Local Live is finished for today but we'll be back tomorrow from 08:00 with the latest news, weather, sport and travel for Northamptonshire.
We'll see you then.
Some closed Abington Street shops can't be re-opened
Craig Lewis
BBC News
There are a large number of empty shopping units in Northampton's Abington Street - with part of the problem being companies which close down units on a long lease, but continue to pay rent on the closed shop front.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said some businesses will close units but continue to pay rent while the shop is closed.
"That is very frustrating," he said. "We want to see shops open and customers flocking to them."
In his article, Rob Hughes writes: "For Northampton, the recipe for success seems to be a will to survive, combined with having no fear of failure - because last November [when the club was almost wound-up], it had nothing left to lose."
There are a large number of empty shopping units in Abington Street, with existing shop owners blaming factors including high rents.
Tim Hadland, council member for regeneration, said the street has been refurbished and the shopping experience in Northampton is improving.
Bedfordshire scientists create 3D printed hand for Northants boy
A "life changing" 3D printed hand has been created by scientists at the University of Bedfordshire for a boy born without fingers on his left hand.
For the fist time left-handed William, 8, who lives near Towcester, is able to hold a pen and draw a picture. The device reads the signals in his arm - which makes it fully controllable
Mark Hooper, from the university, said: “Jo [Will's mother] had found a design of a hand online made by scientist in Africa... It was brilliant, but we wanted to see if we could make it less clunky and more usable for a young boy."
Headlines: Irchester family at Tunisia attack memorial... Government 'looking at options' over steel
Sarah Foster
BBC Radio Northampton
If you are catching up:
Prince Harry has joined the families of British victims of last year's terror attacks in Tunisia for a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, attended by the Scott family of Irchester which survived the shooting
Business Secretary Sajid Javid said the government is looking at series of options to find new owners for Tata Steel's plants, including the one at Corby
Northamptonshire opener Ben Duckett remained 18 runs short of a triple century as rain prevented play on day three against Sussex at Wantage Road
Foster carers from Northampton who have looked after 150 children receive royal seal of approval
Cobblers fan Steve Riches missed seeing his beloved Northampton Town clinch promotion after he was rushed into hospital for emergency surgery - but he woke up from the op asking about the game.
'Too many similar shops' on Abington Street
Craig Lewis
BBC News
However, another shop worker told me there are too many similar shops in Northampton's Abington Street.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Shwinjit Shah, who works at Phone Box, said: "In our shop, the problem is too much competition. When we opened there were only three shops doing this, now there are 10 and the market.
"People are coming because we offer good service, but our problem is customers are divided between stores."
Closed units reduce trade in Abington Street, shop workers says
Craig Lewis
BBC News
Closed units in Northampton's Abington Street do effect businesses there - according to one shop worker.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Jakir Ali, an employee at one shop there, said: "If there were more shops open we would have more people walking around, which would attract more people to us."
The borough council's cabinet member for regeneration, Tim Hadland, insists the town is "changing," highlighting The Drapery as somewhere that went through a "bad patch" but has improved.
Empty units in Abington Street: Is Northampton town centre alive?
Craig Lewis
BBC News
Northampton's Abington Street contains a high number of empty shopping units, including prime sites like the former Eastgate public house and rhubarb bar.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Many of the closed units are covered with Northampton Alive posters - asking the question just how alive is the town centre?
The borough council's cabinet member for regeneration, Tim Hadland, said the authority is constantly looking to improve the environment of the town centre.
"The top half of Abington Street was in a pretty poor state. We have refurbished it, brought in the new traffic policy and people are seeing the benefits," he said.
Corby MP calls for temporary nationalisation of steel industry
BBC Politics
The Conservative MP for Corby, Tom Pursglove, told the Commons during an emergency debate on the steel industry that "nothing should be ruled out", including a temporary nationalisation of Tata Steel's UK plants such as Corby.
BBCCopyright: BBC
However, Business Secretary Sajid Javid made it clear that full-scale nationalisation isn't an option and said the government may "co-invest" with a private buyer and could take on some of the debt.
Rain delays Duckett triple ton bid
BBC Sport
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Ben Duckett still needs 18 runs for a triple century as rain prevents play on day three between Northants and Sussex.
The borough council's member for regeneration, Tim Hadland, said the street is different to the average high street, which often contains "cloned multi-nationals".
He added: "The independents make all the difference. They show we have a different proposition to certain places just down the motorway."
