Chris Heaton-Harris has been chosen to fulfil the traditional role of being detained at her majesty's pleasure today.

Every time the monarch comes to open Parliament, the House of Commons sends an MP to the palace to ensure that the monarch is safely returned as part of a custom that dates back to the civil war and the execution of Charles I in 1649.

This morning Conservative Mr Heaton-Harris retweeted a BBC reporter confirming that he was the chosen 'hostage'.

The opening of Parliament and the Queen's Speech was tabled for Monday, June 19, but had to be pushed back to today, though there are a number of theories circulating around as to why.

One such rumour was that the Tories took longer than expected to receive assurances from the DUP that they would support them in a confidence and supply deal.

The Queen's speech is due to take place at around 11.30am.

Cash and cigarettes were stolen during a burglary at a house in High Street, Corby Old Village, yesterday (Tuesday).

The offender/s broke in through an unlocked window at the back of the house sometime between 3.50pm and 5pm.

Officers are appealing for witnesses or anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Brits could be banned from going on all-inclusive holidays abroad unless they stop making fake food poisoning claims, tour operators have warned.

Travel bosses have been left ‘embarrassed’ by the huge spike in reports of holiday sickness - described as a ‘British problem’.

Travel trade organisation Abta said tens of thousands of UK holidaymakers have made claims in the last year despite reported sickness levels in resorts staying stable.

Most cases involve all-inclusive hotels, as people making a food poisoning report can claim they only ate at the place they were staying.

Abta has launched a campaign urging the government to close a ‘legal loophole’ which it said is encouraging lawyers to sign up people to insist they were ill even if they were not.

Since spring last year travel firm Tui has recorded around 15 times more illness claims than in previous years.

They are typically worth around £3,000 to £5,000 - which is more than the cost of many of the holidays involved.

In cases where tour operators make a payout, they can attempt to claw the money back from the hotels themselves.

Tui’s managing director Nick Longman told the Press Association that there had been ‘friction’ between hotels and tour operators.

He said: ‘There’s a distinct risk that if this carries on as it is unabated, the hoteliers will say to us either “We don’t want to work with the British market at all” or “We’re not going to offer you all-inclusive”.

‘I think that would be a terrible thing for the British customer. It’s just going to reduce the choice in terms of destinations and the type of holiday.’

Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said the fraud is ‘one of the biggest issues that has hit the travel industry for many years’.

Young adults are twice as likely to suffer from hay fever as those aged over 54, according to new research.

The study showed that almost half of those those aged 16 to 24 (48 per cent) have experienced a seasonal allergy, such as hay fever or an allergy to pollen.

Sales of allergy products increased by 5.6 per in the UK from 2015 to 2016 to reach £133.7 million.

Researchers found 47 per cent of those aged 25 to 34 have experienced a seasonal allergy in the past year, compared to just one in four (25 per cent) of those aged 55 and over.

London is Britain’s current hay fever hotpsot with 46 per cent of people who live in the capital having experienced a seasonal allergy in the past year, compared to a national average of 39 per cent.

Those in need of respite from red eyes and a streaming nose should head to the North East, North West, South East or East Anglia where just 35 per cent of residents in each of these regions have experienced a seasonal allergy in the past year.

Of those who have experienced a seasonal allergy in the past year, more than half (58 per cent) have experienced a stuffy or runny nose, 57 per cent have suffered sneezing and 47 per cent have been plagued with itchy or watery eyes.

But while around a third of people (32 per cent) choose to treat seasonal allergies, one in four (26 per cent) prefer to suffer in silence.

But almost half of hay fever sufferers (47 per cent) keep track of pollen levels during the pollen season.

Lucy Cornford, head of beauty and personal care at Mintel, said: “Young adults are the most likely to have experienced an allergy in the last year, which may be due to first-time development or greater awareness of an existing allergy, in contrast to older adults who may have learned to avoid certain triggers.

“Climate change looks to be increasing instances of seasonal allergies in the UK, with warmer weather causing trees and grass to flower early, releasing more pollen and elongating the hay fever season.

