A man has received a police caution following an incident last week which saw a school go into lockdown over a suspected gunman nearby.

Beds Police sent armed officers and a helicopter to School Lane, Husborne Crawley – near the Husborne Crawley Lower School – at about 8.20am on Wednesday.

In what is the second incident of this type outside schools in Bedfordshire this month, the officers detained a man carrying an air rifle.

A Beds Police spokesman has now confirmed: “A man was arrested at the scene. He was taken to custody and was cautioned for having an air weapon in a public place.”

It follows on from an incident on July 5 when three schools (Ardley Hill Academy, Watling Lower School, and Vale Academy) all went into lockdown mode after a suspected gunman was spotted in Dunstable.

Bedfordshire Police welcomed 42 new police officers on Friday (21 July) at a passing out parade at police headquarters.

After completing 16 weeks of initial training, the new officers will now start their two year probation period.

They will work alongside experienced officers in response, community policing and in the force’s Emerald Team which is dedicated to tackling domestic crime and serious sexual offences.

This is the third group of officers to graduate in 2017; 28 passed out at the end of March, and 25 passed out in May.

All are now working across the county.

Detective Chief Superintendent Sharn Basra, who attended the Passing out Parade and presented the new recruits with their certificates, said: “This is one of the largest intakes of new recruits we’ve ever had at Bedfordshire, and each and every one of our new officers will play an important role in keeping Bedfordshire safe.

“They will now be based in various locations across the county, and all are keen to get out there and really make a difference to the communities of Bedfordshire.

“I wish each of them the very best of luck with their careers moving forward.”

Bedfordshire Police will welcome more police officers later this year, as 16 are currently in training and due to pass out in October.

Leighton Buzzard were left frustrated on Saturday when the rain cut short their attempts at regaining top spot in Cherwell Division 2.

Tom Light’s side went into the clash with fifth placed Didcot sitting third, just five points from the top.

And batting first, Leighton got off to an excellent start and were well on their way to a good total until the weather put paid to the game.

Despite losing Wayne Tyas with the score at 21, and then Phil Whatmore to leave Town 42-2, the partnership between Light and Mark Burfoot put Leighton in command.

Light played a captain’s innings as he scored 63, which included nine boundary fours, while Burfoot added a solid 23 before falling, but the innings had been salvaged at 123-3.

Light fell shortly afterwards, but Dan Scott and Dave Roberts were scoring rapidly and looked in a hurry to get runs on the board before the rain fell.

Scott scored 24 not out, while Roberts’ 38 came from just 37 balls as the score raced to 198-4 from 42 overs.

But the rain fell forcing players back into the pavilion, and they would never return, leaving a frustrated Leighton to wonder what could have been.

Fortunately though, the rest of the league suffered similar issues with the weather, though Bledlow picked up eight points from their draw, opening the gap to Leighton to seven points.

It was the same for Leighton Buzzard 2nds too in Division 5, facing off against Didcot 2nds.

Batting first, Leighton were 48-2 after 11 overs before the rain drew in, forcing the game off.

They remain fourth in the standings.

Leighton Buzzard Road Cycling Club have come a long way in the last six years.

Now boasting more than 100 registered members, has rides for all levels from riders with some basic experience to club level riders.

The club also has riders using Rushmere and Woburn for off-road riding.

The club also participates in criterium racing at the MK bowl and other road racing events with an active group of race riders in the club.

The club also has an active social side with regular events and meet at their unofficial club house - The Black Lion in Leighton Buzzard after rides.

LBRCC will be hosting for the second year a Central Cyclocross League race day in conjunction with British Cycling at Cedars School on October 8 and this is open to all ages from 8 to 80, with a novice race for riders who are new to CX but want to try it out.

LBRCC welcomes new riders and you can contact them through their website: www.LBRCC.com.

Eight players in Leighton Buzzard have a lot to celebrate this week after winning £30,000 each thanks to People’s Postcode Lottery.

The postcode LU7 3UR was drawn as the winner of People’s Postcode Lottery’s Street Prize on Saturday, July 22, and the residents can’t believe their luck.

Tracy Draper, 51, was joined by her husband Sean when she was presented with her cheque, and although she works in a bank and is used to handling other peoples’ money, she is at a loss about what to do with her winnings!

Tracy said: “It hasn’t hit home yet. I have no idea how to spend it!

“I decided to sign up after seeing two people win in Leighton Buzzard last year so I thought I’d take a chance. It was a good decision.”

Tina Ball, 65, was equally delighted to be given her cheque: “I’ll be sharing this with the love of my life – my daughter Donna. She would like a new car and I’ll be getting my patio done and a new gate. I’m sure we’ll both be spoiling my two grandchildren too.”

Lynn Vines, 51, was more excited about something other than the money. “I was more interested in meeting Jeff!” she said.

“He’s so lovely.”

Lynn, who works as a cleaner, has husband Rob, three daughters and one granddaughter to celebrate with. “I’m very happy,” she said. “It’s just starting to sink in now.”

Retired design engineer, Stephen Morris, 72, was joined by his wife Hilary when he found out how much he had won. “It’s a real surprise,” he said. “We were in the middle of having our conservatory changed so it’s paid for that. We’re both still so taken aback by it all.”

Emma Venner,46, who works as a helpline manager for a local charity, wants to treat her family with her win. “There are about 20 of us so I’ll treat everyone to a meal,” she said. “My husband Shaun and I have always fancied a cruise so that could be on the cards. I know some of my neighbours but it was so lovely to get to know them all in such good circumstances. We all have something to discuss on dog walks now.”

