A PCSO endured a close shave to raise funds for the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire's chosen charities.

Andy Stead, 26, who patrols the Freshney ward, took a razor to his beard at the suggestion of the mayor and ward councillor Peggy Elliott.

The idea took hold after Andy entered a ward councillor's surgery with his colleague PCSO Stephanie Widgery.

The mayor said: "We were talking about raising funds for the charities and I said in jest he could shave his beard off.

"I think he went home and told his wife and she said 'why don't you' but I think she might have changed her mind now!"

Andy said: "It was mentioned by a couple of people and the

idea grew on me, so I decided to do it.

"I have had facial hair for about 10 years and I do sometimes have it quite thick. I have occasionally trimmed the beard but I haven't wet-shaved for a long time."

After completing the shave himself inside the Mayor's Parlour, Andy remarked that his new look was "not as strange as I expected".

Mrs Elliott commented that "behind that beard is a very handsome man", prompting her consort and husband Steve to ask: "Do you think I should shave mine as well?"

The mayor, whose chosen charities are Women's Aid, Humberston Hydrotherapy Pool and St Andrew's Children's Hospice, added: "I think it is extremely brave of Andy. I am extremely grateful and I hope his wife likes the new man."

ON THE WEB: More charity news at www.grimsbytelegraph. co.uk/charities

RAPIDLY-improving Carrera Engineering comfortably defeated the Untouchables in the Inter-Club Handicap Knock-Out Table Tennis final.

The showpiece clash took place at Clee Sports Hall, off Ladysmith Road.

The Carrera team, comprising father and son Mark and Isaac Gibney and Tom Parrott, gained automatic promotion in their first season in Division Four by finishing second.

However, they looked to have a difficult task facing the Untouchables, who are the third strongest team in the Premier Division and had defeated the highly-rated Grimsby Mariners in the semi-final.

There is thought to be a considerable gap between the Premier Division and even Division One, so though Carrera Engineering were given a 270 handicap, which meant they had to average six points a game to tie – this seemed reasonable given the teams were from the highest and lowest divisions.

However, Carrera had a terrific start with Mark totalling 18 in his two games against British League player Jack Blyth.

Eleven-year-old Isaac scored the same against Ray Simpson and then Parrott came from 7-0 down to at one stage level 10-10 in his first match against Ian Pooler, eventually scoring 19 points in the two rubbers to 21.

After this, the match was virtually over as a contest, but the spectators were treated to some tremendous play by both teams. The match was excellently umpired by Eileen Allison.

Carrera Engineering, playing way above Division Four standard, eventually won 442-378. They thoroughly deserved their victory, with Mark and Isaac practicing at the Sports Hall virtually every night since qualifying for the final.

The individual scores for Carrera Engineering were Mark Gibney 63-126, Isaac Gibney 43-126 and Tom Parrott 66-126. The Untouchables scores were Jack Blyth 126-55, Ray Simpson 126-62 and Ian Pooler 126-55.

A PATH to a professional degree, avoiding thousands of pounds of university debt, is to be offered by a leading independent chartered accountancy firm.

Grimsby-headquartered Forrester Boyd, an employer of 200, has partnered with a London university to offer the training route, in a further step to ensure it can bring on the very best local talent.

The five-year programme is set to start in September, with a cohort of six, and a further three or four added each year.

It has been made possible after it partnered with BPP – a profession-focused institution and degree awarding body – becoming the first in the region to offer students work, alongside gaining an accountancy degree and professional accountancy qualifications.

Kevin Hopper, pictured, partner, said: "This is the first year it will have been done, not many people in the country are doing it. It is our understanding we are unique in the region. Our thinking is that we can now go into a school and offer students the opportunity to work towards a degree through us. The costs of university are crippling now, but we will bear this while paying a commercial wage."

Mr Hopper said training contracts normally lead to permanent positions with the company, which has offices across Lincolnshire and into East Yorkshire.

