Luton is a large town and local government district located in the south of England, 32 miles (51 kilometres) north of London. Historically, Luton was within the county of Bedfordshire. However, since 1997, the town has been a unitary authority. Luton, along with its near neighbours of Dunstable and Houghton Regis, form the Luton/Dunstable Urban Area with a population of over 230,000. Luton is home to Luton Town Football Club, London Luton Airport, and the University of Bedfordshire. The Luton Carnival, held on the late May bank holiday, is the largest one-day carnival in Europe. The town was for many years famous for hat-making and was also home to a large Vauxhall Motors factory; the head office of Vauxhall Motors is still situated in the town. A major regeneration programme for the town centre is planned, which will include upgrades to the town's bus and train stations as well as general improvements the town's urban environment. St George's Square has been rebuilt and reopened in 2007. The new look wasn't particularly popular with local residents, but the design won a Gold Standard Award for the Town Centre Environment from the annual British Council of Shopping Centres awards. Planning applications for a £15million extension to The Mall Arndale shopping centre and also for a new centre in Power Court (close to St Marys Church) have been submitted. On the edge of Luton at Putteridge Bury a new high-technology office park, Butterfield Green, is under construction. The former Vauxhall site is also to be re-developed as a mixed use site called Napier Park. It will feature housing, retail and entertainment use, including a new casino. More on Ascot 

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