THE next generation of sporting stars now have the equipment to match their talents.

Three schools in North East Lincolnshire have scooped a haul of prizes each thanks to the Grimsby Telegraph's School Sports competition.

Launched in March, the competition tasked staff, pupils and parents with collecting as many tokens as possible from the paper.

Waltham Leas Primary Academy collected the most tokens, earning themselves a huge haul of sporting equipment, including ten rugby balls, 28 footballs, golf, kwik cricket and mini tennis sets.

School head Robert Beel said he was delighted with the win, and praised parents for getting behind their push.

"We're over the moon with it, it has been a real team effort and the fact that we won reflects well on everyone," he said.

"Everyone here is anxious that children are active and healthy.

"The new equipment we have is fantastic, it will really add to the equipment and facilities we already have in school.

"It's really good that the Grimsby Telegraph runs competitions like this which encourage and involve everyone, and rewards schools for their efforts."

Pupil Rory Broughton, 7, said: "It was really exciting when we heard we had won.

"The new equipment is going to be really useful for our lessons."

Ruby Trevor, 6, added: "I'm really pleased that we've won, it's good to have won the rugby balls as I'd like to see the school start a girls rugby team."

St Joseph's Catholic Primary Voluntary Academy, in Cleethorpes, took second prize with Fairfield Primary School, in Scartho, taking third, with each being given similar hauls of equipment for their efforts.

Mel Walker, head at St Joseph's, said: "We spoke to the parents and we were delighted with the response we had with the tokens in the paper. The children were really happy when they found out we had come second.

"The equipment will be used to enhance PE lessons and out-of-school clubs. Things like this always make a big difference to the children."

Kerry Claude, PE co-ordinator at Fairfield, added: "We were absolutely delighted to take third and we are really grateful to the parents for having collected and submitted the tokens.

"The equipment will make a huge difference to play times and lunch times when they will be used.

"We have a big focus on activity with our Fit For Life and other PE clubs, so this will really help."

Meanwhile, 13 schools won £20 Sports Direct vouchers as runners-up prizes. They were: Humberston Cloverfields Academy, Canon Peter Hall Primary, St Peter's Primary, Great Coates Primary, Woodlands Primary, Strand Primary Academy, Keelby Primary, Oasis Academy Nunsthorpe, St Mary's Catholic Primary Academy, New Waltham Academy, Grange Primary, Enfield Primary and Allerton Primary.

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A GUEST speaker night with Grimsby Town legend John McDermott raised £2,000 for cancer sufferer Amy Jackson.

The former full-back, who clocked up a record of more than 750 appearances for the Mariners, spoke at a packed Empire Pub, in Grimsby, in March.

The event, which included the auction of football memorabilia, raised £2,000 towards Amy and her family's dream of a holiday of a lifetime.

As reported, Amy, 26, of Cleethorpes, has incurable cancer. Last month she married her sweetheart Scott Jackson at the Oaklands Hall Hotel, in Laceby.

Their appeal has captured the hearts of Grimsby Telegraph readers and has so far raised more than £10,000.

John said he was keen to help with Amy's appeal after his sister died from breast cancer eight years ago.

"Her story touched me because of my own sister who we lost. I wanted to help if I could," he said.

"I was originally going to donate a signed shirt that I had, but then I thought I needed to do something more.

"The night was a real success and I was amazed at how many people came. It was my first guest speaker night and we had a good laugh and I shared a lot of stories from my playing days.

"We have raised a fantastic amount. I have always found that the people of Grimsby dig deep when it comes to one of their own."

Amy said: "We are really pleased with how much was made and were impressed with how well the night went down.

"We have been amazed with the response to the appeal and it is still going strong."

Former Mariners midfielder Dave Boylen, who helped organise the event, said: "John wanted to help as his sister had a similar illness. I have known him since he first started at Grimsby and I knew he would want to help.

"It was a fabulous night and was really well attended.

