The University of Bedfordshire has been prevented from sponsoring new foreign students as investigations into the abuse of visas deepens.

Speaking in Parliament on Tuesday, Immigration Minister James Brokenshire confirmed that the Home Office has investigated the European subsidiary of Educational Testing Services– a firm which holds language tests for student visas.

Earlier this year BBC’s Panorama revealed systematic cheating at ETS’ UK test centres– with invigilators seen to be supplying, even reading out, answers to whole exam rooms and gangs of impostors being allowed to step into the exam candidates places to sit the test.

During wider investigations into colleges and universities cause for “serious concern” was found and the Home Office suspended the the highly-trusted sponsor status– the right to sponsor foreign students– of Glyndwr University in Wales.

The University of Bedfordshire and University of West London have been told that they are no longer allowed to sponsor new students, pending further investigations which will decide whether they too should be suspended.

A UoB spokesperson said: “We have audited all current students who have progressed to us from ETS for attendance, location of residence, academic progression, and English language capability, as well as undertaking other tests for reassurance as to the credibility of these students.

“This audit enabled us to reassure UKVI last Friday that our on-going monitoring and targeted review did not provide evidence of any organised attack on the University’s Tier 4 compliance and recruitment.

“I am confident we will, through that process, demonstrate the robustness of our procedures.”

Luton South MP Gavin Shuker issue his support for the university.

He told Luton News: “Having spoken to the Vice Chancellor about this only a few days ago, I know that the university have been working closely with the Home Office to resolve this over recent weeks.

“While other universities have been suspended from sponsoring new international students, our university has only been requested to pause the issuing of acceptance letters while a routine external audit is carried out.

“I have every confidence that the University of Bedfordshire will be fully cleared in coming weeks.”

Here’s a weird and wonderful crime story set in a hotel that you’ll want to revisit again and again.

A starry cast in THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL (15: 20th Century Fox) is headed by Ralph Fiennes, who’s surprisingly funny as M Gustave, the dashing concierge at a five star establishment in Eastern Europe.

The place is being overrun by fascists in the 1930s when a wealthy old matriarch (Tilda Swinton) is murdered.

Gustave is the prime suspect, but he’s so charming that a question mark remains, even after he bounds away from Edward Norton’s policeman in a typically droll scene.

Meanwhile, Adrien Brody and Willem Dafoe bring an air of foreboding as they contest Swinton’s will, which rewards Gustave for “special services”.

Tony Revolori plays Gustave’s loyal protege, Zero, although the newcomer is somewhat overshadowed by the likes of old hands Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum and Owen Wilson.

Writer/director Wes Anderson shows things from Zero’s point of view – as an old man telling a journalist the story of his youth as a lobby boy at the hotel – and his film successfully combines wild comedy and fairy tale magic.

> Well-acted and thoughtful drama THE BOOK THIEF (12: 20th Century Fox) opens on the eve of the Second World War in Germany.

A girl separated from her family is taken in by foster parents who help her discover the joy of reading at the same time as the rest of the locals are burning books in the town square.

She is horrified and tries to save volumes from the flames.

First World War veteran Hans (Geoffrey Rush) and his grumbling yet good-hearted spouse (Emily Watson) do their best for the new arrival, Liesel (Sophie Nelisse), although their decision to hide a Jew in the basement puts them all at risk.

While so many stories from this era have rightly explored anti-Semitism, this adaptation of an acclaimed novel instead puts the emphasis on the plight of ordinary Germans who didn’t buy into Nazi propaganda.

Director Brian Percival, best known for TV series Downton Abbey, might have milked greater tension from the scenario and it could have been more dramatically powerful, but the film still encapsulates this troubled historical period in a way which will intrigue and inform younger viewers.

> Set in modern Beijing, MAN OF TAI CHI (15: Universal) marks Keanu Reeves’ directorial debut.

He also stars in the story of the spiritual journey of a young martial artist whose unparalleled skills land him in a highly lucrative underworld fight club. As the fights intensify, so does his will to survive.

>Two women are drugged and abducted and find themselves in a concrete bunker in horror flick RAZE (18: Koch Media).

They soon discover it’s a modern-day coliseum where they and 48 other females have been selected to fight to the death in order to save both themselves and their loved ones.

