Residents have raised concerns about a proposal to move a post office from the centre of the village to an "inconvenient" location on the outskirts of the area.

The proposal is to move the Post Office in Leicester Road, Groby to a counter in Budgens supermarket, in Laundon Way, Groby.

Leigh Quilter, 28, of Groby, said: "It is a terrible shame. The current post office is right in the centre of the village - the older people rely on it.

"It will be moved to a part of the village that tends to be for younger families.

"If it goes through it will be a loss for Groby."

Hinckley and Bosworth borough and Groby parish Councillor Peter Batty and county Councillor Ozzy O'Shea said they have been inundated with calls and e-mails from residents who are unhappy about the proposals.

Councillor Peter Batty said: "Residents who have contacted me said there is a real danger of the heart being ripped out of the centre of our village - with first our library being threatened with closure and now our post office being replaced with a counter".

He said that the bus service does not serve the Budgens side of the village so it would be difficult to get to for some people.

Coun Batty added that a better alternative would be to move it to the village library which is under the threat of closure.

"This would allow both these valuable facilities to be retained in the centre of the village".

County Councillor Ozzy O'Shea said: "I think Coun Batty's suggestion makes a lot of sense and I will be discussing this as a proposal with the County Council as a matter of urgency.

"We are also in touch with Post Office Limited management trying to arrange a meeting to explore this proposal with them."

He added that he has not yet heard anyone saying that they support the proposal.

A Post Office spokesperson said: "The public consultation on the relocation of Groby Post Office will run until on January 21. We are encouraging customers to participate in this process, by sharing their views on the proposed new service.

"We will then carefully consider all of the feedback received during the consultation to ensure we make the right decision.

"Following a public consultation, we would usually expect to reach a decision in four to six weeks' time, though this can take longer depending on the amount of correspondence received, the issues raised and other circumstances around the service in question.

"When a decision is made, we will inform customers, local representatives and the media."

More than one of third of youngsters are overweight or obese when they leave city primary schools, according to a new report.

Latest figures show that 35.5 per cent of 3,521 of year six pupils weighed in the past year are heavier than they should be.

It an increase on last year's figure of just over 30 per cent.

But of equal concern to city health bosses is an increase in the number of children who are underweight.

Figures published by the Health and Social Care Information Centre show that in the past year three per cent of the 10 and 11-year-olds measured were underweight.

A further 2.4 per cent of the 4,070 reception children failed to tip the scales at a healthy weight.

Both figures are up on those recorded for the previous year.

Deputy mayor, Councillor Rory Palmer, said: "I am alarmed by the number of children in Leicester's schools who are underweight.

"We have recently seen a major national report highlighting the scandal of food poverty and increasing numbers of families struggling to afford food.

"The impact on children of not having enough to eat is extremely serious for their health and chance of achieving their potential at school."

Coun Palmer, who is also chairman of the city's health and well being board, added: "In Leicester people are visiting food banks and struggling to afford food because of delays in benefit decisions and because of the rising cost of living, this has to be addressed urgently by the government before more children are pushed into poverty."

A series of schemes are already in place in the city to help tackle the problem of overweight and obese children.

they include a family lifestyle club as well as community cook and eat courses provided through schools.

Coun Palmer said: "The high rates of children in Leicester who are obese and overweight is a significant concern for the council and health partners.

"We have put in place a range of programmes to encourage healthier eating and active lifestyles and we will continue to invest in these initiatives."

But he added: "I also want to see action from national government particularly around the levels of fats, salt and sugar in processed foods.

"I want kids in Leicester to have access to healthy and affordable food, we have set out measures in the city's Food Plan to help make this happen including supporting more local food growing schemes including at schools.

"We are also investing in cookery classes and a range of programmes to give children opportunities to take part in regular exercise."

Figures for Leicestershire show that 20.8 per cent of 6,944 reception children measured were overweight or obese.

In year six the figure was just over 30 per cent.

Coun Ernie White, Leicestershire County Council's cabinet member for health, said: "In almost all of the indicators, our figures are significantly lower than the national average.

"However, we won't become complacent and we'll continue to deliver our health and fitness programmes and services in the new year."

A police officer feared he would be shot dead when a man pointed a handgun at him before a 10-hour siege, a court heard.

The sergeant, who was also armed, later described how his heart raced and he felt a chill go down his spine, when Paul Ambler turned the weapon towards him.

The gun turned out to be a repeater air pistol capable of firing pellets.

The incident resulted in Beaconsfield Road, in Leicester's West End being sealed off and residents were ordered to stay in their homes throughout the operation, which began at 7.35pm on Friday November 29 last year.

