That's it from us at Essex Live - sadly we didn't get the sunshine we were hoping for today...
BBCCopyright: BBC
Good news though, we'll be back tomorrow morning from 08:00 to bring a smile to your face with the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the county.
In the news: Family of Chris May 'need answers'... 'Human cargo' made cries for help
Nick Alliker
BBC Essex
Good afternoon, here are the top stories from Essex Live:
The family of Chris May, whose disappearance in Essex last year is now being treated as murder, say they "need answers"
"Human cargo" sealed inside a container brought into the UK via Tilbury made cries for help which was heard by port workers, a jury at Basildon Crown Court heard
Colchester United winger Drey Wright has signed a new one-year contract with the League Two-bound club
Family of Chris May 'need answers'
The family of Chris May say they "need answers" to his death, which is now being treated as a murder investigation one year after he first disappeared.
BBC Look East reporter Richard Daniel has been to meet his mother Lorraine May and sisters Charlene and Gemma who are still struggling to come to terms with his disappearance.
John says he's caught bigger - so are stingray common in Essex?
John says this isn't the first time he has caught a large stingray off the Essex coast, which may seem a bit unusual if you're not a keen angler.
However, certain breeds are common in British waters and rays around the world thrive in habitats such as the sea, estuaries, rivers and streams, according to BBC Nature.
If you're unnerved by the famous barbed stinger on the tail, it's only used in self-defence, often when they are stepped on in shallow waters. Here's some NHS advice if you're ever stung.
BBCCopyright: BBC
'Massive' stingray caught off the coast of St Osyth
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
John PopplewellCopyright: John Popplewell
Check out this hefty 45lb (20.4kg) stingray that was landed off the coast of St Osyth on Monday morning by fisherman John Popplewell.
"It was returned alive and kicking after the photograph! We just had to mind out for its venomous tail," he said.
Tilbury docks people-smuggling trial: 'Human cargo' sealed in container
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
"Human cargo" sealed inside a container brought into the UK made cries for help which was heard by port workers, a jury heard.
AFP/Getty ImagesCopyright: AFP/Getty Images
Meet Singh Kapoor was found dead in the container being transported from Belgium to Tilbury in August 2014. He was one of 35 Afghan Sikhs in the container, Basildon Crown Court was told.
Northern Irish lorry drivers Stephen McLaughlin, 36, and Martin McGlinchey, 49, deny conspiring to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK. The trial continues.
Video: Chris May murder probe
Let's return to the story of Chris May, whose disappearance a year ago is now being investigated as a murder.
BBC Look East reporter Richard Daniel has been to the village of Fairstead where the 28-year-old's car was found.
Second owl hatches on live webcam
Before reading this next post, I must warn you you'll probably spend the next few hours glued to watching a live feed of an owl in a nest box...
That's because a second chick has been born, and it was caught hatching on the Essex Wildlife Trust's live Barn Owl webcam.
If you've only just heard about this you haven't missed all the action, as one egg is still to hatch and you can watch the feed here.
Help an Essex commuter find her lost sapphire engagement ring
#findthesapphire
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
This engagement ring belongs to a woman called Sarah. Sadly on her way to work today the sapphire fell out of it and now she needs your help to track it down.
Sarah ManbyCopyright: Sarah Manby
She was on the 08:18 train from Colchester to Chelmsford and it was at some point on that journey the stone disappeared.
"It has such happy memories of the day we got engaged, which was at Colchester Zoo next to the penguin enclosure," Sarah told me.
"The thought that Chris chose this ring specifically for me means a great deal and I can't imagine being without it."
Share on social media using #findthesapphire and hopefully we can get it back to Sarah!
Rail delays after object gets caught on overhead wires at Purfleet
BBC Travel
There are delays of up to 45 minutes on c2c services between Fenchurch Street and Grays due to an object being caught on the overhead electric wires at Purfleet.
Trains may be delayed or cancelled until 15:00.
Can we have some sunshine please?
