The average British family is wasting over TWO kgs of food every month.

The shocking figure is the result of the widespread mentality that it is ‘better to cook too much than too little’.

Researchers found seven in ten households admit throwing away too much food, often because they over-estimate portion sizes.

More than one in ten said they simply don’t have the time to weigh out ingredients before cooking them, which creates even more waste.

One in ten families also throw away up to 10 items every month because they have gone off before being used.

Overall the study found the typical family throw away 2.23kg of food every month.

Low awareness

Futurologist James Bellini, on behalf of home appliance brand Grundig who commissioned the research, said: “Given the crucial importance of food issues over the coming decades the level of general awareness and concern is surprisingly low.

“But looking ahead to the 2020s and beyond to the 2030s it seems clear that emerging technologies, changing attitudes and greater commitment within the business and political communities could spark a new era for food.

“In which tackling waste and providing healthy and wholesome eating for all in a sustainable way will move significantly up the agenda.”

Pasta and rice are the dishes that Brits most commonly prepare far too much of, followed by potatoes and fresh veg.

Four in 10 Brits say they have no idea how much pasta or rice is recommended for an adult to have with a meal - which is around 80g.

Over-guesstimates

And more than two thirds simply try and ‘guesstimate’ how much to prepare when cooking a meal with these ingredients.

On average, adults waste more than a tenth of each meal they prepare - throwing it away rather than finishing it.

And 49 per cent of the population don’t bother recycling their food waste, sending it straight to the main bin with their other rubbish.

Nearly a third don’t recycle food waste because they find the idea of a bin for rotting food off-putting.

And despite evidence to the contrary, a quarter believe they simply don’t waste enough food for a dedicated waste bin to be viable.

However, 37 per cent would be inclined to recycle more if waste could be turned into energy to power their home.

The poll of 2,000 adults revealed rather than having a wasteful mentality, almost half of the country’s careless cooks admit to preparing too much food.

Incorrectly thinking they could tell how much of an ingredient was needed just by eye was among the top reasons for Brits not knowing how much to prepare for their dinners.

Good causes

Alexandra Boon from Beko plc said: “At Grundig, our Respect Food programme spans both product development and working with partners to use surplus food for good causes.

“We believe that the fight against food waste should begin at home in the kitchen. People should not only enjoy good food but respect it too - which means wasting less.

“Advanced technologies within the Grundig refrigeration range, such as Ion Fresh, No Frost Duo-Cooling system and Vitamin Care Zone already help to keep food fresher for longer.

“We’re committed to developing brand new technologies to further reduce food waste in the home and in our UK Research & Development centre we are currently working on sensors to detect food spoilage and methods to help users track and manage their food.”

James Bellini added: “In the end, technology has an important part to play in solving our food waste crisis, but without the commitment of people to new attitudes and a changed social outlook it will not be enough.”

RECOMMENDED PORTION SIZES FOR AN ADULT

Breakfast cereal: Three tablespoons (20g)

Boiled potatoes: Two small (egg sized) boiled potatoes

Rice: Two heaped tablespoons (80g)

Pasta: Three heaped tablespoons (80g)

Lean meat: 70g cooked meat, about the size of a deck of cards

Fish: 140g cooked dish, about the size of a chequebook

Eggs: Two medium eggs

Pulses: Five tablespoons (cooked)

Hard cheese: 25g of cheddar, about the size of a small matchbox

Dried fruit: Two figs, around 40g

Dark green leafy veg: Four heaped cooked tablespoons (80g)

FOODS MOST LIKELY TO GO OFF BEFORE USE

1. Bread

2. Bananas

3. Salad leaves

4. Milk

5. Potatoes

6. Cooked meats

7. Carrots

8. Cream

9. Yoghurt

10. Apples

Experts have revealed the ultimate guide to life - including owning our first car at 21, leaving home at the same age and getting onto the property ladder at 27.

Researchers who polled 2,000 adults of all ages also found we should reasonably expect to have had two long term relationships before settling down at 23 - and become parents by 27.

