Homes and businesses in the east of the city suffered a dip in power after a fault in a 33,000-volt cable last night.

Thousands of homes and businesses, from the Highfields district to Hamilton saw a widespread dip in supply after the fault in the underground cable shortly before 9.30pm.

Further dips in supply were reported about an hour later as engineers worked to correct the fault.

A spokesman for Western Power Distribution said: "There was no loss of supply, but people would have noticed their lights dip down, with the first reports initially at 9.20pm.

"There were two further depressions in the system at around 10.30pm.If factories had machines running they might have been affected, but it would just have been the case of switching back on.

"One company rang in to say it had lost supplies to its motors and had to re-set the production line."

Glass of red in one hand, microphone in the other, a bubbly, blonde lass stepped onto the stage, ready to reveal a handful of her insecurities to a bunch of strangers.

Lucy Frederick spent an hour chatting about her 'claw of anxiety' – in other words, those uncomfortable situations that make her break out in a sweat, which many of us could easy relate to. She speaks about men, her weight and the numerous careers she has had a go at over time - a few clichéd topics maybe, but made up of a variety of original and well thought up gags.

It was a laid back, fun and easy-to-watch show, which saw Lucy, a middle-class singleton, attempt to make sense of her life by piecing it together in a comedy set.

Unfortunately, the room was barely half full and the majority of the dozen or so who were there didn't seem to really get her. It seemed a peculiarly quiet show, with a few laughs here and there – no fault of Lucy's, I guess it just wasn't her night.

It was a huge shame and I couldn't help but feel sorry for her.

I for one was a huge fan of Lucy's one-liners, punch lines and entertaining tales. More fool those who didn't go and see her on Friday night – I seriously suggest you reconsider in the future.

Bravo to Lucy, though, for making the best out of the night and battling on, despite there being a tough crowd.

The only thing that was wrong with the show on Friday night was that there wasn't a bigger audience. 

Venue: The Belmont Hotel

Date: Friday, February 13

When a comedian starts a show on his knees, you know you're in for off-the-wall frivolity.

But James Acaster wasn't praying to the great comedy God in The Cookie. He didn't need to.

From the word go, he had the audience eating out of his hands, hitting us hard with hilarious anecdotes and amusing observations.

He was so funny, he even laughed at himself.

From the dirt magnet that is the double 'onesie' oven-glove, to the mystery of Dr Pepper – this is not intellectual, thought-provoking comedy, by any means. But it is clever. Every joke was a well-constructed journey to comedic climax.

He's the man too good for a free banana from Pret a Manger. The guy who would wish for infinite genies, rather than infinite wishes. The stand-up comedian, impersonating an undercover cop, impersonating a stand-up comedian.

But I'll stop there. I don't want to ruin the show - a show you should see, if you get the chance. A show James has done a thousand times before. And you could tell. His intonation was incredible, the set polished to amusingly arrogant perfection.

In his defence, that's not the only explanation for his confident, comfortable manner. His animated, yet intentionally awkward style only makes him more likeable. He's peppy and unpredictable.

Fact or fiction – and mostly the latter – it didn't matter his riff. The people 'throw-your-head-back-and-laugh' loved him. And his diagrams.

Have we really missed a trick not calling this compendium of comedy the Leicesterval? James thinks so.

He also had something to say about the lady on the front row riffling through her purse.

Like all good storytellers, he tied things up nicely at the end, with a podcast encapsulating comical points from the show. And with one last laugh, the corduroy king clocked-off. 

The Cookie, Leicester

Friday, February 13

Leicestershire star Sam Bailey has been dropped by Simon Cowell's label Syco.

The singer, who won X Factor in 2013, confirmed the news today via her Twitter account.

Responding to rumours circulating in the national press, former prison officer Sam wrote on the micro-blogging site: "Hi guys yes it's true I have parted ways with syco!! Don't worry tho, I'm happy xx lots of exciting things happening xx."

Sam stormed to number one on the iTunes chart with her X Factor winner's single, Skyscraper, in December 2013. She recently thrilled fans in Leicestershire with a homecoming show at the city's De Montfort Hall, where she received a standing ovation.

