The University of Bedfordshire has climbed 17 places in the Guardian University Guide 2016 – one of the top ten risers in the country.

The climb in the latest university league table builds significantly on the improvement in Bedfordshire’s ranking in the Complete University Guide, published last month, which saw the University rise seven places.

Vice chancellor Bill Rammell said it showed the University of Bedfordshire continues to make positive progress .

He said: “The latest league table rankings are an affirmation that the University of Bedfordshire continues to move forward, and that our commitment to putting students first and providing a truly transformational student experience is increasingly being recognised.

“Our student-staff ratio has improved significantly over the last five years, while during the same period we have invested significantly in high-quality, student-focused facilities – investments that are continuing. And we have dedicated, hard-working teaching staff who deliver courses that are driven by world-leading research. All of this contributes to the University of Bedfordshire being the number one university for improving the student experience.”

The Guardian University Guide shows Beds Uni has risen 17 places, from 115 to 98, and is one of the top 10 risers in the country. The rise is equal or greater than that of other universities in the region and of Bedfordshire’s main competitors, ensuring the University’s ranking above others such as Aberystwyth, York St John, Canterbury Christ Church, Bucks New, London South Bank, London Metropolitan, East London, Westminster, Bolton, Sunderland, Leeds Beckett and Southampton Solent.

MrRammell added:“Bedfordshire is a forward-looking university with a clear mission to widen access to higher education, nurturing students to become creative self-starters and global citizens with the drive and ambition to make a real difference. While our students leave with good honours, we offer much more than just a degree.”

A mother has paid a heartfelt tribute to her son who died in Florida just weeks after moving stateside to fulfil his dream to become a pilot.

Former Putteridge High School student Tom Close, 20, was found in a building at Naples Municipal Airport at 8.30pm local time on May 11.

It is thought that the 20-year-old suffered a cardiac arrhythmia, though this has not yet been fully determined.

Tom had moved over to Naples earlier this month to start training as a commerical pilot, having already gained his private pilot licence in Cranfield at the age of 17.

Following the tragedy, Naples Air Centre posthumously honoured Tom with his wings.

Tom’s mother Joanne told the Luton News: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the tributes and memories his friends and family have shared with me.

“My son has touched so many lives for such a short life...fly high Tom.”

Tom’s uncle David Gardner added that it had always been Tom’s dream to become a pilot.

He said: “When he was young he used to sit on the floor and pretend to be a plane. He was always so dedicated to flying. I know for a fact that he would have aced this course. He was a very intelligent lad.

“From my standpoint he was a special lad, he was funny, spontaneous and was also such a gentleman.”

After news of Tom’s death reached friends back in Luton many met up at the Leicester Arms to raise a toast.

Mr Gardner said: “I went to the pub and saw how many people he had touched.

“Tom’s friends are a credit to him, they have been amazing.

“I want to say a personal thanks to them for being a rock to us.”

Close friend Robson O’Reardon met Tom on the Luton Town FC supporters coach en route to Wrexham in May 2011– just days after the pair had faced each other in a Sunday league game.

Robson said: “I recognised him and from there we just got talking, since then we have been really good friends.

“He will always be my best friend and if I had one word to sum him up it would be ‘amazing’.

“He achieved far more than most 20-year-olds and he was always there for me.”

Tom was a diehard Everton and Luton Town fan, and became well known to fellow supporters at Kenilworth Road.

Robson added: “Alot of people that knew Tom had only met him on the odd occasion at a game or elsewhere.

“There were well over 50 people at the Leicester Arms, a few had only met him once but knew how great a guy he was.

“He made an impact on so many people.”

A fierce blaze ruined three homes in Luton last night.

Beds Fire and Rescue Service were called at 6.25pm yesterday (May 26) to a fire in a garden in Carol Close.

When firefighters arrived five minutes later they found a three-storey terraced house up in flames.

Three fire engines and the Luton aerial platform attended the incident, using breathing apparatus, one hose reel and a jet to fight the blaze.

The fire was extinguished by 7.47pm, leaving the house wrecked. Neighbouring houses also suffered serious fire damage.

Jason Tai, station commander at Luton Community Fire Station, said: “I would like thank the crews who worked extremely effectively in the early stages of the incident to prevent the fire spreading to adjoining properties and limited the damage to mainly the outside of the houses.

