BBC Local Live: Beds, Herts & Bucks

A largely dry night with clear skies allowing for a grass frost as temperatures in rural spots fall to 2C (36F).

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After a dry and chilly start tomorrow, a risk of a few heavy, thundery showers will develop mid-morning in places, especially towards the east. Becoming mostly dry and sunny through the afternoon.

Top temperature: 13C (55F).

When Sundon Park and Wigmore libraries in Luton closed in 2014, there were protests by local residents.

Neil HunterCopyright: Neil Hunter

Some of those who protested have been doing the same again today because they're angry about plans to turn Sundon Park library into a nursery. They think it should be a community centre instead.

Luton Borough Council said: "The sale of the property was open and transparent.

"Local community groups were given six months in which to prepare their bids. Five bids were received and the highest of these was accepted in line with established council policy and procedure."

Unfortunately we're seeing some heavy traffic on the roads in south Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.

The A41 westbound is looking particularly slow in the area of roadworks between Woodlands roundabout and the Esso garage mini roundabout.

No reported delays on the trains.

Stevenage's Lister Hospital says a Daily Mirror report highlighting the alleged failings of its cleaners is "nonsense".

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Contractor G4S has cleaned the hospital for five years but the paper claimed there had been "bags of clinical waste strewn across wards" since the company took on a new contract on 1 April.

A G4S spokesman said the issues were resolved more than two weeks ago, and that new terms and conditions would enable them "to increase pay for the majority of employees while providing good value for the NHS and the patients at Lister and Hertford County Hospitals".

He said: "From the beginning of April, employees will receive a new pay rate of at least £8 per hour, which is more than the living wage and an increase from the current basic rate of £6.98."

Here are the latest updates for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire:

• A pilot who survived a mid-air crash saw the other plane seconds before the two collided, an inquest hears
• Development plans submitted to Milton Keynes Council to demolish the Agora centre in Wolverton
• Watford are to begin talks over the future of head coach Slavisa Jokanovic

Research from the road safety charity Brake shows nearly half of drivers have flouted road regulations.

Of those breaking the rules, one in two motorists said they did so deliberately.

Philip Goose, senior community engagement officer for Brake, told me that this sort of behaviour ranges from "mobile phone use" to "eating or drinking at the wheel".

How often do you see motorists breaking the law? Drop me a line via email.

Today's main image shows The Point in Milton Keynes.

The iconic building, which was open for 30 years as a cinema, has been closed since February.

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In March 2014, Milton Keynes Council's development control committee voted for the building's demolition. It will be replaced with new shops.

A council election candidate has been suspended by the Conservatives over a social media post which branded travellers 'pikies' and 'troublemakers'.

Watford confirmed their top place in the top flight at the weekend.

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Throughout the day I've been bringing you my top five reasons why they'll be playing Premier League football next season.

My fifth and final - and perhaps the most important - reason is the support.

Watford fans have excelled, particularly in away matches, where their encouragement has been fantastic.

The horrific attack on supporter Nic Cruwys at Wolves has brought the fans closer together and given everyone at the club even more of an incentive to achieve this year #fornicforpromotion

Daniel Owens tweets: Decent morning working at Woburn. Locals seem a friendly bunch.

@DanielOwens1979Copyright: @DanielOwens1979

There are delays of about 20 minutes on the Thameslink line between Bedford and Brighton due to emergency engineering works between Gatwick Airport and Horley.

There are also some minor delays in Hertfordshire on the A405, at the M25 J21A Bricket Wood roundabout, and on the A4008 at the M1 J5 for Watford.

You can stay up to date here.

Watford are to begin talks over the future of head coach Slavisa Jokanovic.

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The 46-year-old Serbian's contract ends at the close of this season and he's yet to agree a new deal, despite seeing the Hornets to promotion.

Watford will finish a hugely successful campaign as Championship title winners if they beat Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, but the future of the man who's guided them remains uncertain.

A firefighter from Bedfordshire who is stranded in Nepal has contacted his family to ask for help.

Clive Wilkinson left a voicemail on his sister's phone yesterday, saying he and his wife were stranded following Saturday's earthquake.

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He and his wife Heather, from Shefford, were trekking near Kathmandu when the disaster struck.

More on this on BBC Look East at 18:30.

The latest updates from across Beds, Herts and Bucks:

• A woman in her 20s is arrested on suspicion of murdering a 19-month-old girl in Maulden, Bedfordshire
• Development plans submitted to Milton Keynes Council to demolish the Agora centre in Wolverton
• Weather: Rain clearing this afternoon to leave sunny spells and highs of 13C (55F)

NHS Luton CCG tweets: Many of us have bad posture without realising. Take a look at these common posture mistakes and fixes: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Backpain/Pages/back-pain-and-common-posture-mistakes.aspx

A pilot who survived a mid-air collision saw a "flash of red" before crashing with another plane, an inquest has heard.

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Graham Waller, of Whittlesford near Cambridge, was flying between 2,000 and 3,000 ft at the time of the crash. He struggled to pull his four-seater plane out of a nose dive.

