A new scheme for patients to get medication without having to go to their doctor has been launched in West Leicestershire.

The Pharmacy First service has been set up by the West Leicestershire clinical commissioning group, which plans and pays for local health services.

It is open to all those entitled to free prescriptions and registered with a GP in the area who are suffering from ailments such as coughs and colds, constipation and diarrhoea, conjunctivitis, allergies, cuts and grazes.

Each patient will receive a consultation from the pharmacist who can supply an over the counter medicine for free.

Kishan Kotecha, pharmacist and manager of the Earl Shilton Pharmacy, was one of the first to sign up to provide the service.

He said: "It is a great scheme. Pharmacists are not just pill counters.

"We are highly-qualified health professionals who have studied for five years.

"We can see patients without appointments and make a judgement on treatment.

"And, if we think it necessary we can refer the patient back to see their GP.

"I think this could play a real part in helping reduce the pressure on GPs, urgent care centres and hospital A&E departments."

Anyone over the age of two who is entitled to free prescriptions and registered with a GP in West Leicestershire can register with the scheme.

They will be asked basic information such as name, age, date of birth, post code and proof they are exempt from paying prescription charges.

The pharmacist will also let the patient's GP know what medication has been prescribed.

Professor Mayur Lakhani, a GP in Sileby and chairman of the West Leicestershire CCG, said: "I urge all eligible people to try this service wherever possible, it's an excellent scheme.

"Pharmacists should be the go-to people for minor illnesses.

"We need to increase people's awareness of the clinical skills of pharmacists and the services they offer.

"The NHS Pharmacy First service not only increases patients' choices, but it also allows GPs to focus on our many patients with more complex needs."

So far nearly four out of 10 pharmacies in West Leicestershire have joined the scheme.

A CCG spokesman said: "More are joining all the time."

A record £5.14 billion was spent by Sky Sports and BT Sport for the Premier League broadcasting rights from 2016 to 2019.

The princely sum has led to The Football Supporters' Federation calling for a reduction in match ticket prices from every club in the top flight.

Click here for the latest Leicester City news

But do you think that the deal will lead to cheaper ticket prices or will it be business as usual for football's elite teams?

Vote now in our online poll which can be found to the right of this page. Voting closes at 2pm on Friday with the results published in Saturday's Mercury.

The mother of an eight-year-old boy born with a fatal genetic disorder has taken part in a vigil in London calling for access to a new cure.

Emma Hallam's son Alex was born with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) which has always been considered untreatable.

A new drug, called Translarna, is being considered for use by the NHS but it has not yet been approved.

Yesterday Emma, of Rothley, joined other parents in a three-hour vigil outside the NHS England offices.

She said: "Translarna is already available in Germany, France, Spain and Italy, but NHS England are delaying a decision on access until they have reviewed their procedures for funding new drugs.

"This is a 90-day review which effectively means a decision is unlikely until after the General Election in May and still we have no guarantees of funding.

"Some children who could benefit will lose the ability to walk while they are waiting and can't be treated using Translarna."

She said the vigil had been calling for NHS England to grant a temporary funding licence, as Germany did last year.

She said: "That way, all boys that could be eligible for it now will benefit without any further delays."

Emma set up a charity called Alex's Wish to fund research into cures for the disease.

Alex's Wish and other Duchenne charities have united to demand urgent talks with NHS England to get emergency access to Translarna.

In a recent statement about the drug, NHS England said its policy was to hold a 90-day consultation period about all new drugs but that special cases would be considered.

It said: "The NHS England board decided that the consultation on prioritisation for specialised services should be 90 days, and a response cannot be given consideration until this 90 days has passed.

"Meanwhile any prioritisation which is urgent on clinical grounds will be dealt with quickly though our existing procedures.

"It is important to remember that this process is looking at services we would routinely commission for groups of patients and the route of individual funding requests remains the same."

Nigel Pearson has praised the impact of Robert Huth and Matt Upson as they add vital Premier League experience to Leicester City's survival fight.

Huth and Upson both made their City debuts in the defeat at Arsenal, as Pearson played three centre-backs for the first time this season at the Emirates.

