A FURIOUS woman smashed windows at an amusement arcade after losing her temper and getting upset about an earlier confrontation with staff, Grimsby magistrates heard.

Tara Conway, 28, of Alexandra Road, Grimsby, admitted damaging windows, belonging to R & J Leisure Arcades on November 30 and December 3.

She asked for an offence of damaging a window at Cleethorpes Library on November 30 to be considered.

Brendan Woodward, prosecuting, said Conway threw stones or a rock at the windows of the arcade in Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes, shattering glass. She was later detained by police.

She claimed she was given some "gob" by arcade staff and went into a "rage". She believed she had been barred for no good reason.

Jade Taylor, mitigating, said Conway lost her temper after anger built up inside her, but she had shown remorse.

She claimed she was not part of a group of youths causing problems at the arcade previously but staff believed she was with them and asked her to leave.

Words were exchanged on the second occasion and she again lost her temper.

The damage to the library window happened because she still had a rock with her.

Sentence was adjourned until January 6, when Conway faces separate charges of assaulting police and using threatening behaviour.

More court news at www.grimsbytelegraph .co.uk

AN 11-YEAR-OLD schoolgirl has told a murder trial jury how she saw a man wearing a blue builder's hat in the area close to the victim's home on the morning of the killing.

The girl, who gave her evidence in a pre-recorded DVD interview, said that she saw the man as she walked along Sincil Bank on her way to school on the morning of June 17.

She said: "He was looking towards where the houses are and the football ground.

"He was looking in the river a lot."

The girl said she believed she had seen the same man in the area on the previous day when she was walking home from school, but she said: "I'm not sure it was the same man. I think it was."

She said she saw the man "out of the corner of my eye" and she did not see him with a cycle.

"It was not a bike helmet. It was definitely a builder's one.

"He was white but tanned. Not really tanned but a tannish colour."

The prosecution say that the defendant, Wai Hong Tsang, of Scartho, cycled along Sincil Bank to his ex-wife's Mingzi Yang's home before killing her.

Tsang, an oil refinery worker, is alleged to have worn a blue builder's hat as he cycled along.

But the 33-year-old denies he was the cyclist who was filmed by CCTV cameras riding towards the property from the western outskirts of Lincoln.

The defence say he has been wrongly identified as the killer and have suggested "many" other people could have carried out the murder.

Ms Yang was found battered to death in her own home by her partner Darren Grundy who went to check on her after she failed to answer his calls to her mobile phone.

Wai Hong Tsang, 33, of Bluebell Road, Scartho, Grimsby, denies the murder of Mingzi Yang on June 17 this year.

The trial continues.

Following the tragic death of Humberside Police Detective Sergeant Andy Stones, his family has thanked the community for its support. Here, in their words, they say thank you to those who have helped them through their grief.

ON THE 6th December 2014, we suffered a tragic loss when a dear and beloved member of our family, Andy Stones, took his own life.

He was just 42 years old, a father-of-one, and a well-respected Detective Sergeant with Humberside Police. His death was utterly unexpected, and has left us deeply saddened and in a state of shock. But the support we have received in the aftermath has been incredible, and we wish to publicly express our thanks to everyone involved in helping us to deal with the fallout from his death.

The funeral was held on 23rd December at Grimsby crematorium, an event that you respectfully reported in the Grimsby Telegraph on 24th December. The day was, as funerals are, an absolute mix of emotions: deep pain and sadness at the loss of someone so close and dear, mixed with pride and joy for a man who gave so much to others – family, friends, and the wider community. The funeral directors, Sentiments, ensured the day ran like clockwork. The Reverend Alan Hundleby, a close personal friend of Andy's, led a moving service. And there were wonderful personal tributes from the chief constable of Humberside Police, Justine Curran, and from Detective Chief Superintendent Phil Walter.

But we wish to reserve particular praise and gratitude for Andy's direct colleagues and the wider Humberside Police force.

