A NEW mum who is struggling with chronic body pain has had her mood lifted this Christmas.

The Grimsby Telegraph has teamed up with the Artie White Foundation for the charity's 12 Days of Christmas Campaign, which sees food hampers or toy vouchers donated to deserving people.

For Sophie Pigott, of Duncombe Gardens, Grimsby, the nice surprise could not have come at a better time. The 30-year-old is awaiting results to confirm her diagnosis of fibromyalgia – which causes pain all over the body.

Due to her condition, Sophie has been off work and money is tight as her husband is ill too.

Sophie, mum to a 20-month-old boy and step-mum to a 10-year-old boy, said: "We have found it very hard recently but the support from family and friends has been great.

"My mum nominated us for this hamper and I am very grateful. There are items in there that we would not be able to buy, just simple treats such as cakes and mince pies.

"I want to say a huge thanks to the charity as their donation has given us a boost. I hope it is a sign that things are getting better."

Grimsby Telegraph readers can still nominate someone to receive a hamper by filling in the form on this page.

It could be someone who always goes that extra mile for others, a young family struggling to buy presents, or an elderly person facing the prospect of spending Christmas alone.

The people are chosen by Artie White Foundation committe members, and each presentation will be reported.

Foundation chairman Barry Meadows said: "I was delighted to have been able to give Sophie and her family this special hamper.

"The Artie White Foundation has supported local charities for the past 16 years.

"This year we wanted readers of the Grimsby Telegraph to tell us who they think deserves a gift."

To nominate someone you believe deserves a Christmas treat, fill in the form below or find this story on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

A MAN who claimed to have visited a social club in the early hours to pick up cigarette ends has been found guilty of burglary.

David Sweeney, of Grimsby Road, Cleethorpes, was forced to pay compensation to the Carr Lane Social Club after smashing through two internal doors, causing more than £1,000 damage.

Sweeney, 45 – who fled the scene when the alarm went off – was convicted after trial at Grimsby Magistrates' Court.

Brendan Woodward, prosecuting, told the court that club stewardess Debra Hall had left the premises locked and secured on August 3.

"A resident on Carr Lane saw the defendant cycling to the car park on his bike with a rucksack at 5.30am," said Mr Woodward.

"She thought it was suspicious, so kept him on observation."

Sweeney was spotted trying the double doors to the club, before walking round to the smoking area.

Mr Woodward continued: "He was pulling at the doors with both arms to force the doors and then entered the pub.

"He then heard the alarm activate and was seen emerging from the double doors."

The resident saw Sweeney cycling away from the scene with the rucksack and she called the police.

When they arrived at the scene, they heard the alarm and found that both sets of double doors had been forced. Shortly afterwards, Sweeney was arrested.

The wooden doors had been forced around the locks, but apart from damage to both the doors, nothing had been taken.

During the trial, Sweeney said he had gone to the club to pick up tab-ends at night as he was "embarrassed" to do so during the day.

He said he went inside through curiosity and denied forcing the shutters.

Sweeney said he decided to leave when he heard the alarm and that he did not bring a rucksack to the area.

Nick Furman, mitigating, said: "There is a lot of positive to be said of Mr Sweeney. He is somebody who does hold positive attitudes to the community.

"This is an isolated incident and he would like to think he could help the community in some aspect."

Sweeney was given a 12-month community order, 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay the social club £1,350 compensation for the damage caused to both the doors.

DELIVERY drivers and van owners are being warned to be on their guard – following three incidents where thieves have stolen vehicles with the keys still inside.

Three reports have been made to Humberside Police in recent days by drivers who have left their engines running when picking up or dropping off items. One arrest has already been made.

The warning comes as officers revealed in the last fortnight alone, 11 of the 20 burglaries reported in North East Lincolnshire involved insecure doors or windows.

So today, the force is also advising everyone to beware of criminal activity in the run-up to Christmas.

Detective Chief Inspector Gerry Darling said: "Incidents involving vehicles, known as jump-ups, really are a gift to thieves who will wander around looking for ideal opportunities to steal commercial vehicles which they can put to further use in future crimes. Let's face it, finding a van with the engine still running while its driver is dropping something off is almost too good to be true and will not be ignored.

"We have had three of these incidents in the last week or so, and one male has been arrested as part of an ongoing investigation.

"As tempting as it may be to stay in the warmth of your home for a little longer while your vehicle is outside defrosting, or to leave your engine running in your van while you stop early in the morning to make a drop off – please don't.

