Leicester's mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has accused his political rivals of "talking down" the city and "slagging off" some of its newest features.

He spoke out as they criticised multi-million pound projects he has led.

The mayor reacted angrily in a meeting on Tuesday when opposition Liberal Democrat city councillor Nigel Porter suggested the city's new Richard III visitor centre "isn't attracting very many visitors".

Tory member Ross Grant then criticised the delays in the completion of the mayor's controversial flagship £4 million Jubilee Square project.

Sir Peter responded, saying: "It seems to be the evening for opposition members to slag off the city's assets.

"Has Councillor Porter been bothered to go and have a look for himself before he started slagging it (the Richard III centre) off?"

Aware Coun Porter had not visited, Sir Peter said: "It's feeble for someone who hasn't been bothered to walk a few hundred yards around the corner to see it for himself."

After the meeting, Sir Peter said he had been frustrated by what he described as "whingeing" by opposition members.

However, Councillor Grant said: "That's not it at all. We have a job to do as opposition members to scrutinise how he is doing.

"He presides over what is almost a dictatorship.

"The 50 or so Labour councillors never criticise him in public and he gets all shirty when we try to hold him to account and ask him why he has failed to do what he has promised to do."

Coun Grant said he was concerned that Jubilee Square, in St Nicholas' Place, was still incomplete after 11 months of work and a £4 million budget.

The partially-finished square was used for its first public events over the Bank Holiday weekend but is not scheduled for completion until November.

Coun Grant said: "Is the mayor happy with how it looked for its grand opening, with the construction material still around and large bits of it fenced off?

"I'm sure aesthetically it will be an improvement on the car park that was there before. How could it not with a budget of £4 million?

"The businesses nearby were told it would be finished in May. It wasn't. It's massively overrun."

In response, Sir Peter said the square was a "quality public space" and insisted the aim was always to have it usable by the August Bank Holiday. He added that it was remarkable that the square was ready to use in less than 12 months.

Sir Peter had earlier told Coun Porter the Richard III centre, in a building bought and redeveloped by the city council at a cost of just over £5 million, was "bang on target" to reach its projected 100,000 visitors in the first year of opening. It welcomed its 10,000th visitor on Monday, a month after it opened.

However, Coun Porter said 100,000 was a low first year target, and compared the centre with the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery, which attracted 300,000 visitors in its first twelve months.

Although he admitted he had not visited the Richard III centre himself yet, he said he was aware visitors had "not been queuing round the block to get in".

He also said he feared the centre, run independently of the council by a trust, would need to be subsidised.

Sir Peter replied that he was delighted with the visitor numbers so far.

He added: "The whole purpose is there are not queues around the block.

"We want people going in free of hassle, free of rush and free of crowds."

One of the main routes into the city is due to shut overnight to allow water engineers to fix a burst water main.

The city-bound carriageway of Welford Road, by Victoria Park, Leicester, was due to close at 6.30pm.

It follows the discovery of the burst main at the Putney Road, Victoria Park Road junction at about 12.30pm today.

A Severn Trent Water spokeswoman said: "We've identified a leak on a water pipe on Welford Road in Leicester.

"As it's such a busy road, we plan to do the work overnight.

"To keep both the local community and our workforce safe, we need to close the road to traffic."

She said the work had been set to begin at 6.30pm to avoid rush hour, but said it should be completed by the morning.

"We'd like to apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause, but we'd like to reassure our customers that we take leakage and wasted water very seriously," added the spokeswoman.

"We want to fix all leaks as quickly as possible, and doing this repair at night means that we can do just that, but with the minimum disruption."

A man dressed in a monk's habit has posted "vile" homophobic leaflets through doors in Leicestershire.

Police have launched a hate crime investigation into the incident, which happened on Tuesday afternoon in part of Market Harborough.

Several people have complained about the leaflets which claimed homosexuality was a sin, immoral, a pathological condition and the work of "the Devil".

It also claimed homosexuality was "directly linked to pagan idolatry and its attendant depravity" and that events such as Leicester Pride were "lewd occasions".

Many residents were disturbed and upset by the two-sided leaflet, Homosexualism – a few points, which also condemned gay men and lesbians as "needing healing, not approval".

Laura Heaps, who lives off Northampton Road, said: "I was horrified something so vile and hateful should be put through our door.

