Police want to speak to this man about an alleged theft in Rothwell.

On Monday, April 3, a man allegedly went into the Esso garage on the A14 at Rothwell and took scratchcards without paying.

Detectives believe the man pictured may have information about the incident.

Witnesses should call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Justin Edinburgh does not want his Cobblers team stumbling over the finishing line as they wrap up their Sky Bet League One season - he wants them finishing with a flourish.

The Cobblers boss has been frustrated by his team’s current untimely six-match run without a win that has ensured they go to Bury for the penultimate game of the season on Saturday, still not having guaranteed their safety.

Three defeats and three draws since the crucial 2-1 win over Port Vale on March 14 has seen the Cobblers more or less maintain the gap between themselves and the relegation zone, but not expand it.

With two games of the season remaining, Town go to Gigg Lane on Saturday six points above fourth-from-bottom Vale (who have a game in hand) and five better off than their 20th-placed hosts.

The Cobblers know a win or a draw against the Shakers will finally guarantee their safety, and Edinburgh wants to ensure his team seals their security with a little bit of style, rather than relying on results elsewhere.

Asked about the run of six matches without a win, Edinburgh said: “That is not a good stat, and I certainly wouldn’t want to go between now and the end of the season and not record a win, I don’t think that would be good.”

Part of the reason for the poor run has been the fact Town have played - and lost to -three of the top six in Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield United and Millwall, but Edinburgh knows the team’s record against the division’s stronger teams is something that needs improving

“We want to finish the season on a high, but we have had a lot of difficult games against a lot of teams that are going well at the other end of the table, so it is not always easy to go and get a result,” said the Cobblers boss.

“I believe and feel we should have had a better return than we have, but that is probably the things we have to change in the summer and is the reason we are where we are.

“Against the top teams we haven’t took enough points, and that is something that needs addressing for next season.”

Asked is he is disappointed the team still hasn’t guaranteed their league one future, Edinburgh pointed to the competitiveness of the league as the reason why.

“I think that shows how competitive this division is, how open it has been all season, apart from Sheffield United who have been the one and only standout team,” said the Town manager.

“You look at Bolton, and four or five weeks ago they probably thought they had the second place sealed for automatic promotion, but clearly that’s not the case.

“I just think that is down to the competitiveness of the league, and that everybody on their day is capable of putting in a performance.

“Everybody is trying to take it down to the last game, but we have to concentrate on ourselves.

“We have had some tough games of late, and we have another one coming up on Saturday.”

And he added: “I am fully aware of what Bury have.

“They are an experienced side, a strong outfit, and they obviously have James Vaughan who has just been named in the league one team of the year.

“So they have goals in their team, they have experience, and it is all geared up for a very good game.”

Former Northampton Borough Council leader, Councillor Mary Markham, also confirmed Mr Mackintosh has been summoned to address the Northampton South Conservative Association early next month.

The meeting, on Tuesday, May 2, will begin at 7pm at a venue to be confirmed.

On the night the current MP could face two votes. First, members of the executive council will cast ballots on whether he should be allowed to stand again on June 8.

If he fails to win the approval from a majority of executive members, his selection will then be determined by a secret ballot of the wider 170-strong membership.

If he loses the membership-wide vote the association will propose at least two people to challenge for the candidacy.

Earlier today Mr Mackintosh said he was disappointed his Conservative colleagues had leaked reports to the media, stating they would not be backing him.

He said: “It is disappointing that a few of my colleagues have chosen to brief against me in the media when the country is about to make an important decision about who leads our country in the future.

"I am proud of my record as an MP, to date I have dealt with over 20,000 cases from thousands of my constituents. I would like to continue that work and intend to stand for re-election.”

But Councillor Markham said she would not be supporting him due to the way she says he handled criticism of his involvement in the failed Sixfields loan saga.

She said: "I urged David Mackintosh publicly some months ago to be more accountable, not just to the association management committee, but to his electorate too.

"I asked him to answer their questions and be more representative.

"I haven't seen any evidence of that since," she said.

Councillor Markham said there are potential candidates willing to stand for the candidacy.

Following a plucky Channel 4 documentary that saw film crews gain unparalleled access to Northampton General Hospital bosses have said they have been inundated with messages of support on social media.

Confessions of a Junior Doctor aired on Channel Four on Tuesday night and followed the plight of the hospital's 210 young medical professionals as they went about their working day.

Show producers claim the hospital bosses opened their doors to the film crews to show how the hospital – and the juniors they support – are working "against the odds" amid increasing pressures on the NHS.

Channel Four says that the documentary was shot over four months "at the height of the 2016 junior doctor crisis" and follows the lives of three young doctors at different stages in their career.

A spokeswoman for Northampton General Hospital said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the messages of support following the first episode.

"The aim of the series was to portray the reality of being a junior doctor in today’s NHS. Holly, Sam and Emily’s stories have given an honest insight into the challenges and frustrations of their role but crucially it shows how much they want to do their job well and make a difference for their patients.

“The series portrays a hospital under immense pressure, and in that respect, we are representative of many hospitals across the UK and that’s reflected in the messages of support we had on social media.

“We’re very grateful to all those patients, families and staff who agreed to be filmed for the series.”

There are currently more than 60,000 junior doctors working in NHS hospitals across the country, with many as young as 23-years-old and many facing a working week of up to 75 hours.

Social media user, Natalie Olliffe said on Facebook: "My son was in the hospital when this was filmed, he experienced the most amazing care I could have ever asked for and every single member of staff on Paddington were incredible. I wish I had properly thanked them."

Lauren Goodridge saw her nan on TV who sadly passed away on March 17. She added: "The doctors and nurses that supported my nan were amazing right until the end, miss you nan.

"Hands up to all NHS staff who do amazing jobs. Praise where credit is due."

Gerry Ashpole watched the documentary. She said: "I can say when I was in this hospital last October and November I received wonderful care from the doctors and nurses.

A wonderful, huge thankyou for all you did to help me get home to my family you all work so very very hard and you deserve everything."

A mother has spoken of her anguish after her 24-year-old son was turned away for psychiatric help - then took his own life six days later.

The Northampton-born young man developed severe mental health issues after becoming addicted to legal highs, an inquest heard.

Then, when his family thought he was safe in hospital and getting help, the police came to his mother's house to say her son had been found dead.

Heather Bryant, in a statement read out by the coroner, said: "If I had known he had been discharged, I would have spoken to him and got him help. But no one told me. Now whether I could have helped him is something I will never know."