"The Empire used to be my local when I first moved over here and it is a great community pub."

Pub owner Mark Smith said: "I got talking to Scott through darts and he asked if he could use the venue for an event, and we were glad we could help.

"There were a lot of people that made it happen and on the night we had some fantastic auction items like signed shirts and footballs. It went crazy on the night and people wanted to put their hands in their pockets.

"Amy's is such a sad situation. We wanted to play a part in her appeal."

The Empire has now acquired signed Manchester City and Manchester United shirts, as well as a football photo signed by United legends Denis Law, George Best and Bobby Charlton.

The pub is inviting sealed bids for each, as separate items, which can be put in an envelope with contact details and handed over at the bar before closing time on Saturday, May 17.

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ALTHOUGH some of Grimsby Town's Youth team stars may earn pro deals, the youngsters have been busy looking at "a Plan B."

The Mariners' second-year trainees are enduring an anxious wait as first-team boss Paul Hurst makes his decisions ahead of next season.

And even for the fortunate ones who receive an offer, the importance of building on their skills outside of the game cannot be underestimated.

That message was delivered by former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba, as 800 footballers from 60 Football League clubs – and Grimsby Town – descended on a careers event hosted by League Football Education and The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust at The University of Warwick.

Employers, universities and training companies were among the 50 exhibitors on show at 'Create Your Legacy'.

"I spoke to a lot of young players and I think most understood where I was coming from when I stressed the importance of having a Plan B," Muamba said.

They should have. In a fiercely competitive industry, around 60 per cent of Youth team players will be released by their clubs as 18-year-olds.

Even then half of those who do win a full-time contract will have left the game by the age of 21 with just 15 per cent remaining.

"Football offers no guarantees," Muamba continued, "You can be one injury away from retirement.

"And even if you enjoy a long and successful career you're going to have to finish at some point so you need to broaden your mind and think about your next move as early as possible.

"I thought my football career would last longer than it did so I was complacent and didn't know what I was going do when I left Bolton.

"Now I'm studying at university, working at The Professional Footballers' Association and gaining experience working in the media.

"My message was, 'there's more to life than just kicking a ball around', you have to engage with different things and be willing to learn new skills so that you have the versatility to be able to move in different directions – that's a path I'm on at the moment."

Find out which of Town's Youth teamers earn professional deals – read your Grimsby Telegraph this week.

FLAMBOYANT surealist comedian Noel Fielding will be bringing his unique comedy stylings to Grimsby's Auditorium.

It's the first solo live tour in five years for the Mighty Boosh star and regular Never Mind The Buzzcock's team captain.

And, audiences can expect a magical mix of stand-up comedy, live animation, music and some of Fielding's best-known TV characters – such as The Moon and Fantasy Man.

There will also be muscular support from the loose stylings of Mike Fielding (Naboo/Smooth) and the physical lunacy of Tom Meeten (The Mighty Boosh/Oram & Meeten).

Noel, pictured, has also appeared in other TV hits, including The IT Crowd and Nathan Barley, as well as appearances in Doll & Em, How Not To Live Your Life, Michael McIntyre's Comedy Roadshow, Garth Marenghi's Darkplace and Surrealissimo: The Trial Of Salvador Dali. He also co-presented Comic Relief Does Top Of The Pops alongside Fearne Cotton and Reggie Yates, and has appeared as guest team captain on The Big Fat Quiz Of The Year.

The show – which is suitable for over 12s – will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 8pm. No support acts will be performing.

Tickets are £26 and can be booked at 0844 8713016.

PLANS to erect a 77m high wind turbine in Aylesby have been approved by the council's Planning Committee.

Despite receiving substantial objections, councillors narrowly passed the proposals by six votes to five.

The turbine is expected to have the generation capacity of up to 900kW, which should be enough to power nearly 77 homes.

One wind turbine is already in place on land west of Pyewipe Farm, which was originally built to power the farm's grain-dryers.

