Following the granting of planning permission for the canal arm into the town, Daventry District Council says it will explore funding options.

DDC said the vote in favour of granting planning permission for the 2.6km long canal, running from the Grand Union to the iCon roundabout, means it can carry out "further work to explore funding options".

The council added it will also consider in more detail the option to build a boat lift instead of one of the flights of locks outlined in the current plans.

DDC's argument in favour of the canal arm is that it forms part of its vision to encourage visitors to Daventry and contribute to regeneration and development of the area. The council's ultimate aim is to build a waterfront area in the town centre.

Cllr Colin Poole, DDC's economic, regeneration and employment portfolio holder, said: “The Daventry Canal Arm is a key part of our vision to create a thriving town, so we’re delighted it has been granted planning permission.

“It will provide a substantial increase in public open space for residents and visitors, allowing people to walk from Daventry town centre through to the Grand Union Canal, as well as boosting local employment and business opportunities.

“Now that permission is in place we can explore funding options for the canal arm, as well as detailed plans for a boat lift. This landmark structure would not only have a practical function, but would also create a tourist attraction of national – and possibly international – significance, putting Daventry on the tourism map.

“This would bring great social and economic benefits locally, but will also help to drive future investment into our District worth millions of pounds.”

The NHS dominated headlines this week after the Red Cross declared it a “humanitarian crisis” but latest research from YouGov suggests the public are willing to pay a little extra to support the struggling health service.

The idea was proposed by Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron who suggested that the public could pay an extra penny to support the NHS funding gap.

By 2020/21 NHS England has estimated that its funding gap could potentially be as high as £30 billion.

However research supplied by YouGov states the proportion of people who would support boosting health spending by an extra penny on the basic rate of income tax has increased by eight points since April 2014, this now stands at 42 per cent. The opposition to paying an extra penny has also fallen from 51 per cent to 37 per cent over the same period.

The majority of the public would prefer a policy that meant an extra penny was added on National Insurance contributions.

More that half of people (53 per cent) would support this added penny tax, which is up five points since April 2014. The number of people who oppose the idea has fallen too, with only about a quarter (26 per cent) of people who would oppose the move. This figure has fallen from 37 per cent in 2014.

Younger people and UKIP voters oppose idea

Although the research does show an overall majority, not all social groups agree on raising the tax.

The research shows that people to the left of centre, women, middle class and older people support the policy whereas younger people and UKIP voters oppose it. The working class, men and Conservative voters are evenly split.

A former teacher at a primary school on the outskirts of Northampton has been remanded in custody after being charged possessing indecent images of children.

James Stuttard, who was head of ICT at Spratton Hall School and who was also a Scout leader in Warwickshire, is due to face the allegations in front of a crown court judge in February.

A Warwickshire Police spokeswoman, said: "James Stuttard, a former teacher and scout leader from Coton Meadows in Rugby, was charged with two counts of possessing indecent photographs of a child on Friday, January 6.

"The 32-year-old appeared at Leamington Magistrates Court on Saturday, January 7, and was remanded in custody until he appears in Warwick Crown Court on February 9."

It is understood none of the charges relate to his role at the school or the Scouts.

Stuttard's LinkedIn profile states that he left Spratton Hall School in December.

Head teacher, Simon Clarke, said: "I understand that the allegations made are not connected with Spratton Hall nor with any member of the Spratton community past or present.

"Any falling short of our high standards is treated with the utmost seriousness and we have, as a school, co-operated fully with the police investigation and will continue to do so.

"All required safeguarding procedures are followed with every member of staff and our safeguarding and child protection policies and procedures are totally up-to-date and comprehensive as confirmed by our recent ISI school inspection carried out in November 2016."

Stuttard was praised for his contribution to computing and technology at Spratton Hall in a November newsletter and also ran a sailing club at the school.

The health and fitness activity badge for Beaver Scouts, aged between six and eight, was developed by Stuttard, and gained national press attention.

A man was pushed to the floor and punched by an attacker in Daventry town centre.

The incident took place on Tuesday December 27 – details have only been released by Northamptonshire Police today, January 13.

Officers say following a verbal argument in The Square nightclub, a man was attacked while waiting for a taxi at the rank near Domino’s Pizza between 5.40am and 6.15am.

