IS YOUR child protected against measles?

Today, the Grimsby Telegraph can reveal the North Yorkshire and Humber Health Protection Team (NYHHPT) has confirmed there have been two suspected cases of the potentially fatal condition in North East Lincolnshire, between January and March this year – although neither had been laboratory confirmed.

The news comes after the shocking death of Swansea man Gareth Williams, 25, of suspected measles late last week, following an epidemic of the disease in the Welsh city.

And now, following the launch of the appropriately-timed European Immunisation Week, health chiefs in North East Lincolnshire are more anxious than ever to ensure all those living in the area are protected.

Figures released by Dr Terry Matthews, consultant in communicable disease control for the NYHHPT show the uptake for the vaccine in the borough is higher than the average for England and Wales, with 96.8 per cent of children receiving one dose by the age of 24 months, compared to 92.4 per cent.

The number of children having one dose of the vaccine by the age of five is even higher, with 98.2 per cent receiving it locally, compared to the 94.1 per cent average and the number of children receiving the full two doses required for immunisation by five years old is 95.1 per cent locally, compared to the 88.1 per cent average.

Dr Matthews said: "Once measles begins to circulate in communities, the illness spreads very easily and children and young adults who are not fully protected with the MMR vaccine are susceptible. This is why it is important for families to check their children are up-to-date with their MMR immunisations now.

"It is important children and young adults receive two doses to ensure they are fully protected from the disease. This is a highly effective, safe vaccine. MMR vaccination can be given later on if missed at the scheduled ages."

LOCAL millionaires have appeared alongside pop stars, business tycoons and regal families in this year's Sunday Times Rich List.

The glossy guide to the richest people in Britain and Ireland has put former Freshney Place owner, The Duke of Westminster at the top of the list for this area.

The 61-year-old's fortune rocketed by £250 million after Grosvenor Group, the property giant controlled by Westminster, sold off a clutch of regional shopping centres – which we can today reveal includes the Grimsby centre.

He is ranked eighth on the list with a total fortune of £7.8-billion.

Coming in at 122nd place, with £710 million, Grimsby born Carphone Warehouse boss David Ross has climbed 31 places from last year and is up £170 million from his £540 million fortune in 2012.

Ross bought out the workwear division of his grandfather's company, Cosalt after the firm collapsed with debts of £17 million in February.

Down 25 places at 126, is food processing boss Ranjit Singh Boporan, 46, whose company bought Grimsby's Five Star Fish in 2010.

His £700 million fortune is down £50 million, £600 million of which is tied up in the 2 Sisters food group. He also owns the Harry Ramsden's fish and chip shop chain and Amber Real Estate Investments.

Lincolnshire's Michael Cornish and Family Packaging are at 173 for their £500 million fortune, an increase of £3 million from last year.

Cornish, 59 – son of the late Evan Cornish, who founded Louth packaging giant LinPac – made £700 million by selling the firm to Montagu Private Equity in 2003.

He now owns a 50 per cent share of Oak Ridge Hotels, owner of Louth's Brackenborough Hotel and the Ashbourne, at North Killingholme.

The Earl of Yarborough is lowest on the list of rich locals at 919, with a haul of £84 million.

He runs the 28,000 acre Brocklesby Estate and property companies.

The 49-year-old's father, who died in 1991, left £67 million in his will.

See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for full story on the sale of Freshney Place.

IRREPLACEABLE letters and photographs were burnt to ashes in the Laceby explosion which shook houses for ten miles across the borough.

The family of the late John Willerton are said to be devastated after what are believed to be arsonists set fire to a caravan in the grounds of his old house in Caistor Road, Laceby.

Humberside Fire And Rescue Service confirmed it was called to the scene at 6.04am on Saturday and believe someone purposely started the blaze, which spread to a large pile of rubbish containing an oxy-acetylene cylinder, causing an explosion that could be heard for miles around.

Mr Willerton died last year and his son and daughter, who inherited his house, put his belongings in the caravan to sort out.

A family member, who did not want to be named, said: "The caravan was full of stuff, all his old possessions, which has really upset John's daughter. There were old letters and photographs that she wanted to sort through at her leisure. It has all gone.

"That is the most upsetting thing."

The force of the explosion shattered the conservatory, damaged the shed and garage and sent debris flying across the busy road and into a neighbour's front garden.

Firefighters were at the scene at the time of the explosion, which woke residents in Laceby and Irby at about 6.30am with an "almighty bang". It shook their homes and "plumes of smoke" could be seen in the distance.

