Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Many motorists are still stranded on the M1 after it was closed both ways between junctions 15 and 14 following a report of a "suspicious object".

The motorway was closed at about 08:30 after the "object" was found underneath a bridge.

Some people have been keeping themselves occupied by playing football, cleaning their cars and even riding a bicycle.

Image source, @Jez107M

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

It's been a morning a travel misery on the M1 for thousands of travellers - here are some photos which show the effects of the road closure.

The motorway was closed in both directions from about 08:30 following a report of a "suspicious package" under a bridge on the motorway.

Traffic is now gradually being released from the scene but delays are expected for some time.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Image source, South Beds News Agency

A bomb disposal unit is sent to deal with a "suspicious object" underneath a bridge on the M1.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

As we've been reporting, the M1 is closed in both directions between junctions 15 and 14, following a report of a "suspicious object" under a bridge.

Here's what we know so far:

• A "suspicious object" was found underneath a bridge on the motorway at about 07:30
• The road has been closed in both directions from about 08:30
• Thames Valley Police is leading the investigation
• Crews from Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue are assisting the police
• Environmental Protection Unit, the tri-service Detection, Identification and Monitoring Unit are also in attendance
• The bomb disposal unit arrived on the scene at about 11:30
• Traffic is beginning to be released from the motorway

Tony Fisher
BBC Three Counties Radio

Earlier I was near Newport Pagnell where traffic was stopped northbound and many people, including schoolchildren, had got out of their cars and were standing on the carriageway.

Further north, by Gayhurst, where traffic was stopped southbound I spoke to lorry drivers, on a bridge overlooking the M1.

They told me they had seen several fire engines travelling to the incident on the hard shoulder.

Adrian, a van driver, told me he had been stuck on the road since 08:30.

He said he was "glad" the report of a "suspicious object" was being taken seriously, but he was "concerned" about people walking up the hard shoulder with suitcases.

Image source, @Jez107M

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Police are releasing vehicles which are stuck on the motorway, but this may take some time.

BBC News Travel

The bomb disposal unit has been seen on the M1 after a report of a "suspicious package" under a motorway bridge.

The motorway remains closed in both directions between junctions 15 and 14.

Motorists are being urged to avoid the area.

We'll keep you posted with developments throughout the day. For the latest travel news tune into BBC Radio Northampton and BBC Three Counties Radio.

With the 2017 county season here, keep up to date with the latest signings, departures and rumours ahead of next season.

BBC News Travel

Police are beginning to release traffic which is stuck on the M1 following reports of a "suspicious object".

The object was found underneath a motorway bridge at about 07:30.

The road is closed in both directions between junctions 15 and 14.

Traffic is now being turned around to allow motorists to continue their journey, but Highways England say this will take some time.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

In the past year there have been more than 18,000 incidents of fly-tipping in Northampton, but no prosecutions.

Northampton Borough Council say they will be taking action in the next few weeks, with a third party enforcement scheme coming into operation.

Image source, Thinkstock

"It's a real problem. It's one of the top things we get complaints about on a regular basis," said Mike Hallam from the council.

"One of the main challenges is that the more often you clear waste from a location, the more often that area is targeted.

"We recognise we would like to see more prosecutions.

"People who fly-tip don't typically leave evidence lying around that they did it.

"As with many things, it's a small minority of people who think it's acceptable to do this."

Northampton Town goalkeeper Matt Ingram says things are beginning to "settle down" after the appointment of Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink as the club's new manager.

Ingram joined the Cobblers on loan from Queen's Park Rangers on 31 August, the same day Justin Edinburgh was sacked as boss having not won a game since March, with the team bottom of the League One table.

Image source, Getty Images

Under Hasselbaink, who previously managed Ingram at QPR, Northampton have taken seven points from three games to rise to 17th, having drawn their latest match 2-2 at Southend United on Saturday.

"We're settling down," said Ingram. "He [Hasselbaink] has brought new ideas to the group and it's so far, so good."

Later, the Cobblers travel to fifth placed Wigan, with full build-up and match commentary available on BBC Radio Northampton from 19:00.

Northamptonshire's cricketers begin their penultimate game in this season's County Championship when they host second place Nottinghamshire later.

David Ripley's side are third in Division Two after last week's seven wicket win at Glamorgan, but there are 29 points between the two teams - meaning Northants must win to keep their promotion hopes alive.

Image source, Rex Features

Northants have already won seven games this season, two more than in their entire campaign when they last won promotion in 2013, but Ripley has no complaints.

"We've played pretty consistently good cricket and haven't really got the rewards we might have got in other years, but that's just how it's been this year," he said.

"The fact that others are winning as well has meant we are where we are, but we've played some good cricket and that is important to us."

You can hear full commentary of Northamptonshire v Nottinghamshire here from 10:30.

BBC News Travel

Police are urging motorists to avoid the M1 after a report of a "suspicious object" underneath a motorway bridge.

The object was found between junctions 15 and 14 at about 07:30. The M1 is closed in both directions between these junctions.

Highways England say there is about five miles of queuing traffic.

Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue are assisting Thames Valley Police at the scene.

BBC News Travel

Police and fire crews are investigating an "unknown chemical substance" on the M1.

Both carriageways are closed between junctions 15 and 14.

All traffic is currently being held.

Delays are expected until 10:00.

BBC News Travel

The M1 is closed southbound between junctions 15 and 14 due to a "police incident".

Thames Valley Roads Policing Unit is on the scene.

We'll bring you more information as soon as we have it.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather

The rain overnight has left a legacy in some spots of a little bit of mist and one or two fog patches as well, but we should see plenty of sunny spells and it'll be mostly dry.

We've still got one or two showers, particularly out towards parts of Norfolk, but they should clear pretty quickly.

Elsewhere we have decent sunny spells.

There'll be a bit of fair weather cloud bubbling up this afternoon and temperatures will reach about 16C (61F).

Get a full forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome back to Local Live across Northamptonshire.

We'll be here until 18:00 with the latest news, sport, weather and travel for your local area.

The full weather forecast will be with you shortly, but it's a rather cold and grey start to the day.

As always, if you want to get in touch you can by email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.

That's all for our live updates today - scroll back to catch up with what's been happening in the county.

The team will be back from 08:00 tomorrow, but any breaking stories will be published here overnight.

Have a good evening.

BBC Weather

Expect more showers this evening with some maybe heavy but most places should be dry by morning.

Overnight temperatures will vary significantly and depend on how much cloud cover there is, 7C to 10C (45F-50F) is expected under cloudy skies but where we get any breaks we could see something as low as 3C (37F).

Mist and fog patches are also likely.

Tuesday will see any overnight mist and fog eventually clearing to leave a largely dry day with highs of around 18C (64F).

Visit BBC Weather for the detailed forecast where you live.

A man is due to appear in court today following a serious assault on a man in Kettering at the weekend.

Mark Rebhan, 23, from the town, has been charged with grievous bodily harm following the attack in Horsemarket, which took place in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The victim remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Listen to BBC local radio commentary as Leicestershire host Northamptonshire in County Championship Division Two.