Demolition experts will discuss how to bring down the burning warehouse in Daventry today as firefighters enter a third day tackling the blaze.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue says the fire is fully contained with joint police and fire forensic investigations still on-going.

Speaking last night, group manager Warren Ellison, said: “The presence of the emergency services at the site is being scaled down tonight and discussions about the demolition of the building will take place tomorrow between us and demolition specialists working on behalf of the building’s owner.

“Along with colleagues from the police, we met with representatives from the local community at the scene tonight to show them the scale of the fire and update them on the work that’s taking place to tackle it.”

The fire started in the early hours of Monday morning, March 12, and at its height, more than 50 firefighters were tackling the blaze.

Mr Ellison added: “A number of concerns have been raised by people in Daventry about the smoke produced by the fire. I would like to reassure people that we have been in discussion with Public Health England who have expressed no concern about the smoke, which is similar to the smoke produced by garden fires.

“Our advice remains for local people to keep doors and windows closed to help keep the smoke out of their homes and businesses.

“We have also been in discussion with the Environment Agency which is happy the water used to tackle the fire is being contained to the site. Tankers supplied by the warehouse owners are taking the used water away from the site, helping us to keep the run-off away from local waterways.

“One of our priorities in the last two days has been managing the impact the fire has had on local people and businesses and I would like to take this opportunity to thank those whose routines have been impacted by the fire for their patience.”

A man arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Detectives investigating the fire continue to appeal for anyone with information about it to contact them on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Burton, located on the ground floor of the Grosvenor Centre, is set to close down.

Closing down signs have gone up in the window of the shop advising customers that the store is shutting.

Arcadia, which owns Burton, has gradually been closing down a number of its stores in high streets across the country.

The nearest Burton branch will now be Weston Favell Shopping Centre.

Two 13-year-old cyclists have been injured in a serious car crash in Northampton.

Emergency services were called to the scene after the collision - involving a blue Toyota Yaris - on Boughton Green Road, off Harborough Road, at about 3.10pm yesterday (March 13).

Both cyclists were injured as a result of the collision. One was taken to University Hospital Coventry with serious injuries while the second was taken to Northampton General Hospital with broken bones.

Officers investigating the collision would like to speak to anyone who may have any information regarding it.

Witnesses or anyone with information is asked to call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174 615.

Arts Council England is supporting the Royal & Derngate as part of the Ambition for Excellence scheme, a National Lottery fund to develop artistic and cultural talent and leadership.

Over the next three years, the funding will allow Royal & Derngate to encourage a range of writers, composers and theatre-makers to create original new work suitable for mid-scale touring.

Martin Sutherland chief executive at Royal & Derngate said: “We’re delighted with this news and would like to thank Arts Council England for its confidence in our vision of an infrastructure to support the development of truly original, contemporary musical theatre and opera.”

This will include four new theatre productions, a festival showcasing a range of new touring musicals, a symposium focussing upon musical theatre and a variety of artist development programmes.

The theatre will also create and distribute one new musical digitally, for free via sharing platforms including YouTube.

James Dacre artistic director at Royal & Derngate said: “We at Royal & Derngate look forward to leading this national consortium of musical theatre and opera partners in addressing the barriers that have prevented the production of new music theatre specifically designed for mid-scale regional touring.

"As the distinctions between musical theatre, opera and plays with music are increasingly blurring, we shall support at least 150 artists to create a diverse range of truly original new work. These are exciting times.

"The will, the talent and the audience is out there but only through sharing the risk, the resources and expertise can this step change happen.”

With partners including China Plate, Improbable, Mercury Musicals Development, Musical Theatre Network, Perfect Pitch and Scottish Opera, the theatre says it is aiming to bring the work of BAME and disabled artists to new audiences.

Peter Knott area director at Arts Council England said: “The project offers an opportunity to revitalise the creation of new musicals for mid-scale theatres. So, we’re delighted to be supporting Royal & Derngate and their partners to create a variety of completely original musical theatre, opera and artist development opportunities.

“The financial and funding context in Northamptonshire is challenging for arts companies like the Royal & Derngate, so it’s great to see such ambition and enthusiasm which will bring interesting and diverse theatre to new audiences.

"We have seen amazing results from projects funded by the National Lottery through Ambition for Excellence, and look forward to seeing the impact of this project.”

A total £3,249,087 investment from the Arts Council’s Ambition for Excellence fund has been shared between eight projects across the country.

