A paralysed motorcyclist is set to receive a substantial payout following a crash which left him seriously injured.

James West, 25, of Earl Shilton, was knocked off his motorbike during a collision with a lorry while riding along the B6047, near Tilton on Hill, on August 18, 2012.

He suffered a spinal cord injury which has left him paralysed from the waist down, as well as broken bones and a fractured skull, and spent six months in hospital.

Now, a judge has found M A Clay Contracting Limited, whose employee was driving the lorry, liable for the crash.

At a civil hearing in Birmingham deputy high court Judge Lopez ruled that the fault for the accident lay entirely with the Nuneaton-based company.

Mr West's solicitors are now hoping to secure him a large payout.

"The money I receive will be life-changing," said Mr West, who is currently living in a two-storey house with his parents.

"It would definitely make life a lot easier and ease the pressure off my parents."

With the money, Mr West said he is hoping to buy a stair lift and one day in the future, buy himself his own house.

"The money will help me live a much more independent life," he added.

The accident happened when James was 23 and working as a plumbing and heating engineer for Gas Care Services, in Barwell.

He was riding his motorbike behind a yellow Scania Tipper lorry belonging to M A Clay Contracting Limited

According to a spokesman for his solicitors, as Mr West tried to overtake the lorry, the driver pulled into the layby in order to turn around and performed a U-turn, knocking Mr West off his bike.

The spokesman said the judge heard how the driver had failed to adequately check his mirrors and notice Mr West approaching from behind when he pulled out into his path to make the U-turn.

The company denied liability but the judge found them 100 per cent responsible for the incident, said the solicitors' spokesman.

Mr West said: "I have no recollection of the accident, I literally remember pulling into the road around three minutes before it happened."

He added: "At first, what had happened was really hard to get my head around but you get used to it.

"Once you're out and about and active, it gets easier."

He added: "I've just got on with it."

Mr West is now working part-time again for Gas Care Services, in their office.

Fletchers Solicitors, who represented Mr West in court, is now seeking compensation to cater for all of his current and future needs, and to allow him to have the best possible quality of life.

A man who dedicated 50 years of his life to Bradgate Park and "transformed" it from an area deep in weeds to a jewel in Leicestershire's crown has died.

As land agent, Michael Harrison ran the park from 1961 to 2012.

He died suddenly at home on November 23, 2014 at the age of 79.

When Michael, of Countesthorpe, arrived at Bradgate Park there was a diseased deer herd, low visitor numbers and the ruins of Lady Jane Grey's family home was deep in weeds. He helped to make it a popular attraction for visitors.

The park also relied on grants from the local authorities to survive. Now, it is almost independently funded.

Rupert Harrison, Michael's only son, 48, said: "He thoroughly enjoyed his work. His work, hobbies and home life all tended to merge into one. He loved the countryside and enjoyed being with people."

Rupert added that his father helped to set up other country parks including Beacon Hill, Foxton Locks and Bosworth Battlefield.

"He was also involved in the City of Leicester's Horse Show until it finished a few years ago.

"He loved his garden and he had a wicked sense of humour.

"In anything he did he was always very determined and focused."

Peter Tyldesley, land agent and surveyor at Bradgate Park Trust, who took over the role after Michael retired, said: "Michael was instrumental in transforming Bradgate into what it is today which is a thriving, independent charity and one of the county's leading visitor attractions.

"He really transformed the place."

Michael tidied up the park and revived the health of the deer herds. He also sorted out the park's finances by bringing in donation boxes and later pay-and-display machines to help the park to pay for itself.

He also created the visitor centre, gift shop and Bradgate Tea Room.

Peter added: "He put the infrastructure in place to make it a successful visitors' attraction. While very much respecting its history, heritage and structure.

"He was not shy of controversy. If he thought it was the right thing to do, he would put his head down and do it.

"He always had the best interests of the park at heart."

Michael's funeral was at Saint Bartholomew's Church, in Foston on December 19, 2014 and Peter said it was "packed."

"It was full to over flowing."

Michael leaves a wife Nadine and two grandchildren.

