JOHN Fenty says Grimsby Town's immediate exit from this season's FA Cup 'cost' the club around £70,000.

The club's director was talking at yesterday's AGM, where the new stadium and greater supporters' involvement on the board were also on the agenda.

Fenty, inset, confirmed that last month's Fourth Qualifying Round defeat to Kidderminster Harriers had left a sizeable hole in the budget.

He said: "The anticipation was that we would get through to the next round and, with the prize money and gate fees, it delivered around £70,000 less in the budget than anticipated.

"We've had a few other additional costs and the home gates haven't correlated with the dizzy heights we've reached in the league because we haven't always performed as well at home as away.

"That shortfall had to be met, so recently there had to be a new injection of cash to compensate for that."

On the subject of a new stadium, Fenty confirmed that no planning application has been made for the proposed Peaks Parkway scheme, but remained optimistic that a relocation would take place in the next 2-3 years.

The Town director also confirmed his support for a seat on the board for the Mariners Trust.

"In order to show credibility and that the fans want this representation there needs to a minimum of 750 members of the Trust, and they need to provide an annual income of £30,000.

"We're optimistic that those two things can be achieved and we're expecting in the next 4-6 weeks for the board to convene and ratify that."

As expected, fellow director John Elsom was re-elected to the board.

NIGEL Fanthorpe is hoping his Grimsby Borough side can start December in style with a home win against Shirebrook Town tomorrow.

Borough face the Mansfield-area team at the Bradley Community Stadium (3pm) – and will be gunning for the three points they need to set them up nicely for the forthcoming festive period.

With a Christmas schedule of games which Fanthorpe deems to be "winnable", the coming weeks mark an opportunity to make up some ground on the Northern Counties East League Division One pacesetters.

And it all starts tomorrow against the side immediately above them in the table.

Fanthorpe said: "Shirebrook are three points above us with two games in hand, so three points is a must for us tomorrow.

"They have been in sketchy form of late, but it is all about us really.

"If we go out and get our game going, we should be okay.

"After this game, we go into the Christmas period and we have a winnable series of games."

One of Borough's star men, Andy Taylor, is again an injury doubt.

The former Grimsby Town striker is a key component of the side, and is in the division's top scorer charts having netted 13 goals in the league so far this season.

Fanthorpe continued: "We lost against Knaresborough last weekend but 4-1 was not a fair reflection on the game.

"We played quite well and had a good tempo in the second half when we were trying to fight back from 2-1 down.

"But then they scored two 30-yarders which killed the game. One was an unstoppable free-kick, the other was a low bobbling shot.

"Overall, the performance was not too bad. When you lose, you sometimes come away pulling your hair out after a poor display, but it wasn't like that.

"We do need to be a bit tighter at the back, though. We are letting too many in, and some of them are down to a lack of concentration".

Admission for tomorrow's game at the Bradley Community Stadium is £4 for adults, £2 for children and free for job-seekers and national servicemen.

GRIMSBY Town's bosses on and off the field have taken time to sing the praises of the Mariners' 'fantastic fans'

Speaking at this week's Fans' Forum event, Paul Hurst, Rob Scott and director John Fenty all thanked the supporters for their support, and underlined the role they can play in strengthening club's promotion push this season.

Scott said: "We are obviously grateful for the support of the fans, they are fantastic.

"There are going to be ups and downs from now until the end of the season. We'd like to win every game but that's not possible.

"What we ask is for everyone to keep pulling in the same direction. If we can do that, even when things aren't going well, we will do well.

"When you get behind the players, you don't know how much of an effect it can have on them – it is immense.

"Because they're footballers, people forget that they are human, but sometimes confidence is fragile and the support of the crowd can be a huge factor.

"You can help us get promotion this season."

Fenty added: "As far as I'm concerned, our fans are the best in the division and many of the leagues above.

"If our fans can get behind the players, the better we will do this season.

"I would love to see the fans, come what may, get behind the players and see the atmosphere inside Blundell Park improve even more.

"I think we are all in shock that we're top of the table and for me, the atmosphere hasn't correlated with the position that we're at.

