The future of daycare sessions for vulnerable elderly people in Holbeach is under threat due to a major rise in the cost of room hire.

Age UK runs the weekly sessions for isolated older people with significant needs.

It's received a four and a half thousand pound backdated bill from South Holland District Council for room hire.

Until a year ago there was no charge.

People in Lincolnshire will be able to receive lung Cancer treatment sooner, as a new centre has opened at Pilgrim Hospital.

The department has been transformed so patients can have all their tests done together in one appointment.

It's hoped it'll lead to quicker diagnosis' and stop patients from waiting months in between appointments.

People in Lincolnshire will now be able to receive quicker referrals if they're concerned about having lung cancer symptoms. 

Pilgrim Hospital in Boston now has a new department which specialises in treating patients with respiratory problems.

The one stop clinic will make it easier for patients, to be seen within days and receive a faster diagnosis.

Residents in a Lincolnshire village say they're worried it won't be as safe, if a new custody unit goes ahead.

There are plans to build a custody suite in Nettleham, where people arrested in the Lincoln area would be taken.

But it's led to concerns from some residents that there could be a rise in crime.

Police are reassuring people in the village they'll monitor and deal with any increase in criminal behaviour. 

Following a two million pound revamp, Boston's marketplace is back open for business. 

The site's been closed off for the past ten months whilst construction work's been carried out. 

The lay out's been changed- making it more pedestrian friendly, it'll be back open for business on Wednesdays and Saturdays. 

The famous Lincolnshire sausage has not been recommended for protected status.

DEFRA has decided not to back it's bid and thererfore it won't go forward to the European Union which decides such matters.   

It says because 95 per cent of them are made outside the County and therefore there was found to be "no enduring link" between the County and the product.

It follows years of campaigning from butchers and MPs across Lincolnshire.

Police will continue to focus their search on the Lincolnshire coast into the disappearance of Anne Simpson.

The 60 year old from Leicester was last seen in Skegness nearly eight years ago.

Officers began searching the Lakeside Caravan park at Sutton on Sea yesterday following an anonymous call.

Her two daughters appealed for anyone with any information into their mother's where-abouts to come forward last year after the case went cold.

Since then a 62 year old man's been arrested in Devon in connection with Anne's disappearance and is currently being questioned...

The police are appealing for the anonymous caller to get in touch again as they believe he may have further information.

Businesses in Woodhall Spa are pleading with HSBC not to close the town's only bank which they say is the "lifeblood" of the village.

It's due to shut in August and traders fear with people having to go to Horncastle for cash it could badly affect their takings and the number of visitors.

They've started a petition to try and reverse the decision. 

In a statement HSBC says it's decided to close the branch because customer usage has fallen significantly over recent years.  

A Horncastle businessowner is urging others to enhance their shop security after a series of break ins. 

Phil Cantwell runs a thai takeaway in the town, he was targeted by thieves over the weekend who broke into his shop. 

He says it's added pressure when trade is already tough. 

Four other businesses were also hit. 

A woman's died after being trapped under a trailer near to Boston...

It happened just after 6 o'clock this morning in a field off the A52 at Leverton.

The woman had been working in a field and had become trapped under a trailer being pulled by a tractor, she later died from her injuries...

The police and health and safety executive are now investigating the incident.

Keeping Lincoln's students safe is one of the priorities when it comes to spending a new Government grant.

Forty five thousand pounds to help tackle binge drinking has been secured by the city council.

One of the projects the money will help to save is the city's street pastors who offer support for those who've had a big night.

Lincolnshire's four main coastal resorts have been awarded Blue Flag status for 2012.

Cleethorpes, Mablethorpe, Skegness and Sutton On Sea all secured the accolade.

It measures standards in water quality, beach cleanliness and safety.

The move is thought to play a signifcant part in attracting visitors to the four resorts.

Commuters are facing delays on the county's train lines again today.

Its the fifth day of strikes by East Midlands train drivers.

They've taken to the picket lines every Tuesday and Thursday this month in a row over pensions.

Talks between drivers union ASLEF and the company are still ongoing.

Lincolnshire's community nurses are already being stretched to their limit because of government cuts.

That's according to a former district nurse from Lincoln as the Royal College of Nursing claims more jobs could be at risk.

At it's annual conference the RCN says many don't feel they have enough time with their patients.

The RCN claims more than 60,000 jobs could be at risk.

But the government says it doesn't recognise those figures.

The police station in the centre of Lincoln could be closed and sold off.

It's been confirmed the force is looking at replacing the centre on West Parade with a smaller station where people could report crime.

It's as plans are in place to open a new custody building in Nettleham where people who are arrested would be taken instead.

The arts in North Kesteven have escaped a recent round of spending cuts and received a funding boost....

6 hundred thousand pounds of Arts Council money has been set aside for North Kesteven to use on the arts...

They've become a National Portfolio Organisation and will be merging local provision.

Including the National Centre of Craft and Design and the Terry O Toole theatre.

Action's promised to ensure last weeks 13 million pound investment in Butlins Skegness is followed by other major regeneration projects.

The attraction's completely revamping its Splash water park.

The move's expected to draw in more tourists and create jobs.

Now East Lindsey District Council wants to work with the private sector to encourage further investment and promote coastal resorts.   

Someone needs to fill the gap in provision for struggling families in South Lincolnshire.

That's according to people behind Stamford's new foodbank.

They're setting up in the town after local groups claimed there was a desperate need for support.

A project in Lincoln's been given around £45,000 in a bid to tackle underage and binge drinking.

The initiative was set up by Baroness Newlove, whose husband Gary was murdered by drunken youths in Cheshire in 2007.

Ten communities in total will benefit from a share of £1 million.

As Scunthorpe's Plowright Theatre celebrates it's 54th year in showbusiness, there's hope it'll still be standing in another 50 years time.

The venue which seats 350 people first opened back in 1958.

It was renamed in the 1990s after local actress Joan Plowright who lived in Brigg and went to school in Scunthorpe.

Some of the best cyclists accross the country will be taking part in the Lincoln Grand Prix today.

The 57th race takes place from 10am and competitors will start at the Yarborough Centre for the 102 mile circuit.

They'll then make there way around the city 13 times and will end the race at Castle Square this afternoon.

The Newark Shows underway and despite tough economic times hundreds are expected to attend the annual two-day event.

Torrential rain and the recession have meant some county shows have had to be called off this this year.

But organisers say they've pulled out the stops to make sure the event at the showground is a success.

Carnival fever's set to hit Lincoln's streets this June as the Olympic torch passes through the city.

Dancers, musicians and gymnasts will form a spectacular parade, wearing brightly coloured costumes.

Local people are being urged to get involved in the celebrations and become dancers.

After record rainfall in April, the Environment Agency says parts of the Midlands, Yorkshire and South West are no longer facing water shortages.

It says river and reservior levels are up, but groundwater levels remain low across the country.

And the hosepipe ban for Lincolnshire is still in place.

Dr Paul Leinster, Environment Agency Chief Executive, said: "Water resources across England and Wales are kept constantly under review. The recent record rainfall has eased pressure on water resources in some parts of England, helping levels in rivers and reservoirs to recover and providing relief to farmers, gardeners and wildlife.

"The Environment Agency will continue to keep a close eye on the situation. Low groundwater levels remain a concern across many parts of England, with many still at a similar level to those in 1976 and unlikely to return to normal levels before the winter. A return to a long period of dry weather would increase the risk again.”

He was found with head injuries at the bus station on St Georges Road, just after 1am on Friday.

A 38 year old man has been arrested and the area remains cordoned off.

42 year old Duc Sy Bui, of Blyton Grove in Lincoln, took the cash and laundered it through a nail bar in the city and a casino in Nottingham.

It comes after a 3 year police investigation which uncovered 6 cannabis farms in Lincolnshire.

D/Sgt Nick Clark said: "This man was part of a network of criminals cultivating and selling class B drugs in the UK. Lincolnshire Police disrupted the cannabis farms, took those drugs off the streets and then conducted a lengthy and complex financial investigation to secure this conviction." 

We'll find out today whether fuel tanker drivers based in Immingham and across the country will go on strike.

They've been voting on whether to take industrial action in a row over safety terms and conditions.

The union Unite's expected to make an announcement today, full strikes are now looking unlikely after drivers at one firm voted against walking out.

In March the warning of industrial action sparked panic buying at the pumps.

Business is booming when it comes to selling houses to first time buyers in Lincolnshire.

That's according to estate agents in the county following the news sales have slumped elsewhere in the country.

The decision to end the stamp duty holiday for first time buyers is believed to be the main reason for the fall.

The Environment Minister, Lord Taylor was there to open the £15 million Eco-plastics site in Hemswell, near Gainsborough.

It's been set up with Coca-cola and will see used packaging made in to new bottles.

Environment Minister Lord Taylor of Holbeach said: "With the opening of this facility, the UK is now home to the world’s largest plastics recycling plant, bringing jobs and growth to the rural economy of Lincolnshire. Coca-Cola Enterprises and Eco-plastics innovation and investment has made this project a reality – exactly what we want to see more of right across the country.

"Recycling is a growing industry, and investment in these types of projects not only makes good business sense – it will help us achieve our ultimate aim of a zero-waste green economy.”

Lincoln county hospital's been told action's needed to make sure patients aren't put at risk when they're discharged.

The latest report from the Care Quality Commission says poor support and planning for when people leave hospital could put them at risk.

It found cases where elderly people had been discharged without families being told and patients being moved in the middle of the night.

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust says it recognises there is still more to be done and says it's working to address issues raised.

Off  duty police officers are heading down to the capital to take part in a mass march.

They're angry at the extent of cuts being made to the police service together with pay and pensions.

Among them will be two coach loads of off duty police officers from Lincolnshire.

Lincolnshire's Police Federation want the government to realise the impact on the service and say they're being hit from all angles.

Meanwhile East Midlands train drivers will be out on the picket line for a fourth day of industrial action in a row over pensions.

Talks between the company and the drivers union ASLEF are expected to be held today.

The energy giant wants to build an £80 million wind turbine plant in Hull..

But it is thought the development could mean more investment and jobs on both sides of the Humber.

28 year old Adam Rennie from Laceby indecently touched the girl as he drove children to school in 2008.

2 years later he returned to the girl's village and groped her again.

Rennie, of Grimsby Road, was jailed for 15 months and ordered to register as a sex offender for 10 years.