"Even early in the morning when it seems like no one else is around, you really don't know who may be lurking nearby waiting for someone to generously present an ideal opportunity for a vehicle to be stolen. So I would ask for drivers, also fleet managers and logistics managers, to be aware of this problem and take responsibility for your vehicles.

"After all, it may not just be the vehicle that gets stolen but the contents could be someone's eagerly awaited Christmas present.

"And don't forget to protect your home from criminals. This time of year is their favourite; Christmas presents and the valuables you already own means they are likely to get their hands on some pretty expensive items."

If you witness such a crime or have information relating to criminal activity, contact Humberside Police on 101.

The website www.humbersidepolice.uk offers crime prevention advice.

GREAT Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell has told campaigners opposed to the closure of Scartho Baths to "fight on" despite the council last night voting to close the 50-year-old swimming pool.

As expected, plans to build a new £8.4 million leisure centre, with a swimming pool, gym and sauna, at Cromwell Road, Grimsby, were approved by councillors last night.

It means the Scartho Road pool will close in three years, once the new pool is open for business.

However, Mr Mitchell has encouraged campaigners, who garnered more than 7,000 signatures calling for the pool to be saved, to keep up the fight.

Mr Mitchell, whose Christmas card for this year features an image of him and his wife Linda McDougall inside the Scartho pool holding up a rubber ring carrying the words "Save Our Pool", said: "The campaigners should fight on."

He told the Grimsby Telegraph that the council should have taken more time over its decision to close the pool in order to assess the potential cost of refurbishing it.

At last night's meeting, Conservative and Liberal Democrat councillors made a plea for the project to be put on hold to consider other options, but all 25 Labour councillors voted to press ahead with building the new facility.

The 14 other councillors present abstained.

Mr Mitchell said: "I wanted the council to take it more slowly, consult more widely and to give us more information about the relative costs of prolonging the life of Scartho Baths as compared to the costs of building a new pool.

"I think a big decision like this needs to be taken with all the information before the public."

Conservative group leader Keith Brookes (Con, Haverstoe) claimed that the ruling Labour group had restricted bidding for the design contract for the new leisure centre to just one firm, Newcastle-based architects Faulknerbrowns.

He said that another company, Competition Pool Solutions (CPS), had been denied the chance to bid, despite claiming it could build an eight-lane 25-metre pool for more than £2 million less than the design which has been approved.

Councillor Brookes said: "I think tonight is the last chance for the Labour group to show some respect for the people of North East Lincolnshire. I would ask them to look again at the possibility of building the new pool on Scartho Road."

However, when Councillor Alex Baxter (Con, Scartho) proposed that a second company should be asked to prepare a costed design for a new swimming pool, he was advised by monitoring officer Rob Walsh that this would breach the council's procurement rules and that his amendment was therefore invalid.

Councillor Andrew De Freitas (Lib Dem, Park), leader of the Lib Dem group, said the council was repeating the mistake it made 40 years ago by putting brand new leisure facilities in the wrong location.

But his suggestion of holding a select committee on the issue was dismissed by Mayor Mike Burton (Lab, Immingham), who pointed out that this proposal had already been rejected at last month's full council meeting.

Council deputy leader Mick Burnett (Lab, Croft Baker) said: "This will be a fantastic leisure facility which will benefit the community of North East Lincolnshire for years to come. The new pool will be energy efficient, it will have eight lanes and it will have disabled access."

MOST actors get nervous on stage – but these four-legged friends are professionals and know exactly what to do after 15 years of experience.

Two white Shetland ponies – Funky and Barren – are veterans in the business and they are stars of Grimsby Auditorium's Christmas pantomime, Cinderella.

Freelance horse groom Tracy Hutson, of North Thoresby, prepares the two loveable ponies for their entrance on stage pulling Cinderella's carriage.

She began her grooming career 15 years ago, after replying to an advert in the Grimsby Telegraph.

Tracy, 40, said: "Thanks to the Telegraph I got this job and I love meeting different people during shows – but travelling is hard work.

"I bring the ponies from Reading about two weeks before the show to get them used to the surroundings. They are part of Luckens Panto Ponies business.

"They are professionals – I follow them! They know exactly what to do and Funky turns her head to the audience when she goes on stage.

"I have done Dancing On Ice with them in Hull for three days and they walked around a carpet at the edge of the ice rink."

"Barren really knows what he is doing. He stands still for five minutes back stage before the pantomime, whereas Funky is a little more nervous and she needed a couple of rehearsals going up the ramp onto the stage. But as soon as she gets used to it, she's fine.

"They are not robots, they're living creatures and you have to give them a lot of care, kindness and patience."

The ponies stay in a stable at Tracy's home and she describes them as "priceless".

