BBC Weather Watchers

Blossom is garlanding trees and flower gardens across Essex as our Weather Watchers' pictures show. 

There's a strong breeze forecast, but this afternoon will stay dry with plenty of long sunny spells and the breeze close to the coast will gradually reduce.

Image source, tonymo

Image source, ebb&flow

Image source, judy

Tonight skies will stay mostly clear allowing a widespread frost to form in the light winds with a inimum temperature of 0C (32F)

More details from BBC Weather.

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

Three-year-old Dexter Neal was fatally mauled by an American Bulldog in Halstead.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Three people have been arrested when 20 road policing officers stop checked traffic in and around Southend.

The police crack down on bikers and motorists flouting traffic laws also resulted in 12 people being investigated for careless driving in an operation over the weekend. 

Image source, Geograph/David Williams

The crack down coincided with the Southend Shakedown, an event which saw motorcycling enthusiasts travel to the seaside town from London. 

A 22-year-old man from Richmond was arrested on suspicion of taking a vehicle without the owner's consent and possession of drugs. 

A 23-year-old man from Middlesex was arrested on suspicion of driving without insurance and driving other than in accordance with a licence. 

A 17-year-old boy from Middlesex was also held on suspicion of drug driving.

All were released while investigations continue. 

Supt Glen Pavelin said: "The majority of motorcyclists taking part in the event were genuine enthusiasts who travelled to Southend to meet fellow bikers.

"However there are always a small number of motorcyclists and car drivers who act irresponsibly on the roads and put their safety and the safety of other road users at risk." 

Richard Daniel
BBC Look East

The woman who admitted owning a "dangerously out of control" dog that killed a three-year-old boy lived just around the corner from his family in Halstead. 

Dexter Neal's family lived in Ronald Road and he was visiting Jade Dunne, a family friend, at her home in Parker Way on 18 August 2016.

Dunne's American bulldog Ruby turned on the child and he was mauled while playing. 

In a bid to save him he was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge but died later that day. 

Police were called and the dog was put down.

Today Dunne, 29, admitted at Colchester Magistrates' Court a single charge of owning a dog that was dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death. 

She will be sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court on 16 May.  

Tom Croasdell
BBC Essex

A family's been rescued from a fire that completely destroyed a flat in Westcliff near Southend last night. 

Essex Fire and Rescue said two adults and a child were kept calm by a 999 call handler while firefighters went to the property.

The fire was on Station Road. An investigation into the cause will take place later. 

Station officer Barrie May said: "The family who were trapped in their flat were kept calm over the phone by our control operators, who gave them constant reassurance that we were working as quickly as possible to reach them. 

"Six firefighters entered the flat to rescue two adults and a child. 

"Both our control operators and our firefighters did a fantastic job in ensuring the family were kept informed, reassured and safe."

UK PM Theresa May announces plan to call snap general election on 8 June... get the latest here.

A woman has pleaded guilty to owning a dog that was dangerously out of control following a dog attack in which a little boy was killed.

Three-year-old Dexter Neal, from Halstead, died on 18 August after he was mauled to death by an American Bulldog while playing at a friend's house.

Jade Dunne, 29, appeared before Colchester magistrates where she pleaded guilty to owning a dog that was dangerously out of control causing injury resulting in death.

She was granted conditional bail and was committed for sentencing at Chelmsford Crown Court on 16 May. 

After announcing plans for a new lower Thames Crossing linking Orsett and Tilbury with Kent, ministers have pledged they are committed to improving the UK's air quality. 

Residents in the south of the county have been telling BBC Essex they're worried about harmful emissions increasing. 

George Abbott, from Orsett, put up a figure in a World War Two gas mask outside his home as a warning of the dangers of increased air pollution from the new crossing.

Latest figures from the British Heart Foundation, external blame about 11,000 heart failures in Essex and Suffolk on poor air quality.

