IF ANYONE could do with a pick-me-up right about now it's Jon Kirkham – and the Samsung Honda rider is hoping that round eight at the Louth team's home circuit, Cadwell Park, will finally put a smile back on his face.

Kirkham, 27, has endured a miserable time of things in this year's MCE Insurance British Superbike season ever since a high-speed crash at Oulton Park back at the start of May.

Early on, Kirkham had looked like a challenger for an end-of-season spot in the Showdown. But the tumble at the Cheshire circuit in round three that saw Kirkham suffer a serious concussion appears to have been a turning point – since then he has a best finish of 12th from nine races.

But after a month's break between Brands Hatch and racing at Cadwell Park this weekend, Kirkham is adamant that happier days are just around the corner.

"My injury has hampered me on the bike," he said.

"In all honesty I've not been enjoying it because it's been a struggle – to be so far off the pace is frustrating.

"The team has been really great though, they're very understanding about why my form has dipped off and they're doing everything they can to get me back.

"I think we are getting back to our best now, the month off has really helped.

"I want to finish the season how I started it really. It's going to take some work but there's no reason we can't be back up there again. I'm confident about Cadwell."

Kirkham's team-mate Michael Laverty meanwhile is thinking about nothing other than podium credits with only two rounds left until the Showdown.

Currently fourth in the standings but with only two race wins to his name, this season Laverty knows Cadwell is a one of his last opportunities to close the gap on leaders Tommy Hill and Shane Byrne.

"I'm definitely confident coming up to Cadwell. You always are when you've got a bit of testing under your belt.

"It's an important time with the Showdown coming up because I've got to get some wins and podium credits in the next two rounds to close the gap."

"At the moment I'm lacking behind Tommy, Shakey and Josh.

"Those are the three guys that are the ones to beat so I'm going to have to focus on what they are doing."

TRIBUTES have been paid to a gentle and family-loving man.

West Ham United supporter Stephen "Butch" Burton, 53, of Grimsby, will be missed by all his family and friends who attended the funeral at St Michael's Church.

He died as the result of a blood clot in his leg.

Stephen was a regular at the Cartergate Social Club and made friends wherever he went with his bubbly and outgoing personality.

It is said he would do anything to help anybody, and used to volunteer at The British Heart Foundation charity shop, in Issacs Hill, Cleethorpes, for many years after he was forced to give up work with a bad back and damaged eye sight.

The former cold-store employee worked on Grimsby Docks for more than 20 years.

His youngest son, Sean Burton, 25, said: "It was a complete shock – we knew he had tests for blood clots but he was very secretive about things like that.

"He went to a wedding the day before with friends, so everyone was devastated when they heard the news.

"My father used to enjoy playing darts, and fishing to catch his tea. But, more importantly, he loved his family and four grandchildren.

"We grew close living together over the years – we helped each other out and he had his stubborn moments now and then."

The family used to take trips to Spain regularly, where Stephen would enjoy making new friends and spending quality time with his family.

Eldest son, Ryan Burton, 30, said: "He was a very happy person and we always used to enjoy going on holiday together – there used to be about 30 of us who went.

"His kindness and popularity was reflected in the 400 people who attended his funeral.

"He was loved by everyone."

And when he died, more than 20 support notices from family and friends were published with his death notice.

Close-family friend Graham O'Rourke described Stephen as a "brother". He said: "I used to join him on all-inclusive holidays and he used to go up to the buffet several times – and if you left anything on your plate he used to just eat it!

"When I revisited a hotel, the staff were asking me where Stephen was – everyone loved his personality.

"He was always in the gossip and used to like to know what was going on. He could chat for England."

Family announcements start on page 27.

Visit www.thisis announcements.co.uk for more tributes.

POLICE have released CCTV footage of an assault near a Cleethorpes nightspot.

Humberside Police detectives have just released the footage from the assault in February – which can be viewed below – in the hope the public can identify the offender.

The incident happened close to After Dark, Sea Road, Cleethorpes at about 4.15am on Sunday, February 26.

A 40-year-old man left the After Dark nightclub with a group of friends with the intention of getting a taxi home.

The group was approached by a group of men who walked out of Waves nightclub.

A verbal altercation took place between members of the two groups. The man was then assaulted, causing him to fall to the floor and lose consciousness.

He was taken to hospital and treated for a suspected fractured skull.

The offender was described as a short male with dark hair which was shaved around the sides and long on the top.

He was wearing a long-sleeved maroon top.

He is thought to have run down the side of the Arnold Palmer golf course, towards Dolphin gardens.

After a number of enquiries, detectives want to speak to anyone who was near where the assault took place.

Anyone with information on the incident should call Humberside Police on 101 quoting crime reference number 1892874.