Colin Janes, 57, was also happy to be winning with his neighbours. He said: “It’s something for the whole community to enjoy, which is just cracking. It’s fantastic that so much of the money goes to good causes too, so everyone’s a winner.”

There were two other winners who were not available to receive their cheques.

People’s Postcode Lottery Ambassador, Jeff Brazier, said: “I can’t believe I’m back in Leighton Buzzard so soon. I was here in November handing out cheques to lucky winners and today there has been even more. I’m sure the neighbours today will have fun spending their winnings.”

A minimum of 30 per cent of ticket sales goes directly to charities and players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised more than £212 million to date for more than 2,800 good causes across Great Britain and internationally.

It’s not the first time a postcode in Leighton Buzzard was drawn as a winner. In November 2016, two lucky ladies from Leighton Buzzard won £25,000 each when their postcode, LU7 3NF, was drawn as a Saturday Street Prize winner.

For more information on People’s Postcode Lottery, please visit www.postcodelottery.co.uk or Facebook and Twitter.

That’s fitting as this year marks the 150th anniversary of Confederation, the act of union of British North American colonies that is viewed as the origin of the modern Canadian nation.

“Especially after working for Rocky Mountaineer I realised how important the railway was to the foundation of Canada and specifically the west coast of Canada.

"It very easily could have gone the other way, and we could have been part of the United States, had the Canadian Pacific Railway not been built,” said guest services manager Ira Young.

We sat and chatted in one of the train’s double-decker GoldLeaf carriages, enjoying the panoramic views of the Canadian Rockies from the dome windows of the upper level.

The transport link provided by the Canadian Pacific Railway was promised as an incentive for British Columbia to join the newly formed Dominion of Canada in 1871. The vast, transcontinental railroad was completed on 7 November 1885, when the last spike was ceremonially driven into the track at Craigellachie in British Columbia.

As we rolled past the cairn commemorating the location of that event tourists visiting the Last Spike Gift Shoppe waved at us from the wooden porch and snapped photos. The elegant blue and gold livery of the Rocky Mountaineer ensured that the train is well photographed as it snaked along valleys, canyons and through spiral tunnels.

Ira was named after his grandfather, the driver of the royal train that crossed Canada carrying King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (the Queen Mother) back in 1939. One of their duties during that journey was to open the grand, Art Deco property that is now the Fairmont Vancouver Hotel. It’s one of the hotels that accommodates guests travelling on the Rocky Mountaineer.

Prior to setting off on the 375-mile journey eastward from Vancouver to Banff, the service’s First Passage to the West route, I had a couple of days to explore British Columbia’s most populous city.

For an overview I headed to the Vancouver Lookout, whose Observation Deck provides 360° views from 553ft. Some of the best views of the city skyline were from across the water at Hallelujah Point, in Stanley Park, a couple of minutes’ walk from the totem poles that are a reminder of the diverse First Nations’ heritage of this part of the world.

A boat tour, departing from Sewell’s Marina, meant opportunities to view bald eagles gliding above the Howe Sound and porpoises breaching the surface of the Pacific’s water.

The Rocky Mountaineer has a dedicated terminal on the outskirts of Vancouver and a bagpiper, in full Scottish regalia, piped us aboard. As we rolled away the piper continued to play as the company’s staff waved us off, prompting a flurry of photography from carriage windows that are cleaned before each day’s travel.

The first day’s journey, before overnighting in Kamloops, saw us passing through some of the driest areas of Canada. Early European settlers to the region panned for gold in the fast-flowing Fraser River which we skirted. Bighorn sheep and groundhogs counted among the wildlife that could be viewed from the train.

“Some of my favourite wildlife, I would have to say, has been coming out of Banff,” said Zebulon Fastabend, the train manager. One of his most memorable sightings was of a grizzly bear.

“I could tell it was a female as there were two cubs with her. She was a silver-grey colour. She turned to face the train and she was going to take on the whole train… she was maybe 30 feet away and the cubs disappeared into the bushes. I was so impressed by that motherly instinct. For us it was a great photo opportunity.”

Nearing Banff National Park, the first to be established in Canada, all of us on board experienced the excitements of seeing a large male bear tramping through a shallow, icy lake close to the left-side of the train.

Staff informed us he is known as The Boss, and is often spotted as the train rolls through his habitat. To get better photos of the 500lb creature I dashed to the open vestibule at the back of the carriage.

Like the bears who live in this part of Canada, guests riding the Rocky Mountaineer have opportunities to dine on salmon. For those of us enjoying attentive GoldLeaf service, which included alcoholic and soft drinks, that meant leaving our reclining seats and heading downstairs to the dining carriage for breakfast and lunch.

“Every season we do a brand new menu. We work with local suppliers to see what’s on the market. When something is good, like the Alberta short ribs, we keep then on the menu.

"They are cooked in wine a long time – it’s comfort food that isn’t extremely original but I can’t tell you how many hundreds of thousands of portions we’ve served,” said executive chef Jean-Pierre Guerin as we chatted during one of his breaks.

Remarkably, his teams send out half-a-million well-presented plates of food every year. Jean-Pierre strives to ensure his food compares with the quality of cuisine served on cruise ships and restaurants, despite the paucity of space in the galley kitchens aboard the trains.

Mealtimes meant an opportunity to chat with fellow guests. In addition to numerous Britons there were travellers from Australia, the USA and Canada. Several were combining the train journey with a cruise up the Pacific coastline to Alaska or driving holidays in the Rocky Mountains.