Northampton needs a 'broader spread of shops', regeneration councillor admits
Craig Lewis
BBC News
A new report into how to improve our high streets included research carried out in Corby and Kettering. One shopper complained Kettering is full of "pound shops and low grade places".
Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for planning, regeneration and enterprise admitted the town centre needs "a broader spread of shops", adding: "Customers for such shops do exist, but we don't attract them to Northampton in sufficient numbers."
Boy, 8, gets 'life changing' 3D printed hand
Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live
An eight-year-old boy has received a "life changing" new 3D printed hand from the University of Bedfordshire.
University of BedfordshireCopyright: University of Bedfordshire
William Joyner, who attends school in Towcester, Northamptonshire, was born with fingers missing from his left hand.
His mum said it will mean he's able to "tie his laces" and simple things like hold "a drink in one hand and an ice lolly in the other". It's also in his favourite football team Reading FC's colours - blue and white.
Towcester's Harry Forrester signs new three-year deal with Rangers
BBC Sport
Rangers winger Harry Forrester, originally from Towcester, has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2019.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
The 25-year-old arrived from Doncaster at the end of December on an initial six-month deal and has scored five goals in 16 games.
Forrester was in the Northampton Town youth set-up until the age of 10 when he signed for Watford.
No play on day three of Northamptonshire county championship match
After several inspections at Wantage Road it's not good news...
Live Reporting
Pete Cooper
All times stated are UK
Get involved
BBCCopyright: BBC Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images BBCCopyright: BBC - Prince Harry has joined the families of British victims of last year's terror attacks in Tunisia for a memorial service at Westminster Abbey, attended by the Scott family of Irchester which survived the shooting
- Business Secretary Sajid Javid said the government is looking at series of options to find new owners for Tata Steel's plants, including the one at Corby
- Northamptonshire opener Ben Duckett remained 18 runs short of a triple century as rain prevented play on day three against Sussex at Wantage Road
BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC University of BedfordshireCopyright: University of Bedfordshire Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images View more on twitterView more on twitter View more on twitterView more on twitter
Latest PostOur live coverage through the day
Local Live is finished for today but we'll be back tomorrow from 08:00 with the latest news, weather, sport and travel for Northamptonshire.
We'll see you then.
Some closed Abington Street shops can't be re-opened
Craig Lewis
BBC News
There are a large number of empty shopping units in Northampton's Abington Street - with part of the problem being companies which close down units on a long lease, but continue to pay rent on the closed shop front.
Councillor Tim Hadland, Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for regeneration, said some businesses will close units but continue to pay rent while the shop is closed.
"That is very frustrating," he said. "We want to see shops open and customers flocking to them."
Cobblers promotion reaches New York Times
Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live
Northampton Town have achieve global recognition for their promotion from League Two, with the New York Times comparing their success to that of Danny Willett winning the Masters golf, and Leicester City sitting on top of the Premier League table.
In his article, Rob Hughes writes: "For Northampton, the recipe for success seems to be a will to survive, combined with having no fear of failure - because last November [when the club was almost wound-up], it had nothing left to lose."
You can read the full article here.
Weather: Chance of a shower tonight but fine tomorrow
BBC Weather
Most places will have a dry evening with some late sunshine but with the chance of shower later, and a low of 4C (39F).
It will be a chilly start tomorrow but it should be a largely fine day with a good deal of warm sunshine, with a high of 15C (59F).
Craft gin producer based in village near Kettering wins £150,000 prize
Northamptonshire Telegraph
A craft gin producer has secured £150,000 after winning a national competition for small and medium sized enterprises.
Abington Street: Closed for business?
Craig Lewis
BBC News
There are a large number of empty shopping units in Abington Street, with existing shop owners blaming factors including high rents.
Tim Hadland, council member for regeneration, said the street has been refurbished and the shopping experience in Northampton is improving.
Bedfordshire scientists create 3D printed hand for Northants boy
A "life changing" 3D printed hand has been created by scientists at the University of Bedfordshire for a boy born without fingers on his left hand.
For the fist time left-handed William, 8, who lives near Towcester, is able to hold a pen and draw a picture. The device reads the signals in his arm - which makes it fully controllable
Mark Hooper, from the university, said: “Jo [Will's mother] had found a design of a hand online made by scientist in Africa... It was brilliant, but we wanted to see if we could make it less clunky and more usable for a young boy."
Headlines: Irchester family at Tunisia attack memorial... Government 'looking at options' over steel
Sarah Foster
BBC Radio Northampton
If you are catching up:
Foster carers from Northampton who have looked after 150 children receive royal seal of approval
Northampton Chronicle & Echo
A couple from Northampton who have been foster carers for 30 years have received a special letter of commendation from the Duchess of Cambridge.
