Exclusive
By Ben Twaters
Security Correspondent

Hopes were raised today that a planned terror attack on Ipswich could cause millions of pounds worth of improvements.

Alleged plans by so-called Islamic State to crash planes into Ipswich, Brighton, Bath and London were revealed in a national newspaper over the weekend.

The Sunday Express claimed ISIS-supporting commercial airline pilots had discussed attacks in coded radio communications picked up the RAF and passed to GCHQ.

Suffolk locals were shocked by the claims they could be targeted.

“Ipswich town centre has become a no-go zone in recent years. Flattening it would be a tremendous boost.”

There was still confusion in Whitehall about why Ipswich was selected.

A Home Office insider told the Suffolk Gazette: “Ipswich town centre is already a wasteland; there’s nothing of note there.

“We can only speculate that one of the ISIS commanders is a Norwich fan.

“Either that or they have opened up a surprise new battle front against pound shops, mobile phone outlets and street beggars.”

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EXCLUSIVE
By Hugh Dunnett, Crime Correspondent

A Norfolk family of three froze to death after a mix-up over a theatre sign, it emerged today.

The parents and their eight-year-old son had been queuing patiently for three days in the recent cold snap to see “Closed for the Winter” at the Roseland theatre in Mildenhall, Suffolk.

Theatre manager Rupert Chance told the Suffolk Gazette: “It’s very sad. I think the family were from a part of rural Norfolk where entertainment and communication with others is hard to come by.

“We believe they crossed the border by horse and cart to buy some essential provisions in Mildenhall. They must have passed by the theatre and assumed the sign was our latest production.”

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A Suffolk police insider said: “We can confirm a Norfolk family of three was found dead outside the Roseland theatre in Mildenhall last Friday. We have put barriers up around the entrance while we carry out a full investigation.

“We will not be releasing the names of the family until relatives have been informed, but there seems to be some confusion over siblings and parents.”

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Historic rivalry between Suffolk and Norfolk intensified today with news that the neighbouring East Anglian counties are separated by tectonic plates.

Geologists have discovered the plates stretching nearly 70 miles along the Suffolk-Norfolk border, from Brandon in the west to Beccles and Bungay in the east.

And they admit the extraordinary discovery might even explain the fierce football rivalry between Norwich City and their more illustrious and trophy-winning rivals Ipswich Town.

While it has always been accepted that the earth is composed of seven or eight major plates forming the continents, new surveying techniques are allowing geologists to uncover a number of minor plates all over the world.

“This is an interesting but not wholly unexpected discovery,” explained Professor Ian Pickett of UEA in Norwich. “This may be a small plate relative to the largest continents, but it is an important development in our understanding of the geology of England and East Anglia.

“And to have it quite literally on our doorstep is very fortunate for geologists like me.”

Professor Pickett believes the plates and the county border are exactly aligned and that Norfolk used to be what geologists term as a “mini isolated continent”.

Inbreeding

Experts say this would explain why traditionally the county is known for its backward thinking and inbreeding.

And the football rivalry could certainly be fuelled by these unseen underground forces.

“Absolutely,” Professor Pickett said. “Although not in my case as I support Charlton Athletic. But perhaps it’s no coincidence that the north folk of Norfolk and the south folk of Suffolk drew the county line where it is back in the 5th century.

“Don’t underestimate our forebears – the Angles would probably have had knowledge of the once great natural divide.”

But sports fan David Peters, 49, from Beccles dismissed the idea that this has anything do to with football allegiance.

“It’s a load of rubbish. I’m Suffolk born and bred but have always supported Norwich. It’s a lot closer to me than Ipswich and the wife does the shopping there.”

Meanwhile Janice Davey, of Bungay was more open to the idea. The 45-year-old said: “I’ve been a Town fan all of my life. I might live nearer Norwich but as a Suffolk girl I feel loyalty to the county town of Ipswich.

“Norwich might be in the Premier League now while Ipswich are down in the Championship – but form is temporary, class is permanent.”

Fears that the recently-found tectonic plates could cause earthquakes were allayed by locals. Doris Dawkins, 86, from Beccles, who lives with her long-suffering husband Fred, said nothing like that had ever happened.

“Certainly the earth hasn’t moved in my house for years,” she laughed.

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By Suffolk Gazette Staff

A bell-ringer was sensationally sacked after ringing out the Star Wars theme from his village church just before a service.

Steven Jacobs, 27, and a pal played the Imperial March from the bell tower at St Gregory’s Church in Bildeston on Tuesday – but locals failed to see the funny side when the imposing tune rang across the village, and complained to the vicar.

The Rev Evan Elpuss, although a Star Wars fan himself, was furious because churchgoers were due to arrive at any moment.

Mr Jacobs, who has seen the latest Star Wars movie, The Force Awakens, 13 times already, said: “We thought we’d do it for a laugh before everyone turned up. It sounded awesome – the lunchtime drinkers in the nearby Crown pub said they loved it – but the next thing I know I’ve been sacked.

“I’ve been part of the bell-ringing group at Bildeston for 15 years, and am very upset. The church has gone completely over the top.”

The Imperial March, composed by John Williams, is more associated with the first Star Wars trilogy and is the theme used to accompany Darth Vader and his evil dark side associates.

Mr Jacobs, who works as a carpenter in nearby Hitcham, said that dark side links may have been why the vicar sacked him.

But a source close to the church told the Suffolk Gazette Mr Jacobs had “deliberately distorted events”.

“We appreciate that Steven is a bit of a joker,” he said. “But there comes a point when you have to draw a line.

“The Darth Vader’s Imperial March is not an appropriate rallying call for a funeral, and Steven knows it. He might think the family didn’t notice but believe me they did – we all did. The bells could be heard for miles around.”