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Peace talks held after rampage at Moghul Durbar restaurant

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Police and faith leaders met last night to find ways of easing tensions after the ransacking of a Muslim-owned restaurant by a 40-strong Sikh mob.

The city's top officers sat with representatives from Leicester Council of Faiths to discuss the apparently orchestrated attack by a vigilante gang at the Moghul Durbar restaurant, in East Park Road, Spinney Hills, on Monday night.

Police said they were worried the incident – which they said was fuelled by false rumours – would lead to revenge attacks and escalate as both groups sought retaliation.

City police commander Chief Superintendent Rob Nixon said Monday's attack was sparked by misinformation regarding the rape of a teenage Sikh girl.

"We are aware of a number of rumours and misinformation which is circulating within the communities in Leicester," he told the Mercury.

"Firstly, a rumour that a Sikh girl has been raped and Leicestershire Police has done nothing despite being in possession of video evidence of that rape. This is not true.

"Reports that a Sikh girl has been snatched from outside a gurdwara in Leicester are also false.

"As part of a separate investigation, officers are speaking with a girl and her family in relation to concerns her family have raised for her welfare. We are unable to comment further on this investigation.

"Leicestershire Police urges members of the community not to listen to rumour or speculate about the incident."

Workers and diners were injured when a frenzied mob piled into the restaurant on Monday evening, smashing doors and windows.

Three men were still in hospital last night, in a stable condition.

Within an hour of the attack, police had arrested six Leicester men in connection with the incident.

Yesterday morning, magistrates granted the police an extension, which means officers can detain the suspects for questioning for up to 96 hours from arrest, after which they must be charged or released.

Police met members of the Sikh and Muslim communities at Mansfield House police station, in the city centre, yesterday evening, to discuss ways to relieve the tension within the Spinney Hills community. Assistant city mayor Manjula Sood, who is chairman of Leicester Council of Faiths, was at the meeting.

She said: "Both the Sikh and Muslim communities are anxious, but they must trust the police to sort this matter out.

"We should not let this one incident destroy everything we have worked to build over all these years. Police have been in touch with all the religious communities and we are meeting to see how we can resolve this issue safely and without any more incidents."

City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said he had been in contact with the police and reiterated their call for calm.

"Something of this sort is worrying and distressing, but it's important to make the point of how unusual it is for something like this to happen in Leicester," he said. "And a lot of people have been left scratching their heads, wondering how it ever happened in the first place.

"We have to make sure that this does not go any further and the police are allowed to do their job."

Officers have been visiting places of worship, businesses and members of the community to reassure them the attack was an isolated incident.

Nosheen Awan, who runs designer clothing shop Rima's, a few doors away from the Moghul Durbar restaurant, said: "There have been a lot of rumours going around. It's hard to know what to believe.

"We haven't been open long and it's scary to know that something like this has happened."

Anyone with information relating to the incident can call police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Peace talks held   after rampage at Moghul Durbar restaurant


Rail services cancelled between Leicester and Loughborough after person hit by train

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All rail services between Leicester and Loughborough have been cancelled after someone was hit by a train near Barrow upon Soar.The line was closed in both directions shortly after the incident, which happened at about 9.50am today.East Midlands Trains said their tickets can be used on alternative routes run by other train operators.

Body found in River Soar, Leicester, is that of missing mum Michelle Grimbley, police confirm

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A body found in the River Soar in Leicester on Tuesday is that of a woman who had been missing from home for three months.
Michelle Grimbley's body was pulled from the water near Abbey Pumping Station, Leicestershire Police confirmed this morning.(THURS)
A post mortem examination carried out yesterday (WEDS) confirmed the body, which was discovered near the weir shortly after midday, was that of the 45-year-old mother.
Police are not treating her death as suspicious and are preparing a file for the coroner's office.
Ms Grimbley was last seen by relatives in the nearby Abbey Lane, which is near her home in Beaumanor Road, on Friday, October 19.
Police subsequently received reports of sightings in nearby Beaumont Leys and Stocking Farm.

