A Victoria Cross awarded to Louth-educated Thomas Watson has been sold for over £300,000 at auction and will now be displayed at the Imperial War Museum.

The medal, the highest military decoration in much of the Commonwealth, was awarded in 1897 to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Watson - who was praised by Sir Winston Churchill.

The medal was put up for auction on December 11 by Lieutenant Colonel Watson's descendants and was bought on behalf of billionaire Lord Ashcroft for £312,000 - well above the expected £180,000.

Lord Ashcroft, in a statement to The Telegraph, said: "In my opinion it is one of the finest Victoria Crosses of the Victorian era."

The medal will go on display at the Imperial War Museum's Lord Ashcroft Gallery, alongside other items bought by Mr Ashcroft.

Will Bennett, of coins and medals specialists Dix Noonan Webb, said: "This was a very strong price. It's not a world record price for a Victoria Cross but they mostly go for £200-250,000.

"Perhaps a Second World War Victoria Cross might go for more, I would call this a very strong price though.

"It helped that Winston Churchill has praised his valour."

Cleethorpes Leisure Centre has reopened after maintenance works, operators have confirmed.

The centre was shut for five days for electrical works in order for the site to meet new EU regulations.

It reopened on Saturday, operators Lincs Inspire said.

The works were carried out by Gelder Construction on behalf of North East Lincolnshire Council and included the replacement of outdated air conditioning equipment.

TONIGHT sees the fourth and final episode of Channel 4's Skint, featuring Grimsby.

As always, we will be providing live coverage throughout the show, sharing your thoughts and opinions on the series, the issues raised in it and the overall impression it gives of our town.

As with the last three weeks, we will be inviting members of the community to join our reporters as we watch the show, to give their views.

Log on from 9pm join the debate using the Cover It Live console below.

Don't miss tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for full coverage of the programme.

Live Blog Skint in Grimsby: Episode 4 - Live web discussion

Police are appealing for witnesses to a collision on in Grimsby, which caused significant damage to a taxi.

The incident happened onYarborough Road, close to the junction with Toothill Road, at around 2am on Saturday.

A silver coloured Ford Mondeo taxi was being driven along Yarborough Road when a parked blue car allegedly pulled out into the road causing it to collide with the taxi.

The blue car then drove off.

Anyone who witnessed the collision has been urged to call Humberside Police on 101, quoting log 70 of December 30.

GRIMSBY Town's Disabled Supporters' Club got an early Christmas present when the full squad paid a visit to their festive party.

All the players, boss Paul Hurst and assistant Chris Doig were all in attendance at the event, which was held at the Lucarly's club in Humberston.

The visit was one of a number of appearances the Mariners squad has made in the local area in the run-up to Christmas.

Speaking to the Telegraph, Hurst said: "Myself and the players have been to the children's ward, and the Supporters Club's Christmas party, and it has been fantastic for us to get out into the community.

"I have to say, the amount of work that community work that is done at this club is fantastic.

"The lads are out doing a lot of work in the local area, whether it's visiting schools, helping out at soccer camps or visiting fans like we have this week and it's great.

"The players and us staff certainly do have that connection and feeling for the area and it's a great link to have."

THE following people have been sentenced by Grimsby magistrates:

Scott Duffield, 25, of Crescent Street, Grimsby, admitted using threatening behaviour on June 9, 2014. She was given a restraining order until December 7, 2016, ordered to carry out 70 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay a £60 victims' surcharge.

Tyron Hardy, 18, of Winchester Avenue, Grimsby, admitted breaching a restraining order on November 11, 2014, twice on November 12, 2014, and on November 13, 2014. He was given a 12-month community order to carry out 120 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay a £60 victims' surcharge.

Valdemaras Danisas, 32, of Tees Court, Grimsby, was found guilty of assault by beating on September 22, 2014. He was given a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victims' surcharge.

Liam Grayson, 24, of Matlock Drive, Grimsby, admitted driving while disqualified with no insurance and without due care and attention in Queensway on January 12, 2014. His licence was endorsed with six penalty points, and he was fined £880 and ordered to pay a £39 victims' surcharge.

