MORE than three decades ago, East Yorkshire mum Cheryl Hakeney was delighted to be crowned Hull's very own beauty queen.

Now, Cheryl's daughter, Zara Holland, 18, is following in her mother's high heels after being crowned Miss Hull and District 2014.

Cheryl, 49, said: "It was totally incredible when Zara won. I was seeing it from a different angle.

"When it is your child, you just want them to do well and I was really rooting for her to win.

"There were so many pretty girls that entered.

"When they announced Zara had won, I wanted to faint."

The Miss Hull and District final was held on Friday evening at The Country Park Inn in Hessle and saw 30 girls compete for the coveted title in four rounds.

Clinching the title, Zara said: "I'm still on cloud nine at the moment, it is absolutely amazing. I could not be any happier.

"Everyone who has been involved in the competition has been amazing and so supportive.

"All the other girls who entered have also been lovely and have been sending me messages congratulating me.

"I am just so happy to represent Hull in the Miss England final."

Zara was able to ask her mum for advice on the competition, after Cheryl was crowned Miss Viking Radio, the equivalent to what is now Miss Hull and District, when the competition first started.

Zara said: "Mum knows all about what it is like to be in the competitions. It is really nice because we can talk about everything.

"She has been lovely throughout all of this, really supportive.

"We are really close and get on so well."

Zara will now represent Hull at the Miss England final held in Torquay in June.

"Mum was the runner-up when she was in Miss England, so I am hoping to go that one stage further and take the title," Zara said.

Cheryl admits that beauty pageants have changed from what they were like 30 years ago.

"There are no swimwear rounds now and before it was more about looks and figures," Cheryl said.

"The pageants are a lot more up-to-date now. Judges are looking for a complete package, someone who is elegant and can really put their town on the map.

"I was lucky enough to win a series of titles across the country, I really got the bug and loved competing.

"I am still friends with a number of girls from the pageants, which is fantastic."

Cheryl and Zara also have a love of fashion and currently run MiMi Boutique in Hessle.

Zara has also done some acting appearing in Hollyoaks, Coronation Street and Emmerdale.

"The Miss Hull competition is just the start of everything," Zara said.

"I did not expect to win at all. "When they called out my name, I just burst into tears.

"It was the best feeling in my whole entire life."

THE preferred bidders have been announced for a £150m green power plant in Hull that will create hundreds of jobs.

Energy Works in Cleveland Street will heat and power 43,000 homes using natural gas substitutes, turbines and solar panels.

There will be 200 building jobs when construction starts and the plant will have a workforce of 40 when up and running.

The preferred bidders are Hull engineers Spencer Group and MWH Treatment, part of US-based MWH Global.

Energy Works project director Phil Morland said: "We are pleased to announce the joint venture of Spencer Group and MWH Treatment as our preferred bidder.

"The two companies are a good fit, with complementary capabilities, and offer the ideal partnership to deliver this ground-breaking project.

"Spencer has vast experience in executing complex multi-disciplinary energy projects and a track record of delivering large civil, electrical and bulk handling works, while MWH brings a wealth of experience in energy recovery projects."

The pair are set to design and build the first phase of the project once financial arrangements are confirmed, with construction due to begin early in 2015 and end by March 2017.

They were selected after a competitive process under European Union rules.

Energy Works is one of the key projects in the City Plan to create 7,500 jobs during the next decade.

The project was highlighted by the High Steward of Hull, Lord Mandelson, when he launched the City Plan in June 2013.

The first phase of the development will be an energy recovery facility to generate 28 megawatts of electricity using a natural gas substitute.

It will process materials which would otherwise be sent to landfill, while also reducing dependency upon imported fossil fuels.

Phase two of the scheme will see the later addition of an anaerobic digestion plant and materials processing facilities.

The power plant is in advanced talks with feedstock suppliers for raw material to generate methane.

Energy Works is also exploring the opportunity to establish a neighbouring data centre worth £20m.

It would take advantage of the plant's cheap power and super-fast Lightstream broadband from communications giant KC.

This further potential investment would be in the region of £20m.

Spencer Group chief executive Frank Millar said: "We are delighted to have been selected, in partnership with MWH Treatment, as preferred bidder for such an exciting and pioneering development.

"As a company founded and based in Hull, our involvement will ensure local employment will be a major priority.