"It was full of fire and brimstone and extremely unpleasant. Fortunately, neither my six-year-old nor eight-year-old got hold of it. I did not want them to have to see it.

"It was horrible. But the people who printed it did not have the courage to put their name to it."

The leaflets were delivered to homes in Granville Street, Bath Street, Nithsdale Avenue, Claxton Street and Northampton Road.

One resident, who asked not to be named, said: "I saw the monk in Bath Street, followed by two angry people."

Another resident said: "He was dressed in a black robe. He didn't knock on doors, he just pushed the leaflets through the letter boxes and moved on."

A spokesman for Leicester LGBT Centre, which is organising this weekend's Pride march in Leicester, said: "Leicester LGBT Centre is and always has been a supporter of freedom of speech.

"However this material goes beyond the scope of fair, impartial speech intended to encourage debate.

"This editorial filth does nothing more than instil a sense of intolerance and fear.

These words are an example of what a civilised society turns its back on.

"This pamphlet is patently made to inflame irrationality and encourage divisiveness and hatred against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities.

"This judgemental critic uses phrases to reduce LGBT people to no more than sexual predators.

"The use of words associating LGBT people with paedophilia and pederasty is deliberately done to slander."

Similar incidents involving leaflets have been reported in Cambridge and Brighton.

A police spokeswoman said: "It has been logged as a crime and is under investigation.

"We are liaising with other forces but it is too early to link it directly to the Cambridge and Brighton incidents."

She said one person who called in to complain said the monk appeared to be with another man, in normal clothing.

She said. "One was in his in late 30s. The other was dressed in a black monk's outfit.

"Officers attended the area but could not find anyone.

"Several other people came forward reporting the same leaflet."

People who might have seen the man or men responsible are asked to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Christopher Fox (32), of Laxford Close, Beaumont Leys, was proven guilty in his absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on March 24. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, a £60 victim surcharge and had six penalty points put on his driving licence.

Hassan Ali Gaffar (29), of Silverwood Close, off Uppingham Road, Leicester, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in St Peter's Road, Leicester, without a valid test certificate on January 27.

He was fined £100 with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Soofyann Gangat (28), of Attingham Close, Humberstone, Leicester, was proven guilty in his absence of failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver suspected of committing an offence on March 24.

He was fined £600 with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge.

Ashley Garratt (42), of High Street, Quorn, pleaded guilty to driving in Derby Road, Loughborough, on September 3 while using a hand-held mobile phone.

He was fined £125, told to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Andreas Hadjimichael (25), of Lower Hastings Street, Leicester city centre, was proven guilty his in absence of exceeding the 70 miles per hour speed limit on the M1, Dunton Bassett, on March 10.

He was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for 56 days, fined £400 with £85 costs and a £40 victim surcharge.

A terrified woman was run over when she jumped out of a car driven by her jealous boyfriend.

She took the desperate action, after he beat her up and threatened to cut her body into small pieces.

Ashley Andrews told her he wanted to dismember her "so no-one will find the parts," Leicester Crown Court heard.

When she leapt out, Andrews tried pulling her back by her clothing and also continued hitting her, while still driving.

The victim (26) was dragged along Fosse Way, Syston, for 10 to 20 yards before he let go.

The car's back wheel ran over her head, causing her to lose consciousness and suffer bleeding on the brain.

Andrews (28), of Hardwick Crescent, Syston, admitted dangerous driving and causing actual bodily harm, on April 25.

He also admitted two earlier incidents of assault by beating.

Andrews was jailed for a total of two years and four months and banned from driving for three years.

Judge Philip Head told Andrews: "You're obviously consumed by ungovernable jealousy which, with drink, fuels your violence.

"You pose a long-term risk of danger to any female you're in a relationship with.

"Your victim has chosen to resume her relationship with you, notwithstanding what you did to her."

John Hallissey, prosecuting, said on March 28 the defendant threatened the victim with a 10-inch knife and held her in a bedroom for several hours, during a row about money.

On April 5, he accused her of cheating on him.

She went to bed but the defendant followed and "launched" at her, punching her jaw and pulled the duvet over her face and began to throttle her.

Mr Hallissey said: "She struggled to breathe but suddenly it stopped and he jumped off crying and begging forgiveness."

Andrews was arrested and bailed with a condition to keep away from her, but he returned to the home they were sharing on April 25.

