STEWART SWINBURN, current town councillor and ex-Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, says: "I've been told they will be delaying the opening until March. I'm just disgusted by the way Tesco have treated the people of Immingham. There should be uproar at this latest bit of news.

It's just poor PR, isn't it? I understand they are going through financial problems and they've announced they won't be opening any new stores, but this one is already built so they might as well make the most of it.

I just can't understand it.

It makes you wonder if they will come at all. Maybe they will just sell it on to someone else.

I believe we've been sold down the garden path and now with the Co-Op closing we're going to have nothing here.

It's not the right way for Tesco to go about things and I am very disappointed, both as a councillor but more importantly as a member of the community here.

THE opening of Immingham's new Tesco store has been delayed – for the second time.

As reported, the supermarket giant had initially said the opening of the Kennedy Way store would be delayed until the summer of 2015, sparking concern the town would be left without a major supermarket for many months.

Then the news followed that the chain was reverting to its original plan of opening by Christmas – but that has been thrown out of the window again.

Tesco spokesman Mark Thomas has now announced the opening of the store, which has already been built, has been put back once again – but the Grimsby Telegraph understands March has been set as the initial date.

It comes after Tesco announced Dave Lewis as its new chief executive as of Monday, September 1, who immediately went about reviewing all aspects of the group in order to "improve its competitive position".

Tesco announced it will be implementing further reductions in capital expenditure, which includes a slower roll-out of their stores, as the group continues to face a "number of uncertainties".

In a statement on its website, Tesco PLC chairman Sir Richard Broadbent said: "The board's priority is to improve the performance of the group. We have taken prudent and decisive action solely to that end.

"Our new chief executive has now joined the business and will be reviewing every aspect of the group's operations. This will include consideration of all options that create value for customers and shareholders."

A spokesperson for developers MAW Chartered Quantity Surveyors confirmed that builders had completed their work and officially handed the store over to Tesco on Friday last week.

As reported, it is nearly 15 years since a proposal was first discussed to transform the heart of Immingham.

The start of demolition on the site was heralded as the beginning of a new era for the town.

The fit-out of the shell was set to begin at the start of this month and recruitment for the store vacancies were also scheduled.

It was suggested that the store would be opened towards the end of November, although this has been scuppered by the most recent news.

Mark Thomas, regional corporate affairs manager for the North, said: "Following our recent trading update and a further reduction in our national spending plans, we have taken the very difficult decision to delay our Immingham store opening again.

"We know that people in Immingham will be disappointed. This is a decision we have not made lightly. As soon as we are able to provide an update on when the store will open, we will do so."

PREPARATIONS are underway for construction to start on the £8.4 million state-of the-art leisure facility in Cromwell Road, Grimsby.

Interserve Construction is setting up onsite, installing fencing and introducing new access arrangements to the existing Grimsby Leisure Centre.

These preliminary works are in readiness for construction work to start later this month on the controversial new facility, which is planned to open in autumn 2015.

As reported, the new facility will include a 25-metre, eight-lane swimming pool with learner pool, sauna, steam room and associated wet changing facilities. There will also be a gym fitness suite with studio space and associated dry changing facilities.

The project – which has caused controversy as it involves the demolition of Scartho Swimming Baths – is part of what North East Lincolnshire Council described as a phased approach to the replacement of ageing leisure facilities.

Access to the neighbouring golf centre's entrance will remain intact during the construction process. However, initially, leisure centre users will need to use the Auditorium car park entrance and follow the signs round the back to the car park.

In the meantime, it is business as usual at the existing leisure centre and Grimsby Auditorium.

The new facility will eventually replace Scartho Baths, creating a county competition standard facility, with supporting gym and fitness facilities and also replacing the pool and gym within Grimsby Leisure Centre.

Councillor Mick Burnett, cabinet member for leisure and tourism, said: "I'm delighted that the project is gearing up for construction. When complete, we will have a fantastic facility for people of all ages, which I hope will act as a focal point for community activities and also attract old and new visitors to North East Lincolnshire."

John Gittins, divisional director of Interserve, said: "We are really excited to get started preparing the site ahead of the construction works commencing later in the month.

