When Leicester City claimed a crucial victory at QPR in December last season, it kick-started a phenomenal run of form which catapulted Nigel Pearson's men towards the Premier League.

Jamie Vardy's winner at Loftus Road sparked a 20-game unbeaten run, during which City dropped only 10 points, and it proved a pivotal victory in City's title success.

City head to QPR tomorrow at a similar point in the season but facing a different scenario as they look to end a run of seven games without a victory, and looking for their first goal in more than 500 minutes of action.

Striker Chris Wood believes a victory over Harry Redknapp's side again, who sit two points behind Leicester at the bottom of the table, could have a similar impact on City's season as the last campaign.

"That was a great win there last season and, hopefully, that is what we are planning to do again," said the New Zealander.

"It will be a tough game for us but, if we do get the win, we have shown we can kick on. We did it last season."

Wood says belief within the City squad, which is predominantly the same as the one that won at QPR last season, is still strong despite their recent run.

"I just think we have been a little unfortunate that games haven't gone our way," he said.

"It is just one of those things. We knew it was going to be tough and all the sides coming up know it is going to be tough.

"But we have a very good squad and we know we can stay up.

"We can draw some confidence from our display last week against Sunderland. As long as we are creating those chances, it is always a positive.

"It is just about sticking the ball in the back of the net, but we got a clean sheet. We need to build on that now going into this game."

Wood is hoping to cap a personally good international break with a City victory.

The 22-year-old was handed the captain's armband for New Zealand's games in China and Thailand, and he described it as a huge honour.

"It is a massive achievement for me," he said. "It was one I never really thought I would get the chance to do.

"As a kid growing up it was normally the defenders or midfielders who got the captaincy.

"It is always nice to go away with my country. It is like a little fresh air, a different environment and I get to play some games.

"I feel when I go away with the national team I can hopefully put in a performance for the country and bring that back for the games over here."

Nigel Pearson admits his side's clash with relegation rivals QPR tomorrow is crucial to Leicester City's survival prospects.

City head to Loftus Road (3.0) third-from-bottom in the table, just two points above rock-bottom QPR.

Rangers came up with City from the Championship last season and, while Pearson normally down plays the individual importance of any one game, he said there was no denying this clash had taken on added significance.

"It will be an important game for us, as it will be for them," he said. "For sure, these games are important, there is no doubt about that.

"Must win? Well, every game you play you try to win, but I think there is more importance on games where potentially you are going to be up against sides who may be around you.

"I am not going to underplay that. It is an important game for us.

"Ultimately, our performance has to be right. It is about going there and trying to win the game, and that is what we will try to do."

To claim the points, City certainly need to improve on their recent goalscoring record, having failed to find the back of the net in their last five fixtures.

But Pearson says he still believes his side can hit the goal trail soon.

"It is not just about players not scoring," he said. "If you create enough opportunities, mathematically players are going to have a better chance of scoring.

"I don't think we have been as creative in recent weeks as we would like to have been.

"That sometimes may be because of the way we have set up and sometimes it is because we are coming up against a different quality opponent.

"I do feel we will find the right answers."

With the January transfer window just a month away, City are already planning on what business they will try to do to strengthen the squad for the vital push for survival.

But Pearson is playing his cards close to his chest about how much money will be at his disposal. "We have already discussed what we might do in January," he said. "That isn't something that is just talked about when the window opens. We have already discussed it.

"I don't think it is for the public domain. There are always things mooted by other people about how much money we have to spend.

"I think I have a good handle on where we are at and we will act as a club accordingly."

Leicester's council house tenants will be told to carry out DIY repairs to their homes as part of a cost cutting drive.

The city council is looking to save £160,000 a year by reducing the number of jobs its repairs service is responsible for.

The council has 22,000 homes covered by a repairs service that has seen workmen sent out to deal with issues such as replacing bath plugs, light bulbs and toilet seats.

However under a new regime - to begin on December 15 - repairs described as "minor" by the council will become the responsibility of tenants.

