THE great flood of 1953 is etched in the memory of those who lived through it. Here, reporters RICHARD YORK and DAN RUSSELL tell more stories of what happened on that fateful day...

A MOTHER and daughter credit Chapman's Pond for saving their home from the flood.

Joyce Stone and her daughter June Millar were kept safe and dry because the pond acted as protection.

"Everywhere was flooded, but where we lived on Brereton Avenue, on the corner of Robson Road, was protected by Chapman's Pond," Joyce, 96, recalled.

"There was no warning of the flood. We knew the spring tide was high but the defences had never faltered before.

"There was no rain. The enormous wind pushed the sea over the prom, destroying all the beach huts and even ripping out railings from the sea wall.

"My friend ran an ice-cream and tea hut called Maidens on the beach; that was completely destroyed. It was her business and it was just gone.

"As the seawater came crashing over the prom and tore up the railway lines, the large pond took the force of the water – saving several streets directly behind it that would have otherwise been devastated like everywhere else.

"I remember how the salt water killed all the fish in the freshwater pond and it was affected by it for years.

"It was very traumatic but we were very lucky and our house stayed completely dry. Almost everywhere else was flooded.

"The water came with such force that it swept over Fuller Street bridge and straight down to Elliston Street, but it was only as the water slowed at the school that it started to enter homes as it spread out.

"I was told that the weight of the old school being full of water made the road dip and sink slightly.

Joyce's daughter, June, was 13 at the time.

"I went to see my friend in Elliston Street, and it was total destruction," said the 63-year-old.

LINCOLNSHIRE FLOODING

"Everything was wrecked; the water reached up to 4ft on the walls so they had to remove all the plaster, rendering and flooring.

"They lost a lot. The water was so quick there wasn't time to save anything.

"I also had friends who lived in Oliver Street, which runs parallel with the train lines near the seafront. Their homes were seriously flooded and they found many railway sleepers tossed into their gardens by the force of the water.

"I never would have thought in my wildest dreams that water could be so destructive. To see how the water had ripped the railings out from the seafront and smashed concrete was astonishing.

"Some friends and I went down to the beach afterwards and it was covered in debris.

"The Arcadia was destroyed, and the beach was covered in rubble and broken wood from all the huts which had stood on the beach before.

"The tide usually only came halfway up the beach and never reached the huts or the Ferris wheel, so for the sea to reach further than Elliston Street was astounding.

"For my parents, it must have been a lot worse. As kids, we had that curiosity. Nevertheless, it was terrible."

Chapman's Pond is a former brick pit. During the excavation of clay, the workmen ruptured a natural spring which eventually led to the flooding of the pit.

The pit is roughly 12 metres deep and 182 metres across at its widest.

June added: "We were so lucky to live near the pond; it saved a lot of people's homes.

"The carnage wasn't completely sorted out for months afterwards.

"The council eventually managed to clear the streets and repair the sea defences but they were like patchwork repairs until the 1990s, when the defences were completely renovated."

FURIOUS boyfriend Karl Smith threatened to burn down his lover's home after she posted photographs of his private parts on Facebook.

He was desperate to get a mobile phone back from her so he could make sure the X-rated pictures were deleted to save his blushes, Grimsby magistrates heard.

But he fell foul of the police during an angry confrontation at the police station when he demanded the phone be handed back to him after wrongly believing she was in custody.

Smith, 24, of Macaulay Street, Grimsby, admitted threatening to damage windows belonging to Katie Bakes on January 28.

John Harris, prosecuting, said Smith went to Grimsby Police Station demanding to see Miss Bakes, whom he believed was in custody, because he wanted to retrieve a mobile phone from her.

He caused a disturbance and Stephen Johnson, who was with him, tried to calm him down.

He claimed his girlfriend had been posting pictures of his private parts on Facebook and he wanted to remove the offending photographs.

Smith was asked to leave but shouted: "If you don't get my phone back, I'm going round there to put her windows in and burn her house down."

He later admitted "kicking off" and "acting like a kid" because he was angry.

Andrew Havery, mitigating, said Smith lost his temper and made "foolish comments" because Miss Bakes had posted inappropriate photographs on Facebook.