"This project will create and underpin jobs within our business and open up much-needed employment opportunities within the local community."

MWH Treatment is a division of MWH Constructors based in Heywood, Lancashire.

It is part of worldwide environmental engineering group MWH Global, which has 180 offices in 35 countries and headquarters in Colorado, America.

MWH Constructors president and MWH Global director Blair Lavoie said: "We have worked with Spencer Group for some time on this project and we are delighted our joint venture has been named as preferred bidder.

"MWH has a strong reputation for developing long-term relationships with strategic partners and our partnership with Spencer to deliver this truly innovative development is a good example of this approach."

IN THREE years time Hull will be in the spotlight as the UK City of Culture, providing an opportunity to showcase its growing reputation as a vibrant northern city.

But, despite the opportunity for positive coverage, the chances are the city will largely remain in the long shadow of London, much like any other town or city north of Watford.

Tonight, three northern heavyweights will come together in Hull to debate the question What is northern?

Brookside and Hollyoaks creator Phil Redmond, broadcaster Liz Kershaw and Times journalist Robert Crampton will gather in front of a live audience to get to the heart of what makes the North such a unique place.

The northern culture is often negatively portrayed but it is also fiercely defended by those born and brought up in the likes of Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool and Newcastle, not to mention Hull.

This, is a genuine attempt to discard the cliches, tropes, stereotypes and generalisations associated with northernness in order to constructively discuss northern culture.

Chaired by Hull writer Dave Windass, the panel will be asked to ponder whether there a North/South divide at all and if there is such a thing as a shared northern identity.

"I think the northernness thing is pretty obvious," Mr Redmond said.

"We up north are hewn from the land and not simply living off it.

"This goes back to the Roman times and follows through history to the industrial revolution.

"The likes of Liverpool and Hull have been at the mercy of passing times and we just have to live for today.

"Due to this we have developed a sense of resilience and cynicism but also deep social bonds and a certain sentimentality."

But this down-to-earth sense is not limited to the North, Mr Redmond believes.

"This could also be said for the likes of the Midlands, Cornwall and Wales," he said.

"But London and the southern counties have always fed off somewhere else and have been protected from the effects of change.

"But many countries have a dominant city of which other areas are suspicious of, whether it's Paris or Edinburgh.

"The North/South divide is deep-rooted.

"We need to recognise the divide does exist and industrial areas like Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield and Hull shift in fortune."

But Mr Redmond doesn't believe being from the North shouldn't be seen as a hindrance.

"I don't think the divide is a negative thing and it's never held me back," he said.

"There are lots of positives in not being involved in London.

"I think the quality of life is better up here.

"There is a sense of place and a pride in the community."

Hull's UK City of Culture success should help promote what being northern is all about.

"UK City of Culture can have as big or as little an effect as Hull wants," Mr Redmond said.

"There will be £100m worth of media exposure, which isn't a huge deal but it is how the city capitalises on that.

"It is an excuse for the whole community to come together, talk to each other and pool resources.

"This will give the community the confidence to achieve more as long as the mistake isn't made in promising too much."

Ms Kershaw believes accent plays a big part in the North/South divide.

"I get quite irate by the stereotypes," she said.

"It is OK to be northern if you want to be funny or make music but don't dare step above your station and become a Parliamentarian, read the Six O'Clock News or host the Today Programme.

"There hasn't been a northern sounding prime minister since Harold Wilson.

"Strangely, there doesn't seem to be situation regarding national accents from Scotland, Wales or Ireland."

Ms Kershaw questions whether there should be a legal status for discriminating against regional accents.

"You can be entertaining, savvy and cool but try entering the establishment and you will have very little chance," she said.

"There is no legislation against this kind of discrimination.

"There is against race, gender and religion but not against regionalism.

"I had elocution lessons and went to a private school but I decided I didn't want to lose my accent.

"I am proud of where I am from.

"It was difficult having grown up in Rochdale. I wouldn't say I was arrogant but I felt I needed to be better than everyone else to succeed.

"When I got on to Radio 1 there was that prejudice but that has gone now.

Ms Kershaw has strong ties to East Yorkshire.

"My partner is from Hull and grew up off Beverley Road," she said.

"From the age of ten we used to have a caravan at Ulrome and went every weekend.

"The UK City of Culture will be a great thing for Hull.

