictions went down from 141,527 to 134,420. Imagine that. In one year alone violent crime increased by nearly 7,000, but convictions for these crimes actually decreased by over that amount.
These cuts to policing represent a wider concern with how this Tory-led Government is reducing ordinary people's access to justice. The drastic cuts to legal aid, the closure of Citizens Advice Bureaus, and the wider cuts to policing mean that if you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of crime, it's becoming harder than ever to get justice.
A lot of this may seem abstract, but let me try and bring some local perspective to this.
In Leicestershire, we lost 258 police officers in the first three years of this Government. That's a loss of 11% of our local police. We've also cuts to support staff and of course increased burdens on support staff.
Incidentally, this loss of 258 officers is actually more than what the Government projected. For Leicestershire, Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary projected a cut of 243 officers, meaning the real life situation affecting us here in Leicestershire is actually worse than what the Government projected.
Strong neighbourhood policing is a credit to Leicestershire Police who have worked so hard to build up but I'll be watching carefully to make sure the cuts don't undermine neighbourhood policing. Not least because in a survey I recently conducted in Eyres Monsell, over 90% of respondents wanted more police on the streets.
Residents are also concerned that the new Leicestershire Policing Model to be introduced may see the closure of Welford Road local policing unit. This police station houses the beat officers for Saffron Lane, Knighton, Aylestone and Eyres Monsell where people want more, not fewer, bobbies on the beat.
Along with the local councillors for these areas, I have written to the Police and Crime Commissioner to seek reassurances about the future of Welford Road Station and that any changes will not adversely affect the level of policing in the areas. I of course understand that Leicestershire Police have to find savings and make cuts, but if you have strong views about the future of Welford Road police station please let me know.
Halloween is definitely on its way after Nasa released this 'spooky' image of the Sun looking rather like a giant pumpkin.
The picture was taken on October 8, and uses two different images blended together to give this atmospheric jack-o-lantern effect.
It show a number of illuminated regions which are solar storms and flares on the surface of the star.
A spokesman for Nasa said: "The active regions appear brighter because those are areas that emit more light and energy — markers of an intense and complex set of magnetic fields hovering in the sun's atmosphere, the corona."
A landlord who put his tenants' lives at risks by ignoring fire safety regulations has been jailed for eight months.
Haresh Rambhai Patel's two adjoining properties in Evington Street, Highfields, Leicester, caught fire in the early hours of May 8 last year. (2013)
Firefighters had to rescue three residents from the smoke-logged three-storey building, where no proper fire safety measures were in place.
Patel (57) had ignored safety warnings and advice given a year before the blaze.
At Leicester Crown Court yesterday, Judge Robert Brown told him: "You offered rented accommodation in your properties and were well aware of the obligations as a landlord to protect the health and safety of your tenants – or you should have been.
"These offences show you failed in virtually every aspect of fire safety in relation to 9-11 Evington Street.
"You failed to prioritise your obligations as a landlord, whilst taking the rent."
He added: "You'd been warned about fire safety by the council at these same properties and didn't heed those warnings or take any measures to comply with fire safety regulations."
The judge said other tenants later complained about lack of fire safety measures at another property Patel was renting out, in Gopsall Street, Highfields. He said the complaints showed Patel "learnt little from the Evington Street fire".
Judge Brown said: "I take into account your age, previous good character and remorse.
"I'm told that you've now learnt your lesson."
Patel, formerly of Southernhay Road, Stoneygate, Leicester, has 16 other rental properties in a £2.5 million property portfolio.
He pleaded guilty to seven offences under the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 during an earlier hearing at Leicester Crown Court.
Naomi Gilchrist, prosecuting for the county's fire service, said the Evington Street properties housed 11 separate flats and bedsits, and at the time of the fire there were nine occupants.
There were no working smoke alarms or emergency lights, the fire exits were blocked, there were combustible obstacles such as furniture in corridors, fire doors were either missing, left open or jammed and a fire extinguisher in the hall had not been inspected for 25 years.
Miss Gilchrist said: "The fire broke out at 3.40 am and upon arrival the firefighters saw smoke coming from the first and second floor windows."
One of the tenants was hammering on a first floor window and was rescued by firefighters.
They rescued two residents on the ground floor, and three other tenants escaped out of the back of the building.
