PAUL Hurst didn't expect Grimsby Town's derby victory over Scunthorpe to be the catalyst for Brian Laws' departure.

The Iron boss was relieved of his duties at Glanford Park just hours after the Mariners' 2-1 victory in the FA Cup First Round replay between the two fierce rivals.

And Hurst says he was shocked at the timing of his opposite number's exit.

He said: "We had a job to do against them, which we did.

"But I certainly didn't envisage the result of us winning would be Brian losing his job – I didn't see that one coming.

"I spoke to him after the game and there was no sign of it. We were talking about the games we both had at the weekend and he was getting ready for their long trip to Portsmouth.

"It's a surprise to me – they're five points off the top of the league but decisions are made and it's not my place to say whether it's right or wrong.

"But it's never nice to hear of another manager losing his job because when it comes around to being your time, you would hope that your colleagues wouldn't be gloating about it."

For the latest on the Iron's search for a new manager, log on to our website at grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

IT'S official! A Cleethorpes man has the largest bagpipe collection in the world.

Danny Fleming, 50, has received a giant framed certificate from the publishers of the Guinness Book Of Records in recognition of the feat.

Danny, a Humberside Police Constable, has built up his collection of 105 sets of bagpipes over the past 40 years, beginning as a 10-year-old growing up in his native Scotland.

But he only decided to enquire if his collection constituted the world record after appearing on the TV show Bargain Hunt in October.

"On Bargain Hunt I said I collect bagpipes and I thought the only people that can say if it's an official record is the Guinness Book Of Records. I got a former Black Watch sergeant, who was the official adjudicator, and the deputy mayor of North East Lincolnshire Alex Baxter to look at the whole collection.

"I had never ever seen the whole collection in one place at one time. I was allowed one of the halls at Signhills Academy to put all the bagpipes out and pictures were taken of each of the 105 sets. The official adjudicator picked ten sets for me to play to show that they were playable.

"Then we submitted the paperwork and all the evidence on video of me playing the bagpipes and they came back with a world record.

"It's fantastic. I had never thought about contacting the Guinness Book Of Records. It really just came about from being on Bargain Hunt."

It seems that record breaking runs in the family. His late father Charlie Fleming supplied the steak pies for a steak pie eating competition which featured on the TV programme Record Breakers.

And it was Danny's father that set him on the way to his own record-breaking feat, buying him his first set of bagpipes when he was 10 years old; then his second when he joined the Scots Guards at 16. After that Danny says it was a case of "picking them up as you go along".

He said: "When I was down at Pirbright in Surrey, the home of the Guards, I used to buy and sell bagpipes, and I ended up buying more than I sold.

"As a musician you are always looking for that unique instrument. That's what spurred me on and I have just kept the collection building and building."

Danny says his wife Jane had told him that if his collection turned out to be just short of the record, he would have to buy some more sets.

However, he insists he is now "banned" from adding to his collection. Danny, who still performs at charity and community events, added: "It doesn't stop me looking but I'm content now. I think this is it. I don't think I will be buying any more."

PATIENTS say they are "relieved" that six beds are being saved in the closure-threatened rheumatology department at Grimsby's hospital.

As reported, the gold standard-rated ward at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital was being considered for closure in a bid to save up to £355,800.

The rheumatology ward – which was part of a £4.4 million redevelopment last year – is the only one within Northern Lincolnshire And Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

A leaked draft of a Rheumatology Service Review outlined numerous options which would have seen D1 Hazel ward closed to help the Trust meet the £15 million savings it must make each year.

Collette Cunningham, general manager for medicine at the hospital, said: "The Trust undertook a rheumatology review with the aim of looking for ways in which we can improve the service, ensure provision meets demand, and provide the best care possible as well as the best value for money.

"The outcome is that six rheumatology beds will be maintained in the Amethyst/D1 Hazel unit.

"More and more rheumatology cases can be dealt with as outpatients, so our day case and outpatient services will now be remodelled.

"This means the hospital will have appropriate bed capacity to continue to provide a quality service with highly effective clinical outcomes for patients who have acute rheumatology needs."

A patient of the ward, who dubbed the possibility of closure "absolutely devastating", added: "A lot of people will be relieved at this news and that common sense appears to have prevailed.

"It really does beggar belief that the Trust even considered closing these beds in the first place.