"I'd like us to believe it and get behind the players, managers and the football club and get back to the good old days because it makes a huge difference.

"Let's up the tempo as fans, get the singing and chanting going and it will rub off on the players – I am sure of that," he added.

THE clash of the week in the Premier Section of the Roy Ling Mutual Grimsby Snooker Singles League came at the Ray Edmonds Snooker Centre when Webbonet entertained club-mates Ray Edmonds A.

The leaders started badly when Lee Plant won the opening two frames for Edmonds.

But Jamie Green, with a clearance of 81, and Nige Emmerson (57 and 50) soon put Webbonet in the ascendancy when they both won 2-0.

The last pairing of Mick Ponsonby and Jamie Richardson finished all-square, which gave the top team a 5-3 victory.

Daz Evans (51 and 47) put Inspirations Fireplaces 2-0 up at home against second-placed Clee Cons A, but that was their lot as John Parker (66), Gary Skipworth and Karl Krajnyak won the rest of the frames for the visitors to give them a 6-2 result.

TR Carpets swept Ray Edmonds Enigmas aside when Ashley Wright, Mark Graves and Ian Crosby all won 2-0 and Scott Long shared with Daz Potter in a 7-1 victory.

West End A extended their unbeaten run to six matches with a 5-3 win at Blossom Way B. Craig Rowbotham and Alan Phillips were their 2-0 winners with Steve Wright sharing with Steve Crane. John Lough won the other two frames for the Blossoms.

West End C went one better as 2-0's from Dave Powell and Martyn Shaw and singles from Daz Stansfield and Andrew Warner gave them a 6-2 home win against Don Noble Bookmakers. Mark Stevens (70) and Craig Taylor won the frames for the Bookies.

Jack Stinson and Kev Cowdroy shared the first four frames with Kev Ratcliffe and Nigel Cordy before Ian Hogarth and Steve Fisher won the last four frames for Clee Bowls X in a 6-2 at Willows Sea Foods.

A 2-0 from Mick Forward and singles from Andy Forward, Tim Seddon and Dean Richardson, against Andy Hill, Mark Wilkinson and Karl Leverton, gave MJ Decorators a 5-3 against Cambridge H.

Clee Cons B surprisingly went down 5-3 at home against Clee Bowls Police in Section A, when Dick Cook won the only 2-0 of the night for the visitors, and Mark Stainton, Shaun Cook and Johnpaul Teanby shared with Lewis Singleton, Paul Beasley and Scott Gibbins.

Cromwell A put seven past 1 None Golfer as Jase Lawton, Simon Bensley and Terry Burns (56) all won 2-0 and Ian Taylor shared his frames with slam-saver Phil Watts.

An opening four frame salvo from Steve Ellis and Tony Lamberton and singles from Daz Kaveney and Andy Smith, against Phil Scanlan and Mick Silver, gave Ray Edmonds J a 6-2 victory against Standard A.

A 2-0 from Chris Taylor and a single from Dave Page against Dave Ashmore put Hainton B 3-1 up at Clee Bowls A. They couldn't hang on however, as Roy Ling and Mick Chew won the last four frames for the Bowlers in a 5-3 victory.

Club pride was restored when 2-0's from Butch Reynolds and Tony Storr and singles from Paul Codd and Ray Hammond gave Hainton A a 6-2 home win against T.R. Carpets A. Alan Burns and Kev North won the frames for the visitors.

Cromwell Rat Pack made short work of Grey N Balding in Section B as Dave Bass and Mick Greenhalgh with 2-0's, and Sean Carlisle and Phil Revell with a single each gave them a 6-2 victory. Mike Caborn and Gary Avison won the frames for the Greys.

A single from Steve Neul against Simon Lidgard was all Westlands Juniors could muster at Healing Legion B, as Chris Tuck, Alex Burnett and Rick Kirk won the rest of the frames for the home team in a 7-1 victory.

A 2-0 from Daz Braithwaite was cancelled out by a similar effort from Ted Foster as G.S.N. Westlands came back to draw 4-4 at Linden Homes B.

Linden Homes Snipers also drew as a 2-0 from Jason Reynolds levelled up a 2-0 from Nats B's Keith Board.