"They really are stars of the show. As soon as they go on stage the audience says 'aww'," she added.

"I keep them in a stable with a rug on so they keep their white coats clean, and it only takes about five minutes to make them up before a show.

"Everyone adores them backstage and treats them with mints and carrots – even people who have never been around horses love them."

Tracy has six horses of her own at home and she breaks them in to ride for a living.

She said: "Horses are the most important thing to me and they take priority.

"Six years ago when I groomed for Grimsby Auditorium's pantomime, which was also Cinderella, I lost a pony named Snowy on the last day of the show. He unexpectedly died of an brain tumour. It was really sad."

Cinderella runs until Wednesday, December 26.

To book call 0844 871 3016 or visit www.atgtickets.com/GrimsbyAuditorium

THE convicted killer jailed for the manslaughter of baby Ethan Hopson has been cleared of sex offences against a vulnerable woman.

Jason Redgrave, 25, of Grimsby, is serving an eight-year prison sentence after being convicted of inflicting the severe brain injuries which killed six-month-old Ethan.

He had been cleared of murdering Ethan between December 16 and 23 last year but convicted of manslaughter after a seven-day trial at Hull Crown Court in June. He has now been cleared after a four-day trial at Nottingham Crown Court of two unrelated offences of sexual activity with a woman who had a mental disorder.

They related to having sex with a vulnerable woman who has learning difficulties and were said to have happened between May 1 and June 20 last year.

The alleged sexual matters could not be reported until now so as not to prejudice the earlier trial involving the death of Ethan.

Redgrave had made two earlier appearances at Lincoln Crown Court in connection with the alleged sexual offences before the matter was transferred to Nottingham, again to avoid the risk of the second jury being influenced by the Hull manslaughter conviction.

As reported, Redgrave is believed to have viciously slapped, hit and shaken baby Ethan while babysitting for the tot's mother, Karly Hopson.

After the eight-year jailing, Miss Hopson, 24, strongly criticised the length of the prison term as "disgusting" and claimed that sentencing guidelines should be changed.

Today, she said she was angry at the outcome of this week's trial.

"I'm more angry than you can imagine," she said.

"I had been holding out hope that he would get more time added for this and I would get justice, although he will never get enough jail time for me.

"On Monday, it will be three years until he is out and can get on with his life but me and my family have got a life sentence – we'll never be able to forget."

Nicholas Lumley, QC, prosecuting told the Nottingham court that the woman was aged 37 at the time and was vulnerable because she suffered serious learning difficulties.

Redgrave met her after he got a job as a support worker and visited her a number of times at her east Lincolnshire home.

He allegedly took advantage of her in her home, made her dress up in a schoolgirl's outfit and forced her to have sex with him and to engage in other sexual activity, claimed Mr Lumley.

Redgrave later claimed the allegations were "a figment of her imagination" and that "she probably had a crush on him".

Police searched Redgrave's home and found a schoolgirl's outfit under the bed he shared with his wife.

Redgrave denied making the woman wear the black shorts and top, red striped tie and long white socks, but police found her DNA on them.

He later "changed his tune" and claimed the woman had asked to see the schoolgirl clothes so he took them to her home.

Redgrave, who was represented by barrister Richard Butters, told the jury the woman repeatedly asked him questions about his sex life with his wife.

He admitted it was a "stupid, rash decision" to bring his wife's schoolgirl's outfit to her home, but claimed she took the clothes out of his bag.

"It was very, very unprofessional of me," he said. "It was never my intention to have sex with her.

"This is a very serious allegation. That's why I couldn't understand why she had made it.

"I can only assume she had fantasy and reality blurred together.

"I never had any intention to take advantage of her."

After the verdicts, Redgrave was discharged on the sexual offences but returned to custody to carry on serving the rest of his sentence for the manslaughter offence.

The jury was not told at any stage about the manslaughter conviction, even after the verdicts.

See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for a full interview with Karly on how she is trying to put her life back together.

COUNCILLORS could decide to "dispose" of Humberston Fitties after recommending residents be forced to leave the site for at least eight weeks every year.

It comes following a petition calling for chalet owners to be able to stay on the site for 50 weeks each year was submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council in 2010, promoting a full review of the site.

But the campaign may have now backfired for residents as a select committee formed to investigate the issue has rejected their plea for extended occupancy and instead made other recommendations for the future of the site.

A report, formulated by the committee after a two-day hearing in October, will be presented to the policy, performance and resources scrutiny panel on Wednesday.

The recommendations contained within it include:

That the closed season be no less than eight weeks per year, following evidence that the site is at risk of flooding.

