Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Hello and welcome to Monday's Essex Live and a new week. 

We're here throughout the day, bringing you the latest news from across the county. But you are our eyes and ears so if you want to share your news with us click the "Get involved" button at the top of the page to get in touch.

Georgina Burnett will be here shortly with the forecast and it's a chilly start to the day with a cooling northerly breeze so the weekend warmth is not likely to be repeated.

Alex Davies makes his maiden first-class ton to help Lancashire close in on victory against Essex on day three at Chelmsford

The fire service says it was called to Mersea Island in Essex in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Priti Patel explains why the Syria crisis played a part in Boris Johnson cancelling his Moscow visit.

England bowler James Anderson takes 3-56 as Lancashire bowl out Essex for 159 to end day two with a 274-run lead.

Southend's League One play-off ambitions take a blow after a defeat by struggling Charlton at The Valley.

Dover Athletic boost their hopes of a play-off place with a last-minute winner against Braintree.

A superb first-half display gives Colchester a thumping 4-0 victory over fellow League Two play-off hopefuls Stevenage.

England's Haseeb Hameed shrugs off injury to make 47 for Lancashire in their Championship season opener against Essex.

Thanks for joining us for Friday's live updates for Essex. Our coverage has now finished for the week, but if any news breaks overnight or over the weekend then you'll find it here.

If you want to read more, just scroll down the page and have a catch-up with our top stories.

We'll be back on Monday at 08:00.

Julie Reinger
BBC Look East weather

It will be a dry night with long clear spells. There may be some patchy mist and fog and a touch of ground frost in places. 

Minimum temperature: 2C (36F). 

It will be a cold start to Saturday, but any mist and fog should quickly clear to leave a largely sunny day. 

There may be a bit more patchy cloud in the east for a time. Light winds and highs inland of 18C (64F). 

Patchy mist and fog should clear very quickly on Sunday to leave another fine, dry and very warm day, with temperatures about 22C (72F). 

Much cooler and cloudier on Monday, with a few showers.

BBC Weather has more.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

A man has been jailed for 22 years after admitting rape, indecency and other sexual offences against children in Essex aged between five and 15.

Image source, Essex Police

Christopher Francis, 70, of Palmerston Mews, Bournemouth, was living in the Maldon area in the 1970s and 80s when the offences, which relate to four victims, took place.

On 24 February at Chelmsford Crown Court, Francis admitted two rapes, 11 counts of indecency with a child, eight indecent assaults and two counts of taking indecent photographs of a child.

He was sentenced today.The offences came to light when Francis, was arrested during a separate investigation by Dorset Police in 2015. In December 2016, Essex Police charged Francis with 23 sexual offences against children.Essex's Det Con Carol Astbury said: "Christopher Francis is a dangerous abuser who subjected his victims to evil crimes over several years."They were young and vulnerable and he took advantage of them."

Nic Rigby
BBC News

Two of Harlow Council, external 's top senior managers are to leave the authority by agreement to save money.

Image source, Harlow Council

Chief executive Malcolm Morley will move on by end of October with the council's chief operating officer Graham Branchett leaving before him by the end of July.

Last night’s council meeting agreed to a proposal which will see both posts deleted and replaced by a new single chief officer post of managing director. 

Reducing the top management team to one post will save over £424,000 over the next four years. 

Jon Clempner, Labour leader of Harlow Council, said: "Reducing the council’s most senior management structure to one post will not impact on frontline services, but will help to protect services and other jobs."  

A High Court judge is today warning against the placing of any further caravans on a plot of land off Hovefields Avenue in Wickford.

The site has been layed with roads and plots with hard surfaces, while electricity has been installed.

However, Basildon Borough Council has taken out an injunction to stop any developments, and return it to its original state.

A further hearing is due to take place next month.

A High Court hearing about a neighbouring, but separate, part of the site called Silva Lodge Kennels is due to take place on Tuesday.

Nic Rigby
BBC News

We earlier reported that a football coach has been jailed for nine years for grooming and sexual activity with teenage boys.

At Chelmsford Crown Court, Robert Ellis, 50, of Church End, Harlow,  was found guilty of grooming a boy under 16 and six counts of engaging in sexual activity with a boy aged under 15.  

The children's charity the  NSPCC, external  has issued a statement saying: "Ellis is a devious and manipulative sexual predator who used his position as a football coach to commit vile abuse against children.

"His sickening actions will have a long-lasting effect on his victims and it’s important they receive all possible support to help rebuild their lives. 

"We hope they can take some comfort from today’s sentence and the fact that Ellis’s campaign of abuse has finally come to an end."

The Blind Date presenter apparently says the resort is filled with "single mothers".

A football coach is jailed for nine years for grooming and sexual activity with teenage boys.

Brenner Woolley
BBC Radio Suffolk sport

Leiston, external have an excellent chance to get their Ryman Premier Division, external play-off push back on track tomorrow with a home game against struggling Leatherhead.

Image source, Leiston FC

Glenn Driver's men are still third in the table despite losing their last three matches.

Fellow promotion chasers Needham Market, external , who are outside the top five, but only on goal difference, head to Metropolitan Police.

AFC Sudbury's, external relegation battle continues at home to leaders Bognor Regis, while Lowestoft Town, external can do Leiston and Needham a favour by beating fourth-placed Dulwich Hamlet.

Bury Town, external entertain Cheshunt in the North Division.

Some 70 years ago this month, a photographer took a picture of Hans and Helmuth, German prisoners of war in Colchester, leaving the hut for a walk to say goodbye before they were released. The animals in the photograph are strays cared for by the prisoners.

Image source, Getty Images

As the County Cricket season gets underway today,  England opener Haseeb Hameed gives his support to a different form of the game....

If you want to find out more about how to get into cricket, take a look at the Get Inspired guide.