Her signed reading of the Gruffalo proved so popular, she decided to take requests for more stories.

Police have issued a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after hand sanitiser was ripped from a hospital wall.

Image source, Northamptonshire Police

it disappeared from Northampton General Hospital at about 19:45 GMT on 9 March, Northamptonshire Police said.

The wall was damaged as a result.

The force said the man pictured "may have information that could help their inquiries" and has called for anyone who recognises him to come forward.

West Suffolk MP Matt Hancock says he's tested positive for COVID-19.

The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care tweeted the news and said his symptoms were "mild" and he was self-isolating and working from home.

Earlier, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed he had also tested positive and was self-isolating in Downing Street.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

Nobody likes working on an empty stomach, so to combat this, the chief executive of Milton Keynes Hospital has announced that staff working on the late shift will receive a free evening meal.

"Caring for those who care has never been so important," he said.

Oscar's been using his time off to create a masterpiece thanking the NHS for all their hard work.

The ambulance service were definitely impressed by his artistic talent.

Supermax's managing director says sending its stock to the NHS is "the right and proper thing to do".

A patient of an Essex GP who's died from suspected coronavirus has made a tearful tribute when she phoned BBC Essex.

Dr Habib Zaidi of Leigh-on-Sea died aged 76 on Tuesday - if the cause proves to be COVID-19, he will be the first doctor in the UK to die from the disease.

Iris said: "Last time I saw him, which was two weeks ago, he said 'keep strong' and I always used to kiss the top of his head and say 'you please take care'.

"He was kind to everyone and his wife and children were such a wonderful family.

"I remember him coming over from Pakistan when he was in his 30s or 40s.

"I can't believe he's gone."

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Thames Valley Police has praised people in Milton Keynes for staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic.

It said they had done a "great job" as the roads in the town were "very quiet" for them to police.

On Monday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson instructed all UK citizens to stay at home unless essential, to protect the NHS during the crisis.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Many people following government advice to stay at home will be using the time to have a good clear out - but Hertfordshire County Council has reminded people that all the county's Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC) are shut.

A spokesman said more than 500 residents had tried to access the centres since the government announced restrictions on non-essential travel.

"All HWRCs are closed and visiting an HWRC is not essential, please do not try to go to one," a statement said.

Image source, Google

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced stringent new rules on Monday meaning people should only leave their homes for limited purposes.

These include shopping for groceries or essentials, any medical need, one form of exercise per day and travelling to and from work, if it's absolutely necessary and you cannot work from home.

• A Norwich bar and distillery owner has remortgaged his own property to continue paying his staff, Norwich Evening News reported, external
• North Norfolk News, external has a round-up of events that have been cancelled on the coast
• A cat rescue centre based in East Harling has appealed for donations, the Eastern Daily Press reported, external

Ipswich market will take place tomorrow to help people who need fresh produce.

There will only be four stalls trading and social distancing measures will be in place.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

The Medical Detection Dogs, external charity is looking into whether man’s best friend could smell coronavirus.

The charity, based in Milton Keynes, trains dogs to detect the odour of human disease and believes "in principle" they could detect COVID-19.

Image source, Bex Arts

Working with the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, external (LSHTM) and Durham University, external, they said dogs could be ready after six weeks of training to "help provide a rapid, non-invasive diagnosis".

Co-founder, Dr Claire Guest said: "We are looking into how we can safely catch the odour of the virus from patients and present it to the dogs.

"The aim is that dogs will be able to screen anyone, including those who are asymptomatic, and tell us whether they need to be tested."

The charity said it had approached the government about the idea.

Euan Duncan
Local Democracy Reporting Service

A community lifeline has been set up for isolated residents in two Bedfordshire villages.

Ampthill and Flitwick Good Neighbours, churches, town council staff, a mental health forum and Central Bedfordshire, external councillor Gareth Mackey have united to help anyone stranded indoors.

Vicar of Flitwick Church, external, Rev Lucy Davis, said there was "a huge amount of goodwill" with people helping neighbours and keeping in touch with friends.

Richard Luscombe, co-founder of The Forum – Busy Getting Stronger, external, said social isolation can cause anxiety and a simple "conversation on the phone, an opportunity to be listened to, can help hugely".

The Flitwick community lifeline number is 07833 314903, but organisers say offers of help should be made via the Flitwick Community Lifeline Facebook page, external.

Katy Lewis
BBC Local Live

Cambridgeshire police officers working in the Fenland area are warning people to stay at home because, as well as curbing the spread of coronavirus, they may also be committing driving offences.

They said that if a driver they stopped this morning had been following government advice he would "would not now be sitting in a cell for drink-driving, disqualified-driving and no insurance".

His vehicle has also been seized so he probably won't be out driving anywhere in the near future.

Bedford markets will continue, but they will only be selling fresh produce and essential household items.

Bedford Borough Council is putting the measures in place, external to make sure everyone stays safe.

The chief executive of East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust has confirmed that three more people, external have passed away after testing positive for COVID-19.

Nick Carver said: "All three patients had underlying health conditions, and were in their 70s, 80s and 90s.

“Our thoughts and condolences remain with the patients’ families and loved ones at this difficult time."

The hospital, in Stevenage, had announced its first death on 21 March, external.

Image source, East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust

North Hertfordshire District Council, external has said it will not be collecting any food waste caddies from 30 March until further notice and all food waste should be put in residents' purple refuse bins.

It has also decided to suspend its paid garden waste collection service and will contact subscribers when it knows the full extent of the disruption.

Image source, North Herts District Council

A spokesman apologised for the changes and short notice but it had been "forced to move very quickly so that we can prioritise collection of refuse and recycling".

"We know these unprecedented actions will be disappointing, but ask you to please work with us in these difficult times," a statement said.

The council covers an area including Baldock, Royston, Hitchin, Letchworth and Kimpton,

Local Democracy Reporting Service

The University of East Anglia has been forced to cancel its final year students' graduation ceremonies due to coronavirus.

In an email, the vice chancellor, Professor David Richardson, said it was with "great sadness" they had taken the decision to cancel the ceremonies, due to take place 15-22 July.

He added: "I want to assure you this decision has not been taken lightly."

Image source, N CHADWICK/GEOGRAPH

Exams and teaching have been moved online and students who meet degree requirements will receive their certificates by post.

Chris Matthews, 22, an English and creative writing student, said he understood why the decision had been taken: "People’s safety is the priority in this pandemic."

He added that he was "gutted" to miss out on the chance to celebrate.

Fellow student Jessica Barrett, studying English Literature, said: "The cancellation is devastating news for final year students."

A petition calling on the university to guarantee final year students a graduation received more than 500 signatures in its first hour.

The daughter of a NHS worker in Suffolk has posted a video on social media to thank people for staying at home during the coronavirus lockdown.

The West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust runs the hospital in Bury St Edmunds and community services.