Wind and rain prevented any flights until Sunday morning, but crowds were nonetheless kept entertained by the programme of events.

"We tried to do what we could during the day," said organiser Wendy Rousell.

"If it's too wet and too windy we just can't fly."

She added: "Most of the feedback has been positive. We have done something every day."

Wendy was pleased they managed to go ahead with the Saturday night glow show, in spite of the conditions. Rather than lighting up the balloons they opted to go "bottom ends" only, meaning the show consisted of the baskets and their burners only.

Around 35 baskets took part in the glow and Wendy believes this is the largest ever group to take part in a basket-only glow in the UK.

A 28-year-old man walking home in the early evening on The Racecourse in Northampton was robbed of his wallet by three men.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "A 28-year-old man was walking home when he was approached near the basketball court by three unknown offenders who demanded his wallet before then running off towards Kettering Road.

"Two of the offenders were white, aged 22-23, with white scarfs over their face and hoods up. They were wearing blue and black clothing and spoke with foreign accents.

"A third offender was white, British and aged about 25. He was about 6ft and wore a red baseball cap and a grey hoody.

Anyone with information about the robbery, which happened between 8pm and 8.15pm on Wednesday, August 9, 2017, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111. The information was released today, August 21.

The Chronicle & Echo's readers have crowned a Northampton town centre restaurant as their Curry House of the Year 2017.

Balti Central, in Mare Fair, has been named the proud winner of the Chronicle's coveted trophy with the overwhelming support of Northampton's curry connoisseurs.

In May, 10 restaurants were shortlisted for the title - but the team at Balti Central, led by co-owners and cousins Abdul Ali and Mohammod Ali, came out far in front in the competition.

Abdul Ali said: "It's wonderful to have won. It means so much to give something to our customers and for them to give something back. The recognition from this award makes us feel really good.

"Our secret is we serve our Balti dish in the same wok we cooked it in. It makes it so much tastier.

"We opened in 2006 and it's been a wonderful 10 years. When we first opened we struggled for a bit while we picked up customers. Then one day, we boomed as people realised what we do. Now we're one of the busiest restaurants in the town."

Balti Central was crowned the Chronicle's Curry House of the Year 2017 after Northampton's readers were called on to cast their votes in June.

Second place went to Saffron restaurant, in Castilian Street, while third place went to Imli, in Kingsley Park Terrace.

But in the end, there could only be one winner.

Mr Ali said: "I would like to thank our customers for voting for us and showing their recognition. I also want to thank the Chronicle & Echo for holding the competition.

"But the main thing is our staff. They have been so excited since they won and they did so much to win it. I want to thank them all."

A resident of the apartment block in West Cotton Close, Far Cotton, says the alarms failed to sound despite "smashing every panel" as she ran down the stairs after a blaze broke out on Saturday morning (August 19).

She also claims she could smell burning for over 30 minutes before she realised there was a fire - and the fire alarm did not activate in this time.

Four fire engines and over a dozen firefighters were at the flat block, managed by Nottingham Community Housing Association, after a 999 call was made at around 9am.

Erin Pebody, 35, from West Cotton Close, claimed the communal fire alarms at her block of flats failed on the day of the fire.

She said: "I was in my flat and I could smell something like burning metal for around half an hour. When I opened my front door, there was smoke everywhere. It was horrendous.

"I started began knocking on doors and shouting there was a fire. But I smashed every fire alarm panel on the way down the stairs. None of them worked.

"Ever since Grenfell Tower I've been so much more scared of this happening."

A 57-year-old woman was arrested and charged with arson with intent.

Sharon Singleton, regional housing manager of Nottingham Community Housing Association, said: “We can confirm that a fire occurred in one of our flats at West Cotton Close on Saturday morning. The fire began in the bedroom of a second floor flat, was contained within this room and did not spread to other flats in the block. Thankfully no one was hurt.

“Police are currently investigating the cause of the fire and we are unable to comment further at this time.

