Northampton Saints' European Challenge Cup campaign begins with a resounding home defeat by six-try Clermont Auvergne.

A father accused of murdering his two-year-old son tells a court he was never violent towards him.

Northamptonshire Police say Andrew Brady targeted the officer in "an extremely reckless act".

Coverage from the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup - follow live text and BBC Radio 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio Wales and local radio commentary.

A man was walking on a dual carriageway in the early hours of the morning when he was struck.

Clive Bellman, 62, was struck twice by company director John Major after a Christmas party in Northampton.

Northamptonshire Telegraph

The closure of Corby Police station has left the town of Corby, external as an "easy target" abused by crime gangs who know they can get away with it, according to a leading civic official.

An inquest hears that a 28-year-old man was shot in the chest last week.

Image source, Northamptonshire Police

A chrome-coloured Jincheng motorcycle inscribed with the word Monkey is among the property stolen in a burglary in Northampton.

It happened in Probyn Close, sometime between 04:50 and 06:00 on Monday, police said.

Electronic items, cash and jewellery were also taken.

Former Northants and England all-rounder David Capel is recovering at home after successful surgery on a brain tumour.

Minister says a business plan will take three years but hints at continued public access after MPs leave.

Father-of-two Joshua Bains, 28, was fatally wounded in an attack.

Coverage from the European Rugby Champions Cup and Challenge Cup - listen to BBC Radio 5 live, 5 live sports extra and BBC local radio commentary.

Karen Dunn
Local Democracy Reporter

West Sussex County Council would be on a "slippery slope to soon running out of money" if it used reserves to plug its budget gap, councillors have been told.

Jeremy Hunt, West Sussex cabinet member for finance and resources, gave the warning during a meeting of the performance and finance select committee on Friday.

The authority faces a budget gap of £145m over the next four years, having seen the same amount cut from its central government funding since 2010/11.

Mr Hunt told the meeting: "There have been suggestions that we use our reserves, but I'm very proud of our record of balancing our budget year after year without having to resort to the wholesale use of those reserves, most of which are ear-marked for specific purposes.

"That is a slippery slope to soon running out of money. Then, as we have seen with other authorities in the country, life gets really difficult."

Mr Hunt was referring to Northamptonshire County Council, which will be scrapped and replaced with two unitary authorities in 2020 due to its financial problems.

Council Leader Louise Goldsmith added: "Finances are not good for any county council facing these unprecedented demands. And we have a duty to make sure we don't tip over, as Northampton did."

A county council which had commissioners appointed after facing a financial crisis agrees £65m of cuts.

Daniel Fitzjohn died after the attack in Northampton on 14 June.

Father-of-two Joshua Bains, 28, was fatally wounded in what police believe was "a targeted attack".

Daniel Fitzjohn died in hospital after the attack in Northampton.

A 42-year-old man was killed at a house he shared with his attacker in June.

Up to 200 head teachers and education leaders sign an open letter on the Northamptonshire cuts.