Thurnby Nirvana plot a course for the last 32 in the FA Vase on Saturday when they host Bromsgrove Sporting in the third round.

And the Dakyn Road men should be full of confidence ahead of the clash.

In the last round they took care of West Midland League outfit Gornal Athletic, who were on the end of a 4-1 beating.

Bromsgrove currently play at a level below Thurnby in the first division of the Midland League where they are sixth.

However, a defence that has conceded just 18 goals to date will take some breaking down.

Thurnby have the tools to do that though, as they showed against Gornal. Liam Canavan currently leads the United Counties League scoring charts with 16 goals to his name.

On the league front, Oadby Town are at last beginning to see some light at the end of the Premier Division tunnel.

Lee Harriman's men are on a run of three straight wins in all competitions, with three clean sheets into bargain.

That has lifted them out of the bottom three ahead of tomorrow's home clash with Newport Pagnell Town, who occupy a mid-table berth.

Harborough Town will take some encouragement from Tuesday's 3-3 draw at Long Buckby, where they rallied from 3-1 down at half-time.

That point ended a sequence of three league defeats in which Town had managed just one goal.

They entertain Sleaford tomorrow, another side who are in the lower reaches.

Three consecutive wins have given Lutterworth Athletic a five-point advantage over Peterborough Sports at the top of Division One.

Sports have two games in hand but Athletic should be happy with where they stand at this stage of the season.

They visit ninth-placed Olney Town tomorrow with strike Danny Laywood in good touch having taken his season's tally to 12.

Two entertaining games in four days brought nine goals, but no points, and City's position is beginning to look grim. We are not cut adrift of course, one win could lift us out of the relegation zone, but that one win has proved to be very elusive.

Our last one was 11 weeks ago.

No-one could seriously accuse our players of not giving their all, you can see the effort going in, but they have looked like a good Championship side trying to compete in the Premier League.

No side has given City a thrashing yet, we haven't been embarrassed, but the opposition have always had enough to edge us out.

Lately, we have lacked presence in the penalty area, neither Kasper Schmeichel nor the central defenders have dominated and we have been too easy to score against.

As a fan who has witnessed many (many, many) seasons of struggle, a familiar scenario is beginning to unfold.

Fans are dividing up into two opposing camps – 'Pearson Must Go' and 'Pearson Must Stay' – and the debate is getting ugly both on social media and in the stands.

The strain is beginning to show everywhere. Towards the end of Tuesday night's 3-1 defeat against Liverpool Nigel Pearson got embroiled in a row with a supporter during which the tabloid newspapers claim that foul language was used by both parties.

While the club investigated exactly what happened, once again the supporters are polarised between those saying that Pearson was right to give some back, and those who think it was unbefitting of his position.

That win over Manchester United seems like a very long time ago...

Sunday evening brings a trip to Aston Villa for those who can be tempted to spend £42 to leave their firesides and TVs.

In the Premier League, they are our closest rivals and a few years back there was quite a bit of needle between the two clubs which has now subsided.

Villa, of course, didn't behave terribly well in poaching our manager Brian Little away from Filbert Street. And another part of the problem was City's refusal to lose to their supposedly more illustrious neighbours. This unbeaten run lasted for 14 games through the 1990s and into the new millennium.

This may have irked Villa chairman Doug Ellis, as we discovered while then-Villa boss John Gregory was in the process of falling out with him.

Gregory revealed in an interview: "He thinks our training ground is the best in the country and certainly when it was built 25 years ago it was super-duper. But since then other clubs have caught up with us. We've got our own chef now, and the chairman will say to me: 'I wonder what those people at Leicester City are having today, John? Probably beans on toast'."

That didn't go down very well in these parts, and as fate would have it, we were soon drawn to play at Villa in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Beans on Toast City won the game 2-1 with goals from Ade Akinbiyi and Arnar Gunnlaugsson and Ellis was left with egg on his face.

The same scoreline will do very nicely on Sunday.

We play the Real Madrid of rugby in the Champions Cup on Sunday.

Toulon are the current French Top 14 title-holders and they arrive having won the last two European Cups as well.

I am not sure what their wage bill is but it must be the best part of 20 million Euros.

Whatever squad Toulon decide to bring with them to Welford Road on Sunday, they will represent an unbelievable challenge for us.

Their head coach Bernard Laporte has incredible riches to chose from. He has the sort of selection headaches every week that every coach in the Aviva Premiership would love to have once a season.

They have layer upon layer of quality players from their first team to their third team.

If you don't get your tactics exactly right against them, they have so much quality, they can severely punish you.

There's the likes of Matt Giteau, Maxime Marmoz, Mathieu Bastereaud and Rudi Wulf and that is just touching the surface in the backs.

