A WANTED man who phoned police to tell him he was on the roof of Immingham Civic Centre – and was then involved in a lengthy stand-off – will appear in court today.

As reported, the man telephoned officers at 8.55pm on Friday to say he was on the Civic Centre roof but refused to come down until around 1.10am on Saturday.

A police spokesman has now confirmed that the 21-year-old has been charged with the possession of a blade in a public place, breaching an ASBO and two counts of criminal damage.

He is due to appear today at Grimsby Magistrates Court.

Check tomorrow's Grimsby Telegraph for details of the appearance.

PAUL Hurst has distanced himself from speculation linking him and fellow boss Rob Scott with the vacant managerial position at Doncaster Rovers.

Following former Rovers boss Dean Saunders' move to Wolves, rumours have surfaced that linked the Mariners' managerial duo with a move to the League One club.

Many even suggested that Scott and Hurst were in fact favourites for the position, but Hurst said if that is the case, it is news to him.

He said: "I think Rob received a text to say that was the rumour going around.

"But whether it's genuine or not, we're very much focused on Grimsby Town and getting this club promotion.

"It's nice to be linked, as it is when players are linked with clubs, because it shows that we're doing something right.

"At the minute, we're top of the league that we're in so I guess we're doing all right, but as far as we're concerned it's pure speculation."

THIEVES have targeted the  construction site of the new Louh hospice twice over the festive season.
The site of the new hospice development, near the Fairfield Industrial Estate in Louth, was hit between Thursday, December 20 and Wednesday, January 2. Offenders moved a metal fence securing the entrance and used bolt croppers to enter a metal container, from which a generator was stolen, on the first occasion. At a later date, a saw was used to gain entry to a metal portable cabin and a quantity of builders' tools were taken.
Anyone with information should contact PC Crombie by dialling 101.

UNFORCED errors proved costly as Market Rasen & Louth RUFC suffered an 11th Midlands 1 East defeat on the bounce.

The Red and Greens were beaten 23-17 at Peterborough.

Rasen have positives to take out of the narrow reverse, but they need points – fast.

Their disastrous losing spree has sent the relegation-threatened team spiralling down to second from bottom in the table.

Rasen's next opponents are Market Bosworth. They visit Willingham Road on Saturday (2.15pm kick-off) looking to bounce back from a 33-3 home defeat last weekend.

The Red and Greens need to be in an ebullient mood to ensure they don't.

Recharged for the New Year, Rasen took the lead on three minutes when fly-half Matt Sutton's long pass found Tom Alldridge and he powered to the line to register his first try for the club.

The hooker was injured after catching a knee in the back from a defender, however, and had to be withdrawn. That bad fortune proved costly – Rasen's lineout efficiency suffered thereafter.

Sutton, back from a long injury break, composed himself to slot home the conversion from wide out.

Peterborough replied when lock Ben Crooks forced his way over the line after the host's pack launched a drive, powered by influential number eight Peter Kolakawski.

Rasen bounced back and were close to scoring when prop Chris Starling was held up over the line by desperate defending.

But when a high kick, following an excellent run by Peterborough full-back Vernon Horne, wasn't dealt with, the pacey Horne arched a 40-yard run to score.

Rasen responded when, after a series of penalties close to the line that were reset as scrums, scrum-half Jack Noquet tapped quickly and scampered over the line.

The Red and Greens were hit by a sucker-punch in the second half when a turnover ball set Peterborough's back-line in motion and winger Chris Sansby made amends, after being sin-binned in the first half, by scoring a try.

The game remained nip and tuck, but Peterborough extended their lead when their scrum-half Richie Warlow kicked a penalty between the posts.

Rasen's afternoon went from bad to worse when Sansby slipped down the blind-side to add another try for Peterborough.

But Rasen were rewarded for their battling efforts when they wrestled back a losing bonus point at the death. A penalty was drilled to touch and, after a Peterborough player got a fingertip on the resulting lineout throw, Dave Starling pounced on the loose ball to score.

