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Wasps move to Coventry is odd, says Leicester Tigers' coach Cockerill

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Leicester Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has described Wasps' controversial move to play their games in Coventry as "odd".

Dai Young's side will leave Wycombe's Adams Park and play their home games in the Ricoh Arena from December.

The move has led to a torrent of criticism from traditional Wasps supporters, who will now have to travel between 75 and 100 miles from their base near London to watch 'home games'

Coventry city councillors "unanimously agreed" Wasps' proposals for the move and the club said they were "delighted".

But the majority of Wasps fans reacted with fury with words like "disgraceful" and "sell-out" being bandied about.

Cockerill, who grew up in Coventry, said he would be "intrigued" to see how the move panned out.

"Wasps is an odd one," he said. "They will now travel 100 miles for their home games. I am not really sure how that is going to work.

"I am from Coventry so it's like going home for me.

"It will be another game down the M69 instead of going to Wycombe, so that is perfect.

"I will be intrigued as to how it works.

"My in-laws live near where Wasps play at the minute and I drive down there to see them.

"It takes me an hour and 40 minutes on a good day. Their supporters will have to make the same trip now.

"If Leicester Tigers moved to, say, Milton Keynes, would we get 22,000 every week?

"They must have done some research but it is a hard demographic to sell to.

"Coventry Rugby Club has fallen away in recent years and rugby supporters have gone to watch Saints, Tigers or Worcester instead.

"Are those people going to go to the Ricoh Arena just because it might be closer?"

A crucial question about the move that Tigers and Worcester wanted answering was whether Wasps would be allowed to impose on their catchment area for attracting young players to their academies.

And I understand that Wasps will not be allowed to recruit young players from in and around their new location and will have to continue taking promising youngsters from near their Acton training base, near London.

"It is no secret that the club has been searching for a permanent home for many years," said a Wasps spokesman.

"We are very excited to be in a position to fulfil this ambition and to be able to move to the Ricoh Arena.We truly believe this is the best option to secure a successful long-term future."


Basketball: Deal is Pukka one for Leicester Riders

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Leicester Riders have announced two new sponsorship deals with local companies.

Pukka Pies has penned a two-year extension which will see the team wearing new shirts for the current season.

Based in Syston and employing more than 250 staff, Pukka brand manager Sally Voss said the company was continuing its policy of "supporting locally".

"As a Leicestershire business, we feel very proud to be supporting Riders," she said.

With the club set to move to a new £4.2million, 2,000-capacity arena in the city next season, Riders commercial manager Ian Davidson said these are "exciting times".

"Our sport has attracted much new attention recently, and with a new arena to look forward to, I think I can speak for everyone involved when I say that we are all excited about our future," said Davidson.

"We are delighted to have the support of Pukka Pies – a world-renowned brand."

The club has also joined up with Arriva Midlands to try to ease the travel for supporters to Riders games at Loughborough University this season.

Riders fans in Leicester will be able to take advantage of the offer by Arriva Midlands to buy a day ticket for the date of the fixture for £3 instead of the usual price of £6.20.

The services 126 and 127 run from Leicester city centre direct to Loughborough University and the last bus back is well after the end of any Riders game.

Car destroyed by fire after crash in The Fairway, Oadby

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A car burst into flames after a crash in Oadby.

Two vehicles collided in The Fairway at about 7.40pm yesterday and it was reported to the fire service that one of the vehicles had smoke coming from it.

Two crews from Wigston fire station arrived to find the car well alight. They had to use breathing equipment to fight the fire, which completely destroyed the car.

No one was trapped in their vehicle and it is not believed there were any serious injuries.

Car destroyed by fire after crash in The Fairway, Oadby

Today's weather

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Temperatures look set to stay above 10C (50F) today but with several showers.

The Met Office is predicting maximum temperatures of 14C (57F) with heavy showers around lunchtime and lighter rain in the afternoon.

Tomorrow the temperatures are expected to be slightly higher but with more rain throughout the afternoon and evening.

Further heavy rain is expected on Saturday evening but Sunday is expected to be dry.

