Environmental health officers are to monitor emissions from an industrial chimney after it caught fire.

Officers from Leicester City Council visited Euro Print Dyers Ltd in Saffron Lane today after firefighters tackled a blaze in a 120-foot chimney at the company yesterday.

Three fire crews tackled the blaze using foam and water and an aerial ladder after several members of the public had raised the alarm at 2.45pm.

Firefighters, who took 90 minutes to get the blaze under control, cordoned off nearby Burgess Road over fears that the chimney might collapse.

A Leicester City Council spokesperson said: "Environmental health officers were called out on Wednesday to investigate reports of emissions from the chimney stack of Euro Print Dyers Ltd.

"This turned out to be a fire in the chimney stack, which was extinguished by the fire service. The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

"Environmental health officers revisited on Thursday. The fire has caused damage to part of the plant's abatement system. "However, we are satisfied that the company has sufficient measures in place to allow it continue to operate while work to repair or replace the system is carried out.

"We will continue to monitor emissions in the meantime."

Aylestone councillor Nigel Porter said he had lots of calls from residents worried about the smoke issuing from the chimney.

He said: "It is good to know that the council will be monitoring the emissions from the chimney."

A spokesman for Euro Print Dyers Ltd declined to comment.

A 30-strong team of midwives, doctors, nurses and health workers from Leicester's hospitals are limbering up for a race through mud and obstacles.

They are hoping to raise at least £2,000 for an appeal to improve facilities for mums whose babies are still born at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The 10k Wolf Run near Leamington Spa on April 12 will see them tackle natural and man-made obstacles through mud and water.

The challenge was the idea of Kirsty Haigh, a midwife at the infirmary, and colleagues.

She said: "Four of us took part in the Leicester half marathon last year and we decided we should do something else.

"Since then the idea has grown and there are now 30 of us taking part.

"We are going to split into teams of about five and six and compete against each other to make it more fun.

"We have been training hard with short and long runs and doing pull ups on bars but we are all nervous."

Money raised will be split between the Baby Loss Appeal, being run by Leicester hospitals' charity, and Breast Cancer Care. The Baby Loss Appeal was set up to raise money for two bereavement delivery suites – one at Leicester General Hospital and one at the infirmary.

A suite, including a wet room and separate area for the baby along with a courtyard garden has opened at the General hospital.

There is also an ante-natal counselling room where bad news can be broken to parents. Work is under way to create a similar facility at the infirmary.

Around £20,000 is needed for a room for bereaved mums to stay after their baby is born and to refurbish an ante natal counselling room.

Joan Morrissey, senior midwife at the infirmary who will be cheering on the team, said: "I am so proud of all the staff. We really want these facilities and they are doing so much to help."

Money will also be donated to a Breast Cancer Care in support of two colleagues affected by breast cancer.

To donate to the team, go to:

www.justgiving.com/teams

/TeamUHLmaternity

A group of Ricardians from Market Bosworth has created 1,485 white ceramic roses which it plans to sell before the reinterment of the Yorkist king.

The community group, made up of local artisans, residents and traders, wanted to mark the procession of Richard III's bones through their town on March 22.

The regal remains will pass through Market Bosworth as they take a tour of all the places historically significant to Richard.

Each rose will be available to buy for £20 - with the 1,485th being auctioned off to the highest bidder.

Tim Richardson, of Michaelmas House, one of the Market Bosworth shops selling the Bosworth rose, said: "We have already taken several hundred orders and expect there to be significant interest, not only in the local community, but nationally and beyond.

"We are pleased to discuss details by phone and email, and would strongly encourage people to come and see the rose for themselves."

The figure 1,485 is significant because Richard was killed at the Battle of Bosworth in August 1485.

Artist Paul Gibson, who has designed and produced the rose, said: "Made in fine porcelain the design of the Bosworth Rose has been inspired by Tudor roses of the period and given a contemporary touch."

For more information contact Paul Gibson, of Green Man ceramics, on: 01332 863133 or email: mail@greenmanceramics.co.uk

Name: Nick Revell

Age: 57

First show: It was in 1980 and it was five minutes of terror.

Worst show: The last one I did because every one is better than the other.

Best show: I've had so many but probably this corporate gig I did around 25 years ago and nobody understood me at all. 

What do you if people don't laugh: That never happens now.

