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  1. Our live coverage across the day...

    Kate Scotter

    BBC News

    That's the last of our live updates for the rest of today - and indeed the week.

    Before we go, here's a look at some of the stories we've covered this fine and sunny Friday:

    We'll be back again with all your news, sport, travel and weather from 08:00 on Monday.  

    Have a fabulous weekend.

    Clacton sunrise
  2. Overnight weather: Generally dry and cloudy

    Julie Reinger

    BBC Look East weather

    A few spots of drizzle around this evening and overnight but generally it will be dry and cloudy across the BBC East region.

    Where we get any breaks in the cloud we could see some mist and fog developing. 

    Light south to south-westerly winds and temperatures down to about 5C (41F).

    Overnight weather map

    A mild and cloudy start to Saturday and it could take a little while for any mist and fog to clear, although we're likely to see some sunny intervals developing eventually.

    Highs of 12C (54F) and a light southerly breeze.

    Get a full forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

  3. Dispersal area for Pitsea in place this evening

    Essex Police have been granted a dispersal order in Pitsea, starting at 18:00 today, following problems over anti-social behaviour.

    It gives police powers to deal with people engaging in anti-social behaviour, crime and disorder. 

    It can be used either for issues taking place at the time, or if officers suspect anti-social behaviour is likely to happen.

    Map of the dispersal area as set out by police

    The order was granted after reports of anti-social behaviour affecting businesses and customers in the Pitsea retail park and Pitsea market areas of Northlands Park (shown above).

    A statement from the force says police will be on patrol in this area and will issue notices to anyone causing problems. 

    Anyone refusing to leave the area when directed can be arrested and, if convicted, they could face up to three months in prison and a £2,500 fine. 

    Members of the public using the restaurants and businesses in this area will be unaffected.    

  4. Don't let Gary down!

    #PeoplesCup

    Video content

    Video caption: Gary Lineker invites you to take part in the People's Cup

    It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday. 

    Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player. 

    Find out all the details here.

  5. Bar closed due to fears about 'bring a bottle' event

    Essex Police have issued a closure notice to a bar in Loughton town centre.

    The force said it had already suspended the licence last Friday for the Nu Bar, pending a full hearing in March, but the venue had since advertised a "bring a bottle" event.

    Nu Bar, Loughton

    Ch Insp Lewis Basford said: "We have issued this closure notice because of the concerns around anti-social behaviour the advertised ‘bring a bottle’ event may cause.

    "People in Loughton need to be able to enjoy an evening out free from the threat of violence and disorder." 

  6. Ryman League: Needham looking to bounce back

    Brenner Woolley

    BBC Radio Suffolk sport

    Promotion-chasing Needham Market get the chance to make amends for Wednesday's 6-0 hammering at Billericay when they go to Dulwich Hamlet tomorrow.

    Ryman League ball

    Despite that loss the Market Men are still just three points off the top of the Ryman Premier Division

    Leiston are at Harrow Borough, AFC Sudbury travel to Staines Town while Lowestoft Town welcome Leatherhead to Crown Meadow. 

    Bury Town, who have lost their last five matches, head to Thurrock in the North Division.

  7. 'Some way to go' at HMP Chelmsford, says Burns

    Chelmsford MP Simon Burns says despite the fact there's some way to go in tackling issues in the city's prison, he felt the justice secretary's visit was "positive". 

    He said: "[She] also went away with a determination to deal with a number of other issues and problems that were drawn to her attention by the prison officers and the governor.

    "Although there is some way to go, I am heartened that positive action will be taken to improve HMP Chelmsford and overcome the problems that have been highlighted to Liz Truss."

    Prison bars

    The visit took place after the government faced criticism over the way prisons are staffed, following the death of Basildon man Dean Saunders who took his own life at the jail last year.   

  8. MP on 'positive meeting' with justice secretary at jail

    The justice secretary Liz Truss's visit to Chelmsford Prison today has been described as a "positive" - by the local MP.

    It comes after the government faced criticism over the way jails are staffed, following the death of Basildon man Dean Saunders, who took his own life at the prison last year.  

    Simon Burns

    Chelmsford Tory Sir Simon Burns said actions are already being taken to address issues at the jail.

    He said: "‘Following the promise Liz Truss MP, gave me in the House of Commons that HMP Chelmsford would get more prison officers, I had a very positive meeting with her, members of the staff at HMP Chelmsford and the prison governor.

    "I was reassured by Liz Truss’s recognition of the problems facing HMP Chelmsford and am pleased that she reiterated that action is already being taken to address them. 

    "I was also encouraged by the actions she is going to take to overcome the issue of retention of staff by increasing the money that is being paid to some prison officers and addressing the anomalies facing a number of other officers."

  9. Don't let Gary down!

    #PeoplesCup

    Video content

    Video caption: Gary Lineker invites you to take part in the People's Cup

    Here's one from our friends at BBC Get Inspired. I dedicate it to someone very close to me who, it is fair to say, is something of a fan of Mr Lineker - and has a life-size cardboard cut-out of him that I carried across the piazza at Media City.

    Anyway, Gary would endorse the sentiment that it’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup - as long as you do it by the deadline anyway - and that is at midnight on Sunday. 

    Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player. 

    Find out all the details here.

  10. Charities call on government to improve care system

    A group of charities is calling on the government to improve the social care system. 

