A drunken man who attacked his partner, and struck her with a wine glass in front of her child, was jailed for two years.

Jake Stephens admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm upon the victim, who suffered a cut arm needing six stitches.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Stephens, 26, had earlier argued with the victim at a farm park and later in a public house.

When they got to her home in Kings Road, Oakham, the row blew up again.

Ben Gow, prosecuting, said: "He left the house, but then returned and became violent and threatening towards her in front of her three-year-old daughter, from a previous relationship.

Stephens, of Field Avenue, Canterbury, and formerly of William Dalby Walk, Oakham, began punching her limbs and threw furniture and ornaments around the room, on August 9.

Mr Gow said: "He threw a phone charger at her and smashed up his own mobile phone.

"She tried to calm things by going to bed but he followed her and pinned her down on the bed with his hands around her throat.

"He started strangling her and then punched her head and face, whilst screaming he was going to kill her.

"She was concerned by his threats.

"He hit her on the head with a wine glass that had been on a bedside table."

The stem and base broke and somehow her left arm was cut.

Mr Gow said: "She felt blood running down her arm.

"Her daughter started crying and the complainant begged the defendant to get off her and leave.

"He rang for an ambulance but told her 'Don't grass me up.' "

The victim, 28, was taken to hospital having suffered a one-inch cut to her arm, which has left "a significant scar."

Mr Gow said: "She's considerably sensitive about the scar and has been considering plastic surgery."

Mr Gow added: "She's struggling emotionally to come to terms with what happened in front of her daughter."

Sentencing, Recorder Jason MacAdam said: "This was a prolonged attack."

He said there had been previous difficulties between the couple, which caused the police to attend, although it did not result in action being taken.

The recorder said: "The victim was a vulnerable female in her home and there was a child present.

"You recognise the link between your offending and drinking."

He imposed a five year restraining order banning the defendant from contacting the complainant.

James Varley, mitigating, said Stephens has been addressing his drinking issues whilst on remand in custody.

He said: "On the spur of the moment he picked the wine glass up and didn't deliberately cut her arm."

He described the defendant as a hard-working man who was a "devoted father" to his two children from a previous relationship.

Mr Varley said: "He threw a tantrum on that day and even smashed up his own telephone.

"He understands that his volatile temper and drink don't mix."  

Marks & Spencer has admitted that problems at its giant Leicestershire warehouse has led to customers suffering delays to their online orders.

The high street stalwart said a four-day period last month, which included "Black Friday" and "Cyber Monday", had proved very popular and prompted it to extend delivery times.

M&S's 900,000 sq ft warehouse in Castle Donington, which opened in May 2013, has been blamed for causing the problems.

A number of customers used M&S's Facebook page to complain, with one directly addressing chief executive Marc Bolland over a Christmas bauble order.

She said she was £100 out of pocket after taking time off work to await the delivery which was delayed by 48 hours despite her having paid extra for a specified date.

"I've two very disappointed small children who cannot wait to put up the tree.

"I'm forced to air my feelings as I am a lifelong M&S shopper. I would normally spend upwards of £500 over the Christmas period on presents, decorations, food and other things.

"I think I'm off to Aldi now on my day off. They don't do delivery, but neither do you."

M&S has struggled to get its new website up to speed since it was launched in February, blaming teething problems including issues with customer registration and navigation for a slump in sales in the first quarter.

Online sales were also down in the second quarter but not as badly as the previous period and M&S said last month they were on an improving trend and "on track to return to growth ahead of our peak trading period".

A spokesman said: "Our customer is always our top priority and that is why we've extended some of our delivery options.

"The vast majority of orders are delivered on time. If we do miss a delivery date, we will do all we can to rectify it for the customer."

Youngsters from six schools across the county picked up a special award yesterday for their outstanding work with school meals and food education.

Pupils, teachers, caterers and special guests enjoyed a day of celebration at an enchanting Narnia themed event at Thurlaston Country Park, located on a working farm, where they shared local food and games as winners of the Food for Life Partnership.

They are: St Cuthbert's, in Great Glen; Gilmorton Chandler, near Lutterworth; Newcroft Primary, Loughborough; Lubenham All Saints Primary; and Eastfield Primary and Church Hill Infants; in Thurmaston.

The event was a joint celebration with Leicestershire Healthy Schools with the schools also receiving Enhanced Healthy School Status.

Eastfield Primary school has its own working farm where youngsters grow produce including fruit and vegetables, as well as free range pork and eggs.

