Vandals have uprooted another ticket machine installed as part of a controversial residents' parking scheme.

The damaged machine was discovered lying in the road in Sykefield Avenue, in Leicester's West End, this morning.

It had apparently been pushed over at some point overnight.

The machine was one of a number put in place in early November when Leicester City Council began a residents parking scheme.

As previously reported by the Mercury two machines, which provide parking tickets for those who have not purchased a £25 permit, were dislodged within weeks of being put in place.

City council officials say they have been able to re-erect the toppled machine at a cost of around £100 and it is now working again.

They were not able to say what it cost to repair the previous vandalism.

While many residents in the area welcomed the new parking regime others were upset they would have to pay for the privilege of a parking space outside their homes.

Western Park ward councillor George Cole said: "We don't know if this is another protest at what the machine stands for or if it was just a random act of someone passing by.

"If people want to protest against the parking system there are legitimate means to do that and vandalism should not be encouraged.

"We did have a consultation on the scheme and the machines are a result of that but not everybody likes them."

Newsagent Subhash Varambhia, of Snutch News in nearby Fosse Road South, said: "My paperboy spotted it and told me "They've done another one."

"You can definitely see a pattern. I think it is somebody who is unhappy with the residents' parking and has taken the law into their own hands.

"They must be very flimsily fixed in if they can be just shoved over like that. They need properly setting because it wouldn't surprise me if whoever is responsible does it again.

"I hope they don't because there are electricity cables going into the machines. If they snapped it could be very dangerous."

One of the machines previously damaged has been repaired and is working again.

The other is covered with a sleeve which, Mr Varambhia said, has had the words "We have done it" painted on.

The city council said that machine was set to be replaced with a spare meter.

A council spokesman said: "The machine in Sykefield Avenue had been vandalised.

"Our engineers have been out and reinstated it, and although further checks will be made, it now appears to be working again.

"The machines were installed in early November, as part of the extension of the Westcotes residents' parking scheme."

All three incidents have been reported to Leicestershire police.

Police have discovered a cannabis farm with about 300 plants inside.

A raid took place at a home in Scraptoft Lane, Leicester, where police found about 300 plants. No arrests have been made and the plants have been taken away to be destroyed.

A police spokesman said: "We found the cannabis farm at a home in Scraptoft Lane on Saturday evening.

"There were about 300 plants in the three bedrooms and the loft area.

"The electric meter had been bypassed and it was a typical set up with extractor fans and high-powered lights."

He was unable to say what led to the Scraptoft Lane cannabis farm being uncovered but said this time of year the weather sometimes helped to reveal them.

During the winter, cannabis factories, where high-powered lights churn out heat all day and night, are often spotted by police because the heat stops any ice from forming on the roof.

The police spokesman said: "At this time of year, cannabis farms are something people can easily look out for in their streets.

"The absence of snow or ice on the roof of a house, when all the others in the street do have it, is a sign that the house could be being used as a cannabis farm.

"The heat from the lights is emitted 24 hours a day so the roof stays warm all the time."

Anyone who thinks they know the location of a cannabis farm is asked to contact the police on 101. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Andy King's thigh injury is not as serious as first feared, Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has revealed.

The City midfielder limped out of the Boxing Day defeat to Tottenham and missed Sunday's victory at Hull, but a scan has revealed he will not be out of action for long, although he will not feature tomorrow at Liverpool and is unlikely to be risked in the FA Cup third-round tie against Newcastle on Saturday.

Pearson also said he does not have a date on the return of goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel, who is recovering after surgery to repair a broken metatarsal in his foot.

"Andy is not available for this next game and maybe not for the weekend either," said Pearson.

"It is a thigh strain but it is not too serious.

"Kasper is at home at the moment and resting. That will not be something we will look into any further for a couple of weeks.

"The next time he will have consultation we will have a better idea of what the length of time he will be out. That will be two or three weeks yet."

City will also be without Paul Konchesky for the trip to Liverpool after his red card at Hull, while Matt Upson is not ready for match-action at present, but Jamie Vardy returns to the squad after his one-game ban at Hull.

After a hectic fixture schedule, Pearson said he would check the condition of his players before deciding on whether to change a winning side for the trip to Anfield.