MORE than a quarter of new mums who gave birth at Grimsby's hospital have admitted to smoking whilst pregnant.

Lighting up can cause premature birth, low birth weight, respiratory problems, behavioural issues, poor intellectual development and even miscarriage.

But 26.1 per cent of the women who delivered at the Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital between April last year and March this year, smoked during their pregnancy – almost double the national average of 13.6 per cent.

The problem is worse in the least affluent wards of North East Lincolnshire – in some of them, one in three mums-to-be declared they were habitual smokers.

Isobel Duckworth, Locum Consultant in Public Health at North East Lincolnshire Care Trust Plus, said: "North East Lincolnshire has one of the highest levels of smoking in pregnancy in England with around a quarter of women in the area smoking throughout their pregnancy.

"This is putting many unborn babies at a serious disadvantage, giving rise to not only an increased risk of premature birth, but also of miscarriage or low birth weight. It really is of great concern to us that so many women still choose to continue to smoke throughout their pregnancy in spite of the very real risks that this poses to both themselves and their unborn child.

"Everyone wants their baby to be healthy and to get the best possible start in life.

"For this to happen, it's absolutely vital that both mums and their partners quit smoking during the pregnancy.

"It's also really important for them to keep their home smoke-free once the baby has been born, to protect the child from the dangerous effects of second hand smoke."

Breathing smoke both before and after birth can lead to respiratory problems such as asthma and bronchitis.

Despite the high numbers – 734 mums out of 2,812 – there has been 2.1 per cent improvement on the 2007/08 figure of 28.2 per cent.

One new mum from Grimsby, who did not wish to be named, said: "I did know that I shouldn't have been smoking while I was pregnant, and I did cut down but it's very hard to stop altogether when you're a smoker.

"I smoked about 20 a day before I fell pregnant and cut down to about three or four a day.

"They kept pushing me to stop and I tried but couldn't stop altogether.

"Now I've had my baby I go outside to smoke so as not to smoke indoors, as I know I shouldn't smoke in front of him."

Trevor Parkin, Tobacco Alliance Co-ordinator for North East Lincolnshire, added: "The problem is much greater in our least affluent wards where as many as one in three pregnant women smoke during their pregnancy compared to only around one in a hundred in Waltham and Haverstoe.

"The number of women smoking in pregnancy is gradually reducing but not nearly as fast as we would like."

The Care Trust Plus would not reveal which of the least affluent wards were affected.

The worst affected place in the UK is Blackpool, where 29.7 per cent of mums-to-be don't give up their habit, and the least affected is Westminster, where 2.9 per cent smoke.

Get help

If you're pregnant and want to stop smoking, ask your maternity care provider or log on to the services website: www.freedomfromsmoke.co.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the service direct on 0845 60321 66.

THE most crucial game of this weekend's Lincolnshire ECB Premier League action must be Louth's visit to Market Deeping.

The home side are just 10 points above Hartsholme and the relegation zone, so a win is vital to make them relatively safe.

However, Louth are still not entirely out of danger and both sides will be playing for the points.

Grimsby Town are also on the road tomorrow, travelling to face Woodhall.

Haxey lead Skegness by 10 points at the top, while the Seasiders are 18 ahead of Bracebridge and 32 up on fourth-placed Sleaford, with Woodhall 15 further adrift.

Tomorrow, Haxey visit Hartsholme, while Skegness host Boston, Bracebridge are home to Bourne, and Sleaford take on Lindum at London Road.

Bracebridge Heath and Woodhall Spa catch up their game in hand when they meet at Jubilee Park on Bank Holiday Monday.

Boston's Jonathan Cheer continues to top the runs table with 665 to his name.

Skegness captain Saeed Bariwala needs one more wicket for his 50 for the season, while four wicket-keepers have more than 20 dismissals with Bracebridge's Hymie Bentley top with 24 and Jim Morgan of Grimsby, above, on 23.

FIXTURES

Saturday

Bracebridge Heath v Bourne; Hartsholme v Haxey; Market Deeping v Louth; Skegness v Boston; Sleaford v Lindum; Woodhall Spa v Grimsby.

Monday

Woodhall Spa v Bracebridge Heath

PETER Hickman is desperate to delight his home crowd at Cadwell Park this weekend with a starring display at MCE Insurance British Superbike round eight – but as much for his future in the sport as his Lincolnshire fan club.

As is customary within the BSB ranks, Hickman is living hand to mouth in the 2012 season, riding short-term for the Buildbase BMW team for the rest of this year with no deal sorted for next term.

Hickman only linked up with the Buildbase team at round five at Knockhill but bagged their best-ever finish a round later at Oulton Park with eighth in race one.

And having used the mid-season BSB month-long break to get some valuable testing in, the 25-year-old is itching to put himself in the shop window at Cadwell Park this weekend.

