Pub chain JD Wetherspoon has already increased its range of drinks from UK and non-EU producers across its 880 pubs.

The pubs have stopped serving Champagne, German Jagermeister, French brandies Courvoisier VS and Hennessy Fine de Cognac and German wheat beers.

They have been replaced with sparkling wines from the UK and Australia, E&J Brandy (the number two selling brandy in the USA), Black Bottle (the number one selling brandy in Australia) Strika, a herbal liqueur produced in England, and wheat beers from the UK.

Wetherspoon founder and chairman, Tim Martin, said: “This is a significant move by us and highlights our commitment to offering an excellent range of UK and world products, with the emphasis on quality and value for the two million customers who visit our pubs each week. All EU products have UK or non-EU replacements, often at equal or better quality and price.”

Two people accusing a former Catholic priest of sexually assaulting them when they were children in the 1970s have told how he “homed in” on them.

Former Northampton Diocese Priest, Father Francis McDermott, aged 75, is charged with 18 counts of indecent assault, four counts of indecent assault on a male person, two counts of indecency with a child, one count of buggery and one count of rape.

McDermott denies the charges.

In evidence given at Aylesbury Crown Court yesterday (Monday), a man who says he was abused when was aged between 11 and 13 described how the priest began abusing him and “introduced him to sex”.

The man told the court how he had been groomed by McDermott.

When it was suggested by Patrick Hill QC, defence, that the complainant was just after compensation, the man responded: “I'm surprised at your question – that has never entered my head.”

Later in the hearing, a woman, now in her 50s, said that she was abused by the priest between the ages of 13 and 15.

Speaking of her ordeal, she said she was in her school uniform when he sexually assaulted her, adding, “I didn't understand what was happening.”

She also said that when McDermott discovered she was going on a date with a boy, he called her a derogatory name.

Another witness told the court that she discovered McDermott, who now lives in Bideford, Devon, in bed with two children and was told “go downstairs, you shouldn't be in here”.

The trial continues.

Daniel Quinn, 28, from Wolverhampton, took the stand at Northampton Crown Court today (February 12) to say ‘he did not mean to kill’ 34-year-old Daniel Fitzjohn on June 14 last year.

Mr Fitzjohn’s family and friends could only quietly cry as Quinn told the jury he ‘wasn’t thinking’ when he lunged at the 34-year-old and fatally stabbed him the chest.

“I’m truly sorry,” he told the court. “I didn’t think it through. I just wish I had had more time to think about.”

Quinn told the court he was a drug dealer who reportedly sold crack and heroin to one of Mr Fitzjohn’s friends.

However, a friend had allegedly pulled a knife on him during a deal in early June.

It led to several tense confrontations between the two afterwards, and eventually to a scuffle outside the Fairfield News shop in Kingsley on June 14 - during which Mr Fitzjohn punched Quinn to the floor.

But Quinn then drove to a nearby house to collect Parminder Sanghera, 25, also from Wolverhampton - who is now Quinn’s co-defendant and charged with conspiracy to murder.

Quinn said: “I told him we were going to smash up this red car I thought was theirs [Mr Fitzjohn’s friend]. I told him there was something under his seat to smash the car up with.” It was a machete.

They found the red car and Mr Fitzjohn’s group in Brookfield Road, and ran at them with the machete and a knife that Quinn kept in his pocket.

It led to Quinn and Sanghera driving away without damaging the red car.

But as they drove away, Quinn spotted Mr Fitzjohn walking on Carlton Road.

Quinn said: “I was angry. I wanted to get out and jump on him for punching me.

“I didn’t know his name.

“I asked him, ‘Why did you get involved when you don’t know me?’ I don’t remember what he said back.”

It led to Mr Fitzjohn running and Quinn chasing after him. A witness told the court last week they heard the foot chase and a man - Mr Fitzjohn - saying ‘I don’t know you, you’ve got the wrong guy’ in a panicked voice.

Then, Mr Fitzjohn stopped on Randall Road to face Quinn.

Quinn said: “I had my knife in my hand. It was just to scare him.

“I thought he was going to swing at me. He had a beer can in his hand.

“I thought he was going to get me so I got him before he could get me.

“So I lunged at him... I stabbed him. It all happened very quickly.”

Quinn then ran away and was driven away by Sanghera. He hid in Wolverhampton and Wales over the next five days, but turned himself in to Northamptonshire Police on June 19.