The tragic circumstances leading to the death of Reece Aaron Bryant, 24, were heard at an inquest on Wednesday (April 19) and told how a young man lost his mind to legal highs and even got himself arrested in a plea for help - before he was turned down by Berrywood Hospital, Northampton, for psychiatric treatment.

Mrs Bryant said: "Reece was a happy boy growing up. He was always chatting and was a bit clumsy in his way. He did well in school even if he wasn't a true academic, and he went to college to study mechanics. He had a passion for cars.

"He was a tall, handsome lad, who always wore his best clothes and took pride in how he looked."

But when Reece was a teenager, his world was rocked by problems at home, including the separation of his parents and the death of his nan, who he was very close to.

Mrs Bryant said: "He took a turn for the worst and started hanging out with the wrong crowd. Around 18, he started going out a lot. He spent hours in bed and wouldn't get up. He took up smoking. I started to suspect he was taking drugs and even using petty crime to buy them.

Reece's habit landed him in prison twice. It was here, Mrs Bryants believes, that he was introduced to legal highs.

She said: "He must have thought they were okay to use because they were 'legal'.

"I'll never forget the afternoon he showed them to me. We were in the garden when he pulled out a packet with a green, herby substance in it. There was a picture of a Mexican hat on the front and the name 'Desperado'. He rolled it into a joint and smoked it.

"The change in him was instant. He went from being laidback and cheerful to fidgety and paranoid. He eyes were so wide. He thought there were cameras in my kitchen and talked about how people were after him."

Reece's drug addiction and paranoia got worse over time. He began showing withdrawal symptoms to the then-legal substance, including vomiting and shaking. But there were other side effects.

Mrs Bryant said: "I would hear him arguing with someone in his room. But there was no one else in there. He was talking to thin air.

"He began to talk about how 'people were after him'. He asked me if I was 'in on it'.

"There is a direct link between the drugs and the damage to his mental health."

Reece got more and more out of hand, until he left his mother's house and began sleeping on the streets. His family and friends would offer him help whenever they saw him, but he would never let them.

William Inkson is the head of security at Northampton General Hospital and was asked to give evidence at the inquest.

He said: "Reece was well known to the security team. In two years, we logged 65 incidents where Reece would gain access to the hospital, where he would hide, sleep and smoke, sometimes even using drugs. It marked a pattern where he would either leave after time or have to be removed, and he would sometimes turn violent.

"We often tried to help him and offer to put him touch with homeless charities, shelters and drug counselling. But he refused every time. On the occasions we could talk to him, he was pleasant and we enjoyed our conversations."

Then, in April 2016, the police were called to a domestic incident at Reece's grandfather's house. Reece had tried to swallow his grandfather's blood pressure medication to 'stop the voices', the inquest heard.

Mrs Bryant said: "When the police arrived, Reece kissed me on the forehead and went straight out to meet the police. He needed and wanted help, and thought being arrested was the best way to do this.

"The police told him he had done nothing wrong. So he smashed some fence panels and pleaded for them to take him away. So they arrested him."

Reece was handed over to Berrywood Hospital, Northampton, and an assessment of his mental health was carried out.

Dr Mustafa, who assessed Reece, said in evidence: "It was apparent he was acutely mentally unwell. He was very forgetful and answered many questions with 'I don't remember'. He did not seem to know his date of birth, but he said he knew his nan had died. He complained of having thousands of voices in his head, which I determined to be pseudo-hallucinations. At one point he turned violent and had to be restrained.

"I felt his condition did not warrant admission to the hospital, and could be treated with follow-up visits and referrals. He was then discharged."

Six days later, in May 2016, Reece was found dead at Northampton General Hospital.

A member of staff found him in a disused shower room, where he had taken his own life. An ambulance was called but the crew said there was nothing they could do.

Mrs Bryant said: "The police came to my house and said Reece was dead. I didn't understand. I was led to believe he was safe in hospital and getting help for his mental issues. They did not tell us he had been discharged.

"He had no control over his mind because of the legal highs.If I had known he had been discharged, I would have spoken to him and got him help. But no one told me. Now whether I could have helped him is something I will never know.

"I will always remember the hyperactive bubble of fun he was a boy. He will be sadly missed by all his family and friends."

Her Majesty's Coroner Anne Pember ruled that she could not prove Reece's intent in the hours before he died and could only reach an 'open conclusion' into the cause of his death.

A ban on legal highs across the UK came into effect on May 26 2016.

A Northampton police officer has praised the deployment of Tasers to front line bobbies in Northampton after his partner was stabbed in the leg with a samurai sword.

PC Gary Liddle says a Taser gave him 'essential protection' during an incident with a violent offender.

It follows the announcement by Northamptonshire Police to equip 100 of its community officers with the devices.

He said: "If things turn violent, we can control these individuals from a distance and make patrols safer for our officers."

A video of the attack in November 2014 was filmed on an officer's body-worn depot camera and shows how PC Liddle's team were met at a suspect's door by a sword-wielding offender.

PC Liddle said: "We were called to an incident where two cars had been extensively damaged by a male with a baseball bat.

"Our enquiries led us to a property where we gathered that the male was inside. We knew he was potentially armed, but perhaps just with the baseball bat. We didn't know and were quite concerned."

The suspect in the property turned abusive and began swearing and shouting at the officers. They attempted to enter through the front door.

PC Liddle said: "What we didn't know was that he was armed with a samurai sword.

"My colleague, PC Rob Monk, got a foot in the door. Then he screamed. He had been stabbed in his left thigh and he fell backwards.

"He tried to deploy his taser but the offender shut the door. It took a few seconds for it all to become real before I grabbed him and got him back to the squad car."

With the armed offender still inside, PC Liddle had to turn his back on the property to give PC Monk first aid.

PC Liddle said: "PC Monk was able to cover me with the Taser while I applied the tourniquets. Without it, we would have been exposed if he had come out again."

Other officers were able to detain the man and PC Monk was taken to hospital.

Yesterday (April 20), Northamptonshire Police announced they would train and equip 100 frontline officers with Tasers.

PC Liddle said: "I'm glad they're doing it. I think it affords us a level of protection in violent situations. We will have more officers trained to use a less lethal option.

"If we can control these violent individuals, we can make incidents safer for our officers and safer for the Northampton public."

A Northampton officer, who yesterday attended her third day of Taser training, said: "It's a good thing I think. I don't always know what situation I'm going into and if someone comes at me with a knife I want to be able to subdue them"

PC Rob Monk and PC Gary Liddle received bravery awards in July 2016 for the incident. The attacker was later sentenced in crown court.