Hi guys yes it's true I have parted ways with syco!! Don't worry tho, I'm happy xx lots of exciting things happening xx

— Sam Bailey Official (@SamBaileyREAL) February 14, 2015

The farm's Peter Hooton was among people who criticised the move.

He wrote on Twitter: "So Sam Bailey has been dropped by Simon Cowell's Syco label - an indication of the sheer ruthlessness of the #XFactor exploitation machine!"

Another poster wrote: "If this really is it for Sam Bailey at Syco I hope someone takes her on who has faith in her. She's so talented she deserves to do well."

However, some music fans were not troubled by the news.

One wrote: "Why is everyone so upset? sam bailey is amazing anyway! and at least now sam can do what she wants! she's happy."

So Sam Bailey has been dropped by Simon Cowell's Syco label - an indication of the sheer ruthlessness of the #XFactor exploitation machine!

— TheFarm/PeterHooton (@TheFarm_Peter) February 14, 2015

why is everyone so upset? sam bailey is amazing anyway! and at least now sam can do what she wants! she's happy❤️ @SamBaileyREAL

— SamBailey-MyAngel❤️ (@HeyItsNatalia24) February 14, 2015

If this really is it for Sam Bailey at Syco I hope someone takes her on who has faith in her. She's so talented she deserves to do well.

— Silly Old Daniel (@sillyolddaniel) February 14, 2015

Two people were cut free from the wreckage of a three-car crash on the A46 near Leicester this afternoon.

The collision happened on the northbound A46, just past the Cossington turn-off shortly before 1pm.

Both carriageways were closed to allow the air ambulance to land near the scene.

Three casualties were taken to hospital, one by air ambulance and two by road ambulance.

Leicestershire Police say none of those injured have life threatening or life changing injuries.

Fire crews from Loughborough and Leicester's eastern and western fire stations dealt with the incident.

BarrieJM Tweeted; "Bad accident on A46 to Newark by A607 exit, road blocked. Idiots trying to turn round and drive the other way."

Four people were taken to hospital after a head-on crash between a taxi and another car in Hinckley early this morning.

The collision, between a Seat Ibiza and the taxi, a Skoda Octavia, happened on Ashby Road in the town at 1.21am.

It's understood the rear seat passengers in the taxi were thrown forward into the driver, leaving all three injured.

The driver of the Seat was also taken to Walsgrave Hospital in nearby Coventry.

It's understood both vehicles were written off in the collision which was dealt with by two crews from Hinckley fire station who also administered First Aid.

A crowd of around 200 doughnut fans began gathering up to two hours before the opening of the latest fast food sensation to hit the city's Highcross shopping centre this morning.

And the first person in the queue for the opening of the US import Krispy Creme doughnut kiosk, 21-year-old Susan Marshall, was rewarded with a gold card - entitling her to 24 of the tasty treats every month for a year.

Susan, from Wigston, who joined the queue at 7.50am after finishing a night shift at another fast food outlet in the shopping centre, said: "I've tried them before and I love them.

"They taste fantastic and I'm sure friends and family will help me eat the year's supply I've won." See our gallery of pictures of the queue here.

Fellow fan Brian Nebeker, 19, from Arizona, who is studying business management at the University of Leicester, said: "I've been to a couple of grand openings like this before, I like getting the tee-shirts and stuff and my diet will allow me treats like this."

Sean Gray, 43, of Whetstone, who was buying a box as a Valentine's Day gift for wife Karina and to share with son Joshua, nine, said: "I like their freshness and quality."

Also in the queue was Kirsty Anderton, 38, of Dunton Bassett, who said; "Looking in a box of Krispy Kreme doughnuts is like looking into a jewellery box."

Sally Dickson, 46, had travelled from her home in Fife, Scotland to visit son, Liam Back, 24, from Oakham, and take in a visit to the opening.

She said: "I've never had one, but he keeps going on about them and saying how nice they are and asked me to come to the opening."

Deputy nursery manager Liam said: "I first had one in Florida two years ago and it was amazing."

