Youngsters have been learning what it takes to be a professional sportsman as Leicester marks two years until it helps host the Rugby World Cup.

To celebrate the occasion, rugby goalposts have been put up at seven parks to encourage young people to get involved in the game.

Yesterday, pupils from St John the Baptist School, in Clarendon Park, Leicester, were invited to nearby Victoria Park for a tag rugby session with Rugby Football Union coaches.

Amelia Fasham and Leo Toussaint, both 11, were excited to be taking part.

Amelia said: "I watch rugby matches with my family so I cheer the Leicester Tigers on all the time.

"I really like playing it because I love sport."

Leo said: "I go to matches, too, when I can. It's fun to be learning the best way to play and I hope I can see the England team play."

Teacher Carol Comben said: "It's fantastic to be taking part in something like this so close to the school.

"It gives pupils who might not normally play rugby a chance to get involved and learn something – and, of course, it will make it more exciting for them when the world cup does arrive."

Leicester will host three world cup matches.

Jenna Bonser, development officer for the Rugby Football Union in Leicestershire and Rutland, said: "We want to put rugby on the map and this is one way of doing it as far as young people are concerned.

"It helps to build up the excitement of the games and encourage them to be a part of it, whether that's playing, as a spectator or both.

"The rugby posts will be in place across the city and county's parks until October 2015, when communities can decide for themselves if they want them to become a permanent fixture."

Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor for culture, leisure and sport, was there to cheer on the pupils.

He said: "We want to bring some excitement and energy to Leicester and the game and show people this city has what it takes to be a great host, not just for this, but for other sporting events, too."

A new health watchdog is looking to appoint a chairman.

Healthwatch Leicestershire replaced Leicestershire local involvement network under Government reforms which came into force in April.

The job description for the post, a voluntary position, said it will require "someone with drive, energy and enthusiasm".

Vijay Sharma, interim chairman of the board, said: "It is an interesting role.

"We are looking for someone who is passionate about patients, puts them at the centre of everything, and who is a real consumer champion."

The job is likely to take up a couple of days a week and although unpaid, expenses will be refunded.

Ms Sharma said: "I think there is something very powerful about a voluntary chairman."

Once the appointment has been made, people who are members of Healthwatch will be asked to vote for six board members.

The closing date for applications for chairman is noon on Monday. For more information or to apply, go to:

www.healthwatch leicestershire.co.uk

A foundation stone at a city school undergoing a £13 million makeover has been blessed in a special ceremony.

Work to rebuild parts of English Martyrs School, in Beaumont Leys, began in March and should be complete by next summer.

It is part of Leicester City Council's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme to rebuild every secondary in the city.

Faith leaders from the Catholic diocese attended the ceremony yesterday, along with education bosses from the city council.

The stone will be put up in the school's new reception area once work is complete.

Head teacher Marius Carney said it was an "auspicious moment" and welcomed the new build with much excitement.

He said: "The new all-weather sports pitch, made from rtificial turf to meet international standards, will be a huge asset to the school.

"We hope that the community will use it and Leicester Ladies Hockey Club has shown a keen interest in its planning and potential use.

"Another key development for the site will be the addition of a 400-seat auditorium which, for a school with a performing arts specialism, will really add to what we do here in terms of technical facilities.

"It will have fantastic new lighting, modelled on the Royal Shakespeare Company's, which we were lucky enough to be given a tour of and we'll also be getting a new pipe organ.

"In addition, the sixth formers will be getting their own common room and study areas, which is vital as it's one part of the school which is growing in size."

The school, which is among the top performing in the city, will also be getting rid of its mobile classrooms once work is finished.

"All students will be in fully functioning classrooms, which is what they deserve," Mr Carney said.

Pupils Ievan Cox, and Jack Murphy, both 17, have the project the thumbs up.

Ievan said: "The sports pitch will be amazing and something the school really needs because it just hasn't got the space at the moment."

Jack said: "Getting rid of the mobiles will be a real step forward. In the summer they are boiling hot and in the winter they're far too cold.

"I just wish we were here longer ourselves to make use of them, but I'm sure future students will appreciate it."

