Justin Dealey
BBC Three Counties Radio

Earlier I met some amazing people as volunteers from all over arrived to renovate Arline and Peter Swallow's home in Stevenage. 

It's all been organised by local group Give Back to Stevenage, external.

England player Alex Scott "would've loved the opportunity to have a competition like this when I was younger".

What's she talking about? The FA People's Cup - the country's biggest free five-a-side competition which gives you the chance to make your way to Wembley.

"When I was younger, playing in a football cage, the dream was always to play at Wembley," adds Scott.

"The FA People's Cup gives anyone the opportunity to sign up to a local team in your area. You don't have to rely on your mates.

"It's a chance to meet different people, socialise in different environments. It's more than just signing up, you can get so many benefits from it."

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for the FA People's Cup, external - but hurry as the deadline for entries is the 19 February!

Justin Dealey
BBC Three Counties Radio

Community spirit has been alive and well in Stevenage this week. 

Since Wednesday a local version of DIY SOS has been taking place at Arline and Peter Sparrow's home to get it habitable again. 

It was left in a terrible state after a builder carried out unsuitable electrical work. It led to the couple, in their 70s, being thousands of pounds out of pocket.

Builders, decorators and helpers have all given their time for free to repair the house. They're trying to get everything finished by 13:00 for a visit by the mayor.

Sophie Sulehria
BBC Three Counties Radio

A man from Buckinghamshire who took part in the famous Pegasus Bridge operation on D-Day is being laid to rest today.

The funeral of 90-year-old paratrooper Denis Cruse is taking place in Buckingham where Army cadets will line the streets.

He was awarded the Legion D'Honneur by the French government last year.

Despite success in capturing and destroying bridges in that area on D-Day, his son Colin says his father's duty in northern France came to an abrupt end.

"They were successful in capturing those bridges [and] they also captured members of the 21st Panzer division," he said.

"By midnight they were in the woods and their priority was now to hold the woods, but unfortunately dad's part in that ended on 10 June, just four days after his parachuting in, as in fierce fighting he had half his hip blown away."

Simon Oxley
BBC Three Counties Radio

Simon Oxley
BBC Three Counties Radio

Two schools in Milton Keynes - Drayton Park and Water Hall primary - have had to close because of water problems in the area., external

Anglian Water says a large pipe has been damaged in the Bletchley area by a "third-party contractor". 

It's "working hard to fix the problem" and says some people in the area may have no water or low pressure, but it doesn't yet know how many people have been affected. 

Image source, Anglian Water

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

All week I've been giving you reports on the ongoing trial of Ian Stewart, who's accused of murdering of Hertfordshire author Helen Bailey. 

It's not sitting at St Albans Crown Court today, so we'll be back with more updates on Monday. 

Mr Stewart, 56, of Baldock Road, Royston, denies murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud, and three counts of perverting the course of justice.

Image source, Helen Tipper/BBC

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A teenager from Aylesbury will appear at Reading Crown Court this morning charged with murdering his own brother.

Image source, Google

Brandon Lavender, 18, from Brompton Close, is accused of fatally stabbing Daniel Lavender, 26, last month.

He died after being taken to hospital on 16 January.

BBC Politics

Essex MP James Duddridge has tabled a no-confidence motion against Commons Speaker and Buckingham MP John Bercow over his comments about US President Donald Trump's visit to the UK.

Speaker Mr Bercow is expected to remain impartial. Earlier this week he accused President Trump of "racism and sexism" and defended the comments saying they were within his remit.

BBC Parliamentary correspondent Mark D'Arcy said other senior backbenchers doubt that Mr Duddridge's tactics would work.

He said Mr Bercow has a reservoir of support on the backbenches - particularly among pro-Brexit Conservative backbenchers - and was seen to have enabled MPs to challenge the government far more effectively.

Conservative MP Alec Shelbrooke tweeted on Thursday that he disagreed with President Trump's executive order barring migrants from seven countries, but added: "John Bercow has politicised the office of Speaker and his position is untenable."