Sentence was adjourned until March because Smith faces other matters.

CUTTING speed limits will not necessarily reduce the number of accidents on North East Lincolnshire's roads.

That's the view of Ray Elliott, chairman of the Grimsby and Louth branch of the Institute Of Advanced Motorists.

Giving evidence to the council's speed limit review select committee yesterday, Mr Elliott said: "Reducing speed limits does not address the problem of driver error – and 95 per cent of all vehicle crashes are caused by driver error.

"Whatever the speed limit you will still get people driving in a dangerous manner.

"With ever-reducing budgets, is this the right time to spend money on reducing speed limits?"

Mr Elliott told the panel that "unrealistic" speed limits would only encourage motorists to break the law.

Citing the stretch of the A180 between Lockhill Roundabout and Riby Square as an example, he said: "The limit is 30mph but most people do 40mph. A 30mph limit is not realistic."

He suggested that more driver education would be a better way of reducing accidents, saying: "Driver education is the difficult option but it is the right way forward.

"If the council gave all its drivers extra driving instruction it would send a message that the council is serious about road safety."

However, Professor John Wann, head of psychology at the Royal Holloway, University of London, giving evidence by speaker phone, said that reducing speed limits on rural-urban roads would potentially reduce the errors that drivers make.

Steve Biddle, northern regional manager for the Road Haulage Association, suggested that some of the 40mph speed limits being proposed could create "bunching, impatience and potentially dangerous overtaking manoeuvres".

The select committee will meet again at Grimsby Town Hall at 1.15pm next Thursday.

LEAGUE Two football remains "the big prize" when Grimsby Town return to Conference action tomorrow.

Nicky Law's Alfreton are the visitors to Blundell Park as the Mariners aim to stay top of the Blue Square Bet Premier table.

But after Tuesday's 3-0 win over Luton saw them into the FA Trophy semi-finals, Town joint boss Paul Hurst has called on his side to re-focus on their number one priority.

"There's a real buzz about the players because we're still challenging on two fronts," he said.

"Provided that's harnessed in the right way, we'll be fine. I don't think complacency will kick in because there's still a long, long way to go this season.

"There's no guarantees of getting to Wembley yet and the prize is a one-off day out there.

"League Two football is by far the biggest prize, and a long-term prize. That's what the players are genuinely aware of. They know that's a bigger prize for us."

Town's 2-0 victory at the Impact Arena in October appeared comfortable enough on paper, but Hurst insists it was a tricky test against the Reds – and will be again tomorrow.

He said: "We did beat them and it was a decent performance, but it was a good game and they certainly contributed to it.

"They're always a physically strong side, but they've added one or two players that give them a bit of flair as well.

"They'll be coming to try to upset us and it will be a very tough game."

A SERIAL criminal branded a "mini crime wave" has been jailed for four-and-a-half years after committing a chilling catalogue of offences.

He was "violent and abusive" when he repeatedly harassed his ex-girlfriend during a frightening campaign against her, a court heard.

Benjamin Wortley, 21, of Gilbey Road, Grimsby, admitted assaulting Katie Hughes and damaging her window on October 29, as well as breaching a non-molestation order on October 1, 16 and 29.

Jeremy Evans, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Wortley had been in and out of prison and Miss Hughes ended their relationship.

A non-molestation order was made at Grimsby County Court on August 14, but Wortley telephoned her and threatened to snatch their son, who was 18 months old at the time.

He later threw half a brick through a window at her Cleethorpes home, hitting her on the head and causing injuries.

Wortley also admitted a string of other offences, including burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and driving while banned on October 9, stealing a scooter and driving while banned on October 16, and driving while banned on October 17.

He had convictions for 49 previous offences.

Richard Butters, mitigating, said Wortley was a "mini crime wave" during October and had a "terrible" record of previous convictions.

He had been a heavy drinker since the age of 13 and also used diazepam.

He and another person drank a bottle of vodka before the burglary in Brereton Avenue, Cleethorpes, in which car keys were taken.

He drove off in the car they belonged to and later hit two parked cars, causing a tree to fall on one of them, the court heard.

