STEVE Croudson says The Century Club will allow young goalkeepers from the area to follow in his footsteps and play for Grimsby Town's first-team.

The Mariners goalkeeping coach joined his hometown club as a 14-year-old and went on to make his mark for the senior side across two spells.

Now the 32-year-old is backing the initiative, which wants 100 companies to pledge £200 each to help sustain the club's successful Youth system.

"The Youth set-up is of massive importance to us," Croudson told the Telegraph.

"The more funding and help we can get for that part of the club, the better, and local businesses can play a massive part.

"They can take credit and personal satisfaction for the youngsters who come through. If it wasn't for their funding through The Century Club maybe that wouldn't happen.

"It's important to get as much support as we can from the local community and give these lads the best possible chance of becoming professional footballers."

Croudson works with the Mariners' keepers of all ages as well as first-team stoppers James McKeown and Greg Fleming.

Now that Football League funding for Town's Youth department has dried up, he believes it is the ideal time for businesses to make a real difference to the club's future.

"It means a lot to me personally because I came through the Youth system, so if it wasn't for that I wouldn't be where I am now," he said.

"It was a good set-up but it has got miles better since then – there are more coaches, more coaching time and more kids benefiting from that now, and hopefully we can make it even better.

"I came into the club at Under-14 level which is where you started in those days, whereas now it begins with Under-9s.

"I'm working with goalkeepers who are only seven or eight and I'm teaching them things I got taught when I was 20.

"That helped me, but if I'd have known those things at nine or ten it would have been a massive advantage for me."

On the Mariners' current goalkeeping talent, Croudson added: "In the younger groups I'm working with some keepers who are very promising.

"Obviously a lot can happen but we've got some talented lads there and want to give them the best chance of progressing.

"I think I was last goalkeeper that came through and played in the first-team, so I'm dying to change that and bring someone else through.

"It would be great to do that with a keeper from this area because there's no better feeling than playing for your hometown team."

With more than a quarter of The Century Club spots already filled, the joint-initiative between Town and the Grimsby Telegraph has captured the business community's imagination.

"Everyone associated with this club sticks together – the supporters, staff, players – everyone has a right go to make this club successful," he said.

"That's why it's such a fantastic club and why I love it so much – everyone comes together as one and pulls in the same direction to make it better."

To become a member of The Century Club, call Grimsby Town's commercial manager Dave Smith on 01472 608007.

IT WAS the end of an era as a long-serving magistrate retired after clocking up nearly 33 years of service.

Tributes were paid to Jean Ellerton, chairman of the Grimsby and Cleethorpes Bench, on her final day at the court.

She was originally appointed to the Scunthorpe Bench on February 1, 1980 and later became deputy chairman there in 2001, but transferred to Grimsby in 2002 after her son James became a police officer in Scunthorpe.

Mrs Ellerton, 70, was appointed chairman of the Grimsby Bench last year.

A farewell ceremony took place at the court and her deputies, Elaine Houlton and Audrey Lambert, praised her and thanked her for her service.

Mrs Houlton said Mrs Ellerton was held in very high regard by court users. She was a "people person" who worked extremely hard and had a great sense of humour.

Mrs Lambert said Mrs Ellerton would be a "hard act to follow" and, because she had dignity, understanding, flair and wit, was the "perfect role model for every JP".

Deputy justices' clerk Mike Draper thanked Mrs Ellerton for her support over the years and for her dedication.

Defence solicitor Roy Foreman praised Mrs Ellerton for her service to the community and described her as an "old school" magistrate who brought a degree of dignity, wisdom and knowledge of the world to her role.

Prosecutor John Owston said Mrs Ellerton's sense of humour was "legendary" and that she was a "pleasure" to work with in court.

Senior probation officer Nick Hamilton-Rudd said Mrs Ellerton had played a significant role in court and had been a key supporter of the probation service.

Mrs Ellerton, who has three sons, said of her time as a magistrate: "It has been endlessly interesting and there have been some very funny moments."

But she said that society "really did not seem to have learned very much over the last 30 years" because issues including neglect and abuse were still there.

She thanked her husband John, her colleagues and all the court staff for their support, including Mr Draper who was himself leaving the same week.

The new chairman of the Bench will be Tony Miller.

MOST brides-to-be are busy enough in the countdown to their big day without any additional tasks to occupy their time.

But generous Louise Tofton agreed to craft personalised fascinators for her female relatives so they would all look picture-perfect when she tied the knot.

Rather than finding the extra workload daunting, milliner Louise revelled in the opportunity to practice designs for her new headwear business, Bespoke Millinery By Louise.

She explained: "I think some people thought I was a bit mad when I told them how many fascinators I was making for guests at my own wedding!

