Officers and staff from Northamptonshire Police took part in a two minute silence today in memory of PC Keith Palmer, who was killed in last month’s terror attack in the capital.

Deputy Chief Constable Andy Frost said: “Today is a very sad day for policing.

“I pass my condolences to the families of PC Keith Palmer and the other innocent victims of that tragic attack.

“It’s really important the policing family nationally comes together and here in Northamptonshire it’s great to see so many staff and officers both at headquarters and hopefully around the county paying their respects.”

Chief Constable Simon Edens was joined by other colleagues from Northamptonshire at Southwark in London to be part of the ceremony.

JP Estelles and Tom Kessell excelled for the Wanderers as they secured a home semi-final in the Aviva A League by sinking Sale Jets at Franklin's Gardens on Monday night.

Argentina wing Estelles and scrum-half Kessell both bagged two tries, while Christian Day coming off the bench to add a fifth late on in a comfortable 32-3 success.

It means the Wanderers top the Northern Conference and will have home comforts in the semi-finals, which are scheduled to take place on April 24.

A strong Wanderers team had been named to take on Sale, with the likes of Luther Burrell and James Wilson lining up for the Saints second string.

And they were dominant from the first whistle with their persistent pressure forcing Sale prop Ciaran Parker into the sin bin.

And it wasn't long before the opening try came as Kessell was fed by Sam Dickinson from the back of the scrum and the No.9 did the rest.

JJ Hanrahan easily added the extras and the Wanderers threatened to rub salt in the wounds as Estelles slalomed his way through and Wilson was just stopped at the last.

Estelles was soon getting on the mark himself though as Sale failed to retain the ball in their own half and the wing flew in for a score out wide.

Hanrahan missed the touchline conversion, but the Wanderers were in complete control, continuing to press in a bid to add to their tally.

However, it was Sale who would get the final points of the half as fly-half Dan Mugford slotted a penalty from in front of the posts.

But the Wanderers were to quickly cancel that out at the start of the second half as Hanrahan slotted a penalty of his own.

And there was soon another try for the home side as the impressive Estelles spotted a gap, stepped his way through it and sped in to register an eye-catching effort.

Hanrahan missed the conversion, but he soon made amends, adding the extras after Kessell found it easy to cruise past the Sale defence to secure his second score of the night.

And the Wanderers weren't done yet as patient build-up play resulted in replacement Day rounding things off by scoring in the left corner.

Wanderers: Wilson; Collins, Hutchinson, Burrell (Olver 60), Estelles; Hanrahan (Grayson 69), Kessell (Mitchell 69); Ma'afu (E Waller 50), Clare (Fish 57), Denman (Ilnicki 57); Paterson, Craig (Day 57); Nutley, Ludlam (Allman 66), Dickinson (c).

Sale Jets: Jeffers; Coulson (Odogwu 40), Leota, Tuitupou (Chatterton 66), Edwards; Mugford, Dever (Wilson 75); Pope (Williams 69), Langdon (Briggs 59), Parker (Ferreira 60); Mills (Pozniak 69), Postlethwaite; Hughes (c) (Moore 48), Seymour, Rogerson.

Referee: Anthony Woodthorpe

Attendance: 1,036

Walkers aged from just five months up to 87-years-old were among the award winners from this year’s Crazy Hats walk.

About 1,700 people took part in the annual five-mile walk around Wicksteed Park, which took place on Sunday, April 2.

While there were hundreds of hats of all shapes, sizes and designs, the Crazy Hats team had to whittle them down and pick out their favourites for the annual awards night held on Friday night.

Crazy Hats founder Glennis Hooper congratulated all the winners, and added: “The hats were stunning this year and the judging was really difficult.”

