The former pirate station Radio Caroline has been awarded an AM waveband licence from Ofcom, which will enable it to broadcast to Suffolk and parts of north Essex.

Image source, PA

Peter Moore, who runs Radio Caroline, said he was delighted that the bid which was begun in 2010 had been successful.

He said his ambition was to broadcast from Radio Caroline's ship the MV Ross Revenge, on the River Blackwater in Essex.

"It's our intention to broadcast to the same people we used to when we had the ships off the Essex coast," said Mr Moore.

"It will be the same sort of service they would have heard in the past delivered in the same way and presented in many cases by the same people as before.

"It's like a living time capsule."

The 1967 Marine Broadcasting Offences Act rendered Radio Caroline, which broadcast from international waters, an illegal - or pirate - station.

UKIP leader Paul Nuttall has postponed a day of campaigning in Essex today after the party battle bus had a wing mirror knocked off over night.

Mr Nuttall was to join activists at two campaign events in the county, but the party's purple bus (pictured at a previous event) was clipped by a lorry in a coach park overnight, taking a wing mirror off and grounding the vehicle for a day while it is fixed.

Image source, Getty Images

A party spokesman said: "A lorry drove a bit too close on its way out early this morning or late last night and just knocked the wing mirror off.

"It's one of those rogue accidents you can't do anything about."

He said there was nothing to suggest the wing mirror had been knocked off on purpose, and the visit would be rescheduled.

UKIP leader Paul Nuttall has postponed a campaign visit to Essex today, after his party's battle bus was clipped by a lorry last night. It is being fixed today.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A council has taken steps to prevent residents continuing to build on an illegal development in Essex.

Basildon Council has applied to the High Court to begin committal proceedings against people who have settled on land west of Hovefields Avenue in Wickford.

Copies of notices were served on individuals in breach of a High Court injunction obtained by the council in October 2016. The order had banned any further development on the land.

The council said it had gathered evidence that further development had taken place.

The next hearing has been scheduled for 7 June at the High Court.

The BBC is running an election panel, asking voters for their thoughts ahead of 8 June.

We asked:

Labour has proposed the railways should be re-nationalised. What are your views? What other transport or infrastructure issues need tackling, in your view, if any?

And you said:

Amanda, Peterborough: "I do not really have an opinion on this as I never use the railways. However, if it lowers the price for commuters and travellers then it may be a good thing."

Marilyn Samuel, Luton: "I agree to Labour's policy to propose to re-nationalise the railways and I agree to keep fares down and at a fair price, more affordable and a reliable transport system."

Barbara, Chelmsford: "I think that railways are great as they're now. No changes needed."

Jonathan, Norwich: "It would take billions to overhaul the railways, maybe the money would be better spent on trams going into major cities at affordable prices."

Jade, Southend: "Buses and trains need upgrading and a better service. If they want less people to drive cars, public transports need a lot of improvement."

Malcolm Younger, Ipswich: "If a nationalised railway could work cheaply and efficiently I would be for it. But don't think that they can so should be left as they are."

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

Tonnes of rubbish including asbestos and human waste has been dumped close to Wat Tyler Country Park near Basildon.

A further consequence of the waste, apart from a £20,000 clean-up bill for the council, is that a beekeeper says about 270,000 of his insects were killed when hives were knocked over.

East Anglian Daily Times

Here is the front page of today's East Anglian Daily Times, external:

Image source, Archant

A freight train that broke down near Brentwood has caused travel problems for commuters on lines serving Shenfield, Southend and Chelmsford, Greater Anglia reports.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

It's a wet start to the day, great weather for gardeners and the ducks. Plenty more rain about this morning but it will tend to dry out and brighten up. There could be a rumble of thunder or two in the evening.

Highs of 14C (57F).

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The renewed search for the body of murdered East Tilbury teenager Danielle Jones at a block of garages near Grays is entering its fifth day.

The 15-year-old girl disappeared in 2001 on her way to school, and her uncle, Stuart Campbell, was convicted of her murder a year later.

