LOUTH motorbike racer Peter Hickman is heading to the annual Macau GP.

The speedster brought down the curtain on his 2014 British Superbikes campaign at the weekend, with three points finishes at Brand Hatch.

Those 15 points brought his total to 120, giving the 27-year-old an 11th-place finish in the overall BSB standings – not bad at all considering he missed the first three rounds and six races of the year!

'Hicky' paid credit to his RAF Reserves Honda team before he turned his attentions to Macau, where he will be reunited with the Ice Valley TT BMW line-up from November 13-15.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to Lee Hardy Racing and RAF Reserves plus Andrew from Mother Hubbard," he said.

"The bike has been fantastic all year and I feel we have been punching way above our weight.

"I also would like to extend my thanks to all my personal sponsors, friends, family and fans for their continued support this year."

Prior to the Brands Hatch races, Hickman was at Darley Moor where he contested the annual 'Stars at Darley' races.

He dominated proceedings, scoring pole position, winning both races and setting a new lap record.

He won the trophy in 2012 and still held the outright lap record, so to triumph again this year and better his fastest lap was a perfect result for the Louth rider.

BRITISH cycling super star Sir Bradley Wiggins could be heading to Louth's Cadwell Park to defend his British Cycling Championships Time Trial title.

The track may be better known for motorsport, but on Thursday, June 25, 2015, it will be swapping horsepower for pedal power as the best of British cycling talent battle it out for the national crown.

World Time trial champion Bradley Wiggins is the current national champion and is likely to be among the field to defend his crown against the likes of Commonwealth Gold Medalist Alex Dowsett and Tour de France winner Chris Froome.

The route for the challenge will see riders make a circuit of the track, before heading out into the Lincolnshire Wolds.

They will then head back into the track to complete half a circuit and cross the finish line.

Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of Cadwell's owners MSV, said: "Cadwell Park is adored by motorcycle racers because of its twisting, undulating, and challenging layout, and by spectators because of its beautiful setting in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

"We're sure the country's top road racing cyclists will find it just as exciting, and we're honoured to be hosting them."

The time trial is part of a week of events in the county which culminates in the British Cycling Road Championship in Lincoln, on Sunday, June 28.

The event start will be from the lower paddock, and riders will complete a full lap of the 2.2 mile circuit – which includes a climb aptly named The Mountain.

The riders then leave via the main entrance along the A153 to the Bluestone Heath Road.

Once the outside loops have been completed, the riders will return to Cadwell Park and complete just under half-a-lap before finishing in front of the paddock after another climb of The Mountain.

The remainder of the time trial route will be held on fully closed roads continuing along the Bluestone Heath Road which runs along the top of the Wolds, with a long and fast descent into the village of Ruckland and a short, but sharp, climb out to Oslears Lane and back to the Bluestone Heath Road.

This circuit is seven miles long and will be covered twice by the Under-23 Men and the Women and three times by the Elite Men to give total distances of 21 miles (33.6km) and 28 miles (44.8km) respectively.

It will be a challenging circuit where some may choose to use low profile bikes while others could opt for road bikes due to the sharp climbs on the course.

Timing will be done by transponders with intermediate timing to keep the spectators up-to-date via a large screen to be placed in the finish area in Cadwell Park.

The time trials will also be used as the opening event of the East Lindsey SO Festival, which attracts thousands of visitors to the area with a full programme of cultural events taking place over a ten-day period.

The top road race in the national calendar will be run in conjunction with the annual Lincoln Grand Prix, which celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

FANCY one of Apple's latest gadgets?

Then make sure you buy your Grimsby Telegraph EVERY DAY next week.

We are giving away an Apple device a day to a lucky reader as follows:

MONDAY – an iPhone 6

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Saturday – an iPod Touch

You have to be in it to win it … and to be in it you must have a copy of the Grimsby Telegraph.

In addition to this, we have some fantastically spooky offers all next week, with money off family days out, Halloween Glo Bands to give away, FREE Halloween cupcakes from Tesco in Cleethorpes, FREE toffee apples (yes, the apples that are fruit!) from Freeman Street Market, and half price entry to Pleasure Island.

