Early celebrations have begun for Leicestershire after two of their teams won their Inter-County League Region Eight titles ahead of schedule.

The men's B and women's team have both clinched their respective divisions with wins against Derbyshire.

The men's A, junior and senior teams can make it a clean sweep of titles in the final match of the season next month.

The County B team successfully retained the title they won last year, but it is the women's triumph that stands out as the more remarkable achievement.

In the 30-year history of Leicestershire pool, it is only the second time they have won the regional title, and they now head to Great Yarmouth in March for the national finals – their first as champions.

Derby gave them a run for their money at Leicester's Club 147, but a pumped-up County, knowing they needed only a draw, were good value for their 26-18 win.

They took the first leg 8-3, but Derby fought back in the next two to leave the score finely poised at 18-15 in the home side's favour.

With victory in their sights, it was not long before County sealed the draw, with Stacie Ackland winning the fourth of the final 11 frames.

And it could not have been more fitting that Carolyn Bowkett, in her 30th year playing for Leicestershire, stepped up to clinch the winning frame.

Captain Michelle Brown paid tribute to her team-mates' success.

She said: "Myself and the rock that is the vice-captain Karen Wesseldine couldn't be more proud of the team.

"My inspiration to win this season was always the women who have played with so much commitment during the past 30 years, so to win it for them means the world.

"It's been a great, solid season by all, and I am confident we can take this form into the national finals and be worthy competitors."

Charlene Gibson won the player-of-the-match award with a hat-trick of wins, while Brown, Julie Mackintosh, Amy Beauchamp, Stacie Ackland and Tracey Randall also won three apiece.

Leicestershire B's 26-18 win against Derby means they cannot now be caught, and they too will head back to Yarmouth for the national finals.

Shane Moore was the star player with four wins, while Danny Davies, Steve Strawhorn, Neale Bassford and Scott Taylor all picked up three for Martin Hinchliffe's men.

County A romped to a 27-17 win against Derby but, with closest rivals Humberside also winning to stay level on points, Leicestershire must win their final match at Lincolnshire if they are to retain their title.

Shaun Payne's maximum haul earned him the top-player award, while world eight-ball champion John Roe, Dave Wileman, Harry Patel, Gavin Lomax and Lee Ross all won three.

The seniors lost their match 7-2 against Derby but can still win the title if they beat Lincolnshire, and Derby lose to Nottinghamshire. All three teams are locked on 15 points.

Leicestershire juniors, who did not play at the weekend, need to stay unbeaten to finish the season as champions and keep hold of their title.

Two teams from Leicestershire are gunning for glory in the national women's Inter-League Knock-out Cup in Yarmouth this weekend.

Leicester Ladies and Foxy Ladies will both be hoping to bring back the trophy back to the county for the first time, while a host of local players are also taking part in the National Singles Knock-out.

Club 147 A and Midland Railway are in the draw for the men's Champion of Champions event, which is also taking place in Yarmouth this weekend.

A businessman has denied being the ringleader in a robbery of a takeaway boss who was found dead in a flat.

Naveed Naveed (28) is one of three men accused of murdering Dogan Dogan in the bedsit above his business Aladdin's takeaway, in Evington, Leicester, on January 8.

Mr Dogan, 50, had suffocated after being tied up and gagged with cloth.

Yesterday, Birmingham Crown Court heard Naveed denied being in the bedsit when the robbery and alleged murder took place.

He said he was waiting in his car outside as one of the defendants, Wali Khan, said he needed to visit Mr Dogan.

Both Khan and the third defendant, Sarwar Gader, have told the jury during their evidence they went into the bedsit with Naveed. They both also said they were not in the room when the attack which killed Mr Dogan took place.

Gader claimed he went in to use the toilet and was in the bathroom or kitchen.

Khan, who admits robbery, said he left with a bag of cash while the other two continued to question Mr Dogan about further cash they believed was in the bedsit in Linton Street.

When prosecution barrister Gordon Aspden asked Naveed yesterday if he was the ringleader behind the robbery, Naveed said: "No, not at all."

When asked if he was the only one of the defendants to be telling the truth, Naveed replied: "Yes".

Previously, the court was told by Khan that Naveed had suggested robbing Mr Dogan because he needed to raise between £5,000 and £6,000 to set up home with his girlfriend. Khan said they expected to steal takings worth £6,000. But they only managed to find just over £1,000.

Yesterday, Naveed told the jury he was not short of money, saying he ran a number of businesses.