Trevor Daines, 32, of Rutland Street, Grimsby, admitted stealing cans of deodorant, valued at £19.95, belonging to Ron Ramsdens on November 30, 2014. He was committed to prison for eight weeks forthwith and ordered to pay a £80 victims' surcharge.

Gordon Rutland, 49, of Rutland Street, Grimsby, admitted stealing candles, valued at £79.96, belonging to House Of Fraser and failing to provide a non-intimate sample to ascertain the presence of a Class A drug on December 9, 2014, while subject of a community order made by Grimsby and Cleethorpes Magistrates' Court on April 8, 2014. Original offences: stealing chocolate, valued at £36, belonging to Poundworld on March 5, 2014; stealing chocolate, valued at £98.57, belonging to McColl's on February 5, 2014, and failing to surrender to custody at Grimsby and Cleethorpes Magistrates' Court on March 26, 2014. He was given a 12-month community order to have treatment for drug dependency at Foundations Queen Street, fined £25 and ordered to pay a £60 victims' surcharge.

Simon Hughes, 45 of Isaac's Hill, Cleethorpes, admitted failing to comply with a suspended sentence made by Grimsby and Cleethorpes Magistrates' Court on August 22, 2014. He was committed to prison for eight weeks, suspended for 13 months, to be under curfew for 10 weeks to end February 18, 2015, and ordered to pay £40 costs.

THREE people have been arrested in connection with raids on two newsagents which saw thieves escape with an estimated £22,000 of tobacco and £5,000 of Lottery scratch cards.

The arrests came after Humberside Police raided a home in Manchester Street, Cleethorpes, as part of on-going enquiries into the thefts, which took place in November.

The first saw two people force their way into the Today's Local newsagents in Grimsby's Hainton Avenue at 5am on Sunday, November 9, escaping with tobacco products valued at an estimated £4,000.

Just over two weeks later, the premises were targeted again.

Again, two men forced their way in, this time between 3.45am and 5.15am, on Friday, November 21, making off with an estimated £16,000 worth of tobacco products.

The owners of the store declined to comment. Nine days later, two people forced entry into C R Stores convenience store in Barton's Caistor Road.

The break-in happened between 9pm on Sunday, November 30, and 6.50am on Monday, December 1, and saw an estimated £2,000 of tobacco products and £5,000 worth lottery scratch cards stolen.

Co-owner Sally Woodbridge said: "It's not just the break-in itself. It's picking up the pieces.

"You don't expect it to happen to you and when you do it's a shock.

"The shop was such a mess. There was mud all over, beer cans had been burst and it had been trampled through everywhere."

She added she was grateful none of her staff had been on the premises at the time of the break-in.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said three people had been arrested in connection with the break-ins when officers visited the Manchester Street address.

Two men, aged 36 and 39, were arrested on suspicion of theft, three counts of burglary other than dwelling and handling stolen goods.

A 42-year-old woman was also arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.

All three have since been released on bail to a date in January 2015, pending further enquiries.

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.

PLANS are being progressed to bring two new food outlets to Meridian Park in Cleethorpes.

Landowner Maltgrade Ltd has applied for planning permission to erect the two units, including drive thru lanes, close to the existing KFC and McDonald's restaurants.

According to a design and access statement submitted by CDC Architecture, the application is a resubmission of a previous application which was approved back in 2009.

The statement adds: "Since that time the units have continued to be marketed to potential operators and we are now pleased to advise that negotiations have reached an advanced stage with a number of operators.

"Therefore, a decision has been made to continue with the development to provide two hot/cold food units.

"However, the units have had to be redesigned in order to comply with the operators' strict specifications and operational requirements.

"That said, we have been able to successfully negotiate for the units to be purpose designed for Meridian Point and not copies of their 'standard design' units."

CDC says the design of the units has been inspired by art deco-styled seaside buildings.

It lists possible uses for the units as restaurant, coffee shop or ice cream parlour.

Advisory group to look at scheme

A LICENSING scheme for private landlords could be introduced in North East Lincolnshire.

The council is to set up an advisory group to explore the idea, following a vote at this week's full council meeting.

