A CAMPAIGNER has launched an official complaint into the way a public consultation into the demolition of Scartho Baths is being conducted.

As reported, North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) announced in January that it would close Scartho swimming pool and build a replacement next to a refurbished Grimsby Leisure Centre, in Cromwell Road, as part of a £9-million revamp of leisure facilities.

However, the move sparked anger among residents who complained that it would be smaller and less accessible than Scartho and more than 7,000 people signed a petition opposing its closure.

On November 8, councillors gave it a stay of execution, voting to hold a three-week public consultation on the area's leisure facilities.

But leading campaigner Alan Barratt launched an official complaint this week, claiming that the questions NELC is asking in the consultation are framed in a way which doesn't allow people to say what they really want.

Mr Barratt put forward two alternatives at the last council meeting – to refurbish the existing swimming pool, costing £1.8 to £2.2-million or building a new facility on the same site, costing £7.5 to £9.6-million.

However, he claims the consultation doesn't allow residents to opt for either one of these, only the existing plans, and is upset that the consultation can only be accessed online.

He said: "I've had people phoning me up at the end of their tether as they are filling out the questionnaire.

"People want to oppose it and leave comments, but the questions are designed so that you can't do that."

Mr Barratt also claims that last week he was leaked a document – a Condition Survey Report done in 2010 – which said the building was structurally sound, despite extracts saying it was in "poor condition" being used in a council meeting last week.

He added: "The council cut and pasted bits from the report, which has misrepresented the bad state of the building.

"This document should have been in the public domain and has instead been used to misinform people so that the council can justify shutting the pool," added Mr Barratt.

However, Sue Wells, NELC's head of cultural services, disputes these claims.

She said: "We want to know how important investment in leisure is to our local community and which types of facilities matter but also need them to understand that we cannot replace everything like for like. Sadly, this is not affordable.

"Our preferred option is a phased replacement on a site that enables future development, should funding become available, and that avoids loss of services during any construction period.

"The report referred to was confidential as it formed the basis of an agreement with current operator, SLM Ltd.

"It outlined the significant work required to replace essential equipment that is at the end of its life, without which the facility could not operate.

"Essential works only would cost in the region of £2-million and this work would aim to keep the facility operational for another five to ten years but not improve it for customers.

"The actual building construction is reasonably sound, for its age, but the significant costs are linked to the replacement of essential plant and equipment, much of which has been in place since the facility was built in the 1960s."

GRIMSBY RUFC got their season back on track with a hard-fought home win against East Retford.

The Wilderness Boys' 22-14 victory at Springfield Road ended their run of three consecutive defeats in the Midlands 3 East (North) Division.

And the triumph was a timely one to raise morale ahead of a tough trip to league leaders West Bridgford on Saturday.

The Blues ran in four tries against East Retford to notch up a bonus point, and at times produced some very impressive rugby.

Number eight Sam Vickers, pictured, weighed in with a brace and further tries from full-back Ashley Waterman and winger Jono Norman secured maximum points.

The Blues' dominance up front afforded Vickers plenty of time and space to create havoc from the back of the scrum.

But his first try came from a very well-worked line-out move. He peeled off and crashed over the line. The conversion was narrowly missed, however.

Gaps opened up as Grimsby pushed for a second try, but stout defending from centre Stuart Saunders helped snuff out the East Retford opportunities.

The Blues scored again when, from a counter-attack, the ball found its way to centre and captain Ben Pharaoh. He fixed the last man to send Waterman over the whitewash.

From another big scrum, Grimsby's front five – Jason Stead, Matt Pettiford, Colin Matthews, Luke Chaplin and Jim Livermore – pressurised the visitors. And from a 'pick and go', Vickers crashed over for his second try.

East Retford battled back into the game, though, with two tries.

Their first came from their captain and centre side-stepping through the Grimsby pack.

The next came when a horrific bounce from a kick landed in the arms of the visitors' fast winger.

In reply, Grimsby were eager to bag a fourth try and secure a bonus point.

