The story of how a baby boy helped to save the lives of three other poorly children is to be told in city schools.

Dad Nick Hodges – who is backing the Leicester Mercury's Save a Life Campaign – has helped to make a video about how he and his wife Donna agreed their 10-month old son should be an organ donor.

Doctors from Leicester's hospitals are hoping the message will hit home and persuade hundreds of secondary school pupils to join the national organ donor register.

Bodie Hodges was rushed to hospital after a choking accident at home in April 2012.

He died 12 days later but, thanks to his parents, his two heart valves helped other children.

In addition, his liver and bowel were used to help save the lives of two girls.

Nick, 37, said: "Bodie's death is something that as a parent you can never make sense of.

"It is the worst thing you can go through. But, it also made no sense to not give hope to another child and their family.

"We knew Bodie's spirit had gone to heaven and he wouldn't need his body there, so organ donation was a decision we were able to make quite quickly. Sometimes, you think why was it our son but we have no regrets at all about the organ donation.

"It was a chink of light in the darkest moments and it did help with the grief.

"It wasn't a difficult decision for either us.

"When we knew Bodie wasn't coming back, we knew agreeing to organ donation could have a positive impact and he could leave a legacy."

Nick and Donna have set up the Bodie Hodges Foundation in memory of their son.

As well as raising enough money to buy a holiday home where parents who have lost a child can have a break the charity is working to raise awareness of organ donation.

Nick, from Whetstone, said: "We had never talked about organ donation and it is one of the hardest conversations you will ever have.

"But when you have been in a situation where any extra day with your very poorly child seems like a year, I am glad we have been able to give some hope and extra days to families.

"On the day when we said goodbye to our little man some families were getting a call that would change their lives forever.

"I hope people support the Leicester Mercury campaign to promote organ donation."

Richard Power, a consultant orthopaedic surgeon and member of the organ and tissue donation committee at Leicester's hospitals, begins a tour of secondary schools along with colleagues this week.

The first talk will be at Lancaster School, in Knighton, where Nick is a PE teacher.

Mr Power said: "We thought it would be a good idea to talk to pupils getting ready to take GCSEs, as many are thinking about starting to learn to drive, which could present dangers in the future."

MPs have backed the Leicester Mercury campaign to keep the remains of Richard III in Leicester.

Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier, Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan and Bosworth MP David Tredinnick have all joined the fight for the king's body to be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral.

The campaign comes after a court ruling cast doubt on where the bones will be reinterred.

A judicial review was granted after an application was made by the Plantagenet Alliance, who want the king buried in York.

We are asking people to sign an e-petition calling for Richard's resting place to be Leicester. It has so far gathered almost 14,000 signatures.

There is also a paper petition which people with no access to a computer can sign.

Mr Vaz, who has been out on the streets getting people to put their name to the campaign, said: "I think the Mercury's campaign is a fine one and needs to be signed by as many people as possible to show York that we are not giving up the fight.

"I'll be doing everything I can to encourage my constituents to sign up and keep the royal remains in Leicester, where they belong."

Among those who have signed the petition is 54-year-old Harjinder Singh, from Humberstone.

He said: "I think because he was buried in Leicester he should be kept in Leicester."

Another signatory, Diane Cank, 59, also from Humberstone, said: "For the past 500 years he has been buried here in Leicester and it's only because of Leicester archaeologists that we've found him.

"Why would we move him anywhere else? He's been messed about too much already."

Sir Edward's previous role as Solicitor General involved advising the Crown and Cabinet on matters of law and he urged the Plantagenet Alliance to drop its court case

He said: "Litigating about the matter and then transporting these bones to York is undignified. His bones are not some prize to be competed for.

"I urge the Plantagenet Alliance to withdraw their case and leave the poor dead king alone."

Mr Tredinnick said: "I do not believe that York's claims on Northamptonshire-born Richard are as strong as asserted by those who wish to take the remains north.

"Richard III died in Leicestershire, was buried in Leicester and it was the skill and determination of academics at the University of Leicester that found his long-lost grave."

Ms Morgan said: "Not only has Leicester quietly provided a resting place for Richard III's bones for all these years, it was the University of Leicester which identified the bones were those of the last English king to die in battle and we can all see the importance of the discovery to our city and county economy.

