In 2001, for want of anything better to do, Leicester Mercury features writer Jeremy Clay spent a day in a monkey cage at Twycross Zoo. Banana, anyone? 

It starts with a single eerie howl, which grows steadily more insistent then is echoed by another. Suddenly there's an alarmed shriek, some up-tempo clattering, and primal scream moaning which swells to a crescendo, like a pair of whales making whoopee.

A pregnant silence. Then the sound of a small but crazed stampede, a huge yelp and the final flourish of a deafening whack of furry fist thumped upon metal.

You think you've got bad neighbours? Try spending a day in Flat One, The Chimp House, Twycross Zoo, where next door's banana bunch Flynn, Becky and Josie while away the hours in running battles that culminate with a furious attack on the metal gate that separates my cage from theirs.

It sounds for all the world like a monkey massacre, followed by the ritual catapulting of the vanquished simian carcass against the exit door.

And it's repeated at 10-minute intervals all morning. After just half an hour, my nerves are shot to pieces.

So, if it's not too big a question, why am I here? Well, Big Brother turned TV into the human zoo. So I made myself into a real one.

And in a 10 ft by 4ft cage, which whiffs of disinfectant and is floored by pub toilet tiles, I settle in with my kettle, chair table and radio and open the paper.

Within a few minutes a small crowd gathers outside to stare. And unlike the surreptitious stares you get from, say, taking a stroll down a cul-de-sac with a swag-bag, this is unashamed gawping – and it lasts several tortuous minutes at a time.

Now I know how Guy the Gorilla felt. Not trapped, not imprisoned, just painfully self-conscious.

The crowd move on, attracted by the fresh uproar next door.

And when the fingers of blame are pointed, Flynn is the primate suspect.

"He always starts it," smiles keeper Sharon Green, cheerfully checking up on the first homo sapiens on her daily round.

"Becky will sit there screaming and he'll hit her, and she'll thump him back, and carry on screaming just to wind him up.

"Then Josie gets in the middle, and punches both of them and it ends up as a mad brawl. We call time out on them and separate them. They sit there glowering at each other like they're saying "I'll get you later."

Back in cage one, the minutes have turned into hours, and a pattern is established.

I'll look up from trying to re-read the same report for the nth time. The blissfully empty corridor of a few moments ago will be filled with a throng of strangers. The kids will press their faces against the glass, some bewildered, some delighted and some looking a little unsettled. The parents – mums to a man – stand back smirking and enjoying the harmless stupidity of it all, though there's occasionally a faint look of pity in their eyes. And they'll stare, and stare, and stare.

Who'd have thought a man easing towards middle-age could be such a draw?

They'll hang there until I catch their eyes, or they realise that all I'm going to do is read or make a cup of coffee, which has become unexpectedly tricky to do with an audience.

There'll be no swinging off a tyre on a rope. I'm not going to go on the kind of berserk rampage they've just enjoyed next door. Neither am I going to unleash a great crowd-pleasing torrent of urine.

So off they'll wander, looking a little cheated.

Only the sole gaggle of teenagers in the zoo, a wandering exhibition of surliness, break ranks with convention.

"Oi, what are you doing?'' demands one indignantly, hammering on the window, in clear contravention of the polite notice on the window sill, which asks all visitors not to bang on the glass.

I feign hearing loss. And after 10 minutes or so, during which time the cage noticeably warms from my burning shame, they slink away.

From beyond the metal door, comes a steady tapping, like prison Morse.

I resist the urge to respond, remembering zoo boss Molly Badham's mysterious warning not to bang back.

More beast-spotters file by, amused, bemused or unmoved.

One child looks on the verge of tears. "Is he a funny man?" says a kindly mum, stooping to talk to her toddler daughter.

"No," she says, emphatically.

By dinnertime, the litter from my discarded banana skins, monkey nuts shells and scattered newspapers is beginning to build up.

Sadly no-one comes to muck me out. Regrettably there's no sign of the breeding programme I was hoping for either.