"We have a few bumps and bruises but, for the most part, the biggest thing from the last few games will be fatigue," he said.

"I was asked about Leo Ulloa coming off at Hull and that was due to fatigue and needing some fresh legs on.

"The question is always do you go with a similar side and hope, or back your judgement that they will be able to reproduce energy levels?

"From looking at the stats from the other day, both sides were not at the same physical level as the Boxing Day game.

"I would imagine that would be very similar throughout the divisions. Now we have to consider whether further changes for the next game are beneficial."

Leicestershire can lay claim to fielding some of the country's leading riders from the junior ranks up to the veteran category.

It was another productive year on road and track for a clutch of our leading names.

But they all have one thing in common – whatever stage of their career they have arrived at, they are all still striving to improve, as this selection of New Year's resolutions and tips underlines.

George Atkins has just signed with the ONE Pro team, a new set-up part-owned by England cricketer Matt Prior.

"My outright goal from now will be the Rutland Melton Cicle Classic in April," said Atkins.

"Then onward to the Tour Series, National Championships and the Tour of Britain as the final target of the year.

"In terms of a resolution, I think the one thing I can come up with is: 'Commit yourself to what you do. When it's raining outside, or when you're having to turn down social events, miss people's birthdays or a mate wanting a pint down the pub, take it in your stride.

"You have to want to say 'no' almost because you want what you do even more so. And finally – enjoy it. Do it for the love."

Matt Bottrill (Drag2Zero) enjoyed an incredible 2014, winning National time-trial titles at 10, 25 and 50-miles.

"My New Year's resolution is to go beyond the limits I thought I had.

"Everybody keeps telling me that I will never top last season. I guess I just want to prove that I can. So I'll be going with the saying: 'Most people have the will to win, few have the will-power to win.'

Lucy Garner continues to develop on the continental road scene and is entering a third year in Holland with the Giant-Shimano set-up.

There is a major new sponsor on board bringing about a name change to Liv-Plantur for the coming season.

"My overall goal for 2015 is pretty straightforward," said the Sky Academy scholar. "I want to be on the top step of the podium again.

"I've had two years of developing and now I want to go out there with a chance to sprint and pick up wins for the team in whatever races I can."

Grace Garner has prospered in her time with RST Racing Team and in 2014 landed three national junior track titles to go with a European gold medal.

"I think my New Year's resolution will be to make sure that I listen to my body," said the Great Britain junior.

"There are times when you do have to take it easy. Sometimes if you aren't having a good day then you need to relax a bit and don't get too worked up."

Dan McLay is a young sprinter who has joined the professional ranks with French squad Bretagne-Seche.

"My resolution is to learn to communicate with my team-mates in French by July," he said. "My top tip is to swap the café-stop cake for an omelette sandwich or eggs on toast and leave the energy gels at home!"

Colin Sturgess, a former top pro on track and road, made a return to competition as a veteran in 2014 and is aiming to step up again next year with the SportGrub Kuona squad.

"My New Year's resolution will be to practice what I preach," he said.

"I'm terrible at following my own advice. One of my favourite maxims is: 'Train and race smarter and harder' but I'll often conveniently forget it and go and smash myself to bits, not allowing for enough recovery.

"Train and race smarter not harder. Use your head and think analytically."

A man with Leicester connections is being sought by police in Northamptonshire.

The officers want to talk to 52-year-old Winston Anthony Reid, who is also known as Malik Shabazz, about an alleged serious sexual assault and an alleged violent assault.

Mr Reid also has links with areas including Wellingborough, Northampton, Kettering, London and the West Midlands.

Anyone with information about his whereabouts can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Flanker Julian Salvi believes Leicester Tigers have a "score to settle" when his former club Bath arrive at Welford Road on Sunday.

The 29-year-old Aussie spent a season in the West Country before moving to the East Midlands in 2011.

He has amassed 99 appearances for Leicester since then and will be hoping his 100th can be a reason to exorcise the demons of Tigers' trip to the Rec in September on the second week of the season.

Bath's astonishing 45-0 victory rocked Tigers to the core that day and Salvi admitted it was a result that has stayed in the back of their minds ever since.

"I wouldn't call it bad blood, but after what happened down there in round two, there is a score to be settled," he said.

"We want to make up for what happened down there with a huge shift at home this weekend.