Huth, on loan from Stoke, has 240 Premier League appearances – only 91 fewer than City have as a club – while Upson has also played most of his career in the top flight.

City's back-five looked generally solid, although, with four of the five defenders in their 30s, they did struggle with the pace of Arsenal's attack at times.

The system allowed full-backs Danny Simpson and Paul Konchesky to get forward with wingers Jeff Schlupp and Riyad Mahrez pushing further ahead.

"We have not had a great deal of time to work on it, and there have been distractions," said Pearson.

"But I wouldn't dream of putting the players in that situation if I didn't think they were capable of dealing with it. That was because of the amount of experience we had out there.

"On top of the wealth of experience in the back-six, including the goalkeeper (Mark Schwarzer, 42), Esteban (Cambiasso, 34) in front and then a bit of youth alongside. That's always a nice blend to have."

But it was City's frailties at set-plays yet again that led to Arsenal's opener.

Just three days after Joe Ledley headed Crystal Palace's winner from a corner at the King Power Stadium, Wes Morgan let Laurent Koscielny slip at the Emirates.

The first highlighted the issues of zonal marking, as 6ft 6in Brede Hangeland was allowed a free header at the back post, while Koscielny's showed that, if you man-mark, you have got to stick with your man.

"It is frustrating, bearing in mind the height we have within the side," said Pearson.

"We have been playing with a mainly zonal system of late. But at Arsenal we went man-to-man. If it had been zonal, I don't think that goal would have occurred.

"We had a discussion about it, and I suppose that is where you have got to trust in the players to be able to deal with that.

"It is disappointing. Those are the details that can make a difference."

There was a further setback for Upson who, making his first-team debut after a long-term foot injury, limped off just before the hour.

"It was more of precaution," said Pearson. "I thought his calmness was very obvious and his distribution from the back was exceptionally good."

A casualty was flown to hospital today after being cut from the wreckage of a car which flipped onto its roof.

The person was flown by air ambulance to University Hospital Coventry after the vehicle left the carriageway on Beggar's Lane in Enderby at about 3pm.

Another casualty was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary by land ambulance.

A third person was treated at the scene but allowed to go home.

Fire crews from Wigston, Southern and Western stations were called out to the incident at 3.07pm.

Beggar's Lane was closed between the B582 and Forest House Lane.

No other vehicle was involved in the incident.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson believes people "need to be careful what they wish for" following speculation over the weekend that he had been sacked.

Reports emerged on Sunday night that Pearson had been relieved of his duties – only for City to release a statement hours later insisting that he was still very much in charge.

Pearson led his side to a narrow 2-1 defeat at Arsenal, and was seen sharing a joke with chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha while he was sat in the directors' box during the first half at the Emirates.

While Pearson admitted there had clearly been distractions ahead of the trip to North London, with the speculation over his future and criticism over his touchline altercation with Crystal Palace midfielder James McArthur, the City boss maintained he had the full backing of the owners.

"They don't want to get rid of me," insisted Pearson. "I'm here. I had lunch with the owners yesterday and sat behind them in the first half.

"I have spoken to them a few times. It was very friendly.

"Whatever you do for a living, communication is ultimately pivotal as to how the operation either succeeds or doesn't.

"I have always had a very good working relationship with them, and on a personal level too.

"It has been an unusual few days. I suppose that is the type of scrutiny that you can be under at this level."

But Pearson admitted that poor results will continue to put pressure on him but, as he said in his press conference on Monday, but he expects to be in charge for the rest of the season. "I don't expect any favours from anyone," said Pearson. "I am in a results business. Our results haven't been what we would like so that brings pressure.

"But then you've got to find a replacement who is better and who is going to wave a magic wand.

"You've got to be careful what you wish for sometimes."

Pearson also received the backing of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger, who said: "If they keep quiet, don't panic, and stick together, they will get out of that. They are one of the better sides we have played at the bottom of the league."

A seventh generation descendant of a Leicester business founder will be the man to seal the lead lid of King Richard III's coffin.

