A GROUP of boys are to help clean up a cemetery they damaged.

Officers identified five boys aged between 12 and 14 after residents complained that wreathes and flowers were taken from gravestones at Rose Hill Cemetery and strewn all over the communal areas of the Cantley site.

There were also issues raised at the area’s Partners and Communities Together meeting that young people were shouting and being noisy when residents were visiting the cemetery in Cantley Lane.

PC Andy Birdsall said officers would be speaking to the group’s parents and that the boys would be cleaning up the area.

He said a neighbourhood officers would continue to monitor the site to curb anti-social behaviour there.

DONCASTER would need £135 million to bring its crumbling roads up to “acceptable” standards - nearly double what the cash-strapped council is having to cut.

At a time when the authority has laid off hundreds of staff to recoup around £70 million it will not received from the Government, the council has estimated the figure it would need to repair its road network.

The estimate is the second highest in Yorkshire, with only Sheffield suggesting a higher figure at £150 million.

Peter Dale, the council’s director of regeneration and environment put the scale of the sum down to Doncaster’s status as the largest metropolitan borough in the country in terms of the space it covers.

He said: “Doncaster has one of the largest metropolitan road networks in the UK, responsible for over a thousand miles of roads.

“It is difficult to define exactly what an ‘acceptable state’ is.

“To put it very simply, we consider it to mean where the surface of the road is even and there are no more repairs needed for the time being.

“The cost to do this would be around £135 million determined in accordance with national guidelines and is sometimes referred to as the backlog of repairs which exist on the roads of all the Highway Authorities.”

But officials at the authority recently stated they had only around 60 potholes logged with the council for repair.

The Doncaster figure is almost 70 per cent higher than that in Leeds, where estimates put the figure at £80 million.

Local transport minister Norman Baker said the Government had given councils in Yorkshire £307 million to spend on road maintenance.

The county also received just under £19 million to repair damage caused by the icy conditions during the cold winter of 2010.

AN INVESTIGATION is under way into a domestic incident at a Doncaster house which spilled out onto the surrounding streets.

A 23-year-old man is believed to have sustained non life-threatening injuries at about 7.50am today. A 19-year-old woman has been arrested.

The incident is thought to have taken place at a house on Ripon Avenue and continued onto nearby Beckett Street.

Officers are guarding the house which is surrounded by police tape while crime scene investigators work inside.

Ripon Avenue resident Huseyin Akbulut said: “Police officers called at my home this morning to ask whether I’d heard anything.

“I don’t know exactly what happened but police cars have been outside of the house most of the day.”

Anyone who may have any information is asked to contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers on 0800 55511, quoting incident number 164 of 22/02/2012.

THE police helicopter will soon take double the time to get to Doncaster if new plans are approved.

The Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) is proposing to shut down the Sheffield Air Operations base, as part of a bid to save £15 million from its budget.

Instead police air teams based either at Carr Gate near Wakefield, Humberside Airport or Ripley in Derbyshire will be called to Doncaster, which ACPO says will double flight times from eight minutes to more than 16 minutes.

The helicopter would not automatically be deployed at Doncaster Rovers home matches unless it was deemed likely that there would be trouble under the plans.

But the move to create central air hubs has proved unpopular with the public with more than 50 people taking part in a live South Yorkshire Police webchat and each voting against the plans.

Charles Perryman, chair of South Yorkshire Police Authority said: “The live debate was an overwhelming success.

“The majority of comments were in favour of keeping the helicopter. The public seem as unconvinced with the proposals as members of the Police Authority are.”

In 2010 to 2011 there were more than 1,100 police helicopter flights above Doncaster, which made up almost a quarter of the call. It equated to more than 260 hours above the borough.

On Monday the air operations team was over Doncaster to help ground teams find two people who were suspected of stealing a motorbike before running off into woods. The helicopter, known as SYN99, helped direct officers through the woods to help find them.

And last weekend the air crew spotted two children in Edlington playing on a frozen lake and directed officers to help them to safety.

Under the plans a National Police Air Support service will be created,replacing the existing helicopter based in Sheffield. It will see 23 aircraft fly from 20 bases around the country, cutting the number of choppers by ten.

For more on the planned restructure visit www.southyorks.gov.uk

ELVIS fan Pete Rodgers was all shook up when he checked through his collection of the superstar’s memorabilia.

For he came across what is believed to be the first recording contract the superstar signed in 1954!

The 73-year-old is convinced the item could sell big at auction and is now trying to get it authenticated.

