A rare historical artefact stolen from a Luton museum in a smash and grab raid back in May has been recovered in Surrey by Bedfordshire Police.

The Wenlok Jug – which is made of bronze, stands is 31.5cm tall, weighs 6.1kgs and is decorated with coats of arms, badges and is inscribed with the words “MY LORD WENLOK” - was stolen during a burglary on Saturday 12th May from a high security display cabinet.

At the end of May, the robbery featured on BBC One’s Crimewatch programme as well as numerous newspaper reports and television news broadcasts.

Following an in depth investigation the jug, which was valued at £750,000, was discovered at a property in Tadworth, Surrey, in the early hours of Monday morning. Two people were arrested at the location. One man, 23-year-old Ronald Nash, has been charged with handling stolen property and will appear at Luton Magistrates Court today. The second has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Detective Sergeant Barry Townson, who is investigating the burglary, said: “We are, of course, delighted that the jug has been recovered and will be returned to its rightful home but the investigation continues into how it came to be in Surrey and who was responsible for the burglary. I would like to re-appeal to anyone with information about the burglary to come forward.”

A Stockwood Discovery Centre spokesman said: “We are thrilled that the Wenlok Jug has been successfully recovered and would like to thank Bedfordshire Police for their diligence and hard work over the course of the investigation. We look forward to this irreplaceable piece of local history returning to Stockwood Discovery Centre and the community of Luton.”

Anyone with information about the identity of the man or how the jug came to be in Surrey can contact DS Townson at Bedfordshire Police, in confidence, on 01582 473190, the non-emergency 101 number or text information to 07786 200011.

Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Museums director Karen Perkins says that she has not stopped smiling since police recovered the £750,000 Wenlok Jug early on Monday.

The rare historical artefact was stolen in a smash and grab raid from the Stockwood Discovery Centre, Luton, in May but found in a garage lock up in Tadworth in Surrey after police raided a nearby house.

Delighted Ms Perkins told the H&P: “It’s fantastic to have the jug back. I haven’t stopped smiling in the last 48 hours.

“It’s all thanks to Bedfordshire Police who have worked tirelessly since May and worked very closely with us.”

Police had released CCTV footage of the robbery and made a TV appeal for information on the BBC’s Crimewatch programme following the theft of the much-prized bronze jug which was famously brought home to Luton in 2006.

But Ms Perkins remained confident throughout the investigation that the jug, which dates back to around 1400-1500 AD, would be safely returned despite fears that thieves could attempt to melt it down.

She added: “I harboured hope but I have to say that I wasn’t entirely convinced that we would get it back. From the start we made a point of saying ‘don’t melt it down it’s not worth anything’ because there was always a chance that if people kept it as it was it would still exist in the world and eventually it could be found.

“The minute it’s melted down it’s gone.”

Ms Perkins confirmed that the historical piece will eventually go back on display at Stockwood Discovery Centre but insisted that security at the museum will be tightened in the wake of the theft.

She said: “Since it happened we’ve done a fundamental review of all our security in the service at both our museum sites because things like this make you look at everything again.

“We will definitely be putting it back on display as an original object, we will not be putting a replica on display unless it’s off having conservation work for example, but we will be ensuring that the security levels are significantly improved.

“Across the board it’s made us think about everything from our alarm system to lighting to CCTV. A full review has been carried out and we’re now implementing some changes.”

Apart from some minor abrasion on the jug’s spout and a few scratches and marks on its main body, the artefact seems to have been returned relatively unscathed and Ms Perkins says that no restoration work will be carried out on it as the theft has become part of the history of the piece.

Det Insp Martin Peters from Beds Police said: “An extensive police operation has been under way to recover the jug since it was taken in May and we executed some warrants in Tadworth in Surrey in the early hours of Monday morning. Two people were arrested and the jug was found in a lock-up garage nearby. One of those people has been charged with handling stolen goods.”

