A new treatment for asthma patients which was trialled at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital has been licensed for use.

It could help to prevent the number of emergency admissions to hospital due to asthma attacks.

Latest figures show that between April 2010 and the end of March 2011 a total of 145 people for every 100,000 adults in the city needed an emergency hospital admission for the condition - the second highest figure in the country.

The drug, used through an inhaler, is intended for adult patients who have suffered one or more severe attacks of asthma in the previous year.

The studies showed that the treatment - Spiriva Respimat - reduced the number of patients who had severe asthma attacks as well reducing the risk of severe attack.

In addition it delayed the time in which the asthma worsened from 181 days to 315 days.

Professor Peter Bradding, a consultant in respiratory medicine at Glenfield Hospital, said: "Over half of asthma patients continue to experience symptoms, despite current treatment options, leaving patients across Leicester and the rest of the East Midlands with a reduced quality of life and an unacceptably high risk of having an asthma attack.

"Asthma attacks are frightening and can occasionally be fatal."

He added: "This new treatment has the potential to reduce asthma symptoms in adult patients and prevent asthma attacks, and will provide doctors with a much-needed new treatment for this common disease."

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways, caused primarily by inflammation and constriction of the smooth muscle in airway walls.

It is commonly triggered by viral respiratory infections, exercise, smoke, cold and allergens such as pollen, mould, animal fur and the house dust mite.

Patients suffer from recurring episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing.

The symptoms can be much worse at night.

Latest figures show that more than 60,000 people across Leicestershire suffer from asthma.

Prevalence of asthma in the UK is among the highest in the world, with 4.3 million adults currently receiving treatment.

The new treatment works by opening narrowed airways and helps to keep them open for at least 24 hours.

It is already licensed for the treatment of patients with chronic lung disease known chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

The cost of Spiriva Respimat for people with asthma is £33.50 per 30 days.

Each device delivers enough for 60 puffs – two puffs once a day.

Dr Charles De Wet is medical director UK and Ireland at the pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim which has developed the treatment.

He said: "We have over 90 years' experience in the field of respiratory medicine and we are committed to bringing new treatment options to patients particularly in areas of high unmet need.

"Launching Spiriva Respimat in asthma is a first for this class of medicine and we are delighted to lead the way."

Charity Cats Protection has found that too many owners are letting their love for their moggies cloud their judgement when it comes to providing a stress-free home.

The findings come ahead of a new BBC Two Horizon documentary series (Cat Watch 2014: The New Horizon Experiment) starting on Tuesday 7 October, which follows the lifestyles of 100 cats.

Cats Protection, which took part in the series, questioned 1,300 cat owners and found that when it comes to dealing with their stressed out pet, more than half (53 per cent) would give it a cuddle.

But apparently, while we humans might instinctively want to hug our loved ones when they are feeling stressed or upset, that is not how we should behave towards cats.

"Being held or stroked for too long can be very stressful for some cats," said Nicky Trevorrow, behaviour manager at Cats Protection, which works across Leicestershire as well as nationally. "Space and peace is often what they need - they're not small furry humans so what would comfort us won't necessarily comfort them."

In line with the findings of the BBC programme, Cats Protection's survey found that cat owners in the UK find it difficult to recognise signs of stress in their cat, and many are at a loss as to what to do about it.

In particular, the charity said:

• More than half of owners (55 per cent) didn't realise that living with another cat or dog can be stressful for their pet.
• Half the owners (50 per cent) were unaware that other cats coming into the house could be a cause of stress.
• More than a third (35 per cent) let neighbouring cats in, either through a door or window, or their own cat's cat flap.
• More than half of respondents (51 per cent) failed to identify wetting and soiling in the house as a sign of stress.
• Only a quarter (26 per cent) knew that grooming a particular area all the time was also an indication of stress.

"Owners love their animals and want them to be happy," said Nicky. "But our research has highlighted a lack of understanding of stress triggers for cats and how to deal with them."

The charity has also produced five top tips to help relieve stress in cats:

1. Try not to overly stroke or cuddle a cat which is showing signs of stress as it can make it worse.

2. Always provide your cats with easily accessible places to hide and let them stay in there for as long as they want to. A hiding place makes them feel safe and secure and can be something as simple as a cardboard box on its side or upside down. Or you could buy an igloo-style cat bed.