Dr Jonathan Castleman, chairman of Norman & Underwood, a roofing, glazing and building conservation family business, will be welding the lead lid shut, as well as having hand-made the inside of the King's coffin, known as a lead ossuary.

The ossuary is 1.7 meters long, 350mm wide and 275mm deep. It weighs 60kg. The whole thing, including the oak and King Richard's bones will weigh 110kg.

Jonathan, whose grandmother was an Underwood, said: "It will be my privilege to lead weld the lid once the king is placed in there."

He added that it was an honour to be chosen to make the ossuary.

"I have been at Norman and Underwood for 33 years. It is an honour for me to have that responsibility.

"This is special. This is something that is really good for Leicester. I am proud to be involved in it.

"I am pleased that Leicester has the skills to do this. Both in the archaeology side, and the skills we have as lead workers. "

"This is one of the most famous things I have done."

Jonathan said they used sand cast lead to make the ossuary -which is the method that the Romans used.

"Sand cast lead can last forever," said Jonathan.

"We melt the scrap lead and re-cast it into new sheets."

He added that he used wooden hand tools to shape the lead sheets and then welded them together.

Cathedral spokeswoman Liz Hudson said: "Norman and Underwood have a long history of excellent and exacting work both in Leicestershire and around the world.

"They are without doubt experts in their field and we are delighted that they have been able to take part in this remarkable story on behalf of the University and the Cathedral."

The ossuary will be sent to London next week to be placed inside Richard III's oak coffin.

Norman & Underwood was based in Free School Lane, Leicester, until 10 years ago when it moved to Scudamore Road.

Watch a video here: 

The discovery of King Richard III will be the focus for a major expansion of tourism over the next five years.

The aim is to make Leicester and the county a visitor destination to rival York and Stratford on Avon.

A programme was launched yesterday aiming to create hundreds of jobs.

It is also aims to increase the value of the tourism sector which totalled £1.48 billion in 2013.

City Mayor Peter Soulsby said: "The discovery of Richard III under a car park has given us something we've never had before.

"It is a unique and compelling story that is capturing the imaginations of visitors from both the UK and around the world.

"In surfing terms, it is a wave we have to catch."

He added: "It is not merely an opportunity for the city but the surrounding county too."

The springboard will be the seven day event in March around the re-interment of the king which will be broadcast to a world wide audience.

Sir Peter added: "It will be a showcase for the city and county."

Martyn Traynor, a member of the Richard III Trust, said: "At present we are a secondary destination which people pass through to go elsewhere.

"We have to become a primary destination on a par with York and Stratford. We have the attractions to make us a place where people come to and stay."

They were speaking a the launch of the Leicester Tourism Action Plan yesterday.

It sets out the need to expand a range of high quality attractions, visitor facilities and accommodation.

James Conaghan, general manager of the Mercure Leicester Grand Hotel said: "After the opening of the King Richard III visitor centre and the recent announcement that IBM is coming to Leicester, we must now take this opportunity to make Leicester the number one place for business and leisure in the region."

Sharon Redrobe, chief executive of Twycross Zoo, said: "At present we attract 500,000 visitors a year. Our aim is to double that number and we welcome the plan.

"But we would be helped by better bus services at the weekends."

That was echoed by bed and breakfast owner Linda Jee of the award winning Horseshoe Cottage Farm in Cropston.

She said: "We are at the entrance of Bradgate Park and there are no buses at the weekends."

Sir Peter conceded that the plan was a work in progress and that the city council could act as a facilitator if not provider of services.

A tourism advisory panel comprising a range of city venues and attractions we be set up to deliver improvements to what we have on offer.

Blake Pain, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for tourism, said: "Supporting Leicestershire's economy is a priority, and enhancing the tourism offer to attract visitors and businesses, as well as making it a better place to live, is vitally important.

"We are working closely with the City Council and Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership to ensure that we continue to enhance and expand the value of tourism in the city and county." 

Tourism attracted 29 million people to Leicester and the county in 2013.

The aim is to raise visitor numbers in the city from 9.5 million to 13.6 million in 2020.

Tourism was worth £1.48billion in 2013, a 6.2 per cent increase on the previous year.

