Brexit remains a huge issue nationally, but what would Watford's candidates make sure it delivered for the town?

Ian Stotesbury (Liberal Democrats) said Watford had one of the closest counts in the country at the referendum and as such it was "ludicrous to say any MP wouldn't want to listen to everyone on the issue".

He said he would advocate for the single market and properly control migration within that system.

Conservative Richard Harrington said it would be important that businesses in Watford could export and import as they do now, as easily to Berlin as they do to Birmingham.

He said businesses would need to be able to bring in foreign labour when there were not enough people in the UK market to fill positions, but added that Britain couldn't be part of the single market.

Alex Murray, from the Green Party, said the most important thing would be that Britain doesn't lose the rights it has now – such as freedom of movement for workers and environmental protections.

But UKIP's Gary Ling told people not to vote Green "having listened to that".

He said "one of the things we need to understand is that Brexit is a process" and once controls are returned from Europe then regulations restricting business can be removed and new trade agreements made.

Labour’s Chris Ostrowski said having a close relationship with the "key industries" in Watford would be vital so that if they flag up anything in the Brexit process which could damage Watford then he, as MP, could raise it.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Phil in the audience asked the panel: "If your party won the election, will we be out of the EU lock, stock and barrel by 2019?"

He specifically asked the panel for a yes or no answer to his question.

Chris Ostrowski (Labour) said: "Yes!"

Ian Stotesbury (Lib Dem) said: "My suspicion is yes."

Richard Harrington (Conservative) said: "Absolutely, yes."

Alex Murray (Green) said: "Yes."

Gary Ling (UKIP) said: "If you vote UKIP, yes."

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Roberto Perrone asked the panel if Watford needed more academies and grammar schools.

Chris Ostrowski (Labour) said: "We want to make sure that every school is achieving the best it possibly can.

"We should always strive to make sure no child is left behind. Labour will not re-introduce grammar schools.

"We have a patchwork quilt of different schools. Labour wouldn't seek to change any of the existing set up, but going forward we would legislate differently."

Roberto then questioned Richard Harrington (Conservative) on whether Theresa May was right that we needed more grammar schools.

"We've got grammar schools in Watford," he said.

"What worries me is not Watford, but many other areas where people from wealthier parents can go to private school which are better than other schools.

"So Theresa May is right to say in those areas we need to create some selective schools."

Ian Stotesbury (Lib Dem) said: "Liberal Democrats oppose new grammar schools and selective schools in principle.

"We want to see the money put where it would best benefit our society in a progressive way.

"We want to expand pupil premium to allow schools to provide access for disadvantaged children."

Alex Murray (Green) said: "We oppose grammar schools and academies.

"We would bring schools back to local council control. We can see the evidence which says academies are less productive and effective than state-run schools.

"We would also do something very radical, we wouldn't start formal education until the year your child turns seven."

Gary Ling (UKIP) said: "What people most want is not a certain type of school but a school nearby.

"The Conservative government haven't built schools in Hertfordshire fast enough. People are allowed to just turn up in Watford and we have to provide them with a school place.

"Now that we have the left the EU, I hope with a sensible and controlled immigration policy we will have more schools."

Craig Lewis
BBC News

The Watford candidates have been asked about secular schools – and as to what extent they should exist.

UKIP's Gary Ling said the idea of taking religion out of schools was "misguided".

He said the values of Christianity, Islam and Judaism "should be promoted", even though religion has got a bad name recently following the terror attacks.

Conservative Richard Harrington said religion could be taught "from a historic perspective as part of learning about life".

He added that schools specialising in a particular religion was OK, as long as children learned about other religions and humanism.

Labour's Chris Ostrowski said it was important to find a way for people in religious communities to be involved, but added it could be tough when people of different religions could not get into a secular school - even though it may be the best or closest in their area.

Lib Dem Ian Stotesbury said there was a "really good" inter-faith community in Watford, saying schools shouldn't have compulsory religious services and that they should be inclusive.

He added if a school wanted to be secular "all power to it", but that its teachings must also be inclusive.

Alex Murray, from the Green Party, said learning about religion could help solve some of the problems around it, but also said humanism was a "massive part of my life and needs to be put forward in schools".

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

A member of the audience - Anna - has asked the representatives what they would do locally for young voters.

Alex Murray (Green)said: "We would restore both the housing benefit and the educational maintenance allowance and make it easier for young people to get jobs and invest in the economy.

"We would also scrap tuition fees so it's easier for young people to go to university.

"We've seen in countries like Germany where there's no tuition fees there is a fair, more equal society."

Chris Ostrowski (Labour) said: "We want to make sure people can stay in education if they want to.

"It's very important that if people want to fulfil their potential, they can do so.

"Labour will restore the educational maintenance allowance, we will get rid of tuition fees as well. We will will bring the voting age down to 16, so young people can have a stake in the future of Watford."

