Shoppers have been given the chance to win £4,000 of vouchers to spend in Northampton town centre in the annual Golden Ticket giveaway.

Eight lucky people will get an early Christmas present by in the form of £500 worth of vouchers in the campaign run by Northampton Town Centre Business Improvement District (BID).

Jessica D’Aulerio, chair of Northampton Town Centre BID and owner of town centre print business Tangerine Red, said: “We‘re delighted to be repeating the success of last year’s Golden Ticket prize draw, which will guarantee an extra special Christmas for eight lucky shoppers and their families and will also bring more shoppers into our town centre, a key objective for the BID.

“Crucially, the winning vouchers must be spent here in the town centre and half must be spent in independently owned businesses, ensuring we support all our shops, venues and businesses, not just the big names during this peak, festive period.”

John Sheinman, a director of Northampton town centre BID and owner of Sheinman Opticians, added: “Businesses are more involved than ever before with Golden Ticket and recognise that this festive initiative is a excellent way to entice more shoppers into the town centre.

“Like other businesses, I’m urging my customers and patients to complete and post a Golden Ticket and hopefully, if they are one of the lucky winners, they may choose to spend some of their vouchers with us.”
Richard Clinton, BID director and operations director at Royal & Derngate, said: “We recognise that this is a great way to not only promote our business but to entice more people than ever before into our town centre. This is a festive bonus for business.”

Pick up a form from shops across town

There will be two Golden Ticket Prize Draws – November 28 and December 12, 2016.
To be in with a chance of winning all shoppers have to do is complete a Golden Ticket entry form - available at all town centre businesses, in the BID’s newly published Discover Northampton Christmas magazine and on the BID website - and then post the entry form into one of the BID’s specially branded Golden Ticket post boxes across the town. For details of the Golden Ticket Prize Draw, visit the BID website: www.northamptonbid.co.uk

Northampton’s longest-serving taxi driver says conditions for the working drivers along The Drapery are so bad, customers are having to break into a ten pound note to travel the length of the street.

George Bridle, 70, says conditions for those driving taxis and buses along The Drapery are becoming laughable.

On several occasions, he claims to have picked up passengers on The Drapery to find their fare has topped the £6 mark before reaching the Sheep Street traffic lights 200 yards away.

He said: “It’s so congested round there some times I just have to stop the meter - I feel so bad for the customers. When buses run late then they can’t get into any of the bays.

“Some of the buses are unloading passengers when they should be on their way up the road, it’s terrible really.”

Mr Bridle, of St. Matthews Parade, has operated a Hackney Carriage for 38 years, but he says he has never seen town centre traffic in the state it is now.

He, like many others who responded to the borough council’s consultation over the Greyfriars land, wanted to see more bus bays sited back there to ease the burden on the clogged-up around North Gate.

But while it may have bus stops for some people travelling to and from the new development, there will be no local bus terminal at the new Greyfriars.

The National Express coaches will be placed there - alongside restaurants, retail kiosks, flats, student apartments, a gym, a 110-bed hotel.

And of course - an eight cinema multiplex.

But Mr Bridle says it is a missed opportunity not having any buses back at Greyfriars, especially when the Vue Cinema sits less than half a mile from Greyfriars.

He said: “The existing cinemas are almost empty as it is now, and with the advent of films on demand at home, one can watch films for a fraction of the cost of going to the cinema.

“All the ills and stagnation of our once-proud town are laid at the door of the council.”

While those dreams of buses returning to Greyfriars will have to be put to bed, the frustrated cabbies and bus drivers will have to look to the police and the county council to at least ensure drivers stop using The Drapery.

The county council says it might consider number plate recognition cameras to catch offenders , but the police say they don’t have the resources to have officers stationed there “all day, every day.”

A police spokesperson, said: “Officers from our Town Centre Safer Community Team conduct periodic patrols on Drapery and take appropriate action when necessary, including making a note of car details so fixed penalty notices can be issued.

“It is not possible to have officers stationed in Drapery all day, every day, and so we have had discussions with partners to try and find longer term solutions to tackle the problem.

“In the meantime we will continue to conduct patrols whenever possible.”

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Images of a set of Northampton Town fans who are believed to have caused disorder at a Sixfields home game, at which a Special Constable was assaulted, have been released in a bid to identify them.

