Jodie Halford
BBC News

Alex Scott is a charge nurse (a shift supervisor) who's worked at Ipswich Hospital for 25 years.

He says things in A&E have calmed down earlier than usual tonight - they'd normally expect to have this level of patients at around 02:00.

He's currently got 28 patients in the whole department, with four in "majors" - the section where people who are moderately unwell are treated.

"There are five main sections to A&E," he told me. "One is majors, one is resuscitation, we've got a paediatrics section, and the walk-in waiting room is split into two sections; one for people with minor injuries, and one for those with illnesses."

We've just published a story a revealing the number of patients waiting four or more hours at A&E has risen more than 300% at some hospitals.

In total, 2.2 million patients were not seen within the target time in 2015-16 - more than double the one million figure in 2013-2014.

The Royal College for Emergency Medicine (RCEM) says there is a "large and systemic problem" caused by a lack of hospital beds.

NHS England said hospitals were under pressure but continuing to cope.

We're here at Ipswich Hospital to bring you an account of what it's really like in an accident emergency department.

Let's start with a huge thank you to Ipswich Hospital, which has opened itself up to a team of BBC reporters who will be providing live coverage from inside its A&E department for the next 24 hours.

Why have we chosen Ipswich? The answer is two-fold.

First, they agreed to let us in!

Second, Ipswich Hospital is - and we mean no disrespect in saying it - the health equivalent of an "everyman". 

• It is middling in terms of its size, the number of A&E patients it deals with and somewhere in the middle - both regionally and nationally - in terms of its size and the numbers of people who come through A&E.
• Broadly reflecting the national figures, Ipswich has seen its A&E visitor numbers swell - from 78,000 in 2013-14 (June to July) to 87,000 last year.
• The number of patients waiting more than four hours has also risen - from 2,477 to 5,823 during the same period. An increase, for sure. But Ipswich had the second highest rate (93.4%) in the East for seeing patients within four hours.

So, you have the numbers. But what do they mean in real life for the staff, visitors and patients at Ipswich? That's exactly what we hope to find out.

Jodie Halford
BBC News

Hello, and welcome to the start of our 24 hours of coverage live from Ipswich Hospital's A&E unit.

Over the course of our time here, we'll be speaking to patients and their families who come in to use the service, as well as the nurses and doctors involved in treating them.

Increasing numbers of patients at hospitals across the country are facing waits of four or more hours when they come to A&E - it's said to be a "large and systematic problem" caused by a lack of hospital beds.

Here in Ipswich, we'll be covering every element of the A&E experience - from wait times, to people's feelings about how they're treated, to the dedication and life-saving expertise of the staff.

You can join the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #AandElive.

A man has been jailed for 18 months after a car crash in Cambridgeshire that left his passenger paralysed.

We're taking a break from today's updates, but will be back at midnight - yes, midnight - for a special 24 live feed from Ipswich Hospital.

We're going to be based in the A&E department for the entire day, giving a glimpse into what life is like for those who work at the hospital, and those who are treated there.

At this point, we have no idea what will happen.

Image source, Ipswich Hospital

A man is being treated for head injuries after falling from a cliff near Southwold.

The HM Coastguard Lowestoft and Southwold says the man was treated, external at the bottom of the cliff adjacent to Easton Bavents.

It was called shortly after 14:00.

The man was then taken by helicopter to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.

Image source, HM Coastguard Lowestoft & Southwold

Image source, HM Coastguard Lowestoft & Southwold

Image source, HM Coastguard Lowestoft & Southwold

Image source, HM Coastguard Lowestoft & Southwold

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Staying fine and dry this evening, but turning misty and foggy in many parts of the eastern region.

Temperatures dipping to 6C (42F).

Any mist will clear to bring brighter weather and sunny spells tomorrow - but it'll turn cloudy later.

Patchy rain will follow, with temperatures reaching 12C (53F).

BBC Weather has more details for where you live.

A storage cupboard key was difficult to find and equipment was left in an inaccessible police station.

Spring has definitely sprung - with flowers and shrubs bursting into full bloom across the county.

Time to put your feet up, and take a look at this selection of photos from our Weather Watchers :

Image source, bbc

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

The managers of  Leiston, external and Needham Market, external  have both told us they won't be making wholesale changes for tonight's Suffolk Premier Cup, external semi-final in Woodbridge.

