BBC Local Live: Beds, Herts & Bucks

The striking image at the top of our live page today shows a fiery-looking sunrise over Bedfordshire.

Aprill HarperCopyright: Aprill Harper

Big thanks to Aprill Harper from Bedfordshire Astrophotography and Photography for sharing this image with us.

If you'd like to feature your photographs of scenes in Beds, Herts or Bucks, or even some art that depicts the three counties, then please drop me an email here.

A man in his 20s is being flown to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge in a critical condition after emergency services were called to the High Street outside The Bell Motel in Codicote.

Tonight: The chance of an early shower otherwise dry with clear spells. Brisk south-westerly winds easing down with lows of 15 Celsius.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Tomorrow: A dry and bright start with some sunny spells. Increasing cloud brings the chance of some showers in the afternoon - some of those could be thundery. Less breezy tomorrow with highs of 22 (74F).

People in one part of Hertfordshire are dumping their household rubbish in the bins in their local park instead of in their own rubbish bins due to a clampdown on collections.

BBCCopyright: BBC

It's causing problems for Millennium Gardens in Cuffley where the bins are getting full.

Jason Grocock, clerk of Cuffley Parish Council, said: "Some residents have told us that the borough council have tightened up on their collections... saying if the wheelie bin lids are not closed they don't take the bins. Also they don't take the bins if waste is left at the side, which used to be the case..."

A rare wattled crane chick has been adopted by two red-crowned cranes after it was abandoned as an egg.

ZSL Whipsnade ZooCopyright: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

The endangered bird egg was placed into an incubator until it was ready to hatch, then handlers at Whipsnade Zoo nested it with the red-crowned cranes to be reared as their own chick.

The adoptive parents have been feeding the chick, teaching it social and foraging skills, as well as how to avoid predators. The chick is one of just eight wattled cranes in UK zoos - the bird is the second tallest species of crane in the world and found in sub-Saharan Africa.

A court's heard how a trusted employee stole more than £1m from a company in Watford when his boss became seriously ill.

Fairley'sCopyright: Fairley's

Andrew Nyman, 51, of Kensington Way, Borehamwood, had stolen the money while Peter Schonthal, the owner of Electro Replacement Limited, was bedridden with cancer and multiple sclerosis.

Mr Schonthal's wife, Linda, told the court they had suffered "deceit and betrayal" and her late husband was always apologising for letting her down. The book-keeper was jailed for four-and-a-half years after appearing at St Albans Crown Court.

There's slow traffic on the M25 anticlockwise between J25 and J24 due to an earlier broken down vehicle. Congestion is back to J26.

Abellio Greater Anglia services are delayed by up to 20 minutes between Liverpool Street and Cambridge due to an operating incident at Bishops Stortford.

The top stories tonight:

• Six people have been charged over an attack on Watford fan Nic Cruwys in Wolverhampton
• People in one part of Hertfordshire are dumping their household rubbish in the bins in their local park instead of in their own rubbish bins

I mentioned a bit earlier about some places in Hertfordshire being nominated for the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) list of England's Great Places but it seems I missed a rather large place locally out...

BBCCopyright: BBC

The competition is to celebrate some of England's most attractive and inspiring places.

Tom emails to say that the whole of Milton Keynes has been nominated. Whoops... here's a lovely picture of the Xscape centre in central Milton Keynes to celebrate.

Plans to redevelop an iconic building in St Albans have been given the go ahead, despite opposition from the Civic Society and Green Party.

Geograph/Nigel CoxCopyright: Geograph/Nigel Cox

The Ziggurat building is an eight storey glass covered office block close to the main railway station. Built in the 1960s it was covered in reflective glass in the 1990s. It will now be converted from an office block to a series of apartments and will be re-clad in brick.

St Albans Civic Society had opposed the changes as they say the current glass blends the tall building into the surroundings which would not be the case with the new brick.

Serious concerns about Barnfield, the new sponsor of Luton Town Football Club, first began in 2013 over concerns of financial mismanagement. In the following months...

BBCCopyright: BBC

• February 2014: BBC Three Counties is shown a leaked copy of report, showing nearly £1m claimed for college pupils it couldn't prove it had taught, over £1.25m spent on failed building work and a hair academy, a failure of governance and a large and unnecessary severance package to its CEO Sir Birkett
• The report is finally published a week later and the federation is issued with Financial Notice to Improve by DfE and told it must consider splitting the college from academies
• July 2014: BBC Three Counties learns Federation plans to split
• November 2014: After several interim chief executives, Barnfield College appoints Tim Eyton-Jones as principle and CEO. Mr Jones had turned around a college in London from inadequate to outstanding in just three years. He took up his post in 2015
• August 2015: Barnfield College becomes sponsor of Luton Town Football Club

Questions have been raised over the new sponsor of the Luton Town football shirts, Barnfield College, due to the education provider's financial history. Here's a breakdown of how the events unfolded...

