Abington resident Jo Ewen is hoping the owners of a blue Quaker parrot that flew into her garden on Saturday, August 5, can get in contact with the Chronicle & Echo.

She said: "The bird is ringed and we have been advised to ensure anyone claiming to be the owner must give us the ring number before we release him to them."

The Ewens live in the NN3 area close to Abington Park and have already put a number of posters up around their street to no avail.

Quaker parrots are highly intelligent, social birds who can remember numerous words and phrases.

If you are the owner of Blue here, get in touch with the Chron via our Facebook page here, by emailing us via editor@northantsnews.co.uk or by calling us on 01604 467039 and we will put you in touch.

Royal Mail and Action Fraud are warning households not to duped by fake missed delivery cards.

The fake missed delivery slips, look almost identical to the ‘something for you’ cards from Royal Mail, and are being used in an attempt to scam the recipients personal details according to Action Fraud.

The cards request the recipient to call an 0208 number to re-book a free delivery.

The number provided is not registered to Royal Mail though and after calling an automated message will ask for details and consignment number.

Check delivery cards very carefully

Royal Mail are now advising households to be on the look out for anything suspicious arriving in the post.

A Royal Mail spokesperson told the Express, “The Royal Mail security team is looking into this incident as a matter of urgency. Customers should check delivery cards very carefully to ensure they are genuine, and remain vigilant. Although this card is similar to one of our Something For You cards, the Royal Mail logo is crucially missing”.

“Customers should also consider whether they are expecting a delivery from the company named on the card”.

At present Action Fraud has not received any reports of such incidents, however, there have been incidents of fake delivery notes in the past.

A 23-year-old man has been jailed for three years and eight months for Class A drug offences.

Said Mohamed, of Pitchens Close, Leicester, was arrested at a property in Leighton Road, Corby, in September last year by officers from Operation Worcester, a force drive to tackle gang-related crime.

Upon his arrest Mohamed was found to be in possession of cocaine, heroin and cannabis.

He gave officers false details when arrested and failed to answer bail when required to do so.

But officers from Northamptonshire Police worked closely with colleagues from Leicestershire Police in order to identify and locate Mohamed.

He pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply cocaine, possession with intent to supply heroin, possession of cannabis and perverting the course of justice at a hearing at Northampton Crown Court last week.

DC Alan Rooney from Operation Worcester said: “Said Mohamed left his home in Leicester to set up a drug supply business in Corby, selling cocaine and heroin and then thought he could get away with giving us false details.

“We are determined to tackle those people who supply drugs to our communities, particularly those people who travel into our county to do so.

“Anyone with information about the supply of drugs can contact us on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”

Motorway drivers are being warned of lengthy delays in Northamptonshire due to flooding and broken down cars.

Lane one had been closed on the M1 southbound at junction 15 for the A508 while a broken down car was moved over to the hard shoulder.

That lane has reopened but is understood to be partially flooded around the junction. Motorists are being advised to drive with caution on that stretch.

There are currently delays of 12 minutes and average speeds of 15mph in the southbound carriageway.

Police are appealing for a teenager who has gone missing from home to contact them.

Megan French, 15, left home in Nottinghamshire on Friday, August 4, and is believed to be in the Wellingborough area.

Officers are urging Megan to contact them and let them know she is safe and well.

They are also asking for the public’s help in trying to locate her.

Megan is white, about 5ft 2in, with shoulder-length straight, blonde/grey hair and brown eyes.

She was wearing black jeans, a black crop top and white trainers when she went missing.

Megan, or anyone who knows of her whereabouts, is asked to contact police on 101.

The RSPCA is opening its cattery to Northampton residents in a drive to find homes for their rescued moggies.

Nearly 70 cats are currently in care under RSPCA Northamptonshire, based at the Mill Cottage, in Creaton Road, Brixworth.

The branch is now holding a cat rehoming evening on August 15 between 4pm and 7pm for families to meet cats up for adoption.

