Looking at little Theo Jones, you would never know he was any different to most four-year-old boys.

But despite the big smile, the youngster is seriously ill and in desperate need of a heart transplant.

When a virus contracted shortly after he was born left his heart severely damaged, parents Willow Langdale-Smith and Colin Jones were told he would need the life-saving operation.

But Theo responded so well to initial treatment they began to hope he might get better.

However, his last routine test revealed a problem and he was put on the transplant waiting list a few weeks ago.

Willow and Colin, of Loughborough, have been told the average wait for a donor is about two years – so they are now facing a race against time.

"We were told when he was first ill he would need the transplant within a year, but he did so much better than they anticipated," said Willow.

"The last few years, he has coasted and each appointment they've said he was doing well. But at the last one, the doctor said something had changed and he didn't think there was anything else they could do.

"In terms of his heart failure, Theo is not as sick as some children, but the type he's got affects his lungs. And if his lungs are too damaged, he won't be able to have the transplant.

"We've been told it could be a prolonged wait – and some children die while on the waiting list.

"But then, I met a family who had been on the list two weeks and they got one. You never know.

"Really, this is it, now. We just want to get the call sooner rather than later.

"We've been told that when we get the call, there will be a car waiting for us within half-an-hour. We've already got a bag packed.

"But we've also been told we might have a few false alarms as well."

Theo caught the virus when he was a week old, and spent the first two years of his life on ventilation machines.

He takes several different types of medication and has also had a stem cell transplant as part of his treatment.

He is treated at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Glenfield Hospital and Great Ormond Street, in London, where he will be taken if a donor is found.

Willow has given up work to be his full-time carer.

"It's like having a newborn," she said. "He gets very ill – we've been back and forth to hospital three times in the last week.

"But he's also just like any other four-year-old boy – he loves Spiderman and pirates and Power Rangers. He's bright and bubbly and a happy boy but he doesn't have a lot of energy – he can't walk more than 100 metres.

"He's a very delicate child."

The couple have three other children – Sacha, 13, Tabitha, six, and Barney, two.

"I like to think we're a happy family but it does take its toll," said Willow. "I suppose we look like we're coping but underneath, it really hurts."

Willow wants to share Theo's story to raise awareness about organ donation.

"I'm all for the opt-out register, with everyone on the list unless they have reasons for not being a donor," she said. "There's such a shortage of organs."

www.organdonation.nhs.uk

Householders have been told they will have to pay up to £90 a year to get to their own back gardens and a car park.

People living in Leicester Road, Ibstock, this week received notice of the charge from North West Leicestershire District Council to use a strip of land behind their homes to access their back gardens, where many park.

In Central Avenue, people face the same fee to use council land to get to a car park behind their homes.

Two council tenants in Central Avenue who do not own a car have been told they will have to pay £20 a year to go through a gate at the bottom of their garden to put the bin out because it opens on to council land.

Residents said they had been using the land without charge for decades.

Many said rather than pay they would park on the streets at the front of their homes.

Andrew Palmer, 36, of Leicester Road, said: "It's a bumpy, narrow strip about a car's width at the bottom of the gardens.

"People have been using it for over 30 years without paying and tenants, including myself, have spent money filling in the potholes to make it useable – something the council hasn't done.

"It's bang out of order. They want more money – that's the long and the short of it.

"People will park on the road, making it more hazardous."

School cleaner Denise Chamberlain, 52, of Central Avenue, said: "I'm so stressed and wound up about this.

"I can't afford to pay an extra £90.

"Every penny I earn goes on food and heating.

"People will park on the road, the council won't get its extra money and the roads will be more dangerous."

Marina Woodward, 68, of Central Avenue, said: "We don't even use the access road to get to the car park but the council wants us to pay £20 a year for putting the bin out on to its land.

"It's disgusting. I'll put my bins out on the front.

"It will be an eyesore, but I'm not paying £20."

Ibstock Labour councillors Dave De Lacy and Janet Ruff have called on the council to remove the charges.