Nature calls. And though I share 90 per cent of my DNA with Flynn, Becky and Josie, and I may even have enough hair on my back to give all three a run for their money, there's one crucial difference: I have a key.

So I qualify for a little blessed privacy. "He's escaped!" yelps a woman with a pram, in mock horror as I slip out of a side door.

On the way back I stop to join the staring classes (ooh, ooh, ooh, I wanna be like you-oo-oo) and take a peek at my neighbours from hell.

For the last half an hour the unsightly-bottomed trio have been making noises which sound disturbingly like they've begun tunnelling.

As I walk by their cage (longer and bigger, mind you, with a TV), one chimp hurries along beside me, with an urgent look in his eyes. He waves his arm frantically.

"Hey bud," he seems to be saying. "How d'ya get out?"

Dream on pal, you're here for the long stretch.

Leicester City will have to plead their case before an appeal tribunal before they can confirm that striker Andrej Kramaric is their player.

City announced this afternoon they have agreed a deal to sign the 23-year-old Croatia international subject to an international work permit, but they face a battle to get one.

Although Croatia has now joined the European Union they have yet to be granted freedom of movement for workers status, meaning he does require a work permit and Kramaric does not meet the criteria because he has not played enough internationals.

City will ask for a hearing to put their case before an appeal committee and are confident the fact that he has played for Croatia at every level, has a superb goalscoring record and is widely regarded as one of the brightest young striking talents in Europe will aid their case. 

"It is really important for us to strengthen and providing everything goes the way we would like it to, and I think we have a pretty strong case with his international status and his form, internationally and at club level," said manager Nigel Pearson this afternoon.

"He has represented Croatia at every level.

"The very fact we have been prepared to go about securing the deal the way we have will be favourable for us, but of course it is subject to us obtaining the work permit.

"He has already played and scored against Malta (in the European Championship qualifier) so it would be fair to say he has a very bright future and hopefully that will be taken into consideration.

"Clearly his goalscoring record speaks for itself. He has good energy levels and the very fact there has been interest from some very big clubs that would be significant in the sense that he is a player who is rated domestically and certainly across Europe.

"It is never easy to get these situations finalised but I have been very impressed with as a person and I think he will be a very important signing for us."

Pearson also confirmed that Jeff Schlupp will not be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations with Ghana because of a knee injury.

Esteban Cambiasso is also out of Saturday's visit of Aston Villa with a thigh injury, while Danny Drinkwater still hasn't trained after a groin injury.

However, Dean Hammond and Andy King returned to training today and could be in contention.

Bosses at Leicester's hospitals have issued a new warning over growing pressure on A&E services.

They said a record number of very ill patients are being admitted and they expect numbers to rise over the next 10 weeks.

And they added that despite increasing the number of doctors, discharging more patients at weekends and opening more beds, the hospitals were full.

Earlier this week it emerged that the hospitals have had to declare an "internal major incident" seven times since the start of November to cope with hundreds of A&E patients and emergency admissions.

At a meeting of hospital directors today Richard Mitchell, chief operating officer, said: "We are more concerned than we have been at any stage in the past.

"We don't have any surge capacity, there is nothing more we can do."

When Leicester's hospitals are full it means that some patients needing to be admitted might have to wait longer until another patient can be discharged.

Some people are having to stay in hospital longer because there are no beds in community hospitals or care homes where patients needing some care could be transferred.

Mr Mitchell added: "We are stretching nursing staff very thinly."

Medical director Kevin Harris described the situation as "very uncomfortable at the moment.

"Outcomes deteriorate as a hospital becomes overcrowded."

Rachel Overfield, chief nurse at Leicester's hospitals, said there were concerns that nursing staff are so busy providing basic care that things such as infection rates will begin to rise.

She added: "This is a sign that wards are beginning to struggle and staff sickness is beginning to creep up.

"The issue is that there simply aren't the bodies to bring in."