Sutton's conversion attempt then struck a post, which summed up Rasen's day – again it was so near and yet so far!

A FIFTIES-style jazz trio with modern influences has been named the resident act at a new Cleethorpes venue.

The Shannon Reilly Jazz Trio – made up of Shannon Reilly on vocals, Pat McCarthy on guitar and Warren Jolly on double bass – perform each Wednesday at Harvey's Lounge and Kitchen, in High Street.

The trio formed after they met and played together at the Spider's Web jazz night in December last year.

Vocalist Shannon, of Grimsby, said: "When we formed, we appreciated each others' abilities and talents and realised the potential of working together.

"We're really looking forward to performing regularly and building up a great night of live entertainment.

"The venue has been beautifully refurbished recently and it is perfect for the style of music we play.

"It is something a little different for this area that will hopefully be appealing to many.

"If the night is well supported on a regular basis, then it will allow us to develop the event and to include guest musicians each week."

They will perform classics such as All Of Me, Cry Me A River and Hit The Road Jack, as well as more modern songs by Nora Jones and Imelda May, such as Turn Me On, I Don't Know Why and Big Bad Handsome Man.

When asked if she has a favourite song to perform, Shannon said: "I personally enjoy playing all of the songs because of the instrumentation involved and the calibre of musicality of the other trio members.

"However, personal song favourites include the likes of The Nearness Of You, At Last, Mad About The Boy and Why Don't You Do Right."

Shannon explained she loves performing live because the trio gets the audience's undivided attention. She added: "It is a wonderful thing and the feedback from an appreciative audience can lift your potential to even greater heights.

"We love playing in our trio and having an appreciative audience is the icing on the cake for us!"

The three talented musicians are planning to venture further afield, playing in other towns/cities at jazz clubs around the country.

"We have already been booked for various corporate events, which we are more than happy to do.

"A CD recording is in the pipeline for this year too."

At Harvey's Lounge and Kitchen, The Shannon Reilly Jazz Trio perform every Wednesday at 8pm.

See more entertainment news for Grimsby and northern Lincolnshire

LOUD music, lots of bells and a celebration of agriculture – it can only be Plough Play time.

The annual tradition of marking the first working day back on the land after the Christmas break went down a storm in Louth.

The celebration included morris men dancing around a plough and the performance of a play, as well as a specially crowned Plough Queen overseeing the merriment.

The event took place at the Gas Lamp Lounge, in Thames Street, Louth, on Monday and was attended by dozens of people keeping the tradition alive.

Organiser Ian Horsley, of the Grimsby Morris Men, said: "I started with the group in 2003 and haven't looked back since.

"We have been doing Plough Monday for the past 34 years, so it is very much a tradition.

"There are about 40 plough plays throughout Lincolnshire. As well as dancing and performing a small play, we are also raising money for charity.

"This year we are collecting for Grimsby LIVES First Responders, we want to buy it a new defibrillator.

"Plough Monday is always great fun and we look forward to it every year."

In medieval times, Plough Monday represented the start of the new ploughing season and an opportunity to make some money in what was a difficult time of year in agriculture.

A plough was paraded through the streets in the hope that wealthy landlords and businessmen would donate some money to the local farmers.

A play would be performed and anyone who refused to pay would have their doorsteps ploughed up.

Dancer and actor Steve Fuller added: "Plough Monday is the start of the working year after the Christmas break.

"The event does take a lot of organising, but it is well worth it.

"The Plough Jags Play involves several different characters, including a fool, a soldier, an Indian King and a doctor, as well as others.

"This is also the first year we have had a plough queen overseeing everything we are doing.

"We are always looking for new members so if anyone wants to join they should get in touch."

For more information or to donate, call 01469 540378 or e-mail steve@grimsby-mm.fsnet.co.uk

A WILDLIFE trust has hit back at the Government, branding it "unacceptable" that no designated marine conservation zones have been created on the Lincolnshire coast.

