Paralysed fund-raiser Claire Lomas is half-way through her epic 22-day journey around England.

Having cycled about 200 miles on her hand-powered bike, Claire, who walked the London Marathon in 17 days last year using a Rewalk suit, said she could do with a lie-in.

She said: "It's going really well and all to plan, which is great.

"I'm managing to keep going and it's good to be half-way but it feels like there's still a lot left to go.

"I'd love to just have a lie-in, though."

Claire, of Eye Kettleby, set off from Nottingham on April 22.

Her trip has taken her to Leicester, Peterborough, Huntingdon and Cambridge.

She was due to arrive in Oxford today. After that she will head towards London, where the journey ends on May 13.

For the last leg of the trip, Claire will be joined by former Spice Girl Mel C.

Along the way, she has been welcomed to towns and cities by members of the public.

Her aims are to raise money for spinal research and to inspire people along the way.

Marriott hotels along the route have been providing her with free accommodation.

On Friday, the Marriott in Peterborough hosted a charity night which raised about £1,200 for the fund, which now stands at more than £47,000.

The cash will be split between Spinal Research and The Nicholls Foundation. On her trip, Claire has also met hundreds of pupils at more than a dozen schools, including Humphrey Perkins, in Barrow upon Soar, English Martyrs, in Anstey Lane, Leicester, and Ashfield Academy in Evington, Leicester.

She has been giving talks and demonstrating her Rewalk suit to the pupils.

Claire said: "We've been to lots of schools and all the kids are really responding well to it.

"I went to a special school the other day and they were brilliant there.

"They were all really excitable and really loved the Rewalk suit."

To support Claire's challenge, text "LEGS60 £3" to 70070, to donate £3.

Alternatively, visit the website:

www.claireschallenge.co.uk

Tomorrow, Leicestershire's election candidates will know whether six weeks of slogging on the campaign trail will have been worth it or not.

After a final push for votes yesterday, all that will be left for them to do is sit back and watch the ballot papers being counted.

The Tories currently hold the balance of power at County Hall with 33 of the 55 seats, but it is unclear how many of their core supporters will drift over to UKIP.

The two parties have been engaged in an often bitter campaign across the country.

Here in Leicestershire, insults have been traded face-to-face, in leaflets and on social media.

One of the most heated campaigns has been fought in the Markfield, Thornton division, where former Conservative county council leader David Sprason, now with UKIP, is looking to hold his seat against Tory candidate Peter Bedford.

Labour's Tom Neilson and Liberal Democrat Dianne Finney have fought quieter campaigns.

A number of high-profile sitting councillors are defending slender majorities from the last election.

Loughborough South was taken by the Tories in 2009 from Labour, but by just 25 votes.

Conservative councillor for the division, David Slater, the leader of Charnwood Borough Council, has faced a strong challenge from Labour's Robert Sharp, who is hoping to add to their tally of four seats at County Hall.

The Liberal Democrats, currently the main opposition group with 14 councillors, are hoping their candidate for the Market Harborough West and Foxton division will be able to take it from Conservative cabinet member Blake Pain, who holds a majority of just eight votes.

Across town in Harborough East, Liberal Democrat group deputy leader Sarah Hill is defending a majority of just 27 votes from the Conservatives.

Another seat of interest is Leicester Forest East and Kirby Muxloe, which is being vacated by former Tory council leader David Parsons, who quit after being censured over his European travel expenses.

The seat, traditionally a Tory stronghold, has been contested by Conservative deputy council leader Richard Blunt.

Coun Blunt, the leader of North West Leicestershire District Council, has given up the Ibstock and Appleby Magna seat, which Labour is hoping to regain.

Labour, seeking to become the largest opposition party, also has hopes of dislodging Coalville member Graham Partner, who won the seat for the BNP in 2009.

Coun Partner has been sitting as an independent but is standing for the English Democrats this time round.

Professor of local politics at De Montfort University, Colin Copus, said he thought national political trends would play a huge factor in the results.

He said: "Some councillors will win or lose their seats almost irrespective of what they or their councils have done. A lot of people will be voting for or against the Government.

"It's a bit sad because, though some people will be looking to send a message to Westminster, what we are actually doing is determining who will run the local council."

The election counts are due to begin at 11.30am.

Leicester City fans should travel to Nottingham Forest in hope because anything can happen on the final day of the season, says former City striker Alan Young.

City must beat Forest at the City Ground and hope Bolton fail to beat Blackpool at the Reebok Stadium to snatch a Championship play-off spot.

