CLEETHORPES traders endured a disappointing bank holiday weekend as the biting cold winds kept visitors away.

Resort businesses along the sea front reported a fall in trade on last year's Easter weekend.

While the recent sandstorm, disruption to rail services and the economic downturn will not have helped matters, most businesses said the unseasonably cold weather was the main factor behind the poor start to the summer season.

Andy McCluskey, owner of the Kingsway Kiosk, said: "It's not been as busy as we would like it and there have been fewer people around than in previous years.

"There is less money in the economy and people are thinking carefully before they come out. They are not going to come out on a freezing cold day. They are going to wait for a nice sunny day."

Mike Wade, owner of Seaview Equestrian Centre, which runs donkey rides along the beach, said customers had been "virtually non-existent".

He said: "It's sad but we can't control the weather. People are not going to want to come if they know it's going to be cold.

"We have got to remember we are in the middle of a recession and people are short of money."

Terry Proctor, owner of Jade and Julie's ice cream parlours and Oddball's Crazy Golf Course, said: "Easter has been poor. "We have done OK but we are down on normal. A lot of things have conspired against us."

Owen Taylor, owner of Taylor Made Fun, believes forecasts of snow encouraged potential visitors to book flights abroad or trips to Centerparcs instead.

So even when the sun came out in the second half of the weekend, numbers stayed down as people had already committed to other plans.

He said: "The weather was always going to be a factor, especially with Easter coming so early. Historically, Easter is the benchmark for the season, but last year we had a good Easter and then it fizzled out. Hopefully, we will have the opposite of that this year."

Although his trade suffered when the sandstorm forced the closure of the Central Promenade, Mr Taylor praised the council for its efforts in getting it reopened by Thursday.

William McArdle, owner of Mack's Amusements on the North Promenade, said: "There was nobody here on Good Friday, Saturday was the same and Easter Sunday was just like an average Sunday. I put it down to the weather and economic state of the country."

Melanie Wood, owner of Pleasure Island theme park, said: "It's been a terrible start to the year. We can only hope it is down to the weather. We have to believe there are better times ahead."

WERE you one of the screaming fans to show PJ and Duncan your Eternal Love when they came to the Grimsby Auditorium in September 1995?

The teenage pop sensations who, at the time, were also stars of hit CBBC show Byker Grove, were among the first to take to the stage at the newly opened venue – more pictures from which can be seen at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

Now, 18 years on, the duo – better known these days as Ant and Dec – are back at the top of the charts, following the re-release of their 1994 hit Let's Get Ready To Rhumble, to raise money for charity.

Fans downloaded the song after watching the duo sing it on their prime-time TV show Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway last weekend.

The presenters shocked fans when they resurrected their alter-egos PJ and Duncan and the pair were seen dancing around the stage in their old get-up of shell suits and trainers.

And, to celebrate their rise back up the charts, we have been trawling through the Grimsby Telegraph archives for pictures and stories from when they last came to town to "wreck the mic".

Among the pictures were snaps of two lucky fans – whose names remain a mystery – who were picked out to share the stage with their idols.

Our reviewer at the time seemed disappointed by the teen heartthrobs' shirts – complaining not only that they were "the most putrid-coloured yellow and orange shirts imaginable" – but they also covered their "washboard stomachs!".

It also seems the Geordie stars left a more lasting impression.

One fan, Shoana Quinn, received a personal visit from the stars when she rushed forward to greet what she thought was their car, only to have it run over her foot!

To add insult to injury, it turned out it wasn't even their car, although crying on Dec's shoulder went some way to repairing the damage.

What took a little more repairing was the graffiti messages their overzealous fans scrawled on the pavements outside the Auditorium.

Then manager Liz Wood said: "If you want to send messages to the bands put them in writing and we will pass them on for you."

THERE'S more to Ross Hannah's game than just tap-ins – and he has another chance to show it at Macclesfield Town this evening (7.45pm).

The Grimsby Town striker netted his tenth goal of the season in Monday's victory at Stockport County with a stunning 25-yard effort.

That strike ended the Mariners' six-game winless run, consolidated their place in the play-off spots, and halted Hannah's three-month goal drought.

After penning a permanent deal with Town in early January, the usually prolific 26-year-old has endured one of the most frustrating periods of his career.

But despite his lean spell in front of goal, the former Bradford City frontman has ten goals in 21 starts to his name this season.

Town joint boss Paul Hurst is hoping that Easter Monday's finish will kick-start Hannah's campaign – and help his side to promotion.