"Patients and their families will be delighted with this news and that a first-class facility will remain open.

"It's a nice change to hear something positive about our local NHS."

ROAD SAFETY fears have been raised over a planned development on a road where a young man died in a crash.

Brocklesby Estates have applied to convert old stables into motel-style accommodation.

North East Lincolnshire Council planners approved the application for 14 short-term letting self-contained accommodation units.

Councillors agreed it would attract workers on the Humber Bank and ease the pressure on temporary accommodation in the borough.

The approval came despite objections that the development would increase traffic.

Learner driver James Wesley, 18, lost control of the car he was driving on an S-bend in Immingham Road, Habrough and collided with a barn in November last year.

He died in hospital two days later.

Highlighting road safety concerns, Cleethorpes architect, Mark Hodson spoke on behalf of his friend Brian Kirkby of Church Farm, Habrough which borders the old stables.

Mr Hodson said there had been four accidents very close to the barns in the past year, including the fatal crash.

Mr Hodson said: "The situation can only be significantly worsened when access is opened up for 14 residential units and a manager's house at what is recognised as an accident blackspot."

He added: "There is nothing proposed which will help to reduce incidents in this accident black spot."

The objector said safety measures, including the installation of a barrier, might help reduce the impact of the injuries sustained by casualties, but would not cut the number of accidents.

He said: "If anything, the introduction of a safety barrier is a clear acknowledgement that there is a serious road safety problem at the moment in this location.

"This will be exacerbated by the introduction of up to 15 cars, maybe more, accessing the site."

Councillor Stephen Harness for Humberston and New Waltham (UKIP) called for the new entrance to the development site to be completed first before the works started.

He said that would ensure the safety of those people working on the site.

Councillor Philip Jackson, for Waltham (Con) said it brought into use barns which would otherwise be left to decay.

PLASTERING, damp-proofing and grouting were just some of the jobs North East Lincolnshire Council discovered a builder had left unfinished as part of an alleged scam carried out with help from one of their employees, a trial heard.

Darren Major, of Grimsby, is alleged to have left dozens of jobs unfinished after applying for grant funding from the council to renovate 15 vacant properties in the area on behalf of three landlords

A trial at Grimsby Crown Court was told how council employee Brian Drake, who was responsible for the Empty Homes Grant scheme between 2006 and 2008, would sign-off the unfinished work so that Major would be paid regardless.

Peter Russell, who was a chartered surveyor for the council between 2008 and 2010, told the jury how he was asked to survey the properties Major had worked at the end of 2008.

"I visited the properties to ascertain whether works described in schedules had been completed or not," he said.

He revealed a catalogue of unfinished jobs which Major had received grant funding for, including:

Damp-proofing not completed at 166 Park Street, Grimsby.

24 out of 25 jobs at 94 Barcroft Street, Cleethorpes, not carried out.

Re-plastering not completed correctly at 106 Farebrother Street and 286 Hainton Avenue, Grimsby.

Gutters not installed on the porch at 32 Grafton Street, Grimsby.

Lost insulation not replaced at 117 Harold Street, Grimsby.

Michael Smith, prosecuting, asked Mr Russell: "Did you calculate the values of the work that had been done and the work that hadn't been done?"

Mr Russell replied: "I started to do that to get a handle on the numbers involved."

The prosecution alleges that the total amount claimed from the Empty Homes Grant by Major and approved by Drake was £170,000 and that at least £50,000 of work had not been done.

The Empty Homes Grant scheme was designed to encourage landlords to bring empty properties back into use by providing them with a proportion of the cost of renovating vacant homes.

Major, 41, and Drake, 43, of Beverley, both deny conspiracy to defraud North East Lincolnshire Council and landlords Simon Smith, Sheila Smith and Martin Norton, between April 2006 and December 2008.

The trial continues. Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for Drake and Major's defence.

ARRIVING on a sleigh pulled by reindeers, two-year-old Harvey Evans was the centre of attention at last night's Christmas lights switch-on.

Harvey was accompanied by his five-year-old brother, Ethan, and the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Peggy Elliott.

He did the honours by flipping the switch on the Christmas tree in the Bullring at The Big Christmas Event, after being voted the Grimsby Telegraph's Local Hero 2013.

Harvey, who had to have his kidney removed after being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, was given the all-clear by medics just days ago.

