Teenager George Bellars is reaching for the sky to help the air ambulance heroes who saved his life.

George almost drowned after his mum’s a car plunged into a drain when he was eight years old and has so far raised more than £2,600 for Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Ambulance.

Last year George (15) walked 25 miles from Rutland Water to his home in Meadowgate Lane, Spalding, but his feet won’t be on the floor for long in his latest venture, a tandem sky dive at Sibson Airfield.

George will do the jump on September 29 – after turning 16 on August 7.

He said: “I am trying to do a fundraising event every year. I have always wanted to do a sky dive so I thought I might as well help a charity while I am having fun.”

The Bourne Academy School pupil says he’s more nervous about opening his GSCE results than jumping out of a plane.

He aims to start his A-levels in September at the academy, where his elder brother Harry (17) is also studying.

George says his mum Jo and dad Nigel are “a bit nervous” about his sky dive, but he’s “quite excited” by the prospect.

A councillor has called for the entire board of a trust that runs Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital to resign in the wake of a critical report into high death rates.

The Government placed United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust (ULHT) in “special measures” after the publication of a review conducted by NHS England’s medical director Sir Bruce Keogh.

United Lincolnshire Hospital Trust (ULHT) is one of 11 trusts facing special measures.

Fourteen were investigated as part of the review.

External teams will be sent in, further inspections will take place and the trust will be partnered with another “high performing trust”.

Christine Talbot, of the county’s health scrutiny committee, said the board must “take responsibility” for problems at United Lincolnshire Hospitals trust.

Coun Talbot said: “I think it is time for them (the board) to consider their position... somebody has to take responsibility for this… it has happened on their watch.”

Figures released ahead of the report suggested ULHT as a whole had 1,531 deaths above the “expected mortality ratio” between 2006 and 2012.

However, ULHT describes being put in special measures as an “opportunity to continue our journey of improvement”.

The trust has committed to spending £7million this year and next on about 200 additional nurses.

Jane Lewington, the trust’s chief executive, said: “We have always seen the review as an opportunity to continue our journey of improvement.

“It has helped to ensure that our efforts are targeting the changes that will make the most impact on patient care.”

Interim director of nursing Eiri Jones said: “Historically, it has been difficult to fill all our vacancies. We also want to say to doctors and nurses in this country – come and work with us and help to make a difference.”

Pupils of a Spalding primary school were set new heights when a climbing wall was loaned to them for a day. 


Staff from Sir John Gleed School took their wall to St Paul’s School, where pupils normally used to playing on flat Fenland were encouraged to climb it as part of the outdoors and adventure curriculum. 
Heather Beeken, headteacher, said: “We are really grateful to Sir John Gleed School. The children had a great time.” 
Pictured is Oliwia Borkowska.

More than nine out of ten planning applications submitted to South Holland District Council have been granted so far this year.

The council says the high rate can be attributed to its pro-active and positive approach to development, which includes its development team holding pre-application discussions on all potential development proposals.

Paul Jackson, planning manager, said: “Following the receipt of planning applications, we are negotiating wherever possible to ensure that applicants achieve a positive result whilst at the same time ensuring we continue to seek positive amendments to applications in order to mitigate any potential negative impacts on residents and to ensure good quality sustainable developments.”

This is reflected with figures of 93 per cent of all applications being granted so far in 2013.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones, the council’s portfolio holder for planning, said: “South Holland has been working hard to encourage and support those wishing to invest in our district.

“In support of this, we offer potential applicants access to a pre-application consultation group, which is made up of councillors with planning experience.

This group allows potential applicants to gain an early insight into issues that could be of concern to residents, or the wider community.

“The early involvement of those best placed to understand the communities they represent, can significantly reduce the time taken to determine a major application.”

Harvest began over a week ago at Vine House Farm at Deeping St Nicholas.

Farmer Nicholas Watts says his combine was going a week last Saturday in a crop of organically grown stubble turnips.

He said: “Stubble turnips are drilled straight after harvest into the stubble for sheep or cows to eat during late autumn or winter.