Northamptonshire Police has launched an appeal to find five men they want to speak to in connection with the fracas that erupted when Cobblers played Walsall at home on Saturday, September 10.

Police were forced to intervene when fans from both sides became aggressive.

At the time a Northamptonshire Police spokesman said there were a number of assaults including one on a Special Constable.

Chief Superintendent Mick Stamper said: “We are continuing to investigate the incident at September’s match and we are appealing to the football community to help us with our enquiries. Anyone who recognises the men pictured is asked to call police on 101.

“The vast majority of supporters attend football matches to enjoy the game and do so peacefully; however, we are committed to dealing robustly with anyone who causes disruption.

“There will be a police presence at the match this Saturday and, where appropriate, we will use the full powers available to us to keep the law-abiding public safe.

“We continue to work closely with Northampton Town FC to prevent crime and disorder at football matches and make sure they are safe events for people to attend and enjoy.”

Anyone who recognises the men pictured, or the individuals themselves, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Comedian Lucy Porter is bringing her new show Consequences to the Underground space at the Royal & Derngate in Northampton.

A regular on television and radio shows, Lucy comes to the town on Friday November 25 starting at 8pm.

This heart-felt and hilarious new show includes personal revelations, political observation and general reflection.

Lucy had a list of things she thought she would never be: monogamous, a mother, a cat lover, a slow-walker, a change-counter, someone who listens to chart music, a foot-spa owner, a meat-eater, a real-ale enthusiast, a caravaner, a luddite, an evangelist, a teacher.

One by one, Lucy has crossed each of the imaginary lines she had drawn in the imaginary sand. In this show she works out whether there have been any real consequences.

The big issues covered in Lucy’s show include censorship, generational conflict, theological ethics, real- ale vs ginger ale, trivia quizzes, Britpop of the 1990s, falconry and Gary Wilmot.

Tickets, priced at £15, can be booked by calling 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk.

A court case involving a man from Kettering alleged to have possessed a fake ID card had to be adjourned – as nobody was sure who the defendant was.

Wellingborough Magistrates Court yesterday (Wednesday) heard the case of George Charila, 29, of Spring Rise.

But when the clerk asked the defendant if that was his name, he said: “Not exactly.”

He then informed the court that his name was in fact Bekim Noka, he was 27, and lived in Coventry.

Noka appeared in court charged with possessing a fake Romanian identity card and possession of cocaine after police visited an address in Kettering in June this year.

It transpired that George Charila was in fact the name on the fake card, and that he had not told police his name was Bekim Noka when they booked him in at the police station.

Both the police and the courts believed he was George Charila until he turned up at the courthouse.

Noka, an Albanian national, had intended to plead guilty to both charges – something which his solicitor Jenny Evans was keen on pressing ahead with.

But prosecutor Jerena Tomaszewska said the revelation had completely changed the case and could bring extra charges, asking the court for more time to investigate.

She said: “Clearly there are some issues in respect of the matter we are dealing with and whether there are any more charges.

“We don’t know who Mr Noka is or what his history is, or even if there is any.”

Bemused chairman of the bench David Young said: “This man has come to court and given us a different name.

“Is this the man who went to the police station? I do not know.

“We can not go ahead with this case today.”

Noka was granted conditional bail to appear before the same court on January 4, 2017.

Rob Page has declared that he and his Cobblers players are determined to ‘right the wrongs’ of last month’s loss at Peterborough United when derby hostilities are swiftly resumed at Sixfields on Saturday.

Thanks to a quirk of the fixture list, the Cobblers tackle their local rivals for the second time in the space of little more than four weeks, and revenge is very much on the agenda for all in the claret and white corner.

A weakened and much-changed Town team travelled to London Road for the hugely-anticipated first competitive meeting between the two old rivals in nine years, and returned home with their tails very much between their legs as they were beaten 3-0.

It was arguably the worst performance of the team in Page’s Cobblers career as Town boss to date, and was a sobering and frustrating night for the 2,400 travelling fans.

Now it is Town’s turn to be the derby hosts, and boss Page wants to set the record straight by seeing off Posh.

“This is our opportunity to go and right the wrongs of the away game,” said the Town manager.

“It was set-pieces we conceded that day, apart from the third goal, and that put us on the back foot and is something we have to put right.