> Ronald Nash, aged 23, of Tadworth in Surrey, appeared at Luton Magistrates Court yesterday morning charged with handling stolen property. A second 47-year-old man has been released on bail pending further enquiries.

Twelve people, including eight men and four women, were arrested in drugs raids in Charmbury Rise, Stopsley, and Bedford on Tuesday (September 25).

A police spokeswoman said: “The Serious Organised Crime Agency has carried out a number of searches in the Luton and Bedford areas of Bedfordshire in connection with a drugs investigation.

“Twelve people have been arrested and are currently being questioned by SOCA officers.

“The operation was assisted by Bedfordshire Police and the UK Border Agency.

The spokeswoman added: “The investigation is ongoing and we are unable to comment further at this time.”

The grandfather of a 19-year-old cyclist who was killed when a car hit him is appealing for witnesses to come forward, to find justice for his “kind and loving” grandson.

Delaney Brown was murdered in Vincent Road, Luton on September 5, in an incident which police believe was the result of a fall-out between Delaney and a former family friend.

At a press conference at Luton Police Station yesterday, Delaney Brown senior said his grandson was part of a ‘gang’, but there is “no animosity” and as a family they have forgiven those responsible for his death.

Mr Brown said: “Delaney was loved by his family and was very special to us all. We don’t pretend he was perfect. We know that he was not. But he was a son, brother and grandson and he dearly mattered to us.”

Police have arrested three people so far; a 26-year-old who was released without charge, and an 18 year old and 16 year old who have been released on police bail pending further enquries.

DCI Steve Collin said it is not a complicated case, and can easily be concluded if witnesses come forward.

He said: “We know not everyone likes the police, so don’t do it for us, do it for Delaney’s family. If you still choose not to help, you are the ones who will have to look his family in the eye and say ‘I will not help you’.”

Delaney, also known as Delz, went to Denbigh High School and lived with his father, brothers and grandmother.

Mr Brown said: “Delaney was a talented young man who loved music and fashion and was a brilliant artist. Delaney liked to have fun, was always smiling, he liked to dance and he made people laugh. He had a lot of friends.”

DCI Collin and Mr Brown spoke of the so-called ‘postcode wars’ in Luton.

Mr Brown said: “We want to be able to stop all this postcode nonsense. We’ve already been meeting people from Marsh Farm, Lewsey Farm and surrounding areas. We need to meet as parents and say to our children, we are working together for our young people so they stop killing each other.

“We don’t want to see another young person hurt and would hate to see another family go through what we have.”

Call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

The 35th Bedford Beer & Cider Festival will take place next week.

The event runs from Wednesday, October 3, to Saturday, October 6.

62 of the 110 real ales come from 25 local breweries within 30 miles of Bedford.

And almost three-quarters of the cider and perries on offer are from 12 producers in Bedford or adjacent counties.

Doors open 4pm Wednesday, and 11,30am the rest of the week. Entry costs £1 before 4pm.

Two men from Luton have been charged by the UK Border Agency with supplying false documents to aid illegal working.

Dalip Singh, 24, and Manbreet Singh, 20, both of Dallow Road, are charged with conspiracy to supply counterfeit documents.

Kuldeep Singh, 34, from North Place, Teddington, has also been charged with the same offence.

All three men were remanded in custody at Ealing Magistrates Court yesterday.

The trio were arrested at addresses in Luton and Teddington during the early hours of Monday.

It’s part of a major UK Border Agency investigation.

Anyone who has information about immigration crime should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives have charged a 26-year-old man with the murder of Luton man Mohammed Saleem Khan in Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

The man has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before magistrates this morning.

Det Chief Inspector Heather Pearson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “I would like to thank the people of Easingwold for their fantastic support during the investigation so far.

“However, I believe that there are still people within the community with information about Mr Khan’s murder that they haven’t shared with the police and I urge them to come forward as soon as possible.”

A study by the University of Bedfordshire has shown that physically interactive video game enthusiasts are more likely to exercise for real.

