Experienced lock Christian Day insists there is no panic in the Saints camp after back-to-back defeats.

And he says he and his team-mates can use memories of last season’s title triumph to get them back on track.

Saints were thrashed by Clermont Auvergne in a Champions Cup quarter-final three weeks ago and lost to Exeter Chiefs eight days later.

But they endured similarly difficult defeats at the same stage of last season, losing three matches in a row before bouncing back to claim Aviva Premiership glory.

And ahead of Saturday’s renewal of rivalries with Saracens, the team Saints beat in the league showpiece at Twickenham, Day said: “We had a similar run of bad form last season and went on to win two trophies so we’re not panicking.

“We’ve got a big challenge this weekend - top versus second - and we’re looking forward to it.

“You’re going to have bad runs in the season. Not many teams go unbeaten the whole year.

“What’s important is how you come back after those defeats, learn your lessons and ultimately it’s going to come down to a play-off and a final.

“We’re looking forward to the big games.”

Chris Wilder is delighted that the Cobblers’ ‘season is still alive’ as he prepares his team for Saturday’s trip to Sky Bet League Two leaders Burton Albion.

Town travel to the Pirelli Stadium for their penultimate game of the regular season with an outside chance of reaching the play-offs.

Being four points adrift with only six available means that it is highly unlikely the Cobblers will finish in the top seven, but Wilder is delighted that his team is still in there fighting after 44 games.

Following the 2-1 defeat at Stevenage a fortnight ago, Wilder declared Town’s play-off chances were over, but a draw at Oxford United and win over Cheltenham have just about kept them in the frame.

Wilder still realistically believes the play-offs are going to be beyond his team, but he has promised the club’s supporters they will be fighting to the bitter end.

“Our season is still alive, and we wanted to say that going into these last two games,” said the Cobblers boss.

“If it is still alive going into the final game then that is fantastic.”

Burton are already promoted, and a bumper crowd is expected to turn out as they have a chance of clinching the league two title with a win over the Cobblers, but Wilder is determined to ensure that won’t happen.

“We have to win,” he said. “I am honest in my assessment after games, and after Stevenage did I think we were out of the play-offs? Yes, of course I did.

“But in our last two performances, have we been a team that’s looked like they are on the beach? I don’t think so, and we won’t allow that to happen.

“You never know what will happen, and my opinion has not changed and I don’t know if that takes the pressure of my players or not.

“What was said after Stevenage might be quite a bit of clever management!

“But I’m not into playing mind games and spinning things, and my view hasn’t really changed.

“In the last minute at Oxford, when Evan Horwood has headed that ball back (that led to Oxford’s equaliser in the 1-1 draw), does anybody think I am thinking ‘oh it doesn’t really matter’. Of course it matters

“It did matter, and anybody who was in that changing room after the game knows it matters.

“Our attitude hasn’t changed in the past two games, and we haven’t taken our foot off the gas.

“I thought we did well at Oxford and carried it on on Saturday (against Cheltenham), so you have seen that consistent attitude, that consistent play, and we are looking forward to Saturday. It is going to be a great occasion.

“Congratulations to everybody at Burton on their promotion, but we want to go there and get a result we know we are capable of.

“It is going to be close to a full house, and both of the games we have remaining there is something on them, for the opposition, and most importantly for us.”

A beer brewed by former Northampton Saints prop Brian Mujati will be among the 60 beers at next weekend’s Towcester Beer Festival.

Brian – or Mooj as he was known in his days at Franklins Gardens – is as fanatical about brewing and beer as he is about rugby.

He started when he bought a home brew kit while he was living in Northampton and turned his garage into a brew house.

The former South African international, now propping at Racing Metro, has created his own brand and hopes to brew full-time when his playing career ends.

Mujati Brewing’s Salisbury American Pale Ale will be one of the highlights of next weekend’s Towcester Beer Festival.

Made with purely American hops, it is a hoppy golden beer with a lingering bitter finish and, like the man himself, weighs in at a powerful 4.5 percent ABV.