Dennis Newlove, 28, enrolled on the health studies and social care course in 2014, sometime after being diagnosed with throat cancer, and battled the disease throughout his three years on campus.

The disease spread to other parts of Dennis’s body, and after being admitted to Cynthia Spencer Hospice in June, the academics from his course decided to organise a private graduation at the hospice, rather than wait for July’s main ceremony.

Sindy Banga, senior health lecturer at the University of Northampton, said: “Dennis’s strength and upbeat spirit was present right until the end. He is an inspiration and a teacher to us all. He showed determination, resilience, hope, patience and positivity in the face of multiple adversities. Such admirable qualities in a young man have touched everyone who knew Dennis and will serve to guide us through difficult times in our own lives."

Dennis became too poorly to attend the main graduation ceremony at Northampton’s Royal & Derngate Theatre and died two days later surrounded by loved ones on Saturday 22 July.

She added: “I saw him straight after what would have been his graduation day on July 20, at Cynthia Spencer Hospice with a few graduation gifts from a collection, including a T-shirt with all graduates’ names printed on it, and a small graduation teddy bear. When I left him he was hugging and kissing his teddy and smiling.”

Speaking after his private graduation in June, Dennis 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.”

He went on to pay tribute to staff at the hospice, by saying: “The staff are more than a family. They have shown a lot of competence and passion in everything they do – in fact, I don’t even want to go home.”

Dennis’s funeral takes place in Northampton on Thursday.

Tools were stolen from a van parked in Wentin Close, Corby, in the early hours of Friday, July 28.

Two white men, both in their early 20s and wearing light-coloured clothing, broke into the white Ford Transit Connect sometime between 12.30am and 1am.

One of the men wore an Adidas trainer-type jacket, jogging bottoms and a baseball cap which appeared to be being worn back to front.

The second man wore shorts and a hooded top under a sporty-style zipped jacket.

Witnesses, or anyone with any information about the theft, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A manhunt has been launched after motorcycle helmet wearing burglars raided an arts and crafts store in Northampton.

Police are appealing for witnesses following a break-in at Hobbycraft, in Tyne Road, Northampton.

The two offenders forced their way in through the front entrance of the shop and stole a small amount of cash, sometime overnight on Friday 4 and Saturday 5 August.

The men were seen on CCTV and were wearing all black clothing, possibly biker clothing, and motorcycle helmets. One of helmets had a black, white and possibly yellow detailing, while the other was black or navy with two white stripes.

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

A £2.6million community centre was opened at a ceremony in a village near Northampton.

Hundreds of people from Moulton turned out to see Phyllis Wood, who at 91 is the village's oldest resident, cut the ribbon at the new hall in Sandy Hill Lane, off Overstone Road.

The centre includes a library, a cafe, several halls and functions rooms for hire, and Little Acorns pre-school, which opens in September.

Following the ribbon cutting, the two youngest pupils from Moulton Primary School - Alfie Higgs and Umbar Kaur-Parhar (both aged 4) - were presented with golden keys by Phyllis to lead everyone inside.

Jane Austin, Executive Officer of Moulton Parish Council, said: “This project has been years in the making for us. It is amazing to see it come to fruition and know that current and future residents of Moulton will get enjoyment from it.

“Our previous library was old and small - even though it was one of the busiest in the county - and had not grown along with the fast-growing population of Moulton. We have also needed a pre-school for some time now.

"The village of Moulton has a great, pro-active community and we wanted them to be involved in the official opening ceremony. Phyllis was born in Moulton and has lived here all her life. Seeing her give Alfie and Umbar keys was very much a symbolic handing over to the new and future generation of Moulton.

“We are really proud of this new facility and can’t wait to see it being used by people of all ages in the community.”

The Moulton Community Centre was commissioned by Moulton Parish Council and was funded by a combination of a Public Works Loan Board loan for £2.25 million and a £400,000 capital investment by Northamptonshire County Council.

Leaders from a Northampton youth group have thanked everyone who helped them to successfully complete the gruelling Three Peaks Challenge.