Pete, of Elm Road, Mexborough, said: “It could be worth thousands. I’m going to try and and get an expert to confirm it is the real thing.”

The former army corporal paid £1000 for a stack of Elvis memorabilia from a friend in 1975.

This included scrapbooks containing pictures of the superstar in concert, and nearly 80 rare vinyl records of his biggest hits, such as Jailhouse Rock and Heartbreak Hotel.

But it was only a couple of years later when Elvis died in 1977 that he had a proper look through and noticed the contract.

The agreement was signed on July 12, 1954, by Elvis, his parents Vernon and Gladys, and the singer’s guitarist Winfield Scotty Moore III.

It says: “W.S. Moore III is a band leader and booking agent, and Elvis Presley, a minor, age 19 years, is a singer of reputation and renown, and possesses bright promises of large success.

“It is the desire of both parties to enter into this personal agreement for the best interests of both parties.”

Pete kept the contract in a plastic wallet for years as his time was taken up travelling the World in the Royal Army Service Corps.

But he has recently taken up the task again of trying to get the document authenticated.

He said: “I’m going to try and contact his estate in Graceland, there’s also a big Elvis Fan Club in America.

“I’ve been to see a valuer and he said it could be worth a lot of money so long as I can prove it is real.

“I really don’t believe it’s a photocopy.

“I’ve had it nearly 40 years and it looks authentic.

“If I can get the right certificates for it then I’ll look at selling it off. It could be worth a fortune.”

KFC has had to be evacuated after an extractor hood caught fire.

The store in Hall Gate, Doncaster had to be evacuated between 12.15pm and 12.45pm whilst fire crew from Rotherham and Edlington made sure the fast food chain was safe.

It is thought the fire was an accident.

The store has now reopened for customers

ISLE Business CIC Group is holding its monthly networking event next month.

Guest speaker will be Paul Nevin from the Shaw Trust who will be discussing the Work Choice Programme, a government led initiative that is designed to help individuals with a medical or health condition, back into work.

They also help people who are currently employed and have a medical or health problem, keep their job and away from risk.

A spokesman said: “The Shaw Trust has a range of job coaches and work place advisors that are not only there for the employee, but also the employer, providing support when required. They are the UK’s third largest sector provider, and one of the government’s lead partners in the delivery of employment programmes for disabled and disadvantaged people.

The event takes place on Wednesday March 14 between 5.30-7pm at The Epworth Tap, Market Place, Epworth.

Organiser Tori Oldridge from Bounce PR said: “Networking is a valuable tool in helping businesses raise their profile and communicating their key messages. It should be part of a business’ strategy and development.”

There will be a light buffet and refreshments available.

This event is free of charge to Isle Business CIC member, and £10 for non members. For more details phone 01302 719030.

DEARNE Valley College’s recent Have a Go taster sessions at Dearne Valley College (DVC) are proving a great success.

The Wath-based college hosted a week of hands-on, interactive, free activity taster sessions and workshops, to give local young people a chance to build skills for their future.

Almost 300 local youngsters took part, which saw participants having a go at various activities whilst meeting tutors, support staff and speaking to current full-time students.

The Have a Go event was part of ‘World Skills’ whose aim is to create a million Have A Go opportunities for young people throughout the UK.

Vocational course areas on offer included: hairdressing, beauty therapy, construction skills, sport and physical recreation, engineering and technology, catering and hospitality, public services, graphic design and iMedia, travel and business.

DVC Assistant Admissions Manager, Mark Hepworth, said: “Deciding what to do next and indeed where to continue further study can be a difficult decision.

“Our Have a Go taster sessions allowed prospective students to learn new skills but also provided an insight into what college life would be like.”

Dearne Valley College is now accepting applications for courses starting in September 2012.

For a Further Education course guide for 2012/2013, call the enquiry line on 01709 513355, email learn@dearne-coll.ac.uk or alternatively the course guide can be downloaded from.dearne-coll.ac.uk

Further Open Evenings will take place at the Manvers Campus from 4.30pm to 7.30pm on: February 22, March 22 and May 15.

Police are appealing for witnesses after two people were injured in a head-on collision on the A61 Sheffield Road, at Worsbrough Bridge, Barnsley, yesterday morning.

The incident happened at 5.24am on Tuesday, 21 February, around 310 metres the Birdwell side of the junction of Sheffield Road with Worsbrough Road. A silver Vauxhall Vectra is believed to have been travelling towards Barnsley on the wrong side of the road when a blue Ford Fiesta, heading in the opposite direction, collided with it. The Fiesta driver, a 42-year-old man from Shafton, Barnsley, suffered slight cuts and bruising and pain to his chest. He was treated at Barnsley District General Hospital before being allowed home.

