He may have moved 120 miles away, but there is one piece of Leicester that former Tigers player Dan Hipkiss can't live without – his biltong.

The centre relocated to the south west of England after making the switch from Tigers to Bath in 2011.

However, Dan, who played 130 times for Leicester – scoring 150 points in his Tigers career – still receives regular deliveries of the dehydrated beef snack biltong from Clarendon Park butcher W Archer and Son.

The shop's owner, Sean Jeynes, posts 2kg of the meaty treat to Bath every month to keep his customer happy.

Dan, who has 13 international caps, said: "Rugby players need quite a lot of protein and this is a really easy way of getting that extra protein. And it's better than snacking on something else, like carrot cake."

Biltong contains about 40g of protein for every 100g of beef and very few carbohydrates, making it ideal for sportsmen and women.

Sean began producing the South African-inspired meat snack about four years ago.

He said: "My main customers are South African ex-pats and athletes. It's a good snack for people on diets to have, too."

Sean has drummed up numerous customers and is planning on marketing the biltong throughout Leicester – in pubs and as a health food.

He said: "An Afrikaans student came in one day, about four years ago, and said he wanted some beef to make his own biltong at home.

"He made me some and I thought it would be great to start making my own and selling it in the shop.

"Now, I want to expand and start selling to pubs and sports clubs, but there's still some work to do yet."

Biltong is made by dehydrating strips of cured beef, which has been spiced and seasoned.

Each month, Sean uses about 10kg of beef to make 5kg of biltong – but hopes to up his production in the coming months.

Aviva Premiership player Dan said Sean's dried beef had the seal of approval from his South African teammates at Bath. "Some of the South African lads at the club make their own – they love it," he said. "I've given them some of Sean's and they said it's on par with the stuff they get back home."

The Liberal Democrats are today set to launch the manifesto they hope will win over voters in next month's Leicestershire County Council election.

Government care minister Norman Lamb is to help unveil the key details elements of the party's campaign in the run-up to polling day on May 2.

He is due to attend a launch event in Hinckley this afternoon.

The Lib Dems are the first of County Hall's three main parties to officially unveil their manifesto.

Group leader Councillor Simon Galton said: "We don't know for sure what the others are doing, but we work to our own timetable and we wanted to get it out before the close of nominations on Friday."

He said if the Liberal Democrats were to take over from the ruling Tories at County Hall they would look for alternatives to financial cuts.

He also said they would look to restore its reputation following the resignation of former Tory leader David Parsons after he breached codes of conduct over his expenses, and the subsequent sacking of deputy leader David Sprason for speaking out about watching an adult film on a council lap-top.

Coun Galton said: "The council has been rocked by a number of high-profile issues that have diminished people's trust in politicians.

"This election must draw a line under that and we must restore our good name."

He said the Lib Dems would consider scrapping the council's 14-year-old cabinet system in favour of giving more decision-making power to backbenchers.

He said: "The problem with cabinet is that it is a group of Conservatives sitting round a table and they don't listen. The decisions have already been made in pre-cabinet briefings in secret and they are just rubber stamped.

"We would consider getting rid of the cabinet in the long-run, which would be a way of wringing out some savings, and in the short term allow the public to take part in meaningful discussion."

He said the Lib Dems, who have 14 members at County Hall – 20 fewer than the Tories, would look to use the council's £99 million reserves as an alternative to cutting budgets.

Coun Galton said: "This is the biggest concern we have. Over the years reserves have gone up and up. Instead of going for cuts to services every time we should use those reserves. We think £60 million to £70 million is an acceptable level of reserves.

After the election, the Tories plan to increase council tax by 1.5 per cent, but the Lib Dems say they would not do that without consultation and not when reserves were so high.

They would also look at putting solar panels on council buildings to raise £1 million-a-year by selling surplus electricity.

Other policies include officering a free advice service to help business cut their energy bills and access to loans from a credit union style fund.

They plan to invest a further £1 million in highways maintenance.

They also say they would save money by investing in facilities to teach special needs children where they are currently sent outside the county at great expense.

Coun Galton added: "We have a strong track record of holding the Tories to account over the past few years and we hope to make progress in the elections in May."

Some days are very sad and others are intensive – but they all add up to a job that Marie Hoy loves.

The 52-year-old is a senior clinical nurse at the neo-natal unit in the Kensington Building at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

It is a job she loves and which she has been doing for about 17 years.

Marie said: "I originally trained as a paediatric nurse in Derby and, after a break when I had my four children, I came on the bank of temporary nurses at the infirmary, then I was offered a job. I love it.

"All the very sick babies have one-to-one nursing, meaning there is a nurse that looks after just that one child.

"You constantly have to watch the monitors, which are checking everything on the patient. Then, you also have to constantly monitor the baby's blood and chemical activity.

