Following on from yesterday’s duck rescue mission by PCSOs in Spalding, @SpaldingPolice have tweeted news of an encounter with three feathered “troublemakers” in Holbeach.

The duck’s faces are pixelated to save any embarrassment.

It says: “Three moved for obstructing the highway, High Street, Holbeach. Words of advice given #quack”

Parents who have applied online for reception or junior school places for their children can collect their offers from Monday.

Along with the rest of the country, Lincolnshire has experienced high numbers of families wanting their children to start school in September. There are over 7,800 children wanting a school place this year, the largest year group since 2009.

Lincolnshire County Council says it will post offer letters to parents or carers who made a telephone or paper form application on the same day.

The council advises parents to accept the place offered even if the school was not one of their preferences, as this makes sure that their child will have a school place for September.

Once offers have been collected, parents need to accept or decline the place.

Then they can apply for transport. There is the opportunity to appeal online for a school that has not been able to offer a place for a child.

Parents who have applied online, can go to the county council’s website to collect their offer via www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions

School admissions manager Steve Gamble said: “To all those parents who have applied online, it’s important you follow the links on the website to collect your offer.

“If you’ve forgotten your password then it’s a simple case of resetting them. It is always our intention to support as many parents as possible with their preferences. There are many stories about how stressful the admissions process can be but every year the overwhelming majority of parents are successful in gaining admission to the school of their choice.”

The council advises parents to check in plenty of time that they know their username and password – if you’ve forgotten them use the link on the page to reset them.

The council says the vast majority of children will have been given a place at their school of choice through the admissions system this year, despite an increase in the number of requests for the more popular schools.

Champions-elect Moulton Harrox remain 20 points clear at the top of the table.

The unbeaten Premier Division leaders thrashed Ketton 5-0 at Broad Lane on Wednesday night to take another step towards the ChromaSport & Trophies Peterborough and District League title.

Ashley Coddington headed the opener 10 minutes before the break.

Ben Allen (50) and Ian Bradbury (60) made the points safe then top scorer Ollie Maltby struck on 70 and 82 minutes.

Pinchbeck United boosted their bid for runners-up spot with their 10th successive win.

They beat Deeping Rangers Reserves 6-0 through Tony Edwards (4), Jamie Francis and Bradley Murrell.

Moulton face trips to Langtoft United on Saturday and Pinchbeck on Tuesday.

WEDNESDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Carlton 1 Kidsgrove 4, Shaw Lane Aquaforce 3 Goole 3.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Holbeach 1 Leicester Nirvana 2.

Reserve Division: Rothwell Corinthians 2 Irchester 2.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division: Moulton Harrox 5 Ketton 0, Pinchbeck 6 Deeping Res 0, Riverside 0 Whittlesey 9.

Division One: Baston 0 Stamford Lions 2, Netherton Res 1 Sutton Bridge 1, Wisbech Res 6 Long Sutton 3.

Division Two: Oakham Res 6 Peterborough Polonia 2, Sawtry Res 1 Whittlesey A 0.

PFA MINOR CUP

Final: Feeder 1 FC Peterborough 1 (4-3 on pens; at Peterborough Northern Star).

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

Market Rasen 1 Hykeham 6.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-13 Division One: Feeder 5 Deeping Claret 1.

Under-14 Division One: Gunthorpe Navy 2 King’s Lynn 0.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-15 Division Two: Werrington 0 R&F 5.

Under-18 Division Two: Bourne Red 0 Bourne Blue 1.

A late goal sent Holbeach United to a home defeat as Leicester Nirvana regained pole position in the title race.

Nirvana snatched all three points just 24 hours after losing top spot to championship rivals AFC Kempston Rovers.

The title contenders made the worst possible start, though, falling behind three minutes in as Sean Phillips was caught in possession by Josh Ford who played in strike partner Jake Clitheroe to fire an angled shot across keeper James Flinders.

Nirvana took the game to the Tigers with Matt Melbourne forcing Rick Drury into a smart reaction save and Will Gonga volleying wide after Francis Lynch’s free-kick was punched away.

Flinders had to be alert to beat Andy Tidswell to Adam Jackson’s ball behind the defence while in added time at the end of the half Drury again showed sharp reactions to block Tendai Chitiza’s header.

Nirvana levelled eight minutes into the second half when Lynch crossed from the right and Melbourne swept in his 31st goal of the season at the far post.

The visitors almost went ahead midway through the half when Recce Morris’ cross from the left was flicked on by Chitiza for Melbourne to drill a low shot against the post.

Drury had to go off injured with Tigers manager Tom Roberts pressed into service between the posts.

Oli Donald had a fierce volley blocked from Tidswell’s corner.

But Nirvana went in front after 87 minutes. Gonga’s free-kick into the area saw Roberts punch away but he gained little distance and was stranded as Chitiza looped a header over him into the net.

The Tigers almost levelled in the 90th minute. Aaron Eyett’s clever chipped pass played in Clitheroe but Phillips had covered well to clear off the line with Flinders beaten.

Holbeach’s last chance saw Tidswell shoot over from a free-kick.

Holbeach: Drury (sub Roberts), Donald, A Jackson, Warfield, N Jackson, Stevens, Eyett, Tidswell, Ford, Clitheroe, Gale.

TRISH TAKES FIVE: By Trish Burgess

After the great success of our day at Burghley House over Easter, Dougie and I have been inspired to continue with our new game of ‘where to go within an hour of Holbeach.’

Sitting with a road map, I came across Oxburgh Hall, a National Trust property south of King’s Lynn. A sunny Saturday beckoned so we headed East to check it out.

What a beauty! Built in 1482 by the Bedingfeld family, this splendid manor house is still home to the family (not Natasha and Daniel, in case you were wondering. Remember to drop the ‘i’.)

The house is a mix of medieval through to Victorian architecture, as parts of the building have been altered over the centuries, but it is an imposing structure, surrounded by a moat and 28 hectares of gardens and woodlands.

The highlights of the house include hidden doors in the library, embroideries worked on by Mary, Queen of Scots while she was imprisoned in England and a very small priest’s hole used by the Catholic family in Elizabethan times to conceal persecuted priests.