Ambler, 33, was jailed for three years and nine months, after admitting possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.

Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: "The police went to your home and forced an entry looking for firearms taken in a burglary and you were a suspect.

"You remained upstairs and then emerged to wave or point an imitation firearm towards the police sergeant.

"Understandably he reacted as if the gun was real and he had no way of knowing whether the weapon was real or not.

"The police couldn't take the chance that it wasn't a lethal weapon.

"As it was the sergeant wasn't at risk of serious injury, but there was a siege and you sat in an upstairs room continuing to drink until the police were able to arrest you.

"It put you at risk and caused fear in others and it's serous because of all the unknowns involved and because very often cases like these end in tragedies.

"I'm told you've turned a corner since this and are demonstrating a determination to put your life in order.

"There's some genuine hope that you'll be able to avoid offending when you're released."

After being sentenced at Leicester Crown Court, Ambler said: "I still feel three years and nine months is very harsh."

"I've no doubt you do," replied Judge Dean.

Hal Ewing, prosecuting, said the defendant remained upstairs when armed police raided the house, near the junction with Fosse Road South.

He said: "Another man and a woman also in the house were allowed to leave.

"A police sergeant was near the front door when he shouted to the defendant who was at the top of the stairs telling them to go away.

"He saw the defendant's hand coming over the stair rail, holding a self-loading pistol and he pulled the slide back and pointed it at the officer who feared he would be shot.

"He bought up his own gun and shouted 'gun, gun' to alert other officers.

"His heart was racing and he felt a chill going down his spine."

The police remained outside and negotiations were on-going.

"At 4am they moved outside the defendant's rear bedroom as he barricaded himself in refusing to leave, saying if they went in they would regret it.

"They went in at 5.45am and found him sitting on the floor drinking spirits with the pistol a metre or two away from him."

Mr Ewing said Ambler was jailed for four and a half years in 2009 for house burglary, but had no previous convictions relating to firearms.

Robert Smith, mitigating, said: "Ambler was taken by surprise by the arrival of armed police at a house where he was temporarily staying.

"He thought he was being recalled to prison and was drinking from the bottle of spirits because he was desolate and in despair at the prospect of being taken into custody.

"He's not by disposition a violent man and it was out-of-character.

"He has mental health issues and his state of mind may have been affected.

"He's making efforts to get his life in order and his family are standing by him."

It's that time of year again – when the great and good of British sport gather to celebrate the triumphs of 2014.

The BBC Sports Personality of the Year show will shown live on BBC On from 8pm tonight.

This year's runners and riders for the top award include newly crowned Formula 1 Champion Lewis Hamilton; Welsh footballer Gareth Bale; golfer Rory McIlroy; world boxing champ Carl Froch, and athlete Jo Pavey.

They are joined on the top ten shortlist by gymnast Max Whitlock; swimmer Adam Peaty, dressage's Charlotte Dujardin; skeleton's Lizzy Yarnold, and Paralympic skier Kelly Gallagher and guide Charlotte Evans.

The public vote for their favourite by phone and online during the show.

According to the oddchecker.com website, Rory McIlroy is favourite at 11/20, followed by Lewis Hamilton at 15/8 and Jo Pavey at 50/1.

Former Leicester City and England star Gary Lineker will present the show from Glasgow, alongside Clare Balding and Gabby Logan.

The event, taking place before an audience of 12,000 at the SSE Hydro arena, will celebrate a year of drama which included the World Cup, Winter Olympics and Commonwealth Games.

Voting details, including phone numbers for each nominee, will be announced during the programme, when people can also cast their votes online.

To vote online during the programme, you can register in advance.

With an array of candidates to choose from, an expert 12-member panel faced some difficult choices finalising the shortlist.

The panel include Olympians Rebecca Adlington and Denise Lewis, Paralympian Baroness Grey-Thompson and footballer Jason Roberts.

Viewers and the audience will be treated to an event with a real Scottish flavour.

Along with band Simple Minds performing on the programme, there will also be live performances from violinist Nicola Benedetti and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra.

Last year's Sports Personality winner, tennis star Andy Murray, told the BBC: "It has been a sensational year for sport in Scotland with the Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup among lots of other major events that have taken place there.

"It'll be a special night for the whole of Scotland and the UK, celebrating some of our best sportsmen and women."

Watch out for Leicestershire swimming coach Jill Stidever, 77, from Markfield, who is in the running for the BBC Get Inspired Unsung Hero Award, which will be presented during tonight's show.

