Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Norfolk Police says it is having to recruit three times as many officers than it normally would, due to the high number of officers retiring.

Ch Supt Dave Marshall says in a normal year it would take on about 60 people, but this year needs to fill 180 posts.

The force is using Facebook, external  to allow potential recruits to question student officers about what it's really like to be an officer. 

Ch Supt Marshall says over the past few years there's been a decline nationally in the numbers applying to join the emergency service. Anyone upto the age of 57 can apply. 

"People a little older do have a lot of life experience and can bring a lot to the job," he said.

"But equally some people who are 18, 19 have got valuable skills. We talk about cyber crime, not stereo typing but younger people tend to be more savvy in terms of cyber investigation, and a lot of our fraud investigations are based on mobile phones, internet and social media."

Police are linking the crime to an early morning raid at another Norfolk golf club.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

People who let buildings in Breckland become derelict could have action, external taken against them. 

The district council says it's fed up with run down buildings that blight local neighbourhoods and is compiling a list of offending sites to force private owners to do something about them.

Councillor Paul Claussen said: "These neglected sites can be a real blight, spoiling the appearance of their neighbourhood and attracting anti-social behaviour."

Although Breckland's direct control of privately-owned sites is limited, the council says it has a range of legislative powers at its disposal to require landowners to take action.

Cath Saunt
BBC Radio Norfolk

Thieves have attempted to steal dozens of batteries from golf buggies in Norfolk, police have said.

Image source, Getty Images

A gang was disturbed in the early hours of Monday during a break in at Barnham Broom Golf Club, near Norwich, the force said.

They had removed batteries from about 70 buggies, but left half of them behind after they were disturbed while loading them into a white VW van.

Police say they're linking the crime with another early morning raid on Bawburgh Golf Club on 1 March.

There, thieves removed the batteries from four buggies. Officers are reviewing CCTV and are appealing for information.

The batteries contain lead that can be sold for scrap.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Detectives investigating the rape of a woman in Norwich over the weekend have arrested a man. 

Officers were called at around 03:50 on Saturday to reports of an incident involving a woman, aged in her 20s, in an alleyway off Prince of Wales Road.

A 25-year-old man from the Norwich area was arrested on suspicion of rape and has been taken to Wymondham Police Investigation Centre for questioning. 

He has subsequently been bailed until 12 June, pending further inquiries.

Officers are continuing to review CCTV footage and are keen to speak with witnesses or anyone with information regarding the incident. 

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

A group of head teachers in Norfolk have written to parents warning that government changes could harm their child's education.

Image source, PA

The way schools are funded is to  change  because ministers say the current system is unfair.

Government figures, external  show 220 Norfolk schools would get more money, with 186 losing out, but by no more than 3%.

One of the signatories of the letter opposing the change is Norfolk's Primary Headteachers Association.

Its chair, Binks Neate Evans, is the head teacher at West Earlham Infant School, where she says the budget would be cut in real terms by 17%.

"What the headlines don't include are the inflationary increased costs that schools have got," she said.

"That is why the association has come out to make sure that families are really well informed about things that could really impact on the quality of education for children."

The government consultation , external on the changes closes today.

Upgrades to some of England's busiest roads  could be scrapped because they are not value for money .

The National Audit Office (NAO), which scrutinises government spending, said plans for 16 routes across the country were on hold.

It's not yet known what routes are being reconsidered, but the government's current grand plan includes £300m of improvements to the A47, between Cambridgeshire and Norfolk.

Also included on the list is plans to improve electronic signage, emergency roadside telephones and CCTV cameras on the M11 between Stansted Airport and Cambridge.

All upgrades were outlined as part of the  Five-year Road Investment Strategy, external , which featured 112 major projects set to begin before 2020.

However, neither the NAO or Department for Transport have specified which upgrade schemes are at risk.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Little Mix are heading to Norwich’s Earlham Park later this year.

Image source, Cuff & Taylor

Since 2011, Perrie Edwards, Jesy Nelson, Leigh-Anne Pinnock and Jade Thirlwall have established themselves as one of British pop’s brightest acts.

The band will play Earlham Park on Sunday 3 September, no doubt singing hits such as Shout Out to My Ex, Black Magic, Hair and Wings, alongside tracks from their new album Glory Days.

The Norwich gig marks an extension to the band’s 15-date Summer Shout Out tour.

Promoter Peter Taylor said: "We are delighted to be bringing Little Mix to Earlham Park as this is a hugely exciting announcement for Norwich and the surrounding area."

Tickets go on sale this Saturday.

Kim Riley
BBC Look East

A charity that helps children recover from severe bullying has won national recognition for its work.

