The past 12 months have seen some of the most turbulent weather Leicestershire has experienced.

Hailstones the size of cricket balls, tornados and floods have all ravaged the county in a year that started with drought.

The year ended with one of the wettest festive periods on record, with 4.5in of rain during December. The average is about 2in.

Leicester Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton said: "There's no denying it's been a wet Christmas.

"I've been back through Leicestershire's records and it's the wettest year we've had.

"Although having said that, February and March were extremely dry, but after that someone turned the tap on."

More than 40in of rain has fallen this year. In 1872, the next wettest year, 38in fell.

"We'd usually expect about 27 inches to fall, but that's all changing now," Dave said.

The extreme weather is caused by the jet stream, which usually causes depressions from the Atlantic to move above or below the UK, but which has started to move right over us, he said.

"No one knows why it happens, but it has given us a lot more extremes," he said.

In June, people in the west of the county looked on in amazement as huge hailstones damaged homes and cars.

The freak conditions also saw half of the month's rain for the county fall in one hour.

Dave said: "I'll always remember that day – June 28 was tornado day.

"We had hailstones the size of cricket balls which caused no end of damage to the west of Leicestershire. The east managed to escape.

"It ruined crops and cars and we also had about 6in of rain on that day too. In June."

The tornado blew from Hinckley to Coalville and tore through gardens and pulled tiles and guttering from homes.

The hailstones "were huge," said Dave. "You've got bear in mind they start as raindrops about 40,000 ft above us.

"They freeze and gather ice as they bounce up and down in the disturbance.

"It's only when they get too heavy that they fall, gathering a little more ice before they come crashing down."

However, Dave did have some good news. He said: "After today, it's going to be dry for a few days, which is something.

"I can't say what the long-term forecast will be just yet, though."

Leicester City must look to kick on in 2013 if their promotion ambitions are to become a reality, says assistant manager Craig Shakespeare.

City will be looking to start the new year with a win over Huddersfield Town at the King Power Stadium today.

If they claim the points it will be the third consecutive time they have begun a new year with a victory.

Shakespeare said City had done well in the first half of the season and now sit in fifth place, seven points behind the leading two, but they now need to step up their efforts if they are to achieve their goal.

"The ambition is promotion," he said. "We have never been frightened to use the word promotion. It is what we are after and what we are striving for.

"All the staff and players feel we have enough ability to make an impact in this league in the second half of the campaign. That is our aim.

"It is very important to stay in the top six and it was important that we didn't let too much of a gap appear to the top two.

"It is important we stay there and now kick on in the new year."

City will be big favourites to take the win today against a Huddersfield side that have not won in their previous nine games, having claimed just five points from a possible 27.

However, Shakespeare said City could not afford to become complacent and highlighted their disappointing home draw against Barnsley as an example.

"You have to ignore form," he said. "I remember Barnsley going to Birmingham and winning 5-0 and Peterborough winning at Cardiff. Barnsley took a point against us too.

"The results are there for everyone to look at so you have to make sure you are as professional as you can be.

"We have to start properly and have the intent to win the game."

"I would put our win at Huddersfield earlier in the season as one of our best team performances of the season.

"The players can take a lot of heart out of that but they have to make sure they replicate it.

"We know teams can make it difficult when they come to the King Power.

"We have said before there are no easy games. If you take your foot off the pedal it can bite you on the bum.

"We have to maintain the energy levels and, hopefully, with the crowd behind us, we can continue our good home form."

A parrot stuck in a tree and a lost cigarette lighter were among some of the inappropriate 999 calls received by the police in Leicestershire in 2012.

About one in 10 of the 999 calls received by police operators were not emergencies at all.

One woman called up to ask if anyone had handed in her husband's wallet, while another person complained they were not happy with the way their car had been serviced at a local garage.

The calls slow down the process of getting police officers to people in dire need of emergency assistance.

Superintendent Adam Streets, head of the call management centre at Leicestershire Police headquarters, said: "It's important for people to remember that 999 is for life or death emergencies and that for everything else you should call your local police on 101.

"While we would never turn a caller away, people should be aware that in making an inappropriate 999 call, they are tying up emergency resources and putting the lives of others at risk."

East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) have also been experiencing plenty of non-emergency calls going through to their 999 operator.

