Robert Iordan, Florin Nutu and Voirel Manu appeared at Northampton Magistrates Court charged with conspiracy to steal in connection to sheep attacks that have plagued the county this summer.

The prosecution lawyer said: "The conspiracy involved the slaughter of about 350 sheep, all that have been slaughtered inhumanely.

"Vehicles and weapons have been taken to the location on local farmers' fields, the sheep are captured and a knife is taken to their throats and they suffer a slow and painful death.

"A pipe is then inserted in to the throat of the sheep which are blown up, they are skinned and their remains are left at the scene."

Iordan, 23, and Nutu, 35, were arrested on the A14 in the early hours of Monday morning shortly after the discovery of nine illegally butchered sheep near Welton.

Manu, 38, was arrested in Birmingham on Monday evening and all three were charged yesterday (Tuesday).

The prosecutor added: "This has involved a large operation by the police to deal with apprehending these offenders and has caused considerable distress to the farmers in this county as well as members of the public."

In court the trio, who are all of of Dunsink Road, Birmingham, spoke only to confirm their names and addresses via a translator.

They were remanded in custody and are due to appear at Northampton Crown Court on November 6.

The EFL Trophy is not everyone's favourite competition but it nonetheless represents a chance to walk out at Wembley and for footballers like Jordan Turnbull, that alone is something worth playing for.

Turnbull has first-hand experience of just how gratifying the much-maligned competition can be having played a key role in Coventry City's successful campaign three seasons ago.

The 24-year-old started six games en route to the final, scoring twice in a group-stage win against West Ham U23s and also playing in the 3-1 win over Northampton, before lasting the full 90 minutes at Wembley.

Goals from George Thomas and Gael Bigirimana propelled the Sky Blues to glory as they beat Oxford United 2-1, and despite leaving for Partick Thistle just a few short months later, Turnbull has fond memories of his day out in the capital.

Now he's keen to repeat the trick with the Cobblers, who beat Cambridge United 1-0 on Tuesday and will qualify for the knockout stage of the competition should the U's fail to beat both Arsenal U21s and Peterborough next month.

"Hopefully we've done enough to get through to the next round," he said. "I know first-hand that this competition can give you great success and great moments and memories.

"At Coventry we managed to go on and win the trophy at Wembley. Some players don't get the chance to play at Wembley in their entire career so you've got to take it seriously and go into these games wanting to win.

"Every game we want to win, whatever the competition, and hopefully we've done enough to progress and we can then build on it."

Tuesday's win at the Abbey Stadium came at a good time for the Cobblers who were previously without a victory in three matches.

"It was a great result - clean sheet, 1-0 win, some great performances from players and that can propel us on to the weekend," Turnbull added.

"Games like this can really lift the team and we needed it. We've let leads slip in recent weeks and we've spoken about that a lot in meetings but getting a clean sheet will do the boys a world of good."

Northampton Borough Council looks set to gate off a town centre alleyway which has been the scene of various crimes and anti-social behaviour.

The council wants to restrict public access to the Jeyes Jetty, which runs from The Drapery to College Street, for three years by making a Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) covering the alleyway.

PSPOs provide councils with a flexible power to implement local restrictions to address a range of anti-social behaviour issues in public places in order to prevent future problems.

Cabinet is set to formally agree to proposals to gate it off, at a cost of up to £20,000, when it meets next Wednesday (October 16) at The Guildhall.

It follows a public consultation carried out between June and September on the proposals. The council received 188 responses, with 81.9 per cent of respondents feeling that anti-social behaviour was a problem in Jeyes Jetty, whilst 47.9 per cent had directly experienced anti-social behaviour there. And 70.21 per cent of respondents in favour of gating the jetty.

Problems in recent months have included drug dealing, a deliberate fire being started, a man being beaten up by five to six males and a reported sexual offence. It was also the scene of a rape in 2017.

The cabinet is set to approve council officers and trained external contractors as authorised persons to issue fixed penalties of £100 to any person suspected of committing an offence in the jetty.

And should cabinet approve the plans, the chief executive will submit an application for a listed building planning permission for the installation of secure gates at each end of Jeyes Jetty and, subject to approval being granted, arrange for the installation, operation and maintenance of the gates.

The family of Harry Dunn are "angry and frustrated" after their meeting on Wednesday afternoon with Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, their lawyer has said.

Tim and Charlotte Dunn went to London today to meet with the Foreign Secretary to discuss their fight for justice in bringing home Anne Sacoolas, the wife of a US diplomat who fled the country.

Mrs Sacoolas is the main suspect in the police investigation into the death of Northampton Town fan, Harry.

Speaking after the meeting, the lawyer for the Dunn family told reporters: "To say that we’re disappointed with the outcome of the meeting would be an understatement."

The lawyer said the family would be issuing a further statement later today, once they had "gathered their thoughts and composed themselves".

READ: 'Did she go to comfort my son?': Harry Dunn's dad says family is 'in the dark' about Northamptonshire US diplomat scandal

Drivers are being warned of delays in the Cliftonville area of Northampton after a police incident.