Festival organiser Crispin Slee said: “We’ve got one barrel of each of the others but we’ve ordered two barrels of Brian’s beer as I know it will be extremely popular. It’s just a shame we can’t tempt him back with it!”

Towcester Beer Festival takes place from Friday May 1 to Sunday May 3 at Towcestrians RFC in Greens Norton Road, Towcester.

There will be 60 real ales and 30 real ciders, junior rugby and live music through the weekend. The festival is famous for its Ghurka Curry and this year former Bake Off contestant Davey Chambers will be cooking up a treat from his festival kitchen.

Father-of-one Davey, 38, and from Greens Norton, will be baking fresh biscuits, cakes and brownies on Saturday and serving a delicious lunch on Sunday with a choice of five hour, red wine braised British beef or slow roasted pork belly.

Entry is free except after 5pm on Saturday when it is £5 to get in. This year, the beer festival will celebrate the return of the Phipps NBC brewery to Northamptonshire and the launch of Towcester Mill Brewery in the town with four beers from each. The festival’s main sponsors are Jackie Oliver & Co Estate Agents in Towcester.

For updates, please visit www.facebook.com/TowcesterBeerFestival

An afternoon of nostalgic entertainment to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War comes to Corby next week.

We’ll Meet Again is a show that evokes the spirit of the wartime era with music and comedy. The songs of Vera Lynn and Gracie Fields will be sung and there will be impressions of wartime comedians and live music from the Martyn St James Band.

Tickets for the show on April 30 are £12.50 and are available by calling 01536 470 470 or by visiting www.thecorecorby.com.

Two contrasting ballets are being performed by Northern Ballet next week.

Wild romance with Wuthering Heights and a children’s classic Elves & the Shoemaker are on at Milton Keynes Theatre.

Wuthering Heights tells Emily Bronte’s tale of a passionate and dangerous love.Cathy and Heathcliff meet as children but find innocence becomes obsession as the years go by.

The production has been choreographed by David Nixon. The story has been re-imagined through dance for a modern audience.

There will also be two performances of the famous fairy tale Elves & the Shoemaker.

A poor but kind shoemaker discovers that his last piece of leather is transformed into the most magnificent pair of magical shoes. But who made them? Wuthering Heights is on April 28 to May 2 and Elves & the Shoemaker is on May 1, at midday and 2pm.

Book your tickets for either show now at Milton Keynes Theatre box office, Call 0844 871 7652 or visit www.atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes.

Shakespeare’s King John will be performed in a historic Northampton venue.

The play will be performed by candlelight in the 12th century Holy Sepulchre Church.

It is being performed to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta and the Royal & Derngate are collaborating with Shakespeare’s Globe theatre to put on this new production.

It is performed from Friday, April 24, to Saturday, May 16, in Northampton in addition to dates at Temple Church in London and Salisbury Cathedral and a run at Shakepeare’s Globe in June.

Tickets can be booked by calling 01604 624811 .

Award-winning comedian Stewart Lee is coming to the Derngate in Northampton next week.

He is testing out material for his BBC series Stewart Lee’s Comedy Vehicle.

The show has won Baftas and Comedy Awards and Lee is currently touring the country testing his material.

In his latest show, called A Room With A Stew, he is exploring new subjects and cutting and adding sections to the show as he goes, giving audiences a chance to see the material before it goes to air in the TV show.

Lee began his career in comedy when he was 20 and won the Hackney Empire New Act of the Year award in 1990.

He featured in radio comedy shows Fist of Fun and On The Hour with Steve Coogan and Chris Morris and he also did four series for BBC2 with Richard Herring.

Stewart Lee comes to the Derngate stage on Friday , May 1, at 8pm.

Tickets are priced at £22, and can be booked by calling box office on 01604 624811 or visiting www.royalandderngate.co.uk. This performance is recommended for ages 14 and above.

A “dangerous” 18-year-old man with links to Northamptonshire has appeared on BBC Crimewatch’s ‘Most Wanted’.

