Updates on Friday, 7 July 2017
NHS body suspends IVF treatment
Police hold 'Twitterthon' to highlight misuse of 999 calls
Horse 'kicked and burned' in Luton attack
'Suffering' dog found with red raw skin in MK
Dry and very warm day ahead
EasyJet shares have fallen 2% on the back of a Guardian report, external that its chief executive Carolyn McCall is the favourite to take over as ITV boss.
The 55-year-old has run the Luton-based airline for the past seven years and was previously chief executive of Guardian Media Group.
Image source, Getty Images
Children in Need
The BBC's Children in Need has announced its final fundraising total for the 2016 Appeal, a record-breaking £60m.
The Charity is now funding 57 projects across Beds, Herts and Bucks to the value of £3.5m.
It says "the incredible total would not have been possible without the public once again coming together to help raise money to change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people".
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
Bedford's Greyfriars police station is up for sale.
The Police and Crime Commissioner for Bedfordshire, Kathryn Holloway, announced it would go on the open market next week.
It's being sold as it's "no longer fit for purpose".
The Bedford Community Policing team, which is based there, will move to a brand new Enquiries Office in Lime Street.
Image source, Rich Tea/GeographThe proceeds from the sale will be "invested in other building work or equipment, such as new computer systems", Ms Holloway said.
She added that a permanent home was now needed for the custody suite, which had been moved from Greyfriairs to a temporary location at the Police Headquarters in Kempston.
League Two side Wycombe Wanderers attract attention for their "bee-attracting" goalkeeper kit.
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Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
The death of a baby boy boy who fell "seriously unwell" at a health centre in Much Hadham is being treated as unexplained, Hertfordshire Police has said.
Image source, GoogleThe force said it attended the centre in Ash Meadow at about 12:30 yesterday.
The nine-month-old later died at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow.
A police spokesman said: "The death is currently being treated as unexplained and the case has been referred to the coroner."
The East of England Ambulance Service said it was called just before 12:10 to a report of a child who was not breathing.
It treated the child, who was taken to hospital by land ambulance in a critical condition.
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
The green light has been given for a major regeneration project on Ascot Road in Watford.
The plans include a 24-storey tower block, but following the Grenfell Tower fire, developers have been asked to provide re-assurances on fire safety.
Image source, ESA ArchitectureCouncillor Peter Jeffree, chair of the management development committee at Watford Borough council, said: "Although such matters are primarily covered by building regulation, which are separate to planning matters, the committee wished to have assurances that this had been taken into account."
Image source, ESA ArchitectureThe brown field site will also have 485 homes in five buildings, shops and community space and extensive landscaping.
Image source, ESA ArchitectureThe Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain for the three counties for today.
Heavy downpours and isolated thunderstorms are predicted later this afternoon, which could bring some flash flooding.
Lightning and hail may be additional hazards.
However, any outbreaks are likely to be extremely localised, meaning most places should stay dry.
The warning is likely to be in place until 02:00 tomorrow.
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Dan Holley
BBC Look East weather
Yesterday a tweet , externalwas shared by East Herts Rural Police when officers discovered a "straw tornado".
I would just like to clarify matters - it's actually a "dust devil".
They often form on calm and very warm days where there's quite a bit of sunshine to heat the air up, the air rising rapidly may start to spin if it encounters pockets of slightly cooler air.
This spinning motion becomes 'visible' when the dust devil begins to pick up things, such as dust or in this case straw.
Image source, E Herts Rural PoliceThey are much weaker than tornadoes and rarely cause any damage as a result, though they can pick up light objects such as inflatable bouncy castles and tents, if the dust devil is strong enough and the objects not tied down sufficiently.
Most are usually harmless and normally last a few minutes.
A mini-tornado is whipped up in field, leaving the farmer annoyed by the "mess".
Read MoreAlex Pope
BBC Local Live
So today is International Kissing Day, I'm not telling my work colleagues!
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A leading psychiatrist says more prison officers is key to improving mental health inside prisons.
Read MoreAlex Pope
BBC Local Live
Two "distinctive" and "eye-catching" goalkeeper kits have been unveiled this morning by Wycombe Wanderers. , external
The club says they've been "designed to make the goalkeeper appear larger and more imposing when a striker is bearing down on goal and preparing to shoot".
They say the "fluorescent yellow keeper kit carries an unmissable multi-coloured kaleidoscope pattern on the front, which resembles a target to aim for – rather than the goal itself – and catches the eye with its disruptive magic-eye effect".
Image source, Wycombe WanderersGoalkeeper Scott Brown admits he had to do a "double-take" when he saw them, but they have "grown on me".
"I’m looking forward to wearing them throughout the season, even if I get a few rude comments from opposition fans behind my goal," he said.
