The family of Halstead dog attack victim Dexter Neal said of the three-year-old: "Watching him grow into such a happy joyful child made every day a pleasure and we felt honoured to have him in our lives.

"He had many passions. He loved to look into the sky for aeroplanes and helicopters, he could spot them from so very far away. 

"His biggest passion was music, he loved to watch the music channels and would learn the songs and copy the dance moves. 

"He had a keyboard with drums and a microphone and loved nothing more than to sit and play songs and sing for us. 

"His big sister has a karaoke machine and they would put on singing and dancing shows."

Dexter was bitten on Parker Way on 18 August and died in hospital later that evening.

The family of a three-year-old boy who died after being bitten by an American Bulldog, have paid tribute to him.

Dexter Neal, from Halstead, died in hospital after the incident on 18 August.

Image source, Essex Police

The statement, issued via Essex Police, said: "Our lives will never be the same without Dexter, he was the life and soul of our family. 

"Our hearts have been broken and can never be fixed.

"We now have to learn to continue our lives without our cheeky little boy and remember the joy and happiness he brought us in the short time he was allowed to be with us.

"We love you baby boy always and forever.”

The existing Harwich and North Essex constituency would lose Harwich, according to the Boundary Commission for England proposals, external.

Harwich (represented by the Conservative's Bernard Jenkin) would be moved to the existing Clacton constituency (represented by UKIP's Douglas Carswell) and be called Harwich and Clacton.

Here's a map showing the proposed boundaries:

Image source, Boundary Commission for England

Deborah McGurran
BBC Political editor, East of England

As part of the re-organisation of Parliamentary constituencies, Essex is to lose one of its seats as the government aims to reduce the number of MPs, external in the county from 18 to 17.

The town of Witham, currently held by Conservative MP Priti Patel, would merge with Maldon under the proposals from the Boundary Commission for England.

It would mean meaning either Ms Patel or Maldon's Conservative MP John Whittingdale losing their seat.

Image source, Boundary Commission for England

Other proposals:

• Clacton and Harwich become part of the same constituency again
• Chelmsford, Thurrock and the Epping Forest constituencies remain the same
• All others have wards added or taken away

Read my review of the proposals here. 

Andrew Woodger
BBC News

Essex Police, external has issued an appeal for witnesses after two men were left with leg injuries when a car mounted a kerb.

A black car, possible a Vauxhall Corsa, collided with the pair on Colebrook Lane in Loughton at about 21:45 on Sunday.

One of the men, 32 and from Loughton, was sitting on a moped and was taken to hospital where he has had surgery.

A 19-year-old man who was standing with him was also taken to hospital for treatment.

Listen to live BBC local radio commentary from Saturday's action in the National League and National League North.

As we break for lunch at the County Ground in Chelmsford, BBC Essex's sports team is optimistic the county can do enough to win promotion, despite early losses in reply to Glamorgan's first innings:

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

The inquest into the death of heart attack victim Gary Page has heard from one of the private ambulance crew who attended the first call out to his home in Laindon.

Care assistant David Norman told the court the emergency technician Lauren De La Haye said: "I guarantee you are not having a heart attack" before ECG tests were carried out.

Mr Norman added that Mr Page declined to go to Basildon Hospital because the technician told him about lengthy delays there.

"If the lengthy time hadn't have been suggested, I think he would have agreed to go to hospital," he said.

Mr Page, 54, died the following morning.

At the inquest into the death of Gary Page, another crew member on the ambulance, contracted by NHS from the Private Ambulance Service, has said he was an observer who was trained to spot anomalies in ECG readings.

Daniel Rudge, emergency care assistant, told the inquest he was shadowing emergency technician Lauren De La Haye.

He said: "It didn't look right to me and I expressed this to Lauren... She disagreed with my analysis."

He told the court he did not remember anything being said about long waiting times at Basildon Hospital.

Team Ipswich swimmer Ryan Crouch will be in action at the Paralympic Games in Rio this afternoon. It's the county's last chance to win a second medal, to go with the bronze won by powerlifter Zoe Newson on Friday.