He told the jury he ‘never meant’ to kill Mr Fitzjohn or cause him serious harm.

Mr Fitzjohn was pronounced dead in hospital half an hour after the stabbing. A post mortem showed he died of two stab wounds. Quinn claims he only remembers ‘stabbing him once on Randall Road’ and must have inflicted the other wound ‘by accident’.

The trial continues.

Biggar has featured in Wales' opening two Six Nations matches, coming off the bench in France before starting against Italy last Saturday.

But he has now headed back to Northampton and could be selected against the Sharks, seven days before Wales host England in a key game on February 23.

Biggar will be competing for the Saints 10 shirt with James Grayson, who has performed admirably in the 29-year-old's absence.

And Saints defence coach Alan Dickens said: "Dan Biggar's back available from Wales duty.

"We've not picked the team yet but Dan and James are both available for selection and we'll look at training and make the decision for the week."

More good news for Saints comes in the form of Teimana Harrison and Piers Francis.

Harrison came off after just eight minutes of last weekend's 59-33 Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final win against Newcastle Falcons at the Gardens.

Tom Wood came on and performed superbly as Saints booked their place in the showpiece.

But Harrison will be available to face Sale this Saturday.

"He's been looked after during the past couple of days and he will be available for selection," Dickens confirmed.

"He was fuming about having to come off and it was more precautionary than anything."

Francis has not played since dislocating his shoulder in the win against Exeter Chiefs on December 28.

But he is now ready and raring to go.

"Piers Francis has been training," Dickens said. "Last week he trained with controlled contact and this week he's trained in both sessions with contact in that so he's ready to go."

The leader of Daventry District Council has criticised county council leader Matt Golby for being ‘dishonourable', accusing him of backing down on an agreement with district and borough councils in preparations for the new unitary authorities.

Relationships between the county and the seven district and borough councils appear to have hit rock bottom after county council leader Councillor Golby was accused of reneging on an agreement for equal representation of all councils on new joint committees preparing for the formation of each of the two unitaries.

District and borough councillors were left gobsmacked when papers went live for a full county council meeting on Thursday, where the authority indicated it wanted half of all the seats for its councillors on both committees.

But after what appears to have been a vociferous backlash over the proposals, the meeting - which was scheduled for Thursday afternoon at 2pm - was officially cancelled this morning (February 12).

And Daventry District Council leader Chris Millar did not hold back when asked about the issue, and said he was not consulted over the county council’s updated proposals.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “I heard that Matt had sent out an email. There was no discussion at all and to do it in that way was very crass and dishonourable.

“He’s gone against what we agreed and that’s not the normal way in which we’re used to working.”

The county council papers had stated that the authority wanted a joint committee for West Northants with 24 councillors, comprised of four each from Northampton Borough, Daventry District and South Northamptonshire, with 12 county councillors.

And for the North Northants committee, it was proposed there was three councillors for each of the four districts and boroughs - Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough and East Northants - and another 12 from the county.

But agenda papers for Thursday’s cancelled county council meeting state: “The leader of the council, in particular, has sought to listen and take into account the views of others. Despite best efforts, it has not been possible to secure agreement on all points.”

But this statement directly contradicts the recommendation from a West Northants steering group, which was led by all the council leaders - including Councillor Golby - where all four councils agreed on equal representation, with four councillors each for 16 members overall.

It was on that basis that South Northamptonshire Council’s cabinet voted in favour of an equal representation joint committee when it met on Monday evening (February 11).

The joint committees would act as ‘a single point of resolution’ with the authority to make decisions at public meetings, unlike the current steering groups that are held behind closed doors. Without a joint committee, decisions of political consequence would need to be presented separately to each of the individual councils.

Councillor Millar added: “I think Matt has damaged the relationship. It’s like we’re going back to the bad old ways of the county council.”

Another district councillor, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “It’s effectively the people who crashed the old car wanting the key for the new car. There’s been a huge row over this. It would have been much better if they had worked with the districts and boroughs on this, and not demand to take over.”

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “Thursday’s Full Council meeting was to discuss and decide upon the representation on the shadow arrangements required for the transition to unitary governance in the county.

“Following feedback regarding this issue, further time is now required to consider the matter. The meeting will be rearranged and a date will be confirmed shortly.”

Councillor Golby has been contacted for comment.