Judge Graham Robinson told Wortley he had been "violent and abusive" towards his ex-girlfriend and the threat to snatch her son would have been "terrifying words to her".

Wortley was also banned from driving for four years.

A CAT lover is warning pet owners to be aware of dog attacks after her beloved feline was killed.

Sharon Mabey, of Langton Drive, Nunsthorpe, feels "lost" without her family cat Millie, who was attacked by a greyhound-type dog.

The pet owner could see her eight-month-old black cat dead on the other side of her back garden fence on the former St Mary's school field, after seeing two grey dogs nearby.

Her other cat, Jet, arrived at her doorstep puffing after being caught up in the ordeal.

Sharon said: "My stomach sank when I saw her body laying there and the difficult thing is, I couldn't get to her because the fence is too high.

"The council picked her up from the field for me, and she had bite marks all over her.

"There was no way Millie could escape because the fence is made up of high metal railings.

"People need to be aware of the consequences of dog attacks on cats and now I don't want to let my other cat outside. The owners are to blame, not the dogs."

Sharon said Millie was a loved family cat and she got her when she was seven weeks old.

She added: "I have always been brought up with cats and I love them because they are just so friendly.

"I will really miss Millie and I feel lost without her.

"Jet is really pining for her, too."

Sharon had Millie cremated by the Blue Cross.

Susan Knox, chief vet at Blue Cross animal hospital, in Grimsby, said: "Firstly, we were so sad to hear about this poor cat and our sympathy goes to the owner.

"Many dogs will instinctively want to chase cats and other small animals.

"Not just those who were bred to historically, like terriers and lurchers, but any dog can have the drive to chase, catch and even kill another small animal.

"Dog owners help prevent these tragic incidents through training and being in control of their dog when out and about."

The Blue Cross pet bereavement support service has a free helpline between 8.30am and 8.30pm everyday on 0800 096 6606 or by e-mail pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk

NEW signing Lenell John-Lewis has pledged to "ruffle a few feathers" in his bid to fire Grimsby Town's Football League return.

The 23-year-old striker was the Mariners' last-gasp deadline day deal after joining from League One club Bury on an 18-month contract.

He joined up with his Mariners team-mates for the first time today – further adding to the club's wealth of attacking options.

But after sealing the deal, he told the Telegraph that he isn't fazed by the prospect of having to compete with seven other strikers for a starting spot in the side.

"There are a lot of strikers at the club but it doesn't faze me, if anything it spurs me on," he said.

"I've never minded how many strikers there are at the club or how many I've got to compete with for a place.

"I'm just going to come in, do my best and fight for my place – that's my aim.

"I'll definitely bring pace, power and competitiveness.

"I'm here to ruffle a few feathers of the back fours in this league and get as many goals as I can.

"I want to get goals and help his team get back into the Football League," he added.

The move to Cleethorpes has signalled a Lincolnshire return for John-Lewis who started his career with Grantham Town before moving to the Mariners' fierce rivals Lincoln City.

After four years with the Imps, the Londoner then move to Bury in 2010 – where he became something of a cult hero with the Gigg Lane fans.

But he admits that a lack of first-team football at the Shakers became a frustration – particularly in the last two seasons where the majority of his appearances have been from the bench.

And so after hearing of Town's interest – and speaking to joint-bosses Rob Scott and Paul Hurst, he showed no hesitation on putting pen to paper at Blundell Park.

He said: "I'm chuffed to be here – it's very exciting and I just can't wait to get started to be honest.

"I found out about the move on Wednesday and it was a case of going to speak to my manager about it.

"I trained yesterday morning and then I got called off to come across here.

"It all moved pretty quickly to be honest and I'm delighted to be here.

"I wasn't getting the amount of games at Bury as I would have liked – it's been that way for the last couple of seasons to be honest.

"I wanted to get more starts and play more regularly but I've just been coming off the bench.

"But now I'm here, I feel like I can fight for a place and make an impact.

"I'm coming to a club where I know I can fit in and play regular football.

"The managers tried to get me in on loan last season and so I knew that they clearly had a liking for me and that's an important thing for me.

"I wanted to play for them – that was a massive factor in the move for me.

"They didn't have to sell the club to me. You can see the ambition of the club and what they're trying to achieve here.