Image source, onEdition

Crouch, from Manningtree, will compete in the first heat of the S9, 50 metres freestyle. Yesterday he missed out on qualifying for the 100 metres. 

Crouch, 22, says the extra attention that has come with being at the games has been surreal: "It's something that is part and parcel of the sport and in any sport to be honest, if you make it on to the big stage this is what to expect. 

"But I love doing it; love telling people about the sport that I do."

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

Some news from the inquest into the death of Gary Page, 54.

The coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray has said the hearing in Chelmsford will proceed today, despite the ambulance's emergency technician not being able to attend.

The inquest has heard from Essex Police that it investigated Mr Page's death, but was satisfied there was no gross negligence and no further action was taken.

Essex have picked up three of the six points they need for promotion to cricket's County Championship Division One after bowling out visitors Glamorgan for 286.

If they get 300 runs they can clinch the other three points, but they've lost an early wicket...

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport

Essex have taken their first wicket of the second day as they chase the four points they need to secure promotion to the County Championship's Division One.

Owen Morgan went for 55, but Kiran Carlson is still adding to his century.

You can follow live BBC text updates online or listen to BBC Essex commentary online.

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

I'm attending an inquest into the death of Gary Page, 54, of Laindon.

His wife called the emergency services on the evening of 24 February with concerns about his chest pains and she suspected he was having a heart attack.

A private ambulance was sent on behalf of the East of England Ambulance Trust but the crew left later that evening after assessing and discharging care of the patient, according to the ambulance service's own report.

Mr Page continued to have breathing problems and his wife called an amublance again in the early hours of 25 February, but attempts to resuscitate him failed.

The family's solicitor, who has already been critical of the ambulance service, is attending the hearing at Chelmsford Coroner's Court.

Andrew Woodger
BBC News

Essex Police, external are releasing a photo of a jacket left at the scene of an arson in Pitsea.

A white Ford Transit van was set alight on Kenneth Road at about 22:45 on Saturday, 25 June.

Image source, Essex Police

Investigators are now issuing this picture as they try to identify the culprit.

They believe the arsonist may have burnt themselves.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

With temperatures expected to reach 30C (86F), making it the hottest September day for more than 40 years, the East of England Ambulance Trust, external has issued the following advice on how to stay safe in the sun.

• Keep hydrated and wear a hat
• Use a high-factor sun cream and top up regularly - the sun is at its hottest between 11:00 and 15:00
• Use insect repellent if you're prone to bites

Image source, Getty Images

And if you're planning a barbecue, make sure the food is cooked thoroughly - and protect yourself and others from flames.

The NHS non-emergency helpline, 111, is open 24 hours a day - alternatively see your GP or pharmacist if you need medical help.

Andrew Woodger
BBC News

Two vehicles used in an early-morning ram-raid in Suffolk were stolen across the border in Essex, according to Suffolk Police, external.

The Co-op in Clare had its cash machine taken on Sunday at about 02:50.

Police said a JCB digger was stolen from Belchamp St Paul and used to ram the building on Nethergate Street. It was left at the scene.

The cash machine was loaded onto a white Ford Sierra pick-up truck which was stolen from Wivenhoe.

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport

Southend United striker Nile Ranger says he is "starving" to show supporters what he can do.

Ranger joined the club at the start of the season despite a troubled past, which has seen him fined for criminal damage.

Image source, Getty Images

He said: "The past is the past; it’s what you do now."

Ranger has made just one appearance for the Blues, in their only League One victory of the season to date at Sheffield United and he’s currently sidelined with an ankle injury.

The new-look £5 note is going into circulation today - featuring former Prime Minister Sir Winston Churchill on the back.

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport

Glamorgan will resume on 256-7 when day two's play begins at 11:00 in the County Championship match at Chelmsford.

Essex need four more points to secure promotion, but they're up against 18-year-old Kiran Carlson (pictured), who will resume on 101 not out.

Image source, Getty Images

Essex all-rounder Graham Napier said of day one: "We’d have taken that score at the start of the day; the wicket flattens at Chelmsford as the day goes by. 

"Give them credit, they’ve batted well."