A 25-year-old killed underneath a lorry he was working on was using a jack in an unsafe way, an inquest heard.

Engineer Mark Wintersgill, of Broughton Astley, was checking the underside of a lorry trailer at PPR Transport Services, in Lutterworth, when the tragedy happened.

An inquest jury at Leicester Town Hall heard Mr Wintersgill had used a large compressed air jack to lift the rear axle of the trailer, which was parked on a pair of concrete ramps.

The jack came away and the inquest heard it then hit Mr Wintersgill's head as the trailer came down, causing fatal injuries.

Paul Roberts, who owns PPR, said he had never seen an air jack being used in this way . He said that the safe method for inspecting brakes and bearings was to use a different jack.

He said: "When the trailer is on a ramp, you would use smaller bottle jacks to lift an axle up."

When asked if he would ever use an air jack in that way, he said he would not.

Sam Hunt, who worked with Mr Wintersgill, said he had seen other employees at the yard using the wrong kind of jack.

He said: "I'd never used air jacks like that because I didn't think it was safe.

"Some people would do it because it was easier – you just pull a lever and it goes up. But it's not safe.

"I've always said to people that it's a bit dodgy, but everyone does it their own way."

Describing the fatal accident, on June 25 last year, Mr Roberts said: "It was a very ordinary day and he was buzzing as he always was.

"He was very popular.

"I was in my office and I heard a very loud bang. The next thing was shouting."

Mr Wintersgill was pronounced dead at the scene and police were called to investigate.

After police concluded no other person was involved in the accident, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was called in.

HSE investigator Dr David Lefever said he found several wooden blocks at the scene of the accident, which might have been between the air jack and the trailer, which he said should not be done.

He said: "I believe blocks of wood are used from time to time in the industry, but there were two labels on the jack warning against this."

The inquest continues.

A hard-hitting video featuring rugby star Martin Johnson as a life-saving hero has been made by a charity in memory of a teenager who collapsed and died while out jogging.

Joe Humphries appeared to be fit and well before he collapsed a few minutes from his home in Rothley, in October. The 14-year-old was the victim of sudden arrhythmic death syndrome (Sads) – the adult version of cot death.

His family has since created the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust to promote awareness of the condition.

Former Leicester Tigers and England captain Martin Johnson spent the day with Joe's friends at De Lisle College, Loughborough, to film Keep Calm and Hands On.

The video tells the story of a teenage boy who collapses while playing rugby and needs emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

The video sees the boy's friends spring into action, doing CPR, while others run for help.

It is hoped the video, which will be shown at schools and sports clubs, will highlight the importance of knowing how to save someone's life if they collapse.

Martin, a patron of the charity, said: "CPR is not rocket science and with just a little training, I think the video shows that anyone can be a life-saver.

"It was a full day of filming outside on a cold day, but the video is great. The kids worked really hard and it was well worth it.

"When you hear the numbers when it comes to young people passing away, learning CPR is just a no brainer."

The video was shot at De Lisle with a cast made up of Joe's friends and schoolmates. Mitchell Mensah, 14, who was in Joe's form, played the role of the boy who collapses on the field.

"It definitely got to you a bit when I was lying there and even though it was just acting, you thought about the people who had collapsed in real life," he said.

"Joe was a close friend of mine and I thought it was important to be part of the project."

Jack Beddow, 16, who played a rugby player, said: "I think the video turned out really good. I loved that it was brief but still got the message over really well."

Joe's parents, Steve and Angela, and sister, Lauren, launched the trust at an event at the college this month.

The trust hopes to provide expert screening services for suspected or undiagnosed cardiac conditions in young people and also aims to provide education and training on how to react to unexpected life-threatening situations and to get life-saving defibrillators installed in key community locations.

Steve, a former Leicester City goalkeeper, said: "Every child who knows CPR can be a life-saver – that is the message of the video.

"Knowing CPR is a true life skill and it is one our young people should all be given the help to learn.

"It is a case of be prepared, have that skill, because you just don't know when you might need it."

Sads causes the heart of a young and healthy person to suddenly go into an abnormal rhythm or stop.

www.jhmt.org.uk/

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has received dozens of responses after asking the public for suggestions on where to move Leicester's Richard III statue.

