Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

This year’s Alban Pilgrimage, which celebrates the story of Britain's first saint on the closest weekend to Alban Day on 22 June, has moved online.

With social distancing measures still in place, the usual procession of 12ft-high puppets through the city centre, street festival and other events cannot take place in the usual way.

Image source, St Albans Cathedral

Events now include a Eucharist service from St Albans Cathedral, external, streamed live on YouTube, external.

It will feature broadcaster and former Communard the Reverend Richard Coles, self-guided pilgrim walks and trails and a display of the puppets from the procession.

Image source, BBC/Duncan Stingemore

Mr Coles, who is vicar of Finedon in Northamptonshire, said: "St Alban was my point of entry to faith, in the church dedicated to him at Holborn in London, so I am delighted and honoured to be asked to preach his pilgrimage in the place, digitally reconfigured, where he laid down his life, so the good news could bring new life to all who heard it."

Canon Chancellor, the Rev Dr Kevin Walton, said: "Through live streaming our service and other activities, we will be able to reach out more widely across the country and indeed the world, to celebrate the significance of St Alban."

After just four days in operation,Milton Keynes Council, external has scrapped a scheme to close Newport Pagnell High Street to traffic.

The road was originally closed because they feared pedestrians would not be able to maintain social distancing unless they had more space.

More shops reopened on Monday, and the road closure was put in place amid fears customers would return in droves, but that has not materialised.

Image source, Jane Carr

Liberal Democrat Jane Carr, who represents the Newport Pagnell South Ward, said on Facebook that she had been feeding back residents' and traders' comments to the council.

"They believe that with the current level of trade, it is not necessary for the High Street to remain closed at this time to ensure social distancing," Ms Carr said.

Nina Ambrose says she feels "so, so lucky" to be able to spend this time with her dad.

Two adults and a child had a narrow escape at Southend yesterday evening after they walked out to the Mulberry Harbour as a fast tide was rising.

"The family were observed struggling to reach shore with water up to waist deep on the adults as they attempted to carry their child," a coastguard Facebook post, external said.

The coastguard said the actions of a member of the public who dialled 999 "might have saved their lives".

Image source, Southend Coastguard

"HM Coastguard Southend were quickly on scene, along with the RNLI Southend hovercraft, as the family were just approaching the beach."

None of the three needed medical attention but were given safety advice on the dangers of walking out to the Mulberry Harbour with a rising incoming tide which could cut you off as you would not be able to out-pace it.

... and it seemed to help, as Colchester United beat Exeter City 1-0 in the League Two play-off semi-final first leg.

They couldn't get in of course, as all football is being played behind closed doors at this stage of the lockdown.

The second leg in Devon is on Monday.

Robert Gough removed from the virtual meeting after correct procedures were not being followed.

A man has been charged with the theft of a hanging basket from outside a house in Peterborough.

Cambridgeshire Police said the 42-year-old was arrested in Princes Street.

He has been bailed to appear at Peterborough Magistrates' Court next month.

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

The latest government figures released on Thursday show that there were 12 more coronavirus deaths , externalin the region's hospitals, taking the total in the East of England to 3,908.

The deaths, listed by NHS trust, were:

• Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals: 2
• Buckinghamshire Healthcare: 1
• Luton and Dunstable: 4
• Norfolk Community Healthcare: 1
• North West Anglia (Peterborough and Hinchingbrooke hospitals): 1
• Northampton General: 1
• Southend: 2

The total number of Covid-19 deaths across the UK now stands at 42,288.

Cheltenham take control of their League Two play-off semi-final against Northampton with a two-goal away win in the first leg.

The charity which employs 500 people said the lockdown has caused a loss of £8m a year.

Cohen Bramall's free-kick gives Colchester the advantage as they beat Exeter in a drab League Two play-off semi-final first leg.

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