HULL North MP Diana Johnson has branded a Government department "shambolic" after it mislaid 300 of her constituents letters.

On October 23, Ms Johnson was photographed delivering the letters to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in London.

However, earlier this week, Ms Johnson was told the office of Secretary of State Owen Paterson had lost the correspondence.

Residents had written to Ms Johnson describing their concerns at not being able to obtain reasonably-priced flood insurance.

On Thursday, she was told the letters had turned up – five weeks after they were delivered.

Ms Johnson said: "On Wednesday, Owen Paterson's private office told me the 300 letters that I delivered to Defra, addressed to him, had been lost.

"Now we are told that the letters have been found, five weeks after being delivered.

"This shambles is getting like an episode of In The Thick Of It, with Laurel and Hardy as special guest stars.

"All I want is for my constituents to be given a proper answer to their letter and hopefully one that gives them hope that they will be able to get flood insurance in future."

Ms Johnson said she is far from happy with the situation.

"The coalition Government's 27 per cent cut to flood defence funding is bad enough, but for 300 letters from Hull North constituents about the future of flood insurance to just be lost is unacceptable. It's a shambles."

Following the floods of summer 2007, many householders across East Yorkshire have the cost of insurance rocket.

Some residents have reportedly been unable to find an insurer willing to accept the risk of another "freak" storm.

Ms Johnson said: "The previous Defra Secretary told me in the Commons on June 25 that the Government had 'found a way forward with the insurance industry' and would make an announcement 'shortly'.

"Then we heard no more for several months. I then chased the issue up, to be told that negotiations between the Government and the insurance industry were unfinished."

A Defra spokesman said: "We have the letters. We will respond in due course."

A VISIT to the salon for his monthly haircut could have saved a farmer's life.

David Edmunds, 65, has praised hairdresser Debbie Skoyles after she noticed a worrying growth on his scalp.

After urging him to see the doctor, the growth was removed and Mr Edmunds was told it could have turned cancerous.

Such was his appreciation that he went in to Fe'Male Ego in Hessle Road, west Hull, this week with a bunch of flowers to thank Debbie.

He said: "You can't look at the top of your head, so I had no idea about the spot.

"But Debbie told me I should get it looked at, which I did immediately.

"My doctor referred me to hospital and I had it surgically removed.

"While it was benign, they doctors told me it could easily have turned very nasty if it hadn't been treated.

"They told me it had to be removed sharpish.

"It could have become a real problem, but it isn't something I want to dwell on."

Mr Edmunds, who is a farmer in Wawne, near Hull, is relieved Debbie went beyond the call of duty.

He said: "I'm just glad she brought my attention to it.

"She is not medically qualified and it's not part of her job but she has certainly gone beyond her job description, which I am so grateful for."

Debbie, 40, is just pleased she was in a position to help one of her customers.

She said: "David had been in a couple of months before and I noticed this mark on his head.

"When he came back, it had grown and changed colour. I told him it was best he got it looked at.

"I had seen it in another client and knew it could be a problem.

"He was really grateful I alerted him to it.

"With him being so tall, there is little chance anyone else would have noticed it other than me."

Debbie, who started working at the salon when she was 16 years old, admits she was concerned about David after he had been in the salon.

She said: "You can't be too careful with things like this. I didn't want to worry him.

"After he had been in I continued to be worried about him.

"He came in with some flowers and told me I had saved his life.

"I dread to think what could have happened if it hadn't been discovered."

Owner of Fe'Male Ego, Donna Finn, praised Debbie for the way she dealt with the problem.

She said: "Our staff are trained to identify skin complaints on the scalp, although we don't normally deal with anything this potentially serious.

"I am very proud of Debbie, as it looks like she might have saved a client's life."

HUNDREDS of East Riding sixth-formers are dropping out of school without completing their A-level studies.

One in four students is deserting East Riding secondary schools by the end of their first year of sixth form.

Out of 1,925 pupils who started Year 12 at one of the county's 17 sixth forms, 474 dropped out – 24.6 per cent of students starting in 2010-11.

