A former Leicester man's dream came true as he shared his wife's home- made curry with members of Kasabian.

John Ram, originally from Rushey Mead, told the Mercury last month how he was eagerly awaiting Kasabian's Sydney, Australia, concert and would like to offer the band some home comforts during their world tour by inviting them to his house for an authentic curry.

Kasabian's bassist, Chris, spotted the story and contacted us asking for John's e-mail address.

John then received an e-mail from Kasabian's tour manager inviting John, his son Ravi and his work colleague, Justin McGrath, to the sound-check before the concert on Sunday.

Chris said: "I invited John and his son to come to the gig because they had the decency to invite us boys round for a proper curry when we were so far away from home.

"After the sound-check, they came into our dressing room and brought us all a load of home cooked curry. I'm not too sure what curry it was, but it was incredible. I think it was a secret recipe.

"We had a couple of drinks with our curry while we spoke about Leicester."

Chris said he and the other band members also signed an old LCFC shirt for John.

"We talked about Leicester City and how the new Premier League season was going to go.

"John was dressed in nothing but Leicester gear, he was buzzing for it, and he expected them to do well. After the show they came back to our dressing room where we had a few more beers with them."

John, 49, who went to Soar Valley School, and has been living in Kellyville, New South Wales, since November 2003, said the sound-check was like getting a personal concert from Kasabian.

The whole band, as well as the tour manager, then tucked into a bit of home-made food.

"My wife made soya chunks with peas and potatoes, pilau rice with Quorn pieces. It is a fantastic combination.

"It was like going out for a picnic with your mates. It was a fantastic experience to see mega successful people from Leicester behaving like your mates – they're really down-to-earth blokes.

"That is how down-to-earth they are – they read the local paper. They are still extremely interested in the city.

"Sometimes I have to pinch myself and think, did that actually happen?"

John added that the way the band members spoke to him was as if they had known him for years.

He said he was talking to Kasabian's Tom Meighan for about 15 minutes about how everything is going well for Leicester at the moment.

"They made us feel very at home," said John.

He added there were lots of Leicester people at the concert.

"There were a number of people with Leicester football tops on. The concert itself was brilliant. They know how to get the crowd going.

"They're down-to-earth Leicester lads doing us proud," he said.

John's son, Ravi Ram, 17, who also went to the gig, lived in Leicester until he was six years old.

Talking about the gig, he said: "The atmosphere was fantastic. Everyone was so relaxed."

Ravi said before the gig he spoke to the band's frontman Tom.

"I told him that I play guitar and he said 'next time you are in Leicester we should grab a beer and jam for a couple of hours'.

"I can't wait until that day comes."

He said he also spoke to bass player Chris, and Chris loved the food.

"He said it was delicious and he wanted some more.

"I will never forget that day, ever. Overall it was probably the best experience in my life.

"They are really nice people – these guys are absolutely amazing."

The enormous size of the step up from the Football League to the Premier League could not be more evident, even before a ball has been kicked.

Last season, the talk around the Championship was dominated by Financial Fair Play and the huge consequences that was having on how clubs were set up and how squads were constructed.

FFP still exists in the Premier League but on a completely different scale, as this summer's transfer spending has demonstrated.

Premier League clubs are on course to spend more than £600million on transfer fees alone this summer, with one club alone, Liverpool, accounting for one sixth of that total.

So far City have spent £8m on just one player, smashing their transfer record in the process.

That is still considerably more than some clubs have spent this season, but that level of investment pales into insignificance compared to the division's elite.

For some time there has been talk of the Premier League becoming fractured into separate leagues within one division, and the level of expenditure this summer certainly bares that out.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool account for the vast majority of the £600m.

With the amount of undisclosed deals, it is difficult to be completely exact on all the fees, but below is an estimated breakdown of the ins and outs of the Premier League. And there are still more than two weeks to go until the transfer deadline!

This summer's Premier League 'in and outs'...

Arsenal

IN: Calum Chambers (Southampton, £16m); Elias Chatzitheodoridis (Mas Kallitheakos, undisc) Mathieu Debuchy (Newcastle, £12m); Hugo Keto (HJK Helsinki, undisc); David Ospina (Nice, £3m); Alexis Sanchez (Barcelona, £35m); Ben Sheaf (West Ham, undisc).

OUT: Benik Afobe (MK Dons, loan); Chuba Akpom (Coventry, loan); Chuks Aneke (Zulte Waregem, free); Zak Ansah (Charlton, free); Nicklas Bendtner (released); Daniel Boateng (released); Johan Djourou (Hamburg, £2.5m); Thomas Eisfeld (Fulham, undisc); Lukasz Fabianski (Swansea, free); Zac Fagan (Welling, free); Carl Jenkinson (West Ham, loan); Park Chu-Young (released); Bacary Sagna (Man City, free); Leander Siemann (released); Wellington Silva (Almeria, loan); Thomas Vermaelen (Barcelona, £15m).

Aston Villa

IN: Aly Cissokho (Valencia, £2m); Joe Cole (West Ham, free); Philippe Senderos (Valencia, free); Kieran Richardson (Fulham, £600k).

OUT: Marc Albrighton (Leicester, free); Jordan Bowery (Rotherham, £250k); Samir Carruthers (MK Dons, undisc); Nathan Delfouneso (Blackpool, free); Aidan Grant (released); Nicklas Helenius (Aalborg, loan); Daniel Johnson (Chesterfield, loan); Antonio Luna (Verona, loan); Jed Steer (Doncaster, loan); Andras Stieber (released); Yacouba Sylla (Erciyesspor, loan); Aleksander Tonev (Celtic, loan).

Burnley

IN: Matt Gilks (Blackpool, free); Lukas Jutkiewicz (Middlesbrough, £1.5m); Michael Kightly (Stoke, £1.5m); Steven Reid (West Brom, free); Marvin Sordell (Bolton, £500k); Matt Taylor (West Ham, free).

OUT: Chris Baird (West Brom, free); Kyle Brownhill (Hyde, free); David Edgar (Birmingham, free); Micah Evans (Southport, free); Nick Liversedge (released); Joseph Mills (Oldham, free); Junior Stanislas (Bournemouth, free); Brian Stock (released); Keith Treacy (released).

