Alex Rhodes
BBC Local Live, Lincolnshire

Fire crews are still very much in the process of beating down this fire at premises on Freeman Road after originally being called at about 15:00 this afternoon.

I can still see three or four separate streams of water coming from the fire crews working on it and the smoke is still rising.

We've seen some extraordinary pictures on social media from when the fire was at its height.

There are a lot of police vehicles here, too, and it took me a lot of time to get to the scene because of the extra traffic.

People have been told to keep back, keep out of the way, but this fire is getting a lot of attention, with a lot of people taking photos.

Meanwhile, local residents are being warned to keep their doors and windows shut while the blaze continues.

A large fire in North Hykeham is causing major traffic delays this afternoon - and is likely to for several hours, according to Lincolnshire Police:

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service confirms it received a call at 15:02 to a commercial building fire on Freeman Road in North Hykeham.

Anyone in the Freeman Road and Newark Road areas is being asked to keep their windows and doors closed while crews tackle the blaze.

This is the latest footage of a major fire which is burning at a commercial building on Freeman Road in North Hykeham.

Emergency services were called at about 15:00 this afternoon, with about nine fire crews currently tackling the blaze:

Nine fire crews are currently tackling a major blaze in North Hykeham.

Eyewitnesses say smoke from the blaze, on Freeman Road, can be seen more than 20 miles away.

Nine fire engines as well as the police and ambulance services are at the blaze and the incident is causing some traffic problems.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue Service was first called to the scene at about 15:00.

Crews from Lincoln South, Metheringham, Brant Broughton, Gainsborough, North Hykeham, Lincoln North and Newark have all been called to the scene.

Hundreds of volunteer groups across Lincolnshire are planning how they will continue helping the community once the coronavirus lockdown is further eased.

Image source, Lincolnshire Resilience Forum

Over 400 groups, with in excess of 6,000 members in total, have been helping people isolating at home during the Covid-19 outbreak with things like shopping and delivering prescriptions.

Some are now winding down their operations, but Branston Parish Council Covid-19 Support Group says its members are still getting requests for help.

They also plan to replace the support group once the crisis is over with a community group run by volunteers to keep helping villagers into the future.

Image source, The Priory Hotel, Louth

Meanwhile, a community cafe will be created in Louth as a lasting legacy of the coronavirus outbreak.

It's being created by The Serendipity Project - a collaboration between restaurants in the town who came together to feed those isolating during the crisis.

Members of the project say although the lockdown is easing, the pandemic has revealed there is an ongoing need for help.

Staff applauded George Barker as he left hospital and he said " I wanted to be the one clapping them".

The Lincoln City Half Marathon, which was due to take place in September, has been postponed until next year because of concerns about coronavirus:

Organisers say they have explored "every possible option" to guarantee runners' safety.

Charlotte Hornsby, from race organisers Lincoln City Foundation, said the decision was taken "with regret".

Ms Hornsby added: "We all remain committed to bringing this event to the city next year, with an exciting route that provides runners with a true Lincoln experience."

Anyone registered to take part in the race can visit the event website for details about transferring to next year or getting a refund.

A Skegness auction house is hoping for a bit of a reaction today when the control panel from a nuclear plant goes under the hammer.

Image source, Ramco Auctions

Auctioneers Ramco say the panel is from a recently decommissioned UK nuclear power plant, but won't reveal any more exact details.

It is around 15m (50ft) long and has already generated a lot of interest from the general public since it went on sale earlier today.

Image source, Ramco Auctions

A Lincolnshire bridal company will ask customers to wear face masks and gloves when it reopens its boutique later this month, it's confirmed.

Image source, Google

Blush Bridal, in Bourne, is planning to reopen later this month, but with a series of strict rules in place to protect staff and customers.

Brides will only be allowed to bring in one guest, while others will be able to watch the fitting via video chat.

There will also be a hand sanitising station at the entrance and appointments will be staggered so the shop can be thoroughly cleaned and the dresses disinfected between visits, it says.

Football stadiums are not normally the place to read a book or listen to music but this summer Lincoln City is opening up its LNER Stadium to offer a space for people to relax.

Image source, PA Media

The club is inviting people to visit the stadium at a series of "take a break" sessions, with the first taking place on Friday between 11:00 and 14:00.

People must book their visit in advance, external with a maximum of two people per booking.

A club spokesperson said: "The 'Take A Break' project will be strictly conducted under guidance set out to allow for time to be spent outdoors for recreation, and we’ll have staff on hand to guide you and ensure your visit to the LNER Stadium is safe and enjoyable."