The sculpture, which stands in Castle Gardens, was a gift to the city from the Richard III Society in 1980. It gazes out over Bow Bridge, where the Plantagenet king rode out to Bosworth Battlefield in 1485.

His remains were uncovered by University of Leicester archaeologists 528 years later.

Following the discovery – less than a mile away from the where the statue stands – Sir Peter said he wanted the monument in a more prominent location.

However, of 51 responses received by the city council, 18 have said they wish the statue to remain where it is.

Another 14 people have suggested moving it to outside the cathedral.

Alternatives also include Town Hall Square, Highcross, Gallowtree Gate and Jubilee Square. Four people said it should stand at the Greyfriars dig site.

One reply suggested relocating the statue next to the M1.

Sir Peter said: "I've always said moving it is just one option.

"Of course, if people want it to stay where it is then I'm happy for it to stay at Castle Gardens.

"But if it turns out that the majority want it moved then I think somewhere such as the cathedral is ideal.

"It's near the dig site and it's where the body will be laid to rest."

Sir Peter said a decision would be made within the next few weeks following advice from council officers and outside groups including the civic society.

The proposal to move the statue has been welcomed by the Richard III Society.

Philippa Langley, who launched the search for Richard's remains four years ago, said: "I really love the idea of Greyfriars or the cathedral.

"It's not that I don't love it in Castle Gardens, but it's so out of the way there." She said it would be much better if the statue was closer to the proposed visitors' centre, where more people could see it.

"I've said it before, it's my favourite statue of Richard III because it shows him as the warrior king and I want to share it with everyone," Ms Langley said.

Former Blue Badge guide Diana Courtney used to take tours to Castle Gardens as part of her Richard III walks.

She said: "I think if Sir Peter is going to move it anywhere it should be to the Cathedral Gardens – it's being renovated and it's near to the visitor centre."

Readers have also been leaving their suggestions on the Mercury website.

User EOSD7 wrote: "Place this statue somewhere symbolic to the county and near a motorway. It could be paid for by city and county business."

Maccy said: "Victoria Park, close to the university."

A major route to and from the city was due to be closed in both directions from today for more than a week to allow emergency sewer repairs.

The work will mean the closure of the A47, Uppingham Road, from the city boundary to the junction of Station Road, Thurnby, from 7.30am for approximately eight days.

During the closure, the alternative route will be Station Road, Scraptoft Lane, Colchester Road and Uppingham Road and vice versa.

County councillor Simon Galton, who represents Thurnby, was out leafleting homes in the Station Road area yesterday warning residents about increased traffic in the residential area.

He said: "Severn Trent has had one lane closed for a few days with temporary traffic lights operating.

"It's unfortunate but the work has just got to be done. The only saving grace is that it's Easter week."

A Severn Trent spokesman said: "Following work to repair a damaged manhole cover on March 18, we have now identified the need to carry out essential repairs to a damaged sewer.

"We will be doing everything we can to make sure we cause minimum disruption."

Grange Lane, which will be access only for residents, will be closed from the junction of Court Road to the junction with the A47. Coles Nursery can be accessed from Main Street.

Traffic lights at the junction with Station Road will be temporarily turned off and road works on Station Road have been suspended for the duration of the emergency work.

Leicester City's Andy King is pushing for a start for Wales tonight when they entertain Croatia, in Swansea, after his superb cameo as a substitute against Scotland on Friday.

The City midfielder went on with Wales a goal behind but played an influential role as they came back to win 2-1 in their World Cup qualifier, in Glasgow.

King had a goal chalked off for a foul on Scotland keeper Allan McGregor before setting up Hal Robson-Kanu for the winner, after Aaron Ramsey's equaliser from the penalty spot.

King could now replace Ramsey, who is suspended after receiving a red card at Hampden Park, against Croatia at the Liberty Stadium.

City striker Chris Wood is set to start again for New Zealand against the Solomon Islands after playing the full 90 minutes for the All Whites in their 2-1 win over New Caledonia, in Dunedin.