"It strikes me York is rather late to the party and have suddenly realised what they may be missing out on – too bad for them."

Mr Ashworth said: "The remains were exhumed in line with the Ministry of Justice licence and the plan to reinter them is also in line with the same legal document.

"I wholeheartedly support the Mercury campaign to keep the king in Leicester – it is the right thing to do."

Leicester City looked to have been left frustrated in their attempts last night to sign Wolves striker Kevin Doyle as the transfer window closed.

City tried to entice the Republic of Ireland star to the King Power Stadium in a deal which could have seen Martyn Waghorn head to Molineux.

Both clubs were happy with the deal and Doyle was said to be keen on the switch, but was apparently reluctant to take a big cut in his wages.

The 29-year-old has two years left on his Wolves contract and is believed to be picking up £40,000 a week, a figure City were reluctant to match as they try to conform with the new Financial Fair Play rules.

City were still trying to find a compromise as the clock ticked down yesterday, but a deal was looking very doubtful.

City are also believed to have inquired about a possible loan move for Stoke winger Michael Kightly, but did not follow up their interest.

One deal that did get done was the departure on loan of striker Marko Futacs.

The Hungarian returned to his homeland to join up with Diosgyori VTK after finding his opportunities limited at City.

Besides that, it was a quiet final day of the window at City. Several players had been linked with moves away from City before the deadline, such as Paul Konchesky who was close to joining Brighton, but nothing materialised.

The big plus for City was they retained key trio Wes Morgan,Paul Konchesky and David Nugent, who were all subject of interest from other clubs. City had rejected bids from Nottingham Forest and Hull for Morgan and Schmeichel respectively, while Nugent had been the subject of reports that Forest had tried to entice him to the City Ground. Reports that were not confirmed by City.

Manager Nigel Pearson had said on Saturday, following City's defeat at Charlton, that he wouldn't be concerned if he couldn't add to his squad.

"It is about availability of players and being able to do the right business when it comes along," he said.

"If we can strengthen the squad we will do it and, if not, then I know we have a very capable squad as it is."

Pearson added; "There is healthy competition in the squad. I think we have some really good players."

The man behind the petition to keep Richard III in Leicester is urging people to join the battle for the bones.

Roy Shakespeare, of Hinckley, is determined to keep the remains of the Plantagenet monarch in the city.

Last October, the 69-year-old set up an online petition to gather support after learning of a York campaign to snatch the bones back from Leicester.

To date, about 14,500 people have added their names to the online document, with scores more signing paper versions.

So far, York has managed to collect about 28,000 signatures.

Roy, a retired shipping worker, said "I really want as many people as possible to sign the petition.

"I started it in contrast to the York petition because I wanted Leicestershire people to have a say as well.

"We need to rally together and show our support for the city."

Roy said he hoped his petition would undo some of the negative traits bestowed upon Richard by his 16th century namesake.

He said: "I've managed to trace my name to within a stone's throw of William Shakespeare's, and I find it quite ironic that William did his best to muddy Richard III's name and I'm campaigning for him to be buried in Leicester.

"But I'm determined to fight for him, and show York that we won't roll over easily."

On Saturday, the Leicester Mercury launched a campaign to publicise Roy's petition, which ends on October 12, and rally people in Leicestershire.

It is in response to a rival bid to send the bones up to York, which has resulted in a High Court ruling that could see the remains removed from Leicester.

Despite the legal review, the University of Leicester, Leicester Cathedral and Leicester City Council are continuing with preparations for the £1 million reinterment ceremony next year.

Richard Taylor, deputy registrar at the University of Leicester, said: "The university has sought to fulfil the commitments it made when applying for and receiving a licence to exhume the remains found at Greyfriars – that Richard should be reinterred at Leicester Cathedral.

"Indeed, we funded the work on this basis.

"History brought Richard to Leicester and we continue to believe it would be entirely appropriate for him to be reinterred at the cathedral in a fitting ceremony."

The city's bid to reinter the king has received support from all over the county.

Richard Blunt, Leicestershire County Council's spokesman for heritage, leisure and arts, said: "The county council fully supports the Mercury campaign.

