More needs doing to convince people in North East Lincolnshire to ditch their cigarettes. 

Thats according to the areas tobacco control alliance. 

Its despite recent figures showing 5000 people have quit smoking in the last two years. 

North East Lincolnshire still has one of the highest numbers of smokers in the region. 

While business is booming for charity shops across the country, it's a different picture in North East Lincolnshire.

A report's found spending in charity shops has reached a record high of 1 billion pounds.

But staff at shops in Grimsby say they're getting fewer donations, which means sales and takings are down.

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.

As plans to improve the A160 are given the green light, residents and business owners in South Killingholme are up in arms.

It's as the exits for the village are being closed off along with the central reservation in a bid to make the road safer.

Instead drivers will be expected to use a new flyover.

Andy Cressle runs a B and B and a fish and chip shop on the A160 and depends on the existing slip road and lay bys for trade and says his business will be a casualty of the forthcoming roadworks.

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.

Empty units, bad weather and no passing trade.

These are the factors contributing to tough trading on Cleethorpes' North Prom according to business owners.

They want to see regeneration and more investment for the North of the town to ease the pressure on their takings.

Waterlogged fields are causing fresh concern for North East Lincolnshire's farmers.

The region may technically still be in drought, but April's downpours are threatening some crops.

A variety of produce such as potatoes and sugar beet is suffering because of heavy rain fall.

North East Lincolnshire's beauty business' including hairdressers and nail salons have been affected dramatically by the recession.

There's been an increase in people nationally spending money on personal grooming but in our area people are cutting back, because of the rising costs of living.

One hairdressers in Cleethorpes said people are starting to dye their own hair and go less frequently for hair cuts. It's the worst she's seen it since her salon opened five years ago.

14 year old Natasha Fox, from Ladysmith Road, was last seen when she left home on Wednesday afternoon.

She is described as 5ft 9ins tall, short brown hair, brown eyes, medium build and when last seen was wearing a black jacket with a hood, black jogging style bottoms and sandals.

Police are concerned for Natasha's welfare due to her age and would urge that she get in touch with police or with her family as soon as possible.

Anyone who knows Natasha's whereabouts is asked to contact Humberside Police on telephone 101 referring to log 8 of 10 May 2012.

A row's broken out in North East Lincolnshire over who will be made the area's next mayor.

It's after the council's broken with tradition and decided to not put forward the current deputy mayor, Councillor Melanie Dickerson for the role.

The reason behind it being her suspension from Healing Parish Council four months ago which is now spent.

Next week Labour Councillors Mike Burton and Peggy Elliot will be sworn in as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.

Estate agents in North East Lincolnshire remain confident the re-introduction of stamp duty for most first time buyers won't derail the local market.

Nationally agents are reporting a drop since the end of March when the duty was brought back in.

But locally many lower value properties aren't eligible for stamp duty anyway. 

The Government's pledged funding for a second road scheme serving Immingham Docks.

The Department of Transport has confirmed plans for a bypass and has announced priority status to dual the full length of the A160.

They should take Docks traffic away from the centre of Immingham.

They'll be a road bridge linking North and South Killingholme. 

Tests will be carried out ahead of funding being granted in 2015. 

People living in a Grimsby Street are being told the power cuts they've experienced over the last 9 months should now be over.

Now Northern Powergrid has issued an apology and says the fault was extremely difficult to locate but it should now have been fixed.

The Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council says he will work with the community in Immingham to ensure sporting facilties are available in the town. 

The sports centre's earmarked for closure to make way for a supermarket development.

Protestors support the development but  are against plans to close the centre down.

They've suggested a community run resource centre, which could provide alternative sports provision.

Seafront traders in Cleethorpes say poor weather during the summer season could drive them out of business.

Tourism dependent firms are desperately hoping for sunshine after 2 disappointing years.

The resort has increased its programme of events including the first ever Airshow, but many traders rely on good weather to get people into the resort. 

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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Figures from the Institute of Advanced Motorists show the amount of money spent on things like road safety education and traffic management measures has dropped by more than £800,000.