Here are all the winners from this year’s Crazy Hats walk:

- Northants Telegraph award for the craziest hat (aged five to 16) - Louisa Gregory

- DB Print award for craziest hat (adult) - Alison Lindley

- Michael Page award for craziest hat (under five) -Rudi Van Beck

- Mayor of Kettering award for youth group - Burton Latimer Rainbows and Guides

- Jack Warwick award for largest family team - CB Family Team

- Andy Todd award for youngest participant - Lydia Mengel (five months)

- Rock-It award for largest company team - Su’s Fitsteps

- Mamie Hooper award for team with craziest hats - A Minion Ways to Flutterby

- Harry Botting award for largest friends group - The Forget Me Nots

- Shoosmiths award for oldest participant - Mary Franklin (87)

- Rotary Club of Kettering award for dog wearing craziest hat - Dougal East

All money raised by the walk will go towards improving breast cancer care at Kettering and Northampton general hospitals, and will add to the £2.3 million raised by the charity since it started in 2001.

Organisers have asked that sponsorship money is submitted by Saturday, May 27.

For more information about the Wellingborough-based charity, click here

The level two illustration and tattoo design course has been designed to equip students with the skills they need to build a portfolio of eye-catching designs and prepare them for a career in an industry that has recently enjoyed a surge in popularity.

The course is being run in conjunction with professional illustrators and tattooists, including Stuart Rolls – who has 25 years of industry experience and runs the All One Tribe parlour in Adam and Eve Street in Market Harborough.

Mr Rolls said: “In recent years the tattoo industry has jumped into the mainstream. The popularity of programmes such as Miami Ink and the number of celebrities and role models with tattoos has taken us from the back streets to the high street.

“Interest in tattoos is greater than it’s ever been and we need to bring through a new generation of designers to cater for that demand. I want to see students who are passionate about a career in illustration and have the eye for innovative design.

“This course is a fantastic initiative and gives us the chance to prepare students for what lies ahead, helping them to build a portfolio which will impress employers and give them the opportunity to get their foot in the door.”

The latest research has estimated that one in five people in the UK has a tattoo and the figure rises to one in three for young adults.

The course content has been designed following feedback from students interested in the surging popularity of tattoos.

Julie Teckman, head of the school of arts, said: “This new course is based on feedback from young people who want to come to college, are creative but don’t want to go down a traditional fine arts route.

"They want something a little different so this course will enable us to harness talent and develop their illustration and artistic skills at the same time. The focus will be on the design side of tattooing, and not the process of inking the tattoos.”

It is hoped that students will be able to get "real world" experience by gaining work placements with local employers who have played a role in developing the content of the programme.

Sophie Pennington, curriculum manager for art and design, added: “We have worked closely with local tattoo businesses who are supportive of this new course and looking forward to working with our students, offering work placements, and coming into college to meet and advise our students.”

For more information on the course, which will launch at Northampton College’s Booth Lane campus in September, visit: https://www.northamptoncollege.ac.uk/courses/art,-design-photography/463-level-2/1835-level-2-art-and-design-tattooing-design-illustration.html

Four men were sentenced to a combined total of 50 years imprisonment for conspiracy to import and supply Class A drugs at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (April 10).

Two Northampton men, Jason Chisholm, 42, and Robert Lovatt Jr, 39, were sentenced to four-and-half years and 15 years between them after around 40kg of heroin was seized from an industrial unit of a bakery in Moulton Park, Northampton, in August 2015.

His Honour Judge Michael Fowler said: "While society is trying to cure the problem of drug abuse in our towns, you are instead feeding the flames. And for what?

"I am sure the quantity and the purity of what you sought to import would have resulted in death at some stage."

Two men from the Netherlands, Johannes Woltering, 42, and Johannes Weber, 38, were also convicted for their leading part in supplying the drugs.

In July 2015, the gang imported a similar shipment of drugs to the same bakery unit in Northampton.

But arguments started inside the group when Chisholm told his cohorts that they could not use the bakery anymore and offered to find them another location to run the operation.

After this, Lovatt and the two Dutch offenders told Chisholm that they were not going to do business with him anymore.