Chelsea

IN: Diego Costa (Atletico Madrid, £32m); Didier Drogba (Galatasaray, free); Cesc Fabregas (Barcelona, £27m); Filipe Luis (Atletico Madrid, £20m); Mario Pasalic (Hajduk Split, £3m).

OUT: Demba Ba (Besiktas, £8m); Ryan Bertrand (Southampton, loan); Ashley Cole (Roma, free); Cristian Cuevas (released); Samuel Eto'o (released); Thorgan Hazard (Monchengladbach, loan); Henrique Hilario (released); Sam Hutchinson (Sheff Wednesday, free); Gael Kakuta (Rayo Vallecano, loan); Tomas Kalas (Cologne, loan); Milan Lalkovic (Mlada Boleslav, free); Frank Lampard (New York City, free); David Luiz (PSG, £40m); Romelu Lukaku (Everton, £28m); Adam Nditi (released); Kenneth Omeruo (Middlesbrough, loan); Mario Pasalic (Elche, loan); Lucas Piazon (Frankfurt, loan); Oriol Romeu (Stuttgart, loan); John Swift (Rotherham, loan); Bertrand Traore (Vitesse, loan); Patrick van Aanholt (Sunderland, £1.5m); Wallace (Vitesse Arnhem, loan).

Crystal Palace

IN: Fraizer Campbell (Cardiff, £900k); Brede Hangeland (Fulham, free); Chris Kettings (Blackpool, free).

OUT: Neil Alexander (Hearts, free); Kwesi Appiah (Cambridge, loan); Jose Campana (Sampdoria, £1.5m); Kagisho Dikgacoi (Cardiff, free); Stephen Dobbie (Fleetwood, loan); Ross Fitzsimons (Bolton, free); Danny Gabbidon (released); Jack Hunt (Nottingham Forest, loan); Dean Moxey (Bolton, free); Jonathan Parr (Ipswich, free); Ibra Sekajja (released); Osman Sow (Hearts, free); Quade Taylor (Bolton, free); Aaron Wilbraham (Bristol City, free); Alex Wynter (Portsmouth, loan).

Everton

IN: Gareth Barry (Manchester City, free); Muhamed Besic (Ferencvaros, £4m); Sam Byrne (Manchester United, free); Brendan Galloway (MK Dons, undisc); Romelu Lukaku (Chelsea, £28m).

OUT: Magaye Gueye (Millwall, free); Matthew Kennedy (Hibernian, loan); John Lundstram (Blackpool, loan); Mason Springthorpe (released); Apostolos Vellios (Lierse, free).

Hull

IN: Jarrod Bowen (Hereford, free); Tom Ince (Blackpool, free); Jake Livermore (Tottenham, £8m); Harry Maguire (Sheffield United, £2.5m); Andrew Robertson (Dundee United, £2.9m); Karim Rossi (Stoke, free); Robert Snodgrass (Norwich City, £7m).

OUT: Jack Barlow (Boston, free); Joe Dudgeon (Barnsley, loan); Abdoulaye Faye (released); Matty Fryatt (Nottingham Forest, free); Conor Henderson (Crawley, free); Robert Koren (Melbourne City, free); Mark Oxley (Hibernian, loan); Nick Proschwitz (Brentford, free); Cameron Stewart (Ipswich, free); Conor Townsend (Dundee United, loan).

Liverpool

IN: Emre Can (Bayer Leverkusen, £9.8m); Adam Lallana (Southampton, £25m); Rickie Lambert (Southampton, £4m); Dejan Lovren (Southampton, £20m); Javier Manquillo (Atletico Madrid, loan); Lazar Markovic (Benfica, £20m); Divock Origi (Lille, £10m); Kevin Stewart (Tottenham, free); Lawrence Vigouroux (Tottenham, free).

OUT: Luis Alberto (Malaga, loan); Iago Aspas (Sevilla, loan); Conor Coady (Huddersfield, £375k); Michael Ngoo (released); Divock Origi (Lille, loan); Pepe Reina (Bayern Munich, £2m); Brad Smith (Swindon, loan); Jakub Sokolik (Yeovil, free); Luis Suarez (Barcelona, £75m); Andre Wisdom (West Brom, loan).

Manchester City

IN: Willy Caballero (Malaga, £4.4m); Fernando (Porto, £12m); Frank Lampard (New York City, loan); Eliaquim Mangala (Porto, £32m); Bacary Sagna (Arsenal, free); Bruno Zuculini (Racing Club, £1.5m).

OUT: Gareth Barry (Everton, free); Jason Denayer (Celtic, loan); Alex Henshall (Ipswich, free); Emyr Huws (Wigan, loan); Greg Leigh (Crewe, loan); Joleon Lescott (West Brom, free); Marcos Lopes (Lille, loan); Alex Nimely (released); Costel Pantilimon (Sunderland, free); Ellis Plummer (St Mirren, loan); Jack Rodwell (Sunderland, £10m); Albert Rusnak (Cambuur, loan); Reece Wabara (Doncaster, free).

Manchester United

IN: Ander Herrera (Athletic Bilbao, £29m); Luke Shaw (Southampton, £27m); Vanja Milinkovic (FK Vojvodina, undisc).

OUT: Jack Barmby (Leicester, free); Bebe (Benfica, £2.4m); Alexander Buttner (Dynamo Moscow, £4.4m); Sam Byrne (Everton, free); Charni Ekangamene (Zulte Waregem, undisc); Patrice Evra (Juventus, £1.2m); Rio Ferdinand (QPR, free); Pierluigi Gollini (Verona, free); Ryan Giggs (retired); Angelo Henriquez (Dinamo Zagreb, loan); Federico Macheda (Cardiff, free); Louis Rowley (Leicester, free); Nemanja Vidic (Inter Milan, free).

Newcastle

IN: Remy Cabella (Montpellier, £12m); Jack Colback (Sunderland, free); Karl Darlow (Nottingham Forest, £7m joint deal with Lascelles); Siem de Jong (Ajax, £6m); Facundo Ferreyra (Shakhtar Donetsk, loan); Daryl Janmaat (Feyenoord, £5m); Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest, £7m joint deal with Darlow); Ayoze Perez (Tenerife, £1.5m); Emmanuel Riviere (Monaco, £5m).

