Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A man from Bedford has claimed he's been discriminated against because his name is Muhammad Islam.

He said he was blocked from receiving money he'd raised for a local charity event online, because the US company Eventbrite - which he organised it through - said a name matching his was on a warned list and they needed to conduct routine further checks to "comply with United States regulations". 

Mr Islam said although the block was lifted after the checks, he's been left devastated.

"This is beyond racism," he said.

"Islam is a common name in the UK and around the world. Who actually gives the US the right to police the whole world? How did they get to police someone who is in the UK?"

Eventbrite has apologised that the procedure "had caused distress", but say routine checks were needed - whether he was called Smith or Islam.

We'll bring you full details of Eventbrite's position shortly.

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.

Today we'll start by looking at the claims of a man from Bedford who says he's been discriminated against by an American company because his name is Mohammed Islam. 

Then later, we'll have more from the trial of Ian Stewart, who is accused of killing his partner Helen Bailey, and who has been giving evidence in his own defence.

But first, as the weather turns decidedly chilly again, a full regional weather forecast is coming up.

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

A children's author was snatched by two vicious men who threatened her fiance, a court hears.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

That's it from all of us here at Local Live for Beds, Herts and Bucks. 

As ever it's been a busy day. We've had reporters live at the Helen Bailey murder trial and covered the arrest over a hit and run death in Welwyn Garden City. 

But one of the stories that's caught a lot of attention on social media is when Bedford was put on the map by a US TV show. It highlighted top cultural events such as "Ghosts Witches And Medieval Mayhem" and "The Circus of Horrors". 

So whatever you're doing tonight, have a good one. We'll be back tomorrow at 08:00.

BBC Weather

This evening will be rather cloudy with outbreaks of light rain or drizzle. Some turning to sleet or snow to give a light dusting in places. 

There will be a widespread frost with the risk of icy patches. Lows of -1C (30F).

Tomorrow will be rather cloudy and feeling very cold as an easterly wind establishes itself. 

A few light coastal showers pushing further inland as the easterly wind freshens. Any showers will turn increasingly wintry, with snow flurries developing into the evening and overnight. Highs of just 2C (36F).

BBC Newsnight

Mums Abigail Tumfo, Sheila Navacroft and Shakeria Wright have told the BBC's Newsnight about the difficulties of raising their children in one room. 

They are all living in a 45-room development in Welwyn Garden City, after being forced to leave private rented accommodation in Waltham Forest in London, where council housing is sparse. 

Waltham Forest council has said it does all it can to house people in the borough, and is working to repair any sub-standard housing.

Ben Ando
BBC News

The partner of children's author Helen Bailey was attacked by a stranger on the day she disappeared and told "Helen is with us", St Albans Crown Court heard.

Ian Stewart, 56, who denies murder, said on the day she disappeared he left their Royston home for a doctors appointment, saying: "I called out to Helen that I had to go. She was alive when I left. 

"She waved me goodbye from the dining room window. That was the last time I saw her." 

Mr Stewart said after visiting the doctors, taking a duvet he had soiled because of his bowel problems and going to the solicitors, he returned home. 

He said a man was there called Nick, who said: "Helen is with us. She is helping solve a problem. Don't tell anyone. If anyone asks where Helen is tell them you've gone to Broadstairs. You act normal.

"If you do tell anyone you won't see Helen again." 

Image source, SNBA

He explained to the court he didn't call the police. 

The jury heard that when his son came home Mr Stewart told him Ms Bailey had gone to Broadstairs and left a note. 

It was what he also told police during the search following her disappearance. He admitted to the jury that had been a lie.

Ian Stewart, 56, denies murdering Ms Bailey, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.  

The case continues tomorrow.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Thames Valley Police says a body found in Buckinghamshire on Saturday has no connection to the missing persons inquiry over missing RAF airman Corrie Mckeague.

Image source, Suffolk Police

A police officer on routine patrol found the remains of a man near the M40 in High Wycombe. 

Police are treating the death as "unexplained, but not suspicious". 

Nicola Urquhart, whose son went missing from Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk on 24 September, said earlier: "There is nothing to initially suggest this is Corrie."

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has said that unless Crossrail 2 is built the capital could grind to a halt due to overcrowding. 

A report by Transport for London claims without government support for the new line there would be "rush-hour meltdown". 

The multibillion-pound Crossrail 2 would run as far north as Broxbourne in Hertfordshire and as far south as Epsom in Surrey, passing through central London via Tottenham Court Road, Victoria, Chelsea and Clapham Junction.

Image source, PA

Mr Khan said: "It's crucial to unlocking future economic growth in the aftermath of the EU referendum. It's crucial to ensure that Euston Station keeps running smoothly when HS2 opens."

"Half the cost of the project can be met through funding from London, but we need the government to meet the other half if we are to avoid this unbearable strain on our transport network."

In response, the Department for Transport said: "The government has committed £80m towards the next stage of its development. We are working closely with Transport for London and Network Rail to ensure it offers value for money and delivers on its proposed benefits." 

If it receives backing, construction could start in the early 2020s and the railway could be open by 2033.  

