Motoring in Britain can be one of life’s great pleasures. From the wide skies of Lincolnshire to the mountains of the Lake District; whether by car or motorcycle, there are few things more agreeable than the joy of exploring our blessed plot.

But for too long, too often driving has been like a trip to the dentist – a necessary endurance.

Potholes, seemingly endless miles of road works, and traffic jams have limited or eliminated enjoyment.

Congestion on Britain’s motorways and A-roads (collectively known as the Strategic Road Network) is estimated to cost the economy over £2 billion each year, not including the cost of appointments missed, family gatherings abandoned and uneaten cold dinners, all familiar to regular road travellers locally in Lincolnshire and beyond.

As our population grows over the coming years, if we do nothing, delays and their miserable effect will become even worse.

The problems with our road network have developed for two principle reasons. First, there have been decades of under investment; between 1970 and 2010 traffic on our major roads tripled while investment more than halved!

Secondly, the money that was made available was often misdirected or spent inefficiently. These difficulties have been compounded by investment stopping and starting more often than a tube train on the circle line. Brief periods of plenty followed by years of financial famine encouraged short-termism and one-off projects, rather than prioritising a long-term approach to the whole network.

Most drivers who have encountered a dual carriageway that suddenly ends at its busiest point will recognise the result of what I describe.

As the nation’s new Minister for Roads across the United Kingdom, I am determined that the failure to plan ahead, resource sufficiently, and maintain consistency must end.

I want all who those who use Britain’s major roads and motorways to enjoy much more reliable, safe and joyful journeys.

That’s why I have made a gear change in investment; the Government has committed to invest £24 billion on the road network by 2021, which will see spending tripled to £3 billion each year on England’s key highways and motorways, including resurfacing of 80% of these roads.

This should mean a much better road network; road works will be completed quicker, traffic flowing more smoothly more often and fewer damaging potholes to avoid; inspiring confidence in travellers and restoring the joy of motoring.

Giving a tablet to a cat can be daunting for anyone, if you are calm and appear confident it is often much easier than you first think.

Make sure you ask your vet so that you know whether the tablet can be divided or crushed and whether it can be administered with food.

Have a confident approach and keep calm at all times. If you run into difficulties or cannot manage, always contact your vet or vet nurse at your local practice – they are there to help.

Make sure you:

• Have everything you need prepared and ready in advance.

• Be gentle with your cat, keep calm, and avoid putting yourself at risk.

• If possible, always have a second person (preferably someone your cat knows) to help if you are going to administer the tablet rather than put it in with food.

Always try firstly giving the tablet with food. First ensure that the tablet can be given with food. ­ Some tablets should always be given with food:

• Make sure your cat is hungry! Take all food away for six hours (or overnight) to make sure your cat will want to eat when the tablet is due.

• Some tablets are made specifically to be palatable to cats and you can try just feeding these tablets to your cat as a treat. However, often cats will not eat a tablet voluntarily on its own because (even if designed to be palatable) the flavour or texture may be unfamiliar to them.

• If the tablet is small, your cat may take it hidden in a small amount of a favourite food, such as soft cat food (or jelly from cat food) that your cat really likes, soft cheese, a small piece of soft meat or fish, or even butter (BUT a tiny amount only please)

• Make sure the tablet is completely in just a small amount of food that you offer to your cat.

• You can offer the food in the cat’s normal bowl or from your fingers ­ as you prefer – ALWAYS wash your hands after handling medication.

• If your cat eats the food, check to make sure it has also eaten the tablet and not left it behind or spat it out, then feed them the rest of their meal.

• Some cats are clever at finding the tablet buried in food and spitting it out, or just eating the food around the tablet. If it is safe (check with your vet or the instructions that came with the tablets) you may be able to crush the tablet and mix it thoroughly in a small amount of very tasty food. This works best with palatable tablets, and with a strong-flavoured tasty treat that your cat really loves (such as some tinned fish in oil). A pill-crusher may help to crush the tablet thoroughly

Administering a tablet by hand:

If your cat will not take the tablet voluntarily or in with food, you will need to give the tablet by hand. Gentle, safe restraint of your cat is important, and it’s always easier with two people – one person to give the tablet and one to hold the cat.