But it has since emerged that the power from the turbine goes directly to the National Grid. Paul Strawson, of Pyewipe Farm, Aylesby, spoke in support of the proposals.

He said: "The supply of energy is becoming more and more topical.

"Off-sea turbines are almost twice the cost and they also affect the fishing industry.

"If the application is refused it will just send out the wrong message to those who want to invest in green energy.

"The turbine will be hidden from all homes apart from just a few, and then trees and bushes will also break up the landscape.

"There have been a lot of objections, but it accords with planning policy."

Robert Doughty, representing Manor Farm and concerned local residents, opposed the plans.

"We have already seen the adverse effects from the first turbine," he said. "A second would just magnify that.

"A large number of people have objected to the plans, it will only be of benefit to the developer.

"It will significantly alter the landscape and will offer very little benefit to local people."

Councillor Matthew Patrick (Labour, Heneage), said: "I welcome green energy and in this instance, there are no real grounds for refusal.

"The only concerns are coming from local residents, but time and time again that has not been enough to turn an application down.

"I do feel concerned about the adverse effect on the landscape, but for planning that does not carry any weight."

Andrew De Freitas (Liberal Democrat, Park) added: "I am very keen on encouraging green energy, as there is no doubt we are suffering from global warming which will have a huge impact on the UK.

"You just have to look at Holland, who are starting to embrace green energy and looking at other sources of producing power.

"It this application was for a wind farm I would say it's not acceptable, but as a second turbine it will not be a huge blot on the landscape."

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COULD he be the next Hollywood icon of tomorrow?

Super talented Grimsby actor Brett King is one of only 16 students set to enrol at the prestigious New York Film Academy (NYFA) in October – if he can find the money.

Out of 100,000 hopefuls he is the only UK thespian heading to the school's Los Angeles base at Universal Studios for a two-year course in acting for film and television, where the study fees may end up costing in excess of £35,000.

The 22-year-old, of First Avenue, Nunsthorpe, faces a severe financial barrier in pursuing the opportunity of a lifetime and is appealing for individuals or businesses for sponsorship in order to make his dreams come true.

If he gets to the City of Angels, he could be under the tutelage of such glittering names as Steven Spielberg and Ben Stiller.

He chose the establishment across the pond after meeting Sir Patrick Stewart, who is Chancellor at the University of Huddersfield – where Brett completed a BA honours degree in drama.

The X-Men acting legend recommended the school in LA because of its fantastic links with the film industry and its high percentage rate of getting actors into work.

As part of the application process, Brett had to obtain two recommendations from previous course tutors and auditioned with two contrasting monologues, derived from Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing and Forrest Gump.

As part of the rigorous process he also had to write a 2,000 word essay stating why he'd benefit from the course and what he could bring to the school were he to be offered a place.

In addition, he was the only person to be awarded a talent-based scholarship that covers some of the incredibly steep fees.

The NYFA prides itself on giving acting students as much exposure to real-life film from day one, giving them plenty of experience on set and building up their contacts.

But the fees remain a constantly nagging issue.

He said: "I've never had the finances in life being from a deprived background but it's not stopped me dreaming big.

"I've always loved acting and had a passion for it which started at a very young age.

"Each day I struggle with a mix of vasovagal syncope (temporary interuptions to the brain's blood supply) and dysrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) which cause me a lot of problems but acting has always been the one thing that has been easy.

"I love the idea of portraying different characters and influencing people in a positive way.

"Ultimately, my ambition is to make a difference and acting is my ticket to do that – I really need as much help as possible to make it to Hollywood."

Brett has received a letter of recommendation from outgoing Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell to assist him with sponsorship endeavours

If you could help him on his way, e-mail brettking1991@hotmail.co.uk to find out more.

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MIDFIELDER Andy Welsh has left Scunthorpe United – potentially alerting Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst.

The 30-year-old was linked with a loan move to the Mariners earlier this year when Hurst admitted he had spoken to him in the past.

