CATALAN DRAGONS

Current points: 23; Prediction: 27

THE Dragons may be stuttering towards the finishing line but they appear to have enough runs already on the board to ensure they reach the play-offs.

Sixth place is beyond them as they are sitting seven points adrift of the top six and need Warrington and Huddersfield to fail to win any of their remaining games.

Consistency has been the Dragons' problem lately, losing three of their last four matches, including two at home where they are normally very difficult to beat.

However, London and Castleford are the last two sides to make the trip to the south of France this season and you would expect the Dragons to beat the Broncos with ease, while the Tigers will have the play-offs on their minds.

The Dragons have always struggled with trips to England and Laurent Frayssinous' side are no different this year with just three wins from 11 trips. They still have to play at Salford and Hull KR and those two tricky games could see them return to France empty-handed once again.

LAST FOUR GAMES PREDICTION

Salford (a) LOSE

London (h) WIN

KR (a) LOSE

Castleford (h) WIN

WIDNES VIKINGS

Current points: 23; Prediction: 25

WIDNES close the season with three of their four league games away from the home comforts of their i-Pitch.

The Vikings' run-in and their approach will no doubt alter depending on whether they reach the Challenge Cup final. If they do, Denis Betts' side will be going all out for Wembley glory and their league form could well suffer as a result.

If they do make the cup final, the effort used getting there and playing on the energy-sapping stage will see them struggle in their matches after the semi-final and final.

Therefore, getting anything from trips to Huddersfield and Bradford will prove difficult for them, as will their home clash with Wigan the week before a possible cup final.

That means there is a distinct possibility Widnes may not win another league game this season. If they are to win a Super League clash, their season finale at Salford looks the best bet with the Red Devils having nothing to play for despite big hopes for the 2014 campaign.

LAST FOUR GAMES PREDICTION

Huddersfield (a) LOSE

Wigan (h) LOSE

Bradford (a) LOSE

Salford (a) WIN

HULL KR

Current points: 20; Prediction: 24

IF Rovers are to make the play-offs, they need plenty of help from others around them while winning their remaining four games, none of which are easy.

First up is a home clash against Wigan, who will be looking for their 13th consecutive win over the Robins. But surely that losing run has to end sooner or later?

After that, comes the third derby of the season at the KC Stadium. No side has won a clean sweep of derby wins in a season and Lee Radford's men will be out to make sure they have the bragging rights over the winter months.

A home game against an unpredictable Catalan side could yield two points, before a trip to James Webster's Wakefield which could be a winner-takes-all affair, if Widnes' form is affected by a possible cup final.

LAST FOUR GAMES PREDICTION

Wigan (h) LOSE

Hull FC (a) WIN

Catalan (h) WIN

Wakefield (a) LOSE

WAKEFIELD

Current points: 19; Prediction: 25

WAKEFIELD have turned their season around under James Webster with five wins and a draw from their last eight games. They still have their work cut out to make the play-offs but their run-in is more favourable than others.

The trip to St Helens has been made easier by the season-ending injury to Saints playmaker Luke Walsh, but Saints need the win to keep alive their hopes of a home play-off game.

Webster's men will fancy their chances against Salford at the Rapid Solicitors Stadium, before they travel to Castleford for their final derby of the season. Coming between the Tigers' cup semi-final and possible cup final, the Wildcats could make it third time lucky against their bitter rivals. If Widnes' form falls away in the closing four rounds, Wakefield could face Hull KR knowing victory could see them qualify for the play-offs.

LAST FOUR GAMES PREDICTION

St Helens (a) LOSE

Salford (a) WIN

Castleford (a) WIN

Hull KR (h) WIN

HULL FC

Current points: 18; Prediction: 22

MATHEMATICALLY, Hull are still involved in the play-off picture, but only just. Three points from their last two matches against Castleford and St Helens should instil belief in the Black and Whites that they can compete with anyone. Unfortunately, they haven't managed to do that consistently all season.