Switching on the Christmas lights in Grimsby last night, which marked the start of late-night shopping and festive entertainment in the town centre, the tot said: "I like the reindeers. I waved to the people when I was on the sleigh."

Dad Alex, from Grimsby, said: "It's been brilliant seeing Harvey and Ethan on the sleigh and being on the big stage to see Harvey switching on the lights.

"It's such a special event and we'd like to say thank-you to everyone who voted for him – it has made his year, the icing on the cake.

"We are all looking forward to Christmas. We are going to have a big family party and Harvey has asked for a talking giant dinosaur from Santa."

Councillor Elliott said: "Harvey is a fabulous, brave boy and it's nice to hear that he's getting better.

"He has had a rough time.

"The festivities are bigger and better this year, and it's nice to see such a big turn-out."

The fun began at 3pm, with stalls, street entertainers, a lantern parade through Abbeygate, and appearances from Peppa Pig and Santa himself.

It coincided with the beginning of late-night shopping on Thursday nights in Freshney Place.

The Big Christmas Event will continue today from 10am to 4pm, with the food and gift stalls open once again, a competition to win £500 and street entertainment, including a balloon elf.

There will be free parking at Freshney Place and in Abbey Walk Car Park from 6pm to 9pm, which normally closes at 6pm, every Thursday between now and Christmas.

Stagecoach will also be running free bus services from 4pm to 8.45pm throughout the festive period to coincide with late-night shopping in Grimsby town centre.

The Big Christmas Event is brought to you by the Grimsby Telegraph, North East Lincolnshire Council, Lincs FM, Compass FM, Freshney Place, Grimsby In Bloom and the Culturehouse.

SHAUN Pearson believes Grimsby Town have often wasted opportunities to stamp their authority on the Conference in the past – and he wants to put that right tomorrow.

The Mariners go into tomorrow's meeting with Barnet on the back of three consecutive league victories and are currently unbeaten in six games in all competitions.

The 24-year-old, who keeps a close eye on all of Town's facts and stats, is understandably proud of that record.

But in order for the other clubs in the Conference to really start to fear them, he knows the Mariners need to extend that run even longer.

"Another good result tomorrow would be big for us," he told the Telegraph:

"We're three unbeaten in the league at the minute and if you start extending that to four, five and six games, then that's when teams really start to fear you.

"We've got two home games in the league back to back and that presents a good opportunity to stamp our authority.

"We've been in those positions before and not taken full advantage, so it's crucial that we do that tomorrow."

The centre-half made his 100th appearance for the Mariners in Tuesday's night's superb 2-1 victory over local rivals Scunthorpe United in the FA Cup.

That result, Pearson says, has further added to the buzz and the growing belief in the Mariners squad at present, as the often-crucial Christmas period approaches.

He continued: "It was a phenomenal night at Scunthorpe and in training this week, you could definitely feel the buzz within the camp at the minute.

"We're becoming more and more together and people are starting to see the fruition of the work that we put in over pre-season.

"It didn't always click for us straight away, but as a squad, we didn't hit the panic button early on.

"We stuck at it and now the players are coming together at the right time and we're reaping the rewards.

"We're on a decent run and if we can carry that on and through the Christmas period, we'll be in good shape.

"If we're in touching distance at the turn of the year, that will give us a real opportunity and hopefully we'll be the ones to push on and really challenge.

"Last year was a pretty open league and you never really saw Mansfield coming until late on.

"Obviously this time around, Cambridge have opened up a bit of a gap and it's only a result in it.

"Hopefully we can reel them in and be challenging for that top spot as soon as possible because that's where we want to be."

Four seasons ago, Pearson was playing part-time football for Boston United in the Conference North.

Now one of Town's more established players – and someone who is fast becoming a cult hero among fans – tomorrow could see him lining up alongside a former Champions League winner.

Barnet's player/coach Edgar Davids is someone that Pearson always admired as a youngster and if the controversial Dutchman picks himself tomorrow, the pair could be sharing a pitch at Blundell Park.

"It would be absolutely crazy if that happened," he added.

"Provided he's there, it would be nice to say you've played against one of his teams – or if he picks himself – even against him!

"I remember watching him play for some of the biggest teams in Europe and he was a top, top player in his day and I'm sure he still possesses some of those qualities.

"But aside from all of that, we're there to do a job tomorrow – Edgar Davids or not.

"As I say, we're on a good run and we'll be looking to keep that up.

