Police cordoned off a section of a city centre street today after receiving reports of shots being fired.
Officers taped off Yeoman Street from its junction with Humberstone Gate and Halford Street, Leicester, at about 3.45am.
A man was taken to hospital with leg injuries but discharged five hours later.
Forensic officers visited the scene to comb the area.
No-one had been arrested.
Leicester City are believed to be on the verge of signing West Brom striker Chris Wood in a deal worth up to £2million.
It is understood that the New Zealand international was due to have a medical at the King Power Stadium today with a view to joining the club when the transfer window opens in January.
The initial transfer fee is believed to be £1.25m with £750,000 in add-ons and bonuses.
The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Millwall and has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances for them so far.
Lions manager Kenny Jackett was also keen on signing the striker permanently once his loan ended and was believed to have had a bid accepted, but is said to be now resigned to losing the striker.
There was no official comment from Leicester City today which is the club's policy under manager Nigel Pearson.
Pearson has always said he will only comment when transfer deals are signed and sealed.
Some were locked in empty homes while others were dumped in boxes and left to die – and now they need your help to find loving homes in the new year.
Staff at the Woodside Animal Centre, the RSPCA's Leicester branch, looked after about 250 unwanted pets over Christmas.
Among them was a giant rabbit they have named Santa, which was discovered in a sealed recycling box in Bradgate Park.
It was packed in with seven other rabbits and guinea pigs.
Centre supervisor Carrie Stoker said: "They were just left to die and it is lucky that someone came across the box and looked inside because I don't think they would have lasted long in December's freezing weather.
"Santa was with his wife – Mrs Claus – and four baby rabbits and two guinea pigs.
"He is enormous, so you can imagine how tightly packed in they were.
"We see a lot of cases of abandoned animals, but this was particularly shocking because of the number in such a little box and the cold they were left in.
"I think they probably only survived because they huddled for warmth."
Staff at Woodside are appealing to animal-lovers to think about rehoming one of the many abandoned pets they are caring for.
They include Sabrina, a black cat whose owners moved house in October, leaving her behind to starve.
"She was left without food but was thankfully seen and grabbed by one of our officers," said Carrie.
"She is a lovely girl – so friendly and she really enjoys cuddles.
"She was a bit nervous of people at first, but after a little stay in a foster home, her confidence is back and she is ready to go to a lovely new home. Somewhere she will get plenty of love and attention."
Staff at the centre in Braunstone Frith are caring for 200 cats, 60 dogs, 30 rabbits, 10 ferrets and dozens of rodents and birds.
Clause, a budgie, was taken to the centre six weeks ago because he was being bullied by other birds at his home.
They pecked his feet, causing them to become deformed. But he is now doing well and is ready for a new home.
Woodside assistant manager Jade Burton said: "He's coming on so well with his disability and while he sometimes misses the perch, he can fly and get around fine."
Staff at Woodside are looking for homes for Santa, Sabrina and Clause – and other abandoned pets – before the centre is inundated with unwanted pets given as Christmas gifts.
Jade said: "People take animals as gifts and then when it comes to going back to work they don't want them any more. It's so sad."
There was heartbreak at Glenfield Hospital as it was announced that children's heart surgery would be stopped.
Parents and staff broke down in tears after a national review body ruled that the number of hospitals carrying out heart surgery on children in England should be cut from 11 to seven – and that Glenfield would not be one of those to remain.
The bad news came following a national review of children's heart surgery which lasted more than two years, and a spirited campaign against the move.
However, the decision to stop services in Leicester is now under review itself.
The city's two universities were handing out honorary degrees in July, with Julie Etchingham (below), David Samworth and John Florance among those picking theirs up from the University of Leicester, and Lewis Moody and Moira Stewart among the names at De Montfort.
July also saw De Montfort University's £8 million sports centre opening its doors to the public for the first time.
Named The Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee leisure centre, commemorating the royal visit earlier in the year, it was given the thumbs up by those who tried out free sessions during its opening two weeks.
Meanwhile, thrill-seeking Sofya Dickson, of Loughborough, became a YouTube star thanks to her unusual talent for climbing.
About a quarter of a million people watched a video of the three-year-old, who uses her hands and feet to shimmy her way up to the top of door frames.
David Parsons was back on the front page after stepping down from his role as leader of the county council.
His nine-year reign ended with his resignation just before his Tory colleagues were due to vote on whether to sack him.