"We have not played at home for a while now so it will be good to get back to the old stomping ground and put in a good performance."

Salvi admitted that Tigers will have to cut out the "individual lapses" in defence that cost them four tries at Sale last weekend if they are to have any chance of setting the record straight against Bath.

But he did say Leicester's attacking intent was as good as it has been all season.

"Defensively, we have to make sure that we are switched on to the same page as a group," said Salvi.

"In attack, we were carrying the ball with intent and were clearing out past the ball, we looked better than we have done in a while.

"We were making a conscious effort to try to clean people out past the breakdown and, at times, we looked good.

"We talked after the Saints game about having a bit more of a physical edge to what we were doing.

"While we didn't show it all of the time, there were glimpses of what we could do when we were switched on."

While fifth-placed Leicester will go into Sunday's game 11 points behind second-placed Bath in the league table, it could have been a lot worse had Tigers not fought back from 15 points down to beat Sale at the AJ Bell Stadium, the match-winning try coming from Salvi himself.

"It was a massive win in the context of staying in touch with the top four," said Salvi.

"When we were losing by 15 points with 25 minutes to go, we were eighth in the table I think.

"Now we are fifth and sitting nicely in the table. If we can get positive results against Bath and Harlequins in the next two games, we will be right in the mix."

International centre Christian Loamanu has made a long-awaited return from injury in Leicester Tigers Development XV's win over local rivals Northampton Wanderers in the A League.

The 28-year-old Tongan-born Japanese back played 40 minutes at Franklin's Gardens in Tigers' 24-12 victory.

Loamanu was signed last summer from Italian club Treviso to provide competition and back-up to Manu Tuilagi.

Yet a groin injury has limited him to just two appearance all season, against Newcastle and the Barbarians.

His return to action could put him in the mix for first-team action this Sunday when Tigers host Bath in the Aviva Premiership at Welford Road.

The A League win over Northampton also saw winger Adam Thompstone, No.8 Laurence Pearce and scrum-half David Mele pick up game time in a bonus-point win that moved them above Northampton in the Northern Conference on the last round of fixtures.

Captain Harry Thacker was the hero of the day though. Not only did the hooker play out of position at openside flanker – something he has done for the first team in the LV= Cup this season – he also scored three of Tigers' four tries as they came from behind to post their victory.

Replacement winger Rhys Williams scored the other Tigers try which helped Leicester to a bonus point.

This year has seen Nigel Pearson lead Leicester City back to the Premier League after a decade outside the top flight.

But Pearson said keeping City in the division in 2015 would eclipse even that achievement.

In his two tenures at the helm, Pearson has led the club to two promotions and reached two play-off campaigns.

However, he says if he can mastermind City's Premier League survival, it will rank as one of his greatest achievements.

"It would be absolutely massive," he said. "This is where we talk about what is success. Success is relative.

"Forget all your stats, records and win percentages. It is about being able to deal with present challenges and that is what we are looking to do in the second half of the season."

Pearson looks relaxed in his Belvoir Drive office as he takes time out from plotting City's bid to upset Liverpool at Anfield tomorrow to reflect on what has been an unforgettable calendar year for the club.

A year ago, City were heading to the less salubrious surroundings of The Den to take on Millwall.

It proved to be the first of a fantastic run of 23 games with just one defeat as City marched to the Championship title.

City have come a long way in 12 months and Pearson admits it has been a year of contrasts.

City head into 2015 bottom of the Premier League but their win at Hull on Sunday has left them with a fighting chance of survival, and Pearson said everyone at the club is in a fighting mood.

"It has been a year of big contrasts," said Pearson. "When I cast my mind back to New Year's Day at Millwall, we were in the middle of a really good run of form.

"It was a great end to the season and to win the Championship to get back into the top flight after such a long time, the euphoria everyone had about promotion, I think was very positive. Now at the end of the year we are experiencing a really tough time but on the back of a really good win at Hull. Hopefully, we can start to turn more of our performances into results.

"I suppose it has been a bit of a reality check for us.

"The work is never done. It is not a case of ever relaxing or thinking you have done what you have set out to achieve, it is about whether you can keep progressing.

"We feel here there is every possibility of doing that." 

