A GROUP of family members completed an unenviable 22-mile walk to raise money for a disease that has affected all four of them.

Jo Arnold, 44, took on the gruelling challenge along with her daughter Jessica, and her two sisters-in-law, Tracey Wilkinson, 42, and Rachael Norton, 30.

Together, they undertook the walk to raise money for the Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.

Jo lost her mum, and Jessica's grandmother, Sylvia Lowther to the illness in December 2012 at the age of 70.

Then Tracey and Rachael lost their much-loved aunt Pam Syer in March last year.

Jo said: "We were all a bit nervous. But we have been planning it for quite some time and have been looking forward to getting on with it to test ourselves.

"The walk went very well, but it took us longer than predicted due to the rough terrain.

"We managed the first stage from Barton to Barnetby, which was 14 miles, in six hours.

"We stopped in Barnetby for lunch before setting off again for the final eight miles, which took us three-and-a-half hours, finally arriving in Caistor at 7.15pm.

Each year around 8,500 people in the UK are diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

It is the fifth most common cause of cancer death, causing five per cent of them each year, yet the five-year survival rate is still only three per cent, and it is the only cancer not to have shown any improvement in the last 40 years.

The 22-mile walk followed the route of the Viking Way from Barton to Caistor.

Jo added: "We all feel that by doing this we can raise awareness as well as funds.

"More money means that more research is possible and people diagnosed in the future will have a better chance of survival and fewer loved ones will be lost."

They have so far raised £1,105 for Pancreatic Cancer Research. To donate to their cause, visit the fundraising page at www.justgiving.com/VikingWay35K.

Alternatively, text VIKG97 and the amount you would like to donate to 70070.

For more information about the Pancreatic Cancer Fund, visit www.pcrf.org.uk.

ON THE WEB: To see what else people are doing to raise funds locally, head to www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/charities

IT CAN be hard to say goodbye and leave your job but for some there comes a point where you have to walk away, and for Andy Young the right time came after 33 years.

Mr Young, 66, of Holton-le-Clay, joined Systematic Print Management, in Caistor, on March 23, 1981, the same year that the Humber Bridge opened and the London Marathon was run for the first time.

Throughout his time at the company he has worked as an account manager, handling work for customers primarily in Grimsby and throughout Lincolnshire.

Talking about his final day in the office, Mr Young said: "It's been absolutely fabulous. Everyone has been giving me their best wishes and the staff even clubbed together so I could get driven home in an open-top sports car.

"I've literally been at Systematic half my life, I could have retired beforehand but I've kept coming back – we both must be doing something right.

"From this point I'm going to consider my options and take each day as it comes, I might even get my golf clubs out of the garage for the first time in seven years."

Managing director Chris Robey said: "Andy has an outstanding record at Systematic.

"In his 33 years here, he has handled more than 100,000 orders, totalling more than £18 million, all of which were handled with great accuracy and attention to detail. Systematic have a reputation for high standards and excellent service, and there is no doubt that Andy has played a major part in that, not only through his own work, but also in the training that he has given to colleagues.

"This helped to ensure that Andy's standards and knowledge cascaded through the company.

"Andy leaves with our best wishes for the long, happy and healthy retirement that he truly deserves."

The company treated staff to a celebration lunch at Winteringham Fields, as part of a number of events to celebrate Mr Young's exceptional achievement.

His retirement has enabled Systematic to promote two members of the support team to account managers, with Tracey Brown taking on accounts in Grimsby and district, and Katie Revell now handling work for customers in Hull and the East Riding.

Miss Brown, 43, of Tennyson Road, in Cleethorpes, said: "Andy will be a hard act to follow but I'm really looking forward to getting stuck in and going out to see customers face to face.

"They've known me for a long time over the phone and we'll be there to help customers in Grimsby if they need a local visit."

The company has also replaced Andy with not one, not two, but three new members of the sales team, with Tracey Love, Ben Crossfield and Connah Birkwood all joining.

