Families providing respite holidays for children living in the fall-out zone of the Chernobyl nuclear plant disaster are campaigning to save a free visa scheme.

Volunteers have been welcoming youngsters from Belarus for a month-long stay each year as part of the Friends of Chernobyl's Children project.

But they say future visits could be threatened due to the Government scrapping a Foreign Office-funded "gratis" visa scheme, after 16 years, from March 31.

It means the county's three Friends of Chernobyl groups will have to find an extra £86, on top of the £500 it already costs, to bring each child to the country.

The West Leicestershire branch, in Markfield, has been bringing over a group of 15 children, from part of Belarus still suffering from the effects of the 1986 disaster, including chronic economic underdevelopment, since 2009.

Group co-ordinator John Buckby, who runs the branch with partner Sue Platts, said: "This is devastating news because if these proposals go ahead, we will have to find an additional £1,300 each year, which will place a very heavy burden on our small, self-supporting charity.

"We are run entirely by volunteers and meet the full cost of these life-changing breaks through our fund-raising."

During their visits, the children stay with a host family who organise trips and provide them with essential healthcare such as dental treatment, eye tests and a year's supply of multivitamins to boost their immune systems.

Miss Platts said: "The bottom line is if we don't get the proposed charges thrown out, we will not be able to afford to bring the same number of children to the UK for this essential respite."

John and Sue, who live in Broughton Astley, have taken in Liza, now 11, from the town of Mogilev, every summer for the past four years.

Miss Platts said: "When she first came to the UK, she was very pale, withdrawn and apprehensive. But by the end of year two, you could see her rosy cheeks, big smile and glint in her eyes."

Val Hatherall, group co-ordinator for the East Leicestershire group, in Queniborough, said: "We bring about 20 children over every year so the extra cost to our volunteers and families will be enormous."

Helen Sewell, co-ordinator of the Vale of Belvoir branch, which welcomes 11 children every summer, said: "We receive no statutory funding and I am concerned we could be forced to reduce the number of children we assist."

A Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) spokesman said: "Ministers decided in 2010 that the FCO-funded gratis visa scheme would unfortunately end on March 31, 2013.

"We informed the charities of our decision in November 2010."

Andrew Bridgen, MP for North West Leicestershire, has offered his support and has written to the Foreign Office seeking clarification on what help can be provided.

"I sympathise with the charities' concerns," he said.

The Friends of Chernobyl's 30 branches, nationwide, need to raise 100,000 signatures in an online petition by January to trigger a debate on the changes in Parliament. So far, about 6,500 signatures have been collected.

To sign the e-petition, go to:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/ petitions/37945

www.focc.org.uk/

She's already Queen of the stage in the West End – and now Hinckley starlet Lauren Samuels is getting ready to tour the world.

The 24-year-old has been performing in the hit Queen musical We Will Rock You, in London, since last year, playing the major female role of Scaramouche and mastering classics including I Want to Break Free and Hammer to Fall.

Now, following a second stint at the Dominion Theatre, she is preparing for a world tour to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary.

"When the world tour came up and I was offered the opportunity to go, I snapped their hands off," said Lauren.

"It is tremendously exciting. The first half of the tour until June has been finalised and it includes dates all around Europe, including coming to Nottingham.

"The second half, which will include going to Australia and Japan, is yet to be finalised."

Lauren shot to fame in 2010 when she made it to the final three in the TV show Over the Rainbow, in which she competed for the role of Dorothy in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's production of The Wizard of Oz.

Since then, she has also starred as Sandy in the West End production of Grease.

Lauren's mum Sue Marshall, who lives in Hinckley, said her daughter was excited about the prospect of going on a world tour.

"She has been extremely busy since the latest spell as Scaramouche ended," said Sue.

"She has been down to Cardiff and I am sure she will be working until the tour leaves in February."

The We Will Rock You musical, which was written by Ben Elton to the music of Queen, tells of a world where performing music is illegal.

The world tour will see the show visit arenas in Finland, Denmark, Holland, Luxembourg, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Bulgaria and the UK and Ireland in 2013.

According to the show backers, further dates in Japan, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia will be announced soon.

A spokesman said: "The multi-million pound production will be heading to the Nottingham Capital FM Arena for its first stop in the UK in March 2013, and then on to Dublin in April.

"It will return to the UK in May and June for dates at the Sheffield Motor Point Arena, the newly-developed Leeds Arena, the Belfast Odyssey and the Newcastle Metro Arena."

Announcing the tour, Queen's Brian May said: "After our first 10 years in tock theatricality, this is the next giant step for We Will Rock You."