He again accused her of cheating and at 7am struck her on the face with her mobile phone, breaking her nose.

Andrews then made her get into her car, which he drove to Watermead Park, where he repeatedly hit her in the face and ribs, before driving off, telling her he was going to rape and kill her.

Mr Hallissey said: "He said he would cut her body into small pieces so no-one could find the parts and then he would kill her ex-boyfriend and her sister.

"She believed the threats."

It was as he drove along Fosse Way that she began shouting out of the window and jumped out of the car, travelling at between 15mph and 25 mph.

A witness in a following car saw Andrew's back wheel go over her head as she hit the road.

She remembers waking up with a bloody and bruised face, with people around her.

The court heard Andrews has previous convictions for motoring offences and violence, including an assault on a former partner.

Matthew Smith, mitigating, said: "He understands he has issues to address and he's realistic about his fate.

"He knows he treated his girlfriend horribly. Part of his difficulty is his feeling of anxiety with relationships.

"His occasional drug misuse causes paranoia and his behaviour is worse after he's been drinking."

Leicestershire's second team stayed on course for an unprecedented treble after a dramatic win over Middlesex at Grace Road.

The five-wicket victory put Lloyd Tennant's side into the final of the Second XI Trophy, where they will face Lancashire on September 8.

The venue for the final is still to be decided.

There were heroes all round for the Foxes, who have already won the T20 title and are also through to the Second XI Championship final next month.

The match was affected by the heavy rain, which fell throughout Monday with the start delayed until 2.15pm meaning that each side faced 30 overs rather than the scheduled 50. The visitors posted 202-5 in their innings, Leicestershire getting home with three balls to spare – but that merely scratches the surface of the drama at the County Ground with the Foxes only getting over the line thanks to a blistering late assault from Tom Wells and Lewis Hill.

Half-centuries from Nick Gubbins and Cameron Steel, together with a quickfire unbeaten 33 from Ollie Rayner, gave the visitors a more-than-useful total after they had been put in to bat by the Leicestershire's skipper, Matthew Boyce.

Dan Redfern was the pick of the home bowlers as he claimed 2-19 from six overs of off-spin.

County suffered an early blow in their run chase with the loss of Michael Thornely but a superb innings from Redfern kept them well in the hunt.

But when he fell for 80, made from 70 balls, Leicestershire still required 52 to win with a little more than four overs remaining.

Redfern's departure, however, brought together Wells and wicketkeeper Hill and they were to have a dramatic final say on matters.

A target of 48 from 24 balls was reduced to 28 from 12 – then Wells opened his shoulders and smashed three consecutive sixes from the last three balls of the 29th over.

With eight runs required from the final over, County were favourites and Hill – who has just returned to action after a finger injury – completed the job when he hammered the third delivery for another maximum.

Wells finished unbeaten on 58 from 38 deliveries and Hill was 24 not out off just 14 deliveries.

Lancashire beat Sussex by seven wickets at Horsham in their semi-final.

County overcame the Red Rose men when the sides met in the semi-final of the T20 competition earlier in the season before defeating Somerset in the final.

A book of condolences for the late Lord Attenborough has been opened at the University of Leicester.

Lord Attenborough, who died aged 90, was raised with his brothers on the campus where his father, Frederick Attenborough, was the principal of the University College – a forerunner to the university. Their former home, College House, is still located on the site.

Vice-chancellor Professor Robert Burgess paid tribute to a figure he described as "aspirational, inspiring and creative – a man with sheer energy and dynamism".

Professor Burgess said: "He was a wonderful actor, a splendid director and a marvellous person who was always encouraging and supportive.

"He was a great contributor to many different aspects of society in a very effective way."

Lord Attenborough was a frequent visitor and a supporter of the university.

In 1970, he became an honorary graduate and in 2006 he was made a Distinguished Honorary Fellow – the highest award the university can bestow.

He helped found the inclusive arts centre at the University of Leicester to which he gave his name. The centre was formally opened in 1997 by Diana, Princess of Wales, who was accompanied by Lord Attenborough.

Louisa Milburn, co-director of Embrace Arts, the University of Leicester arts centre housed in the Richard Attenborough Centre, said: "A long-time supporter of disability and the arts, Richard spearheaded the campaign that led to the opening of the Richard Attenborough Centre in 1997.