Restraining your cat with your hands or wrapped in a towel:

• Make sure your cat is on a stable non-­slippery surface such as the floor; otherwise a firm table or work surface with a non-slip surface

• Allow your cat to sit upright, in front of you, but facing away from you.

• Gently hold each front leg above the elbow with your hands pressed gently against the sides of your cat. This helps to prevent your cat running off, keeps your cat sitting upright, and controls the front legs, paws and claws.

• Having restrained your cat now with one of the above methods, again it’s much easier with two people. The one giving the tablet needs to hold the tablet between the thumb and forefinger in one hand.

• Place the other hand on the top of your cat’s head (it is best to approach the cat from the side rather than from above – this is less threatening for your cat).

• The head should be gently but firmly held between the thumb and fingers, with your thumb and forefinger extending downwards to either side of the jaw at the corner of the mouth.

• Gently tilt the head upwards, and use the middle finger of the hand holding the tablet to pull the lower jaw down and open the mouth.

• Keep the head tilted up and quickly place or drop the tablet as far back on your cat’s tongue as you can. Aim for the centre of the tongue as far back as you can see – the further back the tablet goes the harder it is for your cat to do anything other than swallow it!

• Hold the jaw closed for a few seconds and wait for your cat to swallow. Gently rubbing the throat under the chin may help. If your cat licks his lips or nose, you know he has swallowed.

• Sometimes your cat may not swallow the tablet on the first attempt and may spit it out. So long as your cat does not become distressed, you can try repeating the procedure. Always try to get the tablet as far back on the tongue as possible.

You can also us a ‘pill­giver’ (available from your vet):

• This is a little like a syringe with a plastic plunger and rubber tip. The tablet will fit in the soft nozzle at the end of the pill­giver, and it is released by pushing down on the plunger (practise this before using it with your cat). A pill­giver can help you administer the tablet right at the back of your cat’s tongue while avoiding any need to place your fingers in your cat’s mouth.

Further education and skills provider Steadfast Training gives students the opportunity to continue learning via apprenticeships and vocational qualifications.

Based at Welland House, Spalding, the company was established in 2005 by managing director Jason Parnell to make a difference in the community and help students who have been unable to secure a university place via traditional methods.

The nationally accredited firm now employs around 40 people.

Speaking of students who may not have achieved the grades they desired, Mr Parnell said: “There is always options, one disappointment doesn’t mean you can’t or won’t succeed in life. Every cloud has a silver lining, there’s always an opportunity out there if you look.”

Steadfast Training provides young people with an alternate avenue in to university or employment through apprenticeships in various subjects such as business administration, social media and customer service to name a few.

Recruitment and training advisor for Steadfast Training, Denise Sheed said: “We place probably 150 people a month which is fantastic.

“We’re going to be doing a presentation for one of our apprentices that came from Spalding Grammar School that has got a local job and he’s our 500th apprentice we’ve put in to work.”

The company was recently awarded its grade two by the independent regulator Ofsted, which indicates a good standard of practice.

Mrs Sheed said: “This has opened up a whole new road for us and we now plan to go in to traineeships, which is where we can link in with Lincolnshire County Council’s career advice team.”

Working with employers and learners not only throughout the East Midlands but across the East of England and Greater London areas, the training provider continues to go from strength to strength.

Sheed said: “We’ve just won a million pound contract to support people who have gone in to work with more training, so as a company, we’re doing extremely well.”

For information contact Denise Sheeds on 01733 440854 or visit www.steadfasttraining.co.uk/home.asp

Primary school children in reception, year one and year two will get free school lunches from September.

