The St George's Street building, in Semilong, is to be replaced with a new facility, which is currently being built in St James.

Sikh leaders have now submitted a planning application asking for the go-ahead to create 17 bedrooms in the current temple, over four floors.

But the Northampton Town Centre Conservation Advisory Group, an independent organisation, said the plans might cause annoyance to neighbours.

Chair Sue Biddle said: "[There are] concerns regarding the building impact of HIMOs with the increase of traffic flow, car parking, rubbish collection and fly tipping, and the social stability of the area.

"We recommend refusal of this application."

The architects' drawings for the project take in the ground floor, first floor, second floor and basement.

Environmental health officer Matt Clough said he could not support the plan for eight separate reasons, mainly to do with fire safety and cramped conditions.

Drawings suggest that the basement bedrooms would have no windows that could be opened, and areas of the second floor would have ceiling heights of less than two metres.

Commenting on the basement bedrooms, he added: "Both basement bedrooms are inner rooms to the kitchen, living room and dining room.

"Scrutiny of the block plan appears to show the internal courtyard connects only with the premises at 17a St Georges Street. It therefore does not lead to a place of safety."

The move to a new £2 million temple in St James Mill Road, was set in motion after Sikh leaders decided there were too few parking spaces for large weddings, funerals or celebrations.

A public meeting has been arranged to discuss what can be done for isolated residents whose bus service was scrapped more than a year ago.

Until December 2017, the number 11 service served the Kingsley and Parklands areas, with hourly pick-ups heading to and from Northampton town centre.

But Country Lion terminated the service, saying the total fares taken by the driver each day did not even cover the cost of fuel.

Despite transport manager Paul Shaw saying at the time that older Links View residents would be "adequately served" by other companies, car-less residents say the situation is intolerable.

Myra Monroe, who lives on Links View, said: "We're just so isolated now if you don't drive.

"I have to undertake such a long walk to a bus stop for town that it's too much.

"It's not just the transport issue, though. You could meet people and have a chat before - I get none of that interaction now."

A public meeting has now been called for 2.30pm on Monday, February 25 at The Pioneer pub in Fulford Drive, Northampton.

It is hoped a representative of Stagecoach Midlands, which is reviewing some of its routes in June, will attend.

The borough council’s planning committee convened at The Guildhall on Tuesday evening (February 19), and approved all 19 of the applications it heard. Here’s a rundown of their decisions.

NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL APPLICATIONS

Two applications from the borough council themselves quickly waved through. These were for the addition of bird proof netting to some steps leading to the Courtyard Cellar at Abington Museum Manor House, and updated signage of the front of Northampton Museum, on Guildhall Road.

The museum signage was given approval, but the committee agreed that the design was 'bland', and have added this comment to their decision.

Development of a storage and distribution unit at Tithe Barn

A new distribution and storage warehouse will be built on an undeveloped bit of land neighbouring the grade II listed Tithe Barns.

Councillor Brian Sergeant, Hunsbury Meadows Parish Council and more than 30 residents all objected, due to the impact on the barns, and the loss of a Victorian farmhouse that would be demolished on the site to make way for the warehouses.

Peter Bovill, from Montagu Evans, speaking on behalf of the applicants Aviva Life & Pensions (UK) said: "We're confident this can be built quickly with minimal impact on neighbours."

Councillor Matt Golby pointed out that there have been no objections from Historic England for this application. He says: "We acknowledge there are some sensitivities, but no observations from Historic England is quite telling. They are the barometer for me."

Read more about the granting of planning permission for this application here.

Conversion of grade II listed building into 39 flats at Dunster Street

The old Globe Leather Works building, a Grade II listed building on Dunster Street, has been vacant for years. But councillors have now given planning approval for it to be converted into 39 apartments.

Planning officer Nicky Scaife told the committee that a precedent had already been set by approval of an overall site, including the former Hawkins building, for 105 apartments. This was granted back in 2016.

However, Colin Clayson, of applicants Clayson Country Homes, says he's struggled to find a buyer for the overall site. He says: "This is the easiest part of the building to save. I've been trying to save this overall site for years, but it's been difficult."

The whole site has been delayed because the windows are seen as an important part of the heritage of the building, and a compromise on the appearance hasn't been reached for the Hawkins part. Mr Clayson says this part of the site (Globe Leather Works) will be easier.

The application was granted planning permission unanimously, subject to agreements on the window replacements.

Read about this story in more detail here.

