Trains are now running as normal following a breakdown earlier this morning.

A First Transpennine Express train had broken down on the Cleethorpes to Manchester route. 

It was blocking the route between Scunthorpe and Doncaster and causing delays. 

But the rail company has confirmed it is now back to normal.

A leading Lincolnshire police officer has called for a change in legislation to help in the battle against legal highs. Inspector Pat Coates, who is responsible for city centre policing in Lincoln, led the call after news more than a fifth of recorded incidents involving legal highs take place in Lincolnshire. New figures from the Centre for Social Justice show the number of recorded incidents involving legal highs trebled last year in England. Police attended 3,652 incidents last year – up from 1,356 in 2013 – with 820 of the deployments in Lincolnshire. In 2013, there were 347 legal highs-related call outs in Lincolnshire - a quarter of the national total. A report by The Times claimed were being made through a 24-hour hatch in a Lincoln shop door. The paper also said burglars and shoplifters were stealing to feed their habits, quoting PC Tom Richardson as saying: "You know as soon as you see them. "They're either collapsed on the floor or they're fighting us. "You see in their eyes they're totally unaware of what they're doing." Do you think new laws should be introduced to tackle the issue? Let us know by commenting on this story.

Four in 10 vets have seen cats with airgun injuries in the last year, with many of these animals seriously injured as well as dying from their wounds.

A British Veterinary Association (BVA) survey asked animal vets if they had seen any cats brought to them with airgun or crossbow injuries in the last 12 months: 41% said they had seen cats with airgun injuries and 1% had seen cats with crossbow injuries.

The survey results come as Cats Protection launched its Manifesto for Cats in the Commons today (Tuesday), which is seeking tighter regulations on the licensing of airguns. 

Separately, the BVA has launched its General Election manifesto calling for better animal enforcement of animal welfare legislation.

Commenting further many vets told how animals had died of their wounds or were severely injured, including fractured limbs that required amputation and injuries to eyes that require enucleation (removal of the eye).

Several vets pointed to an increase in owners presenting animals with airgun injuries during the school summers holidays, pointing to the perpetrators being young people and children.

One said: "We saw several cases of airgun injures in cats over the summer holidays, causing severe injuries. These cases seem to have increased in numbers in recent years."

Another: "They always coincide with the summer school holidays… this has always been the case."

"A cat was shot in the eye with an airgun pellet and require enucleation. Sadly… think this was neighbourhood kids having a laugh and the cat wandered into the wrong yard at the wrong time."

"The majority are clearly inflicted by low-powered airguns at close range. This suggests children who have been given airguns and are looking for something to shoot. One answer is to encourage and promote shooting by young people in clubs and on ranges where they can be educated in a culture of safe use, the pursuit of accuracy and the notion of responsibility."

Other vets advocated more stringent measures. One vet who had seen several cats with airgun pellets, with the animal often losing an eye, said: "Airguns should be banned. Full stop."

Another vet voiced the frustration that many in the survey felt.

"Cats get shot because idiots think they are fair game, injuries range from self-recovering bruising to long-term embedded pellets to eye loss."

John Blackwell, BVA president, said: "These findings are distressing for both owners and vets. The frustration of many BVA members who work in small animal practice is clear. Anyone using an airgun, whether they are an adult or child, should be aware of the very serious injuries these weapons inflict and parents should act responsibly when allowing any young person to use or possess an airgun.

"The comments from vets in this survey clearly demonstrate the dreadful suffering that can be inflicted on animals when these weapons are used in the wrong hands, without careful and proper supervision. Whether the perpetrator is an adult or child, it is blatantly wrong to shoot indiscriminately at cats in this way. We urge the police and local authorities to take action where they can and ask all parents to think very carefully about the consequences of allowing their children access to a weapon that can kill someone's pet and inflict serious injury on animals and humans alike."

Cats Protection's advocacy manager Jacqui Cuff said: "Cats Protection is always shocked to hear of cats being shot which is why we're calling for much stricter regulation on the ownership of airguns. We know from our own monitoring of the press last year that nearly five cats a week were reported to have been killed or injured by airguns in the UK – and this is likely to be an underestimate. 

"We also held a three-month consultation to determine what members of the public felt were the most important issues for cat welfare and 98 per cent of those surveyed agreed this is one of them - which is why we're including this important topic in our Cat Manifesto."