Their examples from 2012 include someone who thought they had sprained their ankle the night before, someone wanting a lift to a routine hospital appointment and a bizarre call from someone with a "bad foot" who refused to go into any more detail.

GPs, walk-in centres, patient transport services and NHS Direct were more suitable contact points.

Emas service delivery manager Michael Jones said: "An ambulance travelling to get to someone who does not need help is one which is not available for someone who is in a real life-threatening condition."

He said they had received calls from people who clearly didn't understand the risk they were putting other people in by making this type of call.

In past years, some of the daftest 999 calls to police have included a man calling 999 to complain his shower was not working, a woman needing a lift to the bank and a boy claiming his mum was torturing him by buying Jaffa Cakes, which he didn't like.

The ambulance service has had "emergency calls" for broken fingernails and paper cuts, while another person sought help because they could not work their television.

Meanwhile, someone else called asking how to put batteries in a remote control.

Last year, Emas prosecuted a man for hoax 999 calls. He was given a suspended jail term and a three-year Asbo.

People with non-life-threatening health issues can call NHS Direct on 0845 4647, or visit: www.nhs.uk

Leicester City must get back to winning ways on home soil, says defender Ritchie De Laet.

City have picked up just one point from their last two home games, and the Belgian full-back said the King Power Stadium was in danger of losing its fortress status.

City, who have the best defence in the division and have kept 10 clean sheets, face Huddersfield Town this afternoon.

They will be huge favourites to get the victory against a Terriers side that has picked up just five points from their last nine games.

"At the start of the season we didn't lose at home and it was a fortress," said De Laet.

"It hasn't been recently and we want to change that again. We want to get back to being dominant on our home patch and set things right."

City have picked up four points and kept consecutive clean sheets from away trips to Hull City and Burnley over Christmas and De Laet said their defensive strength has given them a platform to get more victories.

"We're back on track with four points from two games, and two clean sheets as well, which means our strikers only have to score one to win us the game," he said.

"Hopefully, we can keep that up because we have 10 clean sheets now and that is the most in the league.

"If we keep concentrating and defending well then it takes the pressure off the strikers because they only need to get the one.

"They are good as well and only need one chance to score. We then know we can keep a clean sheet to win a game."

Team-mate David Nugent believes City have been sloppy in recent home outings, which have seen a draw against Barnsley and a defeat to Cardiff City.

"We do need to sort the home form out," he said.

"We have been a bit sloppy at home recently and, perhaps, we have expected to beat teams when we shouldn't. Hopefully, we can put that right against Huddersfield.

"We probably played our best football against Cardiff but lost the game. Against Barnsley we didn't play our best, but we still got a point out of that and every point counts in this league. But it is vital to win your home games.

"We beat Huddersfield away last time out so, hopefully, we can get the same result."

The Leicester Mercury have been running a ticket promotion for today's game, which has led to 3,500 City fans snapping up discounted tickets, with a further 1,000 to 1,500 expected to purchase their tickets before kick-off.

Fans can still get a ticket priced from £10 using the Mercury promotion, but they must be purchased from the City Fanstore at the King Power Stadium before midday today.

For full details see the promotion panel below.

Shopping centre bosses are optimistic about the future after the boost of the post-Christmas sales period.

Hundreds of thousands of shoppers have visited Fosse Park, Highcross and Haymarket over the past week to try to pick up a bargain.

Fosse Park was expecting more than 40,000 people through its doors yesterday, following the 275,000 shoppers who visited last week.

Centre manager Adrian Young said: "It's exceeded our expectations. Retailers are really pleased, given the climate we're in.

"We're optimistic about the future and I wouldn't expect any of our retailers to get into trouble in 2013.

"We lost JJB earlier this year, but we have replaced it with a Nike store and trade is going well.

"Last week, we had about 275,000 visitors and, on Boxing Day, Gap's sales were the second highest recorded for the store, with its Trafford Centre shop coming top.

"Given that last year we had a full trading week up to new year, then I think our visitors this year are on a par."

About 65,000 visitors were expected to pass through the doors at Highcross yesterday.

Deputy general manager Mark Colton said: "The last week in December saw almost 379,000 shoppers visiting Highcross for post-Christmas bargains and thousands walked through the doors yesterday.