Installation of a hydroelectric turbine at Nene White Water Centre

Councillors quickly agreed to the installation of an AquaZoom vortex hydroelectric turbine at the Nene White Water Centre.

Papers say: "The turbine structure has a basin with a single vortex turbine installed in its base that would power a generator. The water would outfall into one of the lower pools associated from the existing white water course and then flow back in the river."

Large home extension at 67 Ringway, Briar Hill

The application was very quickly approved. The homeowners were due to speak, but elected not to after neighbours decided to withdraw their objections.

Conversion of dwelling to HMO at 26 Shakespeare Road

The applicants applied for a change of use from a dwelling to a House of Multiple Occupancy (HMO) for four occupants.

Northamptonshire Highways registered an objection, stating: "There is no residual parking capacity on-street and the proposed development would increase demand for parking during the peak residential period."

However, parking problems are not usually accepted as sufficient grounds on which to turn these applications down. Planning chairman Councillor Brian Oldham said: "We have several applications we have refused like this one where we're waiting on the planning inspector to make their decision. Historically, to about 95 per cent, they overturn refusals based on this."

The vote was tied in the end, so as the chairman Councillor Oldham got the final say, and his vote to approve the application was the decisive one.

Conversion of dwelling to HMO at 84 Towcester Road, Far Cotton

Another HMO application was discussed, this one a change of use for five occupants.

This application was called in by ward councillor Julie Davenport over issues with parking, noise and refuse, but the applicant spoke to say that the objections were not relevant on planning grounds.

There was no objection from Northamptonshire Highways this time though, so it was approved unanimously.

Conversion of dwelling to HMO at 94 St Leonards Road, Far Cotton

The third and final HMO application was to change the dwelling for three occupants. This was also called in by Cllr Julie Davenport for similar reasons to the Towcester Road application.

But committee member Councillor Dennis Meredith questioned why Cllr Davenport was not present at the meeting to make representations on either application.

With Northamptonshire Highways offering no comment on this application either, the outcome was the same with unanimous approval.

NORTHAMPTON PARTNERSHIP HOMES APPLICATIONS

The committee determined 10 applications from Northampton Partnership Homes (NPH), and granted approval for all 10. They were:

Construction of one new bungalow with associated parking at Newby Court (Eastfield).

Demolition of nine garages and construction of two new bungalows at lock up garages in The Briars (Delapre & Briar Hill).

Demolition of domestic garages and construction of one new dwelling with associated parking at Nethermead Court (Brookside).

Demolition of three domestic garages and construction of one new build dwelling at Greatmeadow (Talavera).

Demolition of 12 domestic lock up garages and construction of two new build dwellings at Collmead Court (Talavera).

Demolition of six domestic garages and construction of two new build dwellings at Greatmeadow (Talavera).

Demolition of six garages and erection of one new build dwelling and parking at Nether Jackson Court (Talavera).

Demolition of four garages and erection of two new build dwellings and parking at Fulleburn Court (Brookside).

Demolition of eight domestic garages and construction of two new build dwellings at Greatmeadow (Talavera).

Demolition of seven domestic garages and construction of one new build bungalow, also at Greatmeadow (Talavera).

Keith Curle has made it clear to his ‘self-employed’ Cobblers players they are all playing for their futures over the final 13 games of the season.

With Town sitting in 16th place in the Sky Bet League Two table, 10 points above the relegation zone and 13 points adrift of the play-offs, there may not seem too much to play for.

But that is not the way Curle sees it, and he is demanding his players maintain their focus for every single game, especially if they want to impress him and ensure they are part of his future plans.

Curle has been at the helm since the beginning of October and ahead of this Saturday’s trip to Stevenage he admitted time is running out for the Town players, many of whom are out of contract this summer, to ensure their futures lie at the PTS Academy Stadium.

“We have had a very good look at the squad, and we are coming to the latter stages of the season now where people have got their last opportunity to enhance their chances of staying on the journey I think the football club can go on, and needs to go on,” said Curle.

When asked about getting the team fired up for the run-in, the Town boss said: “That is part of my job.

“That came within the first week of me coming to the football club when I outlined to the players they are self-employed.

“Even though they are in a football club environment and they are in a team environment, ultimately they are self-employed.

“How well they do individually within the team structure will have a bearing on where their career and where their fortunes lie.

“Players want to play, because they know they are self-employed.

“To give themselves the best opportunity of either earning another contract here, or earning a contract elsewhere at the end of the season, they want to be performing and they need to be on the grass.

“That is not Monday to Friday on the training ground, they need to be out there on a Saturday representing the football club, and putting on a performance that they are proud of and ultimately gains us the points we need.”

