It's currently home to an ugly cement batching factory but architects from across the globe are being invited to draw up designs to transform an island in the middle of the River Soar in Leicester.

The two acre Soar Island is in the middle of the city's rundown waterside area which the city council has recently announced 15 year, £26 million plans to regenerate.

The island is in a highly visible location where the river and the Grand Union Canal conerge.

The council has now teamed up with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to launch an "international ideas competition" for the future use of the island.

RIBA has commenced the first round of an international competition for architects and landscape architects to share their ideas for the island.

All ideas submitted will be whittled down to a shortlist of five in March.

Firms making the shortlist will be awarded £5,000 to develop them further

Shortlisted architects will then be invited to develop their ideas before final judging in June with the winning design being awarded a further £5,000

Judges want designs to make island a more attractive visitor destination, where people can enjoy being by the river.

All shortlisted designs must also show how they would enhance the contribution Soar Island makes to the surrounding environment.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said:

"Soar Island is at the very heart of that and is a really fascinating part of the city's riverside. It is a distinctive and highly visible site which has huge potential as a destination itself.

"By working with RIBA on this competition, we want to invite as wide a range of architects as possible to share their ideas for this unique part of Leicester's waterside."

Leicester City Council is currently consulting on draft planning guidance for the regeneration and development of waterside area.

To take part in the consultation, visit www.leicester.gov.uk/waterside

More details about the Soar Island competition can be found at www.ribacompetitions.com/soarisland

A pensioner, jailed for preying on two vulnerable schoolgirls, can have no complaints about his tough sentence, judges have ruled.

Peter Mahoney, 71, left his victims deeply traumatised, Mr Justice Irwin told London's Appeal Court, after repeatedly molesting them under the pretext of innocent "hugs".

Mahoney remains in "rigid denial" about his sick past, the court heard, at his trial insisting that he was the victim of a "conspiracy".

Mahoney, of Spring Close, Lutterworth, was jailed for nine years at Leicester Crown Court in July last year.

A jury convicted him of sexually assaulting the youngsters - whose dreams have since been haunted by their attacker.

He also admitted a series of charges of possessing child porn in relation to a hoard of degrading images seized by police.

Mr Justice Irwin said that, when Mahoney was arrested in March 2011, he made desperate attempts to hide two incriminating memory sticks which held a collection of vile child porn.

Mahoney, of previous good character, insisted the indecent images had been "sent to him anonymously", the court heard.

He later claimed he had downloaded them while checking his computer for viruses.

Mr Justice Irwin condemned the images as "appalling".

Post-sentence reports suggested Mahoney had no insight into his victims' suffering, said the judge.

He was a man with an "entrenched sexual interest in children" despite continuing to deny his crimes.

"The impact here was considerable," the judge said. "They suffered repeated nightmares".

Mahoney's case reached the Appeal Court as he pleaded for a cut in his punishment, claiming it was too harsh.

He was guilty of "sustained criminal behaviour", said Mr Justice Irwin, who was sitting with Lord Justice Bean and Judge Paul Batty QC.

The total sentence was "fully justified", the judge concluded.

Cosby golfer William Plant is already making waves in the game at the tender age of 10.

The youngster has been playing golf since he could walk and has a rich haul of trophies to show for a highly-successful 2014 season.

Indeed, he could follow in the footsteps of his father – Leicestershire squad amateur Liam – who over the years has enjoyed a host of county and club wins and accolades.

Liam made his County debut in 1997 after winning the men's County Match-play Championship as a teenager.

William started the season off as a 54 handicap and is now down to 31, and he aims to go lower this year.

During the last few months, he has won seven cups at his home club and a total of nine trophies.

He won the Alf Shephard junior order of merit for Division Two, the Paul Mooney Trophy, Cosby's Junior Captain's Day Division Two, the AJ Young Trophy Division Two, the August Away Day Division Two at Stoneleigh Deer Park, the Baker Cup Lady-Junior Division Two, the Dixon Trophy for Division Two, and also received two replicas at the juniors' annual prize presentation.

Dad Liam said: "William watched me swinging a club when he was a baby in his car seat, either just practising or having a lesson.