Now, an in-depth investigation has been ordered by East Riding Council's children and young people overview and scrutiny committee to find out why such huge numbers are not staying on for a second year after AS level.

Councillor Kerri Harold, chairman of the committee, said: "I am shocked and saddened by the drop-out rate.

"When you see a big drop-out rate like that, you have to equate each statistic to a young person not feeling they were on the right course, for whatever reason.

"We need to look into this data and find out if we have any hotspots or any areas really lacking in provision."

Cllr Harold said students must have the support they need to make the right choices at post-16.

She said: "Those drop-out rates desperately need to come down.

"What no one wants is for any child to feel they have failed in their choices."

Figures show many switched to colleges (40 per cent), or went into jobs or training (13 per cent).

Some 4.4 per cent of East Riding students who left by the end of their first year in sixth form ended up as Neets – not in education, employment or training.

Cllr Harold said information and guidance staff in schools must help ensure students do not end up on the wrong courses.

More taster sessions could be needed, as well as more in-depth consultation.

Beverley High School – which had the lowest drop-out rate, at 8.2 per cent – could be asked to share best practice with other secondary schools.

The committee heard economic forecasts suggest higher-level qualifications will become more important.

A report before members said organisations including Education Business Partnership and Jobcentre Plus have been involved in improving skill shortages, together with media campaigns such as 100 apprentices in 100 days, promoted by the Mail's Bounce Back initiative.

Margaret Hicks-Clarke, head of data at the Press Association (PA) in Howden, told the committee basic skills are a minimum requirement of employers.

PA is one of the largest employers in the East Riding with 500 permanent staff. Work includes providing TV listings and scores for Sky Sports.

She said: "Good English and maths skills are important and we want staff to be computer literate.

"We give people a standard test to see they are at the right level of literacy for us, and 50 per cent of people don't get past that test."

Mrs Hicks-Clarke agreed to host a visit by the committee to discuss issues including skills requirements.

THEY'RE the best bar none pub in the East Riding – and that's official.

The Royal Mail in Thorngumbald is the overall winner of the annual East Riding Best Bar None Awards, which recognise well-run pubs and licensed premises.

The scheme encourages licensees to demonstrate a responsible and safe approach to looking after customers, while discouraging the kind of binge- drinking that can lead to crime.

Royal Mail licensee Vicki Buckle, who also scooped the award for best community premises, is delighted to win recognition for her efforts – just two years after switching careers to take over the village pub.

Mrs Buckle, 40, said: "My whole purpose in being at the pub is to bring the community together – the village pub should be the heart of the community.

"It's not just about beer sales, it's about being able to walk into a pub on your own and stand at the bar and have someone to talk to."

The pub also works closely with police to ensure responsible drinking and prevent drink- related trouble.

Mrs Buckle said: "We have police surgeries and I have done my own drink-driving campaign by localising standard posters.

"We are very strict with licensing. We stop serving people who are intoxicated. I will say 'we can't let you have any more beer but will you have a coffee with us?'.

"We are also strict on asking people for ID. We do all the things we should be doing."

Councillor Claude Mole, vice- chairman of East Riding Council, is delighted with the response of licensees to the scheme.

He said: "This scheme encourages licensees to act responsibly and take pride in their premises and surroundings and, in doing so, put something back into their local community.

"The effort of all of the participants is highly commendable, bringing lots of rewards for licensees, including the prestige of being part of the awards scheme, increased business in the area and lower insurance premiums resulting from the fact that they are running safer establishments.

"However, the main winners of the awards scheme are the local community and visitors, who benefit from a more welcoming, attractive, lively and, above all, safe place to visit."

The other main award-winners were the New Inn in Hornsea for Best Pub; Weir Bar in Hessle for Best Bar and Lobster Pot in Bridlington for Best Food-led/Family- friendly venue.

A £300,000 appeal to cover the cost of a little boy's potentially life-saving cancer treatment has hit the halfway mark.

