BBC Local Live: Norfolk

These elections have seen UKIP wiped off the county council political map. Most surprisingly, they lost every single seat in Essex, an area that fostered their growth and of course, until recently boasted their only MP. In all they lost 48 seats across the east and now have no representation across its six counties.

The Conservatives appear to be the beneficiary. They have regained control of Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and Suffolk and strengthened their grip on Essex, Northamptonshire and Hertfordshire.

Labour held on in some of its heartland seats but suffered elsewhere, particularly in Stevenage and Harlow, where the Conservatives made gains.

PACopyright: PA

It was a mixed picture for the Liberal Democrats who lost seats on Essex, Suffolk and Northamptonshire but they made some gains from the Conservatives in Norfolk.

The Green Party lost their stronghold in Norwich but made a gain in Suffolk where they now hold three county council  seats.

The vote share from yesterday's local elections confirms that across the east the Conservatives are once again the dominant party.

With all the votes counted, the Tories share of the vote ranged from 43% in Suffolk and Essex to a staggering 51% in Northamptonshire. The national average appears to be about 38%.

Labour saw a small surge in support in its traditional heartlands and its average share across the region was 13.7%. But that's way below the national average of 27% and shows how little support the party has in our region.

Look East Political Correspondent Andrew Sinclair is hearing rumours of a possible leadership challenge to Norfolk County Council Conservative group leader Cliff Jordan - following the Tory victory:

In Norfolk, the Conservative party gained 114,038 votes in yesterday's local elections - 48.74% of the vote.

It's higher than the national projected vote share for the Tories, which stands at 38%.

The projected national share figures are what the share of the vote would be if all parts of Britain had local elections and had voted in the same way as Thursday's English County Council elections.  

A Norwich band Sink Ya Teeth supported by BBC Norfolk Introducing has secured a record contract and is releasing a single.

Sink Ya TeethCopyright: Sink Ya Teeth

The single If You See Me, which has already been played on BBC Radio 6 Music and championed by DJ Steve Lamacq, is being released by 1965 Records -  a label that discovered The View.

The record is being launched at a gig at the Norwich Arts Centre on 31 May.

Gary Standley, producer of BBC Norfolk Introducing, said: "Sink Ya Teeth have produced an amazing electro beat track that shows this band is really going places and getting noticed."

The band is made up of Maria Uzor and Gemma Cullingford (pictured) who have both been long-time members of Norwich’s vibrant music scene, partnering up 18 months ago to form Sink Ya Teeth.

Their influences range from Grace Jones to Nina Simone and Howlin’ Wolf.

“I’m interested in the human experience,” Maria, Sink Ya Teeth’s lead vocalist, explains.“Particularly through a lens of desire and regret.”

Police have been called to a serious road traffic accident the A47 in Scarning.

Officers were called shortly before 15:00 today to reports of a collision involving a car and lorry on Grange Road at the junction of Manor Road.

The road has been closed while emergency services are in attendance and is likely to be for some time. 

Diversions have been put in place and motorists are being urged to find alternative routes where possible. 

This evening it will be staying mostly fine with some areas of cloud at times. One or two spots of drizzle possible overnight, but staying mild.

Winds will be moderate, with lows of 7C (45F).

BBCCopyright: BBC

It will be a rather cloudy start to the day tomorrow. Generally cloudier than today with some brighter spells, but feeling cooler.

Winds light to moderate and highs of 10C (50F) on the coast and 14C (57F) inland.

There's more at BBC Weather.

Police have echoed a judge's comments following the sentencing of a driver to 10 years in jail after a man was seriously injured in a hit-and-run crash.

Norfolk PoliceCopyright: Norfolk Police

Judge Mark Dennis said people could easily have been killed in the incident, as he passed sentence on Darren Blackmore.

Det Insp Matt Dyson, of Norfolk police, agreed the "shocking crime" could have had "fatal consequences".

"The very serious deliberate act was most likely due to a relatively minor matter earlier the evening before, a matter that the victim and his friends had no part in. 

"We hope the sentencing provides some comfort for the victim,” he said.

Archive: Police release CCTV footage in appeal

The victim of the North Walsham hit-and-run crash suffered "extensive" injuries and now has a permanent limp, Norwich Crown Court heard earlier today.

Norfolk PoliceCopyright: Norfolk Police

Matthew Knowles, 30, was left with a fractured pelvis, leg and shattered kneecap after being thrown high into the air when he was driven at by Darren Blackmore last summer.

In a victim impact statement, the father-of-one said it was initially thought he might not walk for a year although he can now get around with the help of splints.

Before the crash Mr Knowles said his life was "simple and happy"... and he would "never be able to explain the impact".

Despite living in the town, he has been unable to return to the scene of the crash, prosecutor Stephen Mather told the court.

ECBCopyright: ECB

Know any young children who might be interested in having a go at cricket?

Now's the time to get them involved with the England & Wales Cricket Board's (ECB) grassroots programme for five- to eight-year-olds called All Stars Cricket.

All Stars Cricket is an eight-week course that is being introduced in May through local cricket clubs and centres, offering youngsters a first experience of the sport.  

Sign up here and children will receive a backpack of cricket gear. 

As we've just reported, hit-and-run driver Darren Blackmore has been jailed for 10 years after leaving a man with life-changing injuries after mowing him down in a car park last summer.

PACopyright: PA

Victim Matthew Knowles, 30, was out with two friends in the early hours of 23 July when he was hit in the Vicarage Street car park.

Judge Mark Dennis told Blackmore that it was "pure chance all three were not killed".

In summing up, Judge Dennis said it was a "gratuitous act of violence by you of three innocent people... defenceless, unaware, unable to protect themselves.

"You used the car as a weapon."

A motorist who drove into a group of people - throwing one man up into the air and leaving him with a broken pelvis - has been jailed for 10 years.

Norfolk PoliceCopyright: Norfolk Police

The victim suffered multiple fractures and now has a permanent limp after being struck in the hit-and-run in a car park in North Walsham last year.

Darren Blackmore, 44, formerly of Cantley Lane, Norwich, admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Norwich Crown Court heard he was high on drugs and talking on his phone at the time of the crash, which was caught on CCTV.

The Conservatives have regained control of Norfolk County Council, winning 55 out 84 seats.

Leader Cliff Jordan said he was "very pleased" with the results.

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"It’s justification of the hard work the Conservatives have done over the last two years and particularly the last year," he told BBC Radio Norfolk.

"I always thought we’d do well because there’s a culture of work it out bottom up - not top down - and we are genuinely listening.

"We’re going to deliver our manifesto – that is a contract between us and the public – they can hold us to account on that."

Norfolk County CouncilCopyright: Norfolk County Council

The main headlines:

• The Conservatives have taken control of Norfolk County Council
• UKIP and the Green Party have been wiped out, and no longer have any seats on the council
• The Liberal Democrats gained seats in the north, and Labour in Norwich
• But the Tories won 55 out of the 84 seats