"This is a fantastic local leisure investment. The new centre will improve leisure provision and will also encourage participation.

"On all our projects we aim to deliver facilities that benefit people and become proactive within the community where we are working.

"We are planning to hold a meet-the-buyer event on September 18.

"We will adopt a considerate approach for all our activities to ensure we minimise disruption and indeed our impact on the local environment whilst keeping all stakeholders updated in respect of project progress."

UK-based Interserve operates in the public and private sectors with a workforce of more than 75,000 people worldwide. With offices in Castleford and Lincoln, recent contracts have included projects for the Ministry of Defence, British Airways, Leeds City Council and the NHS.

"I DIDN'T know what to do so I let it carry on. It shatters yourself-esteem. I didn't tell anyone because I didn't think I would be believed."

They are the heartbreaking words of a young girl who kept a poignant diary of her horrific ordeal at the hands of a sex offender.

Darren Cardy, 40, of Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, was jailed for four years after a string of offences against her.

He admitted eight offences of sexual activity with the girl between February 2006 and February this year.

Gordon Stables, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that police found a diary written by the teenage girl called, My Story. My Life. My Ups And Downs.

She wrote in the book about the many occasions she had been abused by Cardy. "He was a paedophile," she wrote. "I was scared to tell my mum. It went on and on.

"I didn't know what to do so I let it carry on. It shatters your self-esteem.

"I didn't tell anyone because I didn't think I would be believed."

Mr Stables told the court: "She recorded her ordeal in a diary which the police now have, hoping that one day someone may find it.

"She wanted the police to keep the defendant away from her."

Cardy later told police when they confronted him about the matters that he was "absolutely devastated" that the allegations had been made. He claimed: "I absolutely deny touching her at all."

He claimed he was "absolutely certain" that he had "done nothing wrong" – but later pleaded guilty after all.

Simon Hirst, mitigating, said it was a sustained period of offending but Cardy had shown remorse.

"He knows that he has let her down and himself down very badly indeed," said Mr Hirst.

Judge Peter Clark told Cardy he had "systematically abused" the girl.

"It's clear you caused her considerable distress over the years," said Judge Clark.

"She continues to suffer from that. It was a long period of abuse."

The prison sentence included six months, to run consecutively, after a community order imposed on March 28 for downloading indecent images of children was revoked.

Cardy will have to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the discovery of a body in Mablethorpe.

As reported, the man's body was found in a water-filled ditch in Quebec Road on Saturday morning.

Police said the man's death remains unexplained but said that, while he is is yet to be formally identified, they believe it to be the body local man, Darren Fitzpatrick, aged 46.

Darren had been reported as missing to the Police on September 3, but had not been seen by his family since August 28.

Police are appealing to anyone who has seen Darren, since August 28, or who has other information about him, to contact them.

Anyone with any information should call Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident 113 of September 6 or call crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

The hugely anticipated sci-fi video game Destiny has finally landed.The studio behind it, Bungie, was given a budget bigger than many Hollywood blockbusters after gaining financial success with its earlier Halo games.

Experts predict the game could attract 10 million "day one" players. Bobby Kotick, the chief executive of Activision,told a conference in May that his company was taking a "$500m bet" on Destiny, but that figure was later clarified as including marketing and other costs, but it still means the game will probably be the most expensive video game to date.

In Destiny you are a Guardian of the last city on Earth, able to wield incredible power. Explore the ancient ruins of our solar system, from the red dunes of Mars to the lush jungles of Venus. Defeat Earth's enemies. Reclaim all that we have lost. Become legend.

Download Destiny on PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 and you'll be able to upgrade to a PlayStation 4 or Xbox One digital copy for free. The game retails at between £45-£55 depending on where you buy it and has been given an age rating of 16+ byPegi, the certification board that serves Europe.

Police have said anybody causing trouble at tonight's derby between Lincoln City and Grimsby Town will be dealt with in a 'firm but fair manner'.

The two sides meet for the first time this season at Sincil Bank and an electric atmosphere is expected.

Dick Holmes, spokesman for Lincolnshire Police, said: "Lincolnshire Police have policed this fixture for many years.