Prior to flying back to Gatwick from Calgary, I spent a couple of days based in Banff. A day trip to Lake Louise presented an opportunity to walk on the frozen surface of body of water named after Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter. For views of snow-capped peaks the observation platform at the top of the Banff Gondola proved outstanding.

Rocky Mountaineer – Fact File

An eight day/seven night Canadian Rockies Adventure package, with including two days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer and transfers to and from the train, costs from £2,065 with SilverLeaf and £2,764 with GoldLeaf Service. The package includes visits to the Vancouver Lookout and Calgary Tower, a summit sightseeing tour of the Canadian Rockies by helicopter, a tour to Lake Louise with a trip on the Banff Gondola, a trip along the Icefields Parkway plus a tour of Yoho National Park.

Phone: 0800 088 5541 – www.rockymountaineer.com

West Jet

West Jet flies direct to Calgary and to Vancouver, via Toronto, from London Gatwick Airport.

Phone: + 1-888-937-8538 – www.westjet.com

Air Transat

Air Transat operates direct flights to and from both Calgary and Vancouver from London Gatwick Airport.

Phone: 0207 616 9187 – www.airtransat.com

Sewell’s Marina

6409 Bay Street, West Vancouver, V7W 3H5, British Columbia, Canada

Phone: +1-604-921-3474 – www.sewellsmarina.com

Fairmont Hotel Vancouver

900 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 2W6, Canada

Phone: +1-604-684-3131 – www.fairmont.com/hotel-vancouver

ACT Venture

Guided walking tours of Kamloops

Phone: +1-250-574-1615 – www.actadventures.ca

Sandman Signature Kamloops Hotel

225 Lorne Street, Kamloops, V2C 1W2, British Columbia, Canada

Phone: +1-250-377-7263 – www.sandmanhotels.com

Moose Hotel and Suites

345 Banff Avenue, Banff, Alberta, Canada

Phone: +1-866-379-0021 – www.moosehotelandsuites.com

Travel Alberta – www.travelalberta.com

Banff and Lake Louise – www.banfflakelouise.com

Tourism British Columbia – www.hellobc.co.uk

Tourism Kamloops – www.tourismkamloops.com

Tourism Vancouver – www.tourismvancouver.com

Destination Canada – www.canada.travel

As rain fell across the region, Eaton Bray felt they may have stayed in the hunt for the title.

The visitors made stuttering start to their innings against New Bradwell. Openers Wes Hosking (17) and Andrew Norris (10) were dismissed cheaply but a partnership between Josh Peacock (32) and James Flecknell (18) put them back on course.

So when the pair both fell, and the score at 107-5, a rain delay, and indeed postponement, may have come as a blessing in disguise for Bray.

But they hadn’t taken into account a dramatic collapse from leaders Thurleigh as they faced title rivals Milton Keynes.

Thurleigh were bowled out for just 106 as Joe Fairbrother took 5-21, leaving MK with a fairly routine run-chase, securing the victory (109-4), thanks to Sam Haggar’s 51.

MK’s 25 points mean they are now 86 points clear of Eaton Bray, who remain fourth.

Another game to get the go-ahead though was Eggington Foresters’ Division 2 clash with Harlington. Starting the day bottom, Eggs posted 143-7 from 30 overs in the shortened game, with Nazakat Khan hitting 51 not out.

And with Waseem Yaseen taking 5-18, Harlington were skittled for just 78 to see Foresters climb off the bottom of the table.

The bad weather avoided St Andrews on Saturday, but Division 5 promotion chasers Milton Bryan 2nds were left frustrated by the bottom club.

With leads MK 2nds cancelling their game, Milton Bryan had the chance to close the gap at the top of the table.

With dark clouds looming, St Andrews were in great form with the bat, and declared early on 244-8 (Alan Deitch 4-49).

And while captain and opener Dom Benmoussa hit 59 and Nabil Moughal an unbeaten 82, Milton Bryan would come up short of the total on 222-6, settling for a draw

The Hoosiers are heading out on the road to mark the 10th anniversary of their debut album and will playing a series of gigs in the region.

In 2007, the band exploded on an unsuspecting public with their debut album, The Trick To Life, which topped the album charts and spawned the indie-pop classics Worried About Ray and Goodbye Mr A – both of which still pack out indie dance floors a decade later.

Never released on vinyl, the band will be selling a new limited edition vinyl pressing and expanded 2CD edition of their debut as part of a huge 27 date tour which will also see them play the album in its entirety.

The multi-platinum success of their debut raised huge expectations for its follow-up, not least at The Hoosiers’ record label.

The prophetically titled The Illusion of Safety was, all the band agree, a troubled project from the start.

Singer Irwin Sparkes, said: “The word ‘hit’ is substituted for ‘good’. There’s an art to writing under those conditions, but it wasn’t one that worked for us.

“It exacts a toll on too many writers. You give up too much if you do that.”

Third LP The News From Nowhere, released in 2014, was a return to form along with 2015’s The Secret Service, both self-released after the above troubles with labels.

Irwin added: “Doing it on our own terms and actually having a proper say in it, felt wonderful.

“We had nothing to lose, but a lot to prove.”

The Hoosiers play MK11 in Milton Keynes on October 1, the Kasbah in Coventry on October 7, the O2 Academy in Leicester on October 17.

For full tour details and more information, visit www.10years.thehoosiers.com

Although travelling across the world to a beautiful swimming location is incredibly rewarding and exciting, there are multiple world renowned swimming spots right here at home in the UK.