Charlie Hook, six, was diagnosed with neuroblastoma, an aggressive form of childhood cancer, on his fifth birthday in January last year.

Although he underwent successful treatment in Leeds, he still faces an 80 per cent chance of relapse.

Charlie's family launched the Charlie Hook Appeal in July last year to take him to the US for treatment if he relapses.

Now, the appeal has reached £153,625 and Charlie's mother, Nicola, 33, said the relief is immeasurable.

She said: "I'm over the moon. It's amazing.

"It's such a huge weight off my shoulders knowing we are over halfway there and a huge chunk of money is available if Charlie needs it.

"It means we are able to secure some treatment with that amount if we need to.

"It won't pay for all of it but we could show doctors abroad we have money available and pay deposits."

After a year of treatment and extensive tests, doctors confirmed Charlie's treatment had been successful in February.

Charlie, of west Hull, is progressing well and has regular check-ups and tests in Leeds.

He is due to undergo major scans and further tests in January.

Nicola, who also has two other children, Molly, five, and Archie, 20 months, said she has been overwhelmed by the support for the appeal.

"Most of this money has been raised by complete and utter strangers whom I have never met," she said.

"It's overwhelming people are prepared to do that for Charlie and our family.

"We couldn't have done it without them and this wouldn't have happened without people's generosity and kindness."

Nicola said the pressure is now on to push towards the £300,000 target and she will not rest until it is raised.

"It's got to be there ready," she said. "It's a fantastic lump sum to start treatment if Charlie needs it. But it's not enough to pay any balance.

"We have to keep going and I will keep going for as long as it takes to get to the £300,000. I'm absolutely determined."

Nicola said she is now looking forward to Christmas with her family and Charlie is already writing his wish list for Father Christmas.

But she said the best gift of all is knowing some of the money is ready if Charlie needs it.

"Passing the halfway mark is the best Christmas present," she said.

"All I want is some security knowing, should the worst happen, we are well on our way to putting plans into action."

Individuals, schools and businesses have raised money for the appeal.

Russ Kemp, 33, of west Hull, is planning to run from Hallam FM in Sheffield to Viking FM in Hull on Sunday, covering 63 miles for the cause.

He has so far raised about £8,000 for the appeal through sponsored events. To sponsor him, visit www.justgiving. com/challengeruss2012

CORRY Evans, the quiet man of the Hull City dressing room, offered up no arguments when taken to one side by Steve Bruce two weeks ago and informed he would be dropped to the bench for the trip to Birmingham City.

Bruce was apologetic. Evans' form in the four preceding games, including a man-of-the-match display in a 1-0 win over Barnsley, deserved more admitted the Tigers boss.

Team-mates less cordial would have ranted and raved in the circumstances.

Evans, however, chose to bide his time and deliver a statement Bruce would not forget.

After missing a 3-2 win at Birmingham and a 1-0 home defeat to Burnley, the Northern Ireland international seized his opportunity to pin a hugely competitive City midfield with a lively and efficient return in Tuesday's entertaining 0-0 draw with second-placed Crystal Palace.

Evans has imperfections, most notably lacking in stature when pitted against the Championship's more physical opponents, but Bruce will purr at the rookie's attitude as City head to Nottingham Forest this afternoon.

"Did I complain? No, it's the manager's decision and he explained things to me," said Evans, hopeful of retaining his place in City's midfield today.

"It was just for personnel reasons for the match itself because Birmingham were a big physical team.

"Everyone's disappointed when they don't play and I'm not alone. There's some excellent players here who can't even get on the bench at the minute.

"Your only option is to prove to the manager that you should be playing.

"The manager has his reasons but it's football, you accept it and look to make your point whenever you get the chance.

"You have to try and make a statement so he can't leave you out again. Hopefully, I did that the other night."

The pretty contest promised at the City Ground makes Evans a good bet to be retained by Bruce, but a tenacity within the 22-year-old is making him increasingly suitable for all occasions.