But fellow Conservative Claire Perry said on BBC One's Question Time: "I think for us to try and remove a speaker over something that he said would be really rather drastic. He's entitled to his opinions, perhaps he just shouldn't have addressed them on this particular issue."

BBC Politics

A south Essex MP is hoping to increase pressure on Commons Speaker and Buckingham MP John Bercow by tabling a no-confidence motion.

Image source, Conservative Party

Mr Bercow said this week he would be "strongly opposed" to US President Donald Trump addressing Parliament, accusing him of "racism and sexism".

The Conservative MP for Rochford and Southend East, James Duddridge, said Mr Bercow had "overstepped the mark", although he did not expect his motion to be debated.

The Speaker is the highest authority of the House of Commons and is expected to remain politically impartial.

Mr Duddridge told the BBC: "I've done this because Speaker Bercow for a long time has been overstepping the mark and with his comments on the state visit [of President Trump] he has clearly expressed views.

"That is not the role of the Speaker, and it is impossible for him to chair debates as Speaker adjudicating on things he has expressed a view on."

He added that "once the level of discontent is known and Speaker Bercow sees the writing is on the wall, he will go of his own accord".

Mr Bercow has defended his comments to MPs, saying they had been made "honestly and honourably" and were within his remit.  

Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio

Four men from Luton are due to be sentenced at the Old Bailey today for arranging meetings that drummed-up support for so-called Islamic State (IS).

The four men, and another from Berkshire, belonged to the now banned group Al-Muhajiroun, which regularly campaigned in the town but was infiltrated by an undercover police officer.

The five were arrested in December 2015 and three were convicted by a jury in August.

Mohammed Istiak Alamgir, 37, Yousaf Bashir, 36 and Rajib Khan, 37, all from Luton, were convicted for their roles in spreading IS ideology.

Mohammed Sufiyan Choudry, from Maidenhead, and Zaiur Rahman faced a retrial after the jury was unable to reach a verdict.

In January, Choudry was found guilty of one count of encouraging support for a proscribed organisation, while Rahman was convicted of three counts of arranging/assisting in, arranging/managing a meeting to support a proscribed organisation.

During the trials the court heard that meetings were held in a Methodist church hall in Luton and a marquee in one of their back gardens. 

Three of the men delivered provocative speeches to up to 70 people, including children, encouraging them to support and fight alongside IS.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

Many places in the region saw a light dusting of snow yesterday and there'll be the risk of further wintry showers - not only today, but also into Saturday.

It will be cold and cloudy to start with, although we are mostly starting off with temperatures just about freezing. There could be some sleet around later, but generally the further west you are the drier it will tend to be.

The maximum temperature will be about 3C (37F), but in reality it will feel colder than that because of the bitterness of the easterly wind.

For more head to BBC Weather.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome back to the live page where we'll bring you updates of the latest news, weather, travel and sport for the three counties until 18:00.

This morning, we'll be looking at how a Conservative MP has tabled a motion of no-confidence in the Commons Speaker and MP for Buckingham John Bercow for his comments about US President Donald Trump.

But first, as the weather continues cold - there were even small flakes of snow in Hertfordshire yesterday -a full regional weather forecast is coming up.

Remember, you can contact us at any time via email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.     

A UK charity fundraiser finds his "very common" name M Islam on a US restriction list.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Thanks for your company.

It's been a busy day once again and our main focus has been on the murder trial of Hertfordshire author Helen Bailey.

In case you missed anything, here's some of the key things which were covered at St Albans Crown Court today:

• Ian Stewart, who is accused of Helen Bailey's murder, told the court he spoke to her over the phone four days after she was abducted by two men
• Mr Stewart told the jury he went on holiday to Majorca while Helen was missing because her abductors said they wanted him "out of the way"
• Mr Stewart denied administering sedatives to Ms Bailey in scrambled eggs he cooked her for breakfast

We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00 with all the latest news, weather travel and sport across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire - but any breaking news will be posted here overnight.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

This evening will stay cloudy and cold, with the risk of further snow flurries moving in from the North Sea.