Police in Lancashire want to question Ryan Humpage in connection with rape, theft and assault allegations.

Humpage is known to travel around the UK and has friends in Belfast, Scotland, Blackpool, Northumbria and Northamptonshire.

A Crimewatch spokesman said Humpage was described as “dangerous” so, if you know where he is, call 999 or the Lancashire Constabulary on 01253 604081.

Jason Taylor has signed a new two-year deal to stay with the Cobblers.

The former Cheltenham player joins central midfield partner Joel Byrom in committing his future to Northampton.

After talks with Town boss Chris Wilder on Monday, Byrom signed on the dotted line on Thursday, and Taylor has quickly followed suit.

The 28-year-old has been a Cobblers regular since signing for the club in January from the Robins, initially on loan and then on a short-term contract following his release from Whaddon Road.

He made 19 consecutive Town appearances, making his debut on the January 3 draw with Southend United, until suspension meant he missed the recent matches against Oxford United and Cheltenham.

Taylor, who is expected to return to the Town starting line-up for Saturday’s trip to Burton Albion, has made more than 350 senior appearances, and has previously won promotion with both Rotherham United and Rochdale.

Two teenage boys who helped direct traffic after a set of temporary traffic lights in Northampton stopped working have been praised for their efforts.

The pair spent two hours making sure traffic could get through after both sets of lights stuck on red and now a Facebook appeal has been launched to try to find them.

Margaret Beere, 57, from Cordon Close, Northampton, said she was driving her mobility scooter near Weston Favell Shopping Centre on Tuesday just before 9pm when she spotted the boys.

“There were two lads, one each side of the road, controlling the traffic from the pathway to make sure there was no congestion and making sure there were no accidents,” she said.

“They said they had been there for two hours and they were freezing cold but they didn’t want to leave until the problem was sorted.

“They borrowed my mobile phone to call the police and someone came to help.

“They were absolutely fantastic, so many people moan about kids but these boys were wonderful. I would like to thank them and I know the police do too,” she added.

If you know who the boys were, call the Chron on 01604 467062 or email editor@northantsnews.co.uk

Ahsee Tuala will make his first Aviva Premiership start in Saints’ clash with Saracens at stadium:mk on Saturday (kick-off 3.15pm).

The Samoan full-back has made six appearances for Northampton since arriving as injury cover for Ben Foden back in February.

He made two starts in the LV= Cup and has enjoyed cameos from the bench in the league, scoring two superb tries in the win against Wasps at the end of last month.

Tuala comes into the team in place of James Wilson, who is on the bench.

England lock Courtney Lawes returns to the starting 15, having missed the defeat at Exeter on April 12 with a shoulder problem.

And Australian tighthead prop Salesi Ma’afu is also back after also being absent the trip to Sandy Park.

Lee Dickson could make his 200th Saints appearance if he comes off the bench this weekend.

Meanwhile, Saracens, who will be looking to narrow a six-point gap to table-topping Saints with a win in Milton Keynes, have rung the changes from last Saturday’s defeat at Clermont.

Former Saints wing Chris Ashton drops to the bench as David Strettle starts, while Schalk Brits is in the starting 15 for the first time since October.

Neil de Kock starts at scrum-half, with Richard Wigglesworth beginning the game on the bench, alongside England fly-half Owen Farrell, who recently returned from injury.

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali’i; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Lawes, Day; Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Fisher, Dickson, Stephenson, Wilson.

Saracens: Goode; Strettle, Bosch, Barritt (c), Wyles; Hodgson, de Kock; M Vunipola, Brits, Johnston; Kruis, Itoje; Joubert, Brown, B Vunipola.

Replacements: George, Gill, Longbottom, Hamilton, Wray, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Ashton.

Thieves have stolen tools and specialist equipment worth several thousand pounds from a van parked in a Northamptonshire village.

The theft happened sometime between 10pm yesterday (Thursday) and 2.30am this morning (Friday) in Equestrian Way, Weedon.