Numerous opportunities were spurned and it needed a wise head to get the score.

That came from Pharaoh, who side-stepped, shimmied and dummied his way just short of the line before offloading to Norman, who touched down.

Grimsby are now seventh in the Midlands 3 East (North) table, out of 12 teams. They have 17 points.

After taking on league leaders West Bridgford on Saturday, they face Kesteven – currently second – the following weekend.

A VISIT to the league leaders is often a daunting task – but for Market Rasen & Louth RUFC it's particularly ominous on the back of a seven-match losing streak.

The Red and Greens need a shock to the system – from a surprise victory – to breathe life back into their Midlands 1 East campaign.

Although clear of the relegation zone, Rasen's 43-23 home reverse to Matlock was their seventh straight defeat.

In contrast, high-flying Old Northamptonians, who host Rasen on Saturday, are enjoying an excellent eight-match winning streak in the league.

On paper, there is only one winner – the Willingham Road club will need a heroic performance to upset the odds.

One thing's clear, they will need to start better than they did against Matlock.

The Derbyshire outfit set the tone on four minutes when winger Henry Packard broke through for the game's first try.

Rasen fly-half Meehal Grint and Matlock stand-off Chris Young then exchanged penalties.

Winger Henri Packard forced the ball over the line to score for Matlock after a quick move.

Young underlined his kicking skills by scoring the kick from his weaker side.

Grint's penalty reduced the deficit.

But after the visitors' kick-off led to a Rasen scrum on the halfway line, Matlock pounced again. A mix-up in the scrum saw the ball drift lose and Packard capitalised, breaking through at pace for another try.

Rasen slowly came back into the game. The home forwards worked their way deep into Matlock territory, forcing the visitors to concede a scrum five metres from their line.

Chris Starling then drove forward to score, just managing to get his outstretched arm across the line.

Matlock retaliated with another Young penalty.

He later finally missed a kick, from midway into the Rasen half, that fell short of the posts.

With Matlock's Jack Wagg being sin-binned, Rasen took advantage. Dave Starling made a determined run and crashed over under the posts, leaving Grint a simple conversion.

Young converted another successful penalty kick before Alex Powell exchanged passes with Packard and touched down. Young added the conversion.

The visitors almost scored again but it was ruled out for a knock-on.

Rasen didn't give up and forced errors from Matlock.

Eventually, persistence paid off with Olly Cole scoring a try.

But overall Rasen were second in all departments and must avoid the concession of early tries and penalties if they are to test Old Northamptonians on Saturday.

A SCREENWRITER from Hollywood has shipped DVDs signed by Sacha Baron Cohen to a Grimsby landlord to auction off for charity.

As reported, Phil Johnston visited the town twice to gain inspiration for a film he is penning with the infamous star of Borat, Bruno and The Dictator.

During his visit, Phil stopped off at Cottees, in Freeman Street, and promised to send landlord Pete Goldsmith some signed DVDs to help raise money for charity.

Pete explained: "To be honest I wasn't sure he was legitimate at the time so I didn't expect to hear anything of it.

"Then this big envelope arrived from Los Angeles the other day and I couldn't believe it. It was a real bolt from the blot.

"He seemed like a nice bloke so I'm touched that he remembered us and took the time to get the DVDs signed."

Phil has donated two copies of The Dictator signed by Sacha, who rose to fame as faux-gangster Ali G.

The DVDs will now be raffled off in the countdown to Christmas to help raise funds for Help For Heroes.

Pete, who is originally from London but moved to Grimsby six years ago, said: "I served as a rifleman for four years in the 1980s so it's a charity I always try to support.

"I come from a military family as my dad and brother were in the forces too.

"To be honest I haven't seen any films with Sacha Baron Cohen in, but I'm hoping there are some fans in Grimsby who will want to win the DVDs and help us raise as much money as possible."

As reported, Phil and Sacha are writing a James Bond-style spy spoof for Paramount Pictures which centres around northern football supporters.