"It is a 12-hour shift and, as you can imagine, some days are very busy and some can be very traumatic."

Marie and her team are responsible for caring for some of the smallest and sickest babies.

She said: "The tiniest have been born at 23 weeks – 17 weeks early – and are on the very edge of viability but most of them will go home.

"Years ago we would not have been able to save a 23-weeker.

"We have all got better at the job.

"Research is better, incubators are better and the ventilators are better.

"But it is still very difficult for the parents – it must be terrifying for them when the babies are so tiny and all the machines are there."

Marie also has to deal with babies who don't survive.

"If I didn't still get upset I wouldn't be here. But as a nurse, you can't be in floods of tears.

"You have to be there to support the parents and you have to maintain your professionalism.

"You can't be blasé, because there is always more to learn.

Although it is important not to get too close to patients, Marie said the delight of seeing a baby recovering and doing well could not be beaten.

She said: "When you see a baby breast-feeding when you never thought the day would come, it's wonderful.

"We go to a lot of Christenings and we do have a board with pictures which parents send, so we know how the babies are getting on."

It is a job Marie would not want to change.

She said: "I still enjoy it. I still like the excitement.

"It is always busy, but I love it."

Was your baby cared for by the neonatal team? You can leave a message of thanks here:

Leicester Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen insists prop Martin Castrogiovanni's move to Toulon could still go ahead.

This is despite the French club's president insisting any deal was "off".

Mourad Boudjellal fanned the flames of the long-running saga ahead of this weekend's Heineken Cup meeting between the two sides by saying that Tigers were treating Toulon like a "piggy bank" and that their financial demands had killed the move stone dead.

Boudjellal criticised Tigers' management of the situation and claimed excessive financial demands had ruined Castro's proposed three-year deal, despite the 31-year-old tight-head having agreed terms with the Top 14 giants.

The man who has made Toulon the richest club in world rugby told the La Province newspaper: "Martin Castrogiovanni is not within our means, it is clear.

"But Leicester are asking for too much money.

"They have seen Toulon as if it were a piggy bank, certainly to the detriment of the will of their player. Consequently, when we do not have sufficient finances to hire a player, we do not. And Toulon cannot afford Castrogiovanni.

"The case is closed. Castrogiovanni will not play in Toulon," he added.

But I understand the figures involved have not changed since the two clubs agreed a financial settlement for Castro's transfer several weeks ago.

And Cohen confirmed that, as far as Leicester were concerned, Castro could still be playing in Toulon next season, if the initial fee was met.

"We met with Mourad Boudjellal and we agreed a fee at that meeting," said Cohen.

"Toulon have been unable to complete the agreement but our position remains exactly the same.

"We have identified a replacement and, if Toulon are able to complete the agreement and the replacement player becomes available, we would still be able to release Castro.

"But, at the point in time at which the replacement we have identified signs elsewhere, we will then not be in a position to release Castro. If he does end up staying at Tigers, we will be happy because he is a great player and an icon of the club."

Should Tigers beat Toulon on Sunday, they will play a semi-final in Dublin if Ulster beat Saracens – or at Twickenham if the English side win. The tie will take place on Sunday, April 28.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson makes three changes to the side that lost 1-0 to Millwall on Friday.

Zac Whitbread comes in at centre-back alongside Michael Keane in place of Wes Morgan, who is serving a one-game ban following his red card against Millwall.

Andy King starts in central midfield instead of Danny Drinkwater, who is unwell, while Lloyd Dyer comes in on the left as Jeff Schlupp drops to the bench.

3 min: GOAL 1-0 It's a horror start for City as they are unable to get the ball out of their own half. Scott Wiseman breaks down the right and whips a ball across the face of the goal only for Michael Keane to turn it into his own net under pressure.

6 min: City have the chance to get back into the game with a free-kick 20 yards out, but Paul Konchesky blazes it over.

7 min: Barnsley have the ball in the net for a second time as Chris O'Grady finds Jason Scotland on the edge of the six-yard box. The striker peels away as he puts it past Kasper Schmiechel only to find the linesman's flag up.

21 min: City cannot get a foothold in the game and Barnsley pile on the pressure. Dyer is unable to clear a ball and Whitbread has to turn a driven cross behind for a corner. City cannot keep giving the ball away like this.

26 min: And City have their first shot on goal as Chris Wood fires a speculative shot along the ground from outside the area straight at Luke Steele.

28 min: Scotland has the ball played into him on the edge of the six-yard area. He turns Keane and fires a shot on target, but Schmeichel is up to it.

30 min: City just stand and watch as Stephen Dawson beats the offside trap after being played through one-on-one. He dinks it over Schmeichel but it drops wide. An early change for City as Liam Moore comes on for Ritchie De Laet.

37 min: City clear a free-kick but only as far as Jacob Mellis, who strikes it first time on the volley. The Barnsley fans think it's in but it's flown just wide.