Councillor De Lacy said: "These charges are bonkers.

"Forcing residents to pay to park on their own back garden is crazy when they have been using the road with no problem for years without charges.

"This will only mean more residents will park on the road at the front of their houses, creating further congestion."

Coun Ruff said: "The Government has reduced funds for councils so much it has come up with these charges to try to partially offset the cuts. It is beyond belief that anyone should be asked to pay for putting out their dustbin."

Nick Rushton, the council's portfolio holder for corporate services, said: "A change to the access charge system has been made to ensure there is a fair, consistent and equitable approach to all residents and organisations which require access to their property across council-owned land.

"We will review cases where it is felt access is required only to accommodate collection of dustbins and will consider payment options for those affected.

"We ask that they contact us directly to discuss their cases."

Police arrested four teenagers involved in an argument outside a school.

Officers had been asked to patrol outside Wreake Valley Academy, in Syston, by staff following tensions earlier in the week between students from the school, and another in the county.

Four 15-year-old boys from the Syston area were arrested on Wednesday as part of an ongoing investigation. One of them was given a police caution and the other three were taken home and their parents spoken to.

It is not known which schools they attend.

Tony Pinnock, head of Wreake Valley Academy, said: "It appears as though a verbal altercation between one of our pupils and another at a different school has led to some tension.

"I'm in the process of contacting the head teacher at that school to discuss this.

"Unfortunately, due to the arrests – which were made as students left the school – a number of rumours have circulated and this appears to have been blown out of proportion.

"Nothing physical has happened and no weapons have been used.

"I have asked police to keep up their presence at the school to reassure parents and pupils that nothing is going to happen."

Inspector Tim McCabe, from Syston police station, said: "We are working closely with the school to address any concerns that may have been caused.

"We are also working with Charnwood Borough Council and other agencies to ensure that teenagers in the area are offered the right support."

Leicester City make four changes from the side that drew at Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup at the weekend.

As expected, in-form strikers Chris Wood and David Nugent are restored to the starting line-up to continue their excellent partnership.

Anthony Knockaert, who was a described as a doubt for the game because of an ankle injury which forced him to miss last week's game, comes back in on the right-wing.

Danny Drinkwater returns to the centre of midfield to partner Andy King, who keeps his place as Matty James is still struggling with an injury.

3 min: Knockaert shows no signs of the injury as he surges forward and plays a great one-two with Nugent and is almost in on goal.

4 min: City break again and Nugent shoots from long range, but it is wide. A good start from City nevertheless.

6 min: Knockaert is full of confidence and he shoots from long range but it is over the bar. Former City loanee keeper Carl Ikeme in the Wolves goal had it covered.

9 min: Knockaert again tries his luck from 20 yards out and it flashes past the near post. It had Ikeme worried.

15 min: First effort from Wolves. Kasper Schmeichel punches away a high ball and Bakary Sako drills in a shot from the corner of the box which flashes wide.

17 min: Wolves stand off Wood and he fires in a dipping volley from 20 yards which is inches over the bar. A great effort from the prolific Wood.

21 min: Ben Marshall shoots from range and Ikeme almost spills it out to Wood. City have obviously been told to test Ikeme at every opportunity because they have peppered his goal in the first 20 minutes.

24 min: GOAL (1-0) Knockaert scores. Schmeichel picks out the Frenchman with a superb kick out and he races into the Wolves defence, beats Christophe Berra and clips his shot past Ikeme into the far corner of the net.

25 min: City have a good case for penalty, but it's not given. Knockaert attempts an overhead kick in the penalty area and looks to be clearly pushed by Sako. It looks more clear cut with each TV replay.

26 min: Straight after, Karl Henry is responsible for a bad tackle on King. Red cards have been given for challenges as bad as that one.

28 min: Kevin Foley is given a free header from a Sako corner but luckily for City he heads wide. Where was the marking at the set-piece?

