A BRAVE five-year-old girl has won a national award in swimming – just months after undergoing open heart surgery.

Just last year, Mia McGrory, of Immingham, had to have major surgery to fix a murmur caused by a hole in her heart and to move a vein that was flowing in the wrong direction – all when she was just four years old.

Now just one year on, she has scooped the Gold Swimtastic Award for disabled swimmers, after being nominated by her swimming instructor Mary Clark.

Mia's mum, Alex McGrory, says she is immensely proud of her daughter.

She said: "We are so overwhelmed at what she has achieved.

"We are all so very proud of her, she has done fantastically well.

"We never realised she had anything wrong with her heart until she was one year old.

"She got a chest infection which led to the discovery of the problem in her heart.

"She had a scan that revealed she had the birth defects and the doctors said they wanted to act fast to correct them as soon as possible.

"They said that while she was young it would be the best time for her to have the surgery, as she would recover faster.

"She was in intensive care for just a couple of days and just five days after the surgery, she was discharged from Leeds.

"Only six weeks later, she was well enough to get back into the pool.

"It was amazing. She has always been an avid swimmer.

"I started taking her swimming when she was just a baby and she has always loved it.

"As soon as she was well enough she wanted to be straight back into the pool.

"Now, one year on, she is just as happy a little girl as any other.

"Doctors say she should not need any further surgery but will continue giving her annual scans to ensure her heart is growing as expected."

Mia was nominated for the Swimtastic Disability Swimmer Of The Year award by swimming teacher Mary.

The accolade is for a swimmer who either has a disability or has overcome a disability and who has continued to develop their swimming, achieving high standards throughout the year.

Mia competed against children from across the country in a series of events, including swimming and raft building, before achieving first place and gold in her category.

Mia was presented with her trophy by Paralympic gold medal swimmer Joseph Gray.

Alex said: "When Mary said she wanted to nominate Mia for the award, we were so overwhelmed and proud that she thought so highly of her.

"We were so moved by the thought that someone else felt Mia deserved to get the accolade."

Mia said: "I came out of Leeds Hospital after having surgery on my heart.

"All I wanted to do was get back in the pool. I really enjoy swimming.

"I am so happy that I was chosen for the award and I am really proud that I won it.

"It is on top of the fireplace at home so everyone can see it!

"My swimming teacher Mary is just the best ever, she is fantastic."

Mary, who teaches at Immingham Swimming Pool, said: "I have been teaching Mia for two years.

"I know about her surgery and what she has overcome.

"I nominated her to take part in the competition because she has shown herself to be so brave and so desperate to come back and get swimming again after her operation.

"She is back to being a healthy, happy, little girl.

"I treat her no different to any other of the children I teach, but she is so eager to get in the water, she has such a positive attitude. I just felt she deserved the nomination."

GRIMSBY Town has been given another year to formulate a plan to redevelop green land into a new community football stadium.

North East Lincolnshire Council's Cabinet yesterday approved a 12-month 'exclusivity agreement' to allow the club to look at how it could redevelop land west of Peaks Parkway into a new 14,000-seat stadium and retail development.

The club has been searching for a site for a new home since 1994 and, after being knocked back in a bid to build on land in Great Coates, eyed the 22.7-hectare site between Peaks Parkway and Weelsby Avenue, which includes allotments and a former council depot.

Councillor Andrew De Freitas, Liberal Democrat councillor for the Park Ward, presented the council with a new petition of 450 signatures against the plans for the stadium, which he said he had collected in just seven days.

Addressing the cabinet, he said he felt "very strongly" that the site would be inappropriate for a football stadium, pointing to traffic congestion, the nearby proximity to the crematorium and cemetery, and St Andrew's Hospice, as problems.

He also said fans being "marched through" from the train station in Grimsby town centre, particularly before and after derby matches, would bring added disruption.

"Many mourners go to the cemetery on a Saturday afternoon to lay flowers and it would be horrific to have a situation where people who are mourning should have to put up with chanting football fans," he said.

"There will have to be a major junction added on Peaks Parkway, something which was never envisaged when the road was built.

"This is not a case of 'not in my back yard', it is totally inappropriate to have that type of development.

"There is a serious danger that the properties in Weelsby Avenue would be blighted by this."

