Nearly a quarter of all people living in the East Midlands who were born abroad reside in Leicester, according to new study.

Not only do 24.7 per cent of the region's foreign-born residents live in the city, but Leicester also has the highest number – 100,843.

The city also saw the largest numerical growth in the migrant population – 46,283 additional non-UK born residents – in a 10-year period.

It follows a study of the migrant population in England and Wales by Oxford University's Migration Observatory, based on its analysis of 2011 Census figures compared with the previous Census in 2001.

The research is the most comprehensive carried out on the city's migrant population.

It reveals that Leicester's migrant population has increased by 71.7 per cent – from 64,560 to 110,843 in 10 years.

The data reveals that of the 329,839 people living in Leicester – the East Midlands' largest city – in 2011, 33.6 per cent were not born in the UK, the highest proportion of any place in the region.

Dr Carlos Vargas-Silva, the senior researcher leading the Census project, said: "Reports produced by the Office for National Statistics often only provide information about broad immigration trends in the country.

"The purpose of our study was to give people a clearer idea of what is happening as far as immigration is concerned where they live."

Residents born in India represent the most numerous non-UK-born group in Leicester (37,224 residents, 34 per cent of Leicester's foreign-born), followed by residents born in Kenya (7,118; 3.3 per cent); Poland (6,417; 2.9 per cent); Pakistan (3,534; 1.6 per cent), and Zimbabwe (3,377; 1.5 per cent).

Of the proportional change in foreign-born residents since 2001, Poland represents the biggest increase (1,111 per cent; 530 to 6,417), followed by China (728 per cent; 290 to 2,401); Iran (508 per cent; 111 to 675); Zimbabwe (270 per cent; 913 to 3,377, and Nigeria (269 per cent; 307 to 1,133).

Dr Vargas-Silva said: "Leicester is interesting in many ways. We expected it to be an important destination for immigrants to the country, but what we found is it is also much more diverse than most other areas. People come to Leicester from all over the world."

He said the type of immigration was also interesting.

"You have networking migration, which is people who have family, friends and relatives already living in an area, and also areas with high student populations and people looking for work. But while some places like Vauxhall, in London, have high migrant populations due to students, and Boston, Lincolnshire, with a large migrant workforce, Leicester scores high on all counts."

Disabled and older people are set to lose their free late-night and early morning bus travel as part of a cost-cutting drive.

Currently, Leicestershire County Council funds a series of concessions for people who use public transport, but is proposing to scrap them in a move that would save £270,000 a year.

If approved, free travel for 8,500 disabled bus pass holders before 9.30am. from Monday to Friday. would be scrapped.

They would also lose free travel after 11pm on those days along with 120,000 older pass holders.

County Hall's cabinet is also set to scrap a scheme, used by 3,600 people, who do not live near bus routes and opt to have £33 of taxi or mini-bus vouchers rather than a pass.

The half-fare concessions for community transport schemes such as dial-a-ride buses are also being scrapped.

All the changes are due to come into effect in September.

Elderly and disabled concessionary pass users will be left with free travel on any local bus service between 9.30am and 11pm from Monday to Friday and at any time on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.

More than 350 responded to a public consultation, with most saying they were against the end of concessions.

Dr Brian Negus, 66, of Loughborough, is registered blind and is chairman of the charity Vista, which supports partially-sighted people.

He said: "It is the loss of the pre-9.30am travel which will have the biggest impact. I have been a regular user of my bus pass at that time to get to meetings, but I think the biggest effect will be on young blind professional people who use the buses to get to work, perhaps five times a week.

"This could seriously harm their professional development. I think that would be a real worry."

County Hall's cabinet member for transport Councillor Peter Osborne said: "We are in a very different financial position. We have to save £100 million over the next four years.

"What we are doing is paring the national concessionary travel scheme back to the one the Government initially envisaged.

"We simply can't afford them as we could before."

The council's cabinet will discuss the issue when it meets on Tuesday.

An amateur photographer's eye-catching iPhone pictures are to light up massive digital screens at some of New York's most famous landmarks.