That's over an 80 % drop and the second biggest fall out of all councils in the country.

IAM chief executive Simon Best said: "Cuts of this scale risk lives as well as the UK’s table-topping status as the best in the world for road safety. The government needs to bring back casualty reduction targets so that councils make road safety a priority. 

"I’m also concerned that patchy spending on maintenance will not keep pace with our crumbling roads"

The road safety minister Mike Penning reacted to the figures:  

"Road safety is a top priority. However, we do not believe that national targets are needed to persuade people of the importance of road safety or to prove the Government's commitment to saving lives.

"We removed ring-fencing from local authority grants so that councils can set their own priorities. We would expect road safety would remain a priority for local communities and local spending would reflect this."

No one from North East Lincolnshire Council was available for comment.

The Sports Hall is due to be closed to make way for a supermarket development, but the move has prompted protests from local people who use it.

But now campaigners say the changes of saving it are looking unlikely. So they say they are no looking at running the including the sports facilities within the town's Resource centre, which they're hoping to take over and run as a community hub.

Union reps for the NHS say government plans to introduce regional pay could mean doctors and nurses in lower income areas will be paid less than more weathly places.

The Unison representative for the NHS in the East Midlands says that could mean staff in places like North East Lincolnshire could move elsewhere, leading to gaps in care.

A charity shop which has been described as a life-line for a Grimsby estate will close at the end of May.

The Nunsthorpe Bradley Park Trust set a shop up seven years ago selling clothes and furniture at bargain prices.

The couple behind the scheme are retiring and couldn't find anyone else to take the lease on.

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.

It has taken two and half years of lobbying, securing funding and getting it built, but it's finally finished. It was built as a way of address the lack of facilties for young people in the town.

A special ceremony's being held, with professional demonstrations, before local skateboarders and BMX riders get a chance to try out the new surface.

The fight goes on in the Humber region against plans for VAT to be added to sales of static caravans.

MPs have given the measure initial approval but it hasn't been finalised.

A consultation's been extended.

Cleethorpes and Immingham's MP Martin Vickers voted against his own Government on the issue.

Sea cadets in Immingham have been left devastated after thieves broke into their hut twice in three days.

Items stolen include a lap top and a projector.

Police are studying CCTV footage of the crime.

Volunteers are trying to clean up after the break in.

Holiday parks in the Compass FM area are urging the Government to rethink an increase in VAT on caravan sales.

From October 20% VAT will be added to sales of static caravans unless they're for all year round usage.

Currently they're untaxed and MPs are now lobbying the Government on the matter.

A Morrisons sea food plant in Grimsby could be set for expansion even though it hasn't opened yet.

The company's revealed it's already bought land neighbouring the plant on Europark.

Work's ongoing on at the former Kwok factory and it's due to open in September.

North East Lincolnshire's small businesses are being offered a specialist service to help improve recruitment and staff retention.

The half a million pounds of cash from the Council and European Union will see a service run by E Factor.

It'll provide key human resources functions to small firms.

That'll aim to improve recruitment procedures and upskill current staff.     

Cleethorpes Memorial hall trust says they can carry on despite "crippling" heating bills, at least for the moment.

The heating system regularly needs repairing which is leading to large bills for the charitiable trust which runs the hall.

Now it's launched an appeal for £35,000 to install a new system.

A teaching union in North East Lincolnshire says parents need to be part of the solution to truancy not made into scapegoats.

It's after suggestions from the government that rules to stop children skipping school should be toughened.

Parents are already fined but that could be automatically taken from child benefits.

Cleethorpes Airshow will be brought to a spectacular close by the Red Arrows.  

Hopes for the event are now "sky high" after the display aces confirmed they'll perform in the resort.

Officially known as the Festival of Flight the event will take place on the weekend 9th and 10th June with the Red Arrows closing the Sunday show.

Around 50,000 visitors are expected at the event. 

Cleethorpes sea-front traders are welcoming plans which could see more promotion for the resort.