That a working group be established to explore other opportunities for the management or freehold disposal of the site.

That the council reviews the £40,000 allocation for the maintenance of the coastal defence near the site.

The council strengthens its approach to use of chalets during the closed season and residents using chalets as their main home.

Options be explored for improving tourism at the site.

Councillor Ray Sutton, chairman of the select committee, said the issues raised during the hearing were complex and far-reaching.

He added: "We've examined closely the wide array of challenges and opportunities presented by this unique place.

"We and many local people care passionately about the Fitties and during the hearing we listened to many of them, as well as a number of other agencies and interested parties and I'm very grateful to everyone who took the time to give us their views.

"We've also had to be mindful of the many different functions the council has at the Fitties, from our responsibilities as the landlord to planning duties and our statutory role in emergencies, flooding and the environment.

"We believe everyone has had a fair chance to have their say on the matter and I look forward to the wider policy, performance and resources scrutiny panel discussing the report's recommendations on Wednesday.''

During the consultation, the select committee heard from Fitties Owners Residents' Association Bungalows (FORAB), other chalet owners, the Environment Agency, Balfour Beatty Living Places, Synergy Grimsby and the council.

See tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for residents' reactions.

A DEDICATED volunteer who has saved hundreds of lives over 10 years has won the Market Rasen Rotary Club Community Service Award.

Steve King has been the leading light in the Lives first responders organisation, serving as the area co-ordinator and attending 1,200 call-outs in a career which has spanned a decade.

It was his recovery from a heart attack that inspired Steve to train as a volunteer, having previously driven his Lives responder wife Jenny to some calls.

Mobilised following 999 calls alongside an ambulance, Steve attends various calls with issues ranging from respiratory difficulty, falls and cardiac arrests at home, to road traffic incidents.

He is often the first medically-trained person on the scene of an incident.

He is now one of very few volunteers trained to be able to attend category A calls, the most life-threatening kind. He administers life saving drugs and pain relief, and uses nebulisers and blood monitor kits.

Lives is important in the rural Wolds. Located within their own communities, volunteer responders attend call-outs within minutes, stabilising patients and reassuring loved ones, until paramedics arrive.

This early intervention sometimes means the difference between life and death.

Mr King has also taken a lead role as area co-ordinator in the organisation and helped several villages start up volunteer Lives groups, trained new responders and supported their development.

Before retiring last year, the Olympic torchbearer was a familiar figure at Market Rasen Racecourse as manager of the stables there.

And his work was recognised at a packed carol concert in Market Rasen Methodist Church.

He said: "This award has left me speechless. I accept it on behalf of all the responders in the area.

"We are all proud to help our community. Thank you ever so much."

Ray Pearson, community service chairman for Market Rasen Rotary Club, said: "Steve is a true ambassador for Lives.

"When he gives talks locally on Lives, his passion and gentle humour shine through, inspiring others. He is also a very active volunteer."

To find out how you can get involved in Lives, visit www.lives.org.uk

LAST week saw yet more fisticuffs among the flower beds in North East Lincolnshire.

Following their dispute over the giant saucy seaside postcards erected in the summer, Cleethorpes In Bloom chairman Bob Callison and council leader Chris Shaw have squared up in a new row – this time about alleged political interference in the area's successful In Bloom campaigns.

Councillor Shaw wants to replace the two council officers who currently sit on the committees of the In Bloom groups in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Immingham, with an elected Cabinet member – his deputy Mick Burnett. Mr Callison says that will turn In Bloom into a "political tool" – and his counterparts in Grimsby and Immingham agree.

Describing the proposal as a "draconian term and condition", he added: "If we don't agree to what he wants he is not prepared to support us. I call that nothing short of blackmail."

Mr Callison was also rather disparaging about Councillor Burnett's horticultural knowledge, exclaiming: "You show me one portfolio holder that knows the difference between an oak tree and a monkey tree and I will eat my hat, whereas an ecology officer would."

Councillor Shaw hit back by saying: "As a partner of In Bloom we expect to have a seat at the table."

But it would seem he is not holding out much hope, adding mischievously: "I have heard the comment that it is easier to get into the Freemason's than it is to get onto the Cleethorpes In Bloom committee. It's ludicrous."

A PENSIONER who is described as considerate to others by her daughter has received some festive cheer.

As reported, the Grimsby Telegraph has teamed up with the Artie White Foundation for the charity's 12 Days of Christmas campaign, during which food hampers and toy vouchers are being donated to deserving people.

Judith Jobson, 84, of Queens Court, Grimsby, was overwhelmed to have been chosen for a hamper.