Just as the grey seal pups born at Donna Nook are heading out to sea, the Government has rejected advice to designate the area as a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ) – which would protect their food supply, other sea life and underwater habitats.

It has proposed to impose just 31 from an initial list of 127 recommended by experts and stakeholders, and none are on our coastline.

Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust spokesperson Rachel Shaw said: "The trust is bitterly disappointed by this lack of ambition and saddened to see the collaborative efforts of so many go to waste.

"Stakeholders discussed Marine Conservation Zone recommendations for more than two years, based on Defra's 2010 guidance to use 'best information currently available'.

"Now Defra appears to be changing the level of evidence required and are proposing that only 31 sites are designated in summer 2013 and they have provided no information or timetable for the designation of the remaining recommended sites.

"At best, this is an unacceptable and a further delay to the protection of marine wildlife. At worst the concern is that these sites may never be designated."

The news comes as a blow to the trust after a very successful year of seal pups born at Donna Nook.

The total number of grey seal pups born in 2012 was 1,525 – an increase of six per cent.

Pup mortality has been estimated at about 5.5 per cent which is back to more normal levels after the 2011 surge tide caused high pup mortality.

Ms Shaw added: "Being able to see wild animals in such close proximity is a real privilege and one that the vast majority of visitors appreciate and enjoy.

"Donna Nook is designated a National Nature Reserve, but once the seals leave the beach and head out to sea there is virtually no protection of the seabed habitats that harbour their food."

DEATHS on Lincolnshire's roads fell by 18 per cent in 2012, despite five fatalities over the Christmas period.

Last year, 39 people died as a result of crashes in the county as a whole, compared to 46 in 2011.

John Siddle, of the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership, said: "Whenever there is a reduction, it is as a result of many factors and part of that is because drivers are more aware of road safety than they were before. Car technology also plays its part.

"Promoting things we do – whether it be drink-driving, speed awareness or driver training – all helps.

"But it is not just us; there are lots of other groups that contribute to that."

This year, the partnership will be promoting the importance of wearing a helmet while cycling.

"We have seen an increase in the number of pedal cycle incidents," said Mr Siddle. "Although we don't have data to say how many lives helmets save, they can do so.

"Since the Olympics, and because of the recession, more people are taking to their bikes, so it is important."

Over the festive period, three people died on the county's roads and two young sisters from Spalding also died in a crash at Wisbech, Cambridgeshire.

Heavy rock musician Dean Hocking, 23, of Sleaford, and Wayne East, 37, of Waddington, were killed on the A15 at Leasingham on December 27.

Christopher Jones, 23, from near Grantham, died on Christmas Day after a two-car collision in Metheringham.

A GIANT outdoor sleepover is returning to Grimsby – and you can help raise cash for homeless people by taking part.

The annual YMCA Sleep Easy event will take place next month, aiming to raise awareness of homelessness among young people.

Last year, the Grimsby Telegraph joined around 100 others to sleep rough within the grounds of Shoreline Housing Partnership, in Osborne Street, Grimsby.

And on Friday, February 1, people will be armed with cardboard, sleeping bags and blankets to do it all over again.

Registration is now open for anyone wanting to sign up and take part in this year's challenge, which will start at 6pm and finish 12 hours later at 6am.

Organisers say the event will give people a snippet of what life is really like for those living homeless across the country.

Tony Bramley, chief executive of Shoreline Housing, which is hosting the event, said: "As the area's largest social housing provider, we are aware that homelessness is a growing problem and that it can happen to anyone.

"Many individuals find accommodation with us after experiencing hostel life and we know how difficult it can be for young people to get a home of their own. An event like this helps to give us a real understanding of the conditions that homeless people face every day."

Last year the Humber YMCA region raised a total of £28,000 which was put towards research and finding solutions to tackle homelessness.

This year, organisers hope to exceed this amount and the money will be split four ways – between Harbour Place, CARE, Doorstep and YMCA.

Sarah Taylor, general manager for CARE North East Lincolnshire, said: "The money donated to CARE raised through this event will be put towards our daily bread food larder, which is run in partnership with North East Lincolnshire Churches Together.

