Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Here are some of the stories in the local newspapers today...

• The Bucks Herald, external is reporting that building works have delayed the start of the school term for pupils at William Harding Combined School in Aylesbury
• The MK Citizen, external has news that residents were left with nowhere to stay last weekend, after lightning struck a two storey block of flats
• Posters in Arabic, Urdu, Bengali, and Somali will appear in GP surgeries in Luton to raise awareness of an NSPCC helpline for parents worried about terrorism and radicalisation, the Luton News, external says

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Earlier we told you how the prime minister was chairing the first meeting of her cabinet since the summer break, at Chequers in Buckinghamshire. They've been discussing developments since June's Leave vote.

Well, here they all are in situ - and I have to say it looks a bit of a squeeze.

But that shouldn't distract from the matter in hand, and so far Theresa May has said the UK must focus on the "opportunities" on offer outside the EU, as she reiterated there would be no second referendum on Brexit.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Reuters

BBC Weather

There's a mostly dry afternoon on the cards, with just the odd spot of rain and a good chance of sunny spells this evening.

Maximum temperature: 21C (70F).

BBC Weather Watcher The Walker has posted this shot from Bedford, which shows what a nice looking day it is.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A teenage girl who fought "like a tigress" to see off a rapist has been awarded £500 from the High Sheriff of Hertfordshire.

The 16-year-old was grabbed by convicted rapist Christopher Parsons, 41, as she walked home along Musley Lane, Ware, in June last year.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Parsons, who had been released from a prison sentence for rape in the United States, grabbed her from behind, punched her in the face and dragged her into bushes and tried to strangle her. The girl screamed for help and kicked and scratched him.

At an awards ceremony at St Albans Crown Court, Judge Andrew Bright QC said: "She was determined to ensure he would not succeed. She richly deserves to be recognised for her bravery."

Parsons went on to rape a 52-year-old woman in Hertford six months later and he was arrested for the attack on the girl when his DNA was taken. Earlier this month he was jailed for life.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Retail giant Amazon has expanded its one-hour delivery service to members in St Albans and Stevenage.

Image source, Getty Images

So, if you live in either of those places and run out of milk - or another essential item - and can't be bothered to get in the car or walk to your local shop, this will come as very good news.

It's only between 08:00 and midnight, though, so early hours cravings aren't accommodated - yet.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

This time last week we were telling you about the Airlander 10's second test flight, where it was damaged by a "heavy landing".

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Today, Hybrid Air Vehicles (HAV) outlined the steps it's taking to ensure the aircraft's "safe return to flight test".

These are:

• Undertaking a "thorough investigatory process" to ensure all the relevant factors which contributed to the heavy landing are identified
• Taking steps to remedy them or to ensure that the risks associated are properly and safely mitigated
• Reporting to and discussions with the relevant aerospace industry regulators and the company's insurer

Until this investigation is completed, HAV said it was "not appropriate" to comment further on the cause of the incident.

But it has reiterated that while a mooring line attached to the Airlander did contact a power line outside the airfield, this did not contribute to the heavy landing.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

I'll admit it, I'm pretty excited about the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. I'll also admit that I've spent more time than I should have, perusing these pictures from the red carpet as the stars gathered at Elstree Studios last night to record the launch show.

There are 15 celebrities taking part this year. This picture shows three of them - Will Young accompanied fellow singer Louise Redknapp and BBC Breakfast host Naga Munchetty - as they walked out in front of the audience.  

Image source, Getty Images

Paul Scoins
BBC Three Counties Radio political reporter

Beaconsfield MP Dominic Grieve says Parliament should vote on the public's decision in the EU referendum.

Image source, Conservative Party

The former attorney general, who supported the remain campaign, says he would back the government in a vote to invoke Article 50 – the process of leaving the European Union.

The Conservative MP told the BBC that the electorate "had voted for Brexit and Parliament has got to respect that decision".

He also said the UK should remain a member of the single market, which would be "economically very beneficial".

His comments come as the prime minister is chairing a meeting of her cabinet at Chequers to discuss the UK's approach to leaving the EU and its objectives in future negotiations.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Ministers have been arriving at Theresa May's country retreat in Buckinghamshire, where the prime minister is chairing the first meeting of her cabinet since the summer break.

Mrs May and senior ministers have gathered at Chequers, near Princes Risborough, as she looks to set the course for guiding Britain out of the European Union.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

It's transfer deadline day - the day when traditionally a footballer is spotted driving along the M1 and the rumour mill assumes he is going to sign at any football club situated along its length, from London to Leeds.