He was pushed to the floor, punched several times and possibly kicked and sustained a chipped tooth, cuts and bruises to his right eye and injuries to his shoulder.

The first offender is described as a white, 20-year-old white man with a large build and over 6ft tall and the second a white man with a slim build and a beard.

Anyone with information can contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, they can call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

The following people were sentenced at Northampton Magistrates’ Court:

NOVEMBER 29:

Mark Thomas, aged 36, of Prices Way, Brackley, driving at speeds of 38mph in a 30mph zone; fined £141, ordered to pay costs of £85 and licence endorsed with six points. Driving without hands on the steering wheel; fined £141, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85. Driving while using a mobile phone; fined £141, ordered to pay costs of £85.

Thorney Motor Sport Ltd, of Crowfield, Syresham, failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £900, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £90 and costs of £85. Failed to give information relating to the identity of a driver; fined £900, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £90 and costs of £85.

Linda Trusler, aged 56, of Prentice Court, Northampton, driving at 36mph in a 30mph zone; fined £146, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with three points.

Indrit Tusha, aged 23, of Kingsthorpe Grove, Northampton, no insurance; fined £350, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £35 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

Colin Ward, aged 46, of Shadowfax Drive, Northampton, no insurance; fined £660, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £66 and costs of £85, licence endorsed with six points.

NOVEMBER 30

Luke Noonan, aged 22, of Brad Street, Northampton, assault; community order made to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85, compensation of £100 and costs of £85.

Scott Austin, aged 28, of Leben Square, Northampton, failed to notify Northampton Borough Council to changes relating to Housing Benefit; community order made to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85.

Vitalik Sapoznikov, aged 32, of Edith Street, Northampton, assault; committed to prison for 12 weeks concurrent suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £115, compensation of £150 and costs of £500. Assault; jailed for 12 weeks suspended for 12 months.

DECEMBER 1:

Richard Littewood, aged 35, of Stimpson Avenue, Northampton, possession of cannabis; no separate penalty. Possession of cocaine; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Darryl McCoy, aged 35, of York Close, Towcester, in the company of another stole a bank bard, mobile phone and cash; fined £200, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85.

Jodie Stray, aged 38, of Holte End, Northampton, stole four packets of razors, four facial creams, five baby milk powder boxes, eight steaks and two beef joints worth £146.50 belonging to the Co-Op; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and compensation of £100.

Tristan Taylor, aged 30, of Park Drive, Northampton, had a kitchen knife in a public place without good authority; community order made to carry out 140 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85 and costs of £85.

Jodie Bradbury, aged 30, of Telford Street, Upton, failed to comply with a community order; suspended sentence imposed for offences of criminal damage, harassment and threat to damage. Committed to prison for 12 weeks suspended for 14 months.

Craig Lawrence, aged 43, of Rossiter House, Manor Road, Brackley, stole gammon steak and sausages worth £30 belonging to Tesco; fined £50, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £20.

Susan Bruce, aged 29, of Sandringham Close, Northampton, used threatening, insulting words or behaviour; community order made, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85. Damaged a window; community order made. Failed to surrender to custody; no separate penalty.

Lleshi Elis, aged 23, of Hervey Close, Northampton, drink-driving with a breath test reading of 61mcgs of alcohol in 100mls of breath; fined £120, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £30 and costs of £85, banned from driving for 17 months.

Jane Lewishon, aged 65, of High Street, Eydon, drink-driving with a blood test reading of 166 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 millilitres of blood; fined £400, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £40 and costs of £85.

Scott Bruce, aged 38, of The Briars, Northampton, assault; conditional discharge for 18 months, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £15, compensation of £100 and costs of £620.

Joel Crockford, aged 18, of Park Drive, Kings Heath, Northampton, possession of cannabis; no separate penalty. Possession of a large hunting knife in a public place without good authority; community order made to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a surcharge to victim services of £85.

As such the route is eligible for a share of £175 million Government funding pot for road safety improvements in the East Midlands.

The Department For Transport is now inviting proposals from local highway authorities to upgrade these roads.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Council said: “The section of A361 between Daventry and Kilsby is one of the active Red Routes in the county in terms of collision history and has been identified by the DfT for improvement funding support.

