Kelly McCormack
BBC Radio Suffolk

Suffolk superstar Ed Sheeran, external has come second in a poll of the most popular music acts, external in the world.

The placing, from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry, external, moves the singer/songwriter from Framlingham up one place from 2014.

Adele came top, external after the huge success of her comeback single Hello.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Baylham bowls player Katherine Rednall is celebrating yet more success.

Image source, Getty Images

The 20-year-old secured the National Under-25 Ladies Singles title in Swanley yesterday, beating Commonwealth Games champion Sophie Tolchard in the final.

Within the last month Rednall has also won the mixed pairs event at the World Indoor Championship and taken the National Ladies Champion of Champions crown.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Trialist Keiran Morphew looks likely to sit out Ipswich Town's, external Under-21 match at Brentford this afternoon.

Image source, Needham Market FC

The 22-year-old picked up a groin injury playing for Needham Market in the Ryman Premier Division at the weekend.

If he responds well to treatment, Morphew's likely to play in next Monday's game against Colchester United.

BBC Travel

The A1120 is closed in both directions at The Street in Peasenhall at the Mill Hill junction, because of an accident involving a car and a lorry

Kelly McCormack
BBC Radio Suffolk

Three offences of controlling behaviour have been recorded by Suffolk Police, and one arrest made, since a new law on coercive control, external was introduced.

Image source, Science Photo Library

The new law regarding not-physical abuse in a relationship has been in force for nearly six weeks.

Det Insp Jim Gooding, from the force's domestic abuse team, said: "We're putting it to the test... It will come with challenges; we've got to find out what those gaps are as we progress."

Lil' Chris - real name Chris Hardman - had a whirlwind career after coming to prominence as a Lowestoft schoolboy.

Speaking after the inquest into the death of Lil' Chris - real name Chris Hardman - his sister Hannah Hardman said she knew he would want his family to carry on and educate people about mental health: "Because it's not talked about enough."

Image source, Thinkstock

Last September the UK''s first male mental health centre opened, at Burton-upon-Trent. Speaking at the time, Stephen Buckley from mental health charity Mind, external said male suicide was a big problem.

He explained: "Suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45 and, overall, men account for three-quarters of all suicides. Men talk less about their problems than women do, and instead might watch TV, play sport, or drink as a way of coping."

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Back in April last year, when it was revealed that Lil' Chris  - real name Chris Hardman - had died by hanging, the deputy chief executive of the Samaritans, external said the charity had been "saddened" by his death.

Image source, Gett

Fiona Malcolm added: "If anyone has been affected by this news, or is struggling to cope, we would like to let people know that Samaritans is here for them if they need to talk," she said.  

Kevin Burch
BBC Look East

Hannah Hardman, sister of Lil' Chris - real name Chris Hardman - says she hopes mental health services will begin improving as a result of his suicide, saying "more funding, more people, more education" are needed.

She said: "We're not going to be able to cure this overnight; it's something that we need to research and support, not just for the person but for the family that's going through it as well.

"It is very difficult to see someone you love falling apart like that but unfortunately... he lost his battle, so if we can help other people win theirs then that would be fantastic."

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Lil' Chris - real name Chris Hardman - died in March last year. Suffolk Police had been called to an address in Union Road, Lowestoft, to reports that a man had died suddenly.

The 24-year-old, real name was Chris Hardman, starred in the Channel 4 programme set at Kirkley High School in Lowestoft and had his first hit single, Checkin' It Out, after he appeared on the show in 2006.

Gene Simmons, who appeared on Rock School as Lil' Chris's music teacher, led tributes to him. "He was loved," the Kiss bassist tweeted, external.  

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Chris Hardman rose to fame in 2006 aged just 15, after he appeared on Channel 4's Rock School programme which created a rock band from children at Kirkley High School in Lowestoft.

Image source, Channel 4

He emerged as the lead singer, and signed a record contract, with his first single Checkin' It Out going to number three in the UK singles chart.

He continued to release albums and singles, and made appearances on stage and TV.

Kevin Burch
BBC Look East

Chris Hardman's sister Hannah said after the inquest that the family want a full and open debate about mental health.

Image source, Getty Images

Too often, she said, young men in particular were afraid to open up and talk about their problems. 

She said her brother had tried but didn't ultimately win his battle, but it was vital that other people who were struggling were listened to and supported.

Kevin Burch
BBC Look East

Coroner Peter Dean has concluded that former pop star Lil' Chris - real name Chris Hardman - took his own life.

Mr Hardman was found hanging at a house where he lived with a friend in Lowestoft last March. He was 24 and had suffered with anxiety and depression.   

Mr Dean said it was clear that fame at a young age brought many positive things, but many difficulties too. The inquest was told that Mr Hardman missed the limelight.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

In a statement released after Lil' Chris's death last March, his family said he was a "huge personality who will be missed by everyone who knew him".

Image source, Hardman Family

The statement added: "He was a hugely creative person who used this side of his personality to make others smile, to cheer people up and to make others feel better.

"A real people person, he would always take the time to stop and talk, no matter who or when and we are proud that he was so well thought of by all who knew him."

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

An inquest is due to begin shortly into the death of Chris Hardman, better known as pop star Lil' Chris, who was found dead in Lowestoft on 23 March last year. A hearing last April was told his death was caused by hanging.

Image source, Getty Images

At the time his family said the 24-year-old struggled with mental health issues and depression.   

Suffolk coroner Dr Peter Dean conducted the April hearing, which was told the musician was found by a friend. A full hearing was adjourned to 28 July, but later cancelled and rearranged for today.

BBC Travel
Suffolk

One lane is blocked and there's queuing traffic on the A14 eastbound around J39 (B1506 Kentford) because of an overturned car, an accident involving a lorry and two cars, and debris on the road.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town, external fans are fearing the worst after on-loan winger Ryan Fraser had to be carried down the tunnel at the end of Saturday's defeat at QPR.

Image source, Getty Images

The 21-year-old - who's been Town's best player this season - damaged a hamstring at Loftus Road, with manager Mick McCarthy telling BBC Suffolk Sport "it looked like a bad one."

The club should find out the extent of the problem today and how long Fraser faces on the sidelines.

Kelly McCormack
BBC Radio Suffolk

People living in and around Bury St Edmunds have raised £25,000 towards a new bereavement suite at the West Suffolk Hospital.

Image source, West Suffolk Hospital

The unit will used by women who have had a miscarriage, a medical termination, or whose baby was stillborn.

Investment from the NHS has also been made in the suite which will open in April.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town, external boss Mick McCarthy had few complaints about his side's 1-0 defeat at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.

Image source, Getty Images

Matt Phillips' late header consigned the Blues to their third successive away defeat and means they drop to seventh in the Championship table.

"I thought it was a poor first half, they were better than us and overall in the game I can't deny that they probably deserved it. But we were much better in the second half and had our chances as well," said McCarthy.

Kelly McCormack
BBC Radio Suffolk

The inquest into the death of singer Lil' Chris will take place in Bury St Edmunds today.

Image source, Getty Images

Chris Hardman, 24, died last March at his home in Lowestoft. The Rock School TV star had suffered from mental health issues and depression.

An inquest was opened last April with a full hearing scheduled to take place in the summer, but this was postponed until today.