Leicester Riders new signing Tyler Bernadini will step out on court for the tip-off of the BBL season against the Manchester Giants on Saturday (7.30pm) at Loughborough University after securing an Italian passport.

BBBL rules allow only three players in the squad requiring a work permit, and Bernadini's EU status now means he does not fall into that category.

It means he can now suit up with Riders' other American imports, Rashad Hassan, Neil Watson and Derrick Roland.

It has been a hectic week for the 6ft 6in guard from California, who had to return to the US on Monday, after starring in Riders' winning on Sunday evening against Okapi of Belgium.

Bernadini had an interview with the Italian embassy in Los Angles on Wednesday, and managed to secure the passport, to which he is entitled to via his father, before finally flying back to the UK, arriving Thursday morning, in time to take part in Riders' final preparations for their weekend double.

Bernadini was just pleased to get the trip behind him. "It was a bit hectic at times but I am just glad to be back in England. The meeting at the embassy all went to plan, and my thanks to the Club for organizing everything in advance."

"I ran into some typical LA traffic trying to get to the airport, and at one stage it was touch and go if I would get out on Wednesday night. But fortunately the accident ahead was cleared, we got moving again, and now I am here and ready to go."

"I am delighted with the way things have gone so far with the Riders, and I think we all feel the team is coming together very well. We have a group of guys who want to play for each other, and a top coaching and support team. It will be interesting to see where we stand BBL wise this weekend."

A group of young farmers have got together to bare their bits for a nude charity calendar aimed at raising money for a cancer charity.

The 16 members of the Market Bosworth Young Farmers Club have stripped-off and posed at various rural locations around Leicestershire in aid of the children's cancer charity, Clic Sargent.

They were inspired to support the organisation following the death of two-year-old Thomas Beaumont, who lost his fight against cancer, in May, after being diagnosed with a rare brain tumour.

The 2015 calendar has already raised £1,000 with people keen to see the naked 18 to 26-year-olds on horseback, in their local pub and fondling their produce at the Market Bosworth Farmers' market.

One of the members, Claire Anderson, 26, said: "When we considered our options, for some reason, everyone seemed more interested in getting involved with a nude calendar, than the other options given. They all felt it would definitely sell better."

Claire, whose family owns a farm in Carlton, added: "Our favourite photo is the Rose and Radish one, which is February's.

"The funniest photo we took was the first one which was the Ashby Farmers' Market one.

"One of the boys, Angus, who is a very popular member of the club and is known for trying to always grab people's attention, got very nervous about taking his kit off in front of everyone, and was sick!"

In total, 21 people were involved in the creation of the calendar including 17-year-old photographer Lydia Fox.

She had the responsibility of orchestrating the shots - which were all taken over a two-week period in August.

"At first everyone was quite nervous because we didn't know how people were going to react," said the Ashby School A-level pupil. "But no one took it the wrong way and we had lots of people - members of the public - watching, who thought it was quite amusing."

The calendars are on sale for £10 at various places in Market Bosworth including the Rose and Radish, the Dixie Arms, the Olde Red Lion Hotel and the Black Horse Inn.

Hundreds of FIFA fans are expected to make it their midnight mission to get their hands on the new game tonight.

The Game store, in Leicester's Highcross shopping centre, is opening at 11pm especially for the release of FIFA15.

Around 500 copies of the game had been pre-ordered from the shop, and hundreds of other gamers are expected to take their chances and buy a copy on the night.

Senior sales manager at Game Ash Marriott told the Mercury: "I think they'll be hundreds of people there.

"We open at 11pm but we won't start selling FIFA15 until 12.01am.

"We will probably close at around 1.30am, once the queues have died down."

The much-anticipated version of FIFA, which costs around £40-45, promises to make the player feel like they really are part of the game.

This is the first year all 20 Premier League team grounds will be featured in the game, which means players will be able to kick-off at Leicester City's King Power Stadium.

For the first time ever, all 22 players on the pitch are connected with Emotional Intelligence, which means the players will react to opponents and teammates within the context of the match.

