Summary

  • All the latest from Beds, Bucks, Cambs, Essex, Herts, Norfolk, Northants and Suffolk

  • Covid-19 deaths rise to 3,967 across the eight counties

  • Four arrested in Bedfordshire after 10 people living in 'modern slavery' conditions found at farm

  • Northampton aim to repeat 'mental masterclass' in Wembley play-off tonight

  • Main road into Cambridge closed from today

  1. Monday's updates as they happenedpublished at 18:00 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Thanks for joining us for our live updates page.

    Don't forget there is live text coverage of Northampton Town's League Two play-off final against Exeter City at Wembley this evening.

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    Join us again on Tuesday when a live page will resume at 08:00.

    Find it via your BBC News county index.

  2. Suspected victims of modern slavery found at farmpublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    Ten people believed to be Romanians held in conditions of modern slavery, external have been found living in a farm building in Bedfordshire.

    Police officers were flagged down by two men on a rural road on Friday at about 21:45 close to the Cambridgeshire border and were taken to a farm where they found 13 men and a pregnant woman.

    Four men were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and have been released on bail.

    Modern slavery imageImage source, Getty Images

    The Gangmasters & Labour Abuse Authority later went to an address in Lincolnshire, where a number of further potential victims were identified.

    A woman in her 40s and a man in his 30s were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking and remain in police custody.

    Det Ch Insp Louisa Glynn, from Bedfordshire Police, external, said: "Almost 400 potential victims were identified in the county last year, the fifth highest of all UK police force areas."

  3. Supporters trust 'founder' inspires friendly finalpublished at 17:39 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    The Football Supporters Association is highlighting the memory of its founder Brian Lomax ahead of tonight's League Two play-off final at Wembley between Northampton Town and Exeter City.

    He formed the Northampton Town Supporters' Trust in 1992 - the first of its kind, and the FSA said this was a direct inspiration for a similar trust in Exeter.

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    Kick-off is at 19:30. Follow the action with live text updates from BBC Sport or listen to BBC Radio Northampton's commentary on 104.2 FM, 103.6 FM, DAB and Freeview channel 734 on your television. Commentary is not available online.

  4. Sailing club to leave home reservoir after 83 yearspublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    A sailing club based for 83 years at a Hertfordshire reservoir has been forced to leave because the water level has been lowered to protect a dam.

    Mudflats have reappeared making the launching of boats too dangerous, Aldenham Sailing Club, external, said.

    The club had been based at the reservoir near Elstree since 1937 and the one-metre reduction followed an inspection of the dam wall in January.

    Aldenham mudflatsImage source, SBNA
    Image caption,

    The reservoir ceased providing drinking water in the 1970s

    On its website the club wrote: "It is with great sadness that Aldenham Sailing Club has to announce that it is terminating its lease with the owners of Aldenham reservoir and that it will no longer be sailing there.

    "It is another sad development in the current history of the reservoir.

    "No more will boats and sails be seen on what was once the jewel in the crown of Hertsmere, external which is left to an uncertain future with a diminished water level, increased mudflats, a rough-looking beach along the dam and now a fence which will affect the popular footpath round the lake."

  5. What the papers are saying in Cambridgeshirepublished at 17:15 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    • Cambridgeshire Live, external is reporting that police have arrested a man on suspicion of serious assault after a person found injured in Wisbech
    • The Peterborough Telegraph, external is reporting Hampton beach has been closed following littering and people entering the water despite danger signs
    • The Hunts Post , externalis reporting that a driver was clocked at 100mph in a 30mph zone in by a roadwatch group during lockdown
  6. Keep the race conversation going - Deeneypublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Watford striker Troy Deeney, a key organiser of the Premier League's Black Lives Matter support, says the next challenge is to keep up the pressure for change.

    Read More
  7. Mobile virus test unit starts four-day visit to Corbypublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    A mobile Covid-19 test unit will be arriving on a four-day visit to Corby tomorrow.

    Testing is by appointment only and bookings can be made at the government coronavirus website, external when applicants will be told where the unit is based.

    Covid-19

    Mobile units are only in a location for a few days and have an integrated one-way system that allows people with an appointment to attend for either walk-in or drive-through testing.

    The eligibility criteria for tests have been extended to include anyone with coronavirus symptoms such as a new, continuous cough; high temperature; loss of or change in sense of smell or taste.

    Essential workers will be given a priority.

    A similar mobile unit will spend its final day in Daventry on Tuesday.

  8. New NHS hospital 'not ruled out'published at 16:59 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    NHS bosses are now considering the option of a new hospital, but there is "no blank cheque".

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  9. What the papers are saying in Norfolkpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    • The Eastern Daily Press, external is reporting that the DixieMix Jazz Band is considering a name change over concerns it may be seen to have links to the USA's southern former slave states
    • The Lynn News, external is reporting that revised plans for 46 homes have been refused on the grounds of density, potential crime and being out of character
    • The Diss Express, external is reporting that more than 4,000 motorists were caught speeding in during a two-week enforcement campaign
  10. Gibson to leave Saints at end of contractpublished at 16:54 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Northampton flanker Jamie Gibson is to leave the Premiership club after five years when his contract expires.