The quartet, who help run the 1st Blisworth Scout Group, climbed to the top of the highest mountains of England, Scotland and Wales all within 24 hours.

Scout group leaders Steven Smith, Pete Rock, Steve Watkins and Michelle Watkins accomplished the challenge climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon and the feat travelling between them.

With all money raised going to buy the Group camping equipment, local construction firm, R G Carter, boosted the team with sponsorship of a van and fuel, enabling them to complete the challenge in 22 hours and 53 minutes and 53 seconds.

Leader Michelle Watkins who also works as a receptionist at R G Carter, said: “We would like to thank R G Carter for being supportive and providing us with the vehicle. “Without the van, we could not have completed this task in the amazing time in which we did.”

Michelle and her husband Steve provided support for the walkers, cooking, and driving the nearly 500 miles between locations, mountains and over 1,200 miles in total.

To add to the £339 already donated please visit www.mydonate.bt.com/events/1stblisworth3peaks/439429

A desperate mum facing having to turn her living room into a bedroom for her five children has issued a plea to a housing association in Northampton.

Charlotte Cousins, 28, is living with her three boys and six-month-old twin girls in Thorplands and claims Northampton Partnership Homes told her that her living conditions are not overcrowded as her one-year-old son and twin girls are not old enough to qualify for a bedroom.

The mum-of-five also wants her children's dad to move in with her so they can be a family, but she doesn't wish to over crowd her home more.

Charlotte said: "Northampton Partnership Homes has said I don't need a bedroom, I should sleep on the sofa, but I tried that and I was in so much pain.

"The main issue is moving my partner in, then I can go back to work and he can be a dad properly and we can be a family.

"There is no space in the flat, it's cramped in here, I'm trying my hardest to get everything sorted - two girls sharing with three boys is not ideal."

Charlotte, who wants to pursue a career in fitness, didn't think her and her partner could have any more children, but she unexpectantly fell pregnant with twin girls.

She added: "I really want to go back to work but I can't unless I move him in, then I'm 'purposely overcrowding' my home. It's hectic, my partner comes round to see the children in the day because he works nights.

"If he is here, I can leave him with the girls and I can do the school run without taking all of the children with me.

The mum-of-five is currently revamping the living room so she can use it as a spacious bedroom for all of the children, as the twins currently share one travel cot in Charlotte's room while the boys, Elijah, seven, Kyzar, six and Morgan, one share a tiny room.

"In an ideal world, I wouldn't be living in a council flat at all, I'm stuck in my own situation, but I need to move into a house so I can save for my own house, " she adds.

Charlotte is also concerned about fire safety in the three-storey flat block as she fears, while on her own, she would struggle to escape a blaze with her small children.

"It panics me, I'm always running around at night switching all the plugs off."

"If there was a fire in the block of flats, I wouldn't be able to get out at all, my child's bed is situated across the window."

Shirley Davies, director of housing management at Northampton Partnership Home said:

“We sympathise with Ms Cousins’ current situation and respect her desire to move homes to support her family.

"The allocations policy follows national housing legislation to determine what is known as statutory overcrowding - when there are too many people living in a home. This is done by calculating the number of people who live at home, the number of rooms for people to sleep in and the amount of space in the home. Cases of statutory overcrowding are given priority for a home.

"We have been in regular contact with the family to help and support them and visited their home to assess for overcrowding. Unfortunately, Ms Cousin’s situation is not currently classed as statutory overcrowding.

"We understand her concerns and have advised that her partner can move in with her without exceeding the limit in the housing legislation for statutory overcrowding. We are continuing to offer advice to Ms Cousin and her family on other housing options available to them, including home swapping and additional support available to the family”.

The A45 Daventry Development Link road is on course for completion in spring 2018, said project manager Bernie van Hoek during a tour of the site this week.

The construction of seven bridges over the future single carriageway is currently underway with 60ft yellow cranes aiding with the installation of giant beams, some of which weigh around 30 tonnes.

