Andrea Leadsom has been re-elected for a third term as the MP for South Northamptonshire.

The Conservatives, who have held the seat since 1950, comfortably maintained their majority and took 62.7% of the votes, an increase of 2.6% and some 4,000 votes on the 2015 election.

Mrs Leadsom said: "It's a privilege to serve as MP for such a beautiful place. It's been a fantastic campaign.

"I will work as hard as I can for the residents of South Northamptonshire, as I have done for the last seven years, and represent them whoever they are, wherever they are."

Mrs Leadsom's nearest rival in the historic Tory stronghold was Labour's Sophie Johnson, who grew her party's share of the vote to 17,759, a gain of around 7,000.

Speaking before the results were called, Mrs Johnson said: "I'm not going to get carried away. I'm very realistic and I know this is a safe seat for the Tories. I can only hope we increase our share of the votes."

In third place, Liberal Democrats' share remained almost exactly the same as last year, with Chris Lofts securing 3,623 - up only 10 votes on 2015.

Mr Lofts said: "I realise it's an uphill struggle for the Liberal Democrats here in South Northamptonshire, but we are quite active locally and we have four seats in the district council."

UKIP support in Northamptonshire South dropped from 8,204 votes in 2015 to just 1,363, while independent candidate Josh Phillips won 297.

Andrea Leadsom, who is also the Minister of State at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, says she has 'no doubt' that Theresa May will remain as Prime Minister by the end of the week.

She said: "I think Theresa May will continue as this country's Prime Minister. She is the right person to take us out of the EU and she is an exceedingly good leader.

"The Prime Minister was right to call this election and to give her the mandate she needs for the EU negotiations."

Looking to the future, Mrs Leadsom said: "I love my job as minister of state and I would love to keep carrying on doing it, but that as always is up to the Prime Minister."

Northampton has stayed blue once again with the Conservatives taking both seats in the town at this year's General Election - but only just.

In Northampton South Andrew Lewer beat his Labour rival Kevin McKeever 19,231 votes to 18,072.

Hower the result sees the Tories 6,000 majority reduced to just over 1,000.

In Northampton North, Michael Ellis reclaimed his seat against Labour's Sally Keeble after polling slip bundles had to be recounted.

Mr Ellis, who has held the constituency for seven years, took 19,065 votes to Mrs Keeble's 18,258.

In both seats UKIP polled third, Lib Dems fourth and the Green Party fifth.

Despite a close call, the Conservatives have held onto the Northampton South seat on a night anything could have happened.

Andrew Lewer, the man who took over from David Mackintosh at the last minute to run a snap campaign, claimed the seat by a greatly reduced margin.


But earlier in the night there were rumours the count in the south of the town was too close to call and with shocks up and down the country - not least former deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg losing his Sheffield Hallam seat shortly before 3am - the atmosphere was tense.


Gathered round the television at Lings Forum, Conservative Party faithful had gasped audibly as the 10pm exit polls were announced.


It really could have gone either way - and as the night drew on, one aide told the Chron that counting in the Northampton South seat was ‘neck and neck’.


Labour candidate Kevin McKeever, so close to claiming a Tory scalp once again, and armed with promises to launch a full inquiry into the Sixfields loan saga, entered the building with a chaperone before avoiding lurking journalists.


At times the oppressive heat inside Lings Forum, filled with police officers as part of enhanced security around the UK, only added to the close atmosphere inside the counting hall.


But just after 4am the results came and Mr McKeever’s second attempt at the Northampton seat was thwarted.


Giving his victory speech Mr Lewer, a man who had barely visited Northampton until a few weeks ago, said: “The result vindicates my excellent campaign team.


“The vindication comes from the fact we didn’t take this for granted.


“One of my team members thinks I will be the first as a council leader an MEP and an MP.”


Mr McKeever, visibly emotional after the result, said the snap election had only served to throw the country ‘into chaos’, adding that Theresa May was a ‘damaged Prime Minister’.


“The Labour wave that is sweeping the country has not come to Northampton - but I am proud that I have reduced the majority from 6,000 to 1,000 today,” he added.


