WORK has started on the new £1.6million housing development in Caddington.

Around 50 residents attended an open afternoon to view the plans, on the day that the building work started.

Representatives from Jephson Homes Housing Association were available to answer residents’ questions.

Dunstable resident Scott Wilson, 32, who has been wanting to move to Caddington for years, said: “I wanted to come along to see how the allocation system for the new homes will work as trying to buy a house in Caddington nowadays is almost impossible.

“There is definitely a real need for new homes here.”

The 12 new homes in the village will be just off Rushmore Close and will provide affordable rented accommodation for local people.

There will be two one-bedroom bungalows, five two-bedroom houses and five three-bedroom houses.

Jephson business development manager Tim West spoke at the afternoon on May 4 to thank all the project partners who enabled it to get off the ground.

The homes are being built on a rural exception site, which means it can only be developed to provide affordable housing to meet local needs.

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is providing grant funding of £366,000 for the site development.

Nick Sedgwick of the HCA said: “I’m very pleased to see this development going ahead in an area where there is a great need for new high quality affordable housing.”

THE famous Olympic Flame will light up Luton next summer after the town was named as one of the destinations on a whistle-stop tour of the UK before next year’s London games.

Amid a fanfare of drums and dancing, former Olympic rowing gold medallist Tim Foster joined local dignitaries at the Hat Factory yesterday to announce that the London 2012 Organising Committee has chosen Luton as one of 66 evening celebration venues in a torch relay that covers 70 days and 8,000 miles of UK soil.

As well as welcoming the flame to the town, Luton’s International Carnival will switch from its usual May slot to Saturday, July 7, the day before the flame comes to town, and the annual Mela brought forward to enable the town to host a unique weekend-long celebration designed to embrace the spirit of the Cultural Olympiad.

Luton Borough Council head of environment and regeneration, Colin Chick, said that he hopes the three- day festival will bring the atmosphere of the Olympic village itself a little closer to home.

He said: “This is just another step to giving Luton the credibility and recognition it deserves.

“As an ex-athlete myself I know the importance of the sort of inspiration and level of aspiration that the Olympic Games can bring.

“That’s what we’re trying to inject into Luton.”

Luton’s unique cultural weekend will get under way with fringe events on Friday, July 6 before the Luton International Carnival takes place on the following day with further entertainment also being planned for Saturday night.The Luton Mela will also switch from its usual late-summer date to take place on Sunday July 8, with the Olympic torch coming to town for the climax of the weekend’s celebrations.

Tim Foster, who won Olympic gold as part of the men’s coxless fours rowing team back in 2000, said: “As someone who has been lucky enough to experience five Olympic Games, for me the flame burns bright and the chance for it to come here will give the chance for everyone to see and experience part of that dream.

Council leader Hazel Simmons added: “Along with our bid for city status, it’s another fantastic opportunity to raise our profile, demonstrate the positive diversity that we offer and the regeneration that is taking place, and really put Luton on the map.”

A WOMAN had her handbag stolen by two men in Parkway Road at approximately 7.35pm yesterday (May 18).

The 27-year-old victim was hit in the face by the offenders before they left the scene with a black Diesel leather handbag containing an iPhone, mp3 player, cash, glasses, personal documents and a key.

Detective sergeant Graham McMillan, who leads the South Bedfordshire robbery team said: “This victim was very brave but we would always advise victims of crime not to put themselves in danger but concentrate on remembering as much information about the offenders as possible and report the incident to the police without delay.”

He offered advice about keeping belongings safe, such as not flashing phones or mp3 players in public and ensuring all your property is security marked.

If you are carrying or have your handbag sitting in the car next to you make sure it doesn’t contain vital personal documentation which is difficult and inconvenient to replace, make sure you do not carry large amounts of cash and ensure your bank cards are kept separate from any sercurity information.

Call the South Beds robbery team on 01234 841212, text 07786 200011 in confidence or call Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111 anonymously with information about this or other robberies.

COUNCIL officers were last night accused of “disgraceful” treatment of elderly and vulnerable people at a meeting about the future of a sheltered accommodation scheme.

The meeting was part of a consultation by Central Bedfordshire Council on the proposal to close the Crescent Court flats, which it says do not meet modern standards.

It says the proposal is part of a review of sheltered accommodation across Central Beds, and that the building’s heating system may not last another severe winter.

But villagers say the council treated Crescent Court residents unfairly when they initially spoke to them about the closure without giving them the opportunity to have friends or family present.

Doug Dix, who leads the Friends of Crescent Court campaign group, said: “The way they have done this is absolutely astounding.