Yet another draw saw John Anderson win both his frames for Jammie Dodgers before Lee McGregor did the same for Rapid Frames.

2-0 wins from Nigel Mumby and Alec Cowie and a single from Byron Hatfield against Steve Taylor gave Westlands A a 5-3 home win against Clee Bowls D. Bob Barnes won the two for the visitors.

Ken Payne won both his frames for Clee Bowls C but Mark Rimmer did the same for Clark Self Drive as the teams drew four-apiece.

Andy Johnson and John Potterton both won two and Myles Kennan won a single against Baz Potter as Blossom Way A won 5-3 at South Bank Imo's. Tony Potter won the other two frames for the home team.

Grimsby Police A put the cosh to Carr Lane E in Section C when after Kev Ferguson and Mark Tarttelin had shared the first four frames with Stu Sadler and Mike Gollings, George Walters and Sandy Young won the last four frames in a 6-2 victory.

Ray Edmonds N narrowly beat their S team 5-3 when Richie Grant and Mark Smith both won 2-0 and Anthony Hepton shared with Andy Stocks. Nick Masters was the 2-0 winner for S.

Birds Eye B took Cabbies for a ride when Simon and Wayne Douglas, and Steve Betts all scored 2-0's and Paul Grayson shared with Ian Singleton in a 7-1 win.

Re-Generation K hit Cambridge D for six after Marc Phillips and Dan Webster both won two and Andy Fletcher and Carl Salah won singles against Martin Dowling and Steve Neal.

2-0 wins from Jamie Smith and Scott Jackson and a single from Rick Mazingham against Dave Bunn gave T.R. Carpets B a 5-3 at Birds Eye A. Brian West won both his frames for the Eye.

Healing Legion A went down 6-2 at Cambridge C when Andy Widgery and Craig Allerston won two-apiece for the home team and Pete Tacey and Gary White won singles against Richard Thornton and John Horne.

Another 6-2 saw Terry Ironmonger and Matt Paterson with 2-0's, and Dan and Pete Chisnall with singles give South Bank B the verdict at Rays Rockers. Richard Caunt and Matt Jones won the singles for Rays.

Winning both your frames can be like catching a bus. You wait ages for one and then two come along together. This happened to Paul Brett Snr who after winning 2-0 last week for the first time this season, did it again this week for Ray Edmonds Z at Cue World Boys in Section D. Paul Brett Jnr also won two, and together with singles from Craig Smith and Shane Newbold, the Z team won 6-2. Scoring for the Boys were Brad Burrell and Matty Lawton.

Blossom Way All Stars won by the same score at Road Runners when Bradley Mowforth and Daz Edwards both won 2-0 and Ross Lowther and Steven Walker shared with Andy Kenningale and Shane Couldstone.

Cromwell Car Care rammed seven past Cromwell B when Aaron McHugh, James Wootton and Clive Brummitt all won two and Gary Ellis won a single against slam-saver Jim Bird.

An opening 2-0 from Peter Robinson and singles from Craig Foster, Dwayne Kenyon and Lee Craven gave Allotment Diggers a 5-3 at Standard B. Winning the home team's frames were Adam Boyington, Pete Gibson and Ken Crofts.

Cue World N shot six against Power Rangers when Terry Littlefair and Keith Haigh both won 2-0 and Terry Haigh and Eddie Langridge hit singles against Wally Aisthorpe and Tom Langford.

Not Bottom had a great result at Laceby Legion A when John Cook, Adam Board and Phil Madding all won 2-0 and Matty Board shared with Dave Chester in a 7-1 victory.

A COUNCIL employee, market traders and local tradespeople have received warning letters about parking while carrying out their jobs.

In preparation for new civil parking enforcement by Lincolnshire County Council, which comes into force in the county on Monday, wardens have been patrolling towns and issuing warning notices to drivers who are parked illegally.

The Louth Area Committee heard that local tradespeople and market employees in the town have received notices while undergoing their work.

Members of the committee called for common-sense to prevail when enforcement officially starts.