“We welcome this opportunity and, at this very early stage, have a meeting arranged with the DfT to discuss the scope, extent and arrangements for the funding which will enable us to explore appropriate measures.”

Computer manufacturer Toshiba has recalled a range of laptop battery packs over fears that the units could overheat and potentially catch fire.

The packs, manufactured by Panasonic, were supplied with new laptops and as accessories or replacements with certain Toshiba laptops between July 2013 and November 2016.

The product recall is an expanded programme following a similar scheme in January 2016. An overlap in manufacturing dates means that, according to Toshiba, it is “critical” that users of affected laptops check their battery pack to ensure that it is not affected.

Because there is a possibility that the affected battery packs can overheat, they could pose a burn or fire hazard.

If your battery pack is subject to Toshiba’s recall/replacement program, Toshiba recommends you turn off the laptop and remove the battery pack immediately. You can continue using your laptop safely by powering the laptop with an AC adapter power until you receive a replacement battery pack.

Toshiba encourages all customers affected by this recall to contact the company for a free replacement for affected battery packs.

You can check if your battery pack is affected and request a replacement battery:

Visit http://tinyurl.com/zf5xdg4 to download a utility that will check if your battery is affected

See a list of affected batteries: http://tinyurl.com/hmbwdpf

Public Health England (PHE) are urging all new university students to get vaccinated against deadly meningococcal disease.

The appeal comes after the latest PHE figures showed that less than a third (29.5%) of all young people leaving school last summer had been immunised with the Men ACWY vaccine by the end of October.

There has also been a year-on-year increase in cases of Men W across all age groups - from 22 cases in 2009/10 to 210 cases in 2015/16. As cases have increased, the total number of related deaths has also risen, with one in eight people with Men W disease dying from the infection.

New students, especially freshers, are at a higher risk of meningococcal disease. They mix closely with large numbers of new people, some of whom will unknowingly be carrying the bacteria, without any signs or symptoms, enabling it to spread.

Public Health England introduced a vaccination programme in 2015 to tackle a sharp increase in a particularly virulent strain of meningococcal W disease (Men W) that poses a high risk for new students.

PHE introduced the vaccination programme in 2015 to tackle a sharp increase in a particularly virulent strain of meningococcal W disease (Men W) that poses a high risk for new students.

Last autumn, PHE appealed to new students to get vaccinated before starting university or, failing that, soon after arrival. Second year students who missed their vaccination last year are also eligible for immunisation.

Meningococcal disease can develop suddenly, usually as meningitis or septicaemia. Early symptoms include severe diarrhoea and vomiting, headaches, muscle pain, fever, and cold hands and feet. It can kill, or leave people with life-changing disabilities or health problems, like hearing loss, brain damage or the loss of a limb.

The vaccine, which also provides protection against the Men A, C and Y strains, not only protects those vaccinated, but it will help control the spread of the disease in the wider population.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at Public Health England, said: “Many students will have been vaccinated before they left home for university and some will have got vaccinated by their new GP last term. However, for those who haven’t, it is not too late.

“First year students remain at significantly greater risk than most young people from this deadly disease. So I would strongly urge them to go and see their GP to get vaccinated – it could save their life.”

Universities are encouraged to advise students to make sure they tell someone if they feel unwell, and to keep an eye on friends who are ill. Students are also urged to seek medical advice immediately if someone has concerning symptoms, or their condition appears to be getting worse.

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive of Universities UK, said: “There has been an increase in Men W cases among young people and we must do all we can to ensure students are aware of the risks.

“Many universities have already taken measures to address the issue, with good results. Nottingham University found that 31% of their students were vaccinated before arrival at university, but following a campus-based vaccination campaign, this rose to 71%.

“The vaccination process is straightforward and universities up and down the country are making sure that it is as easy as possible for students to get vaccinated.”

Britain’s pet dogs are suffering an epidemic of arthritis and obesity among canines could be to blame, experts have warned.

New figures show the number of treatments for arthritis in dogs - which can cost up to £3,000 a year - have more than trebled since 2015.

The precise causes of the epidemic are unclear but veterinary experts say that obesity is likely to be a significant factor.