"Ross has been under the weather in terms of confidence in his general finishing. With any practicing we've been doing, he hasn't been his usual self," Hurst told the Telegraph.

"You can see him beating himself up if he misses the target or doesn't score.

"But he scored a couple of nice ones in the warm-up on Monday and the goal he got was an excellent one.

"I was really pleased for him. We had a chat before the game about how you have to keep trying – if you don't get in the positions to score you never will.

"He is capable of scoring all sorts goals. He is very much seen as a 'Johnny on the spot' and a six-yard box player at times, but I've seen enough of his goals to say otherwise.

"Some players will never score from 30 yards, but Ross has got all sorts of goals in him and on that left-foot he's always got a chance."

The confidence that appears to have been missing from Hannah and his team-mates over the last month flooded back in a thrilling second half at Edgeley Park.

And Hurst is hopeful that can prove to be a turning point for the individual and the team.

He added: "Like anyone, players play better when they're confident and things are going their way.

"If you're a defender that comes from heading it, kicking it, doing the basics well and keeping clean sheets.

"With Ross, and goal-scorers in particular, it's scoring goals that makes you feel much better about yourself.

"We want a lot more from them. But from a selfish point of view, I'm sure that at times they go home and think 'at least I scored even if I didn't play that well.'

"On Monday, Ross looked brighter and that goal should give him the boost he needs.

"More importantly, it will hopefully inject a bit of confidence back into the players ready for the remaining games.

"We've looked a little goal-shy recently and that's not just the strikers – that's as a team."

MARKET Rasen & Louth RUFC aim to bounce back from last weekend's 47-24 defeat against Matlock when they take on Old Northamptonians on Saturday.

Currently lying third in the Midlands One East (North) table, Old Northamptonians will be making their first ever visit to Willingham Road (3pm).

With three games remaining, one further point would mathematically ensure Rasen remain in this division.

However, in reality, only Spalding out of the three sides sat in the relegation zone could equal the Lincolnshire side's current tally of 50 points.

In their previous game, the Red and Greens travelled to Matlock for a rearranged fixture where the arena was surrounded by hillsides still displaying evidence of the previous week's heavy snowfall.

Moving the game to the Easter weekend robbed the side of several players with alternative plans, but those who stepped up showed their mettle and played with spirit.

Early in the game, Peter Everton skilfully retrieved a bobbling ball to show Matlock a clean pair of heels as he ran in under the posts from 40 metres. Full-back Matt Sutton added the conversion.

Matlock hit back when flanker Rob Glover scored in the corner.

Young unleashed a howitzer that pushed Matlock deep into Red and Green territory.

Matlock made no mistake with their catch and drive as they bundled Rasen over the line with Young completing the punishment with a fine conversion.

From the restart, Matlock moved the ball wide and the sheer pace of winger Henry Packard made him uncatchable as he flew in for another try for the home side. Young added the conversion.

With the last play of the half, Packard turned provider as he sliced through to set up a score for fellow winger Whittaker. Young rounded things off with another conversion to put Matlock 26-7 up at the interval.

Matlock opened the scoring in the second period when Packard chipped over and used his pace to scoot in under the posts, leaving Young with an easy conversion.

There soon followed a long break as Everton took a heavy tackle and landed awkwardly. He was eventually helped to his feet and left the field with an injury that may have curtailed his season.

Leigh Dearden and Chris Starling both scored second-half tries for Rasen, but Matlock added to their points tally – with Young continuing his kicking masterclass.

THANKS A TONNE!

That was the grateful message to the kind-hearted people of North East Lincolnshire who together have donated one tonne of food to help feed those in need.

Since we launched the Ten Tonnes Of Tins campaign back in February, residents, businesses and other organisations have responded in their droves.

And after taking delivery of more boxes of donated food yesterday, the Daily Bread Food Larder on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, has received just over 50 boxes, taking it past the one tonne barrier.

Sarah Taylor, general manager at Care, which runs the food larder, said: "It has been overwhelming. We have had about 50 boxes from the Grimsby Telegraph, Shoreline, schools and other local organisations. To have received one tonne after only starting the campaign in February is wonderful.

"I would really like to thank the residents of North East Lincolnshire for their support, and also Churches Together, who have been part of the project since the beginning and continue to support us.

"Thanks to people's donations at the moment we are able to meet the needs of the increasing demand, but with the changes to benefits coming into force we expect that demand to increase even further.

"It is great to have achieved the first tonne, but we really need that support to continue."

In February, the food larder handed out 149 parcels, after giving out 129 in January. In contrast, 18 months ago it was handing out on average 30 to 40 parcels a month.