“People at the council are paid enormous amounts of money and they seem to be living in an ivory tower, they’ve forgotten what life is like in the outside world.”

For a full report of the meeting, see the Wednesday May 25 edition of the Luton News.

FIT-AGAIN Hatters striker Danny Crow is back in the reckoning for Saturday’s Blue Square Bet Premier Play-Off final against AFC Wimbledon, writes Mark Wood.

The 25-year-old forward has recovered quickly from his knee medial ligament injury and has done enough to give himself the chance of featuring at Eastlands.

Speaking at this afternoon’s press conference, manager Gary Brabin said: “People who have been injured have stepped up their training so we’ve got a few additional players in the squad which is always a bonus.

“Danny Crow has stepped up his training and every day he has been getting stronger and stronger and is in full training now.

“He is in our thoughts and in the squad I will be choosing from and involved on Saturday.”

However, the likes of defenders Shane Blackett and Freddie Murray and attackers Charlie Henry and Amari Morgan-Smith are still out, with Brabin saying on the latter: “Amari at the moment is not training.”

But he was tightlipped on the personnel and system he would choose for the massively important encounter.

Brabin said: “I’ve changed personnel and system and have a few options which we can play and the lads are more than confident each game no matter which system we play.

“We will have to see on the day which team and formation we put out.

“I’ve got no favourites, it’s what they do day-in day-out.”

He also had words of praise for defender Ed Asafu-Adjaye who has forced his way back into the team in recent weeks following a loan spell at Histon.

Brabin continued: “Ed is certainly one of the ones that’s thrived on that and come to forefront and has been given a starting place and taken it with both hands.”

The game will also see two of the best keepers in the league in action with Town’s Mark Tyler going head to head with Seb Brown.

Brabin said: “We are lucky enough to have two fantastic goalkeepers in Mark Tyler and Kevin Pilkington.”

And the former U’s manager admitted that there will be some disappointed players who miss out on the starting XI and who aren’t included on the bench.

But he believes anyone who is left out will be professional enough to cope.

He added: “It’s a decision which I have to make which is tough.

“I had Danny Crow who I left on the bench two years ago and he still likes and respects me.

“It’s tough but one of the things I’ve tried to instil is 100 per cent professionalism.

“Whatever doesn’t kill them will make them stronger.”

A BREAK away in the sun will hopefully have done the Hatters the power of good ahead of their biggest game of the season on Saturday, writes Mark Wood.

Luton Town lock horns with AFC Wimbldeon in Saturday’s Blue Square Bet Play-Off final as the third and second place finishers battle it out for a place in the Football League.

But rather than doing anything spectacular, manager Gary Brabin is looking for his side to offer more of the same kind of performances they have produced in recent weeks.

On the time away, he said: “We had a little bit of a break away to try and break the week up a little bit.

“We wanted a different environment to keep up the training.

“We’ve just kept on doing the things we’ve been trying to work on in-between games.

“We’ve been trying to make the most of the 10-day period between the last game and this one.

“I’m delighted with the way the players have trained.

“I think you can see they have improved with every game and every week.

“They are showing the type of form they are capable of and it’s a big stage for them to perform on again.

“We can’t let the occasion get to us, we need to continue to do the things we have been doing day-in day-out.”

And Brabin believes it’s the right two teams who are meeting in the final.

He saidL: “They are a good side and I think both sides are in the final on merit.

“It’s been a three-horse race with Crawley, who were the eventual champions, and ourselves and Wimbledon.

“It makes for a cracking game and I’m more than confident the bunch of lads can perform on the day.

“I think we both try to play football in the right way and the right manner.”

But the Town manager feels that they had the tougher path to the final after seeing Wrexham off in the semi-finals 5-1 on aggregate, while AFC hammered Fleetwood 8-1 over the two legs.

He said: “I genuinely believe Wrexham were tougher opponents, with respect to Fleetwood. They’ve had a great first season in the league.

“I think we had the tougher of the two games but that’s taking nothing away from Wimbledon who won both games convincingly.”

And while wary of the threat posed by AFC - especially their front two of Danny Kedwell and Kaid Mohamed - he is confident in the abilities possessed by Town’s stars.

He said: “We are aware of everyone’s strengths and weaknesses and don’t take anything lightly.

“Their side has been a winning formula of late and it’s no surprise to me (that AFC manager Terry Brown said he was going to name the same side that beat Fleetwood 6-1 at home) - we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and it’s something I strongly believe in.

“Getting the best out of the players we’ve got.