And starting tomorrow, we have a fantastically festive two-for-one offer to see Santa at Brigg Garden Centre.

If you're planning on heading there tomorrow, then there is an extra special treat in store for your little ones as well.

Characters from popular Disney film Frozen will be there as well.

To coincide with the opening of the garden centre's Santa's Grotto – and the exclusive offer to see Santa with your Telegraph – the Frozen girls, Elsa and Anna, will be making an appearance to sing a number of songs from the hit film.

The girls will be on hand to delight the crowds from 2pm to 5pm, performing a five-song set every hour.

The singers will also be meeting and greeting customers throughout the afternoon, signing autographs for fans of the film.

Make sure you pick up a copy of the Grimsby Telegraph on your way for your coupon.

ON THE WEB: Keep looking out for more details of these fantastic offers in the paper and online at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

A Red Arrows ride - named after the famous Lincolnshire-based display team - has been given the green light by Blackpool Pleasure Beach.

The 42-acre amusement park has joined forces with the RAF team, based at Scampton, to launch a unique thrill ride.

Blackpool Pleasure Beach will become the world's first tourist attraction to have a ride based on the Red Arrows.

Complete in Red Arrows livery, it will also feature its own control tower from which novice pilots will be prepared for take-off.

The 72ft high, 12-seat white-knuckle ride will take riders on a 360-degree tour of the skies and sits in the shadow of the world famous Big One rollercoaster.

Thrill-seekers will step into their very own Red Arrows cockpit, taking control of the plane and spin, glide and take formation in their very own display.

Red Arrows Sky Force will have riders spinning and swirling.

Deputy Managing Director of Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Nick Thompson, said: "We cannot wait to launch our new ride for the 2015 season.

A "SERIES of anomalies" led to an explosion which caused the death of a chemical worker in Stallingborough, an inquest heard.

As reported, Paul Doyley, from Immingham, was critically injured when titanium tetrachloride fumes leaked from a vessel at the Cristal Global site in Stallingborough on March 5, 2010.

An inquest into his death heard yesterday how "multi-causal" anomalies in the process at the plant combined to cause the over-pressurisation of a vessel, which in turn caused a "rapid reaction" and resulted in a toxic vapour cloud.

Health And Safety Executive investigator Brian Fotheringham told the inquest how the plant suffered a loss of water after it had been closed for maintenance a few days prior to the incident.

He added barometric legs had been closed within the plant, meaning there was nowhere for the liquid titanium tetrachloride – also known as liquid tickle – to go, resulting in a "rapid" increase in temperature.

He said: "The concentration of the mixture was thick and horrible. Several attempts had been made to thin it down with water.

"There had also been some readings of the mixture which came back with a pH acidity of 72, which was the highest possible.

"Shortly before midnight, there had been reports of fumes coming from a unit, which Mr Doyley was asked to investigate. Some time after midnight, a pump was identified as the source of these fumes and they swapped over to the standby pump. The switchover was confirmed by 12.19am and, at 12.20am, the unit ruptured."

Mr Doyley, who was 48 at the time of the incident, received treatment for chemical burns and inhalation of toxic fumes at a specialist burns unit at Wakefield's Pinderfields Hospital, but died on March 18.

Evidence was also heard from Terence Clark, who was a senior rotating equipment specialist at the plant at the time of the incident, who told the inquest about concerns he had about the vessel's pumps, which he claimed dated back to 2005.

But it was later asserted that the explosion would still have likely have happened even if the vessel was new.

The inquest also heard from Peter Holmes, who is now retired, but at the time of the incident worked as Humberside Fire and Rescue Service's community risk manager.

He said: "The site was considered to pose a much higher risk due to the production of various toxic products. We knew titanium tetrachloride was one of the chemicals that could cause a problem.

"I received a text at 12.45am on March 5 informing me of a chemical leak and explosion at Cristal Global with suspected casualties. I arrived in a car, not with any appliances, at about 1.08am. I liaised with the officer in charge as well as the shift supervisor to ascertain what was happening.