Mohammed Ahmin, 39, took over the Royal Bengal in Bridge Street from his father Abdul Rohim in 1998 after he graduated from university.

The restaurant, which opened in 1975, will serve up its last meal on Saturday, May, 6 after raising nearly £63,000 since 2011 through fundraising efforts.

Mr Ahmin said: 'Im immensely sad to see it go, the restaurant has existed longer than I have. I have known it all my life, I used to come in here as a young lad, during school holidays and every Saturday I would come in at lunchtime, all the customers would recognise me, come up to me and shake my hand, from the age of four or five years old.

"Even before that I always came here and then I first started working here part-time.

"I have been doing it ever since.

"My father is still involved to this day in creating dishes and offering good advice. Sometimes he works better than all of us put together; he's 73 and still has that energy."

Gradually over time, following a periodic street closure from 8pm on Friday and Saturday nights, Mr Ahmin believes customers were put off by the "reputation" of the street, drunken club-goers and a lack of parking.

He said: "That to me was a turning point as far as Bridge Street was concerned, they [the council] did decide to open Bridge Street but unfortunately there was a big fire, the old Fat Cats."

"When that happened it caused big problems because there were massive hoardings on the street. Bridge Street was turned into a one-way kind of area and I think initially it was a bus route.

"For several months, even years, especially when the scaffolding was out, people just thought the street was closed and turning it into a bus lane put people off. All these things and the recession didn't help, there was an accumulation of things.

Another contributing factor for the closure was the increased business rates.

Mr Ahmin said: "The size might be deceiving, we are quite a large place, but it takes a lot to fill these seats, but I don't blame it all on business rates.

"We have lasted for 42 years, I don't think many businesses do that, as an Indian restaurant I think that in itself just shows how we managed to be resilient and change the way we did things."

Between 1962 and 1975 his father Abdul was a chef at the very first Indian restaurant in Northampton, the Taj Mahal in Marefair, which opened in the 1950s.

The head chef at the Royal Bengal learned under Abdul after leaving school, but there is an industry shortage of skilled Indian chefs in the UK, he revealed.

"The industry view is there is a shortage of staff - especially skilled chefs," he said. "The best way to get skilled chefs into the industry would be to recruit from India or Bangladesh.

"I would say that 10-15 years ago, people like myself should have foreseen that there was going to be a problem.

"People who live in this country who are grown up, going to school, university, college; they're not going to suddenly want to change their career and become a chef.

"There are some that do, but why would you go to university and get educated and then suddenly work in a restaurant - there is that stigma."

Social media user, Palden Dorje said on Facebook: 'This is so sad. This place holds so many wonderful memories for me over the years. Mohammed and his family are lovely warm people and I shall miss them.'

Fiona Furman said: "I'm gutted, I have lovely memories of this restaurant. When I was small and we used to go I would draw thank you pictures on the napkins, then one time the owner took me into the kitchen to meet the chef and all my past pictures were on the wall. They are great people. What a loss to Northampton."

Mr Ahmin said that since receiving heartfelt messages from well-wishers, he might consider opening up elsewhere...

The Welingborough Technical Players are well into rehearsals for their next production, which is a fine comedy.

This fast-paced British farce entitled Cash on Delivery is performed from Tuesday April 25 to Saturday April 29. It concerns a con artist who has duped the welfare authorities for years.

He has been claiming every type of benefit for the innumerable people he claims live at his address.

He is sent scrambling when welfare investigators show up and he is forced to prove all of his boarders are in fact real.

A spokesman for the group described the play as “a very funny comedy full of mistaken identities, slamming doors, and a con that spirals out of control.” The spokesman said:

“The reherasals for the show have been going really well and the cast have been excellent and the script is superb.”

The show has been written by Michael Cooney with the play is being directed by Tony Woodward.

David Mander, Kevin French, Richard Llewellyn, Tim Allebone, Mick Mills and Debbie Draycott have been charged with bringing the material to life on stage.

Tickets for the show are £10. The show start at 7.45pm for each of its five night run, with a matinee taking place at 2.30pm on the show’s final Saturday.

These can be booked by calling the box office on 01933 270007 or visit www.castletheatre.co.uk

The Liberal Democrat Group on the borough council is calling for a rethink of the council tax increase imposed on residents in parish council areas.

The authority agreed to the increases at the end of February and tax demands dropped on residents' mats in March advising people of the increased charges taking effect from April 1.

Government law permits district and borough councils to raise tax by £5 on a Band D bill each year - and the equivalent amount on each of the other bands, which in Northampton's case is 2.4 per cent.

But the Lib Dem group is set to question a "special expenses charge" that has been applied to areas with a parish council, including Billing, Colingtree and Duston, which appears to have taken some payers' bill up by up to four per cent.

The Lib Dems believe this level of increase should have been put to a referendum and could gain the borough council up to £100,000 in additional taxes in the 2017/18 year.

Councillor Sally Beardsworth (Lib Dem, Kingsthorpe) said: "To fill the black hole in the Borough finances as a result of £10.5 million lent to the Cobblers the Conservative administration has imposed the maximum increase of £5, above which they would need to hold a referendum.

"The parished areas make up a third of the council tax payers and these residents have been charged an increase that is not allowed without a referendum.

"The Liberal Democrats call for a re-think to be discussed at the council meeting on the 24th April."

Councillor Brandon Eldred (Con, East Hunsbury), who is the cabinet member for finance, claims the Lib Dems are "mistaken".

“The legislation relevant to the setting of council tax rates is defined by central Government," he said. "We have strictly adhered to these principles and no-one in the borough of Northampton is paying a larger council tax increase than is allowed without a referendum.

“We have written to the person who raised this issue and explained that they are mistaken.”

The Lib Dems, however, intend to pursue the matter and have put forward a motion to the full council meeting on Monday, April 24, to see the special charges reconsidered.

Labour's shadow finance member Councillor Clement Chunga, (Lab, Brookside) said: "I have some sympathy with what the Liberal Democrats are saying on this occasion.

"Back in 2012 the Tory borough council looked to set up more parish councils in the town.

"Labour opposed this as it would mean residents paying an additional precept for things, the borough council should be doing anyway."

Laura Packer's problems first started when she and her four children moved from their old social home in Pineham Lodge, to Teasel Close, St Crispins.

In doing so she says she was told informally that her six-year-old son Todd would be eligible for free transport, to Chiltern Primary School.

But unbeknownst to her, as she had moved it meant Todd was no longer attending the "nearest suitable school" - and lost his right to free transport.

