He was supposed to spend Christmas Day having dinner at his mum's, but instead Rob Parrott found himself delivering his son on his bathroom floor.

Rob and his partner, Sarah Brown – who were expecting their first child together – were unaware she had gone into labour.

They had planned a tranquil water birth at St Mary's Birth Centre, a 40-minute drive away in Melton – but it wasn't to be.

Sarah's waters broke at noon and within 30 minutes she had given birth to son, Lincoln, weighing 7Ibs 1oz, on the bathroom floor of their South Wigston home.

"We were supposed to go over to my mum's for Christmas dinner and when I phoned her to say I was holding her grandson in my arms, she didn't believe me," said Rob. "I had to get the ambulance crew to shout down the phone until she believed us."

Sarah, 31, said: "I'd had some twinges and we'd phoned the birthing centre to get advice. They told us to time them and when they got to five minutes apart to come in.

"We kept checking and when it suddenly dropped to three minutes apart we decided to go as soon as possible. Rob had everything in the car but I felt a sudden urge to push and decided it was too late to go anywhere."

A quick 999 call was made and Rob was told to leave Sarah where she was and get her to lie down.

Sarah, a dental practice manager, said: "I really didn't want to, but the woman on the phone was very firm about it and Rob told me I had to. She kept asking him if he could see anything. At first he said no, and then, within a minute, the baby's head was out.

"It all happened so quickly I didn't really feel any pain and there wasn't time to start panicking. Both Rob and I are quite laidback people and, as it was my first baby, I didn't have anything to compare it to.

"It was a million miles away from the type of birth we planned, but that doesn't matter now. I don't think I'd have it any other way. Rob was fantastic for staying calm and doing what a dad should do."

When the ambulance crew arrived, Lincoln had already been born.

Rob, 33, said: "Everyone assumes the labour will take at least a few hours, but that didn't happen for us.

"I was so grateful to the woman on the end of the phone. She told me to get towels and lie Sarah on the floor and then, before I knew it, he was born.

"It was absolutely amazing. His head came out and within about six pushes so did the rest of him.

"Thankfully, at that point the ambulance crew were with us, and they allowed me to cut his umbilical cord.

"Lincoln was crying so we took that as a sign everything was okay. It's certainly not something I'm ever going to forget."

Lincoln was taken to Leicester General Hospital for a check-up as his temperature was a bit low, but within a couple of hours he was allowed home and the couple were able to finally sit down and enjoy Christmas dinner together.

Rob said: "We can't thank the emergency services enough. We're just glad that everything went smoothly and there were no complications. He's our lovely little Christmas day baby."

On-loan defender Michael Keane is back in contention for Leicester City to face Burnley today at Turf Moor.

The Manchester United defender had his initial loan spell with City cut short after picking up a hamstring injury on his debut at Bolton, on November 6, and returned to United for treatment.

However, City extended the loans of both Keane and midfielder Jesse Lingard.

Keane is ready to continue his City career, and could replace injured full-back Ritchie De Laet, although Liam Moore is also in contention to fill in at right-back, if the Belgian defender is ruled out.

"Ritchie has a back problem, so we will look at that before the Burnley game," said City boss Nigel Pearson.

"Jamie Vardy will probably not be available because of his heel injury, but we will see how it goes.

"Michael Keane is back so he will be in contention and Liam Moore has done well for us this season so I had no qualms with him going on for the second half at Hull. He slotted in very well.

"There will a few players who will be fatigued, but we have options to freshen it up.

"We have competition for places and we have players who could come in. I made changes at Hull and there will be players who will be fresh.

"We have to dust them down and see how they are, and go from there."

Pearson admits his side are suffering from a small lack of confidence after picking up one win from their last six games, but he is sure they will get back into their stride soon.

"Three weeks ago, we would have won the Hull game but we just lacked that bit of confidence and extra belief," he said.

"But there were a lot of positives for us. We showed a bit more resilience than of late. We showed a real drive to keep the ball out of our net at any cost, which has been missing at times in recent weeks.

"We are not winning enough games at the moment. But with the players we have, I know we will turn that around.

"We have to get back to winning ways. We will go into the game expecting ourselves to perform well and we have to finish this year on a positive note.

