BBC Local Live: Essex

A milestone has been reached for the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance as for the first time it has raised enough money to buy its very own helicopter.

Essex and Herts Air AmbulanceCopyright: Essex and Herts Air Ambulance

The £6m Agusta Westland will be operational from July 2017 when the lease for its current aircraft runs out. 

Rob Forsyth, chair of the trust, called the purchase "magnificent" and thanked members of the public for their continued donations. 

Remember the 'Van' Gogh story we told you about earlier? We've had no luck tracing the artist who drew the picture using the dirt of a vehicle - but we have spoke to a man who has done something similar.

Ruddy MuddyCopyright: Ruddy Muddy

Ruddy Muddy from Norfolk is a "van artist" and is responsible for the picture above. He says he loves making the artwork because "it's so much nicer than seeing a rude comment". 

When asked what he thought about the Essex 'Van' Gogh's work, he said it: "Looks cool".

Any isolated showers will soon die out this evening to leave a dry and clear night across all parts. These clear skies, coupled with light winds, will allow a fairly widespread frost to develop. 

Minimum temperature: 0C (32F).

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After a chilly start tomorrow, a fine, albeit increasingly breezy day will follow with light winds and plenty of sunshine.

Here are the top stories from Essex this afternoon:

• A 65-year-old woman remains in a critical condition in hospital after a fatal crash in Weeley that killed two men on Monday
• Bosses at Stansted Airport are defending their decision to increase the terminal's drop-off charges to £3 for 10 minutes as of tomorrow 

• Southend United manager Phil Brown insists the Shrimpers' play-off ambitions are realistic with seven league games remaining  

South Ockendon, Brentwood, Loughton, Epping, Rayleigh and Canvey police stations are closing their doors to the public tomorrow.

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In total, 15 of the county's front desks are shutting in a bid to reduce the money spent on Essex Police buildings that aren't well-used by residents.

Stations in Grays, Basildon, Harlow, Chelmsford, Braintree, Colchester, Clacton and Maldon are due to remain open to the public.

Southend United manager Phil Brown insists the Shrimpers' play-off ambitions are realistic with seven league games remaining.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

After last night's win over Sheffield United, Brown's side are just six points outside the top six.

"If we carry on like this, with seven games to go we might get enough points to get into the play-offs," the 56-year-old told BBC Essex. "It's not rocket science," he continued. "It's simple mathematics."

Southend Hospital did not have enough staff, beds or capacity for new patients for more than half of last year.

Thanks to Alan Conran who emailed this picture a short while ago. 

He said: "View towards Clacton pier this afternoon as dark cloud looms over ominously..."

Alan ConranCopyright: Alan Conran

The A12 is closed Chelmsford-bound between J14 and J15 for Ingatestone due to an accident. 

Essex Police officer Colin Shead says emergency services are on the scene.

Tributes have been paid to an alcoholic whose battle against the booze was charted on TV reality show Jaywick: Benefits By The Sea.  

Have you seen this video? 

It shows a taxi driver being given a parking ticket for dropping off an elderly passenger on double yellow lines in Chelmsford... and it's sparked much debate as to whether he was doing a good thing or blatantly breaking the law.

The footage, which sees the passenger give the traffic warden a ticking-off, has been viewed more than 100,000 times online since the incident happened on Tuesday. 

Chelmsford City Council said the warden had "no choice" but to issue a ticket as that was "the requirement of his job". 

But Dan Robinson, owner of The Chauffeur Company whose driver was caught, told BBC Essex he was "furious" at the fine.    

It was a glorious start in Essex this morning, as captured by BBC Weather Watcher "royboy" who sent us this photo from Clacton-on-Sea.

BBC Weather Watchers/royboyCopyright: BBC Weather Watchers/royboy

We love seeing your photos from around Essex. If you'd like to share them, you can send us an email, a tweet or visit us on Facebook.

It will be a mainly dry and fine afternoon with light winds and some good sunny spells. However, one or two showers may well develop, and they could be heavy with thunder.

Maximum temperature: 12C (54F).

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Get the latest weather updates for Essex here.

Here are the top stories in Essex this lunchtime: 

• A second man has died following a crash on the A133 in Weeley on Monday, police say
• Bosses at Stansted Airport are defending their decision to increase the terminal's drop-off charges to £3 for 10 minutes as of tomorrow 
• An Essex taxi boss says he's furious one of his cars was given a ticket for dropping off an elderly passenger on double yellow lines

Bosses at Stansted Airport are defending their decision to increase the terminal's drop-off charges to £3 for 10 minutes as of tomorrow. 

We've been hearing from many listeners who aren't happy.

Stansted AirportCopyright: Stansted Airport

Quote Message: It's really disheartening that they've taken this approach to maximum their revenues" from Andy Local taxi driver

It's really disheartening that they've taken this approach to maximum their revenues"

If you're a regular user of Stansted Airport - we'd love to hear what you think about this story. You can email us, tweet us, or visit our Facebook page.

You may have heard the sad news announced a short while ago that Ronnie Corbett has died aged 85.

Many famous faces have taken to social media to pay their respects to the entertainer, including Essex entrepreneur Lord Sugar, who tweeted: "Sad news about Ronnie Corbett, very funny man R.I.P".

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A special live page has been set up with reaction to the star's death. You can view that here.

It seems this isn't the first time the 'Van' Gogh of Essex (as we're now calling the artist) has struck in Essex... 

Dan Gleeballs tweeted this photo he took on the A12 last week.

Twitter/@Dan_b_80Copyright: Twitter/@Dan_b_80

Do you know who's doing the artwork? Drop us an email, a tweet or visit our Facebook page.  

A second man has died following a crash on the A133 in Weeley on Monday, police say.

GoogleCopyright: Google

A 74-year-old from Brandon in Suffolk died at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge yesterday. He was the driver of a Kia Sedona which crashed with a red Ford Focus. 

Another man, 70, from Clacton, was pronounced dead at the scene. A 65-year-old woman remains in a critical, but stable condition in hospital in Colchester. 

From tomorrow there will be an increase in the amount you pay to use the drop-off zone at Stansted Airport.

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The north Essex terminal is increasing the charge for a 10 minute stay from £2.50 to £3. A £50 fine is also being introduced for anybody who exceeds their time.

Bosses say the drop-off is a "premium service" which people do not have to use, and the airport is trying to reduce congestion there.