With day trips to various beautiful locations such as Durdle Door on the Jurassic Coast, Burgh Island, the River Thames and The Gulf of Corryvreckan, you're sure to find your perfect swim staycation.

The Jurassic Coast is located in southern England and is home to the spectacular sites Durdle Door, Lulworth Cove and Stair Hole. In a group of maximum 24 people, all three sites will be explored on a 3km swim, led by experienced guides with full safety escorts.

Following the swim there's a walk along the coastal path back to the starting point and of course, an opportunity to grab a hot drink or ice cream and have a chat with your guides.

Trips took place in early July but there is another chance on the 2nd and 3rd of September. The price for this trip is £120, which includes the fully guided swim and the safety escort. Transport and meals are not included on this day trip.

Burgh Island in Devon is one of Britain's most iconic swims along the sandy, picturesque southwest coastline. This particular swim is designed for the swimmer who wants to transfer their pool skills into the open water, meaning it's a brilliant introduction for beginners.

On this trip, a group of maximum 16 will be briefed on the planned route followed by an acclimatisation swim before heading out around the island. After the swim, there's time for a drink at the local café and a chat about the open water adventure we've just completed.

Trips to Burgh Island are available on the 22, 23 and 30 of July, 13 August and the 9 and 10 September. This trip costs £75 including a fully guided swim and safety escort, giving beginner open water swimmers peace of mind.

The River Thames trip allows city dwellers to take a break from the hustle and bustle of city life and explore some of Britain's most picturesque countryside. These 6km day trips run throughout August with a maximum group of 12 swimmers.

During the trip the group will swim to the tranquil village of Kelmscott before completing two swims in the afternoon through landscapes unchanged for centuries. This day trip starts at £110 including a fully guided swim on the River Thames and safety escort. Travel to and from the tour and lunch is not included.

The Gulf of Corryvreckan is one of Scotland's most legendary swims, situated to the north of Jura and lying just off Scarva's southern shore. Although the Gulf is transformed into a whirlpool during flood and ebb tides, we swim safely across the Gulf during slack tide when the whirlpool is dormant.

The 2km swim finishes under the spectacular 400ft cliffs of Scarbra. This trip is for swimmers that have a good experience of open water swimming in challenging sea conditions with a minimum swimming speed of 35min/km.

Day trips are available on the 8th and 9th of August and cost £140, this includes the fully guided swim across the Corryvreckan and the safety escort. This swim is both challenging and highly rewarding.

For more details, log onto www.swimtrek.com

A crime-ridden traveller site near Leighton Buzzard could finally be shut down by Central Bedfordshire Council after a string of regulation breaches.

Greenacres at Little Billington has regularly hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons with reports of crime, fly-tipping, open sewage and theft of water and electricity supplies.

It was notably the centre of a human slavery scandal uncovered in 2011, which saw 24 people rescued.

Now, CBC officers have recommended acquiring both Greenacres and nearby The Stable – if necessary by compulsory purchase – in order to establish a council-owned and managed gypsy and traveller site.

A CBC report stated: “There are more people living on the site than there should be. The original permissions granted across the two sites were for 56 plots. In January 2017 when the gypsy and traveller count was completed the total number of plots was 96.”

Although CBC refused the site planning permission back in 2002, this was overturned by the Planning Inspectorate (PI) on appeal. Conditions imposed by the PI have been described as unworkable by the council, leading to the current chaos at the site.

It is also unclear who now owns the land and a compulsory purchase order may be required. The overall cost of the project is estimated at around £9m and it is due to be discussed at a meeting of CBC’s executive on August 1.

The full recommendation is to:

l Acquire both Greenacres and The Stables, using a CPO if required.

l Acquire land close to the current site to build a new council-owned and managed gypsy and traveller site.

l On completion of the new site, dismantle the existing sites and apply for change of use.

The council’s report states: “The recommended option is supported by the various partner agencies involved in responding to the ongoing issues.

“People on the sites have illegally ‘tapped’ into the water supply which has led to water pressure problems in the village which Anglian Water has had to address.

“Private domestic electricity supplies have been accessed by people on the sites, running up significant bills for the occupier.

“The field adjacent to the sites, owned by Summerleys Farm, has had ongoing issues with sewage being emptied and piped onto the field ... fly-tipping has damaged the land, eroded the working acreage of some fields and farm machinery has been damaged because of it.”

A number of fires were lit on the field in August 2016, requiring the fire service to be called out. The report points out that had the fires spread to the overcrowded site, there would have been significant harm and possibly deaths.

The report goes on: “There have been three police operations involving arrests in relation to Modern Day Slavery. In 2011, 24 vulnerable people were identified as being kept on the site through coercion, intimidation and abuse.

“In July 2012 four members of a family living on site were found guilty of keeping workers in a state of servitude and forcing them to perform unpaid work. Despite arrests being made, slavery continued and further operations were held in 2014 with seven people rescued and again in 2015 with further arrests made.

“Residents of Billington have told council officers that they are ‘fearful’ going about their everyday lives and the constant anti-social behaviour and criminality, including intimidation and threats, erodes their quality of life on a day-to-day basis.”

What do you think? Email news@lbobserver.co.uk.

Leighton Town will face their toughest test of pre-season tonight (Tuesday) when they take on AFC Dunstable at Bell Close, but will do so with James Hatch in their ranks.