“We have been working hard all week and there is a great buzz around the place, even off the back of a defeat (at Gillingham), because there was too many positives from the weekend to be too negative about things.

“We will now build on those things going into what is going to be an entertaining game on Saturday.”

And he added: “We don’t like losing at football, whether it is against our local rivals, or Gillingham, or whoever, we hate losing.

“We will be looking to put that right, and it just happens to be a game against our local rivals, and we will be looking to win the game.”

Recalling the painful London Road loss, Page said: “We were disappointed after the game, and we said that.

“We felt for the supporters that travelled, and we are looking to put things right for them, because it is all about bragging rights.

“We will be doing everything, and we expect a great atmosphere because Peterborough are on our patch.

“They are coming to our place, and let’s create the atmosphere where we make it difficult for them.”

A second bid to list the Poppies’ old Rockingham Road stadium as an asset of community value (ACV) has been rejected by Kettering Council.

The authority first rejected a bid to grant the stadium the status, which would have given fans an opportunity to match any potential bidders, earlier this year.

They said that there was no evidence of recent use as the ground was shut in 2011, and that there was no community support.

Poppies fans organised a march to deliver a petition, which attracted more than 4,000 signatures.

But their second bid was rejected by Kettering Council after a decision was released yesterday evening (Wednesday), citing the same reasons bar the lack of community support.

A decision notice read: “The council is not satisfied that the conditions of Section 88(1) of the Localism Act 2011 are met on the grounds that the nomination fails to provide any evidence to show that there is a current use of the land that furthers the local community’s social well-being or social interests.

“The nomination acknowledges that the football ground was closed in 2011 and there is no information provided to suggest that there is any current public use, or any other use, that furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community.

“The nomination fails to provide any evidence that there is a realistic prospect of non-ancillary future use over the next five years in accordance with S88(2)(b).

“It is submitted by the land owner that the property has been marketed on the open market and was open to offers for use a stadium or alternative uses.

“KTFC Community submitted a bid which was significantly lower that the value of the property as a stadium or other development value.”

“While the submission of the petition shows clear evidence of community support there remains no significant evidence of the financial means by which that could achieved such that it would be realistic to think that there could be future use as a football ground.”

The Poppies currently play in Burton Latimer and unveiled plans to redevelop the stadium in August.

Many fans still harboured hopes of one day returning to their old stomping ground, where they played for more than 100 years.

Campaigner Richard Atkinson said the decision was completely against the spirit of the Localism Act.

He said: “The decision by KBC to reject the second ACV application is appalling, particularly in light of the fact that they have mainly used exactly the same reasons that they did to reject the first application.

“Both decisions are completely against the spirit of the Localism Act, and the reasons given for the rejection remain incorrect in the eyes of the organisers of the petition.

“That said, the one potential positive is that some weeks ago, Cllr Mark Rowley contacted me to ask if I would meet with him and members of the KBC cabinet to discuss the views and concerns of supporters to try and get a “resolution to the current situation”.

“I asked if I could gather a small group of supporters to attend the meeting, so that it wasn’t about what I thought, but could be a chance to give them a broader view.

“He has agreed to this, so a group of five supporters will be meeting with him on Monday, December 5.

“Whether this meeting is designed as pure lip service, or is a sign that the council really are willing to offer any kind of help to resolve the ground issues remains to be seen.”

Mr Atkinson added that the petition organisers will now take time to discuss their next move.

He said: “In the meantime, I will be discussing with the other petition organisers, and hopefully with the club, KTFC Community, and the Supporters Trust, what the next step should be.

“There are many possible ways forward - which include forgetting about the ACV listing entirely; asking for a judicial review into the decision; making a complaint to the Local Government Ombudsman; or even gathering new evidence for a 3rd application.

“We will await the outcome of the meeting December 5, and then decide on what to do next.

“The ground issue will not go away until a solution is found, and Kettering Council should be in no doubt that the supporters and members of the community will do everything in their power to help find that solution.”

Cllr Michael Brown (Ind, Brambleside), called on leader Russell Roberts to stand down over the decision.

He said: “I have never felt so ashamed to be a part of an organisation as I do now about Kettering Council.

“This is an epic failure to represent Kettering people by the leadership of the authority, who have once again chosen to delegate the decision to officers rather than taking the decision themselves as councillors.

“Cllr Roberts, leader of Kettering Council, should stand down over this epic shambles of a decision.