Lynda Taylor, 58, of Sileby, who worked with Michael for 14 years, said: "He was passionate about the park. He put the park above anything else, which I respected him for.

"Bradgate Park would not be what it is today if not for his management style and the way he ran it. So we have a lot to be grateful for."

David Snartt, a trustee at Bradgate Park Trust, who was the chairman when Michael retired, said: "As trustees I believe we owe Michael a great debt of gratitude for his successful contribution over the 50 years he was associated with Bradgate.

"Throughout this time Michael committed all his energy in making sure Bradgate remained the jewel in Leicestershire's crown.

"While never losing sight of the principles set out in the deed of trust. This being to preserve the park as an open space for the enjoyment and benefit of the residents of Leicester and Leicestershire.

"On his retirement Michael handed over the park in a strong financial position to his successor, making sure that Bradgate will continue to flourish over the coming years."

Leicester City have agreed a deal to sign HNK Rijeka striker Andrej Kramaric.

Rijeka have announced that the Croatia international has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with City.

City have agreed the deal with the club and the player, but the Mercury understands the deal is still not completed and is subject to work permits and the completion of various legal paperwork.

Kramaric passed his medical at City on Tuesday with the finishing touches to the deal finalised today.

Once completed, Kramaric's move could see him become City's new club-record signing with the package deal potentially rising to nearly £10million with add-ons and bonuses.

City look to have beaten Premier League title-chasers Chelsea to the signature of the highly-rated striker, who has scored 28 goals in 30 appearances for club and country this season.

"Now officially we can say that the club has completed the transfer of Andrej Kramaric to Leicester City," said Rijeka assistant sporting director Ivan Vance, who accompanied the 23-year-old to Leicester to agree the deal.

"We are glad that the whole job was completed to mutual satisfaction and thanks to all who participated and helped to realise the biggest transfer in the club's history."

Kramaric looks set to become City's second signing of the January window following the arrival of Chelsea goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.

Chelsea were understood to be keen to sign Kramaric but refused to go higher than the £8m offer they submitted to Rijeka.

There were reports that Chelsea wished to sign Kramaric and loan him straight to Leicester but Premier League rules state club's are unable to loan players out to a fellow Premier League side in the same transfer window.

City manager Nigel Pearson is likely to look to add further attacking options to his squad in the battle for Premier League survival.

The club are understood to be in discussions with Toronto striker Jermain Defoe over a potential move and are also confident of signing Wigan midfielder Shaun Maloney.

City are believed to have had one bid of nearly £1m rejected for the Scotland international but have stepped up their efforts to bring him to the King Power Stadium.

The fire service has released these pictures taken inside a flat where a dog died during a severe fire.

The blaze happened just before 4am yesterday in Marsh Close, Rushey Mead, Leicester.

The property was gutted by the blaze and residents fled from neighbouring flats. The fire happened while the occupant was out but his dog died in the incident.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation by police and the fire service.

Watch Commander Nick Stanborough of the fire service, who was the incident commander, said it was lucky the fire had not spread to the neighbouring properties.

He said: "The damage is severe to all areas of the flat involved and the first floor was completely burned through and the stairs were burned away."

The loss to Worcester just before Christmas left Leicester Riders hurting so it was good to get back to winning ways last weekend.

The guys had worked very hard over the break in spite of the difficulties at times of getting access to facilities, and I think everyone could see that from the way we started the game against Leeds on Saturday.

The intensity was there from the start, we built an early lead and managed to suffocate Leeds defensively. We got on top early and stayed there.

We could have played smarter at times, and perhaps made a few poor decisions, but overall it was an excellent performance, with Rashad Hassan looking very strong close in, with 20 points, and TrayVonn Wright proving an intimidating defensive presence with an amazing six blocks.

And Conner Washington continues to grow in confidence, handling the ball extremely well and coolly slotting down three from beyond the arc.

Add in a remarkable 17 assists from Neil Watson and it was a complete performance from Riders.

That set us up nicely for the trip to London Lions, a repeat of our trip to the Copper Box a few weeks ago on the back end of a double-header. That time we ran out of steam in the second half – this time we played probably our smartest game of the season.