"They're not on a bad run themselves so it should be a decent game – hopefully we'll manage to come out on top."

In bidding to keep the Mariners' impressive unbeaten run going against the Bees, Pearson will also be looking to maintain the Mariners' defensive record.

Much attention has focused on Town's 'goals against' column this season, given that they were the league's most miserly defence last campaign.

But despite the back four undergoing something of an overhaul in the close-season, Pearson believes he and his colleagues are shaping up well.

He added: "A lot was made of our defensive record this season after what we achieved last time around but, if you look at it, we've actually got the second-best in the league behind Cambridge – who have a phenomenal record.

"We're getting there and we've only really had the one bashing and that was at Halifax.

"But we know we can still improve and if we can keep racking up those clean sheets then we'll get close to last season's figures.

"Let's hope we can add another tomorrow."

THE iconic lions at the entrance to Grimsby's Weelsby Woods have been restored to their former glory after being daubed with graffiti by "mindless" vandals.

Shocked park users discovered the statues had been sprayed red and blue on Monday and North East Lincolnshire Council teams were left scratching their heads after being unable to remove the paint.

But one local firm which specialises in such cleaning stepped forward to restore the two statues free of charge.

Dry Ice UK, based on Europarc, sent engineers to blast the paint away with dry ice yesterday, restoring them to an almost new look.

Roy Nicolls, business development manager, said: "We heard about the damage and as a goodwill gesture to the area we wanted to help out.

"We work with the council to maintain parts of the area and felt it was appropriate to give something back to the community.

"As a local myself I was sad to see this happen. I drive along here regularly and always notice the lion statues.

"Because they are so prominent we wanted to help, often graffiti attracts more graffiti so it was important that we acted quickly.

"The statues are part and parcel of the area so we are keen to restore them to their former glory."

Engineers from the firm spent two hours working on the lions, using dry ice at an exact temperature of -78.6°C to remove the spray paint.

Councillor Ros James, who represents the Heneage ward on North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "We are extremely grateful to Dry Ice for doing this work. We attempted to get the graffiti off ourselves but we don't have the right equipment.

"It is very community spirited of them but it is appalling that these mindless vandals did this in the first place.

"I am a local girl and regularly come up here, I was disgusted that someone could damage the lions like that.

"For so many years people have been greeted by the sight of them at Weelsby Woods and it was sad to see this happen.

"We are really grateful for the help and will be glad when they are restored to what they should look like. I hope that people will see how good the lions look when the work is done and hope that will encourage people intent on vandalism to leave them intact."

Police are still appealing for anyone with information about the vandalism to call them on 101, quoting crime reference ac2010013/2013.

PAUL Hurst may have admired Edgar Davids as a player, but insists he won't be fazed if he comes up against the Dutch master tomorrow (3pm).

Davids' Barnet side are the visitors to Blundell Park tomorrow, but there are still some question marks over whether the Bees player/manager will actually be in the dugout.

Earlier in the season, the flamboyant Dutchman decided not to travel to some of the North London's outfit's away games, refusing to explain his string of absences.

However, of late, the former Ajax, Barcelona and Juventus star has been a more regular fixture in the Conference – pulling the strings in the heart of Barnet's midfield.

But Hurst insists that if Davids does decide to take the long trip north to Blundell Park, he will receive the same treatment as any other of his other Conference contemporaries.

"There's obviously been a bit written about him not travelling to a couple of games and whether he decides to come up to Grimsby tomorrow, we'll have to wait and see," he told the Telegraph.

"He actually played for them last week back in his more familiar role in midfield but he's also played up front and at centre-back. I've got my preferred area that I'd like him to play in if he does come up.

"He's someone that I certainly admired a lot as a player.

"But if he is here tomorrow, I'll shake his hand and wish him all the best as I do every manager and it's about trying to get the better of him.

"It's about keeping our minds on the job, he added.

"If having a name like him in the league raises the Conference's profile then great, but we're now on an even playing field – he's a Conference manager just like me and Steve Burr and Neil Aspin and all the rest of us.

"It's not about holding anyone in any higher esteem than the rest.

"Credit to him for taking a job at our level and not just taking a cosy coaching job at a much higher level – he's obviously willing to learn his trade.

"But it's no different to any other game on Saturday, it's about turning up and trying to take another three points – regardless of who is in the other dugout."