BBC Local Live London as it happened

A Chihuahua dumped at a church in Hertfordshire in a Santa sack has been reunited with his London owner four months after he went missing.

RSPBCopyright: RSPB

The dog, called Eragon, was found by children attending a service at St Mary's Church, Hitchin, on Tuesday accompanied by a note asking, "please find me a lovely new home".

The RSPCA scanned his microchip and found he belonged to Samantha Jones from Bowditch in south London.

It will be a dry, clear and cold evening with mostly clear skies, just a few patches of cloud at times. Conditions will remain quite breezy overnight, especially over exposed locations such as the North Downs.

Minimum temperature: 3C (37F).

Tonight on BBC London: three teenagers have been jailed for what a judge has described as a "wicked and unnecessary" axe and knife attack on a local handyman.

And the safety row over a bike route where six cyclists have been killed over the past three years.

Join the BBC London News team at 18:30 on BBC One.

The New Era Estate in Hackney has been sold to Dolphin Living, part of the Dolphin Square Foundation, an independent housing charity.

Residents and celebrity Russell Brand have campaigned in the past over fears rents would rise if the estate was sold.

On the BBC London Sports show this evening with Emma Jones we will have full commentary of the Championship match between Millwall and Bolton Wanderers.

You can listen to the game on BBC London 94.9 fm kick off is 19:45.

The Prince of Wales has paid tribute to young people helped by his Prince's Trust during a visit to South Thames College, in Wandsworth,

PACopyright: PA

Prince Charles met 10 unemployed young people who have recently completed Team - a 12-week Prince's Trust programme which equips them with the confidence and skills they need to find jobs.

The manager of Romford Greyhound Stadium has defended the track over claims it has the worst dog injury record in the country, reports the Romford Recorder.

Police have launched an investigation after swastikas were drawn on a primary school's sign in north London, the Evening Standard reports.

The Nazi symbols were seen at the entrance to a school in Stoke Newington, an area with a large Jewish population, the paper says.

Shaheed Nowaz, 19, of no fixed address, has appeared at the Old Bailey charged with the murder of a man shot in Clapton.

OtherCopyright: Other

Joseph Burke-Monerville (pictured), 19, from Islington, was shot in Clapton, east London, on 16 February 2013.

Today is affectionately known as Black Friday or even Mad Friday because it's the last Friday before Christmas - traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for alcohol related anti-social behaviour and violent crime.

Tune into BBC London 94.9 to find out how emergency services are bracing themselves as thousands head out on the busiest party night of the year.

The family of Mark Duggan have lost a challenge over police procedures following fatal shootings by armed officers.

Listen to BBC London 94.9.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Lawrence Dallaglio has revealed to the Evening Standard how his success in rugby was driven by his grief over the death of his sister, who drowned when he was only 16.

The former England captain lost his sister Francesca in the 1989 Marchioness disaster, when two boats collided in the Thames. Fifty-one people died.

As 2014 draws to a close, BBC Magazine has put together its first quiz of the year.

Today they're looking back at the more memorable utterances of 2014 - but can you remember who said what?

In 1905 London County Council set up the first motorised ambulance service for traffic accident victims.

Responding to news that a garden bridge across the Thames has been approved by Boris Johnson, Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon said: "There can be no denying that numerous questions still remain over the long term maintenance funding of the bridge and who will ultimately be picking up the bill."

The precise part of the brain that gives people a sense of direction has been pinpointed by scientists.

ThinkstockCopyright: Thinkstock

People with stronger nerve signals in their "internal compass" tended to be better navigators, Researchers at University College London said.

Three teenagers have been jailed at the Old Bailey for murdering a man with an axe in Hayes. Full story in our 16:00 bulletin.

Nightclub Fabric has been saved from the threat of closure after bosses agreed to hire seven £300-a-night sniffer dogs to check clubbers for drugs, the Evening Standard reports.

Top DJs including Chemical Brothers and Groove Armada joined a last-minute campaign to save the Farringdon venue.

BBC Local Live brings you the latest news, sport, travel and weather all in one place. Tell us what you think.

Wharf.co.uk's Rachel Bishop has been ringing round bars, restaurants and entertainment venues to find out what is open on Christmas Day and New Year's Day in East London.

Duggan family lawyers argued the Association of Chief Police Officers (Acpo) was operating a policy of allowing officers to confer which was inconsistent with the stance of the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

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The Duggan challenge was launched after Pamela Duggan lost her High Court battle to overturn an inquest verdict that her son had been "lawfully killed" by an armed Metropolitan Police officer.

The family of Mark Duggan have lost a challenge over police procedures following fatal shootings by armed officers. Full story at 15:00.

Hillingdon residents are to benefit from a council tax freeze for the seventh successive year, the council leader announced at last night's cabinet meeting, reports thisislocallondon.co.uk

Which London street boasted these Christmas lights in 1959?

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

From balloons and horses to traditional crowns and stars, Christmas decorations in all shapes, sizes and colours have brightened up England's streets over the years. Enjoy some examples of the past here.