The jury was told the three men had driven to Luton in the hours after the robbery.

Naveed, who said they had all been drinking and smoking cannabis, said he was going on a drive "to chill".

He said they planned to go to Luton for breakfast.

He denied a suggestion he wanted to get out of Leicester until the heat died down.

Gader, (35) of Gleneagles Avenue, Rushey Mead, and Khan (32) and Naveed, both of St Stephen's Road, Highfields, deny murder.

Gader is expected to start his evidence next week.

The trial continues.

Leicester City defender Liam Moore has been called up to the England Under-21 squad for their game against Northern Ireland.

The youngster's impressive start to the Championship season for City has seen him catch the eye of England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce, who has selected him as part of his 21-man squad for the friendly at Blackpool's Bloomfield Road ground on Tuesday.

Moore, a product of the City academy, has featured in 11 of his side's Championship fixtures this term.

His performances while partnering captain Wes Morgan at the heart of the City defence led to speculation that a number of Premier League clubs were interested in him.

The 19-year-old is one of five new faces included in the England squad, alongside Bolton's on-loan Arsenal striker Benik Afobe, Derby midfielder Will Hughes, Manchester United goalkeeper Sam Johnstone and Chelsea defender Nat Chalobah, who is on loan at Watford.

However, it will not be Moore's first taste of international football. The defender has made three appearances the England Under-17s, making his debut in 2009 at the age of 16.

But while Moore has been included, there is no call-up for City winger Ben Marshall or striker Martyn Waghorn.

Waghorn, who has scored twice for the side in four appearances, and Marshall have both played a part in the England starlets' qualifying campaign for next year's European Under-21 Championship in Israel.

Powerlifter Jay Pateman is going from strength to strength.

The 33-year-old strongman has transformed himself from an 11st 6lb (74kg) wannabe to a 24st (155kg) British record holder over the past 10 years.

The 5ft 8in father-of-two, from Knighton, set the Great Britain Powerlifting Federation bench press record after pushing up 235kg last month.

He is now aiming to beat his own benchmark on Sunday.

Jay, who trains three hours a day, five days a week, spends £180 a week on his food regime, which sees him eat seven times a day, with his first meal at about 6am.

He consumes about 10,000 calories a day, compared with the suggested average calorie intake of 2,500 for a man.

Jay said: "It all started when I was at school and I suddenly realised that about the only special talent I had was being able to beat anyone at arm wrestling.

"I became fascinated by all things related to strength and seeing Geoff Capes compete in the World's Strongest Man on television was a turning point for me.

"I thought to myself, 'I want to do that. I think I can do that'."

Jay started well with a punishing fitness regime at the age of 13 but as he got older his discipline deserted him.

He said: "I got in with the wrong crowd and got really lazy and lacked focus. I started to go on boozy nights out instead of training. I lost myself."Jay in action...... and getting to grips with some rather big dumbells!

He puts his transformation down to the love of a good woman.

"I met my wife Elizabeth 10 years ago and she has grounded me, got me focussed and given me the support and encouragement I needed to get me going again," he said.

"It was no surprise I met her in a pub – the Soar Point – but it was surprise that she asked me out.

"We have been together ever since and we have two wonderful children."

Jay quit his job as a debt collector and became a house-husband, looking after his son Samson, five, and daughter Scarlett, who is 16 months old.

Elizabeth, 30, runs her own bespoke jewellery business and has two telesales jobs.

She said: "Jay is very powerful but he has a soft side, too.

"He loves our children to bits and he allows me to go for it and devote as much time as I want to my business.

"I want to be able to support him, too, and let him follow his dreams. He wants to be the best at what he does and I believe he can.

"He is a real tower of strength for us – in and out of the gym."

Jay said his dream was to emulate Geoff Capes.

"He was a British bloke who became the strongest man in the world," he said.

"He has inspired me and I want to achieve what he did.

"He also had a soft side. I am not ashamed to admit I have A soft side and I look after my kids.

"To be honest, that gives me the strength to train on when the going gets tough because I know I am doing it for them."

Jay is to compete in a British bench press competition at Horncastle, Lincolnshire, on Sunday.

Leicester Tigers hooker Tom Youngs will make his England debut tomorrow against Fiji at Twickenham in a squad that also includes brother Ben.

It will be the first time siblings have been included in the same England squad since Steffon and Delon Armitage in 2009.

It means the Youngs brothers will be among 20 key players missing for Tigers' opening match in defence of their LV= Cup trophy against Saracens at Welford Road tonight (7.45).