But with the country heading towards a hung Parliament, there is a real possibility voters will be asked to head to the polls again in a few months time. 


As it stands the Conservatives could fall just shy of a winning majority, meaning coalition deals will have to be struck, a minority Government formed, or a second election will have to be held in the near future.


Earlier in the night Tim Farron had tweeted that he would not take his party into coalition again.


Northampton South Lib Dem candidate Jill Hope, said the party leader had no choice after the previous stint in government - and the hammering the Lib Dems received over tuition fees.


“We implemented 75 per cent of our manifesto in Coalition but we got slaughtered for it,” she said.


“No, we could not go out on the stump and say we would go out into coalition.


“He (Tim Farron) has said that throughout the campaign.


“People were upset by the last coalition - people would say to us you will just get into bed with X or Y.”


As predicted, the three smaller parties were marginalised in what became a two-horse race in Northampton South, polling just over 3,700 votes between them.


But with so much to be decided over the coming weeks - the candidates could find themselves back at Lings Forum sooner than they thought.

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Chris Heaton-Harris held his Daventry seat on a night that saw the Conservatives lose an overall majority in the Commons following Theresa May’s decision to call a snap election.

Mr Heaton-Harris was declared as Daventry MP shortly before 4am with 35,464 votes in a 74.09 per cent turnout.

“I’m very pleased and I’d like to thank the people of Daventry for putting their trust in me again.

“It’s quite humbling to receive anyone’s vote and to get 35000 is quite something.

After the surprising exit poll the atmosphere at the Daventry count was a little tentative as candidates from the constituency refused to speculate at great length on its prediction.

“Obviously there’s a bigger national picture going on that I genuinely don’t quite understand,” said Mr Heaton-Harris after his victory was declared.

“It’s very difficult to comment on the national situation but I’ve had an enjoyable campaign. “I’ve got to know the candidates, we’ve all got on and I’d like to think everyone has had a positive campaign.”

He added: “Uncertainty is always bad, in politics and in business.

“At a stage in the country’s trajectory to its future where we voted for Brexit and this election was to get a better Brexit for the country, we’re now in an interesting place.

“We will have to deal with the uncertainty but we will get by.”

Labour’s Aiden Ramsey, relaxed and dressed informally in comparison with his peers, joked early on that he might have to inform his boss that come Monday morning, he might have a different job.

He ended the night in place second with 13730 votes, an increase on 2015 in both the amount of votes and the share of votes.

“I’m really happy with the result. We knew going into this that it would be a hard seat.

“We managed to gain 400 votes and increase our share from 18 to about 25 per cent so it’s a success.

“I’m not going to stop fighting for the people of Daventry, you’re not going to get rid of my loud mouth just yet.

Mr Ramsey said that the increased vote share showed that people in the constituency recognised the work Labour did in the community.

“We’ve definitely seen more engagement with younger voters, the support has been there and i’d like to think being a younger candidate myself , it gives people more aspirations and feels like they have more of a vote.”

Mr Ramsey arrived at the count early, along with Green Party candidate Jamie Wildman, who saw the exit poll as yet another example of the unpredictability of politics in Britain in recent years.

Mr Wildman’s party came last with 957 votes.

The Liberal Democrats increased the amount of votes they received, from 2352 in 2015 to 4015 in this year’s election.

Speaking prior to the result Andrew Simpson’s aim as the Lib Dems’ candidate in Daventry was primarily to get a better result than 2015, and he was pleased that it transpired.

UKIP’s numbers fell drastically by more than 6500, as their voters turned to the other options on the ballot paper.

Given the increase in Labour’s numbers it’s difficult to pinpoint whether 2015 UKIP voters opted to back Mr Heaton-Harris or Mr Ramsey.

What was clear was the amicable nature of this year’s campaign. In their respective post-declaration speeches, all the candidate courteously acknowledged their peers and all spoke positively of one another.

Given the direction in which tonight’s election wa heading, they may be reacquainted sooner rather than later should the electorate be returning to their polling stations in the coming months.

It was an evening of intense pressure and sweaty brows for Northampton North candidates at Lings Forum.

