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Outrage as homes allowed

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Campaigners say losing their battle to prevent a new town from being built is "a bitter pill to swallow".

The 4,250-home Lubbesthorpe estate was approved at a meeting of Blaby District Council planners on Thursday.

More than 100 members of the public attended the ticket-only meeting, while others followed the proceedings online.

The reaction when the committee voted by 13 to four in favour of the scheme was stunned silence.

Paul Fox, secretary of the protest group Leicester Forest East Residents' Action Group, said Thursday's decision was a "bitter pill to swallow".

"I'm not at all surprised, but still extremely disappointed by the decision," he said.

"This part of Leicestershire is already too congested with traffic and air quality is far below EU standards.

"We have been let down and the abiding feeling is this was a done deal from the beginning."

Pete Jones, 47, of Braunstone Lane, Braunstone Town, said: "I left work the other day and it took 20 minutes to do the last 200 yards to get to my drive.

"This scheme is far too big and I don't think anyone has thought it through clearly."

Julien Birchall, of Leicester Forest West, said: "It's gridlock on the roads, so how they will cope with 10,000 more vehicles from this development I have no idea. It's an outrage."

More than 1,300 people objected to the 973-acre development on farm and woodland to the west of the M1. Three people said they were in favour. Other concerns included flooding and the loss of agricultural land.

Officers said the development would help Blaby meet its Government-set requirement for 8,500 more homes by 2029.

Planning officer Paul Tebbit said building in one place would minimise traffic growth.

But district councillor and former county council leader David Parsons said: "Most of the development in Blaby is being rammed into one quarter of the district and that is unacceptable."

Braunstone councillor Bill Wright, who voted against the plans, said: "I'm not against development by any means but not something of this size. I think it's crazy."

Croft Hill councillor David Freer said: "It was a very difficult decision. I don't like it but this development is needed."

The plans include investment in transport infrastructure, offices, schools and shops.

Paul Burton, of New Lubbesthorpe development consortium, said: "This decision will allow homes which are urgently required in Blaby, as well as a package of improvements."

It is now up to the Secretary of State to decide whether to hold a public inquiry.

If not, the council's approval will stand.


Hardip Singh Kohli backs Rik Basra bone marrow appeal

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TV presenter and journalist Hardeep Singh Kohli is urging Leicester Mercury readers to sign up to the bone marrow register.

The presenter spoke out in support of a recruitment drive by blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan to add 3,000 Asian people to the database by March next year.

Leicester police officer Rik Basra, who is recovering from leukaemia after undergoing a transplant of donated blood stem cells just before Christmas last year, is the face of the charity's campaign.

Hardeep said he wanted to urge as many people as possible to sign up to the register and potentially give another cancer sufferer the same second chance as Rik.

"The transplant was the best Christmas present he could have hoped for," said Hardeep.

"We're looking to recruit 3,000 more Asian donors to the register.

"It's mad that more people aren't signed up. You could save someone's life simply by giving blood and spending a morning in hospital. I think if everyone knew it was that easy then so many more people would sign up."

While the charity is always encouraging as many people as possible to sign up to the register, Asian people in particular are under-represented.

"It doesn't seem right that just because you're a different race, your life is more expendable," said Hardeep.

"This is a hugely important campaign and I'm thrilled to be supporting it."

All blood cells originate in the bone marrow from the same type of cell, called a blood stem cell.

A blood stem cell, or bone marrow, transplant can replace a damaged immune system in a person with blood cancer – but only if the donor's cell type matches.

Tomorrow, Rik and his wife, Kas, will hold the first of a series of public events to recruit potentially life-saving blood stem cell donors to the database.

The event takes place at Belgrave Neighbourhood Centre, Rothley Street, from 5.15pm to 9pm, with another session at the same venue on Tuesday, again from 5.15pm.

Anthony Nolan spokesman Ellen Marshall said: "We're delighted Hardeep is supporting our recruitment campaign, as we know from experience that many Asian people simply don't know who we are or how hard it is to find a matching bone marrow donor if you're from an Asian background – only 40 per cent will do so.

"Even those who know about our work often don't realise what bone marrow donation actually involves, or the impact it could have for someone with blood cancer.

"That's why Hardeep's support is so important to us – not only does he give us vital access to the Asian audience, but also because he's so passionate about our work, he makes people actually listen to what he's got to say."

Rik and Kas began urging Asian people in Leicestershire and the wider Midlands to join the Anthony Nolan register last year, when Rik was still searching for a suitable donor.

Eventually, a match for him was found in Germany.

Rik, whose successful transplant took place on Christmas Eve, said: "Medical advances make registering and donating stem cells so very simple.

"Taking just a few moments out from your day and registering can really mean the difference between life and death to someone in desperate need.

"As someone who's been in that situation, I'm asking everyone to help if they can."

For more information about signing up to the register, visit: www.anthonynolan.org

Hardip Singh Kohli backs Rik Basra bone marrow appeal

Do you recognise stolen bike?

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Police have issued a photo of a stolen bike they are hoping to trace.

The theft happened at about 2.20pm on Friday, October 26, in a car park at the back of business premises in Penman Way, Grove Park, Enderby.

The victim had left her bike locked and secure when a man was seen to use a tool to remove the chain and steal it, leaving his own bike behind.