“I’m concentrating fully on our next game.

“They need to start showing the type of potential they’ve got and I think they’ve starting to do that in the last few weeks.

“I wanted a group of players competing for the 11 shirts and I’ve got my wish.

“We are not relying fully on one person scoring goals, we’ve got people scoring throughout the side.”

The Hatters have also spent some time taking penalties, just in case, but it’s almost impossible to replicate the pressure they would be under on the day.

Brabin said: “We try to leave no stone unturned.

“It’s really important to practice penalties. But when it comes to a nerve-racking situation where the pressure is on you and the crowd is behind you you can’t practice that enough.”

And he admitted the perfect and large playing surface at the City of Manchester Stadium will mean there are no excuses if Town don’t step up to the mark.

Brabin added: “I think it’s an improvement for both teams to play good football.

“I think we’ve played some fantastic football on good pitches this season.

“It should be a bonus and limits excuses when you have a perfect pitch and the onus is more on the players to perform.

“All players want more time and space on the ball. We are no different and we’ve got some good footballers who will use that well.

“Whether it’s a good pitch or a bad pitch I want the players to set themselves up the same.

“I’m sure they will enjoy playing on a big pitch and we will make the most of it.”

FOCUSED Luton boss Gary Brabin was lost for words to describe how important Saturday’s game is, writes Mark Wood.

Victory over AFC Wimbledon at Eastlands would propel the Hatters back into the Football League, with Brabin saying: “It would be fantastic.

“I don’t think any words can describe how important it is for the club. It’s a really big game.”

But he is unconcerned by what victory would mean for his own long-term job prospects at the club.

Brabin said: “I’m genuinely, 100 per cent, not concerned about that.

“All my energies and thoughts are on winning this game on Saturday and what will be will be.

“We are definitely competing at the right end of the table.

“The experiences we’ve had the last couple of years is by no means easy.

“This league doesn’t get enough respect.

“It is a tough league and every year that goes by it is getting more respect.

“I probably support the argument that the top two and play-offs would be better (to go up).

“This league is getting stronger and stronger each year.

“People coming into it, there’s a desperation to get out of it because it is the hardest league to get out of, but it is what it is.

“From top spot to bottom spot, everybody is fighting for something.”

And he believes that by increasing the number of promotion spots, the standards in the league above would also be raised as there are so many teams happy with mid-table obscurity.

Brabin continued: “I think if you did that, straight away it would improve the Second Division.”

He also feels that Town are massively unfortunate to be in the Conference, largely because of their 30-point deduction for financial irregularities, and feels that a return to the Football League by claiming victory on Saturday would be the best way to get back at the authorities.

He said: “You can’t help but feel that Luton have had everything thrown at them and other clubs gotten less.

“I don’t think there would be a better time to turn the tables and win on Saturday.”

But Brabin knows it will not be an easy task, having suffered the misery of play-off final defeat when in charge of Cambridge United in 2009 as they lost 2-0 to Torquay at Wembley.

He said: “I wouldn’t say it affected me in terms of moving on.

“It was the biggest disappointment in terms of my professional career I’ve ever had.

“It’s the loneliest job in the world when you have been beaten.

“But whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.

“We are lucky enough to have players that have played in finals before.

“Some have been on winning teams and some have been on losing.”

And he believes that mixture of experience will stand his side in good stead.

Sadly the City of Manchester Stadium, which holds almost 48,000 people, looks likely to be less than half full.

The Hatters have sold around 11,000 tickets with AFC having around 6,000 takers.

Brabin has great sympathy for the fans that are unable to afford it or make the seven-hour round trip, but believes that those who will be there will make for quite an atmosphere.

He added: “There’s a lot of issues at the moment in terms of travelling and prices and I can fully 100 per cent agree with that and understand it.

“But it will be worthwhile if we can get the right result on Saturday and get back into the League.

“First and foremost we’ve got to concentrate on ourselves and that’s what we are doing.

“That’s (a half empty stadium) out of our control. The players are focused at the moment fully on getting over this final hurdle and the fans have been fantastic over the last few weeks.

“We are used to 8-9,000 watching us every week so I’m sure we will have more than that at the City of Manchester and hopefully they can recreate that atmosphere.”

DEFENDER Luke Graham is hoping Hatters fans turn Eastlands into a wall of sound on Saturday as Town look to defeat AFC Wimbledon and make their return to League Two, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 25-year-old has previous experience of a play-off final when with York City last year, they came up against Oxford United at Wembley.

