The former Castle Point MP Bob Spink and a local UKIP activist James Parkin have been charged with electoral fraud. 

The allegations are related to last year's local election campaign for Castle Point Borough Council. 

Mr Spink (pictured), who was the sitting MP when he seemingly defected to UKIP in 2008 (but then sat as an independent until 2012), faces five counts of falsely signing the signatures of members of the public backing UKIP candidates standing in council wards.

Mr Parkin, 38, a businessman and activist for UKIP, faces four counts .. and a further five counts of getting genuine signatures, but misleading people about what they were actually signing.

The pair are due before magistrates in Ipswich next month.

Residents of a south Suffolk village could be forgiven for thinking their eyes are deceiving them..

Image source, David Lamming

As the East Anglian Daily Times has reported, external , half of the word "Slow" is missing from the carriageway on Sands Hill in Boxford.

UK Power Networks have told us: "Contractors working on behalf of UK Power Networks resurfaced part of the road, including the road markings on the new surface.

"The remainder of the road markings, ie the remainder of the word "SLOW", were outside the area we were permitted to remedy by the county council."

A spokesman for Suffolk County Council said: "Regardless of whether we get UK Power Networks to go back and correct that defect, or do it ourselves, we will look to get that sorted."

Many thanks to David Lamming, who lives in the village and who provided the photographs - and who flagged the story up in the first place. He says the picture below shows how just part of the warning triangle has been repainted too:

Image source, David Lamming

A Mercedes car and a CD cover signed by the girl group Little Mix (pictured) are among the items stolen in a spate of burglaries in Westcliff and Leigh-on-Sea.

Image source, Getty Images

They stole a haul of property including a Mercedes C220 AMG Sport CDI, Playstation games consoles, jewelry and a piggy bank. A MacBook Air and an iPad Air 2 were also stolen.Det Con Rachel Martin said: "These burglaries are believed to be linked and I am appealing for witnesses who saw anyone acting suspiciously in these areas in recent weeks."

Anyone with information on the thefts, which took place between 2 and 16 March, is asked to call  Essex Police., external

Nic Rigby
BBC News

An Essex Police officer who admitted making indecent images of children has been dismissed from the force for "gross misconduct".

PC Clive Hansen, 53, of Burrowdale Close, Benfleet, has been sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court (pictured) to a four month prison term suspended for 12 months.

He admitted three counts of making indecent images of children and one count of possessing prohibited images. 

Image source, Google

Hansen, who was based at Canvey Island, was also ordered to complete 18 hours of community work, made the subject of a Sexual Harm Prevention Order and placed on the Sex Offenders Register for seven years. 

Essex Police said a special case hearing, chaired by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh, was held today at Chelmsford County Court.It found that PC Hansen had breached the standards of professional behaviour in the area of discreditable conduct.He was dismissed without notice.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Conservative MP for Braintree James Cleverly has called for his former Army colleague PC Keith Palmer (pictured), who was murdered in the London terror attack yesterday, to be recognised publicly for his services.

Image source, AP

Mr Cleverly told the House of Commons: "Whilst our hearts go to all those people who were wounded and murdered yesterday, and to all the people who sought to help them, with your indulgence I'd like to turn for just a moment to PC Keith Palmer, who I first met 25 years ago as Gunner Keith Palmer, at headquarters, Battery 100 Regiment, Royal Artillery.

"Would the Prime Minister, in recognition of the work that he did and the other police officers and public servants here in the House do, consider recognising his gallantry and sacrifice formally with a posthumous recognition?"

PC Palmer, 48, was a member of the Metropolitan Police's parliamentary and diplomatic protection command, with 15 years of service as a police officer.

Police said the married father was unarmed when he was stabbed by the lone attacker on Wednesday afternoon.

Responding to Mr Cleverly, Mrs May said: "I thank him for the obvious, not just compassion, but passion with which he has spoken about an individual he knew, and he bears witness to the tremendous public service that Keith Palmer had given this country in so many ways.

"Having served in our armed forces and then come here to this place and paid the ultimate sacrifice here at the heart of our democracy, I can assure [Mr Cleverly] that the issue that he's raised is of course one that will be considered in due course."

Some 53 three years ago this month mods on scooters were caught on camera parading in Clacton-on-Sea. 

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Leiston, external manager Glenn Driver's paid tribute to his 40-goal striker Matt Blake (pictured) after he turned down the chance to join big-spending Billericay Town.