A 17-year-old girl has died in a motorbike crash in Northampton.

Police are appealing for witnesses following the fatal collision in Boughton Fair Lane, in Moulton, Northampton, yesterday afternoon (March 13).

The collision happened at about 4.50pm when a black Lex Moto 125cc motorbike collided with the back of a red Vauxhall Corsa.

The rider, a 17-year-old girl, was thrown from the bike into the path of a white Vauxhall Corsa travelling in the opposite direction.

The girl sadly died at the scene.

Witnesses to the collision, or anyone with information, is asked to contact the Serious Collision Investigation Team on 101 or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 08010 174615, quoting incident number 361 of 13/03/18.

Police warned the public not approach a woman who went missing from hospital with a “contagious condition”.

UPDATE: Kayleigh McConnon has returned to hospital and officers have spoken to those she had been in contact with and offered advice.

Earlier today police made a nationwide appeal for information about Kayleigh McConnon, 29, who was last seen at Cheltenham General Hospital at around 10pm last night, Tuesday March 13.
A Gloucestershire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers are concerned for her welfare and are appealing for anyone who sees her to not approach her as she has a contagious condition, but to call police.”

Gloucestershire Police subsequently thanked members of the public for their help in sharing the appeal and tracing Ms McConnon.

Northampton's Green Party has announced its candidates to become the town's MPs in the next election.

Scott Mabbutt will again stand for Northampton South while Steve Miller will be competing for votes for Northampton North.

Both candidates were on the ballot papers in 2017, where the Conservatives held on to both Northampton North and South.

Steve Miller said: "Northampton North will again see a fight between our last two MPs. It’s no choice at all. We have a Libraries Minister who can’t intervene to save the libraries in his constituency, and an Opposition Candidate who can’t criticise the PFI payments crippling our County Council because she stood up in the Commons and took the credit for them.

“We need a new conversation. We need a new plan for Northampton North that recognises people are what makes a community special, and we need a representative who will listen to people and stand up for them in Parliament.”

In the 2017 General Election, the Green Party earned 1,342 votes across both Northampton seats, worth around 1.65 per cent of all votes cast.

Scott Mabbutt said: “There are so many issues locally and nationally where the 2 big parties provide only weakness and infighting - Only the Green Party provide solutions to the problems facing us.”

The next UK general election is set for May 2022.

Reception pupil Harry Restall, 5, of Duston, was diagnosed with diplegia cerebral palsy when he was a baby and his only hope of walking and living a more independent life is undergoing Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy (SDR) surgery and physiotherapy in the USA, which is not funded by the NHS.

In a fundraising effort to raise £60,000 for Harry's life-changing surgery his dad Gareth - along with his colleagues Paul Chadwick, Paul Baxter and Tony Anderson - is taking on a 100km ultramarathon, which follows the Ridgeway trail through the Chilterns to the North Wessex Downs.

The teams' fundraising target for this mission is £3,000 and so far, £2,100 has been raised, with Gareth's place of work, CBRE pledging to double £3,000 if the four reach their target.

Harry's mum Jenny Restall said: "Gareth would appreciate donations to this great cause as it would simply make Harry’s dreams come true - to walk in the leaves, crunch around in the snow, to play with his friends like a little boy should do and not be confined to a wheelchair, which he resents.

"To make his lifestyle, happy, pain-free, carefree, independent and dignified.

"Gareth’s training regime has been ongoing for approximately six weeks - he has been training on the treadmill, going on local runs and generally chasing around after his three lively children!

"The 100km trek is going to be difficult but not half as difficult as hearing your child cry in frustration about his disability. Gareth would walk to the moon without hesitation if it meant we could secure this life-changing operation for Harry."

Born prematurely, East Hunsbury Primary School pupil Harry had bowel surgery at one-day-old and fought off countless sepsis infections while he was in the neonatal intensive care unit, which has left him with brain damage.

Harry is currently having regular physiotherapy at Footsteps in Oxfordshire, but after his mum took time off to become his full-time carer, crowdfunding has become the family's only option to help Harry use his legs.

Unfortunately, this operation is not funded on the NHS nor is the intensive physiotherapy that Harry attends at Footsteps in Oxfordshire, which assists with Harry’s rehabilitation. If his family succeeded in achieving their fundraising goal, Harry would go to America to receive this pioneering surgery.

Gareth and his colleagues will be taking on the two-day challenge between the 24th and 25th March - where the team are going to camp overnight at the midway point of their journey in West Ginge in Oxfordshire.