That day, just over 42,000 fans were in attendance, the majority from Oxford and with Hatters more than likely to outsell AFC Wimbledon, Graham appreciates the advantage it will give Luton.

He said: “That’s what makes the difference. No disrespect to the York fans, 10,000 came all the way from York to Wembley, but Oxford bought 35,000 and they packed out their end.

“When you walk out and you see half your side empty and you see the other side packed, you hear it when you walk into your half and even when you’re out there playing, that can only help can’t it.

“I think if we can do that, the final will feel more like our day.

“Oceans of Luton fans outnumbering the Wimbledon, singing loudly, can only help.”

Unfortunately Graham’s experience of the play-off final ended disappointingly, as the Minstermen went down 3-1 on the day.

He still loved every second of the occasion though and plans to do the same on Saturday.

Graham said: “It’s definitely a game you enjoy.

“When you see the fans waving the flags, it makes the experience and with people dancing all over the place.

“It doesn’t affect just you, it’s your partner, family, friends, everyone wants to join in the experience.

“You always get a friend who gives you a text wanting tickets, and it’s an amazing day out for every club involved.”

Although Dons finished above Town this season, Graham is confident it will be Luton picking up the winners’ trophy come the final whistle.

He said: “ I believe if we perform on the day, we will win.

“I honestly believe we’ve got a better squad of players, you only have to see with the lads we’ve got left out.”

Unfortunately for Graham, it looks like he will be one of those players forced to make do with a place on the bench, as he has been unable to break the formidable defensive partnership of George Pilkington and Zdenek Kroca since arriving from Kettering in January, making just 14 appearances.

He added: “It’s disappointing when you’re not playing, but I’d never complain and have got to be grateful to be part of it.

“Even people like Charlie Henry, Shane Blackett and Freddie Murray have all joined in because they know, we win together.

“It’s on your CV. You’ve got to be part of that whether you’re playing, on the bench or whatever.

“You’ve just got to make sure you win, you don’t want to lose, it’s not even worth thinking about that.

“That’s the way you’ve got to approach it.

“We’re all excited and all getting focused for what is going to be a big occasion.

“We want to make sure we get over the final line.”

AFTER losing their opening match in the Luton & District Midweek Cricket League Premier Division, Luton Haiderys registered their second consecutive win, thumping Kashmir Cavaliers by 52 runs.

Batting first, Haiderys openers Hasan Parvez (27) and Jibran Azam (24) gave them a solid start before Zawar Hussain hit a blistering 66 to take his team to 158.

Cavaliers started off carefully through Sohail Wajid (19) and Owais Raja (27), but wickets began to tumble with Rizwan Sadiq taking 4-4 to dismiss their opponents for 106.

It was a low scoring game between Lions CC and Luton CC.

Lions CC struggled with only Tauqir Shah hitting a fluent 40, and Ishaq Shah making 17, as they scored 100-7 after a great bowling effort by Nasir, who finished with 4-24.

Luton CC lost crucial early wickets and, although Saeed hit 35, they were skittled for 85 with Nazakat Khan recording outstanding figures of 6-15.

Luton Cricketers are bottom after their third defeat in a row against AKCC.

Cricketers did well to post 135-3 from 16 overs with Nauman Tahir blasting 57.

Unbeaten AKCC reached their target with a good partnership between Jitu (41 not out) and Ghulam (31 not out) to top the table.

Luton Pakistanis went joint top by beating Luton Hawks as, after totalling 130-9, they restricted Hawks to 100-8.

Kingsway CC remain top of Division One after defeating second-placed Luton Saracens.

Kingsway made 111-6 as captain Atif Ali hit 24 after Saghir (4-28) ripped through the top order.

Luton Saracens lost early wickets to Yasir Munir (2-14), as only Yasir Choudary (17) put up any fight, while Umar Afzal also took 2-23 to restrict Saracens to 81-6.

For the third week, Haidery Tigers were involved in a nail-biting finish, this time against Challney CC, who posted 112-6. In reply, Liaqat scored 31 to follow up his figures of 2-16 and take his team over the winning line.

The Saracens earned their first win by beating AKXI. Taberaz Khan was the main man as he hit 39 to lead his team to 126-8, while AKXI limped to 103-7.

Shaheen CC beat LU Stars in a thrilling game which went down to the last ball.

Stars made 121 as Ummar scored 40, while Mohammed Saeed (3-27) and Saqib Iqbal (2-17) were in fine form.

In reply, Adeel Raja made 28, but they still needed 10 runs from the last over and two off the last ball, which was smashed for four to give them victory.