Ms Gilchrist said: "There was an abject failure on the part of the defendant to address the question of fire safety.
"There was no risk assessment, no evacuation strategy and the alarm system wasn't working.
"He carried out no checks. He did not have licences to run multiple-occupation houses and because he had no licences he wasn't on the fire safety register and received no official fire safety visits."
The court was told Patel was fined £38,000 by magistrates earlier this year following a separate city council prosecution, for failing to have the necessary licences to run his business at Evington Street and Gopsall Street.
At yesterday's hearing, Patel was ordered to pay £13,704 prosecution costs.
John Snell, mitigating, said: "He accepts he defied or ignored earlier warnings.
"He's since spent £36,000 on fire safety measures and fire safety certificates have been obtained.
"He's now taking his responsibilities more seriously."
At an earlier hearing, Judge Brown asked to see the defendant's business accounts, but was told only the 2010-2011 figures were available – and that Patel had not filed his accounts with the Inland Revenue since then.
After the hearing, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service head of community safety Andrew Brodie said the case showed a "shocking lack of regard" for the residents.
He added: "This sentence sends a very strong message to the owners and managers of similar premises regarding their legal responsibilities, and the likely result of ignoring them."
Landlords or other relevant people who would like to attend a seminar on fire safety obligations should call Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service on 0116 2872241 or e-mail rist@lfrs.org.
Leicester City return to Premier League action on Saturday as they travel to struggling Newcastle.
Nigel Pearson's men will be looking to put the disappointment of Burnley's 96th-minute equaliser behind them at St James' Park.
The pressure continues to mount of Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, whose side sit inside the relegation zone and are still without a win in the Premier League this season.
If you can't get to the match, we will be covering the game live with text commentary from St James' Park right here.
Sports reporter James Sharpe will be providing details of the action and analysis of the game.
You can put your questions, views and comments to James during the game using the interactive link on the match commentary or you can tweet him @TheSharpeEnd.
The action will start at 2.45pm with the announcement of the teams and the pre-match build-up.
Live Blog Newcastle v Leicester City - Premier League LIVE!
More than 20 businesses are currently in talks about investing in Leicester, it has been revealed.
City council officials say they are in discussions with a range of firms, including manufacturers and textile and training companies.
The success is thanks to a newly-created inward investment department, as well as the council's strong presence at the Mipim international property show in Cannes earlier this year.
The city will aim to attract further business interest at a three-day Mipim event in London this week.
Helen Donnellan, the council's head of inward investment, said: "We have a really healthy pipeline and a number of enquiries are in advanced negotiations.
"Every one of the enquiries would potentially bring significant employment into the city."
The 20-plus companies are on top of the three well-known businesses the council is speaking to about creating more than 1,000 jobs in the city, as reported by the Mercury two weeks ago.
Property owners and commercial agents in the city said they had seen a surge in enquiries in recent months.
James Boyle, of Infrastructure Investments, which owns St George's Tower – widely known as the Blue Tower – said: "We have had a number of very interested parties from both inside and outside Leicester.
"We have had his serious interest before we have even properly started marketing the tower. It's clear the momentum has been developed by the city council and commercial agents."
Mr Boyle's business bought the 22-storey tower earlier this year and has recently attracted international study centre Study Group to the site. It is still looking for occupiers for 130,000 sq ft of space.
Jane Taylor, head of office space at commercial agency Lambert Smith Hampton in Leicester, said: "It certainly seems that Leicester has come onto the map more for regional investment enquiries. A lot of it is down to the new inward investment team at the city council. I think Mipim helped and I think London Mipim will help too.
"People are beginning to recognise that Leicester has a lot going for it in terms of strategic positioning, a good labour pool, its two universities and its proximity to London via a very accessible train station."
A delegation from the city and county, which will include Ms Donnellan and city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, will be showcasing investment opportunities in the area at the first-ever Mipim property conference to be held in London this week. The event, which is due to be attended by more than 20 major cities and regions, will take place from tomorrow (WED) until Friday at London's Olympia.
The joint city and county delegation which attended Mipim in Cannes in March attracted interest from 90 businesses.
Ms Donnellan, who became the city council's first-ever head of inward investment in January, said: "The interest in Leicester has been sparked by marketing the city in a way that hasn't been done before, with Mipim playing a key part in that."