"The players are still in very good spirits. Burnley is another tough game but we are looking forward to it."

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze at a factory in Barwell.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received a 999 call at 3pm today and crews arrived to find the two-storey factory well ablaze.
Several nearby streets are closed due to the fire, including Kingsfield Road, Arthur Street and King Street.
A few nearby homes have had to be evacuated and some properies are without power as the fire has affected gas and electricity supplies.
Nearby residents have been told to keep their doors and windows closed.
It was initially thought people may be trapped inside the building, but all people there have now been accounted for.
Six fire crews are currently tackling the flames which are affecting all parts of the 20m by 70m structure. Earlier, smoke could be seen from as far away as Narborough.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.

Firefighters are tackling a large blaze at a factory in Barwell.
Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service received a 999 call at 3pm today and crews arrived to find the two-storey factory well ablaze.
Several nearby streets are closed due to the fire, including Kingsfield Road, Arthur Street and King Street.
A few nearby homes have had to be evacuated and some properies are without power as the fire has affected gas and electricity supplies.
Nearby residents have been told to keep their doors and windows closed.
It was initially thought people may be trapped inside the building, but all people there have now been accounted for.
Six fire crews are currently tackling the flames which are affecting all parts of the 20m by 70m structure. Earlier, smoke could be seen from as far away as Narborough.
The cause of the blaze has not yet been established.

Leicester manager Nigel Pearson could freshen up his side against Huddersfield.

Right-back Ritchie De Laet overcame a back problem to play against Burnley on Saturday, while centre-half Zak Whitbread and striker Jamie Vardy (heel) missed the trip to Turf Moor through injury.

On-loan Manchester United defender Michael Keane returned to the squad against the Clarets after several weeks out with a hamstring injury and was an unused substitute.

Pearson may opt to rest De Laet while it remains to be seen if Whitbread or Vardy are ready to come back, or whether Keane is ready to start a npower Championship fixture.

The Foxes boss has the likes of midfielders Andy King and Paul Gallagher and strikers Martyn Waghorn, Jeff Schlupp, who has also proved this season that he can play as a makeshift left-back, and Marko Futacs available to make changes.

He said: "There will be a few players who will be fatigued but we have options to freshen it up. We have to dust them down and see how they are and go from there.

"We have competition for places and we have players who could come in."

Huddersfield striker James Vaughan could return to the starting line-up alongside Jermaine Beckford.

Vaughan started on the bench in Saturday's goalless draw with Sheffield Wednesday having recently returned from a seven-game lay-off due to a thigh strain.

The former Norwich forward is also one booking away from suspension and manager Simon Grayson did not want to risk losing him for the testing New Year's Day trip.

Grayson, who made five changes against Wednesday, is expected to retain Anthony Gerrard and Joel Lynch at the heart of defence, while Calum Woods and Danny Ward are hoping to return after knocks kept them out of the squad altogether at the weekend.

Alan Lee is available again following his three-match ban, but may have to settle for a place on the bench alongside fellow striker Lee Novak, while Oliver Norwood is pushing for a recall to midfield as Huddersfield chase their first win in 10 league matches.

Plans to build nearly 80 homes in a Leicestershire village are set to be approved this week – despite dozens of objections.

Revelan Group has applied for permission to build the 78-property development in Cambridge Road, Whetstone.

A similar application was refused by Blaby District Council earlier this year on the grounds that the access off Leveret Drive was not acceptable.

This time, officers at Blaby District Council are recommending councillors approve the proposals at a meeting on Thursday.

About 180 letters objecting to or commenting on the proposals have been received by the council.

Residents are concerned the development would increase traffic problems in the area, that there are not enough footpaths for pedestrians in the plans and it could make access to neighbouring properties dangerous.

They are also worried that there are not enough facilities in the village to cater for the influx of new residents, especially as both local schools are full.

The County Archaeology Services is also concerned that a medieval bank is recorded on the site and that there is a likelihood that buried archaeological remains will be affected by the development.

It has requested that further archaeological assessments are carried out on the land, which the district council has said should take place.

A report to councillors describes the site as an area of open land between an industrial estate and other housing, but adds: "It would be difficult to justify that this area of land performs a great benefit in terms of the "open character of the area.''

