A business which makes emission-free fuel for cars, motorcycles and aircraft has been named Company of the Year at the Leicester Mercury Business Awards 2013.

Intelligent Energy, of Loughborough, took the top honour at last night's event, at De Montfort Hall, which was attended by about 600 guests and recognised the most innovative and inspiring companies in Leicestershire.

Winners were chosen across 11 other categories, including an award for manufacturing and a Newcomer of the Year Award.

Founded by academics at Loughborough University 15 years ago, Intelligent Energy makes emission-free fuels cells for vehicles.

It has worked with the likes of Peugeot, Suzuki and Boeing to develop zero-emission vehicles, including a fleet of black cabs which emit only pure water and were introduced on to the streets of London last year.

Leicester Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth said: "Intelligent Energy is a shining example of innovation which is not only flying the flag for Leicestershire businesses, but also helping to create a cleaner energy future for all of us.

"It's wonderful to see the work they have done and we are really pleased they have won this award."

The company employs 225 people at its office in Holywell Park, Loughborough, and 75 in the United States and Japan.

A total of 120 businesses entered the business awards and a panel of independent judges had the difficult task of drawing up a shortlist of three finalists in each category.

Mr Bettsworth said: "We are very proud to be able to put on these awards, which have attracted a variety of superb entrants and have showcased the enormous strength of businesses in Leicestershire.''

The awards were sponsored by De Montfort University, Freeth Cartwright and RSM Tenon and were held in association with Champions UK.

The other winners were: Guidance Navigation, for the Export Award and the Science and Technology Award; Douglas Wemyss Solicitors, for the Small Business Award; Bulb Studios for the Innovation Award; Raynsway Properties, for the Heart of the Community Award and Alltruck for the Human Resources Award.

The Services Award was won by Edward Hands and Lewis; the manufacturing award was won by Tru Frame; the not-for-profit award was won by Leicestershire Cares; the Sales and Marketing Award was won by Rainbows hospice. The Newcomer of the Year award went to Eco Track & Access.

See Tuesday's paper for our special Leicester Mercury Business Awards 2013 supplement.

The Thai owners have pumped many millions into Leicester City since taking control in the bid for the Premier League. The Srivaddhanaprabha family took control more than two-and-a-half years ago and last season alone pumped £36million into the club.

The Birch spoke to the club's vice-chairman Aiyawatt 'Top' Srivaddhanaprabha about the family's plans, hopes and dreams for City.

Why Leicester City?

Because the time was right and when they introduced me and my dad to Milan Mandaric at the stadium my dad asked me if I remembered the first English game he took me to see, which was the League Cup final between Leicester and Middlesbrough. Something connected with me inside.

Has owning the club lived up to expectations?

Absolutely.

What are your plans for the club?

I have said all along that we plan to stay here for a long time. If we are not promoted to the Premier League we will keep trying everything we can to get into the Premier League. We build everything for the fans and make the club for everyone to enjoy and have fun. We are totally committed to the club.

When we get into the Premier League, is the city going to see the biggest party it has ever seen?

Of course, we are going to fill the stadium for that party one day. And the first round is on me!

Was you educated in England?

No, in Thailand.

What other sports do you play?

I play anything and everything. Polo, football, basketball, swimming; I play everything except rugby.

If you go out for dinner, what do you prefer to eat?

Besides Thai food, I like Italian and Japanese.

City or Tigers?

City of course.

Beach or skiing?

I love a nice beach.

Finest moment?

Playing polo with Prince William and Prince Harry.

Who or what is your greatest love?

My family is my greatest love, my mum and dad.

Favourite music and artist?

Maroon 5

If you are watching television, do you watch a soap or Question Time?

I would watch a soap, but I don't really watch either.

What was the first record you bought?

Linkin Park, I think.

Who inspired you when you were starting out?

My dad.

Which team, except for City, athlete or musician would you pay to see?

A Lady Ga Ga concert.

Favourite album?

Maroon 5 again.

What was the last film you saw?

Skyfall

Do any books interest you?

Bring Back The Birch!

English breakfast or cereal and fruit?

Cereal and fruit

If you could change one thing in sport what would it be?

Technology being used to help officials in football, because I remember Frank Lampard's goal against Germany in the World Cup which was over the line but wasn't given.