Rob Chapman, whose day job is to keep Fosse Park tidy for shoppers, has been taking the stunning snaps with his phone for several years as a hobby, but has never had a picture in an exhibition.

However, after signing up to a photography website, his shots were chosen to be part of the New York digital exhibition, organised by the See Me Gallery in Long Island. They will now be beamed up on to the screens at locations including Times Square, Madison Square Garden and Carnegie Hall.

Rob, 30, of Braunstone, said: "I only recently started putting my pictures on my Facebook page.

"I got really good comments so I went on See Me, where there are lots of brilliant artists.

"I'm quite surprised my stuff was chosen because a lot of stuff on there is amazing.

"They're going to have big LCD screens all over New York showing each picture for 10 to 15 seconds and it's going to be in places like Times Square and all over.

"I honestly can't believe it. It's really good exposure for me."

Rob only signed up to display his pictures on the website four weeks ago and he was surprised to get an e-mail earlier this week asking for permission to use three of his images in the exhibition.

Rob, who is a member of the park presentation team at the Fosse Park shopping centre, finds his inspiration for his pictures everywhere.

He said: "I get my ideas from things I see, music or just ideas that pop into my head.

"I do pictures of family and friends, but it's mostly nature and objects. I use the filter effects on the camera but I never alter the pictures afterwards.

"Sometimes I improvise filters and take pictures through bottles or plastic bags."

Rob said that while bigger, more expensive SLR-style cameras were still good for some things, he would not trade any other camera for his iPhone.

He said: "I think my pictures show that you don't need all that equipment you can spend thousands of pounds on.

"I like the picture you get with the iPhone because it's high-resolution, but not too clean."

Clive Ebert, who heads the park presentation team at Fosse Park, said he had no idea about Rob's secret talent.

He said: "To be honest it's a complete surprise to me.

"He's worked here for coming on for 12 months but he's kept his other talents to himself!"

The exhibition, called The Story of The Creative, opens on July 25 and moves around New York over the summer.

Lasse Bjerre has been ruled out of Leicester Lions' trip to Workington Comets tonight – after being injured playing football.

The 19-year-old was hurt during a game in his homeland of Denmark on Sunday.

A nasty cut to a lower arm and hand required stitches, while blood vessels were also damaged. Doctors advised him to rest for at least 10 days to recover fully.

It is a blow for the Harry Jordan Haulage-sponsored Lions ahead of their top-of-the-table Premier League clash at Derwent Park (7.0).

On the plus side, the visitors welcome back the Swedish pair of Magnus Karlsson and Alex Edberg, who missed the last outing at Edinburgh through injury.

"Magnus has been carrying a shoulder injury since the beginning of June," said co-promoter Alan Jones. "Alex hurt his foot during our last home fixture against Somerset, so it will be a boost to the team to have them both back.

"Unfortunately, as they return, we then lose Lasse, so we will be requesting permission to operate rider-replacement for him at Workington."

Workington sit top of the table, two points ahead of the Lions with a meeting in hand. However, there are a cluster of clubs in handy positions to challenge, including Redcar, Newcastle and Ipswich.

"The race to be one of the six teams to qualify for the play-offs is really hotting up now, and this evening is seen as an important fixture for us," said Jones.

"We have to deliver a top performance at Derwent Park, where the Comets are near invincible.

"Both Kauko Nieminen and Kevin Doolan are former Workington riders so, hopefully, their track knowledge will stand us in good stead."

Jones added: "Fortunately, as Lasse is second in the club's averages, team manager Glyn Taylor will have the pick of the other five riders to choose from for the replacement rides."

After reeling off seven straight wins in the Premier League, the Lions imploded at home against Somerset, where they conceded a 12-point lead, and were then beaten 52-37 in Edinburgh.

However, one of their best displays of the season was beating Workington 53-40 at the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium in May.

Schools, community groups, charities and community groups are being urged to apply for a share of a £250,000 fund aimed at making a difference to people's lives.

The Leicester Mercury has teamed up with the Big Lottery Fund to offer grants of £10,000 to £30,000 to good causes and community projects.