It's looking a bit grey around Essex today...
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBCCopyright: BBC
BBCCopyright: BBC
Your pictures: Inquisitive otters at Colchester Zoo
Thanks to Alan Conran who emailed us this photo of some rather inquisitive otters at Colchester Zoo.
Alan ConranCopyright: Alan Conran
He said they are "probably wondering why everyone is lined up staring at them!"
University staff offered 'no overtime or extra rewards'
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
The vice president of the local University and College Union explained to me why some staff at the University of Essex are walking out for two days.
BBCCopyright: BBC
Prof Peter Patrick said: "We're technically on a 36-hour work week, but most of the academics I know work more than 50 hours and there's no overtime or extra rewards".
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association called the action "disappointing", saying the pay offer is a good one. It maintained the weighting of the offer means the worst paid university staff will get a rise of more than 5%.
Essex university staff strike over pay
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
I've been to the University of Essex's Wivenhoe campus where a strike is taking place.
Members of the University and College Union are walking out for two days in a nationwide pay dispute.
Live Reporting
Jack Warren
All times stated are UK
Get involved
BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images - The family of Chris May, whose disappearance in Essex last year is now being treated as murder, say they "need answers"
- "Human cargo" sealed inside a container brought into the UK via Tilbury made cries for help which was heard by port workers, a jury at Basildon Crown Court heard
- Colchester United winger Drey Wright has signed a new one-year contract with the League Two-bound club
BBCCopyright: BBC John PopplewellCopyright: John Popplewell AFP/Getty ImagesCopyright: AFP/Getty Images Essex Wildlife TrustCopyright: Essex Wildlife Trust Sarah ManbyCopyright: Sarah Manby View more on twitterView more on twitter BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC Alan ConranCopyright: Alan Conran BBCCopyright: BBC - The disappearance of Chris May from Kelvedon last seen a year ago is now being treated as a murder case, it has emerged
- A 17-year-old has been arrested in connection with an "unprovoked" suspected acid attack which left five teenage boys with burns
- Members of the University and College Union are on strike at universities in Essex this morning
View more on twitterView more on twitter BBCCopyright: BBC BBCCopyright: BBC
Latest PostOur live coverage across the day
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
That's it from us at Essex Live - sadly we didn't get the sunshine we were hoping for today...
Good news though, we'll be back tomorrow morning from 08:00 to bring a smile to your face with the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the county.
Have a great evening.
Weather: Cloudy tonight, warm sunshine tomorrow
BBC Weather
It'll be rather cloudy but a mainly dry night across the county. However, a few clearer breaks are possible in the south.
Minimum temperature: 7C (45F).
Early low cloud will disperse tomorrow morning. Then it will be mainly dry with variable amounts of cloud and sunny spells. Highs of 18C (64F).
You can get the latest forecast for your area at BBC Weather.
Colchester United's Drey Wright signs new one-year contract
BBC Sport
Colchester United winger Drey Wright has signed a new one-year contract with the League Two-bound club.
The 21-year-old made 13 appearances this season, but started only once in a goalless draw against Shrewsbury.
In the news: Family of Chris May 'need answers'... 'Human cargo' made cries for help
Nick Alliker
BBC Essex
Good afternoon, here are the top stories from Essex Live:
Family of Chris May 'need answers'
The family of Chris May say they "need answers" to his death, which is now being treated as a murder investigation one year after he first disappeared.
BBC Look East reporter Richard Daniel has been to meet his mother Lorraine May and sisters Charlene and Gemma who are still struggling to come to terms with his disappearance.
John says he's caught bigger - so are stingray common in Essex?
John says this isn't the first time he has caught a large stingray off the Essex coast, which may seem a bit unusual if you're not a keen angler.
However, certain breeds are common in British waters and rays around the world thrive in habitats such as the sea, estuaries, rivers and streams, according to BBC Nature.
