Nottinghamshire Police are appealing for help in finding a missing man who may have travelled to Lincolnshire.

Andrew Fane was last seen at about 5.30pm on Friday, September 2 near Millbrook Hospital in Sutton in Ashfield.

Officers say Mr Fane, 48, has links with Lincolnshire and may have travelled there.

Police are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.

He is white, about 5ft 8ins tall and of a slim build. He has brown hair in a long Mohican style, shaved at both sides. He also has a goatee beard with a hair tie in it.

He was wearing a bright orange fleece, khaki green trousers, a floral printed top and black croc style shoes. He was also carrying a multi-coloured satchel with tassles on it.

If you have seen Andrew or you know where he might be contact police on 101 with incident 850 of September 2.

Angel was taken aback to see a rough sleeper inside his sleeping bag in the doorway of Lincolnshire Co-op’s travel branch in Spalding over the Bank Holiday weekend.

• Angel thinks Pokemon GO is a good thing – so long as people aren’t walking into busy roads and off cliffs because they are so absorbed in their mobile phones, of course. Angel was interested to see a whole family on the hunt for erm... virtual critters in the churchyard of Spalding’s parish church. Imagine: a whole family enjoying doing something together, out walking instead of crashing in front of the TV and exploring their town!

• Just have a little ‘patience’, no I’m not a massive Take That fan...but I wish some drivers were.

Just the other day when I was driving into Spalding from Donington way – and there was a a rather wide farm-related vehicle (I forget whether it was a tractor and trailer or combine harvester – I’ve seen so many recently they are all paling into one), driving slowly, as you’d expect, and a handful of cars behind.

The car immediately behind said farm vehicle decided they just couldn’t wait for a wider stretch to get past so mounted the footpath on the other side of the road to get by.

I just ‘pray’ the driver doesn’t do anything like it again...

• However, Angel would like to remind farmers to check their load when on the road. I was behind a tractor and trailer which was stacked rather high with hay bales and as it went along a busy main road it managed to hit plenty of the overhanging trees, causing some debris to fly into the path of traffic behind. But then maybe Highways should be contacted to trim back the growth?

• We really need to do something about our drains don’t we? We live in Briatin, so rain should be expected, surely? I know we had a lot over the weekend but I was horrified to see how badly affected some were.

A man who died after a road crash in Cambridgeshire has been named by police as Jake Michael Young (26), of Wignals Gate, Holbeach.

He was driving a Volkswagen which left Puddock Road, Warboys, and crashed into a water-filled ditch at about 5.30pm on August 23.

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed that no one else was in the car at the time of the crash in which no other vehicle was involved.

I am writing to protest in the strongest terms with respect to the possible inclusion of clause 21 in the Bus Services Bill.

As our Minister for Transport, our MP, John Hayes, will be aware that this clause will prevent councils from creating publicly-owned bus companies.

I would also like to express my dismay that there has been little or no discussion in the public domain about clause 21, thereby preventing communities affected by this decision to contribute their views and allow democratic dialogue to take place.

Living in a rural district, I am unable to use public transport to commute to work due to its limited service.

I would welcome any initiatives to set up additional, affordable public transport to meet needs.

Along with the majority of the British public, I believe that our interests are best served if local authorities are devolved of power to organise our local public transport.

Other regions of the UK, such as our neighbour, Nottingham, still run efficient, publicly-owned bus companies.

In my opinion, other councils and their communities, would benefit strongly from adopting Nottingham’s example.

I do recognise that perhaps some regions may benefit from a local franchise due to extremely poor or non-existent bus services, however, I believe that all councils should have the power to establish publicly-owned bus services if they wish to do so.

The financial benefits and effectiveness of publicly-owned transport systems are undeniable and, for that reason, I would urge Mr Hayes to remove clause 21 from the bus services bill.

Georgina Harrison

Spalding

Dog owners in the Deepings and Bourne are being reminded to get their pets microchipped or risk being handed a £500 fine.

A new law came into force across the UK in April making owners responsible for both microchipping and registering their animals’ details on an authorised commercial database, according to the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015.

This can be done at veterinary surgeries in Bourne, Market Deeping and across South Kesteven, or through national dog charities.

It is now illegal for their pets not to be microchipped and Coun Nick Craft, executive member for environment at South Kesteven District Council, said: “Most dog owners already have their pets microchipped but for those who haven’t, it’s easy to arrange with a quick appointment at a vets.