People can be quick to criticise the police. A media obsessed with knocking people down is quick to jump on high-profile mistakes and taint our view of the service that they provide. But don't allow yourself to generalise based on what the national press tells you. What we saw on that day was a group of men and women with absolute humanity at their core, who are motivated by the drive to help people and build communities by doing the incredibly difficult job that they do. They're certainly not in it for the money, and they deserve all of our support.

Around 200 police officers turned out to pay their respects – in their own time – for their fallen comrade, and police motorbikes and horses led the funeral cortege. It truly was a splendid sight, and it made our hearts swell with pride. This showed that we can still rally as a society, and show strength as a community. Most people are not fortunate enough to get such special treatment when saying farewell to a close relative or friend. But it was a fitting tribute to a man who put his heart and soul into the police force for almost 20 years. We will forever be grateful for the amazing send-off and for the solidarity and compassion that was shown in doing so. We felt that the police carried us through that day. We felt we were standing on the shoulders of giants.

Later in the day, we met up with many of Andy's former colleagues and shared stories and tributes to Andy, pictured. Many drinks flowed, as did many tears. And as guards were dropped, we got an increasing insight into life in the force and the feelings within the team. It was clear that they were feeling the pain as much as we were – it was as though they too had lost a member of their own "family", in the band of brothers and sisters that is Humberside Police. The profession is currently taking a battering as a result of the ongoing deep cuts in government spending. Morale in the force is declining, as it is across the wider public sector, and this was very sad to see. We hope things change for the better soon. We must get behind them, just as they are there for all of us in our times of greatest need.

And the support keeps coming. The horses that led the guard of honour into the crematorium were brought over from South Yorkshire, and Andy's nine-year-old daughter, Isabella, has been invited over to Barnsley to see them at work. The police showed us that they're not just there to catch the criminals – they're there to help victims to deal with injustices that are imposed upon them, too.

We thank everyone from the bottom of our hearts for carrying us while we've been too numb to deal with the fallout from the tragedy that has hit our family.

We have been left with very special memories of the day, and of the fantastic institution that is the police force, which deserves all of our support.

The Stones family, Holton-le-Clay, Waltham, York

ON THE WEB: Pay your own tribute to Detective Sergeant Stones at www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

THE first-half of the season has already been packed with highs and lows for Grimsby Town, but how much of it do you remember? As we prepare to ring in 2015, test your knowledge with our Mariners Quiz of the Year. It's just for fun, but be sure to show off your knowledge by tweeting your score to @GrimsbySport with the hashtag #gtfcquiz. Good luck!

1 – NEW FACES

A: Which of Grimsby Town's summer signings can count Everton and TDCS Dong Thap among his former clubs?

B: Town is the seventh club that Jon-Paul Pittman has played for during his career, but at which Premier League outfit did he start out?

C: At which club was midfielder Craig Clay named as the 2008/09 Young Player of the Year?

D: Which of the Mariners' new faces made seven appearances for England Under-19s, scoring two goals?

2 – STAT ATTACK

A: Which Mariner has committed the most fouls this season?

B: Which Town player currently has the best shots/goal ratio?

C: Who has the most assists to his name this season?

D: Barring James McKeown, who has made the most appearances – in all competitions – for Town so far this season?

3 – AWAY DAYS

A: Who scored the fifth goal in Town's 6-1 rout at Gateshead back in August?

B: Which player was sent-off after only 35 minutes of the Mariners' 2-1 defeat at Aldershot in the same month?

C: Four players made their Grimsby Town debuts in the season curtain-raiser at Bristol Rovers. Can you name them?

D: Which loanee scored the Mariners' winning goal in their 1-0 victory over Kidderminster Harriers at Aggborough?

4 – HIDDEN PASTS

A: Which member of the Town squad signed for Indonesian Super League side Pelita Jaya in 2011?

B: Which fans' favourite has the middle names Ronald Joseph?

C: Which defender was once reportedly dubbed as 'the new Richard Rufus' (right)?

D: Which current player (above) signed for Hyde United after an unsuccessful trial with the Mariners in the summer of 2009?

5 – CONFERENCE CALL

A: Barnet top-scorer John Akinde joined the Bees on a free-transfer after leaving which club?

