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Sculptures and sledging are all the rage as snow covers Leicester

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People have been getting their fill of wintry fun.

From Leicester streets transformed with snow sculptures and igloos to families sledging on icy hills, residents have been making the most of all the excitement the weather has to offer.

Plamen Slavov, 24, built a gorilla in Sweetbriar Road, West End, Leicester.

He said: "It was a spur-of-the-moment thing, really."

He said he and friend Alex Ignatov "were messing about making snowmen when we thought 'why not make something different?'".

"It took us about two hours to finish," he said.

"We didn't really feel the cold – I think we were working too hard. It was a lot of fun."

Some businesses also benefited.

Leicester footwear chain Shoe Zone, which has more than 500 stores in the UK and Ireland, said it had sold 51,000 pairs of wellington boots in the past week across the country – or nearly 15 pairs every minute.

However, the snow and ice brought misery for many people. There was a big leap in the number of car crashes.

Leicestershire Police received reports of 133 collisions since Friday's heavy snow, compared with 73 for the previous weekend.

Air ambulances were called out three times at the weekend to sledging accidents.

Two occurred on Saturday, one near Coalville and one at Burrough on the Hill, near Melton.

On each occasion, a man was thought to have suffered a fractured leg.

On Sunday, an air ambulance was called to Melton Country Park, off Redwood Avenue, in the town, after reports that a man in his 20s had broken his leg sliding down a hill on an improvised sledge.

No information about the condition of any of the injured people has been released.

East Midlands Ambulance Service (Emas) dealt with 6,335 calls between Thursday and Sunday – 900 more than for the same time last year.

Of the calls, 1,118 related to falls and 140 to road accidents.

Paul St Clair, Emas's deputy director of operations, said he was "proud of the fantastic job our staff are doing in assisting patients, despite difficult weather conditions".

Bosses at Arriva, which ferries people to and from hospital appointments, said many of its staff had stayed on past the end of their shifts over the weekend to make sure people got to the clinic or home.

However, mum Ayesha Acharya, of Highfields, Leicester, said her son, Muhammad-Ismail Wellington, nine, who has cancer, had to spend an extra night at Leicester Royal Infirmary on Friday when his Arriva transport did not arrive.

She said: "We didn't know what was happening.

"We were supposed to go home at 2pm on Friday and by about 4.15pm we were told it could be another two or three hours if not longer." The pair were eventually given a lift at 2pm the next day.

A spokesman for Arriva said: "We are very sorry that Muhammad-Ismail was not provided with transport on Friday afternoon due to traffic and weather conditions.

"We will review what happened to see if we could have communicated better with Ms Acharya."

East Midlands Airport was closed yesterday morning due to the snow, eventually opening at 2pm.

Numerous cargo and 32 passenger flights were delayed by the closure of the runway.

There is some good news for people dreading the predicted extra snowfall this week.

The outlook for the next few days has improved.

Previously, the Met Office had predicted snowfall later in the week, but the latest forecasts suggest the extra snow will be restricted to the north of the country and will not reach this far south.

To see more photos go to: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/pictures You can upload your own snow pictures here www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/pictures and buy photos taken by our photographers at: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/buyaphoto You can also email your videos and photos to newsdesk@leicestermercury.co.uk– please use SNOW PICS in the subject line and include your full name and where the pic was taken, thanks.

Sculptures and sledging are all the rage as snow covers Leicester


Leicester City: Chris Wood in tribute to strike partner David Nugent

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Chris Wood believes that playing alongside David Nugent will make him an even better player.

Wood has linked up with former England striker Nugent in his first three Championship games since joining City from West Bromwich Albion and has scored five goals.

The second of two on his debut in the 6-1 hammering of Huddersfield Town, at the King Power Stadium, was a result of superb link-up play between himself and Nugent.

Wood is quick to praise his strike partner for helping him make an immediate impact.

"He is up there with the one of the best strikers I have played with," said Wood.

"It is not just his ability but the way he commands me and talks to me. He shows me the ways to become a good striker.

"He has been in and around the game for years and knows everything about it.

"He just makes sure I am doing everything for the team and myself to be in the right positions.

"When you are coming into a new side it doesn't always click straight away with a strike partner.