Ian Stotesbury (Lib Dem) said: "We will restore the educational maintenance fee and bring the voting age down to 16.

"The Liberal Democrats will also add a start up budget for entrepreneurs.

"We're also proposing the most radical housing development programme, to build 300,000 homes per year by the end of next Parliament."

Richard Harrington (Conservative) said: "I would like to focus on my record. In the last few years 3,000 new apprenticeships have been created in Watford.

"A tiny number now leave school without further education or training.

"I was very lucky to be the first member of my family to go to univeristy and I think the current system is fair for those who don't go to uni as well as those who do."

Gary Ling (UKIP) said: "If you're a young person in Watford, there's no better constituency to get a job as this place is booming.

"We would suggest you don't feel as though you have to go to university to get a job.

"It's a great big con - you need to go out there and look for apprenticeships, which UKIP would try to reinstill. Labour will never reduce tuition fees to zero without bankrupting the country."

Craig Lewis
BBC News

Both, according to our candidates in Watford.

Alex Murray, from the Green Party, said local interests – such as the lack of NHS funding and a shortage of housing in Watford – reflects national issues.

Richard Harrington, the Conservative candidate, agreed, saying: "It's a mix". He said local success depends on a strong national economy and an increase in expenditure.

Mr Harrington also echoed the national Tory line: "Is it Theresa May or Jeremy Corbyn?"

Unsurprisingly, Labour’s Chris Ostrowski agreed – but with a different winner in mind. He added: "The days of a divided Labour party have melted away".

"It is always a combination. There are a whole series of local issues but people are looking at national issues," he said.

Ian Stotesbury, the Liberal Democrat candidate, said his party were popular locally and everyone is "a liberal, but a closet one".

And UKIP's Gary Ling said a huge amount of money is spent on politics at all levels - from the European Parliament to Westminster, to local authorities and Watford's mayor. However, he said "most people are still confused as to what the power of their MP is".

We're about ready to go. Stay tuned.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

These are the candidates we'll be hearing from in our debate at the Watford Palace Theatre this evening:

Gary Ling (UKIP)Information analyst Gary Ling, from Watford, will be representing UKIP candidate Ian Green on the panel. Ian is the chair of UKIP in Watford and stood in the 2015 Watford Borough Council elections in the Woodside Ward, finishing fourth out of five but is not available this evening.

Richard Harrington (Conservative)Richard was born in Leeds and went to Oxford University before forming a property development company with two friends. He's been an active member of the Conservative party since 1983, winning the election in Watford in 2010 and then increasing his majority in 2015.

Alex Murray (Green)Alex was born and raised in Bushey. He studied History and Criminology at the University of Essex before studying for a career in law. He now splits his time between Green issues and working for a leading criminal defence firm in London.

Chris Ostrowski (Labour)Chris and his wife run a training company teaching English to people as a second language. He lives in St Albans, but both his children were born in Watford. Chris's grandfather, who was a Polish airman who fought in the Second World War, settled in England following the end of the conflict.

Ian Stotesbury (Lib Dem)Ian was born in Petts Wood, Bromley, and attended Ravenswood School before studying Physics and Astrophysics at the University of Birmingham. In his role as a systems engineer in the space industry, he works on the design of spacecraft and has been involved in the manufacture, test and launch of a number of spacecraft for both public and private customers.

Andy Holmes
BBC Three Counties Radio political reporter

Watford is one of 22 seats in Beds, Herts and Bucks out of 24 that are currently blue, but both Labour and the Lib Dems in particular are after this one - it's number 48 on Tim Farron's list of targets.

In 2010, Richard Harrington won it for the Conservatives with a narrow majority of 1,425, and he increased his lead in 2015 to 9,794.

Before 2010, Labour's Claire Ward held the seat across three elections, but historically the Lib Dems have also done well finishing second in 2010 and 2005.

The Greens and UKIP are also standing this time.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Hello. This evening we're meeting the people (or those representing them) who want to become the MP for Watford at the general election on 8 June.

UKIP candidate Ian Green is not available so Gary Ling will be his representative.

They'll be debating key issues including immigration and housing.

Image source, Google

You can listen to the debate live from the Watford Palace Theatre on BBC Three Counties Radio between 17:00 and 19:00.

We'll also be bringing you the main points here, so stay tuned!

I'm afraid that's about it for our regular news for Beds, Herts and Bucks today.

We're now heading to Watford, where we'll hear from the constituency candidates vying for your votes in Thursday's general election.

Stay posted for the latest debate in our election series coming shortly...

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

An inquest is under way into the death of a man who was killed by his neighbour in Luton in 2013.

Leonard Flower was stabbed at his garage in Carnegie Gardens by Sameer Babar (pictured), who has paranoid schizophrenia.

Babar admitted killing the 67-year-old on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Image source, South Beds News Agency

Although the judge said there was no warning that the 35-year-old would be violent, an official report has identified serious failings by the authorities.

Babar was known to police and had been referred to a crisis mental health team.

A Serious Case Review said earlier action may have prevented Mr Flower's death.

At Ampthill Coroner's Court today, Det Con Daniel Hurley, a prevent engagement officer, said Babar came to his attention in July 2013.

"He was claiming to be a direct descendant of the prophet Mohammed and Jesus and he was getting himself into bother in Luton and there was concern for him," he said.

In August, Mr Hurley visited Babar again and said "it became obvious he was mentally ill".

However, he added there was "never any suggestion of harm to anyone else" and there was "not a concern about radicalisation".

The day before Babar killed Mr Flower, Mr Hurley contacted a mental health team after becoming concerned about the tone of a conversation they had.

He was told a psychiatrist would see Babar before the end of the day.

The inquest is due to last five days.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

Hertfordshire Police will not confirm how a 15-year-old boy was killed until a post-mortem examination has been carried out.

Image source, Google

The boy was found in a block of flats on Water Lane, Watford, on Monday afternoon.

Although other media has reported the incident as a "stabbing", external, a spokeswoman for the force said she could not comment on the nature of the boy's injuries or whether police had opened a murder inquiry.

The force said: "The incident is currently being treated as suspicious and investigations continue to establish the circumstances around what happened."

Police also issued a statement saying there was no suggestion the teenager's death - which happened on the fifth floor - was "terrorism related". Firearms officers were not dispatched, the force said.

The East of England Ambulance Service said it sent two ambulances, but despite the efforts of medics "the patient went into cardiac arrest" and "was pronounced dead at the scene".

"Our thoughts are with all of those involved at this time," a spokesman for the service said.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

The number of trained firearms officers in Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire has increased by 50%.

Last year the Beds, Cambs and Herts Joint Protective Services (BCH JPS) decided to train more officers to protect the public and "respond quickly to serious threats".

The joint force says the increase is not related to any specific intelligence regarding a terror attack nor a result of recent attacks.

Image source, PA

The newly-trained firearms officers were selected from those already working within the joint unit.

Although the officers will not be routinely armed, they will be ready to be called upon if needed to respond to urgent threats.

Assistant chief constable for the BCH JPS, Paul Fullwood, said: "The tragic incidents in Manchester and London show us how important it is that we have the appropriate number of firearms trained officers.

"Last year we carried out a review of the tri-force armed policing unit and found that the number of firearms officers across the three forces were sufficient to meet our day-to-day demand, but we felt it would be beneficial to increase the number of officers who are firearms trained, in order to provide the best possible levels of protection and security across the three counties."

BBC Weather Watchers

Yes, that's right. It's June and it's raining - a typical British summer.

But the wet weather hasn't stopped our BBC Weather Watchers from getting snappy.

Hertfordshire Police has not confirmed the cause of the boy's death and no arrests have been made.

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Norfolk have had to settle for a draw in their Minor Counties opener at Hertfordshire.

The match was abandoned on the third and final day due to rain in Hertford.

Going into today Norfolk led by 50 runs with nine wickets in hand. Sam Arthurton was 101 not out and Jason Reynolds unbeaten on 52.

Caroline Densley
BBC Radio Northampton sport

The mum of Northamptonshire cyclists Hannah and Alice Barnes says the whole family can't wait for the Women's Tour to return to the county.

Tomorrow the event gets under way, with stage one of this year's five-day event beginning in Daventry and finishing in Kettering; the fourth time the race has come to Northamptonshire.

Hannah Barnes, 24, rides for the Canyon-SRAM team, while younger sister Alice, 21, competes for Drops.

"We follow them around each stage," Sue Barnes told BBC Radio Northampton.

The Barnes sisters - who grew up in Towcester - got into the sport as youngsters. Family trips to cycle the Brampton Valley Way in Northamptonshire, and nearby Rutland Water, led to the girls joining a club in Milton Keynes.

"It's great fun," Sue Barnes said. "We really enjoy the whole atmosphere, all the children along the roads all cheering.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

"For it to be in Northamptonshire, it's great. A lot of the children know Alice and Hannah come from here, so they are all cheering for them as they go along the roads."

BBC Radio Northampton will have full coverage of Wednesday's Daventry to Kettering stage, with the 147.5km-long (92-mile) race set to start at 11:00.

Police are treating the death of a 15-year-old boy in a block of flats as "suspicious".

Officers were called to Water Lane in Watford at about 14:30 on Monday.

An air ambulance was also sent, but the teenager died at the scene.

Hertfordshire Police is yet to confirm the cause of the boy's death. The force said no arrests had been made.