"I think there are a number of reasons for the increase", said Sarah.

"There is fuel poverty – a lot of families approach us during the winter time and tell us they have had to choose between paying for their gas and electricity to stay warm or buying food.

"There is also the cost of living. If you go into a supermarket everything seems to be going up in price and yet people's benefits and wages are not.

"We have also seen more people affected by redundancies. For people who have been in work for many years, that can really hit them hard. They have to sign up for benefits and that takes weeks to process."

She added that the campaign had also raised the profile of the Larder.

As well as the Food Larder, Care also runs a range of other support services, including providing second hand furniture to vulnerable people, and a care rent scheme in which it acts as a guarantor to help people secure rented accommodation.

Sarah said: "We offer quite a holistic service. We often find that if someone comes to the food larder we can help them with other things as well."

The Food Larder is also looking for volunteers to help it continue its work.

Anyone interested in volunteering should call 01472 232310.

FORMAL consultation on the planned multi-million pound upgrade of the A160 begins on Monday.

Subject to planning approval, the long-awaited scheme will see the entire three-mile stretch of road become a dual carriageway, improving access to the port of Immingham and the two oil refineries.

The Highways Agency intends to submit a planning application by early next year, with the summer of 2015 earmarked as date for work to begin.

Completion is expected by autumn 2016.

Late last year the project, which is expected to cost between £89 million to £132 million, was one of four infrastructure schemes fast-tracked by the Government.

The A160 is considered a key strategic route which currently experiences congestion, particularly along the sections which are currently single carriageway.

It is believed that upgrading the route will provide better access to the Port of Immingham and the surrounding area, stimulating growth and unlocking economic benefits.

The project is also seen as particularly important to supporting the growth of the area's renewables industry, as the route will provide access to the Able UK's planned marine energy park at East Halton.

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers told the Grimsby Telegraph that the A160 upgrade had been discussed at a meeting of local MPs and Prime Minister David Cameron last week.

He said: "It is absolutely vital for the continued expansion of Immingham Docks and is particularly important for the Able UK development.

"The Prime Minister assured us that he would pass a message to the Department For Transport, emphasising the importance of this development to the region."

Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said: "It is something we have been urging on Government for a long time and I am glad we have now got progress.

"The prospects for our area are excellent, particularly if we get investment in wind turbines, but we need a better transport network."

He added that upgrading the A15 and A180 was also crucial to improve the area's links to other parts of the country.

Work on the A18-A180 link road, which also improve links to the Port Of Immingham, is due to start soon, with completion by the summer of 2014.

The consultation on the A160 upgrade will run from Monday, April 8 until Monday, May 20 but details of time and location are yet to be released.

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.

"OLD Ellistonions" of the post-war period are wanted for the cohort's 30th annual reunion.

Students from the Elliston Secondary Modern School for Boys will meet again at the Carr Lane Social Club on Monday, April 29.

The reunion is for pupils who attended the school from 1945 to 1955 – or there abouts – and its the 30th of its kind since starting up in 1983.

Organiser Pete Blanchard, 79, of Brookfield Road, Scartho, believes the reunions have been such a success because in tough times, you make friends for life.

He added: "It was just after the war – everyone had lost someone. Every family had been affected and there wasn't much money about.

"But, in such hard times, you make really good friends and we have remained that way ever since.

"People who have organised other reunions always ask how the Old Ellistonions have stayed so close and I think that must be why."

The first reunion was in 1983 at Clee Park Hotel and has moved to the Crow's Nest pub in Cleethorpes and later to the Carr Lane Social Club – when it started to get a huge following.

At its height, nearly 100 people turned out and even last year, more than 70 went to the event – despite the men now being in their 70s and 80s.

There are even two teachers – one of them being Mr Winter, now in his 90s, who does card tricks to entertain his old pupils.

Mr Blanchard added: "He's quite spritely still and says he can't remember what he did that morning, but recalls exactly what we used to during our old school days."

Find out more

For more information, please call Peter on 01472 879082 or email him at peter.blanchard3@ntlworld.com.

See more stories from days gone by at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/bygones

THIS man is in top gear – cycling solo round the world.

Andy Sangster, 51, from Grimsby, set off on his epic journey on Monday and will travel through 20 countries, including Germany, Romania, Iran, Turkmenistan and Australia – and you can follow his incredible challenge at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk.

The retired crew manager at Peaks Lane Fire Station even plans a family reunion as part of the charity tour in aid of the NSPCC.

