Kris Holland
BBC Radio Northampton

Northampton Saints have announced that hooker Dylan Hartley has signed a new contract with the club and has also been reappointed as captain.

Hartley, 31, stepped down as captain after seven years in 2015 and was replaced in the role by Lee Dickson.

Tom Wood captained the team, external in the 2016-17 season.

During that time, Hartley has led England to two Six Nations championships, including winning the Grand Slam in 2016.

The length of Hartley's contract has not been disclosed, but as his previous deal was due to expire at the end of the 2017-18 season, it is likely he will now be at the club until at least 2019.

Image source, Getty Images

The partner of the 80s pop star, who is also a vicar, pulled a badly injured man from an overturned car.

Watch in-play clips and listen to live radio commentary as Notts face Northants in the T20 Blast.

Listen to live BBC local radio commentary as Leicestershire take on Northamptonshire in the T20 Blast.

A woman was taken to hospital after a car was buried under bales of hay.

Flames and smoke were seen towering above houses.

There were more than 26,000 lightning strikes over the East of England last night, with some properties damaged by the storms.

The conditions also caused power cuts and disruption to rail services because of damage to overhead lines.

But why was there so much lightning?

"Thunderstorms are made when the air goes up quickly, and very warm air at the surface with cold air above it allowed the warm air to rise violently over a large area, creating these huge storms," said Jake Cope from the BBC Weather Centre.

"They were so long-lived because many of the thunderstorms started 'back-building'.

"This is where the wind pushing the system along bumps into air flowing out of the rear of the storm and is again forced upwards, sustaining the rear edge of the cloud."

Kris Holland
BBC Radio Northampton

Before the storms, there was drama on the ground in Northampton after a large fire in a residential area of the town.

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service deployed four crews to Gloucester Crescent in Far Cotton at 21:25 to attend a blaze involving a shed, hedgerow and BBQ.

No injuries were reported and the service says an investigation into what happened is under way.

It certainly looked dramatic...

BBC Weather

Northamptonshire's skies were lit up by lightning last night - although the county seems to have been luckier than other parts of the country, as far as damage is concerned.

Here are some of the best pictures and videos of the storm we've spotted on social media...

Northampton Town continued their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win at Frome Town last night.

Marc Richards, Daniel Powell, Alex Revell and Dean Bowditch scored the goals for the Cobblers.

Image source, Getty Images

Tonight, Town continue their preparations for the new League One season with a trip to Northamptonshire neighbours AFC Rushden & Diamonds.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather

Overnight showers and thunderstorms will clear to the north this morning with largely sunny skies developing.

A hot and humid day will follow, perhaps leading to one or two isolated thunderstorms developing into the evening.

Maximum temperature: 29C (84F).

For more, head to BBC Weather.

Kris Holland
BBC Radio Northampton

Welcome to live updates for Northamptonshire on Wednesday, 19 July.

We'll be here until 18:00 keeping you up-to-date with the latest news, sport, weather and travel as it happens.

Overnight, thunderstorms lit up the skies over the county - we'll take a look at today's forecast shortly...

As ever, don't forget that you can get in touch with the team by email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.

That's all our live news for today I'm afraid - thanks for joining us.

Scroll down to catch up on what's been happening today in Northamptonshire, but we'll be back with more updates tomorrow from 08:00.

See you then.

Sara Thornton
BBC Weather

Thunderstorms are expected to cross BBC Look East region through the night with some potentially torrential bursts of rain and frequent lightning in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

Image source, .

They will be clear and heat will build again in the sunshine and temperatures will reach 30C (86F).

That heat, combined with high humidity, will spark off further thundery showers through the afternoon.

A Met Office Yellow severe weather warning has been issued and lasts until 22:00 tomorrow across the region.

Phil Shepka
BBC Sport

Northampton Town have signed Rangers midfielder Matt Crooks for an undisclosed fee on an three-year contract.

The 23-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan at Cobblers' League One rivals Scunthorpe, scoring three goals in 12 appearances.

Scunthorpe had been interested in re-signing Crooks, who only featured three times for Rangers after joining from Accrington last summer.

Image source, Empics

Crooks told BBC Radio Northampton: "[Cobblers manager Justin Edinburgh] and I had a good couple of chats and he talked about how he wanted the club to progress, how he wanted to play - it does excite me.

"It's a club on the rise. I had a bit of a sticky year last year and want to be back on the rise, so I hope we can do it together."

Northampton Town sign Rangers midfielder Matt Crooks for an undisclosed fee on a three-year contract.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The trial of former Northamptonshire police and crime commissioner Adam Simmonds is at a critical stage with the jury pondering a verdict after hearing all the evidence.

They have now been sent home and will return in the morning to continue their deliberations.

Mr Simmonds denies recklessly passing on details of a fraud probe involving Wellingborough MP Peter Bone, which was subsequently dropped.

Council chief executive questioned over a loan to Northampton Town will leave at the end of July.

Craig Lewis
BBC News

We're nearing the conclusion of the trial of former Northamptonshire police and crime commissioner Adam Simmonds.

The judge has finished summing up and has asked the jury to retire to consider a verdict.

Mr Simmonds, 40, denies recklessly passing on details of a fraud probe involving Wellingborough MP Peter Bone.

David Keller
BBC News

The robes are on, which can mean only one thing...

It's finally the time for celebrity vicar Richard Coles to formally take up his position as chancellor of the University of Northampton.

The former Communards pop star, BBC broadcaster and vicar of Finedon will act as a "focus of inspiration for student and staff communities" and preside at graduation ceremonies, according to the university, external.

Here he is pictured with its vice chancellor and chief executive, Nick Petford.