It also says: "It is not considered that the resultant additional traffic on to the Leveret Drive cul-de-sac would be unusual within such a modern housing estate to such an extent that it would have an unacceptable impact upon residential amenity."

1. Kasper Schmeichel

The City keeper produced some good saves when called upon and kept his 10th clean sheet of the season.

Rating 7

2. Ritchie De Laet

Shook off a back injury to face the Clarets and didn't look hindered by the problem as he used his pace effectively in both defence and attack.

Rating 7

5. Wes Morgan

Not only is he a defensive rock, but he also showed considerable skill to produce the cross that led to David Nugent's winner.

Rating 7

22. liam moore

Called up after Zak Whitbread was injured and did superbly well. Has now established himself in the City squad.

Rating 7

3. Paul Konchesky

A steadying influence at left-back and provided some attacking width with some darting runs down the touchline in the second half.

Rating 7

4. Danny Drinkwater

Bossed the midfield wth Matty James alongside him in this new formation. He doesn't get outnumbered and can influence the game.

Rating 7

16. Matty James

Growing in stature with each game. Did an excellent job in midfield against the club he supported as a boy.

Rating 7

7. Ben Marshall

Works hard and can deliver a telling cross, and was unlucky on two occasions with stinging shots that goalkeeper Lee Grant pushed away.

Rating 6

24. Anthony Knockaert

Given an attacking midfield role just behind Nugent and showed some good touches, but not as effective as in previous games.

Rating 6

11. Lloyd Dyer

Provides some much-needed width down the left but can become isolated when City don't get the ball out to him enough.

Rating 6

35. David Nugent

Led the line superbly and produced an excellent finish for the winner. He was the difference between one point and all three.

Rating 8

Leicester City made two changes to the side that came away with a valuable draw at Hull City on Boxing Day.

Zak Whitbread dropped out after picking up an injury, so Liam Moore came in at centre-half. Lloyd Dyer, who missed out on Boxing Day, was preferred to Andy King in midfield.

Full-back Ritchie De Laet had recovered from a back injury which forced him off at Hull and on-loan teenager Michael Keane was named as defensive cover on the substitutes' bench.

With new signing Chris Wood watching from the stands, City knew they could not afford to drop points at Turf Moor as Hull's victory over Leeds earlier in the day had opened the gap to the top-two places to 10 points.

8 min: An early blow for Burnley and a boost for City as leading scorer Charlie Austin has to limp off with an injury he aggravated in the first minute. Martin Paterson comes on.

10 min: City, who are boasting a very attacking line-up with Anthony Knockaert playing up with David Nugent, start sloppily with passes going astray, but Burnley are not much better.

17 min: Paterson's cross is headed wide by Danny Ings. The first real effort on goal but it never threatened Kasper Schmeichel.

18 min: Ben Marshall forces a good save out of Lee Grant with a left-foot strike after he forced his way past two Burnley defenders. There are signs that City are getting on top.

20 min: Paterson gets a sight of goal and tests Schmeichel with a low strike to his right. The City keeper would have been disappointed to have let that in.

30 min: City are playing some intricate football but struggling to open up the hosts, while Burnley lack creativity. It's making for a drab game.

31 min: GOAL 0-1 Nugent scores against his former club yet again. Wes Morgan does well to turn and flick in a low cross, which Nugent flicks past Grant and in off the far post. A quality finish.

38 min: City are carved open and Ross Wallace pulls the ball back to Ings in a good position, but he shoots over the bar. A let off for City.

45 min: City deservedly in front at half-time after showing the one piece of quality in the half – Nugent's finish.

H-T: Burnley 0 City 1

51 min: City have to be careful of defensive slips and when De Laet gives the ball away on the edge of his own box, City survive a penalty appeal for Marshall's challenge on Wallace.

56 min: City are finding more space to play now and are knocking it around well. Nugent shoots from range but just wide.

58 min: Paterson is played in and Schmeichel saves with his legs. The hosts are still very much in this game and City cannot afford to become complacent.

59 min: Schmeichel has to tip Paterson's cross over the bar. From the corner, substitute Sam Vokes heads just wide.

