A fire in a field near to the A45 between Wellingborough and Rushden has forced the busy dual carriageway to close.

The fire service was called to the scene at 16:30.

Radio Northampton listener @JParker_Photo has been tweeting pictures from the scene.

Leicestershire are unable to force victory on the final day against Northamptonshire, despite Paul Horton's 99.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

This evening and overnight will be mainly dry, although there's a small chance of isolated showers in places.

Lows of 8C (46F).

Tomorrow will be cloudy at first, but will become brighter with some sunny spells. Highs of 24C (75F), although it'll feel cooler on the coast.

Get more on the forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

Sam Read
BBC Radio Northampton politics reporter

Residents living near a park in Corby are increasingly concerned equipment in a children's play area is being used to train fighting dogs.

A round climbing ball in the park near Stavanger Close on the Danesholme estate has deep marks that could indicate it being used for dogs to bite into and swing off. 

Inspector Julie Mead believes this is a training method for fighting dogs and is a form of animal abuse.

"It's not something we've come across in Corby before, but we want to support concerned residents by increasing patrols to see the activity happening," she said.

But some residents, including those who walk their dogs in the park, told the BBC the marks made on the climbing ball and the pieces torn out were made by knives.

Alex Winter
BBC Radio Northampton sport

"On a wicket that hasn't deteriorated but just flattened out - even into it's eighth day now (it was used for an England Under-19 Test) - Leicestershire decided it was going to be very difficult to bowl Northamptonshire out on the final day.

"They have settled for 11 points to keep them in the promotion shake-up, with leaders Essex to come next week at Grace Road.

"Northants would have hoped for a chase here and a tune-up for Thursday's 50-over quarter-final against Surrey, but instead they are gently batting out time to secure 10 points."

Image source, BBC Sport

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Three men have been arrested and bailed pending further inquiries over a fight in a Corby park. A fourth is suspect is sought by police.

Image source, Google

The fight occurred close to the skate boarding area in West Glebe Park at about 18:00 BST yesterday.

Three men, aged 20, 23 and 24, all from Corby, were arrested.

The fourth man is described as white, between 18 and 25-years-old, with a skinny build and black hair. He was wearing a white T-shirt with a black line across the shoulders, black skinny jeans and black gloves.

BBC Travel

There is congestion caused by slow traffic in the roadworks on the A5076 Danes Camp Way in Northampton around the Towcester Road junction (A5123).

More details from BBC Travel.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The family of a missing Northamptonshire teenager have today issued an emotional public appeal to help find her.

Image source, Family supplied picture

Veronica Sbircea, 15, left her home in Kettering on the evening of Thursday, 21 July and there has been no confirmed sightings of her since she was seen in Ponders End, Enfield, on Wednesday 27 July and then in Brixton the next day. 

Her father, Anton said: "Papu is asking you, Veronica, to come back home. Nobody here is angry or mad for what you did.

"Please come back and don't be angry with your mother Elena who loves you very much with all our love. Your family cares and is waiting for you to come back home."

BBC Sport

A selector for the England cricket one day side has told the BBC that Northamptonshire batsman Ben Duckett is in contention for a full international place.

Image source, Sarah Ansell/Getty Images

The 21-year-old has not been named in the squad for the forthcoming one-day international series against Pakistan, but James Whitaker said he was among several England Lions batsmen knocking on the door.

"We recognise the depth of talent in the one-day squad and Ben Duckett is among three or four players bidding for batting spots, he said.

"That can only be healthy for English cricket to have such talent available."

If you were in Northampton town centre about half an hour ago, you may have noticed two fire engines attending an incident in Fish Street.

We've just heard back from the fire service, who said they attended a small blaze in a Fish Street. Fortunately no-one was injured.

Eastleigh sign midfielder Jason Taylor following his departure by mutual consent from League One Northampton.

Northamptonshire Telegraph

Anthony Ash,44, of Booth Meadow Court, Thorplands, Northampton, jailed for burglaries in Olney.