The Vectra driver, a 42-year-old Barnsley man, suffered slight bruising and swelling to his right ankle. He was treated at the same hospital, but not detained.

Following his release from BDGH, the Vectra driver was arrested by police for dangerous driving, failing to provide a urine sample at hospital and driving other than in accordance with a licence. He was taken to Barnsley Police Station for questioning, but later released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Officers are appealing for witnesses to the collision or anyone who may have seen the Vectra just prior to the impact. Anyone with information should ring 101 and quote incident number 92 of 21 February, 2012, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555111.

]]> 1.4273414 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 11:56:36 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/out_of_date_beer_warning_1_4273345

Barnsley Council Regulatory Services believes that thousands of cans of beer and lager which have illegally had durability dates changed could be on sale in shops and off licences in the area.

People who have bought any Guinness Draught 440ml or Carlsberg Lager 500ml cans in the past few weeks are urged to check the information on them. The beer can be identified by its durability date and the can code on the side of the can. The can code information appears in a small silver box near the base of the can. The illegal beer has the following information: Guinness: 24/06/12 Can code: W0EM17B; Carlsberg 17/06/12 Can code: S2RL11A;: S1RL11A. The beer in question appears to have gone out of date and then had a new date applied to it. No other Guinness and Carlsberg products are known to have been affected. If you have a can bearing the above information you are urged to contact Regulatory Services on 01226 772468.

Coun Roy Miller, Cabinet Spokesperson, Development, Environment and Culture (Operations), said: “Consumers have the right to get what they pay for and changing the durability dates on products is simply unacceptable, as well as illegal. I hope that people will check their cans and get in touch if they have been affected.”

A 21-YEAR-OLD who went on the run from a prison in Hatfield was found last night in Dunscroft.

A South Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed that the man, who left Hatfield youth offending institution yesterday at 2.30pm, had been located.

He has now been returned to the prison site. Patrol cars and the police helicopter were scouring the area until late last night.

FIREFIGHTERS were called to two deliberate fires around the Mexborough area in the early hours of this morning.

A shed was set ablaze on an allotment at York Street, Mexborough, at 2.15am, and took fire officers 45 minutes to make safe.

Just prior to that at Doncaster Road, Denaby Main, a skip was set on fire behind the Asda store.

Dearne Fire Station crews attended both incidents.

]]> 1.4271367 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:33:35 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/benefit_changes_to_bring_child_poverty_to_don_and_dearne_1_4271338

CHILDREN will be plunged in to poverty when changes to Working Tax Credit come in to force in April, a charity has warned.

Families in Mexborough and across the Dearne could be among those to suffer most, as couples who currently work 16 hours to qualify for the benefit worth £3,870 a year, are told they must work 24 hours to receive it in the future.

The recession, coupled with childcare issues will make this requirement impossible for the majority of affected families, claims the Child Poverty Action Group.

Local councillors agree. Dearne North Coun Janice Hancock said: “People are struggling to get by. The work isn’t there, and if it was families would still face problems over childcare.

“This government is not living in the real world. You need to live here to know how hard it is for people.

“The one thing that matters has been taken away from young people and that’s hope - hope of getting work, hope of getting a house. All we can do is to shout as much as we can for them”.

The chief executive of the Child Poverty Action Group, Alison Garnham, said; “This change will pull the rug from under the feet of hundreds of thousands of families desperately trying to make ends meet. It’s inevitable that many children will be thrown in to poverty.

“Imagine how hard it will be on low pay, with low hours and kids to take care of, when suddenly up to £70 a week gets taken away.

“The sensible thing to do is for David Cameron to put this on hold, or it will mean many families are no longer better off in work”.

Government statistics reveal the changes will affect 420 families and 840 kids in Doncaster North constituency, including Mexborough. In Wentworth and Dearne, taking in Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe, Bolton, Swinton, Rawmarsh and Wath, there are 415 affected families with 655 children. Another 360 families and 750 youngsters will suffer in Barnsley East, including Wombwell and Darfield, and in Don Valley, with Conisbrough and Denaby, 455 kids and 220 families stand to lose out.

]]> 1.4271338 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:23:23 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/new_apprenticeships_1_4271320

A CHARITY that aims to regenerate former mining communities in South Yorkshire, has announced funding towards apprenticeships and job opportunities.