In the pack, they have loads more internationals.

They have stellar names throughout the whole squad. It's just unbelievable.

To be fair to them, they have managed to blend and mould a squad full of superstars very well indeed.

They have bought very good professionals, who know what it takes to create a winning culture and they are not afraid of hard work.

Toulon have built something similar to a Barbarians side in their look and style.

They buy experience. They don't have to wait for those players to gain experience.

The players there enjoy themselves too and that is key.

We know what they can do. What is key this weekend, is what we can do.

We see this as a great opportunity to play against the stellar team in Europe and put down a marker. Let's get people talking about what we can do and how many good players we have got at Leicester.

We will have to play exceptionally well to win. We will go into the game full bore and try to fire the first bullets.

We have to try and make it as uncomfortable as we can for them and we hope that our supporters will help us to achieve that. It's going to be another memorable European night at Welford Road and I know from experience that our support can make a difference on the pitch.

We have had some big names back in the last few weeks too. Seeing Tom Youngs, Dan Cole and Marcos Ayerza in the front row last week gave everyone a lift.

This week, the likes of Geoff Parling, Tom Croft and Ben Youngs will all be available for the first time in a while too.

There are plenty of numbers in training this week and that is a luxury we have not been able to afford much this season.

There is a buzz around the place and it has given everyone a bit more confidence.

We have not been playing as well as we would have liked but, at this stage of the season, we have had a good autumn run getting 11 points from three games.

We are joint fourth in the Premiership after an average start to the season.

The key thing has been to hang in there and keep winning.

I'll take exactly that on Sunday.

Two old friends will be reacquainted in the midst of a steaming, testosterone-ridden mass of 16 blokes on Sunday.

When the referee's cadence reaches the word "crouch" on the first scrum of the day as Leicester and Toulon lock horns at Welford Road, Marcos Ayerza and Martin Castrogiovanni will look each other directly in the eye.

For seven years between 2006 and 2013, after joining Leicester from virtual obscurity, the two men fought the same battles, changed in the same changing room and enjoyed the same sweet taste of success on many occasions.

Two-thirds of a front-row that ran roughshod over opposition the length and breadth of Europe, Ayerza and Castrogiovanni will be adversaries for 80 minutes on Sunday evening.

It's not the first time they have played against each other having met on international duty when Argentina faced Italy.

One of those meetings produced a "20-second scrum", according to Ayerza.

"We were trying everything we could to win it but it didn't move," said Ayerza.

Sunday will be their first meeting at club level and the stakes are sky high – for the home team at least.

Defeat in Llanelli in October has not exactly left Tigers in the Last Chance Saloon – but they are certainly standing in the doorway.

Ayerza and Castrogiovanni, who left Tigers in 2013, will be at the coalface for that battle and the Argentine has already heard from his old mate.

"He has been in touch with me because he thinks he has a good chance of starting so we can play directly against each other," said Ayerza.

"We have kept in touch since he moved and I speak often with him. It's good to maintain friendships.

"He mentions Leicester some weeks. He misses the crowd, the people and the environment.

"But he doesn't miss the weather! And he loves the food out there.

"We will be talking to each other during the game and will be trying to win the battle.

"It could be hard to keep your mind on the game when you play against friends and, while there is banter, we are both professionals who have a job to do.

"It's a good mix of seriousness, fun and laughing.

"It's great and one of the nice things about rugby. There will be a bit of competitiveness and always friendship.

"It might be emotional for him coming back to Leicester.

"He has given so many years of service and so much blood so it might be special for him.

"He will run out at Welford Road once more and see those fans again."

The Ayerza v Castrogiovanni tussle is just one of a number of heavyweight individual battles around the pitch.

The possibility of Brad Thorn and Bakkies Botha going head-to-head in the line-out and pack is another one.

"There will be massive challenges all over the pitch but sport is full of them," said Ayerza.

"This game is hugely exciting and we are all looking forward to it.

"This will bring the best out of any player. We all want to test ourselves against the best players in the world.

"We know the team we are up against on Sunday and we know the players we will be playing against.

"With our home crowd behind us, I am dying to play this game."

Winners of the Leicester Mercury Young Achiever Awards were announced today at a glittering ceremony at the King Power Stadium.

The awards recognise those who have gone above and beyond to achieve in sport, the world of academia and in the community.

They also highlight those who act as an inspiration to others, and were sponsored by, among others, Fullhurst Community College, in Leicester.

Mitul Gadhia, from Mountsorrel, clinched the Student of the Year title to be crowned the overall winner, having already taken the top spot in the Business and Enterprise Achievement Award.