The stolen bike, pictured, is a blue and white ladies GT Avalanche.

The victim has offered a reward for its return or information leading to its return.

Pc Julie Watkins said: "The victim has been left extremely upset at the loss of her bike and has even offered a reward for its return. The bike is unique, with only a small number of them being sold in Leicester, which we hope will assist us in tracing its whereabouts.

"We are appealing for anyone with information about the theft or the current whereabouts of the stolen bike to come forward. Please don't hesitate to call us with any information you have."

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Watkins by calling Leicestershire Police on 101.

Do you recognise stolen bike?

Man, 61, badly hurt in attack

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A 61-year-old man suffered a fractured eye socket and jaw after being attacked as he sat at bus stop.

The attack happened at about 6.30pm on Monday, October 22, when the couple were sitting at the bus stop opposite the Magpie Youth Centre, in HIllsborough Road, Eyres Monsell, Leicester.

They were chatting to a group of about 10 teenagers, who were asking for a cigarette, when they were approached by a man on a bike.

The couple then became involved in an altercation with the man and the victim was assaulted.

His partner was pushed over and has been left with a pain in her hip.

The man rode off along Hillsborough Road.

Detective Constable Kris Howe said: "It's very important that we trace anyone who was in the Hillsborough Road area at the time of the incident.

"The victim received some nasty inquiries, so we need to trace the person responsible. If you witnessed this assault or know the identity of this man, please let us know.''

The man is described as white, in his late 20s to early 30s, about 5ft 8in tall, of a stocky build with a round face.

He was wearing a dark jacket.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Howe by calling Leicestershire Police on 101.

Judges cut sentence of torture trial man

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A man who was jailed after subjecting a vulnerable woman to an horrific torture ordeal with a lit cigarette had his prison term cut.

Clyde Handley Wallace (54) was sentenced at Leicester Crown Court in January after he was convicted of false imprisonment and two assaults occasioning actual bodily harm.

He appealed and, despite seeing his convictions upheld by three senior judges, won a one-year reduction in his "manifestly excessive" six-year term.

The court heard the woman had 107 scars on her face, hands, arms, thighs and calves, which she said he had caused with a cigarette.

She said Wallace, of Cromford Street, Spinney Hills, Leicester, and an unnamed friend had held her down in December, 2010 and repeatedly burned her with lit cigarettes. A month later, he had attacked her again, she said, punching her in the face and hitting her on the head with a mug.

Within weeks of that incident, they had argued in the hotel where she lived and Wallace had refused to let her leave the room for 15 minutes, constituting false imprisonment.

Wallace claimed the allegations were all "fantasy". She had previously made up a story of an attack by him and its resulting injury, which had actually been caused by dental work, he said.

During the appeal, his lawyers argued the trial judge did not adequately sum up the evidence to the jury, meaning the convictions were "unsafe".

Rejecting the arguments, Lord Justice Richards, sitting with Mr Justice Sweeney and Mr Justice Stuart-Smith, said the judges had read the trial papers.

"The summing up dealt adequately with the evidence and the defence case and did not give rise to any unfairness to the appellant," he told the court.

But he said the two-year portion of the sentence imposed for the attack with the mug was too long and would be cut to one year, making a new total of five years.

Reluctant city star Joe Melia dies, 77

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A charismatic actor who performed alongside some of the biggest names in showbiz has died.

Joe Melia, who grew up in St Matthew's, Leicester, had a glittering theatre, television and film career, starring alongside the likes of Sid James, Morecambe and Wise and Kenneth Williams.

The former City of Leicester Boys pupil died on October 20, after suffering heart problems.

His sister, Trish Kenyon, from Burbage, said: "He was a great man who was great company and that's how he will be remembered.

"He had a great life, and was able to do so many things, and that is of great comfort.

"He was 12 years older than me, so I always looked up to him with great respect.

"He would take me to things when I was young and it was brilliant. I went for drinks with Peter O'Toole and the likes. I would always go and spend my school holidays with him and my friends would always love to hear my stories when I got home."

The son of Italian parents, Joe was born in Islington, but his family moved to Leicester during the war.

They lived off Humberstone Road and, after his national service with the Intelligence Corps, Joe got a place at Cambridge University, studying language.

Part of the esteemed Cambridge Footlights Review he was spotted by a talent scout and offered a part in the 1959 comedy film Too Many Crooks, alongside Sid James and George Cole.

He compered BBC2's Full House and appeared in dozens of films including The Intelligence Man, Oh! What a Lovely War and Privates on Parade.

"I have collected DVDs of his films over the years, and am so glad I still have those.

"He will be missed a lot. My grandchildren adored him as he could get down to their level and be like a kid himself," said Trish.

In an interview with the Mercury in March, 1973, Joe explained his distaste for celebrity culture and the "barriers that separate the general public from the performers".

Joe said: "I'm only doing my job. I'd like to see a situation where celebrities get no more credit for doing their job than a chef would for cooking a fine meal."

When our reporter asked him why he agreed to the interview, if he did not like preferential treatment, he answered: "Oh, simply because you wanted to talk to me and I wished to discuss important things.

"But it would greatly disappoint me if people reading this article attached the slightest significance to my opinions, simply because I appear on television."

