LOCAL chef Tom Morrell is among the creme-de-la-creme after reaching the final of popular BBC programme Masterchef: The Professionals.

But it wasn't all peaches and cream for the 25-year-old former Cleethorpes front cafe caterer as his semi-final didn't get off to the best of starts.

He was snowed under working in the kitchen of the Michelin-starred Latymer restaurant in Pennyhill Park Hotel, Surrey, rescued by other chefs halfway through the service.

Former Grimsby Institute student, Tom, said: "It was pretty intense working in the kitchen because it was like a math lesson by working out the correct timings.

"It was a real learning curve."

Tom and fellow contender David then had to recreate and serve up hotel chef Michael Wignall's signature dish, quail breast.

Tom's dish was highly praised. He said: "The comments I received from Michael would put any chef in a good mood.

"It's awesome that he said how good my presentation and overall taste was – it's one of the biggest compliments I have ever received."

The local talent, who started his career making sandwiches at the Blue Wave Cafe, in Cleethorpes, and now works in Geneva preparing meals for the directors of luxury watch maker Rolex, then had to cook two dishes of his own for top chef Michel Roux and fellow judge Monica Galetti.

He made fillet pork wrapped in parma ham and langoustine.

Mum Susan Rice, of Donna Nook, said: "I am very pleased. It looked like a disaster when his first attempt at the pork loin in parma ham was burnt by the pressure cooker. But he got it second time around. It was nerve-racking."

Professional chef Michel said: "Tom puts a lot of love and care into his dishes and he always goes that extra mile."

He added: "He's got a little bit of swagger, too, which is good for a chef because it shows his confidence.

"The pork dish has a great balance of flavour and the pork cheek was so tender – it was my star dish.

"However, he was let down by overcooking the pork fillet."

It looked at this point like Tom wouldn't make it to the final.

Tom added: "I decided to cook pork because it is true to my style with big, bold flavours and it let's the food speak for itself."

For dessert the judges criticised his peach melba for not having enough peaches, as well as the presentation.

However, they agreed the cheesecake part of the dish was delicious.

But after all the ups and downs, he secured a place in the Masterchef final.

Afterwards Tom said: "That was my goal. There is a chance to win it. It is a lot to take in. I have got to get a good night's sleep, but that will be after the party!"

The final runs from Monday to Thursday next week, on BBC2, with four nights of tasks before the winner is declared on Thursday night.

A TEENAGER who was airlifted to hospital after being hit by a football is now conscious and in a stable condition.

The 16-year-old King Edward Grammar school pupil was hit in the chest by a ball while playing football at London Road Pavilion in Louth on Sunday, December 1.

GRIMSBY Borough joint boss Nigel Fanthorpe wants to see his side get the result their recent showings have deserved when they take on Hemsworth Miners Welfare.

The Blues will travel to West Yorkshire tomorrow hoping to record their first win on the road since the end of October, when they beat rock-bottom local rivals Louth Town.

Since that game, Borough have been on a meagre run, picking up only five points from their following five league fixtures, with Fanthorpe left to rue his side's inconsistency.

According to the boss, too often have his side failed to be rewarded with the points their promising performances have deserved and he wants to see that change tomorrow.

"We know we're capable of beating the teams at the top but we're also capable of losing to the teams in and around us," he told the Telegraph.

"It's that inconsistency that's hard to grab hold of and turn around.

"We've been playing well of late but the results haven't always gone our way.

"The key tomorrow is to try and match the performance with the result.

"A point would be good, a win would be great but it won't be easy at all."

Borough go into the clash with the Wells on the back of a decent point against Cleethorpes Town.

But due to work commitments, Fanthorpe and fellow boss Steve Newby may be forced into making changes to the team that held the Blues' title-chasing neighbours.

He continued: "We've got a couple missing through work so we'll have to change things around a bit.

"We used four strikers against Clee and we're possibly looking at only having one of them available tomorrow so we'll just have to wait and see how we are."

Looking forward to the game, he added: "Hemsworth got beat the other night at Shaw Lane Aquaforce, who won 3-1, so they'll be looking to bounce back from that.