We peered into the hole but Dougie, initially gung ho about manoeuvring his way in, changed his mind as he thought, with his back, he might never get out again. “Hmm, they were a lot smaller in those days,” he mused and we decided a climb up to the roof was more manageable.

In the grounds, there is a formal parterre garden, a kitchen garden and a delightful woodland walk which was particularly pretty as the paths were lined with daffodils. We came across a den-building area where previous visitors had tried their hand at the craft. My own Bear Grylls fashioned a rudimentary wigwam out of fallen branches but it soon collapsed. We walked on.

There were a number of families enjoying the day; little ones were searching for tiny bunny rabbits inside the house and in the grounds. It took me back to the days when Rory would become so obsessed with children’s trails we would hardly have time to look around before he was urging us to move on to the next location to find a hidden clue. I smiled as I watched other parents having the same frantic experience.

I came home and dutifully updated my Facebook status with a photo of the hall, saying what a fantastic place it was. Turns out many people were well aware of it. One friend had purchased his trusty walking staff from ‘a master stick maker in a marquee’ 15 years ago and a cousin in Ireland squealed that she had just finished a jigsaw puzzle of Oxburgh Hall after two years. She doesn’t get out much...

You can follow Trish on Twitter @mumsgoneto and read her blog at www.mumsgoneto.blogspot.com

HAYES IN THE HOUSE: By John Hayes

Uncertainty about the unknown is an inevitable feature of looking forward. So, the falsehood perpetrated by those who want Britain to stay in the European Union -that the only safe option is to maintain the status quo - is designed to fuel fear. To leave, they argue, is a leap into the unknown.

This false premise fails to acknowledge that the greater risk is staying in the EU. As Iain Duncan Smith said, leaving the doomed European Union would empower Britain to “stride into the light”. The European project has been failing for many years as Eurozone economies are 
stagnating and unable to grasp - let alone solve - the enormity of the big challenges facing the continent. Some of these problems are relatively recent – the migrant crisis, the disastrous single currency – whilst others have been around since the dawn of the EEC, with perhaps the worst example of failure being the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Arguably the biggest folly of all the grand European designs, the CAP drains roughly 40% of the EU budget, as it distorts markets by over-producing some things (the infamous butter mountains and wine lakes), and under-producing others (in effect, paying continental farmers not to farm). In essence, efficient farmers – like those here in South Lincolnshire – subsidise through their taxes tobacco growers in Bulgaria and goat herders in Greece, amongst others.

The current subsidies make no sense – the UK pays £6 million a year in to the CAP, with our farmers and growers getting about half that amount back. Considering that French farmers get three times as much is it any wonder that vested interests in the EU ensure that the CAP won’t be further reformed any time soon. It’s not competitive, it’s not fair and it’s not a system we should fear leaving.

Freeing ourselves from the EU would allow Britain to take back control of our own rural policy, meaning we could protect the financial support farmers need at greater levels. Countries outside the CAP like Switzerland and Norway do just that. Indeed, the Prime Minister has confirmed that the government would continue to support farmers were we to leave the EU, and the farming Minister George Eustice 
is campaigning for Brexit.

Leaving would mean we will be able to cut red tape and reduce the burden of administration for local businesses - the days of thousands of confusingly worded EU diktats that aim to control everything farmers do will be a distant memory. At the moment, the EU decides the maximum width of a gateway, tells farmers how to define a hedge, and delivers instructions on the size of billboards they erect - none of it necessary, nothing to be missed.

Farmers and growers in South Holland shouldn’t fear a vote to leave because Britain as a whole buys far more from EU countries than we sell to them; our continental neighbours need us more than we need them. We are the EU’s largest export partner – it will be in everyone’s interests to negotiate a better trading deal which benefits all.

Lincolnshire is the breadbasket of Britain, our farmers and food firms make up the backbone of the rural industry which contributes around £11 billion a year to the British economy. With agricultural policy made in the UK, not in Europe, we could deliver the changes for which British farming has yearned for so long.

WARD’S WORLD: By John Ward

The other day somebody was discussing that we now live in an age where it’s now the given practice to throw away something as opposed to getting it mended, repaired or given the kiss of life like was the road to tread in the not-too-distant past as, like it or not – and I don’t, to be honest – we now live in a throwaway society, as in if it’s stopped going, it’s the one-way journey to the dustbin or the correct recycling bag or container as designated by the right proclamation or directive, and heaven help you if you mess any of them up, so there.

The above first paragraph, or if you are reading this upside down and think this is the last bit, ’fraid not, but you are to be congratulated on your dexterity or then again if not the case, hopefully somebody will be along soon to undo the straps and put you the right way up. Yes, the above paragraph then.

This was ritted to highlight the fact that in this day and age, if items go into the malfunction mode or rather, in technical speak, they conk out, the now-accepted practice seems to be to throw it away, as it costs – we are led to believe by the man who looks over the item in question and makes a nasty sucking noise before saying: “Yus, it’s going to cost as much to repair as to buy another one, I’m afraid” – and when you think, say, it’s just a broom handle and the head has fallen off, you start to wonder where all this madness is coming from or more to the point, where it’s all heading.

As we are nearly in the era of if the car throws a wobbly and is unwell and does not respond to the process of wanting to start, will the next step backward be one of : “Throw it away, Cynthia, and go and get one with that petrol stuff in that will start”?Before you laugh, as cars are produced at such a rate these days, plus night shifts when available, it won’t be long before there will be a couple of cars to every person on the planet – this one, without looking further afield, plus they drive on the other side of the loose chippings on Mars – and then the scrap heaps will be getting bigger.

It really does annoy me, coming from, and brought up in, an age where you looked after or cared about whatever you owned and you made it last and got your money’s worth out of it before it got thrown out, with the thought crossing the mind to actually bid a tearful farewell to the item in question. My mum was quite upset when her wall can opener finally opened its last tin, due to the gear wheels and the handle wearing out and spare parts not being available, but I remember Dad being very supportive.

He pointed out we still had the wall left and that it was in good condition, plus, it had a window fitted in it half way along and would perhaps last a bit longer than the tin opener – the wall I think he meant, as, with the local schoolkids playing football in the evenings outside, the window was on borrowed time as their aim with the ball was not that good – and the other opposite wall had a door fitted in it about half way along, which was different to a window as you could walk through it – the door, not the window.