"But we both know goals are the main thing and, when he squared the ball back to me in the first few minutes of my debut when he could have shot himself, it showed what a good player he is and what vision he has to help this team get into the Premier League.

"He is a quality striker and a quality man as well. He has the ability to change any game and, playing up top with him, has brought my game on another level.

"Just having someone like him there makes it so much easier."

Wood has now scored nine goals in his last six games, including two on loan at Millwall before joining City. After such an impressive run, Wood knows expectations will be high.

"Probably the fans expect goals every game now but I know that will not always be the case," he said.

"They won't always be flying in as they are now. But as long as we are winning as a team, I don't mind if I am scoring, Nuge is scoring or even Kasper (Schmeichel) for that matter.

"As long as those three points are coming it doesn't bother me."

Leicester City: Chris Wood in tribute to strike partner David Nugent

George Ford will leave Leicester Tigers this summer

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Leicester Tigers fly-half George Ford will leave the club at the end of the season.

He is expected to join Bath, where his father Mike is an assistant coach.

The 19-year-old's decision to seek a new challenge at the end of his current 12-month deal comes after lengthy contract negotiations between the two parties.

Tigers are believed to be very disappointed with his decision and feel that they have done everything in their power to keep him at Welford Road.

I understand that Tigers offered Ford a lucrative two-year deal to stay at the club.

They also told the teenager, in no uncertain terms, that they wanted him to stay at Welford Road and they believed the best place for him to continue his development would be to remain at Leicester.

But despite what they see as their best efforts to keep him, Ford has now told the club that he sees his future elsewhere.

I understand the issue of 'game time' has been a constant bone of contention throughout the talks.

Ford has been keen to guarantee as much time on the pitch as possible in any future deal but, with Toby Flood under contract at Leicester until the summer of 2014, Tigers director of rugby Richard Cockerill has told Ford he must be playing better than his team-mate to earn a starting shirt in the big games.

With Flood on England duty during the autumn internationals and Six Nations, Ford would have been almost guaranteed to start between 10 and 14 games a season, if he had agreed to stay here next year.

He could have begun residence as the club's No.1 fly-half, if Flood departed for a new challenge.

Ford started 11 games last season and came off the bench four times.

This year, he has already started nine games with another four appearances as a substitute.

Ford made a huge impact last season and his application, game management and maturity was a leading light in the club's successful run to the LV= Cup final victory.

He also put in an excellent showing the Aviva Premiership semi-final win over Saracens at Welford Road when Flood was injured. But he has struggled at times this season and a series of bad days with the kicking boot could have cost Leicester dearly in a number of games they ended up winning by the skin of their teeth.

His goal-kicking percentage currently stands at 64 per cent.

If, as expected, Ford does decide to join Bath, Gary Gold's club will have to pay Leicester up to £45,000 in compensation for taking the services of a player who is still within the England Under-20s set-up.

As a result of Ford's decision, Kiwi Dan Bowden is expected to be handed the No.10 shirt for the upcoming LV= Cup fixtures.

George Ford will leave Leicester Tigers this summer

Jobs threatened as Midlands Co-op closes stores in Wigston and Coalville

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Dozens more shop jobs have been put in jeopardy following the announcement two department stores are to close.

Midlands Co-op said yesterday it planned to shut its fashion and homeware outlets in Bell Street, Wigston, and Belvoir Road, Coalville.

The organisation said it would close nine of its department stores across the Midlands over the next six months, putting a total of 388 jobs at risk.

There are 47 employees at the Wigston store and 12 in Coalville.

A spokeswoman for Midlands Co-op said it hoped the Wigston site could be put to another use.

She said there were no plans to close the post office inside the store.

Councillor Lee Bentley, who represents Wigston on Oadby and Wigston Borough Council, said the announcement was a blow for the town.

"It's one of the mainstays of the Bell Street shopping area," he said.

"I went in there only the other day to buy a pair of shoes. It's a great shame."

Councillor John Legrys, district councillor for Coalville, said: "I'm devastated. This has been a flagship store for Coalville town centre for many years.

"I hope the Co-op will make an effort to find an alternative use for it."

Martyn Cheatle, Midlands Co-op chief executive, said competition from other stores and online retailers had hit trade.