Free primary school meals was one of the recommendations of a review of school food by two founders of the Leon restaurant chain for the Department for Education.

It concluded that packed lunches were nearly always less nutritious than a cooked meal, and that giving all children free lunches would raise academic standards.

In fact, The School Food Plan website claims that just 1 per cent of packed lunches meet the nutritional standards that currently apply to school food.

It reads: “Many parents mistakenly imagine that a packed lunch is the healthiest option. In fact, it is far easier to get the necessary nutrients into a cooked meal – even one of mediocre quality. Only 1 per cent of packed lunches meet the nutritional standards that currently apply to school food.

“This country faces a serious health crisis caused by bad diet. Almost 20 per cent of children are already obese by the time they leave primary school at 11. Diet-related illnesses are putting a huge strain on the nation’s coffers – costing the NHS £10billion every year. We need to tackle the problem now, before the costs (both personal and financial) become too heavy to bear.

“Many studies have shown that hunger affects concentration, and that well-nourished children fare better at school. The government has agreed to allocate money to help schools in the poorest areas establish breakfast clubs. And it has promised to look at extending free school meal entitlement, to ensure that the children of the so-called ‘working poor’ do not go hungry at lunch.”

However, the site suggests: “It means cooking food that is both appetising and nutritious; making the dining hall a welcoming place; keeping queues down; allowing children to eat with their friends; getting them interested in cooking and growing.

“The only person with the power to orchestrate all this is the head teacher. They need support from their governors and leadership team, but if the head isn’t behind changing the food culture in a school, it won’t happen.

“The vast majority of head teachers already believe that good food is vital to children’s health and academic achievement, and to the broader life of the school. But many feel they lack the knowledge and experience to improve their food culture. So this plan is aimed primarily at giving head teachers the practical support, advice and information they need.

“Good food provision in schools has been shown to lead not only to healthier children, but to improved attainment.”

More than 600 people voted for a public inquiry on planned wood-fuelled and gas-fired power stations in Sutton Bridge.

A local referendum, known as a parish poll, was held in the village yesterday (Wednesday).

Some 614 people voted for both plans to be decided at a public inquiry so all issues, including potential threats to health, can be examined.

Seven people who voted were against a public inquiry and there were two spoilt papers.

Turnout was 17.7 per cent.

Parish councillor and campaigner Jenny Rowe said it was “a good number of people to request a public inquiry”.

• Full story in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

Spalding High School’s GCSE students achieved a 98 per cent A*-C pass rate – almost a staggering 30 per cent above the national figure.

Overall, the school’s results were a little down on previous years, but headmistress Michele Anderson said schools had been warned to expect “variability” by the exam regulator, Ofqual.

Some 96 per cent of the school’s students achieved the Government’s benchmark basics measure of five A*-C passes, including English and maths.

Forty-two per cent of all grades were A*-A and 75 per cent of all grades were A*-B.

The top scholar out of 20 outstanding performances was Amy Tall, who was celebrating ten A*s and an A.

Mrs Anderson said: “These GCSE results remain a testament to the very high standards set at the school and to the hard work of both students and staff, supported by parents and governors.”

• Keep checking out www.spaldingtoday.co.uk for more GCSE news – and there will be full reports from all of our schools in a 16-page special supplement in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

Stars of Sir John Gleed School in Spalding were shining bright today, with several students bucking the national GCSE trend and achieving As in English.

Ellie Doubleday (16) of Spalding was one of the high achievers - with 10A*, 3Bs and 3Cs. Now she has her sights set on college and university and a career in performing arts.

She said: “I’ve been very nervous, but I’m very excited now. The last two years with the new course has been very hard. I never thought I’d do so well, but I’m really happy.”

Nationally, this year’s results show a slight rise in A* to C grades, but a sharp fall in English grades. The tougher syllabus without the inclusion of course work was always going to be challenging for the school which is fighting its way out of special measures.