Worryingly, the study found the majority of the population are either behind in terms of their planned schedule, or are earning less money than they thought they would.

Shakila Hashmi, Head of Money for comparethemarket.com, which carried out the study, said: ‘’If our findings are anything to go by, the Great British public clearly wants to have it all by the time they hit 30 years old.

“And it appears most achieve it with things like meeting ‘the one’ or buying a home.

“However, when it comes to money, the findings are a little more concerning.

“Whether it’s because we aim too high, or simply underestimate the cost of big-ticket expenses, these findings highlight just how many of us are missing the targets we set for ourselves when it comes to money.”

LIfe-defining relationships

The study by OnePoll found many Brits would have expected to be in the long-term relationship that would define their life by the age of 23, although most weren’t married until 26.

And they usually expect to go through two long term relationships before finding ‘the one’.

Home ownership may be more difficult for younger generations than it has been in the past, but most Brits expected to own their first property by the age of 27 - and achieved just that.

And in fact, new homeowners expected to borrow £106,000 to get on the property ladder, significantly under the average first time mortgage of £133,000.

Brits have constantly earned less than they would have expected to throughout their lives - although those aged between 30-39 years old expected to earn £28,000 by the time they were 30.

However, the majority admitted they actually earned an average of just over £24,500 by that age.

Great expectations

Likewise, those aged between 40-49 years old expected to earn just over £29,000 by the time they were 40 when, in reality, they earned just under £24,800 per year.

Similarly, Brits were worryingly off the mark when it comes to the cost of running a car.

Although the car-owners polled expected to spend a total of £950 a year to cover related expenses (i.e. petrol, MOT, car insurance, maintenance), they admitted to actually spending over £1,500 a year on average.

Shakila Hashmi said: “What’s worrying, for example, is that the majority of consumers are still off the mark when it comes to considering costs like running a car.

“Especially in light of recent comments made by the Bank of England that consumers are becoming ‘dangerously complacent’ when it comes to mounting debt.

“There are numerous ways in which Brits should therefore aim to be as savvy as they can when it comes to keeping down everyday costs, like simply shopping around for the best deals.”

New figures show 89 people in Northamptonshire have died on the waiting list for an organ transplant over the past 10 years.

NHS Blood and Transplant revealed the tragic number of deaths to mark Organ Donation Week (September 4 to 10) and is now urging people to tell their families they want to become donors.

Hundreds of lifesaving transplants are being missed every year because families don’t know what their relative wanted.

Left to make the decision for someone they love, families often decide it is safer to say no.

The reluctance to talk about the issue is contributing to a deadly shortage of organs.

In Northamptonshire, there are currently 49 people waiting for a transplant.

They will only receive that life-changing call if people make sure their families know they want to be a donor.

Assistant director of organ donation and transplantation for NHS Blood and Transplant Anthony Clarkson said: “It’s a tragedy that people are dying unnecessarily every year in Northamptonshire waiting for transplants.

“We know that if everyone who supported donation talked about it and agreed to donate, most of those lives would be saved.

“This Organ Donation Week, tell your family you want to save lives.

“A few words now can make an extraordinary difference. It will also make things much easier for your family to make the right decision.

“If you want to save lives, don’t leave it too late to talk to your family.

“In Northamptonshire there are more than 285,000 people on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“However if you want to be a donor, your family’s support is still needed for donation to go ahead.

“If you are unsure about donation, please ask yourselves as a family; what would you do if one of you needed a transplant?

“Would you accept a life-saving organ? If you’d take an organ, shouldn’t you be prepared to donate?”

NHS Blood and Transplant surveys show more than 80 per cent of people support organ donation but only half of people have ever talked about it.

Research shows that women are 30 per cent more likely to start a conversation about organ donation than men.

Families who agree to donate say it helps with their grief and that they feel enormous sense of pride at knowing their relative gave others the chance of a new beginning.

NHS Blood and Transplant wants everyone in Northamptonshire to be able to save lives through organ donation and not be prevented from doing so because they have not told a relative their decision.

8.4 million Britons take just one shower per week, according to new research into the hygiene habits of UK adults.