What makes you laugh?

My friends. I enjoy good company and when we score.

What makes you angry?

When we play badly.

Reporting by Rob Tanner

Alan Birchenall once set his sights on becoming Leicester's first elected mayor. Now, the man who got the job, Sir Peter Soulsby, has told him what he missed out on and why he would like another term running the city – if we want him.

Sir Peter, who is nearly two years into the job, told The Birch he was ready to stand again in 2015.

"I would do it, but it's down to the electorate to decide," said the Labour politician.

"That's what is healthy about having an elected mayor. It's not just down to whether I want to do it, but if people want me.

"Sometimes, people say politicians cynically only look from one election to the next.

"I think they ought to be looking to the next election because that's when they go back to ask for their contracts to be renewed.

"I will say 'look at what I have done and judge me on what I have done'.

"That's democratic and what is different between being an elected mayor and a council leader who never had to do that. They only had to be accountable to their councillors – the mayor is accountable to the people."

The Birch admitted his own tilt at becoming mayor was "always a gimmick", but asked Sir Peter if he was ever worried about him as a potential rival.

"Alan, I've known you far too long to be worried about you," said Sir Peter.

The mayor admitted the row over his pay rise was his most difficult moment in his term so far.

When he came to the job it had a £56,000 salary. Then, last year, the council's independent remuneration panel caused outrage by suggesting it should rise to £100,000.

The mayor scrapped the panel and a backdated £9,000 rise was eventually agreed.

Sir Peter said: "The last thing that bought me into this job was how much I would get paid for it.

"I wish the Government would take that well away from local control. I think the pay should be set nationally.

"They set up the remuneration panel before I was elected. I wish they had set the pay before I was elected.

"I was left to pick up the pieces and I really could have done without it."

He said what had finally been decided was to peg the mayor's salary to that of a backbench MP.

"People generally accept that's a way to deal with it and I don't hear people now raising the issue," he said.

"Do you need skin like a rhino to do this job?" asked The Birch.

"People say that, but when politicians develop such thick skins there is a danger they stop being sensitive to what people say," said Sir Peter.

"When they stop being sensitive, they lose touch.

"Sometimes, you wish your skin was a little bit thicker but you have to be sensitive to what people are saying to you."

The Birch said: "I say to nervous young players coming through that if there are 15,000 people in a ground, 5,000 love you, 5,000 don't love you and the other 5,000 couldn't give a monkey's."

"That's absolutely right," said Sir Peter.

"It's amazing that when the criticism seems to be overwhelming, someone will – quite out of the blue – come and tell you how well you have done something – 'You're doing a good job and I agree with you'.

"Nobody agrees with everything you do."

The Birch said people in Leicester were concerned about the city council's future provision of services.

He asked Sir Peter: "Will you be a 'cutting mayor'?"

"The fact is," replied the politician, "that we are looking at what the Government is going to do in the next few years and there will be less money to spend every single year.

"It will be quite a lot less in some years, but that does not mean to say you have to stop doing new things that make a difference to the city.

"There are also things you can do better or change what you are doing.

"I'll give you an example with Richard III.

"Just because we are having to cut, as we are, it doesn't mean I haven't got a job to do to make sure the city takes the opportunities that arise from having found a real king.

"It's my job to make sure I raise the profile of the city and bring visitors in.

"I must not let the fact we have to make some pretty dramatic cuts in what we spend be an excuse for not doing the things the city needs to do today."

"People out there are thinking about the little things, the potholes," said the Birch.

"People don't think big. That's for the politicians.

"Everyone accepts there will be cuts – but will it damage the structure of our city?"

"For the people who rely on the services the city provides, it will not be easy," said Sir Peter.

"It will be painful for some of the people providing those services, with their jobs at risk.

"There is pain there and there is no getting away from it. I have to make sure we minimise the amount of pain the cuts cause.

"I've used a surfing analogy before. It's like riding a wave – you have to catch the wave, and if you don't, its gone.

"There may another along, but you don't know when.

"I have to make sure we do catch the wave.

"The finding of the king's bones gives us an enormous opportunity."

The chief executive of Leicestershire retail giant Next has criticised some councils for holding back economic growth through "an unhealthy mix of Luddite intransigence and incompetence".

