Mountsorrel Amateurs closed the gap at the top of the Premier Division – but only just.

The second-placed side edged out hosts Glen Villa 5-4 in a nine-goal thriller.

Mountsorrel are now two points behind, with a game in hand, on leaders Braders, whose clash with Glenfield Town was postponed.

Third-placed Houghton Rangers found it easier going at bottom-of-the-table Kingsway Celtic, who have yet to win this season.

Houghton took the lead after 45 seconds through Shaun Barber but the home team equalised within two minutes.

Injuries forced Kingsway to make two changes but they went in at half-time level.

Houghton took a 2-1 lead early in the second period through Liam Quinn and further goals from Andy Almond, Matt Baird and Quinn secured the victory.

Birstall RBL continued their fine run of form by beating Cosby United 4-3. Nick Varham (2), Mo Khan and Mitchell Willott were their marksmen.

Division One leaders Burbage Old Boys dropped points when they were held to a 2-2 draw at Queniborough .

Shannon Myring and Sean Warrilow scored for Queniborough, while Gary Featherstone and Mitch Linney netted for Burbage.

Early-season leaders Royal Anglians, who have dropped to fifth in recent weeks, slipped up again when they hosted Leicester Three Lions.

The Anglians went 2-0 up after 25 minutes but a Three Lions goal before half-time triggered a comeback and they went on to win 3-2.

The Three Lions goals came from Leon Burke (2) and Kane Brown, while Nick Barron and Eric Rawdon were the Anglians' marksmen.

Belgrave now sit third after beating Braunstone Trinity 1-0. NKF Burbage and Ashby Road met again in a back-to-back fixture and drew 1-1.

Broughton Astley managed their first win of the season in Division Two by beating Birstall RBL Reserves.

Second-placed Oadby could not find the net in their 0-0 draw with North Kilworth Reserves.

Third-placed Thurlaston Magpies are nicely placed to compete for top spot. They are only two points adrift after beating GNG 3-1 thanks to Jamie Mitchell (2) and Zac Webb.

Cosby United have still to gain a point this season after losing 1-0 to Houghton Rangers Reserves.

Glenfield Town Reserves continued their domination at the top of Division Three by beating County Hall Reserves 4-2.

A hat-trick from Ryan Broderick, and a single from Carl Read, made the difference.

Thurlaston Magpies Reserves remained in second despite being beaten 3-2 by Belgrave Reserves.

Earl of Stamford found the net four times when they travelled to NKF Burbage Reserves, winning 4-1. Goals from Alex Austick, Liam Clarke, Matt Flynn, and Callum Wilson secured the points, with Paul Knight getting a consolation for NKF.

Huncote Reserves, and Glen Villa Reserves fought out a 1-1 draw.

Extra police patrols and more security fencing are to be introduced to combat arson and vandalism at allotments and a community garden.

The measures have been promised to protect the Place to Grow community garden in Mill Lane, Enderby, following a meeting.

The garden was badly damaged in the arson attack in January which destroyed meeting and storage buildings and tools.

The attackers also damaged 14 sheds and greenhouses in the neighbouring allotments.

Police believe the vandals climbed over a small fence from the adjacent golf club into the allotments and then into the garden.

Police hosted the meeting to discuss what to do to prevent further attacks.

A Place to Grow project leader Abdul Asghar said: "Most of our garden is surrounded by security fencing but there is one part next to the allotments where the fence is not so good.

"The county council has said it is prepared to fund that improvement to the security fencing."

He said police had started additional patrols and further measures were being considered.

He said the public response to the attack had been amazing with offers of tools and help rebuilding.

He said work was due to start in the next few days to prepare the ground for the installation of a replacement building.

A County Hall spokesman said: "The county council has agreed to provide secure fencing to the side of the site where it is believed the arsonist entered."

County councillor Jackie Dickinson said: "Not only are we looking to install more security fencing, we are working with other groups to improve security at the site."

Ashley Cox, of the allotment holders, said: "The additional security fencing will prevent people getting in from the golf course.

"We are very pleased with the outcome of the meeting. We have been made aware of areas where we can apply for grant aid to improve security. That could see solar powered lights being installed.

"One of the new measures promised by the police involves a dog handler exercising his animal in the allotments and neighbouring community garden at the beginning and end of shifts."

A police spokesperson said the meeting was very productive and attended by a number of partner agencies.

She said: "There have been some very generous gifts from the local community to help them.

"We are continuing to carry out our investigation and have increased patrols in the area.

"We would ask anyone with information about the incident to contact us."

People with information are asked to contact the police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555111.

It's not every day you get the chance to come face-to-face with a 528-year-old distant relative.

But the 17th great grandnephew of Richard III, Canadian-born Michael Ibsen, did just that at the unveiling of the anatomical bust of his royal ancestor in London yesterday.

The Richard III Society officially revealed the reconstructed face at the Society of Antiquaries, in Piccadilly – although the likeness had been seen by about 3.2 million people the night before during the Channel 4 documentary, The King in the Car Park.

It followed the announcement on Monday which confirmed the Grey Friars remains found in August were those of the last Plantagenet king.

Michael, who has a furniture workshop in London, said: "It's very bizarre and I know it sounds quite spooky, but he looks like someone I know. It's no-one in the family, but I feel like I know him.

"It's strange to see the face of a man, a relative of mine, who died so violently on the battlefield.

"There's no indication of that in his appearance."

