Schools in Suffolk are short of hundreds of school governors according to the county council.

It's starting a recruitment, external drive in response asking the public to 2put their skills into Suffolk schools".

Schools still under local authority control - rather than academies and free schools - have a 10% vacancy rate with 450 positions unfilled.

A governor takes part in strategic discussions, deciding the schools vision and ethos, determining school budgets and other similar tasks.

They are required to act in the best interests of all the pupils.

Emma Oddie, 39, a school governor from Sudbury, said: "I became a governor because I wanted to give something back to my community.

"I am able to use my strategic thinking and previous experience working in education and business to make a difference to my local school which is really rewarding."

The inaugural Suffolk Day is held to celebrate the county's heritage and culture.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Suffolk's mental health service has admitted the death of a woman could have been avoided if more help had been given to her.

Image source, bbc

Gemma Stone, 31, who suffered from depression, anxiety and stress, was found dead in Great Saxham near Bury St Edmunds in November.

The inquest at Suffolk Coroner's Court heard that Miss Stone had been referred to the Suffolk Wellbeing Service for support and they arranged for her to see a counsellor at a partner organisation.

However, when a counsellor realised that a higher level of support was needed, problems encountered in trying to obtain it including phones not being answered and confusion about where to get more help.

A review conducted by Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust, external, said the additional level of support was never provided.

Coroner, Dr Daniel Sharpstone said: "It is apparent that the support given to Gemma was below what might be reasonably be expected."

Since Miss Stone's death, a number of changes have been instituted in an effort to avoid a repeat of the same failings, the inquest heard.

It's been exceptionally warm over the last few days, with temperatures reaching 30C (86F) across the BBC East region yesterday.

It's a similar picture today, with the mercury expected to hit 28C (82F).

The average temperature for this time of year, explains Weatherquest's, external James Wilbey, is around 18C or 19C - and that's the temperature we've been seeing overnight.

James explains why we're basking in the sunshine.

"We've had an area of high pressure that's drifted off to the east of us over the continent, and that's allowed for some very warm southerly winds to spread up from France and Spain, and from the south west in general, and with the strong sunshine it has brought the high temperatures".

Image source, Ben Birchall/PA

The situation is not that unusual, he adds.

"We do occasionally see areas of high pressure become settled over the continent and when that happens we get these really warm plumes of air from the south... but it can easily change, it's a very volatile situation.

"All it would take is for that high pressure to move away to the east slightly, to allow low pressure to move in from the west - and with a more active jet stream you could easily see areas of low pressure crossing the country again to bring unsettled conditions... it can change quickly at this time of year."

Image source, Danny Lawson/PA

So what can we expect over the next few days? It will remain warm, but there's a change over the weekend.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Suffolk, external have beaten Northumberland by 10 wickets in Gosforth to secure their first Minor Counties Championship, external win of the season.

Image source, Getty Images

After dismissing the home side for 272 in their second innings, Suffolk opener Martyn Cull hit a four off the first ball of his side's second knock to secure the victory.

Suffolk bowler Michael Comber finished with figures of 9-89.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Serious questions need to be asked as to why more than 500 jobs at the profitable Delphi Diesel Systems in Suffolk are under threat, according to the Unite union.

The engineering company in Sudbury announced it was entering into a consultation about the long-term future of the plant, which Unite claims is the most profitable site in the UK for the US-owned conglomerate which runs it.

Yesterday the town's Conservative MP James Cartlidge said Sudbury had a strong enough economy to withstand the losses, but that it needed some help to prepare and to improve infrastructure.

Unite regional officer Neal Evans says "This news is a cruel blow to the dedicated workforce and the local economy – it is Sudbury’s biggest employer.

"If we can’t protect our manufacturing base today, how will the British economy fare in tomorrow’s challenging post-Brexit world?”

Delphi, external makes diesel fuel injectors and filters for commercial vehicles at the site.

Helen Burchell
BBC News

A man who went missing in early April has been described as a loving family man by his sister, as she appealed for information on his whereabouts on television this morning.

"He was a hard worker, a family man, loved his son - spent a lot of time with his son," Diana Mays told BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow, speaking of her brother Nigel Kedar.

He was last seen in south Norfolk on 4 April, having spent the night of 2 April with a friend in Norwich.

Mr Kedar, from St Osyth, played football with his son and they both did martial arts, Ms Mays said.

Image source, Norfolk Police

She appeared on the programme with Det Ch Insp Marie James from Norfolk Police, who explained Mr Kedar's last known movements.

He withdrew £100 from his bank account at 06:20 on 4 April in the Long Stratton area of Norfolk and bought a bottle of water.

"There's been no other activity on Nigel's bank account since that time," the officer said.

"Then the last known sighting is in Thelveton between 9 and 10am on that morning."

Image source, Norfolk Police

Both police and Mr Kedar's family have said his disappearance is "completely" out of character.

Helen Burchell
BBC News

The sister of a man missing since 4 April has made an emotional appeal for information on his whereabouts on BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow.

Nigel Kedar, 52, from St Osyth near Clacton in Essex, was last seen after going to visit a friend in Norfolk.

His disappearance was "completely" out of character, his sister Diana Mays said.

Image source, Norfolk Police

Mr Kedar visited Norwich on Sunday, 2 April where he spent the night with a female friend, Det Ch Insp Marie James, from Norfolk Police said.

"There were a number of sightings the following morning on the Monday", she said, but the last known sightings were on the Tuesday, 4 April.

Mr Kedar withdrew money from his bank account in the Long Stratton area of Norfolk at about 06:20 and was seen at about 07:30 walking on the A140 at Pulham Market in a southbound direction towards Suffolk.

He was last seen at about 09.30 that day, walking southbound through the Dickleburgh/Thelveton area.

Image source, Norfolk Police

Appearing on Crimewatch to renew an appeal for information, Ms Mays said her brother "is devoted to his son" and was looking forward to spending the school holidays with him.

She pleaded with her brother to "call someone".

"Tell them you're OK," she said.

"Whatever it is he feels he can't come home for, we're a strong family, we can sort it, we can help him."

Mr Kedar is described as white, 5ft 11in (1.8m) tall, of large build and with short hair.

He was wearing dark-coloured trousers with a lighter-coloured long-sleeved shirt.

The heatwave forced the swingbridges to close yesterday - and the Broads Authority says they won't be opening until 19:00 today.

But if your boat will fit, you can still go underneath:

A list of bridges, and what type there are, can be found on the Broads Authority website, external.

He was the face and voice of childhood, well certainly for those of a certain age...

Enjoy this look back at the work of the Ipswich-born children's television presenter.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Modern slavery is often hidden from view and affects men, women and children from all backgrounds , and it's happening here.

Norfolk and Suffolk constabularies are working together to tackle the issue.

Just this weekend, says Det Sgt Mark Scott, they had a referral where someone who'd been arrested had been forced to commit crimes by other people.

"We're asking people to pick up the phone and make a referral to the UK Modern Slavery helpline, external... that way we can save more people who are being kept as slaves, forced into criminality or being sexually exploited."

Det Sgt Scott was the investigating officer for Norfolk and Suffolk police in the case of two Lithuanian men who smuggled twin brothers into the UK, and kept them in squalid conditions in Great Yarmouth.

He explains how easy it is for people to be exploited. The brothers had been brought up in children's homes, got into alcoholism, been in prison and were very subservient.

"These are the people preyed on and because of the nature of the people they won't come forward, and probably don't see themselves as victims... it's down to other agencies, not just the police, other people need to take responsibility and report any suspicions they have."

The two Lithuanian men were given a prison sentence, and Anti-Trafficking Prevention and Slavery Orders. In February, they were deported back to Lithuania.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

A charity set up to stop modern slavery in Britain says it's had six calls from Norfolk in its first six months.

Justine Currell, chief executive of Unseen, says it might not sound like a lot, but it means they have got six potential cases where people are being exploited. One anonymous call led to a man being released from an industrial unit and put in to accommodation.

"Because of the diverse landscape of Norfolk and Suffolk, we're seeing big issues in factories, agriculture... and also sexual exploitation... it's important people understand that it's happening everywhere and could be on their doorstep."

Victims of modern slavery can be UK as well as foreign nationals, and Justine says we need to raise awareness of the crime.

She says it's important that the general public can spot the signs, and if they think something's not quite right, to phone the UK Slavery Helpline, external on 08000 121 700.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Slavery was abolished in Britain more than 200 years ago... but it's still happening and it could be right under your nose.

Last January, two Lithuanian brothers were jailed at King's Lynn Crown Court for trafficking two men, forcing them to work at factories in Suffolk and live in squalid conditions.

The Unseen UK charity, which set up a hotline, external where people can report suspicions about forced labour, has had six calls from the Norfolk area within its first six months.

Norfolk and Suffolk police forces are working together to tackle the issue and last month they hosted a conference in Hopton-on-Sea to pool ideas with other organisations.

Suffolk's assistant chief constable Rachel Kearton was at the conference.

Kelly Road on the "triangle estate" in south west Ipswich was cordoned-off after an incident just after 02:00.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Ipswich Witches, external skipper, and defending champion, Danny King could only reach the semi-finals of this year's British Championship in Manchester last night.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Defending champion Danny King failed to make the final of last night's British Championship in Manchester as his Ipswich Witches teammate Rory Schlein (pictured) came third.

Image source, Stephen Waller

King dropped out after finishing last in the semi-final.

The event at Belle Vue was won by Craig Cook, external, who had been runner-up the last three years.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Lowestoft Town, external have confirmed that their Crown Meadow base has been renamed the Amber Dew Events Stadium.

It's the first time the Trawlerboys have struck such a sponsorship deal, and it will run until the summer of 2019.

Sam Hossack, commercial manager, said: "This is undoubtedly a ground-breaking agreement for Lowestoft Town Football Club and one that we are all absolutely thrilled with."

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Suffolk, external are in total control of their latest Minor Counties Championship, external game, away to Northumberland.

Image source, Suffolk County Cricket Board

The home side will start the final day in Gosforth on 227-8 in their second innings, still 45 runs behind the visitors first knock, with just six overs to go.

Suffolk bowler Michael Comber (pictured) is just one victim short of a ten-wicket haul.

Play is due to resume at 11:00.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Trains between Norfolk and London seem to be operating as usual today, after yesterday's heatwave led to disruption.

Around half the scheduled Greater Anglia services ran yesterday - with 16 trains cancelled between Norwich and the capital.

The problem was caused by overhead power lines, which sag in high temperatures. Many were installed in the 1950s, and they're gradually being replaced.

An added problem is that rails can be damaged in the heat - they can handle temperatures up to 27C, but any higher can result in signalling problems or even buckled rails.

Greater Anglia spokeswoman Juliette Maxam says it would be far worse if they ignored Network Rail, and ran the trains at the usual speed.

"Then the lines would come down and we would have massive disruption and we'd have no trains rather than fewer trains."

The sister of a missing man who was last seen in Norfolk is to appear on BBC One's Crimewatch Roadshow this morning in an appeal for help in finding him.

Nigel Kedar, from St Osyth near Clacton, was last seen on 4 April when CCTV captured him walking along the A140 in Long Stratton.

He was also seen further south in Thelveton heading towards Suffolk, but a police helicopter search has failed to find him.

The 52-year-old father and builder had been visiting a friend in Norfolk.

Image source, Family photo