The selfless woman was nominated by her daughter, Helen Falder, who says her mum "never asks for anything for herself and sometimes misses a meal to save her pension.

"She will always consider other people and put them first."

Mrs Jobson, who says she is a private person, will now stock up her cupboard with the extra treats provided.

She said: "Inside the hamper were things such as a jar of pickle, cakes, puddings and more – lots of useful items.

"I was shocked to hear that the charity was giving me a hamper.

"I like to keep myself to myself and don't really think I have done that much to deserve such a thing."

Mrs Jobson is in full support of the charity for doing such a good deed over Christmas.

She said: "During the winter months every little helps and this hamper is certainly very welcoming."

Grimsby Telegraph readers can still nominate someone to receive a hamper by filling in the form on this page.

It could be someone who always goes that extra mile for others, a young family struggling to buy presents, or an elderly person facing the prospect of spending Christmas alone.

Whoever they are, you can put a smile on their face.

The people will be chosen by committee members of the Artie White Foundation, and each presentation will be reported in the paper.

Barry Meadows, chairman of the Artie White Foundation, said: "Christmas is a special time of year, but it can also be a difficult time for many people.

"I was delighted to have been able to give Judith this special hamper.

"The Artie White Foundation has supported local charities for the past 16 years.

"This year we wanted readers of the Grimsby Telegraph to tell us who they think deserves a gift. Every little helps during the festive period."

WOOF, bark, donkey. You you don't know why it's funny, but it is when it comes from the legendary Charlie Chuck.

Comedy star Charlie Chuck – made famous by appearances as Uncle Peter on the TV show The Smell of Reeves and Mortimer – graced the stage at Waltham Tea Gardens.

The one-off 'I'm In Waltham' gig at the intimate venue had people rolling in their seats with an act that could only described as bizarre but hilarious.

Charlie walked onto the stage with his trademark homeless look and a confused expression, and played the drums with sections of a pool cue before smashing it up with a fence post he had been using as a walking stick.

The crazy-haired Yorkshireman talked the gibberish that made him famous and told stories, mostly about strange animals, that trailed off in a strange and unexpected direction, leaving the crowd in stitches.

And you can view his antics on video – talking about fish, chips and a chicken leg – by visiting www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

"It's given me great pleasure to be here tonight – in this shed," he said, before wandering offstage, obscurely.

Super fan Tony Parker, 38, of Sea View Street, said: "I grew up with him on the show and his catchphrases were legendary. Me and my friend still quote them now.

"He is just an absolute legend of comedy."

Friend Marcus Carlile, 38, of St Anne's Street, Grimsby, added: "I was a huge fan of him when I was growing up. It shouldn't be funny but it is."

Charlie – real name David Kear – explained his unique style to the Telegraph before taking to the stage.

"I got it from my mum and my dad. My dad was intelligent and grounded and my mum was basically nuts," he said.

"She used to talk this gibberish to me, which is where I get that from, and my dad would always say, 'what are you teaching him that rubbish for?' and was much more sensible."

Also performing was local singer Andy Wood with his first-ever comedy act – washed-up rock star Randy Rimmer. The rocker, who was introduced as having had 15 platinum albums, 10 number one singles and more than 50 arrests for indecent exposure, claimed he would "save music from the Satan that is Simon Cowell and the X Factor".

What's On is on page 33 of today's Telegraph.

THE homeless and needy were warmed up with dollops of festive faith and extra helpings of hope at the Grimsby Food Kitchen's Christmas meal.

Bighearted Christians Cath and Ken Homewood laid on a festive spread with the help of Sonja and Shelly's Café in Freeman Street for about 30 people who are trying to get their lives back on track.

Many have been homeless, are battling drug and drink addictions or have no-one else to turn to – and all finished their Christmas dinners – with all the trimmings – feeling positive about 2013.

For Sally Lidgard, 38, it is the first Christmas she has spent without her family around her.

Now living in Grimsby's Salvation Army, the mum of a three-year-old boy lost everything after suffering a nervous breakdown four months ago.

She said: "This will be my first Christmas without my son. It is a very hard time of year. I don't have any family anymore so to have people like Cath and Ken around helps so much. I am so grateful to them.

"Today I feel like I am part of one big family. They have been so supportive and it is nice to be around people who have gone through similar things to me. It makes me feel less alone."

Chris Gilly, 32, has been using the Food Kitchen for three years. A qualified bricklayer, he lost his home and job to drink but is now rebuilding his life thanks to Cath and Ken.