Today's weather

Thieves are stealing huge amounts of money from cash machines using software called Tyupkin

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Criminals are stealing huge amounts of money because of a  flaw in cash machines which allows withdrawals without a card.

Interpol has alerted  the United Kingdom and countries on the Continent  Latin America and Asia which have been targeted - and is carrying out an investigation.

Security firm Kaspersky Labs discovered the hack, which is enabled by entering a series of digits on the keypad.

Infected cash machines can be instructed to dispense up to £800 notes at once, without a credit or debit card.. 

Prior to trying to obtain the cash, targeted machines are infected with malicious software via a boot CD. This is done by having physical contact with the ATM.

Once the malware - known as Tyupkin - has been installed, a "mule" sent to collect the cash must enter a code on the machine's key pad.

But Tyupkin then requires a second unique code - randomly generated by an algorithm at a remote location - to unlock the machine and dispense the cash.

It is this part of the process that ensures the criminal who has this algorithm retains control over when and how often these illegal withdrawals occur.

Kaspersky carried out its initial investigation at the "request of a financial institution" - although it would not say which.

The attack does not affect individual customers, instead  it simply instructs the machine to dispense notes, with no link to bank accounts.

Thieves are stealing huge amounts of money from cash machines using  software called Tyupkin

Former England and Leicestershire bowler Jonathan Agnew quits Twitter over row with KP's wife

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Jonathan Agnew has quit Twitter after the fallout from the Kevin Pietersen row and an argument with the cricket star's wife.

The 54-year-old got into a heated debate with Jessica Taylor on the social media site, leading to him receiving a torrent of abuse. The Test Match Special pundit then deleted his account.

Aggers wrote in his last tweet: 'Almost did this last night. This is not what Twitter was when I joined. I will now leave it to the bullies and trolls. Shame.'

The former Leicestershire bowler spoke on Test Match Special  on Tuesday about Pietersen's recent behaviour and the fallout from his controversial new book, while the South African-born batsmen listened in from a BBC studio.

Aggers , who leads the Test Match Special team, suggested that while the 34-year-old pretended to be a strong, confident individual he was in fact 'an anxious, nervous character.'

He then spoke about the infamous parody Twitter account @KPGenius, which a number of England players were said to be involved in.

Following the incident, Agnew and Taylor argued on Twitter about whether the account was in fact run by Pietersen's team-mates.

Taylor said: 'I'm not fighting anyone's battles. As a wife and mother I have every right to defend my family when I see fit. I make no apologies for that.'

Former England and Leicestershire bowler Jonathan Agnew quits Twitter over row with KP's wife

Geary's Bakeries to treble production after £2.3m expansion thanks to Aldi success

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A bakery is set to treble production of its upmarket bread on the back of the soaring growth of discount supermarket chain Aldi.

Geary's Bakeries, of Barrow-upon-Soar, supplies 125,000 loaves to the German-owned grocery group each week.

It has now completed a £2.3 million extension of its factory which will take production capacity to 380,000 loaves a week.

The expansion has taken the factory from 20,000 sq ft to 30,000 sq ft.

Aldi has seen sales soar in the past year by attracting middle-class customers away the major supermarket groups thanks to a range of quality and competitively-priced products.

Managing director Jason Geary said: "Seventy per cent of our business is for Aldi. Everyone knows the success they are having.

"I go to the Aldi store in Market Harborough on a Sunday. The car park used to be half full. Now it's rammed.

"I suppose we are playing a part in that by giving the customer good quality products at good prices."

Mr Geary said his firm's turnover was on course to grow from £9 million in 2013 to £13.5 million next year. The figure should be about £11.5 million this year.

He said the 98-year-old company was on track to make record profits in 2014.

The growth should result in about 15 jobs being created over the next 18 months, said Mr Geary. The company, based in Hayhill Industrial Estate, off Sileby Road, currently employs 120 people.

Geary's expansion has been helped after receiving £150,000 from the Government's Regional Growth Fund.

The money has also gone towards a new £250,000 packaging machine. The other 30 per cent of the business comes from supplying sandwich makers, such as Samworth Brothers-owned Bradgate Bakeries, of Beaumont Leys.