As the number of youths out of work spirals to 1.04 million, the Coalfields Regeneration Trust’s (CRT) National Apprenticeship Programme will invest £20,000 in Rotherham to create 20 apprenticeships, that will be delivered by Rotherham College of Arts and Technology.

The boost brings the number of opportunities provided to young people in coalfield areas by the programme to 550 and investment by the CRT to more than £1.1m.

This second phase of the National Apprenticeship Programme will focus on young people aged between 16 and 25 who are more than twice as likely to be out of work than older people.

But in recognition of the growing number of young people not in education, employment or training, more than 70 per cent of the apprenticeships will be created for young people aged 16 to 18.

Trust chief executive officer Gary Ellis said: “This programme will be a real boost for young people struggling to find work. Former coalfield communities have been badly hit by the economic downturn and this has compounded the problems already experienced by young people.

“This programme is a direct response to help young people into work and create a strong platform for their future aspirations.”

The apprenticeships will run for 12 months, in a wide variety of industries and occupations and will run for a minimum of 12 months.

For more information about the Coalfields Regeneration Trust visit www.coalfields-regen.org.uk.

]]> 1.4271320 Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:17:43 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/it_could_be_you_as_borough_named_as_a_lotto_win_hotspot_1_4270107

DONCASTER is one of the luckiest places to live in the UK, National Lottery figures have revealed.

Number-crunching boffins have found that with more than 109 jackpot winners and over 384 residents banking a prize of £50,000 or more, Doncaster is the tenth luckiest postcode based on 17 years of lottery windfalls.

The statistics released have been calculated to include all National Lottery prizes over £50,000 - not just jackpot wins - revealing that residents have scooped over a massive £184 million.

The figures also show that one in 1,472 adults in the borough have now pocketed a prize of over £50,000 since the National Lottery began in 1994.

A National Lottery spokesman said: “This is the first time we have included prizes of £50,000 upwards, giving a true snapshot of where the luckiest players are based.

“Doncaster has previously been classed as a lucky lottery hotspot, having been featured in the top ten jackpot winning towns five times in recent years.

“It’s now clear that the people of Doncaster have been scooping the big prizes all round.”

Doncaster is two places above the only other Yorkshire contender, that being Wakefield which boasts 1,484 people winning big, and its total prize fund being nearly £130 million.

The borough was also deemed luckier than Medway, Southend-on-Sea, Wolverhampton, East London, Dundee, Cleveland, Luton, Harrow and Sutton.

Romford in Essex tops the poll of luckiest postcodes in the UK, where one in 1,238 residents have taken home a major prize.

The town is followed by the London borough of Enfield, Dartford in Kent, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Sunderland, Liverpool, Warrington, Bromley and Newport in the top 20 luckiest postcodes in the UK.

Doncaster’s luckiest winner so far is Mark Lund from Askern, who became one of the town’s biggest winners when he bagged £5.1 million in 1999.

However, in 2005 the holder of a winning ticket sold in Doncaster and worth £9.4 million was never traced.

DONCASTER boy band sensation Louis Tomlinson is top of the pops tonight after his band One Direction picked up a prestigious Brit Award.

Louis, who hails from Bessacarr and his bandmates Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, scooped the Best Single statuette at this evening’s glittering music industry bash at London’s 02 Arena.

The group’s debut single What Makes You Beautiful was voted as the best British song of 2011 by radio listeners across the UK and beat off other multi-million selling stars such as Adele, JLS and Ed Sheeran.

It caps a remarkable twelve months for the lads who have become pop’s hottest property after finishing in third place on The X-Factor and have scored a string of hits as well as a sold out UK tour.

A POLICE helicopter is currently scouring the Hatfield area in search of a 21-year-old who has absconded from a prison site.

A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police confirmed that the man had left a youth offenders’ institution in Hatfield at about 2.30pm.

She said: “The man is not believed to be a danger to the public but if anyone sees him, they should contact the police immediately.”

Several concerned residents have called the Free Press saying that they have seen a huge amount of police activity in the area in the past two hours and people have taken to social networking sites to say police helicopters have been over Armthorpe.

One caller reported seeing up to 12 police cars scouring the area - including along Old Thorne Road and Hatfield Marina.

Keep checking {http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/|Doncaster Free Press|click here} for more details.

Have you seen something going on in the Hatfield area? Contact the Free Press news desk on 01302 347266 or on editorial@doncastertoday.co.uk

PLUMBERS, electricians and cleaners will be providing their services to charitable projects free of charge - but their generous employer will be footing the bill.

