Matt Lockwood
BBC Three Counties Radio

A campaign group is claiming single parents in Milton Keynes are owed £12m in unpaid child maintenance - the regular support from the other parent who lives apart from their children.

Charity Gingerbread, external says the Buckinghamshire town is one of the worst places in the country for high child maintenance arrears. Its report shows the average child maintenance debt owed to more than a million families who use the Child Support Agency, external (CSA) is more than £2,000.

It says the CSA, which is about to be replaced by the new Child Maintenance Service, is doing less to collect debts as it winds down, and while it has many powers to collect outstanding arrears, in reality it is slow to act when parents don't pay.

A spokesman from the Department of Work and Pensions said: "We actively pursue those parents who are not meeting their financial responsibilities and in almost 90% of cases, parents are paying the money owed.

"We have measures in place to ensure that no client will get lost when debt is transferred from the old system."

Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live

Hemel gymnast Max Whitlock is on his way...

A man has been charged with possessing a prohibited weapon, ammunition and drugs with intent to supply, following the raid of a property in Bedford last week. 

Bedfordshire Police said the 19-year-old, from Bedford, appeared before Luton Magistrates' Court this morning and was remanded into custody, pending his next court appearance at Luton Crown Court in November.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Be afraid - be very afraid, all the songs and dances for Strictly Come Dancing's Halloween special have been revealed, and that means it's time for us to break open the scary puns manual.

This Saturday's spooktacular will see our man Greg Rutherford and his partner Natalie Lowe dancing the Rumba to Bring Me To Life by Evanescence.

And while many of the celebrities fear this technically difficult dance, the Milton Keynes athlete doesn't feel it will be a fright night.

Last night he told sister show It Takes Two they had had a "wonderful" day rehearsing.

"It was the first day ever where we went through the dance, got to the end and even started tweaking the end," he said.

"To be in that position already is a really good feeling."   

His partner added it was an "awesome rehearsal" and it's "going to be a good week".

Let's hope that prediction won't come back to haunt them! 

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

The mother of Natalie Hemming has told a court she remembers the defendant saying "if I can't have her, no-one can".

In a statement read to the jury at Luton Crown Court, where Mr Hemming denies murder, Margaret Hammond said she stayed at the pair's home in Newton Leys from 24 April for a few days.

She said during that time Mr Hemming repeatedly accused her daughter of having an affair, which stemmed from Natalie saying someone at work fancied her.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Ms Hammond said she was worried about Natalie's welfare and couldn't contact her on the night of Sunday, 1 May. 

She reported Natalie missing on 3 May before driving to her daughter's home, where she said Paul Hemming appeared to be "evasive" about Natalie's whereabouts, eventually telling her she had gone to stay with her best friend.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Miss Hemming's car was in the drive and had carpet on the back seat. Mr Hemming explained it was there because of an issue with the clutch, but she later remembered the car was automatic.

She said Miss Hemming told Mr Hemming on both the Tuesday and Thursday of the previous week that the relationship was over.

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

The defence of Paul Hemming, who has denied murdering partner Natalie Hemming, has also been outlining its case to Luton Crown Court, saying the defendant had "belatedly admitted manslaughter".

Defence barrister David Jeremy QC said the relationship between the pair had deteriorated and she had decided to leave him for another man.

On the Sunday she died, the day after she spent the night with Simon Dennis in St Albans, Mr Hemming realised she really was going to leave him and "became angry, attacked her and killed her".

Mr Jeremy said: "He accepts he has no conceivable justification... He has belatedly admitted manslaughter.

"From the moment he realised he had killed her he did just about everything wrong.

"He could not face up to what he had done."

Mr Jeremy said Mr Hemming destroyed her clothing, concocted stories and lied to their children, friends and family.

He said the issue was whether the jury could be sure Mr Hemming committed murder because he never intended to kill or cause serious harm.

More follows...

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

A jury has heard a man accused of murdering his partner before dumping her body in woods was "relentless and hostile" over accusations she was having an affair with a work colleague, and there had been a history of tension between the pair.

