Villagers are celebrating after plans to build thousands of homes near their homes were rejected.

Earlier this year hundreds of people in Kirby Muxloe feared 3,500 homes would be built as part of a development proposed by Blaby District Council.

A meeting was held and a campaign begun by the parish council asking people to voice their feelings against the plans.

Now the Kirby Muxloe site, alongside another near Glenfield, has been ruled out in favour of one near Leicester Forest East.

The chosen option has now been put forward to the Government for consideration by the district council.

In January more than 200 people attended a public meeting in Kirby Muxloe to spell out why they were against the development.

At that meeting Ruth Buckingham, chairwoman of parish council, said: "The rural nature and landscape will be lost and Kirby will be surrounded."

The three sites were suggested by the district council as part of their requirement to build 8,650 homes by 2026 to meet Government targets.

A six-week period of public consultation starts on July 30 and a public exhibition will be held at Leicester Forest East Parish Hall on August 18 from 3.30pm to 9pm.

An independent examination of the proposal will be held next year.