"He loved it and, just as soon as he was old enough, he had a set of plastic clubs and began to hit some balls. Now he is extremely keen on golf. Golf is a great sport for youngsters, so I am absolutely delighted William enjoys the game so much, and I hope he will continue to play and progress in the new season."

Young golfers from across the county are being given the opportunity to play in a series of regional tournaments on the Shires Junior Golf Tour.

With 12 competitions taking place across Leicestershire & Rutland, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, plus the end-of-season Grand Final, boys and girls of all ages and abilities can compete on the tour.

Kibworth, who are holding the second event on Sunday, March 22, is one of four Leicestershire venues on the season rota, as are Kilworth Springs (May 24), Glen Gorse (July 12) and Cosby (September 27).

With an Order of Merit running throughout the year, the Grand Final will take place at Bedford & County on October 26.

For more details about how to take part on Shires Junior Golf Tour, visit:

www.shiresjuniorgolftour.co.uk

AC Wigston are the lowest-ranked side through to the Alliance League's Billy Walton Cup quarter-finals after beating Club 3-2.

The Division One outfit, who are 15th in the Alliance League ladder, qualified thanks to goals from Tier Blundell, Dave Weston and Theo White.

Grosvenor Casinos Premiership sides Azzurri and Fosse City battled past lower-league opposition to book their last-eight places.

Pearson Mwanyongo's hat-trick helped Azzurri see off Division Five side Friar Lane 4-2. Jamal Allen Inman also netted.

Luke Goddard and Nick Dean scored to give Fosse City a 2-1 win over Division Three side Sileby Athletic.

In one third-round match, Oadby Owls needed spot-kicks to beat Swinford Chequers.

After Danny King's goal earned Owls a 1-1 draw, they triumphed 3-2 on penalties.

In the Arthur Moore Cup, Division One leaders Mowmacre beat Premiership side Thurmaston WMP 2-1 to earn their place in the semi-finals. Nathan Kewmoss and Ezra Knight notched either side of the interval.

Top-tier title challengers Star & Garter are also through to the last four, knocking out Premiership leaders Frolesworth United. James Mee's double and a Jordan Lever strike earned Star a 3-1 win.

In the EW Foster Cup, Athletic Blaby progressed to the quarter-with a 3-1 win over Niffy Rangers. Kelvin Phillips, Gavin Cuppleditch and Luke Read netted.

Wigston Fields are through to the Stokes Cup semi-finals after beating Knighton Park 5-2. Mark Allen, Thomas Dunkley, Michael Sweeney and Keith Edgar struck before an own-goal rounded off the scoring.

In league action, Barcabullona earned their first Premiership win, defeating Magna Town 5-2. Charles Butler's double was added to by Ryan Brightmore, Jim Czerpak and Jarrad Pickering.

In Division One, Sparta Moshdock turned up the heat on leaders Mowmacre with a 4-1 win over Seaton. Josh Richards, Dan Sharman, Kyle Bryan and Steve Morley bagged.

Christian Patrick and Danny Poultney braces earned Webbys Wanderers a 4-2 win over Wigston United.

Hat-trick heroes Kev Jones and Nicholas Keeber inspired Monsell WMC to a 6-4 success at AFC Royal Oak.

Phoenix United recovered from 5-1 down to win 8-6 in an incredible match with East Goscote Athletic.

Rhys Roberts, Marshal Keenan and Shaquille Brooks grabbed two each, and Callum Tott and Justin Peace also struck.

In Division Two, Leicester Foxes continue to steamroll all in their path. They beat LDA Spartans 7-0 to take a 17-point lead at the top. Jordan Cufflin-Stableford grabbed two, while Adam Parry, Ryan Charles, Danny McGill, Paul Pallett and Joe Butler were also on target.

New Parks Estate sit second after beating Desford Athletic 5-1. Peter Wright and Matt Riley netted doubles, and Daz Candy added the other.

In Division Three, Leicester Bharat Tablot returned to winning ways by thrashing Countesthorpe Athletic 13-4.

Tom Reid scored five, Wes Allen grabbed three, Will Gonga notched two, while Jamie Mackay, Jon McIntosh and Alex McMullen also netted.

