THIS year's Hospital Carnival is set to be the biggest and best yet.

The carnival will be the first since the passing of devoted fundraiser Ron Kitching and organisers hope to make it the biggest ever.

Vonnie Henderson, general manager of the Big Red Heart Appeal, which runs the event, said there is still time to get involved.

"There still a few stalls available at this fantastic event.

"It will be the first since Ron died and we hope everyone will come together in memory of his life and fundraising to help give a final push to improving the coronary care unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital.

"This will help put the final pieces in the puzzle of the project Ron worked so hard to fund raise for.

"He started the carnival and through it, and his own efforts, raised hundreds of thousands and even millions of pounds for the hospital.

"He wanted this area to have the best equipment to give people the best possible chance when dealing with heart problems.

"We want to carry on his legacy and his hard work."

Vonnie added: "The carnival will be a great place for all kinds of businesses, big and small, to reach a wide audience and help a great cause.

"Last year we had nearly 13,000 people visit throughout the day, it could be a massive boost to local firms.

"It's so easy to get involved, just give me a call.

"There are a limited number of places available, so get in quick before it's too late."

The carnival takes place on the Sunday, August 11, from 10am to 6.30pm. To book a stall, call Vonnie on 07593 324061 or call the Grimsby and District Charity shop on 01472 320637.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a "vibrant and innovative" woman who was dedicated to improving the borough's health.

Chairman of North East Lincolnshire's Care Plus Group (CPG), Val Waterhouse, 62, lost her two-year battle with breast cancer on Wednesday.

Her involvement in the local NHS services spanned two decades and, during that time, her reputation as being "motivated" and "tenacious" became well known.

Chief executive of CPG, Lance Gardner, knew her for ten years, and regarded her as a "great friend". He said: "She has been a constant throughout my time in Grimsby and feels to be part of fabric of the community as much as the dock tower is.

"She epitomised what leadership means in a community. She could hold her own with Government Ministers and leaders of industry but equally communicate as an equal with citizens on East Marsh or frontline staff in any organisation.

"She has always been loyal, consistent, highly motivated and most of all, my leader."

Despite being diagnosed just a day before she took on the Care Plus Group's lead role in 2011, she continued throughout her illness to lead her team with the same determination as previous roles – which included driving the Primary Care Trust into the unique Care Trust Plus, of which she was the country's longest serving chair.

Val's innovative leadership in health was also apparent in business as managing director of ICF Grimsby Ltd. She was also chairman of the Local Enterprise Agency and won a National Businesswoman Of The Year Award in 1991.

Dr Peter Melton, of Immingham's Roxton Practice and clinical lead for NHS North East Lincolnshire Clincal Commissioning Group, described his 13 year working relationship with Val as an "enormous privilege".

He said: "Val always demonstrated commitment, energy and enthusiasm which have been infectious. Humility was a trait that Val had in buckets. She never sought recognition and would always attribute the benefits she has realised to others."

Head of services at the CPG, Neil Cartwright, said: "Val was an inspirational woman who, with great passion and tenacity dedicated her time to tirelessly championing the cause of improving the lives of local people."

Chief executive Navigo, the area's mental health services, Kevin Bond, added: "She was an interesting and vibrant person who was always interested in getting the best for local people. It was a pleasure for all of us to work with her and she will be sorely missed by many here."

AUSTIN Mitchell is recovering in hospital after undergoing a second heart operation within a week.

The Great Grimsby MP came out of intensive care yesterday after having an emergency operation in the early hours of Monday morning to remove blood clots that had developed around his heart.

The 78-year-old Labour politician had been recuperating at Kings College Hospital in London following a previous operation to fix a leaky valve.

But despite the setback, Austin is making a good recovery and is hoping to be out of hospital within the next few days.

His wife Linda McDougall yesterday told the Grimsby Telegraph: "He is still in hospital but he's out of intensive care. He had a bit of a setback on Sunday night and he had to have another operation, but he's doing very well.