3. Cats feel safer if they can view their surroundings from up high, so make sure they can access somewhere like the top of the wardrobe or a high shelf.

4. Make sure there is enough food, water and litter trays for the all of the cats in the household. The ideal number of litter trays is one per cat plus one extra.

5. Install a microchip or magnetic cat flap, which lets your cats into your property and keeps neighbouring cats out.

Health officials have agreed not to move outpatient clinics out of a hospital until they are sure suitable alternatives are in place.

However, they are pushing ahead with plans to close the Ashby and District Community Hospital.

This is despite a survey organised by the Ashby Civic Society which so far been signed by more than 3,000 people - 99 per cent of whom want to keep the hospital.

At a meeting with bosses from the West Leicestershire clinical commissioning group (CCG), which plans and pays for health services, and the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, the civic society has called for a pause in any further withdrawal of services until it can be proved the changes are benefiting patients in north west Leicestershire.

David Price, a member of the society, said: "It is imperative there is no disposal or final decommissioning of the site until this is demonstrated by empirical long-term evidence.

"The stated objective of the CCG when it began its consultation process was 'improving community health services for patients in Ashby'.

"That is our objective too and we intend to hold it to its commitment."

He added: "In representing the views of Ashby and district residents we had to explain to the meeting that people were increasingly frustrated and angry that a valuable and proven asset was being lost with no perceived gains."

Mr Price said there were also "serious concerns" about alternative inpatient bed capacity.

The society now wants on going data to show there are enough beds to cope with a winter surge in demand.

He added: "We will be encouraging people to tell us if they or a loved one finds they are being transferred or admitted to a community hospital far from home because no placement is available locally.

"We share a view that having patients close to relatives and friends is an aid to speedy recovery."

The group is continuing with its survey and is planning to present it to David Sharp, NHS England's area director for Leicestershire and Lincolnshire.

After the meeting Rachel Bilsborough, community health services divisional director with the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said: "We understand the concerns and we reiterated that changes to out patient services will only be implemented once we are fully satisfied with the arrangements for the new services that will replace them."

Sileby GP Professor Mayur Lakhani, chairman of the CCG, said: "We were delighted to receive a presentation from the Ashby Civic Society.

"Submissions like this are very useful to our board and we will consider the points discussed carefully.

"I am sure that people will understand that the CCG frequently has to make difficult decisions."

Hinckley GP Dr Nick Wilmott, clinical lead for the Ashby District Hospital consultation, said he was confident the consultation had been "comprehensive" and included a pre-consultation programme of events of one-to-one and group discussions.

He added: "From the high volume of people we had conversations with and those who completed our surveys we ascertained that people really wanted the ability to be cared for in their own homes."

Tony Herbert did not consider himself the height of fashion but it did not stop him taking to the catwalk for charity this week.

The 67-year-old was one of two men taking part in the show for the national charity Breast Cancer Care at London's Grosvenor House Hotel this week.

Mr Herbert was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 2010 - it is estimated that nearly one man a day each year is found to have the disease.

He said: "I wanted to show people you can overcome cancer and live a normal life again.

"You don't really hear anything about men getting breast cancer. I think people naturally assume only women can get breast cancer, but it can affect anyone."

It was five months after he first felt a lump in his breast that he went to his GP.

Further tests proved it to be breast cancer and he had mastectomy followed by chemo and radiotherapy.

Mr Herbert, who is now retired, has to have regular hospital check ups but describes himself as being "nearly back to being myself."

Mr Herbert, from Wigston, was one of two men and a total of 24 models taking part in two shows - one in the afternoon and a second in the evening.

They wore high street outfits as well as items by designers such as Stella McCartney, Temperley London and Jenny Packham.

Being in the minority the two men featured in most of the show scenarios which include pirate and equestrian themes.

Mr Herbert, who is now training to be a mentor with Breast Cancer Care to help other men diagnosed with the disease, said: "This will be the first time ever on a professional catwalk.

"I have not exactly got a reputation as a snappy dresser but I was prepared to put my reputation on the line for a good cause.