Prosecutor Simon Russell-Flint QC, said Paul Hemming - who has denied murdering Natalie Hemming - accessed her phone to read messages and access her contacts.

The court was told that four weeks before Miss Hemming's death, a relationship with work colleague Simon Dennis started to change and they began to flirt and exchange messages on WhatsApp.

She told people in the office she had separated from Mr Hemming and on the night before she died she and Mr Dennis stayed together at St Michael's Manor Hotel in St Albans.

The jury was told Mr Hemming sent fake texts to Miss Hemming's phone after he killed her.

More follows...

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

The prosecution in the trial of a man accused of murdering his partner has told a court the defendant continued to "lie and lie and lie to everyone who asked" about her.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Paul Hemming, 43, denies murdering Natalie Hemming, 31, at their home in Milton Keynes before dumping her body 30 miles away, but admits killing her. The body was found three weeks after she was last seen alive.

Prosecutor Simon Russell-Flint QC, told Luton Crown Court that during her disappearance Mr Hemming pretended to be worried and concerned. 

He said such was his ability to lie and deceive, the morning after he killed her he took their three children to Whipsnade Zoo and he had repeatedly denied any involvement or responsibility for her death.  

Mr Russell-Flint said the defendant's actions were "callous, cold and calculated".

"This is murder. A calculated murderous attack because of jealousy and rage."

More follows...

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

A mother-of-three was killed by her partner because of "jealousy, rage and anger" over a new relationship, Luton Crown Court has heard.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Paul Hemming, 43, has denied the murder of Natalie Hemming, 31, at their home in Newton Leys, Milton Keynes, last May. When his trial opened yesterday he admitted manslaughter - a plea the prosecution rejected.

Outlining the prosecution's case, Simon Russell-Flint QC told the court Mr Hemming "struck and killed her in the living room" in a "calculated, murderous attack".

He said he then wrapped her naked in a carpet and either carried or dragged her out of the house and dumped her body, all while her children slept.

Miss Hemming had a fractured skull and arm - the latter Mr Russell-Flint said was "almost certainly" a defence wound.

She was last seen alive in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, on 1 May and was found dead on 22 May in woodland near Chandlers Cross.    

The court heard when police visited their house after Miss Hemming disappeared, Mr Hemming told them she had gone to stay with a friend after being raped by a work colleague. However, Mr Russell-Flint said Mr Hemming attacked her because she had met someone else.

The prosecution said it was complete fiction that Miss Hemming was raped and Mr Hemming was trying to cover up fact he had killed her in an act of "rage and jealousy".

More follows...

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Another free school proposed for Luton has failed.

In a letter to Luton South MP Gavin Shuker, the Department for Education (DFE) said "insufficient progress" had been made on plans for St Anne's High School in the town.

It follows the collapse of Luton Girl's Academy last year, which received £180,000 of government money. 

The plans for St Anne's High School for Girls was approved in September last year, but the DFE now says the project has fallen short of the rigorous criteria it's set for free schools.

Schools Minister Lord Nash says the decision has been taken before capital has been committed to the project.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Following his success at the Rio Olympics - where he won two gold medals and a bronze - gymnast Max Whitlock is returning to his home town, Hemel Hempstead, this afternoon, for a special event to celebrate his achievements. 

Image source, Getty Images

Dacorum Council says the gymnast will be performing his Olympic floor routine in New Town Square, with the event starting at 16:00.

Plus - I'm sure he's bound to do his trademark move (pictured) at some point. 

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A bus driver was seriously hurt in a crash with four other vehicles in St Albans yesterday evening.

Image source, Google

Herts Police said officers were called to Cunningham Avenue at about 17:40. The victim, a man aged in his 50s, is currently in hospital in a "serious, but stable condition". No-one else was hurt.

Police are appealing for witnesses.

