Nile Ranger is jailed for eight months after admitting online banking fraud.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

The Southend United footballer Nile Ranger has been jailed for eight months for online banking fraud.

Image source, Getty Images

The 26-year-old former Premier League striker was sentenced at London's Wood Green Crown Court today.

Earlier this year, he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud by obtaining bank details of Diane Bloss in February 2015 and moving £2,090 from one account to another.

Ranger, from north London, played for Newcastle United, England Under-19s, Swindon Town and Blackpool, before moving to Southend United in August.

Claire Sawyer
BBC Essex

The Tigers Parachute Display Team has confirmed it will be performing at this year's Clacton Airshow which is taking place on 24 and 25 August.

Image source, Clacton Airshow

Also on display will be a Catalina flying boat. More aircraft are set to be announced in the coming months, external.

BBC Essex will also be part of the two-day event, providing commentary on Radio Airshow.

Image source, Clacton Airshow

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

One person has been injured after a car crashed into Rossi's ice-cream parlour in Southend.

The parlour's manager, Trina Divine, said a customer in his 70s reversed into the shop front while trying to avoid a speeding car.

A few customers were inside the shop at the time and one of them received a cut to his arm.

The driver and his wife were not injured, but suffered shock.

A 600m stretch of the road outside the shop between Western Esplanade and Shorefield Road has been cordoned off while clearing up takes place.

The Essex captain Ryan ten Doeschate says it's an easy job leading the team at the moment.

Image source, BBC Sport

Essex are unbeaten in the County Championship Division One and through to the semi-finals of the One Day Cup.

The skipper says there's more hard work ahead of them.

"When the team's doing well it's very easy to judge a captain, but I think we're moving the team in the right direction," he said.

"The club's very ambitious, particularly in four-day cricket... so I'm delighted with how things are going."

The county's next championship game begins on Friday with Surrey visiting Chelmsford.

Nick Alliker
BBC Essex

A woman is recovering after being punched in the face at a bar in Southend.

The victim, in her twenties, was assaulted in the smoking area at Revolutions, in Queens Road, on Saturday night.

She suffered facial injuries.

Essex Police , externalwant to speak to a woman with blond hair wearing a black leather dress and carrying a clutch bag.

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

The Nick Alexander Memorial Trust , externalset up in memory of the Weeley gig merchandiser killed in the Paris Bataclan concert hall attack two years ago, has said it's "unspeakably saddened" by the events at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester last night.

Image source, Stephen Budd

"It is unfathomable that more young lives have been lost as a result of a targeted attack on a music venue," the statement said.

"Every night across the world concert-goers stand side by side to experience the joy that music brings them and we must continue to stand united with them in the face of this tragic event.

"We send our heartfelt support and love to the families, friends and loved ones of those affected. We are by your side."

Nick's family remembered the dead on the first anniversary of the Paris attack, when 130 people were killed, in a BBC feature and video from November 2016:

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Southend Theatres have issued a statement in which it says it remains vigilant following the terror attack in Manchester which has killed at least 22 people at a concert.

Image source, Getty Images/Christopher Furlong

"As part of HQ Theatres, external, Southend Theatres [which runs the Cliffs Pavilion and Palace Theatre], have in place robust and continuously-reviewed and rehearsed emergency procedures.

"Our staff are highly vigilant and fully trained to ensure the safety and comfort of all customers enjoying our buildings and services.

"As part of this process of continuous review, HQ Theatres will update our venue guidance as appropriate based on current security advice from the UK theatre industry experts and the Home Office.”

Braintree Town's new manager says there'll be no targets set publicly on their hopes for next season.

Bradley Quinton's taking over a side relegated to the National League South.

And he thinks getting back enjoyment is the main priority:

"I believe in no pressure being put on any of my players and squad," he said.

"I don't question their ability; it's about commitment for one another and I think if they want to die and work hard for each other, you'll get a very good squad, knocking on any higher league's door."

Thoughts turn away from the general election following the Manchester terror attack:

A seven-year-old boy has had a life-changing operation thanks to the owner of Billericay Town Football Club.

Harry Parker was born with a rare form of cerebal palsy and thanks to the £45,000 donation from Glenn Tamplin, Harry was able to have the operation on his lower spine to help him walk:

Flags fly at half mast above @BasildonCouncil, external building as a mark of respect for those killed in last night's #ManchesterArena, external attack:

The shock of another terror attack has prompted this tweet from Jamie Oliver to those affected in the bomb attack last night at the Ariande Grande pop concert in Manchester:

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Five beaches in Essex have been awarded the prestigious Blue Flag by the Keep Britain Tidy, external organisation.

Image source, Geograph/Nigel Cox

The beaches are tested for water quality, beach cleanliness, lifeguard cover and local amenities such as cafes and toilets.

Thorpe Bay, Shoebury Common, Shoeburyness East Beach, Dovercourt Bay and Brightlingsea have all retained their Blue Flags.

But Frinton-on-Sea (pictured) has failed to retain its accolade.

Mike Carran, head of sport and leisure at Tendring District Council, says the council is delighted that two of its beaches won a flag but "the extraordinary heavy rainfall on the day before the Environment Agency water tests were carried out didn't help Frinton".

"That had a big impact on it, unfortunately it was an act of the weather and there is no changing those readings although Frinton has one of the best water quality readings in the south-east," he said.

Maria Veronese
BBC Look East

The first-ever significant building on Clacton Pier is being brought back into life as a home to a travelling circus.

The "Jolly Roger" was built in 1881 and is reverting back to its former roots as an entertainment venue.

It hasn't been open to the public for around 30 years.

The new circus shows are starting at the end of the month.

James Cleverly, who is standing for election in the Braintree constituency he won in 2015, has tweeted about the terror suicide bombing at the Ariana Grande concert:

"Terrible news from Manchester. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the killed and wounded, huge thanks to emergency services."

Sonia Watson
BBC Essex

A High Court hearing is due to resume later as it decides on the amount of compensation Michael Barrymore should be paid by Essex Police.

Image source, PA

The TV entertainer claims his arrest, in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock, who was found in his swimming pool at Mr Barrymore's home near Harlow in 2001, had a devastating affect on his career and earnings.

The presenter was never charged with any offence and Essex Police has since admitted the arrest was unlawful as the officer involved had not been fully briefed.

Mr Barrymore is reported to be seeking £2.5m damages.

Essex Police has admitted Barrymore was wrongfully arrested.

The force's counsel has argued he was arrested by the wrong officer, but he would have been arrested anyway so is not entitled to anything more than nominal damages.

The court hearing began yesterday and is expected to last all week.

It will decide whether the celebrity is entitled to a "substantial" sum, but will not fix a figure.

Sara Thornton
BBC Weather

We're set fine for the day, it'll be warm and dry once more, although perhaps a little bit more cloud coming through as we go through the afternoon.

Temperatures across the BBC East region will be slightly back from what we saw yesterday, but still up in the low 20s (68-71F).

Watch my full forecast here:

Mariam Issimdar
BBC News

Good morning from the team on what is a very sad day for many.

Our thoughts and heartfelt wishes to all the families affected by the Manchester Arena attack.

Stay with us for all the latest news, travel and weather affecting Essex today.

The weather forecast follows shortly.

Listen to live BBC local radio commentary as Essex face Surrey in the County Championship.