Ipswich Town produce one of their best Championship wins of the season as Preston suffer a fourth straight defeat.Read more
- Updates on Friday, 3 November 2017
- Man charged with murder after stabbing near Ipswich railway station
- UKIP leader blasts defectors as 'political opportunists'
- Frozen food store staff threatened with knife
- Lowestoft Town appoint new manager
BBC Look East business correspondent
Rural companies have claimed the "clunky" planning process is making it hard for their businesses to grow.
Smart Garden Offices in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, has lost a two-year battle to extend the working hours at its factory.
Managing director Charlie Dalton said it has meant 10 workers have been made redundant.
In Boxford, fruit juice maker Copella has £35m expansion plans.
Its owner, Konings, wants to move into cider production on the site, but the plans have been met with opposition by people who live in the area of outstanding beauty.
Site leader Phil Clark said: "We have had a site here for almost five decades. We are very committed to making sure we mitigate for this project in the right way.
"If we can't diversify we have a long-term problem with the viability of this site."
Suffolk Chamber of Commerce said the planning system is regarded as "too clunky, too expensive and it takes too long".
BBC Look East weather
Rather cloudy but staying mainly dry this evening across the BBC East region with some mist patches.
Thicker cloud will bring patchy rain later tonight and mild air in, so although temperatures may drop to 7C (45F) they are expected to rise later in the night.
Saturday will be cloudy with outbreaks of rain, becoming a little drier and brighter before more rain moves in. Rain then turning more heavy and persistent, clearing slowly eastwards.
It'll peak at 13C (55F), but be noticeably colder by the evening.
Suffolk Police have charged a 44-year-old man with the murder of Dean Stansby.
The 41-year-old, who lived in Trimley St Mary and worked at a tattoo parlour in Ipswich town centre, was stabbed in Ancaster Road near Ipswich railway station on 8 February.
More on this story to follow later...
It seems Improvements to transport routes between Cambridge and Haverhill are still years away...
The Greater Cambridge Partnership met yesterday to discuss the work, and say the earliest it could start would be 2019.
The group is putting three options out of consultation that include:
- A new off-road busway from the A11 via Sawston to the Cambrige Biomediccal Campus (CBC), partly along the old Haverhill railway line
- On-road bus lanes from Babraham Research Campus, leading to an off-road busway from the Babraham Road park & ride site to CBC
- On-road bus lanes from Babraham Research Campus to CBC
Chris Tunstall, from the Greater Cambridge Partnership, says they have about £140m to spend on improvements, so they are "looking to prioritise the improvements".
He explained that calls re-establish a rail service between Haverhill and Cambridge is not an option for them as they "can't pay for a railway line" which is estimated to cost £650m.
A man has been arrested in connection with a knife-point robbery at a frozen foods store.
As we reported earlier, police were called to Farmfoods on Bramford Road, Ipswich, just before 19:00 yesterday.
Suffolk Police said the man allegedly entered the building and threatened a member of staff with a knife.
He demanded that they open the till, from which he stole a quantity of bank notes. The offender then made off in the direction of Little Bramford Lane, he said.
Officers have arrested a 34-year-old man from Ipswich on suspicion of robbery in connection with the incident.
Bury Free Press
BBC Look East political correspondent
The leader of the UK Independence Party has accused the seven Great Yarmouth councillors who defected from his party to the Conservatives this week of being "political opportunists".
"They moved over to the Tories because they felt that was what was in their own best interests," he said.
"The reason they gave was that they felt the Brexit job was done and they felt the Tories were the best party to take things forward - which is absolute tosh.
"The Conservatives promised to deliver Brexit, they have done absolutely nothing."
Monday's defection was the largest single switch so far of UKIP councillors to the Conservatives and it leaves the party with just five councillors in a town which was once considered a UKIP stronghold.
Mr Bolton addressed about 50 supporters from Norfolk and Suffolk last night.
He insisted that the party still had a future and a distinctive message.
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
The Wolfpack - who won at seventh place Canterbury last weekend - are at home to Clifton who are currently 12th in the table.
A win for Ollie Smith's men could see them jump into the top four.