But today the focus was on success and the hard work teachers and students had done to achieve the best results they could.

Headteacher Will Scott, in the school foyer to welcome the nervous students, was especially emotional. He said: “Today is a great day for our kids. Many of our students did extremely well and achieved what they hoped they would get.

“However, we are hugely disappointed for some of the students in Year 11 who have worked so hard over the last two years because many of them have missed out on a C grade by just one or two marks, especially in English.

“We were alerted by Ofqual to expect turbulence in results at school level and it looks as though we are one of the many schools that has seen a negative impact following the many changes to the exam specifications that were introduced this year.

“We will obviously need to analyse the pattern of these results carefully before deciding what, if any, action we need to take as a school in the light of the emerging picture from across the region and the country.

“But there is a lot for our teachers and students to be proud of and we will be celebrating with them.”

High achievers include:

Joshua Baldwin(Headboy) – 4xA*/ 1xA/ 2xB/5xC

Sophie Rodgers (Headgirl) – 7xA*/ 3xA/ 3XB

Ellie Doubleday – 10A*/3B/3C

Raith Else – 4A*/1A/4B/2C

Alicia Gornall – 4A*/ 1A/ 4B/2C

Owen Halsey – 4A*/ 3A/2B/5C

Mollie Howitt – 8A*/ 1A/1B

Robert Hulley – 3A/ 4B/ 1C

Rebecca Loveridge – 4A*/ 3A/ 3B

Joshua Robinson Greem – 1A*/ 3A/6B

The Thomas Cowley High School at Donington is once again celebrating good GCSE results.

Fifty-one per cent of students gained ten or more GCSE passes at grades A* to C. Among them were some outstanding students, such as Macaulay Ealham, who achieved ten GCSE passes at A* and a further four at grade A.

Torie Morrisey clocked up an astonishing 18 GCSEs at grades A* to C and other students excelled.

Headteacher Martyn Taylor said: “The students performed extremely well across the whole year group.”

Full results and more stories in Tuesday’s Lincolnshire Free Press.

Spalding Grammar School is celebrating after surpassing last year’s GCSE results and posting some of the best grades in its history.

A number of subjects performed extremely well with the school achieving a 91 per cent pass rate for GCSE grades A* to C.

Headteacher Nigel Ryan was delighted with the performance of his pupils and said they should be proud of their efforts throughout the year.

He said: “It has gone very well, the students and the staff can be very pleased with their performances.

“Overall results are on the up from where they were last year, with some subjects performing incredibly well, such as maths which is the best we’ve ever had.”

There have been a number of personal successes among students at Middlecott School at Kirton.

Headteacher Julia Polley picked out a number of young people for praise, and said: “For our kids, these results are outstanding. I’m really pleased.”

Among the boys who did well was Connor Lonsdale, who achieved 100 per cent pass rate at grades A* to C.

The school has seen an overall rise in grades across all subjects, with “good performances” in French, which increased its A* to C pass rate by 25 per cent, history by 42 per cent and science by 25 per cent.

Julia added: “As ever, we are delighted with the BTEC results with 100 per cent of students across all subjects achieving higher grade passes.”

The Earl of Yarborough, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, was in Holbeach yesterday for visits to hospital residents and O A Taylor Bulbs, the UK’s leading supplier of flowering bulbs to garden centres, nurseries and supermarkets.

Lord Yarborough was shown around the hospital by Dr Bharat Khetani, chairman of Holbeach and East Elloe Hospital Trust, the trust’s treasurer Karl Ellerbroek, and manager Loraine Wigston.

Mr Ellerbroek said: “Apparently he (Lord Yarborough) is trying to get to know a little bit more about the south of the county. We are a bit of a forgotten corner – especially Holbeach – because we are so close to the border with Norfolk.

“We gave Lord Yarborough the full tour and he showed a great deal of interest in what we are doing at the hospital and he was quite interested in our proposals for the future. We are looking to develop a dementia unit in the not too distant future.”