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for schools, said: "This is the next chapter in the life of English Martyrs, which is going to be full of outstanding facilities and an even greater teaching and learning environment.

"This school already has strong foundations in terms of the respectful relationships between staff and students, who I'm sure will make the very best of their new school."

Former Leicestershire County Council leader David Parsons could face legal action over an unpaid debt of nearly £4,000 relating to his misuse of a tax-payer-funded chauffeured limousine.

Mr Parsons was invoiced for £3,670.66 in June but according to a new report, to be considered by the council's corporate governance committee on Monday, he has yet to pay up.

He has been sent several reminders, including a final demand last week.

The sum has been calculated by County Hall investigators looking into journeys made by Mr Parsons using the council's car during his nine years in charge of the Tory-run authority. They concluded he made 26 journeys which "were not sufficiently connected" with his role as a county councillor or as leader of the council.

They found in two other cases that the reason for the journey was appropriate, but given the short distance involved, use of the car was not appropriate.

The invoice sum includes mileage costs and chauffeur wages, as well as an overnight hotel.

They launched their investigation after a complaint by Liberal Democrat councillor Bill Boulter.

A County Hall spokesman said: "In accordance with the council's normal debt recovery policy, first and second reminder letters were sent on July 22 and August 2 respectively.

"A third and final reminder was sent on September 10 stating the county council would look to commence legal proceedings if payment was not forthcoming within 14 days."

Mr Parsons, no longer a county councillor, was unavailable for comment yesterday.

He did not seek re-election in May having quit as leader in July last year after he was censured by the council's standards committee over travel expenses he claimed, but then failed to promptly reimburse to the authority.

Mr Parsons, who remains an independent member of Blaby District Council, has already paid back £3,100 – the cost of chauffeuring him to and from airports for European trips he made as council leader.

However, he also owes the council £250 which is the final instalment due from £752 he was charged for the early termination of the lease for his council car.

Building society staff completed the final leg of a five-day, 250-mile relay bike ride to raise money for a homeless charity.

Staff from estate agents Harrison Murray, in Halford Street, Leicester, joined colleagues from the Nottingham Building Society – which recently took over the chain – for the final leg.

A team of six cyclists, supported by a professional rider from Team Raleigh, completed the leg in Nottingham.

Cyclists from the building society's branches across the East Midlands had set off on the cycle ride on the second of its Bike It events.

Neil Skinner, communications officer for Nottingham homeless charity Framework said: "Money collected from the ride, in sponsorship and collections, will help Framework to prevent cases of homelessness, to tackle rough sleeping, to provide skills training to allow people to live independently and to provide life-changing opportunities to people who would otherwise be denied them."

A £36,000 computer- generated 3D map of Leicester is to be created.

Officials are to commission the interactive virtual re-creation of a large expanse of the city to help them visualise major planning developments before they are built.

The project has been sanctioned by city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby and will also include a £3,000 promotional video for his multi-million pound Connecting Leicester revamp.

The map will span the area from Belgrave to Riverside Park, near Aylestone, in the south and from Narborough Road North and the Great Central Way in the west to St George's Way in the east.

It will initially contain limited information on buildings, though details of key structures can be added.

Proposed new buildings and roads can be added in to show how they would appear in the context of the surrounding area.

It will be used to create promotional fly-through videos of the city's street scene.

Sir Peter said the map could be used to advertise the city to potential developers.

He said: "They are a wonderful market tool for showing people around the city without having to take them out on a freezing February morning.

"It (£36,000) is a lot of money but we are talking about projects that are potentially worth millions of pounds of investment to the city."

It will be funded from a grant from the European Regional Development Fund.

It is hoped the map could be completed by the end of the year.

It will not initially be open for viewing by the public, although fly-through videos created from it will be reproduced for public consultations.

Other towns and cities in the region which already have 3D virtual maps include Northampton and Birmingham.

A city council spokesman said: "It is essential that we have the right tools to compete with other cities on an international stage.

"This proposal is in its very early stages but, once developed, the map would allow us to produce fly-through videos relatively easily.

Leicester Civic Society chairman Stuart Bailey said: "I think it is a good idea, but it is also expensive, so it will have to be put to work and not become a pretty ornament for silly councillors to go looking at what it would be like if the town hall was removed and replaced with a skyscraper.