BBCCopyright: BBC

• 1968: Barnfield College opens in Luton
• 2007: Barnfield College becomes first FE institution to sponsor academies, taking on two failing schools. Becomes known as Barnfield Federation under principle and CEO Peter Birkett
• 2007-2012: Barnfield Federation grows to encompass six schools, including academies, a studio school and a free school
• September 2013: Department for Education (DfE) is told about serious concerns at Barnfield by a whistleblower. Skills Funding Agency and Education Funding Agency begin investigation into serious financial mismanagement up to July 2013

The ambulance service has been lumbered with an expected £3,000 bill to repair one of its vehicles after it was vandalised in Luton yesterday.

Police are currently dealing with a serious collision involving a car in Rosedale Way, Cheshunt. The road is closed at the Hornbeam Way junction (pictured).

BCH Road PolicingCopyright: BCH Road Policing

Elsewhere, roads are looking busy in Watford and St Albans, also on the A1 near the Black Cat Roundabout. Check your journey here.

Abellio Greater Anglia services are delayed by up to 20 minutes between Liverpool Street and Cambridge due to an operating incident at Bishops Stortford.

Ashridge, St Albans Verulamium park and Letchworth Garden City have been nominated for the Royal Town Planning Institute's (RTPI) list of England's Great Places.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The RTPI say it's a new competition designed to celebrate some of our most attractive and inspiring places, and the role planners have played in helping to protect or shape them for England's communities.

So where else do you think should be included from Beds, Herts and Bucks? You've got until the 1 September to nominate somewhere. In the meantime, you can post a message on our Facebook page, or send us an email. We'd love to know what you think.

Former England defender Matthew Upson (pictured right) says he had to make "a big decision" over whether to continue playing before joining MK Dons this summer.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The 36-year-old was restricted to just six appearances for Leicester last season because of injury.

"I had some surgery and it really set me back. I had to do a lot of work in the summer to get to a place where I was happy to play another season," he said.

The news so far this afternoon:

• Four men and two teenage boys have been charged with an assault on a Watford football fan which left him with potentially life changing injuries
• Plans to redevelop an iconic building in St Albans have been given the go ahead, despite opposition from the Civic Society and Green Party

Yesterday I brought you the news that Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire and Rescue had saved a bearded dragon from a fire in his reptile tank in Aylesbury.

Bucks and MK FireCopyright: Bucks and MK Fire

Today, the fire service have tweeted an update which reveals the name of the dragon, saved by a smoke alarm and oxygen - he's called Biggy.

They've also said he has a new home with an animal charity.

Fears of late-night noise, light pollution and health risks have been voiced following the approval of an AstroTurf pitch in Hertford.

Young unemployed people can now apply to take part in a BBC Make it Digital Traineeship, which will be available in around 60 towns and cities in England, including Bedford, Luton and Watford in the three counties.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Up to 5,000 eight week opportunities are expected to be available over the next year for those aged between 16 and 24 with an interest in developing their digital skills.

The BBC Academy and partners the Department of Work and Pensions and Skills Funding Agency are calling on young adults who are unemployed and have fewer than two A Levels. Find out more here.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds say that the buzzard becoming the most common bird of prey in the UK is a "massive success", though runners and walkers can find themselves getting too close to buzzards' nests without knowing it.

BBCCopyright: BBC

There are 40,000 breeding pairs of buzzards in the UK but 20 to 30 years ago you would have had little chance of seeing the bird of prey - at The Lodge, the RSPB nature reserve in Bedfordshire.

Buzzards inhabit forests and areas of scattered woodland. During the breeding season buzzards perform spectacular aerial displays, circling high in the sky before tumbling down towards the ground.

A young girl was pelted with apples by a gang of 12-year-olds as she sat in a car. The four-year-old was hit in the face by the fruit after it was thrown through an open window while the car travelled along Fishermead Boulevard.

It will be turning increasingly cloudy, but most places will remain dry. Highest temperatures will be across eastern areas such as Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City, due to the south-westerly breeze.

BBCCopyright: BBC

We'll see a maximum temperature of 21C (70F).

Police investigating the attack on Watford football fan Nic Cruwys after a match at Wolverhampton (pictured) five months ago say their inquiries are not over.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Detective Sergeant Adam Keen, of West Midlands Police, said: "Our inquiries are not yet over and we are still working to get justice for Nic and his family as they continue to help Nic on his road to recovery."