"I'm not sure about my future on the bike beyond the end of this season yet," he said. "It's based on how the rest of the season goes, so obviously I want to finish as strongly as I can to give a good account for myself.

"Because of that I need to come out all guns blazing for these last few rounds to get as good a result as I possibly can.

"It's been a good break to be honest because I've actually had a chance to test the bike which I wasn't able to do when I first joined the Buildbase team.

"In between all the rounds the weather kept getting in the way of testing so I didn't actually get anything done until we were there at the race weekend.

"We are going to come out fighting at Cadwell Park. I'm aiming to get a top-six finish, and I think we can do that with the steps we are making."

While it is his future Hickman is riding for at Cadwell Park, it is memories of the past that give him confidence ahead of the short trip.

Re-wind 12 months and the Louth ace was celebrating a front-row start at the Lincolnshire circuit – a result that will be fresh in his mind this weekend.

"Cadwell is my local track as well so that gives me extra incentive to get a solid result there. I got on the front row last year so I want to at least replicate that again this time around," he added.

"The atmosphere is always mega at Cadwell as well – it's always a good weekend for everyone who goes along and hopefully we can get a strong result under our belt and continue on from there."

British Eurosport is the Home of Bikes, showing all MotoGP, World Superbike and British Superbike races on Sky channels 410 and 411 and Virgin Media channels 521 and 525 as well as eurosportplayer.co.uk

GRIMSBY Town's bosses may dip into the transfer market to boost their attacking options.

As reported, the Mariners were dealt a blow this week after last season's top scorer Liam Hearn was ruled out with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

That leaves joint-managers Rob Scott and Paul Hurst with four strikers to choose from ahead of tomorrow's Blue Square Bet Premier clash at Wrexham (5.15pm).

But Hurst admits they have discussed the prospect of acquiring another centre-forward to bolster their forward line.

He told the Telegraph: "We've spoken about bringing someone in.

"In terms of a centre-forward, we only got the news about how long Liam would be out this week and that's something we'll have to monitor.

"But if we feel we need to get one in and someone is available that could make a difference to the squad, then we'll act on that.

"We've got a list of players in different positions that we've looked at previously, so if someone goes down injured we can move quickly if we need to.

"But having a list and actually finding out who's available is two different things.

"Currently it's looking very unlikely that we will get anyone in ahead of the Wrexham game – we were hoping to, but things haven't quite developed as we would have liked."

Hurst and Scott have made no secret of the fact that they are looking to add another winger to their squad.

But this search has also proved frustrating for the managerial duo.

"We spoke to three managers on Thursday about players and at the moment they're all a 'no'," Hurst added.

"Part of that is about wanting to keep their squads in tact, while others are just not available at this time.

"We'll keep enquiring and keep watching games and sooner or later one will drop for us.

"With seven subs in the Football League a lot of managers are more reluctant to let players out, or the players they want to move on are not up to the standard we want.

"Certainly in terms of league players, that change of rule has made things more difficult.

"There's no point getting someone in and then finding they're going to be sat in the stand or on the bench, so the search continues for us."

CLEETHORPES 1sts, 2nds and 3rds all have two fixtures each over a busy Bank Holiday Weekend schedule.

The first-string travel to Castleford tomorrow before entertaining Yorkshire Academy at Chichester Road on Monday.

Both James and Alex Osmond are deemed fit enough to return to the side that enjoyed back-to-back wins over Barnsley and Doncaster last weekend.

They replace Indy Hayre and Fred Lumby who both feature for the 2nds.

Phil Hutchinson also keeps his place after an impressive debut against Barnsley.

Castleford currently sit bottom of the Yorkshire League but always provide a stern test, with Cleethorpes looking to continue their upturn in form.

They keep an unchanged line-up for the Yorkshire Academy encounter.

Cleethorpes 2nds face Caistor at home tomorrow with young off spinner Ed Lumby retaining his place after a brilliant five-wicket haul on debut at Broughton last Saturday.

Callum Robinson is unavailable, as is Lumby, for the trip to Cherry Willingham on Monday although Matt Owen returns to the side after being rested .

Paul Hewstone's 3rds are in desperate need of a result as they currently lie bottom of the first division.

They face Appleby Frodingham 2nds at home tomorrow before facing local rivals Holton-le-Clay on Monday.

Yaniv Judah returns after knee surgery for both encounters.

Cleethorpes 4ths face South Kelsey 2nds tomorrow.

Tomorrow

First XI: Castleford, away. Meet at 9.30am. J Osmond (capt), B Kirby, R Osmond, A Osmond, C Tomlinson, P Sunley, G Hume, H Clewett, J Mansfield (wk), A Ellis, P Hutchinson. Scorer: G Hackney.

