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Live Reporting

All times stated are UK

  1. Danny Cipriani

    Wasps fight back after half-time to beat Exeter Chiefs 25-20 on the opening weekend of the Premiership season.

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  2. By Duncan Leatherdale

    BBC News

    An airship in the searchlights

    One hundred years ago, William Leefe Robinson became the first person to shoot down a German airship over the UK. The revolutionary bullets he used helped end the airship threat - but also led to people on the home front facing an even greater danger.

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  3. Our live coverage across the day

    That's all for regular updates here from the BBC Beds, Bucks and Herts team until 08:00 on Monday, unless a major story breaks.

    Today, we covered a new play to celebrate the history of Bedford and the flame is being lit in Buckinghamshire ahead of next week's Paralympic Games in Rio with events being held at Stoke Mandeville Stadium to recognise its role at the birthplace of the movement for sport for people with disabilities.

    Have a good weekend.

  4. Overnight weather: Cloudy and mainly dry

    Alex Dolan

    BBC Look East weather

    This evening and overnight it'll be rather cloudy, but mainly dry, although there's a chance of occasional showers.

    Lows of 12C (54F).

    Saturday's weather map

    Saturday will start bright and dry, but it'll turn cloudy later, with heavier rain in the evening and overnight. Top temperature: 20C (68F).

    BBC Weather has the full forecast where you live.

  5. Lewis Hamilton fastest in Italian Grand Prix practice

    Andrew Benson

    Chief F1 writer at Monza

    Stevenage's Lewis Hamilton set the pace ahead of Brackley-based Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg with an impressive performance in second practice at the Italian Grand Prix.

    The world champion was 0.193 seconds quicker than Rosberg around Monza as the two head into the final stages of their title battle.

    Lewis Hamilton

    Hamilton is nine points clear of Rosberg with eight races remaining.

    Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel was third but nearly half a second down on a track where margins are always tight.

  6. Bedford's secret BBC Orchestra

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    We've been following the story of the play Somewhere in England (The Bedford Play) to celebrate Bedford's history at the Quarry Theatre (pictured below).

    Quarry Theatre, Bedford

    Mark Burgess, writer and director, said: "The title reflects the fact that the BBC Orchestra was based in Bedford during World War Two, broadcasting from Bedford venues (including the Corn Exchange and Bedford School's Great Hall).

    "The [location of broadcasts] had to remain a secret to avoid [Bedford] being bombed by Hitler's Luftwaffe and so the broadcasts were always announced as being live from somewhere in England." 

  7. Play celebrates Bedford's history

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    A play has been written to celebrate Bedford - a place probably named after a Saxon chief called Beda who settled near a fordable part of the River Great Ouse. That was 13 centuries ago and a lot has happened since then...

    Did you know, for example, that the BBC Orchestra was stationed in Bedford during the World War Two, but the location was kept secret?

    Swan Hotel

    The play Somewhere in England (The Bedford Play), at the Quarry Theatre in the town was commissioned by The Harpur Trust as part of its 450th anniversary celebrations. 

    It uncovers the lives of key Bedfordians, famous people connected to the town (such as Glen Miller and Nelson Mandela) and the stories behind some of the town's landmarks, including the Cardington Hangers, The Bedford Swan Hotel (pictured above) and Bedford's iconic bridges.

  8. Trust in charge of Bedfordshire's mental health service rated ‘outstanding’ by watchdog CQC

    Bedfordshire on Sunday

    The trust which provides mental health services in Bedfordshire has been rated outstanding by the healthcare watchdog.

  9. Motorcyclist injured in Royston crash

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    A motorcyclist is in a critical condition in hospital after being involved in a crash on the A505 in Royston last night.

    Baldock Road, Royston

    His bike was in collision with a brown Honda CR-V on Baldock Road just before the derelict Horse & Groom pub at 10:15.

    He suffered serious leg injuries and was airlifted to hospital.