County Hall's Conservative group had been due to hold a motion of no confidence in Councillor Parsons after the authority's standards committee ruled he breached the councillors' code of conduct over his travel expenses.
Leicester's mental health services were put under the spotlight when it emerged the coroner was to investigate the cases of seven people with mental health issues who died while in the care of the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
The five women and two men, aged between 19 and 55, died in a 19-month period, between November 2010 and June this year.
Six were either in-patients or out-patients at the Bradgate Unit, a mental health unit run by the trust.
The seventh, a 40-year-old woman from Leicester, is believed to have lived in accommodation run by the trust.
AUGUSTThe city was in shock following the tragic deaths of two toddlers following a collision in the West End.
Oliwier Baczyk, aged one, and two-year-old Zofia Tabaka died after their pushchairs were caught up in the crash at the junction of Braunstone Gate and Narborough Road. Police are still investigating.
Meanwhile, former Leicester City star Gary Lineker was left "physically sick" when an internet user taunted his son, George, about his childhood battle with cancer. The unknown Twitter user sent a message to George in which he called him "leukaemia boy" and wrote "pity ya didn't die".
George was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia weeks after he was born in 1992, and had eight months of chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.
Staff at Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital were also left in shock after thieves targeted their base in Kibworth. Not only did the thugs steal cages worth thousands of pounds, they also left birds and animals to die.
In cheerier news, Leicester City ambassador Alan Birchenall reached his £1 million fund-raising target.
The amazing sum was the result of three decades of effort to generate cash for various good causes.
The Birch began fund-raising in 1980, with a 90-minute sponsored run round the Filbert Street pitch. He thought it was a one-off – but the run went on to become an annual tradition before the last home game of each season, generating hundreds of thousands of pounds towards his total.
Doctors at Glenfield were delighted that an operation to fit a nerve stimulating device, similar to a pacemaker, into a 65-year-old man's chest had gone to plan. It was the first operation of its kind in Britain to use the device, which could save the lives of thousands of patients suffering from heart failure.
And it was confirmed that Leicestershire had seen its soggiest summer for 100 years, with the highest rainfall in that time.
Bargain-hunters were out in force again yesterday as more high street stores launched their post–Christmas sales.
The seasonal shopping rush got into full swing with flagship department stores Fenwick and John Lewis beginning their sales.
Up to 1,300 customers queued in Market Street waiting for Fenwick's doors to open at 8am, with some eager shoppers arriving as early as 3am.
John Lewis, in the Highcross shopping centre, was also busy, with 150 customers queuing in the rain to be among the first to get their hands on a bargain.
Fenwick visitors were enticed by a 10 per cent discount on all products, in addition to "early bird" offers on selected lines of luxury bedding, furniture and men's suits, with total savings of up to 70 per cent.
Store director David Illingworth said: "We sold out of beds which were in the sale by about 8.30am and sales of duvets went crazy."
Offers included £399 beds reduced to £99, half-price perfume gift sets and £199 men's suits on sale for £45.
Mr Illingworth said: "In two hours, from 8am to 10am, we sold more than we did in the two days prior to Christmas, which is pretty unbelievable.
"By 11am, we'd had 6,000 customers through the doors – a 20 per cent increase on December 27 last year.
"That so many people braved the rain to come and see us was very pleasing, if unexpected."
Jasu Mistry, 63, of Birstall, was on the hunt for a wall lamp.
"I wanted one for my living room," she said. "I think I've spotted the one I want. They've got some great deals."
Victor Ncube, 59, of London Road, Leicester, said: "I don't normally like shopping but today is the one exception of the year. I'm thinking about getting a crew neck jumper and perhaps a suit.
"You can't argue with the deals."
Cliff Vanstone, managing director of John Lewis, Leicester, said: "We opened our doors at 8am with a number of customers already queuing to take advantage of our clearance offers."
Mr Vanstone said the biggest sellers were fashion and home furnishings.
Rebecca Tew, 30, of Syston, and her family were among the John Lewis and Highcross bargain-hunters.
"I'm on a bargain mission," she said. "I bought some tea towels at John Lewis and am on my way to the Disney Shop and Build a Bear to redeem some Christmas vouchers for the kids."
Highcross general manager Jo Tallack said she expected to see 90,000 people through the doors.
