Drivers are being warned of long delays on the A45 near Northampton after the road has been closed following reports of sheep being on the loose.

The AA reported this afternoon at about 4.30pm that the A45 had been partially blocked.

The statement said: "Partially blocked and queueing traffic due to sheep on road on A45 both ways from A5076 Great Billing Way (Great Billing Interchange) to B573 Northampton Road (Grendon / Earls Barton Turn Off).

"There have been several reports of sheep on the road and traffic has been held a couple of times to sort out the situation," the AA said.

Have you seen this wanted man?

Officers have made an appeal for help in tracing the whereabouts of Keith Jones, who is wanted by Northamptonshire Police.

Keith Jones, 39, of no fixed address, is wanted on a warrant for failing to appear before Northampton Magistrates’ Court, where he was facing two charges of assault and threatening behaviour.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The budget has now been set for 2019/20 - including a 4.99 per cent council tax rise - and comes after a public consultation where members of the public were asked to share their views.

Residents were also entitled to attend meetings of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, which made a series of suggestions including removing a planned charge for community groups, such as the Guides and Scouts, to use schools.

Public turnout at the events was incredibly low though, not helped by the fact that meetings are in the daytime when people are at work.

But the Overview & Scrutiny Committee has tasked itself in recent weeks to look at how it can improve its budget scrutiny process, and the findings have heavily centred on getting more residents actively involved in the process.

A working group led by Councillor Chris Stanbra has recommended that opportunities are given for members of the public and representatives of external organisations to contribute information and views at appropriate subject-focussed sessions.

Other recommendations include adopting guidance from the Centre for Public Scrutiny for specific pieces of scrutiny work to be carried out throughout the whole financial year, rather than just in the weeks later on in the year following the announcement of the draft budget and its consultation.

The recommendations were agreed at a committee meeting on Wednesday (March 27), where Councillor Stanbra said: “We were tasked with looking at best practices for budget scrutiny, and we wanted to report back quickly on that.

“I have to say that we spoke to a number of similar authorities and people within the Local Government Association network, and we didn’t identify many places where the process was much different to our own.

“We looked a little wider and came across a blog post by Ed Hammond, a research director from the Centre for Public Scrutiny, which presented us with some interesting guidance as to what the scrutiny process might look like, and we have taken it and ran with it.

“I would argue that this process would work equally well for the in-year budget reviews, and gives us some timescales for reviewing certain outcomes at certain times of the year.

“Other recommendations make it clear that we think it’s important that members of the public can contribute to the scrutiny of the budget, and I’m sure this committee will want to work that in.”

Councillor Adam Brown agreed that it was important for the committee to take a more medium term approach to its work.

He said: “Other councils' budget scrutiny would also place emphasis on scrutiny of the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) as well as the budget, so there was an overarching medium term strategy that was just as important. Since I’ve been a councillor here we’ve always been firefighting, so this is something to look at.”

The new timescales recommended by the working group suggest scrutiny work starts on the MTFP in the earliest part of the financial year, around April to May.

The committee was also keen to get residents involved, with Councillor Julie Davenport saying: “What I really liked when we looked at Buckinghamshire was that there was more public involvement, and they would ask people to tweet questions while they were watching a live feed.”

And Councillor Jonathan Ekins added: “I like that we want to encourage more people to be engaged with this, because these are the people who use our services and are best placed to judge things.”

The committee finished by requesting that the council look at the possibility of webcasting its meetings. The only meetings currently filmed at the county council are full council and cabinet meetings, and these are usually posted on YouTube after the meeting has concluded.

A trial is underway over the alleged mistreatment of children at a Northampton household in late 2016.

But after the children were taken away from the couple, the mother in the case would reportedly whisper to the children to 'run away' on supervised visits when they were allowed to see each other.

However, one of the children at the centre of case later told his social worker, who gave evidence at Northampton Crown Court this morning (March 28).

The social worker, who spoke to the boy in late 2017, said: "He told me he was frightened to go home. He said he wanted to speak out against what was happening in that house.

"He told me on supervised visits [the parents] would always whisper to him and tell him to run away.

"He said he felt a weight had been lifted off his shoulders talking about what happened in the house... He clearly loved his brother and said he thought they should stick together."