Councillors gave their unanimous backing to a proposal, which was put forward in a motion submitted by Ukip group leader Councillor Ron Shepherd and his colleague Councillor John Stockton. Mr Shepherd said a licensing scheme would ensure a set of minimum professional standards applied to privately rented homes in the borough.

He added that it would ensure properties were well maintained and that landlords put in place arrangements for dealing with antisocial behaviour in their properties.

RESIDENTS have reacted angrily to the news that the town's "crazy paving" is to be replaced.

As reported yesterday, parts of Grimsby's town centre improvement road works are to be re-laid following concerns raised by residents, businesses and transport users.

The areas to be replaced with a "more traditional" road surface are the raised table area in Bethlehem Street at the junction with Station Approach, and an area in Town Hall Street which had already been temporarily repaired.

Anne Heenan, of Westfield Road, Waltham, who was badly injured when she fell on the new paving in New Street earlier this year, said the paving scheme was destined to fail right from the start.

The 74-year-old was walking to the bus stop when she lost her footing and slipped on the kerb, which she said she failed to spot because of the new colour scheme.

She suffered a broken nose and severely bruised face in the incident, which she says has left her wary of going into town.

She said: "I still don't think they realise how bad I was and what it did to me – but it's happened to others as well.

"I've always said I think they should just get rid of it altogether, but they won't. I'm disgusted really with the whole thing.

"When things like this happen out of the blue, when I was having a lovely day in town with my family, it leaves a bad taste in the mouth and it really knocked the stuffing out of me.

"It's obviously an issue, but the money they spent on it is just phenomenal."

The move to re-lay parts of the paving, which was announced at the Full Council meeting on Tuesday, will apparently be at no cost to the authority and will involve re-laying some of the more heavily trafficked streets with a more traditional road surface material after the block paving that was used worked loose.

The block paving was laid as part of a £6-million major redevelopment of the town centre carried out by North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC) and its regeneration services partner Cofely. All works will be managed at no extra cost to the council under the existing contract for the town centre redevelopment.

Councillor Chris Shaw, leader of NELC, said despite expert advice and the best intentions of everyone involved, while in most streets the paving had performed well, in areas where traffic is heavy, some blocks had come loose.

"People have told us that while they've welcomed the overall scheme and the positive image it's given the town centre, they're concerned about some specific parts which are used by buses, lorries and other large vehicles,'' he said.

"As such, we've listened to them and instructed Cofely to re-lay the raised table area in Bethlehem Street at the junction with Station Approach, the affected area in Town Hall Street and also look at other sections where we have concerns. I'm pleased this will be done at no extra cost to the authority."

The resurfacing works have been scheduled for Spring. The council says this will allow them to review the effects of winter on the paving before beginning replacement activity.

Blocks removed as part of the works will be retained for use in future town centre improvements.

Councillor David Watson, cabinet member for environment, added: "The town centre improvement works have generated an enormous amount of support and confidence from the business community and was one of the catalysts behind announcements earlier this year of a major office development and the owners of Freshney Place revealing they intend to expand the shopping centre with a £12-million cinema and restaurant complex.

"I think this decision shows we're a listening council who act on issues raised by our residents and businesses and work in partnership with them to make the best of our town centre."

Marcus Asquith, head of highways and transport at Cofely, said: "We've investigated why the blocks have come loose in some areas and not others but it isn't clear why this is happening.

"We want this to be an ambitious and attractive scheme for the town and the mix of materials we used hasn't been used elsewhere. We've spoken to the contractor and the manufacturer to find a solution and decided that the best course of action is to resurface the areas affected."

Dave Atkin, chairman of the North East Lincolnshire Hackney Carriage Association, said earlier this year that the constant repair works had cost the group's members hundreds of pounds in lost earnings

He said: "Taxi drivers are extremely disappointed that there will be further disruption to traffic.

"The council have got it wrong so many times. When will they learn?"

The council has confirmed that £4.3m of the overall £6million came from the Dept for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF) and the council provided £850,000 – which covers the vast majority of it.

For more information about the redevelopment of Grimsby town centre, visit www.heartofgrimsby.co.uk.