Michael, who had been part of the Grey Friars project from the start, saw the remains for the first time on Monday.

"The new bust has quite a dignified face, and looks quite masculine," he said. "When you compare that with the skeletal remains it's a bit of a contrast because they're almost feminine.

"With the skeleton, you're standing there in front of something that was once Richard III – but even then the bones are somewhat anonymous.

"With the face you can at least imagine a real person.

"What would be really interesting is to see a whole body reconstruction."

The likeness was created by Professor Caroline Wilkinson, of the University of Dundee.

The process involved using a computer image of the skull – which had been CT scanned – adding muscle and tissue to the bones to give an accurate likeness of the medieval monarch.

"There's less than 2mm of error," said Janice Aitkin, who represented the university at the press conference.

"What that means is that when we've tested previous reconstructions against the actual person, the degree of error in the amount of skin and tissue is less than 2mm – which is not enough to change someone's appearance.

"We can say that this is what Richard III would have looked like."

The bust will remain with the Richard III Society until the completion of Leicester City Council's dedicated visitor centre at the old Leicester Grammar School building, in Peacock Lane, which is due to open sometime next year.

Society chairman Dr Phil Stone said the bust may spend some time in York in the meantime, but nothing had been confirmed.

Sarah Levitt, head of arts and museums services for the city council, was also at the unveiling.

She said: "This will have pride of place in our visitor centre giving pleasure and joy to hundreds of people."

Author and historian Annette Carson, who wrote Richard: The Maligned King, explained that the only surviving images of Richard, painted after his death at Bosworth in 1485, were unlikely to be entirely accurate.

She said: "It's fascinating to see the face. The historical portraits, especially the 1510 version, were altered later to give Richard the appearance of having more lines in the face, thin, clenched lips, narrow eyes and, of course, a hunch.

"But they were all added to show him as being more unpleasant."

Leicester Storm will be taking a "massive step forward" when they compete in the inaugural Conference League South, which kicks off in April.

Storm will be members of a six-team division, which also features St Albans Centurions, Bristol Sonics, Sheffield Hallam Eagles, Northampton Demons and Nottingham Outlaws.

It is just the challenge they are looking for, and chairman Ty Watson cannot wait to get started.

"It is all very positive," he said. "We have some very exciting plans for the future, particularly as part of the proposed sports village at New College, in New Parks, which we hope we can develop into a rugby league facility.

"This season we will be taking a massive step forward and we're already in talks about becoming a Championship team in three years time."

Firstly, however, they will be tested to the full in Conference League South.

"There will be no easy games for us, which is what we need to develop the players," said Watson, who played Super League in Australia for Western Reds.

"They don't get better by having easy games, but now they will be tested to the limit week in, week out.

"Northampton beat us in the Midland Premier Grand Final last season, Bristol won it the year before and St Albans have won the Southern Premier title for the last two years.

"But, if we are to have aspirations of becoming a Championship side, we have to win this competition, whether it is this season or the next."

The six sides will play each other three times with a 'magic' round staged at a neutral venue as part of the 15-week regular season.

After a top-four play-off, the season will draw to a close with the Grand Final on Sunday, September 14.

Storm began preparations last weekend and Watson said: "The players will be having the best pre-season possible. We've retained most of last year's squad and have added a couple of reserve-grade players from Sheffield Eagles.

"We also have a new coach in Dean Thomas. He's a level-three coach and, for the last five years, has been the head of performance at Sheffield, who won the Championship last season.

"Dean will be aiming to nurture the talent that is already here – we had 18 players on scholarship programmes last season – with the aim of us becoming a Championship side."

David Gent, the RFL's director of participation, is also excited about the new competition.

"The first-ever Conference League South is going to be an historic season," he said. "As a tier-three league, it is a vital part of the community-game structure and, in the coming years, the plan is for it to expand and grow.

"I am confident that the league will develop as the flagship competition for the midlands and the south."

Fixtures for Conference League South will be announced shortly.

A late tactical gamble helped Welland Valley CC's Vic Barnett to capture a fifth World Masters title.

The Market Harborough veteran successfully defended his over-65s Masters cyclo-cross title despite gruelling conditions in Louisville, Kentucky.

It was his third masters cross success to go with a brace of mountain bike titles.

The riders faced freezing temperatures in the USA and, with sleet falling as they took to the line for the 40-minute race, it was not long before their machines were clogging up with mud on a technical course which had already been battered by a tornado and torrential rain.

The lead changed hands on a number of occasions and, as the medal hopefuls went into the final lap, Barnett, who is president of the Welland Valley club, decided to enter the pits and take a clean bike from his wife, Ann.

Although initially he slipped back off the leading group, Barnett quickly regained contact and put the hammer down to such an extent that the pack splintered in his wake.

He was not immediately aware of that but, as he came into the home straight, a glance over his shoulder showed the challengers had been blown away, leaving the county man able to savour the last few yards before he crossed the finishing line.

American champion Rick Abbott took second place but he was 26 seconds adrift – testimony to the late surge that Barnett put in. Third place went to Canada's Robin Willard, who lost a further six seconds.

"It was so cold all the way around," said Barnett after the race.

"It was really tough. I won last year so it was really good to come here and retain the title."

Grace Garner produced three strong rides in the final Revolution meeting, staged at the new Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in Glasgow.

The RST Racing Team rider has looked good on the boards at the last couple of track meetings and finished fourth overall in the DHL Future Stars competition.