A city council scrutiny committee has launched a review to find out why the number of adults involved in sport is so low and how more people can be encouraged to use the authority's leisure centres.

It seems likely this review will find that the main issue is that people cannot afford the charges.

Paul Edwards, the city council's head of sports services, said as much at a recent meeting and added that the financial climate meant people were spending their money on other essentials.

In fact, the charges at the council's sports centres are probably pretty reasonable.

However, the harsh reality is that the economic situation means that people are struggling to make ends meet.

This means that fewer people are using the centres and that council income has declined as a result.

One recommendation could be to reduce prices in the hope that increased use would make up for any further loss in revenue.

This has to be worth trying out, particularly while the economic situation is so bad.

Plans for a new 2,000-seat arena which would serve as the home of Leicester Riders will be widely welcomed.

It is clearly early days, with details of the deal still being worked out.

However, the proposal is an exciting one not only for Riders, who have been without a permanent home since the closure of Granby Halls, but also for Leicestershire Cricket Club and the wider community.

The arena would be built at the cricket club's Grace Road ground and would provide "mass participation" for the community, including students from Leicester College, which is also involved in the proposals.

As the cricket club's chief executive, Mike Siddall, says this represents a demonstrable Olympic legacy for the city.

We wish all involved every success in this project and we look forward to seeing their vision take shape.

The recession and high charges are driving people away from Leicester's leisure centres, according to sport bosses.

In the past 12 months there have been just over two million visits to the city's seven council-run sports centres – a drop of almost 200,000 in two years.

Officials say customers are spending less on playing sports and exercising in public gyms and pools because of the tough financial climate.

A membership for the council's sports centres, which includes the use of any of its pools, courts, and gyms, costs £31 a month for an adult, or £340 for a year.

At a meeting last week, Paul Edwards, the city council's head of sports services, told councillors: "In our last customer survey, 50 per cent of them said prices were too high or verging on too high.

"Firstly, they cannot afford it and, secondly, they questioned the value for money. Given the economic situation, it is not a shock to me.

"The financial climate does mean people are choosing to spend their money on other essentials, although we'd argue health and fitness are essential."

The council's seven sports centres are in Braunstone, Aylestone, Beaumont Leys, Evington, New Parks, Spence Street and Cossington Street.

The fall in use has also meant the council's income has dropped by £200,000.

Mr Edwards said this was in line with the experience of other large cities.

He said the age of some of the venues was also putting people off.

He said: "If you build a new leisure centre, people will flock to it. Our leisure offer is 90 per cent old 1970s leisure centres.

"The city's most recently built centre is Braunstone's, which opened eight years ago, but some, such as Cossington Street, were built in the 1800s."

Nationally, the number of adults involved in sports activities is below average. The council's heritage, leisure and sport scrutiny commission has launched a review to try to find out why the number of adults involved in sport is so low.

It is looking at ways of getting more people to use the authority's leisure centres.

One recommendation could be to reduce prices in the hope that increased use would mean the council does not lose out.

Sport England figures, based on a survey, said 30 per cent of adults in the city took part in sport at moderate intensity for at least 30 minutes on 12 days out of 30, from April 2011 to April this year.

This is compared to 40 per cent in Derby and 36 per cent in Nottingham. Only Luton scores lower than Leicester, with 27 per cent.

Unemployed John Stokes, 25, of Eyres Monsell, said he used to be a regular squash player at the New Parks leisure centre.

He said: "At one point, I had a membership and played a couple of times a week. Thirty-odd quid a month is a good rate compared with a private gym but I'm not working so couldn't afford it."

A couple who met at a church youth group have celebrated 60 happy years of marriage.

Brian and Marie Wilford met as teenagers through the group at the North Evington United Free Church, where they married years later.

The couple, who now live in Netherhall, Leicester, celebrated their diamond anniversary on Thursday with a meal, followed by a party with friends and family at the Regency Hotel, in London Road, Leicester, on Sunday.

Brian served in the Army for two years before the couple were married, and an accident on the shooting range in Old Dalby, where he was based, nearly scuppered their relationship.

"We were on the range practising for a shoot and I got caught by ricochet and hurt my cheek and arm and fingers," said Brian, 81, who was an engineer all his working life.

"It stopped me writing for a week or so and she thought I'd lost interest.

"She forgave me when I wrote to her explaining what had happened."

Marie, 79, and Brian, who have a son and a daughter, said sharing the same interests was one of the reasons why their marriage has been so successful.

They both enjoy music, dramatic arts, railways and DIY, and being involved with the church.

Brian added: "The secret to a long marriage is give and take."

A chef is celebrating his restaurant's inclusion in Britain's eating out bible.