"I am extremely keen to raise awareness of breast cancer in men as an early diagnosis greatly increases the chances of a favourable outcome."

In the audience in the evening were his wife Brenda and 27-year-old daughter Jen.

Mrs Herbert, 63, said: "Tony was a bit nervous as the time for the show approached but I think he was a bit happier after the first rehearsal about a week before the show.

"You don't automatically think of Tony and fashion.

"For 40 years I have been trying to make him look smart - perhaps this will be the turning point."

Mr Herbert is also helping raise money for Breast Cancer Care.

People can help him by donating via www.justgiving.com/herbie47/

She's about to prove she has nerves of steel, but mum Vickie Presley still shudders at the memory of being separated from her newborn son when she was diagnosed with a rare cancer.

Vickie, 34, from Burbage, is raising money for research into the disease by running up three of London's tallest buildings. But she says the challenge is nothing compared with the trauma she faced three years ago, when her son was born eight weeks early and doctors diagnosed her with a life-threatening illness days later.

She said: "There was no sign of anything untoward until, out of the blue, my waters broke when I was 26 weeks.

"But I managed not to go into labour for a further six weeks.

"Oliver was born on September 20, 2011 and weighed 3lb 13oz – we were quite proud of his weight – and within four hours he was breathing on his own."

Joy was short-lived, as Vickie's placenta failed to come away, despite an operation to "unstick" it.

She said: "A few days later, the plan was to send me home and see if it came 'unstuck', but my consultant thought something was not quite right."

A series of tests at Walsgrave Hospital, Coventry, where Oliver was born, revealed Vickie had a rare type of cancer called gestational choriocarcinoma.

It is a fast-growing malignant tumour which grows in the placenta when cells that were part of a normal pregnancy become cancerous and can spread to other parts of the body.

The cancer affects about one in 50,000 pregnancies.

The condition is so rare that Vickie, a cognitive behavioural therapist, had to be rushed to London's Charing Cross Hospital, one of two specialist centres in the country, to confirm diagnosis and begin emergency chemotherapy before it spread to other parts of the her body.

The tumour had grown alongside her baby and effectively "pushed" him out early.

Vickie said: "The two weeks apart from Oliver were probably the longest and most tortuous of my life. But the thought of him and my most amazing and supportive family absolutely kept me going.

"I had a bundle of hope in Oliver which made me grit my teeth and get on with it."

Vickie, who is married to Andy, had to have intensive chemotherapy treatment for three-and-a-half months and still has checks every two months.

She is now fund-raising for Stand Up To Cancer – a joint campaign between Cancer Research UK and Channel 4.

Vickie is taking part in London 3 Peaks on Sunday.

She will run up three of London's tallest buildings, run about 5km between locations and abseil off the third tower.

Vickie will be among 400 people climbing 30 St Mary Axe – better known at The Gherkin; Salesforce Tower London – formerly known as Heron Tower and 200 Aldersgate, which will also host a 180ft abseil down the building in a grand finale for contestants.

Vickie said: "I think the abseil will be the most exciting and amazing part of the challenge." She has already broken her target of raising £1,000 for Cancer Research UK but is hoping she will be able to added to the total.

Paula Young, Cancer Research UK spokesman for Leicestershire, said: "We're thrilled Vickie will be joining us for the challenge."

To sponsor Vickie, visit:

www.justgiving.com/Vickie-Presley

A four-vehicle crash on the M1 northbound is causing rush-hour chaos.

The accident happened between junction 24 and 24a in the Kegworth area and is causing queues back to junction 23.

The motorway closed briefly at about 4pm but re-opened within half an hour. The tailbacks are taking a long time to clear.

Three people have minor injuries as a result of the accident.

Leah Clarke has a condition so rare that it does not have a name.

She cannot drink fluids, has limited speech and can't sit, crawl, or walk.

She has to take liquids through a tube into her tummy

The three-year-old has a list of debilitating ailments and doctors have told her family that she will never walk.

But her family are hoping an event to raise cash for a sensory unit at her home will be a lifeline for the youngster.

Leah's mum Sue, 39, said doctors can't give Leah's condition a name.

"There is just one big list of everything.

"It is overwhelming. She can roll around, can grasp things and feed herself finger food, but that is it."