The 24-year-old's entrepreneurial skills shone out to the judges having set up his own estate and letting agents and taken on a number of apprentices in that time too.

He said: "I feel really proud and didn't ever expect to be taking home one award, never mind two. I've always had a strong work ethic and I think I get that from my parents. I had lots of help and guidance as I came through and so taking on some apprentices has enabled me to pass on some of my knowledge. It's nice to be able to help others if I can."

Full details of the ceremony and a list of all the winners will be available online tomorrow.

It certainly hasn't been a great week for Leicester City, and in particular manager Nigel Pearson and captain Wes Morgan.

In fact I doubt Morgan has ever had a week like it in his career.

The skipper has been a man mountain ever since he joined City and he has remained one of City's most consistent and reliable performers.

In fact, just a few weeks ago stats compiled by Opta had him as one of the top performing defenders in the Premier League.

However, after turning Steve Caulker's low cross clumsily into his own net at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday, a moment which turned the tide against City, he had a bit of a shocker against Liverpool on Tuesday night.

He inadvertently teed up Steven Gerrard to fire Liverpool ahead and then compounded his fumbled backpass by pulling down Rickie Lambert, prompting a red card.

It was pure instinct to drag Lambert back, but needless as the England man isn't exactly renowned for his pace and Morgan could have recovered the situation.

It just about summed up his week … and City's.

They are being punished for momentary lapses, for those split second mistakes. This division is unforgiving.

Whether it is switching off and failing to track an opponent, as Riyad Mahrez did at QPR and Paul Konchesky did for Adam Lallana's equaliser on Tuesday, or snatching at a goalscoring chance, all City's good work is being undone in a heartbeat.

Because City aren't a million miles away, which compounds the frustration.

Besides the performance at Swansea City and to a lesser extent the showing at Southampton, City have performed reasonably well.

The have shown plenty of heart and commitment, and no mean skill at times, especially in recent weeks by Esteban Cambiasso.

Which makes the incident which happened towards the end of Tuesday night's game even more disappointing.

Yes, there is overwhelming frustration at the way things have been going for City in recent weeks, but the vast majority of City fans are still getting behind Pearson and his players.

There was a chant of 'there's only one Nigel Pearson' during the first half at Loftus Road and at the final whistle on Tuesday night a chant of 'we love you Leicester' rang out while some fans applauded the effort the players had put in, despite being down to ten men for a significant period of the game.

That was except a little group of supporters behind the City dug out who voiced their frustration towards the City bench.

Yes, undoubtedly Pearson should not have reacted and he certainly shouldn't have used any foul language, as has been claimed by some supporters on Twitter.

But I always find it hypocritical when supporters hurl abuse in a player's or manager's direction and then complain bitterly when they get similar treatment in return. The attitude seems to be 'You can't say that to me, but I can say whatever I want to you!' It doesn't really make any sense does it?

The whole incident and subsequent coverage in the national papers doesn't do anyone associated with the club any favours and isn't a true reflection of the support City receive from an incredibly loud and loyal group of fans.

Hopefully, at tomorrow's press conference, a line can be drawn under it.

And while we are at it, let's draw another line under a very disappointing week and look ahead to a hugely important game at Villa Park on Sunday.

Leicester City will attempt to bring in at least two new players during the January transfer window, a defender and a striker.

The Mercury understands City will aim to bolster their squad in January as they set about the task of securing their Premier League status.

It is believed a central defender and a striker are top of the wish-list.

City are looking at players with Premier League experience who can make an immediate impact during the second half of the season.

City did join the chase for former Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermaine Defoe during the last transfer window and he remains an option for them.

They are certainly looking for a striker who has previously scored goals at Premier League level as they look to increase the conversion rate of the chances they have created.

A central defender is also on the list as City look to improve their performance in both boxes.

Manager Nigel Pearson has stated that he has been satisfied overall performances but they must improve the quality at both ends of the pitch to start changing their fortunes.

However, Pearson knows it won't be easy to land his targets in January and, while he knows the prices will be inflated, he said reports about how much money City have to spend are unrealistic.

"It is a notoriously difficult window to operate in as clubs are reluctant to make their best players available in January," he said.

"We have to make sure if we do business it is for the right reasons, but I'm not suggesting we won't do business.

"Stories have run about us having £180 million available and that figure is nonsensical."

Fenwick opened its doors to hundreds of eager shoppers as bargain hunters scrambled to get their hands on exclusive discounts.

The annual Mercury reader event, now in its 11th year, attracts hundreds of people, keen to get great deals on everything from handbags to perfumes to bath towels.

During the four-hour frenzy, Fenwick slashed the price of everything in the store by 20 per cent.

Staff said they also expected to go through 90 gallons of mulled wine and 5,000 mince pies, all given to customers for free.