"The food larder provides emergency food parcels to those in need in the local community and the need for this project continues to rise dramatically."

To take part in Sleep Easy, visit www.sleepeasy.gcymca.com

WORK has begun on a project to reduce the risk of flooding to homes on two Grimsby housing estates.

Environment Agency contractors yesterday started driving more than 700 metres of steel sheet piles along the New Cut Drain – from Great Coates Road to Cromwell Road – to improve the Freshney Washland Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The steel sheet piles each measure between 3.8 and eight metres long, and will be used to form a new flood defence along the drain. The defence will reduce flood risk to properties on the Willows Estate.

Andrew Barron, of the Environment Agency, said: "This will form a vital part of our flood defence works. We hope that people in the area will understand the need for us to carry the piling out and apologise for any inconvenience our works cause.

"The piling will create some noise but we will try to keep disruption to a minimum."

This stage of the works is expected to be completed in late February, although that depends on the weather. In addition, filter drains – perforated pipes that will collect surface water so it can flow into the New Cut Drain – will be created.

Topsoil will also be removed to allow digging to begin and clay to be placed to form the base of the new flood defence bank. And it will also see changes made to the Freshney Washland Flood Storage Reservoir to reduce flood risk to both the Willows and Wybers Wood estates.

Mr Barron said: "Trials were carried out before Christmas to compact the footprint of the new floodbank and test holes were excavated which showed that some material on-site was suitable for re-use.

"A site compound, located on land between Ampleforth Avenue, Service Road 18 and New Cut Drain, was set up before Christmas.

"A second, smaller compound was set up last week close to Great Coates Road."

The Freshney Washland scheme was built in 2001 to reduce the risk of flooding from the river to a one per cent chance in any year.

However, in 2007, 200 homes on the Willows Estate were affected when a greater flood overwhelmed defences in the area. A number of properties on Wybers Wood also flooded.

This scheme is due to be completed entirely by July.

THE 79-year-old killed in a suspected drink-drive crash was walking home from a hotel she had worked at for 20 years when she was knocked down – just minutes away from her front door.

Tributes have today been paid to Mary Horsley, who had finished an evening shift at the Amethyst Hotel, in East Halton, when she was hurt as two cars collided.

Despite medics taking her to Hull Royal Infirmary, she did not survive the incident, which happened at about 9.30pm on Tuesday.

As reported on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, a 26-year-old man, who was driving a Ford Fiesta, and a 29-year-old Immingham woman, who was driving a Suzuki Swift, were involved in the crash.

Villagers believe the driver of the Suzuki spotted Mrs Horsley walking home and had stopped to offer her a lift when the collision happened. This has not been confirmed by police.

The Fiesta driver was arrested at the scene, between Scrub Lane and Swinster Lane, on suspicion of drink-driving. He had not been charged at the time of going to press.

Mrs Horsley, who is believed to have grown-up children living in the Grimsby area, had worked at the hotel for more than 20 years, washing pots and carrying out general duties.

Friends said she was a "lovely lady" with a "brilliant sense of humour", and floral tributes have been laid at the crash scene. Mr and Mrs Turner, who own the hotel, said Mrs Horsley's death has devastated them.

"Mary loved coming to work at the hotel; it gave her something to get out the house for," said Mrs Turner.

"On the night of the incident, she had just finished work and was walking back home – she only lived about 10 minutes away.

"We sometimes give her a lift if the weather is bad but often she refuses as the walk gives her some exercise.

"Mary was a very independent woman who got on with things quietly. Everyone knew who she was in the village."

According to the couple, Mary was an active member of the village's friendship club.

Mr Turner said: "The news is very upsetting, this should never have happened to Mary and she is already missed by so many people."

Staff at the Black Bull Inn, in East Halton, said Mary's death has left the village in mourning.

Damon Williams, 19, the son of the pub's owners, said: "I have lived here for 12 years now and I always saw Mary wandering around.