61 min: SUBSTITUTION Martyn Waghorn on for Knockaert

64 min: De Laet's header from a Waghorn corner is pushed away at the far post by Grant. City are so close to a second.

69 min: There are yellow cards for both Dyer and Michael Duff after an altercation on the touchline.

71 min: Nugent produces a great turn and picks our Waghorn, but the City sub cannot make good enough contact.

80 min: City are causing themselves problems and Schmeichel has to make a save from an acute angle to deny Ings.

81 min: City break and Dyer has a great chance to score but Grant produces a superb save.

82 min: SUBSTITUTION Paul Gallagher on for Dyer.

86 min: SUBSTITUTION Marko Futacs comes on for goalscorer Nugent.

90+2 min: Futacs strikes the bar from the edge of the box. He is surrounded by three defenders but still gets his shot away.

90+3 min: A great chance for Paterson, unmarked from a flicked-on long throw, but he shots straight at Schmeichel. City then go straight up the other end and Futacs picks out Marshall, whose shot is well saved by Grant.

90+5 min: Drinkwater and Trippier both booked after an altercation on the touchline.

F-T: Burnley 0 City 1

His work both on screen and behind the camera has been loved by film fans and critics for decades.

And now city arts venues are putting together plans for a host of special events in 2013 to mark Richard Attenborough's 90th birthday.

He made his stage debut as a teenager when he played Lucius in Julius Caesar at Leicester's Little Theatre in April, 1937.

Now the city-educated cinema legend is the Dover Street theatre's honorary life president.

John Ghent, a trustee at the Little Theatre, said: "Lord Attenborough has been tremendous for us and, having started his acting career here, it has been fantastic to have such a great relationship with him over the years.

"He is always interested in what we're doing and of course we want to celebrate this momentous occasion with some special events. Our trustees will be meeting in the new year to decide how best to do that and I'm sure there will be lots of ideas."

Lord Attenborough, who was born on August 29, 1923, was educated at Wyggeston Grammar School for Boys in Leicester and his mother, Mary, was a board member at the Little Theatre.

It was there that his love of acting developed and he went on to study at RADA, in London.

The Little Theatre is not the only city venue planning to celebrate his 90th birthday.

Embrace Arts is based at the University of Leicester's Richard Attenborough Centre, which is named in honour of him.

Louisa Milburn, co-director at Embrace Arts, said: "We're looking forward to 2013 for many reasons, not just because we have a great mix of comedy, dance, visual art, music and children's events, but because it's Richard Attenborough's 90th birthday on August 29.

"Embrace Arts was opened by Lord Attenborough in 1997 and he was instrumental in raising funds for the building. His continuing support as patron has allowed us to develop and widen our programmes, ensuring that disability and inclusion are at the heart of all we do.

"We have some exciting plans to celebrate Richard's birthday in the pipe line that will be revealed soon."

Patrick Welsh, from the Phoenix cinema, in Leicester's Cultural Quarter, said: "He's an icon of British film and therefore it's right that we celebrate everything he has brought to the genre.

"Plans have yet to be discussed in full, but they might well involve showing a wide selection of his films, whether as actor or director.

"His credits include such greats as Brighton Rock, The Great Escape, and Ghandi, which won several Academy Awards, so there is certainly an abundance to choose from."

Leicester City boss Nigel Pearson said it did not matter how they won at Turf Moor, it was just vital that City got the three points against Burnley.

City claimed only their second win in seven games.

Pearson pointed out that his team had not been winning enough close contests.

The City manager admitted his side were not on top form in what was a scrappy encounter, but said it was important to get back to winning ways.

"We were disappointed we didn't manage the ball very well in the first half, but, I suppose, one of the things we have not done particularly well this season is to win tight, scruffy games. We have done that today.

"We were in a bit more control and created a few more opportunities in the second half, but it is about winning at the moment.

"We have had a tough spell, where when we have played well, things haven't gone our way, and we haven't always created enough chances. That has affected the confidence of the players, but this was all about the three points.

"It didn't matter how we did it. It is good to finish the year on a decent note."

City opted for the same 4-2-3-1 system they utilised at Hull on Boxing Day, but Pearson admitted his experiment with Anthony Knockaert playing behind Nugent as the lone striker hadn't worked.

