Lincolnshire: Latest news and coronavirus updates

You can expect light rain showers and a fresh breeze if you're heading out for a walk tonight.

Find your local weather forecast here.

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Staff working at some coronavirus vaccination and testing sites in Lincolnshire have been subjected to abusive and threatening language in recent weeks, according to the NHS.

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In a statement, NHS Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) statement said: "We want to be very clear abuse of any kind is unacceptable and will not be tolerated".

"Please remember the roll out of the Covid vaccination is only possible thanks to the sheer hard work and dedication of our amazing teams running the various sites around the county, whether they be at our testing or vaccination sites, or our GP practices and hospitals.

"Please be kind to them," it added.

The CCG said it would "follow-up any and all incidences of abuse" and take appropriate action with the police.

With local elections in May, councils in Lincolnshire say if people don’t want to vote in person, they can register for a postal or proxy vote.

However, authorities add they are working hard to ensure robust Covid safety measures are in place at polling stations:

The sister of a man living in supported accommodation in Lincolnshire has said it is "not fair" his family is unable to see him despite the lifting of a ban on visits to care homes.

Kate HabelCopyright: Kate Habel

Kate Habel cannot visit her brother, who has Down's syndrome, as he shares his living space with other people.

Also, rapid lateral flow tests for visitors are not available in supported accommodation. The government said the tests are only provided in "high risk settings".

Ms Habel said her brother Paul Burgin was finding lockdown "really difficult" without visitors and said that care providers "should all be treated the same".

"Adults with learning disabilities, they need continuation, they need to be able to see people and they're just the same as the people in the care homes, they're still in a care setting and it's just not fair," she said.

Under the new rules introduced on Monday, care home residents in England will be allowed one regular visitor. They are able to meet indoors and hold hands - but visitors must wear PPE and be tested beforehand.

Tom Harrison from the charity which runs the accommodation in Lincolnshire where Mr Burgin lives said the government had "prioritised care homes" throughout the pandemic.

"They are at higher risk I understand that. But, it is right that families of people that are in supported living settings perhaps have felt that their needs and their circumstances haven't been given enough attention."

In a statement, the Department for Health and Social Care said it understood that "physical contact is so important when we meet our loved ones, but it increases the risk of passing on the virus, however unintentional".

Lincolnshire referee Darren Drysdale is free to officiate again after being given a backdated ban for improper conduct after his clash with Ipswich player Alan Judge.

Dave Thompson/PA WireCopyright: Dave Thompson/PA Wire

The 49-year-old locked heads with Judge while refereeing Ipswich's game against Northampton on 16 February.

Drysdale, who admitted a breach of Football Association rules, has also been warned about his future conduct.

He said the abuse he received from Judge which led to the clash was "the worst he had experienced as a referee".

At a hearing, an independent regulatory commission was told Judge swore at Drysdale and described him as "cheating" and "bald".

However the Republic of Ireland midfielder, 32, has disputed the referee's version of events, denying using the swear word in question or calling Drysdale a cheat.

Judge says League One Ipswich have audio from the incident which backs up his claims.

"I've got a decent reputation in the game and I won't stand by and be accused of saying something I didn't and not responding," he said.

"I said the matter was finished and it was but I have to make it clear now that I totally dispute what has been said by the referee."

The commission has imposed a suspension on Drysdale which ran from 19 February to 10 March.

Drysdale will not officiate at an English Football League game this weekend or on Tuesday next week.

Today will be breezy with scattered showers, these locally heavy with a risk of hail mixed-in.

Cloudy at times this morning but with sunnier periods this afternoon. Brisk westerly winds.

Clear spells this evening.

Tonight, it will become cloudier from the southwest with outbreaks of rain.

The rain will become heavy at times. Strengthening south-westerly winds:

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Officers who had been called to a report of criminal damage in Gainsborough got "more than they bargained for" when they found a cannabis grow at the same location, police have said.

PA MediaCopyright: PA Media

The officers had been called to Frampton Terrace on Saturday 6 March and uncovered 20 cannabis plants and growing equipment.

Further inquiries identified a second address of interest at Stanley Street where officers found a at least another 130 cannabis plants, according to Lincolnshire Police.

West Lindsey Community Policing Insp Gary Brockie said: “Electricity supplies at both addresses were bypassed or interfered with. This is not unusual at cannabis grows and causes further danger to people entering the site and also, potentially, for neighbours.

"It’s illegal and dangerous. We would like to urge local residents not to turn a blind eye to this. If you have any suspicions about such activity, please let us know and help us keep you, and your community, safe.”

An investigation into the two cannabis finds is continuing, police add.

The wind will ease this evening and it should be mainly dry.

Here's the latest forecast:

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North East Lincolnshire Council leaders have approved a new £3.6m footbridge which is hoped will solve the controversial closure of a crossing in Cleethorpes.

Network RailCopyright: Network Rail

The Local Democracy Reporting Service says Network Rail closed public access to the Suggitt’s Lane level crossing in April 2019 for safety reasons, sparking a campaign with more than 4,000 signatures which was taken to the House of Commons by the town’s MP Martin Vickers.

Now Network Rail has agreed to build a new footbridge over the railway and, on Wednesday, North East Lincolnshire Council Cabinet members gave it the go ahead.

At the meeting, councillor Stan Swinburne, portfolio holder for environment and transport, thanked campaigners and officers for their efforts.

“It’s long time that we’ve been going on for this […] I’m pleased we’re at this stage now, and I’m sure that the residents’ action group will approve and be pleased with the way forward.

“We can actually see now, light at the end of the tunnel, or to the crossing across back to Cleethorpes.”

Lincolnshire Police is reassuring women that Lincoln is safe place to be - even after dark

GoogleCopyright: Google

The comments from the force follow widespread concern about the case of Sarah Everard who disappeared while walking home in London.

PC Craig Wray, who patrols the city centre, says safety is a priority in Lincoln.

Quote Message: We've got quite a decent sort of proactive neighbourhood team working in the city centre, lots of partners including council, CCTV and intervention teams. Partnership working does help to make the streets a lot safer. from PC Craig Wray Lincolnshire Police

We've got quite a decent sort of proactive neighbourhood team working in the city centre, lots of partners including council, CCTV and intervention teams. Partnership working does help to make the streets a lot safer.

This year's Woodhall Spa 1940s Festival has been cancelled, its organisers have confirmed.

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The cancellation has been announced "with extreme regret" that there will not be an event this year due to the ongoing uncertainty and safety of holding large events due to the Covid pandemic.

It's the second year the festival, which has been running since 2012 and which organisers say attracts up to 50,000 people, has been cancelled due to the pandemic.

Chair of the Festival Committee, Andrew Hunter, said: "I know this will disappoint many, but I am sure everyone will understand this is entirely the right and responsible decision.

"We look forward and with full confidence that we can come back with a bang for our 10th anniversary year in 2022."

The 2022 festival dates have been confirmed as 9 and 10 July.