While doctors and nurses at the neonatal unit focus their attention on the medical needs of the tiny patients, there is also someone looking out for the parents.

Lesley Meachem has been a family support worker for about six years – first at Leicester Royal Infirmary and now at Leicester General Hospital.

She is one of three people whose job is to give help and support to the parents of some of the 1,000-plus babies who are born prematurely or need specialist care each year at Leicester's hospitals.

It is a part-time job and she is paid by the Leicestershire charity Adapt.

Lesley said: "I love it. I love talking to the parents and helping them.

"The medical team is there for the baby but I am there for the parents.

"There are three of us who are family support workers. I am based in the special care baby unit at Leicester General Hospital, while there is a colleague at Leicester Royal Infirmary and one working in the community."

As well as providing support to parents whose children are in hospital, the charity runs a number of parent and baby groups, including one on the first Wednesday of every month at the neonatal unit at the infirmary.

Lesley said: "It is always a great success and it gives parents with babies on the unit the chance to meet up with those who have come through the experience.

"People think we are part of the unit, but the charity pays for us and, with the committee, we raise all the money ourselves."

One of the first things Lesley, a former neonatal nurse, does when a new patient arrives is to introduce herself.

She will then give the parents a specially-made baby pack.

It includes an emergency supply of little nappies, a teddy bear and knitted comforters.

Lesley said: "It is all about letting them know we are there.

"Not everyone needs support but we can help just by being there as someone parents can talk to, and we can help those, for example, needing financial help.

"It can be difficult at times. We support parents whose babies don't make it.

"Then there are those we get to know very well because often the babies can be on the unit for weeks, even months.

"The over-riding joy is when we see the babies go home and I am still in touch with some of the parents I have known for five or six years.

"One of the most wonderful things we do is host a Christmas party. Some people come back year after year and it is lovely to see the families in more normal situations."

Lesley, who is married with two grown-up sons, is the first to admit the charity is now part and parcel of her life. Her garage is full of things that have been collected and will be sold to raise money for the charity.

The 53-year-old, who lives in Birstall, said: "I totally take the job home with me.

"We all help to raise funds and Adapt is part of all our lives and there is so much support between members."

To donate to Adapt or for more information, go to the Facebook social media site at:

www.facebook.com/ ADAPTPrem

www.prembabies.co.uk

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

We will print as many as we can in the paper and online.

He was sad and soggy when he arrived at the RSPCA centre last year, but now Cedric has been nursed back to health and is in need of a loving new home.

The springer spaniel wandered into the reception at Woodside Animal Centre, in Braunstone Frith, during a dramatic thunder storm on December 30.

Reception supervisor Iain Dilley said: "He was wringing wet, just skin and bones. We think he was dumped at the top of the road."

Cedric is believed to be about 10 years old but is "happy and waggy and has lots to give.

"He just needs a new home to see out his twilight years, but he is not an old man," said Iain.

"He is deaf but it only means he needs to be addressed from the front, and kept on an extender lead for walks."

Cedric loves children and would be ideal for a home with youngsters aged five and over. He can go to a house with other dogs and also cats.

To adopt Cedric or another pet from the RSPCA in Leicester, visit Woodside Animal Centre in Scudamore Road, or call 0116 233 6677.

For more information, visit: www.rspcaleicester.org.uk

Tiny Dot the lamb just loves snuggling up in a sock, a boot or even a cosy pocket.

Born on a freezing Easter Sunday morning at Willow Lea Farm, in Willey, near Lutterworth, she was the smallest of three triplets, and was, sadly, the only one to survive.

Weighing in at only 700g – just over 1.5lbs – the pint-sized pedigree ball of wool was so small and weak she could not reach her mother's udder and has had to be hand-reared by owner Cathy Cassie.

Cathy said: "Because she was so small and it was bitterly cold we had to act fast to keep her warm and fed. We took her into our home and wrapped her in a sock. She now sleeps in a box next to a radiator.

"When I am out on the farm I keep her snug in a pocket of a jacket."

Dot, or Knightly Dot to give her pedigree name, is a North Ronaldsay lamb, an endangered breed from the Orkney islands, off the north of Scotland.

There are about 3,700 of the small, stocky animals on the islands, where they live on the beaches and feed for most of the year on seaweed.

Dot is small even by the breed's standards, weighing about half what she should have been when born.

However, after a couple of days of bottle-feeding by Cathy and her family, she has put on 100g. Once Dot has gained enough weight and strength, she will be allowed out on to the farm to join the other lambs.