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
A man armed with a knife held up a frozen food store in Ipswich on Thursday evening.
Police were called to Farmfoods on Bramford Road just before 19:00.
A man demanded money from the till while pointing a knife at staff.
No arrests have been made.
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
Lowestoft Town have wasted little time in naming Dale Brooks as their new manager.
The former Norwich City coach replaces Ady Gallagher who left the Amber Dew Events Stadium earlier this week.
Brooks has been working as Gallagher's assistant for the last two years.
BBC Look East weather
Any early mist, cloud and drizzle will clear and the day across the BBC East region will get drier and brighter with some sunny spells.
Maximum temperature: 14C (57F).
For a more detailed forecast where you are, visit BBC Weather.
A Christmas tree made of 41 aluminium spheres, which has prompted lively debate in Ipswich since it replaced a traditional tree in 2012, has found a new home on the town's Waterfront.
The metal tree became homeless after the business organisation Ipswich Central decided last year it was time to have a living tree in the town centre.
Tim Greenacre, from the University of Suffolk, said: "We are pleased to be able to support IBC [Ipswich Borough Council] with providing a location (pictured) for the contemporary Christmas tree.
"It will make a great addition to the Waterfront over the festive period and I am sure will be enjoyed by students, staff and the community."
David Ellesmere, leader of the council, said; "We believe Ipswich can now enjoy the best of both worlds with two trees and we're looking forward to the big switch-on and a successful festive season for local businesses."
The switch-on takes place on Thursday, 16 November.
Companies who want to help build the third crossing in Lowestoft are being asked to show their interest.
Suffolk County Council has published a contract notice for the £90m bridge over Lake Lothing.
The proposed crossing is for a lifting bridge to enable tall vessels to pass through, and the road would provide a new link between the north and south of the town.
A planning application is expected to be submitted early next year.
The county council expects construction to begin in 2019, with a projected completion date of December 2022.
BBC Local Live
A popular fireworks display has had to be cancelled - because of problems in getting the fireworks from the regular supplier.
The event is organised by Needham Market community council, who say they found out at a late date they wouldn't be getting their order of fireworks, ordered "in good faith" in August.
Acting chair David Long said: "The supplier Is one we have used for many years and has always proved to be reliable.
"We have used this supplier as they have provided a complete service which has included training for our people firing as well as insurance against anything going wrong with the display.
"This arrangement has meant that we have been able to have a bigger display as we have not had to pay a large sum for insurance.
"It would would have been difficult at the late stage to attempt alternative insurance cover and would also have meant that the event would have lost money.
"The decision to cancel was not taken lightly, consideration was given to how we could go ahead but given the lateness of the information about non-delivery and the uncertainty of any alternative arrangements, in particular the insurance, we felt we had no choice but to cancel and to give as much notice to the public as possible."
Village knitters who set out to make 40 woollen poppies for Remembrance Day have now made 5,500 of them.
A television, child's car seat, traffic cones and a toy castle...
Not the conveyor belt on The Generation Game, but some of the items found in a litter pick on the Broads at Breydon Water on Monday.
The pick saw 50 bin bags of rubbish, and a skip full of driftwood removed from the edge of the water, along with masses of plastic bags, bottles and hypodermic needles.
Broads Authority spokeswoman Lucy Burchnall says litter picks are essential for maintaining the navigation, and protecting the Broads' flora and fauna from potentially harmful waste.
Litter picks are often difficult at Breydon Water, because of low tides and shallow mud flats. The litter can build up as it becomes stuck in the mud and can only be removed at high tide.
Trains services are now running normally through Cambridge after an earlier "operating incident".
There was some disruption on Great Northern and Greater Anglia trains because a train was blocking the line at the Cambridge depot.
The matter has all been resolved.
A man has been jailed for six years for an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man in Lowestoft.
Sean Dickson, 25, from Worcester Way, Gorleston, was sentenced following a two-day trial at Ipswich Crown Court, after he pleaded not guilty.
The incident happened at around 22:30 on Saturday, 15 April when Dickson assaulted the 50-year-old male in an alleyway near to a shop on London Road South.