"Its been absolutely manic," she said. "Boxing Day is more about the hardened bargain-hunters but Thursday was more about people coming out and enjoying the sale – certainly spending a lot longer browsing and taking full advantage of all the bargains."
Things were not quite so rosy for independent traders in St Martin's Square, who opened their doors for the annual sale at 9am.
Tamsin Straiton, owner of Polly's Boutique, which had a 70 per cent off sale, said: "To be honest, it's been a wash-out due to the rain. It's such a shame because December 27 is traditionally our big day of the year."
Hundreds of NHS staff are to be moved to private companies.
Support services and construction group Interserve has been awarded a £300 million contract to run catering, cleaning, maintenance and security services in more than 550 NHS buildings in the county.
About 2,000 workers employed by the NHS are waiting to see if they will be taken on by Interserve.
In a second deal, IBM has taken over the running of information management and technology services for Leicester's hospitals in a move that could affect 88 workers.
The 10-year deal is worth £60 million. It is not yet known if the move will lead to job losses.
Interserve spokesman Maria Kitching, said: "I can't say at this point whether there will be job losses or not.
"But we will be working with the staff to make sure they have the skills to support the NHS in delivering their services."
The contract, which begins at the start of the year, follows a two-year procurement process involving the NHS Leicester City and NHS Leicestershire County and Rutland primary care trusts, the University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.
It is time for Leicester City to kick on in the second half of the campaign, believes Kasper Schmeichel.
The Danish goalkeeper said City can feel satisfied with their work so far this season.
But he warned they need to step things up in 2013, if they are to fulfil their goal of promotion.
"We have played well so far," he said.
"I can only think of three games where we haven't really performed. Other than that, we have done well.
"We have had a couple of results at the start of the season where we have been a little unlucky but generally we have played okay. But there is always room for improvement and we have to be striving for that.
"We need more consistency of winning games in the second half (of the season). We have built ourselves a platform and now we have to kick on," said Schmeichel. "We are still very much in the mix."
"If you look back at the sides that have made a good push in the past they have remained in the mix throughout.
"We need to go on a run, but not even yet. You need to peak at the right time. That is what we are hoping to do, stay in the mix, build some momentum and then go on a run."
Downpours are expected to continue for at least the next four days, the Met Office has warned.
The Environment Agency issued fresh flood alerts for the River Soar and Rothley Brook yesterday.
An agency spokesman said flooding was possible for the brook and its tributaries from Botcheston to the River Soar at Rothley.
Areas at risk include low-lying agricultural land and roads, such as the Midlands Co-Op store car parks in Glenfield and Anstey.
At higher levels, farmland in Glenfield, Anstey, Thurcaston and Rothley, including off the B5327 at Anstey, are also at risk.
Further rainfall of about 6mm was expected to fall by 3pm today.
Several flood alerts across the county had been lifted earlier in the day after the rain stopped.
A Met Office spokesman said today would be "mild, but dull, wet and very windy with strong, blustery southwesterly winds and gales at times".
He said there would be "bright spells and blustery showers," on Saturday and early on Sunday, but with more rain and gales developing on Sunday and Monday.
A freight train carrying thousands of tonnes of quarry stone derailed yesterday, blocking two lines.
The incident, which happened shortly before 5.30am, involved a train carrying stone from Buxton, in Derbyshire, to Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Network Rail said the rear 10 carriages of the train left the tracks on an embankment near Pilling's Lock Marina, between Loughborough and Barrow upon Soar.
Initial investigations suggested the derailment could have been caused by a landslip following days of rain.
No-one was injured in the incident.
The accident was captured on camera by Roy Rollings, assistant general manager at the marina.
"I am not surprised they think it could have been caused by a landslip, because of all the rain we have had," Mr Rollings said.
"The derailed wagons were easy to see through the trees and were hundreds of yards from the rest of the train. Workers were on the scene for several hours examining what had happened.
"It is good to know no-one was injured."
Work to recover the derailed freight carriages is expected to take several days.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: "The incident has been reported to the Rail Accident Investigation Bureau.
"The train was taking stone from a quarry in Derbyshire to Cambridgeshire.
"It looks as if the derailment, which involved the rear half of the train, was caused by a landslip.
"A number of the 10 wagons involved had fallen on their sides. The driver was unhurt."
The Network Rail spokesman said the four-track section of the Leicester to Nottingham line had been examined to see if the landslip had affected the two fast lines used for passenger services. He said: "We temporarily stopped those services to check the track and they were later resumed."
