New figures have revealed the city's top parking fines hotspots - with Church Gate heading the list.

Figures show that 525 fines were issued in the city centre street between April 1 and December 16 this year.

During that period London Road came a close second with 513 tickets and Western Road in the West End third with 496 fines issued.

The statistics show that there were 28,558 tickets issued between April and December which brought in a revenue of £1.4 million.

A standard parking fine is £70 which is reduced to £35 if the fine is paid within 14 days.

Martin Fletcher, head of highways at Leicester city council, said he thought Church Gate was a hotspot because it featured a lot of different bays.

He said: "It is a fair length for a city centre street and has disabled bays, park and display bays and loading bays and double yellow lines.

"It is a major bus route and some bays are out of bounds to cars between certain hours.

"There is a lot for motorists to think about but they must ensure they read all the available instructions.

"It will always be clearly marked as to when and where people can park. They need to make sure they read and understand the restrictions which can change during the day as in the case of bus lanes."

Mr Fletcher said that many tickets issued on London Road were done so to drivers who fell foul of the bus lane restrictions which changed during the day.

He said: "In the case of Western Road I think there are people who get tickets due to the mix of park and displays bays and resident-only parking.

"Some people park there on football match days and get fines because they park where they should not. It is a similar situation with people who park there for easy access to the city centre whether it is to work or shop."

The figures show that 22,148 fines, which is 77 per cent of the total were issued between 8am until 6.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

There were 3,379 fines handed out (11.8 per cent of the total ) between 6.30pm and 8am from Monday to Saturday and 3,031 (10.6 per cent) handed out on Sundays.

Mr Fletcher said there were 22 full-time traffic wardens (now known as civil enforcement officers) covering the city's streets.

He said: "My advice to motorists is to take the time to be sure of the restrictions and not to exceed the time limit. If you don't know how long you are going to be then use a car park where you pay on return."

A council spokesman said: "Any surplus that we make from parking fines once the cost of the enforcement service is covered is invested back into travel concessions and bus subsidies."

It is the halfway stage in the season and it looks as though a couple of Premier League chairmen have lost their nerve and decided to press the panic button.

If the sacking of Neil Warnock at Crystal Palace came as a bit of a surprise, the dismissal of Alan Irvine at West Brom certainly wasn't after the Albion fans joined in a chant of 'You're getting sacked in the morning', with Stoke fans.

The availability of Tony Pulis, waiting in the shadows, was always going to be temptation for a chairman after the way he kept Palace up this season, and Albion supremo Jeremy Peace couldn't resist.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson was the bookmakers' favourite to be the first Premier League casualty but he certainly wasn't rejoicing at this week's pre-match press conference.

"I don't like anyone losing their job, I have sympathy and empathy," he said.

"I don't have all the information in terms of all the individual circumstances, but I'm sure the bookies were disappointed it was not me!

"It spurs people on to do their job. It's always difficult to see managers lose their jobs.

"If you have the support of people you work for that's always important, but I don't think any manager is above that sort of scrutiny. That's the nature of the industry.

"I don't know what the difference is this season. Maybe football clubs recognise they have appointed the right people.

"I can't talk for other clubs but I certainly won't get ahead of myself. I've been as open as I can be and that's to say that nobody is ever above scrutiny.

"The longer disappointing results go on for it is clear that people will be under pressure.

"I'm very proud to be here, I work for people with a huge amount of respect for but I understand they will always make the right decision for the club.

"I understand the situation I work under here and we are all trying to work for the same outcome."

Last week's win at Hull was hugely significant. Had City lost, that gap to safety would have looked very daunting but now they are back in touch with the rest of the pack and that is a morale-booster going into the new year.

Pearson now faces a vital transfer window and the business City are able to do could decide their destiny. It is that important.

But he retains the backing of City owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, who will provide the finance for Pearson to be competitive in a notoriously difficult window.

While others around them are losing their heads, it looks from the outside that City are determined to keep theirs.

Happy New Year everyone.

It is traditional at this time of year to look back and 'review' the county cricket season.

It feels almost unfair to inflict more misery on Leicestershire's faithful after a 2014 campaign which can be summed up in one word. Forgettable.

Certainly that is a fair assessment of a second consecutive Championship season which failed to produce a solitary win and added to the growing wooden spoon collection.

The Foxes were considerably better in the white-ball game and should have made the quarter-finals of the RL50 competition, only to serve up their worst performance of the 50-over format against Lancashire at Old Trafford when a win would have seen them into the last eight. And who knows what might have happened from there.

But it was not only the dismal four-day form which made 2014 a write-off.

The loss of Josh Cobb, Nathan Buck, Greg Smith and Shiv Thakor ripped a gaping hole in the Leicestershire squad which has yet to be filled.

There were a couple of plus points at the end of the season when it was announced that former Foxes all-rounder Andrew McDonald would take on the head coach role, while the highly-regarded Wasim Khan took over as chief executive.

