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

  1. Cowan-Hall joins Wycombe for fourth timepublished at 09:37 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017

    Wycombe Wanderers sign forward Paris Cowan-Hall for the fourth time, on a contract until the summer of 2019.

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  2. Weather: Further rain and strong winds expected at timespublished at 09:35 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    BBC Look East weather

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    There are more details on the BBC Weather website.

  3. Brexit vote: Gavin Shuker abstainspublished at 09:09 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    Last night MPs backed the European Union bill - allowing the PM to begin the Brexit process - by 498 votes to 114, with 47 Labour rebels voting against.

    Gavin ShukerImage source, Labour Party

    All the MPs in Beds, Herts and Bucks voted for the bill except for Gavin Shuker, the Labour MP for Luton South, who abstained.

    Before the referendum, Gavin Shuker wanted the UK to remain in the EU.

    We are trying to contact Mr Shuker for comment and will let you know what he says.

  4. Man 'critical' after Welwyn Garden City hit-and-runpublished at 08:51 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    A man is in a critical condition in hospital after a hit-and-run in Welwyn Garden City last night.

    Hertfordshire Police said the pedestrian was found with serious head injuries on Tewin Road, at the junction of Mundells, at about 19:50. It's believed he was hit by a vehicle that failed to stop.

    The man, in his 40s, has been taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

    Officers have called for witnesses to come forward.

  5. Sepsis girl, 6, 'could have been saved'published at 08:30 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017

    Carol Abercrombie
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    A six-year-old girl who died from sepsis at the Luton and Dunstable Hospital could have been saved if her condition was diagnosed when she first went there, a report has found.

    Luton and Dunstable HospitalImage source, South Beds News Agency

    A serious incident report into the death of Goda Janulevicuite in April last year found she was diagnosed with chickenpox and sent home, but the hospital had failed to detect the complications leading to sepsis.

    By the following day when she was brought in as an emergency, she couldn't be saved. 

    The review recommends using her case to highlight awareness of sepsis. 

    The Luton and Dunstable Hospital called it a "desperately sad case" and said it had shared the review with Goda's parents and the coroner, who is due to hold an inquest.

    "Because of this inquest, we are unable to comment further at this stage," the hospital said.

    Goda's family have since returned to their native Lithuania.   

  6. Helen Bailey murder trial: Cleaner noticed 'unusual' thingspublished at 08:27 Greenwich Mean Time 2 February 2017

    Katy Lewis
    BBC Local Live

    A cleaner employed by children's author Helen Bailey has told a murder trial she noticed "unusual" things in the writer's home after she disappeared.

    The 51-year-old's body was found last July at the house she shared with Ian Stewart in Royston, Hertfordshire, three months after she went missing.

    Mr Stewart, 56, denies murder.

    Vania Pedrosa

    Vania Pedrosa told St Albans Crown Court yesterday she went to their house on 13 April, two days before Ms Bailey was reported missing, and was told by Mr Stewart that she'd gone away.

    She said she saw clothes on top of a basket, which was out of character for "very organised" Ms Bailey.

    Ms Pedrosa said there was also bedding drying in the dining room, which she described as "unusual", and noticed a light green eiderdown that was normally on the couple's bed but was not there any more. 

    The trial resumes this morning.

  7. Welcome back to live updates from Beds, Herts and Buckspublished at 08:00 Greenwich Mean Time 2 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.

    It's another cloudy and wet morning but a full regional weather forecast is coming up soon so you can see what the day is set to bring.

    But no matter what it looks like outside, you can always rely on a BBC Weather Watcher to find a lovely scene somewhere as this morning's picture from HayWayne in Milton Keynes shows.

    Milton Keynes

    Meanwhile, you can contact us at any time via emailFacebook, external or Twitter, external.  

  8. That's it for our live coveragepublished at 18:04 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Thanks for joining us on a poignant day where we said goodbye to football royalty, in the name of Graham Taylor. 

    Here are the key points of the day:

    • Fans began arriving mid-morning outside St Mary's Church in Watford town centre, where the funeral took place
    • Hundreds of well-wishers gathered by the time footballing greats arrived to pay their respects, including Sir Alex Ferguson, John Barnes and Martin Keown
    • The 13:00 service heard readings from family and friends, and a special tribute from Sir Elton John read by commentator John Motson
    • The funeral was relayed to crowds outside the church, who sang along to hymns and clapped as the hearse arrived and left the church
    • Following the service, the family held a private committal at a crematorium and a wake at Vicarage Road
    Graham Taylor and Elton John

    Scroll down to see more from the day. We'll be back with all the latest live updates for Beds, Herts and Bucks tomorrow from 08:00.