A jilted Chisholm then called Northamptonshire Police and gave them the date, time and place of the £5million shipment hidden in the kitchen sink.

Judge Fowler, in sentencing Chisholm, said: "Without your actions, this conspiracy would never have been discovered by the police. Your intervention prevented the second delivery from reaching the streets. You have endangered yourself and affected your life in a very real and enduring way.

"Nevertheless, you willingly took part in the first delivery, which you at first did not tell the police about. Then, after you had contacted the police, you tried to warn your conspirators that they were coming.

"It's apparent from the evidence that you had an unrealistic expectation of what the police would do when you contacted them. You expected that without the other three you would be able to continue your involvement alone, a misconception born, I imagine, from watching too much television.

"You got involved with criminals far more sophisticated than you."

In sentencing Lovatt, Judge Fowler said: "You had a leading role in this conspiracy. Woltering brought his expertise in drugs supply and you brought your expertise in the criminal activity in Northamptonshire.

"You supplied these drugs to accrue excessive wealth that you failed to gain through legitimate means, and all to fund your own lavish lifestyle. This is shown when one of you was heard in a retail store after the first delivery boasting about your wealth and seeking to purchase a £35,000 watch.

"In the right hands, drugs can save our lives and control our pain. But in the wrong hands, they cause immeasurable damage to society, to families and to the lives of everyone affected."

Jason Chisolm was found guilty of conspiracy to import and supplying class A drugs. He was sentenced to four and a half years.

Robert Lovatt Jr pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply and import Class A drugs. He was sentenced to 15 years.

Robert Lovatt senior, aged 62, of Pembroke Gardens, Northampton, had been charged with conspiracy to import and supply drugs but was acquitted on both counts.

During the trial, Robert Lovatt senior maintained that he had agreed to give his son, Robert Lovatt junior, and Chisholm a lift. While at the bakery, he had collected some rolls and had simply helped load the pallet of kitchen worktops into the white van, but had nothing to do with what was inside it.

Johannes Weber, of Waspik, Holland, was found guilty of conspiracy to import and supply class A drugs. He was sentenced to 17 years.

Johannes Woltering, of Waspik, Holland, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to supply and import Class A drugs. He was sentenced to 16 years.

Detective Constable Ian Hollyoake from EMSOU, said: “These men exploited the premises of a law abiding local business to conduct their illicit trade.

“Our investigation showed it was not the first time this method had been used to ship large quantities of drugs to the UK, but rest assured, it was the last.

“This investigation means these Class A drugs, worth millions, will not make their way to our streets to cause untold damage to our communities, and these five men have been stopped in their criminal tracks and face a substantial amount of time in jail.”

Cobblers fans will get the chance to meet the 1986/1987 Fourth Division winning team next month at a special reunion event.

The likes of Trevor Morley, Graham “Rambo” Reed, Richard Hill and Graham Carr will be in attendance, along with the other players from the title side.

The get-together, organised by the Northampton Town Supporters Trust, is on May 13 at the Park Inn and will feature a buffet as well as some old Cobblers films.

Tickets are £20 and are available from Roger Averill via Facebook, via email at roger.averill1@btinternet.com, or in person on matchdays at the bottom of the steps at Sixfields.

You can also purchase them at Spiral Archive Record Store at 26 St Michael’s Road, inside the Print Factory between 11-3.30, Wednesday through Saturday (cash only).

Cheques can be sent to John Atkinson, Northampton Book Shop, 26 St Michael’s Road NN1 3JU. Add your details on the reverse of the cheque, and your tickets will be available for collection only on the night of the event, at the door. Cheques should be made payable to Northampton Town Trust travel club.

Alternatively you can email to rkrdhse@yahoo.co.uk to pay via PayPal.

An onlooker who watched digger-driving ram-raiders take out a shop in Northampton says he saw two men shouting frantically at one another before fleeing the scene

The popular One-Stop shop in St Crispin's was dramatically reduced to rubble at around 3.30am on Sunday morning, as criminals used a JCB to remove a cash machine from the premises.