43 min: The game has become more even now with Wolves having their best spell of pressure in the half without forcing Schmeichel to make a save. But City get back on track as, after a good run, Drinkwater picks out Nugent, who scuffs his volley wide.

45 min: A great flick form Nugent sets up Ben Marshall, in space, on the edge of the box but he shoots over the bar. It was a good opportunity superbly crafted, but ultimately wasted.

H-T: City1 Wolves 0

48 MIN: Big shout for a penalty as Marshall's shot strikes Berra's hand but referee Robert Madley says no. It wasn't deliberate but you have seen them given.

51 MIN: GOAL (1-1) Wolves dangerman Sako strikes. City fail to clear their lines on the edge of the box and Sako smashes a fierce strike past Schmeichel.

53 MIN: Ritchie De Laet flashes a low cross across the Wolves six-yard box, but Wood just fails to connect with it.

62 MIN: Wolves look the most dangerous now and Bjorn Sigurdarson beats Michael Keane, but King is back to mop up the danger.

73 MIN: GOAL (2-1) A trademark strike from Nugent. He picks up Drinkwater's pass on the left flank, races at the Wolves defence and curls a superb strike into the far corner.

86 MIN: Nugent has a great chance to score a third when substitute Jamie Vardy picks him out inside the six- yard box, but his first touch lets him down.

89 MIN: Sylvan Ebanks-Blake misses a great chance to equalise with a close-range header. Morgan does enough to put him off.

90 MIN: Schmeichel has to tip an Ebanks-Blake effort over the bar. City are under the cosh.

90+1 MIN: Ebanks-Blake is getting closer and strikes the post after City fail to clear.

F-T: City 2 Wolves1

A senior church court judge has refused a woman's request to have her parents' ashes exhumed.

Edith de Lisle asked the Church of England for permission to have her parents' cremated remains disinterred from St John the Baptist churchyard, in Hungarton.

They were buried there – near the family's estate at Quenby Hall – when her mother died in 1995.

Quenby Hall Dairy – owned by Mrs de Lisle's son Freddie and located in the grounds of the hall – went into administration in April 2011 after a buyer for the stilton-maker could not be found.

The grade I-listed Jacobean manor house, which has 11 bedrooms and sits in 1,135 acres, is for sale with a guide price of £11 million.

Mrs de Lisle, who prefers to be addressed as Madam, wanted to move the ashes of her parents, Frederick and Eva Krarup, to the family burial ground at Mount St Bernard Abbey, near Whitwick.

But in a written Consistory Court judgement, Chancellor Mark Blackett-Ord ruled she could not exhume her parents' remains.

In his judgement, he said Mr and Mrs Krarup's remains had been "buried with care and consideration by Madam de Lisle in the consecrated churchyard where they now lie".

Mrs Krarup was cremated in Madrid in 1995 and her remains were brought back to England.

Madam de Lisle succeeded in having Mr Krarup's remains exhumed from his grave in Peru so the couple could be buried together at Hungarton.

Chancellor Blackett-Ord said: "Indeed, she must have gone to very considerable lengths to procure their removal to Hungarton from Peru and Spain.

"What has really changed is the unfortunate probability that Quenby Hall will not survive as the centre of the lives of her descendants.

"I have to say I consider this is a bad reason for justifying the removal of the ashes."

He said it had been previously established that allowing disinterment on the grounds of a family moving house would make "unacceptable inroads into the principle of permanence of Christian burial".

In his written judgement Chancellor Blackett-Ord said: "Unfortunately, Frederick's business at Quenby Hall was unsuccessful and the hall will have to be sold.

"It is clear this has been a great shock to the family.

"Madam de Lisle stated (in correspondence before the ruling) 'the family will have to be uprooted from what they had come to view as their home for generations to come'."

He expressed regret, but refused Madam de Lisle's application.

Freddie de Lisle said he could not comment on the ruling, or whether the sale of Quenby Hall was related to the liquidation of the dairy company.

He said his parents were out of the country and unavailable for comment.