As part of Leah's treatment she attends sessions at Leicester Royal Infirmary where there is a sensory unit with fibre optic lights, a projector, a cd player and bubble mirrors.

Sue, of Marsden Avenue, Queniborough, said: "I have wanted one for Leah's bedroom for a long time because she absolutely loves it.

"It would mean absolutely everything to Leah.

"It stimulates her to reach for things and interact."

Local residents Joanne King and Claire Ion read about Leah's condition on Facebook and contacted Sue to say they wanted to raise money for a sensory room.

Sue said it was overwhelming when Jo and Claire got in touch.

The fundraiser will take place on Saturday, November 15 with a band playing at Sims pub, in East Goscote.

Joanne King, 43, of East Goscote said she wanted to raise money for someone local.

"If I can raise £4,000 on the night that would be fantastic.

"I have only known Sue and Leah for two weeks, but it like they have always been part of my life.

"Leah is absolutely gorgeous. If it is going to give her a better quality of life that is absolutely fantastic."

Joanne regularly raises money for local charities and has raised £54,000 over the past 13 and a half years

Sue added it was possible that Leah would never be able to talk properly.

At the moment she can say a handful of words like "mamma", "dadda" and "yog-yog" for yoghurt.

Sue's partner Alan Smart is over-the-moon about the fundraiser.

Alan, 41, said: "It is going to be overwhelming night."

He said Leah has a very cheeky and mischievous.

"She is an amazing little character. Everyone that knows her falls in love with her eyes.

"She has been through so much for someone so little."

The doctors do not know what is in store for Leah's future, but her family remain positive.

Tickets cost £10, call Joanne on 07850 058781. Or to donate visit: https://www.justgiving.com/yimby/leahclarke

More than a dozen Leicester curry houses have been shortlisted for national awards.

After months of fierce competition, nominations have closed and the shortlist for this year's English Curry Awards has been announced.

More than 10,000 nominations flooded in from all over England.

The Leicester nominations are:

Chef and Spice, Andrewes Street, Leicester for New Restaurant of the Year.

The Tiffin Food Company for Healthy Curry Provider.

The Curry Fever, in Belgrave Road, Leicester for Team/Service of the Year.

Flamingo Bar and Grill, in Loughborough Road, Leicester for Chef of the Year.

Chutneys, Aylestone Road, Leicester and Tawa Curry Hut, Clarendon Park Road, Leicester for Takeaway of the Year.

Santhi Restaurant, Granby Street, Leicester for Restaurant of the Year.

The fourth annual English Curry Awards will take place at the AJ Bell Stadium in Manchester on the October 13. Judges will now visit shortlisted restaurants and takeaways.

Yasmin Mahmood, operations director for event organisers Oceanic Consulting, said: "Each year awards have grown from strength to strength, as we see an increase of nominations for those hidden gems as well as the better known curry houses.

"All the finalists are truly deserving and we wish everyone the best of luck."

The awards will also help raise funds for the official charity partner The Well Foundation.

Where's is your favourite curry house or takeaway? Let us know. 

Today is National Poetry day - the country's biggest celebration of verse.

A survey for the event revealed The Owl and the Pussycat, written in 1871 by Edward Lear, as the most popular children's poem. 

In second place was Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star and third was Humpty Dumpty.

What is your favourite poem? Let us know.

A Rothley couple have salvaged their wedding 24-hours after the original venue where they were set to wed went up in smoke.

Jonathan Cook and his fiancee Kathryn Plant were faced with a frantic race against time following a huge blaze at Crathorne Hall, in North Yorkshire on Wednesday.

The devastated couple spent hours re-planning their £9,000 wedding, which had originally taken nine months to organise.

Jonathan, 29, said: "It's definitely the craziest 24 hours I've ever had.

"It's you're worst nightmare getting that call. It's been so surreal, such a rollercoaster.

"It got to the point where we were just hoping to get married - it might not be the venue we had planned, or the food we had planned but as long as we were happy."

Following news of the fire, offers poured in from local residents wanting to assist the couple with re-organising their wedding.

"We've been overwhelmed with the amount of people who have offered to help," added Jonathan.

"I probably received more than 20 phone calls from locals willing to help, it was definitely heart-warming."