Tenants will also be responsible for buying the materials themselves.

The move has concerned some residents who are worried they may not be able to manage the tasks or afford to replace broken items themselves.

There are also fears that some people simply will not carry out repairs leading to long term deterioration of council properties.

The council's assistant mayor for housing councillor Andy Connelly said: "We've got a situation at the moment where we are sending a trained plumber round to people's homes to replace a bath plug and it costs £11 but the cost of the plug will be about 50p.

"A lot of the things we will be asking of tenants are things they do already, like changing light bulbs.

"They are minor repairs and replacements."

Chairman of the St Andrew's Residents and Tenants Association Angie Beales said: "I agree it is a bit daft to be getting electricians out to do change light bulbs but I know some of my tenants will not be very impressed.

"They might think they will end up paying for the same thing twice because their rent covers repairs already - and rents have been going up every year."

The 61-year-old added: "I can already do a lot of the things they are talking about but there will be elderly and disabled people who will struggle with even stuff that seems simple.

"I don't think I would, for example, be able to replace a spy hole in a door.

"I would have difficulty changing a doorbell but I would have a go.

Council tenant Nancy Bennett, who lives in the Tudor Road area, area said: "I understand why the council is doing it but I do have some worries about it.

"I think some people just won't do the repairs and you will end up with the housing stock deteriorating."

She has suggested setting up skill share self help groups where tenants unable to do certain repairs could find someone else to do the work.

Council bosses have said they will look at the idea.

Coun Connelly said: "If someone has genuinely not got the skills we will do the work for them but they are straight forward jobs."

He said the council had dropped an idea to make tenants buy and replace their own double glazing because it was too difficult a job.

The council will also refer some elderly and disabled tenants to handyman services if the need help. 

The best gifts come from the heart. The heart of England, that is.

And that's why the gift guide in tomorrow's Leicester Mercury is different to all the other ones that have tumbled out of your national newspapers and straight into your bin over the last few weeks. 

More magazine's annual gift guide is full of tips for pressies from loveleh Leicestershire - just the thing to surprise and delight your loved ones, and perfect for the proud Chisit who wants to support firms and artists working right on our doorsteps. Ish.

You'll also find your Leicestershire going-out guide, Weekend, inside tomorrow's Mercury. This week's cover star is Imelda May, who tells us about juggling music and motherhood, as her tour rolls into Leicester.

Also in Weekend, we've profiled Curve's other big Christmas show and we've taken a masterclass at Leicestershire's new gin-making school. Cheers. 

Don't miss More and Weekend, free with your Leicester Mercury tomorrow.

What is the score going to be when Leicester City travel to QPR in what is a huge clash in the race for Premier League survival?

That's the question we are asking Leicester Mercury sports writer James Sharpe, who gives his prediction on the game and casts his eye over the rest of the weekend's action.

Each week, we are inviting a guest to go head to head with him. The man in the hot seat this week is former Leicester Tigers full-back Sam Vesty.

Vesty, who is now a coach at Worcester Warriors, has recently launched a brand new online rugby coaching website at www.prorugbycoach.com which provides professional tips for the amateur game and live coaching webinars featuring the likes of Leicester duo Emily Scarratt and Ed Slater.

It's three points for a correct score and just one point for getting the right result. Don't agree? Think you can do better? Have a go yourself. Put your predictions in the comments section and see if you can beat them.