Scott Reynolds’ side were 4-2 winners over Raunds on Saturday, with Hatch once again finding the net - having scored in every game he has played in the off-season.

And the striker put pen to paper to keep him at Bell Close for another season.

“I’m really pleased,” said Reynolds after confirming Hatch’s signing. “Our intentions are to play him up front, and he’s a great leader - he’s a really good signing for us.

“We played some good football (against Raunds).

“Every goal we score seems to be a good one, with good build up play, lots of pace and some good finishes.”

Town face higher-league opposition on Tuesday night though when they host AFC Dunstable at the newly refurbished Bell Close.

With new dressing rooms and work beginning on the main stand, Reynolds believes Leighton’s home could be one of the best in the division, but knows he has to build a squad worthy of playing there.

He said: “We’ve had a look at every single player now, either in the first team friendlies or in the Development Squad game last week.

“We’ve given everyone an opportunity and now we look to fine tune and more forwards.

“(Tuesday’s game) will be tough - it’s our first friendly against a team from a higher level. We’ve arranged these friendlies in a way so it gets tougher for us.

“We’re hoping to be nearing full strength, and we’ll be looking forward to coming back to Bell Close. Hopefully we can get off to a positive start at home.”

Kick off at Bell Close is at 7.45pm.

Older people could be “prescribed a dog” because it increases their physical activity by half an hour a day - especially in rainy Britain, according to new research.

A five year study of more than 3,000 middle aged and elderly people in Norfolk found those who had a dog were 20 per cent more active - when the weather was at its worst.

Scientists say taking Fido walkies is key to staying healthy in later life - reducing the risk of heart disease, cancer and even dementia.

It it lopped an average of 30 minutes off the time they spent sitting each day - and the greatest benefit was during winter.

Regular dog walkers did more activity when the thermometer dropped below 10 degrees Celsius than petless counterparts managed - on the warmest days!

On shorter days and those that were colder and wetter all the participants tended to be less physically active and spent more time sitting but dog owners still went out.

Project lead Professor Andy Jones, of the University of East Anglia, said it suggests dog ownership or community schemes for dog walking could form part of ‘exercise on prescription’.

He said: “We were amazed to find dog walkers were on average more physically active and spent less time sitting on the coldest, wettest, and darkest days than non-dog owners were on long, sunny, and warm summer days.

“The size of the difference we observed between these groups was much larger than we typically find for interventions such as group physical activity sessions that are often used to help people remain active.”

Almost one in five of the sample (18%) said they owned a dog and two thirds walked it at least once a day so were classified as regular dog walkers.

The entire sample spent an average of around 11 hours every day sitting and tended to be less active when it rained, was cold and the days were short.

But during cold wet winters exercise levels of dog owners were typically 20 per cent higher.

Fewer than half older Britons get the recommended weekly 150 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity.

Research has shown regular brisk walks is good for mental - as well as physical - health by boosting blood flow to the brain.

Lead author Dr Yu-Tzu Wu added: “We know physical activity levels decline as we age but we’re less sure about the most effective things we can do to help people maintain their activity as they get older.

“We found dog walkers were much more physically active and spent less time sitting overall. We expected this.

“But when we looked at how the amount of physical activity participants undertook each day varied by weather conditions we were really surprised at the size of the differences between those who walked dogs and the rest of the study participants.”

The study showed owning or walking a dog was one of the most effective ways to beat the usual decline in later-life activity - even combating the effects of bad weather.

Dog owners were sedentary an average 30 minutes less per day, according to the findings published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health.

The study involved 3,123 people aged 49 to 91 in the long-running EPIC Norfolk cohort study who wore a pedometer round their waist that measured physical activity over seven consecutive days during waking hours.

They also provided information on regular exercise.

Bad weather and short days are known to be one of the biggest barriers to staying active outdoors so researchers linked walking to weather conditions and season on each day of the study.

Prof Jones said: “Physical activity interventions typically try and support people to be active by focusing on the benefits to themselves but dog walking is also driven by the needs of the animal.

“Being driven by something other than our own needs might be a really potent motivator and we need to find ways of tapping into it when designing exercise interventions in the future.”

Borrow my Doggy, a nationwide UK network, which provides regular group dog walks for people who aren’t dog owners, might be one such option, they suggest.

The findings follow a similar study by Glasgow Caledonian University last month that found pensioners who take their four legged friends out daily walk an extra 22 minutes per day compared to those who don’t own a pet.

The Scottish team said GPs should be encouraged to suggest older people get a dog or share one to encourage them to walk more.

Bethany Smith was crowned national champion at the NDP National Tumbling Finals in Telford.

Competing in National 4 age 11-12, scored a brilliant 78.9 to give her the gold medal.

She finished just 0.9 ahead of her Harlequins team-mate Caitlin Garbutt, who took home the bronze medal.

The Leighton squad sent seven gymnasts to the national finals and were delighted to come away with some other excellent results.

In National 1 aged 9-10, Shai-Amari Freckleton scored a total of 80.6 to come fifth overall. This was her first national competition and was an outstanding performance, therefore the result was amazing.

In National 2 age 11-12, Cassidy Pratt scored a total of 78.9, after her 3 tumbles and this placed her fourth overall in country, just missing out on the bronze medal.

In National 3 age 11.12, Thalia Marrone scored a total of 77.6, this placed her sixth overall.

Also in National 4 Men’s age 13+, Enrique Parazan-Butler, scored 76.1, placing him sixth overall.

In National 5 age 10-12, Morgan Cook represented the club scoring 77.1, to finish in fifth.