He said: "Christmas is a hard time of year. It can be lonely and you start thinking about the past and how things used to be but today has helped. It is nice to know I have the support. I owe a lot to Cath and Ken, what they have done means everything to me."

Sadly, the number of people using the Food Kitchen has grown dramatically in the past year and they now help 65 people every week.

They hate turning people away but last week they were forced to when they ran out of food within an hour of opening their doors to the Food Kitchen, Open Doors, on Hainton Avenue, Grimsby.

Cath believes the growing number is not just because more people know about the Food Kitchen, but because more people are finding themselves in financial hardship.

Dave Galbraith, 53, is new to the Food Kitchen and has just moved into a new flat thanks to the help of Cath and Ken and the Salvation Army.

After his marriage of 23 years broke down and he lost his job in London, he moved to Grimsby to lodge with a friend, which didn't work out and he ended up sleeping rough in People's Park.

He said: "I have never been in this position before. I was married for 23 years, I owned a house, I had a good job, then I lost it all.

"Today has been brilliant. It has made me feel hopeful for the future now and that is down to Cath and Ken. Nothing is too much trouble for them."

And with more people coming, more donations are needed for the Food Kitchen and food parcels which Cath and Ken run all year round.

Cath said: "Because these guys are so special to us we try to make Christmas special for them. We want them to build a future for themselves. This might not give them an education or skills, but it gives them hope, knowing we are there for them."

Ken added: "If we can give them just a little bit of hope at this time of year that they didn't have before, then we have made a difference."

If you want to help the Food Kitchen, e-mail faye.preston@gsmg.co.uk or call 01472 372236.

COUNCIL bosses have pledged to do all they can to secure funding for a diving facility at Grimsby's new swimming pool.

Although there are currently no plans to include diving boards at the new £8.4-million leisure centre, council deputy leader Mick Burnett told the Grimsby Telegraph yesterday that the authority would explore all options in a bid to gain the necessary cash.

However, local MPs Austin Mitchell and Martin Vickers claimed that by pressing ahead with the project the council was "slamming the door" on the possibility of having diving boards at the new Cromwell Road site.

As reported, the lack of a diving board is a major bone of contention with campaigners opposed to the closure of Scartho Baths, which does boast such a facility, but which will close its doors when the new pool is complete in three years time.

And at Thursday night's full council meeting, at which the project was given the green light, two Conservative councillors made a plea for a diving board to be included in the design.

Councillor John Fenty (Con, Humberston and New Waltham), who recalled the thrill of diving into the pool at Scartho Baths as a youngster, said: "I make a plea that we take one step backwards and look at installing diving boards.

"There is a cost proposed to do that. That is in the region of £1.5-million. I would suggest that figure has been plucked out of the sky and it could probably be done for cheaper than that."

Councillor Melanie Dickerson (Con, Wolds) expressed concern that the council could be missing the chance to provide a "stellar" swimming pool for North East Lincolnshire, adding: "I do believe that diving boards should be included wherever we build this pool."

Speaking after the meeting, Councillor Burnett (Lab, Croft Baker) said: "We want diving facilities if we can get the money to pay for them but we can't guarantee it. We are working with our MPs to see if we can get some Olympic Legacy funding from the government."

But Cleethorpes MP Mr Vickers said there was little prospect of the council making a successful bid if it "rushed ahead" with the present plan.

And Great Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell said: "It will preclude the possibility of other funding. It will be a big set-back if the new pool doesn't have diving boards. We just want the best for Grimsby and a pool that people will accept and be happy with."

Councillor Burnett added that the new swimming pool would be much more accessible for disabled swimmers.

"Currently at Scartho Baths there is a hoist for getting people into the water which is not very dignified. The new pool will have a moveable floor to lower people into the water."

AUSTIN Mitchell's Scartho Baths Christmas card divided opinion in the council chamber at Thursday night's meeting.

The card, which featured an image of the Great Grimsby MP in the pool holding a rubber ring with the words "Save Our Pool" was praised by the Lib Dems – but pilloried by Labour who said it was "full of untruths."

Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh): "Last night I had a dream and I thought what would Austin Mitchell do? I saw what Austin Mitchell would do. I saw it on a Christmas card. He would go in Scartho Baths and he would have a placard: Save Scartho Baths. I agree with Austin Mitchell."

Councillor Matthew Brown (Lab, Croft Baker) said the card was "very amusing" but "full of untruths."

He said the message on the back, which said the council wanted to replace Scartho Baths with a smaller pool, was incorrect.

Although the current pool is around 33-metres it is roped off at 25-metres, with the other side being used as a learning pool.