Mr Birkwood, 21, originally from Great Coates but now living in Cleethorpes, said: "I haven't been here very long but I cannot wait to get going, the training has been very thorough and the atmosphere is very welcoming.

"Being familiar with Grimsby it will be great to get to know our customers from the area, the company has a lot of knowledge and I'm sure I'll enjoy my time here."

GRIMSBY'S Harbour Place Day Centre has unveiled a new £40,000 training and advice facility.

Project director Allen Young accepted a cheque from the Asda Foundation for £15,000 that will go towards improving the health and well-being of the socially-excluded and vulnerable people of North East Lincolnshire.

The new premises, in Freeman Street, which took six months to complete, will be used to further develop training programmes that assist long-term unemployed people to find volunteering opportunities and employment.

Clients who use the facility are primarily from the East and West Marsh wards of Grimsby and last year they supported 16 people in the local community back into employment.

Mr Young said: "This new site is a place for local people to enjoy, relax and have some fun and friendship.

"The support we've received from the Asda Foundation and Phillips 66, as well as many other key individuals and businesses, has been tremendous and together with our staff, volunteers and trustees we cannot thank them enough.

"Those who managed the refurbishment did so under very difficult circumstances, which included two break-ins, but they have completed the project to the highest standards."

Neal Falk, general store manager of Asda, in Grimsby, said: "We put a case together for the Asda Foundation last year and it's fantastic for this community and for Harbour Place that they've donated £15,000.

"This place can only serve to do the local area proud and unearth the hidden talents of local people who need encouraging and require help to go forward, perhaps on to a job in the future.

"That way the community will evolve and places like this do a great deal to boost the confidence of the people they help."

Sam Delaney is an art tutor who's looking to run an art group out of the new space for people who are in and beyond recovery from addiction.

Mr Delaney himself stopped drinking nine years ago and had previous careers in London as a broker and also worked in Australia in the recruitment industry.

On display at the new Harbour Place building was an eye-catching portrait he himself has done of Sir Anthony Hopkins.

He said: "Once they are out of their recovery programmes, people need to fill their time up and doing these art classes means a lot to them and that's what I try to do – motivate them.

"There has got to be somewhere you can support those people and not just addicts but also anyone who feels socially isolated, that's why we'd like to set up support meetings, too, so we can all help each other whether it's those with addiction or mental health issues."

The new facility will run in addition to the existing day centre in Albert Street West.

MORE than 200 people travelled from all over the world to remember the crew of a Valiant bomber that crashed 50 years ago.

The bomber, WZ 363 of 207 Squadron Royal Air Force, crashed in a field at West Farm, in Linwood Road, Market Rasen. All five members of the crew lost their lives.

A memorial service was held on the Grimsby-bound platform at the station beneath the plaque placed there four years ago.

Attendees included representatives of the RAF Associations of Cleethorpes and Brigg, Market Rasen Air Training Corps and the Royal British Legion branch. The service was conducted by RAF Chaplain the Reverend Bill Peg.

Those killed were Flt Lt Christopher Welles, 26, the captain, co-pilot Flt Lt George Arthur Mills, 28, navigators Flt Lt John Robert Stringer, 37, and Flt Lt Leslie Richard Hawkins, 30, and Sgt Richard Noble, 25, an air electronics operator.

Wreaths were laid by members of their families, a silence was observed and the Market Rasen RPC band played music before and after the service and to the hymn Abide With Me.

Captain Arthur Creighton told guests at the service, arranged by the Station Adoption Group, of the events of that day 50 years ago that were to determine the direction of the lives of those who were left behind.

Mr Peg blessed the plaque and a bugler played the Last Post. The first wreath was laid by the brother of Sgt Noble.

Samantha Burman had travelled from Thailand especially for the service.

She said: "Christopher Welles was my father, he had been the boyfriend of my mother. I would not have missed this occasion for anything. It was hard for mum afterwards."

Flt Lt Welles was praised at the time for what was believed to be his action in steering the plane away from built-up areas.

Mary Burman, Samantha's mother, was also at the service.

Priscilla Inkpen was Christopher Welles' sister.