Directors said they were surprised that to find a series of steps agreed at a crisis meeting with top health officials across Leicestershire a few days before Christmas had still not been discussed by the urgent care board, which comprises people from health organisations across Leicestershire and Rutland.

The issues raised included looking to see if extra beds can be bought in nursing and care homes and how "surge" capacity can be increased.

Non-executive director Ian Crowe said: "Inactivity across the radar of the health community is disappointing.

"We need to be more forceful to get this activity."

Karamjit Singh, who took over as chairman of Leicester's hospitals in October is now writing to the urgent care board.

He said: "I will be asking what is happening and what is not and what is proposed and I will ask for a response within 10 days."

An independent councillor has defected to the Conservatives.

Ed Hutchinson, who represents Frisby on the Wreak, has joined Melton Borough Council's ruling Tory group.

Councillor Hutchinson, 56, was the deputy leader of the authority's four-strong independent group until he made the switch.

He took the seat off the Tories in a by-election in 2011 but will defend it in May's borough council election as a Conservative.

The father-of-two said: "I stood against the Conservatives because they selected a candidate from outside the community.

"Conservative is my natural allegiance and they have approached me about joining them in the past but I was elected as an independent and I didn't feel it was right to switch.

"I've served as an independent for three years but I think as a member of the Conservatives I can achieve more for the community."

Coun Hutchinson said he informed independent group leader Councillor Elaine Holmes of his decision and that she had expressed disappointment.

He added: "She said she thought I could contend as an independent.

"We are still on good terms."

Coun Holmes said: "We all think it is a bit strange and a bit sad but I wish him well."

There are now three independent councillors. The Tories have 20 members and a majority of 12.

Tory council leader Byron Rhodes said: "The Melton Conservative team have been working hard for a number of years delivering on behalf of residents in the borough.

"We are now focused on setting our long term agenda for the Borough for the next four years.

"It is our long term plan that councillor Edward Hutchison understood and wanted to be involved with. He therefore asked to join the team and become a Conservative member.

"I am encouraged by the quality of people from the public coming forward wanting to be involved and join our team to deliver an exciting programme.

"We are presenting a plan built on delivering good quality services, sound finances, no debt, while keeping council taxes low."

Leicester City winger Jeff Schlupp will not be going to the Africa Cup of Nations due to a knee injury.

Schlupp was due to fly out to Spain to join up with the provisional Ghana squad before they cut it down to the final 23 for the tournament later this month.

However, he picked up a knee injury towards the end of the draw at Liverpool on New Year's Day and scans have showed the joint is inflamed and he has strained ligaments, meaning he was unable to fly to meet up with Ghana medical officials.

City supplied the results of a scan and their own report, while Schlupp has also undergone an independent examination in London for the Ghana Federation.

"To clarify, because there is always the danger when players are omitted from international squads there will be some cynicism flying around, Jeff was scanned the next day (after Liverpool), said manager Nigel Pearson.

"The medical report and scans were made available to the Ghanaian federation. He has also been down to have an independent examination.

"That is not unusual because he is not able to fly because he has inflammation in the joint.

"International federations are well within their rights to either have player be present with their own medical team but Jeff was unable to fly to Spain where they have their training camp.

"They had an independent examination in London which came to the same conclusions as we made available. We try to do things the right way.

"Unfortunately for him and Ghana they have had to make a decision based on his availability at the moment."

Pearson believes Schlupp may not be out of action for too long but said the decision was in the best interests of his welfare.

"From the outset of the injury we thought two weeks but I am not going to put a timescale on that," he said.

"He will not be available this week and maybe next week, but we will see.

"I suppose the reality of the situation is the potential difference in availability may not be too big anyway. The most important thing in anything like this is the wellbeing of the player.

"It is not the politics involved between whether there should be international tournaments during a season or any other issues really.

"My views are very clear. I am the manager of this club and I want the players to perform as best they can for us.

"I am always very supportive of players representing their country but my priority is always Leicester City first and foremost."

