June Thomas, 73, and husband Graham, 76, have hosted general and local election voting at their home in the hamlet of Winwick, near Crick, since 1990.

Residents can cast their votes in a 4ft by 6ft booth under the stairs of the Victorian house, which was the village school until 1947.

It is one of the few remaining private residences used as a polling station and over 70 villagers will descend on the property today between 7am and 10pm.

Gran-of-three June said: "It probably is the smallest polling station because its just our hallway under our stairs where we keep the broom.

"It sounds quite parochial, but it is run exactly the same way as any other polling station would be run.

"We're advised to wear plain clothing - preferably navy or black with no colours pertaining to particular parties.

"It's all very formal, so don't expect a cup of tea. We abide by the rules in the same way as we would if we hosting 7,000 people.

"Everyone is welcome. Sometimes the police come in to see how everything is going - but we've had no riots so far.

"We've never had any complaints so long may that continue."

As the polling clerk June will have a presiding officer and the pair will check people off the voters' list from the comfort of her corner sofa.

She has already sent off her postal vote but husband Graham, a retired farmer, will vote in his own hallway.

The couple decided to open up their home as a polling station after their local manor house, where the vote was traditionally held, was converted into a private residence.

June, who has three grown-up children, added: "Our house used to be the old school, so it was a central part of the community and this way, come general election time, it still very much is.

"When the new owners of the old manor didn't want to host it anymore, I thought I would offer.

"It's a bit strange having all these people in your home, but it's a small village and we pretty much know everyone here.

"So its not like we have loads of strangers descend on the house, I do like to make sure its nice and tidy though before everyone comes.

"It's a long day - we have to sit there for 14 hours, but it's a nice thing to do for the local community. "
ENDS

A hate preacher who appeared in a documentary alongside one of the London Bridge attackers left his Northampton home shortly before the weekend after he was discovered by a far-right activist.

English Defence League (EDL) founder Tommy Robinson visited the home of Abu Haleema in Northampton last week.

Haleema appeared in the 2016 Channel 4 documentary the Jihadis Next Door alongside Khuram Butt, who was shot and killed by police on Saturday shortly after murdering innocent civilians in the capital.

The Northampton property Haleema was staying in has been boarded up. His former home was recently fitted with a notice stating that the tenant had left without notice.

There have been various unconfirmed reports in recent days of the hate preacher walking and cycling around the town.

In April 2014, Haleema’s home in London was raided by the police, who seized his passport.

In January 2015, he was one of around 400 people who had their Twitter accounts closed.

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Police have released an image of a man wanted over a fuel theft in Wellingborough.

The man pictured is wanted after the incident at about 11.30pm on April 12 at the Shell garage in Gold Street.

Police have only just released the image.

Anyone who recognises the man pictured or has more information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A man was captured on CCTV stealing £41 of fuel from the Rushden Service Station in Wellingborough Road, Rushden.

Officers have released this CCTV image to help with their investigation.

The driver of a blue VW Polo drove off without paying at about 7pm on Thursday, April 13, although police have only just released details of the incident.

Anyone with information about the incident at the Texaco garage can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Stunning creations by fashion students at in their final year from the University of Northampton have been showcased on the London’s catwalks. Taking place at the Truman Brewery venue in London, 24 UK universities took part in the runway show to display graduates’ collections as part of Graduate Fashion Week.

The event highlights design talent from across the country’s fashion courses and elements used by The University’s graduates included futuristic streetwear, ethnic prints, bows and pom-poms.

Vying for attention at the world’s largest fashion platform, which has become a key source of industry talent, was Bethany Martin’s streetwear with reflective detailing, Elena Hristova’s teal and sheer beige designs, and Aleksandra Kukula’s contemporary dresses with feminine pussy bows and brogues.

An 11-year-old boy was ordered to get in a van in attempted child abduction in Northampton, police say.

The attempt was interrupted when a red and white Mini Cooper pulled up behind the offender's vehicle, who then drove off.

Police now are asking for the driver of the Mini Cooper to come forward as a key witness.

The incident took place sometime between 3.30pm and 3.45pm on June 5 in Rowtree Road, near the junction with Hill Farm Rise, in the East Hunsbury area - police released details today (June 8).

A white Transit-type van pulled up beside the 11-year-old victim and a male driver told him to "get in the van".

The victim ignored him and carried on walking, pretending to call the police. A red and white Mini Cooper then pulled up behind the suspect's vehicle, which then drove off down Rowtree Road towards East Hunsbury.