From watching David Dimbleby reveal the exit polls to a sudden bundle count for Northampton North, it has not been a smooth sailing night for the Tory party, which ended just before 5am in tired relief.

Conservative Michael Ellis, who sheepishly refused to speak to all members of the press before ballots were counted, won 19,065 votes to claim a Conservative hold.

In his victory speech, he said: “The people of Northampton North are the people I owe the most respect.

“It’s a great honour to serve the people of my home town.

“I pledge to continue to work as I have done for the last seven years for the whole of this community.”

Closely tailing behind with 18,258 votes was Labour’s Sally Keeble who made an appearance just before 3am.

Addressing those who voted for her, she said: “What you did, you voted for poor communities, our schools, our houses, our police services, you voted for older people to be treated with dignity.

“This time it wasn’t enough to get us over the finish line.

“The Labour party is re-energised by this campaign - at the next election we will be waiting.”

But what stood out the most on the night and indeed the very early hours of Friday, June 9 is how the smaller parties have struggled to drum up support, UKIP and the Green Party both claiming that the election has been a two-horse race.

Before the results were announced, Green Party candidate, Stephen Miller, who won 636 votes, said: “We hoped to make gains didn’t we and as far as I could tell that’s not materialised.

“Brighton Pavillion is our big vote and we’re optimistic we’ll still make it.”

On asking what the campaign has been like on the doorstep, he said: “We’ve been getting squeezed, so you know, realistically we have known across all of Northamptonshire we have been getting squeezed.

Did he think people have been voting nationally rather than locally? “Yes, I think that’s fair, it feels a bit like the sort of message of this election is either Jeremy Corbyn or Theresa May and you have to make a decision between Jeremy or Theresa, austerity or non austerity and all the little parties are getting squeezed out.

“I have looked at the results in Northampton so far and UKIP and Lib Dems and Greens have lost their deposit in every result so far.

“Its annoying isnt it? We came into it not really anticipating to win the election, it would be nice to show increase in one or two of the constituencies and I think we are going to fall back in all of the constituencies but again I dont think it necessarily reflects on the work we have done or performances we have done, it is a national narrative.

“It’s difficult to get your voice heard as a small party.”

UKIP’s Jonathon Bullock bagged 1,404 votes in Northampton North while Liberal Democrats George Smid claimed 1,015 ballots.

During the night of political drama, Jonathon said, while votes were being counted, that he was sure UKIP supporters would back the party after the election.

On asking what is the next step for the party, he said: “I think what’s happened is we have ended up with a two party system in this election where a lot of UKIP supporters have leant their vote either to the Tories or labour on various issues, not just Brexit.

“But I’m absolutley sure that after the election that our support will return not least because we see if the Conservatives remain in power there will be more for them to sell out on brexit and people will return to us.

“On the doorstep I have found half the people saying I have leant my votes to mainly the Tories, but also Labour and about half the people saying they’re keeping with us.

“We found people agreed with us on all of our issues but we weren’t in a winning position.

“It has been a two-horse race, Corbyn got the anti-establishment vote, which we have lost on.”

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A special celebrity cricket match will be played at a Northamptonshire private estate later this month featuring former England players and ex-Saints rugby stars.

The game, hosted by Earl Spencer on his private cricket pitch at Althorp House and organised by Northamptonshire Steelbacks’ Steven Crook, will take place on June 24, and the day will also feature an auction, evening entertainment and first class hospitality.

As well as the Steelbacks, players confirmed so far include famous faces such as Paul Nixon, Monty Panesar, Chris Rogers, Devon Malcolm and Allan Lamb, with Saints and rugby stars including Paul Grayson, James Grayson and Mike Hayward.

“We have an incredible list of players that include celebrities from sports, screen and stage. It’s going to be another fantastic day, we really hope you can join us and help make a difference to local families,” said Crook.

“We’re very proud and honoured to be the Northamptonshire County Cricket Club official Players’ Charity.

“Working alongside the playing staff, and with help from everyone associated with the club, we’re raising money for Alfe’s Cause to support the incredible work they do across Northamptonshire.”

