A fire in a ground floor flat in Ryde was caused by a tealight candle on a plastic box in a bedroom.

Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said the blaze started at 04:41 this morning and crews from three stations were called to George Street in the town, which was closed as a result of the incident.

Residents were alerted by a smoke alarm and nobody was injured.

Image source, google

Dorset's nine councils are set to merge and form two unitary authorities in April.

Geoff Croudace has sent us this wonderful early-morning sight of countryside near Andover, Hampshire.

The mist and sunny skies were snapped near Perham Down.

You can send in your amazing local pictures here.

Image source, Geoff Croudace

The increase is expected to bring in £510,000 in extra revenue for Southampton City Council each year.

It is slow on the M4 westbound in Berkshire between junction eight/nine (Maidenhead) and six (Slough) after an earlier accident.

BBC Berkshire's resident Geordie, Michael Race, takes to the streets to try and find out.

That's all for today.

Please join us again tomorrow from 08:00.

Emily Hudson
BBC Radio Solent political reporter

People in Southampton are facing a council tax rise of almost 3% next year.

Southampton City Council has published its budget plan as it looks to save £15m by 2021.

It's also planning on increasing tolls for the Itchen Bridge, closing two residential care homes it owns and hiking charges for residents of council properties.

Marie Jackson
BBC News

Rosie Bensberg is a 23-year-old food blogger from Oxford who's gone from learning to cook carbonara with her dad to graduating with a Cordon Bleu diploma.

Clare Smyth, 40, grew up on a farm in County Antrim to become the world's best female chef and cater for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's wedding reception.

She's the first and only woman to run the kitchen of a British restaurant with three Michelin stars and, this week, her first solo venture earned her two Michelin stars in its first year.

We got the two together at Clare's restaurant in Notting Hill, west London, and asked Rosie to serve up the questions to her cooking idol.

Image source, MARTIN EBERLEN

Image source, Slough Borough Council

A course is being launched to help men who mistreat their loved ones change their behaviour

The 12-week course in Slough is aimed at helping men who recognise their behaviour is "not healthy" and help them find solutions to their "relationship-based conflict".

Angharad Jones of Thames Valley Police said: “We recognise that there is not always support for men wanting to address their behaviour.

“We want to offer them the opportunity to do this in a safe, supportive and non-judgmental environment.”

BBC News Travel

Police have released CCTV of two boys they want to trace after a 15-year-old was threatened with a knife and what was claimed to be a bottle of acid on a train from London to Slough.

The victim was forced off the train shortly after 21:00 BST on 1 September by a group of boys who stole his mobile and headphones.

He was made to withdraw money from a cash machine before the group used his phone to order a taxi.

Police believe the boys pictured may be able to help with the investigation.

Image source, BTP

Image source, BTP

Image source, Sand in Your Eye

Weymouth is among the beaches to be featured in filmmaker Danny Boyle's nationwide event marking the centenary of the end of World War One.

Portraits of soldiers who lost their lives will be drawn into the sand on dozens of beaches around the UK on 11 November before being washed away by the tide.

The event, titled Pages of the Sea, is part of 14-18 NOW, external, an arts programme marking the centenary.

Southampton is the first city to join Oxford's Cleaner Air Charter, external.

The charter calls on the government to make 10 changes to put the health of communities first.

It is believed to be the first formal co-operation between Greenpeace UK and Friends of the Earth and led by a local authority.

It was launched by Oxford City Council in August with Southampton City Council leader Christopher Hammond signing up.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

A new political party has been launched in Ascot, claiming to take party politics out of local government.

The Borough First (TBF), which covers south-eastern Ascot, says it will give residents a chance to vote for candidates who don't have an allegiance to a national party.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said four independent councillors at the Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead had signed up to become TBF candidates - Charles Hollingsworth, Lynne Jones, Claire Stretton and Wisdom Da Costa.

A Conservative MP accuses the rink's owner of trying to "make a quick buck" after closing it.

Police closed part of Portsmouth for nearly six hours amid concern for a man seen on a roof.

Officers closed Arundel Street between Fratton Road and Holbrook Street after reports of someone on top of a building in Murefield Road at 08:40 BST.

A 23-year-old man from Southsea has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and remains in custody.

The road reopened at about 14:30.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Location tracking shoelaces, automated pill-boxes and talking televisions are just some of the devices that could be rolled out in Portsmouth in a bid to help the elderly stay in their homes.

With costs and reliance on adult social services mounting, Portsmouth City Council along with its health partners, is considering a more technological approach when it comes to care.

At a health and wellbeing board meeting officers revealed the new options for providing tailor-made care for people.

It's hoped using technology could reduce numbers of elderly people in the city needing to move into nursing homes and assisted living, as well as cutting down on domiciliary care.

National League strugglers Dover Athletic reappoint Eastleigh boss Andy Hessenthaler as their new manager.

Another attempt to return the fairy lights to Weymouth seafront is being made.

A 980-signature petition will be debated on 11 October by Weymouth and Portland Borough Council.

The recommendation to the council's cabinet says no further action should be taken.

The council is already committed to a scheme which will see computer controlled lights spread across the seafront on lampposts paid for by grant funding of around £200,000 which has to be spent by the end of 2019.

Image source, WPBC