Summary

  • Updates for Friday, 5 May 2017

  • North Walsham hit-and-run driver jailed for 10 years

  • Conservatives gain control of Norfolk County Council

  • UKIP and the Green Party 'wiped out' of the council

  • Tories win 55 of 84 seats

  1. Friday's weather: Mainly dry with sunny spellspublished at 08:07 British Summer Time 5 May 2017

    Elizabeth Rizzini
    BBC Look East weather

    It will be a dry and rather breezy start to the day with variable cloud and some sunny spells. 

    The best of the sunshine is likely in the morning, before skies gradually cloud over as the day progresses. 

    In any sunshine it will feel pleasantly warm, but it will be cooler where exposed to the wind - top temperature: 15C (59F).

    Watch my full regional forecast here:

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  2. Welcome to Friday's Norfolk Livepublished at 08:00 British Summer Time 5 May 2017

    Philippa Taylor
    BBC Local Live

    Good morning, it's great to have your company.

    We're gearing up to bring you regular updates about what's happening across the county, whether it's news, sport or weather that interests you.

    The results of the county council elections will be known later on, so you can rely on us to keep you informed about those too.

    But we'll start the day as we usually do, with a look at the day's weather prospects. Elizabeth Rizzini will bring us the details next.

    West Runton sunrise
  3. Our live coverage today:published at 18:06 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Our live coverage has now ended for the day... here's a quick recap of some of the stories we've brought you:

    • Man sentenced for firearms offences
    • Drug dealers given jail term
    • Train company denies large scale ticket office closures
    • Star Wars celebrations in memory of five-year-old

    Our next updates will appear at 08:00 tomorrow, where we'll have all the news on the local elections.

    Have a good evening.

  4. Footage shows 'bus driver fight'published at 17:48 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    A bus driver has been suspended as police investigate footage of a city centre clash.

    Read More
  5. WATCH: Bus driver suspended following city centre brawlpublished at 17:40 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    A bus driver has been suspended following a fight in Norwich.

    Read the full story here.

  6. 'Bus driver fight' caught on camerapublished at 17:33 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Footage of a man - thought to be a bus driver - exchanging blows in a city centre street has been posted online.

    Read More
  7. Witness appeal to police pursuitpublished at 17:24 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    The driver of a vehicle has been arrested on suspicion of driving offences and drug possession following a police pursuit to the south of Norwich.

    At around 14:15 on Tuesday, a black/grey coloured VW Golf failed to stop for roads policing officers on the A47 eastbound, before taking the A140 exit and then the Markshall Farm Road to Poringland. 

    The car then turned on to The Street, driving past Budgen's before coming to a stop in Trafalgar Square.

    The 20-year-old driver was taken to questioning at Wymondham police headquarters, and later released from custody with no bail conditions. However, he remains under investigation while inquiries continue.

    Officers are asking for any witnesses to the pursuit, or who has information concerning the driving of the Golf, to contact them.

  8. Look out for one of these birdspublished at 17:14 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Caroline Kingdon
    BBC Local Live

    The RSPB is asking eagle-eyed bird watchers to to keep an eye out for one of these birds of prey.

    It's a Montagu harrier, one of the UK's rarest breeding birds of prey. They're larger than a kestrel, with long wings and a long tail, giving them a slender appearance.

    Male Montagu Harrier in flightImage source, RSPB

    Male birds are plain grey, with black wingtips and a white underside - and the females are mottled brown.

    This week, two birds named Roger and Sally (pictured below) returned to their 2016 breeding site in Norfolk. Sally migrated from Ghana, via the Sahara, Ibiza, the French Alps and Paris, to make it back to the same field where she successfully raised two young last year.

    Close up of female Montagu harrierImage source, RSPB

    Montagu's harriers arrive is this county around May, before returning to the African continent in August. 

    The RSPB is asking anyone who spots one of the birds to call their dedicated hotline - 01767 693690 - or email, external details through.

  9. Overnight weather: Largely dry and cloudypublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Julie Reinger
    BBC Look East weather

    Tonight will be largely dry and cloudy with a small chance of some light rain and drizzle, but most places should remain dry. 

    Lowest temperatures between 5-9C (41- 48F).

    Overnight weather map

    Tomorrow will be mainly dry and cloudy with some brightness and sunshine at times, with the best of any breaks in the cloud expected in the north of the region. 

    There’ll be a moderate to fresh north-easterly wind and highest temperatures inland about 15C (59F). 

    The weekend is still looking fine and dry with sunny spells and the rain staying to the south of our area.

  10. Norwich City: Pre-match press conferencepublished at 17:12 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Norwich City take on Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, in the final game of the season.

    At the pre-match press conference, Captain Russell Martin took time to pay tribute to Ryan Bennett, John Ruddy and Steven Whittaker, who've been told they'll be leaving the club.

    Martin also said he thought City would have made the playoffs if Alex Neil had left the club earlier.

    Russell Martin at press conference

    Earlier this week, seven players were told they'd be leaving City, and caretaker manager Alan Irvine told the conference these players had the choice to not come into training if they didn't want to.