The couple first learned of the fire when they received a phone call yesterday morning, as they were driving up to Yorkshire from Leicestershire.

Jonathan said: "Originally, they were hoping to keep going, albeit we'd probably have to relocate a few guests.

"But by the afternoon, we got a call saying they would not be having events over this weekend and our wedding was off."

Jonathan said his wife-to-be, Kathryn, 30, who was having her hair done at the time, "burst into tears" after finding out.

The couple had planned on getting married at 2pm today, before they and their 60 guests enjoyed a hot air balloon ride.

The evening reception, again at the hall, would then round off a perfect day before the couple flew off to Rome on honeymoon.

Luckily, thanks to the support from the community, the relieved couple will still be getting married today - albeit, half-an-hour earlier.

"We had two vicars call us and one of them booked us in - so now we're sorted with a church," said Jonathan.

"And a local wedding venue is working with the Cranthorne Hall to make sure as many of our plans can stay the same."

Jonathan and Kathryn were among dozens of due-to-wed couples affected by the fire.

Douglas Waddell, operations director of Hand Picked Hotels, which runs Crathorne Hall, said: "We are in touch with those affected. We will assess the building to see what we can do.

"We work with other hotels and hope to get it resolved as professionally as we can." 

They've been dubbed the team that forgot how to win. So what exactly has happened with Leicestershire County Cricket Club, who finished another forlorn season bottom of the table and without a league win?

In tomorrow's edition of More, we ask the question that's had county cricket fans scratching their heads in disbelief: Owzat?

Also in More, we go behind the scenes at Curve's upcoming production of Abigail's Party. Plus, as Navratri reaches its peak, we talk to one of the organisers of the Leicester festival. And a 99-year-old man who survived the vicious Japanese PoW camps looks back on his extraordinary life in our This Much I Know slot. 

We've got reviews of the latest DVDs, including A Million Ways To Die In The West and Mr Peabody and Sherman, telly chef Rachel Allen shares some recipes for sweets success and we're off to California in our travel pages. And you can meet the man who ran 10 marathons in 10 days.

All this, plus fashion, shopping and our top tips for stuff to do in Leicestershire over the weekend, your seven day TV guide to the week ahead and loads more too.

Oh, and columnist Fred Leicester gives his essential style tips to befuddled fashionistas too. Here's a sneak preview: "Dropped crotch jeans - these are a bad idea. They make you look like you are wearing a nappy under your trousers." Don't miss More, free with your Leicester Mercury tomorrow. 

A Leicestershire woman has apparently fled her home after being accused of targeting missing Madeleine McCann's parents, Kate and Gerry, via Twitter.

Brenda Leyland, 63, of Burton Overy, was yesterday confronted by Sky News, which claimed she was one of dozens of so-called trolls - people who post abusive messages online - targeting the Rothley couple over the internet.

Sky News reporter Martin Brunt visited Ms Leyland's home and asked her why she was using her Twitter account to attack the McCanns.

The conversation was caught on camera, with Ms Leyland, who apparently uses the identity Sweepyface on the social networking website, replying: "I'm entitled to."

Mr Brent is then filmed telling Ms Leyland that she had been reported to the police, and that Scotland Yard was investigating a dossier of Twitter accounts which had apparently shown abuse against the McCanns.

Ms Leyland, who is believed to be a mother-of-two who has lived in the village for around 15 years, replied: "That's fair enough."

Police have confirmed that they are examining a number of trolls who have posted threatening messages online about Madeleine McCann, who disappeared while on a family holiday in Portugal, in May, 2007, and targeted at her parents.

Metropolitan Police received a "letter and documentation" last month containing a list of the online abuse.

They are investigating a series of messages, written on Twitter, Facebook, message boards and forums.

The dossier is reported to have been 80 pages long, and to stem back over the past seven years.

It was compiled by members of the public concerned about the abuse.

The Mercury visited Burton Overy yesterday, but on discovering Ms Leyland was not at home was told by a neighbour that she had "fled the village".

The resident, who would rather not be named said: "Somebody took a photo of her on Thursday afternoon and then she was gone.

"I haven't seen her since."

Accusations of Ms Leyland being involved with the internet attacks appears to have shocked many residents in Burton Overy, a small, idyllic village in south-east Leicestershire.