“At NCHA we take fire safety very seriously and comply with all fire safety legislation. We conduct weekly tests of the fire alarm system at West Cotton Close, and no issues have been reported.

“We are aware of reports that the alarms didn’t sound during Saturday’s fire, and we are thoroughly investigating the matter. We will release a full statement once the facts have been established.”

The distinct five-fingered leaf is believed to have been seen sprouting out of a flowerbed at the entrance to Ardington Road, next to Abington Park.

A reader, Paul Bond, contacted the Chronicle & Echo after snapping some pictures of the plants taken on Saturday afternoon (August 19).

Paul said: "I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I was coming out of Abington Park and I had my camera on me when I spotted them. There were about nine plants growing in the flowerbed.

"Personally, I think someone was smoking near the park and tossed some seeds there by accident."

As of yesterday (August 21), the plants have disappeared.

Northampton Borough Council and Northamptonshire Police have been contacted for comment.

Four defeats from his side’s first four games has not tempered the expectations of manager Justin Edinburgh who still believes the Cobblers can challenge for a top-half finish this season.

Northampton are currently second-bottom after three league games in Sky Bet League One, propped up by Oldham Athletic on alphabetical order, having conceded five goals and scored only one.

Their latest defeat came at the hands of Charlton Athletic on Saturday, and it was the disappointing nature of it which has prompted fears that Town face another relegation battle this season.

Far more had been expected following the investment of 5USport over the summer, which triggered an influx of exciting signings, but so far the Cobblers have failed to deliver.

“There’s always pressure but you have to be realistic in terms of where we are with the investment,” said Edinburgh.

“We accept the pressure and that there’s expectations but I certainly don’t feel get carried with what those expectations are.

“We aren’t one of the top three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine or 10 clubs in this league. If you look at Charlton’s wage bill to ours, it’s probably double.

“We’re disappointed with the result (on Saturday), we’re disappointed with the performance and we’re disappointed with the start to the season but I know what the expectations are.

‘We want to finish in the top half. Is that still a possibility? Absolutely. What, three games in and we can’t finish in the top half? Of course we can.”

There were two incidents of note on Saturday that caught the attention, both involving substitutions.

The first saw Yaser Kasim ironically cheered when he was taken off for Matt Grimes before Aaron Pierre seemingly reacted angrily having been replaced by Daniel Powell.

On the former, Edinburgh said: “You’re there to be criticised as a player and you have to deal with it. Whether or not I think it’s fair is irrelevant.

“I wouldn’t like it to happen and I’d like there to be encouraged but we – and I say we – have to turn this around and that’s how we’ll get out of this run.

“We’ll only get out of it as a collective, staying together and doing our hardest to get a result.”

Pierre’s show of frustration did not bother Edinburgh either, adding: “I wouldn’t want anyone to be pleased if they had been brought off the pitch when they weren’t injured.

“I think we’re looking at things that aren’t about the performance or the result but that’s what happens when you don’t win football matches – a lot of other things are magnified and brought into it.

“I think we’re open to criticism because of results and that’s football and I accept it.

“I’ll deal with that and I’ll work as hard as I possibly can to put that right.”

The Cobblers did at least score their first goal of the season at The Valley thanks to Marc Richards’ header, and Edinburgh hopes that can give his team something to build on.

He continued: “The first goal is something we’ve been desperate for and it got us back in the game. I saw a lift in everyone connected to the club.

“Whatever we have to find, we have to find a positive to take into the next game against our rivals in a derby, but what better game to get your first victory in?”

Northampton's night shelter has helped 44 men find stable accommodation since opening six months ago, the borough council has reported.

In the half-year since the emergency night shelter opened at the former British Rail Social Club, 93 men have spent at least one night at the shelter and almost half of them have since

moved into alternative accommodation.

A further five men have been helped to reconnect with their hometowns and find support in their local area, the council says.

