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Campaign for Great Grimsby Day to move to March

Getty Images The late Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell pictured with a giant fish finger, superimposed in front of the Houses of Parliament. Mr Mitchell is wearing a red and yellow fisherman's outfit, including a yellow hat with "Grimsby" emblazened on the front. Big Ben can be seen in the background. Getty Images
The late Austin Mitchell MP helped Young's Seafood launch a new range in 2008

A campaign has been launched for an annual celebration of Grimsby to be held in March.

The Grimsby, Cleethorpes and District Civic Society wants to hold a Great Grimsby Day on 11 March.

The society wants the day, the anniversary of Great Grimsby being granted its Royal Charter in 1201, to replace what it calls a "fake" Grimsby day which has been held in January since 2008.

It said the January date was initially a publicity stunt for Young's Seafood launching a new range of frozen fish.

The promotion included the then Grimsby MP Austin Mitchell having his picture taken with a giant fish finger near Parliament.

On 11 March 1201, King John issued Great Grimsby with a Royal Charter, granting local freemen the right to collect their own taxes and so starting the process of local government.

The Civic Society says that significant date should be Great Grimsby Day

Graeme Bassett from the society told BBC Radio Humberside: "The birthday of Grimsby, 11 March, was when King John granted the town its charter.

"It was the birth of local democracy.

"The best thing to do is move Great Grimsby Day to the charter day because it makes things a bit easier," he said.

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