A campaign has been launched to raise £50,000 to help pay for a statue of Nelson Mandela in Leicester.

Community leaders want to honour the former South African president by creating a life-size sculpture of him somewhere in the city centre.

City councillor George Cole is leading the initiative and is in the process of setting up a charity, the Nelson Mandela Community Programme, to raise money through grants and public donations.

A launch event attended by South African embassy officials was held on Friday – what would have been the president's 96th birthday – at the city's African Caribbean Centre.

Mandela, South Africa's first black president, who led the country out of white minority rule, died last year.

Coun Cole said: "Getting a statue of Nelson Mandela has been an aim for a long time. Following his death, a group of us thought we should capitalise on the values he stood for.

"The tolerant and diverse Leicester we have today is a reflection of South Africa's rainbow society, which Nelson Mandela helped to create.

"We know there will be people who question what connection he has with Leicester but he was an international figure.

"Mandela was a person respected by almost everyone."

Coun Cole said the final location for the statue would be decided by the community.

"I think it should be somewhere central," he said.

"People visiting the city shouldn't have to go too far to see it. The council will provide the land and a plinth."

The organisation has had conversations with four or five artists to get quotes for the job.

"The costs we have had back range from £50,000 to £500,000," Coun Cole said.

"Half a million is crazy money but we are giving ourselves a £50,000 target to start with and we have given ourselves until July 18, 2016 to get it.

"We are looking for donations from the public and grants."

Coun Cole said the statue would likely be made of bronze.

He said: "We will probably have a statue of him in his senior years as he will be more recognisable. He was out of the public eye as a young man because the apartheid government had him in prison."

The Nelson Mandela Community Programme committee meets tomorrow to discuss ways of raising the cash.

It needs £5,000 in its accounts before it can officially be registered as a charity and the aim is to have the money in place soon.

Steve White, who is arranging an event to commemorate the politician's life on Nelson Mandela Park, said: "I am very supportive of what Coun Cole is trying to do but there will not be much point having a statue unless we also do something to inform people about Nelson Mandela's life and work."

The event takes place on August 2, ahead of the Caribbean Carnival.

Anyone wishing to make a donation to the statue fund can do so online, making the donation to The Nelson Mandela Community Programme, using the following bank details: Sort Code 20-49-17, Account No. 73243230.

Leicester has a series of fine statues setting significant figures in stone or bronze.

Nineteenth century radical politician, philanthropist and industrialist John Biggs can be found on a traffic island at Welford Place. Biggs was mayor in 1840, 1847 and 1855 and represented the city as a Liberal MP.

Travel industry pioneer Thomas Cook stands in London Road, outside Leicester railway station.

Cook arranged the first package trip, from Leicester to a temperance rally in Loughborough, in 1841.

The statue of Richard III has recently been re-armed and revamped and relocated to the new Cathedral Gardens from Castle Gardens, where it stood for over three decades.

A statue of Indian statesman Mahatma Gandhi was unveiled in June 2009.

The £20,000, seven-and-a-half-foot bronzed statue is at the corner of Belgrave Road and Donaldson Road. The statue was paid for by Indian charity Samanvaya Parivar.

John Henry Manners, the fifth Duke of Rutland, stands on a tall plinth in the Market Place, outside the Corn Exchange.

The Leicester Seamstress can be found in Hotel Street and represents a life-size seated 18th century hosiery worker sewing the seam of a stocking.

She commemorates the city's industrial heritage.

A charity supported by flight MH17 victim Richard Mayne has paid tribute to the "warm and caring" fund-raiser, who made a difference to the lives of disadvantaged children.

The Leicestershire 20-year-old was a passenger on the Malaysian Airlines flight which crashed last week, apparently having been shot from the skies over Ukraine by a surface-to-air missile.

Tributes and messages of condolence have poured in for the Leeds University undergraduate, who was on his way to Australia for a work placement when he was killed.

The popular rugby fan, of Western Park, had been raising money for Kidasha, a charity which helps disadvantaged and disabled youngsters in Nepal.

In the wake of Richard's death, scores of people have given donations totalling thousands of pounds to the charity, via the Just Giving web page he set up to collect donations.

Richard wrote on the page that he took part in an Everest Base Camp Expedition this spring for Kidasha, and then volunteered at a local school helping underprivileged children who have learning difficulties.

The charity's chief executive, Janice Miller, said: "Richard was one of the most enthusiastic and caring of the group, who spent time organising art activities and games with children attending a drop-in centre for children living in one of the many slums in and around Pokhara, Nepal's second largest city.

"Many of the children remember Richard very fondly. In fact, one of our volunteers said, 'He was so warm and friendly towards the children, who all fell in love with him instantly'.

"They would literally follow him everywhere."

Richard also carried out community work closer to home.

For two years, he returned from Leeds during the summer break to work as a youth leader at Camp Charnwood, a summer group organised by Diabetes UK.

Richard himself was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was about seven years old.

Peter Swift, president Leicestershire Parent's group of Diabetes UK, knew Richard.

He said: "Richard was - in the words of his school headmaster - a great all-rounder, a keen and gifted sportsman, very good academically and someone who gave his time generously for everyone.

"He was a warm, wonderful and inspiring personality who was always modest and thoughtful towards others.

"In the last two years, after he had gone off to Leeds University, he had returned to Leicestershire to act as one of our young leaders at Camp Charnwood, helping the younger children to look after their diabetes and encouraging them to enjoy all the activities."

In the House of Commons yesterday, Leicester West MP Liz Kendall asked Prime Minister David Cameron what sanctions would be used against Russia, which has been widely blamed in the west for supplying the missile system that downed the plane.

The MP also said: "I'm sure the Prime Minister will join me in sending his deepest condolences to the family of Richard Mayne, who live in my constituency."

She went on to demand a "stronger message" be sent to Russia.

David Cameron said he did send his condolences and added that both Germany and The Netherlands so far were backing his plan for tougher economic sanctions against Russia.

Comedian and author David Walliams is urging people to help create the world's biggest rainbow from selfies.

Supporting a Leicestershire charity, the star has launched the appeal for Loughborough's Rainbows children's hospice, of which he is a patron, to help mark its 20th anniversary.