“But, whilst it could be considered that those living in the countryside may be more likely to be affected, high levels of air pollution within cities - and London in particular - is only serving to exacerbate hay fever symptoms for city and town dwellers.”

But pollen isn’t the only non-food allergy to bug Brits, according to the research.

In the last 12 months, almost one in six (17 per cent) have suffered from an allergy to dust mites, while 14 per cent have suffered from an allergy to household or personal care products such as detergents and toiletries, and 13 per cent are allergic to pets.

Almost two-third of those who are allergic to household and personal care products (62 per cent) check the ingredients of these products for allergens.

Around half of all non-food allergy sufferers (49 per cent) have changed their lifestyle to avoid allergens, while 39 per cent of those who have experienced a non-food allergy in the last 12 months search online for information about their allergy, rising to 51 per cent among those under 35.

Under-35s have a significantly higher level of non-food allergies than their older counterparts with 28 per cent having experienced an allergy to dust mites, and 23 per cent an allergy to household or personal care products.

Ms Cornfood added: “While they are the most likely to suffer from non-food allergies, young adults with allergies are more likely to seek online information than other age groups, but this may expose them to a confusing array of information, as well as lead to potential issues in regard to self-diagnosis and treatment.

“An app that asks about the symptoms suffered alongside tracking activity and food intake, as well as the ability to scan barcodes in order to log the ingredients of personal care or household care products used, could help sufferers to more accurately identify allergy triggers and seek relevant treatment.”

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a Corby man who is wanted for failing to appear at court.

Jamie Magee, 27, was last known to be residing at Pytchley Court, Corby.

He was due to appear at Wellingborough Magistrates’ Court on May 31 for two offences, theft and theft of a motor vehicle, but failed to attend.

Anyone who has information should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police officers investigating the theft of a Land Rover would like to speak to the man pictured as they believe he may have information about the incident.

The Land Rover was stolen from an address in Loddington at the end of April and is believed to have been taken to Rothwell, where it was seen being towed by a Mercedes Benz.

Officers investigating the theft believe the man pictured may be able to assist their enquiry and are appealing for him to make contact with them.

The Land Rover was stolen at some point between 8pm on Saturday, April 29, and 1pm on Sunday, April 30 - although police have only just released details about the incident.

Officers would also like to speak to anyone who may have any information about the incident.

Witnesses or anyone with information about it can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A man was shot at while walking his dog in Desborough.

The 53-year-old victim was walking his dog in the area of grass between Sycamore Drive and Redwood Close at around 9pm on Saturday (June 17) at the time of the incident.

He was shot at by an air weapon, causing a minor injury to his leg.

Witnesses can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Officers were called Kings Heath shortly before 4am yesterday morning (Tuesday, June 20) after they received reports of a man 'stumbling outside an address close to the Mill Lane-Nene Way junction'.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said the victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, back and abdomen and was taken by paramedics to Northampton General Hospital where his condition has improved during the day.

Det Sgt Hayley Thurston, who is leading the investigation, confirmed one man had been arrested in relation to the attack yesterday afternoon.

A police spokeswoman has now confirmed that a second person has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

She also confirmed that the the victim remains in a serious condition.

Yesterday Det Sgt Thurston said the force was still keen to speak to a number of other people in connection with the incident.

She said: "One of them is described as a white woman, aged about 19, with a large build. She was about 5ft 5in to 5ft 6in with black hair that was tied back in a ponytail. She was thought to be wearing dungarees.

"We're also looking for two other girls, both white and aged about 14-15, with skinny builds and straight brown hair. We also want to speak to a boy aged about 16 with a small, slim build and dark brown hair.

He was wearing a black top and jeans," Det Sgt Thurston added. "Anyone with information about the attack should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

A collision netween two vehicles is causing tailbacks on a main Northampton road.

The earlier accident on the A45 Nene Valley Way eastbound at the Barnes Meadow Interchange has now been cleared.

But AA travel has reported that 'residual delays' still remain in the area for those travelling out of town towards Wellingborough and around the Barnes Meadow roundabout.

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Council chiefs in Northampton are chasing the administrators of the failed 99p Stores for close to £1 million after the company racked up large debts in the town.

