Residents have been warned to close doors and windows because of the blaze in North Hykeham.

No one has been hurt in a major blaze which has been burning in North Hykeham this afternoon, it's been confirmed:

Fire crews were called to the commercial building, on Freeman Road, just after 15:00 this afternoon - leading to the evacuation of some people from nearby premises.

Several fire crews remain at the scene of the blaze and traffic delays in the area are expected to continue for several hours.

People in the area around Freeman Road in North Hykeham are being told to keep their doors and windows closed as a result of a major fire in the area.

Fire crews were first called to the blaze at about 15:00 this afternoon and thick black smoke can still be seen for miles around.

These are the latest pictures from the scene:

Image source, John Cook

Image source, John Cook

This was the scene in North Hykeham earlier as fire crews continued to tackle a blaze in the town:

Emergency services were called to the blaze, on Freeman Road, at about 15:00 and several fire crews remain at the scene.

The blaze is causing traffic problems in the town with drivers experiencing delays - with these expected to continue for some hours.

Local residents are being warned to keep their doors and windows closed.

An eyewitness has been describing the scene of a fire in North Hykeham this afternoon.

Emergency crews were called to business premises on Freeman Road at about 15:00 this afternoon.

Smoke from the blaze is reported to be visible from up to 20 miles away.

Amelia Knight, who was evacuated from a nearby building, says it was a "quite scary" experience.

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."

Today will be dry with good sunny spells, although the sunshine will turn hazy as cloud thickens from the north in the afternoon.

Turning mostly cloudy tonight with outbreaks of rain expected to persist through the night.

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.”