North East Lincolnshire council's annouced it's looking at bringing back it's tourism department after cutting it last year.

It's led to concerns the whole region's not getting the promotion it needs.

A study's urging a North East Lincolnshire scheme credited with significantly reducing drink related crime be expanded not closed.

A Council Select Committee recommends the police fund the Alcohol Intervention Project which helps offenders with a drink problem.

It also suggests better alcohol related edcuation and a campaign to reduce the number of adults buying drink for under 18s.

Cash machines are being targetted by fraudsters across Lincolnshire.

It's after several skimming devices have been recovered from cash points in Lincoln over the past couple of weeks.

The equipment's usually a small device fitted to the card reader and a pin hole camera- which is often difficult to detect.

The company behind plans for a new 130 million pound biomass plant on Immingham Docks says it's one project that won't be derailed by tough economic times.

The combined heat and power facility will create electricity using  sustainable wood pellets as fuel.

It's now been given full planning permission. 

Some similar projects in the area have been abandoned due to economic factors.

However Real Ventures, which is behind the biomass plant says its scheme will definitely happen. 

A Lincolnshire man says his mental health support forum has identified a gap in provision in North East Lincolnshire and further afield.

53 year old Robert Palmer from Cleethorpes is a single dad who was diagnosed with bipolar disorder 14 years ago.

He set up the online forum Parents first in March and has been inundated with responses from across the world.

But it's the lack of local, informal support worrying him the most and he's now arranging regular drop in sessions.

There's evidence many people in North East Lincolnshire are risking prosecution for non payment of council tax due to rising debts.

The last year has seen over eight thousand people in Court because they didn't pay their Council tax.

But those in financial difficulties are being advised help is out there from organisations like the Citizens Advice Bureau. 

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

Unusually dry weather for the past two 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.

The Council has been given the cash from the Government's High Street Innovation Fund for improvements.

It comes as the area has also put in a bid to become a 'Portas Pilot' area. That would mean it would get help to improve high streets and attract more shoppers, under plans set out by retail expert, Mary Portas.

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 move has been criticised by students and the town's MP, Austin Mitchell, for reducing choice in further education in North East Lincolnshire.

But the Institute says it is about targeting its resources to what it does best.

Assistant Principal Amanda Rudolph says they want to concentrate on teaching the key skills employers are calling for.

Violent crime in North East Lincolnshire remains well above the national average, but is improving.

The latest figures show an 18 % year on year drop and is 36 % down over 2 years.

However the most serious violence has shown a small increase and the figures remain higher than average.

The Safer Communities Partnership says 60% of violence is alcohol related and they've looked to address that.

The Government's to allow an extension of Sunday trading during the Olympics.

The possibility of making it permanent is also being discussed.

Some small traders fear that could hit their profits.

An increasing number of fake burglaries are taking police in North East Lincolnshire away from real crime.

Officers say they're taking a tough approach, if they find anyone trying to fake a break-in, to claim on their insurance.

It comes after a recent case where officers were called to investigate a stolen washing machine, only to find the owner had sold it.

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 future of a North East Lincolnshire scheme to help vulnerable people with issues like debt, housing and legal matters has been secured for the next two years.

Grimsby and Cleethorpes Citizens Advice helps those with severe health problems, the elderly and non English speakers.

Now a Lottery grant of over a hundred thousand means it can carry on giving advice to those in difficulty. 

It comes as the organisation sees a major increase in the number of appeals against decisions on benefits.

Changes to the criteria for claiming disability and employment support benefit has seen more people being turned down.

The number of rogue traders trying to con people on North East Lincolnshire's doorsteps is on the rise but a new scheme's looking to tackle the problem.

The Emergency Link project will provide a faster response.

Telephone operators have been trained to dealing with issues surrounding doorstep crime.

There's also provision for rapid action where necessary even at weekends.

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.

Taylors Avenue doesn't have a crossing close to a housing development with a high number of pensioners.

Campaigners say when a new doctors surgery opens later this year, many of them will need to cross the road.

The Council will discuss the issue next month.

