Ian Puckey
BBC Essex

A new house is to be built on the site of a major gas explosion which damaged a number of properties in Clacton two years ago.

Image source, Tendring District Council

Nine people were injured in the blast in Cloes Lane.

Councillors have backed plans to construct a new three-bedroom property on the land.

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex Sport

Two Essex snooker players begin play in the first ranking tournament of the year later. 

Mark King (pictured left) and Stuart Bingham (right) are in action in the first round of the German Masters.

Image source, Getty Images

Chelmsford's Ali Carter crashed out last night, losing 5-0 to Judd Trump.   

Charlie Jones
BBC Local Live

A taxi driver was taken to hospital last night after he was stabbed in the arm by a customer in Oliver Way in Chelmsford, police have said.

Image source, Google

Officers are searching for the suspect, who stole cash and attempted to steal the car keys before running off towards the Newland Spring estate.

He's described as white, aged in his mid-30s, of stocky build and was wearing a white and green hooded top with jeans.  

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

An inquest into the death of pensioner Gordon Wilson has heard that the cause of his death was "unascertained".

The 82-year-old went missing from his home in Leaden Roding in October, sparking a major search by Essex Police. It was called off when his body was found in woodland in Sible Hedingham.

The inquest in Chelmsford was adjourned until 2 May.

Charlotte Rose
BBC Essex

A blue plaque honouring Sir Winston Churchill’s contribution to Epping has been unveiled on the town's  High Street.

Image source, www.everythingeppingforest.co.uk

The wartime prime minister was MP for Epping between 1924 and 1945.

Epping Town Council, external said it would be "delighted to hear from residents" about other people who should be recognised with a plaque in the town.

Nick Alliker
BBC Essex

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find 15-year-old Shelbie Potter, who is missing from her home in Pitsea.

Image source, Essex Police

She was last seen at 18:00 last night, and was wearing a black Ralph Lauren coat, jeans and trainers.

Officers say she is 5ft 2in tall, of slim build, with brown eyes, brown shoulder length hair and a tanned complexion.

Nick Alliker
BBC Essex

A pedestrian has died after being hit by a car in Salisbury Avenue, Westcliff, last night.

Image source, Google

The man, who was from the local area and aged in his 40s, died at the scene after he was hit by a red Ford Focus.

A 27-year-old man from Southend was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by careless driving and driving whilst unfit through drink or drugs.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Parish councillors in Alresford, near Brightlingsea, have backed plans to use DNA testing in an attempt to clampdown on dog mess. Here's how it will work:

• Dog owners will not be forced to register their animals, so will be expected to give samples voluntarily
• The dogs’ DNA is collected by a cheek swab which is sent to a laboratory, and the dog’s profile is then added to a central register
• If an owner fails to pick up their dog’s mess, a DNA test will be taken from the faeces which can be traced back to a registered dog

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

An inquest is due to open today into the death of a pensioner, whose disappearance from his Leaden Roding home in October sparked a three-month long police search. 

Gordon Wilson, who was 82-years-old, was found dead in woodland near Sible Hedingham last month.I'm going to the inquest at the Essex Coroners Court in Chelmsford and will bring you the latest.

Simon Dedman
BBC Essex

Just over half of people in the East support Syrian refugees being housed in the region, according to a survey.

Image source, Reuters

The ComRes study found that 54% back the move, though the same survey found that 61% thought doing so placed Britain's security at risk.

A conference on the Syria crisis is taking place today in London.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

DNA testing of dog poo has been approved by parish councillors in a bid to stop fouling in Alresford, near Brightlingsea.

Image source, Getty Images

The council backed plans to see DNA testing by dog wardens last night, in the county's first scheme of this kind.

Gary Downie, who owns the company which does the testing, says it costs £80 for each analysis but the idea is cost-effective because "handling complaints and cleaning up" is currently "more of a burden".

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

After a wet start, some drier and brighter conditions are on their way. However, cloud will increase once again later with further patchy rain this evening.

Maximum temperature: 12C (54F).

Nick Alliker
BBC Essex

• Plans to use DNA testing to crackdown on dog mess near Colchester have been approved
• The majority of people in the East support Syrian refugees being housed in the region, a survey has revealed
• An inquest is due to open today into the death of Essex pensioner Gordon Wilson, whose disappearance sparked a huge police search

Charlie Jones
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome to another day here at Essex Live. We'll be with you until 18:00 with the latest news for the county. 

If you'd like to get in touch, you can email us or tweet us, external.