Poundland acquired the Swan Valley-based rival brand in 2015 as part of a £55 million takeover that many feared would leave the budget giants cornering the market.

But earlier this year, Poundland placed 99p Stores into administration, stating it had “difficulties digesting its 99p Stores acquisition”. Papers within the failed chain’s statement of affairs show it closed with £20.64 million of debt to a long list of creditors.

Second largest among them (after Poundland) is Northampton Borough Council which was owed £908,706 as of April this year. A spokeswoman for the borough council said;

“There is an outstanding sum of money owed. As in any case where a business goes into administration, we are following the standard procedures for debt recovery.”

It is understood that more than £700,000 of the monies owed consisted of unpaid business rates relating to its distribution depot.

The company also owed Northampton BID (Business Improvement District) £144. However the appointed administrators Alix Partners Services Limited, said the company’s assets, which include 64 leasehold properties around the UK, would be unlikely to pay off its creditors in full.

Proposals by administrator Peter Saville state: “The administrators believe that the company has insufficient property to enable a distribution to be made to its unsecured creditors.”

The company was founded by Daventry-based businessman Nadir Lalani, who was reported to be worth £45 million when he appeared in the Asian rich-list of 2015.

His first 99p Store opened in Holloway, north London on 18 January 2001 and at the height of its trade, the company had 251 stores nationwide.

New and expectant parents in Northampton are wanted to help change maternity services in the county.

A survey has been opened to gather feedback on Northamptonshire's childbirth services for a national review to make pregnancy and labour a "personalised, kinder, professional and family friendly" experience.

Anyone or their partner who is pregnant or has recently given birth has been invited to complete the survey and share their experiences.

A spokeswoman for Healthwatch Northamptonshire said: "We want every new mother to feel their care is personalised and to know they are at the heart of our service. They should feel respected and supported throughout and after their pregnancy.

"To better shape maternity services in Northamptonshire, we need to reach as many people across the county as we can. If you or your partner are pregnant or have recently become parents, then please take the time to complete our survey."

The survey comes after a report in January by Healthwatch Northamptonshire found that almost four in five new parents in the county received the right support during pregnancy, and two-thirds felt they had a positive experience during labour.

The report, which was based on a questionnaire completed by 77 new parents, also found one in five mothers had suffered from depression before or after their pregnancy.

The survey can be completed online here.
Five focus groups will also be held across the county to give parents the chance to give their feedback in person. To take part in the focus groups, contact Ester on 01604 212587 or email estherstimpson@healthwatchnorthamptonshire.co.uk.

Denise and Iain Page, from Spinney Hill, pledged to raise the money to thank Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, after their 13-month-old toddler Willow endured a "nightmare" four-week battle with a heart virus in 2013.

Now, after three years of fundraising through skydiving, fetes and bag packing at supermarkets, Denise and Iain have presented their earnings at a ceremony on June 20 to fund a new artificial heart and lung machine.

Denise and Iain Page said: “We are forever grateful to the nurses, doctors and consultants at Glenfield Hospitals that helped save our beautiful little girl. This is our way of giving something back.”

In June 2013, Willow was admitted to Northampton General Hospital aged just 13-months-old with a suspected chest infection. But within a few hours, her condition rapidly deteriorated to the point her heart stopped three times, including one occasion that lasted four-and-a-half minutes.

Speaking in 2013, Mrs Page said: "I believe Willow wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the nurse in accident and emergency who convinced me to keep her in the hospital.

"The staff at the hospital don’t normally have to deal with a child that ill. It is every parent’s worst nightmare."

Willow was diagnosed with myocarditis, which causes an inflammation of the heart and severely affects its function.

She was transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester and placed on an extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which acts as an artificial lung and heart and allows the patient's heart to rest and recover.

During her stay, Willow spent 12 days on the ECMO machine and even suffered a stroke. But her condition gradually improved and she was finally able to go home at the end of July.

After their ordeal, Iain and Denise promised themselves they would thank the hospital for all their work.

Now, after a three-year fundraising drive, Iain and Denise have brought five-year-old Willow back to Glenfield hospital where they have just helped to buy a new ECMO machine.