> The gang are up to their usual mischief in family comedy THE LITTLE RASCALS SAVE THE DAY (PG: Universal) as they try to raise the money needed to save their grandma’s bakery.

But from botched pet washes to a terrible taxi service, they fail to raise a penny and their only hope is to win prize money from the local talent show.

The public’s views on Central Bedfordshire Council’s Highways and Transport services will again be compared with others across England, as part of the National Highways and Transport Public Satisfaction survey.

The council is one of 78 local authorities to sign up to a standardised survey that will ask members of the public exactly the same questions, whether they live in Central Bedfordshire, Cornwall or Cheshire.

The survey, which is being run for the seventh year, enables local councils to compare results, share in best practice and identify opportunities to work together in the future.

The questionnaire will be sent to a minimum random sample of 3,300 Central Bedfordshire residents this month, followed by a reminder, with local and national results to be published in early October. Since the survey is based on a sample, residents that receive a copy are being urged to take part.

Residents that receive the questionnaire can complete the survey on line if they prefer, a short URL link will be printed on the front of the questionnaire and they will be required to enter a code before completing the questionnaire.

The results will enable us to find out what people in this area think about these important services. This will provide one of several ways the council can assess how it is performing and which services to prioritise, and to improve.

Cllr Budge Wells, Deputy Executive Member for Sustainable Communities, Services, said: “Our roads are among the best in the country according to latest government figures which show that the proportion of roads needing repair in our area are among the lowest nationally.“But we don’t want to stop gathering evidence that could help us improve further. There are clear benefits to conducting a public survey in this way. As well as providing excellent value for money, it also enables everyone involved to identify areas of best practice and spot national, regional and local trends. It is about understanding customer views better and working together to deliver the most satisfactory yet efficient outcomes for local residents.”

All consultation responses and supporting evidence regarding Central Bedfordshire Council’s Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan have been submitted to the Secretary of State this week.

The most recent consultation ran from 17 February to 31 March and received more than 1,556 responses (plus a petition against the site in Barton le Clay with approximately 2,800 signatures). All of these, along with responses received in previous formal consultations, will now be considered by an independent Planning Inspector appointed by the Secretary of State to determine whether the Plan is ‘sound’ and legally compliant.

It is expected that the Inspector will hold a Public Examination this coming autumn. Individuals who made objections and sought changes to the document during the formal consultation and requested to attend the hearings will be invited to attend the hearing sessions to present their argument to the Planning Inspector verbally.

For those who do not wish to attend the hearing sessions, the Planning Inspector will still consider their written comments and all comments, whether made in writing or verbally at the hearings, will carry the same weight.

Cllr Nigel Young, Executive Member for Strategic Planning, said: “The sheer volume of responses proves what we already knew – that this is a challenging topic and causes a lot of debate for both the settled and traveller communities.

“Debate or not though, we have a legal duty to provide appropriate accommodation and this is what the Plan sets out to do. The feedback from the local community has been really valuable and has influenced the process so now we’ve given everything to the Secretary of State and will await a decision later in the year.”

After the examination hearings, the Planning Inspector will issue a report setting out their conclusions, identifying whether the Plan is ‘sound’ or needs any changes. If the Plan is considered to be ‘sound’, the Council will be asked to adopt the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan.

Jason Longhurst, Director of Regeneration and Businesses, added: “This Local Plan has been drawn up over many months and is the product of extensive consultation with a number of groups. This included comprehensive local need assessments and detailed studies but it will now be subject to further concentrated scrutiny by a Planning Inspector.”

“We need to show that the Plan meets the test of ‘soundness’ – that it complies with the law and meets the need within our area in a sustainable way.”

For more information about the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan or to view the Submission documents please visit: www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/gypsytravellerplan Alternatively, copies of the Submission documents can be viewed at the Council Offices in Chicksands and Dunstable during opening hours.

Those consultees wanting to stay in touch can sign up to the council’s email bulletins at www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/updates If you have any queries about the Gypsy and Traveller Local Plan please contact the LDF team by email at LDF@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or by calling 0300 300 4353.

A father of three is going to Trek to Burma to raise money for Keech Hospice Care in November.

Cliff Lath, 59, of Coltsfoot Green, is hoping to raise £3000 for the charity.

He said: “The Burma Trek is something I have always wanted to do so when the opportunity came up, I had to take it and it is for a great charity.

“The staff at Keech do a fantastic job and I have personal experience of how much they help, having lost my sister, mother and father within the last four years.

“They don’t get enough recognition and I think more people should get involved with fundraising.”

The Barton Supplies Limited owner has been practicing his walking on a machine and has just started to walk to work to get extra practice.

Mr Lath said: “It’s going to be tough, a lot of hiking every day, about 40KM, we will be trekking through villages and the wilderness for seven days.

“I am really looking forward to it, it will be a challenge but a worth while one.”

Mr Lath will also be holding a Country and Western night at Barton Rovers Football Club on Saturday, August 30, to raise money for the charity, tickets cost £10.

To donate visit http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/CliffLath

Motorists are warned not to leave valuables in their vehicles after Bedfordshire Police recorded over 100 incidents of theft from vehicles in Luton over the last month.

As the temperature has increased motorists have been leaving their car windows open in the heat giving offenders the opportunity to target vehicles parked in the street or on driveways.

The thieves have taken a variety of property left on view by owners of the vehicles including cash, sat navs, car stereo systems, tools, clothing and personal documentation.

Police are keen to remind all motorists within the town, to remain extra vigilant and to ensure they remove all valuable items from their vehicles.

Police Inspector Graham Bates, who leads the town’s Street Crime Team, said: “Officers will continue to crackdown on offenders who are known to be involved in vehicle crime but motorists can also help by making sure they remove all their property from their vehicles whenever they park up – day or night and make sure you do not leave your car insecure at any time.”

Keech Hospice has now opened sign up’s to its annual ladies only Star Walk event on Saturday 6th September 2014. Harry Judd from McFly, recently visited the hospice and saw all the fantastic work it achieves and has endorsed the 10mile fundraising walk.

Harry Judd from McFly said;

“I have seen first hand the amazing work Keech does. I really hope hundreds of ladies turn out for this very special night which will make such a difference to local families.”

Martina Haugh, events Fundraiser said;

“We are really excited about this year’s Star Walk and are hoping that more women than ever sign up to take part in this great fundraising walk. This year we have a disco theme to the walk so we are encouraging women to clap their hands, march their feet and raise those pounds for Keech.”

“So why not sign up for this great event and make it your reason to get fit, walk in memory of a loved one, step out in style in your best fancy dress outfit, or simply join Keech purely for the buzz and excitement on the night. Whatever you do, your sponsorship will help Keech continue the essential care and support it provides for local adults and children.”

Entry is only £15 and that includes a Star Walk T-shirt, a well-deserved medal, a goody bag and a snack on crossing the finishing line. You can sign up online at www.keech.org.uk/starwalk

Keech are asking all of their walkers to raise a minimum sponsorship of £100. Every participant who raises over £150 will automatically be placed into a draw for a chance to win one of three T-Shirts signed by McFly’s Harry Judd during his visit at Keech with an authenticating photograph.

And gentlemen should not feel left out as Keech needs lots of volunteers to help them at the event, marshalling the route to cheer the participants on. If you would like to volunteer at the event please contact Claire McInally Fundraising Volunteer co-ordinator at cmcinally@keech.org.uk

For more info please call the events team on 01582 707940, email events@keech.org.uk

“I get to touch people’s lives with what I do and I love it and I want to share this with you.”

So what’s on the menu today?

Starter:

Decent anticipation for a new, lower budget and more personal movie from the hotshot director Jon ‘Iron Man’ Favreau. Tasty trailer that whets appetite but looks like it might be a little over-sentimental.

The thought of seeing jaw-dropping food prepared in high definition on the big screen is enough to make anyone hungry.

Main Course:

Chef sees acclaimed recipe wrangler Carl Casper (Jon ‘Swingers’ Favreau) unfulfilled in his role cooking for meanie restaurant boss Riva (Dustin Hoffman). He’s also struggling to be any sort of father to young son Percy (Emjay Anthony) after being divorced by the gorgeous Inez (Sofía ‘Machete Kills’ Vergara). Speaking of gorgeous there is also Scarlett Johansson on hand as a foxy wine watress.

When Casper falls fouls of top food critic Ramsey Michel (Oliver Platt) his meltdown shouting match goes viral on social media – and wrecks his job prospects.

Fate sees the chef flown off to Miami with his wife and son – and handed the chance to rebuild his cooking career by Inez’s other ex-husband (Robert ‘The Avengers’ Downey Jr.) in the shape of a rundown food truck.

Casper’s new mobile food service – making superb Cuban sandwiches and yucca fries aided by his former soux-chef (John Leguizamo) and his son is an instant hit.

Dessert:

It’s great fun watching Casper get his life back on track – the themes of being inspired by what you love doing and the importance of the father/son bonding shine through in heartfelt style. Favreau eats up the screen and seems to be really enjoying being both behind and in front of the camera.

The script might be a little heavy on swearing but is genuinely funny and the cinematography encompasses some of the tastiest looking food ever to grace the screen.

There are additional messages of reconciliation and redemption might be more than some hardhearted types can take but I was moved, inspired and motivated to be a better father to my boys as a direct result of seeing this.

Overall Chef is a excellent, feel good comedy that works on many levels, just be sure not to go on an empty stomach as you could well be drooling long before the credits roll.

Three youngsters from Luton Phoenix Starr Academy of Dance will represent England at the European and World Street Dance championships in September.

Amarise Cole, 10, and Alicia Glasford, 10, will be competing in the under 12 category for duet street dancing and Aaron Drummond, 15, will be in the under 16 category for electric boogaloo, they finished in the top five and will be representing England, they are all part of Rhythm Junkeys, a dance company crew.

Jazmine-Jade Buckley, of Wigmore, is the owner of the dance school based at ActAround, Bute street, she opened the school earlier this year.

The 23-year-old said: “It is going really well and I am really proud of all my dancers, three of them are going on to represent England at the nationals, it is pleasing to see how well they are all doing.

“These children will be representing Luton, as well as England, the town should be very proud.

“They fly to Germany at the end of September and we are trying to get everyone involved with raising money for them to go, they deserve it, they have worked so hard.”

The school is open to all ages and is open Wednesdays 6.30pm till 9.30pm and Fridays 4.30pm till 8.30pm.

Classes are £5 per lesson and specialise in street dance, tap, jazz and break dance.

For more information visit www.phoenix-starr.com

Signposts Start Over Shelter celebrated its grand opening on Thursday, June 26, and was supported by many other agencies in the town.

The Community Volunteer team have been working hard with Maggi Baldwin, the Start Over Shelter manager and other staff to revamp the building on Dallow road.

The Start Over Shelter opened its doors to the public on Monday, May 12, and has had 64 referrals and 34 clients admitted.

Members of the public were invited on a tour around the building and talk about the work Signposts do.

Maggi Baldwin said: “The main thing for our clients is that they can access 24 hour support, a warm bed, food and have a shower all under one roof. For some people it has been a very long time since they were able to have access to these things.

“The referral process has recently been reviewed and the protocol has recently been sent out.

“We ask that other agencies contact us to find out if there is a bed available and if there is a referral can be sent through. There is no waiting list at SOS, the bed is offered on a first come, first served basis giving potential clients the chance to just turn up if they need a bed.”

There are 12 beds available, showering facilities and communal areas, staff support clients to find long term suitable accommodation.

CEO Kevin Porter said: “Signposts has been working hard to scrap the stereotype around homelessness by raising awareness in Luton and Dunstable for many years and I am confident that we are going to continue to drive this ethos in the Start Over Shelter!

“Remember, homelessness is not a choice and we provide help, hope and a temporary home at SOS.”

For more information call 01582 432083.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a man was robbed on Wednesday, June 25, on Chapel Street.

The 24-year-old victim had visited the nearby casino and was walking along Flowers way at 5.35pm. He was pushed to the ground, at the back of the NHS Direct walk-in centre, by a white and black man, they searched his pockets and left the scene with cash. Call 101 with information.

Two Luton entrepreneurs carried off top trophies at the FSB Bedfordshire Business Awards on Thursday night.

Mostaque Koyes, of print company Bartham Group, off Sundon Park Road, and Irena Oliver, of home-based franchise FM Cosmetics, were lauded by judges and the audience at The Conservatory at Luton Hoo.

Mr Koyes won the Employee of the Year award, sponsored by Luton company Basepoint.

He is the creator of the annual Community Awards which have raised many thousands of pounds for charity and was also in the team collecting the Community Business award, sponsored by Center Parcs, on behalf of the Bartham Group.

Mr Koyes said: “The awards night was fantastic and with so many great businesses in Bedfordshire it was amazing to win. It was not expected as our application was made at the last minute after one of our friends recommended that we enter!

“Doing business these days is not just about providing great customer service as that is expected.

“I always look to the long term and work with people to build relationships of trust. I have found that by doing that, business automatically comes back, even if it takes a while.

“The whole Bartham Group team thoroughly enjoyed the awards and I am looking forward to seeing many of the winners at the Community Awards later this year.”

The judges said “giving something back is very close to this business” and praised Mr Koyes for his “selfless involvement in the wider community.”

Irena Oliver, of FM Cosmetics, won the Business Person of the Year category.

One of the judges said “wow, what an inspiration!” She also took runner-up spot in the Real Life Entrepreneur category.

Creative advertising agency Stare Into The Sun, Ltd, of Basepoint Business & Innovation Centre, Butterfield, Great Marlings, was runner up in the Best New Business category, sponsored by Wenta.

Marc Scott, of Liberty Bishop Contractor Services, also from Basepoint Business & Innovation Centre, was runner up in the Young Business Person category.

The overall winner was Georgia O’Keefe, of Look C, in Biggleswade.

Parts of the Luton and Dunstable busway will be closed overnight on Tuesday, July 1, and Wednesday, July 2, so contractors can carry out work to make it quieter.

It will be closed between Dunstable and Skimpot road from 8pm on both nights, the busway services will be using Luton road (A505) instead.

The decision to reduce the noise comes after a meeting involving Luton council, noise consultants and potential suppliers.

It was agreed to plug the gap between the beams by using a flexible material to fill the gaps, which seems to be the cause of the noise.

Councillor Dave Taylor, said: “Some residents living close to the busway have said they are being disturbed by noise. We know this filler has been used successfully in multi-storey car parks.

“We will be monitoring noise levels before and after the filler is installed.

“The two night installation will give us one day with filler on the horizontal beam but not the vertical kerb, which could be useful in helping us to analyse precisely what is causing the problem.

“If this solution is successful and reduces the noise experienced by residents living close to the busway, we will be installing filler on other sections of the busway as appropriate.”

Road closure signs will be in place at both ends of the work.

A family fun day is being held at the Farley community centre on Saturday, July 5, from 12pm till 4pm.

The free event is to commemorate 100 years since the start of the First World War. There will be a raffle, stalls and lots more.

Apparently it’s aknowledged by the creative cabals in charge of the advertising industry that the traditional TV spot is in the toilet.

I’m not referring to the fact that large proportions of the viewing public are prone to pop off to the smallest room as the ads appear, possibly as a consequence of putting the kettle on at a convenient commercial break during an earlier programme – no, it’s just that it’s getting increasingly difficult to convince advertisers to shell out significant sums on something that will most likely be ignored by the target audience.

Not ignored as in viewed and rejected, you understand, but ignored as in never seen at all. That’s because more and more of us timeshift our telly, recording what we want on whatever fancy set-up we may have and then watching when it suits us.

To some people, that means recording every episode of a series and then devouring it in a marathon sitting. To others, it’s all about pressing the button to zip through the padding and the repetition that bulk out so many shows these days.

But to all of us, it seems, it certainly means pressing fast forward when the ads are on.

There have been some obvious responses from the braces and bow tie brigade.

Programme sponsorship is the most obvious, and possibly the least successful. Nobody ever remembers the name of the sponsor, but I most assuredly know that I never want to contemplate any sort of cruise after an overdose of clips of smiling families afloat bookending some of my favourite shows.

Product placement seems to be slowly spreading, too, as TV follows the example of cinema and cashes in on the potential of the props department.

Another reaction seems to have been to make the ad breaks even longer. It used to be accepted that you’d have to endure no more than a handful of ads in a strictly-segregated two minute slot halfway through the programme.

Now a popular show could feature an ad break that goes on for six or seven minutes – and that’s not counting a couple of plugs for another show that might be added into the mix. Never mind popping off to the loo, I could quite easily pop off and have a shower.

More irritatingly, the ad breaks don’t seem to keep regular time any more.