Here, we a look at when each of the 92 clubs were founded - ranking them from youngest to oldest. Click and scroll through the page to discover where your club lies:

Is there any way of knowing if this is a sensible thing to do? Can we plan that far ahead? I anticipate problems with the exchange rate for spending money once there; possible issues with ferries and trains; and uncertainty regarding pet passports.

A: There's a number of issues to look at here. The most time sensitive one is the issue of a pet passport, as you'll need to start the process at least four months before you leave if the UK exits the EU without a deal.

Pet passports list the different treatments your pets have had and ensure they are microchipped and up to date with their rabies vaccine.

The passport means your dogs won't have to go into quarantine on arrival.

If the UK leaves without a deal, then the rules will change and pet passports issued in the UK would no longer be valid. In this case, pet owners would need to get a health certificate. Your dog will need a rabies vaccine with blood samples (to be sent to an EU-approved laboratory) taken 30 days after the jab. You will then have to wait three months after the samples come back clear to get the health certificate.

The best thing to do is contact your vet as soon as possible.

Read more: Drivers and sat navs after Brexit

The second issue is that you will be driving.

If you want to drive abroad in the case of a no-deal Brexit then you will need an International Driving Permit. These are available at Post Offices across the country and cost £5.50. There are three available (1926, 1949 and 1968) depending on which country you are visiting and you may need both types if you are travelling through more than one country. In your case you will need a 1968 IDP to travel to France.

To apply for an IDP you will need a full valid UK driving licence - photocard or an older paper licence - a passport sized photo and an original valid passport as proof of identification, if presenting an older paper version licence. You can apply three up to months before you travel.

You'll also need a green card to prove you are fully insured.

The Association of British Insurers has said that if you travel without one, you may be breaking the law. Green cards - essentially just a paper document rather than an actual card - proves that the motorist has the necessary third-party motor cover. The new rules will affect anyone planning to take their vehicle to European countries after March 29. You will need to contact your insurer at least one month before travelling.

With regards to transport, Discover Ferries has said that Brexit will not affect the ability of ferries to sail between the UK and the rest of Europe regardless of a deal or no deal Brexit scenario.

They have addressed concerns about potential delays at ports due to additional customs checks at British ports, saying: "It should be noted that these additional checks apply mainly to the transportation of freight/commercial goods between Britain and the EU and not people looking to travel to Europe on holiday or for leisure purposes. We are confident that British passport holders travelling to Europe from the UK for leisure purposes should not experience many changes to the way they currently travel through the ferry ports.

"However, should a Brexit agreement with the EU not be reached, British travellers may be subject to a change in customs requirements, bringing them more in line with the restrictions and allowances that apply to individuals arriving from countries such as the United States of America. This could result in the need to declare some goods purchased in the UK, as well as restrictions on the ability to transport some food items into Europe from the UK."

They went on to say that contingency planning has been put in place, and it is also worth noting that by the time you travel in the summer, ports and organisations will have had several months to work out any kinks.

The UK government has also said it is seeking bilateral arrangements with France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, as well as Ireland, to continue the smooth functioning of cross-border rail services.

Read more: Prepare your business for Brexit

When it comes to cost, the pound is worth less against the Euro than it used to be. Before Brexit £1 would get you around 1.43 euros, but it currently stands at just 1.15. There's undoubtedly other factors in play rather than just Brexit, but there's honestly no way of knowing what will happen to the rate in the immediate months after we leave the EU.

It's up to you whether you buy Euros before or after March 29, but just make sure you shop around and ensure you're getting the best deal on the day you buy. After all, every penny helps.

Finally, don't forget to check the expiration date on your passport. If we leave the EU without a deal you will need to have six months left to travel. Any extra months added on when you renewed won't count either, meaning your passport should be no older than nine years and six months when you travel.

Cervical cancer could effectively be eliminated from the UK in around three decades, experts have claimed.

An estimated 112 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer in Northamptonshire every year, according to the most recent figures from Public Health England.

That’s a rate of 12 cases for every 100,000 women.

But scientists have predicted the cancer could soon be a thing of the past, after plotting the long-term effects of high levels of smear test screening and vaccination.

Professor Karen Canfell, who led the new study published in The Lancet Oncology journal, said: “Despite the enormity of the problem, our findings suggest that global elimination is within reach with tools that are already available, provided that both high coverage of HPV vaccination and cervical screening can be achieved.”

