Harlow toasts 70 years as new townpublished at 00:29 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2017
It was one of the UK's first post-war towns and credited as having the first modern high-rise flats.
Read MoreSummary
Updates for Friday, 24 March, 2017
Murder inquiry arrest as man dies two days after brain injury
Appeal over missing boy of 13 from Frinton
Essex's McFly star pops into school for Comic Relief
Refuse collectors find snakes in rubbish in Chelmsford
Planning inspector says 350 can be built in Braintree
Harlow toasts 70 years as new townpublished at 00:29 Greenwich Mean Time 25 March 2017
Essex Live signing offpublished at 18:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Kate Scotter
BBC NewsGoodbye from us here for another week, join us again from 08:00 on Monday.
Before we go, here's a quick look at some of the stories you can scroll down to:
- A murder inquiry is launched after man dies two days after a brain injury
- Council says there is a "ticking time bomb" of child obesity in Essex
- A restaurateur is accused of attacking a woman with a stiletto
Have a great weekend. Don't forget it's Mother's Day and the clocks go forward.
Weather: Chance of frost tonight, but sunshine tomorrowpublished at 17:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weatherIt will be a dry night with mainly clear skies and possibly a few fog patches.
There could be a touch of frost in sheltered spots, with a low of 2C (36F).
After a chilly start, Saturday should be fine and dry with long spells of sunshine.
There'll be a light to moderate north-easterly wind and inland temperatures could reach about 14C (57F).
There's more at BBC Weather .
Planning inspector quashes 350 homes decisionpublished at 17:35 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
A planning inspector has quashed a decision to refuse planning permission for 350 new homes.
Image source, GoogleBraintree District Council, external previously rejected Gladman Developments' proposals for land off Western Road in Silver End, near Witham.
It said the development, which includes a children's play area and open space, would pose an "unjustified intrusion" into the countryside and would be "harmful to the rural setting of the village".
In his report, external , government inspector David Prentis said any "moderate harm" caused to the landscape would be outweighed by the "benefits" of new housing, affordable homes and the play area.
Braintree District Council said it was "disappointed" with the decision.
Legal action over 'Dale Farm II' fearspublished at 17:20 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
A council will go to the High Court over for a new traveller site in Essex.
Read MoreFuture of derelict Victorian village hall looking brighterpublished at 17:10 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Nic Rigby
BBC NewsThe future of a derelict 19th Century church hall could be secured by local people after Brentwood Borough Council pledged to try and bring it back to life.
Image source, Brentwood CouncilHerongate Church Hall, which was later used as the village hall for many years, has fallen into a dilapidated state.
The council is the custodian trustee of the building and is looking at the options for it with the local parish council, including bidding for lottery money.
Brentwood council leader Louise McKinlay (pictured in front of the hall) said: "We have been approached by an interested party that wishes to see the hall rejuvenated.
"This is clearly an opportunity to start to seriously look at what the hall means to residents, and how they would like to see it used in future.
"The Hall could be a special gem in the heart of Herongate."
The Charity Commission has already indicated it is happy to appoint the borough council as sole trustee, and council officers will now research and report on the various options.
'Tired' rail worker nearly hit by trainpublished at 17:06 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Sue Paz
BBC NewsA "tired" rail worker from Essex, who had been sleeping in his car to avoid a commute, was narrowly missed by a train while working on a track, a report has found.
Image source, Rail Accident Investigation BranchIt happened near Shawford station, Hampshire, last June, when the train was travelling at 85 mph (137 km/h).
The accident report said the worker became distracted while on the line.
It said his alertness and decision-making were likely to have affected after sleeping in his car for a week to avoid a daily commute from Essex.
The Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB) said the worker was uninjured but had been left "badly shaken".
McFly star visits school that's squeezed a year into a day for Comic Relief published at 16:42 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
McFly drummer Harry Judd called in to share in a challenge devised by pupils at St Gregory's Primary School, external in Sudbury for Red Nose Day.
They decided to cram their favourite bits of the year into one day - so they've been celebrating Easter, sports day and fitted in a Christmas lunch too.
Harry, who was a prep school pupil at the private Old Buckenham Hall, external near Lavenham and Dame Bradbury's, external in Saffron Walden, embraced the festive theme and explained that the website Pinterest, external had a competition for him to come to a school and surprise everyone, and St Gregory's won: "We did a little bit of Let It Snow and I played along on the drums.
"It's a happy time and I'm happy to be here."
Gaffer's only disappointment is lack of new stadiumpublished at 16:32 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
BBC SportThe Southend United manager Phil Brown says the only disappointment of his time at the club is they're not yet in a new stadium.
Image source, Getty ImagesTomorrow's League One match at AFC Wimbledon marks four years in charge for Brown .
To all you mums out therepublished at 16:23 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
#GetInspired
With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, let Ironman athlete Jon Alexander tell you the story of his mum, Sue, and how she has always been his inspiration....