City might not be starting the year in as positive a position as they were this time 12 months ago, but Pearson feels his players have shown before they can rise to a challenge and says he has seen signs they are coming to terms with life in the Premier League.

"I have seen that right the way through the season," he adds.

"There aren't too many stand-out bad performances. That is one of the most frustrating things. We haven't played terribly in games.

"It is not as if we have ever looked as though we are out of games. That is an encouragement but also a frustration.

"The run we have been on some of the games we have played exceptionally well and got nothing out of them. That really tests the resolve of everyone.

"It is a season we try to enjoy but you only enjoy it if you have been relatively successful. That is why it is important we find the answers.

"After Hull, we are still in touch and that is important because we do feel we have got players capable of dealing with the demands of the division. It remains a big challenge but I know the players are up for it."

Read part two of the Nigel Pearson interview online tomorrow, as the City boss talks about enjoying the Premier League spotlight.

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson will have the full backing of the club's owners during the January transfer window.

But Pearson warned that will not be a guarantee he will land his targets.

He said City had been extremely active trying to land the targets they hope will boost the squad in their fight for Premier League survival.

However, he warned negotiations will not be straightforward during a notoriously difficult window.

City already look unlikely to land Burnley striker Danny Ings.

They had a bid rejected by the Clarets and Ings has indicated he plans to see out the rest of his contract at Turf Moor, which expires in the summer.

City also look likely to miss out on Croatia international striker Andrej Kramaric, who is reportedly set to join Chelsea.

His father and agent, Joza Kramaric, is quoted in the Croatian media as saying a move to the King Power Stadium would be the "worst choice" for his son.

As well as a striker, City want a central defender and possibly some temporary cover for wide-men Riyad Mahrez and Jeff Schlupp while they are away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

But Pearson admits City's league position will not help them convince targets to join the club.

"There is going to be a lot of interest in terms of how and if we can do business," he said. "I am not trying to hide from the fact we intend to do business. The targets are there.

"Whether we can achieve them will remain an unknown quantity, which is the best way I can describe it.

"There are no guarantees you can get the business done you want to do. We will try to strengthen to complement the squad we have here already.

"This window is a seller's market, let's be honest. That makes it a bit more problematical.

"We have been active for a while now trying to get things moving along. It is just the timescale we are looking at and whether things can be achievable in terms of the players.

"Our league position doesn't always help. That is something you have to consider.

"Also, there is whether we can achieve it financially as well.

"The owners have been very supportive again and there have been lots of discussions about how we go about it and we will see what we can achieve."

Two people had to be rescued from an overturned car after it crashed into a ditch.

Emergency services were called out to the A47, just outside Uppingham, Rutland, at about 8.15am on today.

A fire service spokesman said: "The incident involved a vehicle which had overturned and gone into a ditch.

"Two occupants were trapped inside and had to be released by a fire crew."

The pair were freed from the car by 8.39am and left in the hands of the ambulance service.

The fire service spokesman said: "They were treated at the scene by paramedics.

"Their injuries are believed to be only minor."

An appeal has been launched by the Leicester coroner for the family of an elderly man who died at home to come forward.

He was Thomas "Irish Tom" McEntee, who lived in the Ethel Road area of Evington Leicester.

He died on Monday December 29.

A spokesman for the coroner said: "There are no suspicious circumstances. Mr McEntee frequented city centre public houses in Leicester and was known to many as " Irish Tom"."

It is believed that Mr McEntee may have been born in either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

Any next of kin or anyone knowing of next of kin is asked contact the coroner's office on 0116 454 1031.

City centre shops are reporting record sales as bargain hunters brave the cold weather to snap up bargains.

They believe sales could even increase over the next few days as temperatures rise.

The Highcross said around 240,000 people visited the centre in three days around the launch of the sales over the weekend.

Department store Fenwicks also reported massive numbers with 30,000 shoppers snapping up bargains on the opening day of its sale.

Traders in the Market Street area are also reporting bumper business with people buying jewellery.

Fenwicks director David Illingworth said: "We are looking at double digit increases on last year. On the first day of our sale we recorded 30,000 people who were spending money. That's not far short of those who went to see Leicester City play Tottenham.

Mr Illingworth said: "We are very encouraged by the numbers of people we have had through the doors."