Fans will also see the pitch wear and tear as the match progresses.

Mercury sports reporter and football fanatic James Sharpe said he prepared for the release by asking his mum to pre-order him a copy as an early Christmas present.

"I'm so excited," he said. "I can't wait to play it."

Are you planning to queue up in Leicester's Highcross shopping centre tonight? Let us know by tweeting us: @Leicester_Merc

Fire authority bosses have discussed holding a referendum to ask every Leicestershire household if they would accept a nine per cent rise in their share of the council tax bill.

The county's fire service has warned cuts to its Government funding mean it faces a £7.5 million shortfall in its finances over the next five years unless it can raise more money.

It is considering increasing it share of council tax to help balance the books but Government capping rules mean any increase of more than 1.99 per cent would mean the matter would have to go to a county-wide vote.

Today members of the combined fire authority discussed the risks and costs of a referendum.

Were it to be held on the same day as the General Election and district council elections in May it would cost £650,000 to stage.

If it were to be held on another day it could cost £1.2 million and if a no vote was returned there could be a further cost of £1 million to re-issue council tax bills to every home.

Chairman of the fire authority councillor Stephen Corrall said: "A referendum would be a huge risk and an expensive one if it were lost but the fire authority is facing huge financial challenges.

"I think people might be prepared to pay some more to avoid cuts to the fire service because they know firefighters do an excellent job.

"If we were to get £5 from every household that would be 6p a week increase for a band A property and 10p week for a band D home. "That's less than the cost of a box of matches."

Coun Corrall said he hoped to avoid a referendum by writing to fire minister Penny Mordaunt seeking special dispensation for a one-off increase of £5 in the fire precept for every Leicestershire home.

He said: "If she says yes we wouldn't have to worry about a referendum at all.

"I will be making the case as strongly as possible."

Fire authority members supported the move to write to Ms Mordaunt but expressed concern about holding a referendum.

Councillor Ken Bool said he thought it would be a "waste of money."

Councillor Michael Charlesworth said if no way could be found to raise more money cuts to front-line services would be inevitable."

The fire authority will launch a three month public consultation on its council tax proposals at the beginning of next month.

Leicestershire supporters have been handed a much-needed lift at the end of another poor season.

Australian international seam bowler Clint McKay has signed for the club for next summer.

The 31-year-old Victorian has played for Australia in all formats of the game and has built an excellent career record.

"Clint will add a lot of experience and quality to the team," said Leicestershire director of cricket Phil Whitticase.. "He has an excellent track record both at international and domestic level and we look forward to him complementing and working alongside our young bowlers at the club."

McKay's first-class record boasts 140 wickets taken at 28.65, including a best of 6-40. McKay also offers something with the bat as he has a useful average of 18.35.

The announcement came as the County crashed to a 408-run defeat against Derbyshire in their final game of the season.

Set 521 to win when Derbyshire declared their second innings on 372-3 Leicestershire subsided to an embarrassing 112 all out in less than 30 overs. Only Ben Raine, who made 33 not out, showed any kind of desire at the crease as Derbyshire left-arm paceman Mark Footitt claimed five wickets.

Earlier Derbyshire opener Ben Slater had completed his second ton of the game but the real highlight of the day was an unbeaten century made by Indian Test batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who oozed class in a 115-ball innings which completely wrecked any lingering hopes Leicestershire might have had of salvaging something from the match. 

The directors of two burglar alarm businesses have been jailed for operating a cunning sales scam, in which elderly customers were bullied into signing up to costly contracts.

Some victims, who were in their 80s, were conned during "cold calls" into thinking they were being offered free alarms under a government-backed crime awareness campaign.

Dean Michael Mayes (37) was director of Wilson Phillips (UK) Ltd, trading as Practical Security.

His then partner, Nadeena Campbell (34), later took over as director of Practical Security Solutions Ltd.

They engaged in dishonest dealings for three years.

Mayes was jailed for two years and 11 months and Campbell for two-and-a-half years.

Paul Andrew Thompson (37), who was their salesman for 11 months and later set up his own business, First Response UK Ltd, carrying out five copy-cat frauds, was jailed for 19 months.

