A group of six pensioners who had planned to deliver a petition Charnwood MP Stephen Dorrell found themselves facing police and being accused of trespassing.

Bill Hill, 79, from Birstall, and five friends, had gone to Mr Dorrell's surgery in Melton Road on Friday to hand over a 2,286 signature petition asking the politician to resign.

Their campaign is in reference to a job Mr Dorrell has taken with KPMG, which his constituents claim is a conflict of interest.

More than 175,000 people have also signed a similar online petition calling on the Prime Minister to sack the former Health Secretary for the same reasons.

However, when the elderly group of three men and three women visited the surgery they were told to leave.

Mr Hill said: "Six of us went to Mr Dorrell's office at 4pm to try and get a meeting and hand over the disc with 2,000 signatures on.

"We were sitting there waiting and this guy came and told us we were trespassing. Then he said he was calling the police."

Mr Hill and his friends left a few minutes later only to be met outside the building by officers and squad cars.

"The policeman even joked that if he knew it was just a few pensioners he wouldn't have bothered coming," said Mr Hill. "It's a bit ridiculous really.

"Isn't it our right as constituents to see our MP?

"And surely his office can't call the police just because they don't like our reason for wanting to see him?"

Hanif Asmal, chairman of the Conservative Association, said the police were called because the group needed an appointment to see their MP and could not simply show up.

"They were trespassing," said Mr Asmal. "Because they didn't have an appointment."

Mr Dorrell, who was not at the surgery at the time, said he did not want to comment on the

However, he did say he did not agree with the petition.

"I've been a member of parliament for 35 years," said Mr Dorrell. "And I've always had outside interests and always been clear that I think members of parliament are better if they don't live inside a bubble."

A rally was held at Leicester's Clock Tower today to remember the innocent victims of the terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists in France.

More than 150 people gathered in the city centre, where they also demonstrated their solidarity with all those who defend the right to freedom of speech and expression.

It was organised by the University of Leicester students union, and Leicester Secular Society, to coincide with a unity march in Paris, attended by more than a million people.

Brothers Said and Cherif Kouachi killed 12 people at the offices of satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, in Paris, on Wednesday.

They were shot dead as they fled a warehouse north of the city, on Friday, when the death toll rose to 17 after a stand-off at a kosher supermarket involving police and a gunman linked to the Kouachi brothers.

A group of French students studying in Leicester sang La Marseillaise, their national anthem, at The Clock Tower, before lighting candles at the foot of the monument to remember victims of the attacks.

Gush Bhumbra, president of Leicester Secular Society, said: "I'm pleased and proud that so many citizens of Leicester came out to remembers those killed in the terrorist attacks, and to take a stand in support of freedom of speech."

A renewable energy company has taken the first step towards a planning application for a 32-acre solar farm on the outskirts of Loughborough.

TGC Renewables, which has offices in Bristol and Glasgow, has requested an "environmental impact assessment screening opinion" from Charnwood Borough Council.

The proposed site, at Mill Farm, in Nottingham Road, is currently used for grazing. It would house rows of solar panels for up to 25 years.

The ground-mounted panels would not be expected to be taller than 3m (9.8ft). An 8ft deer-proof mesh fence would be put up around the site.

Company director Roy Amner said: "The screening option request is the first stage in the planning process ahead of a full planning application.

"We hope to organise a public consultation meeting in about three months' time where residents can learn more about our proposals."

Senior planner for the company, James Jamieson, said: "The proposals will require the installation of a number of inverter cabinets and a power transformer cabin, to convert the electricity generated to be compatible with the nearby three-phase power system.

"The proposals will allow for the opportunity to graze sheep on the land, if required by the land owner.

He added: "This will generate approximately 5.9GWh per annum. The panels will stand between 0.6 and 3m off the ground, and the site will be secured by a deer-proof fence, which will be 2.4m high and set back at least 3m from the existing field boundary/ hedge lines.

"A detailed flood risk assessment will be undertaken and mitigation measures included as necessary.

"The development seeks to utilise sunlight, a renewable resource, to generate electricity to assist the UK in meeting its renewable energy objectives."

Mr Jamieson said disruption to residents during the installation phase would be kept to a minimum.

He said: "Potential nuisance would be limited to some noise, vehicle movement and dust created during construction.

"The proposal does not require significant earthworks and the site will be self-contained. Once in place, the main issue relates to landscape visual impact, which would be addressed as part of the formal planning application process."