Allotment holder Martin Jacklin's attempts to speak during the meeting were denied, but he did hand the cabinet a fistful of Grimsby Telegraph cuttings reporting on the recent violence between Grimsby Town and Scunthorpe United fans to support his opposition.

He said after the meeting: "This will have a huge impact on us, we love the peace and quiet of our allotments.

"I suffered from cancer three years ago and my allotment helped me recover. I received a get well card signed by nearly every other allotment holder, which shows there is a great community here.

"The council is supposed to be promoting exercise and good health and it seems like they want to take it away from us."

John Fenty, Grimsby Town director, said development partners Simons Development Ltd had withdrawn into the background, but remained a "willing developer".

The realisation of the stadium still hinges on whether the club can find an "enabling" retail partner to secure the required investment.

A report to the cabinet revealed that, in the past year, "some market interest" has been expressed but no retail operator with immediate plans for delivery has been found.

The cabinet's decision includes the condition that the 450-name petition, and previous petitions, be taken into the consideration of any stadium planning application.

"SAYING it was fans without any proof reflects badly on the club and on the fans."

Those were the words of Grimsby Town Supporters' Club chairman Chris Parker following the attack on the Barnet team's coach on Saturday.

Critics on the Grimsby Telegraph website and on social networking sites were quick to blame the fans in the light of numerous arrests during recent FA Cup clashes with Scunthorpe United.

But both the club and the Supporters' Trust have pointed out that the brick that smashed the window could have been thrown by anyone, and not necessarily a fan.

The damage to the coach on Saturday was revealed by Edgar Davids on Twitter after the game.

Although the manager declined to talk to the press after their defeat, he posed for photographs with fans and signed autographs.

But shortly after leaving the Harrington Street exit, a brick was thrown at the team coach.

Davids posted a photo of the shattered window.

He said: "After a disappointing result and signing autographs for a while we got our window smashed as a thank you."

Afterwards, fans tweeted Davids, saying "Please don't think all of us GTFC fans are like that", he replied: "Certainly not, always the same small group. Hope we can give you (the real fans) a warm welcome and exit."

The 40-year-old, who was a cup winner with Italian side Juventus and also played for Barcelona and Ajax, graced Blundell Park for the full 90 minutes and added injury time.

A spokesperson from Barnet Football Club after the game said: "This was a regrettable incident especially in light of the courtesy and welcome we received from both the Grimsby Town Football Club and the fans.

"We like to make time at the end of the game to speak to fans and sign autographs but what took place was a disappointing end to the visit."

Stadium manager Nick Dale made it clear GTFC club would assist with any investigation launched by Humberside Police.

He said: "It happened on Harrington Street, so could have been carried out by anybody on the street, and not necessarily a fan.

"Because it happened so far away from the ground, it will not be covered by our CCTV.

"There were very few people hanging around after the game – and they were hanging around for the right reasons, to get Edgar Davids' autograph.

"He was a legend, and the fans were very happy to have him at the ground. He stayed behind to sign autographs and have his photograph taken with the fans."

Mr Parker said: "There are claims that this attack was committed by Grimsby Town fans, but these are just claims.

"From what I have been told there are regularly little incidents in this area as the away team leave.

"I am not saying that town fans were not involved but I certainly do not think it is a matter for the club.

"I think it is so wrong to say it was fans when there is no evidence to confirm or deny it.

"Saying it was fans without any proof reflects badly on the club and on the fans."

"This is a criminal act and is therefore a police matter."

The matter would need to be reported to police by Barnet Football Club, and at the time of going to press, a report had not been made as the club was yet to decide what their stance was regarding the incident.

A DESIRE for competition and the will to get the best out of herself has helped Beverley Wilson clinch the 2013 North East Lincolnshire Sports Personality of the Year title.

Wilson was delighted and proud after being handed the award at the Beachcomber, Humberston.

The 46-year-old athlete has been in great form this year, often finishing as the top female in her age group – and regularly placing highly overall.

Wilson fits training around a busy lifestyle. She is a mother of four, a swimming teacher and a yoga instructor.

The Cleethorpes Athletics Club star said: "I am very pleased to receive this award. It is a big surprise.

"The highlight of the year for me is being able to maintain the times I have been doing, and trying to be competitive for my age.