A number of police cars and officers are at the scene in Cliftonville Road between the entrance to St Andrew's Hospital and Northampton General Hospital.

There are no further details at this stage as to the nature of the incident.

Reece Drage, 16, helped Peterborough United’s under-21 deaf futsal team to become the first English side to win a medal at the tournament on Friday (October 5).

Andrew Palmer, chairman of the Peterborough United Foundation and founder of the deaf football project, said: “I’ve never been so wracked with nerves in my entire life.

“I could barely watch the last game but the team showed their mettle, left everything on the pitch and got what they deserved from it.

“I’m proud of the team for not just getting that far against the best on the continent, especially as futsal is much more established as a sport there, but for the quality of the performances and the effort they put in.”

Peterborough United overcame Torino and Bruxelles in the groups stages and beat the favourites and last year’s champions Real E Non Solo from Italy on penalties in a pulsating quarter-final.

But Posh narrowly succumbed to Hamburg 5-4 in the semi-final, who went on to lose to CDS Huelva from Spain in the final.

The bronze medal was clinched on the final day of the tournament with another win over Torino in the third place playoff.

Peterborough United’s deaf football project was set up in 2013 and since then has won 5 national youth titles, a national under-21 title and finished runners-up in the 11-a-side south league last season.

We have put together this timeline of all the events that have unfolded since Harry's tragic death in August.

August 27
- Motorcyclist Harry Dunn, 19, collides with a black Volvo XC90 on the B4031, Park End, in Croughton at around 8.25pm.
- Reportedly, the Volvo left nearby RAF Croughton minutes before and drove "on the wrong side of the road" for 400 yards before the collision.
- East Midlands Ambulance Service receives 999 call about the crash at 8.25pm.
- EMAS dispatches a paramedic in an ambulance car, a doctor in a car and a crewed ambulance.
- According to Harry's family, "the ambulance took 50 minutes to arrive".
- Harry Dunn is transported to John Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford. Sadly, he dies shortly afterwards.

August 28
- Northamptonshire Police speak with Anne Sacoolas, 42, the wife of a US diplomat and a suspect in the crash.
- Mrs Sacoolas has diplomatic immunity. This means she cannot be arrested or prosecuted for any crime or civil case until it is waived by the US State Department.
- In later statements, Northamptonshire Police say Mrs Sacoolas "engaged fully" with officers, claimed she had "no plan" to leave the country.
- In later interviews, Harry's parents claim they Mrs Sacoolas had admitted fault at the scene and later to officers.
- Northamptonshire Police apply for a waiver for Mrs Sacoolas' diplomatic immunity.

August 31
- Supporters from both teams at a Northampton Town Football Club match against Plymouth Argyle hold 60 seconds of applause at the 19th minute in Harry's memory. Harry was a season ticket holder and a "Cobblers fan at heart".

September 16
- Northamptonshire Police is informed that the diplomatic waiver has been declined
- This is also when Northamptonshire Police are first told that Mrs Sacoolas has left the UK sometime between August 28 and September 16.
- This also means Northamptonshire Police do not know when or how Mrs Sacoolas left the country.

September 18
- Hundreds of friends and family attend Harry Dunn's funeral at Banbury Crematorium.

September 23
- Harry's family is informed that Mrs Sacoolas has left the UK.

October 2
- Harry's family create the "Justice 4 Harry" GoFundMe page to help pay for any legal costs needed to bring Anne Sacoolas back to the UK. As of October 9, it has raised over £15,600.

October 4
- Northamptonshire Police confirm in a statement that "a 42-year-old American suspect" has left the UK.
- The statement reads: “Harry Dunn’s family deserve justice and in order to achieve this, a full and thorough investigation, with the assistance of all parties involved, needs to take place.
- Harry's parents Tim Dunn and Charlotte Church also appear on Sky News and call on President Trump to intervene and return Anne Sacoolas to the UK.

October 5
- US State Department says in a statement that diplomatic immunity is 'rarely waived'.

October 6
- Sky News name Anne Sacoolas as the suspect in the case.

October 7
- After the weekend's news, Harry's story becomes the centre of national uproar and media attention.
- Northamptonshire Police Chief Constable Nick Adderley speaks on BBC Radio 4 to urge Mrs Sacoolas to "do the right thing" and face justice in the UK.
- Boris Johnson claims he will speak to US Government about the situation and would ask for Mrs Sacoolas' return.
- #JusticeForHarry and Anne Sacoolas' name trends on Twitter.

October 9
- Harry's family reportedly come away "angry and frustrated" from a meeting with foreign secretary Dominic Raab.
- Tim Dunn tells the Chronicle and Echo that they feel they have been "kept in the dark" about the scandal and call the lack of information from the US "smoke and mirrors".

Parents whose children attend Northgate School and Beehive School in Northampton are angry after being told out of the blue last month that instead of being collected from home their children would have to walk to an as yet unannounced pick-up point.

They were told by the council, which will be bringing in the pilot scheme from November 4, that the scheme would be introduced to promote independence and reduce emissions.