"There is something to be said for being on the edge of the world."

Mr Crampton feels it is difficult to explain the northern identity.

"You kind of instinctively know how it feels to be northern but it can be difficult to put into words," he said.

"I have lived more of my life in the South than the North but I still feel northern.

"When you meet northerners in London there is always that sense of affection.

"My family still lives up in Hull and we are up there a lot.

"You engage with people more easily in northern towns and cities."

Being northern is also political as well as cultural, Mr Crampton feels.

"There is also a political aspect to it," he said.

"It's generally true that those in the North vote Labour and those down South vote Tory.

"The divide definitely exists but it is becoming more about London and the rest."

Mr Crampton believes this is an exciting time for Hull.

"There is a lot going in Hull at the moment," he said.

"UK City of Culture is a huge thing and Hull City getting to the FA Cup Final will be watched by millions world wide.

"But for the long-term Siemens coming will have the biggest impact.

"With so many jobs and the prospect of more, this is the most important issue."

The event, organised by Head In A Book, will take place tonight at Kardomah in Alfred Gelder Street, from 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5. Visit www.headinabook.eventbrite.co.uk for more information.

WE'RE not training on Friday and for the overseas boys in our squad that means a chance to watch the Test match between Australia and New Zealand.

There's always banter flying around in the squad this time of year when the Test match takes place Down Under and it's the same when State of Origin comes round too.

It's a little different these days as we don't have the senior Aussies like Mark O'Meley, Craig Fitzgibbon and Shaun Berrigan around the place, because those three alone got very competitive.

There's still the friendly rivalry, though, and Jacob Miller and Jordan Rankin have both been trying to wind Aaron Heremaia up.

The early word is a small crowd is expected for the match in Sydney, which for a repeat of the recent World Cup final is a disappointment.

The trouble is in Australia State of Origin has become so big it has taken over from everything else and international rugby is not the biggest thing for the Aussies.

We need a competitive and attractive international game to help grow the sport, but at least they have a Test Down Under to talk about.

The fixture list makes it difficult for us to pencil in regular England games throughout the season, and there's the issue of having a competitive team to play against too.

But it's a shame on the back of what everyone agrees was a successful World Cup, that we don't have a mid-season international this year to capitalise on the good strides made last year.

The audience figures on television as well as the crowds in attendance prove there is an appetite for it, so hopefully going forward we can come up with a schedule that doesn't over-burden the players, but allows the international game to grow too.

AFTER a busy Easter period the squad were given a few days off last week to recharge the batteries.

Everyone in the camp was ready for a bit of a break and a chance to rest up ahead of the next block of games.

We came back to training last Friday and every session since then has been really good. I think you can see the benefit from just having a few days at home for the players.

Radders and Lasty put the players through their paces over the weekend and it was certainly a tough return, but I can sense the determination in the squad to make the most of being out of the Challenge Cup and that's something we must do.

We know we will get three more breaks between now and the end of the season and we have to make sure we turn our cup disappointment to our advantage.

That means starting off with a win on Sunday against Wakefield Wildcats.

Richard Agar has put a good squad together with some familiar faces, but we are determined to return with a win.

To be fair, I am to fashion what Vivienne Westwood is to light heavyweight boxing.

The only conceivable circumstance in which I would be considered remotely à la mode is if I stumbled through a wormhole to an alternate universe where scruffy jeans, Batman T-shirts and an undying loyalty to Def Leppard were considered the height of sophistication.

In the unlikely event this does actually happen, please forward all my post to Universe B because I'm not coming back.

I'm occasionally reminded of my utter lack of style and grace on visits to my family.

They're caring like that.

Last week, for instance, I ventured down the M62 to my brother's house only to find two bags of his old clothes waiting for me.

"You probably need these," he sniffed.

"I was just going to give them to charity, but then I thought you'd wear them.

"I know you don't care about what you look like."

I was going to argue, but then I remembered I was wearing a T-shirt I inherited from him when he left home and went to university so decided not to make a big deal of it.

He left for uni in 1993. That's a true story.

But the fact that most of my family think I'm a cross between a bipedal Littlest Hobo and Worzel Gummidge doesn't bother me, because to be honest, I couldn't give a flying fig about fashion.

I know I perhaps should care a bit more about my appearance, but I honestly couldn't give two sh...anel handbags whether the pants I'm wearing have a designer label on them or not.