It was desperately disappointing, though, to see director of cricket Phil Whitticase leave Grace Road after 31 years with the club.

It is to be hoped that the skills he showed in helping to develop talents like Stuart Broad, James Taylor, Buck, Cobb, Thakor and Smith will not be badly missed.

That, though, is far from a certainty.

Still, the appointments of Khan and McDonald did help to push the shortcomings of 2014 into the background, while interim chief executive Andrew Boyce did an admirable job in helping to pick people up from the depths of last term's no-show.

There were pluses on the field – just not enough. Angus Robson shone with the bat and Charlie Shreck proved an astute signing to the seam department.

Rob Taylor continued to develop and is a top-class all-rounder in the making. Niall O'Brien was consistent with bat and gloves.

And the second team – almost bizarrely given the trials and tribulations of the first team – carried the fight to all and sundry to land a stunning treble.

With Clint McKay signed as the overseas player for the Championship and Shreck committing for another season, Leicestershire do have a solid, experienced look in their seam attack.

The batting, though, remains a concern. Ned Eckersley and Dan Redfern are developing players who have the quality to flourish, while Robson is a year more experienced at the top of the order.

County, though, desperately require one – at least – experienced player for those frontline batsmen to play around.

If that man can be acquired then maybe – just maybe – we may have something worthwhile to look back on in 12 months' time.

Who knows, even a Championship victory!

Former Lord Mayor of Leicester Robert Wann has said he hopes his son Karl is slowly pulling through after being critically injured in a street stabbing.

Karl, 29, was seriously injured in an attack in Henley Road before Christmas.

The father-of-one, from Glenfield, lost a large amount of blood, and was placed in an induced coma by medical staff.

He has been treated in Leicester General Hospital and has undergone two major operations with more surgery scheduled for tomorrow.Friday.

Coun Wann, a former police authority chairman and current Labour city councillor, has been spending every possible moment by his son's bedside.

He told the Mercury: "I had a Christmas I never want to repeat.

"Karl is still in critical care and he has to undergo another operation on Friday, to repair a tube in his liver.

"This will be his third major operation.

"They have cut down his sedation but then the pain he is in is then immense, so it is a balancing act but thank God, we still have a son with us thanks to some great NHS staff.

"All the family are physically shattered.

"It's not just the physical part of being their but riding the emotional roller-coaster and being told to prepare yourself for the worst on a few occasions, for him to fight through.

"I don't think I have ever felt so drained.

"Fingers crossed he is now slowly pulling through.

"We are very proud of him. I can't wait to hear his cheeky comments and laugh."

Coun Wann, from Dunton Bassett, said Karl had spent the Friday evening before Christmas with friends in the Crow's Nest pub, near Henley Road, after playing football.

He was then stabbed after he left, just before midnight.

He suffered kidney failure but Coun Wann added: "He is a big fit lad and that has helped him but he lost a lot of blood."

Police arrested two men after the incident.

A 28-year-old has was charged with attempted murder and remanded in custody following an appearance at Leicester Magistrates Court.

The other man, a 25-year-old, was questioned by detectives and then released.

Police have appealed for witnesses to the incident and anyone with information should call 101.

Leicester Tigers fly-half Freddie Burns admits it has been "extremely frustrating" to have played such little rugby in the last five weeks.

The 24-year-old's start at Sale Sharks last weekend was his first since November 23 at London Welsh.

Owen Williams has been the man chosen by Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill to play in big games against Toulon, twice, Wasps and Northampton Saints.

Burns was impressive in Tigers' 32-30 win at the AJ Bell Stadium last weekend and, despite his frustrations, he said he is in it for the long haul and is prepared to battle hard for a starting shirt after signing a three-year deal last summer.

"It has been extremely frustrating," said Burns. "I have been on the bench and spent a few games where I didn't even get on the pitch.

"That's hard because you don't even feel a part of it.

"That's one of those things and any player would have the right to be frustrated.

"I have trained really hard over the past six weeks and I have not been getting my opportunity.

"But you also have a realisation that there are times when it's not a quick fix.

"I didn't come here for quick fix. It will be a long-term process. I have spoken to Cockers and, if I want to push on, I will have to overcome any difficulties."

Giving up smoking, losing weight, getting fitter, healthier eating and even giving up making resolutions are on the list of New Year good intentions for many Leicestershire shoppers who were stopped in the city centre.

While most agreed having made resolutions in the past they also confessed they didn't last very long in the months to come.

Steve Hutton, 44, bricklayer, Birstall:

"I used to smoke 10 to 15 cigarettes a day but training for the Macmillan Nurses half-marathon in March gave me an incentive to give up and I intend to stick with it as it won't just benefit me, it's for the charity as well."

Michael Black, 66, retired, Wigston: "I am going to try to lose weight, I am about 16 and a half stone - lost five but after Christmas I have put it back on again."

