A former Luton MP has died after falling in hospital.

Brian Sedgemore, 78, was at the University College Hospital in north London for an operation on his kidneys.

The operation was successful but he later fell in hospital and after being helped back into bed by nurses he lost consciousness and died.

Mr Sedgemore was first elected as a Labour MP in the now obsolete Luton West constituency– which included the Dallow, Limbury and Icknield wards– in February 1974.

He strenghtened his majority in a second General Election later that year but in 1979 he lost his seat to Conservative John Carlisle by a matter of 246 votes.

Mr Sedgmore returned to the House of Commons in 1983 as the MP for Hackney South and Shoreditch.

He stood down and defected to the Lib Dems just weeks before the poll in 2005, citing the Iraq invasion as one of his main issues.

At the time he accused Tony Blair of “stomach turning lies“ and urged voters to give the former Labour leader a ‘bloody nose’ the ballots.

One of Luton’s oldest firms has had its plans for expansion boosted by news of a $2 million (£1,322,000) investment from the United States.

Specialist engineering company Hayward Tyler, based in Kimpton Road, has entered into a production alliance agreement with Houston-based energy giant FMC Technologies.

As part of the deal Hayward Tyler will manufacture permanent magnet motors for use in FMC Technologies’ 3.2MW subsea pump systems.

The US firm has in turn committed to invest $2 million in Hayward Tyler’s Luton plant, which has been earmarked for a £10 million expansion.

The work, which includes a dedicated test facility for subsea motors, could lead to the creation of 75 jobs in the next five years.

Ewan Lloyd-Baker, CEO of Hayward Tyler, said: “The offshore oil and gas market is of long-term strategic importance to Hayward Tyler and underpins our investment into our Centre of Excellence in Luton.

“The production alliance agreement with FMC Technologies is of cornerstone importance in relation to our subsea activity.”

Hayward Tyler is this year celebrating its 200th birthday, a milestone that was marked in February with the visit of the Duke of Kent.

The roots of the firm lie in the production of hydraulic presses and soda water machinery back in 1815.

A man from Luton has been arrested by counter terror police over alleged fraud and money laundering offences.

This morning officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command [SO15] attended six addresses in London and one address in Luton and made seven arrests as part of an ongoing investigation into fraud and money laundering believed to be connected to Syrian terrorism.

A 38-year-old man from Luton is among those who are currently being held in a south London police station, while enquiries continue.

A Met Police spokesperson said: “Officers are investigating a large scale fraud linked to UK extremists travelling to Syria.

“The arrests today form part of an ongoing fraud investigation, whereby unsuspecting vulnerable and elderly victims are ‘cold called’ on their home phone by a suspect impersonating a police officer.

“Members of the public are strongly advised, if you receive a call like this about your bank account from someone claiming to be a police officer, hang up the phone, wait at least five minutes to make sure the phone line has cleared, or use another phone line, before ringing the phone number on your bank card.”

Members of the public are asked to keep an eye out for a blue hybrid bicycle that was stolen outside Luton Central Library.

The bike was securely padlocked in the bike racks in St Georges Square.

It is believed that the padlock was forced off when it was taken yesterday (May 5) between 3.30pm and 5pm.

The bike has “FELT” written in white on the frame, has a speedometer and a black torch along the handlebars.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting crime reference number C/17403/2015, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A catering laundry assistant has shaved her head to raise money for Dementia UK.

Carol Raggett, 61, of Caddington Park, shaved all her hair off in front of relatives, residents and colleagues, raising over £400 for the charity.

It took two and a half minutes to shave her head and will take more than six weeks for any of it to grow back.

She said: “Raising money for Dementia UK is a privilege as it is a cause very close to my heart.

“From personal experience I know dementia can be devastating to families. My mum passed away with dementia and so I really wanted to do something to help.”

Dementia UK provides people who have dementia with care and support in order for them to live positive and fulfilling lives.

The fundraiser generated a lot of interest at the Taymer Nursing Home, where Carol works, and a lot of people came to support her and donate.

Heather Baker is the activities organiser at the nursing home and helped organise the day.

She said: “Carol is a very special lady. All her colleagues have been very supportive of her fundraiser and we really want her to know how very proud we are of her.”

Police have detained six suspected illegal immigrants at Toddington service station after officers received a distress call from a person in the back of a lorry.

This morning Essex Police put out an appeal to trace a white lorry which had entered the country at Kent and had driven into Essex and along the A414 at North Weald.

