Almost half of office workers fantasise about having relations with a colleague, according to new research.

Of those, 11% fancy their boss, while 42% want to canoodle with colleagues or clients.

The poll into office romances by Printerland.co.uk, showed that a quarter of staff have slipped under the sheets with a workmate - with a shocking 30% admitting to having an affair.

But it seems their rendezvous don’t go unnoticed, with 40% of workers suspecting their colleagues are in a relationship.

Drunken nights out and social media accounts are to blame for much of Brits’ lip-locking but most staff make advances during the brew run instead.

And while some staff are keen to show off their new beau, many try to sneak under the radar because they’re already romantically involved, according to the survey.

Only 68% of those who began an office relationship were single at the time - 12% were already dating, 16% were hitched, 2% engaged to be wed and 3% recently divorced.

A staggering 43% have kept a tryst hush-hush for fear of getting fired, while 38% confided in one fellow comrade or a select few.

Of the one in four respondents who have ended up dating someone they work with, 39% have gone on to tie the knot.

But for others, getting it on with a colleague is a mere pipedream, with 62% of men admitting to fantasising about a work relationship, compared to just 34% of women.

However, blokes were also far more likely to keep their romance under wraps (48%) than their female counterparts (39%).

The survey also revealed that men are most likely to end the relationship as they didn’t like working with someone they were dating.

Workers in Sheffield are getting the most boudoir action, with 31% claiming to have slept with an aide, while Aberdonians are least likely to get lucky with a colleague.

Catherine Bannan, HR manager at Printerland, said: “Working so many hours compared to our European friends, it’s unsurprising that so many people are getting together with colleagues. It’s nice to see so many of the nation’s secret office relationships have resulted in marriage!

“But remember if you do get involved with someone at work and the relationship ends badly, you may have to work with that person for a long time, which could lead to a whole host of problems.”

The average relationship between British work colleagues lasts 11 months, while nearly half survive 18 months or more.

In the USA, employers can ask that dating workers enter a ‘love contract’, in order to indemnify the company if the relationship fails and avoid a sexual harassment lawsuit being filed.

‘Wedding season’ sets the average adult back almost £800, a study found.

Research revealed the typical adult will attend three ceremonies this year, spending a total of £266 each time on accommodation, gifts, drinks and travel.

Grandparents will end up with the largest bill, around £430, while the best man will end up with a £313 dent in his bank balance.

The study also found four in ten have gone over budget at a wedding.

However, the value of seeing loved ones walk down the aisle far outweighs the cost for many, with two thirds saying they feel it’s a real honour to be asked to attend a wedding.

Paul Stokes of M&S Bank, who commissioned the study of 2,000 adults, said: “We know the privilege of attending a wedding far outweighs the cost for many of us, but with wedding season totalling nearly £800 on average, we wanted to look at the costs and see where guests could make some savings.”

Buying gifts was one of the most expensive elements of attending a wedding, costing guests an average of £79 a time, with people most likely to spend more on their best friends than siblings.

Proud mothers of the happy couple will spend £307 on a new outfit, including more than £100 on a new dress, £51 on shoes, £30 on jewellery and £59 on hats and fascinators, as well as other accessories.

Paul Stokes added: “Despite the cost, being part of a loved one’s special day is hugely important to most of us, so we wanted to show how guests can make the experience a little more affordable.”

New M&S Current Account customers who switch using the Current Account Switch Service will receive a £125 M&S gift card, which can be used to cover the average cost of a wedding outfit, or a gift.

Table topping Leighton Buzzard Town slipped to a shock four wicket defeat at the hand of bottom placed Oxford 2nds.

Town batted first and were soon reeling as they lost their first four wickets with just 25 runs on the board. Dan Scott and Dave Roberts (24) set about repairing the damage as they put on over 50 for the fifth wicket taking the score past 100.

At the fall of Roberts, Scott was they joined at the crease by Captain Jack Kempster (30) and the pair put on another good partnership to push the score over 200.

A few boundaries late on in the innings from Dan Scott, who anchored the innings with an excellent 65 not out, moved the score along to a competitive 235, one that Town were confident of defending at the break.

Oxford's reply also got off to a shaky start with both of Towns opening bowlers striking early to reduce the visitors to 20 for 2. But then Town were frustrated and found wickets difficult to come by as the visitors took the score past 100.