The jury has already seen a taped police interview with the same boy, who said the father in the case beat him and his siblings regularly.

The same boy gave evidence on the first day of the case on March 22. He told the jury he was 'mollycoddled to lie' by his social workers and said his police interview was 'lies'.

All of the children in the case reportedly told police their father beat them.

But the worst of the allegations surround one of the boys being locked in a dark, filthy room with no mattress or furniture, where he was forced to go to the toilet on the floor.

When police visited the house in late 2016, the walls and floors of this top-floor bedroom were reportedly covered with excrement.

Another social worker took the stand at Northampton Crown Court yesterday to give evidence over visits he made to the house in summer 2015.

He was assigned to the family because of reports the eldest boy was soiling himself, smearing his excrement on walls.

But speaking about a visit in 2015, the social worker said: "The house was spotless.

"[The boy] took me up to his bedroom on the first floor. It was clean. There was a bed and a mattress. I could not see any toys. There was no lock or an alarm."

The family's case with social services was closed in August 2015. The social worker said he 'did not make the decision' himself.

The trial continues.

The petition to urge Northampton Borough Council to release the two birds has now attracted more than 900 signatures.

But despite the petition organiser, Charlotte Holmes asserting that their health is suffering and that they are "an embarrassment to the town", specialist in avian medicine Dr Stephen Smith examined the pair on Wednesday and declared them fit and well.

He said: "They show no signs of stress at all. Aside from a single broken tail feather in the white one, which is absolutely fine, they were fine.

"I've seen the video of the white one and he doesn't look depressed to me - he was just resting. When I was there, he was in the branches preening himself quite happily."

Dr Smith, who has been making advisory visits at the council's request since November 2018, said the birds' environment was big enough and suitable but further upgrades will be made.

"They will have a bigger enrichment area," he said, "and we'll reduce the size of the shed so they can take themselves to a private nesting corner if they are feeling anxious about being on display.

"There will also be a raised sleeper area and more foliage for the birds."

Dr Smith, who is based at Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital in Buckinghamshire, also confirmed the council's statement that the peacocks would not survive in the wild.

He said: "They are bred in captivity so if you release them, they'd quickly get eaten by a fox or run over on a road.

"They have never had to cope with that situation so releasing them would be contrary to their welfare.

"The peacocks are their for conservational and educational purposes so children can look at them and want to get involved in animal care when they grow up."

Rory Hutchinson has revealed he rejected offers from elsewhere before committing his future to Saints.

The talented centre was a player in demand after delivering a string of superb showings since breaking into the first team under Chris Boyd this season.

Hutchinson's impressive run of form started with a man of the match display against Timisoara Saracens at Franklin's Gardens on January 18.

He backed that up with another star man performance against Leicester Tigers on the following weekend - and he hasn't looked back since.

The 23-year-old was the Gallagher Premiership player of the month for February, and he was attracting plenty of admirers with his contract set to run out this summer.

But Saints acted quickly and have managed to tie Hutchinson to a new deal, with the player putting pen to paper earlier this month.

"I'm not going to lie - I did have some interest (before signing the contract)," Hutchinson said.

"I didn't really know what was happening but I'm really happy at Northampton. They've stuck with me and I love it here.

"It's all I've known since I left school and I've really enjoyed my time here.

"I want it to continue.

"Chris (Boyd) is massive on performance - if people are playing well, you're going to play.

"In the past you had your key players (who always got picked), it's not really like that any more.

"The best players will play so it lets everyone have a bit more faith and really want to perform."

Hutchinson has made nine starts so far this season, having only previously made a total of nine in his three campaigns before that.

He has become a key member of the first-team, with his dazzling display during the win at Leicester Tigers last weekend another example of his undoubted quality.

"It's been really good fun, I've been really enjoying my rugby and it's just nice to have the opportunity," said Hutchinson.

"I started off in the European stuff then into the cup and it's been great to string some games together and to get some consistent rugby.

"I have had injuries over the years but it's just part of the game.

"It's been great to get a run of games recently and we're going well at the moment so I'm enjoying it."

Hutchinson is clearly flourishing under the current coaching staff.

And he said: "Sam (Vesty) has come in (as attack coach) and done a great job with Chris, and Alan (Dickens) has been helping me defensively.