Police had received a call from someone in a distressed state, who claimed they were in the back of a vehicle.

At around noon officers detained six people at the Toddington service station on the M1.

Investigations are ongoing.

The Luton News will be working through the day to bring you the election latest as it happens.

Along with colleagues across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes we are running a live blog of events, which you can follow by clicking here

As things stand a decision for Luton’s Parliamentary seats is due to be announced between 10am and 10.30am.

This is subject to change due to delays in verifying votes- originally a result was expected by 4am this morning.

Later today all of Luton Borough Council 48 seats will be decided– counting is pencilled to begin at 1pm and to conclude by 5pm.

The results of the referendum on Beds Police’s council tax precept will not be known until after the weekend as counting will begin at 10am on Monday.

A result is expected by 3pm.

The Dunstable Gazette will be working through the night to bring you the election latest as it happens.

Along with colleagues across Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes we are running a live blog of events, which you can follow by clicking here

Voters heading for polling stations across the town will be asked who should represent them in the House of Commons, Central Beds Council and Dunstable Town Council.

All voters in Bedfordshire will also be asked if they agree to a 15.8% increase in the police council tax precept.

Police are appealing for information after a house was broken into in Luton on Thursday, April 30.

The burglary happened in Easingwold Gardens between 12noon and 12.30pm.

Det Con Matt Shepherd said: “The offender is believed to have gained entry to the house by smashing a window. He was interrupted when the owner of the property returned home, and left the property.

“He got into a silver Audi, registration number LB03, which drove into Dallow Road.

“We’re urging anyone with information, including anyone who saw a silver Audi in the area at the time, to contact us immediately.”

The offender is described as skinny, approximately 5ft 9ins tall, with light brown short hair, and clean shaven.

Nothing was believed to be stolen during the burglary. Anyone with information is asked to contact Det Con Shepherd on 101, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) and criminal damage after an incident in Luton on Saturday, May 3.

Police received a report of a confrontation between the drivers of two cars in Hartley Street, at approximately 2.20pm.

A 37-year-old man from Luton was arrested on the same day and has been bailed until June 15 pending further enquiries.

Anyone who has any information about the incident is asked to contact Det Con Gary Hales on 101, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

Kelvin Hopkins has comfortably held on to his seat as MP for Luton North after a night of anticipation.

Hopkins received 22243 votes

The MP said: “Thanks to all the peope who made this remarkable result happen.

“Most of all I want to thank the voters for Luton North.

“It’s very sad that Labour is not now going to be government but we’ve proved the piouint were still here fighting again.”

Results for Luton North:

LABOUR Kelvin Hopkins – 22243

CONSERVATIVE Dean Russell – 12739

LIB DEM Aroosa Ulzaman – 1299

GREEN Sofia Ahmed – 972

UKIP Allan White – 5318

Total votes 42862. Some 291 ballot papers rejected.

Voter turnout was 63.79%, a minor reduction from the 2010 turnout of 65.5%.

Created in 1983, Luton North largely replaced the old Luton West constituency. It was a Conservative constituency held by the Tory MP John Carlisle until Hopkins won the seat for Labour in 1997.

A former Bedfordshire Police officer is due to appear in court today (Friday) charged with a string of sex offences against teenage girls.

Mohammad Arshad, 35, of Ferndale Road, Luton, will appear at Hatfield Magistrates’ Court charged with 17 counts, on recommendation of the Crown Prosecution Service.

They include 10 counts of inciting a child to engage in sexual activity, four counts of grooming, two counts of sexual touching of a child and offering to supply cannabis.

The charges relate to 11 alleged victims who were aged between 13 and 15 at the time. The charges cover October 2012 until December 2014.

Arshad was an officer with Bedfordshire Police between April and November last year. He was suspended after the allegations came to light in October.

Gavin Shuker has retained his parliamentary seat for Luton South.

Shuker received 18660 votes

The MP said: “I think we can all agree it was worth the wait.

“Thank you to the returning officer and all his staff, also the other candidates who’ve done themselves proud.”

Shuker thanked fellow MP Kelvin Hopkins whose “wisdom and advice” he said he relied upon on a daily basis.

Referring to far right candidate Paul Weston, he said: “There is no place for racism and facismk in our town. 158 votes is 158 votes too many and they’ve covered themselves in shame.

“I believe that Luton does best when it has a Labour government and a Labour MP.”