OUT: Romain Amalfitano (Dijon, free); Shola Ameobi (Gaziantep, free); Adam Campbell (Fleetwood, loan); Karl Darlow (Nottingham Forest, loan); Mathieu Debuchy (Arsenal, £12m); Dan Gosling (Bournemouth, free); Jamaal Lascelles (Nottingham Forest, loan); Steven Logan (Annan, free); Sylvain Marveaux (Guingamp, loan); Brandon Miele (released); Jonathan Mitchell (Derby, free); Conor Newton (Rotherham, free); Michael Richardson (released); James Tavernier (Wigan, undisc).

QPR

IN: Steven Caulker (Cardiff, £8m); Rio Ferdinand (Manchester United, free); Mauricio Isla (Juventus, loan); Jordon Mutch (Cardiff, £6m).

OUT: Angelo Balanta (released); Yossi Benayoun (Maccabi Haifa, undisc); Samba Diakite (Al Ittihad, loan); Hogan Ephraim (released); Esteban Granero (Real Sociedad, undisc); Tom Hitchcock (MK Dons, free); Aaron Hughes (Brighton, free); Andrew Johnson (released); Sam Magri (released); Stephane Mbia (released); Gary O'Neil (Norwich, free); Mo Sharif (Bradford, free); Luke Young (released).

Southampton

IN: Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea, loan); Fraser Forster (Celtic, £10m); Graziano Pelle (Feyenoord, £8m); Dusan Tadic (Twente, £10.9m); Saphir Taider (Inter Milan, loan).

OUT: Lee Barnard (Southend, free); Calum Chambers (Arsenal, £16m); Joe Curtis (released); Guly do Prado (released); Jonathan Forte (Oldham, free); Danny Fox (Nottingham Forest, free); Adam Lallana (Liverpool, £25m); Rickie Lambert (Liverpool, £4m); Tom Leggett (Aston Villa, undisc); Dejan Lovren (Liverpool, £20m); Isaac Nehemie (Aston Villa, undisc); Andy Robinson (Bolton, free); Luke Shaw (Manchester United, £27m); Jordan Turnbull (Swindon, loan); Matt Young (Sheff Wed, free).

Stoke

IN: Phil Bardsley (Sunderland, free); Mame Biram Diouf (Hannover, free); Bojan Krkic (Barcelona, £3m); Steve Sidwell (Fulham, free); Dionatan Teixeira (Banska, undisc).

OUT: Juan Agudelo (released); James Alabi (Accrington, loan); Lucas Dawson (released); Matthew Etherington (released); Kevin Gomez-Nieto (released); Ben Heneghan (released); Jordan Keane (Alfreton, free); Michael Kightly (Burnley, £1.5m); Karim Rossi (Hull, free); Ed Sanders (Sheffield Wednesday, free).

Sunderland

IN: Jordi Gomez (Wigan, free); Billy Jones (West Brom, free); Costel Pantilimon (Manchester City, free); Jack Rodwell (Manchester City, £10m); Patrick van Aanholt (Chelsea, £1.5m); Santiago Vergini (Estudiantes, loan).

OUT: El-Hadji Ba (Bastia, loan); Phil Bardsley (Stoke, free); Jack Colback (Newcastle, free); Carlos Cuellar (released); Andrea Dossena (released); John Egan (Gillingham, free); Craig Gardner (West Brom, free); Billy Knott (Bradford, free); Jordan Laidler (released); Louis Laing (Nottingham Forest, free); Jordan Pickford (Bradford, loan); Ignacio Scocco (Newell's Old Boys, £2.3m); Oscar Ustari (Newell's Old Boys, free); David Vaughan (Nottm Forest, free); Keiren Westwood (Sheff Wed, free).

Swansea

IN: Marvin Emnes (Middlesbrough, £1.5m); Lukasz Fabianski (Arsenal, free); Bafetimbi Gomis (Lyon, free); Stephen Kingsley (Falkirk, £850k); Jefferson Montero (Monarcas, £4m); Gylfi Sigurdsson (Tottenham, swap for Davies).

OUT: Daniel Alfei (Northampton, loan); Ben Davies (Tottenham, swap for Sigurdsson); Gwion Edwards (Crawley, £700k); Chico Flores (Lekhwiya, £5m); Leroy Lita (Barnsley, free); Jernade Meade (released); Michu (Napoli, loan); David Ngog (released); Alejandro Pozuelo (Rayo Vallecano, undisc); Darnel Situ (released); Michel Vorm (Tottenham, £4.5m).

Tottenham

IN: Ben Davies (Swansea, swap for Sigurdsson); Eric Dier (Sporting Lisbon, £4m); Michel Vorm (£4.5m).

OUT: Jordan Archer (Northampton, loan); Shaquile Coulthirst (Southend, loan); Iago Falque (Genoa, £4m); Giancarlo Gallifuoco (released); Heurelho Gomes (Watford, free); Grant Hall (Birmingham, loan); Cameron Lancaster (released); Jake Livermore (Hull, £8m); Kenny McEvoy (Peterborough, loan); Darren McQueen (Ipswich, free); Jonathan Miles (released); Alex Pritchard (Brentford, loan); Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea, swap for Davies); Kevin Stewart (Liverpool, free); Lawrence Vigouroux (Liverpool, free).

West Brom

IN: Chris Baird (Burnley, free); Jason Davidson (Heracles, undisc); Cristian Gamboa (Rosenborg, £2m); Craig Gardner (Sunderland, free); Brown Ideye (Dynamo Kiev, £10m); Joleon Lescott (Manchester City, free); Sebastien Pocognoli (Hannover, £1.5m); Andre Wisdom (Liverpool, loan).

OUT: Scott Allan (Hibernian, free); Nicolas Anelka (released); Donervon Daniels (Blackpool, loan); Cameron Gayle (Shrewsbury, free); Zoltan Gera (Ferencvaros, free); Billy Jones (Sunderland, free); Diego Lugano (released); Steven Reid (Burnley, free); Liam Ridgewell (Portland Timbers, free); George Thorne (Derby, £2m).