Caring or what? Where we used to live many years ago when I was a child (to some this may only seem like only weeks ago but rest assured, it was years) a few streets away from us was a large factory that had not been used for years and there was an article in the local paper about it being bought by the council then pulled down and the site being used for building something amounting to an eyesore at the very least, so in that respect nothing has changed much over the years, just like prices going up, as always.

However, Mum was quick to pick up on the fact that it had one of those very tall chimneys that factories years ago had as a sort of standard fitting, regardless of smoke never coming out of it; no decent factory worth its threat to the ozone layer would dare be seen without its chimney, more like a status symbol in some respects, I suppose.

This chimney gave Mum food for thought and so with me in tow after doing the shopping from our local shop – I used to carry well – we made tracks to see our local councillor, Wentwhistle, (not his real name but he was christened this as whenever he was asked anything requiring a straight answer or a decision, he “went whistling” to himself, stared into space or next door’s front garden and eventually thought of an answer that sounded about right or plausible and came out with it) to ask if all ideas had been explored, as here was a very good chimney, to which he agreed with her after whistling two bars of whatever tune he was into, and as it would be going to waste according to the local paper, she had an idea and she wanted to explain it to him and would he listen to her?

He cut short in mid tune and stood there as she gave him her idea. She explained that if the chimney was taken down carefully, it would make somebody a nice tunnel somewhere, as it was quite a high one as it stood there presently, so lying down it would make a useful tunnel for somebody and save them the cost of building one.

She further explained that all it needed was lick of paint inside and out, plus, there was some good, hard-wearing paint on offer at the local builders’ merchants– true, only two colours available, but if you bought enough, they slung in a few brushes, free.

Wentwhistle, it has to be said, stood there and kept his composure – it’s a sort of imitation real plastic leather wallet I think he said it was – and as he whistled away, you could see his eyebrows twitching. After much twitching he responded in the only way he knew. “Dear lady, I can see that you certainly have a good idea there and I promise I will look into it as soon as I can,” and Mum suggested he used the ladder on the outside of it and climbed to the top and looked in as he could get covered in soot if he tried looking up from the bottom end.

Oddly, Mum never heard from him again on the matter, but the chimney eventually vanished, along with the factory, although for ages after she kept looking in the paper to see if he had cut the ribbon on a newly-opened tunnel somewhere in the area.

THOUGHTS OF A FRUITCAKE: By Carolyn Aldis

So, this week the news article that caught my attention was that of Justin Welby finding out that his biological father was not the man that he called Dad. I didn’t know much about our current Archbishop of Canterbury, apart from the fact that he has a very difficult job to do, leading the Anglican Church.

I was surprised by a number of revelations that came out as a result of the DNA test.

For example, I didn’t know that his mother and the father that brought him up were both alcoholics. If you look at photos of them as a young family together, they look a typical, happy family. Also, Justin seems to have had a charmed life, educated at Eton and working as an oil executive for many years…hardly the usual result of a child brought up in a very chaotic environment.

I was also surprised that his mother had slept with another man days before her sudden elopement with Gavin Welby. I know that’s not an unusual story in these “Jeremy Kyle story laden” days, but back then…well, I don’t know…it all just appeared more innocent in the old days, people seemed to be more prudish. I wondered how she felt about having to confess to something that she obviously hadn’t dwelled upon over the years, probably thinking it was something she would never have to admit.

I was amazed that Justin was in no way upset by the revelations, especially as the decision to take the test was to disprove the claim. That alone would have upset me…I don’t like to be proved wrong. But he made it very clear he is not, and won’t ever be, upset about it. When he discovered the truth, his first concern was for his mother.

But for me, the most surprising fact that came out of this scrutiny was a bit of background information at the end of the article. He gave up a six-figure salary to train as an Anglican priest, a decision that followed a personal tragedy, the death of his seven-month-old daughter Johanna, in a car crash.

Giving up a large salary, when the call of God is on your life seems amazing enough…but to decide to pursue God in the face of the unimaginable loss of a child really struck me as incredible. Often, when tragedy strikes our lives, we walk in the opposite direction, away from God, grief and anger turning any relationship with Him sour. For Justin, though, it brought him closer to God; he had to rely on Him to get through.

I listened to Justin speak on the Radio 4 programme Desert Island discs, to try to understand him better. He said that: “When the church is working, it is the most mind bogglingly, amazingly extraordinarily beautiful community on earth…it heals, it transforms, it loves…it changes society.”

The final quote from the article on the subject of who he is and how he copes sums it up:

“I know that I find who I am in Jesus Christ, not in genetics and my identity in Him never changes…”

People interested in building their own home are being invited to sign up to a new register set up by South Holland District Council.

As part of a government drive to encourage more people to build their own homes, councils have been asked to set up registers for individuals/groups interested in a serviced plot for custom or self-build homes.

By registering, you will help the council find out more about the demand for custom and self-build plots in South Holland, where people would like their plot to be and the type of house they would like to build.

Coun Christine Lawton, the council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “This is an exciting and unique opportunity for people to potentially build their own dream home and I would encourage anyone interested to register as soon as possible.

“The responses will form a plan for custom and self-build homes in the district but do not guarantee that a plot will become available.”

There is a difference between custom- and self-build developments – custom-build is when people work with a specialist developer to deliver their home, self-build is when people directly get involved in the design and construction of their home.

Before registering your interest, it’s worth considering what is involved and how much it could potentially cost you.

Build costs will vary depending on the specification that you want and can afford.

For an estimate of costs there are a number of useful toolkits which can be found through a simple internet search.

To get an accurate build cost estimate you will need to have an idea of the following:

• Custom/self-build option;

• Property type;

• Floor area in square metres/square feet;

• Construction method (bricks, timber frame etc);

• Roof materials, external walls construction (stone, brick etc);

• Heating specification;

• Budget for renewable energy sources;

• Budget for kitchen and bathroom;

• Garage equipment;

• Length of fencing;

• Length of driveway;

For more information or to sign up to the register visit www.sholland.gov.uk or call South Holland District Council’s Housing Team on 01775 761161.