QPR v Leicester City Loftus Road, Saturday, 3pmVerdict: Last season's trip to QPR turned out to be the pivotal moment in City's campaign. A 1-0 victory kick-started a run of nine straight victories during a 21-game unbeaten streak as Nigel Pearson's men romped to the title. What they wouldn't give for that at the minute. City are without a win in seven games, have failed to score in six of them, and are languishing inside the relegation zone. What can certainly be said about last weekend's goalless draw against Sunderland – granted a game City should be winning if they are to survive in the Premier League – is that they finally started to create chances. In the previous games, they had failed to do even that. They simply could not take them. Loftus Road is a very difficult place to go – QPR have lost only one of their last four on home soil and Charlie Austin is looking very dangerous up top for Harry Redknapp's side. City only had one chance there last season. Luckily, Jamie Vardy took it. Let's hope they can do the same this time.Sharpe's prediction: 0-1Vesty says: 0-0

West Brom v Arsenal The Hawthorns, Saturday, 12.45pmVerdict: Arsenal's injury problems continue to rage as Mikel Arteta and Yaya Sanogo both picked calf injuries in what was an excellent 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund in midweek. That follows news that Jack Wilshere will be out for three months with an ankle injury. But despite their ever-growing sick list, the Gunners still managed to make it through to the knockout stages of the Champions League for a 15th straight season. That is some going. In Alexis Sanchez, they have a match winner – in the same way that Liverpool had one in Luis Suarez and Man City have one in Sergio Aguero – where, even if the team is not playing at its best, they can drag them through single-handedly. West Brom have failed to win their last three home games in the Premier League and I expect that to become four tomorrow.Sharpe's prediction: 0-2Vesty says: 1-2

Burnley v Aston Villa Turf Moor, Saturday, 3pmVerdict: At the start of the season, Burnley's problem was that, no matter how resilient and organised they were at the back, they never seemed to have the quality to score the goals that are crucial to survival. Leicester fans know how that feels at the minute. But with Danny Ings back from injury and firing, they look a completely different side. Aston Villa picked up an impressive point against Southampton last time out but, with Christian Benteke still missing, and in front of a passionate Burnley crowd, I fancy the hosts to nick it.Sharpe's prediction: 1-0Vesty says: 1-1

Liverpool v Stoke Anfield, Saturday, 3pmVerdict: Liverpool remind me of how Leicester City played a few seasons ago when they went on that dismal run of just two wins from 17 games. At that time, almost every player was out of form, looked low on confidence and had forgotten how to win. Liverpool look the same at the minute. Brendan Rodgers' side were on the verge of ending a run of four defeats on the spin in all competitions when they found themselves 2-1 up against Ludogorets, only to concede with two minutes to play. The absence of Daniel Sturridge means they lack crucial pace up front too. Stoke have performed pretty well on the road this season but, even so, Liverpool should just have enough to scrape through. Sharpe's prediction: 2-1Vesty says: 2-0

Man Utd v Hull Old Trafford, Saturday, 3pmVerdict: Hull are another side in dreadful form. Steve Bruce's side have lost their last three in the Premier League. Their most recent will have been the most sickening as they were actually in front against Spurs, only to concede the winner in injury time. United picked up a fine result last time out at Arsenal as Louis van Gaal's side made it back-to-back victories. They could easily have been 3-0 down by half-time but held on, and rode their luck at times, but it will give them great confidence going into tomorrow's game against a Hull side with just one win on the road all season. Sharpe's prediction: 4-0Vesty says: 3-1

Swansea v Crystal Palace Liberty Stadium, Saturday, 3pmVerdict: Swansea may have lost to Man City last week but their performance certainly deserved more than that. This contest will be much different. Swansea are at home for starters - a place where they have lost just once this season. Palace, meanwhile, were ruthless against an out-of-form Liverpool side, which ended a run of one point from their previous five games. Palace will go to the Liberty to be tough to break down, but they do have some serious threat in wide areas in Yannick Bolasie and Jason Puncheon. But they will see so little of the ball that they will struggle to bring them into play. Home win.Sharpe's prediction: 2-0Vesty says: 2-1

West Ham v Newcastle Upton Park, Saturday, 3pmVerdict: Newcastle are fifth. How on earth did that happen? They were 19th at the end of September. It just goes to show how quickly things can change in such a tight division. West Ham's fortunes are also currently in flux. They were the team in form a month ago but now, while they have only lost one of their last six, are three without a win. Sam Allardyce has been given a boost with the news Stewart Downing could be set for a return. I think this will be a tight one.Sharpe's prediction: 1-1Vesty says: 1-1