However, he was delighted with Nugent's performance against Burnley.

"David would be the first to admit he prefers playing in a 4-4-2," said Pearson.

"We have played that for the majority of the time but today we tried to get Anthony Knockaert in a position that would suit him.

"Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out how we would have liked."

Jordan Crane praised his Leicester Tigers team-mates for "defending with their lives" as Gloucester threatened to snatch a late and unlikely victory.

Tigers had completely dominated territory and possession at a sold-out Welford Road on Saturday, but went into the closing stages of their Aviva Premiership clash just five points ahead at 17-12.

So when replacement scrum-half Dan Robson broke to within a metre of the Tigers line on 78 minutes, Crane and company were forced into manic defence to stop what could have been a match- winning try. They did that in heroic fashion for 20-odd phases and Crane said that showed a tremendous will to win.

"It was good to come out of it on the right end of things, especially with the defending we had to do at the end," said the 26-year-old.

"I thought at times, that if they had just moved it one pass out wide, they were over.

"The way we were all in there doing whatever we could to stop them was a telling part of the game. We held on and our character showed up at the end.

"If the conditions had held up a bit, I would like to think that we were the better side. We deserved the win.

"It would have been gutting to lose but we came through. The way they celebrated down there was a bit embarrassing for them. It was like they had won the league. We had a point to prove.

"We defended with our lives and it was great to keep them out and hold firm when they tried to breach our line."

No.8 Crane described some of referee Andrew Small's decisions as "interesting" but said there was a lesson to be learned from answering back to some of his calls.

"Sometimes, decisions don't go your way," he said. "He's not going to change his mind but he could change his mind later in the game if you are getting stuck into him.

"That showed after one penalty when he marched us back 10 metres. If there's a lesson to be learned, it is to just be quiet and carry on with the game.

"We came out well in the second half and played the sort of rugby that deserved to win the game."

Swithland Lane, in Rothley, is the most expensive street in Leicestershire, a survey has revealed.

It is listed as the most exclusive address, with properties on the road selling for an average of £651,000.

Main Street, in the nearby village of Swithland, was in second place, with an average house price of £634,000.

The statistics have been published by Lloyds TSB, based on transactions registered with the Land Registry from January 2007 to September.

Rothley and Swithland sit in the heart of the Charnwood Forest and estate agent Becky Hanharan, of Moore and York, Loughborough, said she was not surprised they topped the Leicestershire list.

She said: "They are both lovely villages in a very attractive part of the county.

"Properties in those streets do not come up for sale very often and when they do they are often taken in a matter a of days because they are desirable addresses.

"We have a waiting list for them.

"They tend to come on when someone gets older and moves from a family home to a smaller property that is easier to look after.

"The houses on those streets are very large – usually five or six bedrooms – and have very big gardens.

"Both villages have very good schools and Rothley has some good little shops.

"There have been some very expensive houses there, but lately the prices have been at a more realistic level."

According to property website Zoopla, 32 homes in Swithland Lane, Rothley, have been sold since the start of 2007.

Five have fetched more than £1 million, the most expensive being a £1.25 million, six-bedroom house in August, 2011.

In that time, 21 homes have sold in Main Street, Swithland – the highest price being £1,056,000 for a four-bedroom property in the summer of 2007.

According to latest Land Registry figures, from September, the average house price in the county is £146,551.

Lloyds TSB's top 10 most expensive streets in Leicestershire contains just two it lists as from Leicester – Stoughton Lane, near Evington, and Chesnut Drive, in Bushby – although both are beyond the city boundary.

The Mercury spoke to a number of people from Swithland Avenue, Rothley, though most were reluctant to discuss the value of their homes.

However one man, who did not wish to be named, said: "There must have been some mega-price sales to get the average price up to £650,000 because I don't think my four-bedroom house would get anything like that.

"Some of those big-money deals will distort the picture.

"This is a nice street, but it isn't Beverly Hills or central London."

The Lloyd TSB survey says the most expensive street in the East Midlands is Valley Road, in the Nottingham suburb of West Bridgford, where the average price is £811,000.

The most expensive street in England and Wales is Egerton Crescent, in Kensington and Chelsea, London, where the average price is £8,136,000. The average price of a property in Parkside, Merton, London, is £5,161,000.

