• 1 - Pictures from Quorn Hunt New Year Meet 2012 in Melton Mowbray

• 2 - Good Friday Passion Play in Melton Mowbray 2012 (Gallery 1 of 2)

• 3 - Good Friday Passion Play in Melton Mowbray 2012 (Gallery 2 of 2)

• 4 - Olympic Torch Relay Test Event in Melton Mowbray - 20 April 2012

• 5 - Pictures from Melton Mowbray Jubilee Show 2012

• 6 - Olympic Torch Relay in Melton Mowbray Town Centre - 3 July 2012

• 7 - Olympic Torch Relay at Long Field School in Melton Mowbray

• 8 - Pictures of A-Level results day 2012 at MV16 in Melton Mowbray

• 9 - Pictures from East Midlands Food & Drink Festival 2012 in Melton

• 10 - In Pictures: Santa Fun Run 2012 in Melton Mowbray

A pig's head has been left at the doors of a community centre used as a Muslim place of worship.

Thurnby Lodge Community Centre, in Leicester, is used for prayers by Muslim group As Salaam.

In recent months, the centre has become the focus of a row over the group's desire to pray instead at a neighbouring disused Scout hut, owned by Leicester City Council.

Muslims going to and from prayers at the centre have had to walk past protesters who say the Scout hut should be for wider community use.

At 7.30am on Wednesday, Muslims who arrived to unlock the community centre in Thurncourt Road found a pig's head by the automatic front door.

Muslims are forbidden from eating pork and many consider pigs to be unclean animals, and leaving a pig's head at the doors is an insulting gesture to Muslims.

Police are investigating who is behind the incident.

Moulana Mohammed Lockhat, the Imam for the As Salaam group, said the act had only made members more determined to continue to pray as normal.

He said: "We arrived to open up the centre for prayers and found the pig's head. It had probably come from a butcher's.

"I was deeply saddened by this development. It was clearly an act of deep, religious discrimination against us.

"But that doesn't mean it's going to stop us from praying in the building.

"We still had our prayers on Wednesday morning and putting a pig's head outside isn't going to change things, except maybe make us more determined than ever to carry on."

The prayer group called the police who took the pig's head away.

A 23-year-old Muslim, who attends evening prayers every day at the centre, said: "It's a highly charged atmosphere at Thurnby Lodge at the moment and this was a very provocative act.

"Muslims are prohibited from eating pigs and whoever did this obviously knew that and were setting out to be offensive and make fun of something very serious to us.

"For me, it's mainly the insult but some Muslims are extremely sensitive about the cleanliness of a pig's head."

The protesters trying to stop the Muslim group using the Scout hut, in Nursery Road, are arguing that it should be for everyone and not just Muslims.

Superintendent Mark Newcombe said: "The only people using the community centre on Wednesday were from a local Muslim group and it's easy to draw the conclusion that the pig's head was meant for them, and is the reason we believe this to be religiously motivated.

"We have no tolerance for discrimination in Leicester, be that racially or religiously motivated, and we want members of the public to help us do all we can to find those responsible and bring them to justice."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Leicester City have confirmed they will complete a deal for striker Chris Wood when the transfer window opens on New Year's Day.
The 21-year-old New Zealand international has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract with City and the deal is reportedly worth £1.25m, potentially rising to £2m.
Officials at City confirmed the deal in a short statement today.
The statement said: "Leicester City can confirm that an agreement has been reached with West Bromwich Albion for the transfer of Chris Wood.
"He has agreed personal terms with the Foxes, with a view to completing a permanent transfer once the January transfer window opens."
Wood has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances on loan at Millwall this season. The Lions were keen to make his stay at The New Den permanent, but have lost out to City.

A thief laughed at a woman after he snatched her handbag and £200 in cash from the handlebars of her bike.

The woman had withdrawn the money from a cash machine in High Street, Barwell, only moments before the thief, who was also riding a bike, targeted her.

He struck in Barwell Lane after the 24-year-old woman paused for a moment as she emerged from the underpass underneath the A47 at 10am on Wednesday, December 19.

The handbag was found later in a field off Barwell Lane, but the money was missing.