Sean Wensley, President of the British Veterinary Association (BVA), said overfeeding and too many titbits are to blame.

“It would be difficult to know the exact cause of any rise but it is entirely plausible that we are experiencing a pet obesity epidemic, with increasing numbers of pets - including dogs - that are overweight or obese,” he said.

“And we know that carrying excess weight is a clear risk factor for arthritis.”

An estimated one in three dogs are overweight or obese and around one in four cats.

Mr Wensley added: “The chief reason is that owners are giving their pets excess or inappropriate food.

“Increasingly, people are feeding their dogs good quality so-called ‘complete’ pet foods, which contain the right nutrients in the right proportions - but not necessarily in the right amounts.

“In addition, family members and friends regularly give dogs treats and scraps - each slipping a little bit here and there.

“This can include all manner of food intended for humans - like cheese, chips, curry, scones and cakes.

“Pets have relatively small bodies compared to us and can really struggle to burn off the excess calories that they are being given.”

Regular exercise is also vital, he added. “It’s good for their well being and quality of life as well as just their physical health.”

However, he said that not all dogs with arthritis have been overfed.

Today, many are living longer - and arthritis is a disease linked with old age. There is also a greater awareness of the condition than there was a few years ago.

Dog-owners who think their pet may have arthritis should always contact their local vet, he advises.

The arthritis statistics come from leading pet insurer AnimalFriends.co.uk, which analysed 20,000 dog health records.

The number of arthritis cases rose threefold (312 per cent) in 2015, compared with 2012 figures - and a further 57 per cent rise is predicted by the end of 2016.

Possible treatments including a weight-management programme, joint supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs and pain-killers to ease discomfort.

But most of this doesn’t come cheap.

“The cost of on-going maintenance and monitoring of the condition will range from a basic level of 50p a day per 10 kilos to £2-3 a day per 10 kilos,” said a spokesperson from The Society of Practising Veterinary Surgeons.

“The levels of treatment required are hugely variable.”

The average adult golden retriever weighs approximately 30kg, which means that the cost of treatment for arthritis could reach as much as £9 per day - or more than £3,000 a year.

Animal Friends says that its records reveal that the breeds most likely to develop the condition are Golden Retrievers, followed by Labrador Retrievers, Greyhounds, Boxers and Rottweilers.

Westley Pearson, Director of Claims and Marketing for AnimalFriends.co.uk, said: “The perception that arthritis only occurs in older animals is slowly being proven false, however the costs of maintaining the condition can be a huge shock to owners.

“Our animals are living much longer now, which means that age related diseases are going to become increasingly common for pets.

“Alongside taking out pet insurance to protect your animals, owners can also help keep their companions healthy by educating themselves on this condition, including what signs to look out for and when to take your pet to the vet.”

Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints most commonly caused by abnormal rubbing within the joint due to damage to the area.

The A361 Drayton Way was shut northbound at the Ashby Road junction, due to a collision at around 10am.

Police, fire and ambulance crews attended the scene shortly afterwards. Fire crews from Daventry, Mereway and Rugby were mobilised to the crash, near Ashby St Ledgers.

The condition of those involved in the collision has not been released by police, though the air ambulance was also spotted at the scene.

Road user Gary Dowler tweeted that a lorry was left blocking the road after the incident, which led to the road being closed for around four hours.

The news comes a day after the Government announced it would be giving Northamptonshire County Council funding to make the A361 safer, due to a high number of collisions on the stretch. As a result it is a designated a "red route."

The council is set to negotiate the exact amount of funding the road will receive.

Cybercrime was big business for fraudsters in 2016

Cybercriminals racking up an estimated £1 billion in damages to companies across the UK.

But more than the ever increasing financial and reputational risks affecting the corporate and commercial sectors are the very real possibilities of cybercrime being used to execute large scale terrorist attacks, assassinations and even murders.

From fiction to fact: the cybercrime threats of the future

As programmes like ‘Humans’ and ‘West World’ play out a fictional world of cyborgs turning on mankind, we take a look at the growing number of cyber threats, both to businesses and individuals, and how fiction is quickly becoming fact. The Internet of Things and advances in artificial intelligence have created a swathe of new opportunities for criminals where complacency is, at best, commercial suicide and, at its very worst, potentially world ending.