Mr Illingworth who is also chairman of the Market Street Traders Association in Leicester said: "The members are reporting a bumper time over the Christmas period. Jewellery sales are going particularly well."

He said: "It appears Leicester is doing very well. I can see that improving next weekend. The north of the county has been hit by snow and ice and I am sure we will see more people from those areas once the thaw comes in."

Highcross has also recording record numbers over the past 10 days.

Jo Tallack general manager of High Cross said: "We are delighted with performance over the Christmas period – one of our strongest yet!

"The days leading up to Christmas saw shoppers out in full force for their festive shopping, not only did sales beat last year but so did footfall, which was up 3.1% that week."

She added: "Monday December 22 was our busiest day of Christmas week with 96,000 shoppers through the doors.

"Boxing Day was a really positive day with footfall up 1% against last year with shoppers queuing up as early as 7.30pm on Christmas Day for the Next sale."

She said Zara, River Island, Disney and New Look all had queues prior to opening and Zara queues continued throughout the day."

Over the three day weekend from December 26 to December 28 footfall was up 5% against the same weekend last year.

She said: "With car parks having reached full capacity at lunchtime, we expected by the end of Sunday to have had about 240,000 shoppers at the centre over the past three days."

She said retailers were delighted with trade with the malls continuing to be busy this week.

She said: "The sales continue throughout January and we are confident numbers will hold up."

Expectant mum Zoe White,22, from Glenfield was looking for baby clothes yesterday.

She said: "There are large numbers in Highcross and I am hopeful to gets some bargains. I have bought two T shirts and am still looking to get some more."

Police have appealed for Mercury's readers' help in tracing a second batch of people they have linked to crimes including robbery, burglary and drug dealing.

The 12 men are wanted by the Leicestershire Police team which is running the ongoing Operation Tiger.

The force launched the campaign in October 2013 and has, so far, chalked up more than 600 arrests.

As part of the campaign, it drew up a gallery of "Tiger Targets" – people suspected of involvement in crimes ranging from robbery and burglary to drug dealing and assault.

Forty-four people who have appeared in the gallery in the past year have been arrested, in part, due to public tip-offs.

Currently, it features 24 people, 12 of whom appeared in yesterday's Mercury.

Today's 12 suspects are:

Mahad Awaleh, 19 – wanted on warrant for alleged robbery. Contact investigating officer Pc 2058 Clayton.

Abdulgafar Balogun, 37 – wanted on warrant for alleged possession of criminal property. 7742 Pete Orange.

Patrick William Spick, 19 – wanted on warrant for alleged criminal damage. Pc 2851 Nagdi.

Malack Florian, also known as Florin Malacu, 40 – wanted on warrant for

alleged theft. Pc 1996 Sharman.

Mohamed Daud, 26 – wanted on warrant for alleged battery. Pc 4384 Dolby.

Hamza Fahid, also known as Hamse Fahie, 29 – wanted on warrant for alleged robbery and theft. Pc 1063 Riley.

Zbigniew Olkowski, 50 – wanted on warrant for

alleged threatening behaviour. Pc 1776 Singh Dayal.

John Paul Simons, 50 – wanted on warrant for alleged shoplifting. Pc 2121 Tebbett.

Jean Paul Russev, 27 – wanted on warrant for alleged common assault. Pc 4705 Measley.

Ambrose Nicholas O'Neill, 35 – wanted on warrant for alleged attempted robbery. Det Sgt 1255 Welsey.

Mateusz Czerniec, 21 – wanted on warrant for alleged racially aggravated common assault. Pc 1380 Sutherley.

Kestutis Medzius, 27 – wanted on warrant for alleged burglary and theft. Pc 395 Fowler.

Assistant chief constable Phil Kay said: "We can assure any information will be treated with the upmost confidence and if people are fearful of giving their names, they can contact Crimestoppers."

If you know the whereabouts of any of the suspects, contact Leicestershire Police on 101.

Quote the name of the suspect and the name and identity number of the investigating officer.

Contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

With an icy white shroud laying across much of Leicestershire for the past few days, it may be difficult to believe but 2014 was officially the warmest year on record.

Despite the temperature gauge plunging to below –5C on Tuesday, it was indeed the hottest year since records began in the county in 1836.