Lord Yarborough met flower bulb company directors Roger Taylor, Adam Taylor and Sam Taylor.

Roger said: “He spoke to a lot of members of staff and expressed quite a lot of interest in what we are doing.

“He was delighted to hear not only that we supply nationally but also export as well.”

• The office of High Sheriff is of great antiquity and importance in England and Wales. Originally it was the High Sheriff’s job to prepare for assizes (periodic court hearings), including arranging accommodation for judges. Today the role is regarded as having social and symbolic importance.

“Superb” was the reaction of Donington’s Thomas Cowley High School deputy headteacher Ian Dawson to this year’s GCSE results.

In the face of changing rules, more than half of this year’s 131 students sitting the exam achieved five grades at A* to C, including English and Maths, and there was a 100 per cent pass rate.

Mr Dawson explained that the way grades are calculated has been changed by the government, so where previously a BTEC diploma could have been counted as the equivalent of four GCSEs – and in fact is still worth that to the student – it now counts as just one GCSE.

In addition, the school also suffered from the government’s new ‘first entry’ rule, which means students’ first attempt at the exam counts, rather than re-sits.

Despite the setbacks, headteacher Martyn Taylor said: “The Thomas Cowley High School can yet again celebrate its GCSE performance. Sixty-six per cent of students gained a C or above in Mathematics and 60 per cent of students gained a C or above in English. It’s a terrific result.

“The students performed extremely well across the whole year group.” olme, gaining 18 GCSEs at grades A* to C.

There were highlights, with one student, Torie Morrissey of Kirton H olme, achieving 18 GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Torie, who said she was “thrilled”, admits she has been working hard in order to move across to Spalding High School to study sociology, biology, health and social and psychology at A-level.

Macaulay Ealham, of Donington, gained ten GCSEs at A* and four at grade A. Macaulay – the first student in the school to achieve ten A*s – said: “I am elated. I tried hard, but I didn’t think it had gone quite to plan. It’s down to good teachers, like Miss Jesson.”

He’s joining the 6th form at Boston High School to study maths, businss, economics and English at A-level.

There were many more relieved and happy students, including Sam Smith, of Northorpe, who was “over the moon” with 15 passes at grades A* to C; Connor Hollyoake, of Donington, who was “pleased and surprised” with his 14.5 GCSEs; Ellen Richardson, of Fosdyke, who got 9 GCSEs; Katie Fear, of Sutterton and Saffron Barlow, of Gosberton, who both achieved eight.

MP John Hayes is hosting his annual charity cricket match on Sunday at the Moulton Harrox Sports Field.

The two teams – the Lords & Commons XI and the Moulton Harrox Irregulars – will be competing once again for the John Hayes Moulton Harrox Trophy.

Last year’s charity match and hog roast attracted over 150 guests.

The money raised at this year’s event will be donated to chosen good causes including Headway, the charity which supports people with brain injuries.

Mr Hayes said: “Last year’s annual charity cricket match was a great success.

“Over the years we have supported local organisations like Lincolnshire First Responders, Moulton Mill and the Moulton Harrox Junior Cricket Academy.

“The Cricket match and hog roast is a great day out for all the family.

“Please come along and join us on the day.”

Tickets for the hog roast and celebrations are still available for only £12.50 for adults (15 years and over), £5 for children (over five) and under five’s free.

To obtain or reserve tickets, call Mr Hayes’ constituency office on 01775 711534.

“For our kids, these results are outstanding,” says Middlecott School Kirton headteacher Julia Polley.

Results showed an overall rise across all subjects with good performances in French, in which the A* to C pass rate increased by 25 per cent, history by 42 per cent and science by 25 per cent.

Julia said: “As ever, we are delighted with the BTEC results, with 100 per cent of students across all subjects achieving higher grade passes.

“Sixty-three per cent of students who sat English Language GCSE achieved higher grade passes and 72 per cent of students who sat Higher Tier Maths also achieved A* to C.