Results for Luton South:

LABOUR Gavin Shuker – 18660

CONSERVATIVE Katie Redmond – 12949

LIB DEM Ashuk Ahmed – 3183

GREEN Simon Hall – 1237

UKIP Yasin Rehman – 5129

INDEPENDENT Attiq Ahmed Malik – 900

NO TO TERROTISM YES TO BRITAIN Paul Weston - 158

Voter turnout was 63.0%, a minor reduction from the 2010 turnout of 64.58.

Created in 1983, Luton North largely replaced the old Luton East constituency.

It was a Conservative constituency held by the Tory MP Graham Bright until former MP Margaret Moran won the seat for Labour in 1997.

Total votes was 42647.Bballots rejected 431.

Defender Danny Fitzsimons has become the third Hatters player to be suspended following a breach of club discipline.

The 23-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance for the first team, has been banned for an offence that Town have confirmed isn’t related to that of Shaun Whalley and Ricky Miller however, who were both recently suspended after an alleged incident with a taxi driver.

The ex-Histon and Millwall defender spent the end of the campaign on loan at Conference North side Brackley and is out of contract this summer.

Luton have confirmed they won’t be making any further comment on the matter.

Town Hall will remain red after Labour recorded a strong showing in the local elections.

Just one seat changed hands- the Conservatives took one off Labour in Round Green.

Nonetheless Labour retained an overhwhelming majority with 35 representatives.

The Lib Dems kept their three seats in Wigmore, as well as retaining one in Crawley, two in Stopsley, one in Barnfield and one in Sundon Park.

In all the Conservatives upped their representation in Town Hall from four to five.

Full list of winning council candidates:

Crawley- James Taylor (LAB) and Terry Keens (LIB DEM)

Northwell- Roy David (LAB) and Don Worlding (LAB)

Hightown- Andy Malcolm (LAB) and Aysegul Gurbu (LAB)

Icknield- Mike Garrett (CON) and Jeff Petts (CON)

Stopsley- Cora Dolling (LIB DEM) and Michael Dolling (LIB DEM)

Limbury- Steve Lewis (LAB) and Jennifer Rowlands (LAB)

Farley- Sian Timoney (LAB), David Taylor (LAB) and Mahmood Hussain (LAB)

Bramingham- John Young (CON) and Gilbert Campbell (CON)

Sundon Park- Anna Pederson (LIB DEM) and Fiona Green (LAB)

Saints- Mohammed Riaz (LAB), Raja Saleem (LAB) and Asma Rathore (LAB)

South- Paul Castleman (LAB), Amy O’Callaghan (LAB) and David Agbley (LAB)

Leagrave- Waheed Akbar (LAB), Sheila Roden (LAB) and Sameera Saleem (LAB)

Barnfield- David Franks (LIB DEM) and Rachel Hopkins (LAB)

Lewsey- Hazel Simmons (LAB), Aslam Khan (LAB) and Jacqui Burnett (LAB)

Wigmore- Peter Chapman (LIB DEM), Alan Skepelhorn (LIB DEM) and Diane Moles (LIB DEM)

Biscot- Mohammed Ayub (LAB), Naseem Ayub (LAB) and Tahir Khan (LAB)

Challney- Tom Shaw (LAB), Yasmin Waheed (LAB) and Tahir Malik (LAB)

Round Green- John Baker (CON), Irak Chowdhury (LAB) and Mark Rivers (LAB)

Dallow- Mohammed Farooq (LAB), Nazia Rafiq (LAB) and Mohammed Ashraf (LAB)

A father and son team are tackling a 24-hour cycle challenge for Scope.

Alan and Kirk Court-Howden from Luton and Dunstable are putting there passion for cycling to the test by taking part in the ultimate endurance cycle challenge for charity.

They have signed up to take part in the London to Paris 24, which is organised annually by the disability charity Scope. Competitors in this gruelling event cover just over 280 miles by bike from London to Paris in less than 24 hours.

Alan and Kirk will set off from London on July 4 and will pedal through the day and into the night in their attempt to reach the French capital the next day.

They hope to raise £2,000 to support Scope, a charity that provides support, advice and information to more than a quarter of a million disabled people and their family members every year.

Alan said: “We decided we wanted to do a ride for charity and whatever ride we did we wanted it to be hard so as to feel we were giving something as well as the people who sponsor us. After looking at the work Scope do for the disabled and their families we felt this ride would be the perfect match of a great charity and an extreme challenge.”