And Welsh announced on Twitter yesterday morning that his contract at Glanford Park is not being renewed when it expires at the end of June.

The former Yeovil Town and Carlisle United man has endured an injury-plagued 12 months with the Iron, after signing as a free agent last June.

He suffered a cartilage problem in training during early September and made four league appearances this term.

"Sad to leave Scunthorpe, some great people and great club," he wrote on the social network site yesterday. "Such a frustrating season but happens in football."

Full-back Christian Ribeiro was the second player to reveal he has no future at Glanford Park yesterday.

A TALENTED singer from Grimsby is facing an agonising six weeks to hear if he will be asked to perform for X Factor judges.

Hayden Leeman, 16, of Fraser Street, successfully made it through two rounds of initial tryouts last weekend in Manchester, but doesn't yet know if he will get to sing in front of returning celebrity judge Simon Cowell.

Hoping to follow in the footsteps of other local X Factor successes, including Ella Henderson, Hayden, who is currently studying AS-levels at Franklin College, made the trip west and queued for hours at Old Trafford cricket ground in the baking sun before impressing the screening judge with an alternate version of Toxic by Britney Spears.

He said: "When we eventually made it inside, I went to a booth at the end of the hall and performed with a guitar in front of one judge.

"After I sang I was given a yellow slip and told I had made it through to the call backs that I presumed would be the next day.

"But I had to sing again a short while later without the guitar. I struggled a little bit doing the songs acapella.

"I pleaded with them to let me sing Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis and after I was done they said they could not wait to see me again because I was going through."

Hayden returned to Grimsby that night but had to make the journey back to Manchester the next day to sing again – and this time he was note perfect.

Following the audition, he joined other hopefuls as they were interviewed by show personnel to find out their specific back stories and was told that he'd find out in four to six weeks if he was going to

appear on the popular ITV shows once it airs later in the year.

He said: "They were trying to find out people's sob stories and I told them what I had to but, at the end of the day, I want people to like my voice, not be interested in my background.

"If I make it on to the show I hope my music will do the talking."

This is the first time the singer-songwriter has auditioned for a talent contest of this nature but he regularly plays gigs in Cleethorpes and hopes to have a career in music one day.

He got a guitar when he was younger but says he never really played until a year ago, while he also used to sing in a primary school choir.

However, adjusting to life at senior school was difficult for him and the singing took a backseat as he got over the sad passing of a close family friend.

The plucky youngster was able to put his feelings into his music and wrote an original tribute song which he regularly sings to audiences around the local area.

His mum, Lynn, said: "We're really proud of him, we're just wondering how far he can go and naturally we don't want him to be disappointed.

"I know he's good, he makes me notice because he sings all the time."

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SHAUN Pearson insists watching Grimsby Town's play-off defeat to Gateshead was more frustrating than playing in it.

The Mariners defender was suspended for the crunch clash after picking up his 15th booking of the campaign in the first leg.

And the 25-year-old says watching the 3-1 defeat (4-2 on aggregate) from pitch-side was excruciating.

He said: "It's much more nerve-wracking and frustrating watching and not being able to do anything about the result.

"If you're playing at least you can affect things, but that was my own fault and something I had to deal with. Hopefully I can learn from that next season."

He continued: "It was so sickening because we really felt we were a better side than Gateshead, especially after the first leg on the Thursday night.

"People have said to me since that it wasn't a great performance from us in the first half on Sunday, which I wouldn't argue with.

"But at the same time they weren't particularly great either, and only an unfortunate error gave them the lead at half-time.

"Then when we went down to ten men I thought there was only going to be one winner because we were superb.

"But when we went down to nine it just became a bit too much for us."

Commenting on Scott Neilson's controversial second-half sending off for Town, Pearson added: "With the first red card, it's debatable whether it was even a foul, but we played better after that decision so we can't use that as an excuse.

"It was just such a shame because we all felt we had a great opportunity this year."