Hassan again took the headlines with 31 points, Watson managed to conjure up another 13 assists, but it was also great to see Anthony Rowe continuing to improve after his lay-off with a big performance in the absence of the injured Pavol Losonsky.

Rowe managed 19 minutes of solid defence with nine points and seven rebounds showing he is getting closer to his best.

Tyler Bernardini was also big with 19 points, five threes and some key defensive plays, while Wright again kept the pressure on London's shooters with some big blocks.

Wright also hit some big threes down the stretch and Watson again dished out 13 assists.

We had a good chat in the changing room after to recognise back-to-back weekends are going to be a regular part of our diet in the second half of the season, so we need to learn from this weekend about how to adjust. The mood amongst the guys was just about right.

Next weekend it is just one game on the road at Bristol. The Flyers are a very well coached team, who have already exceeded expectations with a great start to their debut BBL season, and they have made their home venue a very tough place to visit.

When we played them last time at Loughborough we produced our best defence of the season so far, and if we want to succeed on the road we are going to need some more of that.

Marcos Ayerza looks you directly in the eye whenever he shakes your hand. Rumour has it that when he first joined the club back in 2006, he used to go around the dressing room shaking every single player's hand before they started training – every morning.

That was a long time ago.

After putting in a typically aggressive and stellar performance during the 17-8 win over Bath last weekend, the 31-year-old was recognised on the pitch by Peter Wheeler and Peter Tom for his 200th appearance for the club.

As the age of professionalism and a fluid transfer market gets more and more like the norm, there will be fewer and fewer 'one club' men like Ayerza.

He can remember his debut too – it would be hard not to.

Having come from amateur rugby in his home country, Ayerza must have thought English professionalism was of a similar ilk.

"I remember my first game was away at Bath," recalled Ayerza. "I was not involved in the 23 but travelled with the team on the day.

"I was having a lovely steak and chips on a beautiful sunny day in September. Then suddenly, I was rushing into the game.

"When I was walking up into the stand for the game to start, Pat Howard (then head coach) caught my eye and beckoned me down to the pitch.

"Alex Moreno had got injured in the warm-up and they needed me to get ready to go on the bench. After swallowing my last bit of steak, I rushed into the changing room without any boots or scrum cap and had to borrow Alex's.

"I came out of the changing room two minutes later, ran to the bench and had only just sat down when Martin Castrogiovanni had got a yellow card. When the next scrum arrived, I was on!

"I think it took me three minutes from the last mouthful of my steak to my first scrum!

"It was a tough game but I was relaxed because I hadn't had time to build up any nerves. It was certainly an interesting way to get your first cap for Tigers."

This year will be a big one for the man who arrived from Argentine amateur rugby club Cardenal Newman, as a complete unknown, eight-and-a-half years ago. He happened to be sitting next to a certain former Tigers fly-half, Les Cusworth, when he received an e-mail from a Spanish agent asking him to consider a move to Leicester.

You sense it was meant to happen.

As well as topping the 200 appearance mark for his club, Ayerza will also play for the Pumas on what pretty much amounts to 'home soil' in England during the World Cup.

It's his testimonial year too. A chance for the people of Leicester to thank a man they have taken to their hearts.

What is there not to like?

A quick skim through his testimonial brochure finds little to pin on him.

Louis Deacon reckons Ayerza is even more boring than him. Horacio Agulla says he walks in his sleep and … that's about it.

Yet there are plenty of mentions of the sort of bloke he is.

Tom Youngs speaks of his "honest scrummaging" and the fact that he doesn't cheat. Lewis Moody describes him as a "warrior" and former hooker Ben Kayser says he "gives all for his team-mates".

There are words like tough, respectful and diligent thrown in too.

With wife Mercedes and baby daughter Mechi happy in Leicester, Ayerza is the ultimate family man at a club where family values and tradition are what the very foundations are built upon. It's a match made in heaven, really.

They say props reach their prime late in life and Ayerza is 'only' 31.

