BBC Local Live: Beds, Herts and Bucks

Summary

Updates for Friday, 3 February 2017
Man accused of keeping the murder of his sister-in-law secret for 12 years to face a retrial
Bedford College to merge with Tresham College
Repair is underway to get Airlander 10 back in the skies
Hertfordshire-based Tesco has rationed customers to three iceberg lettuces per visit
Bad parking blocks Hertfordshire fire station

Live Reporting

Alex Pope

Luton buried body: Man to face re-trialpublished at 12:13 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio
A man accused of keeping the murder of his sister-in-law secret for 12 years will face a retrial in July.
A jury at Luton Crown Court last month could not agree on a series of charges against Joseph Doherty, relating to an alleged cover up over the death of Natalia Wilkanowska.
Her body was found under builders' rubble at a house in Luton in 2015.
She disappeared 12 years earlier in 2003 having been to meet ex-husband Gerald Doherty in the Bedfordshire town. He was found hanged later that year.
Image source, Hertfordshire Police
Joseph Doherty, 73, from Old Greenock Road, Port Glasgow, denied one charge of perverting the course of justice, one of obstructing the coroner by giving a false account of her death and one charge of preventing her lawful burial.
His re-trial has been set for 17 July and he remains on bail.
At the first trial, Joseph Doherty's brother, Daniel Doherty, was cleared of similar charges.
Lincoln sign striker Southwellpublished at 12:04 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Dayle Southwell joins National League leaders Lincoln City on a one-month loan from Wycombe Wanderers
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Tresham College merges with Bedford Collegepublished at 12:03 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Pete Cooper
BBC Local Live
Tresham College, which has campuses at Kettering, Corby and Silverstone in Northamptonshire, is to merge with Bedford College.
As reported in the Northamptonshire Telegraph, external, Ofsted inspectors have been critical of standards at Tresham and the Further Education Commissioner has been involved with directing the work of the college.
The colleges aim to complete the merger by September.
We'll bring you more on this story soon.
Everybody 'Romaine' calm!published at 11:41 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Justin Dealey
BBC Three Counties Radio
As iceberg lettuce rationing hits Beds, Herts and Bucks, some people are taking to desperate measures to get some.
But don't take a leaf out of my book and do what I've just done...
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It's not "lettuce-celery" a disaster, but "lettuce know what you think" via Twitter using #bhblive, external or email.
Can you cope with these puns any more? Cos I can't...
Lettuce shortage just the tip of the iceberg?published at 11:37 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Hertfordshire-based Tesco has rationed customers to three iceberg lettuces per visit - blaming poor growing conditions in Europe for a shortage in UK stores.
Image source, Thinkstock
It said bad weather in Spain had caused "availability issues", but suppliers were working to resolve the problem.
Customers have posted photographs on social media of empty lettuce shelves in Tesco stores, alongside signs asking them to limit lettuce purchases.
It follows reports in the Daily Mail, external that Morrisons had also limited shoppers to three heads of broccoli and three iceberg lettuces, and last month there was a UK courgette shortage after wet and cold weather in southern Europe devastated crops.
If any more vegetable rationing sprouts up... we'll let you know. This could be just the tip of the iceberg.
Gas repairs cause traffic problems in St Albanspublished at 11:32 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
There are still traffic delays in St Albans due to National Grid, external carrying out "essential repairs" to the gas mains.
Work started yesterday by the A5183 Verulam Road and it's set to continue until Wednesday.
The company has apologised for any inconvenience caused, saying the "vital work" would be "completed as soon as possible".
Image source, National Grid
Alastair Cook to be made CBEpublished at 11:21 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Essex batsman and former Bedford School cricket captain Alastair Cook will be appointed a CBE by the Prince of Wales today.
Image source, Getty Images
Current England captain Cook, who was awarded an MBE in 2011 following the Ashes success in Australia, last year became the first Englishman and youngest batsman worldwide to reach 10,000 Test runs.
He scored 766 runs in England's 2010-11 Ashes series win over Australia, averaging 127, and took over as captain in August 2012 after the retirement of Andrew Strauss.
The world of cricket is waiting to see if the opening batsman will remain in his role as captain or - as is widely anticipated - step down after the recent disappointing England tour of India, which saw Cook's side well beaten.
Man rescued from Grand Union Canalpublished at 11:10 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
Firefighters have rescued a man stuck in 3ft (91cm) of water in the Aylesbury arm of the Grand Union Canal.
Two crews were called to Oakfield Road in the town just before 23:00 last night.
He was left in the care of paramedics.
Ticket giveaway at MK Donspublished at 11:07 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Luke Ashmead
BBC Three Counties Radio sport
From one type of ticket to another...
A large crowd is expected at Stadium:MK tomorrow for MK Dons against Bolton - and as part of the 50th birthday celebrations of the town, a free ticket is available for every resident, external.
But time is running out, as you need to get it by 17:00 by going to Stadium:MK or Centre:MK.
Season ticket holders and Club Dons members outside the MK postcode can also claim a free ticket to give to someone.
Image source, Getty Images
Did you buy a Euromillions ticket in High Wycombe?published at 11:02 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Turn out your pockets, empty your drawers and reach down to the murky depths of your handbags and manbags... one lucky punter in Buckinghamshire has only five more days to claim a £1m Euromillions prize.
The search is on to find the person who bought the winning ticket in High Wycombe, which was drawn on 12 August last year.