Ransomware

Ransomware – a program used by fraudsters to infiltrate hardware and hold a computer and its associated data hostage until the victim pays a hefty sum for its release - has been causing huge problems for businesses across the globe and is a trend that is set to continue in 2017.

Jason Fry is a cybersecurity specialist at PAV i.t. services. He has worked with numerous corporate and independent businesses across the UK helping them to review and update their cybersecurity policies, procedures and solutions. He said:

“There seems to be no sign of this trend diminishing in the near future and certainly where ransomware is concerned the fraudsters are consistently refining and updating its capabilities resulting in versions that are even self-propagating.

“Information can now be encrypted much quicker, which can also play into the hands of the hackers. Criminals using ransomware can swiftly encrypt large amounts of data, often before a company even realises it’s under attack.”

Confidential Data

Gaining control of an employee’s network by stealing their username and password is nothing new, but cybercriminals are no longer relying on malicious malware in order to gain access to a victim’s machine. Instead they get hold of sensitive information by using tactics such as phishing emails – an email that looks authentic, but tricks the recipient into handing over sensitive information.

Robert Schifreen is a former UK-based computer hacker who was arrested in 1985 for breaching computers at British Telecom. He now runs a security awareness training programme called SecuritySmart.co.uk.

He said:

“Many of today’s hackers are highly sophisticated and skilled. A criminal group may spend many months hacking millions of devices and computers across the world, ready to form them into a botnet on command, in return for a fee from a third party, to attack a chosen victim. Some of the most innovative companies are helping to thwart such attacks by offering so-called bug bounties, through which hackers and researchers can earn money by uncovering security weaknesses and responsibly disclosing them to the vendor concerned.”

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

The emerging market of driverless cars, which are also able to park themselves and be controlled remotely, along with medicines that can be self-administered by personal devices and the popularity of drones gives us an indication of the automation we can

expect in our day to day lives in the future. As the market grows for such technology the possibilities for cyber criminals start to become endless.

Jason said:

“Cybercriminals with a more sinister agenda than breaching data in return for financial reward will be able to take advantage of technology in order to execute terrorist acts or murders. For example, by hacking medical devices to administer lethal dosages to victims.”

Robert believes this calls into question whether penalties for cybercriminals are substantial enough:

“The Computer Misuse Act of 1990 criminalised computer hacking. The maximum penalty available today under the Act is 10 years imprisonment and an unlimited fine. While this has proved a useful deterrent, successful prosecutions are rare in relation to the huge number of computer-related crimes being committed every day. The party which suffers most as the result of a large-scale hack or data breach is the victim, not just financially but primarily in terms of reputation.”

But human cybercriminals aren’t the only thing we should be worried about.

Jason continued:

“Software that is capable of learning and not making the wrong decision more than once already exists and it will not be too long before systems can make judgements, assessments, and predictions at a much faster pace. Once machines can think for themselves the possible threats to individuals, businesses, and even countries, becomes a real and greater concern.”

So what do we do in the meantime? Jason believes the answer comes from ensuring we have sufficient knowledge to prevent such attacks in the first place:

“People are the key to preventing attacks - knowledge is everything in the current climate. Training staff and greater staff awareness are absolutely essential. One of the major issues currently facing businesses, especially those with numerous employees, is the lack of knowledge amongst staff and the ways in which cybercriminals may infiltrate their systems essentially leaving them at greater risk of falling victim to things like phishing and social engineering scams.”

New analysis has revealed jobs in construction dominate the list of occupations most likely to have a conviction for drink and drug-driving.

MoneySuperMarket, who have based their findings on the 9.8 million car insurance quotes run during 2016. say that while mature students living at home are most likely to have a drink or drug-driving conviction (5.6 per 1,000 students are guilty of driving under the influence) – it’s those working in construction who dominate the top ten.

Scaffolders rank highest with a rate of 5.2 per 1,000, closely followed by groundworkers at 4.8 per 1,000. Builder’s labourers, roofers, plasterers and bricklayers also feature in the top ten, along with soldiers, with 3.6 per 1,000 having a drink or drug-driving conviction.