The BPP ACA School Leavers' Programme is a five-year scheme designed to take 18-year-olds from A Levels through their chartered accountancy qualification, incorporating an undergraduate degree in professional accounting.

Forrester Boyd will fully fund and supports every aspect of the study programme, and with average post graduate debt now at nearly £50,000, it could prove a tempting offer with strong employment prospects.

Mr Hopper added: "The work experience gained with Forrester Boyd during the completion of the programme means our trainees may have an advantage over students studying the traditional university route as we will provide maximum opportunities for trainees to apply the degree content to practical work-based scenarios.

"The school-leaver programme is a unique opportunity for any bright and capable students that are committed to a career in finance.

"It is anticipated that there will be high demand from A level students applying for a place on the programme."

Students wishing to be considered for a place on the programme should send a CV and covering letter to careers@forrester-boyd.co.uk

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ST ANDREW'S Hospice has been given fresh impetus for its Building On Care campaign, thanks to support from the Cleethorpes Carnival.

Thousands of people attended last year's carnival in July, with 75 local organisations taking part.

More than £4,000 was raised for local charities and all un-cashed cheques from the day have since been donated to the hospice in Peaks Lane, Grimsby, to help with its £2.5 million fundraising bid.

And the support does not end there, as carnival organisers have also bought two bricks for the new hospice site, as part of the Buy A Brick scheme.

The two engraved bricks from Cleethorpes Carnival will form part of the wall at the entrance of the new site, helping to supporting St Andrew's Hospice into the future.

Colin Eastwell, chairman of the Cleethorpes Events committee said: "The Cleethorpes Events team are pleased that the money from the unclaimed cheques is going to such a worthy cause as St Andrew's Hospice."

Phil Barrett, facilities manager at Young's Seafood, which sponsors the annual event, said: "We're really pleased to be able to support St Andrew's Hospice by buying these two bricks as part of the redevelopment of the hospice.

"Last year's Cleethorpes Carnival was fantastic and all of us at Young's Seafood Limited have very happy, fun memories from the day.

"It's great that we can mark the spirit of the day and the generous donations from the crowds in such a way that will help St Andrew's Hospice continue to provide its outstanding care for many years to come."

Jane Whenham-White, head of income generation and marketing at St Andrew's Hospice, said: "We are very grateful for Cleethorpes Carnival's donation to our redevelopment campaign.

"We are always amazed by how generous local groups, businesses and individuals are in helping us provide the very best hospice services and facilities available anywhere in the country.

"We are counting on the people of North East Lincolnshire to continue this amazing support to be there for everyone who has a life-limiting illness, whatever their diagnosis."

The Cleethorpes Carnival will return once again this summer on Saturday, July 19, raising more money for lots of great local causes.

Information on how to get involved can be found on the website, www.cleethorpescarnival.co.uk

Further information about the Buy A Brick and forms to buy them can be obtained from the St Andrew's hospice reception, by e-mailing sahos.fundraising@nhs.net or visiting www.standrewshospice.com.

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A NEW village community centre is buzzing thanks to a host of grants.

Villagers of Holton-le-Clay gave three cheers when the multi-purpose education resource centre (MERC) was officially opened at the former Etherington Arms pub in Pinfold Lane.

The village hall has been named The Hornets' Nest in honour of all those who served with former RAF Squadron 100 who were based at RAF Grimsby, in Cheapside, Waltham.

They were nicknamed The Hornets. Retired Wing Commander, Colin Bell, recalled the site of the new community centre was where Lancasters parked between their bombing missions.

He said: "It is a fitting memorial to the thousands who died during the war. Most of those who died were just 22, 23 or 24 years old. The Lancasters are on the sign, so thank you on behalf of the RAF for opening this community centre and for looking after us over all these years."

He said he hoped villagers and supporters will continue to gather at Holton-le-Clay Remembrance Service at the village war memorial in November.

The community centre, with a meeting room, parish clerk's office and two large community rooms, was officially declared open by former chairman of the parish council Jean Johnson.

