Sarah and Russell Watson were devastated when he was diagnosed with non hodgkins lymphoma in August 2012.

Not only was a life threatening battle for survival for Mr Watson but the chemotherapy treatment he would have to endure would put an end to his dreams of becoming a father.

But in the days before the treatment started Mr Watson had his sperm frozen at a fertility clinic, in a hope of becoming a father if he survived the cancer.

He underwent months of chemotherapy treatment to survive. And now, after five years of Mr Watson’s sperm being in the freezer, their baby Molly has been born.

Mr Watson said: ‘It is amazing to be a father at last after everything I have been through. There were times when I worried that I wasn’t going to make it through, let alone be a father.

‘Having Molly now is a dream come true. After all those years she is finally here with us.’

Mr Watson was diagnosed in August 2012 after suffering from a swelling in his throat.

Mrs Watson, 34, a learning development manager, who lives in Northampton with her husband, 41, a maintenance engineer supervisor, said: ‘We thought at first that he had tonsillitis and he had antibiotics but those weren’t working.

‘The GP was amazing and sent him for a biopsy straight away. It showed that he had a very rare form of non Hodgkins lymphoma. It was devastating to hear. We never expected such a diagnosis.

‘He wasn’t feeling unwell with it, so he seemed fit and healthy. We were completely floored by it.’

Mr Watson was told that he needed aggressive chemotherapy treatment and a stem cell transplant in order to survive, as there was a risk the cancer could spread to his brain.

Mrs Watson said: ‘Our main priority was for Russell to survive, but we had talked about started a family soon. The aggressive chemotherapy would make him infertile, so there was no time to lose.’

The couple had Mr Watson’s sperm frozen at Care Fertility clinic in Northampton, before he started his chemotherapy treatment a couple of weeks later.

Mr Watson had chemotherapy until June 2013, and then a stem cell donor from Germany was found for him through the Anthony Nolan register. His stem cell transplant took place in July, on the same day as the couple’s wedding anniversary, at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

Mrs Watson said: ‘I was terrified that he wasn’t going to make it, but we just took one day at a time, and he soldiered on through it.’

Once Mr Watson was strong enough to leave hospital he returned home for a long recuperation whilst his new immune system built up. Once he was feeling stronger, their thoughts turned to having a family.

They underwent a course of fertility treatment in September last year, using his sperm frozen all those years ago. The treatment worked, and Mrs Watson discovered she was pregnant two weeks later.

She said: ‘It was thrilling when we had a positive test result showing that I was pregnant. We couldn’t believe it had worked, after Russell’s sperm had been frozen for all that time.’

Her pregnancy went smoothly and baby Molly was born in June, weighing a healthy 7Ib 12.

Mrs Watson said: ‘We couldn’t believe it that we were parents at last after everything that Russell had been through.

‘It was so amazing that he was a father at last. I am so proud of him that he has beaten the cancer and now fulfilled his dream of being a dad.

‘When we look at Molly its so overwhelming that she is actually here with us after everything that has happened. We feel like the luckiest parents in the world.

‘When she is old enough to understand we will tell her of the battle her dad overcame to see her arrive into the world.’

A spokeswoman for Care Fertility said: ‘We are thrilled for this couple, and that Molly has been born after being in the freezing process for all those years.’

Anthony Nolan operates a register for people to sign up as potential stem cell donors - that could end up saving the life of someone with blood cancer. If you are healthy and between the ages of 16 and 30 you can sign up online.

For more information visit www.anthonynolan.org

At its meeting on Wednesday, January 17, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet will decide whether to appoint KierWSP to carry out design work.

As Northamptonshire County Council’s designated highway contractor, KierWSP would be in a position to deliver the project under its existing framework.

Councillor Tim Hadland, borough council cabinet member for regeneration, enterprise and planning, said: “It has taken a great deal of work to get the project to this stage and we are very grateful to partners at the county council and Network Rail for their help so far.

“If cabinet colleagues agree, we can press ahead to the delivery stage which will see KierWSP carrying out design work and then submitting a planning application.

“We have always believed that delivery of this link road would further improve the accessibility of the Northampton Waterside Enterprise Zone, as well as provide a measure of congestion relief, especially on match days.”

A link road would also provide better access to brownfield land that is ripe for industrial and commercial development.

