LOSING North East Lincolnshire's direct rail services across the Pennines could be one of the "trade-offs" needed to improve the network across the North, the Rail Minister has suggested.

Stephen Hammond said he was "unapologetic" over proposals outlined in a new consultation document on the Northern and TransPennine franchises, which is part of a £1 billion government investment in the North.

Mr Hammond was responding to concerns that the direct Cleethorpes to Manchester Airport route could be scrapped, forcing passengers to change at Doncaster or Sheffield for services to the North West.

Cleethorpes MP Martin Vickers said if the plans went ahead, they would represent a "terrible blow" to the local economy.

At a meeting on Tuesday evening of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on rail, of which he is chair, he said: "My own area of Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham was founded on the (Victorian) railway.

"And with the new development in the industry at the Humber Estuary, connectivity and, certainly, the rail services are vital."

Turning to the Rail Minister, Mr Vickers said: "And yet – and I appreciate this is only a consultation document – it does highlight the fact that we are possibly going to lose our direct Cleethorpes to Manchester service, which is the one that connects across to Sheffield and, in effect, connects our area to the rail network, which would be a terrible blow for the new industry that's moving into the area, and indeed the tourist trade and existing businesses."

Mr Hammond replied: "I am unapologetic about what we are doing with this document, which is we are setting out some trade-offs and we are asking people to respond to some of those trade-offs."

He acknowledged there are "a number of capacity-versus-service challenges", as well as "difficult questions" on cost, but he insisted that all points would be factored in when reaching a decision.

"No final decision has been made," said Mr Hammond, who told members present that he had been very "personally" involved in writing the stakeholder consultation paper.

He added: "This is a consultation. It's a new way of doing things. We're saying to the public there are some options and there are some opportunities. But equally we accept that there will be a number of differing views and we would like to hear those differing views.

"We will certainly be putting heavy weight on what local people say. But also any change would have to pass the economic/benefits test as well."

He added: "There are ways we can serve some areas much better, but there will be some trade-offs."

Speaking to the Telegraph after the meeting, Mr Vickers urged local businesses and residents to submit their views to the Department for Transport.

He said a "concerted effort" was needed to give the area the best hopes of saving the Cleethorpes to Manchester line.

Both the TPE and the Northern Rail franchises are set to be awarded by February 2016.

"That gives us around 18 months breathing space, but we have a long way to go," Mr Vickers added.

The consultation closes on August 18 and can be viewed at www.gov.uk/government/news/government-consults-on-the-future-of-rail-services-in-the-north

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ELLA Henderson has a race on her hands to land her first ever number one single.

It seemed as though the Tetney singer would stroll to number one in Sunday's UK official chart, after she topped the midweek update on Wednesday.

Her single raced to number one in the iTunes download chart on Sunday just an hour after her debut single Ghost was released.

However, a song called Noble England by the late comedian Rik Mayall has appeared as a last-minute contender.

An online campaign has been launched by fans of the Bottom and The Young Ones star to get the World Cup anthem, which was initially penned for the 2010 tournament, to top the charts.

The Drop Dead Fred star died at his home in London earlier this week at the age of 56, and yesterday it was revealed the results of a post-mortem examination into his death were inconclusive.

DJ John Morter, who is behind the campaign, was the man responsible for defeating X Factor in 2009 by getting Rage Against The Machine's Killing In The Name to Christmas number one in 2009.

Rik leads a football chant in the song set against lines from Shakespeare's Henry V.

When the single was recorded, Rik said: "Football chants are one of the greatest traditions of following football and Shakespeare is also part of our national heritage.

"It seemed only natural that they should go together."

Speaking to the Evening Standard, DJ John Morter said: "It would be a great thing for Rik's memory, he was a comedy legend.

"Rage Against The Machine was more of a protest whereas this campaign seems to be a way of displaying respect.

"It's a vehicle for a lot of people to say something, and it would be a great accolade."

The track has clocked up 280,000 views on YouTube already, and has crept up to number 15 in the iTunes download chart.

But as reported, Tetney's Ella Henderson looked on course to land her first number one with her debut single Ghost.

The 2012 X Factor contestant topped the midweek chart update having sold 78,000 copies – meaning it looked likely to become the fastest selling single of the year.

Last week's number one, Sing by Ed Sheeran, slipped down to second place while a new entry from Tiesto was in third.

Reacting to that news, Ella tweeted: "Still have to pinch myself when I hear Ghost on the radio!

"Such a crazy feeling."

The 18-year-old also appeared on Radio 1 yesterday to play the comical Innuendo Bingo with DJ Scott Mills.

Her publicist declined to comment on the Rik Mayall single.

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GRIMSBY Town fans can thank Scott Brown for helping to convince Toto Nsiala to join the Mariners.

The pair played together at Southport last season under experienced manager John Coleman, becoming good friends in the process.

And after centre-midfielder Brown became the Mariners' first summer signing last week, the 29-year-old immediately set about convincing his mate to join him.

That cajoling – combined with Town's promotion ambitions – was all the encouragement the big centre-half needed to sign on the dotted line yesterday.