In Leicester alone it was worth £512 million and the aim is to increase it to £590 million.

The industry employs 20,000 in Leicestershire and 7,000 in the city. It aims to increase city jobs by 1,000.

Britain's travel writers voted the £4 million Richard III Visitor Centre the top tourism attraction in the UK.

It is predicted that 100,000 people will visit it in its first year.

The National Space Centre attracted 260,000 visitors last year.

Twycross Zoo attracts 500,000 visitors a year. It aims to double that through an expansion plan to be unveiled in March.

Hundreds of homes and businesses will be evacuated as experts blow up the former city council offices.

A 150-metre exclusion zone will be imposed around the skeletons of the two crumbling 1970s tower blocks.

New Walk Centre is about 16,500 tonnes of concrete, and the two buildings stand 105ft and 72ft above the streets of Leicester.

DSM Contracts Manager Billy Young said the exclusion zone will ensure people and vehicles are kept out of what is a tightly-controlled secure area for the duration of the demolition.

He added: "It also ensures that the specialists working there get unimpeded access to and from the demolition site, and also that we have an unobstructed view of the whole perimeter of the site which us vital for security.

"Once the demolition is done, and the site has been declared safe once again, we can start the process of cleaning, reopening the roads and returning the area to normal."

The demolition, which will take place on Sunday, February 22, is designed so the buildings fall in on themselves.

The affected area will be sealed off between 6am and 6pm and the controlled explosions are expected at around 10 am.

Street parking restrictions will be enforced from Saturday evening.

About 600 households and businesses will be given the opportunity to watch the at the Leicester Tigers ground.

The authority moved out last summer into a new City Hall in Charles Street.

The £19.9 million project was prompted by structural surveys carried out in 2009 which revealed the buildings were no longer safe.

The exclusion zone area is bordered by Upper Brown Street, Chancery Street, part of Pocklingtons Walk, part of Market Street including the Fenwick store, Wellington Street, Park Street, and the bottom section of New Walk from approximately Holy Cross Church.

It will extend across New Walk to King Street at its junction with Marquis Street, before crossing Duke Street, Mill Street, and Welford Road near Bannatyne's gym.

It will continue behind buildings on the western side of Welford Road, York Road and behind Newarke Street car park, which will be closed for the demolition.

During the closure, buses will not serve Pocklingtons Walk and Horsefair Street on inbound journeys, or Belvoir Street, Welford Place and part of Welford Road on outbound journeys.

On-street parking restrictions will come into effect from 6pm on Saturday, February 21.

Stewards will patrol the edge of the exclusion zone to ensure the public do not encroach.

A map of the exclusion area, along with a simulation of the demolition itself can be viewed at www.leicester.gov.uk/newwalkcentre

A judge told the pregnant partner of an assailant who attacked a party guest: "If he misbehaves again, dump him."

Recorder Sam Mainds gave the woman the advice after jailing Leon Burdett for 12 months.

He added "Good luck to you madam," before she left Leicester Crown Court.

Burdett, 22, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to a man at a Christmas party, in the Dog and Gun pub, in Enderby, on December 20.

The court heard that Burdett, of Highgate, off Stonesby Avenue, Leicester, had accompanied his girlfriend to her work's party and drank heavily.

The victim, who was an employee of the same company, A R C Employment and Recruitment, in Enderby, had briefly spoken to the defendant earlier in the evening without any problem, said Kate Plummer, prosecuting.

She said: "The defendant was extremely intoxicated and at one point fell asleep on the bar.

"By 1.30am Burdett was displaying aggressive behaviour, having been refused any more alcohol by the bar staff because he was so drunk.

"The victim, who had not met the defendant before that evening, was sitting on a bench by the bar when the defendant suddenly approached from behind and struck him with the glass."

It was a single blow, followed by a punch.

"It was completely unprovoked," said Miss Plummer.

The victim suffered a cuts to both cheeks, above his right eye, the bridge of his nose and his left ear.

In a statement he later told the police: "I'd done nothing to provoke being assaulted by this man.

"The scarring to my face distresses me because when I look in the mirror it reminds me of what happened.