Also taking part are Oliver & James Phelps – better known as The Weasley Twins from the Harry Potter films – star of Merlin, Rupert Young, as well as Olympians Derek Redmond and Ellie Robinson.

General admission tickets are available on the day at a minimum of £5 donation per adult, and a family ticket is available for £10. Children under 16 are free.

Tickets are available on the day, and will include a variety of concessions stalls and entertainment such as a bouncy castle, summer BBQ, Prosecco van, face painting and more.

For more information visits www.runs4funds.org.

Jade Willis of Kettering, faced 63 competitors and won over the public vote in a bid to become the next Miss England.

The semi-finalists modelled outfits in a 'Lady in Red' ethical fashion show created by themselves from recycled materials as well as taking part in an "elegant evening wear round."

A spokeswoman for Miss England said: "Each finalist has made their way to this stage, like Jade, through hard work and being charitable as The Miss England contest is not just a beauty contest."

"The competition is not just about looking good in a swimsuit anymore - the competition is about being beautiful inside and out, we are not just looking for a pretty face.”

Bosses say it was an emotional night for all of the semi-finalists after preparing for the competition for months.

The event, which took place on June 4 in Nottinghamshire, held a minutes silence held in light of events that took place in London and Manchester.

Jade has now been invited to represent Northamptonshire at the Miss England Grand in Birmingham between 12 and 14 July and will find herself up against 16 likely winners.

A child-nursing student from the University of Northampton has spoken about her appearance on Channel 4’s hit television show, Confessions of a Junior Doctor.

Deborah Main, 21, was featured in a recent episode of the fly-on-the-wall documentary, which follows the working lives of junior doctors at Northampton General Hospital.

Around a million viewers who tuned in for the third episode saw Deborah, who was on a work placement at the hospital, help a fitting child.

She said: “It was really strange to see myself on the television, but it was reassuring to see how I reacted to the situation.”

“You can never really gauge how you come across to patients, and the pace is so quick on the wards that you don’t get a minute to reflect on that aspect of the job, so it was nice to see how calm I was when the boy started fitting.

“When something unexpected like this happens, you go into survival mode, crack on and help in any way you can.”

The boy, who was in the hospital to visit his poorly brother, suffered a febrile convulsion, which was caused by the rapid increase of his high temperature.

After being helped by Deborah and a junior doctor, Deborah stayed with him and his sibling after the incident to comfort them.

“Looking back at the footage, it reminded me of why I want to do this job,” said Deborah originally from West Sussex.

“You feel as though you have people’s lives in your hands, which is both a scary and an amazing feeling. It’s a privilege to be able to make a difference.”

Like all nursing students at the University, Deborah combines theoretical studies with work placements and has enjoyed two spells at Northampton General Hospital, plus stints providing healthcare in the community, including school visits.

She said: “I have loved being in a ‘go, go, go’ environment, learning alongside some amazing NHS staff, all of whom have been so supportive.

“The placements can be tough, but you need to experience working in a hospital to make sure you are cut out for it. You will encounter many heartbreaking and upsetting scenarios and it’s important you find a way to deal with it afterwards.

“Meeting up with my fellow student nurses back at University really helps, as we all share stories about what we have experienced and we’ve built up a real bond between us. We all support each other, and the teaching staff are also fantastic, as they know exactly how we might be feeling, and they offer us so much encouragement and support. Without the support from all the amazing people around me, I don’t think I would have come this far.”

A former Sikh temple in Northampton could be converted into a house of multiple occupancy.

Plans have been submitted to Northampton Borough Council to turn the offices and storage area of the empty temple in Craven Street, off Bailiff Street, Northampton, into a residential suite.

The Sikh Temple & Ramgarhia Community Centre has stood empty since its congregation moved to a new £700,000 premise in Cromwell Street in 2012.

The proposals will renovate the building into a house for five people with one self-contained residential unit on the ground floor. A bike store and new boundary walls will also be built.

The consultation period ends on June 23.

A have-a-go-heroine was dragged alongside a getaway car after attempting to thwart two shoplifters who had pilfered handbags from a Northampton TK Maxx.