Prince Harry will also be presenting competitors of the Invictus Games – the international sporting event for injured, wounded and sick servicemen and women – with the Helen Rollason Award for outstanding achievement in the face of adversity.

You can cast your vote for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2014 by phone or for free online.

Voting will open during the show when details of the phone numbers will be released on BBC One, Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website.

To vote online for free you'll need a BBC iD. To follow the action on Twitter use #SPOTY

John Lewis has been accused of "sexualising toddlers" after advertising bras for two-year-olds.

Charities and campaigners condemned the department store chain - which has a flagship store at Leicester's Highcross shopping centre - as a "disgrace" for selling replica women's underwear to fit children aged between two and five.

The MailOnline reports that the £8 'vintage floral bras' attracted dozens of complaints from mothers, who branded the retailer "disgusting".

They were sold both in store and online as part of John Lewis's 'Girl' range.

Following the outcry, the collection was removed from the retailer's website.

A John Lewis spokesman told the MailOnline it had been a mistake and that the bras were meant for girls aged 11 and older.

But the cotton bras, which are still being sold in stores, are alongside matching vests and knickers in the same fabric which start at two years of age. The Mail reports that they also measure only 20 inches around the chest in the smallest size – which is actually slightly smaller than the average two-year-old.

The knickers in the matching pink and white floral pattern state clearly on the label that they are for two-year-old girls.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of the UK's biggest parenting website Netmums, told the Mail: "There is no need for a bra measuring 20 inches. It's unnecessary and unsavoury to ask tiny girls to dress in replicas of women's underwear."

A spokesman for John Lewis said: "Bras are designed to stretch, so our 28A bra will fit a 28-inch chest even if it measures at a smaller size when on the hanger."

The spokesman added: "We sell bras by size and not by age and the products are clearly marked in this way and labelled by size in our shops. An error occurred when the product was put on our website, meaning that it was categorised by age and not size. This was corrected straight away."

In 2010, Primark was forced to withdraw padded bikinis for seven-year-olds after the Prime Minister branded them 'disgraceful'.

One of Santa's helpers has been left in no doubt that giving is better than receiving after he got a parking ticket.

Chris Uttley, a member of Hinckley Round Table, was transporting Santa's sleigh to Castle Street in the town centre when his car was spotted by a traffic warden.

He had towed the sleigh to a spot near the Co-op before moving his car off the pedestrianised zone and then carrying a bag of collection tins back to the sleigh.

As his back was turned the traffic warden spotted his car had been left on a zig-zag line near to a pedestrian crossing and slapped a parking fine on it.

Chris said his back was turned for "no more than 30 seconds" and that even after he explained to the traffic warden what he was doing she refused to cancel the ticket.

He said: "I was shocked.

"The vehicle was not unattended and there wasn't any observation time."

He said he had parked his car next to the pedestrian crossing because moving it to a parking space would have meant leaving the sleigh unattended.

Hinckley Round Table honorary president Carl Skelton said many people were outraged by what had happened.

He said: "It seems that in this case the traffic warden has pulled the trigger very quickly.

"I'd like to think that if she could have cancelled the ticket after she found out what Chris was doing she would have done.

"People are saying to me that they find it disgraceful.

"Sadly it's happened to a few Round Table collectors around the country in recent years.

"The annoying thing is that there's an opportunity for traffic wardens to use a bit of common sense in these situations but they act very quickly."

Each year the Round Table raises thousands of pounds for local good causes by holding its collections in the town centre and elsewhere.

Between now and Christmas the Round Table volunteers will be collecting with the sleigh at various locations in Hinckley, Stoney Stanton and Sapcote.

Chris said a local businessman had offered to pay the £35 fine after hearing about the incident.

He said: "I would never have parked there normally but you'd have thought there would be some special discretion.

"We have spoken to the county council and I hope they will do something about this."

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said: "The ticket was issued for dangerous parking on the zig-zag lines guarding a pedestrian crossing.

"There was no evidence of any sleigh being unloaded or charitable purpose.

"In the circumstances, the registered owner of the car is being advised how to appeal the ticket if he so wishes."