Anthony Booth, 57, electrician, Broughton Astley: "I have made one or two resolutions in the past but they always got broken. Anyway I don't have anything I need to change."

Sandra Gallacher, 64, retired, Wigston: If I make a New Year's Resolution I don't usually stick to the idea."

Michelle Rogers, 46, home-maker, Aylestone: "Resolutions ? They get broken after a few minutes so why do people bother making them ?"

Matthew Johnson, 38, self-employed, Hinckley: I can't remember making any resolutions in the past but might this year. I just haven't decided what they might be."

Jason Riley, 45, carpenter, Glen Parva: "I don't have any vices to give up !"

Katie White, 24, full-time mum, Braunstone: "I want to stop smoking. I did when I was pregnant with my three children so know I can do it but now I smoke up to 20 a day."

Pauline Bailey, 69, retired, Wigston: "My resolutions would be to try to get to be a bit fitter."

Helen Tudor, 43, personal coach, Ibstock: "My resolution is to at a lot healthier - chocolate is my weakness !"

Sue Hitchcock, 62, insurance broker, Birstall: "I try to make them last at least a week."

Louise Lewis, 42, customer service advisor, Wigston: "Resolutions last for a bit and then get forgotten."

David Nugent has always dreamed of scoring the winning goal in front of the Kop at Anfield wearing a blue shirt.

In the dream it may have been wearing the blue of his beloved Everton against their Merseyside rivals, but Nugent said it would be even more special in Leicester City blue.

City head to Anfield today looking to build on their victory at Hull last Sunday, and Nugent said it will be a special occasion only if his side get another positive result.

"Being an Evertonian, I want to go there and hopefully score the winner in front of the Kop," he said.

"It will be a tough game, but they played on Monday so they won't have had as much rest. Hopefully we can take advantage of that.

"I have been there once with Burnley and we got beat 2-0. It was only my second game for Burnley and I went on as a sub. 

"It wasn't the best experience. But hopefully it will be different this time and we can upset the odds.

"We go there looking for the win and we won't hide. They are a big side and the atmosphere will be good, but we won't be intimidated.

"It will be an experience when we walk out and they are singing You'll Never Walk Alone. 

"Some of the lads have never played there before so it will be a great occasion for them. It is just another game in the end. We are coming off the back of a good victory at Hull and we want to build on that."

It seems appropriate at pantomime season that Nugent has spent the last couple of days wearing tights.

City's hectic festive fixture schedule has left the players using every recovery technique going to ensure they are fit to take on Liverpool.

"I am still a bit stiff from Hull," said Nugent. "It took a lot out of me. I have been in the recovery tights and in the ice baths, the hot baths, trying everything to get ready for Liverpool.

"The schedule is stupid but the fans love it. We have to do our best for them. 

"They have been following us all season so I am sure we will put in another full-hearted performance at Liverpool and come away with a result.

"If we can get at least a point everyone will be happy and then we have two good home games afterwards which are winnable, against Villa and Stoke.

"We can't get just one win and then go on another losing run. We have to keep going now. 

"It was nice to end the year with a victory and it would be even better to start the new year with another one."

Nigel Pearson has never been the sort of manager to court media attention.

The Leicester City manager has always been guarded with the media, refusing to be drawn into giving soundbites and headline-grabbing quotes.

Even as City were storming to the Championship title last season, media interest was distinctly low-key but everyone knew the spotlight would be incredibly intense in the Premier League where the eyes of the world are constantly watching.

The question many asked was how would Pearson, a man who doesn't seem to like the media intrusion, cope?

"There is more scrutiny from a managerial perspective, more speculation, more interest, but I am quite enjoying that," was his surprising response.

"I find it quite interesting that people are a bit more interested. It doesn't bother me and I am quite enjoying doing the media this season. 

"You get an opportunity to get a more rounded picture of what is actually happening because there is a bit more scrutiny. 

"There is a bit more national interest as well. I don't know how our fans see that and whether they think it is good, bad or indifferent. It is there and you deal with it."

His flat refusal to play any media games has in the past given him the persona of being a grumpy and dour manager among many reporters.

Those around him repeatedly say that is far from the truth of who Pearson actually is, and occasionally he softens his stern outer casing and provides a glimpse of his more jovial, sensitive side.

But that doesn't mean Pearson is about to embark on a charm offensive to change his persona.

When it is pointed out to him that many people have misconceptions of him and don't know the real Pearson, his response is instant.

"Good," he states emphatically. "I am not bothered. 

"I bumped into a postman in Sheffield yesterday who is a Leicester lad and a lifelong Leicester City fan. I had a good chat with him for 10 minutes or so. 

"There is a bit more interest, but if people don't know me, I am not bothered if they do or not, frankly."

Back home in his adopted Sheffield, friends and family see the other side of Pearson, the relaxed, loyal man who seeks normality away from the glitz and glamour of the Premier League.

"It was nice to go into the pub after the Hull game," said Pearson.