Pc Stuart Clough said: "Fortunately the victim was not injured during the robbery but she was left shaken."

The thief is a white man or youth who was wearing a black hooded jacket with black jogging bottoms and white shoes, which had a distinctive green version of the Nike logo on them.

Anyone with information should contact Pc Clough on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Elderly and disabled people are being told to beware of cold-calling fraudsters trying to trick them into having their mobility equipment serviced unnecessarily.

Leicestershire County Council's Trading Standards Service has issued a warning after receiving six complaints from around the East Midlands and within the county.

Victims claim that they have been "cold-called" by businesses saying that their stair-lift or mobility scooter requires a routine service.

The callers falsely said they represented the original suppliers of their mobility aids and that a routine service contract was also bought at the time of the original purchase.

They appeared to have good knowledge of the consumers' mobility aids and also alleged they were able to visit quickly "as they were in the area''.

In some cases, charges of up to £100 were made for unnecessary replacement parts.

David Bull, head of the county council's trading standards service, said: "Many businesses operating across Leicestershire offer a good, reliable service. Unfortunately, there are occasions when the trader and the service on offer are not always genuine.

"We advise consumers not to agree to work being done following an unsolicited call on the telephone or at the doorstep. Contact the original supplier to find out if there is a recommended service provider for the mobility aid."

Information and advice can be obtained by Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 08454 04 05 06. Anyone with information in connection with a rogue trader can e-mail:

telltradingstandards@ leics.gov.uk

A man whose partner is expecting their first child faces having to fork out for a new bike to get to work on after thieves stole his – on Christmas Day.

Matthew Hatton, 24, of Melton, discovered his £400 mountain bike, which was locked and chained to railings outside their home in Beck Mill Lane, had been stolen at 6.30am.

The 24-year-old green-keeper at Melton Mowbray Golf Club used it every day to cycle to the club, between Thorpe Arnold and Waltham on the Wolds.

Partner Emma Grice, 22, whose baby is due in June, said: "We work very hard for our belongings and I can only assume someone's stolen it as a gift or to sell on.

"I hope they're happy and had a lovely Christmas, as all we've been worrying about is how to afford a new one."

Matthew said: "It wasn't insured and I'm going to have to replace it at a time when we've got a baby on the way. It's not going to be easy."

Anyone with information on the theft of the white Correra Mountain bike or its whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101.

A former chairman of Leicestershire County Cricket Club has died, aged 88.

John Josephs, of Kibworth, was chairman of the club during the 1990s when it enjoyed one of its most successful spells including winning the county championship in 1996 and 1998.

Mr Josephs, who used to run his own leather business in Leicester, enjoyed an association with the club lasting more than 60 years.

A trophy awarded annually by the club for best individual performance is named after him.

Although confined to a wheelchair in later years, he still presented the award at the club's annual presentation night last month.

Son David said: "He was held in huge respect by players and officials alike for his calming influence wherever he went."

Leicestershire County Cricket Club chairman Paul Heywood said he "contributed greatly" to the club.

"I knew John very well and worked closely with him.

"He was very level-headed and was a calming influence."

After moving with his family from London as a young man, Mr Josephs worked for his father's leather factors business in Leicester.

He then went on to establish his own company, J M Josephs Leather Factors, which he ran until he was in his 60s.

A keen amateur sportsman, he played for the county cricket club's second team and on several occasions for the first team between the late 40s and early 50s.

He also played for Leicester Ivanhoe Cricket Club, served as its secretary in the 1950s and 60s, and was a county squash champion in the 1950s.

Mr Josephs also helped with the acquisition and running of the private Stoneygate School, where his brother Joe was headmaster.

He served as a magistrate and was chairman of the bench at Lutterworth for more than 20 years.

He was also a member of Leicester Rotary Club for more than 30 years.

He was actively involved in helping to run St Wilfrid's Parish Church, in Kibworth Beauchamp, where he lived, serving on several church committees and the parochial church council.

Mr Josephs' wife Wendy, to whom he was married for 50 years, died last year, aged 79.

He leaves three children, David, Suzy and Belle and four grandchildren.