"We played them in the cup earlier in the season and it ended up 0-0 with us going out on penalties, so they're always tight games and I can't see it being any different tomorrow.

"They're a hard-working team and they play on a tight little pitch so it's going to be hand-to-hand combat for 90 minutes, but we've got to be up and ready for it and we know exactly what to expect from them."

Elsewhere in the league, Cleethorpes Town will be looking to keep pace at the top of the table when they welcome AFC Emley to the Bradley Community Stadium tomorrow.

Marcus Newell's Owls are tied at the league summit with Shaw Lane, who travel to Hall Road Rangers this weekend.

Any slip-up from the Ducks, and Clee could capitalise to go top of the tree once again.

A win for Louth Town at Knaresborough Town could lift them from the foot of the table – provided Appleby Frodingham lose at Hallam.

Paul Walden's side are currently rock-bottom on nine points, but with a game in hand over Frod, who sit second bottom on 11.

PATIENTS and staff have welcomed the tonic of a new-look ward at Grimsby's hospital.

They are now "well chilled" thanks to a new room designed to provide entertainment for adolescents.

The "chill out" room in The Rainforest wWard, in the Family Services department, has a widescreen TV, pool table and games.

There are also improved bathroom and shower facilities in the 21-bed ward.

It was officially opened by the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust chief executive Karen Jackson. She said the improvements had cost around £260,000 and took about 16 weeks to complete.

She said: "The improvements that we have made are significant.

"It is impressive how they have managed to re-configure the space available. A chill-out space for the teenagers is ideal and the new bathroom facilities enable staff to look after patients with their special needs. Thank you to the staff for their support."

Staff on the ward treat patients from birth to 16 years. Dr Bemigho Etuwene, the ward's clinical director, said the hospital is accredited as a cancer treatment centre so when young patients return from specialist centres such as Sheffield Children's Hospital, they can be treated nearer to home in Grimsby.

It serves patients, predominantly from North East Lincolnshire, but also from northern Lincolnshire and the Scunthorpe area.

General manager Claire Phillips said the ward had a dedicated team of nurses and play specialists. She said: "Having experienced it recently myself with my son, I have seen how good it is."

Patient Katie Anderson-Coll, 5, of Cleethorpes, who would like to be a paediatric nurse when she is older, is being treated for epilepsy.

She said: "I have lots of fun here. I have been gluing and sticking as well as some painting. The play nurse let me do lots of paintings and they were put up in the ward, like a gallery. I painted my mum's face and she said she looked like Shrek. I will do another one of her and one of bunny rabbit Clover. When I am better I will be able to go and play in the play area outside with the swings and slide."

HIGH Streets across North East Lincolnshire were last night given a boost by the Chancellor George Osborne as he announced a raft of measures to help shops, pubs and small businesses.

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers has been waging a long-running campaign calling for help to support the high street.

Only last week he claimed not enough was being done to rejuvenate the "parades of shops up and down the land scarring the communities they once served."

Now the Chancellor has responded to concerns by announcing a package of measures aimed at supporting small businesses in his autumn statement.

Among the measures include plans to give pubs, restaurants and shops with a rateable value over £50,000 a discount of £1,000 on their business rates for the next two years.

The Chancellor has also capped business rate rises across the board at two per cent from April next year and has offered entrepreneurs willing to take on empty shops that have been more than a year a 50 per cent discount on business rates.

Welcoming the measures, Mr Vickers told the Telegraph: "The autumn statement is good news for the high street.

"There are no end of empty retail properties on Freeman Street and also down the road in Cleethorpes.

"Empty shops bring down a community so it will be excellent news if entrepreneurs are now incentivised to breathe new life into that empty retail property."

Mr Vickers claims that up to 10,000 businesses across north East Lincolnshire could benefit from the business rate relief measures announced by the Chancellor.

"The measures that are of particular benefit to my constituents will be the freezing of council tax which the Chancellor has urged all local authorities to do, business rates being capped at two per cent and the discount for those pubs, restaurants and shops with a rateable above £50,000.

"I also welcome the scrapping of National Insurance for young people under the age of 21 which will encourage employers to employ and train young people."