She was just five points off the podium, which was a considerable effort given that the Cosby flyer did not compete in the first round at Manchester in October.

The trip to Glasgow saw the national under-16 pursuit champion take second place in both the six-lap dash and the points race, while she claimed fourth in the scratch race.

Countesthorpe's Charlotte Broughton was consistently in the thick of the action in Glasgow, too, as she finished sixth in the standings – again having not ridden all the rounds.

The MG Decor racer, who is still just 14, was sixth in the dash, completing her winter series with fifth places in both the points and scratch events.

Police officers and teachers have praised two young boys who handed in a rifle they discovered in undergrowth.

Benjamin Smith, 10, and younger brother Thomas, nine, from Lutterworth, found the weapon while playing near their home after school.

While some youngsters may have been tempted to pick up the gun and mess around with it, the boys's actions made sure no-one was hurt.

Ben said: "We were walking along when Tom saw a camouflaged case in a bush. When we opened the case there was a gun inside – we were shocked. It looked real."

Ben and Tom immediately went to their friend Keian's house and asked his mum to call the police.

Tom said: "We were worried someone bad would see us and take the gun, or other children might play with it and someone would get hurt."

The boys are well-versed in gun safety, having watched dad Andrew, a shotgun licence holder, in action at Lutterworth's Spa Vale Clay Pigeon Shooting Club. When police attended the scene, off Maino Crescent, near the boys' home in Woodway Road, they discovered it was an air rifle.

Ben said: "It had a shotgun barrel but a rifle scope on it – it looked like a proper gun."

A police spokesman said: "We were called at about 4pm on Monday following reports by a member of the public that what was described as a shotgun had been found in the bushes close to Maino Crescent, Lutterworth.

"Officers attended and recovered an air rifle. Two boys, aged nine and 10 who made the discovery, have been praised for their actions."

Pc Paul Williams, who attended the scene, said: "The children did exactly the right thing when they found the air rifle. They didn't touch it and alerted an adult who called the police for assistance.

"The rifle might have been loaded and it could have culminated into a nasty incident.

"We have trained officers who can be called upon to deal with this type of incident and we would encourage anyone in this situation to call the police immediately."

The boys, who attend John Wycliffe Primary School, Lutterworth, were due to receive special thanks and praise for their quick-thinking during a school assembly today .

Head teacher Emma Nuttall said: "I am extremely proud to hear about the calm and sensible manner in which Ben and Tom responded to the unusual circumstances that they found themselves in while out playing on Monday.

"Not all children would have used their initiative in the way they did and I am pleased their actions resulted in this potentially very dangerous situation being resolved quickly and safely."

Their mum Mandy Smith, 41, said: "It turned out to be an airgun but they weren't to know that and it could have still seriously hurt someone.

"The boys did exactly the right thing and their dad and I am very proud."

A police spokesman said the air rifle had been reported missing from a car on December 17, last year, but thanks to Ben and Tom, it had now been reunited with its rightful owner.

One year on from joining Leicester City, winger Ben Marshall says he is delighted with how his career is progressing and even more excited about what lies ahead.

Since arriving at the King Power Stadium from Stoke in January last year, the 21-year-old has established himself in Nigel Pearson's first-team squad and his impressive performances have led to a call up to the England under-21 squad.

Marshall made his debut for the under-21s in September when he went on off the bench in a European under-21 Championship qualifier against Azerbaijan.

Marshall believes his international recognition was only due to being given the chance to showcase his talent in the City side by manager Nigel Pearson.

"My first year has gone brilliantly," he said. "I have been playing regularly, which is what I needed, and I got an England call-up. I never thought that would happen.

"The reason I got the call-up is because I came here, was playing regularly and doing well. I wouldn't have got that if I had still been at Stoke.

"I have scored some important goals this season and last season. I have chipped in to try to help the team out.

"I am really excited for what is coming as well.

"We have got ourselves into the top two and we have just got to stay there. Hopefully, we can stay there."

Marshall has made 48 appearances for City since his move, scoring eight times, including memorable strikes against Chelsea in the FA Cup quarter-final defeat at Stamford Bridge last season.

A 40-tonne stone crushing machine fell off a trailer yesterday, knocking a lamp-post into two parked cars.

Amazingly, no-one was injured in the dramatic incident at the junction of Aylestone Road and Lothair Road, Leicester, at about 11.40am.

The 30ft-long machine, which runs on metal tracks, gouged out a large chunk of the pavement and part of the road surface before coming to rest just feet from shops and homes.

Ironically, a sign on the side of the machine warned: "Caution: Beware of falling objects".

Sarah Elliott-Smith, 32, who works at bridal-wear shop Dresses to Impress, close to the scene of the incident, said: "I was working upstairs at the front of the shop when I heard a screech of brakes and then this massive, loud crash.

"I thought something was coming into the shop.

"I looked out of the window and I saw this massive machine which had come off a lorry and bent over a lamp- post.

"I can't believe no-one was injured."

The lamp-post damaged the rear windscreen and bodywork on her Mazda 5 car.

Noreen Brain, 63, who runs Choice Cafe, next to the bridal shop, said: "All I heard was this massive bang.

"I thought whatever it was had come through the cafe. It was a shock.

"The cafe was full and everybody just jumped up and went out. It was so lucky nobody was on the pavement when it happened."