"This should never have happened to such a sweet and kind lady.

"I only wish now I said 'hello' to her more, I am sure residents will be in shock for some time."

Humberside Police are appealing for witness to the collision to call 101, quoting log number 604 of January 8.

Keep checking your Grimsby Telegraph and www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk for updates.

Crime news for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

POLICE and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove will meet victims of crime in North East Lincolnshire.

In the run-up to setting out his plan for tackling crime over the next five years, Mr Grove will meet face-to-face with victims to discuss their experiences and get their views on how future services can be improved to meet their needs.

The meetings have been arranged by Victim Support, an organisation which gives free and confidential advice to victims, witness and their families.

Volunteers from the group also help run the Witness Service in courts.

The group has five main aims, which Mr Grove – the commissioner for Humberside Police – has backed.

He said: "I have backed Victim Support by signing up to their five pledges to ensure continued support for victims and witnesses.

"As Police and Crime Commissioner, I will endeavour to be a champion for victims and be their voice to ensure their concerns and interests are always heard."

Among the five objectives, Victim Support wants commissioners to be open and accountable to victims and witnesses, seeking out and acting on their views.

It has also called on commissioners to make the police more victim-focused.

Members of Victim Support aim to guarantee victims and witnesses get the high-quality help and support they need, when they need it.

They have also called for a greater voice for victims in the wider criminal justice system and for commissioners to work to develop new ways of delivering justice for victims.

Mr Grove's police and crime plan will be published at the end of March. In it he will set the police and crime objectives in the Humberside Police area for the next five years.

It has not yet been confirmed where the commissioner will meet victims of crime, but it is set to take place next week.

Keep reading your Grimsby Telegraph for updates.

More information on Victim Support can be found on www.victimsupport.org.uk

Pose your questions to Police and Crime Commissioner Matthew Grove, and tell him what your priorities are as a resident of North East Lincolnshire, by getting involved in Thursday's debate, online at www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk from 1pm. You can set a reminder by entering your e-mail address into the console below:

FOOD bills are no long as cheap as chips after a wet winter and dry summer has caused prices to soar.

Families and businesses in North East Lincolnshire can now expect to pay about 4 per cent more for their weekly groceries compared to this time last year.

The price increase is almost double the current rate of inflation, which stands at 2.7 per cent, making the cost of a week's worth of food now £76.83 for the average household – £5.66 more than last year.

And according to consumer advice company Which?, grocery costs will continue to rise until 2022.

So to find out which supermarket offers you best value for money, the Grimsby Telegraph has carried out a price comparison at five local stores.

We calculated the costs of 10 household essentials at the stores and the results are below.

One person who will be using the results wisely is Brian Turner, from Grimsby, who said: "We used to always shop at Sainsbury's until Morrisons was opened as we could walk to it but we tend to shop around now

" I have noticed price increases but we always look for the better deals."

And businesses are being affected by the rising costs too.

Ian Stead, owner of Steel's Corner House Restaurant, Market Street, Cleethorpes, said: "I have really noticed the prices going up recently and they are well above inflation. Everything has been affected.

"We buy roughly three to five tonnes of potatoes a week and we are now paying 25 per cent more than we did last year.

"We haven't put our prices up yet but we are seriously considering it.

"We cannot sell at a loss and we will have to raise prices at some point this year but we are holding off for as long as possible.

"I am expecting things to go up again because the weather has been so bad. We have not had good growth and it has made a real difference."

Some consumer groups are calling on the Government to make pricing in supermarkets simpler.

Although the constant rises in prices may cause problems for shoppers, for some it is not all bad news.

Steve Norton, chief executive of Grimsby Fish Merchants Association, said an increase in food prices could have a positive impact on the town's seafood processing industry, bringing fillets of cod, haddock and salmon into line with red meats and poultry when it comes to feeding a family on a budget.

He added: "As merchants and processors we are always optimistic that the good times are round the corner. This year, in particular, could see seafood come into its own.

"Increases in the price of other foods will be advantageous and will give consumers real choice as it will hopefully lead to some interesting innovation and new product development."