David wants people to post online brightly-coloured selfies (pictures a person takes of their own face) – or to write a birthday message on a special coloured postcard.

The selfies and postcards will be laid together to create a giant – and, hopefully, world record-breaking – rainbow, to mark the hospice's birthday.

David said: "I am very excited to be launching this fantastic appeal for Rainbows.

"The hospice is an incredible place, and the staff do a fantastic job making a happy environment filled with love and laughter. I am very passionate about the work the charity does and I am proud to be a patron.

"So come on, get involved, and help Rainbows create the biggest rainbow ever made up of selfies and postcards.

"It is a fabulous way to celebrate 20 years of caring for children and young people.

"Let's do something amazing for Rainbows."

The hospice, which cares for more than 280 children and young people in the East Midlands, including Leicestershire, hopes to break the record for the world's biggest postcard mosaic.

The current record holder is The Camford International School in India, where students created a rainbow measuring 453.37 sq metres.

The completed rainbow will go on a tour of the region, and people will be able to add selfies and birthday messages to it.

Geoff Ellis, Rainbows chief executive, said: "This year, we are celebrating 20 years of care and want to make as much noise as possible about it. We hope that by creating the world's biggest rainbow, we will raise a lot of awareness about who we are and the work we do.

"We haven't decided where we will reveal the rainbow yet, as we just don't know how big it is going to get.

"We are very grateful to David for supporting this campaign, and we know that our other famous patrons and ambassadors will also be getting involved so look out for their photos.

"Anyone can get involved in this and, if enough people join in, we will create the biggest rainbow ever."

To join in, share a bright selfie using backgrounds or accessories matching one of the special rainbow colours – red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple or pink.

Then, using the hashtag #RainbowsSelfie, post it on Twitter or Facebook, and nominate friends to do the same.

Alternatively, order special coloured postcards for birthday messages, go to:

www.rainbows.co.uk/ birthdayrainbow

Flanker Jamie Gibson had the season of his life at Leicester Tigers last year.

A newcomer at the club, the 23-year-old started 24 games from the back row – second only to Tom Youngs (25).

Gibson was a crucial cog in a side that endured some horrific injury problems and his game improved with every performance.

Gibson's consistency was rewarded with a place in the England squad for the Barbarians game at the end of the season.

Although that ended prematurely after a bang to the head, the former London Irish player is firmly in Stuart Lancaster's thinking with the World Cup just 15 months away.

Despite his personal success last term, Gibson knows he will have to double his efforts this season if he wants to play as much rugby again.

Fellow blindside flanker Tom Croft is expected to be back to full fitness for the start of the campaign after missing last season with a serious knee injury.

When the 2013-14 campaign ended, Steve Mafi seemed to be over the personal problems which limited him to just four starts last year.

Gibson knows just how strong the competition will be for that No.6 shirt.

"That was my fifth season in total and to come to a club with such history and ambition and to play so many games was the highlight of my career," he said.

"It was more than I could have hoped and dreamed of. I will knuckle down and work hard and see if it can happen again.

"Guys like Steve and Tom are back in the mix and I can improve my game just watching those players train.

"During the next couple of months, I will be trying to give Cockers (Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill) a selection headache.

"It was good to be involved with the England squad at the end of the season.

"It ended frustratingly but it is good to work with people from different clubs with different ideas."

Gibson, who spent his holidays surfing in Jersey and the south of France, believes Tigers will have to "tighten up" in certain areas if they are to improve on last season's semi-final exit to Northampton.

"At times, we under-performed but we won the games that mattered and we were frustrated not to win that semi-final," said Gibson.

"If we can be a bit tighter in certain areas, we can do well and have confidence because we are a strong squad with some good new players coming in.

"The (four) players we have signed from Treviso have been involved with the Italian side for a long while and have played at the top level for ages. There is good strength in every position and a lot of blokes are fully fit too."

Three Tigers youngsters have been chosen as part of the England Under-18 squad for their two-week tour of South Africa next month.

Forwards Owen Hills, Joe Maksymiw and Charlie Beckett will be part of the squad that will play Wales, France and the hosts as part of a four-strong tournament that will take place in Cape Town, George and Stellenbosch.

The competition kicks off on Friday, August 15.

Riyad Mahrez will return to the Leicester City fold when they head to Thailand tomorrow.

The Algerian international was given extra time off after his experiences at the World Cup in Brazil this summer, but will join Nigel Pearson's squad in Bangkok as they prepare to face Everton in a prestigious friendly.

It has certainly been a whirlwind year so far for 23-year-old Mahrez, who was playing for Le Havre in the second tier of French football until joining City in January for just £400,000.

Since then, he has played his part in City's title success and earned a call-up to the Algeria squad, made his debut and was then named in their World Cup squad.

He is set to finish the year as a Premier League player – and City boss Nigel Pearson believes Mahrez will be a hit in the top flight too.

"Opportunities sometimes come when you least expect it," said Pearson.

"But for him to have played in the Championship in a side that has won the league, and won it well, was a great experience.

"He was in a high-profile situation and he performed very well for us.

"It is a great story and it just means that it will probably be a success story, in that he is a player who cost us a relatively modest amount in modern day terms.

"He is a player who has a bright future and I am glad he is with us.

"I am sure he will do well in the Premier League."

City take on Ilkeston tonight in their opening pre-season friendly before jetting to Thailand tomorrow, and Matty James believes it is a vital time for the club as they prepare for the opening day of the season on August 16.

"Pre-season is such an important time," said midfielder James.

"You need to build up a base level of fitness that can help see you through the season, but as well as that, it's about getting minutes under your belt on the pitch.

"You need to know that you're able to get through a full 90 minutes without any problems, so the game in Bangkok will be a big part of that and I can't wait.

"It's all about being ready for that opening day of the season, so we'll all be taking it very seriously. We want to be the best we can in the Premier League next season.

"We know we can do well, but we've got to put in the hard work, and that starts now."

Leicester City step up their pre-season preparations tonight when they take the field for the first time ahead of their Premier League campaign.

City take on Ilkeston Town at the New Manor Ground (7.30) and it will be the first chance the fans have to see new signings Marc Albrighton, Matt Upson and Ben Hamer in action.