Borough councillors Anne Williams and Sarah Maynard-Smith, who represent the Loughborough Hastings ward, were unavailable for comment.

Chance to invest in scheme:

TGC Renewables, says the potential benefits of a solar farm on the outskirts of Loughborough will be extensive.

Roy Amner, the firm's director for energy generation projects, said: "We chose this site as it meets our criteria and those of local and national planning policy guidelines.

"The site is low grade agricultural land but we would retain sheep to graze it.

"That way, we will be producing both food and electricity.

"All electricity generated will also be used to power homes and businesses in the area."

Residents will be given the opportunity to invest in the project.

Mr Amner said: "There will be an element of community ownership and residents will have the chance to invest in the solar scheme.

"A project completed in Eastcombe, Gloucestershire, is 100 per cent owned by the community.

"In Loughborough, we are initially looking at up to 25 per cent community ownership."

Revised details of a multi-million development to create 6,000 jobs go on show to the public on Friday.

Developers of Magna Park in Lutterworth want to expand the distribution park which already employs more than 9,000 workers.

The move is being prompted by demand from companies who either want to move to the site or expand existing operations.

IDI Gazeley, which runs the site, said part of the expansion involves existing client DHL which wants to create 1,000 jobs with the development of a one million sq ft warehouse.

If granted planning permission the expansion would see a further 5 million sq ft of warehousing creating an estimated 5,00 jobs.

The exhibition at the Lutterworth Town Hall between 2pm and 8pmo on Friday and from 10am to 3pm on Saturday follows an initial presentation in November last year.

Gwyn Stubbings, planning director at IDI Gazeley, said: "We were really pleased that so many people came along to view our proposals in November and we're really keen for as many people as possible to come along and see our emerging proposals.

"The purpose of this second exhibition is to let everyone know how we've taken their comments on board to help shape our plans. As the largest employment centre in the district, the extension of Magna Park offers a huge opportunity to create jobs and support the local economy.

"We believe it's really important to listen to the community so that we can produce a scheme that has real benefits to local people."

IDI Gazeley wants Magna Park to spread onto a further 200 hectares of land they control to the north of the existing site.

Mr Stubbings said the presentation would allow people to see plans for DHL Supply Chain and emerging proposals for the expansion of Magna Park.

There will also be more information on the potential community benefits of the scheme including a university-accredited academy concentrating on the logistics industry aimed at 14-19 year olds and a public park running through the site.

Ward councillor Rosita Page said: "People have voiced concerns over the impact the scheme may have regarding lorry parking and the local infrastructure.

"People will have the opportunity comment once a planning application is submitted." 

A spokesman for DHL said:

"As the world's leading logistics provider, DHL is already a major occupier at Magna Park.

"By increasing our presence at the site, situated at the heart of the golden triangle, we aim to reduce our

carbon footprint and that of our customers, while benefiting from the Park's other advantages.

"If successful, the new development could create significant employment locally."

Magna Park is a 500 acres warehousing and distribution centre on the A5 at Lutterworth close to Junction 20 on the M1.

Magna Park was created by a collaboration between the Church of England and Asda in 1988 and was constructed on the site of the former RAF Bitteswell airfield .

It is in an area of land bounded by the M1, M6 and M69 motorways; known as the Golden Triangle for its logistically favourable location.

It has 25 tenants which include Asda, Honda, Toyota, BT, Argos, LIDL, Merck Eurolab, TNT and Panasonic.

It provides employment for more than 9,000 workers.

In 2008 it was the largest distribution centre in Europe.

Bosses at Leicester's hospitals are still struggling to discharge patients from the city's hospitals because there is nowhere suitable for them to go.

Despite opening some 30 extra beds at Leicester Royal Infirmary and Leicester General Hospital figures last Monday showed there were 61 patients who could not be moved because suitable care was not available.

This is either because there are no available beds for people needing care, but not acute hospital care, or that patients are waiting for social care arrangements to be finalised.

Latest figures show that there are fewer community hospital beds than last year but officials said there are more "virtual" beds - beds where extra care is provided in people's homes - than ever before.

Bosses at the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs the community hospitals, said it has 253 beds - 12 fewer than last year but there are 132 "virtual" beds - 12 more than last year.

A trust spokesman said: "Although there is significant pressure on services, since the new year we have had both in-patient and community beds available every day and are actively supporting Leicester's hospitals to discharge and transfer patients needing care from our services as quickly as possible."

He added: "On January 9 we began with 13 community hospital beds and 13 'virtual' beds with nine planned discharges."