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

The "art of book folding" was slightly ridiculed on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, external when a segment of the show was dedicated to "Bedford of Bedfordshire's Community Calendar", with (Bedford's very own) John Oliver. 

John and Stephen didn't seem impressed that Rogan's Books on Castle Road was holding a Upcycled Book Crafts event on 22 February... 

So the shop's owner, Rachael Rogan, has decided to show him how it's done on YouTube, external - take a look.

Image source, Rogan's Books

A number of images have been released by police of graffiti across Letchworth and Hitchin. 

Police say a number of houses, external, garden walls and garages have been sprayed. 

The want anyone who recognises them or who has any information to get in touch. 

BBC Weather

As a few light snow showers are expected across the three counties later, we've been told the gritters will be out...

Judges rule they have no realistic chance of winning their appeals.

Ben Ando
BBC News

The man on trial for murdering the Hertfordshire writer Helen Bailey told a court that a few weeks before her death she received at least three visits from mysterious former business associates of her late husband. 

Ian Stewart, 56, said in February last year a man named Joe arrived and asked to speak to Ms Bailey.

He said Joe asked for a private meeting with the author and afterwards she told him the man asked for paperwork about a business he had with John Sinfield, Helen Bailey's ex-husband who died in 2011.

Mr Stewart told St Albans Crown Court a few weeks later he and Ms Bailey had been checking their home's cesspit because there was a bad smell. As they did, Joe appeared again, this time accompanied by a man he introduced as Nick, he said. 

The 56-year-old asked for another word with Helen, so they went inside. The cesspit lid was still open and Nick put the lid back on unaided, said Mr Stewart.

He denies murdering Ms Bailey, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice. 

The trial continues.  

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

A disabled man has had his crutches kicked away by a gang of youths, in an unprovoked attack in Eastbourne.

The 44-year-old man was resting against a wall near the post office in Terminus Road, when the group ran up to him and kicked the crutches out of his hands.

The man, who'd only moved to Eastbourne from Milton Keynes three weeks ago, fell to the ground, injuring his hip and back.

The gang, who were all wearing hoodies, ran off towards the Arndale shopping centre.

The place where three rabbits were found abandoned in Hertfordshire has been the inspiration for their names.

Stilton, Edam and Babybel were found on Bread and Cheese Lane, Cheshunt, on Monday afternoon. 

The RSPCA said they weren't in "great condition" and have now been sent to an animal home in Essex, where they will be re-homed unless claimed. 

The charity said: "The trio were fairly cheesed off... but now their future looks brie-t!"

Image source, RSPCA

Image source, Met

Three men convicted of offences following a £25 million jewellery raid in Hatton Garden, London, during Easter 2015 have failed in appeal bids. 

Carl Wood, William Lincoln and Hugh Doyle wanted the Court of Appeal to reconsider their convictions. 

But three appeal judges on Wednesday blocked their bids, at a Court of Appeal hearing in London, after concluding the three men had no realistic chance of winning appeals. Wood, 59, of Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, and Lincoln, 61, of Bethnal Green, east London, were found guilty of conspiring to burgle and conspiring to conceal, convert or transfer criminal property.

Wood was given a six-year jail term and Lincoln a seven-year jail term. 

Doyle, 49, of Enfield, north London was found guilty of concealing, converting or transferring criminal property. 

He was given a 21-month jail term suspended for two years. Seven men, in total, were convicted of offences in connection with the raid following a trial at Woolwich Crown Court which started in late 2015.

BBC Sport

Paul Hurst's efforts to guide Shrewsbury Town out of the League One drop-zone have been rewarded with a nomination for League One manager of the month, but his three rivals have also got strong claims on the title.

Graham Alexander's Scunthorpe United sit second in the table after three wins and a draw in January and Robbie Neilson also ended the month unbeaten at MK Dons, with big wins over Peterborough and Northampton.

Image source, Getty Images

The other man in the frame is Fleetwood Town's Uwe Rosler, who claimed four wins including victory over league-leaders Sheffield United and his side were only narrowly beaten in the FA Cup by Championship Bristol City, after a replay.

The winner will be announced on Friday.

Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio

A 20-year-old man from Hertford has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after Piotr Pawel Caban, 43, was killed by a car in Welwyn Garden City.

The father-of-two was struck on 1 February as he crossed Tewin Road, but died a few days later. 

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Officers investigating the incident say they're keen to hear from anyone who's recently sold a new or second-hand Mini windscreen, or anyone who installed or received enquiries about a replacement Mini windscreen on or after 1 February. 

They also want to talk to anyone who may have seen a light-coloured Mini with a dark-coloured roof in the area of Welwyn Garden City and Hertford on the night of the collision, or the following day, as the vehicle may have had damage to its windscreen.

Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East

As the trial of Ian Stewart continues at St Albans Crown Court, he's been asked if he had reason between 25 March and 11 April to kill Royston author Helen Bailey.

He replied, "no". 

He was then asked if he had killed Ms Bailey for her money, to which he replied "no, I had more money than I could spend".    

Mr Stewart was also asked if an amended standing order from his fiancées account for £4,000 on 11 April was anything to do with him. His reply was "no". 

Image source, Helen Tipper/BBC

The 56-year-old denies murder, preventing a lawful burial, fraud and three counts of perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.