Last night, men, women and children queued around the block as they waited for the doors to open at 5.30pm.

Jennifer Joannou, 62, from Evington, was first in the queue with her husband Mike.

She said: "I've been coming here for the Mercury Fenwick event since the first year it started.

"I love the fact that I see the same people every year and the comradery - there a Dunkirk spirit among the shoppers."

Her husband Mike, 66, said they were using the opportunity to buy Christmas presents for each other.

He said: "I can confirm that my wife is Fenwick's best customer - I've got the bank statements to prove it."

Staff at a Dutch shipping company want to unravel the mystery of how 100 war-time love letters from a Leicester woman ended up in an antiques shop near Rotterdam.

The shoe box filled with the correspondence, dating from the 1940s, was discovered at the back of the shop a month ago.

The collection features the heart-felt letters of factory worker Margaret Bowes to her sweetheart, Ted Thompson, who was serving with the Royal Artillery in the Second World War.

Expat Jeannie Allcott, who works for the shipping company, said the discovery has got her colleagues intrigued with the love story.

Jeannie, 58, said: "What these letters are doing so far from Leicester is a real mystery.

"My colleague Suzette Bakelaar, who is Dutch, bought them in a little shop near Rotterdam for eight euros. There was nothing with them to say what they were doing outside the United Kingdom.

"Suzette, who is researching her own family history, showed them to me and a colleague and we were fascinated how they came to be in Holland and who the couple were."

The letters were written by Margaret while she was living in Moores Street, Belgrave, to Ted Thompson, who was building anti-aircraft rocket batteries on the south and east coast.

The letters were written between 1943 and 1945 and tell of family life and their intense relationship.

Jeannie said: "We believe that Ted and Margaret married and lived in Leicester. We don't think they had any children. We think from our research that he died in Leicester in 2009 and his funeral was held at Gilroes Crematorium.

"But we would love to see if we can contact the family and discover if Margaret is still alive.

"She must be in her 90s as we calculate they were 20 or 21 when the letters were written.

In the letters, Margaret tells Ted about how she felt when they met and how being apart was very tough and how much she depended on his letters.

In one letter she writes: "Our accidental meeting caused me to fall in love for the first time in my short life."

She refers to work – she worked at the Premier Works – family, friends and going to see films starring Humphrey Bogart and Deanna Durbin.

But she hated being separated from her sweetheart although he was serving in England.

She also wrote: "The day I expect your letter and the post-woman is late, as she was this morning, I go to work nasty tempered and I never speak to anyone unless I have to."

In another letter responding to Ted's jealousy over her having fun with friends, she wrote: "Darling, there's only one person for me and that's you."

A funeral firm has failed in its bid to overturn a council's decision to refuse it permission to build a crematorium.

Westerleigh had wanted to build the funeral complex on a Leicestershire County Council-owned site of Welford Road in Kilby.

Blaby District Council's planning committee had rejected the scheme but the firm asked a Government planning inspector to reconsider it.

The inspector has now supported the council's decision, concluding the location was not sustainable for a public facility like a crematorium.

The Westerleigh scheme was one of three proposed crematoria in South Leicestershire - all within a short distance of each other.

Another planning inspector has given the Co-op permission to develop a site at Great Glen which was originally turned down by Harborough District Council.

Another firm Memoria is poised to open its own crematorium in Foston Lane Countesthorpe after also getting planning permission on appeal.

The area's county councillor David Jennings has opposed both the Kilby and Countesthorpe scheme.

He said: "The decision to reject Kilby is a very good one - it is far too small as a site - but the pinch is Countesthorpe has been allowed.

"I think if and when the Great Glen crematorium opens that will be the most used. of the two.

Great Glen's county councillor Kevin Feltham disagreed.

He said: "The Countesthorpe crematorium is set open in February and the one at Great Glen probably won't open for at least a year.

"The site has been cleared but not much else has happened.

"Funeral directors will get used to using the Countesthorpe one but there will end up being a bit of a turf war."

Memoria's £4 million crematium and memorial park will open in February

Memoria chairman Howard Hodgson said: "We have identified a critical need for cremation services in the local area and believe that families will appreciate the opportunity to receive a distinguished service in a beautiful setting.

"We realise that we are unable to eradicate the pain of bereavement.

"However, we also know that it is our duty to be as efficient, kind, respectful and polite as humanly possible. The new Memorial Park will achieve this through the service quality of our dedicated staff. It will also help to alleviate the significant pressure on time slots, which is currently evident locally, by reducing waiting times for families who until now have not had a choice in the matter."

David Leader, 71, has been dedicated to caring for his wife 24-hours a day since she fell victim to dementia about a decade ago.