Stevenage signing Steven Schumacher has described his first meeting with new boss Teddy Sheringham as "surreal".

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The 31-year-old midfielder was the third of the ex-England and Manchester United striker's four summer recruits.

"It was a bit surreal," he told BBC Three Counties Radio. "When I came down the first thing Teddy Sheringham said to me was 'Do you want a cup of tea?'"

The top stories this lunchtime:

• Six people have been charged over the assault on Watford football fan Nic Cruwys after a match in Wolverhampton in March this year
• The chief executive of Luton Town football club has defended a shirt sponsorship deal with Barnfield College, despite the college's troubled recent history

After an attack in March left a Watford football fan in intensive care with potentially life-changing injuries, six people have been charged with wounding with intent and another man and a youth remain on bail.

GoogleCopyright: Google

In total, 13 teenagers and men were questioned in relation to the incident, five of whom will have no further action taken against them.

Those charged with wounding with intent are:

• Student Daniel Lloyd, 18, of Tillington Street, Stafford
• Carpenter Joseph Lister, of Palmer Close, Wednesfield, West Midlands
• Estate agent Robert Beech, of Springhill Road, Wednesfield
• Scaffolder Ryan Meer, of Gailey, Staffordshire
• Two 14-year-olds, who can't be named for legal reasons

Six people have been charged over the assault on Watford fan Nic Cruwys (pictured) in March this year, following a lengthy investigation by West Midlands Police.

South Beds News AgencyCopyright: South Beds News Agency

Thirteen teenagers and men were questioned altogether over the attack in Wolverhampton after a football match between the Wanderers and Hornets.

Two 14-year-olds and four 18-year-olds have been charged with wounding with intent. The men have been bailed to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates' Court on 18 September and the youths will appear before the youth court on 20 September.

Two 14-year-old boys have been charged over an attack on Watford football fan Nic Cruwys (pictured), which left him in intensive care with serious head injuries.

West Midlands PoliceCopyright: West Midlands Police

West Midlands Police have also charged four other men over the assault in Wolverhampton back in March. Mr Cruwys, 44, was attacked in Little's Lane as he walked back from Wolverhampton train station after watching the Watford match.

A passenger on a bus which crashed on the Luton to Dunstable busway has told the BBC the vehicle was out of control after the driver fell through the window.

BBCCopyright: BBC

"All of a sudden I heard a big bang, like we'd hit something", said the man, who did not wish to be named. "Everything went black, it was dark - the lights went out on the bus, all the headlights went out.

"We went down to the front of the bus to see if we could get off or see what the driver was doing... When we looked in, the bus driver had disappeared, he'd gone out the side window."

We had an early morning fix of Blade the police puppy today from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Police Dogs Twitter account.

BCH Police DogsCopyright: BCH Police Dogs

Blade 'tweeted': Dad has been on night shift so it's an early morning #TongueOutTuesday from me before he goes to bed.

We'll be keeping an eye on Blade with news of his adventures throughout his training.

Staying with sport and it was defeat for MK Dons, but victory for Luton in last night's pre-season matches.

Milton Keynes Dons lost 2-1 at home to a Chelsea Under 21 side at Stadium MK, despite taking the lead through Tom Hitchcock.

It was a largely reserve and youth side for the Dons, but centre-half Kyle McFadzean returned after missing the weekend friendly with illness. Around 7,000 people turned out at Stadium MK for the final pre-season friendly.

Wycombe have signed ex-Dundee midfielder Stephen McGinn and defenders Sido Jombati and Joe Jacobson have penned contract extensions until 2018.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Former Scotland Under-21 international McGinn, 26, was released by Dundee in the summer and has been on trial with Wycombe, featuring in four friendlies.

Jombati, 27, made 39 appearances after joining from Cheltenham last summer. Left-back Jacobson moved from Shrewsbury in 2014, and the 28-year-old played 49 times in his first season.

Learn from my mistakes, says scam victim Betty, 83, who sent money for years before Herts watchdog team came to her rescue.

The chief executive of Luton Town football club has defended a shirt sponsorship deal with Barnfield College, despite the college's troubled recent history.

BBCCopyright: BBC

"I think you've got to disassociate the Barnfield College from the previous academy that had the financial difficulties. The college is now separated and it's that business that's got the sponsorship with Luton Town", Gary Sweet told us.

Barnfield College says it is undergoing a transformation, after being put into special measures by the government, with college and academies split up.

A plaque to commemorate the life of the late actress Lynda Bellingham, who died in October last year aged 66, was unveiled in Buckinghamshire yesterday.