She thanked vicar Rev Chris Woadden, Holton-le-Clay parish councillors, clerk Betty Gash and chairman of MERC, Eddie Coulbeck and his committee. She said: "Without them this building and village hall would not have achieved the standard we see today."

Jean was the chairman of Holton-le-Clay Parish Council when the former Etherington Arms went on the market.

She said: "I suggested it would be council offices and a village hall. This has been achieved. I hope everyone will enjoy it for many years to come."

MERC chairman Eddie Coulbeck said the refurbishment cost £180,000 and was paid for thanks to grants from a variety of bodies including the parish council, East Lindsey District Council, Lincolnshire County Council and waste recycling organisation WREN which donated £75,000.

He said Lincoln Diocese gave the proceeds from the sale of the former church hall which was sold to villager David Moss.

He added the volunteers group now aimed to attract a further £50,000 to refurbish the upstairs to create two more meeting rooms and offices with a back entrance from the car park. He said he hoped that could include a lift.

He paid tribute to former committee member the late Dave McCulloch who died in 2012.

He told visitors: "It was his dream to see the hall opened. I hope you are watching us Dave, and are as proud as we are."

A service of dedication was conducted by Rev Woadden who said village hall facilities previously were "poor" and needed revitalisation in a growing village.

A representative of Lincolnshire Co-operative, which donated £2,000 towards the village hall sign, said he was delighted to see the venue opened.

Resident and former chairman of the parish council Jim Clarke said: "It brings us in line with the rest of the villages roundabout. It has pulled the community together."

The community hub has already been widely used for Zumba classes, t'ai chi, a ladies group venue, Estelle Jayne Dance School, christenings, birthdays and meetings.

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A FRANKLIN College student has been crowned as the new face of Grimsby.

Millie May Margetts, 17, was named as the winner of the Miss Grimsby and District contest in a glittering awards ceremony at Grimsby Auditorium on Friday night.

Millie May, who lives in Grimsby, appeared on popular 1990s children's TV show Bernard's Watch as an extra.

Now she is hoping her career will really take off, having bagged a place in the Miss England competition, to represent her home town.

She saw off competition from 12 other girls in the final, and was selected as the winner by a panel of judges made up of Danny Andre, brother of Peter, his partner Sunny, Kirsty Heslewood (Miss England) and Jordan Williams (Mr England).

But Millie's May's entry happened by accident. She was in her local Tesco store when she was approached by Miss Grimsby organiser Sian Gissing and asked if she would consider entering. After the finals, Millie May told the Grimsby Telegraph how proud she was of her new title.

"It's just a really big shock. The whole thing has been an amazing experience for me," she said.

"I was in Tesco when Sian came up to me. She said would I consider taking part and I did. So if it wasn't for her this would never have happened.

"The competition has done wonders for my self-confidence. Winning is just an unreal feeling and is something I never expected.

"I have to thank the judges and pay tribute to all the other girls. We have all got along so well and I'd like to think I've made a few new friends along the way."

Proud dad Lee watched on as his daughter, a former Humberston Academy student, was named as the competition's overall winner.

He said "I'm really proud of her, what else can you say?

"I thought she always had a good chance of winning, but then I am biased.

"She's a beautiful girl."

The runners-up were Molly Bacon and Rebecca Renton.

Carer Rebecca also won the People's Choice Award, via the public vote, as well as the Miss Eco award, while Annalise Ellis won the Miss Social Media crown.

Reema Steadford and Millie May Margetts, the overall winner, shared the Miss Charity award and Molly Buckley was named Miss Vintage.

Organiser Sian, of Gissings Management Ltd, pledged to make the event an annual fixture in the area's calendar.

"I have been overwhelmed and I am so proud. From nothing we have created something beautiful for Grimsby, that was always the goal," said the former Miss England.

"It was more successful than we could have hoped for.

"The night before we had just a few tickets sold so it just goes to show how the people of Grimsby can come together.

"I love all the girls and for me they were all winners.

"We are going to mentor Millie May now for the Miss England finals. Hopefully she can go down there and do Grimsby proud."