“The school continues to move forward, which was confirmed by our recent Ofsted visit, which stated we are making progress, and we look forward to further improvements being made as we move towards Academy status in the New Year.”

Julia says the school was placed in special measures by Ofsted in October, but that the inspection organisation is happy with the progress now being made.

She admitted she was disappointed by some results, English in particular, while all other subjects areas had improved by ten per cent.

Julia said: “That’s what I asked staff to do so we are going in the right direction and we have some new staff joining us in September, particularly in English.”

The conversion to academy status on January 1, 2015 – part of the David Ross Academy Trust – would bring its own benefits, she said.

These included being able to work with a range of schools, help and support with recruitment, as well as the financial implications and wider student opportunities.

There were personal successes for a number of students, including Demi Weir, who achieved one A*, an A, four Bs and three Cs; Sara Aifa, an A, a B and eight Cs; Jess Baxter, six As and three Bs; Cassie Doughty, six As and two Bs; Katie Simmons, one A*, three As, four Bs and one C; James Lee, A*, two Bs and six Cs; Matthew McIntee, A*, four Bs and three Cs; Matthew Snow, two Bs and seven Cs; Connor Lonsdale A, four Bs and four Cs and Callum Lawson, four Bs and five Cs.

The Peele Community College is “delighted” with the successes of its students in Year 11.

The students at the college achieved good results, with 55 per cent of students achieving five GCSEs at A* to C grade.

Results in maths and science were particularly strong at the college, with a pass rate of 71 per cent in maths and 62 per cent in science, which is an improvement of over 18 per cent from last year’s results.

Simon Gilman, headteacher at the college, said: “Students, parents, carers and staff at the college need to be congratulated for all of the dedication, teamwork and commitment that has gone into achieving these excellent results.

“We all wish them every success in their future college, training, apprenticeship and employment placements.”

Students who did very well with their results were Jade Walton, who achieved 14 passes, 11 of which were A* to A grade.

Molly Day Coombes also achieved 13 GCSE passes, with ten of those at A* - A grade.

Bethany Cook was very happy with her results, most of which were at C grade.

She said: “I’m really pleased with my results because this means that I can go and do the course I wanted to at Kings Lynn college.

“I want to do Health and Social care and hope to go on to work with disabled children.”

Brad Wright was also happy with his results which mean that he will now be able to study motorvehicles at college.

Brad said: “I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Peele and am now looking forward to going to Wisbech college.

“I really want to work as a mechanic in a garage one day and, hopefully, this will get me there.”

Jason Quant, son of Carolyn Quant, of Holbeach St Marks, and the late Martin Quant, graduated with an Upper Second Class BA Honours degree in early childhood studies from Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln in July.

He was educated locally and took time to travel before entering his career path into teaching.

Jason returns to Bishop Grosseteste University to complete his final year starting a Primary School PGCE with the goal of becoming a primary school teacher.

University Academy Holbeach students and teachers were “thrilled” at this year’s results for GCSEs.

There were “massive improvements” in the pass rate for maths at the school, with 74 per cent of the students passing the subject.

And some 68 per cent of the students achieved A* to C grades.

There were also improvements in pass rates for biology, physics and chemistry.

Steve Baragwanath, headteacher at University Academy Holbeach, said: “I am absolutely delighted with the results – everyone has done really well.

“I’m very pleased with our students and teachers who worked so hard to get here.

“We have had 48 per cent of students passing English and maths this year.

“We’re really pleased that the overall pass rate for maths has improved too.

“I’m thrilled that the students have performed this well, especially as there have been so many changes to the GCSEs this year.

“Despite the changes to coursework and the exams themselves, the students have done excellently and we are all very proud of them all, here at the school.”

Nicole Hayes achieved great results for her work, including four at A* and plans on continuing to study at University Academy Holbeach.