The thieves broke into the van and stole a range of items, including a rare type of Agilent wirescope cable tester, a Makita radio, a number of Makita drills, a Fatmax Stanley tool bag and two Makita torches.

All the tools have CSA written on them in black marker pen.

Officers are appealing for anyone who saw or heard any vehicles, or anyone acting suspiciously in the area during the times stated, particularly around 2am, to get in touch.

They would also like to hear from anyone who may have been offered for sale any of the items list above or any second-hand tools which they suspect may have been stolen.

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Northampton is holding its first ever Proms night next month at Royal & Derngate.

The evening, on Sunday May 10 at 7.30pm, features international opera and concert soprano Alison Roddy, the Birmingham Philharmonic Orchestra and well known guest conductor Michael Lloyd.

The gala evening, sponsored by county jeweller Michael Jones Jewellers, will include an array of popular opera and proms favourites with items from French and Italian opera as well as Viennese operetta.

Community fund-raiser for the hospice, Sue Bownass, escribed as being “the Last Night of the Proms and a beginner’s guide to opera all rolled into one”, a host of tickets for the event have already been snapped up, however, the good news is there are still tickets available.

“Our Proms night promises to be absolutely wonderful, not only will it appeal to the more seasoned opera enthusiasts, but a wider audience keen to have their first taste of a classical music extravaganza. The programme will include a number of old favourites including Elgar’s much loved Pomp and Circumstance No1 – Land of Hope and Glory and of course Rule Britannia, so there really will be something for everyone,” she said.

“The event has the potential of raising in excess of £30,000 all of which would go directly towards patient care at the Hospice, so we are hoping that the Northamptonshire community will support the event and help us to reach our target. “We are so very grateful to Alison, the Birmingham Philharmonic as well as Michael Lloyd for all giving up their time to stage such a marvellous event; it should be spectacular.”

Tickets are available from www.royalandderngate.co.uk or by calling the box office on 01604 624811.

Fixture: Burton Albion v Northampton Town (Sky Bet League Two)

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, April 25, 3pm

Venue: The Pirrelli Stadium, Burton-on-Trent

Weather forecast: 17C, rain showers

Outs and doubts: Cobblers: Ian Morris (knee), Kaid Mohamed (broken metatarsal), Tom Newey (ankle)

Betting: Cobblers: 10/3, draw: 13/5, Burton: 4/5

Form guide: Cobblers: WDLLWD, Burton: WDWWDD

Possible line-ups: Cobblers (4-4-2): Jalal, Moloney, Diamond, Collins, Horwood, D’Ath, Taylor, Byrom, Holmes, Toney, Richards. Burton (4-3-3): McLaughlan, Edwards, Cansdell-Sherriff, Stewart, Naylor, Mousinho, Weir, McCrory, Beavon, Akins, El Khayati

Last time out: Cobblers beat Cheltenham 2-0, Burton won 1-0 at Morecambe

Most recent meeting: Saturday, October 11, Sky Bet League Two: Cobblers 1 (Cresswell) Burton 2 (Blyth, MacDonald)

Jeremy Casey’s preview: Think back to this time 12 months ago, and the corresponding weekend was one of the most important in the history of Northampton Town Football Club.

With two matches of the season remaining, the Cobblers were in the Sky Bet League Two relegation zone, level on points with Bristol Rovers and Wycombe Wanderers just above them, but second bottom by virtue of their inferior goal difference.

Chris Wilder’s men’s penultimate game of a troubled and at times traumatic season was at mid-table Dagenham & Redbridge, and the team had entered win or bust territory in their bid to preserve their Football League status.

The club’s loyal support rallied, and a huge army travelled to east London to cheer their team on, the ‘Gavin It Large’ crew determined to do their bit from the sidelines, get behind the team and inspire them to a crucial victory - and they did.

On the pitch, Ivan Toney ensured his name will forever be etched into Cobblers folklore with his first two goals for the club in a 3-0 win - one of them a stunning overhead kick.

With Ian Morris scoring a beauty as well, it was a case of fun in the east London sun.