It is news that is sure to warm the hearts of toy fans young and old: Dominoes has returned to Leicester - complete with its popular moving train.

The famous toy shop, which used to be in High Street, re-opened today inside Fenwick department store, in Market Street.

Dominoes managing director Steven Sansom said: "There were people queuing at 9am when we cut the ribbon.

"It's much smaller than the old store, with 1,000 square feet, but we'll regularly change the range and we're developing a new website which will have 8,000 toys by March which people can click on and collect in store."

John Galloway, 62, of Thurnby Lodge, Leicester, who shopped in the former High Street store for his children and grandchildren was among the first visitors to the store.

He said: "I've been looking forward to the re-opening and it's nice to see the old train running again. It's the first thing people remember."

Simon Richards, 41, of Glenfield, was there with wife Kumiko, 48, and son Morgan, seven.

He said: "You can get things here you don't get in other toy stores."

Morgan said: "It's great, I like the toys, especially the marbles and Hot Wheels."

It was a noteable day for new openings in Leicester, with Peter's Pizzeria opening on the corner of Pocklington's Walk, a short distance away from Fenwick, and hundreds queuing at the new Krispy Kreme kiosk in Highcross.

Three men have been interviewed about an assault on another man in a fast food restaurant in the city last month.

The victim was punched in the head in McDonald's, in Eastgates, Leicester.

which happened at 6am on Saturday, January 17.

The men, aged 25, 20 and 17, were interviewed under caution today and released pending further enquiries.

Henning Wehn is a man on a mission. And that mission is simple – he's going to show you that Germans can be funny. "Either I make you laugh, or I fulfil a cultural stereotype. It's win-win for me!"

The sell-out audience at Loughborough Town Hall is clearly expecting the former – and Henning doesn't disappoint. He opens with some gentle fun-poking at the British, pointing out what he considers the main cultural difference between us: "Germans like a laugh too, you know. It's just in Germany, we laugh AFTER the work is done."

Lucky for all of us, then, that Henning has turned that famous German work ethic to comedy, because he's a natural. This is a show brimming with simple, organised gags – there's no rambling, no tangents, no surrealism. It's very – well – German.

You'll also find plenty of pleasingly self-deprecating material nestling alongside the jokes about life in the UK. The ones that work best combine the two, like the tale that finds him on his knees in a London kebab shop at three in the morning: "I thought: 'I've finally assimilated. I'm British!'"

I also loved his stories of his first forays into stand-up comedy and the very British criticism he received, such as: "It's OK Henning, I couldn't do what you do….either!".

"It took me a long time to realise someone giving you the thumbs-up doesn't really mean you've done well," he says. "It means: 'I think you're very brave.'"

What you won't find in this show are any jokes about the war. (Well, maybe one tiny one at the end). Because let's face it, that's best left to Basil Fawlty. These days, there's a rich seam of new stuff to cover – from fiscal deficits to a certain World Cup victory.

Henning Wehn is a skilful, efficient German comedian. And that's win-win for all of us.

Walking into the Amateur Transplants gig, we were treated to a room that can be kindly described as intimate. However, the small room – tucked in a corner close to Hansom Hall – meant that Adam Kay, the driving force behind Amateur Transplants, could project his wonderfully smutty songs right into the laughter of his audience.

Having given up his career as an anaesthetist to become a comedian, Adam sings inventive songs about everything from his medical background to the menopause. His London Underground Song, about his extreme hatred of the Tube, is clearly a particular favourite among fans.

Parodying hits from Dusty Springfield and Queen, Adam's witty re-inventions of their lyrics make them truly hilarious. It was, however, his brutal bluntness that was most enjoyable. This came across particularly well as he joked with his audience during occasional breaks from his keyboard.

On the stage, he has the whole room singing along with him while guessing the words to re-invented verses of Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah. Adam gets everyone joining in, thoroughly enjoying trying to guess the punchlines to his jokes. It's interactive comedy at its best.

Adam even manages to make his colourful language work with witty intelligence, which somehow means that his jokes about bodily functions can have the most straight-faced members of his audience giggling like children.