The project will be part-funded by SEMLEP through the Local Growth Fund II and Growing Places Fund with further costs being met through Enterprise Zone Business Rates Uplift which will see upfront funding from the Borough Council paid back through increased business rates achieved over time.

The 10-year agreement will lead to a re-branding of the over 50s all-male European Senior Tour including all physical and media assets and includes the incorporation of a new headline event, The Staysure PGA Seniors Championship.

Bosses say the deal has started off a very successful year for Staysure, which, last week was awarded gold in the Best Travel Insurance Provider category at the British Travel Awards.

Julian Kearney, CEO at Staysure said: "This is a hugely exciting development for Staysure. Becoming title sponsor of such a well-respected tour that is going from strength to strength makes us extremely proud. We’re confident that this relationship will be mutually beneficial."

The deal also includes the launch of a new Staysure membership programme offering discounts and benefits on a range of travel insurance and golf insurance packages. Members will also get a chance to access to get tickets at Staysure Tour tournaments, Pro-Am playing places, signed merchandise, and discounts to other European Tour events.

Ryan Howsam, founder and chairman of Staysure, said: “We're delighted to have signed this landmark deal with the European Tour to create the Staysure Tour. Many Staysure customers share our love of golf and this is the perfect opportunity for us to engage them on a new level."

"With over 500,000 over 50s travelling abroad to play golf each year, the partnership strikes the perfect chord for our customers and tops off a successful year for Staysure."

Keith Pelley, chief executive of The European Tour, said: “This is a landmark moment for the European Senior Tour and we are delighted to welcome Staysure on board as title sponsor.

“Today’s announcement is testament to the strength and popularity of the senior game in Europe. Its success is evident through its continued expansion internationally as well as the calibre of player it now attracts.”

A total of four new tournaments will be added to the Staysure Tour roster next year bringing the total to 19. In addition to its new headline event; The Staysure PGA Seniors Championship the Staysure Tour adds: The Russian Open Golf Championship; The Shipco Masters in Denmark; and the Costa Blanca Senior Golf Masters, held in Spain.

A ceremonial torch relay has begun as part of a Northampton-based autism charity's 25th anniversary.

Autism Concern is celebrating 25 years of helping Northamptonshire's special needs young people by uniting with the region's Autism East Midlands family.

The two charities are merging and held an open day yesterday (January 9) to introduce the new partnership to parents and users.

As part of the celebrations, Autism East Midlands, which is also celebrating its 50th anniversary, has passed on a "torch" made by autistic young people, which will now travel to all the charity's offices over the next 12 months.

Director of development for Autism Concern Will Burchell said: "For us, it's an opportunity to for us to bring something to the community.

"We can improve on what we can offer for children and young people, whether that's a trip to Florida or a day-out somewhere new or just to help them find employment and discover something they can do for society. This is the beginning of something."

Autism Concern will work with Autism East Midlands to help provide children and young people with special educational needs services they often cannot otherwise access, such as short-term respite, work experience and also short-breaks for their parents and carers.

Amanda Hewitt is a parent of a 10-year-old boy with multiple needs from Brackley and has been using Autism Concern for six years.

She said: "This merger is really encouraging. It will help Autism concern provide an adult service as well. These children will grow up too one day and it's a whole-life journey. Autism Concern is set to have a connection with them all the way through."

Autism Concern will continue operating from their main office in Burlington House, Wellingborough Road, Northampton.

Robert Woodford, chair of trustees for Autism Concern, said: "For us, the most exciting thing will be that we are able to provide many new services and areas of expertise in the future. This includes a move into adult services, extending and modernizing our children’s services offering and improving advice related activity."

Sarah Stride faced her fears in September 2016 and plunged a terrifying 13,000ft from a plane to raise £2,500 for Cynthia Spencer Hospice, after a patient she was treating with motor neurone disease spurred her on.

Now the hospice is currently recruiting thrill-seekers to take part in June’s momentous UK-wide Summer Solstice Skydive - as part of their #jump4cynthia campaign - where hundreds of fundraisers will take to the skies at airfields across the country in a synchronised parachute jump.

Sarah, who communicates with hert, said: "When the hospice volunteer brought round leaflets promoting #jump4cynthia, she [the patient] wrote ‘you should do this’ and I replied ‘I can’t think of anything worse’ and then realised what I’d just said considering how much she was suffering, and I just signed up.