The raiders were unsuccessful, dumping the construction vehicle before fleeing the scene.

Police have now launched a manhunt in a bid to trace them.

One eyewitness, who did not wish to be named through fear of repercussions from the criminals, was woken at 3.30am by the crashing sound of a digger ripping into the premises.

He said: "I just heard these three loud crashes - at first I thought it was a big bin being emptied, but it was worse, it was a horrible noise.

"I jumped out of bed to have a look and I just saw it smashing the shop down.

"At first I jumped back.

"I watched it crash into the building again and again, before I saw two men."

The anonymous source carried on watching as the two raiders desperately tried to get into the shop's cash machine.

"They were running towards the cash point, shouting 'let's go, let's go'" he said.

"I thought this is unbelievable, it was like watching a movie.

"It's such a shame they did that to such a lovely shop - they didn't deserve that."

The ram-raid of the One Stop Shop comes just weeks after a JCB was used in a similar attempt to break into a village shop's cash machine in Great Glen, Leicestershire.

On that occasion the raiders tried to load the ATM onto the back of a flat bed truck, but it fell as they drove off.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police, said: "Police were called to a One Stop Shop in the early hours of Sunday morning following reports a large digger was being used to ram the store.

“The ATM was left at the shop by the offenders before they fled the scene.

"We are asking for residents living in the Kislingbury and Bugbrooke areas to be alert and report any suspicious activity as well as advising people to be vigilant of large diggers being driven around the county overnight.”

Plagued by injury and personal tragedy, 2017 has not been kind to Alex Revell, but now back fit and in the team, the Cobblers man is aiming to make up for lost time.

The 10-goal striker, a summer signing by Rob Page, flew out of the traps and raced to eight goals inside 15 games this season before the troubles began.

Just two goals since October 1, largely owing to factors out of his control, coupled with mixed fortunes for Northampton on the pitch have turned his first Sixfields campaign into a story of what might have been.

The initial calf injury, sustained against former club Milton Keynes Dons in Justin Edinburgh’s first game as manager, was predicted to keep him out for six weeks but, just as he looked set to return, a setback in training turned a manageable six-week absence into three long and frustrating months sat on the sidelines.

But finally back in the squad, Revell was thrown on by Edinburgh for the final 20 minutes of Saturday’s clash with Sheffield United.

He saw little of the ball and spent most of his time chasing lost causes but, for Revell, it was all about getting back out there.

“It’s been hard watching but the setback I had was something that couldn’t be helped unfortunately,” he explained.

“I tore my calf and for some reason it just took a bit longer and the circumstances outside haven’t helped but it is what it is and I’m back now and I’ve worked really, really hard with the people behind the scenes.

“I’m strong now and I’ve been desperate to get back and it was nice to get back out there on Saturday.

“Hopefully I can get a few more minutes in the last few games of the season and get ready for next year.”

Saturday’s late defeat to Sheffield United keeps Northampton on 51 points and six clear of relegation, but even if they achieve the expected and stay up, the season will still go down as a disappointing one in Revell’s eyes.

“This year, we’re disappointed to be where we are because I think we’re better than what we’ve shown,” he admitted.

“But we’re ready for next year now and it’s given us a grounding for next season and we know what’s going to lie ahead of us now.

“I think the results we need to get better at are against the teams we feel we should be beating because we’re not sometimes and if we can improve that you’ll see us higher up the league than where we are at the moment.”

Just like previous games against Bolton, Bradford and Scunthorpe this season, Saturday’s battling performance but frustrating result was another example of Northampton pushing one of the division’s finest teams all the way before coming up short.

Again it was a late goal that undid earlier hard work but, with four games to go including three against sides below them, Revell wants to harness the positive elements of his side’s display and finish their campaign with a flurry.

“I thought we were excellent in the first-half and deserved to be in front,” he said. “We limited them and they had to change their formation and personnel.