Head teacher William Griffiths said: "We've held French breakfasts and cake breaks, as well as cooked for the community.

"Our school farm means that we're always growing our own produce and the children get to spend a lot of time outdoors.

"They learn about where food comes from and it means we're educating not just the mind, but their body and soul as well. We look at the whole child and that means they learn how to look after themselves, how to stay healthy and be physically fit.

"They also learn about ethical issues such as animal welfare.

"We're really pleased to have won this award. It's a great reflection of all the work we're doing here and we're very proud to have received it."

Councillor Ernie White, lead member for Health at Leicestershire County Council, said: "These awards reflect a lot of hard work and it's great to see really good work in so many schools being recognised. Food for Life Partnership and the Catering Service are working with Public Health to transform school culture by getting pupils and teachers involved in growing and cooking food, setting up school farmers markets and improving the quality of meals and the food experience."

Schools have been supported by the council's School Food Support Service (SFSS), which was recently awarded the Soil Association's prestigious Food for Life Silver Catering Mark award; testament to its commitment to providing healthy and nutritious meals. Wendy Philp, head of service at the SFSS, said: "We're delighted to have achieved the Food for Life Silver Catering Mark and to see first-hand how it supports our schools to achieve their awards. We are very passionate about the food we serve and the work we are doing with our schools".

The Food for Life Partnership has been funded by Leicestershire County Council Public Health since December 2013 to transform food culture across the county by developing key life skills among teachers and pupils. More than 90 schools have engaged and are delivering the curriculum through growing, cooking and links with local working farms.

From early in 2015, the Food for Life Partnership will extend to Early Years settings, to establish good eating habits at an early age. Food for Life Partnership is cited as an example of good practice in last year's national School Food Plan. As a result, the programme is being funded by the Department for Education to support one 1,000 junior and secondary schools to increase school meal take up and to provide a 'What Works Well' visit for schools implementing universal infant free school meals. 

A man from Leicester has been killed in a pile-up that closed the M25 motorway today.

The crash involved four lorries and a car and Essex police said the deceased man, who was 39, was pronounced dead at the scene and taken to the mortuary Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow, Essex. He has not been named.

Four other people remain in hospital receiving treatment for injuries which are not believed to be serious.

The M25 currently remains shut between junctions 25 and 27 while clean up and repair work to the central reservation continue.

Essex Police said: "All three emergency services were called to the scene of the collision between junctions 26 and 27 of the M25 just after 1.50am following reports of a multiple collision.

"The collision involved a number of lorries and several vehicles which had gone through the central reservation and come to rest on the opposite carriageway.

"One person has been confirmed deceased and three other people have been taken to hospital for treatment to injuries which at this time are not believed to be life threatening.

"There is debris across both sides of the M25 and the motorway will be closed for the foreseeable future while we deal with this collision and begin our investigations to establish what has happened.

"If it is at all possible motorists are advised to avoid the area and find alternative routes.

"Nothing will be moving around this portion of the M25 for some considerable time."

A "near-lifeless ditch" has been transformed into a habitat that will benefit insects, birds and mammals.

The University of Leicester and the Welland Rivers Trust (WRT) have worked together on an environmental project to restore the natural beauty of the River Welland in Market Harborough.

Professor David Harper, from the University of Leicester and lead scientist on the project, said: "The Welland is a beautiful river in those very few places that were not destroyed by river engineers in the 1960s.

"They turned 95 per cent of our lowland English rivers into monotonous, lifeless ditches merely for water carriage.

"The trust is immensely proud to have been able to turn 1.8 kilometres of near-lifeless ditch into a living river ecosystem again for people to enjoy once more, as their grandparents did."

The project has removed six weirs and created berms - which are strips of land that border rivers.

Pools were also dug and riffles were created - which is where gravel is put in the shallow parts of the water.

Following this work, conditions are now good for a variety of different fish.

This will consequently benefit insects, birds, and mammals further up the food chain.

Birds such as wagtails, which used to be rarely seen through the town, have already been seen foraging along the river edges for flies.

Fish and eels are now also freer to move throughout the waterways of Market Harborough and a variety of deep spaces for fish to hide are available. There are also good spots for the aquatic creatures to spawn.

The work will also help to prevent species of plants from overgrowing and choking the channel.

Peter Barham, project manager, added: "The people and community groups of Market Harborough have been really active in contributing towards the transformation of the river through the town centre.