Cathy said: "Dot was the only one of the triplets to survive. We took her away from her mother to feed her, but now her mother is no longer interested in her.

"That means Dot is having regular bottle feeds. She is finding her feet, wagging her tail and is beginning to explore the farm."

Cathy, 44, and husband, Darren, 40, are leading lights in the North Ronaldsay Fellowship, a nationwide group of breeders, having kept the breed for 18 years.

Cathy said: "They are an endangered breed but their wool is prized by spinners because it is soft and durable."

A small 50g ball of North Ronaldsay wool sells for £6.

"There is also a niche market for their delicious meat, particularly in London, which is popular because of the flavour given by their diet and the fact they take longer to mature than other breeds," said Cathy.

Dot has now become one of the family. "There is no possibility she will go for meat," said Cathy. "We will keep her for her wool and breed her."

Children Cameron, 13, and Eleanor, 10, love the latest addition to the household.

Eleanor said: "She is so lovely, I love playing with her. She is so small, I love to cuddle her. She also walks funny, like she is on stilts."

Money to draw up detailed plans for a revamp of the area outside Leicester Cathedral has been approved by the mayor.

Church leaders and the city council are working together on a £3 million project to develop Cathedral Gardens.

The council has agreed to provide £150,000 so plans and other documents can be completed by July, when the cathedral is expecting decisions on its funding applications for the bulk of the projects costs.

The scheme could be completed by next spring, in time for the opening of the Richard III visitor centre, opposite the cathedral, and the reburial of the monarch's remains.

A further £77,000 has been agreed to bring forward work to pedestrianise and improve St Martins and Peacock Lane, along with £33,000 for related project management costs.

Sir Peter said: "By funding this preliminary work now, the project teams will be in the best possible position to complete in time for the opening of the visitor centre.

"We can't afford to miss this unique opportunity to create something the whole city can enjoy and be proud of.

"These projects will provide a wonderful setting for our cathedral and help to make this historic area an even more attractive destination for visitors."

Leicester Civic Society opposed elements of the scheme, such as the near removal of a grade II-listed wall, but planning permission was granted.

Acting Dean of Leicester Cathedral, Canon Barry Naylor, said: "We are delighted and thankful the city council is helping move the Cathedral Gardens project forward quickly.

"This will transform an area which had become a bit of a backwater into an oasis of peace, that is much more welcoming to visitors."

A 70-year-old man was knocked to the ground by two thugs who stole his wallet.

The victim was assaulted from behind in Broom Leys Road, Coalville, at 11.30pm on Friday.

He was able to walk home but was later taken to hospital, where he was treated for cuts and bruises.

Detective Constable Julia Newton said: "This was a nasty incident involving an elderly man who had been out enjoying a night at the pub.

"I am hoping there may be someone who saw something which can help bring those responsible before the courts."

Manager Nigel Pearson says he fully understands the Leicester City fans' frustration.

City's woeful run of form continued with a 2-0 defeat at Barnsley on Monday. They have taken just two points from the last 21 on offer, and have won only one game since the end of January.

The City players were subjected to a tirade of boos as they trudged down the tunnel at half-time at Oakwell, with some travelling fans rushing to the front of the stand to show their disapproval.

But while boos still rang out at full-time, many of the 2,000 visiting supporters applauded Pearson and his men as they walked off the pitch, despite having suffered their third defeat on the bounce.

"I totally understand the frustration of the fans," said Pearson. "Our following at home and away has been exceptionally good and they are frustrated.

"I think this is one of the problems that clubs like ourselves have, dealing with the expectations sometimes has been probably the biggest hindrance for us.

"But, having said that, we are where we are now, and we have got six games left.

"Our recent run has been awful, there is no getting away from that, but as I have said on many occasions before, it is about working hard, that is how you get success."

Pearson admitted his side missed the presence of key players like Wes Morgan and Danny Drinkwater at Barnsley.

Club captain Morgan had been an ever-present during his side's Championship campaign this season until the red card he picked up against Millwall ruled him out of Monday's clash.

Drinkwater had also featured in all of City's league fixtures but missed out because of a chest infection.

"No doubt we missed Wes," said Pearson. "I would have liked to have thought we wouldn't have missed him as much but we did.

"Danny was close to being involved but, on the back of the fact we played a game relatively close to this one, I wanted to freshen it up.

"With injuries that is one thing, you can judge the risk factor a little bit more easily, but with a chest infection it is slightly different.

"He has been a very important player for us this season and a player we can ill afford to lose through pushing him back too quickly."