"He was passionate about access to high quality arts provision for everyone and the centre gives opportunities to engage, create and experience a wide variety of activity: from creative learning to a vibrant events programme.

"When I arrived at the university in 2005, Richard was one of the first people to contact me to congratulate me on my appointment. He continued to be a great supporter of the centre and a personal mentor.

"Richard was a great believer in creating positive change and was excited about the planned gallery extension at Embrace Arts due to open in 2015."

The Richard Attenborough Centre has set up a dedicated site for tributes which can be accessed at:

www2.le.ac.uk/hosted/ embracearts/about/richard- attenborough

A book of condolences is also available in the Richard Attenborough Centre, in Lancaster Road.

Villagers fear plans to fell up to eight trees to create an extra road lane will increase traffic and make the area more dangerous.

Proposals by Gladman Developments to alter Queniborough crossroads – including removing trees in Rearsby Road – are part of an application to build 165 houses off Barkby Road.

A consultation into the scheme by Charnwood Borough Council runs until September 11.

Opponents of the plans have tied tape around the trunks of the threatened trees and put up signs which say: "No to houses. No to slip road."

Amanda Grant, 35, who lives directly opposite the trees, said she was told about the proposal last Thursday by Queniborough Parish Council, which forwarded a message from Charnwood Borough Council.

Amanda said as a resident and mum of two young children, she was worried about increased pollution, noise levels and vehicle numbers.

She said: "It is such a busy road from all directions.

"It is going to make the traffic heavier and faster-flowing through the village. It will be a rat run.

"The trees have been there for years. They make the village aesthetically pleasing."

Amanda said she hoped to arrange a meeting with neighbours to discuss the matter.

"We want to get as many people as possible to object. We feel as if we have very little time.

"I think as a parish we need to come together."

Anne Agger, 75, who also lives opposite the trees, said: "The trees help to protect us from the pollution and we are already inundated with traffic.

"Putting in a slip road is not going to improve anything. It is just going to make it worse for children and villagers.

"We are very worried about children going to the school."

Anne, who has lived in the village with her husband for 47 years, said the trees that may be removed included limes, pines and horse chestnuts.

Daniel Grimley, borough councillor for Queniborough, said: "I would urge residents to write to Charnwood Borough Council planning department." He said residents could also raise issues with him.

"I am concerned about anything that would alter the character of the village and I know the crossroads does get fairly busy," he said.

A council spokesman said: "All planning applications are judged on their merit.

"Additional information has been submitted by the applicants to reduce the potential impact of the scheme on the main road.

"We have decided to extend the consultation on this application for another 21 days, to ensure that residents are able to comment on this new information.

"Consultation is now open until September 11, and the application is due to be considered by the plans committee in October or November."

People who would like to express their opinion about the plans should e-mail Charnwood Borough Council on:

development.control@ charnwood.gov.uk

Contact Councillor Grimley on:

cllr.daniel.grimley@ charnwood.gov.uk

Five years ago, Maisy Martin and George Tudge fought for their lives side by side after they were born prematurely at the same hospital.

This week, the youngsters will be together again as they start school– in the same class.

Maisy and George, who both live in Desford, clung on to life in the neonatal unit at Leicestershire Royal Infirmary after they both arrived early, by emergency caesarean.

Maisy was born at 24 weeks and five days, weighing just 1lb 8oz. She was immediately placed on a ventilator and spent 19 weeks in the hospital before being allowed home.

Even then, she needed to be hooked up to a mini oxygen tank for another few months.

Meanwhile, George was born to Joanne and James at 27 weeks, weighing 2lb 4oz.

While the parents were with their tiny offspring in hospital, George's dad, James, and Maisy's mum, Katie, realised they knew each other from their school days.

"I thought James was one of the doctors when he first walked into the unit, until he explained his son had been born prematurely," said Katie.

"Although the situation wasn't nice, it was good to see a familiar face."

Recalling her daughter's arrival, Katie said: "When I first went into labour, I didn't realise what was happening – partly because it was so early in the pregnancy.

"When she was born, Maisy was so tiny – she looked like a little bird that had fallen out of its nest.

"Her arms and legs were thinner than my fingers."

Despite the poor odds against both Maisy and George, both children have thrived since then without any complications, and are now ready to start their school days at Desford Primary.