Another 200 games to come then?

"Ha ha, we'll see what God has in store," he says.

For now, he's enjoying reaching a serious milestone.

"Having played 200 games makes me feel like I have been in some good battles," he says. "I am proud to have been involved here for so long. This is the biggest club in England and one of the biggest in Europe and I am honoured to be part of the Tigers family.

"I am grateful for the reception I got on the pitch and I am very lucky to be a part of this club.

"I could not be more happy to be a Leicester Tiger."

Here is Leicester Tigers' vision for the latest phase of the redevelopment of its Welford Road ground.

The rugby club has lodged £8 million plans to modernise its aging Clubhouse Stand with officials at Leicester City Council.

Currently the temporary stands hold 992 supporters with 28 seats for disabled fans and their assistants.

The club hopes to increase that to 3,100 with 62 disabled seats.

Tigers' chief executive Simon Cohen said the extra seating would take the stadium's capacity up to 26,000.

Tigers' last major redevelopment was the construction of the 10,000 seat, £15 million MET-Rx Stand on the north side of the ground which was built in 2008.

The latest project would see the replacement of a "hotch potch" of buildings on the west side of the pitch, dating back to before the 1950s, with a three storey stand.

It will include club offices, a VIP function room, a stadium control room, a reception area, a ticket office and a new club shop.

If planning permission is granted for the clubhouse stand then work could begin in the summer.

Welford Road missed out on hosting Rugby World Cup - Leicester's games will be at the King Power Stadium - but the tournament means a later start to the Premiership season.

Mr Cohen said: "That actually presents us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity.

"The world cup gives us an extended period of five months to do the build. There will be games at Welford Road in September but not Premiership matches."

Mr Cohen said the club was currently looking for a contractor to carry out the scheme.

He said: "One of the things we will want to talk about is getting this done with as little disruption as possible to the people who use Aylestone Road.

"One of the advantages we have is the land at the back of the Holland and Barrett Stand.

"We can use that to build from the end rather than the side."

Mr Cohen said the club still hoped to develop and modernise the rest of the ground.

He said: "We don't have a benefactor to pour money into the club so we have to do projects as and when we can afford them.

"We have a good relationship with our bankers and we have to look at careful and prudent borrowing."

Mr Cohen said the club was still interested in acquiring the former Granby Halls site to the north of the ground, which is owned by Leicester City council and is being operated as a car park.

He added: "We do want it but we are dependent on the council selling it to us."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "I can confirm we have had some very useful discussions with Tigers about their plans.

"Granby Halls was one of the things we have talked about.

"I am keen to find a way to help them achieve their ambitions both on and off the pitch.

"I am delighted they are going ahead with their stand redevelopment.

"The large stand they recently built has become an iconic part of the city skyline."

An overall redevelopment of the ground has been approved by the council - potentially including a hotel and a multi-storey car park - but each phase needs specific approval.

The project is being considered by planning officers.

Popular Samoan prop Logovi'i Mulipola will return to the Leicester Tigers squad for the first time in four months against Harlequins on Saturday.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill confirmed his comeback at Tuesday's press conference in Oadby. 

"Mulipola is fit and will be involved in the squad," he said. "He trained all last week and is ready to go."

Cockerill also said that Tom Croft would be involved at The Stoop but that a handful of other key players would be missing.

"Manu Tuilagi and Dan Cole will be back at the end of the month probably and Christian Loamanu is getting there," he said.

"Blaine Scully has tweaked his hamstring and it is unlikely he will be fit this week and Brad Thorn should be back for the Scarlets."

Leicester City look set break their transfer record once again with the signing of Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric – touted as the new Davor Suker.

Leonardo Ulloa's reign as City's most expensive acquisition, after his £8million move from Brighton in the summer, is likely to have has lasted all of five months.

With the deal for Kramaric from HNK Rijeka potentially worth up to around £10million, the honour now looks to lie with him.

For that money, City are getting a genuine goalscorer – albeit one unproven at Premier League level.

Joining his boyhood club Dinamo Zagreb from the age of six, Kramaric scored more than 450 goals for them across the youth and senior ranks.