Both players should be available for City's trip to Brighton on Saturday with Morgan's suspension having been served and Drinkwater recovering well from his illness.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed he has the full backing of the club's owners in the wake of speculation about his job being under threat.

A report in the Daily Mirror today claimed that Pearson would be shown the door before City's trip to Brighton on Saturday.

The City boss said he was aware of the speculation.

"We've got to get down to Brighton so we will be leaving before Saturday but the only journey I'll be making is on the team coach with the team," said Pearson.

"I am aware of the speculation because people make me aware of it but I don't spend time trawling papers to find out what those views are because I don't think there is any mileage in me doing that.

"That's the nature of the beast when you work in football management, it's going to happen at some point. It has happened at numerous points throughout this season.

"I am philosophical about the fact that there are going to be a lot of questions asked and the only way we can put that right is by starting to win games again."

Pearson was appointed as City manager by owners Aiyawatt and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha in November 2011 after the sacking of Sven-Göran Eriksson.

"They have been very supportive as they always are," said Pearson.

"I have had contact (with the owners). They are good people, they have invested an awful lot in this club, and that's not just finances, and for sure, they will be wanting better results than we have had at the moment.

"But I know that I have their support and that is really all that is important to me.

"I am in contact with my bosses and I know my own situation and I also know that they have been very supportive throughout the season.

But Pearson refused to give any details.

"But what we discuss behind closed doors I think needs to remain there," he said.

"I don't think there is any need for me to respond to any speculation in the media apart from me to say that all I will be doing is doing everything I can, along with the players, to make sure we finish the season well.

"The important thing is getting back to dealing with what we can affect. We have got to try and distance ourselves from anything external because ultimately, the reason that we are talking about this, is because we have not won enough games.

"If we do that, maybe, some of the speculation might stop."

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The party will be overseen by the head Goals' coaching staff that can organise the chaos while the parents relax in our Lounge. The coaching session will include soccer skills and new tricks with a match at the end including the drama of a penalty shoot out to finish the days play. At the end of the football session all children attending the party will receive individual match medals & certificates to take home along with their party bags.

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Toulon will be under intense pressure to live up to their tag as favourites in Sunday's huge Heineken Cup quarter-final.

That is the view of Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs, who says his side will thoroughly enjoy being in the rare position of underdogs for the trip to the Stade Felix Mayol.

Bookies have been offering 4-1 against a Tigers win, and Youngs says it will be a nice experience to play a team who have a "target on their heads".

"You look at their squad and you wonder whether you are playing the Barbarians at times," said the 23-year-old. "It's like fantasy rugby!

"For us, for the first time in a while, we are going into a game as underdogs, and that is a great situation to be in because nobody is expecting us to win.

"When we play Premiership games, we have a target on our heads because it is a cup game for teams that play us.

"The pressure is usually on to win every game, and teams come flying out of the traps.

"Well, Toulon have that reputation of everyone wanting to beat them and, this weekend, they are at home and the pressure is on them to get a win because they are glittered with stars.

"We have huge respect for them, but let's see how they go when the pressure is on them against a side that can match their scrum, their line-out and have a set of backs that can cause them problems if we get it right.

"We have to dig in but the pressure is off us.

"We can chuck the kitchen sink at them and see where we are after 80 minutes.

"We have huge belief within this squad and we are looking forward to going out there and taking it to them.

"It's a one-off game and it is our biggest game of the season."

Tigers will need to silence the passionate Stade Felix Mayol crowd if they are to return with a memorable victory.

While the 15,000-capacity stadium can create one of the most intimidating atmospheres in Europe, Youngs says the vast majority of the Leicester squad have the experience to deal with such a test.

"We have to make sure that we enjoy the day," he said.

"There will be drums, chants and noise and it will be a great place to play, but there is a bigger capacity at Welford Road and many of the guys in our squad have played in international fixtures and World Cups.

"There was more pressure on myself and the other England players in Cardiff the other week than there will be on Sunday.

"The big message is do not become rabbits in the headlights. Look at their team, but don't be overawed by their team-sheet.

"Let's give it a crack and see where we go.

"These are the games we want to play in."

A man was caught growing cannabis in his home after police noticed it was the only house in the street with no snow on the roof.

Officers found 431 illegal plants growing in Tu H Ma's house in Shottens Close, Beaumont Leys, Leicester, on January 25.

They also discovered heat lamps, and the loft space had been converted to hold extraction equipment.

Ma (54), who was living with his second wife and two young children, admitted producing the class B drug and was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday.