"I’m in total awe and feel so humble compared to the people I care for. The struggle they go through and the fight they give on a day- to-day basis astounds me so this, in comparison, is nothing.

“I’m terrified of heights so this was a huge deal for me. The wonderful result was that I raised so much money for an amazing place.”

To sign up for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, call Sarah Denston, events fundraiser on 01604 973346 or email sarah@cynthiaspencer.co.uk. You can also find out more by visiting www.cynthiaspencer.org.uk/challenge-event/summer-solstice-skydive

Hops and Chops - which is set to open in early March - will specialise in steaks and chops that will be cooked over a fire, and bosses say there will be a focus on tasty side dishes too.

The restaurant will be located in the former Wild Ginger premesis in St Crispins Retail Village, off Kent Road, and will have space for 80 diners.

The people behind the new eatery, Hops and Chops, are brothers Matt and James Ingram, who also own the Smoke Pit in The Ridings.

Bosses say the new gastro pub venture, will have a "well-stocked gin bar", offer a selection of craft beers, an in-house cheese counter and will also have a regularly changing menu.

Three Northampton homes look set to be converted into House in Multiple Occupation as they are recommended for approval by the borough council's planning committee next week.

The applications for two houses in Castle Ward (one in Hunter Street the other in Cowper Street) are objected to in the planning documents by ward councillor Danielle Stone (Lab).

Cllr Stone called in the applications on the grounds of overdevelopment and pressure on services.

With regard to the Hunter Street proposal, she wrote: "Refuse in the area is undermining the efforts of both residents associations who are working hard to maintain a clean, safe, balanced and cohesive community. Double and dangerous parking being a regular feature."

Other objections to the Hunter Street conversion come from Northamptonshire Highways on the grounds of limited parking availability, and from four neighbours, themselves worried about parking and an increase in noise and rubbish.

"The cumulative impact from the high concentration of HIMOs in the immediate vicinity is contributing to the excessive demand," reads Highways' objection.

"This demand is resulting in parking on double yellow lines, across dropped kerbs, on the corners of junctions and double parking. The conversion of a residential dwelling to a house in multiple occupancy for five residents would further exacerbate the already severe impact on the HIMO properties in the area."

But the proposed change of use complies with the requirements on HIMOs, said town planners , who also concluded it would not result in an over-concentration of HIMOs within the locality and would provide suitable accommodation for the number of occupants proposed.

The committee referenced the parking concerns raised and decided that the regardless the proposal complies with planning policy and that any refusal on appeal would be difficult to uphold.

There were no other objections other than Cllr Stone's aforementioned concerns to the Cowper Street proposal.

In its conclusion, the planning officer wrote: "The proposed development would not lead to an unacceptable concentration of HIMOs within the locality that would adversely affect upon the character of the local area, street scene, or Conservation Area nor would the development have significant adverse impacts on neighbouring amenity or parking provision.

"The property is also of sufficient size to accommodate the level of accommodation as proposed."

The third HIMO proposal is in Southampton Road in Delapre and two borough councillors submitted their objections.

Cllr Vicky Culbard (Lab, Delapre & Briar Hill) wrote: "There are too many HIMOs in this area, and that any more would add pressures on parking, fly tipping and littering."

She also said a high turnover of tenants would unsettle the neighbourhood and the conversion results in the loss of a family home, a sentiment echoed by Cllr Gareth Walker (Con, Delapre & Briar Hill) who also raised his objection on the basis of parking problems.

Northamptonshire Highways advised that although in isolation the increase in demand generated by this development could be considered as minimal or negligible, it would argue the cumulative impact of similar “minor” developments need to be considered as a whole and that the impact on highway safety is severe.

Two neighbouring properties also made their objections known in the planning document but the planning officer concluded the proposal would not lead to an unacceptable amount of HIMOs in the area, nor would it adversely affect the area's character.

Stagecoach announced that from the start of 2018, its 15a and 91 routes would no longer be running, citing an end to its Section 106 development funding.

This funding is supplied by a developer - in this instance the Government's Homes and Communities Agency - who put money into a pot which contributes towards providing community and social infrastructures such as education, library, fire and rescue and transport and highways services.

Section 106 funding helps get services up and running, and is designed for the benefit of the residents of the new developments.