    The Continuing Healthcare Alliance has been speaking after Chris Maughn from Pitsea told the BBC his father, who has dementia and Parkinson's, was initially denied state support, so had to sell his home to pay for his care.

    The family is now receiving the money, but Chris said his family had found it tough.

    Elderly person's hands
    Quote Message: The fact that people aren't getting support from the health care system means more people are relying on the social care system, which we all know is under-funded, and is really struggling. It's a big, big problem. from Moran Vine Continuing Healthcare Alliance chair
    Moran VineContinuing Healthcare Alliance chair
  11. Why not match these mums?

    #PeoplesCup

    Six months ago, many of these mums were just watching their kids play.

    Now they're getting ready to play in the FA People's Cup....

    Video content

    Video caption: FA People's Cup 2017: Football mums will show daughters how it's done

    It’s not too late to enter this year’s FA People’s Cup – the deadline to sign up is midnight on Sunday. 

    Entry is completely FREE, there are categories for everyone AND you can enter either as a team or an individual player. 

    Find out all the details here.

  12. Weather: Dry and mild for the rest of Friday

    BBC Weather

    Staying dry and mild for the rest of this afternoon with light winds and highs of 11C (52F). 

    Tonight, there will be large amounts of cloud coming in with mist and fog patches forming in some places.

    Friday weather

    Tomorrow's due to start off cloudy with mist and fog, but things should brighten up through the day.

    It will keep getting milder as the weekend goes on, with a plume of "tropical air" making things unseasonably warm. Have a look at the latest forecast for where you live at BBC Weather.

  13. Lorry driver admits causing death of 73-year-old cyclist

    A lorry driver from Chelmsford has admitted causing the death of a cyclist, aged 73, in Kent.

    Barbara Phipps was killed on the A2 in Teynham on 13 February last year.

    Barbara Phipps

    William Magee, 59, of Readers Court, had denied causing death by dangerous driving, but he's admitted a lesser charge of causing death by careless driving at Maidstone Crown Court and will be sentenced next month.   

  14. Watch: Latest from Pontins in Pakefield after death of arrested man

    Richard Smith

    BBC Essex

    I've been to Pontins near Lowestoft, where Paul Gladwell, 38, of Colchester had been on holiday.

    He was arrested after police were called to reports of an altercation and was being taken to Great Yamouth.

    Officers abandoned that plan and took him to the James Paget Hospital in Gorleston-on-Sea, where he died yesterday morning.

    View more on twitter
  15. Rugby: Diss ready for top of the table clash

    Chris Goreham

    BBC Radio Norfolk sport

    It's a big weekend for Diss Rugby Club. 

    They are top of London League 2 North East, but only a point clear of South Woodham Ferrers who they play away from home on Saturday afternoon. 

    View more on twitter

    Diss have lost only one of their 16 league matches so far this season. The winners of this fixture will be firm favourites for promotion with just five further games to play before the end of the season. 

  16. Family of Parkinson's sufferer wants care system review

    A Pitsea man is calling for a review of the care system, after his family was forced to sell his dad's home when state support was first rejected. 

    Chris Maughn's dad developed Parkinson's and dementia and is in a care home. 

    The family is now receiving the money, but Chris says his family found it tough:

    View more on twitter
  17. Bird man helps control pigeons

    Laurence Cawley

    BBC News

    Meet Mark and his hawk, Faith.

    He's part of a pest control firm that uses the birds of prey to disperse other birds.

    The pair are often hired by councils and other organisations, such as Cambridge University, to control pigeons and gulls.  

    Video content

    Video caption: What is it like to work as a falconer?

    A Freedom of Information request by the BBC revealed the amount spent by councils on pest control across the country rose from £452,000 in 2013-2014 to £830,000 in 2015-2016, with some interesting figures across the East of England.

    Falconer Mark White, of Suffolk-based Step Pest Control, said councils were increasingly using non-lethal methods of bird control.

    He uses a combination of methods ranging from netting and spikes, special gels which look like fire, hawks and even a high-powered laser beam.

    Mr White, who's lives in Norfolk but grew up in Essex, said a lot of people think pest controllers "use hawks for killing".

    "It is in fact the complete opposite.

    "We use the birds for disruption and discourage killing as much as possible."

    The British Pest Control Association said the increase in spending might reflect a growing awareness of public health risks posed by some birds.

  18. Councils spent £37,000 on getting rid of pigeon problems

    Laurence Cawley

    BBC News

    Councils across Essex spent almost £37,000 on ridding streets of pigeons and gulls over the last three years, the BBC has learned.

    The main methods of bird control in the county include netting, which prevents them getting on to buildings; spikes, and birds of prey.

    Freedom of Information requests to councils across England revealed the amount spent almost doubled during the same period.

    Pigeons

    The British Pest Control Association said the increase in spending might reflect a growing awareness of public health risks posed by some birds.  

    In Essex, the three-year spend was £36,983.23 - but some councils did not respond to the request.

  19. BreakingJustice secretary visiting Chelmsford Prison

    The BBC understands justice secretary Liz Truss is visiting Chelmsford Prison today.

    It comes after the government faced crticism over the way jails are staffed, following the death of Basildon man Dean Saunders who took his own life at the prison last year.

    An inquest into his death found he had been "let down" by mental health services and the prison system.

    Ms Truss had told the Commons she would visit HMP Chelmsford and is understood to be there today.

    Liz Truss