"When I go out I get quite nervous, especially in pubs, and always try to have my back to the wall."

Burdett, a labourer, who was on licence at the time from an earlier jail sentence for burglary and motoring offences, voluntarily gave himself up at a police station.

The court heard he has a previous conviction for glassing a man in a pub, in similar unprovoked circumstances, and one for cutting a female's arm with a piece of glass.

Recorder Sam Mainds was urged to impose a sentence enabling Burdett's release prior to the birth of his child.

He told the defendant: "You've an appalling record of offences and why on earth this decent woman is having anything to do with you, goodness only knows.

"She's a decent hard working woman and you don't deserve her."

Mark Achurch, mitigating, said; "The reason was drink and he's very remorseful.

"That night was the 10th anniversary of the death of his father and he was drinking to forget.

"This incident shocked him and he's sought help for alcohol abuse.

"His partner is in court and is expecting their child at the end of August."

An industrial premises was evacuated today after a 120-foot high chimney caught fire.

Workers at Euro Dyes in Saffron Lane were asked to leave the building at about 3pm.

Three fire crews tackled the blaze using an aerial ladder and foam and water after being alerted by members of the public at 2.45pm.

Firefighters also cordoned off nearby Burgess Road over fears that the chimney might collapse.

Several members of the public had raised the alarm about the chimney which was belching out thick smoke.

Aylestone councillor Nigel Porter said he had been called by worried residents.

He said: "One woman called and told me the chimney was spewing out horrible smoke and appeared to be on fire too.

"I called the city council who sent some environmental health officers down.

"By the time they got the fire service were there and the situation was fully-blown fire incident."

A police spokesman said they were called to the incident to help the fire service.

He said: "It appears no-one was hurt in the incident.

"It is believed the cause of the fire is not malicious."

A fire service spokeswoman said the fire had been extinguished by 4.40pm. 

The staff were allowed back in and Burgess Road was re-opened.

Aston Villa have parted ways with manager Paul Lambert ahead of their FA Cup fifth round tie with Leicester City on Sunday.

Villa slipped into the bottom three after their defeat to Hull City last night and have set a new Premier League record for the fewest goals at this stage of the season; 12 in 25 games.

First-team coach Scott Marshall and goalkeeping coach Andy Marshall have taken caretaker charge.

A place in the quarter finals is at stake when they two sides clash at Villa Park at lunchtime on Sunday.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson has vowed to nurture his young striker Andrej Kramaric as he adjusts to life in the Premier League.

After his £7million move last month from HNK Rijeka, the 23-year-old has had to deal with the weight of expectation as City look to him to score the goals that will keep them in the top flight.

The fact that Kramaric had already scored 28 goals this season for Rijeka before his move has added to that anticipation.

Kramaric's performance against Arsenal on Tuesday and scoring his first goal for City will increase the pressure on his young shoulders, but Pearson warned he still needs to be nurtured.

"I think when players arrive at football clubs with a weight of expectation on them it can be tough," he said. "He is a young man. 

"He is held in high regard in European football in terms of what he has achieved so far domestically, and he also broken on to the international scene.

"I thought the (Arsenal) game had a European feel to it.

"When you play against sides like Arsenal, and the way that they play, I thought Andrej dealt with that very well because the game probably suited him. 

"The English game, I don't care what anyone says, it takes a little bit of time to bed in. 

"But when you are in the situation we are in, and you sign a striker who is expected to score goals, that ramps up the expectation straight away.

"My job is to manage that expectation internally. 

"I can't do a great deal about what people think externally, but I think he has handled himself very well so far and I think his team-mates appreciate his value within the squad."

Pearson did admit Kramaric's first goal in a Leicester shirt will certainly help the bedding in period, although the Croatia international had other chances to snatch a point for City at the Emirates Stadium.

"I am very pleased for him to get off the mark," added Pearson. "I wish he'd have scored two.

"For strikers, it is always important for them to score goals, regardless of how they play.

"I don't care who it is, strikers always judge themselves on their goal return."

City have taken their full allocation of 6,500 for Sunday's trip to face Aston Villa at Villa Park in the FA Cup fifth round.