The funeral for Mr Josephs, who died on Christmas Day, will be held at St Wilfrid's on Tuesday, January 8, at noon.

His family say all are welcome to attend.

The two men who could be vying for the England No.10 jersey in the Six Nations will embark on a fascinating head-to-head at Welford Road today.

Leicester's Toby Flood is the man with the experience after picking up 53 caps during his lengthy international career.

Meanwhile, Gloucester's Freddie Burns is the pretender having made his debut off the bench during the famous win over New Zealand in the autumn internationals.

Throw Saracens' Owen Farrell into the mix and it is clear that England head coach Stuart Lancaster will have some tough choices to make in the new year.

Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill said he was expecting a good battle.

"Everyone has been talking Freddie Burns up but Toby Flood is a quality operator and we know exactly how good he is," he said.

"Freddie has been in great form and his ability to create something from nothing is pretty good.

"But you have to do those things and perform consistently well week in, week out and Toby Flood has done that for a long while."

The winner of that half-back battle will make a huge statement at the very least, and their head-to-head is just one sub-plot in a long list as third-placed Leicester host fourth-placed Gloucester.

A win for the visitors would not only take them above Leicester in the Aviva Premiership table, but it would complete a league double over the Tigers for the first time since 2003-4, Tigers lost 27-21 at Kingsholm in late October.

Should Tigers stop the Cherry & Whites gaining only their second Premiership win in history at Welford Road, they will put some serious distance between themselves and one of the sides who are likely to be competing for the play-offs with them come May.

"Gloucester have hit the ground running this season and have done some good things," said Cockerill.

"But I was looking at the stats this week and Gloucester have not scored a try bonus point all season. That fact did surprise me."

"Charlie Sharples is an obvious threat for them and they have some good ball carriers in the back-row.

"They have played very well at home and they obviously thrive on that atmosphere at Kingsholm.

"Well, Welford Road will be loud and intimidating today and I am sure that the big crowd that are coming will give it that 'home ground' feel to it. "Our home form has been good and that atmosphere they will create will be key for us.

"We saw from their reaction at Kingsholm, how important it was for them to beat Leicester.

"If we can win this time, it could put us six points ahead of them and every point is important in the second half of the season.

Cockerill has chosen one of his strongest XVs of the season and while Tom Croft, Thomas Waldrom, Vereniki Goneva and Mat Tait are still missing with injury, Steve Mafi returns to the squad after a knee injury he picked up in training after the autumn internationals.

Brett Deacon is rewarded for his good form against Treviso with his fifth start. Today will see him come up against the club he left in the summer.

"Both sides have the same: won, drawn, lost ratio this season, so it is just the bonus points we have picked up that separate the sides," said Cockerill. "It should be a good game shouldn't it?"

London Irish have signed Tigers scrum-half Patrick Phibbs on a short-term contract until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old Phibbs made five appearances for Tigers including in the win over the Maori All Blacks, and moves to Irish to provide injury cover for Tomas O'Leary.

Police are appealing for information about a burglary at a city flat.

A black 32gb iPad, a silver Dell laptop and a Prada wallet containing bank cards, some of which were for overseas banks, were stolen in the incident.

The burglary took place at a ground floor flat in London Road, close to the junction with the Mayfield Roundabout, some time between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, December 23.

Officers want to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of the flat who might have seen someone with the stolen items.

Detective Constable Nick Freeman, who is investigating the incident, said: "It may be you were in the area and recall seeing someone with a laptop or Apple iPad, or maybe you've seen or found the wallet with the overseas bank cards in them.

"If so, please get in touch as even small details can be useful.

"It's also worth reminding people of the Immobilise website where you can register your personal items for free, and also make use of apps such as 'Find My iPad', which can help locate stolen items geographically."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact Det Con Freeman on 101. Alternatively contact Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

If Leicester City remain positive and keep believing in what they are doing the goals and victories will come, insists Kasper Schmeichel.

City's goalless draw at Hull City on Boxing Day meant they have now won just one of their last six games and have failed to score in their last three fixtures.

However, Schmeichel said it was only bad luck and some inspired goalkeeping that has denied them more points.