With the score 150-5, Oxford’s overseas player Reilly came to the wicket and took the attack to the Leighton bowlers, taking the score to 236 with three overs remaining.

Dan Scott was the pick of bowlers picking up 2-34 with his left arm spin.

The result meant Town have dropped to third in the table but the will be looking to bounce back next week when they host Oxford and Bletchingdon Nondescripts.

Air quality surveys conducted around Leighton Buzzard reveal “concerning” results, according to South Beds Friends of the Earth.

To coincide with National Clen Air Week (June 23-July 2), FoE have released the findings of their “snapshot” air quality research.

Although the readings fell within EU limits, the group says the figures show concerning concentrations of nitrogen dioxide at different locations across Leighton Buzzard, including key routes to schools and are urging Central Beds Council to cut air pollution by supporting buses and cycling, electric bikes, electric cars, and fining idling vehicles which can produce twice the amount of emissions

In March South Beds FoE put up ten test tubes in eight locations across the Leighton Buzzard area, ranging from Stockgrove Country Park and Station Road in Stanbridge, to Stoke Road to the roundabout by Tesco, and outside Morrisons.

The group says the results give a “a snapshot” from two weeks – which is not same as the average mean monitoring over a year but gives an indication.

Their results were then tested by an independent laboratory Gradko.

The highest NO2 levels of 35.6 µg/m3, just over four points below the EU’s current annual mean limit (40 µg/m³), were recorded at the A505 – Billington Road roundabout, next to the new Roman Gate residential estate, and the lowest levels in Kings Wood, Stockgrove Country Park of 12.42 µg/m3.

They say that despite being still within current EU limits, recent studies have shown that lower concentrations of NO2 can affect human health, increasing the incidence of respiratory conditions as well as cancer. Additionally, the EU Air Quality Directive formally acknowledges that NO2 concentrations above 30 µg/m3 are enough to harm vegetation and ecosystems.

The other areas of concern were the roundabout by Tesco and Vimy Road used as a walking route by many school children which was 30.87 µg/m³. Levels on Leston Road outside Morrisons were also high at 29.9 µg/m3.

Levels in the Market Square, close to the taxis, were 28.57 µg/m³.

Central Beds Council has installed 37 diffusion tubes to monitor NO2 year-round, but only two of these are currently located in Leighton-Linslade; one in Rowley Furrows/Knaves Hill (which South Beds FoE believe leaves out the areas of most traffic) and also at Hocklife Street.

FoE says that a long-term strategy to tackle NO2 emissions across the county would be welcomed, especially in growing towns such as Leighton Buzzard.

Marco Guidici, of South Beds FoE, said: “Children in Leighton Buzzard are being exposed to high levels of air pollution on the way to school, it is the same if they are driven as if they are walking.

“Idling engines near school gates are a particular worry for children’s health. We are calling on Central Beds Council to take action by fining idling engines, supporting cycling walking and buses.

“With all the new building, there is the perfect opportunity to invest in electric bikes and electric cars powered by solar panels.

“On July 6, 7.45pm at All Saints Church at a public meeting, the architect Bill Dunster – who has built developments across the UKand China – will be talking about affordable houses for young people with zero energy bills built above car parks with which have solar roofs to power electric vehicles in the car park below and solar trees to charge electric bikes.”

Calibrated results: A505 roundabout with Billington Rd LU7 9HH (35.60); Kestrel Way by Greenleas School LU7 4WZ (23.08); Morrisons Leston Road LU7 1WS (29.79); Market Square, High Street LU7 1EU (28.57); Church Square LU7 1EX (23.39); Roundabout of Leighton Road and Vimy Road near Tesco LU7 1LA (30.87); Mentmore Road by the entrance to Cedars/ Tiddenfoot LU7 2AF (22.00); Stoke Rd LU7 2SW (24.37); Stockgrove Park, Kings Wood LU7 0BA (12.42); Stanbridge LU7 9JG (19.41).

Pleas to have CCTV installed on the Sandhills estate have been rejected as the anti-social problems on the estate are below the average for Leighton Buzzard as a whole.

In total 120 desperate residents signed a petition urging Central Beds Council to install fixed cameras due to ongoing crime problems.