You can sponsor Alan or Kirk by visiting either Alan Court-Howden or Kirk Court-Howden at Virgin money giving.com

Alan and Kirk are also planning a day doing bike services for a minimum donation of £10. For further information go to Twitter page @team55howden

People living with Parkinson’s in Bedfordshire will now have access to an additional specialist nurse.

The new post brings the number of nurses up to three and has been made possible by the joint efforts of Parkinson’s UK, local Parkinson’s champions and Bedfordshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The local Parkinson’s group, supported by Parkinson’s UK, has worked to ensure that this additional post was funded.

Maurice Hunting, from Dunstable, whose wife June has Parkinson’s, said: “My wife and I have been so well supported by Debbie Blake, our Parkinson’s nurse. She has made a huge difference to our lives. However, we know that Debbie does not have the capacity to see everyone locally who needs her.

“This is why we are so delighted with the decision to fund a further nurse so that every person with Parkinson’s in the area can have access to the same indispensable care.”

There are an estimated 876 people with Parkinson’s in the Bedfordshire area.

Parkinson’s nurses significantly improve patient satisfaction as well as providing savings to the local health economy. On average a nurse can save £43,812 in reducing the number of consultant appointments, £80,000 in unplanned hospital admissions and £147,021 in days spent in hospital by providing care in local settings.

A community based service means that clinics can be held in a local GP practice, making the service more accessible to patients.

People are being encouraged to relax, unwind and revitalise themselves by putting their dancing shoes on.

Ceroc, the UK’s largest dance organisation, runs inexpensive dance nights that don’t just entail classes.

The fun-filled evenings of dance start with classes for beginners and intermediate dancers then followed by foot-stomping, “booty shaking” freestyle until late.

Organisers say these partner dance nights are great for bringing communities together and spreading a little bit of happiness.

Ceroc Central franchisee Michaella Walker said: “The best thing for me about dancing is that I get to completely switch off from the days trials and tribulations. Whatever is on your mind disappears as soon as you cross the threshold and once you start to dance you become totally immersed in the moment.

“Unfortunately, attending the gym, watching TV or generally socialising just doesn’t have the same effect for me.”

Even though Ceroc teach partner dance classes, it is not necessary to bring one as everyone is moved to a different partner every couple of minutes during the class, and is then free to ask anyone else to dance in the subsequent freestyle.

Ceroc nights are not competitive, the focus is on the social aspect of the evening and you learn at your own pace.

Michaella said that whether you attend for the first or tenth time, you will always get some dances and the confidence you feel once you’ve got it, is immense.

Local Ceroc dance nights are held between 7.30pm and 10.45pm, Monday to Thursday.

Potential new members can try their first night for free by taking this article along with you.

Sessions are held in Cambridge on Mondays and Wednesdays; Letchworth on Mondays; Luton on Tuesdays; St Neots on Tuesdays, Milton Keynes on Wednesdays and in Bedford on Thursdays.

For more information call 01234 378946 or visit www.
ceroccentral.com.

Places are still available for Luton’s inaugural Hercules Festival of Sport on Sunday, May 24, at Inspire: Luton Sports Village.
Active Luton is encouraging residents of all ages and fitness levels to enter one or more of the events.

Athletes can take part in novice, sprint and standard distance off-road triathlons, standard and sprint aquathlons, duathlons, cycle events, 5 and 10km runs and 1.5km family fun run.

David Enright, Hercules Event director, said: “The Festival of Sport in Luton will provide a day-long feast of sport and fun for the town.

“There are events to suit all the family and entertainment for spectators.”

To contact the event organisers, call 01923 883177.

A man who had been reported missing from Luton was found safe in Hertfordshire with help from a handler and dog from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Dog Unit.

Police were called to Dyke Lane, Weathampstead, shortly after 1am on Friday, May 8, after concerns were raised about the man.

A number of officers were sent to the area to help with the search, including a police helicopter and a police dog unit.

A vehicle, that the police believed the missing man had been using, was found nearby and police dog Tai was deployed.

After just under a mile of tracking across fields, Tai located the missing man.

Sergeant Vicky Stoughton, from the BCH Dog Unit, said: “I’m happy that the man was located safely and proud that t Police Dog Tai and his handler played such a vital role in finding him. This is an excellent example of our unit working with other policing teams effectively.”