He eventually landed safely at disused Thurleigh Airfield near Bedford, where he alerted the authorities.

The pilot of the second plane, Stephen Spavins, 46, of Spurfleet, Lincolnshire, died instantly from multiple injuries.

Watford won promotion to the Premier League at the weekend and I'm casting my eye over five reasons why they have made the step up into football's top flight.

EmpicsCopyright: Empics

My fourth reason is the alterations made to the Watford back-room team.

The Hornets made two key appointments this season: Technical director Luke Dowling and assistant coach Dean Austin.

Dowling has sorted out the recruitment and Austin has been the "British" voice in the dressing room, improving communication in and around the squad.

Elstree Studios tweets: 35 years ago marks the day Alfred Hitchcock​ died. RIP to the talented man who directed the first ever 'talkie' film Blackmail at Elstree!

We learned this week of the sad death of Keith Harris, the entertainer and ventriloquist, who was best known for his routine with Orville the Duck.

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He was only 67-years-old and had for some time been living with cancer.

Last summer Keith came on my programme to talk about his life and the difficulties he'd faced with dyslexia.

He was warm, funny and very generous with his time. You can listen to a snippet here.

There are just eight days left until the general election.

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You can see how opinion polls are looking in the run-up on the BBC Election 2015 website, where you can also find out about policies and how things are looking in your constituency.

An airport tug driver suffered a heart attack after being 'crushed' by a hangar door, it is understood.

It will be much drier and brighter this afternoon, with some sunny spells developing.

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We'll see maximum temperatures of 13C (55F).

One hundred apartments, of which 22 are social rented housing, are included in the Wolverton Agora proposals by Brickhill Estates.

CMI ArchitectureCopyright: CMI Architecture

There are also eight retail units in the plans, totalling over 3,276 sq ft (304 sq m).

A consultation period has begun.

We're pleased to say most of the roads and railways around Beds, Herts and Bucks are looking clear.

There is some minor congestion on the A405 in Hertfordshire, at the M25 J21A Bricket Wood roundabout.

Keep up to date here.

A pilot who survived a mid-air crash saw the other plane seconds before the two collided, an inquest has heard.

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Graham Waller was flying a Cessna from Fowlmere to Sywell in Northamptonshire on 23 September when it hit a red Denney Kitfox near Little Barford.

Ampthill Coroner's Court heard Kitfox pilot Stephen Spavins, 46, of Spurfleet in Lincolnshire died instantly from multiple injuries.

Bedfordshire coroner Tom Osborne concluded he died "as a result of an accident".

The main stories on Local Live for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire this lunchtime:

• Wheelchair user Baroness Sal Brinton, from Watford, says she was stopped from getting on a bus in London because a pushchair was in the disabled space
• Development plans submitted to Milton Keynes Council to demolish the Agora centre in Wolverton
• A woman in her 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 19-month-old girl in Maulden, Bedfordshire
• Midfielder Carl Baker voted MK Dons Player of the Year by the club's fans

The Hornets are buzzing after winning promotion to the Premier League.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

My third reason behind why this happened it the way they, finally, sorted out their management "issues".

Beppe Sannino departed early in the season amid suggestions of "player-power" and there then followed a crazy spell where Oscar Garcia came and went due to ill-health. Billy McKinlay lasted just a week before eventually Slavisa Jokanovic took over.

His no-nonsense approach seems to have worked, with the players onboard.

A large number of model trains have been stolen in Letchworth Garden City.

Herts PoliceCopyright: Herts Police

Police said the burglary took place between 6 and 9 April at a garage in Icknield Way.

About 50 distinctive Hornby and Bachmann locomotives were stolen.

The oldest pub in England will be turned into a cinema from today as part of the St Albans Film Festival.

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Ye Olde Fighting Cocks Pub is an 11th Century building in Abbey Mill Lane, St Albans, and according to the Guinness Book of Records is the oldest pub in England.

The pop-up cinema in the pub will be in place for two nights.

A planning application to demolish the Agora, the 1970s shopping centre in Wolverton, has been submitted to Milton Keynes Council.

Camerman/GeographCopyright: Camerman/Geograph

The application would also provide apartments and retail space along Church Street.

Transport chiefs have been urged to axe new traffic lights at the Dome roundabout in Watford as frustrated motorists face tailbacks.

Wheelchair user Baroness Sal Brinton, president of the Liberal Democrats, said she was left at a bus stop yesterday after a father with a pushchair refused to move from the disabled space.

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Baroness Brinton, who is from Watford, told BBC Three Counties Radio he "absolutely refused to move at all" and that the customer assistant "didn't try to persuade the person".

Transport for London has apologised and said the staff member involved would receive more training.

It's not looking too good out there at the moment...

Simon Wright tweets: #April #Hale in St. Albans #uk right now

Simon WrightCopyright: Simon Wright

Watford are going up and I've taken the opportunity to pick out five reasons why the Hornets won promotion.

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My second reason is Watford's phenomenal strike force. Troy Deeney has 21 goals, Odion Ighalo has 20 and Matej Vydra has 15 with one game to go, which is a staggering amount for the three main strikers.