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.

North East Lincolnshire Council is looking to make space for a new supermarket, saying the centre is underused.

But a group of residents think the centre has been neglected and the other facilities can't cater for all of the needs of local people.

In a statement the Council said it is very committed to ensuring facilities are replaced where practical and affordable, alongside ensuring other existing amenities are fully utilised

Torchbearers will first visit Immingham on June 26th.

Later it will arrive in Grimsby, then head on to Cleethorpes where it will hitch a ride on the town's Coast Light Railway.

The flame will stay at Meridian Park for the evening celebrations.   

The following day it'll be involved in an abseil down the Docks before going through the streets of Grimsby one final time.   

A recruitment drive has started to attract more females from North Lincolnshire into the engineering industry.

There's 10 female apprentices at ta-ta steel this year, which is one of the highest intakes they've had.

But the figure is still low in comparison to the 200 men who work there.

An organisation which specialises in debt advice in North East Lincolnshire says the repossession of homes is still a major problem in the area.

The Community Advice Service provide free support and guidance to those facing financial and social problems.

The organisation deals with around four people every week who face the prospect of repossession.

Humberston's Parish Council has voiced it's opposition to plans for 400 new houses in the village.

It voted unanimously against Keystone Developers proposals at a meeting earlier this week.

People living in the area have been campaigning against the planning application.

Although they don't get a final say on the plans, Parish Councillors will be passing recommendations on to North East Lincolnshire Council.

Spectacular air displays are heading to Cleethorpes as plans for a "Festival of Flight" are revealed.

After months of preparations organisers say they're confident they've put together an airshow programme with the "wow" factor.

It'll take place over the weekend of the 9th and 10th June along the length of the seafront between the Leisure centre and the Pier.

A number of displays have been booked including the RAF Red Devils.

Further details of the event will be revealed at an official launch on Monday. 

Grimsby's MP has held a debate to highlight the lack of social and council housing across the country.

Austin Mitchell says the government must address the issue as thousands of people have been left on waiting lists or are homeless because of a failing system.

Neighbouring MPs Andrew Percy and Martin Vickers also attended the meeting at the commons.

There's a boost for wind power in North East Lincolnshire as one turbine gets the go ahead and another is planned.

A turbine will be sited at a farm in Aylesby after receiving planning permisson.

An application for a medium sized turbine is likely at the Yearsley group on Grimsby Docks.

A new village hall for Great Coates has received planning permission.

The project has drawn criticism from locals because of the costs involved however the village council has decided to press ahead with the scheme.

North East Lincolnshire Council has now passed the plans but it'll be up to the Village Council to decide that happens next.   

A councillor in North East Lincolnshire's calling for more research and data before any new speed restrictions are put into place.

Yesterday it was decided plans to cut speeds on the A180 and enforce twenty mile an hour limits in residential areas should be put on hold.

Further consultations are expected to take place as part of a full scrutiny review.

Philip Jackson's a councillor for Waltham- says there needs to be further consultation.

The 75 year old was last heard from on the 6th March 2011 and there has been no sign of him or his car since.

Despite searches and appeals in locations across the country, there have been no sightings of the pensioner.

His brother John Lee has told Compass FM the family just want answers.

9 out of 10 secondary schools have now converted to academy status in the area.

Now several primaries are either in the process of converting or are already there.

Middlethorpe Primary is about to convert, although it will stay independent rather than take on a sponsor or become part of a "cluster".

New teachers will be trained at a Grimsby area school, after it became a regional centre of excellence.

Healing Academy has launched as a specialist "Teaching School".

It will train up new teachers and work with local schools and education establishments to spot and develop talent.

Investment's being made available in North East Lincolnshire to help first time buyers onto the housing ladder.

The Council's been given Government cash to spend on various schemes like "rent to buy".

It's also hoping to access further Government cash to extend the schemes.

The area has a shortage of affordable housing.

North Cleethorpes has scooped one million pound funding from the Big Lottery Fund.

The money won't be going to the Local Authority though, instead it'll be up to people living in the area to decide how the money is spent.