It’s not unknown for an ad break to arrive before a programme has really got into its stride. Are we supposed to be taken by surprise when the ads cut in after less than 10 minutes, and sit through them because we’re too stunned at their gall that we can’t reach for the remote?

No, we’re taking back that time and cutting a 30-minute show down to something like two thirds of that.

But if we’re all dodging the messages, how long will they – and the money they provide – keep on coming?

Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire are conducting a series of focus groups across Central Bedfordshire to better understand the qualities people look for in a residential or nursing care home and how they ensure those qualities are sustained once the choice is made.

Understanding the important decisions taken when choosing a care home and how people ensure quality is sustained will enable Central Bedfordshire Council to commission residential and nursing care homes for the future that are better suited to the needs of the local population.

Would you be interested in taking part in one of these focus groups?

If so, Healthcare Central Bedfordshire would like to hear from you. Please contact Healthwatch Central Bedfordshire on 0300 303 8554

Or email steve.nash@healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk

Visit our website www.healthwatch-centralbedfordshire.org.uk for further information.

The next meeting is at Toddington Village hall tomorrow at 5.45 and then at Stanbridge and Tilsworth village hall on June 9 at 10.15am.

The Community Jobs Fair will be at Hockwell Ring community centre on Thursday, July 3, from 10am till 12.30pm and 1pm till 3.30pm. The Fair will give locals the chance to meet employers and discover current vacancies.

There will also be workshops to pick up tips on job hunting, preparing a CV and interview techniques.

Sharon Wheeler, hub manager at Community Link Children’s Centre, said: “If you have been unemployed for some time and need a helping hand to find a new job or looking for a change in career or simply want to learn new skills, please come along to our jobs fair, it’s a free event and could help change your life.“

For more information call the Community Link Children’s Centre on 01582 493761.

A Luton resident plagued by yobs has called for an increased police presence in Wigmore, Round Green and Stopsley, after the areas were made the subject of a dispersal order.

Luton News exclusively revealed last week that residents said they had been left to feel ‘like prisoners in their own homes’ by a known gang of youths who had committed a wide range of anti-social offences.

With reported incidents going up by a third year on year Beds Police applied for a six month dispersal order, which Luton Borough Council agreed on Monday.

This will allow officers to remove children under the age of 16 to their homes, it also places a 9pm curfew for kids of the same age range.

A Turners Road North resident, who wished not to be named, told Luton News the worsening situation had left her wanting to move home.

She said: “This has gone back years, there has been vandalism, thefts, threats and so much more worse.

“Last week they burnt down a makeshift campsite they had made, which meant fire crews had to be sent out.

“It has been distressing for everyone who lives in the area, especially for the elderly residents closer to Ashcroft Road.

“The CCTV has only shifted the problem further down the road– there really needs to be a larger police presence to deal with this.”

Beds Police superintendent David Boyle confirmed the order would commence from the end of the month.

He said: “A full operational plan will now be developed by Bedfordshire Police and other partners to fully address the anti-social behaviour experienced by local residents.

“Everyone has a right to be able to go about their lives without the concerns that anti-social behaviour causes and this dispersal order is one tactic that the police will be utilising to support the local residents and alleviate the problems in these areas.”

Cllr Naseem Ayub, the council’s portfolio holder for community safety, added: “We hope the order will help the majority of peaceful and law-abiding people in the area can carry on with their lives without having to tolerate ongoing antisocial behaviour by the few.”

Looking for a job or keen to learn new skills? Then come to the community job fair tomorrow (July 3) at Hockwell Ring Community Centre between 10am and 3.30pm. Attend a helpful workshop and find out about current vacancies.

The family of a Polish man found in a Luton car park have told of their heartbreak after his death was confirmed.

Zbignew ‘Ziggi’ Pawelec, 50, was found unconscious in George Street West car park at 4pm on June 14 by a member of the public and was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, where he died on Tuesday 17.

A post mortem revealed Mr Pawelec died from head injuries, after he suffered a bleed to the brain.

Speaking exclusively to Luton News from Poland, Mr Pawelec’s uncle Richard told of the heartbreak suffered by his family.

He said: “The whole family is very upset and shocked by this, though we still do not know exactly what happened.

“The last time I saw him was before he moved to the UK about 12 years ago for Christmas, after that I moved to the United States.”

> For the full story see the Luton News