Crystal Palace's draw at Millwall on Tuesday means there is just one spot left for City to claim.

While the odds are stacked against them, Young doesn't write off a shock outcome.

City haven't won a league game at the City Ground for 41 years and Bolton are currently on a good run of form.

It means there are long odds on Nigel Pearson's men progressing into the play-offs, but it is not impossible.

And Young believes the officials could have a major say in City's ultimate destiny on Saturday.

"My glass is still half full and anything can happen at this stage of the season," said Young, who releases his autobiography, entitled Youngy, later this month.

"They have to go to the City Ground ready for one of the biggest battles of their life.

"There are going to be nerves but as Jock (Wallace) said to us 'it's good to be nervous, but nervous excitement'. That would get you through the game.

"I don't go with stats. I know we haven't won there for a long time but Forest hadn't won in Millwall for a million years and they went and won there last week.

"It is a game of football that lasts 90 minutes between two teams of 11 and with three guys in black, who will dictate how that game will go.

"There are all kinds of things that can happen. There could be a dodgy offside, a penalty, a bad tackle, someone sent off, someone hits the bar and it could go in or bounce out. The margins will be so fine.

"There are many scenarios and you just hope some of them are going to work for yourself.

"City need things to happen elsewhere, but they can happen.

"Can you imagine what will happen if the news filters through that Bolton are losing to Blackpool? The place will go mad.

"They still have to beat Forest and they have to focus on that and take it from there."

The former City striker's book, Youngy, doesn't just focus on the good times of his playing career, including his successful spell with the club.

Young also offers valuable insight and moments of perception and understanding of some of the darkest days of his life.

Youngy is written in conjunction with Simon Kimber, assistant editor of the Fox Fanzine, and is released on Tuesday.

Developers of the revamped Silver Arcade were due to give city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby a tour of the new complex today.

It comes as owners, Lukegate, hope to attract traders to the Victorian arcade, which has undergone a £3 million transformation.

The grade II-listed city landmark has 20 business units available.

Work to the four-storey complex has included installing a new glass roof, lifts and shop fronts.

Martin Herbert, director at the Leicester branch of property consultant Lambert Smith Hampton, which is marketing the arcade, said: "There is huge interest locally for what has always been an iconic building within the city.

"We are already in discussions with some retailers for upper floor units, involving such uses as designer clothing and home interiors, but would welcome further expressions of interest from any party that can add to the vibrancy this scheme will no doubt bring to the city centre, and which the building deserves."

The area surrounding the arcade has also been developed, with a £300,000 project to upgrade the road and pavements unveiled earlier this week.

Silver Street – which links High Street to the cafes, boutiques and independent shops of The Lanes and St Martin's – now features a terracotta-coloured asphalt road surface.

Today, Sir Peter was due to be given a tour of the arcade – which has stood empty for more than a decade.

He said: "Silver Arcade is another of Leicester's gems – and I'm delighted it has been polished so beautifully.

"I'm also pleased we have been able to ensure the area looks its best by completing the refurbishment of Silver Street in time for the arcade's re-launch."

The arcade was initially due to reopen in December 2012, but the launch was delayed as the units had not been filled.

A new opening date is set to be announced today.

Before the arcade closed in 2001, it was home to shops including The Black Cat Book Shop, the Corner Tea House and Groovy Gifts.

City centre director Sarah Harrison said she hoped the revamped arcade would be able to recapture its former magic.

She said: "It is beautiful, with such attention to detail. We need to get this filled for the good of the city, with great independent shops that complement the existing ones in The Lanes – not relocate them."

The Silver Arcade was built in the 19th century by architect Amos Hall, and is one of only two four-storey shopping arcades in the UK. Amos Hall also designed and built the Grand Hotel, in Granby Street, which was constructed between 1897 and 1898.

Major delays are expected around Fosse Park during the May half-term as roadworks take place to install a gas main.

Bosses at the retail park have called on the county council to reschedule the work, saying it is a key trading time for business as the end of the month is when most people are paid.

However, the council has said the work should take place during the holiday week, when traffic volume is usually lower.

The work, which starts on Saturday, May 25 and is due to take a week to complete, will take place on the junction 21 approach section of the A5460, which links the M1 and M69 motorways to the Asda/ Fosse Park roundabout.

Lanes will be closed off to allow engineers to lay the pipe beneath the carriageway.

It is part of a wider scheme by British Gas to install the gas main, which will see work starting on a slip road off Narborough Road on Tuesday.