Mr Geary, the fourth generation of his family to run the business, said the firm prided itself on the quality of its products.

It has won more than 4,000 awards and claims to have triumphed at more national championships than any other craft bakery in the country.

"Bread is like wine and cheese. The longer you take making it the better and more natural taste you get from it," said Mr Geary.

Geary's Bakeries to treble production after £2.3m expansion thanks to Aldi success

Tributes paid to young Leicestershire chef killed in car accident in Cornwall

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Tributes have been paid to a young chef  from Leicestershire who was killed in a car crash in Cornwall last weekend.

The man, who has been named locally as Joe Tyers,, died in the crash on the B3314 near Rock in the early hours of September 30.

He was the only occupant of a silver VW Polo which crashed.

Police, fire and ambulance crews were called to the scene, between Wadebridge and Rock, at around 1am. Emergency services said the car was on fire.

Mr Tyers worked for Nathan Outlaw's restaurant at the St Enodoc Hotel in Rock and his bosses paid tribute to him this week.

A statement issued on behalf of the hotel said: "It is with deep sadness we heard of the death of one of our young chefs in a road traffic accident last week.

"Joe Tyers had only been with us a short time but had proved to be a quiet, sensible young man who took his career very seriously. He had already been marked as having a very promising career in the industry and will be missed by the team at Outlaw's.

"Our thoughts are with Joe's family at this very sad time."

A statement issued on behalf of the hotel said: "It is with deep sadness we heard of the death of one of our young chefs in a road traffic accident last week.

"Joe Tyers had only been with us a short time but had proved to be a quiet, sensible young man who took his career very seriously. He had already been marked as having a very promising career in the industry and will be missed by the team at Outlaw's.

"Our thoughts are with Joe's family at this very sad time."

Mr Tyers' death was the second on North Cornwall's roads in a little over a week.

Tributes paid to young Leicestershire chef killed in car accident in Cornwall


The Great British Bake Off final: Frances Quinn hands title to Nancy Birtwhistle

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It was a nail-biting Great British Bake Off final as viewers watched underdog Nancy Birtwhistle triumph while favourite Richard Burr crash and burned.

Even last year's winner, Frances Quinn had predicted builder-come-baker Richard would come out on top.

Speaking to the Mercury before the show, she said: "If I had to say somebody, Richard would win."

But no, it was in fact, Nancy - the "consistent one" - who was crowned baking champ.

After watching the show, Frances tweeted: "Nancy, Nancy, Nancy, no-one is going to forget your name anytime soon."

Nancy, a 60-year-old retired GP surgery manager won the fifth series after wowing the judges with her Moulin Rouge themed showstopper.

The grandmother also beat graphic-designer Luis Troyano to the title.

Following the show, she tweeted: "We are all winners! Luis Troyano and Richard Burr."

Do you think the right person won? Let us know by tweeting us: @Leicester_Merc

The Great British Bake Off final: Frances Quinn hands title to Nancy Birtwhistle

Matty James says he is ready for first start of the season

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Midfielder Matty James says he feels ready to start for Leicester City at Newcastle United next week, if called upon.

James's season has been curtailed so far by a shin injury and he has only made three substitute appearances this season, totally 46 minutes, but he played the full 90 minutes in a behind closed-doors friendly at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Wednesday and says he is now feels ready for his first start of the season.

"I've come on three times in the last three games so that's been really good for my fitness," he said.

"It's great to get 90 minutes. Hopefully I can kick on and get a starting place for the next game.

"It was a good run out for the lads who aren't playing much at the moment or not getting in the squad.

"It gives you a chance to get 90 minutes under your belt.

"I thought the enthusiasm and effort shown by both teams was very good – it was a worthwhile game.

You could be called on at any time – there could be injuries and that's why we have such a big squad.

"You need to be ready and to play the full 90 minutes today is a great thing to be doing while there's an opportunity to do that."

City fielded a strong side which included Danny Simpson, Marcin Wasilewski, Esteban Cambiasso, Anthony Knockaert, Chris Wood and Nick Powell, but youngsters James Pearson and Callum Elder also got a run out.