Mobile speed cameras for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland for the week beginning Monday, Dec 15

B4114 King Edward Ave Narborough

A50 Route: Field Head - Groby

B4114 Leicester Rd, Sharnford

A447 Hinckley Rd, Cadeby

A6 Derby Rd, Loughborough

A6004 Alan Moss Rd, Loughborough

A563 Atlee Way, Leicester

A512 Ashby Road, Loughborough

B5350 Nanpantan Road (30 & 40mph), Loughborough

A563 Asquith Way, Leicester

A447 Swan'ton Rd / Wash Ln / Ibstock Rd, R'stone

A5199 Welford Road, Leicester

A512 New Ashby Road, Loughborough

A563 Lubbesthorpe Way, Braunstone (40mph)

Leicester Road, Ibstock

A6 Loughborough Rd, Birstall / Wanlip

A607 Melton Rd, Waltham on the Wolds

A607 Melton Rd, Waltham

A607 Thurmaston Bypass, Thurmaston

A606 Nottingham Road Melton

A47 Humberstone Road, Leicester

A607 Norman Way, Melton (westbound)

B581 Broughton Way / Station Rd, Broughton Astley

B4114 Leicester Road, Enderby 40mph

A47 Uppingham Road, Houghton on the Hill

A563 Glenhills Way, Leicester

A4304 Lubbenham Hill, Market Harborough

A5199 Leicester Road, Wigston

A4304 Kilworth Rd / High Street, Husbands Bosworth

A4304 Lutterworth Road / Station Road, N Kilworth

A47 Normandy Way (40mph), Hinckley(Community Concern)

A47 Route: Billesdon - East Norton

A5199 Bull Head Street, Wigston

A6 Glen Road, Oadby

A6 Harborough Road, Oadby

Sacheverell Way, Groby / Ratby(Community Concern)

Markfield Road, Ratby(Community Concern)

A4304 Lutterworth Road, Walcote(Community Concern)

B5003 Moira Road, Shellbrook(Community Concern)

Loughborough Road, Rothley(Community Concern)

Gemma Steel has clinched the gold medal at the European Cross-Country Championships in Bulgaria.

The 29-year-old, from Whitwick, went one better than the silver medal she won last year as she held off fellow Great Britain athlete Kate Avery in a dramatic sprint finish in Samokov.

The two, alongside team-mate Steph Twell, led the way before Steel and Avery began to pull away.

The two exchanged the lead in the frosty conditions and both crossed the line in a time of 28min 27sec but it was Steel who secured the victory.

Steel, who had also won the bronze medal in 2011, also led Great Britain to the team gold, as Twell crossed the line in seventh place.

Meanwhile, Amy Griffiths was in impressive form as she finished fifth in the junior women's race.

The 18-year-old crossed the line in 14.38, improving on her 47th-placed finish last year, as she helped GB to the team gold.

Her team-mates Jessica Judd and Lydia Turner finished second and third respectively.

Griffiths will also lead a stellar field in this year's County Cross-Country Championships.

She and Sam Stabler are both returning to defend their titles as the county's finest descend on Foxlands Farm in Cosby on Saturday, January 3.

Griffiths finished nearly two minutes clear of the rest of the field last year and is a big favourite to repeat her performance.

Stabler is flying back from the USA, where he is a student at Lamar University, and will go into the race in great form.

His third-placed finish at the South Central regionals, in a personal best 10k time of 29.35.9 saw him qualify for the NCAA Championships, America's national college competition.

The deadline for online entries remain open until 10pm on December 19.

For more information go to: http://www.lraa.org.uk/events.aspx

The night sky over Leicestershire was lit up by a celestial firework display last night - or was it?

Conditions were expected to be perfect on Saturday night for stargazers hoping to witness the Geminid meteor shower.

Bright meteors were reportedly seen over parts of the UK, with Norfolk reported to be one of the best locations.

The meteor shower, which is most visible after midnight, happens when the Earth passes through the path of asteroid 32000 Phaethon and the debris burns up as it enters the Earth's atmosphere.

It is expected to last a few more nights.

You do not need any specialist astronomy equipment to see it, but clear skies are required.

The Leicestershire weather forecast for tonight is cloudy but with skies clearing by the morning.

The best vantage points will be high ground away from the bright lights of towns and cities.

If you have seen the meteor shower please let us know. Even better, if you have pictures you would like to share, you can e-mail them to us at: newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk 

Fire crews were called to a blaze at a cash and carry yesterday.

The incident happened in a building measuring 30 by 30 metres at about 4.45pm yesterday in Herbert Avenue, off the Melton Road, Leicester.

Flames were coming out of the roof when crews arrived on the scene.

Six crews attended the incident.

Following the incident the Melton Road was closed between Shaftesbury Avenue and Leire Street for a short time.

The incident has been left with the police.

A police spokeswoman said: "The fire was towards the back of the building. There's considerable damage to the rear of the building.

"It is not clear whether it is suspicious. Inquiries are ongoing and forensics needs to be carried out.

"They are looking at CCTV from that location."