Players are being urged to check their tickets for the code GSZ 040219.
Image source, Getty Images
Lottery officials say if the prize is not claimed by Wednesday, 8 February, the prize money will be used for community projects across the UK.
Oh, and if you're not a traditionalist, check your emails / online lottery account too!
Helen Bailey trial: Called off todaypublished at 10:29 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
The trial of the man accused of murdering Hertfordshire author Helen Bailey has been called off today after the judge at St Albans Crown Court announced that a juror's mother was terminally ill.
It's hoped proceedings will continue on Monday.
Helen Bailey's fiancé, 56-year-old Ian Stewart, denies murdering the author at their home in Royston last year.
Image source, Hertfordshire Police
Bad parking blocks Hertfordshire fire stationpublished at 08:48 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue is urging people not to park illegally outside fire stations and say they will use CCTV to enforce the message.
Image source, Google
Wheathampstead has had a problem with people parking in the driveway outside the Marford Road station.
David Johnston, from the parish council, said: "We've had an ongoing problem with people parking inconsiderately very close to the entrance so that when the fire engine tries to get out it has trouble swinging out into the road.
"Recently we had one vehicle which actually parked directly in front of the gates."
Herts Fire and Rescue area commander Jonathan Smith, said: "For whatever reason people think it's acceptable just to nip into the shop and park outside a fire station.
"We are going to be starting to put CCTV on some of our stations, particularly our rural stations, so if people are parking illegally they will be caught on camera."
Today's weather: A bright start... but windypublished at 08:19 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather
Today is due to be very blustery - but mostly dry - during daylight hours although some cloud will push in from the west this afternoon bringing light patchy rain and drizzle in some places.
Maximum temperature: 10C (50F).
The Met Office, external has issued a yellow warning of wind as gales are expected on Friday and into Saturday morning with inland locations likely to see a relatively short period of 40-50 mph gusts.
There are more details on the BBC Weather website.
Welcome back to live updates from Beds, Herts and Buckspublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 3 February 2017
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Good morning and welcome to Thursday's live page for the three counties where we'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather until 18:00.
Today, after yesterday's break, the trial of Ian Stewart, the man accused of murdering his partner Helen Bailey resumes with the case for the prosecution expected to wind up.
We'll also be looking at how Hertfordshire-based Tesco have started rationing lettuces - but I'll "leaf" that news there for the moment.
Meanwhile, you can contact us at any time via email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.
Coventry City's owner in new legal rowpublished at 21:42 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
A new judicial review is being launched by the club's owner over the sale of Ricoh Arena to Wasps.
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Tunisia survivor 'tried to save fiancee'published at 21:13 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
The fiance of Tunisia victim Carly Lovett told her he loved her before trying to save her life.
Read More
That's all for todaypublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live
That's all our live coverage done for the day.
We'll be back from 08:00 tomorrow with live updates of news, weather, travel and sport - but any breaking news will be posted here overnight.
Thanks for your company. See you in 40 winks.
Weather: Cooler tonight, mixed tomorrowpublished at 17:37 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather
Apart from the odd shower it will be a mostly dry night with clear spells developing. A cooler night than last night as winds ease, with lows of 5-7C (41-45F).
A cooler start tomorrow with some early sunshine. Turning cloudy later, with patchy rain spreading in by the afternoon.
The rain will be accompanied by freshening winds, with gusts of 40-50mph possible overnight. Highs tomorrow of 10C (50F).
There are more details on the BBC Weather website.
Three men arrested after vans with 'stolen tools worth thousands' found in Hertfordpublished at 17:29 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live
Hertfordshire Police has arrested three people after recovering three vans full of stolen tools.
Image source, Hertfordshire Police
Police were called to reports of people trying door handles of sheds in Farm Close, Hertford, at 18:22 yesterday.
Officers attended and located three men in the car park on Carlton Avenue.
Image source, Hertfordshire Police
A large amount of power tools, thought to be worth thousands of pounds, were found in three vans.
A 24-year-old man from Ballymahon, a 30-year-old of no fixed address and a 29-year-old from Hertford have been arrested on suspicion of handling stolen goods.
Image source, Hertfordshire Police
Tunisia terror attack victim tells inquest she 'pretended to be dead'published at 17:13 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017
Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio
A woman from Watford who survived the terror attack on tourists in Tunisia has told an inquest how she came face to face with the gunman who shot her and her husband before calmly walking away.
Christopher Dyer, 32, from Watford, was killed in the attack in June 2015.
Image source, Unknown - via Instagram
His wife, Gina Van Dort, said she and her husband were shot as they crouched behind a car trying to hide from the gunman.
She said he walked towards them, shot them and walked away; with a stoic, unimpressed, blank look on his face.
Realising she was still alive, she closed her eyes and stopped breathing, pretending to be dead.
The court heard as she lay next to her husband's body she was able to wave to a man who was helping others.
The inquest into the death of 30 Britons at the resort is continuing at London's High Court.