The inclusion of British comedy stalwarts Rob Brydon and Nick Frost save this wafer-thin prequel/sequel to 2012’s relatively successful hit Snow White and the Huntsman from being a nightmare.

The always amiable Chris Hemsworth shines in a few impressive fight scenes as axe-wielding hero Eric, but it’s generally the comic relief from Brydon and Frost’s dwarves – alongside support from new national treasure Sheridan Smith – that helps it through its tepid concept.

Kristen Stewart’s Snow White is pretty much white-washed to flashbacks as the famed mirror is stolen and is courted by Emily Blunt’s vengeful ice queen Freya – a kind of maniacal adult version of Frozen’s Elsa – who is sister of now-dead evil former queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron).

In events ‘before’ the first film, Freya sets up a Huntsman army to rule the ‘north’ kingdom, including Eric and his sharp-shooting forbidden warrior lover Sara (Jessica Chastain) – but when the lovers try to leave after years of bloody service to their queen they are left for dead.

Years later the still mourning Eric – as we switch to events ‘beyond’ the original film – is then tasked by the mysteriously anonymous Snow White to locate the mirror and prevent Freya from getting her icy mitts on the one instrument that will give her total domination over the lands.

Despite Winter War’s being a bit of a narrative mess, a few nice twists and some notable comedic touches do just about enough to make it pretty much watchable throughout, but more really should have been expected – particularly with the talent of the cast on hand.

That ultimately means this fairy tale spin-off won’t linger in the memory too long after bedtime. 
Rating: 2/5 Gavin Miller

Residents in Bourne and The Deepings are urged to renew or register now for South Kesteven District Council garden waste collection service.

A council spokesman said: “Last year, over 27,000 residents joined the service, saving themselves money and hassle with no need for trips to the tip or mess to the interiors of their cars with bags of garden waste.”

The council says 2015/16 residents can bag a discount when they sign-up using direct debit on www.southkesteven.gov.uk/greenbin
Customers who want uninterrupted collections should register by April 30.

A sex offender from Moulton, who claimed he mistook his teenage victim’s breast for a pillow, deserves every day of his ‘severe’ jail term, top judges have ruled.

David Gamble (52) was caged for three-and-a-half years at Lincoln Crown Court on September 21 last year after he was convicted of illegal sexual activity with the girl.

Gamble, of Church Lane, was in his 40s when he molested the teenage girl’s breasts, Judge Eleri Rees told London’s Appeal Court.

He claimed that it was all a mistake in which he ‘dribbled into what he thought was a pillow’ but ‘in fact was a breast’.

He was disbelieved by the jury but Gamble’s lawyers today (Thursday) argued his jail term was far too tough.

They pointed to his previous good character and said that no sexual grooming was involved.

Gamble’s crime was ‘short-lived’ – all over in five seconds – and had been a ‘moment of madness’, they argued.

But, dismissing the appeal, Judge Rees said: “The sentence, although severe, was within the permissible range.”

The judge, sitting with Lord Justice Lloyd Jones and Mrs Justice Carr, concluded: “We do not agree that it was manifestly excessive.”

A handbag with keys and a purse inside has been stolen in what police have described as a “sneak-in” burglary near Wyberton on Wednesday afternoon.

Someone got into a house in North Forty Foot Bank, Wyberton Fen, near Hubberts Bridge train station, and stole a black leather handbag which contained a blue purse with bank cards and the keys.

It happened at about 3pm and the burglary has led police to warn people that with the arrival of warmer weather, they should take care to keep their homes secure and valuables out of sight.

Anyone with information should call DC Julie Dovaston at Boston CID on 101, quoting case 245 of April 13.

This week’s fixture list (April 14-20) - support your local team.

THURSDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Reserve Division: Bugbrooke St Michaels v Northampton Spencer.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Target Newspapers Challenge Cup final (7pm): Boston College v Leverton (at Boston Town).

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-13 Division Two (6.30pm): Northern Star White v Bourne.

Under-13 Division Four (6.30pm): Wittering v Stamford.

Under-14 Division Three (6.45m): Pinchbeck v Crowland.


FRIDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Veterans Development Division: Netherton v Glinton & Northborough.

PFA JUNIOR CUP

Final: Rutland DR v Stamford Lions Res (at Peterborough Northern Star).

KIRTON CUP

Semi-final (6.15pm): Kirton Town v Fosdyke (at Graves Park).

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-15 Division One (7pm): Deeping v Stamford.


SATURDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Belper v Market Drayton, Carlton v Coalville, Chasetown v Rugby, Daventry v Gresley, Leek v Tividale, Loughborough Dynamo v Stocksbridge Park Steels, Newcastle v Spalding, Romulus v Lincoln, Shaw Lane Aquaforce v Kidsgrove, Sheffield v Goole, Stafford v Basford.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: AFC Kempston v Peterborough Northern Star, Boston v Kirby Muxloe, Desborough v Cogenhoe, Harborough v Oadby, Holbeach v Eynesbury, Leicester Nirvana v Northampton Spencer, Newport Pagnell v Harrowby, Rothwell Corinthians v Sleaford, Wellingborough v Sileby.

Division One: Bourne v Rushden & Higham, Bugbrooke St Michaels v Peterborough Sports, Long Buckby v Blackstones, Lutterworth v Buckingham, ON Chenecks v Potton, Raunds v Irchester, Whitworth v Thrapston, Woodford v Stewarts & Lloyds Corby.

Reserve Division: Cogenhoe v Rushden & Higham, Irchester v Raunds, Northampton Spencer v Peterborough Northern Star, Thrapston v Bugbrooke St Michaels.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division (2pm): AFC Stanground v Ketton, Langtoft v Moulton Harrox, Netherton v Pinchbeck, Peterborough ICA Sports v Crowland, Stilton v Uppingham, Thorney v Peterborough Sports Res, Whittlesey v Leverington Sports.

Division One (2pm): Spalding Res v Moulton Harrox Res, Sutton Bridge v Oundle, Warboys v Stamford Belvedere.

Division Two (2pm): Leverington Sports Res v Peterborough Polonia, Oakham Res v Thorney Res, Parkway Eagles v Ketton Res, Sawtry Res v Glinton & Northborough, Whittlesey A v Spalding Town.