He said: "I had seen other people do it so I thought I would just do it. I have just retired from the fire service after 27 years and it seemed like a good idea.

"I have cycled around the UK and in Europe before but I just wanted something more of a challenge.

Andy, who was ranked the world number two over-50s indoor rower last year, is setting his sights on some less well-travelled regions of the world.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing Iran and countries like Uzbekistan as not many people get the chance to. I've heard they are all really nice countries.

"Iran really interests me. I want to see what the country is really like. It will be tough, however, as it's expected to be very hot and you have to be covered up, so no shorts or T-shirts.

"It will be great to see all the different cultures as I travel through Europe to the Baltics and on to Asia before heading to Australia via Indonesia."

To prepare for his journey, Andy trained hard on his bike.

"I took my time building up the miles in training. I'm going solo so I'm going to be carrying everything I need with me on my bike such as my tent and supplies.

"I have been practising loading and unloading the bike to make sure it stays balanced otherwise it will be unrideable.

"There is so much more to it than just jumping on a bike. You have to get all your immunisations and sort out all your visas. Some countries are very strict, like Iran, which does a full background check on you."

Andy is making plans to meet up with his son.

"My oldest son lives in Australia, so hopefully I will be able to meet him. I'm going through more than 20 countries and I'm hoping people will sponsor me £1 for each one."

Andy is hoping to make use of a cycling website called Warm Shower.

"People from all over the world sign up to find places and offer places for cyclists to have a warm shower and bed to sleep in.

"I have sent emails out and I'm hoping to use the site to find somewhere to stay as I travel across the world in between camping.

"I'm staying in contact with my family and friends will spur me on. I have a solar charger which should keep my phone charged."

Andy has already received a lot of support from his family and friends.

"My wife is being very understanding and I will miss my family," he said. "It will be a long journey. I expect to reach Australia by the end of the year and from there I will travel to south America to complete my journey.

"I'm going to miss the usual everyday things, like my memory foam mattress and a nice shower.

"P&O Ferries have been really helpful and have given me a free one-way ticket to Zeebrugge, for which I am very thankful.

"The only thing that can stop me now is if the visas don't work out but I have a back-up route if that happens."

Andy also received a donation of specialist clothing from Grimsby shop Paris Clothing in Abbeygate, including wet weather jackets.

Andy said: "There's no backing out now."

Andy's wife, Mel, says she is really excited for him.

"I will really miss Andy while he is away, we spend a lot of time together. However, I really want him to take part in this challenge while he is still fortunate enough to be fit and well enough to do so.

"I have no concerns about him completing the trip, visas permitting! I am looking forward to my own challenges while he is away, like sorting the car MOT and servicing out, and basically doing the jobs that Andy would normally do!"

Andy's son Murray is looking forward to seeing him.

"Not only is it a trip of a lifetime for him, but it's also a fantastic opportunity to raise money for charity along the way.

"There will definitely be a few ice cold beers waiting for him in Fremantle."

You can support Andy by donating at www.justgiving.com/andysangster1

Read Andy's first blog entry here

TOMORROW, Grimsby will say its final farewells to a proud Icelandic man renowned for his ability to fix everything from motorbikes to clarinets.

Known to all as Val – but born Gudmundur Valdimar Ebenezersson – he arrived in Grimsby on a trawler in 1932, aged just seven.

He was following in the footsteps of his father, August Ebenezersson, a trawler skipper, who had been advised to head to England to make his fortune by his brother, Arthur, who was working out of Hull at the time.

However, when the time came for the family to make the crossing, Val was ill and, fearing immigration may turn them away, August decided he would have to come separately – which he did, hitching a ride aboard another trawler a couple of months later.

Val's son Mark and daughter Yvonne said he would often recall those early days in Grimsby, when he was unable to speak English and was surrounded by a whole host of things he had never encountered in Iceland.

Mark said: "He had only been in England two or three days when he went into the town and the gates closed at Wellowgate level crossing.

"He had never seen a train before – except maybe in books – then suddenly here was this great hissing, steaming thing right in front of him."

He and his older brother Sverry were soon enrolled at St James' School, where they found their classmates found them just as strange as they were finding life in England.

Mark said one of his father's earliest memories of his life in the town had been when, seemingly, the whole school had turned out to stare at the brothers as if they had come from another planet.

While it did not take long for the family to settle in their adoptive new home, in 1939, just before the Second World War broke out, Val and his two younger brothers Rab and Auguist were sent home to Iceland, where the family believed they would be safer.

At the age of 16 he returned and, like many boys of his age from the area, was sent to Ruston Bucyrus, Lincoln, where he served a five-year engineering apprenticeship.