Borough Council of Wellingborough leader Councillor Martin Griffiths sent his resignation letter to Councillor Golby this afternoon, and told him he had ‘reduced trust’ between the county and district borough councils by reneging on a promise for equal representation in a joint committee that will help shape the future councils.

Councillor Golby has faced stinging criticism after county council agendas were published showing that the authority wanted half of all the spaces allocated for councillors on the joint committees for North Northants and West Northants.

Steering groups for both the unitary areas had agreed on equal representation, and the changes were published without consultation with the leaders.

In his letter, for which a full transcript can be found at the bottom of this article, Councillor Griffiths writes: “Last week Councillor Golby made a decision that has disrupted the joint working arrangements, and reduced the trust between us that is essential moving forward.

“An email sent to all the district and borough leaders a few minutes before the publication of the cabinet papers stated that NCC required half the seats on the joint committee and shadow executive. The report claims that no agreement could be reached. In the North and West, an agreement was made with NCC and the districts and boroughs and thus was not reflected.

“As assistant cabinet member to Councillor Andy Mercer [on the county council], I am disappointed that I was not consulted on the contents of the cabinet report as this clearly is in line with my role in Local Government reform.”

Councillor Griffiths said the decision was one taken with ‘a heavy heart’, but that he felt he had ‘no choice’. The resignation does not affect his position as leader of the borough council in Wellingborough.

The joint committees are being set up to help with the mechanism of creating the two new unitary authorities, which are likely to be formed as a result of Max Caller’s report into the failing county council.

A steering group meeting, held behind closed doors, had agreed that Wellingborough, Kettering, Corby, East Northants and the county council would have three councillors each on the new joint committee.

And in West Northants, the steering group had agreed for four councillors each from the county, Daventry, South Northamptonshire and Northampton Borough.

The county council had agreed to both recommendations.

But cabinet papers posted earlier this week directly contradicted that agreement by stating that ‘it had not been possible to secure agreement’ on the composition of the committee. Instead, it proposed 24 members for each of the new joint committees, with the county council claiming 12 of them.

The proposals left district and borough councillors gobsmacked, and the backlash appears to have been so vociferous that the county council this morning cancelled at short notice the meeting on Thursday that was due to discuss them.

A county council spokesman said: “Following feedback regarding this issue, further time is now required to consider the matter.”

Councillor Golby has been contacted for comment.

MARTIN GRIFFITHS’ LETTER IN FULL TO MATT GOLBY

Dear Councillor Golby

It is with a heavy heart that, due to recent events I feel I have no choice but to tender my resignation as Assistant Cabinet Member for Local Government Reform and Transformation.

Since the publication of the Caller Report and the beginning of the unitary process, I have worked without favour with all partners, here at NCC and the districts and borough councils, to ensure the transition to unitary is a success for us all, but most importantly for those residents we serve.

At NCC I acknowledge that considerable progress has been made. It is remarkable that looking back to the position of NCC just 12 months ago we are now near to achieving an honest balanced position and I pay tribute to those who have made this happen. I am proud to have been associated with this transformation and played my small part in making such progress.

We need to continue to improve our situation and prepare for a sustainable future. We will work together to mend the reputation of Northamptonshire, a county that very sadly has become an example of failure in local government through no fault of the seven excellent district and borough councils.

As we move forward with colleagues in the North and the West to establish two unitary authorities, we will continue to implement mechanisms to streamline the process and make decisions for our residents.

In order to set up the shadow executive, there needs to first be a joint committee. The process of creating unitary authorities is well established, but the unique part of Northamptonshire’s proposal was that it was agreed out of need - not out of desire.

To date, all of our interactions with each other have been on the basis of equal partners. We have had Steering Group meetings in the North and West with members from each council in attendance. As a single group, in North Northants we have discussed, debated, formed a consensus and moved forward. I know that a similar approach has happened in the West too.

We have worked together with a great degree of success, demonstrating that all councils in the county can work together to serve our communities. We have broken down barriers and made strides to build trust with our partners who support the creation of two unitary authorities.

It is not easy and I wish to applaud all my leader colleagues in the districts and boroughs for compromises they have made. Last week, however, Cllr Matt Golby made a decision that has disrupted the joint working arrangements , and reduced the trust between us that is essential moving forward.

An email sent to all the district and borough leaders a few minutes before the publication of the cabinet papers stated that NCC required half the seats on the joint committee and shadow executive. The report claims that no agreement could be reached. In the North and West, an agreement was made with NCC and the districts and boroughs and thus was not reflected.