At yesterday’s cabinet meeting Cllr Fiona Baker, who is responsible for children’s services, said the plan ‘did not set off well’ and has now pledged that each of the children affected will be individually assessed.

She said: “It is a situation that I agree from the children’s situation did not set off well in that the transport officers had a good plan, but unfortunately the consultation between us was not great.

“We are assessing that. We will be looking at each child individually and speaking to parents and head teachers.

“Those of you who know me, will know I will be very concerned about this issue. We are setting up meetings as we speak.”

The new measure had been implemented by the transport department of the council, which under policy guidelines did not have to consult parents about the change.

Cllr Jason Smithers, who has responsibility for transport, said yesterday the changes to home to school transport had saved the council £340,000 so far this financial year by rationalising routes and retendering contracts.

The Conservative-run authority is looking for savings right across its services as it is currently predicting a £4m overspend on its overall £417m budget this year.

It has not been made public how much the ‘pick-up point’ initiative would save the council.

Mother Susan Bannard, whose 15-year-old son Alfie attends Northgate School, said the authority had not responded to her emails.

She said: “We understand the council has to save money, but they have said this is about independence.

“My son wouldn’t be able to walk to a stop on his own as he is autistic and has epilepsy. We don’t even know where the drop-off points may be, so we have no way of preparing our children. The council is not recognising the upset this will cause and if my son gets too upset he may have a seizure.

“This has not been thought through at all.”

Speaking at the cabinet meeting parent Oliva Anderton asked the council to halt the move to consider it more fully.

She said: “I am seriously concerned around many different decisions being made by the transport department and would welcome a full investigation as to whether they are abiding by all relevant laws in relation to both transport and disability and implementing the current local policy in a lawful manner.”

Councillors Julie Davenport and Anjona Roy also spoke out against the pilot and criticised the lack of communication between the authority and parents. Removing the home pick-up at the start of the winter has also been criticised.

And Labour parliamentary candidate for Northampton North Sally Keeble, said the council should stop the plan.

She said: “If it’s just a pilot, why not do it when the children have had some training, when the afternoons are lighter and the weather is more likely to be better.

“This is a major change to the service. A policy must have been developed and the council should publish the policy so everyone can see and understand the plan.”

Councillor Dennis Meredith says that gangs in the Eastern District of the town are ‘homing in’ young adults and children who are leaving the care system. His comments come just over a week after a 16-year-old boy was shot in Thorplands on September 30, suffering serious but non-life threatening injuries. A 15-year-old boy has been arrested and released on bail in connection with the incident, for which police have issued CCTV.

The issue of young care leavers being ‘criminalised’ was discussed at a Northamptonshire County Council cabinet meeting on Tuesday (October 8) as an annual ‘Youth Justice Plan’ was put forward for approval.

Councillor Meredith, a Lib Dem councillor who represents the Talavera ward on both the borough and county council, said: “I have read the report and I think it’s very interesting. But I want to speak on behalf of children in care and children leaving care. I think the report actually doesn’t go far enough, because what I want to see from the Youth Justice Plan is that this organisation will get more hands on and talk more to children in care, and care leavers, to find out what their needs are.

“I’m saying this because most of you may have heard in the news just recently that there was a shooting in Thorplands, in the area which I represent. A young 16-year-old was shot very seriously. The gangs which are based on the eastern side of the town are homing in on care leavers, and that’s a very important issue for the youth justice system.

“We need to get more hands on and talk to these youngsters before they leave care, that’s what I want to see.”

Reducing the criminalisation of children and young people in care is one of three ‘key’ strategies that the new Youth Justice Plan will be tackling in 2019/20.

The plan calls for local arrangements to be developed to reduce the ‘unnecessary criminalisation’ of looked-after children and care leavers. That task had been delegated to Jean Imray, the assistant director for early help, safeguarding and children’s services, but it was announced this morning [October 9] that she was leaving the county council alongside the head of children’s services Sally Hodges.

Children and young people that were in care or had become care leavers made up 34.3 per cent of Northamptonshire’s youth offending service post court population.

The plan states: “These findings fit with the national picture, that these young people are significantly over-represented within the system. [We will be] ensuring that the circumstances leading to coming into the youth justice system are fully explored, and that they are diverted from the formal system wherever appropriate. Whether or not this is possible, a fully collaborative approach across agencies will be required both in delivering
interventions and otherwise reducing the potential for them to return.”

Councillor Fiona Baker, the Conservative cabinet member for children’s services on the county council, said she was ‘exceedingly concerned’ about care leavers. She added: “I take on board the councillor’s point. I agree we need to work on this, it’s an area we are working very hard on. But as far as our youth justice board is concerned, we are recognised as being a very high performing service in the country.”

And council leader Matt Golby added: “We’re well aware of the challenges in children’s services, but the Youth Justice Plan and the work being done is a very good service, and we should congratulate them on the work they do in a very challenging area.”