Robbers order a lorry driver parked in Peckleton out of his cab before emptying his wallet

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Two thugs ordered a lorry driver to get out of his vehicle before taking cash from his wallet.
The driver was targeted on Tuesday morning (JAN 15) while he was sitting in the cab of his stationary vehicle in a lay-by on the A47 Hinckley Road, near Peckleton.
The men told the driver to get out and the forced him against the side of the vehicle, and took cash from his wallet.
The two men then got into a white Toyota Hilux, which had writing across the rear panel, and drove away.
Detective Constable Ania Chajacka said: "The victim was quite shaken by the incident, but did the right thing by calling police immediately and making us aware.
"We have been working with the driver to try and find out as much as possible about the offenders and hope that members of public will be able to help us piece together what happened.
"If you think you recognise the suspects described, if you witnessed the incident or think you may know the car involved, then please call us immediately."
The suspects are black. One has short dreadlocks, a round face and large eyebrows. He is muscular and approximately 26.
The second is approximately 40 and has short, black hair.
Contact Det Con Chajacka on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Robbers order a lorry driver parked in Peckleton out of his cab before emptying his wallet

Seventh person arrested after rampage at Moghul Durbar restaurant

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A seventh man has been arrested as part of an investigation into an attack at a restaurant in East Park Road, Leicester, on Monday.
Detectives have been investigating the rampage at the Moghul Durbar restaurant, in Spinney Hills, when a large group of people smashed the windows to a restaurant and assaulted people inside at about 9pm.
Six injured people were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment.
Three men, who currently remain in hospital, are all now in stable conditions.
 Less than an hour after the incident happened, officers located and arrested six men, all aged in their 20s, leaving the Leicester area. All six continue are still being questioned by police.
 A seventh person, aged 26, was arrested last night and is also currently in police custody.
Detective Inspector Simon Preston, one of the officers leading the investigation, said: "Last night we made another arrest and officers are continuing to carry out further inquiries into the incident. "A team of specialist detectives continue to work closely with the victims as well as carrying out detailed forensic enquiries of the scene and of CCTV. They are also working closely with all the witnesses they have identified so far. "However, the importance of people coming forward is still extremely high. Eye witness accounts and first hand information is imperative to this investigation and if you think you can help please call us."
Anyone with information can call 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111

Seventh person arrested after rampage at Moghul Durbar restaurant

Man killed by train on Leicester to Loughborough line

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A man was killed after being hit by a train at Barrow upon Soar train station. Emergency services were called to the station, in Grove Lane, following a report of a man being struck by a train at 9.46am. Medics from the ambulance service declared the man dead at the scene. British Transport Police (BTP) are investigating the circumstances of the tragedy, which are not being treated as suspicious. A spokesman said: "Officers were called to an incident at Barrow Upon Soar railway station on Thursday, 17 January, after receiving a report of a man being struck by a train at 9.46am. "Leicestershire Police and medics from the Ambulance Service also attended but the man was declared dead at the scene. "At this stage, the death is not being treated as suspicious and officers are now working to identify the man and the exact circumstances of his death. "Once these inquiries are complete, a file will be prepared for the coroner. "The train involved was East Midlands Trains' 8.15am London St Pancras to Nottingham service. "Services between Leicester and Loughborough were cancelled while emergency services dealt with the incident but the line was handed back to Network Rail at 10.50am." An East Midlands Trains spokesman said the line reopened at 11am, but warned of continued disruption while trains caught up with the timetable.



Man killed by train on Leicester to Loughborough line

Court appearance for woman arrested after suspected stabbing in Main Street, Markfield

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A woman was due to appear in court today charged with assaulting a 60-year-old man in a village street.
The woman, aged 49, was arrested on Tuesday night after police and paramedics were called to Main Street, Markfield.
The man was taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment to a suspected stab wound. He has since been discharged.
The woman was last night charged with causing grievous bodily harm and was due to appear at Hinckley Magistrates' Court.