"They (Pearson and Elder) did really well – I think it helps when they get to play with first team players," said James.

"It gives them an experience that they might not have had before.

"Playing against tough opposition is always good for them.

"Our work rate was fantastic. I think the effort from all the players was really good."

Powell was on the score sheet while Wood scored twice in a 3-2 win and James believes the goals will give both strikers a confidence boost.

"Powelly showed great work rate and I'm glad he got his goal," said James.

"Woody's goals were good. He's going to thrive when he scores goals so it's important that he does that.

"He's just got to keep working hard and hopefully he'll start scoring goals in the first team."

I feel ready to start at Newcastle, says Leicester City's Matty James

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Midfielder Matty James says he feels ready to start for Leicester City at Newcastle next week, if called upon.

James' season has been curtailed so far by a shin injury and he has only made three substitute appearances to date, totalling 46 minutes.

However, he played the full 90 minutes in a behind closed-doors friendly at Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground on Wednesday and says he now feels ready for his first start of the season.

"I've come on three times in the last three games so that's been really good for my fitness," he said.

"It's great to get 90 minutes. Hopefully, I can kick on and get a starting place for the next game.

"It was a good run out for the lads who aren't playing much at the moment or are not getting in the squad.

"It gives you a chance to get 90 minutes under your belt.

"I thought the enthusiasm and effort shown by both teams was very good – it was a worthwhile game.

"You could be called on at any time – there could be injuries and that's why we have such a big squad.

"You need to be ready and to play the full 90 minutes against Villa was a great thing to be doing while there's an opportunity to do that."

City fielded a strong side which included Danny Simpson, Marcin Wasilewski, Esteban Cambiasso, Anthony Knockaert, Chris Wood and Nick Powell. Youngsters James Pearson and Callum Elder also got a run out.

"They (Pearson and Elder) did really well – I think it helps when they get to play with first-team players," said James.

"It gives them an experience that they might not have had before. Playing against tough opposition is always good for them. Our work-rate was fantastic. I think the effort from all the players was really good."

Powell was on the scoresheet while Wood netted twice in a 3-2 win and James believes the goals will give both strikers a confidence boost.

"Powelly showed great work-rate and I'm glad he got his goal," James said.

"Woody's goals were good. He's going to thrive when he scores goals so it's important that he does that.

"He's just got to keep working hard and hopefully he'll start scoring in the first team," added James.

I feel ready to start at Newcastle, says Leicester City's Matty James

Gary Silke Column: Home games abroad? I can't bear thought

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There is nothing in football more guaranteed to keep rearing its ugly head than a bad idea. When I was a Shoot! reading kid back in the 70s, it was all about 'summer soccer'.

Football's early commercial pioneers had visions of shirt-sleeved crowds flocking to our football grounds on balmy evenings in June and July, a heavenly alternative to the bobble hats, big coats and glue-pot pitches.

Despite the constant calls for this ridiculous idea, it thankfully never happened.

In more recent years, we had another salted-slug idea that refused to die, no matter how much logic and common sense was poured on it.

Rangers and Celtic playing in the English Premier League.

Imagine the revenue generated by these sides joining us south of the border?

No thanks. It's not a friendly, they won't be able to bring 10,000 down.

And also... they are Scottish clubs, under the jurisdiction of the SFA.

And yet, this idea kept bouncing back for years, with absolutely nothing to commend it. It seems to have gone away for now.

This modern age, when TV deals are worth billions and one player can be transferred for £60m, has its own bad idea.

The 39th Game. Or, to give it its fiendishly disguised clever new title, The 38th Game.

With the 'extra fixture abroad' idea having been knocked back on the grounds of being utterly ridiculous a few years ago, the slightly altered proposal now gathering momentum is that each Premier League club should play one fixture abroad, within the framework of the existing fixtures.

This would take our domestic game a step closer to the audience who are now chipping in a significant amount of the global TV rights.

Perhaps the PL chairmen and owners have been encouraged by the NFL games packing out Wembley (in a way that England games no longer do).

Obviously, it doesn't make sense on any level and would be vastly unfair to some clubs. It is bad enough being relegated in Stoke, can you imagine it happening in Dubai or Tokyo?

