Updates on Friday, 23 June 2017
Boy still in serious condition after 'hit and run'
Premier Inn 'concerned' about potential hotel fire risk
Male hospital staff could be told to 'start wearing dresses'
Thameslink service criticised in report
Parents of disabled children to challenge care centre closure
Luton Airport closes for runway runners
Punter poised to win £1m with 'incredible' Ascot bet
Muslim school 'mismanaged' by trustees
Here's a photo of the scene near Luffenhall, Hertfordshire, where a light aircraft crashed this morning.
Image source, South Beds News AgencyA man in his 50s is thought to have been flying the aircraft when it crashed near power lines, just after 10:00.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch has been at the scene examining the wreckage.
Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live
Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire has welcomed its first sea lion pup in 12 years.
First-time mum Kira has been left to bond with the two-week-old pup, which means that keepers have not yet been able to determine the sex.
Safari park welcomes first sea lion pup for more than a decade
Earlier we mentioned a light aircraft had crashed near Letchworth.
As well as police and the Air Accident Investigation Branch, fire crews from around the county also attended the scene.
One person is thought to have been on board the aircraft. We'll bring you more details as we get them.
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Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live
While many of us may be struggling in the warm weather, the chimpanzees at Whipsnade Zoo have been enjoying some chilled treats in the sunshine.
The six chimps have been making the most of frozen fruit cordial ice blocks to keep them cool, as temperatures soar to 28C in the area.
Image source, South Beds News Agency
Image source, South Beds News Agency
Image source, South Beds News AgencyThe family of a chemical attack victim suffers tragedy for a second time.
Read More
Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio
A light aircraft has crashed near Letchworth.
One person is thought to have been on board when the microlight came down in a field off Newell Lane in Luffenhall just after 10:00.
Hertfordshire Police has closed the road and the Air Accident Investigation Branch has sent a team to the area.
Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live
Hertfordshire's police and crime commissioner has announced plans to take control of the county's fire service.
David Lloyd says there will still be a chief fire officer, but he wants to take control of the fire service budget, instead of it being managed by the county council.
"We need a programme of investment," he said.
Mr Lloyd said there was a possibility of "bringing together" police and fire station sites as well as merging control rooms.
He believes this would make the call handling system more "efficient", as the fire control room receives fewer calls than the police.
A man from Hertfordshire yesterday pleaded not guilty to an acid attack at a nightclub in London over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend.
Arthur Collins, 24, from Broxbourne, Hertfordshire is the former boyfriend of reality TV star Ferne McCann.
He and another man are due to stand trial in October, accused of grievous bodily harm with intent against 14 people.
Image source, Met PoliceA man has been cleared of all charges relating to the death of his brother.
Brandon Lavender, 18, from Brompton Close, Aylesbury, was accused of stabbing Daniel Lavender at a house in Meadowcroft in January.
Image source, GoogleDuring the trial, Reading Crown Court heard that an argument had started as a row between Daniel and his girlfriend about housework. This escalated into a confrontation with his brother, Brandon.
Daniel was stabbed twice. An ambulance was called, but the 26-year-old had lost a lot of blood and died the following morning.
Yesterday the jury found the accused not guilty of both murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter.
Simon Oxley
BBC Three Counties Radio
A man suffered serious injuries in a shooting in Bedford last night.
Bedfordshire Police says it was called to Miller Road, near Elstow Road, after reports of shots being fired, at around 22:25.
A second man was treated for less serious injuries.
Image source, Google
Tony Fisher
BBC Three Counties Radio
A new pedestrian bridge over the River Ouse in Bedford has been described as a health and safety hazard.
Steel wires running along the bridge have been vandalised, leaving them hanging loose. This has raised safety concerns among residents.
The council has put up metal barriers on the bridge, which only opened to the public earlier this month, while the safety wires are being repaired.
Conservative councillor Roger Rigby is unhappy with the design and believes the bridge is a danger for children.
"The construction of this hideous bridge is already an act of vandalism in St Mary's Gardens," he said.
"This bridge is more suited to an industrial estate than the town centre of Bedford."
But Liberal Democrat Charles Royden, the deputy mayor of Bedford, said the bridge was "fantastic".
"This is a great bridge, I accept some people may not like it, but that doesn't detract from the fact this is a fantastic investment," he said.
"I personally think it's lovely."
Mr Royden added the council had acted on safety concerns.
"When these wires were vandalised, we put in barriers to make sure that until they're repaired people are safe," he said.
The MP for Luton South Gavin Shuker has expressed his support for Luton Town Football Club's plans for a new stadium.
The Labour MP has described opposition to the stadium plans by the owners of the Mall shopping centre as "outrageous".
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Mr Shuker says he's met with Mall owners Capital and Regional to tell them face-to-face, and accuses them of a lack of investment in their own site over the last decade.
He also says Luton Borough Council must do all it can to complete reports speedily for the Development Control committee, so councillors can vote on the plans soon.
He added he will work hard to persuade the government not to intervene if the council gives the plans the go-ahead.
Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live
Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Jon Boutcher was out in Luton last night spending time with the local community.
The "top cop" took part in a community iftar, which marks the breaking of the daily fast of Ramadan.
Mr Boutcher spoke to local residents before and after prayers and was out until the early hours of this morning.
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Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk sport
Norfolk's cricketers are on course for victory on the final day of their Minor Counties Championship match at Buckinghamshire.
The home side are 19-2 in their second innings chasing 313 to win. Norfolk need eight wickets for victory.
The final day's play at Burnham gets under way at 11:00.
Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather
Another hot, sunny and dry day across the BBC East region, but there will be a little more cloud for some parts.
Inland temperatures are expected to reach between 27C and 30C (80F-86F) - although it will be cooler on the coast.
Tonight will be warm, with temperatures ranging between 14C and 17C (57F-62F).
BBC Weather has a more detailed forecast for where you live.
Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live
Good morning and welcome back to Local Live across Beds, Herts and Bucks.
The full weather forecast will be with you shortly and it looks as though it's going to be another hot day.
Between now and 18:00 we'll bring you the latest news, sport, weather and travel for your local area.
As always, if you want to get it touch you can by email, Twitter, external and Facebook, external.
A policeman joined Pakistan cricket fans celebrating a victory in Luton.
Read MoreStuart Bailey
BBC News
That's it for another day of live updates for Herts, Beds & Bucks.
You can scroll back here to read any stories you may have missed, including:
Any breaking stories will appear here overnight. Otherwise we'll back with more news, sport, weather and travel tomorrow from 08:00.
Have a good night and try to stay cool!
Stevenage sign striker Danny Newton from National League North club Tamworth on a two-year contract.
Read MoreStuart Bailey
BBC News
The police and crime commissioner for Bedfordshire says the county's police force urgently needs more money from the government to cope with "unprecedented" demand.
Kathryn Holloway says the number of 999 calls for police assistance in Bedfordshire has increased by 12% since the Manchester attack on 22 May.
On Saturday night the force received 344 calls between 21:00 and 01:00, and 438 during the same period on Sunday, about twice as many calls as expected.
"There has been a greater degree of public anxiety, with people more likely to call police sooner if they're jumpy about terrorism," Ms Holloway said.
"There are not enough cops to go round in Bedfordshire and I need more central government money to have levels of neighbourhood policing which are comparable with areas of similar risk.
Image source, Kathryn Holloway"The national police funding formula doesn't provide enough funding for a force that deals with challenging areas like Luton, on the doorstep of London.
"Bedfordshire Police is funded as if I have the rolling fields of the sleepy shires outside my window."
The government has claimed that police budgets have been protected.