She said firms were also attracted to the city because of its "excellent skill base", number of young people, high business confidence, good export numbers and relatively low cost of locating to Leicester compared to other cities.
A comedian who has won millions of fans for his online films has teamed up with police to produce a film warning about the dangers of Islamic extremism.
Humza Arshad, whose Diary of a Badman video series on YouTube has gained more than 40 million hits, has teamed up with police to produce a 15 minute film to warn young British Muslims of the dangers of being groomed by extremist ideology.
The film, which is called 'Think for Yourself', was shown for the first time in the country to a group of students at Leicester's Crown Hills Community College yesterday.
The collaboration with the comedian and actor was the idea of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, (EMSOU), Prevent team.
The unit is made up of officers from the five East Midlands forces and tackles serious crime and terrorism.
Londoner Humza, 29, told the Leicester Mercury: "The police approached me and asked me if I would like to help them.
"They had watched some of my films and had seen that they were funny but often had a positive message in them.
"Hopefully, the film will catch the younger generation's attention and make them aware of some of these issues.
"Hopefully, they will feel more of a connection with me as a public figure.
"There are a lot of websites, social media and chat groups which can brainwash young people into getting closer to extremism.
"I feel I have a duty to speak out, not just as a public figure but also as a Muslim and a British citizen."
Pc Rizwaan Chothia, of the EMSOU Prevent team and co-ordinator of the project, said: "The internet is a fantastic thing but ultimately there are a lot of negative messages out there too.
"We are removing a lot of extremist material from the internet every year but ultimately that is only part of this.
"Humza was the perfect choice because he has a real credibility, especially with young people.
"The film is part of a one-hour lesson. The students can watch the 15-minute film and then discuss the issues it raises.
"Hopefully, this will be rolled out across the country."
The project has been supported and funded by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
New signing Tommy Bell made an impressive start to life at his new club with all 13 points in Leicester Tigers 13-0 A League victory over Sale Jets last night.
The 21-year-old, signed from Jersey last week, scored a try, kicked the conversion and added two more penalties to help Tigers Development squad bag a first win of the season.
Bell was playing at full-back against one of his former clubs.
Winger Adam Thompstone got his first game time off the bench after recovering from a hand injury that has kept him out all season.
There was more valuable game time for props Tom Bristow and Riccardo Brugnara, while Georgian flanker, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili got another run out.
The Apprentice is returning to our screens tonight and there are two Leicestershire candidates that you need to look out for.
Robert Goodwin and Lindsay Booth are among 20 hopefuls who will be competing for the chance to become Lord Sugar's next apprentice.
The Mercury has put together a fact file on both candidates with all the information you need before tonight's show.*
First up, is 25-year-old Robert Goodwin, a former Dixie Grammar School student.
Currently lives: London
Current job: Marketing Manager
First job: Robert's first job was at the age of 15, working in his uncle's art shop.
Worst business skill: Getting up late for work and getting bored easily - if he doesn't like a job after a year, he will move on.
Worst personal qualities: Can be quite disorganised and can be quite direct, which can sometimes come across as rude.
Three words to describe himself: "Fearless, ambitious and lucky"
Best audition tape quote: "My absolute nightmare is settling down on £50,000 a year, with a four-year-old Toyota, in some village in the middle of nowhere."
Tips on succeeding in the business industry: Be confident but not overly-confident and have an ego but don't have an 'ego-overdrive'.
The second hopeful from the county is 30-year-old swimming teacher, Lindsay Booth.
Currently lives: Leicestershire
Current job: Owner of her own swimming teaching business
First job: Swimming teacher
Best business skill: Ability to listen and recall important information
What angers her most: Chauvinistic men and women being dismissed before being able to get their point across.
Why should she win: "I believe Lord Sugar wants me as his business partner because I have the drive and determination and the ambition that he once had years ago when he first started out."
Best audition tape quote: "I have fire inside of me that keeps me going and I will never go out."
The first episode of this series will be shown tonight at 9pm on BBC1.
*All facts taken from BBC website.
Do you think either of these have got what it takes to become Lord Sugar's next apprentice? Let us know by tweeting us: @Leicester_Merc or by commenting on this story.
The ceremonial route that the remains of King Richard III will take as he is transported from the University of Leicester to St Martin's cathedral before his reinterment has been announced today.
The remains of the king have been held securely at the university following their discovery under a car park in Leicester in August 2012.