"They want to get back into the league this season and for the managers to want me to be a part of that swayed me massively."

As well the draw of Scott and Hurst, John-Lewis has also revealed that discussions with former Shakers team-mate Marcus Marshall also convinced him to sign.

He added: "Obviously I know Marcus from my time at Bury and we get on really well I've been talking to him quite a bit over the last few weeks.

"He's really enjoyed his time here and so he's been telling me all about the club and the other players. It's all been good things."

After signing, John-Lewis has now set his sights on making an instant impact at Town, starting tomorrow in the home clash with Alfreton.

"I'm looking forward to getting to know the rest of the lads and hopefully I can play some part on Saturday.

"It's at home so it would be an ideal way of making my debut, hopefully I can get on and make an impact.

"This season it's all about trying to help the team get promoted that's the aim and I'll be doing all I can to help the team achieve that."

BOSSES at Grimsby Town Football Club have welcomed the banning of a drunken troublemaker who ran onto the pitch after assaulting two stewards during a bad-tempered confrontation.

Marc Finnie was given a three-year football banning order after causing problems during a match just weeks after an earlier ban had ended.

Finnie, 39, of Warwick Avenue, Grimsby, admitted going onto the playing area at Blundell Park during Grimsby's match against Forest Green Rovers on September 8.

The Mariners won that game 1-0.

He also admitted assaulting Andrew Allen and Geoffrey Nettleton. He previously denied the two assaults.

The new ban was imposed at Grimsby Magistrates' Court.

Finnie now faces a prison sentence if he causes more trouble.

The ban has been welcomed by the club's stadium manager Nick Dale.

He said: "His actions were deliberate and blatant. He had been on a previous ban that ended in August.

"He was in the process of being asked to leave for being drunk and not fit to be inside a football ground."

Finnie pushed his way through and jumped over a barrier and onto the pitch while the match was going on, said Mr Dale.

"In the process of being detained, he assaulted two stewards," he added.

"We are a family-supporting club and his behaviour doesn't constitute that of a family supporter.

"We were disappointed it wasn't a longer ban as his actions were deliberate and blatant, having just come off a ban.

"His actions have financial implications on the football club and we will not and cannot turn a blind to that."

Finnie was also given a 14-week curfew and was ordered to pay £150 compensation to each of the stewards and £500 costs.

A Humberside Police spokesperson said: "This banning order shows that antisocial behaviour at football matches will not be tolerated.

"Officers work closely with Grimsby Town Football Club to bring people who cause antisocial behaviour at football matches to justice.

"People come to watch football to enjoy the match, not to be caught up in needless antisocial behaviour committed by a small minority of people.

"Let this be a warning that police will be working to target those who want to cause trouble."

Crime news for Grimsby and North East Lincolnshire

When you invest in a classic car, you don't just purchase a chassis, a set of wheels and a body, you are buying a slice of history that deserves to be meticulously maintained. Laura Stuart-Cook visits a Lincolnshire garage where vintage vehicles are treated with the utmost respect.

THE mechanics at Graham Chapman Classic Cars are accustomed to dealing with vehicles worth tens of thousands of pounds, but as I gingerly squeeze past a gleaming Jaguar XK140, I hold my breath.

There are classic and sports cars here worth more than £80,000. Understandably at that price, their owners are discerning folk who only want the very finest treatment for their motors. Fortunately, Graham Chapman's garage, tucked away on Humberston's Wilton Road Industrial Estate, offers the ultimate treatment for classic vehicles that have been abused and misused over the years.

The company's expert mechanics are trained to completely strip down almost any vehicle, before building it back up nut by bolt as they restore it to its former glory. There are mechanics who specialise in building new panels for cars that are almost 100 years old, and those who are trained to give vehicles the perfect paint job.

Graham, who drives a classic Mercedes , explained: "These cars are part of our history and the people who buy them want the best possible treatment for them. Being able to put them back on the road is the ultimate reward.

"Over the past eight years we have built up a reputation for being one of the best in our field, and we now get cars shipped from all over the world for us to repair or restore.