Police officers are least likely to have a conviction, with just 0.026 per 1,000 guilty of drink-driving.

Taxi drivers (1.108 per 1,000) and research scientists (0.132 per 1,000), also feature in the bottom ten, as well as midwives (1.118 per 1,000) and paramedics (0.135).

Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: ‘There’s no excuse for drink or drug-driving, no matter what line of work you are in.

‘Regardless of the profession, the prospect of a couple of quick drinks in the pub after work can be tempting. The chances are you’re naturally going to be tired after a long day on top of that, so there’s an increased possibility your driving might suffer, leading to being stopped by the police.

‘We should also remember that construction workers – particularly scaffolders, who have to do their work before others can start – are on the road very early in the morning. If they’ve drunk the night before, they could still be over the limit on the way into work the next day.

‘Drink-driving puts yourself and other drivers in extreme danger and carries huge financial implications, as well as a driving ban for at least a year and the possibility of six months behind bars.

‘Car insurance premiums leap up following a conviction, typically by £470. For those who have been caught and experienced a hike in their premiums, it’s worth shopping around as another provider may offer a smaller increase.’

The “hidden sugar” in our diets could be causing us to die younger, according to scientists.

A high-sugar diet reprograms the activity of a gene called FOXO, which plays an important role in longevity for a variety of animals including humans.

Now Dr Adam Dobson, from the UCL Institute of Healthy Ageing, has warned that the “hidden sugar” found in everyday foods could be causing us to age faster.

He said: “The flies on our experiment were fed quite a lot of sugar, the rough equivalent of eating just cake every day for several years.

“But our results are not so far from reality because sugar is becoming more and more prevalent in the food supply.

“Hidden sugar often turns up in places that we wouldn’t expect, such as in foods and drinks that we might consider to be healthy.”

His experiment found a high-sugar diet can shorten life by as much as a twelfth in flies.

He said: “We’ve known for a little while that sugar has a negative effect on the lifespan of humans but until now we haven’t known why.

“What we’ve shown in flies is that sugar causes early death even after a healthy diet is resumed.

“And the new thing about this is study is we’ve found the mechanism behind it.

“The mechanism is a gene called FOXO, which we find particularly interesting because it seems to associated with accelerated ageing in a variety of species including humans.”

The gene FOXO also affects our digestive system, the daily functioning of our cells and the activity of other genes, he said.

He added: “If you take away FOXO from a fly, they can still survive but they are very unhealthy and tend to die much younger.”

The collision happened at about 10.20am, between Kilsby and Daventry, when a silver BMW estate travelling towards Daventry was in collision with a red Iveco lorry travelling in the opposite direction.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire Police said: "The driver of the BMW, a 40-year-old man from Dudley, West Midlands, sadly died at the scene."

Witnesses, or anyone with information, are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101 or call the Drivewatch Hotline on 0800 174615.

Britain is among the top five countries worldwide for mothers drinking during pregnancy, according to new research.

The findings should cause concern, as the researchers have warned of the huge impact alcohol can have on babies’ health, and recommend abstaining from booze.

Globally, nearly 10 per cent of expectant mums drink alcohol, a figure which varies widely in different countries - with some as high as 45 per cent.

Scientists said it can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) in children - which can include mental, behaviour and learning problems, as well as physical disabilities.

An estimated one in 67 women who drink during pregnancy will have a baby with the syndrome, they said.

There is an urgent need for more effective prevention strategies to target alcohol use during pregnancy, the researchers concluded.

Worldwide, an estimated 119,000 children are born with the syndrome each year, according to the study from the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

Europe had a higher prevalence of fetal alcohol syndrome - 2.6 per cent - than the global average.

The five countries with the highest rates were all in Europe - Russia, the UK, Denmark, Belarus and Ireland.

The lowest levels of drinking and the syndrome were found in the Eastern Mediterranean and South East Asia regions, as there are high rates of alcohol abstinence in these regions.

In Canada, which has clinical guidelines advising abstinence during pregnancy, an estimated ten per cent of pregnant women still drink, which is close to the estimated world average.

Despite the alarming rates in some countries, not every woman who drinks while pregnant will have a child with fetal alcohol syndrome, the scientists said.

