Nearly 30,000 visitors have passed through the doors of Leicester's new Richard III centre, according to latest figures.

The attraction, at the site in St Martin's where the last Plantagenet kings bones were unearthed, opened at the end of July.

Leicester City Council funded the purchase and redevelopment of the vacant Alderman Newton School which costs more than £5 million.

The authority says the latest tally of visitors is just over 27,000. It has said it expects 100,000 people to visit the centre, officially called Death, Dynasty and Discovery, in its first 12 months.

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby has insisted the centre is "well on course" to meet the target.

He said: "I am very pleased with the numbers and the figure suggested is ahead of projections.

"This time of year - October and November - is not the best time of year for visitors, though a good number are coming still.

"It is when the interment (of Richard's remains) at the cathedral happens they will get the real numbers."

It is anticipated there will be a swell in the number of tourists visiting the city in March around the time of the reinterment ceremony when there will be international attention on the city.

The cathedral will receive the monarch's remains on Sunday ,March 22, then there will be a week of events to commemorate Richard both in the city and at Bosworth where he was slain in battle in 1485.

While the council is still confident the centre will reach the 100,000 visitor mark, opposition councillor Nigel Porter said the figure was unambitious and set too low compared to other similar attractions.

Some visitors have also said ticket prices, starting at £7.95 for adults and £4.75 for children, are too expensive and are putting people off visiting.

Sir Peter has stressed the centre - run by an independent trust rather than directly by the council - should not require public subsidy.

He said the prices were appropriately set and that value for money given the quality of the visitor experience.

Visitor Geoff Hunt, 68, from Oadby, said: "I've been twice, and I'll go again. I wish they would do a season ticket. I think that would help get people in. It's actually far better than I thought it would be. I don't think its that expensive for what you get."

The mystery bangs heard across the country last night are not the first time strange loud noises have been heard in Leicestershire. Some have been explaned by the Ministry of Defence, who say they were caused by jets breaking the sound barrier. Others have remained unexplained.

December 2012

The cause of a loud bang heard in Leicester and on the outskirts of the city has perplexed residents and authorities alike.

A "large, rumbling, explosion, thunder-like sound" was reported by people living in the city centre, New Parks and Beaumont Leys on Sunday evening.

Similar reports also came in from residents in Birstall, Rothley, Glenfield and Enderby.

April 2012

A loud bang heard across the county was caused by two fighter jets breaking the sound barrier.

The sonic boom was caused by two Typhoon aircraft responding to an emergency, the Ministry of Defence said.

The noise was heard across the Midlands and as far away.

It was caused by the shockwaves created when the aircraft broke the sound barrier – 768 mph.

September 2006

The source of a mysterious booming noise regularly disturbing the peace in parts of Loughborough was fireworks, said experts.

Park Road and Beacon Road residents have been reporting a loud boom between 8pm and 9pm most evenings for the past few weeks.

Those who have heard it say the din consists of two or three deep, loud bangs, earning the phenomena the nickname ''Loughborough Boom''. It prompted hundreds of residents to ask Charnwood Borough Council to look into the matter amid rumours it could be caused by passing aircraft from East Midlands Airport.

Christmas Eve, 1965

One of the biggest meteorites to hit Britain showered the startled residents of Barwell with hot rocks at precisely 4.20pm on Christmas Eve, 1965. It entered the Earth's atmosphere at roughly the size of a desk before exploding into fragments over the Leicestershire village.

Its entry was heralded by a flash of light and a deafening sonic boom that was heard as far away as Essex. Miraculously, nobody was injured and the falling debris caused only minor damage.

Heartbroken relatives have paid tribute to the two "active, fit and healthy" grandfathers killed by a careless driver.

Describing them as kind and caring "salt of the earth" characters, family members said they hoped Michael Lawrence who caused both deaths has "learnt a lesson."

Dennis Kenney, 86, was driving a Toyota Yaris, with Charles Freckleton, 76, in the front passenger seat, when they were in a collision with van driver, Lawrence, 20, on the afternoon of October 5 last year.

Mr Kenney, a retired electrician, of Thomson Close, Leicester, and Mr Freckleton, of Oliver Street, Wigston, died from their injuries in hospital a few days later.