That victory cemented New Zealand's place in the play-offs, where they will face a country from the North, Central America & Caribbean qualifying group for a place at the World Cup 2014, in Brazil.

Both Sean St Ledger and Kasper Schmeichel were unused substitutes for the Republic of Ireland and Denmark respectively.

The Irish picked up a great goalless draw in Sweden and entertain Austria tonight in Dublin, while Denmark picked up a shock 3-0 win over the Czech Republic and face Bulgaria tonight in Copenhagen.

All four are expected to return to City on Thursday ahead of Friday night's visit of Millwall to the King Power Stadium.

Diggers and ploughs have been used to clear snowdrifts in Leicestershire as some rural roads remained closed yesterday due to the wintry conditions.

Farmers joined county council staff to try to help re-open roads between Melton and Harborough and in Coalville, after 10cms of snow fell over the weekend.

Forecasters have predicted icy temperatures will continue throughout the week and have said more snow could fall, possibly during the Easter weekend.

Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton said: "At the moment, the mean temperature for March is 2.8C and even though there is a week left, that makes it the coldest March since 1962.

"This week is going to be bitterly cold and there are going to be snow showers which will continue throughout the week.

"On Saturday, we could have some more substantial snow as we saw at the weekend. It always seems we get really cold weather when Easter is early.

"As for Easter Sunday, if we get that snow on Saturday, we may well have three or four inches on the ground by Sunday."

About 30 farmers from Tilton-on-the-Hill, Somerby and Foxton helped council gritter teams clear roads yesterday.

A council spokesman said: "Gritters with ploughs and JCBs have been out today clearing snow drifts in roads across the county.

"Areas particularly affected were the Twycross area, north west Leicestershire and roads between Melton and Harborough.

"Although clearance has taken place, drivers are asked to take extra care as strong winds mean drifting is still occurring and roads we have opened may well become impassable again."

Three roads in the north west of the county, which were blocked by snow drifts yesterday morning, were later reopened.

They were Ashby Road, in Ravenstone, Warren Hills Road, in Coalville and Midland Road, in Ellistown.

Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre was shut on Sunday and yesterday due to the bad weather and the drifting snow.

It is expected to reopen today.

Organisers of Easter events have already begun to reschedule.

The Woodland Pytchley Point-to-Point meeting at Dingley, near Market Harborough, on Saturday has been postponed due to heavy snow on the course. A statement on the Point to Point Racing Company website said it will be rescheduled.

Gritters were scheduled to go out again last night to treat about 1,200 miles of roads across the county.

Flights to and from East Midlands Airport were back to normal after many were suspended at the weekend.

A spokeswoman said yesterday that unless there was heavy snow, it should not impact on flights.

Leicestershire Police said there had been "no major issues" due to the snow – except drifts in the north west of the county – and the fire service said they had not attended any snow-related emergencies.

Seven men have admitted being involved in the terrifying ransacking of an Indian restaurant, which left several employees injured.

The violence erupted when a group of 40 to 50 people burst into Moghul Durbar, in Spinney Hills, Leicester, at 9pm on January 14.

After seven of the men pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court yesterday, the Mercury can now print further details of the attack, which were revealed at an earlier court hearing.

Prosecutor, Gordon Aspden, said during a hearing in February: "Customers, including women and children, fled in terror."

He said some of the group, wearing scarves and balaclavas, were armed with knives, nunchucks, poles, bricks and metal bars.

He said: "They stormed the restaurant through the front and rear." Employees in the curry house, in East Park Road, were attacked, including one who had boiling water and chilli sauce thrown over him.

Six people ended up in hospital, one with serious injuries.

"The restaurant was trashed and all the windows were broken," said Mr Aspden.

The mob had turned out due to a grievance towards at least one restaurant employee.

Mr Aspden said during the bail application hearing in February – which could not be reported then for legal reasons – that the customers who witnessed the incident were all afraid to make statements to the police.

A member of the public noted the registration number of a vehicle in which six of the defendants were travelling.

It was stopped heading north on the M1 and they were arrested.

In the vehicle were latex gloves and glass fragments.

In the boot was said to have been "racially inflammatory material".

Ceremonial knives were recovered, including one with a blood stain.