A home is being sought for two young ponies abandoned in a field.

The foals were dumped at Thurcaston Lane, Rothley, on land owned by Ann Hart, about nine weeks ago.

Mrs Hart has been looking after the colts with the help of a horse-owning friend, but says they need a long-term solution.

Mrs Hart, from Rearsby, said she had approached the RSPCA, The Horse Society and a number of sanctuaries but none had been able to help.

She said: "They have been left in my field and I have no idea where they came from. I've reported it to the police but they don't know who they belong to.

"I've been putting water out for them, but I can't look after them. They need somewhere permanent. I am utterly out of ideas."

Mrs Hart said she put up a Horse Society abandonment notice shortly after she found the ponies. The notice gives the owners 14 days to come and claim them, but nobody has come forward.

Mrs Hart's friend, Ann McKay, has been helping her try to find a home for the ponies.

Mrs McKay said: "It is such a shame. They have been dumped probably because their last owner could not look after them.

"One of them has either an injury or a deformed hoof which might need attention but we don't want to call in a vet to look at them because that would be very expensive and they are someone else's responsibility.

"We called the RSPCA but they said that, as the animals were not in danger, there was nothing they could do.

"They are young – this year's foals – and need a home. They do need worming.

"We have tried so many things but haven't been able to find someone to give them a good home.

"Someone suggested we should have them put down, but we don't want to do that if it can possibly be avoided. That would be awful."

The Mercury contacted Pablo's Horse Sanctuary, at Long Clawson, near Melton.

The charity is currently caring for about 70 horses and ponies whose owners can no longer look after them.

Founder Carole Fielding said: "This kind of story is sadly all too common.

"I will see if there is anything I can do to help.

"There have been lots of other calls recently and we are trying to sort those. Some are about ponies trapped by flood water with out food."

If you can help find the ponies a home contact Mrs Hart at:

ann@orton7.plus.com

If you would like to support Pablo's visit:

www.pabloshorsesanctuary.com

Leicester City fans will be hoping David Nugent does not move on to pastures new anytime soon.

Not just because he is City's top-scorer and most likely match winner, but he also has a tendency to return to haunt his former clubs.

Nugent's winner at Turf Moor was his seventh goal against the Clarets. That's one more than he scored for them while on a season-long loan in the Premiership three seasons ago.

That fact that he was so warmly welcomed back at Turf Moor and still got an ovation from the Clarets fans when he was substituted after delivering the killer blow, shows how highly regarded and appreciated he is by his former employers. That's even though he is often the merchant of doom with his new clubs.

Nugent is the focal point of City's attack and, when he is on song, they look a much more potent force. At Hull, he was off colour and, as a consequence, so were City.

However, at Turf Moor, although City were still not on top form as an attacking force, Nugent was and that proved to be the difference.

A week ago, City did perform well against Cardiff City but it was one man – Craig Bellamy– who ensured the points returned to south Wales.

Bellamy had the quality to take the one chance that presented itself. Nugent did exactly the same at Burnley.

Burnley possess such a striker in Charlie Austin, but his departure after just eight minutes with a reoccurrence of an injury was a shattering blow for the hosts.

It was also a huge boost for Nigel Pearson's men as they looked to record only their second win in seven games.

The game had been a lifeless, drab affair and neither side really looked like making a breakthrough until the 31st minute. Then, Wes Morgan showed remarkable nimbleness for such a big man to swivel on the touchline and flick a low cross into the six-yard box and Nugent converted it with the deftest of touches.

One goal always seemed to be enough after that point as both sides huffed and puffed without possessing the zip or spark to hurt the opposition, although substitute Marko Futacs did smash a fierce shot against the bar at the death.

It was Nugent's 12th of the campaign and this season is proving to be the best of his career so far as he bids to reach the 20-goal mark for the first time in his career.

He looks capable of achieving that feat, although it will be interesting to see how the impending arrival of Chris Wood will affect his role.

Wood is a target-man, who also has a good touch, and an eye for goal as his 11 goals for Millwall demonstrates.

Wood's arrival could boost Nugent's goal-scoring chances even more if they can strike up a good understanding.