"BEWARE!"

That's the warning from Trading Standards officers, who believe a group of rogue traders are operating in the area, cold-calling at people's homes and offering to do work on their properties.

The warning follows an incident this week, when a cold-caller approached an elderly Cleethorpes resident and attempted to carry out roofing work on their home.

Officers are linking the incident to a number of other complaints received in recent months and believe a group of rogue traders are targeting the area.

A spokesman for the service said: "Doorstep callers will offer to do all kinds of work – for example roofing, block paving, gardening and fascias – and will charge large amounts of money for little work done.

"Often the work is of poor quality and needs to be done again at the added expense of the consumer."

If you need work doing on your home, follow these tips to ensure you are not ripped off:

Use a trader recommended by friends or family.

Get two or three written quotes for a rough idea of the going rate for the work required.

Remember, if you enter into an agreement for services costing more than £35, you have seven calendar days to back out.

SAMSUNG Honda's team manager is predicting an "exciting season" as the British Superbike Championship goes full throttle this weekend.

Havier Beltran and the Louth-based line-up are at Brands Hatch for the opening round of the new season, with BSB qualifying set to begin this afternoon.

Ryuichi Kiyonari makes a welcome comeback to Honda and BSB, while his new team-mate Alex Lowes will debut for the team in the Superbike class.

Following a year away from the UK that saw him win the 2012 Asia Road Racing Championship, three-time champion Kiyonari returns with his sights set firmly on an unprecedented fourth crown.

The Japanese ace is joined by BSB race winner Alex Lowes, who had an impressive campaign onboard the CBR1000RR Fireblade last season.

The opening event also kicks off the team's campaign in the British Supersport Championship with Jason O'Halloran aboard the new CBR600RR.

O'Halloran joins the British Supersport grid after competing with the team in the Superstock 1000 class.

The Australian has previously been a title winner in the Australian Supersport class and is ready to showcase the new Honda model in a bid for the British title.

Beltran, pictured above, is excited about the season ahead – with 12 rounds to come before the end of October.

"The Samsung Honda team is looking forward to the opening race of the season at Brands Hatch," he said.

"Pre-season testing wasn't as fruitful as we would have liked because of the weather conditions, so we still have some work at the opening rounds, but this is no doubt the case for everyone.

"We've an exciting season ahead with a new line-up in the Superbike class with Kiyo and Alex, and also returning to Supersport with Jason."

Louth rider Peter Hickman is back for another BSB campaign, after signing for the GBmoto Honda team at the end of last year.

'Hicky' (below), turns 26 on Monday, and will be hoping to make it a double celebration in the first races of the season tomorrow.

The rider finished 17th in last year's championship with Buildbase BMW, but also notched a top ten finish in the British round of the World Superbike Championship at Donington.

JAMIE Devitt may have fallen down the Grimsby Town pecking order – but the winger could still have a big part to play this campaign.

The Irishman is now in his second stint with the Mariners, having joined on loan from Hull City again in January.

The 22-year-old established himself as a real fans' favourite at Blundell Park during his previous spell – in 2010 – despite relegation from the Football League at the end of that season.

Devitt has struggled to repeat that individual form this time around and has been omitted from the squad for Town's last two matches.

However, joint boss Paul Hurst believes the youngster has much more in his locker.

He told the Telegraph: "I don't think he's got to where he'd like to be – he would probably say that. But he is a talented player and that's why we brought him here.

"We've brought Cleveland Taylor in and he's only had two starts to judge him on, so he has probably moved ahead of Jamie.

"Then we've got Marcus (Marshall) and Joe (Colbeck), and on Wednesday we went for Frankie (Artus) to makes us a bit more solid and competitive in there.

"Jamie has just found himself down the pecking order.

"He probably had his best game for us against Gateshead, while against Barrow he didn't have his best day. Then again, I'm not sure how many of them did!

"He's still very much part of the squad but it's about picking the people that we feel are right at this moment.

"The opposition comes into that and the need to keeping freshening things up."

As a 19-year-old, Devitt delivered a string of top displays during his initial loan spell in Cleethorpes.

And many Mariners fans will remember his tears on the final day of that campaign, as Town slipped out of the league at Burton Albion.