Another salesman, Mark Sidney Durant (48) was given an 18-month community order, with 180 hours of unpaid work, and told to pay £1,200 costs.

The case is the first prosecution in Leicestershire of dishonest trading involving the sale of burglar alarm systems, and followed an investigation by the county council's trading standards department.

During a six week trial - not involving Thompson because he admitted his guilt – Leicester Crown Court heard how home owners were persuaded into signing burglar alarm contracts, costing between £2,500 and £4,000.

Others were wrongly told there was a "special promotion" in their area.

To close a deal, sales staff would falsely claim only a few alarm units were left, which they had to sign up for on the spot or lose out.

The contracts were for three to five-year monitoring packages, mainly involving monthly payments.

However, John Hallissey, prosecuting, told the court: "Even when asked about the price, telephone operators wouldn't mention the monitoring costs."

Mr Hallissey claimed one client was wrongly told the deal included a medical response service and another was assured that if she pressed a button on a key fob then her doctor would come out to her.

"It simply wasn't true," said Mr Hallissey.

"Practical Security was prepared to say whatever was necessary to sign people up for their alarms and take the money."

Sentencing, Judge Philip Head said that Mayes and Campbell, both of Browning Street, Narborough, were equally responsible, as the "brains, eyes and ears" of the businesses.

He said: "Both had leading roles throughout a sustained period of criminality."

The offences were between April 2010 and June 2013.

When they had a "shot across their bow" with a trading standards' raid and seizure in 2011, they just changed the company name and carried on.

The judge said: "You were both actively involved in two firms that sold monitored burglar alarms in the Midlands.

"I accept there was nothing wrong with the product and some customers were perfectly content - but some already had alarms and had no need of yours.

"Some were, by means of their age or infirmity, unable to use the alarms.

"The means by which you acquired customers was thoroughly dishonest."

He said sales staff made "extravagant and dishonest" promises of the free systems, saying they were part of a national crime awareness campaign or implying official approval.

Judge Head added: "They weren't told of the costs of between £2,000 and £4,000.

"What was said and what was left unsaid was calculated to get salesmen's feet through the door."

He said Campbell sought to distance herself from the wrongdoing, claiming during the trial that she had no idea what sales staff were saying to potential customers.

She described it as "horrific, really bad, frightening and shocking".

The judge added: "The majority of the customers were over 60 years old, some were over 70 and some were over 80.

"There's nothing wrong with focusing your market among that group, so long as the business dealings were appropriate.

"I don't conclude that you expressly targeted the elderly."

But, he added, they disregarded the constraints of the law and common decency when dealing with customers.

"They entered into a contract that if they'd been told the whole truth from the beginning they wouldn't have entered into it," the judge said.

"It's not possible to determine the turnover in three years, although 500 contracts have been identified. By no means were all the customers misled by salesmen, but a substantial number were."

Judge Head said the jury was satisfied that customers were defrauded by being lied to about the price and capabilities of the systems.

He said Thompson was an "enthusiastic liar" when operating as a salesman, and went on, having been "infected by dishonesty and greed", to set up a separate business to commit an identical fraud on his own.

The judge said Durant's conduct was "despicable".

At one time, Mayes and Campbell had 25 canvassers on their books and a number of salesmen.

The court heard that Practical Security was based at Black Seam House, St John's, Enderby, between April 2010 and may 2011, when it ceased trading. Then Practical Security Solutions Ltd "arose from the ashes", based in Morris Road, Knighton Fields, Leicester.

Durant, of Conalgen Road, Aylestone, was their "trusted salesman", along with Thompson, of Una Avenue, off Narborough Road South, Leicester.

Mayes and Campbell were convicted by a jury of fraudulent trading and conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation.

They were also convicted of conspiracy to engage in unfair commercial practice.

Both denied the offences, claiming they operated the businesses in good faith and had many satisfied customers.

Mayes pleaded guilty to engaging in a consumer credit business without a licence, as did Thompson.

Thompson also pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation and engaging in unfair commercial practice.

