Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Louis Smith was awarded the Freedom of the City of Peterborough unanimously last night by councillors, but not before the honour was queried by some.

Councillor Mohammed Jamil, who represented Labour on the awards panel, says there was no question of him not being given Peterborough's "highest status".

But after the video of him apparently mocking Islam was leaked, he did think "do you really want someone like him representing such a diverse city of Peterborough?".

He said he had several people contacting him, saying "are you really sure about this?".

Image source, Getty Images

Mr Jamil, a Muslim, told me he changed his mind after Smith apologised, as he had "instantly realised he'd made a mistake".  

"Part of our religion is to forgive," Mr Jamil said. "He had done enough to earn my forgiveness."

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

The decision to award Louis Smith the Freedom of the City of Peterborough was taken just a few months after the gymnast was seen in a leaked video apparently mocking Islam.

The film appeared to show Smith, along with fellow gymnast Luke Carson, laughing while pretending to pray and shouting "Allahu Akbar".  

He said at the time he was "deeply sorry" for the "deep offence" caused by the footage and his "thoughtless actions".

Image source, Getty Images

A couple of weeks after the video emerged in October, Smith said he had received death threats "every day" since.

Smith visited two mosques in London instead of joining his Great Britain team-mates at a celebration in Trafalgar Square to honour their achievements in Rio. 

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Having four Olympic medals just isn't enough for Louis Smith, who has been awarded Peterborough's highest honour. 

Last night councillors voted unanimously to give the Peterborough gymnast the Freedom of the City. 

He's not alone, as Rio gold medal winning Paralympic rower James Fox and bronze medal wheelchair basketball star Lee Manning have also been given the recognition.

Image source, Getty Images

Hannah Olsson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire political reporter

The leader of Peterborough City Council says there was "absolutely no option" but to sign the agreement with Stef & Philips, which will see homeless people occupy houses left vacant by about 70 families living in St Michael's Gate.

John Holdick has written a letter to the Local Government Association, expressing the concern that more "hard working families" could be evicted through similar schemes.

Image source, BBC/Peterborough City Council

The Conservative councillor's letter has the support of the Peterborough MP Stewart Jackson, who tweeted:

Hannah Olsson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire political reporter

Last night's meeting at Peterborough City Council was lengthy and passionate.

Jelana Stevica, a resident of St Micahel's Gate, said she feels "betrayed and deserves an apology". She challenged councillors to meet face-to-face with residents, telling them they "should hang their heads in shame".

Conservative councillor Irene Walsh responded, saying "sorry is just a word" and she prefers to take action. 

Image source, Terry Harris / PaperPix.uk

That action is for the Conservative leader of the council, John Holdick, to lobby the Local Government Association to investigate this issue at a national level, to make sure this never happens again.

The opposition parties on the council say it was too little, too late.

Hannah Olsson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire political reporter

A resident of St Michael's Gate in Peterborough, evicted after a private housing company bought 70 properties in the area to house homeless people, says she hopes the demonstration held outside the Town Hall in Peterborough last night will act as an exemplar for others.

About 25 people turned up before a council debate about the evictions. 

The debate was arranged after a petition, signed by more than 500 people, was handed into Peterborough City Council.

Beverly Nicholls, who moved out last week after 10 years at St Michael's Gate, said that "if we can prevent anyone else going through what the residents have gone through, then it will be worth it.

"People have been hospitalised because of stress. It's affecting their personal lives and health."

BBC Travel

More now on the Histon road closure, external.

Water Lane is expected to be closed until Friday evening, so emergency repairs to a 12in (30cm) burst water main can be carried out.

Cambridge Water is fixing the problem and says diversions are in place via Wilburton and Stretham, along the A10 and A14.

No properties are without water. 

Hannah Olsson
BBC Radio Cambridgeshire political reporter

There were demonstrations outside Peterborough City Council last night, in protest at the eviction of residents of St. Michael's Gate. 

The Peterborough houses were bought by a private firm, Stef & Philips, and then offered to the council, meaning the current tenants are being moved out to house the homeless.

About 25 people turned up to offer their support. 

One man told me it was "a crazy situation, making people homeless to house the homeless, it's just wrong".

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

It'll be cloudier than yesterday, but still feeling mild for the time of year, and it'll stay dry. 

The thickest cloud will be towards the west of the region, with the best of any brightness towards eastern counties.

Top temperature between 7C and 10C (45F - 50F).

Watch the full regional forecast here:

BBC Travel

B1049 Water Lane in Histon is closed in both directions between the Impington Lane junction and the Chequers Road junction, because of emergency repairs.  

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome back to regular updates for Local Live in Cambridgeshire. 