“I have grown them so that other organic growers can sow them for their animals to eat. It was one of only two crops in the country.”

Lincolnshire Police will struggle to cope with any more cuts, according to the body that inspects the nation’s police forces.

In a report published today, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), said the county will be left with a ‘very thin blue line’ by 2015, with 106 fewer police officers in the county already.

The report looks at how the force is coping with cuts imposed since the Government’s spending review in 2010.

It says our force has ‘responded very well’ but is a small force that has already gone through significant change and has ‘extremely limited room for manoeuvre’ to save more money.

West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire are the other four forces predicted to struggle to be able to make more cuts.

It found:

*the force needed to save £19.8 million between March 2011 and March 2015. It has so far planned cuts of £18.3 million but still has £1.5 million to find

*the force plans to close this gap through using its reserves - something HMIC states is a concern

*the savings needed are 16 per cent of the overall budget - which is ‘broadly in line’ with others but tough for Lincolnshire because it was already one of the worst funded

*the force has 106 fewer officers - nine per cent below that of March 2010

*the report states: “By March 2015 it is planned there will be 1,100 police officers keeping the people of Lincolnshire safe. This is a very thin ‘blue line’.”

*by 2015 there will be 657 fewer police staff in total - many of those transferring to G4S

*PCSO numbers are to stay the same - and volunteers are planned to increase to 1,000 by April 2016

The report also looks at how the cuts and the way police have dealt with them have impacted on the public.

It says crime (excluding fraud) fell by 16 per cent – well above the national average. Victim satisfaction is also said to be high at 83.9 per cent.

HM Inspector of Constabulary for the Eastern Region, Zoë Billingham, said: “Lincolnshire Police faces a difficult challenge. It has the lowest cost of policing per head of population in England and Wales and has taken more decisive steps than most forces in order to close its funding gap.

“Over the last year the chief officer team has been subject to significant change and uncertainty. HMIC is concerned that this could be de-stabilising for the organisation at a time when further substantial financial challenges are expected.

“Due to outsourcing significant business and operational support areas Lincolnshire now has far fewer opportunities to make non-staff savings compared to other forces. It may soon struggle to identify where further savings can come from with little option but to cut frontline police officer numbers further.

“HMIC therefore has concerns about the ability of the force to maintain its current level of service to the communities of Lincolnshire when faced with further significant budget reductions from 2015/16 onwards.

“HMIC will continue to monitor the force for the remainder of the spending review period.”

The full report for Lincolnshire Police can be found at www.hmic.gov.uk

An elderly ‘bedridden’ woman died two days after a mysterious fall at Abbey Court Care Home in Bourne.

Janet Baker (80), formerly of Long Sutton, was found on the floor between her wardrobe and bed by nurse Sheryl Manzon at 5.15am on October 29 last year.

Bruising triggered an abdominal bleed which contributed to her death along with other health conditions, including “extreme wasting” and heart and lung problems.

The frail pensioner, who suffered from dementia and a condition making her liable to bruise, weighed around 4 stones – and lost around two stones since her admission in December 2011.

Elizabeth Baker said her mother-in-law wasn’t able to reposition herself in bed and relied on staff to move her.

“In my mother-in-law’s case, I really don’t believe she had the muscle power to get herself out of bed and hadn’t had for some time,” Mrs Baker said.

On the day she died, “a nurse called Sheryl” rang at 1.30am and her opening remark was: “I need the telephone number of your undertaker.”

Mrs Baker visited the pensioner on October 27, phoned the next day and heard she was “fine”, but said she wasn’t told she had deteriorated.

Coroner Professor Robert Forrest recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: “There is no evidence whatsoever that the actual care at the nursing home contributed to Mrs Baker’s death.”

After Tuesday’s hearing, Elizabeth Baker said she accepted the verdict, but remains “mystified as to how she got out of bed”.

Families had a big party in the sunshine when the PTA held their summer fete at Monkshouse Primary School in Spalding.

Youngsters put their craft skills to the test by painting their own “creepy crawly pebbles”, with all the pebbles donated by Baytree Garden Centre at Weston, and had a visit from county police and fire services.