Mr Vickers also welcomed the cancellation of the expected fuel duty rise in April, which will freeze petrol prices.

The Conservative MP is the deputy chairman of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Fair Fuel for Motorists and has been a leading campaigner on the issue.

"I have campaigned on this issue for years which has now been a complete success because every increase expected during this Parliament as put in place by the Labour government has been abandoned."

Among the other measures included in the statement are free school meals for all reception, year one and two primary school students, which will come into effect next September.

The Chancellor also announced a rise in the state pension of £2.95 a week – or £800 a year – from next year.

However he said people would have to wait longer to collect their pension with the retirement age rising to 68 in the mid-2030s and 69 in the mid-1940s.

This is to ensure the retirement age tracks life-expectancy with the expectation that people will still enjoy a third of their life in retirement.

Married couples will also benefit from tax-breaks with couples able to transfer their personal allowance to each other to make a small tax saving.

During his up-beat statement, the Chancellor said Britain was set to be back in the black by 2018/19.

He said his plan was "working", but Labour said he was "in denial" about the "cost of living crisis".

"IT is going to be the most spectacular pantomime Grimsby has ever seen ... there will be a four metre dragon!"

These are the words of Grimsby actress Julie Peasgood who plays the good fairy Azuriel in Sleeping Beauty.

She arrived with the rest of the cast in tow at the Grimsby Auditorium, ready to start rehearsing yesterday, and she is "so excited" as it is her first pantomime.

The Hollyoaks, Emmerdale and Brookside star is used to being on the television screen but not on stage.

She said: "It's great that my first panto is in my home town.

"Rehearsals have been intense learning lines, songs and routines in a short space of time.

"I am very nervous, but excited at the same time."

Juile said she "really enjoys" the festive pantomime season.

"It's the time of year when families get together and enjoy a festive and silly show," she added.

"I visited Reynolds Academy and the young children thought I was an actual fairy.

"It's amazing to see the power of pantomime!"

Kate Winney, 23, from Humberston, who now lives in London, is another local actress who is in the show.

She plays Prince Valiant.

"I enjoy playing a male and I have a lot of action in it," she said.

"It's nice to be back home at the Auditorium. When I was little I used to perform in the pantomimes – it was great fun.

"It was a bit of a shock to see my face on a huge billboard advertising the show.

"With it being in my home town everyone recognises me."

Playing Sleeping Beauty is Hollie Anne Cartwright, 26.

She said: "I have acted in two pantomimes and last year was Sleeping Beauty too, but I played the good fairy.

"So it's nice to be the main character. I get to do a lot of sleeping though which is good!

"I love the traditional pantomime show. It's such great fun."

Bringing the silliness is Ste Johnston, 27, who plays Josh The Jester.

"It's the first time I have been to Grimsby and I think it's beautiful ... I can't wait to try the fish and chips," Ste said.

"I have been advised to try Steel's in Cleethorpes."

Ste said the Jester enjoys inventing silly things.

"He invents a time machine to transport Sleeping Beauty in time," Ste added.

"It's definitely his main love, inventing things which don't turn out right."

This year tickets have been reduced to make it more affordable for everyone. They are £13 and on the opening shows at 10am and 7pm on Friday, December 13, tickets are £9.50. It runs until Sunday, December 29 and times range from 10am, 2pm and 6.30pm. To book tickets visit the Auditorium, call 0844 871 3016 or visit www.atgtickets.com/grimsby

ONE property owner was sitting at work when he received an unexpected phone call... to say a 60-year-old tree had smashed into his home.

Glenn Thow, from Healing, said: "I got the call at about 12.15pm from my partner, who said someone had passed by our house and seen what had happened.

"I was so shocked. My first concern was for my dogs, Bailey and Buddy.

"The tree – which is about five to ten tonnes – had fallen through the conservatory and smashed through the bricks of the building.

"The dogs stay in the conservatory and they had a very lucky escape.

"The tree had fallen exactly where they were, but was being supported by the house, so they were underneath it.

"They were frightened when I came in and refused to go near the back of the house for a while.

"I was so shocked to see the full extent of what happened.

"It is quite weird having a tree in your house.