But many Premier League clubs now seem to exist primarily to hoover up as much money as they can, so this might be a tough idea to fight if it takes hold.

You only have to look at the easterly direction Formula 1 has travelled in the last decade to see the magnetic pull of cash on a sport.

Before this season kicked off, City beat Everton at the Supachalasai Stadium, in Bangkok, in a pre-season friendly. How long will it be before they aren't satisfied by 'pretend' games?

The thought of missing a City 'home' game because it is 6,000 miles away is too painful to contemplate. Let's hope this idea never gets off the drawing board and joins the rest in football's 'bad ideas' graveyard.

We'll try to give Leicester Tigers fans something to cheer – Geordan Murphy

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Leicester Tigers will be trying to give their "hurting" fans something to cheer about when they host Harlequins at Welford Road this evening.

The club will be trying to end a run of just one win in seven against the visitors in tonight's Aviva Premiership.

Tigers assistant backs' coach Geordan Murphy says he and the players are as upset as the supporters over the club's recent run.

And he says they will be doing everything they can to dig themselves out of the hole they are in, during tonight's match.

"Our confidence is probably dented but the players and coaches have to pull in the right direction," said the Irishman, who is in his second year on the coaching staff.

"Things are tough at the moment and we are all competitive guys who want to win every week.

"I know it hurts the supporters but it hurts the players and coaches more than anyone.

"It's tough for the fans and we appreciate they are hurting and we want to give them something to cheer about. At Tigers, we are not accustomed to losing three games in a row and maybe that creates a bit more pressure but that's okay.

"We have had some pretty dark hours after these defeats and it has been tough.

"But we have good players and it will happen, it will return.

"Anytime you are in a hole, there is only one thing you can do and that is grab a spade and dig yourself out of it."

Quins have had their own problems this season having suffered a 39-0 drubbing at home to Saracens as well as a 36-13 loss at Exeter.

But their 52-0 romp over London Welsh will have instilled some of confidence.

"That was a key win for them against Welsh," said Murphy.

"They played some really good rugby. Conor O'Shea (director of rugby) came out afterwards and said that he was really disappointed to have been written off so early in the season.

"That is what we are feeling at the moment. They will come to us with a good side and some fantastic backs and they will look to run the ball around.

"But the guys we have are pretty fierce themselves, I am really looking forward to it."

Murphy has had to deal first hand with the club's injury woes, which have left them needing new centre pairings for four of their opening five games in the Premiership so far.

"We practise in the week with the line that we want to take into the game," said Murphy.

"But of course this season, we have had to practise around that.

"Changes are not ideal but we train with guys in different positions and with guys in the sin-bin to practise.

"We go through so many permutations and try and cover every eventuality. But sometimes there is just not enough time in the week to do all you want."

We'll try to give Leicester Tigers fans something to cheer   – Geordan Murphy

Richard Cockerill Column: A club of this size has to put up with the criticism that is coming our way

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Sometimes, you have to feel the dirty end of the stick to know what the good end feels like. And some of the young lads in our squad are getting a feel of that dirty stick for the first time at the minute.

Don't get me wrong, I'd much rather we had not lost three games on the bounce. But the experience that the likes of Fraser Balmain, Tiziano Pasquali, Tom Bristow and Seb de Chaves have been getting in recent weeks will be invaluable in their careers.

They will be better for it – and so will the club.

We have all gone through it.

Myself as a player and all of the senior players at Leicester have, at some stage of our careers, gone through times when their team is struggling.

We are lucky that it doesn't happen very often here at Tigers because we win most of the time.

But what it does is teach you lessons and makes you realise what is needed to drag you out of difficult times.

Fraser, Tiz, Tom, Seb, all those guys have all tried their socks off and worked exceptionally hard since the season started.

They have all been plying their trade directly against some of the best props and locks in the world who have played plenty of international rugby.

Every time you play, you are better for the experience and Fraser has been playing in games that he would have likely not played in had we been fully fit in the squad.

Tiz is only 20 but has had some time off the bench, Tom is a young guy learning his trade and Seb has got better with every game he has played.