Sunderland v Chelsea Stadium of Light, Saturday, 5.30pmVerdict: Ever since Sunderland were battered 8-0 at Southampton, manager Gus Poyet has gone back to basics – making his team tough to beat and trying to take the chances when they come. Nothing gung-ho. The problem is, no matter how hard they make themselves to break down, it will be nowhere near enough to stop Chelsea. They are simply too good. They blew away Shalke in midweek, and that's without Diego Costa getting on the scoresheet.Sharpe's prediction: 0-3Vesty says: 0-2

Southampton v Man City St Mary's, Sunday, 1.30pmVerdict: With Chelsea running away with the league, and showing no visible signs of stopping, this game is an early-season battle for second place. Southampton's rise this season has been no fluke – they are incredibly resilient at the back and equally potent at the other end. But this is their toughest test of the season so far. City are by no means firing on all cylinders but in Sergio Aguero they have a striker who can win games on his own. He basically did that against Bayern Munich. I think they will be just a bit too strong for Saints.Sharpe's prediction: 1-2Vesty says: 2-2

Tottenham v Everton White Hart Lane, Sunday, 4pmVerdict: Neither of these sides seems to fare all that well on weekends following Europa League duty. So it will be interesting to see, who recovers the quickest. Everton, though, are a far more settled side at the moment; unbeaten in eight games in all competitions. Spurs are anything but. They still look fragmented, lack cohesion and have been quite fortunate to come away with victories over Hull and Aston Villa. Sharpe's prediction: 1-1Vesty says: 1-0

The chairman of Leicestershire's Fire Authority has been deselected from his city council seat.

New Parks Labour councillor Steve Corrall was told he would not be put forward as a candidate for May's Leicester City Council elections.

Coun Corrall, the city's current High Bailiff, has been a city councillor for 12 years.

He was deselected along with fellow New Parks councillor Dawn Alfonso.

He said: "To say I am gutted is an understatement."

Coun Corrall, who is also the authority's armed services champion, said he had been the victim of a recent Boundary Commission decision to merge the New Parks ward with neighbouring Western Park ward.

He said: "That basically meant there were five councillors going for three seats.

"There was a selection meeting on Wednesday when Labour members in the wards had a written vote.

"The Western Park supporters were there in numbers and the New Parks supporters were not so Dawn and I lost out.

"It's a kick in the teeth.

"I was really angry. It just didn't seem fair. I have worked really hard in the ward but I didn't make a big deal of what I did. I just got on with it.

"After the meeting I was so upset I thought I would just call it a day but now I've decided I am not giving up.

"I have unfinished business on the council.

"I suppose I should be upset at the Boundary Commission for messing around with something that wasn't broken."

"To be honest it feels like a cull."

Coun Corrall said he would seek selection in the neighbouring Rowley Fields and Braunstone ward where Labour members Anne Glover and Mick Cooke have said they will be stepping down in May.

Current New Parks councillor Malcolm Unsworth and Western Park's Su Barton and George Cole were chosen as Labour's candidates for the new Western ward.

Servicemen and women have paid an emotional tribute to a Korean war veteran at his funeral.

Frederick John Darwent, 84, of Hinckley, died of lung cancer on November 17 after being diagnosed only four weeks earlier.

At his funeral today 17 standards flew in his memory and a bugler played the last post in tribute to him.

The South Korean embassy sent flowers for his coffin and a letter of gratitude for his services during the war.

His son Graham Darwent, 49, said his dad was well respected for his service in the navy.

"The South Koreans have given him quite a few medals. They are hanging on the wall of his house."

Graham said his dad spoke a lot about his time in the navy.

"He said it was hard but he really enjoyed it."

Frederick's funeral was held yesterday at The Heart of England Crematorium in Nuneaton.

Graham, of Hinckley, added: "Servicemen and women came from all around to pay their respects."