    Read More
  11. Breast screening to resume after pandemic easespublished at 16:53 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    Breast cancer screening is set to return to normal service from today at Southend Hospital after being paused because of Covid-19.

    Although high-risk patients were still being screened at the height of the pandemic, routine screening was stopped so radiographers at the hospital could support critical inpatient services.

    Breast screening servicesImage source, Southend Hospital

    The unit, based in the Nightingale Centre, external, has started sending invitations and reminders to people eligible for screening.

    The first to benefit are those who had cancellations followed by anyone overdue a scan.

    Clare Rogers, programme manager, said: "The aim of this service is to detect breast cancer at an early stage, often before any symptoms have been noted, so that treatment may therefore be simpler, more effective and gives a better chance of recovery."

  12. What the papers are saying in Suffolkpublished at 16:27 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    • The East Anglian Daily Times, external is reporting that Mid Suffolk Council has pledged £40,000 towards plans for the development of a 156-acre business park off the A14
    • The Bury Free Press, external is reporting that firefighters rescued three dogs locked in a car on Sunday evening
    • The Ipswich Star, external is reporting that two men accused of being involved in a double stabbing incident in Ipswich will go on trial next year
  13. Police need help to identify woman found in riverpublished at 16:11 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    The body of a woman was discovered in the River Nene near Potters Way in Peterborough on Sunday evening by a member of the public.

    Police describe the woman as having brown, greying hair, aged between 50 and 70, wearing a red puffer jacket with a diamond pattern to the stitching, black trousers and a white top with black lines on it.

    Cambridgeshire Police, external have asked for help to identify her.

    Potters WayImage source, Google

    Det Insp Tim Archer said: "The woman has no signs of any obvious injuries, we are keeping an open mind and treating the death as unexplained.

    "A red speedboat was also found tied up near to where the body was found."

    Police do not believe the woman was on the boat, but they want to contact its owner in case they have any further information.

  14. Mercedes to race in black cars for 2020published at 15:26 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Mercedes will run a new black livery in Formula 1 in 2020 as a signal of their commitment to greater diversity and inclusion in motorsport.

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  15. Cobblers players head to Wembleypublished at 15:26 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Northampton Town's players and coaching staff have began their journey to Wembley Stadium for tonight's League Two play-off final.

    It is the club's first appearance in a Wembley final for more than seven years.

    The Cobblers face Exeter City - who beat Colchester United in the play-off semi-finals - with kick-off at 19:30 BST.

    You can listen to full commentary on BBC Radio Northampton (on FM only) from 19:00 and follow live text updates from BBC Sport.

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  16. Photos give a glimpse of healthcare workers' livespublished at 15:23 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    A new campaign reveals the faces and stories behind the care given in hospitals, GP surgeries and homes.

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  17. Frantic search for corn snake that slipped his tank lidpublished at 14:16 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    The frantic owner of a corn snake, external has issued a plea on social media in a bid to find her pet that has gone missing in the NR3 area of Norwich.

    Leah Spagatner assures everyone that the corn snake is not venomous.

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    She said: "Ghostie is a ghost corn snake - grey with a chess board underbelly.

    "He is not a danger at all, he won't bite and is not venomous. His tank lid was slightly ajar for some unknown reason."

  18. 'Thank you NHS' written large on roads to hospitalspublished at 13:48 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    Patrick Byrne
    BBC News

    Road markings featuring a rainbow heart have been painted on the approach roads to NHS sites across Northamptonshire to thank staff for their commitment and diligence during the pandemic.

    Sites to benefit include Berrywood Hospital in Northampton, Corby Community Hospital, Cynthia Spencer Hospice in Northampton, Danetre Hospital in Daventry, Isebrook Hospital In Wellingborough and St Mary’s Hospital in Kettering.

    Road markingsImage source, Northamptonshire Healthcare

    Northamptonshire Highways, external team asked specialist road markers WJ Lining and local traffic management contractor EM Pells to help them.

    Similar markings appeared at Kettering General and Northampton General Hospitals last month.

    The markings are all at buildings used by Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS, external Foundation Trust.

    Chief operating officer, Jean Knight, said it was "this lovely tribute to our staff".

  19. Third man jailed after OAP marched to cash machinepublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    An 81-year-old was targeted in his home and forced to visit a nearby supermarket late at night.

    Read More
  20. What the papers are saying in Essexpublished at 13:24 British Summer Time 29 June 2020

    • The Braintree and Witham Times, external is reporting that Bocking residents are demanding action after a popular beauty spot was used for an illegal gathering for the second time in a month
    • The Essex County Standard, external is reporting that a young harbour porpoise was put to sleep after being found stranded at Walton beach
    • The Southend Echo, external is reporting that job prospects are so bad in the town that 22 people are now chasing every vacancy