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Live Reporting

Jack Warren

All times stated are UK

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  1. Our live coverage across the day

    That's all from the team at Essex Live today - thanks for stopping by. 

    If you've just found us, take a scroll back through the day's coverage and have a catch up.

    We'll be back tomorrow morning from 08:00. Have a great evening. 

  2. Weather: Showers continuing throughout tonight

    Julie Reinger

    BBC Look East weather

    The showers will ease a little but will still continue through the evening and overnight. 

    Some clearer spells could spread into western areas by dawn but there will likely still be showers.

    Minimum temperature: 11C (52F).

    Weather for the East

    Any remaining showers from overnight will clear, leaving a mostly dry morning with sunny spells. However further showers are likely later.

    You'll find your local forecast via BBC Weather.

  3. The top stories we've covered today:

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    If you're just joining us, here are the top stories we've covered on Essex Live today: 

    • A Canvey Island mother was stabbed 40 times in the face and neck and bludgeoned to death with a hammer in a "frenzied attack", a court has heard
    • Essex gymnasts Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan have both been selected to represent Team GB at the Rio Games
    • A stolen Bentley Continental has been returned to its owners in Tilbury after it was taken during a burglary on Sunday
  4. What a difference a few hours make...

    Earlier it was glorious sunshine across Essex - but we did warn you it was likely to turn sour...

    Tollesbury
    Colchester
    Silver End

    We love seeing your pictures, you can tweet them to us using #esxlive, drop us an email, or visit our Facebook page

  5. That's all from court today

    Richard Smith

    BBC Essex

    That's all from day one of the murder trial at Chelmsford Crown Court today. We'll be following this case throughout its duration. Here's what we know so far:

    • Anthony Ayres, 49, is on trial accused of murdering Kelly Pearce, 36, on Canvey Island last year 
    • Today, prosecutors told jurors Ms Pearce was stabbed "40 times" in the face and neck and bludgeoned to death with a hammer in a "frenzied attack"
    • The court also heard Mr Ayres had previously been convicted of the murder of another woman in 1993
    • The trial is expected to last three weeks 

    Read the full story here

  6. Anthony Ayres has previous murder conviction, court told

    Richard Smith

    BBC Essex

    Chelmsford Crown Court has been told that Anthony Ayres had previously been convicted of the murder of another woman in 1993. 

    The 49-year-old of Fairlop Avenue, Canvey, denies murdering Kelly Pearce in November last year. 

    The trial continues. 

  7. Kelly Pearce was 'something of a local character'

    Richard Smith

    BBC Essex

    Continuing his outlining case, prosecutor Cairns Nelson QC has told Chelmsford Crown Court that Kelly Pearce was "something of a local character" on Canvey Island. 

    Chelmsford Crown Court

    "She liked a drink and liked drugs", he told jurors.

    Mr Nelson said Anthony Ayres, who denies murdering Ms Pearce, was single and lived on his own at a block of flats down her road. 

    "There is some evidence that there may have been relationship between the deceased and the defendant. It may be a casual relationship, that may be in dispute", he said.

  8. Canvey Island mother 'stabbed 40 times' in 'frenzied attacked', court hears

    Richard Smith

    BBC Essex

    A mother found dead inside the bathroom of a Canvey Island flat was the victim of a "frenzied attack", Chelmsford Crown Court has heard.

    Police cordon

    The prosecution has begun outlining its case against 49-year-old Anthony Ayres, who is accused of murdering Kelly Pearce, 36, in November last year. 

    Cairns Nelson QC said Ms Pearce was "stabbed 40 times to the face and neck... She also suffered 10 blunt force impacts to the head, causing skull damage and brain damage, consistent with the use of a hammer".

    Mr Ayres denies murder. The trial continues.

  9. Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan selected for Team GB gymnastic squad

    Congratulations to Essex gymnasts Max Whitlock and Brinn Bevan who have both been selected to represent Team GB at the Rio Games. 

    Max Whitlock
    Brinn Bevan

    Basildon based Whitlock, 23, will be hoping to add an Olympic gold to the world gold he won on the pommel horse last year.

    Meanwhile Southend's Bevan, 19, has been selected despite breaking his leg in two places in November.

  10. Weather: Scattered showers, with risk of thundery downpours

    BBC Weather

    Many of us will see further showers this afternoon and these could then turn heavy and thundery in places, with some slow moving torrential downpours possible. 