Even with our third-choice tight-head or fifth-choice lock starting games, there are good things to come out of this.

It was also good to see Miles Benjamin, Brad Thorn and Michele Rizzo all get game-time at Gloucester last Saturday, even if we were disappointed with the result.

At 9-6 in the first half, the game was very even.

But when we found ourselves under pressure, we unraveled a bit instead of managing the situation better and showing a bit more composure.

We conceded soft try after soft try for 15 minutes, though Gloucester did take their chances well, and after that spell, the game was even again.

We know we need to be better and confidence is a little fragile at the minute for obvious reasons.

So tonight when Harlequins arrive, we need to get a foothold in the game and try to build a score.

Quins have had some mixed results so far this season, too and, like us, have found out that the Aviva Premiership can be a harsh environment if you don't get your game just right.

I have read this week that some media pundits think Leicester have lost our fear factor.

We will see about fear factor when you are comparing apples with apples. We have a few out injured and the reality is that the salary cap is designed to make things even.

That's the reality. And if you look at the Premiership, it's fairly even.

Exeter, for example, went into last weekend's game against second-bottom Newcastle, near the top of the table. They didn't play well and they lost.

That can happen any time this season because it is so tight.

What we have to deal with, as a club of our size, is the criticism of not getting things right is greater than at any other club. That's not a complaint, that's a fact.

Richard Cockerill Column: A club of this size has to put up with the criticism that is coming our way

Art show offers intimate portrait of Loros hospice

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Artworks created by patients attending Loros hospice will go on show alongside work by local artists tomorrow in a unique exhibition to give the public an insight into the charity's work.

The Heart of Art brings Hospice Care Week to a close and organisers hope it will dispel misconceptions about life in a hospice.

Louise Lowman, marketing manager at the Leicester hospice, said although the charity was a familiar name to most people, hardly anyone who had no personal contact with the charity – such as having a friend or relative at the hospice – knew anything about it.

"There are a lot of myths about hospice care," she said.

"Some people think it is a really dark and miserable place when, in fact, nothing could be further than the truth – it is bright, cheerful and happy."

The exhibition takes the form of an art trail, taking visitors on a tour around the hospice so they can see what life is like there.

They will also be able to buy an artwork, with proceeds going to the charity.

Louise said: "A lot of the work has been created by our own patients and includes sculpture, crochet, craftwork and three-dimensional paintings.

"We also have pieces donated by artists, including a couple by Ian Stewart, who sells paintings for £500-plus in galleries.

He has given us a portrait of Sir David Attenborough and another of a vase of flowers.

"We were really excited when he said he would like to donate them.

"It is the first time we have held anything like this and are grateful for all the help we have received from organisations including Birstall Art Society and De Montfort University for giving us their time and equipment to set up the exhibition."

The Heart of Art will be open from 10am until 4pm at the Loros hospice, in Groby Road, Leicester. Admission is free.

leicestermercury.co.uk/health

Art show offers intimate portrait of Loros hospice


Today's weather

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Today there will be sunny spells with scattered, heavy showers developing.

The Met Office is predicting a bright start with the odd shower. It will be breezy, with sunny spells though the day and heavy showers from lunchtime and rain throughout the afternoon and evening, with a risk of thunder.

A maximum temperature of 16C (61F) can be expected.

Showers are predicted to die out overnight with clear spells and winds falling to allow mist and fog patches to develop, with a minimum temperature of 6C (42F).

Tomorrow, the pattern of sunny spells and showers will return through theday, althouth it will be mainly dry in the morning. Winds will increase in the afternoon, with a risk of localised slow moving heavy and thundery downpours in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 16C.

Updated: 0207 on Fri 10 Oct 2014

Today's weather

Live traffic and travel updates for Leicester and Leicestershire

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9.56am: No reports of any major incidents or congestion on city and county roads.

8am: Queuing traffic on the exit slip road and delays on M6 southbound at junction 19 of the M1 at the Catthorpe interchange, in the roadworks area.

7.47am: Congestion on the A563 Glenhills Way in Aylestone, Leicester, between the Pork Pie roundabout and the A426 Lutterworth Road junction.