Leonardo Ulloa could also be involved if his club record transfers from Brighton is completed in time.

City have been given 1,000 tickets for the game, and a big crowd is expected at the Northern Premier Division ground. Tomorrow, City then fly out to Thailand ahead of their friendly clash with Everton in Bangkok.

It is a trip which Nigel Pearson's men are relishing, especially midfielder Andy King who missed the title celebration trip to Thailand in May because he was on international duty with Wales.

"It should be a great experience," said King.

"I missed the last game we played out there because I was away with Wales, but the lads that were involved really enjoyed playing in front of the Thai fans.

"I believe the conditions can be difficult with the heat and humidity.

"But those are all challenges you have to face when you play football at the top level, so I'm sure it's something both teams will rise to.

"It will be our second game of pre-season so it's an important one for us in terms of preparing for the Premier League, but we'll also be delighted to help King Power mark their anniversary as they've been such a supportive force behind the club since they took over four years ago."

The game has been organised to celebrate the 25th anniversary of parent company King Power International, and captain Wes Morgan cannot wait to return to Thailand.

"When we went there after winning the title, I can honestly say it was one of the most incredible experiences I've had as a footballer," he said.

"We were lucky enough to celebrate with our fans in England before we left and we didn't really know what to expect in Thailand before we arrived.

"To see so many Leicester City shirts and to have had the support that we did over there made it feel like home. It really blew us away.

"The fans in Thailand certainly left a lasting impression on us, and as soon as we found out we'd be coming back to play Everton in Bangkok, the lads were immediately looking forward to it.

"It will be a special match that for us will form a crucial part of our pre-season preparations, and of course we all know it's the 25th anniversary of King Power International, who treated us wonderfully in May."

A jury has been told what led up to the fatal stabbing of fitness coach Antoin Akpom in a Leicester street.

Mr Akpom, 20, was stabbed in the back in a confrontation in Kent Street, Highfields, shortly before 5.30pm on Thursday, September 12 last year.

Abdul Hakim (19), of Wood Hill, Spinney Hills, Leicester, appeared at Nottingham Crown Court today to face a charge that he, together with Hussain Hussain, was guilty of Mr Akpom's murder.

He pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Richard Latham QC told the jury of eight women and four men that 19-year-old Hussain Hussain was convicted of the murder of Mr Akpom at Stafford Crown Court on April 15 this year.

Mr Latham said: "It is admitted that Hussein stabbed Mr Akpom. It is my task to prove that it was a joint enterprise."

Opening the case, Mr Latham said the trial was likely to last just five days, because there was a great deal of agreed evidence between the prosecution and the defence.

He said the stabbing of Mr Akpom followed an earlier confrontation between the deceased and Hakim in Kent Street.

Mr Latham said there had been some bad feeling between the two men for around a year.

The court was shown CCTV images of Mr Akpom travelling in a black Fiat Punto which pulled up alongside Hakim and Hussein as they walked along Kent Street.

Mr Akpom approached Hakim. A witness said Mr Akpom said Hakim was "a waste man" or "a dead man".

Mr Akpom got back into the vehicle, along with the driver, his close friend Joe French.

The car was then driven around the corner, into Sussex Street, and pulled up near Spike's Gym.

CCTV pictures showed Hakim picking up an object, believed to be a brick or a piece of concrete.

The court was told witnesses then saw Mr Akpom, carrying a dumbbell, approach Hakim and Hussain.

Seconds after Mr Akpom approached the pair, CCTV images showed what appeared to be blood appearing on the back of Mr Akpom's white T-shirt.

A group of about nine people, who had run from the direction of Spike's Gym, then chased Hakim and Hussain along Kent Street, towards Humberstone Road.

As that was happening, Mr Akpom collapsed into the arms of Mr French, who had called an ambulance.

Emergency services, including the police, arrived on the scene and Mr Akpom was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary where he was treated by the trauma team.

However, he was declared dead at three minutes to seven that evening.

Fitness and dance coach Mr French, 20, told the court of his "amazing, bouncy and determined friend" Mr Akpom, who died a week before he was due to take up a place on a teacher training course. He said he considered Mr Akpom to be his "brother".

Mr French told the jury he did not know what had been said when Mr Akpom challenged Hakim and Hussain in Kent Street, shortly before he was stabbed.

When he was cross examined by Mark Wall QC, for Hakim, Mr French denied lying when he said he could not remember what the row had been about.

Mr French also denied the suggestion by Mr Wall that he was lying when he omitted to tell the police of the initial confrontation.

He said: "I was traumatised. I had just seen my friend severely injured, and at that time I did not know if he was alive or dead."

A post mortem examination revealed that Mr Akpom died as a result of a single stab wound, which had punctured his left lung.

The trial continues.

Leonardo Ulloa was understood to be finalising the details of his record-breaking move to Leicester City last night.

The Argentine striker is joining City for a club record fee, believed to be £8million rising to £10m with add-ons.

He underwent his medical yesterday morning and his representatives have been discussing the final aspects of his contract.

Brighton accepted a fifth bid for the 27-year-old on Thursday and City hope to have the deal wrapped up in time for Ulloa to fly to Thailand tomorrow for the prestigious friendly against Everton in Bangkok on Sunday.

Ulloa's high-profile arrival has led to speculation over the future of Chris Wood, and Wolves are said to have made an enquiry about the New Zealander's availability.

Wood has played under Wolves boss Kenny Jackett before during a loan spell at Millwall.

Jackett remains an admirer of the 22-year-old, who joined City in December 2012 from West Brom in a deal that was potentially worth £2m.

Wood found his opportunities limited last season because of the partnership of Jamie Vardy and David Nugent.

Ulloa's arrival could see Wood falling further down the pecking order.

Wolves are believed to have enquired whether Wood is available for a loan or permanent transfer.

Meanwhile, there were incorrect reports yesterday that midfielder Andy King is the subject of a £1.2m bid from Watford.

However, the Mercury understands Watford did make an enquiry about King's availability but were told categorically he was not for sale.

King is coming into the final year of his contract at City and struggled to hold down a regular starting slot last season because of the form of Danny Drinkwater and Matty James.