The 23-year-old has scored 28 goals in 30 appearances for club and country this season, including seven in the Europa League with a hat-trick in a 3-1 victory over Feyenoord.

He bagged five in one game against his former club Lokomotiva Zagreb, where he spent a spell on loan while at Dinamo before his move to Rijeka in 2013.

The season before, in fact, he put eight past lower-league BSK Zmaj for Rijeka in their 11-0 Croatia Cup victory.

Granted, the opposition on that day will be nothing in comparison to what he will be coming up against in the Premier League, but Kramaric knows where the net is.

He is quick too and, while sometimes outmuscled by stronger opponents, has a trick or two to boot.

"Kramaric is a genuine goal-getter, he reminds me of Davor Suker," said his Croatia manager Niko Kovac.

"And those dummies? You don't see something like that very often. He doesn't just beat opponents with his dribbles, he throws the whole stand off balance."

Those dummies even put one defender in hospital requiring knee surgery, when turned him inside out with a sharp turn.

If Kramaric can emulate anything close to Suker's illustrious career, Nigel Pearson will have a real star at his disposal.

The former Arsenal and Real Madrid striker is Croatia's all-time leading goalscorer and a World Cup golden boot winner.

In Kramaric and Ulloa, City have two strikers who should complement each other. Ulloa has already proven himself to be a pretty adept target man. Stick it on his head and he will score. But he is not a striker who you expect to create something out of nothing. He thrives on service.

Kramaric, meanwhile, does not require the chances brought to him on a plate. He is more than willing to go out and do the hunting himself. He often drops back, off the front man, and drifts into the channels to pick up the ball.

The gamble for City, though, is that they will need him to hit the ground running once his work permit is completed.

Radio One DJ Zane Lowe is to headline the first ever De Montfort University Winter Ball.

The ball is being held at the Athena in Leicester city centre on Friday January 23.

Also announced for the event are top covers band iPop, who have played for the Queen and Prince Charles, and performed with Tinie Tempah, Ellie Goulding and Robbie Williams. The Winter Ball was arranged by DMU and De Montfort Students' Union (DSU) after students said they wanted a formal way to celebrate their degree.

A limited number of tickets are available at the early bird price of £17.50 and can be booked on the DSU website. After Zane Lowe's DJ set brings the ball to a close, an after-party at DSU's Level 1 venue will top off the night.

Zane Lowe made his breakthrough presenting for MTV and has DJ'd at Wembley Stadium, Brixton Academy and Milton Keynes Bowl, supporting acts including Muse, Pendulum and the Foo Fighters. 

Melton Mowbray host Friar Lane & Epworth this weekend in what could prove a huge game in the race for the Senior League Premier Division crown.

Melton go into the game at the top of the pile with the Lane third, six points behind with a game in hand.

A run of 10 straight wins has catapulted Melton to the top of the chart and an 11th victory would put a significant hole in the Lane's challenge.

Aaron Black leads the goal-scoring charts for Melton with 15, John Chapman having fired 24 for the Friars.

Separating the sides at the minute are unbeaten Sileby Town, who go into this weekend four points behind Melton but with four games in hand.

While they will have a major interest in what happens over at Melton, they have to keep their own house in order if they are to land the title. They travel to struggling Desford knowing that nothing short of three points will suffice.

Saffron Dynamo, another side with games in hand, also face a crunch match.

They lie in fourth place but have to make the short trip along Cambridge Road to visit Blaby & Whetstone Reserves, who are tucked in just two points behind.

Kirby Muxloe Reserves and St Andrews Reserves, who fill two of the bottom three slots, meet at Ratby Lane.

Allexton & New Parks, whose point at the Andrews last time out took them away from the bottom three, go to Houghton Rangers.

GNG are still playing catch up in mid-table and begin the second half of their programme at home to Birstall United.

Rothley Imps and Caterpillar are the sides immediately ahead of them.

Rothley are away at Dunton & Broughton Rangers, with Caterpillar travelling to Cottesmore Amateurs.