"It then soon became clear the gas escape was quite major and the direction of the wind was taking it across the River Humber. In fact, we later found out that a ship went through the cloud, but the crew were unaffected."

It was later confirmed that the vapour cloud had in fact narrowly missed the boat, but crew members had spoken of noticing a strong smell.

A verdict is expected today - follow updates of the inquest by logging on to this site.

THE nation's first closure order has been approved on a Cleethorpes "crack house" in a bid to stamp out suspected drug dealing at the property.

As reported, Humberside Police applied for the order on 7 Daubney Street, on Monday – just hours after the new powers came into force.

And, after hearing evidence of the substances found on the premises and apparent sightings of people going there for drugs, District Judge Daniel Curtis has now ordered the property be closed for a month to allow problems there to be sorted out.

Abigail Combes, representing the police, told the hearing at Grimsby Magistrates' Court that a closure order was not opposed by the landlord of the house and he had been "very supportive" of the application.

The occupier was intending to move out and he would also not be contesting the closure.

The closure application was served at 11.15am on Monday and legislation required that the matter was brought before a court within 48 hours. The case was called on in court just after 10am on Wednesday.

Conditions which had to be met for the order to be granted included that a person was engaging in or likely to be engaging in criminal behaviour or that drugs were being used inside the premises.

Another factor magistrates could take into account was if a serious nuisance was being caused or was likely to be caused to members of the public.

The court heard persistent visitors to the premises had caused a serious nuisance to those living nearby and that threats had been made to some of them.

Pc Nathan Taylor told the court police had executed a search warrant in July after complaints were made by local residents. A large quantity of drugs was recovered.

The occupier, Michael Takle, was on bail over alleged drugs offences, he said. Inquiries were made and a number of people were seen going there for short periods of time.

Two people had been stopped and drugs had been seized, said Pc Taylor. A warrant was executed and drugs were found in the house.

Takle was allegedly dealing street level drugs, mainly heroin and cocaine, and a notice was served on him on October 20.

He was allegedly in possession of substantial amounts of street drugs – 150 diazepam tablets – which was more than for personal use.

He was on bail for suspected possession of drugs with intent to supply.

Statements had been taken from local residents but they were afraid to come to court because they feared repercussions but were willing to speak to the local community team.

Pc Taylor told the court criminal damage had been caused, needles had been found in the street and neighbours had been woken up at various times of the day and night.

He said they also feared for their personal property in the street.

Pc Taylor added police had liaised with the landlord and he was "initially reluctant" in July but, after speaking with him over the last 48 hours, it seemed he "may have been slightly naive about what was happening at his tenanted property."

"He now fully supports our action," said Pc Taylor. "He is quite happy with what we have done and has given us his full co-operation. He is fully co-operative now."

Judge Curtis made a closure order after saying he was satisfied that Mr Takle had allegedly been engaging in criminal behaviour on the premises and that the use of the house had resulted in serious nuisance to local people and disorder nearby.

Nobody will be allowed to enter or remain there for a month and anybody who does so would be liable to a six-month prison sentence.

DRUG dealer Andrew Trainer became greedy for a share of profits after driving other drug dealers around.

He received a suspended prison sentence after police found him with M-Cat as he drove through Grimsby.

The 23-year-old, of Sandringham Road, Cleethorpes, admitted possession of M-Cat with intent to supply and possession of cannabis.

At Grimsby Crown Court he was given an eight-month sentence suspended for two years for the M-Cat offence and one month for the cannabis, also suspended for two years.

He was also ordered to do 120 hours unpaid work.

Recorder Paul Miller ordered Trainer to pay £500 towards the costs of bringing the case to court and a £100 Government surcharge.

Recorder Miller said: "I am told you have learned your lesson and are unlikely to re-offend."

Prosecuting, Carl Fitch said police stopped Trainer's car on Weelsby Road, Grimsby at 10.15pm on May 10.

Officers found a bag containing 9.99 grams of M-Cat split into ten separate bags.

Mr Fitch said the drug had a street value of £200.