Frederick has been a standard bearer for Leicestershire's armed forces for the past 12 years where he has attended many funerals of servicemen and women.

Due to Frederick's popularity, many military personnel attended his funeral.

He was a father-of-three, grandfather-of-five, and a great-grandfather-of-three.

He was born in Stanton-under- Bardon and went to school there. At the age of 15 he went to work as a miner.

He then served in the navy for 12 years from the age of 18. He served for the duration of the Korean War from 1950 to1953 where he was a gunner.

Graham said: "He was shooting the shells from the ship onto the land."

HMS Ceylon was Frederick's favourite ship.

Graham added: "Marriage and kids pulled him out."

After leaving the navy his main trade was hosiery where he worked for Jones and Shipman. He then went on to own a business called Burbage Damp Proofing.

Graham said: "He looked after his family, worked very hard, put food on the table, a roof over his family's head and made enough money for a beer at the local working men's club.

"He was well-known around Hinckley."

Graham added that as he got older Frederick did two cleaning jobs to keep himself busy. He also enjoyed shooting, metal detecting and going on naval re-unions.

Fire badly damaged the kitchen of a terrace house in Crescent Road Hugglescote just after midday.

Crews were called to the incident at 12.20pm to find the ground floor full of smoke.

A spokeswoman for the fire service said: "The property was unoccupied and the cause was accidental."

She said the kitchen was badly damaged by the fire.

A van driver has been cleared by a jury of dangerously causing the death of two elderly men in a collision.

Michael Lawrence, 20, denied causing the deaths, by dangerous driving, of motorist Dennis Kenney, 86, and his passenger Charles Freckleton, 76, on the afternoon of October 5 last year.

A jury of eight men and four women found him not guilty.

They were told he had already pleaded guilty to lesser alternative counts, of causing the two deaths by driving carelessly, on Troon Way, Rushey Mead, for which he will be sentenced on December 19.

Lawrence was released on bail, pending the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

During the trial, Leicester Crown Court was told the collision happened at the Troon Way traffic-light junction with Nicklaus Road.

The prosecution alleged that Lawrence, whilst travelling towards Hamilton, went through a red light and failed to see Mr Kenney's approaching Toyota Yaris turning right, into Nicklaus Road.

After the collision, Lawrence, of Austin Rise, Netherhall, Leicester, fled the scene and cancelled the insurance on his Ford Transit Connect van, in an effort to "get away with it."

He told the jury he then had second thoughts and went to the police station later the same day.

Lawrence told the jury he went through the junction when the light was on green, not red.

He thought Mr Kenney was going to give way and let him through, but claimed the Toyota unexpectedly turned in front of him.

Lawrence also claimed his foot accidentally went onto the accelerator instead of the brake and he made "a mistake."

Giving evidence, he said: "If I could have stopped, I'd have stopped, but I couldn't."

He said he then ran away "in shock."

Neil Bannister, prosecuting, alleged Lawrence was "distracted" either by his two passengers or was trying to annoy the Mondeo driver behind him, who had been reluctant to let him move into his lane earlier in the journey.

Mr Kenney, of Thomson Close, Leicester, died in hospital two days later, on October 7, and Mr Freckleton, of Oliver Street, Wigston, passed away on October 11.

After the hearing, their relatives paid tribute to the two "healthy and active" pensioners, who died in the collision on their way home from visiting an art exhibition.

Both were described as doting grandfathers.

There will be a full report of the tribute from their loved ones in the Leicester Mercury on Monday.

A casualty had to be taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke following a kitchen fire yesterday.

Fire crews were called to Home Close in Kibworth Beauchamp shortly after 1.30pm.

The fire was out when they arrived but there was smoke and heat damage to the kitchen. The occupant was taken to hospital suffering from the affects of breathing in smoke.

Here are the top 10 cheapest places to buy petrol and diesel in and around Leicester.