Ed Asafu-Adjaye has thanked Gary Brabin for giving him the chance to prove previous manager Richard Money wrong after admitting to being ‘frozen out’ at Kenilworth Road, writes Geoff Knox.

The popular defender endured a rough trot under Money’s 17-month tenure, barely featuring this season before being shipped out to doomed Histon in March.

But Asafu-Adjaye admits he is still pinching himself after an unfortunate injury to Freddy Murray opened the door for a dramatic return to the fold at the business end of Hatters’ nail-biting promotion charge.

After enjoying an impressive run of four wins and a draw in his first five games back – including bagging his first ever goal at Wrexham – the 22-year-old looks a nailed-on certainty for a start at Eastlands against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

He said: “It’s been a crazy six weeks for me. It’s the best time to come back in!

“I’ve been in and out of the side over the last year. Due to a change in management it made it hard for me to get in.

“But since Gary Brabin has come in I’ve been able to show what I can do and am back in the team.

“I was on the sidelines so I decided to get myself out on loan. But when the management changed again I was called back and put in the side.

“I felt a bit frozen out but managers have the right to make those decisions, but I didn’t have any sustained injuries and he [Money] made a choice that wasn’t in my favour.

“I have to respect that to a certain extent.

“All I could do was work even harder than everyone else in training and show that I should be playing, so that when the management changed again I would show that I am still fit and would not look out of place in the side.

“It’s paid off. I’m just so happy that I kept going throughout that tough period.

“Hopefully, that’s shown him [Money] what I’m all about.”

PLAYING away from the Wembley hype will be better for the Hatters when they meet AFC Wimbledon in the play-off final at Manchester City’s Eastlands home on Saturday, writes Mark Wood.

Having lost out in last year’s final at Wembley while playing for York against Oxford, classy midfielder Alex Lawless believes that the change in venue will help Luton to concentrate fully on the game.

He said: “Playing at Wembley last year was something in itself.

“This year we are in the final. They don’t seem to place so much emphasis on the ground like Wembley so much.

“That will be a good thing as we can totally focus on the promotion side of it.

“I’ve played at other Premiership grounds in the past so it makes me think I won’t go there bothering about it.

“There’s just no excuses. Everything is in place to perform to your best.”

Lawless is looking forward to putting last season’s woes behind him and vindicate the reasons for his move from York to Luton.

He said: “I can’t wait. It’s been a long while. After losing it last year with York.

“It’s nice to have another chance to put it right with a different club.

“Personally it is (the biggest game of my career) because of the expectations of the fans and getting the club in the league.

“I can see how passionate the fans are about getting back.

“Coming here and seeing the expectations and seeing where the club was six years ago, I feel I have made a step up and to achieve that (promotion) here would mean a lot more.”

He is also looking forward to the experience of playing with the majority of fans cheering him on.

Lawless continued: “When I played at the Premiership grounds and last year even Wembley, Oxford took 30 to 40,000 and we took 9,000. On this occasion it’s my fans who will be the dominant ones.

“That will be new to me which will be great. Against Wrexham it was just brilliant.

“To hear so many people for your team is brilliant.

“I can’t even imagine what that would be like. I’ve not experienced having my team supported to that degree before.”

Lawless has a habit of scoring in televised games this year and would love to do so again, especially after his cracker at Wrexham in the play-off semi-finals.

He added: “Anyone who says they don’t (dream about the day) is a liar.

“I’m certainly going to be the one hoping I’m scoring the winning goal on the day but we will see.

“I’ve seen the other side of it and people have scored and won stuff and it would be nice to be part of that this time.

“It would just be perfect to see my reason to come here (borne out).

“The last time I played in the League was six years ago. Six years of waiting, trying to prove them people (who said he was good enough) right.

“It will be a long time trying to get that and the feelings if I do will make it worth the wait.”

FOCUSED Luton skipper George Pilkington is looking to put right the wrong of Town’s relegation into Non-League, writes Mark Wood.

The disbelieving Hatters captain has his heart set on delivering Town back into the Football League when they meet AFC Wimbledon in the Blue Square Bet Premier Play-Off final at Eastlands on Saturday.

He said: “When I first signed for Luton Town I didn’t envisage us being in the Conference.

“We’ve got a chance on Saturday to rectify that situation.

“It’s football, you never predict anything. Between now and then we’ve got to make sure we do everything right.

“There’s going to be some nervous energy there but you need to use it to your advantage.

“Turn it to positive energy and hopefully all the players will put a good performance in.

