BBC Local Live: Norfolk

Greater Anglia has responded to criticism by the Office of Rail and Road (ORR) over the use of office workers who were trained up to work as guards during the recent industrial action by members of the RMT.

The Chief Inspector of Railways has written to the rail operator having identified a "number of areas with deficiencies" that need to be addressed.

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Train Service Director for Greater Anglia, Richard Dean, said he was somewhat disappointed over the letter: "We met the ORR and we took them through our arrangements.

"We believe 100% that our arrangements were robust and we are following that up with the ORR.

"We said to them we would not use our contingency conductors until such time as we'd satisfied them that the arrangements were robust.

"We made that offer to them, they didn't tell us to do it.

"What we are actually talking about is a piece of administration that they want to see ie they want us to write up what we did, and that's exactly what we have done.

"We'll be sitting down with them and we'll be going through in as much detail as they want until they are satisfied.

"I am absolutely satisfied that our arrangements were 100% robust."

The general secretary of Unison has written to the Home Secretary, Amber Rudd, urging her to intervene to stop the scrapping of Police Community Support Officers in the county.

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Dave Prentis writes: "This is an extremely short-sighted move by the Norfolk constabulary.

"Police community support officers play a vital role maintaining police and community relations.

"They also tackle low-level crime and anti-social behaviour, which would otherwise fall to hard-pressed police officers to deal with.

"Ruthless budget cuts are forcing police forces to make unsavoury choices, which damage public confidence and coerce already over-burdened police staff into taking on yet more responsibilities.

"I urge you to intervene in the matter and call for a rethink in the approach to police budgets - the protection of the public is in everyone's interest."

A consultation with police staff is currently being carried out.

There'll be a few clear spells at first tonight where it will turn a little chilly, but thickening cloud will eventually bring outbreaks of rain from the west.

Southerly winds will strengthen during the early hours, with temperatures initially falling to 8C (46F) but becoming milder by dawn.

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There'll be a sunny start to Saturday morning, with just a few isolated showers, but these will become more widespread as cloud builds through the day.

Windy with southwesterly winds gusting 40-50mph during the afternoon, temperatures peaking at 16C (61F).

Get the full forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

The Rail Union, the RMT, is demanding that Greater Anglia be stripped of its franchise after comments by the Chief Inspector of Railways.

The safety organisation has told the train operator that until issues are resolved, office staff can't be used again as replacements.

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The RMT had raised a number of safety concerns when the train company used replacements for the guards who were on strike.

There was an incident at Ipswich station where the doors were opened on the wrong side.

The RMT also says there was a safety breach on the East Suffolk line when office staff were being trained, when doors were opened while a train was moving.

We'll bring you reaction from Greater Anglia shortly.

"Unprecedented" demand for tickets to see Gary Barlow in his Forest Live gig at Thetford Forest next year is being blamed for big problems being reported on social media.

Here are some of the comments on the BBC Suffolk Facebook page:

• Helen Robinson writes: "I was in the queue at 10am...number 950....i waited an hour and 38 minutes and was directed to the website only to be told due to high usage i could'nt acess the site"
• Ronan Devlin said: "Website crippled. Unable to sign in or re register. Phone either engaged or hangs up after option 1"
• Jacqueline Taylor posts: "No access to website, as too many people trying to access it. Telephone calls get through and get told no one to answer call. So frustrated"

In a statement, the Forestry Commission has said: "Tickets went on sale this morning for Forest Live dates next Summer by Gary Barlow and Paul Heaton & Jacqui Abbott.

"Unfortunately due to a technical issue with an external ticketing software platform the system stalled.

"Additionally due to an unprecedented demand for tickets phone lines were also down for a while.

"We apologise for any inconvenience caused."

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Ipswich Town could have both striker Joe Garner (pictured) and midfielder Tom Adeyemi back for Sunday's Championship fixture with Norwich City at Portman Road.

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Garner missed last weekend's 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United with a knee injury, while Adeyemi has missed the last two matches with a hamstring problem.

Manager Mick McCarthy believes the latter is in with a good chance of featuring against his former club this weekend, and remains hopeful on Garner, who has clearly impressed him since joining the Blues from Rangers.

"He's trained today with the physios," said McCarthy. "He's done what he needed to do in order to be out training with his teammates tomorrow, to be in with a chance of playing on Sunday.

"He's a really important player for us. I thought he would be when I signed him, but as a footballer he is better than what I thought he was, which is always nice."

Work is to begin on finding ways to connect the new Norwich Northern Distributor Road to the A 47 West of Norwich.

There are fears the project, which is being called the Norwich Western link, could damage the sensitive wildlife in the Wensum Valley

Martin Wilby, chair of the county council's transport committee, which has backed the project, said: "We all love our local environment, all of our animals, wildlife, and we need to make sure we don't interfere with them too much, or there must be a solution to the problem.

"Whether it's a bridge or whatever, we need to get on with it."

A woman who was rescued from a lake at the University of East Anglia in Norwich has been identified.

She remains at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in a critical condition, police say.

No personal belongings, other than a key attached to a red Cath Kidston key ring, were found at the scene when the woman was discovered on Wednesday afternoon.

BBC Radio Norfolk's Rob Butler has been at the Norwich City press conference ahead of Sunday's derby at Portman Road:

Do you know a youngster who'd like to report on their own sports story at the BBC?

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What are we looking for?

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*Please note this is an opportunity for people studying at school, college or a youth group. This is not a suitable opportunity for university students or apprentices studying at university level.

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Plymouth Argyle have signed Norwich City goalkeeper Remi Matthews on an emergency loan.

The 23-year-old is set to be the fifth goalkeeper to play for Argyle this season and comes in after Kyle Letheren hurt his thigh on Tuesday at Blackburn.

Teenager Michael Cooper made his debut as a substitute, with Luke McCormick and Robbert te Loeke also both injured.

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Clubs can sign a keeper on loan outside the transfer window if all their professional keepers are unavailable.

Matthews is yet to make a first team appearance for Norwich, but has had two spells on loan in League One - in 2015-16 with Burton Albion and Doncaster.

He also played 27 times for Scottish Premiership side Hamilton Academicals on a season-long loan last season.

Norfolk County Council has decided to move ahead with proposals to extend the age range at North Denes School and close the Alderman Swindell Primary School, pictured, in Great Yarmouth.

The decision, which follows a consultation period on the plans, means a new 420-place school will be built for primary-aged children in the north Yarmouth area.

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Matt Dunkley, interim director of Children's Services, said: "I have considered the representations made during the consultation and I am very aware of the passion and support for keeping Alderman Swindell.

"However, I have to look at this purely from an educational perspective, to do what is best for children both now and in the long term."

Norfolk County Council says it will now work closely with both schools during the transition to the new school building, to ensure that the changes are well planned for current pupils.

All existing children will be offered a place at North Denes Primary from September 2018, when the changes take place.

The new building will be separate from the current North Denes buildings, meaning that children can continue to be taught in the current classrooms while the building project goes ahead.

A woman in her 60s has suffered leg and head injuries after being hit by a car in Ber Street in Norwich this morning.

It happened near the junction with Finkelgate at about 07:15.

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It happened near the junction with Finkelgate at about 07:15.

Police say Ber Street could be closed for some time.

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