Maaja Bratka's life as a sportswoman is surrounded by numbers. 

From the 2,648km it takes to travel from Estonia, her birth place, to Leicester where she now stars for Leicester Riders Women, to the 10.2 rebounds per game average she completed in last season's title triumph, to her 6ft 2in height which gives her an advantage over her opponents.

Bratka, however, does not take any notice of such stats in the sport she loves and the life she lives, and admits, for her, that it is all about the winning

"I don't care about personal stats," she says ahead of Riders' trip to Manchester Mystics on Saturday in the Women's British Basketball League (WBBL). "Winning is everything to me."

The 22-year-old moved to Leicester with her twin sister Maia, who also plays for Riders, when they were 19 in search of new challenges.

"We trained twice a day, every day at my high school in Estonia but, after I left, it was entirely my decision to move to England and to Leicester," says Bratka.

"I had always played basketball in Estonia but I wanted to move abroad for myself to experience new things."

Now studying for a sports science and management degree at Loughborough University, it was not entirely coincidental that Bratka ended up here and playing for Riders.

"One of the coaches here is also Estonian, so we made contact through her and got the ball rolling," she says.

"When the opportunity came to move to Loughborough to study for my degree and also be a part of Leicester Riders, it was really great for me.

"The best thing is that I am never alone because my twin sister is here with me, but we can go home whenever we want."

Last season, Bratka ended the year with the second-highest total of rebound points scored, and a Championship medal, but believes there is more to come from this Riders team, who arehigh in fourth in the WBBL table.

"I would like to think we can push for the league trophy again this year and make improvements on last season's performances," she says.

"To win the WBBL would be amazing for us because we are still such a young team with so much potential and we have great coaches."

The Estonian has also impressed on the international stage, representing her country in European Championship qualifying rounds, but still has something to prove on the biggest stage.

"Because Estonia is such a small country we never attempt to get into the World Championships or Olympics for basketball," she says.

"We always try to get to the European Championship finals but we have never made it so far, which is something I am hoping to change in the future."

As for her career in the long-term, Bratka is confident she will make it as a professional and has ambitions to play even further afield. "I'd like to play all over the world," she says. "Where I play is not the most important thing to me, but that I am happy and one day hope to make it to the very top.

"I know I'm not there yet but, one day, I hope I will be.

"As long as my body can keep up with what I want do, because I haven't tested myself at professional level yet as I'm in between playing and doing my degree."

For now, Bratka is focused on graduating with a degree, continuing to shine for Riders and ultimately helping them to win the WBBL.

A major road into Leicester was closed for more than five hours today after strong winds brought down a chimney.

The incident happened shortly before 2pm today, in Hinckley Road, opposite Hinckley Road Police Station, in the city's West End.

The road re-opened at around 7.30pm.

A police spokeswoman said officers saw the chimney come down onto the pavement and into the road below, and went to investigate.

She said: "They made sure everyone was okay and cordoned off the immediate area. There was no-one with any visible injuries. The incident was left with the fire service."

A fire service spokesman said: "We had a call from the police station informing us that a chimney had collapsed and fallen into the road.

"Part of the roof was still overhanging the pavement. We made sure the area was safe. Fortunately, no-one was hurt."

Resident Jack Stuchbury said: "I heard a crash and thought nothing of it, but it quickly became clear something had happened when passers by were looking up at a nearby house.

"People weren't taking it very seriously. One man attempted an awful parallel parking manoeuvre right under the building in question shortly after the substantial collapse from the house. People were also taking pictures."

He added: "Police realised the danger with rush hour approaching and began to shut the road down. They have been been in good humour and done a great job.

"After talking to the police, it became apparent that a chimney had fallen down, but nobody appears to be hurt as far as I can tell."

A building inspector from Leicester City Council was sent out to inspect the damage.

The road remains closed between Narborough Road and Fosse Road Central. 

Traffic and bus services are being diverted along King Richard Road and Narborough Road.

A city council spokeswoman said: "Building control officers are on the site in Hinckley Road, where half a chimney stack came down from a residential building opposite the police station.