Three yellow cards this season, a figure that makes him the bad boy in the Tigers' tidiest of campaigns, have underlined a devilment in Evans' make-up. Looks, it seems, can be deceiving.

"I would never shy away from a tackle," he said. "I was always told if you go in soft, you come out hurt.

"To not come out hurt is to go in hard. I've stuck with that and won't change.

"Maybe in the air it's a bit of a different story but there's ways around it.

"The more you play against physical opponents, the more you learn little tricks to get around them.

"The Championship has a lot of big players in every team and it's up to you to deal with that challenge."

If Evans was able to accept his omission well a fortnight ago, he puts it down to a new understanding of the bigger picture.

As part of a City side that set up camp in the Championship's top six for almost three months of last season, Evans witnessed first hand the slow advances of fatigue on Nick Barmby's slender squad in spring.

Five consecutive defeats at the end of March would ultimately account for the good work of a season inside 18 cruel days.

Bruce has attempted to address City's shortcomings since his appointment in June and although it has been to the detriment of Evans' chances, the midfielder knows it was a must.

"It's a tough league where you can't play the same eleven every week," said Evans, who played in every game of Barmby's reign.

"By March last season, our squad was starting to look really thin and that's when we started to falter.

"It was tough to play in so many games and I felt it myself. Two games a week, every week, can be very demanding and it will catch up with you.

"We've got a much bigger squad this year that's full of quality."

While the strengthening in key areas has equipped City well for the battles ahead, Evans believes his own development will also aid a promotion challenge.

Since initially signing on loan from Manchester United in January 2011, a move made permanent four months later in a £500,000 transfer, the once unproven youngster has amassed 77 appearances. A century and further improvements are next on his horizon.

"I'm picking up experience with every game I play and feel like I've found my feet," he said.

"I was maybe a little bit tentative when I first came but now I feel as though I've grown into the team.

"I feel as though I have a big role to play.

"I didn't know it was that many games I'd played here but hopefully I can get to the 100 mark as soon as I can and keep going."

Maintaining progress is a target also on Bruce's mind as the final month of 2012 begins at Nottingham Forest today.

A run of 15 points from six games had dragged the Tigers within two points of top spot early last month, only for the points to dry up with just four gathered from a possible 12 ahead of today's trip to the East Midlands.

A 1-0 defeat to Burnley seven days ago and a goal-less draw with Crystal Palace combined to make it a "frustrating week" at the KC Stadium.

But after helping City to wins in their last two trips to the City Ground, Evans has faith a hat-trick can be completed today.

"It's been a frustrating week because you're trying to take maximum points from your home games.

"But I still believe that we'll be fine by the end of the season because it's a long year and we'll be around that promotion mix without doubt.

"Sometimes you come away from a tough ground like Forest, where we've won the last two years, is a great feeling.

"The style that Forest play will probably suit us more than a big physical team that lumps balls forward and looks for seconds.

"They've added decent quality this season and are having a good go. It'll be a tough test for us."

RESIDENTS in an East Riding village are celebrating after a wind turbine application was thrown out.

Despite the owner of Manor Farm in Bempton reducing the application from two turbines to one turbine, the plans have been refused by East Riding Council's eastern area planning committee this month.

The plan for the 24m turbine was thrown out after an objection by the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which was concerned with the interference to its radar at nearby Staxton Wold.

Concerns were also raised about the impact on barn owls living in the area and on the heritage coast.

Resident David Hinde has campaigned against the application for almost a year.

He said: "The scheme has been rejected even after they scaled down the application, so I think that will be it now.

"I can't see them appealing because of the MoD objection.

"There were 160 objections to their first application and more than 100 this time around.

"This would be just 300 yards from the village. Rejecting this scheme is absolutely critical to the heritage coast."

Mr Hinde hopes the decision will put off other developers.

He said: "We are very pleased. This is a double celebration for us. This will give us some protection from future applications.

"The whole village is relieved as this is the last of this current set of applications."

Fellow resident Bernard Traves has also expressed his relief.