"I've lived here for 22 years and the tree has been here all that time, so I think it's about 50 to 60 years old."

Contractors were due at the property this morning.

PAUL Hurst appears poised to make at least EIGHT changes to his starting line-up for tomorrow's FA Cup clash.

The Grimsby Town boss again rested a raft of his big guns for Tuesday evening's FA Trophy replay with Coalville.

With that tie safely negotiated – thanks to some of the less regular starters and Youth teamers – he is ready to recall the players that have underpinned the Mariners' league and FA Cup charge.

Ross Hannah, Lenell John-Lewis, Scott Neilson, Scott Kerr, Craig Disley, Shaun Pearson, Clayton McDonald and Aswad Thomas are all likely to go straight into the starting XI.

"We came through the two Coalville games without any more injuries, so I'm really pleased from that point-of-view.

"But it will certainly be a different side from Tuesday, that's for sure, and I don't think there will be too many surprises.

"The lads that sat out Coalville are champing at the bit to get involved because it didn't go to the initial plan of playing Welling in the league on Tuesday – they would have been back for that game.

"I had to make the decision of whether to play them or not. I felt it was too much of a risk, and that gave the other lads a chance to get another game under their belts."

Explaining his decision to rest the majority of his team ahead of tomorrow's tie, Hurst continued: "I don't think the returning players will have any rustiness – although if it doesn't go the way we want, I leave myself open to criticism.

"That's the same if I had played them in the Coalville games and picked up a couple of injuries.

"I do know that we've got a big game tomorrow and a lot of big games coming up over the next month.

"I felt it was right to rest people and that was certainly with the bigger picture in mind – not just one game."

On the impact a victory could have on the Mariners' season, he remarked: "It's a big game, there's no getting away from that. The potential prize of getting through this round could be very big.

"So we will be giving everything we can to get into that third round.

"We don't know exactly what we could make and the exact figures of how much could be put back in for strengthening, but it would be a massive boost to the football club."

THE strong winds caused damage to buildings, felled trees and caused region-wide travel disruption.

As published on www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk throughout the day, reports continually came into the Grimsby Telegraph newsroom of weather-related incidents, including:

A fallen tree on Brighowgate blocking Manor Avenue.

A fallen tree on Clee Crescent.

A fallen tree blocking the A18 at Grainsby.

A fallen tree outside Welholme Galleries, Grimsby.

A 6ft wall fell down in Pasture Street, Grimsby.

There were no reports of injuries.

On the roads, people were experiencing longer journeys than usual and the Humber Bridge closed for some time to all traffic, later reopening to all but high-sided vehicles and caravans.

At Humberside Airport, a flight from Aberdeen was delayed by an hour, and a teatime flight from Amsterdam was cancelled.

Stagecoach confirmed it had experienced delays to the Humber Flyer and Humber FastCar bus services, which run from Grimsby and Scunthorpe into Hull.

But Dave Skepper, commercial director, added: "Other than that we have been operating normally, although with caution on stretches of roads affected by cross winds."

A MAN spent hours on the roof of a house in Grimsby yesterday, tying up emergency services as he refused to come down.

He had climbed to the top of the house in Lambert Road at 9.15am following an alleged dispute inside the property.

Emergency services were at the property for most of the day, with the scene clear by 6pm.

The man was seen walking around on the roofs of the terraced houses as winds pummelled the surrounding buildings, causing tiles to fall from one on neighbouring Farebrother Street.

The man was heard to shout to police and bystanders that he would not come down as he did not want to be arrested and sent to prison.

A section of Lambert Road was closed, as well as sections of the adjacent Farebrother Street and Legsby Avenue, causing disruption to residents and businesses.

Police negotiators employed the use of the fire service's cherry picker appliance to enable them to speak with the man.

It is understood a second man was arrested within the property but police were not able to confirm any more details.

A Farebrother Street resident, who asked not to be named, said: "All the police, fire and ambulance crews here is such a waste.

"They should be off saving people's lives, not here dealing with this."

Another resident, who also did not want to be named, said: "How much is this costing? This is ridiculous. All these police officers and firemen are here and not out doing their job.

"Although the man has battled the elements, I cannot believe he has managed to stay up there that long with such strong wind."

