Passengers on the East Midlands line between Bedford and Luton are facing delays after a vehicle his a road bridge.

East Midlands trains reported the incident at 2.48pm today.

A statement said: “There has been a vehicle striking a road bridge, just south of Bedford. This is between Bedford and Luton and is disrupting our trains on the Sheffield Nottingham / London St Pancras route.

“At present Network Rail are on site checking the bridge and ensuring it is safe to run our trains.

“All of our trains on the routes will be delayed by up to 20 minutes.

“At present we are expecting the line to fully reopen in the next 01 hour.”

Luton Council’s airport company London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL) has today published its preferred option for the growth of the UK’s fifth largest and fastest growing major airport.

Using the existing runway, LLAL is targeting expansion of the airport to 32 million passengers per annum (mppa) from its current cap of 18 mppa. The preferred option would involve construction of a new second terminal to the north of the runway. To compensate for the partial use of Wigmore Valley Park, new parkland and open space would be provided over a larger area to the east of the existing park.

The company has also published technical reports which outline the feedback received during the first period of consultation last summer, and how its expert advisors have continued to assess the options for development in the light of comments made.

The proposals are of a scale that require an application to the government for a Development Consent Order (DCO) to authorise the expansion.

Over the coming months LLAL will work up the preferred option into proposals that will form the basis of statutory consultation on the proposed DCO application. Consultation is planned to take place in the autumn, and will include key strategies to minimise and mitigate impacts on the environment.

It is expected that the DCO application will be submitted to the Planning Inspectorate in mid-2020. The final decision will rest with the Secretary of State of Transport.

Cllr Andy Malcolm, chair of LLAL, said: “We are excited to be able to present our preferred option which responds to our first public consultation and outlines how we can move towards making the best use of our existing single runway in line with government policy, deliver maximum benefit to the local, regional and national economy, and actively manage environmental impacts.

“In our Vision for Sustainable Growth 2020-50, published in December 2017, we outlined that the maximum capacity of the runway could be up to 36-38 mppa. How this might be best achieved was the focus of the consultation we carried out during 2018. It remains our assessment and aspiration that the airport can deliver these volumes in the longer term.

“However, in our judgment, at this stage our preferred option for growth to 32 mppa best reflects our determination to get the balance absolutely right between the economic benefits and environmental impacts associated with airport expansion. It is also consistent with feedback people have provided about impacts, such as on road use and green belt land.”

Feedback showed support for LLAL’s strategy to make the best use of its existing single runway, and for its emerging preferred option for two terminals north of the runway. The most common issues raised included noise, flight paths, air quality and how people will get to and from the airport.

Cllr Malcolm said: “We know that our airport will be operating close to the current planning limit in 2019, and that the Department for Transport has identified a shortfall of circa 60 million aviation passenger journeys by 2050 across the UK. We have a unique opportunity as the owner of London Luton Airport to support growth of the local, sub-regional and national economies, and the council’s transformation of our town.

“Our preferred option safeguards as much land as possible within Wigmore Valley Park, and provides a new footprint for the parkland and open space which is 10 per cent bigger than the existing and positioned further away from the runway than it is at the moment. We will also deliver significant improvements to facilities in the retained part of the park. We have also worked to constrain the extent of development required in the green belt.”

London Luton Airport is expected to handle 17.7 million passengers in 2019 and at its current rate of growth is projected to reach its current maximum permitted capacity of 18 mppa by 2020.

In 2017 the airport generated £1.3bn benefit to the national economy, including £895m within Luton, and supported nearly 10,000 direct and 20,000 indirect jobs within the three counties of Beds, Bucks and Herts.

Cllr Malcolm added: “The airport is a key driver for the success of the whole region, generating more than £2,300 in economic benefit every minute, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone can share the benefits.

“At the same time that we present more detailed proposals in the autumn, we will also outline how we propose to develop further the support we provide for communities in areas impacted by airport operations.

“There is now a lot more work for us to do make sure our proposals are the very best they can be, and to mitigate and minimise the full range of environmental impacts that respondents to the consultation have helped us to identify.