After suffering from months of anti-social behaviour, trespassing and theft, locals were demanding cameras to catch offenders in the act, or deter them in the first place.

The petition was considered at a meeting of CBC’s Executive where Cllr Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services, revealed that, since receiving the document, council officers had conducted a review of anti-social behaviour, property tresspass and theft on the estate.

He pointed out that Sandhills was made up of 45 roads, of which only three had been adopted by CBC, and that there were 1,500 properties, housing approximately 4,500 residents.

He said: “The town council does operate a CCTV system at its community buildings adjacent to Astral Park, but by its nature and the size of the estate this only has a limited use in the centre area.”

Cllr Dalgarno said between April 2015 and March 2017 there had been 247 incidents reported, mostly centring on rowdy behaviour, nuisance vehicles, and flytipping.

“A comparison of data between Sandhills and the rest of Leighton Buzzard compares quite favourably. Sandhills has 5.15 incidents per 1,000 population, the rest of Leighton Buzzard is 7.76, so Sandhills is below the average.

“I acknowledge there are incidents of anti-social behaviour on Sandhills, however the number and nature of these incidents is no different from any other similar estate across Central Bedfordshire.

“Therefore the deployment of fixed cameras on the estate is not cost effective or practical due to the sheer size and the lack of a defined problem area.

“We do however have a number of redeployable cameras that we do use and these can be used in hotspots. However there is an issue in that most of the roads on the estate are not adopted by Central Beds.”

Cllr Dalgarno did add that progress had been made in identifying some of the troublemakers. “The council’s anti-social behaviour team has been working with the Sandhills community, the police, the town council and other partners.

“We have identified individuals and home visits and formal warnings are taking place.”

Ward Councillor Amanda Dodwell had earlier told the meeting: “Community safety has been an issue for quite a while in the Sandhills area of the town and for the last six months Sandhills has come up as the number one area for anti-social behaviour.

“It is mostly low level anti-social behaviour but it is blighting the lives of residents in that area and that explains why they come today with this petition.”

Cllr Dodwell said the town council – through Operation Dodford – had arranged for extra patrol of the estate, and that Streetwatch volunteers had also targeted the area.

Petition organiser Sumeet Grover, who had his new motorcycle stolen in February, told the LBO: “We welcome the efforts of the Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) team of the council in working with our community and acknowledging that there is a problem.

“However, it is questionable if the residents would welcome the council’s response of statistical figures to a democratic appeal signed by them.

“The council’s response also exposes issues around local governance, which should invite ongoing public and press scrutiny.

“The roads at our doorsteps are privately owned after years of having been developed. Should that reduce the council tax obligations to merely property tax and refuse collection? Their response also exposes that ASB is a wider problem in Central Bedfordshire, that it is known, but is it okay to simply know of a problem?”

Over a hundred Vintage Vehicles were on display at Pages Park Railway station on Sunday, June 25, for this year’s Vintage Vehicles rally.

The team from Leighton Buzzard Railway set up the Rally Control in Pages Park at 7am and the Junior team were marshalling the exhibitors and the visitors cars, over 130 vehicles attended the event.

Visitors took trains to the new interpreted trail at Stonehenge Works and the shed was open for visitors to take a tour with Ted, discussing the locomotives that have been used for over 50 years.

Andrew Robinson, Rally organiser, said: “The event went extremely well and the weather was kind to us just the right temperature.

“Over 130 vehicles attended including cars, commercials and public service vehicles were joined by quite a few motorcycles, particularly the NSU Club had a record number of bikes and cars joined their Club Stand.

“I received many complements as the exhibitors left the show which provided a good social as well as a splendid display of pristine exhibits.

“Thanks to all of the members who made the day special.

“Owners of historic vehicles and bikes are welcome to attend next year and more PSV, Commercials, Tractors and steam cars would be welcome next year.”

Families headed to Leighton Buzzard Railway on Sunday to meet Paddington Bear and take a ride to Stonehenge Works.

Hundreds of passengers took the 90 minute train trip which included 50 minutes at Stonehenge Works.

Guests got to look at a bomb train from a RAF ammunition depot, a logging train and a display about sand quarrying in Leighton Buzzard and the Great War military railways from which the Leighton Buzzard Railway’s line was first built.