The woman, who did not wish to be named because of fear of reprisals from the men, was about to have a cigarette outside the store in St Peter's Way at about 10.30am yesterday when she saw a man running into the car park.

The 5ft 6ins man was carrying six Michael Kors handbags and the woman gave chase.

"Working for a retail outlet myself, you learn to guess when things look a bit iffy," she said, speaking about seeing the man run past. "I sprinted after him but he jumped into a silver car."

The woman's mother, who was shopping in town with her, then stood in front of the getaway car being driven by another man.

But the driver kept edging forwards, while the shoplifter shouted 'go,go, go'.

It was at this point the brave woman reached into the car to try and take back the handbags.,

But instead of relinquishing the stolen goods, the shoplifter held onto the bag - and the woman's arm.

She said: "I let go of the bags but the man just kept hold of my arm. Even when they started driving off, he wouldn't let go.

"I ended up going flying face first"

The woman was dragged between 6 and 10ft across the car park and has been left with scrapes and bruises.

"At the time I was just going on impulse," she said, reflecting on the incident. "I'm fed-up of reading how people stand round and do nothing when something like this happens."

The shoplifter was described as being 5ft 6ins inches tall with short, dark hair. He spoke with a foreign accent, the woman said.

Northamptonshire Police has asked for any witnesses to the incident to call police on 101.

Meanwhile, the woman, a Tesco worker, is hoping the men are caught as she could have been seriously injured.

"It's one thing stealing a bag, it's another thing trying to run someone over and drag them by car."

The Northamptonshire man seemingly cured of type 1 diabetes has provided an update on his condition, as doctors continue to analyse his test results.

Dan Darkes, from Daventry, discovered he had type 1 in 2010 shortly after leaving the Army, but he stopped taking his insulin injections earlier this year after tests showed his blood sugar levels were below average/average to low.

Mr Darkes went to the United States in March this year for further tests, after which scientists put the probability of his potentially miraculous recovery being genuine at 80 per cent.

Since returning from America, Mr Darkes’ results have been analysed by doctors at Northampton General Hospital, and he has been visiting the hospital every week for two months.

“My tests indicated that doctors found a rare gene in my results and that has acted as a ‘backup’ immune system.

“This has led to insulin being reproduced in my pancreas.”

He added: “The gene has basically recharged my immune system and pancreas, kicking into action beta cells which have laid dormant for the time I have had type 1.

“The consultants haven’t ruled out the possibility that me staying active and running was the trauma or shock which triggered the healing process.”

Other type 1 diabetics have contacted Mr Darkes - nicknamed Miracle Dan by his friends - as a result of the publicity he has received since his health turnaround, and are as eager for answers as he is.

Many are hopeful that he might hold the key to finding some sort of cure for the disease in the future, and Mr Darkes is anxious for his results to be finalised so that definitive conclusions can be drawn.

“Further analysis is being carried out and it is taking a bit longer than I thought,” he said.

“It is frustrating, I’ve found it hard waiting around because I want the answers too.”

Mr Darkes has covered many miles as a long-distance runner, which the scientists believe could have been behind his recovery, and he continues to do so today.

“I am still off insulin and have been now for seven months,” he said.

“I am still doing my running and am currently training for an ultra marathon.”

A Northamptonshire care home worker who suffered a bump on her moped has called for young people to wear helmet cameras after the minor collision left her with nine points, an £810 fine and a hefty insurance bill - when her dad got away with half that for driving at 120 mph.

Lora Taylor, 23, was on her way home from work on September 15 last year when two cars in front of her suddenly stopped in Welford Road. She was about to turn into Creaton Road, Hollowell , where she lives.

Lora was only travelling at between 10mph and 15mph, but she collided with the car in front in such a way she went over her handlebars and broke her wrist.

Even though the damage to the rear bumper of the car in front was 'minimal', she has found herself tied up in a legal battle.

Last week Northampton Magistrates' Court fined the carer £810 and imposed nine points on her licence for driving without due care and attention.