But King remains very much part of manager Nigel Pearson's plans and is expected to be offered a new contract.

The finishing touches are now being put to Leicester's new Richard III visitor centre, which is set to open its doors to the public on Saturday.

Staff at the £4 million attraction – called Dynasty, Death and Discovery – are making the final preparations ahead of the much anticipated opening.

For the last eight months, workmen have been renovating the Victorian former Alderman Newton School, in Peacock Lane, next to the council car park where the last Plantagenet king of England was discovered by University of Leicester archeologists.

Today, reporters and writers, including those from the Mercury, are being invited to have a preview look at the centre.

While the details have been carefully kept under wraps ahead of the preview, one photo has been released in advance.

It shows staff laying out a replica of Richard's mortal remains, which show his famously twisted spine and the vicious and fatal wounds he suffered at the hands of Henry Tudor's soldiers at Bosworth Field in 1485.

The centrepiece and climax of the experience is the actual grave site where Richard remained undiscovered and forgotten for more than 400 years.

Matthew Contstantine, from Leicester City Council's museum service, has helped script the exhibitions in the centre.

"It's been a funny one," he said. "The core of museums are objects and artefacts but in this case there is a big hole, literally, in the centre of the attraction.

"We have had to tell a very complex story – the soap opera of the War of the Roses.

"Richard was a hugely controversial figure. We have tried to balance the sensitivities of the members of the Richard III Society, the Ricardians, with the writings of the mainstream historians.

"It is, however, a heritage centre, not a book. It is here to entertain and stimulate."

The area of the centre telling the remarkable story of the discovery of Richard's bones and their identification has also proved a challenge.

Mr Constantine said: "The science is complicated. We want people to learn about what happened but some people might be totally turned off by the finer details of DNA identification and carbon dating. We had long conversations with the scientists about the level of detail we should include."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby approved the purchase of the disused school next to the dig site and agreed that the city council should fund its conversion.

After visiting the centre yesterday, he said: "It's absolutely stunning. It's a very high quality piece of work and is very much in keeping with the lovely building.

"Of course, these things always go down to the wire and there is still much activity getting it ready, but it will be fantastic and I cannot wait for people to start visiting."

About 1,000 advance tickets have already been sold.

"That is encouraging but with these things whatever marketing you do, it will be word of mouth that gets people in," Sir Peter said.

"People who come and see how brilliant it is will tell their friends and family who will tell others they know.

"I am confident it will succeed."

The centre will be run by an independent trust, rather than the council. It is expected about 120,000 paying visitors will visit in the first 12 months.

Tickets are available on the door or online at:

www.kriii.com

An enraged man savagely stabbed his ex-partner's lover to death before threatening to kill their own baby, a murder trial heard.

James Andrew Burton then told the terrified woman, Aimee Radley, that he was going to hang himself.

The jury heard that as victim Matthew Dunn lay dead on the floor of Miss Radley's home, having been stabbed 29 times, Burton said: "I've murdered him."

Miss Radley, 23, leapt out of a first-floor bedroom window with her 14-month-old son in her arms.

She fell on to a parked car below and fractured three vertebrae in her back. The child escaped with bruising.

Using lighter fuel, Burton (32) set fire to the terraced house, in Factory Road, Hinckley.

He then rang his mother and allegedly confessed to the killing, and then tried to hang himself from a noose attached to the bedroom window.

However, the frame gave way and he fell to the ground, where he was arrested.

Burton, of Parry Close, Earl Shilton, denies murdering Mr Dunn, a 23-year-old plastics worker, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, on the morning of Friday, January 24.

The cause of death was a stab to the back of his neck, severing the spinal cord, and a knife wound in his heart.

Burton also denies an offence of threatening to kill his son.

William Harbage QC, prosecuting, said: "He was determined to take his revenge on, and kill, the man who'd taken his place as Aimee's partner and father figure to his son. It was a premeditated killing."

Opening the Crown's case to the jury, he said: "At about half past six in the morning, while it was still dark, this defendant travelled to the home of his ex-partner, where she lived with their son. They'd split up after a relatively short and volatile relationship.

"The defendant had with him a folding lock knife and a rucksack containing a length of rope, some plastic cables ties – which can be used to bind a person's wrist and ankles – and a canister of lighter fluid.

"He'd clearly not gone for a peaceful reason.

"He lay in wait at the rear of the house just below the kitchen window, waiting for an opportunity to enter.

"He would have heard Aimee's new boyfriend, Matthew Dunn, arrive in his car after finishing work on his night shift. He would have heard their voices in the kitchen and knew it was Aimee's habit to go outside for a cigarette fairly early in the morning.

"At about 8.45am, Aimee unlocked the back door to do just that.

"The defendant was ready and he burst in.

"Matthew Dunn tried his best to defend himself, but was unarmed and taken by surprise.

"As the defendant continued his attack on Mr Dunn, Aimee ran upstairs with the child.

"She yelled out of the window to passers-by on their way to work, and held the baby out of the window, begging someone to come and catch him, so she could drop him to safety.

"No-one came.

"The defendant followed upstairs, having stabbed Mr Dunn to death."

He then threatened to kill the child, the prosecution alleged.

Dramatic police camcorder footage of Burton trying to kill himself, with the police urging him not to jump, was shown at Leicester Crown Court.

Armed police smashed in the door and deployed four stun grenades, as black smoke poured out of the building.

Burton was filmed being held over a blood-splattered car, saying: "I murdered him, so what. I did what I needed to do."

The court heard he told the police: "Seeing that I've just f****** murdered someone the adrenalin weren't that brilliant to be fair.

"Got a better adrenalin rush from thinking about doing it."

Burton allegedly told officers: "Do you know when he died?

"Stabbed him in the back of his neck, that's when he died; see the life just go out of him."

Mr Harbage said: "As far as the charge of murder is concerned, we anticipate the defendant will not deny that he killed Matthew Dunn."

He said Burton was likely to be running "partial defences", that he was suffering from a "loss of control" and, or, diminished responsibility, due to his mental state at the time – which would reduce murder to the lesser manslaughter."

The jury heard a five-page letter written by the defendant, found at the murder scene, included the words: "How can I let you get away with destroying my life."