As assistant cabinet member to Cllr Andy Mercer, I am disappointed that I was not consulted on the contents of the cabinet report as this clearly is in line with my role in Local Government reform.

In order to have a brighter future, we need to work in true partnership with our district and borough colleagues. We need to consider the excellent staff across all councils in Northamptonshire who work for local government to make a real difference to people lives.

We must not put NCC first but instead ensure the residents of our county are considered first and foremost.

Creating two successful unitary authorities, in a very tight timescale, remains my number one priority and as I now tender my resignation as Assistant Cabinet Member at Northamptonshire County Council I will take my place along with my backbench colleagues.

In the months ahead I will do my utmost to ensure that we deliver sustainable high-quality services for our residents and that we continue to safeguard the most vulnerable people in our society. This should be the number one priority for all of us.

Councillor Martin Griffiths

Rob Keogh can't wait to get stuck into what he believes will be 'a very exciting' year for Northants.

A six-week spell spent playing and training in Melbourne this winter has reinvigorated Keogh's appetite for cricket ahead of the 2019 season, which starts on April 5.

And he believes there is plenty to look forward to as the County, who have recruited the likes of West Indies star Jason Holder and South African batsman Temba Bavuma, gear up for the new campaign.

"Since I've been back you can definitely tell the change in the atmosphere," Keogh said.

"It was a tough season for us last year so there's a lot of looking forward, a lot of positives.

"Everyone wants to improve and I think it'll be a very exciting year for us."

Keogh was only able to play eight times for Northants last season before heading to Australia.

He played for East Box Hill CC and trained with Big Bash side Melbourne Renegades, working with head coach Andrew McDonald and batting coach Lachie Stevens.

"It was nice to get outdoors, get a bit of sun on the back and work on some things I missed out on in the summer," Keogh said.

"It was such a frustrating summer and you can get down on yourself but I've gone away, gone with the Big Bash team and seen how much fun you can have playing cricket. Sometimes you forget that as a player.

"I really enjoyed the stint, really enjoyed training and it's made me really look forward to the season even more now."

Keogh, who won the Vitality Blast with the Steelbacks in 2016 and helped the team to the 2017 quarter-finals, missed out on the entirety of the T20 campaign in 2018 due to a finger injury picked up in a warm-up.

This may have hampered his game time, but he was still able to work on his bowling behind the scenes.

"I managed to bowl quite a lot of overs during the summer because it was my non-bowling hand, so I tried to take the positives out of it and it gave me a great opportunity to just work on my bowling and bowl as much as I can at the lads," the all-rounder explained.

"It was tough just bowling in the nets, I wanted to get out there.

"A finger injury is one of things that you can do everything other than bat and field basically.

"It gave me a good opportunity to work hard with Chris Lorkin, the strength and conditioning coach, to try to nail my fitness. I feel like that's really paid off."

It expires after 2.5 years and costs about £1,400 each time. How’s the immigration department preparing for Brexit? I foresee massive wait times. What will that mean for my husband and his status - including his right to work?

A. After March 29, EU citizens will need to apply for settled or pre-settled status to remain in the UK. This obviously won't apply to your husband as he is Japanese but I can see why you are concerned about increased waiting times if most EU citizens do need to contact the UK Visas and Immigration department at a similar time.

The good news is that the deadline for applying will be June 30, 2021, if we leave with a deal in place, or December 31, 2020 without a deal, so hopefully applications will be spread out over that time period.

Read more: How Brexit will affect every ingredient of a full English breakfast

To prepare, the UK Visas and Immigration department, under the Home Office, is opening new service centres in Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Croydon to help people applying for work or study visas, settlement or citizenship from within the UK. There will also be 50 enhanced service centres nationally for people who are willing to pay for things like same day appointments, and on-demand services, along with a premium lounge in London. An additional seven dedicated Service and Support Centres will be located in in Belfast, Cardiff, Croydon, Glasgow, Liverpool, Sheffield and Solihull for anyone who needs more support with their applications.

All of this should help ease the burden and decrease delays. However, even the best laid plans can go wrong, especially when it involves such a large initiative, so what would happen if your husband didn't get his visa back in time?

Well, the government has confirmed that, providing he makes his application at least 28 days before his visa ends, that his immigration status will stay the same..

He’ll still have the right to work, access education and receive benefits while he waits for a new visa.