Image source, Leiston FC

The Essex club, who also play in the Ryman Premier Division, external , recently signed former England international Paul Konchesky, as well as Leiston's Byron Lawrence.

"He's thought of his career before his pocket," said Driver.

"You don't hear too much of that in football - players staying because they want to give themselves a chance of playing at the highest level."  

"I go on record to say how proud I am of him and how proud he should be of himself to put his career before pound notes."

The father of a police officer who was stabbed to death 20 years ago has spoken of his experiences following yesterday's murder of a policeman in the Westminster terror attack .

PC Nina Mackay, 25, was was killed by a schizophrenic when serving in the Metropolitan Police in October 1997.     

Her father, Joe Mackay, who lives in north Essex is chairman of the Police Roll of Honour Trust, external , which maintains a roll of honour in remembrance of every police officer killed in the line of duty. 

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Conservative MP for Braintree James Cleverly (pictured), who served in the Army alongside PC Keith Palmer, has paid tribute in the Commons. 

PC Palmer, a 48-year-old father and husband, was stabbed and killed during the attack on Parliament .

Earlier we brought you the video.  Here's a transcript of what he said:  

Mr Cleverly paid an emotional tribute to his friend, telling MPs he was a "strong, professional public servant". 

The MP's voiced cracked as he rose in the Commons to remember a man he first met 25 years ago as "Gunner Keith Palmer" in the military.

Mr Cleverly said: "He was a strong, professional public servant and it was a delight to meet him again only a few months after being elected." 

He called for PC Palmer to be given posthumous recognition for his actions, which Prime Minister Theresa May said would be considered.

Brentwood Community Fund2017, external will open for applications on Monday week for a share of £16,300.

Individuals, groups and organisations can apply for grants of up to £2,000 from Brentwood Council for causes and projects that will improve the quality of life for local people and tackle the issues that they think are important.

The fund, which is in its fifth year, will run until 29 September.

The bids will be assessed and reported to committee in December, when a decision on the allocation of funding will be made. 

Conservative MP for Braintree, James Cleverly, has paid tribute to PC Keith Palmer who was killed in Wednesday's terror attack in London .

Some 61 years ago this month the London, Tilbury and Southend Railway (LTSR) celebrated its centenary.

Image source, Getty Images

As part of the celebrations the 80 Class 4-4-2T suburban tank engine locomotive Thundersley pulled into to Southend Central station.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A man has been arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving after a motorcyclist has died in a crash in Clacton.

Image source, Google

Police were called with reports a Kawasaki motorbike and a Vauxhall van were in collision in Marine Parade East just before 19:55 yesterday.The motorcyclist, a 36-year-old man from Clacton, died at the scene.The van driver, a 37-year-old man from Clacton, was taken to hospital with minor injuries.He was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and is currently in custody awaiting questioning.The road was closed for about six hours while forensic examination work was carried out.Witnesses and anyone with dash cam footage or CCTV are asked to contact Essex Police.  

The MP for Chelmsford has been speaking to BBC Essex about yesterday's terror attack in London.

Image source, Getty Images

Sir Simon Burns was at Westminster when the attack took place: "It was a bit daunting to suddenly see two armed police with what I assume were sub-machine guns running towards you, but you knew this wasn't a joke or it wasn't practice.

"You knew that for real something horrendous had gone wrong - the adrenalin kicked in and you did exactly as you were told."

Damage to overhead electrical wires is affecting rail services through Romford on the main line into London Liverpool Street:

Senior Essex Police officers say extra armed officers and other specialist resources will be seen on local streets following yesterday's attack at Westminster .

Visible patrols are being stepped up until further notice. 

The force is urging Essex residents to "be alert, but not alarmed". 

It says now is the time for local communities to "remain resilient, compassionate and supportive of each other".

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

Early rain will clear to leave a dry and bright day, with some sunny spells.

Inland temperatures will reach 11C (52F), but the chilly easterly breeze will keep it cooler on the coast.

BBC Weather has more details for where you live.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Good morning from the Essex Live team.

Braintree MP James Cleverly has revealed he served in the Royal Artillery with PC Keith Palmer, the police officer who died in yesterday's terror attack at Westminster:

We'll bring you a message from the county's police force, who are urging residents to be "alert, but not alarmed", but we'll start with the day's weather prospects, which are up next.

Thousands of people gather from across the UK to share their passion for cars on the Essex coast.