He said temporary funding has also been agreed so that an extra 20 people can be cared for in their own homes.

In West Leicestershire figures show that there are 114 community hospital beds - 34 down from last year.

But Toby Sanders, managing director of the West Leicestershire clinical commissioning group (CCG) which is responsible for planning and paying for services, said that there were 48 "virtual" beds.

He added: "The CCG is committed to treating patients at home and in the community wherever possible."

Dr Nick Willmott, a GP and clinical lead for the West Leicestershire CCG, said schemes including "virtual" wards and night nursing schemes was helping keep people out of hospital.

He added: "As our population grows and changes the need to provide intensive community response becomes ever more important."

The University of Leicester the UK Space Agency have called a press conference to brief journalists about the missing Beagle 2 lander, which disappeared on Mars more than a decade ago.

Led by space scientist Professor Colin Pillinger, who died last year, the command centre was based at the National Space Centre, in Exploration Drive, Leicester.

However, mission control lost contact with the lander on Christmas Day, 2003.

Professor Dave Barnes at the mission control at the National Space Centre

It was sent to the Red Planet to look for signs of life but nothing was ever beamed back and the mission was shelved.

Now, scientists, including mission manager Dr Mark Sims, and others from the University of Leicester, UK Space Agency and European Space Agency will discuss a new aspect of the Mars Beagle mission.

However, the subject of the briefing, being held at Royal Society's Kohn Centre, in London, on Friday, has not been revealed.

Dr Mark Sims looking at a model of Beagle 2 at the National Space Centre in 2003

A 33-year-old man has become the first person to be recruited to a global trial of a new medication for a chronic kidney disease.

Scott Jennings, from Earl Shilton, was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy a few months ago.

The condition commonly affects young people and can lead to kidney failure and the need for dialysis or a kidney transplant.

It happens when antibodies called IgA1 settle on the kidney and cause inflammation and scarring.

Scott, who works for a printing company in Earl Shilton, said: "It is very exciting to be involved in this research study.

"I am only 33 and I have been healthy my whole life so to get my diagnosis from a routine blood test was a shock. There had been no sign of the disease.

"At the moment it is a case of managing the condition such as keeping my blood pressure at the right level and I watch what I eat."

He added: "I have to have a few more tests but the trial is scheduled to begin in March.

"I can't quite believe that I have been asked to take part in this ground-breaking research."

The trial will look at the effectiveness of a drug, fostamatinib, as a new treatment.

It will involve up to 75 adult patients from 25 research centres across Europe, America and the Far East.

The research team is Leicester is led by Dr Jonathan Barratt, reader and honorary consultant nephrologist at Leicester's hospitals and the University of Leicester.

He said: "It is very satisfying for Leicester to be the first centre in the world to recruit to this study.

"We were involved in the laboratory studies that showed for the first time that fostamatinib might be a new treatment for IgA nephropathy."

The proposed study was first presented to patients and families at an event hosed by the Leicester IgA nephropathy research group last year.

Dr Barratt said: "We found it invaluable to listen to everyone's experiences, concerns and suggestions and we will continue to incorporate that perspective in our work."

Loughborough Students went down 38-17 at Rosslyn Park in National One, in a game that was probably tighter than the final score suggested.

In tough, windy conditions, the Students found themselves unlucky to be 19-0 down at half-time.

They put in an excellent second half with tries from Jacob Field (2) and Tom James, but Rosslyn Park proved too strong for the Students.

Loughborough are now nervously looking over their shoulder as they look to move away from a relegation scrap.

Director of rugby Dave Morris said: "We're all competitive people, we all want to win and the reality of the league is it is all about picking up points.

"There is disappointment we didn't get the bonus point because we worked really hard to get into the position to get that, but we lacked a little bit of composure when we got to that goal zone."

Sedgley Park ended Leicester Lions' three-match unbeaten streak in National Two North with a 28-17 victory.

Sedgley jumped into an early lead but it was Lions who scored the first try of the game, despite having Devon Constant sin-binned, as John Murdoch went over after handling errors from the visitors. Daniel Burke added the conversion to put Lions into a 7-6 lead.

Sedgley Park moved back in front before half-time as the Manchester-based side went over for a try to take a 13-7 lead.

Lions came out strongly in the second half and an early Burke penalty saw the deficit reduced to three.

A quickfire try-double from Sedgley with only 10 minutes of the second half gone put paid to Lions' hopes of a comeback. A Robert Young try and a Burke conversion gave Lions brief hope but Sedgley added a penalty to see them through.