One resident said: "I was totally surprised.

"But while I wouldn't condone what Brenda is accused of doing, I am worried for her safety now she has apparently fled the village."

A fellow villager said: "We all have opinions on things but they should be kept to yourself."

Another person said: "I find it quite sad that people sit in their house all day just tweeting about stuff.

"I don't think what these people have done is nice at all, I think it's horrible."

Meanwhile Kate and Gerry have received a £55,000 in libel damages from the Sunday Times.

According to BBC News, the payout came after the newspaper claimed the couple had withheld details about their daughter's disappearance from authorities.

Kate and Gerry reportedly said the Sunday Times did not provide them with a proper opportunity to comment and chose not to publish key parts of their response.

The Sunday Times said it has agreed a settlement with Kate and Gerry.

The money will be donated by Kate and Gerry to two charities for missing people and sick children.

Police in Norfolk have released dramatic footage which shows a gang of masked raiders stealing a cash machine.

It comes as three men were yesterday sentenced to a total of 14 years in prison after admitting three other ram-raids and a series of house burglaries in Norfolk and neighbouring counties.

John Eli Loveridge (38), his son John Stanley Loveridge (19), and 34-year-old Leonard Smith broke into homes stealing high performance cars and would go on to use some in cash point raids.

Leonard Smith, John Loveridge Jnr, John Loveridge Snr

In autumn 2013 detectives launched an operation targeting suspects after linking ram-raids at Weeting in September and Easton in October.

The inquiry also focused on a series of house burglaries across the region prior to the ram-raids, during which the suspects stole high-powered vehicles. 

The first ram-raid took place on Thursday, September 26, 2013, at around 10.40pm, when the gang used a green Cherokee to smash the front door of Weeting Post Office. Attempts were made to steal the cash machine, but nothing was stolen and the vehicle was abandoned at the scene.

Just over two weeks later the group struck again, this time targeted Easton College sports centre. A 4x4 was driven through the glass doors to the sports centre before the cash register from the ATM, containing about £26,000 was taken.

A cash machine containing about £12,000 was stolen from Namco Funscape in Bowthorpe on Friday, November 1. Two stolen vehicles, a 4x4 and a BMW, were used in the raid which happened at about 8.30pm on Barnard Road.

The investigation culminated in a covert policing operation at the University of East Anglia on December 2, after police received information suggesting the venue maybe targeted by criminals.

Shortly before 8.20pm that night, a black Mercedes 4x4 approached the entrance of the Student Union and two of the defendants, Loveridge (jnr) and Smith, dressed in white dust suits and balaclavas went inside while Loveridge (snr) waited outside with the 4x4.

A tow rope attached to the Mercedes was wrapped around the cash machine, allowing the suspects to rip the ATM from its base. The cash point, which contained in excess of £10,000, flew about six foot in the air and travelled about 20ft before crashing into a wall landing on the floor.

Police moved in to arrest the suspects who all made efforts to escape; Loveridge (jnr) and Smith were detained following a short foot pursuit and Loveridge (snr) was arrested after a police car rammed the Mercedes as he tried to escape in the 4x4.

Loveridge (snr), of Beck Row, Mildenhall, Loveridge (jnr), of Greenways in Newton Flotman and Leonard Smith, of Moat Way, in Swavesey, all pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to two counts of conspiracy to commit burglary and were sentenced yesterday.rsday 2 October) at Norwich Crown Court.

The first count related to incidents at the UEA on 2 December, Namco Funscape in Bowthorpe on 1 November, Easton College on October 12 and Weeting Post Office on 26 September last year. The second count was in relation to house burglaries in Norfolk, Suffolk and Cambridgeshire between May and December last year.

Loveridge (snr) was sentenced to six years inprison, Loveridge (jnr) to four years and Smith also received a four year sentence.

Investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Richard Dickinson, from Norwich CID, welcomed the sentences. He said: "This was a challenging and lengthy investigation culminating in a successful covert operation which led to the arrest of the suspects.

"We carried out a number of complex lines of enquiry to show their involvement in other crimes and this work ultimately led to the suspects entering guilty pleas.