The Joiners Arms, in Bruntingthorpe, near Lutterworth, is in the latest edition of the Michelin Red Guide for Great Britain and Ireland.

It has also been awarded the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, an accolade given to restaurants for providing "good food at great value''.

Chef and owner Stephen Fitzpatrick, who has run the Church Walk gastropub since 2002, said: "As a team, we are extremely pleased to retain our inclusion in the guide and are delighted we have maintained our standards.

"We have had an exceptionally busy year and have worked hard to maintain consistency. Our young chefs, Tina Major and Gary Mercer, work extremely hard and strive to impress at every opportunity."

The Joiners Arms is joined in the Michelin Guide by sister restaurant The Boot Room, in Millstone Lane, Leicester.

Mr Fitzpatrick said: "Both have taken on new staff this year as the number of diners has increased.

"This follows a tradition of training new chefs from scratch, and giving them an opportunity to learn their skills in an environment where standards are very high."

The only restaurant in Leicestershire and Rutland with a coveted Michelin Star in the latest publication of the guide is Hambleton Hall, by Rutland Water.

The Olive Branch, in nearby Clipsham, lost its star after 10 years.

The Red Lion, in Stathern, the Vale of Belvoir, and The Berkeley Arms, in Wymondham, near Melton, also received the Bib Gourmand.

Fewer than half the patients with health conditions such as asthma, diabetes and heart complaints had a flu jab last year.

Figures released by health managers also show that just over a quarter of pregnant women had the injection, despite being considered "at risk" if they catch the infection.

Dr Tim Davies, deputy director of public health for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "People with health conditions are used to managing their health.

"However, many do not realise the risk that flu can pose.

"Getting flu when you already have a health condition can lead to serious complications and can even be a killer."

Figures show that in Leicestershire and Rutland, 48.4 per cent of people with health conditions and 29.3 per cent of pregnant women had a flu jab last winter.

In the city, 49.8 per cent of people with health conditions and 26 per cent of women were vaccinated.

Dr Davies said: "The flu vaccine changes every year to fight the latest strains of flu, so even if you had a jab last winter you need another one this year to stay flu safe.

"The flu jab is completely safe and doesn't carry the live flu virus, so it can't give you flu."

Each winter, East Midlands Ambulance Service sees an increase in the number of emergency calls received and many are from people suffering from flu.

Louise De Groot, clinical quality manager and emergency care practitioner for East Midlands Ambulance Service, said: "Often people suffering from flu with a long-term condition will need transporting into hospital for treatment.

"Not only is that upsetting for themselves and their loved ones, but it's also impossible for them to work or look after their kids when they're being treated in hospital.''

The last flying Vulcan plane is to take to the skies for a final time next year – but needs £400,000 to make its last flights possible.

The Cold War bomber returned to the air in October, 2007, after being restored at Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground, near Lutterworth.

But the Vulcan to the Sky Trust, the charity which operates the plane, said next year will be its last flying season because it has almost run out of the flying hours it was permitted after the restoration, and would need expensive repairs to extend its operational life.

Trust chief executive Dr Robert Pleming said: "We are sure you are aware that all Vulcans have a finite safe flying life and that XH558 is already well beyond the hours flown by any other aircraft of her type."

Engineering director Andrew Edmondson said: "From the start of the 2014 season, it is unlikely that we could accommodate any engine failures and that even without any technical problems, soon our set of engines would be out of life."

"There are no more airworthy engines available and refurbishment would be so difficult and costly that there is no possibility that it will happen."

The trust said it was planning a final flying season, but needed to raise £400,000 before the end of the year to give the plane a winter service to make the last flights possible.

Since the restoration in 2007, the Vulcan, which is now based at Robin Hood Airport, in Doncaster, has been seen by more than 10 million people at more than 60 locations.

Following her final flight, the trust hopes she will become the centrepiece of a project which encourages youngsters to take up technical and engineering careers.

To donate, or for more information, visit:

www.vulcantothesky.org

A man who raped and sexually abused a Leicestershire schoolboy almost 20 years ago has been jailed for 10 years.

Geraldo Tucciarone (51), who was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, indecently touched a 10-year-old boy while visiting Hinckley in the early 1990s.

Six months later, Tucciarone turned his attentions towards the boy again, and raped him.

Riel Karmy-Jones, prosecuting, said that before the rape, Tucciarone showed the boy indecent video images.

The boy had been unaware that Tucciarone had done anything wrong when he was sexually touched by him. By the time the rape took place, the boy realised it was wrong, but had been too embarrassed and ashamed to tell anyone at the time, Miss Karmy-Jones said.

