East Sussex County Council said it had saved £129m since 2010 and needed to be realistic about the future.

The former leader of Northamptonshire County Council has resigned from the Conservative Party.

Announcing her resignation on Twitter,, external councillor Heather Smith called it a "sad day", but said she could not "cope with continuing unfair quotes from new councillors".

She had been a Conservative councillor for 11 years, representing the Oundle ward, and was leader between May 2016 and March this year.

Councillor Smith has not responded to a BBC request for interview, but in an expletive-laden interview with the Local Government Chronicle, external said she had become a "scapegoat".

The Conservative group on the council confirmed news that her resignation "had been tendered", but did not comment further.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks host Durham Jets in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary

Laura Cook
BBC Radio Northampton

The Chief Constable of Northamptonshire, Simon Edens, retires from the police force this weekend.

Mr Edens, who has been chief constable since 2015, has spent a 37 years as a police officer.

Image source, Office of Northamptonshire Police & Crime Commissioner

He began his career in 1981 serving as a constable and sergeant with the Royal Ulster Constabulary before moving to Cambridgeshire in 1991 where he served for 17 years, rising to the rank of chief superintendent.

In 2008, he became assistant chief constable at West Mercia Police and then deputy chief constable at Leicestershire in 2012.

His successor Nick Adderley joins Northamptonshire Police as Chief Constable on Monday.

Northamptonshire Steelbacks host Birmingham Bears in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Moulton - the place where all new residents are sent a welcome pack - has been named village of the year after wowing judges with its community spirit., external

Daventry Express

An elderly man's home has been "totally destroyed" by a fire in Weedon., external

The new Football League season kicks off on Saturday, with Northampton Town opening their League Two campaign at home to Lincoln City (15:00 KO).

The Cobblers were relegated from League One at the end of the 2017-18 season, but are being tipped for promotion this time around by bookmakers.

Image source, Getty Images

During the summer, the club has appointed caretaker manager Dean Austin as their full-time boss, while a sponsorship deal has seen Northampton's Sixfields Stadium renamed as the PTS Academy Stadium.

After opening against fellow promotion hopefuls Lincoln, Town travel to Carlisle United on Saturday, 11 August.

• Northampton Town 2018-19 fixtures

Watch video clips as Somerset beat Hampshire by six wickets in the T20 Blast at Southampton.

Derbyshire Falcons host Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary.

Clubs are struggling to get their grounds ready, with one council advising teams to delay the season.

Durham win a fifth T20 Blast match in a row and go top of the North Group as Kent, Notts, Sussex and Birmingham also win.

Luke Murphy, 17, died while swimming at a disused quarry in Warwickshire last week.

Northampton Chronicle & Echo

Elderly residents on a Northampton street could be without their landlines until Sunday, external, after a lightning strike destroyed phone lines.

A judge orders a full public consultation into plans for walk-in patients to require appointments.

Northamptonshire Telegraph

Detectives investigating a suspicious incident at Asda in Corby say there was no genuine attempt to kidnap a little girl., external

Durham Jets host Northamptonshire Steelbacks in the T20 Blast - listen to live BBC local radio commentary.

Northamptonshire County Council's possible reductions include child services and adult social care.

Northamptonshire County Council has held an emergency meeting about how to save £70m by next March.

Despite facing £70m of cuts, Northamptonshire County Council vows to protect vulnerable people.