David Nugent gave Leicester City a three-point cushion in the automatic promotion places as his superb strike ensured City's fifth consecutive league victory last night.

Nugent's 14th goal of the season was his second winner in two league games, and sent City clear of third-placed Hull.

Anthony Knockaert had fired City into a first-half lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers with his eighth goal of the season – and City seemed in complete control.

But Bakary Sako scored a superb equaliser at the start of the second half and it looked like being a frustrating evening for the home side until Nugent scored his wonderful winner.

City went into the game on the back of a four league victories and faced a Wolves side that had not won in seven, and the first half mirrored that form.

City were bristling from the off with Knockaert, who shook off an ankle injury to play, orchestrating the attacks as they laid siege to Carl Ikeme's goal in the early stages.

It was no surprise, then, when Knockaert fired City ahead in the 24th minute.

He was superbly picked out by goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel's long clearance and then beat left-back Stephen Ward before firing past Ikeme from an acute angle.

City should have gone into the break further ahead, such was their dominance, but Ben Marshall wasted the best opportunity when he was teed up on the edge of the box, but fired over.

Wolves then belied their recent poor form at the start of the second half and Sako, the man who earned Wolves a victory over City earlier in the season at Molineux, scored a thunderous equaliser.

Things weren't going City's way and they had a strong shout for a penalty waved away when Marshall's shot struck Christophe Berra's arm, and they struggled to regain their grip on the game.

However, it was settled when Nugent produced a vintage strike in the 73rd minute when he cut in off the left flank and buried a curling effort past Ikeme.

An unusually poor touch from Nugent denied him a second – and City a third – shortly afterwards and they almost paid the price as Sylvan Ebanks-Blake came close on three occasions and even struck the post in a frantic end to the game.

City held on for another hard-fought victory, and can now relax on Saturday as their rivals attempt to stop them opening up a gap in the race for the Premier League.

Striker David Nugent secured three vital points for Leicester City with a wonderful strike to beat Wolves 2-1 at the King Power Stadium.

The experienced centre forward's goal came as a Wolves side fought back after a first-half strike by City's Frenchman Anthony Knockaert.

The win was City's fifth on the trot and gave them a three-point cushion over third-placed Hull in the fight for the two automatic promotion places.

The visitors struggled to settle into the  Championship match and deservedly went behind to the Knockaert strike, but fought back with a spectacular 51st-minute equaliser from midfielder Bakary Sako.

Despite Wolves looking a much-improved team after the break, David Nugent sealed all three points in the 73rd minute.

Both teams made four changes to the sides that started their weekend fixtures, with Wolves manager Saunders handing a full league debut to defender Danny Batth as Roger Johnson began his three-match ban for a red card picked up against Blackpool on Saturday.

Leicester started brightly and went close to opening the scoring in the fourth minute with a long-range effort from Nugent, before Knockaert fired a 25-yard strike narrowly over the crossbar just minutes later.

Wolves almost went ahead against the run of play in the 15th minute, when Kasper Schmeichel punched the ball into the path of Sako, who aimed a powerful pass across the six-yard box, narrowly out of the reach of Sylvan Ebanks-Blake's outstretched foot.

Recent Leicester signing Chris Wood almost added to his already-healthy goalscoring account at the club with a dipping effort from 25 yards out, but the strike crept just over the crossbar.

The Foxes made their considerable pressure count on 24 minutes, when Knockaert dribbled the ball into the Wolves area unchallenged, created an angle for himself, and fired past Carl Ikeme, whose touch was not enough to turn the effort around the post.

The impressive Knockaert continued to cause problems for the Wolves defence and had calls for a penalty denied after feeling a nudge in the back from Sako.

Karl Henry was lucky to still be on the field minutes later after his reckless challenge caught the ankle of Andy King, but referee Robert Madley felt a free-kick was punishment enough.

Leicester continued to dominate, but were unable to extend their lead before the break, despite a glorious opportunity for Ben Marshall on the stroke of half-time.

