A football club's retail development plans could draw away trade, footfall and investment from the town centre, council planners warn.

Following the debate, campaigners backing Finn's Law took to Twitter to praise the steps being taken to put forward tougher sentences for police dog attacks. 

Concluding the Westminster Hall debate, Policing Minister Brandon Lewis said the government is set to back Finn's Law and beef up sentences for criminals who attack police dogs and horses.

Mr Lewis said new legislation could be brought in as early as next year, which could also apply to other working animals such as guide dogs or those working alongside firefighters. 

He said it was now a matter of working out how best to achieve the tougher sentences.   

Image source, Parliament TV

Mr Lewis said: "None of us think of police animals as just equipment. They are an important part of the job. 

"That is why I have written to my ministerial colleagues at the Ministry of Justice and the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, to explore whether there is more that we can do in law to offer a more appropriate protection to working animals."

You can watch the full debate again at Parliament TV, external.

Nikki Jenkins
BBC Local Live

In a survey carried out by campaigners, parliament heard 75% of police handlers reported their animals had been attacked, but only 8% saw any action taken in the courts as a result.

The survey said 10% of handlers reported their dogs had been stabbed.

Those in favour of new legislation told the debate that in 2013 the average custodial sentence for people convicted under the Animal Welfare Act 2006 was 3.3 months and a £244 fine, and that many assaults on animals were not recorded.

The Conservative MP for Stevenage, Stephen McPartland, who represents the town where police dog Finn was injured, told parliament: "I understand the government response has been underwhelming, but I believe we can get them to change their mind... the minister of policing [Brandon Lewis] is here and we are looking forward to working closely with him."

Image source, Parliament TV

He called for a way forward, saying police animals were more than just a piece of police property.

"We are a country of animal lovers, but our laws are behind other countries when it comes to protecting those animals," he said.

Nikki Jenkins
BBC Local Live

"The law has to be changed to give animals the protection they deserve."

Those were the words of David Mackintosh MP, who took part in the debate on Finn's Law in parliament late yesterday afternoon.

Image source, Parliament TV

The Northampton South Tory MP said there's clearly a feeling among members of the public and the police for the risks these animals face in our society to be recognised. 

He said a new law would empower the police and give clarity to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). He added the government had a clear, moral and ethical responsibility to give these animals greater protection. 

In case you missed this earlier, it looks as though the government will back a new law to bring in tougher sentences for people who attack police dogs.

More than 120,000 people signed a petition backing Finn's Law, named after a dog who was stabbed while chasing a suspect in Stevenage.

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

At the moment, those who attack police dogs and horses are prosecuted for causing criminal damage, but campaigners want the animals to be given the same status as injured officers.  

The case was debated in parliament late yesterday - we'll bring you some snippets of what was said shortly.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

It's day two of BBC Three Counties' Children in Need canoe canal challenge.

All this week breakfast show presenter Andy Collins and his team are canoeing the canals through Beds, Herts and Bucks, to raise money for a good cause.

They've set off on their second day, but they're already an hour and a half behind schedule.

Here's what they got up to yesterday...

With a lot of time to make up today, the team need all your support. You can track their journey here, external, and if you're nearby feel free to pop down and cheer them on.

Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live

We've just heard back from M&S after a report from the Local Data Company, external said a store in Milton Keynes was at risk of closure.

A spokesperson for the company said it was "very disappointed that anyone would choose to speculate in this way".

Image source, AFP

M&S said the list of 52 stores compiled by the retail analysts "is not based on any M&S data and we have not published any locations".

The retailer added: "What we have done is outlined plans to improve our store estate over the next five years, which include opening 200 new food stores and selling clothing and home from 60 fewer stores."

Simon Oxley
BBC Three Counties Radio

Prison officers are staging a day of protests over what they call "unsafe working conditions".

It follows a series of violent incidents, including a recent riot at Bedford prison. 

Their union, the Prison Officers Association, isn't allowed to go on strike, so members will be holding meetings instead of going to work.

The Ministry of Justice says the action is unjustified and unlawful.

Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live

A new report suggests that one or even two of the Marks and Spencer stores in Milton Keynes is at risk of closure, as the retailer looks to implement turnaround plans announced last week.

M&S announced it will close 30 UK clothing and homeware shops and convert dozens more into food stores.

Image source, AFP

Retail analysts, the Local Data Company, external, have looked at various factors and revealed 52 stores which could be at risk of closure, conversion or moved to a smaller site.

The report says "the most obvious" thing would be to close stores in towns which have more than one, and Milton Keynes is one of five places with three M&S outlets.

Only London (27), Glasgow (6) and Edinburgh (4) have more.

Marks and Spencer chief executive Steve Rowe would not be drawn on the store closures when he announced the plans last week.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Easyjet's chief executive Carolyn McCall has confirmed the airline's UK headquarters "will remain in Luton" despite concerns over Brexit.

Image source, AFP/Getty Images

Speaking about the airline's plan to set up a separate continental-based company, Mrs McCall said: "Can I be clear that the UK headquarters will remain in Luton. We are very proud to be the UK's largest airline."

Easyjet is setting up the base abroad to secure its European flying rights once Britain leaves the European Union.

Mrs McCall said: "We don't have the luxury of waiting - we have to take control of our destiny and that's what we've done."

A law to bring in tougher sentences for people who attack police dogs is set to be backed by the government.

Luton-based Easyjet's profits have tumbled during what the airline described as a year of "significant challenges".

Despite the airline carrying a record number of passengers, profits are down 28% to £495m. Easyjet says this is down to the weak pound following the Brexit vote, terror attacks and air traffic control strikes hitting trade.

The airline's chief executive, Carolyn McCall, announced this morning that it will set up a separate continental based company just in case it is unable to keep its current flying arrangement once Britain leaves the European Union.

Mrs McCall said: "At the moment we are part of an aviation agreement across the 28 member states which means every airline can fly across Europe without restriction. In 2019 at the point of leaving the EU, all those rights fall away unless we have another agreement in place."

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

A cloudy and grey day, with outbreaks of rain later. Feeling mild, with light winds.

Temperatures reaching a maximum of 14C (57F).

Kate Kinsella has the details for you.

You can find more details here.

Good morning and welcome back to another day of regular updates of news, weather, travel and sport.

Our main story today is that profits at Luton-based Easyjet are down 28% to £495m - that's the first fall in six years.

Image source, PA

Although the airline carried a record number of passengers, Easyjet say profits have been hit by the weak pound following the Brexit vote.

We'll bring you more on this story shortly.

Thanks for joining us on a busy Monday. We'll be back with our rolling coverage from 08:00 tomorrow. 

You can scroll down to see what's been going on in Beds, Herts and Bucks today.

Nikki Jenkins
BBC Local Live

We've still yet to find out much concrete information about this "chemical incident" on Barkers Lane in Bedford. 

We know police were called to a house there at about 14:30 and a man was found dead. 

Specialists are dealing with a "chemical risk", but the incident is not being treated as suspicious.  

Barkers Lane is closed at its junction with Donelly Drive and motorists are being asked to avoid the area.  

We'll post any breaking updates to this story overnight on this page, or you can stay tuned to Three Counties Radio and Look East.

Danny Shaw
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

Following news the man shot by police in Luton has been identified, IPCC commissioner Mary Cunneen said: "My thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of Josh and all of those affected by this fatal shooting. 

"Our investigation will look at the circumstances surrounding the incident and the actions of the officers involved. 

"We have spoken to Josh's next of kin to inform them of our role and will be keeping them updated. 

"I ask anybody who may have seen or heard anything in the Hibbert Street area on Wednesday afternoon, which may be useful to our investigation, to contact us."   

Danny Shaw
BBC Home Affairs Correspondent

The 24-year-old shot by police in Luton last week has been named as Josh Pitt, from Leighton Buzzard. 

Mr Pitt died from a single gunshot wound. Forensic examination of the scene has taken place and a number of knives have been recovered, police say.

Film from body-worn cameras from some officers has been passed to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), but it's understood that none of the firearms officers themselves had footage. 

More follows...