BBCCopyright: BBC

It will be placed on The Promenade at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre which leads to the venue's second space, which is being named after the star.

Black and black-and-white cats are swamping RSPCA branches in Buckinghamshire because the charity is struggling to rehome them.

RSPCACopyright: RSPCA

Branches in Chiltern and south Buckinghamshire say the black cats are being overlooked as there are so many of them - more than any other colour cat in the centres.

The teams say they've heard all sorts of excuses from people as to why they don't want black cats, from "It's too scary for my daughter who will only be able to see his eyes in the dark" to 'we won't be able to see him in the garden as there are other black cats and we won't recognise him".

Thanks to David for keeping us all up-to-date for the early part of the morning.

I'll be with you for the rest of the day - I'll bring you more on the Luton to Dunstable busway incident on Saturday night and reaction to the new Luton Town shirt sponsorship deal.

Please feel free to get in touch via email, or on Twitter or Facebook.

The top stories we're looking at this morning:

• The chief executive of Luton Town football club has defended a shirt sponsorship deal with Barnfield College, despite the college's troubled recent history
• A court's heard how a trusted employee stole more than £1m from a company in Watford when his boss became seriously ill
• The Luton to Dunstable busway has completely re-opened after Saturday night's crash. An investigation is continuing into the incident

There is some heavy traffic on the A411 in Hertfordshire at Bushey Arches, and at the M24 J21a roundabout for Bricket Wood.

The Luton to Dunstable busway has also now fully reopened following closures since an accident on Saturday night.

A club-goer being assaulted on a nightclub dance floor in Dunstable at the weekend has sparked a police investigation.

We've just heard the Luton to Dunstable busway has completely reopened after Saturday night's crash.

BBCCopyright: BBC

An investigation is continuing into the crash near the Skimpot roundabout, which is believed to have been caused by a puncture.

A passenger on the bus said it went out of control after the driver fell through the window. We'll bring you more on what he had to say soon.

A college with a recent history of financial mismanagement is defending its new shirt sponsorship deal with Luton Town Football Club.

Luton Town FCCopyright: Luton Town FC

Barnfield College has had a torrid time in recent years. Claiming money for students it couldn't prove it had, put into special measures by the government and its college and academies being split up. But it's keen to promote its new administration.

No figures have been released over the deal, but Barnfield's chief executive Tim Eyton-Jones said the links with the club provide it with an ideal platform. Luton Town's chief executive Gary Sweet said they were looking for an organisation with strong links to the town and Barnfield made perfect sense.

Hertfordshire Police has issued a warning after bricks struck a lorry after being thrown from a bridge over the A1.

GoogleCopyright: Google

It happened at just after 21:00 on Sunday when the lorry was travelling south, near J9 for Letchworth and Baldock. The driver escaped injury, but police said the outcome "could have easily been much more serious".

Officers said two men with dark hair and dark clothing were seen on the bridge. They have asked for any witnesses to come forward.

A passenger on a bus which crashed on the Luton to Dunstable busway has told the BBC the vehicle went out of control after the driver fell through the window.

BBCCopyright: BBC

An investigation is under way into Saturday night's incident near the Skimpot roundabout, which is believed to have been caused by a puncture.

Two passengers were also injured. Bus company Arriva says the stretch of the guided route remains closed.

Today will be dry with sunny periods at first, but then cloud will increase. Most places will remain dry.

BBCCopyright: BBC

The highest temperatures will be across eastern areas such as Stevenage and Welwyn Garden City, due to the south-westerly breeze. Maximum temperature: 21C (70F).

Tonight will be cloudy but also dry, although there is a chance of a few light showers arriving overnight. Minimum temperature: 12C (54F). Elizabeth Rizzini has the latest forecast for the East of England.

Hitchin Road in Luton town centre is closed and there are delays in both directions between the Guildford Street junction and the Midland Road junction, because of an accident.

Here's what's happening in the three counties this morning:

• A passenger on a bus which crashed on the Luton to Dunstable busway has told the BBC the vehicle went out of control after the driver fell through the window
• A college with a recent history of financial mismanagement is defending its sponsorship deal with Luton Town Football Club
• Police issue a warning after a lorry on the A1 was hit by bricks near Letchworth

Hello everyone, welcome to today's live page with all the news, sport, weather and travel as it happens in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire until 18:00.

A word of warning for those looking to use Luton to Dunstable guided busway this morning - a stretch of the route remains closed due to the puncture investigation that's lasted since the weekend. There's also a road shut in Luton town centre that's causing delays.

I'll bring you more information on that shortly. In the meantime, send us your stories or comments via email, Facebook or Twitter.