Their £32,000 donation has been met by children's charity Heart Link, who has funded two further ECMO machines worth £28,000 each.

Gail Faulkner, ECMO Coordinator at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you for the generous donation made by Willow and her parents. This means so much not only to the ECMO team but to all the patients who require ECMO treatment at Glenfield.

“We would not be able to provide this therapy without the continued support and generosity of Heart Link. By receiving these machines, hundreds of lives will be saved and so many families will benefit from this technology.”

At the official unveiling ceremony will take place on at Glenfield Hospital yesterday, one of the new ECMO machines was named after Willow.

The other two machines will be named after the late Heart Link President Dr Vincent Redding and Amanda French, whose treatment at Glenfield led to the founding of Heart Link.

Richard French, Committee Member at Heart Link, added: “We have supported ECMO since day one and remain fully committed to the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield. This is only possible due to our fantastic fundraisers who choose Heart Link at Glenfield.”

Help to decide our 2017 champion.

Come on all you curry connoisseurs – we need you to pick your overall winner in our competition.

You’ve sampled the sensations, textures and flavours of your favourite local spice restaurants and ground them down to the supreme top 10.

Now it’s time for you tell us who deserves to be crowned Curry House of the Year.

To vote, post us the coupon in this week’s Northampton Chronicle and Echo paper out today (Thursday June 22) stating the full name, address and voting number of your favourite from the list.

The closing date for you to get your votes in by is 10am on Friday, July 7, 2017.

Please note, unfortunately we cannot accept any photocopied or defaced coupons, or coupons delivered by hand or which arrive after the closing date.

Vote for one of these

01 Aladdins Balti, 96 Bridge Street, Northampton

02 Balti Central, 15 Mare Fair, Northampton

03 Imli, 76 Kingsley Park Terrace, Northampton

04 Indian Brasserie, 95 Weedon Road, Northampton

05 Lazeez, 39 Barrack Road, Northampton

06 Paprika Northampton, 191 Kettering Road, Northampton

07 Saffron Dial a Curry, 21 Castilian Street, Northampton

08 Taste of Spice, 38 Main Road, Duston

09 Voujon, 1&2 Church Street, Northampton

10 Wild Ginger, 6 Kent Road, Upton,Northampton

A girl guides group have thanked Northampton General Hospital's chemotherapy ward for their work with a cheque for £80 and a very sweet handwritten note.

The Daffodil Patrol, based in St Benedict's Church, in Hunsbury Hill Road, have been fundraising for the hospital's newly-refurbished cancer treatment ward by selling homemade bookmarks, cakes and cards.

Northampton General Hospital received their generous donation on June 10 and found an accompanying note thanking the staff for everything they do.

The note reads: "We really enjoyed the activity of selling. We used our talents to make things for sale.

"Many of us have had family members or friends receive treatment and we wanted to help others.

"We raised £80 for the chemotherapy suite. We hope this helps you in your fundraising efforts."

Earlier this month, Northampton General Hospital opened their new chemotherapy suite after a £650,000 refurbishment, which was almost entirely funded by local donations.

The suite, which treats over 450 chemotherapy day case patients a month, has been fitted with four extra treatment bays to reduce waiting times for patients with improved lighting to make a 'welcoming and calm environment'.

A spokeswoman for Northampton General Hospital said: “We’re grateful for all the support we get from the public but there’s something particularly special about seeing children and young people raising money for their hospital.

"We’re proud to be part of a local community where children like the Daffodil Patrol want to help us.”

Jacqueline Hughes, leader of the St Benedict's Church Guides, said: "All of the children seem to have known someone who has fought cancer. They were driven to show their support for the hospital.

"Guiding is the promise to do your best and help others in your community. They did this all this off their own backs. I'm enormously proud of them, they are a wonderful bunch of girls."

Denise and Iain Page, from Spinney Hill, pledged to raise the money to thank Glenfield Hospital, in Leicester, after their 13-month-old toddler Willow endured a "nightmare" four-week battle with a heart virus in 2013.

Now, after three years of fundraising through skydiving, fetes and bag packing at supermarkets, Denise and Iain have presented their earnings at a ceremony on June 20 to fund a new artificial heart and lung machine.