To avoid missing out, groups need to tell fund organisers about their idea or project before the deadline for applications, July 14.

Groups need to operate in Leicester, Leicestershire or Rutland. Groups that can apply include community groups, not-for-profit organisations, parish or town councils, health bodies and schools.

Groups do not have to be a registered charity, but must have a bank account requiring at least two people to sign each cheque or withdrawal. They must also be in a position to use the grant within a year.

A shortlist of the best ideas will be published in the Mercury on September 2 and every day for two weeks, readers will have the chance to vote for deserving projects.

The projects with the highest number of votes will be awarded the funding until all £250,000 of the Big Lottery Fund money has been spent.

England Big Lottery Fund director Dharmendra Kanani said: "Through this partnership with Leicester Mercury, there is £250,000 available to support the spirit, imagination and aspirations of local people and communities to do good in their neighbourhoods."

Winners will be announced on September 23. To apply, call the Leicestershire and Rutland Community Foundation on 0116 2624 916, or visit:

www.llrcommunityfoundation.org.uk

Standard Local World promotions rules apply. See:

www.leicestermercury.co.uk/houserules

Leicester Tigers and England centre Manu Tuilagi is determined to take today's Test series decider between the British & Irish Lions and Australia in his stride.

The midfield powerhouse has turned around a tour that could have ended for him through injury less than four weeks ago by claiming a bench spot at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

And, given the impact he could make, it would be no surprise to see the 22-year-old involved at some stage.

Reflecting on coach Warren Gatland's team announcement, Tuilagi said: "It's a stressful feeling because you never know if you are in the team or not. The coaches give nothing away, and that is to ensure you are in the right mindset for the game.

"When I heard my name, I was over the moon.

"There were a lot of players who were disappointed not to be selected, but you put aside your own disappointment because the focus is on the match 23."

Tuilagi suffered a shoulder injury during the game against Queensland Reds on June 8, and there were initial fears his tour was over.

But he delivered a strong performance in the final midweek game against Melbourne Rebels, and now lands an opportunity to potentially play a part as the Lions look to end a 16-year wait for series glory.

"I will play my normal game," said Tuilagi. "I will try to have an impact from the bench, but I won't put any added pressure on myself.

"Making the Lions squad was an unbelievable feeling in the first place, but to be named in the Test squad is a massive achievement.

"Just to be here is incredible, because I was sure my tour was over after the second game. Thank God I am still here.

"We knew this was going to be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and we want to make the most of it."

The NHS marked its 65th anniversary yesterday.

Since it was first established on July 5, 1948, it has promised free health care for everyone in the country – the first system of its kind in the world.

Before that, many patients could not afford to pay their medical bills.

The NHS may have been celebrated as a national institution in the 2012 London Olympics Opening Ceremony last year.

But in the past few years, it has also been dogged by scandals, complaints of mismanagement, wasted money and fears of how it will cope with issues such as obesity and an aging population.

A report by the NHS Confederation warns that massive changes will be needed in the way it delivers care if it is to survive and cope with pressures of demand and money.

Yasmin Duffin found out what the people of Leicester thought: is the NHS still a good idea or is it time for it to go into retirement?

Tommy Bowe wants the British & Irish Lions to batter Australia into submission at the ANZ Stadium, drawing on the pain of past failures to triumph in today's series decider.

Head coach Warren Gatland has picked his most powerful team for the final Test, with four of the six new arrivals – Jamie Roberts, Toby Faletau, Mike Phillips and Sean O'Brien – leading the physical assault on the Wallabies.

The Lions have lost every series since South Africa in 1997 and Bowe, a veteran of the epic struggle against the Springboks four years ago, insists the recent history of heroic failures must be addressed.

"Last week we did so much defending," said the Ireland winger. "We were on the back foot an awful lot and, when we had the ball, we kicked it away.

"If we can play rugby we can do a lot of damage, certainly with a lot of the players we've got in this team.

"There are huge ball carriers there. If we can hold on to the ball, keep battering over the top of the Aussies, hopefully it will cause a bit of damage.