The offender was described as white, skinny and aged about 30. He had a bald head and stubble. The van had silver panelling at the back of the vehicle, on the bottom sides and on top. It is believed to have a partial registration plate as N9 or K9.

Police are very keen to speak to the driver of the Mini who may be able to assist the inquiry.

Anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555 111

A young woman from Upton, diagnosed with a potentially debilitating disease has taken part in a sponsored walk despite her illness - raising more than £1,700.

Zoe Chatley was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in May 2016 but has not allowed her condition stop her in her tracks.

With ten fundraising friends, the 32-year-old took part in an eight-mile hike alongside the Grand Union Canal.

Zoe, a recruitment consultant, has endured months of tough training, walking through the pains, numbness and pins and needles, in a bid to complete a sponsored walk in aid of the MS Society.

The group set off from Zoe’s home in Edison Drive walking along the canal path to The Plough pub in Shutlanger.

She said: “It’s about 7.9miles and my MS really flares up when I’m physically active.

“There were a few moments when the challenge proved to be incredibly tough for me but with the support and encouragement of my friends, the team reached the finish line two hours and 45 minutes.”

Fundraisers were greeted by partners, friends and family with a celebration buffet and champagne in the marquee at the pub to raise more money.

To support Zoe’s efforts visit www.justgiving. com/fundraising/Zoe-chatley

Burglars broke into a house this morning and escaped with a haul of property including an Audi S3.

The offenders gained access to the property, some time between 10.30pm last night and 8am today (Thursday), in Stamford Road, Easton-on-the-Hill, after removing a key safe from the wall and prying it open to retrieve the keys.

They then stole items including laptops, wallets and phones and made off in the Audi S3, registration AF17 RWW.

Anyone with information about the theft should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

These are the bellwethers: named after castrated rams (wethers) whose clunking bell would indicate the direction of the flock, these areas have a special place in election night lore, for by watching the right ones you can pretty much see who will be PM before most of the seats are declared.

Two of these magical seats are in Northampton, with both the north and south of the town pretty reliable indicators of who will hold the keys to Number Ten by Friday lunchtime.

Northampton North and Northampton South were created for the General Election of February 1974, when the old town-wide constituency of 'Northampton' was retired.

Ever since, the MP that the residents of each side of our town elect to Parliament is virtually guaranteed to be wearing the same rosette as the new First Lord of the Treasury.

For this reason, these type of constituencies are known as 'swing seats' and are thus avidly watched by political journalists up and down the land, as well as sweaty-palmed aides.

Northampton South could be described as fairly reliable. It has only failed to 'predict' the new Government twice in 11 elections.

The first was in its inaugural year, when people in the likes of Far Cotton and St James (very narrowly) elected Tory Michael Morris despite the prevailing feeling towards Labour across UK constituencies.

They went on electing Mr Morris too, for six successive general elections, until his (narrow) defeat in the Labour landslide of 1997. Northampton South was well into the national groove by then and, having taken a good sniff of the political winds, went with the majority of seats in the UK again, voting for Tony Clarke.

Pollsters were briefly surprised in 2005 when Clarke was usurped by Conservative county councillor Brian Binley, despite another cosy Tony Blair victory.

But, apart from those two aberrations, Northampton South has been almost as dependable as it gets for predicting the overall victor in the Prime Ministerial race.

Northampton North, however, has been even more reliable, never once deviating from the national majority since its creation. A prize, thoroughbred bellwether.

But does this mean we should be surprised that every single party leader has given our town a wide berth during the campaign (not even one visit this time around)?

Well, no, actually. Just because we here have an almost telepathic insight into the mind of the majority doesn't mean that capturing Northampton with a rousing Market Square rally will do your chances of waking up in Downing Street any good.

You might well argue that politicians spending time on the doorsteps of Abington or Kingsthorpe actually listening to the ordinary folk in our very political town BEFORE a manifesto is drawn up would pay them dividends today, June 8. But that is not the way the brains of election gurus work.

Indeed, the fact it is has two swing seats may even mean Northampton isn't worth touching at all as - strategists may think - the national mood will out no matter what.

Far better, they may think, to topple candidates in 'key marginals' (or totem figures such as cabinet or shadow cabinet MPs for that real kick in the guts) whose sad faces at 2am on the BBC would herald a properly significant Election Night moment.

Still, although changing Northampton minds will probably not automatically bring them victory, you can be assured that Theresa May and Jeremy Corbyn will nonetheless be looking extra keenly at the exit polls and results in this part of the world in the early hours of Friday.

The initial glimpses of victory or defeat, the decision to begin writing the conciliatory speech or the congratulatory one, may well be triggered first by viewing through bleary eyes, in appropriately-coloured pyjamas, the results of Northampton's bellwether seats.

And whatever happens, at least it's a fair bet that most Northamptonians will be pleased by the final election result come Friday. Historically, we generally are satisfied.

A Northampton shopping centre’s landlords have been encouraging the staff to volunteer their time and resources to help the town.

Redefine International, owners of Weston Favell shopping centre, are celebrating their 10th anniversary with a community engagement programme across the UK.

The group is encouraging their representatives and staff to give a little something back within their local areas, with a scheme called ‘Ten for 10’.

Rolling out their initiative through their locations, Weston Favell shopping centre was asked to donate time and resource to community groups and organisations, by volunteering to provide ten working days, or 80 hours altogether.

Now the hardworking team at Weston Favell shopping centre have completed their Ten for 10, with people who really need the support within the town.

Volunteers started their challenge at the Emmanuel Church sports hall, which was transformed by centre manager, Kevin Legg, and his team who re-painted the hall with all the equipment provided by the ‘Ten for 10’ workers.

Working on their challenge, Alan and Karl from Weston Favell shopping centre joined the Salvation Army on their walk around the town centre to provide help for street homeless people in the town.

The pair assisted the Salvation Army members supply food and blankets for 17 homeless people.

Mr Legg, the centre manager at Weston Favell shopping centre, said: “The initiative was brought to us from our landlord Redefine and our team have all jumped at the chance to provide some time and effort towards some community charities that mean a great deal to Northampton.

“By giving up a small amount of time between all of us, we really made a difference to our chosen community groups.

“It was time to roll up our sleeves and get busy contributing back to Northampton.”

The team’s fundraising has also been supporting their 2017/2018 charity of the year, Thomas’s Fund.

Thomas’s Fund works across Northamptonshire and within the children’s wards in Northampton and Kettering’s General Hospital’s, to provide music therapy to children and young people, who have life limiting illnesses.

A quantity of cash and distinctive Asian jewellery was stolen from a home in Corby.

The offenders smashed the rear patio door to break in to the home in Fyfe Road some time between 12.30pm on Friday, May 19, and 7.30pm on Saturday, May 20.

Anyone with information should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A man has been sent to prison for three years for a number of drug offences.

Christopher Barclay, 27, of High Street, Wellingborough, has been sentenced to 40 months after being convicted of being in possession of Class A and B drugs with intent to supply, as well as being in possession of criminal property.

Barclay was arrested by officers from Operation Worcester, a police drive to tackle gang-related crime, after a warrant was executed at his home in December 2016.

DC Brian Gape from Operation Worcester said: “Barclay was found to be in possession of crack cocaine, cocaine and cannabis when we arrested him, as well as a large amount of cash.

“We hope his conviction shows others involved in this type of crime that we do make arrests and people do go to prison for drug dealing in Northamptonshire.

“We are committed to protecting people from harm and tackling those people involved in drugs and violence in our communities, and ask that anyone who has any concerns or information that could assist us, to call on 101. Likewise, anyone with information about people involved in drug dealing or gang culture can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Northampton Saints rugby star Jamie Elliott has given his backing to a new funding programme aimed at giving away thousands of pounds to sports groups and sporty individuals.

The former England U20 international said he was ‘delighted’ that housebuilder Persimmon Homes was supporting young athletes with its Healthy Communities scheme.

Persimmon is giving away more than £600,000 to sporting causes across the UK, including the Midlands in the scheme aimed at amateur sports teams and individuals aged 21 years and under in England, Wales and Scotland.

Jamie said: “I am delighted to be involved in the launch of Persimmon’s Healthy Communities programme.

“This scheme aims to make a huge difference to sporting opportunities for young people, and corporate support of this kind is vital for both grassroots sport and developing future champions.

“There is so much individual sporting talent in the Midlands and some top-class sports clubs. I’d urge them all to get involved and make an application for funding.”

24-year-old Jamie came through the Saints Academy, making his debut in the senior squad at 18.

Young Player of the Season in 2012-13, he also scored the Saints’ and the Aviva Premiership’s Try of the Season in 2013-14.

Every month this year, Persimmon Midlands will hand out £750 to either an individual sportsperson or club in the area, to be spent on kit, equipment, coaching or facilities.

Then in January 2018, a team or individual will be selected to represent each of Persimmon’s 30 businesses in an online public vote will decide the overall winner.

One individual or group will scoop the £200,000 top prize to create a lasting legacy, with two runners-up winning £50,000 each - the other 27 finalists will win £5,000 each.

The new fund is in addition to the £720,000 the company already donates through its successful Community Champions scheme each year.

Duncan Shaw, director in charge of Persimmon Homes Midlands, said: “We will consider anything - new clubhouses, training centres, facilities or gyms, to the development of future Olympians.”

To apply for funding or further etails go to www.persimmonhomes.com/charity

Teachers at Southfields Primary School, in Banbury Road, Brackley, opened a polling station in a classroom to teach their students about voting.

One poorly pupil who could not make it to school was even given a postal vote.

"They're taking it very seriously," said headteacher Jane Cartlidge earlier today. "They've been fiercely debating policies. We've heard many of them are going home and nagging their parents to make sure they vote too.

"We held an assembly on Monday and tried our best to explain the main parties' policies. They've been debating on what they stand for and today they get to vote."

Popular policies included the Green Party's pledge to ban SATs and Labour's promise to give extra funding to schools, while the assembly booed the Conservative's plan for an open vote on the Hunting Act to legalise fox hunting.

Enthused by the different issues, pupils were also asked what their manifesto would say if they stood for Prime Minister.

Mrs Cartlidge said: "They have some interesting ideas. One child said they would give a hospital to every town. Another said they would put all weapons in a fire and ban killing animals. They are also very keen to ban smoking.

"Here at Southfield Primary School, we really think it's important to teach that voting is not just a right but a human value. We want them to be interested in voting when they get older."

The students were given simplified versions of the pledges set out by the five candidates for the Northamptonshire South seat. They voted today and the final count will be announced tomorrow morning.

The crucial surveys carried out at thousands of polling booths across the UK today hand the Tories the most votes...but they would not have an overall majority.

The exit poll released at 10pm show the Conservatives at 314, Labour at 266, SNP at 34 and Lib Dems at 14 seats. Not enough to give the Tories overall control.

Exit polls are thought to be more accurate than opinion polls as they ask participants how they have voted, rather than who they are going to vote for...but the Conservatives would only need an extra 12 seats to take overall control.

Yesterday opinion pollsters had Theresa May's Conservatives in the lead with an average of 43 per cent iand Labour in second on 36.5 per cent.

Actual results are yet to filter through, with the first of those likely to come from Houghton & Sunderland South at 11pm.

Both Northampton seats are not expected to be declared until around 3.30am.

The candidate standing for UKIP in Corby in the General Election resigned from the party just hours before the results were due to be announced.

Sam Watts, who was fighting for the Corby & East Northamptonshire seat, issued a statement just after midnight to say he was leaving the party with immediate effect.

"My reason is simply that I feel my personal beliefs are not in tune with some personal views expressed by senior officials within the party," he said.

"I would like to stress that my decision is not related to local matters and I have the greatest respect for those that remain members of the Kettering UKIP branch.

"I thank all those that have supported me since joining UKIP in February 2015. I will continue to work for the people of Burton Latimer in my role as an Independent Town Councillor."

The result of the Corby & East Northamptonshire constituency is due in at about 4.30am.

Philip Hollobone has been re-elected as the MP for Kettering, despite a swing to Labour.

Mr Hollobone, who has held the seat since 2005, increased his vote share from 51.8 per cent to 57.9 per cent.

It meant he held his seat comfortably but saw his majority decrease after Labour’s Mick Scrimshaw gained 36.5 per cent of the vote.

Mr Hollobone says he is delighted to have retained his position.

He said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been re-elected to represent the people of the borough of Kettering.

“My vote share went up and Labour’s vote share went up so it’s very much gone back to being a battle between two parties.”

The staunch Brexiteer made a pact with UKIP before the election which resulted in no UKIP candidate standing, as long as Mr Hollobone held meetings with party members.

Asked whether he felt this had a negative impact on the result, he said: “I am very grateful for UKIP’s support locally.

“I think it [the decision to field no UKIP candidate] split the UKIP vote and some of it did go to Labour.”

Mr Hollobone says one of his top priorities is getting investment in Kettering General Hospital.

He said: “My main priority is Kettering General Hospital and making sure we invest in it.

“We need more investment with the population growing.

“I also want to re-instate the half-hourly train service north of Kettering on the Midland Mainline and there are lots of other local issues that I will try to help with.

“I am very grateful to those who have campaigned for me and have put a lot of work in.”

Both the Lib Dems and Green party gained less than five percent of the vote.

The Conservatives have held on to the Wellingborough seat after Peter Bone retained his seat.

