SURGERY will be the next step in order to help this six-year-old beat cancer.

As reported, Lucy Sutton, from Scartho, was diagnosed with osteosarcoma – a form of bone cancer found in a joint behind her left knee – in February.

The brave little girl has recently finished her cycle of chemotherapy and will now let her body repair itself ready for an operation in about eight weeks.

Surgeons plan to remove parts of her leg bone behind the knee joint which is affected by the tumour and replace it with an adjustable metal joint.

For her dad Tony Sutton, 44, and mum Catrina Sutton, 39, this rare condition has sparked them to raise awareness and help other children affected by cancer.

On Friday, November 9, they have organised a black tie event, Lucy's Butterfly Ball, from 7.30pm, at The Best Western Oaklands Hotel at Laceby.

Their aim is to raise money for various charities which benefit children suffering many forms of cancer.

These include CLIC Sargent, Theodora Children's Trust, PACT (Parents' Association of Children with Tumours and Leukaemia), Sheffield Children's Hospital Ward M3 and Birmingham Royal Orthopedic Hospital.

Tony said: "When Lucy was first diagnosed, neither myself nor Catrina knew anything about her cancer. We found out most of our information through the internet – it was that rare that her doctor did not even spot the signs or symptoms.

"It was an MRI and CT scan which finally confirmed her condition.

"So far around 100 tickets for the night have been sold but there are still some left for people to buy.

"The charity night will include a four-course meal, a disco and plenty of entertainment including guitar and bass music trio Vintage Cool.

"We are appealing for businesses to donate any prizes towards a raffle and auction on the night.

"As parents we do wake up every morning hoping to hear the words 'Lucy is in remission' but in reality we know this is a long way off yet.

"For now we are channelling our emotions into this event."

Tickets are now on sale at £30 each and can be bought from Megs hair salon, High Street, Cleethorpes, the Oaklands Hotel and by calling Tony on 07940 834736.

For more information about the event, visit www.the-butter- fly-ball.co.uk

TWO Chinese professors are enjoying the "blue skies and thoughtful people" of Grimsby.

Li Xiangwei and Xi Hong – known as Julie and Rose while in England – are professors at the Guangzhou University School of Journalism and Communication.

They are currently in Grimsby studying media culture, improving their English skills and observing the studies of their students on a 12-week media course at Grimsby Institute.

As well as the professional perks, they are also enjoying the small town of Grimsby – a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Guangzhou, China's third largest city.

Julie said: "My favourite thing is the blue skies; it is so different to Guangzhou, which is very commercial, and the people are so thoughtful, kind and considerate."

Rose continued: "We are a long way from China but people have made us feel very welcome. Grimsby is like a home away from home."

The pair have plans to visit sites of interest all over the country in their studies of British media, including the BBC centres in London and Manchester.

They have already spent a day with the Grimsby Telegraph, shadowing one of the reporters. Their favourite place of all was Cambridge – the setting for Saying Goodbye To Cambridge Again by Xu Zhimo, one of China's most celebrated modern literary figures.

Rose said: "I remember learning the poem as a child, it was one of my favourites and I can still recite it from memory.

"I have imagined what Cambridge was like since reading the poem and it has always been my dream to go."

The pair are just one month into their 12-week trip and have not yet seen many of Lincolnshire's famous sites. However, they have tried some local cuisine, but an unlikely winner emerged as their favourite.

"Most of the food is quite sweet but we had fish and chips and it was very nice – but the fish was so big. My favourite food so far is the beef goulash we had in Hull," said Julie.

The pair are visiting along with their students taking part in the growing media course run by Grimsby Institute for international students.

Andrew McKinnon, director of international studies at the Institute, said: "Practical training with overseas partners is now becoming important for Chinese universities as their own delivery is highly classroom-based.

"Guangzhou are one of a dozen universities now collaborating with the Institute and its signature broadcast and media programmes."

A LUXURY £700,000 wedding and function suite will create at least eight new jobs.

Work has begun on the construction of a new self-contained barn-style building at the three-star Brackenborough Hotel, which lies off the A16.

As well as providing seating for up to 240 people, the new venue will have a reception area, bar, toilet facilities and an acre of landscaped gardens.

Ashley Lidgard, owner of the Oakridge hotels chain, which also includes The Ashbourne, at North Killingholme, said: "It will be a modern, opulent function space with rich colours and lush furnishings.

"We've built up an excellent reputation over the years but because our existing function room only seats between 80 and 90 people, we've had to turn business away.

"The Ashbourne can accommodate more people and the response there has been phenomenal so we wanted to replicate that space here.