"Supporters from both clubs will be made welcome. Our aim, together with football club, is to provide them with a peaceful, safe environment which allows them to enjoy the match.

"The club, their stewards and we the police are confident that we will be able to do that. Anyone who interferes with our overall aim will be dealt with in a fair but firm manner."

A water main burst in Immingham this morning - flooding gardens and leaving thousands without running water.

The main burst in Stallingborough Road and a number of gardens nearby and into Hume Brae are under a foot of water. The deluge has now been stopped and the water is draining away. A number of homes and businesses in the area have been left without running water. Coomb Briggs Primary School has had to close and Immingham Police Station is also without water. A passer by said the scenes were "like the Amazon". Resident Marie Pursglove, 83, of Hume Brae said: "I am very shaky and in a terrible state, I can't cope with it. "I was trying to brush the water away. I have been here 46 years and flood every time there is a thunderstorm." She praised neighbours Clive Crossley and Vanessa Suddaby for their help. Elsewhere, neighbours are helping each other to clear away the water and debris from gardens. Colin Dale, 82, added: "I don't recall it being this far up the driveway before. It is not really a laughing matter, but there is not much we can do." Police said repairs are due to take place by 7pm tonight. Anglian Water is yet to comment.

More to follow.

TECHNOLOGICAL innovation is continuing to move in the right direction at the Cristal plant in Stallingborough.

The Saudi-owned titanium dioxide manufacturer employs some 470 full-time staff as well as 170 regular contractors, and is the largest factory of its kind in Europe.

Deep inside the vast plant, specialists within the dedicated research and development lab are working on CristalACTiV, a special coating that helps to reduce pollution levels in the surrounding environment.

The site, which sits on the Humber Bank, first fired up on July 5, 1953, when it began making a titanium dioxide pigment. The 160-hectare site was chosen due to its close proximity to the deep water docks at Immingham to allow for easy imports of raw materials, water was plentiful and there was rail access for the movement of bulk materials.

The site has had a number of different owners before Cristal took full operational control of the plant in 2007. It remains one of North East Lincolnshire's biggest employers.

Cristal produces titanium dioxide, a fine white powder which is a key ingredient in products like paint, UPVC plastic and laminate.

Vast shipments of titanium-rich sands are shipped in through the River Humber before undergoing a highly complex chemical process including a chlorination process, reaction with oxygen, before finally creating the finished product of titanium dioxide.

Despite this rich history, the future is very much at the forefront of the minds of the leadership at the Stallingborough plant.

Site director Jamie Scott said: "At Stallingborough we are constantly striving to refine our systems and increase efficiency to ensure we can supply the highest quality products demanded by our customers, when they want them.

"We are working to achieve this through high technology and innovation for improved performance, self-sufficiency, continued learning and expansion.

"Titanium also has many other uses so what we are aiming to achieve at Cristal is to capture the value in the product chain. We are making significant investment in our business to secure our raw materials – our new ilmenite smelting plant in Saudi Arabia is in the process of being built, it will produce 500,000 metric tonnes each year and our plant here at Stallingborough will soon be using the slag produced at that plant."

"We have also recently entered into a joint venture to construct a brand new titanium sponge production facility in Yanbu Industrial City, KSA (Kingdom of Saudi Arabia), which is a metal form which can then be used for things like aircraft components."

Among the army of engineers at the Stallingborough site is Kella Collinson, 26, a former Immingham Comprehensive student who has developed through the company having first joined as an apprentice fresh from school. Kella is a shining example of the employment opportunities that Cristal has created within the local area. Kella is one of 50 apprentices that have been employed at the plant over the past decade.

She said: "I left school and went straight into work as an apprentice. I completed a four-year apprenticeship and which involved a year at a training centre followed by three years on site.

"I now provide support to the plant on maintenance issues, so I provide spares, deal with problems and implement projects.

"I really enjoy the role. I work with a great team with a good support network. There are only a few women on the site in engineering roles.

"Engineering is in my family – through my dad and granddad."

She added: "There is a creative side to the job. You can see your own work making a difference to the plant which really drives me."

Former Healing School student Guy Wiseman, of Ulceby, last month began a graduate role as a mechanical engineer at Cristal. On Friday he jetted off to Baltimore, America, to meet the company's other fledgling graduate engineers.