To help donate to Harry's cause, donate money here: http://www.treeofhope.org.uk/harry-restall/ or to his dad's page at http://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Gareth-Restall

Alan Gaffney says it is 'a huge shame' to lose star man Courtney Lawes for the rest of the season.

Lawes suffered a knee ligament injury during England's Six Nations defeat at France last Saturday and will now require surgery.

The 29-year-old will need a 14-week rehabilitation period, meaning he will miss Saints' final five Aviva Premiership matches.

Lawes has been one of the stand-out players at Franklin's Gardens this season, having also impressed for the British & Irish Lions last summer.

He has made 15 appearances during this campaign, but he will now face a lengthy recovery period as he bids to get fit for next season.

"This is of course a huge shame for Courtney, who has had another exceptional season so far," said technical coaching consultant Gaffney.

"But he is in great hands here at Franklin's Gardens, and we know he will be diligent with his rehab and come back fighting fit as soon as is possible."

Center Parks Woburn has been fined for safety failings after a girl fell from a tree.

At Luton Crown Court yesterday, the firm was handed a fine of £250,000 and ordered to pay the prosecution costs on behalf of Central Bedfordshire Council.

On 22 October 2015, a Center Parcs employee was supervising seven children in an organised tree climbing activity. This employee was tasked with ensuring the children were safe by giving them a safety talk, fitting a harness to each child, and clipping each child to the fall-arrest system prior to the activity.

One of the children, aged 8, started to climb the tree, without being clipped and secured into the fall arrest system. When she reached approximately 10 feet she fell and sustained a broken wrist.

In court today, Center Parcs pleaded guilty and was fined £250,000 with additional costs of £14,000.

Cllr Ian Dalgarno, executive member for community services, said: “Our investigations found inadequate risk assessments in place, an unsafe system of work, and inadequate monitoring to ensure that the tree climbing activity was safe.

“This prosecution sends a message to businesses that there are serious consequences if health and safety laws are breached, and members of the public placed at risk.”

A Center Parcs spokesman said: “Center Parcs accepts full responsibility in relation to a regrettable incident involving a guest participating in a tree-climbing activity at Center Parcs Woburn Forest in 2015.

“We would like to take this opportunity to apologise to the family involved for the distress this incident has caused. We take the health, safety and well-being of our guests extremely seriously, and from the outset have co-operated fully and pro-actively with the investigation undertaken by Central Bedfordshire Council.

“As a result of this incident we immediately reviewed and amended our operating procedures in relation to the tree-climbing activity, and have continued to provide support to the family involved.

“Center Parcs welcomes over 2.2m guests each year to it five UK villages and we are proud of our excellent health and safety record over the last 30 years. We will continue to adhere to stringent health and safety policies and procedures in order to ensure our guests enjoy a safe short break with us”.

The Met Office has today (Wednesday) officially put a weather warning for snow in place for Sunday across the region.

A yellow weather warning for snow is in place for 24 hours from midnight on Sunday throughout the day when temperatures are set to plunge.

The warning stretches from the east coast, across the Midlands, down to London and the south coast.

The Met Office said: “Snow showers are likely throughout Sunday, and where these converge some snow may well accumulate and could then prove disruptive. There is a small chance of travel delays on roads with some stranded vehicles, along with delayed or cancelled rail and air travel.

“There is a small chance that power cuts will occur and services, such as mobile phone, may be affected.”

A Northampton woman visiting her family in the Forest of Dean to celebrate her 39th birthday killed herself with an overdose of caffeine, an inquest heard.

Deborah Frayling, of Barley Hill Road, Southfields, Northampton, was staying with her parents in Knockley Patch in Bream, Gloucestershire, when she mixed neat caffeine powder with milk while they were out visiting a relative in hospital.

Having drunk the mixture, however, Ms Frayling had second thoughts and twice rang 999 asking for an ambulance saying she had changed her mind about ending her life.

Gloucestershire coroner Katie Skerrett said she did not believe it was a genuine suicide attempt and she recorded a conclusion of drug-related death.

The inquest heard that Ms Frayling, who was single and unemployed, did not tell her family she wanted to end her life that day.

"Her mother says this overdose came as a surprise," said Mrs Skerrett.

"Debbie had come to stay with the family on a planned visit and she arrived August 4, the day before her birthday.

"She seemed in good form. They had a party for her on August 6 and all went out for lunch on August 9.

