Following today's report, external from the CQC saying the East of England Ambulance Trust, external requires improvement - the trust's chief executive has paid tribute to staff and volunteers.

Robert Morton said: "I am absolutely delighted that this report recognises the outstanding care we provide to patients, day in day out... we are the only ambulance service to get an outstanding rating."

He added: "We have made huge steps forward over the last year and this progress is reflected in the report. 

"We know we have more work to do, to move us from ‘requires improvement’ to ‘good’, and we have in place a plan to address the points raised by the CQC. 

"The report identifies the need to increase our staffing levels so that we can respond to the increases in demand we are seeing... We continue to work with our commissioners and the NHS to discuss and address this issue," he said.

BBC Weather

It will be a bright and breezy afternoon with sunny spells. Whilst one or two isolated showers may develop, most places will miss them and stay dry. 

It will feel fairly warm, despite the breeze, with a maximum temperature of 20C (68F).

BBC Weather Watchers

We have some great photographs from yesterday evening of rainbows at dusk scattered across Bedfordshire.

Couldn't help but share, courtesy of our BBC Weather Watchers...

Two airports in the East of England have been rated "very good" for the quality of assistance it provides for passengers with a disability or reduced mobility.

The performance report, external, by the UK Civil Aviation Authority, assessed 30 UK airports against a number of measures including how long passengers have to wait for assistance on arrival and departure. 

Norwich and London Southend were two of 10 airports to receive the "very good" rating. 

In our region London Stansted was ranked "good", with London Luton found to be "taking steps".  

Edinburgh was the only airport to be judged "poor".

Matthew Lockwood
BBC Three Counties Radio

I have added BBC Three Counties' contribution to the art work that will cover up the hoardings at a building site in Stony Stratford in Milton Keynes.

They are covering the site where two 18th Century listed buildings were destroyed by fire in May. 

I was attempted to add a cat to the picture of a bull, but it's been described by the project leader as looking more like the devil. Oh dear...

Matthew Lockwood
BBC Three Counties Radio

Work is under way in Stony Stratford to re-build two 18th Century buildings which were destroyed in a fire three months ago. 

While the work's taking place in the High Street, residents are helping to provide artwork to make the construction site look more attractive.

Artist Johnny Boatfield is involved in the project and says the site is "a bit ugly", so they are "going to produce a beautiful [artwork]" to shroud it, which will be there for a couple of years.

Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio

A man has appeared at Luton Crown Court charged with murder at a travellers' site in Bedfordshire. 

Image source, Bedfordshire Police

Thomas McCarthy, 24, of Toddbury Farm, is accused of deliberately running over 43-year-old Patrick Maloney (pictured) where they both lived. 

Mr McCarthy appeared in Luton Crown Court today via a video link from Bedford Prison. 

The charge of murder was not put to him, but the judge said a trial wouldn't be held until January next year. He's expected to enter a plea in October

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A £147,000 grant is being provided to help victims of domestic abuse, Bedfordshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner Kathryn Holloway has announced.

The PCC said the funding was for women’s refuges and victims of domestic abuse.

Ms Holloway said: “When traditional crime like burglary and robbery is falling... there is a sinister new epidemic in crime which is taking place behind closed doors... including domestic violence and abuse of children.

"That is why I was determined to fund the most urgent support of all required by victims - a place of safety when they need it most - and on-going counselling and practical advice to help them rebuild their lives in a safer home."

For more information about victims services in Bedfordshire, visit the PCC’s website, external.

Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live

Hemel's Max Whitlock did a sterling job last night in the men's team final of the gymnastics.

He competed in all six disciplines: pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, vault, floor and horizontal bar.

The team narrowly missed the bronze medal, coming in fourth.

Here are some incredible photographs from last night of the World Champion and double Olympic medallist...

Image source, AFP

Image source, Reuters

Image source, AP

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

A Conservative MP who has long campaigned for improvements in the ambulance service, says the need to improve response times has been going on "for far too long".

Suffolk Coastal MP Therese Coffey, speaking after a health watchdog rated the East region's ambulance service as "requiring improvement" in a new report, external, said: "They keep talking about demand rising and I want to know where the demand is coming [from].

"That's the kind of thing we need to get into though I'll be honest, that should be their job, not necessarily the role of the MP to be pressing them on different areas."