"There's a huge amount of emotion in the squad. We realise that it's 16 years since we last won a Lions series.

"The disappointment of losing out to a try in the last six minutes of the second Test in Melbourne was heartbreaking. We've taken a lot from that, we've regrouped and we'll leave everything out on the pitch."

Outside of Sir Clive Woodward's abysmal 2005 tour to New Zealand, since 1997 the Lions have made a habit of falling agonisingly short having given everything to the cause.

That scenario unfolded four years ago when Morne Steyn landed a penalty with the last kick of the game to give South Africa a series-clinching 28-25 victory in the second Test.

Fast forward to 2013 and the margins have been even finer, with the Lions winning the first Test 23-21 and losing the second 16-15, with last-ditch penalties almost altering the result in both games.

"I just remember the disappointment of it all in 2009," said Bowe. "I remember the disappointment of the second Test when we lost to that last kick. I hope it doesn't come down to that again.

"The first two Tests against Australia have been really close, neck-and-neck stuff. Everybody will be giving everything. We know exactly what we need to do and we want to play some rugby.

"We were a little bit passive last weekend, we let Australia take the game to us and we need to reverse that (today)."

Meanwhile, George Smith is adamant the end of his four-year Australia exile will be only a one-match cameo.

Smith's selection ahead of Michael Hooper at openside is the solitary change to the Wallabies' starting XV.

The last time the 110-Test veteran played for Australia was against Wales in 2009.

"I'm pretty sure this will be the last game I play for Australia. No, it will be!" said the 32-year-old.

"I've had a fantastic international career and know when to bow out. The legacy I've left behind on the international stage I'm very proud of. This just caps it off."

Leicestershire's chief constable Simon Cole is to be away from work for "some weeks" because he is ill.

The nature of Mr Cole's illness has not been disclosed, but his force has said it is not serious.

It is understood Mr Cole first fell ill and did not attend work last week.

However, he has now notified the force he is officially on sick leave and is expected to be absent for several weeks.

His absence has necessitated a temporary reshuffle among its senior officers.

For the time being, Mr Cole's deputy Simon Edens will fulfil the role of acting chief constable, while assistant chief constable Steph Morgan has delayed her retirement to take up the role of acting deputy chief.

Assistant chief constables Roger Bannister and Phil Kay, who arrived at the force last month, will remain in their roles.

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "The changes, which are only temporary, have been made because chief constable Simon Cole is ill.

"While we cannot go into detail about Mr Cole's illness, as this is personal information, his condition is not serious and he is expected to return to work and resume his duties once fully recovered.

"The temporary changes have been made to ensure the continued operational and effective running of the force.

"Everyone in the force wishes Mr Cole a speedy recovery and look forward to welcoming him back after his period of sick leave."

In a statement issued yesterday,, Leicestershire Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Clive Loader, said: "I continue to have full confidence in Simon's ability to carry out his role effectively. His commitment to duty and indisputable leadership skill has been witnessed daily.

"I wish him a speedy recovery and I look forward to welcoming him back to the force after his period of sick leave."

Mr Cole was appointed to the £140,000 a year post in the Leicestershire force in April, 2010, when he was just 43 years old – making him one of the youngest chief constables in England and Wales.

A vet is desperate to find the owner of a young pregnant female cat hurt in a road accident.

A mechanic in Evington called city vets Bell, Brown and Bentley on Thursday evening after the injured animal hobbled into his garage.

The on-call vet took the animal to the surgery in Hinckley Road, Leicester Forest East, where she has been looked after.

Because she is heavily pregnant, surgery is impossible and the vets are expecting to have to perform a Caesarian section when she goes into labour.

An ultrasound has detected heart beats for all four kittens, so they seem to have survived the accident.

Vet David Bentley, who is looking after the cat at his home during the weekend, said: "She was found in Evington but she had no collar on and we've had no luck finding her owner.

"We put an appeal on our Facebook page and we've been amazed by the response – more than 8,300 people have put the appeal on their own Facebook pages – but so far we haven't found the owner."

