STAFF at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital will walk out on Monday as part of a national strike over pay.

Members of the Unite, Unison and GMB unions will go on a four-hour strike between 7am and 11am.

They will be joined on the picket line by members of the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), who voted to take strike action for the first time in its 133-year history.

The walkout is set to disrupt non-essential ante-natal and post-natal appointments and could result in some elective operations being cancelled.

However, the hospital's accident and emergency department, theatres, hyperacute stroke unit, high dependency unit, intensive care units and oncology services will all be running as normal.

Midwives will still be there for mothers giving birth.

Wendy Booth, head of performance assurance at Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust, said: "Preparations are underway to ensure that contingency plans are in place ahead of the national strike next week.

"We are currently negotiating with the unions to secure some exemptions to the strike – areas where we care for our most high risk patients.

"We are doing everything we can to ensure that disruption to patients is kept to a minimum. Maintaining the safety of patients is our top priority."

"At this stage we are unsure exactly what effect the strike action may have, but are planning to ensure that patients needing treatment during the period will be seen and treated appropriately, and that patients already staying with us continue to receive the quality treatment that they expect and deserve.

"Patients who do not hear from us and have appointments for that day should attend as usual."

Hospital employees are protesting over the rejection by the Government of the Independent NHS Pay Review Body's recommendation of a one per cent pay rise for staff.

Suzanne Miller, the RCM's regional officer in our area, said: "Members in Grimsby voted overwhelmingly in favour of the strikes and have decided that enough is enough, midwives and all NHS staff work extremely hard often putting in hours of overtime out of their own good.

"It's estimated that midwives put in almost 13 extra overtime hours on top of what they already do and the one per cent pay rise we asked for is equal to those 13 hours. It's about time they were paid for them.

"This overtime keeps the NHS propped up and its about time they were recognised for that."

Paul Swarbrick, area organiser for Unison, said its members were "disgusted" that the one per cent pay increase had been rejected.

He added: "Over the past five years, staff pay in the NHS has gone down about 12 per cent in real terms. A one per cent increase is not enough but it's a further kick in the teeth that 60 to 70 per cent of staff are not getting it anyway.

"There will be no compromise on patient safety. If there are any major incidents our members will come off the picket lines."

Local government workers were due to take strike action on Tuesday, but this has now been suspended so that Unite, Unison and GMB can consult its members on proposals to increase pay for the majority of workers by 2.2 per cent.

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TOTO Nsiala isn't assured of an immediate recall to Grimsby Town's starting XI for this afternoon's clash at Wrexham.

The centre-half was forced to sit out Tuesday evening's 0-0 draw against Altrincham after collecting his fifth booking of the season, and earning a one-match suspension in the process.

On-loan Danny Parslow moved inside to partner Shaun Pearson in the heart of the back four, with Aswad Thomas and Carl Magnay occupying the full-back roles.

A clean sheet later, and Mariners boss Paul Hurst admits he has a decision to make before installing Nsiala, pictured, back into the side.

"The defence is an area where we've looked very strong," Hurst remarked.

"Recently, if you look at the goals we've conceded, there was a free-kick at Halifax, a short corner – probably offside – goal against Southport, and one goal at Dartford where we've hardly given them a chance all game.

"So we've looked strong, and on Tuesday night we shuffled it around.

"Aswad came in and did extremely well, and 'Pars' – who I know can play at centre-back – looked pretty comfortable and kept a clean sheet.

"I certainly don't need to change it this weekend. In fairness to Toto, he has done well, but it isn't something, hand on heart, that I've made my mind up on just yet.

"I've looked at Wrexham a little bit, but they changed formation the other night – they had been playing 4-4-2 more often this season, so I don't think I'll be picking my team simply based on what I think they might do."

Thomas' comeback from a fractured fibula was a major plus for Hurst's men, and the left-back appears to have come through that return unscathed.

"Aswad came through the other night well," Hurst added.

"He felt okay on Thursday – he had a bit of a lighter session than the rest of the players just to make sure he's okay for today if I choose to start him again.

"It was great credit to him, and great to see him back out there.