    Ruddy's in the side for Sunday, getting the chance to say goodbye to the club he's been with for seven years.

    Mulumbu, Bassong, Turner and Bennett didn't train this week - and Irvine says he respects their decision.

    Alan Irvine at press conference
  11. NDR: The latest updatespublished at 17:02 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Here's the latest information we have on road closures associated with construction work for the NDR:

    Reepham Road: Roundabout construction on track, and the road is expected to reopen tomorrow; Next week, there'll be off-peak traffic lights at the new roundabout. Drayton Lane will remain closed.

    Salhouse Road: Closing at 05:00 on Monday for five days, to allow work on the junction with the White House Farm development.

    A1151 Wroxham Road: Traffic lights will be lifted for the weekend, but will be in place again next week

    North Walsham Road: Temporary traffic lights may be necessary, but where possible peak hours will be avoided.

    Buxton Road: The two week closure at Spixworth has been put back until Monday, 17 July.

  12. 'Good character' taken into consideration for firearms sentencingpublished at 16:55 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Judge Katherine Moore, at Norwich Crown Court, said she'd given Michael Cook credit for his early guilty plea, and the fact that he was "hitherto of good character".

    She said the number of weapons and lack of adequate storage for them was "nevertheless extremely worrying".

    Judge Moore added that she also recognised that Mr Cook had relatively recently suffered a stroke and has arthritis.

    Quote Message

    It is clear to me in all these circumstances this sentence will weigh heavily on you."

    Judge Katherine Moore, Norwich Crown Court

  13. Man sentenced for firearms offencespublished at 16:49 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Caroline Kingdon
    BBC Local Live

    A 62-year-old man has been given a three year jail sentence at Norwich Crown Court after police seized more than 100 weapons from a property in Brundall last May. 

    Michael Cook, of Holmesdale Road, Brundall, had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of possessing prohibited weapons, one count of possessing a firearm without a firearm certificate, one of possessing a shotgun without a certificate and two counts of possessing ammunition.

    White tent outside green bungalow

    Prosecutor Wayne Cleaver told the court the defendant did have a shotgun licence but could not have a licence for two handguns, which only licensed dealers can possess. 

    Police forensics officers in BrundallImage source, bbc

    Defence barrister Steven Dyble said Mr Cook, a former care worker, had "led a blameless life" before this.

    Mr Dyble said Cook, who was from an agricultural background, had an "obsession with firearms" and did not enjoy good health. 

    The two handguns, a Browning and a Smith and Weston, were part of the history of the revolver, and there was no suggestion any guns had been sold to the criminal underworld for "nefarious purposes".

  14. Fire crews remember the fallenpublished at 16:21 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Firefighters from across the county have marked the first Firefighters' Memorial Day, for fallen colleagues.

    A memorial parade, followed by a minute's silence at midday, was held on the forecourt at Carrow fire station in Norwich.

    Similar events were held across the county.

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  15. Elderly woman rescued from riverpublished at 15:59 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    An elderly woman was taken to hospital with suspected hypothermia after being rescued from the river at Stokesby.

    Emergency services were called to the scene at around 07:00. A lifebuoy was thrown to the woman and she was pulled to safety.

    She was conscious and breathing, and was taken to the James Paget University Hospital for further care.

  16. Digging for clues in the fight against bacteriapublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    For years we've been warned about bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics.

    If things continue as they are, it's thought that by 2050 more people will die of infectious diseases caused by antibiotic resistance than of heart disease or cancer.

    Most antibiotics are made by soil bacteria, so today visitors to High Lodge in Thetford have been asked to help scientists, by digging up soil samples. 

    The samples will be sent off to the University of East Anglia in Norwich for analysis.

    Two people digging grassland

    In the lab, scientists will look for bacteria which stops the growth of other bacteria around it. Without these new ones, many people could die of simple infections.

    Bacteria testing at science lab

    Dr Hannah Gaimster says it could be potentially catastrophic.

    Quote Message

    It will be a case of people going into hospital with something as simple as a throat or skin infection and we just won't be able to treat them."

    Dr Hannah Gaimster, UEA School of Biology

  17. Collection box stolen from Cathedralpublished at 14:53 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    A police investigation is under way after a collection box was stolen from Norwich Cathedral.

    The large wooden collection box and stand was taken from the Jesus Chapel end sometime between 15:00 and 16;30 on Sunday. A large white altar sheet was also taken.

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Norfolk police, or Crimestoppers, external.

    Norwich CathedralImage source, Google
  18. Darts: Wright keen to keep up the pressure on van Gerwenpublished at 14:46 British Summer Time 4 May 2017

    Brenner Woolley
    BBC Radio Suffolk sport

    After securing a play-off place last week Suffolk's Peter Wright (pictured) is back in action later in round 14 of darts Premier League, external

    Peter WrightImage source, Getty Images

    The 47-year-old from Mendham's already qualified for the play-offs, but has his sights set on finishing the regular season top of the table. 

    Tonight he's up against Adrian Lewis in Sheffield while current leader Michael van Gerwen - who has a three point lead over Wright - faces Phil Taylor.