“The fight goes on to find a sports ground for Kettering borough and the campaign now gears up a notch.”

Peterborough United boss Grant McCann has warned his players to expect the Cobblers to be far tougher opposition when they meet for the second time in quick succession on Saturday.

Posh eased to a 3-0 success over Town in their Sky Bet League One clash at London Road last month, but an unusually quick return fixture fewer than five weeks later will provide a more severe examination of the new-found confidence in McCann’s men.

That’s what the Posh boss is warning his players, but he remains optimistic of collecting another three points for his side who will start the game in fifth place, three places and two points clear of the Cobblers.

Posh leapfrogged Town last weekend thanks to their 1-0 win over promotion-chasing Bolton Wanderers, coupled with the Cobblers’ 2-1 defeat at Gillingham.

But Rob Page’s men know a win at Sixfields on Saturday will once again see them go above Posh, and McCann is anticipating a tough test for his in-form team.

“It will be a completely different game,” McCann stated.

“Northampton were missing a couple of key men at our place and that won’t be the case on Saturday.

“The first meeting will have no bearing on the second one. If we go there thinking we will win easily again we will get into trouble.

“Northampton are a good side with a strong home record and we will need to show the same resolution, character and ability we showed against Bolton last weekend to get the result we want.

“The players are aware of that and they have been made aware again of the importance of this fixture in particular, to the fans and to the club in general.

“The game at the ABAX was a great experience.

“The atmosphere was special and it will be the same at Sixfields. This is a big game for both teams, especially as we are both in and around the promotion places.

“I expect us to play well though. We are showing good form and we will be ready for what will be a very tough challenge.”

Posh are on a run of five wins in six matches in all competitions, and four wins out of five in the league.

McCann is likely to field an unchanged side against Cobblers, while Page is likely to tinker with the team beaten at Gillingham.

Midfielder Jak McCourt missed the loss at the Priestfield Stadium, but is expected to be available after recovering from a neck injury, while JJ Hooper suffered a thigh strain in Kent that could rule him out.

Central defender and former Posh player Gaby Zakuani is also available for selection after missing the trip to Gillingham as he was on international duty with DR Congo.

Families can hunt for six ghostly spirits from Northampton's past thanks to the launch of a new mobile phone app.

Characters from Northampton’s past are coming to life through augmented reality this Christmas in an interactive ghost story launched by Northampton Borough Council.

A new app, which can be downloaded free of charge, allows people to follow a historical trail on a smartphone or tablet and hear the stories of individuals who have a strong connection with Northampton’s past.

Spooky spectres are standing at doors around the town centre that will open into another time when you view them through your smart device.

With Northampton’s long history there are plenty of tales to tell, but for now six individuals are waiting to tell their stories under the Christmas lights. While doing your Christmas shopping this year, you could meet:

* Footballer, Walter Tull, outside a pub on the market square

* Shakespeare’s granddaughter, Elizabeth Barnard, outside Ask Italian restaurant on St Giles Street

* Poet, John Clare, to the right-hand side of All Saints church

* Former MP for Northampton, Charles Bradlaugh, near Starbucks on the Market Square

* Dancer and daughter of James Joyce, Lucia Joyce, hiding behind the Guildhall on Dychurch Lane

* Founder of Phipps Brewery, Pickering Phipps, on Fish Street

Well-known 21st century Northamptonians, including former Northampton Town player Wayne Baptiste, and Alaric Neville, owner of Phipps Northampton Brewery Company, were enlisted to retell the stories of the ghosts who will be haunting the town.

Councillor Anna King, Northampton Borough Council’s cabinet member for community engagement and safety, said: “Ghost stories have been a Christmas tradition in the UK for years so I’m really pleased that we’ve been able to embrace that and create something that’s really fun and a little bit spooky.

“Northampton has a fascinating history and it’s great that local people were willing to come on board to help bring these stories to life so I’d like to thank everyone who volunteered to give the ghosts their voices. We’re proud of our incredible heritage all-year round, so we’re hoping that this app is here to stay and not just for Christmas.”

Download the Aurasma app from Apple and Android app stores and follow ‘ghosts of Northampton past’ to pick up the trail. Instructions on how to access the app and a map of the ghostly trail can be found at www.christmasinnorthampton.co.uk

Figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request, show that between 2014 and 2016, a total of 7,991 cars were stolen between 2014 and 2016 in the county.

