The much-loved Grendon Hall activity centre will close next month as part of Northamptonshire County Council budget cuts.

The authority has said that with ‘much regret’ it has decided to stop funding the popular education and activity centre because it says it ‘cannot afford to maintain its subsidy for the centre’.

The news has come out of the blue and will be a blow to many families and young people as the 16th century hall has been a popular venue for decades.

The county authority, which is being run by Government-appointed commissioners because of financial mismanagement, has said the centre will close on March 20.

It follows a confidential report discussed by councillors in December 2017 to attempt to find a buyer for the hall as an ongoing concern as an outdoor learning centre. The authority sold off its Longtown Outdoor Education Centre in the Brecon Beacons last August.

Wellingborough council leader Martin Griffiths, who is also a county councillor, says he was surprised and disappointed when he was told of the closure plans by chief executive Theresa Grant earlier this month.

He said: “It was a complete surprise to me. I would have liked to have been consulted on it. It will be a huge loss as it is the kind of place that builds people and shores up your life.

“I have now got an assurance that I and Wellingborough council will be consulted moving forward. The building is so well kept that we must be able to find a suitable use for it.”

The councillor has started an online petition to stop any development of the hall and its grounds. Any change of use would have to be agreed by Wellingborough Council, which is the planning authority.

The hall is set in an 18-acre site and came into the county council’s ownership after the Second World War. The authority has been asked how much it will save by closing the centre.

A finance report from last month said the authority has underspent by £46,000 this year on its outdoor learning costs.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “A decision was made in December 2017 by the cabinet to attempt to find a buyer for Grendon Hall as a going concern as an outdoor learning centre. It was a confidential cabinet paper, due to the commercial sensitivities.

“The decision was made that if this wasn’t possible the outdoor learning centre should close. Unfortunately despite ongoing efforts to find a suitable buyer this has not been possible and reluctantly the council now has to close the facility.

“The council cannot afford to maintain its subsidy for this centre and as such it will close its doors on March 20. It is with much regret that this decision has to be taken. We are communicating directly with all schools and groups which have booked on to courses at Grendon Hall which will no longer be able to take place.

“Northamptonshire schools will be offered some financial assistance with additional charges they may incur when booking with alternative providers in order to minimise the impact on parental contributions.”

A strong Cobblers reserve team drew 1-1 with Milton Keynes Dons in a behind-closed-doors friendly at Moulton College on Tuesday afternoon.

Luke Coddington was in goal for Town, while there were starts for Sam Foley, Andy Williams, Daniel Powell, Jay Williams, Morgan Roberts, Junior Morias and Timi Elsnik.

On a warm and sunny afternoon, it was the Cobblers who took the lead on 18 minutes through former MK player Powell.

Roberts took a corner which was only cleared as far as Powell and his low shot was deflected past MK keeper and former Cobbler Lee Nicholls and into the back of the net.

Former Town player Lawson D’Ath was proving a threat for the vistiors, but it was the Cobblers who should have doubled their lead on 34 minutes.

Andy Williams looked to have scored after being picked out by Elsnik, but the ball fell inches wide of the post.

A few minutes later and MK were level through Stephen Walker, who is on loan at the Buckinghamshire side from Middlesbrough.

Powell almost restored Town’s lead immediately, only too see his strike hit the post and bounce to safety.

Both sides continued to create and miss chances in the second half, and Morias thought he had headed the Cobblers ahead on 70 minutes, only to see his effort from Roberts’ cross ruled out for offside.

Former Peterborough United striker Morias was looking lively, and he again went close on 83 minutes, only to see his powerful drive from the edge of the box saved by Nicholls.

That proved to be the final meaningful chance of the game as it ended all square.

Reinach was initially named on the bench for the Gallagher Premiership game at Franklin's Gardens but was withdrawn due to a minor neck injury.

Alex Mitchell played the full match, scoring a crucial try and claiming the man of the match award.

Connor Tupai was among the replacements, though he did not get on to make his Premiership debut.

And Reinach now looks set to replace Tupai in the matchday squad at Allianz Park on Saturday after taking a full part in training.