Between now and 18:00 we'll be bringing you all your news, sport, travel and in a moment a full weather report with Elizabeth Rizzini. 

You can of course get in touch anytime via Facebook, external, email, or Twitter using #cmblive, external. 

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Thanks for joining us today.

We'll be back tomorrow from 08:00.

This afternoon has "taken off" with news that the first successful Amazon drone delivery has taken place in Cambridgeshire. Scroll back through the feed for updates on that story and others we have covered today.

Stay tuned to this page overnight for any breaking news from around the county.

Have a great evening.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Staying dry with clear skies across the region for the first part of the evening.

The risk of some mist and fog patches but tonight is expected to be colder than last night.

Temperatures down to about 4C (39F).

Tomorrow will be rather cloudy, but staying dry for most. 

Highs of 10C (50F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

The big news this afternoon is that online retailer Amazon has completed its first delivery to a customer called Richard B who lives in the county.

The test is a small step into a rather new technology, but how likely is it to be rolled out across the country?

Well, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) says: "Amazon Prime has a permission to conduct tests within its set trial area of around five miles radius, and under specific limited conditions, to enable it to research the future potential for drone use."

However, the CAA does say that it believes "drones have significant potential in the future across a wide range of industries, but all recreational and commercial users must ensure they fly them safely and responsibly".

It's not yet known the exact location or distance of the first flight, but as the CAA permission suggests, it can't have been far!

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Today we've been discussing the news that Amazon has completed its first drone delivery in the UK.

Here's a couple of shots from that delivery...

Image source, Amazon

Image source, Amazon

Image source, Amazon

Richard B from Cambridgeshire was the first recipient, who collected the parcel after it was dropped off in his garden.

Natalie Berg, an analyst at Planet Retail, said Amazon's testing will have real significance on shopper expectations.

"Last year, same-day delivery was considered impressive; now it's all about 13 minute lead times.

"Drone delivery is another string to Amazon's bow, but it's certainly not an industry game changer."

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

Earlier we brought you news that online retail giant Amazon made its first successful drone delivery right here in Cambridgeshire.

The order took 13 minutes from order to delivery, being dropped off at the house of their first customer, named Richard B.

The aim is that all orders made using Amazon Air will be delivered within 30 minutes.

The trial will be expanded to dozens of customers living close to the Cambridgeshire warehouse in the coming months.

Image source, Amazon

However, the safety of drones has come under the spotlight in recent months.

There have been reports of near-misses this year between drones and aircraft over the border in Essex at London Stansted and at Cornwall Airport Newquay.

"Safety is our top priority," Amazon said on its website. "We are currently permitted to operate during daylight hours when there are low winds and good visibility, but not in rain, snow or icy conditions."

There are Prime Air development centres in the US, UK, Austria and Israel. The company is also testing its drone vehicles in "multiple international locations".

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

South East Cambridgeshire MP, Lucy Frazer, says she wants more action to tackle racial hatred.

The Conservative MP told the Commons the village of Haddenham in her constituency had recent first-hand experience of far-right groups.

Image source, .

"In October, hundreds of people from across Europe attended a neo-Nazi rally in the village.

"What steps is the prime minister taking to tackle racial hatred," asked Ms Frazer.

Theresa May replied that the government "is taking action to stop racial hatred in this country", which comes just days after Home Secretary Amber Rudd banned the far-right National Action group.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

A former financial advisor who conned elderly victims out of more than £700,000 has been jailed at Peterborough Crown Court.

Andrew Powell, from Stamford Road in Ryhall, defrauded pensioners out of the money during a 13-year period, Cambridgeshire Police said.

The 41-year-old took his victims' money, even though he'd lost his job as a financial advisor in 2003, the force added.

He handed himself into officers at Thorpe Wood Police Station in June.

He admitted two counts of fraud by false representation and one count of obtaining property by deception and was jailed for three years and nine months.

The money he stole will be paid back to his victims under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

As you saw a short while ago, online retailer Amazon has completed its first drone delivery to a customer in Cambridgeshire.

In the video filmed on 7 December, Richard B ordered a parcel and had it delivered by drone to his back garden in 13 minutes.

Amazon says the drone operates from a secret fulfilment centre, which is in south Cambridgeshire.

The drones are autonomous, travelling at 400ft (122m) above the ground and can carry packages up to 5lbs (2kg).

Amazon is not the only group working on drone deliveries. Google parent company Alphabet has a similar project known as Project Wing in the US and some reports say retail behemoth Wal-Mart is also studying the field.

Adam Jinkerson
BBC Local Live

We've just spotted that the much talked about drone delivery system being trialled by Amazon south of Cambridge has completed its first delivery to a local customer.

This was tweeted a short while ago by Amazon boss Jeff Bezos.