40 min: GOAL 2-0 It's going from bad to worse for City now as Barnsley double their lead. The ball is played into Scotland on the edge of the area, he holds it up well before playing the ball round the corner to O'Grady who picks his spot and peels away in celebration.

H-T: Barnsley 2 City 0

49 min: PENALTY Yet again Schmeichel comes to City's rescue. Konchesky bundles over David Perkins and referee Andy D'Urso wastes no time in pointing to the spot. Scotland fires it low but the diving feet of the Dane keep it out.

54 min: Somehow, someway City are still only 2-0 down as Schmeichel keeps out first Cranie, then Scotland from point-blank range before Perkins has a go but is ruled offside. City are hanging on for dear life.

58 min: At the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's Schmeichel to the rescue again as he palms away a stinging shot from Dawson.

59 min: Wood collides with Steel on the edge of the area on the end of a long ball from Nugent. Wood gets there first but the bouncing ball is hooked clear off the line. Wood makes way for Schlupp.

71 min: Sub Ben Marshall crosses from the left flank and finds the head of Nugent, but the striker can't generate enough power.

75 min: A lovely bit of link-up play between Nugent and Schlupp sees the substitute force his way into the area as he tries to latch on to the pass but a fantastic last-ditch tackle from Scott Wiseman keeps him out.

77 min: City have the ball in the net when Schlupp fires home from close range but the linesman's flag is held high.

80 min: City go close again as a cross from Moore is flicked on by King to Nugent at the back post. The striker meets it well and only a sprawling Steele gets between City and their opening goal of the game.

85 min: Konchesky's cross is fumbled by Steele and Schlupp reacts quickest but his effort is cleared off the line.

88 min: It's a goalmouth scramble in the Barnsley box but the ball pinballs its way into the arms of Steele. It's not going to happen today.

89 min: Barnsley nearly make it 3-0 late on when O'Grady beats the offside trap. He tries to take it around Schmeichel but the City goalkeeper is up to the task and they can clear.

F-T: Barnsley 2 City 0

Barnsley manager David Flitcroft said his side "dominated" Leicester City in their 2-0 victory yesterday.

City got off to the worst possible start when Michael Keane put the ball into his own net in the third minute before Chris O'Grady doubled his side's lead just before half-time.

It could well have been more for the home side as Flitcroft's men had two goals disallowed as well as having a penalty saved by Kasper Schmeichel.

The victory sees Barnsley jump out of the relegation zone, while City remain in seventh.

Flitcroft said it was the best performance his side has given in his time as manager.

"I wouldn't have been embarrassed coming in here having beaten Leicester 5-0," he said.

"Our movement, the intricacy, the precision passing, wow, I wish people would have been watching that on television because they were brilliant.

"We could have been talking about five or six goals – that's how much we dominated Leicester.

"That was relentless – they couldn't play. We swarmed them and we swamped them but then we moved the ball that well, they couldn't get anywhere near us."

Flitcroft said it was great to see his side play such good football against a "quality" side.

"It's an honour to be a manager on a day like this," he said.

"You look at their side and they are a top team. They have ridiculous quality – Nugent, Knockaert. They are players that I want to watch.

"As a manager, when you see them on the television, right through the team, they are wonderful players. We didn't allow them to play but our football was just exhilarating.

"These top teams want to play you, they have got great players. We are talking about a Leicester team with outstanding individuals."

Takings for the annual Poppy Appeal across Leicestershire and Rutland are almost 10 per cent down on the previous year, organisers have said.

The Royal British Legion, which supports 300 ex-service personnel and their families in the county each year, had been hoping the 2012/13 appeal would raise more than £600,000.

However, community fund-raiser Giles Coleman said less than £500,000 had been collected so far.

The figure is down on the £526,000 raised in 2011/12, which was a record year for the appeal.

Mr Coleman said: "We think people are feeling the pinch. Figures are down by 10 per cent locally over the previous year, compared to an eight per cent dip nationally.

"However, this compares to a record year in 2011/12 when we celebrated our 90th anniversary. If we were comparing with a normal year, the drop is about three per cent."

The latest appeal, launched in October last year, has so far raised £455,792.41 in Leicestershire and £35,254.99 in Rutland.

Mr Coleman said there was still time for people to donate.

"Although the principal Poppy Appeal collecting is carried out in October and November, we are a 365-day a year charity," he said. "We are raising money from a various range of activities all the time until the end of our year on September 30.

"We rely heavily on our team of between 2,000 and 3,000 collectors. But some are having to retire through age and we are anxious to recruit more."

D-Day veteran and Poppy Appeal collector Eric Buckley said times were hard but praised the people of Leicester for their support. Eric, 88, who has stood on the same patch outside the Highcross shopping centre every year for the last seven years, said: "It is sad to hear collections are down. I must say, though, that I have always found the people in Leicester very responsive and very generous.

