Helen Burchell
BBC News

So, if you've been following today's story about one of our favourite police pooches, you'll know that PD Finn is retiring later.

What's in store for him, though?

Well, his "dad", PC Dave Wardell is planning a two-week break straight after their last shift.

Image source, Dave Wardell

"The whole family's going on holiday to the Norfolk coast," he told us.

"Police dogs aren't allowed out of their home county unless on official duty, and as Hertfordshire is land-locked, it will be a new experience.

"He saw the sea once - for about 20 minutes - when we were on a course in Wales," he added.

But Finn loves the water and his favourite walk involves splashing around in a brook in a "secret place" known only to Finn, his dad, and the other dogs in their extended family.

Image source, Dave Wardell

"I'll miss him immensely at work, but now we'll get to go away together and have lots of new adventures."

Image source, Dave Wardell

Two people killed in a helicopter crash in north Wales have been named locally as Kevin and Ruth Burke, from Hulcote, near Milton Keynes.

They were among five people from the same family who died when the aircraft crashed at Trawsfynydd.

The other three passengers are believed to be Mr Burke's brother, Mrs Burke's brother and his wife.

Wycombe Wanderers stars Marcus Bean and Joe Jacobson have been taking part in a discussion about racism in football today.

The pair answered questions at a Show Racism The Red Card event.

The club has been tweeting, external some of their thoughts...

A bridge over the canal near Aylesbury has been shut after it was hit by a vehicle.

Broughton Lane has been closed at the old Stocklake junction and the entrance to the canal car park.

Diversions are in place, while repair work on the bridge will be organised by the Canal and River Trust. 

A woman who fell over outside a pub in Ampthill has died in hospital.

The woman, in her 50s, tripped while approaching a taxi outside the Queens Head on Woburn Street two weeks ago.

Her death is not being treated as suspicious.

Milton Keynes North MP Mark Lancaster has been in ribbon-cutting mode today - visiting Sherington Pre-School, external in the new city to open a new playground.

After Leyton Orient move on to their fifth manager of the season, BBC Sport takes a look at some of the hottest seats in world football.

Helen Burchell
BBC News

We've been telling you about a momentous day for PD Finn, the police dog stabbed while on duty last October. It's his last shift.

He retires later  after seven years of loyal service.

But what does a former police pooch do when he's not chasing down baddies?

Image source, Herts Police

His handler PC Dave Wardell, who was also stabbed in the incident in Stevenage, admits it's "going to be tough" for this career criminal-tracking canine.

"He's making the transition from Police Dog Finn to pet dog Finn," he said.

Finn even found his rehabilitation period "boring" and would wait at the door and watch through the window until "dad" came home from work.

PC Wardell said Finn would have plenty of company, though. The family home shared with his wife, three daughters, several dogs, a cat and a parrot is rarely empty.

Image source, Herts Police

"And he quite likes the telly," PC Wardell said.

I'll be keeping his training going as well, to keep Finn fit and healthy," he added.

We'll tell you more about Finn's future a little later...

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Elsewhere in Beds, Herts and Bucks:

• The MK Citizen is reporting, external that a second officer has been assaulted at Oakhill youth detention centre. The alleged incident happened last week, a week after another officer there was critically injured . 
• The mayor of Watford has been pictured canvassing at her own front door on Liberal Democrat election leaflets, the Watford Observer reports, external . It's been revealed the photos of Dorothy Thornhill talking to an unknown constituent were taken from inside her own home in Oxhey Road.
• In Beds on Sunday, external , former Luton star Mick Harford gives his opinion on who is the best ever Hatters' player. 

After a cold couple of days, it's looking a lot like spring across the three counties today - as these pictures from our BBC Weather Watchers show.

These snaps were taken by users 'carlas garden' in Stevenage, Mrs G in Hitchin and Cole's Corner in Riseley.

Image source, carlas garden

Image source, Mrs G

Image source, Cole's Corner

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

The chief constable of West Yorkshire Police has awarded Hertfordshire Constabulary's Police Dog Finn a commendation on the day of his last shift.

Dee Collins said it was to commemorate his "tremendous service to policing" and "determination to return to service following a horrific attack".

In return, Finn's handler PC Dave Wardell thanked her for her "unwavering support of my little dog and our cause".

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A two-vehicle collision has closed the A428 in Bedfordshire in both directions.

Bedfordshire Police said a blue Volkswagen Polo was travelling eastbound from the direction of Turvey at about 06:50 on Thursday when it was involved in a collision with a white Peugeot Partner van driving westbound from the Bromham direction.