"There will be nothing like this in the surrounding area and the reaction from people who have seen the plans so far has been incredible.

"We're looking forward to the first weddings being held in the new suite in the spring."

The project has been made possible by a £150,000 grant from Lindsey Action Zone, which has injected £1.7-million of European funding into rural areas of northern Lincolnshire in the last four years.

July Bell, local action group manager for Lindsey Action Zone, said: "We hope the new function suite will benefit the hotel, other local businesses and the wider community by providing a facility which doesn't exist as present.

"It will also create new jobs, which is extremely important in the current economic climate."

Councillor Jill Makinson-Sanders, who is Mayor of Louth, said: "This funding is fantastic as it makes the difference between projects going ahead or being stalled.

"This new function space will be a huge asset for the area and will create jobs and further investment."

The venue, which is being constructed by Immingham-based Cube 3 construction – who also built The Ashbourne two years ago – is due to be completed by the end of February.

Plans are already in place to use the new venue for a jazz festival, car show and charity fundraisers.

Ashley added: "We're hoping that as the function space becomes more popular, there will be more demand for bedrooms and further development at the hotel will follow.

"We also have planning permission for a gym, so that will be built in the future too. The new building will create eight jobs to start with but we're hoping to bring in even more people as it gets booked up."

Bookings are already being taken for weddings and functions to take place in the new venue from March 2013. To find out more, call 01507 609169.

GRIMSBY firefighters gave the sales of their charity calendar a boost when they promoted it in person for the first time.

As reported, staff from Cromwell Road Station have stripped off in aid of Motor Neurone Disease and are starring in their own calendar which hit the shops this week.

Striking a variety of poses, the calendar has a mix of sensitive, artistic, comical and sexy poses from the men, and are being sold in stores for just £8 or two for £14.

The calendar has been on sale for a few weeks, but when the firemen turned up in person to sell it, sales – unsurprisingly – soared, raising £200 in one morning at the Hewitts Circus Tesco store.

Branch chairperson and station clerk Lisa Blow was the brains behind the brawn, and hopes everyone enjoys it.

She said: "We really needed to raise some much-needed funds for the branch and I wanted something that would really catch everyone's attention to help raise awareness, but also be fun.

"The photo-shoot took place at the station back in July. The day went without a hitch and was great fun.

"Considering no one has any experience in front of the camera, the firefighters look really relaxed and they were all thrilled with the finished photographs.

"We raised £200 at the weekend, which is great considering it is still fairly early in the year for calendars."

The firefighters will join the charity on a number of promotional dates, the next one being on Monday morning, at Morrisons.

Firefighter Steve Gritten, struck a moody pose for his Mr May shot. He said: "We did one 10 years ago, but I wasn't in it – I was too good looking back then!

"I enjoyed the day. It helps that I love taking my clothes off, too!

"We didn't feel like models, we just had a laugh. We do a lot for charity, especially the smaller charities that don't get much support."

Crewmate Sean Carley appears in the calendar three times – in April, October and December.

He said: "It was the first time I have done anything like this. It was a fun day – everyone enjoyed themselves.

"I haven't really thought about the fact we will be hanging up in people's houses, but my kids keep saying 'Daddy's in a calendar'."

Mr November Ricky Hoult is grateful he lives out of town.

"I wouldn't have done it if it wasn't for charity," he said. "It's a good laugh and luckily I am from Hull and it isn't being sold over there! It put my mind at ease!"

St Andrew's Hospice is also selling the calendars and will benefit from 25 per cent of sales made on their premises.

The calendars are being sold around town, including Grimsby and Immingham East Fire Stations and Grimsby Telegraph's reception. Enquiries can also be sent to lisablow@btinternet.com or 07824 506894. Check out www.facebook.com/FireServiceCalendarMnd.

REPORTED incidents of hate crime in North East Lincolnshire are expected to increase this year.

But the figures are being viewed as a positive by police and council bosses who say it is a sign that more victims are being encouraged to come forward.

A hate crime is defined as a criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate on the grounds of race, colour, belief, sexual orientation or disability.

The number of reported hate crimes in the borough has remained fairly constant since April 2010, with 283 incidents in 2010-11 and 288 in 2011-12.

However, an increase to 312 is projected for 2012-13, after 104 incidents were reported in the first four months of the financial year.

But Spencer Hunt, the council's safer and stronger communities manager, said the figures were nothing to be concerned about.

