Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Despite confirmation that the National Badminton League has been axed, external with immediate effect today, Suffolk Saxons, external chairman Richard Hunt says the club is keen to build on its debut season, which ended last month.

"We were ready to go for another campaign. We'd invested in young talent and an experienced head coach in Anthony Clark, and we had explored different ways of presenting the game," Hunt told us. 

"Whatever happens from here on in, we are determined that we will carry on and create a legacy from the fantastic year of badminton we have had with the Suffolk Saxons.

"We really hope that Anthony will remain a part of our community programme in Suffolk as well. He is a committed guy who throws everything at the task in hand. He is a great advocate for the sport."

The partner of a bigamist is prepared to stand by him, a court has been told, despite "all that had occurred".

Magistrates in Ipswich heard that Simon Davies, of Hawkwood Road, Sible Hedingham had been married to Victoria Davies for five years.

Simon Davies, now 49, was sent to prison and told the court that while there, believed his wife had begun divorce proceedings, as she had brought him forms to sign. 

But in fact, she had not instigated any proceedings. 

In March 2016, Davies, pictured leaving court above, took part in a marriage ceremony with Nicola Coyston, at the Bull Hotel in Long Melford, with some of his children and friends attending the event. 

John Hughes, representing Davies, told the court that Ms Coyston was "fully aware" of the situation and was prepared to "stand by him through all that had occurred".

Davies, who admitted bigamy, was fined £700 and must pay a victim surcharge of £70 and £85 costs.

Graeme Mac
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Suffolk Saxons, external will not get a chance to improve on their impressive debut season in the National Badminton League any time soon following confirmation today that the league is to cease with immediate effect.

Image source, suffolksaxons.co.uk

In a statement, Badminton England says, external the financial demands to continue to develop the NBL is a significant cost to the organisation, and as a result, it cannot be protected. 

"It's a huge surprise that the light has been switched off," Saxons Chairman Richard Hunt told us. "We're clearly shocked and hugely disappointed by the decision." 

"As soon as we heard that there were funding issues at Badminton England a couple of months back, I guess we thought there may well be some impact, but certainly not to the extent of ceasing the NBL." 

The chart-dominating singer joins Radiohead and Foo Fighters on the bill at this year's festival.

So far only the three headliners Radiohead, Foo Fighters and Ed Sheeran have been confirmed.

The number of animal cruelty investigations by the RSPCA in Suffolk has risen by 7%, with 1,986 allegations of cruelty last year, compared to to 1,861 in 2015. 

They include a case last December in Halesworth where two young German Shepherd dogs were found living in squalour, one with his collar embedded into his neck. 

Image source, PA

The RSPCA inspector who found them said the dog was extremely fearful and cowering and had clearly been suffering distress for some time. The owner was successfully prosecuted. 

Nationally, there were 400 allegations of animal cruelty every day last year.

RSPCA inspector Jason Finch said the charity frequently received information via people who had seen animal cruelty on social media. 

He was speaking after the number of animal cruelty investigations rose in the county by 7% compared with last year. 

Nationally, there were 400 allegations of animal cruelty every day last year .

Mr Finch said: "It's a lot more difficult for people to get away with things here and it's a lot easier for people to pass information on to us."

A teenage girl was left "shaken" after she was grabbed by a man in Great Cornard. 

Police are appealing for witnesses after the incident in Nursery Road, just before 10:00 yesterday. 

The girl said a man grabbed her left arm and spoke to her whilst holding "an unknown object" against her back.

The two walked a short while together before the girl was able to break free and run away. 

Image source, Google

Officers do not believe the incident is related to an assault on a woman in her 40s in Poplar Road, Great Cornard, earlier this month.

Insp Danny Cooper said: "While we are aware that incidents such as this can cause concern to the community, I would like to reassure them that a full investigation is under way to determine exactly what happened and to trace those responsible.

"I would urge anyone with information regarding either incident, or who believes they may know the identity of the men, to come forward.”

Andrew Sinclair
BBC Look East political correspondent

The forthcoming Brexit negotiations will be conducted at a local level but there are a number of areas which local MPs will be closely watching. 

Top of the list, by common consent, is science and technology, for which Cambridge is an important centre. 

Image source, Getty Images

Hi-tech firms and researchers across the region have benefitted from European investment and partnerships. While the government has promised that funding for the sector will continue, MPs also want to ensure international cooperation and shared trials can continue without disruption. 

Ease of movement is another big wish: those research companies want to be able to bring in staff from Europe and send people abroad without hassle, farmers need foreign workers to help with the harvest and care homes are worried about losing staff. 

Image source, Getty Images

A lot of the food we grow stays in the UK but food producers still want to be able trade with Europe with few, if any barriers. Fishermen hope we'll have full control of our waters again and be able to resurrect an industry in decline. 

Ports like Felixstowe will be affected by any changes in trade tariffs, airports like Stansted and Southend will hope that the open skies policy stays in place while all our universities want to be able to continue exchanges and shared courses. 

Many MPs see Brexit as an opportunity but they all accept that getting there is likely to be a complicated process.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Suffolk Saxons, external have given their reaction to the news that Badminton England, external has decided to scrap the National Badminton League with immediate effect.

Image source, Suffolk Saxons

In a statement Badminton England said: "The financial demands to continue to develop the NBL and the high standard of event delivery required is a significant cost to Badminton England at a time when we are making tough decisions about our people and our activities as a consequence of recent funding decisions."