He said: "I'm really pleased to be here. Cristal has got a great reputation in the local area and I wanted to work in this sort of industry so that I can hopefully become a chartered engineer.

"Since I was a kid I have always been interested in how things are made. Doing a mechanical engineering degree at Hull made me realise I want to make it in the manufacturing industry."

Cristal also hopes that Guy will be joined in the future by chemical engineering graduates from the University of Hull. The company has established an ongoing partnership with the University of Hull to help deliver an undergraduate degree in chemical engineering – the first in the region for nearly 30 years.

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PUPILS at Humberston CofE returned to a "brand new" school after the summer break.

During the holidays, the school was completely renovated, with walls being demolished, the whole site being repainted and all of the equipment being replaced.

Head teacher Jo Everitt, who joined the school in April, said it had been a "huge" investment.

She added: "We want all of our children to enjoy being at school and I think the changes that have been made make this an even better place for them to learn.

"The new facilities for the foundation and Key Stage 1 classes, in particular, allow us to encourage play-based learning, which is something I am passionate about.

"The whole redesign has been carefully thought through and makes such a difference to a way the school works."

The foundation and Key Stage 1 pupils at the school now have brand-new indoor and outdoor activity areas. As well as a new playground, there are craft stations, sand pits and a play kitchen for them to explore.

Assistant head teacher Vicky Johnson added: "It's great to see the school looking so bright, clean and fresh. Before this it was cluttered and looked outdated so it's like having a new school.

"The whole space is so much easier to use now and the pupils love the changes."

Alice Smith and Jayden Willows, both six, are impressed with the new look. Alice said: "It's better now because there's more equipment to play on and I love coming outside."

Jayden added: "We've got lots more things to play on now."

As part of the improvements, every book at the school has been replaced, with the old ones being donated to local charities.

Each class was given a budget to design its own reading area and the winning class will receive a magazine subscription for the year.

Pupil Olivia Drakes, 10, said: "Our class wanted a reading area that was peaceful and where you would want to sit and relax.

"I think the new playground for the younger classes is really good and the rest of the school looks better, too."

Ffion Baldwin, also 10, added: "Our class based our reading area on the beach. People always sit down with a book when they're on the beach because it's relaxing, so we tried to recreate that in our classroom.

"I really like the new look at the school, the colour of the walls is so much nicer and brighter."

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A FAMILY had their holiday in Cleethorpes ruined when the caravan they were staying in went up in flames.

Firefighters rushed to the scene at the Beachcomber Caravan Park, but it was too late to rescue the belongings of Mark Emerson, his two children, his partner and in-laws.

Police are still yet to establish the cause of the fire, although according to Mark, they have been told they weren't to blame.

He said: "We were on the site when it happened. There were a couple of security guards running past us and we could see the smoke, and it turned out it was coming from our caravan.

"We still had two nights booked there so we did manage to get put into another caravan, but there were no basics inside such as towels or a bar of soap for the kids, so I had to spend £150 at Tesco to get all the essentials.

"I'm only a security guard so I don't make much, so that was a lot of money to spend.

"I actually had to spend the money I had saved up for my daughter's school uniforms."

Mark added: "According to the fire brigade nothing inside the caravan was left on by us, such as the cooker or chargers.

"We went to see the manager the next day and he said the holiday was not covered by any insurance for our stuff."

A spokesperson, for the caravan park said: "Immediately after alerting the emergency services and following internal procedures for ensuring the safety of all guests and park personnel, we arranged alternative accommodation for the Emerson family on the park for that night.

"The following morning, the family was offered the option of a full refund if they wished to terminate their holiday, or to relocate to a superior caravan holiday home for the remainder of their stay. The family chose the latter.

"On the advice of Humberside Fire Authority, we have removed the damaged holiday home to a secure compound. The holiday home is deemed by the authority as being unsafe to enter, but we have assured the Emerson family that any personal items presently inside the unit will be returned to them once the investigation is complete.

"The holiday home concerned was insured by the Beachcomber Holiday Park, but in keeping with standard practice throughout the holiday parks and travel industry, it is the responsibility of guests to make their own insurance arrangements with regard to personal belongings. The cause of the fire is currently being investigated by the police and fire authorities, and we are extending full co-operation to their enquiries.