"I think we've played a smarter game with our decision making and doing the basics.

"A lot of people will happily kick the ball into touch but we're looking to play expansive rugby so it's fitting me very well.

"I like to get my hands on the ball and if I don't it's a bit of a quiet game for me.

"When you've got wingers like big T (Taqele Naiyaravoro) and Tom Collins you want to get them the ball because they've shown what they can do."

Hutchinson is one of several Academy graduates who have shone this season.

"It's nice to see the young boys doing so well," he said.

"We've got such a good group of young lads and it just shows that when we get the opportunity, we take it.

"It probably spurred me on to try even harder and luckily it's paid off."

Hutchinson may have only made 30 appearances for Saints so far, but he appears to have the ability to play on the biggest stage.

Born in Cambridge, he has represented Scotland at youth level, and he knows who he wants to represent in the international arena if given the chance.

"I've come up through the age groups of Scotland and I don't know where I'd be without Scottish Exiles, Scotland Under-18s and Under-20s," he said.

"I played a lot of my rugby for them when I wasn't getting much game time here in my younger days so I'd like to play for Scotland."

But Hutchinson is not ready to get carried away, as shown by the fact his performances have not dipped since he claimed the Premiership player of the month prize.

"I felt very humbled to receive it and it's just nice to get some recognition," he said.

"I'm going to keep my head down and finish the season well."

And the next mission for Hutchinson is Sunday's huge Challenge Cup quarter-final at Clermont Auvergne.

"You've got to respect Clermont because they're a very dangerous team," he said.

"The game we played there in January was very close but we just felt our defence let us down.

"We're really looking forward to the challenge.

"We know they're a big, physical team but we've shown we can score lots of points against them like we did at their place (in the 48-40 defeat in January).

"We're really looking forward to playing there because it's going to be a great atmosphere."

Keith Curle says he and the Cobblers players ‘want to put it right and rectify things’ following last weekend’s disappointing 3-1 defeat at Sky Bet League Two strugglers Cheltenham Town.

The Town boss felt his team was well below par at Whaddon Road, and refused to use the fact key men Aaron Pierre and Jordan Turnbull were missing as an excuse.

The decision to throw teenager Ryan Hughes in at the deep end in the centre of defence for his Football League debut was questioned in some quarters, but Curle insists the defeat was down to the team’s mindset, rather than any individuals.

And as the team prepares for Saturday’s clash with Port Vale at the PTS Academy Stadium, Curle is expecting his team to return to the good habits that saw them piece together an eight-match unbeaten run before the weekend trip to the Robins.

Asked if he was hoping for a reaction to the defeat, Curle said: “I don’t build my career on hope, and we are a work in progress.

“The work started after last Saturday’s game with the conversations we had with players individually and collectively.

“We want to put it right and rectify things because we like winning games, we don’t like getting beaten, but there is a difference between wanting and needing, and I think that has been evident.

“We have needed to win games, and on Saturday I don’t think there was that need.

“Everybody went out and wanted to win, but there are things that you need to do, and makes sure that you do. You need to be more competitive and show more intent.

“We have gone out and we have stopped teams from playing, that has been our foundation.

“We stop the opposition and then we earn the right to play in the right areas, and on Saturday I know that we didn’t have the mindset of stopping the opposition first and foremost.

“From that, it is evident that if you don’t do your job, if you don’t have that basis then you will not get the rewards.”

So how have the players reacted to a first defeat since being thumped 4-0 by Colchester United way back on February 2?

“The players didn’t like it, but identifying you like the feeling when you win win, but you don’t like the feeling when you lose doesn’t make you a winner,” said Curle. “It is a case of we need a reaction and we need a response.

“The mindset now is that the Cheltenham game has gone, it’s been dealt with, and and now we move on.

“I’m not one to dwell, but I am very good at setting the tone and setting the bar and the levels that are required.

“Saturday as a group, we didn’t reach those levels, and the players know that, the players are aware of that, but we haven’t dismantled the good work we have been doing.

“The easy thing to do is to go into the changing room after a defeat and lambast everybody and tell them how it is, and it would probably make me feel good for 20 minutes.

“But I am more precise than that, I am more concise than that, because I have got an empathy with the players.