In fact, given the chance, I'll always go to the other extreme.

I find labels offensive. It's just another way for flash Harrys and Harriets to say, "ooh look at me, I've got a silly little logo on my naff polo-neck jumper. I must be better then you".

No, actually, you must be cripplingly insecure and dull to have to compensate by adorning yourself in someone else's idea of what's cool.

As Quentin Crisp once said, fashion is what you adopt when you don't know who you are.

OK, perhaps mine is an extreme reaction, but I just don't understand fashion.

I don't understand the need to have a new wardrobe twice a year just so we can look as ridiculous as the trendy Joneses next door.

As Oscar Wilde, a dandy if ever there was one, once quipped, fashion is a form of ugliness so intolerable that we have to alter it every six months.

Why bring this up now, Ian, I hear you ask? You've never shown any significant interest in other people's clothing before, so what's your beef? Well, it's mainly because we're currently in the middle of Hull Fashion Week.

Now please, if you're one of the nice people taking part and showing off all your lovely creations at various lovely events this week, don't take offence.

I get enough letters written in green ink as it is. (Suspiciously, the ink is the same colour as the god-awful trainers BBC behemoth Burnsy was wearing at the real ale festival last week). Hmmmmm.

I'm sure all you lovely local clothes designers are doing a great job. I just don't see the point of what you're doing.

To be honest, the ones who really annoy me are the haute couture fashionistas who pout and pitter patter their hands together while watching some poor numpty tottering up a runway wearing a binbag and marzipan hat in some god- awfully pretentious corner of London, Paris or Milan.

As far as I can tell, it's all emperor's new clothes stuff lapped up by a bunch of clueless sheep too scared to actually stand up and say: "Actually, Naomi/Kate/Kara you look a right state. Here, love, get some chips down you."

Personally, I try to live my life by ideals based on the opposite of everything Karl Lagerfeld says.

After all, it was the bizarrely vampiric, Harry Hill-collared designer who said: "If you stick to something doggedly, you are off to a bad start."

I'm sticking doggedly to my 20-year-old T-shirt, jeans and not giving a flying fig what the latest trends are coming out of Versace, Westwood, Dolce or Gucci.

This year, I will be mainly rocking the Worzel look. As I was last year and will be until further notice.

That may sound like a tall order, but with four games coming up that they should be targeting maximum points from it's not impossible.

Take all eight points on offer and the Robins will put themselves in the mix for a decent finish come the end of the season.

With Kris Keating, Jamie Langley, Dave Hodgson and Jonny Walker all expected back for Sunday's home game against Widnes, KR's squad strength will give supporters hope and raise their expectations.

Having shrugged off a sluggish start to the season, Rovers have turned things around with four wins from their last six matches. That resurgence looks as though it will see coach Craig Sandercock rewarded with a new one-year contract and after enduring a tough run of games to start the season, the fixtures are about to get a little easier.

While no Super League fixture is a gimme, some offer more hope of getting points than others. And everyone at Rovers will hope that time is now.Widnes (H), May 4 WIDNES may be sitting pretty in fifth place with a game in hand against Wigan to come, but their away record this season has been poor. Their only win from four away games came in a 7-0 success over Hull at the KC Stadium.

Fatigue is certain to play a part this weekend, and Rovers have the advantage of not playing a game last weekend, when Widnes were beating Salford to reach the quarter-finals of the Challenge Cup.

Many people raised an eyebrow when Kevin Brown left Huddersfield to join Widnes at the end of last season, but he is the man who makes them tick.

Two points clear of his former Giants team-mates, Brown has bagged seven tries and six assists and will be the player Rovers have to keep their eye on.

Still, Rovers should have enough energy within their squad to claim maximum points to close the gap on the Vikings to just one point.PREDICTION: WinSalford (A), May 10 SO much for the dawn of a new and improved Salford.

After beating Wakefield and London, who are 12th and 13th respectively, the mood around the AJ Bell Stadium isn't great at the moment following their 30-20 Challenge Cup defeat to Widnes on Sunday.

Sky pundit Phil Clarke made a bold prediction that they would take Super League by storm, but now it just looks stupid.

Salford fans are quick to point out that with all the new signings, it would take time to gel. But after a quick enough start to the season, it's not exactly going to plan.