Durant was convicted of one count of engaging in unfair commercial practice, between May and June 2012, by using "undue influence" to sell an alarm system to a couple in their late 80s, who suffered from ill-health and already had a council-funded life-line alarm fitted.

Durant was acquitted of conspiring with both co-accused to commit fraud by false representation and conspiracy to engage in unfair commercial practice.

In mitigation, the court heard that the defendants were also involved in honest and legitimate business dealings where there were satisfied customers.

Mayes and Campbell, who have twin daughters together, as well as other children separately, are no longer in a relationship, mainly due to the stress of the proceedings, the court heard.

All four had references describing them as hard working, and highlighting their positive contributions to the community.

A Rutland hotel has kept its Michelin star for the 32nd year running following the release of the latest guide.

Hambleton Hall, in Oakham, features in the Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2015, which was released today.

Delighted owner Tim Hart said: "We first got a star in 1982 or 1983 and we have kept it because we have not tried any clever tricks."

He said their simple philosophy is to link great ingredients and good food.

"I am proud of consistency, which is something that is quite rare," said Tim.

"We have also had the great fortune of having three great chefs in the past 30 years. I feel very proud."

Three restaurants in Leicestershire have been included in the guide's Bib Gourmand list, which recognises good food at moderate prices.

These are The Joiners Arms in Bruntingthorpe, The Red Lion in Stathern and The Berkeley Arms in Wymondham.

There are just 143 pubs and restaurants in the UK with the Bib Gourmand award.

The Joiners Arms has retained the award for the fourth successive year, much to the pleasure of chef and patron Stephen Fitzpatrick.

He said: "We are absolutely thrilled that our food and service has been recognised again.

"It is important to receive recognition from a well-respected guide such as the Michelin red book.

"Our close-knit team of chefs are always striving to maintain and improve their delivery to the customer."

The Michelin Star guide is printed in paperback and can also be downloaded.

A teenage boy is in hospital with serious injuries after being hit by a van.

The accident happened yesterday evening, at the junction of Red Hill Way and Border Drive, in Leicester.

The boy was taken to Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, with serious injuries.

A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police, which is looking into the incident, said they boy had been hit by a 'Transit-like' van.

No arrests have been made.

Police officers are taking a zero tolerance approach to people who cycle on the pavement.

Local officers have been serving cyclists with Traffic Officer Reports (TORS) after local residents raised concerns about people riding along the pavement.

On Friday, September 19, Hinckley Road officers lined up on numerous points along Tudor Road to stop and advise cyclists about the offence of cycling on a pavement.

A total of 12 TORS were issued. Cyclists served with a TOR will now have to pay a £50 fine.

A further 12 cyclists were given verbal warnings about cycling on the pavement.

PCSO 6650 Jo Taylor, from the Fosse ward area of the city, planned and organised the operation.

She said: "I set up the operation in response to complaints from members of the community who are worried about cyclists riding on pavements and knocking them over.

"We offer advice to any cyclists we see about the law, and make it clear to them that it is an offence to cycle on the pavement.

"Unfortunately, we still see a number of cyclists using the pavements in the area and for that reason we decided to take a zero tolerance approach.

"The reactions from the local community in response to the operation have been very positive and supporting."

For more information and details on cycle routes in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland visit the Leicester City Council website. 

Leicestershire Police has become the first UK force to sign a charter which pledges to improve life for deaf people.

As part of International Week of the Deaf, which is annually the last full week of September, Leicestershire Police has signed the British Deaf Association's Charter for British Sign Language (BSL).

On Wednesday, members of the deaf community, and the chairman of the British Deaf Association, witnessed the signing of the charter which sets out four pledges to improve access and rights for deaf people.

Leicestershire Police are now committed to giving deaf people access to information and services, promoting learning and teaching of British sign language, ensuring staff working with deaf people can communicate in sign language and also consulting with the local deaf community on a regular basis.

Chief Constable Simon Cole said: "We are proud to be the first police force to sign the BSL Charter.