The school has been running a talent competition and some young performers sang and danced on the field.

PTA secretary Georgina Clarke said: “Some of the boys did some rap songs.”

The event raised £1,700, which will go to the school. SG130713-124NG

Five-year-olds in South Holland could soon be tackling fractions and computer algorithms when a more stretching national curriculum is introduced.

The Government has announced the changes to catch up with the world’s best education systems – and Lincolnshire County Council is already looking at how it can support schools in our district to introduce it.

The re-written national curriculum sets out the framework for what children in England’s state schools should be taught between the ages of five and 14.

Academies – which are now a majority of secondary schools – will not be required to follow the curriculum, but one in Gosberton is already ahead of the game.

Gosberton Academy’s pioneering Maths Makes Sense programme introduces fractions to five-year-olds in a fun way and has already won the school an award for its innovative teaching.

Headteacher Bruce Johnson: “Our year one pupils do advance calculations. We are certainly seeing results.”

Keith Batty, assistant director for children’s services, said: “We are looking at what is proposed so we can support schools in Lincolnshire to get the best out of the new curriculum for the benefit of children and young people.

“Obviously there will be some significant changes and we will work with schools to ensure they are well prepared for the future.”

The beach was transported a few miles inland when school leavers at Peele Community College in Long Sutton held their prom.

More than 100 students made a grand entrance for the big party in a marquee at the Long Sutton school, arriving in weird and wacky transport from a military tank to a trailer driven jet ski and from a mobility scooter to a Cinderella coach drawn by two magnificent white horses.

There was also a collection of classic vehicles and stretch limos making for the school gates – along with a balloon decorated wheelbarrow, in which student Jay Nyang hitched a ride with the help of Ashley Davison, who provided the manpower.

Scores of proud mums and dads, brothers and sisters watched the arrivals before the students partied the night away to a live band and disco.

The beach theme incorporated a bouncy castle, surf machine, an ice cream van – and the seaside’s favourite dish, cones of chips.

Headteacher Simon Gilman said: “We have been doing this for the last ten to 12 years and it’s a big celebration of students finishing their time at Peele and moving to pastures new.

“It’s the last chance for the students to get together before they leave and come back in August for their GCSE results.

“It was a fantastic evening.

“We have always thought that the prom at the Peele is something that should be part of the town community so we have always held the prom on the Peele grounds.”

An angry homeowner has accused Cowbit Parish Council of letting down residents over plans to build a bungalow near their homes.

Mark Brooks (43), of Vicarage Close, said he may have to move if plans for a new bungalow in Stonegate go ahead because he claimed it would spoil the view from his garden.

A planning application from Paul Fox for the bungalow to be built near an existing property is with South Holland District Council, despite it turning down two previous applications for a similar development.

But Mr Brooks is angry with the parish council 
for choosing not to comment on the application, although 
it has asked to see revised plans so it can reconsider its position.

Mr Brooks said: “The bungalow would run right across the back of my garden and it’s an absolute joke.

“It would be OK if Mr Fox was going to knock down the bungalow that’s already there and build a new one, but instead he’s seen a bit of land next to it and wants to put up another development.

“I feel the parish council hasn’t considered the views of residents by not making any comment or objections which is very strange and very wrong.

“This is one person’s gain for other residents’ pain and it’s getting to the stage where I might have to move.”

The Guardian contacted Mr Fox’s agents, Remway Design Ltd, of Spalding, for a comment but they declined.

The following decisions have been made by magistrates at court hearings. In all drink-drive cases the legal limit is 35 microgrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of breath, 80 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood or 107 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of urine. Addresses of defendants published here are taken from the legal records held by the magistrates’ courts. The details are given to the court by the defendant – but this may be some time after the original charge and they may have moved in the meantime.

Spalding Magistrates’ Court – July 11

Matthew Bird (22), of Meadowgate, Bourne. Criminal damage to window valued at £888 belonging to Stephen Knipe and Co. 12 months conditional discharge, £728 compensation, £15 victim surcharge.

Benjamin Jenkins (29), of High Street, Holbeach. Assault and two counts of criminal damage. Community order made with requirement to participate in Building Better Relationships and restraining order made.