Wolves made the best possible start to the second half, with Sako firing a spectacular equaliser into the bottom-right corner of the goal from the edge of the penalty area in the 51st minute.

The visitors looked a much-improved side after the equaliser, but Nugent produced a superb solo goal from the edge of the Wolves area to put Leicester back in control.

He could have doubled his tally five minutes from time when the ball fell to him on the edge of the six-yard box - but the striker could not find the finish.

Wolves had a flurry of chances in the closing stages, Ebanks-Blake going agonisingly close to pulling Wolves level with an effort that struck the foot of a post.

A man convicted of raping and attempting to murder a woman on an isolated track was warned he could be facing life imprisonment.

Judge Simon Hammond said the pregnant victim, a prostitute, would have died if two milkmen had not chanced upon the scene.

He said it was "a miracle" she survived her violent ordeal at the hands of Arturas Ardavicius, who fled when two milk floats appeared.

The 26-year-old defendant was found guilty by a Leicester Crown Court jury yesterday of attempted murder and two counts of rape.

Judge Hammond told Ardavicius, a Lithuanian national: "If it's not a life sentence, it's going to be 20 years or so."

He said: "On the face of it, this man is a very serious danger.

"I'm giving a public commendation to the two milkmen from Kirby and West.

"I've no doubt if they hadn't happened to drive by, this woman would have been murdered.

"She behaved with huge courage and dignity when she gave evidence.

"Prostitutes are entitled to the protection of the courts.

"Like all women, they are entitled to be protected from wicked men."

Ardavicius picked up the 31-year-old woman in the Highfields area of the city.

He drove her to a remote dirt track on Richard III Road, near the depot of Kirby and West's dairy, in Leicester.

Ardavicius suddenly turned violent during consensual sex in his car.

He twice throttled his vivtim until she blacked out, smiling with pleasure while squeezing her neck. He then twice raped her.

Petrified, she was unable to fight him off.

When she tried to run away, he chased her and forced her to the ground, in the early hours of July 7 last year.

She said: "He grabbed my windpipe and stuck his fingers down my throat, like he was trying to rip my throat out. I was gagging and could feel myself passing out."

She said she imagined her mother identifying her dead body.

She told the court: "I remember seeing bright lights and as soon as he saw the milk floats he got up and ran off."

She said the two Kirby and West milkmen, who stopped to help her, saved her life and she was "lucky to be alive."

Ardavicius (26), of Bonchurch Street, off Fosse Road North, Leicester, denied the offences.

A jury of 10 women and two men rejected his defence claim that the woman stole his wallet and he was only holding her in a headlock, trying to get his money back, when the milkmen arrived.

The dairy workers, who took her to their depot, found her distraught, with ripped clothing and strangulation marks on her neck.

Judge Hammond also commended Dc Nikki McLatchie, of the police rape specialist Signal Team, for leading a "skilful and thorough investigation."

He said the defendant took "every step" to cover his tracks, including cleaning out his car, taking identifying flags from it and deleting messages from his phone. He was traced through traffic camera footage of his car.

Ardavicius, a haulage firm warehouse worker, was jailed in Lithuania for a stabbing during a fight when he was aged 17.

Sentencing was adjourned until March 15, for a pre-sentence report.

Self-taught artist Peter Bunney has turned his house into an art gallery.

The 80-year-old former stone mason is putting nearly five decades of work up for sale by exhibiting it at his four-bedroomed home in Western Park, Leicester.

Peter, a former cartoonist at the Mercury, said: "I am knocking on a bit and can't take this stuff with me, so I felt the time was right to show it off.

"This is, in effect, a lifetime's work and I would like people to see it and maybe derive some kind of pleasure from it."

Peter, who has two children and four grandchildren, is to display the 140 pieces of work in the front lounge, dining room, back bedroom, hall and kitchen.

