John Hudson
BBC Berkshire

William Joyner, from Towcester in Northamptonshire, is hoping he'll be able to play football in the British Paralympic team one day thanks, in part, to his new prosthetic arm developed by a team in Bedfordshire.

Image source, University of Bedfordshire

His mum Jo says: "That will really help him, especially with his football.

"It will help build his confidence and strengthen his left side, because as the moment he doesn't use it much.

"Instead of people feeling sorry for him because of his hand, now they will be really impressed by his new one."

The hand was developed by senior lecturer David Jazani and technician Mark Hooper at the University of Bedfordshire. 

John Hudson
BBC Berkshire

Very soon, William Joyner from Towcester, will be able to take his brand new prosthetic arm home. 

Yesterday he went to a special fitting at the University of Bedfordshire where the team there had made and developed the 3D arm. 

This is how he got on. 

He will take it home as soon as some adjustments are made. 

John Hudson
BBC Berkshire

An eight-year-old boy from Towcester can hold a pen for the first time after being fitted with a new hand printed in the colours of his favourite football team.

William Joyner was born without fingers on his left hand.

The Reading FC fan's blue and white prosthetic has been made by a senior lecturer and a PhD student at the University of Bedfordshire.

"My friends are really excited for me, I can't wait to take it home and show everyone," William said.

Image source, University of Bedfordshire

Martin Heath
BBC Radio Northampton

The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Sajid Javid has allowed an appeal, external by Bovis homes who were refused permission to build 1,000 houses near Collingtree village.

The site had already been earmarked for housing as a "sustainable urban extension", but local politicians turned down the plan because of traffic noise and the effect of the houses on historic buildings and the village conservation area.

Following an appeal hearing a planning inspector concluded that any problems could be overcome and a thousand houses were needed in the area.

For the third time in four years, Northamptonshire Steelbacks are going to T20 finals day. 

They booked their place last night, with a convincing victory over Middlesex at the county ground. Here's how it happened...

Tom Percival
BBC Radio Northampton

Northamptonshire Steelbacks are a force to be reckoned with in the T20 format. Last night's win over Middlesex booked them a ticket to their third finals day in four years. 

The county has had many memorable moments in the T20 and here's another of them - the time David Willey smacked a century in 2015...

Tom Percival
BBC Radio Northampton

Last night Northamptonshire Steelbacks reached their third T20 finals day in four years, with victory over Middlesex.

To celebrate, we're looking back on some of their finest moments in the competition. What better place to start than the time they won it, in memorable fashion, in 2013...

Martin Heath
BBC Radio Northampton

London Midland has launched a new campaign to encourage disabled people to use its services.

It follows research from Network Rail which found that a quarter of passengers with disabilities don't feel their journeys will be easy.

The company, which operates services through Northamptonshire, Buckinghamshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire, says three quarters of its stations are already step-free and it will pay for disabled commuters to get to a suitable station if their nearest one has stairs.

London Midland has also introduced a Travel Support Card, external to help passengers summon assistance if they have communication difficulties.

Martin Heath
BBC Radio Northampton

A 19-year-old London man has been arrested by detectives searching for a 15-year-old girl from Kettering.

Veronica Sbircea left her home on 21 July and was last seen in London a week later, where her image was captured by a CCTV camera.

Officers believe she may now be in either Enfield or Brixton.

Veronica, who is also known as Rachel, is described as about 5ft tall with long straight black hair.

Anyone who knows where she is has been urged to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101.

Image source, Northamptonshire Police

An extremely rare set of religious paintings have been installed in one of Northampton's smallest churches.

The only other set by artist Sister Joanna Reitlinger is thought to be in the Andrei Rublev Museum of Ancient Russian Art, external in Moscow.

Image source, Timothy Curtis

The paintings have been installed at Saint Anne's Orthodox Christian Church, external in Cattle Market Road.

An eight-year-old boy can hold a pen for the first time after being fitted with a new hand, 3D printed in the colours of his favourite football team.

BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to BBC Weather Watcher 'PaulaMaria' for this view from Pattishall today who recorded sunny spells at 9C (48F).

Image source, PaulaMaria/BBC Weather Watchers

The forecast is for more cloud across the county this afternoon with a high of 18C (64F).

There are more details on the forecast where you live on the BBC Weather website.

A girl who was adopted by a Northamptonshire family after being found abandoned under bridge in China 17 years ago writes a song about her experiences.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Martin Heath
BBC Radio Northampton

The Transport Secretary Chris Grayling has confirmed the government is determined to go ahead with the planned High Speed Rail link from London to Birmingham and the North.

The route will run through part of south Northamptonshire.

Speaking in Derby earlier he said: "If we don't build it, we won't be able to get more freight off the roads and onto the railways [and] we won't be able to deliver better commuter services."

Work is expected to start next year with the line reaching Birmingham by 2026.

Martin Heath
BBC Radio Northampton

Patrick Allen, appointed as Silverstone Circuits' managing director in 2014, has been suspended for being "too close" to a tycoon Lawrence Tomlinson who is bidding to take over the circuit, the City AM website, external reports.

Mr Allen is an associate of Mr Tomlinson's and was the commercial director of his LNT Group in 2011.

The BRDC, which owns the circuit, has confirmed to the BBC that Mr Allen is on leave of absence but won't comment further.

Listen to live BBC local radio commentary as Northamptonshire face Leicestershire in the County Championship.

Martin Borley
BBC Radio Northampton

Tresham College, which has campuses in Kettering, Corby and Wellingborough, has been rated "inadequate" by the education watchdog Ofsted, external. 

The inspection report - published today - criticises the college management, the quality of teaching, the outcomes for learners, 16 to 19 study programmes and apprenticeships. 

Tresham's principal Stuart Wesselby says they are "extremely disappointed" by Ofsted's findings.

"The college management team will now be working with staff to continue making progress and implement strategies to address the areas of concern raised."

Looking back through the archives and on this day in 1975 British racing motorcyclist Barry Sheene (1950-2003) won the Grand Prix on the Silverstone circuit in Northamptonshire.

Image source, Getty Images

He is photographed taking Becketts corner at speed on a 750cc Suzuki during the John Player Motorcycle Grand Prix. 

Northants Herald & Post

A Northampton teenager has died following a 'fatal incident', external in the sea while on holiday in Canada - just a month after he attended his school's leavers' prom and was due to receive his GCSE results.