Grantham Magistrates’ Court – July 8

Joanne Ratcliffe (38), of Cradge Bank, Spalding. No TV licence. £100 fine, £20 v/s.

Sadie Reeve (29), of Allenbys Chase, Sutton Bridge. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Lisa Robinson (29), of Holbeach Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £90 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Maria Abreu (64), of Medlock Crescent, Spalding. No TV licence. £85 fine, £20 v/s, £50 costs.

David Andrew (41), of Porthouse Drive, Pinchbeck. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Hayley Brooke (30), of Pilgrims Way, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Zametia Czerska (37), of Canterbury Close, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Debbie Gedney (49), of Millsons Close, Donington. No TV licence. £400 fine, £40 v/s, £90 costs.

Sandra Jansauskaite (23), of Royce Road, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Agnezka Obodzinka (34), of Saltern Drive, Spalding. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Wayne Orton (38), of Edinburgh Drive, Kirton. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Louise Parr (32), of High Green, Swineshead. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Johnathan Wagstaff (18), of Roundlands, Algarkirk. No TV licence. £200 fine, £20 v/s, £90 costs.

Ilona Gos (32), of Roman Bank, Spalding. No TV licence. £235 fine, £24 v/s, £60 costs.

Jemma Grooby (26), of Monarchs Road, Sutterton. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £60 costs.

Rachel Himsworth (35), of Blows Lane, Sutterton. No TV licence. £35 fine, £20 v/s.

July 9

Carlos Lancas (48), of Palin Drive, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Richard Petham (42), of Moons Green, Moulton. Failing to stop for red traffic light (Boston). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Stephan Wigg (56), of Churchgate Road, Cheshunt. No insurance (Cowbit). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Nigel Burridge (54), of Dozens Bank, West Pinchbeck. Driving while using a mobile phone (Spalding). £45 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Steven Diver (50), of Rosehip Road, Morton. Driving while using a mobile phone (Morton). £85 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Samantha Hodnett (39),of Jekils Bank, Holbeach St Johns. No insurance (Holbeach). £400 fine, £40 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Christian Jackson (31), of Senwick Drive, Wellingborough. Speeding (Crowland). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Stanley Kilbon (43). No insurance (Spalding). £600 fine, £60 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with licence.

Rimantas Kulboka (26), of Langley Mews, Kirton. Failing to produce licence (Kirton). £50 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Richard Marritt (56), of Washway Road, Saracens Head. Driving without due care and attention (Fosdyke Bridge). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Shamal Asaad (27), of Church Street, Spalding. Driving with no seat belt. £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs.

Claire Cainey (25), of Filby Road, Swaffham. Speeding (Swineshead). £60 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Edward McCafferty (25), of Townfield Lane, Swineshead. No insurance (Swineshead). £110 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Julia Patrick (31), of Carrington Road, Moulton Seas End. Speeding (Deeping St James). £35 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Christopher Rudd (38), of Spalding Common, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £127 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Aaron Sopps (19), of Bakery Court, Crowland. Speeding (Crowland). £325 fine, £32 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mark Wright (43), of Eleys Lane, Algarkirk. Speeding (Crowland). £240 find, £24 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Boston Magistrates Court – July 8

Steven Turner (39), of Boston Road, Kirton. Producing cannabis (Kirton). £120 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, cannabis plants and paraphernalia to be forfeited and destroyed.

Mark George (49), of Oak Court, Spalding. Speeding (Middle Rasen). £200 find, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

New figures show Lincolnshire Police are continuing to bring crime down in the county, but remain well underfunded by central government.

Quarterly data released by Police and Crime Commissioner Alan Hardwick and Chief Constable Neil Rhodes, which include a drop in burglary of nearly a quarter, have been welcomed as ‘positive’.

Despite a two per cent overall drop in crime, data also released today by the force shows spending on policing per head of population in Lincolnshire is the lowest in England at just £154 per head.

Mr Hardwick said: “This report underlines once again that the Government’s funding formula for policing is not equitable.