“They upped it in the second-half and they deserve to get promoted and I imagine they will be crowned champions but we can take a lot of belief and a lot of positivity from our first-half performance.

“It’s a difficult result to take because we did play so well but we have to kick on and we’ve got two big games this weekend.”

Revell’s manager echoed those feelings, and now Edinburgh has targeted at least two more wins before the season’s out.

“Mathematically we’re not safe,” stressed the Cobblers boss. “Not many teams have gone down with 51 points in the last 10 or so seasons so we’ve just got to keep focusing on every game.

“We want to make sure we continue to put in good performances and grow as a group.

“There are a lot of players whose contracts are up at the end of the season so there is a lot to play for.

“We’ve just got to keep going. There are less points to accumulate and I think as a group we want another couple of wins before the end of the season and that’s our aim.”

On Revell’s return, Edinburgh continued: “I’m pleased for Revs. He’s had to be patient because he’s been out for a while but he looks fit and he looks strong so that’ll be good fur us as a group and as a team going into the last few games.”

A collision between a lorry and a van is causing major tailbacks on a main route in Northampton this morning.

The A45 westbound is partially blocked due to the accident on the at Mere Way roundabout.

AA Travel is reporting queues of up to 45 minutes - stretching back to Brackmills Industrial Estate and beyond, to the Bedford Road roundabout.

Radlands skate-park in Bedford Road has been hit by a spate of litter including takeaway wrappers and syringes, which parents believe is an unsafe environment for their children to play in.

But the borough council says town centre parks, including Midsummer Meadows, are monitored by neighbourhood wardens and park rangers to ensure they are clean and safe spaces to visit.

But mum, Liz Murphy of Kingsthorpe, whose two young boys Alex and Zac play there, said: "The skate park is for everyone, but it's now turning into an absolute pit. The last time we came was a few weeks ago, we think it's got worse.

"You're keeping your children safe by watching them, putting their helmets on, but you don't know what they are stepping on.

"What do we do?" She asked. "Who is going to support parents and the owner of the cafe?"

A member of staff from the Outpost Cafe, who doesn't wish to be named, said despite an infra-red camera being installed in the park to identify offenders he still cleans up takeaway wrappers every day, which has been strewed across the park overnight.

He said: "We have families come in, but when they see the mess they go away, especially the broken glass and youths smoking cannabis in the late afternoons.

"It's unsafe for some of the younger kids. The litter we clean up every day, ourselves."

He said the park has had problems with nearby campers who have been using syringes as well as youngsters practising handbrake turns in the field and tearing up the grass.

The reports of littering at Midsummer Meadows come after several complaints abut Northampton's green areas this weekend.

Reader Rachel Holliday contacted the paper to complain about the state Abington Park was left in following the sunny weather, tweeting a picture of the park covered in rubbish.

She said: "What is wrong with people that they can't enjoy our parks responsibly and have respect for those using them afterwards?"

A spokesperson for Northampton Borough Council said: “It’s fantastic that so many people come and enjoy the town’s parks and we know that they were particularly busy this weekend with the lovely weather.

"The majority of residents do a great job clearing up their rubbish and we will continue to evaluate the number of bins needed and how often they are emptied on a regular basis. However, for the small minority of people who leave litter behind and spoil the appearance of our public areas, increasing clean-up costs, we are currently looking into extending our enforcement areas.

"In the meantime, we urge people to clean up after themselves by making use of the park bins, which are emptied on a regular basis even at weekends, or by taking their rubbish home.”

War medals and jewellery have been stolen from a home in Earls Barton.

The burglary was discovered after the owners returned home following a short break to find thieves had broken in through the kitchen door and stolen a number of medals which were in a display case.

They included a Burma Star medal, with bar and laurel leaf, an Argyle and Sutherlanders cap badge and a General Service Medal from Northern Ireland and Oman.

The display case was also taken along with some jewellery.

Anyone with information about the burglary, which happened between 9am on April 4 and 1pm on April 7, can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Thieves have stolen four rose plants from a memorial garden looked after by volunteers in Corby.