JAMES McKeown would love to land Manchester United in the next round of the FA Cup – or failing that, Peterborough United.

The Mariners host Northampton at Blundell Park tomorrow for a tantalising Second Round encounter.

The prize for the winner is potentially huge – a trip to Old Trafford, Anfield, the Etihad Stadium or the Emirates, perhaps.

'Only' the League Two Cobblers stand in the way of a place in Sunday's third round draw.

Town's keeper McKeown says the players appreciate exactly what is at stake, and the impact a victory over Aidy Boothroyd's side could have.

"Promotion will always be our focus, but the cups will again be very important to us this season," he told the Telegraph.

"If we beat Northampton and get a big draw in the third round then that will be a big lift for the club and the whole town.

"Even if we get Manchester United and get hammered 6-0, you'd like to think the excitement from the build-up can help us achieve our goal.

"Times are hard, especially at this level. It's not all what people read in the papers, in terms of millionaire footballers and billionaire owners.

"We're playing from season-to- season. So if you can get a good draw and get some money into the club then it will benefit us all and might allow us to bring in a couple of additions."

As with the fans, the Town players' minds inevitably wander ahead to the third round and what might be – and McKeown is no different.

"I'd have to plump for Manchester United," he said on the topic of preferred opponents.

"But at the same time a little part of me would love to play against Peterborough, just because I used to play for them.

"For everyone else that would probably be a rubbish draw but it would be great for me!

"You never know though. If you get a winnable game against a lower league side then you could even make it into the fourth round.

"It's all 'ifs and maybes' at the moment, though. We've got to get past another League Two side. To do it against Scunny was one thing, but to do it again is going to be very tough."

The Cobblers are currently languishing in 23rd position in League Two, but have won three of their last five games in all competitions.

"It's not very often that Conference teams get through to the third round having to beat more than one league club," added McKeown.

"So it's going to be a very tough game. I know they're not having the best season, but they made play-offs last year and can't have become a bad team overnight.

"They'll probably see this as a very winnable game themselves.

"You would probably still say they are favourites, just, because they are the league club.

"But there are only four or five places in it, with them near the bottom of League Two and we're near the top of the Conference."

He continued: "Even going all the way up to the bottom of League One, there isn't a massive difference from the top sides in the Conference.

"Also, we're at home, and if the Blundell Park crowd are anything like they were against Scunny then that could switch the advantage in our favour.

"If we beat them it would have to be classed as an upset, but it's a pretty tight one to call."

After dumping local rivals Scunthorpe United out of the competition at the last stage, McKeown and his team-mates sense this could be a special year for the Mariners.

"For every fan and all us players, the Scunny game is one that will live long in the memory," the 24-year-old said.

"To draw with your nearest rivals at home and then go and beat them at their place is something special.

"People say the FA Cup has lost it's magic, but I'm not sure.

"It might have if you support Arsenal, and you watch their reserves lose 1-0 in the early stages.

"But after our win at Scunny, if we beat Northampton and land a big Premier League club, people will be interested in the cup again."

LAST night's tidal surge was described as one of the worst in 60 years.

First, gale force winds battered North East Lincolnshire, felling trees and ripping roofs from buildings.

Even from 9am, the authorities were taking action, calling homeowners and warning them of the potential for flooding.

Throughout the afternoon, the flood sirens along our coastline were repeatedly sounded in advance of the tidal surge.

And as afternoon turned to early evening, flood water began to swamp the East Coast.

Alarming photographs of Whitby and Bridlington were posted on the internet, causing fears to rise as high tide, at 7.06pm, drew nearer...

At about 2pm, the Environment Agency issued a Severe Flood Warning for areas near to the sea defences in Humberston, low-lying areas in Grimsby and areas near to the sea defences in Cleethorpes. This was later extended to include Grant Thorold, East Marsh, West Marsh and Old Clee. The warning was the highest level of risk and was later upgraded to the warning of a "danger to life".