THE COUNCIL ANSWERS OUR QUESTIONS

Can we get a complete breakdown of the £6m-plus costs of the top town redevelopment? 

• The £6m covers much more than the physical works. Projects which have received support include:
• Community led Wheels to Work Scheme helping people overcome transport barriers to employment 
• Promoting active travel to schools and workplaces through the Move More project Introduction of a Travel Voucher scheme to support the unemployed back to work. 
• Promoting online car sharing scheme Sustainable Travel Planning with local businesses 
• The individual aspects of the scheme are not costed separately as they were part of the overall contract, but included: 
• A complete overhaul of Riverhead Square with the relocation of the bus stops to allow for the future expansion of Freshney Place 
• A café, toilets and indoor waiting area with seating and information point with travel advice at Riverhead Exchange 
• Creation of a Cycle Hub at Grimsby railway station 
• Public realm improvements at Station Approach 
• Introduction of Real Time Travel Information - going live soon 

What came from grant funding and why we would we not have got that otherwise?

4.3m from the Local Sustainable Transport Fund (LSTF), £850,000 from NELC, £661,000 from the Local Transport Plan and remainder was partner contributions. 

What came from other private companies and who were they? 

£200,000 (some of this was in-kind support) from partners in the project, including Freshney Place, Dial-a-Ride, Stagecoach bus company, First Transpennine Express, Barton to Cleethorpes Rail, the Cycle Hub.

How much of that whole pot was spent on the paving?

The individual aspects of the scheme are not costed separately as they were part of the overall contract. All works will be managed at no extra cost to the council under the existing contract for the town centre redevelopment. The improvements we have made across the town centre have already instilled confidence in the business community and our efforts are already bearing significant fruit. Recent announcements and developments include: 

• Freshney Place £12-million leisure complex including cinema and restaurants 
• Stagecoach investing £4-million in 28 new buses 
• Cartergate £5-million office and retail development 
• Holiday Inn Express hotel being built in Wellowgate creating 40 new jobs

WHOEVER wins between Grimsby Town and Gateshead will go through as one of the hot favourites to lift the FA Trophy in March.

That's according to boss Paul Hurst, who is once again looking to go all the way in this year's competition – one better than in 2013, when the Mariners lost in the final to Wrexham.

Current conference leaders Barnet lost their replay with Concord Rangers 6-2 – after fielding a youthful team – while in-form Macclesfield and Bristol Rovers are already out having lost their First Round ties.

While those high-profile drop-outs may have made Town's potential road to Wembley that bit clearer, Hurst is taking nothing for granted after being drawn against the Heed in the Second Round on January 10.

However, after overcoming Luton in the quarter-finals in their run to the 2013 final, Hurst knows that victory over Gary Mills' men would leave them well placed for another charge on the capital.

"It's going to be a tough tie," he told the Telegraph.

"We had a great result up there earlier in the season, but they did us in the play-offs.

"At this moment in time with the league position, they are a bit lower then they want to be, but realistically there is nothing in the league – they are still very much one of the contenders.

"A win gets you through, and then you are a step closer to where you want to be.

"Whoever goes out, it would be another good team out of the competition – from our point of view we hope that's Gateshead.

"But whoever goes through, will be one of the favourites to win the competition.

"I can remember when we got to the final, and we had drawn Luton at one stage. We managed to get a good victory then and that gave us the momentum to get to Wembley.

"With the law of averages you expect tough games," added Hurst, who is searching for his first piece of silverware as a sole manager.

"You are extremely lucky if you get to a semi- final or final having been the favourites in every single game.

"I'm not saying we might not be favourites, but we're maybe not clear favourites.

"It adds to our schedule of tough games that we have coming up. We have got Forest Green, who are on a good run, Macclesfield and then Lincoln in league, followed by Macclesfield again, Gateshead in the Trophy and then Barnet – easy!"

WITH the opening of the transfer window just over two weeks away, Grimsby Town boss Paul Hurst admits he's already thinking about potential new recruits.

The Mariners chief says that he 'has his eye' on a number of targets, ahead of the window reopening for a month on January 1.