Division Three (2pm): Baston Res v Ramsey, Oundle Res v Eye, Tydd St Mary v Stanground Sports.

Division Four (2pm): AFC Stanground Res v Holbeach Bank, Brotherhood Sports v Tydd St Mary Res, Parkway Eagles Res v Parkside, Stamford Belvedere Res v Whaplode Drove.

Division Five (2pm): Harrowby Res v Feeder, Leverington Sports A v Limetree UTR, Stanground Sports Res v Whittlesey C.

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE

Brigg Res v Skegness United, CGB Humbertherm v Ruston Sports, Cleethorpes DS v Sleaford Res, Hykeham v Horncastle, Wyberton v Lincoln Railway.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Taylors Garages Premier Division (2.30pm): Fishtoft v Benington, Pointon v Swineshead, Skegness Town Res v Heckington, Spilsby v Coningsby, Wyberton Res v Billinghay.

Taylors Peugeot Division One (2.30pm): FC Wrangle v Swineshead Res, Freiston v Woodhall Spa.

Taylors Ford Division Two (2.30pm): Billinghay Res v Fishtoft Res, Holbeach Bank v Sibsey, Kirton Town Res v Coningsby Res, Mareham v Eastern European, Park v Railway, Swineshead A v Pointon Res.

Taylors Vauxhall Division Three (2.30pm): FC Hammers v Spalding Harriers, Leverton Res v Spilsby Res (at Spilsby), Old Doningtonians Res v Pointon A, Wyberton A v Northgate Olympic (at Rosebery Avenue).

BB Insure Willoughby Cup semi-final (2pm): Old Leake v Friskney.

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMEN’S & GIRLS COUNTY LEAGUE

Under-13 North: Chatteris v Bluntisham (10.30am), Pinchbeck v G&N (10.30am), Priory Parkside v Bourne (11.30am).

Under-16 (10.30am): Burwell v Histon, Melbourn v Cambridge City, Spalding v St Ives.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-7 Zone (10am): G&N v Crowland.

Under-7 Zone (10.30am): One Touch v ICA, Park Farm Red v Werrington, Spalding v Feeder Red.

Under-7 Zone (11.30am): Bourne Red v Pinchbeck, Phoenix v Stamford, Stamford Yellow v Feeder Blue.

Under-8 Zone (10.30am): Boston v Thorney, Bourne Red v Stanground Purple, Deeping Blue v Parkside Green, IPTA v Peterborough Blue, Netherton v Deeping Claret, Oundle Blue v Northern Star, Park Farm Black v Feeder Red, Peterborough Dev v Oundle White, Phoenix v Feeder Blue, Riverside v Hampton, Thurlby v Crowland.

Under-8 Zone (11am): G&N Amber v Wittering.

Under-8 Zone (11.30am): Holbeach Yellow v Bourne Claret, One Touch v Holbeach Black, Parkside Yellow v Park Farm Red, Spalding Blue v Spalding Orange, Stamford Red v Stamford Yellow, Stanground Black v Peterborough White.

Under-8 Zone (noon): G&N Blue v Werrington.

Under-9 Hereward Cup (10.30am): Bourne Red v Bretton, Spalding Orange v Thurlby.

Under-9 Hereward Cup (11.30am): Bourne Claret v Holbeach Black, Netherton v Gunthorpe, Spalding Blue v Leverington.

Under-9 League Cup (10.30am): Crowland v Deeping Blue, G&N v Holbeach Yellow, One Touch v IPTA, Stamford White v Thorney, Werrington Blue v Riverside Blue.

Under-9 League Cup (11.30am): Feeder v Peterborough White, Stamford Red v Stanground, Werrington Red v Peterborough Blue.

Under-10 Hereward Cup (11.30am): Spalding Orange v G&N Amber, Thurlby v Bourne Claret. Semi-final (11.30am): Pinchbeck Pumas v March SS.

Under-10 League Cup (10.30am): Holbeach Yellow v Deeping Claret, Netherton Wagtails v Feeder, Pinchbeck Predators v Spalding Blue, Riverside Blue v IPTA.

Under-10 League Cup (11.30am): G&N Blackv Stamford Yellow, Hampton Royal v Whittlesey, Holbeach Black v Stamford Red, Oundle Green v Oundle Red.


SUNDAY

SPALDING LEAGUE (10.30AM)

Pinchbeck v South Holland, Punchbowl Tigers v Mulberry.

Knockout Cup final (11am): Swineshead v Punchbowl Panthers (at Sir Halley Stewart Field).

DOUBLE G CLOTHING KING’S LYNN & DISTRICT LEAGUE

League Cup final (10.30am): CSKA v England’s Hope (at Wisbech Town).

Hardy Sheen Cup final (1.30pm): Tydd St Mary v CSKA Young Boys (at Wisbech Town).

CAMBRIDGESHIRE WOMEN’S & GIRLS COUNTY LEAGUE

Championship North (2pm): Downham v Wisbech Town, Swineshead v March, Tydd St Mary v Bourne.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-11 Zone (10.30am): FC Peterborough v March Ath, G&N Amber v Northern Star, IPTA v Bourne Red, One Touch v Deeping Blue, Oundle v Whittlesey Red, Thurlby v Leverington, Wittering v G&N Blue.

Under-11 Zone (noon): Bourne Claret v Hampton Navy, Spalding Blue v Holbeach.

Under-11 Zone (2pm): Deeping Claret v Stanground, Feeder v Riverside, Gunthorpe Sky v WSM, Hampton Blue v Park Farm Black, Parkside v Gunthorpe Navy, Spalding Orange v Tydd St Mary, Whittlesey Blue v March SS.

Under-11 League Cup semi-finals (noon): Stamford v Netherton, Yaxley v Boston.

Under-12 Division One: Hampton Navy v Deeping Blue (10.30am), Netherton v Baston (10.30am), Feeder v Riverside (noon).

Under-12 Division Two: Hampton Blue v G&N Amber (10.30am), Northern Star v Malborne (10.30am), Whittlesey Blue v Oundle (10.30am), Young Dons v Hempsted (10.30am), Leverington v Werrington (noon).

Under-12 Division Three (10.30am): Kings Cliffe v Yaxley.