Councillor Adam Grist said: "I welcome that we are getting parking enforcement and they have to be very vigilant to ensure traffic flows freely, but I just hope some common-sense will be used before very freely putting fines everywhere."

Market trader Alan Grant told how a trader was given a warning notice for unloading and loading for his stall in the Market Place.

He said: "It was made very clear, under no circumstances could he park anywhere in the market area. They have to park either outside Boots or Curtis' where other traders are."

Mr Grant added that an East Lindsey District Council employee was also given a warning notice when he was collecting the rents for the market stalls.

Councillor George Horton said: "Common-sense is a big factor. I was collared by a window cleaner who was doing his job who was told he could not park his van there because it is illegal.

"Louth is a thriving town. Things like this do not do anything for the cause."

Councillor Craig Leyland, portfolio holder for economic development at East Lindsey District Council, which covers the markets, said: "I am very aware of the parking issue and it was brought to my attention as soon as it happened. There does need to be a common-sense approach and we are working with Lincolnshire County Council to find a solution for everyone to carry out their business."

Brian Thompson, head of Highways at Lincolnshire County Council, said the market area remains a public highway on market days.

He continued: "Traders are welcome to load and unload their vehicles here, as long as they aren't causing an obstruction and that there is loading/unloading activity taking place. The vehicles can't just be left for long periods. It's the same for window cleaners.

"This isn't about making life difficult for people, it's about reducing congestion caused by inconsiderate parking, and keeping people on the move. The officers will take a common-sense approach to enforce the existing parking restrictions in place."

YOUNGSTERS have been inspired to take up a new sport thanks a visit from a London 2012 Olympian.

Team GB's women's football captain Casey Stoney visited Cordeaux School, in Louth, as part of Sky Sports' Living For Sport project.

Casey said: "I have found the project really exciting as I have been able to inspire the children and take them out of their comfort zone when it comes to trying something new.

"This year the Olympics has definitely inspired a generation to get involved with sport. Numbers of children getting involved with sport has doubled, even trebled, and I hope that this project will boost their confidence to take up any opportunity that comes their way."

Casey spoke to 32 Year Nine students at the school about her life and career and how people should not give up and make the most of any opportunity given to them.

Since the highlight of her career, when she captained Team GB in the Olympics where her team beat Brazil in front of 70,000 atWembley Stadium, Casey has reached 100 caps for England. Local football followers may also recognise Casey as captain of the England and Lincoln Ladies teams and as coach of the Under 17 team at the club.

The school's sports co-ordinator Heather Howard said: "All pupils will be learning at least one new sport, and with the Olympics and Paralympics in mind, all the pupils are going to learn sitting volleyball and goal ball. We have wheelchair basketball on our curriculum and we are very conscious of inclusive sports."

RETIRED athlete and Olympic bronze medallist Kelly Sotherton made tracks to Grimsby for a school's annual awards ceremony.

Staff and pupils from Cleethorpes Academy welcomed the former heptathlete as a guest to their presentation evening at Grimsby Town Hall.

Kelly, 36, who announced her retirement two months before the start of the London Olympics due to injury, said she was delighted to attend the event which recognises the hard work of students.

She said: "All the achievements these children make are stepping stones to greater things, whether it be in a sporting environment, academic or just life itself.

"The most important thing is that everyone has a long term goal.

"However, to reach this, you need to set yourself short term goals along the way so you can reward yourself.

"It does not matter if you make a mistake, you can always rectify this later on."

The awards ceremony saw more than 150 pupils from all year groups recognised for their efforts in various subjects – although some children stood out from the rest and received slightly more prestigious awards.

Year 11 pupil Mark Reed received the Dr Peter Aukett Trophy for Most Promising Student In Chemistry, while fellow Year 11 student Beth Redmond received the Chair Of Governor's Trophy for Contribution To Student Voice.

She said: "I am overwhelmed and really, really happy to have received this."

Principal Martin Brown said: "This is our second annual award ceremony since we became an academy in September 2010.

"The pupils put so much hard work into their studies over the year that it is important we recognise it all in this way.

"Their own success is echoed around the school with our recent good Ofsted report in April and fantastic exam results.