It was to be a good move for Val, who not only met his beloved wife June – who went on to run the Kashmir Boutique, Pasture Street – but learned skills which were to shape his future.

After being called up to the Army in 1946, he was posted to Hampshire, where recruits were put on a basic engineering course.

However, thanks to his background at Ruston's, he was quickly picked out and asked to take up a post as an instructor instead.

On his return to Grimsby after the war, Val – who was a keen motorcyclist – took up a post working as a mechanic for racing world champion Freddie Frith, who had opened a new motorcycle shop in Victoria Street. It was a job he would hold for 40 years.

His love of taking on engineering challenges thought to be insurmountable by others, not only made him many friends, but also spilled into his other hobbies, including his love of jazz music.

He and other fans would regularly meet up to listen to music over a glass of wine – one of his other great passions – and it wasn't long before he was trying his hand at fixing musical instruments.

After Val retired from the motorcycle business he took up instrument repair work for Grimsby's music shops and the Local Youth Orchestra.

Val was also a long standing member of the Humberston Men's Association where he had many friends.

Val's funeral will be held tomorrow, from 2.20pm at Grimsby Crematorium.

Donations in lieu of flowers may be made in his memory to the Ark Animal Rescue Centre, Donna Nook.

A TEENAGER who spent £1,200 on a test so she could drive 25-tonne trucks has seen her ambitions hit the skids because she can't get insurance.

Lizzy Coulson, 19, wanted to join the family haulage business at High Harbour Farm, Middle Rasen, when she leaves university.

But after getting her licence, she discovered she would need to shell out another £12,000 a year to get insured on the vehicles.

Lizzy, who has been able to drive a tractor towing a 15-tonne trailer on the road since she was 16, helps out on a part-time basis around her agricultural degree studies at the University Of Lincoln's Riseholme campus.

In January, she passed her class C test, which qualifies drivers to take the wheel of rigid-bodied HGVs and articulated tractor unit cabs without their 40ft trailers.

But since then she's had just one day on the road – after the family were forced to pay £37 for 24 hours of fully comprehensive cover.

Miss Coulson said: "What's the point of being legally qualified to drive a vehicle of any size if you can't get insurance?

"I passed my tractor test at 16 and my car test a year later. I'm covered for both under the company's insurance policy.

"But now it seems I'm unique because nobody wants to offer me cover for a lorry.

"I really feel stereotyped as a teenager who is a mad driver when I'm definitely not."

Dad David, 51, says there seemed little prospect of an affordable HGV premium until his daughter is at least 23 years old.

"She had a day out with me driving soon after she passed in January and did very well," he said. "But that cost £37, the equivalent of a £12,000 annual fully comprehensive policy.

"All she wants to do is move a few loads around locally when I'm out on longer runs. Then we'd intended to get another lorry next year, but there doesn't seem much point.

"This situation surely means there must be so many uninsured drivers out there?"

The Association Of British Insurers said it was aware of Miss Coulson's dilemma.

Spokesman Linsey White said: "Insurers want to see the cost of motor insurance fall. But the sad truth is that drivers aged under 24 are more likely to be involved in a serious road crash.

"So we are urging the Government to implement our proposals to improve their safety.

"They include a minimum one-year learning period and restriction on the number of young passengers a young driver can carry for an initial period after passing their driving test."

RETURNING after the Easter break, there's a definite feeling of a new era beginning, both in my office and throughout Humberside Police.

We have bid a fond farewell to our Chief Constable Tim Hollis, and welcome his successor Justine Curran into the role.

Justine and I share the same commitment to deliver the best police service possible to our communities, with less crime and fewer victims. I look forward to working with her.

To be successful, we need a plan, and this week we have published our Police and Crime Plan, which sets out what we are trying to achieve to make our communities safer.

The plan isn't just about setting priorities for the police, but about involving our partners in community safety and the public.

I've spent the last three months listening to as many people and organisations as possible to come up with a strategy which will reduce crime through partnerships and teamwork.

Of course, there is some fantastic work going on already, but it's time to move to the next level.

At the end of this month I'll be holding the first of a number of "summits" with the police and key decision makers across our region, where we will get together around the table and discuss how we will work together to tackle different areas of crime, beginning with violent crime.

The summits will involve senior police officers and specialists from community safety partnerships, the justice system, youth, drugs and alcohol services.

I hope we will all come away with a renewed determination to work even closer together and share our resources to reduce crime.