Unleaded

Asda, Fosse Park, Leicester 119.7p

Esso, Dysart Way, Leicester 119.9p

Morrisons, Freemans Park, Leicester 119.9p

Shell, Narborough Road, Leicester 119.9p

Sainsbury's, Melton Road, Thurmaston119.9p

Narborough Road Tesco Express 119.9p

Sainsbury's, Fosse Park, Leicester 119.9p

Flyover Filling Station, Belgrave Gate, Leicester 120.9p

Tesco Express, Fosse Road North, Leicester, 120.9p

Tesco, Blaby Road, South Wigston 120.9p

Diesel

Asda, Abbey Lane , Leicester 123.7p

Asda, Fosse Park, Leicester 123.7p

Asda, Barkby Thorpe Lane, Thurmaston, 123.7p

Morrisons, Freemans Park, Leicester 123.9p

Sainsburys, Melton Road, Thurmaston, 123.9p

Narborough Road Tesco Express 123.9p

Sainsburys, Fosse Park, Leicester 123.9p

Esso, Desford Cross Roads, Desford 123.9p

Flyover Filling Station, Belgrave Gate, Leicester 124.9p

Esso,Dysart Way, Leicester, 124.9p

This is according to petrolprices.com at 10am on Saturday, November 29.

Arsonists set fire to a caravan in Leicester Road, Market Harborough last night.

Fire crews wearing breathing apparatus used two hoses to combat the fire which caused severe damage.

The call to the fire service was made at 7.23pm yesterday.

A fire service spokesman said: "The fire was started deliberately and the caravan was 80 per cent damaged by fire."

No-one was injured.

The blaze follows a similar incident in nearby Gallow Field Road earlier this month when two unoccupied caravans were attacked.

A woman had to be cut free for a car following a two-vehicle crash in, Braunstone, Leicester last night.

The collision happened in Imperial Avenue near the junction with Fullhurst Avenue just after 10pm.

A fire service spokesman said they released a woman from one of the cars and made both vehicles safe.

It is not known if the woman was injured.

The jury in the trial of a man accused of attempting to murder his ex-fiancé and her boyfriend have retired to consider the verdicts.

Leicester Crown Court was told that Darshana Narotam, 17, and her partner, Prashant Govinde, 22, had their throats cut as they returned from shopping, on East Park Road, Spinney Hills, in Leicester, on the afternoon of January 19.

Bharat Soma, 26, of Stroud Road, North Evington, denies attempting to murder the couple.

He also denies inflicting grievous bodily harm upon a 15-year-old boy, who suffered a cut hand with severed tendons whilst trying to help injured Darshana and Prashant, who survived life-threatening injuries.

The prosecution allege Soma attacked the young couple in revenge for being jilted by Darshana.

She had eloped with Prashant, to avoid an arranged marriage with Soma.

Darshana's father, Narotam Deugi, 41, and mother, Parvati Natu, 42, of Belmont Avenue, Wembley, are also on trial.

Both parents deny falsely imprisoning her by allegedly locking her in her bedroom and Deugi denies common assault upon her.

Deugi and four of Darshana's other relatives, all from Wembley, deny kidnapping Prashant's father, in an effort to establish the runaway couple's whereabouts.

They are: Jignesh Devgi, 31, an uncle, of Bridgewater Road, Harshad Jagdish, 25, an uncle, of Bridgewater Road, Shantilal Natu, 37, an uncle, of Belmont Avenue, and Kaushik Meghji, 18, a cousin, of Heather Park Parade.

The jury retired at 11am but had not reached any verdicts before High Court Judge, Mr Justice Saunders, sent them home for the weekend.

The jurors are due to resume their deliberations on Monday, when the trial goes into its' seventh week.

Two tricky driving manoeuvres, the three-point turn and reversing around a corner, could be dropped from the driving test.

Instead, learners may be asked to reverse out of a parking bay or pull up on the left or right of the road before re-joining the flow of traffic.

In the biggest shake up of the driving test in 20 years , the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) may also require learners to follow instructions on a sat nav instead of road signs, while the 10 minute independent part of the test could be doubled to 20 minutes.