"It is just as important that the children's families get to share this special occasion, as I believe a strong family unit is vital to a child's achievement.

"The most sought after award came at the end of the evening and is the one that all the different houses within the school compete for.

"During each academic year pupils are awarded points for their house for good behaviour and work.

"The presentation evening is when the winners are announced and this year Sirius house were crowned winners."

AN ELDERLY couple have warned others to be vigilant over PPI scams after they nearly lost £400 to suspected con artists.

A cold caller told John Burdass, 76, of Ulceby, that he was entitled to £5,000 in repayments after being mis-sold payment protection insurance – and that obtaining the money would be easy.

Mr Burdass, who had a heart operation this year, had paid PPI on a loan some years before so, when the insistent caller told him that a colleague was coming to his house, he reluctantly agreed.

"The man on the phone was very pushy about getting someone around to my house to get my signature on the required forms," said Mr Burdass. "At this point I wasn't worried, so I gave them my address and the man turned up the next day."

The man, of Asian descent, arrived at the house, where Mr Burdass lives with wife Eva, 74, with a pile of forms for them to sign.

Mrs Burdass said: "He was clearly a professional and knew what he was doing. He was very friendly, and after a cup of coffee and less than 30 minutes in our house he was gone with the forms."

However, on Wednesday, November 7, the couple became concerned when they were called again and asked to make two cash payments of £200 and £180 as a handling fee before they could get the £5,000 they were entitled to.

Mr Burdass, who has had operations on both of his knees, was asked to make the payments via a credit system at the local Co-op, but could not get there to find out because of his mobility problems.

He said: "I've had both my knees operated on and my wife uses a stroller, so walking distances is a lot of effort for us.

"This, coupled with our suspicions about the cash payment, meant we decided not to go ahead with giving our money away. We decided it was just a scam at this point."

John and Eva were called again later that evening and asked why the payment had not been made.

Eva said: "We explained we felt uneasy about the payment and were told that we would now not receive the £5,000 we were promised.

"We have our pension but not much more, so £380 would have been a lot of money to us.

"I'm just glad we worked out that it was a scam in time."

The couple, still shocked about the entire encounter, haven't been contacted since the last phone call but want to warn others against falling for similar operations.

Mr Burdass added: "Our aim now is to ensure it doesn't happen to anyone else."

Following the incident, Neil Clark, North East Lincolnshire Council's Trading Standards community protection manager, said: "Scams come in many guises, but all are designed to prey on consumers and convince them to part with money on the promise of getting more back later.

"The couple here have acted wisely by smelling a rat and not paying the handling fee or administration fee usually done through legitimate cash transfer vouchers available at your local shop.

"As with all scams, my advice is don't give any personal information away on the doorstep or on the telephone and don't trust anyone with your precious signature.

Report issues

You can report fraud using Action Fraud's online reporting service. It also provides help and advice through the Action Fraud contact centre. You can talk to a fraud specialist by calling 0300 1232040.

If you feel that you may have been a victim of this, or any other scam, please contact Trading Standards via Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 0405 06.

CHARITABLE hands have helped raise more than £1,000 in honour of 37-year-old man.

As reported, Neil Harrison, of Oliver Road, Cleethorpes, underwent radical treatment to save his life, when his appendix burst and poisoned his body earlier this year.

He needed Extra-C orporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) treatment – used for severe respiratory failure – in Glenfield Hospital, Leicester.

It involves an artificial lung which oxygenates the blood and takes the breathing process out of the body. The hospital has the only mobile ECMO service in the country.

Neil's mum Jane Christy could think of no better way to thank those who saved her son's life, than by raising funds for more ECMO machines.

A charity night at the Cromwell Banqueting Suite, in King's Road, Cleethorpes, contributed towards the overall total raised of £1,688.72.

The 56-year-old said: "If this money can help buy more machines for ECMO treatment and in turn save lives like Neil's, then I could not be happier.

"I have so many people to thank for helping me raise this money, from our family and friends to all those businesses who donated prizes for raffles on the night and the owners of the venue. It is a miracle that my son is still here today, but it is all thanks to the tremendous treatment he received at Glenfield Hospital."