"I was still wearing my club tracksuit, which I suppose most people wouldn't do. 

"I was on my way home and I popped in to see some pals of mine and it is nice to have some normality in life. It is important. 

"It is just an ordinary real ale pub with live music. They were all going to watch that and I popped in and shot home."

Pearson may be in a relaxed and open mood as he sits at a table in his training ground office, an inner sanctum decorated with his favourite works of art – another indication of his sensitive side – but that doesn't mean he is not still fiercely protective of his privacy.

And while he was browsing his iPad as I entered his office, he is certainly not interested in the ever-expanding world of social media.

"I have made comments before about social media and how it gives people the opportunity to communicate," he replies when asked about the importance of developing a thick skin as a modern football manager. 

"Without meaning to sound like I am not up to speed with how people are these days, you have to understand there are opportunities for people to voice their opinions and sometimes opinions that are out there in the public domain, people can have a disproportionate voice. 

"I would say that the vast majority of football supporters nationwide are reasonable, decent people who will voice their opinions in the right way, and they are entitled to their opinions, but there is the opportunity now for anonymous communication. 

"The way I deal with it is I don't bother looking at it. That is the easiest way.

"I like to be kept up to date with what is happening and I always get briefed on what is going on, but I certainly won't get involved in that sort of dialogue. It is counter-productive and it doesn't have a positive influence.

"I have to keep my eye on what is happening here and what I can influence out there on the field."

A few minutes later, the interview is over and, as I walk through the security doors which protects the offices inside Belvoir Drive, the door closes behind me on Pearson's private world.

Just a couple of hours later he is sat in front of the glaring television cameras for another round of what seems like endless media commitments to preview today's game, and he seems perfectly at home.

Read part one of our exclusive interview here

Leicester Tigers will welcome back four key players for Sunday's Aviva Premiership clash at home to Bath.

Tom Croft, Blaine Scully, Anthony Allen and Graham Kitchener have all been training this week and are available to strengthen the squad that won 32-30 at Sale Sharks last time out.

Croft and Scully have missed the last fortnight with rib injuries picked up against Toulon. Allen (knee) and Kitchener (hip) were pulled out of the game at the AJ Bell Stadium last week late on.

"Ant and Graham both trained yesterday morning and they will be fine for the weekend," said Cockerill.

"Tom Croft and Blaine Scully will both be fit for this weekend too having recovered from rib injuries."

Cockerill added that Geoff Parling would also be fit despite receiving a cut to his calf from an errant stud at Sale.

Despite still missing the likes of Manu Tuilagi, Niall Morris and Logo Mulipola for a few more weeks, Cockerill is starting to get more and options available for his match-day 23.

Centre Christian Loamanu could also come into the squad for Sunday having played 40 minutes for the A League squad in Monday afternoon's bonus-point win over Northampton Saints at Franklin's Gardens.

Cockerill will need as many weapons as possible on hand to take on a second-placed Bath side that have been the most attractive team to watch in the Aviva Premiership this season.

There will also be the added incentive for Leicester to make amends for the 45-0 drubbing they received in the reverse fixture at the Rec in September.

Cockerill, however, maintains that revenge is not as high on Tigers' hit list as a winning four points.

"I have tried to delete the last game from my memory," said Cockerill.

"They played very well that day, we played poorly and this will give us the chance to rectify that day.

"But I am only interested in the four or five points that are on offer this weekend.

"We are 11 games into a 22-game season and every point will count, as we have found out in recent years.

"We don't need any more motivation than that, we need to be getting the points to climb the table and get to where we would like to get to.

"Bath have been playing well and they were good against Exeter last week.

"They have got some dangerous weapons right across the board."

Leicester City want to get their transfer business done early in the January window, manager Nigel Pearson said.

The City boss admits it may be a difficult window in which to achieve his transfer targets.

But he said he could not rule out an early arrival when the window officially opens on Saturday.

Two years ago, Chris Wood was signed on the opening day of the window.

Pearson said that while he could not see that happening again, he certainly wanted to bring in his targets quickly to give them more time to make an impact on City's relegation fight.

The official opening of the window has been put back to Saturday, January 3, to fit in with Fifa's wish that the window can only be open 31 days without a clash with fixtures on the deadline day. 

The window now closes on Monday, February 2.

"I can't see us signing anyone before (the end of today) but, then again, you never know," he said ahead of today's trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool (3.0).

"We always try to do it early but, as the last window showed, you are not always in control of it. 

"We will try to because then potential targets will have a greater impact. Whether we can or not remains to be seen."

Pearson said he was looking at long-term and short-term recruits and that his targets have been identified.

"We have players we are targeting but it's a fluid situation," he said. 

"We are trying to be as efficient as we can. It's hard to do things in the timescale you would like but we will have to wait and see.

"We may have a different answer next week, that depends on how negotiations pan out and whether other clubs are prepared to let players go. That sounds very evasive but that's how it is. 