"On August 10, mum and dad went to visit an elderly uncle in Stroud Hospital. Debbie chose not to go but sent her love to the relative.

"They left home about 10am and Debbie appeared to be fine. Mum and dad left the hospital at 5pm and got home about 6pm.

"Debbie was not there. They later discovered she had made two 999 calls at 4.30pm and just before 5pm.

"Mother says Debbie did have suicidal tendencies and had been in contact with mental health services for a significant period of time."

Professor Neil Shepherd, the pathologist who conducted the post-mortem on Ms Frayling, said caffeine was found in her blood at a level of 421mgs per litre. This was "well within the fatality level".

"There is no doubt that caffeine toxicity is responsible for her death," he said.

A teaspoon of caffeine powder is roughly equal to 16 to 25 cups of coffee, and 10 grams (about a tablespoon) is a lethal dose for an adult. A 100-gram package – as much caffeine as 400 “tall” cups of Starbucks coffee, 1,250 Red Bulls, or 3,000 cans of Coke – costs about £10.

A report from South West Ambulance Service said paramedics arrived at Knockley Patch at 5.13pm and found Ms Frayling lying in the front garden near a bench.

She was fully responsive but had a very fast heart rate. She said she had taken a deliberate overdose of 30 grams of caffeine powder with milk at 4pm. She said she had bought the powder online.

The report said that in her first 999 call she said she had taken the caffeine but "didn't want to overdose any more and had changed her mind and her heart was beating fast".

The inquest heard that when she arrived at A&E at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital she was agitated, incoherent and unable to give a history of events. She was sweating profusely and her eyes were dilated

Three attempts were made to bring her heart rate under control with electric shock equipment but they were unsuccessful.

Specialists with expertise in caffeine toxicity were consulted and they advised that the full effect of the dosage had not yet been reached.

"Sadly, she deteriorated very rapidly and her blood pressure became hard to maintain despite adrenalin and she went into cardiac arrest and was certified dead at 9.18pm that day," the coroner said.

The coroner heard from Northamptonshire Health Care NHS Trust that Ms Frayling had a long history of mental health problems and had had several admissions to psychiatric hospitals.

Recording her conclusion, Mrs Skerrett said: "When she knew her parents were going to be away for the day she took an overdose of caffeine she had ordered on the internet. She then made calls to the ambulance service saying she had taken an overdose but had changed her mind.

"This level of caffeine in the system was well within the toxicity bracket.

"But I do not categorise this as a genuine suicide attempt. I don't find that she intended at all material times to take her life."

Cobblers boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has questioned the standard of refereeing in Sky Bet League One.

The Town manager was left frustrated last weekend as Matt Crooks was red-carded by Eddie Ilderton for two cautions in the 1-1 draw at Bristol Rovers, the first of which he felt was soft, and the second not even a foul.

The red card was the third Crooks has received this season, all for two bookings, and the Cobblers now face being without one of their best players for the next three matches.

Hasselbaink was not happy with the decision to send Crooks off, and revealed that the club has written to the Football Association on numerous occasions this season to report their thoughts on the poor standard of officiating.

The Town boss stressed he is not making excuses that the poor refereeing is part of the reason for his team’s struggles over the campaign, but believes it is something that needs to be addressed.

“It is our fight as managers, with the referees,” said Hasselbaink..

“You never really hear me speak about the referees, but this year the ones that have been good have been a few, if I can say that politely.

“On Saturday, it was really a poor game from him, because the first yellow card that Crooksy gets was nothing dangerous, and was in the middle of the pitch.

“Yes, it was a silly one, but not really worthy of a yellow card.

“If he is going to give a yellow card for that, then he should have given a yellow card for the foul of Gboly (Ariyibi) before that, which was around the penalty area, was more dangerous, and was a scoring opportunity for us.

“But he didn’t, so where is the consistency?

“Then the second yellow, Crooksy didn’t even put his leg out. I have seen it on televison.

“I know it is difficult for referees, it is very difficult, but I just want consistency.

“I think on Saturday the occasion, even though it was a very experienced referee, played with him.

“We all know the Memorial Stadium can be an intimidating place, we all know Bristol Rovers has really passionate and lovely supporters, who back their team and are really behind them.

“They shout and put pressure on the referee, and I think it affected him.”

Ilderton is not the only referee to upset the Cobblers this season.

From my point of view, there have been a string of poor performances from whistlers at Sixfields throughout the season, and Hasselbaink says club officials have made their feelings known.

