A "huge thank you" is being shared to people in a town for being "sensible" as pubs and restaurants reopened at the weekend.

Northampton Borough Council said it worked closely with the police, and the town centre's BID business group, to make sure everyone was complying with government guidance.

Anna King, cabinet member for community safety and engagement, said: "We’re so pleased that everyone, businesses and residents alike, took a sensible approach to the reopening.

"It’s extremely important that we get our local economy fully up and running again, though in doing so we need to make sure we don’t contribute to a second surge of coronavirus."

Dan Biggar targets winning the Premiership with Northampton and moving towards 100 caps for Wales in the next 12 months.

Wales fly-half Dan Biggar says he understands the need for pay cuts after Northampton players accept a 12.5% reduction over the next 12 months.

Court of Appeal rules Michael Taiwo's jail term should increase after Attorney General intervenes.

On Saturday it was once again legal to go and have you haircut at a hairdresser's.

So as clients return Northamptonshire Police is asking hairdressers to look out for signs of domestic abuse and to help anyone who may have lived with an abuser during lockdown.

The force wants to raise awareness, external and train salon professionals to recognise the warning signs and safely refer clients to organisations that can help them.

Alex Pope
BBC News Online

As arts venues up and down the east have turned red to show their solidarity for venues that have been forced to remain closed due to the coronavirus pandemic... we thought we would try to show some more...

So here is the turn of Milton Keynes, Cromer, Knebworth and Northampton for the #LightItInRed campaign.

Image source, Knebworth House

Image source, Brad Damms Photography

Image source, MK Theatre

Image source, Royal and Derngate

Click here for more pictures further down this page.

Alex Pope
BBC News Online

Venues up and town the region were painted (not literally) red last night to raise the profile of arts venues, that have been hit hard during the coronavirus lockdown.

The #LightItInRed campaign on social media shows buildings and places in a red glow to "bring light to the situation of the events industry during the Covid-19 crisis".

Image source, Norwich Theatre Royal

Image source, Basildon Council

As theatres and arts venues are still unable to open, the government announced a £1.57bn support package on Sunday evening.

Image source, SMTT

Image source, Martin Bond, A Cambridge Diary

Image source, Deco Theatre

Image source, Players Theatre

Image source, The Archers Theatre

Northampton boss Keith Curle signs a new two-year contract after getting the club promoted to League One.

Northampton's Royal and Derngate Theatre is losing £1m a month while closed.

Charities, schools, sports clubs and community groups in Northampton are invited to apply for funding of up to £1,000 each to support efforts in improving or protecting their local environment.

The EnviroGrant scheme is being launched by Northampton Borough Council and Veolia to support a variety of new and existing projects and activities.

Examples could include equipment, materials and promotion needed for community litter picks, the improvement or development of green spaces, community food growing, composting schemes or swapping events.

Mike Hallam, cabinet member for environment, said: "We are fortunate to have a lot of fantastic charities and community groups who are passionate about protecting and improving Northampton’s environment and the EnviroGrant scheme will help to provide vital support to these not-for-profit groups, to help them get a project off the ground, develop it further or make it more sustainable."

Mobile coronavirus testing is operating in Kettering but appointments must be booked beforehand, external and those seeking to take part must be displaying symptoms.

The mobile unit is in town until Tuesday and has a one-way system that allows people to either walk-in or drive-through.

The eligibility criteria for tests include anyone with coronavirus symptoms, external.

These include a new, continuous cough, high temperature, loss of or change in sense of smell or taste.

Essential workers will be given a priority.

Whistleblowers claim Kettering General Hospital manipulated data to make its figures look better.

New rules mean F1, international football, golf and snooker tournaments can return in England.

Northampton release 13 players after their promotion-winning League Two season, including defender Jordan Turnbull.

More than 500 cannabis plants worth £500,000 have been seized from a six-bedroom house in Northamptonshire.

Police said one person had been arrested and charged after a warrant was executed at the property in Denford Road, Ringstead.

Fans found there have been donated to Kettering General Hospital and the compost, bamboo canes, water butt and fertiliser donated to the local allotment society.

Sgt Françoise Goodwin said:"I would like to thank the community who provided us with the vital local intelligence needed to secure and execute this warrant.

“A lot of people may think that the production of cannabis and the selling of drugs is a victimless crime, but what people don’t realise is that the people at the top of the chain will often exploit vulnerable people and put them to work in these factories, using them to make money with no thought for their welfare."

Image source, Northamptonshire Police

A university has set up a buddy system to help international students who are isolated due to lockdown.

Under the "check-in and chat" programme at the University of Northampton, staff and volunteers are matched up with students, who have stayed in the country and not returned home.

So have more than 70 have signed up.

Simi Chacko, from India, said was helping her as she did not have a "clue what to do" when the university closed.

"Even if we wanted to go back to India, we didn't have the flights, we didn't have anything here to support us," she said.

"We were in a dilemma."

Image source, Philip Jeffrey/Geograph

Daniel Sullivan is described as a "beloved son, brother and uncle" following his death.

Daniel Sullivan died after being stabbed at The Racecourse in Northampton, police say.

A large graffiti mural depicting a Northampton-based musician has been created outside the town's Grosvenor shopping centre.

FFSYTHO, external's music has featured on BBC 1Xtra and she has released several singles and regularly speaks about mental health, as well as championing LGBTQ issues and her hometown.

Image source, Northampton Borough Council

"It means the world to me to have a dedicated mural and know that all different kinds of people appreciate the artwork and the gesture," she said.

The street artist behind the mural, who is not identifying themselves but is from Northampton, described FFSYTHO as a strong, black, female role model, and a very credible musician, with strong links to the town.

The work - supported by Northampton Borough Council which describe the musician as a grime rapper - is one of over 100 murals celebrating street art and the town’s diverse culture.

Northampton Saints players and staff agree to take a 10% wage cut for the next 12 months.