Women aged between 25 and 49 are invited for a cervical screening – also known as a smear test – every three years in England, while those aged 50 to 64 attend every five years.

Cancer charities have warned against complacency with screenings.

In Northamptonshire, the take-up rate for cervical screening has fallen for four consecutive years.

Only 72% of the 200,900 women who were due a smear test before the end of March 2017 attended an appointment, meaning 55,485 missed out.

Cervical cancer is almost always caused by the human papilloma virus, which is spread through any kind of skin-to-skin contact or sexual intercourse.

Girls in England are offered free HPV jabs at school during Years 8 and 9 when they are aged between 12 and 14, to help protect them from the virus.

However, PHE figures show 94% of girls in Northamptonshire were given the recommended two doses of the vaccine by the end of Year 9 in 2017-18.

This was one of the highest coverage rates in England - but 225 girls were still left unprotected.

However, a spokeswoman for PHE said the immunisation programme was still “one of the most successful around the world” and had helped protect millions of girls since its launch in 2008.

Across England, cervical screening coverage fell for the fourth year in a row last year.

Robert Music, chief executive of Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust, said women are finding it increasingly difficult to access appointments.

He added: “We cannot sit back and let cervical screening coverage continue to plummet or diagnoses of this often preventable cancer will rise and more mothers, daughters, sisters and friends will be lost.”

The latest figures on new cervical cancer diagnoses cover 2011 to 2013.

Each year there are 3,126 new cases of cervical cancer in the UK and 854 women die from the disease.

Today, an estimated 99.8% of cases in the UK are considered to be preventable.

AA Traffic News is reporting that two lorries were involved and there has been a fuel spillage on A45 Flore bypass both ways from M1 J16 in Daventry to A5 in Weedon.

The road is expected to remain closed until at least 3.30pm today, with motorists advised to avoid the area, Northamptonshire Police this afternoon said (Thursday).

The £40 million link road, which was built to improve the speed of journeys between Northampton and Daventry and improve access between Daventry and the M1, was opened in November last year.

The link road starts at a new roundabout on the existing A45 between the Dodford and Weedon, to the east of Globe Farm. It then passes to the north of the villages of Weedon, Flore and Upper Heyford before rejoining the A45 at a new roundabout between Upper Heyford and the M1 motorway at junction 16.

East Midlands Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 7.31am this morning (February 21), to Flore Turn, A45.

"The caller reported an Road Traffic Collion (RTC).

"We sent a paramedic in an ambulance car and a crewed ambulance."

Elena Ioan, aged 19, of Charles Street, The Mounts was charged over theft-related offences but failed to appear at court.

Anyone with information as to her whereabouts is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Information can also be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers by calling 0800 555111.

The Grosvenor Centre is inviting hopeful mental health nurses along to speak to professionals today at an event in the town centre.

In partnership with the University of Northampton, St Andrew’s Healthcare Northampton and Northamptonshire NHS Foundation Trust (NHFT), visitors to the centre will get the chance to engage with mental health nurses between 10am and 2pm today.

They can learn more about the work that they do, find out about potential future career paths as well as get a better understanding of the work the nurses do in helping support people.

Grosvenor Centre manager, James Roberts, said he was delighted to welcome them for the day. “The work mental health nurses deliver is extremely important and I’m thrilled that we’re able to give them a platform in which to engage and interact with our shoppers whilst talking about the role they play in supporting patients.

“As a community hub in Northampton, its key that we’re able to play a role in events such as this. I’m pleased that through working so closely with the University of Northampton, St Andrew’s Healthcare and NHFT we can provide the space they need.

"I’m sure that they will get a very positive reaction from our shoppers and I’m really looking forward to welcoming them to the centre.”

As well as the event in the centre, Northamptonshire NHS Foundation Trust is hosting an open day on Saturday, February 23, 10am-2pm at Berrywood Hospital for anyone interested in a career in mental health or learning disability nursing.

A partnership that has been training teachers in Northampton for over 20 years has been rated 'outstanding' in all areas by the education watchdog.

The Northampton Teacher Training Partnership has been praised for it's 'clear and ambitious vision' to train teachers for the future in a glowing report by Ofsted.

The centre, based at Northampton School for Boys, trains around 30 people a year and has earned the highest grade available in all areas following a two-part inspection in 2018.

The report reads: "Outstanding leadership has secured strong outcomes for trainees' attainment. Employment rates are consistently above national and regional averages because trainees are well prepared for their future career.

"The programme is characterised by high-quality training, including a comprehensive offer for each subject... Sessions which focus on teachers’ well-being and how children learn demonstrate leaders’ understanding of the pressing issues facing the profession."

