The managers of Luton Town and
Stevenage have been stressing the importance of tomorrow's League Two promotion
clash between the two sides, currently in 5th and 6th
place respectively.
Just
two points separate the pair, with both in excellent form.
The Hertfordshire
side can go above the Hatters if they win at Kenilworth Road, but victory for
Luton could see them break into the automatic promotion places.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
"It's a game that really whets the appetite in terms of league position, the geography and both clubs in good form," said Hatters boss Nathan Jones.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Boro boss Darren Sarll, said: "I absolutely love these games and if I'm a player this is the one I want my shirt for.
"There's just so much more to it. There's such a competitive edge."
Construction begins on new MK galleries
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
This is the moment when Ron Unwin helped to lay the stone...
It's hoped the building work will be completed by December, but as the charity says it still needs
to raise £1.5m
, it should be fully kitted out and open by April.
The history of Milton Keynes to be marked in new museum galleries
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
A foundation stone has been laid where two major new galleries are to be built at
Milton Keynes museum
.
The £7.2m buildings will tell the story of the new city, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
It will tell the story of the area where MK lies through the Bronze, Roman, Medieval and Tudor ages, up to the Civil War and then present day.
It was laid by Ron Unwin, the last surviving member of a team who helped save some of the area's heritage from the bulldozer in 1972.
He still works as a volunteer at the site.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Millions of pounds to be spent on the roads
Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio
The government has announced a £3.3m upgrade for the A5 to the north of Milton Keynes.
The money will be used to reduce congestion at the Old Stratford roundabout by widening the carriageways.
GoogleCopyright: Google
An additional £2.8m will also be spent in the east of England to ease congestion.
That's on top of £22m that will be spent on building the M1-A6 link road, north from junction 11a of the M1.
Man charged after entering restricted area at airport
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
A man from London has been charged with entering a restricted area at London Luton Airport.
The 26-year-old was arrested on Tuesday and has also been charged with possession of a Class B drug.
He's been bailed and is due to appear at Luton Magistrates' Court on 27 March.
London Luton AirportCopyright: London Luton Airport
Dog 'mauled to death' in street
Tony Fisher
BBC Three Counties Radio
An elderly couple was left devastated after witnessing their Yorkshire terrier being mauled to death outside their home.
Ron, 75, and his wife Valerie, 72, from Milton Keynes, were taking their four terriers out for a walk on Saturday morning in Oldbrook when the black "Alsatian-type" dog attacked.
Their smallest dog, Lacey, suffered internal injuries and broken legs. She was put down at a veterinary surgery later that afternoon.
The couple, who did not want to give their surname, have released CCTV footage of the attack to publicise the danger to small dogs of large dogs being off the lead.
We have edited the footage to take out the most distressing scenes but some viewers may find the video upsetting.
The pods checking out Milton Keynes
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
The driverless pods are undergoing mechanical tests today.
That means they're checking things like gradients, where barriers are and how they can turn in a circle.
It's their way of scanning and learning their routes.
He's manning a stand showing members of the public the work of police dog units across the UK - although it pretty much looks like today this cop dog is mostly playing with his ball while lapping up the attention!
A "big thank you" has now been given to Ginny, who helped reunite Toby with his owner Mr Berry (middle).
Ginny (right) offered to foster Toby after he was taken to the vets by two concerned locals, who spotted him being sold for £20 at a Luton pub.
After being told by a friend about the social media campaign to track Toby, Ginny contacted the police.
PC Ryan (left), from Bedfordshire Police, said: "We're pleased to report that he's
now coming back out of his shell."
Bedfordshire PoliceCopyright: Bedfordshire Police
He said those responsible for the break-in where Toby was snatched haven't been caught yet, but added: "We're keen to trace the two Good Samaritans who took Toby to the vets, as they may be able help with further information about the person who sold him."
Two reasons to smile for Stevenage
Luke Ashmead
BBC Three Counties Radio sport
Not content with one accolade,
Stevenage
have won two!
The Hertfordshire club got a clean sweep in the Sky Bet League Two end of month awards, with Darren Sarll picking up best manager and Matty Godden the best player gong.
Stevenage FCCopyright: Stevenage FC
Stevenage have won five and drawn one in their last six games, helped by Godden's six goals.
Godden said: "It has been a great month and I am in the form of my life. As a team we have been doing fantastic recently and it has been a perfect storm.
"It is nice to get individual accolades, but I couldn't do it without my team-mates."
Tim Martin (pictured) said pubs paid 20% VAT on food sales while supermarkets paid "almost nothing", enabling them to subsidise alcoholic drink prices.