Court appearance for woman arrested after suspected stabbing in Main Street, Markfield

Alert after suspicious pair call at home in Belgrave, Leicester claiming to be social workers

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Police have issued an alert after two suspected thieves called at a house and claimed to be from social services.
The man and a woman called at the house in Burfield Street, Belgrave, Leicester at 2.30pm on Friday, January 4. However, police said nothing was stolen.
Pc Rajdeep Pahal said: "It is possible that these suspects knocked on other doors in the area.
"I would appeal to anyone who recognises the descriptions of the suspects and saw people in the area to get in touch."
Nothing was taken in the incident. The man and woman are thought to be Eastern European.
The man is thought to be in his 30s, approximately 5ft 6ins, has dark hair and was dressed in black smart or casual clothing.
The woman is stout, 5ft 3ins and is also thought to be in her 30s. She was wearing a black leather jacket and has short hair.
Contact Pc Pahal on 101 or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Alert after suspicious pair call at home in Belgrave, Leicester claiming to be social workers


Leicestershire braced for six inches of snow

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People are being warned to brace themselves for wintry weather tomorrow, with up to six inches of snow expected to fall in Leicestershire.

The snow is due to make an appearance early tomorrow morning, with most of it falling between 7am and midday.

Leicester Mercury weatherman Dave Mutton warned that some back roads could be severely affected.

"I'm expecting anything between four and six inches by midday on Friday and there will be strong winds as well," he said.

"The councils are well stocked up with grit and if they're out treating the roads I don't think they'll be many problems, but the sheer volume of snow could cause problems on side roads and, of course, you only need an inch for schools to close."

The snow is likely to continue on Saturday with some lighter showers and more sub-zero temperatures and then another band is expected on Monday.

Dave said: "There's cold air all over the continent at the moment and I think the cold weather will continue well into next week.

"With the sun very low in the sky at this time of year we're having a very cold wintry spell."

The Met Office predicts temperatures will stay at about -2C (28F) tomorrow and remain at 0C (32F) or lower between now and Monday.

Wind speeds will peak at about 11mph tomorrow.

Leicestershire braced for six inches of snow

Six men charged over Moghul Durbar restaurant attack

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Six men have been charged with conspiracy to commit violent disorder after an attack on the Moghul Durbar restaurant in Leicester. The men aged 20, 21, 24, 25, 25 and 28 are due to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court today (Friday January 18). A 26-year-old man, who was arrested yesterday evening remains in police custody. The attack happened at about 9pm on Monday when police said a large group of people smashed the windows at the restaurant in East Park Road. Once inside a number of people were assaulted and others were injured. Six people were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary for treatment to both minor and serious injuries after the attack. Detective Chief Inspector Chris Baker said: "I would like to reassure the local community in the East Park Road area that we are treating this incident very seriously. Local officers are continuing to patrol the area to offer reassurance and speaking with community leaders. "I would ask local people not to listen to any rumours or get involved in speculation. If you have any information about the incident or have any concerns please contact the police immediately. "As part of a separate investigation, officers are speaking with a girl and her family in relation to concerns her family have raised for her welfare."

Six men charged over Moghul Durbar restaurant attack

Addicts went on shoplifting spree

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Two prolific shoplifters who went on a stealing spree have both been jailed for six months.

Kyron Hicken and Peter McCullock admitted jointly committing seven thefts at stores in and around Leicester.

They also each pleaded guilty to one offence of shoplifting on their own, of unknown quantities of meat, from Sainsbury's, in Granby Street, in the city.

Leicester Crown Court was told the offences, committed between November 23 and December 16, were mainly to fund their class A drug addictions.

Marcus Harry, prosecuting, said in all but one instance they were caught on CCTV.

Hicken (25), of Conduit Street, Highfields, and McCullock (26), of Glazebrook Road, New Parks, both Leicester, together stole £40 of Cadbury's chocolate from a One Stop store in Leicester on December 1.

On December 3, they took £100 of deodorant and shower gel from Londis, in Glenfield.

On December 5, they made off with £54 of meat and cheese, from Spar, Buckminster Road, off Anstey Lane, Leicester.

They took an unknown amount of meat from Sainsbury's, in Humberstone Gate, Leicester, on December 10 and more from the firm's store in Queen's Road, Clarendon Park, the same day.

On December 11, they took coffee from the Co-op, in Aikman Avenue, New Parks.

They were detained after they stole £46 of candles from Clinton Cards, in the city, on December 16.

Both defendants had more than 70 offences on their records.