Simon Wolfson said while most local councils were enthusiastic and efficient, some planning departments appeared to be anti-jobs and anti-growth.

He spoke out to highlight difficulties in planning regulations as the Enderby-based chain, which has 540 stores, posted its annual trading figures yesterday.

The company's pre-tax profits for the year to January were up 9 per cent to £621.6 million, on total sales of £3.5 billion – an increase of 3 per cent.

Online and catalogue sales have increased by 9.5 per cent, but there was no growth for the company's existing high street and out-of-town stores.

Lord Wolfson said the solid performance – as shoppers continued to feel the pinch of a faltering economy, wage freezes and uncertainty about the future – was down to building the Next brand, cutting costs and investing online.

The Tory peer said the business had opened 250,000 sq ft of new shop space in the year – a trend that was likely to continue – but that some planning departments had made it difficult for the company to grow.

He said: "There are some brilliant councils who work with retailers and house-builders to get growth going, but there are some terrible councils whose initial response to a planning application is 'no'. Fighting that is very hard.

"It's got nothing to do with a council's politics – one Tory council took nine months for planning permission for a stock room."

Lord Wolfson said improved online sales had been helped by moving the next day delivery deadline forward to 10pm, and introducing next-day in-store deliveries.

He said while overseas Next stores were not making money, overseas franchises were and online sales to countries such as Germany, Australia, America and Russia were £54 million – of which £10 million was profit.

That overseas online sale figure is expected to rise to £75 million.

He said rising costs in areas such as wages, improving the Next Directory and rent and rates had been made up for through savings in areas such as store deliveries, lower freight costs, better margins and staff savings.

The stock markets reacted by briefly pushing Next shares to an all-time high of 4299p yesterday – double its value of two years ago.

Company chairman John Barton said online and in-store sales complemented one another.

He said: "As ever, our success is built on the stability and effectiveness of our management across the group. They performed well in challenging economic conditions.

"We anticipate another challenging year, with little if any growth in the UK retail economy. In these circumstances we again aim to achieve growth by investing in the brand, improving products, controlling costs and returning cash to our shareholders."

Within hours of the figures being released, the company announced a 13 per cent bonus for its head office staff.

Last week, the John Lewis Partnership gave its staff bonuses of 17 per cent, after sales grew 9.3 per cent and pre-tax profits rose 15 per cent.

Ten Indian nationals suspected of working illegally in the UK were arrested in a UK Border Agency raid yesterday morning.

The workers were detained in a factory near Leicester city centre during an operation which involved about 60 border agency officials and police officers.

The border agency (UKBA), which planned and led the operation, invited the Leicester Mercury to accompany its officers on the raid of Colours Dyers and Finishers.

All entrances to the building, in Greenhithe Road, off Aylestone Road, were sealed off by police officers shortly before 10am.

Border agency officials entered the building and interviewed workers one by one.

At the end of the four-hour operation, 10 members of staff were detained by the agency. Their right to be in the UK at all is being checked. Those found to be in the UK illegally face deportation.

The firm faces a fine of £100,000 – or £10,000 for each worker – unless it can convince the agency it had made every effort to check the employees' immigration status.

Ramesh Patel, one of the firm's managers, said it passed all the documentation it had on its employees to border agency investigators.

Mr Patel said the firm had carried out background checks on all its employees and had believed they were entitled to work.

"As far as we were concerned, all of these people had the right to work in the UK," he said.

"We had carried out the checks required by law. Whatever documentation and evidence we have, we have passed to the border agency and the police and are co-operating fully with them."

UK Border Agency officer Teresa Gregory said: "Whatever the size of the business, when we have information to suggest a business is employing illegal workers we will take action. The resources are available.

"Offenders should know there is no hiding place, and that where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

"I urge members of the public with information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.

"We are happy to work with businesses and advise what checks need to be carried out on staff. However, those who break the law should expect a visit from our officers and to pay a heavy penalty."

Chief Inspector Martyn Ball, of Leicestershire Police, said: "It's important we work with our partners to tackle issues, such as illegal working, and that's why we were keen to support UKBA in this operation. I hope residents and visitors in Leicester feel reassured by the action taken today and by the fact that we proactively work with our partners to ensure those issues affecting our communities are tackled."