Fosse Park manager Adrian Young, who contacted the council's highways department to ask officers to rethink their timing of the scheme, said: "The end of the month is payday and a very significant trading time for us – and all businesses in the UK.

"They couldn't have picked a worse time to carry out the work.

"It's never going to be convenient, but if they could move it to the middle of the month that would help."

Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce chairman Martin Traynor agreed the work would have an impact on business. He said: "Fosse Park is the second most successful out-of-town shopping centre in Europe – the Marks & Spencer and Next stores there are the highest turnover branches for their companies in the UK.

"So you can see that any disruptions would have huge implications on business."

Drivers will be severely affected by the lane restrictions during half-term, said Terry Kirby, chairman of the Campaign for Better Transport group.

He said: "This is going to affect a lot of people. That area is a nightmare anyway, all you need is a small incident and it turns into gridlock – absolute chaos."

County council bosses said they had carefully considered the impact the lane closures would have on traffic.

A spokeswoman said: "We have considered all road users and, with the large volume of traffic entering the area from junction 21 at peak times, it has been decided work on the A5460 will take place over the half-term week, when traffic volume is usually lower.

"We would like to thank motorists for their patience while work is carried out and advise alternative routes if at all possible."

Leicester City have been urged to evoke the spirit of the 1996 team in their quest for a play-off place.

Steve Walsh, a member of that side, believes City can upset the odds by beating Nottingham Forest on Saturday and hope other results go their way – and the omens certainly suggest it could happen.

The same thing happened on May 5, 1996, when City went to Watford and won 1-0 with a Muzzy Izzet goal.

City went on to win the play-off final with a Steve Claridge goal at Wembley against Crystal Palace – another possibility this time around.

Walsh was City's centre-half in the clash with Watford at Vicarage Road in 1996.

He said: "There was massive pressure going into that game because we knew we had to win and other results go for us, and Watford was a tough place to go.

"But we had been on a good run going into the game and we were a very resilient side who could hold on to a one-goal lead.

"I remember it was a backs-to-the-wall job for a lot of the time and Muzzy scored with a header, and we were able to hold on for the win.

"You have to hold your nerve in these big pressure games and show that spirit and resilience that we showed in 1996."

City have to beat Forest in front of a sell-out 30,000 crowd at the City Ground, and hope Bolton fail to beat Blackpool.

Club historian John Hutchinson said the omens, if not the odds, were good.

"Then, as now, City had to win their last game to qualify for the play-offs with the lowest-ever points tally," he said. "Then, as now, it was an away match.

"Even a win on its own wouldn't have been enough. Other results had to go Leicester's way.

"In 1996, Stoke, Charlton or Ipswich had to drop a point so that one of them would drop out of the top six for City to take their place."

City got into the play-offs with 71 points, the lowest on record. A win on Saturday and a play-off place would create a new record of 68.

One final omen – QPR were relegated from the Premier League in 1996.

City's 1996 team: Kevin Poole, Simon Grayson, Mike Whitlow, Julian Watts, Steve Walsh, Muzzy Izzet, Neil Lennon, Scott Taylor, Neil Lennon, Steve Claridge, Emile Heskey, Mark Robins.

A drug dealer who had incriminating text messages on his mobile phone has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Sonny Culverwell (23) was arrested after police raided his then home in Vernon Road, Aylestone, Leicester, on November 8.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, told the city's crown court officers seized 0.3 grams of crack cocaine, 7.8 grams of cannabis, 30 Diazepam tablets, scales and dealer bags.

He said the defendant's four mobile phones were examined.

Mr Murphy said: "There was clear evidence relating to text massages involving drug dealing, including offering heroin and cocaine for sale.

"Messages also indicated arrangements to sell seven grams of cannabis and Diazepam tablets on November 6."

In his first police interview, Culverwell accepted possessing drugs.

In a subsequent interview, he admitted supplying to friends for no profit, which was not accepted by the prosecution.

He now accepted supplying on a small scale to fund his own drug use.

Culverwell, who later moved to Ratby Meadow Lane, Enderby, admitted possessing crack cocaine, cannabis, a class B drug, and Diazepam, a class C drug, with intent to supply them .

He also admitted offering to supply class A drugs heroin and cocaine.

Sentencing, Robert Brown said: "You've been a regular drug user since your teens and using heroin for 12 months.

"It's plain from the text messages your behaviour involving dealing in drugs goes back to June last year.