“Without this we would have likely to have seen three houses involved as the fire was spreading to the roof area.

“The initial fire investigation that took place indicated that the most probable cause was an electrical fault.”

There were no casualties and a fire investigation is underway.

Police and Luton Borough Council have taken action against the tenants of a house in Luton over anti social behaviour.

People living at the house in Naseby Road, Luton, were responsible for high levels of anti-social behaviour including fly tipping, excessive noise and urinating in the street.

The property has been issued with a closure notice, which means that it cannot be lived in or rented out for two months.

Anyone who enters the property during these two months will be committing a criminal offence.

Inspector Jason Cahill said: “We’d received a number of complaints about anti-social behaviour from people at the property, including fly-tipping, inconsiderate parking, excessive noise, high volumes of litter, and urinating in the street.

“We worked closely with a range of council services in order to resolve the issues, but when there was no reduction in the levels of anti-social behaviour, we were left with no option but to close the property down completely.”

Officers visited the property on Thursday issuing a temporary closure order before the full order was issued at Luton Magistrates Court on Friday.

Inspector Cahill added: “This is a great example at how we work with our partners to protect people and fight crime.

“We’re delighted with the closure notice, and we will be continuing to work with our colleagues at the council, along with Luton residents, in order to crack down on anti-social behaviour.”

A Luton nightclub was badly damaged by fire in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday.

Bedfordshire Fire and Rescue were called to the Diamond nightclub, Cheapside, at 7:13 on the morning of Monday after a smoke alarm went off. When firefighters arrived they found a smouldering fire developing in a bar area on the ground floor of the four storey building.

The fire caused 25% damage to the ground floor bar and 100% light smoke damage to the first and second floors of the building.

The fire was thought to have been caused by electrical equipment and its cause was not suspicious. The fire started after the club, which had been open until the early hours, had closed and there were no casualties.

A Luton poet will have her poem published in the National Poetry Anthology after being named as one of the regional winners.

There were over 10,000 entrants to the competition, organised by United Press, and Pauline Dimwey’s poem was chosen as one of the 250 to be published in the book.

The 81-year-old said: “I am really happy to have my poem in the book, I am quite surprised that it is.

“I love writing and started writing poems in the 70’s, it is something I really enjoy doing.

“The poem is called Twitter and is about modern technology and how it affects the older generation.”

Peter Quinn, of United Press, said: “The aim of the competition is to encourage more people to express themselves through poetry and the new competition is already open for entries.

“The National Poetry Anthology is designed to encourage new writers. It has rocketed in popularity and we expect the new one to be even better.”

To enter the competition email your work to: info@unitedpress.co.uk

A man has been sentenced to two years in jail for allowing a house to be used to supply class A drugs.

Roshaan Malcolm, 20, of Penhill, Luton, pleaded guilty to the offence and received a two year custodial sentence at Luton Crown Court on Friday (22 May).

Malcolm used his then girlfriend’s house as a place from which class A drugs could be supplied.

Detective constable Emma Cook, who investigated the offence, said: “Malcolm took advantage of several people, in particular his girlfriend, for his own financial gain.

“This is a very serious offence and we are glad that the judge recognised this and handed out a suitable punishment.

“We take all drugs related crime very seriously at Bedfordshire Police and we hope this acts as a warning to others who are tempted to commit drug related offences.”

A union has branded plans to outsource jobs at Luton and Dunstable Hospital as “ill considered”.

By the end of summer cleaning, catering and housekeeping services at the hospital will be in the hands of a contractor– with bids from private companies currently being assessed.

The L&D has said that the move will save money and bring about investment, though UNISON claims that the outsourcing will drive down standards.

The union’s chief concern is that food made by in-house chefs will be replaced with meals prepared off-site, shipped to the hospital and heated up.

Cheryl Godber, UNISON regional organiser, said: “We all know that good, fresh food is an important part of recovery so to move to an inflexible cook-chill service when you are already producing quality food on site seems incredibly short sighted.

“Once they lose the ability to prepare all the meals on site it’ll be really difficult to get these services back.”