The family member, who said they were grateful no one was hurt, said: "This has been an act of stupidity that could have been far worse. It is lucky no one was killed. If they had hung around after setting the caravan alight, who knows what would have happened.

"The power of the explosion is unbelievable, we are just thankful there wasn't a death."

The Grimsby Telegraph newsroom was inundated with calls from residents trying to find out what caused the bang.

Mr Brian Hanson of St Peter's Grove, Laceby, said: "It was like the 'sonic boom' we had the other year. It was really loud. It shook the windows of our bungalow. I took the dog out for a walk and saw a large plume of smoke rising over the A46. It smelt like someone had a big bonfire going."

Another Laceby resident, who did not want to be named, said: "It was loud boom. We looked out and you could the see the smoke near to the Laceby roundabout. It shook our house and woke us up. It was like a bomb had gone off."

THIS could be what an £8 million Cleethorpes hotel could look like if planning bosses give it the go-ahead.

The design for the Premier Inn at Meridian Park Development Site has been exclusively revealed to the Grimsby Telegraph, after developers submitted their planning application for the 80-bedroom hotel.

The idea of a chain hotel coming to the resort has divided opinion – with some bed and breakfast owners fearing it could kill off trade, while others think it will bring more tourists to the town.

Senior acquisition manager for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, Kevin Murray, said: "Cleethorpes has been on our target list for a long time. I am very pleased we have now submitted the planning application. The site is an ideal location for a Premier Inn and restaurant.

"We are sure it will support the increasing number of tourists who are visiting Cleethorpes and boost spending in the local economy."

The hotel, which will include a Brewers Fayre restaurant, will create 70 new jobs.

Residents of neighbouring Bolingbrook Road and surrounding areas have largely welcomed the development, believing it makes good use of derelict land.

One resident, who did not want to be named, said: "Something needs to be done with the land, so I would be thrilled if Premier Inn came. It will be a great asset that will bring more people into the resort. We have lovely guest houses, which will benefit from more people who will be attracted to the town believing they will get accommodation."

Owner of Clee House Hotel, in Clee Road, David Keenan, disagrees believing it will only take custom away from his business and other independent guest houses.

He said: "They will have a rude awakening financially. Most visitors to Cleethorpes are day trippers, having a Premier Inn here will not draw in more tourists. To me it is a fools marketing strategy.

"My business will also be affected. It was certainly affected when the Premier Inn in Grimsby came. I lost three regular companies which boarded with me after they struck a deal with Premier Inn. It will not enhance Cleethorpes. Anyone who says they will visit Cleethorpes because there is a Premier Inn leads a very sad life."

Cleethorpes In Bloom, which host this year's Britain In Bloom Awards, missed out last year because there weren't enough hotels in the area to accommodate the 500 guests.

Mr Murray added: "Our product is a hit with our customers, our financial results are very strong, and we are expanding aggressively across the country.

"I look forward to working with North East Lincolnshire council on securing planning permission so we can open the doors to our Cleethorpes customers next year and help to promote the town to business and leisure visitors and support the local businesses in the area."

MORE than 2,000 tickets for Grimsby Town's crucial game against Newport County were snapped up on the first day they went on sale.

In a matter of hours, fans bought a third of the tickets on offer for the Conference play-off semi-finals.

It follows their 3-0 victory over the same opponents on Saturday – which the club hopes is a sign of things to come.

Now they are urging fans to grab their tickets quick for the game, which is expected to attract 7,000.

Ticket office manager Lisa Piggott was amazed at how quickly the tickets sold for the first leg which takes place at Blundell Park on Wednesday at 7.45pm.

She said: "We are expecting a 7,000 gate, so we are already a third of the way through in the first day of the sales of the tickets.

"There is certainly a lot of excitement around Grimsby Town at the moment. We are feeling the buzz after Saturday's game.

"The result couldn't have gone any better. We are all feeling very positive about getting to Wembley. Hopefully this is going to be our year.

"We need to get back in the league."

The second leg is at Rodney Parade next Sunday.

Kidderminster Harriers will face Wrexham in the other semi-final, with Mansfield Town promoted as champions.

Lisa added: "If fans need certain seats they need to get down here as soon as possible."

Get tickets from GTFC ticket office at the stadium, visit www.grimsby-townfc.co.uk or contact 01472 605050.

A FORMER Tetney man, who admitted his role in a £42,515 con targeting the elderly and vulnerable, must pay back £3,000 or face jail.

Former Tollbar student Sam Routh, 26, pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud, committed while working for mobility aids provider ABM Mobility, which later changed its name, first to Virgo and then to Lifestyle.