The six men and six women on the jury were told Burton had pleaded guilty to making a threat to kill and inflicting grievous bodily harm on another person.

The trial continues.

It's difficult to ignore the explosion of online video sharing website YouTube in recent years. From funny cats to cooking tutorials, the website is known across the world.

Video bloggers/vloggers, known commonly as "YouTubers" by fans and "content creators" by the website giant, have become internet celebrities overnight with millions of followers.

Revenue from advertisements have also led to YouTubers generating an income from their videos.

As result, these former bored teenagers filming themselves in their bedrooms are now making a comfortable living from their short videos or even becoming professional film-makers.

Of course, the bigger the YouTubers become, the more they also benefit financially from endorsement and record deals, television contracts, radio shows and clothing lines.

So, are there any YouTube success stories in Leicester?

Business Reporter Isobel Frodsham spoke to three different film-makers who are hoping to become online sensations.

Channel name: SuperSafTV

Name: Safwan Ahmedmia

Based: Highfields, Leicester

Subject matter: Technology reviews

Time on YouTube: Two years

Statistics: 88,608 subscribers/ 17,516,830 channel views*

Estimated earnings: Five figures per year

Side channels: Safwan Ahmedmia and 3BMTV

Biography: Saf's experience of working with cameras began at a young age. While he was on his summer holidays with his brothers, the boys created skit videos using their dad's video camera.

This led to Saf working as a professional film-maker and photographer after graduating from De Montfort University with a first in multimedia computing in 2007.

Saf said: "I would receive a lot of questions regarding cameras or smartphones from family and friends, for example what's the best DSLR camera to buy for beginners and which smartphone takes the best pictures? I was repeating similar advice during e-mails and conversations.

"So I eventually decided to post some basic videos on YouTube which could help share my thoughts with a wider audience, while doing something I enjoy." Saf also works at De Montfort University as a multimedia designer in the marketing department, as well as doing freelance video and photography work.

He said: "My plan is to continue making new and fresh content and hopefully increase my audience further – the next milestone is 100,000 subscribers."

*When we went to press.

Channel name: Chayification

Name: Chay Longdin

Based in: Leicester, originally from Welford, Northamptonshire

Subject Matter: Gaming channel

Time on YouTube: Two to three years

Statistics: 22,727 subscribers/ 3,576,106 channel views*

Most popular video: "Mods of... Skyrim - How to Become a Dragon!" - 142,660 views, earning between £414 and £1,077 so far

Estimated earnings:£2.90-£7.50 per 1,000 views

Biography: 23-year-old Chay is currently studying Media Production at De Montfort University and is due to graduate next summer.

After watching another gaming YouTuber known as "Hutch" play through a video game with commentary, Chay decided to try doing the same thing with shooter game, Team of Fortess 2.

The style of Chay's videos involve filming the screen of his computer as he plays a video game while commentating.

He said: "People seem to like my personality, how I was on the microphone and the camera, so it sort of stuck. It is something I enjoy doing, I'm not in it for the monetary value, I just enjoy doing it. It's great fun, being paid is just a perk of the hobby."

Earlier this year, he began producing merchandise worldwide for his fans, including T-shirts and jumpers.

He said: "Selling T-shirts was just a random thing I decided to do.

"Once you build up a small fan base, they want to start supporting you in other ways.

"I don't like taking money off people at all, let alone for nothing, but there was a demand for having something physical from my subscribers, so I opened up an online T-shirt shop.

"That way, people could then buy them if they wanted to give me some extra support, which is something I'm hugely grateful for."

Chay's plans for the future include continuing to have a presence on YouTube and working in media production after graduating.

He said: "My dream is to direct a film, so that's what I'm striding. Hopefully, my course will push me in that, fingers crossed."

*When we went to press.

Channel name: JusDoinMeTV

Name: Jamie "Chaser" Tarbert

Based in: Leicester

Subject matter: Music videos

Time on YouTube: Five years, making music videos for two years

Statistics: 529 subscribers/206,569 channel views

Estimated earnings: £100 per video

Most popular video: "#EBW (EP.12) - MARSHY" - 17,435 views

Biography: 25-year-old Jamie's music video career stems from his background in music technology.

When he was 18, he completed a music course with Leicester Community Music Project (LCMP), a limited company specialising in helping musicians in Leicester.

Following his course, he began working with LCMP as a sound engineer at their record studio, HQ Recordings, in Charles Street.

Jamie said: "When I worked with artists at HQ, I wanted to offer them the whole package of being able to leave with a track or album completed and a video, so I started filming and editing music videos."

Word spread around Leicester and he began to get requests from people to film them freestyle rapping.

This has grown into JusDoinMeTV, a platform for young musicians in Leicester to get their music heard. In addition to his own channel, Jamie works on another channel, dubbed JDZ Media, where he charges clients £100 per video to film, edit and upload their music videos.

He now works all over the country and internationally filming musicians.

Jamie said: "My plans are to try to do as many videos as possible, and branch out to film sport and documentaries."

*When we went to press.

It's good to have friends in high places and Leicester has many. Penny Lovell is perhaps one of the most vocal, regularly talking up the attractions of the city to her influential banking colleagues in the City of London.

It also helps her family claim to have a link to Richard III through Francis Lovell, who rode with him at the Battle of Bosworth and was a close friend.

Penny, head of client services at Close Brothers Asset Management and one of the City's most powerful women in the finance sector, said: "I'm a bit of a Richard III lover. We are rather proud of him, I've had that indoctrinated into me by my parents.

"We like to think we are related to Francis Lovell."

Penny is in Leicester after attending a dinner to mark the opening of the Cathedral Gardens the previous evening.

Much of the talk at the event, she says, was about the city getting the go-ahead to bury the remains of the last Plantagenet king here.

"I love Leicester," she said, after popping into the Mercury's office on her way to the train station.

"I come up as much as I can. The best place in the world to be is by the canal in Wistow. I'm very proud to have my roots here."

Penny was born in Cossington and then lived in various places in the county, including Stoneygate, Clarendon Park and Kirby Muxloe.

Attending Wyggeston Collegiate Sixth Form College (now known as Regent College) and Loughborough High School, she worked at McDonald's near the city's Clock Tower to save up for the fees to attend the world-famous Sorbonne university in Paris.