He always puts her first and ahead of his own health problems.

David was admitted to hospital earlier this year. After staying for one night he persuaded the doctors to discharge him as he wanted to get back to care for Christine.

David, who has been married to Christine for 48 years, said:

"If I am admitted to hospital, I am out as soon I can.

"I feel that I should be there looking after Christine. While I am all right she will never go in to a home.

"I feel like she would have wanted to stop at home and I am trying to give her that wish."

The Leicester Mercury is once again looking to recognise the dedication of carers in our 2014 Carer of the Year Awards.

David is one of the individuals nominated in the a Dementia Carer of the Year category. It is the third year running that he has been nominated.

David, of Evington, said his wife is in the last stages of the illness.

"When I talk to her she will flick her eyebrows but she can't make conversation.

"It is 24 hour care. When someone gets Alzheimer's they can go down hill quite fast.

"The only thing that you do lose is your freedom - I see people saying they are going to town but I can't do that. I have to stop here and look after my wife. She is my wife and I am here to look after her."

David has four children and three grandchildren.

He was nominated by his daughter Tina McBrien, 41, of Syston.

She said her dad goes above and beyond to look after Christine.

"This year he had to go into hospital. He was severely ill. But, he only stayed one day so she did not have to go in a home.

"The doctors asked him to stay in for more tests. I told him he needed to stay in to get better but he was more concerned about my mum.

"He is adamant that she will never go in to a home. To him it is just caring for his wife. He does not see it as a big deal because he loves her."

This week's category is sponsored by care provider Pure Homecare.

Director of Pure Homecare, Lola Ojomo, said: "Not everyone is a carer. In fact, it takes a very special person to work in the care industry – the person must be compassionate, caring, empathetic and most of all, want to make a difference in someone's life.

"These are incredibly hard traits to find which is why when we heard about the Dementia Carer of the Year Award, we wanted to be a part of it.

"Dementia is a particularly challenging disease - often leaving the sufferer and their families devastated and confused. This is why this category is a special one to us – dementia carers are so very deserving of this recognition."

To nominate a carer click HERE.

Dysart Way is partially blocked between Catherine Street and Belgrave Circle in Leicester due to an accident between a car and motorcyclist.

The incident happened at 2.10pm today. 

The motorcyclist has been taken to hospital with serious injuries that are not believed to be life threatening. 

The condition of the car driver is not known. 

There is congestion on Belgrave Road, Belgrave Circle and Humberstone Road.

Drivers are advised to avoid the area. 

Bus company Arriva said this collision may cause delays on services 5, 5A, 6, 53, 53A, 56, 58, 58A, 126 and 127.

Zaker Monsur (40) of Burley Corner, Oakham, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 50 miles per hour on the A14 westbound at Swinford on April 13 2014. He was fined £400 with £85 costs, £40 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Simon Percy (51) of Primrose Close, Narborough, was proven guilty in absence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving on Narbrough Road, Leicester, on June 16 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points were put on his driving licence.

James Petty-Gilbert (23) of The Close, Anstey, was proven guilty in absence of driving a vehicle while not wearing a seatbelt at Anstey on April 4 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Loraine (correct) Theresa Power (56) of Bardon Road, Coalville, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in Bardon Road, Coalville without third-party insurance. She was fined £250 with £85 costs, £25 victim surcharge and six penalty points were put on her driving licence.

Michael Panayi (57) of Buzzard Close, Broughton Astley, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identification of a driver alleged to have been guilty of an offence on May 21 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and he was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

Lucy Sykes (22) of Gilmorton Road, Lutterworth, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on August 13 2014. She was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and her driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Kishore Tailor (55) of Kensington Street, Belgrave, pleaded guilty to exceeding 30 miles an hour on London Road, Leicester on April 17 2014. He was fined £60 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Sara Ami Thorley (28) of Oak Crecent, Ashby de la Zouch, was proven guilty in absence of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving on Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch on June 10 2014. She was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points were put on her driving licence.

Martin James Watts (33) of The Pastures, Broughton Astley, was proven guilty in absence of exceeding 30 miles per hour on New Parks Way, Leicester on March 13 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Sharon Wright (56) of Briers Close, Narborough, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information in relation to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on May 12 2014. She was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

Craig Edward Young (no age given) of Bell Street, Claybrooke Magna, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle at Manor Road, Ullesthorpe without third-party insurance on April 10 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and six penalty points were put on his driving licence.