West Ham

IN: Aaron Cresswell (Ipswich, £3.75m); Carl Jenkinson (Arsenal, loan); Cheikhou Kouyate (Anderlecht, £7m); Diego Poyet (Charlton, compensation); Enner Valencia (Pachuca, £12m); Mauro Zarate (Velez Sarsfield, undisc).

OUT: Joe Cole (Aston Villa, free); Jack Collison (released); Alou Diarra (released); Callum Driver (released); Stephen Henderson (Charlton, free); Sean Maguire (Sligo, loan); George McCartney (released); George Moncur (Colchester, loan); Ben Sheaf (Arsenal, undisc); Jordan Spence (released); Raphael Spiegel (Crawley, loan); Matt Taylor (Burnley, free).

7.26am: Temporary lights are still in place on the A47 Hinckley Rd, near to Western Park/Westfield Rd. Motorists are warned to avoid.

For more local and national travel information and weather updates see the links below:

MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE.

LIVE CAMERAS: Check the M1 through Leicestershire with our live traffic cameras - CLICK HERE.

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WEATHER: See the latest five-day weather report for Leicester and Leicestershire

CONTACT NEWSDESK: Send us your news and pictures. Tweet us @Leicester_Merc or email newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Firefighters were called on to tackle a blaze at a farm when a straw bailer caught fire.

Crews from Wigston and Leicester attended the incident, at Soars Lodge Farm, in Foston Road, near Countesthorpe, yesterday.

They received the call at 4.49pm and had to use breathing gear to get close to the burning machinery.

A fire service spokesman said: "The bailer was well alight but, fortunately, it was not in a field of crops or inside a building, so there was no danger of the fire spreading.

"The bailer was destroyed in the blaze, which was an accident caused by the machine's drive-belt overheating."

No-one was hurt in the incident and a stop message was received by fire control at 5.29pm. 

It can be difficult to find time to unwind, but today you have the perfect excuse to put your feet up.

It is National Relaxation Day – a helpful reminder to slow down and take a break from the busy schedules which surround everyday life.

We asked a selection of people who arguably have some of the most stressful jobs in Leicestershire to tell us how they unwind.

Leicestershire Police's deputy chief constable, Simon Edens, said: "The key is getting a good balance. I like to get out from behind the desk.

"I go and watch the football or spend time with my family.

"I just like to take a break from the job."

City major Sir Peter Soulsby said he relaxed by going camping with his grandchildren.

"I go to Rutland, which is only 35 minutes away but it's a brilliant campsite with lots of lovely facilities," he said.

"I really feel like I'm miles away from Leicester but I know I can be back there in a matter of minutes if I need to be."

Richard Bettsworth, editor of the Leicester Mercury, said: "I'm not very good at just relaxing and doing nothing. I prefer to be active, so I run every day, which, for me, is a perfect way of unwinding.

"But my absolute favourite way of relaxing is to go hill-walking, particularly in the Lake District and Scottish Highlands.

"You can enjoy the fresh air, exercise and see some of the most beautiful countryside in the world."

Andy Copping, who organises the country's biggest rock festival, Download, in Donington, said the best way for him to relax was reading a book.

"I read a lot of autobiographies," he said. "I get out a book and bury myself in it.

"Alternatively, I go for a walk and completely take my mind off whatever it is that's stressing me out."

What tips do you have for relaxing? Tweet us:

@Leicester_Merc

Keiran Boot-Lewis had more than your average workload to contend with during his A-levels.

The 17-year-old's mum, Vicky, was diagnosed with cancer on his 16th birthday and he became a carer for her.

Yet, the youngster, who studied at English Martyrs' Catholic School and lives in Leicester's West End, yesterday discovered he had clinched a C in psychology, D in sociology and a merit in BTEC performance technology.

He will now be heading to Nottingham Trent University to study psychology.

He said: "On August 29, 2012, we rang the ambulance because mum was ill. The next day she was given the diagnosis – my first day at sixth form."

The teenager spent his first year caring for her as much as he could, working part-time in a shoe shop and helping to look after his younger brother, who had just started secondary school. "It was a struggle, but I got through it," he said.

"It was quite crazy having to look after my little brother, Samual, and work at the same time as everything else."

He took on a job to take the pressure off his mum, so that she didn't have to worry about buying him equipment needed for his studies.

"The past year has been a bit of a blur," he said. "It was the most stressful routine ever and I could only take on two A-level courses because I had to be a part-time carer for my mum.

"I had two hours a day in school – usually we have to be in school for a whole day but I was allowed to be there for two hours to look after my mum."

Kieran's mum was given the all-clear in June 2013. "It was the best day of my life and I'll never forget it. I'm now ready to go to university and start the rest of my life. I'm so excited."

Marius Carney, head of English Martyrs' in Beaumont Leys, said: "We were extremely proud of Kieran."

Leicester Tigers fans can look forward to a mouth-watering opening to the inaugural European Rugby Champions Cup campaign.

Tigers host Ulster in their first group game, which is set for Welford Road on Saturday, October 18 (7.45pm).

The following week, Tigers travel to face Scarlets in another Saturday evening affair.

The next round of games sees back-to-back clashes with double European champions Toulon.

The French outfit visit Welford Road on the first weekend in December, with Tigers travelling to the south of France a week later.

Round five has Leicester hosting Scarlets in January, and the group games culminate in a trip to Ravenhill for the return clash with Ulster.

The exact dates of games in rounds three and four are expected to be finalised shortly, with rounds five and six to be confirmed once the December matches have been completed.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill is relishing the challenge that lies ahead for his squad.

"We're really looking forward to it, big fixtures against big teams, in great arenas in a new tournament," he said after the fixtures had been announced.

"It is a very competitive pool. There are three massive home games for our supporters and they always travel in big numbers for our away games too."

Tigers will be hoping to improve their record against Ulster, having lost twice to them in the Heineken Cup last term.

"Ulster have a new coaching set-up and we already know how hard it is to go to Ravenhill and win in Europe, which is something we've not done over the years," said Cockerill.