"December has been a very successful month for us with like-for-like sales up three per cent and visitor numbers nearing two million. It's a fitting end to what has been a successful year.

"Year-on-year sales are up by five per cent and we've continued to expand our retail and leisure offer.

"Going into 2013, talks are under way with a number of exciting brands that we hope will join us at the centre in the coming months, which we hope to announce soon."

The centres both said they could not compare last week's figures with the main post-Christmas sales week last year, as it was not a full trading week.

The Haymarket shopping centre in Leicester has also been busy.

Centre manager Phil Toyne, who begins his retirement today after nearly 26 years, said: "The week before Christmas we had 371,000 shoppers through the doors.

"We would normally expect in the region of 250,000 so it's been very successful from our point of view.

"I think that people are more determined to get a bargain in light of the recession and left it quite late to get one.

"We were very pleased to see a good flow of visitors on New Year's Eve."

Among yesterday's bargain hunters were Belinda Bramley and daughter Ulana Kejzerko, 13, from Cropston.

Belinda said: "I've been into Highcross twice today and it's got busier and busier. It's a bit manic with people trying to find what they want.

"We thought we would have a look and if there was something that caught our eye we would buy it."

Margaret Bennett, 65, from Earl Shilton, was trying to find some china plates at a knock- down price.

She said: "I haven't seen anything I like yet but I'm not giving up."

Alister Hussain, 29, from Billesdon, said: "A lot of the sales started before Christmas anyway, but it's still worth a little look."

Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson believes Anthony Knockaert is capable of playing in the Premier League.

The Frenchman has made a big impact since arriving at the King Power Stadium from French side Guingamp in the summer.

Knockaert's performances, most notably his incredible double against today's opponents Huddersfield when the teams met in Yorkshire in October, have led to rumours that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger could be looking at a £5m swoop for him in the January transfer window.

Pearson, who has stated that his French star is "unavailable", believes he has a bright future ahead of him.

"For a young lad to come into this country and try and get used to a different culture, the tempo and relentless nature of the Championship is quite difficult to acclimatise to," said Pearson.

"I think he's done very well so far. Clearly he is a very creative player and he has got a bright future. We know that we have got a player who is capable of playing at the next level and, hopefully, it will be with us."

Peasrson also insisted that Knockaert was still very much a work in progress.

The skilful winger has, at times, frustrated fans, who claim he often tries one trick too many.

"As it is with most young players, you have got to be patient with them," said Pearson.

"Sometimes I think the expectation that is put on young players is a little bit false.

"Like everyone else, there is always going to be room for improvement, and areas that he can tweak to make his game even more effective."

Part of a village remained sealed off yesterday as firefighters dealt with the smoking remains of a factory.

Only the office building of mail order company Arden Direct and Digital in Barwell, was left standing following the ferocious blaze on Saturday.

Roads around the factory, including Arthur Street, King Street and George Street, remained cordoned-off yesterday, with householders advised only to make necessary trips to and from their homes.

At the height of the blaze, more than 50 firefighters tackled flames leaping from the business's two-storey warehouse and distribution centre, which contained hundreds of thousands of holiday and mail order brochures.

Three of the company's 35 staff were working in a call centre when the fire started, but were able to escape unharmed

Nearby homes were evacuated as the fire raged over seven hours.

George Street resident Phill Ludbrook said: "There was a mad rush by people to move their cars as far away as possible. We left with the lights off as there was no power and I grabbed what I could.

"We spent Saturday night at my parents' home in Burbage. We managed to get back home on Sunday afternoon.

"We were glad to get back home, especially the children, to play with their Christmas presents.

"My daughter needed a lot of consoling and talking to."

Margaret Miller 61, who lives in a flat in King Street, said: "We were shopping at Asda on Saturday when my son, Jamie, rang and said he didn't know if the flats were on fire.

"I've got back in this morning. I spent two nights at my son's in Earl Shilton.

"My flat is opposite the building and they wouldn't let me in yesterday because the gable end of the factory was leaning.

"I'm glad to be back in my own place."

Small pockets of fire, whipped by strong winds, continued to break out on the site during the weekend.

Most of the two-storey building, which was unsafe, was demolished on Sunday.

