Summary

  • Updates for Friday, 2 December 2016

  • Europe presses ahead with Stevenage-built Mars rover

  • House badly damaged by fire in Hertfordshire

  • Man stabbed near Luton train station

  • Woman in critical condition after crash on A10

  1. Welcome back to our live coveragepublished at 08:00

    Jack Warren
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning and thanks for joining us. 

    Standby for the latest news, sport, travel and weather for the three counties as we bring you live coverage until 18:00 this evening. 

    As ever, we'd like to hear any stories from you. Drop us a tweet, external or visit our Facebook page, external

  2. ‘It’s about being the best Troy I can be’published at 21:19 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    ‘It’s about being the best Troy I can be’

  3. ‘It’s about being the best Troy I can be’published at 20:16 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    ‘It’s about being the best Troy I can be’

  4. That's all for todaypublished at 18:00 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Thank you for your company.

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

    We'll leave you with this video of Houdini the porcupine meeting his new love interest Noku, at Woburn Safari Park.

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  5. Weather: Cold overnight and tomorrowpublished at 17:46 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Alex Dolan
    BBC Look East weather

    Temperatures are dropping sharply overnight tonight with the risk of freezing fog patches developing and a widespread frost, with lows of -5C (23F).

    weather

    A frosty start to tomorrow with freezing fog patches slow to clear. Staying cold but bright, with long spells of sunshine and highs of just 5C (41F).

    There are more details on the BBC Weather website.

  6. Sunday's Premiership rugby as it happenedpublished at 17:24 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Relive Sunday's Premiership games, as Wasps beat Worcester to go second and Newcastle overcome Harlequins.

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  7. Former football coach Barry Bennell charged with eight offences of sex assaultpublished at 17:19 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Former football coach Barry Bennell has been charged with eight offences of sex assault against a boy aged under 14, prosecutors have said.

    Barry Bennell

    The Crown Prosecution Service said it had received a file of evidence from Cheshire Police relating to allegations of historical abuse.

    Mr Bennell, 62, was a coach at Crewe, Manchester City and Stoke.

    He was taken to hospital on Friday after being found unconscious at an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage.  

    He's scheduled to appear before South Cheshire Magistrates' Court on 14 December.

  8. Big choice for Neilson as move beckonspublished at 17:08 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    At his age, Robbie Neilson shouldn't be in any rush to leave Hearts, not for an MK Dons, writes Tom English.

    Read More
  9. Former football coach Barry Bennell chargedpublished at 17:07 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016
    Breaking

    Former football coach Barry Bennell has been charged with eight offences of sex assault against a boy aged under 14, prosecutors have said.

    The 62-year-old was taken to hospital after being found at an address in Knebworth Park, Stevenage on Friday, Thames Valley Police said. 

  10. FA Cup second round commentariespublished at 16:47 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Join BBC local radio and choose your commentary as eight matches take place in the second round of the FA Cup.

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  11. West Brom v Watfordpublished at 15:58 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Follow live text commentary from the Premier League as West Bromwich Albion host Watford at the Hawthorns.

    Read More
  12. Stabbed police dog in guide puppy namesake bidpublished at 15:19 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Helen Burchell
    BBC News

    A police dog who gained media stardom when he was stabbed trying to protect his handler is using his "fame" to raise funds to sponsor a guide dog puppy.

    Finn and "dad", PC Dave Wardell, were injured in Stevenage in October. 

    Finn's recovering well and could be back at work soon, but PC Wardell's been keeping the police pooch busy and his latest mission is to fundraise for a puppy that will be named after him.

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    "Finn is now seven years old, which means he is likely to retire some time in 2017," he said.

    "I'd like it very much if Finn's name could be carried forward by another working dog.

    "Ultimately, Guide Dog Finn will help change a blind or visually impaired person's life." 

  13. Justin Bieber hits the ice in Milton Keynespublished at 14:46 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    Justin Bieber visited Planet Ice in Milton Keynes yesterday afternoon to play ice hockey with the Manchester Storm team.

    Justin Bieber in Milton KeynesImage source, Planet Ice Milton Keynes

    The Canadian pop star played with the Manchester side back in October, and invited them down to skate with him ahead of his show at The O2 Arena last night.