"He is seeing physios now to start building his strength back up. It's a long recovery period but I think a few more days in hospital and he should be well enough to leave. They are marvellous at Kings College."

When contacted by the Telegraph yesterday, Austin said: "I'm just having my first fish and chips in weeks, which is a good sign!"

He said his recovery was now back on track and that he was keen to "get back to walking and climbing stairs".

Asked if he was looking forward to going home after his latest recent spell in hospital, he replied: "You can say that again! The health service is doing a great job but compared to the joys of being on the front at Cleethorpes, this is nothing!"

Austin, who has represented the Great Grimsby constituency since 1977, was first admitted to Kings College Hospital on June 3, after he collapsed and banged his head outside the Houses of Parliament on June 3.

Messages of support flooded in from political colleagues, including Labour leader Ed Miliband.

Whilst he was being treated in hospital, doctors discovered a leaky valve in his heart. It was initially thought that Austin, who has suffered from an uneven heartbeat for the past 15 years, would need to undergo open heart surgery, but instead doctors fitted a defibrillator and he was discharged after 11 days.

However, after undergoing tests last month, doctors decided he would need to have surgery to fix the problem.

The operation was carried out on Monday, July 22, and was a success.

Following the procedure, Linda told the Telegraph that her husband was in good spirits and had joked that he would always remember his operation because it took place on the birthday of the future King.

A NEW indoor skate park is set to open on Grimsby's Freeman Street later this month.

Work has already begun on transforming the inside of the derelict former Kwik Save building into a facility for scooters, BMX riders, inliners and skateboarders.

And the couple behind the plan are hoping to officially open the new centre, which will be known as Ghetto Park, in the next few weeks.

Wayne Albery and his partner Pam Collison, of North Street, Cleethorpes, took receipt of the keys to the building back in April.

They were granted planning permission to change the use of the building by North East Lincolnshire Council planning officers in June, and work on constructing the ramps for the new facility began last week.

Pam and Wayne, who have experience in the building and painting and decorating trades, decided to embark on the venture after hearing complaints from local BMX riders that there was no indoor skate park in the area.

The couple got to know riders who frequented the Mainline BMX shop in High Street, Cleethorpes, as it was located near to the sweet shop that Pam ran for three years.

After an 18-month search for a suitable building, they struck gold when the former Kwik Save premises became available last November, following the closure of Smart Bargains.

Three levels of ceiling have been removed to increase the height of the building to 15ft.

The work is being carried out free of charge by local BMX riders and GY 90, a group set up by Giving Young People Opportunities.

The new skate park will also include a cafe, and will be open seven days a week. Two part-time and two full-time jobs have been created, and the posts already filled.

An annual membership scheme will offer discounts for regular visitors, but Pam is also hoping that riders will come from further afield to use the facility.

She said: "Riders like different challenges and riders from this area go all over the country, so we are hoping people from other areas will come and try our skate park."

Plans are also afoot to run an after-school club.

Pam added: "We want to create a safe environment where families can leave their children. This is going to get a lot of kids onto scooters and off the streets."

The exterior of the building will also be given a facelift thanks to a grant from the council's shop front scheme, and Pam believes the creation of the new skate park will boost the wider regeneration of Freeman Street.

She said: "Not a single person that we have spoken to has had a bad word to say about it because it can only be good for the area."

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for details on the official opening.

IF last night's friendly at Gainsborough Trinity was purely a fitness exercise, then some would argue it served its purpose.

As bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst had promised, 11 members of the Mariners' squad played the full 90 minutes of the 1-1 draw at Northolme.

But the result, and the performance, would not have been what the duo were looking for, as while the players got a full match under their belt, the visitors often looked off the pace and far from their fluid best.

They started brightly enough, controlling much of the opening exchanges and could have been in front inside the first ten minutes.