"As the thousands who visited our re-enactment witnessed, Richard III lost his life at Bosworth and was buried in Leicester, so there is a compelling case for his remains being interred at Leicester Cathedral."

Miles Benjamin said the successful recovery of fellow long-term injury victims like Mat Tait and Tom Croft has helped him remain positive throughout his own injury nightmare.

The former Worcester Warriors winger is yet to play a first-team game for Leicester Tigers after his move from West to East Midlands in the summer of 2012.

A fractured vertebrae in his neck on his first appearance for the A League team last September led to a year out and some arduous rehab.

But with his return to action expected in the opening few weeks of the Aviva Premiership season, Benjamin is happy to be looking forward.

With several of his current team-mates having fought back from similarly lengthy spells out of the game, the 25-year-old has found strength in their recoveries.

Geoff Parling (neck and knee) and Croft (neck) both fought back from injury to earn a place on the British & Irish Lions squad, while Tait (groin) and Jordan Crane (knee) were both announced in the England Saxons squad this summer having spent a year out of the game.

"I have come across other boys who have had similar problems," said Benjamin.

"Mat Tait was out for a long while and it was great to see him come back last year.

"Not only that, but he backed up his performances week after week and played in 25 games or so.

"Then Geoff Parling and Tom Croft have both had neck injuries similar to mine, and they came back and played well after recovering.

"It's good to have those people to speak to because they give you the confidence and prospect of recovery.

"There is not an awful lot people can say to you at times, but some have been through the same experience and it was helpful seeing Crofty and Geoff in the Lions tour.

"I have remained optimistic and, at no point, have I ever questioned what I am doing.

"Everyone has been really supportive. The guys at the club have been great and coaches have been patient. They have let me get on with it and had a kind word here and there.

"My family have been very supportive. My girlfriend has moved to Leicester and it has probably been harder for her because she has been a part-time nurse after a day at work.

"It's been tough on everyone. I am thankful for their support and I cannot wait to get back out there.

"If I am fit medically, I will be confident and buzzing to play again."

Leicester Tigers fly-half Toby Flood could return to action as early as the club's game at Bath in just 10 days time.

The 28-year-old has been ruled out of the Tigers' Aviva Premiership opener against Worcester at Welford Road on Sunday.

But, after being taken to hospital with concussion during the 30-10 win against Ulster last Saturday, tests and scans showed no further damage.

Although the club's captain is being "stood down" on medical advice this weekend, Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said Flood could return to training on Monday and may be fit enough to take part in the round two fixture against Bath at the Rec.

"He was concussed but there are no broken bones and all the scans are clear – so that's all good," said Cockerill.

"We will stand him down for this weekend because, on medical advice, that was the right thing to do.

"We will integrate him back into rugby next week and he may well play against Bath.

"If not, he will certainly be available for Newcastle the following weekend.

"He will have some time away, there are protocols to go through.

"He will have his exercise test and his cog sport tests.

"But the most important thing is his health.

"If that takes a week, great. If it takes three weeks, so be it. We want our best players out on the field, but we will just get on with things without Toby.

"We have a really good squad this season."

The injury was the second time in three games that Flood has been knocked out after his early departure from the Premiership final against Northampton at Twickenham in May.

But Cockerill dispelled any doubts that the fly-half might be scarred after suffering two serious blows in quick succession.

"Even though Toby is a well-educated pretty-boy, he is a very tough lad who always puts his body on the line and trains hard physically," said Cockerill.

"If a bloke (Ulster lock Dan Tuohy) wants to lead with his elbow and push his forearm through your face, there is not much anyone can do about it. It was not nice to see and it's hard at the time to tell just how bad these things are.

"Some guys have been stretchered off and are back in the changing room feeling fine soon after.

"Other guys have hits like the one Toby took, which are clearly very serious, but turn out pretty well."

Cockerill added: "I am just disappointed that he is injured. He has had a really good pre-season and he is important to us."

Richard Cockerill has hit out at the British & Irish Lions management over their handling of injuries to key duo Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs.

Both look likely to miss Sunday's Premiership opener at home to Worcester with nerve damage in their shoulders.