Addressing the safer and stronger communities scrutiny panel, he said: "We are not looking at this as a negative. We specifically said this wasn't about a reduction target, it was about trying to encourage people to come forward and report at the earliest opportunity, and it's then that we can put the support in."

Mr Hunt added that since the introduction of a dedicated hate crime investigation officer, Humberside Police was now detecting more hate crimes than in previous years.

As of August 12 this year, the detection rate for racially and religiously aggravated crimes was 40 per cent, which compares favourably with the figures for violent crime (39 per cent) and overall crime (29 per cent).

He said: "It shows there's an emphasis within the police in trying to detect these kinds of crime. It's not an easy type of crime to prove and detect."

Becky Freeman, chairwoman of the Safer and Stronger Communities Hate Crime Action Group, told the panel about various projects being undertaken to tackle hate crime and encourage victims to come forward.

These included workshops in primary schools, advice leaflets for takeaway staff and a forthcoming film competition, as reported below.

Councillor Steve Beasant (Lib Dem, East Marsh) said: "I'm quite pleased and reassured by the work that's being done. I feel quite comforted seeing these figures."

Councillor Iain Colquhoun (Con, Waltham) said: "Although there's a problem in North East Lincolnshire it's not a unique problem to us and it's not a particularly severe problem overall, but to those people affected it's very important."

Praising the work of the Hate Crime Action Group, he added: "If you carry on doing the work that you are doing I would have thought it will do an awful lot to mitigate these sort of crimes."

A GROUP of young Grimsby Telegraph columnists have been nominated for a national award – as they hand their legacy down to a new batch of budding writers.

In June, the five teenagers set about trying to change negative perceptions of young people by using their writing skills.

May Woods, Louise Jones, Sian Abbott, Ben Staff, Ben Goodyear and Boneata Bell have written Young Reporter columns every Saturday, ranging from serious pieces about human trafficking to a comical take on one young lady's hatred of cruise ships.

Their impressive articles have attracted the attention of their peers, family members, many of our readers – and now the judges of the Children And Young People Now Awards.

From 400 applicants, the Grimsby-based project has made the final eight.

Pippa Curtin, participation co-ordinator for Young People's Support Service (YPSS), said: "I'm really proud of everything they have achieved, partly because of the award nomination but mainly because they have found a voice and are showing that young people have a positive role to play in society."

And Emily Hill, YPSS positive activities information co-ordinator, added: "The astonishing quality of the columns is the real achievement."

Our Young Reporters will soon attend a conference to teach children and organisations how to set up the scheme in other areas.

But for most of them, it is the exposure and writing experience that is most valuable.

May, 17, hopes to study English at King's College London and eventually go into journalism.

She said: "I enjoy writing and I thought it would help my university application stand out – it's on my personal statement.

"I really struggled with my word count at first but my writing has come a long way. My last column was definitely better than my first."

Boneata, 19, who is studying for a BA in professional writing at the Grimsby Institute, said: "The columns are great for your portfolio and for your confidence but they help get your name out there, too."

YPSS young advisers first came up with the idea to combat the negative perception of youth and picked the first five candidates. However, the current Young Reporters have recently picked five new budding writers to continue their legacy.

New kid on the block Olivia Scott, 13, said: "I've been writing stories for my friends and families since I was 11, so I thought I might enjoy this, too.

"I have just picked media as one of my GCSE options and I want to be a journalist when I'm older, so I think this is a good start."

Chelsea Stocks, 15, said: "I want to be a surgeon but I'm writing a fantasy book at the moment and I think a column will be a good way to improve my writing."

Young Reporters

Keep checking the Grimsby Telegraph on a Saturday for columns by our five new reporters Kelly Ballard, Abbie Dewhurst, Jessica Dales, Chelsea Stocks and Olivia Scott.

THIS beauty queen is planning her own pageant right here in North East Lincolnshire.

Jade Clay, 22, the current Miss Face Of The North and Miss Face Of England, is hoping to bring some glamour to Cleethorpes and raise money for three worthy causes at the same time.

The Miss Precious Gem competition will enable local ladies who have either never competed before, or those who want to, to raise money for Brain Tumour UK, Rainbow Child Foundation and Headway.

The event comes hot on the heels of a BBC 2 documentary screened this week, featuring local former Miss UK Della Draper.

Jade, a former Lindsey School pupil who lives in Humberston, is keeping the entrance fee affordable for all as she says the big competitions can be expensive.

"The entry fee is just £25, which is a lot less than most pageants; some charge £100," she said.

"There are no other pageants around here so I just wanted to give the local girls an opportunity to be empowered, to gain confidence and have fun, all for a good cause."