"De Montfort University has already created some fly-throughs of the city which have helped attract heritage funding, so they do have a value."

City centre resident John Farmer, 42, said: "It might be interesting but it sounds like a bit of a toy for the council.

"I can think of better things that could be done with 36 grand."

Thieves who broke into a church caused £5,000 of damage to get away with less than £20 in cash and a few bottles of communion wine.

The break-in, at St Mary's Church in Melton, has left the church facing increased insurance and security costs.

The thieves smashed a panel in the Martyrs' window in the south aisle of the church, parts of which date back to 1170.

Once inside, they stole 11 bottles of communion wine and a small amount of cash.

The break-in took place between Sunday night and Monday morning

Church warden Ian Neale said: "They smashed one of the lower panels of the Martyrs' window, about a square metre.

"Compared with the damage in a previous break-in, we think this will cost about £5,000 to repair.

"We are insured, but, when things like this happen, premiums tend to go up and it comes at a time when we're trying to carry out improvements in the church, such as underfloor heating."

He said this was the fourth time the church had to carry out such repairs, with the last occasion about 18 months ago.

Mr Neale said the raiders on this occasions must have got out of the church the same way they had got in, as all the doors were deadlocked and bolted.

He said: "They spilled some orange cordial on the floor which was very sticky and quite a big job to clean up."

Mr Neale said church members he had spoken to seemed "really upset about it".

He said: "They don't know why this should happen and how someone could do it.

"It's a town centre church, a civic church which holds a lot of events such as the British Pie Awards and the forthcoming Christmas tree festival.

"We want to bring the church into the 21st century and the town is behind us.

"We have a very generous congregation who support our ongoing fund-raising."

Mr Neale said that the two sides of the church that had been attacked were "quite dark".

"We might need to think about passive infra red lighting," he said.

"But it all costs money and we now have to balance our books."

Sergeant Kev Pulley, of Melton police, said: "The communion wine is in very distinctive bottles and we would appeal to anybody offered some for sale to contact us." Anyone with any information about the break-in, between 7.30pm on Sunday and 9.30am on Monday, is asked to contact Pc Paul Anderson on 101 or call Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111.

A father-of-five told a jury he never intended hurting his partner's uncle, who suffered fractured ribs and kidney damage.

He suggested the injuries happened accidentally when they both fell on the floor and while he was trying to protect himself.

Fernando Xavier Da Moura (45) denies inflicting grievous bodily harm.

He told Leicester Crown Court he never punched, kicked or kneed 64-year-old Sivan Subiah at any stage, as claimed by the prosecution.

The incident happened as the alleged victim was tending to his terminally-ill mother at her Evington home, on August 20 last year.

Xavier Da Moura (45), had earlier exchanged words with Mr Subiah on the phone. He told the court he accompanied his partner, Mr Subiah's niece, to Evington. Xavier Da Moura said Mr Subiah began shouting at him to leave. He claimed Mr Subiah slapped his face, so he pushed him away.

Xavier Da Moura said his partner mentioned seeing a gun in the house and fearing he would get it, grabbed his shirt to put him on the floor.

He said: "We both tripped. He fell first and I fell on top of him. I didn't think I caused him any injury."

Mr Subiah told the court: "I feared for my life." He disagreed with the defendant's version of events.

The defendant's partner, said to have witnessed the incident, has not given evidence in court. The jury is due to consider the verdict today.

A Tesco Express store which is opening in a former public house received nearly 340 applications for the 15 full and part-time jobs on offer.

The shop, which is due to open next month in The Square, in Countesthorpe, will be open seven days a week, until 11pm.

Tesco has converted the building which used to be the King William IV pub.

The application included the demolition of chimneys at the 1930s building and the erection of new boundary walls.

A Tesco spokesperson said the firm had received more than 22 applications for the each of the jobs which were being created.

Of those who applied, 50 were interviewed.

The spokesman said all the members of staff selected to work in the new store, in The Square, come from the village "in order to bring a community feel to the store".

Store manager Avtar Kadoll and his team promoted the new jobs online.

Mr Kadoll said: "I was thrilled by the response we received to our recruitment drive.

