Things you didn't know about... Leicester

Legends of nature programmes and films were nurtured in Leicester
Both David and Richard Attenborough attended Wyggeston Boy's School in Leicester, before finding fame as naturalist and film-maker, respectively.

Leicester is famous for frilly knickers
Luxury lingerie designer Janet Reger developed her skills in corsetry and underwear design while she was a student at Leicester College of Arts and Technology (now part of De Montfort University). As her final-year presentation, she designed a matching set of bra, panties and suspender belt.

A Frenchman gave England its first parliament
Simon de Montfort became Earl of Leicester in 1239 after marrying Henry III's sister. In 1265 he forced Henry to establish what some claim was the first English Parliament, the famous Parliament of Bats (so-called because members were banned from bringing swords, so they armed themselves with bats and clubs instead). Despite his close links with Leicester, there is no firm evidence that de Montfort actually visited the place more than briefly.

Leicester was the birthplace of package holidays
Thomas Cook organised his first-ever excursion by rail from Leicester to Loughborough. The idea reportedly came to him while waiting for the stagecoach on the London Road at Kibworth.

Leicester gave Britain its first local radio station
In November 1967, Radio Leicester became the first BBC local radio station.

A football legend was created in Leicester
Gary Lineker first played professional football for his local club, Leicester City FC, where he went on to score 103 goals in 207 games.

Leicester gives Houston a run for its money
The first Space Shuttle simulator outside the US was in Leicester, at the National Space Centre.

Leicester devises the world's first global map of happiness
In 2006, the University of Leicester produced the first-ever "world map of happiness", a global projection of international differences in subjective wellbeing. The list was headed by Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Iceland. The UK came 41st out of 178 countries.

Leicester: officially Britain's first Environment City
In 1990, Leicester was designated Britain's first Environment City, an award which recognised its promotion of environmental improvement and sustainable development. In 1996 it won the European Sustainable City Award. Other subsequent winners of Environment City status include Middlesbrough, Leeds and Peterborough.