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THE parents of a five-month old baby say they are "shocked and disgusted" after being denied medication for their daughter.

Poppy Cerrino suffers from colic, a common condition in young babies which involves frequent and excessive crying.

Within weeks of her birth, Poppy showed signs of the condition, becoming bloated in the stomach and screaming uncontrollably.

After being examined at both Grimsby Hospital and Sheffield Children's Hospital, Poppy was prescribed various medication – all of which failed to ease the tot's discomfort, much to the despair of her parents Vicky Boon and Stephen Cerrino.

The pair were hugely relieved when Colief drops, recommended by a consultant paediatrician at Grimsby Hospital, appeared to do the trick.

But their joy soon turned to anger, after they were told by staff at the Birkwood Medical Centre in Grimsby, that they could not continue to prescribe the medication – which would cost them more than £100 a month to buy over the counter.

Eventually they were informed that Poppy's GP would prescribe the Colief, having received written confirmation from the hospital.

But the very next day, Vicky received a letter from NHS England stating that her GP had asked for her, Poppy and her other three children to be removed from his list of patients.

The move left Vicky and Stephen facing the prospect of having to pay £13 a bottle over the counter for the medication.

Fortunately Vicky has managed to register with a GP at Scartho Medical Centre where Stephen is a patient, and is hoping she can get a new prescription before her remaining two bottles run out.

But the whole episode has left a bitter taste in the mouth.

Stephen, 31, of Birkdale, Waltham, said: "We are shocked and disgusted. It should not have come to this. We shouldn't have to go through this just for her to get some medication."

Speaking of the dramatic effect the Colief Drops had on Poppy's condition, he said: "It was a massive relief. She has been through so much in five months and she's now living her life. She hardly cries and she's in no pain. She can settle now and she's not wincing all the time.

Vicky, 31, of Brian Avenue, Waltham, said: "These drops to me are like gold dust. They have made such a difference. I can't believe the change in her.

"I still don't know why me and my children have been removed from the doctor's list, there is no reason given in the letter."

Stephen, who had to give up his job as a tree surgeon and become self-employed to look after Poppy and take her to Sheffield, added: "It makes me so mad. I have worked all my life and paid National Insurance. Why not just provide her with what she needs?"

In a statement the North East Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) confirmed that the practice had issued two prescriptions after Vicky informed staff that the paediatrician had recommended this.

It explained that the practice would require written confirmation from a hospital consultant in order to continue prescribing medication, and blamed "communication problems" between the hospital and the practice for this not happening.

Cathy Kennedy, chief officer of the CCG said: "The CCG are concerned that communication delays have caused problems for this family, and will be working with our partners to ensure we avoid this situation occurring again."

Jenny Jacklin, practice manager at Birkwood Medical Centre, said: "Removing patients from our practice list is never an easy decision and always viewed as a last resort. However we now feel that due to the breakdown in relations it is in the best interests of both parties for the family to register elsewhere. We would like to clarify that the practice has not refused to treat the family."

Stephen said he intended to make a complaint to the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS).

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THE fall suffered by 74-year-old Anne Heenan – who broke her nose after slipping in Grimsby town centre – will happen again, according to the man behind a petition urging the council to make the shared spaces more visible for pedestrians.

Barry Fisher, 65, of Abbey Drive East, Grimsby, launched the petition after falling on the kerb in George Street last month.

As previously reported, he blamed the lack of visible distinction between the path and the road in the newly block-paved area for losing his footing.

Although he suffered only minor scrapes and bruises, he warned that more serious accidents would occur in future if the council did not take action.

Commenting on the fall suffered by Anne Heenan, of Westfield Road, Waltham, Mr Fisher said: "I am very sorry to hear that the lady has broken her nose and I wish her a speedy recovery.

"But I am not surprised and I think it will happen again.

"My concern has always been that if a person of that age breaks their hip, which is just as likely, they would go into hospital and probably not come out again."