.Do you have a Brexit-related question? Email gemma.jimmison@jpress.co.uk

The Cobblers have no fresh injury concerns ahead of Saturday’s Sky Bet League Two clash with Crawley Town at the PTS Academy Stadium (ko 3pm) - but there is still no return in sight for the club’s injured trio of players.

That means that Sam Foley (back), Marvin Sordell (knee) and George Cox (ankle) are all out of the match with the Red Devils, who sit just one place and one point below the Cobblers in the table.

There was some concern that David Buchanan may be struggling after he suffered nasty bruising in the 1-1 draw with Lincoln City last weekend, but assistant boss Colin West has confirmed he will be fit to play.

The left-back was on the receiving end of the reckless challenge that saw Harry Anderson red carded at Sincil Bank, but got up and carried on playing until the end.

That was when the extent of the damage to Buchahan’s lower leg was revealed, and although West admitted that was a shock to him, he says he wasn’t surprised by Buchanan’s reaction.

“David is a tough cookie, and to be fair we were a little bit shocked when he took his sock down on Saturday, but that is the type of fella he is,” said the Cobblers assistant boss.

“He gets stuck into everything, all the tasks that are put in front of him, and he has been excellent.”

On Foley, West said: “Sam is coming along slowly, and you can’t rush things like that.

“It is a slow process with Sam, who is desperate to get back out there, but we have to take our time with that.”

And it is a similar story for Sordell, who only signed on loan from Burton Albion on deadline day.

“Marvin has had some treatment and is going to be another week or two weeks away, so we are going to have to monitor him,” said West. “It is something he can’t rush either.”

Here are the councillors who have joined the most organisations (highest to lowest). Note: being a member of a masonic lodge run by the freemasons - who openly carry out charity work - is different to being a member of a Freeman group. Freeman of the Borough of Northampton is an honorary title that can be bestowed on people for exceptional service to the town.

The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll legend Roy Orbison returns to The Core on Friday.

The spirit of rock ‘n’ roll legend Roy Orbison returns to The Core on Friday.

With Barry Steele at the helm, The Roy Orbison Story is widely recognised as one of the world’s leading vocalists playing homage to the legendary musician.

He has previously stunned audiences across the world with his ability to recreate the vocal talents of the great singer.

This show takes audiences on a musical journey in time, in which he celebrates the musical legacy of Roy Orbison and The Traveling Wilburys.

The show, which has previously been described as ‘true indentikit brilliance’ by The Stage, also features chart busting hits originally performed made famous by Jerry Lee Lewis, Del Shannon and The Spencer Davies Group.

Barry Steele And Friends head to The Core at Corby Cube on Friday, February 15.

Tickets cost £24 before fees. Music is from 7.30pm.

To book, call 01536 470 470 or visit www.thecorecorby.com

Mathcore trio Sharkteeth Grinder are playing a run of gigs this month supporting Norway’s Attan and fellow Corby metallers Raging Speedhorn.

They join the latter and Coldbones at the Craufurd Arms on Friday night.

Doors open at 7.30pm, tickets cost £12 in advance before fees.

Sharkteeth Grinder then join up with Attan for gigs at the White Hart in Corby on Saturday, February 16, the Angel Microbrewery in Nottingham on Sunday, February 17, the Black Prince in Northampton on Monday, February 18, and The Black Heart in London on Tuesday, February 19.

In Corby, they will be joined by The Darkhorse and Caliburn. Doors 7.30pm, tickets £4 in advance or £6 on the door.

In Nottingham, both bands are joined by Deadhands, Nothing Clean and Self Love. Doors 7.30pm, tickets £5 in advance.

In Northampton, Attan and Sharkeeth Grinder will be joined by Casket Feeder, Caliburn and Nailbreaker. Doors 7pm, tickets £4 in advance or £6 on the door.

Finally, the pair will be joined in London by Calligram and Chaos Reigns.

Music from 7.45pm, tickets cost £8 before fees.

Sharkteeth Grinder released the EP Volume II last year.

For more details, visit fb.com/sharkteethgrinderUK

Honeyblood will make their return to the region later this year in support of their third album In Plain Sight.

The new record, which is out in May, finds Stina Tweeddale at her most ambitious and focused yet. Three albums in, she has stepped forward to claim the mantle of the project she created seven years ago as her sole vision, working in collaboration with super-producer John Congleton.