To contact the surgery call 0116 2388 100.

Former Leicester Tigers prop Graham Rowntree has ordered the British & Irish Lions to empty the tanks against Australia today in what he regards as the biggest match of the players' lives.

The series climaxes in a winner-takes-all final Test at Sydney's ANZ Stadium, with the Lions one victory away from a first triumphant tour in 16 years.

Lions assistant coach Rowntree has outlined what will be required to topple the Wallabies, who enter what is expected to be another epic struggle as marginal favourites.

"Seeing how we've trained all week, crikey, we're ready for this battle," said Rowntree.

"We saw the reaction from Australia after they beat us last weekend – their captain James Horwill was crying.

"They threw everything at us and beat us by a point. We didn't get our game going and we know that.

"There's loads more to come from us and the guys are desperate to win. This is grand final rugby, the last throw of the dice with everything to play for.

"There's one huge performance left in us. These players are desperate (to play).

"We have to go out and give it everything. This is the biggest game of our lives, as players and coaches.

"A lot of us have been involved in grand final games, but this is the biggest one for us."

The Lions face an Australia team containing 110-Test veteran George Smith, who returns for his first international since 2009 in place of Michael Hooper. The 32-year-old openside, the only surviving Wallaby from the 2001 series, has been in outstanding form for the Brumbies and only missed the first two Tests due to a knee injury six weeks ago.

"I'm surprised by his selection," said Rowntree, pictured.

"He's been out for a long time and it will be interesting to see his match-fitness.

"They've got three good sevens in that squad and, from what we've seen of him in the Super 15, is that he makes good decisions.

"He's still very good technically and makes good decisions on when to go into the breakdown. It will be a big challenge for Sean O'Brien. I'm hoping his selection is a reflection of what we brought to the breakdown."

The Lions arrived in Sydney on Thursday having spent four nights at Sunshine Coast holiday resort Noosa, where they recharged mentally and physically before the final battle to come.

"We've refreshed ourselves for a couple of days, it was important to switch off after last week," said Rowntree.

"We've restocked the team and made some changes. We want this game today and the word I'd use is desperate. We really want this game."

A mother-of-seven used counterfeit £50 notes in two shops and gave another to her 14-year-old daughter to spend, a court heard.

Mandy Underwood (39) wept as she was jailed for six months.

She admitted passing a dud note in Boyes store, in Melton Mowbray.

Underwood made a purchase for £20.14 and received £29.86 in change, on June 4 last year.

Underwood pleaded guilty to passing another forgery at Store 21, in Loughborough, the next day, in a similar transaction.

Victoria Rose, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court that both notes resembled genuine bank notes and both passed an ultraviolet pen test in the shops.

It was only later that they were found to be fakes.

Underwood, of Victoria Street, Melton, also admitted passing a third counterfeit to her schoolgirl daughter, who went on to use it.

Her daughter was not being prosecuted, said Miss Rose.

The court heard that Underwood had 23 previous offences on her criminal record, mainly for shoplifting, but also for burglary and deception.

She had 10 alias names recorded on her police record.

Dean Bower, mitigating, said Underwood had two grown-up children, but was particularly concerned how her five other children, aged between seven and 15, would manage if she was jailed.

He said relatives would be looking after the children. Four of the children have special needs with medical problems.

Mr Bower said: "She has failed her children, she understands that and is thoroughly ashamed of herself."

He said Underwood's on-off partner had given her the counterfeit £50 notes.

She committed the offences because she wanted to buy clothing for her children.

Sentencing, Judge Robert Brown said: "You haven't given any meaningful account to me or the police as to where those notes came from.

"You know more than you're prepared to tell, I'm satisfied.

"You say you were given them by your partner and you're the victim of his misbehaviour.

"I'm satisfied you're concealing the truth. I'm also mindful of the fact you supplied one of the notes to your 14-year-old daughter, for her to use."

When Keely Moreton painted a picture of Kasabian stars Tom Meighan and Serge Pizzorno a few weeks ago, she promised to auction it for charity if it ever got signed.

And after bumping into Tom at a cash machine, she is now doing just that.