Phil visited Grimsby, Hull, Scunthorpe and Newcastle to find out how football fans spend their days and to get a sense of local dialogue and mannerisms.

As well as spending time in Cottees during his time in Grimsby, Phil took a tour of the fish docks, East Marsh, West Marsh and visited Blundell Park.

Paramount is yet to decide if the movie will go into production and where it will be filmed.

To purchase tickets for the DVD raffle, call into Cottees.

RENEWABLE energy bosses have pulled out of plans to extend their wind farm in Conisholme.

Anti-wind farm campaigners have been on guard for an extension to be planned for the 20-turbine site since it was built in the small village in 2008.

Their fears were made worse when the firm in charge of the site, Ecotricity, applied to East Lindsey District Council to have a scoping exercise at the site to extend the farm by five wind turbines in 2010.

But they have since confirmed they have no "immediate plans" to extend the Fen Farm site – although campaigners remain sceptical.

Chair of the newly-formed Marsh Windfarm Action Group, Melvin Grosvenor, believes as wind farm technology and the demand for renewable energy changes, so will the farm, which is home to 20 84-metre turbines.

Mr Grosvenor said: "All I would say is wait and see what happens.

"What they say and what they do don't always transpire. Of course, it would be good if they aren't ever going to extend the farm, but I still feel those wind turbines are likely to need to be re-powered eventually, as has happened elsewhere in the country.

"The turbines at Conisholme are relatively small compared to the turbines that are built today. They produce less than one megawatt of power, whereas the ones that get put up now generate anywhere between two and three megawatts. Why would they stick with these smaller turbines?"

Mr Grosvenor's comments come as campaigners gear themselves up for another action meeting at Tetney Village Hall on Saturday, December 1, from 10.30am.

Not only will they discuss ASC's application for eight 115-metre turbines on Bishopthorpe Farm, called Newton Marsh Extension, but they will put an action plan together over Partnership for Renewal's application for three 113-metre turbines along Louth Canal.

Mr Grosvenor said: "The more applications that come in and the more I hear about what is going on in the Marsh villages, it makes me more determined for the group to succeed.

"For me, it is very frustrating because I have only just started digging into the wind farm situation in this area and I am discovering all this stuff that we need to know and consider.

"It is an absolute tragedy this work has not been done before but I think after the Conisholme farm got through, locals thought they haven't got a cat in hell's chance of fighting them off. But they have, I am sure we can do this."

Ecotricity admits they carried out a scoping exercise for five more turbines at the Fen Farm site in 2010 but says it has decided not to progress the application.

A spokesperson said: "We do scoping exercises at any number of sites every year but at the moment there are no plans to progress an extension at the site."

A FIRST new flavour of crisp for several years will see one of northern Lincolnshire's finest food firms unite with a specialist farmer and butcher from Yorkshire.

Chorizo is coming to the Pipers Crisps range, with yet another artisan producer brought on board.

Alex Albone's team from Elsham Wold Industrial Estate has discovered Chris Wildman's rearing and butchery talents, focused on a rare-breed Oxford Sandy And Black pigs, that are used to create unique Yorkshire chorizo in the on-site charcuterie at Kirkby Malham.

Delighted to have found a suitable source from the rich rural setting by the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Mr Albone said: "I'd wanted a meat flavour in the range for some time, but hadn't found the right taste or an appropriate producer.

"When I visited Chris at his family-run enterprise, where there are three generations working together, I knew I'd found the taste and provenance I was looking for.

"Chris himself is a fifth generation butcher, so he knows a thing or two about meat. The on-site charcuterie is really exciting. Chris uses only local, rare-breed, outdoor-reared pigs to produce a range of hams, bacons and sausages – including chorizo – for local businesses and farmers' markets. This delicious Kirkby Malham chorizo is the perfect taste for our crisps – a distinctive, strong flavour without being too salty."

The dry-cured sausage is traditionally made in Spain, Portugal and South America and there are many different recipes.