While just over half of us (51 per cent) shower daily, 14 per cent of Brits confessed to showering just once a week

The survey of 2,011 UK adults by bathroom specialists BetterBathrooms.com also found that an ultra-hygienic four per cent of us take to the shower twice a day.

Over a fifth (21 per cent) shower every other day; however, almost one in ten (8 per cent) never take a shower, opting instead to take a bath, citing relaxation as the top reason.

Perhaps surprisingly, men are most likely to shower daily (68 per cent), with women doing so less frequently - but preferring a relaxing bath (53 per cent).

Men are the speedier sex too with their average shower lasting 7 minutes, versus 13 minutes for women.

Longer shower sessions are most popular amongst the younger age demographics, with those aged 18-24 most likely to spend more than 20 minutes behind the shower curtain, while those aged 45-54 have the quickest showers, taking just 8 minutes on average.

More than a third (37 per cent) of Brits confessed to singing in the shower to let off steam, while 20 per cent said they preferred to let the professionals do the work and opt to listen to music on a speaker while they wash.

Lee Glenister, Head of Marketing for BetterBathrooms.com commented: “It’s surprising to see such a large number of Britons shower just once a week.

“It’s also interesting that the older demographics take less time in the shower, which may suggest they view it as more of a necessary facet of their lives rather than a relaxing experience.”

Tributes have been paid to former Daventry “legend” Weston Gamble who has lost his battle with cancer.

Barbados-born James, known as Weston, died last month aged 86 from colon cancer.

He was a popular member of the Daventry community who made a big impact on the town,

Dave Hutton saw Weston as a second father.

“Swiss Cottage in Daventry started off life as a cafe, but when Weston joined with business partner, Resh Singh, he helped turn it into a restaurant with accommodation.”

“After the Swiss Cottage, the partners bought the Wheatsheaf in Daventry and later opened Duane’s nightclub in Rugby which later changed to Dickybows, next to St Andrew’s Church.”

Weston then took over the Imperial in Rugby.

“He was so community-minded,” said Dave.

He described Westson as a “true gentleman” who would help anyone.

Dave added: “He selflessly passed on his culinary and business skills to many people and was always dressed impeccably and loved the fine things in life.”

Another close friend, Arren Thomas, said: “My family met Weston in the 1970s, so I’ve known him most my life.“I worked alongside him in the kitchen and in the bar.”He said Weston was well-respected and would do anything to help anyone.

“My daughter Leigha was very fond of Weston as in later years he lived with us at the family home.

“He will be sadly missed by all.”

Weston’s funeral will take place at Rainsbrook Crematorium in Rugby, September 14 at 3pm, followed by a wake at Hillmorton Manor hotel.

Dave and Arren would like to thank the owner Michael Quigley for his support.

A motorcyclist was kicked off his bike on a main road during an attempted robbery in Northamptonshire.

At around 1.30pm on Tuesday 22 August, a man was on his motorbike waiting to turn off the A5 onto the B5385 towards Watford.

Two men on one motorbike approached him, stopped alongside him and kicked him off his bike. They tried to take the bike from him but failed and he rode off.

The first offender is described as white, wearing a black helmet, blue tracksuit and no gloves and the second is described as white, wearing a grey hooded top, light grey trousers and also no gloves. They were riding a white Yamaha moped with no number plate on the back.

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

Groove on the Green - formerly a small family fun day turned 'fully-fledged music festival' - hosted 1,500 people over the weekend and has raised more than £46,000 in the past five years for causes including, Muddy Boots Pre-School, church, village hall, Walgrave Primary School Parent-Teacher Association and the village WI.

Kevin Brown from the organising committee said: “This was our tenth-anniversary event and this year the stage, sound, lighting, and stalls were all bigger and better than ever."

Live music kicked-off the day at 1pm on Saturday, 2 September, which ran through the evening until 11pm, while the beer festival boasted over 20 real ales, qualifying it as a CAMRA registered event.

Left over cash will be invested into the Jubilee Trust, a trust fund held in the village, so local groups can apply for small grants.