Estban Cambiasso will also be missing for the visit of Aston Villa on Saturday, while Danny Drinkwater is also doubtful, although he could return to training today after a groin injury.

But Andy King and Dean Hammond have returned to training after injury and could be in contention.

The headteacher of a top performing college has reassured parents it will respect the results of a consultation on changes to its admission age.

Beauchamp College, in Oadby, is asking parents and staff for their views on proposals to begin admitting students from the age of 11, instead of 14 as it does at present – teaching them through to 19.

Kath Kelly, headteacher at the academy, in Ridge Way, said the exercise which, if agreed will come into force next year, was in response to moves by the town's two high schools – Manor High and Gartree High.

They are running simultaneous eight-week consultations on plans to extend their school ages from 14 to 16, ending the three-tier system of primary, middle and upper schools in the area.

Ms Kelly said: "We were concerned at first whether taking on more age groups would work.

"But faced with the prospect that, if we did nothing, the college would become unviable, we have embraced it as an opportunity."

The shake-up has sparked concerns among parents about how the move will affect their children.

They include catchment area alterations; eligibility to free transport; siblings being split up; restricted places for children in outlying areas, and reduced sixth form provision.

Beauchamp said it intends to retain pupil numbers at its current level, which stands at just over 2,000, with each year reduced to about 300.

Ms Kelly said: "This was basically forced upon us by the high schools and will mean seven year groups as opposed to four. Each year group will be smaller, and that will mean fewer places in the sixth form.

"At present, however, a lot of sixth formers are from outside the Oadby area. But under these proposals, a vast majority of the sixth form places will be taken up by Oadby children."

Gartree headteacher Sonia Singleton said moving to a two-tier primary/secondary system, as is happening in most of the county, and UK, will help drive up standards and improve parents' choice.

She said: "Our plan provides choice for parents, carers and families.

"It removes transition at 14 which in turn will support the improvement of educational outcomes at 16, to which we are fully committed."

The changes would also end a historical anomaly in the Oadby area in which children leave primary school a year earlier than elsewhere – aged 10 – to start high school in year six.

One parent, who did not want to be named, was concerned about his son, who is due to start high school this September, not being eligible to transfer to Beauchamp.

Ms Kelly said: "As Launde would be one of our partner schools, he would be eligible. Moving school a second time after just one year is not ideal, but then again the current system is not much better."

She added: "We want this to be a genuine consultation. If the local community says it wants the education system to remain as it is then we would accept that – as long as the high schools do the same."

The proposals, if adopted, must be approved by the Secretary of State for Education, and Leicestershire County Council. The consultations close on February 27.

www.beauchamp.org.uk

www.gartree.leics.sch.uk

www.manorhigh.leics.sch.uk

A businessman has appeared in court to admit a half a million pound VAT fraud.

Bulbinder Singh Sandhu, 51, pleaded guilty to an offence of furnishing VAT returns with intent to deceive, knowing they were false in a material particular, namely making claims for VAT repayments to which he was not entitled, between January 2010 and January 2011.

Leicester Crown Court was told the offence relates to a total of £500,000.

Judge Michael Fowler ordered the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

The case was adjourned for sentencing on March 16.

Sandhu, of Swithland Lane, Rothley, who works in the clothing industry, was released on bail.

Police are appealing for help finding a 74-year-old man who went missing earlier today.

Jack Field was last seen at 11.15am walking in Parker Drive, Stocking Farm, Leicester.

Police believe he was making his way towards nearby Somerset Avenue but he never arrived at his destination.

Jack is described as a white man, 5ft 6ins tall with grey hair.

He was wearing gold-framed glasses, a grey charcoal suede effect coat, jogging bottoms and black trainers.

PC Penny Smith, a member of the missing person's team at Leicestershire Police, said: "The police and Jack's family are very concerned for his welfare and urged anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact them."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact the police on 101 immediately.

The prospect of Andrej Kramaric pulling on a Leicester City shirt is exciting manager Nigel Pearson. 