Summing up during his speech, Councillor Meredith added: “We need to go further to stop them getting criminalised. The justice system will not get involved with these children until they come before the courts or the police refer them. Please go and talk to these children.”

Cobblers boss Keith Curle has praised his players for the way they've handled recent criticism and used it as motivation to 'learn and improve'.

The Cobblers received plenty of stick after throwing away 2-0 leads against both Crawley and Morecambe, before Saturday's home defeat to Leyton Orient was met by boos at full-time.

But they were back on the winning trail with victory at Cambridge United in the Leasing.com Trophy on Tuesday, and afterwards Curle hailed his players for the way they've responded to recent setbacks.

"The players have taken knocks," he said. "We won a couple of games, drew a couple and went on a run and then got a slap in the face but the attitude and application of players, they don't shy away from criticism.

"There's not a fear factor of 'well we've lost the game and I'm going to get my head ripped off' - it's a case of 'if I've got criticism coming my way, I'll deal with it, I'll learn and I'm also allowed to ask questions to find out how I improve'.

"That's the developing environment we're trying to create and if we lose, we learn."

Striker Harry Smith is one player that's been in the firing line but he responded in the best possible way, scoring the winning goal in Tuesday's game at the Abbey Stadium.

"Sometimes his eagerness and willingness to score gets him into false positions and that's something we think we can adjust to," Curle added.

"That's the development period that he's going through now because he's got that instinct to be in there and sometimes he's getting in there too early.

"What we're saying is give yourself another opportunity and make the target area that you want to arrive into a little bit bigger, but that's one of the things we're working on."

It wasn't the way Alex Moon wanted to mark his long-awaited return to action.

But despite the disappointment of a 54-28 home defeat to Saracens, Moon was still all smiles at Saints' weekly media session.

That is because he was just desperate to get back to playing after a hamstring problem left him sidelined prior to last Sunday's Premiership Rugby Cup clash.

It was a real frustration for the lofty lock, who excelled in what he labels his 'breakout' season at Saints last time round.

Moon made 18 appearances as he helped Saints to win the Premiership Rugby Cup, reach the European Challenge Cup quarter-finals and secure a top-four spot in the Gallagher Premiership.

And he said: "It was a bit of a breakout season really considering I played one game the year before, three games the year before that.

"I played about 18 games last year and it was awesome to be able to get into a routine of playing at a weekend and then ramping yourself up for the following weekend.

"It was great to get on a roll of games.

"I've been lucky to step up through the leagues because I did National Two and National One at Cambridge, Championship with Nottingham and now I've played almost a full season in the Premiership.

"It's good to now be on the other side of the training field preparing myself to play rather than preparing someone else to play."

Moon was clearly fired up last weekend, battling with Saracens' big men and refusing to take a backward step.

"I hadn't played since the Exeter semi-final so it had been a little while," he said.

"The first half was a blow out and I found my second wind in the second half and I was able to get around a bit more in the second half.

"I've missed playing so much.

"The first week back at training I was a bit of a nuisance, running round trying to lamp everybody and run through contact at every opportunity.

"So I needed that first game back last weekend."

On the injury that meant he missed defeats to Sale Sharks and Wasps at the start of the new season, Moon said: "I had a long-standing hamstring problem.

"Having long levers (legs) means I can get an aggravated hamstring from time to time but it was nothing too major, nothing that would keep me out for a long period of time.

"It's something I can stay on top of now that we know what it is.

"It's something I can manage with."

But Moon is now approaching the fitness levels he wants and he is ready to step into the heat of an east midlands derby at Leicester Tigers this weekend.

"We're now approaching it as a full-on Premiership game," he said.

"With a few of the other games it's been a slightly more pre-season orientated approach.

"We've had three losses from three and we need to attack this to give ourselves some momentum going back into the Premiership.

"We've treated this as a Premiership week, it's derby week and we've had a couple of meetings.

"Boys who have been here for a long time have been filling others in on what it means in the history of both clubs and we're amping it up a bit more this week."

So how worried are the players that they have yet to win a game this season?

"In these first few weeks, we've been looking for a performance," Moon explained.

"We've been trying out new combinations and we haven't gone for a completely young side or a completely senior side.

"We've been trying out different dynamics between new and old, just trying to get a performance out and see how guys manage to play with each other.

"It's actually been quite beneficial for us and Boydy (Saints boss Chris Boyd) has been able to see who works well with each other so now we're leading into Premiership games he knows which combinations work and who plays well together."

Moon was one of a number of talented Academy products who starred for Saints last season.

And it looks likely that it will be the same again as young guns continue to get their chance to fire at Franklin's Gardens.

"We love it because we've grown up together, lived with each other and spent almost every hour of the day with each other," Moon said.

"It's a lot of fun when you see one of your mates you've been on loan with a few seasons ago coming into the side, maybe on the bench or starting on the wing or something like that.

"We do everything together, which is the envy of a couple of other clubs.

"We all just get on so well with each other and it is awesome being able to play alongside your mates.

"I've been with (George) Furbank since we were 13 and the same with Alex Mitchell, playing North 16s with him.

