In today's Autumn Statement the chancellor is expected to support plans to build a new road linking Cambridge, Oxford and Milton Keynes. 

It's thought Philip Hammond will offer £27m towards plans for the expressway.

In March the National Infrastructure Commission's, external report into the corridor said better transport links and housing could provide a major opportunity for the "knowledge-intensive cluster" known as Britain’s Silicon Valley.  

The route could take the form of either a completely new road or upgrades to existing roads which link the two cities and Milton Keynes.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

It will be a cloudy but mainly dry day, with just the odd chance of rain. Still feeling fairly cold with a high between 8C and 10C (46-50F).

There are more details on the BBC Weather website.

Good morning.

Today, Chancellor Phillip Hammond will deliver his first Autumn Statement and we'll have all the local reaction.

We'll also be hearing the latest on those affected by last week's damaged gas main and we've an update on Bedford Prison following the recent riot.

But first, let's take a look at the weather.

Chesterfield substitutes Kristian Dennis and Dan Gardner strike late on to earn their side's first away win of the season.

Portsmouth earn an impressive victory at fellow League Two promotion hopefuls Luton.

A late Sido Jombati free-kick ensures Wycombe end Newport's seven-game unbeaten run.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Thanks for your company.

We'll be back from 08:00 tomorrow with regular live updates of news, weather travel and sport - but of course any breaking news will be posted here overnight.

Have a lovely evening.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has confirmed that a Taser was used by police as part of an operation in which a man was shot in Luton earlier this month.

Josh Pitt, 24, from Leighton Buzzard, was shot in the chest and died after officers were called to Hibbert Street on 9 November.

An inquest into Mr Pitt's death was opened and adjourned earlier.

In a statement this afternoon, the IPCC said: "We can confirm that Taser was deployed, but its use and effects will be examined as part of our investigation."

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Any showers fading this evening and becoming dry overnight with the risk of mist and fog patches later.

Lows of 4C (39F) across the region.

Wednesday will be mainly dry and rather cloudy, although there'll be some bright or sunny spells too. 

Thicker cloud could bring some damp conditions later.

Top temperature: 9C (48F).

Great British Bake Off star Candice Brown unsuccessfully applied for the show twice before landing a place in the tent and going on to win.

The 31-year-old, who beat Jane Beedle and Andrew Smyth to win this year's hit final, recently put her job as a teacher in Berkhamsted on hold to pursue a career in baking. 

Image source, PA

She told ITV's Loose Women: "I didn't expect to even get on the show and then week by week until being the winner, it feels so alien."

She said it was her boyfriend Liam Macaulay who had encouraged her to apply for the show, adding: "It was the third time of doing it!"  

An antiques expert from reality TV show Storage Hunters is found guilty of stalking a market trader whom she bombarded with emails and texts.

Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio

National Grid says gas supplies have now been restored to almost all of the 6,000 homes and businesses in mid-Bedfordshire cut off last week when builders damaged a gas main. 

A small number of properties where engineers were unable to gain access still need to be reconnected.

Contact cards have been left at those places with a phone number to call to arrange a visit.

F1's title decider comes under the shimmering lights of Abu Dhabi, but Hamilton will hope the fireworks come from Rosberg's engine.

The East of England Ambulance Service, external (EEAS) is urging road users to take extra care to avoid winter collisions.

Last winter, their control rooms handled nearly 8,000 calls about road traffic collisions between November 2015 and February 2016. This is a county breakdown of the number attended: 

• Essex - 1,579
• Hertfordshire - 996
• Norfolk - 922
• Cambridgeshire - 846
• Suffolk - 657
• Bedfordshire - 654

In a push to reduce the number of incidents this year, EEAS is promoting Brake's Road Safety Week, external, which has this advice for drivers:

• Wear hi-vis clothing and use lights in walking or cycling in the dark
• Keep to speed limits and drive to road conditions
• Leave an appropriate distance between your vehicle and the one ahead
• Allow extra time to get to your destination, particularly in icy condtions
• Don't drink and drive

The government has confirmed it's backing calls for a change in the law to prosecute impostors who wear military medals they haven't won.

A backbench bill, being debated in Parliament this week, could result in offenders facing a maximum fine of £5,000 or six months in jail.

The Armed Forces Minister, Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning - who's also a former soldier - says these impostors' actions are "an insult":

Image source, PA

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Hertfordshire Police says there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of a man whose body was found in a pond on Harpenden Common yesterday.

Image source, Adrian Cable / Geograph

The body was sighted at about 10:00 and the area was cordoned off.

The East Anglian Air Ambulance, external (EAAA) charity has flown nearly 20,000 lifesaving missions since it was launched in 2000.

It's now been honoured for its work across Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk. 

Three of its workers picked up honours from the Association of Air Ambulances, external at an event in London.

Capt Steve Norris, from Norwich, has been named Pilot of the Year. 

Steve, 50, (pictured below, second from right) who's worked with EAAA for 10 years says "it's a lovely feeling at the end of the day to know we've helped someone in their hour of need".

Image source, EAAA

Volunteer of the Year went to 73-year-old Jamie Edghill, from Cromer (pictured below holding his award).

Following a career with the fire service, he became a volunteer 12 years ago, and has raised over £600,000 for the charity. He also visits local schools to educate youngsters about the work of the emergency services.

Image source, EAAA

Alastair Wilson, 68, from Great Massingham, was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award in honour of his work with air ambulances both in the UK and further afield. The skilled surgeon (pictured below second from right) has been EAAA medical director since 2014.   

Image source, EAAA

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

A jury has heard how a woman allegedly murdered by her half-sister with a chicken-shaped casserole dish sent a WhatsApp message saying she was living in fear.

Nicki Collingbourne, 26, is said to have been attacked by Yvonne Caylor, 53, because she was due to give evidence against her at a Crown court burglary trial.

Image source, Family Photo

The court heard that six months earlier, Ms Collingbourne sent a message to her niece Jodie Collingbourne with a photo of items piled up on the inside of her door to prevent people getting in. She wrote: "This is how I have to live. But I hope it works if she does try to break in."

The prosecution at Luton Crown Court says Caylor disguised herself as a man by wearing a goatee beard, a wig, heavy-framed glasses and a hi-vis jacket before going to Collingbourne's flat in Ivel Court, Letchworth, Herts and killing her.

The 53-year-old from Grove Road, Hitchin, denies murder.

Sam Edwards
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

A second allegation of racist abuse from a Cambridge United fan to a Wycombe Wanderers player has come to light. 

Police are already investigating alleged racist remarks from a few U's fans towards Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa, during Saturday's League Two match at the Abbey. 

But speaking on last night's Sports Hour on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, U's panellist Michael Barnes said he'd heard a racist comment directed at Wycombe player Anthony Stewart (pictured) and he gave the perpetrator a talking-to.

Image source, Getty Images

It's not known if Stewart heard the alleged remark.

We've contacted the club for comment 

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Police closed Midland Road in Bedford this morning after concerns for the welfare of a man.

Image source, Google

Emergency crews, including an armed officer, were called to the scene at about 10:00. 

The man was assessed by paramedics and taken to hospital.

We'll bring you more on this story as soon as we have it.