Plans for a state of the art academy in Grantham have been stopped in their tracks again.

Planning permission for the Priory Ruskin academy has been delayed for a fourth time.

Residents have been complaining about a proposed construction route past their homes.

They say extra traffic would be dangerous for local people.

His car left the road and hit a telegraph pole near to South Carlton on Saturday afternoon.

He has been transfered to hospital in Nottingham with serious injuries.

The mare was found in a pool of blood in it's field in Gate Burton on Friday, it was treated by a vet but died the next day.

It is not known why the horse was attacked, but police are warning other owners to be vigilant.

Youth services in Lincolnshire are seeing an unexpected rise in interest.

Lincolnshire County Council say they're renewing their commitment to the county's teenagers.

There's been a significant increase in the amount of volunteers who've shown interested in running youth centres.

Spending cuts cuts led to many youth groups and services winding down or disappearing.

However in the last few months confidence has increased, and the authorities hoping it can boost services again.

A pilot scheme to help overweight mums to be is being rolled out across Lincolnshire.

It's as the number of pregnant women with high body mass indexes is increasing in the county.

Healthy lifestyle advice and support is now available.

The initiative has just started at Lincoln County Hospital but there are plans to extend it to Boston Pilgrim in the summer.

Two men have been charged in connection to a robbery at a Lincolnshire post office. 

Staff at Wragby post office were threatened by two men on Saturday morning. A quantity of cash was stolen from the premises. 

29 year old Kirk Marlow, of Musgrave Crescent in Longley, Sheffield and 51 year old Patrick Middlebrook of Daniel Street Upperthorpe, Sheffield have both been charged with robbery and possession of a firearm and offensive weapon. 

They'll appear at Skegness Magistrates on May 8th.

Lincolnshire Police have defended their use of social media as forces across the UK continue to come under fire. In recent months, officers outside Lincolnshire have been slammed for wasting police time and tweeting on the beat. 

Dogs dressed up in uniform, thousands of pounds spent on social media training and expensive smart phones...lots of Police forces have faced criticism for their questionable use of twitter and Facebook. But does it waste police time or is it just a more personal way of integrating with the community? 

Lincolnshire Police say their strategy has grown naturally, rather than being planned using expensive training and media experts. The Communications Team say if the public trust an officer to put on a uniform, they should also trust them to send a tweet. 

 Click below to hear our special report from Lincs FM's Katie O'Halloran. 

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Campaigners fighting to restore A and E services at Newark hospital say they've not given up hope. 

They're planning on forming a human chain around the site later this morning,  as they're opposed to the downgrading of facilities at the town's hospital. 

It's following two unsuccessful requests for a full independent review into the changes.

The town's MP Patrick Mercer has been supporting the campaign. 

Two men have been arrested in connection with a robbery at Wragby Post Office yesterday. 

It happened at the Market Place Post Office at around 07:40 on Saturday morning, two people threatened staff with weapons and stole a quantity of cash. No-one was hurt during the incident.

A 29 year old man and a 51 year old man, both from the Sheffield area have been arrested and remain in custody. 

Runners will take to the streets of Scunthorpe this morning, for the town's first half marathon in over a decade. 

The last time the event was held was to mark the millennium.

It's been brought back in the run-up to the Olympics and over 600 runners have signed up to take part. 

The race starts at 9am from Scotter Road. 

There's frustration amongst County Councillors that a public inquiry into a controversial Mablethorpe development won't be going ahead. 

Lincolnshire County Council had asked the Government to intervene in The Lindum Group's plans for a housing estate and supermarket on Golf Road. 

Earlier this week, the Department for Communities and Local Government ruled the proposals didn't conflict with National policy and announced they wouldn't be calling in the proposals for further scrutiny. 

Lincolnshire police's chief constable says it's partnership with a private firm is so far running smoothly. 

It's a month since security firm G4S took over control of things like IT and Finance for the force, as well as the running of custody suites.

It was one of the first partnerships of it's kind in the country and saw over 500 staff transferred. 

One of Lincolnshire's landmarks is facing a half a million pound repair bill. 

The spire of St Wulfram's church in Grantham has severe erosion damage. Metal cramps from the early 18th Century are rusting and pulling out brickwork. 

The Church is making a bid to the Heritage Lottery fund for help, but are asking local residents to help them make a start with fundraising to preserve the spire. 

Nine men have been sentenced to a total of 43 years, after a police operation which has taken over a million pounds worth of drugs off Lincolnshire's streets.

They were among 14 men who admitted drug dealing charges across the county as well as in Yorkshire and the East Midlands.

Seven of the gang were jailed at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday for their role in the dealing of drugs.

Two more were handed jail terms on Friday, whilst two others were given community sentences.

Labour has kept control of the City of Lincoln Council, though has a much stronger grip after taking ten of the eleven seats being elected. The Liberal Democrats lost their only seat on the Council.

The full results are:

Abbey:
Kath Brothwell    Labour 892
Natasha Chapman    Lib Dem 141
Laura Goodliffe    Conservative 386 
Gavyn Robert Graham   Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts  139 

Birchwood:
Janice Ann Charters   Lib Dem 85
Rosanne Kirk   Labour     686 
John Metcalfe   Conservative   467 
Tony Wells   UKIP 287 

Boultham:
Gill Clayton-Hewson   Labour  885 
David Ross Pepper   Lib Dem 74
Carly Sharples   Conservative  530 
Nick Smith   UKIP 183 

Bracebridge:
Bill Bilton    Labour 719
Marc Stuart Jones   Conservative 712
Dean Russell Lowther BNP 49
Callum Christopher Newton UKIP 183
Lynn Pepper  Lib Dem 82

Carholme:
Ollie Foster   UKIP 138
David Harding-Price   Lib Dem 173
Vasos Melides   Conservative 413
Nick Parker    Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts  106 
Tony Speakman   Labour 1042 

Castle
Malcolm Barham   Conservative 423
Jim Hanrahan    Labour 1007
Charles William Shaw  Lib Dem 142

Glebe:
David Denham   Conservative  500
Charlotte Harding-Price  Lib Dem  168 
Jackie Kirk   Labour 731

Hartsholme:
Sean Burke   Labour 442
Jim Charters   Lib Dem 102
Andrew Kerry   Conservative 672
Jane Smith   UKIP 259

Minster:
Sue Burke   Labour 909
Sue Gatrick   Conservative 684
Ken Pratt    UKIP 173
Aidan Turner   Lib Dem 72
Emma-Jayne Woodhall  Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts  41

Moorland:
Adrianna Ellis   Labour 836
Robert Mark Hewson Heathorn  Liberal Democrats  64  
Keith Weaver   Conservative  634 
 Karen Elizabeth Williams  Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts  78

Park:
Lucy Jean Bland    Trade Unionists and Socialists Against Cuts  59  
Brent Charlesworth   Labour   674 
Heather Elizabeth Cullen  Lib Dem    94
Joe Harrison   UKIP 124  
Graham Kent   Conservative  197 

Labour has won overall control of North East Lincolnshire Council. The Liberal Democrats have been hit hard, while UKIP has it's first ever Councillor.

Here are the full results of yesterdays elections.

Croft Baker  
Debbie Landymore                            Conservative  364  
Leanor Mary Pidgen                          Lib Dem       418  
Terry Thurogood                             Labour       1327  
Philip Raymond Wilson                      UKIP          448  

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Beachgoers on the Lincolnshire coast can paddle with confidence after quality tests gave the water a clean bill of health.  

The Marine Conservation Society has put 8 of our resorts on its 2012 list of recommended beaches.

They include Skegness, Sutton on sea and Cleethorpes.

Staff at a the Bell Waste Control site on Winterton found the body while sorting through rubbish on Wednesday morning.

A post mortem examination is due to be carried out today to work out how the child died.

Police got a call from a girl in a distressed state last night, claiming to be the baby's mother.

In a statement Humberside Police said:

"Whilst it is not yet clear exactly what the circumstances of this incident are, it is believed that the baby was newborn.

The teenage girl is now receiving the necessary care she requires and further inquiries into the circumstances of what happened will be made in due course including a post mortem examination of the baby which is due to take place later today."

A third of seats at Lincoln City Council and North East Lincolnshire council are being contested.

Polls will be open until 10pm.

The outcomes are expected in the early hours and we will bring you all the results and reaction in the news tomorrow.

23 year old Robert Michael Holmes from Wisbech was charged yesterday with the murder of of Sonny Grey.

The 70 year old died following an alleged attack at his home on Westwick Gardens.

Holmes of Redmoor lane is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates Court.

24 year old Rocky Curtis, of Newbridge Lane, was also charged with murder yesterday. He's due to appear at Lincoln Crown Court on Thursday.

5 other people have also been arrested in connection with the incident:

• Two 18-year-old men, who were arrested in connection with the offence and were on police bail have had that bail cancelled.
• A 27-year-old man is due to answer police bail on June 21.
• A 29-year-old man is due to answer police bail on June 20.
• A 29-year-old man died while on police bail in relation to this matter. There were no suspicious circumstances.
• A 49-year-old woman arrested on Monday has been released on police bail till July 6 pending further enquiries

In March, planners at East Lindsey District Council approved outline planning permission for the development. The Lindum Group had put forward proposals which would see a supermarket, housing and a petrol station built in the town.

But after this decision Lincolnshire County Council wrote to the Government, asking the Secretary of State to intervene.

County Councillors were worried about the impact the development would have on the town centre, as well as the risk of flooding.

But Yesterday, the Department for Communities and Local Government announced they would NOT looking at the application, stating the proposals didn't conflict with national policies.

It is now up to East Lindsey District Council to consider further detailed plans from the developers.

Staff at East Midlands Trains have started the first of 6 strike days this month.

Drivers' union, Aslef, says it is because of the firm's plans to cut pension contributions for workers.

They are expected to strike every Tuesday and Thursday for the next 3 weeks and services between Lincoln and London could be affected.

Milly Evans, from Cranwell, can now only communicate using her eyes after mistakes during her birth 11 years ago.

She was granted £10 million in compensation; the biggest payout ever for a case of this kind, at the High Court on Monday.

The Trust's QC has now offered a  public apology to the family for the first time:

Her father Andy Evans, who is a former Red Arrows Pilot, also spoke outside the High Court:

"Milly is a very beautiful, bright, kind and loving daughter with a wicked sense of humour. Unfortunately she is trapped inside a body that does not function.