"The society has been incurring substantial losses from the fashion and home operation for more than a decade and in spite of sustained efforts to improve performance, the latest financial projections indicate a further decline with increasing losses in future years," he said.

"Unfortunately, efforts to sell the business as a going concern have proved unsuccessful and, after much consideration, it is with great regret that the board of directors has taken this very difficult decision to close the fashion and home business."

Managers said they had begun a 90-day consultation with affected staff.

The closures do not affect the Co-op department store in Hinckley, which is run by the Heart of England Co-op Society.

Co-op food stores in Wigston and Coalville are also unaffected.

Last week, dozens of retail jobs in the county were put at risk when HMV and Blockbuster went into administration.

Administrators said yesterday that they would close the Blockbuster store in Beaumont Leys, Leicester, in the next few weeks, with the loss of about five jobs.

An announcement about the other six Blockbuster stores in the county has yet to be made.

Jobs threatened as Midlands Co-op closes stores  in Wigston and Coalville

Big freeze shuts schools for the day in Leicester and Leicestershire

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More than 170 schools were shut yesterday due to the snow and freezing conditions.

In Leicester, more than half – 70 schools out of 107 – were either closed or only partially open, to those taking exams.

In the county, 108 out of 286 schools were shut.

Some of the closures were put down to unsafe conditions, while others were made as staff and pupils were unable to make it in.

Education spokesmen for both the city and county councils said they respected head teachers' decision to close.

Councillor Vi Dempster, assistant city mayor for children, young people and schools, said: "Closing schools is not a decision that head teachers take lightly.

"They are very aware that closing a school will create disruption for working families.

"It also means children are losing a day's education.

"However, this has to be balanced against issues of staffing and safety. The snowfall in Leicestershire this weekend was heavy.

"This will impact on all schools in similar ways, so I'm not surprised that so many head teachers across the city and county have made the same decision."

Councillor Ivan Ould, the county council's schools spokesman, said: "I expect heads to consult with the chairman of their governing body and make a decision that's based on what's best for students, staff and parents.

"Conditions are hazardous and I know commercial buses have had to change routes over the weekend to account for this.

"Head teachers have intimate knowledge of where their children and staff are coming from so it's only right they make the final decision."

Alderman Richard Hallam, in Beaumont Leys – one of the largest city primaries, with 671 pupils – was among schools open yesterday.

Head teacher Jim McGovan said: "I'm incredibly grateful to staff who came in early to help make sure the paths were kept clear.

"A lot of our parents are health professionals who work in the local hospital, so we know how important it is to stay open to keep vital services running."

Belgrave St Peter's School, in Leicester, St Peter's Church of England Primary, in Whetstone, and Marriott Primary, in Saffron Lane, Leicester, were also among the schools that opened.

Youngsters at Belgrave St Peter's made the most of the snow by taking part in a competition to build the best snowman.

A school spokeswoman said: "The decision to open was based on ensuring parents were not inconvenienced, although some pupils were still unable to make it."

Michael Bailey, head teacher of St Peter's, in Whetstone, travelled from his home in Market Harborough to make sure the school opened.

He said: "We've got about 75 per cent of our 234 children in today. I'm fortunate most of our pupils walk to school and we're near a main road.

"I know it can be much more difficult for other schools, however, and it's very much dependent on their location.

"I live the furthest away of any of my staff and I knew that if I could make it, then they should also be able, too."

Marriott Primary stayed open but planned to shut early to allow staff and children to get home in good time.

Chris Hassall, head of Taylor Road Primary, in St Matthew's, Leicester, made the decision to shut.

Mr Hassall, who was at the school at 5am yesterday to check conditions, said: "At least four teachers live 30 miles away and I have a duty of care to them. But we'll be open as normal today."

Rachel Dickinson, strategic director for children at the city council, said most schools were expected to reopen today.

Businesses across the city and county were also affected by the big freeze.

Kevin Harris, a senior partner at Cooper Parry business advisers in Leicester, was among many working from home yesterday.

He said: "People have the ability to work remotely now."

RELATED ARTICLE: See the full list of school closures today -Tuesday, January 22.

