Nic Rigby
BBC News

An Chelmsford-born writer has spoken of her "delight" at winning the Waterstones Book of the Year Award, external with her second novel The Essex Serpent.

Image source, Profile Books

Sarah Perry (pictured above), who now lives in Norwich,  said: "I am delighted beyond measure.

"No author could hope for better champions of their work, or a more heartfelt introduction to readers, and I could not be more grateful."

The book was inspired by the folk tales about the serpent of Henham, near Saffron Walden, which was retold in a 17th Century pamphlet (see below).

Image source, British Library

Perry faced stiff competition on the six strong shortlist, up against JK Rowling's Harry Potter And The Cursed Child - a script based on the West End play of the same name.

Also nominated were Emma-Jane Kirby's The Optician Of Lampedusa, Paul Kalanithi's When Breath Becomes Air and Meetings With Remarkable Manuscripts by Christopher De Hamel.

The final nominee was a Beatrix Potter novel that was discovered more than 100 years after it was originally written.

The Tale Of Kitty-In-Boots - illustrated by Quentin Blake - tells the story of a well-behaved black cat who leads a double life, and features classic Potter characters including Mrs Tiggy-Winkle and Peter Rabbit. 

Image source, British Library

A visitor to a council-owned leisure centre was hospitalised after contracting Legionnaires' Disease, it emerges.

Stuart Woodward
BBC Essex

Essex and Suffolk Water is carrying out repairs after a number of homes in Chelmsford were hit by a burst water pipe:

Samantha Dalton
BBC Essex

The jury, in the trial of three men accused of being involved in a burglary in which a millionaire was shot in the leg at his mansion, has retired to consider its verdict.

Three men broke into Timothy Mardon's home in Sible Hedingham, Essex, on 6 February.

The trial at Chelmsford Crown Court has heard they falsely thought Mr Mardon was a drug dealer.

The father-of-two was shot in the thigh through a closed bedroom door and was left with "life-changing injuries", police said.

Charlie Simms, 23, of Great Yeldham, Essex, denies attempted murder, aggravated burglary, wounding with intent, possessing a firearm and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Kalebh Shreeve, 24, and Christopher Bergin, 27, both of Sible Hedingham, deny wounding with intent, possessing a firearm and possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

A Polish man who died after being attacked in Essex is believed to have been knocked to the floor by a single punch, police say.

Stuart Woodward
BBC Essex

A former Essex Police officer has told us he set up his own private security firm because he just wants to make a difference to local communities:

One 15-year-old has been charged with the manslaughter of Arek Jozwik in Harlow, but no charges are being brought against the other five youths who had also been arrested in the inquiry.

Paul Scothern, advocate with the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “Following early investigative advice from the reviewing lawyer, the police decided to take no further action in relation to five other youths who were at the scene."

Essex Police has charged a 15-year-old boy from Harlow with the manslaughter of Arkadiusz "Arek" Jozwik.

The 40-year-old was punched to the ground in The Stow in Harlow on Saturday, 27 August and he died the following Monday.

Image source, Essex Police

Det Insp Danny Stoten said: "The Crown Prosecution Service has now authorised Essex Police to charge a teenager with manslaughter in connection with the death of Mr Jozwik."

He is due to appear at Chelmsford Youth Court on 6 January and is on police bail until then.

The defendant cannot be named due to his age.

A teenager has been charged with the manslaughter of Polish national Arkadiusz Jozwik in Harlow.

More to follow...

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A story set in the brooding marshes of Essex and featuring a monster from the county's folklore has won a prestigious book prize.

Image source, Profile Books

The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry has won the Waterstone's Book of the Year 2016, external.

Set in Victorian Essex, it tells the story of recently-widowed Cora Seagrave who relinquishes the "staid predictability of the capital" to pursue the rumour of a great, unknown beast or "living fossil" in Essex.

James Daunt, managing director of Waterstones, said: "The Essex Serpent blazed as the overwhelming choice by our booksellers to be their Book of the Year.

"It is one of those novels that takes possession of the reader in a physical embrace.

"To finish it is to feel released, deeply satisfied at every level. It is a treasure and we recommend this wonderful book to everyone."

Stuart Woodward
BBC Essex

Water supplies have been affected across Chelmsford due to a burst water main at Stanford Milll.

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport

Chelmsford City, external manager Rod Stringer (pictured below) says he didn't want to stand in the way of striker Shamir Mullings' move into the professional game.

Image source, Getty Images

Mullings, who scored 14 goals in the first 22 games of the season for the National League South club, has moved up a division and joined National League promotion hopefuls Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee yesterday.  

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and possession of drugs following a shooting in Southend.A 23-year-old man from London was found with a shotgun wound to the stomach in Southchurch Road on 18 April.

A 19-year-old from Erith in south east London was stopped by British Transport Police at Pitsea railway station (pictured) last night. He is being questioned by Essex Police.

Image source, Google

The victim is believed to have been attacked near the Malvern Flats block and was taken to hospital for his injuries.

Three other people are already on bail in connection with the investigation, pending further inquiries.

Two men, aged 19 from Southend and 18 from Leigh-on-Sea, were arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, and a 20-year-old woman from Southend was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and affray. 

They are on police bail until 26 April 2017.  

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Murder inquiry detectives investigating the death of a man found dead in a burned-out Audi A4 have made a further arrest.

Image source, Anthony chooah

Vilson Meshi (pictured above), 30, was discovered at Pincey Mead near Pitsea Road, Basildon, on 27 February.

A 46-year-old woman from Basildon was arrested yesterday morning on suspicion of theft and assisting an offender.

She has been released on bail until 21 December, pending further inquiries.

An 18-year-old girl from Pitsea and a 15-year-old boy from London have also been rebailed until 21 December, pending further police inquiries.

A 15-year-old boy from Enfield was released from bail without charge and faces no further action.

Ben Fryer
BBC Essex sport

Southend United, external striker Nile Ranger has signed a new three-and-a-half-year contract with the club.

Image source, Getty Images

Ranger, who joined the club from Blackpool (who he is pictured playing for, holding off a challenge) in the summer, has scored two goals in his nine appearances for the club this season.

A dedicated football sex abuse hotline has received a "staggering surge" in calls, the NSPCC says.

Southend United striker Nile Ranger signs a new three-and-a-half year contract with the League One club.

Meanwhile, south Essex rail commuters are facing problems this morning after overhead electrical wire damage.

Network Rail has closed the C2C services, external line between Pitsea and Stanford-le-Hope. Buses are being put on to help and bosses are warning of disruption through the morning rush.

Rail passengers travelling from London Liverpool Street to Norwich are facing delays, with bus replacement between Diss and Stowmarket.

But the train company is laying on extra services:

Nic Rigby
BBC News

The health watchdog has praised improvements at the NHS trust which runs services in mid-Essex, including Broomfield Hospital, external in Chelmsford.

Image source, PA

In its latest inspection report, the Care Quality Commission, external (CQC) has rated it as "good".

Previously the CQC rated the Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust as "requiring improvement" but now inspectors say, following a review in July, it has got better.

The health watchdog has found a number of improvements, and says it was particularly impressed with its burns service.