"Because of the on-going nature of the investigations, we are unable to comment or speculate on any aspect of the incident."

A police spokesperson said: "Enquiries are now being undertaken with fire investigations to establish the cause of the blaze, but the initial suggestion is that this fire is of a doubtful origin."

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LOCAL businesses had the chance to listen to proposals to install 20 acres worth of solar panels on factory roofs in Grimsby.

As reported, plans are afoot to double the number of solar panels on the roof of Freeman Street Market.

The Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby, which owns the market, hopes the planning process will be a "formality", allowing them to add further panels soon.

Already the market and new Business Hub roof produces almost 100kw of energy in peak conditions. The new proposals would allow for an additional 91.8kw/peak to be installed and connected to the grid.

The East Marsh building is already one of the borough's greenest, using rainwater harvesting systems, a gas heating exchanger and low energy lighting.

The Freemen also recently unveiled proposals to encourage businesses to harness power from their rooftops using solar panels, which were discussed at a special event at the market.

Stephen White, chairman of the Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby, said: "We've taken the lead on this and want to show others that it can be done.

"We have taken the view that renewables to Grimsby is what the oil was to Aberdeen – we've just got to grab it."

He added that newly-relaxed government rules had allowed for the expansion of the existing solar network on the market roof.

"I think people are reluctant to start having solar panels – businesses like warehouses and cold stores won't want holes drilled into their roofs.

"But we want to show that you can do it."

Mr White also added that North East Lincolnshire Council has made positive noises about the proposals and he will be meeting with them in due course.

Pete Tiffney, technical director at Five Star Fish, attended the event at the market's Business Hub.

Five Star Fish, based in Great Coates, has already agreed to have a number of panels installed on its factory roof.

He said: "It was a no-brainer really, I think every factory should be doing it. They're not paying a penny as it's fully funded and they get free electricity.

"People have been doing this for a number of years all over the UK, now we just need to make sure people are in this for the long haul."

The event was co-organised by the Royal Society For The Encouragement Of Arts And Commerce (RSA).

Ted Waters, deputy chairman of the RSA for the East Midlands region, said: "What we do is look at areas where we think we can make some impact on society.

"And on a personal level in this region I have an interest in creating better societies in areas that are fairly deprived.

"If they get their wish to install 20 acres of solar panels in Grimsby then that can only benefit the local community as well as local businesses, which will just produce a knock-on effect."

Dr Peter Robinson, chairman of the RSA for the East Midlands region, added: "We've had a very good response and people don't seem to be afraid to get involved, which is useful.

"They recognise it's a good idea and they're aware that there are people here who can make it happen, so let's make it happen."

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A DISTINGUISHED medal sent by Russian President Vladimir Putin is a warning from history, according to its heroic Second World War recipient.

Veteran of The Russian Convoys, Alfred Bowers, who will turn 94 later this month, said he was overwhelmed by the decoration sent by the Russian president.

But Mr Bowers, of Cleethorpes, said it served as a lesson to avoid war, as tensions heightened between the West and President Putin over the crisis in Ukraine.

A Grimsby Telegraph article published in December last year highlighted the long wait Mr Bowers had for the Ushakov Medal.

It was to honour his service between January 1941 and 1946, as an electrician, serving aboard HMS Fury, along with a crew of around 180 men.

They ran the gauntlet of German U-boats, Luftwaffe and atrocious conditions sailing through the Arctic sea to take vital supplies to the Russians.

When Mr Bowers wrote to the Russian Embassy earlier this year about the article in the newspaper, the ambassador Dr Yakovenko quickly sent him his long-overdue medal.

The veteran said: "I am over the moon with it – even though I have been waiting 70 years."

He added: "It is a memorial to a lot of comrades who did not survive.

"War is a terrible thing when you have seen the devastation. The home my parents had in London was bombed out.

"I hope they sort out diplomatically the conflict in Ukraine."

He was proud of the engraved medal and the citation sent to him.

The ambassador said: "It is a huge privilege for me to thank you on behalf of the Russian Government for the invaluable contribution you and your comrades in crew made to the defeat of the Nazi Germany.