Cockerill, Leicester Tigers director of rugby, claims both continued playing for the Lions after contracting the injuries on tour in Australia.

As a result, they have missed all of pre-season as the Tigers medical team continue treating the injuries.

"We are still looking after Ben Youngs and Manu Tuilagi after they came back from the Lions tour with injuries," said Cockerill.

"They played in Test matches and midweek matches when they were not really fit to play.

"They have come back with shoulder issues. I am hoping they will be fit for this weekend but at this point, I don't know. It's obviously very frustrating."

Youngs started in the second Test in Melbourne, while Tuilagi injured his shoulder against the Queensland Reds but was back on the bench for the third and final Test in Sydney.

Cockerill said news that they were unlikely to be available for their club this weekend was hard to take.

"It's frustrating because you watch them play for somebody else's team and they come back and can't play in your team," he said.

"They were allowed to play for the Lions but our medical team are unhappy to clear them to play because they both have some nerve issues in their shoulders.

"The injuries are already long-term ones if you remember when the Lions tour finished.

"They have not been able to play for us up to this point. Hopefully, they will be able to play soon."

The Lions duo join Toby Flood, Miles Benjamin and Mat Tait in being ruled out of the Worcester game.

Meanwhile, Cockerill dispelled doubts over the fitness of Ed Slater, Niki Goneva and Tom Youngs by saying they should all be fit for selection.

A secondary school has been placed in special measures after inspectors found the majority of teaching needed improvement.

However, the interim head of Longslade Community College, in Birstall, says the latest Ofsted report is "not reflective" of the latest situation at the school.

The report on Longslade, which has 1,195 students aged 14 to 19 on its roll, has just been made public following an inspection in June.

Being put in special measures means it is deemed to be failing by the education watchdog.

However, the school recorded its best ever GCSE results last month – with 60 per cent of pupils achieving five or more A* to C grades including English and maths, up from just 39 per cent in 2012.

The Government benchmark is 40 per cent.

Interim head Kirstie Black said: "There's no doubt, had we been inspected this week, the college would have seen a very different outcome."

"Over the past few months it's been a privilege to work with such a hard-working body of staff and students."

The school was previously judged "good" when inspectors last visited in September 2009.

However, in the latest report, conducted before this year's GCSE results had been published, they said too many students under-achieved in English and maths and that progress was slow.

They said the majority of teaching was inadequate or required improvement, and attendance was too low.

However, they did say that Mrs Black – who was drafted in from Melton Vale Post 16 Centre following the departure of former head Liz Hall in April – had identified the school's weaknesses and a reorganisation of senior leadership meant they were now better equipped to make improvements.

Mrs Black said: "We have already made changes and that's apparent in our fantastic results. We don't intend to stand still and we know there's still work to be done.

"Teachers are looking at innovative ways of taking lessons and a student charter has been introduced, along with a new uniform to give pupils a sense of identity."

A council facing legal action in the High Court has defended its decision to approve a travellers' site.

Residents in Earl Shilton are seeking a judicial review of the handling of the application for a 10-pitch camp at Dalebrook Farm.

They lodged papers with the High Court, in Birmingham, and the court has ordered Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council to respond.

Members of the Earl Shilton Action Group (ESAG) have alleged the council broke planning rules in the way it handled the application, which was passed by its planning committee on June 25.

They have raised more than £10,000 to pay for the legal challenge to the decision.

A council spokesman said: "The committee report highlighted all of the relevant issues for consideration and covered these matters in detail.

"During the meeting, members listened to public speakers and ward members and considered the proposals before resolving to approve the application."

Residents said the site lies in a flood plain and access off the Earl Shilton bypass was dangerous.

The council spokesman said: "Members did have the option to defer the application if they considered there was insufficient information to make a decision, or refuse the application if they considered the development was unacceptable.

"Having considered all relevant issues and representations, it was resolved to approve the application."

The council said it would not issue any further statements as it was subject to on-going legal proceedings.

ESAG spokesman Alan Greenwood said: "Our legal advice is that planning protocol was breached in the way this application was processed by the council.

"We are determined to see the legal action through. We are hoping to raise £20,000 to fund the action, which we expect will take at least six months to reach a court hearing."