"I try to finish in the first three ladies, as well as doing well within my own age category.

"I have been running since I was 15 and I still get the same buzz. I am always pleased when I come in the top three.

"Training-wise, I cannot do what I used to. I can't get the mileage in that I used to.

"I have to rest more now – but I also get more high-quality work in when I do train.

"It's not about going out and doing miles and miles like I probably did years ago.

"I think more about the races I am going be taking part in and taper down for them, or tweak my training to be able to run as well as I can.

"I think it is a bit more planned now.

"I particularly enjoy doing the local races. I always do the New Year's Day 10K and Croxby events."

Wilson's times not only set her apart on the regional racing scene – her age-category performances also stand up well nationally.

Her best time this year for 10km on the roads is 38 minutes 18 seconds, set at the Lincoln 10km, while for 5km her top mark in 2013 is 18.34 – very strong performances for a female Vet-45 category athlete.

Wilson thanked her coach, Colin Wright, for his ongoing help and guidance.

She will now turn her attentions to 2014, when she will aim to stay injury-free – and resume battle with her rivals from across the region.

Meanwhile, Paralympian Jamie Carter capped off a great 12 months by being named Disabled Sports Personality of the Year.

The 19-year-old from Binbrook competed at this year's IPC World Championships in Lyon – and impressed with his performances in the wheelchair sprint races.

The Cleethorpes AC member is already preparing for next year – and is targeting silverware on the international stage.

He said: "It's a great feeling and I am honoured to win this award.

"Competing at the World Championships was definitely the highlight.

"I had personal bests in every event – so it was a very successful time for me.

"Next year it is the Europeans in Swansea, and I am hoping to come back with a medal.

"Some of the lads who will be there I have raced before, but there are some new ones coming through too.

"I have rivalry from home and abroad. But if the competition was not so strong I would not be able to push myself that extra bit."

Meanwhile, Rob Bingham was named Coach of the Year.

He is the chief coach at RB Karate – and has guided his students to lots of success in 2013.

He said: "I am really pleased to pick up the award. Well done to everybody else who was nominated too. We all want the best for everybody who we coach, so we are all winners really.

"We are all about teaching, and enjoy seeing our students progress.

"I have had 11 English medal winners this year, which is a big achievement, and quite a lot of my students are in the England squad.

"One of my students, Luke Easton, became the youngest ever to compete for England at the World Championships, in Spain.

"I put the success down partly to my experience, and also the enjoyment I get out of it."

Grimsby girl Chloe Osborne has big aims for the future after picking up the Junior Disabled Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 15-year-old plays wheelchair table tennis and also takes part in athletics.

After receiving her trophy, she said: "It's a phenomenal feeling. I feel really excited and proud of myself.

"I enjoy competing and achieving goals

"In 2020 I want to make it to the Paralympics – either for table tennis or an athletics event – I enjoy many sports."

Jack Blyth won the Most Improved Sports Person award.

The 18-year-old said: "I feel honoured, especially, after looking at the other nominees and their achievements.

"I do feel I have improved a lot over this year.

"I think it is down to dedicating more time to the sport and going into each training session knowing you only get out what you put in – I put a lot into every session.

"I am doing my A Levels, so I have to balance my time well. I am always doing something.

"Hopefully I will be going to university next September. I plan to keep playing, and step up to a higher level."

Roll of Honour

Most Improved Sports Person

Winner: Jack Blyth

Other nominees: Miguel Plaatjies, Jean-Louis Plaatjies, Richard Owen

Coaches Award

Winner: Robert Bingham

Other nominees: Shirley Kay and Jenny Leggett, Lee Shakespeare, Derek Spearen

Young Person's Services to Sport

Winner: Jake Cullum

Other Nominees: Dale Moy, Ruby Tupling

Services to Sport

Winner: Tony Parrott

Other Nominees: Barry Brown, Pete Winchester

Junior Team

Winner: Grimsby Town Cricket Club Under-15s

Other Nominees: Cads Junior Swimming team, Discoveries DSV Under-11s, Cleethorpes Athletic Club's young athletes.