"It's very much a case of trying to do business in the same way as possible.

"If we're linked in the public domain with someone it has definitely come from a different source than us."

A burning Chinese lantern had to be retrieved by firefighters from a telephone line in the city shortly before 1am New Year's Day.

The crew was called to the incident in Purley Road in the Belgrave area of Leicester.

The incident happened after a plea was made by local farmers to people not to release lighted lanterns at New Year's parties.

Farmers have become increasingly concerned over the damage certain kinds of Chinese lanterns, which can travel miles, can cause to property and livestock.

Some local authorities, including Warwickshire county council, have clamped down on the release of the lanterns on their land.

The incident in the city was the only one involving a Chinese lantern recorded in Leicestershire, Leicester or Rutland during the New Year celebrations.

A spokeswoman for the local National Farmers' Union said: "These lanterns are an absolute menace and should be banned. They can travel significant distances and cause untold damage and can kill livestock."

A Leicestershire fire and rescue service spokesman said: "The lighted lantern had become entangled with a telephone wire across the street.

"A crew went to the scene and removed the lantern which had caused no damage to the line."

The Trading Standards Institute has published a new code of practice for sky lanterns last year.

The code offers guidance for the design, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of such lanterns.

NFU deputy president Minette Batters said: "We realise that these lanterns can be quite spectacular but our members know only too well how dangerous they can be - they can harm and even kill farm animals, cause fires to crops, grassland on moors and bales of hay and straw that have been stacked, which can lead to a loss of buildings."

She added: "The NFU continues to call for an outright ban on the sale of sky lanterns and we will continue to lobby government until action is taken."

A Leicestershire band will perform a programme of music to celebrate the interment of Richard III in Leicester Cathedral at a prestigious national brass band festival next month.(Feb)

Enderby Youth Band will take part in the Action Medical Research Youth Brass Band Entertainment Festival of Great Britain, at the Winter Garden's Opera House in Blackpool.

The band has decided to depict the story of Richard III as the theme of their 2015 production.

The music, which will be staged with the band playing in costume will be complemented by a series of visual images displayed on a large screen above them.

They will include images of medieval Leicester, the Battle of Bosworth and modern day Leicester.

A dozen of the top youth brass bands in the country are invited to perform a 20-minute programme of music at the festival with prizes awarded for the musical quality and the entertainment value of each band's programme.

Trevor Hounsome, the band's musical director, who devised the programme, said; "The intention is to present the story of Richard III in a new and original way, and to highlight the importance of Leicestershire in this historic event.

"The band will perform six pieces, including two medieval pieces, one called Ronde, which reflect the harmonies and timbres of the time."

The performance will also include a rousing performance of a piece of music called The Battle, reflecting the Battle of Bosworth.

Parents of the 30 band members, who are aged 12-18 are making tabard outfits for the band to wear while others are sourcing images for the display.

Mr Hounsome added; "We wanted to do something that is local and distinctive. We are very proud Richard III is part of Leicester, and it is something which needs to be celebrated on the national stage that no other band will do.

"In 2013 we came joint first and are rarely out of the top half in the competition, which attracts bands from all over the country, including the heartlands for brass bands of Yorkshire and Lancashire."

He added: "The band members love the type of competition which also involves moving around the stage with and without instruments.

"The whole concept of the festival is that bands are expected to be different, original and entertaining. It is a great experience and the kids just love it, it's all about putting on a great show for the people in the audience."

The youngsters, who have been rehearsing for up to six hours a week for the past three months, will perform in the competition on Sunday, February 8 before an audience of around 800.

Dog walking used to be a task too far for Garry Gillespie due to a chronic lung condition.

But thanks to an online rehabilitation programme being trialed at Leicester's Glenfield Hospital it is something he can now enjoy.

Mr Gillespie, from Coalville, suffers from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD.

He struggled to breathe as his airways became inflamed when he was contacted to ask if he was interested in taking part in research being carried out at the respiratory biomedical research unit at Glenfield Hospital.

Instead of having to go hospital twice a week for appointments patients on the trial only have to go every seven weeks, although they can have appointments sooner if needed.

Mr Gillespie was asked he would like to take part in the SPACE - self-management programme of activity, coping and education - programme for people with COPD.

It is an online rehabilitation programme delivered through a special website.

When patients enter their information they receive personalised messages and told what they should do next.

The site is monitored by COPD specialists who can tell if a patient needs to be contact6ed.

There is also an "ask the expert" section so people can ask a question and a forum for patients so they can talk to and support each other.

Professor Sally Singh, head of the pulmonary rehabilitation service at Glenfield Hospital,

She said: "We recognise that the current course of treatment is quite a commitment and can be difficult for patients who have other obligations. With SPACE we are trying to give our patients a daily one-to-one specialist experience which is more convenient for them and still delivers great results."

Prof Singh added: "One of the key drivers is that international guidelines recommend pulmonary rehabilitation as treatment for COPD sufferers.