Only fifty places in the country have been given the money to spend over the next decade.

52 year old Philip Hadley of Humberstone Fitties, was part of a major plot to bring millions of pounds worth of the drug into the country.

The man at the centre of the plan was an inmate at Lowdham Grange Prison in Nottinghamshire, 38 year old Russell Knaggs from Doncaster. He was already serving a 16 year sentence for drug trafficking.

Hadley, Knaggs and another man were all found guilty of conspiracy to import cocaine last week and will be sentenced later at Birmingham Crown Court.

Asdrel was set up to provide help for a small number of youngsters who suffer from autism.

Some staff have been told their contracts may not be renewed.

Council Leader Chris Shaw has pledged Asdrel won't close, athough there may be changes.

Newly formed campaign group The Great Coates Residents Association is unhappy plans for a new village hall are going ahead, despite 2 referendums indicating opposition from a majority of locals.

The cost of the loan will be borne by village taxpayers.

The group are writing to Councillors asking them to resign and stand for re-election.

If that doesn't happen they're looking into how to get the Council disbanded.

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.

A specialist eating disorders unit has opened in Grimsby.

The new centre will include inpatient facilties enabling staff to monitor serious cases "round the clock"

It's the first such unit in North East Lincolnshire.

The number of people coming forward with an eating disorder is rising.

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.

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 council...as figures show the number of children permanently excluded soared last year.

77 pupils were expelled in 2010 to 11 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.

Facebook pages have 4 privacy settings.

That means personal details can be accessed even if one setting is activated.

For Women's Aid it's a major issue because they want to protect the privacy of their clients.

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.

The number of children expelled from schools in North East Lincolnshire has soared in the past year.

There were seventy seven 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.

An ex offender from North East Lincolnshire says his life's been turned around thanks to a new scheme.

The Empower programme aims to equip former criminals with skills to enable them to get a job and move away from a life of crime.

Since being launched 3 months ago 6 such people have learnt key painting and decorating skills.

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.

A Grimsby charity's calling on the government to put their money where their mouth is and support more organisations like themselves.

It follows the news businesses and charities could be eligible for a slice of obe  hundred and twenty six million pounds as part of a new scheme.

It's to act as an incentive to get more teenagers into work, college or training.

Residents in Great Coates say they're angry at plans to build a new village hall, despite many people voting against it.

The village council's decided to go ahead with the proposals which will cost almost three hundred thousand pounds.

Residents voted overwhelming against the proposal as part of a referendum last month.

No one was available to talk from Great Coates Village Council but in a statement they said the decision "was not taken lightly and members believe there's a real need and demand for a village hall."

A funding boost for Grimsby's Citizen Advice Bureau will make the battle against growing demand easier.

Orginally the Council was to cut it's CAB grant by twenty five thousand pounds, but that was reversed at last weeks budget setting meeting.

The service has seen a huge leap in the number of people turning to them for help over the past year.

The cente says the moneys going to be vital.

Several bus services in North East Lincolnshire could be reduced or even axed under cost- cutting measures.

Operator Stagecoach are looking at reducing services as the Bus Service Operators Grant's expected to be cut by 20%.

This means the company will have to pay more for fuel..

Among those at risk of being reduced include the Number 3 from Grimsby to Lincoln and the 51 from Louth to Grimsby.

The crew of HMS Grimsby will this morning take part in a parade in the town.

The Royal Navy mine sweeper is making one its visits to the Town.

Today's Freedom Parade will start off from the Town Hall around 10.30am then proceed to Grimsby Minster where a service of thanksgiving will be held.

Grimsby's MP is calling for more to be to done to curb spending on the UK's defence projects.

It's as a group of politicans have concluded it's actually cost more to cancel expensive defence contracts rather than go through with them.

The Ministry of Defence says it's close to eliminating the £38 billion black hole found in it's books following the 2012 election.

North East Linconshire's seen the highest rise in unemployment for over 6 years.

