BBC Local Live: Beds, Herts & Bucks

It will be mostly dry this evening with clear spells, although cloud will increase from the west later.

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A few showers will develop after midnight in the south and west, and a band of rain will edge into the west around dawn.

We'll see a minimum temperature of 3C (37F).

Bedfordshire firefighter Clive Wilkinson, who is stranded in Nepal with his wife, has contacted his family to ask for help.

The crew commander at Kempston fire station was trekking near Kathmandu when the earthquake struck.

His sister Karen Wilkinson-Bell told BBC Three Counties Radio: "A helicopter is the only way they can get out from where they are."

Mr Wilkinson is in a remote area of the Langtang Valley.

Promotion to the Premier League will be worth £120m to both Watford and Bournemouth.

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Leading football finance expert Trevor Birch said: "The reach of the Premier League is extraordinary. It's now in more than 200 countries and reaches four billion people."

Good news - there are no incidents to report on the roads in Beds, Herts and Bucks.

There is just the usual rush-hour congestion to expect.

Keep up to date on the latest here.

Carl Wheatley used his phone to search for information about injuries and bruising, days before his daughter Alexa-Marie Quinn died, St Albans Crown Court has heard.

FairleysCopyright: Fairleys

On 8 March 2014, Mr Wheatley, who denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility, typed: "Is there any way to reduce swelling and bruising?"

On 12 March, the day Alexa-Marie was found with fatal injuries, Mr Wheatley searched online again: "Can bruising lead to infection?" and "What effects do internal bruising have?"

At the start of the case, Judge Andrew Bright QC told the jury: "The killing of a child is likely to arouse strong emotions - such a reaction is completely natural and entirely understandable. Please put emotions completely to one side."

MK Dons have confirmed that an investigation is taking place into the use of a pyrotechnic in the away end at the match at Rochdale on Saturday.

Use of a so-called 'smokebomb' is a breach of Football League ground regulations and is also a criminal offence.

It could mean a club and police banning order for three years.

The top stories across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire this afternoon:

• Carl Wheatley on trial over the death of his daughter at their Hatfield home
• Second Luton Town player suspended
• Weather: Dry and cool with sunny spells and top temperatures of 12C (54F)

Four baby lemurs have become part of the ZSL Whipsnade Zoo family in Bedfordshire.

ZSL Whipsnade ZooCopyright: ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

The ring-tailed lemurs were born to mums Daphne, Hannelies, Pien and Naomi earlier this month.

They've not been named yet as keepers haven't determined their sex. Any suggestions? Drop us a line and we can put in a good word!

The man who was until recently in charge of the Association of Chief Police Officers has said extra funding for Bedfordshire Police will help fight terrorism.

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Sir Hugh Orde says the outcome of the police referendum next month will decide whether the force can put the extra officers on the ground to deal with the threat.

Bedfordshire firefighter Clive Wilkinson, who was feared to be missing, has phoned home from Kathmandu.

Beds Fire ServiceCopyright: Beds Fire Service

He contacted his sister immediately after Saturday's earthquake, but has only just got in touch again to request help from the British embassy.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue Service says it is pleased that Clive and his wife are safe and well and look forward to their return.

Over the weekend, Olympic gold medallist Bruce Jenner said he was transgender and identified as a woman.

BBC Sport has spoken to Delia Johnston, from Milton Keynes, who had gender reassignment surgery in 2012.

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The 59-year-old said she hated sport before her sex change but changed her mind while working for the London 2012 organisers Locog.

The devastated father of a paedophile's victim has urged youngsters to speak to a teacher if they're being abused and are finding it too hard to tell their parents.

Carl Wheatley dialled 999 at 09:00 on 12 March last year but it was too late for his daughter, St Albans Crown Court has heard.

FairleysCopyright: Fairleys

Christopher Donnellan QC, prosecuting, said it was likely Alexa-Marie Quinn had been dead for a few hours, but the 999 caller talked him through how to give his daughter CPR resuscitation.

Paramedics treated the four-year-old at the house and at hospital, but she was pronounced dead at 10:50.