But for Tom, his England inclusion marks an incredible turnaround from centre to hooker, which began three years ago.

He has started only 18 games for Leicester but will be lining up to make his full England debut after gaining midweek experience on the summer tour of South Africa.

England head coach Stuart Lancaster said Youngs' inclusion was the result of lots of hard work on his game.

"Congratulations to Tom Youngs, who has made a great transition from centre to hooker in a short period," he said. "He deserves his chance."

Youngs is one of six Tigers in the team, along with prop Dan Cole, lock Geoff Parling, back-row Thomas Waldrom, fly-half Toby Flood and centre Manu Tuilagi. Brother Ben is on the bench.

Tigers team-mate Vereniki Goneva is on the wing for Fiji.

Former Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann faces being kicked off the city council for not attending a meeting in nearly six months.

The veteran Labour politician has not been present at any meetings since May 17, when he handed over the mayoral chains to Adbul Osman.

Under council rules, any elected member who does not attend a meeting for six months is disqualified from being a councillor.

Yesterday's cancelled audit and risk committee meeting was the last he could have attended before the six-month deadline, November 17, passes.

Coun Wann could yet attend the rescheduled meeting – for which a date has not yet been set – to avoid disqualification.

However, his no-shows have already frustrated a number of party colleagues, who say his absence has been noted by residents of Thurncourt ward, which he represents.

Should Coun Wann, who is paid £9,829 to be a councillor, be disqualified he would be the first in at least 20 years to lose his post for non-attendance.

He had previously told the Mercury he would be taking a break in June "to have a rest" after his year as Lord Mayor.

Labour group chief whip Coun Barbara Potter said: "He has been served notice by the legal department.

"Officers have been trying to contact him, (his fellow ward councillor) Luis Fonseca has been trying to contact him and I have been trying to contact him, but he has not responded to calls."

Coun Potter, who represents Humberstone and Hamilton, has been attending community meetings in Thurnby Lodge in Coun Wann's absence, to support Coun Fonseca in dealing with protests by residents over a Muslim community group's proposed leasing of a former Scout hut.

She said: "I went to a meeting in Thurncourt and the residents there challenged us about him.

"They wanted to know where Coun Wann was."

Thurnby Lodge Tenants' and Residents' Group chairman Wendy Biddles said: "We have Luis Fonseca and he's great but Wann hasn't been there to support him."

The city council confirmed Coun Wann had not attended a meeting since May 17 and said efforts had been made to make him go to meetings.

Among the meetings he has missed was a hearing of the standards committee in June at which it was found he brought his position as a councillor into disrepute by getting senior officers at the city council to cancel parking fines.

A council spokeswoman said Coun Wann could request an extension to the six-month period, but by last night he had not done so.

An original Flanders poppy which was found pressed between the pages of a First World War soldier's Bible is to go on display.

Les Forryan, from Wigston, picked the flower when he was serving with the Army Service Corps in France and Belgium between 1914 and 1918.

When he passed away in 1970, aged 79, his nephew Duncan Lucas inherited the pocket testament, but did not know the rare treasure it contained.

It was only when he went to package it up to send it to a his nephew who lives in Australia he discovered the hidden flower – alongside a pressed shamrock picked in Dublin almost 100 years ago.

Mr Lucas, 83, from Wigston, has now donated the cherished book – complete with the plants – to the United Reformed Church, in Wigston, where it will go on display.

A service will be held to welcome it on Sunday.

Mr Lucas said: "I am so happy I have found a good and fitting resting place for this possession.

"It will act as a memorial not only to Les, but also to others who served.

"Les was a great fellow and everyone who knew him respected and loved him.

"I'm proud he will be remembered thanks to this dedication at the church."

Les was one of six brothers, and was a farmer before he volunteered to serve in the forces when he was in his early 20s.

He served in France, Belgium and Ireland, before returning home in 1918, and continuing to farm in Wigston.

Mr Lucas heard many of his stories from the war while he worked with him, farming and milking cows and delivering milk.

"He would talk about the war a lot," Mr Lucas said.

"He did not have any children, so we would talk as we worked.

"He loved farming and the land and flowers, so it is fitting he would pick and save a poppy like this.

"It must be a very rare object and I think you would have to go a long way to find another original Flanders poppy."

Mr Lucas said his uncle told him the poppies grew so quickly on the battlefield because shells disturbed the soil, exposing the seeds lost below.

