Kate Scotter
BBC News

The MP for North Norfolk has been challenging the government over a lack of care for people with acute mental health conditions.

Image source, Getty Images

From April this year, people experiencing a first episode of psychosis should receive treatment within two weeks. 

But Lib Dem MP Norman Lamb said some health commissioners, including in Norfolk, were not organised enough to make sure it happens.  

The former health minister, who has spoken openly about his son Archie's own mental health struggles, said: "In other regions, there's been no programme of implementation; no-one in charge to take responsibility for ensuring that it happens. 

"In the Midlands and East in particular, it's in my view a shambles; a disgusting, outrageous shambles which should not be tolerated."

The new health minister Nicola Blackwood said changes were "not going to happen overnight". 

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The Norfolk film company behind the star-studded movie ChickLit, featuring John Hurt and Dakota Blue Richards, has released behind-the-scenes photographs of the movie being filmed in the county.

Image source, Capriol Films

Image source, Capriol Films

The film, which also stars comedian Miles Jupp and esteemed actress Eileen Atkins, saw scenes filmed at the Theatre Royal in Norwich (top picture and below) and The Muckleburgh Collection in Weybourne (bottom picture).

Image source, Capriol Films

ChickLit, produced by Holt film company Capriol Films and the brainchild of Norfolk writer/director Tony Britten, was also shot in Holt (below).

Image source, Capriol Films

Image source, Capriol Films

Image source, Capriol Films

Jack Reeve
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

King's Lynn Stars, external face reigning Elite League champions Poole, external tonight. 

It's fair to say a tough test awaits and it doesn't help that three riders have been ruled out through injury and the team will be managed by a caretaker boss. 

Somerset boss Garry May has agreed to step in with both team manager Rob Lyon and promoter Dale Allitt both unable to attend the meeting.

The Stars currently find themselves second from bottom after a season blighted with injuries. Tonight they find themselves without Niels Kristian Iversen, Simon Lambert and Nicklas Porsing.

Kate Scotter
BBC News

The summer sun and the swallows might still be in the sky, but Great Yarmouth is already preparing for Christmas – by launching the town's first-ever Christmas Fayre Pudding Competition.

Image source, Great Yarmouth Borough Council

Traditionally made months in advance, sometimes following age-old family recipes, the fruity and nutty festive desserts are often the highlight of the Christmas dinner table.

People from across East Anglia are now invited to enter their culinary Christmas pudding creations into the competition, which will be judged in the Great Yarmouth's Market Place, on the first day of the Christmas Fayre, Friday, 25 November.

Barry Coleman, chairman of the borough council's economic development committee, said: "This competition seems a fun addition to the festivities, especially as Great Yarmouth is a foodie town and because of the increased interest in cookery."     

Kate Scotter
BBC News

Works of art of national importance are due to be restored at a north Norfolk stately home.

The 17th Century oil paintings of the children of King Charles I are part of a large collection at Raynham Hall, near Fakenham.

About £48,000 is needed to research, identify and restore the three portraits.

Charles Townshend, 8th Marquess Townshend, and his wife Alison, Lady Townshend, have organised an evening of musical recitals to help raise the funds.

Diss Express

The total fundraising from the Pink Ladies Tractor Road Run has reached £527,000, external since its inception after a cheque from this year’s event for £64,700 was presented to Cancer Research UK on Friday.

Image source, Diss Express

Kate Scotter
BBC News

A former England captain has praised Swardeston Cricket Club, external for their mental strength after they became national T20 champions for the second time. 

Image source, Getty Images

The village club beat Nottinghamshire's Sandiacre by 65 runs. 

It did not all go Swardeston's way, however. Mike Gatting, who captained England between 1986 and 1988 and whose nephew Joe plays for Swardeston, said they looked "dead and buried" in the early stages when they lost three quick wickets.

"They showed their togetherness and all-in-all they did really well. They bowled really well and they have the ability to go with the passion they have got for cricket," he said.