Facilities management company Rejus Ltd has formed a partnership with the South Yorkshire Community Foundation (SYCF) and agreed for its employees to give up a day each year to support local community projects - currently totalling 64 shifts - as part of the `I Love South Yorkshire’ initiative to encourage companies to give something back.

The Doncaster-based business - which aims to help clients cut maintenance costs and improve services - has doubled its staff numbers in the last year and opened a second office in Sheffield. Now it will celebrate the expansion by supporting communities which have helped its own development.

Rejus Ltd. managing director Mathew Lynds, said: “The last 12 months have seen Rejus register great success and we’re very excited about our plans to expand into Sheffield. And with this new community partnership with the South Yorkshire Community Foundation, plus plans to expand our business into Hull, next year is looking just as exciting.

“We believe that getting our staff involved in the ‘I Love South Yorkshire’ initiative’ will help us to make a difference to the communities that have supported our success so far and also we will give us great opportunities to build our teams strengths,” he added.

The company specialises in office cleaning, electrical maintenance, plumbing, landscaping, heating, office fit-outs and painting and decorating giving plenty of scope for a host of community projects to benefit.

Pauline Grice, chief executive of SYCF, said: “It is extremely inspiring to work with businesses that are rooted in our area and care a great deal about the communities in which they operate.

“The very unique nature of Rejus becoming an ‘I Love South Yorkshire’ partner is that we can directly link them with community projects in their area of operation, to help the company increase its business while at the same time making a valuable contribution to the community.”

Rejus has been trading for 12 years and has previously supported the Doncaster Rape and Abuse Centre, Direct Rugby and Misson School in the past.

For more information about the ‘I Love’ initiative visit www.sycf.org.uk/ilove

]]> 1.4270109 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:05:42 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/event_returns_1_4266921

FAMILIES are being urged to get together for a unique stargazing event at a Dearne nature reserve.

Mexborough and Swinton Astronomical Society (MSAS) will be giving talks and presentations at the Old Moor wetlands site at Wombwell as part of the “Cormorants and Constellations the Sequel” event.

RSPB staff will also be giving guided walks around the site to give visitors the chance to watch birds come home to roost.

This is a follow up to a similar event which proved to be a huge success in January.

It will take place on Sunday, February 26, from 4.30pm onwards.

Anyone interested in attending can contact MSAS member Les Marsden for more information on 01709 584217. Alternatively, contact the Old Moor wetlands centre on 01226 751593.

THE funeral of murdered schoolgirl Casey-Lyanne Kearney cannot not take place until a second autopsy has been performed, an inquest heard.

Coroner Nicola Mundy said the request for a second post-mortem examination had been made by the legal team representing Hannah Bonser, 26, of Cusworth House, Balby Bridge, who has been charged with Casey’s murder.

Speaking at the inquest opening Ms Mundy said the second autopsy was scheduled to take place on Thursday and Casey’s body could not be released to her family until this had been completed.

The first autopsy revealed the 13-year-old of Rossington died from a single stab wound to the abdomen.

The McAuley Catholic High School pupil died several hours after she was stabbed near Elmfield Park on February 12.

The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.

A 45-YEAR-OLD man has been left with two blood clots to the brain and bleeding on his spine after a fight broke out in a chip shop.

A 44-year-old man also ended up with swelling on his face from the chippy attack in Hallgate at around 3.15am on Sunday, January 29.

The attack happened when the men were returning home from a night out, having stopped off to order some food.

When their order was ready two men in their 20s who were also stood at the chip shop counter picked it up and started eating it.

The men who are both described as white with local accents, were told the food wasn’t theirs and then alledgedly went on to assaulted the pair.

One man is approximately 5ft 9ins tall, of average build with short dark hair that looked greasy. He was wearing a dark, long sleeved shirt with thin stripes.

The other man is approximately 5ft 10ins tall, stocky with a barrel chest. He had short fair hair and was wearing a white, long sleeved shirt with thin blue stripes and jeans.

Police are appealing for witnesses to get in touch with them by calling their non-emergency 101 number or speak to Crime stoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, quoting incident number 204 of January 29, 2012.

COUNCILS from across Yorkshire are to meet in Rotherham to discuss how to increase use of electric powered vehicles.

A new collective approach by councils throughout Yorkshire and the Humber may see them using joint funding and purchasing power to try to introduce more delivery of services with electric vehicles.