"THERE are several football clubs whose home ground is next to a cemetery – former European Champions Chelsea FC among them."

That was the response from Grimsby Town FC director John Fenty to complaints from residents opposed to a new stadium proposal on land off Peaks Parkway.

As reported, they said it will disturb the peace and tranquillity of Scartho Cemetery.

At a public meeting, the Park Ward Action Group also expressed fears over the impact of increased traffic.

However, GTFC and The Mariners Trust are backing the proposal for a new 12,000 to 14,000 seater stadium and last week released more details about the proposed relocation from Blundell Park.

Mr Fenty said the club had not submitted a planning application.

He said: "We have a long way to go before we have project reality."

In the meantime, it has launched an online petition in favour of the plans, and supporter group the Mariners Trust has organised a leaflet drop within the Park ward.

He added he was happy to meet residents to allay their concerns, but stressed he is not a planning consultant.

Mr Fenty said measures to mitigate noise and impact on the area would be part of the design.

He also added the proposed new stadium would be 450 metres from the nearest house.

"That is approaching half a kilometre away. There are several clubs with a stadium next to a cemetery. The new York City ground, which has been approved, is next to a cemetery," said Mr Fenty. He added: "When you visit Stamford Bridge in Chelsea, you come out right next to a cemetery.

"Bury FC has a stand which is called Cemetery End because it is next to their cemetery. I do not believe that football clubs cannot harmonise with a site near to a cemetery. This proposal is further away."

The club boss said there will be less than 30 home games per season.

Mr Fenty said: "It is not about day-in day-out noise. Noise within a stadium can be contained with modern construction. There will be nothing like the problem that is being cited."

After Councillor Andrew De Freitas, of the Park ward, questioned the 3,000 signature online petition set up by the club, he said it was "bona fide" and signatories, e-mail addresses and names verify the support it has received.

Mr Fenty said: "It carries all the weight of a hand-written petition."

His response came after residents met and described Grimsby Town's attendances as "dismal".

Councillor Andrew De Freitas, of the Park ward, told the gathered residents that building on the land was not right. He said: "My own personal view is that building on that site is wrong.

"You are the community and you have a right to express your views.

"Heaven forbid if you have a council that just does what it thinks is good for you."

One resident slammed the club's appeal for North East Lincolnshire Council to agree a basis for a land transfer, and urged it to "stand on its own two feet".

Another questioned the attendance record at Blundell Park.

Residents also raised concerns about the potential loss of nearby allotment land as well as traffic problems, with one claiming to have spent 45 minutes attempting to turn right out of Weelsby Avenue.

Another questioned the possible siting of the stadium near to the town's cemetery.

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GRIMSBY Town fans could be given the opportunity to boost the club's summer transfer coffers.

Selling shares to supporters is just one of the initiatives being discussed at boardroom level as the Mariners prepare for next season's assault on the Conference.

The club are exploring ways of bolstering next season's playing budget which, as reported, will be lower than that of this campaign.

The details of the initiative have not yet been finalised, but John Fenty told the Telegraph that it would give Town more clout when recruiting new players.

He explained: "There's been a suggestion from one of the board members that we might seek to sell shares in order to top up the playing budget.

"It is seen of a way of raising funds to add to what we do know will be a slightly reduced playing budget from last season.

"There's no doubt that in the last few seasons, the size of the playing budget has played a large part in determining which clubs have been promoted – you can argue it goes hand in glove."

Town are expected to release their retained list of players imminently, with attentions quickly turning to the hunt for new recruits.

And Fenty said the scheme could enable Hurst to be more expansive in that search.

He continued: "Often, if you ask a manager where he's expecting to finish a season, he'll say; 'show me the budget and I'll tell you where we'll finish'.

"I know it's not exactly like that and it's a lot more scientific, but that does often allow a manager to plan for the coming season.

"It's an initiative that has been suggested by one of the board members and one that we'll look to roll out in the near future.

