The Independent Police Complaints Commission is confirming that a man from Colchester, who was arrested at Pontins near Lowestoft, has died in hospital.

More to follow...

Lian Simmonds, from Hockley, was due to run in the now-cancelled Southend marathon for the first time.

The 43-year-old, pictured below with friends, had already run the London and Brighton marathons.  

She said there were rumours on social media that objections from some local businesses were the reason why Havens Hospices had had to cancel it.

Image source, Lian Simmonds

She said: "It's a shame for Southend and for the Havens happening at such short notice - if you imagine how much money they've lost. There's obviously all the set up costs. 

"And it's just such big business. If you look at the Brighton tourist industry, it reaps so well from this kind of thing, it's so busy, and you can't get a hotel room when it's on."

Southend Borough Council says it had to balance the clear benefits of the marathon with "feedback from a number of stakeholders" when it took the decision on allowing road closures.

The Southend marathon, which was due to take place on 12 March, has been cancelled. 

Councillor Ann Holland, Southend's councillor for culture, tourism and the economy, said: "The borough council welcomes the initiative to bring a marathon event back to the town, particularly if it can support both the economy and such a fantastic local charity. 

"We have been working together to achieve this but in this instance, we have had to balance the very clear benefits of the event with feedback from a number of stakeholders. 

"This unfortunately means that we were unable to permit all the necessary road closures this year. However, we are hopeful that the work put in by Havens in preparing this event will be used at a future time to everyone’s satisfaction.”

Meanwhile the events manager of the hospice has stated how "truly sorry" they are for the late cancellation of the Southend marathon, external. 

Judy Grocott, for Havens Hospices said: "We have built amazing relationships with many of the runners as they kept us up to date with training.

"We are truly sorry that we have had to postpone this event so close to the day and we feel awful that our runners will not get to complete the race they’ve been training for.  

"We are in awe of all of the amazing runners who have dedicated themselves to this event and we really want to thank you for your dedication and support.”

The Southend Marathon has been cancelled , externalwith less than a month's notice - due to problems over road closures. 

The Run to Remember Marathon was due to take place on 12 March, but Havens Hospices has announced it will be postponed.

Image source, Havens Hospices

Andy Smith, chief executive for Havens Hospices, said: "Co-ordinating this type of event is a huge task...

"In order to ensure the safety of the runners, this risk assessment identified the need for some of the roads along a portion of the seafront to be closed during the morning of the race, re-opening around lunchtime. 

"Whilst there is precedent for road closures, the council feels unable to allow this on this occasion. 

"We therefore have no choice but to postpone the marathon for this year."

St Clare Hospice, external near Harlow says it is expecting a record number of walkers and their dogs for its "Winter Walkies" event on 26 February. 

Coined the "cutest event in the St Clare calendar", the 5km (3 mile) sponsored walk will see more than 250 traipsing across the Essex countryside - starting at the hospice in Hastingwood.

Image source, St Clare Hospice

Image source, St Clare Hospice

Dog medals will be handed out and certificates for children after the event, external, but don't forget your wellies, it's bound to be muddy. 

Police take a tough stance on crime hot spots

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

Image source, East Anglian Daily Times

Chelmsford City Council plans to erect up 18 of the houses at two locations.

Steve Martin
BBC Radio Suffolk

Police were called to Pontins holiday camp in Suffolk at 23:45 on Tuesday, where a man in his late-30s had been detained by staff after an incident at a bar.

Image source, Google

The man, believed to be from the Colchester area, was then arrested on suspicion of assault. 

Police say he became unwell while being taken to Great Yarmouth Police Investigation Centre in a police van, and is now in the James Paget Hospital, where he remains in a critical condition. 

Suffolk Police say they're investigating what happened and have referred the incident to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

We've approached Pontins for a comment, but so far have not had a response.

People in Essex are being asked to have their say on a potential change which would see police and fire services run jointly.

The new 2017 Policing and Crime Act enables police and crime commissioners to take over the role of the current fire authorities where a strong case is made. 

The Essex Fire Authority, external is made up of representatives from Essex County Council, Southend Council and Thurrock Council.

The 12-week consultation, external starts today and runs until 10 May. 

If the favoured model were adopted, it would mean a joint strategy to share administrative services. 

Police and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst (pictured) said: "Together we have developed a local case for Essex to strengthen our emergency services, improve joint working and deliver significant savings. 

"We have an opportunity to share knowledge and back office services, make better use of estates, and help protect vulnerable people in joined-up ways. 

"The resources freed up by this would be reinvested in front line services and enable both emergency services to better protect the people of Essex."

Billericay Town's Twitter feed celebrates the club's 6-0 victory over Needham Market last night in the Ryman Premier Division, external - denying the second-placed Suffolk side the chance of going top.

The @BTFC feed also retweets amateur footage of the goals...

Southend Council is not "anti-taxi or anti-Uber", says the man responsible for licensing at the local authority as it tries to work out the legal position over drivers who get their licence in London and then come and work in the Essex town.