"It's difficult when you've done that well for a team before," added Hurst.

"We weren't there but it was a team that ultimately got relegated. Was he a bright spark in a struggling team?

"I would guess that was probably part of the case. He was younger than a lot of the players there, enthusiastic, and it was his first real taste of first-team football I would suggest. That excitement can certainly come into it."

The co-manager continued: "I'm sure he's been disappointed not to have been in the squad for the last couple of games and been involved, but things can change quickly."

VICTORY in the Humberston & New Waltham by-election shows that UKIP are a credible alternative to the main parties, according to the two men who will form the fourth political group on North East Lincolnshire Council.

As reported on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk on Thursday night, Stephen Harness took the seat from the Conservatives, beating their candidate Harry Hall by more than 300 votes.

Labour's Ashley Smith was third with 470 votes, and Liberal Democrat Stephen Stead was fourth with 311 votes.

The result gives UKIP its second councillor on NELC, following Ron Shepherd's breakthrough in Scartho last year, which was also at the expense of the Conservatives.

Labour remain on 25 seats, the Conservatives 11, and the Lib Dems four.

Mr Harness said the response from people on the doorstep had been more positive than last year, when he came second to Conservative John Fenty.

He said that, while issues such as Scartho Baths and proposed housing developments in the ward had cropped up, the main message from voters was: "We want our country back."

Mr Harness added: "It is an honour to be elected. My campaign team have worked their socks off and I can't thank them enough. Obviously other parties will take notice of the result, and we are now looking towards the 2014 council and European elections.

"But my main job is to now work alongside the other two ward councillors for the benefit of the residents of Humberston and New Waltham."

Mr Harness said that forming a group would give UKIP a stronger voice on the council. He insisted that his colleague Councillor Shepherd would become group leader as he would still be learning the ropes.

Councillor Shepherd, who said no decision on the leadership had been made, added: "We are over the moon that we have done so well. We have got votes not just from Conservatives but from Labour as well and people are moving across to us because we are seen as a credible alternative and not a protest vote."

Conservative group leader Keith Brookes was gracious in congratulating Mr Harness on his victory, but said the result was more to do with Conservative voters staying at home in protest at national issues rather than an upsurge in support for UKIP.

He said: "It is a shame because this won't help them locally. My message to people would be to be very observant of the two UKIP councillors and see what they actually achieve."

Labour group leader Chris Shaw said it was the result he expected. Although he described UKIP as a one-issue party with no solid foundations, he said Conservative councillors defending their seats next year would be "looking over their shoulders" at their UKIP rivals.

Liberal Democrat group leader Andrew De Freitas said the result was a "warning for all the main parties".

ON THE WEB: Comment on the result at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

A NEW legal high – similar to one that has hospitalised young people in North East Lincolnshire – is available over the counter of local shops for just £10.

The North East Lincolnshire Substance Team (Nest) is warning that "legal highs" such as Mexxy and Annihilation have caused unconsciousness, fitting and problems with pulse rate and blood pressure.

They can also make users feel angry or violent, interfere with concentration, and cause unhappiness.

Some have even been referred to mental health services for problems associated with legal highs, which are easy to get hold of online, and in a Telegraph investigation, one of our reporters found substances such as Clockwork Orange and Eclipse in an independent Grimsby shop. Annihilation was banned last month because one of the chemicals in it was made illegal in March.

Clockwork Orange, a replacement without the banned substance, was on sale within a few days.

A gram of the green, herb-like Eclipse costs just £10 and is marketed as "herbal incense" but is usually smoked – despite warnings on the back of the packet to call a doctor or poison centre if swallowed or inhaled.

However, Nest, along with Humberside Police and North East Lincolnshire Council have put out a warning to young people considering using any legal highs: just because it is legal, it doesn't mean it is safe.

Warren Hughes, of Nest, said: "There have been reports locally about a number of young people being hospitalised, sometimes with medical emergencies such as fitting or unconsciousness.

"Legal does not mean safe and the name on the packet tells you nothing about the chemicals you are taking or what effects they will have on your body."

The warning follows our campaign on the dangers of Mcat, which has torn the lives of local young people apart and fuelled crime and disorder on our streets – yet until recently, few parents had heard of it.