Second XI: Caistor, home. Meet at 11.30am. A Haith (capt), C Robinson, I Mansfield, B Marris (wkt), Shu Yao, I Hayre, S Airey, J Farmery, F Lumby, J Zielinski, E Lumby. Scorer: B Peacock.

Fourth XI: South Kelsey 2nds, away. Meet at 11.30am. K Blewitt (capt/wkt), J Todd, R Cowlam, O King, D Healey, R Pearson, S Hilton, H Tasker, K Hall, R Kirk, C Carter. Scorer: M Lewis.

Sunday

Third XI: Appleby Frodingham 2nds, home. Meet at 12.30. B Marris (capt/wkt), D Mansfield, S Harvey, R Cowlam, N Judah, Y Judah, L Markham, R Woodward, M Owen, A Severn, D Cressey. Scorer: M Lewis.

Academy XI: Southbank, away. Meet at 12.30. J Mansfield (capt/wkt), Shu Yao, I Mansfield, E Lumby, K Hall, H Smith, M Smith, H Tasker, C Carter, T Morely, T Rollinson.

Monday

First XI: Yorkshire Academy, home. Meet at 9.30am. J Osmond (capt), B Kirby, R Osmond, A Osmond, C Tomlinson, P Sunley, G Hume, H Clewett, J Mansfield (wkt), A Ellis, P Hutchinson. Scorer: G Hackney.

Second XI: Cherry Willingham, away. Meet at 11am. A Haith (capt), I Mansfield, B Marris (wkt), Shu Yao, I Hayre, S Airey, J Farmery, S Harvey, F Lumby, J Zielinski, M Owen. Scorer: B Peacock.

Third XI: Holton-le-Clay, away. Meet at 12 noon. P Hewstone (capt/wkt), D Mansfield, R Cowlam, N Judah, Y Judah, L Markham, R Woodward, S Taylor, M Owen, A Severn, D Cressey. Scorer: M Lewis.

CLEETHORPES Town are hoping to haul in a good crowd as they look to gain revenge against Pontefract Collieries tomorrow (3pm).

With Grimsby Town on the road, and kicking off at 5.15pm, the Owls are hoping to draw more fans to the Bradley Community Stadium – also the home ground of Grimsby Borough – for their latest Northern Counties East League Division One match.

Dave Mann, the club's sponsorship and marketing manager, said: "With Town kicking off later we are hoping some more fans will come along.

"It's just £3 to get in, £1 for kids.

"We were really pleased with the attendance form our last game and hope to build on it."

Tomorrow, Cleethorpes entertain Pontefract Collieries after a two-week break from action since their 3-2 home win against Bottesford Town, which drew a crowd of 170.

Andy Liddle's charges will be hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat inflicted at Collieries in the first round of the League Cup earlier this month.

The match was a fiery affair with Owls players Luke Mascall and Jonathan Oglesby both being sent off.

Liddle, pictured, said: "We played our best football of the season so far at their place in the cup game.

"But we came away with nothing to show for it.

"Our discipline let us down, but we also felt a little hard done to with some of the decisions.

"If we can play at the same level, though, we'll have a good chance.

"Pontefract will know they're in for a tough game.

"But it's a tough challenge for us too – they are one of the favourites for the league; they are a big and physical side and play direct."

JOINT boss Nigel Fanthorpe says his Grimsby Borough team need to be on their guard for tomorrow's Northern Counties East League Division One derby at Louth Town.

The Wilderness Boys head to Park Avenue (3pm) in good form and looking to avenge the 5-0 mauling they suffered on the White Wolves' home territory last season.

Fanthorpe and Steve Newby's Borough have two wins from three games this campaign – and have netted 11 goals.

But Louth, managed by former Grimsby Town striker Daryl Clare, also have their scoring boots on – his team bagged their first league win of the season last Saturday, a 5-3 triumph at Selby Town.

Fanthorpe said: "We've got a bit of confidence running through the team.

"We've got a more-or-less the same group of players so far. Last season we had to chop and change a lot – some weeks we had six or seven missing – and you can't afford to be doing that.

"We are playing decent football. We just need to tighten up and improve off the ball.

"It won't be easy at Louth, and our recent record there isn't great, but we're hoping to get something out of the game.

"We need to set our stall out right, keep things solid, and take our chances.

"There's always a chance we'll score at the other end; there's goals in this team."

Borough will be without forward Luke Fanthorpe, but ex-Mariner Andy Taylor – who bagged a brace in the Wilderness Boys' 3-2 home win against Dinnington Town last Saturday – is likely to start.

Louth will be missing Paul Goodhand and Andy Appleby tomorrow.

But Clare, who succeeded Paul Walden in the Park Avenue hot seat, is confident ahead of the derby – his team's only defeat so far this season is the 2-1 extra-time FA Cup extra preliminary round replay defeat against Glossop North End.