Only London, the West Midlands and Scotland had higher numbers of car theft. In comparison, areas such as Manchester, Merseyside, Northern Ireland and Nottinghamshire had lower numbers of care theft.

The figures were compiled by car insurance company, esure.

According to their report, across the country about 70,000 vehicles are stolen each year but just one in 10 crimes result in the thief being caught and charged.

A spokesman said: "The problem is that four in 10 care thefts are not investigated by UK police forces and the majority of thefts from vehicles, eight in 10, are not investigated.

"While there are fewer police officers dedicated to stolen vehicle recover, police budget cuts and overstretched resources, more stolen cars are likely to be exported making them harder to recover," he said.

Jon Wilshire, chief underwriting officer at esure, added: “Car crime is up in many areas across the country despite cars becoming increasingly hard to steal. These statistics suggest that part of the reason for this trend is that thieves know they can get away with it as they are unlikely to get caught, and even if they do very few face a custodial sentence – demonstrated in the re-offender rates.

“Stealing a modern car without keys is difficult so the majority of thefts we see are when thieves get hold of car keys either by breaking into a property or stealing them from personal belongings. In addition, thieves have adapted to modern security technology, developing techniques to combat keyless entry systems and immobilisers.

“Drivers need to keep their car keys in a safe place away from windows and front doors and consider fitting a tracker if their vehicle is expensive.”

Players and coaches from Northampton Town FC dropped in at a Daventry school on Tuesday to meet pupils.

Youth team players James Hammond and Joe Iaciofano answered questions from youngsters at the Abbey Academy about what it took to become a footballer and what their life is like on and off the pitch now.

Coaching sessions were also run by the Cobblers team for the pupils.

The pupils also go to see the Sky Bet League 2 trophy up close, which was won by the Cobblers earlier this year when they were crowned league champions.

A number of Travellers have parked up on land just off the A14 near Kettering.

Several caravans have moved onto Cransley Park, a piece of land just off the A43 where it joins the A14 at Kettering which has been awaiting development for 10 years.

A spokesman for the Countywide Traveller Unit, a single body that manages unauthorised encapments and Gypsy and Traveller-related issues on behalf of local authorities, said: “We are aware of seven caravans.

“It is private land so in this instance, our role is to just give advice to the landowner.”

Plans to build a business park including offices and a hotel on the former Cransley Iron Works site were first submitted in 2006.

Revised plans went in earlier this year to increase the number of warehouses at the Cransley Park site, which were approved.

To read more about the plans, click here

A former teacher from Weedon has been jailed for 18 months after admitting sexual offences against two students.

Simon Ferris, aged 41, was arrested in April this year and on September 13 was charged with three counts of sexual activity with a child (adult abuse of position of trust) and one count of causing or inciting sexual activity with a girl (adult abuse of position of trust).

Warwickshire Police said the offences took place between 2004 and 2006 when Ferris was a PE teacher at Princethorpe College near Rugby.

Ferris pleaded guilty to the offences on October 19 and yesterday (Wednesday November 16) at Birmingham Crown Court he was sentenced to 14 months in prison for offences against one girl and four months for offences against the second girl, to run consecutively.

He will be placed on the sex offender register for 10 years and made the subject of a 10 year Sexual Harm Prevention Order.

DC Kate Jackson from Warwickshire Police said: “This marks the end of a thorough investigation by Warwickshire Police and I hope that the result gives a clear warning to other offenders that we take all allegations of sexual offences seriously and are committed to bringing those responsible to justice.

“I would like to thank the victims in this case, and the school, for their co-operation which enabled us to bring a successful prosecution and protecting other potential victims from harm.”

Princethorpe College has released a statement following Ferris’s sentencing.

Headmaster Ed Hester said: “We are aware that Simon Ferris, who was employed at Princethorpe College, leaving some 10 years ago, yesterday appeared in court and was sentenced regarding a number of serious offences.

“The current leadership team were not at the school at this time. We have of course co-operated fully with the police and other authorities to assist their enquiries.

“Our thoughts are now with anyone who has been affected by the case.

“It is important to stress that the safety and welfare of all the children in our care is of paramount importance to us. The Foundation rigorously adheres to all statutory guidance and regulatory requirements.

