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

Mattie Pollock earns Grimsby Town a hard-fought derby win over League Two rivals Scunthorpe at Blundell Park.

The bypass is designed to reduce traffic congestion in and around the city of Lincoln.

Amanda Walton, who gave a woman a fatal dose of heroin and cocaine, pleads guilty to manslaughter.

A mobile coronavirus testing unit is coming to Lincoln this weekend following the announcement that the county is to remain in tier three - very high alert - restrictions.

Image source, Google

Lincoln currently has the highest Covid-19 infection rate in the county.

The testing unit will be at the LNER Stadium from Sunday until 28 December.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a robbery at a shop in Lincoln last night.

Image source, Google

A man wielding a large knife, dressed in black and wearing a black face mask with white skulls on it entered Monks Vineyard in Eastbourne Street (pictured) at about 21:15 on Thursday.

He demanded money and took about £200. He also attempted to steal tobacco but dropped this when running from the scene, officers say.

The suspect is described as about 5ft 9ins tall, of slim build, in his 30s and with an English accent.

Anyone who saw what happened, or who has information about the robbery, is being asked to contact Lincolnshire Police.

BBC Weather

It will be a dry night in Lincolnshire.

Here's the latest forecast:

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A Lincolnshire council's plan to underwrite a £100,000 unveiling ceremony for a statue of Margaret Thatcher in her home town is to be reconsidered.

Image source, PA Media

The statue was offered to South Kesteven District Council after plans to erect it in London were rejected.

The Conservative-led authority agreed to fund the launch event in Grantham and said it "fully expected" the money to be recouped in donations.

But Ashley Baxter, an independent councillor, has asked a committee to scrutinise that decision.

He said: "The decision has been taken entirely by local members of the Conservative party without even a proper opportunity for discussion, let alone a vote.

"There is no clear outline business plan explaining how third-party funding will be acquired, let alone why the council has somehow taken on responsibility for the fundraising."

At the start of December, council leaders agreed to set aside the £100,000 to unveil the statue in Grantham town centre.

The authority hoped to raise the money for the event, and then fill any gaps.

The bronze statue was acquired for £300,000, mainly through public fundraising, private donations and supporters of Grantham Museum, and is currently stored at "a secret location".

Some patients at Lincoln County Hospital and Boston's Pilgrim Hospital will be allowed a visitor over Christmas as coronavirus restrictions continue.

Image source, Google

Between 23-27 December, one person will be allowed to book to see a loved one at the hospitals.

However, this doesn't apply to Covid wards, or at Grantham Hospital, to protect its Covid-free status, the trust which runs the sites says.

The new £120m Lincoln Eastern bypass is due to open this weekend.

Lincolnshire County Council says the new road, which is almost five miles long, will ease congestion in the city centre and boost the local economy.

It runs between the A15 Sleaford Road and the A158 Wragby Road.

Principal engineer Adam Round says this year has been particularly tricky due to the coronavirus pandemic.

People are being urged not to gather for a public vigil in memory of a 12-year-old boy who was found dead in the Fishtoft area of Boston last weekend.

Image source, Family Photo

The body of Roberts Buncis (pictured right, with his father Edgars) was discovered last Saturday.

Plans for the vigil have been circulating on social media, but the police say people must remember the whole of Lincolnshire remains under tier three coronavirus restrictions.

Earlier this week, Ch Insp James Trafford urged people to pay their respects in private.

He said: "While we understand the community is grieving the loss of Roberts, we would like to strongly remind people we are in a pandemic.

"Under tier three rules, we are unable to gather in outdoor settings in groups of more than six."

A 14-year-old boy is accused of murdering Roberts and is next due to appear in court on 11 January.

A 13-year-old boy arrested on suspicion of murder has been released under investigation by police.

A 19-year-old man arrested earlier on suspicion of murder has been released with no further action.

A new coronavirus testing site is now up and running in Boston.

People wanting a test can book an appointment for the unit which is in the Cattle Market car park.

The first tests were carried out yesterday.

Lincolnshire's health boss says he'd prefer people didn't mix over the Christmas period due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Image source, EPA/Andy Rain

A relaxation of rules means three households can form a "bubble" between 23-27 December.

The tier system will still need to be adhered to, but the rules have been changed to allow a few households to mix indoors regardless of where in the UK people live.

But Professor Derek Ward, Lincolnshire's director of public health, says he believes that is too risky.

He says: "From my perspective as a public health person, I would prefer we didn't have the Christmas bubbles.

So far during December, Lincolnshire Police have been called to seven serious collisions which have seen five people seriously injured and two people die, the force has revealed.

Officers say they want to send a message to all the county's road users to concentrate on their driving, to slow down and to be considerate.

They say the so-called "Fatal4" of speeding, driving while impaired through drink or drugs, using a mobile phone and not wearing a seatbelt are factors in many collisions they deal with.

Ch Insp Pat Coates, from Lincolnshire Police, says: "In the last three days, we’ve arrested 14 people for drink or drug-driving, seven charged to court and seven investigations are ongoing."

Grimsby Town boss Ian Holloway says he has no intention of leaving the club and calls on the club's board and prospective investors to stop "playing politics".

Vandals have been blamed for damaging Christmas lights in a Lincolnshire village.

Image source, Maureen Palmer

The display in Cherry Willingham, near Lincoln, went dark last night after cables were deliberately cut (pictured above).

Image source, Maureen Palmer

Maureen Palmer, who helped put up the display (pictured above, before the vandalism), says it's disappointing.

She adds that it has been reported to Lincolnshire Police.

BBC Weather

There could be some rain around in Lincolnshire overnight.

Here's the latest forecast:

The government has published its explanation why Lincolnshire will remain in tier three - very high alert - coronavirus restrictions over the Christmas period.

The overall picture in Lincolnshire is "mixed but concerning", a review has concluded.

Infection rates remain over 200 per 100,000 people in Lincoln, Boston, West Lindsey and North Kesteven, it says.

Infections in all ages have increased by 20% or more over the last week in Lincoln and West Lindsey, and fallen by 10% or more in Boston, East Lindsey, South Kesteven and South Holland.

In the most recent few days the case rate is increasing, according to the review.

Meanwhile, infection rates in over-60s remain greater than 150 per 100,000 people in four local authorities in the area and are increasing in three, it says.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also explained the decision in the House of Commons:

Volunteers in Bourne have pledged to help rebuild a man's home after it was destroyed in a suspected gas explosion.

The blast in Holly Drive, in Bourne, Lincolnshire, on Sunday morning caused severe damage.

A unnamed male occupant suffered minor injuries and was a "little shaken", Lincolnshire Police said.

Since then donations have been pouring in and councillor Julia Reid says: "Everybody's rallied round to make sure that this gentleman will have a Christmas."

The leader of Lincolnshire County Council says he understands the government's decision to keep Lincolnshire in tier three - very high alert - coronavirus restrictions, but it's "disappointing".

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA Wire

Councillor Martin Hill was reacting to the news that the whole county will remain in the toughest coronavirus restrictions following a review on Wednesday.

He said it's "hugely disappointing" for the county's economy, including the hospitality sector which is "struggling to survive".

Mr Hill added if the situation in the county continues to improve he'll be pressing the government to look at it again in the new year.