"Cobus has taken part in full training today and looks as terrifying as ever with the ball in hand," said Saints assistant coach Matt Ferguson at Tuesday afternoon's media session.

But Teimana Harrison (hamstring) and Piers Francis, who was forced off due to concussion last weekend, remain doubtful.

"Piers recovered after the game and he's now in the hands of the medical department to see how he is," Ferguson said. "He's been around today, laughing and joking so that's always a good place to be.

"Tei's still working towards a return and hopefully he will be there or thereabouts for the weekend."

Dan Biggar looks set to be available again for Saints, just as he was during Wales' previous Six Nations rest week.

Biggar started the game against Sale Sharks at Franklin's Gardens earlier this month, having expressed his desperation to play for Saints during his week off with his country.

And after a superb showing from the bench in Wales' win against England last Saturday, Biggar is likely to be eager to start at Allianz Park.

"We'll probably see him later on today and we'll see where he's at," Ferguson said.

"I'd imagine he's in good spirits after what happened at the weekend!

"One thing with Dan is that his desire to put the shirt on and play for the Saints is incredible so if he's around I'm sure he'll be on the selection table."

Talented young prop Ehren Painter could also be back for Saints after missing last weekend's game due to illness, but Dylan Hartley, Courtney Lawes, Andy Symons, Harry Mallinder and Mike Haywood definitely remain on the sidelines.

Police have released an image of a Wellingborough man wanted over harassment offences.

Officers want to speak to the 19-year-old, who they have not named, and have urged anyone who knows of his whereabouts to contact them.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101, quoting reference number 19000056614.

They can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Three men have been charged with taking a vehicle without consent after being arrested in Corby.

Mitchell Morrissey, 18, of Hornbeam Lane, Uppingham, Jordan Neil, 20, of Rosewood Close, North Luffenham, and Callum Cooter, 21, of Kings Road, Oakham, were arrested last Tuesday (February 19), after a vehicle reported as stolen from Corby was located and stopped by officers.

Morrissey was also charged with possession of a class A drug and Neil with possession of a class B drug.

They are due to appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Monday, March 25.

Temperatures have soared as high as 17C today across Northants and beyond this week and everyone seems to be in a slightly better mood than normal. If you’re on a day off then lucky you! Some of us are stuck in an office looking longingly out of the window dreaming of barbecues, ice creams and pub gardens. If you're looking to make the most of the warm spell here are 31 of the best places in and around town to enjoy a sunny drink in a beer garden.

This has not changed.

However, the government must prepare for every eventuality, including a no deal scenario. This is self explanatory - it means the UK and the EU has been unable to reach a withdrawal agreement. But what does this mean for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland?

First of all there would be no transition period, meaning all changes as a result of leaving the EU would come into force immediately on March 29.

The transition period was set up as part of the EU Withdrawal Agreement. If this goes ahead, then the transition period would run from March 29 when we officially leave the EU up until December 2020 (although the European Union has already said it would be willing to extend the period to 2021 or 2022).

During this period, the UK would trade with the EU in the same way we do now while the two parties agree a new and permanent relationship. It would help businesses, individuals and the government to prepare for new arrangements and minimise the disruption from any changes.

If there's no deal there would be numerous changes including:

- The UK would revert to World Trade Organisation rules on trade. It would have to pay the EU’s external tariffs but would be free to negotiate its own trade deals with places such as the US. Retailers are warning that shelves in stores could be empty in the event of a no deal because Britain relies on the EU for imports. They also say EU tariffs could drive up the price of products.

- There could be long delays at borders if passport and customs checks are heightened.

- EU citizens living in the UK would have to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to remain here.

- Professionals working in the EU might find their qualifications are no longer recognised, meaning they are no longer able to practice.

- EU laws would be transferred over so there would be no black holes in Britain’s lawbook.

- Britain would no longer have to adhere to the rulings of the European Court of Justice but it would be bound to the European Court of Human Rights, a non-EU body.

- The Government would not have to pay the annual £13 billion contribution to the EU budget. However Britain would lose out on some EU subsidies – the Common Agricultural Policy gives £3 billion to farmers.