“I have been involved in games as a player when we have lost, and it is a learning environment we are trying to create here.

“We have been beaten, we have to identify they areas we can improve on, and that is what we have to do, we have to improve.”

The Cobblers are expected to have Pierre and Turnbull back in the frame for the clash with Vale, from international duty and injury respectively, vwhile there is a chance midfielder Shaun McWilliams and striker Junior Morias could also be fit and available for selection.

Over the past five years the society has increased its number of branches from 32 to over 60, as it has developed its ’all under one roof’ strategy, which offers building society services, mortgage advice, estate agency, financial planning and estate planning services to its members.

However, the four branches proposed for closure - Bushmead Luton, Duston, East Hunsbury and Northampton - operate as estate agency offices only and, if plans go forward, would close in early May.

Nottingham Estate Agency and Harrison Murray estate agency are part of the Nottingham Building Society.

David Marlow, chief executive officer, said: “It is with sadness that we are proposing the closure of a small number of our estate agency branches.

"The decision on whether to close a location is never an easy one however as a mutual organisation we sometimes have to make difficult decisions about where we invest in members’ interests for the long-term success of the society as a whole.

"We are not immune to the challenging estate agency market, which has already impacted some of the biggest industry names, and where an estate agency branch is not profitable or performing at a loss, and lacks the potential to contribute to our membership growth we have had to make the difficult decision to consider closure. Our key focus at the moment is working closely with employees and customers affected by the changes and providing them with the support they need during this unsettling time.”

There will be around 41 roles affected and The Nottingham has started a period of consultation with the affected employees, seeking to offer alternative employment opportunities to staff wherever possible.

It has also not ruled out talks with interested parties around the future of the branches earmarked for closure.

Following a 'rigorous assessment,' the society has concluded that these four locations do not have sufficient potential to justify adding building society services.

The financial performance of the estate agency-only branches, it adds, have recently been below par.

This year, The Nottingham has said it has seen large traditional estate agencies and emerging online models announcing branch closures, reduced income forecasts and large losses.

Branch customers affected by the proposed changes are being contacted over the coming days advising any action they need to take or the options open to them. “Our plans have ensured that they should not be affected by these planned closures,” added Mr Marlow.

If you are a customer of one of the affected locations and have a query, call 0344 481 4444.

A Northampton pub is planning an extension so diners will be nice and cosy in all weathers.

The Fox & Hounds in Harlestone Road, Lower Harlestone has applied to Daventry District Council for a change to its premises licence to extend the building to provide a mew 'botanical room / garden room'.

Plans show that the restaurant are will be extended to diners will walk through a hallway into a large conservatory.

Doors can be flung open in the summer so diners can feel like they are eating outdoors, in a similar way to the Stuffed Olive restaurant in Wellingborough Road.

The bar area will also be extensively refurbished with a comprehensive whisky rack just one of the additions.

It is not yet known when the work will take place but the pub will be closed for two weeks while it happens.

The opening date for Rushden Lakes’ adventure golf centre has been revealed.

Last month Paradise Island Adventure Golf announced they would be teeing off at the retail destination.

Now the Northants Telegraph can reveal they will be pitching up in just over a week, opening to the public on April 6.

Featuring a variety of themed areas, both courses will start with players going through a plane wreckage pay booth.

In course one, Temple Ruins, participants go on an adventure through a treacherous swamp and onto ancient temple ruins before making their way through a deadly jungle.

In the second course, Volcano Trail, golfers negotiate their way through the cannibal camp before making their way through the jungle and taking on a magnificent ancient volcano in search of a perfect hole-in-one.

Last month Craig Nichol, marketing manager at Paradise Island Adventure Golf, said having fun is par for the course.

He said: “We’re really looking forward to teeing off at Rushden Lakes.

“Adventure golf is one of the most popular leisure attractions in the UK and we’re excited to be a part of a fantastic new leisure development at Rushden Lakes.

“This is crazy golf as you’ve never seen it before and offers an exciting and affordable day or night out for families, friends, couples and groups.

“It’s also a great place for team building, corporate events and for birthday parties for all ages.”

The opening of the Rushden Lakes site will mark the company’s seventh location following sites in Manchester, Sheffield, Derby, Cheshire, Glasgow and Livingston.