"In effect, this was a Budget for dinner parties - no doubt the preference of the chancellor and his predecessor," he said.
"Dinner parties will suffer far less from the taxes outlined above, whereas many people prefer to go to pubs, given the choice."
He said the firm's business rates bill will also increase by £7m this year.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
On Wednesday, the chancellor provided tax relief of about £1,000 per pub if they had a rateable value of less than £100,000.
Philip Hammond said this would help 90% of pubs in England.
Where are the best places to live in the South East?
Fifteen locations in the South East, including Finchampstead, Marlow, Wallingford and Tadley have been
named among the Best Places to Live in Britain by The Sunday Times.
The locations were assessed on a wide range of factors, from jobs, exam results and
broadband speed to culture, community spirit and local shops in order to
compile the definitive top locations to make your home.
The judges also used their own
experience of the villages, towns and cities, such as local pubs, ease of
transport and the range of attractive property to choose the top locations.
Live Reporting
Alex Pope
All times stated are UK
Get involved
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Latest PostGoodbye
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
That's it for another week from all of us here on the Beds, Herts and Bucks Local Live team.
We'll be back on Monday morning from 08:00 with more news, sport, travel and weather.
We hope you have a great weekend and remember to keep an eye here for any breaking news.
To quote my daughter, it's "chip Friday", so guess what I'm eating for dinner tonight...
See you again soon!
Evening weather update: Foggy tonight, bright tomorrow
Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather
It will be a largely cloudy night with some patchy mist, fog and drizzle. It will also be very mild, with lows of 7C (45F).
Any mist and fog will clear on Saturday morning and, after a mainly cloudy start, we should see some brightness and sunshine developing.
In the best of any sunshine, temperatures could climb as high as 18C (64F).
There'll be a light wind between the south-west and south-east.
Find the latest weather where you live on the BBC Weather website .
Promotion all to play for in local derby
Geoff Doyle
BBC Three Counties Radio sport
The managers of Luton Town and Stevenage have been stressing the importance of tomorrow's League Two promotion clash between the two sides, currently in 5th and 6th place respectively.
Just two points separate the pair, with both in excellent form.
The Hertfordshire side can go above the Hatters if they win at Kenilworth Road, but victory for Luton could see them break into the automatic promotion places.
"It's a game that really whets the appetite in terms of league position, the geography and both clubs in good form," said Hatters boss Nathan Jones.
Boro boss Darren Sarll, said: "I absolutely love these games and if I'm a player this is the one I want my shirt for.
"There's just so much more to it. There's such a competitive edge."
Construction begins on new MK galleries
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
This is the moment when Ron Unwin helped to lay the stone...
And this is the site where the new galleries will be...
It's hoped the building work will be completed by December, but as the charity says it still needs to raise £1.5m , it should be fully kitted out and open by April.
The history of Milton Keynes to be marked in new museum galleries
Kate Bradbrook
BBC Look East
A foundation stone has been laid where two major new galleries are to be built at Milton Keynes museum .
The £7.2m buildings will tell the story of the new city, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
It will tell the story of the area where MK lies through the Bronze, Roman, Medieval and Tudor ages, up to the Civil War and then present day.
It was laid by Ron Unwin, the last surviving member of a team who helped save some of the area's heritage from the bulldozer in 1972.
He still works as a volunteer at the site.
Millions of pounds to be spent on the roads
Lee Agnew
BBC Three Counties Radio
The government has announced a £3.3m upgrade for the A5 to the north of Milton Keynes.
The money will be used to reduce congestion at the Old Stratford roundabout by widening the carriageways.
An additional £2.8m will also be spent in the east of England to ease congestion.
That's on top of £22m that will be spent on building the M1-A6 link road, north from junction 11a of the M1.
Man charged after entering restricted area at airport
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
A man from London has been charged with entering a restricted area at London Luton Airport.
The 26-year-old was arrested on Tuesday and has also been charged with possession of a Class B drug.
He's been bailed and is due to appear at Luton Magistrates' Court on 27 March.
Dog 'mauled to death' in street
Tony Fisher
BBC Three Counties Radio
An elderly couple was left devastated after witnessing their Yorkshire terrier being mauled to death outside their home.
Ron, 75, and his wife Valerie, 72, from Milton Keynes, were taking their four terriers out for a walk on Saturday morning in Oldbrook when the black "Alsatian-type" dog attacked.
Their smallest dog, Lacey, suffered internal injuries and broken legs. She was put down at a veterinary surgery later that afternoon.