"His testament is dated 1916, so he would have seen this poppy and picked it and pressed it very soon after, sometime between 1916 and 1918," said Mr Lucas.

The service to dedicate the book will take place at the United Reformed Church, in Long Street, Wigston, on Saturday at 10.30am.

A man was yesterday jailed for life after he was found guilty of murdering his girlfriend's baby when he violently shook her while in a rage.

Louis Burdett, of Aikman Avenue, New Parks, Leicester, was babysitting 10-month-old Taliqa Fields when he launched his attack after she interrupted his computer game.

Leicester Crown Court heard he snapped within minutes of his partner Zoe Harman telling him she was going to McDonalds with an ex-boyfriend.

A jury yesterday unanimously found him guilty of murder and Burdett was given a life sentence, with a minimum of 13 years in prison.

In a statement released after the verdict and sentencing, Taliqa's parents, Zoe and Jason, said: "Every day is incredibly hard to get through.

"We used to get up in the morning and bath and dress her and now we have none of that as it was taken away from us. Some days we struggle to even get out of bed. We feel lost.

"Seeing our family and friends playing with their children can be really hard as it brings back so many memories for us. It should be us sat there playing with Taliqa and it is really heartbreaking that we can't.

"In her short life Taliqa brought so much happiness to us. She was a lovely girl who loved dancing and was always happy and smiling. We have so many fond memories of her.

"What happened is such a waste of a life – she was just 10 months old."

Burdett attacked Taliqa at her home in Drummond Road, off Abbey Lane, Leicester, on July 2, last year.

Justice Flaux said nobody but Burdett will know exactly how he killed Taliqa, but that it is likely he shook her, causing her head to strike something hard, and that he broke her collarbone by grabbing or swinging the child by her arm.

Burdett (22) denied murder and said the baby had gone limp while he was caring for her and he did not know how she suffered fatal brain damage.

The court heard how he had dialled 999, saying the youngster had "gone limp and was struggling to breathe".

Miss Harman returned to see an ambulance outside her home and went with her daughter to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where she was put into intensive care and died.

Sentencing him, High Court Judge, Mr Justice Flaux said: "Within the short time you lived with Zoe she came to rely upon you and trusted you to look after her two children.

"What's clear was you were more interested in playing your games on the Xbox than looking after her children.

"She [Taliqa] interrupted your game and she got on your nerves. The catalyst for your violence was shockingly mundane."

He said Burdett was angry and resentful at being left at home looking after Miss Harman's children while she went out to eat.

"You took out that anger and resentment on the baby, who you accepted, in your evidence, was a sitting target," he said.

Justice Flaux told Burdett he had shown no remorse for his actions.

He said: "You have deprived them [Taliqa's family] of their beautiful little girl and that opportunity of seeing her grow up and blossom into a young woman."

In mitigation, Frances Oldham QC said Burdett was young and had a good relationship with his family. The attack was not premeditated.

Wes Morgan has admitted that tomorrow's clash with Nottingham Forest will be extra special.

The big defender spent 10 years at Forest before joining Leicester City in January.

Inevitably, the club still holds a special place in his heart, but the City skipper says he is focused on achieving something wearing a blue shirt that he could not in a red one – promotion to the Premier League.

"I spent a long time at Forest, and I have a lot of fond memories and good times there," he said.

"One of the big regrets is that I was never part of a Forest side that reached the Premier League.

"One of the things I wanted to do at Forest was get promoted to the Premier League.

"It didn't quite work out like that. But I wish them all the best and I am sure that one day they will actually make it.

"Now I want to achieve that dream with Leicester. I came here because I wanted the challenge and we have a great chance this season."

Despite his move, Morgan still keeps in touch with his home-town club.

"I keep in contact with a lot of players who are there and it is a big game for us, and me," he said.

"The Forest academy is quite well known for producing good players.

"I am quite thankful to have come through an academy where the likes of Jermaine Jenas, Michael Dawson and Andy Reid came through. They have all gone on to do good things.

"To have played for my home-town club and the 10 years I spent there were fantastic. All my family and friends are Forest fans and, sometimes, I have to step back and think, 'wow, I did that'. It is a great achievement."

Morgan's presence on the pitch will ensure there will be a small group of Forest fans who will not mind a City victory – his family.

"My family will be at the game and they are Forest fans," he said.

"Since I have joined Leicester they have come to most of my games and support me. It will be strange for them but, hopefully, they are coming to support me first and then secondly Forest."

Morgan has experienced the buzz of the East Midlands derby from both camps and he admits the games are fantastic occasions.