A ward has reopened at Grimsby's Diana, Princess of Wales Hospital after it was forced to close to new admissions following an outbreak of diarrhoea and vomiting. Visitors and staff who have been suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting are urged not to come to Ward C1 Holles until they have been symptom free for 48 hours. Staff worked hard to control the issue and a deep clean has taken place. Those affected are advised to wash their hands thoroughly, stay away from school or work whenever possible, and to drink plenty of fluids.

Firefighters were called to tackle a fire on board a coal ship alongside Immingham Docks.

Four fire engines were in attendance and the blaze was put out by 4.34pm.

The fire started in the excavator of a hold on board the ship.

A spokesperson for Humberside Fire and Rescue Sercvice said: "We were called at 3.54pm and the fire was out by 4.34pm. We sent one fire engine from Immingham East, another from Immingham West and two from Peaks Lane. So four pumps in total were used.

"It was a machine fire on board a vessel which was a coal ship. The fire was contained to one of the holds and then distinguished.

"There were 22 members of the crew on board but they have all been accounted for and are safe."

CONTROL:crews dealing with excavator on fire in the hold of a coal carrying ship alongside at Immingham Dock. More info as incident develops

— HumbersideFire (@HumbersideFire) February 10, 2015

CONTROL: Incident at Immingham Dock has been dealt with, crews returning to station. #BlueWatch

— HumbersideFire (@HumbersideFire) February 10, 2015

"YOU are every parent's worst nightmare."

That is what a court Recorder told a teenage driver who drove dangerously through Grimsby.

Jordan Howard, 18, of Dale View, Grimsby, had no driving licence or insurance, but bought a car and went out the next day, speeding at up to 50mph in residential areas of the town.

Three teenage girl passengers were in the rear seat, Grimsby Crown Court heard.

When Howard abandoned the car after a pursuit by police over several miles through Grimsby, the Ford Fiesta continued to move forward with the girls in the rear before coming to rest on the kerb of a roadside.

Howard admitted dangerous driving, a no insurance offence and driving without a licence.

He also admitted failing to stop when police followed him with their emergency blue lights flashing.

Recorder Mark McKone said: "What you were doing buying a car when you had no licence, I do not know."

He added: "There was a long police chase, driving at speeds of up to 50mph.

"You nearly crashed into an oncoming vehicle and you abandoned the car with the engine still running and left it running as it travelled for a further 50 yards.

"You are every parent's worst nightmare."

The recorder added that if he had caused the deaths of the three girls he would have been locked up for 14 years.

He said he would give Howard a chance "to draw a line under his offending".

He imposed ten months in prison suspended for two years.

Howard was also ordered to do 250 hours of unpaid work.

He will have 12 months' supervision.

Although he has no licence he was disqualified from driving for 18 months and must take an extended driving test.

Prosecuting, Craig Lowe said police began their pursuit at around 9pm on January 3, when Howard was seen driving erratically. They followed him down Littlefield Lane, Rosalind Avenue and Wentworth Road.

A people carrier had to brake heavily to avoid the Fiesta as it turned into Yarborough Road from Norman Road without stopping.

He then turned into Yarrow Road and on to Laburnam Drive.

Mr Lowe said there were two 17-year-old girls and a 16-year-old girl in the rear seat.

In interview with police, Howard admitted he was driving "like an idiot".

For Howard, Richard Hackfath said his client is "a chastened young man" who had learned his lesson.

POLICE found more than 6,700 indecent photographs of children after searching a man's computer, a court heard.

Barry Chisnall, 59, of Franklin House, Beechwood Avenue, Grimsby, admitted making 6,761 indecent images of children and possessing four on March 9, 2013.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that the images were found after police received information that Chisnall's computer had been used to access child pornography.

Michael Coley, mitigating, said Chisnall had suffered serious physical health problems.

Judge David Tremberg told Chisnall that people who viewed such images provided tacit encouragement for those who made child pornography, which had a "tendency to deprave and corrupt the child victims".

His "squalid and potentially harmful behaviour" was not a "victimless crime".

Chisnall, who had no previous convictions, was given a one-year suspended prison sentence and a two-year supervision order, including a sex offender treatment programme.

He was given a 10-year sexual offences treatment order and must register as a sex offender for 10 years.

GUY Martin has suggested he may give up motorcycle racing at the end of this year.

The 33-year-old, who is from Kirmington, told the Times he may step away from the track by the end of 2015 to concentrate on his other interests.

Martin, whose day job is working as a truck mechanic in Grimsby, has also enjoyed much success over the last year as a television personality.