He said: "We are delighted and can only thank the planning committee.

"The people putting in these turbine applications just don't realise the stress it puts on people's lives and the sleepless nights it causes.

"A lot of work has gone in to protecting the heritage coast over the years and that shouldn't be undone now.

"We need all the parish councils to get together to fight future applications."

The owners of Manor Farm in Bempton submitted plans to install the 24m Gaia turbine on land that would lie just 180m away from homes.

But councillors unanimously threw out the plans.

KIND-HEARTED children at a west Hull primary have filled more than 500 shoeboxes with Christmas gifts for those less fortunate than them.

The 552 boxes were collected by pupils at Bricknell Primary School and will be sent to youngsters in Sierra Leone.

In just a month the children came together to donate essential items for the Real Aid appeal, along with toys and other gifts for disadvantaged boys and girls.

Debra Wheatley, community links teacher at the school, said it's the fifth year pupils, teachers and staff have been involved in the charity's collection.

She said: "This is a record-breaking year for us – we're up by more than 100 boxes, which is brilliant news.

"We've involved the Tigers Trust for the first time and it's really given the appeal a boost.

"They offered to give the class who donated the most boxes a free tour around KC Stadium.

"All of the children were really excited and it ended up being a bit of a competition.

"There are 630 pupils at the school and it's almost one box per child which has been donated."

Debra said even the caretakers and cleaners came together to give nine boxes full of gifts.

On top of this, pupils at nearby Newington Primary School also donated 26 boxes.

"It's fantastic that even other schools are getting involved and all of the teachers have been donating," Debra said.

"They are full of soap, toothbrushes, pens and pencils and there's a toy in every box.

"We're not allowed to put addresses in but it's not about getting something back from Sierra Leone, it's about giving.

"This appeal always makes the children realise how fortunate they are to wake up on Christmas morning and have presents.

"They also now understand how lucky they are to have the simple things in life like toothpaste.

"This appeal is always the start of Christmas at the school and now we've given something to others the children can start to have fun."

Pupils James Thackeray, 10, and Midhawy Alabri, 11, were among the children who helped to collect the boxes for Real Aid in Tickton.

The charity has an established network with headquarters near Beverley in East Yorkshire and international offices in Sierra Leone, Albania and Bulgaria.

Midhawy, of west Hull, said: "I have donated two boxes this year for little girls and put in toys and items which would help to save their lives.

"It's important that we all get together to help others and it looks great when all the boxes are piled up."

James said the generosity from those at the school had been "amazing."

He said: "Everyone should be proud of themselves for taking part."

Richard Dexter, school sports manager for the Tiger's Trust, said he was pleased the charity could be involved.

He said: "We were contacted and more than happy to come to the school and offer the pupils a tour around the stadium.

"It's absolutely amazing how many boxes they've collected and the sheer hard work from everyone.

"It will really make a difference to so many children's lives.

"We're hoping to arrange the tour before Christmas and hopefully we can be involved again next year, I don't see why we can't be.

"Roary is recognisable to all of the children and has helped to inspire them to help others."

FRAIZER Campbell has the chance to do something not many players have done, be a hero twice at the same club. Just like everyone else, I have heard the rumours linking my old strike partner with a return to Hull City.

The Tigers' forwards are firing blanks at the moment and over at Sunderland there is a striker sat warming the bench who scores goals for fun.

When you take into account the fact that Steve Bruce signed Fraizer and brought him to Sunderland, it only strengthens the rumours further.

I'm going to call Fraizer this weekend and have a chat with him. I'm going to ring him and tell him he should come back and be a hero again because he's got a chance to fire Hull City to the Premier League for the second time in his career and what an achievement that would be.

To get promoted you need not one but two strikers who can get you a hat full of goals.

When we went up in 2008 me and Fraizer had about 15 goals each and City need that sort of return again.

Bruce has strike options in Sone Aluko, Jay Simpson, Aaron Mclean and Nick Proschwitz, but none are what I would call a box player.