- The issue of the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic would remain unresolved.

For two years, the government has been implementing a significant programme of work to ensure that the UK is prepared to leave the EU on March 29.

As we get nearer to that date, preparations for a no deal scenario are being accelerated to ensure plans are in place should they need to be relied upon.

The government has published a series of technical notices setting out information to allow businesses and citizens to understand what they would need to do in a no deal scenario so they can make informed plans and preparations.

Visit www.gov.uk/euexit to read the guidance.

A consultation will launch over whether Northampton should create new town, parish and community councils for areas of the town without one.

Northampton Borough Council has announced the plan in a move to 'ensure that the communities of Northampton have a strong voice' within the new West Northamptonshire Unitary Council.

It comes after Northampton Borough Council voted to dissolve itself and usher in the new proposed Northamptonshire unitary councils.

It could mean creating a council or councils for the town centre, Far Cotton, King's Heath, Dallington, Kingsthorpe, Parklands, Moulton, Blackthorn, Eastfield, Abington and Weston Favell.

The consultation will roll out in two stages. The first consultation puts forward three options for the public to give feedback on. They are:

- No change - no town council would be created

- Creating a Town Council covering the entire unparished area of the existing borough

- Creating a Town Council and more parish/community councils covering the unparished area of the existing Borough

Feedback on the three options will be condensed into a single option for full consultation at a later date.

The consultation would not affect the existing parishes of Billing, Collingtree, Duston, Great Houghton, Hardingstone, Upton, Wootton, East Hunsbury, Hunsbury Meadows and West Hunsbury.

Further information is available on the Northampton Borough Council's website, along with maps of the three options. The engagement also covers a range of frequently asked questions from similar processes elsewhere.

The engagement questionnaire will be available until 31 March, following which the final proposal will be drawn up. Public consultation will then following throughout April and May 2019.

Visit the website for further information or to complete the engagement questionnaire. Anyone needing a print copy can request one by emailing lgr@northampton.gov.uk or calling 01604 837111.

Sleaford Mods will be at Spun Out in Northampton for an in-store signing session as part of their UK tour which kicks off next month.

The electronic punk duo headline the Roadmender on April 18 and will be at the Gold Street record store from 5pm before their show.

Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn will be signing copies of their new album, Eton Alive, which have been bought from Spun Out.

Eton Alive was released this week to a slew of great reviews.

The indie only blue vinyl version of the record is available from Spunout.

For availability, email sales@spunout.net or call 01604 230064.

Tickets for the gig cost £19.50 before fees.

To book tickets, visit https://www.theroadmender.com

Northampton rapper slowthai has released his new single Peace Of Mind.

Following the punk influenced Doorman which came out last year, slowthai has continued to go from strength to strength - coming fourth in BBC’s coveted Sound of 2019 list last month.

His latest single is another brilliant shift in gear for the rapper – recently dubbed the ‘Prince of Northampton’ by Crack Magazine.

Peace of Mind sees slowthai tackle the idea of what kind of life is out there for people like him with more of the rawness and unflinching honesty that has seen the likes of Annie Mac, Gilles Peterson, Zane Lowe and Benji B all jump on board and YouTube and VEVO pick him as a One To Watch for 2019.

The video for Peace of Mind sees slowthai in a repetitive Groundhog Day style dream sequence, living out a different concept each day.

Having sold out his UK and European tour last September, slowthai is back in the UK with his Brexit Bandit tour in March and April with a number of European festivals throughout the summer including Reading & Leeds, Parklife, Pukkelpop, Longitude and Primavera Sound.

slowthai is due to release his debut album, Nothing Great About Britain, later this year.

Peace Of Mind is out now on Method Records / True Panther and available via all the usual streaming platforms.