“We are committed to continuing the conversation with all our nearby residents, businesses and other stakeholders, and look forward to consulting with you again in the autumn.”

A jealous thug from Luton has been jailed after sending nude pictures of his ex-partner to her family and setting up a fake online dating profile.

Calvin Brathwaite, 29, of Malvern Road, Luton, appeared sobbing with his head in his hands at Luton Crown Court yesterday for sentencing over the two month harassment campaign.

Jailing him for 15 months, Recorder David Mayall said: “Some of these messages were absolutely disgusting... this was a horrendous course of conduct.”

The court heard that the victim ended their 18-month relationship in August 2018, describing Brathwaite as “controlling and abusive”.

Shortly afterwards, he began to bombard her with around 100 WhatsApp messages, including threats to kill and other abuse.

Prosecutor Max Hardy said: “On November 8, she started receiving messages from strangers via WhatsApp referring to the Plenty of Fish dating application.

“She was sent screen shots of a Plenty of Fish profile which contained her mobile telephone number in the ‘About Me’ section. It was not created with her knowledge or consent.”

Brathwaite also sent messages to the victim’s mum and sister’s Facebook accounts, which they chose not to look at.

The victim examined the messages, and found one to her mother repeating his earlier threats. Brathwaite had also sent 13 naked images of her to her mother and 11 images to her sister.

Mr Hardy added: “He was arrested on December 20 last year. He became upset during the course of the interview, he admitted sending the messages and confirmed he did not take the break-up well. He said he had been drunk and took cannabis.

“He accepted making threats to kill her but said he had no intention of carrying out these threats.”

The victim said that she had to change her mobile phone number, the images were distressing and she worried about what he would do if he saw her.

The court was told Brathwaite had 17 convictions for 31 offences, including beatings against two women, as well as sharing pictures of a 16-year-old ex-partner on Twitter.

The first of the two attacks was against an ex-partner in 2013. In an act of jealousy, Brathwaite had grabbed the woman by the hair, pushed her against a wardrobe and slapped her in the face.

The second attack happened in 2015 to a woman living in Folkestone, who had given Brathwaite her number and then blocked him. After spotting her in the street and trying to start up a conversation, her punched her in the arm, grabbed her phone and threw it to the ground.

He was convicted last year of a historic offence of posting indecent pictures of a 16-year-old girl on his Twitter account in 2014.

The Probation Service stated there was “nothing they could do” to rehabilitate Brathwaite, who had already been forced to undertake ‘Thinking Skills’ and ‘Better Relationships’ courses after his convictions in the past.

The 15-month sentence comprised 12 months for Brathwaite’s harassment campaign, as well as three month activation of a suspended sentence.

PC Connor MacKay, who investigated the case, said: “Brathwaite carried out this disgusting campaign of intimidation against the victim for a number of months. He offered no explanation for his unacceptable behaviour, apart from not dealing well with the break-up.

“I would like to commend the victim as she has been extremely brave in coming forward and co-operating with us during the investigation.

“Hopefully this case will encourage any other victims of hidden harassment to come forward. Our force remains dedicated to tackling online harassment and ‘revenge porn’ offences.

“We will treat your report seriously and no one should suffer this kind of distress alone.”

A Luton burglar who stole around £5k worth of jewellery, a car and clothes has been jailed.

David O’Hare, 34, from Luton, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court today (February 22) to one year in prison over two burglaries in the town last year.

On 28 August, he broke into a property in Wellington Street, Luton, forcing his way through the bathroom window.

He stole money, and various items of clothing. A Scenes of Crime Officer attended, and a fingerprint near the bathroom window was identified as being from O’Hare.

A month later, on 30 September, O’Hare broke into a property in Liverpool Road, Luton, by popping the door off its hinges. He stole a car, which was later recovered in Dunstable, jewellery worth around £5,000, and a number of other items. His fingerprints were found on the door frame of the property.

He was arrested just before Christmas, answered no comment to all questions put to him in interview, and was subsequently charged with two counts of burglary and theft of a motor vehicle.

