More on the story we brought you yesterday on the closure of some branches of the Norwich and Peterborough Building Society.

The N&P was taken over by the Yorkshire Building Society (YBS) six years ago, who promised to retain the brand for two years and not close any branches. 

YBS said one of the reasons for the move is that banking market has changed with more customers preferring to do their banking online.

Across Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Lincolnshire, 28 branches will disappear, putting jobs at risk. The remaining 17 branches will be rebranded under the YBS name.

Mike Regnier, chief executive of YBS, says they haven't confirmed anything about the number of jobs to be lost.

The society will enter a consultation process with those who could be affected, and it "could take up to 18 months in some cases".

"That gives us as much time as we can to find roles for as many people as possible and we'll redouble efforts to make sure as many of those colleagues as possible can find roles within the business."

The N&P has its headquarters in Peterborough, and Mr Regnier says the site will remain part of the Yorkshire Building Society.

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

The coach of Harleston Magpies, external men is leaving to play top flight hockey in Australia. 

Ben Wright has agreed a six-month deal with Old Aquinians Hockey Club, external in Perth. He'll leave Harleston in March.

The 23-year-old is also head of hockey at Langley School, external near Loddon and he says he's been taking advice on how to fit in down under. 

"I've already been warned about the potential sledging, one of the things they've said is to try and slip into Australian language." 

Suffolk's Katherine Rednall has been crowned World Indoor Bowls champion for a second time.

The 21-year-old from Baylham near Ipswich beat Ellen Falkner in this afternoon's final at Potters in Hopton-on-Sea 10-5, 10-6.

If you've ever wondered how big a crater a 500lb (227kg) bomb leaves after it's been detonated, you need wonder no more.

Here's a photograph taken in the King's Forest after the WW2 bomb was blown up under the watchful eye of the bomb squad at lunchtime:

Hardy swimmers who braved the very cold North Sea have raised more than £3,700 for charity.

More than 300 people raced into the sea at Cromer on Boxing Day.

The annual event, which started as a "bit of dare" in 1985, has raised more than £120,000 for good causes.

The December "dip" saw a record amount of £3739.63. The money donated will be presented to the town's RNLI on 4 February, at 11:00 on the pier. All are welcome... the dress code is up to you!

Suffolk Police have lifted the cordons which have been in place for the controlled explosion of a World War Two bomb in the King's Forest near Bury St Edmunds.

A live mortar was also dealt with by the Bomb Disposal Squad.

"All restrictions have now been lifted and police would like to thank the public for their patience," a force spokesman said.

Local MPs are to meet with business and transport representatives to discuss the progress made on the upgrade of the Ely railway junction.

The discussions, later this week, will look at the work required to improve road layout, level crossings and track upgrades.

The busy rail intersection is used by passenger and freight lines, including the following services:

• Norwich to Thetford, Brandon and Cambridge
• Norwich to Liverpool, via Peterborough
• Ipswich to Peterborough
• King's Lynn to London
• Wisbech to Cambridge
• Birmingham to Stansted
• Freight services from Felixstowe and King's Lynn

Image source, Geograph/Andy E

The original cost for the works to upgrade the Ely North junction were estimated at £35m. Network Rail now says it will be much more, due to complexities around the station layout, level crossings and signalling.  

Eastern Daily Press

The back page of the Eastern Daily Press, external today:

Image source, Archant

The 500lb WW2 bomb has been exploded in the King's Forest, bang on time at 13:00...

Returning now to the story of the WW2 bomb that's going to be detonated shortly...

Here's another map of the King's Forest, this time showing a circle around the location of the device, based on co-ordinates given to us by the Forestry Commission:

Image source, Ordnance Survey

This map puts the area above into context:

Image source, Ordnance Survey

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Police are asking people to avoid the area between West Stow and the A11 until further notice, while a controlled explosion takes place to detonate a 500lb (227kg) bomb and a live mortar.

A one-mile (1.6km) exclusion zone has been placed around the bomb in the King's Forest north of Bury St Edmunds.  

Eastern Daily Press

The front page of the Eastern Daily Press, external today:

Image source, Archant

Here's a map of the King's Forest, west of the A134, north of Culford and Lackford Lakes and just south of Elveden village:

Image source, Ordnance Survey

Justice Secretary Liz Truss says problems in prisons need to be tackled with a sustainable plan.

Councillor Charles Carter resigns after being filmed asking a hunt protester: "Can I take to you bed?"

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Did you see a police pursuit in north Norfolk on Monday night?

A black BMW failed to stop for police at around 20:20, leading to a 15-minute pursuit around Stalham, Ludham and Catfield before the car was abandoned in Ludham.

A 33-year-old man was arrested at an address in the village on suspicion of driving while disqualified, drink driving, dangerous driving and failing to stop when directed.

Following questioning at Great Yarmouth police station, he was released on bail until 23 February while inquiries continue.

Police are appealing for witnesses to the incident, in particular from dog walkers and the driver of a vehicle waiting at the junction of School Road and High Street in Ludham.

Charles Carter, who's represented the Saham Toney ward on Breckland Council since 2011, has stepped down after footage emerged of him making inappropriate comments to a hunt activist.

The story made national headlines, and was, of course, covered by local media:

• "Can I take you to bed, please?" - Tory councillor Charles Carter resigns from Breckland Council after offensive hunt video surfaces - the Eastern Daily Press, external
• Breckland councillor resigns over "offensive" comments to hunt protestor - the Lynn News, external
• Breckland councillor resigns following release of hunt video - Bury Free Press, external

Charles Carter had recently become the hunts master of the Middleton Hunt in North Yorkshire, where the confrontation took place, and the story received coverage there: 

• Charles Carter resigns from Breckland Council - the York Press, external

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

The area where the unexploded WW2 bomb was found is off "fire route 201" in the King's Forest, about a mile from the B1106, according to the Forestry Commission, external.

It's owned by the Commission, but is being leased to Norfolk Wildlife Trust which is managing the site.

Spokesman for the Commission, Roger Woods, said the bomb was unearthed as the work was carried out to scrape the surface in preparation for the recreation of heathland.

The site does have some other ordnance in it, both exploded and unexploded, as the site has been surveyed for this work.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

A 500lb (227kg) bomb, which was discovered yesterday, external in the King's Forest, between Bury St Edmunds and Thetford, is going to be detonated by the bomb squad at 13:00. 

A small mortar found nearby will be dealt with at the same time.

Image source, Forestry Commission

Roger Wood, from the Forestry Commission, which owns the land, says the site is about a mile from the B1106, and that the bomb squad has put a one mile (1.6km) cordon around the site.

A police helicopter will use a thermal camera to ensure that no-one is in the exclusion zone as the explosion takes place.

Air space above the bomb will also be cleared, to prevent any damage from a potential shock wave. 

A 500 lb (227 kg) World War Two bomb, discovered in the King's Forest near Thetford yesterday, is going to be blown up by the bomb squad at lunchtime.

More details shortly.