Residents in a Lincoln street have been fighting floodwaters today.

People in Saint Catherines Grove woke up to find the road and their front yards deluged with river water.

The Environment Agency, fire service and Lincolnshire County Council have been at the scene this afternoon pumping the water away and say they will be monitoring the situation all night.

Several properties, including newly refurbished homes, were flooded after a faulty valve caused river water to pour out of the sewers and into the street.

There are flood alerts in place for much of the country, with heavy rain is forecast for tonight and tomorrow morning.

Lincoln could be better prepared for periods of drought in future when a new 44 million pound reservoir and water treatment works opens.

The project has received planning permission, and will be built at Newton On Trent.

The plant will open in 2014 and has been commisioned due to the expected population growth in and around Lincoln.

The Lincolnshire aircraft recovery service have brought an American family closer to a lost loved one.

After two planes crashed near Market Rasen during WW2, official reports concluded there was no pilot on board.

Research by local landowners suggested otherwise and after excavating an ordinary wheatfield they found the aircraft and the remains of American service man Charles Moritz.

His body has been returned to his Illinois home.

Last week a report revealed the Chief Executive of the Priory Federation of Academies Trust had spent thousands of pounds of tax payers money on personal items, including sex games and meals out.

It also found Richard Gilliland had used school money to refurbish a property for him and his wife to live in, as well as training for his son.

He resigned in March, before the findings of the report were published.

Lincoln's Labour Parliamentary candidate, Lucy Rigby has questioned why the Department rated Education rated the trust's financial management as outstanding after an inspection last year.

In a statement the Priory Federation of Academies Trust says:

"We have had rigorous audits, external reviews and compliance visits every year since the formation of the Federation in 2008 – a total of 85 in all from nearly 20 different organisations, including the DfE – and even the Young People's Learning Agency itself had graded our systems as "outstanding” in 2011. No organisation had ever raised any issues with us before.

However, the Trust recognises that mistakes and errors of judgement have been made in the past by two senior individuals who, before they left our employment, failed to comply fully with our internal systems."

Click to hear a report from Lincs FM's Lizzie Musham.

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When completed the facility will generate enough electricity to power 65,000 homes.

The company Eco2 is behind the development which will see straw burnt to create energy.

It will cost £150 million and employ eighty people when fully up and running.

A partnership which promotes the arts in Lincolnshire's been formed.

It's between the county council and the University of Lincoln and will champion the work of local artists.

It's thought to be the first collaboration of it's kind in the country.

Cat owners in Lincolnshire say they believe their pets are being deliberately poisoned.

So far at least nine in the Sleaford  area have died  over the last month with others missing.

The exact cause isn't certain but it appears the animals could have been poisoned either accidentally or as owners believe, deliberately.

Jamie Healey from Ruskington has had two cats killed and one survived from drinking anti-freeze.

He's now started a petition calling for a bitterant to be added to the formula so animals don't drink it.

The Department for Education says lessons will be learned after serious failings were found at an academy trust in Lincolnshire.

A report's found a former CEO at the Priory Federation of Academies Trust used public money to pay for home furnishings, meals out and even sex games.

The investigation also found Richard Gilliland had employed his son and daughter at the federation. and had sent his son on training courses.

The Parliamentary Undersecretary of State for Education, Lord Hill has told Lincs FM it doesn't mean academies aren't tightly regulated.

A day of action's being held in Grantham this morning against a planned rise in fuel duty.

The Taxpayers' Alliance has organised the protest to call on the government to ditch plans to add three pence to the cost of fuel this summer.

They say drivers in South Kesteven are already paying some of the highest levels of motoring taxes in the country.

Employers in North East Lincolnshire are being reminded about the importance of staff safety on the tenth annual Workers Memorial day. 

Events are being held in Immingham, Grimsby and Cleethorpes later to remember those killed in the work place.

It'll also highlight the rising number of people who've died unnecessarily while doing their jobs.

A government report's criticised the financial management of a trust which runs schools in Lincolnshire.

An investigation was launched in to financial irregularities at the Priory Federation of Academies Trust.

The Education Funding Agency launched an investigation in financial irregularities that led to the resignation of the federation's CEO Richard Gilliland in March. 

The report has been released today and found Gilliland used federation credit cards to buy personal items including training for his son.

It also reveals £45,000 of public money was used to refurbish a property owned by the trust for Gilliland and his wife to move in to.

In a statement the trust says it has accepted all the recommendations made in the report it says it is determined to improve and meet the highest standards of public accountability.

The Department for Education says the trust has accepted responsibility and the CEO has now left.

And it says the matter's been referred to the police.

A Skegness man's been jailed for 22 years after trying to murder a pensioner whilst he robbed his house.

Michael Hurst of Wainfleet Road left recluse Winford Falconer for dead after stabbing him in the chest at his warden-controlled bungalow last October.

Mr Falconer remained undiscovered for twenty four hours until a friend called in and alerted the emergency services.

He was then rushed to hospital with a stab wound to the chest and a collapsed lung.

21 year old Hurst was sentenced to 22 years behind bars whilst his accomplice Aaron Hawkesford aged 23 of Lincoln Road was jailed for ten years.

The Health Secretary's visit to Lincolnshire today's been branded as an embarrassment.

It's as Andrew Lansley was given a brief guided tour of Boston's Pilgrim Hospital earlier.

The visit was shrouded in secrecy though with conflicting information on whether he'd actually turn up.

Protestors had gathered outside the hospital- opposed to the government's NHS reforms but have declared the whole situation was a farce.

People in North East Lincolnshire will face a £1,000 fine if they don't start recycling.

The local authority are coming down hard on people who don't sort out their waste.

Only 40% of people are currently recycling in the area and the council says they pay over £500,000 each year sorting and disposing waste.

A Lincolnshire Care worker's been jailed  after she stole £12,000 from a dementia sufferer.

The 42 year old from Boston was intitially given a 12 month suspended sentence in June last year but she's now been told she must face jail.

Lorraine Sharman of Carver Road Boston admitted taking money from elderly Robert Bird in 2011.

She got the cash after being given access to his bank card and pin number whilst she was his home carer, over £12,000 was stolen.

Sharman was intially given a 12 month suspended sentence and 180 hours of unpaid community work.

But Lincoln Crown Court heard she completed just 73 hours of the work.

Judge Sean Morris said the sentence was "unworkable" and therefore he had no choice but to jail her.

'There's a gap between the law and common sense when it comes to parking in Newark at the weekend.'

That's according to traders on Middlegate who're asking for free parking in the town on Sundays.

They say more shoppers would visit if loading bays which are only used in the week were freed up for parking.

In a statement Nottinghamshire County Council have said they'll look at making changes but only if there's enough support for the idea.

Without the help of a group of life-saving volunteers in Lincolnshire the number of unnecessary deaths could be much higher.

LIVES is a charity set up to make sure medical help is on hand when ambulances can't get there quick enough.

But they say there are still parts of the county particularly along the East Coast where more volunteers are desperately needed.

The comments were made in a letter from Karl McCartney to a constituent, who'd asked him to lobby MPs to support the campaign to legalise same sex marriage.

In his response the MP says changing the law could "uproot thousands of years of christian tradition."

He says he believes "the majority of people in same-sex relationships are happy with the current arrangements" and he suggests by supporting the belief that all couples should be allowed to marry, it could lead to multi-partner marriage or lowering the age of marriage.

There's been an angry backlash on twitter, but the MP has told Lincs FM the remarks have been taken out of context.

In a statement to Lincs FM, MP for Lincoln, Karl McCartney says:

"The selected quote [leaked online] forms part of a complete letter. The full letter and the text of the constituent's original enquiry would give the full picture and put the quote in context.”

Day time drinkers will have a harder time on the streets of Lincoln from today.

It's as a DPPO - Designated Public Places Order - comes into force in the centre of town.

It'll mean police will have the power to seize alcohol from people causing a scene or a nuisance.

If drinkers refuse to give up their cans or bottles they could be arrested or fined.

Slapping 20% VAT on caravans will undo the good work of lower Humber Bridge tolls.

That's from Brigg's MP Andrew Percy who's vowed to fight the planned changes.

MPs have given the measure initial approval but Mr Percy believes the extension of the consultaton could mean a potential u-turn.

Stamford will take centre stage later as a practice for the olympic torch relay passes through the town.

The area's playing host to an official rehearsal ahead of the real thing before the start of the games in July.

It could mean some road closures as the convoy passes through at 4 mph.

50 year old Phillip Nix was convicted of 14 sexual offences and one of his victims was just 10 years old when he was first abused.

The former music teacher, of Torrington Road in Hainton, near Louth, worked at 2 schools in Market Rasen and committed his crimes between 1999 and 2004.

He was jailed today for 12 years and was ordered to register on the sex offenders register for life.

Currently a review is underway to reduce the number of  specialist heart units across the UK, the Government says it is to help improve standards of care.

Thousands of campaigners, doctors and parents have spoken out against the plans and have signed an online petition.

As part of the options under consultation the specialist centres in Leicester and Leeds could close, meaning patients and families in the Lincs FM region would have to travel much further afield for treatment.

The review has been stalled for several months, as the trust covering the Royal Brompton hospital in London appealed against the site not featuring in any of the options available.

But the High Court has this morning failed to vote in the hospital's favour and said the consultation process had been fair.

A final decision on which centres will close is expected in July.

The council in Newark says it might have to resort to a compulsory purchase of land, earmarked for a new leisure centre.

It wants to build a sports hub on land partly owned by Nottinghamshire county council.

Talks have stalled on the sale of the site.

Sports teams have been calling for better facilties in the town and are hoping the plans can get underway soon.

Nottinghamshire County Council says talks are ongoing but the sale is dependent on their purchase of the town's Gilstrap Centre.

'Give something back to Lincolnshire's coastal communities'- thats the message for renewable energy companies from Mablethorpes Town Council.

They're urging firms building offshore windfarms to think about taking on local apprentices to maintain their sites.

It's as the number of offshore turbines is set to rise over the next decade.

The number on jobseekers allowance in central Lincolnshire was down by almost 400 for March.

In North East Lincolnshire there was a drop of just over 100 and figures showed a similar number fell from the jobless total in North Lincolnshire.

The Newark and Sherwood area was the only part of the Lincs FM region to see an increase.

An extra 45 people there are claiming jobseekers' allowance.