Her grandson, Sam Smillie, 19, who works at the cafe, said: "The machine on the back of the lorry slid off to the left.

"It looked like it was going to topple over and end up on its side. I thought it was going to end up in the bridal shop."

Cafe worker Frankie Thorne, 19, whose Renault Clio's windscreen was smashed after it was hit by the top of the lamp-post, said; "I've rung my insurance company – they couldn't believe what had happened.

"I didn't know what to think. I'm just hoping I don't have to pay the £500 excess."

Police diverted traffic down Saffron Lane away from the incident and managed cars on the road in single file.

There were delays on roads in the area until the vehicle was recovered.

The lorry driver manoeuvred the massive machine off the low loader before lining it up and re-loading it by about 2.30pm.

John Bloom, a spokesman for the vehicle's owners, Nottinghamshire-based Bloom Demolition and Excavation Ltd., said: "A vehicle in front of the driver braked sharply.

"The driver had to brake to avoid him and the chains holding the equipment snapped."

Departing fly-half George Ford will play for Leicester Tigers in the coming weeks, if he is the right man for the job.

That was the view of the man that matters – director of rugby Richard Cockerill.

With Toby Flood on Six Nations duty with England, Tigers options for the No.10 shirt over the next month are likely to rest with Ford or Kiwi Dan Bowden.

Ford's decision to reject a new contract at Welford Road, for a reported move to Bath, was greeted with disappointment by Cockerill.

And with the 19-year-old deciding to play his rugby elsewhere, there could be an argument to play Bowden ahead of Ford for the rest of the season to give the former Canterbury Crusader time to develop his game after just seven starts this season.

Bowden started the club's last two games in the LV= Cup but Ford is now back in the mix after a couple of games for England Saxons.

Cockerill says his decision on who will wear the No.10 shirt against London Welsh in the Aviva Premiership on Saturday will be down to who he sees as the best man for the job.

"Dan has come in at fly-half and done well there," said Cockerill.

"There is a very important month to come without our Test guys at the Six Nations and it is important to get it right.

"Dan has played a lot of rugby at fly-half in the past. He is not a front-line goal-kicker and that is a concern, but he plays very well with ball in hand.

"George is now back after the Saxons games and we will have to see what is the best mix for the team.

"If George is the best man for the No.10 shirt, then we will go with that."

Cockerill is likely to bring back several of his big names for the Aviva Premiership fixture at Welford Road.

Back-rowers Julian Salvi, Tom Croft and Jordan Crane, locks Louis Deacon, Graham Kitchener and Ed Slater, prop Marcos Ayerza and centres Anthony Allen and Matt Smith are all set for a re-call after either being rested for the LV= Cup defeat at Llanelli, or away with the England Saxons .

Despite missing two props with 128 caps between them in the form of Martin Castrogiovanni and Dan Cole this weekend, Cockerill will still have some really good options in the front-row.

"I have played Logovi'i Mulipola at tight-head over the past few weeks because that gives us a good option when Castro and Cole are away," said Cockerill.

"Fraser Balmain is raw but he is doing well at tight-head, and with Marcos Ayerza and Boris Stankovich on the loosehead side too, that is four really good props going into these games without our Test stars."

A lone fast food shop worker shouted in vain for help as a man sexually assaulted her in a store room, a jury heard.

During the first day of a trial at Leicester Crown Court yesterday, the woman, in her 20s, said she tried to fight the man off to save herself, fearing she was going to be raped.

She said she screamed even though there was no one around to help.

Maciej Skowronski (22), of Hamilton Street, Highfields, Leicester, denies sexually assaulting the shop assistant.

The court was told the attack was believed to have taken place in a city centre fast food outlet at 6am on August 17 last year.

The alleged victim, who gave evidence from behind a screen, said she was preparing to open the shop when a man knocked on the door begging to use the toilet. She said she reluctantly let him in.

As he went to use the lavatory, she went to fetch some food from a fridge in a store room and turned round to find the defendant in the doorway.

She told the jury: "I said you're not allowed in here, it's a staff area."

The man allegedly refused to leave and kept saying, "You're beautiful," and "You need me."

The woman said she told him there was a camera and that if he did not leave, she would call the police.

CCTV footage of part of the alleged incident, where there appeared to be a scuffle, was shown in court.

The woman said: "I was very scared. I was praying to my God."

She claimed the man tried to kiss her and she slapped him, before he allegedly gripped her wrists with one hand while indecently touching her under her clothing with the other hand.

She said: "I thought he was going to rape me. I struggled and tried to kick him. "I was crying and shouting 'help me, help me'."

The man then left her in a distraught state, it was claimed.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, told the court that, after the incident was reported, police issued a media appeal with a street CCTV picture of Skowronski.

The defendant referred to a press report of the incident, with the police photo, on his Facebook page.

When officers searched his home, while he was out, they found a distinctive T-shirt he wore during the assault, the court was told.

Skowronski handed himself in a few days later, on September 19, claiming nothing sexual had taken place.

In interview, he said he was on his way home from a night out when he asked to use the toilet.

He said he went into the store room and the woman panicked, slapped him and began screaming, but that he did nothing other than hold her shoulders to reassure her.

The alleged victim disagreed with the defence's suggestion that Skowronski had asked her for items of value to steal.

The trial continues.

A food storage warehouse has been temporarily shut down after inspectors found infestations of rats and mice.