Big freeze shuts  schools for the day in Leicester and Leicestershire

School closures in Leicester and Leicestershire - Tuesday, January 22

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Schools across Leicester and Leicestershire closed today Tuesday, January 22) include:
LEICESTERPrimary Schools Catherine Infants and Junior School infants Secondary Schools Ellesmere College is closed but open to staff Winstanley Community College LEICESTERSHIREPrimary Schools All Saints Church of England Primary and Pre-Schools, Wigston is opening at 10am Highcliffe Primary School and Community Centre, Birstall but is open to teachers Kingsway Primary School is opening at 10am Ravenhurst Primary School Warren Hills Community Primary School, Nursery and Surestart Centre Noah's Ark Parent and Toddler GroupSecondary Schools Abington Academy School, Wigston is opening at 9.30am Bushloe High School is ppening at 9.30am Castle Rock High School is closed but open for staff King Edward VII, Coalville is closed but open for exams and teachers Newbridge High School, Coalville Maplewell Hall Special School The full list of schools across Leicestershire and Rutland closed yesterday(Monday, January 21) because of the snow click here.
For more local and national travel information see the links below: MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE. NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. AIR TRAVEL: See East Midlands Airport website at: CLICK HERE See Leicester City Council's live Traffic & Travel service - including updates on the latest incidents and roadworks plus jam cams around Leicester city centre - CLICK HERE. See Leicestershire County Council's website for latest info on Wintry weather and gritting routes CLICK HERE. See the latest Met Office weather reports - CLICK HERE.

School closures in Leicester and Leicestershire - Tuesday, January 22

Police issue photo taken on stolen iPad after in Leicestershire

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Police have issued a photograph of a man they want to question after a burglary at a village home. The picture was apparently taken on a stolen iPad which had recently been taken from the victim's home in Nethercote, Newton Burgoland, in west Leicestershire. The image was then automatically transferred to the victim's mobile phone, which had not been stolen. The victim has passed the image to police. Detective Constable Ania Chajecka said: "We are keen to trace the man pictured as he appears to have taken a photo of himself on the stolen iPad, which has then been streamed to the victim's iPhone. "This man may or may not be connected to this burglary so we would urge him or anyone who recognises him to please contact police immediately." The house was burgled between 10.45pm on Wednesday, December 12, and 6am the next day. The intruders also stole Apple computer screens, a Blackberry mobile phone, purses containing cash and cards and a black iPod touch. Anyone with information should contact Det Con Chajecka on 101, or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Police issue photo taken on stolen iPad after in  Leicestershire

Textile firms seeking cash to return to Leicester

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Textile firms are looking to repatriate their manufacturing from India and China to Leicester in a move that could create hundreds of jobs.

Six companies which moved their production from the city in the 1990s to cut costs have applied for Government grants to help them move back, reversing a trend stretching back decades.

The businesses are hoping to secure grants of up to £150,000 from an £8 million Regional Growth Fund being administered by Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership (LLEP).

LLEP head Mandip Rai said: "These six companies had their production in Leicester in the 1990s but then moved abroad because it was cheaper to produce there.

"They are now interested in coming back because of the rising costs of wages in those countries and the growing cost of flying goods across the world.

"Comparatively, China and India are not as cheap as they were 20 years ago. We are seeing a huge wave of repatriation for that particular sector."

Mr Rai said there was also a growing kudos associated with a "Made in Britain" label and manufacturers were being attracted by the reputation of the city for fashion and clothing design associated with De Montfort University.

He said: "We are talking about a huge volume of jobs. One of the companies has said it would create 100 jobs.

"The skills of the workforce needed are still in the city."

Mr Rai said he could not reveal the names of the firms looking to relocate until after the bids for cash had been assessed. That is due to happen at the end of March.

He said any company succeeding would have to match the funding and would use the cash for capital costs such as building extensions or buying up-to-date machinery.

Leicester Asian Business Association president Jaspal Singh Minhas said: "Leicester became a very rich city thanks to the textile trade, but there was a point where it was simply cheaper to take their manufacturing to India or China.

"Now, the cost of air freight is going up and companies are having to meet that because they cannot pass it on to retailers. Retailers don't want to wait four or five weeks for their products to arrive from the other side of the world

"Wages are also going up in India and China, so it is not that much more expensive to produce here.

"Textile manufacturing has never entirely left the city and there are lots of small companies making clothes here, but it is encouraging ones that left really want to come back.