Peter started an apprenticeship after leaving the Gateway School at the age of 14. He said: "The thought of painting or creating works of art was a million miles from my world then. My world was going to work to earn some money.

"The apprenticeship lasted seven years and after that my days were full of scaling up very high steeples doing stone work.

"I realised it was a young man's job and I knew I had to do something else."

Peter, who lives with his wife Sandy, 65, changed career and took up a job as a pollution officer with Leicester City Council.

He said: "It was slightly less dangerous than being hundreds of feet up and gave me more time to think about things.

"I had always liked drawing so I decided with my extra leisure time I would give it a go."

One day, a postcard of a the picturesque Cornish fishing village of Polperro landed on his doormat at home.

He said: "The postcard wasn't even for us but something seemed to be telling me that I should paint it.

"I painted the view in the postcard, then quickly passed it on to the rightful owner.

"Once I had done that painting, my life changed forever. I was hooked on art.

"It was such a release for me and a labour of love. I did stone carvings, wood carvings, ceramics and even sculptures.

"I let my imagination run riot and now I want to show what I have been up to all these years. It would be nice if people like my work but I just want to share it.

"If anyone wants to buy any of my exhibits then I am sure we can come to some sort of agreement."

Samantha Whelan, director of Pedestrian – a creative education charity which has a gallery in Rutland Street, Leicester – praised Peter's initiative.

She said: "This just shows it is never too late to get involved with art. It is great that this artist is displaying his work in such an innovative fashion."

The exhibition, which starts on March 1, is by invitation only.

Anyone who wants to see the exhibition can call Peter on 0116 285 8548 or e-mail him at:

peter@pbunney.wanadoo

On Monday, we will learn whether the skeleton found underneath a Leicester car park really is that of King Richard III. Readers will recall that the circumstantial evidence is strong.

University of Leicester experts revealed in September last year that the skeleton had injuries to the skull and a barbed iron arrowhead in its back.

This is consistent with some historical sources which suggest the king was pulled from his horse and killed with a blow to the head.

The skeleton also showed severe scoliosis – a curvature of the spine.

Although this is not as pronounced as Shakespeare's portrayal of the king as a hunchback, it would have given the appearance of one shoulder being higher than the other.

The site at which the skeleton was found also supports the theory that it is Richard.

After his death at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485, his body was taken to Leicester and publicly displayed.

Historians believe he was then buried at the Franciscan friary of Greyfriars, a low-key site chosen to avoid any sort of cult developing around his grave.

Although the friary was demolished in the 16th century, historical records remain which describe the burial site and this is what guided the excavation of the car park which began last August.

Since the discovery of the skeleton, university experts have been carrying out tests to try to confirm whether or not the remains are those of the king. This research has included DNA extracted from the bones and tested against that of descendants of Richard's family.

On Monday, there will be a press conference in Leicester where the results will be revealed.

Everybody will, of course, be hoping that this will provide confirmation that the remains are those of Richard III and we await the announcement with bated breath.

Whatever the outcome this has been a remarkable story which has captured the imagination of people across the world.

It has showcased the expertise of the University of Leicester and shone a spotlight on this city's rich history.

Now let's hope that it does turn out to be him. That would be the crowning glory!

A former miner who was chairman of a brass band for 40 years was given a send-off by 25 of his fellow musicians at his funeral.

Jim Ball, who was chairman of the Leicestershire Co-op (Snibston) Band for 40 years, died of a heart attack on January 19 as he was setting off to watch the band perform in a competition.

On Thursday, about 100 mourners gathered for his funeral at St John The Baptist Church, in Hugglescote, near Coalville, where his band, as well as some members of the Ratby and Enderby bands, played the music for hymns including Abide With Me and I Walk With God.

Mr Ball, 76, of Greenhill, Coalville, who was a miner for more than 30 years, collapsed as he was about to set off to watch the band perform in the Butlin's Mineworkers competition at Butlin's in Skegness.