Two further wraps of M-Cat were found.

Officers searched Trainer's home and found 4.5 grams of cannabis.

Mr Fitch said: "He initially started driving someone around. He decided there was good money to be made. He bought the drug, cut it and started to sell it for profit."

In interview he told police he had been doing it for a few weeks.

For Trainer, Andrew Bailey said: "He fell in with the wrong crowd. He began to take cannabis to a significant level and he found himself in debt which spiraled out of control.

"This is a young man completely out of his depth in this arena."

He told how his client had enlisted with an employment agency called Staffline and will soon start work at Morrisons.

A MARKET stall trader accused of stabbing her husband with a knife has appeared in court.

Julie Ballans, 54, of Southfield Road, Holton-le-Clay, is charged with wounding Dennis Ballans with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on October 21.

She appeared in custody before Grimsby Magistrates' Court and repeatedly sobbed during the proceedings.

The case was sent to Grimsby Crown Court under a fast-track system for serious offences.

Defence solicitor Roy Foreman indicated that Ballans would be denying the matter but no formal plea was taken. Prosecutor Victoria Hajba said police were contacted by the ambulance service at about 8.27am on Tuesday, saying that there had been a stabbing at the Freeman Street Market, Grimsby.

Mr Ballans, who runs a bakery stall at the market with his wife, had suffered a single puncture wound with a knife to the left side of his abdomen area.

Mr Ballans had suffered a one-inch wound just under his rib cage, said Miss Hajba.

Mr Ballans had suffered a cut to his stomach and internal injuries to his gut, she added.

He was understood to be in a stable condition in a high dependency unit at Hull Royal Infirmary, said Miss Hajba.

District judge Daniel Curtis told the court that he was prepared to allow Ballans bail with conditions that she lived with her sister in Humberston, and did not contact her husband.

But the prosecution immediately announced that it was going to appeal to Grimsby Crown Court against the granting of bail.

Ballans would, therefore, have to remain in custody until a judge ruled on whether the decision of Mr Curtis to allow bail should be overturned.

NATHAN Arnold is keen to make up for lost time at Grimsby Town, and put his injury problems firmly behind him.

The 27-year-old has recently returned to the side having missed the opening 11 weeks of the season after tearing his calf.

His lengthy lay-off was a new – and difficult – experience for the 27-year-old, who knows he hasn't yet shown the fans why boss Paul Hurst signed him on a season-long loan from Cambridge United.

But following his first 90 minutes for the club in the Lincolnshire Senior Cup Final, the quick winger then came off the bench to make an encouraging cameo in last weekend's 3-2 win over Torquay.

And speaking to the Telegraph, Arnold says he feels he has finally overcome his injury – both physically and mentally – and hopes Saturday's FA Cup clash with Guiseley will be a chance to further stake his claim for a regular spot in the side.

"I do feel like my injury problems are behind me now – touch wood – and I'm hopeful that I can now crack on, free of injuries," he said.

"My calf feels better than it has done all season and I'm now looking forward to try and burst my way into the 11.

"We've lost one in eight games now so we're on the surge and I want to be a part of that.

"There's a long way to go yet, but I just think that if we can get a consistent run together then we'll be right up there."

He added: "When you're injured and you're out for 11 weeks like I was, when you do finally get out there, it's like you've never kicked a ball before – it's a mental thing to overcome more than anything.

"I've never really suffered an injury that's kept me out for so long before, so I've never had to deal with that – it was just a 4cm calf tear and it was so frustrating.

"It has tested me, but the pleasing thing for me is that I'm getting more and more confident every time I pull on the shirt or go out to train. I'm getting more and more confident in my calf and the strength of it.

"Mentally, I feel like I'm getting over the injury now and I'm just looking forward to getting into the fold for the upcoming games, and making up for lost time.

"Saturday's cup game might be a chance for me to further state my case for a place.

"It would be nice to justify to the home fans why I've been brought here because I don't feel like I've done that yet."

GRIMSBY Town's fans – and players – got in the mood for Saturday's FA Cup tie against Guiseley when the famous trophy came to town.