The court heard Tucciarone, of Mildenhall, Suffolk, earlier sexually abused and later raped a 10-year-old girl in Suffolk.

He pleaded guilty to two offences of sexual assault and two offences of rape. The offences took place in the early to mid-1990s. He was arrested in January this year.

Defending, Andrew Shaw said Tucciarone had no previous convictions and had fully admitted what he had done. Tucciarone had asked for no mitigation to be put forward on his behalf.

Jailing him for a total of 10 years, Judge John Holt told Tucciarone the 44 days he has already spent in custody awaiting sentencing would be deducted from the time he has to serve.

He was also banned indefinitely from having any unsupervised contact with under-16s and was ordered to sign the sexual offences register until further notice.

The world premiere run of Harvey Weinstein's Finding Neverland draws to a close this week after delighting packed out audiences at Curve.

More than 18,000 people have been to see the stage adaptation of the Hollywood film since it premiered in September.

The show has entertained theatre-lovers and celebrities alike, welcoming A-listers such as Irish rockers Bono and The Edge – who were invited to the opening night.

On Saturday, Welsh mezzo-soprano Katherine Jenkins also visited the city's £60 million theatre to see the musical production.

Curve chief executive Fiona Allan said: "We couldn't be happier with the huge success of Finding Neverland, the biggest musical ever to play in Leicester.

"The show has attracted people from all over the country, and bringing the Weinstein Company to Leicester has been a terrific opportunity for both Curve and the city.

"We're really proud to have hosted the world premiere of this impressive musical."

Mercury theatre critic Lizz Brain said: "It's had a lot of money spent on it and it's done wonders for Curve's reputation, which can only be good for the theatre.

"It just shows the money and kudos that someone like Harvey Weinstein can bring to a venue."

The show is inspired by the 2004 film Finding Neverland, based on the Scottish writer JM Barrie.

It tells the story of his platonic relationship with Sylvia Llewelyn Davies and friendship with her four young sons, who inspire the magical world of Peter Pan.

British stage and screen actor Julian Ovenden plays JM Barrie, while West End actress Rosalie Craig takes the role of Sylvia. The show, directed and choreographed by Olivier Award-winner Rob Ashford, runs until Thursday. It has received rapturous applause from audiences but has had a mixed reaction from critics.

Lizz said: "New musicals obviously take a lot of time to develop and it's rare that anything gets rave reviews on the opening night.

"It's got pirates and it's a bit Disney and a bit panto and never really finds itself.

"But there's talk of it going to the West End, and I'm sure it will be polished and refined before it hits the stage there."

The theatre is also set to welcomes another big name to its recent visitor list.

George Obama – brother to US president Barack – will visit Curve tonight to watch the premiere of a play about his life. Obama the Mamba tells the story of the American president's half brother, George, from Nairobi.

Written by Kevin Fegan, it portrays the self-styled leader of the most lawless slum – Huruma – while one brother made it to the pinnacle of First World power.

For information and tickets, visit:

www.curveonline.co.uk

Worshippers are being asked to follow simple safety tips to ensure a happy Diwali and Navratri.

Police, firefighters and the city council are teaming up to offer safety advice throughout the celebrations, with 10,000 greetings cards with safety messages being posted through letterboxes in the Belgrave, Latimer and Rushey Mead areas of the city.

Firefighters are urging Hindus and other devotees to take care when using candles and flames.

People attending celebrations and visiting friends are being asked to lock their homes and cover up expensive jewellery when out and about.

Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon said: "Each year, thousands of people take part in Diwali celebrations in Leicester.

"Our role is to ensure that they can enjoy this special time without fear of crime.

"Many people will be busy visiting friends and family in the coming weeks. We are urging them to take a few simple crime prevention measures – such as securing their windows and doors every time they leave their home, and being discreet with valuables, in particular expensive jewellery – when they are out and about.

"I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a safe and happy Navratri and Diwali."

Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon launched the campaign with colleagues from Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service yesterday.

Speaking at Belgrave Community Centre, in Rothley Street, police and fire officers advised people not to overfill oil lamps and to be vigilant when out during celebrations.

More than 35,000 people are expected to pack into the Golden Mile for the Diwali fireworks on Sunday, November 4.

Even more will take to the streets on Diwali day, on Tuesday, November 13, for one of the biggest celebrations of its kind outside India.

Assistant Chief Fire Officer Steve Lunn said: "Leicestershire has a very diverse population.

" The Navratri and Diwali celebrations are a cornerstone of our Hindu community, so we want to make sure everyone remains safe to enjoy every aspect this period has to offer.

"While the number of fires caused by Diva candles have remained low in recent years, it is through education and awareness campaigns, such as this, that we will ensure this remains the case."