The team, based at RAF Scampton, will fly over Belfast, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London to herald the start of the games.

They will return to flying as a formation of nine, following the deaths of two of the Reds last year and the departure of Flight Lieutenant Kirsty Moore.

The world-renowned aerobatics team will take to the skies on 27th July as part of the build-up celebrations.

Lincolnshire's beaches could be washed away without vital work to protect the coastline.

A huge dredger's been brought in to pump thousands of tonnes of sand on to 20 kilometres of beach.

It's part of £6 million project which should protect homes and businesses along the coast from the risk of flooding.

Guntis Arbidans, aged 24, was caught with the haul after police seized a stolen car from him and searched his home on Frieston Road.

They uncovered packages of Class A and B drugs which were valued at over £19,000.

Arbidans admitted handling a stolen car and 2 charges of possessing drugs with intent to supply, he was jailed for 18 months at Lincoln Crown Court.

It is believed it happened in the early hours of Sunday, at the junction of the High Street and Victoria Road.

The woman was treated for serious facial injuries, including a fractured skull and cheekbone.

A 24 year old man has been arrested and released on bail.

Talks between Newarks MP and the Education Secretary have been delayed...again.

It was hoped today's meeting would bring news about investment to rebuild The Grove school.

Three meetings between Michael Gove and Newark MP Patrick Mercer have been cancelled now.

It was hoped this latest meeting would come with an announcement about WHEN the towns schools will get a cash boost.

The Grove and Magnus Schools are both near the top of the school rebuild list.

Talks are now planned for after the local elections next month.

Teaching unions in Lincolnshire say alienating parents won't tackle the problem of children skipping schools.

They've been reacting to suggestions from the government that the rules on truancy become tougher.

The plans involved taking fines for children missing school directly from parents benefits.

Two men have appeared in court, charged with the murder of a man in Lincoln.

Gary Alan Hayes was found early on Saturday morning in the Portland Street area of Lincoln, he died from a single stab wound to the chest.

38 year old Mark James Titley of Monks Road and 32 year old Benjamin James Freeston of Stamp End have appeared at Lincoln Magistrates.

They were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Lincoln Crown court on Monday 23rd April.

Several roads in the city were cordoned off as part of the investigation from 6am until Saturday night.

Portland Street and Kesteven Street was shut from Portland Street to Clifton Street.

Other areas affected included Walnut Place and some parts of Witham Park.

Detective Chief Inspector Phil Cox, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit– Major Crime, who is leading the enquiry, said,

"We are renewing appeals for anyone who was in the vicinity of Great Northern Terrace and Broadgate Bridge leading to Witham Park in the hours

leading up to 6am on Saturday morning.  Did you see anyone in the area that morning or witness anything that struck you as suspicious or unusual? 

Any information, however small, may be important and we ask that you contact us in confidence by calling Lincolnshire Police on 101 or

Crimestoppers, in complete anonymity, on 0800 555 111”.

A 45 year old Newark man died at the scene of  a road accident on the A17 at Swineshead Bridge.

His van collided with a lorry and two other cars.

The 51 year old lorry driver involved in the collision was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is on police bail until June 14th.

A 25 year old woman and a 63 year old man who were in the other two vehicles were taken to Pilgrim hospital but are not thought to be seriously injured.

The Boston Barrier project is seeing signs of progress.

It's after Lincolnshire County Council took the decision to plough eleven million pounds into the scheme.

The huge project will see flood risk measures put in place and campaigners hope it'll lead to the redevelopment of the whole area.

Over 150 police officers from Lincolnshire could be drafted in to help out during the Olympics.

Specialist fire-arms officers, water rescue and dog handlers will all be sent to the capital for the games this summer.

On top of this the Lincolnshire force is also preparing for the olympic torch relay, which will make it's way through the county in June.

Lincolnshire Police says the extra demands won't take officers from their day to day duties.

Drivers in Lincolnshire are being warned parking rules could be tightened by the end of the year.

After year of relaxed policing of illegal parking, traffic wardens could soon make a return to our streets.

It's because Lincolnshire County Council's applied to the government to take over enforcement.

Sleaford's swimming pool and football club will soon be heated by spare green electricity.

It's after the installation of pipes to transfer heat from a planned renewable energy plant were approved by the town's planning committee.

The heat will be generated as a by-product of the burning of straw.

Lincolnshire's drought problems are far from over but this week's rain's been welcomed by farmers.

Unusually dry weather for the past 2 winter's have left water levels in reservoirs very low.

We had as much rainfall on Wednesday as in the entire first three months of this year.

This week saw the introduction of the first hosepipe ban in the region for 20 years.

It is as the county's Local Enterprise Partnership, which represents local businesses, has had it's Growing Places Fund boosted from £6 million to £9 million.

The money will be loaned out to organisations and authorities, with the emphasis on improving the county's infrastructure and transport links.

Sexual health advice will be rolled out in Lincolnshire's schools in a bid to tackle the rising number of sexually transmitted infections.

The NHS will be working closer with head teachers and schools to help children who can't access youth centres if they live in rural areas.

Cuts to youth services were highlighted in the recent public health report so other voluntary venues are being looked at.

Motor-cyclists will appear before the courts if they defy speed limits in Lincolnshire.

The police and road safety partnership want to work with bikers and other road users to highlight how vulnerable motor-cyclists can be.

They are also cracking down on repeat offenders who go above the speed limit.

The road safety partnership says they don't want to spoil bikers fun, they just want drivers to be more cautious on the roads.

Charges have halved from from £3 to £1.50.

It comes on the same day parts of the Humber region are given Enterprise zone status, which gives extra support for local businesses.

The Sycamore Assessment Unit was shut to new admissions on Thursday after it was found to be environmentally unsafe for patients and staff.

It means people needing treatment will have to go to hospitals in Boston and Lincoln instead.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust says every effort will be made to address the concerns of patients and their families and will looking to offer staff alternative posts.

Shops in Spalding fear a proposed new retail development could drive trade away from the town centre.

Plans to develop the Holland Market area are being discussed, but small traders think that could affect their business and the character of the area.

Many are against the possibility of building on the Sir Halley Stewart Field too.

Lincoln Castle will under-go a dramatic transformation after receiving twelve million pounds worth of funding.

The lottery money will help turn the castle into one of the countrys top tourist attractions,  it's been predicted that it'll boost tourism by fifty five percent a year.

The decision was announced today and is part of a twenty million pound project to create a Magna Carta centre where people will be able to visit the site for free.

A Lincolnshire woman's demanding answers from the government and health regulators following the faulty breast implant scandal.

Rachel Jacomb from Scotter had PIP breast implants which burst causing industrial silicone to leak into her lymph glands.

A group of MPs have now revealed it took twenty months before affected patients were told of the risks.

Rachel's been left disfigured and has had to battle against ongoing infections, she thinks something should have been done much sooner.

The prospect of an oil tanker drivers strike is leading to many of Lincolnshire's motorists filling up their cars.

Garages report brisk trade with a lot of drivers wanting a full tank.

On Wednesday evening there was reports of large queues at Skegness, Grimsby, Newark, Lincoln and Grantham.

It's being stressed there's no need to panic buy at the moment.

Attempts to blockade Immingham's oil refineries looks a real possibility after tanker drivers voted in favour of strike action. 

Talks broke down over proposed changes to terms and conditions with safety concerns a key issue.

Any strike will see picket lines at Conoco Phillips and Lindsey refineries, with all drivers urged not to enter.

The Unite union claim it could lead to petrol shortages within 48 hours. 

The City of Lincoln Council could soon be investing in start up advice for new businesses.

Eight thousand pounds could be allocated for the provision of motivational advice and training sessions.

The decisions being made at the executive board meeting tonight.

A group of traders in Holbeach say they've been left angry and frustrated over a road closure which they believe is hitting takings.

Roadworks on Fleet Street were delayed after a workman was injured.

Local traders say they're being kept in the dark about how long the work will continue for.

Lincolnshire county council say it's in regular contact with businesses...and signs are in place to let people know they're open as usual.

It's time doctors were asking the right questions about drug abuse.

That's according to Linda Bradley who is from Oasis in Lincoln, which is a support group who help the families of drug users.

She says more people than ever are walking through the door with problems caused by so called legal highs.

The users are mainly under 18, tempted by designer drugs that are cut with unknown chemicals.

The centre says one of the biggest problems is the lack of knowledge about what these drugs can do.

As a huge haul of fake tobacco is seized in Newark, there's a warning about the health risks of buying counterfeit cigarettes.

Customs officers found 1.3 tonnes of raw tobacco on an industrial estate last week, which it's been anticipated would have been sold on the black market.

HMRC think it could be one of the biggest haul of illegal tobacco ever found in the East Midlands.

It's that time of year again as Lincoln's 10k road race has got underway this morning.

Runners have taken to the roads with over 5,000 competitors thought to be taking part.

It's the event's sixteenth year and road closures are in force in the Bailgate area of the city.

They include Newport, Riseholme Road and part of Burton Road.

Schools and community groups are being asked to rent out their minibuses to generate cash.

Lincolnshire County Council have started a scheme to help maximise unused transport.

They'll also be offering incentives to groups who get involved.

Protests against plans to close Immingham's sports centre take place this morning.

The Council's agreed to demolish the centre to make room for a new supermarket development saying the centre's underused and the academy will provide some facilties.

But group of locals will this morning demonstrate at the centre calling for it to remain open.

Osbourne's budget doesn't quite go far enough when it comes to fuel according to Brigg MP Andrew Percy.

It's after the Government announced they'd be making no changes to plans to raise fuel duty later this year.

Mr Percy's been backing the Fairer Fuel for All campaign over the past few months.

A centre for the Homeless in Boston says a satisfactory solution to reducing the numbers of migrant workers sleeping rough on the town's streets can only come from Government.

The Centrepoint drop in centre has seen an increase in rough sleepers over the last year.

Around two thirds are migrant workers.

Meanwhile Boston Borough Council says it's looking to address the issue of unemployed migrant workers and  is bringing in a new agency to try and help them.

The Maxey Cut runs between Market Deeping and Peterborough and is the home of many species of fish including trout and eels.

In some places the waterway is completely dry as there has been hardly any significant rainfall over the past 16 months.

So fish have been removed individually and moved elsewhere.

Linkage Community Trust has officially unveil it's latest project, an accomodation complex for people with learning disabilities in Lincoln.