“Some charities even offer discounted chipping so there are options available to ensure, as an owner, you are in line with this year’s change in the law.”

Forget fast cars, earning loads of money or even finding love - schoolchildren aged between five and 16 believe the secret to being a successful grown-up is being “happy”.

A poll by Kellogg’s found nearly 60 per cent of kids in the UK deemed happiness to be the ultimate secret to success – with just 21 per cent ranking getting married and 37 per cent going to university on their to-do list.

Top 10 things kids think you should have nailed before you turn 30

Be happy (47 per cent)

Earn lots of money (43 per cent)

Have an exciting job (41 per cent)

Go to university (32 per cent)

Have done well at school (28 per cent)

Got married (26 per cent)

Have lots of friends (26 per cent)

Travel the world (23 per cent)

Have kids (22 per cent)

Have a pet (10 per cent)

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. V/S means victim surcharge.

Lincoln Magistrates’ Court

August 2

Sophie Bird (34), of Batesmans Close, Gedney. Speeding (Whaplode). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Chantelle Chambers (27), of Bank Side, Wyberton. No insurance (Wyberton). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. NO separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Aaron Connor (27), of Little London, Long Sutton. Speeding (Long Sutton). £245 fine, £24 v/s, 6pts.

Maria Nicula (35), of Roman Bank, Spalding. No insurance (Spalding). £220 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and for not wearing a seat belt.

Alfred Ostler (69), of Rectory Road, Tydd St Mary. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £65 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

Lee Rance (34), of Fen Road, Rippingale. Speeding (Dembleby/Welby). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £40 costs, 3pts.

Richard Seppings (50), of Loddon Road, Broome, Norfolk. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £40 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Alan Tuck (49), of Chequers Close, Grimston, Pott Row, Norfolk. Speeding (Swineshead Bridge). £190 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Levi Twinley (43), of Roper’s Gate, Gedney. Speeding (Long Sutton). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Alex Wise (36), of Meadow Walk, Cowbit. No insurance (Spalding). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

August 3

Michael Connors (40), of Pinfold Lane, Sowerby. Speeding (Whaplode). £265 fine, £27 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Shaun Smith (38), of Hereward Road, Spalding. Assault (Spalding). Six months conditional discharge, £50 compensation, £45 costs. No separate penalty for theft of 6 bars of chocolate worth £2.10 belonging to Lidl (Spalding).

August 4

Dean Cooling (34), of Rosecroft Drive, Nottingham. Used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour (Billingborough). Six months conditional discharge, £20 v/s, £20 costs.

Simon Toms (46), of St Johns Close, Morton. Harassment (Bourne). Community order with 100 hours unpaid work, restraining order, £60 v/s, £85 costs.

Juris Ansons (51), of Windsor Crescent, Boston. Speeding (Sutterton). £170 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Lisa Clarke (33), of Kirkgate, Tydd St Giles. Speeding (Tydd Gote). £215 fine, £21 v/s, £85 costs, 4pts.

Rebecca Flannery (35), of Somersby Close, Lincoln. Speeding (Spalding). £90 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Tracey Kinder (43), of Roman Bank, Holbeach Clough. Driving without due care and attention (Holbeach). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 5pts.

Ruth Laidlow (46), of Boston Road, Sutterton. Failed to give driver ID (Lincoln). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, 6 pots.

Susan Lowe (54), of May Blossom Walk, Spalding. Speeding (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Sasipraphorn Phairueang (19), of Summerson Close, Donington. Speeding (Quadring). £80 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Adam Piergianni (27), of Skye Close, Orton Northgate, Peterborough. Speeding (Whaplode). £180 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

August 5

Elton Strikauskaite (38), of Albion Street, Spalding. Speeding (Sutterton). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

August 8

Simon Bailey (40), of Broadlands Avenue, Bourne. Breach of restraining order (Bourne). Four weeks prison sentence suspended for 12 months, £115 v/s, £85 costs. Criminal damage. £300 compensation.

Clive Lewsey (65), of Town Drove, Quadring. No insurance (Heckington). £210 fine, £21 v/s, £85 costs, 8pts.

Mark Pluijm (49), of Charles Road, Sutton Bridge. Speeding (Long Sutton). £440 fine, £44 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Michael Coyle (37), of Brownlow Crescent, Pinchbeck. Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence (Spalding). £220 fine, £22 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months.