Mcat – or mephedrone – was also a legal high until it was named as a contributory factor in a number of high-profile deaths of young people and was made a class B drug in April 2010.

After the Grimsby Telegraph's successful campaign highlighting the dangers and its endemic use amongst youngsters – which you can read about at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk – Nest has reported that use has fallen dramatically – although there are still issues in the area.

However, new legal highs are constantly emerging and there is little the police and local authorities can do except try to educate young people about the dangers.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "We do work closely with our local authority partners in youth services, health and drug intervention in order to stay up to speed on the latest trends.

"We need to know what is currently being supplied in order to look at highlighting the dangers of such drugs even if they are classed as legal.

"However, should information come our way relating to those selling legal highs and also selling illegal drugs, we would look to take positive action."

Mr Hughes added: "The only way to stay safe is not to use recreational drugs of any kind.

"If you choose to, using less is safer than using more, but you are still risking your health and wellbeing – please don't."

He offered the following advice to those who disregard expert advice and choose to use recreational drugs.

Do not mix different substances of any kind whether they are legal or not, including alcohol.

Do not use in a public place.

Everybody is different, just because a friend was OK after using something, it doesn't mean you will be. Make sure you are not allergic to anything being used.

Make sure at least one of the people you are with has not used anything so that if things go wrong they can get help.

Call an ambulance quickly if things go wrong and you or somebody your are with becomes ill after using a substance. Do not be afraid and don't waste time hoping things will get better on their own, they might not.

Know how to put people in the recovery position.

Remember, following this advice will help, but the only way to stay safe is not to use.

If you are a young person under the age of 18, parent of or know someone struggling with substance misuse issues including legal highs, alcohol or illegal drugs, you can get help and advice from NEST on 01472 326693 between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday and 9am to 4:30pm on Fridays.

ON THE WEB: Read about our M-Cat campaign at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

HATS off to Caistor Women's Institute for "clicking-up" 95 years – making the group one of the oldest in the country.

Scores of members gathered for an anniversary celebration at Caistor Town Hall, where the women have been busy knitting beanie hats for troops and woollen hats for premature babies at Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital's maternity unit.

As well as viewing displays of memorabilia and photographs collected over the group's history, the women also tucked into a special cake and had a party.

One of the group's longest-standing members, former president Joan Wright – who has given 75 years to the WI – was given the honour of cutting the cake.

Fellow members looked back at nearly a century of learning practical skills, forming friendships and attending special events.

Soon after Caistor WI formed in 1918, the group had a visit from a founder member of the Canadian WI, where the movement began.

Past highlights include a demonstration by the Grimsby Morris Men, a recital by poet Pam Ayers, a visit to the theatre to watch the play Calendar Girls – about a WI that stripped off for a charity calendar – and a workshop on making chocolates.

And there's much more to come.

President June Gaughan said: "It has been a brilliant party. It is a great organisation. It helps a lot of people. Anyone new coming into the town is welcomed and they no longer feel a stranger.

"In the countryside, people have a strong ethic to keep things going. You have to have the right people at the helm and we keep the meetings entertaining."

Things have certainly changed from those early days.

Past minutes of WI meetings on show at the event described bygone generations of women drawing pictures of pigs while blindfolded in the 1930s.

Institute minutes secretary, Wendy Handford said now the joy of being a member is caring and sharing with others.

She said: "Pooling our traditional practical skills is enjoyable, but more often it is sharing friendships and caring for each other.

"This is what Caistor WI has valued throughout its history."

Member Rita Dukes said: "It is not all jam and Jerusalem. We get involved in campaigns, such as trying to keep rural post offices open, farming issues and when we had Tony Blair at one of our conferences we slow-handclapped him."

One of the longest serving members Charlotte Linsell, 84, who has been with the WI for 61 years, said: "It has been marvellous.

"We have never had a chance to see all the minutes of previous meetings all together. They go all the way back to 1918.

"We are among the oldest in the country. It was started in Canada because the women there felt isolated and it gave them a kind of club to meet up.

"The same happened here. There were small town and village groups. Caistor was once an important place because it had the largest sheep fair in the country."

For retiring Mayor of Caistor, Councillor John Burns-Salmond the celebrations marked one of his final engagements after four years as mayor.