"We had two big games against them last year and I'm sure both games will be very competitive again.

"Scarlets, too, have new coaches and some new players. We've played them in the cups in recent seasons and we know they are always tough opponents.

"Toulon are the back-to-back champions of Europe, they are French champions and they have a very impressive squad.

"We always look forward to testing ourselves against the best teams and clearly they have proved themselves among the very best over the last couple of years."

One of the additions to the Toulon squad this year is former Tigers prop Martin Castrogiovanni, who will no doubt get a warm welcome on his return to Leicester. The new-look competition features 20 teams split into five groups. The final will be staged at Twickenham on May 2.

After failing his exams two years ago, Ugo Oloto has turned his life around and secured a place studying pharmacy at university.

The 19-year-old student at Regent College, near Leicester city centre, gained an A* in maths, B in chemistry and a distinction in his IT BTEC.

"I'm the happiest guy alive," said Ugo, who will be heading to the University of East Anglia.

Two years ago, Ugo was at a different college and "scared" to ring his mum with his results. Yesterday, he couldn't wait to tell her the good news.

"She was just screaming down the phone," he said. "I've worked so hard to turn my life around but it's been worth it. I'm the happiest guy alive right now."

His best friend, Yousef Megahed, 19, gained A*s in chemistry and maths and a B in biology.

"I can't believe it," he said.

Yousef will be applying to study medicine in 2015 after taking a year out.

Provisional results at the college show 66 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades in this year's A-levels.

Principal Paul Wilson said: "It's great to see so many happy faces. I'm very proud of the students."

The hard work also paid off for best friends Aranvir Singh Gawera and Adam Makda, from City of Leicester College, in Evington.

Aranvir, 18, will be heading to Cambridge University this year after achieving A* grades in maths, further maths, physics and economics.

"I was terrified on Wednesday night," he said.

"I've worked hard for these results. I can't stop smiling."

Best friend Adam, 18, will be going to Durham University after receiving A*s in maths, further maths, chemistry and physics.

"It's been a difficult year and stressful," he said. "I was really panicking, I didn't get to sleep until 3am.

"I was pleasantly surprised when I opened my results."

Peter Townsend, head of sixth form at City of Leicester College, where 76 per cent of students achieved A* to C grades, said: "The results have been excellent this year.

"We've had an exceptional number of students who have received As and A* grades. It really is phenomenal.

"The students have all worked very hard. I'm so proud of them."

Elizabeth Gannon, 18, from English Martyrs Catholic School, in Beaumont Leys, clinched A*s, in maths, biology and physics and an A in further maths.

She is going to the University of Birmingham to study mathematics and said she was "ecstatic."

"I wasn't expecting these grades," she said. "All of my teachers were really supportive. Although it's been stressful – I'm just glad it's all over now."

About 80 per cent of students at English Martyrs achieved A* to C grades this year.

Anthony Knockaert has given Leicester City an injury boost ahead of tomorrow's season-opener against Everton by returning to training.

The Frenchman has recovered from an ankle injury he picked up in the pre-season friendly at Rotherham.

He was still on crutches last weekend when City played Werder Bremen at the King Power Stadium.

But manager Nigel Pearson confirmed Knockaert had returned to full training and was in contention to face Everton.

"He has done very well to be fit," said Pearson.

"When he picked up the injury at Rotherham it looked very innocuous.

"When you see players go down in the way he did, you always fear it is going to be slightly more serious because there was no contact.

"We initially thought it could possibly be a fracture but that turned out not to be the case and he has responded very quickly.

"I suppose the way he has looked after himself during the last week is an indicator of how he has matured.

"He is a lively character and for him to have managed himself in the way he has, following instructions implicitly which he may not have done a few years ago, indicates he has come quite a way.

"I am very pleased he is now back in contention but we will see how he is (today) and see if there is any reaction."

Jamie Vardy and Marc Albrighton are doubts for tomorrow with thigh and groin injuries respectively, while defender Matt Upson is a long-term absentee having undergone surgery on a foot injury.

"I don't see Jamie and Marc being long-term problems at all," said Pearson.

"With Marc, I think he is that keen to show everyone what he could do and he probably pushed himself a little too hard, but he will be fine.

"There could be a case for saying he could be available for the weekend, but I am of the opinion that I would rather miss a player for one game rather than put a player under undue stress and miss him for four or five games.

"It is about managing players and situations. We have an excellent medical and sports science department so they are in good hands. It is frustrating when you pick up one or two knocks in pre-season, we've been a bit unfortunate, but if one player misses out someone else has got an opportunity."

Leicester City remain in the hunt for Argentine midfielder Esteban Cambiasso, manager Nigel Pearson has confirmed.

City have registered their interest in signing the highly decorated 33-year-old, who is a free agent after leaving Inter Milan.

Pearson said City were still trying to get a deal done to bring Cambiasso to the King Power Stadium.

However, Pearson said there would be no new arrivals ahead of the season-opener at home to Everton at the King Power Stadium tomorrow.

"I've not denied our interest (in Cambiasso)," he said. "It's something we will continue to work at.

"Ultimately, whether deals can or can't be done, it will be based on a number of criteria.

"Once we identify players who are possible targets for us and players who are suited to enhancing what we already have, we'll work really hard to do the deals. I can't account for other circumstances intervening.

"We will wait for the answer on that one, but we have an interest, yes."

When asked about possible arrivals before tomorrow, Pearson said: "Not as far as I know.

"I certainly am not going to get involved in anything.

"I need to make sure my energies go into match preparation. If there are going to be any deals done between now and the weekend, it would be highly unlikely that any player that did come in would take part because preparations are too advanced for that to happen."

Meanwhile, Pearson said striker Chris Wood wanted to stay at the club and fight for his place in the team.

Wolves manager Kenny Jackett has publicly confirmed they tried to sign the New Zealand international and were close to agreeing a deal.

The move did not happen, mainly because Wood said he did not want to leave City, but also because the two clubs could not agree over the structure of the deal.

"I spoke with Chris early in the week and he is more than happy being at the football club and fighting for his place," said Pearson.

"We don't really need to say anything further.