Neil, who suffers from learning difficulties, said: "You can never thank people enough for saving your life but hopefully this money is a start.

"Not many people know about ECMO so I want to now raise awareness."

The ECMO process thins the blood which causes it to leak from most of the body's orifices.

Neil said: "On one day I had 17 units of blood and in total 48 units in four weeks. The blood was going into my body but running straight out. Doctors told my family on several occasions that it looked doubtful I'd make it. I hope to hold more fundraisers in the future and spread the word of what goes on in Leicester."

Mrs Christy's mum and Neil's grandma, Jean Beel, is proud of everything her family has achieved.

The 77-year-old said: "My daughter remained strong throughout this whole ordeal.

"To have raised this much money is outstanding and she should be very proud. I am."

COULD you spare a present for one of hundreds of children in need this Christmas?

This festive season, Freshney Place has teamed up with Home-Start and the NSPCC to offer generous shoppers the chance to give a gift to a child facing a chilling time this Christmas.

The Grimsby shopping centre has launched its annual Have A Heart campaign, which will run until Wednesday, December 12.

Shoppers will be able to visit a specially created tree within Freshney Place, where more than 300 tags will detail the age and gender of each child in need.

They will then buy a gift for that child and take it unwrapped, along with the tag to the customer service desk within the shopping centre where it will be given to the charities.

Freshney Place director Amanda Austin said: "We are delighted to host the Have A Heart campaign, and we know from last year that we have some incredibly generous customers and local businesses.

"We hope that this year will be even better than last year, and every child in the region will have a gift to open on Christmas Day.

"We have 348 children on our tree with a variety of ages ranging from newborns to 16-year-olds.

"This is our fifth year running the campaign and each time we are so well supported.

"People can buy whatever they like, including toys, and board games are also very good.

"Anything that doesn't need a battery is better unless that is bought also."

Home-Start is a charity which offers support to families with children who may be struggling with emotional or financial issues, or could be finding it difficult to cope.

By offering support in the family's own home, and initiatives such as Have A Heart, Home-Start tries to ensure that every child wakes up to at least one surprise at Christmas.

Scheme manager Tracey Ruddock, from Home-Start East Lindsey, added: "The Have A Heart Appeal has made a real difference to the families supported by our charity in the past so we are thrilled to receive the appeal's support again.

"The children supported by Home-Start East Lindsey may face a difficult Christmas for many reasons.

"The fantastic gifts given from the shoppers of Freshney Place really help our families provide the Christmas they would like for their children and their kindness is greatly appreciated."

For further information on the charities in the Have A Heart campaign visit www.nspcc.org.uk or www.home-starteastlindsey.org.uk. For details on events at Freshney Place, visit www.freshneyplace.co.uk.

MORE than 500 motorcyclists roared through town yesterday to say farewell to a "lovable legend".

As reported, well-known biker Fergus O'Connell died unexpectedly at his home aged 50.

Fellow members of the North East Lincolnshire Motorcycle Action Group turned out in their hundreds to pay their respects to a friend described by president Ian Mutch as a "lovable legend".

The funeral cortege was followed by more than 500 motorcycles as it left the home of the Young's Seafood worker on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby, just after noon. The bikers turned heads as they travelled along Freeman Street, Pyewipe Road, Boulevard Avenue, Cromwell Road, Dudley Street, Deansgate Bridge and Church Lane to St James' Square, where they met more friends and family for the service at Grimsby Minster.

Mr O'Connell's coffin was also taken by motorcycle and was carried into the Minster to the Motorcycle Song by Arlo Guthrie.

The service was conducted by the Reverend Steve Holt who spoke about Mr O'Connell's sudden death.

He said: "At some time or another the electricity stops and we are caught in a blackout.

"We are caught in the blackout for a while and we are lost.

"Deaths like these are so sudden like a blackout where many people are plunged into darkness in the space of a minute.

"Our whole life is turned upside down and nothing can prepare us for it.

"But it is at times like these we need to look to the light."

Hundreds of friends and family took to their feet to sing popular hymn Onward Christian Soldiers before a reading of John, Chapter 14: verses one to six by the Reverend Jan Vasey.