"We are proud to be associated with them. The district council supported our ideas and shared our vision throughout and the contractors who put our designs into reality were brilliant."

A public meeting will be held next Spring to discuss the restoration works and the WRT invites the community to attend and to give their opinions or pose any questions they may have about the restoration or the trust.

The WRT can be contacted on Facebook at www.facebook.com/WellandTrust or on Twitter @WellandTrust  

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Richard John Audoire (34), of Herle Avenue, Braunstone, pleaded guilty to causing £405 and £243 damage to two windows on February 8. He was ordered to pay £300 and £200 compensation.

Simranjit Singh (25), of Roseneath Avenue, Northfields, Leicester, pleaded guilty to driving in Marjorie Street, Belgrave, with 73mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal maximum is 35mcg. He was fined £110 with £85 costs and was disqualified from holding a driving licence for 20 months.

Tommy Neal Steggles (28), of Tatlow Road, Glenfield, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on October 26. He was given a community order, including an electronically-monitored two-month curfew and120 hours of unpaid work.

Elliott Peter Weston (28), of Saxondale Road, Wigston, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress to three people on October 25. He also admitted stealing wine from Mercers News, Wigston, and was fined £200 with a £20 victim surcharge.

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Liam James Vaux (19), of The Fieldway, Broughton Astley, pleaded guilty to driving without due care and attention on the B4114 junction, Broughton Road, Croft, on February 14. He was fined £160 with £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and his licence was endorsed with five points.

Michael James Tanner (28), of Strathern Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to exceeding 40mph on April 30 at the A50 Leicester Road, Groby. He was fined £85, with £50 costs, a £20 victim surcharge, with three points put on his licence.

Darshan Singh Shergill (25), of Stanfell Road, Knighton, pleaded guilty to assault by beating on October 17. He was given a community order including 80 hours unpaid work. Shergill was ordered to pay £50 compensation, £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Claire Louise Ball (40), of Windmill Close, Ravenstone, Coalville, pleaded guilty to exceeding 30mph at Standard Hill, Hugglescote, on June 13. She was fined £115, with £50 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and given three points.

Michelle Beeson (29), of Kenilworth Avenue, Loughborough, was proven guilty in absence of driving on the A6, Birstall, on April 16, with a passenger aged under 14 who was not wearing a seat belt. She was fined £200, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Alan Bell (36), of Dannett Street, Newfoundpool, was proven guilty in absence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving on Narborough Road, Leicester, on May 31. He was fined £200, with £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and his licence was endorsed with three points.

Gregory Peter Bentick (26), of Church Lane, Husbands Bosworth, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 30mph on the A594 Tigers Way, Leicester, on May 5. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Dhaval Bhatt (30), of Blakenhall Road, off Coleman Road, was proven guilty in absence of failing to comply with a red traffic light signal at St Georges Roundabout, St Georges Way, Leicester, on April 17. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points were put on his driving licence.

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Diana Sylvia Sheppard (69), of Leicester Road, Sapcote, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence at the junction of the B4669 Leicester Road and B4114 Coventry Road, Broughton Astley, on April 3. She was fined £35 with £45 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and three points were put on her driving licence.

Leam Anthony Scullion (23), of Marriott Road, Saffron Lane, was found guilty after denying assault by beating on May 30, while on a community order. He was committed to prison for 12 weeks, suspended for 18 months. Scullion was told to carry out 150 hours' unpaid work. A restraining order was made preventing him from contacting a named person. He was told to pay £100 costs and a £80 victim surcharge.

Varinder Singh (37), of Dudley Avenue, Thurnby Lodge, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle on Hungarton Boulevard, Leicester, on August 11 without third-party insurance.

He was fined £75 with £40 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and six points were put on his licence.

Cistinna Louise Skinner (20), of St Christophers Road, Ellistown, Coalville, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle at Flagstaff Island, Ashby, on May 4. She was fined £100 with £25 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and six points were put on her driving licence.

Mitchell Robert George Skinner (23), of Oxford Street, Syston, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle or trailer in Causeway Lane, Leicester, where the front near-side tyre had the ply or cord exposed. He was fined £50 with £25 costs, a £20 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

What a sad state the major sports teams of our city now find themselves in.

At the start of the century we were calling ourselves the sporting capital of Britain, now look at us – the only bright spot being the basketball team.

Leicestershire cricket team have been in decline for several years. Is it time to move out of Grace Road to somewhere with more pleasant surrounding and share facilities with a local amateur team?