Although his material may not chart at number one anytime soon, his infectiously non-PC lyrics certainly make a refreshing change to the songs we are so familiar with.

While wrapping up, Adam admits that he had enjoyed the gig despite "not really being in the mood for comedy". This final comment summed up his likeable honesty. If this is Adam when he's not in the mood, he'll be getting much bigger venues singing along when he's really on form. And good luck to him. 

Adam Kay: Amateur Transplants

Hansom Hall, 13 February

England 47 Italy 17

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs scored a second-half try and put in another world-class display as England tore Italy to shreds at Twickenham.

The 25-year-old took a quick tap penalty when he noticed the visitors' napping and darted over the line from seven metres out.

The rest of Youngs' game kept the Azzurri on the back foot all day long as England ran away with things in the game's final quarter to make it two wins from two in the Six Nations.

Fellow Tiger Dan Cole was also influential in only his second game in seven weeks as England's pack gave their side a solid platform. The tight head prop was also a beast at the breakdown.

Tom Youngs and Tom Croft both came on for the game's final 20 minutes but it was a disappointing afternoon for the fifth member of the Tigers squad involved in the game as Italy hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini was part of a pack that were simply overpowered despite an impressive start.

Italy stunned the home crowd after a pyrotechnic-driven intro introduced England to the Twickenham crowd.

Hooker Dylan Hartley and his jumpers were on different wavelengths and, after the Italians had stolen the ball, Luca Morisi made ground down the left flank before talismanic skipper Sergio Parisse piled over.

The visitors missed the conversion but they continued to dominate the opening exchanges and looked sharp in attack.

Things got worse for the home side when full-back Mike Brown was knocked out and stretchered off, diving for a chip that would have resulted in a second Italy try, had he not disrupted play.

England had to wait until the 21^st minute to get on the board when George Ford converted a close-range penalty. It began a complete turnaround in fortunes as the home side scored 15 points in just seven minutes.

Just three minutes later, Billy Vunipola did well to touch the ball down under pressure after a blindside move from a close-range line-out and then Jonathan Joseph followed up with a beauty soon after.

Chris Robshaw stole turnover ball in midfield, Ford shipped it out to Joseph and the Bath centre showed lovely balance and pace to surge through a gap and finish in style. Ford's extras made it 15-5.

England were well on top now with Youngs and Ford pulling the strings. Youngs' box-kicks put repeated pressure on the Azzurri and with Dan Cole on top in the front row of the scrum, the Leicester duo were having a big influence on the game.

England should have extended their lead just before the interval but Jonny May butchered a clear three-on-two by keeping the ball longer than he should have then slipping over.

Ford added his second penalty of the day soon after the restart and England led 18-5.

Just as the game appeared to be drifting away form them, Italy scored when Luca Morisi drifted through a huge whole in the England midfield and ran in untouched. It was criminal defending at the top level.

Any sniff of a comeback lasted all of three minutes before England ended the game as a contest with a devastating spell of three tries in 11 minutes.

Tigers' Ben Youngs took advantage of a napping Italian defence to take a quick tap penalty and scoot over the line on 52 minutes before Joseph added his second on the hour.

At 35-10, Danny Ciprianii replaced Ford to huge acclaim and scored with his first touch of the ball following good work by Billy Twelvetrees and Jonny May.

Italy were now all over the place defensively and things got worse for them when Nick Easter scored England's sixth try from a driving maul to make it 47-10.

Morisi scored his second try of the day late on and Italy's third, which will be of great concern to the England coaching staff.

It failed to take the gloss of England's day though and they head to Ireland in a fortnight for what looks like being a seismic clash.

Coalville's Sheena Mchugh wowed all four judges on The Voice tonight, and had her pick of whose team to join.

On what was a tough night for most of the contestants taking part in the BBC1 show's blind auditions, with few getting even just one judge to turn round their chair, 26-year-old Sheena achieved a standing ovation from the four celebrities who make or break a performer's chances in the singing competition.