Under-12 Division Four: Spalding Blue v FC Peterborough (10.30am), Tydd St Mary v Park Farm Red (noon), Hampton Royal v Boston (2pm), R&F v Stanground (2pm).

Under-13 Division One (noon): Hampton Royal v WSM.

Under-13 Division Four: Netherton Hawks v Parkside (10.30am), Holbeach Black v Stamford (noon).

Under-13 Hereward Cup final (10am): Park Farm Black v Park Farm Red (at Peterborough Northern Star).

Under-14 Division One: Deeping Blue v Blackstones (10.30am), G&N Amber v March Rangers (2pm), King’s Lynn v Gunthorpe Navy (2pm).

Under-14 Division Two: Hungate Green v Langtoft (10.30am), Whittlesey v March SS (10.30am), Bourne Claret v Deeping Amber (noon), Spalding v G&N Black (noon), Werrington v Phoenix (2pm).

Under-14 Division Three: Bourne Red v Stamford (10.30am), Crowland v Riverside (10.30am), Oundle v Gunthorpe Sky (2pm).

PFA UNDER-15 KNOCKOUT CUP

Final (4pm): Deeping v Feeder (at Peterborough Northern Star).

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-15 Division One: Northern Star Blue v Hampton Blue (10.30am), G&N Amber v Stanground Sports (2pm), Holbeach v Gunthorpe (2pm), Spalding v Gonerby (2pm).

Under-15 Division Two: Ketton v Malborne (10.30am), Kings Cliffe v R&F (10.30am), Northern Star Red v Werrington (10.30am), Pinchbeck v WSM (2pm).

Under-15 Division Three (2pm): Riverside v Netherton.

Under-16 Division One: Deeping Blue v Eye (10.30am), Peterborough Sports v Hampton (2pm), Pinchbeck v WSM Yellow (2pm).

Under-16 Division Two: Ryhall Orange v Netherton Blue Jays (10.30am), Spalding Blue v Deeping Claret (2pm).

Under-18 Division One (2pm): G&N Amber v Bourne Black, Stamford v Werrington.

Under-18 Division Two: Blackstones v Wisbech Town Acorns (10.30am), Bourne Blue v March Saracens (10.30am), Ketton v Bourne Red (10.30am), Outwell Swifts v British School of Sport (10.30am), G&N Black v Spalding (2pm).


MONDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Eynesbury v Boston.


TUESDAY

EVO-STIK NORTHERN PREMIER LEAGUE

First Division South: Chasetown v Stocksbridge Park Steels, Daventry v Belper, Goole v Leek, Lincoln v Rugby, Market Drayton v Sheffield, Shaw Lane Aquaforce v Tividale.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: AFC Kempston v Newport Pagnell, Kirby Muxloe v Leicester Nirvana, Northampton Spencer v Sileby, Wisbech v Holbeach.

Division One: Buckingham v Olney, Burton Park Wanderers v Irchester.

Reserve Knockout Cup final: Rothwell Corinthians v Cogenhoe (at Thrapston Town).

LINCOLNSHIRE FA JUNIOR CUP

Final: Hykeham v Limestone Rangers (at Lincoln City).

ANCASTER CUP

Semi-final: Bourne Res v Cottesmore Amateurs.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Premier Division (6.30pm): AFC Stanground v Stilton, Leverington Sports v Netherton, Pinchbeck v Moulton Harrox, Sawtry v Peterborough Sports Res.

Division Two (6.30pm): Whittlesey A v Ketton Res.

Division Four (6.30pm): Tydd St Mary Res v Holbeach Bank.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Taylors Garages Premier Division (6.30pm): Heckington v Swineshead, Spilsby v Skegness Town Res.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-14 Division One (7.30pm): G&N Amber v Northern Star.

Under-14 Division Three (6.30pm): Feeder v Thorney.


WEDNESDAY

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES UNITED COUNTIES LEAGUE

Premier Division: Huntingdon v Eynesbury.

CHROMASPORT & TROPHIES PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT LEAGUE

Division One (7.30pm): Stamford Lions v Stamford Belvedere.

Division Four (6.30pm): FC Peterborough v Parkside.

BALCAN LIGHTING SUPPLIES LINCOLNSHIRE LEAGUE (7PM)

Cleethorpes DS v Lincoln Railway, Skegness Town v CGB Humbertherm, Skegness United v Wyberton.

TAYLORS SERVICE GARAGES BOSTON LEAGUE

Taylors Ford Division Two (6.30pm): Kirton Town Res v Fishtoft Res.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT JUNIOR ALLIANCE

Under-12 Division Two (6pm): Young Dons v Northern Star.

Under-14 Division One (6.30pm): Gunthorpe Navy v Wasps, Leverington v King’s Lynn.

Under-14 Division Two (6.30pm): Deeping Amber v Spalding.

PETERBOROUGH & DISTRICT YOUTH LEAGUE

Under-15 Division Two (7.30pm): Werrington v WSM.

Under-18 Division Two (6.30pm): G&N Black v Bourne Red.

Easter eggs at Baytree Owl and Wildlife Centre have brought some tiny bundles of joy into the world.

March-July is the centre’s busiest season for the hatching of baby owls, known as owlets.

Our photographer Tim Wilson captured shots of owlets less than a day old, including a Eurasian Eagle Owl and a Peruvian Striped Owl, when he visited the centre at Weston on Thursday.

There were 16 babies in the brood (incubator) room that day.

Visitors can watch the babies through the brood room mirrored-glass windows, but some can also be seen in the Gift Shop as Mark places a box in there around now.

Owl centre boss Mark Birdsall said: “Generally, when we get to the end of April, May or June there’s 30-40 babies knocking about at once.”

Some are kept at Baytree while others go into breeding programmes at similar centres around the country, which is vital for the conservation of rarer species.

The centre’s oldest resident, Gracie (28), helped out with the baby boom by sitting on an egg and hatching it ... but she didn’t get the hang of feeding her young charge so it was back to Mark to hand-rear the owlet.

Once hatched, owls grow rapidly – like Murray the Indian Eagle Owl, who was 12-weeks-old when we photographed him in late February.

Murray was well into his training then to make his debut in the centre’s daily 1.30pm flying displays, which began on Good Friday, and he’s doing a great job.