It has allowed head coach Slavisa Jokanovic to rotate Ighalo and Vydra. Each has grown in confidence and, as the saying goes, goals win games.

Bedford Borough Council tweets: Bromham Road closed THIS weekend again as the roundabout progresses! Please check http://www.bedford.gov.uk/westernbypass #bedford

Morning! It will be me bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather across Beds, Herts and Bucks for the rest of the day.

If you'd like to get in touch about anything or have any photographs of the local area that you'd like to share, please drop me an email or you can get in touch on Twitter and Facebook.

Stevenage's Lister Hospital says a Daily Mirror report highlighting the alleged failings of its cleaners is "nonsense".

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Contractor G4S has cleaned the hospital for five years but the paper claimed there had been "bags of clinical waste strewn across wards" since the company took on a new contract on 1 April.

A hospital spokesman said there had been "some teething problems" with the removal of clinical waste from ward storage areas about three weeks ago.

"The problem with the clinical waste, which was caused in part by a problem with a malfunctioning waste disposal shute, has been resolved," he said.

Here are the latest headlines for Beds, Herts and Bucks:

• A woman in her 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 19-month-old girl in Maulden, Bedfordshire
• Liberal Democrat president and wheelchair user Baroness Sal Brinton, from Watford, says she was stopped from getting on a bus in London because a child's buggy was in the disabled space
• Weather: Rain this morning will be heavy at times but will clear by this afternoon, leaving sunny spells. Maximum temperature: 13C (55F)

Bedfordshire's Ampthill Rugby Club will play their biggest game in their 134-year history on Saturday.

They will host Hertfordshire rivals Bishop's Stortford in the National League Two South play-off match at their Dillingham Park ground. The winner will be promoted to play in next season's National League One and be one of the top 40 clubs in England.

The club, which dates back to 1881, has played 30 games this season, scored 171 tries and amassed 1,113 points.

Watford confirmed their place in the top flight at the weekend.

EmpicsCopyright: Empics

I've looked through my memory box for the season and picked out five magic moments which helped the Hornets to promotion. First up, Watford brought in a trio of players with Championship experience, know-how and expertise just at the right time - Matthew Connolly, Adlene Guédioura and Ben Watson.

The three helped guide Watford to glory, with the Golden Boys able to win "ugly" on occasions as well as emphatically.

Five men have been charged with drug offences following raids carried out by Thames Valley Police in Milton Keynes on Monday.

The men, aged between 31 and 51, have been charged with conspiracy to supply cannabis.

They will appear at Milton Keynes Magistrates' Court later.

Watford's Baroness Sal Briton, who is a wheelchair user, was told not to get on a London bus yesterday as a parent with a buggy was in the disabled space. She was made to wait for the next bus.

The bus company says drivers are advised to give wheelchair users priority when their space is occupied by an able bodied passenger, but the law states no passenger can be given priority over another on bus routes whether they are in a wheelchair or not.

Jonathan Vernon-Smith is asking: "Do you have sympathy for the dad who wouldn't move his buggy for Baroness Brinton's wheelchair?" Listen live.

The major routes in Beds, Herts and Bucks are running normally this morning, but there is queuing traffic on the A4146 in Great Gaddesden, Hertfordshire.

Leighton Buzzard Road is blocked with queuing traffic in both directions between the Ledgemore Lane and Nettleden Road junctions due to an accident.

Congestion reaches south to Dagnall and north to Piccotts End.

Get the latest updates from BBC Travel.

A woman in her 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 19-month-old girl in Maulden, Bedfordshire.

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Autumn Gooch died in the village on 11 April. Police said her death was "unexplained".

A post-mortem examination on 15 April was inconclusive.

MK Dons midfielder Carl Baker, signed as a free agent in September, has told the Milton Keynes Citizen he didn't think he'd be playing regularly when he joined the side.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The 32-year-old has scored nine times in 34 appearances going into the final game of the season, and on Tuesday night was named Player of the Year - an award voted for by fans.

See the full list of club awards on the MK Dons FC website.

Rain this morning will move east and be heavy at times, although it will be drier and brighter this afternoon, with some sunny spells.

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Maximum temperature: 13C (55F)

Watch the forecast with Kate Kinsella.

These are this morning's headlines:

• A woman in her 20s has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a 19-month-old girl in Maulden, Bedfordshire
• Liberal Democrat president and wheelchair user Baroness Sal Brinton, from Watford, says she was stopped from getting on a bus in London because a child's buggy was in the disabled space
• Midfielder Carl Baker has been voted MK Dons FC Player of the Year by the club's fans. He received the award at a ceremony last night, with Dele Alli voted Players' Player of the Year

Listen to all the latest news on the hour at BBC Three Counties Radio.

Welcome to today's live page for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, bringing you all the latest news, sport, leisure, travel and weather across the three counties until 18:00.

I'll get you started and Dani Bailey will join at 10:00.

Get involved at anytime by emailing your comments to bhblive@bbc.co.uk or contact us on Twitter or Facebook.