"It was commercial street-level dealing, albeit low quantities were involved.

"You have shown a very positive attitude since your arrest and are now living with your parents, who are giving you full support."

Michael Garvey, mitigating, said Culverwell was drawn into the offences through others.

He said: "He was funding his own usage."

He urged the judge to impose a suspended sentence, enabling him to take up a building apprenticeship and also do unpaid work, as well as receiving drug rehabilitation.

Culverwell was said to be keen to turn his life around for the better.

Indie rock band Young Knives have been announced as the headliners of the centenary celebrations at De Montfort Hall this summer.

Throughout this year, the venue is holding special events to mark 100 years of entertainment and the highlight of the celebrations will be on the weekend of July 27.

In the absence of a Summer Sundae this year, the venue will stage its own weekend of live music, alongside other events including comedy, classical music and family entertainment.

Young Knives, who are originally from Ashby, will appear alongside other local acts such as singer Jersey Budd and reggae band By The Rivers.

Henry Dartnall, lead singer of the Young Knives, said: "I only heard about this a couple of days ago and I'm excited to be doing it. We've played outdoors at Summer Sundae, but never inside De Montfort Hall – although I have been to a lot of gigs there and played some sports there as a teenager.

"We always get a good response playing in Leicester.

"It used to be all heavy metal venues and dives in the city, but it's a lot better for live music now."

The centenary weekend will be named Simon Says, in honour of Simon de Montfort.

The venue had asked people to send in suggestions for the name of the event and the winning idea came from Terry Potter, from Leicester.

Simon Says is being organised by three of Leicester's music venues – the Musician, Firebug and the Donkey.

The line-up is designed to reflect the breadth of musical talent from the city and county.

Other acts are being commissioned by the BBC as part of its BBC Introducing campaign to find the best unsigned bands.

De Montfort Hall's general manager, Antony Flint, said: "We wanted to hold an event that would celebrate the hall's history with the local music scene and Simon Says is just that. It has been great working with the guys from the Musician, The Donkey and Firebug and they've put together a fantastic programme."

He said the acts announced so far were "only the very tip" of the entertainment during the weekend.

Other centenary events planned include a tea dance led by Strictly Come Dancing judge Len Goodman, a night of outdoor comedy and an open-air performances of Babe the Sheep Pig and Gilbert and Sullivan's The Mikado.

A classical music concert, featuring tenor Wynne Evans, is due to be held on July 20, followed by a fireworks display.

Tickets for the Simon Says event, priced at £20 weekend ticket, £15 Saturday, and £8 Sunday, are on sale from 0116 233 3111 or:

www.demontforthall.co.uk

Follow the event on Twitter:

@SimonSaysLeic

Leicester Tigers flanker Tom Croft said his selection for the British & Irish Lions feels completely "unreal" as he never even thought he would be in contention.

The call-up has rounded off a remarkable 12 months for the back-rower, who only returned to first-team rugby at the start of the year.

A career-threatening neck injury picked up against Harlequins last April resigned Croft to eight long months on the side-lines.

But now he is one of six Tigers selected for the Lions tour alongside Manu Tuilagi, Dan Cole, Tom Youngs, Ben Youngs and Geoff Parling.

"It is just unreal," said Croft. "A year ago I broke my neck so, to be able to come back and be selected for the Lions, is just a fairytale, without sounding too cheesy and corny.

"It hasn't sunk in. I'm absolutely ecstatic. And I am made up that I've got my mates along with me this time."

It was not long ago that the 27-year-old completely rejected any notion of being selected. "Don't get ahead of yourself," said Croft in March when asked about a potential Lions call-up following his impressive performance against Sale.

But just two months on and Croft's outstanding form made him virtually impossible to leave out and, sure enough, he now finds himself on the plane to Australia.

"When I said that, it wasn't an attempt to be modest," said Croft. "I genuinely never thought I would be in contention. I came back playing at the end of the Six Nations and was still trying to find my feet."

Croft is the only one of the travelling Tigers to have previous Lions experience.

He was a late selection for the tour of South Africa in 2009, following the suspension of Alan Quinlan, and scored two tries in the first Test.

"Hopefully, I can take some of that experience," said Croft.

"But all the guys selected have massive experience in Test-match rugby, playing in huge games and World and Heineken Cups. No-one will be out of their depth."

Five out of the six Tigers players are products of the club's academy system, and Croft believes that pays testament to how Leicester nurtures its talent.

"It just shows how well the club looks after its players and the types of characters it brings through," he said.