AKM Foods, in Frisby Road, Northfields, Leicester, which supplies a wide variety of Asian food products, was closed by the city council's environmental health team following a routine inspection last week.

Inspectors found mouse and rat droppings throughout the premises.

During a hearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Monday, company director Ashfaq Amanulah requested to be allowed to reopen the business.

He told the court he had been working 14 hours a day with his employees to clean the warehouse, trap the rodents and close the holes allowing them to enter the building.

However, he admitted that there were still rodents in the building. Magistrates ordered the business should stay shut and Mr Amanulah should pay £826 costs to the council.

The court heard the infestation was uncovered during an inspection of the company by environmental health officer Claire Douglas on January 31.

Shilpa Thakrer, prosecuting on behalf of the council, said: "Mrs Douglas was at the premises at 10.30am for a routine inspection. She began to note there were some mouse droppings on the premises.

"Droppings were on boxes, jars and pallets. Cardboard boxes had been gnawed and there was an open box of marshmallows and jars with droppings in.

"There were gaps in the premises where it's evident rats had made their way in. There were rat droppings throughout. Little pest control treatment was on display."

On Monday morning, before the court hearing, Mrs Douglas and a colleague returned to the warehouse.

They found that, while some cleaning had been done, there were still areas where pallets of stock had not been moved to be cleaned underneath.

Fresh droppings were found but no animals had been successfully trapped or killed.

They found Mr Amanulah had also rejected their advice to hire a pest control company. He told the court it was too expensive.

Mrs Douglas told the court: "Lots of cleaning had been done and lots of damaged stock had been removed. However, we did find several trays of bait that had been disturbed and new mouse droppings.

"There are still mice and they are still causing contamination."

Mr Amanulah, who was not legally represented, told the court: "On Thursday, the state of the building was bad but I've been working day in and day out and done all I can.

"I accept there is still an area that hasn't been cleaned and there is still a little mouse activity.

"Pest control guys want too much money and it's not affordable.

"The business is hand-to-mouth and I've lost four days' trade. If we don't open again we're finished."

Magistrates ordered that the building stay closed until a new inspection is carried out to verify all the rodents are gone.

A campaign has been launched to take the remains of King Richard III away from Leicester to be buried in York.

Council bosses in York said they would be writing to the Queen to state the city's case, and an e-petition to the Government has attracted more than 1,900 signatures.

The move has angered politicians, academics and religious leaders in Leicester, who have warned: "Hands off."

The City of York Council began its campaign yesterday after it was announced to the world on Monday that the remains found buried under the Grey friars car park, in Leicester, were those of the king.

Kersten England, the council's chief executive, congratulated Leicester academics on the find, but said she would be writing to the Crown and the Ministry of Justice to ask them to consider interring the remains at York Minster.

"Based at the King's Manor as first Lord President of the Council of the North and as king, Richard III had – as now – very strong support in the city," she said. "His self-identification with the north and York is reflected in his plans for a chantry of 100 priests in York Minster, where he wished to be buried.

"That the burial site of this Yorkist king was determined by where he died from battle wounds makes the importance of adhering to his own wishes for his final resting place most important."

King Richard III was born in Northamptonshire, but spent much of his youth at Middleham Castle, in North Yorkshire. He was married in York and was the last king of the House of York, visiting the city a number of times during his life.

He was buried in Grey Friars Church, in Leicester, following his death during the Battle of Bosworth, which marked the end of the War of the Roses in 1485. Tourism agency Welcome to Yorkshire has also joined the bid for his remains to be taken to York.

Chief executive Gary Verity said: "He has been described as the country's only northern king and we think it would be appropriate for him to rest in peace in the north."

However, Leicester leaders remained united against the move – all citing the exhumation licence issued by the Ministry of Justice, which allowed the search to begin and stated the remains must be buried at Leicester Cathedral.

"This is not a battle we are going to enter and there is no competition with York," said Liz Hudson-Oliff, from the Diocese of Leicester.

"Under the terms of the exhumation licence issued by the Ministry of Justice, the remains should be reburied in Leicester.

"It would require a legal challenge to alter this. We would like the remains to come to us and the presumption is that they will come to us."

Ms Hudson-Oliff said she had spoken to former Dean of Leicester, Vivienne Faull, who is now Dean of York, who had expressed no support for a move to York.

"She is quite adamant that he stays here," she said. "He does not belong to anyone – these are the remains of a person we are talking about here."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said York's claims were "absurd".

"It's a complete non-starter," he said. "It may generate some column inches for the local paper in York, but this matter has already been decided.

"The terms of the licence for the archeological dig were clear that if the bones proved to be Richard's, as they have, they should be interred in Leicester, not York, or anywhere else."

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth raised the topic of Richard III's burial in the House of Commons yesterday.

He asked Chris Grayling, who answers questions for the Ministry of Justice, to confirm the remains would be placed at Leicester Cathedral.

Mr Grayling congratulated everyone involved in the search and said: "I hope everyone will come together for a proper service to mark the occasion, and for a formal internment in the cathedral."

Speaking to the Mercury, Mr Ashworth said: "He's been here for 500 years, and it was the University of Leicester who found him. We are not going to let York take him away – the message is: Hands off, York."

Richard Taylor, director of corporate affairs at the University of Leicester, said: "We said in our application that if Richard III was discovered that he would be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral. The Ministry of Justice wrote back and confirmed that.

"Apart from that, it is good archeological practice.

"I'm from Yorkshire so I understand why they would feel that they would want this but, you know, the decision has already been made."