"The road is closed in both directions at the moment, close to the junction with Narborough Road, and an emergency contractor has been called and is on the way to make the chimney safe." 

Elsewhere in the city, building control officers were called to to Craddock Street, off Humberstone Road where a gable had fallen from a property.

There was also a report of falling masonry from a building in Nedham Street, off Humberstone Road, shortly before midday.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service cordoned the area off and the incident was left in the hands of the police and a council building inspector.

A tile also came off The Corn Exchange building in Market Square, in the city centre.

The city council spokesman said: "We have been out to assess and will be inspecting the roof again tomorrow. The roof is maintained by Lloyds Number One, who operate the bar, and their contractor has been informed."

Leicestershire County Council said there were no reports of any falling trees or roads blocked by debris due to the strong winds.

In the olden days, Jamie Gibson would have been wrapped in a Northampton Saints flag and paraded through the streets of Leicester to be pelted with rotten eggs and tomatoes.

By the time he got to the stocks, they would have put a Jim Mallinder mask on him, pelted him some more and then locked him in the Clock Tower.

Nowadays, the abuse for joining Northampton comes in the form of personally-directed messages via social media.

One message to Gibson's Twitter handle last week read: "Delighted to see your name absent from the team sheet. Enjoy training on your own until June #judas."

Gibson's decision to walk the rarely-trodden path from Welford Road to Franklin's Gardens has been seen by many as local treason.

Players move from Leicester all the time in the professional era. If they move to France, good luck to them. If they move to another English club, there is some antagonism. Move to Northampton – all hell breaks loose.

Gibson's decision was unexpected and took everyone by surprise.

It was also shrewd business by Saints who, I have been told, also had a pop at getting Owen Williams and Tom Croft.

The 24-year-old's move has hurt Tigers and their supporters. It hurt because he has been a revelation since he joined from London Irish as nothing more than a decent prospect.

Leicester have played a huge role in making Gibson the player he is. Without them, would he have been as good if he had stayed at London Irish? Probably not.

We can speculate on Gibson's reasons for leaving until the cows come home. You would imagine that an increase in wages would have played a part of it.

That tends to irk supporters of any club. "It's all about the money!"

But the realities are that players have such a short window to earn their corn these days that the question of wages, like it or lump it, plays a huge part in negotiations.

The days of players like Geordan Murphy, who stayed at Leicester for the whole of his career, are largely a thing of the past. Maybe the likes of Dan Cole, the Youngs brothers, Matt Smith, Tom Croft and Manu Tuilagi could be an exception to the norm having come through the club's academy.

But genuinely expecting players to show loyalty and stay with a club simply because of a bond with that club is becoming more and more unrealistic.

There is also the fact that because the market is so fluid, with more movement that ever, the chances of a player deciding to show some loyalty because all his team-mates are staying at the same club too becomes unlikely.

Players move all the time. Supporters, meanwhile, have no option but to stay with their team all of their lives. They can't move. Fans do not change allegiance.

Expecting players to give the same amount of loyalty to a club is probably unfair.

When careers are now doing well to reach the 10-year mark, can we really sit at home and accuse players of "just going for the money"?

Why shouldn't they? In the last week alone, former Tigers scrum-half Finlay Barnham was forced to retire from the game at just 24 following a series of concussions.

London Scottish back Errie Claassens has packed in at 33 due to a knee injury. With 11 years in the game, he will be considered to be lucky.

Barnham's retirement in particular illustrates the fragility of life as a professional rugby player.

When my mates grumble about a City or Tigers player leaving and accuse him of showing no loyalty, I always ask them if they would stay at their place of work if another place offered then an extra 50 per cent in their pay packet. It usually makes them change their tune.

You cannot blame Gibson for protecting his future.

Richard III will be more of a money-spinner for Leicestershire than Robin Hood is for Nottingham by 2020, according to tourism bosses.

Projected figures show that the county's visitor economy will overtake that of our East Midlands rivals within the next five years.

By 2020, the amount of money generated by tourism in Leicestershire will have risen to £1.62 billion.

That will be thanks to the huge interest generated by the discovery of Richard III, said Martin Peters, chief executive of Leicester Shire Promotions.