In Northampton, the partnership works with Caroline Chisholm School, Northampton Academy and Thomas Becket School as well as 17 other schools in the county to give their trainees practical experience in school.

Senior deputy head, Matthew Edwards, who has overseen much of the improvement work since NTTP's last inspection six years ago said: “I am absolutely delighted that the efforts and improvements have been recognised as outstanding in all areas by OFSTED.

"This success is down to the hard work of a large team of dedicated professionals from Northampton School for Boys and from many other local partnership secondary schools

"NTTP gives a fantastic school based experience for any new entrant to the profession and with a 100 per cent employment rate is an ideal place to start your teaching career.”

For more information on NTTP's programme, visit their website.

The St George's Street building, in Semilong, is being replaced with a new purpose-built facility, which is currently under construction in St James.

Although it is still used as a place of worship, it is no longer owned by the Sikh community and the building's new owners have now submitted a planning application asking for the go-ahead to create 17 bedrooms, over four floors.

But the Northampton Town Centre Conservation Advisory Group, an independent organisation, said the plans might cause annoyance to neighbours.

Chair Sue Biddle said: "[There are] concerns regarding the building impact of HIMOs with the increase of traffic flow, car parking, rubbish collection and fly tipping, and the social stability of the area.

"We recommend refusal of this application."

The architects' drawings for the project take in the ground floor, first floor, second floor and basement.

Environmental health officer Matt Clough said he could not support the plan for eight separate reasons, mainly to do with fire safety and cramped conditions.

Drawings suggest that the basement bedrooms would have no windows that could be opened, and areas of the second floor would have ceiling heights of less than two metres.

Commenting on the basement bedrooms, he added: "Both basement bedrooms are inner rooms to the kitchen, living room and dining room.

"Scrutiny of the block plan appears to show the internal courtyard connects only with the premises at 17a St Georges Street.

"It therefore does not lead to a place of safety."

The move to a new £3 million community-funded facility in St James Mill Road with over 100 parking spaces, was set in motion in 2012 after the community outgrew the current buildings, with a shortage of internal space and car parking spaces required for large functions such as weddings, funerals or celebrations.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this article said that the building was still owned by Sikh leaders. We have been asked to make it clear that this is not the case and the Sikh community no longer has any responsibility for the building and the building has new ownership. We are happy to clarify the situation and apologise for any upset caused.

Detectives investigating the murder of a 22-year-old in Camden have confirmed that he was from Northampton.

Although the Metropolitan Police is awaiting formal identification, officers are confident that the deceased is Bright Akinlele, aged 22, of Northampton.

Mr Akinlele walked into a hotel in Euston Street, Camden shortly before 10.45pm on Monday, February 18, suffering from stab injuries.

Officers attended along with the London Ambulance Service, but despite efforts to treat him, he was pronounced dead at the scene at 11.31pm.

Enquiries have established that he entered the lobby of the hotel from the street and then collapsed.

Staff at the hotel immediately came to his aid, contacting the emergency services.

The victim's next of kin have been informed though a formal identification has not yet taken place.

A postmortem examination carried out on Wednesday, February 20, found the cause of death to be a stab wound to the leg.

Four men and seven women, aged from 19 to 28, were arrested on Monday, February 18, at an address in Camden on suspicion of murder. All eleven have been released on bail to return on a date in mid-March pending further enquiries.

A murder investigation has been launched by detectives from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command under the leadership of Detective Chief Inspector Glenn Lloyd.

Enquiries are ongoing.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or the events immediately following the attack, are being asked to call the incident room on 0208 358 0400, on 101, Tweet @MetCC or call Crimestoppers anonymously via 0800 555 111.

Burrell will exit Franklin's Gardens this summer, having spent seven years at Saints.

He joined from Sale Sharks in 2012 and has gone on to make 158 appearances so far, helping Saints to claim their first Premiership title in 2014.

Burrell's contract was up this summer and he has opted to make the move back to rugby league, which is the sport he started in as an age-grade player for Huddersfield Giants.

Boyd said: "Luther had a frustrating time to start with as he had a couple of niggles that kept him out but he's found some really good form in the last month or six weeks.

"He's been really important for us, particularly when Piers (Francis) went down injured and then we had him and Dingers (Fraser Dingwall) and Hutch (Rory Hutchinson) together. He held that together really nicely for us.

"He's really keen to finish his time at the Gardens very positively."