"Nationally there isn't enough capacity in this type of service so the research team has been looking at creative solutions to support our patients.

"This is about looking at different ways of support with mobile solutions for those patients who may not be that mobile themselves."

Mr Gillespie, who was on the trial for four months, said it had helped him improve his stamina.

He added: "I thought it would be better for me because if I went to hospital once or twice a week, that would be it. That would be all I was doing.

"But on the computer, I could access the treatment once or twice a day.

"It was a challenge to myself."

The tailored programme has helped him both with his breathing and it has improved his stamina.

Mr Gillespie said: "I used to struggle to walk and now I can walk my dogs. My stamina has also improved.

"It has changed my life. It gives you confidence because you feel like you are achieving something."

For more information on the trial go to www.spaceforcopd.co.uk

A cadets' group wants to build a new education and training building at a Leicester college.

The East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association wants to develop a new base at Hamilton Community College in Keyham Lane West.

It will be used by the Air Training Corps which says the current building, elsewhere on the campus, is unfit for purpose and is too small.

Plans have been submitted to Leicester City Council and officials have recommended councillors approve the scheme despite objections from nearby residents who have signed a petition opposing it.

The eleven people who have signed the petition say the building, which will be surrounded by a two metre fence and have a six metre flagpole, will lead to unacceptable and unsafe amounts of traffic.

They say the area has already seen a rise in traffic associated with the college and recently built homes nearby.

In a letter to the council objectors said: "With planning permission already granted to build a large scale housing development on two fields opposite 83 Keyham Lane West this will only add to the amount of traffic.

"With parking already a problem on the stretch of Keyham Lane West it is our fear the situation will be heightened yet again by the addition of yet more facilities."

A city council planning officer said the site had adequate parking.

He said: "The existing ATC facility operates for two days a week during the hours of 7pm and 9.30pm.

"I do not consider the proposal would result in significant detrimental impact on use and highway safety of Keyham Lane West, due

to the proposal being an existing use relocated within the same grounds, and the limited and infrequent use of the facility by children during evening hours."

The plan has the backing of college principal John Morris who said: "The ATC has been linked to our college for just over 40 years.

"2502 SQuadron provides a valuable opportunity for young people in the area. to socialise and be involved in the local community as well as providing insights into the uniformed services and particularly the RAF.

"As a school, this proposed development has come at a good time.

"We have had a new build project that will be completed around June and the new ATC building will complement our own new school building."

A vital stock take which will help experts around the globe protect endangered species began at Twycross Zoo on New Year's Day.

The Leicestershire zoo is at the forefront in helping preserve some of the rarest animals in the world.

This year they oversaw the birth of two of the rarest of big cats, with the arrival of two Amur leopard cubs.

There are fewer than 40 in the wild in their native habitat on the border of Russia and China

The cubs Alexei and Arina will now be entered onto an international database as part of the yearly census.

The zoo's head of life sciences Dr Charlotte Macdonald, said "All of our keepers perform daily checks on the animals that they are responsible for, so Twycross Zoo always has up to date knowledge of how many animals we have."

But she added: "Every year zoos are required to provide an official census of all their animals.

"The data that the zoo collects will be fed into a large database that is accessible by zoos from all around the world, providing vital information about animal populations."

She added: "A great example of using the database is Kristen, our female Amur leopard, who came to Twycross Zoo from a zoo in the Czech Republic so that she could be paired with our male, Davidoff."

She said they hit it off and it was likely the two cubs would move on to other zoos for breeding.

She added: "It may be possible that Kristen and Davidoff's grandchildren could be re-introduced into the wild if the right conditions can be achieved."

She said 2014 was a great year for births and the census would include Esha the endangered Asian elephant calf, twin emperor tamarin monkeys, Cherry the vicuna cria and Scarlett, Ruby and Rioja the bush dog pups, as well as several more baby primates.

She added: "We have a unique collection of the four great apes bonobos, gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans totalling 48 altogether.

"They are all endangered so their information may be vital to zoos around the world who may wish to breed from them."

Counting all the animals is easier said than done, particularly in some of Twycross Zoo's new exhibits such as the Butterfly House and Lorikeet Landing where the animals have a large space and plenty of camouflage in which to roam and hide.

She said: "When it comes to counting some of our insects and invertebrates such as our butterflies and cockroaches, we have to use population estimates."

The information that zoos share from their annual inventories helps zoos worldwide to monitor the health of captive bred species. Dr Macdonald stressed: "Animals can move from zoo to zoo in order to maintain healthy breeding populations, so the database tells us which zoos have individuals that could take part in breeding programmes."

Twycross Zoo is open to the public from 10am to 5pm. For more information and to book tickets visit www.twycrosszoo.org or call 

A number of youths were detained under a dispersal order after reports of a fight in the Belgrave area of the city.

Reports tweeted by the Belgrave local policing unit on Tuesday night said there were reports of knives involved in the fight, in Doncaster Road.