Lawrence, of Austin Rise, Netherhall, was cleared by a jury of causing their deaths by dangerous driving, but admitted alternative counts of causing death by careless driving, on Troon Way, Rushey Mead, Leicester.

He will be sentenced at the city's crown court on December 19.

After the trial, Mr Kenney's daughter, Sue Kenney, 51, of Leamington Spa, said her father, a keen amateur artist, had taken Mr Freckleton to see his watercolours in pre-exhibition viewing at Syston.

It was the first time he had displayed artwork.

They were returning to her father's home when Lawrence's van crashed into them at the junction with Nicklaus Road.

She said she and her brothers, Martin and Steve, grew up off Gipsy Lane, in Leicester.

Their mum, Mavis, died in 2005.

Ms Kenney said: "Dad was a good man who did countless acts of random kindness.

"He was fit and active and full of life.

"Sadly, he missed his granddaughter's wedding and also mine.

"I feel cheated on his behalf because there were still things he wanted to do.

"I hope Michael Lawrence feels remorse and learns a lesson.

"Dad exercised daily and played table tennis with his chums at Leicester's YMCA and went to an over 60's club.

"He told jokes, played the piano, taught himself computing, wrote unpublished books, made children's wooden toys and at the age of 67 got an Open University BA (hons) 2:1 in Sociology."

Her brother, Steve Kenney, 61, of Queniborough, who also attended the trial said: "Dad was an inspirational father and granddad and we miss him every day."

Mr Freckleton's ex-wife and lifelong friend, Shirley Grant, said: "Charlie was born in Peebles, Scotland, but spent most of his life in the Leicester area.

"His jobs included being a prison warden, working for the Forestry Commission and 25 years at the British Shoe Corporation.

"He played the accordion in a band 'The Bin Men' and was a doorman, or greeter, at the Little Theatre for several years.

"This crash should never have happened.

"We don't harbour ill-will towards Michael Lawrence, but he needs to learn something from this.

Mr Freckleton's grief-stricken step-son, Richard Thompson, of Wigston, said: "Charlie was more than a step-father to me and had a huge influence.

"He was the father I'd always wanted which is why his loss it so painful and I feel completely lost without him.

"He was such a wonderful granddad to my daughter, who's 16, and they loved each other to bits."

The families of both victims expressed "heartfelt thanks" to the police for their help and care.

A coroner will ask health bosses to tighten up measures ensuring healthy sleeping arrangements for babies after the unexplained death of a six-month-old boy.

Lydia Brown, assistant coroner for Leicester City and South Leicestershire, is writing to managers at the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, to ensure its health visitors carry out more thorough investigations into the living conditions of families with very young children.

It follows the death of Lewis MacDonald, from Eyres Monsell, Leicester, on February 19.

An inquest at Leicester Town Hall was told he died from "unascertained causes" – in what the coroner described as a "sudden, unexpected death in infancy".

Giving evidence, pediatric pathologist Dr Nicholas Ostojic said: "The previous evening he was fed and put to sleep on a settee, where his grandmother also slept, but on the other side.

"In the morning, when the grandmother woke up, she realised that the baby was blue and unresponsive."

Lewis could not be revived.

The inquest heard Lewis had surgery to remove a tumour from his spine shortly after his birth but had fully recovered.

During the healing process he had developed a habit of sleeping on his stomach, which was the position he was found in on the morning of his death.

However, there was no evidence to suggest this could have been a contributory factor.

Dr Ostojic said: "I wasn't able to identify anything to actually give a medical cause of death."

The inquest heard Lewis was a happy, loved and well-cared for baby.

He lived with his grandmother, Carol Calow, mother Laura Calow and three other siblings.

The family was regularly visited by social workers and health visitors, who provided information about safe sleeping arrangements for babies and NHS guidelines on factors which professionals consider may increase the risk of cot death. They include a baby sleeping on its front; sharing a bed with an adult, smoking around an infant, and adults sleeping with a baby on a settee or armchair.

Giving evidence, health visitor Sara Chamberlain, who is based at Eyres Monsell Children's Centre, also in Hillsborough Road, said she was unaware that Lewis had been sleeping on a settee.