Coach Nikki Gundry was delighted with her gymnasts, saying: “What amazing results for all gymnasts who competed at the weekend to represent yourself and Harlequin.

“They all did exceptionally well. Congratulations to Bethany Smith and Caitlin Garbutt who brought home National medals.

“The hard work and determination payed off and we are all very proud of them all.”

Police have released CCTV images of a woman they would like to speak to in connection with a theft from the Co-op store in Heath and Reach.

Around £200 worth of goods were taken from the Bird’s Hill store on Sunday 16 July at around 6.20pm.

If you can help identify the person pictured, call 101 and quote reference number JD/30278/2017.

An area of Leighton Buzzard has been highlighted as being one of worst seven areas in Bedfordshire for theft from motor vehicle offences.

During a clamp down on vehicle crime, which ran from July 10-16, Beds Police targeted their activity on the locations which statistics show have suffered the highest prevalence of theft from vehicles in the last year.

The seven areas Operation Mya focused on were Leighton Buzzard’s Grovebury ward, the Luton wards of South Lewsey, Marsh Farm, Lewsey, and South Town, plus Putnoe and Marston Moretaine.

During the week, officers and PCSOs patrolled the seven areas and identified vehicles that were vulnerable to crime; either by being left insecure with windows open or doors unlocked, or where property had been left on show in the vehicle. In total, 350 vehicles were found to be insecure.

Sgt Ben Dimmock from the force’s Crime Reduction Team said: “This many vehicles being left insecure is obviously a concern, and something we will be addressing moving forward.

“The Crime Reduction Team are now in the process of writing to the registered owner of each vehicle to offer advice about how to keep their vehicle and belongings safer. I hope we will be able to hold some crime prevention surgeries in each area in the future.

“We have seen an upward trend in vehicle crime offences, and we remain committed to reducing this as we are aware of the impact it has on communities. To make things more difficult for criminals I would urge residents to take steps to ensure their vehicles are secure by making sure they are locked, and by removing valuable items.

In light of the results, the force is urging residents to follow the advice below to reduce their chances of becoming a victim of crime:

> Don’t leave things on show in your car, whether it’s an expensive laptop or just some loose change. Even items of clothing can attract thieves, as they may think that there will be money in the pockets.

> Don’t leave valuables in the glove-box of your car. To prove to would-be thieves that it’s empty, you can empty your glove-box and leave it open when you leave your vehicle.

> Park your vehicle in a well-lit spot that is visible to other members of the public, or covered by CCTV

> At home, don’t keep your car keys next to your front door or in an obvious place

> Keep motorcycles in a locked garage or shed, or failing that, chained securely to an immovable object

A prolific shoplifter has been given a suspended prison sentence for repeatedly breaching an injunction banning him from entering Leighton Buzzard town centre.

John Denton was sentenced to five months’ imprisonment suspended for two years at Luton County Court on Thursday following a case brought by Central Bedfordshire Council’s Anti-social Behaviour Team and Bedfordshire Police.

The 29-year-old was told by the judge that if he breaches the injunction by entering the town centre during this two-year period then the full sentence is likely to be imposed.

Denton’s ban from Leighton Buzzard town centre stretches back to 2007.

That’s when the then South Bedfordshire Council applied to Luton County Court for injunctions against five individuals who were causing alarm and distress to shopkeepers and members of the public with their prolific shoplifting.

The improvement was immediate, with Denton the only member of this group who has continued to breach the injunction and he has been taken back to court by Central Bedfordshire Council on previous occasions.

That led to the latest action against Denton who now has a prison sentence looming over him if he breaches the injunction again.

Councillor Ian Dalgarno, Executive Member for Community Services, said: “Denton has had numerous warnings about entering the exclusion area but he has continued to ignore these and steal from shops in the town centre.

“This sentence shows that courts will deal harshly with anyone who consistently breaches their court orders.

“It also sends a message that Central Bedfordshire Council and the police will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and will take all steps available under the law to stop nuisance behaviour.”

A Leighton Buzzard mum and former owner of Ann’s Bridal Room has finally met her sister thanks to ITV show Long Lost Family, and will be appearing on Lorraine to talk about her experience tomorrow morning.

Ann Beggs, 45, has found her half sister, Cathie Cutler-Evans, who was put up for adoption by her mother, Adrienne, when Adrienne was 19 and a single mother.

Adrienne always told Ann, and Ann’s brother, Mark, that they had an older sister, but sadly Adrienne passed away in February 2012 after spending years searching for her daughter since Cathie turned 18.

Then, earlier this year, Ann received the surprise of a lifetime when she received a letter from the Long Lost Family team saying they were helping Cathie, who wanted to find out what happened to her birth mother.

Ann said: “Mum was the best - she was just amazing. We always knew about Cathie - there was never a sit down moment; Cathie was always spoken about for as long as I remember.

“I hope people who watch the show learn what life was like in the 60s - things were very different if you were a single mother.

“It’s been an emotional rollercoaster and the Long Lost Family team were brilliant.

“I always wanted to find Cathie to the point of obsession and when we met in March the connection was palpable. It has been an amazing journey.”

Ann, who is now a personal assistant, will be appearing on ITV’s Lorraine between 8.30am and 9.30am tomorrow morning, along with Cathie.

Their Long Lost Family ITV episode will air at 9pm on Wednesday (July 26), produced by Wall To Wall Productions.

Ann added: “Mum was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in her 30s and was always fundraising for charities. She was well known in Leighton Buzzard.