Rookery Court is made up of 10 bungalows and 6 flats, where people with special needs can live independently, with support where it's needed.

It is part of a wider plan to develop the site on Boultham Park and Linkage has applied for lottery funding to able to build more accomodation.

The Chancellor is facing criticism from pensioner groups over what's been branded a 'granny tax' in the budget.

George Osborne announced that personal allowances for the over 65's will be frozen, leaving nearly 4.5 million elderly people worse off.

Treasury sources says existing pensioners would lose 63 pounds a year, while new pensioners could lose up to 197 pounds a year.

Fuel Prices Set to Rise

Haulage companies in North East Lincolnshire say they are disappointed with the government's stance on fuel duty.

As part of his budget, the Chancellor announced plans for the price of fuel to go up by 3p in August, is still on the cards.

Managers of local haulage firms say they're already struggling and are concerned some companies may have to close.

Alan Wood was tortured and killed at his Lincolnshire home in October 2009,  but the case still remains unsolved.

Lincolnshire Police are the first force accross the country to trial the idea of setting up a website, dedicated to one case.

The web page contains all of the details about the murder and it's hoped new leads will result in the killer being found.

2 men have been found guilty of carring out an armed robbery near Market Deeping.

Luke Hamilton and Fabio Teixeira- both aged 26- threatened an assistant with a knife at the shop in Langtoft, on New Years Eve in 2009.

The pair who were living in Peterborough at the time, were convicted of the robbery after a five day trial in Lincoln.

They've been warned to expect lengthy jail terms.

Over 2,000 people in the South Kesteven area have agreed to pay to have their garden waste taken away.

From April an optional charge of £25 a year is being brought in for garden waste collections.

South Kesteven District Council says in  tough economic times it's not an unreasonable measure to bring in.

An organisation in North East Lincolnshire's backing calls for the greater regulation of pay-day loan companies.

It's as the Office of Fair Trading are currently investigating the industry to see how easy it is for people to access money at short notice.

Some companies are reported to be charging up to 4,000% for an annual loan.

Julie Taylor's a specialist debt advisor for the Community Advice Service- she says there needs to be greater regulation of the industry.

Many of the substances like mephadrone are now illegal and police are taking action.

Officers say it is a growing problem in the County. 3 people were arrested in the latest raids.

Police say there are potentially dangerous side effects to the drugs, because no one knows exactly what is in them.

Tim Loughton admitted that youth services have been hit disproportionately by the cuts.

Last year Lincolnshire County Council announced it would be slashing funding for youth services by 65% over the next 3 years.

It now only pays for it's youth centres to open 1 night a week and wants voluntary or community groups to run other services.

Lincolnshire county council does say it is continuing to support youth centres and hasn't closed any, despite huge budge pressures.

But as the number of young people out of work, training or education continues to rise and youth budgets are cut, the question remains whether voluntary groups can fill all of the gaps that are left.

Buildings at the Grove School have fallen into disrepair and suffer from leaking roofs and a poor heating system.

Last year a bid was put in by the school for government cash to pay for a refurb, but so far the government has stalled on a decision.

Now campaigners are calling on other schools in a similar position to join them and embarrass politicians into being more pro-active.

The campaign group is meeting with Newark's MP Patrick Mercer to discuss the proposal.

The lease has officially been signed for the Ritz on the High Street, meaning the task of restoring it can finally begin.

Community organisation, Off the Bench, is behind the plans and also wants the space to be used as a youth and volunteering centre.

Hundreds of volunteers have already come forward to offer help to restore the historic cinema.

Over one thousand five hundred people have signed a petition against extension plans for a GP surgery in Sleaford.

Sleaford Medical Group want to add a pharmcy onto the surgery on Boston Road and add extra car parking spaces.

But there's concerns about traffic problems and the impact it'll have on Gohills chemist which is next door to the surgery.

Sleaford Medical Group said in a statement that they're waiting for the results of the planning application before commenting further.

As the government looks to get more people onto the property ladder- a Lincoln charity's warning people to think carefully before taking on debt.

It's as the Newbuy scheme's been launched this week.

It means people can buy a newbuild house or flat up to the value of five hundred thousand pounds with just a five percent deposit.

It's feared the drought could have a detrimental effect on farming in Lincolnshire.

It was announced this week the first hose pipe ban in 20 years will come into effect from April.

Farmers rely on  rainfall over the summer months for their crops.

The theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in south Lincolnshire's still proving to be a major headache for police.

Following a week long campaign tackling metal theft- officers arrested ten men across the county for stealing in total a thousand pounds worth of metal.

Vehicles in Bourne, Stamford and Spalding have been targeted in particular.

One hundred businesses in Lincoln have signed a charter to do their bit to help reduce the city's carbon emissions..

The companies will  work together as part of a national initiative to create a low carbon, greener city.

They'll now look at ways in which they can lower their emmisions, each year.

A Spalding war veteran says a supreme court ruling against compensation for servicemen exposed to atomic radiation is a devastating blow.

For the last two years, servicemen who served in the Pacific during the 1950's have been battling for damages from the MOD.

They say nuclear testing has had a dramatic impact on their health, today judges rejected their compensation claims.

Douglas Hern from Moulton near Spalding served in the Royal Navy during the 50's on Christmas Island.

He's since lost his daughter to a rare form of cancer - at the age of 13 - which he blames on radiation.

Anglian Water has announced it'll be bringing in a hosepipe ban from the start of April, in the face of drought conditions.

The restrictions will effect households across Lincolnshire from the 5th April.

The ban will cover domestic use of hosepipes for things like car washing, window cleaning and gardening, businesses won't be affected.

It's the first time in over 20 years a ban has been imposed by the company.

Across the UK seven firms are introducing hosepipe bans as a result of two unusually dry winters.

A trial scheme in North East Lincolnshire is looking to break the cycle of offending amongst persistent criminals by addressing any mental health issues they may have.

The Government backed project aims to tackle the reasons behind offending which can include drink or drug abuse and mental health difficulties like depression.

It'll also help assess the mental health of suspects involved in Court cases.

The liberal democrats decision to vote against the health bill will help secure a fair NHS.

That's according to Liberal democrat David Harding Price who attended the spring conference in Gateshead yesterday.

He's been lobbying ministers and party members ahead of the vote to reject the bill.

Briggs independent traders are celebrating after topping a regional survey of the regions high streets.

The Local Data Company looked at the number of independent businesses in towns across the East Midlands.

Brigg was given the number one spot with 73.3 % of town centre shops being classed as independents.

Plans are in place for a bio-gas plant in Caistor which will be partly owned by the community.

The low carbon electricty facility is expected to provide energy for most of the houses in the village.

The community venture began because of concerns about on-going power cuts.

Grantham is hoping to get a one hundred thousand pounds grant to attract business' to it's high street.

Mary Portas has joined up with the government to offer twelve towns accross the country a share of over a million pounds.

Work has already transformed the market place and it's hoped a permenant market stall will help revive the struggling high street.

South Kesteven District Council says they're hoping to develop some of the plans Mary Portas has put in her report.

With new housing developments and rising birth rates in Lincolnshire, 2 new schools are being planned to meet demand.

Lincolnshire County Council are looking to build the primaries in Lincoln and Skegness where schools are most stretched.

But once they're built private organisations will need to be found to run them, as they'll automatically open as academies.

Taxi drivers in Grantham have started a petition against new rules which they say could cost them their jobs.

Cabbies working on the St Peters Hill rank are angry about a new Council points system.

Drivers will be given penalties by South Kesteven District Council if they don't pull up in the right place, twelve points and they face suspension.

But some drivers are questioning the legality of the move, and feel they're missing jobs because of it.

As 5 % of Lincoln's population face unemployment there are calls for more help for struggling families.

It's thought 1 in 4 children in the city are living in poverty, with 4,500 from households on low incomes.

The City of Lincoln council's agreed a £4 million investment this week which it's hoped will create jobs and help those who are struggling.

Boston Borough Council are ignoring their duty to the disabled when it comes to parking rules.

Thats the claim being made by one of the town's Labour Councillors.

It's after the issue of charges for blue badge holders was raised at a Council meeting last week.

Councillor Paul Kenny says it's not just the potential charges but the type of machines being used that are continuing to cause problems.

In a statement, Boston Borough Council said all of their machines have recently been looked at and are deemed fully accessible to Blue Badge holders.

Inspectors have been back to Boston Pilgrim Hospital...after finding serious failings in patient care.

The latest report from the Care Quality Commission's found big improvements. 

Last March, the health watchdog found serious failings at Boston Pilgrim Hospital.

It found the hospital wasn't providing basic standards of patient care and meeting human rights in some cases. Twelve months on the inspectors have been back.

The latest report says there are still some minor concerns around staffing levels and training as well as support for patients when they leave the hospital.

But inspectors now say patients are getting the care the need.

The CQC says it will carry on monitoring Boston Pilgrim to make sure the improvements continue.

Planning permission for a multimillion pound retail development in Lincoln has been granted by the City Council.

Lincolnshire Co-operative's Lindongate Development has been in the pipeline for several years.

But when the recession hit in 2009 the process came to a halt as the chosen developer went into liquidation.

Proposals include a new bus station, 300,000 square feet of shops and nearly 1,000 parking spaces.

Cars have been targeted in parts of Lincolnshire as metal theives set their sights on valuable copper parts.

On Tuesday night catalytic converters were ripped from six cars in the Bourne and Deepings areas.

And police say because of the rising value of copper it's becoming a significant problem

Over 50 social workers will be appointed accross Lincolnshire to help people in care homes and respite centres manage their personal budgets.

It's as yesterday the County Council confirmed they'd be handing over the running of the centres to private companys and voluntary organisations.

It's part of the authority's drive to provide all users with a personalised budget.

If centres are run by other organisations they'll remain open, but a time scale hasn't been set by the local authority.

Campaigners fighting to keep the recycling centres at Whisby and Leadenham open have won their battle.

The County Council has decided not to go ahead with closure.

Protestors had argued they'd have to travel long distances to dispose of their waste.

Instead the opening hours of the centres will be reduced subject to final approval.

In a statement the County Council  acknowledges there was a lot of opposition to closure and says it decided to keep them open to encourage recycling.    

Calls for Lincolnshire's fire and rescue service will soon be taken at 3 other control centres accross the country.

