Local Democracy Reporting Service

If people do not stick by the coronavirus rules, the national lockdown could last longer than is currently thought, Lincolnshire's health bosses have warned.

Image source, Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo

Professor Derek Ward, Lincolnshire County Council’s director for public health, says the county is currently performing better than other areas and has not seen a big rise in infection rates recently.

However, he said: “If people don’t stay at home, a legal requirement, and if people don’t stick by the rules and our rates start to go up, we start to see more pressure on the NHS - and it’s already pressured - then it’s going to potentially prolong the lockdown.

“Covid can’t come into your house unless you allow it. Equally, if you are one of those people who might have Covid but you’ve not got any symptoms, if you stay home during the lockdown period, you will clear the virus and that means you can’t pass it on to anybody," he added.

In the seven days to 9 January, Lincolnshire had a rate of 267 infections per 100,000 people and has sat between the 250-300 range for several weeks. The national average is around 629.

On Monday, the first of a series of new rapid testing sites also came online in Lincoln and carried out 60 tests on asymptomatic people in its first day - recording one positive case.

The tests, at the LNER stadium, can deliver results within an hour.

Grimsby accept a suspended fine for breaching English Football League rules after three games were postponed because of Covid-19.

BBC Weather

It will be a cold night in Lincolnshire.

Here's the latest forecast:

Several new coronavirus vaccination sites will be up and running in Lincolnshire by the end of the week, it's been confirmed.

Image source, EPA/Jacob King/Pool

The new sites will be at:

• The Storehouse, Skegness
• Lincolnshire Showground, Lincoln
• Springfields, Spalding
• John Coupland Hospital, Gainsborough
• Marisco Medical Practice, Mablethorpe

The next step for the county’s NHS to roll out the programme further is expected to be two large vaccination sites and a roving service across the county.

Almost 140 people were arrested during the Christmas crackdown on drink and drug-drivers by Lincolnshire Police, the force says.

During December, 62 people were arrested on suspicion of driving or being in charge of a vehicle while over the legal alcohol limit, according to Lincolnshire Police.

Meanwhile, 77 people were arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired through controlled drugs.

That’s a total of 139 people who were arrested over the Christmas period and who now face an investigation.

Organisers say they hoped the display would "put a smile on people's faces after a terrible year".

It's a chilly day across the county but you may see some spots of wintry sunshine.

Find your local weather forecast for today and the week ahead here.

Two cannabis factories and over 100 cannabis plants have been uncovered during raids at the weekend in Grimsby, according to Humberside Police.

The first was found at a property in Harold Street in East Marsh, where two rooms of a house were being used to grow cannabis, officers say.

The second was found in a property in Freeman Street, also in East Marsh, following reports of a suspected break-in.

Officers found four rooms had been used to grow cannabis and the growers had also tampered with the electricity supply, causing a potentially serious fire risk, according to police.

Det Insp Tom Kelly says: "I’d like to thank the members of the public who got in touch with us about these grows.

"Thanks to their vigilance we have been able to seize these plants and equipment and put measures in place to prevent further grows from being established in these properties.

"Though the number of plants recovered was relatively small, there was provision in both properties for large scale grows."

Investigations are continuing to find out who was behind the two cannabis operations, Humberside Police adds.

BBC Weather

There could be some rain around in Lincolnshire overnight.

Here's the latest forecast:

Laptops donated as part of the BBC's Make A Difference campaign are being put to use in Lincolnshire.

The appeal for donations of laptops and digital devices to help schoolchildren across the county access online classes during the coronavirus lockdown continues this week:

Tip workers in Grimsby have raised more than £10,500 for good causes after creating a Christmas wonderland.

Image source, North East Lincolnshire Council

Visitors donated money after seeing the efforts staff made to transform the site.

Most of the decorations including Santa, a snowman, and a giant Christmas tree, were made using old tyres, traffic cones and other bits and pieces found at the site.

Image source, North East Lincolnshire Council

One visitor gave £500 just before Christmas.

Donations will be divided between charities and local causes, including Young Carers, Not Home Alone, Harbour Place and Nunny's Farm.

Lincolnshire is getting another five coronavirus vaccination hubs this week.

That's on top of the eight already set up.

It should mean people won't have to travel too far to get the jab.

There's no word yet on where they'll be.

Leader of East Lindsey District Council Craig Leyland says he's been reassured the Lincolnshire coast won't be left behind.

Confusion over a satnav postcode has led to hundreds of people driving into a small Lincolnshire village, residents have said.

Image source, PHILIP HALLING /GEOGRAPH

Villagers next to Belton House said visitors to a light show at the house drove up their driveways and knocked on doors to ask for directions.

One villager said people had barred a road with wheelie bins.

Owners National Trust said it was installing extra signs and possibly looking to create a unique satnav code.

You can read more here.

Here's the picture for Lincolnshire today.

You should expect light cloud and a fresh breeze in the county.

You can find your local forecast on the BBC website here.

Breaking news, sport, travel and weather updates from across Lincolnshire.

A police officer was taken to hospital after being injured during the incident in Swinderby Gardens.

Shaun Brisley and Devante Rodney strike early as managerless Port Vale ease to a 3-0 win at home to Grimsby.

Villagers living next to Belton House say people have been knocking on doors asking for directions.

The county's gritters will be taking to the roads as temperatures plunge once more.

We've not seen the snow that's covered other parts of the country.

Angry residents have criticised the National Trust after a postcode mix-up caused hundreds of motorists to flood into their village last month despite the coronavirus pandemic.

Villagers next to historic Belton House say visitors to a festive lights trail at the Grade I-listed Georgian house drove up their driveways and even knocked on doors to ask for directions:

The traffic chaos was so bad residents on one lane chose to barricade their street with wheelie bins to prevent further disruption caused by visitors to the country home, near Grantham.

Belton councillor Colin Thornton said: "Washdyke Lane is an unadopted single track lane that leads to a dead end. It was initially inundated with vehicles trying to turn around in a very small area or on private drives in the dark and in poor weather conditions to the extent that residents had to block the entrance to the lane with a wheelie bin with a sign stating "Not Belton House".

A spokesperson from the National Trust at Belton House said: "The postcode for the entrance to Belton House and its car park also covers an area of Belton village.

"Unfortunately a small number of visitors miss the entrance as they drive past. Working closely with the local authorities we have taken steps to mitigate this."