Leicester City Council asked people not to bring fireworks to public celebrations. Diwali is also celebrated by Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs.

Navatri is a nine-day Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Hindu deity Shakti, which starts today.

Three churches, a disused railway building and a former bank are among 10 important city buildings at risk of falling into ruin, according to a heritage society.

Leicester Victorian Society has compiled its own report on buildings in Leicester in need of urgent attention following the release of an English Heritage list of national sites last week.

Among the buildings on the Victorian Society list is the grade II-listed Master Hosier's House, in Darker Street, off Vaughan Way, which has a hole in the roof.

St Peter's Vicarage, in Highfields, which has been empty for more than 20 years, and Barclays bank, in Horsefair Street, are also included.

Society spokesman Grahame Lees said: "Our list is in no particular order – they are just some of the city's buildings we think are important and in need to attention.

"City mayor Peter Soulsby has done a lot to take some historical buildings under his wing. It would be nice if he could take a look, along with others maybe, at other buildings on our list, too."

A former at-risk building, the old HSBC bank in Granby Street, has been taken over by the Members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

Mr Lees said it would be nice to see the "beautiful" Barclays bank put to use again in a similar way.

"We are so thankful for the Hare Krishnas and the way they have taken on the HSBC bank," he said. "It would be lovely to see the Barclays bank get the same treatment."

Three churches – St Saviour's Church in Spinney Hills, St Barnabas, in New Humberstone, and St Paul's, in Fosse Road – are all included.

"Churches are on there a lot because they're so difficult to find a use for due to there very often being a policy of them only being used for religion," Mr Lees said.

"They are also usually in need of an awful lot of work and are often quite large buildings."

Mr Lees said he hoped the list would encourage developers, the public and Leicester City Council to invest in and promote the buildings.

City mayor Peter Soulsby said the recently-created Heritage Partnership was already working to protect and promote some of the buildings on the list. "The Heritage Partnership is bringing together individuals and groups such as the Victorian Society to focus on Leicester's wonderful historical buildings," he said. "We've already made progress with quite a number of the properties on their list, including the Guild of the Disabled building, where work is already being carried out by its new owners.

"The council is protecting the Donisthorpe factory, and we are in detailed discussion with the bank that owns it."

He said the authority had also taken action to protect the Great Central carriage sheds, in Upperton Road, from demolition.

"We will continue to monitor these buildings and take action if we can, or encourage others to take action to safeguard their future."

Youngsters at a community gym were given a masterclass in ringcraft when they went toe-to-toe with a true heavyweight of the sport.

Former two-time world champion "Terrible" Tim Witherspoon visited the Golden Gloves gym, in Braunstone, on Sunday to impart some pugilistic wisdom to a group of eager young fighters.

Club members as young as 12 were able to spar with the 6ft 3in former pro, while their parents crowded the ring taking photos.

The Philadelphia fighter said: "I love coming out to visit gyms like this.

"I really enjoy seeing how different clubs train, especially in this country, because the system is so well supported."

The American won the WBC heavyweight title in 1984 and the WBA belt in 1986, successfully defending it against Frank Bruno in London the same year – knocking the British boxer out in the 11th round.

He said: "Boxing is important for communities like this. It teaches youngsters respect and teaches them how to behave when they're out on the street.

"I hope meeting some of the kids will inspire them to take their boxing to the next level – maybe there are some future world champions in this gym."

TJ Harty, 12, was the first to glove up against the former champ.

He said: "I can't believe I've been in the ring with a world champion.

"It was really good to meet him and spar with him. I reckon I beat him by about 21 points to 10."

Fellow Golden Gloves amateur Christian Kasongo, 15, said: "He gave me some tips and said I could possibly be a heavyweight myself."

Braunstone boxer Derrick Munyaka, 16, said: "I got his autograph and a photo and had a talk with him – he seemed like a great guy.

"It's inspiring to meet people who have achieved so much."

The heavyweight was in town with fellow fighter Mike Tyson, who had appeared at a black tie event at the Leicester Colosseum, in Melton Road, on Thursday night.

Tim, 54, who clocked up 55 wins from 69 fights during his career, also appeared as guest of honour at a fight night at the New Parks Social Club, in Battersbee Road.

The event, which was attended by about 900 people, raised money for Cancer Research.

Organiser Elvis Hopkins said: "I met him at another boxing show and asked him to come down, so he gave me his number and told me to call him. I can't thank him enough.

"It was an absolutely fantastic night.

"Tim was singing, dancing and signing gloves for the kids – he really seemed to be enjoying himself.

"He's such a great bloke."

Snooker stars including the world's number one player, Mark Selby, are backing a petition to save a club in Leicester.