Clare said: "Borough have been scoring quite freely so it will be a tough test for us.

"But I'd like to think that we have been defending pretty well of late and we're looking like a good, organised outfit so it should marry up well and be a good game.

"Apart from the FA Cup defeat –where we were really unlucky – we've had a positive result in every game we've played in.

"If we play to our best on the day then we've definitely got a good chance of winning."

THE race to secure the premier division title should become clearer after the Bank Holiday Weekend, with two rounds of games.

Caistor will be taking on Cleethorpes 2nds at Chichester Road in a derby clash, while Alford journey to Messingham.

Scunthorpe Town entertain Nettleham, while Barton Town, who are also hoping to clinch the championship, enjoy home advantage against Cherry Willingham.

The bottom two will meet up at Broughton, South Kelsey being the visitors.

In division one, second-placed Market Rasen enjoy home advantage aginst Louth 2nds, while Horncastle entertain Holton-le-Clay.

In division two, there are two games of great importance in the lower half of the league, with Caistor 2nds hosting Alkborough 2nds and Grimsby Town 2nds playing Washingborough.

South Kelsey 2nds and Cleethorpes 4ths, who are both some way adrift at the foot of the division three table, meet up in a very important encounter.

Division four leaders Old Lincolnians visit Tetney Lane, the home of Holton-le-Clay 2nds, while second-placed Market Rasen 2nds journey to Gainsborough to take on Morton at the Roses ground.

Third-in-the-table Keelby 2nds host Caistor 3rds.

TOMORROW

Premier division: Barton Town v Cherry Willingham, Broughton v South Kelsey, Cleethorpes 2nds v Caistor, Messingham v Alford, Scunthorpe Town v Nettleham.

Division one: Horncastle v Holton-le-Clay, Market Rasen v Louth 2nds, Outcasts v Scothern.

Division two: Caistor 2nds v Alkborough 2nds, Grimsby Town 2nds v Washingborough, Nettleham 2nds v Messingham 2nds, Owmby v Hartsholme 2nds.

Division three: Alford 2nds v Barton Town 2nds, Cherry Willingham 2nds v Broughton 2nds, South Kelsey 2nds v Cleethorpes 4ths, Haxey 2nds v Hibaldstow.

Division four: Holton-le-Clay 2nds v Old Lincolnians, Hykeham v Scunthorpe Town 3rds, Keelby 2nds v Caistor 3rds, Morton v Market Rasen 2nds, Scothern 2nds v Immingham Blossom Way.

SUNDAY

Division One: Cleethorpes 3rds v Appleby-Frodingham 2nds.

MONDAY

Premier division: Alkborough v Alford, Barton Town v Scunthorpe Town, Cherry Willingham v Cleethorpes 2nds, Messingham v Caistor, Nettleham v Broughton.

Division one: Holton-le-Clay v Cleethorpes 3rds.

Division three: South Kelsey 2nds v Haxey 2nds.

Division four: Caistor 3rds v Morton.

WHETHER you want to clear out your clutter or bag a bargain, a car boot sale is the perfect place to do it.

And thanks to the Grimsby Telegraph, the greatest car boot sale ever to hit North East Lincolnshire is set to happen next month.

As reported, Classified Live will take place on the Laceby Road car park, at the Grimsby Institute, on Saturday, September 8, from 10am to 2pm.

There will be an incredible 150 pitches and thousands of potential bargains for you to browse and enjoy.

Among those who know how brilliant boot sales can be is Margaret Stearn, 58, from East Halton, who regularly attends events at Waltham Windmill, Pennells and the Oaklands Hall Hotel.

Margaret, who is retired and previously worked in publishing, said: "I come to a car boot sale once or twice a month and I love it.

"I make some of the stuff I sell myself, like the jams and pickles, and then the rest is usually given to me by family and friends.

"Car booters are a friendly bunch and I enjoy chatting with customers, especially my regulars.

"I don't really come to make money, it's more about getting out of the house and enjoying myself."

Another car boot regular is Irene Grundman, from Waltham, who attended the last event at Waltham Windmill on Sunday.

Irene, who owns Party Box, in Freeman Street, added: "I enjoy coming to boot sales and it's nice to make some money at the same time as having a nice day out.

"The atmosphere is always good and I enjoy talking to people."

Among the buyers at the latest Waltham Windmill sale were Trish Cummings and her daughter Tracey Carmichal, who bought cushions, a book, a child's toy and a serviette holder between them.

Get involved

If you would like to attend the Telegraph's Classified Live event, sellers can set up from 9am and buyers can arrive from 10am.

It costs £5 per pitch and they must be pre-booked by calling the Telegraph's classified manager, Caroline Whelpton, on 01472 372264.