Katie said: "It's a miracle Maisy survived and has come this far.

"We owe everything to the staff on the neonatal unit because without them, Maisy and George wouldn't be alive today.

"She has come on leaps and bounds since those days.

"She did have a chronic lung condition but, thankfully, no lasting damage from it.

"It's going to be a huge milestone to see her start school.

"She's super-excited about it and it's lovely that George is going to be in the same class, but I still I think I'm going to be very emotional when I wave her goodbye."

Recalling his son's birth, James said: "It was a really scary time and very much touch-and-go.

"The doctors didn't expect him to survive so we spent every moment we could with him and just hoped he would keep fighting.

"He was transferred to a hospital in Stoke on Trent eventually before going back to the infirmary.

"We weren't sure if he would ever be starting school, so to get to this stage feels amazing. George is our little miracle."

Plans to turn a piazza outside a theatre into a car park are set to be approved next week.

Leicester mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said the square outside the Sue Townsend Theatre – formerly Phoenix Arts Centre – in Newarke Street could provide 22 spaces for cars.

Sir Peter said they would replace some of the 50 spaces lost to the £4 million development of Jubilee Square, in St Nicholas Circle.

Officers have recommended the mayor's plan be approved by the planning committee when it meets on Wednesday.

This is despite nearly 40 letters of objection to the plan from arts groups and individuals.

They said the area should be preserved as a space for performances, that a car park would be unattractive and that the adjacent multi-storey car park was rarely full.

Margaret Scott, of Humberstone, said: "Another car park, more cars to pollute the city.

"And what an insult to the memory of Sue Townsend, to suggest the grimness of a car park in front of a centre bearing her name.

"It's worthy of a place in Adrian Mole's diary, alongside Ms Townsend's inspired naming of one of the new blocks of flats Rat Wharf.

"I trust that the city council will see, if nothing else, the risk for national ridicule involved in giving itself permission to pursue this perverse idea."

Julian Wright, from arts group Nearest Star, said: "There is already a multi-storey car park next to the theatre and another parking area at the back.

"Is this a lack of joined-up thinking or just a lack of thinking?

"It is certainly a lack of consultation.

"Every aspect of the future of the Sue Townsend Theatre, including its immediate surroundings, must be discussed fully with Leicester's artists before such foolish piecemeal tinkerings are undertaken.

"For the sake of a dozen or so parking spaces, let's save the piazza and all it could provide."

Leicester Civic Society said the provision of a car park next to a multi-storey that was rarely full was "totally unnecessary".

Chairman Stuart Bailey said: "The mayor announced the renaming and it is therefore obvious this space becomes Sue Townsend Square and is used for public performances.

"It is now proposed to hide the theatre behind a car park."

Sir Peter defended the plan, saying he could not remember the last time a performance was held outside the theatre.

He said: "In honesty, that area is grubby and has been neglected for 10 years.

"It will be resurfaced to improve its appearance.

"You just can't win. I am criticised for taking away parking spaces, then criticised for providing new ones.

"What we will have is a useful car park which can be a flexible space.

"If there is a chance to hold a performance, it would be very easy to close it off by putting bollards across the entrance."

The family of the man who first owned the Belgrave factory destroyed in a fire have been overwhelmed with the response they received to their appeal to discover their ancestor's history.

Two weeks ago, Hilary Ford contacted the Mercury after the factory on the corner of Woodbridge Road and Melton Road – built for her great-great-grandfather Thomas George Hunt – was destroyed in a huge blaze.

Hilary, 49 – who grew up in Glenfield – and her second cousin, Sam Stewart, have been trying to piece together their family history for the past six months. Hilary said the response they had received since the Mercury appeal had been "fantastic".

"What we've found out has gone way beyond what we ever expected," she said.

"Some nights I haven't been able to sleep because there's so much information going around my head."

The best response she had was from a long-lost relative, Ian Hunt, and his wife, Elaine.

Ian, who is the great-grandson of Mr Hunt, and Hilary have been exchanging e-mails.

"It's lovely to be in touch with family we didn't know we had. We've been swapping stories and photos," said Hilary. "Maybe we will meet in the future."

The building, which was called Premier Works, originally housed a shoe factory.

It was built for Mr Hunt, who was born in Leicester in 1856.