The numbers claiming job seekers allowance stood at 7,085 for Janary .. a rise of 314.

Thats the highest rise since February 2009.

A man from North Lincolnshire with bi-polar disorder  has set up an online forum to support other parents with mental health problems.

Robert Palmer felt there was no support for people who wanted to talk about the challenges their illness imposes on daily life.

He recently set up the online group called Parents first, which has had world-wide interest.

The revamp of Grimsby's fish market has been described as a one and a half million pound investment which secures its reputation.

The market's been crucial to Grimsby since the decline of local trawlers.

Instead Grimsby now specialises in landing fish and preparing it for selling on.

Martin Boyers Chief Executive of Grimsby Fish Docks Enterprises says the new revamp will mean they can do that more competitively.

Iceland's fisheries Minister Seng Grimmer Sigfooson performed the opening ceremony, he hopes it will bode well for future trade between the two countries.

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 North East Lincolnshire 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.

The majority of main roads appear to be clear across the area.

Stay tuned to Compass FM for all the latest traffic and travel 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.

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.

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.

28%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.

Fire crews say they're concerned about the low number of carbon monoxide detectors in North East Lincolnshire homes after the death of a Cleethorpes woman.

Carbon monoxide poisoning is thought to have caused the death of a woman whose body was found at her Barcroft Street home.

Two people next door were rescued.

High levels of gas were detected.

Vandals have ran amok in Cleethorpes spraying cars and houses with obscene grafitti.

They targeted an area just off Kingsway.

Swear words were sprayed on homes and vehicles in four streets.

They damaged a CCTV camera but police have been able to access pictures of the culprits and are studying them.

A college in North Somercoates is having to increase its security, after being broken into.

16 laptops were stolen from Birbeck School last Monday.

Thieves gained entry after breaking a window.

Cleethorpes RNLI saw the largest number of call outs in recent times during 2011.

Crews launched 62 times with more people actively needing their help following a call out.

It's thought the rise is due to more people taking to the water. 

Freezing temperatures coupled with snow and ice have led to tricky driving conditions across the Compass FM area 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 and Robin Hood airports are operating as normal.

Stay tuned to Compass FM for all the latest traffic and travel information.

It's hoped academy status could help a school which has been put into Special Measures in Grimsby.

The Strand Community School received a disappointing review from OFSTED and are now looking at how they can improve their teaching.

Staff say they were shocked by the rating, as they felt the school had improved since it received a satisfactory grade in 2009.

Six months after piloting a new scheme, Louth's driving test centre's been hailed as a great success.

This time last year it was announced learner drivers would have to go to Skegness to take their tests after the old centre in Louth was forced to close due to funding cuts.

But following approval from the Driving Standards Agency a new office opened in the Leisure Centre as a replacement.

People in Grimsby now have access to two new bus routes which connect the West and East Marsh to the town's centre.

Campaigners have been working with North East Lincolnshire Council  and Stage Coach to secure the service for the past two years.

Over 288 thousand pounds from a European fund has safe-guarded the service for the next 3 years.

It's been empty for twenty years, but volunteers are hoping to secure a rather busier future for Grimsby's Ice Factory...

The Great Grimsby Ice Factory trust have just received a cash boost of three thousand pounds to get redevelopment plans off the ground.

They want to transform the site into a heritage and arts centre...and make the most of the unique machinery and building.

Hospital patients who cross the Humber Bridge for treatment in Hull could be about to have their tolls waived.

The proposal's  been put forward by the Leader of North East Lincolnshire Council as part of a deal on managing the Humber Bridge debt.

The 4 Councils bordering the Humber willl take over running of the bridge in a few weeks.

Councillor Shaw says having spoken to other Councils free crossings for hospital patients is likely to receive support.

The first happened on Weelsby Road just after 7pm on Thursday, when a driver crashed in to a parked car.

4 people suffered minor injuries in a seperate crash on the junction of Peaks Parkway and Welhome Road.

It follows North East Lincolnshire Council's decision last week to review their decision to close the facility following public protest.