    Planet Ice first received a call on Friday to organise the visit, but it was kept under wraps until now.

    Bieber flew to Luton Airport before heading to the ice rink.

    The group skated for an hour between 15:00-16:00 and were joined by MK Lightning player Luc Johnson.

    A spokesperson from Planet Ice said: "Justin was a very good skater."

  14. Lunchtime weather: Dry and sunnypublished at 13:30 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    BBC Weather

    Although it was a very chilly start this morning, it will stay dry and sunny through the rest of the day. 

    But you'll need to wrap up warm as despite the sunshine it will still feel cold. Maximum temperature: 5C (41F).

    Watford weather
  15. Nico Rosberg says debate over Lewis Hamilton's tactics is 'pointless'published at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    BBC Sport

    Formula 1 world champion Nico Rosberg says the debate around Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton's tactics in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is "pointless".

    Stevenage's Hamilton ignored team orders and drove deliberately slowly in an attempt to back Rosberg into rivals.

    Mercedes could take action against Hamilton, but Rosberg said he "understood" the Briton's tactics.

    "It's done, it's a thing of the past and it's fine," said the German, 31.

    Nico Rosberg and Lewis HamiltonImage source, Getty Images

    Speaking on BBC Radio 5 live, Rosberg refused to be drawn on the subject, saying he "respected" Hamilton because they were "really good friends back in the day".

    You suspect though this isn't the last we've heard of this - despite the season being over.

  16. Cat and hamster die in Hertford firepublished at 12:41 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Sarah Jenkins
    BBC Local Live

    Firefighters were called to an accidental fire in Hertford this morning, in which a cat and a hamster died.

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    The blaze happened at a flat on Hutton Close.

    The Twitter account set up for Reqs the fire dog, external has highlighted the importance of testing your smoke alarm.

  17. Neilson to hold talks with MK Donspublished at 12:16 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    Hearts' Robbie Neilson travels to speak to English League One outfit MK Dons about their vacant managerial position.

    Read More
  18. BBC Sports Personality of the Year: The full list of nomineespublished at 11:54 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    BBC Sport

    Some of you may be wondering who Laura Kenny and Max Whitlock are up against, so here's a round-up of the 14 other nominees:

    • Nicola Adams - Boxing
    • Gareth Bale - Football
    • Alistair Brownlee - Triathlon
    • Sophie Christiansen - Equestrian
    • Kadeena Cox - Athletics/Cycling
    • Mo Farah - Athletics
    • Jason Kenny - Cycling
    • Andy Murray - Tennis
    • Adam Peaty - Swimming
    • Kate Richardson-Walsh - Hockey
    • Nick Skelton - Equestrian
    • Dame Sarah Storey - Cycling
    • Jamie Vardy - Football
    • Danny Willett - Golf

    You can find more details about the ceremony on the BBC Sport website.

  19. BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominee: Max Whitlockpublished at 11:34 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    BBC Sport

    Hemel Hempstead's Max Whitlock has received his third nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

    Max WhitlockImage source, Getty Images

    The Hertfordshire gymnast made history when he secured two Olympic golds in one memorable day in Rio.

    He gained Britain's first Olympic gymnastics gold with victory in the men's floor, then 90 minutes later pipped team-mate Louis Smith to triumph on the pommel horse.

    Earlier in the Games, Whitlock won Great Britain's first all-around gymnastics Olympics medal in 108 years, taking bronze.

    A gymnast has never won the BBC award, though Beth Tweddle was fifth in 2009.

  20. BBC Sports Personality of the Year nominee: Laura Kennypublished at 11:33 Greenwich Mean Time 29 November 2016

    BBC Sport

    Cheshunt cyclist Laura Kenny has received her first nomination for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award.

    Laura KennyImage source, Reuters

    Then known by her maiden name Trott, the rider became the first British woman to win four Olympic gold medals by retaining her omnium title in Rio.

    She also won team pursuit gold for a second time and is one half of Britain's "golden couple", marrying fellow cyclist Jason Kenny in September.

    Laura Kenny's 2016 title tally also includes the scratch race and omnium at the World Track Cycling Championships.