"I think it says a lot about this country that people still find the money to donate even in these troubled times.

"We need more collectors, but I will be out there every day for two weeks later in the year. It is a very rewarding job to do."

County Royal British Legion chaplain the Rev John Morley said lots of charities were struggling to raise funds.

The Rev Morley, who is also vice-chairman of the Market Harborough branch, said more collectors were needed.

"In the Harborough area we did well again last year," he said.

"But our collectors are getting on and some are not able to brave the rigours of the weather in October and November any more.

"We would like to hear from young people who would like to volunteer to be collectors.

"One company gave one employee a paid day off last year to be a collector. We would like to encourage more companies of thinking of doing the same thing."

People who want to get involved in raising funds locally for the Poppy Appeal can contact Mr Coleman by e-mail at:

gcoleman@britishlegion.org.uk

Martin Crowson looks at five key issues from the weekend.

1 Not only did Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill completely out-coach his Saints counterpart Jim Mallinder, he could have also pulled off a tactical masterstroke by making Toby Flood the captain. The 27-year-old skippered his second game on the trot and is 2-0 after wins over Exeter and the Saints. Instead of allowing Flood to lose confidence after a disappointing Six Nations, Cockerill has made him completely focus on the job in hand at his club – and Flood is clearly relishing the chance to lead from the front.

2 Tigers' 36-8 win over Saints at Franklin's Gardens was the club's biggest win over the Saints in a meaningful game. Previous highs were 43-4 win over the Saints in the Midland Merit Table, in 1979, and the 47-0 win in a friendly, in 1987. The four tries took Tigers to the top of the Premiership try-scoring charts with 44 and top of the try-bonus-point charts too. Nine points from their remaining three games will now secure a home semi-final in the play-offs too.

3 I thought one of the most exciting Aviva Premiership weekends of the season was greatly helped by some excellent refereeing. I am not sure whether a directive has been issued but they all seem to have got more lenient to the 'holding on' law at the ruck. This has enabled sides going forward to make the most of possession and, as a result, created some wonderfully entertaining rugby across the board. The likes of Greg Garner, JP Doyle and, dare I say it, Wayne Barnes (adopts tin hat) all played their part.

4 One of the biggest wastes of money you will ever see came in the form of sponsored banners left on every seat at a sold-out Franklin's Gardens which read: "Come on you Saints". The home side were hardly ever in the game and the poor old banners littered the stands after the game.

5 If hookER Tom Youngs recovers from his 'stinger' and prop Logovi'i Mulpiola suffers no ill-effect from his leg injury, Tigers will head to Toulon with a virtually full strength squad to choose from. For English teams to have any chance against the big-spending French sides, they need all of their big guns firing and Leicester will have their big guns not only fit, but in good form too.

Dozens of pallets at the rear of a food warehouse on an industrial estate were engulfed in flames during a fire.

The blaze broke out behind Yum Yum Sweets confectionery warehouse in Winston Avenue, in Croft, at about 8.45pm on Sunday.

Katrina Groom, who lives nearby, said: "I heard this almighty bang. I looked out and flames were shooting up.

"I don't think it took the firemen to long to put it out but they wanted to check it hadn't spread to any of the buildings."

Firefighters from Hinckley and Leicester's southern station tackled Sunday night's blaze wearing breathing equipment.

A third appliance from Hinckley was called to help with the firefighting operation.

Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service, which called in police, said it believed the fire was started deliberately.

The confectionery business was ordered to close last month after council inspectors found droppings, open food packages and a squirrel inside.

Health inspectors from Blaby District Council had forced its closure in June last year.

Bottle kicking madness gripped a quiet corner of Leicestershire once again yesterday as rival villages fought for honour and glory over a keg of ale.

Hundreds of people braved the cold to enjoy the rough but exhilarating annual Easter Monday spectacle of the Hallaton bottle kicking.

Two teams of villagers, from Hallaton and neighbouring Medbourne, wrestled each other in the mud for control of the "bottle".

The only rules were no gouging, strangling or weapons.

Rival camps joined spectators in Hallaton's Fox Inn for some pre-match refreshments before the centuries-old contest.

Bottle kicking veteran Gary Dann, 58, of Kibworth, said: "I've not taken part since my 20s, but come every year. It's a big social event which draws people in from as far as Australia."

First-timer Mandy Rooke, 49, of Market Harborough, said: "I'm here for the experience, really. My friends have been telling me all about it so I wanted to come along and see what I was missing."

The contest saw the Arnold family, from Oadby, divided, with Roy, 47, pitted against son Peter, 19.

Roy, who lined up with Hallaton, said: "I've got connections with Hallaton because my mother-in-law is cared for at the Manor Care Home, while Peter has mates in Medbourne.