"We will never see the big old factories that employed thousands, but there will be operations with 40, 60 or 100 staff."

Textile firms seeking cash to return to Leicester


Five men on sex offence charges involving girl, 16

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Five men have been charged with 21 sexual offences involving a 16-year-old girl. The men are aged 20, 22, 25, 27 and 39. A 15-year-old youth has been released on police bail while further enquiries are carried out. They are all expected to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court today.

Five men on sex offence charges involving girl, 16

Thieves steal tools from a van in Hermitage Road, Whitwick

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Thieves stole a selection of tools from a parked van.
Police have appealed for help tracing the thieves, who broke into the white Vauxhall Movano van in Hermitage Road, Whitwick, north west Leicestershire.
The theft happened between 7.30pm last Tuesday (Jan 15) and 9.30am the next day.
The stolen goods, a selection of Teng tools, were contained in a red plastic box.
Anyone with information should contact Pc Matthew Garside on 101, or Crimestoppers, which is anonymous, on 0800 555 111.

Leicestershire Police is one of the best employers for gay people, according to Stonewall

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Leicestershire police force has been named in the top 100 best places to work for gay people.
The force was ranked in 68th position in the annual survey by civil rights group, Stonewall.
Last year, the force was placed in 127th position.
Other organisations which have made the top 100 include Barclays, IBM and management consultants Accenture
Assistant Chief Constable Steph Morgan said: "We're delighted to be recognised as one of the best 100 performing organisations in Britain. It's a great achievement.
"Everyone has the right to live their life and pursue a career free from the discriminatory practices of others."

Leicestershire Police is one of the best employers for gay people, according to Stonewall

Woman pushed to ground during attempted robbery in The Rally, Leicester

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A man tried to steal a handbag from a woman as she walked in a city park.
He targeted the 41-year-old victim in The Rally, behind Tudor Road, Leicester, just after 9am on Friday.
She was approached from behind by the man who demanded her handbag and then pushed her to the ground.
The victim screamed and the offender made off empty handed towards Fosse Road North.
The suspect is as a white man, in his mid to late 40s, 5ft 6in to 5ft 8in, of medium to slim build, and has been described as having heavy brown stubble on his face.
He was wearing a black or brown duffel style coat, which had a hood, and dark trousers.
Detective Constable Caroline Wright is investigating the incident, she said: "This was a nasty incident that happened at a busy time of the day when many people were commuting to work and school.
"The victim although not injured was left extremely shocked by the incident and we would appeal to anyone who was in the area at the time and saw anything suspicious or someone matching the description of the suspect to contact us."
Anyone with any information can contact Det Const Caroline Wright on 101, or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Snow and ice disrupts services across Leicester and Leicestershire

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Wintry conditions continued to disrupt refuse collections, some postal services and a handful of schools yesterday.

While major city and county roads were gritted and clear of snow, in some rural areas there were still problems due to ice.

In the south of the county and in parts of Rutland, postal services were disrupted for the second day as the Royal Mail said some outlying areas were too difficult to get to.

Royal Mail spokesman Morag Turnbull apologised and said: "A range of measures have been put in place to ensure deliveries reach people as quickly as possible."

The number of school closures fell dramatically from the 170 affected on Monday.

Two city schools, Ellesmere College and Winstanley Community College, remained closed while half a dozen schools in the county were closed. Nine other county schools were partially open and some started lessons later than normal.

Refuse collections were yesterday suspended in Oadby and Wigston and other councils were operating reduced collections. Charnwood was operating a normal service.

Leicester City Council said it would try to do collections today – but any that were missed would be done on January 30.

The council said its golf courses at Humberstone Heights and Western Park remain closed, as are the sports pitches at St Margaret's Pastures and Aylestone recreation ground.

In Leicester, complaints were received about the safety of paving slabs in the Humberstone Gate East area.

John Richardson, who works for Age UK at Clarence House, in Humberstone Gate East said: "I don't know why the city council has chosen to use such smooth paving stones.

"I saw lots of people, of all ages slipping and sliding about. I found it hazardous. Everybody was complaining about it."

A city council spokesman said: "Snow and ice are making all surfaces slippery so it's important to take extra care.

"Our cleansing team has been gritting priority footways in the city centre and neighbourhood shopping precincts. The team is responding to requests for gritting in specific areas – and has been out today to grit the pavements outside Age UK.