A trip to Bradford will be tough as the Bulls seem intent on going down into the Championship with a bang. After that, Lee Radford's side have scores to settle with cross city rivals Rovers when they will be hoping to deny the Robins a clean sweep of derby wins this season.

Hull finish their season against Huddersfield and Leeds who will want to go into the play-offs with some momentum but Hull will want to end a frustrating and disappointing season on a high. In all honesty, the play-offs look a tall order.

LAST FOUR GAMES PREDICTION

Bradford (a) WIN

Hull KR (h) LOSE

Huddersfield (a) LOSE

Leeds (h) WIN

A casual glance at the league table would suggest that with Catalan and Widnes tied on 23 points seventh and not just eighth is up for grabs.

Don't be fooled. The Dragons still have London to play, a game which has unfortunately become a guaranteed two points and an expected win against the Broncos will almost certainly take the Dragons beyond Hull's reach.

Eighth is the best Lee Radford's side can hope for. It's attainable, but the prospect of the season being extended beyond a home clash with Leeds on September 12 is pretty far fetched.

Hull must win at least three of their final four games to have any chance of overhauling Widnes, with a solitary victory for the Vikings leaving the Black and Whites needing maximum points.

Forget what Widnes do, Hull have to get the points on the board first and that prospect is hardly simple.

Returning to action at Bradford Bulls in eight days' time, the Black and Whites will head to Odsal buoyed by their last two performances and fancy their chances of victory. It's after their Odsal adventure where it all becomes a touch more questionable and hard to read.

A derby could go either way regardless of form, Huddersfield is far from a happy hunting ground in recent years and then it all ends at home to a Leeds Rhinos side that have inflicted more than their fair share of misery on Hull.

Radford may take some solace in the belief all the sides immediately above Hull will drop points, a sentiment I share. But that will count for nothing if Hull don't reverse a trend for the season and go on an impressive winning run which, regardless of where they finish, will at least offer some fresh optimism for next season.

The race for eighth spot is boiling up nicely with four rounds to go and a lot will depend on whether Widnes or Castleford reach the Challenge Cup final as they have a big role to play in the play-off hunt.

One more win for Widnes and Catalan should finalise the top eight, but the longer they go without that elusive victory, the wider the door opens for those behind them.

Currently leading the chasing pack are Rovers, who simply cannot afford to lose another game, otherwise their chase will be over and they could find themselves overtaken by either Wakefield or Hull, who could go above them if Wigan beat Rovers and Hull beat Bradford.

Nothing is guaranteed and all sides will battle to the end to extend their season. Whether they do anything in the play-offs is a different matter as the odds are stacked against the sides who finish seventh and eighth.

I can see Catalan and Widnes getting the points they need to put Rovers, Wakefield and Hull out of their misery. Wakefield are the side most likely to capitalise on any slip-ups by the Vikings or Dragons and with a favourable run-in, they may just miss out on points difference.

Rovers look to have left themselves with too much to do after losing 28-10 at Widnes last weekend. If they had won, their destiny was in their own hands, but now they need other teams to do them a favour. That's not the way you want to go into the play-offs.

Overturning the three-point deficit will be a challenge but KR have to approach each game as a play-off match and give it their all. Even if they do win all four, though, it still may not be enough.

THE spotlight will be on Humberside Police officers on Monday when they appear in the new series of Neighbourhood Blues, which starts on BBC One at 9.15am and will be broadcast every weekday for two weeks.

Introduced by host Rav Wilding, the programme will show the wide ranging cases the force's neighbourhood police teams are required to attend and the sorts of matters they deal with on a daily basis.

Inspector Steve Lamb, of North Carr neighbourhood policing team, is one of the officers who will appear in the show.

He said: "When the television crew arrived, there was a bit of hesitation at first, but when they gave us a briefing about what they wanted, they really put our minds at rest.