“Our safeguarding policy and procedures are reviewed at least annually by the leadership team and trustees, including the verification that pre-appointment checks on all staff are thoroughly carried out.

“The most recent inspection (February 2014) conducted by the Independent Schools’ Inspectorate confirmed that the school meets all the requirements of the Independent School Standards Regulations and found that the college’s pastoral care is outstanding.

“We are in the process of conducting a review to see what lessons can be learnt from the case going forward.”

Police investigating a shooting at a Travellers site in Braybrooke have arrested two more people.

The 17-year-old victim suffered serious injuries following the shooting at the Greenfield Travellers site in Braybrooke, near Market Harborough, at about 11pm on July 10.

Three men, aged 34, 35 and 40, were initially arrested following the incident and released on bail.

A month later, three more men, aged 24, 29 and 37, were arrested and subsequently released on bail pending further inquiries.

Officers executed two further warrants in Northamptonshire on Tuesday (November 15) when a 23-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man were arrested.

Both have been released on bail pending further investigation.

The investigation remains ongoing and witnesses or anyone with any information about either incident are asked to call police on 101 or, alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.

Ben Foden will reach a big milestone when he starts for Saints at Worcester Warriors on Friday night.

The full-back, who moved to Northampton from Sale Sharks in 2008, will make his 200th appearance in the green, black and gold.

Foden starts in a backline that sees Lee Dickson and Stephen Myler renew their long-standing partnership at half-back.

Luther Burrell and Rory Hutchinson are the centre pairing, as they have been in the recent Anglo-Welsh Cup wins, while Jamie Elliott and James Wilson are on the wings.

In the pack, Calum Clark is fit enough to start after overcoming the concussion he suffered against Gloucester last month, while Sam Dickinson skippers the side from No.8.

Tom Wood has been sent back to Saints by England for the game, but the regular captain has since returned to the national setup due to injuries.

Nic Groom is away as he returned to South Africa last weekend to get married and has since been on his honeymoon.

But the scrum-half is expected to be back for next week’s clash with Newcastle Falcons.

Meanwhile, Worcester will be skippered by former Saints star Phil Dowson at Sixways on Friday night, but Matti Williams, GJ van Velze and Ryan Lamb are not in the squad.

Worcester Warriors: Pennell; Hammond, Olivier, Mills, Vuna; Shillcock, Arr; Rapava Ruskin, Annett, Schonert; O’Callaghan, Barry; Potgieter, Kirwan, Dowson (c).

Replacements: Singleton, Leleimalefaga, Daniels, Kitchener, Cox, Dowsett, Adams, Heem.

Saints: Foden; Elliott, Burrell, Hutchinson, Wilson; Myler, Dickson; A Waller, Haywood, Brookes; Paterson, Day; Gibson, Clark, Dickinson (c).

Replacements: Clare, E Waller, Hill, Craig, Nutley, Kessell, Olver, Collins.

Police say the controversial Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) is making Kettering a safer place.

The law, which was introduced in July, bans activities such as drinking, skateboarding and begging in areas of the town centre and makes then punishable by a fine.

In recent weeks the police have issued six Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), five for street drinking and a sixth for begging.

One person has been issued with two FPNs.

Northamptonshire Police Sergeant Nathan Murray said: “The PSPO is proving to be an important and useful tool, helping us provide an appropriate and robust response to anti-social behaviour issues in the town.

“It gives the police, supported by the local authority, the relevant powers of enforcement needed to tackle the issues specific to the local area and we will continue to work closely with Kettering Council to make our community a safer, more pleasant place for anyone who visits, lives or works in our town.”

The PSPO will be in place for three years and council officers are in the process of building prosecution files for those that have failed or refused to pay the £80 fine.

Where appropriate, they will be seeking Criminal Behaviour Orders on the back of any conviction in court.

Environmental wardens are working with the police to identify those who have committed offences within the PSPO to lead to further prosecutions.

Shirley Plenderleith, head of public services at Kettering Council, said: “The PSPO gives powers of enforcement to allow us to tackle issues that are particularly relevant to Kettering town centre.

“The council, together with Northamptonshire Police, are seeking to improve the quality of life for residents, businesses and visitors to the town.”

Cllr Mark Dearing, Kettering Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration, said: “The PSPO is a relatively new tool that is already enabling us to address any issues that may arise in and around the town centre. 