"To be able to play alongside those boys is awesome."

Next up for the Saints squad, young and old, is that tricky trip to Leicester, who still harbour hopes of making it out of their Premiership Rugby Cup pool.

And though Saints have won on their past two visits to Welford Road, they won't be taking anything for granted.

"They're going through a bit of an evolution now where they're playing slightly differently to Leicester of old," Moon said.

"They're adapting so we can't go into this with an old-style game plan because they are changing.

"They didn't have their most successful season last season so they have changed and we need to be able to adapt to the new things they're doing.

"We've only got three games of (footage of) them so we're going to have to be able to deal with the new things they throw at us."

At a press conference yesterday, Donald Trump answered questions on the row after suspect Anne Sacoolas left the UK under diplomatic immunity.

Mrs Sacoolas is at the centre of a police investigation into the death of Northampton Town fan, Harry Dunn, 19, who died after the crash on August 27. He was on a motorbike and was hit head-on in the collision with a car.

Yesterday, a spokesman for Downing Street said that Prime Minister Boris Johnson had spoken to the president and called for the American authorities to reconsider the decision to award diplomatic immunity.

Mr Trump described the death of Harry as a "terrible accident".

"You have two wonderful parents who lost their son and the woman was driving on the wrong side of the road.

"You know, those are the opposite roads, that happens. I won't say it ever happened to me, but it did.

"When you get used to driving on our system and then you're all of a sudden in the other system when you're driving, it happens, you have to be careful very careful."

"So a young man was killed, the person that was driving the automobile has diplomatic immunity, we're going to speak to her very shortly and see if we can do something where they meet," he added.

The lawyer acting for Harry's family, who earlier in the day had met with the Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, spoke on the Sarah Brett show on BBC Radio Five and said he wanted a firm commitment from Mr Trump as to when the meeting would take place. He said the family was planning to travel to Washington as soon as possible.

Yesterday, the family had described the meeting with Dominic Raab as a "publicity stunt" and that they were left feeling angry and disappointed.

Later, Prime Minister Johnson spoke to Mr Trump about the issue.

A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister urged the President to reconsider the US position so the individual involved can return to the UK, co-operate with police and allow Harry’s family to receive justice."

"The leaders agreed to work together to find a way forward as soon as possible."

The long-awaited return to fitness of Alan McCormack gave Cobblers fans at least one reason to smile following Saturday's disappointing defeat to Leyton Orient.

The midfielder has become all-too familiar with the treatment room having spent 24 injury-hit months at Luton Town before his summer move to Northampton, managing just 36 starts across the last two campaigns.

And a change of club has yet to bring a change of fortune after his Northampton debut was ended by injury just an hour into their opening-day defeat to Walsall in early August.

Two months later though and finally McCormack is hoping to kick-start his career at the PTS. On Saturday he came through 20 minutes unscathed and now feels fit, strong and ready to add his wealth of experience to the team.

“I’ve been close for the last two or three weeks,” said the 35-year-old, who also played 25 minutes against Cambridge United in midweek. “I’ve been training for a good three weeks now and it’s probably taken a week or two more than what we thought it would be.

“It just took a little bit longer to get up to speed but it’s been great to get back out and train with the boys every day.

“I’m getting my sharpness back and it’s all about playing more match minutes and getting to that 90-minute stage where you can rack up the 90 minutes and not feel tired.

“I’m working on it every day but I feel strong and I feel good. It’s been seven or eight weeks and it’s been quite frustrating doing a slow recovery while watching the lads play every week.

“But I’m back in with the lads now and hopefully I can get into the team and keep my shirt and we can get three points each week.”

Despite McCormack’s return, the Cobblers missed out on victory for the third game in a row at the weekend as a poor display against Leyton Orient paved the way for a limp defeat, leaving them in 14th place and needing to play catch-up on the rest of the division.

“I didn’t think we really deserved anything out of the game," admitted the former Brentford and Southend midfielder. "We didn’t play as well as we can and we were off the pace in terms of being on the front foot, getting the ball forward and playing in good areas.

“It’s frustrating because we’ve worked all week and to be honest I thought it was one of the best training weeks we’ve had (in the lead up to the game).

“We came into the game and were very, very confident but they just made it difficult for us and made it a scrappy game and we didn’t get to grips with that.

“It turned into a bit of an ugly game and knowing how to win that way is very important. In this league you probably have to win ugly more than win playing well.”

Northants all-rounder Rob Keogh has committed his future to the club by signing a new two-year contract extension at the County Ground.

Keogh, who turns 28 later this month, has been at the club since he was 14-years-old, and he will now continue to represent the County until at least the end of the summer of 2021.

“I’m really pleased to sign a new contract at the club.” said Keogh. “It’s an exciting season ahead after being promoted to division one again.

"We've been a successful team over the past 10 years and I’m looking forward to more success with the club.”

Keogh missed much of the 2018 campaign with a finger injury, but he made an impact in all formats of the game in the 2019 season, and was named the club's one day player of the year at the club's end of season awards.