Although people were experiencing slow moving traffic on the roads, Stagecoach in North East Lincolnshire reported that it was service as normal. Dave Skepper, commercial director, said: "We have had some delays today on our Humber Flyer and Humber FastCar bus services, which run from Grimsby and Scunthorpe into Hull, as a consequence of the Humber Bridge being closed for a few short periods due to high winds. Other than that we are operating normally although with caution on stretches of roads affect by cross winds."

At 4.30pm, Network Rail suspended train services east of Barnetby – including Barton, Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes – for the foreseeable future.

The emergency services and local authorities across the Humber began preparing in earnest for "an ingression of water" from about 5pm onwards.

At 5.03pm, the coastguard measured the water level at Immingham Dock. It was 7.4 metres, two metres higher than normal, and high tide was still two hours away.

Steve Wood, Coastguard station officer, said: "It's the highest I've seen in my 33 years of service."

But the general public were remaining optimistic.

Bill Parkinson, the owner of Willy's Pub and Brewery, on Highcliff Road, said: "We are not panicking; we are slightly higher up than a lot of places, and on relatively high ground.

"We are having our curry night as usual and if the worst comes to the worst, there is always the bar upstairs."

Photographs began to appear on social networking sites of people visiting the seafront to watch the waves breaching the prom. One picture showed a girl in her pyjamas taking footage on her phone. North East Lincolnshire Council issued a warning to people to stay away from the prom – not only was there a danger of people being swept away by a wave, but the cold weather should be enough to put them off, the council said. Regardless, people did not heed the warnings and joined the media at the seafront to view the spectacle.

North East Lincolnshire Council advised that residents living in two-storey buildings in the low-lying areas of Grimsby and Cleethorpes should move themselves to the second floor. Vulnerable residents, or those living in single-storey buildings, were advised to move to respite centres being set up by the council. People were able to take shelter at Grimsby Leisure Centre; Grimsby Swimming Baths; Grimsby Town Hall; Freeman Street Rescource Centre; Bradley Football pitches; Riverside Children's Centre; Scartho Children's Centre; and Nunsthorpe and Bradley Park Children's Centre.

Volunteers from Humber Rescue lifeboat team were on standby to respond to the ongoing threats of flooding along the coast. Teams would be mobilised upon request by the HM Coastguard.

Glenn Ramsden, from Humber Rescue, said: "Our volunteers are incredibly loyal and adaptable, they have a great deal of experience in all aspects of this type of work.

"They are rightly very proud of what they do and how they do it and this serves to demonstrate their dedication, responding at any time, in any weather."

West Marsh ward councillor Darren Billard and East Marsh ward councillor Stephen Beasant offered full support to people in their communities.

Councillor Billard said: "Most of the warnings and problems are on the seafront areas, however, we are also said to be in an at-risk area.

"I will be on hand where ever I am needed. I have been around the ward and everything I have seen so far appears safe and secure for the time being."

Councillor Beasant said: "I have been to two incidents; one to help a resident regarding a large branch that had broken off a tree and then to help another resident when a six-foot wall fell down in Pasture Street.

"My main concern is for elderly and vulnerable people. I would advise that everyone should stay indoors and where possible upstairs.

"We have not seen anything like this since the year I was born back in 1953.

"I think we are going to start seeing more extreme weather conditions coming in the not so distant future.

"We have seen the extreme weather in the Philippines, and with so many people building on flood plains, I'm sure we are going to see more problems yet to come."

At about 5pm, Freshney Place - all geared up for late-night trading – announced it was closing. Police officers walked around the town centre advising people to go home. Other events were cancelled, including the annual Carols By Candlelight service outside Grimsby Minster, and the blessing of the crib inside the shopping centre.

Residents in the area of Blundell Park expressed their concerns but said they too were planning to stay at home.

Mrs Jackson, of Manchester Street, Cleethorpes, said: "Hearing the sirens has been very worrying. We have been following the news reports but we are going to stay at home and see how it goes."

John Roberts, of Suggitts Lane, said: "We have seen bad weather before. The tide is very high but I am not concerned at the moment, although I might say differently in hindsight!"

About an hour before high tide, water breached the Humberston Fitties. Residents stayed firm, insisting on not abandoning their homes.