Steve Doughty, of Leighton Buzzard Railway, said: “We had just under 500 passengers. The event was a great success, with several trains running full.

“Services ran non-stop, with teams at road crossings where necessary to see the trains across.”

Visitors also enjoyed a guided Engine Shed Show tour at Page’s Park, which tells the stories of the steam locomotives as well as the history of the line and its construction.

Charlie Smith was agonisingly pipped into second place at the line to come away with a silver medal from the ECA Canoe Marathon European Championship.

The Leighton Buzzard teenager was competing for the GB Junior Kayak squad in Portugal, racing in the U18 K1 race over 22.6km.

His excellent performance has earned him a spot in GB’s World Championship squad set for South Africa later this year.

Competitors from 23 different countries attended the Championships held at Ponte de Lima - one of the oldest villages in Portugal, and well practised at holding international events.

The race saw one of the biggest entries of the competition with 21 Junior men lining up on the pontoon to take on the six-lap route.

Charlie got off to a good start finding a spot at the front of the group as the boats merged off the start line.

Within 500m was the first turn where paddlers quickly funnelled into a continuous stream around the buoys grouping again shortly after.

By the time Charlie reached the second bridge he found himself leading a group of nine which broke down to seven by the second lap and first portage.

All paddlers took the beach portage well, Charlie’s long stride allowed him to make the most of the run and he was one of the first to be back on water.

He remained within the front four at every turn and portage throughout the race. By the fifth lap the pack had managed to drop two paddlers as the race intensified.

Charlie led out of the last portage and made a break for the turn, coming out from under the arch it was down to three boats, Ireland, Hungry and GB.

The three manoeuvred themselves into position for a final push to the finish line, with 100m to go it became a sprint finish between Charlie and the Hungarian paddler who just pipped Charlie on the line.

This outstanding performance won Charlie a silver medal and it has now been confirmed he has a place on the squad for the World Championships in South Africa in September.

Great Brickhill came up agonisingly short of victory again, this time collapsing against Shipton under Wychwood.

A fine bowling display from Satchi Mahendran saw him take 5-32, with another 3-42 from Mohamed Razzan Anver saw the home side bowled out for just 108.

Brickhill’s toils this season see them second from bottom of Home Counties Division 2, still seeking out their first win of the season, and chasing down 109 appeared to be their best opportunity.

However, it wasn’t to be as they collapsed in style. While Mark Nelson (24) and Ruben Clinton (14) got the innings off to a good start, Brickhill slumped from 48-2 to 82 all out, with the last seven batsmen failing to reach double figures.

Next week, Great Brickhill take on Harefield away.

Leighton Town have their sights set on silverware this season after agreeing to enter six cup competitions.

As well as the SSML Premier Division, Scott Reynolds’ side will be in the running for six trophies, including the FA Cup and the Bucks Charity Cup.

“We want to be successful,” said the manager. “From the club’s perspective, we’d love to be back in the Southern League.

“In our league, to get there, you have to be the best because there’s only one place for promotion. That’s the target, and whether that’s achievable we will judge week by week.

“We’re playing in six cup competitions this year, so we will be looking to win something this year. We’re looking forward with optimism.”

The club returned to pre-season training last week, and revealed several signings for the forthcoming season, but also announced they were to benefit from a grant to refurbish the main stand at Bell Close.

Reynolds added: “The club have been really successful and we’ve got some additional funding and grants. All of the dressing rooms have been refurbished.

They look first class. We’ve got open ended wardrobes for the players, so many tactics boards - we’ll have the best changing rooms in the league.

“And a second grant should allow us to look at refurbishing or replacing the main stand, the perimeter fencing and some equipment to help the groundsman. Things are looking positive on and off the pitch.”

Two women in Leighton Buzzard say they are being hounded by a group in the community because they are LGBT, we can reveal.

Naomi Janes and her wife Emily live in Oatfield Gardens and say their lives are being made a misery by a family targeting them on a regular basis, shouting ‘dyke’ and other vitriolic abuse.

Having complained unsuccessfully to the housing officer and anti-social behaviour team of Central Bedfordshire Council, the women say the abuse has worsened to the point of physical violence.

On Sunday, June 11, Emily was pushed to the ground and kicked twice in the face by one boy. And ten days later, Naomi took a full punch to the face from another.