Ijaz Ahmed (40) of Burnet Close, Hamilton, pleaded guilty to driving a vehicle on the M1 southbound at Lutterworth on May 21n 2014 otherwise than in accordance with a licence. He was fined £135 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Souheil Salim Anani (25) of Belgrave Avenue, Belgrave, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in Belgrave Avenue on April 3 2014, without third party insurance. He was fined £255 with £85 costs, £26 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Daniel Piotr Maj (31) of Rowlatts Hill Road, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of driving in Narborough Road, Leicester on May 20 2014 while using a hand-held mobile phone. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with three penalty points.

Irfan Mansuri (27) of St Saviours Road, Spinney Hills, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on June 18 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and his driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Sanchez Kelton McKenzie (25) of Lime Grove Close, Beaumont Leys, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver alleged to have committed an offence on July 31 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and was disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

Joshua James Morrison (23) of Blenheim Walk, Melton Mowbray, pleaded guilty to using a vehicle in Brook Street, Melton Mowbray on July 2 2014 without a test certificate. He was fined £125 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Riyaz Ahmed Shaikh (36) of Homeway Road, Evington, was proven guilty in absence of driving in Bonsall Street, Leicester, on May 1 2014 while using a hand-held mobile phone. He was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points were put on his driving licence.

Tebor Tokoli (53) of Tiverton Avenue, New Parks, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle at Lambert Road, Leicester, on June 13 2014 with insufficient tyre tread. He was fined £400 with £85 costs, £40 victim surcharge and three penalty points were put on his driving licence. Tokoli was also found guilty in absence of driving in Lambert Road, Leicester, on the same date without wearing a seatbelt. He was fined £200.

Ovidijus Vaisvilas (33) of Fowler Close, New Parks, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle on Station Road, Ratby on April 15 2014 and failing to display a vehicle or trade licence. He was fined £200 with £85 costs At the same date and place he was found guilty of using a vehicle without a valid test certificate. He was fined £200 with £40 victim surcharge.

Yusuf Musa Vaka (60) of Kedleston Road, Evington, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle without third-party insurance at Victoria Park Road, Leicester, on June 10 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs and £60 victim surcharge. He driving licence was endorsed with six penalty points.

Margaret Ward (46) of Ashby Road, Newbold Coleorton, was found guilty in absence of failing to comply with a red traffic light signal at Lena Drive, Groby, on April 19 2014. She was fined £200 with £85 costs, £20 victim surcharge and three penalty points were put on her driving licence.

Richard Daniel Watts (44) of Braunstone Gate, Leicester, was proven guilty in absence of failing to give information relating to the identity of a driver believed to have committed an offence on May 12 2014. He was fined £600 with £85 costs, £60 victim surcharge and disqualified from holding or obtaining a driving licence for six months.

John Calum Webster (58) of Church Street, Lutterworth, was proven guilty in absence of using a vehicle without displaying a vehicle or trade licence in Coventry Road, Market Harborough, on May 3 2014. He was fined £200 with £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

Anthony Charles Southorn (35) of Hall Close, Westeern by Welland, Market Harborough, pleaded guilty to stealing items worth £41.95 from Homebase, Market Harborough on March 3 2014. He was discharged conditionally for 12 months and ordered to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge. He also pleaded guilty to stealing items worth £172.07 belonging to Sainsburys, Market Harborough, on the same date and was discharged conditionally for 12 months.

Salaheddine Eddani (29) of Scalpay Close, Beaumont Leys, was found guilty after denying receiving stolen goods, two Apple Imac computers worth £2,100, belonging to PK Models and Schools , Talbot LaneLeicester, on February 1 2014. He was ordered to pay £1,000 compensation carry out 180 hours unpaid work within the next 12 months and to pay £625 costs and £60 victim surcharge.

Abdilahi Fahie (26) of Kashmir Road, St Matthews, pleaded guilty to common assault on October 19 2014 and was fined £100 with £50 compensation, £85 costs and £20 victim surcharge.

An inspirational young woman who has terminal cancer has been jet-setting to A-list locations and sipping tea at the Ritz since her devastating diagnosis two months ago.

Alex Hopwood, of Hinckley, has travelled to three continents and seen some of the world's most famous sites to create some treasured memories with her beloved friends and family.

Despite her hectic schedule, the 24-year-old childcare worker has still found the time to set up a charity to help others in her position.

Alex said: "As soon as I was told the news that there was no more treatment available to me, I came home and a friend encouraged me to write a list of things I wanted to do.

"All the trips and days out that I was hoping to do once I'd got better, I decided to do them now.

"I've flown over the Grand Canyon in a helicopter, and watched the Northern Lights in Iceland.

"I've had tea at the Ritz and taken my little niece to Disney Land - it's all been incredible.

"I'm lucky enough to have some amazing friends and family, so I just want to spend as much time with them as possible."

Alex was first diagnosed with leukaemia in September last year, (13). But after a bone marrow transplant from her brother, Dane, she was told she was in remission just four months later.

