Updates on Friday, 16 December
Man who attempted to rob Andy Carroll in court today
Ambulance service holds a 'Twitterthon' into its workings on 'Black Friday'
It's a cloudy and misty start but with some brighter intervals through the morning, and more widespread sunny spells developing in the afternoon.
It's still mild for the time of year, with a balmy 10C (50F) to enjoy.
Good morning - and welcome to Wednesday, aka hump day.
Join us until 18:00 for the latest news, sport, weather and travel from Essex Live.
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A hospital is closed and patients evacuated following a "large" leak of diesel in its maternity unit.
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Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
Regular updates from Essex Live have now finished for the day - but do check throughout the night for any breaking news stories.
Here are the top stories from today:
BBC Look East will have the latest update from Southend Hospital on BBC One from 18:30.
Have a great evening.
Listen to live BBC local radio commentary from Tuesday's games in the National League. Kick-offs 19:45 GMT.
Read MoreThe medical director at Southend Hospital says the fuel which leaked into the maternity unit came from the heating system.
Image source, Southend Hospital"We have now identified the source of the leak and sealed it off," Neil Rothnie told BBC Essex.
"We'll be doing an investigation to find out the cause, but at the moment we don't have any real idea."
Mr Rothnie confirmed that the A&E department was still only open to critically-ill patients, although this is being reconsidered on a hourly basis.
The hospital is providing updates on its website, external.
Plans for a new junction on the M11 near Harlow have been agreed by Essex County Council.
Image source, Essex County CouncilThe idea is to create junction 7a in a bid to improve traffic in and out of the town.
Kevin Bentley, deputy leader at the authority said: "This is great news for the people of Harlow and Essex as a whole.
"Junction 7a offers a much needed link for residents and business across west Essex to the rest of the country."
You can view the plans here, external.
Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather
It'll stay cloudy tonight with further outbreaks of light rain and drizzle. Gradually clearing later, but staying cloudy and misty with some poor visibility, particularly on the coast.
Lows tonight of 8C (46F).
Tomorrow will start cloudy with some patchy mist and fog, but overall staying dry. Drier air moving in from the continent will push the cloud away.
Becoming brighter with decent amounts of sunshine by the afternoon. Highs of 11C (52F).
Get the full forecast where you live, at BBC Weather.
Richard Smith
BBC Essex
One lady, who was visiting Southend Hospital to pick up her diabetes tablets, told me she wasn't given an explanation as to why she wasn't allowed inside.
"I thought there could be a fire or gas leak," Tracey-Lee Howard told me.
"I don't know why there'd be a fuel spill inside a hospital - that's dangerous!"
The hospital says patients are advised to stay away and only attend its A&E department if a patient's condition is life-threatening.
Six people arrested in connection with an incident that took place at West Meadows travellers' site in Ipswich on Sunday night, have been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, and criminal damage.
They are:
All six have been remanded in custody to appear before magistrates in Ipswich tomorrow.
At about 22:10 on 11 December, a number of properties at West Meadows were damaged, and two caravans set alight, Suffolk Police said.
Two men were stabbed at the site and died on the Thursday. A 17-year-old boy has been charged with their murders.
Sir David Amess, Conservative MP for Southend West, has told BBC Essex he wants reassurance from Southend Hospital following a large fuel leak inside the Cardigan Wing earlier today.
"The main priority must be the safety of the patients," he said.
"I do hope the hospital's management have quickly got good communications in place not only to patients but also the wider public."
Tom Croasdell
BBC Essex
Emergency services have now left the scene of the fuel leak at Southend Hospital, however we understand the facility remains closed.
Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live
I've just spoken to Greater Anglia, external, to see if there are any residual problems for commuters between Liverpool Street and Norwich, and there's just one peak inter-city service that's been cancelled.
It's the 18:10 from Liverpool Street, which would have arrived in Norwich at 20.09.
If I hear anything else from them, I'll let you know.
As Basildon Hospital takes in some ambulances diverted from Southend A&E, the hospital warns it's exceptionally busy.
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A major fuel leak at Southend Hospital has now been contained and controlled, the hospital says, external.
It's understood that fumes are still present on a number of wards, including the maternity unit.
The hospital is warning people to stay away and only attend if a patient's condition is life-threatening.
The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) says critically-ill patients are still being accepted at Southend Hospital.
The hospital, including its A&E department, is currently closed following a fuel leak earlier this afternoon.
Kevin Brown, EEAST director of service delivery, said: "We are working with Southend University Hospital to help them manage their incident whilst maintaining safety in the community to other patients.
"This is an ongoing incident. Patients with life-threatening conditions will continue to be taken to Southend University Hospital."
Tom Croasdell
BBC Essex
It's a lot quieter here outside Southend Hospital than it was about 50 minutes ago.
Most of the emergency services have now left the scene, with just one fire appliance outside the Cardigan Wing.
The car park is still cordoned off, with a security guard diverting people away.
Chris Flynn
BBC Essex
I've been speaking to one staff member from Southend Hospital who had to leave the Cardigan Wing.
Quote MessageI was in the hospital, doing some paperwork, in the same proximity where the leak was. I was in the office and noticed a smell. Within 15 minutes they told us to evacuate, which is when I left the building. It smelt like a strong petrol smell. In this part of the unit there's a surgical unit and prenatal unit."
Aral Jamalfar, Core surgical trainee
Despite Greater Anglia saying earlier that disruption on the main line to Liverpool Street from Norwich was only expected to last until 14:00, it looks as if services aren't quite back to normal yet:
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Jack Warren
BBC Local Live
This is a breaking news story, so we're receiving new information all the time, but here is the latest we have:
