Motorists are experiencing delays in the town centre this evening.
It is believed that there has been an accident involving a car outside the entrance to the new bus station in Greyfriars.
Eyewitnesses have said the crash is causing delays in the area.
Police were on the scene just after 5.30pm.
A huge traffic jam just outside Northampton was caused by an accident in which a driver was injured.
Police said at 10am that a recovery crew was yet to move the two vehicles that had collided in the area of Scirocco Close, Moulton Park just before 7am.
Although a driver was treated by paramedics for a minor injury, emergency services and the two vehicles - a black BMW and a black Vauxhall Corsa - blocked part of the road for a number of hours.
As a result, long queues formed in Boughton Green Road and Holly Lodge Drive.
Two people were taken to hospital after a serious assault at a KFC in Corby.
Police were called to the restaurant in Oakley Road shortly after 7pm after a man and a woman were assaulted by a member of the public inside the restaurant.
The victims were as of yesterday in hospital receiving treatment.
A spokesman for KFC said: “We are shocked and saddened by what happened and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victims. We are co-operating with police.”
The restaurant remained closed yesterday while police continue their investigations.
Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or has any information about it.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A Stay Well This Winter roadshow will begin this week in Northamptonshire.
The NHS Nene Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) will be visiting destinations across Northamptonshire including Northampton, Kettering and Wellingborough, during November starting tomorrow (Friday).
The Stay Well this Winter roadshows to offer advice to residents, in particular those with long-term conditions and those over 65, on how to prepare for winter and ward off common winter illnesses so they do not require a visit to the hospital.
Staff at the CCG are encouraging members of the public to come and talk to them at the roadshow events to receive advice and support about some of the key actions they can take to keep them and their families well this winter including:
>Making sure you get the flu jab if eligible
>Keeping warm – inside and outdoors
>Getting help from your pharmacist as soon as you stat to feel unwell, before it gets more serious, even if it’s just a cough or a cold,
>Making sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet
>Always taking prescribed medicines as directed
The team will also be inviting the public to take part in a scratch card quiz, aimed at identifying the most appropriate care and support for common winter ailments, with some surprising results that could really help people to avoid an unnecessary trip to a GP or A&E this year.
To support the free advice available, a pharmacist will be on hand to offer free mini health check-ups for people at risk, especially the over-65s and carers. The mini health checks are free of charge and include BMI, blood pressure testing and awareness of the NHS services available to them.
Dr Darin Seiger, GP Chair of Nene CCG, said: “The NHS is here to help people in a range of ways – it’s not always about seeing your GP or going to A&E. We are doing everything we can to make sure that everyone knows the best way to manage if they suddenly become ill.
“If you do get ill or sustain a minor injury you can get quick and convenient treatment through self-care or from your pharmacist. Your local pharmacists also offer a wealth of healthcare information. We want to encourage people with a bad cough, cold or sore throat, to pop down to their local pharmacy for some quick health advice on the best ways of caring for themselves.”
The roadshow dates are:
Friday 6 November 2015 – Newland Centre Kettering 10-3pm
Friday 13 November 2015 – Grosvenor Centre Northampton 10–3pm
Friday 20 November 2015 – Swansgate Centre Wellingborough 10-3pm
Monday 23 and Friday 27 November 2015 – Health Bus stopping at various locations within South Northants, Daventry and East Northants
The local ‘Stay Well this Winter’ campaign will last till the end of February and for more information click here {http://www.neneccg.nhs.uk/stay-well-this-winter/|Stay Well This Winter|}
A man was punched in the face by three men in Northamptonshire after being approached for a cigarette.
The victim, 18, was in Castle Fields Park in Wellingborough, near Castle Street and Irthlingborough Road, at about 2.40pm on Monday, November 2, when the incident took place.
He was approached by a woman who asked him for a cigarette, but when he offered her one she grabbed the pack from him and walked away.
At this point three men then approached the victim and pulled him to the ground, punching him in the face and causing a small cut.
His bag was searched but nothing else was taken, although his glasses were damaged.
One of the offenders was white, in his late teens, thin and about 6ft.
He was wearing black tracksuit bottoms and a light blue tracksuit coat, black Snapback cap and was carrying a bag.
The woman who asked for a cigarette was also in her late teens, white, with blonde, shoulder-length hair, thin and about 5ft 2in.
She was wearing a white top and black jeans.
Police would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the incident or who may have any information regarding it.
Anyone with information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.
A new Lidl branch which is due to open next week will stay open for longer after its application was approved last night.
The store in Newton Road, Rushden, is getting ready to open its doors to customers on Thursday, November 12.
Bosses had originally planned to open from 8am to 9pm from Monday to Saturday, but just days before trading started decided to extend its opening hours to 7am to 10pm.
And after being considered by East Northants councillors at a planning meeting on Wednesday, November 4, the application was granted – subject to two conditions.
The store must not take deliveries before 7am or after 9pm.
Also, the western end of the car park shall not be illuminated after 9.10pm.
The application drew five objections, with concerns including impact on residential amenity, no reason to extend the opening hours in a quiet residential area and concern about further degeneration of Rushden.
The report discussed by councillors also contained the views of Northamptonshire Police, which stated: “The original application hours were seriously considered for such a location and it was decided no reference would be made regarding anti-social behaviour at that time.
“It is now considered that the additional hours proposed are unsuitable for an area where residential properties are in close proximity both in terms of noise and other anti-social behaviour issues.
“It is considered these proposed hours would have a material adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents.”
A conference to tackle the problem of children suffering a “toxic childhood” is to be held at Althorp House on Saturday.
The event is being organised by Northampton charity KidsAid and will bring together head teachers, social workers and family lawyers in the county to work out ways to improve child mental health.
At least three in ten children have some form of anxiety, emotional distress or behavioural problems, according to government statistics (ONS). However, cyber-bullying, peer pressure and exam stress are thought to push that number even higher.
At the ‘Voice of The Child’ conference on November 7, a line-up of professionals from law, social work and education will consider the best way to help children.
Lord and Lady Spencer have donated the use of Althorp House for the event and will host the speakers and delegates. Lady Spencer is KidsAid’s patron and supports its work to provide therapy to children suffering from difficult emotions or traumatic experiences.
One of the country’s Supreme Court judges, Lord Wilson and the head of the British Medical Association will be keynote speakers. Other experts in child welfare will also appear.
Professor Dieter Wolke is a world renowned expert in bullying, Dr Martin Newman is a specialist in the impact of bereavement and Shelagh Beckett an expert on sibling attachment.
Lisa Cherry, once a ‘looked after’ child in Rushden (and now an author who trains social workers) and Eunice Lumsden, Head of Early Years at the University of Northampton will discuss life in the county’s care system.
Matt Bartlett is travelling from the U.S to describe the work of the New Haven treatment centre for girls, to consider the best ways to help those with facing complex issues. Any professionals interested in attending the event can contact the charity via the website, www.kidsaid.org.uk
If you’re heading out to a fireworks display this bonfire night or weekend you may want to take a brolly and welly boots with you.
The Met Office is forecasting rain spreading across the Midlands eastwards throughout today, Thursday November 5, with the east blanketed by cloud and showers by 6pm this evening.
Tomorrow, Friday, wet and windy weather will again sweep across the country with some heavy rain.
The Met Office outlook for Saturday to Monday is that it will stay rather unsettled with several bouts of wet and windy weather interspersed with drier interludes.
The generally mild temperatures will be tempered by the wind and rain.
{http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/what-s-on/local-events/events-guide-northamptonshire-fireworks-2015-1-7008823|Northants fireworks guide 2015|}
A Wellingborough resident has hit out at plans to axe a bus route which covers a large area of the town.
The W4 bus, run by operator Meridian, has been earmarked for closure on Saturday, December 5.
The service takes in the Redwell housing estate, town centre, train station, Isebrook Hospital and the Tesco superstore off London Road.
It will be discontinued because it is no longer commercially viable – but Redwell resident Fred Harris says that is not the fault of its users.
He said: “In the residents of Redwell’s defence the service times have been changed I think twice in the past six months.
“This causes uncertainty among the users and it no longer runs after during what’s called the “lunch time” period.
“The service has also had bouts of being unreliable, further reducing residents’ reliance on the service.
“What about asking the residents of Redwell what they want?
“There must be a way around resolving this problem for the dozens who are elderly or do not have the use of a car.
“We need some publicity when a decision is made, particularly if it means a change of times and stops – it is almost impossible to communicate with the bus company.”
Northamptonshire County Council confirmed it is looking at whether there are any options over the future of the service.
A council spokesman said: “We have been notified that the W4 service in Wellingborough is due to be discontinued by the operator Meridian Bus on Saturday, December 5, as the route is no longer commercially viable.
“We are currently looking at passenger numbers and speaking with other private operators to see what options there are for the future of the service.”
Cobblers players will have their wages paid for the October month courtesy of the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA).
In the last few minutes a spokesman for Northampton Town has confirmed the players’ union has stepped in to help the cash-strapped League Two side.
Last Friday it was confirmed that no one at Northampton Town received their wages for October.
The club’s bank accounts are currently frozen as a result of being subject to a winding up order from the HMRC.
The Cobblers owes the taxman £166,000.
However non-playing staff at Sixfields, including team manager Chris Wilder, remain in limbo as to whether they will also be paid in due course.
A spokesman for the club said: “The PFA has agreed to pay the outstanding players’ wages that were missed at the end of October, but the rest of the staff haven’t yet been paid.
“We are continuing to do our duties to help the club get through this difficult period.
“We would like to thank all the people supporting the club, either by buying tickets or merchandise.
“We appreciate the good will and support of football fans from Northampton and beyond.”
The PFA is the official trade union for professional footballers and its deputy chief executive, Bobby Barnes, is a former Cobblers player.
The PFA has been contacted for comment.
New courses to help unemployed people who have low self-esteem and mental health issues are starting later this month.
Northamptonshire County Council is running the Pathway2b courses which aim to help people experiencing depression, low self-esteem and any other mental health problems in order to help them back into work.
Experienced tutors will work with people whose mental health issues are having an impact on their ability to maintain a job.
Councillor Matthew Golby, county council cabinet member for learning and families, said: “People with mental health problems can also suffer from social anxiety, ranging from mild discomfort when leaving the safety of your home to complete rejection of the outside world.
“Pathway2b supports them by helping them to establish a new routine of getting ready, leaving home, catching the bus and arriving on time – a routine that will apply when they find they’re ready to go back to work.
“Through the course, they’ll be given help and support to improve their social interaction skills and confidence to return to employment.”
Sessions are free and they take place at Far Cotton Recreation Centre, on Towcester Road, Northampton.
Each programme runs for eight weeks and starts on the following dates:
Wednesday 18 November from 10am to 12.30pm
Wednesday 18 November from 1pm to 3.30pm
Wednesday 3 February from 10am to 12.30pm
Wednesday 3 February from 1pm to 3.30pm
Further information is available by calling 01604 368023 or emailing pathway2b@northamptonshire.gov.uk.
A Northampton man who filmed himself driving high performance cars on county roads at speeds of up to 192mph, has been jailed for two years and four months.
Shaun Davis, aged 42, formerly of Woodpecker Drive, Northampton, was found guilty of four counts of dangerous driving on a number of roads including the A6 and A45.
The footage shows Davis driving at more than 190mph on the A45 between Earls Barton and Wellingborough while listening to ‘It Wasn’t Me’ by Shaggy and ‘Red Red Wine’ by UB40.
Davis had pleaded not guilty to 12 counts of dangerous driving.
The charges related to a series of driving episodes between 2012 and 2014, in high performance cars, including BMWs and Audis, on Northamptonshire roads, including the A45 between Earls Barton and Wellingborough, A6 at Rushden, A509, a single carriageway road near to the village of Bozeat, A5028, A5001 and the A605.
The prosecution argued that Davis had filmed himself during these episodes of driving. Davis’ face could not be seen in any of the footage and he claimed that it was not him on the films.
He was found guilty by a jury, of four counts of Dangerous Driving, at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday. He was found not guilty on seven counts and a hung jury returned on one count.
The four counts, Davis was found guilty of, saw him driving at speeds of between 150mph – 192mph, on a number of roads including the A6 and A45.
The judge sentenced him to 28 months in prison and gave him a 10 year driving disqualification.
His daughter Jordan Davis, aged 23, of Hove Road, Rushden, was found guilty of inciting or encouraging an offence of Dangerous Driving. She was given a two year driving disqualification and an 18 month conditional discharge.
Detective Inspector Greg Maides, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “After examining Shaun Davis’ mobiles phones, we found multiple videos of him driving grossly in excess of the maximum national speed limit, with no regard for the safety of other motorists, pedestrians or himself.
“We are satisfied with the result, and hope that this will serve as a deterrent to him in the future.”
More than 10 lorries were targeted by thieves as they were parked at the Watford Gap service station overnight.
The vehicles were targeted between 10pm on Sunday, November 1 and 6am the following day.
The side curtains of the vehicles were cut through, but nothing of value was taken apart from a rear light cluster.
Officers investigating the case have urged lorry drivers to be vigilant when they park their vehicles overnight.
Witnesses, or anyone who knows anything about these incidents can call 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.
A woman who was standing at a bus stop in Northampton with her two children launched a violent attack on another woman after the pair had a verbal dispute.
The victim was waiting at a bus stop on Blackthorn Road, Northampton, sometime between 3.50pm and 4.30pm on Monday, October 12 when she became involved in a verbal altercation with another women.
Following this, the attacker grabbed the woman’s top and hit her several times over the head. She then grabbed her glasses and crushed them in her hand.
Other members of the public then pulled the offending woman away. The victim suffered bruising and swelling to the left side of her face.
The offender is described as around 5ft 4ins tall, olive skin complexion, of medium build and had two children with her.
Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A Northamptonshire man who filmed himself raping a woman has been given an eight-and-a-half year jail sentence.
Louis Ejoh, of Gloucester Close, Kettering, appeared at Northampton Crown Court after he pleaded guilty to two counts of rape.
The court heard that Ejoh, aged 25, forced the woman to perform a sex act on him and filmed it on his mobile phone.
Stephen Lowne, prosecuting, said he then forced the woman to have sexual intercourse with him.
Mr Lowne said the footage showed that Ejoh threatened the woman with violence if she did not do what he told her.
His honour Judge Timothy Smith said the filming of the rape was a “seriously aggravating feature” of the crime.
The court heard that Ejoh entered a guilty plea to two charges of rape shortly before a trial was due to begin.
Judge Smith sentenced Ejoh to eight-and-a-half years in jail. He will serve half in prison before being released on licence.
He was also ordered to complete an eight-week suspended sentence he received for an offence he was convicted of in March.
He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.
John Lewis has today unveiled its Christmas TV advert ‘The Man on The Moon’.
They have partnered with Age UK for its 2015 Christmas ad with a reminder to consumers to consider those who will be alone this year.
The full two-minute ad features the whimsical story of a young girl named Lily as she strikes up a connection with an elderly man who she spies through her telescope living alone on the moon.
Thousands of people enjoyed a spectacular firework display at The Racecourse in Northampton last night.
The November the fifth extravaganza attracted around 18,000 people to watch the bonfire being lit and an impressive display of pyrotechnics in the night sky.
The free event was organised by Northampton Borough Council.
Council leader, Councillor Mary Markham said that she was pleased that so many people came to see this free event.
She said: “I am really pleased that our fireworks display was even more popular this year, Kettering Road and the surrounding areas were buzzing with people before and after the event and it was great to see so many different generations of people enjoying themselves together. I am sure that businesses in the area benefited from having so many extra people in the area last night.
“The Racecourse was a really spectacular backdrop for the fireworks; it gave people a great opportunity to see the display and was easy to reach from all parts of the town. It was a wonderful venue for such a large outdoor event and I hope we are able to organise more events there in the future.”
More than 2,500 Cobblers fans are expected to travel to Coventry for the club’s FA cup tie this weekend in what many fear could be Northampton Town’s last ever away game in its current form.
While more than 200 staff, including groundsmen, stewards, back office staff and club shop workers remain unpaid at Sixfields today, the club’s shop is still firmly open for business and close to 2,000 advanced tickets have already been sold for the Cobblers’ FA Cup clash at the Ricoh Arena tomorrow.
Although it would be the worst case scenario - on November 16, the club established in 1897, could cease to exist if it is wound up at the High Court.
Northampton Town owes the taxman £166,000 and if the deal with frontrunner Kelvin Thomas cannot be done, it would either need to find some way of paying the debt to the HMRC or to seek an adjournment from the High court to stave off liquidation.
Sources have assured the Chronicle and Echo that a “plan B” is in place to stop the club from being wound up, should Kevin Thomas’s bid fall through.
But currently nothing is certain and through the doubt, staff are trying to remain positive.
Club shop manager Wendy Lambell, who was busy at work today despite not receiving her wage on Friday, said: “We are loyal to the club, that’s what it’s all about.
“If we don’t come in to work, it will all fall apart.
“If it was any other industry, if we worked at Sainsbury’s say, and we weren’t being paid, we wouldn’t come in.
“But when we are talking about the football club it’s different.”
Ms Lambell said supporters have offered to help out the staff with donations, others have bought them flowers and cakes.
Northampton Town’s communications officer Gareth Willsher, said staff are trying to maintain a sense of “business as usual” despite the off-the-field crisis.
He said: “What the club needs now is for the staff to just carry on in a way.
“We are doing our best to help, so that when the club does come though all this, it is in the best possible shape.”
Chief executive James Whiting said that despite the high spirits, staff are “disappointed” to find the club in such a dire state, when it was only two years they were celebrating a £12 million loan deal and the prospect of a stadium expansion.
He said: “Everyone is disappointed. We all felt in 2013 when that first ground was being broken, we expected a fantastic new facility here. We all wanted the same things that fans wanted.
“But it’s been a difficult couple of years here.”
At Monday night’s special council meeting of Northampton Borough Council, the leaders of the authority were asked whether they would consider objecting to the winding up petition against Cobblers a the High Court.
A council spokesman said: “We have contacted HMRC through our advisors and discussions have taken place (on Wednesday), which we will be following up with them”
Thousands of pounds worth of televisions were stolen from a lorry parked in Daventry in the early hours of yesterday morning (Thursday, 5 November).
The lorry had been parked overnight in Royal Oak Way North and sometime between 4am and 4.30am, while the driver was asleep in the cab, the offenders broke into the back of the lorry.
The driver woke up hearing noises and saw another vehicle parked behind his. It is believed the offenders loaded the stolen TVs into the other vehicle, described as a white, 7.5 tonne lorry.
Officers are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in the area around the time of the theft to contact them.
Witnesses, or anyone with information about the stolen property, are asked to call 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.
An attacker with a distinct haircut beat a 24-year-old man with two trestle tables in Northampton’s Market Square.
Northamptonshire Police is appealing for witnesses to the assault in the square in the early hours of Sunday, November 1.
A force spokeswoman said sometime between 1am and 1.30am, a man picked up “two trestle tables from the market area and used them to hit the victim,” a 24-year-old man.
The victim suffered a broken finger and other bruising as a result.
The offender has been described as around 25-years-old, about 6ft tall with short, black hair shaven in “tram lines” on the sides.
Police have released images of the man they would like to speak to in connection with the incident, above.
Anyone with any information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.