Summary

  • Updates for Wednesday, 9 March 2016

  • News, sport, travel and weather updates resume on Thursday at 08:00

Live Reporting

Dani Bailey

  1. Junior doctors begin 48-hour walkout

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Junior doctors began a 48-hour walkout at 08:00 - their third strike in the ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.

    East and North Herts NHS Trust has tweeted to tell people to turn up for appointments unless they have been told otherwise.

    Bucks Healthcare has said it's emergency services are running "as normal".

    We'll bring you more on what hospital services are available in the three counties as we get it.

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  2. Daffodils stolen from Field of Hope display

    Simon Oxley
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    People have been stealing daffodils planted in support of Marie Curie Cancer Care in Hemel Hempstead.

    Daffodils

    The Field of Hope display in Gadebridge Park was donated and planted by Dacorum Borough Council  in the early 1990s and the same bulbs still bloom today. The authority has asked people to "respect this special flower display" and all displays in the borough.

    A spokesman said it is "very sad" people are picking the daffodils and said it is working to bring in by-laws to stop people spoiling its displays.

  3. Goalkeeper Tyler leaves Hatters

    Simon Oxley
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    Luton Town have confirmed the departure of goalkeeper Mark Tyler after more than six years and nearly 300 games for the club.

    Mark TylerGetty Images

    Tyler is returning to Peterborough in a player-coach role, initially on loan for the rest of the season.

    Meanwhile, the Hatters remain three points off the League Two play-off places after 7th-placed Wimbledon's defeat at Bristol Rovers last night. 

  4. West Coast line flooding delays continue

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Earlier we told you about flooding on the railway line between Rugby and Milton Keynes - London Midland has now said it expects disruption until 10:00.

    If you're travelling to Northampton, it has confirmed rail replacement buses are running in both directions between Rugby and Northampton until further notice.

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  5. Reported sex offences rise in Bedfordshire and the Thames Valley

    Tony Fisher
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    The number of child sex offences reported in Bedfordshire has gone up by almost 30%, and 20% in the Thames Valley. Conversely, in Hertfordshire there has been a drop of 30%. The recorded crimes include rape, grooming and sexual assault.

    Child abuse generic

    The figures, comparing 2014/15 to the previous year were obtained by the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, and show that in England and Wales, the figure went up by a third.

    It has said the figures may only reveal a small part of the whole picture as many children are afraid to speak up.

  6. Travel: Flooding causes rail problems

    BBC Travel

    There are delays of up to ten minutes on London Midland services and up to 30 minutes on Virgin Trains West Coast between Rugby and Milton Keynes due to flooding and a signal problem.

    Meanwhile, there's heavy traffic on the northbound M1 at J12 for the A5120 at Flitwick due to an accident which is now on the hard shoulder.

    Get the latest updates from BBC Traffic.

  7. Latest headlines: Number of sex offence reports rises... Marie Curie daffodils stolen

    Simon Oxley
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    Here are the top stories we're looking at this morning:

    • The number of child sex offences reported in Bedfordshire has gone up by almost 30%, and by 20% in Thames Valley
    • People have stolen daffodils planted in support of Marie Curie cancer care in Hemel Hempstead
    • A public meeting is being held tonight in the continuing row over the town hall in the Hertfordshire town of Hitchin

  8. Today's weather: Wind and rain

    Kate Kinsella
    BBC Look East weather

    There will be heavy rain and cold winds this morning, with the rain becoming more patchy this afternoon.

    The Met Office has issued a Yellow Weather Warning for Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire saying the persistent rain is likely to produce "some flooding and difficult driving conditions".

    Maximum temperature: 8C (46F). Get more on the forecast where you live at BBC Weather.

  9. Welcome to Local Live for Beds, Herts and Bucks

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning and welcome to the Local Live page for the three counties.

    "Woke up, fell out of bed,Dragged a comb across my headFound my way downstairs and drank a cup,And looking up I noticed I was late."

    No - this isn't an account of my morning so far, but a rather clumsy tribute to The Beatles producer George Martin, who has died, aged 90.

    We'll be here with the latest news, sport, weather, travel until 18:00, after which you'll be able to say: "I read the news today, oh boy".

    If you'd like to get in touch, you can tweet us or email us here.