The theft from the Memorial Walk area in Coronation Park happened some time between 6pm on Monday, April 3, and 10.30am the following day.

A police spokesman said: “Volunteers look after the park where roses are bought, along with a name plaque, by families wishing to have somewhere quiet to sit and remember their loved ones.

“Both the volunteers and the families involved have been left distressed by the theft.”

Anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

A haul of property was stolen by burglars who broke into a home in Kettering.

The burglary happened some time between 7am and 4.30pm yesterday (Monday, April 10) in Cross Street.

The burglars are believed to have escaped with an Acer laptop, a Tesco tablet, a black Toshiba laptop, a white tablet and a Kindle Fire in a purple case.

They also stole two Amazon Fire sticks, a Samsung tablet, a Hugo Boss gold watch and a Michael Kors men’s watch.

Anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

Police want to trace two offenders who deliberately set fire to conifer trees in Wellingborough.

Firefighters were called after neighbours alerted them to the fire in Torrington Road, just before 12.30pm on Saturday (April 8).

Anyone with information can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.

The show, which has won 85 international awards including 16 for the best musical, can be seen in Leicester from Tuesday June 5 to Saturday June 30 next year.

Based on the book of the same name written by Roald Dahl will also tour to Dublin, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Birmingham, Manchester and Cardiff.

Tickets for Leicester, Dublin, Sunderland, Milton Keynes, Manchester and Cardiff will go on sale to the public on 26 April following a priority booking period between 19 and 25 April. Tickets for Birmingham go on sale on 9 May, after a priority booking from 25 April to 8 May. Further dates and venues are to be announced in due course. The West End production continues at the Cambridge Theatre, currently booking until 17 December 2017.

The production will be accompanied in each location by a new education programme to engage young people, inspired by Matilda The Musical. From a travelling library of stories led by Mrs Phelps, to whole school takeovers of Matilda, the RSC aims to reach over 15,000 children, in collaboration with touring theatre partners.

Dennis Kelly, (book) said: “It’s been a long time coming but I’m delighted that we get to take Matilda around the UK and to Ireland. We have some fantastic theatres in this country and in Ireland, supported by smart, engaged audiences and we can’t wait to bring this crazy, messy, anarchic explosion of a show to them.”

Tim Minchin (music and lyrics) said: “I - like millions of others - feel like Dahl is in my blood, because I grew up with his books. So to have contributed to a piece of work that brings one of his most famous stories to life is one of my life's great joys. I’m utterly thrilled that audiences in cities all across the UK and Ireland will now share and be part ofMatilda’s story.”

Now in its sixth year in London’s West End, Matilda The Musical is the longest running production at the Cambridge Theatre where it continues to play to packed houses.

With book by Dennis Kelly, original songs by Tim Minchin and direction by Matthew Warchus, Matilda The Musical is the story of an extraordinary little girl who, armed with a vivid imagination and a sharp mind, dares to take a stand and change her own destiny.

Inspired by the incomparable Roald Dahl’s beloved book, Matilda The Musical was commissioned by the Royal Shakespeare Company and premiered at the RSC’s The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon in November 2010, before transferring to London’s West End in October 2011, where it opened to rave reviews.

Tickets will be on sale from Wednesday April 26. These can be booked by calling the box office on 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.co.uk/miltonkeynes.

A car was set on fire on the Southbrook estate in Daventry on Sunday.

The arson attack happened in Vernon Close between 10.30pm and 10.40pm on April 9.

The offenders smashed the rear window of a silver Vauxhall Vectra before setting fire to the vehicle and running off.

Significant damage was caused to the inside of the car and further damage by a nearby resident and police using a fire extinguisher to put out the blaze.

Anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Ornamental railings and centuries-old stonework were damaged at Becket's Well, in Bedford Road, off Derngate, Northampton, over the weekend.

Nick Stephens, chair of the Buddies of Beckets community park group said: "At first we thought someone had hit it with a car."

