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Live Reporting

Craig Lewis

All times stated are UK

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  1. Goodbye for now

    That's it for live updates for today and indeed this week.

    We'll be back on Monday from 08:00.

    Scroll back through today's feed for anything you may have missed, including more on Tesco's multibillion-pound deal to buy Northamptonshire company Booker Group.

    Have a great weekend.

  2. Players returning as Cobblers face Coventry

    BBC Sport

    In more derby day sport, Aaron Phillips (pictured) and Paul Anderson could return to Northampton Town's squad for Saturday's home game against Coventry.

    Rod McDonald is also back in training while Brendan Moloney is still about a fortnight away from making a comeback.

    "Aaron is back in full training and so is Paul," boss Justin Edinburgh told the Cobblers' website.

    "Rod had a bit of a twinge in his back before Milton Keynes but he trained on Thursday and as long as he doesn't suffer a reaction he will be in contention.

    "Brendan saw a specialist last week, he had a little bit of swelling on his knee that wasn't moving so he had that drained. That's freed up a bit of movement and he's now stepping up his recovery."

    Aaron Phillips
  3. Saints' derby day line-up confirmed

    BBC Sport

    Northampton Saints' have announced their line-up for Saturday's derby day Anglo-Welsh Cup trip to Leicester.

    Captain Christian Day (below) returns for his 200th appearance and David Ribbans makes his club debut after arriving from Western Province earlier this month. 

    Elsewhere, Sam Olver comes in for the injured JJ Hanrahan and Sam Dickinson will have his first action since November's win over Worcester.

    Christian Day
  4. Weather: Cloudy with patchy light rain

    Julie Reinger

    BBC Look East weather

    Occasional clear spells overnight, but generally cloudy with outbreaks of mainly light and patchy rain in a moderate breeze across the BBC East region.

    Weather chart

    Less cold tomorrow but expect a cloudy day with some further outbreaks of mainly light and patchy rain. 

    There's a chance of sunshine in the west of the region before sundown. 

    Maximum Temperature: 8C (46F)

    More details from BBC Weather

  5. New Corby Innovation Hub available for start-ups and warehouse space

    Craig Lewis

    BBC News

    A new innovation hub will provide the "perfect" office for start-up businesses, according to Corby Borough Council.

    The authority has taken ownership of a 65,000 sq ft (6,039 sq m) building off Bangrave Road in Corby, formerly known as the Pearson Training Academy, with the intention of re-branding it as the Corby Innovation Hub.

    The space is also being offered to those seeking industrial or warehouse space.

    Deputy leader of the council, Jean Addison, said: "I would urge any businesses looking for office or warehouse space to contact us to arrange a viewing."

  6. Independents for Desborough want to make town 'more vibrant'

    The newly formed Independents for Desborough political party, set to launch tonight, will aim to "make the town more vibrant".

    Kevin O'Brien, Independents for Desborough

    Founder Kevin O'Brien said the party will be built around what residents really want.

    "The ultimate aim is to increase turnout [at the next election] and if we can get a majority, then fantastic."

  7. New Desborough political party set to launch

    A group of disgruntled residents who opposed parish council plans to increase tax by 400% have formed their own political party.

    Residents at a meeting opposing the council tax increase

    Independents for Desborough will launch at The Ritz in the town this evening.

    Founder Kevin O'Brien said the party manifesto will be "built around what the residents really want", with ideas including a town radio station and a loyalty scheme for people who use shops in the town centre.

    Last year, hundreds of residents called for a vote of no confidence in Desborough Town Council when it increased the annual levy from £19.10 to £96.98.

    Councillors argued the money was needed to fund a "truly wonderful future for Desborough".

    The vote was passed by a huge majority of the 2,200 residents who took part, but the leader of the town council said he wouldn't be standing down and the tax increase remained in place.

  8. MP Peter Bone welcomes Tesco-Booker merger

    A £3.7bn deal which will see Wellingborough-based Booker bought up by Tesco has been heralded as "good news" by the town's MP.

    Peter Bone

    Peter Bone said he hoped the move would bring more jobs and more growth to the town.

    He said the deal shows "how successful Wellingborough has been". 

    "We have lots and lots of small, medium sized and large companies and they are all doing exceptionally well," he said.

    Booker's HQ is based on Irthlingborough Road in Wellingborough.

  9. Infant school hoping to build mud kitchen to boost learning

    Tom Percival

    BBC Radio Northampton

    Ruskin Infant School in Wellingborough is asking for help to transform how its youngest children learn.

    The school is growing fast and its outside learning space, where children get to learn through play, needs a revamp. 

    Getting it done could cost £7,000, with plans in place for a sensory herb garden and a new mud garden to replace a small one currently in place.

    Chrissie Cundy, from the school, said the space will help develop children's imagination, language and physical wellbeing.

    Ruskin Infants' School outside learning space
    Ruskin Infants' School outside learning space
    Ruskin Infants' School outside learning space
  10. Cake tin removed from child's head by fire crews

    The things kids put on their head... thankfully it sounds like this was safely resolved.

  11. Tesco-Booker deal 'not about job cuts'

    The chief executives of Tesco and Booker both said on a call with reporters they plan to merge the two companies without cutting jobs.

    Londis store

    They reckon they'll get benefits of £25m and cost savings of £175m from combining the two companies.

    But that would not be driven by a reduction in the number of roles, said Dave Lewis, head of Welwyn-based Tesco.

    Charles Wilson, head of Booker, which has about 800 workers at its Wellingborough headquarters, said they hoped to "keep the expertise" in both firms.

  12. 'Newsagents will see Tesco-Booker as a good deal'

    Booker is a major supplier to independent convenience stores across the UK.

    Its chief executive, Charles Wilson, was asked on a media call with reporters how shopkeepers might feel about buying their products from Tesco - in many cases a direct rival - if the supermarket chain acquires Booker.

    "It'll take a bit of persuasion," he conceded.

    Man reading a newspaper

    However, corner shops face many other challenges including rising business rates and the living wage being implemented on staff, so they want to get the best out of their suppliers, he said.

    "In five years' time I think they'll be saying it's a good deal for them," he added.

    Booker's headquarters is on Irthlingborough Road in Wellingborough and employs 800 people.

  13. 'I feel like we've won the FA Cup'

    #PeoplesCup

    Video content

    Video caption: FA People's Cup: Watch the best goals from 2016 finals

    As we look forward to a weekend of FA Cup action, watch some of the best goals from the FA People's Cup - the UK's biggest free five-a-side tournament - and what it means to those who lifted the trophy.

    You can get involved in the 2017 FA People's Cup, in one of 16 categories, now! Find out how to sign up here.

  14. Tesco 'confident' on competition concerns

    As well as its supplier business, Booker also owns the Londis, Premier, Family Shopper and Budgens convenience store brands, which have thousands of shops.

    So, how will Tesco satisfy potential concerns from UK competition regulators?

    Budgens

    Tesco boss Dave Lewis said Booker, based on Irthlingborough Road in Wellingborough, doesn't own the stores - they are run as franchises.

    He also claimed a Booker-Tesco combination wouldn't have influence over key aspects of how the shops are run, including pricing.

    "We're very confident that competition regulators will come to the same view," Mr Lewis said.