The research also showed that playing on consoles like the Nintendo Wii and Microsoft XBox Kinect increased positive mood and beliefs in how much control people had in doing more exercise.

The research was carried out by health, sport and exercise psychologist Dr Angel Chater, who grew up in the Luton and Dunstable borders area near to the hospital.

Dr Chater said: “We know that if a person has a positive attitude towards physical activity and believes they can do it, they will be more motivated to actually perform the behaviour, so we were interested in seeing if playing on these consoles can increase these psychological factors.

“Our results suggest they do.

“So not only can playing on these consoles be good exercise in itself, the gaming experience can make people more likely to want to do something active like go for a walk or play conventional sport and it also makes them feel happier.”

Dr Chater and University of Bedfordshire colleague Briony Marsden, presented their findings at the British Psychological Society’s Division of Health Psychology Annual Conference in Liverpool earlier this month.

The researchers surveyed 120 people, measuring their mood and views regarding physical activity and exercise – for example, whether they felt it was beneficial to their health and whether they believed they could actually do it.

They were then asked to either play or observe the Nintendo Wii or XBox Kinect, before their mood and beliefs were measured again.

Dr Chater added: “This is a small pilot study, but we would like to test these effects further in schools and homes for the elderly, in populations where we know activity levels can be improved, to see whether using interactive games consoles like the Wii and Kinect can increase motivation and actual physical activity, which will in turn improve population health.”

Dr Chater is a former University of Bedfordshire student herself, studying as a psychology undergraduate and postgraduate student before earning her PhD from Roehampton University.

When was the last time you took some time to look after your health and wellbeing?

Residents are invited to two events in Luton on Thursday (October 4) where they can get free health checks and information to help them live healthy lives.

At Saints Community Centre in Solway Road North, older people are invited to visit from 11am-2pm for cheks by a local NHS team including BMI and blood pressure measurements.

They can also find out about how to get the most out of later life by having fun and keeping fit and safe, as well as taking part in activities like short-mat bowls and tasting healthy snacks.

At Chaul End Community Centre in Dunstable Road, a similar event is taking place from 3-6pm for the wider community.

The Chaul End event was organised after residents agreed as part of the Council’s ‘Your Say, Your Way’ programme that tackling obesity was a priority and that there was a lack of information about health and dietary needs.

Health trainers will again be on hand to provide one-to-one consultations and tips on healthy eating and exercise.

Cllr Mahmood Hussain said: “I encourage you to pop into one of the events for a free health check and to take away important information that can assist you in every day life such as healthy eating, weight management, exercise and quitting smoking.”

Both events are free. For more information call Saints Community Centre on 01582 56 66 07 or Chaul End Community Centre on 01582 55 71 55.

A couple who pretended to be homeless were convicted of fraud at Luton Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Samuel Jackson, 41, and Elizabeth Mahia, 35, of Whipperley Way, were sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment each, suspended for 18 months, and 100 hours unpaid work for both of them.

They will also have to pay £500 towards Luton council’s costs.

The pair used forged documents while making a homeless application to the council, and made false statements under the Fraud Act 2006.

They claimed the property they lived in in the Republic of Ireland was being repossessed as their landlord had not paid the mortgage, and he required them to leave the property.

They gave a false name for their landlord and a false address, but the genuine landlord was traced and he gave evidence against them at the trial.

The couple pleaded not guilty.

Cllr Tom Shaw, Portfolio Holder for housing, said: “It is widely known that there is a severe shortage of housing in Luton and here we have two people trying to selfishly cheat the system and take a home away from someone who really needs it.

“This is a criminal act that we simply cannot tolerate and is exactly why we took the action we did. We would have no hesitation in taking the same action against anyone who attempts something similar.”

SATURDAY

Doctor Who (BBC One, 7.20pm)

It’s the end of an era, and time to say goodbye to Rory and Amy, who have travelled with the Time Lord off, and mostly on, for the past three years.