Judge Simon Hammond said: "This is repeated professional shoplifting."

Avik Mukherjee, mitigating for Hicken, said: "These two are chronic drug addicts. He knows custody is inevitable."

Hicken has applied for a place at a drug rehabilitation centre on his release.

James Varley, for McCullock, said his client was addicted to heroin and crack cocaine but has been weaning himself off them while in custody.

He said: "His partner threw him out and he was homeless.

"He accepts he's been given chances and not taken them."

Judge Hammond said shoplifting was not a victimless crime. He said: "The number of offences and their records put this case beyond the usual sentencing guidelines."

Specials guest shares tips with students

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He has toured the world with The Specials but this week musician Drew Stansall was at a school close to his roots.

Drew, who grew up in Leicester's Saffron Lane, spoke to year 10 and 11 BTec music students at Lancaster School, in Knighton, about their ambitions, breaking into the industry and making the most of their talents.

Drew plays in the brass section of The Specials on tours.

He said: "I grew up in the city so it means a lot to speak to young people here.

"I can only speak from my own experiences but, hopefully, they found my talk interesting and inspiring.

"My advice was to keep going, no matter what knock backs they had if it was really something they wanted to do.

"My dad got me into music. He was a big influence because he played in bands and as a teenager I'd go and watch him in the clubs in Leicester."

Music teacher Na'im Cortazzi said: "It's been brilliant to bring in a real artist who can offer advice.

"The boys found it really interesting and it's been highly relevant to their studies."

Ethan Joyce, 14, said: "I'm in a band and studying music so it's been useful to hear from someone with real knowledge of the industry."

Specials guest shares tips with students

Lotto price hike is not the ticket

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There has been a furious reaction to Camelot's decision to double the price of Lotto tickets from £1 to £2, and with good reason. Leicester deputy mayor Rory Palmer has branded the increase – which is set to happen in the autumn – as "cynical" and says it "penalises ordinary people who enjoy a weekly flutter" (see story on P20).

Camelot has defended the decision saying that the changes follow extensive research with players and are aimed at rejuvenating the lottery with bigger prizes. These include £25 for matching three numbers and larger jackpots.

The price rise is the first since the launch of the National Lottery in 1994.

If it had gone up with inflation since that time the cost of a ticket would now be £1.68 – so the increase to £2 is a real terms one.

One of the main criticisms of this price hike is that it penalises people on low incomes who may see the lottery as a big opportunity to improve their lives.

Many of these people may have used the same numbers for years and will desperately want to continue to do so.

That will leave them with the feeling that they have no choice but to fork out extra money they can ill afford.

The other side of the argument is that the lottery is optional.

It is up to people whether or not they want to take part.

Nobody is making them do so and they are adults who are entirely capable of making their own decisions.

Our concern is not only the level of the increase but the fact that this comes at a particularly difficult time for people because of the state of the economy.

Incomes are increasingly being squeezed by pay freezes, unemployment and rising bills.

That means Lotto players will either continue to play the game, potentially facing greater hardship as a result, or stop doing so, with possibly serious consequences for the good causes which the lottery supports.

Neither of these outcomes is desirable and it might be a good idea if Camelot reviews its decision, particularly in light of the public backlash which is taking place.

Bar silenced after sound equipment is confiscated

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A bar which played music so loud it made neighbours' furniture vibrate has had its speakers confiscated by council and police officers.

Officials were called to investigate a string of noise complaints against Bar Sirius, in Leicester's Belvoir Street.

They found music being played so loud in the early hours that lyrics and the voice of the DJ made it impossible for neighbours to sleep, and the bass so loud it made furniture buzz and vibrate.

The noise nuisance witnessed in the early hours of Saturday, January 12, led to officers from Leicester City Council's noise team applying for a warrant to seize the equipment used by the bar.

On Thursday, noise team officers and police entered the bar and impounded 27 items of sound equipment, including 19 loudspeakers, four amplifiers, graphic equalisers and record decks.

The bar, which has a licence allowing live and recorded music to be played until 4am, had been the subject of a number of complaints about noise problems since 2009.

New management took over in June, 2012, and in response to a noise complaint were told a noise-limiting device must be used to protect the occupants of flats above.