B: James Constable (left) is currently Eastleigh's top scorer, but for which club did he bag 106 goals in 280 overall?

C: Which team currently has had the most shots off target so far this season in the Conference?

D: Gateshead have four former Mariners in their current squad. Can you name them?

ANTI DOG fouling signs are being deployed across North East Lincolnshire to remind pet owners to clean up after their animals.

The council says the signs, which warn of a maximum fine of £1,000 for anyone caught, will deter irresponsible owners from letting their dogs foul.

The mobile triangular yellow signs are to be put up in hot spot areas which are particularly plagued by the problem.

They warn that an "anti dog fouling operation" is in progress and ask members of the public to pick up after their dog.

The signs are being introduced as part of the Poo-lution campaign, a joint initiative by North East Lincolnshire Council and the Grimsby Telegraph to rid the borough's streets of dog dirt.

As reported, the council has adopted a zero-tolerance approach to dog fouling in a bid to tackle the problem, with fixed penalty notices of £50 being issued to culprits who fail to clean up after their dog.

And it is using our interactive Poo-lution map, which details dog fouling incidents reported to us by our readers, to target the hot spot areas most in need of cleaning and patrolling.

John Waite, deputy manager of waste enforcement at NELC, said enforcement officers will be carrying out more visible and "low-visibility" patrols in hot spot areas.

He added: "The signs will be deployed as a visual reminder to the irresponsible to pick up after their dog.

"They will make people more aware that we are out there and that we are watching."

Mr Waite said similar signs had been used by Thames Valley Police to deter burglaries and prostitution with excellent results.

He said: "The number of calls drops, but I don't think anybody has ever used them for dog fouling before."

Mr Waite said hot spots would be identified from calls from members of the public and from the amounts of dog mess collected by the Fido machine on its rounds.

"We get figures once a month and we can see areas that have the most hits.

"My staff are going round all the wards.

"I want every street visited in a year.

"Hot spots will be visited more frequently – sometimes weekly."

Mr Waite also urged dog owners to dispose of dog mess properly after bagging it, rather than leaving the bag on the ground or throwing it in the trees.

He reminded people that dog mess can be deposited in general waste bins as well as the designated dog fouling bins.

FOR a Grimsby Institute student the vision of a new stadium for Grimsby Town has already become a reality.

Jay Navas has used his skills as a university design student to portray what it could look like.

He based the arches on the three fish shapes on the football club's emblem.

Jay said: "They are also fitting as they are, after all, The Mariners. It is also a good symbol for the town's heritage, too.

"I think it may bring about debate over the site and proposal of how the stadium may look and how it will symbolise the town as a whole.

"The building could also be used to stage fantastic community fireworks displays too, from the rising truss structure."

Jay also believes the community stadium will serve its people and could be used as a sports centre for young people with skate parks, BMX tracks and possible gymnasiums.

Jay added: "I have designed everything from logistical transport links to the interior of the buildings themselves.

"I have also looked at how visiting fans will traverse through the town first and possibly browse shops and stores, helping our economy.

"Bus services from the town centre to the stadium would be easily achievable. This makes it easier for visiting people to get to the stadium via train and then bus service.

"Given the option to travel via train and then bus service is not a logistical nightmare most people see."

The designer said the new stadium will alleviate traffic considerably and provide a 2,000-space car park.

He added: "In the long run it will bring much needed jobs to the area. Grimsby needs to elevate itself to the 21st century. Among other projects progressing with companies like Able UK and the proposal for renewable energies sector on the docks, it is a good thing for the town."

Club director John Fenty said he was impressed with the designs.

AMBASSADOR for Grimsby Town FC, Dave Boylen has put his weight behind the goal of a new stadium.

"Grimsby Town football club have made it known that they have chosen to build the new stadium at Peaks Parkway and hopefully are going to apply for a five-year lease

"Again I am sure that there will be a barrage of protests against the building of a new ground, but the club have said that they will listen to all objections and hopefully will be able to satisfy the questions that will be put to them.

"For me why has the council not been more helpful? For instance, Scunthorpe United built a new ground not long after I retired from Grimsby Town in 1977 and have now been given permission to build once again another ground and it seems with a lot of help from the right people.