The stars of the show are the Weeping Angels, those silent but deadly villains who are wreaking havoc in New York and even take poor Rory captive. Can he be found before something terrible happens to him?

SUNDAY

Downton Abbey (ITV1, 9pm)

Despite being born into privilege and wealth, life was never going to be easy for Edith.

She’s the middle sister, without the looks or charm of either of her siblings, but what she does have in abundance is determination and pluck. So when she set eyes on Sir Anthony Strallan and knew he was the man for her, she decided to get him, no matter what anybody else thought. Bless.

MONDAY

Monroe (ITV1, 9pm)

James Nesbitt’s hit drama about a charismatic brain surgeon impressed millions when it debuted last year.

This new series opens 18 months after series one, and there are quite a few changes at St Matthew’s hospital.

While Gabriel Monroe (Nesbitt) has moved into his new bachelor pad, Shepherd (Tom Riley) and Bremner (Sarah Parish) are proud parents to baby Louis.

Alistair Gillespie (Neil Pearson), the hospital’s new head of clinical services, soon makes his presence felt with a few controversial decisions, though it looks like Lizzie Clapham will also set the cat among the pigeons as she offers support for neuro and cardiac patients.

Monroe believes that if anyone is talking to his patients, it should be him.

TUESDAY

Ian Hislop’s Stiff Upper Lip 
– An Emotional History of Britain (BBC Two, 9pm)

Broadcaster, panel show wit and Private Eye editor Ian Hislop reveals that, in days gone by, we were far more touchy-feely as a nation.

So when did our upper lip get so stiff?

Ian explores how and why such stoicism emerged in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, in a country which was until then awash with sentimentality.

In the course of his voyage of discovery, Ian finds himself playing cricket on the Champs-Élysées, discovers some 200-year-old merchandising David Beckham would be proud of, and reveals why we have the great British Bulldog, and not the British Cock, as a national symbol.

WEDNESDAY

Mrs Biggs (ITV1, 9pm)

We’re now reaching the final stage of a story which has seen Charmian marry train robber Ronnie, and move to Melbourne to start a new life with him.

As the final episode begins, the couple are living apart – she’s still in Australia, using money she gained by selling their story to the media to buy a house for herself and their sons.

Ron, meanwhile, is in Rio, turning to drink, drugs and womanising to ease his pain.

THURSDAY

Hunted (BBC One, 9pm)

Melissa George stars as Sam Hunter, an operative for the elite private intelligence and security firm Byzantium back on the job after a mission went wrong, and trying to get back on track. It’s not easy, though – her life is full of complications galore.

A top-drawer cast also includes Adam Rayner (Mistresses), Stephen Dillane (Game of Thrones) and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (him of Lost fame).

FRIDAY

Strictly Come Dancing 
(BBC One, 9pm)

At long last, the competition is about to start in earnest, with half of the group of celebrities taking to the dance floor for the first time; with the remainder making their debuts on Saturday. But who is going to impress the judges?

Little Almedina Zizaku (above) can hardly contain her joy.

Eyes shining with excitement, the six-year-old clutches the brightly covered shoebox she has been given by a volunteer from Operation Christmas Child.

And when she opens it, she can’t believe her luck - one of the gifts inside is a hat.

Her old one is ripped and came from the rubbish dump. But this one fits perfectly and will keep her warm through the bitter cold of a Montenegro winter.

“It has stripes!” she says excitedly. “I love stripes! Don’t I look beautiful? Aren’t I lucky?

“I want to thank the person who sent me this hat.”

Her mother bursts into tears when the volunteer leaves another shoebox for Almedina’s brother Fatos, who has been staying with their uncle.

You can share in this wonderful festive spirit by filling a shoebox with presents to delight needy youngsters in the Third World. Decide whether you’d like your gift to go to a boy or a girl and select one of three age groups.

The Herald&Post is proud to be a drop-off point and the deadline is Friday, November 16.