Robert Hiley (46), of Kings Road, Holbeach. Speeding (Shepeau Stow 4.12.15). £115 fine, 3pts. Speeding (Shepeau Stow 11.12.15). £100 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, 3pts.

Edmund Lotcho (51), of Back Lane, Holbeach. Speeding (Great Ponton). £470 fine, £47 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 21 days.

David Markham (40), of Joys Bank, Holbeach St Johns. No insurance (Holbeach St Johns). £406 fine, £41 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

August 9

John Fisher (27), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Speeding (Butterwick). £335 fine, £34 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mikolaj Porazewski (18), of Ingelow Avenue, Boston. No insurance (Kirton). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Lisa Foulston (23), of Harvest Court, Bourne. Failed to stop after an accident (Bourne). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 12 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and no insurance.

Gail Murphy (46), of Horseshoe Lane, Kirton. No insurance (Boston). £660 fine, £66 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 18 months. No separate penalty for no MOT.

John Fisher (27), of Hardwick Estate, Kirton. Speeding (Butterwick). £335 fine, £34 v/s, £85 costs, 6pts.

Mikolaj Porazewski (18), of Ingelow Avenue, Boston. No insurance (Kirton). £200 fine, £20 v/s, £85 costs, disqualified from driving for 6 months. No separate penalty for driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

Before the local councils

South Holland 
District Council

I Cummings, 75 High Street, Gosberton. Replacement windows to rear.

Bakkavor, Sluice Road, Holbeach St Marks. Extension to pizza manufacturing facility.

Mr and Mrs Thorpe, land off Worlds End Road, Tydd St Mary. Residential development.

J C Property Developments, former Baptist Church, Gedney Hill. Modification of condition to allow amendments to previously approved plans for change of use mto three bed dwelling with off road parking.

G Hornsby, 3 Park Close, Spalding. Works to TPO.

A Werbinski, Risegate Farm, Gosberton. Conversion of barns into dwelling, including new garage workshop and sleeping accommodation; demolish stable and garage.

Mr Bowater and Mrs Chilvers, 77 Woodgate Rod, Moulton Chapel. Two semi-detached dwellings.

H Clark, Eaugate Road, Moulton Chapel. Residential development.

Hampsons Car Hire, Bervor Close, Pinchbeck. Signage.

Hills Department Store, 5-6 Bridge Street, Spalding. Tile stall riser on shop front.

A Boileau, Owls Watch, March Road, Gedney Drove End. Works to TPO.

A Norman, 4 Winfrey Close, Long Sutton. Garage extension.

J Halifax, 4 Ash Close, Spalding. Garage extension.

B Fursse, Tsunami, Church Way, Tydd St Mary. Extension.

Aldi Foodstore, Winsover Road, Spalding. Demolish three retail units and construct extension to existing Aldi store, uplift in car parking and store improvements.

S E King Building Contractors, adj 217 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge. Residential development amendment to change roof from gable to hip.

S E King Building Contractors, adj 217 Bridge Road, Sutton Bridge. Details of external materials.

M Wilding, Crawford House, Thorney Road, Crowland. Repair and alterations to dwelling, including one storey extension to create two-bed accommodation and conversion of stables into flat.

D Wilcock, Willoughby Lodge, 200B Fleet Road, Fleet. Works to TPO.

R K Wilson Builders, 37-39 Little London, Long Sutton. Pair two-bed semi-detached houses and terrace of two two-bed houses and a three-bed house.

M and C Senior, Uppercuts, 33 Red Lion Street, Spalding. Change of use of first floor living accommodation to commercial and replacement of first floor window and signage.

Mr and Mrs Booth, adj 18 Woods Lane, Surfleet. Details of brick, design and position of external boxes etc, and means of foul and surface water disposal.

Mr and Mrs Williams, Lavender Farm, Drove Road, Shepeau Stow. Extension and alterations amendments to porch and roof.

Boston Borough Council

Bramley, former Phoenix Poultry Farm, Swineshead Road, Wyberton. Residential development for 25 dwellings including 6 affordable homes, access, layout and landscaping.

Johns, land adj Watersmeade, Beck Bank, Knights Bridge, Kirton Holme. Two storey dwelling.