However, the council says further noise nuisances were witnessed in November and an abatement notice was served on bar which was subsequently breached, leading to the manager being cautioned.

The latest noise nuisance, last weekend, triggered the application to Leicester magistrates for a warrant to confiscate the bar's sound system.

City council noise team manager Annette Bryan said: "The new management was advised how to run Bar Sirius without causing a nuisance, but chose to ignore us.

"We were pleased when magistrates agreed that the noise was unreasonable and granted a warrant to allow us to remove the source of the noise. We are also considering taking prosecution action and reviewing the premises licence."

City mayor responsible for neighbourhood services Councillor Sarah Russell said: "It's important that neighbours, whether they are businesses or other residents, are able to go about their daily lives with the benefit of peace and quiet.

"It's sad that enforcement action has had to be taken in this instance to help achieve that."

Phil Merry, the owner of Sirius, said: "We've been on the site only six months and have inherited the problem.

"Since we took over, we have gone to great lengths to remedy the problem, including spending £15,000 on insulation and new equipment and renting the flat most affected by the noise ourselves and leaving it vacant.

"We have a new sound system now and will be open this weekend but we are not taking this issue lightly and do want to resolve it."

Bar silenced after sound equipment  is confiscated

Dance acts bid for TV glory

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Two dance groups are hoping to impress the judges of a TV show.

Addict and Influence are both based at Addict Dance Studios, in Church Gate, Leicester, and will appear on Got to Dance on Sky 1 on Sunday.

The dance competition, hosted by Davina McCall aims to find Britain and Ireland's best new dance act.

There is a £250,000 cash prize on offer to the winners.

The fourth series sees JLS star Aston Merrygold join returning judges Kimberly Wyatt and Ashley Banjo.

If the judges like the dancers' routine, they get chosen for the next round.

Addict consists of four male and four female dancers aged between 20 and 29.

Member Ryan Perry, 21, of Leicester – who is taking a level three B-Tech course for a national diploma in dance at the studios – said: "It's such a good experience.

"The show brings something to the dance industry.

"It's the only show where it's dance for dancers. We respect it so much.

"We spent about four weeks rehearsing a 90-second routine.

"If you get three gold stars from the judges, you get to go on the short-list for the live shows."

Influence is made up of 10 female and one male dancer, with members aged between 18 and 28.

The group has been together for just over a year and won the East Midland heats of street dance competition Nation's Best Dance Crew.

They also appeared in talent competition UK Dance Experience.

Gabrielle Oakes, 18, of Birstall, a member of Influence, will be following in famous footsteps – grandad Trevor was in the original Showaddywaddy line-up.

Gabrielle, who also studies at the academy and has been dancing for three years, said: "My grandad was an influence.

"I saw him perform when I was younger and I've always wanted to be on the stage.

"It means everything to be on the show. It's an amazing opportunity as a dancer to be in front of those three judges."

Addict Studio owner Gareth Chown said: "I'm very pleased we've got two groups taking part on the show.

"The main thing is it's a great opportunity for the dancers. It's a talent show that, in the dance world, has some might behind it."

Both group will perform Commercial routines on the programme – choreographed dances to hip hop, R 'n' B or rap music.

The show will be broadcast on Sky 1 HD tomorrow, starting at 6pm.

Dance acts bid for TV glory


Care agency given warning

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A nursing agency which provides care for people in their homes has been warned it must make improvements or face further action.

Fortiz, which trades as Nursing Relief Agency, was criticised following a spot check by watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

CQC issued two formal warning notices on the Leicester company after finding it was not meeting essential quality and safety standards.

The company, which has a contract with Leicestershire County Council to provide care to about 40 people, could be fined if it does not improve.

The inspectors said: "People told us care staff were frequently late and failed to explain the reasons for this.

"One person told us 'They are always late and I never know who is going to turn up. Those who do turn up don't communicate very well and just rush everything'.

"Others told us they were concerned some staff didn't appear to be appropriately trained and didn't understand their care needs."

There was also concern at the quality of care records.

Inspectors said: "We looked at a number of care plans and found the majority contained nothing more than the original care order initiated by the local authority."