Earl Shilton Albion's home clash with Barlestone St Giles rounds up the programme.

Kirby Muxloe look to maintain their Midland Football League promotion push on Saturday when they visit Coleshill.

Four straight wins have pushed the Ratby Lane side into the top four, with Ryan Seal's 17 goals so far this term proving a major benefit to the side.

They face a major test this weekend, though, with Coleshill currently just a place behind them in the chart.

Both sides will be hoping that Loughborough University can do them a favour by getting a result at second-placed Basford and stalling their push.

The Students, however, need the points to make sure they steer clear of the relegation zone.

Shepshed Dynamo also have a tough match as they eye a place in the top half of the table. They host third-placed Lye Town.

Entertainment should be high on the list. Although Dynamo's previous outing was a 1-1 draw with Quorn, their previous four games produced a total of 28 goals and two wins and a couple of defeats for Jeff Stocking's side.

Hinckley AFC face a key game in their Division One title chase. The fourth-placed outfit are away to the side immediately behind them.

Heather St John's, two places off the foot of the chart, have a great opportunity to bank vital points. They welcome Pelsall Villa, the side currently propping up the table. Leicester Road's impressive form has carried them up to second place in Division Two. They entertain Aston, who are just two points off the top two.

I genuinely believe our fly-half Owen Williams will play for Wales sooner rather than later. 

Following the news this week that he has signed a new deal with us, there has been a lot of chat about him missing out on the chance to play for his country, simply because he is based in England. That is nonsense.

If Owen is good enough to play for Wales, they will pick him to play for Wales.

Just like they have done with George North at Saints, Richard Hibbard at Gloucester and the two centres who have been playing in France.

It hasn't stopped their chances of playing for their country, has it?

In my opinion, Wales need Owen Williams because he is one of the two best fly-halves available to them. It is as simple as that.

Yes, there will always be some ambiguity over player release outside the arranged international window. Premiership Rugby will always dictate that.

But it also worth noting that we are paying Owen good money here and that will free up money for Wales to offer a central contract elsewhere. That benefits them.

I'm delighted Owen has stayed with us, as I am that Fraser Balmain and Graham Kitchener have signed new deals this week. All three are young men with very bright futures ahead of them.

Owen was courted by Wales but he has seen the bigger picture and has decided to stay at Welford Road. There was dialogue between our club and the Wales management during the process and the reality is that if they think he is good enough, he will play for his country.

There are always some politics in and around that, but that is the bottom line.

We believe the best place for Owen to develop is here. We took a punt bringing him here, gave him the opportunity and he has taken it.

I can also assure people that I want Owen to play for Wales.

If we are going to have players at the level we want them to be playing, at this club, they are going to be internationals. Whether that be England, Samoa, Fiji or Wales, I want them to be happy and play for their countries, because it will be good experience for them.

Players learn a lot by playing for their countries. They learn new ideas, work with new coaches and players, and learn to produce the goods in testing, high-pressure environments.

That helps their personal development and we as a club feel the benefits of that when they come back.

Geordan Murphy was told he would never play for Ireland if he stayed at Leicester. Some 72 Tests and British & Irish Lions caps later, it is fair to say he proved those people wrong.

Hopefully, Owen can recall similar accolades when his career comes to an end.

It was a big win for us over Bath last Sunday and we achieved it in a fantastic atmosphere at Welford Road.

Bath will have looked at our teamsheet with a few guys missing and they will have sniffed blood. But they found out that life at the top of the table is not that easy.

Climbing to the top and wanting to be a good side is one thing, but having the consistency and mentality to do it week after week, when you are expected to do it, is different.

We have beaten Bath at home, Exeter away, drawn with Saracens and we should have beaten Northampton too.

The players we will get back during the next few weeks will only add to the belief that we are right back in the mix.

A mum-of-two has been fighting breast cancer and soul destroying weight gain over the past two years. 

They are two battles Lorraine Robinson is determined to win.

Her cancer seems to be at bay, although she has to have regulation medication and check ups.