"It is important for us to show the general public the good work that goes on behind the scenes and now people will get to see the tasks we carry out."

The fourth series of Neighbourhood Blues will show the officers issuing warrants to search properties, dealing with prostitution in the city and controlling dangerous dogs.

The ten episodes will also see the team carry out a raid on a cannabis farm, clamp down on drivers looking to illegally fill their engines with industrial-use red diesel and enforce a zero-tolerance approach to drinking.

The programme also features officers out and about in their local community offering crime-prevention advice.

Insp Lamb said: "The cameras followed us out on a crime-prevention task one morning when we visited a Bransholme estate.

"We visited 300 homes, identified those who were vulnerable and help fitted burglary alarms.

"The show will feature a variety of tasks we carry out on a daily basis.

"It was a real opportunity for us to highlight the good work we do and also highlight what a great city Hull is to the rest of the country."

Filmed by production company Raw Cut, officers were accompanied by camera crews for several weeks as they went about their daily work.

Deputy chief constable David Griffin said: "This series follows some very interesting stories and shows clearly the huge variety of work our neighbourhood teams are involved in and what a key role they play in the local communities they serve."

This is the third time Humberside Police have featured in the documentary with Hull, Grimsby and Cleethorpes chosen as the setting for the filming of series two and three.

Steve Warr, Raw Cut company director, said: "Working with Humberside Police Neighbourhood Policing Teams gives us a unique view of real crimes in progress and the incredibly tough and dangerous job the officers carry out on a daily basis.

"We're looking forward to series four launching on Monday and to showcasing the brilliant work Humberside Police are doing in the community."

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FRIENDS and family of a devoted mother of seven will hold a fun day in celebration of what should have been her 30th birthday.

The event will also raise money for Lisa Hilton's children, after she died from blood poisoning in April this year.

Organised by life-long friend Gemma McCall, it will celebrate Lisa's life and help her husband, Andy Greaves.

He has given up work to look after the couple's six sons and one daughter, who are all aged under 11.

Gemma, 29, said: "It has been so hard for everyone who knew Lisa. She made everyone so happy, so we want to celebrate her 30th.

"I had spoken to Lisa about doing a family fun day for her birthday before she passed away, because she couldn't let it go past without doing anything.

"We were planning to do it this way so her kids could come along and she could celebrate her birthday.

"I just thought it would be great to still carry it on but at the same time raise money for her children.

"Everyone misses her a lot."

Lisa died after she contracted septicaemia, which developed five weeks after she was diagnosed with the skin infection cellulitis in her leg.

She was taking antibiotics but, as the infection took hold, she refused to go to hospital because she hated being away from her children.

Lisa died at Hull Royal Infirmary after the infection spread to her vital organs, causing them to fail.

The death devastated Andy, to whom she had been married for 11 years, her children Kieran, Lewis, Mason, Jaidon, Paisleigh, Ainsley and Amelia, and her parents Pauline and Albo Hilton.

Lisa, who was well known in the Hessle Road area of Hull, is also survived by her sisters Becki and Danielle and brother James.

Gemma, of Somerset Street, west Hull, said: "I think Lisa would be over the moon we are doing this for her.

"She would love having all her friends and everyone who loved her there. There were so many people who were close to her, it was like there wasn't enough of her to go round.

"Her personality was so big. Everyone was ecstatic when they were around her and she knew everyone."

The fun day will be held on Sunday, August 17, at Lisa's local, the Half-Way House in Hessle Road, from noon to 6pm. There will be three bouncy castles, stalls and games for the children, as well as a raffle and tombola.

Family and friends will then release balloons featuring photographs of her children.

Lisa's mum Pauline said the party is a fitting tribute to her sociable daughter.

She said: "It is a big birthday and it pulls on my heartstrings because all she wanted was a big party and now she isn't here to celebrate it. It hurts.

"Lisa should be here, she shouldn't be where she is.

"I have gone over it a hundred times in my head. We think of her every day – not a minute goes by when I don't.