Buddies of Beckets were told about the damage to the monument by a member of public on the evening of April 9.

Mr Stephens said: "The padlock holding the rails is missing. The stonework is loose and the railings have been bent inwards.

"We can only speculate that someone tried to force open the railings to steal coins from the well.

"The person responsible has caused a lot of damage to the original stonework just to steal a few pounds worth of coins people have thrown into the well for luck."

A spokeswoman for Northamptonshire Police said: "We were called to the Becket's Well at 9.45pm on April 9.

"It appears an offender has tried to damage the railings protecting the well to steal coins.

"Anyone with information can call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111."

Brits are hoarding a staggering £30 BILLION worth of useless purchases - many which remain unused, according to new research.

A study of 2,000 people shows the average house contains £1,120.53 worth of items such as sandwich toasters, shoes which only match one outfit and ice cream makers.

Other forgotten purchases include water filters, crockery bought for ‘best’ and exercise bikes.

Almost half of adults admit their extravagant spending means they often buy things they don’t need when shopping, just because the items are close to the till.

In addition to the larger items, three quarters of Brits are frittering cash on purchases they don’t need on a daily basis, from takeaway coffees to nail varnishes.

These unnecessary spends cost around £32.66 a month, leaving people almost £400 out of pocket every year, money which they could be saving instead of wasting.

The study also revealed snacks we don’t want but can’t resist, special offers on food and sale items we can’t refuse are the top three impulse spends.

A quarter of those polled admit to regularly wasting our money on scratch cards, clothes we only wear once and impulse sweets when queuing at checkouts.

People are also guilty of buying shoes which don’t fit properly and clothes which then sit in the wardrobe unworn - with no intention of returning the items.

Make-up, flowers for the house, pre-chopped vegetables and magazines all appear in the top 20 list of unnecessary purchases.

Being a sucker for a bargain, being easily swayed and food shopping when we’re hungry are the top triggers for these pointless purchases.

One in five respondents admit to blowing their money just because they have spare income, while one in 10 forget what they already own.

And despite 80 per cent of people regretting these wasted spends, only five per cent will always take them back for a refund.

One in five couples have fallen out over wild purchases, while a third of people admit their partner has criticised them for their spending habits.

When it comes to spending money wisely, four out of 10 people would prefer to put their wasted spends into a savings account, while a quarter would prefer to invest the cash in home improvements.

And nearly half of those polled said that if they had the choice, they’d rather save that money for a holiday.

Kris Brewster, Head of Products for Skipton Building Society, who commissioned the research, said:

“It’s surprising to see how much all of these little, everyday expenses can add up to, and how avoidable they can be. And if we’re honest, those ‘one-off’ bigger purchases are probably much more regular than we think as we sleepwalk into spending our money.

“It’s important that people stop and make the time to pause and think about their finances, considering how their spending habits big and small could have an impact on their personal savings. Without taking this time, we can all be led into to wasting money, just because bargains look too good to refuse!”