A quick free-kick saw Lenell John-Lewis find some space in the box, but former Town stopper Phil Barnes was off his line quickly to parry the frontman's powerful effort aside.

The hosts had struggled to get out of their own half but Bradley Baraclough came close to testing Town keeper Jonathan Hedge at the back post, but Simon Russell's cross flashed just over his forehead.

After being asked to soak up a rare spell of pressure, Town could have gone ahead when Shaun Pearson powered a header at goal from a free-kick, but saw it blocked on the line.

Most in attendance thought the professionals were about to up their game in search of a goal before the break but, at the other end, the hosts sprang a surprise.

When Trinity were allowed time to pick a way through on the edge of the box, Jonathan Williams easily rolled his man and slipped the ball past Hedge.

Town's players cut frustrated figures in the remaining minutes before the break. It may have only been a pre-season friendly, but they trudged off visibly irritated at being behind after spending 45 minutes largely in control.

But it was the hosts who fashioned the first shot in anger following the restart as Williams tested Hedge's reflexes from 25-yards.

Town's frustrations were growing – a fact borne out by the number of free-kicks that they were beginning to concede.

With ten minutes gone, from yet another set-piece for the hosts, Mark Jones ghosted in at the far post, but planted his header wide.

Immediately after, Town should have got themselves back on terms when John-Lewis muscled his way to the edge of the box, but curled his effort outside of Barnes' left-hand post.

In response, Scott and Hurst switched to a 4-4-2, in search of that equaliser.

And their side were gifted with a chance to do just that with just over 20 minutes to go.

A breakdown in communication between Tom Ward and his keeper Barnes saw a simple ball beat both of them, leaving John-Lewis to stroke home his fifth – and easiest – goal of pre-season so far.

Undeterred, the hosts fought back, and Hedge had to be alert to palm over Jones' clever chip, while, at the other end, second-year YT Walker burst through and flashed a shot across Barnes' goal.

That proved to be the last meaningful effort of what had been an ultimately frustrating evening for the Mariners.

The joint bosses will be looking for a big improvement when they take on Grantham this afternoon.

A MAN is fighting for his life in hospital after he was stabbed in a street attack.

The 27-year-old, who has not been named, suffered serious stomach injuries in the assault, which happened at the junction of Stanley Street and Oxford Street, Grimsby, between 11pm and 11.35pm on Thursday.

GRIMSBY Town joint boss Rob Scott slammed his players' performance in last night's 1-1 draw at Gainsborough – saying they had gifted those who will play at Grantham this afternoon (12pm) a chance to stake their claim.

Scott accused some members of his team of not working hard enough at Northolme, and insists the 'door is open' for those who have a chance to impress in the last of the Mariners' pre-season friendlies today.

The visitors went behind seven minutes before the break when Jonathan Williams put Trinity ahead, and it was only thanks to a fortuitous goal from Lenell John-Lewis that Town avoided their third defeat of pre-season.

Speaking to the Telegraph after the game, Scott said: "I didn't think we worked hard enough and we didn't put enough work-rate or effort in. That was evident in our performance.

"That was poor – there's no excuses for that.

"For those that played, that was their last 90 minutes before the season starts so they've not really put themselves in the shop window.

"Paul Walker, Shaun Pearson and Jonathan Hedge were the only three to come out of the game with anything, the rest left a lot to be desired."

Opening the door for the 11 that will take on Grantham this afternoon, Scott added: "You would like to think that this is the point in the season where people are staking claims for a starting slot in the team next Saturday, but it didn't look that way from the sidelines.

"Someone else could play this afternoon, turn our heads, and they will be playing on Saturday against Aldershot, simple as that.

"What the lads who played against Gainsborough have done is give those who didn't play an opportunity to stake a claim this afternoon."

POLICE were called to Eastgate in the town at 1.15am Friday morning after a 20- year-old local man suffered a serious fractured jaw after being punched during an altercation near the Wilkinsons store.