Today: Bright or sunny intervals and isolated showers mainly across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. Later today most showers will fade away, leaving clear spells. Feeling colder compared to Sunday. Maximum Temperature 6C.

Tonight: A few light showers may continue across Derbyshire, but generally it will be dry with clear spells. A slight frost will develop, especially in rural locations. Chance of patchy fog. Minimum Temperature -1C.

Tuesday: Mainly dry, apart for isolated light showers across Derbyshire, with bright or sunny periods after a frosty start in places. Later becoming cloudy, rain spreading east this evening. Maximum Temperature 7C.

9.35am: M1 northbound between junctions 23 and 25 there are delays of 30 minutes due to heavy traffic. 

7.45am: There's been an accident between junction two and junction one on the M6 which has left a lane closed.

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 - http://www.highways.gov.uk/traffic-information/" target="_blank">CLICK HERE.

LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/traffic.html... target="_blank">CLICK HERE.

NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/service_disruptions/... target="_blank">CLICK HERE.

FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: http://www.eastmidlandsairport.com/flightinformati... target="_blank"> CLICK HERE.

WEATHER: See the latest http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk.co.uk/weather" target="_blank">five-day weather report for Leicester and Leicestershire

CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us http://twitter.com/Leicester_Merc" target="_blank">@Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

A gunman is holding a group of staff and customers hostage at a cafe in Sydney, Australia.

The Lindt cafe in Martin Place, in the city centre is currently surrounded by armed policeman, who have apparently made contact with the gunman.

A black Islamic flag has been displayed at the window.

So far, five people have been reportedly seen running from the building but it is not clear how many still remain inside.

More news to follow.

A college for international students has been officially opened at a landmark building.

Teaching company Study Group has taken over a large section of St George's Tower – known as the Blue Tower.

Earlier this year, the group signed a 25-year lease to occupy 60,000 sq ft of the site, off St George's Way, Leicester.

The top 10 floors of the 269ft-high tower were converted into 165 rooms for overseas undergraduates, with other floors providing space for classes. Study Group relocated its international study centre from a site close to the University of Leicester in September.

The official opening, which took place last Friday, was attended by senior managers of Study Group, the university and tower owner Infrastructure Investments.

Paul Lovegrove, of Study Group, said: "We were in the second week of September. We signed the contract at the beginning of February. This has been an amazing turnaround."

The college, which is full, houses 200 students, who come from 32 different countries, including China, Dubai, Nigeria and Kenya.

The group provides year-long courses for students before they begin a degree at the university.

James Pitman, managing director of Study Group, said: "This is a great learning place for students, as well as great accommodation. We will have the best students coming here to prepare them for degree success."

Steven Gardner, a director of Infrastructure Investments, said: "We have had great feedback from the students. We are very proud with what we have achieved here."

The 22-storey tower, next door to Leicester railway station, was bought from the Irish government for £6.5 million by Middlesex-based Infrastructure Investments.

The complex had stood almost empty for more than a decade after its previous owner, London-based Magnet Property Investments, spent £33 million redeveloping it, but ended up falling out with city regeneration officials after they called for it to be demolished. Magnet then painted it garish blue. But the current owners have since toned down the colour.

The 269ft tower was effectively repossessed by the Anglo Irish Bank in 2009, before Anglo Irish's own financial woes led to it being nationalised and the building became part of the Irish government's National Asset Management Agency.

The current owner is also looking for occupiers for the remaining 130,000 sq ft of space at the site, which is also home to a Premier Inn, 24 occupied apartments and a shisha cafe.

Ben Haenow has been crowned the winner of this year's X Factor.

The 29-year-old clinched the title after beating fellow singer Fleur East in the final of the ITV show.

The van driver, of Croydon, had been mentored by Simon Cowell.

Ben follows in the footsteps of Leicester's very own Sam Bailey, who won the show last year.

Speaking to the Mercury on Friday, Sam, of Leicester Forest East, said her heart 'wanted Ben to win'.

Ben's debut single, which is a cover of One Republic's 'Something I Need', is now available to buy on iTunes.

An aerial photography firm is helping to promote the latest album from legendary rock band Pink Floyd.

Bluesky International, of Coalville, is helping the band promote its new album, Endless River, by using its aerial photography of the River Cam, in Cambridgeshire, in an advert.

The original album cover, on which the commercial was based, depicts a young man in an open shirt punting across a sea of clouds towards the sun.

The aerial photography featured within the commercial video was taken from Bluesky's nationwide archive.

The album, the band's 15th, will be the final studio album made by the band, famous for Dark Side of the Moon and The Wall.