Alex Jackson, co-ordinator of the Campaign for Better Hospital Food, added: “No one wins from this proposal.

“It can only do harm to the cooks employed to make the food, to patients and their family and friends, to hospital staff and to the local suppliers who would value the hospital’s business.

“It’s a backward step which is very difficult to recover from.”

Concerns have also been raised that outsourcing cleaning services will leave the L&D more exposed to infections on the wards.

Cheryl Godber said: “The plans to outsource the hospital’s cleaning is also ill considered.

“These companies look to employ less staff on worse terms and conditions in order to make a profit.

“People should be asking themselves, is this going to improve an already excellent service? Such high standards are essential to protect patients from risks such as MRSA and C. Diff.”

An L&D spokesperson told us: “The Board of the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital made a decision in 2014 to outsource three support services; cleaning, catering and housekeeping, to improve the quality of service and achieve better value.

“The Trust has undertaken a procurement under EU public services tendering legislation and the Trust is at the final stages of evaluating the bids, with the intention of a new service provider being operational in the autumn.

“The staff affected by the change have been kept fully informed throughout the process.”

A fierce blaze left one house a charred ruin and two others seriously damaged in Luton on Tuesday evening.

Beds Fire and Rescue Service were called out at 6.25pm to the fire in a garden in Carol Close.

When they arrived, they found the entire three-storey house engulfed in flames.

It took over an hour for the blaze to be extinguished. It is believed an electrical fault may be the cause of the fire.

Neighbour Shorna Khan, 18, was upstairs in her room when the blaze broke out.

She said: “We could smell smoke and at first we thought it was only a bonfire.

“Then I saw it and the flames looked almost like water. They were three storeys high and I stared out my window for a bit before I started coughing.”

Shorna’s mum hurried to get the stunned student out of the house as the entire neighbourhood watched firefighters battling the fire.

She said: “It’s surprising that the fire grew so quickly. No-one realised until it was really high.”

The fire was extinguished by 7.47pm, leaving the house in ruins. The entire rear of the house and the garden decking was left completely scorched, with smoke and fire damage affecting the building’s interior. The two neighbouring homes on either side suffered fire damage to the windows and the guttering.

No-one was injured in the incident. It is understood the woman living in the home and her two small children were not present when the fire started.

Shorna, who was visiting from university, added: “It’s so lucky that the kids weren’t home, as it would have been really difficult to get them out.”

Three fire engines and the Luton aerial platform were needed to beat the blaze, with firefighters useing breathing apparatus, one hose reel and one jet.

Jason Tai, station commander at Luton Community Fire Station, added: “I would like thank the crews who worked extremely effectively in the early stages of the incident to prevent the fire spreading to adjoining properties and limited the damage to mainly the outside of the houses.

“Without this we would have likely to have seen three houses involved as the fire was spreading to the roof area.

“The initial fire investigation that took place indicated that the most probable cause was an electrical fault.”

A fire investigation is currently ongoing.

Former Luton Town player Andy King has died of a heart attack today, aged 58.

The goalscoring midfielder was born in Luton in 1956 and started his career with the Hatters, scoring nine goals in 33 games before a move to Everton.

It was at Goodison Park where he made his name, making over 150 appearances for the Toffees, while he had spells at QPR, West Brom, Everton again, plus Cambuur Leeuwarden, Orebro SK and Wolves, until moving back to Luton for three games in 1985.

The former England U21 international then wound his career down at Aldershot, Aylesbury United, Waterford United, Cobh Ramblers, Keps and Southport and then moved into management.

He was in charge of Waterford, Mansfield Town, Swindon, Grays Athletic and Northampton, while most recently had a scouting role at MK Dons.

Police are appealing for help in tracing a missing teenager from Luton.

Thomas Woodbridge, 15, is under Social Services’ care and has been missing since April 11.

There was a recent sighting of Thomas in Luton and it is believed he may be making contact with friends or acquaintainces.

Officer urge anyone who has seen him or knows of his whereabouts to come forward and speak to police.

Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or text information to 07786 200011.

Teenagers who drove recklessly in Luton and collided with two vehicles have been arrested.

Police pursued a car in the Marsh Road area of Luton yesterday (May 26) after it failed to stop for officers at around 10.30am.