"What you did 70 years ago taking part in what Sir Winston Churchill called 'the worst journey in the world', was extraordinary and beyond the call of duty.

"Thousands of Allied seamen lost their lives as the British ships sailed in the unwelcoming, stormy weather of the Arctic Ocean with the constant threat of being attacked by the German U-boats and aircraft. Your heroism will always be remembered in Russia and Britain. Your deeds will continue to serve as the supreme expression of bravery and a highpoint of the human spirit.

"I am confident that it is not by accident that our nations found themselves on the right side of history, which the followers of the ideology of hatred wanted to stop and deprive our nations of their inalienable right to decide their destiny."

He added: "The comradeship-in-arms which was born at a truly critical juncture in history, will forever remain an important part of European spiritual heritage."

The ambassador said he was presenting the Ushakov Medal on the instruction of President Putin.

Mr Bowers received the Arctic Star medal last year from the British Government to recognise his bravery 70 years ago.

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"IF YOU get a dog you take on responsibilities – including cleaning up after it."

That's the message from one responsible dog owner who gave his backing to the Grimsby Telegraph's Poo-lution campaign, which aims to reduce the levels of dog mess in North East Lincolnshire.

Forty-seven dog owners attended a free dog chipping event at Grimsby's Duke Of York Gardens – thanks to a partnership between North East Lincolnshire Council and The Dogs' Trust, promoting responsible dog ownership.

Shaun Finch, 41, of Grimsby, took his eight-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier and Jack Russell cross, Kizzie, to be chipped.

He said he supported any campaign which would educate dog walkers.

"I just think it's disgusting," he said.

"If you take a dog on you take on that responsibility. It just annoys me, especially when you stand in the stuff.

"I always carry bags wherever I go, in fact, I find them in all my pockets! It just takes a few seconds to pick it up and put it in the bin.

"I go to watch Grimsby Town and it's worse around there. Often it's dark after the games so you can't see where you're standing."

He added: "I think fines for people that don't pick it up should be heavier. So the campaign is a good idea."

Jill Clarke, 66, of Old Clee, took her grandson's English bull terrier Lulu to be chipped, and also lent her backing to the Poo-lution campaign.

I absolutely support it as there's nothing worse than standing in dog mess," she said.

"I always pick up after my own dog because I wouldn't like to stand in it. I think some people are just lazy, it's pure idleness. I think they have to fine people to get the message out.

"It's also dangerous for children because it can affect their eyes, so it's so important to pick it up. I hate doing it but you just get on with it."

Jamie Taylor, environmental enforcement officer for North East Lincolnshire Council, said dog mess was a health hazard.

The council was handing out free poo bags to those having their dogs chipped.

He said: "It's still a big problem in all areas, but there's no particular area around here, it's all areas.

"Some people are just lazy and don't care at the end of the day. Not all dog owners are like that though.

"The council takes this issue very seriously. We tell people: 'Just put some dog bags in your pocket. It takes a few seconds'.

"The reason we are so hot on this is because dog poo carries a disease called toxocara and it can affect the eyesight."

Michelle Mort, education and community officer for the Dogs' Trust, said having dogs microchipped and picking up after them was all part of being a responsible pet owner.

From April 2016 all dogs will have to be chipped, by law.

"It's important that people pick up after their dogs because at the moment it is a minority who are giving other dog owners a bad name," she said.

"That's why the council and the Dogs' Trust are taking steps to educate down owners."

MAYOR Alex Baxter says the dedication of volunteers in North East Lincolnshire is "astounding" – which is why he is backing the 2014 Grimsby Telegraph Community Awards.

As reported, we have launched the awards to recognise the unsung heroes of our community who selflessly dedicate their time and energy to helping others.

But we need you to help us identify those individuals worthy of recognition.

And Mr Baxter is urging Grimsby Telegraph readers to send in their nominations.

He said: "Volunteers and other groups do enormously valuable work and some of them are totally unrecognised simply because they are so busy carrying out the work that they do.

"I have been astounded by the amount of work that takes place and the numbers of small and medium-sized organisations that are involved in helping other people with no fuss.