A seventh man, Kahan Khalsa, was arrested in a hired BMW.

He had earlier been in a convoy heading towards the restaurant.

The court heard in February that the defendants were of previous good character and their actions were not based on general religious hatred, but to "a specific incident".

Yesterday, all seven defendants pleaded guilty to conspiring together, and with unknown others, to commit violent disorder at Moghul Durbar.

Six of them, all from Derby, are: Surjit Pandher (28), a former prison warden, of Northfield; Gurmukh Singh Cheema (25), of Harrington Street; Ranjit Singh (21), of Harrington Street; Sundeep Singh Sangha (25), a gas heating engineer, of Wordsworth Avenue; Rajveer Singh Sangha (24), a college student, of Wordsworth Avenue; and Ranvir Singh (21), of Harrington Street.

The seventh defendant is Khalsa (26), of Rectory Gardens, Oldbury, Birmingham.

The case was adjourned until next month for the preparation of reports.

Judge Michael Pert QC remanded all seven men back into custody to await sentencing.

At the time of the incident, the Leicester Mercury reported that the police had obtained CCTV footage from a nearby business, showing about 40 men running from a side street and storming the restaurant, smashing windows.

Witnesses described seeing people running away with blood streaming from their faces and bodies, looking frightened. Some were crying.

Following yesterday's hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Chris Baker, who has led the investigation, said: "This has been an incredibly detailed and complex investigation which has had an impact on a lot of people.

"We still have a team of officers working hard to locate all of those involved.

"Although it has been over two months since it happened, it isn't too late to help us."

Four other men – aged, 23, 24, 73 and 31 – have also been arrested in connection with the incident and are on police bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

From the outside, Glen Parva feels foreboding. The high fences and colourless facade get your pulse racing before you even step foot inside. This week, Leicester's 808 capacity jail was visited by Prisons Minister Jeremy Wright who was given a tour of the building.

Mr Wright was doing his ministerial duty and meeting and greeting staff and inmates as they went about their business, surrounded by razor wire and CCTV cameras.

Principal prison officer Paul Downs said that most of the 670 inmates serving their sentences at Glen Parva were involved in some sort of work or educational programme.

One such youngster is 21-year-old Martin Jones – who is on his fourth stretch in a young offenders' institute.

"I've had enough of this now," he said. "I think it's time for a change."

The only thing I was told not to ask is why the inmates had been jailed – Martin was locked up in November 2011 and is due for release in May.

"If you add together all the times I've been in, it's about two-and-a-half-years," he said.

He is one of a number of prisoners taking part in a scheme called Trackwork, which teaches the practical skills needed to build and maintain railways.

Martin is aiming for an NVQ and has been given contact details for someone who will help him find a job (something he has never had before) once he gets out.

"The course is quite enjoyable, I'm looking forward to actually having a job.

"It's my first proper chance to do something different."

Fellow inmate James Porter, 20, was convicted in November and returns to the outside world in June.

He's also part of the scheme.

"It would be boring without it," he said. "I'd probably be more likely to get into trouble.

"I've done quite a few courses, but this is the best one I've done so far.

"It's the one that gives you a proper feel of what it's like to be doing work and I think it's going to be the one which gives me the most opportunities to get a job when I get out."

Mr Wright, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice, backed the scheme and said Glen Parva was one of only a handful of prisons to offer the course.

"It think there are two ways in which this kind of course is beneficial," he said.

"The first is providing those harder skills – the kind of training they're getting here is the same as they would receive in the outside world.

"But it's also about the softer skills, the idea of getting up in the morning, going to work, working in a team."

Mr Wright was given a tour of the rest of the prison by the governor, Alison Clarke.

We followed them to Unit 15 – the induction wing.

All prisoners spend their first week here when they arrive.

It looks like you'd expect – cell doors on three levels with metal grates everywhere so officers can see all corners of the wing at all times.

The rest of the prison was quiet, except for a few inquisitive glances at the camera and my notepad, followed by colourful language and gestures for our attention.

Some of the prisoners barracking Will and I looked very young, which is probably a reflection of my age rather than their's.

Even so, all of the inmates are aged between 18 and 21.