In an all-Leicestershire clash in National Three (Midlands), South Leicester remain comfortably top of the table thanks to a 30-18 victory over Hinckley.

South's tries came from Lee Robinson, Connor Smith and Gareth Kerr, with the reliable kicker Rick Aley adding a drop goal, three conversions and a penalty to see them home.

Hinckley's tries came from Joe Glover and a penalty try, with Rick Harris adding a penalty and a conversion as well as Mark Lord adding a penalty.

Syston beat Market Rasen 22-7 with tries coming from Ben Hardy, Aaron Dawson and Jamie Skerritt.

James Morgan added two conversions and a penalty as Syston remain on course for promotion in Midlands One East.

Belgrave remain in deep trouble after losing 45-10 at home to Bugbrooke.

Their only points came from a brace of tries from Rob Kyle.

Melton Mowbray made a statement of their intent over the second half of the Senior League season.

The Premier Division leaders hammered challengers Friar Lane & Epworth 7-0 to consolidate their position at the top of the chart.

The defeat did not quite end the Lane's title aspirations but they will have a lot of work to do now if they are to overhaul the front-runners.

Aaron Black and Kieron Clayton scored two apiece for the home side, with Aiden Black, Adam Bishop and Stef Stapleton completing a demolition job.

Sileby Town kept pace with Melton as they produced a terrific showing themselves.

They emerged 4-1 victors at Desford where Jon Coppard, Adam Boulter, Dean Copson and Rob Woodcock shared out the goals.

It is not quite a two-horse race yet but two of the other title hopefuls, Blaby & Whetstone Reserves and Saffron Dynamo, shed points when they faced each other.

The sides drew 1-1 at Warwick Road, Tom Blanchard with the Blaby goal, Sean Barber on target for Saffron.

Kyle Newall grabbed the winner as Dunton & Broughton Rangers claimed a 1-0 victory over Rothley Imps.

Wayne Slawson scored twice, with Austin Cain netting the other, in Birstall United's 3-1 success at GNG.

Andrea Fontuoura was another to net a brace, helping Cottesmore Amateurs to beat Caterpillar 3-2.

Earl Shilton Albion eased past Barlestone St Giles 5-1, Jamie Maher scoring twice.

And there was a rare – but welcome – victory for St Andrews Reserves as they won 6-3 at Kirby Muxloe R. Shay Brennan and Toby Warner scored twice.

Meanwhile, Jake Woolley bagged his second hat-trick of the season as Coalville Town stuck five past Norton United in their biggest league victory of the campaign.

The Ravens, now unbeaten in three in Evo-Stik Division One South, will be hoping to take that form into tomorrow night's Westerby Cup quarter-final clash with Loughborough University at Owen Street.

Coalville found themselves two up inside 10 minutes through Woolley and Lee Attenborough.

Woolley had his second on the half-hour, tapping in a rebound, before completing his treble after 60 minutes.

Youngster Kyle Fowkes then scored 20 seconds after going on to become the first player to score a first-team goal after coming through Coalville's youth system.

Norton grabbed two late consolations but it was too little, too late, against the rampant Ravens.

Barwell are also in Westerby Cup action tomorrow night as they travel to Oadby Town in their quarter-final.

The Canaries go into their clash, having avoided a run of four straight defeats by coming from a goal down to pick up a 1-1 draw at home to Curzon Ashton in Evo-Stik Premier Division.

Things were looking bleak when the hosts found themselves behind after conceding a penalty on the half-hour.

But Anthony Carney came to the rescue once again to bag his sixth goal in four league games to secure the point that keeps Barwell in ninth.

Loughborough Dynamo head into their Westerby Cup quarter-final at St Andrews following a 3-1 defeat at home to Tividale in Division One South.

Joe Pheasant levelled for the hosts after Tividale had opened the scoring after 25 minutes but two second-half goals from the visitors condemned Dynamo to their fourth game without a win.

Another Leicestershire star in the making has made an impression on the judges of The Voice.

Howard Rose performed My Generation on Saturday's series opener, tempting both Tom Jones and Ricky Wilson to turn their chairs around during the blind auditions.

His song started off as a quiet acoustic version of The Who's hit before the studio band joined in, getting all four judges, including Will.i.am and Rita Ora, bouncing in their big chairs.

Howard, 28, said: "It was amazing and the band did a great job.

"Some of the other contestants got all four judges to turn around but Tom Jones was the only one I was really interested in."