Leicester Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton has been carefully monitoring atmospheric conditions from his weather station in Cosby.

He said: "The overall mean temperature for the whole year was 10.9C – that's 1 degree above normal, making it the warmest year on record.

"When it's cold like it has been recently, I know it's hard to imagine."

Standout weather events from a turbulent 12 months include January gales, Saharan rain in March and a mini-tornado in November.

The year saw 1,620 hours of sunshine, in all, despite a rainfall total of 883.3mm.

Dave said: "Rainfall for 2014 was 26 per cent above average, that's way above what you'd expect, but sunshine was also 10 per cent above the average.

"Overall, it was a very mild, very wet year."

January and February kick-started an intriguing year of weather with successive storms pouring in from the Atlantic.

"We got the severe gales and heavy rain that swept through the rest of the UK," said Dave.

"Yet January was very mild and wet, with no snow at all. That's very unusual."

The top wind speed recorded was 63mph on February 15.

Dave said: "It seemed like one storm after another!"

March was characterised by mild, dry and sunny weather, with some interesting deposits from the sky.

Dave said: "We got sand from the Sahara desert falling in light showers, leaving a film of dust on people's cars as they woke up on March 31 – and we got another lot on April 3.

"It was quite incredible really – after all those storms, we ended up with sand from North Africa!"

April continued the mild trend, while May was the wettest since 1932 – with heavy thunderstorms making May 22 the wettest day of the year with 38.4mm of rain.

June turned out to be the warmest since 2006.

Dave said: "It was a very sunny month, which would have been one of the driest but for June 4 when we had 26.2mm of rain, and June 27 when we go 24.9mm, which bumped it up a bit.

"Between those dates it was a remarkably dry and mild month."

A dry and sunny July produced the hottest day of the year on July 26 when the Mercury gauge reached a maximum of 30.2C.

August provided the major exception to a mild 2014.

Dave said: "The only month that bucked the trend was August, which was cold and wet – the coldest in fact since 1993, with a mean temperature of 15C, a full two degrees below normal."

The dry and mild conditions resumed in September, which turned out to be the driest since the 1950s, with just 5.5mm of rainfall for entire month.

Dave said: "That's very unusual indeed. The last time that happened was in 1959."

A mild and wet October was followed by a "warm but dull" November.

Dull that is unless you lived in Coalville, where the collision of giant cold and warm fronts over Leicestershire produced a mini-tornado which ripped through the town centre, wrecking property on November 2.

The coldest temperature of the year was recorded in the early hours of Tuesday morning (DEC 29), when a minimum of –5.5C was recorded.

Dave said: "It was a shock to the system after the year we've had, but even December was warmer than average.

"But overall, as a weatherman, 2014 was very interesting indeed."

An open verdict was recorded into the death of a 25-year-old man who died after falling from a city centre multi-storey car park.

An inquest heard how Ryan Wood was found at the bottom of the NCP car park in East Street, Leicester city centre, after an argument with his girlfriend.

Inspector Rob Hunt told the hearing at Leicester Town Hall how Mr Wood had left the flat he shared with his girlfriend in nearby Dover Street on September 16.

He said: "Mr Wood left and told his girlfriend that he loved her and that he would be back soon."

Mr Wood was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary after being found in the street.

The medical team tried to save his life but he was pronounced dead at 8.14pm.

Insp Hunt said that there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

Witness Richard Bell told how he witnessed the death as he and his wife walked to the Little Theatre.

Mr Bell said: "I called the ambulance. I did not feel for a pulse. There was no rise and fall of the chest. I just assumed the person was dead."

Mr Bell said he had earlier seen Mr Wood climb into the car park by the back entrance.

GP Samuel Adock told how Mr Wood had suffered a fractured skull in 2010 after he fell and hit his head on kerb.

He said an MRI scan showed no lasting damage but that Mr Wood had complained of headaches and insomnia.

Insp Hunt told how Mr Wood was unemployed and on jobseekers allowance.

He said Mr Woods's benefits had been recently cut because he had failed to attend some meetings and been late to others.

Insp Hunt said that Mr Wood had told his girlfriend that he had climbed to the top of the car park on a previous occasion but had come down.

He said: "His girlfriend remembers him saying to visitors to the flat: 'Make sure you look after her.'

