An 86-year-old man accused of shooting dead his wife at a care home in Walton-on-the-Naze has pleaded not guilty.

Image source, PA/East News Press Agency

Ronald King was charged with murder after the death of Rita King, 81, at the De La Mer House last December. 

The pensioner entered the plea at Chelmsford Crown Court a short while ago. 

An 86-year-old man accused of shooting dead his wife in a Walton-on-the-Naze care home last year has pleaded not guilty.

More details to follow.  

As we know, Essex is an area of outstanding beauty, and now two of our county's villages have been named among the best places to live in the East of England.

Finchgfield and Terling were selected for the Sunday Times, external top 10 shortlist for their positive community spirit, good local shops and attractive outdoor areas.

It was the small Suffolk town of Orford that was crowned the eventual winner for the region.

This is one of the five vehicles destroyed in what Essex Fire and Rescue is calling a deliberate spate of car fires in Chelmsford last night.

All the incidents happened in the Melbourne area of the city. 

One eyewitness told BBC Essex he thought somebody was having a "late night bonfire".

CCTV has been released by police of notorious criminal John "Goldfinger" Palmer, moments before he was shot dead at his home in South Weald.

The footage was filmed at 17:18 - he was found 12 minutes later collapsed in his garden. 

Palmer's family are offering a reward of £50,000 for information about the 65-year-old's murder, following an appeal on BBC Crimewatch last night. 

Five cars have been deliberately set alight in Chelmsford overnight, Essex Fire and Rescue says. 

The vehicles were all destroyed in the space of an hour, starting in Saint Nazaire Road at about 19:50. 

Police attended each incident, and there are no reports of any injuries.

After a chilly and perhaps foggy start, it will be a dry day with some bright or sunny spells. 

Feeling slightly cooler than yesterday although winds remaining light through the day. 

Maximum Temperature: 8C (46F).

Stay up-to-date with the latest forecast here.

A £50,000 reward has been offered for information about the murder of notorious Essex criminal John "Goldfinger" Palmer. 

Image source, PA

It's thought the 65-year-old was targeted by a hitman when he was shot dead at his home in South Weald in June last year. 

On BBC Crimewatch last night, Palmer's partner, Cristina Ketley appealed somebody to come forward with information, adding: "There is someone out there who is prepared to assassinate someone".

Sonia Watson
BBC Essex

Here are the top stories for Essex this morning: 

• A £50,000 reward is being offered for information about the murder of notorious criminal John "Goldfinger" Palmer in South Weald last summer

• Essex Fire and Rescue says it has been dealing with a series of deliberate fires in Chelmsford overnight
• Finchingfield and Terling have been named among the best places to live in the east of England 

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Good morning and welcome to Essex Live. 

Until 18:00 we'll be bringing you all the latest news for the county. 

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