But she says the punishment has left her feeling hard done by - as her dad recently got off with a £250 fine and six points on his licence for driving at 120mph on the motorway.

She believes the harsh punishment is partly because she was driving a moped.

Lora said: "Compared to the speed I was doing and the speed other idiots do on the road - to all of a sudden have this huge fine, I'm flabbergasted.

"I know there are some brats out there on mopeds - but they have to take into account that some of us are decent people."

Lora, who works at the Brampton View care home in Chapel Brampton, has also seen her insurance premium rocket.

Her provider had to pay out £2,000 to the uninjured driver of the car in front of her.

Her mum Mia says is furious about the punishments and has warned young moped riders to wear a head-mounted camera to avoid what she feels is an injustice suffered by her daughter.

She said: "I feel this is way out of proportion, she didn’t hurt anyone, she probably caused a little inconvenience, which she admitted to.

"Lora got hurt, lost one month and two weeks' worth of wages and her moped, what more do they want from her?

"All we want is for young people who drive their mopeds innocently, not to be tarred with the same brush as hooded thugs driving up and down pathways, this vehicle was her transport to and from work that’s all.

"Young people need to try as hard as possible to get fully comp insurance and wear a camera on their helmets, please, my daughter and I feel this is not justice, this treatment is because she had no one on her side."

What do you think? Is there a stigma attached to moped drivers? get in touch with us via editor@northantsnews.co.uk or

The early exit polls predicting the Conservatives would lose their majority in Parliament put the cat among the pigeons in several seats in the county.

But in the end, the situation remained stable, with the people voting for the Conservative candidate in every constituency in Northamptonshire.

There were furrowed brows and worried glances between candidates and party representatives throughout the night from when the polls closed at 10pm until the final local vote was declared in Northampton at around 4.30am.

In each constituency across Northamptonshire, both the Labour and Conservative candidates gained votes. The everywhere but Northampton the Liberal Democrats made steps forward. The Green Party also struggled, going into reverse in many places.

However, it was UKIP that saw the most dramatic turn-around of the evening.

UKIP had candidates in all constituencies, other than Kettering where a deal had been done with the Conservative's pro-Brexit Philip Hollobone.

Where UKIP did field candidates, they saw their number of votes tumble - in some cases fall off a cliff.

It is hard to tell where the UKIP vote moved to - in places the drop in UKIP votes mirrors the number of extra Labour votes. In others, UKIP's woes seem to be linked to growth in the Conservatives' performance. Elsewhere those leaving UKIP seem to have divided up between the other big and smaller parties.

Going into this snap election the county had seven Tory MPs. After weeks of campaigning, it emerged from the election with seven Conservative MPs.

For an election that was called by the PM to clarify her position and that of the UK, it appears not to have fulfilled that promise.

Police today released CCTV images of a man and a woman they want to speak to in connection with an alleged robbery at a Northamptonshire village supermarket.

The incident happened between 2.30pm and 4.30pm on Friday, May 19 at the Co-op in Park End, Croughton, near Brackley.

Police said a woman was left with an hand injury but revealed no further details.

Anyone with information relating to their whereabouts should contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charityCrimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police officers would like to speak to the man pictured as it’s believed he may be able to help their investigation into a fuel theft in Wellingborough.

A car pulled up at a petrol pump in Gold Street, Wellingborough, at about 10.45pm on Wednesday, April 26, and a male passenger got out of the car and filled it up with fuel.

He then returned to the car and the driver sped off without paying.

Officers would like to speak to the man pictured as it’s believed he may be able to help their investigation.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident are asked to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The return of an piece of children's play equipment is to be celebrated on Saturday with a small ceremony and family entertainment.

The celebrations will take place at Abington Park's re-installed train between 10am and 12pm, with entertainment from face painters, children’s favourite Peppa Pig and Mr Whoopsie Daisy the Clown taking place throughout that time.

A short ceremony will be held at 11am, with the family of the late former Mayor John Gardner officially opening the play train, which has been named in his honour.

The Gardner Express was chosen as the name of the train to help recognise the contribution John made in the Borough during his role as Mayor, as a local politician and through his volunteering at the Northampton and Lamport Railway Preservation Society.