But it is on the road racing scene where he first built up a legion of fans.

Despite numerous podium finishes at the Isle of Man TT, the world's most-famous motorcycle festival, he has so far failed to win the main prize there – first place in the senior TT contest.

Now it seems this year's TT may be his last.

Martin told the Times: "I need to have a rest and re-set. My job is a truck mechanic and I've taken my eye off the ball. The TV stuff has knackered my racing too. Not in results – last year's TT was one of my best – but I didn't get five minutes. I used to go racing for fun. Now it's hard work."

Addressing the issue of the dangers involved in competing, he said: "I don't mind the dying, but not if I don't know why I'm doing it any more."

BACK in 2007, Craig Disley's double for Bristol Rovers proved in vain as Grimsby Town battled back from two goals down to edge a thrilling encounter at Blundell Park.

Years before joining Town himself, Disley lined up in a Rovers side that also included former Mariner Stuart Campbell and future England striker Ricky Lambert

Teenage striker Danny North scored his first goal for Town, while skipper Justin Whittle, Danny Boshell and Ciaran Toner also got themselves on the score sheet.

To watch highlights from the game, click the link below...

GRIMSBY Town are set to welcome ex-striker Tony Rees back to the club on Saturday – for the crunch encounter with Bristol Rovers.

The Welshman has agreed to be the Mariners Trust's special guest at the upcoming Conference fixture at Blundell Park, which sees two of the league's big hitters go head-to- head.

Rees, who is remembered at the club for his back heels and flicks, scored 33 goals in 141 appearances for Town.

He also gained a Welsh Under-21 cap, and then went on to represent his country at senior level.

Meanwhile, tickets are selling well for the top of the table clash.

They are available online, by calling 01472 605050, or by calling into the Blundell Park ticket office.

Tickets are available at Early Bird prices until noon on Saturday.

See more from Rees, and other former stars from the area, in the latest edition of Sport Bygones – FREE with the paper on Saturday.

DIRECTOR John Fenty wants Grimsby Town to follow the lead of arch rivals Scunthorpe United as they bid to secure a new stadium.

The Iron relocated to Glanford Park in 1984 – and have now submitted an application for planning permission for another move.

The Mariners have already received on off-field boost this week by extending their long-running association with Young's Seafood.

The club's main sponsor agreed a new deal to stretch the partnership with Town into a 12th season.

And Fenty is craving yet more positive news, as the Mariners continue their quest to relocate from Blundell Park.

He said: "We're pleased with how things are going, and are looking forward to meeting with a variety of councillors and their associations.

"It's all in order to bring them up to speed with where we're at so far.

"We don't have fixed or focussed plans, and it's very much evolving.

"We need to look to our near neighbours and see what progress they are making.

"Scunthorpe are on their second relocation. Firstly, they relocated in 1984, and are again making phenomenal progress.

"They submitted a planning application two weeks ago, and it's on the back of a wonderful scheme that's clearly going to benefit the community, the football club and all.

"It will no doubt make a stronger economy, and a stronger community.

"We should look to aspire to do at least what they're doing, and we need the political support to achieve the same.

Fenty added: "I think we can point to Scunthorpe, but you only can look at Doncaster, Chesterfield, Huddersfield and Hull, too.

"So many stadiums have been built in the last few years, which have all been built with an enabling development.

"It's the only way, unless of course you are as fortunate as the case at West Ham – they have been provided with a stadium entirely from public money.

"We have to secure an enabling development, which is most significantly what we are working on right now.

"It has to come from the top, and that's the reason why we are talking with councillors and their associations.

"We need to make sure they understand the importance of a professional football club on their doorstep, and the risks of losing it."

A PSYCHOLOGY graduate claimed to have been attacked by rich investors just hours after trying to kill his friend in a frenzied knife attack at a luxury apartment, the Old Bailey heard.

Darren Scott, 26, became "possessed" as he pulled out a knife and repeatedly stabbed his pal as rap music blared in the background, it is said.

He allegedly plunged the six-inch kitchen knife into his victim's neck, then yelled "stand still I need to finish the job" as he tried to tear open the wounds with his bare hands.

Scott, formerly of Immingham, left his wealthy pal, who he had known for just two weeks, in a pool of blood in the en-suite bathroom, as he fled to Brough in Hull, the court heard.

But when he arrived that night, Scott said he had been the victim of an attack by two knife-wielding investors who had tried to stab him.