The victim was taken to hospital to The Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital but later transferred to Hull Royal Infirmary for specialist surgery.

The offender is described as a white male, of stocky build, with dark hair and was wearing jeans and a white top.

DC Scott Miller would particularly like to hear from anyone who was in Samuels Nightclub that night and who may have information that could identify the offender.

Anyone with information should contact Lincolnshire Police by dialling 101 and quoting the incident number. Report crimes anonymously by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

IS it a bird? Is it a plane?

A local daredevil has raised almost £700 for a children's charity after performing a breathtaking 'wing walk'.

DJ Daniel 'Wes' Westcott, 38, reached dizzying heights of up to 500 feet whilst standing on the wing of a small biplane, at the Breighton Aerodrome near Selby.

Daniel said: "It was an amazing experience. It's hard to describe to people unless you have actually done it.

"I apparently looked like a dog with its head out of a car window!

"I was up there for about 15 minutes, and I was absolutely buzzing when I landed. I loved every second of it.

"The first thing I did when I landed was hug my dad, who was watching, alongside many of my friends and relatives."

The stunt was all part of Daniel's bid to raise money for the Sick Children's Trust, a charity that helps to provide support and accommodation to the families of children in hospital.

The charity helped his friend, Claire Bown, when her young son Joseph was treated at Sheffield Children's Hospital for a bowel disorder. The Trust ensured that Claire could be by Joseph's side throughout his treatment.

Daniel also organised a fundraising event at Grimsby's Musika nightclub in July.

"The night went well, and the raffle raised a good amount. We followed it with a night collecting donations in Cleethorpes, where customers in Bar Babylon, Gypsy Tears and the Swashbuckle were very generous, filling both charity pots to the brim.

"We would like to thank everyone who kindly donated their time, effort and hard-earned cash to help us.

"This includes our sponsor for the wing walk, all the bands and acts who played for free, raffle prize donors and anyone who entered on name cards or simply put change in our charity pots.

"Every little helps and it's much appreciated."

Daniel will continue to receive donations throughout August at https://www.justgiving.com/Claire-Bown1

A WOMAN in Grimsby is calling on local residents to help her solve a mystery.

Aluminium cans were stolen from her recycling container during the night.

The woman, who only wishes to be known as Tracey, said that up to 60 cans have been stolen on three separate occasions from her property on Earl Street, Grimsby, during the past two months.

Tracey said: "Our recycling is collected every other Friday morning.

"I leave the container full of cans on the inside of our gate on Thursday night, ready for myself or my husband to put out on the street the next morning.

"But when we go to put out the container, loads of cans are missing. I don't know why it's happening – the mind boggles.

"If someone is collecting them to exchange for money to feed their kids, or something like that, then that's fine.

"I'd happily give away our cans if someone knocked on my door and asked me for them."

Tracey is interested to know if other residents have had aluminium cans stolen from their recycling containers too.

If so, or of you can help solve the mystery, please call our newsdesk on 01472 372236, or email newsdesk@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk.

You can also leave a comment online.

MONKEYING around for a good cause are local duo Christine Vickers and Ben Soul.

The pair are taking part in the Great Gorilla Fun Run in London to raise money for the endangered primate.

The fun run covers seven kilometres across London with runners dressed in full gorilla suits.

The event has raised more than £1.9 million in the 10 years it has been organised to help protect the species in Central Africa.

Christine Vickers, 29, of Laceby Road said: "I have always wanted to do a charity run and Ben told me this is the one to do.

"The organisation does not just help the animals' welfare but also manage poverty projects to help the local people.

"I think it is a pretty worthwhile cause.

"I am very excited to be taking part and getting to see some of the great landmarks of London.

"It may only be 7km, but we will be in big gorilla suits so it will be tough.

"I have been building my fitness levels up by going to the gym so I think I'll be pretty ready for it. I hope to be able to raise the £400 needed to take part and help this great charity.