"I enjoyed my time at Southport – they were a good bunch of people, especially my old boss John Coleman and the likes of Scotty," Nsiala told the Telegraph.

They helped me get back enjoying my football again.

"I've got a good relationship with Scott – we get on really well.

"He had a big influence on me coming here. He rang me and told me the opportunity I've got of getting back in the league with this team. That won me over.

"Scotty had a big season for us last year. He's just a leader, the way he plays – even in training.

"He trains well, he plays well and he gives you 100 per cent every single training session, so he's someone good to look up to."

The Democratic Republic of Congo international has enjoyed an eventful career – despite being only 22 and discovering the sport relatively late.

He explained: "I wasn't into football until I was 15 or 16 – that's when I first got into it and got a scholarship at Everton.

"I was at Everton until I was 18 or 19, and they were good times, but it's always better to get out of your comfort zone and play some regular league and Conference games.

"I then went to Accrington Stanley for half a season, but didn't enjoy it towards the end and had a few family problems at the time, so decided to take a bit of time out."

A short spell playing in the Far East followed for the Kinshasa-born defender before his return to the UK in January to help Southport retain their Conference Premier place.

"I played a couple of games out in Asia, and then John Coleman got the job at Southport," he added.

"He was the manager at Accrington when I was there and we had a good relationship.

"He asked me to sign, so I came back to play for him."

Nineteen appearances, a goal and a sending off later, and the Sandgrounders had avoided the dreaded drop into Conference North.

In the process, Nsiala and Brown's role in that resurgence had caught the eye of Town and a host of others.

PAUL Hurst is delighted to have beaten a League One club to the signature of Toto Nsiala.

Micky Adams' Port Vale are understood to have been on the big defender's trail – with the Valiants' boss hinting as much last week.

However, the lure of regular first-team football appears to have made the former Everton man's mind up – and ensured Blundell Park will be his home for the 2014/15 campaign.

Hurst remarked: "I remember speaking to the Telegraph about Toto a few weeks ago and mentioning that he was someone that had impressed – along with Scott Brown – in the two games against us.

"Both of those lads did well and it certainly wasn't a one-off – or even a two-off – against us.

"Toto joined them in January and was part of the Southport team that got away from the relegation zone quite comfortably in the end.

"He put in some very impressive displays that caught the eye of teams higher up, and he went on trial to one of those I believe.

"There was definitely interest in signing in from a League One club, but thankfully we managed to convince him that Grimsby Town was the place to come to further his career and play games."

The 22-year-old, who has also played for Macclesfield Town and Accrington Stanley, drew the scouts to Haig Avenue during the second half of last season with some fine displays.

He will join Shaun Pearson, Chris Doig and youngsters Ellis Humble and Paul Walker in competing for a centre-half spot next term.

"He's a central-defender that we obviously needed, and I was very impressed with him when I saw him last season," Hurst continued.

"You're always concerned when you know other teams are looking at a target.

"I don't guarantee anyone a place, but Shaun is suspended for the first couple of games and provided Toto doesn't have any set-backs, he will start the season.

"If he can produce the performances we've seen before then he'll play.

"That can be a big thing for players. Sometimes you see lads join clubs further up and not get the opportunities, and that can harm their careers.

"I think Toto has enjoyed playing for Southport, and wants to play more football.

"Perhaps that's an advantage that we have – although, as I say, no one is guaranteed their spot in our team week-in week-out.

"He's definitely got more chance of playing games with us initially than with a club higher up."

TRAVELLERS on land next to the former Western Secondary School have been ordered to attend court today.

As reported, 12 caravans and a number of other vehicles set up camp on the council-owned playing fields to the rear of Grange Primary School, in Cambridge Road, earlier this week.

The group appears to have ignored a council officer who visited the site on Tuesday and informed them they needed to leave the site – meaning they have been served with a summons to appear before Grimsby Magistrates' Court.

It comes after they were evicted from land at Wybers Wood on Thursday last week.

Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: "An officer visited the group on Tuesday to carry out a statutory welfare check and issue them with a Notice of Direction to leave the site.

"They did not leave and were served with a summons on Thursday to appear before Grimsby Magistrates' Court today.

"The law allows the council to move people on when they set up camp on land without permission, regardless of who they are.

"This is the most effective legal course of action available and we follow this process whenever there is an unauthorised encampment on council land."

A resident who lives on Sherwood Road, which is adjacent to where the travellers are located, claimed they were causing a number of problems.

He said: "My house backs on to the field. Every night I have heard rallying around the fields.

The householder also claimed that an amount of waste had appeared near the area, which was quite close to houses.

He also called for the local authority, or someone, to provide toilet facilities.

"At the back of the flats there is a 30ft no man's land, and it appears it is being used as a toilet. Health and hygiene is a worry.

"I'm not a moaner, I've got no problem with travellers."

As reported, there have been various travellers setting up camp across North East Lincolnshire in recent weeks.

Two weeks ago, a group settled on land in Butt Lane, Laceby, and on May 16, six caravans were spotted on land on Weelsby Avenue, near Grimsby Crematorium.

A group was also evicted from land near the Fairfield Industrial Estate in Louth.

Grange Primary School were unavailable for comment.