As reported, Routh's role in the con was exposed on national TV show Rogue Traders.

The firm's owners, Amarjit and Ranjit Gill, of Nottingham, pleaded guilty to 25 counts of fraud – each relating to a customer complaint the firm had either refused to honour refunds or that they had paid for products that never arrived.

Leicester Crown Court heard that fellow staff member David Messom, 27, of Nottingham, who, like Routh, was employed as a manager with the firm, had also pleaded guilty to nine counts of fraud.

In December last year, Routh was jailed for nine months, suspended for two years and ordered to complete 180 hours of unpaid work.

However, at a proceeds of crime hearing at Derby Crown Court on Thursday, he was told to repay £3,000 within six months or face three months in prison.

Amarjit Gill was said to have made £141,000 and was ordered to pay back £90,000 within six months, or face 21 months in prison.

Ranjit Gill was ordered to pay back £80,000 under the same terms.

Councillor Kevin Parkinson, Derbyshire County Council Cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We were determined to claw back as much of the Gills' illegal gains as possible and I'm satisfied with the outcome of our action.

"This was one of the longest and most complicated cases ever undertaken by our trading standards team which worked very closely with officers from Derbyshire Constabulary.

"Using the Proceeds Of Crime hearing means we can ensure that they don't benefit from the money they made illegally. And, while it will not make up for the suffering of their victims, I am delighted that those who gave evidence to help us bring the Gills to justice will receive compensation."

Detective Sergeant Craig Hughes, of Derbyshire Constabulary's proceeds of crime investigation team, said: "These criminals ran a sophisticated scheme which targeted vulnerable, elderly people and conned them out of their money.

"Their sales representatives used shameful high-pressure selling techniques to persuade victims to sign up for products at hugely inflated prices – many of which never materialised.

"This case is an example of how police and trading standards have worked together to get justice for the victims."

THE Queen has honoured a Grimsby-area company for the second time – as it celebrates doubling its workforce.

Oil industry specialist Shand Engineering has again received the ultimate accolade for international trade, four years after the first.

It has dramatically increased production and opened a business in America since the initial visit to Buckingham Palace.

Now another London date will have to be pencilled in, as a new UK base in North East Lincolnshire is sought, and a second international plant in Brazil established.

More than 70 people are employed in the manufacture, design and sale of hose and pipe coupling systems for oil and gas transportation, across three sites on Stallingborough Industrial Estate.

Managing director Brian Purchon wants to bring them together under one roof which will match the prestige of the awards cabinet.

Sworn to secrecy as the award was revealed on the Queen's 87th birthday yesterday, he said: "To win it again is a significant achievement, and a great reward for everyone here.

"When we won the first one it was really emphasised to us how it will aid exports. We said 'OK, but how?'. It really does. When you travel around the world and show the picture of us shaking hands with the Queen people realise you must be part of something special, that you must be good. It gives you credibility."

The awards are based on three successive years' accounts, with Shand entering figures for 2010, 2011 and 2012 – the Diamond Jubilee year.

It provided a perfect opportunity to benchmark where Kiln Lane operation was at, compared to the 2009 success, when it won alongside Grimsby grocery exporter Ramsden International.

"Whenever I talk to people I just say we are a small company," said Mr Purchon. "Now as far as the Government is concerned we are a medium-sized enterprise, with sales of more than £10 million. To me we are still a small firm, with a real family feel, but I always qualify it!"

When Her Majesty bestowed the first award, annual sales as of June 2008 were a shade over £6 million, with 39 employees. By June 2012, the final figures on which this award is based, sales were at £12.4 million, with a team of 66.

"We anticipate the current year, which finishes in June, ending with sales of £17 million and 71 employees in Stallingborough."

Another Queen's Award winner is RES, the company that first identified the Lincolnshire coast as the preferable part of Crown Estate seabed to site offshore wind turbines on. With a growing presence in Grimsby, original work laid the foundations for an industry that has created more than 200 jobs in the town alone, with the wider Humber hoping to benefit further. Chris Holden, chairman of Grimsby Renewables Partnership, is one of a team of 400, working as offshore operations manager from offices inside Grimsby Fish Market.

What has been executed in the UK is now being repeated abroad, with overseas sales increasing by 352 per cent over the past six years for the Hertfordshire-headquartered organisation.

RECOGNITION of a good job, well done is always welcome.

But such an accolade from the highest person in the land is praise indeed.

And now one local firm has won that honour – not once, but twice!