And when asked for his reflections on his time with Burrell at Saints, Boyd said: "When I first came here and was introduced to the players it was a little bit of a difficult situation but the first guy that came and introduced himself was Luther.

"He shook my hand and said he wished me well at this club and he's a really amiable guy, he's a popular member of the Saints.

"He's been here for seven years from the north and the fact he's been able to control his exit and decide how he wants his career to go has been fantastic.

"He'll be missed here because he's popular on and off the field and we hope he goes well in the future."

Chris Boyd believes 'quite a few' of his Saints squad are currently performing 'up around nine out of 10'.

But the boss has warned his players against complacency as they bid to back up last Saturday's stunning 67-17 success against Sale when Bath come calling on Saturday.

Saints have been in fantastic form in recent weeks, winning their past four games in all competitions and scoring 48 tries in their past five matches.

And when asked how he feels his squad has developed since he arrived from the Hurricanes last summer, Boyd said: "It's just ticking away nicely and we're quietly getting more confidence in parts of our game so that's been pleasing.

"The individual efforts from a number of people have been pleasing and there are quite a few people playing up around nine out of 10 for their personal games and when you put a group of guys who are all playing well together, you've got a better chance of getting a good outcome."

But Boyd and his players will be taking nothing for granted when Bath arrive at Franklin's Gardens on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 2.45pm).

"Momentum and confidence is a real positive thing but if you get too much momentum and you get a downhill run, you can lose control of that momentum, which is dangerous," he said.

"Also, the positivity you get out of a good performance, if you're not careful, you can get ahead of yourself and you can lapse into being overly keen and perhaps complacent.

"We need to keep our feet firmly on the ground.

"Yes, we had a good performance last weekend but Bath is a completely different challenge. They've got a big forward pack, big scrum, big lineout, tough at the breakdown, they kick the ball a lot and keep it on the field.

"They've got an extremely dangerous back three and whichever 10 they pick has a bag of tricks with their kicking game.

"They're a massive challenge and a massive threat for us."

Saints have only lost two home games in the Gallagher Premiership this season, with Saracens and Newcastle Falcons the only teams to win at the Gardens.

And when asked about his side's home form, Boyd said: "It's an interesting human thing, isn't it?

"Teams tend to get big runs at home rather than on the road and there's always that little bit extra playing in front of your own supporters.

"You know exactly how the ground works, how the wind works and you know the people will be cheering for you, but it doesn't guarantee performance.

"We're certainly conscious of the fact that we want to do well here at the Gardens in front of what I think is a really fantastic group of supporters."

Midfielder John-Joe O’Toole has admitted he will ‘have to wait and see’ if he will be offered a new contract to stay at the Cobblers.

The 30-year-old’s Town deal expires this summer, and the former Bristol Rovers man admits he ‘hasn’t heard too much’ about whether or not it will be extended or not.

Signed on a three-year deal in the summer of 2014 from Bristol Rovers, fans’ favourite O’Toole put pen to paper on a new two-year deal in April, 2017.

He has been frustrated by an injury-hit campaign in which he has made just 26 appearances, but has been a regular starter when available under Keith Curle’s management.

O’Toole missed more than two months of the campaign with a badly bruised foot, but has started the past four games, and says it is now down to him to get his head down and put in the displays that could see him prolong his stay at the PTS Academy Stadium.

Asked about whether he hopes he will be offered a new deal, O’Toole said: “I haven’t heard too much (about a new contract), so we will have to wait and see.

“I need to get some games under my belt and really put some performances in to help the team out, and then we will see at the end of the season I guess.”

In all, O’Toole has made 153 starts for the club and 33 substitute appearances, scoring 34 goals.

Along with David Buchanan, he is the joing longest-serving player at the club.

Signed by Chris Wilder, O’Toole endured a difficult first season at the club, but after his second campaign he was named player of the year by the Cobblers supporters, scoring 12 goals in 43 games as Town won the Sky Bet League Two title.

He has continued to be a key man under the succession of managers that have been in charge since Wilder left, matching his 12-goal tally in 2016/17 as Town avoided relegation from league one, and six last term when Town did drop back into the basement division.

Goals have been harder to come by for O’Toole so far this season, and he admits his tally of two is not good enough and something he is determined to improve on in the final 13 games of the campaign.

O’Toole went close to breaking the deadlock in last Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Crawley, only to see his half-volley fly over the bar, and he is determined to improve his conversion rate.

“For the chance on Saturday, the ball took a bit of a dodgy bounce, which had it not have done the shot might have gone in,” said the Harrow-born player.

