Campaigners trying to prevent the closure of Poole Hospital's accident and emergency and maternity units are celebrating after the county's health scrutiny committee voted to refer the plans to the health secretary.

The county's health scrutiny committee previously ruled against referring the matter to central government.

Defend Dorset NHS says the decision could save lives in the future.

Dorset's Clinical Commissioning Group says it respects the council decision but will continue to press on with the plans.

Michael Herrity, 44, was convicted of indecent assault and indecency with a child.

A Paralympian from Southampton has been named one of the most influential people in the UK.

Wheelchair rugby player Aaron Phipps was named on the Disability Power 100 list, an annual publication which recognises the 100 most influential disabled people in the UK.

Aaron had both of his legs and most of his fingers amputated at the age of 15 as a result of meningitis.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Google

More than 700 people have signed a petition against plans to close two care homes in Southampton.

Southampton City Council says it would save £1.3m by closing Glen Lee in Bitterne and Holcroft House in Thornhill.

Campaigners, including members of the Labour party who run the local authority, say such a move would be short-sighted because paying private operators will be expensive.

The city council says no decision has been made yet, and a 12-week public consultation on the proposals will begin next week.

Image source, Home Office

A new service to support victims of exploitation is being launched by Thames Valley's police and crime commissioner.

The Willow Project - which will provide crisis intervention, advocacy and long-term practical and emotional support to victims - is being unveiled on Anti-Slavery Day.

Modern slavery - which includes child trafficking, forced labour and sexual exploitation - has affected 85 victims in Oxfordshire in the space of a year, according to city council figures.

In Slough, there have been more than 20 cases of modern slavery since the beginning of the year.

The Safer Slough Partnership says the number is just "the tip of the iceberg".

All the latest headlines from across Berkshire, Oxfordshire, Dorset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

Keziah Flux-Edmonds mother opened the memorial garden in memory of her six-year-old daughter.

Campaigners have argued Dorset's health services review will put lives at risk.

Great Western Railway says "disruption will last for most of today [at the] very least".

BBC News Travel

The 50th anniversary of the classic children's movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is being marked at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu.

A new exhibition tells the story of Ian Fleming's tale of two children, an eccentric professor, and his extraordinary flying car.

Exhibits include an original screen Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, the Humber 8hp driven by Truly Scrumptious, a replica of Grandpa Potts’ hut and the first UK appearance of the Child Catchers carriage which terrified a generation of youngsters.

Image source, National Motor Museum

Image source, National Motor Museum

BBC News Travel

The family of a motorcyclist who died in a collision in Southampton earlier this month have released a tribute saying they are "lost without him".

John Hall, 45, from Botley, died when the Triumph motorbike he was riding collided with a Volkswagon Touran on The Avenue on 4 October.

Hampshire and Oxfordshire top the list of counties with the most hedgehog sightings, according to a wildlife charity.

The figures, released by Hedgehog Street, show 1,250 sightings (dead or alive) in Hampshire and 803 in Oxfordshire. However, the Isle of Wight was among the lowest areas with only 63 recorded.

The charity has added the data to its "hedgehog heat map", external.

Jason Aleixo was one of three Prior's Court staff who died in a collision between a lorry and a minibus.

Mike Apps
BBC South Today

Things are slowly beginning to improve for passengers at Reading Station as disruption continues on the line in to and out of London Paddington.

A new Hitachi train, that was being tested, ripped overhead wires in west London, tearing 500m of power cables.

The first service to leave Reading for Paddington since the problems happened last night left at 11:45, but rail staff here told me they anticipated a much slower journey as the train involved is going to have to negotiate a way through trains left stranded on tracks.

Things were of course far more chaotic first thing this morning when hundreds of commuters were stuck here trying to get on a South Western Railway service to Waterloo, which only runs twice an hour and is a much slower service.

Rail travellers at Cardiff Central Station express their dismay after cable damage caused extensive delays.

BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to BBC Weather Watchers "Koala Tree", "Ronia" and "BwanaRob" for their snaps of a damp start in Upwey, Dorset, autumn berries in Littleworth, Oxfordshire, and lavender skies over Seaview on the Isle of Wight.

Image source, Koala Tree

Image source, Ronia

Image source, BwanaRob

Send us your pictures of the region via our Berkshire, external, Dorset, external, Hampshire, external and Oxford, external Facebook pages, or on Twitter: @BBCBerkshire, external, @BBCDorset, external, @BBC_Hampshire, external and @BBCOxford., external