"When you walk down that tunnel and the crowd is louder than normal, it is great," he said.

"It has an effect on the team. It gives you extra adrenalin and you want to go out there and perform for the fans."

County Hall could send in the bailiffs to recover more than £4,000 it is owed by former leader David Parsons.

Councillor Parsons was invoiced for £4,089.84 more than a month ago in relation to expenses he claimed for Euro-pean travel which he then failed to promptly repay to the authority.

Yesterday, Leicestershire County Council officials said the debt had not been settled, despite two reminder letters being sent to Coun Parsons.

They said if he did not pay up by Thursday or respond to the letter, a third notice would be sent out telling him to pay by the end of the month and failing that legal action to recover the debt will be commenced.

A senior source at County Hall said: "He has been invoiced and sent reminders that the debt needs to be paid.

"So far, it hasn't been, so we will continue to pursue it.

"If that doesn't work it will be handled no differently to the way we deal with any debtor – eventually we'll send the bailiffs round."

Coun Parsons quit as Conservative leader of the county council in June after being found to have breached the councillors code of conduct over his travel expenses. On Tuesday, he resigned from the County Council's Conservative group – the day before colleagues were due to meet to consider expelling him from it.

They then pressed ahead with his expulsion with a unanimous vote and published a report into Coun Parsons' conduct which revealed the outstanding debt.

It relates to sums claimed by Coun Parsons for 39 trips he made while sitting on the Committee of the Regions (CoR) in Brussels. He claimed cash for travel from the organisation which he should have quickly repaid to County Hall. At one stage, about £5,000 had built up in his personal bank account.

A spokeswoman for County Hall said a further sum on top of the £4,089.84 had been identified for repayment by Coun Parsons, who remains on the authority as an independent member for Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forest East.

Coun Parsons also faces a further standards investigation in allegations that he misused the council's civic car during his time as leader.

She said: "There will be a further invoice for £133.30 for an event held in Durham in September 2005. Other costs may be invoiced following the conclusion of the second standards investigation into the use of a chauffeur-driven car.

"The invoice (for the £4089.84) was issued on the October 4.

"The first reminder was sent on October 19 and the second reminder has been sent.

"If no response or payment is received by November 15, a final letter will be sent requesting payment, stating we will look to commence legal proceedings if payment is not forthcoming."

Coun Parsons was unavailable for comment yesterday. He has already paid back £2,300.

He previously denied he owed any further money, saying he had not been paid by the CoR for the 39 trips, with the exception of a mistake in 2006 when he received 80 euros.

Last night, it emerged Coun Parsons had been suspended from Blaby District Council's Tory group by leader Ernie White.

Coun White declined to comment but a Tory source said the suspension, on Thursday morning, was at the leader's discretion "for bringing the party into disrepute".

A primary school has been judged "outstanding" by inspectors for the first time in its history.

Swallowdale Primary, in Melton, has been given the top rating by the Government's education watchdog, Ofsted.

Its inspectors visited the school last month and a detailed report on their findings has just been published.

Head teacher Debbie Vials said: "I have a great team of staff who work hard and show dedication to pupils and their professional development."

Miss Vials said she was particularly pleased with the result given Ofsted's tough new inspection criteria, which includes giving only one day's notice before an inspection, instead of several weeks.

"We received a phone call at 2pm one day and by 9am the next day inspectors were here," she said.

"We knew what we were doing was good, but to have it validated externally is fantastic.

"It's the first time in the school's history it has received the highest possible rating."

Inspectors said pupils' attainment in English and maths was well above average, that teaching was outstanding and activities in lessons were well planned and made high demands of pupils.

Behaviour was "exemplary" and the school was managed exceptionally well, their report said.

Inspectors also said pupils made rapid progress and their needs were swiftly and accurately identified.

The report praised teachers for lessons which were "lively and varied", and said parents' relationship with the school was very positive.

Miss Vials, who has led the school for the past seven years, said: "We're constantly assessing ourselves to see where improvements can be made to teaching.

"The effort that's been put into that means we have bright, interesting and engaging lessons which are thoroughly enjoyed by pupils.

"The knock-on effect is that behaviour is very good because children are fully engaged.

"We have focused on maths and English over the past few years and that shines through in the results we achieve.

"Last summer's exam results showed 71 per cent of pupils reaching level five in their reading and 57 per cent in maths."

Level four is deemed to be the appropriate level for 11-year-olds and those who achieve level five are ahead for their age.

