Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

This evening cloud will continue to develop from the north bringing the small chance of an isolated shower.

Overnight another band of showers will cross the BBC East region during the early hours.

It'll be milder than last night, with lows of 12C (54F).

Friday will be mainly dry but rather cloudy, with the chance of a further isolated shower.

Feeling cooler with highs of 19C (66F).

Get a full forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Police have named a man who was killed in a collision on Stanford Lane in Clifton on Sunday.

They say Paul Mills, 52, from the village near Biggleswade, died when the red Vauxhall Corsa he was travelling in left the road.

Officers are continuing to investigate and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Image source, Family photo

Andy Holmes
BBC Three Counties Radio political reporter

The new Labour MP for Bedford and Kempston has made his maiden speech in Parliament today, promising to save Bedford Hospital.

Mohammad Yasin, who beat the sitting Conservative MP Richard Fuller to the seat in June, said: "Two years ago Bedford Hospital saved my wife's life when she suffered a heart attack.

"The future of our hospital and its services have been in doubt for far too long.

"Since 2011, under this government and the last, a string of expensive and inconclusive reviews have cast a shadow over the hospital, lining the pockets of many consultants while hardworking frontline staff go without pay rises.

"As MP for Bedford and Kempston, I will fight every day to keep the services we need."

Louise Hubball
BBC Look East

Today I have "Dared To Be Different".

A special day to inspire women, external to get into the motosport industry has taken place at Daytona karting track in Milton Keynes.

It's to show that women are welcome in the male-dominated sport and industry and can become drivers and engineers.

On offer today has been go-karting, a change to learn how to change a wheel on a race car and make a hoverboard.

Matt Lockwood
BBC Three Counties Radio

An attempt to stop a centre for severely disabled children in Watford closing could go to court.

Laywers acting for the families who use Nascot Lawn Respite Centre say there was an unlawful failure to consult with the families affected.

They believe the decision to save £650,000 by closing the centre was made long before families were told last month and they argue it's a breach of the children's human rights.

It's due to close in October and currently provides support for families with children with very complex needs.

Image source, NHS

Herts Valleys Clinical Commissioning Group said: "We can confirm that Irwin Mitchell [solicitors] have written to Herts Valleys CCG and their letter is now with our lawyers for consideration and a response. Given that, it wouldn’t be appropriate for us to comment further at this time."

They said at the time the closure was announced that it was necessary because of its "serious financial situation", and that the focus must be on spending on services it has a legal duty to provide.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Tributes have been paid to a father from Hemel Hempstead, who died on Monday, after falling from scaffolding at a London construction site.

Jason Carter, the brother of his partner, said, Jon Currie, a scaffolder, was "one in a million" and left behind "a loving family including five children and a loving fiancée".

He added: "Jon was a one-off. When they made him they broke the mould.

"He was loved by everyone including myself and he will be deeply missed. He wasn't just my sister's fiancé to me - he is my brother."

Image source, Family photo

The Met Police has confirmed a man died after falling from "a height" on Monday at about 10:45 whilst working in Bedford Gardens in Kensington.

They say the Health and Safety Executive is investigating.

BBC Radio Berkshire's Sue Kinnear met Reverend Kenneth Claassen, who moved to Marlow from Port Elizabeth just six weeks ago to take up a new role at Newfield Community Church.

He told her what life was like back in South Africa before making the move to the UK.

"There are certain places in South Africa that are more dangerous than others. Port Elizabeth is a coastal city... it's a very relaxed place. But there are places that you don't want to be at certain times of the day.

"The basic services are struggling, the police and the basic things we have in the UK, South Africa doesn't have as much visual policing.

"You have to pretty much look after yourself.

"The most difficult thing is at home. At home you feel less safe than just being out, because home invasions are a big part of the problem in South Africa."

Jane Killick
BBC Three Counties Radio

Hundreds of pounds has been stolen from a Bedfordshire shop after two masked men threatened staff with a handgun on 6 July.

Bedfordshire police have only just released information about the attack which happened at Charlie's convenience store on High Street, Clapham at about 22:10.

They say the two men, who were English-speaking, were armed with the gun and the "shocking incident" left the shopkeeper "shaken".

Image source, Google

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

A number of "precious and distinctive" items have been stolen from two graveyards in Hertfordshire.

Police say several brass and bronze statues were taken from the cemeteries in Cheshunt and Hoddesdon between 6 and 8 July.

Local victim Nick Vaccaro said: "This has been a heart-breaking event for myself and the other families who have suffered from these crimes.

"As you can imagine all of us who have had our loved ones’ graves desecrated are very upset and we would urge anyone who has any information about these thefts to contact the police.”

Image source, Hertfordshire Police

Det Con Holly Dawson said: "These thefts have caused a great deal of upset to the victims. These are terrible crimes and have deeply affected the families, who would dearly love to recover these stolen items.

“The statues and other items are precious to the families and are very distinctive. If you see similar items being offered for sale please report it to the police immediately.”

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

All lanes are now open, after emergency services dealt with an over-turned car by the M1 southbound link road on the A1414 eastbound by St Albans, this morning.

Herts Fire Control say there were people trapped, and specialist equipment had to be used to rescue one person.

Two lanes were closed at the time, causing some delays.