This could bring a dusting of snow in places by morning, and the risk or a frost and icy patches.

Staying above freezing on the coast, but inland temperatures will fall to -2C (28F).

Image source, BBC Weather

Some parts of the region could wake up to a dusting of snow tomorrow, and the risk of snow showers will continue through the day and overnight.

A bitter north easterly wind will push snow showers further inland during the day.

Temperatures reaching a high of 3C (37F).

A man accused of murdering a children's author tells a court he spoke to her after she went missing.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

The fiance of Hertfordshire author Helen Bailey, who is accused of her murder, has been cross-examined by the prosecution today.

At St Albans Crown Court, Ian Stewart described the killing of Ms Bailey as "sick and disgusting".

Mr Stewart, 56, of Royston, also denied administering sedatives to Helen Bailey in scrambled eggs.

Image source, Helen Tipper

Staurt Trimmer QC said "this is a long-crafted and cynical plan of yours to do away with Helen Bailey", to which Mr Stewart replied "No".

Mr Trimmer asked: "You smothered Helen while she was asleep and unconscious - maybe a pillow and a pillow slip on it?". He replied "No."

The prosecutor said: "If the story you were putting out to the world was that Helen had gone, the dog had to go as well. Did you drop the dog alive into the pit?"

He replied: "Certainly not."

The body of Ms Bailey, and her pet dog, were found in a cesspit beneath the garage at their home in Royston on 15 July.

The prosecution's case alleges that Ian Stewart murdered Ms Bailey to inherit her fortune.

Mr Stewart, of Baldock Road, Royston denies murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud, and three counts of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

The fiance of Hertfordshire author Helen Bailey, who is accused of her murder, has told a court he went on holiday to Majorca while she was missing because her abductors said they wanted him "out of the way".

Ian Stewart said he flew alone from Stansted Airport on 12 June, but stayed overnight at the Radisson Blu hotel beforehand.

He says he was summoned to the hotel bar by one of the men he claims abducted Helen.

Image source, Helen Tipper/BBC

Mr Stewart then explained to the jury at St Albans Crown Court what was discussed between him and Nick.

"I said 'Is Helen here? Where's Helen?'

"He said 'If we don't get what we want, we want compensation'."

Mr Stewart claims the men who abducted Helen, who he called Nick and Joe, said they wanted £500,000 and made threats against his two sons and Ms Bailey.

He described the holiday in Majorca as a "nightmare" and then tried to get money together to pay the men.    

The body of Ms Bailey, and her pet dog, were found in a cesspit beneath the garage at their home in Royston on 15 July.

The prosecution's case alleges that Ian Stewart murdered Ms Bailey to inherit her fortune.

Mr Stewart, of Baldock Road, Royston denies murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud, and three counts of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

The final £85,000 needed to keep a hoard of Anglo-Saxon coins together has been secured.

The 5,248 coins, which were found buried in Lenborough, near Buckingham in December 2014, came from 40 different mints around England and depict the heads of King Ethelred the Unready and King Canute.  

They were valued at £1.35m.

Image source, British Museum

Buckinghamshire County Museum, external was given £1.27m in grants to help buy the collection and has now raised the extra funds including more than £50,000 locally.

The museum was awarded £1m from the National Heritage Memorial Fund (NHMF), £250,000 from the Art Fund and £20,000 from the Headley Trust.

It has now been pledged a further £25,000 by the NHMF and £10,000 by the Rothschild Foundation, which will be added to funds already raised from local people and organisations.

Museum director Richard de Peyer said: "This is the greatest financial challenge the museum trust has had to face so far - showing that we can achieve remarkable things."

The county museum originally wanted to raise an extra £115,000 to go towards displaying the collection in a new gallery, but this is now part of a Heritage Lottery Fund bid to redevelop all the galleries.