She assumed he was still sleeping in a Moses basket.

Coroner Lydia Brown asked her why, given the NHS cot death "pointers", his sleeping arrangements were not looked into more thoroughly.

Ms Chamberlain replied: "I now realise that maybe I should have," adding that in "hindsight" more regular visits should have been made to a family in this position .

She said that this was now a matter routinely discussed at team meetings when dealing with other families in similar circumstances.

Ms Chamberlain said additional advice on sleeping arrangements was also now given to families when babies are four months old, but said it was a decision made by her team and was not official NHS Partnership Trust policy.

Mrs Brown recorded a narrative verdict, in which she accepted Lewis's sleeping arrangements did not constitute "co-sleeping".

She said: "There is no evidence that any one factor either caused or contributed to Lewis's death."

However, Mrs Brown said she would be writing to the Leicester Partnership Trust, and would ask them to consider making the four-month sleeping arrangements check official policy.

She said she would like to see a "more robust approach" where a baby's environment contains cot death risk factors.

After the inquest Laura Calow said: "Lewis was the beautiful baby boy I'd always dreamed of. I'm heartbroken. I loved him with all my heart."

Hundreds fans who like their sci-fi with a Victorian touch descended on Leicester's National Space Centre dressed in period costumes.

They had gathered from up and down the country for the Steampunks in Space 2014 weekend - based on the form of literature pioneered by Jules Verne and HG Wells.

There were stalls, writers with their work, food, a saloon and art.

There was also a cake and jam competition, a huge market and many other attractions.

One of the visitors, George Ashby, 17, from Market Harborough, said: "It was the second time it was held at the Space Centre. It was a very friendly event and full of interesting activities. The great thing was that you could wear any kind of costume and you felt as if you fitted in."

He said: "There were people from around the country who have an interest in the steampunk genre. People think that Jules Verne and HG Wells are the first exponents of steampunk.

"I love the fantasy and I based my GCSE art portfolio on steampunk elements."

Mechanical engineer Robert Ludecks, 25, from Loughborough visited the event on Saturday and Sunday.

He said: "It was a very entertaining weekend with a great deal to see and do. It was great to meet other people who had similar interests."

Health bosses have withheld more than £300,000 in payments in 18 months because Leicester Royal Infirmary is not treating accident and emergency patients quickly enough.

The hospital has been penalised for failing to treat 95 per cent of patients within the Government's four-hour target.

It comes as latest figures show the hospital is seeing an increase in patients at A&E.

Figures from NHS England show that, in the week ending November 16, nearly 4,200 patients were seen there and in the urgent care centre.

But figures for the past week show this has gone up to 4,257.

There has also been a steep increase in the number of emergency admissions.

Nearly 1,400 more patients were admitted in two-and-a-half months from September than at the same time last year.

Just over 90 per cent of patients attending both A&E and the urgent care centre were seen within four hours during October – missing the Government's target of 95 per cent.

This is down from nearly 92 per cent recorded for the same month last year.

Leicester's City Clinical Commissioning Group, which has responsibility for health services in the city, withheld payments of £167,536 from the hospital since the start of this financial year.

In 2013/14, it withheld £143,961.

In a report to directors Richard Mitchell, chief operating officer for Leicester's hospitals, said: "Current performance is the result of a perfect storm.

"More medical emergency patients have been admitted in the past three months compared to the same time last year."

The number has increased from 192 a day to 212 a day.

Mr Mitchell said: "Over the same period, community bed capacity has reduced from 568 down to 500 beds and the number of delayed transfers of care (patients ready to leave hospital but without a suitable place to go) have increased.

"This has 'squeezed Leicester's hospitals."

A new ward with 16 beds housed in a portable building is now in operation and work is being done to improve efficiency.

Mr Mitchell said: "It is apparent that despite many efforts and much money being spent outside Leicester's hospitals, emergency admissions are not reducing and there are many patients staying longer than necessary."

He said work is being done at Leicester's hospitals to speed up discharges.

However, he added: "These actions have been too small to counteract external factors, in particular the increase in admissions.

"We need to ensure internal processes are as good as they can be.