They've already caused lots of comment on social media, from "Worryingly, I quite like them", to "no, no, no".
What do you think? Get in touch via email or Twitter using #bhblive., external
BBC Sport
Greg Rutherfold says he's "gutted" that he won't be able to compete at the London Anniversary Games on Sunday.
He says a problem with an ankle ligament means he won't take part.
"But I am doing everything I can to give myself the best chance of success at the London 2017 World Championships," he said.
The reigning World, European and Commonwealth champion suffered an ankle problem competing in Italy in May. He went on to wish everyone taking part "the best of luck" and said: "I will be watching and supporting from the stands, and wishing I was out there with you."
Image source, Getty ImagesKaty Lewis
BBC Local Live
At least two schools in Dunstable were in lockdown yesterday afternoon following reports of a man with a gun.
Image source, GoogleWatling Lower School and Ardley Hill Academy both took security measures.
In a letter to parents, Watling head teacher Sue Penglase said there had been a "concern at the end of lunchtime" and police carried out a search before "deeming it safe for all".
"We were very proud of the children and their sensible behaviour both in following the procedure and their behaviour whilst waiting for checks to be made," she said.
Ardley Hill head teacher Jonathan Smith said he was called by another school which had instigated a lockdown because some of their children had "potentially seen a man with a gun" at the back of their building.
He has praised the coordination between all the schools.
"It's not the first time we've done a lockdown," he said.
"We've done several since I've been head for a variety of reasons, but at the instant, you don't fully understand what the reason is, so your response has to be as quick and as real and solid as it was."
Bedfordshire Police said it was called at about 13:15 to reports of a man believed to be in possession of a gun in Bullpond Lane.
It said officers and the helicopter carried out a search of the area but no-one was found matching the description given.
BBC News Travel
The A421 remains closed westbound from the A6 after a multi-vehicle collision.
Emergency services are at the scene.
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BBC Sport
Hertfordshire's Aljaz Bedene was one of the four British players who reached the third round at Wimbledon on Wednesday - for the first time in 20 years.
'That's a glorious shot' - five amazing shots from Bedene vs. Dzumhur
He reached the third round at SW19 for the first time in his career by overcoming Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia and Herzegovina by three sets to one, despite the match bearing the brunt of the 'flying ant day' invasion which hit the All England Club in the afternoon.
The insects descended just after Bedene had wrapped up the first set. Dzumhur levelled the match as the ants swarmed around the court, but Bedene regained his composure to swat his Bosnian opponent aside 6-3 3-6 6-3 6-3.
He joins Andy Murray, Johanna Konta and Heather Watson in the next round, where he will meet Luxembourg's Gilles Muller.
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
We're getting reports that there are delays on the southbound A421 in Bedfordshire due to a collision at the Kempston turn-off.
Emergency services, including an ambulance, are at the scene.
We'll bring you more on this as we get it.
Lucy Martin
BBC Weather
A warm start to the day, with sunny spells after any early fog.
Increasing risk of thunderstorms mainly later in the day, with local intense downpours and possible hail, bringing the risk of sudden flooding.
Feeling very warm and humid by the afternoon, with highs of 26C (79F).
Get the latest on the weather where you live on the BBC Weather website.
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Yesterday we reported the result of an inquest which concluded that the death of an inmate at HMP Woodhill, in Milton Keynes, could and should have been avoided.
Thomas Morris, 31, was found hanged in his cell in June 2016.
The jury at Milton Keynes Coroners' Court recorded a verdict of suicide, after hearing warnings about his mental health were ignored and concluded the prison authorities did not take appropriate steps to prevent the loss of Mr Morris's life.
We've now got some reaction to that result.
The Morris family barrister Nick Armstrong said: "What is striking about his particular case, is the scale and breadth of the failures that were found and the time at which they were found.
"They came after the prisons and probations ombudsman had repeated his concerns, they came after the coroner had repeated his concerns, they came after the internal review in January 2016 and the joint review that was conducted in March 2016."
Speaking outside the inquest, his mother Jacqueline Boyle said: "Maybe a day and a half into the inquest I knew that it was just failing upon failing upon failing and I just don't know how that can happen."
The Ministry of Justice said it recognised there had been failings in Thomas Morris's care and measures were already in place to better support offenders.
It said it would now carefully consider the findings of this inquest.
Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live
Good morning and welcome back to Local Live across Beds, Herts and Bucks, where we'll be here until 18:00 bringing you the latest news, sport, weather and travel for ythe area.
The wind's getting up outside here in Dunstable, but full weather forecast will be with you shortly, to let you know exactly what's going on.
As always, if you want to get in touch you can by email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.