The retired construction worker wrote a letter to North East Lincolnshire Council expressing his concerns, but was disappointed by the response which stated that the new kerb was "proving satisfactory overall" for most people.

Project engineer Steve Nurse told him that the design of the shared space area was arrived upon after the review of all available guidance on the subject, including that from the Department for Transport, University College London (UCL) and Shared Space expert Ben Hamilton-Baillie, and that a Road Safety Audit had been carried out on the final design.

He explained that the low slope kerb was identified as the "most suitable and successful compromise" for the physically disabled – who prefer no kerb – and the visually impaired – who prefer a physical kerb. He added: "It would appear that as a result of this compromise solution that some users are having difficulty identifying the kerb however it would appear the arrangement is proving satisfactory overall for the vast number of people who use this area.

"Based on the above guidance we are satisfied that the 40mm high splayed kerb which is markedly lighter than the surrounding paving provides a suitable edge detail."

But Mr Fisher said: "Somebody is going to get seriously hurt and I don't want that on my conscience. I know how much it hurt me and I was lucky. It is a trip hazard and they should do something about it.

"As a minimum they should put up temporary barriers until they at least assess the situation."

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A BUBBLY mum from Grimsby, who made it to the final of Lincolnshire's Got Talent last year, has been waiting by the phone with bated breath to hear if she is through to the televised auditions of X Factor.

Laura Ellis, 23, of Edge Avenue, has been getting excited every time a private number pops up on her mobile – as it could be ITV producers saying that she will get to sing in front of the nation.

The opportunity to go before Simon Cowell would be enough of an achievement for the mother-of-one, who admits to be being a nervous wreck every time she performs.

In stark contrast to her everyday persona, Miss Ellis suffers from a lack of confidence when she sings and had to be dragged to the initial mobile auditions by a friend.

But Laura got the call back following a successful audition singing Songbird by Eva Cassidy and Right To Be Wrong by Joss Stone at the Hull Prospect Centre last month.

Sadly she had to miss the following Manchester auditions after her three-year-old daughter, Isabella, had an operation just a couple of days before.

While Isabella was receiving treatment at Sheffield Children's Hospital to her adenoids and tonsils, her mum was frantically ringing around other venues to see if there was any chance she could continue in the competition.

Luckily she managed to find a spot at the BT Convention Centre in Liverpool on Monday, May 5, where she wowed producers once more before being told that she was just a phone call away.

Now she must wait for between four and six weeks to hear the news.

Plucky Laura has battled her own fair share of health scares in the past, having endured open heart surgery when she was just ten months old and again before she went to secondary school.

She said: "I'm in the competition because I like to sing, not so I can sell a sob story.

"I've enjoyed singing from a young age, I've had lessons too and I feel it is a gift I have.

"My daughter and I sing around the house all the time and I just want to be a positive role model for her.

"I've always wanted to do something like this but I lack the self-belief. People tell me I'm good but for some reason I never back myself.

"If I just got to meet the judges that would be enough for me, to hear and take on board their criticisms and advice – it would be an amazing experience.

"Even if they said I was not ready and should come back another year, that wouldn't stop me from trying again because I've got this far this time so I must be doing something right.

"Being told that I was through was fab. I got so excited to have somebody listen to me and say that I could be on the show."

We revealed last week that Hayden Leeman, 16, of Fraser Street, Grimsby, has also made it to this stage in the competition.

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for updates on both.

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STEVE Croudson said an emotional farewell to Grimsby Town's fans and admitted: "I'm going to miss you."

The goalkeeping coach and former Mariners player heads to the Premier League after being offered a similar position at Hull City.

After combining his primary role with that of kit man and back-up to manager Paul Hurst, Croudson insists leaving his hometown club was an unbelievably tough decision.

"I've been a player here, and more recently done everything from kit man to goalkeeping coach to helping the gaffer to the best of my ability," the 33-year-old told the Telegraph.

"To come back and play again was an absolute dream come true.

"And the reaction I got from the fans over the years has been absolutely immense – I'm truly grateful for that and will always hold that close to me.

