BBC Weather Watchers

You know we love a good Weather Watchers picture, and today you have firmly ticked that box.

'Flatlander' in Ely has also been busy this morning, taking these stunning pictures in and around the city...

Sam Edwards
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire

The MP for Cambridge, Daniel Zeichner, has raised his concerns over the government's announcement that there will be a new organisation to run the Varsity Line between Cambridge and Oxford.  

East West Rail will help secure private sector funding to design, build and operate the route, working independently from Network Rail.

It's all part of plans to transform Network Rail.

The Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling, wants to end the publicly-owned company's complete control of railway tracks in England, and instead share it with private train-operating companies. 

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

On the opposite end of the spectrum to Shippea Hill, Cambridge Station has been named the busiest station in the East.

There were 10,954,212 entries and exits to and from trains at the station in the past year.

Image source, Office of Road and Rail

That would mean that Cambridge is 912,851 times as busy as Shippea Hill every year.

One for the stats fans...

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

For the second year in a row, Shippea Hill, near Ely, has been crowned the quietest railway station in Britain, according to Office of Rail and Road.

There are just 12 entries and exits to and from trains at the station in a year.

One train towards Norwich serves the station on weekdays, but there is no return service.

On Saturdays it is possible to take a day trip to Norwichfrom Shippea Hill, leaving at 07:25 and returning just over 12 hours later. There are no trains on Sundays.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

You may have seen yesterday that a car crashed into an electricity pole on Toseland Road, near St Neots, due to the icy conditions.

The collision left 500 homes without power while engineers worked to fix the problem.    

We have spoken to UK Power Networks again this morning, who have confirmed that all homes have now been reconnected.

Nick Fairbairn
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport

If you're a Peterborough United fan, the thought of facing Chelsea in the third round of the FA Cup at Stamford Bridge is pretty mouthwatering.

The only thing currently standing in Posh's way is a second-round replay against Notts County. However, the date is yet to be announced as it's up to the broadcasters (BBC and BT Sport to you and me) to pick the live games.

When we get official confirmation, we'll let you know.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Transport Secretary Chris Grayling says one private company will run everything on the proposed Cambridge to Oxford "Varsity" line.  

East West Rail will help secure private sector funding to design, build and operate the route, working independently from Network Rail.

The announcement came as the transport secretary set out plans for a major overhaul in the way the rail network across England is run.

Mr Grayling has called the line "a much more important corridor than many others".

"This is a place where we're going to be developing science and business and housing for the future. We need a commuter railway at the heart of it as quickly as we can."  

It's thought the line will create around 12,000 jobs and generate millions of pounds for the region's economy. 

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Three vehicles have been involved in a collision on the A505 at Flint Cross, near Melbourn, say police.

All emergency services are currently on the scene.

Details are sketchy at this stage, but motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Image source, Google

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Take care if you're heading on the A505 around the Flint Cross area. The road is currently closed due to a collision.

We've got calls in to the emergency services and will bring you more when we get it.

Peter Swan
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport

Peterborough United will have their sights set firmly on a trip to London when they replay their FA Cup second-round tie against Notts County next week.

Posh were drawn against Premier League opponents Chelsea in the third round yesterday evening.

If Posh make it past the second-round replay, it will only be the third time they've faced The Blues in their history.

However, if history is anything to go by, it's not looking good. Chelsea have won both meetings 5-0 and 5-1.

Chairman Darragh MacAnthony isn't getting ahead of himself though...

If Posh beats Notts County in the second-round replay next week, the tie away at Chelsea will be played on the weekend of 6-9 January.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

While we're on the subject of Leeds United's cup trip to Cambridgeshire, it wasn't too long ago that another of the county's sides knocked out the Yorkshiremen in the competition...

You can read the full report of Histon v Leeds United from 2008 here.

Peter Swan
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport

Cambridge United will host Championship side Leeds United in the third round of the FA Cup, pitching boss Shaun Derry against his former employer.

The tie will be the first meeting between the two sides since April 7, 1984, which finished in a 2-2 draw. The U's have never beaten The Whites in any of their four meetings.

Derry played for Leeds 71 times between 2005 and 2008, scoring three goals.

