Littleport Tyre Fire update - Sat 10.26 am

There were several large explosions at a tyre processing in Littleport on Friday evening.

Around 200,000 tonnes of tyres caught fire at the Murfitt's site of the A1101 Wisbech Road at around 3.15pm. The explosions were caused by cyclinders and a diesel tank.

At it's height 10 fire crews from Cambridgeshire and Norfolk were tackling the blaze. Star Radio listeners reported a huge plume of smoke moving across the area and were forced to keep their windows and doors shut.

Fire crews stayed at the site overnight and say it may take several days for the fire to burn out completely.

If anybody has breathing difficulties because of the smoke they should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647

200,000 Tonnes of Tyres On Fire 200,000 tonnes of tyres are on fire at a recycling centre in Littleport.

A large plume of smoke can be seen for miles and has forced the closure of the A1101 Wisbech Road at the junction with the A10.

10 fire crews from Cambridgeshire and Norfolk have been tackling the blaze since 3.15pm.

Local residents are being advised to stay indoors and keep their windows shut. If anybody suffers breathing problems they should contact NHS Direct on 0845 4647.

Crash on the A1307

Two men have been seriously hurt after a collission on the A1307.

It happened around 7pm on Wednesday 19 August near the Gog Magogs roundabout.

A 22 year old man from Sawston is in a critical condition whilst his passenger, who's 22 and from Sawston is stable.

Inspector Alan Page who's investigating said, "I would like to hear from anyone who was in the area at 7pm and witnessed the collision or saw the vehicles in the moments leading up to the incident."

Anyone with information should contact Inspector Page at the roads policing unit on 0345 456 456 4.

Free Legal Help After Law Centre Shuts

A Cambridge firm of solicitors is offering free advice to people affected by the sudden closure of the Cambridge Law Centre.

Blacklaws Davis are holding twice weekly sessions for people with family law issues. The Citizens Advice Bureau are already helping people with benefits problems.

The sessions at Blackalws Davis take place on Mondays from 9am to 11am and Wednesdays from 4pm to 6pm.

Body Found in Car

Police found a body in a vehicle just outside Landbeach on Wednesday morning.

It was discovered in a field off Green End between Cottenham Road and the A10. The road was cordoned off whilst officers investigated the sudden death.

Police say they're not treating it as suspicious.

Fewer Places at Anglia Ruskin University

Anglia Ruskin University, who have a campus in Cambridge could be forced to turn down some undergraduate students this year because of a lack of funding.

The government have reduced the amount of cash they'll give them, but the institution have already made a lot of offers.

It means they may have to turn down students who just miss out on their predicted A'level grades.

Addenbrookes Car Parking Charges

A software glitch has overcharged some visitors for car parking at Addenbrookes hospital.

A Star Radio listener contacted us to say she'd been charged £1.80. for an evening visit last week, then £4.80 for the same trip this week.

The hospital say the computer accidentally added together a day rate and an evening rate and have promised to refund any excess charges.

To claim a refund if this happened to you contact the NCP ticket office on 01223 274792.

Amanda Holden Backs TCT Appeal at Addenbrookes

Britian's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden has put her weight behind a campaign to open a new teenage cancer unit at Addenbrookes hospital.

She's made an appearance at a fundraising tennis tournament in Hunstanton as the charity try to raise a million pounds for the centre.

She's called on more people to donate cash to the charity.

Thousands of New Homes Approved in South Cambridgeshire

Thousands of new homes are going to be built in South Cambridgeshire to tackle the housing shortage.

Planning inspectors have given the go ahead to the sites but rejected plans for a new sports stadium on the greenbelt in Milton.