“It positively discriminates against Lincolnshire.”

“Yet again, I want to pay tribute to the Chief Constable, his officers and staff on their hard work.

“In Lincolnshire, we police with pride and it’s that pride in public service that delivers these positive results.”

Figures for the period of April to June 2013 showed anti-social behaviour incidents in Lincolnshire dropped by 22 per cent compared to the same period in 2012, while violence against the person fell 20.6 per cent.

Robbery and vehicle crime are also both down while the first quarter of the year also saw a fall of 18 per cent in the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.

But these impressive statistics came in the face of low funding.

According to the crime commissioner’s office, if Lincolnshire’s funding per head of population was commensurate with the contribution made by local people, i.e. top quartile, a further £27 million would be available for policing in Lincolnshire.

And if Lincolnshire’s spend per head of population were only at the average for English forces this would imply an additional £17.5million.

The commissioner said: ”It cannot be right that not only does spending on policing vary so widely across the country, but also that in some areas such as Lincolnshire, local taxpayers shoulder a much greater burden through the council tax for the cost of policing.

“If everyone spent the same as we do in Lincolnshire, the police service in England would cost around £1 billion less.”

The commissioner praised the force’s use of private involvement which includes security firm G4S running many “back office services” in order to make savings.

“The service needs to deliver the right services, efficiently and effectively and taxpayers need to feel they are getting a fair deal,” said Mr Hardwick.

“Many of HMIC’s conclusions about the work we have been doing in Lincolnshire are superficial and in some cases inaccurate.

“They fail to see that our strategic partnership with the private sector provides us not only with greater flexibility than we would have without it, but also greater capacity to transform how we do business to the benefit of our community.

“It also concerns me that there is an incessant focus on cuts and doom-mongering.

“What I’m interested in is getting the best out of every pound we have to spend.”

Chief Constable Neil Rhodes said Lincolnshire Police had “stepped up to meet the current challenges and will continue to do so”.

Lincolnshire Police will struggle to cope with more cuts, according to the body that inspects the nation’s police forces.

In a report published last week, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC), said the county will be left with a “very thin blue line” by 2015, with 106 fewer police officers in the county already.

The report looks at how the force is coping with cuts imposed since the Government’s spending review in 2010.

It says our force has “responded very well” but is a small force that has already gone through significant change and has “extremely limited room for manoeuvre” to save more money.

West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire are the other four forces predicted to struggle to be able to make more cuts.

It found:

l the force needed to save £19.8 million between March 2011 and March 2015. It has so far planned cuts of £18.3 million but still has £1.5 million to find

l the force plans to close the gap using reserves – something HMIC says is a concern

l the savings needed are 16 per cent of the overall budget – which is “broadly in line” with others but tough for Lincolnshire because it was already one of the worst funded

l the force has 106 fewer officers – nine per cent below that of March 2010

l the report states: “By March 2015 it is planned there will be 1,100 police officers keeping the people of Lincolnshire safe. This is a very thin ‘blue line’.”

l by 2015 there will be 657 fewer police staff in total – many of those transferring to G4S

l PCSO numbers will stay the same and volunteers will increase to 1,000 by April 2016

The report also looks at how the cuts have impacted on the public.

It says crime (excluding fraud) fell by 16 per cent – well above the national average. Victim satisfaction is also said to be high at 83.9 per cent.

HM Inspector of Constabulary for the Eastern Region, Zoë Billingham, said: “HMIC has concerns about the ability of the force to maintain its current level of service to the communities of Lincolnshire when faced with further significant budget reductions from 2015/16 onwards.

“HMIC will continue to monitor the force for the remainder of the spending review period.”

The full report can be found at www.hmic.gov.uk

A man’s racist outburst in a kebab shop led magistrates to impose a six-month restraining order to prevent him from going into the premises or contacting the owner.

Gary Eyre (47), of King Street, Sutton Bridge, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence when he appeared at Spalding Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.

Eyre was fined £185 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Noel Philo, prosecuting, said the owner of The Family Kebab shop, Mustafa Egilmez, was in his premises in Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge, on April 14 when Eyre came in.