The Mariners enter this year's competition at the Fourth Qualifying Round stage against the Conference North outfit.

And supporters were able to sample the magic of the cup for themselves yesterday when the famous trophy made a rare visit to Blundell Park.

They were joined by Town first-team stars Shaun Pearson and Scott Neilson.

The present FA Cup trophy is actually the fourth in the history of the competition, having first been presented in 1992 when Liverpool beat Sunderland in that year's Wembley final.

Keep an eye on your Grimsby Telegraph this week for more fantastic pictures of Mariners fans with the FA Cup!

FOLLOWING the publication of the BBC's annual 'Price of Football' review, STEVE CLAYBOURN spoke to his fellow Grimsby Town fans about the financial cost of supporting the Mighty Mariners home and away...

Mark Pulford, 42, Humberston: "I go to all the Town home games as I have a season ticket with my family, so two adults and a student in total at each home game. We probably go to approximately five or six Town away games a season. I don't go to as many away games as I would like, due to travelling and or accommodation costs, as most of the Conference teams are based in the South. If the team is not too far away, like Lincoln, then the cost is pretty reasonable in my opinion. If we travel to a club that is further away, then we usually stay overnight in a hotel and make a weekend of it. Based on the actual price of supporting Town, I would say the cost is more expensive than it used to be. If you compare the price of a ticket in the conference with Arsenal, for example, then they are fair and reasonable value for money, but if you compare them with the 'real world', then probably not. I think clubs forget that it is an entertainment business and, at this level, you don't get the quality of football, or the facilities to justify what prices are charged. We have seen Arsenal play at Sunderland, Bolton – I didn't really want to go to Hull – the stadiums and whole matchday experience are obviously on another level to Blundell Park. Cleethorpes Town are now charging Town season ticket holders £3.50, this is the best value for money around. My son Tom and I watched them play Gresley in the FA Cup and there were nine goals, four sending offs and a penalty – you can't beat that for value for money! I prefer to pay the small cost to watch another local team – rather than watching a Premier League game on TV. One advantage of watching Grimsby and now Cleethorpes, is that lower league football is more family-friendly and players interact with the fans. Top-level football may be better value for money based on the quality of players on show, but it is too corporate and the real fans are shut out too much now. At the end of the day, I have supported Town for 35 years, and they will always come first before any other team, and the England national team. Even if I don't agree with the prices, I will pay whatever the cost to support my club, as I understand at this level more money is required to run the club during the season, and pay the players wages. We buy a season ticket and get a programme every game so I feel that we contribute, and that could allow some cash to become available to improve the squad when necessary, or just keep the club in business. If we could get promoted back to the league then there would be more teams closer geographically, which means more away support for Town – and more away fans at Blundell Park equals better atmosphere plus more money!"

Andy Cook, 28, Grimsby: "Over the course of a season, I would say I attend between 12 and 15 games, with around three of those being away games. With travel costs and the ticket price, it makes going to away games regularly close to unaffordable and hard to justify with the costs of living and looking after a family. Ticket prices at Town don't seem to have increased over the past few years, but neither can I remember them being reduced as we have fallen through the leagues and face less well-known opposition. I wouldn't say ticket prices at Town's level are particularly good value for money. With regard to the cost of an adult ticket, for less than £10 more you could get in to see some Premier League and Championship teams – obviously playing considerably better quality football, in state-of-the-art stadia. So prices don't really seem to reflect the standards of facilities and football. Fairly soon my son will be old enough to go to his first Town game. To take him and my wife as a family would cost £40-£50 which is around the cost of a weekly shop and so hard to justify on a regular basis. In fairness to GTFC, the 'kids go free' offers from time to time will help with this and I will make the most of them."

Karen Ward, Grimsby: "I go to the vast majority of Grimsby Town home games on a Saturday and try to attend as many of the Tuesday night home games as I can. I do enjoy going to away games when I can, but this can prove to be quite expensive depending on how far I have to travel with the majority of the teams in this league being based in the south. I don't personally think ticket prices at Town's level are value for money for the standard of football and standard of the opposition. However, I am a Grimsby Town fan and I enjoy my days out on away days so will always try and find the money to go as often as I can."

