Kate Scotter
BBC News

Pregnant mother Sherry Doran, from Suffolk, responded on the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service Faceboook page to the "offensive" comment made after she got stuck in the ford at Buttsbury:

Kate Scotter
BBC News

An Essex fire service employee is sacked after posting 'derogatory' comments on Facebook about the pregnant mum from Suffolk whose car got stuck in a ford on Sunday evening.

Kate Scotter
BBC News

A pregnant woman who got stuck in floodwater said derogatory comments made about the incident have caused her upset.

As we've been telling you this morning, comments were made on social media after Sherry Doran got stuck at Buttsbury Wash with her one-year-old son in the car, near Ingatestone, on Sunday evening.

Comments included "stupidity knows no bounds" and "complete idiot". One comment was made by an Essex Fire and Rescue service worker who has since been sacked.

The fire service said it took immediate action as it "does not tolerate derogatory language against members of the public".

Ms Doran said she lives in Suffolk and was "unfamiliar" with the roads.

She said: "I've read several derogatory comments online which have only added upset to what was already a distressing incident."

Kate Scotter
BBC News

An Essex Fire and Rescue Service worker has been sacked after making derogatory comments on social media about a pregnant woman who got stuck in floodwater.

Sherry Doran and her one-year-old child were rescued after her car got stuck in 4ft (1.2m) of water in Buttsbury Wash, near Ingatestone, at about 19:15 on Sunday.

Since then, some people have written unpleasant comments about what happened to her. They said she should not have driven into the water and was putting her life and that of her children at risk.

BBC Essex can exclusively reveal that one of the derogatory comments was made by a fire service worker, who has now been sacked.

The fire service said it would not tolerate derogatory language against members of the public and it took immediate action against the employee.  

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

After a cloudy but generally dry start to the day, it will slowly brighten up with some sunny intervals developing by the afternoon. 

It'll be a breezy day, with the north-easterly winds strong at times, especially over higher ground.  

Maximum temperature: 10C (50F). Watch my full regional forecast:

For a more detailed forecast where you are, visit BBC Weather.

Kate Scotter
BBC News

Good morning on this dry and breezy morning.

We'll be bringing you all the news and sport throughout the day.

In a BBC Essex exclusive, we'll be revealing that an employee of Essex Fire and Rescue has been sacked for posting derogatory and offensive comments on Facebook.

We'll bring you more on that story, along with the BBC East weather forecast.

Kathryn Langley
BBC Live reporter

Image source, Kent Police

Police are asking for help in finding Olivia Burton-Taylor who's been missing from Sevenoaks for more than nine months.

The 17-year-old was reported missing on 8 February. 

Officers believe she may be in Essex. 

Police investigating the murder of a man in Essex in February arrest a third teenager.

Police want to trace a person on a bike who was filmed by CCTV in a car park hours before a man was found dead in a burned-out Audi A4.

Regular updates for Essex Live have now finished - here are the top stories we've covered today:

• Police have arrested a third teenager in a murder investigation involving a 30-year-old man from Pitsea
• A 22-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after CCTV captured a dog being attacked on a train
• A teenager was stabbed and sprayed with what police believe to be tear gas near a petrol station in Ongar yesterday evening

The team returns tomorrow from 08:00 - but check back overnight for any breaking news. 

Have a good evening.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Mainly dry but rather cloudy with the risk of some patchy light rain of drizzle overnight. Staying mild with a low of 7C (45F).

Rather cloudy at times on Thursday, but some brighter spells expected later. Feeling cooler in the wind, which will pick up through the day, and a high of 10C (50F).

There are more details on the forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Braintree snooker player Mark King was docked a frame during his UK Championship match this afternoon, after forgetting his cue following the interval. 

After noticing his mistake, the 42-year-old went to retrieve the illusive cue, but was penalised for returning to the game late. 

King is currently behind in the first-round match against Sam Craigie. 

Follow updates on the BBC Snooker Twitter feed, external. 

Police have arrested a third teenager in a murder investigation involving a 30-year-old man from Pitsea. 

Image source, Essex Police

The body of Vilson Meshi was found in the back of his grey Audi in Pincey Mead on 27 February. The car had been damaged by fire. 

A 15-year-old boy from Enfield was arrested on suspicion of murder today, and is currently in custody awaiting questioning.An 18-year-old girl from Pitsea and a 15-year-old boy from London who were previously arrested on suspicion of murder have both been bailed until 30 November, pending further inquiries.

A 15-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Vilson Meshi, whose body was found inside a fire-damaged car in Pitsea earlier this year.

More follows. 

Image source, Google

On Monday, Southend Hospital declared an "internal critical incident" as it struggled to cope with the number of unwell patients needing to be admitted from its A&E department. 

The hospital has confirmed this afternoon, external that it remains on this status, as it tries to free up beds.

Some elective operations have been cancelled. 

CCTV has been released of a man police want to speak to after a Barclays Bank was robbed of a four-figure sum of money in Pitsea.

Image source, Essex Police

The man is said to have entered the bank in Broadway and threatened staff before making off with the cash on 28 October. 

Read a description of the suspect on the force's Facebook page, external. 

A daughter of a man who died after he was attacked by a gang of masked men 20 years ago has vowed to find her dad's killers. 

No-one has been convicted over the death of Gary Chick, who worked as a bouncer in Clacton. 

Roxanne Malborough was 11-years-old when her father died.  

Earlier today we shared CCTV footage from the British Transport Police, showing a man the force wanted to speak to after a dog was attacked on a train in Essex.

Image source, British Transport Police

We have now been informed that a 22-year-old man from Chelmsford has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty.

He is currently in police custody.

Here are the top stories from Essex Live: 

• Police are searching for a man after CCTV captured a dog being swung by his lead and banged against the wall of a train
• A teenager was stabbed and sprayed with what police believe to be tear gas near a petrol station in Ongar last night
• A Braintree Town footballer travelled to Bromley yesterday, only to find the National League game was being played at home

It will stay cloudy this afternoon with a little rain possible. The strengthening breeze will add to the chilly feel. 

Maximum temperature: 12C (54F).

Thanks to BBC Weather Watcher "razzmatazz", who submitted this great rainbow photo yesterday afternoon.