These bridges reconnect existing roads which have been cut across by the A45, while the Dodmoor Bridge rises above the canal and railway line.

The project has long been on Northamptonshire County Council's agenda and it was not until 2015 that construction was finally able to get underway.

“Obviously one or two developments have taken place in the local area since which meant we’ve had to adjust, fine tune and tweak the adjustment to fit the environment we’re working within now," said site liaison manager Simon Levell.

“But we’ve managed to get the route on the corridor broadly as it was always envisioned.

“I think various other schemes have taken priority over the years. I think every 10 years it’s got to the top of the list and other schemes have gone forward.

“On this occasion all the criteria were falling into place - the ducks were lining up as it were - and it’s enabled us to build it.

“It has always been on the county council's agenda for a decade.”

Once finished the new road will facilitate the Monksmoor and Middlemore developments in Daventry, relieve traffic in Weedon and Flore, improve transport links between Northampton and Daventry, and improve access to the M1.

Over 9,000 cars have been hit with parking fines on a single street outside Northampton General Hospital in the past five years.

Thousands of motorists have been caught out by the single-yellow line markings in Cliftonville, off Billing Road, which is constant use by ambulances driving to and from A&E.

But an FOI by one driver, who has refused to pay a fine handed to him on a visit to NGH, has revealed the road has netted the county council over £330,000 in parking tickets since 2012.

Paul Dunwell, 61, from Bugbrooke, returned to his car after parking in Cliftonville in May to find a yellow ticket on his windscreen.

He blamed the ticket on the road's poorly painted yellow lines and filed an FOI request with the council to see who else had been fined like him.

He said: "If they do it there then they do it elsewhere in town. It's particularly mean outside of a hospital.

"They must know it's not properly marked. When I parked there I saw a long line of vehicles and no road markings."

But now Northamptonshire County Council has now revealed 9,056 other vehicles have been fined in Cliftonville in the past five years, earning the council roughly £330,000.

Around 6,500 of the fined motorists paid the ticket early at £35 each time, while nearly 1,200 paid the full £70 or over. Approximately 1,200 of the tickets were written-off or cancelled following appeals or new evidence.

Paul said: "I know councils are struggling nationwide but you're not supposed to fill holes in public finances with highway robbery.

"Not only should they repaint those lines, they should apologise and refund those people wrongly ticketed in Cliftonville.

"If they haven't legally fined me then I have a right to claw back recompense for my wasted time.

"I will bill the county council for administration fees if they waste any more of my time, and so should anybody else."

Northamptonshire County Council says the spot is 'clearly' signposted.

A spokesperson for Northamptonshire County Council said: “Cliftonville has very tight restrictions as it is close to the hospital and incorrect parking can cause problems with access for ambulances and buses.

“Single line markings are accompanied by signage, which clearly states what restrictions are in place. Guidance states that line markings must be sufficiently clear and in this instance we believe that is the case.

“Line markings are re-painted as part of the county’s routine maintenance programme, and the Cliftonville Road area is part of this scheme.

“There is an appeals process to follow if anyone disputes a decision on the issuing of a penalty charge notice.

“Ultimately this can be taken to a traffic penalty tribunal. Here independent adjudicators oversee appeals from across England and Wales.

“A parking adjudicator is an experienced lawyer and is independent of the council – their decision is final and both parties must adhere to the decision made. For more information about how to appeal to a parking adjudicator visit the county council's website.”

Fitzroy House, which opened in January at St Andrew's Hospital, in Billing Road, was rated as "requires improvement" in a report published on August 7 by the CQC.

At the time of inspection, patients are the flagship care service for child and young people reportedly could not access drinks freely and had to ask staff for water.

Inspectors also found that internal doors at the multi-million-pound care home had to be "firmly closed" by staff or else they would spring back open, which could delay staff hurrying to get to another ward in an incident.

Dr Paul Lelliott, CQC’s deputy chief inspector of hospitals, said: “Many of the young people admitted to St Andrew’s Healthcare are extremely vulnerable and have severe mental health problems and a history of behaviour that has put themselves or others at risk. This is why it is vital that standards are improved urgently where required.