Coroner Christina Swann said that Mr Wood had died from severe traumatic head injuries.

A toxicology report showed that Mr Wood had a blood alcohol level of 240 milligrammes per 100 millilitres of blood - the drink-driving limit being 80.

Dr Christina Swann recorded an open verdict.

She said: "We may never know Mr Wood's intentions and what his plans were.

"We don't know whether he slipped and lost his footing or it was what he truly intended."

The chief executive officer of MIRA Ltd, Dr George Gillespie, has been awarded an OBE in the New Year's Honours List.

Dr. Gillespie has been awarded the honour for his services to international trade, following his continued commitment to building business overseas.

He accompanied Prime Minister, David Cameron, on a trade visit to China in December 2013, and has visited Japan, India and China during 2014 to build long-term business relationships between international markets and the UK.

Since joining Hinckley-based MIRA as CEO in 2009, Dr Gillespie has led the turnaround in its fortunes, with 45% growth in the business in the last two years alone.

MIRA's 2013 financial results also showed a 46% increase in turnover at MIRA Technology Park - reflecting the business's continued success in the international market.

He said: "I am incredibly honoured to accept this award from Her Majesty the Queen, which not only recognises my personal commitment in this field, but also that of MIRA – an organisation I am incredibly proud to be a part of."

He added: "The work we – as MIRA – have been doing overseas over the last two to three years has been extremely fruitful, and we're looking forward to further growing our recent investments in overseas operations and continuing to open up international business opportunities in the coming years.

"In addition MIRA Technology Park is rapidly becoming a magnet for overseas transportation companies seeking to establish a European R&D base. We have added new international tenants from Germany, Sweden, USA, India and Japan in the last three years, all bringing high quality job opportunities and investment to the UK."

Over the last five years, Dr. Gillespie has worked to expand MIRA's overseas operations, and during 2013 MIRA's international order intake exceeded 22 per cent for the first time in the company's history.

It was largely buoyed by increasing success of MIRA's engineering operations in China, Korea and Brazil.

MIRA's overseas footprint remains a key focus in the coming years, with target markets of Japan, Turkey and Germany.

The ballot for invitations for the reburial of King Richard III has closed with more than 13,500 people applying for a seat.

The deadline for entries closed at midday today with applications flooding in from all over the world.

Men, women and children from as far as Afghanistan, Benin, in West Africa, and New Zealand will now be waiting with anticipation to hear whether they will be offered a place at Leicester Cathedral for the event next March.

The 600 randomly selected people will receive their invitations by the end of January.

Rev Pete Hobson, acting Canon Missioner at Leicester Cathedral, said: "The number of applications means that everyone has got a one in 20 chance of getting an invitation - much better than the lottery.

"Our task now is to organise the applications and randomly select 600 people from them."

In total, people from 15 countries throughout Europe, North America, Africa and Asia applied online and by post.

"It shows how much interest there is and how much of a global story it is," said Liz Hudson, spokeswoman for the diocese. "Our job now is to split the applications into two batches - Leicestershire and the rest of the world.

"Then we'll use a random generator to chose who will get an invitation. The process will be as fair as possible."

Those who have been selected should hear by mid January.

However, Liz said that some invitations could take slightly longer to reach people if they lived further away.

She added: "Anyone who hasn't heard by the end of January won't be receiving an invitation.

"Unfortunately, it's just not possible to send replies to all 13,500 who applied, so we apologise if you don't hear back."

The invitations will be divided across three services, with 200 available for each.

Half of the 600 seats will go to applicants from Leicestershire and Rutland.

It means 200 people will be invited to the main reinterment service on Thursday, March 26, when the coffin is lowered into the ground and sealed in its tomb.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will conduct the service, and it will also be broadcast by Channel 4.

The other two services will take place at the cathedral during a week of events which runs from Sunday, March 22, until Friday, March 27.

In total, the Dean of Leicester will officially invite 1,800 guests to the three services, including members of the Royal Family, known descendants of Richard and dignitaries.

To date, the only confirmed royal is the Duke of Gloucester – the patron of the cathedral's Richard III Fund-raising Appeal.

Campaigners hoping to save Snibston Discovery Park from closure have revised their business plan for the Coalville attraction.

The Friends of Snibston had until Christmas Eve to submit updated proposals for how the park could be run.

