BBC Local Live: Beds, Herts & Bucks

Meet Nadiya from Leeds, who was born in Luton. She is one of the 12 contestants hoping to be crowned master baker in this year's Great British Bake Off which returns tonight at 20:00.

Love ProductionsCopyright: Love Productions

Nadiya, 30, has been baking for 10 years after wondering why her father only served ice cream for dessert at his restaurant.

Her family is originally from Bangladesh, where desserts aren't a big feature of mealtimes, but she was encouraged to bake by a school home economics teacher.

Police pup Blade is still out and about with his foster family being shown the policing ropes - today he revealed the "long arm of the paw" on a police flat cap.

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I don't know about you but I'm getting the "don't mess with me" vibe... we'll have more from Blade as he progresses through his training.

A 22-year-old man has been charged with actual bodily harm following a CCTV appeal after he attacked a fellow passenger on a train at Luton Airport Parkway.

Geograph/Thomas NugentCopyright: Geograph/Thomas Nugent

The incident, which left a 38-year-old man with multiple injuries, happened on a Bedford-bound train in the early hours of 17 June.

The 22-year-old passenger had reacted angrily to being woken up by the man who thought he may miss his stop. He repeatedly punched the 38-year-old and threw him off the train on to the platform at the airport station.

Cows on train lines in east Hertfordshire are causing delays of up to an hour for those travelling between Broxbourne and Stansted Airport.

Charlie Page and Hannah TurnerCopyright: Charlie Page and Hannah Turner

British Transport Police are on the scene after a train struck a cow. They say no passengers on board have been injured.

A vandal has caused £3,000 worth of damage to a specialist ambulance response car while it was parked in Luton.

A paramedic was called to visit to a patient in Penhill, but when he came out he found the roof of his car had been badly damaged.

It seems that someone had used a crow bar to try to remove the blue flashing lights from the top of the vehicle while it was parked in Wauluds Bank Drive on Monday.

British Transport Police say they are on the scene at Bishops Stortford train station after a train hit cows on the line.

Abellio Greater Anglia services are being delayed by up to an hour between Broxbourne and Stansted Airport.

There are no reports of any injuries on board the train, police say.

Tonight will be mostly cloudy with occasional light showers although rainfall amounts will be very small. A warm and humid night with light winds and lows of 14 Celsius.

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Thursday will see a cloudy start with a few showers, but becoming drier and brighter through the morning.

By the afternoon there'll be some good spells of sunshine, feeling warm with highs between 22-24C (72-75F).

The top news stories we're looking at tonight:

• A vandal has caused £3,000 worth of damage to a specialist ambulance response car while it was parked in Luton
• Two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at Codicote in Hertfordshire
• A woman has died in hospital after crashing her car into a tree in Cheshunt yesterday

A woman has died in hospital after her car crashed into a tree in Cheshunt yesterday.

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The woman in her 50s was driving a Nissan Micra, which crashed on Rosedale Way. The road was closed at the Honbeam Way junction (pictured) for investigations.

A mother and her three children called firefighters today before a fire was able to seriously damage their home in Luton.

Beds Fire and RescueCopyright: Beds Fire and Rescue

A mobile phone had been left charging underneath a duvet on a bed and when firefighters entered the house, the bed was well alight, Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue service say.

One of the children heard the smoke alarm going off upstairs and saw a fire in one of the bedrooms at about 10:10 this morning, the children's mother then called for emergency services.

A woman in her 70s who helped a woman just after she was assaulted in Watford is being asked to contact the police to help trace the offender.

The assault happened at about 08:20 on 28 July in an alleyway off Reed Walk in the town. A woman in her 20s was approached from behind and touched inappropriately, police say.

Officers are looking to contact the woman believed to be in her 70s, around 5ft 2in tall with short grey hair. The male offender, described with a slim build and wearing a blue hoodie and tracksuit bottoms, ran off towards Orphanage Road.

There is slow traffic on the A6 northbound in Clophill at the A507 junction. These delays are not helped by the closure of the A507 at this junction towards Ampthill for water main work.

Elsewhere, roads are beginning to look busy but public transport seems to be running well.

The top stories we're looking at:

• Police are trying to trace a third man in connection with an attempted murder in Hertfordshire
• Preacher Anjem Choudary, once a leader of a group which recruited in Luton, is one of two men charged with inviting support for Islamic State militants
• A council in Bedfordshire has said it will serve a home owner in Barton-le-Clay with an enforcement notice to return his house back to the original size after he extended it by 165%

After a man was attacked by a buzzard in Scotland while he was running, we heard the RSPB say that the bird of prey becoming the UK's most common was a "massive success".

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Well, The Lodge nature reserve based in Sandy, Bedfordshire, also the charity's headquarters, is a perfect place to visit if you want to catch a glimpse of the bird.

The reserve was opened in 1961 and covers 180 hectares of woodland, heath and grassland.

I've been speaking to heavyweight Anthony Joshua, who WBA, IBF and WBO champion Wladimir Klitschko described last week as "the most promising boxer he has seen in 25 years".