Kirkby Malham chorizo contains coarsely ground pork, hand-mixed with smoked paprika, pepper, garlic and ginger. Once the mix has been prepared and put into its skin, it's hung for three weeks to dry and cure.

Mr Albone added: "Unlike many crisp manufacturers, we don't go in for fashionable or seasonal flavours – we're only interested in long-term relationships with specialist, artisan flavour partners. Our range now includes eight great flavours, so there's something for everyone."

A total of 46 people now work for Pipers, with a new warehouse one of the latest investments on the business park just off the A15.

Mr Wildman won the Local Producer award at the Yorkshire Life Food & Drink Awards 2011-12.

He said: "This isn't a large-scale business – it's all about quality rather than quantity. We carefully combine the finest ingredients, local where possible, and take the time to produce a true artisan product."

THE former Lindsey Lower School was flooded with smoke as more than 25 firefighters took part in a training operation.

Crews from Humberside Fire and Rescue Service were seen practising skills at the site in Clee Road, Cleethorpes, yesterday morning.

They were joined by students from the Prince's Trust who helped set up the training exercise, which included the firefighters finding five casualties in smoke-filled corridors and classrooms.

Community safety advocate Carl Turner, from the community support branch of Humberside Fire and Rescue, said: "We do a lot of exercises like this across a number of different buildings, but to be able to train in a place the size of this is good practice for us.

"It helps us improve the skills of the operational team and we can also give feedback to the building owners of how best to secure a premises to avoid fires being started.

"We have also got two members of the Prince's Trust with us on work experience and they are helping us set up the exercise.

"They will get to see the operation unfold and we will talk them through everything as it happens.

"Humberside Fire and Rescue have a continuous training programme and it is good to get the guys from the Prince's Trust involved."

Although five operational fire engines and their crews were used during the exercise, if the building was actually on fire at least eight would be called.

Watch manager Ryan Murawa added: "I helped set this exercise up with the two guys from the Prince's Trust in mind.

"It is massively important to train and it has to be as realistic as possible and that is why we work with the community support team and they help us find different locations like this one.

"A building like this can be used for a lot of different activities because of the size of it.

"Today's training involves five appliances looking for five missing workmen that were working on the building.

"However, if this was a proper operation, we would be looking at having at least eight appliances but as we are training we need to limit resources so other areas are not left short.

"I want to thank the community support team for helping set this as well as Scotts for letting us have the keys to the site."

As reported, the building is set to be turned into a nursing home specialising in dementia care after Yorkare won a bid to buy the building from North East Lincolnshire Council.

THE first ever police and crime commissioner for Humberside takes his post today – and he'll be joining officers on the beat in the East Marsh.

As reported, Conservative East Riding councillor Matthew Grove beat the favourite, former Labour deputy prime minister Lord Prescott, in the high-profile election on Friday after it went to second round voting.

The victory, which he described as a "David and Goliath story", won Mr Grove national recognition overnight, with him appearing in the pages of almost every national newspaper and on screen on the BBC's Sunday Politics show.

Mr Grove said: "The day of the count was a rollercoaster, not just for me, but for my family and my whole team, who have worked so hard.

"But that was just the warm-up for the main act, which is this hugely challenging job."

At midnight last night, Grove officially took his post – and its £75,000-a-year salary – as the Humberside police and crime commissioner, where he will remain for three-and-a-half years, until the next election.

And on his first morning on the job, he joined Chief Constable Tim Hollis – who Grove will have to replace when Hollis retires in March – for a walk around Grimsby's East Marsh today.

However, despite today being his first official day in the role, Grove has been getting to grips with the position and meeting people since getting up at 6am on Saturday – the day after the count.

"There is a massive amount of work to be done and there is no point waiting. As we speak, there are crimes being committed," added Mr Grove.

But how does he plan to tackle crime and make residents safer?

One of his flagship policies is to be tough on drunken troublemakers, charging drunk and disorderly people for use of police time, transportation and even the night in the cell.