Lead single, The Third Degree is out now and the LP is described as sonically gung-ho as peak era Garbage, or the modern-day likes of St Vincent.

Woven with mysterious themes of illusion and deception, Tweeddale describes the album as “one big trick”.

Playing with a new live band, Honeyblood return to headline Esquires in Bedford on June 7.

Tickets are on sale now and cost £12.50 in advance before fees.

In Plain Sigh is out on May 24 and available to pre-order now.

For more information and to book, visit www.honeyblood.co.uk

Former Saints boss Jim Mallinder can't wait to take charge of an England XV when they battle the Barbarians for the Quilter Cup at Twickenham on Sunday, June 2 (kick-off 3.30pm).

Mallinder, who spent more than 10 years at Saints before departing in December 2017, will assume the role of head coach for the match, with Eddie Jones overseeing the squad.

The Quilter Cup will offer some players a final chance to make a case for selection for Japan.

Fans can also expect to see some bright new prospects for the English game who would look to be pushing for inclusion over the next four years on the road to 2023.

Mallinder will be supported by a coaching team to be confirmed, which will be agreed as part of the coach development programme between England Rugby and Premiership Rugby.

“I’m really excited to be head coach of this England team," said Mallinder, who steered Saints to their first, and so far only, Premiership title in 2014.

“It’s an important fixture because any time you put the England shirt on you are representing your country and that is a huge honour.

"Eddie will have his eyes on a certain group, but this will be an opportunity for some players who are just outside of selection to show how talented they are.

“The unpredictability of the Barbarians makes it such an exciting fixture for supporters.

"As we have seen over the past few years they always bring a strong star-studded side and have an adventurous style of playing so we are going to have to be at our very best and are looking forward to the challenge.

“This isn’t just an opportunity for the players, but also for three coaches to experience coaching international rugby and I’m looking forward to working with them for this fixture.”

Jones is looking forward to working with Mallinder, who was appointed as a pathway performance coach by the RFU last June.

“Our matches against the Barbarians have always been exciting fixtures to be involved with and a good way to finish the season on a high in front of a Twickenham crowd," Jones said.

"This match will see some exciting talent be given the opportunity to play against a Barbarians side who will no doubt be full of top-quality internationals.

"I look forward to working with Jim Mallinder in helping prepare the side for this match.”

Sean McGowan is currently on tour across the UK following the release of his latest single Auto Pilot and headlines Esquires next month.

Taken from Sean’s debut album of last year, the track is another example of the perfectly preened and poetic indie-pop found on Son Of The Smith.

Auto Pilot tells a tale to lost loves and the pitfall-strewn pathway that lies beyond a bitter break up.

Speaking about the themes of the song, he said: “Autopilot came from the realisation that drinking culture can be extremely toxic.

“I noticed most music I listened to was painting boozing as an escape and actually doing much more harm than good.

“’Everything has gone to **** - let's go get drunk and pretend everything is OK’ is all well and good sometimes and often part of healing processes.

“But if that's your answer every time you inevitably spiral downwards.

“I wanted to write about a particular experience of mine with booze, honestly. It's great fun to play live.”

The 21-date tour across the UK kicked off this month and heads to Esquires on March 1.

Doors open at 8pm, tickets cost £10 in advance before fees.

For more details, visit www.musicglue.com/seanmcgowan

Two men caught on CCTV stealing tools from a Wellingborough depot are wanted by police.

At 10.30am on Wednesday, October 24, 2018, two unknown men entered a depot in Bradfield Road in a Ford Connect van, registration number GU05 GPX.

The offenders then loaded a wacker plate, marked with asset number 3266708, a petrol breaker, marked 3288702, and two empty petrol cans, into the vehicle and drove off.

The CCTV images were released today (February 12).

The men pictured, or anyone with information about their identity, is asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Information can also be shared with independent charity Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555111.

The organisers of this year’s Music Barn Festival have revealed the acts which will play this year’s event.

Set across two acres of farmland in Cranford, the fund-raising festival returns on Saturday, June 22, with prog rock masters KOYO headlining the main stage.

Event manager Mark Robinson said: “The festival has been running for five years and showcases the talent of local bands as well as more established national acts.

“Although still quite an intimate gathering the festival gets bigger and bolder each year as word spreads.

“Headlining the main stage this year will be prog rock masters KOYO.

“Funds raised from the event go to local charities such as Cransley Hospice and Niamh’s Next Step. “Over the past five years they have donated almost £60,000 to their chosen causes.”