Brexit Bandit Tour Dates:

26/03 - SWG3 Warehouse - Glasgow

27/03 - O2 Institute - Birmingham

28/03 - O2 Ritz - Manchester

29/03 - SWX - Bristol

31/03 - Concorde 2 - Brighton

01/04 - York Hall – London

25/05 - Love Saves The Day - Bristol

08/06 - Parklife Festival - Manchester

29/06 - Glastonbury Festival - Somerset

07/07 - Longitude - Dublin, Ireland

12/07 - Lovebox Festival - London

27/07 - Kendal Calling - Lake District

11/08 - Boomtown Fair - Winchester

24/08 - Reading Festival - Reading

25/08 - Lost Village Festival - Lincoln

25/08 - Leeds Festival - Leeds

Cobblers striker Joe Iaciofano has joined non-League Banbury United on loan until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old has already spent a very successful spell on loan at AFC Mansfield this season, and he now joins fellow Town youngster Sean Whaler at Banbury.

While at Mansfield, Iaciofano scored 13 goals for the Evo-Stik League First Division East side, including hat-tricks against Morpeth Town and Lincoln United.

Banbury play at a level above AFC, as they are currently in mid-table in Evo-Stik Southern Premier Central, a division that also includes Town’s county neighbours Kettering Town.

Northampton-born Iaciofano could be in line for his Banbury debut on Tuesday night, as they are at home to Redditch United in the league.

Academy product Iaciofano, who signed a professional contract in the summer of 2017, has struggled to break into the Cobblers first team picture under a string of different managers.

He has made just one brief appearance in the League, as an 89th-minute substitute in the 1-0 defeat at Sheffield United on December 31, 2016, three substitute appearances in the Checkatrade Trophy and also come off the bench once in the FA Cup.

His sole first team outing this season was as a 70th-minute substitute in the 2-0 win over Fulham Under-21s in the Checkatrade Trophy back on November 6.

Speaking last month, Town boss Keith Curle said of Iaciofano: “You can tell he is a livewire, he comes alive when the ball is in the box and he is always on the move.

“The ideal for progression for Joe is to now step up a couple of levels from where he is, but I do think a goalscorer will score goals in any division.”

Ace Liberty and Stone have put up £3,630,000 million for the Lower Mounts building, whose official name is Frances House.

It is currently let to the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, which has more than eight years of its lease to run. The Government currently pays more than £244,000 a year to rent the building.

A spokeswoman for Ace, Liberty and Stone said there were no current plans to change the use of the building, but said it was a possibility in the future.

At least one website that had offered the building for sale describes it as having "long-term potential for conversion to residential" subject to planning permission.

Chief executive Ismail Ghandour said the Northampton purchase, along with a similar deal worth £2.5 million in Bolton made sense for the company: "Both have blue-chip, Government tenants with long leases and strong yields.

"Furthermore, they are in attractive locations with strong re-purposing opportunities.

"The current political and economic uncertainty created by Brexit does not affect our business and we're able to find exciting investment opportunities with the potential for healthy investor returns."

Seven people in unstable accommodation died in the borough in 2017 according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS) in its latest report on homeless mortality.

It means that - again - Northampton has shown to be an unenviable outlier among the 27 East Midlands districts and boroughs when it comes to homelessness.

The cities of Derby and Leicester saw five estimated deaths in 2017, while Nottingham, the most populous urban area in the region, saw just one.

Only Birmingham had a higher number of deaths in the whole of the Midlands.

"I think the figures show there is something failing somewhere," said Stan Robertson whose Project 16:15 hands out breakfasts to rough sleepers in the town centre.

"Even one death would show a failing - but seven in a year shows an enormous failing."

Northampton had a higher rate of deaths per population in 2017 than Birmingham, Nottingham, Leicester or Nottingham.

Though the Government says the statistics are likely to be a 'conservative estimate'.

A separate study by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, for example, recorded 14 homeless deaths in Northampton during 2018 - albeit a different year to the ONS figures.

The official government figures were released on Monday - on the same day Northampton Borough Council pledged to divert £1 million towards tackling rough sleeping and unstable accommodation.

However, councillors also voted down a motion to spend a further £350,000 of capital on temporary accommodation, which the proposing Liberal Democrats said would provide 10 families 40 weeks in a settled lodging.

Lib Dem leader Sally Beardsworth said: “This is a small thing to ask for. It’s chicken feed in terms of a £30 million budget.

But cabinet member for finance at the borough, Councillor Brandon Eldred, said that partners such as the Hope Centre already offered services for homeless people.