John Hallissey, prosecuting, said police went to the premises as all the other roofs in the street were covered in snow and there was a pungent aroma of cannabis outside.

The defendant and his family were sharing one bedroom, while two other bedrooms had been converted to grow cannabis.

Mr Hallissey told the court: "It was a professional set up.

"There were far more plants than could be fully grown on the premises."

The court heard there was an estimated yield of 4.75kg, with a wholesale value of £14,000.

However, the harvest from several crops could have had an annual street value of up to £108,000 a year.

Probation officer Paul Yates gave a verbal pre-sentence report in court.

He said Ma, a Vietnamese refugee, came to the UK in 1987 and obtained British citizenship in 1995.

Mr Yates said the defendant was unable to pay his first wife a £28,500 divorce settlement and borrowed the money from a contact in his community.

After that, he was under pressure to repay the debt.

Mr Yates said: "It was suggested he could repay it by way of allowing his property to be used for the activities described. He agreed to have the equipment installed in his property and to supervise it, by tending to the crop through three cycles.

"He says he's never used cannabis and initially resisted. He depicted himself as someone driven to this course of action through desperation."

Jasmine Kumar, mitigating, said Ma was employed part-time in the kitchen of a takeaway.

She said: "He provides a caring role to his children."

If he was jailed, his wife's job as a carer would be in jeopardy, she said.

Sentencing, Recorder Richard Swain said: "It's said it was to pay off a debt and pressure was imposed to carry out this unlawful trade. Cannabis was grown by you in a house occupied by two young children, aged nine and six."

A woman tried to murder her frail 97-year-old mother during a row about whether they were having Christmas dinner together.

Julie Faulkner (67) was jailed for five years at Leicester Crown Court yesterday after admitting the attack.

The court heard she pushed a cushion into her mother's face and told her: "You've lived too long and you're a nuisance."

The victim, who had mobility problems but was mentally alert, was in a chair at her sheltered accommodation flat in Blaby when the attempt was made to smother her, on December 23.

An argument erupted when the victim asked whether Faulkner would be cooking their Christmas dinner or if a carer would be delivering a meal.

Faulkner, who had been drinking brandy, pulled her mother's favourite cushion from behind her head and held it on her face.

The victim bravely fought her off.

Dawn Pritchard, prosecuting, said the mother activated an emergency alarm on her bracelet, which connected with a call handler.

"Much of the commotion could be heard by the person answering," she said.

"The handler was able to speak to the defendant, who was present. Faulkner said she needed the police."

The defendant told the handler: "I put a pillow on her head, like she asked me to do. Goodnight."

"The operator asked her to clarify what she'd said and it was repeated," Miss Pritchard said. "Then she told the operator 'Go to hell'."

Miss Pritchard said the victim was shaken and had suffered a cut to her nose.

"She described her daughter as being drunk, something she often was. She told officers her daughter had made a mess of her life because of drink, but had never hurt her before."

Miss Pritchard said the victim had no history of dementia or mental illness.

She had a number of carers, including her granddaughter, and the defendant, who visited two evenings a week and would cook her Sunday lunch, as she had on the day of the attack.

Faulkner, who lived nearby in Sycamore Street, Blaby, admitted attempted murder.

When arrested at home, the defendant told officers: "I only did what she wanted me to.

"I promised her when it got too bad I'd put a pillow on her face.

"You try looking after a 97-year-old who is going out of her brains."

The court heard the victim no longer wanted to see her daughter and has changed her locks, but would accept telephone contact.

Miss Pritchard said: "She'd like to know why her daughter did this to her. She also wants her favourite cushion back."

The cushion is currently in the possession of the police.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert said: "The fact your mother was so vulnerable and you were in a position of trust and power over her is an aggravating feature.

"The act of trying to smother her was brief and not persisted with. I accept it wasn't planned.

"There's no evidence she suffered any lasting physical or psychological harm."

Alwyn Jones, mitigating, said the case was "a tragedy" as the mother and daughter had previously had a strong bond.

He said Faulkner, who had no previous convictions, was remorseful and had described her actions as "losing control".

Mr Jones said: "It wasn't a case of gain and there's no suggestion of any financial motive."

He said Faulkner's daughter believed alcohol problems had affected the defendant's mental health and that she "struggled with the slightest stress".

Mr Jones said: "She was finding it hard to cope up to and during this incident.

"She admits she had had a brandy, as she would normally during the course of the day."

Faulkner has been in custody since her arrest.

Mr Jones said she was finding it difficult to adjust to life in prison because of the difference in age compared with most of the inmates.