Peter Bone has had the position of MP since 2005 and will continue to do so after securing 30,579 votes tonight.

His win is an increase of more than 5,000 votes from 26,265 in 2015.

His nearest rival was Labour’s Andrea Watts, who received 18,119 votes.

Chris Nelson for the Liberal Democrats got 1,782, Jonathan Hornett for the Green Party received 956 and Allan Shipham for UKIP got 1,804.

Speaking after his victory, the triumphant Conservative said: “First I must thank my agent David Jenney who without him we couldn’t put together such a successful campaign and to all the Listening team for all their magnificient help, not just in election time but through the rest of the year.”
He also thanked his wife, Mrs Bone, for all her support, before praising the other candidates.

And then he added: “Finally may I thank the people of Wellingborough and Rushden for giving me the honour of being your MP again.”

Green Party candidate Jonathan Hornett said he was disappointed with his result, but added: “I am very proud of our campaign, it’s been really positive.

“I think we have got a really terrific future, we need to look at the positives.”

The results for the Wellingborough constituency were expected at about 3am, but came in earlier at about 2.15am.

Figures show 53,359 votes out of a possible 79,232 eligible to vote were cast in Wellingborough, giving a turn-out of 67.35 per cent.

There were 100 rejected papers.

The Conservative candidate in Daventry says the exit polls that pointed to a hung Parliament did match the impression he had been given while out canvassing.

The poll indicates that the Conservatives will be the largest party but will not have a majority.

This means we could end up with a hung parliament similar to the one seen in the 2010 General Election, which led to a coalition government.

The exit poll is by no means definite, so the Tories could yet end the count with a majority.

Speaking at the Daventry count, the Conservative candidate Chris Heaton-Harris said it was too early to comment on the poll.

“It does look like the UKIP vote is splitting between the Conservatives and Labour,” said Mr Heaton-Harris.

“What I’ve heard on the doorstep isn’t chiming with the exit poll.”

Aiden Ramsey, Daventry’s Labour candidate said the exit poll’s projection was somewhat unexpected, but that he had had interactions with people in the constituency who said they had voted Tory their whole life, but were considering a change.

“I’ve met UKIP voters and Green Party voters who said they would vote Labour this election.

“I might have to tell my boss I’ve got a new job on Monday,” said Mr Ramsey.

The Liberal Democrats look set to increase their amount of seats by six, giving them 14 in total but should the voting result in a hung parliament, the Lib Dems have ruled out joining forces with another party.

A Lib Dem party representative said it was all speculation at this point but it did look as if the smaller parties were being squeezed out.

“I think it has turned back into a two party state. Either way it’s very different to what people expected.”

The exit poll puts the SNP on 34, Plaid Cymru on three, the Green Party on one, and has UKIP losing its only seat. Other parties will account for 18 seats between them.

Reacting to the poll, Daventry’s Green Party candidate, Jamie Wildman, said a lot of unexpected things had happened in British politics in recent years, and if the poll is accurate, the result of this election would continue that trend.

UKIP’s Ian Gibbins was also surprised at the exit poll, believing Mrs May might have underestimated the power of the grey vote when announcing her ‘dementia tax’, which she was forced to backtrack on.

Conservative candidate Tom Pursglove admitted it had been a “tough fight” as he held his seat in the Corby constituency this morning.

He defeated the Labour candidate Beth Miller in what was effectively a two horse race.

Mr Pursglove won 29,534 votes to Labour’s 26,844 to hold the seat he won in 2015.

Speaking after his win, Mr Pursglove said: “All elections are difficult and all of my opponents have thrown themselves into this campaign.

“Beth in particular will have a very big future and I wish her all the best.”

Mr Pursglove said he felt the work done over the last two years had helped him build towards this election. He said the fight would continue to save Corby Urgent Care Centre and he also mentioned other issues of concern in the Corby area, such as maintaining the steel industry.

He added: “The Corby and East Northants seat is always a tough fight. But it’s really important that we have a voice in Westminster.

“I will always put the views and the issues of local people first.”

The full results were: Beth Miller (Lab) 26,844, Tom Pursglove (Con) 29,534, Steven Scrutton (Green) 579, Chris Stanbra (Lib Dem) 1,545, and Sam Watts (UKIP) 1,495.

Speaking after the result announcement Labour candidate Beth Miller said: “Obviously this is not the result I wanted but I wish Tom all the best.

“I am sure he will make sure we have a strong voice in Westminster and with Brexit.”

Lib Dem candidate Chris Stanbra said the election had been a far closer result than anyone could have predicted when it was announced and added it had been a “great campaign”.