She said: "I had heard on the news of an RAF plane flying out of Marham crashing. I just knew it was my brother's plane. I can recall an RAF officer walking up the drive to tell my mum."

Having split up from Samantha's mother, Flt Lt Welles had found a new girlfriend, now Hazel Wirth, who had travelled from Malta to remember the man she was engaged to at the time of the crash.

Deborah Lewis, who has researched the crash over several years, also attended with her brother Richard Mills to remember their father George Mills, who had only been a substitute on the plane out on the night exercise.

The Valiant had touched down at RAF Binbrook before gaining height briefly before the crash.

Skrill Sponsorship manager Alan Alger insists he has no favourites in the Conference...

FOLLOWING the debate over Scott Neilson's play-off red card, the good people at the Grimsby Telegraph have allowed me this platform to clear things up.

I have to say I wasn't happy with the report on my Twitter posts last Tuesday or the way they were presented.

People had been asking me to view the incident on a clip via the social media channel as I wasn't able to watch the game live at the weekend (I was at Arsenal).

Accusations on the incident ranged from it being a fix, to play acting and the softer end of the scale just plain bad refereeing.

I viewed a slow-motion clip of Scott Nielsen's tackle over and over again and came to the conclusion that in 'real time' I could see 'where the referee was coming from' so the red card was 'not that harsh'.

I also stated that, in my opinion, 'contact was made with the Gateshead player' – however minimal. My two tweets were the punditry equivalent of 'I've seen them given'.

I'm not a qualified referee and the split of responses that I've had from people who are qualified fall about 75 to 25 per cent in the 'not a red' camp.

They of course have had the benefit of the replay.

In broader terms the responses to the incident on Twitter suggest that no more than 15 per cent of people agree with the referee's original decision.

This is a simple process that happens with every major incident in football matches every single weekend.

We can all subjectively debate whether referees are right or wrong. In some ways it extends the appeal of the game.

What doesn't extend my love of football is the abuse that I've received for stating what is essentially my opinion. It does not mean I hate Grimsby Town. It couldn't mean that.

I accept that fans hurt after defeat and even as an Arsenal fan I can sympathise on a level of disappointment. It's all relative.

I have a lot of time for all of the clubs in the three Conference divisions and contrary to some wild opinions I have no favourites or indeed clubs that I hate.

The pleasurable side of the role is to interact with like-minded fans and I will not stop doing that.

It's a big summer for the club and one that I'm glad Paul Hurst has the opportunity to see through.

I've described the team as inconsistent in the last few weeks, but that stems from bad luck throughout the squad.

Injuries haven't helped this season and I firmly believe a settled squad with a few additions and minor tweaks can challenge next year.

Wishing you all a good summer and best of luck for 2014/15.

GOLFERS Sophie Walker and Holly Clyburn continued their fine form with top-ten finishes at the Turkish Airlines Ladies Open.

The Ladies European Tour pair finished tied-sixth at the previous event – the Lalla Meryem Cup in March.

And they built on that impressive performance with more consistent displays at the National Golf Club in Antalya.

Humberston pro Walker carded rounds of 75-70-72 to finish on two-under, taking another tied-sixth place and a cheque for more than 8,000 euros.

Cleethorpes' Clyburn, meanwhile, was two shots further back in equal-ninth after recording scores of 74-71-74.

Her cheque for more than 4,500 euros lifted her to tenth in the Order of Merit, while Walker climbs into the top-20 after just three tournaments.

France's Valentine Derrey finished on seven-under to clinch first place.

THE Environment Agency has begun its annual testing regime to make sure bathing water on the Lincolnshire coast meets strict water quality standards.

Over the next five months, water samples will be taken from places including Cleethorpes, Humberston, Mablethorpe, Sutton-on-Sea, and Chapel St Leonards.

Adrian Lack, sampling and collection team leader, said: "We will be taking samples from all nine bathing beaches in Lincolnshire and North East Lincolnshire to check that they continue to meet bacteriological water quality standards. Our water sampling is vital to make sure visitors to Lincolnshire's beaches know that they are suitable for swimming. We test for bacteria that are usually associated with upset stomachs and which can come from waste water or from poorly-treated sewage or animal faeces."