Northampton Town fan wakes up from lifesaving op asking about Cobblers promotion
Northants Herald & Post
Cobblers fan Steve Riches missed seeing his beloved Northampton Town clinch promotion after he was rushed into hospital for emergency surgery - but he woke up from the op asking about the game.
'Too many similar shops' on Abington Street
Craig Lewis
BBC News
However, another shop worker told me there are too many similar shops in Northampton's Abington Street.
Shwinjit Shah, who works at Phone Box, said: "In our shop, the problem is too much competition. When we opened there were only three shops doing this, now there are 10 and the market.
"People are coming because we offer good service, but our problem is customers are divided between stores."
Closed units reduce trade in Abington Street, shop workers says
Craig Lewis
BBC News
Closed units in Northampton's Abington Street do effect businesses there - according to one shop worker.
Jakir Ali, an employee at one shop there, said: "If there were more shops open we would have more people walking around, which would attract more people to us."
The borough council's cabinet member for regeneration, Tim Hadland, insists the town is "changing," highlighting The Drapery as somewhere that went through a "bad patch" but has improved.
Empty units in Abington Street: Is Northampton town centre alive?
Craig Lewis
BBC News
Northampton's Abington Street contains a high number of empty shopping units, including prime sites like the former Eastgate public house and rhubarb bar.
Many of the closed units are covered with Northampton Alive posters - asking the question just how alive is the town centre?
The borough council's cabinet member for regeneration, Tim Hadland, said the authority is constantly looking to improve the environment of the town centre.
"The top half of Abington Street was in a pretty poor state. We have refurbished it, brought in the new traffic policy and people are seeing the benefits," he said.
Corby MP calls for temporary nationalisation of steel industry
BBC Politics
The Conservative MP for Corby, Tom Pursglove, told the Commons during an emergency debate on the steel industry that "nothing should be ruled out", including a temporary nationalisation of Tata Steel's UK plants such as Corby.
However, Business Secretary Sajid Javid made it clear that full-scale nationalisation isn't an option and said the government may "co-invest" with a private buyer and could take on some of the debt.
Rain delays Duckett triple ton bid
BBC Sport
Ben Duckett still needs 18 runs for a triple century as rain prevents play on day three between Northants and Sussex.
Rain delays Duckett triple ton bid
Ben Duckett still needs 18 runs for a triple century as rain prevents play on day three between Northants and Sussex.
Read moreSt Giles Street is 'different proposition' to opposition down the M1
Craig Lewis
BBC News
I've been looking into the state of Northampton town centre in the light of a report into ways to improve our high streets.
One of the jewels in the crown of the area is St Giles Street, which was recently named high street of the year.
The borough council's member for regeneration, Tim Hadland, said the street is different to the average high street, which often contains "cloned multi-nationals".
He added: "The independents make all the difference. They show we have a different proposition to certain places just down the motorway."
Northampton needs a 'broader spread of shops', regeneration councillor admits
Craig Lewis
BBC News
A new report into how to improve our high streets included research carried out in Corby and Kettering. One shopper complained Kettering is full of "pound shops and low grade places".
In Northampton, Abington Street's existing 99p discount store is due to be converted into a Poundland.
Northampton Borough Council's cabinet member for planning, regeneration and enterprise admitted the town centre needs "a broader spread of shops", adding: "Customers for such shops do exist, but we don't attract them to Northampton in sufficient numbers."
Boy, 8, gets 'life changing' 3D printed hand
Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live
An eight-year-old boy has received a "life changing" new 3D printed hand from the University of Bedfordshire.
William Joyner, who attends school in Towcester, Northamptonshire, was born with fingers missing from his left hand.
His mum said it will mean he's able to "tie his laces" and simple things like hold "a drink in one hand and an ice lolly in the other". It's also in his favourite football team Reading FC's colours - blue and white.
Towcester's Harry Forrester signs new three-year deal with Rangers
BBC Sport
Rangers winger Harry Forrester, originally from Towcester, has signed a new three-year contract which will keep him at the club until 2019.
The 25-year-old arrived from Doncaster at the end of December on an initial six-month deal and has scored five goals in 16 games.
Forrester was in the Northampton Town youth set-up until the age of 10 when he signed for Watford.
No play on day three of Northamptonshire county championship match
After several inspections at Wantage Road it's not good news...