What's the worst thing somebody has heckled during one of your shows: 'I wish you would stay on longer' - that's the kind of heckling I get.

If you could be any other person for the day, who would it be and why: The Pope because he seems to always be surrounded by women.

If you were stuck on a desert what one item would you take: The Pope because he's bound to bring women with him.

Nick Revell: Closet Optimist

Tonight

Kayal

A barge went up in flames today after logs next to a fire in the boat ignited.

Firefighters were called out to tackle the blaze on the boat at the Rayns Way Marina in Thurmaston.

The 45-foot long barge was at the marina off Pinfold Road when the fire took hold.

Two fire crews and the technical rescue unit from Southern were called out to the incident.

A fire service spokesman said: "The cause was accidental. It was caused by logs next to a fire that ignited by irradiated heat from the fire.

"The blaze cause moderate fire damage to the bow area

and there was severe smoke damage to the whole vessel."

No-one was hurt in the incident.

The blaze was extinguished by 12.03pm.

A former farm house is being converted into a short stay home for people suffering a mental health crisis.

Box Tree Farm in Ratby will provide a six-bedroom base for adults needing short-term help for around a week at a time.

Bosses at the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, who have set up the scheme, are hoping it will help to cut the number of people having to be sent out of the area for mental health care.

An average of 11 mental health patients a month had to be cared for outside Leicestershire since the start of April last year.

The new facility opens on February 28 and will by run by the Richmond Fellowship, a charity and specialist provider of mental health services.

In addition it runs a telephone helpline is open from 2pm to 1.30am seven days a week to support people in need of urgent mental health help. Drop in sessions have also been set up in two city centre locations with a appointment-based service in Ratby.

Dr Mohammed Al-Uzri, clinical director for adult mental health and learning disability services at the Leicestershire Partnership NHS Trust, said "These new services are part of our commitment to providing more support in the community instead of hospital.

"The telephone helpline and face-to-face sessions will help us provide care to those people whose needs would otherwise intensify, and possibly end in a hospital admission.

"These services are part of a wider programme to improve crisis services."

He added: "Box Tree Farm in Ratby, which will open at the end of February will provide short-term support for people who are experiencing a mental health crisis and is an alternative to hospital admission."

The cost of the new services have not been revealed.

A trust spokesman said it was deemed "commercially sensitive".

Christine Lawrence, Richmond Fellowship locality manager, said: "As we've been working with local people over the past few months to develop the service we've decided to expand the support we provide.

"We want to make sure the best possible support is available for people in a mental health crisis when they're are at their most vulnerable."

Smoking in cars in which there are passengers under the age of 18 is be banned.

The ban, passed in Parliament on Wednesday, will take effect on October 1 and has been welcomed by deputy city mayor Councillor Rory Palmer.

Coun Palmer, is also chairman of the city's health and well being board and responsible for improving public health.

Speaking about the new regulation he said: "I welcome this change in the law, which will help protect children from the extremely harmful effects of second-hand smoke.

"The risks to children are particularly high if someone is smoking in the enclosed environment of a car.

"In a survey conducted by the Stop Smoking Service, 83 per cent of local people said they would support a ban, which is very positive and shows that people recognise how important it is to make sure children don't breathe in tobacco smoke.

"This new law will help to reduce children's chances of exposure."

Coun Palmer added: "It has been calculated that over £17 million a year is spent on social care related to smoking-related illnesses in Leicester and Leicestershire.

"Nationally it is estimated that the costs to society of smoking, taking into account NHS and care costs and sick days lost to employers amount to a staggering £12.9 billion.

"To compare, the tax on cigarettes totals less than this, at £12.3 billion.

"The financial costs of smoking are high, but what should concern us even more are the costs to health.

"The negative impacts on health of smoking are well known but that does not mean efforts to encourage people to quit or from starting to smoke in the first place should be stubbed out.

"Smoking is by far the largest preventable cause of ill-health and death.

"In Leicester we have an innovative and effective stop smoking service.

"Over past two weeks the Mercury has featured the work of advisors in local communities.

Encouraging more people to quit smoking remains a key priority for the city council and partner organisations.

"Last year more than 2,500 people were supported to quit smoking in Leicester.

"Targeting specific services for example at expectant mums will make a big difference.

"Last year I joined the stop smoking service to launch a new DVD aimed at expectant mums, who are also offered free nicotine replacement therapy.