Oil industry specialist Shand Engineering should be extremely proud of the work it has done and continues to do.

In North East Lincolnshire, despite the economic uncertainty that continues, there is much going on, which the area should be extremely proud of.

Shand is a prime example of the efforts that are being put in here and the way in which many, many businesses are successful as they strive to weather the storm and provide security and employment for their staff and associated industries.

It is all too easy to use the continuing tough times as an excuse to talk our economy down – both locally and nationally.

But stop and look around, we have a strong food sector here, with thousands of jobs still secure, a growing renewables business and the continued success of the Humber bank companies.

While there is no doubt times are hard, there are many that are making Grimsby and its area great!

Do you believe this area is fairing well and do you have a success story?

Follow the editor on Twitter @michellelalor

FOUR masked men burst into a Grimsby family's home – the second such incident in a month on the same street.

The terrified family, involved in the latest raid, have moved to an undisclosed address, and surrounding residents told how they have stepped up security in their own homes following the incident in Shelley Avenue.

The glass pane of the front door and two front windows of the property were smashed in, and the intruders stole a mobile phone and cash.

Today, Humberside Police have appealed for witnesses to the raid, which left a couple and their young son terrified.

Four men – all dressed in dark clothing and with their faces covered – gained entry and confronted the male and female occupants inside the two-storey home at around 12.50am on Thursday

They searched the house and stole a mobile phone, cash and bank cards before leaving in an unknown direction.

The men also caused damage to the windows and door of the property.

A month prior to this incident, a neighbouring home was also targeted by men wearing masks.

In that raid, as reported, a mother with a newborn baby was sat alone when the four men wearing balaclavas burst in at around 7.30pm.

Two of the men went upstairs while two of them stayed in the living room and asked the woman a number of questions before they all left.

The woman was not injured in any way and nothing was stolen.

A neighbour said: "After the first break-in, we all thought they must have got the wrong address. The woman said one of the men even apologised to her for getting the wrong house as they left. After the latest one, it looks like they had meant to be at another house."

Another resident said: "We hope they are not working their way along the street.

"I have got some new locks but I doubt they would visit us because I have a big dog.

"We heard a lot of glass smashing and shouting. It has made everyone worried."

Another Shelley Avenue resident, who also did not wish to be named, added: "There are a few elderly people living in the street and they are concerned about what has been going on. It is a worry."

Police are appealing for anyone who may have information in connection with the latest incident to call Humberside Police on the non-emergency number 101, quoting log 15 of April 18.

Anyone with information about the first attack can call 101, quoting crime number 1962413.

LET'S make Blundell Park an intimidating place on Wednesday night – and help Grimsby Town take a massive step towards the Football League.

That's the message from joint manager Paul Hurst ahead of the first leg of the Mariners' Conference play-off semi-final against Newport County.

After beating the same opponents 3-0 in the final match of the regular season on Saturday, Town host the Exiles on Wednesday before the return leg in South Wales on Sunday.

The reward is another trip to Wembley where they will take on Kidderminster Harriers or Wrexham for a place in the Football League. It's been three long seasons for the Mariners in non-league football and joint boss Paul Hurst believes Town's fans can help bring that to an end.

"I think the ground will be full with our fans," he said. "I'm not sure how many Newport will bring, but they'll obviously have a few. It should be a really good atmosphere.

"What happens on the pitch obviously dictates, at times, but if the fans can come with a positive attitude – as we ask the players to – and really give them that lift, it can be an intimidating place.

"I've watched enough play-off games to know that passes will be misplaced, there will be some nerves out there and not everything is going to go how we would like.

In Pictures: Grimsby Town 3 Newport County 0

"There will be times when we might be up against it and there will be times when a pass doesn't go to its intended target. But we need to try to control it as much as possible – myself and Rob (Scott) included – and ensure that we don't put too much pressure on the players.

"The prize is massive – the first goal now is to get to Wembley."

More than 4,500 spectators watched the Mariners strike what could be an important psychological blow on Saturday – albeit against a much-changed County line-up.

And Hurst was quick to highlight the part Town's fans can play on Wednesday evening in Cleethorpes.

He continued: "On 62 minutes on Saturday I looked up and the reason for that was, with the exception of the away end, all the fans were singing and that noise gives everyone a massive boost.

"That's what we want from them. We need everyone together to get us through.

"It is over two legs and our experience of that this season in the FA Trophy went well. We hope it's the same again.

"It looks like we're peaking at the right time. That said I'm sure that the other teams involved in the play-offs will all fancy their chances."