Charlotte Rose
BBC Essex

For a time this afternoon, Church Street in Billericay became the focus of people around the world as news about a sit-in protest here spread across the internet. 

Now, Rashid has left the phone box he was trying to save and has been escorted by police back to his house. 

Officers were concerned that because work had already begun to remove the booth, Rashid was in danger as it was likely to tip over.

Basildon Council has sent us a statement after a wall collapsed in Vange yesterday, putting a six-year-old girl in a life-threatening condition.

A footballer who lost both legs in a hit-and-run crash says he is pleased the driver responsible is "off the streets".

A pensioner has been told he faces a £1,000 fine for blocking the removal of a phone box in Billericay. 

We were first alerted to the story by the Essex Chronicle, which is currently running a live blog, external from the protest in Church Street. 

The man, who only wanted to be named as Rashid, is unhappy about the booth being removed by BT. However, the phone company is warning him that he could be penalised.

Essex Police is now at the scene.

If you're just joining us, here are our top stories on Essex Live so far today:

• Gymnast Max Whitlock says he "can't wait to get back to Essex" and celebrate his double gold at the Olympics
• A six-year-old girl is in a life-threatening condition after a brick wall fell on her in Vange
• A man has appeared in court charged with two counts of attempted murder following a shooting on Canvey Island

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

We've just had some more details in about the wall collapse in Vange we reported earlier.

We know a six-year-old girl has been left in a life-threatening condition after a 6ft (1.8m) garden wall fell on her yesterday evening on Fleetway.

In a statement, Essex Police said officers were providing support to the girl's family during this "difficult time".

The youngster was airlifted to the Royal London Hospital.

The Health and Safety Executive has been notified, and the area remains cordoned off this afternoon.

Forget partying in Rio... Max Whitlock says he can't wait to be back in Essex to celebrate winning two gold medals with the county. 

He flies homes with coach Scott Hann next Tuesday.

BBC News is doing a live Q&A from Max Whitlock's gym in Basildon... Get your question in to BBC reporter Tom Williams here, external. 

Image source, Facebook

BBC Entertainment and Arts

An average of 10.4m people watched gymnast Max Whitlock receive his second gold medal yesterday night, early figures suggest.

Image source, Reuters

Some 6.5m also watched Whitlock receive Britain's first-ever Olympic gymnastics gold, with victory in the men's floor two hours earlier.  

A young girl from Basildon is in a life-threatening condition in hospital this lunchtime after a brick wall collapsed onto her.

Image source, Google

It happened on Fleetway in Vange yesterday evening. The youngster is being treated for a serious head injury at the Royal London Hospital.

More details on this story as we get it. 

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

Away from our Olympic coverage, a man has appeared in court charged with two counts of attempted murder following a shooting on Canvey Island. 

During a brief hearing this morning at Southend Magistrates' Court, Callum Hutchins, 20, of Mornington Road, Canvey, was accused of attempting to murder two men between 5 August and 6 August. 

The case has now been adjourned until 12 September.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Today is also a special day for Jamie-Lee Hann. Her husband, Scott Hann, is Max's coach. 

"I'm elated that all of his dreams have come true - I'm so glad for him that he has achieved everything he set out to do," she said.

"Max was 12 when Scott started coaching him, their bond has got stronger and stronger - they're really close."

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Max Whitlock's fiancé has told us she is over-the-moon for her other half, who became the first Briton to win gold in gymnastics at the Olympics yesterday. 

Leah Hickton, who is a gymnastics coach here at the sporting village, met Max at the club.

She watched the final at home with her sister and family. 

"I don't think he would have been expecting that at all," she said. 

"He is quite flat-footed, so that usually doesn't make a good floor competitor." 

Leah added she had spoken to Max briefly over the phone: "He doesn't know what to say, it hasn't sunk in for him yet." 

BBC Radio 2

How will Max Whitlock react to newfound Rio fame? 

His former trainer Matt reveals all and talks about how the golden boy's gone from strength-to-strength.

Dani Bailey
BBC Local Live

Max Whitlock's mum Madeleine says she "can't put into words" how proud she is of him.

Image source, Getty Images

Whitlock made history by winning gold in the men's floor exercise and on pommel.

Ms Whitlock said going into the competition she was "quite relaxed" as she wanted to "really enjoy" it.

"I can't put it into words how proud I am," she said. "He works so hard, but he loves it. I'm sure there'll be big parties when we get back."

Fellow GB gymnasts have been congratulating Max Whitlock's double gold win on Twitter...

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

It's business as usual here at the Basildon Sporting Village, where double-gold gymnast Max Whitlock trains.

These gym-goers were particularly happy about the 23-year-old's wins yesterday.