At this stage, they are in a battle with Catalan, Rovers and Warrington for the final play-off place.

Whether Salford will be a threat against Rovers depends heavily on Rangi Chase. Hot one minute and quiet the next, KR need to silence him to gain revenge for throwing away a 20-point lead to lose in the second half of last season.

Red Devils owner Marwan Koukash has called for his players to respect the shirt they wear after doing all he can to bring success to Salford. Failure is not an option for the owner and he will demand points from this game.PREDICTION: WinHull FC (Etihad), May 17 HAVING battled back from 20-10 down to lose 21-20 in the season's first derby, Hull will be fired up for revenge.

Last season's Etihad clash proved to be the backdrop to some bizarre refereeing decisions, from Rhys Lovegrove's forward pass for a Michael Dobson try to Chris Green's offside try which won it.

As we have seen in recent years, anything can happen in derbies. Rovers currently have the bragging rights after their 21-20 Easter win, but FC coach Lee Radford will demand a much-improved performance from his side after they were beaten in all areas at Rovers.

If the Robins can keep Hull's 'awesome foursome' quiet in the front row, Travis Burns and Kris Keating should be able to create openings on the edges, where KR have players who can score from anywhere.PREDICTION: WinLondon (H), May 25 NOBODY has lost to London this season and every team that plays them prays it won't be them. Rovers will be no different because, even with 17 league games to play, London looked doomed for relegation.

Only off the bottom of the table because of Bradford's six-point deduction for going into administration, sooner or later, London's side of loan men and cast-offs will pick up a win.

But Rovers will hope Tony Rea's side have done that before they make their trip to the KC Lightstream Stadium at the end of the month.

Mason Caton-Brown will be the man to watch as he is having a decent season in a struggling side, with six tries already to his name.PREDICTION: Win

THE father of a teenager killed by a racing motorist in a head-on crash has backed police appeals to trace the other driver.

Rhys Wilkinson, 16, suffered multiple injuries and died at the scene of a head-on smash after two cars began racing each other on the A645 Drax link road, near Rawcliffe, on July 12 last year.

Rhys was being given a lift home by colleague Jonathan Joy after starting his first full-time job at Wilco Motosave in Selby.

Joy, 26, was trying to catch a white car that had overtaken him and was driving his red Fiat Punto at 80mph on the wrong side of the road when he hit a grey Ford Focus C-Max.

Although Joy has been jailed for four and a half years, the driver of the white Citroen C1 has never been traced.

Now, as police renew their appeal for help to find the other driver, Rhys's dad Rick has urged the public to help them bring the man to justice.

Mr Wilkinson, 36, said: "Whoever it was knows who it is and they really need to step up. You don't see many white ones and I was surprised it was so difficult to find.

"It could be someone from out of the area, but it would be nice to find out who."

Hull Crown Court heard Joy drove straight into the path of the Ford being driven by Richard Suddaby, who had "no chance" of avoiding it.

Joy, Mr Suddaby, and his son Louis, six, who was a passenger in the Ford, all suffered serious injuries.

Joy, of Station Road in Rawcliffe, admitted causing death by dangerous driving, but the driver of the white car has never been identified.

As he sent Joy to prison, Judge Mark Bury said the white car "has never been traced but when it is, the driver of it will be standing in the dock where you are."

Mark Hughes, Roads Policing Inspector for Humberside Police, who led the investigation into the collision, said: "Extensive inquiries have been ongoing to trace the driver of the white vehicle but, to date, without success.

"We would welcome any new information that may assist in locating the person driving that vehicle.

"A young man lost his life and it is important that we continue to establish all of the facts leading to that very tragic event.

"We would like to take this opportunity to refresh our appeal to anyone with information to contact us."

Anyone with information can call the non-emergency number on 101, quoting log number 633 of July 12, last year.

BUSINESSES in Beverley are breathing a sigh of relief as the £2.6m refurbishment of Saturday Market nears its completion.

East Riding Council says the work provides the market town with a space that will help maintain its place as one of the country's most vibrant market towns.

Nigel Leighton, director of environment and neighbourhood services at East Riding Council, said: "We would like to thank residents and businesses alike for their patience and understanding during the works to transform this vital part of the town centre.

"We are confident the new-look Saturday Market provides Beverley with a space that will help it maintain its place as one of the country's most vibrant market towns."

