Steve Blower
BBC Radio Suffolk

A joint statement from Suffolk Coastal, external and Waveney, external councils says the possibility of a merger is "being explored", despite denying the story when we approached them in January, after IpswichSpy, external first raised the possibility.

Image source, Suffolk Coastal District Council

Ray Herring, leader of Suffolk Coastal, says: "What we've actually done is have a preliminary look at what our options might be.

"With our initial discussions we feel a merger might be something which might bring us benefits, we've not looked at that in great detail yet."

Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town defender Christophe Berra believes the Blues indifferent form at home this season has been due to opposing teams showing them more respect.

Image source, itfc.co.uk

Ahead of tomorrow's fixture with Nottingham Forest at Portman Road, Town have won just six of 16 league fixtures in Suffolk since August. 

"Teams have come to us and sat back. We've not always been able to break them down and they've maybe nicked a goal on the counter attack," Berra said. 

Steve Blower
BBC Radio Suffolk

Research by BBC Suffolk has revealed an extension in opening hours for post offices of 2,000 hours a week, since they moved into convenience stores and newsagents.

Sheila Tapster, from the Post Office, says most people can see the benefit of the changes: "It means they have more flexibility to visit a post office when it's convenient to them.

"People can pop in, quickly go to the retail counter, use our post office service point and access the vast majority of services."

BBC Weather

Today will be generally cloudy with prolonged spells of rain this morning. During the early part of this afternoon, we will see drier and brighter conditions developing, but it will turn colder. 

Top temperature: 11C (52F).

Tonight we'll see a few cloud breaks, but there'll also be some showers, which will turn wintry at times. By dawn, sheltered spots may see a slight frost. Lows of 2C (36F).

Get more on the forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Season ticket prices at Ipswich Town are to rise for a third year in succession.

Image source, Empics

The news that prices would rise by 1.5% for 97% of the stadium was first reported by the East Anglian Daily Times, external and the club has since sent us a press release confirming the rise.

We'll bring you details of what managing director Ian Milne has to say shortly.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Our main stories so far this morning:

• Post offices in the county are open for 2,000 hours a week more since they moved into convenience stores and newsagents
• Despite denying it earlier this year, Suffolk Coastal, external and Waveney councils, external say they're looking closely at the possibility of merging
• Christophe Berra says Ipswich Town, external fans need to be realistic in their expectations for the club

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Hello and thanks for joining us. I  hope you've had a better start to the day than the driver of this van photographed in Brantham this morning:

Image source, Stan from Brantham

Between now and 18:00 the team here at BBC Suffolk will bring you news, sport, weather and travel updates from across the county.

Listening to the travel news so far, it sounds as if there's been some local flooding overnight, so if you've got a photograph you can safely take, we'd love you to send it to us via email, or post it in our Facebook page, external.