Trade stands wishing to attend should also call the same number for more details.

A "WALKING miracle" who suffered a brain tumour, stroke and a disease which caused his internal organs to shut down has made such a remarkable recovery that his wife has been able to return to the job she loves.

Steven Waite, 57, of Coral Drive, Waltham, suffered a stroke – caused by an undiagnosed brain tumour – on October 6, 2009.

His wife Michele, 54 – a successful beauty therapist – said: "I noticed the change overnight because he was slurring his words and his behaviour changed.

"He was admitted to hospital a few days after the stroke and he went through a lot of scans and they told us that he had a large brain tumour.

"When the consultant told me I was devastated. I felt that we didn't deserve it and after this everything went very quickly."

The day after Steven was taken ill Michele's mother, Ann Bennett, 75, was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. She has since made a full recovery.

On October 14, Steven was taken to Hull to undergo an eight-hour operation to remove the tumour.

She said: "They told me that he could die and I really didn't expect to hear this, because you go to hospital to get better.

"In the space of a week Steven went from being healthy and walking around to being on the brink of death."

Following the operation, Steven was put into an induced coma and placed on life support, where he was to remain for the next three weeks.

Then, in the middle of December, the family was struck another blow, when Steven had an adverse reaction to his medication and developed Stephen Johnson syndrome, which caused his internal organs to start to shut down.

His reaction was so severe, doctors told Michele to prepare for the worst.

She said: "The doctors said that it was one of the most severe cases they had seen and they told me he would die a few days before Christmas."

The couple's children Clive, 30, and Grace, 24, rushed to his bedside.

Michele said: "We clung to the hope that it would be swift if he had to die.

"On Christmas Eve we arrived at the hospital and his bed was curtained off and everyone was avoiding our eyes and we thought 'this is it'.

"The doctor came out and asked to speak to me and he said it was good news – Steven's body was starting to respond to the treatment, which was amazing.

"I asked if he was going to die and they simply said 'no'.

"There were buckets of tears from me, my mum and my kids. It was the best Christmas present there could be, we sat around his bed for two days crying and laughing."

The emotional toll of Steven's illness meant that Michele could no longer run her business from rooms she rented from a salon, in Wellowgate Grimsby, but she did continue to see as many clients as she could from home.

However, Steven continued to shock doctors with his remarkable recovery and the following February, he was transferred to Goole and District Hospital rehabilitation centre.

He was there until August 2010 when he was allowed to go home.

Mrs Waite said: "He wasn't walking or talking and had lost his short-term memory.

"It was a happy moment having him home, but incredibly hard. I had to help him do everything, including washing him, feeding him and going to the toilet – and this was on top of running a business.

"However, he has shown incredible improvement and his GP said he is a walking miracle.

"He has been able to go swimming, shooting and horse riding and he can walk now his muscles have built up.

"He has changed and our relationship is now like a brother and sister, but I still love him to bits."

The improvement in his condition and the support of carers has now meant that she has been able to rent her own salon-space in Smarty's hair salon, in Sandringham Road, Cleethorpes, where she is looking forward to welcoming clients old and new.

She said: "I want to thank the clients for sticking with me through everything and the business is going very well.

"I now have a stable life and a rosy future, which I never thought would be possible.

"None of this would have been possible without my children, my mum, Foresight, Dial-a-Ride, Trudy Taylor, the hospitals and all our friends. Thank you."

FORMER drivers of the Wonderland Miniature Railway are overjoyed their beloved steam locomotive, Henrietta, is "back where she belongs".

The arrival of the miniature steam train that worked the tracks at the Cleethorpes railway for more than 25 years reunited the old drivers who started working there when they were just nine-years-old – instilling in them a life-time love for locomotives.

And seeing the old engine – which left the resort when the railway closed in 1976 – back by the seaside brought them great joy as they reminisced about the job they described as "a dream come true for any little boy".

Henrietta was bought by Grimsby-born film archivist Rob Foxon and is currently on display as part of the seaside railways exhibition in Griffin Hall Museum at Cleethorpes Coast Light Railway.

Mr Foxon said: "Before we all had grey hair we all worked together on the miniature railway. Henrietta was always my favourite locomotive as it was for many others and when I learned she was up for sale I couldn't resist buying it. I am not broke but I am now badly bent, although it was worth it.

"I wanted to bring her back to Cleethorpes because that is where she spent most of her working life and it is where she belongs. My wife is just as impressed she has returned because she is no longer in our living room!"

Many will recall happy memories of the steam-operated miniature railway which ran around the Boating Lake below the big dipper at Wonderland, carrying thousands of holiday makers during the 1950s and 1960s.