"We currently have a 1961 Austin Healey Sprite, which was purchased from America by a customer who lives in Dubai and then shipped to us to restore. Once finished, it will be sent to Dubai.

"The 1955 Jaguar XK140 that we are putting the finishing touches to at the moment is owned by a customer in Ireland; we have just taken delivery of a Panther J72 from Norway and we've recently finished an MGB which came from Guernsey and had to be back in time for Christmas Day."

Graham, who is a trained mechanic, worked at Lindsey Oil Refinery before taking early retirement.

"I'd always loved cars and I used to race when I was younger. Somebody mentioned this place was up for sale and I couldn't resist. I didn't want a normal car garage, but somewhere that specialised in classic and sports cars was right up my street."

Over the years, the company has worked on almost every prestige vehicle ever made, including rare models, such as an Aston Martin DB5 that is owned locally.

The oldest car currently on the ramps is a 1935 Rolls Royce 20/25 cockshoot saloon, from the United States, which has been stripped back to its wooden frame.

Service advisor Craig Miotk, who has been a mechanic for eight years, explained the trials and tribulations of working with such historic vehicles.

"The older the cars are, the more difficult it is to find the parts," he explained. "But that is part of the challenge and we've never been defeated yet. We have people here who can build wooden panels from scratch because you can't buy them.

"Our customers are usually happy to pay that little bit extra for us to do a bespoke job. It's definitely not something we can rush as it can take up to a year for a full restoration."

Like all of his staff, Graham, who lives in Waltham, finds business a real pleasure: "I often work 15 hours a day because I love what I do. I'm currently looking at adding a showroom to enable us to sell even more vehicles.

"Cars are my passion and I personally check every vehicle we deal with to make sure it is perfect before it leaves. The biggest bonus for me is that I get to drive every one – it's the owner's privilege!"

To find out more, call 01472 211522, e-mail graham@grahamchapmancars.co.uk or visit www.grahamchapmanclassiccars.co.uk

MARY Portas will be visiting the award-winning town of Market Rasen in the coming weeks.

Sarah Lambelle, of Mr Big, the Market Rasen Business Improvements Group, said the shopping guru had confirmed she would be making an appearance within a couple of weeks – although a date is yet to be set.

The town of Market Rasen was one of 12 selected from more than 370 applications to become a Portas Pilot town, which saw £100,000 being granted to a team of volunteers to revitalise a nearby high street.

Up to now, members of Mr Big have met the business guru twice.

And the "exciting" news of her next planned trip comes hot on the heels of the town being named as Britain's Best Small Speciality Market of 2013 by the National Association of British Markets Authorities (NABMA).

As reported, the accolade puts the town among a handful of locations recognised for pioneering local entrepreneurship by hosting and managing outstanding markets.

Sarah said she believed the key to their success was their "uniqueness" in being able to serve Lincolnshire foodies with artisan products in the Georgian Market Place and "fantastic" arts and crafts in the Festival Hall.

She said: "Every market is given a theme – for example, on Saturday we had Love, Love Me Do, with Valentine's Day coming up and, at the end of our Plank festival, we have a Mad March Market.

"It makes it a lot of fun."

There are ten themed extravaganzas planned for 2013 running on the first Saturday of every month.

Sarah also said that being equidistant from Grimsby and Lincoln attracted many regional visitors and that free parking in the town was also a welcome bonus.

Saturday also saw the launch of Plank 2013, which will see the town transformed into an art gallery for four weeks, with diverse exhibitions by independent artists from Lincolnshire.

The exhibition is being supported by the Arts Council for England and will see works being displayed in a range of unusual places and spaces to create an arts trail through the town.

Locations including empty shops, the railway station, market place, high street shop windows, pubs, cafes, schools and churches, with a range of creative workshops taking place alongside.

Sarah added: "The Plank 2013 title derives from the Anglo Saxon word for Rase, meaning planks.

"It also means 'bridge', so it was the perfect name for a festival that will create links within the community and its rural hinterland."

Find out more

The festival runs until Friday, March 1 and includes a large number of half-day workshops. More Wolds News on page 23

WORK at a Grimsby allotments has ground to a halt after a council planning blunder.