Mr Ball's widow, Joan, 77, has been the band's secretary for 34 years, son Gary, 50, plays the cornet, daughter Sue Boyles, plays tenor horn and her husband Steve plays the e-flat bass.

Joan said: "A lot of people said they had never heard a brass band play at a funeral before.

"It was lovely, a very emotional time and it was unbelievable how it went.

"He had a good send-off. There were one or two old players who came to play because they thought so much of him."

Gary said the family were going to Skegness for a contest and had got in the car when his father had a heart attack.

He was driven to Coalville hospital, before paramedics took him to Leicester Royal Infirmary, where he died.

Gary said: "The band were due to play in a competition and asked us if we wanted them to pull out, but dad wouldn't have wanted that.

"Their performance was about dad primarily, it was like a memorial performance to him. The band went on stage for him, nobody else.

"We've had support from all the local bands. It has been tremendous. Dad was connected with the band for 40 years and although he never played he was the chairman for 30 years.

"He never missed a concert or a competition."

Mr Ball was born in Hugglescote, where his funeral was held.

Joan said: "He loved the church there, he always had a soft spot for it, he liked to hear the peel of its bells.

"We've had such a response to his death from the band community and the wider community, it has overwhelmed us, it's really unbelievable.

"We never realised the amount of people he'd had contact with over the years. It makes you realise how involved he was with everything."

The band's musical director Graham Jacklin said: "Jim will be much missed. Although he never played, he was always at rehearsals and never missed a concert or contest despite his health and mobility failing in later years."

A van driver, who injured two police officers when he reversed into a patrol car they were sitting in, has been jailed.

David Batey (30) was stopped in a Transit van in Woodhouse Road, Woodhouse Eaves, at 1.30am on September 9.

Pcs Lee Thompson and Stacey Howe were initially suspicious about property in the back of the vehicle, which also turned out to have false number plates.

He gave them his correct name and details.

When the officers returned to the patrol car to make radio checks, Batey suddenly reversed, at between 5mph and 10mph, striking their car.

Alan Murphy, prosecuting, told Leicester Crown Court that both officers suffered whiplash injuries and were off work for four weeks.

They have since returned to normal duties.

Mr Murphy said Batey may have driven off because of what was in the back of the van, which the officers were about to investigate.

Batey, a father of two, of Gladstone Street, Hathern, handed himself in at a police station.

He was on early release licence at the time from a five-year jail sentence for two street robberies.

His parole was revoked and he was recalled to serve the remainder of the sentence, due to expire in July.

Batey admitted causing actual bodily harm to both officers.

He was given a nine-month jail sentence and banned from driving for a year.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Pert QC said: "He deliberately used a van as a weapon."

Christopher Brewin, mitigating, said: "It was a moment of madness his bitterly regrets.

"He didn't intend to injure the officers."

Unsung heroes have been thrust into the spotlight and honoured for their caring, devotion and dedication to others.

Nominees for the inaugural Leicester Mercury Carers of the Year Awards 2012 attended a ceremony at St Martin's House, in Leicester, on Thursday.

The 26 finalists in nine categories and the overall winner were selected from dozens of nominations received by the Mercury in the past four months.

BBC Radio Leicester pre-senter Julie Mayer hosted the event at St Martin's House as winners were chosen in nine categories.

Sharon Bee's selfless dedication to Leicester Stroke Club (Friday Group) saw her crowned as overall Carer of the Year.

Sharon, 59, of Thornton, only became involved with the organisation when she took a relative along to the group.

Sharon, who also won the voluntary sector worker of the year award, said: "That was seven years ago and I now run the group and I love it.

"I feel privileged and very surprised to receive not one but two awards.

Sharon, who was nominated by 17 people, won a five-day, £1,000 trip to either the Isle of Wight or Cornwall with Woods Coaches, with £500 spending money.

She said: "I can't make my mind up where to go, but I know I will give the £500 to the group because we need the cash."

Young mum Nicola Carter was chosen as Young Carer of the Year.