Mark has signed the online petition and posted a message of support to try to rescue the Willie Thorne Snooker Club.

The Charles Street club, started by snooker ace Willie Thorne more than 30 years ago and later taken over by Rileys, has been forced to shut its doors because the landlord, Leicester City Council, wants the building back to use for offices.

Willie's niece, Olivia Thorne, launched the petition last week to try to save the club her father Malcolm ran for many years.

Mark, "The Jester from Leicester", posted: "This was the start of my career! If it was not for Malcolm Thorne, there is no way I would be where I am today!"

Mark played there from the age of 11 to 16 and Malcolm allowed him to practice for free and sponsored him in his first few competitions.

By yesterday, more than 200 people had signed the petition.

Snooker star Jimmy "Whirlwind" White, who was due to play at the club next week, said he was saddened to hear the club had closed. Jimmy, who played in six World Championship finals but never won one, said: "I was so looking forward to playing at Willie's club in Leicester again.

"I must have played there a hundred times and it always a pleasure. It is a real snooker club and there are not many of them left in Britain.

"I hope that somehow this club can be saved because it is such an important venue. Everyone who is anyone knows Willie's club and has played there."

Leicester player Ben Woollaston, ranked number 40 in the world, said he learned his trade there. He said: "We moved from down south to here to help my snooker and for me to play at the club. It made me."

Nancy Thorne, who opened the club in 1981 with her sons Willie, Malcolm and Robert, said the city would not be the same without the club.

The 86-year-old said: "It was real family concern and everyone loved that homely feel.

"The powers that be should move heaven and earth to save it. My son Malcolm put his heart and soul into that place.

"It was unique as a snooker club and players came from all over the world to play there. I would say that at one time it was the most famous snooker club in the world."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he was prepared to meet a delegation from the club.

He said: "I think Willie Thorne ceased to have any involvement with the club a while ago. It would appear that Rileys, who run the club, have accepted it is not viable to run a snooker club there.

"I am happy to chat to people from the club. I would say that there are other places in the city where people can play snooker."

A judge has slammed prosecutors for failing to charge a knifeman with racism after he screamed vile abuse at worshippers outside a mosque.

Jonathan Russell (32) waved a blade at two men on their way to prayers before snarling: "Where's Allah to protect you now?''

Crown Prosecution Service lawyers decided not to class the crime as racially-motivated because they said he was "commenting generally''.

Russell, of Swan Close, Melton, admitted theft, possessing an offensive weapon and threatening behaviour, and was sentenced for the offences at Westminster Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Passing sentence, District Judge Elizabeth Roscoe demanded an explanation from the CPS, saying: "It's remarkable that it wasn't racially-aggravated. This was just outside a mosque."

Russell targeted the men outside the Regent's Park Mosque, in central London, on August 14.

Carol Summers, prosecuting, said: "They were walking along the pavement when they became aware of this defendant talking very loudly."

Ms Summers said Russell swore at the men.

"All of a sudden, the defendant reached into his jacket pocket and took out a pocket knife. He opened it and chased them," she told the court.

"As one of the victims ran, he took off his coat and threw it on the ground. Russell picked it up.

"When he was asked to give it back, he threw the knife," said Ms Summers. "It landed on the ground and broke to pieces."

Police arrested Russell, who was previously convicted of unlawful wounding in 2002, after finding him hiding in bushes nearby.

Jailing him for 50 weeks, Judge Roscoe told Russell he had caused a "very nasty and frightening incident".

The mother of a teenager who was thrown more than 100 feet through the air after a lorry smashed into his car says it is a "miracle" he is alive.

Sam Clarke broke down on the A46 near Cossington, but managed to pull over and get out.

A 42-tonne lorry then clipped the back of his Range Rover, part of which was still sticking out in the road, which smashed into 19-year-old Sam, throwing him into the air.

His mum, Caroline Chettle, said it was a miracle Sam escaped with just a bad cut to his head, a sore knee and bruising.

"Everyone we spoke to who was involved in helping him said it was a miracle he was alive," said the 49-year-old.

"We are in shock at the moment. The thought of what could have been – it's devastating. It sounds dramatic, but I want people who helped him to know we are thankful and know how lucky he was.

"He was so close to death, yet he is with us. Somehow, 18 hours after a 42-tonne lorry crashed into him and his car, he was walking out of the hospital on crutches. It is a miracle."

The accident happened at about 8.10pm on Thursday on the stretch between the A6 and A607 junctions.

Sam, from Hinckley, was driving to his girlfriend's house when his vehicle broke down.

He got out to look under the bonnet and had walked round to the passenger side of the car when the crash happened.