"They seek no reward, they just get on with helping other people, sometimes even to the detriment of themselves.

"I have been mightily impressed.

"If that team spirit could be converted into a product it would be world- beating."

He added: "The Grimsby Telegraph Community Awards are enormously important because they allow people who have been helped to express their own gratitude in such a prominent sense.

"It is important they know that the people who helped them can be publicly rewarded."

Last year's awards were hugely successful, with scores of people nominating their family, friends, colleagues, or just people they think deserved a bit of thanks – for the different categories.

And this year we have even more categories included in the awards, meaning yet more people in our society can be recognised.

Over the next few weeks, nomination forms will appear in the paper and online so you can put forward your local champions.

Each of the nominees will then be invited to a glitzy awards night later this year.

Mr Baxter added: "It is absolutely vital to recognise individuals who have gone that one step and beyond if we are to continue to encourage other people to become volunteers.

"Reading the inspirational stories of the award winners will make people think that they could do something similar.

"People should search their consciences, search their wards and search the borough to identify the people who deserve recognition so everybody knows who they are."

To nominate your local hero, fill out the form below.

HUNDREDS of homes and businesses in the Immingham area were left without water after a water main burst.

Anglian Water engineers were carrying out a repair to a small leak when the water main burst, sending thousands of gallons of water cascading through the gardens of residents in Stallingborough Road, Hume Brae and Highland Tarn.

Humberside Police closed Hume Brae from the junction of Stallingborough Road to Pelham Road.

Hundreds of parents were asked to collect their children from one of the town's schools after supplies of water were cut off.

Coomb Briggs Primary School had to close due to a lack of water supply.

North East Lincolnshire Council and Immingham Town Council staff were drafted in to help residents in the clean-up operation after the flood at about 10.30am yesterday.

For up to two hours water poured down the street, flooding gardens and the road.

Council officer John Waite said the water main had burst during the repair work by Anglian Water engineers.

Ron Wilson, whose home is next to the water main, said: "They were here for a small leak, but now they have a massive leak to deal with.

"It is going to be a long job."

Brian Johnson, of Highland Tarn said: "The authorities cover up the water courses by the side of the road and then they wonder why all the water runs into people's properties and they get flooded."

Anthony Sargent, 39, of Stallingborough Road, received a frantic phone call at Lindsey Oil Refinery from his wife panicking at the rising flood water.

He said: "I am shocked at how much water there is. I have never seen it this bad before."

Hume Brae resident Marie Pursglove, 83, of Hume Brae, said: "I am very shaky and in a terrible state, I can't cope with it.

"I was trying to brush the water away. I have been here 46 years and it floods every time there is a thunderstorm."

She praised neighbours Clive Crossley and Vanessa Suddaby for their help by brushing flood water out of her garden and away from her conservatory.

Marie said: "They have been brilliant. We are all old along here and have been here since they were built. The problem is the pollution. I am at the end of the line of houses so all the water comes from everyone's gardens into mine."

Dave Watson, council cabinet member and ward councillor for Immingham, used his car to block off Hume Brae to stop motorists driving through the floodwater, before Humberside Police set up a road block.

He said: "The gullies were clear and have helped drain the water away quickly.

"It has been heartening to see how neighbours have rallied to help some of our more elderly residents. I never ceases to amaze me how the community spirit in Immingham excels at times."

All three of North East Lincolnshire Council gully clearing vehicles were drafted in to wash out drains and clear the roads affected by flood water.

Vanessa Suddaby said she was shocked when she got a call about the flood while she was at work.

She went home to find her garden under a foot of water and more water coming up through the drains.

She said: "It is the elderly residents who have been affected the most. We always get flooding but it isn't usually this bad."

Colin Dale, 82, added: "I don't recall it being this far up the driveway before. It is not really a laughing matter, but there is not much we can do."

Antony Innes, from Anglian Water, said: "We're very sorry that residents in the Stallingborough Road area of Immingham, have been affected by a burst water main. Engineers were already on site fixing a leak when the pipe split further allowing more water to escape.

"The team have been working hard to stop the flow of water and restore supplies to the Immingham area as quickly as possible.