The Rushden Lakes centre will provide up to 10 new jobs.

It will be housed in the leisure terrace alongside the recently-opened play park and climbing centre, a series of restaurants and the multi-screen cinema which is set to open later this year.

A transgender sex offender was handed a suspended prison sentence after breaching an order banning them from using a false name to talk to women online.

Appearing at Northampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Thursday, March 28), Chloe Walker, 29, pleaded guilty to breaching a sexual harm prevention order made by a court three years ago.

Walker admitted using the name Jamie Thornton to speak to a victim on Facebook when prevented from doing so by the order.

The court heard how Walker, who appeared on the court list using the pronoun Mr, had a history of sex offending and had been in jail for the past 10 months.

Appearing via video link from HMP Peterborough, the court heard how Walker, as part of a previous sentence, had been ordered to register all pseudonyms used online with the police in advance of using them.

The defendant had failed to do so and had used the name Jamie Thornton to speak to a victim between May 3 and June 25 last year.

The court heard how Walker, of no fixed address, had previously been found guilty of sexual offences in the names of Brandon Walker and had also posed as Steven and James Walker online.

Walker was referred to as Mr Walker for the first half of yesterday’s hearing, until District Judge Tim Daber told prosecutor Stella Moses to refer to Walker using feminine pronouns.

Ms Moses told the court: “The defendant has gone on to the internet and used the name Jamie Thornton and contacted the victim who doesn’t know the witness.

“She believed she was speaking to Jamie Thornton. He’s befriended her in that name on Facebook.

“The defendant was visited by police on June 25 last year and admitted being in breach of the sexual harm prevention order when interviewed.

“The defendant is a registered sex offender and also a transgender female.

“When the breach was put to her on June 25 she said she remembered some of it.”

Walker admitted having three email accounts and had contacted the victim in the name of Jamie Thornton.

Ms Moses added that the defendant had told police “I don’t use Facebook.”

“The profile picture was put to her and she said ‘It looks like it.

“She then admitted using that profile in the name of Jamie Thornton.”

The court was told that Walker’s most recent conviction was in July 2018 when the defendant was given a 10-month prison sentence for breaching a sexual harm prevention order.

Mitigating for Walker, solicitor Waqar Ali said: “The defendant has made an early guilty plea at the first opportunity with partial admissions of guilt in interview.

“She’s unable to explain what was going through her mind at the time.

“She’s deeply entrenched in the use of cannabis, cocaine and other illegal substances.

“She’d been living a socially reclusive life with not many friends and social media was the only place she could find some company.”

The court was told that Walker, who suffers from mental health problems as a result of autism, had a support plan in place for their pending release from prison on April 3, when the sentence from the previous offences ends.

Work had been lined up in Wellingborough along with a place to live.

Sentencing Walker, Judge Daber said that a custodial sentence was appropriate given the previous history of offending.

He said: “You pleaded guilty at the first opportunity to breaching the order by using a name that was not registered in advance with the police.

“It deserves a period of imprisonment but I have to take into account what’s happened since the offence.

“A package of measures have been put in place in anticipation of your release.”

Walker, whose previous address was in Northampton, was given an 18-week prison sentence, suspended for a year, which means that any more offences will be punishable by an immediate return to prison.

Walker was also ordered to pay £115 costs and an £85 surcharge.

A new bar specialising in showing televised sports events will open next week in St James.

Jimmy's Sports Bar in Harlestone Road will open on Friday April 5 above the Betfred shop and Touchwood chemist's.

Owner harry Barnes has promised "an unprecedented experience for sports and non-sports fan’s alike" in

with a state-of-the-art sound system alongside multiple HD screens.

Mr Barnes said: "We are thrilled to be able to provide the local people of Northampton with an exciting new family-friendly venue, where they can watch the latest in sports, from Football/Rugby to US sport such as Baseball and NFL in a wonderful environment.

"Jimmy’s will offer a great atmosphere and interactive elements such as pool tables, alongside booth and sofa style seating”.

Jimmy’s has replaced the Devonshire Club having undergone a refurbishment over the last few months.

Diner-style snacks in baskets such as sweet potato fries and nachos will be on the menu and there will also be a function room available for private parties and events.