“People deserve to be treated in services which are safe, caring, effective, well-led, and responsive to their needs and this is what we look at when we carry out our inspections. We will continue to monitor these services closely, particularly the men’s and adolescent’s services, and this will include further inspections."

The report comes as part of a wider inspection carried out in May and June that also branded St Andrew's men's services as "inadequate".

Staff were criticised for their 'minimal knowledge' on the law surrounding a patient's capacity to make their own decisions, as well as on hospital values.

But some staff said they felt undervalued by senior staff throughout the organisation and that they were under "excessive pressure" to meet hospital objectives.

Despite recruitment campaigns by St Andrew's, shortfalls in staff were noted across many services at the hospital during the inspectio. At Fitzroy House, each ward had only one qualified nurse on duty throughout night shifts.

A spokesperson from St Andrew's said: "While we were rated ‘good’ for our child and adolescent mental health services being safe, caring and responsive to patients’ needs, we are disappointed that the CQC concluded that two domains required improvement.

“We have also taken steps to address the CQC’s concerns and enhance the care we offer our young patients in the hope that we can regain our overall ‘good’ rating for this service as quickly as possible.

St Andrew's neuropsychiatry and women's services were both rated as "good" during the same inspection.

Staff at St Andrew's were praised by inspectors for involving patients, their families and their carers in care plans, and the hospital was consistently rated "good" for providing a "caring and responsive" service.

However, leadership at Fitzroy House and the hospital's men's service were both rated poorly.

The CQC will revisit St Andrew's in December.

The Chronicle & Echo has learned that staff at the Swan Valley-based South Midlands Mail depot have been holding a series of crunch meetings in recent weeks to discuss support for industrial action.

In April Royal Mail calculated that the annual costs of maintaining its pension scheme would triple to £1.3 billion a year if no changes were made.

The FTSE 100 company made a more affordable pension offer to staff in July, which it said would only cost the company £400 million a year.

The offer was accepted by the Unite union, but the Communications Workers' Union (CWU) rejected it.

If an agreement cannot be reached between the CWU and the Royal Mail by August 15, there is a strong possibility the union will ballot to strike over Christmas, affecting deliveries during the busiest time of the year.

Area processing rep for the CWU Gareth Eales, said there was support for industrial action here in Northampton too.

He said: "We hope as a local union branch that national talks reach a positive conclusion and that a deal to protect the future prosperity of both the company, the industry and our members' terms and conditions is achieved.

"If that does not happen, we are very confident that our members will support the CWU's vision and back us in any ballot that may come."

In recent days staff at the Swan Valley depot have been pictured outside of the facility holding the crunch meetings on a set of picnic benches.

The CWU believes around 90,000 Royal Mail workers across the country will have to pay more into their pension pots under the new deal, work longer hours and revceive less back in retirment than they do currently.

The union is also concerned about the future direction of the company and whether it will continue to honour the current staff pay conditions.

The formerly taxpayer-owned Royal Mail was floated on the stock market in 2013 amid opposition from the CWU, which represents about 95 per cent of Swan Valley's 1,100 staff.

At the time, the CWU said 96 per cent of its 100,000 members were against the sale.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: "We want to agree a fair and affordable deal to maximise the number of quality jobs at Royal Mail. We offer the best pay, pension and employment benefits in the UK delivery industry. This will not change. We remain committed to providing the best pay and terms and conditions in our industry.

"Any industrial action – or the threat of it – will damage our business. It undermines the trust between Royal Mail and its customers. Customers do not have to choose Royal Mail. They have lots of other options. When we lose business, we lose money. There would be less money to fund jobs, pensions and the industry-leading terms and conditions we offer.

"If there is industrial action then the Company may be forced to withdraw the proposals. In the event of industrial action, the Company may not even be able to afford the great pay and terms and conditions we currently provide."

