Lincolnshire Police Chief Constable Bill Skelly has missed out on his bid to become Scotland's top police officer.

It was announced in June this year that Mr Skelly was one of the final three candidates for the post of chief constable of Police Scotland.

Iain Livingstone has now been confirmed as the new chief constable of Police Scotland.

Mr Livingstone had been in interim charge of the national force since last autumn.

A decision to centralise routine orthopaedic operations at Grantham Hospital instead of reinstating the town's overnight A&E department has been defended by health bosses.

It was announced yesterday that the hospital would become a centre of excellence for hip and knee operations.

It's hoped patients will have their surgery sooner and will have to spend less time in hospital.

Two years ago, Grantham Hospital had its A&E overnight service replaced with a nurse-led minor injuries unit.

However, this turned out to be too expensive and was last month replaced by an out-of-hours GP service.

Mark Brassington, chief operating officer at United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust, says the plans involve different staff and resources to those required for the A&E.

A new holiday park could prevent travellers from illegally camping by the side of one of the main routes into Skegness.

Image source, Google

A lay-by on Burgh Road has frequently been used by travellers, but now plans have been submitted to East Lindsey District Council which would see it used as the entrance to Burgh Road Holiday Park.

In return for helping the highways authority tackle the issue, the applicants have asked for 40 caravans on the site instead of the 29 that had already been approved.

A man has been left with serious injuries after a stabbing in Lincoln.

Image source, Google

Detectives say the victim, who's in his 30s, is believed to have been attacked at a house in Napier Street, in the Monks Road area of the city, at about 22.30 last night.

Officers have issued an appeal for witnesses to come forward.

A civil engineering expert says bridges like the Humber Bridge are incredibly safe.

It follows the collapse of a motorway bridge in the Italian City of Genoa on Tuesday which killed at least 39 people.

Politicians in Italy have fiercely criticised the company responsible for maintaining the country's motorways.

A pet shop owner is campaigning for the removal of "inhumane" bird nets from Louth Town Hall.

Image source, Google

The netting was put on the roof to protect the listed building from damage.

However, Megan Johnson says pigeons are getting trapped and "dying horribly".

400 people have signed a petition to remove the nets.

The operators of the building, which is now run as an events venue, have so far been unavailable for comment.

Fire crews have monitored a house in Bracebridge Heath near Lincoln overnight after a blaze broke out, which needed seven fire engines and an aerial platform to bring it under control.

Crews from as far away as Sleaford and Market Rasen were called to Ridge View Road last night after the fire was discovered in the roof.

A neighbouring property was also damaged in the blaze.

The occupants of the house were given support by British Red Cross emergency teams.

The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.

BBC Weather

A cloudy, damp start this morning with some rain for a time.

This will move away though and cloud will then break to leave sunny spells with just the small chance of a shower.

A breezy, cooler day.

A new report into the Morton Hall Immigration Centre has highlighted a number of concerns for the welfare of detainees.

The Independent Monitoring Board, which is made up of volunteers, has released its latest findings.

It has praised staff for treating detainees with "humanity and dignity".

However, it says over 40% of the centre's population are those waiting deportation, which has an adverse effect on safety and welfare.

Concerns have also been raised about the availability and supply of drugs, and the suitability of the centre for those with mental health issues.

A man from Louth's been arrested on suspicion of arson and assault.

Police were called to an address on Riverhead following reports of a fire in the house and rear garden.

One woman was taken to Grimsby hospital with minor injuries.

The 24-year-old arrested man remains in custody.

Mostly dry for a time overnight with a few clear spells.

However, outbreaks of rain are expected to move in as the night progresses, perhaps with the odd heavy burst:

An endangered animal is making a comeback in Lincolnshire after an intervention by wildlife groups.

Image source, David Gerke

White-clawed crayfish are being killed off by American signal crayfish, which were introduced to the UK in the 1970s.

Last July, 600 white-clawed crayfish were moved from the River Witham to more remote chalk streams in the Lincolnshire Wolds.

The Environment Agency (EA) said the crustaceans have started to breed in their new home.

Lincolnshire Police are searching for James Pennell following two domestic incidents.

They happened in North Somercotes and Louth on Saturday and Sunday last weekend.

The 28-year-old has links to Tattershall and it's believed he could be in North Somercotes.

A man has been kicked and punched to the ground by two teenage boys in Scunthorpe, police have revealed.

Image source, Google

It happened just after midnight last Monday on Queensway.

The two boys, who are thought to be between 13 and 15, stole the man's wallet, phone and rucksack.

Police are appealing for information.

Lincolnshire Police have published their weekly round-up.

From Monday 6 August to Sunday 12 August, the number of arrests was up on the previous week - while the number of calls was down:

Image source, Lincolnshire Police

A nurse who worked at Boston Pilgrim Hospital has been jailed after admitting having a relationship with a psychiatric patient.

Rebecca Burwell, 49, of High Street, Heckington, was sent to prison for eight months and put on the sex offenders register for 10 years.

She admitted a charge of sexual activity with a person with a mental disorder by a care worker.

Passing sentence at Lincoln Crown Court today, Judge Andrew Easteal said Burwell had brought the nursing profession into disrepute.

Significant damage has been caused to a house in Bracebridge Heath as a result of a fire in its roof this afternoon:

Seven fire crews remain in attendance at the house. One of the neighbouring homes has also been damaged.

No-one has been hurt in the blaze and local reesidents are still being advised to keep doors and windows closed:

A new homeless night shelter's been approved for Grimsby.

The Harbour Place charity's been looking for a new location for over two years and says it's delighted with a decision meaning it can convert a former health centre into a night shelter with dormitory-style accommodation.

The plans have been given the go-ahead today.

The Hope Street shelter will offer advice, support, shower facilities and hot meals, as well as sheltered accommodation for rough sleepers.

Nine fire crews are currently tackling a fire in Bracebridge Heath.

About 45 firefighters are dealing with the blaze which is in the roof of a house on Ridge View Road.

There are no reports of any injuries or people involved.

Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue crews are dealing with a large fire in the Bracebridge Heath area, near Lincoln.

They've tweeted asking people to avoid the area and residents to keep their doors and windows closed.