The service has collaborated with Humberside, Hertfordshire and Norfolk's Fire and Rescue, and will receive £7.2 million to update the control room operations.

The four services are going to share systems which they say will help them cope better in the event of a particularly big emergency.

Lincolnshire County Council are meeting to decide what the future holds for day care centres, respite homes and supported living for disabled people.

The authority wants to provide all users of adult social care with a personalised budget, so they can buy in the care they want and need.

But not everyone shares the authority's vision, as users, their families and members of staff have campaigned tirelessly against the move since it was first announced last August.

Lincolnshire County Council says it is in the taxpayers interest to offer a wider selection of care, whilst keeping a close eye on

Members of Grantham's Royal British Legion say they are disgusted at new charges, which could threaten traditional parades in the town.

They have been told they will have to pay over £2,000 for road closure signs, for their Remembrance Day March.

The Goverment changed road closure laws last year, meaning people no longer rely on the police.

The upcoming Good Friday March and St Georges Day Parades could also also be affected.

Lincolnshire County Council says that it's simply following UK legislation and it is encouraging groups to work together to cover the costs.

A Scunthorpe woman is urging the Government to rethink its rules on compensation for victims of rape.

Victims have been describing the Criminal Injuries Compensation process as a postcode lottery, including Lesley Evans from Scunthorpe.

At seven years old, she was raped and sexually abused by her stepfather and the abuse continued for the next 7 years.

She kept it secret throughout her adult life, until June 2010, when she decided to report the abuse to the police. Her stepfather was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

A few months ago Lesley decided to make a claim to the Criminal Injuries Authority, but they rejected it, saying the abuse had happened too long ago for them to pay out.

We contacted the CICA, which said it expresses sympathy to all victims of crime, but because the abuse happened before 1979 and the victim was living with the

Grantham's following Mary Portas lead by installing a permenant market stall five days a week.

It's hoped the fruit and veg stall will restore some of the town's vibrancy and attract custom into the town centre.

Many High Streets across the country have seen a decline in sales, during the tough economic climate.

Eve the hooded seal has been on a journey even the worst sat nav would struggle to manage, swimming from Iceland to the East Coast via Germany.

The Natureland Seal Sanctuary at Skegness wants to transport her home.

Locals are now rallying round to raise the cost of getting Eve back to where she came from.

Listen to Andy Marsh's report from Natureland by clicking on the audio player above...

It's hoped lottery funding will give two local communities a much needed boost.

North Cleethorpes and Birchwood in Lincoln are to get a million pounds each to spend on local projects.

Instead of being spent by the Council, it'll be up to people living in the areas to share the money out.

A heritage project planned for Brigg's one step closer to completion, as a piece of the town's history's set to return.

A Bronze Age raft which was uncovered in the nineteen seventies will be the showpiece to a new heritage centre.

It's been held in storage in Grenwich in the meantime and it's hoped it'll be on show this coming summer.

A Gainsborough teenager's been found guilty of raping two young boys.

The 15 year old's been ordered to register as a sex offender and could face jail.

The teenager who can't be named for legal reasons had denied sexually abusing the two children the youngest of whom was just six years old.

But a jury at Lincoln Crown Court found the 15 year old guilty of three rape charge along with three other sexual offences.

He was granted bail before his sentencing in April.

The judge warned he could face a jail term.

A community covenant will lift some of the pressures on Lincolnshire's armed forces and their families.

That's according to the county's Royal British Legion.  

The Lincolnshire Armed Forces Covenant is currently being finalised but will soon be signed by district councils, the PCT and local forces communities.

Farmers in Lincolnshire are bracing themselves as a devastating virus continues to be found on English farms.

83 cases of the Schmallenberg virus, which effects sheep and cattle, have been reported by DEFRA.

It hasn't reach the Lincs FM Region but farmers say they're worried about the impact it could have financially.

As the number of cases continues to rise, the NFU is asking farmers to stay vigilant and report any symptoms to their vets.

The Department for Work and Pensions has launched a public consultation to see how the lives of disabled people can be improved in society.

It wants to use the legacy of the Olympics to act as a catalyst and ultimately make a difference.

An event is being held at the Showroom on Tritton Road in Lincoln for people to voice their opinions.

Cat owners in Lincoln are being urged to remain vigilant following a spate of poisonings in the city.

One pet owner on Poplar Street's had four cats poisoned over the past year, it's thought antifreeze is the cause.

Other residents have also reported their pets being taken ill and in some cases dying.

Police believe someone is purposely leaving containers of antifreeze out for cats to drink. 

2 men arrested in connection with the murder of a pensioner in Lincoln have been bailed while enquiries continue.

3 other men were also arrested in connection with the death of Sonny Grey last November.

The 70 year old died after a suspected attack in his home on Westwick Gardens.

The men have been released on bail.

Campaigners have started a petition calling for plans to cut the Grimsby to Lincoln Number 3 bus service.

Stagecoach is reducing it from an hourly service to five times a day.

But campaigners say that's not enough and want the company to stick to the current timetable.

In a Statement Stagecoach said they appreciate the inconvienience but the Number 3 service is a high mileage route with low passenger numbers and the decision's been taken because the rebate on fuel duty's about to be cut by 20%.

The City of Lincoln Council has revealed investment plans which would see nearly 100 new projects get off the ground.

£2 million will be spent on Mortgage Indemnity Scheme, which will mean local lenders will have the confidence to offer first time buyers 95% mortgages.  It is hoped that will have a knock on effect and loosen up the property market in the city.

£150,000 will be spent on a Council apprenticeship scheme, giving young people the chance to gain skills by working in Local Government.

The rest of the money will be spent on a new homeless centre, the city's allotments and a fund to help small businesses and social enterprises.

All of these projects are subject to the approval of the full council on the 6th March.

Three Lincoln men have been arrested and charged with stealing metal from more than twenty churches.

It follows a six month police operation which culminated in four addresses in the city being searched yesterday.

Three men aged 35, 30 and 29 were arrested and charged with conspiracy to steal lead from twenty two churches in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire.

Another 39 year old man was arrested and questioned before being released on police bail.

A Scunthorpe support group says the local authority needs to go further to help the unemployed.

It's after North Lincolnshire's Council Leader announced a new apprenticeship scheme for young people in the town.

They're going to be offering 120 work placements across the authority over the next four years.

But Ray Twidale from the Westcliffe Drop in Centre says it's not all about school leavers.

In a statement, Council Leader Liz Redfern told Lincs FM that in such difficult times they're working hard to make sure young people and children are their priority.

It comes as a national report by MPs has revealed millions is being spent on the problem, but the number of special needs young people not in work or training continues to rise.

The Linkage Community Trust, which has branches in Grimsby and Lincoln, provides training and care for young people with learning difficulties.

It says organisations like themselves are often having to provide the training and support that isn't being given while youngsters are at school or college.

Councillors are meeting today to try and find a way of keeping the The Alcohol Intervention Programme going.

The programme helps offenders with a drink problem and has been credited with cutting the the number of alcohol related incidents.

But its Home Office funding is being drastically cut, to the point where it may not be able to continue.

Spring hasn't sprung quite so easily for Lincolnshire's daffodil growers.

Extreme temperatures have meant some farmers have lost as much as ten percent of this years crop.

In the space of a few weeks Holbeach recorded both the UKs lowest and highest temperatures.

Some estimates suggests the financial impact on the counties growers could be as much as a million pounds.

A Spalding family will be handing over a 5,000 strong petition against changes to adult social care to Lincolnshire County Council later.

Michael Lee's son Jon has been going to the Chappell Centre in Spalding for over twenty years it's one of the services facing an uncertain future.

He's hoping Lincolnshire County Council will look carefully at new recommendations in their scrunity meeting laterand save some of the provision for disabled adults.

Recommendations will go through the scrutiny meeting this morning. In a statement the Council said no alternatives have been put forward yet as these are just proposals at this stage. A final decision will be made next week. 

The organisation which promotes shops and businesses in the centre of Grimsby is to close.

The Town Centre Forum is shutting due to financial problems.  

It was funded by traders and was responsible for issues like security measures publicity and putting on some events.

A primary school in Tattershall has recorded the fastest ever turn around in Lincolnshire's history going from special measures to being rated "good" in just over a year.

Tattershall primary was branded a failing school in December 2010.

Now the latest Ofsted report has seen it skip the "Satisfactory" category and achieve a "good" rating.

Cannabis worth around one and a half million pounds has been recovered from two industrial units in Newark.

It's thought to be the largest ever amount of the Class B drug discovered in the area.

A raid was carried out on Manners Road last Wednesday, officers have spent the last several days dismantling the factory.

No one was in the industrial units when the raid was carried out and currently no arrests have been made.

Inspector Andy Gan says "it was a very sophisticated operation."

Tata Steel in Scunthorpe says it's committed to training new staff, despite tough times.

It's continuing it's apprenticeship scheme this year and is looking to take on thirty five new trainees.

The company says it's looking to the long term future of the plant in Scunthorpe, despite announcing over a thousand job losses last year.

The family of a 6 year old boy and his grandmother found drowned in a lake near Stamford, have gathered to pay their respects.

A private funeral's been held for Laurie Mullany Mills and 71 year old Dawn Mullany.

It's thought they died in a tragic accident while feeding the ducks at a lake in the village of Holywell, just over a week ago.

The change to academy status for schools in North East Lincolnshire has made it too easy for pupils to be expelled.

That's from the leader of the local authority as figures show the number of children permanently excluded soared last year.

77 pupils were expelled in 2010 to 2011 compared to 8 the year before.

The leader of North East Lincolnshire Council Chris Shaw-says it's working with academies to try to bring the number down.

And says because the authority has to foot the bill funding for expelled pupils needs to be handed back.

A key part of Boston Pilgrim Hospital's "recovery plan" to address failings opens today a new £4.2 million intensive care unit.

It's part of a £10 million revamp which also includes a new stroke unit and MRI scanner.

Last year the Care Quality Commission detailed significant failings in standards of care.

The Intensive Care Unit will see more beds and specialist isolation rooms.

The extra capacity should reduce waiting lists for the most serious procedures.

Youngsters with serious heart problems in North and North East Lincolnshire currently travel to Leeds for treatment.

But Health Secretary Andrew Lansley is looking to reduce the number of units, meaning the nearest one would be Newcastle.

Protestors will push a bed through Grimsby to highlight the issue and will be collecting signatures for a petition.

