Simon Dedman
BBC Essex political reporter

A UKIP councillor on Tendring District Council has told BBC Essex he's not surprised that the constituency's MP Douglas Carswell has left the party and will be sitting as an independent.  

Jeff Bray claims the resignation may even have a positive effect on UKIP. 

"I'm not surprised, in fact I was expecting it for some time," he said. 

"It's a shame to lose a member of the party and especially our only MP but we've got to be honest - Douglas Carswell has been divisive at times. 

"In the long run it's probably the best thing for UKIP that he's gone."

Claire Sawyer
BBC Essex

The deaths of a mother and daughter in a house fire in Braintree were accidents, a coroner has ruled at an inquest.

Emergency services were called to the blaze in South Street on 21 December after two other women managed to escape. 

Image source, Family picture

Alina and Emilia Kordaszewska, mother and daughter, were trapped inside and died. 

Essex Fire and Rescue Service said their investigation discovered the blaze had been started accidentally by candles in a ground floor lounge. 

Post-mortem examinations revealed the victims died as a result of breathing in smoke.

Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray ruled the deaths of the "much-loved" mother and daughter were accidents. 

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A community centre in Colchester has won funding to carry out a feasibility study on ways to improve its services to local people. 

The borough council, after winning money from the Home & Communities Agency, external , is to consult with residents on how The Centre at Greenstead might be improved.

Image source, Google

Tim Young, portfolio holder for culture and regeneration, said: "We will be speaking to community groups and residents to get an idea of the types of facilities and services that they would like to see. 

"This will allow us to work up concepts and get an idea of the options that are available to us."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

 A woman has reported being raped in Colchester in the early hours of this morning.

Image source, Google

The attack happened in the graveyard at the back of the Colchester Arts Centre off Church Street at some point between 01:00 and 02:50, police said. 

The victim had been on a night out with friends. She is now being supported by specialist officers and an appeal for information has been issued.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The sort of checks carried out on taxi drivers, relating to suitability and the relevance of any convictions or cautions, are being reviewed by Basildon Council to ensure documents signed by individuals comply with government best practice.

Image source, PA

A six-week consultation will look the current Disclosure and Barring Service, qualifications, additional modules for the knowledge test, working hours and a code of conduct. 

The consultation is open to existing licence holders, councillors and members of the public. 

The closing date for submitting consultation responses is Sunday, 7 May. 

The results will be presented at the next licensing committee meeting in July.

BBC Weather Watchers

Any remaining cloud will continue to melt away this afternoon to leave a warm and sunny day. 

But the morning started out misty and murky as our BBC Weather Watchers picture shows. 

Others sent in photographs later in the day, when the sun had broken through and the promise is that temperatures will rise to about 15C (59F).

Image source, Daisy

Image source, ebb&flow

Image source, carolk

A dry night is expected, but it will quickly turn chilly with a mixture of low cloud, mist and fog returning - especially in the countryside. 

Minimum Temperature: 5C (41F)

More details from BBC Weather :

About My Area

Sudbury travelled to east London on Saturday to play mid-table Eton Manor and gave one of their best performances of the season.   

Simon Dedman
BBC Essex political reporter

The resignation of Clacton MP Douglas Carswell from the UK Independence Party has opened up a debate in the constituency over whether there should be a by-election.

BBC Essex reporter Simon Dedman asked a few residents what they thought.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The court appearance of a woman charged over the death of a three-year-old boy has been moved from today to 18 April.

Jade Dunne, 29, from Halstead, has been charged with owning a dog dangerously out of control resulting in the death of Dexter Neal at her home in August 2016. 

She was due at Colchester Magistrates' Court today, but the case has now been adjourned until next month.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Triangular roof tiles are to be used to protect the nests of little terns who are about to arrive from their winter migration to build nests and breed on a sand and shingle beach in north east Essex.

Image source, Naze Centre

Staff at the Naze Centre, external at Walton said the eggs are at risk from attacks by predatory seagulls and have started a campaign in an attempt to protect the nests and newly-hatched chicks. 

The Essex Wildlife Trust's Tony Haggis said installing the roof tiles over the birds' nests could stop seagull attacks. 