BBC Sport

Great Britain's men narrowly missed out on bronze as Japan won gold in the men's gymnastics team final last night.

Hemel Hempstead's Max Whitlock, along with Kristian Thomas, Nile Wilson, Louis Smith and Brinn Bevan, finished fourth with 269.725 points.

Image source, Getty Images

Smith, from Cambridgeshire, fell off the pommel in a complicated final rotation as China secured bronze with 271.122 points:  

"Our streets will be safer" after convicted rapist Christopher Parsons was jailed for life, police say.

The 41-year-old was sentenced at St Albans Crown Court yesterday.

Image source, SBNA

"Thankfully the jury saw past Christopher Parsons’ lies and convicted him of these serious crimes," said Det Sgt Alex Warwick.

"He is clearly a dangerous man and our streets will be safer whilst he remains in prison.

"I would like to pay tribute to both victims who have been extremely brave in supporting the investigation and giving evidence against him."

Celia Mardon, from the Thames & Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service, said the "emotional impact on the victims of the abhorrent actions of this man is impossible to quantify".

She hoped the life sentence "gives some small comfort to them".

Health watchdog the Care Quality Commission has rated the East region's ambulance service, external as "requiring improvement" in its latest report, external.

The report, published this morning, shows the East of England Ambulance Service Trust was inspected twice in April.

It says the service is under significant pressure and is failing to meet performance standards and targets for responding to 999 calls - an issue highlighted when a Newmarket Town footballer had to wait three hours for an ambulance to arrive at the weekend after he was injured on the pitch in Essex.

There are also recruitment issues, along with poor training of staff to deal more appropriately with patients suffering with dementia or mental health problems.

There is good news, however, when it comes to patient care, with it being rated in that area as "outstanding".

We'll bring you reaction to this shortly.

Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live

A 16-year-old girl who was dragged into hedgerow by a convicted rapist has been recommended for a High Sheriff's award by a judge.

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Christopher Parsons, 41, of Castle Street, Hertford, was jailed for life at St Albans Crown Court yesterday for violently attacking the young girl in Ware and telling her he would kill her.

Six months later he raped a 52-year-old woman.

Judge Andrew Bright QC praised the "courage and fortitude" of the girl who managed to hold off Parsons and shout for help, despite being punched repeatedly in the face.

"I would like her to know I am filled with admiration for the way she behaved that night," Judge Bright said, recommending her for a £500 High Sheriff's award.

Police are appealing for information from anyone who may have seen a man stabbed by a group of young men in Luton bel;eved to have been vandalising cars.

The man, in his 40s, was stabbed in Trinity Road by a group of five Asian men aged between 15 and 20-years-old after he pursued them with another man.

"This was a nasty incident which has left a man with serious injuries," Det Insp Jackie Dadd said.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

A person who witnessed the stabbing of a man who confronted vandals attacking cars in Luton says the argument had seemed to "settle down".

The witness describes seeing a group of "Asian youths in hoodies arguing with two Asian men in their 40s" at about 23:00 on Sunday.

"It settled down then one of them ran towards the traffic lights and stabbed him. It was big blade," the witness said.

The family of a man who was stabbed while confronting vandals in Luton says he's still in a critical condition. 

The man, who's in his 40s, was attacked after chasing a group of five youths who were damaging vehicles in Kingsley Road on Sunday night.

Image source, SBNA

His family say he was stabbed when he confronted the youths on Trinity Road, after he and another man drove after the group.  

"All the family are at the hospital. He is in a critical condition. We have been told he was stabbed in the back and the side," a member of the man's family said.

Georgina Burnett
BBC Weather

A dry and sunny morning, becoming cloudy later with the chance of a few showers.

Temperatures reaching 20C (68F).

BBC Weather has more.

Georgina Burnett
BBC Weather

It'll be a chilly but bright start followed by a day of sunny spells, although a scattering of showers will develop during the late afternoon with highs of 19C (66F).

Here's my full forecast for the region:

There are more details on the BBC Weather website.

Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome back to the live page for Beds, Herts and Bucks.

We'll be bringing you all the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the area until 18:00.

Very shortly we'll bring you the weather - it's a bright, sunny start - before bringing you the latest on the condition of the man who was stabbed in Luton after it's understood he confronted men vandalising cars.