Brackenbury, plot 2, land adj Watersmeade, Beck Bank, Knights Bridge, Kirton Holme. Two storey dwelling.

R M Capps Ltd, Steyning Farm, Steyning Lane, Swineshead. Steel frame cladded building for storage of farm machinery.

Belcher, 19 Tytton Lane West, Wyberton. Extensions.

Bakkavor is recruiting for 40 full-time roles at its Meals, Soups and Sauces factory in Spalding.

Vacancies at the site include cooking operatives, filling operatives, spice room operatives and roles within dispatch and hygiene. The roles involve both day and night shifts.

Werner Bezuidenhout, head of HR at the UK’s leading manufacturer of fresh prepared foods, said: “This is an exciting period for our business. The diverse range of roles we have available provides people in the local area with a great opportunity to work in the fast moving and exciting fresh prepared foods industry.

“We are looking for people with a can-do attitude to join our friendly team across day and night shifts with a range of skills and experience.”

To apply for any of the roles or see a current list of all the open vacancies, visit the Bakkavor website.

Drinkers made the most of the last Ripping-Ale Beer Festival nearly emptying all the barrels.

The event, which ran from Friday evening until Sunday, was the 16th annual event and the last after Gail and Andrew Hyland, who are the helm of the event, decided it was to be their last.

Sadly no-one came forward to take on the popular event, which raises funds for good causes - so villagers made sure the event went out with a bang.

And they weren’t going to let a little rain on Saturday spoil their fun.

Gail said it was the best event she had experienced in her seven years of being involved - despite the downpour.

She said: “It was an absolutely amazing weekend and it went so much better than we thought with the weather. We were expecting hurricanes and although there was a steady downpour, once people were inside the tents they didn’t want to leave.

“Saturday night’s band Stark absolutely brought the house down and on Sunday, we were nearly all out of beer which is unheard of.”

Hard-working caterer Laura kept people well-fed with burgers. hot dogs and bacon baps. She even agreed to donate her proceeds.

This year, funds will be split between Lives First Responders and Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire Air Amublance.

A small portion will also go to a local good cause.

It is hoped the event will have raised more than £1,500 - to add to the £15,000 raised over the years.

Gail added: “It’s sad that this year will be the last but we went out with a bang. It really was a great weekend.”

Hundreds of sympathy messages have poured in from around the world following the death of Romany Museum founder Gordon Boswell.

As reported in the Spalding Guardian, Mr Boswell died aged 76 from a heart attack at his home on August 27.

It will be a very public farewell for a man who touched so many lives and Mr Boswell’s family have invited all who knew him to join them on the day to pay their respects.

His funeral service will take place at Spalding’s St Mary and St Nicolas Church at 1.30pm on Tuesday, September 13.

The service will be followed by interment at Cowbit Church – which will be family only to start with, although people who want to pay their respects there can wait at the wall and file in when the family have left.

Finally there will be refreshments for all who want to attend at Springfields Events Centre, expected to start between 3.30pm-4pm.

Daughter Lenda said: “He touched so many people’s lives and we want to welcome everybody who knew him to be able to pay their respects.

“He was known far and wide, was my dad, all over the world.”

The family has been inundated with messages, too many to count, and they are seeing the truth of the family saying that he was a man with “a small foot who left a giant footprint”.

Cowbit has always been the Boswell family’s church but the family have decided to have the service at Spalding Parish Church because it will hold more people and it’s expected many, many people will attend.

Fittingly, the man who loved horses will be taken to St Mary and St Nicolas by a horse drawn hearse and by a horse drawn carriage to his final resting place.

Mr Boswell, who was born in an area of Spalding known as Pigeon End, leaves family including wife Margaret, daughters Lenda and Louise, a son Gordon, ten grandchildren and 17-great grandchildren.

He travelled widely but returned to Spalding in the late 1950s and helped his father Sylvester in running a scrap yard.

Mr Boswell eventually turned the scrap yard into a museum dedicated to the culture and traditions of the Romany people.

His proudest moments came when he was made president of Spalding Rotary Club and when he went to America and was made a Kentucky Colonel.

South Holland and the Deepings MP John Hayes is among those paying tribute to Mr Boswell.

The MP said: “I knew Gordon Boswell and his family, as so many others did, over many years. He was a highly, well respected member of our community, a man of great character, style and decency, and I know his familiar face will be missed.”