Mr Wright said the aim of the prison service was to punish, but also to rehabilitate and make sure institutes such as Glen Parva were not incubating future criminals.

He said: "People need to understand that if they offend, and offend, and offend again then they'll get longer and longer prison sentences.

"In order to break that cycle, we have to persuade them that what they really should be doing is buckling down to activities and learning the skills they need to get and keep a job."

The site itself is huge – much bigger than Leicester's Welford Road Prison.

It would take about 45 minutes to walk the perimeter fence, said chief officer Mr Downs, who guided us round.

He also warned us not to film or photograph the officers unlocking doors.

"It's a nice but expensive shot," he said.

If footage of the keys was published the prison would have to change every lock in the compound – at the Mercury's expense – which would cost about £250,000.

And he wasn't not joking – a television company recently had to pay £100,000 towards changing all the locks and keys at Welford Road prison after footage appeared on TV.

Nigel Pearson said he would not rule out bolstering his Leicester City squad before the loan window shuts on Thursday.

City's promotion push has begun to falter after a run of one win in nine league games.

Pearson said if the right opportunity arose, he would consider bringing in a fresh face before their next game against Millwall on Friday.

"The loan window closes on Thursday, before the next game," said Pearson.

"I will have to look at the situation and then discuss whether there are any possibilities.

"There is only one chance now to do it, absolutely.

"Although our form is poor, we can salvage the situation.

"I am not prepared to let this opportunity fizzle out because we have hit a poor run of form.

"There has been a lot of hard work to get into a decent situation, but there is no doubt we are putting our opportunity in jeopardy with this poor run of form. We can't hide from that."

City entered the international break on the back of a disappointing defeat at Derby, and Pearson said he would not argue with suggestions that the Rams showed more desire than his side, certainly in the first half when they took a 2-0 lead.

"We certainly didn't take the responsibility, there is no doubt about that and I wouldn't disagree they worked harder than us," he said.

"That is just not something that is right for us.

"We have worked so hard to get into a good position but, at the moment, we are not playing well enough. We huffed and puffed in the second half but didn't show enough quality.

"To go two goals down and the fashion of the goals – they were two poor goals to concede, we have to rectify this quickly.

"We are putting what has been, for long periods, a positive season at risk by under-performing.

"I am going to have to have a good long look at how we shape up for Millwall because I am not happy with how we went about the previous game."

Plans for a £4 million public plaza in the historic heart of Leicester are set to be given the go-ahead – despite the concerns of nearby traders who fear it will wreck their businesses.

Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's Jubilee Square concept is set to be considered by members of Leicester City Council's planning committee next week.

Council officers have considered the scheme to replace a 50-space public car park in St Nicholas Place with an area of paving and lawns.

The park-and-ride stops would also be moved about 60 yards.

The officials are recommending councillors approve the scheme when they discuss it on Wednesday, April 3.

A planning report has revealed the council has had 84 letters of objection to the scheme and five in support.

Opponents are angry at the loss of parking spaces in the area because they say it will harm trade.

They said the pay-and-display car park, which generated nearly £200,000 for the council last year, was essential for customers getting to shops, bars and restaurants.

Sir Peter said the 84 objections did not reflect the wider support he said has been shown for the scheme in consultations.

He said it was vital to help business by investing in good-quality public space to attract people.

He said: "I know from experience that when you make big changes and improvements to the city it is always the case there will be some objection.

"However, from those with a stake in the future of the city, the support has been overwhelming – from the chamber of commerce to The Lanes traders association.

"After 12 months, nobody will want to turn the clock back and go back to how it is now.

"Although the car park income is significant, it is a small proportion of our overall parking income."

Steve Cooper, from Abel Alarms, in Vaughan Way, is a spokesman for a group of about 20 traders formed to fight the scheme.

He said: "It's no surprise council officers say this should happen.

"We are putting our hopes in the councillors who will make final decision. We hope they will show some backbone and represent what we are saying, rather than just go along with their boss – the mayor.

"The parking is the main issue.

"We don't see how it makes sense to remove car parking, especially when the council is looking to build a Richard III visitor centre nearby, which people will want to drive to."