And Conservative council leader Jonathan Nunn said: “This is a sensible amendment, but we cannot support it. We are re-organising the homelessness team and investing in tackling homelessness. This doesn't require an extra £350k from reserves to achieve the same aim."

Last year, the council had to use £1.5m from its reserves to tackle the growing homelessness crisis, and for temporary accommodation. This year it's investing an extra £1m its budget to continue tackling it.

Labour leader Danielle Stone said: "It's intolerable to see people shivering in doorways. We need to do something more urgent than the current policies are allowing us."

A Northampton neighbourhood bordering a popular park has become home to its own 'Soho-inspired' coffee shop as of this week.

After months of renovations, The Old Grocery Espresso Bar has finally opened its doors in Colwyn Road, The Mounts, opposite the street's entrance to the Racecourse.

The café was a shared flat until six months ago and has opened on what is otherwise a residential street with no other businesses or shops on the lane.

But owner and landlord Liam Cahill says he was inspired to open the venue after a trip to London and chose the Northampton neighbourhood as the place to be.

He told the Chronicle & Echo: "I actually bought the property 20 years ago when I was buying up flats for students. It was derelict when I got it.

"But I went to this coffee shop in London called Soho Grind. I was inspired, it was just different. I thought, 'Northampton needs something like this'.

"So six months ago I came to the property here and wrecked it. On purpose of course. I didn't have a big business plan, I just built it from the heart."

Liam, a heating engineer by trade, has spent six months renovating the house on Colwyn road into a coffee shop and commissioned a local artist for the painted sign outside.

Nearby charity bakery The Good Loaf also deliver pastries for the shop and the team sources The Old Grocery's coffee from Bella Barista in Wellingborough.

Doors opened at The Old Grocery on Monday (February 25) for a soft opening and will be brought up to full service as the team find their feet.

Liam said: "I think there are a lot of professional people in the area and when I was growing up this was my thoroughfare through to the park.

"If I can break even and do something for the community it will be a success."

Gemma Partidge of Westone is leading the campaign to fight off offenders in her community after seeing a sharp rise in burglary, theft and anti-social behaviour in the past two years.

One of her neighbours encountered two men trying to enter his property with a crowbar, another had bleach thrown over their sofa during a burglary and a pensioner was scammed out of £100 on their doorstep.

She said: "Recently there was one particular crime that really got my goat. It broke my heart and I decided that I wanted to build my community back up, I wanted my community to stand together and say: 'no more'.

"There was an incident that happened in daylight hours, on a weekend, when people were going about their business taking time out for family. Some scumbags decided that was the day they would knock at a vulnerable neighbours home and rip them off.

"They scammed them out of £100 on their doorstep."

On Saturday (February 23) dozens of people in Westone carried out a leaflet drop and now more than 650 households in one community have joined the new Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

She added: "The hope is we can work as a community and make our homes less attractive to criminals. We will do everything in our power to stop these criminals, these lowlives, destroying our homes, our lives and our community."

The residents are now working closely with Northamptonshire Police, the majority of the community has installed CCTV cameras and lighting around their homes and neighbours are keeping a watchful eye on their most vulnerable.

"We are taking our community back because we are not standing for it anymore," she added.

"Our Neighbourhood Watch scheme incorporates over 650 dwellings. That’s a lot of people that have had enough, why should we put up with this?

"We are not victims, we are a community who are sick and tired of being taken advantage of. No more."

Neighbourhood Sergeant Beth Curlett said: “We are working extremely closely with Neighbourhood Watch and our neighbourhood officers keep in regular contact with local coordinators.

“Reducing residential burglary is a priority for the force as well as being identified by the local community as a key area they want us to focus on.

“We are aware there has been an increase in burglary and we have increased patrols in hot spot areas, provided additional crime prevention advice to residents to help increase security and reduce the risk of being burgled, and we are gathering and acting on intelligence to target those suspected of committing offences.

“We have also launched Operation Radiator to tackle vehicle crime, again providing crime prevention advice and proactively targeting known offenders.