Denise and Iain Page said: “We are forever grateful to the nurses, doctors and consultants at Glenfield Hospitals that helped save our beautiful little girl. This is our way of giving something back.”

In June 2013, Willow was admitted to Northampton General Hospital aged just 13-months-old with a suspected chest infection. But within a few hours, her condition rapidly deteriorated to the point her heart stopped three times, including one occasion that lasted four-and-a-half minutes.

Speaking in 2013, Mrs Page said: "I believe Willow wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the nurse in accident and emergency who convinced me to keep her in the hospital.

"The staff at the hospital don’t normally have to deal with a child that ill. It is every parent’s worst nightmare."

Willow was diagnosed with myocarditis, which causes an inflammation of the heart and severely affects its function.

She was transferred to Glenfield Hospital in Leicester and placed on an extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) machine, which acts as an artificial lung and heart and allows the patient's heart to rest and recover.

During her stay, Willow spent 12 days on the ECMO machine and even suffered a stroke. But her condition gradually improved and she was finally able to go home at the end of July.

After their ordeal, Iain and Denise promised themselves they would thank the hospital for all their work.

Now, after a three-year fundraising drive, Iain and Denise have brought five-year-old Willow back to Glenfield hospital where they have just helped to buy a new ECMO machine.

Their £32,000 donation has been met by children's charity Heart Link, who has funded two further ECMO machines worth £28,000 each.

Gail Faulkner, ECMO Coordinator at Leicester’s Hospitals, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you for the generous donation made by Willow and her parents. This means so much not only to the ECMO team but to all the patients who require ECMO treatment at Glenfield.

“We would not be able to provide this therapy without the continued support and generosity of Heart Link. By receiving these machines, hundreds of lives will be saved and so many families will benefit from this technology.”

At the official unveiling ceremony will take place on at Glenfield Hospital yesterday, one of the new ECMO machines was named after Willow.

The other two machines will be named after the late Heart Link President Dr Vincent Redding and Amanda French, whose treatment at Glenfield led to the founding of Heart Link.

Richard French, Committee Member at Heart Link, added: “We have supported ECMO since day one and remain fully committed to the East Midlands Congenital Heart Centre at Glenfield. This is only possible due to our fantastic fundraisers who choose Heart Link at Glenfield.”

A terminally-ill student from the University of Northampton has had his own private degree graduation ceremony in the hospice where he is being cared for.

Dennis Newlove, 28, was surrounded by friends, family and nursing staff as he was presented with his degree in a moving ceremony at Northampton’s Cynthia Spencer Hospice, in Kettering Road, on June 18.

When he was admitted to the hospice earlier this month, the university organised a private graduation rather than wait for July's main ceremony.

Dennis, who originally comes from Ghana, said: “There cannot be an exact expression to describe how I feel today. Today is the best, and the beginning of the best to come.

“Studying for this degree has been very challenging, considering my health, but the University has proved to me that any challenge can be beaten.”

Dennis enrolled in the Health Studies and Social Care course sometime after being diagnosed with throat cancer in 2014. Dennis has battled the disease throughout his three years on campus.

Close friend Leticia Asumang, who met Dennis at the Victory Bible Church International, in Far Cotton, was by his side at the graduation.

She said: “I am not surprised at all that Dennis completed his degree, even though it was tough. His tenacity and his relentless drive is incredible.

“I have never known a more positive person than Dennis. When I’m down, he lifts me up.

“He is so inspirational, in the way he talks about his faith and his understanding of what life is all about. His attitude seems beyond his young age.”

During the ceremony, Dennis, who achieved a 2:1 grade, was presented with a leather-bound copy of his dissertation, which was written about his condition.

Hospice matron, Gail Oliver, said: “We’ve had weddings, birthday parties and early Christmas celebrations for our patients, but this is the first graduation at the hospice.

“It’s been a very special day, and we all feel privileged to have been a part of it. For Dennis to have achieved his degree is amazing, and is testament to his incredible strength and determination.”