"Progress has been made but greater improvement is required.

"However, the ability to deliver the required level of change while working in such challenged situations is limited.

"To deliver internal sustainable change we need a reduction in emergency admissions and an improvement in the discharge rate."

A cannabis dealer who was caught with £300 stash of the drug was jailed for eight months.

Ricky Morris was arrested when the police executed a search warrant at his home in Bishopston Walk, Stocking Farm, Leicester, on June 2.

They seized 21 grams of cannabis plus three individually wrapped deals, a set of scales and a dealer list showing people owed him £1,395.

Officers also found £320 in cash, which was confiscated by the court.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said: "The police forced an entry and found the defendant running into the lounge carrying a bag with cannabis in it."

He said the defendant's mobile phone had drug related messages on it.

There was evidence he had supplied to 14 individuals.

Morris, 27, pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court to possessing the class B drug with intent to supply it.

Mr Murphy said that while the police were on the premises one of Morris's customers turned up with £10 hoping to buy some cannabis.

Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "Cannabis can cause all sorts of problems for people, particularly mental health problems, that's why it's so serious."

He said the pre-sentence report stated Morris had been diagnosed as having attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and had a low risk of re-offending.

The judge said the prison authorities should be made aware that Morris was considered a suicide risk.

Mara Silva-Romefort, mitigating, said unemployed Morris has been using drugs and alcohol since the age of 12 and is currently suffering from depression

Butchers, florists and parish councillors have stripped off for a charity calendar to raise money in memory of a woman who died from cancer.

Mary Overton, of Blaby, passed away in March last year just six days after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Villagers and businesspeople from the area have now posed for a calendar to raise cash for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Mary's daughter Nicola said: "My mum would have found the calendar hilarious and would probably have been one of the first to buy a copy.

"It's fantastic that the village has rallied round like this in her memory. It's really great people have devoted their time and taken time from their businesses to come together.

"It's not a well-known charity, so for people to go out of their way to help is a lovely thing to do."

Businesses including Blaby Chippy, Blaby Butchers, Fox and Tiger Pub, Independent Technicians, The Florist Studio and Blaby Parish Council all took part in the calendar.

Nicola said: "The florist ladies are amazing; they put themselves out of their comfort zone for someone else."

Penny Smith, of Blaby Parish Council, said: "The reaction from local businesses has been incredible – it's not every day that you're asked to take your clothes off at work and be photographed, but everyone got into the spirit of the occasion.

"It brought the whole business community together and it was absolutely brilliant. Mike Dunn, of Independent Technicians, is my favourite. The laptop in front of him is very funny."

Dean Smith, of Blaby Butchers, said: "It was good fun, it was a good opportunity to raise money.

"We've had a really good response. Butchers in the Buff is our new name."

Mary lived in Blaby for more than 40 years with her husband, Dave.

Nicola said: "It was terrible to lose Mum so quickly.

"We didn't really have time to say goodbye properly or prepare ourselves for losing her. We feel robbed – she was only 61."

Unusually aggressive, with symptoms unclear until the latter stages, only three out of every 100 people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer will survive five years or more.

The calendar will be available to buy from all the businesses who participated in Blaby for £5.

Leicester Riders 102

Hassan 34, Watson 20, Bernardini 13, Losonsky 10, Lamble 10, Roland 6, Anderson 5, Washington 4, McSwiggan, Noel, Gamble, Rowe.

Surrey United 87

Knutson 19, Downing 18, Setty 14, Dusha 13, Crecco 12, Forson 7, Cardoso 4, Callum.

Sensational performances from Rashad Hassan and Neil Watson led Leicester Riders to a 102-87 victory over Surrey United on Saturday night as they bounced back from last weekend's heartbreaking cup exit.

Hassan made 16 of his 21 shot attempts to lead all scorers with 34 points as well as pulling down nine rebounds, whilst Watson didn't miss a single shot from any distance for his 20 points and also added ten assists and six rebounds.

There was little to choose between the sides in the first quarter, before five points in a row by Trevor Setty had the visitors 20-14 in front at the nine minute mark. Riders quickly narrowed that margin and Hassan and Watson combined to level the match at 27-all early in the second period.