She was built in 1947 by Jack Newbutt for the Kenton Grange miniature railway in north London but when that closed she was bought by the East Coast Amusement Company (Wonderland) and Jack and his family moved to Cleethorpes.

Jack has since died but his son, Mike, also worked at the Wonderland maintaining the locomotives and eventually driving them – including his favourite, the Grimsby Town, the whereabouts of which is sadly unknown.

Mike and his friend, Ray Crome, started working there aged nine-years-old, often working from 9am to 10pm seven days a week.

Mike said: "It was a dream come true for all of us. It was so busy there, it never stopped. It is such a special engine and we have a lot of affection for it."

When Wonderland closed down Henrietta went on to Coniston Miniature Railway and was then bought by the owner, Major Hext where she stayed until his collection was auctioned off following his death last year.

Mr Foxon added: "She was a rich man's toy for too long. She needs to be in Cleethorpes where everyone can see her."

Recalling more happy memories, Doug Best, 89, who was an engineering fitter and photographer for the Wonderland added: "It was such a fun job. The wages were terrible but it was such a nice place to be we could put up with it. It is great to see Henrietta back in Cleethorpes."

Mr Foxon now hopes a demo track will be built at Cleethorpes Light Railway that Henrietta will be able to use.

FORMER Cleethorpes-area fishermen are pleased to see a vandalised area of the Fishermen's Memorial has been repaired but have called for alternative solutions to help protect it.

Damage to the iconic statue was spotted by Lord John Prescott during a visit to the town to seek voters' support for the forthcoming election to choose a new police crime commissioner.

Community worker John Stockton, who believes skateboarders were responsible for the damage, has called for a fence to be erected around the memorial in St James' Square, Grimsby.

However, ex-fishermen said the idea would ruin the purpose of the memorial, as people visit to lay flowers at its base.

Dennis Avery, 70, of Humberston, worked at sea for more than 20 years, including eight years on the Ross Tiger.

He believes a fence would spoil the look of the memorial and alternatives such as banning skateboarders from the area should be examined.

He said: "If John Stockton is correct and it is skateboarders who have caused this damage, then they should be sent elsewhere.

"Putting up a fence has got to be a last resort really.

"Now the floor has been fixed I hope people will respect it and stay away unless they have an interest to be near it.

"I believe any vandalism does come down to respect and these days some people have none.

"It is like the incident with The Boy with the Leaking Boot. People just do not know how much these things mean to others – they have no idea of how harsh the fishing industry was.

"It was upsetting to hear the tiles were broken but I am glad it is now all restored.

Jim Greene, 74, of Cleethorpes, said he believed the memorial should never have been put in Top Town in the first place.

The former fisherman added: "A more suitable place would have been on the roundabout just before you come into Grimsby over the flyover.

"That way everyone could see it and there would be nobody going near it."

Jim, who began fishing at the age of 15, says a fence would not do much good and now that the vandalised area has been fixed, nothing more needs to be done.

He said: "To me and for many others, the memorial helps us to remember all the lives lost at sea.

"A fence would hide its features and what is stopping people from going over it.

"It was a shame the tiles got damaged but they have been repaired to a good standard thanks to the council."

Mr Stockton, who came up with the idea of the fence, said he had reprimanded one youth for banging his skateboard on the base of the memorial.

"The memorial means so much to people. My younger brother Thomas was lost at sea in 1974," he said.

Deputy leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Mick Burnett, said: "We said we would fix it and we have.

"The memorial is an important part of Grimsby and important to all the fishermen who worked hard out at sea.

"Making sure it remains in great condition is vital.

"It was sad to see it vandalised but it is now fully restored."

TWO anguished grandparents "saw red" and "exploded" in sheer frustration after years of being stopped from seeing their grandchildren.

The couple, who had fought a five-year legal battle to try to gain access to the children, which they were forced to abandon when they ran out of money, said they had "snapped".

Dennis Bloomfield, 53, of Newhaven Terrace, Grimsby, admitted assaulting Graham Blakey, damaging a car belonging to his stepdaughter Shirlianne Kershaw, and having a lump hammer as an offensive weapon on March 26.

His wife, Wendy Bloomfield, 52, admitted assaulting her daughter, Miss Kershaw, and having a pickaxe handle as an offensive weapon.

They told Grimsby Crown Court their pain "boiled over" after they were taunted in an "unkind and unfeeling" way – and their "noses were rubbed in it" – about not being able to see the two young girls, a court heard.

Mark Kendall, prosecuting, said there had been a long-running family dispute between the Bloomfields and Miss Kershaw over seeing their two granddaughters, aged six and three.

And, when the Bloomfields came across Miss Kershaw and her boyfriend, Graham Blakey, by chance at Humberston Fitties, there was a confrontation.

Dennis Bloomfield "armed himself" with a hammer from the car and Wendy Bloomfield had a pickaxe handle.