People can sign up for exclusive launch week offers at www.jimmysportsbar.co.uk/coming-soon/

The options were - Customs union: Commitment to negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU” in any Brexit deal. Confirmatory public vote: Require a public vote to confirm any Brexit deal passed by parliament before its ratification. Labour plan: Labour's plan for a close economic relationship with the EU. ‘Common market 2.0’: UK membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA). Revoke article 50: Revoke article 50 two days before Britain would leave the EU without a deal. No deal: Leave the EU without a deal on April 12. Contingent preferential arrangements: Calls for the government to seek to agree preferential trade arrangements with the EU. EEA/EFTA without customs union: Remain within the EEA and rejoin EFTA but outside a customs union with the EU.

A girl was sexually assaulted while walking along a Kettering street.

The incident happened in Windmill Avenue at about 3.30pm on Tuesday, March 19, near to the junction of Mill Road.

The 14-year-old victim was inappropriately touched by a man, who then walked off in the direction of the Tesco petrol station.

A police spokesman said: “He is described as white, about 27-years-old, 5ft 9in and of average build.

“He was wearing a beige coat with the hood up and a beige hat underneath.”

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Fixture: Northampton Town v Port Vale, Sky Bet League Two

Date/time: Saturday, March 30, 3pm kick-off

Venue: PTS Academy Stadium

Forecast: 14C, cloudy

Outs and doubts: Cobblers: Jordan Turnbull (ankle), George Cox (ankle), Shaun McWilliams (hamstring), Junior Morias (ill). Vale: Tom Pope (knee)

Betting: Northampton 13/10, draw 21/10, Vale 11/5

Form guide: Cobblers LDWWWW, Valiants LDWWDL

Possible line-ups: Northampton (4-4-2): Cornell; Goode, Taylor, Pierre, Buchanan; Turnbull, Foley, Hoskins, Bridge; O’Toole; Sordell. Vale (4-3-3): Brown; Clark, Smith, Legge, Crookes; Oyeleke, Joyce, Conion; Worrall, Miller, Pope.

Man in the middle: Neil Hair

Last time out: Port Vale 0 Forest Green 2; Cheltenham 3 Northampton 1 (Bowditch)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, September 15, 2018 – Port Vale 2 (Whitfield, Oyeleke) Northampton 0

Record v Port Vale: P69 W29 D20 L20

Opposition view: “If you’re performing well and creating chances, then eventually the results will come and that was proved by our four-game unbeaten run,” said Vale boss John Askey. “The performances on a whole have been good, but that’s short-term, we’ve got to keep doing that. It’s easy when you first come in, but the player’s have got to keep doing that long-term. The signs are good - they’re still buoyant and they’re still willing to work.”

James Heneghan’s preview: While the Cobblers head into tomorrow’s game in relaxed mood and with little on the line, visitors Port Vale still have work to do to ensure they’ll be returning to the PTS next season.

A remarkably barren run of form saw Vale claim just one win from 17 games in all competitions across December, January, February and March, putting them on a one-way street to non-league as Macclesfield and Notts County gradually made up ground.

Seven points but only two places above relegation, the Valiants are still nervously looking over their shoulder at the three teams beneath them, although a recent four-game unbeaten run, including back-to-back victories over Yeovil and Mansfield, has given them breathing space.

But defeat at home to Forest Green Rovers last time out has left them a little too close to the drop zone for comfort so they rock up at Sixfields tomorrow desperate for something - a point or, ideally, all three - to ease nerves heading into April and crunch time.

Vale – who slipped into the clutches of League Two 12 months before the Cobblers, going down on the final day of the season – are another club with troubles off the pitch. Indeed, only this week owner Norman Smurthwaite announced his intention to put the club into administration if a buyer is not found by May 5.

“I wasn’t the person or group of people who said ‘you’ve got to go’,” he said. “They didn’t and don’t understand the implications of what they’ve done, and they’ll learn that as time goes by. The football club has to trade through to May 5 and it will. I’ll pay all of the bills up to that point. After 5 May, I will not put one cent more into the club.”

Smurthwaite told BBC Radio Stoke he will only fund Vale up to the final game of the season as a result of supporter protests about his running of the club. He claims that as much as £600,000 will be needed to keep Vale going until the start of next season.