The service offers temporary accommodation to people sleeping rough but it also provides access to support services that help people to address issues which can contribute towards

homelessness such as unemployment, mental health issues, and addiction.

Cabinet member for housing and wellbeing, Councillor Stephen Hibbert, said: "When people come to stay they get much more than a bed for the night because we insist that people engage with the range of services available here in Northampton.

“We’re forging ahead with work to deliver the other plans to ensure that no one in Northampton needs to sleep rough.”

The night shelter is run predominantly by local volunteers and the borough council is keen to recruit more people for the overnight shifts.

The venue is a communal space with showers, hot food and sleeping space for 20. However, since it opened, the night shelter has never been at full capacity.

At the last count there were 25 people sleeping rough in the town.

For more information on becoming a volunteer, visit www.northampton.gov.uk/northamptonnightshelter.

The Northampton Borough Council street outreach team is also asking for people to notify them of rough sleepers they see through an online form at www.streetlink.org.uk.

House of Commons officials have played down any speculation that Parliament could relocate to Northampton as the result of a £4 billion renovation scheme.

Yesterday Ealing North MP Stephen Pound told the Mirror that he feared plans to close Parliament for around six years while a major revamp takes place would result in the iconic Westminster buildings being turned into a museum.

He said: “Delays will run into years and they will say: ‘Let’s turn Parliament into a museum and build a new one somewhere else’. We will be hurled into the outer darkness, never to return.”

But the Labour MP then told the Mirror that his preferred location would be to relocate the heart of national democracy to Northampton.

Precedent allows Parliament to sit at York, Lincoln, Salisbury, Oxford or Northampton and the newspaper claims that other MPs share his beliefs.

The Mirror claimed MPs were suspicious of the plans to close Parliament for refurbishment works because officials agreed to silence Big Ben for repair for four years – from today – while they were away on holiday, so they could not object.

The renovation project, likely to start in the early 2020s, will involve the removal of significant amounts of asbestos and there are fears the project could overrun.

If it does, some believe it could end up being cheaper to build a new Parliament altogether,

However, civil servants have sought to downplay the rumors as mere speculation.

A Parliamentary spokesman said: “There is no secret plan.

"Both Houses made a clear commitment in 2012 that the Palace would remain the permanent home of Parliament. That has not changed and preserving the Palace as the home of the United Kingdom's Parliament remains the absolute objective of the works proposed.”

Northampton North MP Michael Ellis said also believes, sadly, the rumours of Parliament moving north are unfounded.

He said: "There are no plans for this, but I think Northampton would be a location. it's a historic place and Parliament previously sat here centuries ago.

"It is in a central location with very good logistics.

"It is a good place for all types of conferences.

"But sadly there are no plans for this.

"The reality is there is so much infrastructure based around Westminster that would have to move.

"It wouldn't be a question of just moving the house itself."

Midfielder Matt Taylor has left the Cobblers and signed for Sky Bet League Two outfit Swindon Town on a free transfer.

The 35-year-old, who signed for the Cobblers from Burnley in August 2016, moves on with the club’s blessing as he is looking to play regular first team football and that could not be guaranteed at Sixfields.

“We fully understand Matt’s wish to play regular first team football and it’s not something we could guarantee,” said Town manager Justin Edinburgh.

“At this stage of his career, it is perfectly understandable that Matt wants to be playing as often as possible and with the additions we have made to the squad this summer it has probably changed things somewhat.

“We said we wouldn’t stand in his way if an opportunity came up and that is what has happened, so Matt goes with our thanks and best wishes.

“He is a first class professional and we wish him well at his new club.”

Taylor was a virtual ever-present in the Town team last season, scoring eight goals in 48 appearances, under first Rob Page and then his former Portsmouth club-mate Edinburgh.

The majority of his goals proved crucial to Town staying in league one, as he scored in wins over Milton Keynes Dones, Walsall, Southend United, Bury, AFC Wimbledon and Port Vale, the latter two the match winning strikes in 1-0 and 2-1 wins respectively.