Then we have Leicester City with Nigel Pearson in charge.

Who is he fooling when he claimed we would finish in the top five in a year's time?

Then we come to my sport, rugby, with Richard Cockerill in charge, and the Tigers playing a we'll-bore- everybody-to-death brand of rugby. Who would have thought that one day someone from Leicester would have to go to Northampton to see a game of decent rugby!

Pat Walker, Leicester.

The death of a woman suffering with acute pancreatitis after two operations were cancelled because she had head lice may not have been prevented even if surgery had gone ahead as planned, an inquest heard.

Mother of three Lindsay Swanson, of New Parks, Leicester, died of multiple organ failure in the high dependency unit of the city's General Hospital on June 6, last year.

The 34-year-old had been diagnosed with the life-threatening condition, caused by gallstones, on October 26, 2012.

But at a pre-operative assessment on February 20, last year, with surgery scheduled within six weeks, the operation was cancelled after the discovery of head lice, which increased the risk of infection, and a high heart rate.

A second operation to remove the gallstones was cancelled for similar reasons on March 20.

Consultant Giuseppe Garcea, a specialist in treating pancreatitis, gave evidence today, on the second day of an inquest at Leicester Town Hall.

He oversaw Ms Swanson's care after she was transferred to the General from Leicester Royal Infirmary, on May 3, where she had been admitted to A&E with severe abdominal pains on April 1.

The inquest earlier heard that 20 per cent of pancreatitis sufferers have the severe form which Ms Swanson had.

Mr Garcea said: "There is no specific cure for pancreatitis. Fifty per cent of patients with this severe form of the disease will die."

When asked if an operation in the October when Ms Swanson was diagnosed would have altered the eventual outcome, Mr Garcea replied: "No".

He said that in such severe cases, where the pancreas was so badly damaged, it was likely that the acute pancreatitis would have returned.

Ms Swanson's mother, who was in court, said: "Why wasn't the family told that Lindsay was in the 20 per cent bracket?

"No-one told us until right at the very end when she was in the high dependence unit."

Ms Swanson's multiple organ failure was caused by pancreatitis following a rapid deterioration in her condition in the final few weeks.

The inquest is expected to be concluded tomorrow.

Three men were involved in a Wild West-style bar brawl that sent women and children running for cover, a court heard.

The Sunday afternoon punch-up between Alan Carnell, Michael Dawkin and Geoff Luker, erupted at the Generous Briton pub, King Street, Melton.

"Sadly there wasn't much generosity when these three got together," said Judge Simon Hammond.

After being sentenced, all three shook hands in the dock to make amends.

Judge Simon Hammond said: "There were women and children in the pub and they must have been really frightened.

"When we go to the pub we don't expect to see something like a scene from the Wild West.

"It was a very distasteful incident in a public place with innocent bystanders. You're grown men who behaved like teenagers."

Ben Gow, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court the affray happened at 4.30pm on August 18 last year, when the three men were drinking in the Generous Briton.

Carnell had exchanged words with Luker a year earlier, and when they encountered each other in the pub Carnell challenged Luker about the earlier fall-out. As Luker, 37, went to leave, Carnell, 47, pushed him.

Mr Gow said: "Luker launched himself at Carnell, grabbing him in a head-lock and they went to the floor.

"Carnell's friend, Dawkin, became involved throwing punches at Luker, who ended up on his back with Carnell on top of him, throwing punches."

As Luker tried to get up another man joined the attack upon Luker, with punches and kicks.

CCTV footage of the fight was shown, including Carnell with blood from a cut on his head.

Luker left, but returned soon afterwards, wielding a chair leg above his head, which he struck Carnell with.

Carnell fended off blows with raised arms as women hastily moved children out the way.

Mr Gow said: "Children were between the legs of some of the defendants as this fight occurred. The men were grappling and Carnell knocked Luker backwards towards a gaming machine."

Dawkin, 36, picked up a chair at one stage and Carnell grabbed hold of Luker's T-shirt to stop him leaving, as another assailant joined in.

Luker was chased out the pub and sought refuge at the town's police station. All three pleaded guilty to affray.

Carnell, of Nottingham Road, Melton, and Dawkin, of West Avenue, Melton, both received eight-month jail sentences, suspended for 12 months. Luker, of Princess Drive, Melton, was given a 12-month community order, with supervision.

In mitigation, the court heard that Carnell and Dawkin initially thought Luker had reappeared armed with a sword, not a chair leg, and Dawkin grabbed a chair to fend him off.