“There are some tough away trips (in this division) so to go to Manchester where there is a great stadium and pitch, you try to embrace things.

“They don’t come along in football very often.

“It’s one game and more is riding on it for both clubs.

“You go out there and enjoy it because it may not happen again.”

Pilkington suffered a dead leg against Wrexham in the play-off semi-final second leg at Kenilworth Road and is relieved to be fit for the final.

He revealed: “It’s eased off. It isn’t as bad as I thought it would be, just a dead leg.

“I got away with one. It could have been a lot worse and the shin pad did a good job.”

Pilkington’s hoping the Hatters can repeat the performance they put in against Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground during the first leg.

He said: “We’ve had two unchanged sides and I think its gelled very well and we have a lot of experienced players who can raise their game for the big games.

“We will try and replicate what we did at Wrexham. From one to 11 we were excellent.

“The result at Wrexham gave us a lift. We probably surprised ourselves as well as other people that we can perform like that.”

As for his own performance, he continued: “Especially in my position, I have to be dogged and do the basics.”

Pilkington is sure his own experience will come into play and knows there is plenty running throughout the squad.

He said: “I’m just that age. I’ve played enough games to know what it takes.

“A few of the lads from Cambridge have experienced it.

“Jason Walker played in the Trophy last year and scored at Wembley.

“We do have the experience and hopefully it will stand us in good stead.”

On the perception that AFC will have the neutral voting for them following their division with the MK Dons, Pilkington added: “As a player you don’t think about that really.

“Our fans will be behind us and spurring us on and the rest we can’t control.”

THE season finale is here as Luton Town battle it out with AFC Wimbledon for a place in the Football League in the Blue Square Bet Premier play-off final at Eastlands this afternoon.

Victory would see Hatters take their rightful place back in the big time once more and as usual, the Luton News will be there every step of the way.

To keep in touch with our live and interactive updates, just click on on the sport banner at the top of the Luton Today home page where you will find the Hatters Match Day Live section.

We will also be running Twitter updates, and can be found by following @LutonNews_LTFC.

Coverage will start from 2pm as Gary Brabin hopes to bring League football back to the Hatters.

A BRAND new award category has been launched this year to celebrate the achievements of apprentices.

For many young people an earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship is a emerging as a better career option than spending years at university racking up huge debts.

And this year’s Bedfordshire and Luton Rising Stars Business Excellence Awards will highlight the amazing contribution apprentices bring to their host companies – and the wider economy.

Bedfordshire-wide education and training provider Bedford College, which has one of its three learning centres in Upper George Street, Luton, is sponsoring the Apprentice of the Year category.

Bedford College chief executive Ian Pryce said: “As a college devoted to helping people make the most of their talents through training, we want to celebrate the achievements and contribution of apprentices”

Bedford College is hosting the NITP (National IT Partnerships) apprenticeship programme for young people working in IT. It says this offers real training for real jobs with real businesses.

The college says more than 140,000 people will be needed to fill IT jobs over the next few years and the college was one of the first further education collages to join the programme, which is being rolled out across the country.

In other areas of employment such as the motor industry, Bedford College works with big name companies like GM in Luton, as well as with a wide range of employers in accountancy, business administration, catering, child care, customer service, construction, electrotechnicals, hairdressing, health and social care, mechanical engineering, plumbing and modern teaching assistants.

Apprentice Dan Newton, pictured above right said: “I’m earning while learning and will have a job at the end of the apprenticeship. A better option than going to university and coming out with a huge debt.”

> To sponsor the awards contact Rebecca McCreath at Premier Newspapers by emailing her via rebecca.mccreath@jpress.co.uk or phone her on 01908 651263

> To enter the awards, visit www2.lutontoday.co.uk/risingstars2011

WOMEN in Luton are being warned to be on their guard after five reports of indecent exposure in the town over the last seven weeks.

The incidents were reported in the Old Bedford Road, Cromer Way and Warden Hill areas of the town.

All involved a man asking the female victim for the time before he exposes himself.

In all cases the man is described as either a man of Asian appearance with a light complexion or a man with an East European appearance.

Anyone with information relating to these incidents should call police on 01582 394100, text information to 07786 200011, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

RESIDENTS in Marsh Farm have found their new library just as remarkable on the inside as it is on the outside.

Local people, councillors and library staff celebrated as the new building was opened last week by council leader Hazel Simmons.

She said: “I was so proud to be asked to come and open the library, it’s great achievement. It’s actually fantastic, it is really offering a resource for the people in Marsh Farm and the surrounding communities, and the school children.”