The money is designed to last two years. That time has elapsed and Stagecoach took a decision against continuing the bus routes as they were not deemed financially beneficial.

However, the 15A route will continue to run during Sunday daytime and Friday and Saturday evenings as there is still a little funding leftover to cover the costs.

This funding was not enough to continue the full timetable.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was attacked in West Villa Road, Wellingborough, in the early hours of Sunday (January 7).

The victim, a 17-year-old boy, was assaulted sometime between 12.30am and 1.15am.

Anyone with information about the attack is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A man has been charged in connection with dangerous driving and drink-driving following a police pursuit involving a van stolen in Wellingborough.

At about 9.30am on Saturday (January 6), roads policing officers patrolling the A11 southbound in the vicinity of Red Lodge became aware of a Ford Transit van which had been taken without consent from a hotel car park in Wellingborough at about 12am the same morning.

The officers requested the van to stop, but instead going around a roundabout and joining the northbound carriageway.

The pursuit then continued along the A11 towards Thetford until a stinger device was successfully deployed at the roundabout with B1107 Brandon Road.

The van then turned off the A11 onto the B1107, when it came to a stop at about 9.45am and the driver was arrested and taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning.

Lloyd Ward, 28, of Melbourne Road, Chester, has subsequently been charged with the following three offences in connection with the incident:

- Aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving

- Driving with excess alcohol

- Driving without insurance

He appeared before Ipswich Magistrates Court on Monday (December 8), where he pleaded guilty to the offences, was given an interim disqualification from driving and was bailed for sentencing at Ipswich Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

The woman was driving her car in Butts Road, East Hunsbury, on Saturday night (January 6), when the car in front of her executed an emergency stop, a spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said today.

"A man driving the car then got out and began shouting abuse at the woman. She asked him to calm down as she had children in her car and said she would call the police. The man then took pictures of the woman’s car before getting back into his vehicle.

"The victim indicated to turn off Butts Road and the offender who was still in front of her did the same. She then parked her car and got out with her children at which point the man drove past and shouted racist abuse at her.

"The offender was a white man, wearing thin-rimmed glasses and was driving a 51 plate BMW," he said.

Officers would like to speak to anyone who may have witnessed this incident or who may have any information regarding it. The incident took place between 9.50pm and 10.30pm.

Witnesses or anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet is being asked to appoint its preferred bidder when it meets next week after Enterprise was denied the contract.

From an initial nine expressions of interest, the field narrowed down to just two companies. Following a robust evaluation of the two final tenders, the council is now in a position to appoint its preferred bidder.

Former contractor, Enterprise put in a bid at the initial stage but the the firm is no longer in the running. The contractor has been criticised on numerous occasions for missing bin collections, for leaving grass to grow up to a foot long in the east of Northampton last year and, on one occasion, for interring a body in the wrong plot.

Enterprise stopped collecting black bin liners in 2015, which it maintains was because it was never contracted to do so by the borough council.

Councillor Mike Hallam, cabinet member for environment, said: “We have carried out a very in-depth and robust procurement process for this contract and I will have no hesitation in proposing the recommendation to colleagues next week.

“We explored every option – including in-house delivery which independent experts told us would not be cost effective – and the two final bids were exceptional.

“I make no bones about the problems we have had with our current contract so the new service must be exemplary. Our residents demand it so that’s precisely what we intend to deliver.

“Following a very thorough evaluation exercise, the winning bid has been identified. I look forward to announcing the name of our new environmental services contractor at next Wednesday's cabinet meeting.”

In 2016, Northampton residents were consulted about the importance of a new environmental services contract which includes refuse collection, street cleansing and park and open space maintenance.

The resounding message from the 8,000 responses received by the borough council was that good quality service was vital, so the authority has reflected this in its investment.

The two final bids were assessed on cost and quality and the resulting scores have led to the recommendation that bidder B should be awarded the contract. The identity of bidder B will be revealed by the council following cabinet deliberation.

As outlined in the draft budget last month, the new contract will cost taxpayers an additional £3.4 million per year if agreed by cabinet.

Costs will be minimised through direct purchase of vehicles which will save the taxpayer around £1 million per year thanks to the council’s ability to borrow at much lower rates.

Police officers are trying to locate the owners of a horse found in Northampton during the early hours of the morning.

On Monday (January 8), Northamptonshire Police came across the horse on Clannell Road in Merefield between 2am and 2.30am.