Caroline said: "If he was under the bonnet at the time he would have been killed instantly."

"He remembers bits and pieces. He thinks he was unconscious for five or 10 minutes. People had seen that someone had been with the car before the crash so they were searching for him. He started shouting when he woke up and they found him.

"They were searching for other bodies because he could not make any sense – he could not tell them if anyone else had been in the car with him.

"If his girlfriend and her three-year-old girl had been in the car they could have been killed.

"The whole thing was a wreck – a total write off – the back of the car was in the front seat. I think the fact that it was a Range Rover he was driving saved his life. It weighs three ton. If it had been a little car he would not have had a chance because it would have crumpled over him. But instead it took a lot of the crash."

Sam was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he received stitches to a gash on his head.

The teenager, who works for British Waterways, has two black eyes, a sore knee and bruising all over his body – but no broken bones.

He was allowed home on Friday afternoon.

"We want to say thank-you to everyone who helped him," said Caroline, who owns a tanning salon. The people who stopped and calmed him down and tried to stop the bleeding, the ambulance, the police – everyone. The staff at the hospital did an amazing job, too."

"We don't blame the lorry driver at all. He was devastated himself. He had not seen the car in time and, when he did, he did his best to stop. It was an accident."

Tim Coats, professor of emergency medicine at Leicester Royal Infirmary, who helped treat Sam, said: "I am pleased that Sam was very lucky and only came away with minor injuries."

Two teenagers saved a man's life after he had fallen into a canal and was struggling to keep his head above freezing water.

Connor Allen, 17, and his friend Billy Rewcastle, 18, were walking past the Grand Union Canal at about 9.15pm on Sunday when they heard a faint cry for help coming from beneath a bridge in Abbey Park Road, Leicester.

They leaned over the railings and saw a man scrambling to keep his head above the water below.

Connor, from New Parks, said: "We both ran over to the bridge and saw him struggling in the canal.

"He was shouting but he couldn't scream loud enough – it was lucky we heard him."

Billy said: "It was more like a whisper than a shout. It was quite dark and he was trying to hold himself up, but he was shaking and couldn't quite keep his head above the water."

When they got to the canal bank they noticed the man had injured his hands trying to claw himself out of the icy water.

They grabbed an arm each but struggled to lift the shivering man.

Billy, who lives near Abbey Park, said: "In the end, I had to grab one hand while Connor held on to me and we levered him on to the bank.

"He was quite heavy because he was wet and he had a big black coat on. He looked blue and we knew we had to do something to warm him up."

Once the man had been heaved out of the canal, Connor and Billy huddled round him to keep him warm while they called the emergency services.

"I tried to make him do star jumps as well," said Billy.

"But I think he just wanted a cigarette – he couldn't really speak and seemed in shock. He was freezing."

Police and paramedics arrived a short time later and treated the man at the scene before taking him to Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Connor said: "I think he said he stumbled as he walking under the bridge – it was near one of the locks.

"I can't imagine how he felt, my hands were so cold from just pulling him out and I was shaking.

"His teeth were chattering – he must have been absolutely freezing."

Police, who praised the teenagers, said the man had been struggling to get out of the canal for about half an hour, injuring his hands in the process, before the two friends heard his calls.

A spokeswoman said: "These two people showed great bravery and quick thinking in helping this man.

"Because of their actions, he was able to get out of the water and to hospital for treatment.

"Their help ultimately saved his life so they should be extremely proud of what they did."

Leicester City may be buoyant after recording five consecutive victories but manager Nigel Pearson has warned testing times will be ahead.

City are second in the table after the opening 10 games and Pearson will use the present international break to reflect on his side's start.

But he has warned against over-confidence.

The feelgood factor may be evident around the King Power Stadium, but Pearson said City's character will be examined this season.

"This is a club that needs to be in the Premier League really, but like everyone else we have to deserve the right to get there.

"Just because at the moment things are going well, it doesn't mean we are not going to have difficult times throughout the season," he warned.

"That will happen, so we will try and continue to do the job in the correct manner.

"We have had a tough opening 10 games and responded well to a bit of an indifferent start, even though our performances were good.

"I am also a realist and I know this is a very tough league, very competitive and will remain so throughout the season.

"There will be tough times ahead, but I have every confidence in the group of players and the support staff. We all work exceptionally hard."

Pearson believes a lower points tally than in previous seasons may be enough for promotion, but he warned that was because this will be one of the most competitive Championship seasons ever.

"Although it will probably shape up slightly differently this season, over the last six or seven years to be in a play-off spot you need about 1.6 points a game and for an automatic spot from 2 points to 1.8," he said. "It shows how tight the league is.