"There were so many great applicants, which made the decision very tough when it came to selecting the successful 15.

"My new team and I are looking forward to offering shoppers a clean, bright and spacious new store with fast and friendly service.

"We want to make this very much a local store for local people."

He said store opening hours would be from 6am until 11pm seven days a week.

The store will have a free cash machine, self-service tills, mobile phone top-up facility, a National Lottery counter and a bakery.

There will also be limited parking available to customers in front of the store.

The application for the alterations in the village centre was opposed by some residents for its impact on the conservation Area.

Howard Gowdridge, of Tophall Drive, was one of those opposed to the conversion.

He told planners at Blaby District Council: "I object as it will change the appearance of the village in a conservation area."

He also raised worries about the potential traffic and parking problems the project would cause.

A couple living near the former public house also objected to the alterations because of their impact on the conservation area and urged the planning committee to reject the amendments.

However, critically, the scheme was not opposed by the Countesthorpe Parish Council.

Polish international Marcin Wasilewski has signed a one-year deal with Leicester City, the club has confirmed.

The 33-year-old is a free agent after six years playing for leading Belgian side Aderlecht.

The defender, who can play at right-back or centre-half, signed only hours before last night's 2-1 victory against Blackburn at the King Power Stadium.

The victory saw City go top of the Championship, with Blackpool losing and QPR not in action.

First-half goals from Lloyd Dyer and David Nugent saw City home and it's on now to Blackpool on Saturday in the promotion bid.

And Wasilewski, who was also in the stands for City's 2-0 weekend win over Wigan, has set his sights on helping City get promotion to the Premier League.

He admits his dream is to get the chance to compete alongside English football's elite.

Wasilewski says he had the chance to play in the Premier League four years ago but an horrendous injury while playing for Anderlecht put paid to that, but he said he never stopped dreaming of getting another chance.

"I have always wanted to play in England and before my injury I had a big chance but after that it was over," he said.

"Now I have another chance and, although it is Championship, I want to take it and you never know I may have time to get promoted to the Premier League. That is my dream.

"This is a good league. I saw last week there was a good atmosphere in the stadium.

"I am really happy to have signed for this club, one of the biggest in the Championship. Now I will do my best and try to help Leicester get promotion."

Wasilewski was impressed by the club during a week's trial and was delighted to sign for the club after leaving Anderlecht.

"I heard something about two months ago that the club was interested and I was asked to come for testing," said Wasilewski, who has been capped 60 times by Poland and captained his country against England at Wembley last year.

"I came last week and trained for five days with the team. Everyone was really friendly and I was impressed with the stadium and the training facilities. Everything here is really good and ready for the Premiership.

"I have seen a lot of young players and I watched the last game and I was impressed. It convinced me that we can go to the Premiership. I hope I can help those young players. First of all, I need to get myself ready to play because I haven't played for three months.

Leicester City maintained their good start to the season – and last night went top of the Championship.

They claimed their fifth win in seven games with a 2-1 win against Blackburn Rovers last night at the King Power Stadium.

With Blackpool losing and QPR not in action until tonight, the win was enough to put City top on goals scored.

An early strike from Lloyd Dyer and David Nugent's fourth successful penalty of the season, just before half-time, put City in the driving seat.

Although Jordan Rhodes pulled one back from the penalty spot in the second half, City were deserved winners and moved to top.

Buoyed by their excellent display against Wigan on Saturday, an unchanged City side carried on the momentum in the first half against Rovers.

After a cagey first 10 minutes, City took control of the game with some quick, incisive football which a physical Rovers struggled to live with.

It was from one such piece of intelligent play that City took an early lead.

City opened up the Rovers backline and the danger seemed to have been cleared when Paul Konchesky's cross was headed away, but Andy King picked up the loose ball and calmly dissected the defence with a clever pass which found Dyer – and he made no mistake with the finish past keeper Jake Kean.

City enjoyed a dominant spell after the opener and King, who was having an influential game in midfield, had a shot deflected over the bar and then captain Wes Morgan forced a reflex save from Kean with a header from Anthony Knockaert's corner.