> To download instructions, visit www.samaritans-purse.org.uk

First Capital Connect trains has achieved its best-ever set of results for punctuality, according to the latest government statistics.

The score relates to the Bedford-Brighton route, on which 94.62 per cent of trains arrived within five minutes of their scheduled arrival time in the four weeks leading up to September 15. This line also includes stops at Flitwick and both Luton stations.

Only a quarter of the delays on the route were caused by factors within the company’s control, and this period also saw track and signalling maintenance work suspended for the Paralympics.

Managing director Neal Lawson said: “We have been working closely with Network Rail to improve reliability of the track and signalling systems and this compliments our own drive in operations to deliver a more reliable, punctual service for our customers.”

A dangerous dog had to be destroyed by vets after it was hurt in an apparent fight with another pet, a court has heard.

Riffy Sharif, 28, of Stanford Road, pleaded guilty to charges of failing to get medical care for his pitbull-type dog Bison following a fight and for possessing a dangerous animal at Luton Magistrates Court on Monday.

The court heard how dog wardens were called to Stanford Road on the morning of February 3 after receiving reports of an injured stray roaming the street.

Wardens found Bison who was suffering from serious injuries to the head and behind his ear and later inspection by RSPCA vets found that the dog had both old and new injuries, some of which were severely infected and left “dripping with pus”. The dog was also found to have cellulitis, a serious tissue infection, in his leg. His ear, which was badly injured, was too painful to be examined without sedation – vets drained 12ml of pus from a large swelling on the ear.

Prosecutor for the RSPCA Janita Patel told magistrates that vetinary surgeons said that the injuries were “consistent with dog fights” and that the injuries “would have been obvious to anybody.”

She said: “If the wounds had been treated, it would have prevented scarring and pain, the suffering was of course unnecessary.”

The court heard how Sharif told dog wardens that he had planned to take the dog to Pets At Home in Dunstable later the same day that the dog was found wandering the streets.

In mitigation, Sharif said that he had been walking Bison late at night on February 2 when a Staffordshire bull terrier type dog attacked his pet.

He said that he was unable to separate the two dogs for 20 minutes and was left with cuts to his own hands as a result of trying to break up the fight.

He said: “I made a mistake by not getting the dog treated, I’ve not put any dog in a dog fight or ever had that intention.”

Sharif said that he was unaware that he was buying a dangerous animal when he purchased the pet online.

Magistrates told Sharif that due to the severity of the injuries suffered by Bison, they would consider Sharif’s sentencing in the “most serious category.”

He will be sentenced next Monday.

AN MP has dismissed the idea of four runways at Luton Airport as “bonkers” and a ruse designed to undermine Boris Johnson.

Last week the thinktank Policy Exchange said Luton Airport was the “next best option” after Heathrow for increasing airport capacity in the UK.

It ruled out a ‘Boris Island’ Thames Estuary airport option as “too hard to get to for too many people” and beset by environmental and construction challenges, and said Luton could provide the necessary capacity, if Heathrow were politically unfeasible.

Report author Tim Leunig said the airport was close to the M1, “arguably Britain’s most important road” and the Midland Main Line rail route, but that the surrounding terrain was much more challenging than at Heathrow.

Luton North MP Kelvin Hopkins said while he was in favour of the planned expansion at Luton to 18 million passengers a year, the idea of four runways was “wholly unrealistic”.

“My impression is that it’s a bit of mischief between different factions in the Conservatsive party,” he said.

“They want something to dent Boris Island.

“A four runway airport would just be beyond anyone’s imagining, it just wouldn’t be feasible.

“If they want more capacity in the south east there is enormous scope for expanding Stansted.”

Campaign group Hale, who are against the expansion of Luton Airport, described the proposals as “Luton Hooey”.

Spokesman Andrew Lambourne said: “Quite apart from the almost incredible arrogance of the proposals in dismissing at a stroke the interests of the local communities, they miss such obvious practical issues that it’s clear they’ve been produced by a lot of web-surfing rather than an actual first-hand appreciation of the area being discussed and its existing infrastructure.”