He said: "During the past 95 years their contribution has been incalculable, especially in these difficult economic times.

"I can see the institute has changed. They can be a great source of help, especially to people struggling on low incomes. That is exactly how it grew up in the times of the world wars.

"We are extremely proud of them. It was a great honour to be here."

The group was entertained by Caistor Ladies Choir who sang songs including The Rose, I Could Have Danced All Night and Swing Low Sweet Chariot, accompanied by Grimsby Minster organist Steven Maxson.

Find out more

Caistor WI meets on the first Thursday of each month at the town hall. More news from across the Wolds can be read on page 25 of today's paper.

CLEETHORPES Dance Festival came to an end in a dramatic finale of colour, music and dazzling costumes.

As reported, the annual event has proved as popular as ever, with competitors and their supporters packing out the Memorial Hall.

And, we have been among them, capturing photographs and getting all the latest results from across the week.

More results will appear in your Grimsby Telegraph tomorrow.

HELP is out there for parents in need of support, thanks to a Caring local charity.

The Christian Action Support Enterprise (Care) has launched a new programme designed to help parents cope with any issues or concerns they may have about raising their children – no matter how big or small.

Diane Briggs, the charity's parenting manager, said the aim of the support group was to offer impartial, non-judgemental advice.

She said: "We want to offer free impartial help and advice to parents.

"Sometimes you come across an issue, whether it's problems getting the kids to sleep, or struggling to set boundaries.

"We want to help and offer advice.

"We are not social workers or health visitors. I have raised three children and the support workers are also all parents.

"I know when my children were growing up, I would have welcomed some friendly advice and that's all we want to do.

"Parenting is one of the hardest jobs anyone can undertake.

"If you buy a washing machine you get instructions, in lots of different languages, that show you exactly what you need to do. There is no instruction manual for a child.

"You are just expected to know what to do. Not everyone has family nearby or friends with children to ask for advice, so you have to work out issues yourself. If you want to ask any questions or talk to somebody about parenting at any time, give us a call for a chat.

"We just want to help make raising children a little bit easier for parents."

To ask any questions, or get some advice, call the Parenting Team on 01472 232310 or e-mail enquiries@carenelincs.co.uk

For more information, visit www.carenelincs.co.uk

THE Police And Crime Commissioner has named the East Marsh area of Grimsby as a good example of communities fighting crime during his fourth visit to the area on Saturday.

Matthew Grove held a community surgery at Freeman Street Market, giving members of the public a chance to voice their concerns to the police force figurehead, who was elected to represent them in November.

The East Marsh has one of the Humberside Police force area's highest crime rates.

However, while Mr Grove admitted that the area "has its challenges", he also praised people in the community for rising to them.

He said: "Combating crime is not just the responsibility of the police – it is up to all of us to confront criminality in whatever way we can.

"People on the East Marsh aren't afraid to come together and tackle crime, whether that is reporting suspicious activity or setting up neighbourhood watch groups.

"The more people we get involved, the greater chance we have of success and that is why engaging members of the public on days like today is key to achieving my main aims."

Mr Grove said he would follow up two crimes mentioned that day – a serious neighbour dispute and the theft of £75,000 worth of car memorabilia from a retired collector.

"I will be speaking to officers, checking that these are being followed up and hopefully getting an update for the people involved," Mr Grove added.

Phillip Dumbrell, 35, of Weelsby Street, came to talk about high crime around Grimsby's Open Door – which helps many socially excluded people including addicts and the homeless – and setting up a neighbourhood watch group.

He said: "I wanted to talk about the stigma surrounding Neighbourhood Watch and the fact that a lot of crime is due to drugs and alcohol dependency in certain areas. They told me they will investigate."

Humberside Police PCSOs Rebecca Panter and Chris Broughton, who work in the East Marsh, were also there to answer questions – as they are every week from 11am to 1pm.

Mr Broughton said: "It helps us engage with the people we work with.

"They can talk to people who are familiar with local issues in a convenient place for them."

GRIMSBY Town joint boss Paul Hurst gives his thoughts on Saturday's 2-2 draw with Southport and rounds up the latest issues at Blundell Park.

