That's it from us at Essex Live today - thanks for stopping by, take a scroll back through the page if you've just joined is.

We'll be back in the morning for live coverage of the county's news from 08:00.

Have a great evening. 

Southend United midfielder Jack Bridge has signed a two-year contract extension, external with the club.

Image source, Southend United

The 20-year-old made his debut appearance at Roots Hall at the end of last month, after making his way through the academy. 

Manager Phil Brown said: “We reward people who want to be here and they also need to have the ability to play at this level. Jack has shown he is capable of stepping up, especially in our last two games.”

Nick Alliker
BBC Essex

If you're just joining us, here are the top stories for Essex: 

• A former milkman accused of murdering his mother and her friend launched an attack on two dock officers in front of the judge and jury members in Chelmsford
• A former employee who set fire to a Southend nightclub causing £300,000 worth of damage has been jailed for four years
• Southend United midfielder Jack Bridge has signed a two-year contract extension with the club

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

It will be rather cloudy across the county overnight with heavy, showery rain at times and possible thundery spells. 

Some drier conditions will develop during the early hours and it'll stay warm and humid. Minimum temperature: 13C (55F).

Most places will see persistent and often heavy rain developing tomorrow. The odd rumble of thunder is possible in places. 

You can get the latest detailed forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Jodie Smith
BBC News

A former milkman accused of murdering his mother and her friend launched an attack on two dock officers in front of the judge and jury members.

Brett Rogers, 23, denies the murder of Gillian Phillips, 54, and David Oakes, 60, who were fatally stabbed in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex.

He punched and struggled with Chelmsford Crown Court guards while a forensic scientist was giving evidence. An ambulance was called for the male and female officers who were injured.

Judge Mrs Justice Whipple, who witnessed the incident along with the jury, told the court Mr Rogers had offered an apology for his behaviour. The trial continues. 

Ian Puckey
BBC Essex

The Conservative group on Southend Borough Council says it's "hopeful" of striking a deal to take control of the authority. 

Thursday's election results saw the Tories just two seats short of an overall majority. Talks have been taking place over the weekend. 

Sources have told BBC Essex there could be an announcement of a deal within a day.

Good luck to Southend veteran Andrew Bracey who is competing in the Invictus Games this week. 

Image source, Roger Keller/Help for Heroes

Mr Bracey, who served in Northern Ireland and Iraq, became a wheelchair user in 2006 when he was involved in a hit-and-run incident while off duty. 

The 41-year-old will compete in a number of wheelchair racing events at the games in Florida. He told BBC Essex: "This will be one of the biggest races of my life... It's absolutely amazing".

An exhibition of 40 photographs of David Bowie, some previously unseen, is coming to Chelmsford as part of a nationwide tour.

Image source, Denis O'Regan

The David & I exhibition features pictures taken by rock photographer Denis O'Regan, who was the official tour photographer when most of the images were taken between 1978 and 1990.

Organisers say that as well as live shots, many images feature the late singer out and about in countries he was touring.

Two people have been taken to hospital after a seven-vehicle crash on the A12 earlier this morning. 

Image source, Google

The London-bound carriageway was blocked following the collision just after 07:00 between J23 and J24 at Kelvedon. 

The East of England Ambulance Service says five patients were initially treated. A man and a woman were then taken to Colchester General Hospital for further treatment.

A former employee who set fire to a Southend nightclub causing £300,000 worth of damage has been jailed for four years.

Image source, Essex Police

Duncan Hughes, 24, of Southchurch Road in the town, poured bleach over DJ equipment, set bins alight and smashed bottles of spirit at the Basement in Alexandra Street in October last year. 

Hughes, who previously managed the club, pleaded guilty to a charge of arson at Basildon Crown Court and was sentenced to four years in prison.

A police dog successfully tracked two suspected burglars across a river on a pursuit that lasted about three-quarters of a mile. 

Image source, Essex Police

Essex Police says officers and German Shepherd Ivy were called to Cressing on Saturday afternoon after two men were seen acting suspiciously. 

Following a chase Ivy located the men in nearby woodland. One man was discovered up a tree. Both have been arrested and bailed pending further investigation until 20 July.

Daily Gazette

Train bosses at Great Anglia have issued a formal apology to passengers, external who experienced severe delays after problems with overhead line.   

BBC Sport

The Football League has told BBC Sport it is "aware of an incident" involving Southend United boss Phil Brown and assistant referee Barry Gordon. 

It's after Brown said Gordon "ought to be struck off" for his role in awarding a penalty in Sunday's 3-2 loss to Bury.

The Football League said the matter was "now in the hands of the Football Association".  

Ian Puckey
BBC Essex

Essex Police is looking into a second allegation that someone's signature was used on a Castle Point Borough Council election form without their consent. 

The force is examining whether people were wrongly put down as proposing a candidate in the Cedar Hall ward . 

It is already investigating a similar allegation in the Winter Gardens area.

Essex Fire and Rescue officers will be visiting in Southend this afternoon following a fire in the ninth floor of a block of flats.

Seven people, including a baby, were hurt in the blaze in Balmoral Close about 23:00 on Saturday evening. One woman remains in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The service says it'll be giving safety advice, external to residents from 14:00 today. 

Nick Alliker
BBC Essex

If you're just joining us, here are the top stories for Essex:

• Essex Fire and Rescue is offering safety advice today after a serious blaze at a block of flats in Westcliff over the weekend
• Nearly 15,000 Essex traders have had equipment stolen from their vans in the past five years, according to figures obtained by BBC Essex  
•  A man has been charged with possessing a knife in a public place following a disturbance at a nightclub in Chelmsford  

BBC Weather

We'll see one or two showers this afternoon and later in the day a more persistent band of showery rain will spread in from the south. 

Maximum temperature: 21C (70F).

You can stay up-to-date with the forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Southend United manager Phil Brown was fuming after his side lost 3-2 at Bury in injury time. 

Image source, Getty Images

The Blues final game of League One the season was decided by an injury time penalty that was given for a controversial handball.

"I'm not one for stopping people working, but [the assistant referee] ought to be struck off, it was an absolute disgraceful decision,"  Brown told BBC Essex sport. 

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport

There was no fairytale ending for part-time Braintree Town in the National League play-offs yesterday. 

The Iron lost the second leg of their semi-final 0-2 to Grimbsy after extra time. 

It mean they were beaten 1-2 on aggregate. 

April was generally colder and wetter than average in the East of England - although it was slightly sunnier, as BBC Look East forecaster Dan Holley explains.