Professional debt collectors will collect these fees and costs could be used to fund crime prevention activities.

"There is no wonder that people act irresponsibly when there are virtually no consequences to their actions," said Mr Grove.

He added: "We have to make this behaviour as socially unacceptable as drink driving."

Another issue that Mr Grove has publicly stood against is the privatisation of police services after neighbouring authority Lincolnshire Police controversially invited private company G4S to undertake some of their non-frontline duties.

However, as huge financial cuts from the coalition put pressure on resources next year, will the Conservative put Humberside first?

"I may have worn the party rosette for the campaign, but as soon as the result was announced, that comes off and it is about people first, party second," he said.

Mr Grove added: "It's a challenging job and if I get it right, in three-and-a-half years' time, I will be rewarded by the voters. If not, it will be like a plane crash.

"What I want is simple – I want there to be less crime, fewer victims, and to have achieved that with less money being spent. It is getting there that is the challenge."

What do you think of Grove's policies? Let us know by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Look for Mr Grove's visit to Grimsby in your Grimsby Telegraph.

"LEXUS-ROSE, your family was privileged to know you, to have seen your beautiful face and to know you are forever a part of them. They will cherish your memory always."

This was the pledge of Joan Jones, who led the moving tributes to the eight-month-old with the "smile that could brighten anyone's day" at her funeral yesterday.

As reported, her parents Sita Yull and Jimmy Macdougal (Hall), and three brothers, Kade, 7, Billy, 6, and Bobby, 2, of Winchester Avenue, Nunsthorpe, were robbed of their "angel" after she developed suspected meningococcal septicemia.

She died in the care of the staff at the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital, Grimsby, on November 9.

Just 24 hours earlier, she had been playing happily as usual.

A fundraiser held at The Nunsthorpe Tavern on Friday raised £3,000 towards the tot's funeral and for St Andrew's Hospice, where she had been resting since she passed away.

Her tiny pink coffin was carried to Grimsby Crematorium in a carriage drawn by two white horses, decorated with pink plumes – Lexus-Rose's favourite colour.

Mourners also observed the family's request to wear something pink, with many also clutching matching balloons and flowers in every shade imaginable.

After Lexus-Rose had been carried into the chapel to Sophie B Hawkins' I Love You Always Forever, Mrs Jones began the service by reflecting on why she had been taken from her family and friends at such a young age.

She said: "There are no answers to that question but let me read to you the words of another mum who also lost her child – an angel wrote down in a book my baby's date of birth, then whispered as she closed the book, 'too beautiful for Earth'.

"When Sita had her 20-week scan and found out she was going to have a baby girl she was, of course, very excited.

"Every time she went to the hospital for a check up, she kept asking 'it's still a girl isn't it?'.

"Lexus-Rose was a very happy child – she was no trouble. She had beautiful big blue eyes and a smile for everyone."

The congregation was invited to reflect on her short life as Sarah McLaughlin's Angel and Justin Hayward's Forever Autumn were played.

As the ceremony drew to a close, her friends and family were also entreated to "talk about her and share memories of her often" so Lexus-Rose will "forever live on" through them.

Further advice and information about meningitis is available by contacting NHS Direct, the 24-hour NHS Helpline on 0845 4647 or www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk, or the National Meningitis Trust helpline on 0800 02818.

A "FOUL" problem is plaguing the streets of Cleethorpes – and residents are being urged to report it.

Following the arrival of the dark nights, the amount of dog excrement being left on the streets has increased – disgusting residents who are forced to dodge it every day.

The issue was raised at the latest meeting of Cleethorpes South Forward action group, with residents desperate for "irresponsible" and "selfish" dog owners to clean up after their animals.

They claim faeces are all over the pavements of William Street, Bowling Lane, Cuttleby, Crowhill Avenue, Rutland Street and St Peter's Avenue.

Beryl Rees-Smith, chair of the environmental sub-group for South Forward, said: "We are once again concerned about the amount of dog fouling down our streets.