As well as water samples, other information about the beach is also recorded, including the presence of sewage-derived litter and foaming and information about how the beach is used.

The results of the testing help to determine whether a beach meets the requirements of the international Blue Flag award scheme.

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph and visiting www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk to find out if local resorts receive the coveted award.

GRIMSBY Leisure Centre's swimming pool reopened yesterday after being closed for more than a week, following repairs to a burst water pipe.

Specialist contractors had been working to resolve the problem, which was isolated to equipment which serves the pool and also the ice rink, which opened again last week. The pool had been closed since May 2.

Sue Wells, assistant director for culture, leisure and sport at North East Lincolnshire Council, apologised for any inconvenience caused by the closure.

She said: "Unfortunately incidents such as this are difficult to predict and in many cases are a result of the age of the building and the system's equipment.''

FOR youngsters who took part in the first ever Mariners Community Sixes, it was an experience they'll never forget.

Over 130 school children descended on Blundell Park for the inaugural competition, which pitted the area's schools against each other in fun-filled tournaments across two age-groups.

Parents and family members packed into the Main Stand to watch in the action-packed event, which was jointly organised by Grimsby Town and the Telegraph.

In the Years Three and Four tournament, the team from Wybers Wood Academy came out on top after winning all their games against teams from Coomb Briggs Primary, Laceby Stanford, Humberston Cloverfields, Elliston Primary and St James.

And teacher Rob Sanders said taking part in the tournament was an experience his pupils would remember forever.

He told Young Stars: "To play on Blundell Park is an opportunity that doesn't come along every day so it was brilliant that the Grimsby Telegraph and the club gave them that experience.

"They really enjoyed the day and playing against the other schools.

"The tournament was the first time that this group has played together, so to win all our games was some achievement.

"It was great experience for me as their teacher as well. This is the first time that I've worked with these boys, so to see them enjoying their day and seeing them win, was fantastic for me as well.

"Obviously it's all about the enjoyment at these things, but to win was a great experience for the lads – they'll never forget it."

He continued: "The standard of football was high and I was really impressed with the other teams. It really showcased the talent that we have in the area.

"A lot of the lads that were playing aren't signed for Town and haven't been picked up yet, so it was a great opportunity for them to show what they can do.

"It was a great event and we'll definitely be back if it's put on again next year, we were really impressed with the whole day.

"If it is put on again, I think it will be even bigger and better next year – other schools will see how well it was run and how much the kids enjoyed it and they'll want to be part of it. It will just grow and grow."

Wybers' top-scorer Owen Doy, 9, added: "It was a really good day and we all enjoyed it.

"I come to Blundell Park to watch Grimsby Town all the time, so to get to play here was great.

"I'd like to take part again next year if it was held again."

THE CURTAIN is about to come down on one of Grimsby's best-loved charities.

The Big Red Heart Appeal, which has raised almost £100,000 for the Cardiology Special Procedures Unit at Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, is coming to an end.

The organisation which launched the appeal in 2010, the Grimsby District Health Care Charity, is closing its Freeman Street shop this Friday.

The charity's general manager Vonnie Johnson said it has not recovered from the death of its stalwart chairman Ron Kitching almost a year ago.

"We are just devastated that it has come to an end," she said.

"But Ron would be pleased with what we have raised because although is it not the £2 million hoped for, it is still a really good amount.

"There has simply been nobody to take his place with his level of dedication; that's the top and bottom of it."

The charity was launched in the late 1990s after Ron had a heart attack and underwent major surgery that included a quadruple heart bypass.

He wanted to provide life-saving equipment locally to help those like himself.

The Big Red Heart appeal raised £93,500 but it is thought the charity itself raised upwards of £300,000 for equipment.

The money raised by the appeal will go towards a test bed at the new unit when it is built.

Vonnie continued: "The charity has run its course, but over the years it has provided some fantastic new equipment.