The defendants accepted they used excessive self-defence when the situation went out of control.

All three were described as family men who all acted out of character and now felt "remorseful and ashamed."

Carnell was in the pub with his grandma, partner and their three children when the violence broke out. 

It's time to check those lottery numbers to see if you've won the EuroMillions.

The tempting jackpot of £17m would take a bit of spending but that is problem most of us would embrace. 

The EuroMillions draw for Tuesday, December 9, 2014 has been made.

The jackpot was expected to be £17 million.

The winning numbers are: 01 - 03 - 31 -42 - 46, and the Lucky Stars are: 04 - 11

Leicester City defender Paul Konchesky has had the red card he received during the defeat at Aston Villa rescinded.

City had been given until midday yesterday to appeal an expected three-match ban for violent conduct, following the 33-year-old's clash with Alan Hutton at Villa Park.

Events moved at such pace, however, that the FA confirmed there would be no case to answer.

This verdict came after a hearing by the Independent Regulatory Commission, which ruled that the red card was overturned and Konchesky would face no ban.

Konchesky appeared to say something to Hutton after being penalised for a tackle on the Villa man and Hutton jumped up confront the City defender.

The two pushed foreheads together before being parted but, while referee Craig Pawson showed Konchesky a red card, Hutton escaped with a booking.

Manager Nigel Pearson said after the Villa game they were initially given two conflicting explanations for Konchesky's dismissal and wanted to wait to see what was in referee's report before making a decision.

Pawson's report confirmed the card was for violent conduct, which brings a three-match ban and potentially ruled Konchesky out of the visit from Man City, the trip to West Ham United and the home clash with Tottenham on Boxing Day.

But he will now be free to play in all three.

With captain Wes Morgan returning from his one-game suspension following his red card against Liverpool and England defender Matt Upson stepping up his comeback from injury in the under-21s last night, Pearson could have his defence at full strength for the visit of the reigning Premier League champions.

City have gone 10 games without a victory and Pearson said his side must improve defensively after being punished for lapses at Villa Park.

Meanwhile, it has been reported that City are still in talks with Croatian side HNK Rijeka over signing in-demand striker Adrej Kramaric.

There were initial reports from Croatia stated that City had submitted an offer of between £7million and £8 million for the 23-year-old.

Further reports from Italy suggested that having accepted the offer, the player had rejected a move to City in favour of a switch to Juventus.

However, HNK Rijeka sports chief Ivan Mance is quoted as saying those reports are untrue. "We have not rejected a bid from Leicester," he said.

"Negotiations are ongoing and everything is still open.

"We are also talking with other clubs."

11.49am: No reports of any major incidents or congestion on city and county roads.

9.57am: Heavy traffic on the A60 Nottingham Road, in Loughborough, at the railway station.

9.54am: The A46 is clear now between Syston and Birstall - traffic is easing. 

8.36am: Area Traffic Control report an accident between a car and bike leaving Narborough, on the B4114 city bound, just before the Foxhunter roundabout. Delays building up.

8.30am: Congestion on the inner ring road, in Leicester, between the railway station and Humberstone roundabout.

8am: One lane blocked and very slow traffic on the A46 southbound at Birstall due to a breakdown at the A6 Loughborough Road junction. Queues back to the Hobby Horse island.  

7.44am: Traffic is busy but moving on the outer ring road in Glenhills Way, Aylestone, Leicester, between the Pork Pie roundabout and Lutterworth Road junction.

7.21am: Good Morning. No problems of delays on city and county roads so far.

For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:

MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.

LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.

NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE.

FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.

WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report for Leicester and Leicestershire

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

Outlook: Cold with squally, wintry showers. Strong winds or gales.

Today:

 A very cold feeling day with some sunny intervals and occasional squally, wintry showers these occasionally heavy over the Derbyshire hills with a covering of snow likely. Strong winds with gales in exposed areas and over hills. Maximum Temperature 6C.

Tonight: 

Continuing windy with further squally wintry showers giving lying snow over Derbyshire hills. Feeling very cold with a frost forming in places and risk of icy roads. Minimum Temperature 0C.

Tomorrow:

Wintry showers at first on Thursday with sunny spells. Winds will tend to ease through the day and temperatures recover a little. Heavy rain is expected overnight. Maximum Temperature 8C.

It has been revealed that prosecutors can launch an appeal against the jail sentence of Oscar Pistorius.