“But I have been a bit disappointed this season.

“I know I have a goal in me, and I haven’t scored anywhere near as many as I would have liked, so that is a frustration.

“That is something I need to improve on, and hopefully it will come.”

O’Toole also feels his match fitness is improving all the time.

“It has been a frustrating season, but I feel I am getting my fitness game by game,” said the former Watford trainee, who was out injured for the whole of December and January.

“I still want to do more, and I am sure in time I will.

“You need games, you need minutes, and you need to work on it day in, day out as well, which we do. But these things sometimes take time.”

The drug dealer who stabbed a 34-year-old Northampton father to death in the streets of Kingsley has been jailed for a minimum of 27 years.

Daniel Quinn, from Wolverhampton, chased down Daniel Fitzjohn and stabbed him twice in the abdomen in a fit of 'blind rage' and 'unjustified revenge'.

But the 28-year-old was found guilty of murder by a unanimous verdict this week and today (February 21) he was handed a life sentence.

His co-defendant, Parminder Sanghera, 25, from Wolverhampton, was also convicted of manslaughter and was jailed for 10-and-a-half years.

In sentencing, His Honour Judge Rupert Mayo said: "Mr Fitzjohn was described to the jury as being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I find this is an accurate statement and sets this senseless killing into context.

"I do not accept that you feel any genuine remorse except for yourself."

Quinn and Sanghera, who both wore tracksuits to their sentencing, showed no emotion as they were handed their jail terms.

Over the two-week trial, the court heard how in June last year Quinn was punched to the floor outside Fairfield News by Mr Fitzjohn to defend a friend after the drug dealer threatened him with a branch.

But Quinn responded by collecting Sanghera from a nearby house, equipping them with a machete and a knife, and hunting Mr Fitzjohn and his friends down through the streets of Kingsley.

When Quinn caught up to Mr Fitzjohn, he fatally stabbed him twice in the abdomen.

Despite the efforts of members of the public to help him, Mr Fitzjohn sadly died in hospital less than half-an-hour later.

The judge said: "You were equipped for revenge. You leapt from the car [to chase Mr Fitzjohn] in a fit of blind rage... Your intent was clear. This was a pursuit and an attack that lasted more than several minutes."

Mr Fitzjoh's family held each other as Quinn was told he would spend the next 27 years in prison before he was considered for release.

READ MORE: Read the Chronicle's summary of the events that led up to the death of the 'decent, mild-mannered' Mr Fitzjohn here.

Our columnist Rachel McGrath talks about the growing national scandal of food insecurity in her column this week....

As reported in the Chronicle and Echo within the last week, the Government admitted that Universal Credit is likely to blame for rising food bank use.

Only last year the United Nations Special Rapporteur Philip Alston’s report on extreme poverty in the UK highlighted the causal link between the current benefits system and the dramatic rise in food insecurity.

However, when confronted with the overwhelming evidence, the Government accused the UN representative of politicising the issue and chose not to acknowledge its findings.

The Northamptonshire Food Poverty Network has been campaigning for food insecurity to be measured as recommended in the aforesaid UN report and is also campaigning for universal credit reform.

They know that food bank use is soaring and the admission by Amber Rudd MP that this is directly related to the roll out of Universal Credit means the Government has the responsibility to put things right.

Food poverty is a public health emergency and needs to be tackled as a matter of urgency.

The Social Metrics Commission in providing evidence to the Government’s Work and Pensions Committee last month stated that the lack of an agreed measure has left the Government unaccountable for its policy action on reducing poverty.

In the meantime it came to pass that the current transport secretary Chris Grayling MP approved £800,000 to be spent on consultants to assess a contract bid whether the no ferry ferry company Seaborne Freight could provide ferries as part of the Government’s Brexit strategy. The contract was approved but subsequently scrapped.

These ‘magic money tree’ moments bring me back to UN Special Rapporteur Philip Alston’s report when he states that ‘poverty is a political choice’.

I’m no specialist in transport infrastructure but that’s £800,000 that could have been better spent on bringing back bus routes in a rural area where people are cut off from local services and at risk of social isolation than consultants reviewing the potential of a company that doesn’t do what it’s meant to do.

The Trussell Trust has recently published its findings that in the last year it distributed 1.3 million food parcels across its local food bank networks, a 13 per cent rise from the previous year.

The overall number is likely to be much higher as there are many independent food bank networks across the UK.