Sir Peter said: "I understand that argument, but we need to make sure visitors can relax in good-quality public space.

"There is ample parking in the area and we are in discussions with NCP about getting provision in its car park nearby."

Conservative opposition councillor Ross Grant said: "The mayor tells us businesses support this but there are clearly a good number that don't. They are telling him this will harm the economy and he does not listen."

Coun Grant said as well as the £4 million spent building the square, there would be an annual cost of maintenance and upkeep to the council which he estimated, together with the loss of parking revenue, could be about £500,000.

A council spokeswoman said £25,000 was spent annually maintaining the car park and a specific yearly budget would be approved if the scheme is given the go-ahead.

Campaigners are toasting victory in their battle to save ambulance stations threatened with closure.

It began last year after East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) put forward plans to turn Gorse Hill station in Leicester and Loughborough station into two "super" stations and close all others down.

After protests and a re-think, bosses have dropped the super stations idea and agreed to keep stations in Hinckley, Market Harborough, Melton and a new station will be built in Ashby.

Gorse Hill and Loughborough will remain as normal stations.

However, stations in Coalville, Oakham, Syston, Narborough and Lutterworth will still be closed.

The £54 million scheme also includes 108 community ambulance stations in the East Midlands – places where crews can stop for a rest and meal breaks.

Harborough district councillor Phil Knowles said: "I am delighted that Emas has looked at this and seen there was no case for closure.

"Harborough is a growing community and we need to expand and protect our facilities."

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Councillor Michael Mullaney, who has also been campaigning to keep Hinckley station, said: "I am delighted from the Hinckley point of view.

"After eight months, we have finally got the result we wanted.

"We are very pleased we will have an ambulance base in Hinckley. We hope to see an improvement in response times and are thankful we have been listened to."

Emas bosses put forward the changes as part their "Being the Best" consultation to improve response times.

The idea is to have separate teams checking ambulance vehicles are clean and equipped so crews can go straight out on calls at the start of each shift.

The service has been struggling to get to 75 per cent of the most urgent calls within the Government's target time and to 95 per cent of the less urgent calls within 19 minutes.

Mike Pepperman, a member of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel and health watchdogs, the Leicester and Leicestershire local involvement networks, said: "We hope to see these coming through soon, certainly by the beginning of next winter."

After the decision, taken by directors at a board meeting yesterday, Emas chief executive Phil Milligan said: "The changes will improve performance on life-threatening calls by nearly 4 per cent."

Mr Milligan said creating 108 community ambulance stations, which may be at a shared premises such as a fire station or a portable building, would also save crews returning to large, urban-based stations.

Mr Milligan said: "This is a five-year plan."

Mention the name Steve Lynex to older Leicester City fans and it will conjure memories of one of the club's best forward lines.

The Black Country-born winger forged an effective and exciting attacking axis alongside young strikers Gary Lineker and Alan Smith in the early 1980s as City were promoted to then-First Division under Gordon Milne, in 1983.

Although a winger and therefore more of a provider, Lynex also reached double figures in goals scored for three of his five full seasons at the club, and took on the role of penalty-taker.

He will also be remembered for becoming the third City player to don the goalkeeper's jersey in that famous FA Cup clash with Shrewsbury Town in March 1982 when, after Mark Wallington was forced off and his stand-in, striker Alan Young, was also injured Lynex stepped in between the posts while Young recovered.

Lynex, who lives in Wednesbury and now works for an exhibition company in Birmingham, said his five-and-a-half years with City were among the most memorable and enjoyable of his career.

"I had loads of great memories at City," he said.

"Obviously the Shrewsbury game was a memorable moment, when I had to go in goal, but we had promotions and relegations. It was a rollercoaster ride, but an enjoyable one.

"Jock Wallace signed me. It took me a time to settle to be honest because they were all Scots and I couldn't understand what they were on about.

"I am Brummie so they kept saying they couldn't understand me, but there was more of them than me.

"We played some great football in those days and it was very good for me as a winger.

"We had Gary Lineker coming through at the time and it was obvious that he would go on to become a top striker.

"He had the confidence and when he missed a few his head never went down, he was always there for the next one.

"You have to give him credit for that because a lot of guys would disappear.