Leicestershire Police, however, said that a number of youths were detained under a dispersal order but no arrests were made and no weapons were found.

The area was blighted by yobs' anti-social behaviour in January, 2013 which left residents scared to leave their homes at night.

A dispersal order, giving police the power to disperse troublemakers in the Belgrave and Latimer city council wards, was put in place after 47-year-old Rajesh Devaliya was badly beaten by four masked assailants as he stepped into a lift in the St Mark's housing block, in South Close, in January, 2013.

Later that month an 18-year-old student collected a 57-signature petition calling for more and better lighting in the streets around Cossington recreation ground in a bid to deter the yobs.

Latimer ward councilor Manjula Sood, who presented the petition to the city council, said this week:"Things have been quieter since the start of 2013 when residents were scared to go out of their houses, with increased police patrols on the street.

"Things have improved although they are not 100 per cent. I am surprised by this latest incident which sounds like a serious incident."

Leicester's Lord Mayor and Belgrave ward councillor John Thomas said: "I am shocked and surprised by this incident.

"This incident has shaken me because the relationships between people in Belgrave are generally extremely good, with the majority being Hindus who are lovely, friendly people."

Leicestershire Police received a call about the disturbance at 4.41pm on Tuesday reporting five or six people involved.

@LPBelgrave Tweeted that night: "Sec 35 dispersal order Doncaster rd, into Cossington prk due to fighting. Youths starburst but 7 detained at various points."

A second Tweet said: "reports of knives at the Doncaster rd fight."

A Leicestershire Police spokeswoman said: "Last night's incident was an isolated incident involving a group fighting on the park. There was a third hand report of a possible knife being involved.

"A section 35 dispersal order was put in place, a number of people were stopped, no-one was arrested and no weapons were recovered..

"It is not believed the incident on the park last night was linked to the incidents from 2013, nor to issues of anti-social behaviour on the park in November."

A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: "The dispersal order approved with the police has helped give them extra powers to tackle problems with groups loitering in the area, which many residents have been concerned about.

"We do not yet know the details of this incident, but will continue to work closely with the police and local ward councillors to consider any further steps that may be required in the area."

The price of fuel at four leading supermarkets has been slashed again as the cost of petrol and diesel continues to fall.

Asda, Sainsburys, Morrisons and Tesco have cut the price at the pumps by 2p a litre meaning the cost of petrol has fallen by 19p since September.

Diesel has dropped by 15p.

And some experts are predicting that petrol will fall below £1 a litre in the near future.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: "What's currently happening at the pumps with falling fuel prices is something many motorists will not remember seeing before.

"Talk of prices going up like a rocket and falling like a feather could not be further from the truth as retailers have been quick to pass on savings at the forecourt.

He added: "The prospect of petrol going below £1 a litre in the new year is incredible, particularly when prices at the beginning of 2014 seemed to be heading ever upwards."

News of the further reductions have been welcomed by motorists.

Gavin Skye, 33, from Little Hill, Wigston, said: "It's fantastic. It'll make a massive difference for families and businesses and it'll make a difference when you fill up the tank and realise you have a little bit more money left in your pocket

"Hopefully it'll continue to be a bit more reasonably priced than it has in the past."

Jamie Pelos, 28, from Clarendon Park, said: "It's great news, especially at this time of year when everyone's out visiting family.

"It'd be great to see it fall to £1 a litre though – you would never have imaged that would happen this time last year."

Asda, which has reduced its prices 13 times in the last four months, said customers will pay no more than 107.7p a litre for petrol, and 114.7p for diesel, at its filling stations.

For Morrisons, it is the sixth cut since December 1.

It means the average pump price for unleaded petrol hit 113.7p per litre, its lowest since March 2010.

Avishai Moor, Sainsbury's head of fuel, said: "This is another way in which we can offer our customers real value for money when they fill up with Sainsbury's on New Year's Day."

Andy Peake, the company's petrol trading director, said: "We're pleased to be giving drivers some early New Year savings with Asda once again leading the way with our thirteenth price cut on fuel since September.

"No matter where customers live, they will benefit from the same fuel price with our national price cap of 107.7ppl for unleaded and 114.7ppl for diesel."

The reductions come as crude oil and whole sale prices also fall.

Oil dropped to $56 a barrel earlier this week, the biggest annual decline since 2008, and it believed the value will continue to drop.

Pubs, clubs and hundreds of homes began 2015 in darkness as a power cut struck Loughborough at 11.57pm on Wednesday night.

A total of 755 customers were in the dark for between 43 minutes and two-and-a-half hours.

There were reports revellers being asked to leave bars in the town centre and several of those out drinking or at home celebrating took to Twitter to complain.

Rebekka Moroney wrote: "Cheers for the power cut Loughborough!"

Anish Mistry said: "Only Loughborough would have a power cut at midnight."