He had six children – the eldest son, George Hunt, took over the business in 1928, when Mr Hunt retired.

His second son was called Charles Edmund, to whom the business was also passed down. The building was sold in 1951 to Great Universal Stores, a catalogue company.

Mr Hunt lived in Anstey Frith, which is now home to Leicestershire Fire Brigade, and died in 1931.

Hilary said her quest is about "making a person out of the pictures" and learning the "social history" of her family.

A woman called Joyce Smith also got in touch and said that her father was the factory manager in the 1940s, working largely for Charles Edmund.

Hilary said: "Joyce still has the glasses that Charles Edmund gave to her and her husband when they married."

"It's been so lovely discovering who our ancestors were."

If you can help Hilary and Sam piece together the history of the factory and their family, please e-mail:

newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk

Cases dealt with at Leicester Magistrates' Court include:

Anne May Newbon (51), of Manor Road, Loughborough, pleaded guilty to speeding on the A512 Ashby Road, Loughborough, on February 4. She was fined £95, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge, and three penalty points were put on her driving licence.

Sarah O'Neill (39), of Barfoot Road, Knighton, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle in Abbey Park Road, Leicester, on December 25, without insurance. She was fined £600, with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge, and six points were put on her licence.

Jaimal Bharat Patel (30), of Isis Close, Oadby, pleaded guilty to exceeding the 30mph speed limit in Knighton Grange Road, Leicester, on April 18. He was fined £200, with £85 costs and a £21 victim surcharge, and five points were put on his licence.

Stacey Plant (28), of Garth Street, Cottesmore, was proven guilty of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have been guilty of an offence on February 26. She was fined £600, with £85 costs and a £60 victim surcharge, and six points were put on her licence.

Jayesh Popat (52), of Evesham Road, Rowley Fields, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of speeding in Tigers Way, Leicester, on February 16. He was fined £200, with £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge, and three points were put on his licence.

Jacqueline Richards (53), of Coventry Road, Hinckley, was proven guilty in her absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver believed to be guilty of an offence on April 1. She was fined £600 and had six points put on her driving licence.

Lynda Jane Semple (52), of Drummond Walk, Melton, was proven guilty of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence. She was fined £600 with £85 costs.

Leicester City goalkeeper Conrad Logan has extended his loan deal at Rochdale.

The 28-year-old will now stay with the League One side until January.

Logan has already made two appearances for the Dale since joining earlier this month, in the 5-2 victory over Crewe and the 1-1 draw with Bristol City.

Meanwhile, City striker Jacob Blyth has also joined Burton Albion on loan until the New Year.

Blyth made his debut for the League Two side last night when he came on as a second-half substitute in Burton's shock 1-0 victory over Premier League QPR in the Capital One Cup.Meanwhile, City striker Jacob Blyth has also joined Burton Albion on loan until the New Year.

The owner of Twinlakes is being prosecuted for an accident in which an eight-year-old boy suffered a broken leg while celebrating his birthday.

The youngster, who lives in Derby, visited the leisure park on April 14 last year and was riding on the Mack tea cup fairground ride when his leg became attached to a bolt.

Today the owners of Twinlakes, Devon company BB&B Leisure Parks, and its director Michael Bendall appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court.

The company pleaded not guilty to a charge under the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 of failing in its duty to ensure there were no risks to people's health and safety.

Neil Ward, the inspector for the Health and Safety Executive who led the investigation into the incident, told the court he was content for the trial to take place at the magistrates' court.

The three-day trial is scheduled to take place in February next year.

Mr Ward told the magistrates: "The defendant in this case is a company that operates three leisure parks in the UK.

"The incident in question happened at Twinlakes, which is in the Melton area and employs about 150 people.

"A young man, who was eight years old, was there celebrating his birthday.

"A bolt on one of the rides caught in his shoelace and he suffered a broken leg."

The trial will take place before a district judge on February 3, 5 and 6 next year.

Fire fighters were called to a blaze in a first floor flat in Kirby Muxloe yesterday evening.

They used a ladder to climb through a window into the property in Ladysmith Road just after 9pm.

One room was badly damaged by fire and smoke but no-one was injured.

A fire service spokesman said the cause of the fire was discarded smoking materials

Leicester City defender Liam Moore has been selected in the England Under-21 squad for the final two European Championship qualifiers next month.

