3:40pm: Slideshow: All the pictures from the Royal visit to Leicester
View all the photos taken by our reporters of Prince Charles and Camilla’s visit to Leicester.
3:30pm: #DMUpride preview: #DMUPRIDE AT PHOENIX
The #DMUpride celebration will include a trip to Phoenix Cinema this Thursday (February 12) to watch Breakfast on Pluto.
Read Oliver Taylor‘s full preview.
3:15pm: Remaining schedule for #DMUpride month
Check out the schedule for DMUpride month, lots of fun events going on. Highlights include visits from Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK star Vinegar Strokes, Sunday Times bestselling author Jack Monroe and BBC personality Richie Anderson.
Read the schedule by Oliver Taylor.
3:00pm: Students at DMU are being urged to give blood today
The NHS Blood and Transplant stand has come to De Montfort University and is in the Students’ Union building today until 2.30pm.
If interested they are running tests to tell students their blood type and to stress the importance of giving blood and saving lives.
Read Khrista Davis‘ full preview.
2.05pm: And they’re gone. The Royals have moved on to their next appointment in Leicester.
The crowds are still milling around as The Royals begin to leave the newly named The Green Dragon Square. There is still a buzz in the atmosphere in the square.
As they walked through to the marketplace, Camilla said: “It’s a bit cold.” Charles added: “It’s a special occasion to visit Leicester. I apologise for keeping you from shopping in your splendid Leicester Market.”
1.45pm: Here’s our reporter Adam Dutton speaking to Prince Charles.
1.34pm: And the Royal car has just pulled up in the city centre
Watch our Facebook Live broadcast – Prince Charles and Camilla have just arrived in New Market Square https://www.facebook.com/The-Leicestershire-Press-410459192439665/
1:22pm: Spotted Markfield sees rise in claims of suspicious activity around the area
Facebook page, Spotted Markfield ,has seen a rise in posts warning of suspicious individuals following people home from around the area.
Claims have come from Markfield, as well as neighbouring villages Thornton and Bagworth, with the suspicion that it isn’t just coincidental and could be of a more sinister nature than first hoped.
Read Harry Shellard‘s full preview.
1:18pm: Walker tackling Leicester Round through pub walks is wanting others to join him
A local man who is aiming to complete the famed ‘Leicestershire Round’ through a series of planned pub walks is asking for like-minded individuals to join him.
Andy Knight, 64, a lorry driver from Broughton Astley, has planned every aspect of each of the routes and expects to start the first stage on Sunday, February 16.
He wants to encourage people to join him on his various stages of the ‘Round’, with him posting the routes of his walks onto his website in a bid to inspire other walkers.
Read Adam Dutton‘s full preview.
1:15pm: DMU Equestrian Team set to hold Charity Ball
De Montfort University’s Equestrian Team is holding a charity ball in aid of Riding for the Disabled Association, this Saturday February 15.
The black-tie event will take place in The City Rooms hotel from 7pm-1am, providing a three-course meal, discounted drinks and a raffle.
Read Erik Dawson‘s full preview.
1:10pm: Leicester cafe MedEx sees increase in students trying CBD to help battle stress and anxiety
With CBD products recently becoming legal, Leicester is seeing a rise in students using CBD cafes and shops.
One of the first CBD cafes that opened in Leicester last September, MedEx, has seen an increasing number of student visitors.
Read Adam Rear‘s full preview.
12:30pm: Launch of the Leicestershire Press Royal visit Facebook Live.
View the Leicestershire Press Facebook Live covering the Royal visit.
12:20pm: Van Gogh immersive experience comes to Leicester
The second UK location of The Van Gogh The Immersive Experience opened in Leicester on Friday (FEB 7).
Leicester All Saints Church is the second UK location to house the state-of-the-art projections, sound show and virtual reality which form the installation.
Read Isobel Rix‘s full preview.
12:10pm: A De Montfort University student has expressed his frustration after persistent late-night building work next at his accommodation has “ruined” his first year of university.
Builders have been operating loud machinery feet away from Callum’s ground floor room since the beginning of the academic year.
He says the work often occurs throughout the night.
The noise is so loud and continuous that he cannot focus on completing university work.
Read Alexander Hodgkins-Jones‘ full preview plus a video of the noise.
12:05pm: DMU pledges support for Armed Forces
De Montfort University (DMU) has joined eight other East Midlands universities by signing up to the Armed Forces Covenant.
Some benefits include collaborative research among universities, for the benefit of the military, and work placement opportunities for students.