AFP/Getty ImagesCopyright: AFP/Getty Images

Londoner Joshua, 25, is undefeated in 13 fights since turning professional after winning Olympic gold in 2012.

"It's just potential, I got to achieve it," he says, when asked about the comments. "It sounds good, but I've got to keep my head down and go and achieve in what he believes and sees in me."

St Albans residents are urging the council to reject a retrospective planning application for a chimney which, they say, is spewing "noxious gases" into their homes and gardens.

After the latest news from Central Bedfordshire Council on their decision to serve a notice on the owner of Random House in Barton-le-Clay, I've been taking a look at the planning applications put to the council.

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Above is a basic outline of what the house looked like originally, plans that the council approved for the house's extension and what the house looks like now.

Syed Raza Shah lost his High Court appeal against a decision made by the council the extension was an "inappropriate development" in an area of outstanding natural beauty.

The Milton Keynes Lightning concluded their 2015-16 roster announcements by confirming the addition of another much sought-after young British prospect, Glenn Billing.

Hailing from the former hockey town of Romford, Glenn - who celebrated his 18th birthday in May - is another graduate of the Okanagan Hockey Academy who also has international experience.

One of our Five to Follow in next year's Rio Games - Milton Keynes' Greg Rutherford - told BBC Look East he has just built a 52m long (171ft) jump track and sand pit in his garden, as part of his bid for world domination.

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"There is a massive benefit of having it the long jump track at home," he said. "I realise it's a huge luxury, but if that's what is going to help me become World and Olympic champion it's a worthwhile investment".

Songs of Praise presenter Pam Rhodes will lead a chorus of celebration on Saturday as Letchworth Christian Bookshop marks its 50th anniversary.

This afternoon will be rather cloudy with some showery outbreaks of rain in places. The rain may also turn heavy and thundery at times, but in between some brighter spells will develop.

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We'll see a maximum temperature of 22C (72F).

Preacher Anjem Choudary is one of two men charged with inviting support for Islamic State militants, Scotland Yard says.

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He is accused of "inviting support" for the so-called Islamic State (IS) between 29 June 2014 and 6 March this year.

He and another man, Mohammed Mizanur Rahman, have each been charged with one offence under section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000. They are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court at 14:00.

Thames Valley Roads Policing officers have been out in Aylesbury today stopping drivers who are breaking the law.

TVP Roads PolicingCopyright: TVP Roads Policing

They tweet: Road safety check in Rabans Lane @TVP_Aylesbury Seatbelts, phones and vehicles seized for no insurance

Following up on newspaper reports of a disturbance in Codicote yesterday, Hertfordshire Police have just told me two men have been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after an "assault" on the High Street.

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The force was called at shortly before 15:00 yesterday following reports of an attack.

The victim, in his 30s, was found with "serious injuries" and was airlifted to hospital. He remains in a stable condition, police said. I'll bring you more on this shortly.

The top stories we're looking at this lunchtime:

• A council in Bedfordshire has said it will serve a home owner in Barton-le-Clay with an enforcement notice to return his house back to the original size after he extended it by 165%
• Bedford Hospital is asking people to only use its A&E services in what they have termed 'a real emergency'
• Police in Hertfordshire are pledging to carry on their clampdown on drivers racing cars on the A10, after more speed checks last weekend

I've just been speaking to one of the nicest men in the world - 2012 Olympic boxing champion Anthony Joshua.

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The 25-year-old from Watford said of a possible world title shot: "That's definitely the plan. I've always said I would go the traditional way, so I'm sticking to my word."

"One step at a time though. The yellow brick road is there - its laid out. I've just got to stay on course and follow it."

There are two lanes blocked and heavy traffic on the M1 northbound between J11 and J12 because of an accident near Toddington Services.

Bedford Hospital is asking people to only use its A&E services in what they have termed "a real emergency" after 6,000 people attended the department in July, and the number of hospital admissions went up by 5%.

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Medical Director Colette Marshall says there has been a significant rise in the number of frail and elderly patients who are seriously unwell and need immediate attention: "At the moment we don't know why that is, there's speculation that there could be a respiratory virus going round."

A council in Bedfordshire has said it will serve a home owner in Barton-le-Clay with an enforcement notice to return his house back to the original size after he extended it by 165%.

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Central Bedfordshire Council welcomed the decision to dismiss Syed Raza Shah's appeal to overturn the refusal of planning permission for significant extensions to his home.

"We will actively challenge any development which threatens the character of our area. If allowed to stand, the original Inspector's decision threatened to set a dangerous precedent for other developments within the green belt," said Jason Longhurst, director of regeneration and business at the council.

There's been a 50% increase in the number of fines issued to lorry drivers for having illegal migrants on board, partly due to the Calais crisis.

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More than 3,300 fines were issued by UK Border Force staff in the last year. Meanwhile more suspected immigrants have been found in Bedfordshire already this year compared to the whole of 2014: 287 people were arrested or detained by mid-July compared to last year's total of 277.

Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire have tweeted a very cute picture this morning, which I just had to share...

@StokeParkCopyright: @StokePark

They write: Good Morning from some of Stoke Park's wildlife, colourful and cute!

After a little bit of research, we believe that it's an Egyptian Goose.

Good morning all, it's the time of day when we have a little change over - thank you to David for keeping us in the news-loop this morning.

I'll be bringing you all the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the rest of the day.

Don't forget, if you'd like to get in touch you can tweet, email or Facebook.

One of BBC Look East's Five to Follow in the Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games next year is Milton Keynes' long jump star Greg Rutherford.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

The 2012 Olympic champion will always be remembered for his role in "Super Saturday", where Britain claimed three golds at the Olympic stadium in an hour.

At the World Championships later this month the 28-year-old will attempt to be only the fourth British athlete to hold the big four titles at the same time. That's the Olympic, European, Commonwealth and World crowns.

In the build up to the Olympic and Paralympic games in Rio at BBC Look East we have chosen five athletes who we feel have the ability to do something special in South America next year.

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We're calling it our Five to Follow. Over the next 12 months we will be keeping a close eye on them - without of course forgetting the many sportsmen and women from the East of England not on the list.

Throughout today I'll unveil who our choice is from Buckinghamshire and explain why they could make history next year.

Police in Hertfordshire are pledging to carry on their clampdown on drivers racing cars on the A10 after more speed checks last weekend.

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Officers also carried out high-visibility patrols and vehicle safety checks and say they are working with Herts County Council to look at long-term plans to improve safety.

Twelve motorists were issued with speeding tickets.

The top stories this morning:

• Bedford Hospital is asking people to only use A&E in what they have termed 'a real emergency'
• A 24-hour strike by London Underground workers is set to disrupt millions of commuters from 18:30 tonight
• Police in Hertfordshire are pledging to carry on their clampdown on drivers racing cars on the A10 after more speed checks last weekend

There are delays on the M25 anticlockwise because of an accident involving a lorry just before J23 for the A1M.

On the A414 in St Albans there's slow traffic in both directions between Park Street roundabout and the London Colney roundabout.

Parents of Berkshire children who attended the defunct Penn School in Buckinghamshire have told BBC Three Counties they won't know which alternative schools will be available until the first week back in September.

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The school near High Wycombe, which catered for children with special needs, was placed into administration last month.

Royal Borough of Maidenhead and Windsor council says new schools have been found for some of the children, but it's been challenging because the closure happened just before the summer holidays. They said they'll be in a better position to advise on other school availability next month.

I've put in some calls to Hertfordshire Police to find out what happened in Codicote yesterday afternoon, with the Welwyn and Hatfield Times reporting on a suspected stabbing in the village.

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The newspaper says a man in his 20s was airlifted to hospital after the incident on the High Street, which was closed off to traffic.

An eyewitness told reporters they thought two cars were chasing each other and it ended up in some sort of "fracas".

It will be a mostly dry and bright start with sunny spells during the morning.

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However, cloud will increase through the afternoon with scattered showers developing, some of which may turn heavy and perhaps thundery at times. It will be breezy too. Maximum temperature: 22C (72F).

Sara Thornton has the latest forecast.

If you're commuting into London today and tomorrow, be warned that a fresh 24-hour Tube strike is due to start later following the failure of talks to resolve a pay dispute between unions and the Underground.

AFP / GettyCopyright: AFP / Getty

Services will stop running from 18:30 tonight and there will be no Tubes on Thursday, with all stations expected to close.

Around 250 extra buses will be laid on during the strike, Transport for London said. BBC London's Local Live page will provide all the latest information.

There's heavy congestion and delays on the A405 heading to the M25 J21a roundabout at Bricket Wood.

Traffic is also moving slowly on the A414 North Orbital Road in St Albans, between the Park Street and London Colney roundabouts, due to roadworks.

We've some sad news from our colleagues at BBC Scotland this morning. The body of a Hertfordshire hillwalker who was reported missing in the Lochaber area of the Highlands on Monday has been found.

Hugh Venables / GeographCopyright: Hugh Venables / Geograph

The 60-year-old man has been named by police as Ian Bell.

Search teams, including Lochaber Mountain Rescue, had made searches of the Carn mor Dearg area where Mr Bell was believed to have been. Police said there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances around his death.

Here's this morning's news update:

• The body of a hillwalker from Hertfordshire who was reported missing in Scotland on Monday has been found
• All London tube stations are expected to close from 18:30 as part of a 24-hour strike following a breakdown of talks between the London Underground and unions
• Parents from the defunct Penn School in Buckinghamshire, which catered for children with special needs, say they won't know which alternative schools are available until the first week back in September

Good morning. We'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, weather and travel for Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire until 18:00.

First up - if you're heading to the capital today, remember there's a tube strike from 18:30 which could disrupt your journey home.

I'll bring you a full news update soon. You can send us your stories or comments today via email, Facebook or Twitter.