Midland mainline trains have continued to use the lines, but services were not stopping at Barrow upon Soar station.
East Midlands Trains put on a replacement bus service between Barrow upon Soar and Loughborough.
A spokeswoman for the company said: "The derailment happened at 5.30am and blocked the two slower lines between Barrow upon Soar and Loughborough.
"Mainline services are running normally but a replacement bus service has been introduced between Loughborough and Barrow-upon-Soar stations."
She said the bus service would continue to operate until the two slow lines were reopened.
It is not known how many days this will take.
Winger Niall Morris has become the latest Leicester Tiger to extend his stay at the club.
The 24-year-old has signed a new deal which will keep him at Welford Road after his current contract expires in the summer.
Morris arrived from Leinster in the summer of 2011 and has started to show some excellent form this season.
He celebrated his new contract with perhaps his best performance in a Tigers shirt at London Irish last weekend, scoring two tries and nearly adding another.
Morris said he was delighted to stay on and believes he has improved as a player since coming under the guidance of the club's coaching duo, Richard Cockerill and Matt O'Connor.
"I am really happy to get the contract agreed," he said. "I always wanted to stay at the Tigers and I am enjoying my rugby here.
"It's really nice having the support of the coaches and their backing to offer me another contract.
"I have really enjoyed my time here and have been lucky enough to get a few games over the past months. I wanted to continue playing here and doing the best I can or the club.
"I think my game has improved since I arrived. The more games you can play, the better your game gets each week.
"From the player I was a year ago, I think I am a much better player now.
"The club is very friendly and the guys make you feel very much at home.
"It's a very family-orientated club, it has been easy to fit in and I really enjoy the culture.
"I made the right decision coming over here and I am hopeful that things will continue to go my way."
Morris has made 12 starts this season with only Graham Kitchener and Anthony Allen enjoying more.
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill says he has been impressed with his form.
"Niall has decided to stay for his immediate future and, if he keeps playing like he did at London Irish last weekend, that will be brilliant for us," said Cockerill.
"Niall made a big decision to leave Ireland and come to Leicester and has been a very important member of the squad here for the last two seasons.
"He has been improving the whole time with us, he is a good young player who is developing really well and doing a good job for us."
A nightclub has been ordered to close after a man was blasted in the leg with a shotgun.
The man, understood to be either a doorman or his friend, was attacked outside Thread, in Yeoman Street, Leicester city centre, early yesterday.
He was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment to a wound in his thigh and was released later in the day.
Police were called to the scene at 3.45am after reports of a single shot being fired.
A stretch of Yeoman Street between Humberstone Gate East and Halford Street was closed off until the afternoon as officers examined the scene.
No firearm has been recovered and no arrests made.
Leicester City Council ordered the club to remain closed until police were satisfied there was no risk to the public.
Detectives are reviewing CCTV from the venue. It is understood to show a number of men, whose faces were covered by hoods, standing outside the club prior to the shooting.
It was unclear yesterday whether the men had been thrown out or barred entry.
The venue, formerly Houston's, was hosting a hip hop, R'n'B and house event called the Boxing Day Banger. It had started at 11pm and was scheduled to go on until 5am.
Police said the club was busy at the time of the shooting and have urged people to contact them if they know anything about the attackers.
Detective Inspector Simon Preston, of the serious crime unit, said: "I have a lot of detectives investigating this incident in order to find out exactly what happened.
"We have CCTV from the venue and we are viewing that.
"We think the club was full at the time. A good few hundred people were there and it is important they contact us if they have any information about what has happened here."
Officers and city council licensing officials served the closure notice on the venue yesterday morning. Management were said to have accepted the move without argument.
It was unclear yesterday what the closure will mean for the club's plans for this weekend or New Year's Eve.
Bobby Smiljanic, licensing manager at the city council, said the order was open-ended.
She said: "There is nothing to suggest that the venue is at fault in any way.
"But the police have not yet arrested any suspects and we are not sure whether there will be any repercussions to this incident.
"We have told the venue's management they have to remain closed until the police are satisfied it is safe for them to open again.
"Obviously, this will affect their business but it has been done in the interests of preserving public safety."
The owner of a nearby business, who asked not to be named, said: "I've not heard of a shooting in Leicester in a long time. It's not something you associate with us.
"I'll bet it was over something really trivial, like someone being told they can't come in.