Ben, 31, of Abbey Drive East, Grimsby said: "I have always been interested in monkeys since I was a kid.

"And I have wanted to take part in the run for a while but have always found a reason not to.

"I just decided it was now or never.

"We have to raise £400 each to be able to take part so we are going to be taking collection buckets around the town in our gorilla suits.

"I'm excited about taking part but I know it's going to be a tough 7km.

"I am not the fittest person and I think I will have to walk the distance.

For more information, search Ben's great gorilla run on Facebook.

FOUR months ago he was cursing Newport County after Grimsby Town's play-off defeat – now Tom Naylor is back at Rodney Parade.

The Derby County centre-back made 15 appearances for the Mariners during a loan spell at Blundell Park last season.

That spell ended in disappointment as Town lost out to County in the play-off semi-finals – despite beating them in the final game of the regular season.

However, after being told by Rams boss Nigel Clough that he doesn't have a future at Pride Park, Naylor, pictured, has joined County on loan until January.

And the 22-year-old admits it is a strange twist of fate to be joining up with the play-off final winners.

"It's funny how things work out," said Naylor. "Obviously I played Newport three times at the end of last season so I know all about them!

"We won the first one but Newport came out on top in the play-offs. I was gutted at the time but now I'm happy to join Newport because they're in the Football League.

"I had to get some first team football because the manager at Derby has told me I'm not in his plans. All I want to do is play football and Newport is a team that is going places."

THE number of people in North East Lincolnshire arrested for drink-driving this summer has dropped.

Official figures showed there were only three people arrested for drink-driving following collisions during June and July.

That was out of a total of nearly 340 people breath tested in the two-month period.

The results were released on the same day new penalties came into force for driving offences, including using a mobile phone while driving and driving too slowly in the middle lane of a motorway.

Road safety chiefs have welcomed the new fines and praised motorists for the latest cut in drink-driving offences.

There were 60 collisions attended by police in the two-month period.

The previous summer, the percentage of drink drivers involved in crashes was 10 per cent.

This year, there were 24 positive breath tests – including the three that followed a collision – out of a total of nearly 340, which is equal to about 7 per cent.

Humberside Police casualty reduction officer Barry Gardner said: "That is 24 people who will be losing their licence, which could mean they lose their job and their livelihood and, more importantly, 24 people who could have been involved in a serious road traffic collision. You are massively more likely to have a crash if you've been drinking."

He added: "The number of arrests following crashes has dropped considerably, which is to be applauded."

He said: "Every crash we go to is investigated. That can take between two to three hours as you do all the paperwork and maybe visit hospitals, through to several days of investigation."

The officer said the new penalties for driving offences, which came into force yesterday, were welcomed, but would not make much difference to the procedures when drivers are stopped on suspicion of an offence.

Pc Gardner said: "We issue Traffic Offence Reports, which are then decided by a central decision-maker based on whether the driver has already been on a course to improve their driving.

"It is our judgement if someone's standard of driving falls below that of a competent driver if they are in a middle lane. If they are tailgating that is an aggravating feature."

A PUB landlord has reassured customers 'he is not going anywhere' after a planning application to demolish his home and business was made without his knowledge.

Terry Jackson, who has run the Olde Farmhouse Inn, Immingham Road, Stallingborough, for two years, was shocked to read in the Grimsby Telegraph, that Commercial First Mortgages Ltd had submitted an outline planning application to North East Lincolnshire Council to demolish the pub and its outbuildings to make way for two semi-detached houses with garages.

It came to his attention when concerned customers came in to ask him why he wanted to knock his pub down – and more importantly where they would now go for a drink and a game of pool if he did.

Mr Jackson said: "People thought we were closing down and the pub would be knocked to the ground. I thought the first customer who said it was having me on but then three more asked me. I thought 'something serious is going on here'.

"I was really worried."