"He gives us that natural balance and adds some of his forward runs which takes the team back up the pitch.

"His fitness levels were very good. You could obviously see that he was tired at the end, but at the same time I expect my players to look tired at the end of a 90-minute game."

CYCLE lanes in Grimsby town centre are under review, with the possibility of a link between East Street and the Town Hall.

It comes as one of the paths, on Pasture Street, is branded dangerous by some users.

East Marsh ward councillor and keen cyclist Steve Beasant, is now urging highways bosses to take action.

Mr Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh) raised concerns about the cycle lane in Pasture Street back in April – two months before his wife Carol came off her bike as she swerved to avoid a pedestrian.

He says the fact the cycle route – which is marked by red paving stones – runs straight down the middle of the footpath means it is a hazard for both cyclists and pedestrians.

And he claims the cycle path is not sufficiently defined, resulting in pedestrians walking in it, increasing the risk of collisions.

Jim Kershaw, 32, regularly uses the cycling path into the town centre from where he lives in the East Marsh.

"I think the cycle path is pretty useless", he said. "It's always used by pedestrians anyway. I've not seen any problems myself but I can see how it would be dangerous.

"People just don't care, they'll go wherever they want to."

Jean Moody, 66, of Willingham Street, added: "The cycle path should be nearer the road, not right in the middle of the path. Sometimes I see the cyclist weaving in and out of the pedestrians."

Mr Beasant believes the cycle path should run at the edge of the footpath next to the road, and that extra signage be installed to make it more obvious to pedestrians.

He said: "It has been badly designed. With it being down the centre of the path, a lot of people don't realise it's a cycle route – it is not very obvious."

The section where Carol had her accident, between East Street and Victoria Street, was added as part of the recent town centre redevelopment. Carol suffered grazing to her knee and a haematoma after coming off her bike on June 18.

She underwent two operations on her knee and fell and broke her shoulder after losing her balance whilst recuperating at home.

She said: "I had just gone across East Street and came up to some people who were walking in the cycle path.

"I rang my bell and they moved out of the way, but another person walked into it. I swerved to avoid her and ended up on my hands and knees.

"Three people stopped and asked if I was all right but the young girl just looked at me as if to say I had no right to be there. They should have left the road as it was, but someone decided to change it and cause havoc."

Mr Beasant also expressed concerns about lorries parking on the cycle path close to the junction with Victoria Street.

He added: "There's going to be an almighty accident. We are not designing cycle paths properly and cyclists are getting a bad name.

"It begs the question as to how many of the people who design these things are actually cyclists."

A spokesperson for North East Lincolnshire Council said: "We have been contacted about the cycle path and we are sorry to hear about the incident that resulted in an injury.

"This layout for the cycle lane was assessed and is considered to be the safest route.

"We are currently reviewing the provision of cycle lanes within the town centre, including the introduction of a link along East Street towards the Town Hall."

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GRIMSBY Town will have to be wary of Connor Jennings this afternoon when the former Mariners loanee lines-up for Wrexham (3pm).

Following his short spell at Blundell Park last season, the striker turned down Paul Hurst's advances in the summer – opting to sign a permanent deal with the Red Dragons instead.

And, while Town's boss stresses that decision was down to location, he also admits that missing out on the former Scunthorpe United forward was a blow.

"Connor was one that I would have liked, there's no getting away from that," Hurst commented.

"However, in terms of where he lives, that was a big pull for him in going to Wrexham.

"We talked with him and it became apparent that his heart was elsewhere.

"He's been a regular in their side this season, but we can't simply focus on him when they've got the likes of Wes York and Louis Moult, as well as some other good players in the ranks.

"We've seen some of Connor's strengths from him being here, and know what to be wary of."

Winger York was another player Town enquired about in the summer, before he chose to join up with former Nuneaton boss Kevin Wilkin again.

However, Hurst told the Telegraph in July that Moult – who has netted eight times for Wrexham this campaign already – was not someone he had 'pursued'.

"Moult's the one who is certainly grabbing the goals at this moment in time," he added.

"When I've seen him, he's always been on the move and he's willing to run towards the opposition's goal, which might sound very simplistic,.