Manager John Askey, who replaced Neil Aspin during Vale’s terrible four-month barren run, has played down off-field distractions and says both his and the players’ full focus is on getting a result over Keith Curle’s men this weekend.

While their campaign looks to be on course for a dead end, Northampton themselves have motivation to put things right after last weekend’s defeat at Cheltenham Town, and the expected return of Aaron Pierre only helps their cause.

Jordan Turnbull, another key cog in Curle’s machine, could also be back in the squad while Shaun McWilliams and Junior Morias have returned to training this week.

Prediction: Northampton Town 2 Port Vale 1

Lawes picked up a calf problem during England's Six Nations defeat in Wales in February, but he has been in full training this week and is ready to return to the starting line-up at Stade Marcel Michelin.

The influential forward takes the place of Jamie Gibson, while Lewis Ludlam is also back in the back row, replacing Heinrich Brüssow.

Gibson and Brüssow are both on the bench.

There is one change to the backline that did so much damage against Leicester Tigers last Friday as George Furbank comes in for Ahsee Tuala at full-back.

Alex Waller will skipper the side as he returns at loosehead in place of Francois van Wyk.

Teimana Harrison, who scored a hat-trick against Clermont in Saints' 48-40 pool stage defeat in France in January, again starts at No.8.

Andy Symons (knee), Harry Mallinder (knee), Mike Haywood (knee), Dylan Hartley (knee), Ehren Painter (calf), Paddy Ryan (knee), James Haskell (toe), Fraser Dingwall (ankle) and David Ribbans (ankle) are sidelined.

Clermont Auvergne: Nanai Williams; Penaud, Betham, Naqalevu, Raka; Lopez, Parra (c); Falgoux, Kayser, Slimani; Timani, Jedrasiak; Yato, Iturria, Lee.
Replacements: Ulugia, Kakabadze, Simutoga, Lapandry, Fischer, Laidlaw, Tuicuvu, Grosso.

Saints: Furbank; Collins, Hutchinson, Francis, Naiyaravoro; Biggar, Reinach; Waller (c), Fish, Hill; Moon, Ratuniyarawa; Lawes, Ludlam, Harrison.
Replacements: Marshall, van Wyk, Franks, Gibson, Brüssow, Mitchell, Tuala, Burrell.

A trial is underway over alleged child mistreatment in a Northampton household.

All of the children involved in the case reportedly told police in evidence they were regularly beaten by their father.

The family was separated by social services in late 2016.

But yesterday (March 28), a foster carer took the stand at Northampton Crown Court to tell the jury how several infants she took in from the household were 'visibly scared of her' during changing times for months after they arrived.

The carer told the court: "It was a normal nappy change and he [the toddler] just went rigid and got agitated.

"I asked him why and he said 'daddy smacked me'.

"He said, at changing times, his daddy would say he was naughty.

"He then got his own hand and hit himself on the bottom to show me.

"All you can do as a foster carer is reassure and show them you are not going to harm them. It took a good couple of months to show they were safe."

The foster carer also told the jury she noticed the toddlers were 'petrified' of anyone wearing any kind of face covering - from people in costume masks to Santa Claus 'because of his beard'.

A barrister acting on behalf of the father in the case said the toddler had accused the foster carer herself on three occasions of hitting him - which, the barrister said, 'of course wasn't true'.

One of the children at the centre of the case told police in evidence he and all his siblings were beaten regularly.

But when he appeared in court, he told the jury what he said in his police interview was 'all lies' and he was 'mollycoddled to lie' by his social workers.

The trial continues.

Ash Taylor is convinced the Cobblers’ defeat at Cheltenham Town was simply a blip, and he is determined to quickly get the season back on track.

Last Saturday’s loss was Town’s first in nine Sky Bet League Two matches, but Taylor says it hasn’t knocked the confidence in the squad.

The Cobblers entertain fourth-from-bottom Port Vale at the PTS Academy Stadium on Saturday, desperately in need of the win to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

And former Aberdeen man Taylor is confident they can do just that.

“The atmosphere around the place is still good, and we have got to put that game behind us now,” said the 28-year-old.

“It’s just one performance in nine with the run we have been on, and we have been brilliant in that time.