The parents of a patient who died less than 24 hours after being discharged from Stafford General Hospital said they still have a long way to go before they see justice.

Frank and Janet Robinson's son, John Moore-Robinson, of Sileby, died in April 2006 after a mountain bike accident.

His parents said his ruptured spleen was not spotted at Stafford General.

In 2009, it emerged hundreds of patients could have died unnecessarily because of "shocking" levels of care in the hospital's accident and emergency department.

Yesterday Mr and Mrs Robinson, from Ellistown, were in the House of Commons to hear the result of a public inquiry into the hospital and David Cameron apologise to the families of patients.

Yesterday's Francis Report contained 290 recommendations and stated that patients suffered "appalling" conditions, but stopped short of naming an individual or group of individuals responsible for the shortcomings.

The Robinsons are among campaigners angry that no one has been punished for the problems at the hospital.

Mr Robinson, 61, said: "David Cameron apologised but I don't think an apology is enough."

Some campaigners have been calling for Sir David Nicholson, who is now chief executive of the NHS Commissioning Board, to resign as he was chief executive of the West Midland Strategic Health Authority, responsible for overseeing the hospital at the time of the problems.

The Robinsons are unhappy that Mr Nicholson is now in the "highest possible post in the NHS".

Mr Robinson said: "We haven't had a chance to fully digest the Francis Report at the moment, but we will.

"One of the recommendations was that there should be a legal duty of candour – a duty to be truthful to patients and the public. This has got to be implemented."

Mr and Mrs Robinson, with the help of North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen, are now campaigning to have a new inquest into John's death.

Mr Robinson said: "We have applied to the Attorney General for this and are going through all the processes.

"Mr Bridgen has been brilliant in fighting our corner but we are still travelling down the road for justice for John and there is a long way to go."

A new chief inspector of hospitals is one of the immediate changes announced by the Prime Minister in response to the independent inquiry, chaired by Robert Francis.

Other changes include proposals to suspend hospital boards for serious failures and an inquiry into hospitals with the highest mortality rates.

Mr Francis said: "The NHS can provide great care and the system and the people in it should make sure that it happens everywhere.

"The recommendations I am making represent not the end, but the beginning of a journey towards a healthier culture in the NHS where patients are the first and foremost consideration of the system and all those who work in it."

Police are appealing for witnesses to a hit-and-run crash involving a van and a motorbike.

The collision happened at about 10.15am on Saturday, in Blackbird Road, Leicester.

The motorbike and a white Ford Transit van, which were both travelling towards Abbey Park Road, collided. The van, however, failed to stop and carried on along Blackbird Road towards Woodgate.

The motorcycle rider was treated at the scene by paramedics for minor injuries.

Pc Michelle Sutton, who is investigating the incident, said: "The collision took place on a busy road and there may been a number of people in the area. I am appealing to anyone who witnessed it, or anyone who knows the identity of the driver, to contact us.

"We would also ask for the driver of the van to come forward."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Pc Sutton on 101.

Young athletes defied testing conditions to produce top performances in the County Schools Cross-Country Championships, at Ratcliffe College.

The year seven titles were won by Eleanor Here (Humphrey Perkins) and Jack Douglas (Loughborough Grammar), who made it a perfect end to the season following their victories in the league earlier in the season.

Two girls succeeded in defending their titles. Lucy Jones (Our Lady's Convent) ran a strong race for victory in the junior girls' race, while Mari Smith (Loughborough High School) was first across the line in the intermediate girls' race.

Humphrey Perkins claimed two of the top-three spots in the junior boys' age group, with Ben Dijkstra first and Alfie Thompson third. Isaac Akers, of Welland Park, took second.

James Hatton (Beauchamp College) claimed his first victory of the season to take the intermediate boys' title, while Ellie I'Anson (Uppingham) and Alex Benfield (Loughborough College) took the honours in the senior age group.

Teams entries were very strong this year, and there were many close races with close contests across many of the age groups.

Loughborough Grammar School claimed title with their year seven girls and boys, and their junior boys' teams, while De Lisle managed second place in three age groups.

Athletes will find out in the next few days if they have been chosen to represent Leicestershire & Rutland at the English Schools Championships, in Derbyshire, on Saturday, March 16. Results:

Year 7 girls: 1 Eleanor Here (Humphrey Perkins); 2 Hannah Seager (De Lisle); 3 Neve Grimes (Lutterworth High).

Year 7 girls team: 1 Lutterworth High; 2 De Lisle; 3 Welland Park CC.

Year 7 boys: 1 Jack Douglas (Loughborough Grammar); 2 Ben Rouse (Loughborough Grammar); 3 Chris Nealon (Brookvale High).

Year 7 boys team: 1 Loughborough Grammar; 2= Brookvale High & De Lisle.

Junior girls: 1 Lucy Jones (Our Lady's Convent); 2 Jordan Waine (Thomas Estley CC); 3 Laura Mullin (Loughborough High).

Junior girls team: 1 Loughborough High; 2 De Lisle; 3 Stoneygate.

Junior boys: 1 Ben Dijkstra (Humphrey Perkins); 2 Isaac Akers (Welland Park CC); 3 Alfie Thompson (Humphrey Perkins).

Junior boys team: 1 Loughborough Grammar; 2 Brookvale High; 3 Thomas Estley CC.