"She would have loved to have a fun day. She liked to party and have all her family, friends and everyone she loved around her."

Gemma wants to hear from anyone who can make Lisa's party a success, including someone to donate balloons.

She said: "We are looking for any kind of donation, whether that is for the tombola or even a donation directly to the family.

"We want it to be the biggest and best for Lisa."

Email gemma@just4theladies.co.uk if you can help.

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A young Hull woman battling a condition that leaves her in constant pain has been heartened by offers of a car and a voluntary job.

The Mail told on Friday how Beth Fuller, 17, has suffered from the little-understood condition fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) since she was 12.

Now, a kind-hearted reader, who does not wish to be named, has offered Beth money for a secondhand car and insurance.

He said: "I was really touched by Beth's story that I want to help her get a bit more independence.

"She mentioned in the article that she has to travel to Sheffield for a pain clinic.

"I thought a car might make life a little easier."

FMS can be triggered by "a physically or emotionally stressful event" and Beth believes it was sparked by the divorce of her parents, Steph Khan and Mark Fuller's, when she was aged 12.

"I had a pretty rough time when my parents split up when I was young," said the donor. "It can be hard."

Despite the pain, Beth, who lives with her mum, her sister, Emily, 16, and brother, Charlie, 21 months, works part-time at Gap in Kingston Retail Park.

The donor said he felt Beth should be rewarded for her work ethic.

Beth, who is due to sit her driving test on Monday, said: "I am absolutely amazed by the offer and I can't thank the person enough.

"Being able to drive will give me so much more independence. At the moment I have to rely on my mum to take me everywhere.

"It will also help boost my confidence."

In a further boost for Beth's long-term aim to enter law, Humberside Police is offering her a voluntary job.

Joy Harvie, community and partnership officer in the force's Community Safety Unit, said: "I would like to have a chat with her about becoming a volunteer, which would give her some experience and we could also work around her disability."

Beth, who takes 15 pills a day to cope with agonising pains, said: "I am totally gob-smacked by the support I have received from Mail readers. It's unbelievable. I am close to speechless.

"It really does mean a lot to know people are behind me."

As well as the two practical offers of help, many readers have taken to the Mail's Facebook page to leave messages of hope of support for Beth.

Katie Richardson, 24, told how she is able to empathise, because she has suffered from FMS since she was 13.

She wrote: "I found it hard to cope mentally, physically and money-wise, but I have a great family that supports me.

"I really feel for Beth Fuller. Keep your head up, hun. Stay strong and live life the best you can"

Another sufferer, Alice-Emilia Atkinson, wrote: "I have fibro. It's an awful disease. Absolutely debilitating. You honestly wouldn't wish it on your worst enemy.

"Sending very gentle hugs to this girl. We have our good days and our bad. We are strong."

Hull and East Riding Fibromyalgia Syndrome Support Group meets on the first Friday of every second month.

The next meeting will be held in October at St Nicholas Church Hall, on the corner of Hessle High Road and Pickering Road, west Hull. Call 0844 8872370 or email barber101@barber101.karoo.co.uk for further information.