When the 38-year-old told the singer about her painting, he went back to her home in Clarendon Park, Leicester, and endorsed it straight away.

Keely is now auctioning the picture to raise funds for the Loros hospice and has already received a bid of £250.

"I saw Tom at a cash machine in Queens Road on Thursday and told him about it," she said. "He came round and was here for about 20 minutes.

"He was lovely. He's a really nice, approachable person – not rock starry at all.

"He said he thought the picture was fantastic and he was looking at all my other pictures as well, eyeing up The Beatles ones. He said the pictures were great and that The Beatles were the best band in the world."

Kasabian fan Keely copied the picture of Tom and Serge from an NME cover.

She told Tom she had seen the band live a few times – but had to make do with listening to their weekend headline gig at Hard Rock Calling on the radio.

"Tom asked for my opinion on how they did at Hard Rock," she said. "I said he was very good. I said I was disappointed with the radio coverage that kept saying it was 'live and uninterrupted,' though, because the radio station didn't seem to understand the irony of that."

Keely studied art at A-level but only recently took it up again as a hobby.

She has already recreated several iconic images – including pictures of Twiggy, Paul Weller and Noel Gallagher.

"I started again a few weeks ago," she said. "I was just bored and decided to do some painting.

"I did the Kasabian picture for myself but I said I would auction it if it got signed. I'll have to do another one for the wall, now.

"I can't run to save my life but this is something I can do to help a local charity. They looked after my aunty and my cousin and I just think it's a great charity."

Loros senior fund-raiser Adrian Walker said: "It's absolutely fantastic that someone as talented as Keely has done a painting like this and then put it up for auction to help the patients of Loros.

"I'm amazed at how well the bidding is going so far – hopefully, she'll do even better as time goes on."

The auction ends at 8pm on Friday.

To put in a bid, visit the Loros Facebook page:

www.facebook.com/LOROShospice

A cyclist has said he could have been killed when a car passenger leaned out of the vehicle's window and shoved him off his bike.

Martin Webster, a former international cyclist, was on a fast downhill stretch of a country lane when he was pushed.

He veered on to a bumpy grass verge and was flung from his bike.

The incident happened at about 3.30pm on Thursday in Thurlaston Lane, Earl Shilton.

Martin, 49, said: "I was on a slight downhill, so I was going along at about 25 to 30mph.

"I heard a horn behind me and I looked behind and didn't recognise the car.

"As it passed someone on the passenger side – either the front or back seat – leaned out and pushed me.

"They hit me on my thigh, so I didn't go straight over but I lost control and bumped up on to the grass. The verge was pretty ploughed up and I was thrown off, bashing my shoulder pretty badly and grazing my right leg.

"It hurt my neck as well, but overall I think I got off lightly.

"I could have hit a tree or the fence or been catapulted into the barbed wire.

"I could have been killed."

People stopped to help Martin, including a policeman.

Martin, who owns Webster's Cycles, in Wigston, said: "I only saw it was a silver car and the policeman agreed there wasn't much chance of catching the people responsible.

"Although you never know – this is the sort of thing someone might have taken a video of and they might post it on the internet."

Martin's bike was not damaged and he was able to cycle back to his home in Wigston.

For Martin's sister, Debbie Langham, the incident was a chilling reminder. Alex, her and Martin's brother, was knocked off his bike and badly injured as a teenager.

Debbie, 47, said: "We're all really shaken up about what happened to Martin. He could have been killed.

"Years ago, Alex was knocked over by a drink-driver and he was on life support after that happened so Martin's incident took us all back to that."

Martin is due to make a formal statement to the police shortly.

A 22-year-old man has died in Cyprus while visiting the island for a friend's wedding.

Daniel Brewster, who lived in Nailstone, was left fighting for his life following a late-night incident on June 21.

The nature of the accident which led to the injuries is not clear.

But it is understood that the welder, who was in Cyprus to be best man at his friend's wedding, had been in an induced coma at the Nicosia General Hospital. He died on Thursday.