Subject to being granted a work permit next week, the 23-year-old Croatia striker could make his City debut at the King Power Stadium next weekend against Stoke. 

Pearson said the striker could give City's relegation survival prospects a big boost. 

Kramaric, who has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract after City agreed a fee believed to be potentially worth more than £9million with HNK Rijeka of Croatia, has already scored 21 goals in just 18 league games this season. 

Pearson said he is a player they have been tracking for some time.

Because Croatia only joined the European Union in 2013, the country's professional footballers are not afforded the same freedom of international employment as other EU nationals and, although Kramaric has played for the national team at every age group during his development, he has so far won only four senior caps and therefore does not meet the criteria required. 

City must convince a six-man panel, made up of representatives from the FA, the PFA, the Premier League and three independent panellists, that Kramaric is of such exceptional ability he can enhance the Premier League. 

Pearson said he would like to be personally present at the hearing to state City's case. 

"I am delighted we have almost got there," said Pearson. "He is certainly a player who excites me and I am delighted we have made progress regarding his signing. 

"He will enhance greatly what we already have. He is another promising and talented player to play in the Premier League. 

"Whenever I speak to players, I need to be able to look them in the eye and know they want to be a part of our season. 

"He will be great for us. He is a goalscorer. He is not the biggest but he is very sharp around the box and very intelligent. 

"But until everything is absolute, we prepare for the next game with the players we currently have. It would be great to get it across the line."

Kramaric is City's second new signing during the transfer window and they are pursuing other targets, most notably Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki and Wigan's Shaun Maloney. 

A central defender is also on City's wish list. 

"I have not ruled anything out but I don't believe that talking about other club's players is particularly the right thing to do," said Pearson. 

"If you are asking is there room to change the squad, we are always looking to do that. 

"We may do more business, and we may not. It is a very fluid situation in this window. 

"I know a lot about Okazaki and his goalscoring record is very good but I am not going to comment on speculation."

A music project has been launched for youngsters from a range of different backgrounds.

Philharmonia Orchestra and Soft Touch Arts are working together on the project called Symphonize.

It is the first time the project has taken place and teenagers, aged 14 to 19, will work with musicians to compose, produce, record and perform original, cross-genre music.

Joe Crofton, co-director of Soft Touch Arts, said: "This is a great opportunity for young people in Leicester to try something new and get involved in a very exciting project combining classical and urban music which is a new direction for both Soft Touch and the Philharmonia

"We've spent two days working in the studio experimenting with new sounds and styles and are looking forward to sharing what we've learnt with workshop participants over the next fortnight"

Hip hop and dubstep producers will join Philharmonia players to blend classical repertoire and with electronic and urban beats.

They will work alongside local young people to create vibrant new music.

Symphonize is supported by the J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust and it is hoped that this initial project will kick start a longer term programme of work.

Lindsay Wilson, director of education for the Philharmonia Orchestra, said: "Philharmonia has been resident at De Montfort Hall since 1997, and we're committed to surrounding our annual concert series with an extensive programme of dynamic education and outreach initiatives.

"We've long-respected the work of Soft Touch Arts and been keen to bring together the respective musicians and musical styles of our two organisations. We're thrilled that the support of J Paul Getty Jnr Charitable Trust has enabled this collaboration to begin, and very much look forward to working with young people in Leicester to create exciting, high-quality original work which truly fuses diverse musical styles."

In the long-term the project aims to equip young people with practical, creative and social skills that are transferable to everyday life, and boost self-esteem and ambition.

Taster sessions have been taking place and the sessions begin properly on Wednesday where the students will gear up for a performance on the Saturday, January 17 at the Y Theatre at 1pm.

Police are to destroy 49 knives after they were handed in at a Leicestershire police station.

The haul which included hunting knives and kitchen knives, were handed over to officers at Wigston Police station.

The knives were collected in over a three-month period between October last year and January.

Sergeant Joseph Gunduz from the Wigston Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "There are many dangers and consequences of carrying a knife.