“Giving Cathie up for adoption devastated mum; I don’t think she ever got over it... she used to write Cathie’s birthday in her diary every year.”

Ann lives with her husband, Nick, 55. She has three children from a previous marriage: Olivia, 24, and twins Jake and Callum, 21, and Ann and Nick have a daughter, Willow, 15.

Olivia has also blessed her mum with a granddaughter, ten month old Orla.

To find out more about Ann, Adrienne and Cathie, pick up a copy of next Tuesday’s Leighton Buzzard Observer.

An ITV spokesperson described the upcoming show: “We met Cathie Cutler-Evans, a woman desperate to find her birth mother after more than 50 years apart.

“Cathie lives in Chester where she runs a barbers shop and raises her three sons. She grew up on the Wirral where she had a happy childhood and knew from an early age she was adopted.

“When she was a teenager, Cathie’s adoptive parents showed her a letter from her birth mother Adrienne, thanking Cathie’s adoptive parents for giving her a loving home and asking them to explain to Cathie how much she loved her. It was a life changing moment for Cathie, who wanted to know more about her birth mother.

“Cathie’s adoptive mum told her all she knew about her birth mum. Adrienne was 19 and single when she gave birth. She wanted Cathie to be part of a family so after caring for her daughter for the first ten weeks, she took her to an adoption agency in Liverpool.

“Despite years of longing, Cathie was no nearer to finding her mum and had very little information to go on. Long Lost Family searched marriage records and found a marriage for Adrienne Powell in Cheshire in 1966, which seemed very likely to be Cathie’s mum.

“After searching under her married name, we discovered the tragic news that Adrienne had died in 2012 and tragically Cathie would not be able to meet her birth mother.

“Records did show that Adrienne had two other children, a son Mark and a daughter Ann. Our intermediary contacted Adrienne’s children with the news that Cathie was searching and received an immediate response. Mark didn’t want to appear on camera but Ann asked to meet Nicky.

“Ann explains to Nicky that she always knew about her big sister Cathie and that Adrienne had spent many years searching for Cathie hoping to be re-united with her. Ann is overcome with emotion when she sees a photo of her big sister.

“Cathie is told off-camera about her mother’s passing before Davina visits her to reveal that she has a half brother and sister.

“Cathie is overcome with emotion: “I know I won’t get to see Adrienne, but I can’t wait to meet Ann… I’ve always wanted a sister and now I’ve got one.”

“One week after receiving the news, Cathie travels to Liverpool to meet with her half-sister Ann…”

Cathie said: “Such a long time has passed, but I’ve still thought about mum every day and the older I get, the more I think about her.”

Two Leighton Buzzard golfers shot their “best ever rounds” to each win a major trophy competition within the space of three days.

Production manager Shane Bentley was firing on all pistons in the annual Presidents Putter event, carding a nett 62, his best score in 15 years as a member of the Plantation Road club.

And days later, the ever-improving Sue Preston collected the coveted Ladies Handicap Cup after nett-score rounds of 71 and 65 to win by 11 shots.

After collecting his trophy from club President Keith Cox, Shane, 58, himself President of the Leighton based Sandhouse Golf Society, was quick to praise the steadying influence of club colleague Phil Coumbe during a “blip” in his trophy winning round.

“I lost my rhythm for a hole or two, but keeping an eye of Phil helped a lot” said Shane, who had his handicap clipped by two shots after beating new recruit Stephanie Howlett by a shot, with John McSweeney third with a nett 64, a shot clear of Duncan Smith.

“There were nearest the pin prizes for John Surguy, Eddie Young and Laurie Benson and for Phillip Spratt-Callaghan for his “on the line” shot on the fifth.

The ladies winner was Sue Preston who three days later proved it was no fluke with a walkaway win in the Ladies Handicap Cup.

Having only taken up playing golf seven years ago, mum-of-four Sue and a former Croxford Cup winner, has gradually whittled-down her handicap from 36 and now plays off 27.7

Stephen Maddison won Leighton’s July Midweek medal on Wednesday with a nett 66, pipping Mike Manning on countback, with Richard Lancaster taking third place on countback from Craig Simmons after both carded nett 67s.

Leighton Seniors suffered a 6-2 reverse against Dunstable Downs, debutants John Clavey and Michael Williams both winning their matches with Patrick Quinlan and David Kingham respectively.

Leighton’s senior nine hole competition for players aged 80 or more won by Gordon Francis with a nett 36.

The Geoff Tweed putting competition was won by Peter Morgan who beat John Tarbox on countback after both took 26 putts to complete the course.

Leighton’s inter-club team beat Ellesborough 3-2 with wins by Adrian Stephenson and Mike Turnock, Tony Simpson and Shane Kimber and Anton Bednarek and Jeremy Taylor with Jon Dymock and Peter Burgoyne halving their match, before crashing 6-0 at Aspley Guise.

Stephenson and Burgoyne, Kimber and Taylor and Lee Sanders and Keith Edmunds won for Leighton in a 3-3 draw against Beds & County, while Graham Freer and Tony Simpson, Chris Yirrell and Andrew McDonald, Stephenson and Simon Enright won in a 3-2 victory over Millbrook, with Jeremy Taylor and Eddie Stephenson claiming a vital half.

Adrian Stephenson and Steve Leng, Lee Sanders and Shane Kimber, and Stuart Goodwin and Eddie Stephenson won for Leighton in a 4-2 victory over Whipsnade, with Mark Reynolds and Paul Dowdeswell and Matt Sale and Stephen Schmidt halving their matches.