Image source, Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service

The East of England Ambulance Service has confirmed paramedics were called at 08:36, and they then treated a woman, believed to be in her 30s, but luckily she wasn't hurt.

She was taken to Watford General Hospital as a precautionary measure.

The Gambia's Sulayman Marreh says he is not disappointed to be loaned out by English club Watford before playing a match.

David Rhodes
BBC News

A BBC investigation has found the number of Luton teachers from ethnic minorities doesn't reflect the diversity of students.

The figures show 30% of teachers in the town are from ethnic minorities, compared with almost 75% of pupils - although nationally the teacher figure is around 13%.

Teaching union, the NASUWT says ethnic minority teachers "face discrimination and prejudice when applying for jobs".

The government says there has been an increasing number of BME teachers joining the profession in recent years.

Image source, Getty Images

A Luton Borough Council spokesperson said: "Many teachers in Luton have been in post for many years and were recruited when the proportion of BME children in the borough was much lower.

"We are committed to increasing the number of BME teachers and are working with schools on an individual basis to increase the number.

"In addition, our education and skills agenda, which forms part of the Investment Framework, will enable those from all backgrounds who wish to enter education every opportunity to do so."

Carol Abercrombie
BBC Three Counties Radio

Over 60 jobs in Luton have been secured after a £40m contract was signed to upgrade RAF Typhoon fighter jets.

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon says the two-year contract for Luton-based Leonardo will see them upgrade the aircraft's defence system, sustaining 65 jobs at the site at Capability Green.

Typhoons have been used to carry out air strikes on so-called Islamic State in Iraq and Syria.

Image source, Google

Sir Michael said: "Our armed forces face ever-evolving threats so we must invest in cutting-edge technology to ensure they can operate in hostile theatres."

Some of the work will also be carried out at Leonardo's site in Warton in Lancashire.

The RAF's fleet of Typhoons are based at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire, RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland and the Falkland Islands in the south Atlantic.

Simon Oxley
BBC Three Counties Radio

Four people have been injured after a collision involving two cars on Tring Road, Aylesbury in the early hours of this morning.

Bucks and MK Fire say they were called at 00:50.

They add that they used hydraulic equipment to release a woman, three men were also hurt, but they were not trapped.

The road was closed for several hours.

Image source, Bucks and MK Fire

BBC Business News

Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR), which runs the Southern Rail, Thameslink and Great Northern rail services, has been fined £13.4m for poor performance, the Department for Transport (DfT) has announced.

The government said the fine would have been higher, but most of the delays had not been Southern's fault.

The DfT said strikes and unprecedented levels of sick leave were also to blame.

The RMT union was critical of the fine, saying the government had let Southern and its parent company off the hook.

Image source, PA

A spokesman for GTR said the company accepted the fine as a "fair outcome".

He said: "The settlement acknowledges that the industrial action taken by the trade unions has been a major contributor to the disruption experienced by passengers in the past year, and we welcome the fact that a significant proportion of our claim was recognised."

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

A jury at Luton Crown Court will continue its deliberations today, in the trial of a man accused of killing another who he felled with a punch in a street fight in Luton town centre last year.

Kevin Kelly, 27, was making his way home in the early hours of 1 May, along Upper George Street at about 05:00 when he encountered Richard Wood, who was coming in the opposite direction.

Wood, 27, from Luton, who nows lives in London Road, Bognor Regis, appeared in the witness box yesterday and described how Kelly was "aggressive" to him and punched him in the face.

The accused hit back and the fight ended when Mr Kelly fell to the ground.

The defendant told the court "I was just trying to protect myself" and when he left the scene he didn't realise how serious Mr Kelly's condition was.

Image source, Bedfordshire Polce

The jury has been told father-of-one Kevin, who is originally from Kilkenny in the Irish Republic, died as a result of a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage - a bleed on his brain caused by damage to a his vertebral artery which is found in the back of the neck at the base of the skull.

The prosecution's case is that Mr Wood threw a series of punches, which could not have been in self-defence by the time of the fatal punch.

Richard Wood, 24, has pleaded not guilty to a manslaughter.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Emergency services are at the scene of an accident near the M1 link road in St Albans.

Two lanes are closed and there's heavy traffic due to an overturned vehicle at J7 for St Albans and J8 for Hemel Hempstead.

Two robbers stabbed a man six times when they stole his wallet in Wolverton, Milton Keynes.

Thames Valley Police said it happened at the junction of Church Street and Anson Road at about 22:55 on Sunday and the attackers, who were black with one wearing a black hoodie with white trim, ran off down an alley parallel to Church Street near to Wyvern School.

The victim was treated in hospital for wounds to his abdomen, thigh, calf and eye, but has been discharged.

Poilce said the suspects were seen outside the Agora shopping centre before the attack.

Lucy Martin
BBC Weather

A dry and bright start to the day, with just a few mist and fog patches.

Sunshine will continue throughout the day, with the chance of a few isolated showers.

Temperatures peaking at 20C (68F).

BBC Weather has a more detailed forecast for where you live.

Stuart Bailey
BBC News

Hello and welcome to Thursday's live updates for Beds, Herts and Bucks on 13 July.

We'll be here until 18:00 with the latest news, sport, travel and weather.

A full forecast is coming up shortly but, in the meantime, let's enjoy these two sunrise pictures from our BBC Weather Watchers: