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  1. Our live coverage across the week

    Updates from Essex Live have now ended - thanks for stopping by.

    Here are the top stories we have covered today:

    Join us again on Monday for more news from the county.

    Have a great weekend. 

  2. Weather: Dry for most - turning cold

    Dan Holley

    BBC Look East weather

    Dry for much of tonight with clear spells across the region, but cloud will increase with outbreaks of rain arriving from the west later. 

    Chilly initially with temperatures falling to 2C (36F), but turning milder later as the southerly winds strengthen.

    Weather map for Saturday

    Saturday will be rather cloudy and breezy with outbreaks of rain for much of the day, turning drier but quite misty from the west later. 

    Feeling cold in the wind and rain, despite temperatures reaching 9C (48F).

    Visit BBC Weather for more details.

  3. Your pictures: Essex at sunset

    BBC Weather Watchers

    Some cracking shots of the sunset have been uploaded to BBC Weather Watchers from around Essex.

    Leigh
    Clacton
    Hawkwell
  4. Cat found with leg caught in illegal trap

    A cat has been found with its leg crushed inside a "vicious" illegal "gin" trap, the RSPCA says.

    Cat in a trap

    The animal was discovered hiding under a car in Kelvedon yesterday morning with the rusty snare still attached to its right paw. 

    Thankfully, the cat was released from the trap and is now recieving treatment for its injuries. 

    The animal charity had condemned the incident. 

  5. Driving instructor police work a 'first in the UK'

    Tendring is the first place in the UK to use driving instructors to spot crime and share intelligence with the police, the force claims. 

    Left to right, Lisa Scott (Secretary of CADDI) Marion Bell (Special Constable and driving instructor), PC Rob Willmott, Insp Julia Finch and Sue Whiteley (Chairman of CADDI).

    Ch Insp Russ Cole said: "In my talks with partners it became clear we need to act smarter and we have this group of professional people who are very knowledgeable about their local areas.

    "They will not look out of place going about their normal business and can spot when there is something out of the ordinary." 

    Ch Insp Cole added that driving instructors would be used as a supplementary resource.

  6. Sible Hedingham shooting: A number of rounds were fired, court hears

    Kate Scotter

    BBC News

    A number of gunshots were fired in Sible Hedingham on the night a millionaire's mansion was raided, a court has been hearing.

    The door through which Mr Mardon was shot

    Christopher Bergin, 27, who denies aggravated burglary, told Chelmsford Crown Court that his co-defendant Charlie Simms, 23, fired two gunshots outside his grandmother's house and then another into the stairs before they left.

    They then walked to the Old Rectory, where the owner Timothy Mardon, 51, was eventually shot in the leg.

    Mr Bergin said Mr Simms smashed a window with the butt of the gun and he "heard a bang" when he was leaving the property.

    "It didn't sound like a proper loud bang," said Mr Bergin. "It sounded like the door was being kicked or something."

    Mr Mardon was shott hrough his bedroom door, the court previously heard.

    Mr Bergin and his two co-defendants deny all the charges against them.

    The trial continues.

  7. Driving instructors to become crime fighters

    Driving instructors in Tendring are being used to spot crime while travelling around the district, it has been announced.

    Tendring

    About 100 tutors have agreed to be an "extra pair of eyes and ears" for police, spotting wanted criminals and reporting suspicious activity. 

    The initiative is to be trialled initially for six months to see how it goes.

  8. Sible Hedingham shooting: Co-defendant was 'very drunk', says accused

    Kate Scotter

    BBC News

    During the Sible Hedingham shooting court case, Christopher Bergin described his co-defendant Charlie Simms as being "very drunk".

    Police car outside the Old Rectory

    Mr Bergin said he was at his grandmother's house with a girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, when Mr Simms arrived with a shotgun.

    The "mood changed" when the girl refused to have sex with them, the court heard.

    Mr Simms then asked Mr Bergin to go to the Old Rectory which he believed to be connected to drug dealing, the jury was told.

    Mr Bergin, Mr Simms and Kalebh Shreeve, 24, of Gibson Road, Halstead, all deny offences, including aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm.

    Mr Simms also denies attempted murder.

    The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court continues.

  9. Sible Hedingham shooting: Accused man was 'scared' of co-defendant

    Kate Scotter

    BBC News

    A man accused of burgling a millionaire's mansion told a jury he was "scared" of his co-defendant who was carrying a shotgun.

    The Old Rectory, Sible Hedingham

    Christopher Bergin, 27, of Hawkwood Road in Sible Hedingham, told Chelmsford Crown Court that he went with co-defendant Charlie Simms to the Old Rectory in Sible Hedingham because he was "scared of getting myself shot".

    He said they scaled a wall and Mr Simms, 23, of North Road in Halstead, broke in using the butt of the shotgun he was carrying.

    Property owner Timothy Mardon was shot in the leg during the break-in. 

    Mr Bergin, who denies aggravated burglary, said he thought he heard "a kick" rather than "a bang".

  10. Man charged with six counts of Poppy Appeal thefts

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    An update on an arrest we told you about earlier today.

    A man has been charged with six counts of theft of Poppy Appeal collection boxes and failing to provide a sample for a drugs test.

    The thefts allegedly took place around the Southend area between 30 October and 8 November. 

    A 35-year-old from Westcliff-on-Sea has been remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court tomorrow.

  11. Weather update: Cloud building - remaining dry

    BBC Weather

    Cloud will tend to increase, especially towards Harlow and other western areas this afternoon, but it will remain dry throughout Essex.

    Minimum temperature: 4C (39F).

    Weather map for Essex

    Popping out for lunch? Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

  12. Firefighters rescue dog stuck in kitchen fire

    Here's a good news story to cheer you up (if you need it?).

    Firefighters have saved the life of a dog after a kitchen blaze in Burnham-on-Crouch yesterday afternoon. 

    Kitchen fire

    Bertie, a nine-year-old Jack Russell, was in a cage in the kitchen at the time it broke out in Winstree Road.

    Firefighters and dog

    Thankfully, despite being treated for smoke inhalation, Bertie was feeling well enough to pose with his rescuers after the ordeal.

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

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    Here are the top stories from Essex Live: 

    • A man has been arrested after a series of charity collections, including poppy tins, were stolen in the Southend area
    • A fire at a block of flats in Southend is being treated as arson
    • A Question Time audience member has been praised on social media after taking the panel to task over Britain's relationship with Donald Trump after the show was broadcast from Southend
  14. In pictures: Colchester falls silent to mark Armistice Day

    Colchester's civilian and military communities came together outside Colchester Town Hall earlier for an act of remembrance on Armistice Day.

    Colchester memorial
    Colchester memorial
    Colchester memorial
  15. Braintree's FA Cup tie against Millwall rescheduled

    Glenn Speller

    BBC Essex sport

    Braintree Town's second round FA Cup tie at Millwall will now be played on Sunday, 4 December.

    FA Cup

    It's the furthest the Iron have ever got in the cup after a convincing 7-0 win against Eastbourne Borough last weekend. 

    Kick-off for the tie is at 14:00 and there'll be commentary on BBC Essex, which will be web-streamed as well as on your radio.

  16. Essex dog rivals John Lewis trampolining boxer

    Who is better? Buster the dog who bounces on a trampoline in the new John Lewis advert or Tinker who can retrieve items from a fridge?

    Video content

    Video caption: Essex dog shows trick to rival John Lewis advert