I say none of them, to be fair I haven't seen enough of Proschwitz to make that judgement, but the other three aren't.

Aluko and Simpson like to come deep and Simpson in particular seems most happy chasing balls into the channel.

City need someone playing off the shoulders of the last defender and getting in the box.

On Tuesday, I watched City against Crystal Palace and every time Robbie Brady got hold of the ball I sat there thinking how excited I'd be as the forward in that City team.

I could see as soon as he picked up the ball what he was going to do with it and you knew where he wanted to put the ball. The strikers needed to be making better runs into the box, while some of the finishing was very poor.

I'd have scored two goals on Tuesday night, and I mean me now, not the me of five years ago.

As a striker you love to get the sort of service Brady was providing. When I was at Bradford I had Nicky Summerbee firing the balls into the box and he created so many goals for me.

Brady can do that for City, as can Ahmed Elmohamady. But City need that box striker to get on the end of their quality deliveries to put the ball in the back of the net.

Fraizer is that box forward and that's why I think he would be such a big success again at City.

I'm sure Bruce would take him back, but whether the owners will give him the money to bring Fraizer in is another matter. Surely something can be agreed, though?

The other factor to take into account is whether Fraizer wants to leave the Premier League and come back to the Championship.

Knowing the lad as I do, he just wants to play football matches. He's not doing that at the minute and a move back to City would give him that chance.

Maybe there is a club in the Premier League, a Reading for example, who would come in for him in January, but I'll be calling him this weekend to make sure he knows it is the KC Stadium where he needs to be at.

WRESTLING fans are set for a final showdown of the year as organisers try to make Hull a hub for the sport.

New Generation Wrestling (NGW) is returning to Hull by popular demand to end a successful year in the ring.

The company, which has held a series of shows in the city, has seen its fan base grow and organisers now believe Hull could become the country's wrestling hub.

Rich Dunn, promoter of NGW, said the demand for the sport has gone beyond his and the company's expectations.

He said: "It has been a massive year for us.

"We have grown to a level over the past 12 months that we were not expecting and that is largely down to the support from fans in Hull.

"We have taken a lot on but it has been very successful.

"The idea of this final event is to have a celebration and to thank the people of Hull."

The Eternal Glory show will feature Hull's first ladder match.

Some of the biggest names in UK wrestling will feature in the line-up.

NGW was set up in 2008 and has seen audiences grow from 25 to 500 people.

Mr Dunn said: "There is obviously a market for wrestling in Hull, as there is across the whole of the UK.

"We want to get the sport to the same level here as it is in the US.

"Increasing production is the difference between being a circus-style act and a professional production.

"The show will be the finale of a fantastic year for us. All of our shows offer something for everyone whether it be the action or the story behind the productions, and this will be no different."

NGW presented Ultimate Showdown at The Sports Arena in June, which proved to be the company's biggest event in Hull, with more than 500 wrestling fanatics going to watch.

On the back of another successful event last month, Mr Dunn believes Hull could play a big part in the development of the sport in this country.

He said: "We are getting more and more of the top talents in the UK coming from Hull.

"There is a crop of people chomping at the bit to get into the sport and make their name in the industry. It's a very exciting time."

Tickets for Eternal Glory, which will be held at The Eastmount Centre, in Waveney Road, Longhill, on Saturday, from 7pm, are available at www.ngwuk.com and cost £9.

LUKE Campbell is widely understood to be in training for the hit ITV show Dancing On Ice.

He is expected to go up against fellow Olympian Beth Tweddle and a host of other celebrities.

The contestants have not been officially announced yet, but fans have spotted Luke training at Hull Ice Arena.

Celebrity skaters are paired up with profess- ionals and taught how to figure skate on the show.

The show will be presented by Philip Schofield and Christine Bleakley.

Each week, the celebrities perform a routine with their partner in front of a live audience.

A panel of judges each give them a score out of ten before a phone vote is opened for the public to save their favourite skaters.

The two with the lowest votes will go into a "skate-off" for survival, with the judges choosing the celebrity to leave.