When he was sentenced, four other burglary and theft offences were taken into consideration.

Detective Constable Kevin Howes, from Bedfordshire Police’s specialist burglary team, said: “This case demonstrates the investigative skill and tenacity our team has to pursue those involved in burglaries in Bedfordshire.

“There are numerous ways we can catch up with those causing such distress and emotional harm in our communities.

“This case should serve as a warning to potential offenders that our team will do everything we can to stop you.”

Police investigating an armed robbery in Luton have released CCTV images.

At around 6.10pm on Friday, February 8, two men entered SR Newsagents in Stockingstone Road and threatened the shop keeper with what is believed to have been a gun, before stealing various items from the shop.

The two men were both wearing balaclavas.

One was described as around 6’2” and slim, and the second was described as 5’2”.

Detective Constable Colin Knight, investigating, said: “We will not tolerate people using violence and weapons to intimidate others, and we are appealing for anyone with information about this incident to get in touch so we can find those responsible.”

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting 40/8019/19.

Council tax is to rise in Central Bedfordshire by an average of 2.4 per cent for 2019/20.

A one per cent share of that increase was approved at a Central Bedfordshire Council budget meeting on Thursday.

The local authority’s capital programme continues to feature some significant investments, according to a report to councillors.

“These include new school places, the M1/A6 link road, integrated health and care hubs in Dunstable and Biggleswade, and highways maintenance.”

There were 1,725 responses to the council’s budget public consultation, which included asking whether residents would pay an extra one per cent.

“The majority of respondents were supportive of a modest increase in council tax,” said Conservative Arlesey councillor and deputy council leader Richard Wenham.

“This year is the last year of changes and our revenue support grant from last year finally disappears, so there’s a further £4.7m cut compared to the funding we had last year.

“We also continue to see huge additional burdens placed on us with no extra funding.

“These include the two-year two per cent pay award, and the welcome but unfunded increases in the living wage, which is also adding huge pressures.

“There are other responsibilities such as the Homelessness Act, which was introduced last April, and new processes in children’s services, which further increase costs.

“And we’re seeing rapidly increasing demand for our services as our population rises and the percentage of very old people in that also increases.

“We have identified £14.8m of efficiencies next year, all of which have been identified, but are becoming ever harder for officers to deliver,” he explained.

“And there’s a total of £40m of efficiencies over the medium-term financial plan period.

“We have challenged ourselves and senior officers to find a further £6m of efficiencies, up from £5m last year, to provide a buffer against future unfunded pressures.

“Through excellent financial management of our efficient council, we are also able to recommend extra investment in key services totalling £3.3m.

“This includes £1m for community safety, £1m for sustainable transport, cycleways and footpaths, £250,000 for countryside access and £0.5m to support new community projects.”

Councillor Wenham, executive member for corporate resources, explained the council’s one per cent share is in addition to 13.48 per cent for Bedfordshire Police and 2.99 per cent for the county fire and rescue service.

He referred to the report which notes “the average parish precept of 2.79 per cent, although there are wide variations between parishes as usual.

“The lucky residents in Streatley are getting an 8.4 per cent reduction, and it’s an 84 per cent increase in Apsley Guise,” he said.

“Taken together it makes a typical council tax increase across Central Bedfordshire of 2.4 per cent.”

Conservative council leader James Jamieson told the meeting: “We continuously deliver better services to our residents. We also care about what we spend.

“But we don’t judge our delivery on how much we spend. We judge it on what we actually deliver.”

Four budget votes were taken in total by councillors and all were approved.

A 52-year-old man from Luton has been jailed for 12 months after downloading thousands of indecent images of children.

Marc Watts, of Marsom Grove, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday,February 22, for three counts of making indecent images, or pseudo images, of children and one count of possessing prohibited images of children.

He will also be the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order (SHPO) after his release.

A search warrant was carried out at Watts’ home in the early hours of April 12, 2016, after police were informed that someone at that address was accessing indecent images of children via the internet.

Watts was arrested after officers seized two laptops and three USB sticks containing more than 13,800 images and videos, ranging from the more serious category A to category C, including six prohibited images.

Jailing him for 12 months, Judge Barbara Mensah described Watts as “calculated, manipulative and devious”.

Detective Constable Martin Abreu from the Internet Child Abuse Investigation Team (ICAIT), said: “We are pleased that Watts will be punished for his actions.

“Viewing and possessing indecent images of children is not a victimless crime. It causes real harm to the children concerned, as they are abused and exploited in such a vile and despicable way.

“The ICAIT team is dedicated to tackling offences of this nature, and hope that the custodial sentence Watts has received today sends a strong message to others who seek to abuse children in this way.”

Parents can visit the Parents Protect website, which is run by the Lucy Faithfull Foundation, for lots of useful resources to help prevent online child sexual abuse. It also contains a list of organisations and resources focusing on keeping children safe in the digital world.

The NSPCC Share Aware website also contains advice and tips about how children can keep themselves safe online.

To report concerns around child sexual abuse call the police on 101.

Luton Foodbank has been chosen as The Mall’s Charity of the Year partner for 2019.

The charity aims to eradicate food poverty in Luton and strives to ensure no one goes hungry in the town, by providing food parcels to help families in need.

After being shortlisted, Luton Foodbank was then voted for by The Mall’s management team to be the Charity of the Year.

Luton Foodbank provides free nutritionally balanced and culturally appropriate food to people in hardship or distress and already has food drop off points located within the shopping centre.

Salma Khan, Foodbank Manager, said “We are delighted to be chosen as The Mall’s Charity of the Year.

“Working with The Mall will help raise awareness and alleviate food poverty at a time when foodbank use is at an all-time high.”

The partnership will see The Mall help to increase awareness of the charity, which has been running for six years, with a number of events and fundraising activities.

Lavinia Douglass, Marketing Manager at The Mall Luton, said: “We are really looking forward to strengthening that partnership and helping the charity’s fight against hunger.

“I would like to thank all the fantastic charities who applied to become our Charity of the Year, and although it was a very hard decision to make, we’re now looking forward to raising both funds and awareness of Luton Foodbank across the town.”

To celebrate the end of Year 11, most British students now attend highly anticipated school proms.

However, increasing costs of these events - it can cost up to £200 for a new dress - mean that some young girls miss out attending their big day.

And the Mall Luton has joined up with All Dressed Up – a not-for-profit project - which believes that no teenage girl should miss their prom because they can’t afford a dress .

The organisation is helping by sourcing and providing donated dresses to teenagers.

Lara Davis, founder of All Dressed Up, says: “I was staggered to hear how much some families are spending on prom dresses with the average spend around £200! The cost doesn’t stop there with shoes, bag, nails, hair, professional make up and cars also forming part of the prom experience.

“No teenager wants to miss their school prom but increasingly many do, because the family finances just can’t cover it. Lots of people have lovely dresses sitting in their wardrobe that they will never wear again.”

The Mall Luton will be opening a closed, invite only pop-up boutique within the centre. Alongside hosting the new store, The Mall will also be launching an internal campaign with its retailers to help raise awareness of the project.

All Dressed Up is now calling out for prom dress donations and accepts new, second-hand dresses in a clean and ready to wear condition in all styles and sizes.

Lara adds: “To ensure that dresses reach those in most financial need we’re asking Luton schools, youth workers and social workers to identify young people that will most benefit. They’ll be invited to The Mall’s pop-up prom dress shop where they will hopefully find a dress they love, to wear for their prom. We’re also hoping to get hair stylists, nail technicians and make-up artists along to give the girls a bit of a pamper.”

Lavinia Douglass, Marketing Manager at The Mall Luton, said: “This is a fantastic project which The Mall are delighted to support and help in any way we can. Hopefully it will enable more teenagers to attend their prom, which has become an important milestone and part of finishing school”.

Luton’s Leonardo team is proudly flying the rainbow flag outside its office to support LGBT history month and reflect its increasingly diverse workforce.