"You hope that it would be very successful because it would enable us to strengthen the budget further, which I'm sure the manager would take great glee in.

"Let's hope the opportunity realises some success because there's no doubt that most clubs that have enjoyed success have enjoyed the bigger budgets."

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for updates on the scheme as they are revealed.

STAFF at Grimsby's Homebase have been informed that the shop is set to close and could be replaced by a rival store later this year.

They were told about the decision by bosses on Wednesday.

The Grimsby Telegraph understands the store will be replaced by home, leisure and garden store The Range in October – however, this is yet to be confirmed.

As yet, it is also unknown what will happen to the jobs of the staff employed at the store.

A spokesman for the Home Retail Group, which owns Homebase, confirmed that the Grimsby store is likely to close.

She said: "We can confirm that the business has entered a period of consultation concerning the proposed closure of our store in Grimsby.

"Colleagues at the store have been informed and we will be working with them over the next few weeks to support them as much as possible.

"Homebase continues to be committed to providing employment opportunities and great customer service to people in the area.

"Due to commercial sensitivities, we are unable to comment further at this time."

In 2012, Homebase announced that they would be closing 40 stores over the next five years.

The retailer has 65 store leases coming up for renewal over the next five years, and says it is planning to close all but 25 of them.

This is part of their decision to halt expansion and to concentrate on multi-channel development, as seen with their introduction of Argos in some of their Homebase stores.

Nevertheless, Home Retail, which owns Argos and Homebase, has recently said it expects profits to be slightly ahead of market forecasts.

Internet sales have also grown year on year.

Originally known as CDS Superstores, The Range originated in the markets in the south-west and was founded by Plymouth entrepreneur Chris Dawson.

The expanding company boasts 88 stores nationwide, including nearby Lincoln and Scunthorpe, but more are expected to be announced soon.

The Range has more than 65,000 products and more than 16 different departments, including DIY, homewares, furniture, lighting, arts, crafts and soft furnishings.

In 2009, The Range was ranked 121st on the Sunday Times' Price Waterhouse Company top track and 250th on the league table tracking the UK's fastest growing companies.

A spokesman for The Range was unable to confirm or deny if they were planning to open a store in the area.

PAINFUL memories of a second play-off exit can drive Grimsby Town to promotion – provided the squad remains largely intact.

That's according to centre-half Shaun Pearson as attentions turn to the 2014/15 campaign and another shot at a Football League return.

The 25-year-old is one of only three Town players currently under contract for next season – although the Telegraph understands that the club has 'options' on at least five others.

Pearson hopes the majority of this season's squad are retained – and use this year's disappointment to drive them on.

"I don't know what decisions the manager is going to make with regards to who he keeps," he told the Telegraph.

"But fingers-crossed we can keep the bulk of the squad together because you've only got to look at Wrexham and Kidderminster this season to see what can happen otherwise.

"That squad with one or two quality additions should see us go one better – whether that's via the play-offs or top spot.

"We'll have to see who stays and who goes first, but I'm sure we can get some early momentum and be challenging for the top spot, rather than hoping to challenge and then falling away."

Pearson will take a short break now before the preparations for another campaign kick in.

"It's important to have a break and get away from football for a short while," he added.

"It's the best job in the world, but when you're constantly at it for ten months of the year you need to recharge your batteries.

He added: "We can use the painful memories to drive us on, but my main motivation will always be playing in the league.

"Everyone has different motivations – some players are working their way up in the divisions, and some on the way down desperate to remain in the game.

"For me, it's all about being a Football League player, and hopefully I can finally achieve that next season."

A 31-YEAR-OLD man remained seriously injured in hospital last night after it is believed he was stabbed several times on a Grimsby street.

The serious assault took place during a disturbance involving several people outside a house on Corporation Road at around 8.15pm on Wednesday.

As initially reported yesterday, three people – a 37-year-old woman, a 26-year-old woman and an 18-year-old man – were arrested in connection with the incident.