Locals were advised to stay inside yesterday as demolition workers slowly cleared rubble while firefighters checked for remaining hot spots.

Crew manager Chris Geary, from Hinckley fire station, said: "We could be on site for up to a week.

"The crews here tackling the fire at the weekend did a great job to save the office building."

David Hollis, director of Shinemel Ltd, the building's owner, said: "Ardent is busy with holiday brochures at this time of year.

"The company has operated on this site for over 20 years.

"The fire service is to be congratulated for saving the offices and, hopefully, the computers, by putting down a water sheet to stop the fire spreading. Otherwise it would have been catastrophic."

Richard Dolman, joint owner of A R Demolition, said: "The building was quite high and very unstable. All the floors and roof had gone and it was a risk to the public."

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

Leicester City are confident that new striker Chris Wood will make his debut against Huddersfield Town at the King Power Stadium today.

A £2 million deal has been agreed with West Bromwich Albion and the paperwork will be rushed through when the transfer window officially opens today.

City believe they will get everything completed in time for the 21-year-old striker to face the Terriers.

"It is exciting for the fans," said assistant manager Craig Shakespeare.

"We all know that the fee and personal terms have been agreed. We just need to get that one over the line in terms of the registration and, hopefully we will get that done today.

"For a 21-year-old, you look at his goals record at a very good level and it is impressive.

"He came to West Bromwich Albion just before I left but, speaking to people there, they have nothing but good things to say about him.

"It is not just about his finishing, which is main reason why we have brought him in, it is also his personality and how he conducts himself. He is hungry and willing to learn, which is exactly what we are looking for in new signings."

City have also been linked with a move for Blackpool defender Alex Baptiste. Reports suggest that a £1 million offer has been accepted by the Tangerines, but Shakespeare said: "I have seen the other names mentioned and they are news to me.

"Speculation is always around but we don't comment on speculation. If there are players out there who we think will improve us then we will look at that, but there is no news at the moment."

City will again be without striker Jamie Vardy (heel), plus defenders Zak Whitbread (calf) and Sean St Ledger (hamstring) for the visit of Huddersfield, but Shakespeare said Vardy was progressing well.

There was also good news on St Ledger, who had flown to Munich to see a top specialist about his problematic hamstring injury.

"Jamie and Zak are progressing well although Jamie probably quicker than Zak," he said.

"It went fine for Sean in Germany and he didn't need an operation, so we will just assess it week by week. But he is making progress."

Tributes have been paid to a couple who died in a car crash as they were travelling to spend Christmas with family.

Great-grandparents John, 77, and Patricia Knight, 76, from Aylestone, Leicester, were killed when their car was involved in a collision with another vehicle on the A47 in Wendling, Norfolk.

Passers-by and staff from a hotel saw the couple's car burst into flames and rushed to their aid, pulling them free of the burning vehicle.

However, Mrs Knight died at the scene. Her husband, who was driving, died later that day.

A 69-year-old woman who was driving the other car remains seriously ill in hospital with multiple injuries.

The couple's son, Stephen, 53, yesterday paid tribute to his parents.

The former Staff Sergeant in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers said: "Mum and dad were on their way to spend Christmas with close family, as they always did.

"The family are devastated by the loss of two such wonderful and loving people.

"They weren't only parents, but also grandparents and great-grandparents. We will always love and remember them. Our thoughts and prayers are with the other lady involved in this tragic accident and also with her family."

The collision happened at 2.35pm on Christmas Eve.

After the couple's Vauxhall Astra ignited, members of the public pulled them from the vehicle.

Paramedics worked to resuscitate Mrs Knight, but she died at the scene.

Her husband died four hours later at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Stephen said: "We would like to thank the officers of Norfolk Constabulary who have supported us so well through the past few difficult days.

"Also, East Anglian Ambulance Service, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and Norfolk Fire Service.

"Last, and certainly not least, I want to thank the passers-by and hotel staff who were first on the scene and helped remove the victims from the burning vehicles."

An inquest into the couple's death was opened at Norfolk Coroner's Court yesterday.

Mr Knight was a retired proof reader and had worked at printers William Caple, in Morledge Street, in the city.