“I hear managers in the Premier League complaining about referees, and normally I don’t take too much notice of it,” said Hasselbaink, when asked if this was just a lower league problem.

“But we have written reports on referees to the FA, to the right people, and we have been doing that now for months.

“They are civilised reports, just to have a conversation, not to point fingers to make life difficult for individuals, because we know it is difficult for the referees, and we appreciate them and the job they do.

“But we cannot be always on the wrong end of the stick. I know we are a smaller club, and at times are an easy target, and we need to get out of that.

“But I don’t want to concentrate too much on this, it’s not my objective to do that, I would rather look at what we can do, what we need to do, and the battle with the referees is my battle, nobody else’s.”

Joshua Bradley, 23, from Wellingborough and Derice Davis, 23, from Rushden, sniggered and laughed as their crimes were read out at Northampton Crown Court yesterday (March 14).

Using wine bottles full of petrol and burning socks for fuses, the pair attacked and set fire to the BestPol and Euro supermarkets in Kettering Road in April last year.

Mr Recorder David Chinery, who sentenced the two men, said: "I don't know why this building was targeted but there were men working in there at the time and their lives were in danger."

The court heard how CCTV captured the pair arriving by car and pulling into nearby Queen's Road at around 3.35am.

Minutes later, the pair threw lit petrol bombs at the first floor of the BestPol Supermarket building before escaping.

Two bakers were working inside at the time and called the fire brigade when they saw the spreading blaze. No one was hurt in the attack.

Police were able to track down and arrest the two men after they were spotted on CCTV arriving at the scene in a distinctive orange Subaru.

When officers searched the car - which they found parked outside Davies' flat - they discovered wine bottles, petrol cans, a crowbar and a sock soaked with fuel.

They both later pleaded guilty to arson and insisted they did not know anyone was inside.

The court heard that the motive behind the attack was still not known.

Mr Chinery said: "What I do know is that the lives of innocent people were at risk, with damage running into thousands of pounds."

The pair were both sentenced to five years and six months in prison.

Police carried out four warrants in Northampton today (Wednesday) in connection with the shooting of a 14-year-old boy.

The boy, who has since recovered, was shot in an alleyway leading into Minerva Way, Wellingborough, on January 28.

He was confronted by three men wearing face coverings who threatened him before shooting him with a firearm, believed to be a shotgun.

The three men then left the area.

Today four warrants at addresses in Northampton were carried out as part of the investigation, Op Mackle.

Detective Chief Inspector Lee McBride said: “While it would be inappropriate, as the investigation is ongoing, to comment further on what we have found at these addresses today, I would like to thank members of the community and our local partners who have supported this investigation and provided information to further our inquiries.

“I would like to reassure members of the public in Wellingborough where the offence was committed and in the areas of Northampton where the enforcement activity took place today, that we are continuing to take this incident extremely seriously and continue to investigate all opportunities to ensure we bring those responsible to justice.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to appeal for anyone who may not yet have come forward with information, no matter how small they think it might be, to please contact us either on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”

Chief Inspector Lara Alexander-Lloyd said: “Northamptonshire Police will continue to work alongside our communities and local partners as part of this investigation.

“If anyone has any concerns, I would encourage them to contact their local neighbourhood policing team, details of which can be found at www.northants.police.uk/neighbourhoods.

“Following your local team on Twitter is also a good way of keeping up to date with the issues in your area.”

A 21-year-old man who was arrested has been released under investigation.

Nathaniel Gamble. 23. from Brackley, was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court today (March 14) after defrauded at least 88 victims with fake tickets to shows like Biffy Clyro and the Boomtown Festival.

He was released from prison in May last after he was jailed for nearly identical offences in 2016 - but in less than a week was back to peddling fake tickets on Facebook, Gumtree and other websites.

Some victims only realised they had bought fake tickets when they arrived at events and were denied access, in some cases losing hundreds of pounds each.

Gamble - who used his profits to feed a gambling addiction - continued his scamming spree until he was arrested in November 2017.

Speaking after the sentencing, Mel Phillips, of Northamptonshire Police’s Fraud Crime Team, said: “The disappointment and upset he caused was considerable, with many victims only discovering they had been defrauded after travelling to events and being turned away at the door.

"I would urge anyone buying event tickets to only purchase them from the venue’s box office, promoter, official agent or reputable ticket exchange site to avoid losing out this way.”

Gamble was sentenced to five years and six months. His defence barrister says he has vowed to work with charities to kick his gambling addiction.