As members of the public, you also have a huge part to play, the more the public are willing to stand up and play a part, the greater the likelihood of our communities being safer.

For example, being involved with a community group such as Neighbourhood Watch, Farm Watch or becoming a special constable or volunteer, you can help.

In the last few weeks I have visited many of our Neighbourhood Policing Teams, and seen and heard some fantastic examples of how communities are working with their local police constables and PCSOs.

Do you know your local neighbourhood officer? Next time you see them, stop and have a chat, they are part of your community and I am so impressed and proud of the work they do.

I'm committed to giving our Neighbourhood Policing Teams what they need to do their job even more effectively, and over the coming year they will receive new mobile technology, freeing them up to spend less time in police stations and more time in their communities preventing crime and identifying and apprehending criminals.

So, we have a plan, now we must deliver it, and the bigger our team the more chance we have of winning.

Visit Matthew Grove's website www.humberside-pcc.gov.uk where you can read his Police and Crime Plan.

You can contact Matthew at pcc@humberside.pnn.police.uk or write to him at: The Police and Crime Commissioner, Pacific Exchange, 40 High Street, Hull HU1 1PS

CAMPAIGNERS hope a ban on children's heart surgery at Leeds General Infirmary will be lifted following yet another meeting between concerned parties today.

The Care Quality Commission, NHS England and representatives from the hospital will meet with campaigners today to discuss why surgery was halted last Thursday.

Both Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell and Councillor Peggy Elliott, chairman of North East Lincolnshire Council's health, housing and wellbeing scrutiny panel, hope it will result in the decision being overturned.

Mr Mitchell labelled the surgery suspension a "farce" after meeting with other concerned parties at Leeds Civic Centre on Tuesday.

He said the hospital was still unaware of details of many of the complaints that are alleged to have been made and led to the decision to halt surgery.

Referring to a suggestion of high mortality rates, Mr Mitchell said: "The people drawing up those figures have said they are not accurate.

"We hope that after today's meeting into the farce, and it is a farce, the cardiac unit can reopen."

Mr Mitchell said it looked like those who were involved in a review that was overturned by the High Court last week – meaning the Leeds unit was saved from closure – were "getting their own back".

He added: "MPs will be taking the matter up with the health scrutiny committee, asking how this mess came to be created and what was the role of Sir Bruce Keogh in initiating this closure."

Councillor Elliott is also asking her councillor colleagues to back a motion which will call on PM David Cameron to suspend NHS boss Sir Bruce at a special meeting at Grimsby Town Hall on Monday.

She said: "If the other councillors back the motion, a letter will be sent from North East Lincolnshire Council to Mr Cameron questioning Sir Bruce's role in this debacle and calling for him to be suspended.

"I think it's appalling that the High Court ruled in favour of keeping the Leeds unit open and then surgery was suspend based on false information.

"If standards were so poor and so many people were unhappy with the treatment their children received, then why hasn't it been raised before?

"I hope the unit will reopen for surgery after tomorrow's meeting, but I won't believe it until I see it.

"Even if it does, poorly children still haven't been able to receive treatment at Leeds for a week now, which I am very unhappy about."

A 26-YEAR-OLD who took her boyfriend's hire car to buy more wine in the middle of the night and crashed has been banned from driving for 14 months.

Gemma Milnes, of Winchester Avenue, Grimsby, admitted driving with excess alcohol, driving without insurance or a driving licence, and aggravated vehicle taking on January 13.

Nick Todd, prosecuting, told Skegness magistrates that Milnes had been found by police walking along Bradley Road in Grimsby at 2.30am on January 13 and gave them a "cock 'n' bull" story about what had happened and they took her to her mother's address in Winchester Avenue.

It was later discovered that she had taken her boyfriend's hire car from their then home in Marshchapel to go to an all-night shop in Grimsby to buy more wine and had overturned the car on her way home.

He said that when police went back to her she admitted what she had done and had given a positive breath test of 47mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath. The legal limit is 35mcg.

Mr Todd told the court that she was not entitled to drive the car, had no insurance and only a provisional driving licence.

In mitigation, Lauren Fisher said Milnes had drunk half a bottle of wine and decided to go out and buy some more and that it was on her way home that she skidded on ice and turned the car over.

"She simply gave no thoughts to her actions, which she now greatly regrets," she told the court.

She said the incident had had serious consequences for her as her relationship had now broken down and she was living back with her mother in Grimsby.

Miss Fisher told the court Milnes had agreed to pay the £5,500 cost of the damage to the hire car.

The magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with supervision and ordered Milnes to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work for the community.