The runaway car was already involved in a collision with two vehicles which had resulted in minor injuries.

Marsh Road was closed for nearly two hours until 12.20pm while recovery took place.

An eyewitness said: “My wife and I were waiting for a bus at the stop between Icknield Road and Norton Road when a car came down Marsh Road, going towards Leagrave, at a fantastic speed.

“Close behind it was a police car, and further back was an unmarked police van with its siren going.”

Two teenage boys were arrested on suspicion of aggravated driving offences.

One was released with no further action while the other, a 16 year old from Leighton Buzzard, was charged with driving a motor vehicle dangerously, without insurance or licence, and failing to stop for police.

A 19-year-old was arrested in Luton on suspicion of joyriding and intending to supply drugs.

At around quarter past midnight on Saturday, May 23, police on patrol in Bramingham Road, Luton, signalled a Vauxhall Corsa to stop but it is alleged it failed to do so.

The vehicle was followed until it stopped in Dunstable Road where the occupant ran from it.

A number of officers attended the area, including a dog and handler from the Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire (BCH) Dog Unit.

Police Dog Nero was deployed and was soon searching around the local area. He soon led his handler, PC Clive Warncken, to a garden where a man was found.

The 19-year-old, from Leighton Buzzard, was arrested on suspicion of the aggravated taking of a motorvehicle and supplying a controlled drug.

PC Warncken from the BCH Dog Unit said: “Our dogs are chosen specifically for their excellent sense of smell, agility and temperament. These attributes make them ideally suited to assist their handlers and other officers at numerous types of incidents.”

Police are appealing to partygoers from Luton and Leighton Buzzard who may have witnessed a nightclub stabbing.

The attack happened at Liquid Envy, in Leicester, in the early hours of this morning.

It is believed that coaches of people from Luton and Leighton Buzzard attended the event called Urban Night.

Police are investigating a report of a stabbing at the nightclub on the outside terrace. The incident took place at 2.10am.

One man sustained puncture wounds to his chest and is in a critical condition at Leicester Royal Infirmary.

The second victim sustained a wound to his bottom and is in a stable condition.

Two men, aged 18 and 24, have been arrested on suspicion of GBH and remain in police custody.

If you witnessed the incident, please contact DS Gareth Goddard from Leicestershire Police on 101. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Your personal details won’t be taken, information isn’t traced or recorded and you will not be required to go to court.

Police are appealing for witnesses after a ‘serious and violent’ assault on a man in Luton on Friday, May 22.

The man was walking along Runley Road between 10.30pm and 11pm when he was approached by two men who assaulted him.

Detective Constable Colin Knight said: “This was a serious and very violent attack which has left the victim with a number of injuries. I’m urging anyone who witnessed the incident to get in touch with us immediately so we can find those responsible and prevent them from carrying out further such assaults.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Luton CID on 101, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The new Central Beds Council chairman says the deaths of two fellow councillors influenced his choice of charities for his time in the role.

Experienced Leighton Buzzard Councillor David Bowater officially took over from Cllr Caroline Maudlin, who has held the position for the past two years, at last week’s full council meeting, with Cllr Fiona Chapman elected as vice chairman.

He will act as an ambassador for the council, representing the authority on civic visits, at ceremonial events, as well as raising funds and awareness for his chosen charities, Multiple Sclerosis in Bedfordshire and Diabetes UK.

Speaking after his appointment, Councillor Bowater said: “I promise to do my best to live up to the wonderful example set by former chairman, Cllr Maudlin.

“I’d like to thank my peers for voting me into this position and I’d also like to thank my dear dad who inspired me on my current path by teaching me that just as much pleasure can be derived from giving as from receiving.

“I’ve followed that principal ever since through service to the community in Round Table and Rotary. In each of these organisations we give generously of that most precious commodity ‘time’.

“I will be following that principle throughout the year ahead: devoting my time to meeting many residents, local organisations and businesses and also to raising money for two causes that are very dear to my heart.

“The deaths of two of my fellow councillors, Tony Green and Alan Shadbolt, have inspired my choice of Diabetes UK as one of my two charities.”

Having grown up in the West Midlands, Cllr Bowater moved to Bedfordshire 14 years ago.