Both Fergus's brother Dean O'Connell and daughter Leah shared a few words with those who had gathered to pay their respects.

Dean said: "I want to thank everyone for coming at this devastating time.

"Me and Ferg grew up together as best friends and it stayed that way.

"I will always remember that Ferg couldn't ride a bike without stabilisers until he was nine years old.

"Just before he died he managed to finish writing his book "Is that you Angus?" which was a great achievement.

"Ferg left us a message before he died saying that he wanted a big service and that is what he has got."

Leah added: "He was a father, mentor and best friend."

Following the eulogy, the hymn Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam was sung followed by a prayer for the family.

The coffin was led out of the church to Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd before the cortège travelled along Church Lane, Deansgate Bridge, Bargate on to Weelsby Road and Weelsby Street to the Crematorium.

WILLOWS Primary School will be forced to become an academy after being judged as inadequate in its most recent Ofsted report.

As reported, the school, in Queensway, Grimsby, has been placed in special measures by Ofsted after inspectors found that it did not meet the required standards in three out of four key fields – achievement, leadership and teaching.

As a result, the school is expected to convert in either April or September next year, headteacher Angela MacDermid confirmed, yesterday.

It will be sponsored by the Schools Partnership Trust, which took on three other local schools that converted this year – Weelsby Primary Academy, Strand Primary Academy and Macaulay Primary Academy.

However, Mrs MacDermid felt that the inspection – which took place in the last ten days of the last school year – did not tell the whole story.

"The decision seems to be data-led, which means that if a certain percentage of children don't reach the required level-four in their English and maths SATS test in Year Six, then the school must be inadequate," she said.

"However, our pupils do make the required two levels progress in English and maths while they are here, yet many come to us at a lower level," she added.

Mrs Macdermid said that the school was improving standards before the inspection, with the percentage of children reaching level four in English and maths increasing every year.

She also said that being in special measures will help the school improve, with more resources becoming available.

"We have been able to release my deputy from teaching so we can work together with the local authority on looking at how we can improve attainment," she said.

There was a mixed response from parents. Victoria Carrick, 26, of Bader Close, said: "My daughter has come on leaps and bounds since she has been here."

Michelle Stiff, 43, of Bader Close, said: "I don't like the way my son is treated by the teachers but his learning seems to be ok."

However, other parents, who preferred to remain anonymous, said: "I don't think there's enough discipline in the school – the kids seem to get away with anything."

As reported, four other schools have been inspected since September and judged as "improvement required" under a new framework introduced this year.

Heads from Welholme Primary, Springfield Primary and Reynolds Primary also had their say, but Coomb Briggs declined to comment.

Andy Willett, headteacher of Springfield Primary School, pointed out that the school's results were above average in English and maths at Key Stage 1 and 2, and that maths results for 11-year-olds in 2012 were the highest in North East Lincolnshire, with 100 per cent getting a level four or higher.

He said: "The children continue to do well against national indicators.

"We take on board the areas of improvement that Ofsted have highlighted, but maintain that our children get a good education.

Delyse Turrell, headteacher of Welhome Primary School said: "We recognise the improvements which need to be made.

"The inspectors did, however, recognise that improvements in attainment had been achieved last year and the staff are working hard to ensure this trend continues."

Sue Pritlove, headteacher of Reynolds Primary School, said: "The school recognises that work needs to be done to improve attainment and the action points from the inspection are being used to drive that improvement.

"We are also pleased with the support that is being provided through the National College linking our school with a national leader in education."

TWO years after the death of her beautiful daughter, this Cleethorpes mum is hoping to pack out Grimsby Minster with those wishing to remember their own loved ones.

As reported, Laura McPhee died at the age of nine in December 2010, after suffering an asthma attack – prompting her mum Trace, dad Roy and brother Lewis to set up the Laura McPhee Memorial Fund in her memory.

And this weekend, as well as taking time to remember their little girl, the family has organised a special free carol concert and memorial service as a thank you to all those who have supported the charity.

Trace said: "It isn't just about remembering Laura. It's for anyone who has lost a loved one to attend and think about them at this special time of year.