In addition, they were not satisfied the staff they spoke to understood their responsibilities.

They were also concerned the agency's recruitment process failed to ensure required checks were carried out and did not properly assess a person's suitability for the role.

Esther Munangi, manager of the agency, said: "I am working with the CQC and the local authority to improve the quality of the service.

"This work is almost finished and I am confident we will meet all the standards when the CQC next visits."

A spokesman for Leicestershire County Council said: "Our officers have identified areas where improvements need to be made.

"Our quality improvement team is now working proactively with the owners of Nursing Relief Agency to make sustainable improvements to the quality of service.

"Significant improvements in some areas have already been made."

Andrea Gordon, CQC deputy director of operations for the central region, said: "Our inspectors will return in the near future and if we find the required progress is not made, we won't hesitate to use our legal powers to protect the people who use this service."

Meeting the stars is pure panto magic

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It all started once upon a time 40 years ago when a fat man fell off a wall and no-one could put him back together again.

And this month, a theatre is celebrating four decades of staging pantomimes after Humpty Dumpty got the show on the road back in 1973.

The Concordia Theatre, in Hinckley, was marking the milestone by giving children the chance to meet the stars of its latest production Dick Whittington and his Cat today.

Members of the Pantomime Company, based at the town theatre in Stockwell Head, were due to be on hand to give the youngsters an access all areas view of the goings-on.

John Hill, chairman of the Pantomime Company – set up 16 years ago when a previous ensemble disbanded – said: "It will be great fun.

"We might reveal some of the secrets of the magic of pantomime as the idea is to hook them to keep them coming."

Visitors were being encouraged to take cameras to the access all areas session at the theatre, from 10am until noon.

Mr Hill said: "Aladdin was the first panto I was involved with at the Concordia and that is my favourite."

John, who is producing and directing Dick Whittington, said he wanted to help convince the youngsters that the theatre was just as much fun as messing about on an electronic gadget.

John, 56, who runs his own costume hire business, said that putting on a pantomime over the years had been something of a pantomime.

He said: "On occasions if it could go wrong it did go wrong.

"One year at one of our matinee performances we were minus a very important member of the cast just before the show was due to start. So we sent a delegation to his house who dragged him out of bed." The theatre also marked the 40th panto show with a gala performance last Sunday.

The panto Dick Whittington and his Cat, which runs until February 2, is almost completely sold out.

For ticket details, call 07528 231379 or visit:

www.pantomimecompany.com

Meeting the stars is pure panto magic

Enjoy yourself – it's cheaper than you think

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It's no joke – organisers of Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival are offering Leicester Mercury readers loads of great offers to help make this year's event the biggest ever.

Our readers can get two tickets for the price of one for 17 shows taking place next month at venues throughout the city.

Hundreds of pairs of tickets are available and on Monday we will be printing a page of coupons.

Readers just need to cut out the coupons and take them to the box office at Curve in Rutland Street.

The gigs include Matt Richardson's show at the Crumblin' Cookie in Leicester High Street on February 21.

Matt was the winner of the best new show at last year's Dave's Leicester Comedy Festival.

Steve N Allen's latest show, Some News Live, will also be part of our offer.

The show takes place at the upstairs venue above Kayal restaurant in Granby Street, Leicester, which has been one of top locations for new comedy in Leicester since promoter Spiky Mike began putting on shows eight years ago.

He said: "We've had some fantastic acts here in the past, including Rhod Gilbert and Sarah Millican.

"It's a lovely place with a great atmosphere and people really enjoy themselves.

"The room holds about 70 people so it's a great size for comedy and Steve's gig next month is going to be great.

"I think it's brilliant to be offering two-for-one tickets because in these difficult times it encourages more people come out and enjoy themselves."

Other acts in our two-for-one offer include Max Dickens, Will Mars and The Circus of Horrors.

The Circus of Horrors, at De Montfort Hall on February 19, started at the 1995 Glastonbury Festival and has since toured the world, achieving cult status.

It reached the finals of Britain's Got Talent with its mix of cabaret, a ventriloquist show with a twist and circus acts from all four corners of the globe.

