BBC Local Live: Northamptonshire

Live updates have now finished for Northamptonshire.

If you want to follow Northampton Saints players in action in the Six Nations head to the BBC Sport website . The Saints themselves take on Worcester in the Premiership, and you can find commentary on BBC Radio Northampton .

Meanwhile, if you're following the Cobblers' away trip to Fleetwood in League One, then head over to our Twitter feed .

And we'll be back on Monday from 08:00.

See you then.

Pete Teckman from Northampton has won the Silver Stand Up - Leicester Comedy Festival's annual competition for up-and-coming comedians aged 55 or over.

Leicester Comedy FestivalCopyright: Leicester Comedy Festival

Twenty comedians aged between 55 and 81 were shortlisted to perform and eight comedians took to the stage to compete for the coveted title.

However, the 55-year-old stand-up picked up the award.

The annual event is supported by Jasper Carrot, Pam Ayres, Arthur Smith and Sir Bruce Forsyth.

Pete told the Leicester Comedy Festival website : "It's just really nice that there's something there for older acts to have a go at."

A dry start to the night across the BBC East region with clear spells, but patchy rain will eventually spread in from the north-west. 

The winds will pick up to a moderate-to-fresh south-westerly, and temperatures will drop to 3C (37F).

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Saturday will be blustery with a fresh, occasionally strong, south-westerly wind. 

Early rain will clear eastwards and it should then become drier and brighter, before more rain spreads in from the north-west. 

Highs of 10C (50F).

Get the full forecast where you are from BBC Weather .

A woman who claims a Northamptonshire Police officer raped and sexually assaulted her has been accused of being "extraordinarily inconsistent" with her evidence.

This afternoon the defence team representing PC Declan Gabriel told Northampton Crown Court her evidence contained several demonstrable lies.

PACopyright: PA

In 2015 Mr Gabriel was called to an incident where the woman, then aged 17, had been thrown out of her home by her mother, the court heard.

After that, the court was told Mr Gabriel took her in his car to try and find her somewhere to stay. It's alleged he then stopped in two lay-bys where he sexually assaulted and raped her.

But today, the officer's defence barrister, Steven Evans, told the jury the woman changed her accounts of what the alleged sexual activities were.

Mr Evans said the defendant had been a "sincere and consistent witness", whereas the woman had not, telling the court "consistency is the hallmark of truth".

He also said PC Gabriel had co-operated fully with the police investigation, while the woman had not.

Mr Gabriel, 28, denies rape, two counts of sexual assault and misconduct in public office.  

The case continues on Monday.

Elsewhere in Northamptonshire:

• Northamptonshire Police is paying thanks to the public for its support during Storm Doris, reports the Northampton Chronicle and Echo .
• The Northamptonshire Telegraph has footage that shows how work is progressing on the £140m Rushden Lakes development
• Meanwhile, the Daventry Express features a town path covered in dog poo, which has prompted an appeal to find the culprits

The MP for South Northamptonshire, Andrea Leadsom, said getting a commitment from the transport minister to help build the Towcester bypass "makes a real difference".

John Hayes told a public meeting in the town he would help Persimmon Homes borrow the money to build the A5 relief road.

EPACopyright: EPA

Mrs Leadsom told me a project like this can "drag on", so the minister's "pledge to get it started" was welcome.

Transport Minister John Hayes has told a public meeting in Towcester that he'll try to bring forward the construction of the town's A5 relief road.

It's due to be provided by house-builder Persimmon Homes as part of the town's southern extension, but only after hundreds of houses have been sold.

Mr Hayes said he'd help the builder borrow the money so work could start earlier, because the road will bring the town benefits.

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Quote Message: This is vital for the interest of Towcester. It'll ease congestion, improve air quality and boost the local economy." from John Hayes Transport Minister

This is vital for the interest of Towcester. It'll ease congestion, improve air quality and boost the local economy."

"Overall everyone will benefit". 

Those were the views of Jane Gratton, from the British Chambers of Commerce, after approval for the first phase of HS2 between London and Birmingham got the go-ahead.

She said it's welcome news for the economy. 

"The simple message is we need it, we've needed it for a long time and it can't come soon enough for providing the capacity we need and increasing connectivity," she said.

ReutersCopyright: Reuters

Many people are against it, however. Critics argue the track, which will run through Buckinghamshire and south Northamptonshire, is a waste of billions of pounds and will damage the environment.   

A police diving team has spent the past two days searching a Northampton lake as part of the investigation into the death of teenager Liam Hunt.

The 17-year-old was attacked on St George's Street on 14 February. A number of people have been charged with murder.

Northamptonshire Police said a team from Nottinghamshire recovered items from the lake at Delapre Abbey (pictured), which will undergo forensic tests.

Detectives are continuing to appeal for anyone with any information about the stabbing to come forward.

Geograph / Dave DunfordCopyright: Geograph / Dave Dunford

Stevenage F1 driver Lewis Hamilton says fan engagement is the key to the sport's survival, after testing the Brackley-built car he hopes will make him world champion for the fourth time in 2017.

At the launch of Mercedes' 2017 F1 car at Silverstone he said others could learn from the British Grand Prix...

Northampton Saints make just one change from the side that lost to Newcastle for the visit of Worcester tomorrow, with Michael Paterson coming in the second row.

Ben Foden once again captains the side and is on the wing, with England forward Teimana Harrison at number eight.

While much of the focus has been on the Copeland by-election win for the Conservatives or Labour holding Stoke , there was a by-election here last night.

The Barton Ward was up for grabs on Kettering Borough Council.

The seat was won by Lib Dem Andrew Dutton, polling 644 votes for a majority of 307 over the Conservatives, who'd held the seat previously.

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The by-election was triggered by the resignation of councillor Steve Bellamy, who described working with the borough council, ruled by the Conservatives, as like "swimming in treacle" .

It is the Lib Dems' only seat on Kettering Borough Council.

Meanwhile, Northampton Saints' hooker Dylan Hartley will once again captain England as they face Italy at Twickenham on Sunday  in the Six Nations.

They'll be looking to carry on their winning run, which is currently 16 matches.

Alongside Hartley will be his Saints' team-mate Courtney Lawes.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Saints' captain, flanker Tom Wood, once again finds himself on the bench.

England head coach Eddie Jones said Wood "has been great for us at seven", but picked Wasps' James Haskell because his "explosive actions will help us in the first part of the game".

You may have spotted this news on BBC Sport in the past hour...

Northampton Saints have announced new deals with 11 members of the current squad.

Three of their most experienced players - forward Christian Day, centre Luther Burrell (pictured) and back Ken Pisi - have signed new contracts.

New deals are in place for hookers Charlie Clare and Reece Marshall, lock Jordan Onojaife and centres Rory Hutchinson and Tom Stephenson.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Argentina centre Juan Pablo Estelles, back rower Ben Nutley and scrum-half Tom Kessell have also put pen to paper.

The A47 at Wansford is currently closed eastbound due to a crash involving two lorries and a car.

It happened at about 08:00 between the Sutton roundabout and Love's Hill.

Police say there don't appear to be any injuries.