"This is the type of story that has gathered speed. We are very clear where we are both at. He will be in the squad for tomorrow.

"That's all I'm prepared to say at the moment. He will categorically be in the squad at the weekend."

Flame-haired student Emma Betney will not be following her friends to university – instead, she hopes to begin training as a firefighter in October.

The 18-year-old, who picked up a B in French, Cs in applied business, English and geography, and a D in general studies, from Ashby School, decided to apply to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service after working closely with firefighters in her role as a member of St John Ambulance.

She said: "One of the firefighters asked me if I'd considered joining the service and told me about the opportunities.

"It seemed like the logical next step. The danger involved doesn't worry me at all. There's only one other female at the regiment where I'll be working and she's a redhead, too – perhaps there's something about the fire service and redheads."

The spires of Oxford and its world-famous university awaits fellow Ashby student George Brookland.

George, 18, gained an A* in English literature and As in history and maths. He is going to study philosophy, politics and economics, at Balliol College.

"It's surpassed all my expectations because I didn't feel terribly confident after my exams," he said

It was a case of animal magic when Twycross Zoo volunteer Zoe Blinko, 18, collected her results from King Edward VII College, in Coalville.

She is on her way to a career learning about and caring for exotic animals after gaining a place studying zoology at the University of Leicester.

It follows her achievement of A* in biology, A in geography and C in chemistry.

"I'd been hoping to get on the course at Leicester University for years," said Zoe, who studied Twycross' giant tortoises as part of her biology coursework.

"I love working with animals and my experience at Twycross was invaluable."

At Loughborough College, Nigel Granger, 18, was celebrating the completion of the country's first space engineering course, made up of maths, mechanics and physics subjects. He picked up two As and a D respectively and is set to take up a position at aircraft manufacturer Airbus, who will put him through university.

He said: "I've really enjoyed the course and being able to work with a company and be put through university is amazing."

Chris Musson, 18, from Charnwood College, in Loughborough, was also flying high after picking up an A* in maths and further maths, A in French and B in physics. He is heading to Warwick University to study maths and said: "I know the subject opens up a lot of doors. I didn't sleep at all the night before because I was so nervous."

At Bosworth Academy, in Desford, ecstatic students jumped for joy.

Joseph Withers, 18, was among them.

He received A* grades in maths, further maths, economics and product design, and an A in physics, and is going to Bath University to study architecture.

He said: "It's been a lot of hard work but I'm really pleased. I was very nervous but breaking the good news to my parents was amazing."

Tilly Boa, 18, from Robert Smyth Academy, in Market Harborough, is heading to St Andrew's University, in Scotland, to study medicine after gaining As in biology, chemistry, and maths, and a B in further maths.

She said: "When I told my mum she started crying."

Anna Shaw, 18, from Melton Vale Post 16 Centre, gained three A*s in maths, further maths and biology to get a place at St Andrew's University to study maths.

"I never expected to do this well," she said.

Leicestershire Foxes will travel to Manchester next Thursday knowing that a win over Lancashire will secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Royal London One-Day Cup.

The Foxes moved into fourth place in the group A table thanks to a 16-run victory over Worcestershire at Grace Road yesterday with the Duckworth/Lewis method again coming into play.

The 50-over match was initially reduced to 34 per side following heavy morning rain and, after the visitors had posted 202-9, Leicestershire reached 93-2 from 15.4 overs before the heavens opened at 5pm.

Crucially, though, that total put them 16 runs ahead of the D/L par score and when the umpires ruled that no more play would be possible the two crucial points were in the bag.

Leicestershire's bowlers started the game superbly after Worcestershire had been put in to bat and Charlie Shreck's first five overs were delivered at a cost of just five runs, Ant Ireland giving good support at the other end.

After 10 overs, Worcestershire were struggling to make headway on 22-1, though a fine second wicket stand between skipper Daryl Mitchell and Tom Fell did loosen the Foxes' grip as they added 104 runs in 18 overs.

At 122-1 heading into the three-over batting powerplay, the visitors had given themselves a chance of a substantial score.

Fell took advantage of a couple of slips in the field when Leicestershire were unable to accept what were, at best, half chances and raced to 73 while Mitchell played the anchor role, no doubt setting himself for a late onslaught.

However that did not come as County responded well in the final overs of the innings and Shiv Thakor returned career-best one-day figures of 4-49 to ensure that the game did not run away from the home side.

A total of around 200 was still going to take some getting on a pitch which offered encouragement to the seamers. If Leicestershire kept their heads, though, they had every chance of reaching a target fractionally less than a run-a-ball.

Niall O'Brien set the innings moving nicely, though he did toss his wicket away, playing on as he attempted to hit Charles Morris over extra-cover after making a brisk 23. Angus Robson was then caught at slip for 13 by Gareth Andrew off Joe Leach's bowling and, at 45-2, the Foxes were in danger of falling behind the required rate.

They quickly recovered, with Greg Smith finding his timing to make sure Leicestershire stayed ahead of the game.

He eased to 34 not out from 30 balls, while Matthew Boyce backed him in a productive third-wicket stand which was worth a total of 48 in just eight overs when the rain swept in again and the players left the field.

As puddles began to form on used wicket-ends, it quickly became evident that the Foxes had done enough to keep their RL50 future in their own hands.

A children's play charity started by mums and dads on an estate in the 1970s has celebrated its 40th birthday.

The youngsters, volunteers, staff and parents of New Parks Play Association marked the landmark with an activity fun day.

New Parks Adventure Playground, in Glenfield Road, where the charity has been based since 1978, was the venue for the celebration.

Part-funded by the city council, it provides free play services during term-time and holidays for about 38,500 children, aged five to 16, every year.

Activities range from crafts and playground activities to ball sports and skateboarding.

Senior play worker Pat Roberts said: "It's incredible to think a small group set up by mums and dads on the estate has grown and is still going strong after all this time.

"One of the first volunteers, Karen Laywood, who joined as a young woman, is still with us 40 years later, as a trustee.

"I think it's a great achievement for all involved – the estate and the city."

The birthday party featured games and sports, culminating with the cutting of an anniversary cake.

Mrs Roberts said: "Everyone seemed to have a very enjoyable time. It was a great."