His girlfriend, Hannah-Marie Shaw, had been by his side at the Mediterranean holiday destination since he was admitted to hospital. His mother, Karen, had flown out last Saturday.

Hannah-Marie said: "We flew back yesterday (Thursday) night. I was with him until the end.

"Dan was a fun-loving individual, he was happy, laid-back, loved nature and the outdoors.

"He was also a very sensitive soul when it came to family and myself. He hated any confrontation.

"He will be truly missed by so many people, including myself, his girlfriend of nine years, his family and everybody who knew him. Oh, and his pet lurcher, Bella."

She said Dan, who lived with her and her parents, loved outdoor activities including falconry which he was introduced to at an early age by his uncle David Luther.

"He always had birds of prey and ferrets since a toddler. He enjoyed spending time with his friends like any other man of his age. Everybody is so saddened. No words can explain how we are currently feeling.

"We don't have any arrangements made yet for the funeral and so on. We are waiting for his body to be flown back to the UK."

Back home, well-wishers and residents from his home village of Whitwick had been raising funds and holding vigils for the injured man.

A member of the family, who did not wish to be named, said: "The community, family and friends – even strangers – have shown us such great support and we want to thank everyone who has been there for us at this much needed time."

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We are aware of the death of a British national in Cyprus on July 4.

"We are providing consular assistance to the family at this difficult time."

The parents of a baby girl born at Glastonbury last weekend have finally named their rock 'n' roll bundle of joy.

Heidi Wesson and Sean Crothers, of Broughton Astley, returned from the festival on Monday with their healthy 6lbs 3oz baby daughter, Emelia.

The tot was 10 days early when she decided to enter the world while the Rolling Stones headlined the main stage at the festival in front of more than 100,000 people.

The birth made headlines all over the world but Emelia's proud parents only named her on Wednesday – despite being offered a lot of cash to do so earlier.

Next customer service adviser Heidi, 33, said the attention had been flattering but she was glad the worst of it was over.

She said: "Some of the things we've read in the papers have been absolute rubbish. I don't work in Tesco, and we haven't called her Ivy.

"I'm glad it's calming down, I won't miss having people calling me 50 times-a-day.

"You guys have been all right (Mercury), but I got more than 30 calls from one woman a few hours after Emelia was born.

"In the end, I told Sean to just give the photos she was after if it meant she was off our backs."

Heidi and Sean said they were back to normal family life now and are planning their first day out – to a festival.

"We just want to get back to normal," said Heidi. "So we're going to the Western Park festival this weekend. It'll be her second one in a week."

Heidi, who was at her 13th Glastonbury festival, began experiencing pains while watching the Stones perform on Saturday night.

The expectant mother was rushed to the festival's medical tent, the Ivy Mead Medical Centre, where a group of stunned staff prepared her for the birth.

"There was about five people standing around," said partner Sean, 26. "And they all looked shell-shocked.

"But everything went smoothly, so I can't really ask for any more.

"It was amazing to see her for the first time, it was surreal – I suppose the birth was always a possibility but I never thought it would actually happen."

Heidi said: "The doctors and nurses were really good, don't get me wrong.

"But at the end of the day, we were still in a tent.

"My friend Tracey was there in a panda suit telling the staff what to do, and there were lunatics raving in the corner, one of them was screaming about how he was going to die.

"It's not how I imagined I'd give birth."

After three hours, Emelia was born and the couple received rapturous applause as they left the medical tent in the early hours of Sunday.

As the pair basked in the crowd's attention, they called Emelia's older brother Connor, 10, to tell him the good news.

"Connor's a funny one," said Heidi. "He's a bit bossy and said 'I told you not to have her at that hippy festival, I don't want a hippy sister'.

"Then he told me off for being an 'embarrassing hippy'."

Speaking to the Mercury yesterday, Connor reiterated his feelings about the location of his sister's birth.

"She's lovely," he said. "But it's not cool that she was born at Glastonbury. She's going to be a hippy, too."

Despite choosing a name, Heidi and Sean's friends have told them she's going to be known as Arcadia (a giant stage at the festival) for the rest of her life.