The new facility will have a 25-metre main pool and a separate learning pool, resulting in more pool space overall.

A ONE-STOP advice centre will open in one half of a building owned by Grimsby's oldest electrical store.

Rayners has agreed to sell its former furniture shop at 146 Freeman Street to business partners Steve Ryder, managing director of CPO Media, and Paul Silvester, Foresight's chief officer, for £135,000.

The shop, which has been vacant since April, will be converted into a two-floor training centre, boasting careers, debt, credit housing, and benefits advice – as well as a creche on the ground floor.

The adjoining Rayners electrical store at 136 to 144 Freeman Street is not included in the sale.

However, owner David Neale confirmed that the store will close in the new year after 90 years of trading.

The advice shop will get a number of businesses on board to man the shop such as Grimsby Institute, Franklin College, Shoreline Housing, Credit Union, Lincs 2 Guidance, Jobcentre Plus.

Work on converting the store is due to start in January next year and the partners hope to open the centre, with 40 car-parking spaces at the rear, in April 2013.

There are also plans for 40 KW solar panels and biomass heating.

Mr Ryder said: "A number of people said they are looking for a community learning space in the East Marsh and I thought the space in Rayners was perfect with a large shop front window to display job and volunteer opportunities.

"People will be able to get advice from a range of services which will be based on desks in the huge ground-floor area.

"The second floor will have IT training rooms and an open space for training skills for people such as young mums."

Steve Kay, head of young peoples support services at North East Lincolnshire Council and chair of Lincs 2 Guidance, said: ""We hope it will also open up doors for businesses to work in partnership to give people of Grimsby access to information and guidance they may need."

Mr Neale, who runs Rayners with his wife Ann and his father-in-law Fred Rayner, said: "We have agreed a sale for half of our building and that is pending with our solicitors.

"There are no talks about a sale of the electrical store, but that is closing down and we, as a family, are retiring."

The half of the building being sold used to be Rayners furniture store. After it closed about 10 years ago, the company leased the space to another furniture company, which folded in April. The shop has been vacant since then and was put on the market in late summer.

Mr Neale added: "I am now 60 years old, my father-in-law is 85 and we have got no continuity for the business. We will close when we will have sold all our stock."

HI-HO, hi-ho, it's off to the stage they go!

More than 60 talented performers are preparing to take to the stage at Cleethorpes Memorial Hall for a pantomime extravaganza – oh yes they are!

The cast will stage Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs on Sunday, with performances at both 3pm and 5pm.

Organiser James Gaffney said: "It's the classic case of boy meets girl; girl's best friend loves girl; but she only has eyes for the handsome Prince Harry.

"At the same time, the evil queen, Nasty Pasty, and her even evil-er sidekick, Sly Pie, seek to stop Snow White turning 18, so the queen remains the fairest in the land. But will they succeed?"

The jam-packed show includes more than 14 song and dance routines in one act alone.

The show includes singalong tracks from chart-topper Adele, as well as the theme tune for Hi-De-Hi, which are sure to get the audience up on their feet.

James added: "Times are hard for everybody this year so the show is a little bit of affordable festive fun for people to enjoy with their family before the big day. I would encourage people to come along and see for themselves what can be produced with almost no budget but the goodwill and talent of the local community.

"We've also got different casts for the 3pm and 5pm shows to allow as many people are possible to have their turn in the spotlight."

As reported, James staged a successful version of Aladdin at the venue last year – and is hoping this year's pantomime will be just as successful.

Tickets, priced £6, are available on the door. For more information, call James on 07800 878805.

LIAM Hearn's recovery from injury remains on schedule – despite a "slight set-back" for the Grimsby Town striker.

After suffering a ruptured Achilles in August, the forward has been working with physio Dave Moore to achieve a return to action before the end of the campaign.

However, Mariners joint boss Rob Scott has revealed that last season's top scorer was forced to ease off slightly.

He said: "Liam had a little set-back but he's pushed on again and is still on schedule. He just had a bit of a reaction which happens after an operation like he's had.

"With any sort of repair that you've had done surgically, you always likely to hit a point where you stop going forwards and you stand still.

"He's been pushing himself really hard with Dave Moore in the gym, working on his rehab, and it flared up a bit which is normal.

"He was a bit sore but that swelling seems to have subsided now. We're still looking at him being a couple of months away.

Hearn also remains satisfied with his recovery and rehab.

"It's going really well – Dave has put a good recovery regime in place," the hitman commented.

"My next progression is stretching the Achilles and starting to look at strengthening it, which will be a big progression.