Read Luke Pawley‘s full preview.
12:00pm: Confucius Institute to hold Mandarin skills competition
The Confucius Institute at De Montfort University will be holding a competition for students to showcase their Mandarin skills this Friday, (FEB14) at 2pm.
Read Oliver Taylor‘s full preview.
11:55am: De Montfort Students’ Union hosts Valentine’s day drag extravaganza
As part of the DMU Pride week, the De Montfort Students’ Union are hosting a drag Valentine’s extravaganza.
This Valentine’s Day (FEB14) students can look forward to live performances from various UK drag queens.
Read Adam Rear‘s full preview.
11:50am: DMU dance students volunteer with Moving Together, connecting Leicester with the arts
Moving Together, a dance company based in the East Midlands, are running volunteer sessions in partnership with De Montfort University (DMU) to encourage community involvement in the arts.
The sessions were open for all year six, seven and eight children in the Leicester area to sign up to, working towards their Arts Award.
Read Isobel Rix‘s full preview.
11:45am: “The little drag who could”: Lady P visits DMU on the first week of Pride
Marcus Hunter-Neill, known as Lady Portia Diamante, visited De Montfort University (DMU) on Tuesday(FEB4) for a cabaret performance and an inspirational talk about homophobia and bigotry in the UK.
The radio and television presenter for BBC Northern Ireland shared his own experience of homophobia, dyslexia and homelessness to promote LGBTQ+ equality.
Read Beatriz Abreu Ferreira‘s full preview.
11:40am: DMUactive encourage students to wear bright clothing at sessions for DMU Pride month
DMUPride is heading into its sixth year with many activities going on all centered around LGBTQ+ history month.
Some of them are offered by DMUactive who are encouraging students this month to get involved in recreational sport.
Despite being offered all around the academic year, people who attend are being asked to come in bright coloured clothing to show support for the LGBTQ+ community when going to their sessions.
Read Samuel Gill‘s full preview.
11:28am: Leicestershire female boxer goes professional
A 19-year-old female boxer from Leicestershire has just become a professional in the sport after years of training.
Ellis Hopkins has recently been made the first female boxer from the traveller community to take the step from being an amateur to a professional.
Ellis mentions her inspirations as boxing champions such as Tyson Fury and Katie Taylor, but she has also become an inspiration herself to younger girls in the traveller community.
Read Molly Kerridge‘s full preview.
11:20am: Former pro boxer providing fitness classes across Leicestershire
Former professional boxer Kelton McKenzie is providing a host of boxing and fitness classes for the people of Leicestershire through his Boxercise4health programme.
The Leicester-born boxer fought professionally for 10 years in the featherweight division, ranking fourth in the United Kingdom and 15th in the commonwealth, boasting a record of 14 wins, eight of them coming via knockout.
Read Erik Dawson‘s full preview.
11:15am: Is Ben Chilwell’s England spot in contention?
Despite starting in four of England’s six qualifying games for the 2020 Euros, recent poor form and disciplinary issues have called Leicester City’s Ben Chilwell starting place into question.
However, a lack of proven alternatives could force England manager Gareth Southgate to stick with Chilwell for the upcoming Euro 2020 tournament this summer.
Read Oliver Taylor‘s full preview.
11:07am: University student’s career soars after opening for Deno Driz concert.
A Computer Systems Engineering student from Loughborough, Dami Sowunmi, has had major success since performing as the opening act for rapper Denodriz on JAN30.
Read Khrista Davis‘ full preview.
10:30am: Visitors stranded following train problems due to Storm Ciara.
Storm Ciara wreaked havoc throughout Leicester on Sunday (FEB9) with train cancellations causing many visitors to the city to be stranded.
Most trains out of Leicester were cancelled, with the few remaining services being heavily delayed.
Read James Wynn‘s full preview.
10:25am: Weather update.
Snowfall sightings and high winds have struck the region in recent days, with today(FEB11) set to be another blustery one. Wind speeds are predicted to reach 46mph by noon.
10:08am: Four members of the royal family to visit Leicester today.
The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall will brave the elements today (FEB 11) as they visit several hospitals, charities and businesses around Leicestershire.
Those wishing to catch a glimpse of the royal pair have been advised to gather at the New Market Square, in Leicester, before 12.45pm.
Read Alexander Hodgkins-Jones full preview.
10am: Good morning Leicestershire!
Welcome to today’s live news blog, our reporters will be out and about all day so stay with us.