He said: "We have been coming up against keepers who save everything you throw at them so, it might be frustrating, there is nothing else we can do other than what we have been doing.

"We have to keep knocking on that door, keep trying to open up the defences and keep doing what we have been doing.

"I can't remember how many times we have hit the bar and post. It will come. If we keep being positive and keep believing it will come.

"Defensively against Hull we were good and up front we were unlucky.

"I can't remember how many times we have come away saying their keeper has had a great game, and he has again."

While City have found goals hard to come by in recent games, City maintained the best defensive record in the division with their ninth clean sheet of the campaign, and Schmeichel hailed his defence for putting their bodies on the line, particularly Ritchie De Laet who scrambled Aluko's shot off the line.

"Defensively, we were very happy and I have been extremely happy with the players in front of me all season," he added.

"They have put their bodies on the line and have been great. It is a real pleasure to play behind players like that and they have the same drive I have to keep clean sheets.

"As a goalkeeper that is very important."

Matty James is hoping he will retain his starting place in the Leicester City side so he can run out at Turf Moor where he watched his Burnley heroes as a boy.

The City midfielder made his first start for nearly two months at Hull City on Boxing Day and said it would be extra special if he got to face the Clarets today.

James was a Burnley season ticket holder as a boy and his family are still regulars at Turf Moor.

He admits his dad may have mixed emotions at the sight of his son trying to plot the downfall of the Clarets.

"It is going to be great to go back there," he said.

"I have supported Burnley all my life and I know how difficult the home fans can make it for you there.

"I was seven or eight when my dad got me my first season ticket. We used to sit in the Bob Lord Stand.

"They were great times and inspired me to be a professional footballer. I am looking forward to the game.

"I would imagine my dad will be sat in the Burnley end. He will refuse to go in the Leicester end.

"The ground is just around the corner from my house. I have a lot of family and friends there. If I do play, it will be a good memory for me.

"Hopefully, if we show the same physicality and desire to keep a clean sheet and take our chances, we can get a result."

The draw at Hull was City's first point from their last three games and James said that point could kick-start stuttering City again.

"At the start of the season when we won seven or eight games on the bounce, you could see the confidence was high," he said.

"But we are all human beings and when things aren't going for you the confidence can be low, and it is key.

"Hopefully, if we can get a couple of wins in the next couple of games then the confidence will rise again.

"We have to build on what happened at Hull. We didn't get beaten and it is our first clean sheet for a few games. We take the positives and, hopefully, get the three points at Burnley.

"It is was important that we didn't let the gap to the top two grow because when teams start pulling away it is very hard."

Leicester City striker David Nugent is aiming to end an excellent year on a high by scoring his 20th goal of 2012 at former club Burnley.

Nugent has scored 19 goals so far during one of the best years of his career, and has 11 so far for the current campaign.

He is now targeting breaking the 20-goals-for-a- season barrier.

City have failed to score in their last three games, but Nugent will again lead the attack at Turf Moor, where he spent a spell on loan in 2009-10.

"I have had a good year with goals," he said. "I have scored a lot of goals and been playing regularly, so I am happy.

"I think I have kicked-started my career here. I was leading goalscorer last year and I am again this year.

"I have 11 goals so far and, hopefully, I will score more and I am on my way to break the 20-goals-a-season barrier, which I have never broken. Hopefully that will be the case."

Clarets defender Michael Duff knows Nugent will be the man Burnley have to keep quiet at Turf Moor.today.

"Nuge will be running around, no doubt, cracking bad jokes," he said.

"Nuge is a good player first and foremost, that's the thing we need to watch.

"You get different types of centre forwards. Nearly every team has a good couple of centre forwards in this league. Nuge is one of those who has everything. He can run, he can head, he's quick and he scores all types of goals."

Burnley will be out to avenge a 2-1 defeat earlier in the season at the King Power Stadium when second-half goals from Nugent and Jamie Vardy helped City turn around a half-time deficit.

"I didn't play at Leicester but I watched the game – we absolutely dominated the first half, they came out and changed the way they play and it finished 2-1 to them," Duff said.

"It almost summed up the way the season's been, we played really well in the first half and didn't do enough second half.