He lived in Primrose Hill, London, before moving to Stratford-upon Avon, and guest-starred in television programmes including Birds of a Feather and Last of the Summer Wine.

He spent his later life enjoying reading, opera, theatre and travelling in Europe.

Joe's wife Flora passed away in 2008, and he leaves behind his sons Jonathon and Joseph.

Joe's funeral is due to take place on November 20, in Leamington Spa.

Reluctant city star    Joe Melia dies, 77

Big Apple marathon just what the doctor ordered

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Heart doctor Doug Skehan expects to compete in the New York Marathon despite Hurricane Sandy causing mayhem in the Big Apple.

The 59-year-old's flight from Heathrow touched down at JFK airport on Wednesday, on a runway that had been under water 36 hours earlier. Yesterday, he registered for the marathon, which is set to go ahead, albeit with an altered route, tomorrow.

He said: "We received a great welcome in an uncrowded arrivals hall from an immigration officer who appeared jovial and glad to have us marathon tourists, which did not meet the usual reputation for a US official.

"During the run I suspect some direct observation of the hurricane Sandy effect is likely along the 26.2-mile course, but the work to clear the course is under way, so a can-do spirit should prevail."

From the apartment in Manhattan, where he and his wife, Marcelle, are staying with friends, he said: "There's a stark contrast between the bright lights along 42nd Street and Times Square and the darkness in Lower Manhattan and New Jersey, where, no doubt, conditions must be testing tolerance and resources."

Doug will be running to raise cash for Glenfield Hospital, where he works. He hopes to raise more than £20,000 to improve diagnosis and treatment for patients with heart and vascular problems.

To sponsor Doug, go to:

www.justgiving.com/ drskehannewyorkmarathon

Big Apple marathon   just what the doctor ordered

Michelle's payout over hospital misdiagnosis

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A woman has been awarded a "significant" sum of money after a doctor's misdiagnosis left her with serious medical problems for life.

Michelle Chapman told a junior doctor at Leicester Royal Infirmary's accident and emergency department that she was suffering from Cauda Equina Syndrome.

The condition leads to numbness in the bladder area and incontinence caused by nerves trapped between collapsed vertebrae in her spine.

Instead of giving her a vital MRI scan and operation to release the nerves, the doctor said she did not have the condition and sent her home.

The short window to rescue Michelle's nerves was missed and the 45-year-old has been left with numb legs, incontinence and will need to use crutches for life.

Now she has received compensation from the hospital which has enabled her to buy a specially-adapted house and will pay for her care for life.

Michelle, from Melton, said: "You trust your doctors. You've got to. You don't go to hospital and expect to be fobbed off.

"It really knocked my self-confidence, and has taken away the independence that I had before."

Michelle had back pain for some time before she collapsed at home in May, 2007, aged 39.

She visited her GP and told him she was having some incontinence and numbness, and he alerted her to Cauda Equina Syndrome.

He told her to look out for "red flag symptoms" – signs that the condition was getting worse and needed immediate help. Some days later, her symptoms got worse, so she called an ambulance and went to Leicester Royal Infirmary with her fiance, Alister Hughes.

"I was seen by a junior doctor and my condition was mentioned," said Michelle.

"But he put on his notes there was no sign of the condition and sent me home."

A few days later, her GP gave her a courtesy call to check how she has feeling.

When Michelle told him about her treatment at hospital and her increased symptoms he immediately called the infirmary and booked an MRI scan. It revealed Michelle needed immediate surgery in an attempt to stop permanent nerve damage.

She had an operation to remove part of the disc that was pressing on her nerves but it was too late – permanent damage had been done.

"If they had done that the first time I had come in, it would not have been as bad as it was," Michelle added.

An out-of-court settlement was agreed between Michelle and her solicitor, and the University of Leicester NHS Trust's legal team, in June.

Michelle said she was awarded "significant" compensation. "I could be bitter and angry – and I was at the time – but I am not going to let it ruin my life," she said.

"The settlement has given me a bit of normality back and a bit of independence."

Michelle's solicitor, Mehmooda Duke, of Moosa-Duke Solicitors, said: "As a lawyer dealing with these cases, I would see it as a huge achievement if there was greater awareness of Cauda Equina Syndrome among health care professionals and, if suspicions of Cauda Equina Syndrome were taken more seriously and acted upon more quickly."

A spokesman for Leicester's Hospitals said: "We now know Ms Chapman should have been admitted for further investigations when she attended the emergency department.

"I am sincerely sorry this did not happen.

"We have taken this very seriously and, although this may be of little comfort to Ms Chapman, we have shared the results of the investigation with staff in the department to minimise the likelihood of a similar incident happening again."

Michelle's payout over hospital misdiagnosis


'NO IDEA WHEN BLAZE SCHOOL WILL BE OPENED'

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Education officials have admitted they do not know when a fire-hit school will re-open.

A massive asbestos decontamination project will have to take place at Catherine Junior School, in Belgrave, Leicester, following a fire this week.

The school's gym was destroyed in the blaze on Tuesday and the rest of the building was smoke-logged, with harmful asbestos released into the air.

It is now likely the 380 pupils will eventually have to go to other schools in the area for lessons.

The council has also revealed it is paying out up to £13,000 in compensation to parents for children's clothes and shoes lost in the fire.

Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for children, young people and schools, said: "We are very aware this situation is putting great pressures on families and we are doing all we can to sort this out as quickly as possible, including talking to other schools and education providers in the area. We will finalise arrangements to get children back into school and inform parents as soon as we can next week."

The council said the asbestos contamination was confined to the interior of the building, where the damage of the roof was most severe and part of the structure had collapsed.

A spokesman said: "All pupils and staff were evacuated from the building before there was any danger of asbestos release."

Fire chiefs have reassured members of the public that smoke from the fire, which spread over a large area of Belgrave during the three-hour blaze, did not contain any asbestos.

They said some areas containing the material may have been disturbed during the firefighting operation, which included the demolition of walls to get to the fire. The council said decontamination of the building was "likely to take some weeks".

Because of the release of asbestos, the council's engineers are still waiting to get a full picture of the damage caused.

School bags, coats, PE kits and other items left behind during the evacuation by the 380 children will have to be destroyed because of the asbestos contamination.

Parents will receive £35 for each child to compensate them.

Claire Knight, of Northfields, whose sons Kiran, 11, and Peter, eight, go to the school, contacted the Mercury to complain about the city council's handling of the fire.

She said: "The council told me the school wouldn't be open before Christmas. This is very traumatic for the children and they're also missing out on their education.

"If we kept our children out of school we'd be fined.

"Now they're offering us £35 for each child's things that had to be left behind. Kiran lost his PE kit, football boots, coat, jumper and his Leicester City top. The football kit alone cost £30."

Amanda Saddler, whose children Ella, nine, and Morgan, seven, go to the school, said: "We're very angry. My kids have raincoats they lost in the fire and they cost £75 each, so the £35 won't cover it.

"I don't like the way we weren't contacted about the money or the way we weren't called when the fire happened."

Vaishali Khetia's son, Khush, eight, lost more than £50 worth of clothes and equipment in the fire.

She said: "He lost his coat, his schoolbag and his lunchbox. But mostly we just want him to be able to go back to school – he really misses it."

The blaze was started by workmen fixing the school roof.

'NO IDEA WHEN BLAZE SCHOOL WILL  BE OPENED'

Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints: Clash of fire and brimstone

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For once, Lady Luck seems to have dealt Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill a decent hand for today's visit of neighbours Northampton Saints in the Aviva Premiership.

That seems a strange suggestion against a backdrop of six England players being "rested" for the game by their country.

Plus the fact that Tom Croft and Logovi'I Mulipola are both missing through injury and a mixture of Italians and Tongans being away with their countries until Thursday of this week.

But Ben Youngs' release by England to get more game time under his belt is a huge bonus for Leicester.

Anthony Allen has joined him and that, coupled with Julian Salvi's return from a broken hand and long-term injury victims Geordan Murphy and Louis Deacon's continued availability gives Leicester some serious experience.

Add to that mix the likes of Marcos Ayerza, Martin Castrogiovanni, Matt Smith and Scott Hamilton and Tigers will put out a side that knows all about the pressure and high stakes involved in the league's most bitter feud.

Saints, meanwhile, will miss Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Lee Dickson, Paul Diggin, Tom Wood and Stephen Myler to a mixture of injury and unavailability. Peel away the surface of their very strong first XV and the same old accusations about Jim Mallinder's side seemingly lacking the depth of Leicester's squad come to the fore.

On paper, Leicester are deserved favourites to make it six wins on the trot in the battle for the East Midlands bragging rights.

However, there will be little paper in sight when this one kicks off. Years of fire and brimstone will come to the fore once more as a showcase of will, passion, commitment and a physicality – that is rarely matched throughout the Premiership – is played out in front of 24,000 people in the white-hot atmosphere of Welford Road.

Fights, red cards and broken arms have all been too recent to forget in this fixture and, with the winner firmly cementing themselves in the top four and the loser likely to slip to sixth or seventh in the table, there is plenty on the line.

No change there then.

"It's massive having Ben Youngs back for us," said Cockerill.

"We missed him in the first five rounds of the league because he got injured on England duty and so to be able to have him back for this game is huge.

"Having Julian Salvi back is great too and, with Geordy Murphy and Louis Deacon fit again, it gives us that spine of experience.

"Having said that, we have still had to make plenty of changes from last week which hurts continuity.

"In the league, you want to win your home games because that puts you in a good place and you certainly want to win against your local rivals.

"We will be very much up for the game, don't worry about that."

And Leicester's skipper Murphy, who returned to action in last weekend's defeat at Gloucester, is hoping that a Welford Road crowd that has been sold out for over a month lets the visitors know exactly where they are.

"It is a huge game against our local rivals and I am looking forward to getting back to Welford Road and having the crowd behind us," he said.

Leicester Tigers v Northampton Saints:  Clash of fire  and brimstone

Attack left victim with broken jaw

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Detectives investigating an attack which left a man with a broken jaw have released CCTV footage of two men they wish to trace.

The 22-year-old victim was queuing to use the ATM outside Tesco Express, in Granby Street, Leicester, when two men pushed in and slapped and punched him. He required surgery on his jaw.

The incident took place at 12.15am on Sunday, October 7.