Nugent could have doubled the tally in the 27th minute when City quickly turned defence into attack and Kasper Schmiechel's long clearance picked out the striker behind the Rovers defence.

Nugent was clear on goal but the ball just wouldn't sit down for him and Scott Dann managed to get in a challenge, although Nugent appealed for a penalty. Those appeals fell on deaf ears – for the time being.

The visitors actually enjoyed a good spell after that let-off and put plenty of pressure on City's rear-guard with a succession of corners and long throws.

Rovers were growing in confidence but they were deflated by a City second goal on the stroke of half-time.

Ritchie De Laet overlapped superbly from right-back and King played another clever ball in behind the defence. Midfielder Grant Hanley had tracked the run and seemed favourite to snuff out the danger, but his challenge on De Laet was deemed a foul by the linesman, who waved frantically, and referee Simon Hooper pointed to the spot.

Nugent had to hold his nerve amid vehement protests, but he eventually stepped up to smash the spot-kick past Kean for his fourth successful penalty of the season and third in consecutive home games. Nugent has never reached 20 goals for the season, but finally taking the responsibility of penalties will surely help him reach that tally this campaign.

City had a great chance to make it three straight after the break when they again broke quickly and Knockaert played in Jamie Vardy, who only had Kean to beat. But the keeper denied the City striker with his feet.

Kean was the only man keeping City at bay as he produced another excellent save to deny Knockaert as the game became entertainingly stretched, then repeated the acrobatics to deny King and followed that up with another superb save with his legs from Nugent as City pushed for the vital third goal, which would have killed off the visitors completely.

But then Rovers were given a lifeline in the 70th minute when Danny Drinkwater gave away a needless penalty with a challenge on substitute Chris Taylor and Jordan Rhodes dispatched the spot-kick.

Although Rovers had come back into the game, they hadn't really threatened to score until that moment.

It set up a nervy final 20 minutes for City and Scott Dann had a great chance to level for the visitors.

However, with 10 minutes to go there was more controversy and Vardy appeared to be brought down on the edge of the box by Dann, but referee Hooper was having none of it. Chris Wood had the ball in the net late on only for it to be ruled out for offside and Vardy hit the outside of the post in the last minute as City tried to kill the game off, but held on for another excellent victory.

results: Bolton 2 Derby 2, Bournemouth 1 Barnsley 0, Burnley 3 Birmingham 0, Huddersfield 2 Charlton 1, Ipswich 2 Yeovil 1, Millwall 3 Blackpool 1, Nottm Forest 2 Middlesbrough 2, Watford 2 Doncaster 1.

A potato that resembles a Hindu god has brought worshippers flocking to a city temple.

Scores of people have so far seen the vegetable, which is in the shape of elephant-headed deity Lord Ganesh.

The potato is being displayed next to a 9ft statue of the Hindu god at the Shri Guru Ravidass Temple, in Harrison Road, Belgrave, as part of a religious festival.

Vinod Patel, organiser of the Ganesha Chaturthi celebrations, said: "This potato is a miracle. It is a sign from Lord Ganesh that what we are doing is right. It is a blessing from him."

Vinod said the potato was discovered by volunteer Jasvanti Varia yesterday as she prepared to make a potato curry to help feed the worshippers.

Jasvanti, of Hamilton, Leicester, said: "I put my hand into a 25kg bag of potatoes and pulled this one out.

"I looked down and saw it resembled Lord Ganesh. I was not sure about what I was seeing so I asked other people in the kitchen and they agreed with me.

"I feel very special to have been chosen to be the one who found it.

"Myself and my family have already prayed to the statue but now we are making sure we pay our respects to the new image of Lord Ganesh."

Vinod said the festival, which marks the birthday of Ganesh, worshipped as the god of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune, was due to end today, but was being extended.

He said: "We cannot ignore what has happened here.

"We feel we have to keep the statue and potato here to allow people to pay their respects."

Vanita Patel, of Groby, said she had heard about the potato and made a special trip to the temple. She said: "It is truly a miracle and a very positive sign. Good things should come now."

Shailesh Patel, of Belgrave, said he had paid his respects to the new image of Lord Ganesh.

He said: "It is remarkable and undeniable. I am glad I am able to pray here."

