Robbers picking teenage victims

YOUNGSTERS have been warned not to become victims of crime after thousands of teenagers were robbed last year. Young people who carry expensive mobile phones and MP3 players are often the target for robbers.

''Hospital to Close, despite PM's vow''

A hospital is set to close despite a pre-election promise from the Prime Minister that there was "no question" of it being shut down. A review of health services in Teesside has recommended that two hospitals in Hartlepool and Stockton should close and be replaced with a...

Discover the Secret of a Long Life

LIFE expectancy in the UK is on the up with more and more of us living to a ripe old age. Feature editor Joni Ager investigates what is the secret to long life. EMILY Head is no ordinary great-granny. She may be 90-years-old but you won't find her sitting in her armchair by...

Police jobs to be cut to save £3m

THE number of police officers in the county is being cut to help save £3m. Northamptonshire Police yesterday revealed that 12 officers and 29 civilian support staff posts are to go. The announcement comes a day after Bill Dredge, chairman of Northamptonshire's Neighbourhood...

What about us?

"TOWNS around the county have hit out after being short-changed in a £200,000 scheme to improve their communities. In July a pilot project saw 10 Kettering councillors given £100,000 to identify ways to improve life in their wards, but they have only spent a third of the...

Learning on the outside

THERE are limits to what you can teach pupils in the classroom. School trips offer lessons like no other, by promoting social skills, giving children some independence and a taste of maturity outside the confines of four walls.  Whether it is visiting the local church...

Academy proves a popular choice

"CONTRACTORS have already started work on the site of the county's second super school. The £30m Corby Academy, near Weldon, is due to open in September, 2008, and will be funded by Northamptonshire County Council, government grants, Brooke Weston Technology College, the...

Getting an education in the home

"SCHOOL is not compulsory, education is. This is the legal situation in the UK regarding home education and, in Northamptonshire, the numbers shunning state education system are increasing, whether it's due to bullying, disillusioned parents or following a particular...

County's cream of the crop

"ENTREPRENEURS from around the county descended in their hundreds on Sywell Aerodrome for the biggest night in the business calendar. The annual Northamptonshire Business Excellence Awards, organised by the Chronicle & Echo, Evening Telegraph and Northamptonshire Chamber,...

Chips with everything!

"FISH and chip shops are Northamptonshire's most popular businesses, according to a new report. The business transfer agent, SBS Commercial, said chippies had emerged as the type of business people most want to own, after the firm compiled a list of the region's top-selling...

New roofs to brighten up market stalls

A LONG-ESTABLISHED market has been given a make-over. In a project initiated by Wellingborough Council, every stall on the town's Market Place now sports a brightly coloured solid roof. The contract was given to Higham Flat Roofing who worked hard to complete the make-over in...

Estate's heroine up for award

"PENSIONER Pat Bartram has been nominated for a top award for making a housing estate a better place to live. The 70-year-old, of Jasmine Court, Kettering, is one of the first people to be put forward for this year's Northamptonshire Police Unsung Hero awards. Mrs Bartram was...

We examine the prospects for road and rail and why transport is the key to th...

"THE potential of north Northamptonshire will only be unlocked if we have a transport system fit for purpose, say politicians. About 55,000 homes are set to be built in the area by 2026 under the Government's Milton Keynes and South Midlands growth plan, which also outlines...