Cadent Gas has been carrying out 'essential gas maintenance' on Billing Road since July 31 to 'replace old iron gas mains with more durable plastic pipes'.

But questions have been raised over the presence of workmen at the scene of the crossroads.

Chronicle & Echo reader, Peter Witt who lives in the town centre said: "Billing Road is chaos. Have the contractors gone on their holidays?

"Why is there no work going on at the roadworks that are causing chaos and more air pollution? I live in the town centre, we get quite a lot of traffic through Billing Road, the stationary traffic is adding to poor air quality conditions, there are cars sitting there with their engines running and we are living amongst it.

"I saw a fire engine trying to get through to St Andrew's [Hospital] and they couldn't get through to the entrance. Sometimes it's backed up towards Barnes Meadow."

Cadent Gas - who is also carrying out works in Alfred Street and Cliftonville Road until late August - said that the works will ensure the company can provide safe and reliable gas supplies to local businesses and residents.

A Cadent spokesman said: "We apologise for any inconvenience our works have caused. Over the weekend there was a fault with the traffic lights which did cause some disruption. The fault has now been fixed and traffic is flowing through the lights system appropriately.

“Cadent is carrying out a gas mains replacement project along Billing Road and temporary traffic lights will be in place until 18th September. The project will ensure residents and business can continue to rely on their gas supplies into the future.”

The first phase of Rushden Lakes, the major retail and leisure development just off the A45 at Rushden, has started to unveil the first of their stores, but workers have contested that there is not enough staff parking on the £140 million site, claiming they will be slapped with a fine if they work longer than a five-hour shift.

One worker, who has requested anonymity, has told the Chronicle & Echo that she might have to consider quitting her job, as there is no guarantee she is able to park upon arrival.

A spokeswoman for The Crown Estate said there are currently 130 dedicated staff spaces in the service area - however - it's understood that the M&S site employs 130 staff members alone.

The Rushden Lakes employee said: "Service bays are allocated to all the companies in the retail park and I think it's up to each company how they allocate the bays, so they are not necessarily for managers, but they get them and shop-floor staff don't.

"If the council puts these parking restrictions in place, I will have to find residential areas to park in, which won't be easy, or I will approach local businesses to see if they will rent out space, failing that, I may have to see if I can only do four-hour shifts, or leave.

"It will be interesting when the cinema opens and families will want to spend the day shopping, eating, and watching a film - you can't do all that in five hours."

But Northamptonshire Highways - in talks with East Northamptonshire District Council - is proposing to enforce double yellow lines on Northampton Road (up to Shelley Drive), Cole Street, Crown Way and the Development Access (off Skew Bridge roundabout).

A Northamptonshire County Council spokesman said: “We have been in discussions with East Northamptonshire District Council about introducing no waiting at any time restrictions in some roads around Rushden Lakes to mitigate the potential impact of parking by staff and visitors to the new development. These restrictions would also ensure safe access to the site.

“We have written to local residents and businesses and have consulted on the proposals. We are currently reviewing all correspondence received and expect to make a decision on the parking proposals in the coming weeks.”

One man, who lives in Northampton and wants to remain anonymous, said his wife is in the process for a job at House of Fraser but is now thinking against the move due to travel complications.

He said: "A lot of people have been told there will be a park and ride but it's a load of old nonsense.

"I have been over there, it's beautiful, but the reality is where are staff going to park?

"It's 22 minutes from my house to Rushden Lakes, but over an hour on the bus - the most important thing for any job is where you park your car."

A spokesperson for The Crown Estate said: “People across Northamptonshire have waited a long time for Rushden Lakes and everyone wants the centre to be a success. To ensure the centre can thrive it is important that shoppers have access to adequate car parking when they visit Rushden Lakes, and that is why we currently have a five-hour limit to the free customer parking. Our retailers are supportive of this approach and want to ensure that their customers can park at the centre.

"Our centre management team have been working with all our retailers, at store and head office level, to develop travel plans for their staff which make use of all available travel options. Retailers are encouraging their staff to consider using the bus services, which run from early in the morning into the evening, and operate seven days a week, as well as walking from Rushden town centre using the new footbridge, or cycling.