"The area outside Age UK on Humberstone Gate East is paved with unpolished concrete and granite slabs – a product that has been tested and meets British standards for skid resistance in pedestrian areas."

Conservative councillors Bhupendra Dave and Ravendra Thakor complained that East Street car park, in Oadby, had not been gritted and there were not enough grit bins in the area.

A council spokesman said: "The East Street car park was gritted on Monday and again on Tuesday. However, it needs vehicles to use the car park to imbed the grit into the snow."

The spokesman said the provision of grit bins was a county council responsibility, but added people had, in the past, taken the grit to use at home.

The weather is likely to remain cold with the chance of snow flurries today and tomorrow. It is predicted to get warmer at the weekend.

Snow and ice disrupts services across Leicester and Leicestershire

Sir David Attenborough says humans are a 'plague on the Earth'

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Naturalist Sir David Attenborough has described humans as a "plague on the Earth" while speaking out about population growth.

The 86-year-old veteran broadcaster, who was educated in Leicester, warned of the need to control the increase in population in order to save the planet.

Talking to the Radio Times, Sir David, who is chairman of the group Population Matters, which calls for smaller family sizes, said if humans did not sort out the problem, nature would do it for us.

He said increasing populations were adding to climate change.

He told the magazine: "We are a plague on the Earth.

"It's coming home to roost over the next 50 years or so.

"It's not just climate change. It's sheer space, places to grow food for this enormous horde.

"Either we limit our population growth or the natural world will do it for us – and the natural world is doing it for us right now.

"We keep putting on programmes about famine in Ethiopia – that's what's happening. Too many people there.

"They can't support themselves. It's not an inhuman thing to say, it's the case.

"Until humanity manages to sort itself out and get a co-ordinated view about the planet, it's going to get worse and worse."

Speaking to the Mercury yesterday, he said: "Western European countries are not growing at such a speed, but those elsewhere are increasing significantly.

"It's a problem for these nations' governments to decide what can be done."

Sir David, who can currently be seen presenting Africa, on BBC2, was speaking to the Radio Times ahead of his new show, Natural Curiosities, which is to be aired on the Eden channel soon.

The five-part series shines the spotlight on evolutionary anomalies and how these curious animals continue to baffle and fascinate.

Sir David, who has six decades of documentary making under his belt, described his presenting style in the Radio Times as a "bit out of fashion".

He said that it was cheaper for producers to put someone in front of a camera describing the way in which animals behave rather than actually showing it.

He said: "The kind of carefully tailored programmes in which you really work at the commentary, match pictures to words, is a bit out of fashion now... regarded as old hat."

For more on Sir David's latest series, see More Magazine on Saturday.

Sir David Attenborough says humans are a 'plague on the Earth'

Chris Wood says Leicester City are heading for Premier League

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In-form striker Chris Wood is convinced Leicester City are destined for the Premier League.

The 21-year-old New Zealander said the reason he chose to join City was because everything about the club is ready for the top flight of English football.

City moved into the automatic promotion places in the Championship with a 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough and Wood, who is hungry to return to the Premier League, said he feels this could be their season.

"I feel we can get promoted, 100 per cent," he said. "That is where I want to play, week in and week out. Hopefully, I can do that with Leicester.

"That is what I am going to aspire to do in my whole career. I want to be a consistent player in Premier League.

"You can see this club is going in just one direction – up. You can see that from the youth team set-up and right through the club.

"Everyone wants to win and be in the Premier League. The ambition is unbelievable. That is why I chose to come here."

With six goals in his first four games, Wood has made a remarkable impact and appears to have settled straight into the City set-up.

Wood believes his experiences from his five loan spells at Barnsley, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol City and Millwall have helped him adapt to new surroundings, but he is also quick to praise his new team-mates for making the transition easier.

"I think that, because I have been out on loan so much, has helped me settle quickly," said Wood, who joined City from West Bromwich Albion at the start of the year. "But I think it was down to the lads who have taken me in and made me feel welcome.

"They got me in and talked me through everything, and didn't shut me out.

"That is what you need when you come to a new club. You want to feel settled and the lads have done that. They have been brilliant.