Cracks have appeared at around 150 locations across the county, because of a lack of moisture in the soil.

A joint bid is being put forward by Lincolnshire and 4 neighbouring authorities.

In 2004 the council got over £5 million in a similar bid.

There were 77 pupils permanently expelled last year, while the year before there were only 8.

Yesterday the council met to discuss the rise and the financial impact on the authority.

It's set aside an extra quarter of a million pounds from the schools budget to meet the extra costs of exclusions.

Privatisation is still an option when it comes to the future of adult day care in Lincolnshire.

That's from the County Council who've announced they're looking at ways to save services facing closure.

A recent consultation received an unprecedented response from users, their families and staff.

But the authority says whilst it won't just be shutting services, handing over control to private companies can't be ruled out.

It's emerged a row that's alleged to have happened at the Houses of Parliament was at an event held by Brigg's MP.

MP Eric Joyce has been questioned by police over the alleged assault on conservative Stuart Andrew on Wednesday night.

It's now claimed it started at an event being hosted by Brigg's MP Andrew Percy and involved him being pushed against a wall.

Police are now investigating.

The Great British Circus, which uses animals like tigers and camels, has its first performance in Louth tonight and a number of local people are planning to protest outside.

They claim it's cruel and outdated to keep wild animals.

But representatives from the Great British Circus say it is regularly checked out by DEFRA and the animals are well looked after.

Lincolnshire's rural construction sites are facing intensive health and safety inspections.

It's as the Government clamps down to reduce death and injury on building sites in the county.

There were forty one serious injuries reported last year.

Campaigning by people across Lincolnshire to keep day centres for the disabled open may have saved them from closure.

Lincolnshire County Council's had a huge response to it's proposals to close or privatise the centres, along with respite and supported living accomodation.

The authority now says it's prepared to listen to people's views and will find ways to keep the centres open if they're well used.

It is the first agreement of its kind in the country and is expected to save the Lincolnshire force £28 million over the next 10 years.

Private firm G4S will run things like HR, IT and  training for the police, as well as taking on 530 civilian staff.

It is also planning to build a new custody suite and a police station in the county.

2 men are being questioned, following the discovery of a body in Lincoln.

A 44 year old man was found dead at a house on the Birchwood Estate in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

His death is currently being treated as unexplained and a post mortem is due to be carried out.

The area near the Motorplex building was cordoned off when the unexploded devices were found on Monday morning.

The area was made save by bomb disposal teams on Tuesday morning.

Jan Pawal Stocknialek was found in the South Forty Foot Drain last month.

31 year old Oktavius Siemieniuk from the Featherworks in Boston appeared before magistrates on Monday morning.

Households across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands are facing possible water restrictions, unless there is heavy rain by April.

Water companies, farmers and wildlife groups have come together to discuss what can be done.

Inquests are due to open this week into the deaths of a six year old boy and his grandmother, found dead in a Lincolnshire pond.

They've been named locally as 6 year old Laurie Mullany-Mills from Ketton, Rutland and seventy one year old Dawn Mullany from Castle Bytham.

The bodies were found overnight on Thursday, after the boy failed to return home from a stay at his grandmothers.

Police say they're confident it was a tragic accident at the pond in Holywell.

An extra 2 point 4 million pounds needs to be saved in East Lindsey, on top of the 3 million already cut this year.

The district council's set out it's budget plans for the next 12 months and is promising frontline services won't be hit.

A cut in government funding along with rising fuel bills have meant the extra savings are needed.

And leader of the council, Doreen Stephenson is expecting future years to be even tougher.

Farmers in Lincolnshire are looking to the skies in the hope it might rain sometime soon.

It's as the county's experienced one of the driest winters in recent memory.

Reservoirs and waterways which would have normally been refilled over the winter months are drying up.

Holidaymakers in East Lindsey will benefit from state-of-the-art new loos in time for the summer season.

£500,000 pounds is being spent on improving the council's twenty four public toilets including ones in Skegness, Mablethorpe and Woodhall Spa.

It's in a bid to make the area more attractive to tourists and day- trippers.

Shoppers are slowly but surely coming back to Lincoln's High Street.

That's the reassuring message being given by the city's Business Improvement Group.

It's after the latest retail figures showed sales volumes rose unexpectedly by almost 2% compared to last January.

Lincolnshire's Road Safety Partnership say we need to be cautious when it comes to tougher sentences for drivers who kill.

It's after police experts have suggested penalties should be more in line with those for homicide.

The maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving is currently 14 years.

Residents living near an explosives testing site in Lincolnshire say the noise is making their lives a misery.

A former RAF base in Faldingworth is now used to test weapons and fireworks and there are plans to carry out over 200 trials next week.

Despite an investigation finding the noise levels are acceptable some residents say they'll refuse to pay their council tax.

West Lindsey Council says tests show activities at the site don't constitute a noise nuisance.

And it's working with the site to keep residents informed.

A Newark family are appealing to local people after antique jewellery was stolen from their home...

Someone broke into the house in Kneesall last month...stealing gold and silver christening jewellery, antique watches and engagement rings...

Ipads and bank details were ignored by theives who took items of sentimental value instead...

Despite all of the recent snow and ice- parts of Lincolnshire have been declared to be in a state of drought...

Little rainfall over last year's led to reservoirs and rivers drying up in the south of the county mainly along with neighbouring Cambridgeshire and Rutland...

People are being urged to conserve water where ever they can...

All areas of the Lincs FM region have seen a rise in unemployment.

In Lincolnshire the number of job seekers has hit a high of 16,032, which is the highest it's been in the last two years. 166 more people are unemployed since last month.

In North Lincolnshire, 340 more people are claiming job seeekers, which means over 5.2% of people are now unemployed there.

In Newark and Sherwood there's also been a rise with 165 more people claiming job seekers since last month.

A man's been arrested on suspicion of stealing copper from Lincoln college.

Police were called to the site on Monks Road at around 4 o'clock this morning after reports of an intruder.

A 19 year old local man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of burglary and is helping people with their enquiries.

Organisers have confirmed this year's Cleethorpes carnival will be the last.

The festival's been held in the town every July for the past 36 years and attracted a crowd of over 25,000 in 2011.

But organisers have struggled to raise the £30,000 needed to run it and have decided not to hold the carnival next year.

A demonstration's being held in Lincoln this lunchtime over plans to close the city's DVLA office.

Staff are staging a 1 hour protest over the cuts which could put over one thousand jobs at risk across the country.

The government says the closure of the DVLA offices will save £28 million a year.

The future of over 300 jobs at a food factory in Grimsby is being discussed today.

Kerry Foods on the Europark has announced it's looking to close.

A task force has been set up to help those affected find alternative work or training if the closure decision is finalised.

There have also been appeals for the Government to help.

The future of Grantham's Museum rests on financial support from local people.

That's from the Community Heritage Association who're hoping a new membership scheme will encourage people to get involved.

Despite recent fundraising going well, more money is needed for the facility's reopening in June.

Two hundred pounds a month in food costs and a pet weighing seventeen stone, that's what a Lincolnshire woman's had to deal with after buying a supposed 'mini pig.

Janey Byrne from Laughterton bought the animal for three hundred and fifty pounds, thinking it wouldn't get any bigger than a cocker spaniel.

But Meeka's blossomed into a full sized pot bellied pig, and has been house trained.

Young drivers in Scunthorpe have been given a crash course in the dangers of driving.

Police staged a road accident using college students in an attempt to remind young people not to drink and drive.

Thirty percent of accidents on our roads involve 17 to 24 year olds, which is a figure which is reflected Nationally too.

Livestock farmers in Lincolnshire are being warned to stay vigilant after a continental disease has hit the UK's shores.

The Schmallenberg virus was first discovered in sheep on farms in Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.

Young animals particularly lambs are susceptible to the illness, which leads to birth defects.

There's been no reported cases in Lincolnshire or surrounding counties so far.

The NFU says the disease has been limited to the South East of the country.

Drivers are being warned ice could be a problem on the roads across Lincolnshire and Newark this morning - as forecasters warn the freezing conditions will last into the weekend.

There's been up to five centimetres of snow in some places across the region overnight.

Lincolnshire Police have said all main roads are clear across the county.

Several schools in the south of the region have reported they'll be closed because of the weather.

Stay tuned to Lincs FM for all the latest traffic, travel and school closure information.

The threat of any further strike action by oil tanker drivers in Immingham's been averted.

It's after talks between company Wincanton and the union Unite have been hailed as a success.

Last week employees had threatened to walk out for a further seven days over a dispute over pay and conditions.

Both parties say they will continue to talk over the coming weeks to address any issues.

The fight to abolish Humber Bridge Tolls completely will continue ...despite recent concessions.

Campaign group Humber Action Against Tolls is welcoming plans to halve the charge.

But they're vowing to continue until tolls go completely.

Campaigners against plans for a windfarm in North Lincolnshire say they hope this is the end of the matter after it was turned down again by councillors.

It's the second time RWE  N Power Renewables have put in an application to construct 16 turbines on land near to Horkstow.

The project's been fiercely opposed by campaign group Saxby Wold Against Turbines who welcomed North Lincolnshire council's decision to turn the plans down.

Neil Cameron's campaigned against the windfarm- he says he hopes this is the end of it now.

RWE N Power Renewables said the project would have brought twelve million pounds worth of investment to the region. T

The company has the right of appeal to the Government.

Traders on Grimsby's Freeman Street say "don't write us off yet" after figures showed the area has one of the largest numbers of empty shops in the Country.

Twenty per cent of shops stand vacant in Grimsby, with Freeman Street worst affected.

Traders there say they're doing well but hope the planned regeneration delivers real positive change.

The move to halving the Humber Bridge tolls is a step closer after an agreement's been made over how to handle the bridge's debt.

Last night the four councils bordering the landmark reached a decision to split the cost equally.

It's after last month North East Lincolnshire council threatened to pull out of the move saying the cost should be based on population size.

It will mean patients on the south bank who need treatment at hospitals in Hull or East Yorkshire can cross the bridge for free.

For everyone else it's hoped the tolls will be halved by as early as this April.

Council Leaders say they'll be doing all they can to soften the blow of job losses in Scunthorpe.

It's after the Lloyds Banking Group announced the closure of their mortgage centre in the town and over 200 people are to lose their jobs as a result.

North Lincolnshire Council has now set up a dedicated task force.