Geoff Rowe, founder of the comedy festival said: "It's probably not a show for children but it's very entertaining and it's great to have it as part of the festival."

Geoff said he hoped the two-for-one offer would mean more people would try something new during the festival next month.

He said: "The festival is probably going to be the biggest so far and we've got 120 more events than last year.

"Comedy is becoming more and more popular and we'd encourage people to take a punt and go to see someone they haven't heard of as well as the acts they do know."

Enjoy yourself   – it's cheaper than you think

Mum handed fine for dumping nappies

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A mother-of-two has been fined for dumping dirty nappies.

Jodie De Ville (24), of Trackside Close, Loughborough, paid a man £10 to dump rubbish bags for her.

On September 7 last year, the waste was found in Linear Walk near De Lisle Roman Catholic School, Loughborough.

When Charnwood Borough Council was called in to investigate they traced the rubbish back to De Ville.

The rubbish was very close to her house and included envelopes with her address on.

She pleaded guilty to the charge at Leicester Magistrates' Court on January 10 and was ordered to pay £280.

Councillor Jane Hunt of Charnwood Borough Council said: "When asking someone to remove your rubbish it is essential to ensure they have a waste carrier's licence.

"Even if you have not dumped the waste yourself you are still liable for prosecution.

"The council will prosecute anyone who fly-tips in the borough and causes potential harm to our natural resources. I would urge anyone who sees fly-tipping to contact us."

The court heard De Ville had put the nappies in green recycling bags and the council had refused to take them.

De Ville was fined £50 for the offence, ordered to pay £215 towards the council's legal costs and a victim surcharge of £15.

To report an incident of fly-tipping, call 01509 634 564 or e-mail:

cleaner.greener @charnwood.gov.uk

Nice and sneezy does it as Twycross Zoo tackles elephant illness

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It might not be glamorous, but Twycross Zoo's analysis of Asian elephant mucus has put them at the very front of research into a disease which plagues the species.

Zoological director Sharon Redrobe is part of a team of experts who have taught four female elephants at the zoo to sneeze into bags in a bid to understand more about elephant herpes.

They have developed a pioneering a way of testing the mucus for the disease – known as EEHV – which currently has no cure and can kill.

As part of her research, she has spent a year regularly testing three adult elephants and a calf at Twycross who all have the disease.

Later this month, she will present her new testing method to a group of elephant virus specialists in Texas.

Sharon said: "While often you do not see too much of a problem in adult elephants, it can kill youngsters more easily than you might expect and it can lead to abortions and problems in elephants in captivity.

"What we are short of is research into it and, ultimately, a vaccine. It can cost between £10,000 and £20,000 to treat an elephant with anti-virals for just a week.

"We need a test that we can trust, and that is what we have been working on with Nottingham University."

The test involves collecting the elephant's mucus with a method called trunk washing.

"We get them to sneeze into a bag by putting water up their nose – it takes a bit of training," she said. They blow it out into the bag and we rush that to the lab and test for the disease."

Sharon's team's test is more accurate than previous tests because it searches for the DNA of the virus

"We might have half a pint of snot, but by looking for the DNA we can find it even if there are just a few thousand bits of the virus," she said.

The monthly tests have also shed light on the relatively under-researched disease, revealing that levels of the virus in a single elephant can change throughout the year.

Sharon is now looking for a new but equally reliable way of testing. She said: "The snot thing is kind of fun, but teaching the elephants to sneeze to get a sample can be a bit gooey and actually it is not always possible – maybe if the elephant was in the wild or poorly," she said.

"We are trying to develop an eye swab test. We want to get to the point where people think an elephant has it, and a simple test can prove it quickly and accurately."

Sharon hopes the more reliable test will help scientists find out more about the disease, which was only discovered 10 years ago.

"We've got four girls at our zoo and they are very precious to us," she said. "They have got herpes and we want to care for them the best we can.

"It is not contagious to humans and probably actually a pretty normal disease for elephants, but we want to look after the elephants."

Sharon is one of about 25 people who have been invited to talk at the annual EEHV Workshop in Houston, Texas, on January 28 and 29. The conference aims to eventually find a solution to the disease.

Nice and sneezy does it as Twycross Zoo tackles elephant illness

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