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HDM Sport on Facebook HULL City's Ahmed Elmohamady is a target for Turkish side Besiktas, according to the Sunday People. Besiktas chief Slaven Bilic sees Elmohamady as the man to provide the ammunition for Demba Ba. QPR boss Harry Redknapp is also keen on the Egyptian international. However, the People concede that Tigers' boss Steve Bruce is keen to keep the wing-back, who played every game last season and opened the scoring against AS Trencin last week. As transfer rumours go, surely this looks a non-starter.Quinn attracts interest AHMED Elmohamady is not the only Hull City player on the radar of other clubs. According to Sky Sports, a number of Premier League and Championship sides are tracking midfielder Stephen Quinn . Quinn is entering the final year of his contract after joining from Sheffield United in the summer of 2012. The Irishman played a key role in helping Hull win promotion in his first season, but made just 15 appearances in the Premier League last term. However, he scored in the FA Cup semi-final win over his former club Sheffield United and played in the final against Arsenal. Quinn's first-team opportunities could be limited this season following the summer arrivals of Tom Ince and Robert Snodgrass and the news has alerted a host of clubs to the midfielder's possible availability.Keeper Oxley turns goalscoring match-winner for HibsMARK Oxley is surely a candidate for the most unlikely headline grabber of the weekend. On-loan from Hull City, the keeper made his competitive debut for Hibernian against Livingston – and scored the winner. Oxley's first-half kick-out from the edge of his own box bounced over counterpart Darren Jamieson and into the net to give Alan Stubbs' side their first home win – 2-1 – since February. Farid El Alagui had made it 1-0 to the home side with a header on 15 minutes before Oxley doubled their lead. Declan Gallagher pulled one back just short of the hour mark but the day belonged to Oxley. "Let's say I meant it," Oxley told the Scottish Sunday Express. "I've never done anything like that before. "One of their players was standing near me so I couldn't put it down to kick it so I just smashed it as hard as I could – and it went in. "I thought it was going to be headed away or the keeper was going to stand back and catch it but there must have been a bit of indecision at the back. "I should feel bad for the other keeper but I don't at all – I don't get many chances to celebrate like that! "Someone told me Andy Goram got two goals here so I'm going to go for three this season!"

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A TEACHER says his life was ruined by two men who tortured him in his home and threatened to kill him, claiming there was a "£5m price tag on his head".

Adam Ykhlef, 24, suffered lasting psychological damage when Jamie McLoughlin – who had been released from prison just days earlier – and another man burst into his flat on May 11, Hull Crown Court heard.

He was so terrified he considered leaping from the fourth-floor flat in The Crescent, Bridlington, which is in a block owned by his father.

Mr Ykhlef has felt unable to return to his home since, suffers flashbacks, and says he is now "a shadow of his former self".

McLoughlin, 22, and his accomplice, who has not been identified but was between 6ft 1in and 6ft 3in, appeared to be "under the influence of drugs" and punched Mr Ykhlef back into the flat when he opened the door at 6.30pm.

Forcing the teacher onto his bed, the pair claimed they were "professional killers from London" and demanded money.

Mr Ykhlef was able to scrape together £35, but they demanded more – first a cheque for £5,000 and then £50,000 in cash, Hull Crown Court heard.

McLoughlin asked Mr Ykhlef where he was born, to which he replied: "Scarborough."

McLoughlin said: "No you weren't. You're a P**i, like your dad, and I hate you."

The intruders told Mr Ykhlef to get under the duvet, and then, seeing a photograph of his daughter, the second man told him to look at it, saying it was "the last time he would see her", Stephen Welch, prosecuting, said.

He then told McLoughlin to "hand him the gun", although no gun was ever seen.

McLoughlin told Mr Ykhlef he was a traveller and could make him "disappear".

The second man told McLoughlin to bring a knife from the kitchen, but he returned instead with a bottle of whisky, which was used to jab the teacher in the eye.

The men also said they were going to "scratch out his eyes" and "tie him up and burn him", Mr Welch said.

Mr Ykhlef was repeatedly punched, headbutted after a "countdown from five" (seconds) and the second man kicked him twice in the head, once after a running jump.

The second man also told Mr Ykhlef he had just got out of prison and was going to give him "a taste of prison life" by having sex with him.

He was then ordered to sit on the toilet and the second man pulled his tracksuit bottoms down and told him to perform a sex act on him, which he refused.

McLoughlin left the flat, stealing the £35 and Mr Ykhlef's laptop, iPod, and mobile phone, items he immediately tried to sell in the street.

Mr Ykhlef then ran out, barefoot, wearing only a jumper and shorts.

Seeing him, McLoughlin dropped the goods and gave chase, although he was unable to catch him.