Howard signed up to be on Tom's team at the end of the show.

"Ricky was talking to me afterwards and he was just lovely and really convincing but I had my heard set on Tom and although it was a close thing I did go with him," he said.

The blind auditions - which were recorded in October - are the first of three challenges the contestants have to survive before the live shows begin in March.

Howard, who grew up in Leicester and studied music at Leicester College before moving to Manchester three years ago, said local contestants of the last series of The Voice - Sally Barker and James Byron - had been wishing him the best.

He said: "Sally, who was a finalist last year, and James, who also went to Leicester College, have both been in touch with me to say good luck, which is brilliant."

Ahead of Saturday's show there were gruelling auditions to get through before the televised trials began.

Howard said: "There were lots of preliminary rounds before getting through to being on the show as well.

"But it's been great."

Howard, who teaches music to primary school pupils, does gigs as a solo artist and with his band, Suburban Sons.

He was playing an open mic night at a pub in Manchester when he was spotted by a talent scout for The Voice.

He said: "It was very odd. I got a phone call and it left me pretty shocked.

"I was thinking, 'Is this real? Has someone just rang me up from The Voice?'

"It isn't the sort of thing I would have thought of to go for on my own but it's probably been the best decision of my career."

The last two years have been bumper ones for Leicestershire with Sam Bailey, of Leicester Forest East, winning the X-Factor in 2013 and Sally Barker, of Lutterworth, finishing as a runner-up in The Voice last year.

Sally has been touring the UK for the past four months after getting a boost from the show, while Sam is about to embark on a new tour.

Having given birth to her new daughter Miley in September, Sam will begin her tour at De Montfort Hall on January 29.

Leicester Riders' forward Jamell Anderson is reaping the rewards for his hard work this season.

That is the view of Riders coach Rob Paternostro, who hailed Anderson's eye-performance in the 82-59 BBL Championship win at Bristol Flyers at the weekend.

It was Bristol's heaviest home defeat of the season, with Rashad Hassan once again leading the scoring for Riders with 23 points on 67 per cent shooting in just 26 minutes of play.

But it was Anderson who really stood out with 19 points, six rebounds, a block and an assist in 39 minutes of play.

"Jamell has really stepped up the last number of games, including on offence the last two games," said Paternostro.

"His defence and versatility have always been special but now he is finding an ability to put the ball in the basket. There is no player in the Riders squad who works harder on his game than Anderson, and undoubtedly we are seeing the benefits of that hard work.

"He played more than anybody against the Flyers, over 39 minutes, and that was because it was hard to take him off.

"TrayVonn Wright had picked up some early fouls and we needed Anderson's length and flexibility.

"Jamell is a really important player for us, because he can score inside and out, and it keeps defences off balance."

Riders have a double-this weekend, travelling to Sheffield Sharks in the BBL Championship on Friday night before returning home on Saturday evening at Loughborough University for the visit of Leeds Force in the first round of the BBL Trophy.

Elsewhere at the weekend, Newcastle Eagles are the new BBL Cup champions after they beat Glasgow Rocks 84-71 before nearly 9,000 fans at the Barclaycard Arena, in Birmingham, on Sunday. The win ended a run of four defeats in finals for the Eagles, including to Riders in the last two Cup finals.

The Eagles dominated from start to finish, paced by MVP Rahmon Fletcher, who scored 15 points, four rebounds and four assists.

In the BBL Championship, the league's longest winning streak came to an end.

That happened in Worcester on Friday night as the second-placed Wolves condemned Newcastle to a first defeat in 20.

Cheshire Phoenix extended their winning run to double-figures with an 82-95 win over Sheffield Sharks.

Plymouth's Brent Benson posted the highest individual points tally of the season so far with 38 to lead the Raiders to an 80-93 win at Leeds.

Results: 

BBL Cup Final: Newcastle 84 Glasgow 71 

BBL Championship: Worcester 99 Newcastle 91; Sheffield 82 Cheshire 95; Leeds 80 Plymouth 93; Bristol 59 Leicester 82; Surrey 80 Durham 78

Jordan Crane insists Leicester Tigers have not reverted to their early-season poor form despite suffering their second-heaviest loss of the campaign against Harlequins.

Tigers fell 32-12 at the Stoop on Saturday, trailing only the 45-0 humbling at Bath in Tigers' severest defeats this season.

But No.8 Crane believes Tigers are performing far better now than they were during the opening months, when they also lost at home to London Irish and at Gloucester.