"Hopefully, now the hospital will name the suite or a piece of equipment after Ron. He deserves that because he dedicated his life to this charity.

"Friday is going to be a very sad day when we pull the shutters down at the shop for the final time.

"We must say a big thank you to the volunteers, staff and the public who supported us."

A spokesperson for the charity's trustees also expressed their gratitude for the support of the community for the charity.

A statement said: "The climate for charities such as our own is very difficult and has been even more difficult since Ron's death last year.

"We are very grateful for the support of the public, staff and volunteers and would like to wish them all well for the future."

Karen Griffiths, chief operating officer at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Over the years, the Big Red Heart Appeal has been an invaluable support to Grimsby's hospital and its cardiology patients.

"Money raised to date has been used in various ways, from the purchasing of extra equipment to investing in service developments, and it will continue to do so.

"The trust is grateful to everyone involved with the charity over the years both past and present. Without their help and continuous commitment to the cause and passion to the benefiting of local patient care, we would have been very limited as to what additional items we could buy with the funding we already had.

"The additional support often brings the meaningful things to patient comfort, privacy and dignity to the care provided. There is no doubt this support has been greatly appreciated by staff and patients locally."

FOLLOWING the end of the season, I have noticed a few former Grimsby Town players have been released by their clubs.

One of them is former fans' favourite and target Alan Connell – maybe an approach again would be worth a shot.

He's proven and would be a great addition to the team.

So bring Connell back to play in the black and white colours of Grimsby Town again! Up the Mariners.

Terry Birkett, Grimsby

Telegraph says: After Town boss Paul Hurst moved heaven and earth in his attempts to get the striker back to BP in January, it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see Connell return. And – despite reports elsewhere to the contrary – the Telegraph understands he has made no decisions about his future just yet. Join the debate online – grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

A 13-YEAR-OLD girl is organising a fundraising event to support the families of children with the rare genetic condition suffered by her two-year-old sister.

Brooke Stark's little sister Melissa has Williams syndrome, a condition that affects about one in 10,000 people worldwide, and is characterised by medical problems, developmental delays and learning disabilities.

Melissa was diagnosed three weeks after being born, and her mum Katy Stark admits that caring for her youngest daughter is much tougher than looking after all her other six children.

The tot still cannot eat solids, has to have a no-calcium diet, needs ear defenders because of her sensitive hearing, and is at the stage of development expected of a baby 10 to 12 months old.

She is also extremely irritable, weighs less than an average baby her age and has low muscle tone.

And in addition to these problems – which are all associated with Williams syndrome – Melissa also has Von Willebrand Disease Type 1, which means her blood does not clot if she gets a cut, and she was born with three holes in the heart, which doctors hope will heal.

Katy, 33, of Burwell Drive, Grimsby, said: "It is hard. I have got seven biological children and looking after Melissa on her own is harder than all the others. They are quite capable of going off and playing by themselves, whereas Melissa can't. She has to be enticed into playing and it's the same with food.

"Melissa screams all the time and she's very fussy. She's definitely a handful and going out can be really difficult because she hates new places and loud noises.

"We tend to do the shopping at two o'clock in the morning when it's quiet, but even then the noise of the trolley moving can set her off.

"She has got ear defenders because she doesn't even like the noise of the Hoover."

Generally, people with Williams syndrome have an overly friendly personality, but Katy says Melissa is just the opposite.

"She doesn't do mum and baby clubs, she doesn't like being touched – sometimes not even by me – and she is really not sociable at all."

Melissa is visited once a week by an educational support worker from the National Portage Association, and is about to start going to the nursery at Queensway Children's Centre for one hour a day.

Melissa was born with a very low birth weight (6lb 10oz) – another characteristic of Williams syndrome – and was moved up to the neo natal intensive care unit within two hours for a heart scan.

She was initially tested for Down's Syndrome before being diagnosed with Williams syndrome.

Although the diagnosis was hard for Melissa's dad Tristen to take, Katy said it actually came as something of a relief to her.

"Once we had the condition confirmed at least I knew I wasn't being a bad parent."