“He didn’t knock me down,” said Naomi. “At the end of it, I looked back at him and said, ‘I’m still standing’.”

In spite of reporting both incidents to the police, no arrests have been made.

Naomi said: “We’re getting to the point now where we just don’t know what else to do, we’ve got no support.

“I’m a gentle giant, I’m 36 and I’ve never hit anybody. My dad taught me that and I’ve lived my life by it.”

On June 21, Naomi came down to confront a group of youths that had gathered outside their home. As she tried to ward them off, she claims the group began filming her in distress shortly before the punch took place.

She said: “The officer that came that day was lovely. He calmed me down and he understood what was happening, but we’re not getting anywhere.

“They can stand there and film somebody having a meltdown outside their home. That seems to be allowed but where do we stand? And why should we have to move?”

In addition, Naomi says a woman has driven her car at the couple several times, stopping “just inches away” in an effort to intimidate them.

A Bedfordshire Police spokesman said: “Officers are investigating reports of an alleged hate-related assault in Oatfield Gardens, Leighton Buzzard.

“At around 7pm on Wednesday (21 June) an altercation occurred between two women during which one of the women was allegedly assaulted.

“It is believed the incident is linked to an ongoing dispute between neighbours where the victim feels she is being targeted because of her sexuality. The investigating officer has met with the victim and is pursuing several lines of enquiry.

“PCSOs have been patrolling the area to reassure the community and the force’s hate crime lead Sergeant James Hart will review and monitor the incident as is the process for all hate crimes in the county.

“Bedfordshire Police takes all reports of hate crime and hate incidents very seriously, as we know what a devastating effect it can have on victims. Anyone who is being targeted because of some aspect of their identity, or presumed identity, is encouraged to report it.”

A CBC spokesman added: “Central Bedfordshire Council takes all matters of alleged anti-social behaviour or hate crime extremely seriously and is working closely with the police and the couple to ensure that they are supported. At this time we are unable to comment further on this specific case.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting reference JD/26518/2017. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

The perfect party guest knows when they are about to outstay their welcome, always brings a bottle - and never double-dips the hummus and salsa, a study has found.

Researchers also found to ensure you’ll be invited back you should not dive into the buffet ahead of time, criticise the décor or tell stories which embarrass the host.

Not playing with the food, not getting too drunk and not taking home the remainder of the wine you bought are also essential.

Other golden rules include not eating more than your fair share of the food, not bringing uninvited guests or plus-ones, and avoiding revealing your political or religious views.

The poll of 2,000 adults, by Philadelphia Flip and Dip, also found spending the evening staring at your phone and not mingling are likely to be frowned upon as is not offering to clear up at the end.

But six in ten adults see double-dipping - the controversial act of re-dipping a food item such as a vegetable crudité or tortilla chip into a dip after having taken a bite - as a huge no-no when dining with others.

Philadelphia Flip and Dip spokesman Koen Baas said: “Dinner party faux pas are more complicated than we had ever imagined and what one person deems acceptable the other does not.

“Breaking the rules could spell disaster for a party, be potentially embarrassing for you and leave your host upset or annoyed.’’

It also emerged not everyone sticks to the rules with getting too drunk, arriving late and refusing to get involved in party games among the most common dinner party faux pas along with double dipping.

Double dipping was recently highlighted on a hit BBC1 cooking show when celebrity chef John Torode slammed Lisa Allen for tasting some sauce from a pan - using the same spoon she had just licked, labelling her a ‘double-dipper’.

Researchers found that despite 60 per cent seeing double dipping as something party guests should avoid at all costs, just one in five would ask someone to stop double-dipping if they caught them in the act.

And in true British fashion, many would rather suppress feelings of discontent, with 62 per cent doing nothing but gossiping to others about the double dipper or simply ignoring it.

Yet 63 per cent said it leaves them feeling angry, disappointed and embarrassed about their fellow party-goer.

Worryingly, one in five Brits believe it is totally acceptable to double-dip.

But it’s not just double-dipping Brits are doing, with one in ten saying they have licked their fingers before picking up another crisp.

And one in twenty even admitted to licking a bowl or plate clean.

If you have seen people acting strangely in Leighton Buzzard the last couple of weeks... chances are they are probably playing the latest craze sweeping Britain and the globe, ‘The floor is lava’.