Nathan Greenfield, a friend of Scott's, said he agreed to let him stay at his flat when he heard the story.

"He said he wasn't himself and he looked absolutely terrible," he told the court.

"He had blood on the shirt he was wearing, on the collar bone area, and it was apparent that something was wrong."

He said Scott broke down crying as soon as he got into his car at Brough train station, and had a visible slash wound on his hand.

"He became very upset very quickly," said Mr Greenfield.

"He started to tell me about what had happened in his flat in London, the fact he had been attacked in his own home as he referred to it.

"Darren explained to me that he had recently moved into the flat in London, and that he worked as an investment consultant.

"He had potential investors round to the flat and they had admired the artwork he had on the walls. Darren had spent quite a lot of time with these potential investors and was sat next to one of them to get some contractual paperwork signed.

"He said one of them pulled a knife on him.

"He explained that he had a cut on his hand by putting his hand up to stop the knife from hitting him.

"He explained he thought he was going to die. He thought they were going to kill him, and he battled the knife off the person who had it."

Mr Greenfield said he later found blood-stained clothes in Scott's bag.

Scott is accused of stabbing his friend, who cannot be named for legal reasons, during a massage at his three-storey Mayfair apartment on July 3 last year.

It is said the victim suffered 21 injuries in the "frenzied" attack, and only survived by barricading himself into the bathroom until he could call for help.

He cannot be named for legal reasons.

They had only known each other for two weeks at the time of the attack, but Scott was already living in the luxury apartment.

Giving evidence last week, the man said he became worried Scott was a "psychopath" due to his erratic behaviour and wide-eyed stare, and had resolved to throw him out of the flat.

Mr Greenfield said he believed Scott was an investment consultant at Procter And Gamble, having seen it on his Facebook profile, and had socialised with him in Hull where he works as a sales manager.

He said he received messages from Scott in the afternoon on July 3, firstly saying: "Fancy a lodger?!" and then telling him: "I've been attacked in my own flat. I'm in bits."

Scott caught a train from London to Brough that evening, arriving just before 11pm and staying the night at Mr Greenfield's home.

He was arrested the following day while socialising at a jazz club in the area.

The jury has heard Scott had with him a bogus job offer from Procter And Gamble, a fake £420,000 compensation court order, and forged bank statements.

Prosecutor John Clifford said detectives found Scott had been pretending the flat in Mayfair was his, paid for by his new employers, and had been on spending sprees with the victim's bank card.

"It was during this time that Mr Scott was in effect ingratiating himself to (his victim), and indeed was not only using his bank cards but was taking pictures of the flat, a well-appointed flat on three floors in Mayfair, sending it to his friends, and in effect saying look at my new place, look at how well I've done for myself," he said.

"That's only the tip of the iceberg with regards to the deception carried out by Mr Scott."

Scott has admitted spending £1,700 at House Of Fraser on the victim's bank card in late June, but denies a similar fraud to buy a £280.50 first class train ticket to Hull to see his parents.

Scott, of no fixed address, denies attempted murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, fraud and possession of an article for use in fraud.

He has admitted a second count of fraud.

The trial continues.

EVERYONE at Grimsby Town will miss Scott Neilson – but his shock departure will not derail the club's promotion charge.

That's according to Mariners skipper Craig Disley, who was as surprised as anyone to see his former team-mate leave on Monday.

As reported, the 27-year-old winger had his contract at Blundell Park terminated by mutual consent.

It means Town will be without Neilson for Saturday's clash with Bristol Rovers, and their ongoing quest for a Football League return.

Disley told the Telegraph: "It was a definitely a surprise, and a shock to the other players.

"Scott has not been playing much recently, but I don't think that any of us thought he would be leaving the club.

"But at the end of the day it was the gaffer's decision, and it's happened now.

"We have to move on, and wish Scott well in whatever he does next.

"There's no doubt he was a really big character around the dressing room, and we'll miss that.

"But Scott has left the club now, and we need to concentrate on the players that are left here to do the job."

Neilson, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Mariners in 2012, joined the club permanently ahead of the 2013/2014 season.

His first term at the club ended in disappointment, though, when he was sent off during the Play-Off Semi-Final defeat at Gateshead.

At the start of this campaign, Neilson bagged four goals in his first three appearances – but the wideman has not featured since the derby loss to Lincoln City on December 28.

And it proved to be the last of his 64 league outings for the club.

Disley added: "Scott is a really great character, and a really good footballer as well.