Crane said: "The way we were playing at the start of the season was not the way that the boys wanted to play, and the boys were not enjoying it.

"Now, we are doing the right stuff and, if we can tidy up the inaccuracies, we would be doing all right.

"If we were to take positives out of it, it is the way we are playing now, instead of just kicking the ball and getting a good line.

"The last three weeks we have played attacking rugby with ball in hand but, if we are going to play that way, we have to be more accurate.

"We threw everything at them but the story of the day was our inaccuracies at crucial moments. We had possession in their 22 and the chance to get down there and put some pressure on and get a score, but we were just inaccurate."

Quins ran in four tries and it was all too easy at times, particularly for the hosts' third score, when wing Marland Yarde sprinted home from halfway, exploiting a gaping hole in Tigers' defensive line.

Crane pinpointed individual errors as the cause for a weak defensive display.

"We were soft and dropped off too many tackles and allowed them to off-load," said the 28-year-old said.

"I wouldn't say we were stressed in defence too often, it was more too many individual errors.

"It's frustrating and we have to look at ourselves first and foremost. We are the only guys who can sort that out.

"If we can play like we have done in the last three weeks, we will be there or thereabouts.

"We had a chance to put some pressure on the top two and we missed it. We have to take them when they are on offer."

Improvements will be needed if Tigers are to keep their Champions Cup hopes alive with a win against Scarlets at Welford Road on Friday.

Crane said: "The Scarlets game is massive. We are not out of it.

"If we go hard at it against the Scarlets and then hard against Ulster, we can see what comes of it.

"If you don't get through, two good wins in Europe will be good for us going forward."

Chris Wood scored the winner for Leicester City under-21s and they sneaked a tremendous win over Everton at Belvoir Drive this afternoon.

In driving rain and swirling winds, City had to defend stoicly in the second half and the game seemed to be heading towards a goalless stalemate until Wood seized on a poor back pass and chipped the keeper in the 87^th minute.

City, who featured under-18s Ben Chilwell and Elliott Moore in the side, had made a lot of the running in the first half but were unable to take their chances and it was the Toffees who were in the ascendency in the second half, although Elliott Moore and central defensive partner Liam Moore both had good chances from set pieces.

But it was the one decisive piece of quality from Wood, who along with Liam Moore played the entire 90 minutes, that settled the game to give Steve Beaglehole's men a deserved win.

"I am delighted because they are a good side," said Beaglehole.

"We played them at the start of the season and they taught us a lesson on how to play the game.

"It was virtually the same side we faced today and we have had a number of players go out to get first team experience on loan, so I am delighted.

"We had a couple of under-18s in the ranks and they did well and I said at half time that it would probably come down to one moment of magic, and that was the case.

"I think Chris was the only player on the pitch who could have scored that goal.

"The first team players, when they drop down to play in the under-21s, show the respect they have for the club because they always put in a good shift."

Leicester City's strikers should not see the arrival of Andrej Kramaric, who was given the green light to complete his move to City yesterday by the FA, as a threat, said manager Nigel Pearson.

Instead, the City boss believes the Croatian's likely arrival should be seen as a boost towards Premier League survival.

Kramaric was granted an FA endorsement yesterday and is now expected to complete his 
£9.5 million move from HNK Rijeka in time to face Stoke on Saturday. 

The hearing was yesterday afternoon and City have convinced the six-man panel Kramaric will enhance the Premier League. Their decision is expected to be ratified by the Home Office within the next 48 hours.

Having paid out a club-record fee, City will be hoping for a big impact from the 23-year-old, who has a phenomenal goalscoring record in Croatia during the past couple of seasons. But Pearson said Kramaric's arrival should not destabilise his strikers. 

There were newspaper reports the arrival of Kramaric could see the departure of Chris Wood or Jamie Vardy, but Pearson said he needs all his striking options.

"The players who are here recognise that any players who come in are not a threat to them," said Pearson.

"They are going to add to our chances of being successful. That's the point. I have said all along that anyone we add to the squad is just that, an addition to the squad.

"It is not taking away, it is adding to the ability we already have."

Pearson said he wanted to be present for yesterday's hearing, when City had to make representations to a six-man panel.

Kramaric needs a work permit as he does not qualify automatically as he has not played enough internationals and Croatia do not have full EU freedom of worker movement rights.

But City have successfully argued he is an exceptional talent and that he will become a regular in the Croatia side, with the written support of his international boss Niko Kovac.

"He's a young man who we have followed for a long time," Pearson said of Kramaric, who watched his new team-mates from the stands as they beat Aston Villa on Saturday.