"We have worked hard over the years to build strong relationships with the deaf community and, whilst we are already delivering on the pledges, we hope that by signing this charter we will show further commitment to supporting them."

The charter aims to eliminate unlawful discrimination, advance equality and improve relations with the deaf communities within Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.

The Police and Crime Commissioner, Sir Clive Loader, visited the Leicester Deaf Action Group recently.

He said: "It is extremely important that we maintain a good relationship with the deaf community."

Dr Terry Riley OBE, Chairman of the British Deaf Association, said: "I commend Leicestershire Police for being committed to ensuring the legal rights for all deaf and hard of hearing people, especially at every stage of the caution and arrest process."

A man died after arriving at his garden centre and discovering it had been burgled.

The owner of a garden centre in Croft Road, Thurlaston arrived there yesterday morning and then took ill and died. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The garden centre had been burgled overnight between Tuesday, September 23 and 7am on Wednesday, September 24. Police are now appealing for information about the break-in. 

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

The owner's wife discovered her husband and the break-in a short while later on Wednesday morning. 

The entire content of the pick and mix confectionery stand and freezer load of ice cream were among the items stolen.

This is the second time the premises has been targeted, with the first burglary taking place on August 8 when cash, sweets and garden ornaments were taken. Officers are looking into the possibility that the two incidents may be linked.

The deceased's wife said: "I am incredibly shocked and am finding it difficult to come to terms with what has happened.

"I would be grateful if the media could leave me and my family in peace and give us some time to grieve at this difficult period."

PC 2883 Nev Walker, who is investigating the incident said: "I would urge anyone who thinks they may know who is responsible for this burglary to get in touch as soon as possible, even if you're not 100% sure but have heard rumours locally please contact us.

"We would also like to speak to anyone who has been approached by someone selling sweets in suspicious circumstances or has come across ice-cream containers discarded in the area.

"If you saw someone acting suspiciously in the area overnight on Tuesday (September 23) or early hours of Wednesday (September 24) we need to speak to you."

Anyone with information call 101 and dial 2883 to leave a message for PC Nev Walker. Or, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Researchers at the University of Leicester have found a rare type of pollen at record levels for the first time in 40 years.

They are warning that it could also spell more misery for hay fever sufferers.

Scientists from the university's aerobiology and clinical mycology research group found ragweed - not normally found in the air at all - for four consecutive days in the East Midlands earlier this month.

On the third day the level of ragweed was high enough to cause hay fever and asthma symptoms for people sensitive to the pollen.

Ragweed, which grows in late summer and early autumn is one most notorious hay fever causing plants in North America but is rarely found in Britain as it needs long-lasting autumns before the first winter frost to grow and survive.

Research lead Dr Catherine Pashley said: "Ragweed can't survive in the East Midlands because of our cooler climate compared to North America and central Europe so we were very surprised to see it when we analysed the pollen and fungi in the air earlier this month."

Dr Pashley, from the university's Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, added: "Whether or not we continue to see more ragweed will very much depend on how mild this autumn is and when we have the first frost.

"If it is a late frost it is likely that ragweed levels may increase this time next year.

"Pollen counts change on a daily basis and seasonally.

"It is really important to monitor pollen levels in the air to inform treatment for the millions of hay fever and asthma sufferers in the country.

"It can also be an indicator of climate change."

Ragweed was first seen in Europe in the 1960 and in the early 1990s it was predicted that if annual average temperatures continued to rise by 0.2 degrees centigrade per decade ragweed could spread and be present in central England by 2050.

The findings from the university suggests this is happening.

This could mean an extended hay fever season well into the autumn for the 20 per cent of people affected each year.

Dr Pashley's research group, in conjunction with the Midlands Asthma and Allergy Research Association (MAARA), routinely monitor the pollens and fungal spores present in the air using spore traps based at the University of Leicester.

It has a database of airborne allergens for the East Midlands which dates back more than 40 years and has noted that in the past there have never been more than a few grains of ragweed in the air on any one day and most years the pollen is not seen at all.

Steve Watson, chairman of MAARA, said: "We have invested a good deal of money over the years in building up this unique record of pollen and spore information for the East Midlands because it is an important resource for the millions of people who are affected by asthma and hay fever.