The couple received lots of gifts, including baby clothes and Champagne, while Heidi recovered in their Glastonbury caravan. When they finally arrived home on Monday night, there was also a card waiting for them.

Heidi said: "It said congratulations from the Rolling Stones, it wasn't signed or anything, but it was nice that someone sent it."

Leicester City have confirmed the appointment of Terry Robinson as director of football.

The former chairman of Bury and Sheffield United has how officially taken up the new role within the club.

Robinson will oversee the entire football operation, from first-team down to academy.

It is believed the appointment of Robinson, who has left his post as academy director at Stoke to join City, is designed to help the club conform with the new Financial Fair Play regulations.

Manager Nigel Pearson said Robinson's experience would be useful as he builds his squad for another promotion push this season.

"He is our director of football and he comes in to look after the football operations," said Pearson.

"It doesn't affect how I work at all. He will take a broader view of the football operations.

"It is not just to work in terms of dealing with first-team matters, it is the whole football operation.

"He has only been in the job a couple of weeks but, hopefully, it will make the whole football operation smoother in terms of whether he is dealing with transfers or otherwise."

Chief executive Susan Whelan said the appointment did not alter any roles of other senior figures at the club.

"The appointment of Terry Robinson will add another dimension to the club and to our football operations," she said.

"The appointment of Terry will complement the wealth of football experience already in place in our first-team manager Nigel Pearson, academy director Jon Rudkin and football operations director Andrew Neville, whose roles all remain unchanged.

"I wish him great success in his new role."

Rudkin said Robinson's arrival would benefit everyone at the club.

"Terry has a vast amount of experience in football and he will complement what we have across the club," he said.

"He will have a real mix of roles, but we will be utilising his knowledge and he will be coming to see the games to watch our young players."

City have not confirmed that Sir Dave Richards, the former Premier League chairman, will be officially working with the club, but the Mercury understands he will be an advisor to the board and chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.

A woman took a drug overdose and got herself arrested in a desperate bid to get treatment for her mental health problems, according to her sister.

Health bosses have now asked mental health managers to begin an urgent investigation.

Alison Mazzei-Foster said her sister, Natalie Mazzei, tried to get help for nearly two weeks but was constantly told nothing could be done because there were no mental health hospital beds available anywhere in the country.

She said: "Mental illness does not have the weekend off. Surely the NHS could afford to have a few more beds to treat patients?

"Natalie knew she needed treatment and if she had been able to get it at the right time her recovery time would have been quicker and cheaper.

"Instead, it must have cost thousands of pounds in ambulance, hospital and police time and I am sure it is happening to other patients."

Natalie, 43, from Belgrave, has suffered from bipolar disorder for nearly 20 years.

About four weeks ago she began to feel unwell and called her mental health team, run by the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust.

Natalie said: "I was feeling really low and knew I needed to be admitted to hospital, but I was told there was nothing the team could do to help because there were no beds available.

"I was so desperate I took an overdose of all sorts of medication and was taken by ambulance to A&E at Leicester Royal Infirmary."

She was later discharged and tried again the next day.

Natalie said: "I was desperate because I hadn't slept for three or four days.

"I was screaming out for help and on one occasion I was arrested because I was standing in the middle of Welford Road.

"All I was really doing was to try and get into hospital."

At one point, she was offered a hospital bed in Essex, but said that fell through. Sister Alison had to sit up with her all night to make sure she did not try to commit suicide.

On June 24, Natalie was finally found a place in the Bradgate Unit, at Glenfield Hospital, after again being taken to A&E covered in scratches and bruises.

Dr Peter Cannon, clinical lead for the West Leicestershire clinical commissioning group responsible for providing mental health services, said: "We take all complaints very seriously and we have asked the Leicestershire Partnership Trust to investigate this issue urgently."

In a statement, the trust said: "If all of our beds are full, patients are found a bed elsewhere.

"This is to ensure that admission does actually take place for those requiring mental health hospital admission.

"Once a bed becomes available back in this trust patients are transferred back. We aim to do this as quickly as possible."