The Friends' initial plan contained "significant inaccuracies" in its financial assumptions according to Leicestershire County Council.

The Conservative-run authority wants to downsize the site and open a new mining heritage museum - saving £240,000 a year, a subsidy it says it can no longer afford.

The council also appointed Shropshire County Council's former chief finance officer to independently assess the business plan and she concluded the County Hall plan was the only viable future for Snibston.

Friends chairman Brian Vollar said the county council had nor understood the group's aim of setting up a charitable trust to run Snibston rather than doing it directly themselves.

He said: "They either don't understand it or do not want to understand it.

"But they can't properly assess out business plan unless they do."

Mr Vollar question the independent assessment saying it was not done objectively and had been carried out by someone with no experience of running a museum.

He said there were fundamental errors in the report.

Mr Vollar said North West Leicestershire MP, Andrew Bridgen  has agreed to ask Secretary of State for culture Sajid Javid to arrange a more independent and thorough assessment of our business plans.

 The Friends have calculated that, with a county council subsidy of £263,000 in its first year of being run by the trust, Snibston can make £269,055. The following year, with £350,000 subsidy, it can make £452,000 and then with no subsidy in year three, £227,000.

A Leicestershire County Council spokesman said: "Our assessment of the Friends of Snibston's initial proposals found significant inaccuracies in some of their financial assumptions.

"An independent assessment agreed that the Friends' business case is not financially viable.

"The cabinet in December gave the Friends an opportunity to provide further information.

"We have now received a further submission which is being considered. A report will be made to the cabinet on January 14.

"Any criticism of the independence and objectivity of the assessor nominated by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy is totally refuted."

The campaigners have said the Conservatives, despite inviting the Friends to come up with plans to secure future, are determined to press ahead with their scheme and sell off surplus land for redevelopment."  

A campaign to save the last bank in Earl Shilton has received support from the president of Liberal Democrat party Tim Farron.

The MP for Westmorland and Lonsdale has added his weight to Michael Mullaney and his colleagues in Hinckley and Bosworth who are campaigning to save the NatWest branch in Earl Shilton.

More than 500 signatures have been gathered from local residents who want to see it kept open.

A spokesman for parent company RBS said the closure was due to a gradual decline in customers and changing banking habits.

However supporting the keep it open campaign Mr Farron said "We are in a very similar situation in my area. In the town of Sedbergh Barclays and NatWest have announced the closure of the last two banks in the town. Despite the rise in internet banking there are still many people who rely solely on their local branch to do their banking. It's concerning for residents in my area and in Earl Shilton that these plans will see the last banks in the towns close".

Mr Mullaney, Lib Dem parliamentary spokesman for Hinckley and Bosworth, said. "I'm delighted to have Tim Farron's support on this issue and I hope the banks will listen.

The proposals here in Earl Shilton and in Tim Farron's area in Sedbergh would see the last banks in the two towns close. I hope the banks, many of whom received huge support from the public purse during the bank bailouts, recognise their ethical duty to customers at a time when public trust in the banking sector is at an all-time low and keep these branch open."

But the RBS spokesman said the number of transactions taking place at Earl Shilton branch had dropped by 30 per cent in the last few years.

The branch was only open 12 hours a week and only had 34 customers who used the branch regularly on a weekly basis."

RBS said there has been a 30 per cent drop in branch transactions since 2010.

Villagers and customers have until January 23 to comment on plans to close a Post Office and move it to a nearby shop.

Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council, however, has backed a call for the Post Office to rethink the plans.

The Post Office is proposing to close the branch in Newbold Verdon and move it to the NISA store.

The council passed a motion, proposed by Bill Crooks and seconded by Michael Mullaney calling on Post Office to reconsider the plan.

Mr Crooks said: "Many local residents are concerned about the Post Office's plans. There are concerns that the NISA shop is already overcrowded and does not have room for customers to transact personal business with any degree of privacy.

"I hope they will think again"

Mr Mullaney said: "I would urge all residents who have concerns on this issue to respond to the Post Office's consultation by January 23.

Post Office bosses said if the move goes ahead, the branch would open from 6:30am to 9pm Monday to Sunday offering an extra 55 hours and 30 minutes of Post Office services a week.

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