MO wrote: "Power cut on NYE. Typical Loughborough."

And Twitter user Ben Neale took it as a sign that it was time to go to bed. He wrote: "The main part of Loughborough town has had a power cut!!! Means an early night for me."

Western Power Distribution said there was a fault in a 11,000 volt cable under the Rushes Shopping Centre and electricity supplies had to be diverted to get people re-connected.

The first 491 customers were back on within about 45 minutes, 262 more were re-connected after an hour and a half and the last two were switched on again shortly after 2.30am.

The cause of the fault is under investigation.

Rail users in Leicestershire said they hoped today's fare increases would go towards improving services in the next year.

East Midlands Trains customers face an average increase of 1.3 per cent which is significantly below the current rate of inflation.

The company said the cost of a single journey would rise by an average of 17p, the lowest increase for five years.

Fares on all advance tickets and anytime fares to London have been frozen as have car parking charges.

But the Campaign for Better Transport said the latest rise will mean some season-ticket holders will have endured increases of more than 20% during this parliament.

It said season-ticket holders between Leicester and Derby faced a 22.5 per cent increase since 2010.

However, Harborough Rail Users group spokesman Steve Jones said average increases were below inflation this year.

He said: "Season ticket holders are not facing large rises this year which is to be welcomed.

"We also applaud the move that people will be told of the cheapest fares available."

He also welcomed the freezing of some fares to London but he said: "However, it is a pity that off peak returns from Market Harborough to Leicester now cost £10 compared to the return bus fare of £5.60p.

"We expect the money raised will go towards the improvement of the service on the East Midlands Mainline which includes electrification."

One commuter, who travels from Hinckley to Leicester said: "I have had to pay an extra 20p which is minimal."

David Horne, Managing Director of East Midlands Trains, announcing the increases, said: "We are pleased to have cut the cost of travel in real terms for our customers. Money from fares goes towards running and maintaining the railway which benefits every household in the country, by improving journeys, creating employment and helping to boost the economy."

Over the next five years, Network Rail will spend on average £27m a day building and maintaining a better railway that benefits passengers, communities and businesses across Britain alongside commitments made by train companies to improve services. That will mean more seats, better stations and improved journeys.

Mr Horne added: "For every pound spent on fares, 97p goes on track, train, staff and other costs while 3p goes in profits earned by train companies for running services on Europe's fastest growing railway.

"The industry is continuing to work together to get more for every pound we invest to enable government to make fares decisions which work best for passengers."

But CBT spokesman Martin Abrams, said: " Ticket prices are rising much faster than wages, which means getting to work takes up an increasing share of incomes, hitting both household budgets and the economy.

"The government urgently needs to adopt a fairer approach to ticketing, bringing fares down and introducing more flexible tickets to help groups like the millions working part-time."

What better way to see in 2015 than welcoming a new baby into the world?

That is what a handful of parents did yesterday, after spending their New Year's Eve awaiting the arrival of their daughter or son.

Seven babies had been born by midday yesterday across Leicestershire - five at the Leicester Royal Infirmary and two at the General Hospital.

Lucy Rae Ord was the first to arrive in Leicester. She was born just after 1.30am at the LRI, weighing 8lb7oz.

Her mum, Nicole Capell, of Leicester city centre, said: "It's crazy that Lucy was the first baby to be born in Leicester in 2015.

"The midwives were all wishing each other 'Happy New Year', then they came down and told me it was time to push.

"I don't think it's quite sunk in yet, everything happened so quickly."

For new-mum Nicole and Lucy's dad Adam Ord, their daughter was the "best Christmas present" they could ask for.

"We're all very emotional," added Nicole.

"We're all over the moon.

"Lucy was 11 days late, she was obviously waiting for 2015 so she could be in the limelight - she's made the news already and she's only hours old."

Also born at the LRI was Oscar Lee Macfarlane, who weighed 6lb3oz and arrived just before 8am.

He was an early surprise for mum, Hannah Bott and dad Brett Macfarlane, as he was not due for another two weeks.

"I had been out seeing in the New Year all day," said Brett, 20.

"It was a bit a surprise but a great way to start 2015."

The couple, of Belgrave, were looking forward to introducing Oscar to their other son Mckenzie, two.

"We just want to get Oscar home now," said Hannah, 20.

"Mckenzie is really looking forward to meeting his new baby brother."

The couple had been staying at Brett's mums house, Wesley Smith when Hannah went into labour.

Brett said said: "Mum was in bed and I went and jumped on her in the middle of the night to tell me Hannah had gone into labour - she couldn't believe it, she thought she was dreaming.

"She's over the moon - she's going to spoil him rotten."

Pauline Coser, Ward Manager was on duty from 7.30am. She said staff on the maternity ward were "really, really busy" this year.

"This year in general has been very busy," she added.

"Being a midwife is such a privilege.

"To see babies coming into the world is such a wonderful experience and during Christmas and New Year, our job becomes extra special."