A DVSA spokesman said: "We are carrying out initial research to explore how the driving test could better reflect real-life driving.

"Any future changes to the test would be subject to full public consultation."

Learner drivers may also be asked one of two safety questions while driving rather than at the start. This could involve requiring the candidate to show how they would turn on the rear windscreen heater while driving.

Around 1,000 learner drivers across the UK will be asked to take part in a trial of new practical exam designed to "better reflect real-life driving".

The Driving Instructors Association (DIA) has welcomed government plans to review the driving test.

DIA chief executive Carly Brookfield said the DIA was enthusiastic about the opportunity it presented to evolve the L-test to a level where it more realistically assessed a candidate's ability to competently and safely manage road based risk and driving in real life, on real roads.

But AA president Edmund King, said: "It is right that the driving test should evolve to reflect real life on the streets and a longer free driving section will make it a better test.

"However, not everyone owns or needs a sat nav and it is not a legal requirement so shouldn't be a compulsory part of the test. Some still navigate with signs and maps.

"In our view a three-point turn is still an important manoeuvre for getting out of cul de sacs, dead ends and often car parks." 

A fresh lottery bid has been launched for £10 million to create a world class railway museum in Leicester.

If successful, it will be filled with priceless steam locomotives and hundreds of artefacts from the national collection in York.

It will be built at the Leicester North end of the Great Central Railway (GCR) and tell the story of how railways helped Leicester thrive and develop.

The new bid is being made in partnership with Leicester City Council and the National Railway Museum in York.,

The move comes after an unsuccessful bid to the Heritage Lottery last year. The railway plans to open the attraction in 2019.

Managing director of the Great Central Railway Bill Ford said: "Not only will the museum help people reconnect with their railway story, sitting right alongside our thriving heritage line, it will be a unique attraction.

"We're confident tens of thousands of people will visit every year."

He added: "We had some really constructive feedback from the Heritage Lottery Fund Trustees following our last bid and we are confident we have made this visionary project even better."

Annual visitor figures for the railway and museum combined are expected to reach around 230,000.

The total cost of the project is expected to be around £16 million. The partners would have top find £6 million of match funding to go alongside the lottery grant.

Mr Ford said 300 short-term construction jobs would be created while the museum is being built and nine full-time posts once it wa sopen.

He said an economic impact study said the museum and railway would be £43million for the local economy over five years. In turn this additional spending could create more than 900 jobs in the area.

Original plans for the museum looked to locate the development in Loughborough but a suitable site could not be found.

The planned building will sit alongside the Great Central Railway's Leicester North station, close to the Greenacres centre.

Steam hauled passenger trains will arrive right alongside the exhibition halls.

With the completion of the separate GCR reunification project, it will be easily accessible from the national railway network.

The museum will be connected to the running lines to allow displays to be changed, locomotives and carriages moved and even operated over the tracks of the Great Central.

Star exhibits will include V2 class steam locomotive 'Green Arrow' and the sole surviving GCR passenger engine "Butler Henderson".

City Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: "This is a really exciting opportunity to create a railway experience of national standing in Leicester. The museum will house items which are of both national importance and local interest, complementing the nearby National Space Centre and Abbey Pumping Station and helping to enhance the city's reputation as an important visitor destination.

It will also create hundreds of new jobs, both during construction and on opening, while providing training opportunities in the rail industry for dozens of young people. We're fully committed to this project and will be working with the Great Central Railway to help them deliver this ambitious scheme."

Director of the National Railway Museum Paul Kirkman said . "We're delighted to be part of this project. Leicester had one of the world's earliest railways,"

He added: "When the GCR opened in 1899 it was a key calling point on the high speed railway of the time. We want to put key parts of the national collection on display at the heart of the country for the first time. But just as important, we hope to inspire a new generation to get involved in our nation's railway story."

The result of the bid will be known in April.