"Injuries are quite common but rarely anything serious. If we bump into each other then we go for it just like everyone else. It's a tough game."

Peter said: "We've done it for six years now. Last year, when we won for the first time in five years, I got squished and sprained my knee."

Mum Ruth said: "I don't get nervous any more. They both play rugby and know the risks."

Mark Atkins, 50, who is visiting family in Leicestershire from his home in California, looked on in bemusement as the first bottle was tossed in the air.

"I don't know what to make of it, really," he said. "It just looks like one big scrum."

Bottle kicking is believed to hark back to England's pagan past, when hares were sacrificed to the goddess Eostre.

The event started with a parade through Medbourne and Hallaton.

Villagers carried a large hare pie and the three bottles – two kegs filled with beer and a third, the dummy, of solid wood painted red and white.

Each bottle is tossed in the air three times, signaling the start of the competition.

Parish priest, Reverend Richard Curtis, who led a morning service in St Michael's and All Angels to begin the festivities, said: "It's a traditional celebration to mark the end of Lent and Easter. It's great to see the tradition thriving."

Leicester City's dismal run continued as they produced a poor display against relegation-threatened Barnsley.

It was a performance which offered little light at the end of the tunnel for City's increasingly frustrated supporters.

The 2-0 reverse made it three consecutive defeats for the first time this season.

City have now picked up just two points from the last seven games and just one win in their last 11 games.

With Brighton, City's main rivals for sixth spot, due to play tonight it is possible they could be heading to the Amex Stadium next Saturday four points off a play-off spot and the promotion dream is starting to fade.

It isn't over yet, by any means. The fact that five games out of their final six are all against play-off rivals gives them plenty of opportunity to make in-roads into that deficit and dent their opponents' own aspirations.

However, on the evidence of this display, City will need a dramatic turnaround in form.

It is hard to think of a poorer 45 minutes this season than City produced in the first half.

Just two months ago, City were playing an attractive brand of free-flowing football but that has slowly eroded over the past 11 games to the point that it was non-existent at Oakwell.

This City team was unrecognisable to the side that was looking every inch promotion candidates, to the extent that you would have been forgiven in thinking it was Nigel Pearson's men who had just slipped into the bottom three and the Tykes were the team going for promotion.

Every City fan knew how important captain Wes Morgan was to this team and, if they didn't, they were certainly shown why that is the case in the first half.

City were all over the place defensively, off the pace in midfield and almost non-existent in attack.

They were repeatedly carved open by the hosts and fell behind after just three minutes when Scott Wiseman was allowed to burst forward from the back and his low cross into the box was turned into his own net by Michael Keane.

Jason Scotland was waiting at the far post, but not really putting the young defender under that much pressure.

It wasn't a one-off as it was becoming alarmingly easy for Barnsley to crack City open like an Easter egg and only poor finishing and good goalkeeping from captain Kasper Schmeichel prevented them from going further behind.

But then, five minutes before the break, Scotland sent Chris O'Grady free to slip the ball past Schmeichel for the second and City had a mountain to climb, especially as they showed absolutely nothing in attack, with Chris Wood being virtually a spectator.

As the half-time whistle blew, some of the 2,000 travelling City fans vented their frustration at their own players, which, while understandable, certainly wouldn't have helped the younger members of the side.

Pearson sent his troops back out early after what would have been a frank half-time team talk, but it made little difference as City were opened up five minutes later and David Perkins was brought down clumsily by Paul Konchesky.

Schmeichel came to City's rescue by saving Scotland's spot-kick with his feet.

City were becoming a one-man team as Schmeichel then made a great double save form Martin Cranie and Scotland.

The introduction of Jeff Schlupp in particular for the ineffectual Wood injected some life into City as they made a fist of the last half-an-hour. They will be scratching their heads as to how they didn't score as Schlupp was denied by a mixture of some great goalkeeping and then some desperate defending, while David Nugent found his spark and was only denied by a great save.

City did finally apply some pressure in the closing stages but to no avail and they have to lick their wounds quickly if they are to stop this season fading away from them.

Usually the romance is on the screen, but for sweethearts Elizabeth Pipona and Kostas Petrou, the real love story took place in the cinema aisle when he got down on one knee to propose.

The romantic 23-year-old planned the surprise at Meridian Park Vue cinema on Sunday, where the lovebirds had their first date six months ago.

Just as they were settling down to watch Jack the Giant Slayer, Elizabeth's favourite song started playing and the elaborate on-screen proposal began.

"The music started playing and then the words My Angel came on the screen and a picture of me as a little boy, then her as a little girl, and then they came together and it said 'We were destined to be together','' said Kostas. "There were more pictures that were little messages that I knew she would understand and then there was a video of me telling her how much I loved her and how much she means to me. And then, on the video, I said there was one thing left to ask her. I pulled her into the aisle, got down on one knee and asked her to marry me.