"Although we know the majority of residents with dogs take responsibility for any mess, it is clear there is a small minority who are not taking responsibility and leaving our streets with a dog fouling problem.

"These people think with the dark mornings and dark evenings they won't be seen and that it is the perfect excuse not to clean up after their pets. Well there is no excuse and they should be ashamed."

Dog fouling is controlled by the Dogs (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, under which the maximum penalty for failing to clean up after your dog is £1,000 in a magistrates' court.

However, North East Lincolnshire Council can issue a fixed penalty notice of £50 if its Community Pride officers catch someone in the act.

There are special bins to dispose of dog waste, but it can also be disposed of in normal litter bins.

Deputy leader of NELC and Croft Baker ward councillor Mick Burnett said: "I have had a few people complaining about people not cleaning up after their dogs have fouled on the streets and it isn't on.

"In my view, it has started again because of the dark nights – people think they cannot be seen."

South Forward will be contacting other resident groups to find out the extent of the problem, before organising a meeting with NELC's Community Pride team.

Chairman Keith Brown said: "We want anyone who has a problem in their street or who knows of a particular affected area to tell the Community Pride team and give them as much information as possible.

"This is thoughtless behaviour and must be stopped."

Councillor Dave Bolton, portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, added: "At this time of year we do experience an increase in the number of complaints and urge residents to contact us so we can target our patrols in the areas where dog fouling is a particular problem.

"The council places a high emphasis on ensuring that our streets are maintained to a high standard and kept clean.

"This includes ensuring owners are responsible for their dogs and clean-up after them."

If you are suffering from a dog fouling problem, contact the community pride team on 01472 325823, e-mail communitypride@nelincs.gov.uk or contact South Forward on 01472 692096.

CALLING the community-spirited of Cleethorpes – your town needs you!

That is the rallying cry from Voluntary Action North East Lincolnshire (VANEL), which is recruiting volunteers to help decide how to spend a £1-million grant for north Cleethorpes.

As reported, the Big Lottery Fund will give the northern end of the resort £1-million to be spent on community projects in Croft Baker and Sidney Sussex wards over the next ten years as part of its Big Local project.

In addition to the £1-million, VANEL, which is leading the project, has been given a further £20,000 to spend laying the groundwork for how the money is spent.

A major part of this is recruiting volunteers to go out onto the streets of Cleethorpes and find out what people would want to see the money spent on.

Community network co-ordinator at VANEL, John Mooney, said: "I really want to find volunteers from the communities in Sidney Sussex and Croft Baker because it is where they live that the money will be spent.

"We want good listeners who can take in what people think and feel about the place, but they also need the confidence to address members of the public in the street. They need to be able to talk to them about the things they want to see happen."

Bosses at VANEL are recruiting now in the hope that all the groundwork will be complete by June next year and they will have a clear idea of what the money should be spent on.

There have already been some ideas mooted, like investing in the north beach – which is littered with the broken sea defences from the 1960s – but until the volunteers are out there, VANEL says it is too early to predict where the money will go.

Mr Mooney continued: "There are all sorts of groups operating in Cleethorpes that are already doing things that need greater investment but we need to broaden it so this money benefits the whole of the north of Cleethorpes.

"It is an exciting project to be part of and will give volunteers great experience through working with the public."

The funding will be spent over ten years and must be used on projects that are sustainable and will survive in the future.

Councillor Matt Brown (Croft Baker, Lab) said: "Volunteering allows people not only to make a personal difference to Cleethorpes, but it will be something that in years to come they can look back and say they were a part of.

"They will be making history in Cleethorpes and they should see it as a privilege to be part of.

"It will be great experience and show people – including potential employers – that they are willing to give up their time for the benefit of the town and local causes."

To register your interest as a volunteer, e-mail john@vanel.org.uk or call 01472 231123.

THE X Factor dream may be over for Ella Henderson – but she's far too busy to dwell on it.

The 16-year-old Tetney star glammed up to perform at the Amy Winehouse Foundation Ball in London this week, and yesterday she attended a photo shoot for popular weekly glossy magazine Look and she will, once again, grace the cover.