Warren Smyth, franchise director of the Saxons, has responded: “Naturally we are all incredibly disappointed with the news, as this has been a fantastic first season for us and we have seen some amazing top-class badminton right here in the county. 

"We already have a community development plan in place and will be working hard over the coming weeks and months to ensure we maximise the Saxons' legacy."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Laura Smith has resigned as chief executive of Suffolk FA, external with immediate effect after more than four years in the role.

Image source, Suffolk FA

Suffolk FA chairman Phil Lawler said: “The board of directors regretfully announce the resignation of our CEO Laura Smith who wishes to return to Surrey to be near her family.

“The board wish to put on record our very grateful thanks to Laura for the excellent job she has done in restructuring and overseeing Suffolk FA and we wish her every success for the future.”

Phil Lawler will take on some of the chief executive’s duties until a long-term successor is appointed.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Needham Market, external have confirmed that their manager Mark Morsley will vacate the role at the end of the current Ryman Premier Division, external season.

Morsley (pictured), who will now become the club's new chairman, will be succeeded by his assistant Richard Wilkins.

"It is the right time for both me and the club,” he told the East Anglian Daily Times, external .

“Bringing Wilks in at the start of the season was not only a coup for my management team but I knew then that he was the right man to be our manager one day and that time is now."

Patrick O'Flynn, UKIP MEP for the East of England, says Britain should conduct itself "with dignity" as Article 50 is triggered.

Yesterday Theresa May signed a letter which will formally begin the process of leaving the EU, and it will be handed to the president of the European Council around lunchtime.

Image source, PA

Mr O'Flynn said: "It would be really stupid to go around gloating and to ignore the fact that at least there's trepidation and worse among the 16 million people who voted to remain. 

"So we have a heavy responsibility to conduct ourselves with dignity. So far I'm relatively reassured with how Theresa May is approaching it and I'm sure we will come together; of course we will."

Here's the front page of today's Ipswich Star, external : 

Image source, Ipswich Star

As Article 50 is triggered by Prime Minister Theresa May, we've been looking at views around the county.

Jenny Antill, from Sudbury, voted to leave the EU. 

Ms Antill spent 20 years working in London, and thinks the government needs to address the issues around EU nationals living here first. 

She said: "The most important thing is the reciprocal right of EU citizens to work here and our people who are there already to live and work over in Europe. 

"I think anything that affects human beings is obviously a very important thing and some certainty in that area is very important."

Some opposing Brexit say failure to get a deal with the EU will see an end to frictionless trade with Europe. 

Paul Davey, from the Port of Felixstowe - where three-quarters of the goods that arrive are from outside the EU - said: "We don't see a reason why there shouldn't be frictionless trade. 

"The majority of the examinations done here are on foodstuffs. The foodstuffs coming in from the EU will not suddenly become unsafe. If there's no risk, there should be no examinations."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Former Ipswich Town, external captain Mick Mills believes the club needs to change its transfer policy if it's to be successful again.

"The salary budget that Mick (McCarthy, manager) is given is very good, very competitive and he's proved that whenever there's a free transfer out there, he's been able to bring good players in," said Mills.

"It's when you look at the transfer budget. The transfer budget in Mick's time has been pretty non-existent and that's been his biggest problem. He isn't able to go out and pay the £1m or £2m that will get you a good player at this level."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

It looks like a Ryman Premier Division, external play-off place is the best Leiston, external can hope for after their three-match winning streak ended last night.

Image source, Ryman League

A 1-0 defeat at leaders Bognor Regis Town leaves Glenn Driver's men 17 points off top spot, with just seven more games to play.

The race for the title is now almost certainly a two-horse race after second-placed Havant & Waterlooville beat Harrow Borough 3-1 to open up a 13-point gap over Leiston in third.

BBC Weather

Today will be mostly dry and bright with variable amounts of cloud, allowing some sunny spells at times - especially during the afternoon. 

There's a chance of rain this morning in places and it'll feel pleasantly warm by afternoon, with south-westerly winds freshening things later.

Maximum temperature 16C (61F).

Here's my latest forecast...

For more, head to BBC Weather .

Kate Williams
BBC Local Live

Morning all, and welcome to the middle of the week from all of us at the BBC's Local Live team. 

Today's a big day - the day that Britain formally serves notice on Brussels to quit. A letter signed by Theresa May is being taken by hand to the president of the European Council. 

Image source, Getty Images

As it's delivered at 12:30, in the Commons Theresa May will urge the country to "come together" as it embarks on a "momentous journey".

We'll be looking at what it could mean for us in the country.

But next up, here's the weather. It's looking grey out there...

The Suffolk Live team is signing off for the evening, and heading home to get our beauty sleep, to ensure we're ready to resume our service at 08:00, although as ever, any breaking news overnight will still appear here.

We'll leave you with a reminder of some of the stories that have been making the headlines:

• The organisers of the Latitude Festival have revealed some of the comedy line-up for this year's event
• A man's been remanded in custody following an armed robbery in Stowmarket on Sunday night
• Describing the Ipswich Town manager as a "stubborn Yorkshireman", Terry Butcher predicts Mick McCarthy will still be at Portman Road next season

Whatever you're doing this evening, I hope you have a good one.

Thanks for your company today.