A CAMPAIGN to celebrate the 30th anniversary of an animal rescue charity has been hailed a massive success.

The Mail teamed up with Hull Animal Welfare to help home dogs, cats and rabbits throughout the month of November to celebrate three decades of their work.

Now, thanks to our readers' kindness, dogs Kenny, Morse, Liza, Rocky, Georgie; cats Kyle, Jamie, June, Jax and Pebbles have all found loving new homes.

Sue Sewell, chairwoman of Hull Animal Welfare Trust, said: "The campaign has been an amazing success. We have certainly homed more than 30 animals during November, although not all the ones featured in the paper.

"The campaign has created an awful lot of interest.

"The kennels have been busier than normal and even if people haven't been homing animals, they have been bringing us donations."

The charity's annual fair held in Hessle also proved a massive success, with more than £2,300 raised on Saturday.

Amy Bryan, centre manager, said: "It was a great event and a really good turnout.

"It's great as we see some of the same faces each year, some of whom homed dogs from us. Some of them even bring their dogs along to say hello.

"We really appreciative everyone's help. Unfortunately, we still do see the same amount of cruelty, although it is nice to sit back and think about what we have achieved over the years."

Hull Animal Welfare Trust has come a long way since 1982 and conditions for animals and volunteers have improved immeasurably with new facilities in South Cave.

On average, the charity homes 1,000 animals annually.

As part of their 30th anniversary, the charity also set themselves the target of raising £30,000 throughout this year.

They have currently raised £25,000 and hope Mail readers can help them raise the final £5,000.

Mrs Sewell said: "It would be great if people can help us raise the £30,000."

Anyone wishing to adopt an animal should call the trust on 01430 423986.

The rescued animals can be viewed 365 days a year from 11am to 2pm at the Sunnydene Animal Shelter in Sunnydene, Pinfold, South Cave, HU15 2HE.

IT WAS a fitting way to remember a passionate martial arts teacher.

Karate students and instructors devoted a biannual grading session to the memory of black-belt Mark Beevers.

Father-of-one Mr Beevers, 43, died last month, just eight weeks after discovering he had terminal bowel cancer.

He was general secretary of the Takeshi Karate Association (TKA), and ran a club in Hornsea. He also worked as a primary school teacher.

Money raised at the grading for Reality Self Protection students will be donated to Macmillan Cancer Support, whose nurses cared for Mr Beevers during his final days at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham.

Paddy Cooney, chief instructor at Reality Self Protection, which is part of TKA, said: "We have grading sessions every six months and this was the first one we were due to have since Mark's passing, so it was in his memory.

"Karate was his life, so we thought this would be a fitting way to pay tribute to him and raise money for the charity Mark wanted to support."

Eight students were graded at the event, which took place at the Alexandra Hall in Hedon.

Mr Cooney, who organised the event alongside Pete Smith, said the event is likely to have raised more than £100.

Mr Cooney said: "He was a real influence and mentor to me and helped me achieve my black belt. He was my instructor and then helped me when I set up Reality.

"A lot of the students remember him too, from when he trained with us.

"He was so passionate about karate and was just an awesome guy. He was so light-hearted and took everything in his stride.

"I always looked up to him."

Mr Beevers brought up his daughter Jessica, 16, alone after losing his wife Stephanie in a car crash in Market Weighton 12 years ago.

He planned to marry his partner Nicola Sinclair next year.

She said he would always put others first.

"Mark was loving, caring and would put everyone else before him," said Miss Sinclair.

"He was just a fantastic person. He taught me to love and respect myself.

"He was a real role model for my son, Fraser.

"My family and friends loved him because he made me so happy."

Mr Beevers, who was a third-dan black belt, served for years in the Royal Navy before completing a teaching degree.

He worked as a supply teacher at many East Riding schools, including Thorngumbald Primary from September last year to July.