BBC Sport

Top snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan, from Chigwell, has reacted to a letter of censure from the sport's world governing body and the reaction of its chairman Barry Hearn.

He has been criticised for complaining about a referee and a photographer at the Masters' Tournament in January. His robotic answers at press interviews also brought censure.

He told the World Snooker Board he would not be bullied or intimidated - beginning a war of words and exchanges of letters.

BBC Sport

When substitute Alex Wynter brought down Morecambe's Antony Evans in the box and former Colchester midfielder Rose beat Sam Walker from the spot with just two minutes remaining - United's play-off hopes dimmed.

Image source, Getty Images

Up to then the visitors had dominated and when Richard Brindley curled a free kick over the Morecambe wall and into the top corner for his first goal of the season, Colchester thought the three points were theirs.

Manager John McGreal hoped to keep the pressure on with timely substitutions, but with time running out Morcambe took their chance to salvage something from the 1-1 draw.

Sharing the points for the U's wasn't ideal but it keeps them in the running and within sight of the play-offs ahead of Plymouth's visit to north Essex in five days' time.

BBC Sport

Southend United's run for the League One play-offs hit a hurdle with a 2-1 defeat to MK Dons at Roots Hall yesterday. 

The seventh-placed Shrimpers had been hoping to move up into the top six with a win.

Image source, PA

But two Dons goals in nine minutes at the start of the second-half saw Phil Brown's side suffer a costly setback. 

Brown said: "It was a nearly performance today. I've looked at the statistics and we've had 22 shots today and we've only worked the goalkeeper twice in 22. 

"I can't argue about my strike force because we're third top goalscorers in the division." 

With two games remaining and the Blues one point off the play-off places, Brown just wants his side now to play without pressure. 

"When you've got end of season games the last thing you want is anxiety... the last thing you want is a bit of pressure. 

"But it can't be any other way, that's just the way it is."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

An 18-year-old woman has died after her Fiat 500 car with two passengers on board left the road on Brickman's Hill between Bradfield and Mistley shortly before 19:25 on Monday.

The two male passengers, aged 19 and 23, suffered minor injuries. No other vehicle was involved. 

The road was closed until just after 01:00 this morning while emergency services were on the scene and forensic examination work took place, police said.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Armed police still remain at a travellers' site in Wickford as detectives try to discover the motive behind the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man and a stabbing attack on his sister.

The 45-year-old man died in hospital after being shot in Cranfield Park Avenue late on Sunday night.

The woman, who is also in hospital, is described as being in a serious but stable condition.

Det Chief Insp Neil Pudney said: "The major crime team is talking to a number of people. It's quite possible others may have seen what happened or can shed light on what's behind the attack or details of the victims' involvement.

"I would urge anyone who has any information to come forward."

Kate Kinsella
BBC Look East weather

It's a chilly start to the day, with figures in low single figures, and one or two of us do have a few showers, but most of us should see a decent amount of sunshine. 

The further west you are, the drier the day and the more sunshine you'll see,  but you'll still have the chilly north-easterly breeze. 

The showers will mainly affect more easterly parts, and the east coast, but they should die away. 

Top temperature across the region of 12C (54F).

Watch my full regional forecast here:

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Hello and welcome to a new week of Essex Live after an eventful Easter weekend in the county.

Police are looking for a motive behind an attack in Wickford that led to the fatal shooting of a 45-year-old man and the stabbing of his sister.

Another man has been arrested on suspicion of murder over the death of a woman in St Lawrence.

Further developments in these police inquiries are expected today.

Alongside these stories the team here will bring you more news, sport, travel and weather updates as we get them between now and 18:00.

If there's anything you wish to share with us you can contact us via the "Get involved" button at the top of the page.

Brett Williams scores twice to boost Torquay's National League survival bid in a 3-1 comeback victory against Braintree.

Southend United's push for the League One play-offs is dented by a defeat against MK Dons at Roots Hall.

A man is arrested on suspicion of murder after the death of a woman at an Essex seaside resort.