The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

JANUARY 30

Gary Varnsverry, aged 46, of Obelisk Rise, Northampton, failed to identify a driver; fined £720, surcharge £72, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Caroline Bailey, aged 44, of Cranford Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £315, surcharge £31, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Sandra Bowen, aged 43, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, driving at 47mph in a 40mph; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Benjamin Fountain, aged 47, of Park Avenue South, Northampton, driving at 105mph in a 70mph; fined £1,719, surcharge £170, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

David Ottaway, aged 42, of Nansen Close, Daventry, failed to identify a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

John Lewis, aged 32, of Wakehurst Drive, Northampton, breach of a court order; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Steven Morris, aged 54, of Alchester Court, Towcester, breach of a court order; fined £500, surcharge £50, costs £85.

JANUARY 31

Sergejs Puzanovskis, aged 46, of Adams Avenue, Northampton, had a lock knife in a public place; jailed for 12 weeks, surcharge £115.

Abdi Abdulaziz, aged 48, of Castle Street, Northampton, driving using a mobile phone; fined £100, surcharge £30, costs £400, licence endorsed with six points.

Alison Hoyland, aged 56, of Grasscroft, Long Buckby, failed to identify a driver; fined £623, surcharge £62, costs £300, licence endorsed with six points.

Victoria Hysko, aged 35, of Brickwell Court, Northampton, failed to identify a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £300, licence endorsed with six points.

Gavin Morgan, aged 41, of Newnham Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £60, surcharge £30.

FEBRUARY 1

Glen Crouch, aged 25, of no fixed abode, assault; community order made, compensation £100. Damaged a car; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Jason Dart, aged 27, of no fixed abode, used threatening or insulting words or behaviour; community order made.

FEBRUARY 4

Roman Florea, aged 24, of Spencer Street, Northampton, drink-driving; community order made to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 20 months.

Oana Lingurar, aged 29, of Junction Road, Northampton, driving while banned; fined £265, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Clive Goody, aged 37, of Carey Street, Northampton, broke into a business; jailed for 15 weeks suspended for 18 months, compensation £250.
Perrie Benstead, aged 27, of Redland Drive, Northampton, assault; community order made to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £300.

Myles Winfarrah, aged 20, of Midfield Court, Northampton, resisted arrest; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85. Assaulted a police officer; community order made.

Andrew Bradshaw, aged 57, of Glade Close, Northampton, breach of the Fisheries Act; fined £103, surcharge £30, costs £127.47.

Matthew Hayes, aged 25, of Penrhyn Road, Northampton, breach of the Fisheries Act; fined £150, surcharge £30, costs £127.47.

Diane Brown, of The Causeway, Great Billing, failed to identify a driver; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £150.

The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Vald Alexandru, aged 20, of Brook Street, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Raja Andrea, of Dunster Street, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Daniel Deacon, aged 28, of College Street, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Alex Jicolaescu, of Kingsley Avenue, Northampton. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Shanice Ibbeson, aged 20, of Towcester Road, Northampton; fined £19, surcharge £30. The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Sarah Lennard, aged 23, of Purser Road, Northampton.The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Jenny Luker, aged 40, of Marburg Street, Northampton.

The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Jacek Lukomski, aged 49, of Wellingborough Road, Northampton

The following people have been fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre:

Kara O’Connell, aged 19, of Bedford Mansions, Northampton. Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Gabriel Petre, aged 37, of Arrow Head Road, Northampton.Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Tedora Rus, aged 20, of Conifer Rise, Northampton.Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Karolina Seferi, aged 21, of Bedford Mansions, Northampton. Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Julie Smith, aged 50, of Highfield Road, Daventry. Fined £220, ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 and costs of £125 for dropping a cigarette in the town centre.

Kieron Long, aged 33, and 45-year-old Wayne Brown, both from Kingsthorpe, were arrested following the break-in at a property in Brackley Close, Sunnyside, on March 16, where they stole over £1,400 of cash and belongings.

Northampton Crown Court heard on Friday (April 5) how the pair hid behind a bush and watched as the couple left their house to walk their dog at 8am.

Once the couple was out of sight, it took the pair just half-an-hour to break into the home, steal whatever they could find and run from the street.

The victims knew something was wrong when they smelled cigarette smoke in their home.

In total, the pair stole a handbag, a jar of coins, £700 cash, a lady's watch, a mobile phone and a valuable box of cigars.

But Long and Brown didn't know the entire incident was caught on CCTV, and they were arrested within days.

Long was also spotted bringing two stolen cars to a Northampton garage and asking for two of the "good tyres" to be replaced with "bad ones" so he could sell the better ones later. The garage instead called the police afterwards.

Meanwhile, police also found Brown in possession of an Amazon Fire he claimed he found. But the tablet was really the beloved possession of a distraught little girl who had lost it in a burglary, during which the couple's car was also stolen.

The little girl was delighted to be reunited with the tablet following Brown's arrest.

The court heard how both men had multiple previous convictions for burglary and used the money they stole to feed their drug habits.

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler told the pair: "It's obvious that you have struggled with drugs throughout your lives. But you cannot go on committing offences playing the card of being involved in drugs and avoid serving sentences.

"If you want to stay out of prison, then stop committing offences and deal with your drug problems."

Long was handed a 16 months prison sentence, while Brown was sentenced to 12 months in jail.

The arrest was the work of a new Northamptonshire Police burglary team.

Speaking outside court, DS Terry Rush, from the Force's burglary team, said: “This was great work by the team dedicated to tackling burglary across Northamptonshire. These two men are prolific offenders who pose a significant risk to the public but who have now, thankfully, been taken off our streets."

Details supplied by Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunal Service

The following people have been sentenced at magistrates courts in the county:

Anthony Charles Rawle

Cherry Street, Irthlingborough. Age: 27

On 28/11/2018 in Rushden had in your possession a quantity of cannabis.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for 12 months, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £85, cannabis to be forfeited and destroyed.

Daniel Luke Popely

Nags Head Lane, Hargrave. Age: 25

On 07/02/2019 you drove a Mazda MX5 on the B662, Clopton, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 44mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit; without insurance; while banned from driving; assaulted PC Brett McKenna acting in the exercise of his functions as such a worker.

Plea: Guilty. Jailed for 10 weeks suspended for 12 months, banned from driving for three years, to pay compensation of £75.

Gareth Milne

Regent Street, Kettering. Age: 48

On 11/08/2018 in Kettering used threatening behaviour and disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.

Plea: Guilty. Fined £50, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £30.

Ryan John Brodie

Cedar Road, Kettering. Age: 40

On 17/03/2018 in Corby assaulted PC Joe Addis-Phillips in the execution of his duty.

Plea: Guilty. Fined £845, surcharge to fund victim services of £35, costs of £500.

Ronald Blessing Chinosengwa

Goulsbra Road, Rushden. Age: 32

On 09/12/2018 were in charge of a motor vehicle in Bertone Road, Barton Seagrave, after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion of it in your breath, namely 76mcg of alcohol in 100ml of breath, exceeded the prescribed limit.

Plea: Guilty. Fined £270, surcharge to fund victim services of £30, costs of £300, driving licence endorsed with 10 points.

William Edward Castle

Hogarth Walk, Corby. Age: 28

On 24/10/2018 drove a motor vehicle in Occupation Road, Corby, while banned from driving; without insurance.

Plea: Guilty. Jailed for 35 weeks, to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £115, costs of £400, banned from driving for two years.

Natalie Lerner

Allen Road, Irthlingborough. Age: 38

Between 24/08/2018 and 30/09/2018 in Irthlingborough pursued a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of a male and a female and which you knew or ought to have known amounted to the harassment of them in that you bombarded them with calls, texts and messages that you knew were not wanted or desired.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for 36 months, restraining order prohibits defendant from 1) contacting victims directly or indirectly, or via third party, including social media and from encouraging anyone else to do so 2) not to attend a named street in Irthlingborough. This order lasts until 26/02/2020. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £85.

John William Muir

Lulworth Walk, Corby. Age: 41

On 19/09/2018 in Corby, assaulted a female by beating her.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for 18 months, restraining order prohibits defendant from visiting an address in Corby. This order lasts until 26/08/2020. To pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £350.

Karl McGuinness

Bideford Square, Corby. Age: 34

On 04/11/2018 stole bottles of alcohol, to the value of £27, from the Esso service station, Oakley Road, Corby; on 17/11/2018 stole bottles of alcohol, to the value of £33.98, from the Esso service station, Oakley Road, Corby; on 25/02/2019 in Kettering resisted PC Tracey Maltby in the execution of her duty; without lawful excuse, damaged a pair of glasses belonging to PC Maltby, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged; stole alcohol to a value of about £190 from Sainsbury’s, Kettering; on 17/01/2019 stole five yellow puffer jackets, to the value of £100, from Matalan, Corby.

Plea: Guilty. To have treatment for drug dependency as a non-resident patient for six months, to carry out unpaid work for 50 hours, pay compensation of £210.98, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85.

Jack Peter Sims

Foster Close, Kettering. Age: 21

On 08/02/2019 in Kettering assaulted a female by beating her.

Plea: Guilty. To participate in Building Better Relations programme for 29 days, to carry out unpaid work for 80 hours, restraining order prohibits defendant from 1) contacting victim in any way 2) not to enter a named street in Desborough. This order lasts until 26/02/2020. To pay compensation of £200, surcharge to fund victim services of £85, costs of £85.

Stacey Louise Jeanette Winstanley

Tromso Close, Corby.Age: 25

On 06/02/2019 in Corby without lawful excuse, damaged a vacuum cleaner, clock, lamp and TV to the value of £230, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged; without lawful excuse, damaged two doors, a plug socket and wall belonging to Corby Council, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged; without lawful excuse, damaged a Sony Experia mobile phone to the value of £95, intending to destroy or damage such property or being reckless as to whether such property would be destroyed or damaged.

Plea: Guilty. Discharged conditionally for 24 months, restraining order prohibits defendant from 1) contacting three named people in any way 2) going to a named street in Corby. This order lasts until 26/08/2019. To pay compensation of £325, surcharge to fund victim services of £20, costs of £85.

Darren Maginnis, 36, was last seen in the Semilong area of town at the end of March and officers were concerned for his welfare.

Northamptonshire Police confirmed this morning (Monday) that Darren has now been found.

A spokesman said: "Northamptonshire Police is pleased to report that missing man Darren has been found and would like to thank anyone who called in with information or shared our appeal to help find him."

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

JANUARY 30

Gary Varnsverry, aged 46, of Obelisk Rise, Northampton, failed to identify a driver; fined £720, surcharge £72, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Caroline Bailey, aged 44, of Cranford Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £315, surcharge £31, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Sandra Bowen, aged 43, of West Paddock Court, Northampton, driving at 47mph in a 40mph; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £85, banned from driving for six months.

Benjamin Fountain, aged 47, of Park Avenue South, Northampton, driving at 105mph in a 70mph; fined £1,719, surcharge £170, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

David Ottaway, aged 42, of Nansen Close, Daventry, failed to identify a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

John Lewis, aged 32, of Wakehurst Drive, Northampton, breach of a court order; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85.

Steven Morris, aged 54, of Alchester Court, Towcester, breach of a court order; fined £500, surcharge £50, costs £85.

JANUARY 31

Sergejs Puzanovskis, aged 46, of Adams Avenue, Northampton, had a lock knife in a public place; jailed for 12 weeks, surcharge £115.

Abdi Abdulaziz, aged 48, of Castle Street, Northampton, driving using a mobile phone; fined £100, surcharge £30, costs £400, licence endorsed with six points.

Alison Hoyland, aged 56, of Grasscroft, Long Buckby, failed to identify a driver; fined £623, surcharge £62, costs £300, licence endorsed with six points.

Victoria Hysko, aged 35, of Brickwell Court, Northampton, failed to identify a driver; fined £660, surcharge £66, costs £300, licence endorsed with six points.

Gavin Morgan, aged 41, of Newnham Road, Northampton, no insurance; fined £60, surcharge £30.

FEBRUARY 1

Glen Crouch, aged 25, of no fixed abode, assault; community order made, compensation £100. Damaged a car; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Jason Dart, aged 27, of no fixed abode, used threatening or insulting words or behaviour; community order made.

FEBRUARY 4

Roman Florea, aged 24, of Spencer Street, Northampton, drink-driving; community order made to carry out 160 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £85, banned from driving for 20 months.

Oana Lingurar, aged 29, of Junction Road, Northampton, driving while banned; fined £265, surcharge £30, costs £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Clive Goody, aged 37, of Carey Street, Northampton, broke into a business; jailed for 15 weeks suspended for 18 months, compensation £250.

Perrie Benstead, aged 27, of Redland Drive, Northampton, assault; community order made to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work, surcharge £85, costs £300.

Myles Winfarrah, aged 20, of Midfield Court, Northampton, resisted arrest; community order made, surcharge £85, costs £85. Assaulted a police officer; community order made.

Andrew Bradshaw, aged 57, of Glade Close, Northampton, breach of the Fisheries Act; fined £103, surcharge £30, costs £127.47.

Matthew Hayes, aged 25, of Penrhyn Road, Northampton, breach of the Fisheries Act; fined £150, surcharge £30, costs £127.47.

Diane Brown, of The Causeway, Great Billing, failed to identify a driver; fined £220, surcharge £30, costs £150.

Midland Heart, which operates 48 halfway house bedsits at Oasis House, says that entrenched rough sleepers and sofa surfers often slip back into homelessness after staying in temporary digs because they stop engaging with support services.

In a report to the borough council's scrutiny panel on tackling homelessness, Midland Heart said that any plans to expand the number of halfway homes available must come with a pledge to support the people in them for longer.

The report says: "Housing First requires the right combination of a permanent, secure home in a positive community setting, coupled with intensive support.

"A failure to get the formula right could result in a ‘drag’ effect on recovery, or in the proliferation of antisocial behaviour in the surrounding neighbourhood."

Housing First is a recognised approach to tackling homelessness that works to get people into accommodation first before supporting them to stay there.

But Midland Heart says that, in its experience, it does not always work.

Midland Heart says that when people receive a stable tenancy, they often stop engaging with services such as those to help them kick alcohol and drugs.

The result sees them either head back to sofa surfing or the streets.

In order for it to work in Northampton, the Midland Heart says there would need to be "reassurances" that support will not be "withdrawn after a fixed timeframe".

The admission, however, comes after Midland Heart decided to evict the Hope Centre from Oasis House in favour of expanding the temporary accommodation available there, although the tenancy was later extended until the Hope Centre could find a new base.

The Hope Centre offers a range of daytime support services for homeless people including a soup kitchen and housing advice.

The report is due to be debated at the borough council's scrutiny panel on homelessness on Monday night.

Midland Heart was asked to submit opinions to the panel on how to reduce the number of people without a permanent place to live in Northampton.

As part of the report, the landlord also suggests the various charities around town should adopt a universal code of conduct for the people they engage with.

"Charitable organisations with high levels of engagement may have different thresholds for acceptable behaviour for service users within their premises," it says.

"Customers will ultimately go to the resource where they feel most comfortable, though this may not be the most effective for their individual needs."

More than 400 motorists were caught speeding in the space of just 24-hours in Northampton last week.

A 'marathon' road safety campaign operation was held across Europe 7am on April 3 through to 7am on April 4, which included saw 24 speed traps operated throughout Northampton.

But in just 24 hours, a total of 404 speeding offences were caught in and around the town.

In addition to those who were caught speeding, eight people were reported for seatbelt offences and a further six for displaying illegal number plates. One motorist was detected not being in proper control of their vehicle.

Safer Roads Operations Manager of Northamptonshire Police, Matthew O’Connell, said: “Campaigns like this highlight the work we do throughout the year, this type of activity is what we do as a daily business.

“Speed is often recorded as a contributory factor in collisions and anything we can do to reduce the likelihood or severity of a collision is of an obvious benefit to all road users.”

The Speed Marathon was devised six years ago in Germany. The concept, which involves inviting members of the public to identify locations where they believe speeding is a problem.

In 2018, 23 countries took part in the 24-hour operation and although 92 per cent of motorists were using appropriate speeds, a total of 257,639 speeding offences were detected.

Officers are appealing for witnesses following the theft of a distinctive lawn mower from Long Buckby.

It was taken between 9.30pm and 10.10pm on Tuesday, April 2, from a barn.

The yellow Cub Cadet Z5 sit-on lawn mower is similar to the one pictured.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A man was robbed by a group of teenagers as he walked in Kettering on Friday night.

As the man, 19, was walking along Regent Street, he was approached by three teenage boys and a teenage girl.

They pushed him into the porch way of a house, where they demanded items from him.

The incident, which took place between 8.30pm and 8.40pm on April 5, was disturbed by a local and the four made off towards Bath Road.

A Northamptonshire Police spokeswoman said: "The first offender was white, around 14-years-old and 5ft 8ins.

"He was of slim build, had dirty blonde hair and was wearing a grey coloured zip up hoody.

"The three other offenders were also teenagers with the girl described as black, of large build, with braided hair and wore a black jacket."

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information regarding it.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 28-year-old man from Irthlingborough is wanted by police after failing to appear in court.

Charles Stanley, of Finedon Road, was due in court after being charged with driving while disqualified.

Northamptonshire Police are appealing for the public’s help to trace him.

Stanley, or anyone who knows of his whereabouts, is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Breathtaking footage has been released showing the moment a driver mounts the pavement in Northampton and then swerves onto the opposite side of the road to evade police.

The incident on November 25 last year in Northampton was captured on dashcam by Thomas Tang.

As the clip begins, three police vehicles with blues lights can be seen travelling in the opposite direction on Kingsthorpe Road at 1.45pm.

Officers were responding after a vehicle fitted with stolen plates triggered multiple ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) cameras.

Less than a minute later, Mr Tang was turning onto Burleigh Road when the vehicle in question came into view.

The driver drove at speed onto the pavement passing the dashcam car on the left, and then narrowly avoided hitting the vehicle in front when swerving onto the opposite side of the road.

Initially, it looks like the driver is going to spin out and knock down a female pedestrian in the video, but he miraculously regains control and speeds off into the distance.

The woman looks on in disbelief and gestures with her arm to officers in pursuit eight-seconds later.

Officers later found the Blue Ford Fiesta unoccupied less than a mile away in the Semilong area.

Posting the clip on social media, self-employed Thomas, 49 said: “Either pretty good driving skills, or damn lucky he went on the dropped kerb otherwise he would have flipped.”

A Northamptonshire Police spokesperson said: “The vehicle in the video was using stolen number plates and was followed by officers after being identified by ANPR cameras.

“The vehicle was found unoccupied in the Semilong area of Northampton.”

It’s not clear if the driver was later identified by Police, however, the spokesperson confirmed that they weren’t aware of any charges that were brought as a result of the incident.

There are 9,000 ANPR cameras covering approximately 246,000 miles of roads in Great Britain, these cameras submit between 25 and 40 million reads daily to the National ANPR Data Centre.

On average there is a camera located every 27.3 miles, however as proportion are vehicle-based and more than one camera at some locations covering multiple lanes of a road and direction of travel, in reality, most journeys will be conducted without ever passing one.

Ask anyone about their concerns relating to Brexit and many people will talk about the impact on their holidays.

While uncertainty looms, people are starting to look at their summer holidays, with a reported boost to staycations in the UK.

Research from personal finance comparison site Finder.com found that more than 56 per cent of Brits are choosing holidays in the UK over EU mini-breaks.

A staycation is a holiday spent in your own home country rather than abroad usually one you have driven to.

Barclays conducted a survey of more than 2,000 UK holidaymakers and found that 54 per cent of adults who opted to holiday in the UK do so as a result of their own choice, while also taking into account cost and price.

While 35 per cent said there were no barriers to them taking holidays overseas, they simply chose to remain in the UK.

Lucie Stirling owns Arden House B&B in Arundel.

“We generally welcome a good number of overseas visitors - mainly German, Dutch, and Belgian as well as from further afield, and numbers appear to be returning to normal this year.

“Arundel remains popular with our UK visitors because it appeals to a wide range of interests. The castle is naturally a major draw but even out of season the town is attractive to those wishing to walk, cycle, bird-watch, antique-hunt, or simply enjoy the fantastic range of independent shops and restaurants, and stunning architecture and landscapes.

“We’re also very busy during Goodwood festival periods, but I’d love to see UK visitors choosing Arundel as a great destination for a longer staycations, because there are so many wonderful places to visit in the surrounding area.”

To encourage young people to discover what our country has on offer VisitEngland launched its #MyMicrogap campaign last year.

Clare Mullin, VisitBritain/VisitEngland director of marketing, said: “From walking with Alpacas in the Lake District to road-tripping through the North York Moors National Park, from sampling the food stalls in Pop Brixton in London to unleashing your creative side painting murals in Manchester, we want young Brits to discover the great experiences right here on their doorstep.

“By igniting the passion to holiday at home and encouraging young Brits to try something new we can boost growth from tourism now, spreading its economic benefits across more of the year and cement the holiday habits of the future.”

In the last few years research by VisitEngland found that travel habits of young British people showed less than a quarter of 18-34 year olds were likely to take a career break to travel in the next three years.

So where should you go?

Travel Supermarket looked at the top 10 places to visit.

It included Cornwall with its stunning beaches and the Eden project, Devon, the Lake District, London, North Wales, Scottish Highlands, Edinburgh, Isle of Wight, Norfolk Broads and even Blackpool.

If the weather is anything like it was last summer a week in Cornwall on a sandy beach could feel like the coast of Spain.

Firefighters were called to a Northampton town centre street in the early hours of the morning after reports of flames coming from above a jewellery shop.

More than a dozen firefighters attended the premises above H Samuel in the Drapery at around 2am this morning.

The crews had to use an aerial ladder to fight the flames on the second floor of the building, bringing it under control by around 4am.

No one was hurt in the incident, but the water used to tackle the flames has caused damage to the H Samuel shop, which is closed today.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue says the cause of the fire is currently not known.

Record Store Day is back this weekend with shops across the county gearing up for the annual dash for copies of this year’s limited releases.

Spun Out and Vinyl Underground will both be stocking official RSD19 releases, with Spiral Archive and The Lamplighter also getting involved with record sales during the day.

For the first time this year, Spun Out, in Gold Street, will be opening on both the Saturday and Sunday to meet demand from record buyers.

Owner Chris Kent, pictured with some of this year’s limited releases, said: “We’re really looking forward to Record Store Day again. It’s such a great day and lovely to see customers old and new who turn out to support the shop.

“Every year we get people discovering us through record store day and they come back on a regular basis.

“There’s some great releases, the one I’m looking forward to is Bingo H Job, which is a release by R.E.M. under a different name.

“We’ve had loads come in already, there’s been a lot of interest in the release by Idles and it’s great to see Northampton’s finest, slowthai, also represented.

“I'm sure they'll be a copy of it in our house because my oldest daughter loves him and we're all quite behind him. He’s one of the most stunning grime lyricists I've heard for a long time.”

Other ‘in-demand’ releases are by acts including Weezer, Air, Joe Strummer, Noel Gallagher and The Mighty Boosh.

Talking about his decision to open on Sunday as well, Mr Kent said: “We’ve heard from our regulars and other record shops that the interest is there, so we have to do it.”

Spun Out opens at 8am on Saturday, April 13, and at 9am on Sunday, April 14.

On Saturday, there will be performances by Lunaxis plus DJ sets from Swiss Vince, Scottie, Kev Palmer, Andi, Dan and many more.

Vinyl Underground is on the second floor at Watts, in Abington Street, and will open at 8am.

Both stores will be staggering admissions on the morning with Vinyl Underground also limiting purchases to ensure as many fans as possible can try to get the records they want.

Spiral Archive, in St Michael’s Road, will be holding a half-price sale from 11am until 4pm.

There will also be a record fair at The Lamplighter pub in Overstone Road from noon-4pm.

Queues at both Spun Out and Vinyl Underground are expected from the early hours of Saturday morning.

Full details of this year’s releases are available at recordstoreday.co.uk

WHSmith has moved from its two-storey location within the shopping centre to a single unit on the opposite side of the mall.

The new unit, on the ground floor, was left vacant when Poundworld closed in July last year and is now open to shoppers.

It was also recently revealed that River Island, which has a store in Abington Street is set to move inside the shopping centre.

Grosvenor Centre manager James Roberts said he was always looking at ways to grow and improve the shopping experience.

Although the deals do not bring new high street names to the town, Mr Roberts said they were a vote of long-term confidence from current brands

He said: "There are still positive news stories around retail here. There are still retailers willing to invest and be here.

"WHSmith is staying with us. They're renegotiated their lease and are moving into a newly-fitted store.

"And we've got River Island coming to us, over two floors.

"This is showing commitment to the centre and the town that they are remaining, that there's a market here for retailers.

"This is positive encouragement of people investing in the town."

It is not yet known whether River Island will take over all of the former WHSmith store.

River Island has been approached for comment about its decision to leave Abington Street.

Officers are appealing for witnesses following the fight at the Stereo nightclub in Bridge Street, Northampton.

The incident happened between 4.05am and 4.35am on February 5, when a verbal altercation broke out between two groups of men inside the club.

The argument then spilt out into the road and three of the five men, who were all in their 20s, sustained injuries that required medical attention.

Two men were arrested in connection with the incident and have been released under investigation pending further inquiries.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Duane Gamor was dropped off at school in Northampton on Friday morning (April 5) but failed to return home by bus that evening as arranged.

Officers are concerned for his welfare and are urging Duane to get in touch to let them know his is safe and well.

Duane is 5ft, with a slim build, dark brown eyes and short hair with black twists in it.

Duane, or anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts, is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting reference number MPW1/1036/19.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh-designed 78 Derngate has been named as winner of the Hidden Gem category at the UK Heritage Awards 2019.

The trophies were handed out at a ceremony celebrating the best heritage experiences and places to stay in the UK at Grocer’s Hall in London.

And the Northampton attraction was in good company - with other category winners including landmarks such as Hever Castle in Kent and Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire.

Grade Two listed 78 Derngate is the only house in England to have been designed by the world-renowned Scottish architect, designer, watercolourist and artist Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

House manager Liz Jansson said she was thrilled at receiving the award.

She said: "It's great news, it was totally unexpected.

"We got an email on the 25th of March saying we had been shortlisted, then we couldn't believe it when we won the trophy.

"It is really good because we can use it on all our promotional literature."

The Georgian house – adjoining a visitor centre at 80 Derngate – has been open to tourists in its current guise since 2003, following a £1.4 million restoration project.

It was originally transformed into the Art Deco style by Mackintosh between 1916 and 1917 after being commissioned by its owner - the model maker Wenman Joseph Bassett-Lowke.

The house’s later history saw it pass out of the hands of the Bassett-Lowke family and in 1964, it became the base for Northampton High School.

Currently, the 78 Derngate Northampton Trust, which runs the attraction, is looking to expand the atrium area of the home by using a £200,000 grant from the borough council and by raising a further £200,000 from donations.

The UK Heritage Awards are run by Visit Heritage, which publishes the Hudson’s guide.

One of the first modernist homes in Britain has gone on the market in Northampton

The pumps have been closed to drivers at the Tesco Extra Mereway store in Clannell Road for 'routine maintenance'.

A Tesco spokesperson said: "The petrol pumps at our Northampton Extra are currently undergoing routine maintenance works and will reopen for customers in May.

"We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused during these works and if customers need to fill up they can do so at our Weston Favell Extra."

The petrol station is set to reopen on Wednesday May 15.