"For those staff members who can only drive to work, there is staff car parking in the service areas of Rushden Lakes. Retailers have been allocated spaces for their stores and they are managing the use of these spaces by their employees.”

People in Northamptonshire can support the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire by visiting British Red Cross shops in the county which have begun selling excess clothes donated by the community in West London.

The shops in Daventry, Duston, Kettering, Kingsley Park Terrace, Kingsthorpe, Northampton and Wellingborough are all participating in the scheme.

The community's generosity led to excess donations filling 40,000 boxes and 107 lorries, equivalent to three football pitches. The best of the new clothes donated have been offered to the victims for them to choose from, and now 'Shop for Grenfell' will see Red Cross shops across the country turn the stock into valuable funds.

Every penny raised will be added to the £3.2 million the charity has already raised for its London Fire Relief Fund.

Antoni Starczewski, area retail manager for the British Red Cross in Northamptonshire, said: "Our shoppers in Northamptonshire are always generous when we have a big appeal, but this time the disaster is very close to home. The Grenfell fire has touched people everywhere, and I'm glad we can do our bit to help. I think shoppers here will be glad to support us."

Red Cross teams were on the ground at Grenfell after the fire, providing practical and emotional support to the victims and helping to coordinate the running of the Grenfell Community Assistance Centre.

Trained Red Cross volunteers travelled to London from all over the country to ensure support was available for all who needed it. The charity is now focused on outreach work, running a telephone support line, and sorting and distributing donations.

British Red Cross chief executive Mike Adamson said: "We have seen an incredible outpouring of donations for the people affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. We have taken stock of the scale of the donations and listened to what people think we should do with the excess clothes.

"'Shop for Grenfell' offers everyone an opportunity to make a difference, either through the items they have already donated or by shopping in one of our many shops across the UK. The goods will be converted into cash to help people who have been left bereaved, injured or homeless as a result of the fire. Every penny will go to those people."

The plan to sell excess donations in Red Cross shops has been backed by local community groups, including Notting Hill Methodist Church and Rugby Portobello Trust, who have passed their surplus donations to the Red Cross to distribute and sell. The charity has worked with partners in the local community, Kensington and Chelsea council and thousands of volunteers, to help sort and distribute the donations, in the most complex logistical retail operation the Red Cross has ever attempted.

Paul Thompson, director of retail for the British Red Cross, said: "Buying from a Red Cross shop is a charitable act, and we are always grateful to shoppers who support our work in this way. I hope our friends in Northamptonshire will come and browse the new stock in their local shops, and help the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire at the same time."

The Red Cross will be using its experience of coordinating similar retail fundraisers after the Nepal earthquake and Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. But the scale of stock donations for Grenfell is greater than any the charity has co-ordinated before.

A dog that escaped from a Northampton garden and attacked four people during Storm Doris could be put down if a police application is successful.

Muppet (pictured) was seized following the attacks, which happened in Ingleborough Way, Duston, on February 23 this year, after it and another dog, Phoebe, escaped from the garden they were secured in.

Four people were bitten by the dogs and needed medical treatment at either Northampton General Hospital or from their GP.

Attending officers had to run over the dog Phoebe over in a police car to stop the animal attacking a man with a baby in a buggy and a child walking from school, a force spokeswoman said.

Phoebe was shot dead by firearms officers at the scene while Muppet was seized.

Muppet’s owner, Jeffrey Penfold, aged 48, of Clee Rise, Duston, refused to sign a destruction order when approached by police during the investigation so a hearing will be held at Wellingborough Magistrates Court on October 15 to determine the dog’s fate.

A Northamptonshire Police spokesman said: “It was decided to go with a destruction order as this felt like a proportionate way to manage the situation. This will provide immediate safeguarding for the public, while avoiding a criminal case for the owners.

“Letting the dog back was not an option. There were too many victims for this to be considered a safe option.”