The winner will be named Miss Precious Gem and get a traditional crown and sash, as well as a year's free contract with a modelling agency, a free photo shoot and free dress hire if she goes onto compete further.

There is also a collection of other gifts, including designer bags and jewellery.

Jade said: "Along with the first, second and third placed winners, there will also be the Miss Charity award for the girl who not necessarily raises the most money but the one who tries the hardest.

"There will also be Miss Smile for the girl with the best smile, Miss Congeniality for the most friendly and various other awards.

"There are plenty of chances to win. It's a great chance to have fun, get dressed up and help some great causes."

Throughout the day, Samantha Helen Laight, also from Humberston – the Miss European Tourism and previous Miss Teen UK – will be on hand to give tips and advice to all the competitors. There will also be stalls from designer shops.

The pageant will be held on Sunday, November 4, at The Beachcomber, Cleethorpes, from 7pm.

To register or for more information, visit www.misspreciousgem.com

Admission for spectators is £5.

If you are a business and are interested in helping to sponsor the event, e-mail misspreciousgem@hotmail.co.uk

A FISH and chip shop owner is hoping not to fry when she treks across the Sahara for charity.

Dianne Welsh is taking on a challenge of a lifetime over ten days, starting on Friday, October 26.

The owner of Welsh's Fisheries, in Alexandra Road, Cleethorpes, is raising funds for Grimsby's St Andrew's Hospice.

The 48-year-old, who lives in Marshchapel, said: "I am trying to raise as much money as possible.

"I have paid for the trip myself so all the money can go to the charity.

"I don't know why I wanted to walk 100 miles across the Sahara Desert but if it goes well, I want to climb Mount Kilimanjaro.

"There will be 37 of us from around the country taking part in the walk. We will have camels carrying our tents and equipment but I still think it will be hard. The trek will start off light but towards the end we will be walking eight hours a day.

"In some ways I can't believe I am doing it because I went camping once and I hated it. I also hate creepy crawlies and when I went to Egypt I spent 10 minutes outside before I had to find air conditioning.

"I think it will be a great experience and not many people can say they have walked across the desert and more importantly it is for a great charity."

The Sahara desert is one of the world's largest, hottest and driest, and takes up 10 per cent of the African continent.

The overall area it covers is as large as the United States, and it is home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world, reaching about 190 metres.

Lynne Lemon, community fundraiser at the hospice, said: "Dianne has been dreaming about doing something like this for a long time and we are extremely grateful that she has chosen to support us.

"The economic climate is hard at the moment and for her to fund the trip herself is brilliant.

"It costs £430 for one adult to stay a night with us and we rely on donations to provide the service we do.

"We wish Dianne all the best with her adventure."

Support Dianne

To donate, visit www.justgiving.com/Diane-Welsh or visit the chip shop in Alexandra Road or The Fleece, in North Coates.

RESIDENTS of a Grimsby road have called for drivers to slow down after a collision forced a car off the road, through a garden wall and into a house – just minutes after the resident's elderly mother was on the doorstep.

A silver Nissan Micra and a blue Citroen Saxo collided on Stanley Street at 1.04pm yesterday, in what neighbours called "an accident waiting to happen".

As a result, the Micra was sent careering through a brick garden wall of one resident's home and into the front door of the house next-door.

Two men and a woman in the Saxo fled the scene with an infant, also in the car, while the female driver of the Micra, believed to be elderly, was taken to Grimsby's Diana Princess of Wales Hospital for treatment.

The resident of the home whose wall was taken down by the car, who didn't wish to be named, said: "My 67-year-old mother would have been standing at the door just minutes before it happened, but she came round the back because we were gardening. Only a wall and a door have been damaged, but it could have been so much worse.

"It's a long road, running all the way from Oxford Street, and people just race down it. It was only a matter of time until something happened – something needs to be done."

Both vehicles came to a rest between Hildyard Street and Tunnard Street, facing towards Eleanor Street, but it is not yet known what caused the accident.

One of the men and the woman were arrested a short distance from the scene.

However, as reported on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, police launched an appeal for help from the public in tracing the other man and the 13-month-old child, as they feared the baby may require medical attention.

Officers later received a call from the public to say the child had been taken to hospital. The 23-year-old is still to be located.

Neighbours said they were not surprised the accident had happened, although police have not yet given any indication as to what may have caused the collision.

Carl Gibbet, who lives just a few doors down from the damaged property, said, just days ago, another vehicle – driven by a suspected drink driver – had left the road, knocking over a lamppost and damaging his garage.

He said: "It all needs to be one way. Something needs to be done to stop them speeding down here."

Gemma Bluer, who lives further down the street, said she was so used to drivers "racing" down the street, she would not let her nine-year-old play out on the street. "It's a school patrol area, so should be a 20mph limit," she said.

Another woman, who did not wish to be named, said: "I didn't see the collision, but I heard a big crash and came out and saw two lads and a lass running.

"People do go too fast down here. It's been an accident waiting to happen."

Humberside Police officer PC Lee Curtis, who attended the scene, said: "We're keen to speak to any witnesses to the collision, or anyone who saw the occupants of the Saxo leaving the scene.

"No one else was involved, as far as we can see, but damage has been caused to the wall and door of one property."

Can you help?

Anyone who may have information, is asked to call Humberside Police tel 101 quoting log 252 of 09 October.

FIVE hectares of green field land have been earmarked for a potential 150-home development.

The early stages of a planning application have been submitted to North East Lincolnshire Council for land on Humberston Road, Grimsby, close to Love Lane Corner roundabout.

At this stage the application is for "screening opinion" to determine whether an environmental impact assessment is needed on the land.

But the Grimsby Telegraph has learned that this is in preparation for a potential 150 mixed-home development and an application could be submitted to NELC in three months.

It would be the latest in a string of plans for building on green field sites in the area.

Developer Ian Hutchinson, of Kirton Consulting Ltd, confirmed they have been in discussions with the council's planning department for some time.

He said: "There has been discussions about it with the council, therefore this is the first formal step in the planning process. We have done a lot of background work, a fielding assessment and other studies of the land and everything is looking good so far.

"There has been a strong possibility this land would be used for development for some time."

The land backs on to the affluent Vaughan Avenue and joins the Villa Plantation, which stretches to Weelsby Woods. It has been earmarked for development for a few years after it was bought by five local builders.

Residents of Vaughan Avenue accepted the potential for development but feel 150 homes is too many and hope plans will be stopped before they start.

Marjorie Mackalam, who owns the field next to the land, said: "I have lived here for 40 years and I have known someone would apply for planning permission eventually, especially when it was sold to those builders. I wouldn't say I am happy about it. It will alter the whole feel of the place. It is lovely here, like living in the countryside.

"They haven't maintained the field so now it is a bit of an eyesore – it makes me wonder if they have left it that way so they can say a housing estate will look better."

Her daughter, Jane, is also concerned the development will increase traffic to the area, which is already busy at peak times of the day.

She said: "It is already quite dangerous, especially with the new builds on Villa Court. There is a turning from there, a turning to come down here and a roundabout at the end. People don't know where people are going half the time and if this goes ahead, that is only going to get worse.

"I think 150 crammed into one little place is too much."

Neighbour Tony Bell is not against the development, but only if it takes into consideration the residents who already live nearby and the potential people who will move in.

He said: "I have no objections to a development on there but it must be good quality housing. Developers should not put as many houses as they can per acre at the detriment to the local community and residents that are going to live there. A lot of care should be taken in terms of the design."

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "That is a huge shame. The reason we moved here is because we thought we were all right for many years yet.

"We love the greenery and the open space. All that will be gone."

This proposal is one of several large developments planned in the Humberston and New Waltham area.

As reported, Keystone Developments want to build 400 in Humberston Avenue, a further 400 homes are earmarked for nearby Millennium Park and there is potential for 110 to be built on the old Humberston Park golf course.

Are we building and planning too many houses? Will they be affordable and should we be looking at brown field sites?

Join in our editor's debate live on line at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk tomorrow from 12.30pm until 2pm

EVERYONE seems to be talking about one TV programme at the moment and that's X Factor... but is it for the right reasons?

As we all know there are two local stars in the ITV talent competition – Tetney star Ella Henderson and Cleethorpes-born Michael Parsons, part of District3 (formerly GMD3) – and they are both through to the second round of live shows this weekend.

But was it fair this week on contestant Carolynne Poole who was eliminated?

Louis Walsh caused outrage on Sunday night's show as he changed his mind after initially choosing to save Carolynne from elimination.

After Louis initially told host Dermot O'Leary he wanted Carolynne to go through to next week's show over controversial Essex contestant Rylan Clark, he backtracked and wanted to take the vote to deadlock.

Louis' last-minute change of heart made me wonder how real the show actually is, as he was seen chatting to the show's executive producer Richard Holloway during Carolynne's sing-off.

When it was taken to deadlock Rylan got through... did I watch the same show as the viewers?

Rylan didn't give the best performance, let's just say, and he moved the microphone away so you couldn't hear his voice – even judge Gary Barlow pointed this out.

This kind of controversy on the show doesn't give our contestants much hope, or confidence from the judges and producers.

The contestants and viewers like myself rely on the show being true to its word, but I think all this won't put Ella off and she has a good chance of getting to the finals of the show.

She gave a stand-out performance wowing the audience and the judges with her rendition of Take That's Rule The World. A very brave song choice for Ella, with judge Gary looking on... but she definitely nailed it.

THE first cross country race of the new 2012/13 season took place in calm and bright conditions at Louth's London Road fields.

Although runners did not have to contend with boggy mud or driving wind and rain that usually typify such races, the course is always a test thanks to its steady rises and falls.

The senior men's race was won by north bank athlete Gregan Clarkson, who pushed Louth AC's Paul Jackson into second place.

The margin of victory for the Kingston upon Hull man was one minute and 25 seconds.

Louth veteran Nick Marsh was third. He was only 11 seconds adrift of Jackson, hinting at a return to form.

The top six was completed by three Wolds Veteran Runners Club members, who finished in quick succession.

Myc Overton, Ian Martinson and Chris Bromfield all ran strongly.

The Black and Golds took the second team prize behind Louth AC, for whom Andrew Thomas was the third counter in seventh.

In the senior ladies showdown, Cleethorpes AC's Beverley Wilson was the runaway winner.

Wilson was more than a minute and a half ahead of her closest rivals, from Grantham and Goole.

In the younger age groups, Cleethorpes AC's Luke Nuttall was the star performer.

He took individual and team gold in the Under-15 boys event.

Club-mates Jamie Kirkham and Thomas Nuttall were third and fourth, ensuring Clee AC won the team prize.

William Gibbs, Bray Davies and Archie Woods ran well to earn Clee AC the team gold in the boys' Under-11 category.

Eight members of the Grimsby Harriers were in action. The pick of the crop was Emily Barratt's performance in the Under-11 girls 1,700m contest.

Barratt ran an excellent race, positioning herself third going into the final stages.

She battled hard on the uphill finish to maintain third place.

Rowan Swinburn did well in her first cross country race for the club, as did another debutant at this discipline, Liam Atkinson.

NUNSTHORPE residents have welcomed moves to tackle parking chaos near their homes.

New parking restrictions will be imposed to improve safety along Redbourne Road close to the junction with Second Avenue.

Traffic engineers will install a single yellow line on one side of the road, easing the bottleneck which prevented residents from safely manoeuvring in and out of their driveways. Double yellow lines will also be put down at the junction itself.

The measures are included in a traffic regulation order approved this week by Councillor Peter Wheatley, the portfolio holder for regeneration and environment.

It was drawn up after a petition was presented to the council back in March.

Kevin Dayton, 52, of Redbourne Road, said: "If you've got a lot of cars parked on both sides of the road, you can't get safely in and out of your drive. By putting a yellow line down it will mean you can swing safely into your drive."

The order will also see sections of the existing single yellow line along Second Avenue, either side of the entrance to the Resource Centre removed.

Traffic engineers say Second Avenue is a more suitable place for parking as it has blocked paving between the road and the pavement – but it is currently illegal to park there between 8am and 6pm Monday to Saturday.

However, residents are concerned that the cars currently parking on Redbourne Road will simply park outside their homes instead. It is believed that many of the cars belong to staff from the nearby hospital who do not want to pay for permits to park in the hospital grounds.

Petitioner John Stockton, vice chairman of the Second Avenue Resource Centre Board, said a residents parking permit system would be a much better option.

Second Avenue resident Jonathon Robinson, 39, said: "I can't get parked sometimes because of all the staff from the hospital. I would just like to be able to park outside my house and I think residents only parking would be a good idea."

Ward councillor Ray Oxby (Lab, South) said: "As ward councillors we are pleased to see that all the agencies and the residents are generally supportive of these changes.

"However, we will be actively seeking assurances from colleagues within the council that the new arrangements will be properly enforced."

Councillor Oxby said a residents parking permit system was an option that could be explored in the future, but added that the current proposals should be given a chance first.

Jug Johal, head of transport, car parking and security at the hospital, said: "We want to encourage our staff and visitors to park sensibly and we support this traffic regulation order. However, we cannot control where people park when they come to our hospitals.

"Our hospital car parking charges are some of the lowest in the region and we offer alternative forms of transport for people to try to reduce the number of vehicles coming to our sites.

"There is a frequent bus service which runs to the hospital, we provide a shuttle service for our staff between our Scunthorpe and Grimsby sites, and we have a cycle to work scheme and a car share facility. We have also been looking for an opportunity to deliver a park and ride service for our Grimsby hospital but so far we have not found anywhere suitable or economically viable."

SOMEONE has moved the goalposts – and sold them for scrap.

That was the angry reaction from a football club boss who has offered a reward for the return of the metal posts.

They were sawn off and taken from the field on Woodlands Avenue, Immingham, on Saturday.

Football club owner Councillor Willie Weir has offered £100 for information that will lead to the conviction of the thieves who stole the club's goalposts from the newly-refurbished field.

It was redundant for more than 15 years until Mr Weir took over the lease and organised a clearance of the site.

Two squads, The County Hotel FC and The County XI, were due to start playing on the pitch in the next few months.

Members of the two squads were due to take along paint pots and brushes to paint the goalposts and mark out the pitch today.

The grass seed was also expected to be planted soon, after a number of companies rallied round to clear the redundant site.

Councillor Weir said: "We are not going to let this stop us. We have had the JCB down there and will get seeding the grass so we can get football back on there.

"I have taken it on and we will get it sorted. But we are all angry because we were just getting ready to paint the posts. We have to stamp this out so I am offering a reward of £100."

He added: "It is also disappointing that after 15 years no one has bothered with the site and it was all overgrown.

"Having played at Stallingborough and Blossom Way up until now, the lads were looking forward to getting on to their new pitch. We have had pitches removed all over Immingham. It is unusual for someone to be developing a football pitch in the town."

Councillor Weir said he expected the posts have been sold as scrap metal and may have fetched around £30. The club boss said: "If they had wanted £30 I would have happily given them £30."

He praised the support he has received from businesses including Brian Kirkby, Drury Engineering, PK Construction and Westfield Shovels in getting the pitch fit for playing.

He urged anyone with information to contact Humberside Police quoting incident number AE1934415/2012 or call him on 01469 575805.

LOAN rangers Scott Neilson and Ross Hannah were the Grimsby Town heroes at Alfreton as the Mariners bounced back in style.

Having lost at home to Dartford on Saturday, Town needed to get back to winning ways fast. And they did just that with a battling, professional performance in Derbyshire.

Joint bosses Paul Hurst and Rob Scott opted to mix things up following Saturday's first defeat in 11 – but not too much.

In fact, Anthony Elding's recall at the expense of fellow striker Andy Cook was the only change, with the matchday 16 remaining unaltered.

Former Mariners skipper Darran Kempson wore the captain's armband for the hosts, while one-time Town trialist Nathan Arnold was also in the Alfreton starting line-up at the Impact Arena.

Opposition boss Nicky Law was another familiar face for the travelling fans, having managed the Mariners in the Football League.

Anthony Wilson gave visiting keeper James McKeown an early scare, challenging for a bouncing ball before being called for a foul.

And the stopper had to be off his line quickly seconds later to beat Ben Tomlinson to a back-pass from Bradley Wood.

McKeown was called upon to dash out and clear again after Nathan Pond let a long ball drop and Arnold almost get there first.

However, the game's first shot on goal didn't arrive until the 15th minute when Arnold tested the Mariners keeper with a low drive from 25 yards.

Aswad Thomas was on hand to block an Alfreton shot in the box following a free-kick as the hosts continued to control the early stages.

Town were struggling to gain a foothold, but Hannah eased the pressure by winning a free-kick 25 yards from goal, which Thomas blasted into the wall.

And moments later the visitors might even have been ahead – Neilson latching onto a cross from the right wing, cutting back inside and testing Jon Stewart with a stinging effort.

As the game approached the half hour mark, it was clear it wasn't going to be a match to please the purists.

But Shaun Pearson's near post header – which flew narrowly wide from Town's first corner – kept the 572 Mariners fans behind the opposite goal entertained.

And they were cheering again when Ross Killock was the first man into the referee's notebook after a robust challenge on Joe Colbeck.

A heavy Alfreton back-pass forced keeper Stewart to slice a hasty clearance out for a Town corner.

And from the set-piece, Arnold broke at pace before playing a reverse pass for Dan Bradley. He was through on goal, but McKeown was out rapidly again to make a superb stop.

Tomlinson's effort was cleared off the line by Craig Disley as the hosts upped the pace in the run-up to half-time.

It was threatening to turn into a decent match – and it soon got even better for the Mariners.

Derek Niven sliced a shot from distance, which somehow turned into a perfect deep cross for Colbeck on the opposite side. The winger laid the ball back for Neilson and from just inside the Alfreton box, the other wideman planted a magnificent finish past a helpless Stewart and into the top left corner.

It was a rare moment of quality, but worth the 90-minute drive to Derbyshire – and took Town into the break a goal up.

The second half took ten minutes to produce an opportunity, before Colbeck forced Stewart into a smart save at his near post.

Thomas smashed a volley over the home crossbar five minutes later, before Kempson angered his former supporters by clattering into Hannah and earning a yellow card.

Hannah bounced back up and hammered a left-footed drive over the bar as the Mariners sensed a chance to double their lead.

But the hosts were still posing a danger, and Anthony Wilson was a whisker away from poking home Arnold's superb low cross, and Josh Law forced McKeown into a regulation stop from a free-kick.

Pearson then had to hack the ball clear off the line after a good, old-fashioned goal-mouth scramble.

The Mariners broke away moments later, but following Hannah's through ball, Elding over-hit his cross-shot to the frustration of his team-mates in the box.

Neilson kept Stewart honest with another long range effort, and Town should have had at least a free-kick on 77 minutes when Stewart appeared to handle outside his box following a clear back-pass from Kempson.

Neilson's excellent ball into Hannah presented the striker with a shooting chance, but his effort was deflected just wide of Stewart's near post.

But again the visitors were to be indebted to McKeown as the young keeper saved superbly as unmarked substitute Clayton bore down on his goal ten yards out.

Content to hold on to what they had, the Mariners were defending deeper and deeper as the match went into the final ten minutes.

But the pressure was relieved completely in the final minute as Disley held up the ball on the edge of the box and fed Hannah, whose finish from 15 yards was first-class.

McKeown had to parry another drive from distance before Neilson bent a left-footer over the bar at the opposite end.

But the second goal had killed off the hosts' chances and ensured an excellent three points for the Mariners.

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PARKING restrictions could be imposed along the full length of Grimsby Road, in Cleethorpes, to prevent cars for sale clogging up the highway.

Council bosses have promised to consider a petition signed by 40 residents and shop owners calling for a two-hour parking limit as a matter of urgency.

Highways officers have been asked to look at the enforcement powers available to control the sale of cars on the highway, after the issue was discussed at a scrutiny meeting last month, as reported.

However, traffic engineers have agreed to come up with some speedy proposals to deal with this specific section of road after Councillor Peter Wheatley, the portfolio holder for regeneration and environment, said it was an urgent case.

Ward councillor Hazel Chase (Lab, Sidney Sussex), who presented the petition on behalf of residents, said that on most days, she sees between eight and 12 cars for sale in parking bays on the roadside.

On one occasion she counted as many as 18.

She told a meeting at Grimsby Town Hall that attempts had been made to identify what is believed to be the "one or two-man band" responsible for the vehicles, but without success. Although the sellers are not doing anything illegal, residents say the practice is depriving businesses of valuable parking spaces for customers.

The petitioners are calling for a two-hour parking limit with no return for two hours, between 8am and 6pm, on both sides of the road.

Councillor Chase said this would allow motorists enough time to visit the nearby shops, dentist or hair salons, while preventing cars parking there for days on end.

Dave Poucher, principal traffic engineer at council partner Balfour Beatty, said officers could bypass the usual process of writing to premises on the street and go straight ahead with preparing a report.

He added that any objections could still be lodged once an order is made.

The council's head of development, Jason Longhurst, said: "I think it is right we put this case on a fast-track. It has now gone beyond individual private sales to a more commercial enterprise."

Petitioner Steve Pygott, 65, secretary of Barcroft Street Neighbourhood Watch, said: "It's getting a little out of hand and it is depriving businesses of parking spaces for customers. There's also a knock-on effect because people who can't get a space on Grimsby Road are using the side streets more, meaning residents there are having difficulty parking outside their properties."

When contacted by the Grimsby Telegraph yesterday, the owner of a green Peugeot 106 parked outside the New Cleethorpes Constitutional Club said a restriction would be "fair enough".

The man, who lives on nearby Daubney Street, said: "I can understand what people are saying, but I've not parked it outside anyone's house and I will only leave it there for a few days if it doesn't get sold."

But another seller, whose purple Vauxhall Zafira was parked outside McDonald's, said a restriction would damage his livelihood as a motor trader.

The man, who lives in Laceby Acres, said: "I have to make a living and I can't afford my own premises.

"I normally have three cars in stock at a time and I normally put them outside my house or sometimes near Morrisons.

"I'm parked outside McDonald's which has got a free car park so I don't think it's causing a problem."