Previously ...

Warm tributes paid to ‘Colonel’ Gordon Boswell of Spalding

They know how Victory over Japan day was celebrated in Long Sutton in 1945.

A man brought beer on to the front of the Crown & Woolpack in a two gallon bucket to help the celebrations along.

After the beer, some of the local residents rode around the town on the fire engine, which was travelling about looking for ceremonial bonfires to extinguish.

The Crown & Woolpack still exists in the town, one of just four pubs now, whereas in the 1920s and 1930s there were 20 or more.

The heritage of those pubs and the part they played in the town has been preserved in a booklet just produced by Long Sutton & District Civic Society.

Going by the title A Pictorial Journey Through Long Sutton Past, Volume Two – Inns & Pubs, it contains fascinating nuggets of information and stories about Long Sutton’s pubs.

For instance, there is the one about the two horses used to pull the Bull Hotel’s ‘bus’.

The horses were also used to tow the town’s fire engine and, in the event of a fire, the church bells would be rung to warn the firemen. The tenant of the Bull Tap, the ostler or stableman at an inn, would then release the horses, slap their rumps and they made their own way to the fire station, the ostler running behind as he also served as a fireman.

Most of the information was gleaned from notes written by Ken Barker, the former tenant of one of the town’s lost pubs, the Spread Eagle – his grandfather was landlord of the Bull Tap in around 1913.

Ken, who is no longer with us, was born in Long Sutton in 1928 and took over the Spread Eagle from his father in 1962.

He became interested in the history of his town and its pubs, and started to record it for others to enjoy.

His notes were transcribed by Civic Society treasurer Carole Hearle and, together with information plundered from the society’s archives, now form the basis of the book.

The book is to be launched at the Market House in Long Sutton on Saturday (10am-4pm) as part of the Market House Photography group’s Heritage Weekend.

It is available for £10 from the Market House, or from Gedney’s Newsagents or Parkway Hardware in town.

Long Sutton & District Civic Society’s new publication on Inns & Pubs gives information on the many public houses that once existed in the town.

Readers will probably be more familiar with the pubs that still exist – Palmers, The Granary, the Crown & Woolpack and The Olde Ship – but the booklet contains a walking tour with maps for those who want to discover the sites of the former drinking houses. In some cases, the building is still there, whereas others have been razed. The books contains some before and after pictures too.

As to why there were so many pubs, civic society chairman Tim Machin suggests that a visit to the pub was one of the few forms of entertainment once open to people – and beer was probably safer to drink than water.

Celebrations for thousands of A-level and GCSE students with outstanding exam results this summer should be over in South Holland, Bourne, the Deepings, Baston and Kirton.

At least 12 secondary schools, grammar, independent and non-selective, had reasons to cheer on consecutive Thursdays in August when two years of hard work, long hours and late nights paid dividends for 16, 17 and 18-year-olds at what was their own moments of truth.

But each and everyone of those students know how big a role their teachers played in helping them to exam success this summer.

The Inspirational Teacher of the Year (Secondary) Award, sponsored by Duncan and Toplis Chartered Accountants and Business Advisers, Pinchbeck, is the perfect way to recognise one outstanding teacher who has inspired their students to have a love of learning and a desire to pursue excellence this year.

Alistair Main, senior manager at Duncan and Toplis, Pinchbeck, said: “We can all remember the impact of a great teacher from our school days and so we want to celebrate the care, time, commitment and talent that teachers in this area put into making learning fun and inspirational for our children.

“The Inspirational Teacher of the Year (Secondary) Award is for an outstanding teacher in this area who can bring a subject to life for the students and sow the seed for future careers and interests.”

Such gifting, along with the ability giving students the skills and enthusiasm they need to make a positive difference in the world, applies to Michael Smith, head of geography at The Deepings School and Inspirational Teacher of the Year (Secondary) 2015.

After he received the award, Mr Smith said: “There’s nothing better than seeing young people share my passion for geography.

“I feel very privileged to have been nominated but the colleagues working around me are my inspiration.”

To nominate a teacher for the award, request a nomination form by emailing spaldingeditor@jpress.co.uk

Shoppers could soon be getting more for their money as supermarkets gear up for the latest instalment of a raging price war in the sector.

Analysts expect Asda to be the next major player to pull the trigger following Morrisons’ announcement of its latest round of cost cuts on Sunday, with selected meat and poultry prices slashed by 12 per cent.