Inter girls: 1 Mari Smith (Loughborough High); 2 Hannah Nuttall (Rawlins CC); 3 Martha Clapp (Robert Smyth Academy).

Inter girls team: 1 Lutterworth College; 2 Ratcliffe College; 3 Oakham.

Inter boys: 1 James Hatton (Beauchamp College); 2 Tom Loring (Oakham); 3 Josh Greaves (Oakham).

Inter boys team: 1 Oakham; 2 Bosworth Academy; 3 Bosworth Academy.

Senior girls: 1 Ellie I'Anson (Uppingham); 2 Rachel Borrows (Guthlaxton College); 3 Anna Mackenzie (Uppingham).

Senior girls team: 1 Uppingham; 2 Oakham; 3 Ratcliffe College.

Senior boys: 1 Alex Benfield (Loughborough College); 2 Harry Thompson (Rawlins CC); 3 Jonny Monk (Beauchamp College).

Senior boys team: 1 Beauchamp College; 2 Uppingham School; 3 Rawlins CC.

A boss has told how a "gentle old man" has been left devastated after armed robbers attacked him during a raid on a warehouse.

The 66-year-old man was working alone when raiders – one of whom was carrying an iron bar – struck at the Carpet Cuts warehouse in Coalville on Sunday afternoon and stole thousands of pounds.

Steven Price, who owns Carpet Cuts, said: "Two men came in the front door on Sunday and forced the member of staff, who was working alone, into the office.

"He was hit in the face. He is not sure if it was with the iron bar or a fist, but he was hit.

"They forced him to hand over the keys to the safe and made off with thousands of pounds."

Mr Price said the raid, which took place at about 3.30pm at the warehouse in Ravenstone Road, on the Oaks Industrial Estate, had left the staff member devastated.

He said: "This man has been with us for 25 years and is semi-retired.

"Everyone throughout the company knows and loves him, as do many of our regular customers.

"The man, who is a grandfather figure to many, is not back at work and may never come back because he has been so shaken by this experience.

"He is such a lovely man that it really upsets me to think of what these people have done to him.

"It was a very cowardly attack on a gentle old man."

He said the employee was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary to have his facial injury treated.

A police spokeswoman said they were hunting two, possibly three, raiders.

She said: "Two men entered the premises, threatened a member of staff and demanded money. The victim was assaulted before the suspects made off with cash. He sustained minor facial injuries which did require medical treatment.

"The incident may have involved up to three suspects.

"One of the suspects has been described as possibly being Asian, slim, in his early 20s, about 5ft 6in and wearing dark clothing.

"The suspects may have left the area in a dark vehicle."

Officers are appealing to anyone who was in the area of The Oaks Industrial Estate on Sunday afternoon to contact them as they may be able to assist with their inquiries.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Detective Constable Denise Reidy by calling 101.

Mr Price, who employs 10 staff at outlets in Coalville, Hinckley and Loughborough, also appealed for help in tracing the offenders.

He said: "These are obviously dangerous people who need to be caught as soon as possible."

MPs have explained their stances on gay marriage following a landmark vote on the issue.

On Wednesday, MPs voted by a majority of 225 to support the Marriage (Same Sex Couples) Bill, which would allow gay couples to marry.

Each of the city's MPs – all Labour – voted in favour of the Bill.

County MPs – all Conservative – voted against the bill, except for Alan Duncan, who has been in a civil partnership since 2008, and Stephen Dorrell.

Charnwood MP Mr Dorrell said: "We have had for some years civil partnerships and most people take the view if you value marriage it is an opportunity that should be available regardless of sexuality.

"Many people take the opposite view on the grounds of their faith or ethics and I respect that.

"But this is not about whether they would do it themselves, rather about whether the opportunity should be denied to others in society. I don't think it should be."

Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth said he voted in favour of the Bill because "this is just about giving people equality".

He said: "So long as the safeguards are in place than mean no religious organisations are forced to marry gay people, this is the right thing to do."

Colleague Liz Kendall, MP for Leicester West, said: "I believe in equality and if you love somebody and want to make a long-term commitment to them, you shouldn't be prevented from doing that because you are gay."

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz said: "We are all equal in the eyes of God. People should not be excluded from marriage simply because they love someone of the same sex."

In the free vote, 400 MPs supported the bill while 175 opposed it. It is likely to be resisted in the Lords but is expected to become law nonetheless.

Many of those who voted against it said they were lobbied by constituents concerned allowing gay people to wed would undermine traditional marriage.

Some said they had received offensive letters accusing them of homophobia or bigotry.

South Leicestershire MP Andrew Robathan said opposing the Bill was "a matter of principle".

"I resent any suggestion this is homophobic," he said.

"You can't say a heterosexual marriage and a homosexual marriage would be the same.

"I have had a lot of letters from constituents on this – about 130 – and the vast majority were opposed to homosexual marriage."

Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier said: "For me, marriage is between a man and a woman, not two people of the same sex. It's a simple and straightforward view.

"I have had some very vitriolic correspondence telling me I would be confined to the worst recesses of hell.

"My view is not a moral view, it is not an anti-gay view or a religious view.

"Two people of the same sex can have a relationship but to me that is not what the word 'marriage' means."

Bosworth MP David Tredinnick said he did not feel there was any need to change the existing marriage laws.

Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan said her religious views were one of the factors that moved her to oppose the Bill.

"I am an active member of my church, and the Church of England has been pretty clear on this," she said.