Katy is a member of the Williams Syndrome Foundation, and her daughter Brooke came up with the idea of holding a fundraiser for it.

Part of the charity's work involves providing respite and holidays for the families of children with the condition.

The event takes place at Second Avenue Resource Centre on Saturday, May 24, from 10am to noon, and will include a cake sale, raffle and children's entertainer Poncho Pete.

A MUSICAL theatre company in Grimsby had the opportunity to strut their stuff under the tutelage of a renowned choreographer who has worked with the likes of Kylie and Beyonce.

Tim Noble was in an original West End production of Grease and has worked with top recording artists all over the world but he found time for a three-hour dance workshop with Cast (CentA Stage Theatre Company) on Sunday.

Close to 50 members, aged six to 69 years old, filled the Roy Kemp Hall upstairs at the Central Hall, in Duncombe Street, to take part in various commercial dance routines before sitting down for a question and answer session.

Mr Noble, 41, who has worked with Kylie Minogue for seven years, was putting the group through their paces as they practised dance steps to Bang Bang by Will.i.am and Grenade by Bruno Mars.

He said: "It's gone really well, they're all so lovely.

"There's a real variety of ages and experiences so the idea today was just to be as positive as possible because I want them to enjoy themselves.

"Not everyone wants to be a professional performer when they grow up so all I'm here to do is make sure they give each performance as much energy as possible.

"They all seem to have gone home happy and that's the main thing."

He is currently working on a significant global project with a mobile phone company but could not reveal any further details.

He did, however, say that wherever possible in the future he wants to move towards working on creative global events.

The group had the chance to fire questions at Mr Noble and promptly quizzed him on everything from conquering stage fright and auditions, to his CV and which recording artist was the biggest diva.

He carries immense professional experience behind him having started dancing at the age of just six and starring in Bugsy Malone in London by the time he was nine.

Performance credits include the musical Oliver, again in the West End, as well as working with music icons such as Justin Timberlake and Tom Jones.

Company director Sarah Hall has known Mr Noble for many years and the pair have judged dance competitions together in the past.

She said: "It's great that Tim has made the trip up from London to see us. His workshop really gives our members an idea of the industry and what they're supposed to be considering when they perform in front of an audience. You can see in just three hours how far they've all come and I think workshops like this help to build their confidence and make them feel stronger in what they do.

"Tim is such a fun guy, everyone has had a great time and I'm pleased they've all just got stuck in – it especially gives the little ones a boost."

PAUL Hurst is delighted to have Lenell John-Lewis, Aswad Thomas and Paul Bignot back on board for another season.

As reported, Grimsby Town have taken up their option of extending all of the trio's deals for another year.

And – with Shaun Pearson, Ross Hannah and Paddy McLaughlin also contracted – the Mariners boss is pleased to have three more slots in his squad confirmed for the next tilt at promotion.

"They've triggered clauses and I've been really pleased with them all," he said.

"It was Lenny's first full season of being more than an impact sub, and he had been a very good player for us.

"Aswad has had a good couple of years here now, and in the second half at Gateshead showed what an asset he can be.

"And Paul has really improved his performances and showed what a player he can be for us.

"So I'm happy to have those lads with us for another season."

BRADLEY Wood would come back to Grimsby Town tomorrow if the chance arose.

The defender is out-of-contract at Alfreton – the club that he joined after being released by the Mariners at the end of last season.

His departure ended a six-year relationship with Town, having joined the club's Youth set-up as a teenager in 2007.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Wood said that his season with the Reds has given him a fresh outlook on the game, as he looks to finalise where he'll be playing next season.

And whether that could be with Town remains to be seen, but the full-back is certainly keen on a return.

"Everyone knows that I still live around here and still follow the club," he told the Telegraph.

"Coming back is something that I've expressed on Facebook and on Twitter and I'd absolutely love it, it's a big club and one that's close to my heart.

"If anything could be done, I'd be absolutely over the moon with that.

"There's be no contact as yet but I don't even know if the lads there are sorted yet, so it would be unfair of the club to start talking to new players about coming in.