The town's two biggest seafood brands, Young's and Saucy Fish Co, are both advertising heavily on national television at present, ensuring millions of viewers of prime-time television are aware of the product choices.

The Grimsby Telegraph has been shopping at five of the area's supermarkets to compare the prices of branded and basic goods.

Where there is no alternative brand, the same product was used in both calculations.

Asda, Holles Street, Grimsby

Washing-up liquid:

Fairy 630ml: £1.

Smart Price 600ml: 40p.

Bread:

Warburtons medium sliced white bread: £1.

Smart Price sliced white bread: 50p.

Baked beans:

Heinz Baked Beans x1 can: 50p.

Smart Price Beans x1: 28p.

Apples:

Pink lady Apples x4: £2.

Asda mixed apples x9: £2.

Cheese:

Cathedral City cheddar 350g: £3.98.

Smart Price cheddar 385g: £2.

Milk:

Cravendale semi-skimmed two litres: £1.50.

Asda semi skimmed x4 pints: £1.

Margarine:

Flora Original 500g: £1.70.

Asda Sunflower Spread: 75p.

Toilet roll:

Andrex x4 rolls: £1.75.

Smart Price x4 rolls: 67p.

Tea and coffee:

Tetley x 80 bags: £2.

Smart Price x80 bags: 27p.

Nescafe Original 100g: £2.78.

Smart Price Instant Coffee 100g: 47p.

Potatoes:

Asda Extra Special 2kg: £2.

Smart Price 2.5kg: 99p.

TOTAL: Branded: £20.21.

Discount: £9.33.

Aldi, Cleethorpes Road, Grimsby

Washing-up liquid:

Magnum 500ml: 59p.

Bread:

Warburtons medium sliced white bread: £1.

Village Bakery medium white: 53p.

Baked Beans:

Corale Premium Baked Beans x1: 33p.

Everday Essentials x1: 28p.

Apples:

Specially Selected Pink Lady x6 £1.89

British Cox's x8 £1.29

Cheese:

Coloured cheddar 800g: £3.89

NO BRAND

Milk:

Cowbelle four pints: £1

NO BRAND.

Margarine:

Beautifully Butterfully 500g: 89p.

Sunflower Spread 500g: 75p.

Toilet roll:

Saxon Luxury x4 £1.59.

Everday Essentials x6: £1.89.

Tea and coffee:

Tetley 120 bags for the price of 80: £2.25.

Red Label Tea 160 bags: £1.99.

Nescafe Original 150g: £3.49.

Alcafe Roast Coffee 200g: £1.65.

Potatoes:

Specially Selected Maris Piper 2.5kg £1.99.

NO BRAND

TOTAL: Branded £18.91.

Cheaper £15.85.

Ramsdens, Cleethorpe Road Grimsby

Washing-up liquid:

Fairy Original 530ml: £1.65.

Heritage 500ml: 79p

Bread:

Warburtons medium sliced white bread: £1.44.

Baked beans:

Hienz Beans x1 75p

Heritage x1: 35p

Apples:

Heritage x4 Royal Gala: £1.25

Cheese:

Cathedral City cheddar 200g: £2.49

Heritage value cheddar 400g: £2.60

Milk:

Cravendale semi skimmed two litres: £1.99

Heritage semi skimmed two litres £1.28

Margarine:

Flora Original 500g: £1.70.

Heritage Buttery Spread 500g: £1.

Toilet roll:

Andrex x4 £1.99.

Heritage x4 89p.

Tea and coffee:

Tetley 80 bags £2.55

Heritage 80 bags £1.59

Nescafe Original 100g £2.95.

Heritage Coffee 100g £1.69

Potatoes:

Heritage red 2kg: £2.10

TOTAL: Branded £20.86.

Cheaper £14.98.

Tesco, Market Street, Grimsby

Washing-up liquid:

Fairy Original 433ml £1.25.

Everyday Value 500ml 33p.