The childhood game, which is now being played by people of all ages and rather inevitably being filmed and photographed for social media posts and YouTube sees players imagine that the floor or ground is made of lava, and they must therefore avoid touching the ground.

Players stay off the floor by standing by any means possible and generally must not remain still and move around without touching the floor. There may even be a goal, to which the players must race.

Played in groups or even alone for self amusement - there have been examples of people shouting the floor is lava in busy shopping centres and strangers randomly joining in.

Anyone can start the game just by shouting “The floor is lava!” and any player remaining on the floor in the next few seconds is “out” and can not rejoin the game for some period of time but in this wave of the craze people must lay on the ground for a set period of time.

There often are tasks, items or places that can “regenerate” lost body parts or health. Depending on the players, these could be embarrassing tasks, or simple things like finding a particular person.

Of course the usual health and safety concerns apply and people must carefully consider their surroundings before playing but as with anything nowadays social media and YouTube has given rise to The Floor is Lava Extreme.

University of Leicester scientists have got in on (spoiling) the fun by using the ‘Stefan–Boltzmann law’ and taking convection into account to calculate that a high stakes version of the game with actual lava would not be possible, as the air above the lava would have a temperature too high for humans to survive for more than a few seconds.

Gulliver’s theme park resorts offer the hottest ticket for fun-loving families this summer!

And we’ve teamed up with them to give away FIVE family tickets for a bumper day out at Gulliver’s Land in Milton Keynes.

Magical memories are created every day at Gulliver’s theme park resorts, which is specially designed for children aged two to 13. So it doesn’t matter if you’ve got toddlers or bigger kids in tow, there really is something for everyone to explore and enjoy!

With theme park classics like the rollercoaster, log flume and dodgems and a host of weird and wonderful rides and attractions, there’s loads to discover with lots of new things to see and do all the time!

Why not enhance your fun-packed family day with a trip to the Dinosaur & Farm park. Where your little explorers can go on a Jurassic adventure with over 30 animatronic dinosaurs!

With free parking all day, every day and a host of soft play areas, interactive shows, activities and entertainment on offer too, there’s more to Gulliver’s than meets the eye.

It’s not just theme park thrills on offer at Gulliver’s Land, it is home to the award winning Adventurers Village, plus the SFEAR high ropes climbing challenge, Splash Zone which features three brand new water slides and an official Nerf Zone.

Find out more at www.gulliversfun.co.uk, www.facebook.com/gullymouse and www.twitter.com/gullymouse

lTo be in with a chance of winning one of the family tickets, simply answer the following question...

Q. Name one of the rides at Gulliver’s Land, MK?

Send your answer along with your name, email address and contact telephone number to: Gullivers competition, Leighton Buzzard Observer, Media House, 39 Upper George Street, Luton, LU1 2RD. Alternatively you can enter by email putting ‘LBO Gullivers competition’ in the subject line and sending it to news@lbobserver.co.uk.

Entries must be received by 11.59pm next Tuesday, July 11.

Terms and conditions apply. Tickets are non-refundable, non-transferable and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer.

The family ticket prize is valid for up to four people (at least one adult and one child).

Winners will be contacted by Gulliver’s hotline to arrange their visit to their preferred park on a mutually agreed date up to 30 September 2017, subject to availability.

Normal Johnston Press competition rules also apply, see our website for details.

Woburn Forest has been awarded the Center Parcs Village of Excellence award at the company’s annual ceremony, just three years after opening to guests in June 2014.

The annual awards ceremony, recognising excellence in the Center Parcs group, celebrates achievements of Center Parcs short break villages in the UK. Categories included Excellent Guest Service, Employee Loyalty, Financial Success, Health and Safety Management and Energy and Waste Reduction.

The Village of Excellence award is the most sought after of all categories as it recognises the leading village overall. This award has recognised the team at Woburn Forest for their commitment to providing service that goes far beyond the call of duty.

Rebecca Wileman, general manager at Center Parcs Woburn Forest said she was delighted by the efforts of the entire team.

“We are immensely proud of the whole team at Woburn Forest who have all played their part in ensuring we go above and beyond for the 300,000 guests we welcomed last year,” she said.