"When I was told the cancer was gone it was such a relief," she said.

"My brother had been amazing to donate his bone marrow and I was so excited to get back on with my life.

"I was going for routine scans and everything was positive until about May, when the scans had come back.

"It was such a shock but I just threw myself back into chemo again - I had every treatment possible and my brother donated his bone marrow again.

"Once again we thought everything was going well. I was hoping for the best.

"But in the middle of October this year the doctors explained that it hadn't worked, and there was nothing more they could do.

"I had sort of prepared myself for bad news, but it was just devastating - I hated that I was going to have to tell all the people I loved the bad news. I didn't want to upset them."

After returning home from hospital, a friend suggested Alex write a list of things she wanted to do.

Alex said: "It included big things like Vegas, Dubai and Iceland, but also smaller things like staying in the Cotswolds with my friends, and going on days out with my family."

More than 30 of her friends and her mum, Jacky, joined her in Vegas, which included a helicopter trip over the Grand Canyon, a Britney Spears concert and a limousine trip.

"I didn't want this cancer to stop me from doing anything," said Alex.

"I do feel more poorly now since I first went away, but I just want to keep going for as long as possible."

She added: "I set up a charity throughout my ongoing battle as it gave me a lift helping others.

"I was inspired to create something positive out of something so negative."

Alex's charity, A Gift to Lift, creates memorable experiences for blood cancer patients, with the aim of raising enough funds to have a holiday lodge for patients and their families.

Alex said: "Whatever happens now, I know I've experienced some of the most incredible things, and I'll always be grateful for that.

"It's my friends and family, especially my mum, that have kept me going and supported me.

"Life is for living - I'm determined to keep smiling, and appreciate every single day."

To donate to Alex's charity, visit: www.facebook.com/AGiftToLift

Emergency services have been called to "a very serious" crash between a car and a bus this afternoon.

The collision happened in Empingham Lane between the A1 at Tickencote and the Empingham cross roads in Rutland shortly before 1.30pm.

A police spokesperson said they believe people were travelling on the bus when it crashed. 

The road has been closed while the emergency services deal with the incident.

The condition of people involved is not known.

Leicestershire Police advise people to avoid the area as the road is due to be closed for "some time". 

Hooker Tom Youngs believes Leicester Tigers need to finally replace words with actions when they host the European champions tomorrow night.

As far as he is concerned: "It's time to deliver."

Toulon arrive for the first leg of their crucial Champions Cup double-header as reigning French champions and having won the last two Heineken Cups. A win over Clermont means they are also enjoying a five-point lead at the summit of this season's Top 14.

While the size of Leicester's task is obvious, they will be able to welcome back international trio Ben Youngs, Geoff Parling and Tom Croft to the fold, having seen Marcos Ayerza, Niki Goneva and Tom Youngs return last week against Wasps.

Bullish Youngs says it's time for Leicester to start producing the sort of form that has eluded them all season. And what better game to produce that in than tomorrow's European showdown.

"Toulon is huge for us," he said. "You get these games every so often when you welcome a big European side.

"This is a huge game for everyone involved in the club. We are looking forward to it and we need to be better than we were against Wasps.

"Those basic mistakes have to be cut down on. We need to be better. We are building pressure and letting sides off the hook. We are getting behind teams but then knocking on.

"We know that and we will address it in the week leading up to the game.

"It's alright saying it, but we need to actually deliver this time.

"It will be an awesome atmosphere. The fans will be out there, even though it is 5.30pm on a Sunday, and they will be cheering us on."

Youngs said it was good not only to get back out on the pitch but to play once again with Dan Cole and Marcos Ayerza in a big-hitting Tigers front row.

The three men last played together 10 months ago and with more cavalry back this weekend, Youngs admitted Tigers would have a strong squad to send into their toughest assignment of the campaign.

"It was important for me to get 50 minutes under my belt after injury," he said.

"I am back two weeks earlier than predicted and I am happy with that. There's a bit of Norfolk blood in that! Luckily, I am quick healer.

"With Leo (Ghiraldini) in there as well, we have two hookers who can come on and do a good job.

"Ben, Tom and Geoff will all be back in the mix and the whole 23 will be important against a side like Toulon. It's not just the 15 men who start. We need impact off the bench.

"We are not playing well as a side but we are still winning. We need to do the simpler things better.

"We need to hold on to the ball better, running with the ball and kicking with the ball needs to be better across the board. I think that is everyone, across the team. If we played like we did against Wasps, we will be the losing team against Toulon.

"It's going to be a big week and we are all looking forward to welcoming Toulon here to Welford Road. It's what we all play for."