    See you then.

  9. Graham Taylor funeral: How fans have reactedpublished at 16:59 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Here's how some fans have been reacting on social media today:

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  10. Graham Taylor funeral: Tribute from Sir Elton Johnpublished at 16:56 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Quote Message

    "To love somebody you must be prepared to be honest and open. And Graham was the most honest and open man I've ever met. He is a legend in this community, in football and in life. I love you my friend. Thank you for everything."

    Sir Elton John

    Graham Taylor and Sir Elton John
  11. Graham Taylor funeral: How other media reported itpublished at 16:12 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Graham Taylor

    The Watford Observer, external today pays tribute to the "football rebel who stood up for what he believed was right". 

    The newspaper also reveals that Watford manager Walter Mazzarri dedicated the team's remarkable 2-1 win at Arsenal last night to the club legend.

    The Evening Standard, external carries a picture gallery of images from today's funeral and talks of how managers past and present came together to remember the man.

    The Wolverhampton Express and Star, external also remembered Graham Taylor for his contribution to the Midlands club.

  12. Graham Taylor funeral: Watford pays their respectspublished at 15:27 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Douglas Marshall
    BBC Journalist

    Famous faces from the football world were joined by up to 1,000 fans in the centre of Watford today to say their final goodbye to the legend that was Graham Taylor.

    Graham Taylor's hearseImage source, PA

    The service was relayed through big screens set up in the centre of Watford and several roads were closed so the funeral cortège could travel through the town.   

    Crowds applaud the funeral cortege of Graham TaylorImage source, Reuters

    It was an emotional day for all and although it was a quiet and respectful scene, there were plenty of moments of light during the service, highlighting the love for Graham Taylor both inside and outside the church.

    Watford fans cryingImage source, Getty Images
  13. Fans and legends at Taylor farewellpublished at 15:10 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Legends of football join fans for the funeral of former England boss Graham Taylor.

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  14. Graham Taylor funeral: 'Honoured to be here', says Watford captainpublished at 15:12

    Simon Oxley
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    Troy Deeney, the current Watford captain, said it was an "honour" to attend the funeral of Graham Taylor.  

    He told me the "work that he started, we are trying to continue and enhance" at Watford. 

    When I asked him about last night's 2-1 win against Arsenal, he thought the "gaffer was there with us" and it was "a massive game and a massive win". 

    Troy Deeney talking to Simon Oxley
  15. Graham Taylor funeral: 'Fantastic turnout for the boss'published at 14:55

    Alex Pope
    BBC Local Live

    Nigel Gibbs, a former Watford player, said today's funeral service for Graham Taylor was a "fantastic turnout for the boss".

    He said it was a wonderful way to "celebrate his life" and remember the man who gave him his debut in football. 

    He added he was a "wonderful man" and a "great influence".

    Family at Graham Taylor's funeralImage source, Getty Images
    Crowds outside Graham Taylor's funeralImage source, PA
  16. Graham Taylor funeral: Crowd cheers Taylorpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Douglas Marshall
    BBC Journalist

    The hearse carrying Graham Taylor's coffin has now left St Mary's church in the centre of Watford and was applauded by mourners and the large crowds who'd gathered to listen to the former manager's funeral. 

    Graham Taylor's hearse
    Mourners outside St Mary's church Watford
  17. Graham Taylor funeral: Watford says goodbyepublished at 14:40 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Douglas Marshall
    BBC Journalist

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  18. Graham Taylor funeral: Live outside the churchpublished at 14:39 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    BBC Three Counties Radio

    We're live once more following the funeral of Graham Taylor, as hundreds of well-wishers turned out to pay their respects to a footballing hero...

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  19. Graham Taylor funeral: Coffin leaves church to warm applausepublished at 14:36 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    Nick Coffer
    BBC Three Counties Radio

    As the service ended it was time for the people of Watford to say goodbye to Graham Taylor. 

    There was warm, generous applause as the coffin was lowered into the hearse outside St Mary's Church. 

    Funeral of Graham Taylor

    Crowds gathered all around and watched from the top of nearby car parks, flats and surrounding streets.

    Funeral of Graham Taylor

    Then after an afternoon of rain, the sun came out once again.

  20. Graham Taylor funeral: Service endspublished at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 1 February 2017

    The coffin of Graham Taylor has left the church to Amazing Grace and applause from the crowd outside.

    Taylor's family and invited friends will now go to the crematorium for a private committal before returning to Watford Football Club for the wake.

    Mourners outside churchImage source, AFP