"I'm open to offers," added Wood, who made over a century of appearances for the Mariners.

"At the minute, I've not really spoken to Alfreton about my future there, but I've already had a few offers from teams in this league and a couple from below as well.

"I'm just waiting to see what's on the horizon to be honest."

The Leicester-lad's contract situation at the Impact Arena hasn't gone un-noticed by Town fans, with some calling for his return.

"Seeing the positive comments from Town fans about me coming back is great because that's where I want to be ideally," he continued.

"It's nice that people still appreciate what I did there, I'd come back tomorrow if I could – I'm not going to lie.

"But we'll have to wait and see, I'm just concentrating on getting the right deal for me and my family."

If a move back to Blundell Park was to materialise, Wood insists that fans would see a different player to the one that left little over a year ago.

The full-back made 46 appearances for Nicky Law's side, scoring two goals and receiving call-ups to the England C squad.

He said: "Towards the end of my time at Grimsby, I'd admit I got a bit complacent because I'd been there for so long and felt like I knew the routine.

"I needed a new start and that's what the move to Alfreton gave me – it's helped me progress as a footballer.

"I know that I need to work for it now, rather than waiting for things to come to me – that's the single biggest thing I took from last season.

"If I can get a move back to Grimsby, or another club elsewhere, my mind-frame would be totally different to how I was when I was last at Town."

Whether he's part of next season's squad or not, as someone who still follows Town's fortunes closely, Wood is confident his former club has one it takes to finally seal a Football League return.

He added: "Promotion back to the Football League is always the main aim at Grimsby – it has been ever since they were relegated.

"But there's no reason why they can't win the league next season.

"There aren't the likes of Luton, Fleetwood and Crawley spending the big money next season.

"Yes, Bristol Rovers and Torquay have come down.

"But as Town know themselves, it's not an easy league to get out of and Town could be one of the contenders."

KEEP away from danger, stay close to your friends, tell your parents where you are going, and enjoy yourself.

That is the advice to youngsters looking forward to playing outdoors this summer from youth services boss Paul Caswell.

Speaking after children were spotted putting their lives in danger by climbing on pipes which cross the beck in Cleethorpes Country Park, Mr Caswell stressed the dangers of playing near open water.

But he insisted it was important for children to be able to enjoy North East Lincolnshire's open spaces, and also highlighted the many outdoor activities put on for youngsters throughout the summer months.

Mr Caswell, the service manager for Young & Safe at the council's Young People's Support Services (YPSS), told the Grimsby Telegraph that his team would be touring parks and open spaces across the borough during the summer, offering a wide range of activities for youngsters to try for free.

Mr Caswell, who is also the Humberside Police sergeant responsible for youth justice and diversion on the South Bank, said that both the police and youth services would be upping their patrols throughout the summer, but added that children – and their parents – needed to take responsibility for their safety.

"The message is a three-pronged one: Young people should avoid areas of open water and other obvious dangers; tell their parents, guardians and friends where they are going; and to enjoy the parks and open spaces that we have in abundance in North East Lincolnshire.

"From a policing point of view, we would highlight the risk in playing near open water, but we will be upping our patrols in the summer months engaging with young people, and putting on activities that they want to do.

"From a youth services point of view the message is that while young people that are going out and about in the lighter evenings enjoy themselves, they need to make sure they are in a safe environment and that their parents and guardians know where they are.

"Parents should not have to tell their kids not to go out, but they should know where their children are.

"Children should avoid playing near open water and stay with their friends, but still enjoy the open spaces and parks that North East Lincolnshire has in abundance.

Mr Caswell added: "There are lots of activities for young people to enjoy, and we will be putting on additional activities in the spring and summer months.

"We have a fully functioning mobile street team going out to engage with the young people and we have also recently purchased a portable football cage and climbing wall, which will be going out throughout the summer across the borough for young people to enjoy.

URGENT action is being taken after children were spotted dicing with danger at Cleethorpes Country Park.