On Sunday, March 22, 2015, a hearse will leave the university during the late morning and travel to Fenn Lane Farm, reputedly the site of King Richard's death, before moving on to nearby village parish churches of Dadlington and Sutton Cheney.
The cortege will visit Dadlington as some of the battle-dead are buried in the churchyard of St James' the Greater.
Sutton Cheney has been chosen because it is believed that King Richard took his final mass at St James' church on the eve of the battle.
The Bishop of Leicester, the Rt Revd Tim Stevens, will then lead a short ceremony at the Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre in the early afternoon.
The cortege will then go on to Market Bosworth, Newbold Verdon and Desford as it makes its way back to Leicester.
A spokesman for the Leicester Cathedral Quarter Partnership Board said: "We are now working closely with partners in the district and the parishes to plan the detail of how the passing of the cortege will be marked."
The king's mortal remains will re-enter the city in mid-afternoon at Bow Bridge, where they will be greeted by the City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, and the Lord Mayor Councillor John Thomas.
A horse-drawn hearse will then be used to complete the final section of the king's journey from Bow Bridge through the city centre to the cathedral, where the Dean of Leicester, the Very Revd David Monteith, will meet the coffin just before 6pm.
Dr Richard Buckley, lead archaeologist in the hunt for Richard's remains, will then formally pass of the Ministry of Justice licence - granted to the university for the remains of the king - to the Dean of Leicester.
At that point, the responsibility for the king passes from the university to the church.
King Richard's coffin will be carried into the cathedral for an evening service of Compline, at which the Catholic Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, will preach the sermon.
King Richard's remains will lie in repose within the cathedral on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, during which time members of the public will be invited to visit the cathedral to pray and pay their respects.
The re-burial service will take place on Thursday March 26.
Provisional timetable for the day
12.00 Departure from University of Leicester
Pausing at: Fenn Lane Farm, Dadlington, Sutton Cheney churches 14.00 Short ceremony Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre
Departure via through Market Bosworth, Newbold Verdon and Desford.
16.00 Bow Bridge event
17.45 Arrival at Leicester Cathedral 18.00 Evening worship (Compline)
Other Events during the week
Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th: The mortal remains of King Richard III will lie in repose in Leicester Cathedral. The public are welcome to come pray and pay their respects during daylight hours.
Monday 23rd March: Cardinal Nichols will celebrate Mass for the repose of the soul (a 'Requiem Mass') for Richard III in Holy Cross Church, the Catholic parish church and Dominican priory in Leicester city centre. The Choir from St Barnabas' Cathedral, the Cathedral of the Diocese of Nottingham, will sing at this Mass, which will be open to the public.
Thursday 26th March: The mortal remains of Richard III will be re-interred in Leicester Cathedral, with an invited congregation and in the presence of the Most Rt Revd Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, senior clergy, other Christian denominations and representatives of the World Faiths.
Friday 27th March: People from across the city of Leicester and the county of Leicestershire will be invited to gather in the Cathedral to see the tomb revealed and celebrate the future.
Leicestershire CCC pace bowler Charlie Shreck has signed a new one-year contract at Grace Road.
Shreck, who joined County at the beginning of the year, was the club's top wicket-taker across all forms in 2014, with 57, and will remain part of the Grace Road attack for the 2015 season.
Interim chief executive Andrew Boyce was pleased to have secured the 36-year-old's services for another year.
"We are pleased that Charlie has decided to sign a new contract," Boyce said. "He has been a very good signing for us with his performances on the field and his contribution off the field."
"With Charlie and [new signing, Australian seamer] Clint McKay, we now have an experienced frontline attack who we believe will produce key performances on the field as well as help guide the younger bowlers at the club.
"Charlie has been a consistent performer for Leicestershire in all three competitions. He has bowled a lot of overs for us in the Championship and also bowled well in white ball cricket. He is a big character in the dressing room.
"Charlie's competitive nature on the field was good for the team and he also provided some more than useful runs in his entertaining fashion, including an excellent 50 at Surrey."
Shreck is the fourth County player to sign a contract extension with the club in the post-season, following in the footsteps of Ned Eckersley, Matthew Boyce and Ollie Freckingham.
But, County have seen Josh Cobb, Shiv Thakor, Nathan Buck and Greg Smith turn down new deals to move away from Grace Road.