"We know what they're about – they've got big players and they are in the top six in the league for a reason.

"We've only lost one in seven now. With the performances we've had in recent weeks, we've probably not got as many points as we've warranted."

Engineers are having to build an entirely new road so they can get heavy machinery to clear the site of a freight train derailment.

Network Rail says it is involved in a complicated operation to sort the aftermath of the incident, on Thursday, which is likely to take days and disrupt the travel plans of thousands of passengers into the New Year.

Engineers are using heavy plant and lifting equipment to clear the track between Loughborough and Barrow upon Soar to remove seven derailed wagons that were carrying a cargo of stone.

The accident happened at 5.30am on Thursday and investigators say it is possible a landslip caused by days of rain may have caused it.

Yesterday, a Network Rail spokesman said: "This is a complicated recovery operation, but every effort will be made to limit disruption to passengers.

"Our engineers will have to construct a road to the site, stabilise the embankment, remove seven derailed wagons and repair more than 300 yards of track."

East Midlands Trains said it would be running an amended service until the wreckage and debris were removed and the damaged tracks repaired.

Passengers are advised to make their journey earlier in the day if possible or travel via an alternative train operator.

The revised timetable will affect evening services from today , tomorrow and Monday.

Some early-morning departures will also be affected on those days and January 1 as engineers require track access to carry out repair works

A spokesperson for East Midlands Trains said: "We would like to apologise to our passengers for any inconvenience this will cause. However, it is vitally important that Network Rail has full access to the line so it can move the freight train and repair the damage.

"Due to the location of the derailment and work required, it is going to have a significant knock-on effect on our evening and early-morning services to and from London. We will be working hard to continue running as many services as possible while allowing Network Rail to carry out this work.

"However, we would advise passengers to check before they travel and either travel earlier in the day if they can, or use an alternative train operator wherever possible."

The major changes to time-tables over the next three days are:

A very limited train service in place after 6pm between London and Leicester;

No trains will be able to run north of Leicester after 8pm;

The last direct northbound services departing from London St Pancras will be the 6.25pm to Derby/Sheffield and the 6.30pm to Nottingham;

All other services will terminate at Leicester and a limited replacement bus service will be available;

In the southbound direction, there will be a reduced service after 4.30pm on each day;

Journey times will be extended and services are subject to cancellation;

Passengers holding an advance ticket on an early-morning service can use their ticket to travel later in the day. East Midlands Trains tickets will also be accepted on Virgin, East Coast, Cross Country and London Midland services.

Trains are still unable to call at Barrow upon Soar as a result of the incident and a replacement bus service is in place between Barrow and Loughborough to connect with train services.

www.eastmidlandstrains.co.uk

An inquest into the death of two people from Aylestone who were killed in a car crash on Christmas Eve will be opened next week.

A 77-year-old driver and a 76-year-old passenger were killed following a collision on the A47 in Wendling, Norfolk, on December 24. Neither person has been named.

The passenger died at the scene.

The driver was taken to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and died some time later. Norfolk police said they could not give any details about the incident.

A Norfolk Constabulary spokesman said: "As to the cause of the collision, it is still too early to say, but anyone who believes they may have see either vehicle prior to the collision, or witnessed the incident, should contact Pc Dan Curtis at Swaffham roads policing at Norfolk Constabulary on 101."

Norfolk Coroners' Court will open the case on Monday.

A cyclist, injured in an accident, says he was left lying in agony on the side of the road for 20 minutes as motorists passed by.

Ian Hughes, 66, said he was riding along the A5 just ahead of a lorry when he hit an eight-inch-deep hole in the road.

His bike flipped over and he crashed to the ground, breaking his arm and tearing muscles in his wrists.

Ian's memories of what happened next are blurry, but he said the lorry went past him and that he lay on the side of the road for between 20 minutes and half an hour with drivers passing by and ignoring him.

One motorist eventually stopped and lent Ian, from Higham on the Hill, near Hinckley, his phone.

Ian called his wife, Jean, who drove him to hospital.

Describing the accident, which happened on Friday last week at about 10.30am, he said: "I was out cycling for fun and was heading up the A5 to get on to a nice country lane in Warwickshire.