Inspectors said pupils were taught a broad and interesting range of subjects, and the way in which staff gathered and recorded information about pupils' ability had improved so that all work was tailored to meet individual needs.

Year six pupil Charlotte Ainge, said: "I like Swallowdale because the teachers support me and if I don't understand something they help."

Fellow year six pupil Amy Gurney said: "I love this school because we're made to feel important and teachers help me to be responsible."

Councillor Ivan Ould, Leicestershire County Council's children's spokesman, said: "This is great news. I would like to congratulate everyone involved on achieving this rating."

After Swallowdale's previous full inspection, in 2007, inspectors said the school was good.

A former Barnardo's boy, who returned to help the charity years later as a volunteer, has received the highest honour it can bestow.

Alan Dearman, 70, of Melton, was presented with the President's Certificate of Appreciation for his dedication to charitable work.

Born in Nottingham, Alan was taken into Barnardo's care in 1950. He had never known his mother, who died when he was very young, and at the time did not know his father.

Alan, an only child, "hated" his first care home but soon settled when he was moved.

"The second one was different – in fact, I probably had the best four years of my life," he said.

"I got treatment for my polio which I had never had before and I started living the life of a normal eight-year-old boy."

In 1955, Barnardos organised training for the youngster and he began learning the skills which would help him get a job making cricket bats for Gunn and Moore and later repairing artificial limbs for various hospitals.

Alan has been a regular at Barnardo's events since he left its care in the 1960s, raising awareness about the charity's work. He became a full-time volunteer 15 years ago.

He has recently been presented with the President's Certificate of Appreciation for all his hard work.

Alan said of his award: "I think it's the first time I've ever been at a loss for words, I was totally gob-smacked.

"I certainly didn't expect it and I didn't do the work for Barnardo's for the award – it's nice to have my work recognised, though."

Sam Monaghan, director of Barnardo's Midlands, said: "I am absolutely delighted Alan has been given the President's Award.

"He has worked tirelessly to support Barnardo's in the Midlands and the whole country and he has made a huge difference to the understanding of our work with vulnerable children and young people.

"I hope he will continue to volunteer for us for many years to come."

Alan has also won the Midlands Volunteer of the Year award from the Marsh Trust for his work with Barnardo's.

Parents of children at a fire-damaged junior school have criticised the council's handling of the situation.

Catherine Junior School, in Belgrave, has been closed since October 30 after builders working on the school's roof accidently set fire to it.

Since then the school's 380 pupils have remained at home while the council sought an alternative solution.

Now parents say plans by Leicester City Council to send their children to alternative schools across the city from Monday are far from ideal.

Kimbra Myles's daughter, Macie, eight, will have to travel more than three miles to Rushey Mead Primary, from her home in Gibbons Close next week.

She said: "It's not ideal because I'm a working mum and I have to rely on her dad to come and take her to school.

"Macie goes to after-school club at Belgrave Playhouse and is normally picked up for that and taken there. That won't be possible now because Rushey Mead Primary is too far away. I'm not sure what I'm going to do because I have to work.

"I think this whole process could have been better thought through. Parents haven't been consulted on the arrangements at all. We've just been told what we're doing."

Pupils are being sent to one of four schools until the end of term in December – Taylor Road Primary, in St Matthews, Rushey Mead primary and secondary, and Soar Valley College, in Rushey Mead.

From January, all pupils will move to temporary mobile classrooms at Abbey Community Primary School's site in Belgrave, until a more permanent solution is found.

Parent meetings were due to take place at the alternative schools yesterday to give people a chance to meet head teachers.

Mum Taru Ruparelia's son, Prit, 10, will be going to Rushey Mead secondary next week for lessons.

She said: "I have an older daughter who already goes there but the start and finish times are different so it's still going to be difficult.

"Prit will finish at 3.30pm, but she will finish earlier at 3pm. It's not ideal. I think the council could do more to help parents."

Another parent, who didn't wish to be named, said: "Why doesn't the council get all the pupils to meet outside the junior school in the morning and bus pupils to the various schools?

"Some of us have more than one child and they're being sent to different schools."

A city council spokesman said: "We've done all we can practically in the time available. We acknowledge parents' concerns and encourage them to get in touch with us about any specific travel problems."

Parents arrived to drop their children off at nursery to discover it had closed.

The Old School Nursery, in Kibworth, is understood to have shut without notice on Friday, November 2. A sign on the door now says it is no longer in business.

It is not known if the closure is a direct consequence of a critical Ofsted inspection report.