"We also want to say thank you to everyone who has supported the charity over the years – we could not have achieved anything without them.

"We have donated £20,000 to Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital so far and I know for a fact that we have saved the lives of three children."

And the charity shows no sign of slowing down. Just this week it has ordered a further eight pieces of specialised equipment for the unit.

Everyone attending the service, which will be held from 2pm on Sunday, will be given a candle to light in memory of their loved ones and a tag on which to write them a message, which will be displayed in the church.

A chorister will also lead everyone in singing a host of Christmas carols and the event will be rounded off with the chance to share memories and chat to others who have suffered a bereavement – while tucking in to a delicious mince pie.

There will even be an appearance from Laura Bear – inspired by Laura's favourite teddy – who is the star of a library of children's books penned by Trace to teach children about asthma.

Trace added: "I also want to say thank you to the committee. I know it is Laura's charity, but without the committee we wouldn't have done it.

"I just hope as many people as possible come along and join us."

Find out more

For more details about the charity, visit www.laura mcpheememorial.webs.com. You can also e-mail lauramcpheememorial@yahoo.co.uk.

IF JUST one family fits a new smoke alarm in the wake of the death of Joan MacDonald, it will be a positive effect of the terrible tragedy.

That was the call from coroner Paul Kelly aiming to have working smoke alarms fitted in every home in North East Lincolnshire.

After hearing the dramatic bid to rescue the 75-year-old from her blazing home in Convamore Road, Grimsby, Mr Kelly said: "It is the time of year when homeowners are bringing in more sources of heating and the potential for fires is at its greatest.

"To all owners, particularly those in older properties, I would encourage a call to Humberside Fire and Rescue Service to take up their offer of a home fire safety check and to invite the fitting of free smoke detectors.

"I hope if one family takes advantage of that offer, it will have had a positive effect following the death of Mrs MacDonald."

The coroner concluded the pensioner died accidentally from burns after a cigarette was discarded carelessly.

Mr Kelly said: "It ignited textiles on the sofa in which she was seated. It caused noxious smoke from the covering of that sofa. The flames and smoke led to the death of Mrs MacDonald."

He passed his condolences to the woman's family who attended the inquest at Cleethorpes Town Hall.

They heard of the dramatic attempts by neighbours to rescue her from the fire on July 30, at 2pm,

Mrs MacDonald died in the specialist burns unit in Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.

A post mortem examination revealed she died from burns.

The inquest heard Mrs MacDonald's husband Frank had gone out shopping.

He told the inquest he normally lit cigarettes for his wife but suspected that when he went out to the shops she lit one for herself.

Mr MacDonald said their home had two smoke detectors fitted, but he had not replaced batteries for some time.

He confirmed he checked one of the alarms about three months prior to the tragedy.

Fire investigation officer for Humberside Fire and Rescue Service station manager Richard Hagger said the batteries in both smoke alarms were dead.

The detectors were between 12 to 15 years old.

He said: "They would have been at the latter end of their useful life.

Detectors are there to detect the products of combustion at an early stage and enable occupants to escape."

He said the alarms were loud enough to be heard by anyone outside the property so they could carry out a rescue sooner.

The station manager said there had never been a fire safety check at the property.

He said Humberside Fire and Rescue Service provides the service for free, along with smoke detectors fitted for free.

Mr Hagger said: "It was a tragedy. A modern smoke alarm might have alerted the neighbours."

Pc Marcus Pidgen, of Humberside Police, told of the dramatic rescue by neighbours, James Bailey, Robin Blastland and Jonathan Richards.

Mr Bailey used bricks and a hosepipe from a neighbour's garden to smash a rear window and gain entry to the living room where he used the hosepipe to quell the flames.

He described the horror of finding Mrs MacDonald.

The officer told how Mr Bailey crawled on his hands and knees in an initial attempt at a rescue through the front door.

He was beaten back by thick smoke and heat, but was determined to gain access and went in via a rear window despite the several feet high flames.

Anyone wanting a fire safety check and smoke alarms fitting should contact their local fire station to arrange a visit.