Summary

  • Updates for Friday, 7 April 2017

  • County council pays out £200,000 in damages for school pupil injuries

  • Webber starts work as new sporting director at Carrow Road

  • Police livery Porsche targets young drivers in road safety campaign

  • Time-lapse video: Scaffolding shown rising up City Hall clock tower

  • Giant turbine blades for North Sea wind farm arrive at port

Live Reporting

Patrick Byrne

  1. Puppy drowned in bath during burglary

    A seven-month-old puppy has been drowned in a bath during a burglary in Great Yarmouth yesterday.

    Mark Phillips had left the cockapoo, called Benji, at his partner Susan Walker's house in Cobholm Close for a short while, and when he returned he found the property a mess. 

    Benji, sitting on a red patterned blanketMark Phillips

    Susan's brother Gareth came to the home, and it was he who discovered Benji's body, warning Mark not to go upstairs.  

    "I knew something was wrong and I had to go up there... and I saw Benji in a bath full of water," he said.

    Mark and his partner Susan Walker had got the puppy in November. He was a much-loved pet for Susan's six-year-old daughter and their two-year-old son.

    The little girl has been told Benji has run away, as Mark says she'd be too distraught if she knew what had happened.

    Young Benji sitting on a tiled floorMark Phillips

    Gareth, who's laptop was stolen in the burglary, says the image of Benji is one he'll never get out of his head.

    Whoever could do this is sick, twisted... I can replace the ID cards that have gone missing, but I can't replace that dog... it wasn't just a dog, it was a member of our family, it's wrong, so wrong."

    Gareth Phillips

  2. The multi-million pound cost of hayfever to the NHS

    Itchy eyes, runny noses, sneezing... it's that time of year again.

    With the sun shining and pollen counts rising, we're now well into hayfever season.

    The cost to Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) in Norfolk and Waveney is not to be sniffed at. 

    From April 2015 to January this year, they've dispensed nearly one million prescriptions for anti-allergy treatments at a cost of more than £3m.

    A field of yellow rapeGetty Images

    The CCGs say money could be saved if sufferers went direct to pharmacies to buy hayfever medication directly from them, rather than getting an NHS prescription from the GP. 

    Francoise Price, a clinical pharmacist and medicines management expert, says getting a GP involved makes it very expensive. 

    You've got the cost of the appointment of seeing a doctor, the costs of issuing and processing a prescription... the cost of the drug is not in itself expensive, it's the ancillary associated costs we need to bear in mind."

    Francoise Price, Clinical pharmacist

  3. 'Sick, twisted' burglars drown puppy

    Seven-month-old cockapoo Benji was killed by "barbaric" burglars who ransacked a house in Norfolk.

    Read More

  4. Target response times reduced for ambulance service

    The East of England Ambulance Service has been set a lower target to reach life-threatening calls.

    Previously, the NHS trust had to reach 75% of these calls within eight minutes... that's now been lowered to 68.5% within the same time.

    Kevin Brown, from the East of England Ambulance Service , says it doesn't mean patients are waiting longer.

    In fact, they're waiting less longer than they had previously. We've got 7,500 square miles and trying to get to every single patient in that 'Red One' situation is very challenging. We focus on getting to our patients more quickly, more often than we have."

    Kevin Brown , East of England Ambulance Service

    East of England ambulance

  5. Three teenagers die as car hits trees

    All three died at the scene of the crash near Pulham Market, police say.

    Read More

  6. House fire family 'overwhelmed' at support

    Andrew Turner
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    A family whose home near Great Yarmouth was destroyed by fire and smoke damage last week say they're overwhelmed at the support they've received from friends.

    Martin Chapman was clearing out the garage of his Belton home... when he went back into the house he found it alight.

    Fire crews put the blaze out quickly, but every room has been damaged. The walls are black, curtains are melted, skylights are cracked and smoke-stained.

    An investigation to the cause of the fire is under way.

    A fire-damaged room in the house, showing black walls and flooring

    The couple's elderly dog was trapped inside, and Martin told me he had to smash all the windows to release the smoke so he get get up upstairs and rescue her.

    Martin and Sarah have lived in the rented property for 15 years with their children. Friends have now started fundraising to help them.

    Martin Chapman in the fire-damaged housebbc

    Within 20 minutes of the fire we had between 50-60 friends who'd left work and come to see what they could do to help... they were standing outside while the fire brigade was here and were in tears with me and Sarah... it's humbling to know what people you've got around you."

    Martin Chapman

  7. Crash trio named locally

    Investigations continue into the cause of a crash in which three young men lost their lives.

    The teenagers died when a black Ford KA they were in came off the Tivetshall Road, near Pulham Market, shortly before midnight.

    They've been named locally as Kyle Warren, Billy Hines and Dominic O'Neill. It's believed they come from the nearby town of Harleston.

    Police vehicle with blue light and a second police vehicle in background

  8. Crash teens 'believed to come from local area'

    Kim Riley
    BBC Look East

    Police liaison officers are with the families of the three young men who died when their car left the road and ploughed into trees.

    The accident happened just before midnight on the Tivetshall Road, towards Pulham Market. 