"I enjoyed myself when I was there and I was just one of the lucky ones to be able to play at such a good time.

"The one year. myself, Gary and Alan Smith finished as the top-scoring forwards in the First Division.

"Looking back at the stats, I got 60 goals in 240-odd appearances. For a winger that weren't bad."

Lynex became a fans' favourite at City and he said the club was very welcoming, but he admits they missed a great opportunity to cement themselves as a First Division club and his time at Filbert Street turned sour when Brian Hamilton took over as manager.

"The City fans were fantastic to me, absolutely great," recalls Lynex, now 55.

"They were brilliant when I first signed for the club and as time went on they just got better and better.

"We had a good side. I think we had the potential to really cement ourselves in the First Division. The year we went down I thought we were unlucky and the next year when we came back up we more than held our own.

"We gave the big boys some tough games and we were hard to beat. We had some great games, like the 3-3 draw with Liverpool at home and going away to Arsenal.

"They were good days but it all turned sour for me when Brian Hamilton took charge and I had to move on."

Lynex returned to West Brom in 1987 before moving on to Cardiff and into non-league football before hanging up his boots, but he still recalls his City days fondly.

"We had a great team spirit and the way we attacked people," he added.

"The managers we had (Jock Wallace and then Gordon Milne) didn't want to sit back when we were winning, it was a case of keeping going.

"We made it hard for the opposition because we were going forward all the time.

"For a winger that was fantastic and made it so enjoyable," said Lynex.

A police officer has reached a milestone in his recovery from leukaemia by reporting for duty for the first time in 18 months.

Inspector Rik Basra, who had life-saving transplant surgery at Christmas 2011, was declared fit enough to return to Leicestershire Police on Monday.

The 54-year-old, who has been with the force for 27 years, is working short shifts as he builds up his strength.

Rik said: "I spent ages ironing my shirt and pressing my trousers the night before I went back to work.

"I wouldn't say I was nervous, but there was definitely a bit of tension.

"But as soon as I walked through the front door at headquarters I felt at home.

"It was a real milestone for me because it's not so long since putting on my uniform and going to work seemed beyond reach.

"I saw a lot of people I hadn't seen for a long time, but they were all aware of what I'd been through and that was very touching."

He is back working in the department which oversees the force's handing of anti-social behaviour reports.

"It was tiring, and when I got home after a few hours back at work I needed a good sleep," said Rik. "I'm very much being guided by what my doctors tell me I can do.

"I'm working restricted hours at the moment, but I'm hoping it won't be long before I'll be able to build them up.

"There are no overnight fixes, I know that. It's a case of taking each day as it comes and building up my strength."

Rik's wife, Kas, said: "It was such a wonderful moment when he put his uniform back on.

"He looked like a little boy getting ready for his first day back at school. I was very proud of him.

"It was really emotional and took me back to the time before he became ill.

"This is a real turning point in our lives. We are lucky to have had this moment."

Rik learned he had acute myeloid leukaemia in 2009.

It is a form of cancer which attacks the body's ability to produce healthy blood cells.

He had several bouts of chemotherapy and thought he had beaten the disease.

However, in 2010 he again felt unwell and went for tests which revealed the cancer had returned.

Leukaemia damages the body's stem cells, which in turn affects its ability to create healthy blood and to then build an effective immune system, allowing the cancer to spread.

Shortly before Christmas 2011, with his health deteriorating rapidly, his donor was found in Germany.

The transplant involved a transfusion of blood that contains healthy stem cells which will help him build a stronger immune system to fight the cancer.

In the months before the transplant was carried out, Rik, his family, friends and police colleagues threw themselves into the national campaign to build up the number of donors on a national register maintained by the charity, Anthony Nolan.

The couple, whose efforts have been praised by the charity, say they will continue to help it expand the database, particularly by recruiting Asian donors who are under-represented on it.

An event at Leicester's De Montfort University last week saw 360 people sign up – making it the charity's most successful university campus recruitment drive in the country.

The next event will take place at Regent College, in Regent Road, near the University of Leicester, on Friday, April 26.