Work on the £2.6m revamp of Saturday Market began in January last year.

The only works left to complete are paving in Old Waste, which will be completed by Friday, May 9, and repaving outside Burton's store in Toll Gavel, which will be completed this summer.

There will also be resurfacing works in part of Lairgate, which will be carried out on Sundays late next month and in early June.

Mr Leighton said: "There are still some works to complete, such as cabling for the new market electrical system and minor finishing works, and we hope that people will bear with us while we finish the job.

"I also hope that residents and visitors will appreciate that there are now fewer signs and posts and much reduced road markings, thereby reducing street clutter."

The revamping of the market place has been designed to make the area more pedestrian-friendly.

Philip Guest, a partner of Guest and Philips jewellers, said: "We are mightily relieved it's nearly finished.

"The past year has been tough on businesses.

"We are pleased with the results of the work. The new street lighting and the pavements look nice now they are finished.

"The appeal of the market place has been advanced.

"People have complained about the lack of car parking, but the car park behind the fire station is under used."

The council had initially intended to permanently remove almost all the stone setts in Saturday Market, but public pressure forced a U-turn.

Tracey Scaife, of Debonhair in Lairgate, said: "Clients have said the works have gone on for too long. But, personally, I think what they've done looks nice."

But for some businesses, the completion comes too late. The Real Sandwich Company in Beverley has closed its shop, partly blaming the ongoing improvements to Saturday Market for having a catastrophic effect on its trade.

Although many businesses have reported a loss in profits during the work, Sam Riby, assistant manager at The Grapes, said a few workers had been coming in for a bite to eat after work.

"The works haven't really affected us and our business that much," he said.

"It was only when the path outside was being done that it was difficult, but the builders have been coming in after work for something to eat."

The refurbished market square now contains newly marked parking bays and has been made into a restricted parking zone.

Mr Leighton said: "We ask people to familiarise themselves with the new parking arrangement.

"We appreciate it does take time to get used to changes in parking, therefore, there will be an initial enforcement grace period while residents, businesses and visitors get used to these changes.

"The council would like to clarify that there is no change to the cost of parking. Holders of disabled badges are advised that they must also park within appropriately marked bays."

• Mobile phone users visit Business Awards entry form

THE owners of a cocker spaniel found dead after being reported stolen at Flamborough have said they are devastated by the loss. Spaniel Daisy is thought to have been snatched by a gang of men while she was out for a walk with her owner, Jill Epworth, in Flamborough on Thursday.

However, yesterday, Ms Epworth and her partner Graham Clark were given told that their pet had been found dead.

Police have said there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances. When Daisy went missing hundreds of Mail readers sent an appeal through Facebook to try to find her.

Mr Clark said: "I know to some people she is only a dog, but to us she was everything.

"We are missing her already. We don't know exactly what has gone on, but it is just awful."

The couple got Daisy after Ms Epworth was diagnosed with the neurological condition multiple sclerosis and had to leave her job.

"She has helped no end," said Mr Clark.

"She was a real companion for Jill. For us, we have some closure now, but we are devastated."

He said the couple had been moved by the support from members of the public to help find Daisy, as appeals to find her were shared thousands of times.

The walker who found Daisy recognised the dog from the appeal and contacted police.

Mr Clark was then sent photographs of her body and confirmed it was his missing pet.

"There have been so many lovely people out there who have given us so much help and support," Mr Clark said.

"Everybody has been so caring and we want to say thank you. The police have been brilliant, as have Andrea, Alexander and Tracy, of lost and found.

"They gave us so much help and encouragement."

Police said a witness saw three men taking photographs of a dog near the RNLI station in South Sea Road, close to where Daisy ran away.

They then picked up the dog and walked away towards the Living Seas Centre and the car park.

The witness said the dog had a bleeding paw.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "Daisy the cocker spaniel has been found deceased.

"A call was made to police reporting that a dog, believed to have matched the description of missing Daisy, had been found deceased.

"The dog, which has now been confirmed as the missing cocker spaniel, was found on Danes Dyke Beach, close to Flamborough Head.

"The owner of the dog has been informed and there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances."

SAVE Our Ferriby (SOF) campaigners have called for a halt to a public inquiry into two planning appeals for controversial housing development.