Anyone who has information on suspected immigration offenders can report it by searching for "report a crime'' at:

www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk

Leicester City legend Alan Birchenall has issued a rallying cry to all City fans to get right behind Nigel Pearson and his side for their final push for promotion.

City's challenge has faltered in recent weeks with just one win in their last nine games.

But the Birch, who spent the day yesterday as special guest editor of the Mercury, has urged the Blue Army to stick with Pearson's men and help get their promotion push back on track.

"It has been at least 10 years since I have done anything like this, but, bearing in mind recent events, I wanted to take this opportunity, as we come into the last eight games of the season, to urge all City fans to really get behind Nigel and the boys for this final push," he said.

"Up until this recent poor run, we were regarded as one of the best sides in the division. Now it is pretty obvious we are a side lacking confidence.

"I have been in situations like this and, as quick as the confidence goes, it can come back. I know a lot of you reading this will be saying it is about time it came back, but it will.

"All City fans know deep down that this is a good City side that Nigel has put together over the last 18 months.

"As we speak, we are in joint sixth place, although it is on goal difference, which is precarious. That is why we need everyone to give the boys their support.

"I know from the past that the fans can and do make a difference. I know from being in the dressing room, playing and being on the side-lines over the last 40 years.

"To quote JFK, in a fashion, 'don't ask what the club can do for you, ask what you can do for your club'.

"City fans have always supported their club but for these last eight games now is the time to crank it up a notch, because there is a great opportunity to achieve what we all want with your backing.

"We can do it if we all stick together."

Reporting by Rob Tanner

It might be the first week of spring, but 10cm of snow and temperatures feeling as low as -7C are predicted for Leicestershire.

Forecasters are expecting heavy snowfall today and tomorrow, with freezing temperatures expected throughout the weekend and the start of next week.

This month is already on track to be the coldest March since 1962, contrasting with this time last year when Leicestershire was enjoying temperatures of up to 22C.

Gritters were out in force last night and motorists were advised to take care on the roads.

The warnings comes amid fears the weather could case major disruption to the travel network, similar to the rush-hour gridlock in the city when six inches of snow fell on January 18.

Leicester Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton, who is predicting we will be waiting until mid-April for more spring-like weather, said: "Winter is back with a vengeance, so people shouldn't be putting their thermals away just yet.

"We could be seeing up to 10cm of snow settling in some parts. The roads will probably be slow again and then all weekend it's going to be bitterly cold with frost.

The return of the big freeze has been prompted by a band of rain clouds moving east, which was due to collide with a patch of icy air last night.

The Met Office said the temperature could drop as low as -3C (26F) on Monday, which with the wind chill factor could feel like -7C (19F).

Dave said: "So far, the average temperature has been 5C lower than the average we expect for March. In March last year it was much hotter – we had temperatures up to 22C (72F)."

He said the record for the snowiest March day in Leicestershire could possibly fall this weekend.

The current record is 20cm (8in), which fell on March 4, 1970.

The AA is warning of a risk of major travel disruption and hazardous driving conditions.

Darron Burness, the organisation's head of special operations, said: "It's going to be a real witch's brew of driving wind, rain and snow, which will inevitably cause disruption on the roads.

"Drivers should be well prepared, as even short journeys can quickly turn bad.

"Keep your speed down, as visibility could be seriously reduced and there's a risk of localised flooding – and motorists should just stay out of flood water.

"Also, with temperatures set to remain low, any snow that settles will likely persist for several days, so be wary of icy patches."

Last night, both the county and city councils had their gritters out.

Leicestershire County Council has 3,000 tonnes of grit in stock and has ordered another 1,500 tonnes, due to begin arriving on Monday.

Lesley Pendleton, county council cabinet member for environment and transport, said: "We are geared up to keep the road network up and running during icy and snowy weather.

"Our gritters are ready to roll and we have been monitoring our grit levels throughout the winter to ensure we have enough.

"In snowy weather, we would advise people to take a bit of time to plan journeys and give themselves a more time to get from A to B."

Leicester City Council said: "We have 1,250 tonnes of salt in our stocks, which is enough to cover us for 10 days of snow or 50 icy nights."

