Donna Jones, leader of Portsmouth City Council, has described receiving the Queen on behalf of the city as "fulfilling a life's ambition".

She added: "She is a great role model for so many, dedicated to her country and the Commonwealth.

"Today is an historic and important day for the city of Portsmouth and particularly the Royal Navy, of whom I am particularly proud.

"Thousands of men and women across the city serve as members of the armed forces, and our proud city would not be what it is today if it were not for our long and respected relationship with the armed forces, spanning hundreds of years."

Police in Basingstoke are introducing tougher measures to combat antisocial behaviour in the town centre.

It follows several reports of large groups of young people behaving untoward in the Top of The Town area.

The dispersal order will give officers the power to separate groups, take those under 16 home, and seize bicycles.

The family of PC James Dixon pays tribute to a "fantastic husband, son, brother, friend and colleague".

Toby Wadey
BBC South

A mural celebrating black culture has been given protected status after fears were raised about its future.

Reading Central Club was put up for sale by the borough council earlier this year after bids from community groups to take it over failed.

This prompted protests by activists concerned the 27-year-old, 36m-long artwork on the side of the building could be scrapped by any new owners.

The council said it has listed the mural as an "asset of community value".

Linda Serck
BBC South

Image source, Dixon family

The heavily-pregnant wife of an on-duty police officer who died in a crash in Berkshire said "words cannot describe the loss" the family feels.

PC James Dixon, 39, died when his motorcycle was in collision with a car on the A4 near Hare Hatch on Tuesday.

In a family tribute, Samantha Dixon said: "He not only was a great guy but he was one of the proudest police officers around."

PC Dixon had appeared in the Sky TV programme Road Wars.

The tribute released on Wednesday night reads: "James, or Dixie as he was better known by many, was a fantastic husband, son, brother, friend and colleague.

"Words cannot describe the loss that we all feel right now.

"He not only was a great guy but he was one of the proudest police officers around.

"We will never be able to fill the hole that he leaves behind, but he will forever be in our hearts and memories for ever and always. xxxxx"

A 91-year-old female passenger in the car also died in the crash while the female driver was taken to hospital.

The incident, which happened on Bath Road, has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

Image source, 3D Cakes

A giant cake modelled on Britain's largest warship will be presented to the Queen later.

The 8ft-long (2.44m) creation will take centre stage at the commissioning ceremony for the Royal Navy's new aircraft carrier in Portsmouth.

It took more than 100 hours to complete, and required 7kg of flour as well as 160 eggs.

As with the real ship, the edible replica has been assembled in Scotland, then moved to Portsmouth.

Image source, 3D Cakes

Among those attending the commissioning ceremony of the HMS Queen Elizabeth today is caricaturist Sean Savage, external, who said it was a "great honour" to present Commodore Jerry Kyd with this uncanny depiction of the man and his new ship.

Image source, Savage Caricatures

Final preparations are under way in Portsmouth ahead of the commissioning of the UK's new aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth.

The Queen will be guest of honour and will board her namesake in Portsmouth to see the Royal Navy White Ensign raised on the vessel for the first time.

Also present will be Princess Anne, Prime Minister Theresa May and First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Philip Jones.

During the ceremony, the commissioning warrant will be read, and the Blue Ensign - which the ship has until now been flying - will be formally handed over to the Royal Navy and replaced with the White Ensign, raised by 20-year-old Able Seaman Ellie Smith from Hull.

Image source, PA

Alex Osborne
BBC Weather

BBC News Travel

Slow traffic and road blocked due to fallen tree on A339 both ways near Newtown Road / B4640 in Newbury.

The police are turning traffic around.

Good morning and welcome to BBC South Live on Thursday 7 December.

We'll be bringing you the latest updates from across Berkshire, Dorset, Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and Oxfordshire until 18.00.

You can get in touch with your pictures and news on our Hampshire, external, Dorset, external, Berkshire , externaland Oxford, external Facebook pages or by using Twitter @BBC_Hampshire, external, @BBCDorset, external, @BBCBerkshire, external and @BBCOxford, external.