Mark taught Murray to fly inside a polytunnel and now the young bird is learning more skills in the great outdoors.

Mark said: “It’s weird teaching a bird how to fly. In the wild, they learn from their parents by watching them.

“Indoors he’s fine, but it’s different out in the weather when it’s windy – he doesn’t always know when to put the brakes on and when to stop flapping. He’s still building his confidence.”

Murray joined the flying display team following the devastating theft of Kevin the Great Grey Owl in mid-February. News of Kevin’s theft was shared by nearly half-a-million people on Facebook. Mark believes the iconic owl was stolen to order and may never be returned.

He says: “A day doesn’t go by without someone asking about Kevin.”

Previously ...

Great Grey owl Kevin stolen from Baytree at Weston

Police probe theft of Kevin the owl from Baytree at Weston

‘Teenager’ Murray is the new star among the frequent flyers at Baytree Owl Centre

When’s your Dolmio day? Well it should not be more than once a week says the manufacturer because they are so high in salt, fat and sugar.

Popular food sauces from Dolmio and Uncle Ben’s has told its customers that for health reasons you should not eat some of its products more than once a week.

Mars Food will divide its range into products that can be eaten every day or only occasionally as part of a scheme to encourage healthier eating.

The firm will also cut the amount of salt and sugar used in some of its recipes and increase the use of whole grains.

Shoppers will begin to see the new guidance appearing on websites within the next few months.

Fiona Dawson, the global president of Mars Food, Drinks and Multisales, said: “To maintain the authentic nature of the recipe, some Mars Food products are higher in salt, added sugar or fat.

“As these products are not intended to be eaten daily, Mars Food will provide guidance to consumers on-pack and on its website regarding how often these meal offerings should be consumed within a balanced diet.

“The Mars Food website will be updated within the next few months with a list of ‘occasional’ products - those to be enjoyed once per week - and a list of ‘everyday’ products - including those to be reformulated over the next five years to reduce sodium, sugar, or fat.”

How healthy are your Dolmio favourites?

Original Cheesy lasagne sauce Per 94g serving

Fat - 7.6g (11% daily total)

Saturates 3g (15% daily total)

Sugar - 2.2g (2% daily total)

Salt - 0.7 (12% daily total)

Creamy tomato pasta bake sauce Per 125g serving

Fat - 6.6g (9% daily total)

Saturates 2.3g (12% daily total)

Sugar - 7.3g (8% daily total)

Salt - 1g (17% daily total)

Classic basil pesto Per 45g serving

Fat - 23.4g (33% daily total)

Saturates 3.3g (16% daily total)

Sugar - 1.5 (2% daily total)

Salt - 0.6g (10% daily total)

Carbonara pasta bake sauce Per 120g serving

Fat - 12.7g (18% daily total)

Saturates 4g (20% daily total)

Sugar - 3.1 (3% daily total)

Salt - 0.9g (16% daily total)

Lincolnshire Police revealed this morning (Friday) that operations have been taking place across the county to disrupt rogue trading criminals.

The work is part of nationwide police action, Operation Rogue Trader, to clamp down on criminals who target householders with high-pressure, forceful sales techniques.

In Lincolnshire, police have worked with Lincolnshire Trading Standards, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the Environment Agency and Immigration Enforcement.

Police say rogue traders and pushy doorstep sellers con vulnerable people by overcharging, charging for unnecessary work, damaging property deliberately and leaving work unfinished – they also use intimidating behaviour to extort money, such as taking customers to an ATM for payment.

The multi-agency team combed Lincolnshire this week to seek out rogue traders and provide information and support to residents.

Police say the team’s brief was to conduct enquiries, respond to reports of potential rogue trading and raise public awareness of this type of criminality.

The team’s patrols continue today.

Police advice to anyone with concerns about a caller is: “Not sure? Don’t open the door!”

Police Supt Maria Staniland said: “We want to seek out, identify and prosecute rogue traders. This is our aim not only in the week of action, but throughout the year.

“There is evidence to link rogue trading to distraction burglary so it is important that we explain what these people do and how they work.

“If residents are familiar with the techniques they use, they are in a better position to protect themselves and their families and neighbours from becoming victims.

“Offenders target those that they think they can trick or bully so that can mean the most vulnerable people of all.

“That said, they can be very persuasive and very convincing so we all need to be on our guard. If you are concerned about unwanted callers we can give you one of our signs to say that you do not do business at the door. Just contact your neighbourhood policing team.”

Principal county trading standards officer Kirsty Toyne said: “Doorstep crime can affect anyone, but most often it is the elderly and vulnerable who are targeted.

“Rogue traders can be very persuasive and convincing in their approach and it can be very distressing and frightening for an elderly or vulnerable person who is unaware of how to protect themselves.

“Tracking down and catching these rogue traders is an absolute priority for Lincolnshire County Council’s Trading Standards teams. Working with our partners, including Lincolnshire Police and HMRC, we are committed to working together to tackle this issue and will take appropriate enforcement action against those involved.”

Anthony Scott from HMRC’s Hidden Economy Team said: “This joint operational activity is just one of HMRC’s Hidden Economy Team’s crackdowns on the dishonest minority of people who try to keep outside of the tax system. If you are caught you may not only have to pay what you owe but additional penalties and interest on top.

“If you know of anyone trading or working and not paying their dues, please tell us via the Police 101 number.”

Police were deployed to the road check site at Thorpe on the Hill services on Wednesday. They were joined there by colleagues from EMOpSS (East Midlands Operational Support Service), HMRC Hidden Economies and Fuel Control, Lincolnshire Trading Standards and the Environment Agency.

• EMOpSS stopped more than 60 vehicles and 75 people throughout the operation.

• Lincolnshire Police seized two vehicles under SOCAP legislation for having no insurance and issued two fixed penalty tickets for traffic related issues.

• HMRC Hidden Economies instigated nine cases of interest.

• Lincolnshire Trading Standards instigated 12 warnings for ‘the forming of contracts.’

• The Environment Agency checked 28 vehicles but no illegal waste carriers were detected.

Spalding Town have set their sights on an immediate return to the Lincolnshire ECB Premier League after last year’s relegation.

Weather permitting, they will begin life in the South Lincs & Border League’s Premier Division with a trip to Bourne 2nd on Saturday (1pm start).