The new homes will be built in the following places:

* Orchard Park (three sites) - 220 additional homes
* Land between Huntingdon Road, Histon Road and the A14 (known as NIAB Extra) - 1,100 homes, 630 by 2016
* Powell's Garage, Woollards Lane, Great Shelford - 18 homes
* Ida Darwin Hospital, Fulbourn - between 250 and 275 homes, 215 by 2016
* Cambourne - an extra 950 homes (through increased densities within the existing approved footprint)
* The former Bayer CropScience site at Hauxton - 380 homes
* Small sites at Papworth and Impington

Drug Driving Warning

Drivers in Cambridgeshire are being warned not to take drugs whilst getting behind the wheel.

New TV adverts which show people with cartoon like eyes are being aired to show how police can spot people breaking the law.

Officers in the county say they'll use field impairment tests, like making people stand on one leg or touching their nose to see if they're under the influence.

To see the TV advert for yourself click here

Specialist Help for Victims of Rape and Sexual Assault

Conviction rates for rape and sexual assault are normally criticised for being too low. However police in Cambridgeshire say they are slowly starting to improve.

It's partly being put down to the fact that victims are getting specialist support and care when they give their statements and evidence to officers.

A facility in Bottisham which has been open for a year takes the victims away from the intimidating surroundings of a police station to try and help them relax.

Star Radio's Emma Howgego caught up with Detective Seargent Helen Deeming to find out more about it. Click here to listen

Plans to Improve Safety on Mill Road

£400,000. is going to be spent on safety improvements on Mill Road in Cambridge.

Two parts of the road near Gonville Place and the railway bridge are amongst the worst accident blackspots in the whole of the county.

Reducing the speed limit to 20mph is one of the measures being considered, along with speed bumps, different pedestrian crossings and junction improvements.

A full list of the proposals are available on the council website here

Soham Rapist Conviction

A man who raped a woman in Ely last April has been jailed for six years.

37 year old Jason Edwards of Rosebay Gardens in Soham will also be on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life.

DC Kathy Gordon, who led the case, said: "I am pleased with the sentence given to Edwards and the decision to place him on the sex offenders register for the rest of his life. Edwards was a practised liar and admitted to lying to police during his
interview.

Woman Sexually Assaulted in Broad Daylight

A woman has been sexually assaulted outside a home on Lensfield Road in Cambridge in the middle of the afternoon.

It happened on the busy city centre street at 4.30pm on Monday 10th August.

A man ran off down the road and police say they're trawling through CCTV pictures to try and find images of him.

Stephen Hawking Honoured

Cambridge scientist, Stephen Hawking, has received America's highest civilian honour.

President Obama bestowed the Medal of Freedom on the physicist at the White House.

16 people were honoured, including tennis legend Billie Jean King and civil rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Spend the Criminals Cash

Money that's been confiscated from criminal's is going to be spent on funding community projects across Cambridgeshire.

£95,000. has been given to the county's Criminal Justice Board and they want the county's residents to decide where it's spent.

16 projects have made the shortlist and you can see them all and vote for your favourite here.

Vicious Attack on Midsummer Common

A woman has been left unconscious on Midsummer Common in Cambridge after being attacked from behind.

A passer by called an ambulance on Saturday night and the woman woke up in hospital.

Police say it looked like somebody had searched her bag but nothing was stolen.

Anybody with information is asked to contact DC Loth on 0345 456 456 4 or Crimestoppers, anonymoulsy, on 0800 555 111

Illegal Traveller Site Removed

An illegal traveller site at Smithy Fen in Cottenham has been cleared.

3 caravans and a number of buildings on Victoria view are being removed after South Cambridgeshire District Council won a high court battle.

It's been 6 years since the site was first occupied and it's cost tax payers over £300,000. in legal fees.

There are currently 65 legal pitches at Smithy Fen and 14 other illegal ones. Nobody was living on the sites when the bulldozers moved in.

Return of Ling

Martin Ling has returned to Cambridge United.

The manager resigned last week after a dispute with Chairman George Rolls.

But Rolls has now stepped down and Ling has made a sensational return to the Abbey stadium.

The club say they hope to draw a line under the recent problems and take the club forward.