  10. Surveying equipment near bypass stolen

    Katy Lewis

    BBC Local Live

    Police are appealing for witnesses after surveying equipment worth thousands of pounds was stolen in Luton at about 12:45 on Wednesday.

    HT0150

    The Total Station, with ID number HTO150 is worth £15,000, and was taken by a man in Sundon Road near where the new bypass is being built.

    He left in a white Citroen Berlingo van.

    Bedfordshire Police wants to hear from anyone who witnessed the theft or has had the equipment offered to them.

  11. Libraries will not close, says Bedford council after review

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    Bedford Borough Council has announced it will not be closing any of the town's libraries.

    Putnoe Library in Bedfordshire

    It follows a period of public consultation in which 4,500 people took part.

    One idea to save money was to have fewer libraries, but the council says public opposition means that's no longer an option.

  12. Wotton Underwood landscape upgraded by Historic England

    Katy Lewis

    BBC Local Live

    To mark Lancelot "Capability" Brown’s 300th year, Historic England has upgraded some of his landscapes including that at Wotton Underwood in Buckinghamshire.

    Wotton Underwood landscape

    It has been upgraded to Grade I on the the National Heritage List for England to celebrate it as an outstanding example of an 18th Century country house landscape.

    Home to the separately listed Grade I house, the grounds are full of man-made picturesque details including a large lake, islands, bridges, a rotunda, pavilion and grotto.  

    Historic England said its understanding of this "important" landscape had increased following recent research and analysis by The Gardens Trust.

    The landscape was shaped by a number of high-profile designers of the day, including Capability Brown.

  13. Police money and drugs bag tweet hailed 'best ever'

    Helen Burchell

    BBC News

    Earlier we told you how police were hoping the owner of a bag stuffed with money and drugs would come to collect it from their lost property office and have a nice "chat" about it.

    The tweet, posted by officers from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire road policing unit, has been described as the "best ever" by some of their social media followers.

    It included a photograph of the dark-coloured bag, full to the brim with £10 and £20 notes and plastic bags of drugs and 

    Numerous people have commented, one writing: "Wait, if I come and collect it, you won't arrest me right?" and another saying, "Can you leave it where you found it please. I'll come and collect it later this evening".

    Lost bag
  14. Police seek owner of money and drugs

    Katy Lewis

    BBC Local Live

    Sometimes the direct approach is a good thing - and there's not really a more direct approach than that employed by the Beds, Cambs and Herts Road Police in the early hours of this morning when they found some "lost property".

    So, if you've mislaid your stash of money and drugs, do feel free to contact the police as they would "love to chat".

    View more on twitter
  15. Great Fire of London used in safety warning

    Katy Lewis

    BBC Local Live

    Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue doesn't miss an opportunity to remind people about fire safety  - it's used the 350th anniversary of the Great Fire of London to warn about dangers in the kitchen.

    The fire raged across the city from 2 to 5 September 1666, destroying more than 13,000 houses and 87 churches.

    Real flames were used for cooking in those days and it's thought it started in a shop belonging to the king's baker, Thomas Farynor, in Pudding Lane, early in the morning.

    Hobs are a lot safer these days, but the fire service says it's still not safe to leave cooking unattended.

    View more on twitter
  16. Strictly Come Dancing's Greg says 'any dancer would be great for me'

    Katy Lewis

    BBC Local Live

    So, for Strictly fans, the wait is nearly over - on Saturday night all will be revealed as the public finds out which celebrity has been paired with which professional dancer.

    Zoe Ball and Greg Rutherford

    Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford from Woburn Sands has admitted he doesn't mind who he gets, although Natalie Lowe or Karen Clifton would be good in terms of height.

    Speaking to Zoe Ball before the recording of the launch show this week he said: "I can't dance, they're all incredible dancers so anyone will be great for me.

    "I'm not a wonderful dancer, so I'm hoping that things can build up and pick up slightly." 

    You can find out who he is paired with on Saturday at 18:50 on BBC One and you can meet all the celebrities in an exclusive look at the class of 2016 on the iPlayer.