They have since been released on bail to a date in June pending further enquiries.

Police said a 37-year-old woman – believed to be one of the women arrested – sustained injuries to her face, but did not require hospital treatment, while a number of other people sustained minor cuts and bruises.

The seriously injured man was taken to hospital after being found at an address on Armstrong Street shortly after the incident.

Meanwhile, a next-door neighbour of the 37-year-old woman, from Corporation Road, told the Grimsby Telegraph that he had called the police after seeing her being threatened by two men, who appeared to be holding items in their hands, which he feared they might have used.

The 60-year-old man, who asked not to be named, said he was in his living room when his neighbour's son shouted over the rear yard wall for him to move his car. That was when he realised there was a fracas outside.

After seeing a group of people, which included the two men, he decided to call the police.

He said he saw the two men behaving in a threatening manner towards the woman and verbally abusing her.

The neighbour sustained an injury to his leg when he went outside to see what the trouble was about.

He said there appeared to be two people who were "on top of her" as she was trying to get away.

Police confirmed the 60-year-old received a leg injury, but declined hospital treatment.

Ambulance crews joined police at the scene where they treated the injured.

However, after initial investigations, they then attended the house in Armstrong Street where they found the man with serious injuries, believed to be stab wounds.

Police said enquiries were ongoing.

CRIMINALS are risking electrocution by targeting overhead power cables carrying 11,000 volts of electricity for their high scrap value, police have warned.

Lincolnshire Police, which is running Operation Brompton to tackle metal theft in the county, has reported 23 incidents since last October where overhead power cables have been attacked at night.

And there have been an increasing number in the past six weeks, mainly in the north-east of the county.

"The consequences of this emerging crime type include loss of power to more than 2,000 customers and a total of 7,000 metres of copper conductor stolen," said Sergeant Clive Farmer, of the Market Rasen Local Policing Team.

"This has so far cost £110,000 in repairs. These 11,000 volt overhead cables appear to be becoming the most targeted asset to date, although the domestic household supply was also the subject of similar thefts prior to March this year.

"Recent incidents include locations at North Willingham, Limber, Owmby-by-Spital and Audleby Top. Offences have also taken place on the Wolds sector, including Ludford and Theddlethorpe.

"Trends suggest that the early hours between midnight and 5am on Wednesday and Friday mornings seem to be appearing as a crime pattern.

"We are working hard to try to identify a crime pattern in respect of thefts of copper cables.

"It is an issue that may seem to people to not have a direct effect on them.

"But the knock-on consequences, such of loss of power and cost to the economy, really do impact on the public.

"We are working closely with Northern Powergrid to establish crime patterns, raise the profile of the significance of these thefts and highlight risk of electrocution to public safety.

"And we are asking the public to report sightings of any suspicious activity around power installations."

Anyone with information can contact Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting Operation Brompton.

PUPILS at Tealby school are as impressed as the Ofsted inspectors.

From Forest School time to working with the young journalist team, they said there were a number of things about Tealby Primary that put the school ahead of the rest.

Finley Boyes, 11, said: "Every lesson is fun and enjoyable.

"We fully deserve the Ofsted outstanding rating.

"I've been here for six months and have learnt so much."

His comments were echoed by seven-year-old Noah Smith, who said he "loves coming to school".

He said: "I like morning tasks and Forest School is adventurous and fun."

Holly McCall, 10, added: "I really love working with the young journalist team doing things like writing reports and making films to put on the website."

For Ellen Firth, 10, it's all about the opportunities offered to students that they may not get at home.

She said: "I enjoy looking after the school's pet guinea pigs.

"It's a wonderful opportunity for children who don't have pets at home."

Eight-year-old Oscar Boyes said: "I think the Ofsted was amazing.

"I love science, art and PE.

"It's great to be at an outstanding school."

While Mark Williams was full of praise for the staff.

He said: "Our teachers are amazing. We get the best education we can."