He said the grounds for legal action included neglecting to consult with adjoining landowners or the local education authority.

The group also argue the council ignored national planning policy requiring a flood risk assessment of the site and "dumbed down" the safety risk of vehicles turning in and out of the Leicester Road site, where there is a 60mph limit.

He said the papers submitted to the High Court required the council to respond within the next 10 days.

Peter Batty, leader of the opposition Tory group on the council, said: "There is widespread support for the judicial review from residents in the Earl Shilton area.

"Last Wednesday, they attended a public meeting and reiterated their determination to challenge the planning committee's decision in the courts.

"While the court action is being pursued, the planning application is on hold."

More city streets are to see their speed limits reduced to 20mph by the end of this year.

Leicester City Council has announced two more schemes covering 14 roads will definitely go ahead – one in Newfoundpool and one off Narborough Road.

The Newfoundpool 20mph zone in Sandhurst Road and Tetuan Road will cover Inglehurst infant and junior schools, which have backed the scheme.

The zone in the Narborough Road area will cover back streets around St Mary's Fields Infant School, in Heyworth Road.

It will cover 12 residential streets including Raymond Road, Haddenham Road and Hopefield Road.

New 20mph zones were promised by city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby ahead of his election in May 2011 and are designed to reduce road accidents and encourage more cycling and walking.

Partial speed humps known as "speed cushions" will be installed along the roads to slow traffic down.

The schemes only go ahead where they are supported by the majority of residents.

Sir Peter said: "In the consultation for both Sandhurst Road and St Mary's Fields, there was considerable support from the communities for introducing 20mph zones and other traffic-calming measures.

"Both are in busy residential areas around popular infants schools.

"This work continues our pledge to improve road safety where residents have requested that we do so."

The £90,000 Sandhurst Road and Tetuan Road scheme will involve installing speed cushions on both roads, extending double yellow lines at the roundabout on the north end of Sandhurst Road and extending the zig-zag yellow lines outside the entrance to Inglehurst infants and junior schools.

Danny Bullock, head of the junior school, said: "I'm really happy they're planning to put it along here.

"It will make the whole area a lot safer for the children at the schools."

The £62,000 Narborough Road scheme has the backing of St Mary's Fields Infant School and neighbours in the area and is an extension of a 20mph zone which covers a large area between Pool Road and Swannington Road.

In the past five years, there have been 13 accidents in the area, resulting in injuries to people, including four children.

Westcotes ward councillor Sarah Russell said: "People are fairly unanimous in supporting it. The 20mph zones are really important around primary schools in particular, because parents walking their children to school want to feel safe. Now we need to make sure drivers pay attention to the speed limits."

A lorry driver was taken to hospital after his vehicle overturned on a busy road yesterday.

Emergency services were called to the A607 Melton Road, near the retail park at Thurmaston, shortly after 3pm.

The lorry had over turned on its side near the Asda roundabout.

No other vehicles were involved in the incident.

The extent of the driver's injuries were unknown last night.

Motorists were advised to avoid the area following the incident, which caused traffic delays while the lorry was being removed from the scene of the crash.

Hundreds of film fans visited the city for the premiere of Leicester-inspired movie Jadoo last night.

More than 400 guests turned out at the Showcase Cinema de Lux, at Highcross, for the first official showing of the comic love story.

Jadoo stars Harish Patel, of Run Fatboy Run fame, and Kul-vinder Ghir, who featured in the comedy Goodness Gracious Me, were among those who graced the red carpet.

The film features many of the city's best known locations, including the Golden Mile, Curve and the Peepul Centre.

Speaking before the screening, writer and director Amit Gupta, who was born in Belgrave, said: "I feel really excited, it's a very special home coming – although I'm not sure many people know I made the film, I think they assume I'm just selling tickets.

"It's quite a nervous occasion, I hope people like it, and we've got the interesting mix of Indian time keeping and picking up tickets before the show starts."

Amit and some of the cast took a stroll through Belgrave yesterday afternoon to meet some of the business owners who had helped with the production.

"Walking through the streets and seeing my posters in the streets I used to play in as child is amazing," he said.

"We wanted to thank some of the businesses for helping out with the film. Loads of people were coming up and shaking my hand – it was great."