Eyre made reference to three different nationalities – using swear words to say what he thought of them – and threatened to break a window in the shop and in a car.

Mr Philo said Mr Egilmez was upset by the words used and by the racial element.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Eyre maintained he made no threats to break any windows, but accepted his behaviour was disorderly.

He said there was some discussion between Eyre and the kebab shop owners about them sending him texts, which Eyre didn’t want them to do.

“Clearly the kebab shop have a database and they send reminders to customers on offers in the shop,” said Mr Alexander.

Mr Alexander said Eyre says he is not a racist but accepts racist words may have come out in the heat of the argument.

The solicitor said: “He stands back today and says ‘I am not racist, but I do accept that my behaviour was wrong and my language was peppered with swear words. My language was also peppered with racist comments that I had no intention of making, but perhaps in the heat of the argument they did come out’.”

Mr Alexander questioned the need for a restraining order as Eyre has no intention of going back to the shop.

A man accused of 12 charges of being concerned in the acquisition, retention, use or control of criminal property will be tried at Lincoln Crown Court.

Tomas Janusaitis (23), of Juniper Crescent, Spalding, appeared before town magistrates on Thursday.

Magistrates sent him to the crown court for trial with a plea and case management due to be heard there on November 14.

Janusaitis, who entered no pleas, was given unconditional bail.

All of the charges relate to the period between August 1 last year and January 31 this year.

Two men appeared in court accused of public order and offensive weapon charges.

Ashley McAlister (26), of Clarkson Avenue, Cowbit, is accused of using threatening behaviour and carrying an offensive weapon, a wooden pole, in Clarkson Avenue on May 31.

Shane Smith (34), also of Clarkson Avenue, is accused of threatening behaviour and carrying an offensive weapon, a car jack handle, in the same place on the same date.

Spalding magistrates on Thursday adjourned the hearing to August 8 and extended the men’s bail.

A man using alcohol as a prop to cope with the loss of his dad was caught by police when he was over the drink-drive limit.

Phillip Hixon (42) was stopped by police in New Road, Spalding, on June 29.

Jim Clare, prosecuting, said the officer smelled intoxicants and Hixon failed a roadside breath test.

A test at the police station revealed 55 microgrammes of alcohol in breath – 20 over the legal limit.

Solicitor Mike Alexander, mitigating, said Hixon was not working because of ill health.

He said Hixon had suffered depression following the death of his father on May 31.

“He accepts for quite some time now he has been using alcohol as a crotch to try and help him with the loss,” Mr Alexander said. “Tragedy has struck him and he has not taken it in the best way and he’s ended up in a criminal court having drink-driven.”

Hixon, of The Brambles, Holbeach, was banned from driving for a year, fined £110 and must pay £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Spalding magistrates are allowing him to cut three months off the ban if he attends a drink-drive rehabilitation course.

Hixon pleaded guilty to the offence.

A woman has denied stealing a mobile phone and Lloyds TSB card.

Spalding magistrates on Thursday adjourned the case involving Maria Pridmore (33), of Hall Lane, Moulton Seas End, to November 14 for a trial.

The search is on for the next generation of manufacturing, technical and development apprentices.

Bakkavor Group, which has factories in Spalding, Bourne, Holbeach St Marks and Sutton Bridge, is looking to attract school leavers or those starting new careers who want hands-on experience in a dynamic food manufacturing environment.

Successful applicants will be paid above the recommended weekly wage for apprentices during their two-year apprenticeship and work towards a qualification in food industry skills.

Vocational training is provided at the University of Lincoln’s Holbeach campus.

Apprentices will be involved in the process of developing new products and learn the different manufacturing stages of food production, and ensuring all food standards are met.

Pippa Greensdale, group HR director, said: “Our advanced apprenticeships hold an exciting opportunity to become involved in large scale food manufacturing and new product development.

“There is a real sense of pride from our apprentices knowing that it is due to their work that food on the consumers’ plates in not only safe, but of first class quality to eat.”

To apply go to http://www.bakkavor.com/careers/graduates-and-apprentices/apprenticeships.aspx