Nic Rigby
BBC News

A German GP from Norfolk is hoping to make his maiden flight this summer in a replica of the Red Baron triplane.

Dr Peter Brueggemann, who works in Holt, has been building the plane for more than eight years and has spent £70,000 on his hobby. 

Image source, Getty Images

He wanted to build the replica after a life-long fascination with one of history's greatest fighter pilots.

The Red Baron - Manfred von Richthofen (pictured) - went on to have 80 aerial combat victories credited to him before he was killed in 1918.  

Dr Brueggemann said once it's ready, with caution, he will fly it this summer. 

"I will fly it to air shows and eventually I will fly it to Germany, that's my plan," he said.

"Many pilots when they learned to fly [in the First World War] were just learning - so died flying it."

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A 34-year-old from Acle who has become Miss Mermaid Norfolk and is to represent the county in the national mermaid competition says she is "living out" her dream.

Image source, Hannah Griffiths

Office worker Hannah Griffiths told BBC Norfolk: "I have always been passionate about the ocean and loved beaches. I loved diving and being in the sea.

"When I grew up I wanted to be a mermaid and was disappointed at four or five years when I realised this was not possible."

Image source, Hannah Griffiths

Then a friend pointed her towards a mermaid swimming programme and the opportunity to compete in the Mermaid UK competition.

"It's a big competition, around the globe. I went to the Phillipines and took mermaid swimming exams... and dived off a coral reef."

Image source, Hannah Griffiths

Ms Griffiths is engaged, but her fiancee though "he does not mind me having a passion, he would never don a tail".  

She added: "I think my friends loved it. They think it's great. They are very pleased I have been able to live out my dreams."

Norwich Evening News

Here's the back page of today's Norwich Evening News, external : Norwich City's interim chief Alan Irvine reveals his experience of the pitfalls from adopting a head coach football model.

Image source, Evening News

Eastern Daily Press

Here's the back page of today Eastern Daily Press, external : Norwich City interim boss pulls no punches over football club's woeful away record.

Image source, East Daily Press

Richard Hancock
BBC Radio Norfolk

A 34-year-old from Acle has been crowned Miss Mermaid Norfolk.

Office worker Hannah Griffiths is a fan of all things mermaid and has a qualification in mono-fin swimming.

Later this year she'll be competing for the title of Miss Mermaid UK.

"I have a real passion for it," she told BBC Radio Norfolk.

Norwich Evening News

The Norwich Evening News, external has this story on their front page:

Image source, Evening News

Eastern Daily Press

The Eastern Daily Press, external has this story on their front page today:

Image source, EDP

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Too many homes are being planned for Downham Market without the required infrastructure in place, a deputy mayor has warned.

Image source, Google

West Norfolk Council yesterday rejected a plan for 300 new homes in the town, but they did allow for 170 houses on the site on Swaffham Road to the south east of the town.

Frank Daymond, deputy mayor of Downham, said people are struggling to keep up with the pace of development in the town.

"The town's been over-developed for many years and we want time for the other facilities to catch up," he said.

"We are talking about the utilities like water, electricity, telephones, doctors and dentists."

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The number of people being killed or seriously injured on Norfolk's roads has increased in the last year. Cyclists and older people appear to be among the most vulnerable.

Image source, Getty Images

In 2016, 415 people were killed or seriously injured on the county's roads, according to the Road Casualty Reduction Partnership Board, external . That's compared with 385 the year before.

But while the number of younger drivers, aged between 17 to 25 has dropped, the number of older people in crashes has increased.

Last year, 73 drivers aged 70 and over were killed or seriously injured. That's up more than 20% on the year before.

But it's cyclists who saw the greatest increase in crashes with 66 killed or seriously injured in Norfolk - a rise of 78%.

If all goes to plan on Sunday, the railway bridge will be the sixth out of the eight bridges on the 20km (12.5m) route of the NDR to have its main beams in place.

The reinforced concrete beams are already positioned at Marriott's Way, the A140 Cromer Road, Buxton Road and Plumstead. Today they're going on at Bell Farm Track, near Reepham Road.

Image source, Norfolk County Council/Ordnance Survey

For the "big beam" lift, the Norwich to Sheringham railway will close, with buses replacing trains, external . 

Plumstead Road will also be closed from 20:00 on Saturday and will reopen as soon as it's safe to do so. 