"I've spoken to other lads who have done the same thing and they are all well behind me in their recovery, so I'm quite advanced and that's all credit to Dave.

"He works with me every day, putting me through my paces, and I feel in great shape.

"I'm itching to get back, and it's going to be so frustrating watching from the sidelines during those important games over Christmas.

"Hopefully the lads will be in a good position when I do come back so I can help them win promotion."

RESIDENTS of Humberston Fitties are urging council bosses to hand responsibility for the site over to them – and end the dispute about how long they can stay on the site for good.

As reported, a select committee formed by North East Lincolnshire Council to assess whether residents should be able to stay in their chalets for 50 weeks of the year, instead of the current 44, has recommended the authority looks into selling off the site.

Other recommendations include continuing to enforce the two-month closed period and looking into how to make the site a tourist attraction.

It has led residents to confirm their interest in taking over the Fitties and turning it into a hotspot for visitors.

Paul Harwood, chairman of Fitties Owners Residents' Association Bungalows (Forab), said it would be impossible to attract visitors to the conservation area throughout the year when residents are not on site for two months.

He said: "The select committee has totally ignored our case that to produce a working heritage site that would be the envy of the whole of the east coast, it is necessary for residents to actually be present.

"Without that, the site is just a sterile collection of buildings.

"The residents bring it to life, they are its beating heart.

"The committee has failed to grasp that the increased residency request is a pre-requisite of improving the tourism on offer.

"Rather than concentrate on residency conditions and control measures, the committee should have concentrated on vision. We believe a golden opportunity is being missed for Cleethorpes as a whole."

As reported, the select committee's recommendations – which were formed after a landmark two-day hearing in October – will be presented to the policy, performance and resources scrutiny panel on Wednesday.

And residents maintain the recommendation to turf them off the site for two months of the year is "ludicrous" and based on false information.

Mr Harwood claims the decision to do so is based solely on the Environment Agency's view that the site is prone to flooding – despite a separate assessment commission by residents showing otherwise.

He added: "We showed at the hearing that there is so much disagreement between experts and agencies regarding flood risk that it is just not safe to confidently rely on the predications of any of them.

"If the committee was simply going to agree with the Environment Agency all along then the whole hearing was always going to be a total waste of everyone's time and energy."

Pat Taylor, who has had a chalet on the site for six years, added: "It would be so much better if control of the site was given to the people who live there.

"It makes me ill every year thinking about leaving and I it's so expensive to do. I just wish they would see sense and let us stay."

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for the outcome of Wednesday's meeting.

ONLY two of the eight primary schools in the borough inspected by Ofsted this academic year are 'good', according to recently published reports – and none are 'outstanding'.

The news comes after the Department for Education (DfE) released statistics that revealed only 56 per cent of children in the area attended primary schools rated 'good' or 'outstanding', which ranked North East Lincolnshire 14th from bottom in a table of 150 local authorities.

Since September, Ofsted has published eight reports on primary schools inspected, out of the 44 in the borough, and has judged two as 'good': Laceby Acres Primary School and Western Primary School.

Six schools, also inspected this year, have been placed in the 'requires improvement' category – which was called 'satisfactory' until new framework was introduced this year – and none were rated 'outstanding'.

Jack Blackmore, strategic director for people for North East Lincolnshire Council (NELC), said that schools are improving, with 75 per cent of students getting a level four grade in English and maths in 2012 – a rise of five per cent on the previous year.

Mr Blackmore added: "With almost the stroke of a pen, what was once "satisfactory", which sounds good enough, has become "requires improvement", which is not good enough – but Ofsted are right to be critical of what schools can be doing better.

"Our primaries are trying to improve against a changing landscape of rising standards – but, with our partners at Serco, we are already improving.

"We recognise that a number of schools face significant challenges but having visited many fantastic schools in our area, I am positive about us being able to raise standards."

Both Laceby Acres and Western have made an improvement on previous reports which gave them 'satisfactory' ratings – now 'requires improvement'.

Kim Leach, headteacher at Western Primary School, said: "Ofsted inspections are a lot more in-depth so it is harder than ever to maintain your rating, let alone improve it.

"The staff and pupils have worked really hard for this and many parents travel some distance to bring their children here, which was mentioned in the report."

Sharon Clapson, headteacher at Laceby Acres, said the result reflected the hard work of children and parents and that the school would continue to improve until it gets an 'outstanding' rating.

As reported, Welholme Primary, Springfield Primary, Coomb Briggs Primary and Reynolds Primary were put in the 'requires improvement' category in reports published in November.

Since then, reports for Grange Primary School and William Barcroft Junior School have been published, placing them in the same category.