He hit Mr Blakey on the forehead and arm with the hammer, causing a cut, and smashed all the windows of Mr Blakey's car.

Wendy Bloomfield hit her daughter with the pickaxe handle – not realising that Miss Kershaw was pregnant at the time.

Ernie Lidster, mitigating, said the confrontation "all exploded" because of "gestures and remarks" allegedly made by Mr Blakey.

The couple believed Mr Blakey was "rubbing their noses in it" and claimed he was making comments to the effect of "we are taking your grandchildren for a walk but you can't," said Mr Lidster.

Dennis Bloomfield admitted waving the hammer about and recklessly hitting Mr Blakey's forehead.

"The lives of these defendants have been blighted as a result of the fact that they haven't been able to see their grandchildren," said Mr Lidster. "They would very much like to have access to them and to have had a relationship with the whole family.

"They realise a lot of bridges would have to be built before any reconciliation.

"What made him snap, he doesn't know. It was a controlled snap. He is horrified and devastated at the result of his actions, from the effect it has had on everyone, particularly the children.

"He bitterly regrets his actions. His remorse is genuine."

Steven Freestone, representing Wendy Bloomfield, said the couple had been trying to gain access to their grandchildren through the courts, for about five years in the case of the elder girl, but ran out of money and could no longer pursue it.

Wendy Bloomfield claimed she thought her daughter was going to get involved in violence between the two men and that Miss Kershaw was going to attack Dennis Bloomfield.

"She has acted very emotionally," said Mr Freestone. "It's unfortunate that, on this occasion, it has all boiled over. She is devastated that the relationship is beyond repair."

Dennis Bloomfield, who has a pension but helps his wife with her cleaning jobs, was given 200 hours' unpaid work and Wendy Bloomfield, who works 58 hours a week on three cleaning jobs, was given a one-year supervision order.

They were told to pay £220 compensation for the damage, £100 each in other compensation and £200 each in costs.

ANTHONY Elding wants to send the homes and pubs of Grimsby wild with celebration – by notching the Mariners' first win of the season at Wrexham.

The striker saw what a win or two could do last season as Town bounced back from a disastrous start to put together a stunning 15-game unbeaten run and keep their play-off hopes alive, temporarily.

Now, the Lincolnshire lad wants to use tomorrow's televised clash in Wales as a similar springboard.

And the former Rochdale attacker believes the trip to Wrexham followed by Bank Holiday Monday's home clash with Mansfield are the ideal opportunity to get some precious wins under their belt.

"It's a massive couple of days for us – even if you're on a winning streak they're still tough games," he said.

"Wrexham and Mansfield are big clubs in their own rights, and with the run of form we're on that makes it even bigger for us.

"We need to get our heads right, try to improve on what we've done, go there with no fear, and – most of all – believe in ourselves.

"At the moment it looks like we're not really believing in ourselves as individuals or as a team.

"But we've certainly got the players to go to these teams and get a winning result, that's for sure."

Emphasising how determined the players are to get that elusive Blue Square Bet Premier success after two draws and a defeat, Elding said: "So far we haven't got the result we all so desperately want as a group.

"But if we keep going and stick together, that win we're all craving will come.

"It's important for strikers to get their first goal or goalkeepers to keep their first clean sheet and when you get those little milestones under your belt that really helps your confidence.

"And the team's first win obviously provides an even bigger boost.

"But we've got to go to Wrexham in the right frame of mind – if we don't, we'll be in trouble."

He continued: "Everyone's aware of what happened at the start last year and people are probably thinking it will be the same story this time.

"But once we get that first win under our belts, like last season, we'll get that belief and bit of urgency that's probably not there at moment.

"I saw last year what it was like when we went on that amazing run.

"It was an absolutely fantastic place to be around, and they'll be no better place to go to and get that first win than Wrexham.

"I don't know why it's not quite happening because the players here are decent and the managers are installing confidence in us to go out and play, so it's down to us once we cross that white line."

The opportunity to put things right in front of the television cameras is one Elding and his team-mates are determined to take advantage of.

And the 30-year-old admits the chance to give the watching Mariners fans 'something back' excites the squad.

He said: "It's always nice to play on TV but, as players and as a team, we won't go into it thinking about the screen. It's about what we do on the pitch.

"The Town fans who don't go to Wrexham will be sitting at home watching or filling up the pubs, so hopefully we can give them something to cheer about.

"As players, as a group, we need to give them something to sing about.

"At the moment it's not great. We know that, as players, and have been working on things in and out of training, and trying to put things right.

"We can assure the fans that we are working really hard to turn things around.

"We're sticking together and hopefully we can get that result that everybody wants – the fans, players, managers, chairman.

"We're giving absolutely everything."