None of the items stolen, which were worth £350, were recovered.

In a victim impact statement, Mr Ykhlef said although his physical injuries had healed, he was deeply traumatised by the incident.

McLoughlin, of Fairfield Road, Bridlington, admitted robbery.

The court heard he had 31 previous convictions, including a violent street robbery in 2012, for which he was sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institution.

Richard Thompson, for McLoughlin, said he had been in trouble since the age of 13 and made his first court appearance at 14.

Mr Thompson said: "Clearly, something went wrong in his childhood. It might not have been his own fault."

Judge Graham Robinson noted the findings of a pre-sentence report, which said McLoughlin posed a "high risk of serious harm to members of the public", and sentenced him to eight years in jail.

The judge also imposed an extended period of licence of three years, meaning if McLoughlin is released halfway through his sentence he will be on licence for seven years.

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THE family of a Hull man who has been trapped in Iraq for seven months are begging the Government to allow him to return home.

Father-of-three Kristian Nicholson, 39, has been unable to leave the country since January and is now stuck in the town of Irbil as Islamic militants invade the area.

The former RAF interpreter was involved in a fatal traffic accident only three days after arriving in the country to start a new job.

Mr Nicholson was held in prison for 65 days without trial and his passport was confiscated by local police.

Since being released on bail several months ago, the Nicholson family have been lobbying governments in the UK and the Kurdish region of Iraq for him to be allowed to return home.

Mr Nicholson lives in Sutton, east Hull, with his wife Michelle, 37, a teaching assistant, and their children, Harry, 12, Thomas, ten, and Grace, six.

Since last Thursday, Islamic State fighters, formerly known as ISIS, have been advancing towards the city and Mr Nicholson feels his life is now in danger.

He said: "I need to get out of here. I'm not safe.

"The embassy is still saying there is nothing to worry about, but US fighter jets are flying across the region and people are panicking.

"ISIS are only ten miles away and the consulate believes it is still safe for westerners when the first people they kill are Christians.

"This is genocide – they are beheading Christians in their thousands.

"In 12 years working in British intelligence I never witnessed anything like this."

It is an anxious time back home for the Nicholson family. His mother Denise Nicholson is terrified about what might happen to her only child.

She said: "These past seven months have been an absolute nightmare. It's been awful for all of us.

"Every day we are told he might be coming home and every day nothing has happened. It's been one lie after another.

"Can you imagine what it's been like for a mother to go through this?

"We just want him home. We want him safe."

The Government has advised all British nationals living in Irbil province to leave the country immediately, but Kristian has been told the embassy will not issue him with an emergency passport.

A Foreign and Commonwealth Office spokesman has confirmed the escalating situation in the country is a cause for concern, but there are no current plans for a mass evacuation of British civilians from the country.

Mr Nicholson thinks the violence will only get worse in the next few days.

He said: "In 48 hours this city will be a mess. If they get into Irbil they will kill everyone. We're scared for our lives.

"Everybody is getting evacuated, except me. I'll probably be coming home in a box at this rate."

Diana Johnson, MP for Hull North, wants to help Mr Nicholson return home.

She said: "We have been in touch with the Foreign Office and the minister to find out what can be done.

"The situation out there is very worrying, but the important thing is that Kristian is receiving consular assistance and the Foreign Office knows he is there.

"We'll have to watch and see how the situation develops."

10

A CONVICTED rapist is believed to have quit his east Hull flat after his arrival prompted outrage.

Lynx Caan, 43, moved into a one-bedroom flat in St Michael's Close, in the Ings estate, last month, prompting an angry response from neighbours.

According to residents, rather than keeping a low profile, he would drag his sofa outside and wolf whistle at young women who passed by.

On Thursday, two men were seen removing belongings from the property.

It followed the submission of a petition – signed by 331 people – which called for Caan to be moved, to Hull City Council housing managers.