“It’s a fantastic achievement to receive the Village of Excellence award having only opened to guests, with a brand new team, just a few years ago.”

A total of 96.4% of guests at Woburn Forest who gave feedback rated their short break as excellent or good.

Woburn Safari Park has been rapped for failing to report an incident where a monkey escaped from its enclosure three times in a day.

Concerns were raised by a whistle-blower to Central Bedfordshire Council, which issues the zoo’s licence.

Council officials said Woburn Safari Park was in breach of its license when it failed to report the escapes.

They were only revealed after an anonymous letter was sent to Central Bedfordshire Council and environmental health officer Ben Salvatierra raising concerns with the park in May.

He said: “I was concerned that the zoo failed to report the escape albeit it was temporary, short-lived and remained within the confines of the zoo.

“As such, the zoo breached a licence condition by failing to report the matter within 24 hours.”

A spokesman for Woburn Safari Park said: “It was recognised that a Barbary macaque escaped its primary enclosure, although remaining within the secure boundary of the overall drive-through section of the safari park grounds and posed no risk to visitors.”

The zoo has since pledged to report any future escapes within the time frame.

A spokesman for Central Bedfordshire Council said: “We have been working with Woburn Safari Park to ensure that procedures are in place and being followed to avoid a repeat of a recent incident which saw a macaque escaping from its enclosure - although not the safari park.

“Ensuring the safety of visitors, staff and animals are all key elements of zoo licensing, and that is why we have strict rules in place and inspect zoos annually to make sure this is happening.

“Venues have a responsibility to report any incidents within 24 hours and we will find out what happened and work together to avoid a repeat.”

The unreported monkey escapes come after the council criticised a breakdown in communication which led to the death of a peacock at Woburn in an inspection in March.

Inspectors found the peacock starved to death after it was placed into isolation but forgotten and not fed.

A spokesman for Woburn Safari Park said: “Following its most recent Zoo Inspection on 31st March 2017, Woburn Safari Park demonstrated its continual improvement to animal welfare and animal management, by showing full compliance with the Zoo Licence conditions of 2016.

“The park however acknowledged and was saddened that human error occurred in relation to the death of the peacock and subsequently protocols were improved.”

The zoo’s licence has been renewed until 2019.

In 1980 Cynthia Scott volunteered as tea lady at Leighton Buzzard’s Cricket Club – and became a legend over time.

After 37 years, she has finally decided to retire and was delighted to be presented with an honorary bench in her name.

“I was gobsmacked and very emotional,” said Cynthia, 75. “Although I’ve given up after 37 years, I didn’t want to go. It was down to health.”

Cynthia used to organise her holidays around cricket matches, travelling on Sundays and returning on Fridays to ensure that she “didn’t let her boys down”.

She first visited the club when she was around 20 and was a member for years before becoming tealady.

She said: “I have three sons and as they grew up, they each played for Leighton Buzzard Cricket Club. I think I just became part of the environment!

“It’s a lovely place and watching my three sons play down at Bell Close, it’s something very special.

“You meet such a lot of people, all the visiting cricketers and the people who come to see them.”

It is estimated by club officials that Cynthia has prepared and served over 7,000 cups of tea over the years

Family, friends and current players met up at the cricket club on Saturday, June 17, to present the bench to her in recognition of her contribution over many years.

“I didn’t really want to give it up. I’m a retired chef, and I used to do all my own cooking and baking.

“And at the end of each season, the teams ask all their members who provides the best tea. Last time, it came back as Leighton Buzzard Cricket Club and that made me very proud!”

Cynthia has two young grandsons who are following family tradition and already becoming keen cricketers in the making.

“My two other grandsons play golf,” laughs Cynthia. “They started with cricket but at the end of the day, they found golf was for them!”

The first calf was born to experienced 13-year-old mother Danica in the new giraffe house on the Road Safari, in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, June 25.

Six-year-old Lindsay then gave birth to her first baby calf at lunch time, 32 hours later. It is the first time in Woburn’s history that two giraffe calves have been born in such short succession of each other.

The arrival of the as-yet unsexed and unnamed calves comes just weeks after the birth of an adorable male calf named Arrow, after the coat of arms from the Rothschild’s family.

Rothschild’s giraffes are classified as Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, and are amongst the rarest mammals in the world.