"Look at Tom Youngs and how well they have brought him through from centre to hooker.

"He is now the club's starting hooker, England's starting hooker and a Lions tourist.

"And who would have thought that skinny guy Geoff Parling from Newcastle would play for the Lions? He absolutely fully deserves a call-up, as do the rest of the boys."

It's one in and one out for the Leicester Lions tonight.

British under-21 champion Robert Brandford will make his debut at Somerset Rebels in the club's first Premier League away fixture of the season.

The 19-year-old takes the place of Lewis Blackbird. who has decided to leave, with Scunthorpe his likely destination.

"Lewis has asked to be allowed to move to another club where he will be guaranteed regular rides," said Lions co-promoter Alan Jones.

"Lewis was due to share a role with Robert, but the latter will now occupy one of the reserve positions on a full-time basis."

Blackbird made 25 appearances for the Lions. His best meeting came in the opening match of the season, a League Cup tie at Scunthorpe, where he collected 10 points to top-score with captain Kauko Nieminen.

"During the winter, we set out on a policy of creating opportunities for young British riders to step up from the National League and into the next tier of racing at Leicester," said Jones.

"Our initial entry before the start of the season did not get off the ground because Lewis Kerr, who was earmarked for a similar role, received an offer to go full-time at Newcastle.

"We were undeterred and never lost sight of repeating the initiative resulting in an agreement with Robert Branford.

"Unfortunately, we are back to square one again but we will park the idea for now and take stock of the situation at a later date."

The Harry Jordan Haulage-sponsored Lions will be looking to improve on previous visits to the Oak Tree Arena, which has never been a good hunting ground.

Somerset came within a whisker of being crowned Premier League champions last season, only to lose out in the very last meeting to Scunthorpe.

They have started the season in winning form and are currently top of the southern section in the League Cup, a competition they won last year.

Somerset: 1 Jason Doyle, 2 Kyle Newman, 3 Nick Morris 4 Alex Davies, 5 Josh Grajczonek, 6 Stefan Nielsen, 7 Tom Perry.

Leicester: 1 Kauko Nieminen, 2 Jan Graversen, 3 Lasse Bjerre, 4 Kevin Doolan 5 Magnus Karlsson 6 Robert Branford, 7 Simon Nielsen.

The future of British speedway is on show tomorrow at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium, when 41 riders take part in the British Youth Championships (5.30).

The competition is open to any British rider under the age of 16 and the series will be staged at six different venues throughout the season, starting at Leicester.

Home interested will be centred around the Lions' three mascots, Luke Whitehead and eight-year-old twins Dan and Joe Thompson, who making their first appearance in an official competition.

Leicester City must forget about what is happening at the Reebok Stadium and be completely focused on securing the victory against Nottingham Forest, says striker Chris Wood.

City must beat their East Midlands rivals at the City Ground – and hope Bolton fail to beat Blackpool on home soil – if they are to gatecrash the play-offs on the final day of the season.

But Wood said they cannot afford any distractions going into tomorrow's lunchtime kick-off.

In contrast to City, who have won just two of their last 16 league games, Forest have lost just two of their last 14 to march into play-off contention themselves.

They also need the victory – and hope either Bolton or Crystal Palace slip up – to finish in the top six, but Wood is confident City can overcome the odds.

"People probably don't expect us to do it, but there is always some sort of pressure on any game," he said.

"It is all about focusing on us. It is a big derby weekend for us and we want to put one over on Forest. We just have to go out and do our job.

"We know we need a bit of luck elsewhere, but that doesn't matter if we don't win. If we don't, then nothing can happen.

"We have to hope but, first and foremost, we have to do the business ourselves, that is all we can do.

"It is all about us. We need a win, there is nothing else to think about. I have seen the lads and the team and we have the ability in there.

"We just have to show it and make sure we get off to a good start.

"Things have gone against us recently but football is a funny game and you never know what it is going to throw up.

"At least we still have a chance going into the last game, we just have to make sure we get the right result."

Besides what is at stake for both sides, the game also has the added spice of being an East Midlands derby, and Wood is relishing the prospect.

"The only major derby I have experienced before was Millwall v Crystal Palace, which was a lively one," he said.

"So I will be looking forward to this one and getting right among it. I don't think form is relevant going into a derby because anything can happen.

"Players go up another level for derbies, even if they don't admit it. It will be an interesting experience for everyone.

"We have to put that form behind us. It is the last game to show what we can do, our last chance to push our case for the play-offs."