During World War Two, the BBC moved to Bedford to avoid being the victim of German bombs falling on London.

More than 8,000 broadcasts — said to be from "somewhere in England" — were relayed to the country from one of seven venues.

Today, BBC Music Day 2017 is unveiling a blue plaque at Bedford Corn Exchange to mark its role during the war.

The plaque is one of forty being unveiled across the country to celebrate music heroes, events or places.

Image source, Google

The Mayor of Bedford, Dave Hodgson, will be presiding over the ceremony.

He said: "Bedford’s role in hosting BBC music during this period is a major piece of both wartime and broadcasting history.

"It’s a fascinating story of how Bedford helped to keep the nation’s spirits up in dark times, and it’s a part of our past that should make all Bedfordians proud."

The Corn Exchange has also served as a concert venue over the decades.

As part of BBC Music Day 2017, blue plaques celebrating music legends are being unveiled across the country.

One such honour is being bestowed on The Stables, external in Wavendon, Milton Keynes.

Founded by renowned jazz musicians Sir John Dankworth and Dame Cleo Laine, it has continued to be an important venue in the area.

Image source, Google

The BBC's Young Jazz Musician of the Year Alexandra Ridout will be playing at the event.

It is hoped Cleo Laine will be well enough to attend.

Ollie Bayliss
BBC Three Counties Radio

Dozens of people have objected to plans to erect a modern building alongside a Norman church in the Buckinghamshire village of Stewkley.

Saint Michael and All Angels Parish Church wants to build a Chapter House alongside the existing building to provide toilets, a kitchen and a community meeting room.

Image source, Google

Without the development, says the church, it will struggle to survive.

The planning application has received around 100 comments: split roughly 50/50 for and against the plans.

Among those objecting are Stewkley Parish Council and the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society which say the planned building will spoil the look of the historically important church.

Police in Stevenage say they believe Monday evening's fire at Fairlands Valley Park was started deliberately.

Image source, Herts Fire

It started on a plastic jetty next to the lake at around 08:45, and witnesses say a group of teenagers were in the area at the time.

Officers say there could have been very serious implications for those involved if they had been trapped on the pontoon.

Simon Oxley
Luton Town commentator, BBC Three Counties Radio

Luton Town's signing of Czech Republic international goalkeeper Marek Stech on a two-year deal is a change from last season's reliance on on-loan keepers.

Manager Nathan Jones was criticised after Christian Walton and Matt Macey were recalled by their parent clubs, and Stuart Moore made a crucial mistake in the second leg of the play-off semi-final defeat.

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeping coach Kevin Dearden says last season's situation was well-documented, but this signing has put that to bed.

Supporters will agree. Top of fans' wish-list was a permanent, experienced goalkeeper, and an experienced central midfielder.

Stech's arrival and the signing of Alan McCormack from Brentford have ticked those boxes.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

It's set to be another warm day, although temperatures won't be quite as high as we saw yesterday, and there'll be a bit more cloud around during the afternoon.

Lots of sunshine this morning but there's a chance of a few spots of rain out towards the west later on, otherwise dry.

The breeze will pick up a little, with a top temperature inland of about 23C (74F), becoming fresher as we head into the evening.

Watch my full regional forecast here:

Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio

Good morning and what a beautiful morning it is across Beds, Herts and Bucks.

I couldn't resist taking a picture of the sunny park outside our office here in Dunstable.

There will be more on today's weather in our regular forecast in a moment, followed by all the latest news for our area.

Susan Curtis, from Buckinghamshire, and Michael James, from Dorset, died in the crash.

The world's longest aircraft reached its highest altitude on its fourth test flight.

Neighbours were threatened by Dappy, whose real name is Costas Contoslavios, after a row at home.

The world's longest aircraft successfully completes fourth test flight.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

That's it for our live coverage for today, thanks for joining us. Updates will resume tomorrow from 08:00.

Scroll back through today's feed for anything you may have missed.

Any breaking news from around Beds, Herts and Bucks will still appear on this page overnight.

Have a great evening.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

The company behind the Airlander 10, the world's longest aircraft, says the ship is "pushing its envelope a little further" every time it flies.

After last night's successful fourth test flight, Hybrid Air Vehicles has released more information.

The facts are as follows:

• It took off from its mooring mast at 18:10
• It took off at 18:12 and flew for three hours and 23 minutes
• It landed at 21:25
• It was secured to its mast at 21:33
• It reached a 3,700ft (1,128m) altitude and 37-knot speed, which was close to the maximum limit it could go in test flights

Image source, Duncan Chance

The next job in hand is to analyse all the data and "prepare and train for the next flight".

At the moment we don't know when this will be, but it's expected in a few weeks' time. The company won't give exact details to avoid encouraging excess traffic on local roads.

Luton become goalkeeper Marek Stech's sixth English club after he joins from Sparta Prague.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Big plans that could shape what Central Bedfordshire will look like over the next 20 years have been unveiled.

Earlier we mentioned that up to 30,000 homes could be built in the area, with expansion near Luton, Milton Keynes and Biggleswade.

Nigel Young, who's responsible for regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council, says the draft local plan, external is needed, because "without a plan we will get unstructured development and we won't get the chance to put the right infrastructure into and around that development, like roads and so on".

He says the public consultation, external, which people can get involved with from 4 July, is about making sure it plans properly for the future.

Image source, Central Bedfordshire Council

The trio stole cash, jewellery and bank cards from pensioners over Christmas.

Fourteen-month-old Jacob Burden was killed instantly when he was knocked down by a 4x4 on his drive.

Adam Watts's addictions began when he was a teenager, his father tells a court.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

If you were lucky enough to be in the Bedford area at just after 18:00 last night, you may have seen Airlander 10 taking only its fourth test flight.

You can actually hear her engines as she passes overhead, as this video taken by Stewart Bailey in Shortstown shows.

HRH The Princess Royal has officially launched the Rivertime Accessible Regatta, external on the Thames at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre.

The event gives hundreds of children with special needs the chance to join in sports they may not have tried before, including sailing, powerboating, bellboating and canoeing.