The win meant the team’s fate was in their own hands a week later when Oxford United travelled to Sixfields, and Town again did the business, winning 3-1 on the final day to save themselves and relegate Bristol Rovers instead.

This season the Cobblers go into the 45th game of the league two campaign in much better shape than a year ago.

Once again, a huge army of fans will be on the road to back the team, but this time they will be hoping the Cobblers can claim the win that will keep alive the play-off dream, and scupper Burton’s chances of claiming the league two title on their own ground.

The change in cirumstances over the past 12 months is the most obvious sign of the progress the Cobblers have made under Wilder.

As it stands, Town have accrued 14 more points than at the same stage last term and scored 28 more goals - but they have conceded exactly the same amount (56), and therein lies where the major surgery needs to be undertaken ahead of next season.

But that’s for the future, the here and now sees the Cobblers having a great chance to spoil Burton’s party at the Pirelli, and lay down an early marker for next season.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men are obviously formidable opponents, having lost just three times on home soil all season.

They have won seven of their past 10 matches, and are unbeaten since February 28, but this is a game the Cobblers can win.

This is a Town team that went to second-placed Shrewsbury and inflicted on them what is still their only home league defeat of the season, a team that went to third-placed Wycombe and were only denied a win by a controversial equaliser EIGHT minutes into stoppage time.

Northampton have the quality to deal with league two’s top teams, there is no doubt about that.

The Cobblers can travel to Burton with no fear, with no pressure, and they will go to the Pirelli with a positive attitude because they simply have to win to maintain their slim play-off chances.

And if Town get on the front foot, the definitely have the firepower with the likes of Marc Richards, Toney, Ricky Holmes and Lawson D’Ath to hurt a Burton team that might just feel the pressure of playing in front of an expectant full house.

A full house that is anticipating a post-match title celebration - and Wilder and his men would love nothing more than to rain on that parade.

Case’s prediction: Burton 1 Cobblers 2

Fixture: Northampton Saints v Saracens (Aviva Premiership - round 20)

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, April 25, 3.15pm

Venue: stadium:mk

Weather forecast: 17C, mostly sunny

Referee: Greg Garner

Saints: Tuala; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, Elliott; Myler, Fotuali’i; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Lawes, Day; Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Dickinson, Fisher, Dickson, Stephenson, Wilson.

Saracens: Goode; Strettle, Bosch, Barritt (c), Wyles; Hodgson, de Kock; M Vunipola, Brits, Johnston; Kruis, Itoje; Joubert, Brown, B Vunipola.

Replacements: George, Gill, Longbottom, Hamilton, Wray, Wigglesworth, Farrell, Ashton.

Outs: Saints: Ben Foden (knee), George North (concussion).

Most recent meeting: Saturday, March 14: Saracens 24 Saints 20 (LV= Cup semi-final)

Tom’s preview: The knock-out rugby might not start for a few weeks, but the chance to land a telling blow against a title rival is already here.

This Saturday, Saints know that victory against Saracens would all but secure a top-two spot, piling the pressure on the Barnet-based outfit in the process.

On the flip side of the coin, Saracens know that should they win, they will narrow the current six-point gap to Jim Mallinder’s table-toppers.

And that could mean that Saints, who will surely beat London Welsh with a try bonus point two weeks later, could still face a tense final-day tussle at local rivals, Leicester Tigers.

That is a prospect that doesn’t bear thinking about, with Tigers still gunning for a top-four place.

They will also be desperate to avenge their December disappointment at Franklin’s Gardens, when their 15 men weren’t good enough to beat a spirited Saints 14.

And they would like nothing more than to make Mallinder’s men travel in the bid to reach Twickenham.

But Saints can wipe away any worry of that prospect if they win in Milton Keynes this weekend.

And they know they must up their game significantly if they are to avoid taking a wrong turn in the land of roundabouts.

Saracens scrapped all the way at Clermont Auvergne last Saturday, almost showing Saints, who were thrashed by the French team, how to do it.