Junior Disabled Sports Personality

Winner: Chloe Osborne

Other Nominees: Liam Davey, Cerise Binns, Ben Spence, Hollie Crawford,

Junior Sports Personality

Winner: Jack Wilson

Other Nominees: Chloe Lingard, William Lonsdale, Miguel Plaatjies, William Seed, Colm Holness, Charlotte Hill

Senior team

Winner: Grimsby RUFC Under-19s

Other Nominees: Solar Ladies FC

Disabled Sports Personality

Winner: Jamie Carter

Other Nominees: Alistair Wilson, Dean Wingate

Sports Personality of the Year

Winner: Beverley Wilson

Other Nominees: Tony Hooper, Pete Winchester, Jean-Louis Plaatjies

Lifetime achievement

Winner: Geoff Bartholomew

"WHEN I read it in the Grimsby Telegraph I thought it was April Fool's Day."

That was the reaction of the chairman of Laceby Parish Council, Councillor David Marshall after reading about the removal of average speed cameras from the A46 Laceby bypass after they were put up by mistake.

Contractors working for North East Lincolnshire Council disconnected the eight cameras from the bypass, just hours after completing their installation over the previous three days.

The cost of putting them up and taking them down has been estimated at up to £40,000.

A council spokesman admitted the mistake and said a review of average speed cameras in the borough is underway, following numerous concerns raised about those installed on Peaks Parkway.

The Laceby bypass ones had been planned, and consequently delayed due to the review, but a "communication error" meant they were still put up on the originally-agreed date.

Councillor Marshall said: "I can't believe something like that could happen. You don't expect this kind of thing to happen, especially at the time when there is an outcry over Peaks Parkway and all those people getting caught, including the Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove.

"Anything to do with safety on the bypass, I am all for and it is 97 per cent safer than it was. If the road is working safely why alter it?"

Laceby resident Mark Dixon said: "I do not see the purpose of average speed cameras. I accept 50 mph is a reasonable speed.

"But there was no warning the cameras were going up."

Lee Howard, of Irby said: "We travel the bypass everyday. It is a joy to travel. It is not as bad as it was. It is not the danger it was.

"So who made the decision to put the cameras up and then bring them down? It is disgusting."

Cook at Laceby's Little Teapot cafe, Andrea Garrard, 47, pictured right, of Yews Lane, next to the bypass said: "I thought the average speed cameras were a good idea. I am in favour of average speed cameras because you see them driving past the normal ones at the right speed, and then they zoom off.

"But putting them up and bringing them back down again is a waste of money. It is ludicrous."

Humberside Police casualty reduction officer, Pc Barry Gardner, said: "Since the road safety measures were introduced and the speed reduced to 50 mph, there has been a massive reduction in the number of casualties, but with the same volume of traffic. It has got to be a positive thing."

Safer Roads Humber roads safety partnership spokeswoman, Ruth Gore, said she expected the installation and operation of average speed cameras on Laceby bypass to "follow the same pattern" as the Peaks Parkway cameras.

She said: "This is a replacement of an enforcement system currently in place, so I want to emphasis enforcement can continue at the site while the new average cameras are installed.

"It would be wrong of us to give the impression that enforcement has stopped. It's important to remember that Humberside Police can enforce the speed limit on any road, at any time."

Resident David Lewis said: "Why is it that the council can erect average speed cameras so quickly on the dual carriageway, from Morrisons roundabout to Laceby roundabout, and paint lines on the road? It takes them months to repair potholes or other dangerous road conditions."

Laceby parish councillor Martin Greenbeck said: "It looks as if North East Lincolnshire Council has got a little bit obsessive about speeding.

"They have put up the reactive signs that tell you your speed on Laceby Road but the speed and the registration number are displayed after you have gone past and the only person to see it is the driver behind you."

He said Laceby parish council had not been consulted about the installation of average speed cameras.

As reported, the review comes as the average speed cameras on Peaks Parkway caught a high-profile offender – Humberside's Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Grove.

An NELC statement said: "Plans to install speed cameras on the Laceby bypass have been put on hold while NELC reviews issues raised by local motorists and residents.

"The installation of the digital cameras on both Peaks Parkway and Laceby Bypass are part of a road safety programme contained within the Local Transport Plan.

"The Peaks Parkway cameras were the first phase of installation, to be followed by the Laceby installation.

"However, as a result of the recent public concern with regards the Peaks Parkway camera operation, the council has instigated a review of the effectiveness of the new camera system in terms of road safety statistics.