The facility brings together the Purley Centre library and the old Lea Manor School library, where the new build is situated.

Marsh Farm resident Yvette Roberts said: “The centre’s really great, it’s the best thing that could have happened to Marsh Farm.”

The new centre boasts a fantastic range of modern facilities including computers, audio books and even a self-service book loaning station.

As well as top-notch equipment, the library holds various children’s groups including Homework Help and the intriguingly named Dangerous Book Club which has been designed for children aged 8 - 12 to try their hand at all sorts of activities that can be explored with books such as dancing, juggling and science experiments.

Grown-ups can also get involved with the fun as the library holds an Adult Reading Group and a Craft and Chatter session. The library also offers a wide range of around 15,000 books plus comics and magazines and DVDs.

TOWN boss Gary Brabin was left with that sinking feeling yet again after the Hatters suffered penalty heartache at Eastlands on Saturday, writes Mike Simmonds.

The 4-3 loss on spot kicks to AFC Wimbledon ensured Luton will spend another season in the Blue Square Bet Premier, as Brabin lost his second final as manager, after a previous defeat with Cambridge United in 2009.

He said: “It’s horrible. I can’t put into words how I feel and I think that goes for all the lads.

“It doesn’t get any easier and it’s disappointing as it’s the fact that we haven’t achieved our goal of promotion.

“There was a few tears for obvious reasons. I think we all genuinely thought it was going to be our day. There was a lot of belief leading up to the game, preparation was different class, we just felt like it was going to be our day and it wasn’t.

“It’s important that they absorb the disappointment and then it’s back to work.”

Brabin admitted he was starting to get a sinking feeling once Jason Walker’s penalty rebounded off the post in normal tim, while the striker wasn’t awarded a penalty after being felled by Dons keeper Seb Brown.

He continued: “I think once Jason‘s header comes off the post and I thought we should have had a penalty at the end as well. It’s not given and I must admit I did feel that (it wasn’t going to be our day) once the penalty wasn’t given.”

When it came down to spot kicks, Hatters saw Alex Lawless and Jason Walker both fail to score, the two players that Brabin felt had been the best in training.

He said: “I don’t think you can ever replicate the pressure and the atmosphere and the situation.

“We’ve practised penalties and probably the two who have missed are probably our two best penalty takers as well. It is what it is. We haven’t achieved our goal and that is disappointing.”

Brabin himself agreed a deal as manager until the end of the season after replacing Richard Money in March and will now sit down to consider his future at the club.

He said: “It’s something that I haven’t thought about. Whatever is necessary for the club to move forward, if I’m involved myself, players, budgets, every aspect of the club is going to have to start being spoke about.”

Over 12,000 Hatters fans made the trip to Eastlands on the day, easily outnumbering the Dons supporters and Brabin was bitterly disappointed they hadn’t been rewarded with a return to the Football League.

He added: “They have been different class. With the hardship they’ve had over the last few years, I really thought this was going to be the year where we start moving in the right direction.

“I’m genuinely not gutted for myself, I’m gutted for the players, team, the club, the supporters.

“I know how hard people work behind the scenes. There’s a lot of genuine people behind the scenes and I’m disappointed more for them to be honest.”

POLICE are seeking witnesses to a man acting suspiciously in Homestead Park, Farley Hill, on Saturday May 21.

The man is believed to have approached a group of teenage girls and touched one of them on her shoulder and stomach.

The girls were sitting on a bench between 6.10pm and 6.40pm when the man asked for a lighter and sat down next to them.

A man has been arrested in connection with the incident but independent witnesses are needed.

Anyone with information should call Detective Constable Duncan Crighton at Luton Police in confidence on 01582 394333, text 07786 200011 or call 0800 555 111.

Motorcycle road tests: Honda CBR 125R and CBR 250R

There is an old saying – necessity is the mother of invention. But in the case of Honda, the phrase could be reworked slightly to necessity is the mother of reinvention.

This year has seen the launch of three new machines – the CBR 125R, CBR 250R and the CBR 600F – as well as an update to the ever-popular CB600 Hornet.

With the exception of the Hornet, they are all brand new models for 2011, although the 125 is a new and improved version of the model that first appeared in 2004, and the CBR 600F is a reinvention of Honda’s biggest-selling model of the 1990s.

Honda very generously offered me the opportunity to test all four machines at their Honda Institute in Slough, two of which are reviewed here, the other pair we’ll look at next time.

My plan, rightly or wrongly, was to start with the 125 and work up to the 600s. So first up, the CBR 125R. And if I’m being honest, this was the bike I was least looking forward to riding.