Red Balloon, external , based in Norwich and Cambridge, provides alternative education, therapy and support to children who leave school because of extreme bullying.

Last night it got a Centre for Social Justice award and £10,000.

Carrie Herbert, founder and president of the charity, said: "With the programme that we have it's about 50% academic work and 50% well-being and therapy set in a community. 

"Our children need to belong. With that kind of magic, I suppose, 94% of our children go on to live fulfilling lives back in the community from which they came."

Reporter's worst nightmare? 

Watch as Mustard TV's , external Lauren Hewitt, out in deepest Costessey, is soaked by three cars in a matter of seconds. 

She seems to take it all in good humour though.

Rob Butler
BBC Radio Norfolk sport

Norwich City hero Nathan Redmond could make his senior England debut tonight.

Redmond joined Southampton in the summer and earned his first call-up for the double header against Germany and Lithuania.

Tonight's game in Dortmund is a friendly, but Saturday's match against Lithuania is a World Cup qualifier.

Elsewhere, Canary duo Russell Martin and Steven Naismith are on Scotland duty as they face Canada in a friendly at Hibernian's Easter Road.

Image source, Getty Images

If it looks bright and cheerful out there now, make the most of it, as a band of rain is set to move in from the west later today.

Cloud will thicken, bringing some showery outbreaks of rain from the south-west during the afternoon. 

Some rain may locally turn heavy, with hail possible, and brisk, south-easterly winds, which will be strongest near coasts. Maximum temperature 8C (46F).

Best get the washing out on the line early, and get it back in by lunchtime....

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Good morning.

Another fine one so far, Kate Kinsella will be here shortly to tell us if its set to continue.

Image source, -

Stay with us for regular updates on the county's news, sport, weather and travel as they happen.

Thanks for joining us today - we're now heading off to enjoy the last few moments of the day's sunshine.

Before we go, here's a quick look at some of the stories we've brought you today:

• Nearly £500,000 has been spent on external experts brought in to make savings in the NHS in Norfolk
• A golf club has been sold to developers for £17m
• Abellio completes sale of 40% of rail franchise to Japanese company Mitsui
• Huddersfield Town's Stuart Webber linked with Norwich City job

We'll leave you to enjoy this stunning photo taken by BBC Weather Watcher "Hipsta". 

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

A mostly dry night with a few isolated showers.

Temperatures falling in places to as low as 1C (33F).

Tomorrow will start fine, dry and chilly. It'll become cloudy with showery later in the afternoon, with some hail mixed in.

Temperatures reaching a high of 10C (50F).

You can find more details on BBC Weather for where you live.

The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, external in King's Lynn has joined forces with the College of West Anglia, external to offer a programme to help youngsters with learning difficulties gain work experience and qualifications.

The Pathway Project, for young people aged between 19 and 24, is holding an information evening on Thursday in its office next to the hospital's breast unit.

Candidates will need an Education, Health and Care Plan.

We've received a statement from Norfolk County Council in response to our earlier story on the money paid to consultants to draw up plans for NHS cutbacks.

It says the Norfolk and Waveney Sustainability and Transformation Plan (STP) to transform health and care services requires the "best available expertise" - not only those who deliver the health and social care services but also outside consultants.

KPMG was appointed in August to "help build the case for change and develop proposals which were submitted in October".

The statement continues, saying "the appointment of an independent and experienced external organisation added strength to our STP...  and ensured the proposals were impartial, robust and in the best interests of the whole system".

KPMG's work was funded from the budget for delivering the STP agreed with the partner organisations across the Norfolk and Waveney health and care system. 

The cost - £472,000  - was shared across 13 partner organisations.

Nanette Aldous
BBC Radio Norfolk

Almost £500,000 has been spent on external experts brought in to make savings in the NHS in Norfolk. 

The figures, obtained by the Press Association, show how much clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) have spent on management consultants.

Nationally, health bosses have spent £17.6m on management experts who have come up with plans to make cuts.

In Norfolk and Waveney, KPMG was paid just over £472,000.

It's part of the Sustainability and Transformation Plan, external  (STP)- something every trust in the country must undertake to determine how the service will cope with growing pressures over the next five years. 

The bill has been met with widespread criticism from Unison and the Royal College of Nursing.

Lynn News

The Lynn News today, external reports on how the Heritage Action Zone aims to breathe new life into King's Lynn: 

Image source, Lynn News

The Royal Norwich Golf Club, external has been sold to developers for £17m.

In two years' time, the club will relocate to Weston Park, at Weston Longville.

The new owners, Persimmon, will build a range of housing on the club's present site, next to the Drayton High Road.

Image source, Shorthose Russell Ltd