Its towering presence was set to spark new life into the city's skyline.

The tallest residential building in Europe, Lumiere was to show the world that Leeds was a city on the up. In more ways than one.

News that building work has now stopped on the project is therefore a massive blow to the city and its ambitions.

Developer Kevin Linfoot insists work will resume once the credit crunch is over.

We sincerely hope it does.

Losing a landmark development as eye-catching and ambitious as Lumiere would be a major setback to our city and its future prospects.

This was about more than just one building.

It was a signal that the new, booming Leeds could compete with the best of them on a level playing field.

Manchester has the £150m Beetham Tower. Leeds was to have Lumiere – a building like nothing else ever seen in our city and one that could match our perennial rivals floor for floor.

In fact, in keeping with traditional Roses rivalry it would be a full two metres taller.

As well as being a statement of Leeds's new-found status as a city to be reckoned with, Lumiere could not have failed to bring in more investment to keep it moving forward.

The dream is not over, but today it looks a lot further away.

A long wait

JUSTICE at last for victims of the deadly asbestos-related cancer mesothelioma.

The Government has finally approved plans to speed up compensation payments, with sufferers assured of around £10,000 within six weeks of diagnosis.

It's a welcome breakthrough for the scores of people who were exposed to asbestos churned out by the infamous JW Roberts factory in Leeds.

The payouts are credit to Leeds West MP John Battle and his long-running campaign.

Sadly it's too late for those poor souls who have long since perished.

Wonder why it's taken ministers so long to see sense?

Couldn't be anything to do with the fact that waiting a decade or so has saved them forking out millions of pounds could it?

Kitted for success

LEEDS United have unveiled their brand new kit for next season.

The natty white and light blue number will be worn by fans as they follow United's fortunes up and down the country next season.

Let's hope it's the shirt that the League One champions are wearing next May too.