The 21-year-old makes up part of Gareth Southgate's squad that will face Lithuania in Kaunas on Friday, September 5 (5pm BST) before heading on to Tiraspol to play Moldova on Tuesday, September 9 (5pm BST).

Moore has become a mainstay of the squad and had the honour of captaining the Young Lions for the final 20 minutes of their victory over Qatar in the Toulon Tournament in May.

Former City loanees Michael Keane and Harry Kane are also in the squad.

The Squad:

Goalkeepers: Jonathan Bond (Watford), Jack Butland (Stoke City).

Defenders: Tyler Blackett (Manchester United), Eric Dier (Tottenham Hotspur), Luke Garbutt (Everton), Michael Keane (Manchester United), Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United, on loan to Nottingham Forest), Liam Moore (Leicester City), Jack Robinson (Liverpool).

Midfielders: Tom Carroll (Tottenham Hotspur, on loan to Swansea City), Nathaniel Chalobah (Chelsea), Jake Forster-Caskey (Brighton & Hove Albion), Will Hughes (Derby County), James Ward-Prowse (Southampton).

Forwards: Saido Berahino (West Bromwich Albion), Tom Ince (Hull City), Danny Ings (Burnley), Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur), Alex Pritchard (Tottenham Hotspur, on loan at Brentford), Nathan Redmond (Norwich City), Cauley Woodrow (Fulham).

The latest entries in our Natural World competition are a wide range of animals, plants and landscapes.

They include two great snaps from reader David Foulds.

His picture of a wood mouse was taken in his back garden in Oadby.

He said: "I thought it was a rat at first and it came scurrying out and jumped up on to the bird table, which it had obviously had a lot of practice at.

"It started nibbling the bird food and I wondered if it would sit there long enough for me to go and get my camera.

"Wood mice are usually very difficult to shoot but it sat there and let me take pictures of it."

David, 75, volunteers at Brocks Hill Country Park in Oadby and also took the photo of frogs in a pond at the park.

He said: "It was one day back in March or April and I was doing the bird count at the park when I came across about 20 frogs in the shallow part of the pond. It was an amazing sight and soon after there was lots of frog spawn and now there are tiny little frogs all over the park."

The colourful shot of sunset over a reservoir was taken by Jarek Podsiadlo.

Jarek, 30, of Newfoundpool, Leicester, said: "I'd gone to Rutland Water with a couple of friends to take pictures at sunset a few weeks ago.

"It was a great evening for it because there wasn't much wind so the clouds and the water were very still."

Linsey Williams, of Kirby Muxloe, took a picture of a stag at Bradgate Park, humorously entitling it "Stag Party – The Morning After".

You have until midnight on September 28 to send in up to five photographs, which must be marked "Natural World Competition".

They should be between 500kb and 3mb and include the photographer's name, address, daytime contact number and a short description of the subject. Cash prizes of £100 for the winner and £50 for two runners-up are being provided by Leicester Photography.

E-mail pictures to:

photocompetition@ leicestermercury.co.uk

A young boxer has been honoured with an award dedicated to the memory of his best friend, a talented fighter who lost her battle with cancer.

Athena Orchard, of New Parks, Leicester, died in May, aged 13 – a few months after being diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a rare bone disease.

Millions worldwide were touched by the tragedy, which made international headlines after her family discovered a 1,000-word message she had written on the back of her bedroom mirror shortly before she died.

But for her friends at Leicester Unity Boxing Club, in Beaumont Leys, Athena's death has been an extremely personal and painful loss.

The club, in Holm Farm Walk, has now honoured her memory by establishing the Athena Orchard Award, for youngsters who show true character.

Head coach Ajmal 'Hudge' Butt, 45, who founded the gym in 2010 in memory of his brother, Anton, said: "Athena was a very talented young girl, who was an inspiration in our gym.

"Her loss is absolutely huge and has affected us all.

"It really hurt us, and that's why it's taken so much time since her death to do this.

"But, we wanted to do something special in her memory."

Fittingly, the inaugural award was presented to Athena's best friend, Billy Martin, at a ceremony at the club attended by Leicester West MP Liz Kendall, last night.

The 13-year-old single-handedly raised more than £1,300 to treat Athena as she was undergoing her gruelling treatment.

Billy, from Glenfield, said: "I went collecting door to door around the houses in Glenfield.