Leicester City defender Michael Keane has been called up to the England Under-21 squad for their clash with Austria at Brighton's AMEX stadium on Monday night.

The 20-year-old Manchester United loanee joins up with Stuart Pearce's young charges as they look to continue their eight-game unbeaten run following Thursday's 3-0 win over Romania.

The call-up comes as Wilfred Zaha (Crystal Palace), Henri Lansbury (Nottm Forest)and Declan Rudd (Preston) leave the squad to return to their clubs.

Business Secretary Vince Cable has launched a £70 million scheme aimed at boosting lending to small firms.

Dr Cable was the keynote speaker at the Federation of Small Businesses' (FSB) national conference at Curve theatre yesterday.

He said the best way for firms to secure more funding from banks was to increase competition in the finance sector.

Speaking to more than 500 business people, Dr Cable said: "We've got to break the cartel of big banks. They are too big, which is why they treat you like dirt."

Under the new scheme, three new lenders – Market Invoice, Urica and Beechbrook Capital – will share more than £30 million of Government funding.

Each lender has committed to attracting additional funding from private sector investors, with the total expected to boost the amount available to £70 million.

Speaking at the conference later in the day, Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna said a Labour government would stimulate the economy by cutting VAT and setting up a small business agency aimed at ensuring the Government did all it could to help small firms.

He warned against reducing employment laws, saying it would lead to workers feeling less secure in their jobs.

No impact on the level of GDP at the end of the forecasting horizon." That's what the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) – the independent body which scrutinises the economy – concluded about this week's Budget.

In other words, all the measures the Chancellor announced won't make any overall difference to whether the economy grows.

The growth forecast for this year has been halved to 0.6 per cent and will be lower next year, too. In reality, this means the economy is flatlining.

The deficit is rising this year, and the Government won't balance the country's books in 2015 as they said they would.

Our national debt is soaring, and isn't forecast to fall as a proportion of GDP until 2017-18 – two years after the Chancellor promised.

This show austerity alone isn't getting Britain's economy back on its feet. As confidence is crushed, businesses go bust, long-term unemployment soars, the Government gets less from tax revenues and the benefits bill goes up.

The Chancellor says any action to kick-start the economy will lead to more borrowing. But the Government is itself borrowing £245 billion more than they originally planned to pay for the costs of economic failure.

What does this mean for my constituents?

One in 10 young people in Leicester West are still unemployed. Long-term unemployment is also up – by 30 per cent across the East Midlands in the past year. People in work see their wages failing to keep up with rising food, gas and electricity bills.

This, plus the VAT hike and cuts to tax credits, means those on low and middle incomes are struggling to make it to the end of each month.

April's increase in the personal tax allowance won't make up for what families have already lost in terms of tax and benefit changes.

The OBR confirmed this week people will be worse off in 2015 than they were in 2010.

Yet – predictably – our Conservative Prime Minister and Chancellor have decided to help the very richest people in society.

On April 1, 13,000 millionaires will be handed a tax cut worth on average £100,000.

We desperately need a bold plan to boost jobs and growth and a steady and more balanced plan to reducing public spending.

Repeating Labour's tax on bankers' bonuses would fund a real jobs guarantee for young people.

Investing in transport and other infrastructure would create jobs and boost our ailing construction industry.

For example, money from the sale of the 4G mobile spectrum would build 100,000 new low-cost homes.

Crucially, ensuring banks can only get the lowest rates of funding if they increase lending to businesses, as well as overall lending, and creating a proper British Business Bank would help small and medium-sized companies expand and thrive.

Yet the Government refuses to change course. Each year, they say the economy will get better. Each Budget we find out it hasn't, yet they still propose more of same.

I will continue to fight for a different approach, because my constituents deserve better.

Cricketers hit all the right notes during an unusual pre-season team-building exercise which saw them become choristers for the day.

There was not a bat or ball in sight when four of Leicestershire's star players arrived at De Montfort University only to discover students had set them a surprise challenge.

It was organised as part of the club's pre-season preparations, with cricketers placed with major sponsors who had set up activities designed to take them out of their comfort zones.

Club captain and former England swing bowler Matthew Hoggard lined up with batsmen Matthew Boyce, Greg Smith and Michael Thornely at the university campus's Trinity House to learn their fate.