    The three teenagers haven't been named by police, but they're said to come from Harleston, about four miles away. The rector of St John's Church, Revd Nigel Tuffnell, says he's put aside a corner of the church for people to come and grieve, and sign a book of condolence.

    Fire engine and police vehicles near scene of accident

    Police blocks remain either end of Tivetshall Road, well back from the point of collision. 

    The road's expected to remain closed all day while the recovery goes on, removing the bodies from the tangled wreckage of the black Ford KA.

    A police investigation will try and establish what happened. 

    Traffic collisions are never pleasant, but our main priority today is to work hard for the family... our thoughts are with the family, their loved ones and friends in the communities who will be affected by this tragic incident."

    Insp Jonathan Chapman , Norfolk Road Policing Unit

  9. Book of condolence for car crash teens

    Clare Worden
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    A book of condolence has been opened for three teenage boys who were killed in a car crash in south Norfolk.

    Police are appealing for witnesses to the crash which happened just after midnight in Pulham Market on a road which joins the A140.

     A black Ford KA came off the Tivetshall Road, and the road is expected to stay closed for the rest of today. Diversions are in place.

    Side view of police vehicle and accident signs

    Three young men, all in their late teens, died at the scene. They're understood to be from the local area. 

    The Reverend Nigel Tuffnell is opening St John's Church at Harleston to give people a place to grieve. A book of condolence has also been opened. 

  10. Missing man: Body found in park

    Police investigating the disappearance of a man in Bury St Edmunds said a body has been found in a local park.

    It was discovered on Hardwick Heath by the Suffolk Lowland Search & Rescue team, who were helping police look for Matthew Arkle, 37, who had not been seen since Tuesday .

    The force said formal identification had not taken place, but his family had been informed.

    The discovery is being treated as unexplained at this stage and inquiries were under way.

  11. Dry with bright spells

    After a chilly start, the temperature's risen and is expected to peak at 14C (57F).

    The rest of the day will remain dry, with some bright or sunny spells.

    Our BBC Weather Watchers have been out since sunrise, capturing these scenes from around the county.

    Misty morning sunrise, with church seen through trees
    Waves crashing onto sandy beach
    A branch of white blossom against a light blue sky

  12. Officers, facing investigation over in holiday camp arrest death, still on duty

    Orla Moore
    BBC Local Live

    Paul GladwellJust Giving

    It's emerged that the police officers, who're potentially facing criminal charges over the death of a man after his arrest at a holiday camp, have not been suspended from duty.

    Paul Gladwell, 38, of Colchester, was detained by staff at Pontins in Pakefield, Suffolk, on 14 February.  

    He was then arrested by police on suspicion of assault - and became ill on his way to custody in Great Yarmouth and died at the James Paget Hospital.

    Suffolk Police say: "The officers have not been placed on restricted duties or suspended at this time, although supervisory and support measures have been put in place while the investigation continues."

    Meanwhile the force is also investigating events involving other holiday makers and Pontins security staff in the run-up to the police's arrival.

    A statement added: "Suffolk Police are investigating the incident up to the time officers arrived at the scene and our inquiries continue. There have been no arrests made at this time."

  15. Norwich City appoint Sporting Director

    Jay Lawrence
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    Norwich City have confirmed the appointment of Stuart Webber as the club's new sporting director.

    Webber joins the Canaries from Huddersfield Town, where he previously held the title of head of football operations.

    The post of sporting director has been introduced at Carrow Road as part of a new footballing and executive structure.

    Webber's first job will be to find Norwich a new head coach - the new name for manager. 

    Alan Irvine has been taking care of the side since Alex Neil's departure in March, but, as it stands, Saturday's game at home to Reading will be his last in that role.

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  16. Webber joins Norwich City
    Breaking

    Norwich City confirms Stuart Webber has been appointed to the role of sporting director.

    We'll bring you more on this shortly.

  17. Webber named Norwich sporting director

    Championship clubs Norwich and Huddersfield reach an agreement for Stuart Webber to become the Canaries' new sporting director.

    Read More

  18. Awful away day yet again for City

    Eastern Daily Press

    Canaries stretch awful record to just one win in last 17 on their travels - the back page of the Eastern Daily Press :

    Back page of EDPArchant

  19. Speedway: Hopes opening victory sets 'a precedent'

    Jay Lawrence
    BBC Radio Norfolk

    King's Lynn Stars' first Premiership meeting of the season ended in a 53-37 win over the Somerset Rebels.

    A busy Adrian Flux Arena witnessed a dominant performance - Troy Batchelor in particular impressed, as he laid a marker down with a string of race wins. 

    Former world champion Chris Holder (pictured) made his home debut for the West Norfolk club, teaming up with Lewis Rose for a maximum.

    King's Lynn Stars' Chris HolderPhil Daley

    Norfolk's Robert Lambert, who is also captaining this year, says the Stars showed their quality.

    "Obviously it's great to get a win under your belt," he said.

    "Every other team will see that and will be worried when they come here. 

    "Hopefully we've set a precedent. It's great to be captain and it wasn't a bad first meeting."