The petition organiser, a 35-year-old single mother, who has asked not to be named for fear of reprisals, said: "Let's just say I would like to think this horrible man has got his comeuppance.

"This estate really pulled together and I am so proud of everyone. Community spirit is alive here."

Several residents saw items being removed.

She said: "The official response to our petition was that the council acknowledged and processed it, but it could not give any information as to whether he would in fact be removed.

"However, two men were seen on Thursday afternoon removing belongings from the flat.

"They carried a fridge, freezer and several bags out of the flat and when they realised they were being watched they came out and spoke to them.

"They told two people, 'we understand a petition has been handed in trying to get him out, well you can tell everyone he has gone for good'.

"Apparently, the two men were in the same car we have seen Caan driving around in for the past two weeks, so it's probably safe to say these two men were friends of his."

Before the petition was handed in, residents told the Mail they thought Caan would be attacked if he was not moved.

Caan was jailed for nine years in 2000 for five rapes committed against two women.

In March last year, he was sentenced to another 20 months after admitting two assaults against a partner and making death threats.

Caan was released halfway through that sentence, but was recalled for breaching the terms of his licence by failing to declare he had stayed at his brother's house.

Last month, Caan was sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, for using the alias "Jon Karma Rea" on Facebook, which breached notification requirements under the sexual offenders' register.

In a previous interview with the Mail, Caan's father, Jimmy Hunt, 65, said he had cut all ties with his disgraced son.

He told us: "If I was a judge I'd lock him away for life."

Hull City Council, Humberside Police and the Probation Service said they could not comment on specific cases.

UNION members have hailed the positive response from Hull train users after hundreds backed a campaign this weekend to protect rail jobs.

On Saturday, passengers wrote their views on postcards at Hull Paragon Interchange.

Rail union RMT plans to send them to the Department for Transport (DfT) as part of its consultation over the future of both the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises.

Both provide services in East Yorkshire.

The RMT claims the Government proposals could result in the loss of train guards and ticket offices at smaller stations closing.

The RMT's Hull branch secretary Peter March said: "The Government proposals are trying to do away with guards on the trains and closing down ticket offices.

"There are 80 to 90 guards operating out of Hull and the likes of Beverley and Brough ticket offices could close, which will affect a further 20 people.

"We had a very good response from people who understand the concerns we have and agree with them.

"We have had particularly good feedback from disabled people who will be hit hardest by this as they rely on the help the train guards give."

RMT members asked members of the public to sign postcards objecting to the proposals. They were outside the station from 11am to 1pm.

Mr March said: "We hope to get at least 500 people to sign the postcards during our time outside Hull's Paragon Station."

Marion Dobson, 64 of west Hull, was one of those who signed a postcard.

She said: "I am happy to back the unions on this.

"It's important to have guards on trains who play a vital role.

"They are there to help out and ensure passenger safety.

"I also like to go to the ticket office and deal with a person rather than a machine."

The RMT believes the consultation on the future of the Northern and TransPennine, which is due to end on August 18, is being rushed.

Similar protests were taking place at stations across northern England.

The RMT has raised concerns that the entire consultation is not only flawed but bogus.

The union claims it emerged, in written answers to parliamentary questions that Rail North, a group of local authorities supposed to be conducting the consultation with the DfT, have no control over the process with all decisions taken by the Government.

RMT acting general secretary Mick Cash said: "As the bogus and rushed government consultation on the Northern and Trans-Pennine franchise carve-up draws to a close, RMT continues to pull in massive public support for our campaign to stop the plans and we will be ratcheting up our activities in the fortnight.

"The response we are getting from the public has been total supportive, people know what's at stake.

"RMT is stepping up the fight to both inform the public and fight the savage cuts being lined up for these Northern rail franchises.

"We have been getting fantastic support, thousands of postcards have been distributed and the political and public pressure is growing across the region."

The DfT has denied the consultation is a bid to cut back rail services.