Indeed, the Cobblers haven’t won a game since Taylor’s opportunistic long-range goal secured that 2-1 triumph over the Valiants way back on March 14.

A clause in Taylor’s contract was activated at the end of campaign giving the Oxford-born player another 12 months at Sixfields, but the summer cash investment from 5USport has led to an influx of midfield players joining the club.

The likes of Matt Crooks, Yaser Kasim, Sam Foley and Matt Grimes have all come in, while John-Joe O’Toole also signed a new deal and teenager Shaun McWilliams has come to the fore.

That has led to Taylor slipping down the pecking order, and although he started the first game of the season at Shrewsbury Town, he hasn’t featured since.

Swindon become Taylor’s seventh club of a long and successful career that has seen him make 544 senior starts and 122 substitute appearances, netting 84 goals.

Two unknown offenders on a motorcycle and wearing helmets have targeted a pharmacy in Northampton.

The offenders forced their way through the glass front door of the Wootton Pharmacy in High Street before stealing money from inside and then escaping on the bike, Northamptonshire Police today revealed.

Anyone with information about the theft, which happened between 1.30am and 1.50am on Thursday, August 10, should call Northamptonshire Police on 101 or ring Crimestoppers, in confidence, on 0800 555111

While builder’s tea - milk, two sugars - may be the stereotypical cuppa for most Brits, it seems that younger consumers are more adventurous in their leaf of choice.

New research has shown that 37% of Brits aged 25-34 have drunk 5-6 different types of tea at home or in the workplace over the past month.

That compares to just 3% of those aged 55 and over, according to the survey by Mintel, which also shows that the younger age group are the most likely to drink every variety of tea tracked by the study.

While three in four (74%) of those aged 25-34 drink standard black tea, around half drink fruit tea or herbal/spice tea (51%), green tea (52%), speciality black tea (50%) and one in three (34%) drink instant tea.

However, while 70% of Brits drink standard black tea, less than two in five drink the less usual types.

Sweet tooth for tea

And while younger Brits are the most likely to have an adventurous taste for tea, they are also the most likely to want to turn to tea to satisfy their sweet tooth. Over half (56%) of tea drinkers aged 25-34 say that flavoured teas are a good alternative to sugary drinks, up from the average of 49%.

Indeed, it seems that young consumers in particular are turning away from the traditional cuppa and are keen to see more of an experimental approach to tea.

12% said they’d be interested in trying teas tailored for drinking as an alternative to wine, rising to 15% of those aged between 35 and 44.

And almost one in five (18%) of those aged between 16 and 44 would be interested in trying tea crystals, while 10% of those aged under 45 would be interested in trying liquid instant tea concentrate.

However, while younger consumers exhibit an enthusiastic approach to tea, overall sales in the UK are in hot water - falling by 5% in 2016 to 77 million kg, with the market estimated to steep by a further 3% in 2017 to 75 million kg.

Stormy times for teacups

Moreover, tea sales look set to come under further strain, with the market forecast to fall by 13% over the next five years to reach 65 million kg in 2022.

While the humble teapot is something of an icon for the British nation, it seems that a coffee pot may be more fitting for the older generation. While older consumers are still the most frequent tea drinkers, 52% of those aged 55+ drink standard black tea once a day or less. Among this group, over half (55%) say they do not drink it more often as they prefer the taste of coffee.

“Tea remains under pressure from a barrage of competition from other drinks,” said Anita Winther, Food and Drink Analyst at Mintel.

“While coffee has successfully injected connoisseur, indulgent and on-trend elements to the category, tea continues to struggle to deliver the same experience.”

Where tea has failed to establish itself as a menu staple for younger adults, it is likely to struggle to gain ground in their drinks repertoires later on.”

The home of Northampton Saints is trying to permanently extend its opening hours - but only for non-club events.