But, as ever, he's adamant that if he does decide to make a New Year swoop, it won't be done in desperation.

"I am certainly looking – and will see what January brings," he told the Telegraph.

"But as we have found out before, sometimes, these things happen easily and sometimes they are a little more difficult.

"I think you always have your eye on targets, whether you're nearing the opening of the window or not.

"We are now a couple of weeks away from when we are at that point when we're able to bring people in.

"Our schedule allows us to bring someone as January begins, but unless we are desperate on the injury front then we probably won't do it that early.

"There is a little period after that game in New Year's Day where we can put a few calls in, so we can find out about one or two situations – we can see what some player's thoughts are.

"But the reality is, again, that we won't be doing anything in desperation. We are not forced to need anyone straight away, depending on how we have done."

Hurst also revealed that former Accrington midfielder Danny Ventre, who featured in a second-string friendly at Boston, is no longer training with the club.

He added: "Nothing is happening on that one for the time being – it's a difficult time in terms of training and games.

"With amount of training we are going to be doing in the next few weeks, I'm not sure it's the best time to get started.

"I know where he is, and I know how he played in that game. I think we are looking at January before we get any new players.

CLEETHORPES Air Show will not go ahead next year – but North East Lincolnshire Council's leader has vowed to bring an airshow of some kind to the resort. The huge two-day event, which this year drew in 200,000 visitors, is a massive boost to the local economy, totalling an estimated £7.5-million. Business owners in Cleethorpes reported the air show weekend – the biggest event in the resort's calendar – as their busiest. But the team behind the show that has brought the likes of the Red Arrows and the Red Devils parachute display team to the area, providing a free weekend packed with entertainment for locals and visitors alike, says a 2015 show is just not financially viable. However, North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw has vowed to the Grimsby Telegraph an airshow event of some kind will still take place. He said the council had been approached by a number of parties interested in running such an event. Andy Almond-Bell, part of the Air Show team, said: "After three very challenging years, it comes with great regret that we are not in a position to bring the air show back to North East Lincolnshire in 2015. "Our small team of very dedicated volunteers has pushed as hard as possible, leaving no stones unturned, in our efforts to secure the significant funding required to lay on an event of this size and then further develop it year-on-year to bring more visitors to the area. However, it is sadly evident that we simply cannot deliver an event of this type in North East Lincolnshire moving forward. "We would like to sincerely thank our partners and sponsors for getting on board what was nothing more than a very ambitious concept three years ago, as we would never have been able to deliver such a large event without their stalwart help and financial support. "We remain pleased to have been part of a dedicated team of volunteers that has delivered an event of such magnitude, the likes that the resort has never seen before, to in excess of a quarter of a million visitors over the event weekend, bringing in over £7.5 million to the local economy. "It is a great shame for the area and will no doubt leave a significant gap in the 2015 events calendar but wWe are continuing to look at other opportunities to further develop our air show model so would not rule out working with other Local Authorities in the future should there be a desire to host such an accessible, exciting and prestigious event somewhere else on the East Coast." Council leader Mr Shaw said: "Naturally I'm very sorry to hear this news. that the local organisers of the Air Show aren't able to run the event again next year. "We have got other people who have asked if they can do an air show, so now we will speak to them. It might not be on the same weekend but there will be some form of air show or display in Cleethorpes next year." "We wanted to give the local organisers the chance to come back first. They have dedicated three years of their lives to it and no one is sadder than me that it is not going to happen." Mr Shaw insisted the local authority had done all it could to support the event, including not charging for the use of the promenade and car parks. Asked about the suggestion the organisers would take their event somewhere else on the east coast, he said: "I think every local authority will give them the same message. We don't have the money to spend putting on air shows." He suggested local businesses who benefited from the influx of the visitors could have done more to support the event. "If there had been a better partnership approach from businesses then we could still have had the Air Show in 2015." Andy McCluskey, owner of the Kingsway Kiosk in Cleethorpes, described the news as a "massive shame" and said the resort would miss out on the extra footfall from the also cancelled Waddington Air Show. He said: "It's a massive disappointment for the resort. I hadn't heard anything particularly in terms of rumours. "It's just a massive shame because it put Cleethorpes on the map." With the cancellation of Waddington next year it could have been bigger and better, so I'm shocked. "It was good for businesses, everyone from the petrol stations to the paper shops. If you sold anything you would benefit. "It's been the biggest event in Cleethorpes since I've been here and it was phenomenal value because it was such a big thing. He added: "It's a real disappointment for everybody, not just the businesses, because it was so good for Cleethorpes. "I'm just gutted. It put Cleethorpes head and shoulders above the other resorts." Kim Wood, owner of Ginnie's Guest House in Queen's Parade, said: "It's very disappointing. but I had heard rumours that it would be going to Hull. "It's a funny one because we're busy in July regardless but now there's a Premier Inn that would have been able to put the extra visitors up. "It's a little bit short sighted because it will affect all the food outlets and other businesses." "We enjoyed it on a personal level because we took the grandchildren each year." A spokeman for Cristal, which has previously provided financial support for the event, added: "We are really disappointed. that the airshow will not be going ahead in Cleethorpes next year – It has been a fantastic event that Cristal have been very proud to be part of and support over the past two years." it was one of the very few airshows that was free to attend which made it accessible to every member of our local community and of course brought significant income to the area from the hundreds of thousands of visitors, so it's a real shame that it won't be continuing.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of causing death by careless driving after a teenage student died on the Lincolnshire coast. 