7.30am: One lane is closed on the northbound entry slip road of the M1 at junction 23 for Loughborough for accident recovery work.

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

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

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

NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE.

FLIGHT INFORMATION: For East Midlands Airport visit: CLICK HERE.

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

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

Live traffic and travel updates for Leicester and Leicestershire

Office operator Regus could open fourth site in Leicestershire

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Office operator Regus could open a fourth site in Leicestershire, its UK boss has claimed.

The global group officially launched a new 15,000 sq ft development at St George's House, on the corner of Charles Street and St George's Way, Leicester, on Wednesday.

Regus, which provides serviced office space for businesses to rent, also has sites in Grove Park, Enderby and Pegasus Business Park, Castle Donington.

Speaking on Wednesday, Steve Purdy, managing director for Regus in the UK, said: "We are not necessarily saying we won't expand further in Leicester.

"We have had lots of interest in this office from start-ups and small companies to national and global companies looking to set up a satellite office.

"It's a great location because it's right next to the train station."

Mr Purdy said demand from customers, as well as city mayor Sir Peter Soulsby's economic plans, had helped attract the firm to the city centre.

"If you look at the profile of the city centre, it's a big city," said Mr Purdy. "We know there's demand. People have been asking if Regus has any offices in the city centre. It's where people want to be.

"There wasn't the grade-A space to satisfy the demand that was there."

A spokeswoman said four companies had so far signed up to the site and would move in on Monday.

Regus occupies four floors of the seven-storey St George's House, which has undergone a £1 million refurbishment. The floors have been leased to the company and consist of various offices, meeting rooms, business support services and a reception.

It includes a top-floor balcony offering views of the city skyline.

It can accommodate 158 people, with prices for renting space starting at £35 per month.

Regus operates 2,000 office sites in 100 countries, including hundreds in the UK.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "When we launched our economic action plan in 2012, we highlighted the need to provide more good-quality office accommodation – office space that would support existing businesses while attracting new investment to the city.

"This refurbished building provides exactly that, in a prime city centre location close to the railway station."

Office operator Regus could open fourth site in Leicestershire

Tory defector Douglas Carswell becomes UKIP's first MP following Clacton by-election triumph

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The UK Independence Party has won the Clacton by-election to secure its first seat in the House of Commons.

It means Douglas Carswell, who left the Conservative Party and resigned his seat as MP of Clacton in August to join UKIP, will continue as the constituency's arliamentary representative.

He gained 21,113 votes, 60 per cent of the vote - forcing the Conservative candidate into second place.

Following his result, last night, Mr Carswell told constituents: "I resigned from parliament to face this election because I answer first, foremost and last to you. You are my boss. I will not let you down."

UKIP leader Nigel Farage told the BBC that the result had "shaken up British politics".

In the night's other by-election, Labour held on to the Heywood and Middleton seat, in Lancashire, but with UKIP cutting its majority to  617.

Tory defector Douglas Carswell becomes UKIP's first MP following Clacton by-election triumph

Leicestershire is sitting on a pensions time bomb, say financial planners

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Local people in Leicestershire and surrounding counties are sitting on a pensions time bomb.

Figures show we are among the worst prepared when it comes to funding their old age.

That is despite government plans to increase the state pension age from 65 to 67 (and possibly even 70).

Insurance company Friends Life recently analysed the savings behaviour of over 18,000 people, producing a map showing differences over the UK.

It makes shocking reading, with only one in four saving the most they can afford into a pension.

Three in five people in the region aren't saving anything at all for retirement, putting the East Midlands among the worst regions for retirement saving.

People locally had relatively modest lifestyles, expecting to need £400 a week in retirement.

Unfortunately their actual income from their retirement savings will be on average £312 per week – a shortfall of £88, or just over £4,500 a year.

Scott Gallacher, a chartered financial planner with Leicester based Rowley Turton, explained: "Obviously affordability is a big issue for some people. But the fact that three in five people in the East Midlands aren't saving anything at all is pretty frightening. It's building up a retirement time bomb."

Leicestershire is sitting on a pensions time bomb, say financial planners

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