Bread:

Warburtons medium sliced white bread: £1.45.

Everyday Value: 50p.

Baked Beans:

Heinz Beans x1 70p.

Everyday Value x1 28p.

Apples:

Tesco Organic Pink Lady x4: £2.75.

Everyday Value x5: 82p.

Cheese:

Cathedral City 350g: £3.00.

Everyday Value 0.558kg: £4.07.

Milk:

Cravendale semi skimmed two litres: £1.98.

Tesco semi skimmed four pints: £1.29.

Margarine:

Flora Original 500g £1.70.

Everyday Value Buttery: 89p.

Toilet roll:

Andrex x4 £1.75.

Everyday Value x4: 70p.

Tea and coffee

Tetley 80 bags: £2.35.

Everyday Value 80 bags: 27p.

Nescafe 100g: £2.68.

Everyday Value 100g: 47p.

Potatoes:

Albert Bartlett Rooster 2kg: £2.45.

Eat Fresh 2.5kg: £1.95.

TOTAL: Branded £22.06.

Cheaper £11.57.

Sainsbury's, Corporation Road, Grimsby

Washing-up liquid:

Fairy Original 433ml: £1.25.

Basics 500ml: 40p.

Bread:

Warburtons medium sliced white bread: £1.45.

Basics sliced white bread: 50p.

Baked Beans:

Heinz Beans x1 70p.

Basics x1 28p.

Apples:

Pink Lady by Sainsbury's x4 £2.75.

Cox Apples x8: £1.

Cheese:

Cathedral City 350g: £3.00.

Basics 0.575kg: £4.19.

Milk:

Cravendale semi skimmed two litres: £1.95.

Sainsburys semi skimmed 4 pints: £1.95.

Margarine:

Flora Original 500g: £1.70.

Butterlicious by Sainsburys 500g: £1.29.

Toilet roll:

Andrex x4: £2.08.

Basics x6: £1.96.

Tea and coffee:

Tetley 80 bags: £2.35.

Basics 80 bags: 27p.

Nescafe Original 100g: £2.78.

Basics 100g: 53p.

Potatoes:

Albert Bartlett Rooster 2kg: £2.45.

Basics 2kg: £1.19.

TOTAL: Branded £22.46.

Cheaper £13.56.

ESTATE agents are looking ahead to 2013 after enjoying their best year for five years in 2012.

Agents in the Grimsby area have reported big increases in both sales and enquiries last year, as well as a busy start to January.

Graham Wilson, managing director of DDM Residential, which has an office in Grimsby, said: "Last year was the best year we have had since 2007. In terms of sales we saw an increase of about 25 to 30 per cent on 2011. The market has been creeping back up since the low point of 2008 although our area has always been a stable area, with good employment, excellent schools and very good value for money.

"Things are extremely positive at the moment. In Grimsby alone we have sold 12 houses since January 2 and the rental side has gone crazy."

Jim Cassidy, owner of Argyle Estate Agents, in Cleethorpes, said: "I had my best year for five years. We had a 12 per cent increase in sales on 2011, and that was on top of an increase the previous year. The housing market is showing signs of moving in the right direction.

"Customers have become more realistic about asking their asking price and that is why more houses are selling.

"I'm always looking to push the business forward and I will take an increase if it comes, but if we can achieve sales figures in line with 2012 then I will be happy."

David Gardner, branch manager at Pygott & Crone, in Grimsby, said: "There is an air of cautious optimism at the moment. Across the Grimsby region all agents sold in excess of 1,500 homes in 2012. That is a phenomenal figure when you take into account the size of the population. We have certainly noticed that the start of this year has been very busy – probably the busiest January we've had since 2007."

Andy Ottley, a partner at Jackson, Green and Preston in Grimsby, said: "Last year was pretty good and we are quietly optimistic about 2013. "The year has started well with plenty of viewing and enquiries.

"I think there are more first-time buyers out there. They are gradually getting their deposits together and are getting themselves into a position to buy. Mortgages are also a little bit easier to get now."