Some parents discovered the news last week, but others arrived on Monday to find the building shut.

County councillor for the village, Dr Kevin Feltham, said: "The sudden closure has come as a shock to us all.

"I understand a few of the parents received text messages over the weekend while the others turned up with their children on Monday morning to find the doors shut."

He said there were other nurseries in the area, but added: "I don't believe they have spaces available for babies. It is also a pity for those people who have lost their jobs."

Inspectors, who visited the private nursery at the end of September, found staff had a limited understanding of the requirements of the early years foundation stage.

They said there were weaknesses in safety practice, such as passing hot plates over children's heads at the dinner table, and staff were inadequately trained to deal with regulatory issues.

Inspectors said there were "weaknesses in the leadership and management" of the nursery and that they failed to notify Ofsted of a significant event in relation to a child's illness.

In addition, the report said regular monitoring of staff performance was not taking place. However, inspectors did say children were happy and had positive relationships with staff.

They also said a reasonable range of activities and learning opportunities was provided.

The nursery, which was registered last year, catered for about 60 children aged eight weeks to four years and employed 11 staff.

At its first inspection in October, 2011 it was rated "satisfactory" by Ofsted.

The Mercury attempted to contact manager Rosalyn Martin but was unsuccessful.

An employee at another nursery in the village, who didn't wish to be named, said: "As far as I know, the Old School Nursery shut last Friday and that was that."

She said she believed parents were organising a meeting to discuss what had happened.

Leicester Riders celebrated their 45th anniversary in 2012 and such has been the club's success, the history books will probably need several chapters to fit in the records they have broken.

Rob Paternostro wiped out virtually every coaching record to become the most successful play-caller in the club's history.

In January, he became the first boss to record a 50th home win, a 10-point victory over Sheffield Sharks seeing him reach the landmark.

Riders' home form this year has been phenomenal. They have not been beaten at John Sandford or Loughborough University since the end of February, a run of 14 consecutive successes that is their best run in front of their home fans.

So it is no surprise that the Riders are in the running for team of the year at the 2012 Leicester Mercury Sports Awards, while Rob Paternostro is a candidate for coach of the year.

They finished the 2011/12 season as league runners-up, their highest position in the top division. They maintained that form to reach the play-off final for only the second time.

The league record was their best in the top flight as they won more than 20 games for the third time in Paternostro's reign.

The campaign ended in heartbreak with defeat in the final to Newcastle, but Paternostro spoke of his pride in the Riders' achievement.

"What I'm so proud of is the relationships we have built in the locker room," he said. "I told them before the game, that 30 years from now you'll remember the relationships you had with the guys.

"As a family club, relations with the guys and the fans this year was something special. Our guys have been brilliant with the fans and the fans have been brilliant with the guys."

Two games into the new season, Riders recorded an 80-72 success over Cheshire Jets which saw Paternostro reach three notable landmarks – a 100th win, a 50th home league victory and a record-equalling 11th consecutive home win.

A week later, they claimed a 12th home win in a row, then matched their best start to a BBL Championship campaign with a fifth straight league win.

In their next outing they won in Newcastle for the first time since 1997. Riders followed that up with another victory over the Jets to post a 7-0 league record and match the club's best start to a top-flight campaign, a mark that had stood since 1984.

Leicester currently sit top of the BBL as the only unbeaten team in the league and have also claimed a semi-final berth in the cup. Only some silverware is missing, but given how well they have begun the new campaign, 2013 may be the year they fill that gap.

To nominate an athlete or team for the Leicester Mercury Sports Awards, complete the form which will appear in the paper during the coming weeks, or visit:

www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk

A leading doctor is calling for urgent action to change public attitudes towards incontinence.

Professor Douglas Tincello, a urogynaecologist, believes many women with urinary incontinence are suffering in silence because they feel the subject is unmentionable.

He said: "Urinary incontinence among women is a much more common condition than many people realise.

"For many years, the subject has been considered taboo, or a normal consequence of having children and growing old.

"In the 10 years I have been a consultant within the NHS in Leicester, I have seen this attitude change as awareness grows among the public, patients and GPs that incontinence should not be regarded as an inevitable result of being female and that it is indeed highly treatable.

"In parallel with increasing awareness, medical research has moved rapidly within this field."

Prof Tincello, from the University of Leicester's Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, is to give a free public lecture on the subject on Tuesday, November 20.

The lecture will outline the causes of incontinence and prolapse, available treatments and focus on the research conducted in this field.