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

How Baker Small operates:

• The firm was employed in cases where local authorities were in dispute with parents over what they were prepared to provide SEN children
• Disputes ranged from differences over specific therapies or school placements to outright refusal to assess children
• Any disagreements go to the Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) Tribunal
• Parents will either represent themselves, pay for lawyers/specialist witnesses out of their own pocket or - in a very small minority of cases - obtain legal aid
• As well as representing them at tribunal, Baker Small offer local authorities training on handling appeals

What is the provision for children with SEN?

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

A law firm which has secured payments in legal fees and contracts worth £3m with local authorities across the country says claims it used bullying tactics are "utter rubbish".

Baker Small was employed in cases where councils were in dispute with parents over what they were prepared to provide to children with special educational needs.

The law firm was criticised for mocking parents of children with special needs on Twitter in June, external. It has since been accused of using intimidating tactics to win cases.

Director Mark Small said: "This thing about tactics and conduct of tribunals on behalf of local authorities is just not true."

He said his company had tried to "look at improving decision making before it gets anywhere near a dispute, because that is often the problem".

He did, however, admit that in some cases "additional evidence comes to light or is provided late".  

Mr Small said he regretted the tweets.

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

An "estimated contract value" between Norfolk County Council and law firm Baker Small, criticised for mocking parents, external of children with special needs on Twitter, was £600,000.

The company has secured payments and contracts nationally totalling £3m since 2010.

The planned spend was pulled following the tweets, but contractual declaration data shows the money had been earmarked for the firm.

The county council spent £133,171 with Baker Small in 2015 and £78,858 this year under existing arrangements.

The firm's director, Mark Small, said he regretted the posting of the tweets in June.

Kate Scotter
BBC News

A little girl's treehouse inspired by a children's classic book has been crowned the best in the UK.

Image source, Doug Peters/PA

Six-year-old Ruby Jennings from Taverham, near Norwich, came up with the design for the Faraway Treehouse after reading Enid Blyton books.

It is made from recycled wood, took three months to build and sits at about 4m (13ft) up in a large oak tree in the Jennings family's back garden.

It came out top in the nationwide CenterParcs competition.

Ruby's dad Matthew Jennings said: "I just built it so me and Ruby could have some time in the garden so for it to win a national award is amazing."

Matt Precey
BBC Look East

A law firm criticised for mocking parents of children with special needs has been paid millions of pounds in legal fees by local authorities, the BBC has learned.

Baker Small, which tweeted gloating comments, external about families it had won cases against, has secured £3m in payments and contracts since 2010 - including significant sums from Norfolk, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire County Councils.

Critics said the spend was "depressing" and could have been used to help children rather than "fight parents". 

Baker Small's Mark Small said he regretted the tweets posted in June.

The body of man who was stabbed to death was discovered wrapped in a "black material" near a woodland stream, an inquest hears.

Kate Scotter
BBC News

A man arrested after a "substantial" number of firearms were found in a bungalow has been re-bailed by police.

Officers made the discovery at the property on Holmesdale Road, Brundall, on 16 May.

Neighbours at the time described seeing forensic teams digging in the back garden, with tents erected at the front and the back of the bungalow.

A Norfolk police spokesman said the man in his 60s had been re-bailed until 23 November while inquiries continued. 

Diss Express

A pair of funeral directors of a Diss-based company have been nominated for national awards, external.

Image source, Diss Express

Norwich Evening News

Here's the back page of today's Norwich Evening News, external:  

Image source, Archant

Norwich Evening News

A winter reprieve could prevent lollipop men and women disappearing, external from outside Norfolk’s schools during darker mornings and nights.

Image source, Archant

Eastern Daily Press

Here's the back page of today's Eastern Daily Press, external:

Image source, Archant

Eastern Daily Press

A new drive to get thousands of people in Norfolk to give up smoking, external, is to be launched.  

Image source, Archant

BBC Radio Norfolk

Air quality at King's Lynn port has been improved after complaints, according to managers there.

Associated British Ports says it has changed some operations and moved others to help reduce dust drifting into nearby houses and offices.

Image source, Google