"I'm a Grimsby lad and have always been a Grimsby Town fan, so the fans' support has meant the world to me.

"I have to thank them more than anyone. The reception they have given me at every single game and the banter that I've had with them has been brilliant.

"I'm going to really miss them and I really mean that."

Croudson revealed that he has turned down previous offers to leave Blundell Park – but added that a chance to work at the top level was too good to refuse.

"Obviously, I'm really pleased and flattered to be offered a job by Hull," he said.

"I'm looking forward to working with a Premier League club, with Premier League goalkeepers, and to progress my career.

"It's something that came up recently. I've known Gary Walsh there for a few years and hopefully they've been impressed with what I've done.

"I've had a couple of offers to leave Grimsby before, but didn't feel it was the right time for me to go.

"There was a lot for me still to do and I wanted to be the best I can be, but it's time for me to progress my career now, even though that means leaving the club I love.

He continued: "Myself and my wife have discussed it and I can't stress how tough a decision it has been.

"Everyone I've spoken to have said 'you've got to go, you can't turn this down', but it was never that straightforward for me because I love Grimsby Town.

"I've put so much into the club – it was a massively tough decision."

HOLLYOAKS leading man Kieron Richardson made an appearance at a Grimsby dance school to meet soap fans and sign autographs.

The 28-year-old Mancunian actor, who plays Ste Hay in the Channel 4 programme, has links to the Mayfair Dance Academy in Pinfold Lane, Scartho, through his god-daughter Lauren Arnold who herself attends classes and is gearing up for the World Freestyle Championship in Blackpool next month.

Kieron, who made the final of Dancing On Ice in 2010, was there to help the school raise money so that as many members as possible can experience the elite level competition in June. The venue was also open to the public if they wanted to pop along and meet the award-winning TV star.

He said: "I've got friends in Grimsby and I come here often, plus my god-daughter is a dancer here so I'm happy to help out if I can.

"It's been really exciting seeing everyone dance and you can tell they all want to impress."

Kieron will have his fingers crossed for May 24, when he is up for Best Actor at the British Soap Awards.

Among his fellow nominees is David Neilson who plays Roy Cropper in Coronation Street.

He said: "I've worked very hard over the past year and really enjoyed myself, so it would be great to win but the rest of the nominees are brilliant."

Lauren, 14, of Cleethorpes, said: "Having him here has really made my day, everyone has been really happy and it's great that he's got involved. He's just a normal guy to me but he's very supportive of my dancing and is always there for me."

The dance academy will go into the Association of Dance & Freestyle Professionals (ADFP) sanctioned competition having won second place in the street dance category last year and fresh from winning a contemporary dance category at a contest in Gateshead last week.

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GRIMSBY Town's boss has no doubts that the eight players he released on Friday will find new clubs for next season.

The Mariners began their preparations for the 2014/15 campaign by allowing Andy Cook, Scott Kerr, Clayton McDonald, Sam Hatton, Jonathan Hedge, Joe Colbeck, Dayle Southwell and Jamal Fyfield to leave.

However, Paul Hurst was quick to praise the departing players, and back them to earn deals at other clubs.

He said: "All of the players have left on good terms – it's not the nice part of the job for me but, looking at the list of released players, I'm sure they will all find clubs.

"I don't expect it to be a major issue for any of those eight players.

"I know that at this moment in time it's uncertain for them, but I would expect every one of them to find clubs relatively smoothly."

After explaining the reasons for Cook and Kerr's departures in Saturday's Telegraph, Hurst outlined the thinking behind the remaining six exits.

Clayton McDonald…

" I told Clayton that I couldn't guarantee him a starting place next season, and I think that to get the best out of him he needs to be playing week-in, week-out. I'm certain someone will look at him, take him and get a very good defender."

Joe Colbeck…

" You build relationships with players, which makes it even harder to let them go. Joe's been with us for a couple of seasons and I defy any manager to sit there and enjoy telling players like him that they will be moving on. It's not easy, but he's one of the lads who has had limited opportunities this season, and it was just time for a change."