"I was just over the border, outside Atherstone, when I hit a square hole that was full of water.

"One minute I was moving and the next I was in a heap on the floor.

"I had my feet strapped to the pedals, so that stopped me flying over the handlebars and hurting myself more badly.

"I was also lucky the 40-tonne lorry behind me wasn't too close behind me, because he could have hit me.

"As it was, the lorry just went straight past.

"I got to the verge and then lay on the side of the road for quite a while, with no strength to do anything. I was within a foot of the road and motorists would have seen me as they passed but none of them stopped.

"You would have thought it was obvious I'd been hurt. I can't believe it took so long for someone to offer help."

Staff at the George Eliot Hospital, in Nuneaton, plastered his arm and he was sent home.

He also suffered bad bruises to his elbows, hip and shoulder and was unable to use his hands for three days.

"I've got a big family with kids and grandchildren, so it really messed my Christmas up," he said.

Ian said he thought the hole was part of some roadworks on the busy road.

"I've reported it, because my accident could have been much worse. I was lucky to get off so lightly."

A spokesman for the Highways Agency, which is responsible for the A5, said that due to the Christmas holidays it was impossible to say whether the issue was known about or whether it was being dealt with.

A pensioner who helped to raise hundreds of thousands of pounds for the Caribbean Carnival is to be given an MBE.

Jan Gaskell is among 17 unsung heroes from the city and county named on the Queen's New Year Honours list today.

Mrs Gaskell was inspired to become involved in the city's Caribbean festival after seeing a carnival in Antigua in 1984, while her husband was working for the island's police force.

"It just wowed us," said the former school bursar from Birstall.

"It was such an expression of joy and freedom and music and colour – we were captured by it there and then, as we watched it first hand.

"It is such a wonderful day, but more than that it leaves such a wonderful legacy for everyone involved."

Since joining the Leicester Caribbean Carnival team in 1989, Mrs Gaskell has held the roles of treasurer, director, book-keeper and, finally, fund-raiser, responsible for finding about £200,000 a year to run the event.

While she no longer heads up the fund-raising, she still helps run the colourful procession and organise dancers and musicians.

"It brings together not just the Afro-Caribbean community, but all communities and religions – it is wonderful," she said.

Mrs Gaskell's honour will also acknowledge 35 years of dedication to the Charnwood branch of Cancer Research, during which time the group has raised more than £200,000.

"I think everyone has been affected by cancer – a friend, family or a colleague," she said.

"You feel helpless, and do not know what to do except say you are very sorry."

The lifelong fund-raiser worked as an assessor for Children in Need for 15 years before retirement.

She also joined Victim Support as a trustee in 2003 after the charity began sharing a city office with the carnival team, and is now area chair.

"It is a way of life," she said. "You work for the community you live in. You are blessed with what is given to you, and it is all my way of giving back to the community."

Anne Lewis has been awarded an MBE for her 38 years of service to the Scouts.

The 71-year-old, from Thrussington, has helped about 800 children through the 1st Rearsby Scouts, and now trains adult volunteers and leads the organisation's Duke of Edinburgh awards scheme.

She began volunteering when her children joined the Scouts in the 1970s and still joins camping trips and excursions.

"To see young people start at Beavers at six, and go through scouting and get top awards, and then come back as leaders themselves – it's just wonderful," said Mrs Lewis.

"I think it does keep me young at heart."

A mission to single-handedly improve her neighbourhood has earned May Jones an MBE.

The 67-year-old, from Leicester's Saffron Lane estate, started the Neston Action Group in 1997.

With help from the police, she led a successful campaign to evict three families who were causing problems in the area.

The group soon disbanded, but Mrs Jones continued to fight to improve her community.

"I thought if I make this place nicer for me to live in, it will be nicer for everyone else, too," she said.

Since she began her mission to improve the Neston Garden area, security doors have been installed in dozens of flats, grassland has been spruced up, homes have been made safer, and hundreds of needles have been removed from park areas.

The grandmother has organised festive events attended by more than 1,000 people and is currently campaigning for a new children's play area.

