Guy Campbell
BBC Radio Suffolk

Church towers and spires in the county could give a major boost to internet and mobile coverage in rural areas.

Image source, Simon Knott

Church commissioner Dame Caroline Spelman says work is under way to match so called "not-spots" for internet coverage to church assets, to see where the signal boosters could and should be installed. 

She told MPs about an ongoing project in Norfolk and how discussions were now being held to expand the scheme into Suffolk and Cambridgeshire, where some churches are already used to boost coverage.

Brilliant fun, or your worst nightmare brought to life?

Watch eight-year-old Macey and 20 friends clowning around at the third annual clown convention in Lowestoft.

Campaigners say cash-strapped councils are struggling to cope.

Bury Free Press

Bury St Edmunds may have just played their trump card, external in ensuring survival in English rugby’s fourth tier, by pulling off a deadline-day signing with recent experience of both the top two levels.

Image source, Bury Free Press

This week's image from Suffolk Fire & Rescue's " Throwback Thursday, external " shows members of Ipswich's fire brigade assembled on St Margaret's Green in 1912:

Image source, Suffolk Fire & Rescue Service

His new album is out tomorrow and you can check out the second part of our online exclusive interview by scrolling down.

Now here's a reminder of how far he's come, as a fresh-faced Ed plays one of his own personal favourites while sat aboard a boat travelling down Regents Canal almost six years ago.

A much simpler time was 2011, when he wasn't bogged down in mathematical symbols.

What were you up to while Ed was doing this?

Warning: Third party content, may contain ads.

Five men remain on police bail following a double stabbing in Foundation Street, in Ipswich, in December.

They are:

• A 24-year-old Ipswich man arrested on suspicion of attempted murder
• Two 20-year-old men from Luton arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and conspiracy to supply a controlled drug.
• Two men from Felixstowe, one aged 30, and and one aged 26, arrested on suspicion of violent disorder, possession of a controlled drug, and possession of a bladed article in a public place. 

The five have all been rebailed until the end of May. 

Six other people arrested in the connection with the incident all face no further action by police. 

Diss Express

It is thought the tree, in School Road, was damaged in Storm Doris, external last week, and is touching phone lines on the opposite side of the carriageway.

Image source, Diss Express

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Castle Manor Academy in Haverhill is marking World Book Day by holding a "Drop Everything and Read Day".

No matter what class they are in, students have to drop everything and read for 10 minutes every time the school bell goes.

I wish we had a school bell here.

Image source, Dave Gooderham

Police have reiterated the need for all children to be secured in a car seat, describing dishing out penalty notices to parents who haven't got their youngsters strapped in as "shocking really".

Image source, Gett

Insp Dave Giles, speaking the day after new rules were introduced about booster seats, said: "It shows a lack of care about a child.

"I just think people can't see the danger, but it's such an easy thing to do."

The project to strengthen Westley Rail Bridge on the outskirts of Bury St Edmunds remains on course for the work to be completed by 7 April, according to Suffolk County Council.

Image source, Suffolk County Council

The closure of the bridge, which means traffic cannot enter Bury St Edmunds from J42, has led to lengthy delays for motorists at junctions 43 and 44.

A meeting was held this week to update councillors on progress of the work, during which it was agreed that the four-way traffic lights in Westley will now only operate at peak times to stop unnecessary delays outside of peak hours.

The diversion signage is also to be reviewed in order to ensure motorists are not confused while using the route.

Kate Williams
BBC Local Live

The man accused of murdering Weybread couple Peter and Sylvia Stuart has been shown pictures of Ali Qazimaj and himself, and denied that he was the same person.

As part of the defendant's cross examination at Ipswich Crown Court, he was shown a number of documents with the name Vital Dapi on them and he denied that some had been "overwritten" in places to change numbers and letters and names and dates.

He also denied he was the person who travelled from Dover to Luxembourg but instead was trafficked from Athens to Luxembourg, claiming he went through a number of other countries.

The court has now adjourned for lunch.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

The Secret Garden Party, external has been taking place at Abbots Ripton Hall, the home of Lord de Ramsey near Huntingdon, since 2004 when it opened with one stage and an estimated 1,000 visitors.  