"The application that Grimsby Town are forwarding is for a five- year lease for the Peaks Parkway site in order to progress a proper planning application to put forward to North East Lincolnshire Council.

"Also I do feel that if the council could just see what John Fenty and his fellow directors are trying to do. For instance a lot of investors are interested in backing the club with a new stadium, providing the football club is going in the right direction. At the moment, football wise, we are second in the conference league and hopefully we will get promoted this season.

Grimsby Town have been at Blundell Park for 115 years. As much as I will be sad to see Blundell Park go simply because of the great memories I have had there, I will be more than delighted to see a new ground take its place to continue our climb back to the higher leagues.

"The big fear of mine also is the possibility of the club going out of business if this application is once again turned down. I just hope that we do move on from here. It is vitally important to progress the decision of where the new football ground is going to be. I am not from Grimsby originally. Town gave me my first chance as a young professional in 1966. Manchester City was my home town football club. Even City have moved into a new stadium.

"It really is time a decision was made to move on."

ON THE WEB: Have your say on the proposal to build a new community stadium in Grimsby by logging on to www.grimsbytele graph.co.uk

A VOLUNTEER with Humberside police has clocked up more than 4,000 hours of service.

As a reward he received a British Empire Medal for his work with the force.

Vince Lobley, 80, received the accolade for serving the community of North East Lincolnshire after joining Humberside Police as a volunteer in 2007.

Described as a "true ambassador for Humberside Police" by the government's cabinet office, Mr Lobley's role included staffing the front office of satellite police stations, proofreading witness statements and supporting neighbourhood policing teams with community events and helped distribute crime prevention advice to visitors and officers during the launch of Immobilise – a computerised property recording system.

The 80-year-old said he was "so proud" to have been honoured by Queen and country.

He said: "It's amazing. It's a great honour because I'm doing something I love doing.

"I've known about it for a couple of months and couldn't say anything. I was scared I was going to let it slip."

SUPER swimmer Pete Winchester received the best tonic after undergoing open heart surgery last month – an MBE.

He eased up on his record-breaking swimming achievements earlier this year and was in and out of hospital between March and November.

Pete, 73, of Tetney Lane, Holton-le-Clay, said he thought it was a joke from one of his mates when he received a letter from The Cabinet Office announcing he had been awarded an MBE for his services to swimming and fundraising.

He had only been out of the Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital a couple of days when a letter arrived with the honour. It acknowledged his outstanding fundraising which has exceeded £150,000 for good causes including St Andrew's Hospice, the RNLI, Cleethorpes Lifeboat and the Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Pete, said: "It was a real pick-me-up. I was numb. At first I thought it was a joke by one of my mates."

He added: "It is not bad for a lad born and brought up in Hope Street in the East Marsh."

He added: "I thought it was all wrong what they said on Skint. There are some lovely people on the East Marsh. I have never seen anything of what they showed in the programme. There are a lot more positives."

His honour is an acknowledgement of fundraising the champion swimmer has achieved over 60 years.

Just one example was when he jumped in the River Humber at Hessle and swam to Grimsby Docks in aid of an appeal to buy an electric wheelchair for a young Grimsby man.

It was one of 70 crossings of the River Humber he achieved.

It is a swimming record which has never been beaten.

He has also run the Humber marathon seven times.

He also helped raise money for the church roof appeal on The Island of Hoy in Scotland by swimming between the island and the Island of Flotter. The Queen Mother gave Pete a wave when he reached shore in the fundraising swim in the early 1990s.

The retired ship's plumber and pipe fitter has also swum the length of Lake Windermere, taking seven hours and 45 minutes.

He also swam Lake Coniston for charity.

But the ultimate challenge of a swim across the English Channel in 1979 defeated Pete who suffered two slipped discs in his back during the swim.

He said he will celebrate his New Year's Honour with a plunge into the frozen Alexandra Dock at midnight tonight. He has not missed the event since he began it 54 years ago.

He also took part in the annual Christmas Day dip in the dock.