The Volkswagen driver was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, where he is in a serious but stable condition. The driver of the van is being treated for slight injuries.

The road has been closed in both directions between Stevington and Bromham while recovery work takes place.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

North Wales Police has asked people not to visit the area where wreckage of the downed helicopter has was found, together with the bodies of five people on board.

The force said the exact location was not being revealed in order to allow a dignified and unhindered recovery of the bodies in what is described as very difficult and challenging terrain.

Supt Gareth Evans said: "The terrain where the aircraft has been located is remote and in places hazardous.

"I'd like to thank the local community for their support and assistance but I'd also ask people to refrain from visiting the area as it is now subject of a full investigation led by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch to establish what led up to and caused this tragic event."

He said the coroner for north-west Wales Dewi Pritchard-Jones had been informed and had "opened" an investigation.

"Formal identification has not taken place so details of the passengers are not being revealed at this time, said Mr Evans.

He said officers from Thames Valley Police were in contact with the families of the victims. 

"Our thoughts are very much with them and on their behalf I ask you respect their privacy at this very difficult time," he said.

A man has been jailed after pleading guilty to the false imprisonment of a 17-year-old girl, who he didn't know, in Lowestoft on New Year's Day.

Image source, Suffolk Police

Wayne Clay, 53, formerly of Warren Road in the town, was given an extended eight-year sentence - three years imprisonment plus five years on licence - when he appeared at Ipswich Crown Court.

It happened in Woods Loke West at about 02:15, when the teenager was walking home after celebrating New Year.

She felt uneasy after noticing a man loitering in an alleyway, who walked up behind her as she turned to take a different route.

Clay told her to be quiet, and grabbed her waist before pulling her into a driveway with such force that both of them fell to the ground.

He fled after two members of the public who were driving by heard the victim screaming, and stopped to see what was happening.

Police say Clay had previously been jailed for attempted murder in Royston in Hertfordshire in 1997.

BBC Business News

News publisher Johnston Press has announced a pre-tax loss for last year of £300m.

The group publishes several papers in the region, including the Northampton Chronicle and Echo, the Peterborough Evening Telegraph and the Milton Keynes Citizen.

The valuation of its titles has been slashed in two tranches over the past year.

With its half-year results, it announced a write-down of £224m. To that, it has added a reduction of £120m with its full-year figures.

The share price dropped 9% after the annual results were published.

Print advertising revenue was down from £149m to £123m in 2016. Digital advertising remained below £19m.

There was an operating profit of £42m, but the major revaluations took the pre-tax statutory loss to £300m.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

North Wales Police has confirmed that the site where a helicopter crashed yesterday has been located in the Rhinog Mountains and that five people have died.

Image source, Google

Supt Gareth Evans told a press conference at the force HQ in Colwyn Bay that there had been "difficult and hazardous terrain" in south Snowdonia and rescue teams had been working in "horrendous conditions".

Details of those who have died not being released at this time.

Earlier it was thought that the helicopter had left from Milton Keynes but the force has now confirmed that the aircraft left from the Luton area - but not the airport - and inquiries are continuing to establish the point of departure.

The bodies of five people have been found with the wreckage of a missing helicopter in Snowdonia, North Wales Police said.

More to follow.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Police searching for a helicopter carrying five people that went missing over north Wales have said they are continuing their search for the aircraft and its passengers after it failed to arrive at its intended destination in Dublin yesterday afternoon.

In a  statement, external , North Wales Police said the search had now been confined to land in the Snowdonia area with a number of local mountain rescue teams also being used. It has asked anyone who might have seen it flying over the area yesterday to contact them.

Supt Gareth Evans said: "All available police, mountain rescue and other civilian resources are currently being utilised and we are grateful for the assistance and cooperation of the public as well as our MRT volunteers who are searching very difficult and challenging terrain."

Supt Evans said family members of those on board had been contacted by police, but their names have not been released.

BBC Sport takes a closer look at the EFL on a day when one team ended a long wait and another extended their unbeaten run to 18 games.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

A police dog that was stabbed while on duty last October, and returned to work in December, is retiring today.

German shepherd Finn, who was was stabbed in the head and chest in Stevenage, is "heading out on his final shift" this morning with handler PC Dave Wardell, who was also injured in the attack.

Finn's injuries prompted more than 100,000 people to sign a petition calling for support animals to have the same rights as officers.  

A 16-year-old boy from Lewisham, south-east London, has been charged with assaulting an officer and with criminal damage. He is due to stand trial in May.