Eastern Daily Press

Duchess's visit is 'best birthday present' for Norfolk Cubs celebrating movemen'ts centenary - the front page of the Eastern Daily Press, external today:

Image source, Archant

The Duchess of Cambridge said it was "a real treat" to join Cubs from the King's Lynn area in their 100th birthday celebrations.

The Duchess, who has previously worked as a volunteer with a Cub Scout pack when she and the Duke of Cambridge lived in Anglesey, North Wales, joined the Norfolk youngsters for their special party in North Wootton last night.

Image source, Getty Images

She joined in with a rendition of "happy birthday dear Cub Scouts", and took part in a series of games.

The Duchess, who spent about an hour with the Cubs, was presented with a bouquet of flowers, and gifts for Prince George and Princess Charlotte, including a teddy bear in a Cub Scout outfit and one in a Beaver outfit.

It was a birthday celebration these Cubs in west Norfolk will never forget.

The Duchess of Cambridge joined their party at the North Wootton scout hut in King's Lynn, for the centenary celebrations of the youth movement.

Image source, Getty Images

Wearing a yellow Cub neckerchief, the Duchess, who lives on the Sandringham estate, took part in games and first aid practice, before joining the youngsters in their Cub Scout Promise.

Image source, Getty Images

King's Lynn Cub leader Hazel Colley says it was "an amazing experience, a real honour to have her here celebrating our 100th event".  

Andrew Turner
BBC Radio Norfolk

The UK Border Force has just confirmed they have no issue with the men's visas, and the crew of the Malaviya Twenty is looking after the ship while it's waiting to be sold. 

Richard Goffin, port director at Great Yarmouth, says the vessel is currently detained due to non-payment of fines, with around £30,000 owed to the port.

He told me the ship's owners are keeping the sailors in provisions, and provided some fuel in the last few weeks.  

A few months ago, the offshore supply vessel Malaviya Seventy was detained for a second time in Aberdeen because the crew wages hadn't been paid.

Andrew Turner
BBC Radio Norfolk

Back in August I was allowed on board the Malaviya Twenty, where the crew were growing pots of vegetables on deck for food.

The port chaplain and welfare officer for Great Yarmouth, Peter Paine, told me then that the situation looked like it would improve, with the company promising to pay the men. 

The crew still hasn't been paid, and even though the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, external has lifted its impounding order, the ship does not have permission to leave the port because of unpaid port fees of around £30,000.

Reverend Paine has now put out an appeal to people in the town to help the sailors enjoy Christmas, and says the response has been overwhelming, with offers of food, toiletries, a television and even an i-pad to help the men keep in contact with their families.

The reality of life on the streets of Norwich when you're a teenage sex worker and addicted to heroin.

The end could be in sight for 12 sailors who've been stuck on board a ship in Great Yarmouth port for the last six months.

The Indian-registered Malaviya Twenty was impounded by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, external because it wasn't safe, and the men hadn't been paid. The men's visas have run out, so if they spend more than a few hours on land they could be arrested by the UK Border Force, external. 

Now, the International Transport Workers' Federation, external is trying to intervene the help the crew. It's applying to the Admiralty Court in London to take charge of the ship and sell it, so the crew and the port can get paid.

Phil Daley
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Former Cambridge United boss Richard Money is the new Academy manager at Norwich City, external after leaving the United States Major League Soccer franchise Atlanta United.

Image source, Getty Images

The 61-year-old has previously overseen the academy set-ups at both Coventry City and Newcastle United.

He replaces Gregg Broughton - who is now Academy Head of Recruitment.

Money will begin work in Norfolk in the new year.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

It'll be cloudier than yesterday, but still feeling mild for the time of year, and it'll stay dry. 

The thickest cloud will be towards the west of the region, with the best of any brightness towards eastern counties.

Top temperature between 7C and 10C (45F - 50F).

Watch the full regional forecast here:

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Thanks for joining us for Thursday's Norfolk Live. 

We'll have our regular news, sport, travel and weather updates throughout the day, including the story of the 12 sailors who've been stuck on board a ship in Great Yarmouth port for the last six months.

Another cloudy day's in store... Elizabeth Rizzini's forecast follows shortly.