"The backing of ambassadors like Rendall Munroe, Andy King and Neil Back through the Balls to Stop campaign is important in taking important messages into local communities.

"In April this year the stop smoking service will become a city council service, building new links with other services via community centres, libraries, leisure centres, schools, children's centres and the council's housing service.

"Our aim in Leicester is to make it as easy as possible for people who want to quit smoking.

"Our aim in Leicester is for a smoke free generation."

Name: Lydia Rickards

Age: 23

First show: I joined the DMU Footlights and did my first gig in 2010 at the Student Union. (I had just been dumped and was feeling pretty rubbish so thought I'd give stand up comedy a go – I wanted to achieve something for myself and challenge myself). Even though I had performed before (I used to dance and act when I was younger) I had never done anything like this before so I was very nervous – I was up there on my own, having to remember 10 minutes of material and make people laugh! But stand up is like a drug so I knew I wanted to do it again!

Best show: I can't think of one specific show but I love gigging in the South West. I'm based in Swindon and don't drive at the moment so I mainly gig in Bath and Bristol. I've met some great people on the South West circuit and going to gigs has become like a social really, catching up with friends. There's a venue called The Cube in Bristol that runs a monthly comedy night – I wanted to gig there for ages and when I did in January I really loved it.

Worst show: It was at a pub called Southsider at the Edinburgh Fringe, 2012. It was a free showcase – so just a collection of random (reasonably new) stand ups. The only people there were the actual performers and starring at 5 people was worse than a packed room. I completely forgot my material and just spouted out random lines that didn't even make sense. I wanted the ground to swallow me up.

What do you do if people don't laugh: This started completely unintentionally. I start to narrate the gig (as I call it). I pick a friendly face in the front row and randomly talk to them as an aside; as though no one else is listening (which may be true) and I start analysing everything and keep referring back to them. That becomes a joke in itself and can go down well. Not that I have to resort to that tactic much.

What's the worst thing somebody has heckled during one of your shows: Probably something about being ginger, but I get those heckles in everyday life so that's nothing new. Once in Cirencester a man got on stage and starting taking off his trousers. I think I handled it quite well though and he ended up quite embarrassed. Someone at a gig at The Cookie (Leicester) once whispered my punchline to his mate, just as I was about to say it, and I heard it and it totally threw me off. Unsure if that was someone telling his mate "Oh god she isn't doing this bit again is she?" or if he was just a massive fan. Probably the latter.

If you could be any other person for the day, who would it be and why: A super rich tycoon and give all their money away. Mwahaha.

If you were stuck on a desert island what one item would you take and why: A volleyball. They seem useful in those situations.

Daniel Nicholas and Lydia Rickards: Yours Desperately, Dan and Lydia

Upstairs at the The Western Pub

Have you voted for you Legend of Comedy 2015 yet? Vote here.

Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival 2015

If your love is written in the stars then there is only one place to tie the knot - the National Space Centre.

With Valentine's Day approaching, the city centre attraction has announced that it will start hosting wedding ceremonies for those who wish to get hitched somewhere a little different.

It is inviting couples to take a look at the out-of-this-world venue, which attracts thousands of space enthusiasts each year, when considering their matrimonial venues.

The space centre has already played host to wedding receptions in the past, including a television special for Don't Tell the Bride, but now couples will be able to say "I do" under giant rockets, beneath the stars in the Sir Patrick Moore Planetarium or beside space suits and satellites.

Malika Andress, spokeswoman for the centre said: "We never thought of holding weddings at the centre, but a family approached us and asked us to create their perfect day.

"They wanted something their children could enjoy and something to wow their guests.

"We achieved that and the flood gates opened.

"We have had requests for civil partnerships, Star Wars weddings, renewal of vows for two space scientists and numerous enquiries from couples wanting something tailor made and different.

"We are delighted to be working with them all and look forward to many exciting events."

The space centre, which has welcomed three million visitors since opening in 2001, has its own events team to help plan and organise couples' big days.

It also has a wedding menu, with seasonal and locally-sourced produce.

The announcement comes as Leicester City Council launches its new guide for historic and quirky wedding venues.

The online guide features four of Leicester's finest heritage buildings for intimate ceremonies or major celebrations.