His victim, who has a significant hearing impediment and general poor physical health, was struck on the head, and fell to the ground where Dickson continued kicking and punching him.
He sustained a broken nose and left eye, injuries to his right ear, as well as swelling and bruising, and was taken to the James Paget Hospital for treatment.
Dickson also stole an envelope containing bank cards.
Dickson, who has a history of violence and was convicted in 2013 for a robbery on a wheelchair-bound woman, had known his victim since childhood.
As well as the six year jail sentence, Dickson also received a restraining order last until further notice not to contact the victim.
A 62-year-old woman received a serious leg injury, as well as internal injuries, when the Peugeot moped she was riding was involved in a collision with a Ford Focus in Ipswich late yesterday afternoon.
Police are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the crash on Heath Road, at the junction with Gleneagles Drive, which took place just before 17:00.
The male driver of the car was uninjured.
Have you lost a banjo?
If so, Lowestoft police station would like to hear from you.
The stringed instrument, still in its case and in pristine condition, was found in a hedge near Oulton Broad South railway station on Saturday, 23 September.
It was handed in to police, who say they've had no reports of a lost or stolen banjo despite carrying out local inquiries.
Mid Suffolk District Council is borrowing £60m to buy and develop land in Stowmarket.
The council's plan was decided behind closed doors last week, but was added in error to a district councillors report sent to Needham Market Town Council.
It said the council would borrow the money for land and infrastructure, called Gateway 14, next to the Cedars Link Road, near the Tesco supermarket.
The report also said the development would have an "iconic feature similar to the Suffolk Food Hall" at Wherstead.
The council would pay back the loan using the government bonuses it gets for giving planning permission for new homes.
Commuters using Great Northern and Greater Anglia trains through Cambridge are being warned their journey could be disrupted until the early afternoon because of an "operating incident in Cambridge sidings".
Services between King's Lynn and London Liverpool Street through Cambridge are being affected.
Some Greater Anglia trains are unable to get out of the sidings, the company says.
National Rail is warning the disruption could last until 14:00.
BBC Look East weather
A chilly start, with a few mist of fog patches across the BBC East region at first.
Then a dry and fine day, with mainly light winds. Cloud breaking later to give some longer bright or sunny spells.
Maximum temperature: 12C (54F).
BBC Radio Suffolk sport
Ady Gallgher has stepped down as manager of Lowestoft Town Football Club.
Since helping the Trawler Boys to their finest hour in 2014 and achieving promotion to the second tier of non-league football, Gallagher's had a series of financial issues to contend with at the club.
There's now a new chairman and a new stadium rights deal in place at Lowestoft, and Gallagher says it's also time for change in the dugout.
He told the club website: "Following discussions with the new chairman I have decided that it’s time for me to step aside.
"I have had 18 wonderful years at the club, but a variety of challenging circumstances of the last few seasons has led me to believing that fresh impetus is needed to take the football side forward again.
"As a Lowestoft lad I’ve always tried to do my best for the club and I’m enormously proud of what has been achieved during my time here. The club and supporters have been so good to me and it’s been a wonderful experience that will live with me forever."
His assistant Dale Brooks will take charge of first-team duties for Saturday's match with Met Police.
The BBC says high pressure is behind interference to its TV and radio services, after some listeners reported hearing what sounded like French radio during today's BBC Radio Suffolk Breakfast show.
A spokesman for the BBC said: "A zone of high pressure moving slowly over the UK can sometimes cause signals from distant transmitters to travel further than normal and cause interference, resulting in poor reception.
"There is no solution to this natural interference and broadcasters cannot prevent it.
"Radio reception will return to normal once the weather changes.
"However, if you have auto-tuned your TV during the high pressure, the BBC would recommend manually retuning.
"The high pressure is expected to dissipate over the next 24 hours and services will return to normal."
BBC Radio Suffolk political reporter
There's been a u-turn on proposals to force dog owners to put their pets on leads in public places.
Suffolk Coastal District Council had planned a series of public space protection orders meaning fines for dog owners if their pets were caught off the lead on roads and verges.
But after a public consultation which saw 53% of respondents object to the idea, it's been dropped.