    Maximum temperature: 21C (70F).

    Braintree

    Thanks to BBC Weather Watcher "Skippys weather" who sent us this forecast from Braintree railway station earlier. They reported temperatures at about 16C (60.8F).

    Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

  11. 'High School Musical has a lot to answer for' - Essex mum angry at prom 'rip off'

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    Big dresses, high heels and limousines - yes it's the school prom season again.

    It's another American concept that us Brits have embraced, and with each year that goes by the parties seem to become even more lavish. 

    Prom

    Well one Essex parent (I'm sure there's many more) has become so fed up with the spiralling cost of her daughter's prom, she has taken to social media to vent. 

    "It just winds me up that it is simply a money making scheme", Emma Burns from Billericay wrote. 

    Aside from the £170 dress, Ms Burns complained about the additional costs of altering, shoes, hair and nails. 

    "We never had one when we were at school and I don't think we ever felt we were missing out", she added. 

    Maybe you're feeling the same as Emma. Are proms a rip off or a lovely way to celebrate your child's educational success? Tweet us using #esxlive or drop us an email

  12. If you're just joining us...

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    Hello there, if you're on your lunch break and just stopping by, here are the top stories we've covered on Essex Live so far: 

  13. Jury sworn in for Canvey Island murder trial

    Richard Smith

    BBC Essex

    A jury of six women and six men have been sworn in for the trial of a man accused of the murder of a woman on Canvey island.

    Kelly Pearce

    The victim, Kelly Pearce, 36, was found with serious injuries on 19 November last year. She later died in hospital.

    Anthony Ayres, 49, of Fairlop Avenue on Canvey has denied murder. The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court is expected to last three weeks. 

  14. Colchester MP to hold monthly meeting in town's McDonalds

    If you've got an issue that you'd like to raise with your local MP you'd usually send a letter, email or visit an advice surgery at their constituency office.

    McDonalds

    Well the Conservative MP for Colchester is trying to make himself a bit more accessible, by holding a regular surgery in the town's McDonalds. 

    The Gazzette reports that Will Quince will become the first in the country to have his constituent meetings at the fast food restaurant in Cowdray Avenue. It is also in addition to a monthly surgery in Asda.

    Read the full story here.

  15. Essex MPs attend David Cameron's final cabinet as UK prime minister

    A couple of our MPs have just been to David Cameron's last cabinet meeting as Theresa May prepares to take over. 

    The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and MP for Maldon tweets:

    View more on twitter

    The MP for Harlow also wrote:

    View more on twitter
  16. Max Whitlock set to be named in Rio 2016 Olympics squad

    Basildon gymnast Max Whitlock is set to be named in the British Olympic Squad for Rio 2016 later today. 

    Max Whitlock

    The 23-year-old missed the recent European Championships with a viral illness. 

    Club-mate Brinn Bevan is also in contention, despite breaking his leg in November.

  17. Stolen Bentley returned to owners after it was taken while they were on holiday

    A luxury car has been returned to its owners after it was stolen while they were away on holiday. 

    The Bentley Continental, which brand new costs an eye watering £140,000, was taken during a burglary at a property in Tilbury on Sunday. 

    Stolen Bentley

    Luckily, there was a tracker fitted to the vehicle which located it 20 miles (32km) away in a car park in Hellendoorn Road, Canvey, yesterday.

    Two women, one of whom was found with the keys in her bra, have been arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and burglary, Essex Police said.

  18. A nice start across Essex - will it last?

    A beautiful start across Essex today - although if you're heading out you may want to pack your rain mac as showers are forecast later today.

    Writtle
    Chelmsford
    Tollesbury
  19. Patients raise over £10k to help keep Essex GP surgery afloat

    A crowdfunding page to help keep an Essex GP surgery afloat has raised more than £10,000. 

    Dr John Cormack

    Patients at the Greenwood Surgery in South Woodham Ferrers began fundraising earlier this year, with a hope of raising £5,000 to help pay towards the electricity, heating, and equipment upkeep. 

    Head GP, Dr John Cormack, said the amount raised, which was more than double the target, came as a "huge surprise". 

    "It's a tremendous boost for morale. It's very helpful for placing worn and old equipment that's unreliable," he said.