If you're wondering why certain things do - and don't - happen on polling day, these fascinating facts may shed some light for you.

How the BBC reports polling day: The BBC, like other broadcasters, isn't allowed to report details of campaigning while the polls are open.

Coverage on the day is restricted to uncontroversial factual accounts, such as the appearance of politicians at polling stations or the weather. 

And if you've ever wondered why elections aren't held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays or Sundays:

An investigating officer has praised the "relentless hard work" done in capturing a "highly dangerous sexual predator" who has been jailed.

As we've reported, Saulius Zilinskas, 41, of Laindon, was found guilty at Basildon Crown Court yesterday of three counts of rape, two of attempted rape, two counts of false imprisonment, two assaults and one count of sexual touching.  

Ch Insp Scott Cannon, from Essex Police, external, said: "The streets are undoubtedly safer with him in prison. 

"This was the right outcome for the victims and will hopefully encourage more people to come forward and report offences."

The offences related to attacks in February 2015 in Laindon and in January 2005 in London.

"Advanced forensic work was a significant factor in building the case against Zilinskas. 

"I am proud of the relentless hard work and complete determination shown by my team, particularly the officer in the case, DC Grant Hawkins, who worked tirelessly to ensure this dangerous sex offender was convicted."

A man has been jailed for 20 years for sex offences against four women. 

Image source, Essex Police

Saulius Zilinskas, 41, of Laindon, was found guilty at Basildon Crown Court yesterday of three counts of rape, two of attempted rape, two counts of false imprisonment, two assaults and one count of sexual touching. 

Three of the women were assaulted in Laindon on 21, February 2015. Two of the attacks happened within 20 minutes of each others.

Yesterday's sentencing also related to the rape of another woman in London in January 2005. 

Zilinskas was made subject to an eight-year extended licence.

Listen to live BBC Radio 5 live sports extra and local radio commentary from the One-Day Cup as Essex face Gloucestershire.

Greater Anglia says it has "no plans to reduce the number of Greater Anglia ticket offices to seven".

It released the statement after the RMT union said this morning that 57 ticket offices were to close, with only offices at London Liverpool Street, Colchester, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Stansted Airport staying open.  

The rail company said it was "reviewing responses to a public consultation about proposals to close seven little-used ticket offices" at Walton-on-the-Naze, Thorpe-le-Soken, Alresford, Great Bentley, Dovercourt, Harwich International and Great Chesterford.

It added it would "continue to consult with our colleagues and the trades unions on any proposed changes to ticket office arrangements".

Greater Anglia said there would be "no job losses as a result of the current proposals to close seven ticket offices".

The RMT union has responded saying it stands by its statement.

Can Essex Eagles make it three wins out of three?

They're taking on Gloucestershire at Chelmsford in the latest round of the One-Day Cup.

The unbeaten side has retained the same 14-man squad that was on duty for the first two matches in the competition. Victories there carried the team into second place in the South Group.  

So far this morning, they've lost the toss and have been put into bat.

Listen to the BBC's live coverage and follow updates here.

Image source, Essex Eagles

With the 2017 county season here, keep up to date with the latest signings, departures and rumours ahead of next season.

More than 125 motorists have been caught while under the influence of drugs or alcohol within a month.

Essex Police, external officers arrested 77 motorists for drink driving in April and 49 for drug driving.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

At the moment we don't know what impact the reported closure of 57 ticket offices across the Greater Anglia route would have on jobs, but the RMT union believes it's significant.

It says the 64 ticket offices that currently operate have 358 staff. The offices are being reduced to just seven, it added.

According to the RMT "Greater Anglia have revealed that they intend to introduce revenue staff and place ticket vending machines at all stations with major implications for jobs and services".

We've contacted Greater Anglia to find out more.

A mum, whose son is autistic and epileptic, has spoken of her shock after she was asked to leave her GP surgery.

Tommy Coupland, three, from Colchester, became distressed due to the waiting room buzzer.

His mum Zoe said they were asked to leave the East Hill Surgery because he was "being too loud".

The BBC has contacted the surgery for a comment.

Alex Pope
BBC Local Live

A number of railway ticket offices on the Greater Anglia network are set to close, according to the RMT union.

It says the train operator is planning on closing 57 ticket offices, leaving just seven operating.

They are expected to stay open in London Liverpool Street, Colchester, Norwich, Cambridge, Chelmsford, Ipswich and Stansted Airport.

Image source, Greater Anglia

The union's general secretary, Mick Cash, said he was "appalled at this planned attack on ticket offices and station staff across the Greater Anglia franchise, which would wipe out the vast bulk of these vital passenger services over the next year".

He added it would "fight" to "halt these disastrous plans". 

We have contacted Greater Anglia for comment.

A medic who helped victims caught up in the Westminster terror attack has been burgled.

Lee Quinlan and his partner Charlotte Powell were out for a couple of hours when they returned to their Wickford home to discover Mr Quinlan's Volkswagen Golf had been stolen, the patio doors had been smashed and their house had been ransacked.

Watches, jewellery and money were stolen.

Police are investigating the crime.

Two young boys who were hurt in a bungalow fire remain in a "life-threatening" condition.

The blaze broke out at a property on Beambridge Road, Pitsea, at 15:15 on bank holiday Monday.

Essex Police said the 10 and 13-year-old boys are being treated at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital.

Detectives said the cause of the fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

It's going to be a largely cloudy day with a few outbreaks of light patchy rain for some. 

A brisk north-easterly wind will also persist through the day, suppressing temperatures and making it feel rather cool. 

Highs of 13C (55F). 

Winds will ease a little overnight and it will remain dry for many. However, there may be some further patchy rain at times for some. 

Minimum temperature: 8C (46F).

Kate Scotter
BBC News

Hello and welcome back to our live coverage.

Polls are open for the Essex County Council elections.

More than one million people in Essex can vote today and there are a total of 362 candidates standing across the county.

Although if you live in Southend and Thurrock, you have no elections today until June when we all go to the polls for the general election.

We'll be bringing you all the latest news for the county until 18:00.

First up, let's take a look at the weather.    

Image source, PA