Essex Police have said two teenage boys have been left "distressed" after they were assaulted on their way home from school in Southend.

The attack happened on Friday, 6 January at 15:45 after they had just crossed the bridge at Thorpe Bay railway station.

They reported they were approached by a group of five white and black men, kicked and punched, but had no visible injuries.

The suspects are believed to be aged 18-22, and all were wearing black tracksuits with hoods and bandanas.

PC Matthew Stannard said: "This incident involves the assault of two schoolboys which has caused them and their friends great distress and fear to the extent they are now scared to walk to school.” 

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

High definition cameras are to be attached to refuse collection lorries in Thurrock, external in a bid to identify potholes and defects that could lead to road damage. 

The "pothole-spotters" will also take quality pictures of pavements in the borough. 

Image source, Thinkstock

The aim is to build up an image library of Thurrock's highways and help officers "learn" how to identify problems before they become potholes. 

This aims to reduce the negative impact on road users while ensuring that council resources are used as effectively as possible. 

Council leader Rob Gledhill, said: "Thurrock was selected as it is recognised by government as being ready to test innovative new techniques."

Image source, SOENECS Ltd

The Department for Transport, external claims the system, also being trialled in York, could "revolutionise the way potholes are identified and managed". 

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said: "The funding [£183,000] we have allocated is focused on relieving congestion and providing important upgrades to ensure our roads are fit for the future."

East Anglian Daily Times

Here is the front page of today's Essex edition of the East Anglian Daily Times, external:

Image source, Archant

The Environment Agency has defended its decision to issue several Severe Flood Warnings along the east coast on Friday.

A combination of spring tides and a tidal surge were expected to bring water over sea walls and barriers in some places. Thousands of people were advised to leave their homes.

But as the storm surge made its way down the Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex coast, the flooding failed to materialise.

Image source, FocusBug

Agency spokesman Toby Wilson says an evacuation of the area was the right course of action, given the forecast and predictions.

"To have a storm surge, you need a combination of three events to come together - a high tide, surge and wave action on top of the surge - all of those were forecast on Friday, but at the last moment they came out of time together, so the impacts were not as significant as we were expecting." he said.

Demand was so great for accident and emergency services at Colchester Hospital in the first week of the New Year that consultants were checking patients in ambulances as they arrived.

Consultant David Martin said there was a point where it was "unsafe" to bring in more patients to wait in corridors, but checks were made to ensure the most serious cases were dealt with.

Accident and emergency staff at Colchester Hospital are coping with high levels of demand, managers said.

Dr Sunday Akpulonu talks about the difficulties encountered this weekend:

Sonia Watson
BBC Essex

Despite pressures on Colchester Hospital, external continuing since the beginning of the New Year, its chief executive is confident that patients will receive the best possible care but they must understand its true role.

Nick Hulme told the BBC Essex's Breakfast programme that A&E stands for accident and emergency and not "anything and everything". 

Mr Hulme added that the health service has seen the worst winter he can remember with unprecedented demand. 

But despite the pressures patients will still get good care.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

It's a chilly morning and there are one or two mist and fog patches around the BBC East region.

There's also a bit of rain as well, although the further east you are, you'll see a drier start to the day and there may even be a glimmer of sunshine.

Any rain will tend to dry out during the afternoon, and there'll be a top temperature between 5C and 6C (41F - 43F).

Watch the full regional forecast here: 

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Morning! Welcome to today's Essex Live page and we hope the weather is kinder to us this week.

We are concentrating on Colchester Hospital where BBC Essex is spending the morning in the accident and emergency department meeting patients and staff as they try to find out just how much pressure the NHS is under. 

Meanwhile we'll be bringing you the latest news, sport, weather and travel updates from now right through until 18:00 this evening - so stay with us.

If there's anything you wish to share with us you can contact us on email, Facebook, external or Twitter, external.