London News

Some of London's most recognisable street signs, including those which have stood in Downing Street and Abbey Road, have fetched thousands of pounds at auction in West Sussex.

The distinctive enamelled Downing Street sign was bought by London-based advertising executive Trevor Beattie for £7,800, achieving far more than its estimate of up to £1,500.

And the Abbey Road sign fetched £4,350 after being bought by north London-based property investor John Antoniou as a present for his son, a musician and producer.

A collection of black aluminium finger signs which have directed tourists to world famous landmarks in the capital also went under the hammer at Summers Place Auctions in Billingshurst, and fetched £4,200.

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• south
• south east

Dame Judi Dench has begun an appeal today to raise funds for the RAF's Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park.

The monument, unveiled last summer, honours more than 55,000 air crew who lost their lives during the Second World War.

Donations from the public raised the five and a half million pounds needed to build it.

But the RAF Benevolent Fund must now find another one and a half million pounds for its maintenance.

So it's created "The Upkeep Club" - named after one of the bouncing bombs used by the RAF in its Dambuster Raid 70 years ago this month.

Dame Judi's late husband - the actor Michael Williams - served in the RAF.

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• Dame Judi Dench

A man's been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to murder, following a shooting in Luton yesterday morning.

Police say the man in his 20s has also been arrested on suspicion of Threats to Kill, Arson and Criminal Damage.

A 27-year-old man is still in a serious condition in hospital, having been shot in the leg.

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A police force is facing legal action after failing to protect a woman from her ex-boyfriend, despite officers knowing he'd killed before.

Her family say Maria Stubbings would still be alive today if the police had done their jobs properly.

Maria's son Bengee has been speaking to Nick Thatcher, about his memories of his mother.

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• Essex Police
• Maria Stubbings

They call it the most lucrative game in football.

The winners of next week's Championship play-off final won't just get Premier League glory, they'll get a whole lot of cash as well.

And it's definitely one of our teams that will be hitting the jackpot - as Watford FC takes on Crystal Palace.

Ruth Banks reports.

• Sport
• Football
• Crystal Palace

Basildon Hospital is already under investigation for its high death rates, it is now being examined for its treatment of a disabled woman.

The health watchdog says Tina Papalabropoulos died after doctors failed to provide her with intensive treatment.

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• Basildon Hospital

A car of the future, a swing at your dinner table and a garden shed where no one can hear you tinker.

Just some of the inventions on show at a three-day festival of design, which has opened today in Clerkenwell.

Liz Wickham reports.

• And Finally

The government has announced the start of consultations over building a new Thames Crossing. There are three options: Dartford, Swanscombe and a site near Gravesend. The cost could top £5 billion.

We speak to Roads Minister Stephen Hammond, Richard Knox-Johnston from CPRE Protect Kent, Cllr Bryan Sweetland from Kent County Council and Natalie Chapman from the Freight Transport Association.

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• Dartford Crossing
• Kent

Detectives investigating a shooting in Luton yesterday morning have arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to murder.

The Luton man, who is in his 20s, was arrested this afternoon following the incident in Dunstable Road at the junction of Leicester Road at 8am on Monday.

The suspect has also been arrested on suspicion of threats to kill, arson and criminal damage and will be questioned at Luton Police Station.

The victim, aged 27, suffered a serious injury to his leg and remains in hospital where his condition is described as serious but stable.

• UK