The hardy pensioner said it has been as cold as minus 6 degrees Centigrade when he has taken part in the Festive plunges.

Pete said: "The heart specialist said my recovery from surgery was amazing. It must be down to my fitness. I went for the treatment because I had a couple of blockages."

He has served as president of the local Amateur Swimming Association for 15 years.

FORMER Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Councillor Andrew De Freitas said he hesitated when he was awarded his MBE.

He said: "There were mixed emotions. I thought I should talk to my children first about whether I should accept it because I never go out of my way to seek these honours.

"I see what I do as my duty as a citizen and I wish more people would work for their communities. I felt honoured by it but also felt there are others who deserve it more than I."

The 69-year-old Liberal Democrat councillor for Park ward in Grimsby receives his honour for services to local government after more than 40 years as a councillor.

He said he was sad that his late mother Carolina, who passed away earlier this year, in Canada aged 101 years, was not alive to see him get the honour.

Councillor De Freitas said: "She would have been as proud as punch."

He served as Leader of the Council for six years.

Having emigrated to the UK from British Guyana when he was just 17 years old, he moved to Grimsby and immediately began his political career.

He was first elected in 1969 to represent The Humber ward on the former Great Grimsby Borough Council. He also served on Humberside County Council.

Councillor De Freitas said: "Back then it was tough. The standard of housing in the East Marsh was dreadful and we have still got those problems.

"The area was in rapid decline and there was no investment until the former MP Antony Crosland decided something had to be done and the area was included as a Housing Action Zone and we got grants to improve the properties.

"I have said in council before about the time I knocked on a door off Oxford Street in Grimsby when a woman answered and I thought it was the smell of gas. But it was the smell of damp throughout the house. It was appalling. Thank God we don't have any properties like that anymore. That was what started me in local government.

"Working with the Conservatives 10 years ago we turned the council around. It was a difficult period. We were successful in tackling the problems. People often forget that."

Councillor De Freitas said he will look forward to a celebration with his six children later in the year.

He said: "Doing what I did over the years meant I missed my children. I went missing when doing official duties or door knocking in campaigns and did not see them much."

Surinder Khurana is chairman of Communities Together in North East Lincolnshire and has played a key role in rebuilding harmony among groups affected by the bombing of the mosque on Weelsby Road, Grimsby.

He said he was "overjoyed and happy" to receive an MBE for bringing communities together.

He helps organise the Mela in Cleethorpes to promote cultural cohesion.

Mr Khurana said: "It is an appreciation of the work that we have achieved. I help in the training of Humberside Police officers in tackling racism issues."

Betty Marsh got a BEM medal for her 15 years of work fundraising for the Humberston Special School Hydrotherapy Pool, opened by Sophie, Countess of Wessex in 2006.

She is the wife of Brian Marsh, who spearheaded the campaign and was awarded the same title last year.

ON THE WEB: See the full list of this year's honours at www.grimsby telegraph.co.uk

THE year 2014 has been hailed as an outstanding one for honours in our area with ten people praised - most for their contribution to our community.

The New Year's Honours list, which last year largely ignored the work of countless local volunteers, has this year turned the spotlight on the good work carried out by so many.

Grimsby's champion fundraising swimmer, Pete Winchester, 73, will celebrate his MBE by diving into Alexandra Dock, Grimsby, at midnight tonight.

He has raised more than £150,000 for good causes and holds the title of the man who has swum across the River Humber the most times with a record 70 crossings.

Former leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Andrew De Freitas, pictured, 69, also received a MBE for his 40 years' service to local government.

Lord Lieutenant for Lincolnshire, Tony Worth has received a CBO.

After receiving a BEM in last year's New Year's Honours list, the chairman of Humberston Hydrotherapy Pool, Brian Marsh was first to congratulate his wife Betty on receiving her BEM medal in this year's list.

The couple have worked tirelessly since 1999 to get the pool built.

It was opened by the Countess of Wessex in 2006.

Vincent Lobley was awarded a BEM for his volunteer work with Humberside Police in North East Lincolnshire.

Bryony Simpson, of Market Rasen, received an MBE as the chairman of the Royal College Of Speech And Language Therapists.