Leighton Ladies beat the previously undefeated Pavenham Park 5-2 in their Shield match and by the same score against Aspley Guise, while the Mixed team has beaten Bedford 5-4, Aspley Guise 9-2 and Whipsnade 5-3, losing only to John ‘O Gaunt.

Former Leighton Captain Syd Pniewski and wife Jill won the Rushmere Ladies invitation at Aspley Guise with 41 points, beating former Leighton and two-times Woburn Captain Peter Bachelor and wife Sue on countback. Leighton Vice Captain Jeremy Taylor and partner Rosie won the guest prize, also with 41 points.

Mentmore Road Under Fives Preschool welcomed actor Oliver Jackson to the school to read the children some stories.

Oliver, of Leighton Buzzard, visited the preschool and read three the children three stories, How To Catch A Star, Monkey Puzzle and Tabby McTat.

A spokesman for the preschool said: “The children loved listening to the stories and Oliver told them what it’s like being an actor.”

The father-of-two has been a professional actor for over 20 years and appeared in West End musicals, including Les Miserables.

He is currently playing Ned Schneebly in School of Rock at The New London Theatre.

The perfect job is a four-day, 24 hour week with a salary of £61,000-a-year, free fruit and a boss who likes a pint, it has emerged.

Regular reviews and pay rises, being allowed to work in jeans, flexible working hours and a pension are other key requirements for the ideal role.

The report also revealed the dream job would be a 12 minute walk from home, provide a pleasant view from the office window and offer 32 days holiday-a-year.

Benefits such as discounts at local gyms or sports clubs were also a must in the survey of 2,000 adults in employment.

A good work-life balance is THE most important factor for the perfect job, and half of those polled wish for a boss who understands that family comes first.

Having the option to work from home is crucial for many workers, who need the flexibility to be able to look after sick children, or move hours around to suit school events.

Mark Rhodes, Marketing Director for reed.co.uk, said: “Work-life balance means something different to each of us.

“For some it may be combining hard work and dedication to the job with the pursuit of personal interests and hobbies outside of work, whilst for others it might be the fulfilment of childcare and family responsibilities.

“For dual-income couples who both work full-time, it is little surprise that flexibility and an understanding employer rank so highly.

“But our research shows that work-life balance is also an important factor for millennials.

“They’ve grown up with technology that gives them access to information and allows them to be productive anywhere, and it’s shaped their view of work. “

For those who are happy to travel to work, a designated parking space and the ability to leave work on time everyday are a must.

In addition, the perfect job would provide free tea and coffee all day, as well as fresh fruit and a fully equipped kitchen.

Other perks would be a quiet workspace to allow maximum concentration, access to a fantastic stationery cupboard, as well as a company car which is replaced every three years.

Workers are also agreed their ideal career would allow them to have two computer screens on the desk, be the boss of their own workload and have a real opinion that counts in the office.

The average respondent would also ideally manage four members of staff, and work in a team of seven.

Six in 10 people would like to work in a job where they had the option to travel, and the average worker is happy to go on three business lunch a month.

Unfortunately, researchers at OnePoll.com found only 21 per cent of those polled are already working in their perfect job - and 54 per cent believe there is no such thing.

The average person is happy in their work for just 57 per cent of the time, and 58 per cent claim things would be greatly improved if their employer was willing to make a few easy changes.

Four in 10 people simply want recognition of how hard they work, while the same percent would like shorter hours and flexible working hours.

A third of those polled say their existing job would be much better if they had more support in their role, while 13 per cent would be happier with a more varied work load.

Less pressure to get so much done, team building sessions and more perks would also contribute to people feeling more satisfied in their current role.

And for those 19 per cent of people in employment who are on the hunt for the perfect job, 49 per cent are looking for a company with good ethics, while 31 per cent want to work somewhere which provides good customer service.

Mark Rhodes, for reed.co.uk, added: “The research indicates that most of us have fairly modest expectations when it comes to finding our perfect role.

“For most people a dream job needn’t mean being paid hundreds of thousands of pounds for working just a few hours a week.

“Whilst it might not be realistic to offer full-time staff a four day week and a private office with a view, there are lots of things employers can offer to help keep their teams happy, engaged and productive.

“Reviewing the dress code and offering simple perks, like free tea and coffee and daily fruit, don’t cost the earth, but they do help staff feel valued and can make a business a more attractive proposition for prospective employees.”

TOP 30 DESIRABLE PERKS OF THE PERFECT JOB

1. A good work-life balance

2. Excellent pension

3. Flexible working hours

4. A boss who understands family comes first

5. Being able to work from home if you need to

6. Bonus scheme

7. Private healthcare for you and the family

8. You’re able to leave work on time everyday

9. Free tea and coffee

10. Your own office

11. A nice view from the window

12. A designated parking space

13. A quiet workspace, so you can concentrate

14. The ability to have an opinion / say

15. A boss who is a family man / woman themselves

16. A chair which is measured to you, so that you are always comfortable

17. Being allowed to work in jeans

18. You can be your own boss

19. Gym membership

20. Free fruit provision

21. A company car

22. Fully equipped kitchen

23. Being treated to lunch at posh venues regularly

24. You are treated to the latest gadgets such as phones, laptops

25. A boss that enjoys a pint

26. Discounts to local leisure facilities

27. Access to a fantastic stationery cupboard

28. Two computer screens on the desk

29. Regular reviews / appraisals

30. Shower facilities