Another milestone will be reached in the construction of the Northern Distributor Road, external (NDR) this weekend.

On Sunday, massive steel beams that will span the Norwich to Sheringham railway, to east of Thorpe End, are being lifted into place.

The 36.7m (40yds) beams were brought from Middlesbrough two weeks ago. Each pair weighs 80 tonnes, and a 1,000 tonne crane is needed to lift them in to place.

Image source, Mike Page

This photo shows the railway and the bridge abutments ready for the five pairs of beams. It also shows the Plumstead Road and the bridge that will take the NDR dual carriageway over the road.

Lifting is expected to start early on Sunday and is scheduled to be completed by 22:00. However, once the lift is under way, it's expected to proceed quickly and all five braced pairs could be in place by midday.

Wind strength is a critical factor for the "bean lift" but the forecast's looking good for the weekend.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

A fine and bright start, before cloud gradually thickens from the north. However, some brighter or sunny spells will remain likely, especially across eastern parts.

Most places should stay dry, although the odd light shower cannot be ruled out later.

Highs of 12C (54F).

Here's my full forecast...

You can get more at BBC Weather .

Hello and welcome to this bright and sunny Wednesday.

We're half way through the week and we're here until 18:00, bringing you all the news, sport, travel and weather for the county.

Don't hesitate to get in touch with us by clicking the "Get involved" tab above.

First, let's take a look at the weather.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Our scheduled news updates have now finished for the day, but any breaking news stories will appear here.

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

• 1990s soul singer 'amazed' at help he's received from online appeal for brain tumour daughter
• Man accused of city centre crime spree remains in custody
• Duchess of Cambridge to attend musical opening night in aid of children's hospices

Have a great evening, we'll be back at 08:00 tomorrow.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

A rather cloudy evening across the BBC East region, but it will stay mostly dry.

Any clear spells that develop will bring the chance of ground frost.

Temperatures falling to 2C (35F).

Wednesday will start bright, with sunny spells, but turning cloudy later.

Maximum temperature of 12C (53F).

You can find a more detailed forecast for where you live on  BBC Weather .

Nanette Aldous
BBC Radio Norfolk

A man who travelled from Norwich to Surrey with the intention of sexually abusing a 6-year-old girl has been jailed.

Peter Rider, 40, had exchanged various messages with a man who he believed had a step-daughter.

Rider, who used to live in Ivory Road in Norwich, sent messages describing sexual acts he'd like to carry out against the child and he talked about plying her with alcohol. 

He then drove to Surrey to meet the man he'd been speaking to. He had in fact been communicating with an undercover officer with Kent Police and they were waiting for him on 23 September last year.

He's now starting a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to arranging the commission of a child sexual offence, as well as four counts of possessing indecent images of children. 

He was also given a sexual harm prevention order restricting any future contact with children.

A church in south Norfolk has fallen victim to lead theft.

Sometime between 20:00 last night, and 09:30 this morning, thieves took the lead from St Andrew's Church in Quidenham, causing around £15,000 worth of damage.

Anyone with information is asked to call Norfolk Police, or Crimestoppers.

Image source, Google

BBC Radio 4

In case you missed it, last week former Morley and Outwood MP, Ed Balls, hosted a bit of an odd dinner party... on the radio.

All his guests are from beyond the grave, longtime heroes brought back to life by the wonders of the radio archive. 

It's a weird concept but well worth a listen if you have half-an-hour to do nothing else with:

A 22-year-old man has appeared before Norwich Magistrates' Court charged with seven offences which he is accused of committing in Norwich last Thursday.

Jason Killick, of no fixed addresses, is accused of three rapes, two counts of robberies, attempted rape and sexual assault.

It followed reports of various incidents across the city centre which are all alleged to have taken place within the space of an hour. 

He's been charged with the rapes after a woman in her 20s, was attacked in Ten Bell Court (pictured), prosecutors said.

Image source, Google

They said the attempted rape took place in St Stephen's underpass, and the sexual assault was in Riverside Road.

The two robberies were in Theatre Street and London Street.

Killick remains in custody, and will appear before Norwich Crown Court on 2 May.

A 14-year-old girl who had been missing for a week from King's Lynn has been found.

Patricija Murane had last been seen at her Railway Road home on Tuesday, 28 March.

The teenager was found safe and well in the town earlier this afternoon.