Youth club volunteer Rob Barker, 55, is to receive a British Empire Medal (BEM).

His father started the Great Oxendon youth club, near Market Harborough, in the 1960s and Rob took over in 1975.

But when he got married, high house prices forced him to move away, and the club shut in 1980.

Five years later, Rob moved back and reopened the club, which meets every Tuesday.

"It's a little bit embarrassing to be honoured like this in a way, because I just really enjoy doing what I do," said Rob, a garage director.

"I get a lot of pleasure from seeing the kids have fun, and I like the way you get what you see with kids."

Rob, who is also a parish councillor, youth rugby coach, and chair of the village hall committee, drives the children home after each session.

Riaz Ravat is also picking up a BEM for services to interfaith understanding in the city.

The 35-year-old from Evington, Leicester, is deputy director of faith-based charity the St Philip's Centre.

In the past 10 years, he has helped 10,000 people become involved with the Evington-based centre, which works to improve faith relations.

"I could not have got this without the help of my family and the dedication of the faith community – I am indebted to them."

William Connell, of Market Harborough, performance director at the British Equestrian Federation, will receive an MBE for services to the sport and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Double-amputee and Paralympian Richard Whitehead, who trains at Loughborough University, will also receive an MBE. He powered his way to a gold medal and a new world record in the F42 200m at this summer's Games.

Nilima Menski, founder of the centre for Indian Classical Dance, in Highfields, Leicester, will get an MBE for her services to dance.

Many years of charitable work has earned Colin Clarke, from Lutterworth, an MBE.

Ivy Ellis will also get one for her dedication to the WRVS at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

BEMs will also go to Sylvia Jones for her charity work in Oakham, Rutland, and Penelope Weston-Webb, in recognition of her services to the community in Cossington.

For their services to education, Dipak Kumar Fakey will get an OBE and Carolyn Robson, head teacher at Rushey Mead School, will get an CBE.

Former diversity manager at Leicester College, Ruth Pickersgill, is to pick up an MBE for services to further education.

In recognition of his contribution to manufacturing, Earl Shilton ballet shoe maker Mark Suffolk is to receive an MBE.

For services to bioscience, Roger Thrift, underwriting adviser at Life Science Insurance Company, will get an MBE.

Leicester City will complete the deal for £2million striker Chris Wood when the transfer window opens on New Year's Day.

The 21-year-old New Zealand international will then move from West Brom to the King Power Stadium.

Wood has agreed a three-and-a-half year contract with City and the deal is reportedly worth £1.25m, potentially rising to £2m.

Officials at City confirmed the deal in a short statement last night.

The statement said: "Leicester City can confirm that an agreement has been reached with West Bromwich Albion for the transfer of Chris Wood.

"He has agreed personal terms with the Foxes, with a view to completing a permanent transfer once the January transfer window opens."

However, their counterparts at West Brom were more forthcoming at their weekly press conference yesterday.

Albion coach Keith Downing, speaking before today's trip to face Manchester United at Old Trafford, said Wood was "focused" on his move to City.

Downing said talks were advanced and Wood had been recalled from his loan spell at Millwall, but would not be considered for the Albion squad this weekend, as the deal was set to be completed.

"The Leicester thing is advanced and the situation there is that he's focused on the move," he said.

"The January window isn't open but we've brought him back. I've worked with Chris for a number of years. He has done exceptionally well at Millwall and Leicester have shown an interest.

Wood has scored 11 goals in 19 appearances on loan at Millwall this season. The Lions were keen to make his stay at The New Den permanent, and have been angered by the player's decision to go to City.

Millwall director Peter Garston said the Lions had matched City "in every financial aspect" of the deal.

"I know the salary, transfer fee and all the add-ons that were offered to both West Brom and the player, and I can assure everyone we matched Leicester in every financial aspect.

"Be assured, the board went to extreme lengths to get him at the club permanently. As with all transfers, the final decision is with the player as to whether he sees his future at a club.

"As I understand it, Wood and his agent felt there was more chance of him getting Premier League football with Leicester. Personally, I find this very annoying as it was only two weeks ago that Chris echoed thoughts of staying with us."