If you're unnerved by the famous barbed stinger on the tail, it's only used in self-defence, often when they are stepped on in shallow waters. Here's some NHS advice if you're ever stung.
'Massive' stingray caught off the coast of St Osyth
Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water...
Check out this hefty 45lb (20.4kg) stingray that was landed off the coast of St Osyth on Monday morning by fisherman John Popplewell.
"It was returned alive and kicking after the photograph! We just had to mind out for its venomous tail," he said.
Tilbury docks people-smuggling trial: 'Human cargo' sealed in container
Laurence Cawley
BBC News
"Human cargo" sealed inside a container brought into the UK made cries for help which was heard by port workers, a jury heard.
Meet Singh Kapoor was found dead in the container being transported from Belgium to Tilbury in August 2014. He was one of 35 Afghan Sikhs in the container, Basildon Crown Court was told.
Northern Irish lorry drivers Stephen McLaughlin, 36, and Martin McGlinchey, 49, deny conspiring to smuggle illegal immigrants into the UK. The trial continues.
Video: Chris May murder probe
Let's return to the story of Chris May, whose disappearance a year ago is now being investigated as a murder.
BBC Look East reporter Richard Daniel has been to the village of Fairstead where the 28-year-old's car was found.
Second owl hatches on live webcam
Before reading this next post, I must warn you you'll probably spend the next few hours glued to watching a live feed of an owl in a nest box...
That's because a second chick has been born, and it was caught hatching on the Essex Wildlife Trust's live Barn Owl webcam.
If you've only just heard about this you haven't missed all the action, as one egg is still to hatch and you can watch the feed here.
Help an Essex commuter find her lost sapphire engagement ring
#findthesapphire
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
This engagement ring belongs to a woman called Sarah. Sadly on her way to work today the sapphire fell out of it and now she needs your help to track it down.
She was on the 08:18 train from Colchester to Chelmsford and it was at some point on that journey the stone disappeared.
"It has such happy memories of the day we got engaged, which was at Colchester Zoo next to the penguin enclosure," Sarah told me.
"The thought that Chris chose this ring specifically for me means a great deal and I can't imagine being without it."
Share on social media using #findthesapphire and hopefully we can get it back to Sarah!
Engineers en route to assess c2c line problem
Rail delays after object gets caught on overhead wires at Purfleet
BBC Travel
There are delays of up to 45 minutes on c2c services between Fenchurch Street and Grays due to an object being caught on the overhead electric wires at Purfleet.
Trains may be delayed or cancelled until 15:00.
Can we have some sunshine please?
It's looking a bit grey around Essex today...
Your pictures: Inquisitive otters at Colchester Zoo
Thanks to Alan Conran who emailed us this photo of some rather inquisitive otters at Colchester Zoo.
He said they are "probably wondering why everyone is lined up staring at them!"
Share your photos with us using #esxlive.
Weather: Cloudy and feeling chilly this lunchtime
BBC Weather
It's set to be a cloudy and chilly afternoon. Most places will remain dry though.
Maximum temperature: 13C (55F).
If you're heading out you'll find the latest forecast for your area at BBC Weather.
In the news: Chris May murder probe... Arrest in 'unprovoked' suspected acid attack
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
Good afternoon. If you're just joining us, here are the stories we've covered on Essex Live so far:
Stuck on the M11 earlier? Here's why
There have been no reports of any injuries...
University staff offered 'no overtime or extra rewards'
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
The vice president of the local University and College Union explained to me why some staff at the University of Essex are walking out for two days.
Prof Peter Patrick said: "We're technically on a 36-hour work week, but most of the academics I know work more than 50 hours and there's no overtime or extra rewards".
The Universities and Colleges Employers Association called the action "disappointing", saying the pay offer is a good one. It maintained the weighting of the offer means the worst paid university staff will get a rise of more than 5%.
Essex university staff strike over pay
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
I've been to the University of Essex's Wivenhoe campus where a strike is taking place.
Members of the University and College Union are walking out for two days in a nationwide pay dispute.