The campaigners are fighting planning appeals for hundreds of new homes, health and leisure facilities on land off Brickyard Lane, between North Ferriby and Melton.

Developer St Modwen is appealing against East Riding Council's refusal of permission for 510 homes and facilities, as well as a smaller-scale plan for 390 homes with facilities.

SOF campaigners have protested about the inquiry being held outside their village, making it difficult for residents to attend the four-week hearing at Beverley's County Hall.

They have also complained they have been unable to access evidence on the 390-home scheme, as the campaign group was not recognised as an official party to that appeal.

SOF chairman Emma Reid-Chalmers, who called for the inquiry to be adjourned, told the inquiry: "The application is for a stay of these proceedings pending application by the proposed applicant to the High Court concerning but not limited to conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, abuse of process, proceedings, obstruction of the course of justice and/or negligence including conduct while in public office."

Ms Reid-Chalmers had last year forced the adjournment of a previous inquiry into St Modwen's plans, when she convinced the inspector the campaign group had a right to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses.

The inspector of the latest inquiry, Kathleen Ellison, yesterday asked for written responses on behalf of St Modwen and the council on the issues now raised by Ms Reid-Chalmers, who is a barrister.

Meanwhile, the parties were invited to submit their opening statements to yesterday's first day of the inquiry.

Christopher Young, counsel representing St Modwen, told the inquiry: "The appellant's case is that the proposal for the 510 dwellings should be granted.

"That has always been its case and is based on the acute problems with the housing land supply and delivery of affordable housing.

"In the event that the inspector and the Secretary of State do not agree with the appellant, the second application offers a compromise in which only up to 390 dwellings are to be built and all of the land west of Brickyard Lane should remain for employment development.

"The total quantum of affordable housing obviously falls but with it being 40 per cent, the difference is not so great when measured against what the 510-dwelling scheme can achieve."

The council has argued the site is valuable employment land.

However, Mr Young told the inquiry: "In the event that the Secretary of State has an residual concerns about the supply of employment land, then rather than dismiss the appeal the appellant is willing to undertake a commitment to fund a new two-way bridge over the railway to the south of the appeal site to provide access to the large areas of suitable employment land."

Paul Tucker, QC acting for the council, told the inquiry the importance of Melton for employment purposes has long been recognised.

He also pointed out Hull is on the verge of becoming the UK's centre of renewable technology.

He said: "Melton is promoted as a large-scale, high-quality site close to the principal road network close to the M62 corridor as well as the city of Hull, whose loss would represent a body blow to the economy of the district and the wider region."

Mr Tucker said the loss of the site to non-employment use would also be a blow to the principal economic ambitions of the council's Local Plan.

He said: "To make such a momentous decision outside the development plan process, solely to facilitate the commercial interests of one landowner, would be monstrous."

The inquiry was due to resume today.

DOCTORS have completed mental health assessments on a sex attacker who tried to rape a woman as she walked home from a night out.

Latvian Rolands Brize admitted attempting to rape the 23-year-old woman a year ago, but is still awaiting sentence after the case was delayed 11 times.

A judge branded the case a scandal after hearing there had been a shortage of beds at a suitable hospital facility and a lack of available translators.

However, the hospital where Brize has been treated since January has now confirmed all assessments have been completed.

Judge Mark Bury said he would sentence Brize next month whether he had been fully assessed or not.

Psychiatrists are likely to recommend he is given a hospital order, but Judge Bury said he is still considering jailing Brize for life.

A spokesman for Chadwick Lodge, where Brize is being treated, said: "This case has been with our hospital for less than three months.

"We have deployed all the relevant professionals to ensure it is dealt with speedily after delays in the system before the case reached us.

"Our assessment has taken about 12 weeks, which is within the normal time frame expected of such cases.

"All our reports will be available for the next court hearing."

After hearing the case would be postponed for the 11th time, the victim said: "I feel everything is on the offender's terms because it's best for him and his frame of mind and so they don't do anything that makes him feel uncomfortable, uneasy or unwell. What about how this makes me feel?"

She had been walking from Sugar Mill nightclub on March 9 last year when Brize, who had been refused entry to the club, grabbed her from behind on Myton Bridge.

She screamed and managed to shake him off before frantically calling 999 to tell the operator she was being followed.

While she was still on the phone, Brize grabbed her again, pulled her onto a footpath by the bridge over the River Hull and tried to rape her.