"If you are prepared to shoot someone, you don't know whether you are going to kill them or not."
The Mercury tried to contact the management at Thread but was unable to get in touch.
Anyone with information should contact Leicestershire Police by calling 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
Leicester City are believed to be on the verge of signing West Brom striker Chris Wood in a deal worth up to £2million.
It is understood that the New Zealand international had a medical at the King Power Stadium yesterday with a view to joining the club when the transfer window opens in January.
The initial transfer fee is believed to be £1.25m with £750,000 in add-ons and bonuses.
The 21-year-old is currently on loan at Millwall and has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances for them this season.
Lions manager Kenny Jackett was also keen on signing the striker permanently once his loan spell ended.
It is believed Millwall have had a bid accepted, but Jackett is said to be resigned to losing the striker.
Wood will, hopefully, add some much-needed firepower to City's strike-force.
Their 0-0 draw at Hull on Boxing Day was the third game in a row that Nigel Pearson's men have failed to find the back of the net. In his press conference, Pearson was reluctant to give anything away.
"As I always do, I don't join in with the speculation until any business is done," he said.
"So until there is something positive to report, I think you do that at your own peril.
"If the right players are the available and we can do it, then yes (there will be business), but I'm not going to bring players in for the sake of it.
"We've got players who are capable of scoring goals at the club. At the moment, we've not been taking our chances – we have created quite a few chances in the last few games and not taken them."
Leicester City have signed striker Chris Wood, the Mercury understands.
The New Zealand international has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract after completing his switch from West Bromwich Albion in a deal that is potentially worth £2 million.
The 21-year-old, who was recalled from his loan at Millwall by Albion so the deal can be completed, will officially become a City player when the transfer window opens on Tuesday.
It is believed that Wood could make his debut on New Year's Day when City entertain Huddersfield Town, a game that is supported by a special Mercury ticket deal.
West Brom confirmed Wood's departure to City at a press conference this morning before their game against Manchester United tomorrow.
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has concerns over the fitness of leading scorer Charlie Austin ahead of Saturday's meeting with Leicester.
The striker was withdrawn during the second half of their Boxing Day win over Derby after complaining about a muscle problem.
Dyche is hoping it is something and nothing while Sam Vokes, who replaced him on the day, is on standby to deputise again.
Junior Stanislas missed out against the Rams with a hamstring injury but is back in contention to face Nigel Pearson's side.
Midfielder Brian Stock was also short of fitness for that one and had to settle for a place on the bench but could now be pushing for a start role.
Defender Ben Mee (medial knee ligament) will not return until the new year.
The Foxes hope to have Jamie Vardy back in contention when they travel to Turf Moor.
Vardy missed the goalless draw at Hull on Boxing Day after limping off with a heel injury early in the second half of the home defeat to Cardiff on Saturday.
His return to the squad would be a boost to Pearson, whose side have now gone three npower Championship games without scoring.
However, the City boss is unconcerned by their recent lack of success in front of goal.
"Clearly, we would like to be scoring when the chances come," he said. "But sometimes you have to go through spells like that, and we'll get through it."
Defenders Sean St. Ledger and Michael Keane remain out with hamstring injuries.
England lock Geoff Parling is set to start Leicester Tigers' Aviva Premiership clash with Gloucester at Welford Road tomorrow (5pm).
After a hectic spell of international rugby with England and back-to-back Heineken Cup games against Treviso, Parling was rested for last week's Premiership game at London Irish.
His return is the only change to the starting line-up as Tigers prepare for a key game against Gloucester, who are fourth in the table just a place and two points adrift of Leicester.
The fixture will see Tigers fly-half Toby Flood makes his 100th Premiership appearance, while Steve Mafi is named among the replacements on his return to the squad for the first time since suffering a knee injury in the win over Northampton Saints in November.
Tigers
15 Geordan Murphy
14 Niall Morris
13 Manu Tuilagi
12 Anthony Allen
11 Adam Thompstone
10 Toby Flood
9 Ben Youngs
1 Marcos Ayerza
2 Tom Youngs
3 Dan Cole
4 Louis Deacon (capt)
5 Geoff Parling
6 Brett Deacon
7 Julian Salvi
8 Jordan Crane
Replacements
16 George Chuter
17 Logovi'i Mulipola
18 Martin Castrogiovanni
19 Ed Slater
20 Steve Mafi
21 Sam Harrison
22 George Ford
23 Matt Smith
