Gainsborough

This morning will be dry with increasing hazy sunshine. In the afternoon, spells of rain will push in from the west. Moderate south-westerly winds. Staying cold.

BBCCopyright: BBC

It will be a cold night in Lincolnshire.

Here's the latest forecast:

BBCCopyright: BBC

The number of vicars in Lincolnshire could be cut due to financial challenges faced by the Diocese of Lincoln, including the coronavirus pandemic, the acting Bishop of Lincoln has warned.

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The Rt Revd Dr David Court, who's also the Bishop of Grimsby, says the church needs to be "creative" in how it approaches the current situation.

The Diocese of Lincoln cannot continue to afford the number of vicars it currently has and the coronavirus pandemic has also hit its finances, he says

Job roles will also be under review, he adds.

Quote Message: Like lots of organisations, we've taken quite a severe hit locally. Collections are down and churches have not been able to hold fetes and fairs over the last year. So that has - and will have - a big impact." from Rt Revd Dr David Court Acting Bishop of Lincoln

Like lots of organisations, we've taken quite a severe hit locally. Collections are down and churches have not been able to hold fetes and fairs over the last year. So that has - and will have - a big impact."

Lincolnshire's top scientist says he wants people to look at the huge rise in the numbers dying since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic started and remember it can be "a killer".

Reuters/Lee Smith/File PhotoCopyright: Reuters/Lee Smith/File Photo

Before the pandemic, around 23 deaths a week would be recorded in December in Lincolnshire.

But Professor Derek Ward, the county's director of public health, says that number has now gone up significantly:

Quote Message: In that one week last month, we had 301 actual death registrations in Lincolnshire, so I come back to that point: Covid is a killer. Let's make sure we stick with our 'hands, face, space' message." from Professor Derek Ward Director of public health, Lincolnshire

In that one week last month, we had 301 actual death registrations in Lincolnshire, so I come back to that point: Covid is a killer. Let's make sure we stick with our 'hands, face, space' message."

A police van was among the vehicles involved in several collisions and other incidents caused by snow and ice in south Lincolnshire this weekend.

Motorists are still being warned of hazardous conditions in some parts of the county this morning:

Snow and ice is causing problems for parts of Lincolnshire.

Several schools have closed in the south of the county, online lessons will still go ahead.

Meanwhile motorists are being warned that roads are still dangerous in some parts following yesterday's bad weather.

After a frosty and clear start to the day, there will be crisp sunshine. It will stay dry and fine for the rest of the day but with a moderate westerly breeze.

This evening will be chilly, dry and clear. Into the night, it will stay dry but cloud cover will increase from the south-west. Staying breezy.

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Lincolnshire's care home staff and residents should have all had their first Covid jab by this weekend, it's been confirmed.

Kirsty O'Connor/Pool via ReutersCopyright: Kirsty O'Connor/Pool via Reuters

Martin Fahy, the county's director of nursing, says three quarters of residents and staff have already had the jab.

Lincolnshire’s health services had been “at great guns” since the start of the vaccine roll-out, he added.

"We’re on track to complete all our care homes by this weekend, so we’re really excited about that," he told BBC Radio Lincolnshire.

Quote Message: Lincolnshire is very much ahead of the game and we’re making really good progress." from Martin Fahy Director of nursing, Lincolnshire

Lincolnshire is very much ahead of the game and we’re making really good progress."

More than half of people aged over 80 in Lincolnshire have had their first Covid-19 jab, it's been confirmed.

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A total of 24,253 people in their 80s and above have been vaccinated in the county so far - that's 52% of the county's population of people in their 80s.

Meanwhile, figures show that 8% of Lincolnshire's adult population have had the jab - 49,633 people in total.

The figures include the first two weeks of vaccination, up to 17 January, so do not include people who've been jabbed at the mass vaccination centre which opened in Boston this week.

A Lincolnshire pub landlady says she's "gutted" at a scientist's suggestion pubs and restaurants may not open until May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The ShipCopyright: The Ship

Dr Marc Baguelin, a scientist who advises the government, told the BBC opening pubs and restaurants would cause a "bump in transmission" of Covid-19.

Lesley Hunter took over as landlady of The Ship Inn in Horncastle in December and it's stood empty every day since (pictured).

She says: "May just feels such a long long way away".

Quote Message: Absolutely gutted, really gutted. We just want to open up and welcome the community into the pub." from Lesley Hunter Landlady, The Ship Inn, Horncastle

Absolutely gutted, really gutted. We just want to open up and welcome the community into the pub."

Vandals who stole a defibrillator in Gainsborough have been branded "brain dead" by a councillor:

The life-saving machine was taken from outside Northolme Football Stadium and was later found found abandoned and water-damaged in nearby bushes.

Councillor Matt Boles, from West Lindsey District Council, says the machine had only recently been used to help someone living nearby.

He says it "beggars belief" that someone would break it.

Officials say the kit will be replaced, but in the meantime people are being urged to call 999 in an emergency.