But as it was, Mark McCall’s side were beaten 13-9 - and Saints will hope they are still nursing a European hangover at stadium:mk.

Last May, Alex Waller popped up in the dying seconds of extra-time in the Aviva Premiership final to take advantage of the tiredness Sarries were feeling.

Back then, they had been left battered a bruised - mentally and physically - by a Heineken Cup final defeat to Toulon seven days earlier.

This time, they will be out to ensure that the Clermont near miss doesn’t have the same knock-on effect.

But needless to say, Saints will try to steal every inch they can in a game that could go a long way to deciding the destination of this year’s title.

Tom’s prediction: Saints 17 Saracens 15

Jason Taylor says he has ‘loved every minute’ of his time at Sixfields and he had no hesitation in penning a new two-year contract with the club.

Taylor signed on the dotted line on Friday following talks with manager Chris Wilder, and followed central midfield partner Joel Byrom in committing his future to the Cobblers until the summer of 2017.

“As soon as I knew Northampton wanted to keep me, and there was a contract, I was delighted and got it done pretty quickly,” said Taylor, who joined the club from Cheltenham Town in the January transfer window.

“I am just happy to be signed, and happy I have my future sorted for next season.

“I came here on a short-term deal, and have earned myself a contract so I am happy and looking forward to the final two games of the season, and then having a relaxing summer.

“I have loved every minute since I have been here, and the lads are brilliant.

“The staff have been great, and it’s all been good.

Taylor joins the bulk of the current first team matchday squad in being tied down for the next two years.

Marc Richards, Ivan Toney, Ricky Holmes, Byrom, Brendan Moloney, Ryan Cresswell and Zander Diamond are among the players on long-term deals, and Taylor said: “We are building a really good squad.

“The squad is good as it is, but with a few good additions over the summer I think we will be raring to go and kick on next season.”

Taylor returns to the Cobblers squad for Saturday’s trip to Burton Albion after missing the past two games through suspension.

It is only a few months since Josh Cobb left Leicestershire - and now he is heading back.

Admittedly it is only for a few days as his new county Northamptonshire take on his old one in an LV= County Championship clash starting on Sunday.

But, even so, the 24-year-old admits his reappearance at Grace Road has come a little quicker than he might have hoped.

“Not that it holds any fears for him, though.

“Looking at the fixtures when they came out I wasn’t too happy seeing it so early in the season,” Cobb said.

“It would have been better if it came a little later on but it’s got to be done at some stage.

“There won’t be any nerves.

“To be honest I would probably rather the first game back there was a Twenty20 match.

“At least that way you can stand on the boundary and get abused by the crowd and get it out of the way.

“I think that would almost be better than going back there in front of a crowd of about 20.”

Despite still being a relatively young cricketer, Cobb spent eight seasons in the Leicestershire first-team - having made his debut at 17 - and a lot more in the age groups.

It means Grace Road has been a second home to him, especially when you consider his father Russell 34-year association with the club as player and coach.

So remembering which room to go in on his return might be the first test he comes across.

“I spent a long time playing my cricket there so it will be strange,” Cobb added.

“It might take a bit of thinking to make sure I get the right dressing-room door!

“That is a positive thing about going back.

“They have extended the away dressing-room which is good to know as the old one was about as big as my living room.

“I understand there is going to be a bit of weather about and you wouldn’t want to be stuck in that old room for too long with a game rained off.

“I left Leicestershire because I wanted a new challenge and a fresh way of doing things.

“Anyone who leaves a county to play elsewhere will always want to perform when they go back but it doesn’t add any extra pressure on.”

And does his inside knowledge on the Foxes give his new side an edge?

“I’m sure we’ll have a chat about it,” he admitted.

“I can give a few tips but then it works both ways because they will also know about me.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge.

“They’ve got Andrew McDonald as head coach there now - who I know well - and I’m certain he will have them set up to be tough to beat.”

More than 30 people have come forward to claim garden ornaments, tools and house signs which are believed to have been stolen in Northamptonshire.

