THE number of owners at risk of losing their homes in Lowestoft is up by nearly 50pc, according to government figures. Across the county more than 400 repossession orders were made during the first quarter of this year - up 33pc on the same time a year ago, meaning Suffolk has soared by a third.

A GROUP of WI members have become Suffolk's answer to the Calendar Girls after taking part in a daring photo shoot to raise awareness of skin cancer. An eight-strong team of women from Suffolk West Women's Institute bared their bodies for a good cause on Dunwich beach on Friday.

It may not be the most tuneful of classics but could this be the song that Lowestoft Town fans will be singing on their way to Wembley this Sunday as thousands of them make the journey to the iconic stadium?

TOURISM chiefs in Suffolk said last night they were confident the current spell of hot weather would be the catalyst for a record-breaking summer. They hope increasing interest in Suffolk as a holiday destination will create a massive boost to the local economy - surpassing previous years.

ALMOST 400 pupils missed nearly half their education during the autumn term in Suffolk last year, latest figures reveal. Children skipped the equivalent of nearly 52,952 school days in the county due to unauthorised absence during the term.

THINK Chelsea Flower Show and most people will naturally picture green-fingered gardeners pottering away to create a colourful floral exhibition. But in amongst the spectacular gardens and flowers, guests to the show will also have the opportunity to see one successful Lowestoft-company's latest developments.

A NEW mentoring project has been launched in Lowestoft for young people. JUMP (Junior2adult Unbiased Mentoring Project) was officially opened by Waveney MP Bob Blizzard and has been conceived by Louise Botwright to help 13-19-year-olds who are having problems at home or school to get their lives back on track.

A NEW publication showcasing major regeneration opportunities that will hopefully be realised in Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth has been launched on the international stage.

FISHERMEN in the Lowestoft area have been “thrown a lifeline” and will not have to stick to strict quotas as part of a study into the environmental impact of fishing boats.

LOWESTOFT'S outgoing female ambassador has urged women in the town to enter this year's Journal Carnival Queen competition. While reflecting on the past year, Emma Cooper said she had enjoyed every minute of representing the newspaper and the town.

THE contrast between the May Day bank holiday and Easter weather could hardly have been greater as wintry showers were replaced with warm sunshine and clear skies.

TWO drunken teenagers who took a car and crashed it into a stream have paid a high price for the crimes they committed after leaving a Lowestoft nightclub.

THE Conservatives maintained their grip on Waveney District Council following the local elections. The Tories lost two seats to Labour but also gained two seats so the balance of power remained very much in their favour.

THEY'VE been Lowestoft's lucky charm on the way to Wembley and an association will continue to back the Blues this weekend. Local company Barrier Ltd have sponsored all of the Trawler Boys matches at home in the FA Vase run and provided incentives in the two away games and now they've come up trumps with sponsorship of the squad's kit bags.

A PIONEERING link between the Foxborough Middle School and Lowestoft Town Football Club has been hailed as a “tremendous success.” After being invited to be ball-boys and ball-girls at the prestigious Suffolk Premier Cup tie at Crown Meadow last October - when the Trawler Boys beat Ipswich Town Reserves - a new idea was born.

INSPIRATIONAL - that was the buzz word as sporting excellence was recognised at a special ceremony this week. The annual Waveney Sports Awards were celebrated on Tuesday as nine trophies and certificates were handed out to honour “outstanding” successes and a wealth of sporting talent in the district.

A 13-YEAR-OLD schoolboy, a group of young entrepreneurs and a heartfelt letter from Germany are just some of the inspirational and touching nominations received this week for our Pride in the Community Awards.

A PIONEERING first for East Anglia has seen youngsters from Lowestoft getting into the groove in the classroom. Harris Middle School is leading the way with £24,000 of new equipment, which is proving to be a hit with pupils, staff and parents.

PLANS to close the residential unit at the Lothingland Community Unit, at Oulton, will also hit the respite care offered at the site, it was claimed this week.

LOWESTOFT'S bascule bridge is to be closed a staggering 37 times overnight. That will take completion of its refurbishment project through to at least October.

13,572. That's the amazing amount of loyal fans who will be backing Lowestoft Town FC at Wembley. They're being called the Trawler Boys' 12th man … and they have an absolutely crucial part to play in Lowestoft Town Football Club's dreams of lifting the FA Vase on Sunday.

A 14-year-old girl who went missing from her home at Holton near Halesworth on Tuesday, May 6, has been found safe and well. Holly Goodchild was found by officers in the Halesworth area last night, Thursday, May 8.

Bomb disposal experts were called to a Lowestoft construction site today (Thursday) after three Second World War grenades were dug up. The seafront Orbis Energy centre site at Ness Point was cordoned off after the SIP grenades, which were issued to the Home Guard, were discovered at 3.

Police are making enquiries to trace a man after a 10-year-old girl was approached in Dunwich Road in Blythburgh around 8.25am on May 7. The girl was walking along Dunwich Road when she spotted the man walking towards her.

. Two drunken teenagers who took a car and crashed it into a stream have paid a high price for the crimes they committed after leaving a Lowestoft nightclub.

Police are appealing for help in tracing a 14-year-old girl from Holton, near Halesworth, who went missing on Tuesday, May 6. Holly Goodchild was dropped off by her parents in Norwich Road in Halesworth around 8.

Two giant wind turbines are to be constructed on the outskirts of Lowestoft after a planning inspector gave the project the green light. Peter Beasley ruled in favour of energy company SLP after it appealed against Waveney District Council's failure to decide on the £4m plans.

It could buy you a two-bedroom terrace in Darlington, but £70,000 will stretch only as far as a beach hut in the popular seaside resort of Southwold. The smart blue and white hut, called Reverie, is in the highly sought-after Gun Hill area of the town, near the harbour, and could be yours for offers of more than £70,000.

A police sniffer dog unit has been brought in to reinforce a college's zero tolerance approach to drugs. Suffolk police's passive dog unit was called in for the day-long operation at Lowestoft College's St Peter's Street campus and only a few key members of staff were told to ensure the results were an accurate reflection of a normal day.

A talented television producer and former weather forecaster would still be alive today if she had been wearing a seatbelt when her car crashed, an inquest has heard.