ON THE RESULT…

" You have to say it's a great point. When you look at the other results – particu larly Forest Green's – and, in the context of the game and where we're at, it has to be seen as a point gained, although we obviously came in to the game hoping for three points. There's that level of expectation, particularly at home, that the players seem to be struggling a little bit with. On Saturday, in the second half, I thought we upped our energy levels after a disappointing first half. Having not played particularly well, it looked as though we were going to go in all-square but then we give away a sloppy second goal and give ourselves a difficult task. The longer the game went on in the second half, it looked as though we were facing a defeat so to get the late equaliser was, in the end, something of a bonus."

ON THE PERFORMANCE…

" It certainly looks as though they're playing with a bit of fear. Whether that's the time of the season or because of the prize that's in front of them – I don't know. I think it ultimately comes from playing for this club and in front of what was a really good turn-out. But after less than two minutes, I think I heard the first shout from the crowd. I'm talking about a tiny minority of the crowd but all those negative things are the ones that are heard rather than the positives. You will never change that and it's not the only place where that happens but, for some players at the minute, that seems to be a bit of an issue. Maybe playing away from home, as I suggested recently, is helping the team. We've lost a bit of experience with Craig Disley missing again for us on Saturday. We are a young side, but there's nothing to be scared of. We need to get that monkey off their back and allow them to play with a little bit more freedom."

ON THE PENALTY APPEALS…

" For me it was a blatant penalty. Apparently the linesman said that he won the ball first. He must have been a different view that he had to me. I spoke to Liam (Watson) after the game and we were both questioning some of the decisions that were made, and that's a shame that comes into it. It was the same for both teams, but the penalty decision was a big one for us. It would have given us more of an opportunity to go on and win the game. The equaliser probably came a little bit too late for us."

ON THE HECTIC SCHEDULE…

" I don't want to use that as an excuse. Southport have played the same amount of games as us and they're part-time. Mentally it's starting to take a bit of a toll but, ultimately we have to move on to another game tomorrow night and we're in a great position. In the recent games, we've been talking about being a man and needing them to be men and that will continue until the end of the season. Whether we're a young side or not, we need everyone to stand up, be brave and work hard. You have to be mentally strong and that's what we're trying to get over to the players."

ON SEALING A PLAY-OFF PLACE TOMORROW EVENING…

" I don't know. I'm quite good at maths but I've given up on trying to predict and work out whose going to pick up points. We're just going to try and win a game of football at Dartford. We've been successful in the last couple of away games and we'll try and carry the form that we've shown in those games forward. Saturday's result took us another point closer and it's another game ticked off – that's the main thing. It makes it more difficult for Forest Green and they seem to be struggling for a bit of belief now. I wouldn't swap places with Forest Green, that's for sure. Saturday was an opportunity for us to go level with Newport and put a bit of pressure on Wrexham, but it wasn't to be. It's about staying strong, believing in what you're doing and working hard."

ON CRAIG DISLEY…

" He's touch-and-go for tomorrow night. There was a bit of an improvement before Saturday – although not enough and that's why he wasn't in the team. Possibly, after a couple more days' rest, he might be better. Certainly, we don't want to risk him. People may say, you risk not getting in the Play-Offs if you don't play him but for us, it's about making sure he's right because otherwise it only has a negative impact in that we'd have to use a sub early or he can't perform to his best."

ON THE HOME CROWD…

" When I talk about the response of the crowd, I have to say it's not all of them. I accept that, through the game, if you're sat there and people are constantly giving the ball away, you're not going to sit there and clap. The fans want us to do well and they feel down when things aren't going our way. I can assure you that no-one feels that more than myself and Rob stood on the side. If we keep having games like we did on Saturday, there's nothing more certain than we'll soon have a heart attack before too long. Ultimately, we have to stick together – all of us. When the crowd gets behind us it does lift everyone but I accept that it's a two-way street. It's difficult to get behind the team when it's not functioning how everyone wants it to. We have to stick together – all of us. We're still in with a really good chance of achieving something this season and we'll only do that if we all pull together."