“So we just have to put it behind us and focus on weekend and have a good week in training.

“We have the character in the changing room to bounce back.

“We have the senior lads who are experienced enough to know you don’t let that bad performance put a downer on things.

“We just have to look forward and then put in a good, solid performance at home at the weekend.”

The setback at Whaddon Road means the Cobblers are now nine points off the top seven with just seven games of the season remaining.

What was always an unlikely tilt at the play-offs now looks nigh-on impossible, but Taylor says he and his Cobblers team-mates won’t give up

on it until it is mathematically impossible.

“For me, I take each game as it comes along, and you simply have to focus on that game ahead,” said Taylor, when asked if he feels the team can still get promoted this season.

“You can’t look too far ahead because you get caught up in a lot of things, and I feel if we do our jobs and put in performances like we have then we won’t be too far off.

“Hopefully if we do that, we can get in there.”

Three of Town’s next four fixtures are against teams currently in the bottom four of League Two, starting with Vale this weekend.

The Burslem-based club look to be pretty safe from relegation as they are seven points above the drop zone, but Taylor is expecting them to provide a stiff test this weekend.

“People will think this is going to be an easy game considering the position they are in, but they are fighting for their lives,” said the big central defender.

“These are sometimes tougher games than the ones you play against teams around you in the league.

“Port Vale will look to come here and try to take the maximum points away, so we need to be ready.”

A raft of changes are due to be made to charges at Northampton Borough Council car parks after cabinet members approved a plan to increase its revenue by some £625,000.

Evening charges, for leaving a vehicle from 5pm to midnight, are set to rise from £1 to £3 across all borough council-owned car parks.

At surface car parks such as Upper Mounts, the 60p for an hour tariff and £1.20 for two hours will be replaced with a new minimum charge of £2.

Anyone staying at surface car parks for between three and four hours will have to pay £4 - as opposed to £2.40 for three hours or £3.20 for four hours.

Only 21 people took part in the original consultation proposing the rises.

But when the decision was ratified at the February 20 cabinet meeting attendees were left with the impression a second public consultation would be held.

The minutes of the meeting recorded cabinet member for regeneration Councillor Tim Hadland as saying "a decision regarding parking charges would only be made after consultation."

But as it stands, the charges are set to increase on April 8 without the public being further involved. Only Northampton's Business Improvement District will get a say on the matter.

Labour opposition councillor Gareth Eales (Spencer) has now demanded the controlling Conservative group delay the parking tariff rises.

He said: “I think this absolutely stinks.

"Businesses and citizens were given some small chink of hope that common sense would prevail, with the promise of consultation.

"That though, was simply a ruse for the borough council to attempt to sneak these charges in and deal with any backlash later.

"I call on this Conservative council to pull back and do what they promised and properly consult with the people and businesses of this town."

Terry Steers, who owns St Giles Ale House, said he was "fuming" at not being involved in further consultation.

He said: "The council says this is going to encourage people to stay longer in the town - but it's just going to encourage people to go to Rushden Lakes.

"If they had done another consultation on this they know full well what the answer would have been."

Councillor Hadland said that, even with the changes, visitors can still park for free in multi-storey car parks for two hours during the week and for the whole of Saturday or Sunday for just £2.

He added: "The intended increase was publicised in the Chronicle & Echo, with notices in the car parks and we will also be meeting with members of the Business Improvement District in the next few days. All comments received will be considered by the council before the new fees go live.”

Although not an official consultation - anyone who would like to share their thoughts on the parking charges, can still do so by emailing: communications@northampton.gov.uk

The options were - Customs union: Commitment to negotiate a “permanent and comprehensive UK-wide customs union with the EU” in any Brexit deal. Confirmatory public vote: Require a public vote to confirm any Brexit deal passed by parliament before its ratification. Labour plan: Labour's plan for a close economic relationship with the EU. ‘Common market 2.0’: UK membership of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and European Economic Area (EEA). Revoke article 50: Revoke article 50 two days before Britain would leave the EU without a deal. No deal: Leave the EU without a deal on April 12. Contingent preferential arrangements: Calls for the government to seek to agree preferential trade arrangements with the EU. EEA/EFTA without customs union: Remain within the EEA and rejoin EFTA but outside a customs union with the EU.