And, as if that wasn't enough, she will also be performing with cheeky pop star Olly Murs this Saturday at top London nightclub Heaven's famous G-A-Y night.

Speaking exclusively to the Grimsby Telegraph yesterday, she revealed how "relieved" she is to be out of the show.

"I feel like I am not being judged constantly and I can get on with my song writing, which is what I really love," she said.

"After the X Factor tour I want to write my dream album to release to the public.

"I am really excited about it all because it is like another whole new experience."

She also described performing at the Amy Winehouse Foundation Ball at The Dorchester Hotel in London as an "honour" and was delighted to be joined at the party by her ever-supportive parents Michelle and Sean.

"It was amazing and I had such a good time," she added.

One thing Ella is really missing from the show is her fellow contestants – but she regularly exchanges texts with Jahmene Douglas and Union J to keep in touch.

She said: "I really miss the people from the show – but it's not the end of the world being out of the experience, because I'll still be able to see the contestants.

"Everything's up in the air at the moment with being so busy after X Factor and my career is looking bright.

"I am hoping next year will go off with a big bang for my music career and I want to say a huge thank you to everyone who has been supporting me throughout X Factor."

To take a break from the commotion in London, Ella will be coming home for Christmas to see her family.

"I have missed not being at home – especially my surroundings, I can't even remember what my bedroom looks like! I am hoping all the supporters from Grimsby will stick with me and carry on supporting throughout my career."

Even though she isn't starring on the talent show, she will be on the other side of the screen, supporting "the boys".

"I will be watching the show, and I will be rooting for the boys to win," she said.

SANTA Claus is coming to town – and he's bringing his friends with him!

The Humberston Lions Club's fifth annual Santa Fun Run is coming to Cleethorpes.

It will see scores of charitable runners pull on their red hats and beards and ho-ho-ho it through the resort for two-and-a-half miles in aid of local charities.

Last year 80 people took part and spread festive cheer to the scores of spectators who turned out to clap them on.

Organiser and club secretary Martin Allingham hopes this year will be even better supported.

He said: "The day is a bit of fun at a time when everyone is busy worrying about Christmas and festive shopping.

"It is a great chance for them to relax, have fun and help local charities and needy causes in the process."

The run will start at the Discovery Centre in King's Road on Sunday, December 9.

The Santas will run around the back to Cleethorpes Leisure Centre, down towards the pier and then back again, with a shorter route available for disabled people. All ages are welcome and everyone will be kitted out with a Santa outfit that they can keep after making their donation of £10 to take part.

Children can take part for £2 and they will receive a Santa hat.

It one of a number of charitable events organised by the Lions and the proceeds will go into the group's local charity pot ready to be shared out among the many needy causes they support.

Martin continued: "We want as many people as possible to come along and try it.

"There is no risk, it is just pure good fun.

"If people don't fancy running, they can come and enjoy the sight of all the Santas running along the seafront.

"It makes quite a good spectacle.

"We enjoy it every year – we wouldn't do it if we didn't.

"We love seeing the smiles on people's faces when they get back from the run."

Medals will be awarded to everyone who takes part and Santas will be warmed up with hot mince pies and non-alcoholic mulled wine at the end of the run.

Participants should arrive at the Discovery Centre for registration at 10am.

E-mail humberstonlions@gmail.com for more information or visit www.humberstonlions.co.uk

PRESTON North End boss Graham Westley has warned Anthony Elding that he "won't just walk into" the Lilywhites' side.

As reported, the Mariners striker made a loan switch to Deepdale last week, and is set to stay with the League One club until at least January.

But after making his debut for the Lancashire club off the bench on Saturday against Brentford, the 30-year-old was an unused sub in Tuesday's evening draw with Notts County.

And Westley, pictured, has urged Elding to force his way into his first-team plans.

The Preston manager said: "I'm sure the fans will enjoy him, he's got a good character, but he's got to earn his place in the team first of all.