An 89-year-old female pedestrian died after being hit by a car on Lewisham Way earlier, Scotland Yard said.

At this early stage it is believed the accident involved a blue BMW, police said

Emergency crews are expecting one of the busiest nights of the year as revellers make the most of the last Friday before Christmas.

For more listen live to BBC London 94.9.

Saracens have called for the Premiership wage cap to be abolished and say that they have the backing of six other top-flight teams.

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Premiership clubs are restricted to spending £5m on player salaries, with that rising to £5.5m next season.

Chris McTighe emailed: "Surely priority must be given to at least two more bridges east of the Tower.

"These will take the pressure off the Dart crossing and Wapping."

What do you think? Email london.locallive@bbc.co.uk

On the lunchtime news: Three teenagers have been jailed at the Old Bailey for murdering another man with an axe. Paul Thrower, who was drunk at the time, died after two 18 year olds hacked at him and stabbed him ten times at a block of flats in Hayes in February.

Join the BBC London News team at 13:30 on BBC One.

In 1851, painter Joseph Turner died in his Chelsea house under the assumed name of Admiral Booth, where his demand for privacy was strictly enforced by his housekeeper.

Friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to a woman who was stabbed to death in Harrow following what police say was a dispute between next door neighbours, possibly over a parking space.

Listen to BBC London 94.9.

Three teenagers have been jailed at the Old Bailey for their part in a axe and knife attack on Handyman Paul Thrower, who died at a block of flats in Hayes, west London, on 20 February.

Josephine McDermottCopyright: Josephine McDermott

Kiro Halliburton was found guilty of murder while Zakariya Subeir and Mahdi Osman, also 18, were found not guilty of murder but convicted of manslaughter.

Halliburton was jailed for a minimum of 16 years, Subeir to eight years in a young offenders' institution with an extended licence period of a further four years, and Osman to five-and-a-half years.

Responding to Transport for London's announcement on strong public support for the Cycle Superhighway 2 upgrade, Labour London Assembly member Val Shawcross said: "It comes as no surprise that the vast majority of people support plans to make Cycle Superhighway 2 safer with greater segregation.

"Whilst the upgrade is entirely welcome the fact that CS2 is having to be entirely re-done shows just how wrong Boris Johnson got the scheme in the first place."

Responding to the Mayor of London's approval for the Garden Bridge, Labour London Assembly's John Biggs said: "It's obvious that the Garden Bridge is primarily a tourist attraction not a transport scheme, as such you really have to wonder whether this TfL funding could not have been better spent.

"The mayor needs to be clear that no more taxpayer money will be ploughed into the project."

British Transport Police officers are appealing to the public to help identify a woman after a 23-year-old man was subjected to a prolonged homophobic verbal tirade by on the Tube.

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"As the train approached Northwood, a woman opposite the man began shouting foul-mouthed homophobic abuse at him," PC Natalie Fairhurst said. "She followed the victim off the train, haranguing him all the way to the station exit."

Business group London First's David Leam responded to news that a garden bridge across the Thames has been approved saying: "The short-term the Bridge's impact on jobs and growth in the city would be dwarfed by tunnels or bridges proposed at Silvertown and Gallions Reach in east London, on which progress has been painfully slow."

"We'd like to see the London mayor applying a similar bit of elbow grease to getting crossings built east of Tower Bridge. In terms of economic growth, those are the priorities. "

A woman fatally stabbed in a north-west London street may have been attacked in a row over parking, Scotland Yard said.

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Alison Morrison, 45, was attacked in Alexandra Avenue, Harrow, at about 07:45 yesterday and died four hours later in hospital.

An open verdict's been recorded on a nurse who worked in the special care baby unit at Homerton Hospital, and whose mummified body was discovered in her flat.

Listen to BBC London 94.9.

A 26-year-old man has been jailed in connection with the death of a man who was shot dead in Woolwich.

Raffael Scialo, of Elmbrook Road, Shooters Hill, was jailed for two years for violent disorder.

Find out what Tube, train and bus services are running over the Christmas break - and when the Congestion Charge takes a holiday - with our comprehensive travel guide (pdf), courtesy of BBC London 94.9's travel presenter Paul Murphy-Kasp.

Thanks to Robert Hanks who emailed in to say the approved Thames garden bridge is "pointless, expensive, destroys views" and "sucks in public subsidy for private development".

Do you agree? Email london.locallive@bbc.co.uk

On the approved garden bridge that will be built across the Thames, reader Oyuna Oyuna says on Facebook: Would be great to see that bridge, no doubt that would be something very unique and fantastic!

The Court of Appeal is due to rule on a challenge by the family of Mark Duggan - who was shot by police in 2011 sparking riots in Tottenham - after an inquest jury found he was lawfully killed by a police marksman.

Jeff MooreCopyright: Jeff Moore

His family claim there was an unlawful failure to prevent police officers conferring with each other before making statements.