Franklin's Gardens has applied to the borough council to stretch its license hours until 2am for when it hosts events like weddings and live-music days.

It will also extend the grounds' alcohol license over their car park and the Match Day Village.

Any objections to the plans must be submitted to Northampton Borough Council by August 28.

Graham Croucher, chairman of the St James Residents Association, said: "The community is cautious against these plans. Our concern is that it will be every week, with people spilling out of there drunk and causing a nuisance. It could lead to takeaways opening later.

"This may be unfounded and it could only be once a month."

Currently, Franklin's Gardens has to apply for one-off licenses to open late for weddings and non-rugby days.

A Saints spokesperson: "We are updating our licence to bring us into line with our operational requirements and development of the facilities at Franklin’s Gardens, taking into account non-club events such as charity dinners, weddings, etc, which may have necessitated a one-off licence, and this summer’s expansion of the Match Day Village. We continue to work positively and proactively with all relevant authorities."

The application comes after Franklin's Gardens announced it will cut its beer, burger and early bird ticket prices for the new season, and has doubled the size of its Match Day Village.

The Cobblers have been dealt an injury blow with the news that right-back Aaron Phillips could be set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The former Coventry City man pulled up with a thigh injury just 13 minutes into Saturday’s 4-1 defeat at Charlton Athletic, and will undergo a scan to discover the extent of the inury, although manager Justin Edinburgh is fearing the worst.

“I think Aaron is going to be out for a few weeks,” said the Cobblers boss.

“He goes for a scan today (Tuesday), so we will get a more indepth view on that and give us a bit more of an idea.

“But he is certainly in some discomfort, even today, so it is not good news on that one.”

On the plus side, striker Chris Long has a good chance of being involved against Peterborough United in Saturday’s big derby clash at Sixfields.

The Burnley loan man was withdrawn in the warm-up at the Valley, having felt a twinge in his hamstring, and Edinburgh is hopeful not too much damage has been done.

“Longy was tight in to the warm-up, so we took the decision to pull him out and we are pretty sure we have caught that at the right time,” said the Town manager.

“With all being well this week then he will be in the squad for Saturday, and that will be good news.”

John-Joe O’Toole meanwhile has had an injection in his groin injury, and Edinburgh is hopeful the problem has been carrying since mid-July will now be cleared up.

If the injection is a success, O’Toole should be back in first team contention within two weeks or so.

The Cobblers will go into the Posh clash on the back of four straight defeats this season, while Grant McCann’s side have won three out of three in Sky Bet League One.

The Town reserves were in action on Monday, when they drew 3-3 with Chesterfield at Moulton College.

A strong Cobblers team featuring Luke Coddington, Regan Poole, George Smith, Matt Grimes, Daniel Powell, Dean Bowditch, Shaun McWilliams, Joe Iaciofano and Leon Lobjoit raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to two goals from teenage striker Iaciofano and one from former Buckingham Town man Lobjoit.

After a string of second-half substitutions, Chesterfield - who included former Cobbler Jak McCourt in their team - got back into the game, and two goals in the final five minutes secured them a draw.

Musicians and graduates from across Northamptonshire will playing in front of thousands at the annual Reading and Leeds Festival this weekend.

Ginger Snaps, PINS and Surge will all be playing different stages at both sites.

PINS, which features Northampton drummer Sophie Galpin, will be playing on the festival’s main stage in Leeds on Friday and in Reading on Sunday.

Ginger Snaps are playing the BBC Music Introducing Stage on the same days, while Surge, which features two recent University of Northampton graduates, are playing the Jack Rocks stage in Reading on Sunday.

Fronted by Jay Brook, Ginger Snaps will be making their full ‘live band’ debut at the festivals having spent this year playing predominately with DJs, backing tracks and singers.

“The success of Ginger Snaps has been a shock but it’s massively exciting for us to play Reading and Leeds,” explains Brook.

“I had a message telling me to check my inbox and there was an email asking us to play. BBC Introducing has been amazing for me as a writer.