Both of the suspects are black. One is 6ft, in his mid-20s, stocky with a closely shaved head. He was wearing a black round-neck T-shirt.

The second is 5ft 6in, in his mid-20s and stocky. He was wearing a white T-shirt.

Contact Det Con Rebekah Cortez on 101.

See the CCTV footage here.

Attack left victim with broken jaw

I'm overjoyed to learn Dad's 'military secret'

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When mum Katherine Horkheimer-Wolfe moved to Leicester to escape anti-Semitism in her London neighbourhood, she thought she had no connection to her new home city.

But three years after arriving here, the death of her mother led to a surprising discovery – that her father had fought in the Leicestershire Tigers Regiment during the Second World War.

Katherine, who lives in Braunstone with her 12-year-old son, Max, said: "I knew my father had been in the war and I recently showed my son a tribute to fallen soldiers from the Tigers Regiment at the Neve Shalom Shul synagogue, in Leicester, telling him how his grandfather fought in the same war.

"What I had no idea about was that my father was actually in the Tigers regiment."

Katherine's mother died in December last year and it was only this year she managed to get into an old safe in which she found a pile of papers, medals and cap badges from the Second World War.

"Imagine my shock when out dropped my father's cap badges with a tiger on and underneath the inscription 'Leicestershire'," she said.

"I was dumbfounded."

Katherine's father, Max Wolfe, fled from Germany to England in 1939 when Adolf Hitler's persecution of Jews was reaching its height. His own father, Otto, was killed at Sobibor extermination camp, in Poland.

Max was about 19 when he arrived in England and after initially being classed as an "enemy alien" and locked up, he was put to work on a farm and then into the Auxiliary Pioneer Corps.

He was later transferred to the Somerset Light Infantry and joined the Leicestershire Tigers Regiment in September 1944.

It is likely he served in the infantry in Western Europe during the last year of the war. He left the regiment in 1947.

Katherine, who was born in 1960, never heard much about her father's past as a soldier. He died in May 1997.

After her divorce, Katherine's life took a harrowing turn as she found herself the target of racists in Hackney.

She said: "There was a lot of gang violence in Hackney. Someone engraved a swastika on our door and later the words 'white slut' were engraved under the swastika."

She said: "In the end it became clear we could no longer live there."

In July, 2009 Katherine moved to Leicester because her ex-husband had moved here previously. Now she knows about her connection to the Tigers, she is looking forward to marking Armistice Day on November 11.

"This is the first year at Armistice Day that I will know my father fought in the regiment of the place I now live," said Katherine, who hopes to have a bench in Leicester inscribed as a memorial to her father to further strengthen the family connection to the city she now calls home.

I'm  overjoyed to learn Dad's 'military secret'

Apprentice Alice passes first TV test

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Young Apprentice star Alice Smith has made it through the first episode and helped her team to victory.

In the first episode of the BBC series, a team of teenage boys went up against the girls to make the most cash selling old clothes.

Both teams set up stalls and persuaded passing shoppers to buy their wares.

During the first boardroom chat after the challenge, Alice was fearless in the face of Lord Sugar's teasing.

He asked three members of the girls' team who had been charged with cleaning the clothes: "Did you work out which was a washing machine and which was a dryer?"

Alice replied: "Eventually we did, yeah."

The girls made a profit of £453 while the boys only managed £330, earning team member Max Godecki the sack.

Whichever of the remaining 11 contestants wins the show will receive £25,000 to put towards the business ambitions.

Members of Cosby Golf Club, where Alice is a junior captain, were watching and rooting for her. Club chairman, John Horsburgh, said: "She's a very confident and effervescent young woman."

Alice started out in the business world selling free-range eggs from her family's farm near Lutterworth

The next episode will be on Thursday at 8pm on BBC1.

Apprentice Alice passes first TV test

'Now we're up and running!'

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The finishing touches are being made to the city's first free school after a £3 million refurbishment.

Krishna Avanti, a Hindu primary set up at the former Leicester Grammar Junior school site with a building which dates back to 1835, has been transformed since it opened in September 2011.

Principal Christopher Spall said: "We're incredibly proud of the school, what we're doing here and how it looks. There's a fantastic atmosphere and we're sure anyone who looks around and sees what we have done will be impressed."

Two new blocks have been added to the building housing classrooms and a worship hall which doubles up as a dining area.

A large outdoor plaza has been created and further landscaping includes a vegetable patch for children to grow their own food and play areas for each year group.

The Grade II-listed building which already existed at the site has been repainted throughout and new carpets added.

It will eventually be used by pupils in years four, five, and six as youngsters move up and the school expands.

The Department for Education has spent more than £4.5million buying and developing the school.

A contribution of £200,000 was made by the Krishna Avanti Trust. Three free schools in London are also run by the trust.

About 90 pupils attend the Leicester primary, 45 of them new starters in September. The school is not exclusively for Hindu children and children from other faiths can join.

Krishna Avanti was created under the Government's new education agenda where parents, charitable groups and others can bid to set up a school, providing they demonstrate the ability to do so. Although free schools don't have to follow the national curriculum, Krishna Avanti does.

It is funded via the local education authority in the same way as most schools but money goes directly to the school and no cash is retained by the city council for central services.