The move marks Morrisons’ second post-Brexit price reduction after cutting prices on more than 1,000 products by an average of 18 per cent at the start of August.

It has prompted speculation over a fresh price war between major supermarkets Morrisons, Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and discount grocers Lidl and Aldi.

“The next in line to cut prices significantly will be Asda,” Nicla Di Palma, an equity analyst at wealth manager Brewin Dolphin, said.

“They have been a big market share loser in the past 18 months and Walmart, the parent company, have deep pockets and will want to invest in prices,” Ms Di Palma added.

Asda’s market share was last calculated at around 15.5 per cent, compared to Morrisons at 10.5 per cent, Sainsbury at 16 per cent and Tesco around 28 per cent, according to Kantar Worldpanel.

The grocer’s new CEO, Sean Clarke, may embark on a “sophisticated strategy” involving a “big refresh” of existing stores and products - but cost cuts will be a faster-acting cure, Ms Di Palma said.

Asda last month reported its worst quarterly performance on record, posing a 7.5 per cent fall in like-for-like sales in the second quarter.

Clive Black, retail analyst at Shore Capital, agreed that Asda and Tesco are likely next to drop prices. However, he stressed that cuts alone will not win over British shoppers.

He noted that Morrisons boss David Potts has “delivered a revolution” over the past year, in part by focusing on a package of improvements beyond price tags.

“If Morrisons’ strategy was just about price, it wouldn’t have made the progress it has over the last 12 months,” Mr Black said, pointing to the company’s focus on merchandise, advertising, marketing and the overall shopping experience.

However, a weaker pound could ultimately push up costs in the months ahead. Sterling has fallen about 11 per cent against the US dollar since the EU referendum, and more than 9 per cent against the euro.

The weaker pound will raise the cost of food imports, which will hurt the already-low profit margins of the UK’s major grocers.

“It would be natural to expect the supermarkets to try to pass on those to consumers as the operating margins are already thin and the supermarkets can’t really afford to make even less money, or even lose money,” Ms Di Palma said.

“It is worth noting that Morrison’s ‘Price Crunch’ is for a minimum of three months’, according to Morrison’s release. Hence, Morrisons has some leeway to increase prices if input costs rise,” she said.

Morrisons is set to report second quarter earnings on September 19.

An 87-year-old woman from Sleaford who was taken to hospital with ‘serious injuries’ following a single vehicle collision on the A17 at Swineshead last night (Monday) has died.

A Lincolnshire Police spokesman confirmed the driver of a silver Honda Jazz, who was taken to Pilgrim Hospital, following the incident at 2.35pm, had later died.

The road re-opened at about 7.10pm.

It has previously been reported that there were no passengers in the vehicle and that police are looking for anyone with information about the crash to come forward.

Tel: the collision witness appeal line 01522 558855 quoting incident 258 of September 5.

Monday, 5.38pm - The driver of a vehicle involved in a single vehicle collision on the A17 at Swineshead has been taken to Pilgrim Hospital, in Boston, with serious injuries.

A police spokesman confirmed that the incident involved a silver Honda Jazz driven by a local woman who has received ‘serious injuries’

They said there were no passengers in the vehicle.

A statement from the force said: “Collision Investigators are working at the scene and the vehicle will be recovered before the road can be re-opened.

“We expect to be able to lift the diversions and open the A17 around 7.15pm this evening.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the collision witness appeal line 01522 558855

Monday, 4.27pm - The A17 has been closed at Swineshead due to a serious crash.

Police said they were called to the A17 at Swineshead around 2.35pm today (Monday) where a single vehicle has come off the road.

Emergency services are at the scene and expect the road to be closed for approximately three hours, until 5.30pm.

Police are asking drivers to avoid the area and take a different route where possible.

Diversions are being put in place.

Further updates to follow.

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By MP John Hayes

It’s been 70 years since the National Health Service Act paved the way for Britain’s first comprehensive state-run healthcare system, funded from general taxation and free to all, regardless of means. Over the decades since, those guiding principles define what we think about, and what we expect from, healthcare.

Though some aspects have changed since the NHS was set up in 1948 -charges for dental services and prescriptions, for example- the health service today remains largely true to its immediate post-war incarnation. The population it serves, however, has changed fundamentally over that time, with people typically living much longer, more comfortable lives. The types of conditions that require treatment have changed too, partly because of continuing medical advances.