TOP 20 DAILY FRIVOLOUS PURCHASES

1. Snacks you don’t really want but can’t resist the temptation

2. Special offers on food

3. Sale items you just can’t refuse

4. Impulse checkout sweets when queuing

5. Buying clothes you only wear once

6. Scratch cards

7. Buying clothes which then sit in the wardrobe, without being worn once

8. Lottery tickets

9. Lunch out instead of taking a packed lunch to work

10. Takeaway tea and coffee

11. Flowers for the house

12. Buying pre-chopped vegetables because you’re too lazy to cut your own

13. Nail varnishes when you have 20+ pots at home

14. Makeup

15. Useless kitchen gadgets

16. Magazines you don’t end up reading

17. Brand new notebooks even though you have several unused at home

18. Vitamin pills which you only remember to take for a couple of days

19. Shoes which don’t fit properly and you can’t be bothered to take back

20. Paying for subscription TV and then only watching a couple of channels

TOP 20 ‘BOX FRESH’ PURCHASES

1. Sandwich toaster

2. Shoes to match an outfit you’ll only wear once

3. Bread maker

4. Smoothie maker

5. Slow cooker

6. Exercise bike

7. Crockery / cutlery for ‘best’ which you don’t end up using

8. Ice cream maker

9. An expensive face cream in response to an article online

10. Mobile phone upgrade

11. A water filter you haven’t time to re-fill

12. Designer handbag

13. New watch

14. Games console

15. Bicycle

16. Dehumidifier

17. Treadmill

18. New television

19. Remote control car

20. Surround sound

SKIPTON BUILDING SOCIETY TIPS TO SAVE MONEY -

1. Give up the daily coffee

Ditching the daily takeaway coffee habit could save a surprising amount over the course of a year. Giving up a £3-a-day coffee could save around £700 a year. Invest in a half-decent coffee machine and make coffee at home for pennies instead.

2. Skip the odd takeaway or meal out

Save a few pounds (cash and weight) and break out the cookbooks rather than takeaway menus. Cutting back on one £25 takeaway or meal out a month will save £300 over the year, as well as being good for your waistline. Plus, it’s a well-known fact that homemade food tastes better than anything you buy.

3. Downgrade your phone contract

With contracts for the latest flagship phones easily costing £50 or more a month in many cases, trading down to a much cheaper SIM-only deal can save a small fortune. By shopping around, you may be able to shave off £35 or more from your monthly bill. Over the course of a year, that could add up to £420.

4. Slash that massive pay TV package

Are you paying for satellite or cable TV channels or a package that you hardly use, like sports or movies? A top-of-the-range pay TV subscription can cost as much as £70 a month. Opting for a more basic package could save around £50 a month - or you could consider Freeview, which is free-to-air - and watch any big matches in the pub, saving as much as £600 a year .

5. Axe your gym membership

How many people signed up to the gym in a bloated, post-Christmas pang of guilt, only to trail off by late January? Get your running shoes on instead, hit the local pool or join the craze for bodyweight workouts (that’s doing press-ups and sit-ups for the rest of us). You could save £300 to £600 a year .

6. Skip the night on the town

With a night out weighing in at as much as £60, giving your wallet and liver a break once in a while can be a good idea. Stay home one extra night a month and save up to £720 a year.

7. Have some patience with gadgets and games

Are you the kind of person who just has to have the latest gadget or game as soon as it comes out? Maybe you time your phone upgrades around the Apple release cycle? The price of phones, consoles and other gadgets all tend to fall quite rapidly after their initial release - so having a little patience and waiting a few months can often be a shrewd move. Depending on how many you buy a year, you could save a few hundred pounds

Officers investigating an armed robbery in Irthlingborough believe it could be linked to a crash in Wellingborough.

Two men wearing hi-vis jackets entered the Premier lakeside store in Wellingborough Road, Irthlingborough, threatened staff and stole cash, cigarettes and scratch cards before making off in a green Ford Mondeo with registration number WR52 SUH.

The same vehicle was involved in a road traffic collision 10 minutes later at the Wellingborough/Redhill Grange roundabout in Harrowden Road where it was in collision with two other vehicles before driving off.

As the airbags had been deployed the offenders decamped a short distance away and ran off.

Police have just released details of the robbery, which took place between 6.45am and 7.10am on Friday, March 24.

And a police spokesman said: “We would like to speak to anybody who witnessed either of the two incidents.”

Witnesses, or anyone with information about either incident, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

A woman was punched in the face and robbed of her handbag as she was walking across The Racecourse in Northampton.

The lone victim was approached by two unknown men wearing dark clothing and face coverings and riding a silver or grey scooter. One of them punched the woman in the face before grabbing her handbag and riding off towards Brick Kiln Lane.

The robbery happened between Bailiff Street and Brick Kiln Lane some time between 11.40am and midday yesterday.

Anyone with information should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111.