“We have started to see a fall in the number of burglaries over the last couple of months across some of our neighbourhoods and we will continue to target our efforts in this area. Information from local people is really important and I would encourage them to report any information or concerns to us.

“We will continue to work closely with our Neighbourhood Watch partners and we welcome the ongoing support they give us in our work to tackle crime in the local community.”

That was the conclusion of a judge at Northampton Crown Court yesterday, who was sentencing Ryan Smith, 24, formerly of Dorset Road, Kingsthorpe, for GBH.

Smith had invited his 27-year-old victim, Twaha Yahaya, back to his home after they had been drinking together at Kingsthorpe Rec on August 8, 2018.

For an unknown reason, Smith decided to launch an attack on Mr Yahaya, punching him so he fell down the staircase of the house and kicking him.

He then lifted his near-lifeless body into a discarded shopping trolley and wheeled Mr Yahaya back to the park, off Nursery Lane, where he left him.

Sentencing Smith Judge Michael Fowler said that after the attack, the defendant had taken steps consistent with somebody who thought they had committed murder, including disposing of his clothes.

The judge said : "My belief is that after you had used violence on Twaha Yahaya you thought you had inflicted mortal injuries and that was why you went to great lengths to remove his body to the park."

Judge Fowler said that Smith made no great effort to get Yahaya treatment and his actions after the attack may have made the victim's injuries worse.

"To move somebody in the condition this man was in created a risk of even greater harm," Judge Fowler said.

"You rang the emergency services but you gave up in anger and in drink. You left him there not knowing whether he was going to be found or get treatment."

Gary Short, for the Crown, summed up Mr Yahaya's injuries as a fracture to the back of his head, bleeding alongside his brain, a collapsed lung and a fractured eye socket.

He lay in hospital for six weeks - four weeks of which was spent in a coma - and four-and-a-half months in the Central England Rehabilitation Unit in Leamington Spa.

Mentally, he is still not recovered and has problems assessing risks, problem solving, has poor insight, and "remains with a level of cognitive impairment."

A victim impact statement written by Mr Yahaya's mum, Zainab, was read to the court, which said: "We have to go everywhere he goes because he can't be left alone. He was become totally withdrawn."

Concluding that Smith had kicked Mr Yahaya while wearing shoes, Judge Fowler accepted that attacking "with a shod foot" was the same as attacking him with a weapon.

Despite Smith saying he wanted to move on with his life by apologising to Mr Yahaya, the judge sentenced Smith to three-and-a-half years in jail.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle says he will not hand out first-team opportunities to the club’s younger players for the sake of it, even if his side mathematically secure their safety with games to spare this season.

With 12 fixtures remaining, the first of which comes at Crewe Alexandra this weekend, Town boast a comfortable 12-point cushion over the relegation zone in Sky Bet League Two, partly thanks to Saturday’s late 2-1 victory at Stevenage.

That means Cobblers could head into the final few games of the campaign with little to play for and that in turn might well present first-team chances for the club’s talented academy players, although many of those are currently out on loan, including striker Joe Iaciofano who joined Banbury this week.

But even if the likes of Camron McWilliams, Scott Pollock and Morgan Roberts are available for selection, Curle has warned chances will not be handed out like confetti – they must prove they are worthy of a place in the team.

“The younger players within the group will get an opportunity if they earn it,” he said. “I have a very competitive squad at the moment and I have senior pros desperate to impress, not only myself but potential watching suitors to further their careers.

“I’m not going to hand out a Northampton Town shirt unless it’s deserved and that goes all the way back to the first game against Bury when I gave the players their first shirt. I said to them back then that, every time they wear it, they have to earn the opportunity to perform.”

There will doubtless be chances for every member of Town’s squad to impress and stake their claim over the remaining 12 games, particularly given Curle’s relentless rotation policy.

“I don’t shy away from changes,” he added. “If I see something, I’m brave. Sometimes I will face criticism for it but ever since I went into management I made the decision to be my own man and I will make decisions.

“I will take advice. I’m good at taking advice and I’m a good listener. I’ll take on board information from trusted staff and personnel, from the scouts to the head of recruitment to the coaching staff.