Dayle Southwell…

" There was the temptation to give Dayle one more year to force his way in. On the training ground he's always done very well and, as I told him, he's one of the few who hasn't quite had the opportunity to impress when it matters in the first-team games. His chances have been very limited because of where we are striving to be and where we are in the league. Were we at a different club – a mid-table club – he would have undoubtedly had more chances. For Dayle's sake, it's not the worst that can happen to him – although it's obviously not nice at the moment. He needs to go out and play, and hopefully he can still have a long and successful career."

Jonathan Hedge…

" With Jonathan, he needs to be playing football. There is a little bit of uncertainty with James (McKeown), but I think Jonathan needs to go and play elsewhere."

Sam Hatton…

" Mutually, it's the right decision for Sam. He would like to be nearer home, so that was part of the thinking there. I'm sure he will have bids for him nearer his home in the south."

Jamal Fyfield…

" We speak about competition, and without a doubt Jamal pushed Aswad Thomas at times. Those two were good friends on a personal level, although also competitors. He had some opportunities and at times I thought he did very well, but he would have certainly liked more chances to show me what he can do. He'll be an asset to someone – he's left-footed, can play a few positions, and is a good size, so there will be definitely be interest there."

"I WILL leave it to the conscience of whoever was responsible – but they could have cost me my life."

That was the reaction of former Royal Navy radar controller Vic Smith, 83, as he recovered in hospital from the injuries he sustained after he was apparently forced off the road and into a deep water-filled ditch on his mobility scooter.

He thanked rescuers for saving his life and the emergency services for the treatment he received.

Vic, a former Immingham and Cleethorpes Borough Councillor and a veteran of the Suez War, was taken to hospital after the incident at the car boot sale near Pennells – which attracts hundreds of visitors – on Bank Holiday Monday.

Vic, of Cleethorpes, broke his breastbone in the plunge into the six-foot deep water-filled dyke.

Sitting up in his hospital bed, he told how visitors to the sale were struggling to get access in the early morning on to the site.

He was riding his mobility scooter which he uses due to chronic arthritis.

He said: "There was a heck of a traffic jam and I was behind a woman with a push chair with a couple of kids.

"I was being careful not to get too near them. But without any warning this car went past me and knocked me into the dyke. I landed with the scooter on top of me."

He estimated its weight to be the same as a 250cc motorcycle.

Vic said: "I would not know what would have happened to me if it had not been for two or three women who came down to haul the scooter off me. It had me pinned down and most of my head was under the water.

"I want to send my sincere thanks to the women who rescued me and to the fire brigade and ambulance crews who came.

"I will leave it to the conscience of the person in the car. It could have cost me my life."

Vic said he regularly attended car boot sales to see if he can find more hip flasks for his collection of more than 20.

He joked: "What do you expect from an old Navy veteran?"

He served on HMS Ganges and on HMS Duke of York as well as destroyers.

The former Strand Street schoolboy was a keen angler and, in retirement, founded fishing group Pescatorial Codgers.

Vic said he had fallen in ponds on a couple of occasions while fishing. He said: "I never felt as scared as I was when I was under my scooter in that ditch. It was panic stations. I am still getting the mud out of my nostrils now."

The father of four said he is looking forward to getting back home to his wife Irene.

Witnesses to the accident told how they saw a female motorist "force" him closer and closer to the edge before he fell, with the scooter landing on top of him.

His daughter Debbie said the motorist had opened the window, said "sorry" and drove off without offering any help.

She said: "It was a real shock, for my dad and also for my son who is in the fire service.

Rightcare Mobility, of Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, have offered to take Vic's scooter away to carry out any repairs needed, at no charge.

Sales engineer Trev Crampton said: "I'm a former serviceman myself and seeing something like this happen is not very nice.

"The scooter wasn't bought from us but as a local firm we wanted to try to help if we could."

Anyone who witnessed the incident is urged to call Humberside Police on 101 or alternatively they can contact Vic's daughter Debbie on 07907 120390.