"But the amount of players nowadays that just want to come to the football and receive it – he's willing to run into space and finds himself in the box or on the end of crosses.

"So we need to be wary because he's certainly a man in form."

A BOY aged just 14 is to be questioned by police after a car crashed through a fence in the grounds of a Grimsby school.

Police were called to Great Coates Primary School at 9.12pm, on Thursday, after a silver Vauxhall Zafira ploughed into the railings close to the exit of the grounds.

Witnesses reported seeing somebody running away from the scene.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: "A 14-year-old boy is due to be questioned on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent."

Following the incident, a gaping hole was left in the fence, which is near the exit gates to the car parks of both Great Coates Primary School and John Whitgift Academy.

Residents of Eskdale Way, which backs onto the scene of the crash, spoke of their shock that someone so young could have been behind the wheel of the car.

An 80-year-old woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "The worst thing we used to do when we were young was knock on people's doors and run away.

"I didn't hear anything at the time. The dog did bark so I wonder if it was about that.

"There used to be motorbikes driving round there in the past and the noise did annoy me but it's not been bad at all recently."

Another said: "I'm not surprised this has happened."

John Storey said: "I did hear something but I thought it was thunder.

"My neighbour said he went across to see if anybody was hurt.

"But I'm not surprised this has happened. People have been crashing cars ever since they have been around. It's a fact of life."

Councillor Cliff Barber (Labour, Freshney) said the collision was very much an isolated incident.

He added: "There's definitely not an issue with boy racers on the ward."

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GRIMSBY Town travel to North Wales today looking for a much-needed confidence boost against Wrexham (3pm).

Tuesday's 0-0 draw with lowly Altrincham was the latest in a disappointing run of results that has seen Town pick up just two points from their last three games.

In contrast, having won at Kidderminster, Wrexham were narrowly beaten by an improving Torquay side before claiming a creditable 2-2 draw away at high-flying Halifax.

And Kevin Wilkin will be looking for his side to mark the club's 150th anniversary with their ninth win of the season against the Mariners this afternoon.

But could Paul Hurst's side spoil the party at the Racecourse and get a result to lift some of the gloom around Blundell Park? 

Find out by joining in with our live and interactive Big Match Live coverage from 3pm.

If you're heading out today, make sure you take extra care,

A yellow weather warning for fog has been issued for Yorkshire and the Humber for today - although the skies over some areas of Grimsby, including Scartho - are clear and blue this morning.

The Met Office said: "There will be areas of dense fog developing during Saturday night, becoming more widespread around dawn on Sunday, before thinning slowly during the morning.

"The worst affected areas are likely to be low lying regions where the visibility may reduce to less than 100 metres in places, leading to difficult driving conditions and some disruption to travel.

"Showers will fade away during Saturday evening, with clear skies and light winds a recipe for fog development. "Some patches may persist until late morning, particularly across the Midlands and northern England."

Let us know what it's like in your area, by commenting on this story.

IT was a night of memories for former staff of Dixon's Paper Mills, who came together for what could be their last reunion.

The former workers gathered to remember old times – 41 years after the plant closed.

Scores of people attended the annual reunion at Littlefields Restaurant in Grimsby – which used to be the company's sports pavilion.

Old colleagues reminisced about their days at the family-run mill, which closed in 1973.

More pictures and the full story will appear in tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph.

And today we're asking for you to share your memories of jobs in days gone by – and pictures if you have them – whether it's of firms that have long since closed, or if they're still going strong.

Grimsby's Kevin Clifton and his dance partner Frankie Bridge are going into tonight's Strictly Come Dancing at the top of the leader board.

The couple's paso doble to America from West Side Story saw them score a sensational 45 points - and the judges to award the first 10 of the series, describing Saturday's singer Frankie's performance as being "on fire".

However, his sister Joanne and her partner - Radio One DJ Scott Mills - fared less well with their samba to the Little Mermaid's Under The Sea.

Scott's make-up was bizarre to say the least and, while all agreed it had been entertaining, Bruno suggested he should have been "Swimming, not drowning".

They scored just 25.