"As such, the council had taken the decision to delay installation at Laceby.

"Unfortunately, due to a communications error with the contractor, installation had commenced as originally scheduled; those cameras have now been removed until a decision is reached pending the review."

A MAN has appeared in court charged with helping his two cousins carry out an arson attack on a Grimsby mosque.

A jury heard that Daniel Cressey, 24, is accused of making a 40-mile round trip to drive the other men to the mosque on Weelsby Road on May 26 so they could carry out the petrol bomb attack.

Cressey, of Manchester Square, New Holland, denies a charge of aiding and abetting Stuart Harness and Gavin Humphries.

Harness and Humphries, both of Dixon Avenue, Grimsby, have pleaded guilty to arson reckless as to whether life was endangered.

On the first day of his trial at Grimsby Crown Court yesterday, Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, said: "He drove them to the scene where the arson attack was carried out.

"He took both males armed with four homemade petrol bombs to the scene so they could remain undetected.

"The Crown state it was a deliberate act and he would have realised what he was doing was wrong and he intended to assist both males."

He added: "This was a team effort."

Mr Evans told the court that Cressey had driven to the home of Harness in Grimsby to pick the two men up in what he described as a "well thought out and planned attack of the mosque".

He said:"Why make a round trip of 40 miles that could have been avoided?

"He could not have missed the fact there were homemade petrol bombs being constructed in the property."

Mr Evans said that when interviewed by police, Cressey's story began to "unravel" and he began to change his mind.

"He said he found out about this arson attack from a family member."

Questioning why Cressey did not chose to inform the police that he was at the scene of the attack, Mr Evans said: "This defendant chose to bury his head in the sand and wait for that dreaded knock on the door to come."

The trial continues.

GRIMSBY Town boss Paul Hurst will be more than happy for his side to fly under the plaudits' radar this season.

While much of the Conference Premier promotion talk surrounds leaders Cambridge United and last season's nearly men Kidderminster, the Mariners are quietly going about their business in impressive fashion.

Saturday's win over Barnet was their fourth on the trot in the league and came hot-on-the-heels of the magnificent FA Cup derby victory over local rivals Scunthorpe.

Conference pundits have also pulled together statistics that show that Town haven't dropped any points so far this season when in a winning position.

Hurst acknowledges that, for the time being, things are going well for his side, but he's more than happy for the spotlight to shine on their league rivals – at least until the end of the season.

He said: "I think a lot of our rivals would have known that Saturday was a tough game for us and that Barnet would have been a tough nut to crack for us, so it was great to get the win.

"The ones above us keep on winning, though, and I'm happy for them to be the ones that everyone is talking about.

"I'm not interested in anyone taking any notice of us – apart from within our own group and the local community.

"I'd rather fly under the radar and I don't want the plaudits until the end of the season."

Saturday's victory came on the back of what Hurst recognised has been a punishing schedule of league fixtures – interspersed with that FA Cup double against the Iron.

As he looked ahead to the often-crucial festive period, he revealed that the club is trying to rearrange the clash with Forest Green Rovers, which comes amid another tough string of fixtures.

And he urged his side to capitalise on their current purple patch as they looked to stay in touch with the league leaders at the turn of the year.

Hurst continued: "Things are going well at the minute, and looking back on the period that we've come through, it's pleasing to see how well we've done.

"But in saying that, it's all about looking forward.

"I've looked right through to the end of January because we're looking at re-arranging the Forest Green game, and the run of games in January and before that is tough.

"We need to get the points on the board while we are in-form, rather than be speaking about missed opportunities."

TRANSPORT Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has spelt out the benefits the proposed high-speed rail network will bring to North East Lincolnshire – which could include direct rail services to London.

Mr McLoughlin said that HS2 would free up capacity on the nation's rail network that would enable "other facilities and other options to be taken forward."

He said that direct rail services between London and Grimsby would be something he would want Ministers to consider.

Mr McLoughlin made his remarks in response to a question by the Telegraph during a newspaper conference lunch at Westminster.

Asked what benefits the area could expect to see from HS2 and whether increased capacity could result in direct train services between North East Lincolnshire, he said: "The simple answer to that is yes.

"I don't want to say that HS2 is the answer to every single problem.

"It answers at lot of problems; it certainly provides us with more capacity."

