Leanne Crawford

Visiting hours for maternity services at Lincoln and Boston hospitals will be increasing from today.

Lincoln County Hospital and Boston Pilgrim Hospital have been operating restricted visiting hours for more than two years now, to help combat the spread of COVID-19 during the global pandemic.

But from Friday, May 20 more people will be allowed to visit their relatives. Up to two birth partners will be allowed in the Labour Ward 24/7, and in the Maternity Ward one birth partner will be allowed between 11am and 8pm, as well as up to two grandparents or siblings between 2pm-4pm or 6pm-8pm, by appointment only.

The Neonatal Unit will have open access to both parents, however grandparents and siblings can make an appointment to visit

Any appointments must be made in advance with the ward – this is to ensure spacing of the visiting appointments. For Lincoln, contact the Labour Ward on 01522 573140, the Maternity Ward on 01522 573134 and the Neonatal Unit is on 01522 573604. In Boston, the Labour Ward is on 01205 445424, the Maternity Ward is 01205 44529 / 445427 and the Neonatal Unit can be reached at 01205 445404.

A large fire that saw plumes of smoke fill the air in Bardney over the weekend is being treated as arson, police have confirmed today.

Lincolnshire Police were called to reports of a large number of tyres and vehicles on fire in Station Road at about 6.10pm on Sunday, May 15.

The fire service worked through the night to contain the blaze, and fortunately there have been no reported injuries.

Firefighters were at the scene overnight.

A police spokesperson said: “We believe that the fire was started deliberately, and we are currently reviewing evidence in relation to a suspected arson.

“We are currently at the scene, and we are not able to comment on the extent of fire damage until their investigations are concluded.”

At the height of the blaze, Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue had eight engines at the scene, but this has since been scaled down to one.

Tyres went up in flames.