School governor, Pradip Gajjar, said: "It's hugely exciting to see the school coming together. It has been designed in a way which reflects our ethos and values and provides a perfect environment for our pupils to thrive."

The school grounds have piped music throughout, so wherever staff and pupils walk, there is a calm, relaxing atmosphere. As well as daily meditation, pupils also take part in yoga. They learn Sanskrit, the classical language of Hinduism, and are also taught Spanish in year one.

Pupils have the latest ICT equipment and use iPads in the classroom.

Mr Gajjar said: "Our school, along with many others no longer has the traditional ICT suite full of computers. The iPads are portable and are used to support learning as and when they're needed."

Pupil Diya Mistry, five, said: "I like my teachers. It's fun coming here."

Fellow pupil Kyan Patel, five, said: "I love using the iPad. I have one at home, but it's even better using it in school."

An open day took place at the school on Saturday and another is planned for November 24, between 11am and 2pm.

Prospective parents are invited to have a look around the school. No appointments are necessary.

'Now we're up and running!'

Sisters want action over 'dangerous' village road

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Two sisters are calling on a council to slow down traffic near their home.

Hope and Gabrielle Gagin, of St Mary's Close, Broughton Astley, have collected a petition of 93 signatures from people backing their campaign for traffic calming measures in nearby Frolesworth Road which has a 30mph speed limit.

They will stand up to speak about the issue at a public meeting tomorrow.

Gabrielle, 10, said there had been lots of accidents involving cats and she fears it could one day be a child who is hurt.

"We're worried someone is going to get hit by a car," she said. "Lots of cats have been killed and one cat got hit and lost its tail and then got hit again and died.

"There's a nursery and a park on the road and it's scary crossing it because the cars go so fast.

"We went and asked people for signatures. Now we're going to speak at the meeting. I'm a bit nervous."

Hope, 13, said: "We were really happy with how many people signed the petition – only three or four said they wouldn't.

"I hope the council puts speed bumps down."

Hope and Gabrielle will present their petition to the Leicestershire County Council Highways Forum for Harborough, which will meet tomorrow at Harborough District Council.

Mum Paula said she was proud of her daughters.

"I'm very impressed – it's all been their own work," she said. "The cars do rush along Frolesworth Road and it is dangerous."

Dad Darren, who is a dog trainer with Leicestershire Police, said: "The road is a cut-through for people coming from Magna Park so there's more traffic than you would think.

"The main issue is the speed they come past the park at."

The girls are calling on the county council to put speed bumps on Frolesworth Road.

The petition states: "Little children could run into the road while a car is speeding – this could lead to serious injuries or even death.

"Many people have pets that live down Frolesworth Road and these get hit by cars all the time.

"Cats we know and look after have been hit many times. This upsets and annoys us... and nothing is being done about it.

"An accident is waiting to happen. We are scared that if changes aren't made soon, a serious injury or death of a person is going to happen.

"So please put speed bumps down Frolesworth Road."

Parish and district councillor Paul Dann, who is a member of Harborough District Council, said: "I think it's excellent that these two girls have gone to this trouble to highlight the problem.

"I know the area well and over time it has got busier and more dangerous with new houses and the improved park.

"I would certainly support traffic calming."

Sisters want action over 'dangerous' village road


Doorman was felled by clubber

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A nightclubber has been ordered to pay £500 compensation to a bouncer he knocked unconscious.

Markell Clarke (22) admitted causing actual bodily harm to the doorman outside the Hush nightclub, Albion Street, Leicester, at 2.20am on January 29 .

CCTV footage was shown at Leicester Crown Court.

Ben Gow, prosecuting, said Clarke and others were refused entry because the club was full.

People were getting annoyed and began arguing with the doormen.

Clarke and others went round the back to try and get in another way, but a few minutes later Clarke returned to the main entrance.

Footage showed him launching an unprovoked attack on a doorman, who was felled by a single blow.

Mr Gow said other door staff picked up the unconscious victim and carried him inside.

Clarke, of Lonsdale Street, Spinney Hill, Leicester, was given a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for a year and was ordered to pay compensation.

Co-accused Tobias Hawkins (21), who was queuing outside, also became involved. He picked up a barrier rope.

Mr Gow said: "We can see Hawkins throwing it at the police officers as they arrived and it hit one of them on the leg.

"He also kicked out at an officer when he was arrested."

Hawkins, of Severn Street, Highfields, admitted causing an affray. He was fined £250.

Andrew Fryman, mitigating for Clarke, said: "It wasn't premeditated and was over very quickly and no serious injury was caused."

David Baird, for Hawkins, said: "He got caught up in the incident.

"He's not a big drinker. He had had a drink and was the worse for wear."

Man-of-the-match Graham Kitchener proud of Leicester Tiger's effort

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Man-of-the-match Graham Kitchener was proud of the way that Leicester Tigers fronted up and got the job done at a sold-out Welford Road against Northampton Saints.

The 23-year-old was at the centre of plenty of Tigers' good work in the scrum and line-out during a typically-physical no-holds-barred local derby.

On his eighth start of the season, the former Worcester Warrior is becoming a hugely valuable member of the side and says he already knows how much a sixth win on the bounce over the old enemy means to players and supporters.

"You only need to look at how many people were there to know how much it means to the crowd," he said.