What do Theresa May's constituents think about Heathrow expansion? BBC News sent reporters to find out.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A rare insect has been spotted in Buckinghamshire - the Willow Emerald Damselfly - which has only been recorded on three occasions in the UK before 2009.

It was found at Tattenhoe Valley Park, Milton Keynes, marking the spread of the species ever further westwards.

Image source, Harry Appleyard

The recent finding means Buckinghamshire is the fourth county colonised this year, alongside Bedfordshire, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

With a striking metallic green body, the damselflies are found near water habitats where they lay eggs in tree bark.  

The find was made by naturalist, Harry Appleyard, who saw both males and females and witnessed egg-laying behaviour (pictured). The species has since been found at further ponds on the same site.

Mr Appleyard said: "This is easily the most exciting wildlife find I've had in the local area to date."

The British Dragonfly Society has been tracking the progress of the damselflies - to get involved, visit the Willow Emerald Watch page, external.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A police officer injured with his dog in a stabbing in Stevenage earlier this month joined colleagues for a fundraising walk, in aid of Royston-based Luna Animal Rescue.

Image source, Hertfordshire Constabulary

PC Dave Wardell and about 70 others took part in the walk at Stanborough Park in Welwyn Garden City yesterday and it raised £689.

PC Wardell walked with his other police dog, four-year-old Pearl, who is a drugs, cash and weapons dog, as Finn is still recovering from his injuries.

Det Ch Supt Jane Swinburne said: "Those within the policing community wanted to show their support for PC Wardell and PD Finn and the work that police dogs and dog handlers do on a daily basis to protect the public and bring offenders to justice."

Sam Edwards
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

A resident living in the village of Barley, Hertfordshire, has been describing the scene as police uncovered a cannabis factory in a disused pub yesterday.

Peter McPartland said he "saw a couple of people outside the pub just before midday", but they didn't appear particularly suspicious as people frequently hang about there and chat because there's a busy coach park nearby.

"By one o'clock there were a few police cars and a helicopter hovering over the house.

"We and other direct neighbours had no idea that anything was happening, so we were shocked when police suggested to us it could have been going on for months."

Image source, Peter McPartland

Image source, Peter McPartland

Image source, Peter McPartland

Mr McPartland said police were there until late last night, but there "doesn't appear to be any activity this morning".

The pub has been closed since April 2014. 

How do MK Dons move on after a manager who has been in charge for more than half of their existence leaves?

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

The murder trial continues today of a Milton Keynes man who's admitted killing his partner and dumping her body.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Paul Hemming, 43, has denied murdering 31-year-old Natalie Hemming, but when his trial opened yesterday he told Luton Crown Court he was guilty of manslaughter.

The prosecution did not accept the manslaughter plea and his trial for murder will continue.  

The defendant also admitted obstructing a coroner from holding an inquest by concealing a body and preventing a lawful burial.

The couple lived together in Newton Leys, Milton Keynes, with their three children.

Ms Hemming went missing in May and her body was discovered three weeks later, 30 miles away in woodland at Chandlers Cross in Hertfordshire.

Sam Edwards
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

About 800 cannabis plants have been found in a former pub near Royston.

Police were called to the Fox and Hounds in the village of Barley, Hertfordshire, yesterday, where they found the drug in both upstairs and downstairs rooms.

Image source, Christine Matthews/Geograph

It's not the first time the pub has been in the news. Back in 2013, a wall was demolished when a car crashed into the building, ending up in the kitchen.

We'll bring you more on the cannabis find as we get it.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A Luton primary school has banned children from bringing birthday treats into classrooms.

Image source, Google

Hillborough Infant and Nursery School, external says pupils will no longer be able to hand out sweets and cakes, as part of a move to promote healthy eating.

Its website, external says: "Your child always receives a birthday card and the class wish him or her a happy birthday... there is no need for parents to provide sweets or any other items for birthdays."

Former school governor Margaret Morrissey, of pressure group Parents Outloud, said: "Schools are going over the top and it is starting to impinge on children's pleasure."