Even before she had finished her version of Drake's Hold On, We're Going Home, the barmaid had judges Tom Jones, Rita Ora, Will.i.am and Ricky Wilson desperate for her to choose them.

But it was Will.i.am, who described Sheena as the best singer the judges had seen that day, who secured her.

Before she took to the stage, the audience at home heard how Sheena had nearly lost her life in a car crash in 2009.

As reported in the Mercury earlier this week, Sheena suffered horrific injuries in the crash, which happened just a mile from her home.

She said in the video interview before she sang: "You think you're invincible, and it's a harsh reality when you realise that's not how it is."

As her song finished tonight and she faced all four judges, a shock-looking Sheena said: "Is this real?"

Rita Ora told her: "I know you will be an amazing, amazing contestant in this show."

Tom Jones added: "You are the best singer today. You have a wonderful voice. Your voice is a beautiful, powerful instrument."

A new restaurant has given a stylish facelift to a historic Leicester building.

Peter and That's Enough, a pizzeria in Welford Place, opposite he old Leicester City Council offices, opened for business yesterday.

The restaurant is housed in a Victorian, Grade II-listed former businessmen's club, which has been given a stylish but sympathetic facelift. See our gallery of pictures here.

The restaurant, which features upcycled furniture which is available to buy, is the second Peter's branch. The first, in Loughborough, opened two years ago.

Among the first diners were Graham Reedman, 40, partner Helen Thorley, 25, and their children Dilys, three, and 18-month-old Arley. They all gave the restaurant the thumbs up.

The couple, who, like their children, eat a dairy and gluten free diet, said: "Nothing was too much trouble and the food was good and affordable."

The restaurant, which has a games room with table tennis and football table, a chill-out lounge and breakfast room offers its customers "a casual dining experience with great pizza".

Speaking to the Mercury ahead of the opening, Raffaele Russo, founder of Peter, said: "We aim to be a destination venue, rather than a stop-off point, and want our customers to feel that it is worth the extra five minute's walk to get there."

The opening was one of three launches in Leicester at the weekend. The much-loved Dominoes toy shop returned to Leicester, with the opening of a store inside Fenwick, in Market Street. And the opening of a Krispy Kreme doughnut kiosk in Highcross drew 200 people even before it had opened.

A caravan was destroyed after it was deliberately set alight.

Crews from Birstall and Leicester's eastern fire stations went to South Croxton Road, in Queniborough, after the fire was reported shortly before 4pm yesterday.

• A mostly cloudy and dry day with light winds, with perhaps a few fog patches at first. A few breaks in the cloud may develop at times, especially later in the day allowing some brightness in places.

• Tonight will remain mostly dry and rather cloudy. A southerly breeze will pick up later in the night ahead of a band of rain.

• Max, 8C, min 4C.

Here are the locations where you will see mobile speed cameras in Leicester and Leicestershire this week, commencing Monday, February 16.

A6 Glen Road, Oadby

A6 Harborough Road, Oadby

A607 Norman Way, Melton (westbound)

A606 Nottingham Road Melton

A607 Thurmaston Bypass, Thurmaston

A607 Melton Rd, Waltham

A607 Melton Rd, Waltham on the Wolds

A6 Loughborough Rd, Birstall / Wanlip

A50 Route: Field Head - Groby

A6004 Alan Moss Rd, Loughborough

A563 Atlee Way, Leicester

A512 Ashby Road, Loughborough

B5350 Nanpantan Road (30 & 40mph), Loughborough

A563 Asquith Way, Leicester

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

A5199 Welford Road, Leicester

A512 New Ashby Road, Loughborough

A5 Route North: Dodwells - Highcross

B4666 Coventry Road, Hinckley

A447 Hinckley Rd, Cadeby

B4114 Leicester Rd, Sharnford

B4114 Leicester Road, Enderby 40mph

Fosse Road South, Leicester

A563 Braunstone Way, Leicester

A6 Abbey Lane, Leicester

A563 New Parks Way, Leicester

A50 Groby Rd, Leicester (40mph)