Former top Humberside Police detective Geoff Ogden was honoured with an MBE for his 50-year service with the Force and setting up the High Sheriff's and Humberside Police Tribune Trust almost 11 years ago.

Surinder Khurana was honoured for his service to the community being a volunteer with Humberside Police and received an MBE.

Dr Kenneth David Jones, the holiday camps organiser with Derby Deaf Children's Society, which provides respite care for children with special needs and disabilities at homes along the Lincolnshire coast, has been honoured with an MBE.

Bafta-award-winning actor John Hurt, of Grimsby, has been knighted for his outstanding career as an actor.

His many roles have included Winston Smith in 1984, The Elephant Man, Alien and Mr Ollivander in Harry Potter.

SCOTT BROWN was as surprised as anyone to be left out of Grimsby Town's derby defeat – and he's determined to regain his place for the 2015 curtain-raiser against Macclesfield tomorrow.

The 29-year-old cut a frustrated figure on the sidelines as he was forced to watch Sunday's 3-1 loss to Lincoln City as an unused substitute.

But tomorrow's New Year's Day visit of Macclesfield gives the midfielder a chance to regain his place against a team he played a part in defeating less than a week ago.

And despite tasting victory at Moss Rose on Boxing Day, the Scouser didn't feel he nor the team did themselves justice – something he's aiming to put right tomorrow, given the chance.

Speaking to the Telegraph, he said: "After coming back from my injury earlier in the season, I thought I'd done enough in recent weeks to keep my place, but football is a funny old game and you've got to respect the gaffer's decision.

"It wasn't nice to be out of the team and I hate losing games anyway, but when I'm sat on the bench and not able to do anything about the way things are going, it does make it harder.

"To be fair, I thought Lincoln were the better team on the day and they deserved it, but with where we want to be at the end of the season, we can't afford to drop points like that.

"It's a team game, but I'm not going to pretend I wasn't disappointed not to be involved on a personal level. Hopefully, come tomorrow, I'll be back."

He added: "The manager keeps his cards close to his chest and we never know what the team is until we come in on the day.

"That's good because it keeps everyone on their toes and means that all the lads are prepared to play in every game, whenever they're called upon.

"It's worked for us so far and we've won more than we've lost this season and so I trust the gaffer to get it right for us and I'm still confident we'll be up where we want to be come the end of the season."

On tomorrow's visit of Macclesfield, who go into the clash on the back of a 4-0 hammering by Bristol Rovers, Brown added: "We know what they're are all about having only played against them only a few days ago.

"Even though we got the win, we didn't really do ourselves justice on Boxing Day – myself included.

"Getting the three points is the main thing, but we're also looking to show them – and everyone else – how good we really are.

"Of course, the Lincoln result was disappointing for everyone – especially the fans, but Macclesfield is a different game.

"I just think we need to get another run together and pick up some more points to keep in touch and we'll give ourselves a chance.

Three residents in a block of flats in Barton upon Humber managed to evacuate after a fire broke out in the early hours of this morning.

Humberside Fire and Rescue were called to an address on Market Lane, Barton upon Humber at around 02.10 am.

One adult male occupant of the flat suffered burns to his hands and slight smoke inhalation.

Two other occupants from the second floor flat managed to self evacuate and were uninjured. 

Officers also saved four pets from the block of flats.

Seven breathing apparatus, two hose reels, one main jet, three Thermal Image Cameras, PPV fan, short extension ladder, lighting and breaking in gear were all used.

Humberside Fire and Rescue said the incident has been left with the police.

HASBRO is under fire from parents who are outraged over a penis-shaped part in a Play Doh cake decorating set.

The toymaker has been attacked by parents who bought the innocent-looking Sweet Shoppe Cake Mountain Playset for their loved ones - and were shocked at the toy's phallic connotations.

The piece in question, which is around the length of a thumb, is a mock frosting applicator, which the company refers to as an 'extruder'. It is one of many parts in the set which can be bought for just £14.99 from Smythes Toys on Victoria Retail Park. 