Takeshi Karate Association's chief instructor Stuart Morfitt, who was friends with Mr Beevers for almost 25 years, said: "The kids he taught in Hornsea absolutely loved him. He also taught in Hedon, where he was adored, too.

"Mark was a larger-than-life character and was so passionate about karate."

TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-liked resident who was said to have had Hornsea in her heart.

Polly Worsdale lost her battle with bowel cancer on Friday. She was aged 63.

Her husband, Ian, last night led the tributes to her and insisted he was lucky to have known her.

He said: "I have had a wonderful time with Polly. She was great fun.

"She enjoyed the garden and cooking and loved Hornsea and helping people."

Mrs Worsdale, a former teacher and councillor, was a member of several of the town's organisations, ranging from the civic society, regeneration groups, to the Hornsea Lions and Hornsea Inshore Rescue.

As well as helping to raise thousands of pounds for various charities, she also had a feisty side, which proved vital in several campaigns.

She even opened an alternative tourist information centre in the town, gathering volunteers and leaflets, when the official centre was closed down.

Mr Worsdale said: "When she was fighting to keep open the Willows residential home, I remember a policeman chasing her.

"It wasn't just community issues. She was once on TV challenging chef Antony Worrall Thompson as to who could make the best Yorkshire Puddings.

"She won."

For a decade, Mrs Worsdale volunteered with Hornsea Inshore Rescue, as a trustee, a fundraiser and a press officer.

The team have named a trophy in her memory, which will be awarded to their annual fundraiser of the year.

Sue Hickson-Marsay, chairwoman of the life-saving organisation, described Mrs Worsdale as an "inspiration".

She said: "She was such a character and wonderful in every area you would want to be wonderful in.

"She was always interested in Hornsea Inshore Rescue from the beginning and was very hard- working.

"She took chances and was always there for everybody.

"She was one of the biggest characters in Hornsea and Hornsea should be really proud to have had her. We will all miss her so much."

Mrs Worsdale helped communities across the East Riding.

Mick Pilling, of Bridlington, got to know Polly when he began campaigning to save services at Bridlington hospital.

He said: "I contacted Polly when we set up the Save Bridlington Hospital Campaign Group.

"I explained the situation and Polly agreed to offer her services.

"At the time, she was fighting to save the Hornsea Cottage Hospital.

"She asked for our help as she had organised a march in Hornsea.

"Later, Polly helped with our campaign to save Bridlington Hospital as it affected Hornsea.

"She was always a good friend and we spoke many times either at meetings or through e-mails.

"Polly will be sadly missed. Hornsea has lost a stalwart."

A celebration of Polly's life will be held later this month.

Details will be published in the Mail later.

A FIRM has been given until the end of the month to remove tonnes of waste from Goole docks.

Bales of rotting paper were left at Goole docks by Leeds Paper Recycling (LPR) earlier this year.

Now, in a letter to a councillor, the Environment Agency has said it had served an enforcement notice to NW Trading, which manages the land.

NW Trading has confirmed it had received the notice but said it was not guilty of any offence as the waste was owned by LPR.

LPR received a similar order, requiring it to remove the waste by July 11, but 945 bales remain.

Councillor Malcolm Boatman, who has read a copy of the latest order, said he was pleased some action had been taken to resolve the long- running saga.

He said: "We hope it has the desired effect and the bales are finally removed from the town's dock.

"It seems to me the Environment Agency is working up the chain.

"A notice was sent to LPR, but little was done, although they did rewrap the bales, which limited the smell to an extent."

It is understood landowner, Associated British Ports, employs NW Trading to manage the docks.

In the letter, the Environment Agency stated it understood waste had been removed from the front of the docks area.

However, it said several dozen bales were still to be cleared from the docks.

The agency said there was now "a concentrated effort to resolve this situation as quickly as possible".

Mr Boatman, who serves on both Goole and East Riding councils, said: "The situation should have been resolved by now. It has been going on too long.

"We have never been told where the bales are destined for, other than that LPR wanted to ship them abroad to be incinerated."

Neither LPR or NW Trading were available for comment.