Last week, Northamptonshire Police released a video containing images of hundreds of items recovered by officers which are believed to have been stolen from a number of rural properties.

Detective Inspector Phil Mills, who is leading the investigation, said: “We’re really pleased with the number of people who have so far come forward to say they recognise items.

“We would now encourage anyone else who thinks they have lost items to contact us.”

As well as calls from people in Northamptonshire, residents of both Warwickshire and Buckinghamshire have so far come forward to say they recognise some of the items.

It has also been claimed that some items went missing as long as six years ago.

Five people who were arrested last week in connection with a number of alleged thefts in rural parts of the county remain on bail.

Anyone who recognises any of the items in the video can call Daventry CID on 101 or 03000 111222 if outside the county.

The Northampton Chronicle & Echo and our parent company Johnston Press have joined forces with Twitter to get to the heart of the issues which matter in the approaching general election.

Johnston Press has set up a website called WhatMattersToMe (WhatMattersToMe.co.uk) which showcases hundreds of short videos of people from across the UK sharing their views on the issues which are key for them in the election debate.

On Monday, Twitter will promote the hashtag #WhatMattersToMe. It will feature as Twitter’s top promoted trend in the UK all day. Searching and following the hashtag will offer an overview of sentiment across the nation, highlighting the local and national issues that really matter to people ahead of the election.

And we’d like you to take part in this day of action. Using the hashtag #WhatMattersToMe, please Tweet about the issue which most matters to you in the election, which is now less than a fortnight away. Maybe it’s health, maybe it’s the economy, it could be education, or perhaps it’s transport. Whatever your view, this is an opportunity to share it with a wide audience.

Twitter has reached out to a range of partners and network members to further bolster the national campaign, encouraging people to tweet their thoughts on what will matter this election.

Paul Napier, Johnston Press’ group editorial development director, said: “It is clear from the videos on whatmatterstome.co.uk that there are many different issues at the top of voters’ priority lists, and that the opinions on any single issue are diverse.

“We’re very excited to be working with Twitter to help give people up and down the country, from Land’s End to John o’ Groats, a platform to voice their opinions. With this activity, we hope to take the focus away from party politics, and create a national conversation around the issues themselves, from the perspective of the people.”

Visit {www.WhatMattersToMe.co.uk|WhatMattersToMe|} here.

Boss Chris Wilder says Burton Albion are a great example of what he is trying to achieve with the Cobblers.

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink’s men are already promoted from Sky Bet League Two, and host Northampton on Saturday (ko 3pm) hoping to claim the win that may clinch them the league title.

That is something Wilder is determined to ensure doesn’t happen, saying ‘I don’t want anybody celebrating in front of me’, but the Town boss is an admirer of the Brewers, believes they are the best team in the division, and says they are ‘a good model’ of how to be a successful lower league club.

“Burton have been tough and resolute all season, and they have had a consistent team to pick from,” said Wilder.

“They have had consistent performers, and the results have showed they are the best team in the league.

“They will be desperate not to let up and make sure they see the season out in style and win the league.

“Burton have been building for a couple of years, and when you look at teams like ourselves and Plymouth, that is what we’re trying to do.

“We are not absolutely awash with cash, but we have a competitive budget.

“Burton went close last year, the year before they were in the play-offs, so it has taken then two or three years to get their squad right to make a push.

“They have had a season of progression, and have gone from losing semi-final, to losing a final to getting promotion, so it is a good model to go by.”

And the Cobblers boss continued: “We want to do what they’ve done, you don’t want a boom and bust situation where somebody comes in and chucks a lot of cash at it and then can’t sustain it.

“Burton have done it sensibly, they get value for money out of their players, and they have gradually got together a group of players and made it better, whether that be on the training ground or by bringing in better personnel.

“I’m not sure it’s a model, because everybody has their own identity and way of going about things, but if you improve every year and climb the table, then something is going to happen.

“One of these days you are going to get out of the league, and that is what we are looking to do.

“We have gone from a position last year to a position this year, and we want to go into the summer to better our position next year. That is the key to success.”