Young artists showed off their talent during a day of free art workshops and performances.

The Showcase Day at Curve, Leicester, was the culmination of the third and final year of the theatre's Young Arts Entrepreneurs scheme.

It saw 10 aspiring artists – chosen for their promise – display their talents.

The programme has offered opportunities for people, who are aged 16 to 25, to design and lead community arts projects and to launch businesses. As well as support, training and mentoring, they are offered up to £1,500 to run each project.

Yesterday's event saw new plays shared with audiences for the first time – including It's Not Yellow, which explores what it means to be happy.

Inner Scream told the stories of young people who have realised their potential within their community.

Rule63 explored what happens if genders were reversed in Harold Pinter's The Dumb Waiter.

Musicians took part in a Hip-Hopera project, fusing classical music and hip-hop for a one-off performance.

Tim Ford, Curve's associate director for participation and learning, said: "There is a phenomenal amount of creative talent.

"We have once again been privileged to work with a group of gifted and committed young people on the final year of this ground-breaking programme."

A senior member of Leicester's UKIP branch has quit claiming he had suffered online racial abuse at the hands of another party supporter.

Ismail Patel complained to UKIP bosses about messages he had received on Facebook after making a comment about the crisis in Gaza.

The 26-year-old said party officials did not take action against the alleged offender so he decided to leave and join George Galloway's Respect party.

UKIP has said it was unable to substantiate Mr Patel's complaint with the evidence he initially provided – two screen shots – and had asked him for further information that would prove a UKIP member was responsible.

The party says it took Mr Patel's allegation very seriously but he defected to Respect last week before it could complete its inquiry.

Mr Patel, from Beaumont Leys, who joined UKIP last year was the Leicester branch's membership secretary and social administration secretary. He was being assessed as a potential parliamentary candidate in May's General Election.

Mr Patel, who served in the Queen's Lancashire Regiment for six months after leaving school at 16, said he was sure the racist abuse had come from a UKIP member he knew.

He said: "I wanted the member disciplined. I wanted a press statement saying UKIP was dealing with racism within the party and I wanted a meeting with senior party members.

"It didn't happen, so I left."

Mr Patel, a carer for his unwell father, said he went to Respect after had been told by UKIP not to talk about the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The party denies this.

He said: "When I joined UKIP they welcomed me with open arms. As a young Muslim man, I was the kind of person they wanted.

"At the time there was a bit of petty racism from a few but I bit my tongue because I agreed with a lot of the things UKIP stands for and there are some genuinely good people in there. I saw a genuine party that was not afraid to speak up where other parties have failed.

"I also saw a political party that would challenge the old political establishments – that could change the face of British politics for the better.

"However there are still some bad apples in the party."

UKIP national press officer Gawain Towler said the screen shots did indeed indicate racial abuse but as the alleged offender had been blocked on the social networking site by Mr Patel it was impossible to establish his exact identity.

Mr Towler said: "It (the abuse) was really nasty. I was gobsmacked when I saw it. If that person was a UKIP member I would want him thrown out of the party but with what Ismail originally sent us it was not clear who was responsible.

"I offered to go to Market Harborough and meet Ismail so he could open up his Facebook page to us.

"We were working hard on this and needed Ismail's co-operation but he left before any of that could happen."

A gipsy family is appealing against an enforcement notice after the local council refused planning permission to convert a field into a caravan site.

Rabb Truswell wants to turn a 2.3-acre area of land, off Goadby Road, Waltham on the Wolds, near Melton, into a site where his extended family can settle.

His family have lived in the area for 10 years, staying on fields and at the sides of lanes, but wanted permission to use a site for permanent residency.

He wanted to put up to 10 caravans on the field, but planning officers from Melton Borough Council rejected the project.

The council then served an enforcement notice over the change of the use of the land to a permanent residential caravan site.

Mr Truswell and his family, who are already appealing against the refusal of planning permission, are now also appealing against the enforcement notice.

A council spokesman said: "The council do not consider that planning permission should be given, because planning conditions could not overcome these objections to the development."

The council said the caravans would be only partially screened by hedges, saying they would be "visible and unsightly in the countryside" and "unlikely to reduce tensions between the settled and traveller communities".

They also argued the site would be unsustainable because it would require car journeys to nearby Waltham which they said would be "difficult and hazardous."

In a letter to council officials, Mr Truswell said: "We are one family group of gipsies spanning five generations. Our customs follow that we look after our elders as they did for us in our first years.

"They now need full-time care, frequent hospital visits and doctors' appointments.

"These needs can no longer be met while living on roadsides due to more and ever tightening laws and restrictions. We have been here for about three years and have proved we can settle and integrate with the local community with no problems or trouble.

"We hope the local people can now accept and understand our needs."

The council spokesman said: "The benefits in terms of meeting overall need that is currently unmet and the family's particular health considerations are not considered to be of such significance as to outweigh the significant and demonstrable adverse impacts identified above."

The issue will now be looked at by a planning inspector.

Thousands of residents and families enjoyed activities at a fun-filled event in Leicester.

The annual Saffron Summer Fete took place last Saturday and attracted more than 3,000 people.

There were many attractions, which included a cycle-powered smoothy maker, hook-a-duck, a talent show, fairground rides, an athletic track and a parade.

A football tournament ran alongside the fete, too. Elly Cutkelvin, Freemen Ward Councillor, who also chaired the fete committee, said: "We were blessed with fantastic weather during the day.

"We put this on with very little money and it is the voluntary hours behind it that make it possible.

"It's something volunteers do to celebrate the area.

"The bike smoothy machine was very popular and the talent show and open mic station gave local people the opportunity to sing along.

"We have had really positive feedback. Everyone really enjoyed it.

"In some years it has been smaller, but it felt like we were back on full form this year.

"It really was a tremendous success."

She added they plan to continue work on making future fetes bigger and better.

Over half of a town's street lights are to be dimmed or turned off for part of the night to save money.

Leicestershire County Council said 2,577 of the 4,980 lights in Loughborough will be affected, with many switched off between midnight and 5.30am.

The move has led to concerns being raised about public safety and a potential rise in crime.