Financial director of Commercial First Mortgages Ltd, Tim Theobald, is acting on behalf of the pub owners, and claims a letter was sent to Mr Jackson telling him of their intention.

He said the planning application would increase the value of the property, which they were obliged to do for the owners.

Mr Jackson currently leases the pub from the original owners and included in his tenancy agreement is an 'option to purchase in five years'.

He continued: "We have been running the pub successfully for two years, so after getting initially worried, I realised there was no need because I could buy the pub, which we are now looking at doing anytime now. I love the idea of owning this place.

"For now though, I want my customers to know we are staying open and we have got loads going on."

The pub is run as a traditional family venue, with live music from local performers in the evening.

They are due to open the function room, while work is starting on the budget hotel accommodation. There are plans to open an ice-cream parlour and a microbrewery.

Mr Theobald said: "We are obliged to fulfil our duty of care to maximise the value of the property for the original borrower and owner so we will always look at possible avenues to do that.

"If we can get outline planning permission it could potentially increase the value of the property but it doesn't mean we will go down that route, although it is an avenue we would potentially look at.

"We have explained to Mr Jackson our position and what we have tried to achieve."

MANUFACTURER Wren Kitchens has secured a grant of £170,000 from North Lincolnshire Council to assist its relocation to the area.

Wren Kitchens recently announced it would be moving into the former Kimberly-Clark site in Barton – creating 500 jobs in the process.

And North Lincolnshire Council has supported this move by providing a grant of £170,000, over one year, from its business regeneration budget.

Wren has also secured up to £2 million of funding from the council for training and recruitment to create long-term employment.

This will provide a salary for six months for every person taken on who have been in long-term unemployment, is disabled or is a young worker who has been unemployed for more than six months.

The staff Wren take on have to be in permanent positions to qualify for this funding.

Councillor Rob Waltham, cabinet member for people at North Lincolnshire Council, said the grant would help bring new employment into the region.

He said: "This is all about creating jobs and securing jobs for the area.

"They have secured this grant to assist their relocation to the area and support Wren.

"We wanted to make sure we did not lose them."

Wren Kitchens and Bedrooms completed the acquisition of the former Kimberly-Clark site last week.

The site, based in Falkland Way, will become the company's headquarters.

The investment is understood to be worth £50 million and represents the largest single investment the company has made in the region.

The move will create 500 new jobs over the next five years, with the first 100 vacancies expected to be filled within six months.

Humber Local Enterprise Partnership has welcomed the jobs boost.

Chairman Lord Haskins said: "We are delighted to hear the former Kimberly-Clark site will be re-energised.

"Wren's commitment to keeping its manufacturing in the UK and making a further investment in the Humber is great news for the local economy."

Wren currently employs 1,200 people in the UK, 650 of whom are in the Humber region.

Kimberly-Clark closed the Barton factory – which was known for manufacturing Huggies nappies – in March, with the loss of 572 jobs.

ROBBIE Stockdale says he's loving life as a coach at Sunderland – almost a year on from swapping Cheapside for Wearside.

The former Grimsby Town Youth boss is currently working as assistant to Kevin Ball – head coach of the Black Cats' Under-21 side.

Next month, it will be a year since the former Scotland international moved to his native North East after leaving the Mariners.

And speaking to the Telegraph, he says it's been an enjoyable learning curve at the Premier League outfit.

"I've really enjoyed it," he said. "Even though I'm from the North East myself, I didn't realise just how big a club it actually is.

"The training facilities are outstanding and as good as you would find anywhere in Europe.

"We've got all the best opportunities to help the young players develop. It's a good job working with what is essentially the Reserve team.

"No disrespect to the lads that I worked with at Grimsby, but the standard of player has increased, which, in turn, has helped me improve as a coach."

The man who progressed through the Middlesbrough Youth set-up to make more than 50 Premier League appearances continued: "The main learning curve has been coming from Grimsby where you do everything as a coach, to Sunderland where there is a huge team of people.