Mr Wheatley denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Bletchley Road in Drayton Parslow, Bucks, is closed in both directions between the B4032 and Westbrook End junctions because of an overturned car.

The top stories across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire:

• Carl Wheatley on trial over the death of his daughter, Alexa-Marie Quinn
• Luton Town striker Ricky Miller released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of assault
• Watford Borough Council to hold celebrations for Watford's promotion to the Premier League in Cassiobury Park on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May

Carl Wheatley lost his temper and beat his four-and-a-half-year-old daughter to death with "sustained persistent hard hitting", St Albans Crown Court has heard.

FairleysCopyright: Fairleys

Mr Wheatley, 31, had been granted custody of Alexa-Marie Quinn only three months earlier, after convincing social workers he could look after her.

He denies murder but admits manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

A couple from Buntingford have lost over £9,000 as a result of a lottery scam, Hertfordshire County Council says.

After paying £7,250 as an initial processing fee, the couple were asked for a further £2,000 to pay a solicitor to transfer the winnings.

The council's trading standards team have warned residents to ignore letters stating a win on the 'EuroMillions FIFA World Cup Super Lottery'.

Watford Football Club have been promoted to the Premier League after a win against Brighton at the weekend.

Hornets defender Tommie Hoban said the team went out in Watford after the game, much to the surprise of fans: "They saw us walking down and it was amazing, everyone went crazy. We were all singing the Watford songs with the fans.

"The fans were unbelievable, we were all stood in our tracksuits, it was a bit of a blur from the evening onwards - it was quality."

Residents of Willen, Milton Keynes, have raised their concerns over a planning application for the construction of a waste transfer station that is set to be built on the edge of Willen Lake.

There are just nine days left until the general election.

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This map of constituency-level opinion polls shows close battles are being fought in Milton Keynes South, Bedford and Stevenage.

You can find out more information here.

Watford secured their place in the Premier League next season after a 2-0 win over Brighton on Saturday.

The club currently sit four points clear of second placed Bournemouth, who have also been promoted.

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Former manager Graham Taylor said gaining automatic promotion will give the Hornets a better chance of survival.

Do you think Watford will survive in the Premier League next season? Send us your views by email.

A new £5.4m fire control centre for Buckinghamshire has gone live today.

All 999 fire calls in Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire will be dealt with at the new centre in Reading by Thames Valley Fire Control Service.

It replaces individual control rooms in each of the counties.

Luton Town Football Club have confirmed that player Shaun Whalley has been suspended, pending a police enquiry.

EmpicsCopyright: Empics

The club's statement says that Mr Whalley was placed in police custody in connection with the same alleged incident as Ricky Miller.

The head teacher at one of the UK's most successful schools says it is the "boy free" environment that helps her students thrive.

Most of us will have a dry day with sunny spells, although there could be a few showers this afternoon.

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It will feel rather chilly, especially in the breeze. There will be maximum temperatures of 12C (54F).

Stay up to date on the BBC Weather website.

The top stories across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire today:

• Luton Town striker Ricky Miller has been released on bail after he was arrested on suspicion of assault in the early hours of yesterday
• West Herts NHS Trust has defended paying its chief nurse more than £200,000 for 10 months work
• Severe delays on the M1 southbound due to an earlier accident between J12 and J13

There is queuing traffic on the M1 southbound due to earlier accident involving two cars between J13 (Bedford/Milton Keynes South) and J12 (Flitwick).

All lanes have been re-opened.

A man has sustained injuries to his head and wrist after being attacked by men carrying poles or bats in Milton Keynes, reports Thames Valley Police.

The 35-year-old man was in a grassed area in Horners Croft, Wolverton, about 21:15 on Sunday when three men assaulted him and pushed him onto the bonnet of a vehicle, thought to be a Land Rover Discovery.

One of the offenders is white, stocky, aged 30-35 and 5ft 10ins. Two of the offenders are black and one was wearing a cream Stone Island jacket.

The man remains at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford for treatment.

