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Live Reporting

Patrick Byrne

All times stated are UK

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  1. Essex Live done and dusted...

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    The Essex Live team is now signing off for the weekend - here are the top stories we've covered today: 

    • The Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles leisure centre has been closed "indefinitely" after Legionella bacteria was found
    • Braintree Town are feeling "no pressure" going into their first ever second-round FA Cup match against Millwall on Sunday

    We return on Monday from 08:00.

    Have a great weekend. 

  2. Weather: Risk of frost tonight, staying dry tomorrow

    Alex Dolan

    BBC Look East weather

    This evening will be rather cloudy with some showers clearing eastwards. 

    Clear spells will develop and bring the risk of a frost in places and the odd fog patch. Lows of -1 to 4C (30 - 39F).

    East of England weather

    Saturday will be a little cloudy at times, but staying dry with some bright or sunny spells. 

    Chance of an isolated shower in eastern counties, with highs of 7C (45F).

    There's more at BBC Weather.

  3. Council to meet Health and Safety Executive over Legionella bacteria

    Tendring District Council says a meeting is being held on Monday with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) regarding the Legionella bacteria found at Lifestyles in Walton-on-the-Naze.

    Quote Message: Tendring District Council's corporate health and safety advisor has been at the site all day today and been investigating the source. It has been decided to set up a meeting with the HSE on Monday." from Lynda McWilliams Tendring DC cabinet member for leisure, health and wellbeing
    Lynda McWilliamsTendring DC cabinet member for leisure, health and wellbeing
  4. Lifestyles leisure centre closed as a 'precautionary measure'

    A council-owned leisure centre has been closed indefinitely after a man was treated in hospital after contracting Legionnaires' Disease. 

    Lifestyles

    The customer, who had used the fitness room and shower facilities, fell ill on 18 November, but has since been discharged from hospital.   

    Tendring District Council said the Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles centre is now closed to the public as a precautionary measure.

  5. CCTV released after jewellery shop raid

    Police want to speak to these two men after a jewellery shop was raided in Brentwood last month.

    CCTV

    Four men riding moped smashed their way into Bonds of Brentwood in Ingrave Road on 11 October, making off with watches worth a five-figure sum.

  6. BreakingLeisure centre closed 'indefinitely' after Legionella bacteria found

    The Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles leisure centre has been closed indefinitely this afternoon after Legionella bacteria was found.

    More follows...

    Walton-on-the-Naze Lifestyles
  7. 'Inadequate' care home to close down

    Care home

    An Essex care home that received an "inadequate" rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last week is to close down.

    Bupa, the company which runs the home, said Carnarvon in Clacton will shut its doors once new homes for residents have been found.

    Bosses added the facility was closing due to issues of adapting the building and not because of the recent CQC report.

  8. Did Norfolk writer's Essex Serpent escape from the Tower of London?

    Nic Rigby

    BBC News

    We're been talking to Norwich writer Sarah Perry about her novel The Essex Serpent, which has just won the Waterstones Book of the Year Award.

    Book cover of The Essex Serpent

    The story first surfaced in written form in a pamphlet produced in 1669 which says the account of the giant serpent appearing near Henham in Essex was "attested by many credible persons".

    "It's a great unsolved mystery. Some say it was all a hoax, a monster that was hand-built by a man and his son," said Perry.

    Pamphlet from 1669

    "Others say it was a crocodile and some such creature escaped from the Tower of London (which contained a royal menagerie from the time of King John to 1832) and made its way to the Essex marshes."

    She said she was always interested in myths and the "dark places that inhabit the corner of your eyes".

  9. Weather update: Dry but cloudy

    BBC Weather

    The early part of the afternoon has been dry and mainly cloudy, with a few bright or sunny intervals. Outbreaks of light rain will move into coastal areas later and it will feel a little chilly. 

    Maximum temperature: 9C (48F).

    Manningtree

    Popping out? Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

  10. Wing mirror plea to lorry companies after cyclist dies

    After the death of a cyclist in Buckhurst Hill following a collision with a small lorry, Essex Police are appealing for information.

    Det Insp Dave Jones said: "I would urge the driver of the vehicle to come forward and contact us.

    "Equally if there are any transport managers or transport companies who have noticed anything suspicious about one of their vehicles, particularly that it may be missing a wing mirror, please get in touch urgently.

    Roding View/Loughton Way junction, Buckhurst Hill

    "Additionally I would urge any shops in the Loughton, Debden and Buckhurst Hill areas that receive deliveries from a vehicle matching that description to also contact us."

    The picture show the southern junction of Roding View with Loughton Way.

  11. Cyclist, in 40s, dies after 'hit and run' collision

    A cyclist, in his 40s, has died a day after a collision in Buckhurst Hill, where the driver of the other vehicle failed to stop after the incident.

    It happened at about 04:15 yesterday in Roding View. The cyclist was taken to the Royal London Hospital, but died yesterday evening, Essex Police said.

    Officers said the dead man was believed to have been on his way to work.

    The vehicle was a small, white or light-coloured lorry, probably less than 7.5 tonnes.

    A wing mirror, believed to belong to the vehicle was found in the area. 

  12. BreakingCyclist dies after collision

    A cyclist who was involved in a crash in Buckhurst Hill in Epping Forest yesterday has died.

    More to follow...

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

    Jack Warren

    BBC Local Live

    Here are the top stories from Essex so far today: 

    • A motorcyclist has died and a lorry driver arrested following a crash on the A127 in Southend
    • An Essex brain-box has given football video gaming a makeover by immersing players in the world of virtual reality using goggles  
    • The welfare officer of the Essex Football Association says the sport in the county is safe, despite of allegations of non-recent child abuse across the country
  14. Can underdogs Braintree cause FA Cup upset?

    Britain loves an underdog - and Braintree certainly go into Sunday's historic FA Cup second-round match at Millwall as one. 

    Here's what the bookies think...

    Millwall v Braintree
  15. Video: Essex FA says football is safe in the county

    The welfare officer of the Essex Football Association says the sport in the county is safe despite of allegations of non-recent child abuse. 

    Essex Police is one of 16 forces currently looking into historical child abuse claims. 

    Helen Hever from the county's FA told BBC Essex many grassroots clubs have been in touch to get reassurance that they have the right procedures in place.

    Video content

    Video caption: Essex FA says football is safe in the county
  16. Braintree Town ready to make history in FA Cup second-round

    History will be made on Sunday as Braintree Town play in the second-round of the FA Cup for the first time in the club's 118 years of existence.

    Lee Harding

    The Iron head to Millwall in what promises to be a thrilling match as 41 goals have been netted in Braintree's last nine games in all competitions. 

    Chairman Lee Harding has hailed it a "great occasion" for the club.

    "We go into it with no pressure and get a bit of a windfall out of the share of the gate, and there might be some TV money for the highlights," he said.