"At Grimsby, you would get there in a morning and put the cones out and plan your warm-up but at Sunderland there's people who have got jobs to do that.

"For the first month, I was going into work thinking 'what am I going to do for a warm-up?' and people were saying 'that's not your job, we've got sports scientists to do that'. That took a lot of adjusting to.

"In the Under-21s, we've got 22-23 players and then supporting that, we've got a full team of staff.

"Kevin Ball is the coach, I'm his assistant and then we've got a sports scientist, a physio.

"It's run as near as you can to a first-team set-up, so that's very different.

"I'm learning all the time and I'm really enjoying it."

Stockdale still keeps a close eye on events at Blundell Park and was in the crowd to watch the Mariners' record their first win of the season over Gateshead.

And after witnessing an encouraging performance from Rob Scott and Paul Hurst's side, Stockdale hopes this will be the season his former club finally end their Football League exile.

"I think we all thought that last year was Town's year – we've thought that for a couple of seasons," he said.

"They need to get up into the Football League as soon as possible, no-one would flirt around that issue – hopefully it will be this year.

"If they go one better than last season, they'll certainly be there or thereabouts."

Stockdale was scheduled to make a return to Blundell Park with Sunderland's Under-21s side for a pre-season friendly that was agreed as part of his move to the Black Cats.

But that friendly never materialised with the Mariners instead playing their warm-up matches against Cleethorpes Town, Winterton, Brigg, Scunthorpe, Bradford, Hull, North Ferriby, Gainsborough and Grantham.

Stockdale explained: "There was a couple of dates that I threw Grimsby's way but for one reason or another, it never worked out – but never mind, it never quite happened.

"I'm still in touch with people back at Grimsby – I speak to Steve (Croudson) and Dave (Moore) a fair bit and I always keep in touch with Adam Smith."

"I keep an eye out for the result of both the first team and the Youths – it's a good football club with good people."

A FATHER from Grimsby tried to sell a high-voltage stun gun after he found it, a court heard.

Shane Woollam, 30, of Fraser Street, had tried to ditch the weapon in a litter bin in Oxford Street when police found and arrested him.

Tony Mowbray, prosecuting, told Grimsby Magistrates' Court, that officers were dispatched to the scene at about 5.15pm on June 24 after Woollam was tracked by CCTV operators.

A member of the public had called emergency services after seeing him carrying the stun gun in the street. Mr Mowbray said: "The defendant claims he found the stun gun, which resembles a torch with two metal screws out of the end of it.

"He was also carrying a three-pin shaver charger at the time of his arrest, which is assumed to have been used for recharging it."

The court heard that a firearms expert from Humberside Police had not been able to assess the weapon.

Mr Mowbray added: "The defendant claimed in interview that it did not work as a weapon but did work as a torch.

"It is sufficient for us to assume that the component parts mean it could be considered a firearm.

"It is not a typical firearm as it emitted a high voltage."

Woollam admitted possessing an electrical stun gun without the authority of the Secretary of State.

The court heard that Woollam had suffered drugs misuse issues in the past and that social services had become involved in monitoring the care of his children.

Gee Khan, mitigating, said: "He hasn't committed any similar offences, which would have been to his detriment.

"He also made full and frank admissions that he had found the stun gun and that it wasn't working as a stun gun but was working as a torch.

"He fully admits that if he had found a buyer he would have sold it.

"It is to his credit that it was not found in dangerous circumstances."

He was given a 12-month community order with a 12-month supervision requirement.

Magistrates also ordered him to complete 40 hours' unpaid work.

He must pay £85 court costs and a £60 victims' surcharge.

SAFETY improvements made to the notoriously dangerous A18 have been labelled "inadequate" by a local councillor.

Conservative Philip Jackson has questioned why highways engineers have not extended the solid centre white line to discourage overtaking at hazardous bends.