Only 500 tickets still remain unsold. Contact the club for details.

Three men have been arrested after a high speed car chase across three counties.

They were detained after the Subaru Legacy they were driving was detained at a travellers' site near Market Harborough.

The chase started in Lincolnshire and went through Leicestershire into Northamptonshire.

The police helicopter based at Husbands Bosworth assisted in the chase.

The incident started at Quadring Fen near Spalding shortly before 11.30am yesterday

The men were suspected of taking part in illegal hare coursing and failed to stop for the police.

Officers pursued the Subaru from Lincolnshire into Leicestershire.

The pursuit ended just after 2pm at Justin Park a travellers site in Northampton Road.

The arrests took place just over the county boundary in Northamptonshire south of Market Harborough.

A Lincolnshire police spokeswoman said: "Three men have been arrested for failing to stop for police and on suspicion of hare coursing.

"They were taken into custody by Northamptonshire police for questioning."

Yesterday we asked our readers who they thought the hottest player at Leicester City was.

The choices were: Matty James, Paul Konchesky, Riyad Mahrez, Kasper Schmeichel, Esteban Cambiasso, Danny Drinkwater, Leonardo Ulloa, Liam Moore, Wes Morgan, Jamie Vardy, Jeffrey Schlupp, Dave Nugent, Ben Hamer, Ritchie De Laet, Andy King

More than 100 people voted 24 hours later and the results are in. (Drum roll please)

With more than 30 per cent of the votes, Leicester Mercury readers have decided the hottest player at Leicester City is Matty James.

Coming in at second was Riyad Mahrez, with Kasper Schmeichel following closely in third.

Here is a full list of players, with the 'hottest' at the top:

Matty James

Riyad Mahrez

Kasper Schmeichel

David Nugent

Esteban Cambisso

Liam Moore / Danny Drinkwater

Jeffrey Schlupp

Andy King / Jamie Vardy / Ritchie De Laet

Ben Hamer / Paul Konchesky 

Andy King / Leonardo Ulloa 

Jehovah's Witness elders insist they had no legal responsibility for the behaviour of aging sex predator, Peter Stewart, whose abuse of a young girl in Loughborough in the 1980s has sparked a £500,000 lawsuit.

Their barrister, Adam Weitzman, argued that much of Stewart's perverted activities had occurred "in the community" and that elders "could not restrict his movements or who he saw".

Although Stewart acted as a "ministerial servant" for some of the time before he was "deleted" by the elders, this was not a position which carried any formal authority, he added.

When it was discovered that he had indecently assaulted another child in 1990, elders had taken active steps to remove him from his position.

Stewart had ultimately "disassociated himself from the Jehovah's Witnesses, before he could be disfellowshipped".

His withdrawal followed his conviction for sexually abusing a schoolgirl and a young boy in 1995, the court was told.

At London's High Court, a traumatised woman, aged in her 20s but who cannot be identified, is suing the Trustees of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society of Great Britain, claiming that not enough was done to protect her from Stewart.

She was molested by the ministerial servant over a five-year period in Loughborough in the 1980s and 90s, her barrister, James Counsell, has claimed.

The trauma she suffered derailed her education and career, and led to harrowing nightmares and recurring thoughts of suicide, the court heard.

Matters came to a head after she "passed out on her bed next to a pile of paracetamol" while on holiday with her husband, "having left him a suicide note".

Soon afterwards, she had a "bad panic attack" - triggered by seeing a collection of Jehovah's Witness literature - and it was only then that she decided to sue.

Stewart - an apparently "respected and devout" congregation member - died aged 72 in June 2001.

Mr Counsell said he met his end "shortly before police arrived at his home to arrest him for sexually abusing the claimant".

The elderly molester had repeatedly preyed on the girl between the ages of four and nine, "using his position as a ministerial servant to commit these acts", the barrister claimed.

However, Mr Weitzman pointed out that elders had never had any "direct knowledge of any sexual abuse by Stewart of the claimant".

And the barrister insisted it would be wrong to hold the trustees "vicariously liable" for Stewart's actions.