In the promotion-winning Specsavers County Championship Division campaign, Keogh scored two centuries and two 50s as he amassed 744 runs at an average of 33.82, while he also picked up 13 wickets with his spin bowling.

In the Royal London One Day Cup, Keogh scored a century and three 50s as he scored 359 runs at 44.88, while in the Vitality T20 Blast he topped the charts in the Steelbacks batting and bowling averages.

With the bat scored 177 runs at 35.4 with a strike-rate of 105.99, and he also claimed 10 wickets at 13, with an economy rate of 6.50 - which was only bettered by skipper and fellow spinner Josh Cobb.

Head coach David Ripley is very happy that Keogh will remain part of his squad.

“I’m really pleased for Rob, he’s made a contribution across all three forms with bat and ball this year," said Ripley.

"He’s showed he can score hundreds, he’s taken wickets and he’s a brilliant fielder so why wouldn’t you want Rob Keogh hanging around for another couple of years?"

Keogh has been with Northants since he was a teenager and is a product of the club’s junior pathway, and that development is something Ripley is proud of.

“He’s one of our own," said the head coach. "Rob is an academy graduate, and that’s always good news to look in a Northamptonshire side and see lads who’ve come through your academy.

"When you’ve got an all-rounder who can bat in your top order, that can really give you batting depth and we’re lucky that we’ve got that with Rob.”

In his career to date, Keogh has scored 3,607 runs in first-class cricket at an average of 29.80. He has a top score of 221, and has put together nine centuries and 10 half-centuries.

With the ball, he has taken 88 first-class wickets at 42.71.

His T20 record reads 525 runs at 21.87 with one half-century, and with the ball he has taken 16 wickets at 24.81 with an economy rate of 7.94.

In 50-over cricket, Keogh has notched up 1,272 runs at 32.61, with two centuries and 11 50s to his name, and he has also taken eight wickets with an economy rate of 5.53.

Two Barclays branches in Northamptonshire will remain open until at least October 2021 as part of the bank's pledge to halt closures in remote areas.

The banks in Daventry and Towcester are two of more than 100 branches in either isolated places or where it is the last one in town to stay for another two years.

Adam Rowse from Barclays said: “We are constantly exploring new ways to evolve the role of the branch.

"By maintaining last in town or remote branches over the next two years, and working with the community, we hope to increase demand and keep these branches viable.

"We also recognise that there are opportunities to support customers with access to cash where there is no branch or ATM nearby.

"We are launching a cash back offering working with merchants to give customers access to cash over the counter.

"By behaving differently, we hope to see a real difference in how customers interact with us.”

Barclays is also introducing a cashback scheme enabling customers to withdraw cash at businesses in remote towns and areas where there is no branch or ATM alternative within 1km.

Additionally, in areas where the bank is no longer able to maintain a physical presence, Barclays will bring pop-up banking pods, providing face to face financial support and education, at 300 locations by the end of 2021.

However, the facility for over the counter cash withdrawals at Post Office branches will end from January 2020.

A mum believes she has found a gap in the market by opening a boutique clothes shop for children in Northampton.

Holly Hamer hopes to offer good-quality, attractive clothes at affordable prices that are ethically produced in a shop that caters for buggies and has a low impact on the environment.

Rock It opened at St Crispins Retail Village on Saturday (October 5) and the owner said she has already had a good response from shoppers.

"I want it to be a nice place for parents to come that they won't normally find in high street retailers but that's affordable," she said.

The shop is a completely new venture for mother-of-two Holly, who swapped a career in the public and voluntary sector to work for herself.

"I was going from project to project and experiencing funding custs and redundancies on quite a regular basis which is the way of the world now," she said.

"So I said to myself that if it happened again I would be my own boss and set up my own shop and that's exactly what I have done."

Holly said she has designed Rock It 'with parents in mind' - all the aisles have space for a double-buggy, there is a place for kids to play and lots of options for boys, girls and unisex of all ages.

Local artists have made prints of the St Crispins Tower and other landscapes that are on sale, as well as the design for the paper carrier bags - there also no paper receipts to reduce waste.

"I saw a gap in the market and I'm basically setting up something I know I want and I know other mums will want," she said.

"I have been quite honest about the area needing something like it and Northampton needing something so that's my aim, to bring something nice to Northampton - we need some positivity."

My other hand cradles a camera, and I’m torn between snapping the two grey seals bobbing past or the even rarer site ahead; my two teenagers, running as fast as their legs will carry them, enticing the fresh breeze into a dance with their kites.

These forgotten toys haven’t seen daylight for years. In truth, I packed them on a whim, hoping that the magic of the great British seaside might just see our bygone favourites shake off the dust.

I’m in luck. As the flapping colours take flight, to squeals of delight, I proudly capture the moment and add it to our ever-expanding Richardson’s Hemsby Beach Holiday Park album, thrilled with the snap and even more so, that we’ve made a superb choice for our family adventure.