Councillor Ted Parton, Charnwood borough councillor for Loughborough Southfields, said: "We looked at the proposals and managed to negotiate some changes.

"Streets leading to student housing areas and the university campus were included, and we were concerned about young women walking home alone.

"There were also roads on the Shelthorpe estate where there have been incidents of crime and anti-social behaviour which we were concerned about.

"Now, it's a case of monitoring the situation. If there are problems, I would urge people to contact their councillor or the police ."

Peter Osborne, the county council's cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "We understand people have concerns about safety and while we are doing this to make savings on our energy bill, it will not be at the expense of public safety or security.

"So far, we have had a small number of complaints about the introduction of part-night lighting in the county.

"Evidence from the police shows crime has fallen in these areas and there is nothing to show this will be any different in Loughborough.

"I would remind everyone the public wanted us to save more money on streetlighting in our budget consultation last year.

"We are doing this in a safe and responsible way."

So far, 35,000 lamps in 180 towns and villages across Leicestershire have been switched off between midnight and 5.30am.

A further 1,068 have been dimmed between 7pm and 7am and 900 switched off permanently.

The changes – which followed consultation with parish councils and the emergency services – have helped County Hall to save more than £818,000.

The council believes its programme to dim or switch off lights in the county will save nearly £900,000 a year.

In total, three-quarters of Leicestershire's 68,000 street lights are expected to be altered, saving 3,000 tonnes of carbon.

However, in Hinckley, more than 400 residents signed a petition to keep their street lights on.

Town councillor Michael Mullaney said: "People who work night shifts often have to walk the streets in pitch black in the morning and are particularly worried."

The Loughborough part of the project should be complete by the autumn.

leics.gov.uk/street_lighting

Work is progressing on a Leicestershire college's new teaching and agricultural facilities as part of a £27.7million investment.

Brooksby Melton College (BMC) is extending and improving its agricultural space by creating new buildings and extending others, including a new equine science centre, to house the latest equipment.

A new block at Hives Farm in Brooksby, near Melton, will have solariums, treadmills and rehabilitation equipment to help teach students in advanced horse husbandry.

An outdoor manege for training is also taking shape. Other animals will also be homed and looked after within the new structure, with the extension incorporating new dog kennels and grooming stations, a cattery and reptile rooms, as well as classrooms and practical instruction areas.

Principal Chris Ball said: "The animal care and equine building and outdoor manege will be of great benefit to our students, in a variety of ways. Both animal and equine management are very popular courses at BMC, largely due to the excellent facilities we have , so adding to them and improving the students' experience even further is really exciting."

The new improved and extended animal care centre will provide more space to house an even larger variety of species, allowing students to gain valuable practical experience working with a wide range of animals, including domestics, exotics, aquatics and reptiles.

In addition, animal care and equine students will study in brand new purpose-built science labs, with animal biology playing a large role in animal and equine courses .

Improvements to the indoor riding arena as well as the addition of an outdoor manege will give Brooksby Equestrian Centre the scope to continue offering larger scale equestrian events.

Students will also benefit from improved hospitality and catering facilities, with a large extension providing space to socialise and relax .

Construction firm, the Radleigh Group, is doing the work. Working at a busy educational institution like Melton College presents unique challenges and rewards, as Radleigh site manager Paul Ryder explained: "The facilities we're creating are going to be something special. The college already has an impressive set-up.

"Making a building functional for lecturers, students and animals adds another dimension to the process, and so does having all of those parties moving around the site on a daily basis.

"Now the summer break is here we have more free space to manoeuvre, which is helping us ensure we stay on schedule and get the centre up and running as soon as possible."

A sod-cutting ceremony has taken place to mark the next phase of work attended by college principal Chris Ball, David Irving, chair of governors, and Paul Ryder.

Government funding is helping to pay for much of the improvements, with the college also adding some of its own funds.

Other works include a new multi-purpose sports hall and all-weather pitch and the creation of a dance studio and facilities for media students and those with disabilities.

Surrey are the visitors to Grace Road today as we return to the County Championship programme. After our thumping down at the Kia Oval in June, we owe ourselves a big performance.

We did not come to terms with a slow pitch at the Oval and could not knock over their tail, which resulted in Surrey getting too-big a first-innings score.

With the bat we didn't deal well at all with their spinners, although I wouldn't expect the wicket to turn much compared to that dry Kennington surface.

We will still be without our skipper, Josh Cobb, who is nursing that badly broken thumb, so we need to step up one and all and get the win we deserve as we have been working so hard for it all year.

There is still plenty to play for, with five Championship games to come and, hopefully, a place in the knock-out stages of the RL50.

How on earth we lost to Yorkshire last Friday in the 50-over cup I do not know. It was a real hammer blow to us but we just lacked that experience at the back end with the ball.

When we batted, facing my old house-mate Jack Brooks and Tim Bresnan was as tough a spell as I have faced in a long time on a wicket offering support to the bowlers.

So it was really disappointing for me to get out after doing all the hard work and then hitting a full-toss straight to the man on the midwicket boundary.

I totally mis-hit it. It should have either gone along the floor for a four or way back into the stands for six.

I don't think I have got out like that since I was 15 so hopefully it won't happen again anytime soon.

England are heroes again after a brilliant win at Old Trafford. It was a dismal display by India, who showed no fight or guts and simply threw the towel in when the going got tough.

The pitch was good for all cricket. If you got your eye in and played straight you could score freely, and if you bent your back and bowled in good areas you were rewarded, too.

It's the way Test match pitches should be, providing a good contest between bat and ball. India simply didn't show up.

It is also a big weekend for Leicester City as they return to the Premier League.

But as a die-hard Evertonian, I am hoping for an away win tomorrow, as much as that might upset most of our readers!

I went to watch City a couple of times last season and was pleasantly surprised. They played some super stuff with real pace and aggression and looked the part, so I truly hope they produce the goods this season and stay up.

Nigel Pearson has done a fantastic job. It's going to be a battle at times but, if the squad and fans stay as one and make the King Power Stadium a fortress and somewhere teams hate to come, then they will stand a good chance.

Niall O'Brien's column is sponsored by Clifton Packaging.