James Eddy, technical director of aerial mapping company Bluesky and lifelong Pink Floyd fan, said: "It is a tremendous honour; Bluesky aerial photography helping to promote the last ever Pink Floyd album."

Johnny Fairburn, of Glassworks, producer of the video, said: "Working with Bluesky to obtain the most appropriate and visually pleasing image has been very easy with someone always on hand to help clarify what we required and what we could do with the imagery."

I don't think I've had a bang on the head. I'm not drunk. I'm sure I feel okay. And yet I seem to be writing something in defence of Radio Leicester football commentator Ian Stringer. I didn't realise it had been such a long week.

First, though, some background.

It is fair to say I am not Ian Stringer's biggest fan. He makes my toes curl on a weekly basis with his non-stop banter. If Ian is about anything, he's about the banter, the relentless, wearisome, when-will-it-end banter.

I remember him when he was on The Apprentice and he was making a ludicrously big deal out of not being able to say the word 'loser'. He opted for calling it the 'L word'. No, I'm not making that up and, yes, it was every bit as idiotic as it sounds. Ian, it should be noted, is a Leicester City fan. I imagine the past three months have been a struggle for him.

I don't get to as many Leicester City games as I'd like to these days so, inevitably, I end up listening to Radio Leicester on a Saturday afternoon and shouting at the radio – not for the team's performance, although that hasn't been great, but for Stringer's 'banter' and his myopic view of the game.

Jokes about sandwiches.

A bit of observational "comedy" about something that's happening off the pitch. Another joke about sandwiches.

An incident. A tussle in the box.

"That's a penalty! A clear penalty!"

Cue Matt Elliott, his wiser side kick. "I'm not sure about that, Ian..."

It turns out it isn't a penalty.

Then another foul.

"How has he not been sent off for that? Watch Match of the Day tonight. That's a definite sending off."

Watch Match of the Day that night. It's not a sending off.

Ian Stringer is not the worst commentator Radio Leicester have had. The little Derby-supporting one was worse, and possibly smugger, if you can imagine that.

My beef is that he is some distance from being as good as he thinks he is.

Earlier this year, Radio Leicester sacked ex-City striker Alan Young and, after riding a huge storm of protest, they introduced their new summariser – ex-City defender and no-nonsense Irishman Gerry Taggart.

Big Gerry lasted a couple of pre-season friendlies and then he was gone. He wasn't seen again. He was offered "another job in football".

I don't know what that "other job in football" was but I do wonder – and I am only wondering, I am but sharing my wonder with you – if Gerry had just about had his fill of Ian and his non-stop banter bus.

I imagine them sharing lifts with each other to and from games.

Stringer: "Gerry, Gerry, have I told you about the time I was in the Apprentice house and Alan Sugar rang…."

Gerry: "That's great, Ian. Can you just turn the radio up?"

Because Ian is all about the banter. He is Eric Bantona. He is the Archbishop of Banterbury. The banter – before the game, during the game, after the game – is constant. It's like being trapped in the worst estate agent's office in the world. It's suffocating.

And yet...

It's been a torrid time for Leicester City of late. Two points from a possible 30. The manager swearing at an abusive fan. Caught up in this maelstrom is the hapless Stringer.

It's his job to ask the manager questions right after the game. And inevitably the questions, after 10 games without a win, have been getting more and more awkward.

That is only right, isn't it? The questions should be getting more awkward. I don't want the man from Radio Leicester asking the manager of my ailing club if he's looking forward to Christmas. I want him to ask the City boss where he thinks it's going wrong and how he is going to put it right.

I don't care how media friendly you say you are – and in Pearson's case, that's not very media friendly at all – but if you ask obvious questions of someone in difficult circumstances then, in my experience, they never seem to like that very much.

Now, you could argue Stringer was asking those questions very early on this season. Too early on, perhaps.

And you could say, and I might agree, it sometimes sounds like he's asking those questions a little bit too gleefully; that his readiness to raise the subject of the sacking of a man who gives him such short shrift each Saturday may sound suspiciously like enthusiasm.

I don't know. Maybe that's how the people at City feel. They may have a point.

All I know is that last week, after the 10th game without a win, no players, no-one from the club's management team, spoke to Radio Leicester.

I was at home, ironing my shirts, listening to the game. There was a bit of tepid after-match chat – and then it was straight over to Welford Road for the rugby. No interview.

And, suddenly, from thinking Ian Stringer was a bit of an Alan Partridge character, I felt a bit sorry for him. They gave Ian Stringer and Radio Leicester the cold shoulder.