Overall, the elders "did not exercise control over Stewart in the community where the abuse occurred", he told the court.

The hearing is in its final stages and Mr Justice Globe is expected to reserve his judgment until a later date.

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson said his players are not playing for him but for the ultimate goal of staying in the Premier League.

City rallied in the second half at Arsenal on Tuesday after going 2-0 down to nearly snatch a point at the Emirates Stadium.

The way they played was seen as evidence that Pearson retained the full backing of his players after Sunday's mysterious sacking saga.

But Pearson said he did not see it like that and believes the players' spirited performance was due to the fact they share the same goal as him, a desire to keep City in the Premier League.

"We have shared goals so I don't think of it like that," he said. 

"I am not someone who needs a vote of confidence, so to speak. 

"This squad of players has taken a long time to put together. Consequently, they enjoy being together. 

"We have shared goals. If it is like that, fine, but more importantly we as a football club have worked hard to get into this position.

"We have been outside the top flight for a decade so I think we owe it to ourselves to make sure we give ourselves the best chance. 

"It has been a difficult season so far. Our points return doesn't reflect how we have played but the bottom line is we are at the bottom, and we remain frustrated at our inability to win enough points. 

"The belief is there. People talk about spirit, but I do think we have to right types of people at the club to give ourselves a good chance in this last phase of the season."

Pearson also praised his players with the way they dealt with the uncertainty in the media surrounding his position on Sunday night.

"The players have remained very single-minded and their ability to deal with either criticism of themselves or destabilising news has been exceptionally good all season," he said. 

"I am very pleased with how the players have just got on with it."

However, he admits it is hard to keep that positivity when promising performances continue to go unrewarded.

"We are getting a little bit frustrated at being talked about as being unlucky," added Pearson.

"It is a challenge for us, we have got to start turning these types of performances into results. 

"Games like Arsenal, against a top side, are probably a bit of a bonus game.

"Our results against sides in and around us are going to be pivotal. 

"We cannot afford to continue this 'we played well – unlucky'.

"I think we have probably had only a couple of games this season where I could honestly say I was very disappointed with how we played. 

"Our performance levels have been pretty good for the most part. 

"Against Arsenal I was very pleased with how we went about the game. We had a lot of experience out on the pitch. 

"That is what you are dealing with at this level."

Roadworks taking place in Leicester this week

• Narborough Road: carriageway improvements. Road closed between Imperial Avenue and Upperton Road to city-bound traffic from Sunday (15 Feb). Diversions in place.

• York Street: window cleaning. Road closed between Albion Street and Granby Street on Sunday (15 Feb) only. Also affects Chatham Street, between Stanford Street and Granby Street.

• Vaughan Way: parapet replacement works. Southgates underpass to be closed in both directions from 8pm on Sunday (15 Feb) until 6am on Monday (16 Feb). Diversions in place.

• Thurlby Road: carriageway work. Road closed between Fernie Road and Green Lane Road from Monday (16 Feb). Diversions in place.

• Fosse Road North: barrier repairs. Off-peak lane closures at junction with Henley Road from Monday (16 Feb).

Ongoing works in the city:

• St Margaret's Way: electricity work. Off-peak lane closures as required around Wolsey Street.

• King Richards Road: carriageway improvements. Off-peak lane closure county-bound between Fosse Road Central and Henton Road.

• Dysart Way: carriageway improvements. Road closed to eastbound traffic only between Belgrave Circle and Orchardson Avenue. Diversions in place.

• St Augustine Road: highway improvements. Off-peak lane restrictions in place from St Nicholas Circle, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 3.30pm.

• Charles Street: Haymarket Bus Station redevelopment. Lane closures, road closures and temporary signals as required on Charles Street and surrounding routes including Abbey Street and Belgrave Gate.

• Market Place South: demolition work. Weekend road closures between Market Place Approach and Dolphin Square from 7pm on Saturday until 6am on Monday.

• Henshaw Street: carriageway work. Road closed at junction with Gateway Street. Diversions in place.

• Lower Brown Street: carriageway improvements. Off-peak closures, as required, around Norton Street. Diversions in place.

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

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

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

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