The aerospace company, of Capability Green, has created an LGBT network at its UK sites.

Jane McDonald, Leonardo’s head of diversityand inclusion, said: “At Leonardo we believe true inclusion is about providing a workplace where all LGBT people can, quite simply, be themselves - accepted and supported without exception. We know inclusion is not a given and we take that seriously. Employing a rich mix of people means you considerably widen the skills base, with individuals who bring fresh perspectives to innovation and engineering.

“An atmosphere of mutual respect means colleagues can bring their whole selves to work and perform at their best.”

Leonardo is also holding a programme of initiatives including LGBT roadshows and Lunchtime Learner sessions.

The first of the Lunchtime Learner sessions will take the form of a screening of a TED Talk: “The Danger of Hiding Who You Are” by Morgana Bailey.

In her presentation, Morgana offers very compelling insights into what happens when a person feels they can’t be themselves at work.

The initiatives are being supported by enthusiastic employees who are “committed to continuing to build on Leonardo’s diverse working culture”.

Motorists travelling into Luton this morning (Tuesday) are being advised of delays following a police incident near the town.

The police have closed off Hatters Way, both ways, from the town centre to Chaul End. while they deal with an incident near the town.

Diversions are in place and the road is expected to remain closed for at least an hour.

Here we take a look back at this time last year in comparison to the current weather - and the iconic images which show what happened when the Beast from the East hit the UK.

An author from Dunstable is hoping her first book will inspire others to overcome any challenges they face in their life.

Shae Eccleston, of Sandringham Drive, wrote, Sunny Days, a motivational book and journal, inspired by her diagnosis of living with and beyond a rare cancer.

Nine years ago Shae was diagnosed with a very rare form of head and neck cancer (Acinic Cell Carcinoma) and was told that if she did not have surgery she would only have three months to live.

She said: “I went through a lot of complications, I had surgery and then there was another tumour and more surgery and even now I still have to take medication. It was a massive challenge for me but I overcame it.

“The book is about coming through difficult times, and how it is different for different people, it is about being able to overcome anything.

“I want people to know that it is okay to go through difficult times but this book will hopefully help people see that there is always going to be a sunny day and the tough times can be overcome.”

Shae wants the book to help people and she also wants to raise awareness about cancer.

She added: “It is about uplifting people without needing anything back. It is nice to be nice to people and you do not need anything in return. I want people to feel positive about themselves.

Shae wrote a digital book about her cancer journey but explains that this book is more about inspiring and helping people, rather than her journey.

The 40-year-old, who grew up in Luton, said: “I have had an amazing response to the book, I am so happy that the book is already helping people to overcome difficult times, that is all I wanted.

“The book touches on my experience and aims to help anyone experiencing dark times, I want to help people find and maintain their own personal sun.”

The book is available from: www.atruestory.co.uk/product-page/sunny-days-book-journal.

An overhaul of Luton’s “tired” and “drab” town centre is being planned, if a share of some government funds can be secured.

And the town’s night-time entertainment needs a boost, a borough council meeting heard.

The call for change was made during an update on the Luton Investment Framework and its on-going proposals for 2019.

Labour council leader Hazel Simmons told the meeting: “It’s time to focus on revamping our town centre.

“There is no doubt Luton town centre is drab and tired, with nightlife needing a revival.

“We are therefore going to apply for funding from the government’s pot of money of £675m that it’s made available recently to develop a new town centre framework.

“We will need as a town to rethink what we want from our town centre, what a town centre for the future is going to look like, and how we can best use town centre spaces for our communities and local businesses.

“It’s vital the investment and growth coming in from the £1.5bn transformation of Luton benefits all of our communities.

“It is also important it is done so independently and to do this we have set up an inclusive growth commission, chaired by Sir Les Ebdon, which has already started work.”

Councillor Simmons explained that a number of grants have been received in the past year which will see the rejuvenation of arts and culture in Luton.

“2019 will also see the launch of our People Power and Passion Programme which will commemorate 100 years since the Luton Peace riots and the burning down of the town hall.”