In 1946 men were expected to live until the age of 66, women until they were 70. Today’s life expectancy for both sexes has risen by 14 years. This welcome change also poses huge challenges for the NHS; people living longer need more care and support, and with the trend likely to continue in years to come, every Government will face the challenge of meeting growing demands with limited resources.

To meet changing needs we must continue to spend more on health. So, I’m proud that this Government is increasing spending by £10 billion a year, money which will allow the NHS to offer 800,000 more operations!

When the NHS was founded its annual expenditure was £437 million – equivalent to £15 billion in today’s money. Last year alone over £100 billion was spent on the NHS, but to do justice to all who need the NHS and all who pay for it in taxes we must look more closely at value for money too; finding ways to ensure that every pound we spend goes further. In future years we won’t be able to avoid the debate about what services and treatments the NHS should or shouldn’t provide, and we will have to get tougher still on those who abuse the system, especially through health tourism and broken appointments.

Here in rural South Lincolnshire it’s critical that services don’t become remote and inaccessible to many people. Our doctor’s surgeries and hospitals must remain locally available, and to that end I’ve been in close touch with the health authorities in our area to ensure that resources are distributed according to local need, including at Boston’s Pilgrim Hospital and, even closer to home, at Spalding’s new Johnson Hospital.

Centralising services always appears good in theory to those most distant from its effect in practice, but, for me, it’s what’s local that counts most.

I know personally how much this matters because my family and I use our local NHS doctors and hospitals. For all of us who rely on the health service it’s vital that we not only protect services, but strengthen them for the challenges ahead.

A Lincolnshire NHS Trust responsible for mental health, learning disability and social care has announced it is currently experiencing problems with its phone lines in the Sleaford area where it is based, with a handful of services unable to make or receive external calls.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust has said the number for patient enquiries and queries - the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is currently affected.

Service users, family members, or carers who need to get in touch are asked to email: pals@lpft.nhs.uk so that a member of staff can call them back using a mobile phone.

The Willows, which is the Sleaford base for the steps2change talking therapies service is also experiencing problems. Service users needing to call are being asked to use the alternative number of 07766 360545.

For Neuropsychology services patients are being asked to call 07790 360337.

For all other Trust headquarter services including the main switchboard, Mental Health Act and legal teams, subject access requests and APM bookings email: info@lpft.nhs.uk or phone 01529 222200 and the call will be diverted to the Single Point of Access Centre, where staff will take a message so the appropriate person can call back.

The Trust apologises for any inconvenience and is actively working with BT to resolve the issue as soon as possible, says a spokesman. Further updates will be posted on the Trust website www.lpft.nhs.uk.

It’s that time again.

Global technology company Apple has just unveiled its new iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.

Apple CEO Tim Cook took to the stage today (6pm UK time) in San Francisco to reveal the ‘best iPhone we have created.’

Here’s some of the main features of the iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus:

Apple will get rid of the headphone jack and have wireless headphones, called Apple Airpods, which can also be used to make calls.

The iPhone 7 will also be water and dust resistant.

It will come in two black colours- gloss and matt, and also silver and gold and rose gold. The display is 25 per cent brighter.

The iPhone 7 has a 4.7 inch screen and the iPhone 7 plus has a 5.5-inch display.

Longer battery life - should last 1 -2 hours more than iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.

Even more storage and will be available in 32GB, 128GB or 256GB.

Improved camera with 12 megapixels which can take multiple photos which can be fused together, and the audio has been updated with stereo speakers.

The front camera has been upgraded to 7MP.

The iPhone 7 Plus will have a two 12MP cameras which will offer better zoom range,

Prices start from £599. The iPhone 7 and the iPhone 7 Plus can be ordered on September 9 and will start shipping on September 16.

Picture: Getty

A head-on collision between a lorry and a van has closed a significant stretch of the A17 in Lincolnshire this afternoon, Wednesday September 7.

The accident has taken place on Washway Road and blocked the A17 between the A16 Station Road and Manor House Road at Holbeach Bank.

Traffic diversions mean the A151 around Moulton is also much busier than normal.

One eye witness told the Free Press it appeared to be between a Dynorod van and a lorry. The van had also hit a crash barrier.

The A17 is no longer closed.

More here as we have it...