"He will add a lot to what we already have. That is what we are about. It's adding to the squad. It's not replacing people here, it's enhancing. 

"It's taken an awful lot of time to put together this squad from the Championship with an eye on getting promotion.

"It's not a case of 'This is a Championship side, now let's throw the toys out the pram and get a new side in'.

"It's not like that. We have tried to build a squad that is capable of making the transition.

"Hopefully, we can add one or two more to the squad that will enhance what we already have. It's not about wholesale changes. That allows football clubs to build with an eye on stability." 

A doctor and a nurse charged with gross negligence manslaughter after the death of six-year-old Jack Adcock at Leicester Royal Infirmary have had their professional registrations suspended.

It means the pair cannot work in UK health care while the orders are in place.

The third person to be charged, also a nurse, has been allowed to carry on working, although a set of conditions has been imposed on her.

Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garb, a paediatric registrar at Leicester's hospitals, was suspended from the General Medical Council register of doctors on Thursday, January 8. The ruling was made by a Medical Practitioners' Tribunal Service interim orders panel.

On the same day, staff nurse Isabel Amaro, an agency nurse at the infirmary at the time of the youngster's death, was given an 18 month interim suspension order by the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC).

A separate NMC panel decided that Theresa Taylor, a ward sister on the children's assessment unit at the infirmary, who has also been charged in relation to Jack's death, should be allowed to continue working on certain conditions. The decision came after the panel heard of 20 "excellent testimonials, including from senior nursing and medical staff".

Jack Adcock, from Glen Parva, was six when he was admitted to Leicester Royal Infirmary suffering from diarrhoea and vomiting nearly four years ago, on February 18, 2011.

This developed into pneumonia and septic shock and after about 10 hours in hospital, Jack, who had Down's syndrome, went into cardiac arrest.

An inquest into his death was held in July 2013, but was adjourned for legal reasons on the fifth day of the hearing.

The decision to prosecute the three was announced by Crown Prosecution Service last month.

Shortly before Christmas, Fiona Morrison, specialist prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service special crime division, said: "We have carefully considered the evidence gathered by Leicestershire police into the treatment and care of Jack Adcock by Dr Hadiza Bawa-Garba, Sister Theresa Taylor and Staff Nurse Isabel Amaro.

"Having completed our review, we have concluded there is sufficient evidence and it is in the public interest for Dr Bawa-Garba, Sister Taylor and Staff Nurse Amaro to each face charges of gross negligence manslaughter."

The three women are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Friday, January 23, charged with gross negligence manslaughter following the death of Jack, from Glen Parva, on February 18, 2011.

A man died in hospital hours after being handcuffed and put in leg restraints by four police officers, an inquest heard today.

Rafal Delezuch, of Highfields, Leicester, died after he was detained under the Mental Health Act when he was reported to be acting strangely in the street.

Coroner Martin Gotheridge told the hearing at Leicester Town Hall how police were called out on August 15 2012 after members of the public became concerned about the behaviour of Mr Delezuch in Highfields.

Mr Gotheridge said Mr Delezuch, 26, had been detained and restrained as much for his own safety as for the safety of others.

He said despite Mr Delezuch being handcuffed and put in leg restraints he continued to struggle as he was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Mr Gotheridge said: "He was taken into a side room in the emergency department and was put on mattress on the floor.

"Mr Delezuch remained uncooperative and the officers left the restraints on him."

Mr Delezuch was taken into the hospital at 9.15am and died just hours later.

The jury was shown four CCTV videos showing Mr Delezuch's erratic behaviour on the morning of August 15.

One video showed him walking in and out of the Londis store on Evington Road on numerous occasions and crouching down outside the shop.

Mr Delezuch's mother travelled from Poland to be at the hearing.

Speaking through an interpreter she told how she had spoken to her son the day before he died as he was worried about not having a job.

She said: "I said not to worry and that he could come home to Poland any time. I told him I love you."

Mr Gotherideg said the toxicology report suggested that Mr Delezuch had taken amphetamine.

He said: "The report suggests that Mr Delezuch had been taking a significant amount of illegal drugs."

The hearing continues tomorrow.

Matty James will miss a dream return to Old Trafford after Leicester City decided not to appeal his red card against Aston Villa on Saturday.

The City midfielder was shown a straight red after his challenge on Jores Okore in added time was deemed to be dangerous by referee Michael Oliver.

That means James will miss this Saturday's visit of Stoke, the FA Cup fourth-round trip to either Burnley or Tottenham and the trip to Manchester United on January 31.

James came through the youth ranks at United before joining City in the summer of 2012.

City boss Nigel Pearson had refused to comment on the red card until he had seen the contents of Oliver's report, which City would have received today.

Villa defender Ciaran Clark was also shown a second yellow for sparking the melee that followed, and continued down the tunnel, after James' dismissal.

City are still waiting to hear whether the FA had decided to take further action and charge both City and Villa for the scenes.

James was the fourth City player to be sent off this season, although Paul Konchesky's first red card at Aston Villa was rescinded. 

Konchesky was also sent off for a second bookable offence at Hull on December 28 while captain Wes Morgan was dismissed for a professional foul in the home defeat to Liverpool.

Meanwhile, City have been strongly linked with Tottenham Hotspur defender Kyle Naughton, with some sources stating they have submitted a £3 million bid for the full-back.

Naughton spent a spell on loan with City during the 2010-11 season when Sven-Goran Eriksson was in charge at City.

Luxury car maker Aston Martin has opened a research and development plant in Leicestershire.

The legendary British company, the car of choice for fictional secret agent James Bond, has opened the facility at Mira Technology Park, in Higham-on-the-Hill, near Hinckley.

The 15,800 sq ft building will accommodate a key part of Aston Martin's prototype and vehicle development business.

George Gillespie, chief executive of Mira, said: "As an iconic British automotive brand, Aston Martin is a very welcome addition to Mira Technology Park.

"By selecting Mira Technology Park as a new location for their prototype and vehicle development teams, Aston Martin is able to take advantage of an entirely bespoke and secure facility while also taking advantage of MIRA's extensive research and testing facilities right on their doorstep.

"The automotive technology cluster we are building at Mira Technology Park is really gaining traction with many of the major global automotive players, such as Aston Martin, taking up residency at the site."

Ian Minards, product development director at Aston Martin, said: "The cutting edge facilities at Mira, together with its reputation for quality and excellent security, makes it an ideal place for us to carry out some of our prototype development work.

"This excellent facility gives our engineering teams exactly what they need to ensure the next generation of Aston Martin sports cars continue to be truly class-leading."

Eric Pickles, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, said: "Mira really is blazing a trail when it comes to enterprise zones and to have a Great British icon like Aston Martin locate there is another resounding success.

"The progress that has been made since I last visited the site just over a year ago has been impressive and that the next generation of Aston Martins will be developed there is fantastic."

Aston Martin joins other companies who have already located at Mira Technology Park, which was awarded enterprise zone status by the Government in 2011. These include engineering giants Bosch, and Lockheed Martin.

The level of investment by Aston Martin and the number of jobs being created has not yet been disclosed.

Since 2010, Mira Technology Park has created or safeguarded a total of 338 hi-tech jobs as a result of the development, in addition it is has also generated over 100 construction jobs. It aims to create up to 2,000 jobs in the technology park by 2020.

A book of condolence has been opened in Leicester as a mark of respect for the 17 people who died in terrorist attacks by Islamic extremists in Paris last week.

The book is in Leicester City Council's customer service centre, in Granby Street, and members of the public are welcome to sign it.

The council also plans to fly the French flag at half-mast on Wednesday, a week since the start of the terrorist attacks which killed 17 people, including 12 at the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The flag will be hoist above the Town Hall in a show of solidarity with the French people.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones. We want to offer our condolences and show solidarity to them and the people of Paris after this brutal attack.

"There has been an outpouring of grief and support across the world after the horrendous events of the past few days. The book of condolence will give the people of Leicester an opportunity to lend their names to the document as a mark of respect."

The book of condolence is available to sign from now until the end of the week.

Sir Peter will then send the book of condolence to the Mayor of Paris on behalf of the people of Leicester. He has also already written to the Mayor of Strasbourg, which is twinned with the city, to express condolences.

Leicester City have been given the FA's support to complete the record signing of Andrej Kramaric.

City successfully pleaded to a FA Panel yesterday that the 23-year-old was a exceptional talent and while the Croatian did not qualify for a work permit City have been granted him their endorsement.

The Home Office are now expected to grant Kramaric special dispensation to seal his £9.5 million transfer from HNK Rijeka and he could make his debut against Stoke City on Saturday.

The City delegation included manager Nigel Pearson and they convinced the panel Kramaric would enhance the Premier League. They were backed by an endorsement from Croatia head coach Niko Kovac.