One of the consolations of getting on a bit is that weddings no longer clutter the calendar. The few splicings that I get invited to these days tend to be second or even third time around affairs, and fairly sedate ones at that.

But I well remember those frantic years when it seemed every other weekend was blocked out to go and watch someone else walk down the aisle, and later avoid the dance floor until Cliff’s Congratulations had been given its obligatory spin.

So I feel for today’s wedding generation – whether they’re planning their own big day or expected to turn up to see someone else make with the vows – now that the whole process has gone 24 hours like everything else in the world.

Up until this month, you couldn’t get married outside the hours of 8am and 6pm.

Sounds perfectly reasonable to me, but after 176 years that restriction has been scrapped, and all in the name of increased choice.

That’s a familiar cop-out from those who reckon they can make a quid or two from regulations being ripped up, and it’s nonsense.

One of the first venues to grasp the opportunity is that sacred temple of eternal human fidelity, Blackpool Tower.

If you want to get hitched at our shabby take on Las Vegas, you can now make a reservation for sunrise, sunset or even midnight.

But for pity’s sake, have they thought this through?

Up until now it’s always been the case that friends and relatives could be expected to travel half way across the country in their best bib and tucker to be part of the celebration, and if on the rare occasion that you got invitations for the same day everyone accepted that you couldn’t be in two places at once.

Not any more. What’s to stop your cousin in Cornwall arranging a dawn ceremony on the beach and your nephew in Newcastle going for a late-night ceremony in the shadow of the Angel of the North on the very same day?

Of course you can make it to both, you’ll just have to drive around the clock so that you don’t let either of them down.

And spare a thought to all those poor people who depend on weddings for a living, from balloon modellers and cake makers to flower arrangers, DJs, and the sundry staff who make sure the reception goes with a swing.

They could be expected to work around the clock at peak season, and I don’t think anyone should be forced to endure more than one wedding a day.

It seems that weddings are following in the path set by supermarkets, and now that the hours are de-regulated who’s to say that the next step will not be the ‘order online and we’ll deliver it’ wedding – you will be able to pick out the cake, the dress, the assorted accessories and everything else on a website, and they’ll all be stuck in a van and brought round to your door by a driver who also just happens to be licensed to sort out the service. You’ll be able to get married at the time of your choice, without bothering to leave home.

And if you then find that it doesn’t really suit, or you could have got it cheaper elsewhere, you can just send it all back....

A motocross track in Stanbridge is calling for a change in planning restrictions to enable it to expand its business.

Dunstable Motocross, which has a site in Billington Road, wants to operate the track all year around and boost the number of riders using the course at any one time from seven to 30.

The site first opened in 1995 and strict rules were imposed to limit its use to prevent noise nuisance. Now organiser Steve Brooks is looking to vary the conditions after, he claims, improvements have taken place within the industry.

He has applied to Central Beds Council to run the track throughout the year arguing that during winter weather neighbours would be less likely to have windows open or use their gardens and to alter session times to accommodate training, practise and corporate days.

He is also asking to increase the number of bikes on the track. In a letter to the authority Mr Brooks, from Harlow, said: “We feel an increase in numbers of bikes will have a calming effect on noise. As with motorway noise, a less busy motorway is noisier due to sudden changes in levels whereas a busy motorway keeps a constant hum and is less noticeable.

“This works the same with a motocross track so we feel we will have few complaints in future with more bikes on the track at any one time.

“Noise levels of motocross bikes have dropped dramatically since 1995 when this clause was put in for safety reasons as the track wasn’t manned or maintained to the standard it is now with marshalls and first aiders at every practise session. Bikes have got a lot quieter and the db has lowered considerably since then.”

X Factor finalist Jaymi Hensley is through to the next week of the show despite a disappointing reaction from the judges on Saturday.