From candyfloss eating and funfair thrill-seeking in Great Yarmouth, to crabbing in Cromer and a blissful day’s boating on the winding waterways of the Norfolk Broads, each moment of our holiday at this friendly park has been picture-perfect.

Where to stay

Fresh from a £10m facelift and just a stone’s throw from Hembsy beach, this vibrant, welcoming park is a breath of fresh air, with elite new accommodation, superb refurbished facilities and acres of rolling greenery just perfect for outdoor pursuits.

From basic, wallet-friendly chalets to brand new luxurious platinum hot tub lodges, whatever your taste and budget there’s something for everyone, from the Yacht Club and star-studded show bar to the Quarterdeck Restaurant, shiny new heated indoor pool and a wide range of Go Active activities for all the family to enjoy.

With expectant teens in tow, our accommodation for the week is unbeatable – Carlton 8, a luxurious Platinum Lodge Spa, sleeping four, with double and twin bedrooms, flatscreen TV, patio decking and, of course, the pièce de résistance – a blissful hot tub.

Spacious and open-planned with a contemporary well-equipped kitchen, en-suite shower room and family bathroom with bath, these elegant, well-designed lodges are the latest accommodation addition, nestled in a pretty, secluded area of the park.

An instant hit with the entire family, it’s been bubbles at breakfast, lazy afternoon dips and balmy al fresco evening star-gazing thanks to leisurely hot tub sessions sandwiched between a whole host of activities and attractions.

What to do

Not wanting to waste a second, we swam daily on-site, hired a go-kart and – as part of Hemsby Beach’s vast Go Active programme – tested our Robin Hood county roots by trying our hands at archery, laser clays and much, much more!

Closely followed by laugh-a-minute body zorbing and family fencing, the highlight of our week has been a full day’s boat hire from nearby Wroxham, where you can pull on your captain’s hat and navigate the Broads under your own steam, take a picnic on board or – like us – moor at your leisure for a spot of lunch at the pubs and eateries lining the banks.

Where to eat

Working up a hearty appetite, we refuelled each evening in the park’s stylish Quarterdeck Restaurant, enjoying tasty grills with traditional accompaniments, followed by posh puds such as hot sticky toffee pudding and giant eye-popping sundaes.

Seaside charm

Bursting with old school seaside charm, Hemsby itself boasts no airs and graces, just traditional seaside pizzazz, with a trail of amusements, hot dogs, donuts, cafes and fairground rides meandering directly from the park to the sands.

The perfect base from which to explore the boundless beauty of Norfolk, the electric appeal of lively Great Yarmouth is just seven miles away, whilst captivating Cromer – just a 40-minute drive – is a must with its museums, superb surf and mile-after-mile of blue-flag golden sands.

Five minutes from Cromer sits picturesque Sheringham, a quaint former fishing village that hooked us on arrival with its heritage steam railway, scenic coastal paths, tantalising tea rooms and colourful beach-hut lined promenade.

An eclectic mix of traditional seaside allure, heritage and breathtaking scenery, beautiful Norfolk is renowned for its boomerang effect, enticing holidaymakers back year- after-year for a different adventure every time.

We’ve seen so much, had the time of our lives, yet barely scratched the surface. As I dream of tonight’s beach barbecue, followed by a romantic glass of vino under the stars, one thing is for sure – we’ll be boomeranging back to Richardson’s Hemsby Beach before long!

How to get there

A seven-night break at Hemsby Beach Holiday Park in a Platinum Lodge for up to four people costs from £811* off-peak, peak costs from £1,449*. For more information or to book visit www.richardsonsholidayparks.co.uk or call 01493 809903. *Prices accurate at the time of writing and subject to availability

A man was arrested following an "altercation" on a bus during rush hour in Northampton yesterday.

Three police cars were called to a situation on the X4 Stagecoach Gold bus to Corby at 5.20pm yesterday (October 10), which had stopped on Cliftonville.

Passengers were kept on board while police arrested a 36-year-old man from Corby on suspicion of affray.

The man has now been released under investigation.

Charlie Goode looks set to captain the Cobblers when he returns to former club Scunthorpe United this weekend after getting over the virus that ruled him out of back-to-back games.

Goode pulled out of the team to face Leyton Orient last weekend having been 'wiped out' by a virus, and he was unable to recover in time to face Cambridge United in midweek.

But Curle gave a positive update on his skipper on Thursday and is confident he'll be back in action at Glanford Park, although the Town boss does have reservations over other members of his squad who have also been struggling this week.

Curle did not name the players who have been hit by the bug and neither did he reveal how likely they are to make trip to Scunthorpe on Saturday.

"Charlie is looking good," he said. "He's got over his bug that absolutely wiped him out although it's unfortunate that it has affected a few other players in the squad.

"But we shut the building down on Wednesday and the doctor has been on call for a few players.

"Apart from that, we're going to be competitive. We'll go to Scunthorpe on Saturday and put out a competitive squad with a gameplan."

Reflecting further on Tuesday's win over Cambridge, Curle added: "It was a game of two halves. I was very pleased with some of the individuals in the first-half but in the second, on the balance of play, they had more of an attacking threat than we did.