His wife had worked as an office worker for clothing manufacturer Pantherella, in Hallaton Street, Aylestone.

The couple leave behind Stephen and his wife Donna, two grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Their funeral takes place on Friday, January 18, in Norwich.

A memorial will be held in Leicester for friends and family. It is to be arranged by Brookfield Bowling Club, in Kimberley Road, Leicester, of which the couple were lifetime members.

Plans to refurbish the area outside Leicester Cathedral have received a cash boost.

A £50,000 grant has been offered by Leicestershire aggregates firm Lafarge toward the £3 million Cathedral Gardens scheme.

Church leaders want to revamp the "tired-looking" forecourt to the cathedral, in St Martins, and are raising money towards the cost.

About half of the total expense will be met by Leicester City Council – for highways works associated with project – and the Diocese of Leicester is trying to raise the rest.

Cathedral Gardens project manager Pete Hobson said: "We are very pleased to get the support of Lafarge because it demonstrates confidence in what we are doing.

"The money has come from Landfill Tax.

"We have had some hits (with applications for funds) but we still have some way to go."

Mr Hobson said he hoped more money would be secured if and when the revamp is granted planning permission by the city council.

He said: "That will be a key factor. Once organisations see the scheme is going ahead, they will be able to commit to supporting it."

The planning committee is set to consider the project on January 30.

Mr Hobson said: "Should we get permission, then we are not anticipating jumping right in.

"Most of the work is likely to happen in 2014."

Concerns about the project have been raised by English Heritage and Leicester Civic Society, about alterations to listed structures already present, including a Tudor wall dating from 1519, and the removal of railings.

Mr Hobson said there was some room for manoeuvre with the plans.

He said: "Some of the points raised by them we think we have got right already. Others are open to negotiation.

"The end result will be a lovely public space in fitting with the historic surroundings."

Civic society chairman Stuart Bailey said: "Overall, we applaud the idea behind this but we don't accept there is a need to alter important parts of the city's historic fabric to achieve it.

"We think the end result could be achieved while preserving the features that have stood for so long."

The scheme recently received the blessing of another heritage watchdog, the Cathedral Fabric Commission for England, which must approve changes to any of the country's major churches.

The cathedral anticipates a surge in visitor numbers should a skeleton discovered by archeologists under a nearby car park prove to be that of Richard III.

DNA tests results are expected in the new year and, should the remains prove royal, the cathedral is the leading contender as a venue for them to be laid to rest.

New signing Chris Wood starts for Leicester City as Nigel Pearson makes two changes from the side that beat Burnley 1-0 on Saturday.

The striker comes in for Lloyd Dyer and plays alongside David Nugent as Pearson reverts to a 4-4-2 formation.

On-loan Michael Keane replaces Liam Moore at centre-back.

1 min: Wood is in action straight away. Nugent breaks down the left and crosses into the centre where Wood flicks it on to Anthony Knockaert. The Frenchman's shot rolls toward the corner of the net but Huddersfield captain Keith Southern clears off the line.

3 min: Matty James plays Wood into the area and his first-time strike forces a save from keeper Alex Smithies. Nugent's rebound is deflected over. City are in ascendancy.

6 min: GOAL 1-0 Knockaert gets to the byline on the right and dinks in a lovely cross. Nugent powers a header goal-bound, Smithies saves but can only parry and Wood is on hand to nod in from close range.

10 min: City could easily have made it two as Nugent is played into the Huddersfield box. The striker's shot looks to be in all the way until the diving hand of Smithies palms it away.

19 min: Huddersfield are awarded a free-kick 25 yards out when Wes Morgan wrestles former City loanee James Vaughan to the ground. The delivery is testing but Kasper Schmeichel claims comfortably.

21 min: Paul Konchesky whips a good ball in from the left, which is met by the head of Nugent but his attempt goes wide.

24 min: GOAL 2-0. A wonderfully-worked move between City's two frontmen leads to Wood claiming his second. The hosts hit Huddersfield on the break. Nugent plays a lovely one-two with Wood and gets inside the area where he pulls the ball back to the waiting Wood, who calmly slots it home.

29 min: Vaughan does brilliantly to cut into the City box. He fires the ball at James and the away fans are convinced it has struck the midfielder on the arm, but referee Mark Haywood waves away the protests.

