Northampton Saints hope the Christmas period will produce an upturn in results after a slow start to the Premiership season. Northampton are 10th in the table with three wins from nine games, but the emergence of youngsters such as Alex Mitchell, Ollie Sleightholme, George Furbank and Fraser Strachan has provided optimism. BBC Look East's James Burridge reports.

The latest news, sport, travel and weather updates for Northamptonshire.

Streets were closed after a suspicious item was found in Wellingborough town centre.

The Piper PA-31 pilot's "avoiding actions" prevented a mid-air collision, a report concludes.

Extreme dieting is leading to cases of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport among men and women.

Northampton win for the first time in four league games with a second-half penalty at Crawley.

This year was Mercedes' "most challenging season", team boss Toto Wolff says after picking up a fifth consecutive Formula 1 constructors' championship trophy.

Sunderland have a home derby against Newcastle's Under-21 side in the third round of the Checkatrade Trophy.

Police have released a graphic image of the "horrific" wounds inflicted on the 50-year-old woman.