"It was an awesome occasion and atmospheres like that were one of the reasons that I joined Tigers for.

"It would be hard not to be motivated and feel the passion that the locals have.

"It was disappointing at Gloucester last week. We needed the four points (against Saints) and we delivered it.

"We are in a much healthier position now going into the LV= Cup and have proven that we can deal with players being away on international duty.

"We fronted up well and, even when they chucked it out wide, we got tight and made our tackles, which we didn't quite do at Gloucester.

"There were errors but it is the way you come back from those mistakes that count and we didn't let our heads go down, especially at half-time.

"We stole possession or nicked a line-out. We knew we hadn't played as well as we could at half-time but we came out firing and kept ourselves in the game."

Kitchener said Tigers knew exactly what to expect from a Saints side known for their fast phase play and reliance of big ball-carriers. And he thought they stood up to their challenge in impressive style.

"We knew what would happen and that they would come around the corner (of rucks) at us," he said.

"It was always going to be a forwards' dominated game and very tight.

"They come around the corner hard, so we needed to fan out and defend well. We did that and they didn't make too many line breaks.

"The try at the start of the second half settled some nerves but we didn't kick on from there. Getting back-to-back scores is what we always talk about and we didn't quite manage that."

Man-of-the-match Graham Kitchener proud of Leicester Tiger's effort

Leicester Tigers' Smith goes over to spark victory push

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Matt Smith's early second-half try proved the turning point, with Leicester Tigers going on to win 16-12.

3 min: Penalty (0-3) Yet again, Tigers go behind to the first score of the game as Ryan Lamb converts good early pressure for the Saints.

11 min: Penalty (0-6) Lamb adds to the visitors' lead with another penalty as Saints enjoy the best of the opening exchanges.

13 min: George Ford misses the first of his kicks and this is from almost right in front of the posts.

14 min: Ford gets a chance for immediate redemption but misses again.

17 min Penalty (3-6) It's a third penalty in four minutes and, this time, Ford nails it right down the middle.

25 min: But Ford's kicking problems are not over as he nudges wide a third kick in four with the crowd starting to groan.

40 min penalty (6-6) It's a crucial kick right on the half-time whistle though, as Saints are pinned near the left-hand touchline and Ford steps up to show real guts and bring Tigers back level at the break.

H-T: Leicester 6 Saints 6

41 min: Try (13-6) There are only 80 seconds of the second half gone when the key moment of the game arrives. Leicester go through some good phases and, on the Saints 22, Ford's lovely inside ball finds Vereniki Goneva, who has just come on to replace Scott Hamilton. He beats a man and off-loads under pressure to Matt Smith, who jinks to the line for the only try of the game. Ford converts.

44 min: Penalty (13-9) Saints are right back in it when Lamb kicks his third penalty after Tigers are penalised for not releasing in the tackle.

48 min: Lamb misses the chance to cut the gap to one point by hitting the post when Marcos Ayerza comes in at the side of a ruck.

53 min: Penalty (16-9) The lead is back up to a converted try when Ford splits the uprights.

64 min: Ford makes great contact with the ball but pulls another penalty attempt wide.

66 min: There are gasps from the capacity Welford Road crowd as Ford misses the chance to kill off Saints off when he pushes wide his fifth penalty kick.

74 min: Penalty (16-12) An improbable comeback seems possible when Lamb makes it 16-12.

77 min: Any hopes Saints had finally bite the dust as Lamb is yellow-carded for a shoulder- barge off the ball.

Leicester Tigers' Smith goes over to spark victory push

Match stats: Leicester City stung by a Hornets double

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Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson made three changes to the side that suffered their first home Championship defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend.

Liam Moore started at right-back in the absence of the suspended Ritchie De Laet, while Matty James and Ben Marshall took the places of Lloyd Dyer and Jamie Vardy in midfield.

Paul Gallagher and Neil Danns were included on the substitutes' bench.

1 min: David Nugent charges down a back-pass and former Arsenal goalkeeper Manuel Almunia strikes it straight against the oncoming striker. It could have gone anywhere but, fortunately for Almunia, it runs behind for a goal-kick.

5 min: Troy Deeney uses a lovely piece of skill to get past Zak Whitbread and charge into the box but he fires wide. Watford look dangerous on the attack and have had the best of the opening exchanges.

11 min: Watford catch City on the break and Deeney has another chance to put the home side ahead from the left side of the box but he fires harmlessly wide. Worrying signs for City.

12 min: A poor clearing header by Whitbread gives the ball straight back to Watford in City's half and Deeney is played through. Wes Morgan comes across well to cover.

14 min: GOAL 1-0 It is only a matter of time before the home side take the lead. A wonderful through-ball from Fernando Forestieri, who is looking extremely dangerous, feeds in Almen Abdi, who beats the offside-trap and strokes it home. No more than Watford deserve.

19 min: The ball falls to Forestieri on the edge of the area and he fires low to Kasper Schmeichel's left. It bounces just in front of the City keeper, who has not seen it until late, but the Dane gets down very well to save.

21 min: A long ball from inside the Watford half finds Deeney on the edge of the City area. It is laid off to Daniel Pudil on the edge of the area who fires wide. It is one-way traffic.

28 min: Anthony Knockaert mesmerises and weaves his way into the box to play in Ben Marshall, but the winger hits it straight at Almunia. It is City's first shot on target and it should really be 1-1.