A6 London Road, Leicester

B568 Victoria Park Road, Leicester

A594 St Georges Way, Leicester

A47 Hinckley Road, Leicester

Fullhurst Avenue / Braunstone Avenue, Leicester

A5460 Narborough Road, Leicester

A6030 Wakerley Road / Broad Avenue, Leicester

A47 Uppingham Rd, Leicester (Spencefield Lane)

A563 Colchester Rd / Hungarton Blvd, Leicester

A607 Melton Rd, Leicester (40mph)

A607 Melton Rd, Leicester (30mph)

Braunstone Lane East / Middleton St, Leicester

Aikman Avenue, Leicester

Barkbythorpe Road, Leicester

Ethel Road, Leicester

Warwick Way, Loughborough

A511 Ashby Road (50mph) Sinope, R'stone          

A short distance from the party atmosphere of the Krispy Kreme doughnut kiosk launch in Highcross on Saturday, the near-empty and shuttered shelves of the Co-op, in the Haymarket, told a different story.

The store closed on Saturday, with the loss of seven full time and 41 part time workers' jobs.

The Co-op said the decision to close it was taken "with the greatest reluctance".

A handful of people roamed the aisles looking for any closing down bargains.

Barry Smith, 71, of New Parks, Leicester, said: "It's a shame it's going. I think it's a nice shop with friendly staff. You can get what you want and it's handy for the bus."

Joyce Lyner, 85, of Stocking farm, Leicester, said: "It's always had what I've wanted and the staff are very helpful and friendly."

Bhavani Rathod, 47, of Rushey Mead, Leicester, said: "It's a bit of a shame. It was quite convenient. It had some good offers and the staff were always ready to help you."

Alan Gascoine, 92, of Stadium Estate, Leicester, said: "I'm sorry to see it go. I came in here for odd bits and everyone was always helpful to me."

William Liney, 68, of Leicester Forest East, said: "I'm sad to see it close.

"I used it every day for bits and bobs and it's easy and convenient to get to, especially as my wife is in a wheelchair."

Six people were taken to hospital after an early morning street fight in the city today.

Noel Street and part of adjoining Narborough Road remain sealed off for investigations after the incident shortly after 4.30am.

Four men and two women sustained injuries and were taken to hospital where they remain undergoing treatment.

One local resident said at least one of the men had been stabbed and blood stains could be seen on sections of the pavement.

A row of five shops in Narborough Road, which would normally have been open, remained closed behind police tape while forensic investigations were carried out.

A resident of Noel Street, who asked not to be named, said: "There was a lot of screaming and shouting around 4.45am, it woke me up.

"I saw a group of five or six men running up and down the street and there was a lot of very loud shouting and women screaming, it sounded serious, whatever it was.

"I heard a woman shouting ' what have you done?', she was hysterical.I was a bit scared to come out, but once I saw the blue lights I thought it was a bit safer.

"I've only lived here for six months and we've had a few problems. I don't think I want to be living here any more."

Another resident said: "There was a group of guys fighting, about three women and three or four men, all in about their early 20s, one of the girls kept screaming. They were up and down the street, all over the place.

"They were fighting each other. One guy got stabbed in the side. He took his shirt off to show the police and you could see blood coming from his side.His blood-stained tee-shirt is in my neighbour's front garden.

"This is normally a quiet street, but on Friday and Saturday nights there can be a few problems with people who have had too much to drink.

"There are a lot of cameras in the street so whatever happened is going to be on CCTV."

Another neighbour said: "I just heard a racket, there was a lot of people shouting and screaming. When the police arrived there were a few people sat down by the police cars."

Ravinder Singh, owner of Soand Meat Shop, which was forced to close, said: "The police told me there are six people in hospital and they're not very well."

Colin Singh, a partner in Queens Pizza, which was also closed, said: "They won't tell us anything, they just said it's a serious incident.We can't open up, we should be in the shop from 10.30am to start preparing."

Police say they were called to the Narborough Road area at about 4.40am following reports of a disturbance involving a number of people.

Two men, aged 24 and 23, have been arrested in connection with the incident and are currently in custody.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call Detective Sergeant Paul Lambert on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111.