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PAUL Hurst insists he will have "alternatives in place" if any of Grimsby Town's players refuse new contract offers.

James McKeown, Craig Disley, Alex Rodman and Andi Thanoj have all been offered deals for next season.

And although some – particularly goalkeeper McKeown – have been linked with moves away, Hurst is hopeful of retaining all of them. Either way, the Mariners boss expects final decisions from the quartet this week.

"It will be a week, tops, before the club wants decisions from those players, so we'll wait and see," he said.

"One or two might come back a bit sooner than that, and hopefully there will be positive news for everybody.

"There will probably be interest in a couple of those from elsewhere, but whether or not they actually have offers to consider I don't know.

"Fingers-crossed, they'll look at what they've got here – the club, the size of it and the fans they can play in front of every week – and hopefully that will swing it for them."

McKeown, captain Disley and Thanoj have been integral parts of the squad over recent seasons, while Rodman made a big impression during the second half of his maiden Town campaign.

However, Hurst is prepared for every eventuality as he builds his squad ahead of another shot at promotion.

"I'm hopeful that the lads will stay and try to build on what we've done over the last couple of years," he added.

"In Macca, Diz and Andi, there are three lads who have been through that entire process, so I'll await their decisions.

"But I'll also be working on things and have alternatives in place.

"We have to have things and plans in place in case there are any negatives that come back."

After eight players were released last week, Hurst has just two players left to speak to about next season – winger Scott Neilson and centre-half Chris Doig.

THESE are the injuries suffered by a 74-year-old woman who fell on Grimsby town centre's new block paving.

The council is now facing fresh calls to review its flagship town centre revamp amid concerns over safety.

Anne Heenan, of Westfield Road, Waltham, was walking to the bus stop when she lost her footing and slipped on the kerb, which she says she failed to spot because of the new colour scheme.

She suffered a broken nose and severely bruised face in the incident in New Street, which she says has left her wary of going into town.

The street has recently re-opened as a shared space, where the pavement and the road both have the same block-paved surface.

And Mrs Heenan, whose face is still badly bruised three weeks after the incident, believes the lack of visual distinction between the two is a hazard which needs to be addressed.

She said: "I think it's terrible, I really do. It is dangerous because you can't differentiate between the road and the pavement. I think they should do something, paint a white line, anything."

Meanwhile more than 50 people have signed an online petition, set up by a Grimsby man who fell on a similar kerb on nearby George Street last month, urging the council to make the drop from the pavement to the road more visible.

But the council says that although some pedestrians are having difficulty identifying the kerb, the new arrangement is proving satisfactory overall.

And East Midlands Ambulance Service said that there had been no significant increase in call-outs to injuries caused by falls in the town centre since the new paving had been installed.

Mrs Heenan has sent a letter of complaint to North East Lincolnshire Council about the incident, but says she has yet to receive a reply.

She told us how she was walking with her daughter and her partner, who had travelled over from America, when she suffered the fall.

It was the second time she has walked in the area since the shared space was unveiled – having previously been down it with a friend – but crucially this time she was on the outside of the pavement.

"My foot went down the side, I banged my head and broke my nose. My daughter and her partner picked me up and a gentleman from the solicitors nearby took me into his office and sat me down."

An ambulance was called and Mrs Heenan was checked over by paramedics, and went to accident and emergency at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital the next day.

"The doctor said I had broken my nose and that I was lucky because it was straight and it wouldn't need surgery. I had twisted my right foot and pulled a ligament. It's not too bad now but it was very, very painful."

Since the fall, Mrs Heenan has avoided walking in the town centre on her own.

"I'm all right now, but I'm still very nervous about walking on the pavements in the town centre. If I go with my friend I'm all right but I have not been up on my own since. I really don't like going into town."

A spokesman for North East Lincolnshire Council said: "We can confirm we have received Mrs Heenan's complaint. It will be addressed through the usual channels and she will be informed of the outcome."

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