“This is about taking joint responsibility for our town centre, while also allowing people to enjoy it in the way they would want.”

Kettering’s Karthik Nagesan is starting to look like he could be a serious contender in The Apprentice - but how will he fare this week?

Last week’s show saw the Big K end up on the winning team and enjoy a pampering session as a treat.

Despite winning he paid more than his rivals for a lengha after his Indian charm offensive didn’t quite pay off.

Tonight (Thursday), Lord Sugar instructs the candidates to tap into one of the UK’s biggest markets - the boating and leisure industry.

The task is simple - pick the right products and sell them at Poole Harbour Boat Show.

Will Karthik get too big for his boats, or will he make it through to week eight unscathed?

Tune in to BBC One at 9pm tonight to find out.

A pub in Northampton has received the ultimate accolade...winning a Loo of the Year Award!

The Cordwainer Wetherspoon pub in The Ridings, Northampton, has been awarded a platinum star rating by inspectors ˗ the highest award possible.

The awards are aimed at highlighting and improving standards of 'away from home' toilet provision across the UK.

Authorised inspectors make unannounced visits to hundreds of toilets at sites across the UK, in order to judge them. The platinum rating is given only to outlets which offer "exceptional toilets."

All of the toilets are graded from bronze to gold with unacceptable toilets not graded at all.

The toilets are judged against numerous criteria, including décor and maintenance, cleanliness, accessibility, hand washing and drying equipment and overall management.

The Cordwainer manager, Ian Gardner, said: "I am delighted with the award. Staff at the pub work hard to ensure the toilets are in a first-class conditional at all times and it is great that this has been recognised by the inspectors."

The Loo of the Year Awards 2016 managing director, Mike Bone, said: "The toilets at each of the pubs have been designed and fitted out to a very high standard and are both clean and well maintained.

"The pubs richly deserve their platinum awards."

A chef from a Northamptonshire pub is bidding for a place tonight in the next round of Masterchef The Professionals.

The show, which stars two Michelin-starred Marcus Wareing, is currently running on BBC2 and tonight's episode will choose which chefs go through to the semi-finals.

Head chef at The Narrowboat in Weedon, Kirsty Collins, is competing this week for a place in the semi-final of the long-running competition.

Kirsty, whose dish in a previous round was described by Wareing as one he would be happy to pay for in a restaurant, says the experience of appearing on the show is one she will never forget.

The 29-year-old said: “Masterchef is probably the best and most highly-rated cooking competition in the country.

"I was told I should apply by so many people, so eventually I did. I did not even think I would get through the first stage, so to get through to the quarter finals is a massive achievement, and I am told I should be very proud. I am, although my nerves and my shyness almost tripped me up!

"But when Marcus Waring saidhe hadn't eaten an Asian dish 'as good as this', I was over the moon."

Her family, friends and owners of The Narrowboat say they are all incredibly proud of what she has achieved.

Kirsty develops all her own dishes and her signature dish, praised by Wareing in the show, is available all weekend at The Narrowboat, which recently won two AA rosettes and was in the top five "Best Sunday Roast in the country" competition.

A Northampton businessman who failed to pay money owed after going bankrupt has had new restrictions placed on him for 10 years.

Christopher Day, 61, of Northampton, has had a bankruptcy restrictions order placed on him for ten years, according to a statement released today by Her Majesty's Revenue & Customs.

Mr Day was declared bankrupt on June 17, 2015 on a petition presented against him by Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

A spokesman for HMRC said: "An insolvency service investigation found Mr Day withdrew his entire pension, of more than £30,000, after bankruptcy proceedings had been started against him by HMRC. The petition against Mr Day having been presented on April 27, 2015.

"By the time he attended an interview with the Official Receiver’s Office in July 2015, Mr Day said he had £10,500 remaining, and that this was being ‘looked after’ by a family member. He was told he needed to pay the money to the Official Receiver," the spokesman added.

"He didn’t pay the money over, and instead instructed his family member to keep hold of the money on his behalf. After court proceedings, only £4,500 was recovered."

Martyn Rawbone, deputy official receiver, said: “This is a serious case in which the bankrupt’s misconduct continued even after he had been made aware of his obligations. Extending the period of the bankruptcy restrictions should act as a deterrent and warning to others who might be considering such actions.”