The operator sent police officers to the scene, who found the woman's shoes and handbag strewn across the pavement.

They followed the trail and found Brize attacking the woman, who was still connected to the call operator.

He is due to be sentenced at Hull Crown Court next month.

VICTIMS of street harassment will be given support by a dedicated team at the University of Hull.

International organisation Hollaback! has launched a local branch to help those who have suffered from abuse of any kind on the streets.

It is dedicated to ending sexual harassment of women and other forms of abuse suffered by people in the community.

International research shows that between 70 to 99 per cent of women experience street harassment at some point in their lives, according to the organisation.

That can range from wolf whistling, leering and crude comments made by passers-by to flashing and sexual assault. The new branch at the Cottingham Road university aims to raise awareness about students' experience of sexual harassment, whether on campus or in the city.

Juliette Sanchez-Lambert, Holla- back! Hull University site co-leader, said: "Hollaback is here to talk about sexual harassment, so people understand it is not OK, perpetrators are stopped and victims have somewhere to share their experience and feel less alone."

The branch is being run by a team of local community leaders who will work online and offline to give a voice and support to victims of street and sexual harassment.

Hollaback is now in 79 cities and 26 countries, with leaders speaking more than 14 different languages.

The branch will run a local blog and help the student community through advocacy, community partnerships and direct action.

In addition to the University of Hull branch, other sites launched this month include in the Bahamas, Bristol, Cleveland, Columbus, East Lansing, Marrakesh and Plattsburgh.

Debjani Roy, deputy director of Hollaback!, said: "The newly launched sites are led by some of the most dynamic, inspiring and committed activists in the world, who are paving the way by raising awareness and taking action around the issue of street harassment in their communities.

"With the launch of every new site, we are sending the message that street harassment is a problem that we can, and will, collectively end."

A dedicated website has been set up for the University of Hull branch.

Students and other members of the community are invited to visit the site and share their stories.

They will also be informed of any news and events, and there is support and advice offered online for anyone who feels they have been a victim of such harassment.

Visit hulluniversity.ihollaback.org for further information or to get in touch.

RISING crime figures should not be seen as sign of failure, according to Humberside's police and crime commissioner.

Matthew Grove said that an increase in crime in Hull – the first for ten years – does not mean it will continue to climb.

When he was elected in 2012, Mr Grove said his top priority was to reduce crime. However, overall crime in Hull rose by 11 per cent between April last year and March this year.

Despite the increase, which included sharp rises in violence, robbery and thefts, Mr Grove said he believes crime will still fall.

"As I have always said, we need to be very cautious about reading too much into any one set of figures, whether they are good or bad," he said.

"They can be used to guide police operations but I don't think they should be used as a mark of success or failure.

"We need to remember they are not a measure of police activity or performance, they are more a measure of society.

"Crime fluctuates and you get changes from year to year. It is also important to remember we are very ethical about recording crime. We don't try to manipulate or doctor figures."

The force has lost hundreds of officers since the Government slashed its budget in 2010.

About 200 officers and up to 600 police staff will go in the next five years as part of plans to save a further £30m.

However, Mr Grove said the cuts were not linked to the rise in crime.

"Policing has an effect on crime figures but it is not the biggest influence," he said.

"There will be another significant reduction in officers over the next few years but there has also been a significant increase in special constables since I was elected.

"It is not as black and white as it is portrayed by some."

Mr Grove said he was particularly concerned to see increases in house burglary and violence in the city.

Violent crime without injury rose by 38.9 per cent, while violent offences where somebody was hurt went up by 6.9 per cent.

There were 88 more houses broken into during the year when compared with previous year, a rise of 6 per cent.

"That is one of my most concerning increases," he said.

"While it is a small number, house burglary is incredibly serious. It is devastating and we are tackling it head-on with a lot of resources.

"We also need to tackle violence without injury because it can escalate into serious violence where somebody becomes injured or worse.

"Where we are seeing significant increases, they are generally the less damaging crimes. Burglary from a shed or outbuilding is not as devastating or invasive as having someone in your house.

"For shop theft, each individual crime is not as damaging as other crimes to victims. Having said that, both of these crimes are being tackled head-on.

"If you look at the figures from two years ago, we still have less crime than we did then in Hull, so the overall trend is downwards."