Diss Express

Here is the back sports page of today's Diss Express, external:

Image source, Diss Express

Diss Express

Here is the front page of today's Diss Express, external:

Image source, Diss Express

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, external cancelled 300 operations for non-clinical reasons during the three months to the end of 2016, newly-released statistics from NHS England, external reveal. 

The hosptial, the second largest the eastern region, had the highest number of cancellations.

In addition the hospital had 70 breaches - these record patients who did not have their procedure carried out within 28 days of the original cancellation. 

Second on the list was Addenbrooke's Hospital, external in Cambridge with 271 cancellations and 19 breaches. 

The James Paget Hospital, external at Gorleston cancelled 162 operation and had 44 breaches during this period and the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, external at King's Lynn cancelled 103 and recorded two breaches. 

The new figures show more evidence of the pressure on the region's hospitals in the run up to Christmas.

A total of 2,734 patients in the eastern region were denied their operations and more than 200 breaches were recorded. 

But NHS England said figures reveal, external overall during the period covered 98.9% of operations went ahead and only 7.3% of cancellations became breaches.

England player Alex Scott "would've loved the opportunity to have a competition like this when I was younger".

What's she talking about? The FA People's Cup - the country's biggest free five-a-side competition which gives you the chance to make your way to Wembley.

"When I was younger, playing in a football cage, the dream was always to play at Wembley," adds Scott.

"The FA People's Cup gives anyone the opportunity to sign up to a local team in your area. You don't have to rely on your mates.

"It's a chance to meet different people, socialise in different environments. It's more than just signing up, you can get so many benefits from it."

So what are you waiting for? Sign up for the FA People's Cup, external - but hurry as the deadline for entries is the 19 February!

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A Norfolk farmer and a National Farmers Union leader are heading to Brussels in a bid to challenge a plan to keep free range poultry enclosed until at least the end of April. 

Producers will not be able to use free-range labels on boxes and stand to lose more than £200 per pallet of eggs.

Free-range chicken, duck, turkey and game producers stand to lose even more money.

The UK government is imposing tighter EU biosecurity arrangements, external in parts of the country designated as "higher risk" to limit the spread of the disease, the agriculture department said. 

But affected farmers said the areas are random and are not based on scientific evidence. 

If the proposals go ahead, from the end of this month, the birds will have to be housed or kept fully enclosed under nets.

Mark Gorton, NFU member who farms at Shropham, said they were meeting officials to get some clarity because birds in restricted areas, which they would not be able to call free-range, are raised to the same standard as those in unrestricted areas and this will create confusion in the market as well as losing farmers money.

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Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The Liberal Democrats have won Thursday's by-election for the vacant Waterside ward seat on North Norfolk District Council, external.

• Marion Millership (Lib Dem) - 649 votes
• Tony Lumbard (Conservative) - 410 
• Barry Whitehouse (UKIP) - 77
• David Russell (Labour) - 41 

A total of 1,177 ballot papers were issued, none were rejected and the turnout was 33.2%. 

Waterside includes Catfield, Hickling, Ludham and Potter Heigham.

North Norfolk District Council is now made up of 31 Conservatives and 17 Liberal Democrats.

Eastern Daily Press

Here is the main sport news from today's Eastern Daily Press, external:

Image source, Archant

Eastern Daily Press

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

Image source, Archant

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Norwich City return to Carrow Road this weekend after clocking up the miles away from home. 

Trips to Cardiff and Wigan over the past week have yielded four points for the Canaries and taken them back to within two points of The Championship play-off places going into tomorrow's clash with Nottingham Forest. 

Forest are 15th in the table, but have won three of their last four matches. 

Interim manager Gary Brazil has been placed in charge of the club until the end of the season. 

Chris Goreham
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Norfolk's Ben Youngs says he's relishing the hostile atmosphere that will greet the England team in Cardiff tomorrow evening. 

Youngs, who is from Cawston, will start the Six Nations clash with Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

The roof at the ground is going to remain open after a request from England coach Eddie Jones. 

Image source, Getty Images

"I don't think there's a better place to play, it's a great stadium and a fantastic atmosphere," said Youngs.