A coronavirus survivor has been given a guard of honour after leaving the intensive care unit at Boston's Pilgrim Hospital after more than three weeks fighting for his life.

George Barker, 57, from Sibsey, was admitted to hospital last month and put straight into a medically induced coma.

Now on the road to recovery the roofing company boss was clapped and cheered as he left the unit.

He said: “Seeing them all cheering and clapping was such a surprise. Especially as I wanted to be the one clapping them.”

A Lincolnshire professor is examining the effect of the coronavirus lockdown on our four-legged friends.

Professor Daniel Mills, from the University of Lincoln, wants to find out how dogs are behaving now - and whether that will change in the future when their owners are spending less time at home now lockdown restrictions are being eased.

Prof Mills has launched a survey for owners to take part in around the globe.

He says it's a unique opportunity to examine the impact on dogs of major changes to their routine.

The first vessels have travelled through the £100m Boston Flood Barrier project this afternoon:

A moveable gate has been built across the River Witham along with new flood defences on both banks of the River Haven.

The scheme will help protect more than 14,000 properties in the area from tidal flooding, according to the Environment Agency.

It also includes a new building to enable operation of the barrier.

A £7m scheme to replenish Lincolnshire’s beaches with sand and reduce the risk of flooding begins today.

The project will see sand dredged from the seabed and pumped onto beaches between Saltfleet and Gibraltar Point to replace sand lost over winter.

Replenishing the sand means it takes the brunt of the waves’ energy, which helps prevent flooding.

The work is expected to take six weeks to complete.

Tributes have been paid to councillor Charles Lewis Strange following his death.

Image source, Lincolnshire County Council

Charles Lewis Strange, who was Conservative councillor on both West Lindsey District Council and Lincolnshire County Council, died on Thursday following a short illness.

The Gainsborough Conservative group said he was "dedicated and passionate" and would be "sorely missed".

Gainsborough MP Sir Edward Leigh said he had been "deeply saddened" by Mr Strange's death, describing him as "a wonderful man".

He said on Twitter, external: "The very best of Lincolnshire; kind and dedicated. As straight as an arrow and always ready with honest, sound advice. A superb councillor. Greatly loved and missed."

For thousands of children in Lincolnshire, today is the first day back at school after a 10-week absence.

Primary pupils are back in some schools across England following the coronavirus lockdown, but there's a mixed picture in how they're reopening, with schools in some areas staying shut.

At The Richmond School in Skegness this morning, all pupils in reception, Year 1 and Year 6 were able to return.

It's only after hard work by staff, including headteacher Caroline Wellsted and deputy headteacher Jo Hazard, who've been busy getting things ready for the pupils' return:

Schools have remained open throughout the coronavirus restrictions for the children of key workers and vulnerable children - but from today many more pupils are able to return.

But there have been fears about safety from teachers' unions and some local authorities and many schools are not yet taking back more pupils.

However, Jo Stokes and Alison Clements, parents of children at The Richmond School, say they're happy for their children to go back into class:

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson says children need to catch up with missed lessons and at school they "will be with their teachers and friends again".

A Lincolnshire primary school says it's introduced strict safety measures so it is safe to welcome back some students today.

Image source, Google

Primary pupils are back in some schools in England - but surveys suggest half of parents might have kept their children at home.

There is a very mixed local picture in how schools are reopening, and in some areas schools will remain shut. Children in Reception, Years 1 and 6 are able to return, with many having been out of school for 10 weeks.

St George's Church of England Community Primary (pictured), in Gainsborough, is one of those that has reopened, with children being kept in "bubbles" of six, classrooms rearranged to allow for social distancing and many lessons to be taught outside.

A man has been charged with attempted robbery in connection with an incident at a shop in Louth.

Image source, Google

Lincolnshire Police say a man carrying an axe walked into the Premier Express Store, in Newmarket, on Sunday and demanded cash but left empty handed after being challenged by staff.

The force said a 44-year-old man has been charged in connection with the incident and is due to appear at Lincoln Magistrates' Court later today.

Police are appealing for information after a man armed with an axe attempted to steal money from a shop in Louth.

Image source, Getty Images

The man walked into the Premier Express Store, in Newmarket, at about 09.00 on Sunday before threatening staff with the axe and demanding they hand over any cash

However, staff members challenged the suspect and he left the scene empty handed in a red Fiat Punto with another man.

Lincolnshire Police have appealed for anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

The ammunition has been "safely disposed" in a controlled explosion by the Royal Navy.