Only last month, following on from their latest report on Hunger and Malnutrition in the UK, the chairman of the Government’s Environmental Audit Committee, Mary Creagh MP, stated: “The combination of high living costs, stagnating wages and often, the rollout of Universal Credit and the wider benefits system, means that levels of hunger in Britain are some of the highest across Europe.

“We found that nearly one in five children under 15 is living in a food insecure home – a scandal which cannot be allowed to continue.”

How many reports do we need before action is taken? It should surely be enough that the United Nations, let alone the Government’s own committees and departments, and charities tackling food poverty have provided the evidence needed to show the direct link between rising poverty and Universal Credit.

I think the UN Special Rapporteur is right - poverty is a political choice. It must be because all the hard evidence is blatantly being ignored.

I won’t do a roll call of Philip Alston’s considerable CV, but this guy is a professor at the New York University School of Law and co-chair and faculty director of the Centre for Human Rights and Global Justice.

He travels the world on behalf of the UN on fact-finding missions relating to the levels and causes of poverty in countries of concern with a view to making recommendations to tackle poverty.

Given the choice between a consultancy report on ferries from the Department of Transport and a UN report on extreme poverty and how to tackle it in the UK, I know who I would be taking recommendations from.

Our columnist John Griff reflects on some of life’s simple pleasures in his column this week...

Have you noticed anything different about day-to-day life this week compared to a week ago? Anything which has made life easier?

Perhaps arriving at work a little earlier and in a better mood?

It is one of those times of the year when, as well as the schools having a brief holiday, so, too, do the nation’s commuters. It’s been really welcome to see fewer lorries on the road, shorter queues of cars and less white van racing going on too.

It’s as though in some way the hands of the clock have been briefly turned back to a time when there was significantly less traffic on the road and we could all get about rather more easily. Enjoy it while it lasts!

The relatively quiet time on the road this week has allowed me to take in rather more of my surroundings during my own commute than is normally the case.

I have noted the lengthening of the day with dawn arriving rather more early than during the past few months and dusk rolling in rather later. With the longer days and the simple pleasure of watching not only the sun rise but also the moon set, my mood improves substantially.

On Tuesday morning of this week, there were wonderful examples of both.

Leaving home early and in darkness, I was struck by the very bright full moon which, illuminated by an as- yet unrisen sun, cast a glow across the Northamptonshire countryside.

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of man’s first footprints on the moon’s face and there will be plenty of opportunity to talk about this particular milestone. For now, as well as the sight of it, I was struck by the knowledge that on the unseen far side, China’s robotic lunar experiments are continuing.

Simultaneous to the setting of the moon was the rising of the sun and, as it happened, I became aware of about a dozen, golden lit comet-like trails from unseen airliners streaking across the sky, while canal boats sat quietly at their moorings while I drove over a nearby bridge.

There were also the dark silhouettes of tens of thousands of trees which I drive past every day and otherwise constantly fail to note; in places there was also a wonderful low-lying mist hugging the ground.

I have a tendency to see things in a photographic way. I cannot draw or paint for the life of me, but I can see a photograph before it is taken.

I was once told by the late local artist John Luce Lockett that there is a reason for this. I’m left handed, but right-eye dominant, so I see things from a particular perspective.

Tuesday provided a world of opportunity, albeit from behind the steering wheel of my car as I drove past each potential shot. Each image in my mind added to a growing sense of well-being at the sharp end of my working day. But only because I was sufficiently able to appreciate it.

Thinking back, there was something else that I had taken a break from.

Normally I listen to the news of the day on my journey to work. On Tuesday I didn’t do so, preferring instead to listen to music. I think that accompaniment, rather than the latest doom-laden headlines, had really made a difference.

Sometimes it pays to take a break in order to be able to see what really matters.

Three men have been charged with attempted murder over a firearms incident in Corby last December.

On Saturday, December 22, a 38-year-old man was found at an address in Stone House Mews suffering injuries to his stomach and neck. He has since been released from hospital.

Northamptonshire Police has now charged three men over the incident, including one arrested in Birmingham on Friday, February 15.

Arturs Daukste, aged 37, of Wellington Road, Perry Barr, Birmingham, was arrested as part of a joint operation with West Midlands Police.

He has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He appeared at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on February 16 and was remanded into custody.

The investigation into the incident has also seen two other men arrested and charged.

Dimitrijs Paskovss, aged 30, of Guests Close, Telford, Shropshire, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life and has been remanded into custody.

Laurenc Gjura, aged 24, of Oakmere Avenue, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life. He has also been remanded into custody.

Three other men previously arrested on suspicion of attempted murder remain on police bail.