Stephen Jones, 44, of King Style Close, Crick, died following the collision on the A5, near the BP Truck Stop at Lilbourne at 6am on Thursday, August 31.

Mr Jones was riding a motorcycle at the time of the accident, which also involved a car and a lorry.

A statement released by Mr Jones' family said: “Steve was a family man with a lot of love to give and always there for people. He was a devoted father to Lauren and stepfather to Tyler.

"His partner Sarah loved him deeply, they were like two peas in a pod. He is going to be missed by all.”

A Boughton-raised woman who received a life-saving kidney transplant from her mum will be tackling the Great North Run to raise funds for renal research and inspire others to be organ donors.

Joely Slinn will be cheered on at the roadside by mum Jane when she runs the world-famous half-marathon in aid of Kidney Research on Sunday, September 10.

As 28-year-old Joely lines up at the race start, it will be almost exactly seven years since she received the life-changing diagnosis of kidney failure and started a gruelling eight months of daily dialysis.

In June 2011 she received one of her mum’s kidneys and, with her health now recovering well, is keen to show her support and raise money to help find a cure for kidney disease.

Joely said: “I count myself as one of the lucky ones, thanks to the lifesaving transplant I received from my mum, so I’m running the Great North to celebrate how far I’ve come over the past seven years and raise awareness and money for Kidney Research.

“There is currently no cure for kidney disease and a shortage of donor organs, so the work the charity carries out is vital.

“Even before my transplant I was never a natural runner, so this will be a huge challenge for me both physically and mentally. I’m thrilled to be running with Chris and really proud that mum will also be there to cheer me on.”

Joely, who grew up in Boughton and works at Daventry District Council as environmental improvement officer, only started running four months ago. Her partner Chris, who has been at her side throughout her illness, is helping with her training and will also be running the 13.1-mile route in an effort to raise £2,000 for charity.

To sponsor Joely and Chris for the Great North Run in aid of Kidney Research, visit their fundraising page.

The fifty-foot narrowboat Dawn Treader was taken on or around August 20 from a temporary mooring on the Grand Union Canal near Lemington Spa.

It was found moored and unattended by police on the Grand Union three days later in Lower Shuckburgh, 10 miles away from where it had been stolen.

Tim Coghlan, managing director of Braunston Marina, said: "This story is fortunately a fairly rare one on the canals, and in near-thirty years of working on the canals, I am unaware of any stolen narrowboat not being eventually recovered, though in one case it took five years.

"But the brilliant work by our local police team and Ali’s use of Facebook brought this one to an amazingly swift conclusion.

"Hopefully with all the information provided to the police and their own investigations, the perpetrators will be caught and brought to justice."

The boat's owner Ali Jefferey, a 40-year-old supply teacher from Leamington Spa, was in the process of moving her boat from its mooring in Warwick to a boat yard near Long Itchington.

She had moved it above Fosse Lock late on August 19, but when she returned at 6.30pm on the evening of Tuesday, August 22 the boat had gone.

Mrs Jefferey informed the police immediately and posted about it on Facebook, which helped to spread the word among the boating community and encouraged people to come forward with information.

A friend of Mrs Jefferey who saw her post on social media told her they had seen Dawn Treader at about 5.30pm on August 21.

A couple on holiday along the Grand Union informed police they had shared the Bascote Flight with Mrs Jefferey's boat and were able to give a detailed description of the people to the authorities.

On the Wednesday morning the police began a search of the canal from Marston Doles towards Napton, during which they received reports of a sighting of the Dawn Treader, said to be tied up at Lower Shuckburgh.

The police found the boat unattended in a relatively remote place with several empty beer cans and cannabis cigarette ends left behind, both on the boat and the towpath. Fingerprint and DNA samples were taken from these.

The boat had been broken into via the bow doors, which were hidden by the cratch cover.

The thieves found the ignition key, having seemingly tried to start the engine with a screwdriver, and departed with other boat keys they found onboard the Dawn Treader.