I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge. It may be a small engine with just a single cylinder but it has the looks and feel of something much bigger, its full fairing and digital instrument panel helping to add to the illusion.

With a power output of just 13.1bhp, you’re going to struggle to beat even a pushbike at the lights, and anything over 65mph is a bit of a battle to be honest – but get it on the back roads and the little 125 comes into its own.

Having gone in with such low expectations, everything about it surprised me. The ride itself is comfortable with a feeling that you are sitting in the bike, rather than on it.

And while hitting breakneck speeds is never going to be an issue, it really does love those twisties! The introduction of a larger, fatter rear tyre really helps here, and while it may not be designed for pure grip, it does offer far more stability than other bikes in the class, allowing you to throw it around those bends.

It’s very light, at just 137kg, which really allows you to throw it around those bends.

But, and probably most importantly of all for motorcyclists, it’s an enormous amount of grin-inducing fun – especially when you throw it around those bends!

If a little 125cc bike can give a 36-year-old adrenalin junkie a thrill, just image what it will do for a 17-year-old fresh from his or her CBT.

With its swish new looks and its capabilities on the road, it really is a grown-up bike for youngsters – the only thing that will give them away will be the L-plates.

My theory for the day of starting on the smallest bike and working my way up is one that has been ingrained in motorcycling for years. And it is those riders, and those looking for a cheap and stylish method of transport, at whom the CBR 250R is aimed.

Designed to take Kawasaki’s Ninja 250 head on, it also has stylish sportsbike looks – but with just 26bhp and a single cylinder engine.

At twice the capacity of the bike I’d just tested, what I would love to be able to tell you is that everything about it was twice as good.

But I can’t – and to be fair, through no fault of Honda’s but because I suffered an error of judgment. I decided to hit the M25, looking to come off a few junctions later in search of some nice sweeping roads so that I could try to put it through its paces.

What actually happened was the motorway came to a grinding halt. In both directions. Why I expected anything else of the M25 I have no idea, but it meant that pretty much all of my test time was spent on the motorway.

But it’s not all bad because while I didn’t get to flick it from side to side, what I did get was a good feel for how the bike copes in busy urban traffic. And in all fairness, that’s pretty much exactly what it was designed for.

Again, it’s comfortable to ride and, despite just having the single cylinder, doesn’t rattle the rider as much as it might, particularly when you are able to get up to higher speeds.

That engine does give the bike a particularly high-pitched whine, pretty much all the way through the rev range, but as I spent nearly all my time on the bike hardly ever getting out of second and third gear, that was to be expected I suppose!

That said, the clutch and brakes are actually pretty solid for a smaller capacity bike and it moves in and out of slow moving traffic like a dream.

And for a bike that is pretty much aimed squarely at the commuter, there’s not really much more you can ask for.

For more information on all Honda’s models visit their website at www.honda.co.uk/motorcycles

More information about getting on two wheels is available from the motorcycle industry’s campaign aimed at recruiting more new riders. For details visit www.geton.co.uk

JAM-smeared numerals were the party staple for the animals at Whipsnade on Monday, as the zoo celebrated its 80th birthday.

Creatures great and small marked the occasion by investigating supersize 80 foam figures that were placed in their enclosures.

Lemurs licked the giant numbers, as keepers had covered them in jam and raisins for their pleasure, and the meerkats used them as a new climbing frame.

Elephant Kaylee sized up to eight foot high chunky versions of the 80, which she seemed to like as a new plaything.

Whipsnade Zoo first opened its gates on May 23, 1931, as Europe’s first open zoo and is celebrated today as a much-respected and world renowned conservation and breeding centre.

Zoological director David Field said: “80 years of history, of learning conservation techniques and applying the knowledge to conservation is something to really celebrate.

“Society is increasingly urban so we are becoming increasingly detached from nature. Zoos are a great way of bridging that gap and making people care – particularly the new generations.

“We need to build, within all people, a respect for nature and a desire to care for it. If we don’t, there won’t be anywhere for animals to go back to in the future.”

Celebrations for the anniversary include a special two for one offer for visitors this week, until Friday.

Birthday activities also take place throughout half term, from Saturday.

In addition, a specially-created outdoor photo exhibition has been set up on the lawns near the plinth of the zoo’s founder, Sir Peter Chalmers-Mitchell.

And there was one extra special birthday present for the zoo. Mr Field said: “We celebrate everyday. Today we’ve had the birth of a moose on our 80th birthday, this wonderful little animal. What a way to celebrate.”