More than 80 cyclists have paid tribute to French woman Anais Thouvenot who died after being involved in a collision with a car while riding her bike.

She died in hospital a week after being injured in the accident at the junction of Regent Road and Upper King Street in Leicester city centre.

The tribute was organised on Friday evening by the Leicester Critical Mass group which organises monthly rides in the city promoting the rights of cyclists.

Group member Ian Nutt said: "Last night's ride was particularly special as the 80 plus riders of all ages, shapes and sizes stopped at the site of the recent fatal accident involving Anais Thouvenot.

"Critical Mass created a floral tribute to the woman who died earlier in the month.

"It was a touching moment on what is always a fun ride."

Following the accident on Sunday, November 9 Ms Thouvenot, a 22-year-old French national, was taken to the Queen's Medical Centre, in Nottingham, where she died the following Sunday.

The collision with a car happened, at about 5.50pm.

Ms Thouvenot lived in Oldbury in the West Midlands.

The first trailer for Star Wars Episode VII: The Force Awakens has been released - a year before the film is due on cinema screens.

The first look at the new instalment in the franchise was unveiled online and in selected Amercian cinemas.

The film is directed by JJ Abrams and features original cast members including Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher and Mark Hamill, and Kenny Baker, who was R2D2, alongside a host of new stars.

Actors including Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, and Max von Sydow are the new additions to franchise's cast list.

Watch the trailer here and let us know what you think.

Thousands of people crowded the streets to see young heart transplant recipient Albert Tansey switch on the Christmas lights in his home village.

Five-year-old Albert joined in the countdown and he pressed the button to light up Burbage on Friday evening.

The youngster who is so full of life nowadays spent more than three hours among the people who had come along to join in the fun.

He posted on his Facebook page - Albert's Heart : "Wow that was a really special night. Thanks to the people who nominated me to switch the lights on.

"I had such a good time. I saw so many of my friends and I also got to play outside with my brother Fred and friend Dylan.2

"Everyone was so kind to me (as you always are)."

He also got a very special Christmas gift from Mathew Needham's Treasure Chest, a charity founded in memory of a Leicestershire lad who died from a rare heart condition.

The charity was tipped off that Albert loved Charlie & The Chocolate Factory and the family have been given tickets by the charity to see the musical at the Theatre Royal in London in February.

Albert added: "How amazing is that. Thank you again everyone."

Parents Adam and Annita are also  delighted with the transformation they have seen in Albert since he had his transplant in September.

Albert was born with half a heart and had to have open heart surgery when he was seven days old and again when he was nine months.

Albert was meant to have a third operation to help fix his heart.

However, when he was two, he had a heart attack and, in April, doctors decided not to perform the third operation.

Instead, Albert was placed on the heart transplant list and parents Adam and Annita pinned their hopes on a donor being found.

The couple founded the charity Keep the Beat to support families whose children had been born with heart defects which has raised £300,000 over the past three years.

Adam said: "When I heard Albert  had been selected to switch on the lights I was amazed and really proud. It is nice to see his bravery has been recognised by so many people. The support we received when he had his surgery and since then has been incredible.

"It was the first time Albert has been out in public apart from small gatherings as he has been in isolation. The village was mobbed. There must have been thousands in and around Windsor Street.

"Albert absolutely loved it and he is so full of life these days."

Adam added: "Before the operation we had to keep telling him to rest because his half a heart did not work properly.

"Now he is running up and down the hallway, so full of energy he never seems to get tired.

"We had a great time and Albert was there until well after 9pm."

Albert underwent surgery in Newcastle in September and was allowed home at the beginning of October.

He is in isolation at home and still has to return each Monday to Newcastle for monitoring.

His recovery has not been without its ups and down with periods of him having a temperature and feeling sick.

Adam added: "We have been raising money for charity through Keep The Beat for the past three years which has not benefitted Albert. So it was lovely for another charity the Mathew Needham's Treasure Chest to think of us."

He said that Albert was hoping to return to school some time in the New Year.