Members of the society will be attending the ceremony to show their respect.

Cabinet member for environment, Councillor Mike Hallam, said: “The Abington Park train is a great addition to the offer of our premier park, so we’re really pleased that it is in place ahead of the summer holidays.

“We invite people to join us at the celebrations on Saturday, not only to enjoy the train and entertainment but to also recognise the commitment Mr Gardner showed in the community.”

The first of Abington Park’s trains stood in the grounds for 12 years, before it was destroyed in July, 2003 by vandals.

A new train re-opened the following September after Northampton Borough Council spent £10,000 repairing it, but arsonists struck again and burned down the entire middle section of the attraction in 2004.

In 2008 it was set ablaze by vandals again and has not been replaced until now.

A tired looking multi-storey in Northampton town centre is set for a facelift this summer.

A programme of jet cleaning, stain removal and painting is set to take place at The Grosvenor Centre car park this June and July over a six-week period.

The planned works will begin on the top two levels of the car park from Monday (June 12) and will affect access to some parking spaces while workers are there.

The improvements will be carried out 'level by level', the council says, to cause as little disruption to the car park as possible.

However, a spokeswoman for the authority said: "Visitors using the car park should be prepared for one to two levels to be blocked off from use each week."

Lift access will also be affected during this time, but any closures will be sign posted at the entrance of the car park and on affected barriers and lifts.

Car park charges will still apply while the work takes place.

Other car parks in the town centre, such as Mayorhold and St Michael's, will be available for visitors to use during the work, which is due to be completed on July 21.

More information about parking in the town centre is available at www.northampton.gov.uk/parking.

Theresa May has said she will form a Government with the help of the Democratic Unionists on an ad hoc basis to provide the UK with "certainty" for the future.

In a speech outside Number Ten after her visit to Buckingham Palace, Mrs May has said hers is the only party that could form a “legitimate” administration after the Conservatives won most of the seats and votes and intends to remain PM.

The Conservative party had a disappointing night after facing the fact that Mrs May was 12 seats fewer than when she called the election back in April. The Tories were eight seats short of the 326 needed to command a majority.

Mrs May did not directly refer to the fact her party had failed to form a majority government, or to any of the party’s losses from last night.

The Conservatives have argued that in the event of the hung election, that Mrs May gets the opportunity to form a government first.

Mrs May confirmed she will be seeking an informal arrangement with the DUP where they will work together “in the interests of the whole United Kingdom”.

The DUP has already met to discuss what it has said is a "messy" situation. However, Mrs May said the Conservatives and Democratic Unionists will work together “towards a successful Brexit deal that works for everyone in this country”.

A woman was assaulted and had her handbag stolen in a brutal robbery in Corby.

The victim, a woman in her 50s, was walking along Colyers Avenue, the road between Northbrook and Highbrook, at some point between 1am and 1.30am on Sunday, June 4, when she was approached by a man who asked for a cigarette.

The man then made an unsuccessful attempt to grab her handbag, at which point he punched her in the face causing her to fall.

He then grabbed the handbag, pulling the woman along the floor causing her to let go of the bag.

He ran off towards Gainsborough Road.

The offender is described as being about 5ft 3in and slim with an English accent. He was wearing a white hooded top and blue jeans.

Officers are appealing for witnesses and would particularly like to speak to any taxi drivers who were in the area at the time and may have dash-cam recorders in their vehicles.

They are also trying to trace a man on a pedal cycle who stopped to speak to the victim following the robbery.

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

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

Police are appealing for witnesses after a 16-year-old boy had his mountain bike stolen in a robbery in Hardingstone, near Northampton.

The robbery happened between 11pm and midnight on Wednesday, May 31.

The boy was cycling home when two men got out of a car and pushed him off his bike, a black Carrera Vulcan mountain bike with luminous yellow stripes (similar to the one pictured).

One of the men rode off on the bike and other got back in the car and drove off.

The men were black, about 5ft 10in to 6ft, aged 18 to 20, and wearing dark clothing. They were driving a black Vauxhall Astra.

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