The 44-year-old is also wining on weight loss. As well as shedding more than 3st while undergoing radiotherapy she is now planning on helping others trying to slim down.

Lorraine, from Narborough, was diagnosed with breast cancer in July 2013 after finding a lump.

She said: "It was a shock, as it would be for anyone, you hope it is going to be a cyst.

"I decided to have chemotherapy before surgery. That was from July to December and it was quite isolating as you have to limit your contact with people because of the risk of infection."

But as well as losing her long blonde hair, eyelashes and eyebrows, the steroids Lorraine had to take at the same time meant she quickly piled on the pounds.

She said: "I had two operations, one in January another in February.

"I wasn't a lightweight but by then I was finding it hard to fit into a size 20 dress and didn't want to go into a bigger size."

Lorraine tipped the scales at 17st 9lbs when she joined Slimming World.

She said: "I wasn't feeling great but I wasn't going to use my cancer as an excuse.

"I received such a warm response and list 5.5lbs in the first week - the regime just suited me.

"I felt that I was doing something for myself and taking some sort of control."

Lorraine's confidence grew with the weight loss and within four weeks she decided not to wear a wig to club meetings.

She now weighs 14st 2.2lbs and in a size 14 dress.

Lorraine, an occupational therapist, said: "I haven't been this since I was 21 - it is fantastic."

But Lorraine, who had a one-year-old daughter and a sixteen-year-old when she was diagnosed, will have to take the drug

tamoxifen for at least the next five years which can also lead to weight gain.

She said: "I don't want to put on any more weight and I will carry on going to the Slimming World sessions."

In addition she is setting up as a Slimming World consultant and will hold her first meeting in Huncote on Wednesday, February 4 at 7.30pm.

Lorraine said: "I really believe that I can help other people.

"A lot of people having cancer treatment become concerned about weight gain and I hope my story will help inspire them.

"I feel physically fitter and am having a more healthy diet."

For more information on the new class e mail Lorraine at lorrainetoffee@googlemail.com

Leicester City have confirmed they have agreed a deal with HNK Rijeka for the transfer of Andrej Kramaric.

In a statement on the club's website, City confirm the 23-year-old Croatia international has agreed terms on a three-and-a-half-year contract, subject to a work permit.

City also confirmed that the deal for Kramaric, who has scored 28 goals in all competitions for Rijeka, will not be completed in time for Saturday's Premier League clash with Aston Villa.

Kramaric is set to join City for an undisclosed fee, believed to be a package deal worth in the region of £10million, which would make him the club's record signing.

Just in the depths of our despair, when good performances at home to Manchester City and Tottenham had brought nothing by way of points, things might finally have turned round for Leicester City in this tough Premier League season.

The win at Hull, followed by a hugely spirited performance against 12 men at Liverpool that deserved more than a point, was followed by an FA Cup win against Newcastle.

Although the latter did nothing for our league prospects, there is no such thing as a bad win, and three games without defeat has given a much-needed lift to both players and fans.

The four points that currently separate us from safety could surely be overhauled by a side that played like that at Anfield?

City's other trump card is the January transfer window, where it appears that we may have a little more to spend than our fellow relegation candidates.

After the signing of veteran keeper Mark Schwarzer, all attention has focused on Croatian goal-machine Andrej Kramaric.

Although his current club HNK Rijeka have happily announced that the record breaking £10million deal is done, City are waiting for the work permit to be rubber-stamped before they confirm it.

Although Croatia are now in the EU, their Freedom of Movement of Workers status can be blocked by individual member states.

The 'sports and entertainments' arrangements allow UK employers to bring in "established sportspeople, entertainers, cultural artists and some technical/support people from outside the EEA," although it is thought that Kramaric has not played in enough of his country's games to qualify.

If not, then perhaps the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, which allows highly skilled individuals from outside the EEA to migrate to the UK, could kick in?

Kramaric joined Dinamo Zagreb when he was six years old and proceeded to rack up 450 goals at youth level. How much more highly skilled can you be?

This season, the 23-year-old has already scored a hat-trick against Feyenoord and five goals in one game. He has scored 28 goals in 24 appearances and is just what goal-shy City need to pull them out of the mire.