There are now thought to be less than 1,600 individuals remaining in the wild and they are restricted to a few isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda.

The new arrivals at the zoo in Woburn mark an important achievement for the Park as well as the European Endangered Species Programme.

Lindsay Banks, senior keeper at Woburn Safari Park, said: “We feel very lucky to have had the birth of two new calves, which is unusual in such a short space of time.

“The rest of the herd have naturally taken an interest in the new youngsters and the calves are already spending a lot of time with each other and Arrow, who was born in May.

“Over the next few weeks they will be doing a lot of sleeping, feeding, playing and exploring the yard and the main reserve.”

There are 15 Rothschild’s giraffes at Woburn Safari Park, part of the Northern giraffe species.

The giraffes at the park remain together with the herd during pregnancy and birthing, and keepers give individuals the choice of where and how they calve.

A spokesman added: "Following its most recent Zoo Inspection on 31st March 2017, Woburn Safari Park demonstrated its continual improvement to animal welfare and animal management, by showing full compliance with the Zoo Licence conditions of 2016.

"A new state of the art Giraffe house has been constructed and significant improvements continue to be made to the conservation efforts of the park."

A Kensworth family fun and car display day for Cancer Research UK encouraged the Bedfordshire community to unite against the disease.

The festival day and ‘car meet’ raised over £1,000 and was held on Sunday from 1pm - 6pm at Packhorse Place, Wattling Street, organised by the kind-hearted owner of Trust Phoenix and Full Throttle Performance, two businesses located at the site.

Owner, Ali Alride, 35, said: “We try to do as much charity work as possible, and I don’t need to tell people about the devastation cancer causes.

“All profits from Sunday’s event are going to the charity.

“It was a mini family festival and we were also auctioning rides in one or more sports cars!”

Event organiser, Simon McConnell, general manager at Full Throttle Performance and Trust Phoenix, said: “The day was brilliant success, with many cars arriving on show including some amazing Japanese races cars which took the time out of their weekend to travel to the charity event.

“We had help from DJ Dan of Hemel Hempstead who provided the music free of charge and Castle Bounce, of Bedford, who kindly loaned us there bouncy castle helping to make the day a success.

“Everyone gave us fantastic support.

“Myself and Ali would would like to thank everyone who attended, helping to shake off that bad name car meets can get, and we look forward to supporting Relay for Life, Luton, at our next meet on September 15.”

Ali runs Trust Phoenix, a car dealership, and Full Throttle Performance, a garage and repair service.

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is taking part in a clinical trial – funded by leading charity Breast Cancer Now – to investigate the best way to deliver cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to reduce the impact of two major side-effects for women undergoing breast cancer treatment.

Hot flushes and night sweats are common side-effects of current breast cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and anti-hormone drugs.

Experienced by up to 70% of women receiving treatment, they can have a huge impact on their daily lives, often affecting employment, personal relationships and general quality of life, and sometimes leading to women not completing the full course of their treatment

Researchers have already shown that CBT – a type of ‘talking therapy’ – can help to reduce the impact that hot flushes and night sweats have, allowing women to regain a sense of control over these symptoms.

Although CBT is known to be effective, it is not currently offered routinely within the NHS for women with breast cancer.

At present CBT can only be given to groups by trained clinical psychologists and there is nothing currently considered a universal gold standard of care in breast cancer treatment, meaning support to help patients manage these difficult symptoms varies across the country.

Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is one of six UK hospitals participating in the trial – which will involve up to 160 women undergoing breast cancer treatment who are experiencing severe and frequent hot flushes or night sweats.

Half of the women will receive group CBT from a breast cancer nurse, involving six weekly sessions lasting 90 minutes each, while the other half will receive whatever support they would normally receive.

Dr Mei-Lin Ah-See, Consultant Clinical Oncologist at Luton and Dunstable University Hospital, said: “We are delighted that Luton and Dunstable University Hospital is participating in this trial, and hope it can make a real difference to patients in the region who are experiencing hot flushes and night sweats as a side-effect of their breast cancer treatment.

“Hot flushes can have a major impact on women’s lives: affecting their work, social life and disrupting their sleep. We look forward to the results of this trial, and hope that it will enable much wider access to CBT among breast cancer patients.”

Breast Cancer Now has donated £300,000 to fund the study.