"This was an organised gang who were prepared to burgle houses and steal cars in order to commit further crimes. It's fortunate no one was injured when the gang carried out the raids as the technique used resulted in the cash machines flying through the air, as shown in the UEA CCTV, which could have easily hit an innocent member of the public.

"Hopefully these sentences will bring some comfort to the many distressed victims and witnesses in these crimes who have suffered at the hands of these dangerous men."

Sales are up at Leicestershire homeware business Dunelm.
Total sales for July, August and September were up 17 per cent to £180.6 million, compared to the same period in 2013 when they were £154.3 million.
The business said most of the growth was down to new store openings. Like for like sales – comparing shops which were already open last year was up 8.9 per cent.
A statement from the company said: "Trading was strong during the quarter, with like-for-like growth reflecting the relatively weak performance during the comparable quarter last year when footfall was subdued by unusually warm weather.
As at September 27, there were 137 superstores across the UK, including one store opened in the quarter.
"A total of 11 further openings are under contract, including one relocation, and all of these are expected to commence trading in the current financial year."
Will Adderley, chief executive of the Syston-based company which was created by his mother and father, said: "Our sales performance has been strong in the first quarter, driven partly by soft comparatives from last year but also by the strength of the Dunelm offer and an increasing awareness of that offer across the UK.
"As we look forward, our focus is very much on driving sales. We intend to capitalise on the significant investments we have made, and continue to make, across our business to underpin long term growth; and we intend to keep on delivering excellent value and service to our customers.
"Despite the inevitable short-term impact of those investments, I am confident that we can continue to deliver significant profitable growth over the years to come."

Leicester's deputy mayor says he won't be put off from doing more Twitter question and answer sessions by people teasing him on the social network during his first attempt.

Councillor Rory Palmer spent an hour online today inviting people to pose questions using the hashtag #askDepMayor.

While a number of serious issues were raised about Leicester City Council business some tweets were more about light-hearted banter.

The Labour deputy mayor was asked if he and mayor Sir Peter Soulsby had a similar power-sharing agreement to Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, what his "carrying condiment" was and what he considered to be Phil Collins' defining album.

Councillor Palmer took part in the Q&A from his office in City Hall, the former Willie Thorne Snooker Centre, and also asked if he was based in the room where the snooker legend had compiled his first 147 break.

He replied: "I don't know. They wouldn't let me keep the snooker table when we moved in."

While coun Palmer was asked a number of questions on the city's controversial Jubilee Square development, road maintenance and cycling infrastructure he was also asked if he had ever met the Rory Palmer on Auckland Council in New Zealand and what his dream job would be if he were not deputy mayor. He said he would like to be a chef.

Coun Palmer said: "Look, it was a serious attempt to engage people in what we are doing. It follows on from the meet the mayor sessions we have been doing and the executive briefings we have.

"I half expected there to be a range of questions. There were always going to be am mixture of the serious and the more fun ones.

"I tried to answer as many of both as I could.

"The hour went really quickly. The hashtag got really busy. Lots of people were retweeting things and by the time you'd extracted the question from the feed and framed an answer, more had come in.

"I know I haven't answered all of them but It was a really interesting experience and we will definitely be doing more of it.

"It won't always be me. It will be other politicians, heads of scrutiny commissions and officers.

"We have to see Twitter and digital media as a way of engaging with people.

"There will always be people who don't take it serious but isn't a new thing on social media. In a public meeting I was once asked what my favourite sandwich filling was."

To follow the Q&A on Twitter search for #askDepMayor

Two masked robbers attacked a man with an iron bar as he left a jewellery shop today. The pair hit their victim on the head and snatched a bag which contained a "large amount" of gold jewellery from him. The man and his wife were attacked as they left Arti Jewellers in Leicester's Narborough Road shortly before 2pm. The robbers escaped in a car driven by an accomplice. The man was taken to hospital for treatment to a head injury. His wife was also taken to hospital, although it is not clear in what way she was hurt. A neighbouring shop-keeper said: "We heard a lady screaming and I got to the door of my shop in time to see a man running toward a car. "It all happened so quickly I didn't see his face. He got into a black car, a Skoda I think, and it drove away fast. "This is Narborough Road, so there were lots of people around and some of them were trying to help the man who had been hurt. "I was told he was with his wife and that's who we heard screaming. I hope they are both okay." Another shop-owner added: "It's broad daylight and this man has been attacked in one of the busiest streets in the city. "People were saying it's a couple who were quite elderly.