36 min: Wood is not far away from bagging a first-half hat-trick as a near-post corner from Knockaert finds the striker's head, but his glancing effort is just wide.

41 min: Knockaert picks the ball up on the edge of the area, cuts inside onto his left-foot and unleashes a rocket towards the top corner. It goes wide but it wasn't too far away.

45 min: GOAL 3-0 Knockaert drives into the box and looks as though he is going to pull the trigger. But he rolls in Richie De Laet down the right and the full-back launches a powerful strike into the top corner from a tight angle. A fine finish.

H-T: City 3 Huddersfield 0

48 min: Goal (4-0) City start the second half as they finished the first as Knockaert adds his name to the scoresheet. A wonderful break from Wood through the middle saw him play in Konchesky down the left. The full-back pulls it back and the Frenchman is first on hand to drill the ball first time into the corner of the net.

50 min GOAL (5-0) If Knockaert's first strike was decent, this one is different class. He wins the ball brilliantly in midfield and charges into the box. A few step-overs and he cuts inside before curling one beautifully into the top corner. It's turning into a rout now.

57min: City make their first change as Nugent is replaced by Martyn Waghorn.

59 min: GOAL (5-1) Huddersfield manage to get a goal back as Scott Arfield finds the back of the net at the second attempt following a good initial save from Schmeichel. The Dane is livid with his defence for letting the only man in the box get two attempts on goal.

61 min: Marshall loses the ball in midfield and stays down, but Huddersfield play on and break through the middle. Vaughan is played through inside the right side of the City box and the striker forces a good save from Schmeichel.

65 min: Marshall cannot continue and decides to limp off to be replaced by winger Lloyd Dyer.

71 min: Danny Drinkwater charges through the heart of the Huddersfield midfield and feeds Knockaert out on the right. The Frenchman beats his man and gets to the byline and chips in a cross to the waiting Dyer, but the winger can't quite get there and the visitors clear.

73 min: Knockaert is not far away from bagging his hat-trick as he picks up the ball after great hold-up play from Wood. He cuts onto his left foot and tries to emulate his second goal but, this time, it sails just wide. That is his last action in the game as his number comes up and Paul Gallagher replaces him.

75 min: GOAL 6-1 Wood turns the provider this time as he brilliantly nods the ball down to Waghorn from a cross from Konchesky. Waghorn shows quality technique as he strikes it at waist height straight into the back of the net.

81 min: Gallagher wants to get in on the action now and he unleashes a shot from more than 30 yards out. It is just inches away from making it seven for City.

94 min: Wood is desperate to claim his hat-trick and, with just seconds left on the clock, opts to try his luck from the edge of the area instead of playing in Dyer. His effort flies well over, but no one can blame him for being a little greedy.

F-T: City 6 Huddersfield 1

Large crowds turned out in chilly, bright sunshine to watch three of Leicestershire and Rutland's hunts in action at their traditional New Year's Day meets.

Hundreds of people in Melton, Uppingham and Woodhouse Eaves gave up the chance of a lie-in to see almost 200 riders at meets of the Belvoir, Cottesmore and Quorn hunts respectively.

The Fernie Hunt does not meet on New Year's Day.

A call to repeal the 2005 Hunting Act by Belvoir Hunt joint master Tom Kingston drew a cheer from many of the hundreds gathered at Melton's Play Close – a park maintained by Melton Town Estate, hosting its 31st New Year's Day meet.

Mr Kingston said: "Melton is a town steeped in fox hunting tradition, the people of Melton like to see us here and always give us such a warm welcome.

"There are always hundreds here. The Belvoir Hunt stays within the law. I hope the Government repeals the Hunting Act and concentrates on more important matters."

Last week, environment minister Owen Patterson said there was no chance of an imminent review of the law which outlaws the hunting of foxes by dogs.

Josephine Thorpe, 78, of Melton, said: "I come here every year. It's as traditional as pork pie and toast on Christmas morning."

Joyce Parr, in her 70s, of Ab Kettleby, who was there to watch granddaughter Hannah, 23, ride out with the hunt, said: "Hunting is in the family. It's a tradition which ought to be maintained."