Nicole said: “I want to be a maths and physical education teacher, so I want to carry on with that and, hopefully, head off to Loughborough University which is one of the best for maths and PE.”

Nicole’s mother, Judy, was almost in tears when reading through her daughter’s results.

She said: “I could cry for her.

“She’s worked so, so hard for these and it just shows how if you put the work in you can really go somewhere and do something with your life – these results are so important – this is where it all begins.

“Nicole will be really happy to stay here with the teachers who have supported her so much during her GCSEs.”

Another top achiever at the school was David Shire from Fleet, who gained eleven GCSEs at A* to B grades and one distinction in IT.

David said: “I’m really, really happy with my results.

“I worked really hard and I think that is the key to getting good results.

“I’m now going to the High School in Spalding to study maths, biology, chemistry and physics.

“I want to then go off to university and study anything to do with science as that’s what I really enjoy.

“My ultimate goal for the future now is to work in science and earn lots of money while doing it.”

Complacency is one of the biggest threats to investors.

When economic data improves and the world markets feel more buoyant, it is very easy to simply file the annual pension or investment statements away and forget about them.

However, more than 80 per cent of funds in the Investment Management Association (IMA) Global sector have failed to beat the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) World Index over the past three years, according to research by Financial Express (FE) Trustnet.

These funds have a wide appeal among investors as they offer diversification away from the UK.

But data suggests that the vast majority of them are unable to add value to their benchmarks.

Of the 228 IMA Global funds with a long enough track record, 197 have fallen short of the 63 per cent return of the MSCI World Index over three years.

The index is the natural benchmark for the sector, rather like the FTSE All Share is for IMA UK Equity Income.

The inability for funds to beat the benchmark is illustrated by the performance of the IMA Global sector average versus the Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) World and MSCI World.

So far in 2014, only 11 per cent are ahead of the two indices even though global economic growth has boomed over the past decade.

The stock market gains from the MSCI World index have beaten the FTSE All Share over both three and five-year measures. Investors keen to get exposure to higher growth areas and also diversify away from typically popular funds has led to an increase in popularity in global funds.

Investors know that markets rise and fall and you could get back less than you invested so the need for regular reviews is paramount to maximise the good times and minimise losses in tougher periods.

Families needing advice on preparing for funerals can get help from a Long Sutton business holding a series of open days this week.

Funeral directors F.E. Walton and Son in Market Place will be open between today and Friday, from 10am until 4pm, for people to learn about its Dignity Funeral Plan.

Visitors will be given a £100 discount voucher for the plan which is aimed at helping families to save towards any funerals they may need to plan.

Funeral director Derek O’Sullivan said: “More and more people are pre-arranging their funerals these days and they often buy a funeral plan to make sure their loved ones can avoid making difficult decisions about their funeral arrangements.

“Other people buy a Guaranteed Funeral Plan from us so that they know their funeral is paid for at today’s prices, regardless of how far in the future the services takes place.

“This means that in these times of financial uncertainty, their loved ones are saved from paying for the funeral.”

Shoppers will soon be able to stay for longer, for less, at The Deeping Centre where a new parking system is being introduced.

Owners of the Market Deeping retail site are to merge the short and long stay car parks, allowing owners NewRiver Retail to bring in a three-hour maximum stay free parking system.

NewRiver hope the change “in the near future“ will bring more shoppers to the centre on a more regular basis, as well as making it safer for both visitors and traders.

A NewRiver spokesman said: “We have noticed that many people are not adhering to the two-hour maximum parking rule and leaving their vehicles in the car park for a whole day, often to catch the park-and-ride bus service to Peterborough.

“We want to encourage more people to stay in the town centre and ‘shop local’.

“But to do this, we need to make sure there are a sufficient number of parking spaces at The Deeping Centre on a more regular basis.”

NewRiver is also introducing a new vehicle registration system to monitor vehicles going in and out of the car park, as well as car park patrols to prevent any abuse of disabled parking spaces.”