The co-ordinator of the Humberston Fitties Neighbourhood Watch, George Nixon, said 150 properties – about half – remained occupied. Residents were refusing to move and were awaiting news of what was happening in the West Marsh area until they decide what to do.

Mr Nixon said: "Volunteers are carrying out patrols along the seafront. We are confident the sea defences will hold."

David and Diane Tovey, the famous cake bakers on the Fitties, were among those residents remaining in their properties, despite warnings from the Environment Agency to leave.

They said: "We are not moving. We do not have another home to go to.

"As long as we are all together and with our dogs nothing else matters. If we get caught up in it, so be it."

A spokesman from the Environment Agency said: "Residents should be prepared. Put any flood plans they might have into action and take all necessary precautions."

Residents of homes in high risk areas were being evacuated. This included the densely-populated area around Blundell Park. Other residents chose to move upstairs or leave their homes voluntarily.

Grimsby Dock and Stallingborough Industrial Estate were evacuated.

Willows Estate residents were being urged to stay calm amid warnings of a tidal flood surge.

Freshney ward councillor Cliff Barber told the Grimsby Telegraph that his phone had been "red hot" with anxious callers throughout the day.

He said the warnings had brought back memories of the devastating floods of 2007, but added he was confident the Willows would not be affected.

He said: "My phone has been red hot. I think it will affect the coastal areas more, but because of what happened last time and the fact we near the river people start panicking.

"I have just been telling people not to panic. It's just a case of crossing our fingers and hoping it doesn't cause much damage."

However, regulars at the Valiant Pub seemed pretty relaxed about the prospect of flooding.

Barmaid Sophie Barber said: "A lot of people have been talking about it but they don't think the Willows is going to get hit as bad as people are making out. We are not close to the coast and we have just had the flood defences done on the Freshney.

"One regular who was in the pub earlier said that his daughter got a phone call saying they should move upstairs in their home."

The flood warning also resulted in a council meeting being cut short

after staff were asked to leave Grimsby Town Hall at around 3.30pm.

Councillor Barber, who sits on the children and young people scrutiny panel, then witnessed Freshney Place being evacuated after going to pick up his wife, who works on Top Town Market.

At 6.15pm, residents of the Humberston Fitties were forcibly evacuated as the danger of flooding increased. This continued for at least half an hour as low-level water flooded the area.

Five minutes later, water breached the lock gates at Grimsby Docks, and there was a power cut affecting half of the area. Security staff were aiding remaining people off the docks, and cars were driving through water. It eventually went into a state of "lock-down" due to flooding.

At 6.45pm, the drains on Cleethorpes Promenade began to overflow.

High tide occurred at 7.06pm.

At 7.10pm, relieved residents in the Suggitt's Lane area, were returning to their homes just after high tide.

Keith Hampson, 54, of Suggitt's Orchard, was on the sea wall watching the high tide with other residents.

He said: "We were being told earlier to be prepared to evacuate just in case and we had several phone calls from the Environment Agency.

"But having looked at it, it's still got three foot to go to the top, and it's already reached high tide. I am going home.

"I am feeling a lot more relaxed now and I'm going to put my feet up."

Seven coaches took most of the Fitties residents and their pets to emergency shelters for the night because of concerns about a reoccurrence this morning. George Nixon, co-ordinator of the Fitties Neighbourhood Watch, said that a small number of people did not leave their homes. About 20 people took shelter in the nearby Humberston Yacht Club.

LIAM Hearn will find out if his dream of playing again this season is realistic when he visits a knee specialist today.

As reported, the Grimsby Town 'Hitman' has been sidelined by a cruciate injury, a season after rupturing his Achilles.

Mariners boss Paul Hurst fears that the 28-year-old could be out of action for the whole campaign.

But Hearn – who returned for the final six weeks of last season – is hoping for better news today.

"Speaking to Mooro (physio Dave Moore), it's not as serious as it could have been, but it's still going to be a long lay-off," he told the Telegraph.

"When Mooro spoke to him about the injury, the specialist seemed pretty optimistic, so hopefully I can get some good news today.

"It's difficult to put a timescale on the recovery, so we'll let the specialist have a look, but I'd hope to be back before the end of the season."

