Leicester, England News

He was the first punter served when the Pump and Tap opened in 1988 and last night Iain Baughan became one of the last as the beloved pub closed its doors.

A family has been left devastated after irreplaceable war medals were stolen by burglars.

Two kittens were shut in a plastic box and left to die in a bush. Jimmy and George were dumped in bushes near to the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre, in Scudamore Road, Leicester, and were found by a worker at a nearby factory.

The pregnant girlfriend of a teacher killed in a motorcycle accident has spoken of her love for a man determined to improve the lives of his pupils.

Highcross Leicester is to hand out a total of 50,000 to charities and community groups across the region.

Youngsters were terrified when a road-rage driver smashed a school bus window with a crook lock.

Police have denied attempting to duck responsibility for the deaths of a mother and daughter who suffered threats and taunts for more than 10 years.

A woman has died after being found with serious injuries at a community centre. Police cordoned off the area around Manor House Neighbourhood Centre, in the West End of Leicester, after being called at 6pm on Monday.

People are being asked their views about plans to change a main gateway into the city centre.

A school teacher died while riding his motorcycle in the countryside. Mark Elkington, who worked at Stonehill High School in Birstall, died on the A47 Uppingham Road, near Skeffington, at 11.20am on Sunday.

Thousands of people wrapped up warmly and packed out the Town Hall Square in Leicester for the traditional Christmas lights switch-on. They gathered yesterday afternoon to watch the Lady Mayoress, Hilary Blackmore, officially launch the city's Christmas festivities.

A cup presented in memory of a former Leicester Mercury music critic and distinguished composer has been presented for the first time.

Universities are helping to bail out students who have had loans delayed. Tens of thousands of students across the country are still waiting for their first maintenance payments as the Student Loans Company struggles to cope with demand.

He never pulled punches in the ring - now there is no holding him back in his quest to give youngsters a good start in life.

Eighteen jobs have been axed and another 22 are in jeopardy after an engineering firm was hit by falling orders from its biggest customer.

DETECTIVES investigating the case of a mum stabbed to death in her car have charged a man.

It's one way of drumming up cash for Children In Need. Musician Rishi Chowdhury, 24, from Oadby, played traditional Indian percussion for seven hours at Leicester's New Walk Museum last night.

A special school has been hit by a swine flu outbreak. An emergency vaccination programme has been carried out to protect the 148 pupils at West Gate school, New Parks, Leicester.

For many years now, James Bowman has been one of the world's leading countertenors; his name is synonymous with musical excellence whether on the concert platform, the opera stage or the recording studio, writes Neil Crutchley.

A primary school has become the first in the country to take part in a pilot project to help people learn at home.