But first, we'll share this photo of the moon taken by one of our BBC Weather Watchers:

Our local updates for today have now finished. Take a scroll through and have a look at what's been happening.

Here are some of the stories we've covered today:

• Five people have been bailed in connection with a suspected murder in Thetford yesterday
• Knife crime in the county has seen a sharp spike which police say is due to drug dealers moving into the county
• The Duchess of Cambridge is spending the evening with a cub scout pack in King's Lynn to celebrate 100 years of the movement

Before we go, we're having technical problems so can't bring you day 14 of the BBC Norfolk Live advent calendar. Hopefully normal service will resume tomorrow with Day 15! 

Have a good evening. 

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Families have been given the first glimpse of plans for a purpose-built school in Great Yarmouth. 

Image source, BBc

Trafalgar College opened in September in former offices on Thamesfield Way in Southtown. 

The school has released images of how it plans to make use of the site which will include a £20m new school building, new labs and sports facilities. 

Principal Ian Burchett says the school is working with education department architects to finalise the plans and intends to apply for planning permission in spring with building work to follow in the summer. 

"Our vision for Trafalgar College will make full use of our large seven-acre campus to provide everything our students and local community need for the 21st Century," said Mr Burchett.

Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent

The government has unveiled plans that could see schools in Norfolk getting an extra £5m year in funding.

It's part of an attempt to come up with a fairer system that would see every pupil receiving the same amount of funding, regardless of where they live. Campaigners have argued for some time that Norfolk has lost out to other parts of the country.

According to the government's estimates,  the total amount going to schools in Norfolk would rise from £530m a year to £535m.

Education Secretary Justine Greening also pledged to protect funding for rural schools.

But Labour says the extra money on offer is less than people were expecting.

The proposals will now go to consultation and could be implemented in 2018/19.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Staying dry with clear skies across the region for the first part of the evening.

The risk of some mist and fog patches but tonight is expected to be colder than last night.

Temperatures down to about 4C (39F).

Tomorrow will be rather cloudy, but staying dry for most. 

Highs of 10C (50F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Norfolk police, which has unveiled a Christmas jumper campaign, external to tackle domestic abuse, says last December officers responded to 500 incidents.

Image source, Norfolk Police

This year's campaign urges both victims and bystanders to report incidents.

Police figures show reported crimes of domestic abuse during December has risen year-on-year in Norfolk since 2011, with attacks soaring 79% from five years ago.  

Det Supt Julie Wvendth said: "We know that domestic abuse typically rises during the festive period. It is often a combination of financial pressures, increased time spent with family and alcohol consumption that escalates tensions at home.

"Whilst the figures of reported crimes are staggering, they also show that victims are speaking up to stop the abuse."

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

A man has died after the car he was driving hit a tree in West Norfolk.

A black Audi hit a tree on Main Road, at the junction of Ferry Road, in Clenchwarton in the early hours of yesterday.

He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital but died this morning. 

Police are appealing for witnesses.

Braintree sign Norwich City youngster Ebou Adams on a month-long youth loan, with a view to extending it in January.

Five people who were arrested on suspicion of a murder in Thetford have been released on bail.

Image source, Google

They were arrested after a woman in her 40s died at a house in Frobisher Close on Monday afternoon. 

Detectives arrested four men and a woman yesterday.

They're due to answer bail in January.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

The number of people claiming out-of-work benefits in Norfolk has increased year on year. 

November 2016 saw 6,985 claimants, compared to 6,390 12 months ago. That's 595 more people on benefits. 

Nationally, unemployment has fallen, external in the three months to October.   

A free-range farmer in Attleborough says he is using old CDs to entertain 10,000 chickens that have been taken indoors to protect them from avian flu.

The poultry are being kept in sheds after the government issued instructions saying all owners of chickens must keep birds indoors for a month to try and prevent the virus, external spreading to the UK from the continent. 

Traditional Norfolk Poultry has hung discs in its barn to give the birds something to peck at. 

Mark Gorton said: "We've done all sorts of things to keep the birds amused and stop them from getting bored.

"They like the CDs the most. They've been in for just over a week now and have settled in really well."