Karen Hauer and her partner Mark Wright, from TOWIE, also had a mixed response to their Superman-themed paso doble, with Darcy seemingly unimpressed, but compliments from Len and guest judge Donny Osmond.

They scored a safe 35.

Log on later today for more on tonight's show - and don't forget to log on to Twitter from 7.20pm, for live commentary throughout.

This week, Pub Grubber had an absolute ball trying out the culinary delights at The Spice Of Life restaurant, in Grimsby's town centre ...

IN OUR search for an Indian meal in Grimsby The Spice Of Life in Wellowgate is at the top of the list for assurance of quality of food, good value and a friendly welcome.

The comfortable surroundings, aromas, ambience, cleanliness and a guarantee of quality were the ingredients for a pleasant evening meal.

There is little hesitation in choosing The Spice Of Life when you are looking for a good meal in town and want to impress a dining partner.

There has been a modernisation of the interior since I last visited. But it was the same feeling of letting down all the pressures of modern life as you walk in the door.

We were greeted by the owner, who is also a qualified doctor, with his chef's apron and ushered to our table. It was a delight to hear the Spice Of Life's regular charity evening, the previous night, was a success and helped raise hundreds of pounds for a mission to Bangladesh.

Supporters paid for an evening banquet meal in the knowledge their money would be going to help poorly people in the underdeveloped world.

Not only does the owner run one of the best restaurants in town, but he also has a passion for improving the quality of life for his countrymen and women who suffer from cataracts.

Each year he travels back to his native Bangladesh to perform eye operations to remove the sight disorder.

The transformation in the lives of people is immeasurable. Such operations heal those plagued by poor eyesight. It enables them to read more clearly and in this way study to improve their lives. Clearer eyesight prevents accidents and falls for the elderly.

So it is no wonder the food at The Spice Of Life tastes wonderful, when you know the support is going to such a worthy cause.

It is a bit like Fair Trade foods always tasting better because consuming them provides a warm glow in the knowledge there is someone elsewhere in the world benefiting from your custom.

My dining partner and I spent a good two hours discussing a range of topics over our two course meal.

The pickle tray and popodoms were lovely and set us up nicely for our starters of onion bhaji and lamb tikka. They were well presented and tasty.

Our main dishes were chicken satkora and chicken jalfrezi. The lamb tikka starter was delightfully presented, served on a long, sleek, modern plate.

It came with two dips, a thick brown curry-flavoured sauce and a light green minty sauce, providing a nice contrast of colours and flavours.

The thick chunks of lamb were nice and tender, and the fried onions proved to be a wonderful accompaniment to the dish, which also came with lettuce and tomato.

For the main course my guest decided to experiment and steered away from his usual choice of jalfrezi or rogan josh, and opted for something from the specials menu.

He eventually plumped for the chicken satkora, a traditional dish of the Bangladeshi region in which a pickled bitter lemon is used to give a hit and tangy flavour.

The dish certainly had a real zest to it, the sauce was rich and thick and the chicken delicious. Definitely worth a try.

In my jalfrezi, the chillies and mix of herbs were excellent – one of the best I have ever had. The pilau rice was spot on. We both also enjoyed a Cobra lager with our meals.

I should also praise the standard of cleanliness in the restaurant's rest rooms.

Overall, there is an impressive attention to detail and this contributed to a first-class dining experience.

WREXHAM boss Kevin Wilkin thinks Louis Moult was sent off for a stamp on Grimsby Town's Craig Disley.

The Dragons striker was given a straight red card by referee Brett Huxtable in the closing stages of Saturday's encounter in North Wales.

There was some confusion about whether the decision was for the initial challenge on Disley or for some 'afters'.

But Wilkin believes Moult received his marching orders for a stamp, and was clearly disappointed with his side's 1-0 home defeat.

He told BBC Radio Wales: "To get such a fantastic gate and to play in the manner that we did for long spells of the first half was really disappointing.

"We came out and gave a better account of ourselves up until the sending-off in the second half.

"We had Grimsby camped in, but it's important you keep 11 men on the field.

"I didn't see what the sending off was for, but on my understanding it was for a stamp. If that's the case, we can't have any complaints."