If you believe this animal to be yours or you know who it belongs to, please call 101 quoting incident number 31 of 08/01/18.

World War One medals were among items stolen in a burglary in Northamptonshire.

The burglary happened on Saturday, December 30, between 8am and 8.45pm, in Hyde Close, Roade. Police released the information today.

Entry into the property was forced via the back door.

Items stolen include a number of war medals (pictured) with the engraving ‘JC Miller, Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, Service number 2155’ on them.

Cash, jewellery and a blue notebook were also stolen.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a wanted Kettering man.

Peter Murray, 36, previously of Mill Road, is being sought in connection with an alleged incident where a vehicle was taken without the owner’s consent.

Anyone with information about Mr Murray’s whereabouts should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 62 weeks in prison for shoplifting and assault offences in the Kingsthorpe area of Northampton.

Richard Freeman pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates’ Court to shoplifting and assault on January 1, 2018.

Over the past few months, Freeman had targeted a variety of stores, mainly in the Kingsthorpe area. As well as stealing goods from them, he often displayed aggressive behaviour and assaulted staff on a number of occasions.

Sergeant Steve Middleditch, from the Force Investigation Team, said: “This was an outstanding piece of work by one of our officers who worked tirelessly and often past her posted duty time to ensure we got a good result on this case.

“Freeman’s behaviour had caused a number of people working in Kingsthorpe stores to become fearful of coming in to work.

“Our officer knew this and worked on an intensive plan with fellow officers to arrest Freeman and ensure that the evidence brought against him would be enough to warrant a prison sentence.

“This is a fantastic result, not only for the officers involved in the case and the Force as a whole, but also for the shopkeepers of Northampton.”

Thieves scaled a fence between breaking in and stealing a boiler from a building site.

Police are appealing for information following the break-in at the Keepmoat building site in Glastonbury Road, Corby.

The incident happened between 4.30pm on Tuesday, January 9, and 9am on Wednesday, January 10, when the offender/s gained entry to the site by scaling the perimeter fence.

An Ideal Logic boiler was stolen.

Witnesses, or anyone with information about the burglary, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

The incident happened on Tuesday, January 9, between 10.30am and 10.45am, when the victim was walking from the St. Peter’s Way roundabout towards Toys R Us along the Towcester Road.

As he passed the entrance to the footpath leading from Towcester Road through to Victoria Park, he was pulled backwards into it, pushed to the ground and stamped on by two men who stole his phone and some cash. The men then ran off towards Victoria Park.

The offenders are described as two men, one white and one black. Both were wearing black balaclavas and black tracksuits.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Three men forced entry to Northamptonshire home in an attempt to steal a petrol buggy before returning to steal two handbags.

Northamptonshire Police have released CCTV images taken from the house in Flore.

Between 3am and 4am on Wednesday, December 20 the men stole keys before unlocking the garage to try and steal the buggy.

They then returned to the property and stole two handbags before leaving after an alarm was set off.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Workplaces are feeling the strain as 1,600 Brits are struck down by the deadly ‘Aussie flu’ virus.

A strain of Australian flu is working its way across the country with more than 1,600 people struck down with symptoms.

That figure is representative of those who have come forward as having the flu, so the number could potentially be much higher.

On Friday, southern England and the Midlands were largely untouched by the violent flu, but by Monday every region in the country had reported infections.

The H3N2 strain has killed 300 Australians and caused a string of deaths in Ireland, but most have belonged to one of the high risk categories: pregnant women; young children; the elderly; those with chronic conditions causing immunosuppressancy.

Symptoms

Uncomfortable bouts of diarrhoea and stomach pains will accompany nausea and vomiting and a painfully dry, hacking cough will stay with you for at least a week, but the symptoms could last twice that long.

The ‘Aussie flu’ is a virus so there’s no quick fix from your pharmacist. Home-prescribed bed rest, plentiful sleep, fluids and paracetamol or ibuprofen can reduce the discomfort and keep your temperature from spiking.

Your doctor won’t prescribe you antibiotics either, unless you’ve contracted a secondary infection due to an overburdened immune system.

If you’re still ill at the end of a second week, it’s a good sign the virus has intensified.

Left unchecked, Aussie flu can lead to more serious health scares like pneumonia, so call NHS 111 if symptoms continue or your condition worsens.