Captain Rob Ambrose is aiming for a more enjoyable season along with the club’s target of developing young players at first-team level.

He said: “We managed to keep hold of the majority of our players which we felt was the most important thing.

“In the past, we know a lot of teams coming down from the Premier League haven’t kept their players.

“Our main objective was to keep our side together and I think we will be strong.

“So we are very keen and looking forward to the new season.

“Our aim is to go straight back up. But we know we can’t just turn up and expect to win every week.

“The first month of the season is always important so we want to get off to a good start.

“Last year was not very enjoyable at times as we were getting hammered too often and we were weaker than a lot of the other sides.

“Hopefully we can enjoy a few more wins this summer. We have regrouped and we will go out there again.

“This is a very good club and it’s not just about the first team.

“We are aiming to give an opportunity to a couple of lads from the academy.

“We want to use some of those youngsters in our first-team games.

“We have still got a strong side and, fingers crossed, we will give it a good go.”

On the opening day of the season, Billingborough are at home to Belton Park.

Long Sutton start their campaign against Sleaford 2nd at Paradise Field on April 23 when Bourne 2nd will be away to Market Deeping 2nd.

Spalding 3rd are away to Long Sutton 2nd in the only Division Two fixture this weekend.

A child received minor injuries after falling through the roof of the aviary at Ayscoughfee Hall Gardens in Spalding on Wednesday evening.

South Holland District Council has now fenced off access to the aviary roof while further inspections to the area are carried out.

A council spokesman said: “At around 5.30pm on Wednesday an incident happened at Ayscoughfee Gardens when an individual fell through the roof of the aviary. “Ground staff were on site and called for medical assistance to deal with the injured party and we’ve subsequently been informed that the injuries sustained are minor.The gardens remain open as usual.”

Police confirmed they attended, but only to take the friend of the injured child home.

Police forces nationwide are appealing for internet users to report harmful extremist and terrorist material when they see it online.

All week, police and partners have been using their social media channels to urge people to report material they suspect is extremist or terrorist by clicking on a distinctive red “STOP” button that can be found on their websites. STOP stands for Stop Terrorists’ and extremists’ Online Presence.

After clicking on the button, web users are quickly directed to a short, anonymous form at www.gov.uk/report-terrorism where they are asked to enter the address of the webpage where they saw the material.

The national Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit (CTIRU), which investigates the material, is today (Friday, April 15) embarking on a 36-hour operation to secure the removal of the material as quickly as possible.

Since the CTIRU launched in 2010, it has prompted the removal of over 160,000 pieces of extremist and terrorist material, much of which was flagged by members of public.

On average, it instigates the removal of over 1,000 pieces of material a week, including terrorist propaganda videos, pictures of beheadings, bomb-making instructions and speeches calling for racial or religious violence.

The CTIRU proactively trawls the web every day, looking for and seeking the removal of the material which is a source of inspiration for extremists, terrorists and is often a means of radicalising vulnerable people.

Earlier this month, 25-year-old Junead Khan from Luton was convicted for plotting to kill soldiers in the home counties. Detectives investigating Khan found that he had accessed and shared Daesh propaganda videos and instructions for making a suicide bomb online in the lead up to his planned murderous attack.

In the next 36 hours, community members, charity representatives and an array of other partners will take part in workshops with the CTIRU to discuss how they can work together with communities to remove more material.

Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball, Senior National Coordinator for Counter Terrorism Policing, said: “Tackling extremist material is important to protect the public and prevent offences that incite or promote terrorism and extremism.

“The internet and social media provide many opportunities for those with extreme views to target young or vulnerable people, and their methods are constantly evolving, from using new phone apps to hijacking popular hashtags in order to reach wide audiences.

“The Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit has put considerable effort into prompting the removal of terrorist and extremist material. We know that communities are very concerned about this material - and communities defeat terrorism, which is why police and the public will continue to work together on this.

“Police depend on information from the public in our efforts to help keep us all safe and we are asking anyone who has concerns about online content to report it by clicking the red STOP Terrorists’ and Extremists’ Online button.”

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Thompson, from Eastern Counter Terrorism Intelligence Unit, said: “Those with extreme views are using the internet in order to target vulnerable people in order to radicalise them.

“It is vital that sites which seek to promote such a narrative are taken down so we can protect those at risk from exploitation. I would urge anyone who comes across such material online to report it via the STOP button.”

Minister for Internet Safety and Security, Baroness Shields, said: “I applaud the world-leading work of the police Counter Terrorism Internet Referral Unit and would urge the public to report terrorist and harmful extremist content when they see it.

“Everyone has the ability to recognise hatred and intolerance online. The internet was developed to bring people together, it is vital we work in partnership to stop those who exploit it to drive us apart.”

Fact file

The CTIRU was the first unit in the world set up to tackle the proliferation of illegal terrorist and violent extremist content on the internet.

It works with service providers to instigate the removal and access terrorist and extremist material which breaks their terms of service. Once such material has been identified, the CTIRU sends the internet service provider an advisory note, seeking the removal of the material.

Publication of such material can also lead to those who publish it being investigated for offences under the Terrorist Act 2006.

There has been a rise in the amount of extremist and terrorist material online being removed, which is attributed to a range of factors including the proliferation of Daesh propaganda, communities becoming more willing to report material and Counter Terrorism Policing’s proactive approach in tackling it.

Year on year, the CTIRU has had more terrorist and extremist material removed from the internet. Almost a third of all material removed to date (55,000 pieces) was taken down in 2015 alone.

Every year the CTRIU receives more reports of material from concerned members of the public:

2010 and 2011 = 0 reports referred to the CTRIU

2012 = 1,167

2013 = 923

2014 = 1462

2015 = 2,995

Jan - March incl 2016 = 785

Following referrals from the public, partners and its own investigations, the CTRIU has instigated the removal of more extremist and terrorist material year-on-year:

2010 and 2011 = 1,527 pieces of extremist and terrorist material removed from the web

2012 = 1,885

2013 = 17,541

2014 = 51,431

2015 = 55,556

Jan - March incl 2016 = 26,479

This year the number of staff and officers working within the CTIRU has been increased to match the threat and help ensure material is identified and removed more quickly.