She was also disqualified from driving for 14 months.

Milnes declined the offer of a drink drivers' rehabilitation course.

Crime news for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

HOMEOWNERS are being warned to check their chimneys as fire service bosses reveal the cause of a blaze which destroyed a historic building in Marshchapel.

Although investigations into the cause of the fire at Old Hall, in Sea Dyke Way, are still underway, initial findings show radiated heat from a chimney breast in the roof was to blame.

Debbie Robinson, deputy community safety manager at Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue, said: "With the cold weather set to continue well into April, please follow our simple steps to help you avoid a fire in your home.

"Put simply, if your chimney flue is clean, it will not catch fire because there is nothing in it to burn.

"Chimney fires most commonly result from four basic causes – having the wrong sized wood burner installed, infrequent sweeping and cleaning, burning of unseasoned wood or overnight burning or smouldering of wood for long periods.

"So to reduce the risk of a fire, make sure your chimney is swept regularly by a professional chimney sweep.

"As well as taking these precautions, make sure you have a working smoke alarm in your home."

The Marshchapel fire, which broke out at about 6pm on Tuesday, caused severe damage to the roof and first floor of the Grade II listed building.

BEACH chalet owners in Cleethorpes have deemed the £12,000 quoted to renovate just one of their dilapidated neighbouring huts as "ridiculous".

As revealed in the Grimsby Telegraph, this was the amount quoted by Balfour Beatty to North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), after it decided it was high time tenants brought their chalets up to standard, or gave up their lease.

A meeting of NELC's regeneration and environment scrutiny panel heard at least 16 of the 53 huts still standing are in a "poor state of repair" – including one of three owned by NELC.

However, the council had dismissed Balfour Beatty's quote as "poor value for money".

It is believed 50 people are currently on the waiting list for a beach hut and a number of the day chalets have fallen into a state of disrepair over the years, with many appearing to be unused.

However, Sue Lockwood, who has owned a chalet for the past two years, said there are plenty of people wanting one who would be willing to renovate them to a high standard themselves.

She said: "We bought our chalet for £3,000 and spent a further £2,000 on a new roof and door.

"How Balfour Beatty can come up with this £12,000 is beyond me.

"Every time we visit our hut people come and ask how they can get one.

"These people are willing to renovate them at no cost to the council.

"In the lease it states that if the chalets are allowed to go into disrepair they can be taken back by the council – so why haven't they done this already?"

Another chalet owner who did not wished to be named, sung the praises of her little beach house.

She said: "I come to mine every day in the summer and sometimes in the spring.

"I had mine renovated recently for my birthday and I know other tenants are busy improving theirs."

A GRIMSBY Town performance of real character helped them to take an important step towards sealing a coveted place in the play-offs last night.

Goals from Andy Cook, Shaun Pearson and Frankie Artus helped the Mariners to a 3-1 win over fellow chasers Macclesfield Town.

With the result, Town struck a blow to the Silkmen's chances of finishing in the top five, while boosting their own ahead of Saturday's visit of Southport.

Joint bosses Paul Hurst and Rob Scott made three changes to the side that beat Stockport County on Bank Holiday Monday with Aswad Thomas, Cleveland Taylor and Frankie Artus coming in for Bradley Wood, Joe Colbeck and Marcus Marshall respectively.

After ending his goal-scoring drought at Edgeley Park, Ross Hannah retained his place up front alongside Andy Cook, with Liam Hearn named among the substitutes – much to the delight of the visiting fans who had made the journey to Cheshire.

And they watched as a familiar face fashioned the game's first opening when, after good work from John Paul Kissock, Cleethorpes-born Peter Winn looked to test James McKeown with little over three minutes gone – but his strike was deflected, and the Town stopper quickly gathered.

As he had done in the reverse fixture at Blundell Park, the lively Kissock was seeing plenty of the ball and it was his volley that flew just wide of McKeown's post as the clock neared ten minutes.

But it was clear that Town had carried over some of the confidence gained from that win over the Hatters just 48 hours earlier.

And in the 12th minute, when good work from Cook allowed Craig Disley to shape a cross-field pass to Hatton, the ball was eventually worked to Taylor.

The Burton man checked out on to his left foot and clipped a cross that was flicked-on to Cook at the far post and the frontman coolly nodded the ball back across and over Rhys Taylor to notch his ninth league goal of the season.

The hosts, who had started brightly, looked to hit back straight away, and Waide Fairhust caught a sweet strike from the edge of the box that was kept out by a combination of the post and McKeown.