"Without it Dr Pashley and her team would not have had the base data to realise the importance of the recent findings on ragweed."

Leonardo Ulloa will get a frosty reception at Selhurst Park tomorrow afternoon but he is getting nothing but love from Leicester City.

The Crystal Palace crowd are expected to target Ulloa because of his time with rivals Brighton.

However, his five goals in five games at City has made him an instant hit following his club record move from the Amex Stadium.

Even manager Nigel Pearson, who admits it could have been perceived as a gamble when he paid £8million for a striker who had not played in the Premier League before, said Ulloa has given City even more than he imagined.

"Ulloa has five goals in five games and now he is a bargain, but before the season he was seen as a gamble because he was the club's record signing," said Pearson.

"The market forces dictate what players cost and we know the market we operate in.

"He is well liked within the club in terms of what he does on the pitch and he's a popular character as well.

"I'm pleased for him but I'm delighted he's delivered the types of performances we had hoped.

"Whenever you bring players in it is not nailed on that they will perform. He's done very well for us." 

Pearson admits he consulted his defenders before signing Ulloa and they gave him their seal of approval.

"We asked our own players and speaking to them he was the player who caused them the most problems," said the City boss.

"He is a very likable player and I think we have seen a side to his game that may have surprised us in terms of his appetite for hard work. 

"He played up front by himself essentially at Brighton and they play a different brand of football to what we play, but he has shown his adaptability to playing in our side and that has been great for us so far."

It is not just Ulloa who has exceeded expectations.

Pearson admits his side's return of eight points from their first five games has been an unexpected return.

"Eight points maybe exceeds my expectations," he said.

"Throughout the first few weeks, performances have been encouragingly positive, but there will be setbacks throughout any season. You will get periods where things don't go your way.

"But I'm looking for a level of performance from our players which represents the right level of performance for us."

Tomorrow, it's your final chance to get eyebrow tint (token 6 of 6 – need to collect 3 different numbers). If you missed it this time. Look out for future offers.

And don't miss your Mercury on Monday either, when motorists can get 5p off a litre of fuel at selected garages. Plus, free entry to go kids go – collect 2 different numbered tokens running Monday to Friday

Three men have been arrested in Leicester in connection with an ongoing burglary investigation.

Warrants were executed this morning which resulted in the arrests of a 34-year-old man and a 27-year-old man from Eyres Monsell, and a 23-year-old man from Beaumont Leys.

It follows an investigation into a burglary in Grace Road, Leicester in August 2014, which also involved the discovery of cannabis plants and cocaine.

All three men have been arrested in relation to drug offences and remain in police custody.

Pc Matt Hutton said: "We will continue to carry out operations of this nature, identifying and arresting anyone who is involved in the supply of illegally held controlled drugs.

"The success of these operations is also largely down to the local community who we would encourage to contact us if they have any information about drugs misuse and supply."

Argentina coach Gerardo Martino is reportedly keeping tabs on Leicester City striker Leonardo Ulloa.

The 28-year-old's five goals in five games for City have attracted the attention of Martino, according to the Argentinian media.

Although Ulloa has not been called into the squad for the friendlies against Brazil and Hong Kong, Martino is reported as saying Ulloa is now in his thoughts.

"We are looking at some players including Luciano Vietto, but Ulloa's case is different because he is only just making an impact," said Gerardo.

City manager Nigel Pearson said any individual recognition for his players at international level would be a reflection of their performances for City and urged Ulloa to maintain his standards.

"I haven't seen those comments myself but if other people want to talk about my players all well and good," he said.

"What the players understand here is they have to get their performances right domestically week in, week out. If that generates interest, then well and good.

"Players are clear in their own minds they need to perform for us first and foremost. If that brings recognition elsewhere, then I am pleased for them."

Gallons of coffee and tonnes of cake was gobbled down for a good cause today as fundraisers took part in the Macmillan World's Biggest Coffee Morning.

The national event saw hundreds of people across Leicestershire joining thousands of others across the UK raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support, which helps people fighting cancer and their families.

