Live news blog (Nov 5): Are students drinking less alcohol?

4:30pm: Traffic Latest

There is a blockage on the A6 London road out of Leicester.

Police are investigating reports of a crash.

4.21pm: Are students drinking less alcohol than previous generations?

Shock…reports suggest today’s students may be drinking less alcohol – or even no alcohol. Samantha Johnston and Megan Livingstone investigate how true this is on the DMU campus.

4.05pm: Still at least one fireworks display in Leicester tonight

Several Fireworks Night events have been cancelled but the Crow’s Nest Pub in Glenfield Road is still planning to go ahead with its own fireworks event in its car park, as Ben Sanderson reports.

3.50pm: Former US Congressmen to share insights in Leicester tonight

Two former US Congressmen will be discussing the challenges facing American politics at a talk to DMU students this evening. Shaikha Ramini reports.

3.28pm: Students urged to make sure they’ve registered to vote in General Election

With a date finally set for a General Election on Thursday, December 12, students in Leicester are being urged to make sure they don’t miss out on voting.

Molly Kerridge takes a look at why students have to act quickly – deciding where they plan to be on December 12 to vote, at home or at university, and then getting themselves registered to vote.

3.19pm: Pet owners call for changes to fireworks laws

A petition calling for law changes to protect pets from fireworks fear is quickly gathering a flood of supporters.

Emily Rooney investigates how the petition was started by Susan Paterson after her 18-week-old terrier died on Saturday, reportedly as a result of a loud display nearby.

3pm: Underweight baby hedgehogs struggling to survive

Aah, a touching report here about baby hedgehogs struggling to survive as a result of one of the wettest summers on record.

Molly Kerridge uncovers why so many are underweight and how the Leicestershire Wildlife Hospital is stepping in to save them.

Many orphaned hedgehogs are hand reared and released back into the wild.

2.50pm: UPDATE witness recounts seeing aftermath of motorbiker crash

An eyewitness has contacted the Leicestershire Press to describe the scene after a biker was injured in a collision with a car in Western Boulevard in Leicester at 4.20pm yesterday.

Read Abigail Beresford and Jazmine Cartwright’s full report.

1.26pm: Pupils to the rescue after poppies stolen

Primary school pupils have been drafted in after a Remembrance Day memorial of handmade poppies was ruined by thieves.

Luke Williamson reports on how the heartless thieves took the poppies from the display in Measham Road, Moira.

1.14pm: Resident complains about incessant noise from building work on new city hotel

The incessant noise from a building site where a new city centre hotel is being built is driving one nearby resident up the wall. Watch his video in Andre Sobol’s report.

12.57pm: Flood warning issued for Leicestershire

A flood risk has been issued today for the Lower River Soar in Leicestershire. Drivers are being advised to steer clear of the at-risk areas. Abigail Beresford reports.

Slash Lane has flooded in the past. (© Copyright Mat Fascione)

11.48am: Police appeal for information after pedestrian injured in hit and run

A car failed to stop for police after colliding with a pedestrian in Beaumont Leys in Leicester on Saturday morning.

Police are urging witnesses to come forward about the incident, and to phone 101, quoting the incident number 239.

The accident happened at about 11.50am on Saturday, when the pedestrian was in collision with a blue Vauxhall Corsa near Astill Lodge Road, Beaumont Leys.

The pedestrian was a middle-aged woman, who was later taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary and was treated for her injuries. She has since been discharged.

Police said the car was abandoned in Blackthorn Drive, after leaving the scene.

Officers have arrested at 29-year-old man from Coalville on suspicion of dangerous driving who was later released under investigation.

11.21am: Criminology student spends a week helping special needs children

Panashe Chenjera

A student so enjoyed taking a week out from his studies to help children with special educational needs that he would love to do it again. Ben Sanderson reports.

10.58am: Appeal for witnesses to road crash

A motorcyclist was seriously injured after being in a collision with a car last night, leading to Western Boulevard in Leicester being closed for more than five hours.
The biker was in collision with a silver Toyota Corolla at about 4.20pm yesterday evening. The emergency services were called to the scene and the road was formally closed at 5.20pm.
The injured motorcyclist was taken to hospital with serious injuries, but the driver of the car was not hurt.
Leicestershire Police said Western Boulevard was closed off up to the junction with Mill Lane until 10.49pm, once the scene had been cleared.
Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call police on 101.