A Tyler Bernardini three-pointer sparked a run of seven unanswered points to give Riders the lead and another one stretched their advantage to 10 points two minutes from half-time.

Leicester were 50-40 clear at the break and back-to-back dunks from Hassan formed part of eight points by him in an 11-4 tear which had Riders cruising at 61-44.

Former Rider Anthony Downing sparked some life into United late in the third quarter, but Watson netted seven points in a row as Riders moved 87-67 clear early in the final period.

Barry Lamble and Hassan punished the visitors inside down the stretch and only a flurry of late Surrey three-pointers made the final scoreline look respectable on their part.

London Lions 89

Cook 25, Taylor 21, Sullivan 19, Stibbins 12 Lawson 10 Salter 2

Leicester Riders 75

 Watson 21, Roland 13, Hassan 9, Losonsky 8, Washington 7, Bernadini 6, Lamble 6, Anderson 3, Rowe 2

Leicester Riders were unable to make it a weekend double as they wilted in the second half against London Lions in the BBL Championship at the Copper Box on Sunday afternoon 89-75.

Riders were in early foul trouble that limited the contributions from both Tyler Bernadini and Pavol Losonsky.

Neil Watson led the way with 21 points and four rebounds, but it was Riders' old boy Drew Sullivan who made sure of the home victory with 19 points, five rebounds and 10 assists.

Riders raced into an early seven to nil lead courtesy of good work inside by Rashad Hassan and capped by a three-pointer by Watson.

But fired by a trio of three-pointers in succession by Lovell Cook. the home side bounced back with an 11-1 run to take the lead.

A Zaire Taylor three-point play took that lead out to 12-8, and Taylor became increasingly influential as he knocked down successive jumpers on the way to 10 first quarter points.

A rare Derrick Roland three kept Riders in the hunt, and then a couple of quick buckets by Barry Lamble near the end of the first quarter tied the scores on 24 at the break.

Sullivan and Pavol Losonsky traded baskets to open the second period, and the game continued to stay close, until successive three-pointers from Roland and Watson opened up 41-34 lead for Riders, forcing Lions to a timeout.

The Lions gradually crept back into the game from the free-throw line, as Riders racked up the fouls – seven in the quarter compared with just two on the Lions – and a pair of free-throws by Sullivan closed the gap to Riders to one.

But then Roland hit his third three of the half, Watson did the same and, after a hugely entertaining first half, Riders had their noses in front 51-49.

The only downside was Losonsky and Bernadini were both on three fouls in limited minutes.

The Lions took control of the game in the third quarter led by their centre Makal Stibbins, who started to dominate inside. Successive dunks by the big man got the home side in front, Losonsky picked up his fourth foul, and Riders were called for a technical foul.

Cook's fifth three-pointer of the game got London clear, and a Sullivan basket and free-throw turned the screw.

At the end of the third period, Lions were well on top leading 71-60.

Riders were not looking after the ball well enough and Hassan had his fifth turnover of the game early in the fourth period as the Lions' lead ballooned out to 76-62, courtesy of Cook's sixth three-pointer.

Riders knew it was not going to be their night when the mild-mannered Barry Lamble seemed to be mugged under the basket, got called for three seconds, and then picked up a very rare technical foul. Bernadini fouled out not much later.

Ex-Riders star Sullivan was becoming increasingly influential and his three-pointer pushed the lead out to 81-67 with four minutes left.

Watson replied with a three-pointer, but that was as close as it got for a tiring Riders.

New work starting week commencing Sunday, November 30:

Allandale Road: Christmas fair. Road closed between Francis Street and Stoughton Road on Sunday (30 Nov) only. Pedestrian access maintained at all times.

Lutterworth Road: water main work. Inbound bus lane closed close to Gilmorton Avenue for two days from Sunday (Nov 30).

Danvers Road: sewer work. Road closed from Monday (Dec 1). Diversions in place.

Lower Brown Street: carriageway improvements. Off-peak closures, as required, around Norton Street from Sunday (30 Nov). Diversions in place.Ongoing works in the city: 

Charles Street: Haymarket Bus Station redevelopment. Lane closures and temporary signals in place on Charles Street and surrounding routes including Abbey Street and Belgrave Gate.