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: "We are delighted to see Rik in good health and back at work following his long battle with leukaemia. His colleagues have welcomed him back with open arms to the job he left at force headquarters over 18 months ago to receive treatment and we will, of course, support him during his phased return to full-time duties over the coming months.

"Many officers and staff from the force also continue to support Rik and his family to raise awareness of the importance of stem cell donation particularly within the Asian community."

Flanker Steve Mafi could return to the Leicester Tigers squad as they prepare for Saturday's derby with Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens.

The Tongan international has recovered from a torn hamstring he sustained against Toulouse in January, and Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said he was "good to go".

Mafi's return to fitness means that Leicester make the trip with just Miles Benjamin (neck) and Louis Deacon (shoulder) on the long-term injury list.

With Northampton missing just winger Paul Diggin (knee) and Jon Clarke (shoulder) from their squad, a sold-out Franklin's Gardens will be able to enjoy a battle between two teams at virtual full strength.

Tigers will be seeking a seventh consecutive win against their bitter rivals and, with Saints hoping to hang on to a play-off place and Leicester keen to maintain their spot in the top two, there will be plenty on the line – as usual.

"These fixtures have always been feisty and competitive and, with them four points behind us, a win for either side will be very beneficial," said Cockerill.

"We have had some good success against them in recent times but, before then, it was very difficult to win there.

"It's all to play for and we know that a win would certainly cement us in that top two with three games to go.

"At the moment, we are pretty good on the injuries front and everyone came through the weekend okay.

"Steve Mafi is also good to go and that is good news.

"This is a very important couple of weeks for us and we don't have the luxury of resting players for next week's trip to Toulon."

Tigers have had the Indian sign over Saints during the last two years, but Jim Mallinder's side have hit form at just the right time this season after being written off by all and sundry.

Their four consecutive league wins have propelled them to fourth place and, with a reasonably comfortable run-in, they could challenge the top two spots.

"On their day, they are as good as any side in the league," said Cockerill.

"But we are in good form, too. We had a big win against Sale and then, having had the disruption of lots of internationals being away, we battled to a big win at Exeter last week."

Former Tigers flanker Paul Gustard will join the England coaching set-up for the summer tour to Argentina.

Now at Saracens, Gustard joins Exeter's Rob Baxter as part of a duo that will replace Andy Farrell and Graham Rowntree, who are away with the British & Irish Lions.

A woman and baby were rescued by firefighters after their car slid down a reservoir embankment.

Firefighters and a technical rescue unit were mobilised after the car skidded down the embankment next to Saddington Reservoir at 10.20am yesterday.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said the woman and the baby were not physically trapped but needed help because of the conditions.

The child was rescued from the car shortly before 10.50pm, and the woman was helped out soon afterwards.

Fire crews used a thick, 30-metre-long rope attached to a fence and a tractor to secure the vehicle, which had come off Mowsley Road.

Watch manager Rich Featherby, of Wigston fire station, said: "The car came off a track around the reservoir. The weather conditions were quite severe out there and the car slid off the track down the embankment towards a field, not the reservoir.

"It was at about 45 degrees. It would be enough to topple the car and if it had rolled over, it would have gone into the field.

"It was too steep for the woman to get herself or the little girl out.

"We secured the car in position using a 30-metre general purpose line – a thick rope round the front wheels and the post between the front and rear windows.

"A tractor with a telescopic arm was in the area and we flagged it down.

"The telescopic arm was suspended above the car and we used it as a an anchor point for another line. We had to walk the last 100 metres because the track didn't like 12 tonnes of fire engine on it.

"The woman and the baby girl, who was about a year or 18 months old, were a bit upset but otherwise fine.

"It would have been difficult for them to get out of the car and up the embankment.

"The track is in constant use, but it is probably advisable not to use it while the ice is still around."

East Midlands Ambulance Service paramedics on the scene checked over the woman and baby.

Residents said they believed the track, part of which is a gated road from Saddington to Gumley, had been closed off since Monday because of the treacherous conditions.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said: "We are sorry to hear about this lady's accident and are pleased to hear she and the baby are okay. Strong winds have meant drifting snow and ice has been an issue in parts of the county and we would urge people to take extra care when driving, particularly on rural roads."