BBC Local Live: Essex

The weather for this evening and tonight will be mainly dry at first across the BBC East region, but cloud thickening from the west will bring the chance of some patchy light rain.

There will be light to moderate southwesterly winds, which will turn more westerly later.

The temperature will dip to 13-15C (upper 50sF).

BBCCopyright: BBC

Tomorrow it will mainly dry with a mixture of sunny spells and patchy cloud, but thicker cloud could bring one or two isolated showers, mainly across Norfolk.

Highs around 20-22C (near 70F).

New ambulance hub in Essex opened:

Essex Police has published a CCTV image of a man they want to speak to after a woman was sexually assaulted following a night out in Chelmsford.

Essex PoliceCopyright: Essex Police

Police said she had become "poorly" and was accosted while sitting on a bench in Moulsham Street in the early hours of 10 July.

The suspect left the scene after being challenged by the victim's friend.

A chip hut's opened on Southend Pier - it's the first time since the 2005 fire that deep fat frying the potato delicacy has been allowed on the pier.

N Chadwick/GeographCopyright: N Chadwick/Geograph

Borough Councillor Ann Holland's told the BBC why it is now safe to do.

"Safety precautions were put in place after the fire including a £2m sprinkler and we've co-ordinated with the emergency services," she said.

"It will be nice to have a chip shop back on the pier."

The council said cooking and smoking on the pier has been tightly regulated since 2005, and, although cooking does take place at the end of the pier, chips have been off the menu.

No-one could remember whether Jamie Oliver cooked chips during his Channel 4 show Jamie & Jimmy's Friday Night Feast, which was set in a pop-up cafe at the end of the pier.

Sunshine this morning will give way to cloud and rain this evening across the BBC East region.

The weekend will be cloudy, but dry with temperatures peaking at 20C (68F).

The RSPCA is appealing for help in finding the owner of an African pygmy hedgehog, which was found wandering along a road in Chelmsford.

RSPCACopyright: RSPCA

The animal was discovered in Baddow Road last week and is now being cared for by the South Essex Wildlife Hospital.

The hedgehog is said to be in good health, although overweight.

A new report has found that Essex Police is making progress in dealing with problems in handling people in custody.

However, it says issues are still being seen in the number of children who are being held overnight.

GoogleCopyright: Google

The Inspectorate of Prisons and the Inspectorate of Constabulary have published a joint report which has been looking into police custody.

It's found that "progress was evident" after a critical study in 2013.

The latest findings highlight several newer custody suites in the county, although the older sites "remain poor".

It's also found that staff are continuing to treat detainees well and with sensitivity.

However, concerns were raised about the force's IT system and that too many children were being held overnight when alternative accommodation should have been provided.

Southend United will include Anthony Wordsworth in their squad to travel north ahead of the League One match at Rotherham tomorrow.

Colchester United will check on the fitness of Tom Eastman before confirming their squad to face Stevenage in League Two tomorrow.

It's due to be dry and sunny for most of the day, but there's a chance of it becoming cloudier later this afternoon with some patchy rain coming in from the west.

Maximum temperature: 22C (72F).

For a full forecast where you are, visit BBC Weather.

Wesley StankiewiczCopyright: Wesley Stankiewicz

Welcome back to Local Live across Essex.

We'll be here until 18:00 with the latest news, sport, weather and travel updates for your area.

The full weather forecast will be with you shortly, but it's another grey start to the day.

As always, if you want to get in touch you can by email, Facebook or Twitter.