Their Challenge Anneka-inspired task was revealed by Mark Charlton, manager of the university's Mile2 project, working with academics, students and residents to make a difference in neighbouring communities.

With only a few minutes' practice, the quartet were to sing the song Fields of Glory alongside the Mile2 Community Choir, made up of residents living near the campus.

Choir mistress Jane Bursnall put them through their paces, including warm-up stretches and vocal exercises, before they launched into the song, which had been specially-adapted from the Irish folk song for the Leicestershire players.

"We've changed the song lyrics to sound more cricket-orientated, where the original version is more about football and we've added a few references to Leicester rather than Ireland," she said.

Hoggy confided that the song was already a favourite with the team, having adapted it to be the Fields of Grace Road.

He said: "We're definitely not up to singing as well as these guys (the choir), but we're feeling enthusiastic.

"This has sort of become our team song so singing it has been a great build-up to the start of the season."

The Foxes players began their pre-season training on Monday, ahead of their first home game of the season, on April 3.

Choir members were delighted to have four new recruits for the morning as the singers decamped to St Mary de Castro Church for a performance captured on film for an internet audience.

Singer Karen Gavin said: "I've been in collaborations before, with Lancaster Community Choir for example, but this was very different. It was a real laugh."

Mark Charlton said: "I don't think the lads will be auditioning for Britain's Got Talent any time soon but it sounds like they've a lot of potential.

"I feel we've achieved something special – they've risen to the challenge and expressed real commitment to the task at hand."

While the four players were singing, other cricketers were digging allotments for Leicestershire Cares for sponsors Next, taking part in a quiz for Global Payments and tiling and carpet-fitting for Michael John Flooring.

A cricket club spokesman said: "We've never done anything like this before. We put the idea to the sponsors and they supported it. Singing has certainly taken them out of their comfort zone and I think they have enjoyed it."

A memorial fund has been set up in the name of a BMX rider killed in a road accident while returning from a skate park.

Robbie Pickard, 19, died on Sunday, February 24, as he cycled home from Terminal 1 indoor skatepark on Melton airfield.

Now, friends and family of the Melton teenager have set up a fund in his memory to raise money for improvements to another of his favourite venues, the town's outdoor skate park, in Play Close.

There are also plans for a permanent reminder of the popular teenager at the skate park.

Hundreds of people packed into St Mary's Church, in Melton, for Robbie's funeral on Friday, March 15.

A group of Robbie's BMX pals led the funeral cortege through the town. His friends and relatives wore "Robbie, ride in peace" T-shirts in his honour and a video featuring Robbie was played in the church along with his favourite songs.

Robbie's mum, Stephanie, 38, said: "It was a beautiful day and the response from people in Melton has been overwhelming.

"We were gobsmacked to see all the people in Market Place on the way to the funeral.

"Robbie's friends really did him proud."

"His friends have organised a Robbie memorial event at Melton's outdoor skatepark in May. Robbie always said he wanted to fix up the skate park in Play Close and improve it.

"One of his best friends, Luke Ball, has also suggested having a spray painting of Robbie on the side of ramps at the skate park , which was like a home to him.

"It's inspirational for these kids to be doing what they're doing in his name.

"I didn't realise he had so many friends.

"They had the idea of raising money for a memorial to him immediately after they heard what had happened."

A "remembrance jam'' sponsored event is being organised at the skate park on May 11, in aid of the Robbie Pickard Memorial Fund.

Other plans include holding BMX, skate and scooter competitions.

It is also hoped pro-riders will attend.

The £2 entry fee and bucket collection will go towards the fund.

A sponsored skydive is also planned for June.

Money is also being raised through the sale of the "Robbie ride in peace" T-shirts.

The tragedy has sparked calls for the road to be made safer for cyclists and pedestrians, particularly for youngsters getting to and from the Terminal 1 BMX and Skatepark.

More than 1,500 people have already signed an online petition calling on Leicestershire County Council to take action.

A county council spokesman said: "We will examine the circumstances of the accident in partnership with the police and will take any appropriate action."

The crash happened at about 6.55pm, 100 metres from the entrance to Melton airfield on the B6047 on Sunday, February 24.

Police are appealing for witnesses to call them on 101.

Leave your tributes to Robbie at:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk