More than 400 flats and bungalows designated for elderly people in Northampton are to be put back into the general housing stock, it has been revealed.

A recent report by Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH), which runs 1,900 sheltered housing properties in the town, states plans to decommission 442 homes currently used by vulnerable older people.

Of the 1,900 sheltered housing properties run by Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH) in the town, this would bring the total being decommissioned to more than 600 since 2011.

The 442 properties, of which 433 are flats and nine are bungalows, are now deemed to be “unsuitable for older people” following a recent assessment carried out by NPH.

Northampton housing campaigner, Norman Adams, said he was concerned about the number of homes for older people that were being decommissioned.

He said: “Designated social housing should be kept that way and there needs to be tighter control over this.

“What this decommissioning really means is that social homes will no longer be protected by right-to-buy legislation and residents could end up with anyone moving in next door.”

The report outlines the process for decommissioning properties in each area. This will involve: “Assessing other provision for older people that could be made in the area...individual quality impact assessments in order to assess any specific requirements tenants have as the accommodation is decommissioned...work to ensure that subsequent vacancies are let sensitively through a local lettings plan.”

The proposal will also involve aiming decommissioned homes at other people “as there is a lack of provision for other client groups.” Part of this process will include checking if there is sufficient demand for older people’s housing within the same area.

A spokesperson for Northampton Partnership Homes said: “As the responsible managing organisation, we constantly review the condition and suitability of the housing stock.

“We have recently reviewed the sheltered housing stock. Tenants in sheltered housing have a range of different needs, so it is vital that the houses we make available to them are suitable.

“As a number of properties no longer meet the criteria, we are looking at the possibility of changing their classification so that they become part of our general housing stock.”

A primary school near Northampton where a headteacher started three days before an Ofsted inspection has been rated “good” after a report of the visit was published.

Roade Primary School was inspected on January 22 and 23 and executive headteacher Anthony Witheyman had only been appointed a few days earlier.

The Ofsted inspectors found that school leaders and governors were sharply focused and effective in making sure all pupils achieve even more in every year group and that teaching further improves.

The report states: “Governors have a clear understanding of the strengths and areas to develop within the school. They provide a good balance of challenge and support.

”Pupils have positive attitudes to learning and show excellent relationships and behaviour. Pupils feel safe in school and enjoy coming to school. This is reflected in their good punctuality and high attendance.

”Teaching is generally good and some is outstanding. Teachers have high expectations of what pupils can achieve and develop good working relationships in the classroom.”

A report of the Ofsted visit written by year five students states the “staff, governors, pupils and parents are glad that Ofsted could see just how much effort goes into the school and could appreciate what a good school it is.”

Final amendments to Northamptonshire County Council’s budget, in which it proposes cuts of £66 million, have been approved despite fears elderly and vulnerable people will be most hit by the reduction in spending.

In December the authority announced its central government funding was likely to reduce by £81m in the next five years and proposed drastic measures to meet the shortfall.

It will need to save £66 million in 2015/16 alone just to balance its books.

The authority will now vote on whether to adopt around 60 cost-saving measures for 2015/16 at the March full council meeting.

The draft savings plan have been subject to 12 separate hearings at scrutiny committees since they were proposed on December 9.

Among the measures proposed, the council plans to save more than £4.4 million by reviewing adult social care packages - by which a number of those currently in residential care will be moved back home.

Charges for certain adult care products would also increase by an average of one per cent.

And the council aims to save £7.5 million by pooling the costs of learning disability services with the NHS.

Several speakers at today’s cabinet meeting said they felt the cost-cutting measures targeted vulnerable people in the county.

Speaking at the meeting Wellingborough resident and Green party member Marion Turner-Hawes, said: “I find the proposals shocking.

“I’m concerned further cutting adult social care and means many vulnerable people will be thrown into even deeper hardship.”

Councillor Sally Beardsworth (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe South), said: “I’m worried that in the future there will be a sign on the entrance to Northamptonshire that will say - ‘don’t come here if you’re old; don’t come here if you are poor.”

Due to the government cuts the county council will need to save £148 million from its budget by 2019/20.

To do so it says it will create a number of mutual companies to run various services, and strim back its core workforce from 4,000 to 150 people.

Deputy leader of the council, Councillor Heather Smith, said the council simply cannot continue to operate the way it does as a result of its dwindling grant money.

She said: “Nobody likes change.

“Everyone whose individual service is affected will fight against it, we know that.

“But we just cannot carry on working the way we are working.”

However a report on the proposed 2015/16 budget by the county council’s chief finance officer outlined concerns with the viability of some of the savings proposed, including whether the council could strim £28 million from adult social care and cope with the impact of new laws in the Government’s Care Act.

The report adds that the budget relies largely on ‘other parties’ to help deliver the savings.

A burglar forced their way into a Northampton home through a bathroom window.

The offender searched the house in Camelot Way in Northampton and took jewellery before leaving through a patio door.

The burglary took place sometime between 7 and 9pm on Saturday, January 31.

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

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Two young girls were taken home safely by police in Northampton following a drugs warrant carried out as part of an ongoing operation to reduce violence in the county.

As part of Operation Limit - which is being carried out by Northamptonshire Police - ‘rigourous policing activity’ has been taken place over the weekened which focused on tackling violent crime.

Over the weekend a total of 17 people were arrested on Saturday and Sunday across the county in connection with violence offences and two were handed to the Metropolitan Police for attempt murder.

A drugs warrant was also carried out in south west Northampton with the aim of safeguarding and preventing child sexual exploitation, and two young girls were taken safely home.

A ‘prevent violence’ surgery was held in the Market Square and Drapery in Northampton and Police officers conducted extensive patrols in violence hotspot areas across Northampton.

More than 1,200 shoppers attended a partnership event at the Swansgate Centre in Wellingborough.

Operation Limit was launched last week with an aim to reduce violent crime across Northamptonshire.

The MotoGP is set to stay at Silverstone Circuit for the next two years after an agreement was reached with Circuit of Wales.

Donington Park announced yesterday that it had pulled out of a deal with the Circuit of Wales to host the race in 2015 after claiming the Welsh company had “not met agreed payment deadlines”.

However, Circuit of Wales denied the claims and has now entered into an agreement with Silverstone for MotoGP to be held at the Northamptonshire venue in 2015 and 2016

The Circuit of Wales has a five-year contract to host the MotoGP and is hoping to finish construction of a track in Ebbw Vale by 2017.

The 2015 MotoGP will take place at Silverstone over the weekend of August 28 to 30.

Patrick Allen, managing director of Silverstone said: “A lot of work has been done over recent years to ensure MotoGP™ fans enjoy what Silverstone has to offer and it was devastating for the venue to lose the event last autumn.

“I welcomed the opportunity to meet with both Dorna and the Circuit of Wales recently so that we could try and find a way to keep MotoGP™ in the UK and racing at Silverstone.

“Two wheel racing is as much a part of Silverstone’s heritage as four wheel racing and I am obviously delighted to be in a position to announce we are hosting both the F1™ and MotoGP™ Grands Prix in 2015.”

Michael Carrick, chief executive of Circuit of Wales thanked Silverstone for the “rapid response” needed to support the 2015 event.

He said: “We are delighted to secure the future of the event for the next two years while our circuit in Wales is under construction. Today’s announcement ensures we will have the 2015 MotoGP™ event in the UK.”

“We continue to advance our development activity on the Circuit of Wales and are focused on the upcoming public inquiry into the deregistration of the common land. We expect construction to commence once this inquiry has concluded.”

A bike that was chained up has been stolen from Northamptonshire.

The bike was securely lokced up in Primrose Hill in Daventry at about 6pm on Tuesday, February 3 but by 7.30am the next day it had been taken.

Police belive that thieves cut through the bike lock before stealing it.

The bike was a black and green Cannondale Trail 7 similar to the one pictured.

Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about this theft can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A manager at the Northampton Jesus Centre has saved a woman’s life after completing just one day of a St John Ambulance first aid training course.

Stevo Scott, aged 32, who works as a drop-in centre manager, was having lunch with a woman who has verbal communication problems after suffering two strokes when she started choking on January 14.

Remembering his training for the situation he received less than 24 hours earlier, Mr Scott starting giving several hard blows to the back.

He said: “It appeared she was choking, but she couldn’t tell me whether that was the case, so I started giving five hard blows to her back, just as I’d been taught on my first aid course,

“Luckily, some food that was trapped in her throat became dislodged on the fourth blow and she was fine – it was a huge relief for both of us.

“I’m just pleased that I knew what to do. Who knows what might have happened otherwise.

“I see the lady concerned most days and she is extremely grateful that somebody was able to help.”

Mr Scott said he now believes it is very important for people to learn first aid.

He said: “Everybody should learn at least the basics and I would certainly encourage others to do a first aid course.”

Mr Scott has now been nominated for an Everyday Heroes award by St John Ambulance.

John Cavanagh, director of workplace training for St John Ambulance, has praised him for using his new skills so effectively.

He said: “Stevo is an example of why it vital that people have first aid skills.

“Our goal is to make sure that wherever a first aid emergency occurs, someone is on hand who can help. Stevo acted quickly and calmly to help somebody in distress. Our training gave him the knowledge and confidence to know what to do.”

To find out how to complete a St John Ambulance course go to www.sja.org.uk

Two high value computers have been stolen from a van parked in the Foundary pub car park in St James Road, Northampton.

The specialist computers, which are used to guide cameras through drainage systems, were taken from the back of a van which was parked in the car park between 10pm on Saturday, January 31 and 4am on Sunday, February 1.

The computers are only two of a handful in the UK.

Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have been offered these computers for sale.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested by Northamptonshire Police in connection with two violent assaults in Northampton.

The man was arrested yesterday in connection with a sexual assault on The Racecourse in Northampton on November 10 last year and an assault on an 85-year-old woman in Coaching Walk, Westone, on Monday, January 26.

The man, who is from Northampton, is currently being held in police custody.

A lorry driver has been jailed for two years after causing a crash in Northamptonshire that left a four-year-old girl with brain damage and blind in one eye.

The 23-year-old, Mindaugas Urbonavicius, was sentenced yesterday following a collision in which he drove his heavy goods vehicle at 50mph into the back of a white Volvo, which was stationary in a queue of traffic.

Three children were in the back of the car, including four-year-old Cressida Whitehead who, Northampton Crown Court heard, suffered “life-changing injuries”.

Mr Langdale, prosecuting, said: “Cressida suffered complex skull fractures with internal bleeding, reduced vision in her left eye and a broken leg.”

A doctor’s report in January, five months after the collision on August 22 last year, stated the “major trauma” had now left Cressida with no sight in her left eye.

She still needs reconstructive surgery to her face and head which could require use of her own ribs.

During the incident at 4.50pm between junctions 15 and 15a on the M1 northbound, Urbonavicius had been driving at 52 miles per hour in a temporary 40mph zone as he approached stationary traffic.

The court heard that he hit the Volvo, which was “shunted” into the car in front, causing a “domino effect” on the next two cars.

The Volvo was propelled from lane one across into the central reservation barrier and, Mr Langdale said, witnesses believed that it would flip over the barrier into the other side.

He said: “Other people, including the Whitehead family were taken to hospital with bruising and minor injuries.

“A report from a forensic investigation states that there was no evidence of the lorry driver breaking before he hit the Volvo.”

Urbonavicius, pleaded guilty to dangerous driving and has travelled to the UK three times from his home in Lithuania to appear in court following the crash.

A statement from Cressida’s father, George Whitehead, who was driving the Volvo at the time read: “Our daughter is permanently disfigured and it is likely she will develop learning difficulties. Her young brothers still have nightmares and on the day of the crash, we all thought she would not survive the night.

“Despite all of this, we feel it would be of little benefit to give the driver a custodial sentence for what, to him, was a momentary lapse in judgement.”

Defending, Nick Defreitas, said: “My client has shown a great deal of remorse.

“He was distracted by looking in his mirrors to move into the middle lane and, when he turned back and saw the traffic, it was too late.”

Recorder Martin Hurst, sentencing, said: “This was not a momentary lapse in judgement, as you were going at the maximum speed the vehicle would allow.

“What happened has changed the life of this family forever and caused catastrophic injuries.

“Mr Whitehead’s comments were extremely generous and you have shown courage by returning to the country to attend court, but there still needs to be an element of deterrent to other drivers.

“We do not want you to be driving on the roads of this country again.”

Urbonavicious, of Sakiai in Lithuania, was jailed for two years and banned from driving for five years. He will be automatically deported back to Lithuania.

A Northamptonshire driver is among the worst examples of speeding offences in Britain according to latest statistics, after being recorded as driving at 140mph on a 60mph road.

The figures, released by the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM), aim to lift the lid on the most excessive speeding offences caught on safety cameras across England and Wales in 2014.

Britain’s two worst speeders were caught at 146mph, both by Kent Police on the M25. Not far behind was a Northamptonshire driver, caught by police driving at 140mph on the A5, Crick Eastern Verge, which has a 60mph limit.

There were two other instances of speeds of 140mph or more being recorded; 145mph on the M6 toll road (70mph limit) and 141mph on the A1 Great Ponton Northbound road.

A figure of 128mph was also recorded on London Road, East Grinstead, which has a 30mph limit.

The statistics come from a Freedom of Information request made by the leading road safety charity to police forces in England and Wales. The IAM asked each police force for the highest recorded incidences of speed caught on safety cameras in 2014, including locations, speed limits and top speed in each case.

All forces that responded recorded at least one top speed over 110mph with the exception of City of London, Cleveland, Greater Manchester, Northumbria, West Midlands and South Yorkshire.

IAM chief executive officer, Sarah Sillars, said: “It is disheartening to say the least that some road users are showing such disregard for the safety of all other road users – pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and other drivers.

“At speeds of 140mph an individual is travelling at nearly two-and-a-half miles a minute. At that speed it is simply impossible to react to anything that might happen in front of you.

“It is also impossible to handle corners, gradients, street furniture and junctions with any effectiveness. In short, all these individuals are playing with their own lives and others – they are all accidents waiting to happen and it requires a major shift in the attitudes of these people to think about safety.”

A summary of the highest speed recorded in each area by local police is as follows, with the speed limit of the road in each instance given in brackets:

Avon and Somerset Police

M4 J20 – 19 Eastbound: 138 (70)

Bedfordshire Police

M1 J 13 & 12 Southbound: 116 (60)

Cambridgeshire Constabulary

A14 Eastbound: 128 (70)

Cheshire Constabulary

A556 Chester Road: 128 (70)

City of London

Upper Thames Street Stew Lane: 86 (30)

Cumbria Constabulary

M6 Todhills: 136 (70)

Cleveland Police

A171: 99 (50)

Derbyshire Constabulary

M1 Northbound, Tibshelf: 110 (50)

Dorset Police

A35 Tolpuddle Bypass eastbound: 110 (70)

Durham Police

A66 Galley Bank, Barnard Castle: 111 (70)

Essex Police

A127 Arterial Road Rayleigh: 111 (50)

Gloucestershire Constabulary

A417 Dartley Bottom: 121 (70)

Greater Manchester Police

A5103 Princess Rd, Manchester: 104 (40)

Hampshire Constabulary

A31: 123 (70)

Hertfordshire Constabulary

A10 Great Cambridge Rd, Cheshunt, Herts: 115 (40)

Humberside Police

A180 Great Coates: 125 (70)

Kent Police

M25 anti-clockwise Clacket Lane Services Jn 5: 146 (70)

M25 clockwise Swanley: 146 (70)

Lancashire Constabulary

A683 Lancaster/Morecambe By-Pass, Heysham: 115 (60)

Leicestershire Police

M1 Southbound, Swinford: 119 (50)

Lincolnshire Police

A1 Great Ponton Northbound: 141 (70)

Merseyside Police

M62: 112 (50)

Metropolitan Police

Not revealed: 123 (30)

Norfolk Constabulary

A11 Ketteringham: 120 (70)

Northamptonshire Police

A5 Crick Eastern Verge: 140 (60)

Northumbria Police

A1 Western Bypass: 103 (50)

North Wales Police

A5 Ty Nant to Dinmael, Conwy: 136 (60)

Nottinghamshire Police

A631 Beckingham: 120 (50)

South Wales Police

M4 between J35 Pencoed and J34 Miskin: 125 (70)

South Yorkshire Police

M1 S bound J31 Woodhall Services: 100 (50)

Suffolk Constabulary

A140 Coddenham: 119 (50)

Surrey Police

A3 Burntcommon: 127 (70)

Sussex Police

London Road, East Grinstead: 128 (30)

Thames Valley Police

A4146 Leighton Buzzard to Bletchley Road: 121 (70)

Warwickshire Police

M6 Toll Gantry 1165b: 145 (70)

West Mercia Police

A41 Tern Hill towards Whitchurch: 118 (60)

West Midlands Police

M6 J5 to J8: 106 (50)

A lead ball found at Eagle Drive, on the site of the Battle of Northampton, is believed to be the oldest surviving cannon ball in England.

The battle was fought between Yorkists and Lancastrians on 10 July 1460 in the area now known as Delapré Park and the 50-60mm diameter ball was originally found on farmland in the area of Eagle Drive, Northampton, part of the English Heritage-registered battlefield.

Mike Ingram, historian, author and chair of Northampton Battlefield Society said: “This is a find of national significance and confirms the battle as one of the earliest in England where cannons can be shown to have been used. It also shows that the Eagle Drive area of the registered battlefield is crucial to the understanding of the whole site.”

The ball was actually found several years ago by the late Stuart Allwork, but had been believed lost until last year.

Since its rediscovery the cannon ball has been subjected to detailed analysis by Dr Glenn Foard, one of the UK’s leading experts on medieval artillery and noted battlefield archaeologist from Huddersfield University.

Dr Foard also led the team that found the true site of the Battle of Bosworth. A programme of research and scientific testing of the ball is ongoing,

Dr Foard has concluded that: “It is highly likely that the projectile was fired during the battle in 1460”.

The Eagle Drive cannon ball itself has suffered massive impact damage from at least two bounces, and one gouge still contains small fragments of Northampton sand and ironstone.

Experts say that the damage is testimony to the immense forces in play as the shot ricocheted across the battlefield.

Other damage may have been caused by the cannon ball hitting a tree.

The battlefield is also the site of a Roman villa or settlement.

The Battle of Northampton itself is also unique in British military history.

It was the only time a fortification was assaulted, the last time protracted negotiations proceeded a battle, and the only time a whole army was excommunicated during the Wars of the Roses.

Contemporary accounts suggest as many as 12,000 men could have been either killed during the battle, or trampled to death or drowned in the rout as the defeated Lancastrian Army tried desperately to escape.

Both the Yorkist and Lancastrian armies are known to have had cannons available during the battle, although some contemporary accounts suggest that the Lancastrian guns failed to fire because of the rain.

Therefore, the ball most likely originated as the Yorkist gunners targeted Lancastrian troops in their defences.

Thus the find of the Eagle Drive Cannon Ball supports current theories about the position and orientation of the battle which form the basis of Northampton Council’s Conservation Plan for the site which was adopted in 2014.

A medical tribunal has ruled that a doctor is ‘fit to practise’ despite finding that she was responsible for a series of failings in the care of a Northampton toddler who died of dehydration.

Nineteen-month-old Harry Connolly died at home in Parkfield Avenue, Delapre, Northampton, on May 1, 2011, after twice being sent home from Northampton General Hospital and an out-of-hours service.

After an inquest held in 2012, county coroner Anne Pember catalogued a series of “failures” made by the doctors and nurses who treated Harry.

One of the doctors who treated Harry at the hospital was Dr Tasnim Arif, who told his parents Ray and Lucy that she did not believe he was dehydrated.

Dr Arif failed to weigh Harry or carry out a blood test and discharged him from the ward three days before he died.

Harry was taken to an out of hours clinic the next day but was sent home after being examined by Dr Aboo Thamby, who was subsequently given a formal warning for his failure to examine the toddler properly.

A General Medical Council (GMC) panel has heard evidence about Dr Arif’s standard of care in Harry’s case and ruled that there were “specific breaches” from general medical practice.

However, the panel has concluded that it was an “isolated” incident in an otherwise “unblemished career”.

The ruling states: “As noted in its previous determination, the panel considers that you (Dr Arif) have demonstrated genuine insight into the level of failings.

“It also determined that the incident was isolated in an otherwise unblemished career, there has been no repetition and there have been no indicators to suggest your failings would be repeated.

“It has taken account of the corrective steps you have taken along with the testimonial evidence which attests to you being a competent doctor.

“Having regard to all the circumstances in your case, the panel considers that despite there being specific breaches of good medical practice in relation to your care and treatment of Harry Connolly on 28 April 2011, these are not so serious as to amount to significant departures from good medical practice.”

Dr Arif has not been given a warning by the GMC as the panel considered it would be “unnecessary and disproportionate”.

Harry’s mother Lucy said she felt disgusted with the ruling and felt like the process had been a “waste of time”.

She said: “As far as I am concerned the whole process was a complete waste of time.

“I am beyond disgusted, it feels like doctors protecting doctors. There are no words.”

Dr Arif no longer works at Northampton General Hospital.

A popular chip shop in Northampton has reopened this week under new management.

The College Street Chippy, off Gold Street in the town centre, was taken over earlier in the year by Sean Osmond and his wife, Tulun, owners of Jenny’s restaurant also on Gold Street.

Mr Osmond, aged 44, said: “This place had a great reputation in the town and we want to revive and improve it. It’s not been a bad start so far and we have had lots of positive comments.

“The traditional fish and chip menu has stayed more or less the same, but we are bringing our unique style of cooking, which includes using only hand-cut chips.”

The newly opened restaurant seats 60 and will be open Monday to Saturday from 11am to 9pm.

While its well-known name will stay the same, the Osmonds have applied for a council grant to buy a new sign for the front of the shop.

They have already spent the past month decorating the interior, adding new tablecloths and posters of British seaside towns.

College Street Chippy was closed at the end of last year after the former owners said that newly painted double-yellow lines on the road outside had discouraged customers.

Mr Osmond, from Wootton, said: “Our customers in Jenny’s always used to tell us how good it was, so we took the opportunity to bring it back.

“I believe it’s one of the oldest chip shops in town. The owner, who first opened it more than 50 years ago, is now in his eighties.”

Customers to the newly opened restaurant can enjoy a medium-sized cod and chips for £5.65, and there are special rates for pensioners too.

Northamptonshire County Council is to invest £1 million in a new school improvement programme in a bid to make the local authority one of the highest performing counties for education by 2020.

The Race To The Top strategy will involve top-performing schools in the county being asked to share good practice.

Grants and bursaries will be offered to schools seeking to improve, and schools will work with businesses to provide mentoring and work placement opportunities.

Council leader Jim Harker said: “We are no longer prepared to accept any school that is failing our pupils and as a county council we are determined to take action to tackle this.

“That is why, at the end of this month, we will be formally launching our Race To The Top initiative which will identify under-performing schools and encourage all of our schools to do more for our pupils.

“By 2020, we will aim to be the best performing county for education.”

The strategy will involve schools in Northamptonshire using the latest research on pupil performance to create a new format for the school day, looking at start times, number of breaks and longer days.

Schools will also set uncompromising targets for all pupils and work with voluntary and independent organisations to provide after-school clubs based on excellence in sport, culture and work-readiness.

An innovative Strategic Education and Skills Partnership Board will be created to lead the programme, bringing together education and business leaders.

Councillor Matt Golby, Cabinet Member for Learning, Skills & Education, said: “Race To The Top will be launched at the end of the month, with a tight programme and the aim to raise academic achievement of the young people in the county from below average to amongst the best in the country within the next three years.

“We will be working closely with the Department for Education and hope that additional funding will be made available from the government to help ensure its success.”

Police are warning horse and farm owners in Northamptonshire to be vigilant after equipment was stolen from stables.

Thieves stole rugs, a generator and other pieces of ridign equipment from the stables in Chapel Brampton at about 5.45am this morning (Thursday).

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: “Officers investigating the case have asked anybody who is offered riding equipment in suspicious circumstances to contact them on 101.

“They have also urged all horse owners and farmers to remain vigilant, and to keep an eye out for suspicious vehicles.”

Witnesses to this incident or anyone else with any information about similar thefts can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111, or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

More information on how to protect stables and farms is available here: www.northants.police.uk/#!/CrimePrevention/698

A distinctive army radio has been taken by thieves from a car parked in Northampton.

The distinctive radio, which is carried in a large camouflage backpack, was stolen from a car parked in Kingsland Avenue, Kingsthorpe, sometime between 6pm on Sunday, February 8 and 2.15pm the following day.

The type of radio which was stolen was previously used in the Falkland and Gulf wars.

They are now more usually used by amateur radio enthusiasts.

Anyone who is offered the radio for sale, or who knows where it is, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or the independent charity, Crimestoppers, anonymously on 0800 555111 or use the anonymous online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Millions of pounds worth of surgery performed by private hospitals is to be targeted by Northampton General Hospital bosses.

Managers have tracked the loss of operations in small areas of the county and concluded, for example, that the market for trauma and orthopaedics operations in Daventry alone is worth more than £5.9 million.

However, only £1.8 million of the work is carried out at NGH.

Bosses, who have run up a multi-million pound deficit this year, say they want to incorporate surgical theatres into their masterplan that would handle only planned operations.

They hope it will both make the hospital an attractive state-of-the-art choice for operations, but also help cut waiting lists.

Dr Sonia Swart, NGH’s chief executive, said: “Why do people choose private? It’s because it offers routine operations in a nicer building and better food.

“The question we are asking ourselves is could we streamline our non-urgent work and separate out emergency and non-emergency patients. People would be confident their operation will go ahead with the surgeon they wanted.

“If we focus on providing better care then, by definition, other things will follow.”

Competing more strongly with the private sector may become a key part of NGH’s hopes of extending its building.

The NHS would only fund the masterplan if the hospital is stable financially, so targeting private cash currently flowing out of the health service would help show it could survive as a larger site.

However, reversing the increasing trend of people migrating to private surgeons will be a challenge.

In orthopaedics, for example, private hospitals will do the 70 per cent of least-complex operations, which are cheaper to carry out and so make most money.

NGH is required to do the other 30 per cent of expensive surgery, but also foot the bill for training costs.

However, with the powerful sentiments evoked by the concept of the NHS, coupled with a better service, NGH hopes to encourage patients to choose it.

Dr Swart said: “When I talk to patients there’s a real sense they feel the NHS needs their support.”

A total of 1,300 cyclists set a new record fundraising total for a Northampton hospice.

At the event, staged at Lamport Hall last September, took entry fees and sponsorships of almost £64,000 some £12,000 more than the previous year.

Ninety per cent of the money will go to Cynthia Spencer Hospice and the remainder to Kidsaid, the Northampton-based charity which provides support for children and young people who have suffered abuse, bereavement, bullying and family problems.

The details were revealed at the launch event for the 2015 ride staged at Franklin’s Gardens where Saints coach Jim Mallinder, player Christian Day and fellow forward Sam Dickinson, who opened last year’s ride, were on hand to present the trophies to the prize winners.

Having ridden in the event the previous two years, Jim was unable to take part in 2014 owing to his side’s fixture at Newcastle but, subject to the playing calendar, has already pledged that he will cycle this year - and will bring some of his stars.

Launch host Sue Bownass from the Hospice, said: “In eleven years, Cycle 4 Cynthia has grown from being just a few people pedalling

to well over a thousand last year and yet the same sentiments of passion, commitment, courage and a desire to make a difference to other people’s lives are always there.

“On behalf of both charities I want to say a massive thank you to everyone involved, from the marshals and volunteers who hand out medals, to the folks who man the pit stops and of course to the cyclists themselves for showing such wonderful spirit.

“Here’s hoping that our twelfth ride will be just as amazing, if not better!”

John Walters from Rushden was presented with the Chairman’s Prize after John crossed the finishing line with a Russian rider named Alex.

The two of them forged a friendship en-route after encouraging and helping each other for their final few miles.

Meanwhile, Mandy Dawson from Stowe School, whose husband Mike passed away at the Hospice last October after being diagnosed with cancer just weeks earlier, received the trophy for the largest sum raised by an individual – an incredible £6,165.

The trophy for the largest team went to St Andrew’s, who fielded an impressive 34 cyclists and, for the fifth year in a row, Steven Sanders picked up the prize for best fancy dress, leading his team of ‘minions’ from Nationwide after being inspired by the

hit animation film of 2010, ‘Despicable Me’.

The final announcement of the night was that Cycle 4 Cynthia 2015, again offering riders 5, 25 or 50 mile routes, is returning to Althorp, (its home from 2011-13), and will take place on Sunday September 13.

More information, including details of the new routes and entry and sponsorship forms will be available soon at: www.cycle4cynthia.com or by calling Sue at the hospice on Northampton 678088.