"The ladies in my family all know how much I love making fascinators and it was great experience working on so many at once."

Louise, from Cleethorpes, was studying for a fashion degree at the University of Lincoln when she first discovered her flair for designing headwear. One of her tutors spotted her talent and encouraged her to enrol on a masters degree in design, specialising in millinery.

Since marrying accountant Paul at Park Congregational Church, followed by a reception at Hall Farm in Ashby-cum-Fenby, interest in her designs has soared.

Louise added: "Hats and fascinators are more like works of art than clothes and you can be so creative with them.

"They're also much more interesting to make than just sewing straight seams on clothes!"

She added: "I'd absolutely love to have my own hat shop one day – that would be a dream come true."

To find out more, call 07535 532578 or visit www.bespoke-millinery.co.uk

This article first appeared in the Wedding Journal 2012 which is out now.

WHAT better way to celebrate the holidays than with a traditional panto – especially one that sends young children into excitement overdrive!

It was wonderfully loud and brash – perhaps a little long at three-and-a-half hours, but the kiddies lapped up every minute, content to scream their heads off all the way.

There was plenty to hold their attention – the very mention of bums triggered mischievous giggles, whereas asides directed towards their parents, sailed blissfully over their heads.

Director Sarah Hall remained true to the familiar story, espousing any temptation to employ a modern adaptation and retaining the sacred traditions of "oh-yes-it-is" and "she's-behind-you".

Thanks to palace decorators Botchitt and Leggitt (Hannah Powell and Vicky Hughes), there was plenty of daft humour and an abundance of mess with a well-worn slop-fight.

Leah Hall displayed oodles of confidence as Bertie, the palace factotum, and Jessica Bunce retained a sense of shyness that we expect from Snow White.

Meanwhile, our Evil Queen had so depleted local stocks of viciousness that one mum needed to reassure her daughters that Paige Grant-Lloyd was only acting.

As the song goes, There's Nothing Like A Dame, and Martin Egerton tottered in his high heels and cackled as Ma Bumble, mother to the seven dwarfs.

When it came to singing, however, Martin had to deliver the tongue twisting Court of King Caractacus, not once but twice, easy if you're Rolf Harris, but challenging if not.

A fairytale story with a happy ending interwoven with songs, dance and laughter – when it comes to panto, what more could you want?

Trevor Ekins

WHO puts the great in to Grimsby?

At the centre of the UK, situated at the East Coast, Grimsby is a world famous fishing port responsible for the processing of up to 70 per cent of all seafood each year. Positioned next to the beautiful seaside holiday resort Cleethorpes, with the lowest operating and housing costs and a five-mile golden sand beach, what's not to like?

Home to the largest port in Europe by tonnage, the numerous awards winning beach, beautiful countryside and quaint villages a few miles away. And not forgetting the local shopping, theme park, nightlife and high performing schools, the Grimsby area actually has a whole lot to offer!

Grimsby and its surrounding area has always been a great place, yet it has only gained attention since the appearance of talented singers such as Ella on TV talent shows. Does that mean things have to be in the spotlight to grab our attention?

A lot of negative attitudes have left Grimsby with a bad reputation as being full of 'chavs', litter everywhere, rundown and "there's nothing to do" is a common view of Grimsby. However, with Ella's and Mickey's appearance on X Factor, things might be turning around for Great Grimsby. With their success comes recognition for their hometowns. Somehow Ella living in our area has made us a little more proud – and the amount of interest on social networking and posters in shop windows proves it!

So Great Grimsby really is great. Maybe it's just us living here taking things for granted. So, instead of making it grim, let's put the great into Great Grimsby!

September saw meals processed right here in Grimsby land on plates around the UK. Here is our ninth installment of the 2012 Review Of The Year.

SEPTEMBER 1: Well-known fundraiser Ron Kitching was heartbroken when thieves ransacked his charity shop's office – the day before he was due to retire. They targeted Grimsby And District Healthcare, in Freeman Street, Grimsby, taking more than £800.

SEPTEMBER 1: Newspapers are said to dig up dirt, but it's not often they get dug up themselves – literally! More than ten printing plates from the old Grimsby Telegraph presses were discovered underground in mum-of-two Emma Stark's garden in Cleethorpes. They were from July 1984, and found as work was being done on the garden.

SEPTEMBER 4: The first meals featuring Morrisons' seafood – and processed in Grimsby – landed on plates around the country. A team of 90 were working at the supermarket's new plant in Europarc.

SEPTEMBER 5: Border officials said they had closed down a major South American drug-smuggling operation after seizing cocaine valued at an estimated £5.5 million at Immingham Docks. The stash was discovered hidden in loads of coal being transported from Columbia during three separate raids.

SEPTEMBER 5: Improved security measures were being installed to protect the iconic Boy With The Leaking Boot statute when it was returned to its rightful place on the seafront after being attacked by naked vandals who jumped into the lake it sits in and pushed it over. The vandals were never caught.

SEPTEMBER 6: The owners of land on and around the former Macaulay Lane tip were planning to submit an official application for 250 homes and a country park on the site. Developers also announced plans for a third major housing development off Humberston Avenue, for 400 homes at the New Waltham end of the parish.

SEPTEMBER 10: Thousands turned out in blistering sunshine to run the inaugural Smileathon, a three-mile Telegraph-backed fun run around Cleethorpes, raising money for eight Lincolnshire charities.

SEPTEMBER 11: More than 30,000 people attended events at the outdoor Meridian Park arena, in Cleethorpes, this year, it was revealed. It was estimated that the activities and events there equated to an additional £995,960 being spent with local businesses.

SEPTEMBER 11: Grimsby's former Salvation Army hostel, in Brighowgate, was privately sold by the council for £225,000.

SEPTEMBER 12: New figures revealed that more than £10,000 had been paid out in compensation by North East Lincolnshire Council in the past five years due to potholes and related problems.

SEPTEMBER 13: It was victory all round when Grimsby, Cleethorpes, Immingham and Caistor scooped gold awards in this year's East Midlands In Bloom competition.

SEPTEMBER 15: Pensioners Ann Taylor and Stuart Jaffray stripped down to their swimming costumes in opposition of the proposed closure of Scartho Baths. They rallied support by braving the cold and collecting petition signatures.

SEPTEMBER 18: A Cleethorpes soldier was injured in a roadside bomb blast in Afghanistan. Ryan Rowbottom, 21, suffered severe neck and arm injuries in the blast which blew up the Jackal personnel carrier his group was travelling in. It killed his commanding officer and seriously injured another colleague.

SEPTEMBER 20: It was a happy ending for Oscar, a Staffordshire cross who, when he last appeared in the Grimsby Telegraph, had been so badly neglected that he was forced to eat part of his starved mother's dead body to survive. Following an RSPCA court case, in which Katrina Plumridge, of Grimsby, was punished, Oscar was rehomed with a family in Holton-le-Clay and was the picture of health.

SEPTEMBER 20: A cleaner stole a trusting pensioner's treasured diamond engagement ring and tried to hide the crime by making out that the victim had dementia. Lyndsey Smith, of Grimsby, was jailed for two years and three months.

SEPTEMBER 22: Two masked men – believed to be journalists from a national tabloid newspaper – sneaked into Grimsby hospital's accident and emergency department and tried to take photographs of patients. Health bosses believed the incident was due to a report criticising a high death rate at the hospital. The men were removed from the premises, and when the next round of mortality rates were released, staff reassured residents that steps were being taken to address any concerns.

SEPTEMBER 24: Local singing stars Micky Parsons and Ella Henderson made it through to the judges houses on TV talent show The X Factor.

SEPTEMBER 25: Cannabis plants and cash were seized from a house in Lancaster Avenue, Grimsby, during a police raid. It prompted officers to warn that drug dealing and taking "will not be tolerated on the West Marsh".

SEPTEMBER 25: Residents were urged to share their thoughts on council tax benefit cuts. The local authority told how more than 10,000 people would receive 24 per cent less in benefits to pay their council tax from April 2013 unless another solution could be found.

SEPTEMBER 27: A factory worker told of his shock at finding a four-year-old girl wandering the streets of Cleethorpes at 4.30am. The child, wearing only pink pyjamas and clutching a toy elephant in wet and windy weather, told him her mother was sleeping and that she was looking for a drink. She was returned safely to her family.

SEPTEMBER 28: Two workmen rescued a sleeping man from a blaze that tore through his home in Yarrow Road, Grimsby. Quick-thinking Mark Edwards and Tony Brannan climbed onto the porch of the house and banged on the bedroom window to wake up the occupant.

SEPTEMBER 29: Thousands of residents signed up to the fight to keep Scartho Baths open by signing a petition against its closure. The document was presented to North East Lincolnshire Council for officials to consider.

A YEAR of celebrations in Immingham has been brought to a close.

Over the past 12 months, the port and town have marked the opening of a new skate park, a party to end all parties and a momentous dock open day attended by thousands.

These and many more events were held in honour of the town and the port's centenary.

Now, the celebrations have now been brought to a close – and those behind it have said thank you to everyone who got involved.

John Fitzgerald, port director for Grimsby and Immingham at Associated British Ports (ABP), said: "It has been an extraordinary year.

"We had no idea how big Immingham 100 would be.

"We ended up doing well over 20 events ranging from a lunch with pensioners to a 100 holes of golf in one day.

"Being involved with One Voice, the town council and the public has been great.

"The new year will also be full of positive news for both the port and town."

The first event to mark the celebrations was a gathering of 100 pensioners in February, for a meal and a trip down memory lane.

A competition to design the Immingham 100 logo was organised by ABP and although entries came from all the schools in the area, the winner was Alyissia-Mai Reynolds, a pupil at Canon Peter Hall Primary School, in Immingham.

One of the biggest events was the opening of the town's skatepark, named Imm-Spiration, in Homestead Park, off Washdyke Lane, in April.

The town's teenagers and community group One Voice came together to get the project off the ground.

One Voice chairman Elaine Norton said: "This year has been overwhelming and has brought the community together.

"Immingham is moving into a new era and we are all looking forward to the future.

"We have received support from the council, ABP and the public and we are very grateful.

"It is sad to be moving out of a year of celebration, but we have a lot to look forward to.

"Projects like the skate park have been a massive achievement for everyone and it is good to see the community benefiting from all the hard work."

A sculpture was also designed, built and placed on display outside the Civic Centre, inspired by the Olympics.

ABP opened the port to the public in July, hosting a six-hour party that resulted in one of the busiest days in the history of Immingham.

And the events continued. Residents held golf matches and an abseil at the Dock Tower, in Grimsby, to raise money for charity in the name of Immingham 100.

The Mayor of Immingham Councillor Neil Castle said: "It has been an amazing year. The party was fantastic and it was good to see the whole town enjoying themselves.

"The sculpture represents a legacy which will stand for years to come."

The celebrations were brought to a close with the help of Santa Claus and some glamorous ABP elves.

He swept into Oasis Academy Immingham, which was hosting a special party for 100 Immingham pre-schoolers, on a special centenary sleigh.

The party was catered for by academy pupils, who created the menu, made the food and were on hand to paint faces and decorate biscuits.

Father Christmas – ABP's deputy port manager, Simon Brett – said: "The children of Immingham are the future for the town and port industry and it is brilliant to see so many of them having such a great time."

WHY trust a rogue trader when you could get a car from the "good guys".

That is the message from the Motor Trade Partnership, a scheme combating motoring fraud in North East Lincolnshire.

Every member is vetted and audited before they are allowed membership, showing their commitment to fair, honest trade.

Trading Standards enforcement officer Linda Blackburn said: "We can't tell people where to buy their cars from but we can say these guys have been vetted, they comply with the law and they are trusted. Only the good guys sign up to this.

"The motor trade is biggest area for fraud purely because of the volume of cars being sold every day. People have high expectations with second hand cars and problems can arise when the garage doesn't meet them. It is our job to sort that out."

The scheme has been running for 12 years and has 17 garages signed up.

Paul Mason, of John Roe Toyota, has been in the business all his working life and has seen countless victims of fraud. He said: "We have seen it all over the years so it is good to have this credibility people can rely on it. It also gives us back up if problems to arise."

Part of Linda's role is to mediate if a customer has complaint.

Mike Croft and Kenny Gilmore signed up when they started four years ago.

Kenny said: "We get the advice and help whenever we need it and it gives us protection in the used car side of the business, which has always been a grey area for us. Often we are all tarred with the same brush as rogue traders – people are naturally suspicious."

Dodgy motors are sold from garages, over the internet, and advertisements in newspapers and shops and the advice is to always go to a garage with credibility.

The most likely targets are elderly pensioners and young drivers buying their first cars.

Graham Davis of Graham Davis Commercials in Laceby said: "We are the good guys, we're not all rogues. It doesn't attract more customers, but it gives existing customers confidence in us."

Paul Huxford, of Immingham Motors, Immingham, added: "People get peace of mind and means we have someone to rely on, too."

The 17 members of the Motor Trade Partnership also include: Westgate Motors Ltd Honda Seat Skoda, Car Services (Grimsby) Ltd, Central Motorists (Grimsby) Ltd, Wilson and Co Ltd, Central Car Company (Grimsby) Ltd, Decidebloom Ltd – Stoneacre Kia Fiat, South Humberside Motor Company Ltd Saab Renault, Astle Ltd, CF Parkinsons Ltd, Kev Blackburn Car Sales, Grimsby Cars Ltd, Grimsby Car and Van Centre Ltd.

A YOUNG author with epilepsy is starting a new chapter in her life after winning a publishing deal.

Vampire thriller Blood Prophecy: The Fated 3, was written by Grimsby Institute student Terri Spencer and won the Apostrophe Books Fiction Fast-Track writing competition.

The three-part e-book is a novel set in a world with vampires, fairies and werewolves around every corner, and was published by the organisers of the competition, who also helped design the front cover.

Terri, 20, of Oliver Street, Grimsby, said: "I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 11.

"It was not easy to deal with as a teenager and it got worse when I was about 16 because I couldn't go to college.

"I started writing the book to help me deal with what I was going through.

"It took me about two years to finish and the story follows three enchantresses, Selene, Aynia and Lalinn, who discover they are part of a prophecy and have to band together to save the world."

The story is aimed at young adults, and went on sale on December 10.

"I entered it into a competition run by Apostrophe Books and ended up winning the Fiction Fast-Track writing competition," Terri continued.

"It was overwhelming to win because I felt like I was the underdog.

"I was up against authors who had already been published in one way or another, as well as doctors and lecturers.

"I never thought I would win but I am so happy I did.

"I feel a great sense of accomplishment and I would love to be a novel writer for the rest of my life."

Blood Prophecy: The Fated 3 can be purchased on Amazon and other services that sell e-books for £3.09.

For more information, visit www.apostrophebooks.com

SCRAP metal dealer John West was caught with nearly 3,000 indecent images of children after he became "obsessed" with them and got "hooked" on looking at them, a court heard.

West, 49, of Cotswold Drive, Waltham, admitted 17 offences involving making or possessing child pornography, possessing them to show to others, possessing banned images of children and possessing extreme pornography, including acts with a horse and other animals.

Mark Kendall, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that police executed a search warrant at West's home on September 29 last year.

A total of 2,948 images, including movies, were found. West had downloaded them from a website and 945 were available to be shown to others. Richard Butters, mitigating, said West had suffered an "absolutely awful" few years and claimed he was an "utterly broken man".

Police originally found a gun and ammunition, kept by him for about 20 years after his 18-year service in the Territorial Army, and he was given a 16-month prison sentence, later reduced to six months on appeal.

He served about two-and-a-half months in prison and was released in May after the appeal.

West claimed he had seen "some dreadful things" during his Territorial Army service, particularly in Afghanistan, and claimed that he suffered post-traumatic stress disorder.

He became "hooked" on child pornography and it became a "habit", sometimes while he was in the same room as his wife.

"He knew he had to stop," said Mr Butters. "It was like a drug habit."

Judge David Tremberg told West: "You became addicted to these images and obsessed by viewing them."

West was given a three-year supervision order, including a sex offenders' programme, and a three-month 7pm to 7am curfew.

He was banned from working with children for life and was given a five-year sexual offences prevention order. He must register as a sex offender for five years.

A MAJOR land deal that could see a Grimsby Gherkin realised on a prime town centre site has been completed.

Property investor and developer John Sills wants to create a scaled-down version of the architecturally-acclaimed modern masterpiece for his home town.

And having snapped up the final piece of a land jigsaw overlooking the Victoria Street junction with Peaks Parkway, he hopes to push on with his plans once market conditions improve.

Spring Church, more recently known as the Graphic Press building on Upper Burgess Street, has been bought in a deal worth several hundred thousands of pounds, paving the way for his grand plan that could be worth many millions.

Mr Sills, who has a portfolio of commercial property in North East Lincolnshire, said: "I have been interested in buying it for several years, so I am absolutely delighted to have got it at last.

"In the medium term it would be nice to put something of an iconic landmark building there. It is early days, but I am thinking of a building with a lot of round elements to it. Something even inspired by The Gherkin in the City of London.

"That is on a much bigger site, but something similar in shape and similar in proportions. I may perhaps have to think of another vegetable!

"I think The Gherkin is one of the most beautiful modern buildings in the country, if not the world.

"The site we have bought is very, very different, but there are several buildings around that are quite high, such as the telephone exchange and the silo of Victoria Mills. Whatever we put in it needs to be quite a tall iconic building."

Mr Sills' Wellow Publications was behind the neighbouring Burgess Court, and he believes this would "complement it in many ways".

Built on the former Baptist Tabernacle, the five-storey building, completed in 2008, features 2,000 sq ft of commercial space on the ground floor, with 18 apartments above. Since then he has acquired a triangle of land from pub operator Mitchells and Butler, behind the Duke of Wellington, which he sees as ideal for car parking for any future development.

Happy to bide his time, and keen to rent out the existing building as affordable office space as he keeps an eye on the economy and gives more thought to his huge proposal, Mr Sills said he would push on if an appropriate tenant came forward. Previous projects have seen him sell off residential aspects while retaining commercial elements.

Spring Church has been sold by Waltons Publications, having initially been on the market for £400,000.

Lawrence Brown, of Scotts, has been appointed agent going forward. He said: "We have a two-stage plan. The first stage is to offer the premises to let immediately on a relatively short term basis, be it for offices or storage accommodation.

"In the longer term we are looking at a development on there with the aim being to build some sort of iconic building at that junction, with inspiration taken from the fact it sits at the hub and major focal point of Grimsby town centre.

"John absolutely loves The Gherkin, and while we are not for one minute suggesting it would be as big, it would be something suitable for the site, something instantly recognisable."

Offices, a hotel and restaurant are potential uses.

"We are getting a team together with us as agents, and getting architects involved too. It needs to be something that is cutting edge, that meets the needs of occupiers and also grows to be appreciated by the population of Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire."

A YOUNG author with epilepsy is starting a new chapter in her life after winning a publishing deal.

Vampire thriller Blood Prophecy: The Fated 3, was written by Grimsby Institute student Terri Spencer and won the Apostrophe Books Fiction Fast-Track writing competition.

The three-part e-book is a novel set in a world with vampires, fairies and werewolves around every corner, and was published by the organisers of the competition, who also helped design the front cover.

Terri, 20, of Oliver Street, Grimsby, said: "I was diagnosed with epilepsy when I was 11.

"It was not easy to deal with as a teenager and it got worse when I was about 16 because I couldn't go to college.

"I started writing the book to help me deal with what I was going through.

"It took me about two years to finish and the story follows three enchantresses, Selene, Aynia and Lalinn, who discover they are part of a prophecy and have to band together to save the world."

The story is aimed at young adults, and went on sale on December 10.

"I entered it into a competition run by Apostrophe Books and ended up winning the Fiction Fast-Track writing competition," Terri continued.

"It was overwhelming to win because I felt like I was the underdog.

"I was up against authors who had already been published in one way or another, as well as doctors and lecturers.

"I never thought I would win but I am so happy I did.

"I feel a great sense of accomplishment and I would love to be a novel writer for the rest of my life."

Blood Prophecy: The Fated 3 can be purchased on Amazon and other services that sell e-books for £3.09.

For more information, visit www.apostrophebooks.com

PAUL Hurst is expecting a hostile atmosphere at Sincil Bank this afternoon – for Lincoln City.

More than 1,700 Mariners supporters head down the A46 today for the derby clash against the Imps.

And after experiencing Boxing Day at Town's local rivals last year, the joint boss knows that the travelling black and white army will give their team plenty of vocal encouragement.

"The Lincoln clash is a great game for the fans and we know there will be a fantastic atmosphere," he said.

"We're taking just short of 1,800 fans across and we just hope that we can get the same result as last season for them.

"Sometimes you go away from home and say it will be hostile, but with the amount of fans we're taking, we know what noise they'll make – like they did last season and at the moment they've got even more to shout about.

"I'm really look forward to it and we can't wait for it to start."

Following Friday's 1-0 triumph over Wrexham, Hurst and co-manager Rob Scott's men are top of the Blue Square Bet Premier and bursting with confidence.

"We go into it full of belief after that win," he confirmed. "Unless you take a heavy defeat, the confidence is still there – it just grows and grows.

"They'll be any danger of over-confidence, either, because we know what a big game this is – it's a derby and the atmosphere will be electric.

"Wrexham was a good game for us because we were never going to get distracted by the Lincoln clash.

"If we'd have been playing a team from the lower reaches, perhaps the mind would have been wandering for one or two of them.

"But they were very professional, as they have been all season."

With 23 league matches played, Town are at the midway point of their campaign ahead of today's derby.

Hurst took the opportunity to praise his squad's attitude ahead of a hectic week of Conference action.

He went on: "Some people are still questioning what we can do and what we can achieve, but we've gone up against most of the top teams in the league and come out with positive results.

"Friday was the first of four games that the fans will look at and think 'they're really big games.'

"But we said to the players that, because of the position we're in, they're all going to be big games and that's the mentality we've got to take into them.

"The time we think 'we can take this one a bit easier' is when we'll get found out.

"The players have worked hard and they know what we like as managers. Credit to them, they've bought into that and the work-rate they've put in and desire they show on a daily basis is fantastic.

"They only have to look at the league table to see their rewards for that.

"However, it's half a job – that's all it is. Things can change quickly as last year showed.

"We need to keep our feet on the ground but use where we are in the league as motivation and, as a group, keep demanding more from each other."

Centre-half Shaun Pearson, inset, could return to the Mariners' line-up for the derby clash after missing the Wrexham victory due to illness.

Either way, Hurst and Scott remain satisfied with their team's solidity this season.

"The record defensively, 12 clean sheets out of 23 in the league, is outstanding," the boss added.

"If we can keep that record going, it doesn't matter if you've got an out-and-out goalscorer or not. You give yourselves a great chance in every game.

"We hope Shaun's okay for Lincoln and it's just a bit of flu, as those are the symptoms. He apparently was dying one day and felt a lot better on Friday.

"He looked like death warmed up but that's just how he looks all the time, so we couldn't really tell!"

RESERVES will need to stand up and be counted as Louth Town boss Daryl Clare prepares to ring the changes for this afternoon's league clash at Clipstone Welfare.

The White Wolves are back in Northern Counties East League Division One action this weekend but have a squad riddled with injuries and suspensions.

Louth have drawn their last two games and needed a Paul Goodhand penalty six minutes from time to share the spoils at home against Bottesford Town last Saturday.

Although they have slipped down to sixth in the table, the Park Avenue outfit are still firmly in the promotion chase.

But they have been forced to call on Reserve team players as reinforcements for the tie at Clipstone, who are gunning for revenge after being beaten 2-1 at Louth last month.

Boss Clare said: "I don't know what kind of team I will be able to put out.

"There are a lot of points at stake and we need to put out a strong side, so it is disappointing that we will have to call on a lot of reserves – although I know they will give their very best.

"Every game counts now and Clipstone are a good side."

Clipstone have won their last three games at home, scoring eight goals in the process.

They led 1-0 at Park Avenue last month, but a quick-fire double – from Mick Manders and Matt Kennedy – earned Louth the three points.

"IT is about rivalries, friendship and passion."

Those are the words of Cleethorpes Town boss Andy Liddle as he prepares his side to face local rivals Grimsby Borough tomorrow night.

Clee clash with Borough in a match billed as the 'Battle of Bradley – part three'.

Both sides play in the Northern Counties East Division One and both have the Bradley Community Stadium as their base.

In the previous two meetings this season between the area's top amateur sides, Liddle's Clee Town emerged victorious on both occasions.

Thursday's league match promises to be a fiercely fought derby – and both Liddle and Grimsby Borough joint manager Nigel Fanthorpe are predicting an attractive, open game.

Liddle said: "It is a big game for the area.

"Credit to Grimsby Borough, they have been established in this league for some time now.

"They have had an up and down season, but they showed in the two previous games us that they are a good side.

"The games were tight, there was not a lot in it. But we are capable of beating anyone. We have beaten them twice this season and there is no reason we cannot win again. That said, I think this game will be harder. I think it will be a good, open game this time around. They will be determined not to lose to us for a third time".

Liddle admitted the derby matches are hotly-anticipated by players and managers alike.

"When the fixtures came out at the start of the season, they were the games everyone was looking out for," he said. "It is about rivalries, friendship, passion and banter. Individual players from both sides know each other, and we have players at Clee who used to be at Borough".

Of the Clee Town players who have crossed the divide and joined from arch-rivals Borough, Lee Stephenson will be missing due to a ruptured calf and Luke Mascall will not be available until mid-January when he will have served a monster 112-day ban for amassing a large number of suspensions – most of them during his time at Borough.

Lewis Buckthorp, who has captained Grimsby Borough in the past, should be available for Clee Town if he has fully recovered from a hamstring problem.

Borough joint boss Nigel Fanthorpe is keeping cool ahead of the showdown.

"We narrowly lost 3-2 to them in our last meeting when we came from 2-0 down in the cup to 2-2 – and then threw it away at the end," he said. "It should be a good game. We are both good sides and it could be end-to end.

"I think we are always capable of scoring goals, but we must keep it tight at the back. It's just another game for me – another three points we are out to get."

ANOTHER business is helping carve out a future for young people in North East Lincolnshire.

Traditional Joiners and Carpenters, in Poplar Road, Cleethorpes, has signed up to the Grimsby Telegraph campaign and agreed to take on two people for a week's work experience placement.

Your Life: Your Future wants to give 200 people a taste of working life to show them the benefits and help remove any barriers associated with the world of employment.

Director Steve Dixon gained his job through day release at school and has employed several of his own employees through work experience.

He said: "I am 100 per cent behind work experience and anything that supports and promotes it.

"Four out of the nine people who work here have come through work experience.

"I also believe that they are four of the best joiners in the area.

"I think that the country is falling behind because we are not getting young blood into the work place.

"I would rather train someone from scratch to fit what I am looking for but I also like to see how they work – and coming in to do a bit of experience is great for that.

"Our business has been going for about 15 years and, in that time, work experience has worked time and time again.

"What I look for is initiative and a willingness to clean up and make tea because the basics are essential.

"Anyone that comes to us for a taster will gain a real insight into the business."

For some employees, going on work experience was the best thing they had ever done.

Bench joiner Jarred Grimble, 21, from Cleethorpes, said: "I came on work experience here for two weeks and I managed to impress the boss and I asked if they took apprentices on.

"They said they did and I actually started the day after I left school. If I had not come on work experience, I wouldn't be in the job.

"It has set me up for life and is the best thing I have done.

"Anyone going on work experience should try as hard as possible and learn what you can because you never know where it might lead."

Join up

Get involved in the Your Life: Your Future campaign. If you can offer a work placement, e-mail dan.russell@gsmg.co.uk or call him on 01472 372236.

PATIENTS are being asked to help cut waiting times in A&E.

The number of people attending Grimsby's Diana, Princess Of Wales Hospital (GPOW) is increasing, but it is still exceeding waiting time targets by more than two per cent.

Northern Lincolnshire and Goole Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (NLAG), has to aim to see 95 per cent of patients in A&E within four hours.

But so far out of the 37,901 who have visited the department since April, 97.2 per cent have been seen to within that time.

Now Mr Oltunde Ashaolu, A&E consultant at GPOW, wants patients to choose wisely in order to maintain this high performance.

He said: "People with breathing problems, suspected strokes and suspected heart attacks should immediately contact the emergency services.

"However, those with much less serious ailments should consider the alternative options available to them such as their pharmacist, walk-in centre, GP, or GP out-of-hours service, before coming to A&E.

"When this happens, pressure on the system is much less and the management of life and limb threatening conditions is vastly improved."

By April 2013, the Trust predicts the number of patients to have visited Grimsby's A&E since April 2012, will be 55,541 – an increase from 53,928 patients who attended the same department during the financial year of 2008/9. Out of them, 98.3 per cent waited less than four hours to be seen.

Mr Ashaolu does realises that there are still some patients who are waiting longer than expected and he hopes the Trust can continue improving to rectify this.

He said: "Sometimes individuals do have to spend additional time in the department for clinical reasons. Also, some patients will take priority over others if their lives are under threat.

"Whatever the reason for a patient's attendance at A&E, the staff at Grimsby hospital remain dedicated to their swift assessment, treatment and care."

Patients have recently praised Grimsby Hospital's A&E in a patient survey, commissioned by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Mr Ashaolu, said: "The recent A&E patient survey published by the CQC showed that this Trust performed well, being judged either the same as, or better than, other NHS hospitals Trusts in all categories."

THE third phase of an historic cinema's £200,000 refurbishment has been completed.

The Playhouse Cinema, in Louth, has opened its newly refurbished Screen Two to the public following a three-month closure.

It now boasts a larger micro-perforated silver screen – which is designed for 3D films – a dropped stadium and wheelchair access.

Owner Gerald Parkes is thrilled with the screen, which is now showing Ang Lee's Life of Pi in 3D.

He said: "I am delighted with the new screen and I know the people of Louth and those who use the cinema will enjoy it."

The cinema was built in 1935 and is loved by the people of Louth, who are proud to have an independent cinema with a history, rather than a modern multiplex.

Refurbishing the screen is part of an ongoing project, which has already seen a new screen and seating in Screen Three, updating the main foyer and introducing online and advanced bookings.

Mr Parkes said: "We have to offer the latest all singing, all dancing facilities, but we are keen to retain the history of Louth's cinema, too. It has got to be scaled down, but there is no reason why an independent cinema in a small town can't have decent standards, which is all we are trying to achieve."

During the refurbishment, Mr Parkes also uncovered some of the original doors which were changed in the 1970s and has reused them to pay homage to the art deco theme of the theatre.

All screens are now digital – like its sister cinema, the Parkway Cinema, in Cleethorpes – and phase four, the refurbishment of Screen One, will be complete by the end of next year.

Mr Parkes said: "It is so far, so good. The main foyer is done, we have improved the screens and the seating arrangements and people can book online and in advance. Screen Two is at a very high standard.

"Now we are looking forward to improving the main foyer outside Screen Two and improving Screen One."

A PLAN for holiday cottages has been revealed – just metres away from where a major windfarm is proposed.

Paul Cullen, owner of Braybrook Farm, in Newton Marsh Lane, Tetney, wants to turn two converted outbuildings into holiday accommodation.

The site will neighbour land earmarked for Newton Marsh Windfarm, which includes eight 115m turbines.

According to developer Dieter Nelson Planning Consultants, Mr Cullen has not been put off by the nearby application.

Mr Nelson said: "Mr Cullen was fully aware at the time of making the application of the windfarm development and he doesn't think it is a significant issue. There is no hard evidence that such a development can have a detrimental impact on tourism.

"The client has done his market research and despite this being in the pipelines, he is keen to press on with the application."

As reported, Thorpe Park owners, Bourne Leisure have joined forces with campaigners of Marsh Windfarm Action Group (MWAG) believing the farm, which can be seen from the Cleethorpes holiday park, could impact on trade.

The application is to change the use of the converted outbuildings, which are currently empty.

Mr Nelson said: "These buildings are not doing much from a domestic perspective, so the client is looking to diversify and he thinks a holiday cottage is a viable end of use for them."

A decision is due on Tuesday, January 15.