Numbers attending the festival have risen steadily over the years. 

In 2010, 17,000 people attended, by 2016 that number had risen to 30,000.  

In 2005 and 2008 UK Festivals awarded the Secret Garden Party the Best Small Festival accolade for its eclectic mix of live music, art installations, theatre and family-friendly atmosphere.

Headline acts that have featured over the years include Ed Sheeran, Jarvis Cocker, Florence And The Machine, Leftfield, Gabrielle Aplin, Blondie and Bastille. 

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Former Ipswich Town, external midfielder Jimmy Bullard has been confirmed as the guest speaker at this year's Suffolk FA Awards Night.

Image source, Suffolk FA

He follows in the footsteps of former Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks and manager George Burley.

"I am looking forward to coming back to this part of the country," said Bullard. “Ipswich fans were always amazing to me and I even managed to have a laugh with the rival clubs’ supporters.”

The event will be held at Trinity Park, on the outskirts of Ipswich, on 23 June.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

It's the fifth week of darts Premier League, external  with Suffolk's Peter Wright (pictured) up against Adrian Lewis in Exeter.

Image source, Getty Images

The 46-year-old from Mendham's currently fourth in the table, with two wins, a draw and a defeat so far. 

The match of the round is between former world champions Gary Anderson and Phil Taylor. 

Current world number one Michael van Gerwen misses out with a back injury so Dave Chisnall will play twice in his absence.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Defender Tommy Smith believes it'll be a big boost to Ipswich Town, external when long term absentee Luke Hyam (pictured left) returns to action.

Image source, Getty Images

The 25-year-old hasn't played for the first team this season, because of a knee injury, but is close to making his comeback after appearing for the Under-23s.

"He's a very good professional," said Smith. "It's not through lack of any desire, he wants to be playing football.

"His goal was to be involved at Norwich on Sunday and he travelled with the squad but unfortunately for him he didn't quite make the bench. 

"He isn't far away now and that adds another dimension to us, another competitive midfielder that can come in and do a very good job for us."

Campaigners who've been fighting to save their local pub for more than two years, have finally received the keys to the door.

More than £300,000 has been raised to save the Duke of Marlborough in Somersham, which closed on Christmas Eve, 2014.

James Batchelor-Wylam, a member of the committee of volunteers, said: "We raised the money, we negotiated the purchase and now we have the keys.

"That’s a massive milestone.  

"This really is a huge achievement, made possible by the fantastic people who invested in shares – 230 of them so far, and numbers still rising."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

They're a long way off being promotion material this season, but Lowestoft Town, external  boss Ady Gallagher says his players are capable of becoming one of the stronger teams in the Ryman Premier Division, external again.

After successive wins things are looking up for the Trawler Boys, who've seen rivals Needham Market and Leiston take the plaudits over the last seven months.

"We'll continue to fight for every point we can get this season," said Gallagher. "I've never known a Lowestoft team, since I've been here, not scrapping for points.

"If we aspire to be a good side up the top end of the table we've got to get into the habit of doing that. If we keep doing what we're doing we'll get more breaks and results will get easier for us hopefully." 

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town, external boss Mick McCarthy's almost as happy as the player himself with Tommy Smith's return to fitness.

Image source, Getty Images

The 26-year-old, who's recovered from back surgery, will be hoping to make his first start since September when the Blues host Brentford on Saturday.

"We've missed a few big players this season and Tommy's always been a big player for us," said McCarthy. 

"He's been pretty much a first team regular, penned on the team sheet pretty much most weeks. To have him fully fit is great."

A specialist service for people with suspected first episode of psychosis is to expand, after receiving an additional £1.2m funding from Norfolk's five clinical commissioning groups (CCGs).

The Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, external  (NSFT) will extend its Early Intervention in Pyschosis Service next month, and will care for people aged 14-65.

Image source, Google

Previously, patients aged between 35 and 65 with suspected psychosis would be referred to the NSFT's adult service which doesn't offer an early intervention approach.

It's expected the service will see an increase of around 25% patients each year.

Extra staff are being recruited for the service, which rolls out to patients on 1 April.