More than 30,000 people have visited the city's Richard III visitor centre since it opened, and 100,000 are expected by the end of its first year.

"There's no denying Richard III has been a massive boost for Leicestershire." said Mr Peters. "And there's no doubt it'll help our visitor economy overtake Nottingham's, based on the average projected rise in the East Midlands.

"Nottingham is expected to increase by about 1.5 per cent and our projected rise is three per cent.

"Based on those figures, we will be generating more tourism income than Nottingham, and Robin Hood, in five years' time."

However, Mr Peters warned that Leicestershire should still continue to promote all of its tourism hotspots and not exclusively concentrate on Richard III.

"Nottingham are a bit of a one trick pony, which is something we've got to be careful we don't become," he said.

"One thing Leicestershire is recognised for is the variety of attractions we have on offer, and its something we have to continue to build on."

Leicester Cathedral is also seeing a large rise in visitors as a result of the Richard III story.

The average number of people to walk through its doors has shot up from 29,500 to 365,000 a year since the king's discovery.

After the reinterment, the figure is expected to plateau at about 180,000, annually.

The Dean of Leicester, the Very Rev David Monteith, said: "That's 180,000 pints of Everards beer, and 180,000 people staying in hotel rooms spending money in Marks and Spencer or John Lewis.

"This discovery has had a profound impact on Leicestershire."

Up to 60,000 fish have died in a massive pollution incident on a five mile stretch of the Grand Union Canal.

They were poisoned by a suspected leak of farm slurry from waterside land somewhere between Kilby Bridge and Kibworth.

But action by the Canal and River Trust and the Environment Agency and Natural England has saved more than 100,000 fish.

They were alerted nearly four weeks ago after large numbers of dead fish were seen floating in the water.

They closed the polluted section of the canal and started pumping air into the water.

They removed surviving fish northwards along the canal towards Bumblebee Lock, near Kilby Bridge.

A spokeswoman for the Canal and River Trust said: "In total we think about 50 to 60,000 fish died.

" Thankfully we did manage to save more fish that we think have died. The numbers for this are in the region of about 100,000 fish."

The trust's acting waterway manager Neil Owen said: "It is going to take time for the fish stocks to recover but hopefully over time the fish relocated further along the canal will make their way back to this stretch of canal."

Environment Agency incident commander

John Dronfield said: "While the incident resulted in thousands of fish deaths, the outcome could have been far worse.

"I'm pleased to announce that the vast majority of fish were saved and the Site of Special Scientific Interest on the Kilby-Foxton Canal was protected."

The canal was closed to boats for three weeks and three days as the water was aerated to remedy some of the damage caused. Thousands of fish were plucked from the polluted stretch and moved to safer areas.

Fresh water was then pumped into the affected area from the river Sence and from further upstream in order to dilute the pollution until the water quality was back to normal.

He said an Environment Agency investigation team was seeking to identify and take action against any individual or business that contributed to the pollution.

Leicester City could miss Riyad Mahrez for up to three crucial Premier League games after Algeria qualified for the knock-out stages of the Africa Cup of Nations.

The City winger scored his first goal of the competition, and his third for his country, as the Desert Foxes defeated Senegal 2-0 to secure a spot in the last eight.

Mahrez opened the scoring in the 11th minute of their final group game, before Tottenham's Nabil Bentaleb secured the victory late on.

"We expected a demanding match because of the physique of the Senegalese," said Mahrez.

"We knew they liked using long balls because they were bigger and taller than we were, but we had to score quickly.

"Afterwards, we were galvanised and found a second that killed them off."

It was a bitter-sweet result for City fans, who will now have to wait even longer to see Mahrez back in a Leicester shirt.

Algeria's victory, which saw them finish second in Group C, means Mahrez will definitely miss City's trip to Old Trafford on Saturday.

The Desert Foxes play their quarter-final on Sunday, against the winner of Group D, which was decided in the final round of fixtures last night.

If Algeria make it through their quarter-final, Mahrez will also be absent for City's crucial clash with Crystal Palace at the King Power Stadium a week on Saturday.