After the end of the festival, due to finish on Friday, the statue and the potato will be immersed into the water at Clacton-on-Sea, to symbolise Ganesh's return to his parents and spiritual home.

Vinod said he believed the 9ft statue of Ganesh was the biggest in the country.

"By the end of the festival, we estimate up to 50,000 people will have been here to give their prayers," he said.

In May, more than 80 people visited a small temple at a catering company in Leicester, where an aubergine that resembled Lord Ganesh was discovered. Praful Visram, owner of 4 Seasons Catering, in Buckland Road, Northfields, placed the vegetable in a small temple he had at work for staff to pray in.

A 19-year-old man has been charged with the murder of Antoin Akpom.

The news came last night, just ahead of a community event held to show support for the grieving families of Mr Akpom and Shehnila Taufiq and her three teenage children.

Mr Akpom, 20, died after being assaulted in Leicester on Thursday afternoon.

The bodies of Mrs Taufiq and her children, Zainab, 19, Bilal, 17, and Jamal, 15, were found in a burning house in the city shortly afterwards, in the early hours of Friday.

Police are investigating a possible link between the two incidents.

At the community event last night, Mrs Taufiq's husband, Dr Taufiq Sattar, and Mr Akpom's father, Ken, hugged and offered their condolences to each other.

Dr Sattar thanked "each and every" member of the audience "from all different communities", saying they had assisted him through a difficult time. He spoke of his "beloved wife", calling her "the best partner" and "very helpful and charitable".

He said: "She always greeted people with a smile, she had many friends and will be dearly missed."

Dr Sattar said his family had been "a pillar of support" for him.

Speaking of his loss, he said: "We are five in total, but now I am alone."

He said he got his strength from the love people had shown him since the tragedy on Friday.

Mr Akpom's uncle, Ronnie Akpom, who was joined by Mr Akpom's mother, Cheryl, and father Ken, spoke on behalf of his family.

He said: "Who would have imagined that only last Thursday two such tragic events could occur, resulting in the loss of five innocent lives and leaving a gaping hole in our lives?

"Our hearts are truly torn. The loss of Antoin for us has been immensely unbearable.

"Our worlds have been torn apart."

He said Mr Akpom was a popular and well-respected member of the community, adding: "The extent of his popularity has been brought home to us by friends and well-wishers over the past few days."

Mr Akpom was assaulted in Kent Street, off Humberstone Road, at about 5.30pm on Thursday. It is believed he collapsed in nearby Sussex Street before being taken to hospital, where he died.

On Friday, police arrested a 19-year-old in connection with his death.

Officers said last night the case had been reviewed by the Crown Prosecution Service, and it had been decided there was sufficient evidence to charge the man with murder.

The accused was held in custody overnight and was expected to appear before Leicester magistrates today.

Two men arrested in connection with the deaths of Mrs Taufiq and her children remained in custody last night.

The bodies of the four were found in a burning house in Wood Hill, Spinney Hills, after the fire service was called to the property at about 12.35am on Friday.

Officers said magistrates yesterday granted custody extensions in the case of two men, aged 49 and 19.

Meanwhile, police have swooped on a number of homes in the city as they continue to investigate all five deaths.

On Saturday, officers were at a home in Lake Chase View, Hamilton, while residents of St Matthews reported seeing a "massive police presence" there on Saturday night.

On Monday, detectives said they had identified a "significant witness" when they traced the driver of a BMW which was spotted being driven along Kent Street at the time Mr Akpom was assaulted.

Assistant Chief Constable Roger Bannister said: "There is a strong sense of determination and focus on bringing those responsible for both murders to account."

Prince Harry has spent 24 hours exposed to blizzards and sub zero temperatures in a wind tunnel in Leicestershire.

The fourth in line to the throne was subjected to temperatures of minus 35C and winds of up to 200kmph inside the multi-million pound Motor Industry Research Association (Mira) climatic wind tunnel at Hinckley.

Conditions inside the tunnel were created to mirror Antarctica.

The exercise was carried out to help prepare the UK team taking part in the Walking With The Wounded Allied South Pole Challenge, of which the prince is a member.