30 min: Marshall's shot is blocked away for a corner which is whipped in by Knockaert. Morgan rises above the rest and his header looks to be in but it is cleared off the line by Jonathan Hogg. This is much more like it from City.

35 min: Tommie Hoban finds himself on the end of a cross inside the City area and fires at goal, but it is straight at Schmeichel. He should have doubled Watford's lead. It is end-to-end stuff.

37 min: Nugent works his way into the Watford box but his side-footed attempt is far too timid to trouble Almunia.

39 min: City are throwing men forward in search of an equaliser and, after a period of sustained pressure, get caught on the break. Hogg hits it from distance but his shot is off-target.

42 min: Knockaert goes down easily in the Watford box, which does not sit well with the home support.

H-T: Watford 1 City 0

45 min: Danny Drinkwater makes way for Lloyd Dyer in a tactical switch.

57 min: Lloyd Doyley whips the ball into the City box and Deeney directs his header towards the far corner, but the sprawling hand of Schmeichel tips it wide.

58 min: Appeals for a penalty as Nugent is brought down by Almunia. Referee Andy D'Urso waves away the protests.

62 min: Nigel Pearson makes a double change and brings on Marco Futacs and Martyn Waghorn to replace Knockaert and Marshall.

68 min: GOAL 2-0 A clearance falls to Pudil just inside the City box. He fires a thunderous shot towards the top corner which Schmeichel saves well, but the Dane can only parry it against the bar. It falls at the feet of Forestieri, who makes no mistake.

71 min: GOAL 2-1 City are right back in this game now as Paul Konchesky's cross finds its way to Nugent at the back post, who smashes it into the far corner of the net. That wakes up the City crowd.

74 min: Hogg finds space on the edge of the area and thunders an effort on target but it is punched away by Schmeichel.

76 min: City break away through substitute Dyer, who plays a neat one-two with Waghorn, and Dyer is through. But Abdi covers well for the home side and makes a fine last-ditch challenge to deny the City winger.

84 min: Whitbread picks up his second yellow card after a mistimed slide tackle and is given his marching orders by referee D'Urso.

91 min: Watford are really making the extra man pay and City have been caught three-on-two on the break a number of times. The game should really have been put to bed but some strong defending from Morgan keeps it at 2-1.

F-T: Watford 2 City 1

Match stats: Leicester City stung by a Hornets double

Match verdict: Leicester City's Premier drive is hit by another pot-hole

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Defeat by Crystal Palace underlined the fact that Leicester City's route to the Premier League is far from a direct one.

And Saturday's events at Vicarage Road highlighted the fact that the road is also full of pot-holes, a 2-1 defeat by a mid-table Watford side seeing City slip out of the top two.

They also lost defender Zak Whitbread, who was sent off for a second booking, making him ineligible for tomorrow night's trip to Bolton.

Bluntly, City did not do enough against Watford to take anything from the game.

It was not for a lack of effort or desire, and manager Nigel Pearson went through just about all his options in an attempt to get Leicester back into the game.

But, on a day when Kasper Schmeichel was the busier of the two goalkeepers, the hosts were worth the three points, even in a close-run affair.

They had the men who mattered most. Almen Abdi made vital contributions at either end and the quicksilver Fernando Forestieri was a constant thorn in the side of the City defence, doing what Leicester fans hoped Anthony Knockaert would do for their side.

The pair combined after just 13 minutes, Forestieri's superbly weighted through-ball sending Almen clear to finish in no-nonsense style.

A goal down and barely out of neutral, Leicester were already facing an uphill struggle, and it could have been worse had Schmeichel not dealt capably with efforts from Forestieri and Daniel Pudil.

It was not until the 28th minute that City emerged as an attacking force and, all of a sudden, there was some potency about their play. Ben Marshall brought a smart save from Manuel Almunia, and Wes Morgan's towering header was cleared off the line by Jonathan Hogg.

David Nugent tested Almunia with a low drive and Knockaert's shot was blocked when it appeared goal-bound.

It was better, much better from City, and there was reason to believe that they could carry forward that momentum after half-time.

Lloyd Dyer replaced Danny Drinkwater to give City some pace down the left and, midway through the second half, Pearson turned to a more direct approach as Marko Futacs and Martyn Waghorn were sent into the fray, replacing Knockaert and Marshall.

The plan did not work though and, in the 68th minute, Forestieri was quickest to react after Schmeichel had made a fine save from Pudil and City were two down.

Nugent's unerring left-foot finish at the far post four minutes later rekindled belief in the City ranks, but the equaliser remained tantalisingly out of reach.

Sure, there were a couple of penalty shouts which, on another day, might have gone Leicester's way.

But the day was pretty much done when Whitbread brought down Watford substitute Matej Vydra and received his second yellow from referee Andy D'Urso, six minutes from the end.

Seven minutes of stoppage time, largely due to a nasty clash of heads between Morgan and Liam Moore, did nothing to brighten City's mood.

While Leicester continued to hunt for a second there was always the threat of a third from Watford whenever they looked to counter.

When the final whistle went, the men in blue could have few complaints about the result.

Match verdict: Leicester City's Premier drive is hit by another pot-hole

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