"It can be used against you resulting in a serious injury or you could receive a prison sentence.

"Knife crime is not prevalent in the Wigston area but we are pleased that nearly 50 knives are off the streets and can never be used in any potential crime."

The police said the knives had been collected by a partnership agency but were unable to name the agency.

The Met Office has issued a "yellow warning of wind" for the county tonight as more storms hit the UK.

The warning for gale force winds gusting up to 70mph is in force for between 9pm tonight and 8am tomorrow morning.

The warning, which covers Leicestershire, Rutland, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, states: "A deep depression to the north of Scotland will bring a squally cold front southeast across the country on Friday night and Saturday morning.

"The strongest winds are likely to occur briefly on the passage of the front, or over a period of several hours over and to the lee of high ground, which could bring strong crosswinds to the A1 and M1.

"Southwesterly winds will increase to bring gusts of 50-60 mph, with the risk of local 70 mph. The public should be aware of the risk of disruption to transport."

Hurricane-force gusts over the past 12 hours have already caused travel disruption and left tens of thousands of homes without power across Scotland.

Trains have been cancelled and the Forth Road Bridge was temporarily closed.

An amateur photographer has snapped an unexpected visitor in Aylestone Meadows.

Jeff Wharton, 70, from Braunstone Town, was a little surprised to see a Red Admiral butterfly today - three months before they traditionally appear.

The keen snapper had his Nikon D50 with him and managed to get a shot of it on a dead tree stump before it flew off into the distance.

Jeff, who took up photography as a hobby in 2009, said: "The weather is very odd at the minute, it's like spring, I can't believe it.

"I was strolling around Aylestone Meadows and it felt so warm and mild.

"Then I saw this thing flutter past me and I thought it was a small bird - I really wasn't expecting to see a Red Admiral.

"Luckily I had my camera with me so I got a photo of it.

"You wouldn't normally get those until May or April."

The local air ambulance attended more accidents and emergencies in 2014 than for several years.

Mission figures for Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Rutland Air Ambulance (DLRAA) last year show that the number of call outs increased by more than 100 missions compared to the previous year.

DLRAA attended 1,032 missions in total over 2014, which is approximately three per day.

The three most common types of accidents or emergencies were road traffic collisions, at 43%, medical emergencies, at 15%, and sports injuries at 13%. The air ambulance also attended industrial incidents, falls, and other serious incidents.

Philippa Gibbs, critical care paramedic, said: "Our services attended more accidents and emergencies this year than for several years prior. We can't be everywhere, but we strive to be available whenever we can be to help save lives and improve patient recovery."

Last year also saw a big increase in the number of community volunteers fundraising and helping to promote the work of the air ambulance.

This week the Air Ambulance Service (TAAS), which is the umbrella charity for two helicopter services - DLRAA and Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance - launched a campaign appealing for more volunteers.

It aims to reach 500 by the end of 2015.

TAAS experienced their highest number of call-outs in the past three years. In total, 1,949 missions were carried out across the two services in the past 12 months.

Jo Payne, national volunteering manager, said: "We can't do our vital work without the help of our volunteers. We will be continuing our recruitment throughout 2015 to build our volunteer numbers and ensure we have supporter groups actively working in all key areas."

Each DLRAA mission costs around £1,700.

The charity receives no government funding and relies entirely on public generosity. Therefore, volunteers and donations are vital to keep the air ambulance crews rescuing people in need.

To volunteer or donate to the air ambulance, call 08454 130999 or visit www.theairambulanceservice.org.uk and click 'Get Involved'.

Three teenagers have been arrested after police carried out two raids in north west Leicestershire.

Officers executed warrants at two addresses in Heath Road, Bagworth, and arrested three people - one aged 14 and two aged 16.

The 14-year-old and one 16-year-old were detained in connection with 10 burglary offences and have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

The incidents all took place in Botcheston, Barleston, Bagworth and Thornton between December 20 and December 29, 2014.