"Thankfully, she said yes!"

Elizabeth's family – who were also in the cinema wearing caps and dark glasses as disguises – screamed their congratulations.

The 23-year-old from Loughborough had no idea Kostas was going to propose.

"It was a complete surprise and I just kept asking him what was going on," said the beauty therapist. "Even when I saw the pictures I was just in such shock that it didn't really sink in. It was only when he got down one knee I really knew.

"I giggle when I get nervous, so I just kept giggling.

"I'm so happy. I can't believe he managed it and I can't stop looking at my ring."

Staff at the venue, where the couple saw Paranormal Activity on their first date last year, helped Kostas plan the surprise.

They opened up the screen half an hour early so no-one else was there – except for a few staff members who sneaked in to watch the romantic gesture unfold.

"They were so helpful and so nice and they didn't even charge us for the tickets," he said. "They really could not have been more helpful."

Following the excitement of the proposal the couple headed home for a family party rather than watching the film. They have already started planning the wedding, which will take place in 2015.

Kostas, who works in insolvency and lives in Birmingham, said: "I've never laughed as much as I have since I met her. I used to be shy, but I'm not any more."

Elizabeth said: "He'll kill me for saying it, but I love him because he has a tough outside, but he is really soft inside, especially when it comes to me."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has raised more than £15 million by selling off council-owned buildings and land in Leicester since he was elected, it has been revealed.

Leicester City Council released details of property transactions it has completed since the Labour mayor took office nearly two years ago, following a request from the Mercury.

The income from land and property sales will be put towards projects including Sir Peter's controversial decision to spend £4 million developing a new public plaza in St Nicholas' Place, as well as the £7 million redevelopment of the market.

Deals so far include a windfall of more than £13 million achieved through the sale of 51 acres of land in East Hamilton to a housing developer, for more than 350 homes to be built.

Sir Peter said further sales of undisclosed land and buildings which have already been agreed will bring in a further £8 million during the next two years.

"The Government is making savage cuts to the amount we have to spend but we have under-used assets we can make use of to bring in money for schemes that will create jobs and prosperity," he said.

Opposition councillors have questioned whether the mayor is getting value for money and whether he is spending the cash he has made wisely.

Land at the city's former velodrome site, off Saffron Lane, was sold for the nominal sum of £1, to a housing association which wants to build 100 social homes.

Sir Peter has spent £1.73 million acquiring buildings and land including, as previously reported in the Mercury, the Alderman Newton School – earmarked as a Richard III visitor centre – and the derelict Victorian Friar's Mill complex by the River Soar.

The money raised through sales is on top of the authority's annual £50 million-plus capital budget funded by Government grants and borrowing.

Sir Peter stressed the capital income would not be used to reduce cuts to the authority's day-to-day spending.

"You have to use these receipts to invest in the city," he said. "You cannot use them for the running costs of the council, because the value of the asset will be gone after 18 months and that shortchanges the city.

"The money will be put to good use supporting my economic action plan to create jobs. Some of the sales have unlocked disused land for much- needed housing. It is about getting the best for the city, which is not necessarily selling stuff off to property developers for the highest sum."

As well as the plans for the market and the public plaza, the council is spending £5.9 million on an innovation centre aimed at kick-starting the wider development of the city's science park off Abbey Lane.

Tory opposition councillor Ross Grant said he accepted there was a need to make money by selling surplus assets but questioned the mayor's priorities for using the money.

He said: "You can only sell these assets once, so it's vital the money is spent appropriately. Spending it on things such as Jubilee Square, which will cost millions, is a gamble because it's unproven what we will get back."

Coun Grant said there were important projects that were being overlooked.

He said: "I'm not sure these sales are being properly scrutinised to ensure they are the best deals.

"The mayor buys and sells and then informs councillors."

Liberal Democrat opposition councillor Nigel Porter said: "I'd be a bit worried that the mayor's selling at the bottom of the market and giving things away on the cheap to pay for his pet projects."

The council has not revealed details about any of the buyers.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said he would not shy away from the responsibility for his side's dismal run of form.

The 2-0 defeat at Barnsley yesterday meant City have now picked up just two points from their last seven games.

They have won just once in 11 games as their promotion hopes now hang in the balance.

City's run has led to more speculation about Pearson's position as manager, but he said he is fully concentrated on trying to get City back on track.

"I don't think performances like today help," he said when asked about his position after the Barnsley game. "There is no doubt about that.

"But if you are under the management side of football, you have to accept that you are going to come under pressure if performances and results continue to take a downward turn.

"I won't hide from that responsibility.

"We will have to wait and see on that, but my thoughts right now are on getting my players ready for the next game. That is how I have to work."