“I feel extremely under prepared but excited. It’s incredibly cool but I quickly realised I had a lot to prepare, I almost went into ‘project management’ mode.”

Joining Jay in Ginger Snaps are names familiar to the county’s music scene.

Making up the line-up is bassist Dan Battison, guitarist Jake Crawford and drummer Jay Russell from ACODA, DJ John Swan and singers Stacey Pierre and Nicole Obu.”

“We’ve done a few practices as a full band with this line up and everyone has been great.

“Jake and JR from ACODA are great musicians, with a live DJ and the girls singing – it’s going to be mental.”

Ginger Snaps’ 25-minute set will include their forthcoming single Anorak which is due out later this year.

“The whole thing with Snaps is having a party vibe, having more people on the stage is going to make that party even better, explains Jay.

Last year, Jay played the BBC Introducing stage at Glastonbury with his other band, OhBoy! who are currently working on their debut album.

“I’m well aware these things are peaks and troughs,” explains Jay. “At the moment, Snaps has momentum because we’ve released some singles.

“It seems to have done ridiculously well and we’ve had some great support which we never expected.

“OhBoy! have pretty much taken nine months off to write the album so it’s going to feel like Ginger Snaps is doing loads and OhBoy! isn’t, but that’s not the truth of it.

“I’m at the studio every night writing or recording for one of the projects.

“It’s a nice balance at the moment and the music is very different.

“I predominantly write two ways – I write big pop with slacker horrible lyrics and vocals or grunge rock with slacker horrible vocals.

“They’re opposites but I love both of them and I wouldn’t stop writing either of them.”

PINS will be following Royal Republic on the main stage at Reading and Leeds.

It’s been a huge year for the Manchester based band who released the EP Bad Thing and the single Aggrophobe which featured Iggy Pop.

PINS have been busy writing new music, recently recorded with Jamie Hince from The Kills and head out on a headline UK and Ireland tour in November,

“I absolutely can't wait,” says Galpin at the prospect of playing the festival’s main stage.

“PINS haven't ever played Reading or Leeds before - I did a tiny bit of playing at Leeds once but this is next level - really excited to play the main stage.

“We didn't know it was the main stage to begin with, we just knew we were in the mix for a couple of different slots and we couldn't tell anyone for a while so we just had to sit on it.

“I never went as a teenager but it was really fun went I went playing for Stagecoach. I was there for the fun really and just did a bit of violin to earn my ticket.

While PINS are firmly established as a Manchester based band, Galpin was born and raised in Northampton.

“When I was a teenager there was such a burgeoning music scene - so many bands and loads of venues like the Soundhaus and the Labour Club.

“I was listening to bands like One Toy Soldier and Kapowski and all the local gigs were really exciting to me.

“I was lucky to get to play with loads of really talented musicians in town who helped me refine my taste and skills. For a while I was in every band going.”

Galpin still DJs each Christmas at the Lamplighter in Northampton. The sixth 90s night ‘Let Me Be Yule Fantasy’ returns on Saturday, December 23.

Essex four-piece Surge feature Alan Jones on guitar and bassist, Will Smith, who both graduated from the University’s Popular Music course this summer.

Will said: “Having been to Reading Festival a handful of times as a teenager, it’s quite surreal to be able to say that I’m playing there with Surge this year.

“It’s a huge opportunity for the band to be playing a festival that has a prestigious history of artists and is known worldwide.

“The university really helped in preparing me to be able to work within the music industry and it boosted my drive to succeed.”

Exeter punk trio Muncie Girls bring their UK tour to the Craufurd Arms on Tuesday August 29.

The band released their acclaimed debut album From Caplan To Belsize last year with the LP receiving plaudits from the likes of Kerrang!, Noisey and Punktastic.