Now campaigners have the chance to ask the council leader questions about the centre's future this evening.

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.

A referendum is being held to decide whether plans for a three hundred thousand pound facility should go ahead.

If approved it would mean an increase in taxes for residents to cover the costs.

The issue has divided opinion in the village.

49 year old Andrew Moody from Scunthorpe was reported missing after failing to turn up to work last Thursday.

Police believe the car may have been parked near the lake for some time.

Searches in and around the area were carried out yesterday and will continue today.

Chris Shaw has refused to sign any deal that would see the debt split equally between the 4 councils on both sides of the Humber.

His Conservative counterpart Keith Brookes intially supported the stance.

But he now says the issue is dragging on and is concerned it could mean the Government pulls out of cutting part of the debt.

He's asking for a full council meeting to be called, to discuss the issue,

Shanie Parkin's son was found hanged 12 years ago and she didn't think his subsequent post mortem was handled properly.

Now she has had a meeting with ministers at the Home Office to talk about changes to the way cases like hers are dealt with.

It was built at Trin Youth Centre at a cost of £93,000, but residents complained it overlooked their homes.

North East Lincolnshire Council is currently looking at new locations for the equipment.

Business professionals in North East Lincolnshire are calling on the government to do more to help small businesses...

Around fifty percent of workers in the area are employed by small to medium sized enterprises.

The comments come from a local support group who offer help and guidance to both new and existing businesses.

It's as this week figures showed the UK's economy had shrunk at the end of last year.

It's hoped Grimsby's multimillion pound leisure centre will create a pool of job opportunities in the town...

North East Lincolnshire Council have announced they'll be spending nine million pounds on building new leisure facilities.

Councillors also revealed they'll be looking at using local contractors for the site...

Oil tanker drivers at Immingham Docks are urging management to get back round the table as they today begin a 7 day strike.

The dispute involves those drivers working for haulage firm Wincanton on the Conoco Phillips contract.

They're unhappy about proposed changes to terms and conditions and believe they threaten their job security.

In a statement Wincanton says the picture being painted is inaccurate and misleading and it is working to ensure job security and a continued contract.

There are doubts over whether the latest agreement on guaranteeing the Humber Bridge debt is workable.

Brigg and Goole MP Andrew Percy says he doesn't believe the Government will accept Hull City Council guaranteeing the debt on its own.

North East Lincolnshire Council leader Chris Shaw was only prepared to share the liability based on population.

A grief counsellor in Waltham is encouraging people who have been bereaved to join group sessions.

CRUSE runs an eight week programme for people in Grimsby, Cleethorpes and Louth.

It helps people meet other people who have been through similar losses.

Last week saw unemployment in the area rise to the second highest level over the last five years.

Grimsby's Job Centre Plus has been looking to provide more training and work experience opportunities.

Jo Corney from the Job Centre Plus thinks they need more local employers to get involved in that.

The former Deputy Prime Minister has told a Sunday newspaper he could be interested in the Humberside Police role, when commissioners are elected in November.

He says the phone hacking scandal had made him realise police need more accountability and the new role could be one way to do it.

Parts of 33 year old Adam Vincent's dismembered body were found in waterways across North Lincolnshire last year.

This week, Lee Griffiths and his sons, Thomas and Luke, along with step-son Mark Griffiths, from Scartho, were found guilty of his murder.

Lee Griffiths will now serve 32 years for murder, peverting the course of justice and drugs offences.

His sons were all handed between 26 and 29 years behind bars.

Matthew Frow was found not guilty of murder, but was convicted of GBH and drugs offences and was sentenced to 15 years.

North East Lincolnshire council had refused to sign a deal that would see the debt split equally between the councils either side of the Humber.

Last night the 4 authorities met to thrash out a deal.

Now Hull City council have offered to shoulder 100% of the debt.

In North East Lincolnshire the numbers claiming jobseekers allowance are up by 264, the biggest rise in over 18 months

Lincolnshire saw an increase of 425, Newark and Sherwood rose by 74 and the numbers in North Lincolnshire were up 140.