If you are joining us to catch up with the lunchtime headlines - just scroll down to get more detail: 

• Campaigners urge local councils to accommodate 10 refugee families a year from war torn Syria 
• Police suspect children's play area in Corby used to train dogs to fight and increase patrols 
• Cobblers look to attacking midfielder Alfie Potter to boost team in 'tough game' at Oldham

BBC Sport

Manager Rob Page is expecting a tough away game when Northampton Town face Oldham at 19:45 this evening,  but is relying on attacking midfielder Alfie Potter to continue his good form.

Image source, Northampton Town FC

"The boy has got ability. His movement, enthusiasm and work rate is there and once you've got that foundation we can work on the rest," Page said.

"We know the quality that he's got and we'll work to get him playing the best football he possibly can."

BBC Weather

This afternoon will be fine and dry with plenty of sunshine. Despite the easterly breeze, it will feel warm with the highest temperatures in the west of the county.

Highs of 23C (72F).

Elinor Cross
BBC Radio Northampton

Police say they are treating reports of dogs being “trained to fight” at a children’s play area in Corby very seriously.

Climbing balls at the Danesholme Estate play area were found with puncture marks through them.  Residents say some dog owners are encouraging their pets to swing from the ball to strengthen their jaws – a practice common with dog fighting.

Sergeant Julie Mead said play equipment “had been mindlessly damaged” by people who were “in effect abusing dogs,”

The police have increased patrols of the area and are appealing for anyone witnessing dog owners encouraging the mistreatment of the park to report it immediately.

Sgt Mead said “We are taking the report seriously. This isn’t dog training, this is dog abuse”.

Alex Winter
BBC Radio Northampton sport

"Alex Wakely's declaration yesterday has set up an intriguing final day at Wantage Road. We're not sure what kind of deal has been struck, but Northamptonshire have been guaranteed some kind of run-chase. 

"How many Leicestershire will set them no-one yet knows. It will probably be a stiff chase because the wicket remains very good to bat on.

"For the moment, the game is drifting along with the Leicestershire openers ticking along some cheap runs to set up the declaration - it's not joke bowling yet though."

Image source, BBC Sport

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Northampton should offer homes to 50 refugee families from Syria, the leader of the Labour group on the borough council says.

Danielle Stone also chairs a group called Northampton Town of Sanctuary, external, which campaigns for all the county's councils to work together to ensure that over the next five years 10 families a year can be welcomed in Northamptonshire.

Image source, Google

She is also working with faith groups led by Father Tim Curtis, from St Anne's Orthodox Christian Church, external, who said the settlement campaign had grown out of their experience dealing with refugees in Calais. 

"We take food, money, clothes, tents and sleeping bags to ensure the people there are fed and sheltered," he said.

"But more could be done. The last time councils discussed bringing more families to Northamptonshire it was decided there was no room yet accommodation was offered in Christian and Muslim homes."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

"In the first months this forest camp was muddy, there were no toilets or washing facilities. It was horrendous." 

That is the way Georgina Hickman described the state of a refugee camp in Dunkirk, which her campaign group Helpful Humans, external took clothes and food to earlier this year.

Image source, Steve Parsons/PA Wire

The campaigner, from Wollaston, founded Helpful Humans, external and started taking clothes and food to the "Jungle" camp in Calais last year, before starting to visit the Dunkirk camp as well.

Helpful Humans is now appealing to councils across Northamptonshire to accept more refugees.

Stuart Linnell
BBC Radio Northampton

Campaigners urging the county council to accept more refugees from the "Jungle" camp in Calais claim there is government money available to provide support if only the county council would apply for it.

Image source, PA

The campaign has attracted groups such as Northampton Town of Sanctuary, external, Helpful Humans, external, several churches and individuals who have all said they would help with additional support even to the extent of finding homes for refugees.

Northampton Borough Council, external leader Mary Markham is among those opposed to accepting more: "Northamptonshire already has major issues dealing with its population growth, before even thinking of taking in more families."