As a result a tow to Braunston Marina was arranged where work on repairing the doors as well as parts of the hull and paintwork - which were damaged by rough driving through locks - is being undertaken. Together with other damage, the total cost of the repairs is estimated at £2,000.

Stephen Batterby, 64, formerly of Farthingstone, yesterday (September 5) also pleaded guilty to downloading more than 3,000 indecent images of children.

Northampton Crown Court heard allegations that more than 600 moving images found on Batterby's computers were "category A", the most severe grading possible.

Batterby denied two counts of attempting to arrange, facilitate or commission a meeting with a child for the purposes of abusing them.

One attempt was in 2015 and the second was between March and April this year.

Batterby was released on bail under and electronic curfew and will return to court in October.

Daventry Country Park is in the running for a national prize after once again claiming a Green Flag Award earlier this summer.

The park has since been entered into the 2017 People's Choice Awards which is an opportunity for the public and those that use the park to vote for their favourite green space.

Voting is open and will run until September 30, with the top ten winning sites announced on October 11.

Councillor Alan Hills, community, culture and leisure portfolio holder at Daventry District Council, said: “We are extremely proud of the park’s Green Flag status, a prestigious accolade which recognises its excellent facilities, community involvement, sustainability, conservation and heritage

“I would ask anyone who enjoys visiting the park to spend a moment voting for it in these national awards, so that we can demonstrate to the nation what a great, popular country park we have here in Daventry, so don’t delay - vote today.”

People can vote for Daventry Country Park by visiting www.daventrydc.gov.uk/countrypark and following the link or on Facebook.

Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance which, with its sister service in neighbouring counties, provides rapid response to trauma and medical emergencies over an area of 3,850 square miles, will benefit from a number of initiatives with Amazon over the coming months.

These include donations, on-site fundraising by the Daventry team and attendance at Amazon events.

Speaking on the donation, Amazon Daventry general manager, David Tindal, said: "Everyone at Amazon in Daventry is very proud about our support for Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance.

"We are passionate about helping people in our community and teaming up with Air Ambulance Northampton means we can help make a real difference in the area.

"The team here provides vital support as part of the emergency services across the county and beyond. We look forward to seeing what we can achieve together over the coming months."

The initiative has been marked with a donation of £2,500 to the charity from the fulfilment centre team.

Amazon Daventry teamed up with Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance after the charity was chosen by the team at the fulfilment centre for support.

The move is part of a UK-wide programme that enables Amazon sites to provide on-going support to a charity in the areas where they operate, making a sustainable difference to important causes within the local community.

The partnership will help Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance maintain its rapid response service so the team can come to the aid of as many people as possible.

Members of the Amazon team visited the charity to deliver the donation and to learn more about the work Warwickshire and Northampton Air Ambulance does.

Jo Payne from Air Ambulance Northampton said: "Thank you to David and everyone at Amazon in Daventry for teaming up with Air Ambulance.

"We rely on help and donations from businesses and the community, so to have this support from the team at Amazon is a real boost to our staff.

"On behalf of everyone here I would like to thank David and his team at Amazon in Daventry for their generosity and support."

The donation forms part of the ‘Amazon in the Community’ programme whereby the company supports the communities around its operating locations across the UK.

Motorists heading into Northampton are experiencing delays of up to an hour due to a broken down minibus that is leaking fuel.

People heading south on the M1 through Northamptonshire are at a standstill this morning because of the breakdown.

Lane one is closed to allow for recovery teams to clear up a fuel spillage on the M1 southbound between junction 17 for the M45 and junction 16 for the A4500.

As the bus has broken down in the roadworks construction area, recovery is taking longer than anticipated.

The breakdown has taken place on a section where there is no hard shoulder.

A second recovery vehicle has recently arrived on the scene to clear the fuel spill.

A £79,700 grant will pay for an urgent project to replace rotting floors at St Mary’s Church in Badby.

The grant, given by the Heritage Lottery Fund, has been made possible by National Lottery players.

A new step-less entrance is also being introduced, along with a large new flat area at the back of the church which can be laid out with chairs, tables and displays.

Work is due to start from October and will continue for about six months.

