A football commentator who has worked for West Ham and Norwich City Football Club is charged with sexual grooming.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Earlier we told you about a crash in Galleywood Road, Chelmsford, which left a woman seriously injured. 

Essex Police says a local man, 30, has now been charged with drink-driving. 

He is due in court in January. 

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Residents in Essex will send more Christmas cards then anywhere else in the country this year, it has been claimed.

A survey conducted among 2,000 adults across the UK showed an average of 20 festive cards would be handed out per person in our great county. 

The data has also revealed that the Scrooges are up in Wolverhampton, where residents will only post a mere 10 cards each in 2016.

Paul Moseley
BBC Radio Norfolk

A former commentator at Norwich City Football Club has been charged with sexual grooming.

Glenn Wheeler, 21, who lives in Colchester, broadcast on the Canaries' in-house television and YouTube channels, but is no longer involved with the club.

The former University of East Anglia student commentated on Norwich City under-21 matches between July 2014 and March this year.

The club said he was an unpaid volunteer who was never employed by them, and was only paid expenses.

Mr Wheeler has been charged by Norfolk Police with sexual grooming offences that are said to have taken place in Norfolk between April and October.

Police say the alleged offences are not involved with the national investigation into historical allegations of sexual abuse within football. 

Mr Wheeler has been released on bail and is due before magistrates in Ipswich next month.

Tom Percival
BBC Radio Northampton

That's right, folks. Today is the shortest day - the point when the North Pole is tilted furthest from the sun (-23.5 degrees, geometry fans).

And we know the exact time - 10:44am. After that, the days get longer, the nights get shorter and soon it'll be SCORCHIO!

So here are two generic sunny, summer photos to get you in the mood.

No no, don't thank me. You're welcome.

All police officers in Essex and the rest of the UK should be armed following the recent truck attack at a Berlin market, an ex-army chief has said.

Image source, BBC/AFP

Former Colonel Richard Kemp believes terrorists are likely to attack places where they won't encounter armed police, citing Chelmsford and Colchester as examples.

"Unarmed police is a great British tradition, but that is now outdated," Col Kemp told BBC Essex. 

The suggestion has received mixed views on social media, with some critics claiming the former commander of British forces in Afghanistan's suggestion is an overreaction. 

A woman in her 50s has been left seriously injured after a crash involving two cars in Chelmsford late last night, police say.

Image source, Twitter/SgtColinShead

One of the cars struck an electricity pole in Galleywood Road following the collision, at about 23:10. 

Sgt Colin Shead, who tweeted, external this picture from the scene, said a man was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving. 

BBC Sport

A second-half goal helped Braintree Town earn a hard-fought 1-0 victory at Boreham Wood last night.

Image source, Getty Images

Michael Cheek netted the 63rd-minute goal.

The result extended the Iron's unbeaten run to four games and lifted them out of the relegation zone. 

BBC Weather

A rather grey and damp start for most places with outbreaks of rain, although these will be light and patchy. 

The middle part of the day should be brighter and drier with some sunshine and a south-westerly breeze. 

The evening will bring more rain. 

BBC Weather has more local forecasts. 

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

Welcome back to Essex Live and a happy Christmas Eve Eve Eve Eve to you. 

Join us for the latest news, sport, weather and travel for the county until 18:00.

Michael Cheek's second-half goal helps Braintree Town earn a hard-fought victory at 10-man Boreham Wood.

Jack Warren
BBC Local Live

That's it from us at Essex Live today - here's a recap of the top stories from today:

• Police, who are pursuing over 700 lines of inquiry into the death of John "Goldfinger" Palmer, say there are potentially "16,000 motives"

• Zavon Hines will remain at Southend United until at least the end of the season, the club has confirmed this afternoon  
• You could be charged to use public toilets in part of Essex under new plans being considered by a local authority

The team returns tomorrow at 08:00.

Have a great evening. 

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Staying dry this evening with clear skies, allowing a touch of ground frost to develop but becoming milder later as cloud increases from the west.  

Outbreaks of light and patchy rain by the early hours of the morning. 

Temperatures down to 1C (34F). 

Tomorrow will start misty and a bit damp with some patchy rain, easing to bring drier conditions and highs of 10C (50F).

Get your local forecast from BBC Weather.

BBC Weather Watchers

Thanks to everybody who has uploaded photos to our BBC Weather Watchers page - here are a few of our favourites. 

It's not good news for commuters heading back to the coast this evening, as a points failure means some trains heading to and from Southend Victoria may be cancelled or delayed. 

BBC Sport

Zavon Hines will remain at Southend United until at least the end of the season, the club has confirmed this afternoon. 

Image source, Empics

The 27-year-old ex-West Ham and Bradford player has not made a first-team appearance since featuring for Dagenham & Redbridge in September 2015.

Since then Hines has had surgery twice on the same knee, but has recently been on trial with Phil Brown's Shrimpers.

Braintree Town look to continue their strong form away from home tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

The Iron visit Boreham Wood in the National League, having won four of their last five games on their travels. 

Hakan Hayrettin's side will climb out of the relegation zone with a win.

He told BBC Essex: "You can only ask your players to give you 100% and that's what they're giving me week in, week out." 

Police, who are pursuing over 700 lines of inquiry into the death of John "Goldfinger" Palmer, say there are potentially 16,000 motives. 

Earlier today, an inquest concluded that the Essex conman was unlawfully killed in the garden of his South Weald home in July 2015. 

Speaking at Chelmsford Coroner's Court, Det Ch Insp Stephen Jennings said there were a large number of people who could have wanted him dead. 

Palmer was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2001 for a £33m time share fraud which had 16,000 potential victims, which Mr Jennings described as "16,000 motives".

Southend United sign former West Ham and Dagenham winger Zavon Hines on a contract until the end of the season.

So far this year, 63 drivers have had their driving licence revoked after failing eyesight tests at roadsides in Essex.

Police say drivers who are unable to pass an eye test at a distance of 20 metres are believed to present a severe risk to other road users. 

Following a new fast-track procedure introduced by the DVLA in February 2013, police can request a license to be revoked within hours of the motorist failing the test.

In 2015, 49 drivers had their licence taken away.