“I take on board all the information and then I watch all the videos and collate all the information and come up with a plan.”

Reflecting further on his side’s victory at the Lamex, Curle said: “The pleasing thing was the mentality after the equaliser. There was no disappointment. We’re professional footballers and we’re going to concede goals - the mentality doesn’t change.

“I think we’ve got the mentality now where we need to nullify the opposition and earn the right to play. At times, we did that very well on Saturday.

“We had to be competitive, we needed a strong mentality and have a good understanding of roles and responsibilities within the team. I thought the players adhered to that very well individually.

“We shaded the individual battles throughout the two teams. There are still lots of things we can work on and areas we can improve, but as a group and as a collective, I’m very pleased.

“As a changing room we needed that result and the terraces needed that result so very well done to everybody concerned.”

Lewis Ludlam is hoping to get the chance to take on one of his former Saints mentors at Allianz Park on Saturday.

Ludlam came through the ranks at Saints after learning plenty from Calum Clark, who was a key member of the double-winning side of 2013/14.

Clark made more than 100 appearances for Northampton after joining the club from Yorkshire Carnegie in 2010.

He eventually departed for Saracens in 2017 and will now hope to get some game time against Saints this weekend.

And Academy graduate Ludlam is looking forward to facing one of this old club-mates.

"Cal gave me loads of advice when I was coming through the ranks," Ludlam said.

"He was really good for me and it would be good to see him out there and to compete against him.

"I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Ludlam has become a key member of the Saints squad under boss Chris Boyd.

He was impressive once again last weekend as his all-action showing helped his side to a last-gasp 27-26 win against Bath at Franklin's Gardens.

It means Saints have now won four of their past five Gallagher Premiership games, and they sit fifth going into this weekend's match.

"The mood is pretty positive," said Ludlam, who has made 19 appearances this season.

"It wasn't the sort of performance we wanted last weekend but you need to be on the right end of those ones.

"We've been on the wrong end of those this season so it's nice to be on the right side of it.

"We're really looking forward to the weekend now.

"It's a massive challenge away from home.

"Saracens are a quality outfit, they're a top team in Europe and it's not going to be an easy game.

"But we've got a clear game plan and we'll be looking to execute that."

Drivers are facing severe delays coming into Northampton this morning on the A45 after a serious accident in the early hours of this morning.

The AA is reporting that Lumbertubs Way northbound is closed after the accident at about 3.30am on Wednesday. Emergency services have been in attendance but there is no information at this stage as to the nature of the accident.

There are severe delays on the A45 coming into Northampton from Wellingborough and from the M1 junction.

The AA posted the following on its website: "Road closed and queueing traffic due to serious accident , a car involved on A43 Lumbertubs Way Northbound from A45 Nene Valley Way (Riverside) to Bewick Road. Congestion to the A45 Westbound to Great Doddington and Eastbound to Queen Eleanor Roundabout. The A43 Southbound heading towards Riverside Retails Park and also roads through Great Billing. The A43 remains closed North heading away from the A45."

Text adopted by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee subject to full EU Parliament approval aims to safeguard people's entitlements to social security benefits based on insurance, employment or residence.

The contingency measures would apply to EU citizens living in the UK and UK citizens living in one of the 27 member states who have acquired social entitlements due to the free movement of people.

The measures will be adopted across the EU only if the UK leaves with no withdrawal agreement in place.

The European Commission will assess how the measures are working one year after the regulation is implemented and produce a report for the EU Parliament and MEPs.

Jean Lambert (Greens/EFA, UK) said: “Citizens' rights have always been a priority for the European Parliament. This contingency legislation at least establishes the bare bones of social security rights and entitlements for people finding themselves in a very difficult situation.”

Marian Harkin (ALDE, IE) said: “Europeans who have exercised their right to free movement must not become collateral damage in any Brexit scenario. The European Commission is committed to bringing forward necessary legislation to bridge any gaps and ensure that those who exercised their right to free movement do not lose out post Brexit.”

The agreed measures will now need to be confirmed by a vote in the 11-14 March full Parliament session. The legislation must also be published before the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.