Tower captain Geoff Pullin said: “We have been battling away for several years to get this work done.

“We look forward to finishing it so everyone can use the village’s oldest building safely and easily.”

Jonathan Platt from the Heritage Lottery Fund said: “Historic places of worship like St Mary’s have fascinating stories to tell, and are often at the heart of communities. Thanks to National Lottery players we can help to address the church’s urgent needs.”

A reluctance to talk about death is leading to hundreds of life-saving transplant opportunities being missed, say the NHS.

More than three families a week are refusing donation of their deceased loved ones’ organs - because they didn’t know what their relative wanted.

This means more than 450 lifesaving organ transplants are being missed each year as families decide to say ‘no’ rather than guess at what their relative’s views might have been.

NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed the figure to mark Organ Donation Week (September 4 to 10) and is urging people to tell their families they want become life-saving organ donors. The reluctance to talk about the issue is contributing to a deadly shortage of organs and leaving families to make a difficult decision when someone they love dies.

Last year 457 people died while on the active transplant waiting list and a further 875 people were removed from the list, mainly due to ill health. Many of these people will have died shortly after being removed.

There are currently 6,414 people waiting for a transplant.

Anthony Clarkson, Assistant Director of Organ Donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s a tragedy: hundreds of people are dying unnecessarily every year waiting for transplants.

“We know that if everyone who supported donation talked about it and agreed to donate, most of those lives would be saved.

“This Organ Donation Week, tell your family you want to save lives. A few words now can make an extraordinary difference. It will also make things much easier for your family to make the right decision.

“If you want to save lives, don’t leave it too late to talk to your family. If you want to be a donor, your family’s support is still needed for donation to go ahead, even if you are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.

“And if you are unsure about donation, please ask yourselves as a family; what would you do if one of you needed a transplant? Would you accept a lifesaving organ? If you’d take an organ, shouldn’t you be prepared to donate?”

Northamptonshire Police – along with forces in Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire – opted to expand the number of officers carrying Tasers, also known as conductive electrical devices (CED), last year.

Today the force has announced that "about half" of the 100 officers who are being authorised to carry the devices have now finished their training.

Once all training is complete, it will take the number of response officers equipped with Tasers from 76 to 176.

Currently, the Taser capability available to Northamptonshire Police is provided by officers who work in the East Midlands Operational Support Services unit (EMOpSS), which provides specialist services to this county as well as Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

Within EMOpSS, there are currently 388 police officer posts that can carry Tasers, including roads and armed police officers, the tactical armed policing team and the dog section.

The roll out means that, for the first time in Northamptonshire, Taser capability will be extended to officers in local policing roles.

Superintendent Chris Hillery, head of local policing said: "Extending our Taser capability will allow us to respond quicker and more effectively with the appropriate resources needed for a given incident.

"In addition, it will free up roads and armed response resources across the whole region, giving us greater capability to deal with them when required.

"Figures show that, nationally, 64 police officers are assaulted every day. By extending our Taser capability, we will be better placed to protect police officers and the wider community in general, from harm."

The Police Federation has been consulted and fully supports the decision to extend the use of Taser to local response officers.

Supt Hillery added "Evidence elsewhere in the country does not suggest that by simply equipping more officers there is an inevitable and automatic increase in the number of times CEDs are used.

"On many occasions, simply the presence of a CED can calm and resolve a situation without it necessarily being used to combat a violent situation."

The force says that every use of a Taser has to be reported and scrutinised and officers are individually accountable to the law for the amount of force they use

Figures released earlier this year by the Home Office showed that, nationally, there was a fall in the number of times Tasers were discharged.

Between April 1 and August 31 this year, Taser officers were authorised to deploy to incidents in Northamptonshire on 504 occasions.

Of those, Taser was used on 49 occasions although only actually fired on seven of those incidents.

All officers equipped with Taser are subject to the policy guidelines set down by the College of Policing.

Officers in Northamptonshire will all receive an additional day's training on the use of Taser, over and above the statutory three days, as well as benefiting from enhanced refresher courses.