Study leader Svetlana Popova said: “The safest thing to do is to completely abstain from alcohol during the entire pregnancy.

“We estimated that one in 67 mothers who drink during pregnancy will deliver a child with FAS.”

But she added that the figure is very conservative, and does not include other types of the syndrome that may occur from alcohol consumption during pregnancy.

These include partial fetal alcohol syndrome, pFAS, and Alcohol-related Neurodevelopmental Disorders, ARND.

Although it is well established that alcohol can damage any organ or system in the developing fetus - particularly the brain - it remains unknown exactly what makes it most susceptible.

This includes the amount or frequency of alcohol use, or timing of drinking during pregnancy, according to the research published in The Lancet Global Health.

Other factors, such as the genetics, stress, smoking and nutrition also contribute to the risk of developing the disorder, the study says.

The estimates from the study are intended to help countries plan public health initiatives and policies.

These can include monitoring fetal alcohol syndrome, and better education on the risks of alcohol use during pregnancy, the researchers note.

The model that the research team used could also help estimate the prevalence of other disease conditions, Dr Popova added.

Her team is currently extending their work to study the global scale of all fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, FASD.

A previous study by Dr Popova and her team, published in The Lancet last year, showed that more than 400 disease conditions co-occur with FASD.

According to the NHS, “Chief Medical Officers for the UK recommend that if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, the safest approach is not to drink alcohol at all to keep risks to your baby to a minimum.

“Drinking in pregnancy can lead to long-term harm to the baby, with the more you drink, the greater the risk.”

A star created 1,800 years ago after the collision of two distant suns is set to appear in the night sky for the first time – as the light from the crash finally reaches the Earth.

Scientists predict that for six months in 2022, stargazers will be able to witness the birth of the new star, which formed at the time of the Romans’ war with Scottish tribes, by fixing their telescopes near the Pisces and Cygnus constellations.

Boom Star

Dubbed the Boom Star, it has taken nearly two millennia for its light to reach earth — where it will be able to be seen by the naked eye.

Before their collision the two stars were too dim to be seen without the aid of an extremely powerful telescope but astronomers expect the collision to increase the brightness of the pair ten thousand fold, making it one of the brightest stars in the heaven for a time.

The explosion, known as a Red Nova, will then dissipate and the star will remain visible as a single bright, but duller, dot.

The prediction is based on a study of the two stars, which are orbiting each other in ever decreasing circles and appear to be on course for a collision.

Assuming they are correct, it would be the first time such an event was predicted by scientists.

“If the prediction is correct, then for the first time in history, parents will be able to point to a dark spot in the sky and say, ‘watch kids, there’s a star hiding in there, but soon it’s going to light up,” said Matt Walhout, of Calvin College in Michigan, which has been researching the star, along with Apache Point observatory and the University of Wyoming.

“It will be a very dramatic change in the sky, as anyone can see it. You won’t need a telescope to tell me in 2023 whether I was wrong or I was right,” added Larry Molnar, also of Calvin College.

A teenage boy was assaulted by an older teenager while in a Daventry park.

Northamptonshire Police say the victim, a 15-year-old boy, was on The Hollow playing field, off Jubilee Road, at about 8.15am on Friday, January 13, when he was assaulted by an older boy.

Officers say the offender is described as white, aged 17 to 18, 6ft tall and of medium build. He had short brown hair and was wearing black tracksuit bottoms, black hooded top with the hood up and a black face covering over the bottom half of his face.

Witnesses or anyone with information about this incident can contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Northamptonshire County Cricket Club has paid off more than half of its £1.9 million loan to the county council, the club has announced.

The county council gave the loan in 2014 to allow the club to invest in new facilities at the County Ground in Northampton.

The money was borrowed against one-off payments promised by the England and Wales Cricket Board in 2018 and 2020 - and now the ECB has paid all first-class cricket clubs £1 million a year in advance of the first payment.

This means NCCC can now reduce its debt to the county council. The club had also been given the chance to loan £250,000 from Northampton Borough Council but it had not taken this up.