Nigel Pearson believes Leicester City supporters have a massive role to play as his side attempt to secure their Premier League future.

Pearson said the atmosphere within the King Power Stadium for the last home fixture, the historic win over Manchester United, was the best he has experienced as City boss and he has called for the Blue Army to replicate it again when Burnley visit today. City have come from behind in all three of their opening home fixtures this season to remain unbeaten on home soil and Pearson, pictured, believes the fans have played a big part in he side's resilience.

"I don't think I have been involved in that sort of atmosphere here before," said Pearson, in reference to the visit of United a fortnight ago.

"It was pretty unique, but probably so was the game. We must try to reproduce that.

"But it is going to be important for us, over the course of a season, to create that sort of atmosphere here.

"I suppose the onus is always on us to get the performance right, but it is also important for everyone, the fans, players and staff alike, to go into these games feeling it is as important. It really is."

Pearson admits the emphasis is on his players to give the home support something to get excited about but he believes the City fans also recognise he has a group of players with the ability to keep taking the club forwards.

"There is no doubt playing in front of your home fans, if there is a positive atmosphere, can clearly have more benefits," he said.

"My views on this are we take responsibility for putting the fans in a positive frame of mind.

"If they have belief that we will go out there and give everything first and foremost, that is the baseline, then they will support us.

"If they see a brand of football on top of that which they enjoy they are more likely to cut you some slack when things don't quite go so well.

"It doesn't work the other way round. You can't expect the fans to be the catalyst for the atmosphere.

"I can sense this year our supporters are enjoying being back in the Premier League having waited a while for it to happen.

"So I would hope people would have a more positive mind-set in terms of how we approach the season.

"I would like to think there is a recognition that the club to move forward."

Hundreds of nurses, midwives and other health workers, including ambulance staff are set to stage a four-hour strike on Monday, October 13.

Top doctors have stopped just short of a walk out, which will be from 7-11am, and will be working to rule instead.

The strike action agreed by health trade unions will be followed by four days of working to rule.

Health and ambulance bosses across Leicestershire and the East Midlands are drawing up contingency plans to cope with any disruption

The action is in protest at the Government's decision to deny a one per cent NHS pay award to health staff.

It is the first time in the 133 year history of the Royal College of Midwives that members have voted to take action.

A spokesman for the college said: "Every area will be affected differently but women will not be affected and they should not worry.

"Our midwives will be there for urgent cases and for mums in labour.

"The action is more likely to affect things like ante-natal and post natal appointments which may have to be re-arranged."

Members of the GMB Union, which represents ambulance and other health workers, will be taking part in the action.

A spokesman for East Midlands Ambulance Service said patients should not be worried.

She added: "We will do everything we can to make sure is service is running as normal.

"It is not entirely clear what form of industrial action the unions will take.

"However, we have developed a contingency plan to mitigate the impact on front-line services."

Unite and Unison members have also voted in favour of action.

A spokesman for the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, which runs mental and community health services, said; "We will be meeting with our unions and working with them to allow us to provide safe levels of cover across our services.

"During that time we will get a clearer picture of which of our services will be affected."

Members of the Hospital Consultants and Specialists Association (HCSA), which represents senior hospital doctors in the NHS, voted by 84 per cent to industrial action, short of going on strike.

Instead their members will effectively work to rule.

Members have been asked to make sure they take their scheduled breaks, do not work extra hours outside their job plans and decline to do any extra clinics or operations not already agreed.

Professor John Schofield, HCSA president, said: "Consultants and specialists feel undervalued and undermined, but they are also angry at the treatment of other NHS colleagues."

Richard Mitchell, chief operating officer at Leicester's hospitals said: "Patient safety remains our key priority and we already have plans in place to safeguard our services, while continuing to support the rights of our staff.

"Staff within a union which has balloted in favour of action are not obliged to tell us if they are planning to strike, however we are asking them to inform their line manager as a courtesy, to help us take the necessary steps to ensure all essential services are maintained wherever possible with minimal disruption to our patients."