Explaining when his elation of scoring against Barnet turned to despair, less than 15 minutes later, Hearn continued: "I've never had a problem with my knees in my life.

"I've always been really fortunate in that sense, but obviously not this time around.

"I hadn't come on for a couple of games, but then I got my chance against Barnet and scored straight away.

"I felt really good but then with the last kick of the game this happened, and I'm back to square one.

"I'm not one for going down, but I knew straight away. My foot sunk in the floor, we were both leaning, and I felt the knee twist."

The forward added: "Obviously, it's tough. It's been a year giving everything you've got to get right, and then...

"I knew there might be complications with other injuries, but I never expected anything like this.

"It's going to take a while for me to turn things around because mentally this has been one of my toughest moments."

Hearn, who netted 29 goals in his debut season with the Mariners, was keen to pay tribute to the Town supporters.

"I want to thank the fans for all their support and messages they've been sending me – it's helped me a lot," he said.

"I hold them in high regard because they've always been superb towards me and I really appreciate that."

MARKET Rasen races beat the storms this week – and top jockey AP McCoy proved he is a man for all seasons.

The latest fixture at the Lincolnshire course survived a mid-morning precautionary inspection at the height of Thursday's storm.

Though the crowd was severely depleted after advice not to travel, horses and jockeys braved the weather and were pleased when the gale abated.

Eighteen-time champion jockey McCoy, often termed the 'man for all seasons', typically made his mark with a double from the first two races on the card.

In the final race, a bumper, he made it a treble.

First he was on board the Steve Gollings-trained Handiwork (11/2).

The Scamblesby trainer booked the champ to ride the three-year-old who was making his hurdles debut in the Casino Juvenile Class 4 opener and, despite some moderate form on the flat, the local horse showed them all the way home to score easily enough.

In the second race, McCoy was on board the strongly-fancied Captain Cutter, who went to post the 1/7 favourite.

Despite not jumping too confidently, McCoy brought his charge to the front at the last, and eased up approaching the line.

He was the class horse in the race on the back of three wins in bumpers last season and, followed this with an impressive display of hurdling on his debut over the smaller obstacles at Kempton a month ago.

He was sent off there at short odds, but again like here at Market Rasen, got away with some sloppy jumping.

The third race was the first chase of the afternoon, the 'Emerald Green Feeds Novices Handicap Chase' and there were plenty of backers for Distime (7/4f) owned by Barton-upon-Humber-based Middleham Park Racing.

In October 2012, Distime made his chase debut at Aintree, finishing second.

He had, though, been off the racecourse since, but the Aintree race was decent form.

He was upstaged here by Samstown, who had Alistair Whillans on board for trainer Ewan Whillans.

The staying ability of the bottom weight was not in question and, on the good-to-soft ground, the six-year-old ran on well to score from Distime in a race in which only three of the seven runners completed the trip in the adverse conditions.

There were blanks for McCoy in this and the following race, where he pulled up Very Stylish – who was anything but – on the second circuit.

The 32Red Handicap Chase saw some impressive jumping from top weight Acrai Rua (9/1), who had Brian Hughes on board.

Nearest challenger was 2/1 favourite Roseneath, who was five lengths adrift when the post arrived.

Trainer Alex Hales had Noel Fehily up on Roseneath, who impressed when winning at Carlisle in April and might well have got closer here had it not been for clattering a fence on the second circuit and losing ground.

Trainer of the winner Acrai Rua was Tim Fitzgerald, who said: "He stays well and liked the ground today. His mark is his lowest for a while and we will look at bringing him back for the Lincolnshire National on Boxing Day."

Shimla Dawn (9/2) won the Red.com Handicap Hurdle by ten lengths with Peter Buchanon on board.

The Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle, the sixth race, saw King Zeal (6/1) overturn unimpressive form for trainer Barry Leavy.

Market Rasen trainer Michael Chapman saddled Volcanic Jack who finished fourth.

The bumper at the bottom of the card provided McCoy's win to complete his treble.

The champ was on board Bandit Country, the 6/4 joint favourite trained by Jonjo O'Neill.

Now all eyes focus on Boxing Day, with fingers crossed that the fixture can survive the elements.