Deputy council leader councillor Sian Timoney said: “One of the things that has helped us has been our Aspiration Centre, the mobile unit which has been around the town. And I’m really proud of the number who have filled in the assessment and have gone on to get work or education or training. If this is what we can do in seven months, think of what we can achieve over the next year.”

Shocked residents found a ‘miscarried foetus’ near the entrance of their flats in High Town in a disturbing incident last week.

The grim discovery was made at Villa Court near the end of Old Bedford Road on Monday, February 11, followed by the appearance of more blood at the same spot the following day.

One shocked resident said: “I can’t take this anymore... crack-heads get into the block everyday, used condoms, filth and now this.

“I’ve called police again, environmental health and building manager. No show as yet... I feel sick.”

Graphic images have been sent to the Luton News from the scene.

Cllr Michael Garrett said: “I had a telephone call from a lady – she wouldn’t give a name – she just said that there had been a miscarriage and the remains of the miscarriage were all over the floor of the entrance to Villa Court.

“She’d been on the phone to the town hall and couldn’t get hold of her councillors, so I got the environmental health team down there.

”High Town has become so run-down in these past few years, there’s a major problem with prostitution and drug-taking. I was only called because my team had been leafleting there recently.”

A Beds Police spokesman said the force had no record of the incident being reported to them.

A Luton Borough Council spokesman added: “We take the health and wellbeing of everyone living in Luton extremely seriously.

“We would like to reassure residents that our safeguarding teams were alerted immediately when we received concerning reports related to Villa Court, and they have been working to ensure help is offered to anyone who needs it.”

Police are investigating after a 19-year-old man was assaulted in Luton on Monday afternoon.

Officers were called to reports of a fight in Collingdon Street at around 4.15pm.

A spokesman for Bedfordshire Police said: “A man was assaulted and received an injury to his neck and the offender fled the scene on a bicycle.

“The victim was taken to hospital with what are believed to be non-life threatening injuries.”

Bedfordshire Police were unable to confirm whether the injury to the neck was caused by a knife.

Anyone with information can report it online at www.bedfordshire.police.uk/report or call 101, quoting reference number 40/11442/19.

Six members of staff from St Matthew’s Primary School in Luton are preparing for a bike and hike in memory of Miss Krstic.

Six members of staff from St Matthew’s Primary School in Luton are preparing for a bike and hike in memory of Miss Krstic.

The school teacher sadly lost her battle with cancer last October. On Friday, April 26, staff will cycle 166 miles from York University where Miss Krstic studied, down the country ending in Barton-le-Clay the following day.

The team will then be joined by around 100 members of staff from St Matthew’s and their families, to walk the 6.5 miles back to the school across Barton and Wardown Hills.

Daniel Chaplen, Sports Development Manager at St Matthew’s Primary School, said: “This is a charity that is close to our hearts and we are thankful for all the donations we’ve had so far towards our £5000 target.”

Headteacher Jane Thomas said: “I know we have an excellent community behind us who will help our fundraising efforts.

“We are devastated by the loss of Miss Krstic, who was such a vibrant and charismatic young teacher, but we know MacMillan Cancer Support did a lot for her and her family and we hope to raise money so that they can continue to support thousands of families across the country.”

The school will also be holding cake sales and a ‘kid’s luxury raffle’, and are asking local businesses for donations towards the raffle. Businesses who want to help can call 01582 723970.

To support the school’s fundraising efforts visit: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/qb-bikeandhike.

Thousands of pounds has been raised over ten years for Great Ormond Street Hospital in memory of a man from Luton.

Lewis Snow, also known as Wiggy, died after collapsing while playing football with friends at Playfootball.net on Sunday, February 24, in 2008.

A year later, his friends and family organised a 5-a-side football tournament, Wiggy’s cup, in his memory to raise money for the charity that was close to his heart, the tournament became an annual event.