High View Close: construction works. Road closed at its junction with Lewisher Road.

Church Street: new development. Road is one-way only towards Charles Street.

Please note that emergency situations may require work schedules to be changed at short notice.

For queries please contact Area Traffic Control on 0116 254 0000. ATC Lines are open Monday-Friday 6.30am-6.30pm, and 9.30am to 1pm on Saturdays.

For up-to-date information tune in to Radio Leicester (104.9 FM).

Details of roadworks and information about car parking in Leicester are available online at www.leicester.gov.uk/travel

To follow Leicester City Council's area traffic control team on Twitter, visit www.twitter.com/ATCleicester

Leicester City's David Nugent is a doubt for tomorrow's visit of Liverpool to the King Power Stadium.

The striker picked up an ankle injury in Saturday's 3-2 defeat at QPR and will be assessed in the morning before manager Nigel Pearson decides on his squad to face the Reds.

Dean Hammond has returned to training after a calf injury, but the game will come too soon for him, while defender Matt Upson is also not quite ready for first-team action after returning to training following a foot injury.

City have no other injury concerns ahead of the visit of Brendan Rodgers' men.

"David Nugent has a bit of a sore ankle and calf, so we will look at that," said Pearson.

"We will assess him in the morning. But apart from that, we are okay.

"Dean is back in training and Matt Upson is very close to being available, so we have quite a big availability of our squad."

Charnwood MP Stephen Dorrell has defended himself after a doctor called on him to quit.

In an attack on the front page of the Daily Mirror today cancer specialist Clive Peedell attacked the Conservative MP - who is standing down in May - over a new part-time job he has started with accountancy giant KPMG.

His job is to help the company get a contract to manage medical records and it comes six months after Mr Dorrell quit as chairman of the House of Commons Health Select Committee.

Dr Peedell told the Mirror there was a conflict of interests and that the case "demonstrates everything that is rotten about our political system".

He added: "This makes it clear why Mr Dorrell suddenly resigned as chair of the Health Select Committee. Clearly a better offer came his way."

But Mr Dorrell told the Mercury he had no idea the KPMG offer would come up when he stood down from the health committee in June and said nothing about the KPMG offer had influenced any of his decisions.

He said: "The approach was after I left the committee.

"KPMG approached me and asked me if I would be interested in the role.

"I stepped down from the health committee because I'd done four years in that role and I wanted to develop new interests.

"If you'd asked me then if I thought I'd work for KPMG I'd have said it would be very unlikely."

When asked why he was not standing down immediately he said there was no conflict of interest between being a backbench MP and having a part-time job.

He said: "I've always thought that when you're not a minister it's important to have interests outside the House of Commons.

"I've always been open about that."

Earthquakes have been ruled out as a cause of the mystery bangs and rumblings which were heard from Glasgow to London on Saturday night.

People, including residents of Leicestershire, reported hearing a series of loud noises between 9pm and 10.30pm.

The bangs were so powerful it rattled windows in some areas and spooked pets in others.

Yesterday the Keyworth-based British Geological Survey confirmed: "There was no seismic activity in the country which could have been responsible for the noises."

Social media sites were bombarded with explanations ranging from sonic booms from Stealth bombers to space debris crashing into the atmosphere.

The Ministry of Defence also ruled out sonic booms from RAF Typhoon interceptors.

One Wigston resident said: "I thought it was some idiot letting off powerful fireworks. It was foggy but I did see a big flash."

A resident from Western Park added: "At first I thought it was fireworks but I am not so sure now."

However, nobody complained to Leicestershire Police or contacted the fire service about the noises."

But readers have contacted the Mercury.

firegews wrote: "We heard them as well in Shenton, I opened the window but could not pinpoint any direction. I thought they were more like deep explosions than fireworks?

Elaine1971 wrote: "We heard the bangs when we were camping at Bosworth Water Park last night. It was more like a barrages, than individual bangs. Maybe it was meteorites...?"

Leicester Tigers have announced a change to the structure of the club's pathway into senior rugby with the appointment of Ged Glynn to the role of head of rugby operations.