In the past clubs have fielded weakened sides, prioritising success in the league.

Glenn Driver of Leiston said: "We don't belittle any cup we're in, what's the point of entering a competition if you're not going to try to win it?"

Needham's Mark Morsley said: "I'm not going to make plenty of changes because that would be disrespectful to Leiston and the competition."

Martin Barber
BBC News

Twin foals, a rarity in the equine world, have been born on a farm in Suffolk.

The two Welsh cobs, called Tilly and Lilly, are just over a week old and are doing well under the watchful eye of mum Rose on the farm at Wingfield.

It is unusual for a mare to be allowed to carry twins to full-term as it can be dangerous and lead to complications, but Rose's pregnancy was too far developed to safely intervene, owner Lee Smith said. 

Equine vet Chris Lehrbach said he had only known of two pairs of twin foals born in more than 20 years - with the odds of survival believed to be 1-in-10,000.

The Highways Agency is giving advance warning of 11 major improvement schemes planned for spring/summer 2017, so if you regularly use the M11 and A120 it might be worth paying attention.

The schemes include installing digital messaging signs, resurfacing, drainage and embankment repairs.

It will affect:

• The M11 between the M25 and Cambridge
• The A120 near Stansted Airport
• The A11 at the junction with the A1307

Meanwhile, rail passengers travelling between Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and London this Easter are advised to check before they travel, as a huge package of improvement work is carried out.

Network Rail will be working from Friday 14 to Monday 17 April to carry out Crossrail construction work and to continue to replace the overhead wires at Seven Kings.

Image source, Network Rail

Our BBC Weather Watchers have been out in force today, catching moments from around the county.

And just to prove spring has definitely sprung, here's a lamb that "Rainy Ray" saw earlier...

Ipswich Town manager Mick McCarthy says avoiding the sack confirms the "good job" he has done over four years.

The Duke of Cambridge has returned to work, carrying out a late shift with the East Anglian Air Ambulance, external (EAAA) last night.

William had faced a media backlash for missing the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey on Monday, to go on a "lads-only" skiing trip to Verbier.

Footage had emerged on an American gossip website, showing the 34-year-old royal dancing in a nightspot.

Image source, PA

Since the start of the year, second-in-line to the throne William has carried out royal duties on 13 days, according to listings in the Court Circular.

The Queen, who turns 91 in April, was listed as carrying out engagements and duties on 24 days.

The Duke is on the rota for more flying stints with the EAAA charity this week and next. He'll finish his work in the summer, to begin full-time royal duties.

Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

With nine games to play, and ahead of this weekend's trip to Cardiff, Ipswich Town are just seven points above the Championship relegation zone.

The Blues may be unbeaten in eight matches, but they have drawn their last six, and have taken just 14 points from their last possible 39.

Today defender Christophe Berra has been telling us that relegation is still a concern.

"It looks like that when you glance at the table," he said.

"Seven points is not that big a gap. Two or three wins should ease things a little, but this is the Championship and it gets tougher every year."

Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Following a trio of sackings in the past week, Ipswich Town boss Mick McCarthy has now outlasted 88 managers in the Championship.

While a patient owner in Marcus Evans can be seen as one of the reasons for his, McCarthy has been telling us today that he deserves some credit of his own. 

"It confirms to me that for four years I have done a really good job here, but that this year has been tough," McCarthy said. 

"We haven't spent vast amounts of money but we've always competed. Maybe Marcus looks at the situation and thinks I've been doing a good job as well."

Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Town midfielder Luke Hyam has damaged ankle ligaments following an incident in training this week.

It is the latest injury setback for the 25-year-old, who has not featured at all for the Blues this campaign, largely due to a series of knee problems. 

"He'll be glad to see the back of this season," said Ipswich manager Mick McCarthy. 

"He'd been as whole hearted and honest as ever in training when he blocked a shot brilliantly on the line. But the ball has hit him right on the toe and opened his ligaments up."

Helen Mark travels to Suffolk, to explore the landscape of the coast and the lives of the people who live near it. She hears about the lost city of Dunwich, which in Medieval times was a thriving commercial port, but was gradually claimed by the sea, leaving only a village still standing today. She also hears about the birds which can be found on the RSPB nature reserve nearby, and meets an artist whose life and work are inspired by the sea.

Presented by Helen Mark and produced by Emma Campbell.