Jayne Parlby, of Melton, was there with son Andrew and four-year-old granddaughter Brooke. She said: "Brooke likes to see the horses and the dogs and we like to support it. It gets bigger every year."

Shirley Harris, of Melton, said: "This is what England is all about. It's a family tradition and we come here every year."

More than 80 children, aged five to 14, and their parents took part in the Quorn Hunt's meet in Woodhouse Eaves.

Huntsman Peter Collins said: "This is a very important day to us in the hunting calendar.

"It's a big thing to have all these children out with us, as they are the next generation."

Joint master Kim Turner said: "We have been so blessed with the weather and the farmers have been really good to let us go, considering the terrible wet conditions we have had."

The Cottesmore Hunt's meet in Uppingham saw 45 riders and a crowd of about 300 in Market Place.

Hunt spokeswoman Claire Bell said: "The Market Place was packed, there must have been 300 people there. We went trail hunting in Stoke Wood, Stockerston and Wardley."

Hunts can use scented trails for the hounds to follow.

Hounds can also flush out foxes which birds of prey are let loose on.

A recent survey of almost 2,000 people carried out for animal welfare charities showed three in four people in Great Britain believed hunting foxes with dogs should not return.

RSPCA chief executive Gavin Grant said: "People do not want a return to animals being chased and torn apart for fun."

Burglars stole a family's presents from under their tree while they slept upstairs on Christmas Day morning.

When grandmother Sue Browne went downstairs at her Melton home and saw one of her presents lying near the door to the hallway, she thought she was the victim of a prank.

But when she was joined by partner Chris and grandson Kierran, 18, the full impact of what had happened sunk in.

Almost every one of the 61-year-old's presents from her lorry driver partner and other family members had gone.

Sue, who has lived in her Rossiter Close semi-detached home for two years, said: "When Chris came downstairs I asked where my presents were and he said 'under the tree'. Then my grandson said 'Where have all the bottles gone?'.

"When we realised what had happened, we were all devastated and it definitely ruined our Christmas."

Among the £250 haul of stolen items were a digital camera, bottle of Poison perfume, Sony clock radio, £20 of M&Co vouchers, a fragrance lamp, slippers, CDs, three photo frames, a bottle of port and a bottle of wine.

The stolen presents were all for Sue. It's thought the burglars could have been disturbed as some presents in a sack, which Sue had received from her grandchildren, were left behind.

Sue said Chris had heard a rustling noise at about 4am but thought it must have been her grandson who had gone downstairs, and thought nothing more of it.

She said: "Chris's presents were upstairs. He was devastated because of what had happened to mine and he couldn't bring himself to open his.

"We tried to make light of it but none of us could eat our Christmas dinner. We all just felt so sick and upset.

"We all just sat there looking at one another. None of us knew what to say.

"I think I had a Brussels sprout and a mouthful of potato, but I didn't really eat anything that day.

"I can't imagine what people who would do something like that could be thinking. I felt violated."

Sue said she was hoping the new year would bring her a change of luck.

Last January, she ended up in hospital for four days with a broken sternum after a head-on car crash returning with Chris from her daughter's home in Wiltshire.

She said: "They had to cut the roof off the car to get me out. I fractured my sternum and was covered in bruises from head to foot. I'm hoping for some better luck this year."

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail pending further inquiries.

Anyone with any information about the burglary is asked to call police on 101.

Blackpool manager Michael Appleton has dismissed reports that they have agreed the sell captain Alex Baptiste to Leicester City.

Appleton said he did not know of any such deal, which was first reported nationally last Friday, and added it had unsettled Baptiste.

Baptiste is out of contract at the end of the season but Appleton said they were not looking to sell the centre-back.

"It's a little bit naughty as far as I'm concerned," Appleton told the Blackpool Gazette.

"The first I heard about the whole thing was on television. Baps knows nothing about it, and as far as I'm aware it is total speculation.

"I'm not happy at all about how the news broke but what can you do?

"We try to be professional in what we do but we can't control what happens in the media.

"It's a compliment that the players and the football club are doing things right. But for that to happen the night before a game probably messed with the player's head.

"I have to say I thought Baps did well on Saturday, certainly from an attacking point of view.

"He got into some great positions but what went on wasn't helpful.