"No matter what, coming into a different environment, every footballer has been through that and knows what it is like.

"They all know we have to gel and get new players settled as quickly as possible because it is only going to benefit the team."

Chris Wood says Leicester City are heading for Premier League


OAP foster caring scheme could be launched in Leicester

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Families could be paid to look after older people in a scheme similar to child fostering under plans being considered by the city council.

The authority is exploring the possibility of extending its existing Shared Lives project, which sees adults with disabilities or mental health issues taken into carers' homes.

The expansion of the scheme would see people with spare rooms invited to house someone aged 65 or over who might otherwise be moved into one of the eight care homes run by the council.

The authority's social care and housing scrutiny commission is assessing whether the idea, which is already used by some other authorities, could work here.

Commission chairman Councillor Lynn Moore said: "The idea is very similar to fostering a child, but with older people.

"It is never going to be a substitute for residential homes and it can't replace nursing care to look after very dependent older people. It would be another thing to put on our menu when looking at care options.

"There are quite independent older people who, for whatever reason, cannot any longer look after themselves but really don't like the idea of going into a home.

"Other councils have gone down this route and I am a great believer in taking on good ideas.

"It would need people with a spare room and a big heart and maybe looking for another income.

"There would have to be some private space for the older person but they would have the comfort of knowing there was somebody on the other side of the door to help them when they need it."

Under the scheme, the council would pay for en suite bathrooms to be installed to make homes suitable and there would be an ongoing payment to fosterers for bills and food.

Forty-three adults – with different disabilities – are being looked after through the existing Shared Lives scheme.

A council spokeswoman said: "Current payment rates for supporting an older person start at £224 a week.

"However, payment is linked to service user needs and the maximum banded rate for older people is £320 a week."

Leicestershire Age UK director Tony Donovan said the scheme was worth considering but should be approached "with a degree of caution".

He said: "People continue to age. A person can be in good health at 75 but that will not always be the case.

"Their needs will grow and that could put a greater strain on the carer.

"A house may need more adaptation to meet those changing needs.

"It is something which needs to be looked at with a critical eye."

Assistant city mayor Rita Patel, who is responsible for adult social care, said: "There would have to be very rigorous checks on the carers and their homes to make sure we would be putting people into a safe environment. That is already done with fostering young people.

"The needs of the older people would be the top priority."

The scrutiny commission is set to complete its report by May.

Officials have looked into the possibility of selling eight council-run residential homes – currently with about 134 residents – to private care providers, charities or public sector organisations.

No decision on their future has been made yet.

OAP foster caring scheme could be launched  in Leicester

Five men appear in Leicester court over sex offences

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Five men have appeared in court charged with a string of sexual offences against a 16-year-old girl.

A total of 22 charges have been brought against the men, aged 20, 22, 25, 27 and 39.

It follows a police investigation into the alleged exploitation of a teenager. The charges include: trafficking for sexual exploitation; arranging or facilitating prostitution; controlling a child involved in prostitution; inciting child prostitution and paying for sexual services.

No pleas were entered during yesterday's hearing, at Leicester Magistrates' Court, but it was decided the charges were so serious that the case could only be dealt by a crown court judge.

Magistrates have issued an order banning publication of the defendants' names, addresses and dates of birth.

The Leicester Mercury challenged the order in court – but was unsuccessful.

The men were remanded back into custody to appear at court again later this month.

Five men appear  in Leicester court  over sex offences

This is why players come to Leicester Tigers, says Geoff Parling

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Leicester Tigers lock Geoff Parling believes that occasions like Sunday's epic Heineken Cup victory against Toulouse are the reason people want to play for the club.

Parling signed a new deal with Tigers last week, despite being offered more money elsewhere, and will now stay at Welford Road beyond the end of the season.

He showed why he is so key to Tigers' success when he stole the ball from a Toulouse line-out on his own five-metre line with just seconds remaining to secure his side's qualification for the quarter-final.

Parling admitted that playing in games like Sunday's was certainly an added factor in his decision to sign his new deal.

"People, myself included, come to Leicester to play in these types of games," said Parling.

"It is a good environment, playing in big games and occasions like this, when you're playing in front of a packed-out Welford Road. You love running out down those steps, it's a brilliant feeling.

"It was a big occasion, a big game, and we've come through and are looking forward to the next test.