"Looking at the table, there are a lot of sides who are doing very well so whether it pans out different this year I don't know. We will just try to maintain our level of performance."

He may be only 23 years old but Leicester City midfielder Andy King is feeling like an elder statesman in the City dressing room.

The influx of new young players, such as Anthony Knockaert, Matty James and Marko Futacs, coupled with the emergence of academy products Liam Moore, Jeff Shlupp, Tom Hopper and Harry Panayiotou has left King feeling like a veteran.

But despite his tender years, King has made more than 200 appearances for the club since graduating from the academy five years ago and is more than happy to pass on his experience.

"It is nice I have been here and seen a lot of things," said King. "It does feel like I am a veteran at times.

"We have a young squad here and it seems odd for me at 23 to be saying this, but if I can use my experience to help them then that is good for everyone related to the club.

"I have learned the ins and outs of the Championship. I think it is important you don't get too carried away with the highs and too down with the lows. You have to be level-headed.

"I am lucky that I have learned a lot from some good players, the likes of Richie Wellens, Matt Oakley and Stephen Clemence. It is nice I can pass that on to the young players now.

"Liam (Moore) and Jeff (Schlupp) I have known since they were kids. You hear stuff about the even younger boys, who have a good chance. It is nice to see them developing into the sort of players they are now."

King said two of the more recent arrivals, Knockaert and Futacs, who have formed a close friendship, have been able to settle into the City squad quickly.

"It is a credit to them and the people who have scouted them," he said.

"They are great lads, everyone who has come in is.

"They have gelled very well. It can be hard coming from a foreign country but they are both very young.

"They are an odd-looking pair when they knock around with each other.

"Not only have they gelled as personalities in the team, but also into the side. For them to have performed as well as they have done is a credit to both."

Five armed raids were carried out on shops in the space of just 48 hours.

Police believe the five gunpoint robberies, in Leicester, Thurmaston and Houghton on the Hill, may be linked.

In each case, masked men, one carrying a handgun, carried out the robberies just a few minutes before their victims were due to close for the day.

They threatened staff with a handgun before escaping with cash or cigarettes.

On three occasions the gun was fired but nobody was injured. It is now believed to have been a replica.

The most recent robbery happened at Houghton Garage, Houghton on the Hill, at 7.55pm on Sunday.

A cashier at the petrol station was threatened at gunpoint and the robbers helped themselves to cash from the till and a packet of cigarettes.

The firm's owner Jim Funnell said: "The member of staff stayed calm and pressed the alarm which alerted the police, even though he was under some duress. It happened five minutes before we were due to close.

"We are very vigilant at that time of the day and make sure there's more than one of us here if we see anything suspicious.

"But on this occasion we were taken by surprise."

The first target, a shop in Uppingham Road, Leicester, was robbed at 8.15pm on Friday.

Detectives believe the gang then struck three times the next day – beginning at the Local Convenience Store, in Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, at 8.10pm. About 35 minutes later, they burst into a shop in Leicester's Saffron Lane.

An hour later, at 9.45pm, they robbed a shop in Cardinals Walk, Netherhall.

The owner of the Cardinals Walk shop, who has asked to remain anonymous, said her 18-year-old son had wrestled with one of the robbers.

She said: "Two of them barged into the shop and said, 'give us the money and the fags'. That's all they said.

"One of them was waving a gun around and pointed it straight at my head.

"My son told them to leave me alone and we heard a loud bang when the gun went off.

"Now I think it was some kind of replica because, even though they fired it, there was no damage.

"I'm still shaken by what happened and I can't concentrate. I keep looking at the CCTV to see who is coming and going. I shouldn't have to live like this."

A member of the family which owns the Local Convenience Store, in Humberstone Lane, Thurmaston, said: "My mum was serving behind the counter when they came in.

"She told them there was no money but one of them went behind the counter and started to take as many packets of cigarettes as he could."

Police arrested four people – three boys, one aged 17 and two aged 16, and a 25-year-old woman – late on Sunday night.

Last night, the force confirmed one of the 16-year-olds and the 25-year-old woman had been released without charge.

A 16-year-old and 17-year-old remained in police custody.

Police said they had stepped up patrols across the city after the Friday night robbery.

Detective Inspector Simon Cure urged witnesses to come forward. He said: "We can never have too much information."

Detectives were yesterday still reviewing CCTV footage and speaking to victims.

It is understood the five shop robberies are not being linked to Saturday's robbery at Santander, in Leicester's Narborough Road, or an earlier robbery at the bank's branch in Woodgate, on Wednesday, October 3. A cash in transit robbery at De Montfort University on October 9 is also under investigation.