Feeling a bit like the Grinch? Bored of Christmas already - and it's only the first week of December? Here's some events in Leicestershire this weekend that have nothing to do with the festive season. If you've got any other suggestions, let everyone know by leaving a message in the comments section below.

The Sound of Music

Yes, it's Curve's Christmas show - but it's not really about Christmas so we've included it in our list. If you're lucky you might be able to snap up some of the last few tickets remaining for

Saturday's 3pm or 7.30pm performances.

www.curveonline.co.uk

I Believe in Unicorns

This enchanting family show is a tale set in a library full of books that comes to life. The play is aimed at youngsters aged between five and 11. It's on at Southfields Library (best known as the Pork Pie library) at 2pm on Saturday and costs £4 per ticket, £2 for library members.

Richard III walks

There's several chances to join a 2km guided walk exploring the battle of Bosworth, the death of King Richard III and the unlikely victory of Henry Tudor this weekend. The walks take place at 11am and 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

For further details see www.bosworthbattlefield.com

Basketball

Leicester Riders take on Glasgow Rocks at the Sir David Wallace Sports Centre at Loughborough University at 7.30pm on Saturday. Get your tickets at www.leicesterriders.co.uk/

Eating In

Snibston Discovery Museum has an Eating in Exhibition on until December 31. It features the story of cooking and eating at home from prehistoric ages to the present day, including a wide range of food packaging, recipes, kitchen gadgets and tableware from the museum collections.

They say "you never see a poor bookie".

There have been few European games at Welford Road that have seen Leicester Tigers start as such big outsiders as tomorrow's meeting with Toulon.

The best price you could get at the time of writing was 13/8.

The 'Real Madrid of rugby' go into the game as heavy, odds-on, favourites – and there are few from outside the Leicester camp who could argue with the bookies' predictions.

Bernard Laporte's side arrive as reigning European and Top 14 champions. They are also five points clear in their domestic league this season.

Their wage bill, according to Tigers' director of rugby Richard Cockerill is "near 20 million Euros" and the squad packed with the world's stars.

Tigers, meanwhile, have hung in there through an injury-ridden season which has included their heaviest-ever league defeat at Bath and the departure of their backs' coach.

They have battled hard, shown trademark fighting spirit and are, somehow, still in all three competitions.

There is no doubt, however, that Tigers will have to put in their best performance of the season to win on Sunday – and the bookies agree.

Leicester will need to be pragmatic and, more than ever, execute their game plan to a tee.

With most of their big ball carriers, like Manu Tuilagi, Logo Mulipola, Ed Slater, Seremaia Bai and Christian Loamanu, all out injured, Tigers will need their set piece to function well and their wonderful line-out to continue its success.

The scrum must hold its own and they must kick out of hand with precision. Tigers need to build pressure and be clinical in the Toulon 22 and overcome the poor ball retention that has hurt them so often this year. Don't expect Champagne rugby.

Leicester's defence must stop gain-line breaks. There are few clubs better in world rugby at finishing attacking opportunities.

Leicester must also play referee Nigel Owens well at the breakdown.

Every part of the home side's game needs to be absolutely spot on.

Aside from game plans, there are some head-to-head battles that will get the rugby world salivating.

Marcos Ayerza against his old team-mate Martin Castrogiovanni in the front-row and Julian Salvi against Steffon Armitage in the back-row spring to mind.

Yet, they are dwarfed by the one in the second-row that sees decorated South Africa lock Bakkies Botha come up against Tigers' World Cup-winning All Black, Brad Thorn.

Rumour has it that one of the reasons Thorn agreed to sign was because he could have "one last crack" at an old adversary.

You pray that is fact, not just rumour.

Salvi's role at the breakdown will be key to Leicester's success and he is demanding a "big performance".

"You could say this is the most physical test of the year," he said. "There are big names all over the place but this is why you play the game. I am looking forward to that confrontation and it's up to us to put pressure on them. We need to take points every time we get inside their 10-metre line. The discipline will be important and we have to be smart.

"The crowd will play a big role. When you run out and see the big stand with fans yelling and chanting, it's great to see."

Tigers only defeat at home in Europe in their last 25 contests was to Ulster last season. The last French side to win at Welford Road was Biarritz in 2005.

Two people have died following a crash between a bus and a car this afternoon in Rutland.

The collision happened in Empingham Lane between the A1 at Tickencote and the Empingham cross roads shortly before 1.30pm.

A police spokesperson said there were two people travelling in the car when it crashed who both died. 

The police cannot confirm how many people were on the bus but said "several" people have been taken to hospital with minor injuries. 

The road has been closed while the emergency services deal with the incident.

Leicestershire Police said the road is due to be closed for some time.