Essex Police started digging at a site in Stifford Clays earlier this week, after receiving new information, but nothing's been found so far.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Good morning and welcome back to our live updates.

Today we hear flytippers have killed 270,000 bees by dumping rubbish including asbestos and human waste near a country park.

We'll also be bringing you all the news, weather, sport and travel for the county until 18:00.

If you've got a story you want to tell us about, don't hesitate to get in touch by clicking "Get involved" above.

It's been a damp start to the day so first, let's see what the weather's got in store later.

Kate Scotter
BBC News

That's it from the team here at Essex Local Live for today.

Thank you for joining us, we'll be back again from 08:00 tomorrow.

Here's a quick recap of some of the stories we've been covering:

• An Essex Police officer is accused of kicking a prisoner in his cell
• UKIP says it must do well in the general election or there'll be "no Brexit"
• An Essex wildlife charity makes a plea to cat owners due to large number of bird deaths

We'll leave you with this sunny photo taken by one of our BBC Weather Watchers.

Have a great evening.

A woman working at Westcliff-on-Sea train station was slapped in the face by a male cyclist on Monday.

Image source, British Transport Police

British Transport Police says the assault happened at about 06:50, when the woman was working at the ticket barriers.

A man exited an arriving service from Fenchurch Street, got on his bike and cycled along the platform.

At the ticket barrier, without producing a ticket, he then barged through the gates.

The woman challenged him and was slapped hard across the face, resulting in the bridge of her nose being cut and her glasses knocked to the ground.

A CCTV image has been released of a man police would like to speak to in connection with the incident.

PC Chris Henschel said: "It was a vicious and totally unprovoked assault.

"No one should ever be subjected to violence on the railway, especially for simply doing their job.

"We have a number of active enquiries underway but would welcome any help from the public."

A pair of yellow gold horse stirrups, featuring the Queen's emblem, have been stolen in an aggravated burglary.

Image source, Essex Police

Watches, jewellery and an air weapon were also stolen from a property in Creephedge Lane, East Hanningfield, on Tuesday.

Essex Police is investigating the crime.

Image source, Essex Police

An animal hospital says cat owners should keep them indoors to stop an "ecological disaster".

A man in his 50s has been left in a life-threatening condition after an assault.

Image source, Google

Essex Police said two men were involved in an altercation in Gardenia Walk, Colchester, at about 17:30 yesterday.

One man was left with serious head injuries.

A 41-year-old man, from Colchester, has been arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.

He was taken to Colchester police station where he remains in custody.

Tributes have been paid to a mother who was killed in a motorbike crash.

Image source, Essex Police

Kellie Dowles, 41, died after the motorbike she was riding on collided with a car in Bardfield Road, Braintree, at about 16:00 on Sunday, April 30.

She was riding as pillion on a grey BMW motorbike. The car involved was a blue Ford Fiesta.

Mrs Dowles, a florist who ran a cafe with her husband, was flown to hospital but died from her injuries.

In a statement, her family said: "Kellie was a dearly loved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend to everyone that knew her.

“Alongside her floristry Kellie enjoyed spending time and travelling with her family. Kellie was also an animal lover with a particular fondness towards dogs.

“All the family members and friends greatly miss Kellie very much.”The rider of the motorbike, a man in his 30s, was taken to hospital with serious injuries but has since been discharged and is recovering at home.

As we reported earlier, Harriet Crittenden was due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court this morning.

The 25-year-old, of Cranfield Park Avenue, Wickford, has been charged with attempted murder and possession of an offensive weapon.

The charges relate to an incident on Sunday at Cranfield Park Avenue during which 45-year-old Hugh Doherty died after suffering a gunshot wound.

Chelmsford Crown Court said there was a problem with the video link this morning and no plea was taken.

A date for Ms Crittenden's next appearance has been set for 29 June.

Co-defendant Levi Draper, 27, of Cranfield Park Avenue, Wickford, is also due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on the same day.

He has been charged with murder, attempted murder, possession of a firearm with intent and possession of an offensive weapon.

A judge said 16-week-old Imani's last days must have been "terrifying, painful and bewildering".

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