I remember the wise words of Micky Adams about 10 years ago when Leicester City unwisely ditched the Post Horn Gallop to trot out to some interminable hip-hop nonsense about jumping up and down.

There was an outrage. Adams, to his credit, backed down.

"Micky Adams is just the caretaker here," he said, referring to himself in the third person in that way he always did. The tune was re-instated.

Nigel Pearson is also a caretaker here. Whether you like him or not – I'm still, just about, on the Pearson bus; although the more we lose and the more he swears at fans, the more I go off him – Nigel Pearson is the same. He is the custodian.

Radio Leicester, for all of their faults, will be around longer than Nigel Pearson. Giving Ian Stringer the cold shoulder means they're ultimately giving their fans, listening at home, the cold shoulder. And that seems a shame.

I'm sure, as in most disagreements, the truth lies somewhere in the middle of both parties.

Maybe Pearson shouldn't quite be so brusque with journalists whose job it is to ask obvious questions after football matches and maybe some journalists need to think of better ways of asking a difficult man difficult questions.

But it will blow over. These things always do.

And, maybe, when it does, both sides will be better for the experience and it will be the fan – you and me – who benefits.

Up the City, eh? 

While Leicester's Civic Society has suggested large parts of the city are shockingly ugly there are certainly some lovely bits to behold.

Here are ten of them - though we're sure you'll let us know which others we've unforgivably missed off the list.

1) New Walk - Almost certainly Leicester's most picturesque public right of way. The 18th century tree-lined route has its share of horrific concrete buildings but in the main is flanked by impressive buildings like the New Walk Museum and fine squares.

It runs 1,100 metres from the city centre to......

2) Victoria Park - It was once home to the city's racecourse and is now arguably its best green space.

Plans have been drawn up for a £1.4 million revamp which will see the 1923 war memorial arch rejoined via a promenade to the park gates and lodge on London Road. Both were designed bt renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens.

3) Aylestone Meadows - Leicester's biggest nature reserve is wedged between the city centre and Soar Valley Way but is one of the few places that feel like the open countryside.

4) Guildhall Lane - Named after the city's 14th Century Guildhall, the lane also takes in the back of it historic cathedral. it is part of the historically-preserved Lanes area of the city.

5) Castle Gardens - The main feature of the park, on the bank of the River Soar, used to be the statue of Richard III until he was uprooted and move to the cathedral. We know it's still lovely though because of all the couples having their wedding photos taken there.

6) Belgrave Hall - The city council isn't wrong when it describes these as "an oasis of calm in a busy city". The Queen Anne building is lovely in itself but the real attraction is the beautifully tended walled garden.

7) Town Hall Square - Outside the city's grand Victorian civic headquarters and boasting the best fountain in Leicester - the square looks wonderful - when the street drinkers are elsewhere.

8) Welford Road Cemetery - Where most of Leicester's eminent Victorians and Edwardians are seeing out eternity. For a cemetery it is more tranquil than creepy and offers an unbroken view across the city to the Charnwood Hills.

9) Fosse Road Central - Honestly. It's a really nice part of a wider conservation area packed with large Victorian houses which aren't all in the best condition but still stand out from many of the surrounding streets

10) Jubilee Square - Perhaps a controversial inclusion. Some might say it ought to be nice with a £4 million price tag but visually there's no doubt its a great improvement on the car park and bus stops it replaced. It offers views of Wyggeston House, St Nicholas' Church and sadly the Holiday Inn the ring road and NCP - though they should eventually be screened by recently planted trees.

A new team is being set up to look out for homeless young people who are at risk of falling through the net.

Local government cuts mean there are now fewer projects to help 18-24 year olds get the best start in life.

The Ambition East Midlands project will include about £1 million for Leicestershire which will fund a team of eight people over the next three years.

They aim to work closely with about 100 young people between now and January 2018, getting them settled in permanent homes and with a better chance of leading a happy life.

Anna Maudsley, housing director for The Y in Leicester, will be overseeing the project.

She said: "In the current climate of cuts to local authority funding, the focus is mostly on the priority cases, such as people with dependant children or young adults leaving care.

"Ambition East Midlands is for young adults who are not considered as priority cases under the law and will be helping 100 young people in Leicester and Leicestershire who would otherwise not be getting any help.

"The first thing we will be looking at is getting them into accommodation and then working with them in other ways and finding them a permanent home.

"The great thing about this project is that it gives us the freedom to work with these young people over three years so we can help them make a significant difference to their situation.