The Bru coffee shop in Granby Street raised about £1,000 in just two hours.

"It's one of those important causes that touches everyone's lives in some way," owner Hamza Bodhaniya said.

"We had lots of our regular customers bringing in cakes to sell and lots of other shops and companies donated raffle prizes and cakes, too."

The event at Bru was the idea of the staff at the coffee shop, who visited several local businesses drumming up raffle prizes including meals out, a haircut, a £40 wall clock, a designer handbag and a tour of the King Power Stadium.

The raffle raised about £300 and the other £700 came from cake sales and all the money paid for coffees between 9am and 11am yesterday.

Staff baked cakes for the event and also donated their tips from the week's sales to the total.

Other coffee mornings that also took place across Leicester today included one at the Bread and Honey coffee shop in King Street in the city centre, where customers enjoyed coffee and cake while donating to Macmillan.

Another coffee morning held at the Jewry Wall Museum and it included free hearing checks as well as tea, coffee, cake and biscuits.

Throughout the event there was also music and lawn games, as well as free guided tours of the Roman Bath House provided by the Friends of Jewry Wall Museum.

Elsewhere in the county, youngsters at the Marlborough Day Nursery in Marlborough Square, Coalville, raised hundreds of pounds for Macmillan today.

Lisa Mayes, officer in charge at the nursery, said: "Our coffee morning went really well and we had about 100 people coming in and raised just over £260.

"We have children aged from six weeks to eight years here and we invited all their parents and the general public too.

"Lots of the parents and many of the staff baked cakes for the cake sale and we had some really delicious chocolate ones.

"The children had a competition to see who could colour in the best cupcake picture and the grown-ups had their own bake-off.

"We had a competition to make the best Victoria sponge."

The University of Leicester has declined to say how much was spent producing a 32 page glossy booklet paying tribute to retiring vice -chancellor Sir Bob Burgess.

The publication - entitled The Burgess Years - charts Sir Bob's 15 years at the helm.

He officially steps down at the end of the month.

The value of producing the leaflet, described as a commemorative magazine, has been questioned by some people on social media.

The university said there were no "external costs" and that it produced fewer than 1,000 copies of the document.

However it would not say how much that cost.

A university spokesperson said: "The Burgess Years is a 32-page A4 booklet charting a remarkable 15 years' history of the university.

"It provides an update until the present time of the history of the University – the previous history went up to 1996.

"The purpose of the document is to provide a permanent historical record of the era for posterity as well as pay tribute to the transformative leadership of Professor Sir Bob Burgess who retired at the end of September and who was knighted for his services to higher education.

"During the Burgess years Leicester has twice won the highest accolade in the University system, the Queen's Anniversary Prize for Higher and Further Education, reached its highest rankings in league tables and has been ranked as University of the Year by the Times Higher Education and returned the highest level of turnover in its history.

"Fewer than 1,000 copies were printed in-house, so there were no external costs.

"Last year, the university had a turnover of £281 million."

The university said the publication has been sent to key stakeholders to demonstrate its continuing investment and progress.

The family of a mountain biker who died because hospital staff failed to grasp the severity of injuries he suffered in an accident say they feel vindicated by a coroner's damning verdict.

John Moore-Robinson, of Sileby, died on April 2, 2006, as a result of a ruptured spleen suffered the previous day while riding with friends at Cannock Chase, Staffordshire.

The 20-year-old was taken to Stafford Hospital's A&E department, where a catalogue of failings led to him being discharged later that evening.

However, he collapsed at home in the early hours and was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he was pronounced dead.

John's parents, Frank and Janet, both 61, of Ellistown, fought an eight year battle for the inquest to be held. They believed an earlier inquest, held in 2007, failed to examine the full circumstances of their son's death.

As a result of the couple's campaign - and following an independent inquiry in 2009 which revealed hundreds of patients could have died unnecessarily at Stafford A&E - the High Court ordered a second inquest into John's death.

That second hearing concluded yesterday at Leicester Town Hall, with coroner Catherine Mason ruling John's life could have been saved had it not been for "serious failings" in his care.