"But some of our players haven't had 90 minutes and they were running out of steam - that's something we're looking into going forward because we want to step up players who still need that game-time."

The Cobblers are on the road this Saturday as they head to north Lincolnshire take on struggling Scunthorpe United.

As always, a strong following of Town fans is expected to make the trip to Glanford Park, with Keith Curle's men hoping to get back to winning ways in Sky Bet League Two following last weekend's home defeat to Leyton Orient.

So here is a quick guide to what all of those travelling can expect to find when they arrive in north Lincolnshire - at a ground where the Cobblers have yet to win in any competition!

Fixture: Scunthorpe United v Northampton Town

Date: Saturday, October 12, 2019

Kick-off: 3pm

Competition: Sky Bet League Two

Weather forecast for Saturday: 15c, dry but cloudy

Scunthorpe nickname: The Iron

Home kit colours: Blue and claret

Club formed: 1899

League club since: 1950

Manager: Paul Hurst

Stadium: Glanford Park - currently known as The Sands Venue Stadium. Glanford Park opened in 1988 and was the first new purpose-built Football League stadium to be erected in England for 33 years. The first since Southend United moved to Roots Hall in 1955. The stadium is Scunthorpe's second home ground, with the Iron having previously played at the Old Showground from 1899 to 1988. The Cobblers' final game at the Old Showground was in August, 1986, when Graham Carr's side drew 2-2.

Address: Doncaster Road, Scunthorpe, DN15 8TD

Distance from the PTS Academy Stadium (by road): 127 miles

Ground capacity: 9.088

Record attendance: 9,077 - versus Manchester United, League Cup third round, September 22, 2010

Is the ground all-seater?: No. There is a terrace behind one goal for home supporters

Average attendance this season: 3,564.

Highest attendance this season: 4,554 v Bradford City, September 28, 2019

Lowest attendance this season: 3,017 v Morecambe, September 14, 2019

Most recent Cobblers visit: February 17, 2018, Sky Bet League One - Scunthorpe United 2 Cobblers 2 (Long, O'Toole)

Cobblers' overall record at Glanford Park: P15 W0 D6 L9 - it is fair to say that Glanford Park is far from a happy hunting ground for the Cobblers, who have yet to win at the club's north Lincolnshire home in 15 attempts. There have been several draws in recent visits though, including a 2-2 stalemate on their most recent trip there in 2018, and a thrilling 4-4 back in December, 2008. The Iron actually led that one 4-1 after 32 minutes, but Town hit back to draw thanks to Danny Jackman's late leveller. Glanford Park was opened in 1988, and on their first four visits the Cobblers lost 3-0, 3-0, 5-0 and 7-0!!

Away fans stand: AMS South Stand, with room for 1,678 visiting supporters

Is the stand for away fans covered?: Yes

Admission prices: Adults - Advanced £22, matchday £25; Overs-65s/Under-21s/student - Advanced £15, matchday £17; Under-18s - Advanced £6, matchday £8 (. Under-12s: Free. (maximum of two under 12s free per paying adult/concession. Subsequent juniors must be paid for at the U18 rate)

Directions by road (details from footballgroundguide.com): Leave the M180 at Junction 3 and take the M181 for Scunthorpe. At the end of this motorway, you will see the ground on your right. Turn right at the first roundabout onto the A18 and right again.

Parking: There is a large car park at the gound, and more than 600 spaces are available for both home and away fans priced at £3 per car. The local retail parks operate restrictions on a matchday.

Cobblers travel clubs: Sixfields Travel Club - Coach departs from outside the club shop at the PTS Academy Stadium at 9.30am. Fares £15 adults, £10 juniors. There will be a pub/meal stop en-route

Cobblers Trust Travel - Coach picks up from Blackthorn 9.25am; Weston Favell 9.30am; Trumpet 9.35am; County Tavern 9.40am; White Elephant 9.45am: Cock Hotel 9.50am: Kings Heath / Bants Lane 9.55am; Sixfields (Opposite KFC) 11am: Cost is £20 for adults, £15 for accompanied U16s. The lunch time stop will be in Gainsborough. To book please ring Jim on 07840 355864 between 09.00 - 21.00 (Text accepted 24/7)

Cobblers Independent Supporters Club - Call 07830 150081 or 07939 518228. Text only before 5pm

Nearest pub for away fans (details from footballgroundguide.com): There is a bar at Glanford Park called the Iron Bar, which admits visiting supporters. Near to the stadium there is The Old Farmhouse pub, which allows away fans providing they are not wearing team colours. Another pub that has always been away-fan friendly pub is The Berkeley Hotel, but according to its own website (samuelsmithshotels.co.uk/berkeley-hotel-pub-scunthorpe/) the establishment is currently 'temprarily closed'. There are a number of food outlets and restaurants close to the ground, including Frankie & Benny's, KFC, McDonald's, Costa and Subway.

Next Cobblers away trip: Tuesday, October 22 - Carlisle United v Cobblers (ko 7.45pm)