"The established taxi trade has some huge concerns, which may be well-founded," councillor Mark Flewitt told the BBC.

The council is seeking legal clarification about whether drivers who lost their licences in Southend, but went on to get one in London, are able to come and pick up fares using the app-based ride-hailing service.

"It's all about the licensing breach," Mr Flewitt said. "What we have to do is make sure we only act if there is a breach of licensing law."

Image source, Getty Images

In a statement, Uber said: "Drivers licensed by TfL [Transport for London] are dispatched under Uber London's private hire operator's licence. 

"As we don't yet have a licence in Southend, private hire drivers licensed there are currently unable to sign up to the app. 

"Private hire drivers that use the Uber app are fully licensed independent contractors and are free to log in and drive when and where they choose."

Spot checks are taking place in Southend to stop drivers from the online ride-hailing service Uber - who have been given their licence in London and not in the Essex town - picking up fares there.

Southend Council staff are inspecting taxi ranks, amid concern that drivers stripped of their personal licences from the borough have returned. 

Image source, Reuters

Mark Flewitt, the Conservative councillor responsible for licensing, said the local authority was "in communication" about "the whole Uber and traditional taxi service position".

"We're investigating and trying to get some clarification via legal opinion about the validity or otherwise of drivers who are licensed via an app through London and not through Southend Council, external," he said.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Promotion-chasing Needham Market, external blew the chance to go joint top of the Ryman Premier Division, external in dramatic fashion last night.

Image source, Needham Market FC

The Market Men were hammered 6-0 at mid-table Billericay Town - the Suffolk side's biggest defeat of the season.

Needham will get the chance to put things right on Saturday, when they head to play-off hopefuls Dulwich Hamlet.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

There's plenty of cloud around this morning, with a few mist patches, but all of this will lift and clear, and we'll get some sunshine coming through this afternoon.

Feeling quite pleasant, with a slight chance of some light showers, but you'll be unlucky to catch one.

Top temperature: 11C (52F). 

Get the full forecast where you live, from BBC Weather.

Jodie Halford
BBC News

Good morning and welcome to Thursday's live updates for Essex, where we'll bring you the latest news, sport, weather and travel from now through until 18:00 this evening.

I don't know about you, but to me it's starting to feel like the merest hint of spring is in the air, and the mornings are getting that little bit lighter.

It's certainly a nice morning in Wickford, where BBC Weather Watcher Gill on the Hill took this photo a short time ago.

We'll have a full weather forecast for you shortly, as well as a look at Thursday's top news stories.

Laurence Cawley
BBC News

It's been another busy news day here in Essex. For those who may have missed the main things we've been looking at, here's a quick recap:

• Campaigners for injured soldiers say 'no blame' compensation proposals are 'scary'
• Illegal betting blamed for increase in hare coursing
• 'Illegal immigrants' stowaway with Ferraris
• Ancient timbers star on Countryfile
• Could prefabricated stackable containers be the council housing of the future?

That's it for now. Have a great evening

Image source, Thinkstock

Simon Dedman
BBC Essex political reporter

The Conservative MP attempting to oust John Bercow has said he does not believe any Cabinet ministers will support him continuing as Speaker of the House of Commons. 

James Duddridge, who has tabled a "no confidence" motion in the Speaker, declined to name any ministers who he expected to vote against Mr Bercow, but insisted he was not aware of any Cabinet members who opposed his move. 

Image source, Photoshot

The Rochford and Southend East MP took the unusual step after Mr Bercow came under fire for announcing he would bar Donald Trump from addressing Parliament during his planned state visit to the UK.

Asked whether he expected backing from Cabinet ministers, Mr Duddridge told BBC Radio 5 Live's Emma Barnett: "Put it this way, I don't know any Cabinet ministers that aren't supporting me.

"I think some people may abstain. I would expect the prime minister to abstain.

"I had expected David Lidington to abstain given that he's a parliamentary neighbour and kind of chief interlocutor with John Bercow as leader of the Commons."

Plans to bring back the Havens Hospices Marathon in Southend have stumbled. The charity intended to stage the Run to Remember Marathon on 12 March but the council has refused permission for certain road closures along the seafront.

Chief executive Andy Smith said it was "very disappointing".

"But we are already working with the council on an alternative plan for a marathon in 2018," he said.

Runners will be offered a full refund, or a chance to transfer to another event, such as the Southend Half Marathon on 9 July.

Image source, Thinkstock

Alex Dunlop
BBC Look East

It was the answer to the housing shortage left in the wake of the Blitz, it could be the answer to the very different housing crisis we are suffering today.

I've been taking a look around one of the prefabs, or eco -modular homes, that Chelmsford Council is planning to build.

Built in just eight weeks in a factory and put up on site in half a day, there are 18 like this planned for the city.

Councillor Paul Hutchinson told me they'd like to build more. He says they're trying to help people on the waiting list who have been made homeless through no fault of their own.