ON LIAM HEARN…

" He did well and it's clear he's desperate to be involved. There was one incident in particular where he went down the right hand channel, shoulder to shoulder with their skipper and he got there first and ended up winning a corner. Against Cambridge when he came on he had a similar run and was second to it which is not what Liam's about. That instance showed me that he's made a step forward. Some will be calling for him to start but, as we keep saying, he's not ready. I think we saw that he is ready to make the sort of contributions that he did. If I'm honest, we're risking him a little bit. The Reserves are okay – it gets minutes under your belt but if you're up against kids. It's not a true reflection of where you're at. Saturday certainly was."

A JUDICIAL review could be pursued following a Government decision to overturn a council's rejection of a plan for a wind farm near Louth.

East Lindsey District Council turned down an application for eight 115m wind turbines and a substation at Carlton Grange, Thacker Bank – known as the Gayton Wind Farm – last June.

However, applicant Energiekontor referred the refusal to the Government's Planning Inspectorate, which overturned ELDC's decision on Friday.

The only option now would be to take the case to judicial review – an option that ELDC, which has vehemently opposed the development, has not ruled out.

Craig Leyland, portfolio-holder for economic development, said: "We are disappointed with the outcome and stand by our original decision.

"ELDC is taking legal advice on the options and we are lobbying for change in the planning process to localise these decisions so we can defend our own landscape."

Locals formed the No Wind Farm At Gayton (Nowag) group after the company held opinion screening sessions in 2010 – and have invested £20,000 from their own pockets in their fight against the proposal.

Tom Hayes is the chairman and his family has lived at Low Farm for more than a century, but the view his grandfather enjoyed will be ruined by the turbines, he says.

He said: "People have called me a nimby and all sorts of names, but I want to protect this beautiful view across the Lincolnshire Wolds for future generations.

"We were absolutely devastated to hear the decision. We put up a good fight and now it is as though it was all for nothing."

Cheryl Warwick, chairman of Saltfleetby Parish Council, said: "I was disappointed, then angry, but my greatest worry is that this will now open the floodgates for other developments."

Keep reading the Telegraph for updates.

A HOST of clubs are queuing up to sign Southport winger Shaun Whalley at the end of the season – but Grimsby Town will not be one of them.

After the winger starred in the Mariners' thrilling 2-2 draw with the Merseysiders on Saturday, his boss Liam Watson admitted that the part-timers are resigned to losing the 25-year-old.

Capping a stellar individual display, Whalley's superb cross allowed Karl Ledsham to score what looked to be the Sandgrounder's winner at Blundell Park.

However, Town fought back and snatched a hard-fought point through Cleveland Taylor's dramatic injury-time equaliser.

That point, combined with Forest Green Rovers' defeat at Tamworth, means the Mariners have an eight-point buffer over the sixth-placed side – and could seal a play-off place tomorrow night at Dartford if results go their way.

After Saturday's game, Watson revealed that many of the Blue Square Premier's big boys – including Town – as well as league clubs both in England and Scotland, have shown interest in Whalley, adding that he will not stand in the way of a move.

In Pictures: Grimsby Town 2 Southport 2

But, while Town joint boss Paul Hurst admitted he and Rob Scott made tentative enquiries about the player at the start of the season, he insists they are unlikely to revisit the issue at the end of the current campaign.

"We made an enquiry about him at the start of this season," Hurst told the Telegraph, "But for me, the asking price was unrealistic and certainly ruled us out.

"He's a good player but, from what I've heard there's interest from Football League clubs.

"What I would say is that, on Saturday, he was one of very few wingers to give Aswad (Thomas) a difficult time this season."

Asked if the former Norwich City trainee's valuation would dissuade Town from making an approach at the end of the season, Hurst replied: "I would say so, yes.

"If it gets to the point where his contract runs out and he's a free agent, then obviously you can be interested, but as I said, there are league clubs that are also interested.

"He's a player that can pick up the ball and go past players and he played well on Saturday, there's no doubt about that."

Watson said: "Shaun's got another year on his contract but we've had an agreement with Shaun all along about the end of this season.

"For me, he's been, by far, the best player in the Conference this season. All the big Conference clubs want to buy him and now league clubs and Scottish clubs as well.

"You saw what Shaun's all about on Saturday," he added.

"He will help us get over the line and then at the end of the season, once that's done, we'll go from there."