A Northampton woman has rallied her community together to help raise enough money for a new slide to be installed after vandals set it alight last year.

Cobblers steward, Hayley White, 42, of Goldings was left devastated after the slide in her community was damaged by yobs back in March 2017.

But in a one-year fundraising effort, she has managed to raise £2,000 for the new slide by rallying her community together through craft fayres and fun days and has received £500 from councillor Janice Duffy's (Lab, Talavera) empowerment fund.

She said: "After the terrible news last winter that our playground slide had been burned I wanted to do something nice for the children in our community and show them that we won’t stand for vandalism.

"The slide is now in ready to be enjoyed by the children of Goldings now the weather is improving.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to every single person who came, every stall holder and everyone who kindly gave a donation.”

The £27,000 playground, located in Goldings Road, is overseen by Growing Together and is one of 150 local programmes funded by a £1m grant from the Big Lottery Fund across England.

The operational areas covered by Growing Together are Lumbertubs, Blackthorn, Cherry Lodge, Goldings, Lings and Overstone Lodge estates.

She added: "It’s worth every penny though just to see so many children enjoying the slide again."

Mandy Orton, 55, of Abington was featured on the Chron’s front page back in February after she could not afford to pay her bills due to leaving her self-employed job and undergoing cancer treatment.

But in a desperate bid to raise £6,000 in arrear payments, before her home became repossessed, she set up a public fundraising page and says she has been touched by human kindness after readers pledged what they could to help.

She said: “I think 226 people donated, I don't know whether I know them or not but there were certainly people on there that I never met - that was just unbelievable.

"It’s completely restored my faith in humankind.

"I was in a very bad place, I could not see a way out of it, now I can just breathe."

The mum-of-two thought she had successfully beaten breast cancer in 2011 before undergoing a biopsy in 2017, which revealed that she contracted the illness again and immediately began chemotherapy after being told she was stage 3.

Mandy finished her chemotherapy in September 2017 before undergoing a mastectomy and reconstruction operation in October, with a four-month recovery period.

Now the former NHS nurse, who has supported rape victims for 30 years, is now applying for jobs.

She said: "On my part what I now need is a job to enable me to make the payments in the future.

"So I will continue to look for work and I am confident that I will be working by the six month period.

"The Crowdfunding was not easy for me to do but I'm glad I did as I can't begin to imagine what would have happened without your support. I'd have been homeless for sure and I can't imagine how I'd have coped with that. So I thank you all from the bottom of my heart and because of your kindness I now have hope."

The RAC has reported the accident on the roundabout on the A5076 at Danes Camp Way near Hunsbury Hill Avenue and Hunsbury Hill Road.

The alert states there is congestion to A45 / A508 / B526 / Hardingstone Lane (Queen Eleanor Roundabout).

The last update was just before 5pm.

There are no details as to the nature of the accident nor any injuries.

Workers at a mental health charity feel too much responsibility is being handed to ward staff in Northampton after 11 catering staff were made redundant.

St Andrew’s Healthcare’s catering team prepares about 900 meals for its patients every day.

But late last year the charity, which runs the large mental health hospital off Billing Road, put the jobs of 46 people in the team at risk as part of plans to hand some duties over to healthcare assistants.

The largely taxpayer-funded charity has now confirmed 11 staff have been made redundant in the restructure.

A spokeswoman for St Andrew’s said: “Every person has had the opportunity to either move into a newly created housekeeping role, or into another vacancy within the charity.”

A total of 35 employees took the option of redeployment.

However, staff members have contacted the Chronicle & Echo over concerns ward staff were being handed too much responsibility with limited training.

One source told the Chron healthcare assistants were already struggling with workloads in certain wards.

Others queried why a charity that previously paid its chief executive £328,000 a year would need to cut staff in relatively low-paid roles.

St Andrew’s says all but six per cent of direct care staff have now completed their mandatory hygiene training.

A spokeswoman said: "All staff were reminded of the requirement to complete Level 1 Food Hygiene training prior to the introduction of the changes to food service roles as part of the transition plan, and we have seen compliance rise. As of March 2018, the compliance for our direct care staff is 94.63%."

This week the Care Quality Commision (CQC) said St Andrew's still had a way to go to shake the 'inadequate' rating it was given last year.

CQC inspectors had concerns managers were not supervising frontline staff as well as they should in certain wards.

One of six staff asked whether they had "experienced bullying" reported a case where they felt a colleague had.

The five others reported "positive morale", according to the CQC.