A planning proposal by Bloor Homes to develop two greenfield farms near Duston was made to Daventry District Council this morning.

But the 20-year project for the sprawl of new homes stops short of Northampton Borough Council's boundaries.

Councillors are concerned the strain of the new population would arguably affect Northampton while Daventry and South Northamptonshire collect the tax benefits.

Barry Frenchman, ward councillor for Harlestone, which is next to the earmarked farms, said: "I hope it will be a sustainable urban extension. There's a demand for houses and Harlestone has come to accept there will be a development here.

"I will try very hard to make sure residents get the most benefit out of it then can. We will go over the plans with a fine tooth comb."

The two farms, west of New Duston, are bordered by Roman Road, New Sandy Lane and Port Road.

The first phase of the 20-year-project aims to build 600 homes, primary school and space for shops within five years of approval.

It comes as part of the Joint Core Strategy for Daventry, Northampton and South Northamptonshire.

A spokesman for Bloor Homes said: "After consulting with local stakeholders, we have taken great care in developing these plans for a new sustainable community. In addition to providing quality local housing that is urgently needed, this development will offer a range of benefits for the local community."

"Payments secured by the councils through planning obligations and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) will help to pay for necessary infrastructure improvements within all three local authority areas."

Bloor Homes is currently marketing the 1,000-house Buckton Fields development near Whitehills and the Hunsbury Fields development in south west Northampton.

Councillor Matthew Golby, who sits on the West Northants Joint Strategic Planning Committee, said: "I understand the need for building houses and creating school places.

"I think a lot of people will live on the west side of Northampton to access the motorways and not so much to use the town.

"We want all local developments to benefit the town and be community focussed."

Daventry Museum has organised a variety of free events as part of a national celebration of culture, architecture and history.

Walks, a history quiz and a new exhibition at the town's museum tracing Daventry through the ages are all on the agenda for this year's annual Heritage Open Days

The museum is also working in partnership with Daventry Holy Cross Church to promote a 'Ride and Stride' event, along with a tour of the bell tower and a chance to have a go at some bell ringing on Saturday, September 9 from 10.30am to 3.30pm.

Two free heritage walks are planned for this week, which can be booked by calling 01327 301246:

- Friday, September 8 from 6pm to 7.30pm Mike Arnold will take a guided walk through Daventry, offering an insight into various town centre buildings

- Sunday, September 10 from 4pm to 5.30pm Mike Arnold will lead a walk on Borough Hill, sharing information on its geology, nature and history

A quiz designed to get you out and about in Daventry and increase awareness of town's heritage is available at the museum, or can be downloaded from their website.

'Ride and Stride' is a sponsored bike ride or walk touring some of the county's historic churches. More information and help to plan a route can be found here.

The museum's new exhibition Daventry Through the Ages will open on Saturday, September 9 from 10am to 2pm, and highlights major periods of Daventry’s history from the Jurassic Period through to present day.

Firefighters have released a spooky parody of a horror film - to encourage people to test their alarms.

The fire brigade has piggybacked the publicity around the new Stephen King film ‘IT’ to make a creepy safety video to help raise awareness.

The story behind ‘IT’ involves a group of children who face their biggest fears when they square off against an evil clown named Pennywise, who carries a trademark red balloon.

A red balloon is featured in the fire version, which the force said represents the fear of a house fire or fire itself.

The balloon makes its way into a family home, only to be stopped by a firefighter who reaches up to test the home’s smoke alarm.

The clip urges “Don’t be a clown” and to “Test ‘IT’ weekly”.

Firefighters said they hope to promote the importance of testing smoke alarms weekly, and having an escape plan in place.

A spokesman for the Kent Fire Service, which put the video together, said: “We’re always trying to find new ways to reach different audiences to encourage them to think about safety particularly in the home.

“By jumping on the back of the excitement of the movies, we hope people will relate to our films and take on board their safety messages.

“By using the red balloon to represent fear of fire or fire itself, we are tapping into generating potential behaviour change through the use of emotions and protecting those we love the most - our family, pets and home.”