Prosecutors arguing that the Olympic and Paralymic star should be found guilty of murder rather than culpable homicide have been told they can launch an appeal, the Daily Star has reported.

The 28-year-old was jailed for five years in October for shooting and killing his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine's Day, 2013.

Pistorius insists he fired after mistaking Ms Steenkamp for an intruder while prosectors allege he killed his girlfriend after an argument.

The celebrity line-up for the next series of The Jump has been revealed.

Former The Only Way Is Essex star Joey Essex, Heather Mills - the ex-wife of Sir Paul McCartney - and Mike Tindall - the husband of Zara Phillips - are all among the 16 famous faces taking part in the Channel 4 show.

They will be joined by Gogglebox's Dom Parker, Made In Chelsea star Louise Thompson and Strictly Come Dancing dancer Ola Jordan.

Former X Factor finalist and I'm A Celebrity champion Stacey Solomon are also on the list, as well as Question Of Sport panelist Phil Tufnell and ex-Dancing On Ice judge Louis Spence.

Sally Bercow, the wife of the House of Commons speaker John Bercow, Jack Ass star Steve-O and JLS star JB Gill will also be taking to the slopes.

Completing the line-up is socialite Lady Victoria Hervey, Paralympian Jon-Allan Butterworth and heptathlete Louise Hazel.

The show involves the contestants competing against each in a whole host of winter sports, including slalom, ski cross and bobsleigh. First though, each of them will have to complete a skeleton run in the fastest time possible in a bid to qualify for the show.

The first series of show, which debuted on Channel 4 earlier this year to coincide with the Sochi Winter Olympics, was won by former X Factor champ Joe McElderry.

The start date for the series is yet to be confirmed.

If you missed it first time round, here are a couple of clips from series one:

Two businessmen from Leicester have partnered together to launch an après ski themed bar.

Alex Salter, of Homme and Co, in the High Street, and Ercan Dogan, of Café Bruxelles, have joined together to launch Après Lounge, which will be located in the former space of a fancy dress shop in the High Street.

The new late-night bar, which will be open from Thursdays to Saturdays, will have a capacity of 120 people.

It will open on Saturday, and will lead to nine part-time, casual jobs being created.

Alex said: "Ercan approached me and said he wanted to do something with the spot and I proposed having an après ski-themed bar as it would be something different on the High Street.

"A lot of my friends go on skiing holidays, and the first thing they look for are the good après ski bars.

"Après Lounge is going to be a premium bar in terms of the offers and the stock, and there will be different themes throughout the year to tie in with the season.

"In the winter, we will have things like frozen glasses, and in the summer, it will be a place where people can cool down."

Alex, Ercan and Tristan Duff, who has recently joined the team, are hoping the bar will help to boost the popularity of the High Street.

Alex said: "We wanted to bring something different to High Street, and so far, the reaction has been really good.

"The location is great, and we are really trying to push for the High Street to become known as the Royal Quarter."

It follows the news that high-end Leicester jewellers Lumbers will be relocating from its current spot in Market Street to the High Street next August.

Dominic Gomersall, managing director of Lumbers, said that the firm had decided to move because it would be "more secure" to be closer to the Highcross than the retailers in Market Street.

Coffee shop chain Coffee Republic is also set to return to Leicester on the High Street, near outdoor clothes shop Blacks, on Thursday.

It closed down earlier this year in Granby Street, and has since been replaced by Brü Coffee and Gelato.

Coffee Republic has already hired eight members of staff.

Richard Shakespeare, head of franchise at Coffee Republic, said: ''We are pleased to welcome this team to the Coffee Republic franchise estate."

Former Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons has cleared his debts with his old authority.

County Hall has been pursuing the ex-Tory politician for money he owed in relation to trips he made in its chauffeured limousine during his nine year leadership.

Earlier this year the council launched legal proceedings against Mr Parsons, now a UKIP parliamentary candidate for South Holland and The Deepings in Lincolnshire, to recover £1,500.

The sum was the remnant of the costsof 26 trips he made which were investigated by officials and deemed "not sufficiently connected" to his role as leader.

Officers found two more trips were deemed to be "inappropriate" for the use of the council chauffeur, because of the short distances involved.

Mr Parsons, who quit as UKIP's North West Leicestershire parliamentary candidate earlier this year, said the legal action was unnecessary.

Last week County Hall said he still owed £660 - £500 original debt, plus £160 court costs.

Today it confirmed he had paid it off the outstanding sum.