Mr McLoughlin explained that although the high-speed network will initially link London to Birmingham and Leeds, that is only the "high-speed spine".

He said that trains would not have to stop at those cities and could go on to other areas of the country.

He used the example of the high-speed Javelin train, which shuttled more than 2.4 million visitors between St Pancras and the Olympic Park last summer.

"If you go on the Javelin train at the moment from St Pancras, you go down to Ashford at high speed and then you carry on the same train using the same tracks to Folkestone or to Canterbury," he said.

"High speed trains will not have to stop at Manchester or Leeds. They can carry on.

"I think you remember when we first opened the channel tunnel our old trains were going down to the tunnel on the old railway and they were going quite slowly, so that will carry on.

"So, all of what this is about when you have the high-speed spine, as I tend to call it, is that it will enable other facilities and other options to be taken forward and perhaps looking at the case of Grimsby is something I would want the occupier of my office in 2033 to do – but it will not be me.

"I am already one of the longest serving transport ministers and I have only been there 15 months."

Previously, Sir David Higgins, who is currently Network Rail's chief executive, but will take over as the chairman of HS2 next year, said that additional services for the area were a likely outcome if the flagship high-speed rail network gets off the ground.

"The key thing about this design (HS2) that I find most attractive is that it is not a replacement for the West Coast," he told MPs.

"It is a central spine. It connects to the east coast and it connects into Sheffield to the East Midlands services.

"The real challenge and the crucial part on the east coast is the two-track railway, which is incredibly restrictive because we are mixing freight, commuter and high speed.

"It will release a lot more services, and those who come on at York or Leeds, of course, can divert on to the high-speed line."

Sir David said one of the major benefits of HS2 was that it would relieve demand on the West Coast mainline.

"There are at least a dozen major cities in the midlands where their journeys between cities will be much better," Sir David said.

"The huge benefit, which I don't think we have properly set out to the public, is what it does in relieving the main line – the west coast.

"By having 18 new train paths on the new high-speed line, it means that we can free up the west coast for freight, of course, but that provides huge capacity to look at services."

"MY LATE father was passionate about Grimsby and its people."

These are the words of David Ross as he officially launched the John Ross MBE Community Fund in honour of his late father.

That was back in June 2011 and the months following have seen £50,000 handed to scores of worthy causes in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham – along with the villages in North East Lincolnshire.

John had died in the May of 2011, aged 76, following a fall at his home. He had battled with Parkinson's disease for a number of years.

As is well known, the Ross family had built up the highly successful fishing empire of the same name, founded by John's grandfather Thomas, who moved his family to northern Lincolnshire in the late 1800s. Mr Ross remained in the town, taking over the business from his father Carl and was also on the board of Cosalt, where he was chief executive.

Following his father's death, David was keen to see the Ross family name live on in the town in a positive way, aiming to help those in the community to improve and move forward.

As a result, the John Ross MBE Community Fund was born.

David said at the time: "With the support of my fellow trustees, it is our intention to award grants to nominated organisations, charities and established groups to help the community improve and move forward. "

Mr Ross' widow Gill, David's stepmother, has also helped to oversee the fund, and has been present to award the majority of the cheques to worthy organisations and causes.

At the time of the launch, she said: "John's ethos was always that if he could help somebody along the way either with advice, kindness and in some cases financially, he would always endeavour to do so. I am so proud of being able to follow in some small way in his footsteps and if this fund can achieve that then the name of John Ross MBE lives on."

As part of the recognition of the work done and to further support the communities of North East Lincolnshire, the fund is headline sponsor of the very first Grimsby Community Awards.

The local committee is also using the awards night tomorrow as an opportunity to highlight the good work that has been carried out as a result of grants awarded and to ask for other organisations and committees within North East Lincolnshire to apply for grants of between £250 and £1,000.

Grimsby Telegraph editor Michelle Lalor has helped to organise the local committee and said: "Over the past two-and-a-half years it has been an absolute pleasure to be able to assist in the organisation of this fund and to see the help that so many charity organisations and groups have received.

"Now the local committee is keen that we look for other worthy causes, there are so many out there – sporting groups, especially those that help the young, drama and leisure groups and those that assist the elderly – they could all benefit."

To apply, please complete the form below.