The incident happened at 7am on Wednesday, December 17, on the A158 near the Southview Leisure Park on Burgh Road, Skegness.

A 16-year-old girl, named locally as Jess Dunning, died at the scene and police said she may have been in collision with more than one vehicle.

Her family have been informed.

A 53-year-old man from Spilsby was arrested, interviewed and released on police bail.

Anyone who witnessed the incident should call Lincolnshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 50 of December 17. Alternatively call the collision witness hotline on 01522 558855.

*HIGH* #TraffcAlert accident A1077 Barrow/Barton Rd single vehicle close to the roadworks - road partially blocked but traffic building up

— Sgt James Main (@SgtJamesMain) December 18, 2014

MEDIUM #TrafficAlert rain over night has made the roads wet & slippery - drive carefully

— Sgt James Main (@SgtJamesMain) December 18, 2014

Humberside Police are continuing their search for a teenage girl who jumped off the Humber Bridge this morning.

As reported, the Coastguard called off its search earlier today.

Police said the girl, thought to be 16, was on the South Bank end of the bridge and said she was threatening to harm herself just after 8.50am today. 

A spokeswoman for Humberside Police said: "Police were called at 8.52am with concern for the safety for a 16-year-old girl who was threatening to harm herself at the Humber Bridge.

"Police resources were deployed to the bridge where the girl was the wrong side of the railings, before leaving the bridge into the water below."

A search and rescue helicopter and boat have spent the morning combing the river with police vans on the south side of the bridge.

The Coastguard told the Grimsby Telegraph that that search had been called off and that Humberside Police would be making further updates.

Keep checking back for updates.

North East Lincolnshire residents are being urged to be wary of cold callers offering to carry out work on their homes.

The warning comes after reports of a man calling at a home in the Grimsby area offering roofing repair and felting services.

He had no identification or calling card for his business and was reluctant to give the householder any further information other than offering repair work.

People are reminded of the additional protection which came in to force in June that gives consumers a 14-day cooling off period for contracts signed away from business premises, providing the customer does not sign a waiver to these rights.

Councillor Hazel Chase, North East Lincolnshire Council's portfolio holder for safer and stronger communities, said: "If you've not requested a trader to call then always be wary of anyone who arrives uninvited at your home offering to sell you something, they're usually just out to rip you off.

"This recent complaint goes to show that doorstep scammers are active in our borough and we need to guard against them, no matter how genuine they might appear.

"On this occasion it was roofing work, but door step callers might offer to do anything from tree surgery to block paving and gardening to guttering. It's a scam that rears it's ugly head time and again, but unfortunately people keep being taken in. "

People who are concerned about rogue traders operating in their area should contact trading standards via the Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 or online at www.adviceguide.org.uk.