Prof Tincello, is one of five academic urogynaecologists in the country.

The lecture will be held at 5.30pm at the Ken Edwards Building, at the University of Leicester.

Sixth-form students stepped out in style on the catwalk and raised much-needed cash for two worthy causes at Leicester Grammar School this week.

The fashion show, which featured clothing from local stores Branded, of Wigston, and Jelly Rolls, of Stoneygate, Leicester, attracted an audience of 250 people and raised about £1,000.

Half the proceeds will be donated to the British Heart Foundation and the rest will be used to provide new defibrillators for the school.

Lucy Slonecki, the school's external relations officer, said it was the first time such an event had been organised by the Friends Group.

Entitled The Sixth-Form Charity Fashion Show and Shopping Extravaganza, the evening also featured stands by 25 local retailers selling fashion-related items and accessories. The clothes, for both females and males, were modelled by students.

Lucy said: "We would like to thank everyone concerned. It was a very enjoyable evening which raised money for two great causes."

Trading standards officers have saved residents nearly £40,000 by helping them get out of deals were pressured into by unwanted cold callers.

Officials from Leicestershire County Council say they have investigated 75 complaints about cold callers since April and helped people enact cancellation clauses in deals they had not been aware of.

In total, they saved residents £37,000 through terminating deals.

Next week is National Consumer Week and the council is urging people to say no to cold callers.

County Hall's cabinet member for trading standards councillor Blake Pain said: "Our officers have done fantastic work this year to tackle rogue traders but rely on the public to let them know about concerns.

"Not all doorstep sellers are bogus, however unlawful traders can be unscrupulous and intimidating but you are well within your rights to say no to them.

"No one should feel pressured into making a rash decision. If in doubt, always think twice."

Baby police commander Inspector John Brown, works alongside the Blaby Volunteers to reduce instances of cold calling. He said: "Leicestershire Police has been successful in establishing a number of 'no cold calling' zones. If there is not presently a zone active in your neighbourhood, an effective step is to display the Trading Standards' 'No uninvited callers' sticker in your window.

"Know your rights by law and feel empowered to say 'no' to cold callers."

For a Trading Standards no cold calling sticker, contact the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06 or make contact with your local Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator by visiting:

www.ourwatch.org.uk/

For more on Leicestershire Trading Standards, visit:

www.leics.gov.uk/ tradingstandards

Calling all shopaholics – it's the Christmas bargain bonanza you don't want to miss. The Mercury has once again teamed up with Fenwick to offer our readers an amazing chance to save 20 per cent on their gifts.

The annual readers' discount nights are exclusively for ticket-holders, who will be able to buy anything in store for a fifth less than the usual price.

Due to the amazing popularity of the event, there will be two Mercury readers' nights on Thursday, November 29, and Thursday, December 6.

To get an invitation to one of the events, collect coupons from the Mercury, the first of which will be in on Monday.

Matt Sibson, the Mercury's business development manager, said: "We're really looking forward to working with Fenwick again to put on the ninth annual shopping nights.

"It has really become an event in the calendar in Leicester and we're very excited about this year.

"Our readers always respond brilliantly to the event and think of it as the best opportunity to make fantastic savings on a wide range of Christmas gifts.

"There's a limited number of invitations, so our readers need to make sure they get one before we run out.

"As usual, there will be free mince pies and mulled wine available for guests upstairs in the Terrace Restaurant and we expect there to be the same amazing Christmas atmosphere as every other year."

The coupons will be in the paper from Monday to Friday this coming week and the entry form will be in Saturday's edition.

Readers need to collect at least two coupons and the entry form and take them to Fenwick in exchange for an invitation.

Simon Post, 28, of Leicester, said: "I could do with some more shirts, so that would be a good saving. I reckon they'll probably be packed out on both nights with all the people who will want to go."

Hilary Light, 44, of Countesthorpe, said: "It's fantastic. Lots of my family went last year so we all gave each other things from Fenwick, which was nice.

"It's good to have in the middle of a recession."

A shopping landmark in Leicester since 1962, Fenwick is well-stocked with luxury gifts including perfumes, stylish ceramics, handy kitchen gadgets, high quality furnishings and latest designer clothing, including fashion accessories and handbags.

The 20 per cent off deal will apply to absolutely everything in store and both events will run from 5.30pm until 9.30pm.

We have 2,000 invitations for each event, so make sure you pick up yours as soon as you can.

See Monday's paper for more information and to cut out your first coupon.