"They can be helped into permanent accommodation, helped to live independently and perhaps become better qualified and develop their ideas of what they want from their lives."

The cash for the project will cover the salaries of the staff over the next three years, who will have to help the young adults by working with local housing and education organisations.

The sort of young people the project will help will be homeless young adults who are currently unable to get hostel beds funded by the Government.

In Leicestershire several hostels, as well as 85 supported housing" beds managed by the Y, are funded by taxpayers.

But those who do not qualify for the temporary accommodation can end up being involved in crime and substance misuse and be more likely to remain dependent on benefits throughout their lives.

Ambition East Midlands will also support a further 240 young people in Derbyshire with other teams with other funding. It was announced as one of 34 successful bids for money from the Fair Chance Fund this week.

Announcing the winning bids, homelessness minister Kris Hopkins said: "This is a vital initiative which will help individuals who are some of the hardest to reach, and who often have complex needs, not just simply a roof over their head.

"These projects will offer precisely the sort of support that many single homeless people need to help turn their lives around and give them a long term solution that supports their needs."

In her regular column, Miss Leicestershire Holly Desai talks about the charity work she is doing.

With the number of people aged 85 and over doubling in the next 20 years, demand for palliative care is set to increase dramatically. With this is mind, I want to tell you about a very special service I attended on Sunday evening.

I did an interview with the Leicester Mercury More magazine a few weeks ago as part of the 'My Leicestershire' feature where I picked Staunton Harold as one of my favourite places in the local area. When I read last week that there was going to be a Christmas charity event held there called 'Lights of Love' I contacted Hospice Hope to see if I could attend.

Over 200 people gathered in the courtyard at the Ferrers centre to commemorate a loved one and hang a tag on the Christmas tree sponsored in their name. Prayers were led by Rev. Tim Phillips before each individual name was read out and we all hung our tags on the tree. This was followed by carol singing led by the Concordia Choir and the Oddfellows Brass Band. It was great to meet local MP and trustee of hospice hope Andrew Bridgen, and talk to one of the founding members of the charity, Stewart Shephard, about the history of Hospice Hope and the many plans for the future.

I remember visiting Staunton Harold with my mum when I was younger, and we often used to visit the Sue Ryder Cafe at the hospice based in the Estate. It was a wonderful place that provided palliative care for people in North West Leicestershire and it was extremely sad when it was forced to close in 2002. With next to no NHS or alterative palliative care in the area, Hospice Hope was formed following this closure with an aim to somewhat bridge the gap.

The Hospice currently has two support cafes in Ashby de la Zouch and Whitwick, where patients, their family members and carers can drop in for a chat over a cup of tea and a cake. The Cafe's also offer holistic therapies, crafts and quizzes.

Their current challenge is to find a property for a proposed day centre which would be open 5 days a week, and looking longer term, to open a fully operational combined hospice and day centre. This can only happen if we come together as a community, fundraising and raising awareness of the wonderful work they do. With an aging population charities providing compassionate and individualised end of life and palliative care are absolutely vital. I am planning to work with the charity in the coming months and will definitely be dropping into the support cafes with some of my cupcakes over the Christmas period. Please like their Facebook page to see more information about the wonderful things they are doing in the area.

I was up bright and early on Sunday to attend the Great Leicester Santa Run on Victoria Park. I have done all sorts of sponsored runs in the past year but this one was particularly fun as everyone was dressed up as Santa's and elves. The run was in aid of a brilliant charity, When You Wish Upon a Star. All the money raised from the event helps to grant the wishes of children suffering from life threatening illnesses. Every December they take hundreds of children from the east midlands for a once in a lifetime trip to Lapland. What really struck me was how many children took part in the event, along with parents who walked the 5k pushing their prams!

Unfortunately I didn't read the small print about the Santa suits being 'one size fits all' and definitely should have brought a belt. Trying to keep my sash on and hold my trousers up at the same time was a challenge but I somehow made it round with my dignity intact. Well done to everyone who took part! You can find out more about the work Wish Upon a Star does and see pictures from past events at their Facebook page.

This Sunday I am attending the Miss World finals at the Excel in London with some of the other Miss England finalists. We will be supporting our very own Miss England Carina Tyrell, who is also one of the favourites to win the competition! She has worked unbelievably hard to get this far in the competition and next week I want to tell you more about the work that is involved in the Miss England and Miss World competition that may come as a surprise. There are also rumours of special guests at the event, I will report back to you next week!

Please drop me a tweet @Hollydesai if there is anything you'd like to tell me about in the area. I'd love to hear from you! Enjoy the rest of your week!