Orders for children's play areas and Aldeburgh beach will go ahead, but a decision about dogs on leads at Shingle Street has been put on hold.
There will be further consultation about allowing dogs on Felixstowe beach in the summer before 10:00 and after 18:00.
A 14-year-old girl who went missing from Bury St Edmunds yesterday has been found.
Police earlier released an appeal for information, saying the schoolgirl had not been seen since 15:45 yesterday.
The head teacher of a Woodbridge high school says some students will have an extra 90 minutes of travel time to and from class on Monday.
It's because of the closure of Woods Lane in Melton while a sewer is laid for a new housing development by Bloor Homes.
Andrew Sievewright, headmaster at the nearby Farlingaye High School, said: "There's one route that's been particularly seriously affected and it will mean a long day for some of the students.
"Obviously we'll work with them, our older students in particular, who will have concerns about how that will affect their exam preparation later in the year."
Meanwhile, Suffolk Coastal's Conservative MP Therese Coffey has issued a statement after she was criticised for not attending last night's council meeting to discuss the disruption.
"The local councils and housing builder held a meeting last night which I was happy to advertise so local residents could ask questions directly," she said. "I was in Parliament voting on finance legislation necessary to fund public services.
"I continue to ask detailed questions on behalf of constituents but ultimately it is the county council that works with the builder on how to accommodate necessary infrastructure installation."
Bloor Homes previously said the road was being closed in two stages, from 6-30 November and 8 January-13 April, after "all other options" had been considered.
Suffolk County Council is to employ a co-ordinator to help in the fight against gang violence and drug dealers from London coming to the county and using young people here to sell illegal substances.
The county council has advertised for an "exceptional manager" on a two-year contract.
They'll be paid between £41,138 and £47,468.
The recruitment follows a University of Suffolk report which found children as young as 12 were getting involved in such crimes.
The new gang violence and county lines manager will work with those trying to tackle issues which have led to stabbings and shootings in Ipswich.
Ipswich Conservative county councillor Paul West says the overall objective is to stop the involvement of young people in the drugs trade in the county.
In recent years Suffolk, like other councils, has had to make cuts to several youth services.
"We are in a different world now," Mr West said. "One of the things we will look at together with the other agencies is whether more can be done in terms of early intervention and working with young people in the community."
The multi-agency role has also been welcomed by Suffolk's Police and Crime Commissioner Tim Passmore.
"We'll be looking at economic development, deprivation and and how we prevent people getting involved in gangs and the drug culture in the first place. It will be a long-term solution," he said.
Nearly 500 illegal attacks on birds of prey have been reported in the UK over a five-year period, the RSPB has revealed, with counties in the East among those which reported offences.
The charity said the attacks were recorded on raptors, including red kites, peregrine falcons and buzzards, that were shot, trapped or poisoned between 2012 and 2016.
The RSPB’s Birdcrime report revealed a minimum of 81 confirmed incidents of bird of prey persecution in the UK during 2016 and it was "the first time in 30 years" no prosecutions were brought.
Nearly two-thirds of those attacks, which comprised 40 shootings, 22 poisonings, 15 trappings and four other incidents, took place in England.
In the East in 2016, there were two confirmed incidents, the shooting of a buzzard in Suffolk and the poisoning of a red kite in Hertfordshire.
Norfolk is number four in the list of worst UK counties for reported bird crimes between 2012-2016, with 19 incidents.
The RSPB has called for better enforcement of the law and an introduction of "a licensing system for driven grouse shooting".
BBC Local Live
This is Chloe Humpage, who has disappeared from her home in Bury St Edmunds.
The 14-year-old did not return home from school yesterday.
Police say she was last seen in the area of the Iceland shop in Cornhill, Bury St. Edmunds, at 15:45.
She was seen talking to a male - and it is not known which way she went.
Chloe has very long dark brown straight hair with a pale complexion. She was wearing a red jumper and blue jeans.
Anyone with information should call Suffolk Police on 101.
There's a little bit of mist around first thing but it will lift to bring a bright day with some sunny spells.
It will feel quite pleasant in the sunshine, with a maximum temperature of 13C (55F).