Stuart Ridley, 74: "I've supported Town for most of my life and travelled to most away games during that time, on or off. I went to Torquay on the supporters' coach at the weekend, leaving Grimsby at 5.30am. I don't find the cost of watching Town too expensive – it's no problem. I'm a pensioner and I only pay £10 at Blundell Park, while the away trips with the Supporters' Club are well-priced – I couldn't do it on my own in a car. We couldn't have gone much further to watch Town than we did on Saturday but it was a good day out and fair price. In the Premier League, it does seem very expensive – I wouldn't afford to be able to watch it week-in week-out, that's for sure, but at Town's level, it seems fair. Town make an effort to make it affordable for older supporters like myself and you can see that."

Terry Hall, 62, Grimsby: "I go to every Town game home and away throughout the season. I run the away supporters' coach and those who travelled to Torquay at the weekend paid £33 each plus their match admission. I think the ticket prices throughout the league are very similar to last season and they don't seem to have gone up much at all. I think the ticket prices at this level are about right and are realistic. Our season tickets are quite good value, especially when compared to some other clubs across the country."

Aaron Rattray, 21, Grimsby: "I went down to Torquay on the supporters' coach. I would estimate the trip cost me between £60-70 to travel down and watch the game. I go to around 15 or 16 away games over the course of a season, in addition to all the home games. I think ticket prices overall in this league are fairly well-priced in terms of value for money. I personally think the away games are more value for money as you get to sample a better atmosphere and it's a day out."

GRIMSBY Town are set to welcome back Craig Clay and Jon-Paul Pittman from injury for Saturday's FA Cup clash with Guiseley.

Clay was forced to sit out last weekend's 3-2 victory over Torquay while Pittman has been out of action since tearing his hamstring in September's clash with the Gulls at Blundell Park.

Both are in line to play some part against the Lions in Saturday's Fourth Qualifying Round tie.

See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for more team news and the thoughts of boss Paul Hurst ahead of the game.

PAUL Hurst would love to bring Danny Parslow back to Grimsby Town in the future.

The York City man was recalled from his month-long loan spell at Blundell Park this week, having impressed in his seven appearances for the Mariners.

The Welshman was an unused sub in the Minstermen's 1-1 draw with Morecambe on Tuesday evening - Russ Wilcox's first game in charge as manager.

And Hurst says he's made clear his intentions about Parslow during a discussion with the former Scunthorpe United boss.

He said: "I've spoken to Russ Wilcox about Danny, and he knows where I am if the situation changes."

GRIMSBY Town sacked Alan Buckley too soon in 2008 – according to former Mariner Danny Boshell.

Boshell returns to Blundell Park tomorrow with Conference North side Guiseley, five years after leaving the club.

The midfielder made more than 100 appearances for Town during his four seasons in Cleethorpes, and was a key part of the side during Buckley's third stint as manager.

"I was there for three-and-a-half seasons and really enjoyed the first couple of years," the 33-year-old remarked.

"Graham Rodger took me there and when he left, Alan Buckley came in. With Alan there and Stu Watkiss as his assistant, I really enjoyed it.

"We got to Wembley in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy and we had a good team with a good team spirit.

"They got rid of Buckley too early the next season in my opinion. They should have given him a bit longer because we had a lot of injuries a the start of that season.

"It went a bit downhill after the change of manager but that happens in football and you just have to get on with it.

"Mike Newell came in and tried to make a few changes and maybe he went a bit too early as well, before Neil Woods took over.

"I didn't play too much in my last season, so the time was right to move on. There were six or seven of us who weren't playing and needed to move on.

"Even after I left, though, it was still bitterly disappointing to see Grimsby go down. Everyone says it, but they're too big to be in the Conference, without a shadow of a doubt.

"They've got a cracking fan base and if you're doing well they'll get behind the team like you wouldn't believe.

"It's a good club and there are some great people there."