It includes the newly-refurbished Victorian Gallery at New Walk Museum; the timber-framed medieval hall at the 14th century Guildhall; the 18th century Belgrave Hall and the ornate Beam Engine House at Leicester's Abbey Pumping Station.

Councillor Piara Singh Clair, assistant city mayor for culture and heritage, said: "Our museums provide some of most original and beautiful wedding venues in Leicester.

"Couples planning their special day may be surprised to learn that they can get married surrounded by great works of art, in one of the finest surviving timber-framed medieval halls in the country, in an 18th century family home, or in the only place in Britain that boasts four fully-restored and magnificently decorated steam-powered beam engines."

For more information about the space centre as a venue, visit: www.spacecentre.co.uk

The council guide can be downloaded at: www.leicester.gov.uk/weddings

An alleged conman told a jury he turned to faith healing because a "miracle" enabled him to walk again, four years after he was shot and paralysed in India.

Mohammed Ashrafi (50) claimed that after the "miracle", he came to the UK to help the "poor and sick".

Ashrafi is accused of cheating vulnerable victims out of £650,000 in a series of alleged scams in Leicester.

The prosecution claims he pretended to be a devotee of Indian spiritual master Sai Baba, and professed to have special powers that could help people win lottery jackpots, in return for payments.

Giving evidence in his own defence today, Ashrafi told a jury at Leicester Crown Court that he was formerly a successful businessman in India, before being kidnapped by "hooligans" in his homeland, in 2000.

They detained him for seven hours before shooting him in the spine, he said.

Ashrafi told the court: "I was unable to walk for four years.

"I met a lot of doctors in Bombay and they said I was paralysed."

He said he then sought help from a Sai Baba devotee, Shri Krishna Das, who prayed for him for 11 days.

"Straight away, after 11 days, I started to walk," said Ashrafi.

"It was a big miracle in my life."

He told the jury he too became a devotee of Sai Baba, to help others.

The defendant claimed he later came to the UK to help the "poor and sick".

Defence barrister Michael Stradling asked Ashrafi: "Are you saying you didn't help people trying to win the lottery?"

He replied: "I didn't say to anyone, 'You will win the lottery'."

Ashrafi, formerly of Babingley Avenue, off Parker Drive, Leicester, denies 14 counts of fraud, involving 18 alleged victims, by falsely claiming that in return for payments for materials required for prayer, such deer musk, they would win the lottery, between January and April 2014.

He also denies blackmailing a couple out of £50,000, last February. The blackmail allegedly involved Ashrafi drugging a woman, who became unconscious, before taking a "compromising" video recording and threatening to put it on the internet.

Earlier in the trial, James House, prosecuting, said: "He preyed on human vulnerabilities to obtain tens, and even hundreds, of thousands of pounds.

"When they'd given him all they had some borrowed from friends, even taking out loans.

"The trick or fraud was quite simple.

"He assumed a persona, calling himself Kamal-Ji, claiming he could pray through Sai Baba and they would win the national or Euro lotteries.

"He demonstrated his abilities as a magician and would rub his hands together and produce prayer beads as if from thin air.

"This trick, which is just what it was, was repeated to many victims."

Ashrafi told the jury there was no trickery involved and he did not produce the prayer beads out of thin air, but simply handed them over.

He said he used prayer procedures he learnt from his guru, involving boiling lemons and nails in a pot of water, and praying with candles and musk.

Ashrafi said some people voluntarily gave him donations, from a few pounds up to two or three hundred pounds, following prayer sessions to help deal with personal problems.

He denied receiving tens of thousands.

Ashrafi said one alleged victim, who claimed to have been duped out of £150,000, was lying, and he only received £7,000 – which was later handed back when the man returned with his family and two bouncers making threats.

Regarding the lottery, he said his guru Shri Krishna Das had told him there was "no problem" about praying for a national lottery win for himself – which he had done with a view to helping the needy.

He said guests visiting his home saw him carry out a ritual of cooking dough balls in a pot, with a ticket inside the dough – and had asked to do the same procedure with him.

Ashrafi said others had asked him for help to improve their lottery luck – but no promises were ever made about a win.

The trial continues.

Firefighters are expecting an increase in emergency 999 calls with the upcoming cinema release of erotic romance drama Fifty Shades of Grey.

The fear is the release of the film, based on the steamy hit novel by EL James, on Valentine's Day, could result in a "spike" in incidents of people getting stuck in handcuffs or rings.

Starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson, the film follows an affair between student Anastasia Steele and billionaire Christian Grey.

The warning was issued by London Fire Brigade, although it equally applies to lovers in Leicestershire and other parts of the country.

Dave Brown, from LFB, said: "The Fifty Shades effect seems to spike handcuff incidents so we hope film-goers will use common sense and avoid leaving themselves red-faced."

Incidents attended by London Fire Brigade in the last 18 months include men with their private parts "stuck" in toasters, vacuum cleaners, plastic bottles and rings.

In one case, a women dialled 999 because her husband was locked in her titanium chastity belt.

Despite the embarrassing nature of such incidents, Mr Brown urged caution, but stressed that people should always call 999 in the case of a genuine emergency.

He said: "I'd like to remind everyone that 999 is an emergency number and should only be used as such. If there's a genuine emergency, fire crews will of course attend and will be on the scene to help within minutes."

"Our advice is simple", said a Brigade spokesperson, "If the ring doesn't fit, don't force it on. As well as being painful, you could end up wasting emergency service time if you have to call us out."

The top fire service tips for people getting into "tricky situations" are:

If it doesn't look safe, it probably isn't, so don't do it!

If you use handcuffs, always keep the keys handy

Human appendages and electrical appliances don't mix, especially those with blades

A motorist was injured after a car swerved off the road and landed on its roof in a ditch.

The accident happened shortly after 2pm today, in Merrylees Road, near Bagworth.

A fire service spokeswoman said: "Crews from Coalville attended the incident, near the industrial estate in Merrylees Road. They found one vehicle upside down in a ditch. There was no water in the ditch and the casualty had freed themselves."

She said the motorist was treated at the roadside by an ambulance crew. The extent of their injuries is not known.

A stop message was received by fire control at 2.38pm.

Leicester Riders aim to keep their title hopes on track on Saturday night as they play host to league leaders Newcastle Eagles (7.30).

It is the first part a double-header weekend which sees Riders also travel to Surrey United tomorrow afternoon (3.0).

After last week's loss on Tyneside, another defeat tomorrow, which would give Newcastle the tie-breaker, would leave Riders a long way back in the title race.

But a victory would effectively put the two sides level in the hunt for the BBL Championship.

Coach Rob Paternostro is not concerned about those implications, more that his side improves on their performance following their 104-81 defeat at Sports Central.

"We haven't really talked about title races, we just want to play better than we did last week," he said.

"We all know that we didn't play as well as we could.

"We were on a very good run winning eight in a row, but losing up there, they played very well and we didn't, so the message this week is we have to play better and do everything in our power to improve on last week's performance."

Having given away possession 19 times last week, Paternostro did not have to look far for an area for improvement.

"We have to take care of the basketball, we're not the only ones that have been hurt by turnovers against the Eagles," he said.

"You have to make sure you don't give them easy baskets and we gave away too many.

"They are good enough offensively that you can't give them easy points by turning the ball over.

"They have weapons inside and out, in the starters and off the bench but, when they put the really big numbers on the board, it usually starts with their defence."

Surrey may be bottom of the BBL table, but the recent addition of last season's fifth top-scorer in the league, Dominique Coleman, has given them a much-needed offensive boost and, with two one-point defeats in his first weekend, they could have found themselves in a better league position.

Paternostro said: "If a couple of balls bounced a different way, they could be on a bit of a run.

"The talent is there and it is always a tough place to play, so we're under no illusion about what a tough weekend this is. 

"Coleman brings them a lot of firepower, he showed last season that he can really light up the scoreboard and, next to (former Rider Anthony) Downing, it certainly gives them two very capable scorers from the wing and the backcourt."

Riders: Williams, Bernardini, Watson, McSwiggan, Maynard, Noel, Gamble, Washington, Lamble, Anderson, Hassan, Losonsky, Rowe, Wright.

Eagles: Jones, S Thomson, Matthews, Smith, A Thomson, Defoe, Martin, Flournoy, Lasker, Fletcher.

United: Knutson, Downing, Callum, Coleman, Forson, Dusha, Pemberton, Visockis, Manifold.

Three masked men wielding a knife and a crowbar robbed a newsagent's in Rothley early this morning.

They walked into the Mercury News shop, in Woodgate, shortly before 5am and threatened a member of staff before leaving on foot with cash and cigarettes.