"We have got ourselves another opportunity now. We have moved on a level and we've got a chance against Toulon to progress even further.

"That's what we've got to take, that's the next challenge and then we have got to push on from there.

"We don't want to remember this season for a fantastic game against Toulouse but then not going any further."

Tigers' quarter-final in April sees them make the trip to another French giant, big-spending Toulon, who are currently on top of the French Top 14.

"They are a good team, but so are we," said Parling.

"I know we are going away from home but we have a good record in Europe, we are a good team."

Parling played down his game-saving line-out steal in the dying seconds.

"It was just a chance and I managed to knock it down and Deacs (Louis Deacon) dived on it," he said.

"Last week, Ospreys were winning those 50-50 balls whereas (against Toulouse) any slapped down balls from the line-out, any balls on the floor, we seemed to win.

"I thought our hunger to get those balls was outstanding, and that was probably the difference between the two teams."

This is why players come to Leicester Tigers, says Geoff Parling

Royal visit to Leicester postponed due to bad weather

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Today's visit to Leicester by Prince Edward has been postponed due to bad weather. The Earl of Wessex was due to officially open De Montfort University's new £8m Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Leisure Centre, in Duns Lane. He was also scheduled to visit the university's Square Mile project which supports residents in the Fosse Road, Tudor Road, Newfoundpool, and Woodgate areas of Leicester. Later in the day Prince Edward was due to visit North Warwickshire and Hinckley College's £12.8 million creative arts campus and John Cleveland College, in Hinckley. Prince Edward was due to fly into the county by helicopter but because of freezing fog the decision was made to postpone the tour. Professor Dominic Shellard, vice chancellor for the university, tweeted after the decision was made: "V sorry to say that Prince Edward has had to postpone his visit on Wednesday because of the weather. He will re-arrange in the near future." He added that more details about a rescheduled visit would be announced as soon as possible: "I'll be doing local media tomorrow to explain why Prince Edward has had to cancel, arrangements tomorrow and plans for his future visit."

Royal visit to Leicester postponed due to bad weather

WEATHER UPDATE: No school closures in Leicestershire - Wednesday, January 23

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There have been no reports of school closures across Leicester and Leicestershire today after two days of disruption due to the snow and icy conditions. More snow fell across Leicestershire last night and drivers are being warned to take care especially on side roads that have not been treated. Leicestershire County Council had 17 gritters out on key routes last night. Leicester City Council said gritting teams were also out across the city last night. East Midlands Trains reported no disruptions affecting trains first thing this morning but urged passengers to check for updates. Most bus services are running normally although some routes are avoiding side roads. One service affected is Arriva's route 50 in Leicester which is running along main roads only as the side roads remain untreated. Passengers using First Leicester's 21A service this morning were being warned that it was currently unable to serve Sandhill Avenue due to abandoned cars. An accident on the A46 this morning, near Syston, caused one lane to be closed on the approach to the Hobby Horse island. The road was reported to be clear by 9am. Refuse and recycling services across the county were affected by the wintry weather yesterday and Leicester City Council has warned residents today that collections would go ahead if conditions allowed. Blaby District Council has also told residents that collections in Glenfield, Kirby Muxloe and Leicester Forest East will be attempted where it is safe. See the five-day weather forecast for Leicestershire and Leicester here: www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/weather
For more local and national travel information see the links below: MOTORWAY UPDATES: For traffic updates on UK motorways and other key roads - CLICK HERE. NATIONAL RAIL: For live UK train updates - CLICK HERE. AIR TRAVEL: See East Midlands Airport website: CLICK HERE. See Leicester City Council's live Traffic & Travel service - including updates on the latest incidents and roadworks plus jam cams around Leicester city centre - CLICK HERE. See Leicestershire County Council's website for latest info on Wintry weather and gritting routes CLICK HERE. See the latest Met Office weather reports - CLICK HERE. For the latest information on waste service collections see your local council's webiste: Leicester City CouncilHinckley and Bosworth Borough CouncilCharnwood Borough CouncilMelton Borough Council Blaby District Council Oadby and Wigston Borough CouncilHarborough District Council Rutland County Council

WEATHER UPDATE: No school closures in Leicestershire  -  Wednesday, January 23

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