On the story that a garden bridge has been approved to cross the Thames in central London, BBC website reader Ella Mitchell commented on Facebook: That's a lot of dosh for a modern day folly!! How many libraries and hospitals would this help!?!

Do you agree? Join the discussion on Facebook.

Friends and colleagues of a woman who was stabbed to death in Harrow yesterday morning have been paying tribute to her.

Listen to BBC London 94.9 at 11:00 to find out more.

Thanks for your comments on the story that a garden bridge across the Thames has been approved by Boris Johnson.

Annie Cee said: £175 million would go a long way toward ending food poverty, homelessness and endless social issues effecting vulnerable folk in this City. Priorities, Boris!

Do you agree? Comment on Facebook.

One of London's busiest transport hubs partly closes today which could disrupt up to 12 million commuter journeys over Christmas.

Network RailCopyright: Network Rail

A reduced service will run from London Bridge station while work is under-taken to open two new platforms at a cost of £6.5bn. Southern and Thameslink trains will not call at London Bridge for about 16 days.

Following news that Camden Labour Councillor Peter Brayshaw has died, Camden Labour's leader Sarah Hayward said: "The whole of Camden Labour is shocked and saddened by the death of our dear comrade."

Mr Brayshaw served three times as a councillor - since 2010, in the mid 2000s and in the early 1990s.

The Garden Bridge has previously been criticised by nearby residents and political opponents for its location and design.

Earlier this year, shadow transport minister Lord Davies of Oldham described the bridge as a "very expensive piece of public art".

A revised plan for the Cycle Superhighway 2 upgrade, between Aldgate and Bow roundabout, has been published.

Andy DangerfieldCopyright: Andy Dangerfield

But the London Cycling Campaign says the plans are "watered down".

London Cycling Campaign's accused Transport for London of "watering down" plans to upgrade Cycle Superhighway 2 between Aldgate and the Bow roundabout.

Listen to BBC London 94.9 to find out more.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: "The Garden Bridge will provide a fantastic new landmark for London whilst supporting regeneration and economic growth on both sides of the Thames.

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"It will create a stunning oasis of tranquillity in the heart of our city and boost our plans to encourage walking in the city."

Here's a heart-warming story for Christmas.

Quick-thinking police officer Steve Norton, who saved baby Harrison Paine's life when he sprinted to hospital with him in his arms, has been reunited with him for Christmas. Full story and photos in the Wandsworth Guardian.

It is estimated that the Garden Bridge will attract seven million trips per year using it as a new way to cross the river.

AFP/Getty ImagesCopyright: AFP/Getty Images

The bridge will include a major new public space and garden that will be free to access and will feature 270 trees as well as shrubs, climbing plants, hedges and flowers.

What do you think? Email us.

What do you think of BBC Local Live? We'd like your feedback about this service.

Designed by Thomas Heatherwick - who created the cauldron for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games - the Garden Bridge will be 366m long and will connect Temple on the north bank to the South Bank.

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Parking in London - how big a problem is it?

Can you park outside your house ? Tell Vanessa on BBC London 94.9 now.

Police investigating a fatal stabbing in Harrow say it was triggered by a dispute between neighbours, possibly over a parking space.

Listen to BBC London 94.9 to find out more.

Construction of a new Garden Bridge over the River Thames could begin next year after the scheme was given the green light by the Mayor of London's office.

Heatherwick studioCopyright: Heatherwick studio

Lambeth and Westminster councils had already granted planning permission for the bridge which was the idea of the actress Joanna Lumley. But opponents say it will block views of St Paul's Cathedral and, at £175m, is too expensive.

The A23 Brixton Road is down to one lane northbound at the junction with Stockwell Road while gas works are carried out which is causing queuing traffic along Brixton Hill

And there are anti-clockwise delays on the M25 between J25 A10 Enfield towards J23 A1(M) at South Mimms following an accident.

South West trains between Wimbledon and Waterloo are disrupted due to a broken down train.

And Southern trains between Brighton and Victoria, Thameslink services between Brighton and Bedford and the Gatwick Express are running with delays of 30 minutes following signal problems.

A man from Wood Green has been charged with two counts of attempted abduction after a man allegedly tried to persuade teenage girls to get in his car in Hornsey High Street.

The 25-year-old is due before Highbury Corner magistrates on Monday, police said.

Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward with information about the murder of Davion Watt, who was shot dead on Coldharbour Lane in Brixton exactly six years ago today.

Met PoliceCopyright: Met Police

On the anniversary of his death, police say they're hoping for new evidence to emerge so Davion's family can get the justice they desperately want.

Any rain and cloud should clear to the south-east this morning leaving plenty of sunshine for most of the day.

Highs of 12C (54F) are expected to be reached this morning before temperatures gradually drop through the day.

Good morning, I'll be guiding you through BBC Local Live today.

Get in touch with your comments and photos by emailing london.locallive@bbc.co.uk or tweet us @BBCLondonNews.