Even though Algeria's semi-final would be next Wednesday, Mahrez would still be needed for either the third-place play-off on the Saturday, or the final on Sunday.

City travel to Arsenal a week on Tuesday but, with Mahrez having played three games in seven or eight days, it is unlikely he will be in a position to feature.

City boss Nigel Pearson had issued a warning to Mahrez before his departure, telling him to be ready for the club's fight for survival on his return.

But Pearson also spoke of his concerns that players who are involved in the Africa Cup of Nations often take another month to get back up to speed.

City simply have no time for that as they head into the crucial run-in with trips to Everton, Manchester City and a home clash with Chelsea still to come.

That visit of the league leaders is set to be moved, though.

Originally scheduled for Saturday, February 28, it will now be rearranged after Jose Mourinho's side made it into the Capital One Cup final.

City's FA Cup fifth-round clash at Aston Villa will be played on Sunday, February 15 (12.30). The game will be shown live on BBC One.

Services affected by the collapsed scaffold tower in Charles Street, in Leicester city centre are;

Arriva;

31/31A – Depart normal stand. Inbound via St Georges Way. Outbound via Humberstone Gate and St Georges Way. (Top of Charles Street not served)

44/44A - Depart normal stand. Inbound via St Georges Way. Outbound via Humberstone Gate and St Georges Way. (Top of Charles Street not served)

47 – Depart Normal Stand. Inbound via Southgates Underpass, Inbound via Southgates Underpass. (Charles Street, Rutland Street not served)

49/49A/49B – Depart Normal Stand. Inbound vis Southgates Underpass. Outbound via Humberstone Gate, St Matthews way, Vaughan Way, Southgates Underpass, Newark Street. (Rutland Street not served)

80 – Depart normal Stand. Inbound via St Georges Way. Outbound via Belgrave Gate, St Matthews Way, St Georges Way. (Charles Street not served)

84/85 – Depart normal Stand. Inbound via Southgates Underpass. Outbound via Southgates Underpass to Welford Road (Charles Street, Rutland Street not served)

86/87 – Depart Normal Stand. Inbound via Southgates underpass, Abbey Street, Charles Street. Outbound via Charles Street, Abbey Street, Southgates Underpass to Welford Road. (Rutland Street not served)

X3 – Depart Normal Stand. Inbound via St Georges Way, St Matthews Way. Outbound via St Matthews way, St Georges way. (Charles Street not served)

First Bus

A spokesman from First Bus said there were a lot of diversions in place, adding: "Representatives for First bus are in Humberstone Gate, Charles Street and Rutland Street advising passengers where to catch their bus from."

A 14-year-old student has won a film making competition.

Budding movie-makers from secondary schools across Leicestershire entered a competition ran by Anglian Water's Keep It Clear campaign, producing films about the issue of blocked pipes.

Fifteen video entries were submitted by students across the region highlighting the disruption and environmental danger of grease and items like wipes going down toilets and plugholes.

This is a problem as 20,000 tonnes of fats, oils and grease get clogged in this region's sewers, every year and it costs £7 million to clear.

Charlie based his entry on 1940s and 50s style public films.

Charlie Hilton said: "The film project made it interesting and fun to research the subject of toilet and sink blockages. It's a good way to learn and get the message across at the same time."

Charlie, of Kibworth High School, in Smeeton Road, clinched the top prize, winning £500 worth of film equipment for his school.

The video shows a man, in 1950s style clothing, trying to pour cooking fat down the toilet - who is stopped by a voiceover warning him that he will block the drain.

Kibworth High School head teacher Angela Edwards said: "We are absolutely delighted to hear that Charlie has won the regional competition. He showed his early potential as a film-maker at just 11-years-old when he made a short, humorous video as part of a science assessment."

Anglian Water worked with media education company U-Create to produce a digital classroom which pupils could download information from to help make their films.

Anglian Water Keep It Clear campaign manager Collette Parker said: "We were overwhelmed by the standard of the entries - and the enthusiasm, creativity and innovative approaches.

"It was a great opportunity to encourage young people's film-making skills as well as raise awareness about how we can all help to keep sewers clear and protect the environment from flooding and pollution."