Media caption, Ironman is now his mum's biggest fan
You can find out how to get into triathlon with our Get Inspired guide.
Cook available for start of Essex seasonpublished at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Former England Test captain Alastair Cook is available for Essex's three opening County Championship games of the season.
Read MoreDonkey celebrates play in Harlowpublished at 15:40 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Nic Rigby
BBC NewsTo celebrate Harlow's 70th birthday we'll be posting a number of photographs from the town's past.
Here's a picture of the town's sculpture Donkey by Willi Soukop, unveiled in Harlow in 1955. It is sited at Pitmans Field, off Monkswick Road.
Image source, Historic EnglandThe Grade II-listed artwork has been regularly sat on by children through the years and was designed to encourage children to explore art through play.
A number of events are planned over the weekend and further details are on the council's website., external
Colchester United check Garvan's fitnesspublished at 15:16 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
BBC SportColchester United will check on the fitness of Owen Garvan (pictured) before confirming their squad for tomorrow's League Two match at home to Luton .
Image source, Getty ImagesThe midfielder's been carrying a knee injury.
Defender Richard Brindley's pushing for a start after returning to action during the 2-0 defeat at Crewe last weekend.
Harlow New Town celebrates 70 yearspublished at 14:52 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Nic Rigby
BBC NewsHarlow is celebrating its 70th birthday as a New Town over the weekend, so we'll be publishing a few pictures illustrating the history of the town to celebrate it.
We'll start with the two photos of the town's main shopping centre in the late 1950s.
Image source, Getty Images
Image source, Getty ImagesA number of events are planned over the weekend and further details are on the council's website., external
Harlow investment set to create 500 jobspublished at 14:35 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Nic Rigby
BBC NewsAbout 500 jobs are due to be created in Harlow after Essex County Council announced it was investing £2.5m in a new medical technology centre.
Image source, GoogleThe money will go toward Anglia Ruskin University, external ’s £5m new MedTech Innovation Centre within a new science park in the Harlow Enterprise Zone (pictured).
Kevin Bentley, Conservative deputy leader at the council, said: "If the government wants to deliver on its ambitious industrial strategy then they need look no further than Essex, where the council and its partners are already significantly ahead of the game.
"Public Health England has already put its faith in the county by pledging to move its facilities to Harlow, along with 2,500 jobs by 2024.
"Now this historic deal to create a much-needed centre for business innovation cements Essex’s potential to become the UK’s life sciences and healthcare capital, whilst boosting jobs and economic growth."
Brown reflects on four years at Southendpublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Southend United manager Phil Brown will celebrate four years in charge of the League One club on Saturday.
Read MoreRestaurateur accused of attacking a woman with stiletto in Basildon club published at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
A restaurateur accused of attacking a woman with a stiletto shoe in a nightclub has denied inflicting grievous bodily harm.
Image source, GoogleSouthend Crown Court heard that Natalie Jeffery, 23, allegedly struck Sophie Roberts in the face at Unit 7 (pictured above) in Basildon, Essex.
Ms Roberts, in her 20s, suffered facial injuries in the incident which happened at about 03:00 on 18 September 2016.
Ms Jeffery, of Tantelen Road, Canvey Island, pleaded not guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.
The defendant spoke only to confirm her name and her not guilty plea during the brief hearing.
She was bailed to appear for trial at the same court in August.
Judge Ian Graham told Jeffery the trial was expected to last two to three days.
Nurse suspended over school uniform request to patientpublished at 13:41 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Laurence Cawley
BBC NewsA mental health nurse who asked a patient to return to her next appointment wearing her school uniform has been suspended .
Image source, GoogleGary Snape was working for North Essex Partnership Trust, external (Chelmsford main office pictured) when he committed a string of patient care failings.
A Nursing and Midwifery Council conduct panel, external heard Mr Snape had also "inappropriately" asked a patient to tie material around her body.
The panel suspended Mr Snape from working as a nurse for six months.
The FA People's Cup is back!published at 13:34 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
#PeoplesCup
It's the semi-finals stage of the FA People's Cup this weekend and you'll be able to keep up with all the action on our live text pages from 10:00-18:00 on Saturday and Sunday.
There'll be loads more cracking goals like these ones, analysed by the Football Focus team after the first round.
Media caption, People's Cup goals analysed by the pros
Cruising for a Bruisingpublished at 13:27 Greenwich Mean Time 24 March 2017
Documentary series telling original stories about real lives in Britain today.
3/6. Cruising for a Bruising
Essex Boys and their motors are inseparable, from the gold-flecked paint work to TV screens, huge speakers and tinted windows.
But what happens when girls get involved, rivalries occur and a lovingly souped up car ends up at the wrong end of a baseball bat? Two friends from Benfleet talk about their families, their cars, and the Southend On Sea cruise scene.