A Market Rasen nursery's replaced stolen copper piping, only to have thieves break in and take their replacements less than a week later.

Staff at the Town and Country Kiddies Nursery were stunned to find themselves once again victims of crime.

The break ins occured in their new building which is due to open next month.

The nursery's installed new CCTV cameras and alarms to ensure it doesn't happen a third time

Over 300 people have put their names to a petition against plans for up to 11 wind turbines near Newark.

The South Newark Oppose Wind Turbines group or SNOW  is representing people living in Hawton, Cotham and Thorpe.

They've handed the petition to the district council in the hope it wont get planning permission.

There are calls for the government and local politicians to step in following the announcement of over 200 job losses in Scunthorpe.

The Lloyds Banking Group broke the news yesterday it would be shedding nearly 1,000 jobs nationwide and closing it's mortgage centre in North Lincolnshire.

There are fears the site could close by as early as the end of this year.

The town's MP Nic Dakin was in talks with the bank yesterday which is 40% owned by the taxpayer, he's urged the company to re-think it's actions.

In a statement Lloyds TSB says they'll implement compulsory redundancies as a last resort.

After ten years of uncertainty Grantham's by-pass has finally been given the go ahead by councillors.

Lincolnshire County Council confirmed yesterday it'll contribute £30 million to the project.

It's thought the by-pass will link the A1 and the A52 South of the town.

Severn Trent Water's been fined after polluting a Gainsborough fishing lake for a fourth time.

Hundreds of fish died last April when sewage was allowed to leak into the Heapham lake.

The court heard an IT error meant the blockage wasn't fixed for a week.

The firm's been fined £24,000.

'They've deprived children of their education' the scathing words of a headteacher after computers were stolen from a college near to Louth.

Thieves targetted the Birbeck College at the beginning of last week and made off with 16 laptops.

It's thought they gained entry after smashing a window.

In response the college's looking at boosting it's CCTV surveillance.

The Headteacher Lynda Dobson says it's the children who'll miss out.

Over two hundred jobs are set to go in Scunthorpe as the Lloyds banking group announces plans to close it's mortgage centre in the town.

The union Accord says the company's axing almost a thousand jobs nationwide and shutting three sites including the North Lincolnshire branch.

It says more than 30,000 jobs have now been lost over the past three years at Lloyds, which is 40 percent owned by the taxpayer.

The offices could close by as early as the end of next March.

A former BNP member, from Gainsborough, has been convicted of a religiously aggravated public order offence.

It's after 44 year old Darren Conway covered his flat with anti-Islamic literature.

He claimed he merely acted recklessly in an attempt to draw attention to his rented property on Heaton Street with the aim of getting the letting agents to carry out improvements

He'll now be sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court.

Employment experts in Lincolnshire say apprenticeships are worth doing.

The rural nature of the County have made them a difficult option for some young people.

The Government's also looking to address a reluctance by small busineses to take on apprentices.

Meanwhile the Skills Minister and MP for South Holland and the Deepings has denied claims many modern apprenticeships are just be a source of cheap labour.

The Government's increasing the number of apprenticeship schemes.

However critics say the current lack of jobs may mean apprentices don't get taken on permanently.

Bosses at Market Rasen racecourse say they'll take a significant financial hit after the cold snap forced today's meeting to be cancelled.

The event was called off yesterday partly due to the snow, although the frozen ground was more of a safety concern.

That means a loss of revenue for the course and the local economy in general.

A man's said to be in a stable condition in hospital after being assaulted at a Stamford nightclub.

The 30 year old suffered serious head injuries in the attack at the Central nightclub on Friday 3rd February.

A 32 year old Sheffield man's been arrested in connection with the incident and has since been released on police bail.

Freezing temperatures coupled with snow and ice have led to tricky driving conditions across the Lincs FM region this morning.

Gritters have been out across the county overnight and the majority of main roads are passable but drivers are being warned of melting snow refreezing as ice.

Lincolnshire Police have reported a number of small traffic collisions over the weekend because of the conditions but no-one's been seriously injured.

Flights into and out of Humberside airport are operating as normal but passengers travelling from Robin Hood airport may experience some delays.

Stay tuned to Lincs FM for all the latest traffic and travel information.

Three men have been charged with the murder of a Boston man.

Jan Pavel Stochnialek's body was pulled from the South Forty Foot drain in the town nearly a fortnight ago.

The three men- one from Manchester and two from Boston will appear before magistrates this morning.

Men in and around Newark are being encouraged to talk more about their health.

It's as a new forum group's been set up by patient representatives in the town.

Men will be given the chance to talk more openly about health issues and given the necessary advice and guidance by health professionals.

There'll be four meetings a year held at social clubs and sports clubs.

Newark and Sherwood District Council says people need to continue to use the Palace theatre so it's decision to keep it open was warranted.

The facility's opening hours have been cut to 5 days a week in a bid to make savings.

It's now hoped it'll be the focus of a cultural hub in the town's centre, with proposals for a museum underway.

For the third year running Newarks Jazz festival has been cancelled.

The uncertain economic times has meant business' haven't been able to invest fully in the event.

But some of the restaurants and shops in the town will still provide some live music.

In 2008, the event saw over ten thousand people flock to the town and it's hoped it'll be back next year.

It's expected competition for places at the University of Lincoln this year will be fierce...

Figures out this week showed the institution saw a slight increase in applications last year... this compares to the national picture where applications have dropped by seven percent...

On top of that the number of places will be cut due to government cuts.

You might have only had a dusting of the white stuff...but with snow forecast for this weekend, the county's gritters are gearing up...

Lincolnshire County Council say salt stocks are higher than usual due to the so far mild winter and gritters are already on alert.

But because transporting grit to isolated villages is often difficult, they've also got tonnes of salt ready to be delivered ahead of any heavy snowfall.

Lincoln County Hospital's been told it's failing to meet the needs of some of the elderly people in its care.

The Care Quality Commission noted a lack of planning...some welfare issues and concerns over dignity in care.    

In one case inspectors were told a patient was left in her own faeces for half an hour.

The leader of North East Lincolnshire Council says he's confident free Humber Bridge crossings for hospital patients will become reality.

Councillor Chris Shaw put forward the plans as part of a deal on managing the debt.

All 4 Councils bordering the River will now guarantee the debt in a 4 way split.

Councillor Shaw says he believes when the 4 Councils take over running the Bridge free crossings for hospital patients WILL happen.

Michael Bexley's son has been going to Quantum House in Lincoln for ten years. It is one of the services that could be closed in the review of adult social care by Lincolnshire County Council.

Quantum House offers support and respite for people with mental disabilities and Mr Bexley says despite the consultation, parents and care users have  not had all the answers they need.

In a statement, Lincolnshire County Council says it has provided a number of opportunities for people to have their say, but it appreciates the uncertainties of the situation.

Karl McCartney has long been in a battle with Network Rail to get the issue sorted.

He says because hundred of pedestrians and cars use Lincoln's level crossings, the risk is much higher.

Company bosses have been in talks this week to try and address the issue but no solution has yet been found.

In a statement Network Rail says it is considering pedestrian bridges for the High Street and Brayford Wharf crossings.

It emphasises safety is a major concern and managers will be in the area later this month to discuss the crossing.   

Officers were called after reports of a man with a gun making threats on Tuesday.

It led to an 11 hour stand off before officers found a man dead in his home.

Now the IPCC has concluded police did everything they could to negotiate a peaceful resolution and a wider investigation isn't necessary.

They first went out on strike last Tuesday for a week and plan a further seven days of industrial action.

Workers and their employer Wincanton have been in talks over the past several days but have failed to come to an agreement.

The strikes have already disrupted fuel deliveries to Jet garages across the country.

It has been called by a group of councillors in North East Lincolnshire, worried the deal could fall through if an agreement is not reached soon.

There is disagreement over how the bridge debt should be shared between the 4 councils on both sides of the Humber.

The meeting will take place on February 8th.

Police were called to a house on Chaplegate at 11am on Tuesday to reports a of man making threats with a firearm.

The entire village was cordoned off and people were warned not to leave their homes or gather in public areas.

Trained police negotiated with the man late in to the evening, but at 10:30pm they went in to the house, where the man was found dead.

Police have confirmed no shots were fired by officers.

Earlier in the day an officer suffered a minor injury to his face, but he's since left hospital.

Residents have been allowed to return to their homes, but a scene guard remains in place at the property.

28 year old Jan Pavel Stochnialek was pulled from the South Forty Foot Drain last Wednesday.

Police believe he was assaulted before being thrown into the water.

Officers have been speaking to the Polish community in Boston this week, to offer reassurances that the town is safe.

It comes after a scrutiny meeting at the Lincolnshire authority revealed officers have been taking people from the scenes of accidents to A&E.

Chris Underwood-Frost, who is a county councillor as well as a member of the Police Authority says poor ambulance response times are putting police under real pressure.

East Midlands Ambulance Service has so far declined to comment.

A group of young people in Lincoln have clubbed together to give a homeless shelter in the city a revamp...

As part of the Princes Trust programme they're collecting money and donations for the St Mary Le Wigford Church.

It's to make the shelter more welcoming for people who don't have a home of their own.

A Lincolnshire pony sanctuary says horse welfare charities must pull together if they're to beat financial pressures...

Bransby Rest Home for Horses have just taken in a group of thirty abandoned ponies, despite already being stretched over the winter months.

They say they've seen a big increase in the amount of cases involving herds of horses.

Plans for a windfarm near to Gainsborough are going on show this weekend.

Renewable Energy developers are meeting with local residents to see whether the site, just North of Hemswell Cliff, is suitable.

RWE Renewables say there could be employment opportunities at the development.

Rural business owners in Lincolnshire say they're disappointed MP's haven't brought in a bill to tackle metal theft.

It's as there's been a dramatic increase in the amount of cases in the county over the past few months.

The scrap metal bill would have ensured more checks are made when people weigh in metal at scrap yards.

Flames up to 3 metres tall shot from a leaking gas pipe in February 2009.

Scunthorpe Magistrates heard workers were lucky not to have been engulfed in the blaze.

Tata was ordered to pay just over £30,000 in costs and fines. 

There are reports of a body being found in a river in Boston.

Underwater search teams are at the scene in the Wyberton West Road and Lynley Road area.

Police have launched an investigation.

The identity of the body is still unknown and the death is being treated as unexplained.