"I've always enjoyed going to hostile places and challenging stadiums." 

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Mendham's Peter Wright lost his second match in this season's Premier League of Darts, external last night.

Image source, Getty Images

The 46-year-old was beaten 7-3 by world number one and defending champion Michael Van Gerwen, having trailed 6-0 at one stage. 

The Dutchman threw a 170 checkout on the night as well.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A 31-year-old man has been arrested in Norfolk on suspicion of terrorism offences. 

Two addresses in the county were searched and the arrest relates to suspected activities overseas, police said.

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The man is being held in London on suspicion of fundraising for the purposes of terrorism and is also suspected of encouraging support for a banned terror group, a spokesman said. 

Detectives from the Met Police's Counter Terrorism Command arrested the man yesterday morning, but they have declined to say where the searches took place. 

Scotland Yard said an address in north London was also searched.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

Many places in the region saw a light dusting of snow yesterday and there'll be the risk of further wintry showers - not only today, but also into Saturday.

It will be cold and cloudy to start with, although we are mostly starting off with temperatures just about freezing. There could be some sleet around later, but generally the further west you are the drier it will tend to be.

The maximum temperature will be about 3C (37F), but in reality it will feel colder than that because of the bitterness of the easterly wind.

For more head to BBC Weather.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Hello and welcome to Friday's Norfolk Live. 

Between now and 18:00, the team here will bring you the news, sport, travel and weather updates as we get them.

Here are some stories we will be following this morning:

• A 31-year-old man has been arrested in Norfolk on suspicion of terrorism offences
• Norfolk's free range poultry farmers must keep stock locked in until the end of April
• A 49-year-old man is to appear at Norwich Crown Court later charged with murder

We're always interested in what's happening in your part of Norfolk. If there's anything you wish to share with us you can contact us on email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.

A 31-year-old man is suspected of raising funds and encouraging support for a banned terrorist group.

That's all from the Norfolk Live team for Thursday... but if a major story breaks, we'll be here.

Here's a quick recap of some of the stories we've brought you today:

• The Norwich South MP Clive Lewis quits the shadow cabinet
• A man's been taken to hospital following a house fire in Harleston
• A Hollywood star is to make a movie about a Norwich wrestling family 

Scroll down to find out more on these, and other news.

Have a good evening - we'll be back at 08:00 tomorrow.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

This evening will stay cloudy and cold, with the risk of further snow flurries moving in from the North Sea.

This could bring a dusting of snow in places by morning, and the risk or a frost and icy patches.

Staying above freezing on the coast, but inland temperatures will fall to -2C (28F).

Image source, BBC Weather

Some parts of the region could wake up to a dusting of snow tomorrow, and the risk of snow showers will continue through the day and overnight.

A bitter north easterly wind will push snow showers further inland during the day.

Temperatures reaching a high of 3C (37F).

The long arm of the "paw" has reached out to welcome two new recruits to the team. 

Canine cops Harry and Nero will be based with their handlers at Acle.

 After a 13-week training course the dogs and handlers can be used in a variety of ways, from tracking criminals, public disorder operations and even finding missing people or items of property.  

A hospital's ageing CT scanners are being replaced with two new state-of-the-art ones.

While the renovation work is undertaken, patients at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, external in King's Lynn will have their scans in a temporary unit next to the Breast Care Unit from Monday.

Image source, Queen Elizabeth Hospital

The existing scanners, which take around 18,000 studies a year, will be taken apart over the coming weeks. Rooms will then be redecorated before the new machines are installed.

It's costing the west Norfolk hospital £1.2m, but chief executive Dorothy Hosein says it's vital for doctors to have the best possible images available for diagnosis or deciding further treatment.

Time now to take a look back through the picture archives...

This was the scene in February 1938 - signalman S E Culpin had filled the signal box at Wolferton station, external with geraniums cuttings.

Many royal trains drew up at the rural station over the years. British and foreign royalty would walk through the station's oak-panelled halls before continuing their journey to Sandringham.

The last royal train to steam in or out of the station was in 1966.

Image source, Topical Press Agency/Getty Images