"I read about it in a book and wanted to go there," she said. "I served a lot of burgers and milkshakes to do it."

She studied French civilisation, before moving back to the UK and graduating with a degree in English and Italian from Manchester University.

"I decided I wanted to be a producer and presenter of the news on TV," she said. "That's why I studied English. I started doing hospital radio at Glenfield Hospital and then worked at Leicester Sound.

"My plan was to apply to the BBC graduate training course. I got the application form, but it was all about your favourite TV programme. I thought 'I don't really watch TV. I'm not going to complete the form and I'm not going to apply'.

"I then asked myself what skills I had picked up. That's when I turned to finance. I thought 'I really like people, why don't I use those skills in the finance sector?'

"That's when I went to Friends Provident and did their training programme."

So began Penny's career in the finance sector. Her time at the insurance giant was followed by senior roles at prestigious banks Coutts and Rothchild, before moving to Close Brothers in 2012.

Despite her own success in the male-dominated world of finance, Penny says there aren't enough women coming through from the next generation.

"It was really interesting when I started work in the City, there were very few women around," she said. "But in the first year of my graduate trainee scheme at Friends Provident, 50 per cent of us were female.

"I just don't understand why more females aren't applying. We were looking through some CVs that came in recently and I thought 'they are all male'.

"My question is: why aren't more women entering wealth management and banking?"

The 46-year-old fears an inability to shake off the image of long hours and a "boys' club" culture may be having an impact.

"The reputation becomes the reality in people's minds. But the reality is very different.

"I'm working with men and women on a 50/50 basis. I can't see that happening in the next generation. I don't think my generation has spread the word effectively enough.

"You need to be relatively robust. But you need to be robust in any job.

"I have twins (Joseph and Isobel) who are 12. It hasn't been an easy ride. They enjoy hearing about my career and I live and breath what I do.

"I suppose it's about making sure that the next generation of women know they are just as capable as anyone else of working in finance."

She said she was once given some great advice by Mervyn Davies, chief executive of Fleming Family & Partners, another finance business she has worked for.

"He said to me it's really important your children come into the office now and again and really understand what you do when you're at work so they don't feel isolated from it. I do bring Joseph and Isobel in."

Penny, who has been named one of the top 10 women in the financial industry by Financial Times/Carte Blanche, seems to take a lot of enjoyment from carrying out varying roles.

Penny, who oversees a multi-billion pound portfolio, currently helps families invest their wealth.

"When a family makes a lot of money they come up against issues and challenges," she said.

"I really enjoy that feeling of working with them and giving them peace of mind."

At Coutts, she was financial planning and investment manager for musicians and sports stars.

"It was fascinating stuff. I met some very interesting characters."

Despite turning her back on the BBC as a youngster, she still managed to make her mark at the Beeb.

Soon after she was born, producers of a newly-launched radio station were scouring the maternity wards looking for an appropriate sound to showcase the event.

"They wanted a baby crying," she said. "I was that baby."

The Commonwealth Games figure prominently on the CV of former professional cyclist Colin Sturgess. It is a pretty formidable CV too – topped by a world title as he powered to the 5,000m pursuit title in Lyon in 1989, his first year in the pro ranks.

He had made his first mark on the international scene three years earlier, however, as a 17-year-old at the Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, beaten in the 4,000m pursuit final by Australia's Dean Woods – the man he would gain spectacular revenge on in France to claim the Rainbow jersey.

Retirement came abruptly in 1992 as Sturgess went to study at Loughborough University, but unfinished business saw him return to cycle sport and, in 1998, less than a year into his comeback, he was called into the England Commonwealth Games squad for the Kuala Lumpur event.

There he teamed up with Jon Clay, Matt Illingworth and Rob Hayles, only to be thwarted again by Australia, whose quartet powered to the gold-medal ride-off.

After a spell out of the country, Sturgess is back in England working at Lutterworth Cycle Centre, where he is able to pass on the knowledge he built up during a high-profile career that produced success on the road as well as the track.

Looking back to his first tilt at the Commonwealth Games, Sturgess says he almost did not ride the pursuit on the Edinburgh boards.

"I was selected for the kilometre, not the pursuit," he recalled.

"I said at the time I was a better pursuiter, but it was only after I had ridden the kilo, and not done a particularly fast time, that they decided they would put me in the pursuit, almost to make up the numbers."

Sturgess would prove his point by reaching the final, where he was ultimately caught by Woods, who two years earlier had been part of Australia's gold-medal winning team at the Los Angeles Olympics.

"I wouldn't have said that I would get a medal but I had a feeling that, if everything went right, I could get to the last four," said the former Zenith racer.

"I was quietly confident that I could do something – but not a silver medal and a British record.

"I was a little bit disappointed to be caught in the final but I was still only 17 and, to be honest, I was stuffed.

"It was draining physically and emotionally, and I just didn't have the legs in the final – it was only the third or fourth time I'd ridden 4,000m."

Throwing the clock forward 12 years and Sturgess was back in England colours as he worked his way up the international ladder again after coming out of retirement.

"I had targeted the Commonwealth Games," said the former world champion. "I wanted to get back up to world level.

"I was in the Great Britain team that did well at the World Championships in France where we set a national record just before the Commonwealth Games, so we knew we had a good chance of upsetting the odds."

England went close but Australia, the defending champions, were a formidable squad under head coach Charlie Walsh and edged Sturgess and Co by 0.8sec.

"It was no disgrace at all losing to them," said Sturgess. "But I do remember Charlie Walsh coming over after the final and saying we were the first team to really push Australia."

The Australians would complete a hat-trick by striking gold in Manchester in 2002 before England's quartet of Hayles, Paul Manning, Steve Cummings and Chris Newton broke their stranglehold, ironically in Melbourne, four years later.

Last May, the Leicester Mercury launched its Save A Life campaign in conjunction with national first aid charity St John Ambulance.

It inspired 400 people to book places on a first aid course to learn life-saving skills.

The 400th person to complete the course was shopkeeper Vinayak Saglani.