"Alex is a player we want to keep. He's captain of the club. Over the last few weeks he's been very good for us. It was a distraction we could have done without.

"Hopefully players linked with moves away are strong enough to put it all to one side and perform. To be fair, they do that here."

A couple lost their home and almost all their possessions after their narrowboat sank.

Carolann and Trevor Forman have moored their 61ft boat Merlot at the marina in Thurmaston since the summer.

While attending a funeral in Wales last Thursday, the pair got a call to say that high water had engulfed all but three feet of their home.

"We rushed back but it took three days before I could even look at Merlot," said Carolann, 56.

"It is a nightmare and I still can't believe it has happened. It is totally devastating.

"It is a home for us and had everything in it.

"We had the stuff we took with us – laptops, cameras – but apart from that it is all gone.

"The boat is filled with water and it's all gone."

The couple have toured around the country in their £50,000 boat since Trevor, a former police inspector, retired four-and-a-half years ago.

Merlot has been moored at the marina in Pinfold Road since the end of the summer.

The couple were splitting their winter between the stationary boat and a cottage in Wales.

Carolann said she believed the front of the boat got caught on the bank and instead of floating on the rising water, was trapped and filled with water.

"We don't know for sure at the moment, but that is what we think might have happened," she said.

"People keep saying it is only stuff in the boat and that thankfully nobody was hurt – both of which are very true – but it is our home.

"I would honestly have rather lost our cottage in Wales."

The water is still too high to begin a rescue, because any water they pump out would spill back in.

Accompanied by a salvage expert, the couple will return to the boat tomorrow. They hope drier weather will mean levels have dropped enough to attempt to rescue the boat.

"Hopefully, the front hatch will be exposed and we can pump it out and begin to salvage what we can," said Carolann, a former firefighter and police officer.

"I love the boat. We sold our home and it took us 18 months to find. I don't want another boat, I want that one."

Meanwhile, Carolann said she was expecting a call from daughter Suzanne, in North Yorkshire, who is due to give birth any day now.

"It really is a very stressful time indeed," she said.

"We wanted to tell our story so that other boat owners will take precautions."

Nearly 20,000 fines have been issued to motorists caught illegally driving in two city centre bus lanes.

Leicester City Council said it had received nearly £450,000 in penalties from the cameras installed in July in Charles Street and Causeway Lane.

Transport bosses said the cameras were put in to prevent buses getting caught in congestion and they hoped the number of drivers caught would tail off as they got the message about enforcement. Mayor Sir Peter Soulsby, who is in charge of the council's transport policy, was "surprised" by the number of fines.

He said: "The purpose of these cameras is to make sure cars don't go into this area.

"My guess is it is very substantially fewer than used to be the case.

"The bus companies have said they are finding it easier to get through.

"If the figures were troubling then we might have to look at improving the signage."

From a peak of just over 6,000 fines in July, the first month, the number fell to 4,365 in August and 4,228 in September before going up again in October, to 4,952. The council has not been able to provide figures for November or December so far.

In the first four months of enforcement, £438,181 was generated for the council in fines. This will rise, as not all the fines have been paid.

Drivers are fined £30 if they pay within 14 days, rising to £90 if they leave it for more 28 days.

One driver, who did not wish to be named but who contacted the Mercury after being fined in Causeway Lane, said: "It's about making money for the council, pure and simple. What else can it be, because it's obviously not stopping drivers going down there?

"It's a stealth tax and anyone who denies it is living in cloud cuckoo land."

However, others said drivers only had themselves to blame.

Ray Pierce, 52, of Kibworth, said: "It isn't like there are no signs. They are there and they are clear to me.

"If anyone is in cloud cuckoo land, it is the drivers who go down there and get all angry when a fine is pushed through their letterbox."

Sir Peter insisted the cameras were put in to change drivers' habits.

He said: "All the money is reused to support transport initiatives, such as free bus travel for pensioners."

The number of fines has prompted a council scrutiny review.

Councillors will consider whether the current set-up – where only buses, hackney cabs and cyclists are allowed in bus lanes – should continue.

It will also consider whether the lanes should be enforced round the clock or just at peak times.

Further enforcement cameras on bus lanes are planned in Rutland Street, in the city centre, and Aylestone Road early this year.