"Marriage has, until now, always been between a man and a woman. I think this is a big social change and it needs more public debate."

The MP said she had received 300 letters from constituents opposing the bill and 24 in support.

North West Leicestershire MP Andrew Bridgen and Mr Duncan were not available for comment.

Two men who suffered horrific wounds in random attacks have urged readers to help bring their attackers to justice.

The men were left with serious injuries to their faces when strangers turned violent on them without warning in unrelated assaults.

A 36-year-old was left with a shattered cheekbone and eye socket and a dislocated jaw after a sudden attack in Belvoir Street, Leicester city centre.

The father-of-three, of Wigston, was assaulted late last year but has only just felt able to talk about his ordeal and urge witnesses to come forward.

In another attack, a man suffered facial injuries when two thugs turned on him as he collected his teenage daughter from school in Beaumont Leys last week.

The victim of the Belvoir Street assault – who has asked not to be named but has released a photograph which shows his wounds – said the experience had changed his life.

He said: "I was walking along Belvoir Street when I brushed shoulders with a man. It was that simple.

"I did the natural thing and turned around to apologise but, before I'd even turned fully, he punched me in the face.

"The one blow knocked me unconscious.

"That single punch smashed my left cheekbone, broke my eye socket and dislodged my jaw.

"My consultant has told me that it will take some time, maybe 12 months, for me to make a full recovery.

"Because it's affected my eye I can't work at the moment, so that is having a real effect on my family.

"I've always been a strong person but it's amazing how this has affected me."

His wife said: "I don't think any words can describe how I felt when I got to the hospital and saw what this man had done to my husband.

"I've seen the effect it's had on him.

"He will sit up in bed in the night with a jolt because he is still having nightmares about it. What makes it worse is that the person who did this to him has not been caught."

Police have released a CCTV image of a man they wish to speak to regarding the assault, which happened at 3.25am on Sunday, December 16, near to the junction of Bowling Green Street.

Detective Constable Andy Spence, of the force's serious crime team, said a number of names had been put forward following an appeal in the Mercury at the time.

Det Con Spence said: "He (the victim) has shown real bravery in coming forward and making this personal appeal and I hope that people with information who haven't come forward before will show the same courage and get in touch."

The suspect is white, about 5ft 10in and in his mid-20s to mid-30s.

He has short, dark, spiky hair and was wearing a long-sleeved dark top, jeans and white trainers.

In the second attack, victim Ian Carr was attacked by two thugs as he collected his daughter from Beaumont Leys school, in Anstey Lane, Leicester, last Thursday.

The 48-year-old believes the men, who are thought to be in their early or mid-20s, were friends of a group he had had a run-in with a few minutes earlier.

He said he had whistled at his dog, but a group of three young women and a man walking past accused him of whistling at them.

"I told them I was calling my dog and carried on walking. I thought no more of it, but as I walked away I looked back and I could see they were staring at me.

"I met my daughter outside school a few minutes later and then someone came around from the side of me and hit me in the head. It was totally out-of-the-blue."

Mr Carr said a woman who witnessed the attack called the police and had told him she had feared for his life.

"I just think they're scumbags," he said. "They attacked me for no reason outside the school at 4pm.

"I was bleeding heavily and one of them said to my daughter 'look at your dad now' and then threw a can of beer over her."

Mr Carr went to hospital, where he had an X-ray of his eye.

Information about the attack on Mr Carr can be passed to Pc Jayne Dolby, while information to help trace the Belvoir Street attacker can be passed to Det Con Spence.

Both officers can be contacted on 101 or via Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Businesses are jumping at the chance to celebrate – or cash in on – the discovery of Richard III.

Travelodge is offering free rooms to anyone from the UK with the surname Plantagenet.

The hotel chain has four branches in Leicester, including one in Highcross Street – the site of the Blue Boar Inn, where researchers think the king spent his last night before the Battle of Bosworth.

Travelodge spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said the company wanted to "help the investigation and see if there is any truth in the name Plantagenet dying with the death of King Richard III".

Leicester Shire Promotions, which promotes tourism, has launched Richard III exclusive short breaks, which include entry to two new exhibitions, at the city's Guildhall and Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre, plus guided walks and overnight accommodation.

Leicestershire hairdressing chain Barrie Stephen offered a third off cuts in honour of the discovery to people booking a 10am appointment at its Leicester King Street salon this week, until tomorrow.

Boss Barrie said: "I'm Leicester born and bred and very proud of my city, so to hear the news that it's actually home to a famous king is fascinating.

"Our salon is a short walk from the discovery site and so we thought it would be great to celebrate Leicester's royal heritage."

A beer named in honour of King Richard has been launched at the Last Plantagenet pub.

Manager Sue Hatton said the 4.2 per cent bitter , brewed in Nottingham for the pub by the Medieval Beers Brewery, was "proving pretty popular".

Bus driver Andy Harris has promised to dedicate his vehicle to the king when it is repainted in the summer.

The owner of the number 800 Harris of Leicester bus, which drops off pupils to schools in Evington, will be having Richard's name painted on both sides of the vehicle.

"I said if it was him that I would name my bus after him," said Andy.

"I don't think any transport has been named after him before.

"I think it will be a nice touch."

Is your surname Plantagenet? E-mail the Leicester Mercury's newsdesk at: newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

To claim Travelodge's offer, e-mail your details with proof of your name to: plantagenet@travelodge.co.uk