The Stopsley singer and his group Union J were criticised for their song choice of ‘Don’t Stop Me Now’ by Queen, and mentor Louis Walsh admitted it might have been the wrong choice for the ‘heroes’ theme.

Fortunately, the band’s already-extensive fan base helped them get enough votes to escape the bottom two, and they secured themselves another chance to show what they can do.

The group wrote on their Twitter page: “Hey everyone want to say a massive thanks to all of you from your amazing support and helping us got through to the next round woop woop.”

Jaymi’s mum Jackie Hensley went to watch the show with Jaymi’s dad, brother and friend, and said it was an amazing atmosphere.

She said: “It’s great to watch the show from that side and see what goes on. We got to see Jaymi for an hour or so afterwards which was lovely because we haven’t seen him at all and have barely spoken.

“We were a little bit upset with the judges’ comments - the boys’ faces just fell. Anyone who says anything about your kids, you just want to defend them. They were positive when they came out after, but no one wants to go home in the first week.”

Union J will be back on TV this weekend, and Jackie said the song they have been working on is amazing.

She has been working hard to promote the band and let everyone know Jaymi is from Luton.

She said: “We have been going mental trying to get their name everywhere. I must say I’m disappointed with the lack of support from Luton Borough Council - they flat out refused to let us put any posters up or support Jaymi at all. Putteridge High School [Jaymi’s old school] have been fantastic though.

“It’s very exciting, I am going to watch again this weekend - you can’t keep me away, as long as I can get tickets I will be going every week, it’s all very exciting.”

Follow Union J on Twitter @UnionJWorld and catch them on the X Factor on ITV on Saturday.

Meanwhile, over on BBC One, former Luton Sixth Form College and Ashcroft High School student Colin Salmon was shaking his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing.

The actor and his dance partner Kristina Rihanoff, who last year reached the final with Jason Donovan, showed off their moves with the cha-cha-cha.

It was the first time they had performed live on television since being paired up on the opening show three weeks ago.

Talking about his career in the lead-up to their performance, Colin he said he did not think he had done badly for “a boy from Luton”.

As he took to the floor in a leopard-print shirt and sparkly vest, the Bond and Resident Evil actor seemed not to suffer from the nerves experienced by his fellow contestants.

And while he put hardly a foot wrong, he still met with a disdainful look from judge Craig Revel Horwood, who expressed his dislike for the pair’s routine.

The audience took a different view, however, and gave them a standing ovation.

Innovation and entrepreneurship are a “matter of survival” for small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) that want to succeed online, according to a university professor.

Professor Yanqing Duan, director of the Business and Information Systems Research Centre (BISC) at the University of Bedfordshire Business School, has researched why some SMEs are successful in electronic business, whilst others are left behind.

Giving the keynote speech at the International Conference on E-Business Technology and Strategy, in Tianjin, China, she said the key is to raise awareness on developing an entrepreneurial culture and to improve Information and Communications Technology (ICT) skills.

Prof Duan said: “Development and deployment of emerging ICTs are providing new opportunities as well as challenges for e-business innovation and growth.”

BISC’s research has analysed factors affecting e-business success from several theoretical and practical perspectives.It has been involved in many projects worth some £1.5m over the past 10 years, mainly funded from the European Commission, supporting SMEs’ e-business adoption and innovation through knowledge transfer and ICT competence development.

Dr Sonal Minocha, Dean at the University of Bedfordshire Business School said: “It is our ambition to build an international practice-driven school engaging with global businesses, through research and consultancy that is beneficial for organisations is a core strand of our strategy.

“Yanqing’s research evidences the highly applied and relevant nature of our research activity and the impact it is generating.”

MEMBERS of a scrutiny committee will look at what went wrong with the Love Luton Festival tomorrow night (Thursday) at 6pm.

Luton Borough Council’s overview and scrutiny board will hear from ‘relevant officers’ involved in the organisation of the festival, and receive more detailed information on the event, which lost £394,000.