More of us dialled 999 over the bank holiday weekend compared to this time last year, says the East of England Ambulance Service.
Essex had the highest number with 2,992 calls over the last three days, a rise of 366 from August 2015.
The only county with a decrease was Hertfordshire.
Image source, East of England Ambulance ServiceA prison radio station has been slammed for treating inmates as "fluffy little munchkins" by censoring song lyrics.
Image source, PA/EMIAn inmate at HMP Chelmsford wrote to prisoners' magazine Inside Time to complain about National Prison Radio (NPR), as reported in The Telegraph, external.
Craig Bird said the station even cut the line "put a gun against his head" from Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, which "the bloody BBC" is happy to broadcast.
Read the full story here.
Patrick Byrne
BBC News
A treehouse built for two girls, aged five and 10, could be torn down because it does not comply with an Essex council's planning rules.
Tim Sparkes, who lives in Marks Tey near Colchester, thought he was obeying the law when he built the structure away from a boundary fence with no windows overlooking his neighbour, who was consulted before work began.
However, a planning officer said the treehouse was subject to planning rules which stated "raised platforms, verandas and balconies were not permitted".
Because he could not get his neighbour's agreement to screen the treehouse, retrospective planning permission was refused and his daughters' treehouse will have to be demolished after 2 September.
Colchester Borough Council, external said the treehouse had been erected "without planning permission outside of the accepted limits of permitted development" and the proposal was rejected as it overlooked neighbouring gardens.
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
The funeral of a heavily pregnant woman who died in a flat fire in Westcliff-on-Sea earlier this year has taken place.
Khabi Abrey, 30, and her unborn baby died on 6 May, two days after the Grampian tower block where she was living with her partner caught fire.
Hymns were sung and tributes were paid by friends and family at Trinity Methodist Church. A poem written by Ms Abrey called Rising Phoenix was also read out.
Her body was carried out to a horse-drawn carriage to the sound of Three Little Birds by Bob Marley.
Gareth George
BBC Look East
People have laid flowers at The Stow in Harlow where a 40-year-old Polish man was fatally attacked on Saturday night.
Six teenagers have been arrested on suspicion of murder.
A murder investigation begins after a man died from head injuries following a "brutal" late night attack.
Read MoreEssex Police have arrested a sixth teenager on suspicion of murder after a man died following a "vicious" attack in Harlow on Saturday night.
Two Polish men were set upon outside a row of takeaway shops in The Stow at about 23:35 in what police believe was an unprovoked attack.
One man, aged 40, died of head injuries yesterday and the other, a 43-year-old, was discharged from hospital after being treated for suspected hand fractures and bruising to his stomach.
Four boys aged 15, and another teenager, 16, all from Harlow, were arrested on suspicion of murder and have been released on bail until October.
A sixth boy, 15, also from the town, was arrested this afternoon and is being questioned.
A prison radio station is slammed for treating inmates as "fluffy little munchkins" by censoring song lyrics.
Read MoreHampshire's Adam Wheater re-joins Essex on loan for the rest of the County Championship season.
Read MoreA sixth teenager has been arrested in connection with a murder investigation in Harlow.
More details to follow.
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
Essex all-rounder Ashar "boom boom" Zaidi has just signed a new two-year contract, external with the county cricket club.
“I am delighted the club have shown trust in me and given me further opportunities to show my capabilities," Zaidi said.
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Thanks to everybody who has uploaded photos to our Weather Watchers page today - here are a few of our favourites:
Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport
The majority of Southend United supporters look likely to stay away from their first match in the re-branded Checkatrade Trophy tonight.
The competition, which has replaced the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, has been heavily criticised by fans across the country for allowing academy sides from the Premier League and Championship to enter.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe Blues host Brighton & Hove Albion's under 23's tonight, but, as of this lunchtime, just over 500 tickets had been sold for the match at Roots Hall, which has a capacity of 11,500.
There will be plenty of warm sunshine for all of us today with hardly any cloud or wind.
Maximum temperature: 25C (77F).
You'll find your local forecast at BBC Weather.
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
A hole at least 10ft (3m) wide has been knocked out of the wall close to the store's entrance in Samson Road.
The digger brought down part of the roof as it rammed into the shop. The yellow vehicle with large bucket attached has been trundled away through scattered shopping trolleys to reveal a pile of broken brick and twisted metal.
Within it, parts of the stolen cash machine remain, but police cannot say whether any cash was removed.
Builders are examining the damage, while crates of bread have been wheeled to an adjacent petrol station which is still open.
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
The Co-op in Brightlingsea, external will remain closed today after the store suffered "substantial damage" during a ram raid earlier this morning.
A spokesman for the shop said it'll be checking for structural stability ahead of re-opening.
On the A12, in the sky far, far above Colchester a Yoda-shaped cloud there was.
It was spotted by BBC journalist Jodie Smith, but can you see it?
Image source, Jodie SmithAllow Twitter content?
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