"Don't expect Anthony Elding to suddenly be featuring. He's been brought to the club to bolster the squad – he won't just walk into the side.

"Anthony played for me at Stevenage and got 50-odd goals in 100 games.

"He's had a checkered career of ups and downs. He had the glamour of a big move to Leeds United and recently he's been down in the Conference with Grimsby.

"He's a player I know well and as we go into this period of games over November and December, he's a goalscorer and will give us the cover you need up top if you're going to be successful."

Elding has eight more matches in which to make an impact before 'decision time' in January. Otherwise, a return to Blundell Park could be on the cards for the forward, who is contracted to the Mariners until 2014.

"If I play in most of those games, put in a real shift and work my socks off, that's all they can ask of me," Elding said.

"The lads are flying high and getting some great results. For me to come in and be a part of that, I need to get my legs moving and get up to speed quickly.

"Preston is a big club and you expect competition at big clubs. No place should be taken for granted, everyone's got to earn that place and earn that shirt."

The man who scored 16 goals for Town last season – and two more this campaign – is determined to take advantage of another shot at league football

"Obviously I've worked with Graham before. I played some really good stuff underneath him and scored a lot of goals," the frontman added.

"He knows what I can do and that's why he's brought me in.

"Graham expects a lot from every individual and if you play hard and give him everything you've got then he will appreciate that.

"This is an opportunity for me to go back into League One. I've been there before with three different clubs so it's not new – I just need to get myself going in training."

"Obviously coming from the Conference, on paper it doesn't look great, but I'm a player that's been at this level before."

He added: "The gaffer's given me the chance to return and I'm hoping to repay him and the club for showing a bit of faith in me.

"I like to think I can slot in. Whether it's on the bench or whatever capacity I'm playing, I shall give my all and see where it takes me come January."

HUMBERSTON residents are celebrating victory in the first stage of their fight against plans to build 400 homes in the village.

But campaigners opposed to the application by Keystone Developments to build a retirement village and affordable housing on four fields at the eastern end of Humberston Avenue say the battle is far from over.

North East Lincolnshire Council's Planning Committee yesterday voted by five votes to four to refuse outline planning permission for the project.

And whilst delighted at the decision, members of the Save Our Fields Humberston and New Waltham group are now preparing themselves for an appeal by the developer, which confirmed it is considering its options.

Group spokeswoman Nikki Hale told the Grimsby Telegraph: "We are delighted with the outcome and we would like to thank all the residents for turning out despite such horrendous weather conditions and also the three ward councillors and MP Martin Vickers for their support.

"However, we fully expect the developer to appeal and we have to make sure we are prepared for that."

She added that the group would also be concentrating its efforts on fighting two other potential developments in the village – 400 homes at the New Waltham end of Humberston Avenue and 110 homes at the former golf course.

"The fight will continue because there is still this over-riding question of housing need. We are now in discussion with some other action groups around the town to see if we can form a town group to fight developments across North East Lincolnshire," she said.

As reported, planning officers recommended approval, saying the development offered a mix of housing, which would significantly contribute towards the authority's identified housing need.

However, the application was rejected on the grounds that the site is outside the development boundary identified in the council's Local Plan; that the road network is already at capacity; that the development is not sustainable due to the lack of nearby shops; and that there is no need for this amount of new housing in the borough. Councillor Philip Jackson (Con, Waltham) said: "I have great concerns about this application. It's outside the development boundary and it is a greenfield site, but the main concern is the housing requirement figures on which the need for development is predicated. We are potentially giving planning permission for properties that we don't need and we could end up with a site that is only part-developed for many years ahead.

Speaking after the meeting, Nick Worboys, assistant director of development for Keystone Developments, said: "Our proposals were carefully shaped to provide high-quality housing, including 25 per cent affordable homes and a dedicated retirement community.

"With today's decision we now need to consider our options. What remains clear is the fundamental need for new homes, particularly homes that are designed for older people and homes that are affordable."