Pearson admitted his players have put themselves under intense pressure through their poor performances over the past two months and admits it is hard to watch his side struggle so badly after looking so strong earlier in the campaign.

"It was another poor performance and we have given ourselves a mountain to climb," he said.

"We started the game poorly and played with very little authority throughout the game.

"The hardest thing to witness is that a group of players who have shown some really good form this season, who are totally out of sorts and it is happening too often.

"We have worked hard to get in a very good position this season and then, over the last two months, we have put ourselves under an awful lot of pressure.

"It is a little bit concerning for me to see my players going through such a difficult period.

"The players are very despondent and I would fully expect them to be. The following we have home and away, for us to put on such a poor show at a crucial time of the season we have to, and I have to as manager, accept the criticism that comes our way.

"But we will do everything we can over the next few weeks to rectify the situation."

Cardiff ended their miserable run of form to beat Blackburn 3-0 and extend their lead at the top of the Championship to seven points. Malky Mackay's Cardiff had only won one of their last five games before the clash with Rovers at the City Stadium, but goals by Fraizer Campbell and Joe Mason either side of half-time and Peter Whittingham's injury-time penalty ended their dip in form and moved them further ahead of second-placed Hull, who play Watford today.

Matt Phillips' late goal saw 10-man Blackpool defeat promotion-hunting Crystal Palace at Bloomfield Road.

Phillips fired into the top corner from Tom Ince's pass to earn the Seasiders a late win after Barry Ferguson was sent off close to the end of the first half for his second bookable offence.

The result leaves fourth-placed Palace two points behind Watford and six behind Hull.

Lewis McGugan's last-gasp penalty salvaged a point for fifth-placed Nottingham Forest at Burnley.

Burnley took the lead in the second half through a deflected shot from Junior Stanislas before McGugan was given the chance to level things up when he was hauled down by Kevin Long.

The midfielder blasted the ball past Lee Grant to secure a 1-1 draw and keep his side two points clear of Brighton and three ahead of City.

Wolves gave their hopes of avoiding the drop a shot in the arm with a 3-2 win over local rivals Birmingham at St Andrew's.

Stephen Hunt found the net from inside the six-yard box in the 20th minute before two goals by Sylvan Ebanks-Blake, one from the penalty spot, saw Wolves take a three-goal lead at half-time.

After the break, Wade Elliott inspired a Birmingham fightback by scoring twice.

A series of "pop-up" shops are due to appear around the cathedral as part of a £1.1 million scheme to develop the Old Town area of the city.

The idea is to fill empty buildings around the Guildhall, Millstone Lane and Greyfriars with temporary businesses and restaurants.

The scheme, which is part of the city council's Connecting Leicester project, has been given £1.1 million of Heritage Lottery funding.

Leicester City Council will spend the next 12 months consulting with traders and gathering ideas for how to boost business within the district.

Then, in June 2014, the authority will help people establish "pop-up" shops – short-term businesses – in some of the disused buildings in the area.

Martin Traynor, chief executive of Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce, said: "I think it's a worthwhile experiment and gives people with an idea the opportunity to try out a business without committing to something like a five-year lease.

"It gives people experience of running a business, making sure properties are full and creates a buzz around the area."

During the 12-month consultation process, businesses will also be asked for suggestions on how the area can be improved.

Ideas already include pedestrianisation of streets and conservation and repairs to historic and listed buildings.

The Connecting Leicester project is concentrated on the Cathedral Guildhall conservation area – a 13-acre section of the city centre – which was rated as "at risk" by English Heritage last year.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This money will help restore Leicester's pride and its historic built environment. It will compliment the projects we are working on in the area as part of Connecting Leicester and help to tell the story of Leicester.

"The Old Town contains Leicester's finest collection of Georgian and early Victorian buildings, within streets dating back more than 300 years.

"I want more people to see these impressive buildings by opening up the Old Town area and helping it to flourish once again."

Leicester Civic Society chairman Stuart Bailey said: "This is very good news for Leicester.

"The Leicester Civic Society knew of – and supported – the council's bid, but had no idea whether it would be successful.

"Together with Jubilee Square and the market redevelopment, it will be a vital part in the mayor's vision."

In-form Leicester Tigers flanker Tom Croft thinks Sunday's much-awaited Heineken Cup quarter-final with Toulon will be like an "international for the club".

With so many of the players on show having earned Test caps for their various countries, and with so much on the line, the 27-year-old believes the game will match the intensity and high-pressure atmosphere of an international clash.

The Stade Felix Mayol is sold out for what will be the first competitive fixture between the two sides.

"We have a huge game coming up this weekend and it will be like an international for the club," said Croft, who was man of the match in Tigers' win against Northampton Saints last Saturday.

"They will come and throw everything at us. It's knock-out rugby from here on in, and we have to prepare for every eventuality with how the game might pan out.