She applied for Todd to go to St Lukes in Duston and Upton Primary School but both were full and had no choice but to accept the place at Chiltern.

The county council claims he lives within a two-mile walking distance of Chiltern Primary School in Duston - even though online maps companies show the shortest route coming in at 2.5 miles.

Free transport is only available to youngsters who live more than two miles away from their nearest suitable school - but Ms Packer, who cannot drive and is separated from her children's father, has already lost one appeal on the matter.

She says it's not about the cost of the transport - she simply cannot get her two boys to separate schools at the same time without a car. Bus routes are equally lacking between St Crispin's and Chiltern Primary School.

Ms Packer, 32, said: "Children have only got little legs. How are they expected to walk all that way and then do a full day at school?

"We have tried to figure out if there is a cut-through we can use, but there isn't."

In fact, in order to make the journey as the crow flies she would have to either cut through a set of residential gardens or scale a 7ft wall at the end of a cul-de-sac in Duston.

Furthermore, Ms Packer has a younger son who goes to St Luke's Primary School in Duston and two older daughters who go to Campion School in Bugbrooke.

Chiltern Primary School has allowed Ms Packer to pick Todd up early at 2.30pm so Ms Packer can pick him up and walk to St Lukes in time to pick up youngest Luke. The school has also agreed to pick Todd up in the morning out of goodwill, but she still has to take him home herself.

But the early finish means Todd is missing out on valuable education time.

Now Ms Packer is begging the county council to take her appeal into consideration - because she believes she does indeed live more than two miles away from Chiltern Primary School by taking any reasonable route.

A Northamptonshire County Council spokesman, said: “Parents and carers are responsible for ensuring their child gets to and from school. However, in certain circumstances, including distance from school, pupils may qualify for free transport to school.

“In this case, the family does not qualify for free home to school transport because they live within the qualifying distance set out in our Home to School Transport Policy.

"We have advised the family to follow our appeals process if they are unhappy with the outcome of their application for free transport.”

Tickets are on sale for David Ford who headlines the Roadmender in June.

The single songwriter has been working on material for his new album Animal Spirits which will hopefully be out in time for his forthcoming tour.

Ford’s songs combine Americana, English melodicism and a touch of rock ‘n’ roll, tied together with finely-crafted lyrics.

His emotive stories of social commentary, politics and love in a world going to hell are powerful, engaging and hark back to an era of classic songwriting.

Think Tom Waits, Neil Young and Randy Newman.

Hailing from the South Coast of England, Ford has been lauded by press and public alike throughout his decade-long solo career.

His debut album, I Sincerely Apologise For All The Trouble I’ve Caused, was included in both The Times and Word Magazine’s top ten albums of the year.

His records have achieved number one slots on iTunes and in February 2014 he travelled to Paris to receive the French Grammy award for song of the year.

Ford ended 2014 with a sell-out tour of the UK backed by a string quartet, playing selections from his new mini-album, The Arrangement.

Then in a shift of direction that has come to typify his uniquely eclectic brand of creativity, Ford toured the UK in May 2015 with a show he called ‘The One-Man Full-Band Show’.

This featured Ford playing an entire stage full of instruments linked together by a home-made array of loop machines and triggering devices that helped him produce a full-on rock show played by one person.

A multi-instrumentalist and master of the loop pedal, Ford’s mesmerising live performances regularly sell-out venues on both sides of the Atlantic.

He’s also supported the likes of Elvis Costello and Richard Ashcroft.

David Ford headlines the Roadmender on Thursday, June 1

Support is by Michele Stodart from the Magic Numbers and JP Ruggieri

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £15 before fees.

For YouTube star Carrie Hope Fletcher, the challenge of bringing a much loved character to the stage might bring restrictions.

But she explains the story has given her a certain amount of freedom to create a new version of Wednesday Addams.

Carrie said: “In both the TV series and the film, we have seen her as a 12-year-old girl, but in our version, she is 18 and she’s dating. “Most teenage girls go up a notch when they start dating.

“Wednesday is already at that level and when you throw a crossbow into the mix, she manages to get worse.

“I have been loving working with the cross bow.

“I’ve taken to it really well.

“There is nothing else like this show and we have all been completely seduced by this musical version.”

The Addams Family musical runs from Tuesday May 9 to Saturday May 13. Tickets for the show can be booked by calling the box office on 01604 624811 or visit www.royalandderngate.co.uk

Justin Edinburgh accepts the pressure is still on the Cobblers as they head to Bury with their Sky Bet League One safety still not mathematically secure.

But the Town boss is also comfortable and reassured that Town’s fate is in their own hands as they gear up for the final two games of the season.

The Cobblers travel to Gigg Lane on Saturday knowing a point will guarantee their safety.

They have a five-point advatntage over 20th-placed Bury, and are six points better off than fourth-from-bottom Port Vale, although Michael Brown’s men do have a game in hand.

There is also the safety net of having of Oldham Athletic, Gillingham and Shrewsbury between the Cobblers and fifth-bottom Bury, with all the teams having fewer points than Edinburgh’s side.

So although Town fans are still rightly twitchy and unhappy about their team’s position and the fact they are still in the relegation mix, Edinburgh believes the target he was set when he has given the Sixfields manager’s job in mid-January will be reached.

“Everything is in our hands,” said the Cobblers boss.

“The remit when I walked through the door was to make sure that we are in this division for next season, and we are a lot closer now than we were then.”

After Saturday’s trip to Gigg Lane, the Cobblers host Edinburgh’s former club Gillingham at Sixfields on the final day of the season, and the Town manager is promising that he and his players will be doing everything they can to get the team’s future secured as quickly as possible.

“Anybody who knows me or works with me knows that the players won’t be taking their foot off the pedal,” said Edinburgh.

“We owe that to ourselves first and foremost, and everybody else connected with the football club.

“We have two big games that we will give our best in, because there is a lot at stake for everybody else, and most importantly for ourselves.”

Bury go into Saturday’s game just two points above the relegation zone and desperate for the win that will go a long way to securing their own safety.

The club have reduced ticket prices to just £5 to try and entice a big crowd through the turnstiles, and it is sure to be a lively atmosphere, but Edinburgh says it is all about what the Cobblers do.

Both teams go into the match without a win in their past six games, and with both having claimed just three points from the past 18 available, with Bury claiming a useful 0-0 draw at second-placed Bolton on Tuesday.

The Cobblers know a draw will secure their safety, and Edinburgh said: “We have to go to Bury and concentrate on ourselves.

“I think Bury will be buoyed by their result at Bolton, because keeping a clean sheet there is good going as far as I am concerned, against a good side.