Workmen were ordered to stop building a fence and replacing the roof of the Salting Allotments Committee' hut after council officers discovered planning permission had not yet been granted – despite the application being made by North East Lincolnshire Council itself.

Sub-contractors working for council partner Balfour Beatty have been carrying out the work – which also includes tarmacking the allotment roads – at the Littlefield Lane site since December.

But following a tip-off from residents – who do not want the 8ft high fence – conservation officers ordered work to stop because planning permission had not been granted.

It has amused residents of Salsbury Avenue , who say the fence, which backs onto their gardens, is unnecessary and a "complete waste of money".

Pensioner Barbara Brewster, has lived in the avenue for 60 years. She said: "I don't know who is responsible for the mistake, but it doesn't surprise me.

"I do not understand why we need a fence there, we have never needed it before. They say it is for extra security, but the only thing that has ever happened here is a group of ten-year-olds who were caught stealing apples years ago.

"It is a waste of money and unnecessary."

The work is going on around what is known locally as the black house – a council-owned listed building.

It means development of the site is subject to strict conservation laws.

The resurfacing of the roads does not require permission, but the replacement of the hut roof, which has already been delivered, and the fence do.

The fence will be made of green metal and out up 20in away from the gardens of Salsbury Avenue.

Residents claim the main gates into the allotments are kept open – despite the fact they should be closed from 6pm – and do not see the point in the fence.

Another resident, who did not want to be named, said: "We do not want the fence – most of us in the avenue don't. It is very high and we don't think it is necessary. The main gates are open all the time anyway, so what will the railings achieve?

"I can't believe they didn't have planning permission, but then after the 'Tardis' on Cleethorpes seafront (the combined pay phone and cash point that appeared overnight on the North Prom this week), can we expect anything else?

"It will be costing thousands of pounds. The money could be spent on something far better for the allotments rather than a pointless fence."

Residents have until Monday, February 11, to register their views.

Jason Longhurst, head of development at NELC, said: "We are considering the planning application over works to improve the site.

"Some of this work requires planning permission, and this has been applied for.

"Local households have been told about the planning application and any views which they have about the proposals will be fully considered before a decision on the planning application is taken."

LUCKY winners scooped glittering prizes in the Grimsby Telegraph's Prices For Prizes event.

A sensational total of £6,500 worth of prizes was given away in a series of gameshow-style challenges at Grimsby Auditorium.

About 400 Telegraph readers had the chance to snap up the top prizes including jewellery, a TV, a washing machine, furniture and a fantastic £400 cash prize from the Grimsby Telegraph.

The biggest winner was groom-to-be Matthew Dixon, who collected his £750 Chamilia silver charm bracelet courtesy of In The Pink jewellery and gift stores.

"That's my Valentine's gift taken care of," declared Matthew, 25, as he looked forward to presenting it to his fiancée, Bronwyn Artley, 22.

Matthew, who is enjoying work experience at The Factory Shop, in North Sea Lane, Humberston, plans to marry Bronwyn in September.

After winning the Red Or Blue game, Matthew said: "I didn't realise it was the most expensive prize of the night. It is going to make her Valentine's Day.

"All I was doing was shouting and dancing so I got chosen to get up on the stage. I was shocked at the last prize. It was just luck."

Bronwyn said: "It is a nice bonus before we get married."

Matthew was presented with the stunning In The Pink prize by Prices For Prizes organiser Caroline Whelpton.

She said: "Everyone was really hyped up and there was massive audience participation.

"The crowd was going wild about the prizes given away courtesy of our advertisers that have donated to the evening event.

"This was a great night for Grimsby."

Grimsby Telegraph 2011 Pub Idol winner Sam Lee enchanted the audience with her stunning voice and rousing songs and she was accompanied by dancers from Pat Yarborough Theatre Dance School.

They also helped compere Paul Wood select members of the audience for the series of games.

Deal Or Don't Deal was a variation of the hit TV show and had a host of amazing prizes.

Millfields Hotel, in Bargate, donated an overnight stay, a meal for two and a six-week gym package for two worth £200.

When Anne McHugh, 60, of Laceby Road was told she was the winner, she showed the audience her waistline and declared it was time to get fit at Millfields.