Formed in 2012, Muncie Girls embody the classic punk rock story in a modern context. Fuelled by discontent and anxiety, they address the issues of modern living. The result is an ambitious rebellion against social norms that touches on everything from politics to interpersonal relationships. They head to the Craufurd Arms following gigs this weekend at the Reading and Leeds festivals, gigs in Australia and at 2000 Trees and Glastonbury.

Muncie Girls headline the Wolverton venue on Tuesday, August 29. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £7 in advance.

The following night, Ghouls headline the venue. The London-based punk rock quintet released their debut album Run in May and Wednesday’s gig is the second show of the UK tour. Ghouls have cemented themselves as mainstays on the UK and European circuit also playing leading festivals, such as 2000Trees, The Secret Garden Party and Hit The Deck. Last year they undertook a two-week tour of America and played at Brixton Academy. Ghouls headline on Wednesday, August 30. Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £5 in advance. Support is by Karl Phillips and The Rejects, Hillwood, and Tiltback.

thecraufurdarms.com

The Three Degrees headline The Lighthouse Theatre in Kettering on August 31.

The trio are known for their soulful voices, fabulous stage shows and hits including When will I see you again, Dirty Ol’ Man and Take Good Care Of Yourself. They comprise singers Helen Scott and Valerie Holiday who have been part of the band since the 1960s and Freddie Pool who joined in 2011. A firm favourite with Prince Charles, they sang at his 30th birthday party and were guests at his wedding to Princess Diana.

Support is by former member of The Drifters, Richie Sampson.

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £25 before fees.

Tickets are also on sale for Wannabe - The Spice Girls Show. The tribute act will be playing all of the iconic group’s biggest hits at the Kettering venue on Friday, September 8. Tickets cost £18 before fees and doors oepn at 8pm. Tickets for all forthcoming gigs are available from the venue.

lighthousetheatre.co.uk

Cobblers boss Justin Edinburgh is confident the medical experts have finally got to the bottom of John-Joe O’Toole’s troublesome groin injury - but has admitted the midfielder could yet face another operation.

The former Bristol Rovers man has had an injection in the injury that has been bothering him for more than a month, and Edinburgh is hoping that will be a success and allow the 28-year-old to get back into full training within the next 10 days.

The injury, which is a different one to the one O’Toole had surgery on in April, flared up in mid-July and despite a series of tests and appointments with specialists, things haven’t improved.

Edinburgh now says the specialists believe they have identified exactly what is causing O’Toole discomfort and that the latest injection will do the business.

But he did have words of warning that an operation to sort the problem out, and a lengthier spell on the sidelines, is not out of the question.

“John-Joe has had an injection, and we are really hopeful that this will cure the problem he has had,” said Edinburgh.

“We will know later this week if that has cured it, when he should be able to start to step up his training, and if that’s the case then we can re-introduce him into training and it shouldn’t be too long before we see him out there playing again.

“If that’s not the case, then maybe it will be the line of going down the surgery route, which would be a big blow, but we are hoping the injection will do the trick.

“If it does work, then he will be back in a week to 10 days which is the positive. And we will know that the end of this week, early next week.”

This injury has been a huge frustration for player, the club, and the Edinburgh, not least because it is a fresh one to the one O’Toole underwent an operation on before the end of last season.

O’Toole managed all of the early pre-season training, and took part in the first couple of friendlies before feeling discomfort following the trip to Frome.

He hasn’t featured since, so what training has he been able to do?

“John-Joe has done all running, as well as some ball-work, but it is just he feels a really sharp pain in his groin area when he does anything over 15 yards,” revealed Edinburgh.

“We have been trying to pinpoint where the pain is coming from, and it has been very hard for John-Joe to pinpoint it and diagnose that, but last week we feel we found out the problem.

“The area was injected, and we are now hoping it will be cured and he can kick on.

“In terms of general fitness he will be okay, match fitness he will be down, but he is a fit lad and is a hardened boy.

“We know we can throw him in and he can pick it up, as we have kept him in a good condition.”