However, he probably won't thank us for digging out  this picture...

Image source, Getty Images

The tie will be played on the weekend of 6-9 January.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

A very misty and murky start with some very dense patches of fog.

Winds are light, so the mist and fog will be slow to lift, and it will remain cloudy, although it may be brighter further east.

Feeling chilly, with a top temperature of 9C (48F).

Watch my full forecast:

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Welcome to Local Live for Cambridgeshire on Tuesday, 6 December.

We're here until 18:00 with the latest news, sport, travel and weather updates from around the county.

Coming up this morning we'll bring you the latest on which teams Peterborough United and Cambridge United have been drawn against in the third round of the FA Cup.

Plus a full weather forecast for what is already to turning out to be a tropical day: currently 3C (37F) at our offices in Cambridge!

As ever, you can get in touch via email, Twitter , externaland Facebook, external

Cambridge United defender Josh Coulson signs a new contract to stay with the League Two club until June 2018.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

That's it from us for today, we'll be back at 08:00 tomorrow with the latest news, sport, weather and travel.

Keep an eye on this page for any breaking news from Cambridgeshire overnight.

Also keep an eye on BBC Two (in the UK) tonight from 19:00, where both the Posh and the U's go into the hat for the third round of the FA Cup. 52 and 53 are the lucky numbers.

It was at this stage two years ago when Cambridge United held Premier League opponents Manchester United to a 0-0 draw. 

Have a great evening.

Nikki Jenkins
BBC Local Live

Image source, Ellie Bagshaw

There has been an outpouring of praise for Matt Smith, the former Bedford Modern School student, whose body was discovered on an Oxbridge University skiing trip yesterday morning.

He'd was a pupil at Bedford for 10 years, achieving three A*s before going on to study History at St John's College, Oxford.

Headmaster Michael Hall said: "It is with great sorrow that we have learnt of Matt’s sudden and tragic death. I would like to express my sincere condolences to Matt’s family on behalf of all the BMS community, but especially his teachers who remember him so fondly."

Jon Searle, his RS teacher described him as "intelligent; hardworking; insightful; popular; and thoroughly involved in the wider life of the school. Given all these qualities, it is probably his infectious and wicked sense of humour which will be missed the most."

Head of English, Stephen Bywater, called him the "perfect student; diligent, determined, conscientious, a genuine academic but one, with his ready smile, who was as charming as he was bright..."

Mr Smith was found by friends at the Val Thorens resort. He was attending the annual Varsity ski trip which has been a tradition since 1921.

Peter Swan
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire sport

Peterborough United say they are conducting an "internal investigation" after allegations of child abuse were made against the club's former youth coach Bob Higgins.

Mr Higgins has been accused of abuse during his time with Southampton in the 1980s.

Posh have reiterated the coach, who joined the club after leaving Southampton, was employed by "previous owners and a past management team", but they're taking the allegations "very seriously".

Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather

A dry night with widespread frost and fog, it could be freezing fog in places, as temperatures fall to around -2C (28F).

It’ll be a cold start to Tuesday with the fog slow to clear and in parts of the region it could linger all day.

Where the fog eventually lifts it’ll generally be cloudy with the chance of a few sunny intervals and highs of 8C (46F).

Hannah Olsson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire political reporter

You may have seen the news earlier that the MP for South Cambridgeshire, Heidi Allen, announced today that she'd like to stand as the first elected Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Although Ms Allen has the blessing of the PM, the leader of the Conservatives on Cambridgeshire County Council, Steve Count, has also previously said he's considering putting himself forward. 

I've spoken to the other political parties today, who despite having some concerns about the idea of having an elected mayor, are all planning on fielding a candidate.

Labour is compiling a long list of candidates which includes Peterborough councillor Ed Murphy and Cambridge City councillor Kevin Price. Party members will vote on a short list, with the result expected after Christmas. 

The Lib Dems have chosen three possible candidates, with the final result being announced in January. 

UKIP won't be announcing their candidate until February, but the party leader on Cambridgeshire County Council, Paul Bullen, has said he's thinking about whether to stand. 

The only confirmed candidate so far is Cambridge businessman, Independant Peter Dawe (pictured).