A spokesman said: "It is utter nonsense for the RMT to suggest that the DfT would ever put passengers at risk or destroy services.

"We are consulting with the public and our industry partners, including the rail unions, to ensure that the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises capitalise on the Government's massive programme of rail investment."

BURGLARS smashed their way into a home and stole three bikes worth £8,000.

One of the bikes taken in the raid is a Yeti 4X Special Projects – one of only 100 ever made.

Dave Blanchard, 47, said: "I couldn't believe it when I found out it had been taken.

"I thought, 'surely not'. It took the best part of about ten years to lay my hands on one.

"I got it about 14 months ago after a friend of mine, who is into mountain biking and works in a hotel in France, found it."

The porch of Mr Blanchard's property in Ripley Close, off Greenwood Avenue, north Hull, was smashed during the raid, which happening sometime on Thursday.

Mr Blanchard, who was out when the break-in happened, said the bikes were stored out of view in a spare room.

One of the bikes was found on the grass outside the house, but a Whyte 146 S, Gary Fisher Rig and the Yeti were all stolen.

Mr Blanchard has urged anyone who finds the bikes to contact police.

"It would mean everything to get the bikes back," he said.

"I've spent a long time working hard for them and it hasn't come easy to get them.

"Cycling is my main hobby and that has been taken away with the bikes taken."

Following the burglary, Mr Blanchard turned to Facebook in an effort to get his bikes back.

He said: "I have been putting messages out on social media and I have had a huge response, with people sharing my appeal.

"I don't think the people who have taken them have any idea of the Yeti's rarity.

"There seems to have been quite a few high-end bikes stolen in the Humberside Police area and this seems to be something that is increasing.

"There are another five bikes taken that I know of in the past week."

Anyone with information on any of the bikes' whereabouts should call the police on 101.

SEWERBY Hall has reopened to the public following completion of a £2.6m restoration programme.

East Riding's Town Crier Michael Wood welcomed visitors to the hall near Bridlington, which this year celebrates its 300th anniversary.

Contractors have been working to recreate the original look and feel of the Edwardian house.

For Emma Monteiro, 32, of east Hull, it proved the perfect way to celebrate her grandma, Beryl Reynolds', 88th birthday on Saturday.

"My grandma has recently moved to this area from Wales and she has been reading a book about Sewerby and loves Downton Abbey so it was suggested a family day out to celebrate her birthday," she said.

"I go frequently to Sewerby Hall with the family to watch the jousting. We love it.

"My nan enjoyed the walled garden and I really enjoyed the Amy Johnson room."

The pair were joined by Mrs Monteiro's mum Diane Reynolds and Mrs Monteiro's two children Lennox, four, and Anton, six months.

She said: "They pulled out all the stops and I could really imagine what it was like in the Edwardian era.

"There were lots of nice things to look at and I think the refurbished hall will attract more people – especially with the popularity of Downton Abbey.

"We all really enjoyed it and after looking around the hall we caught the land train into Bridlington and took my nan on a speedboat ride for her birthday. She loved it."

The restoration work was carried out using a series of images from 1910 for reference, as well as furniture from the period loaned by the national collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the East Riding collection.

Anne and Geoff Wright visited the attraction on Saturday with their grandchildren Chloe, 14, Sophie, nine, and Katie, seven.

Mrs Wright, 62, from near Preston in Lancashire, who has a caravan near Bridlington, said: "The work is superb and they have done a cracking job.

"Everyone enjoyed wandering around the hall and the girls enjoyed the dressing up bit.

"We'll definitely be back again for a look around as I can't fault anything. It really gives people an insight into how the hall was."

The restoration was paid for using a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of nearly £1m. East Riding Council contributed £1.6m.

Martin Burnhill, senior facilities manager, said: "It is fantastic to complete the restoration of Sewerby Hall and see the real positive reaction to what has been achieved.

"We had just short of 1,000 people through the doors on our opening day and there was brilliant atmosphere."