Joining KOYO on the main stage will be The Brandy Thieves, Kushty, Sweet Crisis, King Purple and Fat Country Ted.

The Old Forge in Cranford will be hosting the acoustic stage with headliners The Black Feathers who will be joined by Gin House Gypsies, Midnight Honey Club, Carol Hodge, Humblebee and the Epigone Jazz Ensemble.

The Stone Barn will feature music by Art of Noise founder JJ Jeczalik, DJ OP1, Dean Church, Pimpsoul and Jim Norton & Zed Malik.

The Steelyard will feature Hauswerks, The 1905 Project, Shombo, Chris Grant and Rich Sortwell, Stacy James and Ensall.

The festival is centred around disused agricultural buildings. Last year, it raised £12,000 for Cransley Hospice.

Music is from 2pm until 2am.and the festival is an adult only event.

There will also be locally produced food and drink by names including Bad Boy Ciders, Nobby’s Brewery, Stanley Street Eats, Greedy Gordons and The Little Box Co Gin and Fizz van.

Tickets cost £25 in advance and are available from www.musicbarnuk.com

For more information, visit www.musicbarnuk.com and www.facebook.com/musicbarnuk

Tickets are on sale for the Raunds Festival, which returns to venues across the town in May.

The festival has been a regular on the town’s calendar for 18 years and this year will be headlined by Ock ‘n’ Roks on the Friday, The Blair Dunlop Band on the Saturday and Belshazzar’s Feast on the Sunday.

Other acts announced for the Saturday include Gilmore-Roberts Trio, The Frank Burkitt Band,

Becka Wolfe, NMPAT (Wellingborough) Folk Band, Raunds Community Choir, A Different Direction Choir and the Raunds Ukulele Orchestra.

Joining Belshazzar's Feast on the Sunday will be the Dovetail Trio, Will Finn & Rosie Calvert and

Fred Claridge.

Performances take place at The Saxon Hall, the town square, World Upside Down and the Raunds Methodist Chapel.

The Raunds Festival runs from May 2 to May 5.

Tickets range from £5 to £18 and £2 for under 16s. Weekend tickets are available for £45.

For more information, visit www.raundsfestival.com or call 07756 015615.

Unison has released its figures highlighting its legal successes on behalf of teaching assistants, porters, nurses and other public sector workers.

In Northamptonshire, Unison won £104,000 through personal injury and employment tribunal claims. The total figure across the East Midlands is £10.4 million.

Public sector workers involved in the claims were not subject to legal fees because these are covered through their Unison subscription.

The figures have been released as part of this year’s Heart Unions week, running from 11 to 17 February 2019.

Heart Unions is a week of activity organised by the Trades Union Congress throughout England and Wales focusing on the work of unions.

Unison East Midlands regional manager Andy Belfield said: “These victories show how important it is to have the support of a union.

“Heart Unions week is a great opportunity to highlight the value of unions, offering everyone a voice in their workplace.”

Barber Charlie Topham of Charlie Brown's Gentleman's Barbers, in Kings Heath Industrial Estate, has been cutting hair now for 30 years and decided to go it alone five years ago.

Since taking on her own business she has been inspired to make her barber's autism friendly, and offers families from as far away as London the opportunity for their children to have their hair cut in a calm environment.

Charlie said: "All kids deserve to look smart and a lot of barbers refuse to cut a child’s hair who moves or cries. All you need is patience and for the child to trust you.

"It can be very emotional sometimes when they have been coming for years and sometimes only getting one snip here and there and then suddenly the trust is there and they get that full cut.

"It brings a tear to your eye, and the parents, when you know you have cracked it."

Charlie learned how to cut children's hair after seeking inspiration from James Williams, who founded Autism Barbers Assemble.

She added: "Barbers around the UK, from all different destinations, travel to towns where autism-friendly barbers are not available and come together at a venue and parents bring their children in, who are on the spectrum, for their haircut.

"Jim inspired me to make my barber's autism friendly - as he did many more barbers around the UK - but there still isn’t enough.

"I have children travel as far away as London have their haircut with me."

Charlie tries to make the experience as fun for the children as possible by not forcing them to sit in the chair. They can also roam around, play with water and even sit outside in the summer if it makes the experience easier for them.

Parents can book their appointments through the NEARCUT booking site, which allows them to come in when the shop is empty and quiet.