Watch Charlie's video here: 

A woman who survived cancer after having a 2lb tumour removed from her chest has launched an awareness day.

Dannii Donovan, 35, of Melton, had the tumour removed 18 months ago after being diagnosed with Lymphoma in February 2013.

She has teamed up with her daughter Olivia White, eight, and they are urging men, women and children to purchase a Cancer Research UK unity band and wear it with pride on World Cancer Day on Wednesday, February 4.

Dannii said: "I was terrified when I was diagnosed with cancer but thanks to research and treatment, I'm still here.

"That's why I'm backing Cancer Research UK and encouraging everyone to get a unity band now."

Dannii noticed pains in her chest in early 2013 but put it down to work stress as she was studying to be a social worker while working full time as a family support worker with Rainbows Children's Hospice.

She added: "I am so grateful for the treatment that saved my life. Now I want to do everything I can to urge people to fight back against this devastating disease."

The unity wrist band is made of two parts which form a knot to represent strength in unity. They are available in a range of colours from all Cancer Research UK shops for a suggested donation of £2.

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK spokesperson for the East Midlands, said: "We hope people of all ages across the region will pick up a unity band or make a small donation to Cancer Research UK on World Cancer Day.

"A small gesture like this can make a truly big difference and help ensure that more families like Dannii's stay together for longer."

The money raised from the sale of the bands will help to fund the work of Cancer Research UK scientists.

Cancer Research UK scientists have played a key role in supporting advances in cancer treatment including tamoxifen for breast cancer and cisplatin for testicular cancer.

Cancer Research UK receives no government funding for its research but, with help, the charity aims to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.

To find out more visit: www.cruk.org/worldcancerday

What is World Cancer Day

World Cancer Day takes place on February 4 every year. It aims to raise awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment. World Cancer Day was founded by the Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) to support the aims of the World Cancer Declaration, which was written in 2008. The main goal of the appeal is to significantly reduce illness and death caused by cancer by 2020.

The atrocities committed by the Nazis in the Holocaust were remembered at a memorial event yesterday.

People gathered in the University of Leicester's Fraser Noble Hall to mark the day – 70 years ago – that Auschwitz extermination camp was liberated.

The commemoration was organised by the city council, Leicester Council of Faiths, the School Development Support Agency and the university's Stanley Barton Centre for Holocaust and Genocide Studies.

An address was given by Professor Aubrey Newman, an expert in Anglo-Jewish history and founder of the Stanley Burton Centre.

It was followed by music from students at English Martyrs' Catholic School, in Anstey Lane – and a film made by city children.

Winning entries from a Leicester schools art competition were on display, and a panel of young people discussed a visit to Auschwitz, where they met survivors.

Dr Alexander Korb, director of the Stanley Barton Centre, said: "We joined people around the world in remembering the day 70 years ago that Soviet troops reached the barracks of Auschwitz and liberated its survivors.

"It was to commemorate the horrors of the camp, inflicted on its predominantly Jewish, but also non-Jewish, victims.

"It is remarkable how intergenerational contacts still form an important part of how the experiences of survivors are circulated."

Leicester rockers Kasabian have kicked off because they haven't had any nominations in the Brit Awards.

The bands, which has previously been named World's Best Live Band, have headlined Glastonbury and attracted a 50,000-strong crowd to Leicester's Victoria Park.

But guitarist Serge has said that it is a conspiracy that the rock and rollers have not received a single nomination in next month's Brits.

Has he got point?

Should Kasabian have been chosen to stand for an award?

Answer in the poll on the right-hand side of this page.

The results will be in Saturday's Mercury.

X-Factor champ Sam Bailey is back in town and will be performing at De Montfort Hall tonight.

The former prison guard has supported Beyonce and worked with her idol Michael Bolton and now she's coming home with a special gig for Leicester fans.

Tonight, she will be performing her new album the Power of Love with special guests Daughters of Davis.

And we want you to tweet, email and Facebook us your experiences of the homecoming show.

Send your photos and contact information to: newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Or tweet us: @Leicester_Merc

Alternatively, find us on Facebook