Coun Roger Stone, leader of Rotherham Council and vice chair of Local Government Yorkshire and Humber, said: ”Devising innovative and different ways of working has been one of the driving forces of local government in Yorkshire and Humber for many years. Protecting the environment is also one of our key priorities. Local Authorities have a major part to play in ensuring that our services are delivered in ways that are not only best for the enviroment but are cost effective for our citizens.

”Councils across Yorkshire and Humber are facing unprecedented cuts to budgets. Accessing European funding for projects such as these help us develop effective new ways of working while ensuring that the Local Authority services people value and need are protected”.

]]> 1.4267917 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:17:28 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/boost_for_new_businesses_1_4267915

A NEW scheme has been unveiled to help encourage more entrepreneurs in Barnsley.

The news comes as the town is highlighted as one of the worst in the country for business start-ups, with half as many new businesses as places like Brighton and Aberdeen.

The town is also in the bottom ten for the number of businesses that exist per head of population.

SmartStart, which will be free, will run from April 1 at Barnsley Business and Innovation Centre (BBIC). It will be part of the second phase of Enterprising Barnsley, a European-funded business support programme that has helped create or protect more than 1,000 jobs in its first phase.

Tim Milburn, Chief Executive of BBIC, said: “What we want is for people to come along for a chat to see if we can help them with a business idea. If we can help, then we will.”

Under SmartStart, potential entrepreneurs will be given one-to-one advice by a business coach and invited to a series of workshops covering everything from sales and marketing to leadership and management.

Genesis is aimed at fledgling businesses and includes office accommodation, intensive business support and business development workshops.

Anyone who thinks they could benefit from support from SmartStart or Genesis, can enquire via the new website www.businessstartsatbbic.co.uk

]]> 1.4267915 Tue, 21 Feb 2012 09:16:50 +0000 http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/dog_and_man_in_50s_rescued_from_kitchen_blaze_1_4267839

A MAN and a dog had to be evacuated from a house fire last night.

The blaze began in the kitchen after it was started by an electrical socket at a home in Stanley Road, Sunnyfields.

A woman inside managed to get out by herself, as firefighters from Adwick and Doncaster rescued the man and dog.

The couple, believed to be in their 50s, and the dog escaped unhurt following the accidental kitchen blaze which happened at around 11pm, a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said.

A NEWLY-WED couple are counting down the hours to their all expenses paid “trip of a lifetime” honeymoon to the Caribbean this weekend.

Robin Adair (30) and Eleanor Bates (26) said ‘I do’ when they got married last weekend at the Forest Pines Hotel near Brigg and they now have a seven day stay in Saint Vincent Island to look forward to.

The pair - who live on Epworth High Street - won a £10,000 honeymoon to the Caribbean hotspot after Eleanor entered a competition organised by Brides Magazine.

To win the all expenses paid package, brides-to-be had to answer one question about the resort and hope they were picked in the draw.

“I sent it off there and then but, like you do you, didn’t think anything else about it,” she added.

The couple, who have been together for four years and have a 19-month-old daughter Ruby, found out about their win when they returned from a family holiday to Scarborough.

Eleanor explained: “When we got back home Robin was checking our answer messages and he said ‘you better come here’.

“He asked me if I’d entered a competition because there was a message saying we had won our honeymoon!”

“Our wedding day was wonderful, absolutely perfect,” said Eleanor, adding: “The flights have been booked and tickets printed plus the transfers have been sorted. It’s real and it’s happening and it’s so exciting.

“It’s a trip of a lifetime. We would never have spent £10,000 on our honeymoon so we will be doing things like boat trips, snorkelling and diving.

“We feel very very lucky to have won this and it proves that people do win these competitions.

“This time it was us and it’s absolutely amazing.”

The couple fly off to Saint Vincent on Saturday and Robin confessed to being “very excited” about the trip.

“We’ll be staying in Buccament Bay and it’s five star luxury all the way,” he added.

ARSONISTS caused a fire which spread across Denaby Crags on Monday night.

Firefighters from Edlington station attended the scene off Wadworth Street at about 9pm.

They spent about 40 minutes tackling the blaze with a hose reel.

A spokeswoman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue said the blaze had been started deliberately.

PART of a garage was destroyed in Hickleton after a fire spread from an adjoining coal house.

Firefighters from Edlington and Dearne stations were called to the scene at Fir Tree Close at 5.45am today, Tuesday.

They used a single hose reel to tackle the blaze and left after about an hour.

A South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue spokeswoman said the cause was accidental.