Luton’s first hospital of any note was the Bute Hospital, which opened in 1882.

Built on land in Dunstable Road, it was donated to the town by the Marquis of Bute.

It was enlarged in 1902, but as there was insufficient space for further expansion, ten acres of land in the countryside between Luton and Dunstable was bought from Electrolux and a hospital was built.

The Luton & Dunstable Hospital was opened by Queen Mary on February 14, 1939 and Ward One was named after her.

This slideshow of pictures from the Luton News archive shows the Queen performing the ceremony.

The hospital, which employs 3,400 staff, is holding events to celebrate its 75th anniversary this year.

A large electric sign has gone up on New Bedford Road in a bid to keep motorists off the busway.

The Luton and Dunstable Busway has caused controversy since it opened in September last year, with motorists finding themselves inadvertently on the busway, damaging their cars and stopping traffic.

Luton Borough Council has said motorists will be fined for using the busway

Hundreds of Muslims from Luton held a procession on Sunday, January 12 to celebrate the Prophet Muhammad ‘s birthday.

The annual procession organised by the Central Mosque (Jamia Masjid Ghousia), Westbourne Road, Luton, brought together members of the community of all ages with prayer, religious songs and giving food.

On this day, the community recites parts of the Qur’an, narrates the history of the Prophet’s birth and signs that accompanied it.

People are taught that the good practice is to emulate the teachings of the Prophet and the one who practises them gets rewarded, because it involves elevating the status of the Prophet and expressing joy for his honourable birth.

The procession made its way through the streets and then back to the Central Mosque where prayers and supplications were offered by scholars.

Nearly 100 people were arrested for drink or drug driving offences by Bedfordshire Police in their Christmas campaign.

The figures, released on Wednesday, show 98 arrests were made between December 1 last year and January 1, 2014.

Overall between Beds, Cambs and Herts, the three forces saw a slight increase in the number of people stopped and arrested compared with the same month the previous year.

Of the breath tests administered, 246 took place following collisions and 604 did not involve collisions.

Chief Inspector Richard Hann from the Beds, Cambs and Herts Roads Policing Unit said: “Whether the figures go up or down year on year it is always a concern that there are still people putting themselves and others at risk by drinking and taking drugs before driving and we will continue to target into the new year and beyond.”

The penalty for driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs includes a minimum 12-month disqualification, as well as a fine and/or imprisonment.

Causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs now carries a maximum penalty of 14 years’ imprisonment and a disqualification of at least two years.

The legal alcohol limit for driving is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood but there is no failsafe guide to the amount a driver can safely consume.

The amount and type of alcoholic drink, the weight, sex and metabolism of the driver all play a part.

If you are unsure, don’t drive.

Chief Insp Hann said: “There’s no excuse for drinking and driving. If you do go out for a drink, never try to calculate whether you’re under the legal limit. Arrange a safe way to get home, such as a lift from a trusted friend who hasn’t been drinking, or use a registered taxi.”

Call 101 if you know a drink driver and tell police when and where they drink. If you know someone has been drinking and is about to drive, always call 999.

Bedfordshire Police is set to receive a share of government funding thanks to an “innovative” tri-force bid.

The Home Office revealed today it has awarded Beds, Cambs and Herts Police £2m for 13/14 and £6m for 14/15 from the Government’s Innovation Fund.

The three forces will use the money to bring together their operational and organisational support services, which they estimate will save them up to £23 million over four years.

Beds Police and Crime Commissioner Olly Martins said: “This is a clear demonstration of Home Office approval of the three forces’ innovative approach to joint working. It will provide us with a better opportunity to make the savings we need to make, without reducing frontline capability. It is a silver-lining at a time of ongoing financial challenge.”

Recent funding proposals from the Government mean that Bedfordshire Police has a £9m gap in its budget over the next two years, with a requirement for further savings expected beyond that period.

Mr Martins said: “This funding will not overcome that gap but it will help us to modernise and transform the way the force works, reducing bureaucracy and making better use of our limited resources through technological innovation, which will deliver financial savings for years to come. This really is a case of invest to save.

“Across the three forces, the award heralds a huge leap forward for public sector working. It will help us make the best use of our services in fighting crime by sharing Operational and Organisational Support.

“The plans show a fundamental shift in the delivery of policing across the three forces, bringing extensive opportunities for cross-border operational activity and resilience.”

The money will be used to give officers the tools they need to work on the spot wherever they are, rather than having to go back to the police station to fill in a form.

Mr Martins said this should also help make officers more visible to the public, which he said is “something people tell me they think is important”.

Chief Constable of Bedfordshire Police Colette Paul said the funding will help the force transform the way it deliver its services to the public, making them more efficient and effective as they seek to protect frontline services.

She said: “I would like to thank the cross-party support we have received from our local MPs, who helped us to achieve such success in bringing this money to our three forces.”

Bedfordshire aims to be ‘an agile force’ that provides solutions from any location, reducing costs while protecting frontline delivery.

Officers will be spending more time doing what the public want. Freed from bureaucracy, they will be able to make timely decisions by using new tools and access to information, capturing data through multiple channels.

While local policing will continue to be tackled according to local priorities in line with each Commissioner’s Police and Crime Plan, all three forces are bound by the Strategic Policing Requirement for joint and partnership working where there are national threats.

Barnfield South Academy has been praised by Ofsted for its use of alternative providers for students.

The inspectors visited the Rotheram Avenue Academy in December to look specifically at the Academy’s partnerships with outside education bodies Ridgemond Training, Burnell Training for Life and the On Track Education Centre Silsoe.

Alternative providers can be used for a range of reasons to try and prevent students from being excluded or to re-engage students in their education.

A small number of Barnfield South students attend these centres on a weekly basis as a supplement to their studies in the Academy, which is currently rated as ‘requires improvement’ by Ofsted.

In a letter to Principal Cathy Barr the inspection team said: “The academy’s staff are highly committed to the small proportion of students who access alternative provision, and the programmes are tailored to meet their individual needs and interests well.”

They also stated that most students who access these alternative provisions in Year 9 and 10 successfully reintegrate full time at the Academy for their Year 11 studies.

The letter reads: “Students are very positive about how their time with alternative providers helps them to

resume their studies successfully and confidently back at the academy.”

The inspectors said the reasons for placing students with alternative providers focus clearly on developing good learning behaviours quickly, alongside maintaining students’ academic development.

The Academy will now request more thorough progress reports from the alternative providers on each student and formally check on the quality of teaching and students’ learning at each centre in order to further improve the service for all.

Mrs Barr said: “Our students are of paramount importance to us and their wellbeing and success is our main priority. Sometimes it is necessary for us to use alternative providers in order to offer a more suitable education programme for a small number of students.

“I am delighted that Ofsted agree that this system is aiding these students to reach their full potential and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure each student has a positive and successful educational experience.”

London Luton Airport is looking for talented local artists from Bedfordshire to exhibit in the Airport’s Gateway Gallery in 2014 and 2015.

In the past two years the airport awarded residency to five local artists in its Gateway Gallery following a successful talent search.

The Gallery offers a significant opportunity for artists to showcase their work to a large and varied audience, with an average of 25,000 passengers travelling through the Airport every day.

Past competition winner Lauren Clemmet said: “The opportunity to have an exhibition of my artwork at the Gateway Gallery was invaluable. It gave me great exposure locally through press coverage and also worldwide through people travelling through the Airport. I sold a significant number of paintings at, or because of, the exhibition and received emails and messages from people as far away as America who have appreciated my work which they saw at the Gateway Gallery.”

Submissions may be of existing work or pieces created especially for the Gallery and can take any 2D format. Application forms to enter the competition can be found at www.londonlutoninthecommunity.com together with further details for entry, all applications must be received by 12pm on 17th February 2014.

With a stormy opening to 2014 and the UK facing its wettest winter for decades, we’ve seen the serious effect it’s had in low lying areas.

In this area homes haven’t been so at risk, but some gardeners are having to deal with the problem of saturated gardens. On lawns, puddles are obvious indicators. On patios and paths, brush away standing water and keep drains clear to keep water away from the garden, and check pots and containers – they can dry out easily in summer but can just as easily hold onto too much water in winter.

Remember that broken up polystyrene bedding containers or more traditional crocks can be used in the bottom of containers to help with drainage. Don’t walk on the soil and certainly don’t dig it while it is very wet.

It is important to prevent plants sitting in waterlogged ground as the plants can effectively “drown” and die, starved of necessary air. Trim off the damaged or dead shoots. It will remain weak so look after it carefully.

The soil is key to preventing waterlogging. If it has a good system of air pockets, created by a combination of mulching, digging in organic matter, and not compacting the soil, then rain will run through it and down and away.

The soil will be softer in you have structures to put in place, but don’t step on the soil itself. To deal with the lawn, use a fork and simply push the tongs into the ground to create drainage holes across any areas of waterlogging. Finally, if you are considering adding hard landscaping to your garden – especially a drive, or if you want a low maintenance back garden, consider a paving option which has integral drainage? The more modern, eco-friendly options do, and it’s helping to combat flooding.

A father is fuming that he received a parking fine for overstaying the time limit at McDonald’s in Leagrave when in fact he says he visited on two separate occasions.

Duncan Baxter, who lives in Leagrave, was fined £100 after his trips to McDonald’s on December 21, which he says had a two hour interval in between.

MET Parking Services run the car park and have not responded to the Herald & Post’s requests for a comment.

Mr Baxter said: “I dropped my wife and daughter at a hairdressers in Sundon Park. On the way back I stopped at McDonald’s and bought a burger which I took home to eat.

“My son came home from work, saw the evidence and wanted a burger too so I said I’d buy him one when I went back to collect my wife and daughter, and that is what I did. I have basically been charged £100 for being a regular customer.”

The manager of McDonalds told Mr Baxter his complaint would have to be taken up with MET Parking.

Mr Baxter was sent a photo of his car entering the car park at 1.30pm and another of it leaving at 3.30pm.

He said: “What they have left out is me leaving and returning between these times. I am still waiting for a response to my complaint to MET parking and McDonald’s.

“I feel that people should be aware of the risk of venturing into this car park twice in one day. I actually live just under one minute’s drive from McDonald’s which is another reason why I would not spend more than a few minutes in the car park.”

Bedfordshire & Hertfordshire Regiment Museum Trust has a permanent display of its collections as part of Luton’s Wardown Park Museum attractions .

Visitors can relive their history while posing new questions about their ancestral connections.

A Wednesday morning team of volunteers/trustees are on hand (10am until 12noon) to assist enquiries and research into lost family stories.

John Maddox, chairman of the Trust, wants to discover missing elements of Commonwealth support to Allied Forces engaged in the Burma campaign 1942-1945.

With such a diverse community in Luton and district there must be families wondering just where ‘Grandad’ was deployed, who he was alongside and just how this campaign developed and ended.

The Trust is planning a small exhibition during the Second World War commemoration period leading up to D Day, June 2014 and would welcome anyone with memorabilia of the time to call into the museum on any Wednesday morning.

As an example, the Trust recently received a visit from an Asian lady seeking knowledge of the use of Indian village horses as part of the 14th Army’s final drive against the Japanese invasion.

There must be similar stories to unfold.

So if you are related in any way to Naik Gian Singh VC 1915-1996, Jamamandar Abdul Hafiz VC 1915-1944, Kamal Ram (VC) 1924- 1982 or as part of the African support forces, such as Sergeant Major Kharmis Juma, twice wounded and the recipient of nine medals including the MBE, East & Central Africa, then please make contact.

Many countries were involved in the Second World War and often the contribution of less distinguished service is equally enthralling in its overall story to peace in our time.

The caretaker of Cardinal Newman High School had to be talked down from the school roof by police during a three hour stand-off on Monday morning.

Mitch Eastwick, 55, who is the premises manager at the Catholic school, said he was having problems in the workplace and wanted to highlight his despair.

Police were called to the school in Warden Hill Road, Luton, at 7.39am to negotiate with him and by about 10.30am he was safely back on the ground and taken to hospital for a check-up.

His wife Rebecca Eastwick told Luton Today: “Mitch is a very strong man. I am 100 per cent behind him and have seen the ongoing effect this has had on him.”

Mitch’s family have started an online petition called ‘Mitch against bullying’ which at the time of going to press had 546 signatures.

Students and parents have flooded social media with support for Mitch.

Rebecca said: “I think it is quite telling when you read the comments on the petition that by and large Mitch was loved and respected...lots of mentions of going the extra mile and helping people out.”

One student said Mitch is “the nicest guy ever, always friendly and fun and happy” and another described him as a “lovely man who was nice to everyone” and “always put a smile on your face”.

Mitch is still employed by the school and manages the site team and cleaning team.

Headteacher Jane Crow said no one was hurt and no students were involved in the incident.

Mitch’s daughter said the online petition is “to highlight the devastating consequences of bullying in the workplace”.

She said: “I do not wish for anyone to think badly of CNS. I know via my dad that there are some fantastic teachers and staff there. I also know I have been supporting my father for the last three years and spent three hours negotiating him off the roof today.

“He’s the strongest man I know. This is not a witch hunt but a petition against bullying in the work place – any work place.”

She also said Mitch had no mental health issues or history of depression.

A school spokesperson said: “It is not our policy to comment on individual members of staff.

“However if any allegations are made against pupils or staff it would be investigated.”

Schools in Luton have been targeted by burglars in “a worrying spate” of break-ins.

Computers, sports and gardening equipment were among the items taken but on some occasions the offenders didn’t manage to get in and take anything.

Around 10 Apple Mac laptops were taken from Lea Manor High School in Northwell Drive on January 4 and two footballs and sports equipment were taken from a shed in St Margaret’s Junior School in Rotheram Avenue over the Christmas holidays.

A lawn mower, hedge trimmer and other grounds maintenance equipment was taken from Putteridge High School in October. A Beds Police spokesperson said: “Most of these offences have happened as the nights get darker or the schools are on holiday.”

Schools which were damaged or broken into but had no property taken were Lea Manor High School (on a separate occasion) and Stopsley High School in December and Cardinal Newman High School, Tennyson Road Primary School and St Martin de Porres School in October.

A member of staff at a school who did not wish to be named said: “In some cases the would-be burglars were disturbed by alarms before they could get in and take anything, but it is still a worrying spate all the same.”

“My name is Jordan Belfort. I’m a former member of the middle class raised by two accountants in a tiny apartment in New York. The year I turned 26, as the head of my own brokerage firm I made $49 million. This really hacked me off because it was three shy of a million a week...”

2014 explodes onto the big screen with a dirty, frantic and crazed epic from Martin Scorsese, which brings laugh-out-loud black comedy of the darkest kind along with an overdose of seriously dubious morals.

This isn’t as nasty as Goodfellas or Casino but it does form the final part of a loose trilogy linked by a common theme.

The Wolf of Wall Street is highly entertaining and exquisitely made, boasting a AAA cast led by Leonardo Di Caprio on dazzling form as Belfort, a wannabe stockbroker who somehow managed to rake in millions through defrauding investors. The fact that much of this debauched tale is true is terrifying, but given the cases of corruption that dealings on Wall Street have thrown up over the years it is also all too believable.

Belfort is the ‘wolf’ of the title, a name bestowed on him by an admiring media, who starts a brokerage firm with the sole aim of ripping off as many people as possible.

As the company grows, so does the crazy lifestyle of its employees – which includes massive drug use, lavish gluttony, over-the-top partying and sexual depravity on heavy rotation.

He is aided and abetted by his hand-picked team who include loser pal and general liability Donnie Azoff (Jonah Hill) and Nicky ‘Rugrat’ Koskoff (P.J. Byrne).

Also on hand are the women in Belfort’s life – long-suffering first wife Teresa Petrillo (Cristin Milioti), sexy second wife Naomi Lapaglia (Margot Robbie, who steams up the screen) and flirty Aunt Emma (the superb Joanna Lumley).

With the flamboyant excess of Belfort and his company being flaunted so openly, it’s no surprise when the FBI targets the apparently booming firm.

The cat and mouse game between agent Patrick Denham (Kyle Chandler) and Belfort is a lot of fun to watch.

Scorsese isn’t afraid to show the crime does not pay message at the end of the three hour running time, but it certainly does pay for a very long time.

This wolf delivers a wild, sweary ride that is worth the investment of your time, but it is not for the faint of heart or easily offended.

Police will be knocking on doors this week in a crackdown on burglaries.

Officers will be out and about in Fallow Field, Moat Lane, Culverhouse Road, Montrose Avenue, Argyll Avenue, Alexandra Avenue, Blenheim Crescent, Sheridan Road, Carlton Close and Carlton Crescent in the Biscot area of Luton to ensure the message is getting across to as many people as possible.

The initiative will begin at 4pm tomorrow and officers will be visiting as many homes as possible giving out burglary reduction advice.

During winter months burglaries often increase due to the darker nights and officers will be aiming to speak directly to residents about how they are tackling burglary and how residents can help in the fight against criminals.

Using the force’s Bluetooth kits and social media outlets messages will be circulated about the day also giving advice to Bedfordshire’s communities on how they can help keep themselves and their property safe.

Police Sergeant Pauline Leng, of the Local Policing Team, said: “The reduction of the number of burglaries committed within our town remains a priority for Bedfordshire Police. Operation Peak, the force’s initiative to target offenders, has resulted in 119 arrests so far and with the help of our communities burglars are continuing to find it difficult to offend in the county.

“Officers are continuing to target hotspot areas in and around the county to ensure criminals using our streets and roads find it difficult to continue to offend but residents can also help in the fight.

“Making homes difficult for offenders to enter is just one way residents can help in the fight against criminals. They can also join schemes such as neighbourhood watch which supports the police and helps keep offenders out of their area whilst keeping an eye out for neighbours and friends. Simple things like security marking your property, enabling electronic tracking security software on new and old devices, keeping a light on a timer and a radio playing whilst they are out are just a few ways they can help.

“This is also an excellent opportunity for members of the Local Policing Team to engage with local people and gives us the opportunity to reassure communities that we take their issues seriously and we are working to tackle them in the most effective ways. It also gives residents a chance to pass on information about offenders in their area so we can work together to crackdown on criminals,” she added.

No month is harder to stay focused than January and according to professionals today, January 20, is known as blue Monday.

The cold weather and dark nights is not ideal to shake off Christmas excess and for teens the lure of the Xbox after a long day in the classroom seems like the perfect way to let off steam.

Double Olympic champion Kelly Holmes has taken on the challenge of keeping youngsters motivated to stay on track with education during January by helping teens put down the games console and get active.

Around 40 young people aged between 16 and 19 years have joined Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust’s five week program based at Luton Sixth Form College.

Participating students not only have access to a training program and fitness instructor but also advice from top athletes who say the discipline required for top level sport is transferable to achieving life goals at any level.

Lead sports mentor for the program is former international and England basketball player Dru Spinks.

He said “One of the things we’ve noticed already in week two of the programme is that the they are really working together. They feel energised and are making new friends so expanding their social network.”

Sixteen-year-old Brenda Ndwiga is one of the teens in the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust program beating those January blues.

Whilst doing bicycle crunches she said: “Today I had a really long day and after just doing ten minutes of this I am energised like I have just started the morning. Sport really does help.”

Find out more on the Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust www.dkhlegacytrust.org.

A pupil at Hillborough Junior School has died after being taken ill at school.

Ahmed Mohamed, 9, started suffering breathing difficulties whilst at the Hillborough Road school on January 8.

Ambulance crews and an air ambulance were called to the scene at 1.13pm.

Ahmed was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital by land ambulance but sadly was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital.

A statement on the school’s website said: “Ahmed was an incredibly warm hearted, engaging and generous child whose presence brightened up many a grey morning. He had an innate sense of empathy and a winning smile which endeared him to all who knew and loved him.”

The statement said Ahmed loved his school and was at his happiest representing the school at football.

It said: “The joy on his face on scoring his first goal will always be remembered.

“The loss we feel for this beautiful, enigmatic individual is profound. We extend our sincere and heart felt condolences to his mother and his family. May he rest in peace.”

A Luton Borough Council spokesperson said first aiders attended Ahmed immediately and medical staff were quickly on the scene and did everything possible.

They said: “Members of the school, pupils and governors are devastated and their thoughts are with the child’s family.”

An East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust spokesman said an ambulance, a rapid response vehicle, an ambulance officer, and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) were sent to the scene.

He said: “The child was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital by land ambulance, accompanied by the air ambulance doctor.

“Sadly, the child was declared deceased upon arrival at the hospital.”

The year 5 pupil is the second Hillborough Junior School pupil to have passed away in less than a month.

Gianni Khan, 10, a year 6 pupil, died following an accident on December 28 during the Christmas holidays.

Luton Borough Council is on the shortlist for the ‘most improved council’ category at prestigious local government awards.

The 2014 Local Government Chronicle Awards recognise service improvement, excellence and innovation.

LBC is again a finalist in the awards which will be held at the Grosvenor House Hotel in Park Lane, London, on March 12.

Chief executive Trevor Holden said: ““Being back in the running for 2014 is really encouraging. It demonstrates that after another challenging year for local government Luton Borough Council continues to be seen as a forward-looking authority.

“It is the hard work of our staff and their commitment to improve services to the people of Luton that has brought us this recognition once again among our industry colleagues.”

A council spokesman said Luton’s submission highlights the council’s efforts to secure the best possible future for people amid the ongoing national spending reductions by publishing a ‘Prospectus for Luton’ outlining its commitment to improving learning, supporting the vulnerable and nurturing business.

Continued improvement in the collection of council tax to 96.2 per cent and efforts to minimise the impact of changes to the welfare system through initiatives such as helping people move to more appropriate sized housing are also highlighted.

Major infrastructure projects to “regenerate the borough” including the Luton Dunstable Busway and works improving M1 Junction 10a and the inner ring road are mentioned in the report.

Luton’s bid also showcases the innovative scheme to share its chief executive with two non-neighbouring district authorities and its New Homes for Luton programme which aims to build 450 social housing units.

The authority has also built its first new council homes in 20 years.

Mr Holden added: “Luton has demonstrated a sustained and prolonged improvement rather than a set of quick fixes to short-term or urgent problems. We are hopeful of going one better in the awards this year.”

Ihave been giving some thought to preening pundit Russell Brand’s continuing campaign to persuade people to boycott the ballot box. I’m sure you’ve been thinking about little else, too.

I have no idea why Mr Brand appears to be considered one of the great political theorists of our times, his every overblown utterance, pumped up for no good reason by cramming sessions with a dictionary, pored over by other commentators and those in the corridors of power for an insight into what young people might be thinking.

Just because he is able to string a sentence together doesn’t mean that he is talking any sense, and given his various well-documented life choices, not to mention some really awful films, I’d hesitate for quite some time before adopting him as my go-to guru.

Here’s the Brand manifesto as I understand it: He’s never voted, he doesn’t think anyone else should bother either, and there’s revolution in the air, you mark my wild-eyed words.What a pillock.

Life’s too short to slap him down with references to the people who died in the struggle to provide him with the vote, or the millions elsewhere in the world currently engaged in similar struggles.

Democracy has been described as the least worst form of government, which is pretty much on the money if you ask me. It has lots of drawbacks, but when you look at the alternatives – which I suppose must include the slim chance of Russell Brand being installed as dictator by the deluded band convinced by his rhetoric – it’s worth persevering with.

One of the drawbacks, of course, is that it’s not really geared up to cope with apathy or disillusion.

But the only way that the system will change is if people demand it, and one way in which they can demand it is through the ballot box.

Mr Brand rightly says that many people don’t vote because they think the political candidates on offer are all as bad as each other, and it doesn’t matter where they put their cross.

But who says you have to vote for anyone?

Imagine the fuss that would ensue if all the millions of people who apparently hang on his every word turned up at the polling station, perhaps dressed in tribute to his peculiar dissolute dandy style, and deliberately spoiled their paper? If they all scrawled a consistent message on the voting sheet, even if it was just something as ridiculous as Russell Brand For President, it would demonstrate the demand for change.

It’s action, not inaction, that speaks louder than words and anyone who wants to make changes needs to put themselves about a bit, rather than hanging on the flapping coat-tails of a posturing popinjay who can rightly be dismissed as all mouth and very tight trousers.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with a “horrific attack” on a 14-year-old girl on Sunday.

The girl was found with serious head injuries in Lewsey Park by a member of the public at 8.35pm.

Police and the Ambulance Service attended the scene and the young woman was taken to the Luton and Dunstable Hospital before being transferred to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge where she remains in a serious condition.

Det Insp John Arthur said: “This was a horrific attack which has left a teenage girl with extremely serious head injuries and we are continuing to piece together exactly what happened last night.

“Lewsey Park is a busy area and it is highly likely that people would have been there between 7.30pm and 8.35pm and those people may hold some very important information about what has happened.

“I’d like to speak with anyone who was in the area and may have seen or heard something out of the ordinary. It may have seemed insignificant at the time, but even the smallest pieces of information could help us with our enquiries.”

A full search of the area has been carried out and Scenes of Crime Officers have also been at the location overnight. Detectives remain in the area and will be carrying out further searches as well as reviewing local CCTV footage.

The male, 15, who has been arrested in relation to this incident has been released on police bail to an address outside the county pending further investigation.

Anyone with information relating to this incident can contact Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively they can contact the independent crime fighting charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The fire service used small gear cutting equipment to move a door in Bradley Road, Luton, so a bariatric (obese) patient could be taken to an ambulance in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

A spokesman said the service had been called to offer ‘people power’ and special assistance in order to get the patient out of the house.