Stars of The Inbetweeners will reunite on TV tonight for new comedy based on a 1980s Basildon double-glazing showroom.

Image source, Fudge Park

White Gold was created by Damon Beesley, who was also behind the hit Channel 4 series and is originally from Stanford-le-Hope.

Joe Thomas (pictured right) who played Simon in The Inbetweeners and went to Chelmsford's King Edward VI Grammar, said his new character also struggles to fit in.

"There is a sadness - he’s not like the other lads who are all about their ego. He knows he wasn’t born to do it," he said.

"He’s got too much of a conscience to be able to sell well."

White Gold will be screened on BBC Two at 22:00.

Children are having to cross busy roads alone because there are more than 40 vacancies for lollipop men and women across Essex.

Some positions for primary schools have been vacant since the autumn.

Conservative county councillor Ray Gooding, external, in charge of education, said: "Twenty-five per cent of the staff force we need we don't have.

"The problem that I have is that we're constantly accused of slashing the crossing patrol and taking the lollipop person away - but the bottom line is I've got a budget I can't spend because we can't get people to do the job."

A crash has closed two lanes on the M25 in Essex, causing long tailbacks.

People gathered in Colchester for a prayer service last night after an election hustings was cancelled.

About 50 people turned out for the vigil at St Botolph's Church, external.

Reverend Mark Wallace said: "When we realised it wasn't going to be possible to hold the hustings because the campaigning has been suspended, we thought it was important we did something.

"The one thing Christians can always do is to pray and ask for God's help for those in need."

An Ariana Grande fan from Chelmsford had tickets for one of the singer's O2 dates, which have been suspended after Monday's terror attack in Manchester.

Journalist Richard Brown, who is based in Essex, has said he's "proud" of how his home city has stood "strong in face of adversity" following Monday's devastating terror attack.

Stansted Airport, external tweeted that it was operating normally despite the heightened terror alert and extra police patrols.

A man was arrested at the site on Tuesday night by counter-terror police who suspected he was planning to travel to Syria.

As we've been reporting, extra police patrols have started in Essex today in response to Manchester's terror attack.

Essex Police, external has said it's to provide reassurance and there is no specific intelligence to suggest a direct threat in the county.

The deputy chief constable, BJ Harrington, has said people will see armed police in the streets and at public places.

"The places where people frequent - Lakeside, Stansted and Southend, commuter train stations and places where people shop and congregate - you will see additional patrols today," he said.

"Unarmed officers in high visibility and additional armed patrols - you will see people carrying rifles."

Latest BBC updates as terror threat raised

Essex Police's new deputy chief constable has said armed officers will be present at Lakeside shopping centre at Thurrock.

BJ Harrington was at the Met Police and in command during the Westminster attack.

He told BBC Essex: "We already have extensive patrols. We've put those into place and the people of Essex will see additional patrols - both armed and unarmed - at train stations and, importantly, when you look at the horrible target of very young people coming away from a pop concert, we work with event organisers.

"We have existing plans for things like V Festival, the Military Festival at Colchester - we already assess a threat and are reviewing and reinvigorating our plans."

Essex Police, external has said there will be more officers on the streets now the UK's terror threat level has been raised to critical in the wake of Monday's terror attack.

The force has said there is is no specific intelligence to suggest an attack will happen in the county but the extra patrols will help protect the public and provide reassurance.

UK terror attack raised to critical: What does it mean?

Southend United will take time to consider striker Nile Ranger's future after he is jailed for eight months.

Audience members at comedian Al Murray's gig in Southend donated money last night for families affected by the terror attack in Manchester:

Sonia Watson
BBC Essex

A motorcyclist has died following a collision on the M25.

It happened on the slip road leading onto the motorway from the southbound M11 yesterday just before 18:00.

The biker was taken to hospital but later died from his injuries.

Police are appealing for witnesses or drivers who may have captured dashcam footage.

The Southend United chairman, Ron Martin, says the club won't rush into a decision about Nile Ranger, after the striker was jailed for eight months.

Image source, PA

He was sentenced yesterday after admitting an online banking fraud in which a woman lost £2,000.

In a statement, the club's chairman, Ron Martin said: "The club needs time to consider its position and also the impact of this startling, unexpected, outcome in court this afternoon on Nile Ranger both as a person, as well as a player for Southend United.

"As I have said previously, this offence occurred long before Nile joined the club and everyone deserves a second chance, which the club has afforded Nile."

The statement, external continues that Ranger is unlikely to ever be a model professional, however during his time at Southend his behaviour has been acceptable and improved.

"We have worked hard at rehabilitation and Nile has responded well to his team mates both on and off the pitch."

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

A man has been arrested at Stansted Airport in Essex by counter-terror police who suspected he was planning to travel to Syria.

Image source, Getty Images

The 37-year-old was due to board a flight for Turkey on Tuesday evening when he was held on suspicion of preparing for acts of terrorism.

But Scotland Yard has said his arrest is not connected to the Manchester attack.

Meanwhile Ben-Julian Harrington, Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police, says the public will see additional officers on the streets as the UK threat level is raised to 'critical'.

Although there is no specific threat to the county, the threat level means an attack somewhere in the UK is expected imminently.

Georgina Burnett
BBC Weather

There's lots of sunshine this morning, a bit more in the way of cloud as we head into the afternoon.

Temperatures getting up to 23C (73F) but chilly on the east coast, only getting up to 15C (59F).

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Good morning from the team. We're keyboard-ready to bring you all the county's news, sport, weather and travel until close of play at 18:00.

Don't forget you can keep us posted with stories, views and pictures by clicking the "Get involved" button at the top of this stream.

The weather is up next.

A 37-year-old man was due to board a flight to Turkey before he was stopped by counter-terror police.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

That's it folks for what's been a rather disturbing day for many of us following the suicide bombing in Manchester.

Do scroll down to see what has happened across Essex.

Among the news we've reported:

• Southend United footballer Nile Ranger has been jailed for eight months after admitting an online banking fraud in which a woman lost £2,000
• A car has crashed into an ice cream parlour injuring one person on Southend seafront
• Billericay Town's new owner has donated £45,000 towards an operation to help a boy walk again

Have a peaceful evening - our regular updates resume at 08:00 on Wednesday. We'll leave you with this image of volunteers and staff at Nazeing nature reserve, external who are very proud of their new jetty.

Image source, Epping Forest District Council

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Staying dry with some evening sunshine across the BBC East region.

It'll remain dry overnight but turn cloudier at times with lows of 8C (46F).

Wednesday will start cloudy, but long spells of sunshine will develop, giving highs of 23C (73F).

Get the full forecast where you are from BBC Weather.