Such a measure was recommended by North East Lincolnshire Council's (NELC) speed limit select committee earlier this year, along with a reduction in the speed limit to 50mph.

But although the new 50mph signs have been installed, and the existing road markings have been repainted during a three-day closure, Councillor Jackson, who was a member of the select committee, says the changes have done little to improve safety on the road, which has been dubbed the most dangerous in Britain.

He said: "The speed limit select committee, which looked in depth at the safety of this road, recommended the painting of additional white solid centre lines along significant stretches of the road to make overtaking illegal at some of the more dangerous stretches.

"Though, during the closure, all the road markings have been repainted, there has been virtually no extension of the white solid centre lines. Long stretches on the approaches to blind bends and blind summits still have only a normal single broken centre line – this does not send the right messages to drivers about the potential danger of these sections of road.

"I do not think this is adequate. If I wasn't familiar with the road I wouldn't be able to judge where the main hazards are by looking at the centre white line."

Councillor Jackson also expressed disappointment that no improvements had been made to the stretch of the A18 which falls under the control of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) during the three-day closure.

He said: "The white lining on the Lincolnshire stretch of road is in very poor condition and there are some areas of the grass verge where there are some very deep ruts and if people did veer onto them they would definitely lose control of their vehicle.

"I fully appreciate that this stretch is not the responsibility of North East Lincolnshire Council but during these difficult financial times it is essential that local authorities co-operate more and this would have been a cost-effective opportunity to undertake much-needed work along the Lincolnshire stretch."

The Grimsby Telegraph invited NELC to provide a response to Councillor Jackson's criticisms, but at the time of going to press this had not been received.

An LCC spokesman said the road markings on its side of the border would be refreshed "in due course" as part of its maintenance programme.

KITTY is on her way!

Controversial X-Factor star Kitty Brucknell is to headline Grimsby Pride later this month.

The rainbow comes to Cleethorpes for the town's annual pride event.

People from all over will come together to celebrate the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community at Meridian Park, in Cleethorpes on Saturday, August 31.

And this year the event will be even bigger than ever, promising a line-up that will have something to please everyone.

Grimsby Pride aims to embrace the diversified talents of local artists and provide them with a platform for their future musical endeavours.

The line-up includes the fabulous Bears Aloud, who have been with the festival since day one and have successfully acquired a dedicated following in the area.

The fresh faces of Pride will include local acts Amy Naylor, Supernormals and Bmused who will all be performing on the day.

National acts flying to the wings of Grimsby Pride will be new pop R'n'B trio, R3action with a unique blend of diverse voices, and up and coming boyband Projekt Weekend, who promise to bring back great British pop with their debut single Second to None.

Pop trio, Stolen Identity will deliver strong vocals and an infectious beat that's guaranteed to have you dancing, and Scottish nightclub singer Ashley Collins, who made a name for herself when she supported The Wanted, will be performing hits from her new album, Adulation.

Headlining the festival this year is the one and only Kitty Brucknell of X-Factor fame, who has continued to develop her unique style of pop and high energy music. Kitty has recently had successful tours in China and headlined Gran Canaria Pride this year. She will also deliver a twist of Eurovision, when she performs Loreen's 2012 winning song 'Euphoria'.

Wayne Reece-Gorman, Chairman of Grimsby Pride says: "Events like ours are important in the continuing building of relationships across all social spectrums within the North East Lincolnshire regions providing a sense of harmony and cohesion, within a diverse region and Britain.

"We hope to attract a large audience during the afternoon. Our aim is to attract people locally, regionally and nationally, encouraging them to stay over in North East Lincolnshire."

"We want to push the Festival into the public domain, generate tourism and support local businesses and infrastructure.

"Our success relies on the wider community engaging with us so we can all work together to deliver a fantastic, enjoyable and successful Pride Festival 2013."

Entry is £3 for adults and free for children under 12, and all LGBT people, their families and friends are welcome.

Gates will open at 11am.