The couple, who did not want to give their surname, have released CCTV footage of the attack to publicise the danger to small dogs of large dogs being off the lead.
We have edited the footage to take out the most distressing scenes but some viewers may find the video upsetting.
The pods checking out Milton Keynes
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
The driverless pods are undergoing mechanical tests today.
That means they're checking things like gradients, where barriers are and how they can turn in a circle.
It's their way of scanning and learning their routes.
Driverless cars on the move in Milton Keynes
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
An interesting sight has been spotted around Milton Keynes today.
The first day of driverless car surveying is taking place.
The UKAutodrive pods are learning routes between The Centre:MK and the railway station, so they can check the space around them and build up a 3D map.
The pods are being driven by remote control, as full driverless testing is still months away.
Milton Keynes is one of four places in England that's been picked to test driverless cars, along with Greenwich, Bristol and Coventry.
Stabbed police dog Finn wows crowds at Crufts
Helen Burchell
BBC News
Guess who's making a guest appearance at Crufts today?
It's PD Finn - the police dog who hit the headlines last October after being stabbed on duty with his handler in Stevenage.
He's manning a stand showing members of the public the work of police dog units across the UK - although it pretty much looks like today this cop dog is mostly playing with his ball while lapping up the attention!
Finn and his handler, PC Dave Wardell, have both recovered from their injuries and returned to active duty just before Christmas.
But today, well, it's a game of ball for Finn and "public relations" for his dad.
"Finn and I have just been into one of the show rings, and he's been given a huge round of applause," PC Wardell said.
Owner shell-shocked as stolen tortoise Toby tracked down
Alex Pope
BBC Local Live
Earlier we mentioned the tale of the theft of tortoise Toby .
A "big thank you" has now been given to Ginny, who helped reunite Toby with his owner Mr Berry (middle).
Ginny (right) offered to foster Toby after he was taken to the vets by two concerned locals, who spotted him being sold for £20 at a Luton pub.
After being told by a friend about the social media campaign to track Toby, Ginny contacted the police.
PC Ryan (left), from Bedfordshire Police, said: "We're pleased to report that he's now coming back out of his shell."
He said those responsible for the break-in where Toby was snatched haven't been caught yet, but added: "We're keen to trace the two Good Samaritans who took Toby to the vets, as they may be able help with further information about the person who sold him."
Two reasons to smile for Stevenage
Luke Ashmead
BBC Three Counties Radio sport
Not content with one accolade, Stevenage have won two!
The Hertfordshire club got a clean sweep in the Sky Bet League Two end of month awards, with Darren Sarll picking up best manager and Matty Godden the best player gong.
Stevenage have won five and drawn one in their last six games, helped by Godden's six goals.
Godden said: "It has been a great month and I am in the form of my life. As a team we have been doing fantastic recently and it has been a perfect storm.
"It is nice to get individual accolades, but I couldn't do it without my team-mates."
Laura Ashley boss in £100m divorce case
Khoo Kay Peng's ex-wife has told a court their assets are worth at least £205m and that deserves half.
Read moreWetherspoons chairman criticises 'dinner party' Budget
The chairman of Watford-based JD Wetherspoons has criticised Chancellor Philip Hammond for a "dinner party" Budget that failed to tackle tax inequalities between pubs and supermarkets.
Tim Martin (pictured) said pubs paid 20% VAT on food sales while supermarkets paid "almost nothing", enabling them to subsidise alcoholic drink prices.
"In effect, this was a Budget for dinner parties - no doubt the preference of the chancellor and his predecessor," he said.
"Dinner parties will suffer far less from the taxes outlined above, whereas many people prefer to go to pubs, given the choice."
He said the firm's business rates bill will also increase by £7m this year.
On Wednesday, the chancellor provided tax relief of about £1,000 per pub if they had a rateable value of less than £100,000.
Philip Hammond said this would help 90% of pubs in England.
Terrier-mauling dog was 'out to kill'
A dog that mauled a tiny terrier to death was "out to kill", its owners have said.
Read moreWhere are the best places to live in the South East?
Fifteen locations in the South East, including Finchampstead, Marlow, Wallingford and Tadley have been named among the Best Places to Live in Britain by The Sunday Times.
The locations were assessed on a wide range of factors, from jobs, exam results and broadband speed to culture, community spirit and local shops in order to compile the definitive top locations to make your home.
The judges also used their own experience of the villages, towns and cities, such as local pubs, ease of transport and the range of attractive property to choose the top locations.