Thank you to John O'Reilly for the fantastic photograph of famous Bedfordshire landmark, The Chalk Lion, which is being used as our main image today.

John O'Reilly/FairleysCopyright: John O'Reilly/Fairleys

The carving on the side of Dunstable Downs was designed by Mr R B Brook-Greaves and completed in 1933.

We'd love to showcase your images of rural and urban landscapes, the weather, local wildlife and iconic buildings across Beds, Herts and Bucks, get in touch.

Bucks and MK Fire Service tweets: Lots of fire engines at Mellish Court in Bletchley this morning. Fortunately a false alarm made with good intent http://t.co/w04Gh7XXSu

West Herts NHS Trust has defended paying its chief nurse more than £200,000 for 10 months work.

Jackie Yardley was appointed by the trust on an interim basis.

The trust, which includes Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals, said her pay was in line with market expectations and the responsibilities of her role.

Luton Town striker Ricky Miller has been released on bail after he was arrested on suspicion of assault in the early hours of yesterday.

Luton TownCopyright: Luton Town

Bedfordshire Police have confirmed that Mr Miller has been bailed until 2 June pending further investigations. The player has also been suspended by the club while the investigation continues.

Hello - it will be me bringing you the latest news, sport, travel and weather in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire for the rest of the day.

This morning's top stories across the three counties are:

• Seven men have been arrested after raids in Milton Keynes yesterday where drugs and cash were seized
• Bedfordshire-based Whitbread has announced chief executive Andy Harrison will retire in the next year
• Watford Borough Council has confirmed they will hold celebrations for Watford's promotion to the Premier League in Cassiobury Park on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May

In a leaked email, Liberal Democrats in Milton Keynes say the new city's taxi scandal has not ruined their chances in next week's election.

Four of the party's councillors were involved in the scandal, which saw convicted rapist Nadeem Ahmed Kiani granted a licence to drive a taxi.

Milton Keynes Gallery has announced details of a new exhibition to showcase the work of people with brain injuries.

Milton Keynes GalleryCopyright: Milton Keynes Gallery

Milton Keynes GalleryCopyright: Milton Keynes Gallery

The gallery has joined forces with charity Headway Milton Keynes to produce the show. It will run throughout May, with a preview taking place between 18:00 and 20:00 on Thursday.

Bedfordshire-based Whitbread has announced chief executive Andy Harrison will be retiring in the next year.

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Mr Harrison joined Whitbread from Easyjet in 2010. The news comes at the same time the company announced an 18.5% rise in yearly profits to £488m.

Some more details on the family friendly celebration in Cassiobury Park on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May, planned to mark Watford's promotion into the Premier League.

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The entertainment will start at 13:00 with live music and three big screens on a stage in the park.

Players will travel in an open top bus along St Albans Road from Asda up to the park, arriving at 14:00. The entertainment will carry on until 17:00.

A serious case review has begun into the sudden death of an infant.

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The child was discovered dead in the village of Maulden, Bedfordshire on 11 April. A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive.

The case has been referred to the Central Bedfordshire safeguarding children's board. Police say inquiries are continuing.

The weather today will be dry with sunny spells, although there could be a few showers later this morning and in the early afternoon.

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It will feel rather chilly, especially in the breeze. Watch the forecast with Kate Kinsella.

One lane is blocked on the southbound M1 between junctions 11 and 10 following an accident involving a lorry and two cars.

The motorway is suffering congestion back to junction 12 at Flitwick.

Keep up-to-date with all the latest travel news here.

These are this morning's headlines:

• Seven men have been arrested with drugs and cash seized, after raids across Milton Keynes yesterday
• A serious case review by Central Bedfordshire's safeguarding children's board has begun into the unexplained death of an infant in Maulden in Bedfordshire
• Watford Borough Council has confirmed a party to celebrate Watford's promotion to the Premier League will be held in Cassiobury Park on Bank Holiday Monday 4 May

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

Welcome to the first ever live page for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire, bringing you all the latest news, sport, travel and weather across the three counties.

We'd very much like you to be part of this page, so please feel free to contact us on email, Twitter or Facebook.