But here is definite news.

Luton have signed England Under 20 forward Alex Gilliead on loan from Newcastle.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

An elderly man was trapped in his car after he swerved to avoid a rabbit near Kents Hill in Milton Keynes earlier.

Passing Thames Valley Police officer Gez Chiariello, who got him out safely with the help of a member of the public, said "luckily he only had minor injuries". 

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

The news that Harlington Upper School had to give permission for 15-year-old Connor Tomlinson to play for Luton Town last night may have come as a bit of a surprise, as it's the summer holidays and therefore not a "school night".

But the club has confirmed that it's league policy, whatever the time of year. 

Image source, Gareth Owen/LTFC

Stuart Hammonds, press manager at the club, said: "The Football League's policy is that as well as the parents or guardians, that permission must also be sought from the school if a footballer is in full-time education.

"The policy doesn't determine whether it's the school holidays or term time. Obviously most football matches will be played in term time, and it's very unusual that you've got a 15-year-old playing in a professional football match."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Talks between rail unions and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) are set to begin, to try to resolve a dispute about plans to close ticket offices.

Image source, PA

Leaders of the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers, external (RMT) and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association, external (TSSA) unions will meet officials from GTR under the chairmanship of the conciliation service Acas.

GTR wanted to close 34 station ticket offices and staff 49 others only at peak times. It has now withdrawn its original proposals and is suggesting a pilot scheme at a small number of stations at the franchises it runs.  

The RMT is planning a 24-hour strike next Wednesday, while the TSSA will announce the result of its strike ballot on Friday.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A water company has taken responsibility for the flooding of homes in Luton during storms earlier this summer, and will pay compensation.

Residents claimed construction work by Thames Water caused the flood on 7 June but in its initial report, the company denied it had been responsible. Last night it met with residents from Marsom Court and the borough council.

John Sullivan, from the company, said: "It's our error so we apologise profusely to those people."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A man was stabbed during a fight involving a number of people in a pub garden on Friday evening, police have said.

Image source, Google

The 21-year-old was taken to hospital with a stab wound to his chest after the attack at The Partridge pub in St Georges Drive, at about 20:00.

He was taken to St Mary’s Hospital for treatment but has since been released.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Prime Minister Theresa May will chair the first meeting of her cabinet after the summer break in Buckinghamshire this morning.

Image source, Getty Images

Ministers will meet at Chequers today, with the UK's approach to leaving the EU and its objectives in future negotiations at the top of the agenda.

Those present will include David Davis, Boris Johnson and Liam Fox, each of whose departments is focused on Brexit.

Mrs May has said talks with the rest of the EU will not begin this year.

Carol Abercrombie
BBC Three Counties Radio

Residents opposed to plans for a new village on greenbelt land in Hertfordshire have described it as an attack on the countryside.

Image source, Google

Welwyn Hatfield Council's proposals, external for the new village of Symondshyde, near Wheathampstead, have just gone out to consultation. 

More than 1,000 new homes would be built to the north west of Hatfield, with other sites proposed to help reach the council's target of building 12,000 new homes.

The council says it's under pressure to build homes and has to consider greenbelt land.

Save Symondshyde, external, a local action group set up to oppose it, says the development, which is planned for an area close to the John Bunyan pub next to Symondshyde Wood, will open the way for further expansion of Hatfield into the countryside.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

At the other end of the age spectrum, the 43-year-old Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth brought himself on last night as the Chairboys beat Northampton Town 2-0 in the EFL Trophy, bringing the Cobblers' 29-game unbeaten run to an end. 

Image source, Getty Images

Ainsworth, who came on as a late substitute, said injuries had forced his hand.

"People may think 'what's he doing putting himself on?'" he said. "I will not risk any more injuries at Wycombe Wanderers, we have 15 fit players. If I put someone on and they get injured, then we are in big, big trouble.

"I will have to play in bigger games than this."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A 15-year-old schoolboy became Luton Town's youngest ever player last night when he made a late sub appearance against Gillingham in the EFL Trophy, a match the Hatters won 2-1.

Connor Tomlinson, a pupil at Harlington Upper school, came on at the Priestfield Stadium after manager Nathan Jones was given permission by his school for the youngster to play. He is 15 years and 199 days old.

Jones said: "You have to get permission [under] due diligence... duty of care and so on. We have to do it, we got it, praise the Lord we did and he goes home with a signed shirt." 

BBC Weather

This morning is due to be dry and bright but there'll be the chance of a shower this afternoon.

Maximum temperature: 22C (72F).

You can get a full regional forecast from BBC Weather.