In a statement Ray Payne, chief executive of Northamptonshire County Cricket Club, said: “This unexpected early debt repayment to the county council not only reduces club debt significantly but also compliments the clubs aspirations to become a new limited company. Shares in the new company, NCCC Holdings are attracting a lot of interest from members and the Northamptonshire Business community.”

Gavin Warren, chairman, spoke of his “delight” to have been able to repay the council such a significant amount early.

He said: “I’d like to thank them for their continued support over the last three years. We are now well on the way to fulfilling the clubs aspirations of being debt free within the next four years.”

A disciplinary hearing at Wootton Hall that concluded this afternoon was told how Sgt Ian Caffel, 52, and the colleague had engaged in a consenting sexual relationship outside of work but would go out for "hug breaks" during working hours.

He also "cooed" at female officers he found attractive and referred to one colleague as "hot cop", the misconduct panel was told.

Today force bosses deemed his actions amounted to gross misconduct and dismissed him with immediate effect.

They found Sgt Caffel, from Wellingborough, would make "regular sexual innuendos", which he simply dismissed as "banter".

Chief Constable Simon Edens said: "I have very carefully considered the evidence in this case.

"Some of the statements make direct allegations against Mr Caffel and some make indirect allegations.

"There were also e-mails to consider between him and the woman he had sex with.

"Mr Caffel has chosen not to be here today but I have not drawn any inference in him not being here.

"Those who made statements are clear and correct in what they are saying. They either have direct or indirect sexual connotations.

"The reactions of the complainants was mainly of distress.

"One of the complainants could not even come into work to feel safe.

Mr Edens said he found Caffel's overall account lacked fluency and that, at times, his answers were confusing.

Mr Edens said: "At no point did he say the women were lying and later, he said that they were not lying.

"He was unaware that he was upsetting people.

"He admits the fact that his behaviour was wrong despite the fact that he said he was just engaging in banter."

The panel heard Sgt Caffel engaged in the sexual relationship with the control room worker who was aged 23 at the time.

The chief constable added: "He was 50, he was the most senior member of staff and she was a junior taking calls.

"He said that 'she is a mature young woman who knew what she wanted and got it. She initiated it and he was flattered by the attention.

"However, the evidence found in the e-mails contradicts his accounts.

"He said that they didn't hug at work but they went out for 'hug breaks' at work.

"Both she and he are accepting adults but he was in a powerful position financially, [in] rank and authority and did not manage the boundaries between his professional and his private life.

"He was unaware of his responsibilities as a leader.

The panel found Sgt Caffel had committed gross misconduct.

Mr Edens said Sgt Caffel was in a position of authority and used it to exploit colleagues, which caused them to change their behaviour and stop his approaches.

"There is no place for anyone here who behaves in this way," Mr Edens said, "because the public trust us with our powers and they expect us to treat them with respect and Mr Caffel did not do this.

"I would have no faith that he would learn from this hearing and I am here to protect the public confidence and show that such behaviour will not be tolerated.

"Therefore, Mr Caffel is dismissed from the police service without notice.

"He will also not be able to continue following a career in policing.

"He will have the opportunity to appeal if he wishes to do so."

The former sergeant did not attend the tribunal and was instead represented by Police Federation representative Detective Inspector Steve Pace.

DI Pace said: "I have talked to Mr Caffel on the phone and he was provided with the opportunity to be here but he failed to attend and so I have no mitigation."

Thirty-three affordable homes are being built in four Northamptonshire villages, a housing developer has announced.

The homes will be built in Yarwell, Little Addington, Brigstock and Braunston, says Northamptonshire Rural Housing Association (NRHA). All the homes, it says, are being built specifically for local people to allow them to stay in their home villages.

Three of the projects are being funded by the Homes & Communities Agency. Work is set to start on nine homes in Yarwell in early March. A planning application has been put in for six homes in Little Addington and plans will be submitted later this year for six homes in Brigstock.

The development in Braunston will be completed in June and will bring 12 affordable homes to the village.

Funding for this scheme has been secured from HCA and Daventry District Council.

NRHA company secretary, Craig Felts, said: “We are pleased that our plans to bring to affordable homes to Northamptonshire’s rural villages are moving forward positively.

"These developments will contribute to the future sustainability of these communities where affordable housing is in great demand and people are being forced to move away due to a lack of affordable properties," he added.