A quartet of university academics from the faculty of health and society oversaw the official graduation proceedings, including senior academic manager Sue Donnelly, senior lecturers Sindy Banga and Monica Catelinet, and lecturer Melinda Spencer.

Sindy Banga said in a speech at the ceremony: "We, your tutors, would like to say that it has been an absolute privilege and pleasure to work with you and get to know you.

“We are all proud of you, beyond words. Very well done.”

Dennis vowed he was determined to attend graduation on Thursday 20 July.

For more information on the Cynthia Spencer Hospice, visit their website.

At 2.30am on Sunday, June 18 a fire broke outside Park Corner flats in St James, which caused for one resident to be evacuated from their home as their windows were smashed.

It is believed that the fire had been started deliberately.

One resident, who does not wish to be identified, said they heard an alarm ringing, which they assumed was coming from a nearby industrial estate and ten minutes later a car pulled up to the flats.

They said: "That's when I heard smashing and I started thinking 'what on earth is going on there'?

"I went to stick my head out of the window and there was a bang and all the fire came up the building.

"My dog started shaking and I started to think 'how am I going to get out of here', so I called 999 and explained what was going on to them."

All emergency services were quickly arrived and brought the fire under control.

The resident added: "Being up there was the worst things to experience, when you're in that situation you can't get away from it, you can't get out of your back door because there isn't one.

"I could hear neighbours with children hysterically screaming."

The resident says that there is only one way out of the building and says she now longer feels safe.

"I want to move out now, I'm not happy that there is just one way in and out. It's brought to light how scary that is."

But Wayne Cole, Home Group’s head of health and safety, said: “We take fire safety very seriously. An independent fire risk assessment was undertaken at 28-38 Park Corner in November 2016.

“This assessment did not identify any issues or concerns and confirmed that the building complies with regulatory safety standards. Regarding the issue of attempted arson, this matter is currently under investigation by the police.”

A police spokeswoman said the force is keen to speak with anyone who may have witnessed an arson in Northampton.

Officers investigating the incident would like anyone who saw or heard the incident or any suspicious activity to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The A43 is closed between the scene of the accident - near Park View, Moulton - and the Holcot roundabout.

Three fire engines are currently on the scene and motorists are advised to avoid the area if possible.

Firefighters were trying to cut two people out of the vehicles.

A police spokeswoman said: "We'd advise people to take a different route for a little while while the emergency services do their work."

Delays of at least half an hour are being reported on the A43 in the Overstone area.

More details to follow.

He has been charged with Section 18 GBH with intent after a stabbing in the early hours of Tuesday near the Kings Heath pitches.

A woman aged 31 who was also arrested in connection with the incident has been released under investigation while enquiries continue.

Officers were called after they received reports of a man stumbling outside an address close to the Mill Lane-Nene Way junction shortly before 4am on Tuesday, 20 June.

The 30-year-old victim had suffered multiple stab wounds to the chest, back and abdomen and was taken by paramedics to Northampton General Hospital. His condition remained serious last night.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We have altered the story to reflect the fact police initially said the person released was a male. In fact, they were a 31-year-old woman.

Jean, 80, and Mick Howes, 84 of The Headlands, tied the knot in 1957 in St Albans Church in Broadmead Avenue and are set to celebrate their diamond wedding anniversary on Wednesday, June 28.

Jean said: "We have been happy together, it's our nature, we have always been happy but we have had tiffs but we make it up before we go to bed."

Jean, who was born in Moulton, and Mick, who has always lived in Northampton, first met in Abington Street while they were both out with their respective group of friends.

She described the street as the former "bunny run" a place where youngsters would go back in the day to bag a date.

Mick remembers taking a trip away to Jersey with six friends in 1955 and upon his arrival he arranged to meet Jean at the bus station where she was stood waiting for him.

Jean used to be a dress-maker at Brook manufacturing and attended the village school in Moulton, finishing as a junior.

Mick was in the shoe trade for a couple of years and then went on to be an engineer before finishing working life as a postman in a career spanning 35 years.

Mum-of-one Jean says the trick to a happy marriage is "you have to be tolerant with each other, give and take.

She adds that they are rarely apart: "When we go out, we are always together."