The 22-year-old, from Wigston, has surprised colleagues with maturity, experience and caring ability beyond her years when caring for a 54-year-old multiple sclerosis sufferer.

She said: "I can't believe I have won this award.

"It felt so great to go up there on the stage."

Chrissie Rhodes, assistant manager at Thurncourt Residential Home, was delighted to receive the Care Home of the Year Award.

She said: "I am honoured to get this on behalf of all the team at Thurncourt.

"It is rare for a council-run home to get such recognition.

"It is lovely to get nominated for an award and to actually win it."

Kevin Brown, managing director of main sponsor Woods Coaches, said he felt humbled to be sharing a room with such caring people.

Mr Brown gave a moving speech describing how he and his wife had to choose a care home for his father-in-law, Ernie, after he began to suffer from Alzheimer's disease.

He said: "I have had personal, first-hand experience through Ernie of just how brilliant these carers can be.

"They perform a vital duty in our lives and at times do not get the recognition they so richly deserve.

"We are delighted to be able to sponsor these awards so that we can highlight the wonderful work these carers do day in day out."

Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth, said: "The care system relies on the commitment of countless individuals across the country, including here in Leicestershire. Some are volunteers who give their time and energy through their devotion to a friend or relative.

"Others are paid care staff who go the extra mile to help those in need.

"All of them set an example which is both inspiring and humbling.

"The crucial role they play often goes unsung.

"That work deserves more recognition and needs to be celebrated.

"That is why the Leicester Mercury launched the Carer of the Year Awards."

Each category winner won a seat on a Woods coaches mystery tour weekend with £100 spending money.

A dumped settee caught fire in a stairwell at a block of flats, blocking the fire exit.

Firefighters who tackled the blaze at the flats in Rutland Street, Melton, on Thursday night told residents to stay inside while they dealt with the fire.

Firefighters were called to the flats, near Morrisons supermarket, at about 5.25pm.

Initial reports said a flat was on fire, trapping four people and a dog, but firefighters found the fire was confined to the bottom of an internal staircase.

Incident commander Bill Smith, of Melton fire station, said there were five people and two dogs in four of the flats at the time of the blaze.

He said: "At this stage, we don't know how the settee was ignited. The fire caused smoke- logging to two floors of flats, which worried the residents. We put the fire out and told them to stay inside."

A woman who inhaled a small amount of smoke was checked over by paramedics.

Mr Smith said: "It's very dangerous to discard any combustible materials at a fire exit. If it ignites, people can't escape.

"We also need to make sure people have smoke detectors fitted and working and that they test them regularly."

Four firefighters wearing breathing equipment dealt with the fire and ventilated smoke from all the floors of the flats.

An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire.

Campaigners against plans to build 4,500 homes on green fields are using evocative pictures of the threatened landscape to raise money to fight the project.

They said the rolling countryside around Barkby, Barkby Thorpe and Thurmaston – which has been earmarked for the homes in a proposed plan by Charnwood Borough Council – will disappear if the development goes ahead.

Barkby and Barkby Thorpe Parishes Action Group (Babtag) has produced the book of photos of views taken by member Nick Toms.

Owen Bentley, chairman of Babtag, said: "Particularly poignant is the sunset picture of the 'ballerina' tree, which stands guard in the field next to a current development of 150 houses on the border with the city on the road to Barkby Thorpe."

He said the picture of the tree and the photo-book were being auctioned at a fund-raising dinner in Barkby village hall this evening.

He said: "We hope to raise £1,500 from the event, which will go towards the costs of hiring transport consultants to better oppose the unwanted new town."

"We want people to realise what a loss this productive countryside will be if it is ever replaced by a new town that will bring traffic gridlock to the area."

Charnwood Borough Council is due to publish a final report on the traffic impact of the proposed development on Friday.

It will be part of the evidence to be considered in the preparation of a borough-wide planning document called the core strategy.

A spokesman for the council said: "Residents will have a chance to tell us whether they think the plan is the right one for Charnwood during a consultation period after March."