She told the Grimsby Telegraph: "It's been brilliant. I think I need to get down to their gym.

"But I will also enjoy taking my husband Patrick for the meal and our overnight stay."

Another Deal Or Don't Deal winner was Tom Braithwaite, 24, of Sutcliffe Avenue, Grimsby, who won a fistful of prizes, including a watch worth £120 courtesy of Nidd and Sons jewellers, flying lessons worth £122 from Fly365 and 12 passes for Parkway Cinema Cleethorpes, courtesy of Gerald Parkes.

He was also the lucky winner of a beauty package worth £50 from The Beauty Shop and teeth whitening from Looks Cosmetics, worth £180.

He said he was looking forward to treating his girlfriend of three years, Kelly Walker.

His final scoop of the night was the gift voucher for £100 donated by Indy N Ink of Grimsby.

Tom's grandmother, Pam Robinson, 67, also got a good "Deal" by walking away with a double mattress worth £175 thanks to FairDeal Carpets.

Pam, of Loft Avenue, on the Willows estate, said: "It has been a great night for us both. It is wonderful because I was looking for a new mattress."

The audience were one big happy family for the next game Family Fortunate.

Although not related, Irene Wood, 59, Rachael Tregunno, 21, and Lynn McGuckin, 48, were united in their mission to win top prizes.

Rachael won a Swarovski necklace and charm, worth £150, thanks to In The Pink and didn't wait to wear the stunning jewellery.

Irene was delighted with her prize of a family season ticket to Pleasure Island, worth £240 and Lynn said her prize of a clothing voucher for £100 thanks to Jazz clothing would go straight to her son.

The prizes came think and fast in Play Your Cards The Right Way as single mum Rebecca Codd, 29, of Tiverton Street, Cleethorpes, won a new washing machine thanks to Asda.

Rebecca, who works as a barmaid at The Countryman, Humberston, said: "It has been a brilliant night. I have loved it and hope they do it again next year."

Immingham security officer, Paul Linder, 33, was looking forward to having his long locks pampered at Athena as he makes use of the salon's £300 voucher.

He said: "I have long hair so I am just going to spend it on myself."

As the audience shouted "higher" and "lower" in the card game, Darren Shaw, 23, of Welholme Road, Grimsby, guessed right and landed a double-glazed front door thanks to Elite Windows, which donated the £650 prize.

Darren said: "I was quite nervous, but somehow I got it right and the audience helped."

Fellow winner Liam Wilson, 23, of Church Meadow, Grimsby, said he was delighted with the new oak coffee table and TV unit, worth £700, which was given away by The Cop Shop.

Liam said: "It has been an amazing night. We have all had a brilliant time."

Ian Hotson, chef of The Red Lion, Market Rasen, had the winning recipe as he teamed up with Emma Haagenson for the Generation X Game. Paul Wood stood in for Brucie and urged the duo on as they competed in a series of tasks which culminated in "mummifying" one of the Pat Yarborough dancers with loo roll.

Ian had the audience in stitches as he ran around her like a high speed maypole dancer.

He said he was thrilled with his £300 voucher from Ramsdens furniture department.

Emma, 21, of Croxby Road, Scartho said she will be treating her son Logan with the London weekend for two worth £350 courtesy of MG Coaches.

The Grimsby Telegraph cash prize of £400 was won by Sam Love, 26, a teaching assistant of children with special needs.

The colours came right for Sam in Red Or Blue and she scooped the cash prize which will go towards a holiday to Disneyland with her children Chayse, 4, and Eden, 2, in April.

Sam said: "It has been a great success. It is nice to win something."

The TV donated by Asda was won by Sarah Barber in the bingo game.

She said: "It has been a brilliant night. They should do it more often."

ARCHAEOLOGISTS are awaiting scientific test results on the frozen forest which has been preserved on Cleethorpes coast for thousands of years.

North East Lincolnshire Council confirmed the results of radiocarbon dating of the wood will arrive early this year, determining the exact date of when the trees grew.

They have also done palaeo-environmental analysis of the peat layers.

Starting at the toe of the Wonderland groyne, the stumps of a sunken forest stretch the length of the coastal plain.