The challenge will see Team Glenfiddich, as the UK team is called, race two other teams of wounded service personnel to the South Pole in November.

Captain Guy Disney, a member of Team Glenfiddich, was with Prince Harry in the tunnel.

He said: "It was cold and unpredictable and it certainly did the job.

"It really is unbelievable to think that here, in the Leicestershire countryside, we were able to undergo these types of tests. Myself and the team are very grateful to Mira for making it possible."

During the exercise, the team practised their routine for the challenge using cross trainers, to simulate skiing. They also set up their camp for the night.

Under the patronage of Prince Harry, the Walking With The Wounded South Pole Allied Challenge was launched in April. It is one of a number of expeditions organised by the Walking with the Wounded charity to raise awareness of wounded service personnel, and their stories.

Charity co-founder Ed Parker said: "It is vital this activity is rehearsed, not just to save time during the final expedition but to prepare the participants for the extreme weather conditions that lie ahead of them.

"The exercise will also give us an indication of how they will be affected personally by the extreme environment, and the impact that this will have on the challenge.

"The facility at Mira is the only place we could achieve this type of testing in the UK, and we are pleased to have been able to work with them.

"The Walking With The Wounded challenge will demonstrate the close bond between the UK forces and our allies, both on and off the battlefield. There is no doubt that the young men and women who take part in our expeditions are an inspiration."

Dr Geoff Davis, chief commercial and technical officer at Mira, said it was an honour to put the prince up for the night.

He said: "Although we have tested a lot of vehicles, this is the first time that the facility has hosted royalty.

"We are extremely proud to be involved and playing whatever part we can in supporting Prince Harry and the wider Walking With The Wounded organisation with the upcoming challenge in Antarctica.

"We have a long-term working relationship with our armed forces and whether it is for the development of advanced vehicle technologies or helping this team prepare for their upcoming challenge, we are proud to be involved."

Walking With The Wounded raises funds to retrain and re-educate wounded, injured or sick servicemen and women who are veterans or leaving the armed forces, helping them to find a career outside the military.

The wind tunnel celebrates its 20th anniversary this year.

It has enabled Mira customers to test their products under a wide range of simulated environmental conditions, including snow, wind, solar radiation, high and low temperatures and humidity.

A disabled man suffered a brutal attack in which an aerosol and lighter were used as a blowtorch.

The 54-year-old victim, who is partially blind, was at home having a drink with the assailant, Leon Short, who suddenly set upon him for no apparent reason.

Short smashed a glass and cut the man's cheek with a piece of broken glass before stubbing out a cigarette on his bare stomach.

Jailing Short for two years, Judge Simon Hammond said: "It was gratuitous, drunken violence on a disabled man in his home. Using an aerosol as a blowtorch is about as bad as it gets."

He compared the act of cutting the victim's face with glass to the actions of "gangsters in the 1950s with cutthroat razors".

Short (43), formerly of Hand Avenue, Braunstone, Leicester, admitted causing actual bodily harm on August 15.

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court the victim was blind in one eye, with 80 per cent vision in the other.

A car crash left him with 32 pins in one leg and he needed a walking stick.

The victim lived in Chaucer Street, Highfields, with a female companion, who was present during the attack.

Short, who was a passing acquaintance, had called round uninvited asking to use the toilet and stopped for a drink – before turning nasty.

Mr Bannister said it was a sustained assault, starting with Short smashing a glass and cutting the disabled man, before punching him several times.

Mr Bannister said: "He picked up an aerosol can and held a cigarette lighter up and sparked it in front of the complainant's naked chest and head, causing his chest and hair to burn.

"He was terrified.

"The defendant refused to leave and insisted staying all night."

The woman occupant eventually rang 999 the next morning. The victim told the police: "I'm very scared and don't feel safe in my flat any more."

Judge Hammond made a restraining order, banning the defendant from contacting either occupant of the flat and forbidding him from entering Chaucer Street indefinitely.

Richard Holloway, mitigating, said: "This was in the context of the twilight world of heavy drinkers drinking together."

He said Short was a former victim of notorious child abuser Frank Beck while a resident at a children's home, which had led to heroin addiction from a young age.

He gave up drug abuse a year ago, but instead turned to alcohol.