"We have a longer turnaround from the Saints game because we play Toulon on the Sunday and that will enable us to get our bodies right.

"And we have to get it right against a side like that.

"It's not about individuals and who they have got. It's about training and preparing as we did last week, and not changing what we do because of who we are playing."

Croft was part of a sensational Tigers display that produced a 36-8 win against local rivals Northampton.

But he says the squad will have to further improve their performance if, as underdogs, they are going to come back from the south of France with a memorable win.

"We can't rest on a good performance at Northampton," he said. "We are going to have to improve, and we can improve.

"We will actually train harder this week because of what this game means to us.

"There are a few scrummaging issues we can sort out and make sure that our line-out is a bit sharper.

"It's going to be a massive challenge for us and it will be our biggest game of the season."

Tigers will return to Aviva Premiership action after the Toulon game with the visit of Wasps to Welford Road on Sunday, April 14, at 3.45. A limited number of tickets are still available for the game.

Ambulance bosses are investigating why it took four hours to respond to a call involving a woman who later died from a drugs overdose.

They are also looking into an incident involving someone who attempted to hang themselves at a magistrates' court. They later died.

They are two of 27 investigations being carried out into serious incidents across the East Midlands. The first, in February, involved a 61-year-old woman who was reported to have taken a drugs overdose, but an ambulance crew did not reach her for four hours.

An inquest into her death is to be held in the future.

The second incident, last December, involved a patient who tried to hang themselves at a magistrates' court.

In a report, Karen Glover, Emas' director of nursing and quality, said the crew which responded to the call had inserted a breathing tube – to help revive the patient – down the patient's oesophagus, instead of the wind pipe. The report states there were 53 serious incidents in which 13 people died between April 1 last year and the end of February this year.

In a statement, Emas said: "In the year to date, Emas crews have responded to more than 550,000 emergency calls.

"The number of serious incidents reported equates to 0.009 per cent, or a serious incident every 10,377 jobs."

He said staff are encouraged to report incidents "so we can learn from near-miss, as well as actual harm incidents, and action can be taken to avoid any future harm".

The spokesman said: "We proactively publish this type of detail in order to be a transparent organisation which can learn from mistakes and accidents.

"Many of the incidents in question relate to a delayed response to 999 calls.

"Our Being the Best plans will help improve the speed at which we respond."

Dr Mike Pepperman is a former member of the health watchdog, the Leicester Local Involvement Network, which has been replaced by Health Watch.

He said: "Any incident is unfortunate and no-one wants them. However, the most important thing is that staff report any incident and it is investigated.

"It is also important that each is looked at as critically as it can be."

Zuffar Haq, of the Leicester Mercury Patients' Panel, said: "I am very worried about some of these incidents and poor performance."

He encouraged people to speak up if they experienced poor performance.

He said: "They should complain if they find that they feel the service isn't getting to them on time."

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is destined for the Premier League, believes Barnsley manager David Flitcroft.

The Dane was one of very few shining lights for City in their 2-0 defeat at Oakwell on Monday – and without him between sticks they could well have lost by more.

He was on hand to deny the Barnsley strikers on numerous occasions, including saving Jason Scotland's penalty at the start of the second half.

This was the third time Schmeichel has saved from the spot this season after his heroics against Middlesbrough and Brighton.

These have come from a total of seven spot-kicks faced – five in the Championship, one in the FA Cup and one in the Capital One Cup.

Flitcroft said he wasn't disappointed with Scotland's miss because of the quality of the man he was up against.

"Any other keeper then, yes, I would probably have been disappointed," he said. "But not against Kasper because he is an incredible keeper.

"He will play in the Premier League. He is an outstanding goalkeeper and he is at the top of his game.

"Sometimes when you are stood in front of him he can be quite dominating because of who he is.

"He is getting the respect he deserves now and is arguably the best keeper in the league so sometimes when you see that, mentally, it can have an effect."

Schmeichel played in the English top flight eight times during his time at Manchester City, where he joined as a trainee.

Since then he has played most of his football in lower divisions at Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff, Coventry, Notts County and Leeds before his move to the King Power Stadium in 2011.

In the absence of the suspended Wes Morgan, Schmeichel wore the captain's armband for Monday's game. He is now the only City player to have played every minute of every league and cup game this season.

City manager Nigel Pearson also praised his goalkeeper's performance.

"Kasper is always very committed," said Pearson. "At 2-0, to save a penalty which really would have put the game miles out of reach, it gave us the type of nudge that we needed.

Jacob Blyth scored two goals as Leicester City under-21s beat Derby County 3-0 at Belvoir Drive.

Michael Cain opened the scoring in the 57th minute before Blyth got on the end of a Martyn Waghorn free-kick to make it 2-0.

Blyth put the game to bed in the 90th minute.