The second 16-year-old was arrested for breach of bail in relation to a separate offence and remanded into custody.

The Rutland county motto "multum in parvo" could not be more appropriate.

New figures show that Rutland, whose Latin motto means "much in little", is out performing the rest of the country when it comes to house price rises.

Figures show that homes in Rutland, the smallest county in mainland England, grew in value by 19 per cent last year - quicker than in Greater London where they rose by 18 per cent.

The average property in the county shot up by almost £50,000 in 12 months to reach £305,000.

This compares to the average in England and Wales of £279,000 - a rise of 11 per cent.

The data, collated by lettings agents LSL Property Services, show that Rutland was also the second strongest performing unitary council or county after Slough which had 21 per cent growth.

Grant Murray, partner at Murray Estate Agents in Oakham, said: "Rutland is a fabulous place to live and has access very good schools in Oakham, Uppingham and nearby Stamford.

"We had a very, very good year last year. We sold a lot of the top end properties."

He said they had sold the 18th century Clipsham Hall, a grade II* listed property which boasted 60 acres of parkland, nine acres of formal gardens, a collection of cottages and several parcels of woodland for close to the guide price of £3.85 million.

Mr Murray said: "There are a lot of expensive high quality properties which may push the average price up but even having said that, the truth is that Rutland is a great place to have a home.

"There is the beautiful countryside and we have the incomparable Rutland Water."

Rutland resident and local MP Alan Duncan said he was not surprised by the county's success.

He said: "I have been here for 25 years and have always known just how wonderful this area is."

Rutland was abolished as a county in 1974 when it became part of Leicestershire, but reinstated after a 23-year campaign.

Victory was declared in 1997 when it was allowed to be governed by its own council and it became the smallest unitary authority in England.

In 2007, Royal Mail officially recognised Rutland as a postal county again.

The statistics show that house prices rose by 3.4 percent to give an average price of £151,395 in Leicester which puts it in 83rd in the country.

Average house prices in Leicestershire rose by 8.1 percent to £204,095 which puts it in 48th position in the table for England and Wales.

A burglar who made off with a £7,000 haul of valuables from a flat was jailed for eight months.

Anthony Karl Townson, 52, was captured on CCTV breaking into the property, which led to his arrest.

He pleaded guilty to burglary at the flat in Prebend Street, Highfields, Leicester, on the night of November 7, when two watches - including a Rolex - a laptop computer and an iPhone 5 were stolen.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Townson, an alcoholic, was desperate for money to buy drink when he committed the offence.

Sentencing, Judge Nicholas Dean QC said: "The items you stole belonged to an innocent victim whose home you invaded.

"Alcohol has been a bane of your life and, in turn, other people.

"Time and again you've offended, and been given chances with alcohol treatment requirements, and none of those have worked because you have always reoffended.

"You've reached the end of the road in relation to the courts giving you the opportunity to reform your behaviour.

"Your addiction to alcohol is likely to kill you in the not too distance future, let alone causing you to serve further terms of imprisonment.

"When you're released it will represent an opportunity for you to realise you're ruining your life by drinking and do something about it."

Lynsey Knott, prosecuting, said that police officers went to Townson's home in Glebe Street, Highfields, to arrest him on November 11.

He told them the stolen laptop was under his mattress officers later recovered the two missing watches, although the iPhone was never returned as he had sold it on.

Miss Knott said: "The watches were of sentimental value as one was a gift to the victim from his father and the other a present from his girlfriend."

Townson also admitted the offence put him in breach of a conditional discharge for an earlier offence, of damaging a window.

Michael Garvey, mitigating, said: "There was a suggestion he used an implement, or tool, to gain entry via a window, but it was in fact a comb he used to lever his way in.

"He recognises his problem and he's been without alcohol since his arrest, whilst on remand in custody.

"He understands what he has to do but the difficulty is maintaining sobriety on his release.

"He's had limited success with alcohol treatment in the past, but he hopes to conquer it."