The project team wants local children and adults to donate money to enable roof tiles to be bought. 

Naze Centre manager Beverley Gadsby said: "We need to collect the money soon in order to be ready for when the little terns arrive. 

"These lovely birds are quite rare and under threat so we want to do our bit to help." 

More details about making donations can be obtained from The Naze Centre on 01255 679379. 

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A teenager missing from home in Frinton since 18 March could be with friends who are sheltering him, police believe. 

Meanwhile many people are helping support a social media campaign to encourage Patrick Casey, 13, to make contact. 

Ch Insp Russ Cole said: "There is an awful lot of work ongoing by my officers to develop a number of lines of inquiry to find Patrick. 

"I think he is possibly with a group of friends who are supporting him and enabling him to remain missing. 

"I know these people are likely to be using social media and therefore I ask you to continue sharing the appeal so it reaches those who need to see it." 

He appealed for Patrick to get in touch.

The man went back to sleep in the car after being challenged by the owner.

What political direction will Clacton MP Douglas Carswell face from the back benches of the House of Commons as an independent now he has severed ties with the UK Independence Party?

He'd already quit the Conservatives to join UKIP in 2014.

BBC Essex political correspondent Simon Dedman gives us some clues here.

Simon Dedman
BBC Essex political reporter

Douglas Carswell, the Clacton MP who has left the UK Independence Party under a cloud of acrimony, plans to concentrate on his constituents until the next election, but his future is very much front of mind. 

He insists there is no need to hold another Clacton by-election, because he is not changing parties. 

Image source, PA

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage wants him to seek re-election and is campaigning to get the Clacton constituents on his side. 

UKIP is keen for a by-election to take place, whereas the Conservatives are relaxed with the once-Tory defector sitting solo in the House of Commons. 

Douglas Carswell told BBC Sunday Politics East he is not inclined to stand as the Conservative candidate in Clacton come the next election, but he didn't rule it out.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A man arrested in connection with the death of Timothy Smith in Hullbridge, near Rayleigh, has been charged with possession of criminal property. 

The 57-year-old fell onto a low wall during a robbery on 19 March. He died two days later as a result of a head injury.

Image source, Google

Jamie Caborn, 28, of Luncies Road, Basildon, is due before the town's magistrates' court later. 

On Saturday, Colin Garrod, 50, of Crowborough Road, Southend, appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court charged with robbery and was remanded in custody to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, 24 April.

Essex Police said they are still seeking Andrew McVicar, 33, from Basildon , who is wanted in connection with the murder inquiry and who officers have described as a "dangerous individual".

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The appeal is continuing for help in finding missing Patrick Casey, 13,  from the Frinton area, last seen on at home on Saturday, 18 March at lunchtime before leaving to meet a friend in Clacton.

He didn't come home and there are concerns for his welfare.

Patrick is described as being 5ft 2in and of a slim build. He was last seen wearing a blue Nike baseball cap, a grey top and grey bottoms and was carrying an Adidas bag.  

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A woman is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court later charged over the death of a three-year-old boy who was attacked by a dog in Halstead.

Image source, Family picture

Jade Dunne, 29, has been charged with owning a dog dangerously out of control that resulted in the death of Dexter Neal, Essex Police said. 

Dexter died after he was bitten at Ms Dunne's home in Halstead, in August 2016. 

The dog, an American bulldog named Ruby, was seized by officers and later destroyed. 

Ms Dunne has been on bail since she was charged.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Looks like the Monday morning blues has hit the train line into London - nothing like that to get you in the mood for work!

Greater Anglia has also issued a reminder to claim back compensation.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage says the party will write to every house in the Clacton constituency to ask if they want a by-election after its only MP  Douglas Carswell quit the party  over the weekend.

Image source, PA

The current leader of UKIP, Paul Nuttall, has said it would only be right that Clacton voters should get a say on this.

Mr Carswell is refusing to consider a by-election and has said he emailed 20,000 of his constituents over the weekend and, "apart from a handfull", he received positive support to continue as an independent MP from those replies he has received so far.

Mr Nuttall said nominations to find a new candidate for the seat, which also includes Frinton-on-Sea, Walton-on-the-Naze, Jaywick and Weeley, will take place soon.