"A lot of people wondered what I was doing, but when I told them it was for Athena, they really wanted to help and were very kind and generous.

"I took a collection into my school – Brook Vale High School, in Groby – and my schoolmates and teachers helped out.

"And I also got sponsored to have all my head shaved.

"Athena lost her hair because of her treatment, and I wanted to make her feel better by joining her."

He added: "She was my best friend you see, we'd known each other since we were four.

"When I showed her the money, she went 'Wow!" and we counted it all together.

"It paid for a group holiday to Skegness, and for a shopping trip to London, where she got to meet the cast of The Only Way Is Essex on TV – she was a big fan of the programme.

"She loved it. I used to sit with her in hospital when she was ill, and I wanted to show her how much I loved her."

Other youngsters and staff at the gym raised a further £1,800 to hire a limousine and stage a disco for Athena's last birthday, and an i-Phone 5 for Christmas.

Hudge said: "Athena thought the world of Billy, and they were best friends.

"She was our family, like all the kids here are."

He added: "By starting this award, which will be presented to a young person every years, we want people to know that Athena will never be forgotten.

"She will live on in our hearts and memory – the kids and everyone else here will never forget her."

Liz Kendall MP, who presented Billy with the award, said: "Athena was an inspiration to other young people – and Billy is an inspiration too!

"He is a very special young man indeed, one of the best and brightest.

"He has showed what he's made of, and I was honoured to present the award to him."

She added: "Billy's character demonstrates what we stand for in this area."

Leicester's former British light welterweight champion, Tony McKenzie, and his brother Kelton, a former Midlands featherweight title holder, also on hand to congratulate Billy.

Tony said: "He is a really good lad. He comes here, keeps his head up and gets on with the job.

"He's got character and all the younger boxers look up to him.

"And what he's done in memory of Athena is a great thing – truly inspirational."

To find out more about the boxing club, and what it can offer young people, visit the Unity Boxing Club Leicester page on Facebook.  

Ex-Leicester City captain Steve Walsh has rallied a catalogue of former Foxes stars to help his brother-in-law who had to have his leg amputated after suffering from deep vein thrombosis.

Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage, Muzzy Izzett and Steve - among others - will reunite to raise money for Terry Amos, 46, who had his left leg amputated in March.

Terry, of Rowletts Hill, who is Steve's wife's brother, was on a flight back from Thailand when a blood clot formed in a vein in his leg.

A week later, the limb began to ache and then went numb.

Doctors told him they could not save the leg and amputated about two weeks after Terry first visited the Leicester Royal Infirmary for help.

Terry said: "It was about a week after I got home and I had a pain in my left leg.

"After a while, my leg felt cold and my toes were blue - I was like Scott of the Antarctic. All this time it was dying.

"They tried to save it but couldn't. When they told me they had to amputate my leg I didn't believe it. It didn't feel real."

Terry, who has devoted much of his life to martial arts and has represented England, is now going through physiotherapy to help him use a prosthetic limb.

"My discipline has helped me to deal with what's happened but it's still very difficult to accept," he said. "So far, I've had about 12 hours of physiotherapy but it's hard to learn to walk again - I'll never be able to do the things I used to."

Now, Foxes legend Steve Walsh is holding a charity football match in his honour to raise cash to help with the rehabilitation.

Among the players will be a host of stars from one of the club's most successful periods, including Neil Lennon, Robbie Savage, Simon Grayson, Gerry Taggart and Matt Elliott.

They will take on old rivals Nottingham Forest, who will field their own legends, such as Des Walker and Bryan Roy, at Shepshed Dynamo's ground, in Butthole Lane, Shepshed.

The game will be played at 2pm on Sunday, September 28.

Former City defender Steve said: "It's really affected him – it's got to him big time.

"He used to be a really fit guy and now he doesn't really know what to do with himself.

"It's one of the worst things I can image happening to anyone.

"Neil Lennon has confirmed and I'm just waiting for confirmation from Robbie (Savage) and Claridge.

"We've got the old Legends, boys like Taggart and Muzzy, so it'll be great to get everyone back together again.

"But raising money for Terry is the main thing – every penny will go him and help with his rehabilitation."

Tickets for the game will be on sale on the gate at Shepshed on the day costing £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

Anyone who wants to donate or sponsor the match can email: sira@legendsuk.com