Glynn, who has coached the likes of London Irish, England A and the Spanish national team, joined Tigers in 2010 as the club's chief scout.

The additional responsibilities in his new role will include management of both the academy and the intermediate group of players to effect a more seamless transition from junior to senior ranks.

Tigers chief executive Simon Cohen said Glynn would bring a huge amount of experience to the role.

"Ged's experience, particularly in coaching both young players and in the Championship, will ensure that the club is best able to provide the talent within the academy and the right exposure at the right time to make the step up to the first team," he said.

England and British & Irish Lions players Tom Croft, Dan Cole, Manu Tuilagi and Tom and Ben Youngs are among the high-profile players who have come through the Tigers academy in recent years.

The most recent graduates to earn first-team recognition include front-rowers Fraser Balmain, Tiziano Pasquali and Harry Thacker.

Former manager Neil McCarthy has left the academy.

Winger Marc Albrighton said Leicester City cannot afford to be so wasteful in front of goal if they are to drag themselves off the foot of the Premier League.

City slumped to the foot of the table after their 3-2 defeat at QPR on Saturday but have a great opportunity to lift themselves back into the pack this week.

They entertain Liverpool tomorrow night and then travel to Aston Villa on Sunday, two sides who have also experienced poor runs of form recently.

Although it was QPR who had the lions' share of a Premier League record of 52 shots on goal in the match (33 to City's 19), it was Leicester who created the more clear-cut opportunities but squandered them.

Striker Jamie Vardy could have had a hat-trick on another day, while Riyad Mahrez also missed a golden chance.

Albrighton said City cannot afford to be so wasteful against the Reds tonight.

"I think we just need to start putting away our chances and capitalise on the chances we have been creating," said Albrighton.

"We are creating chances and, if we do that against Liverpool and Villa, take our chances and get back to being tough to score against, we will have no problems.

"It is very disappointing because QPR is the sort of game we look to get maximum points from. To come away with nothing is very disappointing.

"We started well and we created a lot of chances but we just can't seem to be able to put them away at the minute.

"When you are leaking goals like we did, it is going to be difficult to win games.

"It is unlike us to concede goals like that. The defensive players we have are solid but, if we are going to do it, we need to put away our chances at the other end."

Although Liverpool picked up a victory over Stoke at Anfield, manager Brendan Rodgers has come in for criticism as Liverpool have failed to match their performances of last season.

Albrighton said City should try to capitalise on the negativity.

"We have two big games coming up, Liverpool at home and then away at Villa," said Albrighton.

"They are games we are looking to get points from. I think we will go again and see what we can do.

"The games are big for us. Liverpool, although they won on Saturday, it is a good time to play them.

"They are probably short of confidence and we will have the crowd behind us at the King Power Stadium. Hopefully we can get something there.

"Then Villa, a local derby, and they are in no great form at the moment either.

"That will be another scrap but we will look to get maximum points."

• raoa4x: 11 (3S, 2R)
• Stuart_Young: 11 (3S, 2R)
• blueboy08: 8 (1S, 5R)
• foxeerod: 7 (2S, 1R)
• Vesty: 7 (1S, 4R)
• LCFCMike: 6 (1S, 3R)
• Krueger22: 6 (6R)
• DaveOakham: 5 (5R)
• foxmanlondon: 4 (1S, 1R)
• Sharpe: 4 (4R)
• Valefox1: 3 (3R)
• Luxpaul: 2 (2R)
• USA_Mark: 2 (2R)

Shoppers had another chance to bag a bargain today as the discounts continued with 'Cyber Monday'.

This time it was mainly online shoppers benefiting as numerous retailers offered discounted prices, with many retailers continuing to run the Black Friday deals until midnight.

Although crowds might not have queued outside stores as they did last week, online retail trade association IMRG estimated that £650 million would be spent through the day – more than was forecast for its fellow American import, Black Friday.

Leather satchel company Zatchels said they believed it would be "bigger than Black Friday".

Popular deals among online stores included those of Game, who were selling Xbox One and PS4 consoles for £299.99

Elsewhere, the Leicester Tigers were offering 15% off on their club shop website.