And the Town boss added: “This is a totally different injury, it’s the other side to where he had the operation, and that has completely cleared up.

“That is the frustrating part about it, that has been successful and feels great, it’s now the other side and sometimes you get that.

“I’m told the groin is a very technical area of the body where there are lots of muscles nerves, tendons all running through that area and it has been a real blow for him, and a huge frustration for us.”

Graham Carr is back at the Cobblers.

The former Town player and manager has returned to the club as an associate director, with chairman Kelvin Thomas moving quickly to get the 72-year-old on board, following his recent departure from Newcastle United.

It is sure to be a popular move with the club’s supporters, with Carr having already excelled at the club as a player, and then a manager.

On the field, Carr was part of the team that reached the top flight of English football in the mid-60s, playing 27 times as Dave Bowen’s team mixed it with the big boys for one glorious season.

In all, Carr was a Cobblers player for eight years, and he returned as a manager in 1985.

It was to prove to be another golden era for the club as Carr built a free-scoring and exciting team that scorched its way to the Division Four title in 1987.

The club didn’t win another title until 2016.

In all, Carr spent five seasons as Town boss before leaving in 1990, and after a series of managerial jobs, he moved into the world of scouting.

It was another profession Carr took to well, and he has been chief scout at Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester City and, most recently Newcastle United.

Carr left St James’ Park by mutual consent in the summer, having spent seven years in the north east, and Thomas has now offered him the chance to return to the Nortrhampton in the hope the club, and manager Justin Edinburgh, can tap into his extensive football knowledge and contacts book.

“I am thrilled that Graham has accepted my invitation to become an associate director of the club,” said Thomas.

“Graham has a long affinity with the club and Northampton Town has always been very close to his heart.

“We also know he is a hugely respected figure within the world of football and he is someone who is very popular with supporters, you only have to see they chose to name the bar here at Sixfields after him to know that.

“Since taking over the club it’s been good getting to know Graham and when he retired from Newcastle it seemed an obvious move to get him on board with us.

“His knowledge and experience will be beneficial in general and I’m sure he will also be helping Andy Melville along the way too, watching some games here and there.”

Carr, who has continued to live in the area since he joined the Cobblers as a player, has been a regular visitor to the Sixfields directors box in recent years and is delighted with his new role.

“I am thrilled and honoured to have been offered this position,” said Carr.

“I have always had a huge affection for Northampton Town and am delighted to see how the club has progressed in the last 18 months or so.

“If I can help Justin (Edinburgh) or Andy (Melville) at all then I would be delighted to do so, and I very much looking forward to supporting the club in any way I can.”

The encampment left Lings Park last night, four days after being issued with a section 61 order to vacate the public space.

Today the area is littered with detritus and tyre tracks cover the football pitches used by Sunday league teams, shown in the video, above.

There had been several reports of the encampment using quad bikes at Lings over the weekend.

But the group has now moved on to Eastfield Park, less than a mile away.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “The unauthorised encampment on Eastfield Park has been visited by the Countywide Travellers Unit and the police. The police have begun proceedings to serve a section 61 notice. Once served, the travellers will have to vacate the area by tomorrow.”

Police had been due to forcibly remove the encampment from Lings at 10am today, but the camp has now been issued with fresh orders to leave.

Meanwhile, several people reported quad bikes and small scrambler bikes being driven around by members of the encampment at Eastfield Park until late last night.

Do you live in the Eastfield Park area? Do you want to have your say about this issue? Get in touch with us here at the Chron via our Facebook page, or by calling the newsroom on 01604 467039.

Police have appealed for the public’s help in identifying a woman caught stealing fuel from a Wellingborough garage.

The woman, who was in a Vauxhall Zafira on false plates, drove off from the Tesco garage in Whitworth Way without paying on Sunday, July 16, at 3.35pm. Police have just released the image and information.

CCTV caught the woman filling up containers in the back of the vehicle with £88.35 of diesel.

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