No-one was injured in the incident.

A Woodgate resident, who asked not to be named, said: "Things like this are happening everywhere, it's very close to home, it's only a newsagent, these people must be desperate. We have to work, why can't they?"

Another resident, who also asked to remain anonymous, said: "I knew something had happened because of all the police there.

"I'm very glad to hear no-one was injured. You hear about things like happening so often these days, it's very alarming."

Charnwood Borough Councillor Diane Wise, who represents Rothley and Thurcaston, said: " These things can happen anywhere.

"Whenever you watch TV news reports about such things people say they can't believe it could happen in a nice place like where they live, but it can happen anywhere.

"I am horrified that such a thing has happened in the village and it was really very early. They've got a cheek, these people.

"I am delighted that no-one was injured."

She added: "The newsagent's is right in the middle of the village. There are houses next to it, but whether anyone heard anything at that time of day, I don't know.

"I'm glad to hear the police have arrested some people in connection with the robbery."

Detective Sergeant Scott Cairns said: "We would like to speak to anyone who saw where the suspects went after they left the store.

"I appreciate this happened very early this morning, but someone could have been driving through the village and either saw the incident take place, or the moments before and after.

"If you have any information at all, please get in touch with me."

Three men, aged 32, 30 and 26 have been arrested on suspicion of robbery and remain in police custody.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Leicestershire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Leicester Tigers scrum-half Ben Youngs insists England will keep their feet firmly on the ground as they prepare to face Italy at Twickenham tomorrow.

A memorable win over Wales in Cardiff last week has set England up for the competition.

With three home games out of their remaining four matches, many people are tipping England for a Six Nations title.

With the World Cup taking place on home soil later this year, there is a huge incentive for England's players to hold on to a starting shirt when it is handed to them.

And few could have put down a better marker than the fantastic showing at the Millennium Stadium which stunned the packed home crowd.

"We grafted hard as a team and the guys were not intimidated by the atmosphere," Youngs told the England Rugby podcast. "If anything, we embraced it.

"People wrote us off but we knew what we were doing. We knew that if we executed what we were doing in training, we would be okay.

"We have a World Cup in September and what better way to put your hand up and say, 'I can deal with Test-match rugby. I am your starter'.

"We stuck to our game-plan and it was a really pleasing performance. We will keep our feet on the ground though because we are always looking for perfection."

Youngs has kept his place in the starting XV to face Italy – who lost at home to Ireland last week – and he will be joined by Tigers team-mate Dan Cole.

The 27-year-old was drafted straight into the starting line-up last week because of an injury to Bath's Davey Wilson, despite not having played any rugby in six weeks.

His sterling performance was of little surprise to Leicester fans or England's forward coach Graham Rowntree.

"I never had any doubts about the kid coming in, he is a class player," he said.

"He is fit and had not been out for six months. We picked him because he is a class player in that environment.

"I was delighted with him and I am glad to see him back."

England will start tomorrow's game at HQ as overwhelming favourites to make it two out of two and set up a potentially Grand Slam-deciding clash with Ireland in their next game in Dublin on March 1.

Head coach Stuart Lancaster has kept faith with the same 23-man squad that overturned Wales and that means that, while Youngs and Cole will start, there is a place on the bench for fellow Tigers Tom Youngs and Tom Croft.

There is Tigers representation in the Italian side too. Hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini starts alongside former Tigers prop Martin Castrogiovanni in the front-row.

Back-rower Robert Barbieri misses out, while Tigers prop Michele Rizzo is not in the Azzurri squad and was involved with Leicester against Gloucester last night.

David Lowe inspired one of Leicester City's most sensational comebacks as they battled from 4-1 down at Aston Villa.

With just 13 minutes left to play at Villa Park, in February 1995, City were in despair.

Bottom of the Premier League and being put to the sword by a Villa side managed by Brian Little, the man who had turned his back on Leicester just months earlier.

But Lowe, the second-half substitute, scored two late goals as City secured a thrilling 4-4 draw.

"When I came on, we thought we were dead and buried," said Lowe. "But once we got the second we felt we could get something, and when I got the third, we really believed we could snatch it.

"It was a fantastic feeling when we got the equaliser, especially after everything that has gone on between the two clubs."

A lot had gone on. Little had led City back to the top flight only to abandon the ship and take over at Villa.