The 66-year-old said: "I had always thought I would like to learn first aid and, when I saw the course advertised in the Leicester Mercury, I decided to take advantage of it."

Vinayak, who runs an off- licence in Wigston, said: "Luckily, I have never been in a situation where I have had to use the skills but I thought it would come in handy to know them and at least I would be able to help any of the customers in my shop.

"The course was really useful and I would recommend everyone to learn first aid."

The Leicester Mercury has again teamed up with St John Ambulance to offer a discount on the charity's three-hour essential first aid training course.

Carl Makins, regional training and community projects manager at St John Ambulance, said: "We have already had 400 people learn first aid through the Save A Life campaign with the Leicester Mercury.

"These 400 people are now equipped with the skills and confidence to be the difference between life and death.

"First aid is a vital skill for everyone to learn so that, should an emergency occur, they are empowered to be the difference for their family, friends, colleagues and community.

"We are delighted to be working with the Leicester Mercury again for this campaign and we hope that many more people will sign up."

To book for £20 plus VAT, call 01246 200272. Mention your £5 off Save A Life voucher when booking and take it with you on the day.

A jealous ex-boyfriend had "evil" in his eyes before he stabbed his love rival to death, a murder jury was told.

A court heard that James Andrew Burton lay in wait outside the home of his ex-girlfriend, Aimee Radley, before bursting in when she opened the back door.

Miss Radley (24) said he produced a knife and stabbed her new boyfriend Matthew Dunn 29 times, leaving him to die on the lounge floor, in Factory Road, Hinckley.

Miss Radley said she witnessed part of the attack before fleeing upstairs to try to summon help from passers-by.

She described Burton's demeanor, saying: "It was an evil look of pure hatred.

"It was like he wasn't all there and he liked what he was doing."

After the killing, Burton allegedly threatened to decapitate her and kill their baby son.

She ended up jumping from the first floor bedroom window, with the 14-month-old child in her arms.

She sustained three fractured vertebrae and the boy suffered shock and bruising.

Burton (32), of Parry Close, Earl Shilton, denies murdering Mr Dunn, a 23-year-old plastics worker, from Wednesbury, West Midlands, on the morning of Friday, January 24 this year.

The cause of death were stabs to his heart and spinal cord.

Burton also denies threatening to kill his son.

Giving evidence from behind a screen at Leicester Crown Court, Miss Radley said her two-and-a-half year relationship with Burton ended in April 2013. She was allegedly scared of him throughout.

There were disagreements about arrangements for Burton to see his child.

Miss Radley said she stopped his access visits last October, but Burton took it badly and there were constant texts saying he wanted his family back.

By November she was in a new relationship with Mr Dunn.

The prosecution allege the motive was revenge for taking over Burton's role within the family.

Describing the fatal attack, Miss Radley said Burton produced a knife from his pocket while in the kitchen.

She said: "He just started stabbing him."

Miss Radley wept as she described picking up her child and seeing Burton knife the alleged victim five or six more times, as blood splattered on her and around the kitchen.

Mr Dunn repeatedly told her to go upstairs.

She said: "Matthew tried to kick the knife out of James' hands but he stabbed him again.

"I could see the change in Matthew's posture; he was bent over as if he was hurt. He looked scared."

Unable to stop the violence, she went upstairs and rang 999.

She said: "I opened a window and screamed for help.

"I could hear Matthew saying 'no' and a scuffle in the living room. James came upstairs when it went quiet.

"He said: 'I've killed him, I've murdered him and it's your fault. We're all gonna die today.

"I'll start with the child and make you watch and I'll slit your throat and decapitate you and kill myself."

Burton interrupted the proceedings, shouting: "You're lying," before walking out of the dock, which resulted in a 15-minute adjournment.

Michael Auty QC, defence counsel, said her evidence was "clouded by hatred", with which she disagreed.

She replied: "He's not worth my thinking time; he's a scumbag."

The trial continues.

Leicester Lions are very proud to have two of our riders in action at the World Cup this weekend. Simon Stead and Jason Doyle will fly their respective country's flag at King's Lynn's Norfolk Arena on Saturday when Team GB, Australia, Italy and the USA go head to head.

Brit Stead is having a great season here at Leicester and has grown in confidence, meeting by meeting, to a point where he is now the equivalent of a fourth-heat leader.

It is the indication that Simon is back to his best and he will race for Team GB against his Lions team-mate Doyle, who rides for Australia.

I have said previously that Jason is now recognised as one of his country's very best riders, and he will add a solid feel to a strong Australian team that must be among the favourites to win the World Cup.

The winners of Saturday night's semi-final will go into the final in Poland to meet the host nation, who have been seeded straight through.

Sweden, the Czech Republic, Denmark and Latvia will contest the second semi-final in Vastervik.

Our Lions team captain Mads Korneliussen has been selected to represent Denmark, so we may have three Leicester riders in the World Cup final and that would be very special.

The countries that finish second and third in the two semi-finals will go through to the race-off in Bydgoszcz, and the top-scoring team from that will qualify for the final.

For me, Team GB are not the strongest side. I am not a betting man, but at worst I would expect a second-place finish on Saturday night.

To win would require all the British riders to do well, and have some luck against the Australians.

My prediction is that Australia will be triumphant over second-placed Team GB, followed by the USA with Italy a distant fourth.

Regardless of my predictions, Leicester fans will have two of their heroes to support at King's Lynn, and I am sure they will do the club proud.

Following the unrivalled success of our live Sky Sports meeting at Leicester last week, the frustration of all speedway fans, riders and promoters came to pass on Saturday when we were due to host Lakeside.

The thunder storms of last Friday night had left the Jordan Road Surfacing Stadium track extremely wet and, as a result, we had to work very hard to bring it back to a dry condition.

This was hampered by the humidity, which even with the high temperatures, slowed the process down considerably.

However, by 5pm we had created a super-fast and grippy race circuit in readiness for the 7.30pm start time and, with the help of skipper Korneliussen, who had been with the track staff virtually all day, we felt we had prepared a good surface.

Then, as these things are sent to try us, a rain storm blew in.

It lasted approximately 30 minutes but it was very heavy and, as a result, the track received far too much water for it to recover within the timescales to start the meeting, even with the subsequent good weather that followed.