"But it's not quite worked out for him in the last couple of months or so, for whatever reason.

"We saw at the start of the season what he Scott can do – he came back from suspension and was on fire.

"Scott is going to be missed, but it gives other people a chance.

"We have brought in good players, and they have settled in well.

"It given them an opportunity to kick on, and help us in that final push."

NORTH East Lincolnshire Council will have a new leader in May – whatever the result of this year's local election.

Chris Shaw has announced he is to step down as leader of the ruling Labour group after four years at the helm of the authority.

But he is resisting calls from one of his Labour colleagues to hand over the reins immediately.

The Grimsby Telegraph can reveal that Councillor Peter Wheatley, who resigned from the cabinet last week, has urged Mr Shaw to step aside now "for the long term good of the group."

In his resignation letter, which was circulated to members of the Labour group and subsequently leaked to the Grimsby Telegraph, Mr Wheatley claimed that Mr Shaw's "confrontational and adversarial style" had become a "constant source of irritation" to colleagues and members of the public alike.

He added that if Mr Shaw stood down now, it would improve the chances of Labour candidates standing in May's election.

However, Mr Shaw insists he has no intention of stepping aside before his four-year term as leader expires, and says he is proud of the achievements of his Labour administration.

He said: "When I became leader of the Labour group back in 2004 I made a commitment that I would stay leader and put Labour back in control of the council and do a full four-year term.

"That comes to an end in May, and that is the end of the commitment I made. I have the view that as leader of the council you should take your belongings out in a box. You shouldn't be taken out of the council in a box.

"This was never a job for life. I have got other things in my life that I want to do. It has not been an easy job and I want to be able to sit back and have a bit of relaxing time. I have got two grandchildren in Reading who I never see and I want to spend more time with them."

Mr Shaw also revealed he would not be defending his seat in Sidney Sussex when it comes up for election in 2016.

"I made a commitment to my wife Debra that I would not stay in local government beyond my 60th birthday. I'm 60 in September and the reason I won't go earlier is I don't see why I should give the public the expense of a by-election."

Mr Shaw said leading the council at a time of public sector austerity had been a tough ask, but he said he was proud of the achievements of his Labour administration.

"The year we took over was the year the government started making vast cuts in council budgets. We have spent four years fire-fighting making sure the council can deliver services.

"I think we have done a good job in bringing investment to the area. Four years ago we had Centrica in a small portacabin on the docks. Go there now and you will see all the businesses we have got there and the new lock gates that we contributed to as a council.

"I think we have got a lot to be proud of. You don't get everything right, but anyone who says they get everything right gets nailed to a cross.

"As a leader I lead from the front. The first person out of the trenches is always me. My leadership style is not to sit at the back of the room being quiet. I say what I think and I think that has stood us in good stead."

Looking ahead to May's elections, Mr Shaw said: "I will be out there working with Labour activists to ensure we retain as many councillors and MPs as possible."

He added: "Labour has done a good job over the last four years and deserves to be able to carry on with that job.

"North East Lincolnshire is starting to turn a corner. We are starting to see investment, skills and jobs coming into the area, and that's been down to the hard work of the administration that we have got now."

And he had these words of advice for whoever succeeds him as group leader: "If you are going to be a leader, lead don't follow."

The apparent memo to B&Q staff issuing guidance ahead of the launch of Fifty Shades Of Grey WAS a hoax, it has been confirmed.

What appeared to be a leaked memo told staff that copies of the book would be available on week-long loans so they could to brush up on their knowledge of the erotic novel ahead of an expected surge in demand for rope, cable ties and tape.

However, staff have been told that the memo was not genuine and that it was a trick from B&Q's "naughty" PR team.

A genuine memo was sent to staff via internal communications.

The film adaptation of the erotic novel is released at cinemas this weekend, with some shows already sold out at the Parkway, Cleethorpes.

It follows the relationship between college graduate Anastasia Steele, played by Dakota Johnson, 25, and businessman, Christian Grey, played by Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan, 32.

Grey introduces Steele to the world of bondage and dominant sexual role play and both the book and the film include a scene in which he visits a hardware store to purchase rope, cable ties and tape.

A man has been arrested after an assault in Grimsby.

He ran away from officers but was later tracked down with the help of Humberside Police's dog section.

The dog section tweeted this morning: "Police Dog Jet to Grimsby to man who ran from officers after an assault. Search of area & suspect located. Challenged with dog & he came quietly."