Strange to think that our fate may be resting on a document sitting on a Home Office desk.

Welcome to the crazy world of football where you can pay a player thousands of pounds a week to play for you, and just when you need him most he has to fly off to take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Good luck to Riyad Mahrez as he joins the Algeria squad for the tournament. He has improved almost game-on-game this season. Of course, Leicester are not the only ones to suffer in this way. It is just that the others – Yaya Toure (Manchester City), Papiss Cisse (Newcastle), Nabil Bentaleb (Tottenham), Diafra Sakho (West Ham), John Obi Mikel (Chelsea), Kolo Toure (Liverpool), Wilfried Bony (Swansea) – aren't involved in our basement battle.

Leicester City have agreed a deal to sign Croatia striker Andrej Kramaric from HNK Rijeka for a deal worth around £10million.

However, the 23-year-old's move to Leicester is currently subject to him obtaining a work permit from the Home Office -  despite Croatia already being part of the EU.

Here is the reason why:

Even though Croatia became part of the EU in 2013, their Freedom of Movement of Workers status can still be blocked by member states.

The UK has applied a restriction of access to the labour market for Croatian nationals until 2020, meaning Kramaric still requires a permit.

The 'sports and entertainments' arrangements allow UK employers to bring in "established sports people, entertainers, cultural artists and some technical/support people from outside the EEA".

However, as Kramaric has only played four international matches for Croatia, it is believed he fails to meet the eligibility criteria.  

It means Leicester will have to put their case forward at a tribunal.

City's hope is that Kramaric's move will be given the go-ahead through the Highly Skilled Migrant Programme, which allows highly-skilled (hence the name) individuals from outside the EEA to migrate to the UK.

An American doughnut chain and an organic restaurant are set to arrive at the Highcross shopping centre next month.

Krispy Kreme doughnuts and Bill's will join the collection of food outlets in February.

Krispy Kreme will open a kiosk in the shopping centre on Saturday, February 14, and will be located on the ground floor of the East Mall outside of Tiger Tiger, Harper Lewis and Xplicit.

Jo Tallack, general manager at Highcross, said: "We are really excited for Krispy Kreme to come to Highcross, it has been a long time coming.

"We have had heard so much on Facebook and Twitter from students and our customers about why we don't have a Krispy Kreme store, so we are very excited to finally open the only Krispy Kreme store in Leicestershire."

Around 12 jobs will be created at the new kiosk, which will feature a seating area for its customers.

In the weeks leading up to the opening, staff from the doughnut chain will be giving away boxes of complimentary doughnuts to pedestrians and offices in the city centre.

Judith Denby, chief marketing officer at Krispy Kreme, said: "We can't wait to open in Leicester. Highcross is a great location for the store and and we can't wait for centre visitors to experience the joy of Krispy Kreme when we open next month."

Bill's is set to open on Monday, February 2 on Shires Lane, next to Red Hot World Buffet.

The number of jobs that will be created has not been confirmed.

Jo said: "To have Bill's open at Highcross is a great opportunity. Bill's is a really unique and traditional restaurant, and it is going to really suit the environment of St Peter's Square. To be able to have it in Leicester is fantastic."

Firefighters were called to a sparking micro wave oven in a coffee lounge on the ground floor of the Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The alarm was raised 2.52pm on Thursday when tin foil was accidently put in the oven.

A spokesman for the fire service said: "A crew was at the scene at the time and just checked it out. Somebody had mistakenly put tin foil into the oven causing it to spark. It was out when we arrived."

Low-cost retailers Lidl and Aldi have tempted many shoppers away from the big four supermarkets.

But Sainsbury's, Asda, Tesco and Morrison's are hitting back, with a raft of price cuts, especially on everyday items.

It's not just about prices, however, As you know, choosing where you shop depends on many things, including customer service, the range of goods available and customer rewards.

So in the battle of the supermarkets, who gets your cash?

Let us know by taking part in our poll. You can find it in the right hand column on this page.

The results will be published in the Mercury on Tuesday.