Leicester City shook off the close-season cobwebs with a comfortable 6-1 victory in their opening pre-season friendly at Ilkeston Town.

Record signing Leonardo Ulloa watched on as David Nugent scored twice and Wes Morgan, Chris Wood and Tom Hopper all scored in a useful workout for Nigel Pearson's men. An own goal rounded off the half-dozen for City.

It was the first chance for City fans to see their new signings in action, although they will have to wait a little longer before getting their first glimpse of defender Matt Upson and Ulloa, who will make his City bow in Thailand.

Striker Jamie Vardy was also a notable absentee from the team sheet, while Riyad Mahrez also had a watching brief after only just linking up with the squad again after his extended summer break.

City fielded different sides in each half and the first half team included a mix of first team regulars and development squad prospects, including new arrival Jack Barmby from Manchester United.

As expected, City dominated the first half with Gary Taylor-Fletcher in particular pulling the strings, but Ilkeston defended valiantly and City had to wait until the 34th minute for their first goal.

Albrighton looked bright on the right flank and produced a succession of teasing crosses, while Barmby teed up fellow development squad member Alie Sesay with an in-swinging corner but the young defender headed wide.

Taylor-Fletcher was looking very sharp and was at the heart of City's most promising attacks. He fired just wide after being picked out inside the box by Andy King, while Ilkeston skipper Joe Maguire denied Taylor-Fletcher on the line.

It was a tremendous piece of skill from Taylor-Fletcher which led to City's first goal.

After nutmegging a defender, he picked out captain Morgan, who forced the ball home from close range.

Ilkeston had a few rare attacks and Kasper Schmeichel had to watch a strike from Michael Williams which fizzed just wide, but City added the second soon after when James Pearson picked out Wood with a teasing cross and the New Zealander beat Jordan Smith with a glancing header.

Nugent could have scored after just 16 seconds of the second half but screwed his shot wide from close range, but 30 seconds later he did find the back of the net to convert Ryan Watson's pass.

City's fourth came in the 54th minute when City caught the Robins defence out and Anthony Knockaert teed up Hopper to score.

Nugent added his second and City's fifth in the 79th minute after a defence-splitting pass from Danny Drinkwater and the sixth came courtesy of an own goal from Laurie Wilson after good overlapping play from Ritchie De Laet.

There was a late consolation for Ilkeston as Andre Johnson scored after a mistake from new signing Ben Hamer, who spilled a straightforward shot from long range at the feet of the striker.

City (first half): Kasper Schmeichel, James Pearson, Wes Morgan, Alie Sesay, Paul Konchesky, Marc Albrighton, Matty James, Andy King, Jack Barmby, Gary Taylor-Fletcher, Chris Wood.

City (second half): Ben Hamer, Ritchie De Laet, Marcin Wasilewski, Liam Moore, Jeff Schlupp, Ryan Watson, Danny Drinkwater, Dean Hammond, Anthony Knockaert, David Nugent, Tom Hopper.

A postman was told he betrayed the trust of the Royal Mail and customers by entering a home uninvited and making a call to a premium rate sex line.

Paul Buswell, of Galloway Close, Barwell, was on his morning rounds when he let himself into the house as its owners were talking in their garden.

The 38-year-old was sentenced at Hinckley Magistrates' Court yesterday, having admitted to a charge of committing fraud by false representation at an earlier hearing.

Buswell was handed a 12-month community order, involving supervision, and ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a £60 victim surcharge.

The court heard the incident happened at an address in Billington Road West, Elmesthorpe, last September, where Buswell had previously been given "implied permission" to enter and leave parcels.

Jo Chadd, prosecuting, said: "The homeowner returned home at 9.50am with her young son.

"There was a message on her cordless telephone from an insurance company and she went outside to the rear of the property to discuss it with her husband, who was in a glasshouse about 50 metres from the house.

"She went down to speak to her husband and they both walked back to the house.

"They saw the postman walking up the drive away from the house and found a parcel in the hallway.

"But they couldn't find the telephone handset as it wasn't in its cradle."

The phone was eventually found outside the front of the house, and when the couple dialled the last number called they were shocked to discover it was a 0909 premium rate sex line.

Ms Chadd said: "She realised the call must have been made during the time she went out to speak to her husband, and the only other person who'd been in the house was the postman."

The police were contacted but, when interviewed, Buswell initially denied the offence.

He admitted to using sex lines in the past, but said he had stopped calling them around June or July last year.

Buswell resigned from his job of 15 years following his conviction for the offence last month.

In mitigation, Chris Black said the defendant had no previous convictions and had expressed his remorse to the couple and his employers.

He said Buswell, who is now unemployed, had been prescribed medication for depression, but had stopped taking it shortly before committing the offence.

In a report by the Probation Service, Buswell said it was a spur of the moment decision to make the call and he had "just wanted to talk to someone".

Magistrate Sharon Maskrey-Brown told Buswell he had betrayed the trust of his customers and employer.

"You used a different person's identity to make that call, and used your position as a postman in order to enter the property," she said, adding that he would have faced a possible jail term had he not pleaded guilty at the first opportunity and shown remorse for his crime.

Most benches are there so passers-by can sit down and enjoy the scenery, or catch some respite. However an overgrown bush in front of a bench in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, has made sitting down on it almost impossible.

Passers by have been having a giggle at the almost unusable bench which is situated on a little up-hill path that leads up to Gorse Hill City Farm.

Adrian Ward, from Woodgate, 48, enjoys walking there in the evenings.

He said: "My wife and I go up there most evenings to have a stretch. We have often walked past there and laughed."

Adrian added that the couple recently went for a walk there with their 20-year-old daughter, Rhian Ward.

"She was wetting herself when she saw it," he said.

Adrian. who works as a counsellor, said years ago the gorse bush was further back.

"The gorse used to come up to the fence but it has grown through. It has really overgrown over the fence.

"The rest is fine it is just that one bench, my daughter could barely sit on it.

"It is quite small, she had to squeeze to get in."

• Is this Leicester's most inappropriately located bench? Let us know if you've spotted a poorly positioned item of street furniture in Leicester or Leicestershire. Email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk or tweet us @Leicester_Merc