"Customers may have noticed lower than usual pressure or had no water for a short while around lunchtime, although engineers were able to return everyone's supply by 5pm.

"Work to fix the pipe and resurface the road is continuing and we expect this to be completed later this evening.

"We know losing water supply or pressure can be very disruptive and we are sorry for any impact this has had on customers and road users. We'd like to thank them for their patience."

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IMPRESSIVE new facilities welcomed students back to Humberston Academy after the summer holidays.

The £1.4 million building programme has helped transform the Humberston Avenue school, which includes new classrooms, a performing arts block and a dining hall extension.

The block was handed over to the English department on Monday in time for the start of the new term.

Acting principal Matt Watling said the facilities were first class.

"They are most welcome and staff and students have been excited about moving into them," he said.

"They were much needed. The school's popularity over recent years meant we had outgrown our existing buildings.

"The new block provides a state-of-the-art environment, with additional comfort for staff and students."

The academy, a member of the David Ross Education Trust, became the first in North East Lincolnshire to be designated "outstanding" last year under Ofsted's guidelines.

"Our focus is on first-class teaching and recruiting outstanding practitioners. Quality teachers are the people who inspire our students to great things," Mr Watling added.

"But it is wonderful to be able to offer them top facilities in which to deliver an outstanding education. The new build does that.

"The work has been completed to a high standard on time and on budget. The contractors have been excellent."

The construction work was carried out by Grimsby firm Topcon.

Managing director Mark Rendall-Tyrrell was delighted at the school's response to the project, which started in January.

"From our point of view, the school has been a pleasure to deal with", he said.

"The project's gone according to plan and we're pleased with how it looks.

"We've also used local labour and suppliers so the wider community has benefited from the project, too."

The building will be officially opened later this year, as ground work is still being carried out next to the new block, which should be finished within the next few weeks.

Pupil Charlie Bratley, 13, said: "I'm really impressed with how the new block looks.

"It is a much better environment for us to learn in as there's more tools for us to use."

Megan Gray, 13, added: "We've only started using these facilities this week but as soon as we saw them we knew they were good.

"It's a big improvement for the students. We have a lot more space now and the technology and facilities are really good."

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GUESS who's back?

Having firmly established himself as one of the key players in the Indian restaurant scene in Cleethorpes, Mitu Ahmed has a brand new business venture.

The well-known local entrepreneur, 46, wants to welcome customers back to where it all began.

New Indian Kitchen, in Alexandra Road, is in the same spot where he opened his first restaurant by the seaside seven years ago.

Having branched out to expand the business into larger premises, he also went on to establish the Me2Raj eatery in Cleethorpes' Market Place but has since ended his association with that restaurant.

He said: "My father and I opened this restaurant seven years ago. We left the premises to do a few different things, but now we're back relaunching New Indian Kitchen and we want the glory days to resume once more.

"I made my name from this place and I want to thank all the customers who have supported me and the business over the years – this place was always crazy busy."

Mr Ahmed is very grateful to everyone who has followed his cuisine and will be opening yet another restaurant later this month.

He said: "We've been working on a new fine dining concept and that will be open soon, but we're hoping this place will thrive also.

"I feel I've managed to change the Indian restaurant scene in this town, I always look for a challenge; I know what most people want, food is my passion and I just want to make people happy.

"I was in a partnership at Me2Raj but I decided to part company with them. It was a tough decision but I wish them well for the future. There is no real secret to my success but the level of the service is important and we treat our customers more like friends, little things like knowing their names and their favourite dishes or drinks makes a lot of difference."

Co-owner Emdad Hoque, 34, is related to Mr Ahmed and has travelled up from St Albans, in Hertfordshire, to take on this new project.

He said: "I've been in the restaurant business for five years and I'm excited by what potentially lies ahead. We've got a good chef here who I brought with me, he's got more than 25 years' experience and together we'll always aim to give customers the best experience we can."

The restaurant will be offering a special introductory offer of 20 per cent off all takeaways and deliveries; alternatively you can have 15 per cent off the main menu if you dine in or why not try a set menu of three courses for £9.95?

The new restaurant promises a subtle ambience with different appetising options like duck and venison, in addition to serving a speciality fish every day.

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