“Saturday is their last home game of the season, and one they feel they probably need to get a result in to secure their safety, but we have to fight for our own.

“It will be a very competitive game, but one we think we can get a result from.”

A competition has been opened to children and young people across Northamptonshire to have their original artwork displayed in town.

Entrants need to produce a piece of art that represents what living in Northamptonshire means to them. Entries will be judged on originality, creativity, boldness and impact.

The winning artists will be invited to paint their designs onto the screens around the construction site.

Tim Dobson, head of schools engagement at the University of Northampton, said: “This is a great opportunity for children and young people throughout the county to really show their creativity with the chance to display it on public hoardings where thousands of people, visitors and residents will see their work.

“We are aiming to get young people to use their local heritage to connect where they live, work, play and learn and gain more of an understanding about how it forms part of the county’s history so they become proud of where they live.

“We will also be working with local artist Marvin Mudzongo from Lemonpop Workshops Ltd as he will be transcribing the designs and supporting the winning artists whilst they create the art installation.”

The chosen artwork will also be entered into the national Ivor Goodsite Hoarding competition, which saw over 2,800 children take part last year.

Entries should be two-dimensional and A3 in size, with name, age and school written clearly on the back.

All artwork should be sent to Linda Davis-Sinclair at the University of Northampton, St George’s Avenue, Northampton, NN2 6JD by Friday 28 April 2017.

Scottish alternative icons The Jesus and Mary Chain will bring their Damage and Joy tour to the Roadmender later this year.

The band released their seventh album in March, their first LP in 19 years.

One of the most influential bands of their era, The Jesus and Mary Chain released their debut album Psychocandy in 1985, going onto release more LPs during the late 80s and early 90s.

Despite disbanding around the end of the 1990s, the band led by brothers Jim and William Reid reformed to play Coachella in 2007.

They headline the Roadmender in Northampton on Wednesday, September 27.

Tickets go on sale at 9am on Monday, April 24 and cost £29.50 before fees.

For more details, visit www.theroadmender.com.

Kingsthorpe’s Celia Morris and Di Brumwell suffered agony in the National Championships in Nottingham as they were narrowly beaten at the semi-final stage of the Ladies Over-60s Pairs.

The duo did brilliantly to reach the last four, but were just unable to take the next step into the final as they were beaten by Val Hobart and Barbara Lewis of Barwell IBC in Leicestershire.

In the last 16, Morris and Brumwell saw off Sue Bird and Jeanette Wheeler of Clarrie Dunbar IBC from Frome in Somerset 25-15.

The Kingsthorpe ladies led 21-5 shots after 10 ends and saw the game out.

In the quarter-final the town pair were 15-9 winners over Sudbury IBC’s Jane Watson and Jacqui Edgar.

Morris and Brumwell started well and held a 6-2 lead after five ends, and they stayed in control through to the end,

The semi-final saw Morris and Brumwell up against Hobart and Lewis.

It was a very close match with Kingsthorpe facing the national champions of 2013 and 2014.

The Kingsthorpe ladies were all aquare at 11-11 after 10 ends, and it was anyone’s match.

The next five ends, however, were good for Barwell as they collected nine shots to the three by Kingsthorpe, and they were able to seal the win.

Another Kingsthorpe bowler, Marilyn Oram, was competing in the National Over-60s Singles, but lost at the last 16 stage, going down 21-14 to Jean Arnaud of Bournemouth IBC.

Walker to hit Down Under with England

NORTHAMPTON bowler Jamie Walker is celebrating after he was selected to represent England in their international series in Australia later this month.

The West End man is part of a 14-strong squad named to take part in a series of matches in Australia to signal the start of preparations for the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

The matches in Australia will include a three-day test match at Broadbeach BC against the hosts from April 26 to April 28.

The test is followed by a series of one day events against representative teams from across the Gold Coast from April 30 to May 5.

Jamie in the money after Open victory

JAMIE WALKER is £1,000 better off after he won the Open Singles Circuit event which was staged at Wellingbrough BC.

The event attracted many top class bowlers from all parts of the UK, including Scotland.

The players included several current and past international players and players who had performed at the highest level in competitions, plus other aspiring bowlers, several from Northants.

Walker won his first match against Helen Tuohy of Egham IBC 6-4, 6-5, and in the last 16 saw off Tom Doig of Erewash, scraping through 2-1 in a tie-break after drawing 4-7, 5-4.

In the quarter-final Walker was pushed all the way by Rob Greenwood of Huntingdon IBC and again won on a tie break with the scores 4-5, 7-2 (2-0).

The semi-final was no easier against Rob Elmore of City of Ely IBC, and again he was pushed to a tie break with the score in his favour 3-5, 8-2 (2-1).

In the final, Walker beat Ian Honnor of Swale IBC, yet again on a tie-break, to take the top prize.

Gearey’s men claim county title glory

THE final of the County Indoor Fours competition was an all-Kingsthorpe affair, with Jason Bryan, Darren Lewis, Jim McKee and Vernon Gearey emerging victorious against Andrew Manton, Jamie Walker, Neil McKee and Connor Cinato.

Playing on their home rink, Bryan, Lewis, McKee and Gearey edged the final 17-16.

The Cinato rink was 4-1 ahead after three ends, but they didn’t score again for five ends as their opponents picked up seven shots to be four ahead.

Two ends later they were still four ahead at 9-5, at which point Cinato’s rink collected a score of four shots to draw level at 11 ends played.

The following eight ends saw Gearey’s rink outscoring Cinato’s rink by seven shots to one to have a lead of six shots with just two ends left to play.

The 20th end was remarkable as Cinato’s rink peppered the jack, and for the first time in the match Gearey’s rink failed to counter it and they dropped a massive count of six shots for the match to be level going into the last end.

As that last end was being played, Cinato’s rink was holding shot, and a title lie, when Gearey asked McKee to ‘ditch the jack’ which he duly did with his last bowl for the jack and his bowl to be lying in the ditch about 18 inches apart, and this proved unbeatable for Cinato.

County finals to be played at Borough

THE following are the arrangements for the playing of the men’s finals of the county competitions, all to be played at Wellingborough BC.

Triples: 6.30 p.m. on Tuesday, 18th April, 2017, between Andrew Manton, Neil McKee &Jamie Walker, Kingsthorpe BC & Neil Corbyn’s Triple, Wellingborough BC

Singles: 6.30 p.m. on Wednesday, 19th April, 2017, between Connor Cinato, Kingsthorpe BC & Andy Smith, Northampton & District IBA

Under 25 Singles: 6.30 p.m. on Thursday, 20th April, 2017, between Connor Cinato, Kingsthorpe BC & Adam Pitfield, Wellingborough BC

Unbadged singles: 10.0 a.m. on Sunday, 23rd April, 2017, between Peter Wellburn, Kingsthorpe BC & Peter Dymond, Daventry IBC

Tipler Rose Bowl: 9.45 a.m. on Sunday, 23rd April, 2017, between John Haines’ Rink, Desborough IBC & Pete Maloy’s Rink, Kingsthorpe BC

The Ladies finals are also being held at Wellingborough.

Singles: 9.45 a.m. on Saturday, 22nd April, 2017, between Rebecca Wigfield, Desborough IBC and Vicki Rushall, Daventry IBC

Under-25 Singles: 9.45 a.m. on Saturday, 22nd April, 2017, between Lois Woodward, Desborough IBC and Trudy Beard, Kingsthorpe BC

Pairs: 2.0 p.m. on Saturday, 22nd April, 2017, between Joyce George/Pam Reynolds, Wellingborough BC & Janet Swift/Billie Swift, Northampton & District IBA

Triples: 2.0 p.m. on Saturday, 22nd April, 2017, between Marlene Armitage/Chris Cooper/Jan Hunt, Wellingborough BC & Joan Watts/Julie Spreadbury/Vicki Rushall, Daventry IBC

Fours: 9.30 a.m. on Sunday, 23rd April, 2017, between Jean Burgess/Marlene Armitage/Sue Collins/Tina Broderick, Wellingborough BC & Julie Spreadbury/Helen Humphris/Joan Watts/Vicki Rushall, Daventry IBC

Denny Cup date for Kingsthorpe

KINGSTHORPE are competing in the semi-finals of the Denny Cup this Saturday.

The Denny Cup is probably the most prestigious men’s Inter Club Team competition, with 234 clubs across the country entering.

They are organised into four area Groups, and the top winning eight of each group meet in the fourth and subsequent rounds to produce a winner from each area to contest the semi-finals.

Kingsthorpe have got through and will meet Folkestone IBC in the last four at City & County of Bristol IBC on Saturday. The other semi-final is between Exonia IBC, Exeter, and Cumbria IBC.

The semis are played in the morning, and the final will follow at 3pm.

Kingsthorpe previously won the competition in 2003.

Northants claim friendly victory

NORTHANTS Men were 114-108 winners in a friendly match against Desborough IBC.

The rink wins were shared at three each, and the highest scoring for the County was that skipped by Tony Weston, with a healthy advantage of 18 shots.

The highest scoring by Desborough was the rink skipped by Richard Mann, which matched the County with an 18 shots victory also.

Rink details, County names first:

Rink 1: Don Scott, Peter Kitchener, Brian Langton & Tony Weston 31 – Rob Mitchell, Rob Duff, Phil Bates & Trevor Wright 13

Rink 2: Stuart Lowe, Malcolm White, Martin Underwood & Richard Somerton 24 – Tony Randall, Keith Pick, Ron Chambers & Peter Mellor 15

Rink 3: Roger Summers, Chris Hawkins, John Streather & Geoff Hunt 18 – Jim Diver, John Pickaver, Nev Humphrey & John Haines 21

Rink 4: Alan Diver, Eddie Chapman, Tony Warren & Norman Gibb 9 – M Cornwell, Bob Sullivan, Joe Lee & Richard Mann 27

Rink 5: Keith Howlett, Eddie Short, Bob Tingle & Terry James 11 – Charles Clark, Rave Rayson, Dougie Cooper & Carl Haines 19

Rink 6: Harvey Fruish, Dave Garland, Brian Diver & George Warren 21 – Alan Keightley, John Fitzgerald, Dave Gilman & Dave Flippance 13

Daventry see off Retired Police

DAVENTRY Eagles played at Wellingborough BC in a mixed Triples match on Wednesday against Northants Retired Police and claimed wins on all six rinks.

Rink 1: Sylvia Hatfield, Margaret Stevens and Peter Mercer 24 - Mick Warren 8

Rink 2: Grahame Akers, Judy Hicks and Adge Smith 15 - Bill Tapp 11

Rink 3: Hazel Wallage, Brian Robbins and Jack Brown 18 - Brian Hayes 8

Rink 4: Paul Langdon (guest) Brian King and Norman Langdon 29 - Mick Lee 6

Rink 5: Douglas Crane, Barbara Langdon and Mark Courtney 24 - Tim Robinson 11

Rink 6: Stephen Henley, Jennie Mercer and John Sach 19 - Ted Patrick 16

Another ‘day at the office’ for superstar Steve Ringer – and yet ANOTHER international gold medal for his burgeoning collection!

This time round he upgraded from the bronze he claimed in last year’s Walterland Classic to snatch gold in Sunday’s match held on Hungary’s Szegad rowing course.

And he did it in style, winning the individual feeder championship – a prestigious event attracting top anglers from across Europe – with more than 30 kilo (66lb) of carp.

That was achieved fishing to international feeder comp rules which meant no fixed or method feeders, no hooklengths shorter than 500mm, and only ‘natural baits’ such as worm, maggot and bloodworm.

Then – lacking the kind of back-up F1 drivers take for granted – there was just the small job of driving his van-load of gear almost 1,300 miles home across six countries to Northampton. Angling can be tough at the top...

STANWICK rods have been catching twenties-a-plenty with Olly Pruden getting a 28, Matt Rutter a 25-8, Tony Scott a 24 and at least six other 20lb fish being banked.

Sunday saw Zahim Z catching 36 carp to 21-1 at Drayton as his son, Ismail, netted 19 to 22lb. The venue’s best of week went 26-3.

NENE’s AGM pegged the club’s adult ticket but bumped the concession (for senior citizens and registered disabled) up a fiver to £25.

Many clubs are moving oldies’ ticket prices up above the once traditional 50 per cent of the adult rate-mark, which is a realistic move considering the high proportion of older anglers now in the average club.

MEADOWLANDS spring league final: Wayne Sharman 166-5, Glenn Maxwell 141-14, Wally Walton 141-6. Pete Caton topped the series one point clear of Sharman.

WHITE Hart Flore, Tofts: Dave Griffiths 127-8, Andy Sibley 113lb, Dave Chapman 112lb; WHF midweek oldies (also on Tofts) Tom Griffiths 110-14, Gary Muddiman 102-6, Ted Adams 95-12.

GLEBE, Peatling Parva: Russ Lay 48-8, Dave Jones 44-4, Dave Haddon 34-9.

RYSONS Lake open: Ian Smith 20-9, Carl Yeowl 16-11, Trevor Smith 9-7.

‘ASHBY opens: Wed., Brickyard, Andy Jones 24-6, Richard King 19-4, Courtney Hewlett 18-6; Sat., Brickyard, Mick Hewlett 22-12, Jones 19-6, Frank Pizamenti 18-4; Sun., Grendon, John Kent 47-8, Chris Garratt 30-6, Gary Millward 30-2.

FINEDON, Chapmans: Pat Neale 18-4, Tony Kirk 1-8, Geoff Eade 16-11.

FLORE & Brockhall, Barby Marshes: Rob ‘I’m back on form’ Rawlins 15lb, Steve Smith 12lb, Terry Smith 11lb.

TOWCESTER, Silver Lake: Dave Gibbins 9-4, Andy Kimpton 6-8, Bas Eaton 4-8.

Matthew Myers (Northants County) added another title to his golfing CV by winning the BUCS Tour Finals at Prince’s Golf Club.

The University of St Andrews student was in great form in windy conditions throughout the first three rounds as he went into the last 18 holes as the joint-leader on level par.

Myers, who won the 2016 Northamptonshire Men’s Strokeplay crown, withstood a strong finish from Andrew Davidson (Stirling) to grab the glory with a superb five-under-par 67 on the Kent links.

By winning the Tour Finals, the county first team player achieved the treble in BUCS strokeplay this year by also taking the SSS and BUCS Order of Merit titles.

St Andrews Links Golf Academy Director of Golf & Head Coach, David Watt, said: “Matthew has worked extremely hard all year,

“He deserves all the praise, he never gives up and knows what he needs to do to achieve his goals, he is a great role model for others.”

McEvoy Trophy

Teenagers Ben Jones and Robin Williams recorded positive results in the opening major amateur boys event of the year as they both finished in the top five in the McEvoy Trophy at Copt Heath GC.

In a strong field of golfers from all the home nations and overseas, Northants County’s Jones took fourth spot, while Peterborough Milton’s Williams finished tied fifth.

Both players will be kicking themselves slightly, however, after going into the last 18 holes as the joint leaders after they posted a brilliant three-round total of 199.

Although the pair battled hard during the final afternoon, they couldn’t match the brilliance of Ham Manor’s Charlie Strickland, who stormed the field to take the honours with a five-under-par 66.

British Junior Golf Tour

Harrowden Hall was the perfect venue for the fourth round of the Super Six Series on British Junior Golf Tour as golfers from 43 different courses across the country played at Wellingborough GC.

Northampton’s Leah Ribano holed a par putt from off the green on the opening hole as she went on to take the net plaudits in the Challenge Division with a score of net 70.

On a good day for girls, home club golfer Ellie Darnell finished runner-up in the net category in the Elite Division, while Estelle Berbner (Cuddington) won the 7-8 age group.

Wellingborough members of all ages also had the pleasure of watching two of the best up-and-coming young golfers in the UK clinch the other age groups. Six-year-old Matthew Whitaker (Nazeing) carded four gross birdies on his way to a superb nine-hole score of two-under-par as he won the under-six category by an incredible 16 shots.

Charles Ward (Sandwell Park) continued his dominance of the 9-10 age category as he carded six gross pars and a birdie two on the fourth hole in a winning nine-hole total of 39.

British Junior Golf Tour, meanwhile, in conjunction with Northants Golf Ltd, are giving local boys and girls the chance to play against some of these top youngsters in a Junior Open at Cherwell Edge GC on Tuesday, May 30.

In a competition, which is the first event on the NGL Junior Order of Merit, a first prize of a round with European Tour pro Gary Boyd is up for grabs. For more details, visit www.juniorgolftour.co.uk.

County Girls

Northamptonshire Girls team continued their build up to the season by taking on NGL Junior League champions Peterborough Milton on their home course over the Easter period.

With several players having never played in a match before, the girls handled themselves well as they gave a more experienced Milton team an excellent match before being edged out 8-6.

As the team prepare to face Warwickshire at Cold Ashby next month, first team coach Shane Rose said: “Well done girls. A good result away to a strong Peterborough junior team. I’’m sure we can get a winning result on May 21.”

Northampton

Elise Warden continued her excellent start to the season as she won the net prize in the Northampton Easter Open thanks to a net 69.

Corey Neville won the gross competition from Ben Lavender with a round of 78.

Jadon Pham led the way in the nine-hole event on 22 points, while Martha Pieterse served further notice of her potential as she clinched the Academy competition with 27 points.

Hollingsworth Trophy

Northants County made it two wins out of two in Group A with a battling 3-2 success away to Staverton Park.

After a comfortable 4-1 home victory over Daventry in their opening Group A fixtures six days earlier, County were given a more stiff test this time as all of the five games reached the 17th hole at least.

The visitors kept their nerve when it mattered as James Dunkley and Paul Stones took the opening tie 3&1, before Danny Roberts and Paul Harris edged out Leigh Foster and Joe Spittlehouse down the last.

Michael Franklin and Michael Christie replied for the hosts, but County made sure of the win when Antony Elderton and Lee Ault recorded a 2&1 success in game four.

Stuart Trigwell and Andrew Swain took the last point for Staverton, who travel to Oundle this weekend.

Ladies European Tour

Meghan MacLaren collected her first pay packet at the third time of asking on the Ladies European Tour as she finished in 25th place in the Lalla Meryem Cup at Royal Golf Dar Es Salam GC in Morocco.

The Wellingborough golfer carded rounds of 75 and 70 to make the cut, before adding scores of 76 and 71 over the weekend to pick up just over 5,000 euros.

Collingtree

Liam McNeela added another club title to his growing collection at Collingtree Park after winning the Winter Pairs KO Final.

Competing alongside Michael McGuinness, the 2016 Collingtree Men’s and Boys’ Strokeplay champion, recorded a 3&2 victory over Andrew Dennis and Trevor Twelftree.

Brampton Heath

Countback was needed in the latest two ladies club comps as Sue Hancock edged out Vicki Lafferty in the first Bronze Order of Merit event with 38 points, while Gina Collier (net 72) beat Sandra Howley in the April Medal.

Kings Heath ABC schoolboys claimed three fine wins and lifted regional titles with impressive performances.

Billy Button set the standard with a stylish unanimous points win over Jimmy Burnside (Summercoates).

Twin brother, Bobby was too quick and slick for previously unbeaten Mo Hussain (Leicester Unity) as he also came away with a wide unanimous points win.