That effort marked the start of a decent spell for the hosts who had appeals for a penalty turned down when the ball struck Cook in the box.

On the left-flank, Winn – himself a Mariners fan as a youngster – was having plenty of joy. His cross earned the hosts their sixth corner of the game.

After the ball was swung in, Smith powered a header at goal that McKeown did superbly to keep out, but Silkmen skipper Pablo Mills reacted first to the rebound to bundle home and get his side back on terms with 25 minutes gone.

In truth, it was the least that the hosts – who had been lively and mobile from the start – deserved for their efforts.

And, two minutes before the half hour mark, they were nearly ahead when Craig Braham-Barrett's far post effort was blocked on the line by Thomas after the winger had broken free at yet another corner.

But for all of the hosts slick and sharp passing, Town were more than holding their own. And after weathering something of a storm, they were ahead with less than ten minutes to go before a break.

Artus swung in Town's first corner of the game and Pearson rose highest to meet the centre with a firm downward header that squirmed over the line despite Jackson's best efforts to keep it out on the goal-line.

With that goal, you sensed that Town had begun to get a grasp on the game as they finished the half strongly – and most importantly – in the lead.

Stung by conceding before the break, the hosts were out early for the second half and they soon set about getting back on terms after the restart.

With ten minutes gone, some neat link-up between Fairhurst and Kissock created space for the latter, however his curling effort from the edge of the area was well-blocked by the impressive Pearson.

With just over an hour gone, Hannah was replaced by Colbeck as Town appeared to switch to a 4-5-1.

And when the winger combined with Cook to win the ball deep in Macclesfield half, Town broke, with the ball being switched to Taylor who found Colbeck with a fine, far post cross.

With time to bring the ball under control, the Yorkshireman decided instead to attempt a diving header that drifted wide of Taylor's post.

You sensed the Mariners may have needed that third. But the away fans need not have worried.

Town won the ball in Macclesfield half and broke through Colbeck, who slid in a superb pass to Cook as he burst into the box.

The striker poked the ball round the out-rushing Taylor and it eventually found Artus, who despite offside appeals from the home crowd, nudged home on the line to extend Town's advantage.

The impressive Cook was replaced by Lenell John-Lewis with ten minutes to go to warm applause from the travelling fans.

And they were the only ones left chanting at the end as Town finished at a canter to record another crucial three points in the race to the play-offs.

PLANNING officers have recommended 521 new homes in Humberston are approved – 400 of which have already been rejected once.

Officers in North East Lincolnshire Council's (NELC) planning department have recommended that the committee approve a 400-home development of Humberston Avenue and 121 new homes on the old Humberston Park Golf Course.

The Par Three 121 homes are approved in detail but it is less controversial than the Keystone Developments proposal which is an outline – meaning some specific points are yet to be decided. Both will be decided on by elected officials at a planning committee meeting.

However, members of the Save Our Fields campaign group are angry at what they believe is a pointless repetition after the planning committee rejected the Keystone plan in November – despite it being recommended by officers.

Lee Scargill, 38, of Church Avenue, Humberston, said: "NELC's town planners are prime examples of wastage in the civil service – why do they continue to perpetuate this wasteful spending of our council taxes?

"I want to see this application rejected again by the planning committee, and urge them to show some leadership and sensibility over NELC's town planners."

The Keystone proposal was altered and re-submitted following refusal – although campaign group member Melvin Clarke, 47, of Glebe Road, said it was virtually the same.

He added: "The 'new' plans look the same and nothing has changed from our perspective either – we don't want these new homes and don't need them.

"The decision was close before and I just hope that the people we elect do the right thing by us again.

"If not, the village life we love will be over as we slowly get swallowed up as part of Grimsby and Cleethorpes."

However, the chair of NELC's planning committee, Councillor Alex Wallace (Lab, Sidney Sussex), defended the process and the actions of planning officers.

He said: "The developers have altered the original plans and we have to be extremely mindful of officers' recommendations as they follow a very strict procedure.

"If we are found to have ignored them, the applicant can sue the council for substantial damages – at a time when our budgets are already very tight."

The planning committee will meet at Grimsby Town Hall at 9.30am on Wednesday, and members of the public can attend.

A further planning application has been submitted by Leeds-based Bramall Properties Ltd to build 50 new homes, up to eight retail units and five large trade or office buildings off Altyre Way, Humberston – next to the Tesco Extra store on Hewitt's Circus.

See tomorrow's Telegraph for more information on that plan.

ON THE WEB: Breaking news on the planning committee's decision on the 521 homes will appear at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk on Wednesday.