Mr Moore-Robinson said after the verdict: "If John was still with us he would've been enjoying life. He worked hard and played hard.

"But that life has been denied him.

"Getting justice for John has been a difficult journey, but it's a path we would gladly follow again to prevent this happening to another family."

John's elder sister, Kelly Hainsworth, 36, from Swannington, near Coalville, said: "The past eight years have not been about publicity, headlines or notoriety – it has been about John.

"It has been about finding the truth about what happened."

She added: "It has been a long eight years, but we had to walk this path together to get justice for John and to make our NHS the caring place it should be.

"A befitting legacy for John would be for our NHS to be a safe place for all, giving everyone the chance of life, which John was sadly denied."

The four-day inquest heard evidence from friends who were with John at the time of the accident, paramedics, and nurses and doctors involved in his treatment.

The hearing was told that despite paramedics assessing John's condition as "life-threatening" due to the violent impact of the end of his bike's handlebars into his abdomen, nurses at the hospital placed him in a "medium" priority area.

They also did not pass on vital information about the nature of the injury, which Mrs Mason said started a "tragic chain of events".

It meant John was not treated until an hour and a half after his arrival at A&E, and only then by a doctor with only four months' trauma experience. The doctor failed to order scans to investigate the possibility of internal bleeding, and his assessment that John was fit to leave hospital was agreed by a senior colleague who in turn failed to scrutinise the decision properly.

John's friends gave evidence that, on leaving A&E, he was still in pain, in a confused state and nauseous, and had to be transported using a wheelchair.

Ms Mason said: "There was a failure to follow proper and routine procedures."

She said the seriousness of John's condition was not appreciated and decisions in his care were made on incomplete information as a result of "poor communication, poor documentation, inadequate assessment, insufficient investigation and an oversight to consider the medical notes that were available".

The inquest heard that the A&E department was also seriously understaffed on the day of John's admission.

"Collectively, these failings and continuous sequence of shortcomings more than minimally contributed to Mr Moore-Robinson's death," said Ms Mason.

She said that meant the opportunity to give John the appropriate care he needed in hospital was lost.

"On a balance of probabilities, the loss of his life could have been prevented," she said.

Police are backing a Neighbourhood Watch chairman's bid to end the theft of licence plates.

Eric Tindall, the Melton Neighbourhood Watch chairman, has launched an online petition calling for all number plates to be fitted with special security screws, which he hopes will prevent criminals disguising their cars with stolen plates before they commit crimes.

In the UK there are about 45,000 licence plate thefts each year.

Eric's crusade is being supported by Leicestershire police.

Inspector John Gray, commander at Melton police, said: "We are very proud of Eric for taking on board this issue and coming up with a strategy to tackle it.

"We fully support the initiative and encourage as many people as possible, across the country, to sign the petition."

He said the main crime committed with stolen plates is bilking, when a suspect fills up with fuel then drives away from a filling station without paying.

Other crimes using stolen plates can include speeding, illegal parking and red traffic light jumping.

Eric wants to see number plate security screws fitted at the point of sale and during MOT tests.

He has already visited the Home Office to speak about the merits of the scheme.

To get the issue to be raised in the House of Commons, Eric has created an e-petition in the hope of getting at least 100,000 signatures.

He said: "The police and neighbourhood watch in Melton, Leicestershire and various force areas across the UK have been running a security screw initiative in conjunction with local garages for a number of years.

"The scheme has been relatively successful, however it is only on a small scale with limited results.

"If all cars were fitted with security screws at the point of sale or at their next MOT, I am sure that we would begin to see a noticeable decrease in car cloning."

Jim Maddan, chair of the national Neighbourhood and Home Watch Network, is also backing Eric.

He said: "I am delighted that Eric has taken it upon himself to flag this issue.

"Theft of number plates is a crime that can easily be prevented and I wholeheartedly support Eric's petition.

"I would encourage all other Neighbourhood and Home Watch members to sign this petition."

To sign the e-petition and support the scheme, visit:

http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/68647