Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Good morning and thanks for joining us.

Our main story as we start the day is news that about 240 hospital beds in the county have people in them who don't need to be in hospital for medical reasons.

We'll take a closer look at that, and find out more about a fire in Colchester over the weekend, which has left a family homeless.

We'll start though with the day's weather prospects, which Kate Kinsella will bring us next.

A stunning late David Ball strike keeps Fleetwood on a club-record 12-match unbeaten run in League One with a draw against Southend.

A woman in her 80s dies in a two-car collision in Essex.

CCTV images are released of two men police want to speak to about a claw hammer attack in Harlow.

Southend United sacks its groundsman after a match was cancelled because of a frozen pitch.

Mechanics become animal rescue heroes when Daisy the cat puts one of her nine lives on the line.

BBC Local Live: Essex has ended for another week and we'll return on Monday at 08:00.

We hope train services have recovered after a day of disruption due to faults with the overhead cables.

Have a good weekend.

Here is the cabling that developed faults between Witham and Shenfield in Essex last night, causing massive disruption on Greater Anglia services today:

Greater Anglia passengers travelling between London and Norwich are being advised to check before they travel, following significant damage to the overhead wires in Essex.

Network Rail say: "We have carried out repairs to the overhead wires so that trains can run through the evening peak and passengers can get home tonight. 

"However, there will be a reduced service and passengers are advised to check before they travel.

“Further repairs will be carried out overnight to get the service back to normal as soon as possible. 

"A full investigation will be carried out to find out exactly what caused the problems.”    

You can check out the BBC Travel website, log on to the Greater Anglia website, external, follow their Twitterfeed, external, or take a look at the National Rail website, external.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A second attempt by a drinker to have a murder conviction overturned has failed at the Court of Appeal. 

Stuart James Layden, 34, from Harlow in Essex, was one of a gang who attacked Ian Church, 40, outside the Bricklayer's Arms in Great Yarmouth in May 2012.

Image source, Norfolk Police

His conviction for a "joint enterprise" murder along with four others in 2013, was quashed on appeal in 2015. 

A retrial at Norwich Crown Court last year re-convicted him of the murder and he was again jailed for life. 

Today Lord Justice Treacy, sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, heard him mount an attack on the jury's guilty verdict and then dismissed his application for permission to appeal. 

Mr Church was kicked and stamped upon after being knocked to the ground outside the pub and died of brain injuries. 

Lawyers for Layden had argued that there remained a "lurking doubt" about his involvement in the attack.

Dismissing the application, Lord Justice Treacy said: "It was for the jury to sift and analyse these shocking events, which happened at night over a short period of time - that is what juries do."

Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather

Occasional clear spells overnight, but generally cloudy with outbreaks of mainly light and patchy rain in a moderate breeze across the BBC East region.

Less cold tomorrow but expect a cloudy day with some further outbreaks of mainly light and patchy rain. 

There's a chance of sunshine in the west of the region before sundown. 

Maximum Temperature: 8C (46F)

More details from BBC Weather: 

Crossrail, external has released images of how the Elizabeth Line is progressing.

The route will link 40 stations through London and the south east, between Reading and Shenfield.  

The line has been named after the Queen and is set to open in December next year.

Image source, Crossrail

Image source, Crossrail

Image source, Crossrail

Kate Williams
BBC Local Live

Returning to the fly-tipping court case...

The Braintree councillor with responsibility for enivironment and place, Wendy Schmitt, echoed the comments from Epping Forest: "Fly-tipping is disgusting – it ruins our environment and costs councils and private landowners thousands of pounds to clear up.

"Where we have evidence we investigate and take legal action and I would urge residents to report details of any fly-tipping to us so we can continue to pursue those who have no respect for the place they live."

Image source, Epping Forest District Council

Kate Williams
BBC Local Live

Fly-tipping incidents are unacceptable and should always be reported, says an Essex councillor, after a Little Waltham man was successfully prosecuted.

Councillor Will Breare-Hall was speaking after Little Waltham man Sam Russell, 24, was given a 12-month community order to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work for fly-tipping in Essex. 

The prosecution was brought by Epping Forest District Council, although it came to light that Russell was also being investigated by Braintree District Council.

Image source, Epping Forest District Council

Cllr Breare-Hall, portfolio holder for environment at Epping Forest said: ”This case highlights the excellent joined up work carried out by local authorities to catch and hold fly-tippers accountable for their criminal actions.

”This case shows that even if fly-tippers cross local authority boundaries it does not mean the culprits will escape investigation or prosecution.

”I urge residents to report details of any fly-tipping.”

Southend United sign central midfielder Luke Amos on loan from Tottenham Hotspur until the end of the season.

Kate Williams
BBC Local Live

Survival stories of the Holocaust are being shared in Brentwood today and tomorrow with a series of events for Holocaust Memorial Day, external.

An exhibition has been set up at the town hall to help people learn more about the lives of people caught up in events. It runs today and on Saturday morning.

Image source, Brentwood Borough Council

Further memories will be shared at 18:30 at Brentwood County High School with a talk from a German Jew who shares his story of his life, followed by an Act of Commemoration.

Mayor of Brentwood, Councillor Noelle Hones, said: "Holocaust Memorial Day is an opportunity to pause and remember the millions of victims of the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and the subsequent genocides. 

"This exhibition enables us to reflect upon these atrocities and join together to show our solidarity in combating discrimination, racism and hatred."

The problems affecting overheard wires on the line between Norwich and London Liverpool Street are continuing, with news that further damage has been identified.

Disruption now predicted to continue for several more hours  - check out the latest, external from Greater Anglia: 

Kate Williams
BBC Local Live

Pictures have been released of fly-tipping incidents which saw a 24-year-old man from Little Waltham handed a 12-month community order.

Sam Russell, 24, admitted two incidents of fly-tipping at Chelmsford Magistrates Court.

Image source, Epping Forest District Council

One involved three van loads of waste at Hastingwood, North Weald, and the other was 15 black sacks of rubbish at Wickham Bishops Road, Hatfield Peverel, said a spokesperson for Epping Forest District Council.  

Image source, Epping Forest District Council

When officers were called to investigate they found mattresses, sofas, building materials and carpets found on a public footpath in Hastingwood.

Russell was ordered to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and must pay costs of £1983.72, plus a victim surcharge of £85.

Image source, Epping Forest District Council

National League Woking sign striker Macauley Bonne on a one-month loan from League Two Colchester United.