On Sunday, a date which marked 11 years since Lewis passed away, his mum Jackie Snow, wanted to say thank you to all the people who helped raise money for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

She said: “I want to say thank you to all the people who helped raise the money for GOSH in my son, Lewis’ memory.

“GOSH is an amazing place that helps children from all over the world, they operated on Lewis when he was nine months old and their care and expertise even then, 32 years ago, was exceptional.

“Lewis always supported them when he could and when somebody suggested holding a 5-a-side each year and naming it after Lewis, or his nickname Wiggy, it was only natural to donate all the money raised to GOSH.

“After all they gave Lewis 21 years that he would never have had if it wasn’t for that operation in 1987.”

Jackie wanted to try and raise £10,000 in ten years, and through Wiggy’s Cup - which ended up turning into a fun day for all ages - and other fundraising activities, she managed to raise £12,209.82.

She added: “All good things have to come to an end and what better way to celebrate the impact that Lewis has had on everybody and the community of Luton, than getting together one last time with a cheque that GOSH presented to us to say thank you for helping them.

“There is so much unity in Luton and this is one example of it, I am so proud of my son and all that has been achieved in his memory. He still lives on and will continue to be an inspiration to us all.”

An empowering women’s networking group is delighted to be a finalist in the SME Luton and Bedfordshire Awards.

The Athena Network Bedfordshire is hoping to win the ‘Best Networking Group’ category, and regional director Kate Cherry, who runs a group in Luton, is thrilled.

Kate’s sessions attract women from all professions and backgrounds across the region, supporting small and medium sized businesses in the local community.

She said: “The empowerment of women in business receives recognition.

“We are passionate about helping women to grow stronger, more profitable businesses with opportunities for career success.

“With increasing demand for this type of networking, the focus is to provide members with specialist training, inspirational talks and expert advice in the form of meetings, events and programmes relevant to women in business.”

Business Networking has become a very important part of many companies’ marketing and sales strategies, and some groups have been around many years, while others have only recently started.

The category of Best Networking Group looks to reward groups that stand out and are successful.

Kate’s group shares knowledge, skills, connections and experience through lunchtime networking meetings and informal coffee mornings.

To find out more, visit: www.theathenanetwork.com/katecherry

Some of Luton’s best street artists have joined forces with Save Our Town to transform the boards around Power Court with a blaze of colourful urban art.

The run-down symbol of Luton’s past is being reborn as Europe’s single, largest urban street art project – called Power in Paint – with the help of local artists from Little Red Creatives Studio in George Street.

Little Red Creative Studios Director, Aimi Rix, said: “For years I have committed myself to the artistic regeneration of Luton Town.

“I have had the pleasure of working alongside many amazing artists who share that passion.

“I am honoured to have been given this opportunity at Power Court and to have partnered with innovative #saveourtown team.

Following outline planning permission last month, Power Court will be the new home of Luton Town Football Club, with a 17,500-seat stadium.

It will also include a 1,800-capacity music venue, bars, restaurants, entertainment and leisure facilities, plus new public spaces, featuring the re-emergence of the River Lea.

A Save Our Town spokesman said: “At present [Power Court] is a largely toxic and derelict site that has sat unloved, mainly unused and dominated for more than a decade by hundreds of ugly, blue, perimeter hoarding boards.

“That is set to change as #saveourtown has teamed up with art collective Little Red Creative Studios to create the Power in Paint project and use the bleak barrier as one big, blank canvas.”

Andy King, vice chairman of #saveourtown, added: “Power Court will, in time, massively change our home town for the better and, while we have campaigned very hard for this regeneration, the physical changes that will emerge are just a part of the transformation tale.

“Now is the time for us Lutonians to start viewing ourselves in a new light.

“We’re a wonderfully diverse and creative community, but for years people have tried to tell us otherwise.

“We can change this perception. The Power in Paint project will make a big contribution to the way others see us and the way we see ourselves.”

Any artists wishing to get involved are asked to email info@littleredcreativestudios.com. Little Red Creative Studios will be in touch with an application form and can provide a lanyard or pass, giving permission to create artworks on the Power Court hoarding boards.