Over three nights four separate groups of children – some primary school age – were spotted putting themselves in real danger, prompting warnings from the emergency services.

When the Grimsby Telegraph brought the antics to the attention of Anglian Water, a spokesman said urgent action will be taken and security measures put in place.

In the first instance, a group of youngsters were encouraging a younger boy to "walk the plank" by crossing the Buck Beck over one of two metal pipes that runs across it, near to the Links Road entrance.

As the boys cheered on from the bank, the youngster said: "You are like pirates telling me to walk the plank!"

Later, a separate group of youngsters were seen running across the pipes in bare feet, risking the steep fall into the water below.

One woman, who was walking her dog through the park, said: "It is so dangerous. They will be dredging it before long! I am so worried for them – where are their parents?"

The following day, a boy aged about 10 was seen walking across the outside of the nearby walkway bridge, again risking falling into the beck, the bottom of which is deep mud.

Meanwhile, at the same time, a group of primary schoolchildren were running across the landing platform on the edge of country park lake, jumping over the gap and towards the water's edge.

One boy, fearful that his mother would find out where he was, asked the photographer why she was taking pictures and, when she told him that she was worried for the safety of children playing unattended near the water, he said he thought he should go home.

On Bank Holiday Monday, another child made his way across the pipes as his friends looked on.

Paul Caswell, the Humberside Police sergeant responsible for youth justice and diversion on the South Bank, said that both the police and youth services would be upping their patrols throughout the summer, but added that children – and their parents – needed to take responsibility for their safety.

"The message is a three-pronged one: Young people should avoid areas of open water and other obvious dangers; tell their parents, guardians and friends where they are going; and to enjoy the parks and open spaces that we have in abundance in North East Lincolnshire."

An Anglian Water spokeswoman said: "We have recently been made aware that children have been crossing Buck Beck using two metal service pipes.

"One of these is a water main, we do not own the other but because of the close proximity between the two we will be hiring a contractor to fence off the area on either side.

"We will need to seek permission to erect the fence from the land owners and other agencies involved, but naturally we will look to do this as quickly as possible.

"In the interim, we are going to put up temporary signs to warn people against crossing the pipes and would urge parents to warn their children too if they are playing nearby."

A temporary barrier has since been installed until the work can be made permanent.

ALEX Rodman may have turned down Grimsby Town – but skipper Craig Disley is close to penning a new deal.

As revealed yesterday online at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk/sport, Rodman has left the club after deciding against extending his contract with the Mariners.

The 27-year-old chose not to take up the option, which was written into the deal he signed at the beginning of the season.

Disley, pictured, was one of only a handful of players to be offered a new contract at Blundell Park, amid an end-of-season exodus of released team-mates.

And while negotiations over the deal continue, the skipper says he is eager to put pen to paper and begin preparations for what would be his fourth season with the Mariners.

"There's a few things in the offer that we need to iron out, but it's nothing major and I'm fully confident that I'll be signing the contract sooner rather than later," he said.

"The family are settled in the area and my daughter's just starting secondary school around here, so as a family man, as well as a footballer, it's an important decision.

"But I'm fortunate that I've got the opportunity and I want to stay with this club. I want to get it sorted as soon as possible and start to look forward to next season.

"Fingers-crossed we can get it signed sooner rather than later."

As captain, Disley admitted that it was 'doubly difficult' to watch on as eight of his team-mates were told that they had no future at Town. Scott Kerr, Andy Cook, Clayton McDonald, Joe Colbeck, Sam Hatton, Jonathan Hedge, Dayle Southwell and Jamal Fyfield were all released last week.

Disley continued: "It's a difficult time because a lot of team-mates, who I regard as friends, have been released – some who I thought would be offered contracts.

"Being the skipper, it's doubly difficult to see people being released.

"I've been with some of these lads for two years now and all the boys got on really well off the pitch – the team spirit carried us a long way.

"So when you see those friends leaving the football club, it's hard and I wish all those lads the best with their future careers.

"But with that in mind, I'm delighted to be one of the lucky ones to have been offered a deal and will look to get it signed soon."