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ARISTOTE Nsiala is pleased to have Grimsby Town's fans on HIS side after becoming their third summer signing.

The centre-half penned a one-year deal yesterday, joining Scott Brown and Jack Mackreth in moving from the North West.

After signing, the 22-year-old admitted his visit to Blundell Park with Southport in February was a memorable one.

It might have been an uninspiring 0-0 draw in Cleethorpes, but the home support certainly made an impression on Nsiala.

"I had offers from different clubs, but the fans here won me over," 'Toto' remarked.

"When I came to Blundell Park last season I tackled the Grimsby right-winger, and I've never received so much abuse from fans for one tackle!

"I also have a friend who plays for Lincoln – Bohan Dixon. He got sent off against Grimsby last season, and told me he almost left Twitter because the Town fans were hammering him so much.

"I much rather have that on my side, rather than against me!"

Nsiala also knows all about the Mariners' huge away following, from last season's reverse fixture at Haig Avenue.

He continued: "Sometimes if you're playing away and the opposition fans are giving you some stick, you need your own supporters to keep you going.

"Travelling four hours with none of your fans at the other end definitely makes games harder. The Grimsby fans are like a 12th man, though aren't they?

"With the fans that the club has and the way it is set up, I think we've got a massive chance of going up next season.

"I'm desperate to get a promotion – that's what I want more than anything.

"I've seen pictures of Grimsby's fans celebrating their goal at Gateshead last season. I want to enjoy that feeling with them at the end of next season when we're going up into the Football League."

The former Everton trainee revealed that his new central defensive partner also left his mark last season.

"When we played against Grimsby at Southport, me and Shaun Pearson had a bit of an argument.

"But we put it behind us at the end of the game and shook hands, so it will be good to see him again as well!"

A MOTHER left her tiny baby suffering "catastrophic" brain damage after she angrily shook her daughter to "vent her frustration" after an argument.

She "targeted" the defenceless girl after a drinking session – and the serious brain injuries caused to the girl meant that she would continue to suffer problems for the rest of her life.

The selfish mother showed "gross irresponsibility" after the shaking attack by lying to hospital staff and police, a court heard.

Mercedes Foster, 20, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm on the girl. She was sent to a young offenders' institution for 20 months.

Katherine Goddard, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Foster's daughter was born eight weeks premature in August 2012.

Foster was living in Beeson Street, Grimsby, at the time with her boyfriend. There were five children under eight living there. The baby involved was aged about three-and-a-half months at the time.

A neighbour alerted social services on December 7, 2012, after hearing the sounds of a child screaming. A visit was made by social services and the baby seemed to be sleeping soundly in a pushchair.

There were no immediate welfare concerns for any of the five children living there.

Another neighbour later heard the sound of arguing between Foster and her boyfriend, who was the father of the baby.

The infant was crying and Foster claimed she grabbed hold of her and shook her for three or four seconds.

Foster claimed that all she wanted to do was to stop her daughter crying and that, afterwards, the girl went to sleep.

"Things were clearly not right," said Miss Goddard.

Foster rang an out-of-hours doctor service at 2.40pm on December 8, saying that the girl was pale and refusing her food.

At 6am on December 9, Foster dialled 999, claiming that her daughter had started twitching the night before.

An ambulance was sent and, when the crew arrived, the girl was in the middle of a seizure. She continued to have seizures during the ambulance journey to hospital. The girl was later transferred to Sheffield.

"It was clear she was a very poorly child," said Miss Goddard.

The emergency services immediately suspected a non-accidental cause for the baby's condition. There were no external marks of violence and no skull fractures.

Foster was arrested and admitted she had shaken her daughter and that she had lied or failed to tell the truth to the police and the hospital staff.

The baby was placed with a foster carer in May last year. She had made progress and, although she was now approaching her second birthday, was believed to have the abilities of only a baby aged about nine months.

"She requires constant care from the moment she wakes up in the morning to the moment she goes to bed at night," said Miss Goddard.

"She is incapable of entertaining herself. Her development is still severely delayed. The prognosis remains largely uncertain.

"She is unlikely to improve significantly from the condition she is now in."

Judge David Tremberg told Foster that a parent was supposed to provide certain standards of care and treatment but her behaviour towards her daughter fell way below those.

"What you did to her was a grave breach of trust," he said.

Judge Tremberg added: "In a momentary loss of control, you picked that baby up and you shook her for several seconds.

"The result of your actions has been to cause her severe and irreparable brain damage. She will suffer the effects of what you did for as long as she lives."

Foster had shown "gross irresponsibility" by trying to "deflect blame" from what she did and by not reporting the incident fully and truthfully.

Simon Hirst, mitigating, said Foster had no previous convictions.

Foster claimed she had suffered violence from her boyfriend and that they had been arguing before the shaking incident.

"She lost her temper and shook her daughter, causing these catastrophic injuries," said Mr Hirst.

"There were catastrophic consequences from this momentary loss of control.

"She was her mum. It was her job to stop this sort of thing happening.

"She is ashamed of how she responded after. She wasn't remotely honest with the doctors or the police at the beginning of this investigation."

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