Children are supposed to fill the tube with colored frosting, inset a plunger, then squeeze the synthetic goo out of one end, by pressing down against two protrusions at the base.

Angry customers flocked to the brand's social media channels to blast the company for the ill-thought out design.

Parent Diane Goss Lamb wrote to the company: "It is so obviously inappropriate, that I have a hard time believing that no-one in your company stopped this from being approved and distributed in the first place."

But some parents saw the funny side with mum Stephanie Edwards Griffen sayiny: "I bought the kit for my daughter. 

"Honestly I cried laughing. She is too young to even know what the tool resembles. Well done design team you guys are hilarious" 

Play-Doh issued the following statement about the products unfortunate shape: "We have heard some consumer feedback about the extruder tool in the Play-Doh Cake Mountain playset and are in the process of updating all future Play-Doh products with a differet tool. Should any consumer want a replacement extruder for this item, they can contact Hasbro's Customer Service Department at 020 8569 1234" 

We all think we know the first line of Auld Lang Syne, but the rest blurs into an inaudible murmur, and not just because of the alcohol. 

Now that the Christmas gifts are unwrapped, many are making plans to say goodbye to 2014 and welcome in the New Year. 

Many of us will be singing the infamous song at the stroke of midnight on New Year's Eve, and a lot of us don't have a clue what it means. 

When Robert Burns wrote the Scottish poem in the 1700s, it was not intended to be used or sung at the stroke of midnight. That did not happen until 1929 when the famous orchestra leader Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians used it as a transition between two radio shows they were doing that one New Year's Eve.

Today the song is sung in almost every country that celebrates the arrival of a new year. The words "Auld Lang Syne" mean "times gone by." 

Lyrics 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

and never brought to mind? 

Should auld acquaintance be forgot, 

and auld lang syne? 

For auld lang syne, 

my dear, 

for auld lang syne, 

we'll take a cup of kindness yet, 

for auld lang syne.

Today around the world fireworks will be ringing in the new year as people celebrate the beginning of 2015.

But in a week the solar system will put on a light show of its own, when a comet passes close to Earth's orbit.

Comet Lovejoy will pass so close to the Earth that it will be visible to the naked eye - and you will definitely want to take a look because it won't return again for another 8,000 years. 

The comet, formally designated C/2014 Q2 (Lovejoy), was discovered by amateur astronomer Terry Lovejoy from Queensland, Australia.

On 7 January 2015 it will make its closest approach to Earth at a distance of 43.6 million miles (70.2 million km), before making its closest approach to the sun on 30 January at a distance of 1.29 AU (one astronomical unit - AU - is the distance from Earth to the sun).

The remarkable comet will pass near the constellation of Orion - one of the most conspicuous and recognizable constellations -  which should make it fairly easy to spot in the night sky.

It will then make its way past the Taurus and the Pleiades constellations. The comet's position in the sky can be tracked on various websites such as Sky and Telescope. 

In photos of the comet taken on it's approach it appears green, which is due to the way its molecules react to sunlight.

The comet appears green because its atoms and molecules are ionised and give off a specific wavelength of light - like a neon sign.

In this instance with the comet, it is due to the molecules cyanogen and diatomic carbon, which both glow green.

To the naked eye, though, the comet will appear grey; it is only cameras using a long exposure that bring out its green colouration.

The comet is particularly interesting because it is a long period comet - one that originates in the most outer reaches of the solar system, the Oort cloud.

Here, icy remnants of the young solar system orbit in a vast cloud, occasionally make long journeys into the inner solar system.

On rare occasions these comets are visible from Earth, like Lovejoy will be, before heading back out on extremely long orbits.

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council have apologised for planned dates for festive waste collection running behind schedule leaving many people stuck with Christmas waste.

Freezing temperatures have made it difficult for crews to make collections due to slippery roads and footways. 

Crews will be working on Friday, January 2 as planned and on Saturday, January 3 to help catch up with outstanding collections.

If residents' bins or boxes have not been collected, they are asked to retrieve them and present them the following day, from Friday onwards.

The council apologises for any inconvenience this may cause residents.