Cllr Bowater has been a ward councillor for Leighton Buzzard South since 2009, serving eight years in Leighton-Linslade Town Council and the former South Beds District Council, before becoming a Central Bedfordshire Councillor in 2009.

During the full council meeting Cllr Maudlin was thanked for raising around £53,000 during her time as chairman for her chosen charities, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and the Alzheimer’s Society.

> New chairman Councillor David Bowater is pictured adorning the vice chairman Councillor Fiona Chapman with the official vice chairman’s chain.

An EasyJet flight to Tel Aviv has returned to Luton Airport after members of the crew reported feeling unwell.

The 7.05am flight took off from Luton late at 7.30am today (Fri) with 178 passengers but arrived back at the same airport just a few hours later.

Four crew members were being given medical attention “as a precautionary measure”, an airline spokesman said.

Paramedics were called to reports of patients suffering “breathing difficulties” but a spokeswoman said they were fine on arrival.

The budget airline said the flight would be delayed overnight “due to availability of spare aircraft.”

Passengers are being offered accommodation and food and the replacement flight will leave Luton at 1pm on Saturday.

Three ambulance crews, an ambulance officer, two rapid response vehicles and Hazardous Area Response Team all attended the scene.

Worries have arisen after two children were approached by a car and invited to get inside by the driver.

In the first instance, a young boy was walking along Adlington Road, Luton, yesterday (Thursday, May 28) at around 8.45pm when he was approached by a man in a car.

The man invited the child into the car and when he refused, the man got out of the car and shouted after him.

The man is described as black, about six foot tall, in his 50s, with grey hair, a scar on his cheek and a tattoo on his arm. He was believed to be wearing a black jacket and jeans, the car is described as a white BMW convertible.

Earlier that evening, at around 5.50pm, another boy was walking in St Vincent Gardens, Luton, when he was approached by a man in a car who invited him to get into the car to go to his house.

That car was described as a black BMW and the man was described as black. There was also reportedly a female passenger in the car.

Detective Inspector Andy Southam said: “These are very concerning incidents and we are therefore urging anyone with information to get in touch with us immediately.

“At the moment we are treating the incidents as separate and keeping an open mind as to the intentions of those involved, but we are examining the possibility that they could be linked.

“We would urge parents to remind their children never to talk to strangers or accept lifts from people that they don’t know. It’s also important that your children tell you where they are planning on going and what time they will be back, and that your child knows to tell you, or another responsible adult, if a stranger approaches them.

“We will be carrying out additional patrols in the area in order to reassure members of the local community.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact DI Southam on 101, text 07786 200 011, or call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Officers are seeking information about a savage assault in Luton last year which featured on BBC1’s Crimewatch this week.

The incident happened in Douglas Road, Luton, on October 4. A man was dragged from his car and assaulted by two men, leaving him with life-changing injuries.

Police have released CCTV images of three men they want to trace in connection with the assault.

Detective Constable Martin Hart said: “This was a violent, vicious attack, and we’re desperately appealing to the public to help us find the people responsible so that we can bring them to justice.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Luton CID on 101. You can also call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

A health and fitness fundraiser organised by Active Luton has raised £1,272 for the local branch of the Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Society.

Members and non-members alike were encouraged to sign up to the MS Triathlon Gym Challenge.

The ‘challenge’ included a 3.2km run, 3.2km row and 3.2km bike ride using Active Luton’s Profiles gym facilities; and could be completed in one day or spread over a week.

The aim of the challenge was to raise as much money as possible for the Luton and Dunstable MS Society branch, while encouraging local people to take advantage of Active Luton’s facilities to improve their own health and wellbeing.

For the more competitive types there were prizes for quickest times in various categories. One and two month free membership passes were awarded to the winners.

David Allen, Chairman of Luton, Dunstable and District Branch of the MS Society, said: “I would like to say a massive thank you to Active Luton on behalf of the branch. The amount they have raised will make a real difference to people suffering from MS who live locally. We operate a transport system which requires funding of £15.7k a year and the funds that Active Luton has raised will help significantly.”

Customers with MS regularly use Active Luton’s gyms as part of the health programmes run by the trust which is another reason why they got involved.

For more information about Active Luton call 01582 700272 or visit www.activeluton.co.uk