The two sides had met two months earlier at Filbert Street in a 1-1 draw – City's first home game since Little had taken over the reins at Villa.

The reception that Little endured was not just hostile, it was vicious and venomous. This was no booing of a pantomime villain. It was a real, deep hatred.

The sea of 'Judas' banners is about the only part of the continuous onslaught that is even remotely publishable.

Those banners were dusted down for a second outing as City, now managed by Mark McGhee, headed to Villa Park on February 22.

There was more than just pride and revenge on the line, though, as City headed into the clash rock-bottom of the Premier League. 

But the vigour with which the banners were displayed quickly ebbed away as Villa took the lead after just eight minutes, courtesy of a hefty slice of fortune. 

Steve Staunton's speculative long-range effort took a wicked deflection off Dean Saunders and past a bewildered Kevin Poole.

But for all the luck of the opener, Villa's second was pure class. Seven minutes before the break, Dwight Yorke sent a sublime defence-splitting ball into the path of Staunton, who drilled the ball into the corner. 

City were dealt two injury blows as both Mike Whitlow and Neil Lewis were taken off. 

Villa keeper Mark Bosnich was tested either side of half-time but it was Little's men who made it 3-0, as Yorke bundled the ball over the line.

City hit back immediately. A low cross from Lowe was controlled neatly by Mark Robins, who turned and drilled the ball home. 

That gave City renewed hope. But when Johnson caught Poole off his line, chipping the ball over his head from the edge of the area, that restored Villa's three-goal lead. They thought it was over.

But then Iwan Roberts met Mike Galloway's cross on 77 minutes before Lowe turned home the rebound after Bosnich spilled Garry Parker's shot two minutes later to make it 4-3.

It still looked to be too little, too late, as the game headed into injury-time. 

But one last corner from Steve Thompson found Lowe at the back post, who stooped to head in the equaliser. 

As the Mercury report from the time read: "Little was now a big-city manager, at a big club, with a big stadium, and big-name stars. But that did not beat a team of big hearts."

Thanks to Leicester City historian John Hutchinson for his help on the article.

Aston Villa: Bosnich, Charles, McGrath, Ehiogh, Teale, Yorke, Townsend, Taylor, Staunton, Saunders, Johnson. Subs: Atkinson (for Johnson, 77), Carr (for Yorke, 87), Spink

Leicester City: Poole, Grayson, Willis, Hill, Whitlow, Thompson, Parker, Galloway, Draper, Robins, Roberts. Subs: Lewis (for Whitlow, 28), Lowe (for Lewis, 50), Ward
Attendance: 30,825
Goals: Saunders (7), Staunton (37), Yorke (60), Robins (61), Johnson (66), Roberts (77), Lowe (79, 90)

STUDENTS from De Montfort University have raised more than £1,000 for charity by being marooned on an island.

Ten couples undertook a series of challenges to support the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust and Macmillan Cancer Support.

The event was staged in the students' union from 9am on Thursday until 9pm on Friday.

The challenges undertaken by the islanders were streamed live on the university's Demon TV at www.demon-media.co.uk/demonisland.

Demon TV station manager Hannah Gorzelak and one of the event organisers said: "We wanted to raise money for JHMT which was set up in memory of Leicestershire teenager Joe Humphries, who collapsed and died while out jogging.

"We're hoping that by raising money we can help continue this great work and also raise awareness."

They had hoped to reach £1,000 but expect to have raised much more when the final total is known.

Steve Humphries, chair of the Joe Humphries Memorial Trust, said: "It means so much to us that DMU students have decided to support JHMT.

"The money they raise will be used for our vital work to reduce the shocking statistic that 12 young people aged 12-35 die each week in Britain from undiagnosed heart problems."

Three men from Market Harborough have been released on bail after being arrested following a high speed car chase across three counties.

They were detained on Thursday afternoon 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 and involved officers from all three forces.

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

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

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

A police spokesman said: "Three men aged 39, 29 and 27 all from Market Harborough were arrested for failing to stop for police and on suspicion of hare coursing.

"They have been released on bail pending further investigations."

Police are appealing to anyone who believes they may have seen the vehicle involved, a silver Subaru Legacy estate, between 8am and 2pm on February 12.

PC Martin Green said: "We are urging people who believe they saw the Subaru car yesterday to call Lincolnshire police on 101 with any information they have."