Elvis Biddle got the club’s hat-trick with a tough and determined showing against Connor Robson (Chesterfield), claiming another unanimous win.

The three triumphs topped a good weekend, which was started by debutant Shane Fletcher.

Fletcher overcame first-bout nerves with a very controlled showing against Mark Trejo (Corby) at the Pemberton Centre in Rushden.

Lenny Whitehead, in his second skills bout, also gave a steady display.

“This highlighted the club’s strong ethos of developing and nurturing new talent,” said Kings Heath head coach Arthur Daly.

“This was the first competition for these young boxers and we were delighted with the way they performed.

“Both they and the club received many compliments and it was pleasing to see all their hard work come to fruition under the pressure of championship boxing.”

Kings Heath’s Liam Davies goes into this weekend’s Elite Championships with the No.2 ranking in a the wide open 56kg category.

Davies is looking to go one step further, having reached last year’s final before being withdrawn with an eye injury.

He has put the finishing touches to an intense training camp with some top quality sparring and is in top shape.

“It is in his hands, literally,” Daly said.

“This is his ultimate ambition and Kings Heath have enjoyed training him, but we will both be judged on its success by the final outcome.

“He is deceptively strong and we are optimistic.”

Northampton boxer Felix aiming to impress at The Deco

Curtis Felix wants to use his next fight in Northampton as a stepping stone to the very top of the game in North America.

The 27-year-old will compete on BCB Promotions’ ‘Saints and Sinners’ show at the Deco, on Friday.

And he said: “I’m not in this to be second best. I want a title, I want the Lonsdale belt and I want to fight in America.”

The 27-year-old will have his third fight on the same night his brother, Dominic Felix, makes his debut in the professional game.

And the unbeaten fighter admitted that he has a lot to thank his older brother for.

“If it wasn’t for him, I probably wouldn’t do half the things that I do in my life,” Curtis said. “That’s not just in boxing, that is in everything.

“The trainer that I am with now, he sorted that out and the trainer I had before then he sorted that out too.

“He does lead the way for me, him and my other brother so I am very thankful for that.

“It will be great to box alongside him. I keep getting messages from everyone around town, it is going to be a good night for sure.

“It is good to be fighting back in Northampton because I have spent a lot of time fighting in London and around the country so I am looking forward to being back in Northampton, especially alongside my brother.

“We always help each other out. He is my big brother so he has always given me ideas and tries to push me forward.

“Obviously now because I have had two pro fights and he is making his debut, I have been able to give him some inside information about what I know in the pro scene.”

Felix is delighted to be a part of what he believes will be the best boxing show Northampton has ever staged.

“There are a lot of good fighters at the moment in Northampton,” he said.

“Jamie Spence is a bit of a veteran so he will bring a good crowd.

“My brother and I will both be there and then there are a few young fighters on the show too who have big followings so I think it will probably be the best show Northampton has ever had.

“In Northampton you have a few good amateurs who have represented the country and you have amateurs that are winning ABAs.

“It is the same in the pros too - you have young hungry fighters who are new to the game so it is definitely taking off around here.

“It is building up and I want to put it on the map with my career.

“I want people to say ‘yes, there are good fighters coming out of Northampton, Curtis Felix is out of Northampton’.”

‘The Cat’ is happy with his two wins so far and he is hoping to put on a performance when he next steps in the ring which will show people how far he can go in the game.

“The last fight went the full distance which was good to get some rounds in - I had never done four threes before so that was a good experience,” Felix said.

“Before that, in my first fight, I got the stoppage in the first round. That kind of wetted everybody’s tongue and got people ready for the future in my career.”

As well as the Felix Brothers, fellow Northampton fighters, Drew Brown and Spence are also in action.

Kettering middleweight Daniel Spencer, Banbury super-featherweight Leo D’Erlanger and Kettering’s former two-time World Association of Kickboxing Organisations champion Domenic Speccio complete the card.

Tickets for Saints & Sinners are £30 standard unreserved seating, £45 front tier stalls and £50 ringside tables with buffet. They are available by calling 07939 992 422.

Doors open at 6:30pm with boxing commencing at 7:30pm at The Deco, Abington Square, Northampton, NN1 4AE.

Central Tory party rules state that any sitting MP who wishes to stand again needs the approval of their local association's executive council.

But some senior figures in Northampton South Conservative Association have told they Chronicle & Echo they will oppose his request to fight for the seat again.

Their concerns are based around criticism of Mr Mackintosh following his role in the £10.25 million loan to Northampton Town Football Club when he was leader of the borough council.

Mr Mackintosh, in a statement released to the Chronicle & Echo this morning, has criticised those colleagues who had spoken to both the Chron and BBC Northampton.

“It is disappointing that a few of my colleagues have chosen to brief against me in the media when the country is about to make an important decision about who leads our country in the future," he said.

"I am proud of my record as an MP, to date I have dealt with over 20,000 cases from thousands of my constituents. I would like to continue that work and intend to stand for re-election.”

Mr Mackintosh's relationship with his association has been fractious at best in recent months.

In December executive committee members said the MP's role in the bungled Sixfields loan deal and, what the committee said was his “refusal to accept criticism”, had damaged the reputation of the local party. At the time, Mr Mackintosh defended his actions during the loan deal but did issue an apology for how the deal had ended.

Then in February local grandees hit out at Mr Mackintosh's attempts to nominate an ally - former borough council mayor John Caswell - for the role of chairman of the association.

Mr Mackintosh has stated clearly he does intend to stand again in June.

At Prime Minister's Questions this week, he asked for Theresa May's support in the St James Mill link road project and has made public statements about his willingness to stand.

On Wednesday, he said: "I think Theresa May is right to call this election and to give the public the opportunity to decide who they want to lead our country at this important time in our history.

“I have dealt with over 20,000 individual constituent cases, and last year I was recognised as the fifth most responsive Member of Parliament to constituents, and the most responsive out of all MPs elected in 2015.

"I would like to continue that work as the Member of Parliament for Northampton South after the election in June so will be seeking re-election."

If the executive council was to block Mr Mackintosh's wish to stand, the MP would have to face a secret ballot of all association members.

If he were to lose that ballot, the association would then be required to stand two potential candidates against him. It is not known at this stage who they might be should that situation arise.

All three would then face another membership vote, with the winner then selected to fight in the June General Election.

Trustee for the association, former MP Brian Binley, would not be drawn on whether Mr Mackintosh had his support.

"As a former MP I am not making a public statement," he said.