The stumps are believed to date back to 2,000 BC, suggesting the resort's golden sands were once home to rich green oak, birch and alder.

The forest, of which only stumps remain, fascinates local historians not just because it shows a dramatic change in climate and landscape, but because tools relating back to the New Stone and Bronze Age have been discovered there.

The council's archaeologist, Hugh Winfield, said: "Since glaciation, the sea levels have risen and fallen as the climate has changed over millions of years.

"At various times in the past, the conditions were right for forests to form, where we now have salt marsh. There is evidence that people lived there from the New Stone Age to the Bronze Age as different artefacts have been found. Evidence suggests people lived in the area after the woodlands died."

The council advises that people do not venture out to the forest as it's unsafe, but recommend those interested go to the end of the last breakwater where a large section of the forest can be seen providing the tide is low enough. Studies into evidence of fishing taking place and pollen analysis are underway to understand how the population has changed throughout history.

LABOUR controlled North East Lincolnshire Council has chosen the worst possible time to pull up the flowerbeds on Cleethorpes sea front, according to leader of the Conservative opposition group Keith Brookes

Commenting during an online debate on www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk, Councillor Brookes said the move, which comes just months before the resort hosts the national Britain In Bloom awards, sent out the wrong message to volunteers and would damage the economic regeneration of the town.

Councillor Brookes also criticised council leader Chris Shaw for poor leadership after a reader claimed that the ruling Labour group had proposed increasing the price for meals on wheels without consulting staff.

On the issue of budget cuts to local government, he refuted the suggestion by one reader that the coalition was targeting the most vulnerable, and blamed the previous Labour government for overspending and leaving a financial mess for the present government to inherit.

However, he insis- ted that the local Conservative group does not toe a party line to central government, citing a letter to the Prime Minister expressing concerns about the UK's role in Europe as an example.

Councillor Brookes also downplayed the possibility of UKIP taking more seats off the Tories in future local elections, saying the PM's promise of a referendum would see a dip in support for the Eurosceptic party.

To read the debate in full visit www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk

POLICE attempted to hit the man behind a 16-hour Boxing Day siege in Louth with stun guns on seven occasions – and missed every time, a court was told.

However, a spokesman for Lincolnshire Police said a stun gun was deployed only once successfully and that another device which emits a number of loud bangs to distract suspects was also used.

Details of the stand-off at the property of Keddington Crescent emerged yesterday after Gary Ward, 57, now of Pontefract, West Yorkshire, admitted affray at Lincoln Crown Court.

As reported, armed police were called to the property shortly before midnight on Christmas Day after being contacted by the man's concerned relatives.

Ward, a long-distance lorry driver, had drunk several bottles of wine and armed himself with a meat cleaver and a knife, after his wife told him their 29-year marriage was over.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said Ward had shouted threats to officers that he would kill anyone who tried to get him out of his Louth home and also threatened to harm himself.

He said: "Ward was holding a knife and he was self-harming.

"He was shouting threats that he would kill himself if people came too close and said he would kill anyone who came in to try to get him out.

"He was howling, crying and shouting at the top of his voice."

Armed police were called to the scene as Ward's behaviour became more erratic and a trained negotiator attempted to bring the stand-off to an end before officers forced their way in shortly before 4pm on Boxing Day.

He was then taken to hospital.

Speaking in mitigation, Neil Sands said Ward was "exhausted" as he was working 70-hour weeks at the time of the incident.

He said: "Everything got on top of him and he turned to drink.

"He acted utterly out of character.

"He started drinking. He is not a drinker. He picked up a bottle of wine and started drinking.

"When it was empty he picked up another one.

"What then happened was that he took himself hostage. He was saying he would hurt himself.

"He has no recollection of wishing to harm any police officer.

"At the end he came out through the unlocked back door.

"Seven Tasers were fired at him, but all of them missed."

Sentencing him to 12 months in prison suspended for two years, with two years supervision, Recorder Nigel Daly told him: "This was totally out of your normal character.

"You were effectively out of control.

"You had armed yourself with these weapons and whether you intended to use them on yourself or not there was a real risk that when officers tried to get you out you would use the weapons.

"This was effectively a siege for an extended period of time."