Simon Dedman
BBC Essex political reporter

The deadline to register to vote in the general election is today and it's understood two million people have already added their names to the electoral register since parliament was dissolved.

Image source, EPA

There's one thing that is surely fake news: when anyone says "politicians - they're all the same".

Really? A passing glance at the Labour, the Lib Dems or Conservative manifestos show that frankly this isn't the case.

One vote is small, but it can have the power to bring about significant change.

The right to have that power is freely available, but to register to use it in this general election ends at midnight.

You can register online or in person. Contact your local district (or unitary council in Southend and Thurrock) for details - don't miss the vote by failing to register on time.

BBC Sport

• AFC Bournemouth are celebrating a top-half finish in just their second season at Premier League level
• The Southampton manager Claude Puel has refused to talk about losing his job after yesterdays final game of the season at Saint Mary's
• Oxford United owner Darryl Eales says a takeover of the club isn't imminent though he does admit there has been a bid for the club from Urugyuan businessman Juan Satori
• Oxford United's women were beaten 4-0 by Doncaster in the final match of the Spring Series
• In Rugby Union, Oxforshire's men have reached the County Shield final at Twickenham
• Meanwhile Oxfordshire's women missed out on a Twickenham final after they were beaten 26-19 at home by Leicestershire
• Dorset's cricketers missed out on a place in the quarter finals of the Minor Counties Unicorns Trophy after being heavily beaten by 131 runs by Berkshire, after being set a target of 308
• Hampshire cricketers well beaten by an innings and 97 runs by Essex in the County Championship with more than a day to spare
• In speedway, Poole Pirates pair Jack Holder and Brady Kurtz have both qualified for the World Under-21 Championship

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Comedian and TV presenter Michael Barrymore was never charged with any offence over the death of butcher Stuart Lubbock in 2001.

Mr Lubbock was found dead in a swimming pool at Mr Barrymore's home at Roydon near Epping. The entertainer was arrested and held in detention.

Image source, Ian West/PA Wire

Last year, his counsel Lorna Skinner said it had never been established that Mr Lubbock was either raped or murdered.

She told a judge that Essex Police were arguing that the entertainer should receive "nominal" damages.

It has been reported that Barrymore is seeking £2.5m compensation for loss of earnings and career.

One issue at the trial will be whether there were "reasonable grounds" for his arrest.

Image source, Family photograph

A post-mortem examination found the 31-year-old from Harlow had suffered severe internal injuries indicating sexual assault and his bloodstream contained ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol.

Mr Barrymore and two other men were arrested and later released without charge.

The legal action has been taken under Mr Barrymore's real name Michael Parker.

The High Court hearing before Mr Justice Stuart-Smith is expected to last five days.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A High Court judge is to decide the amount of compensation over loss-of-earnings to be paid to entertainer Michael Barrymore by Essex Police.

Image source, PA

The hearing results from Mr Barrymore being arrested and questioned following the discovery of the body of Stuart Lubbock, 31, in a swimming pool at his home at Roydon in 2001.

Mr Barrymore, 65, claims this arrest and detention on suspicion of rape and murder, had a devastating effect on his career and earnings.

He was arrested in June 2007.

No-one has ever been charged over his death of Mr Lubbock, who was from Harlow, and was found to have suffered severe internal injuries indicating sexual assault.

The Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, external, reporting on the sightings of two dead whales at Felixstowe and Orford, says there's been no confirmed sighting of a third whale off the coast of Harwich.

Image source, Fleur Hayles

Writing on its Facebook page last night, the programme said: "There have been a number of media reports of a potential multiple mortality event of minke whales in Suffolk.

"Just to clarify where we actually stand at the moment - a single minke whale was recorded dead stranded near Havergate Island in Suffolk yesterday [Saturday] morning.

"A decomposed baleen whale was also reported stranded at Felixstowe - this is likely to be the body of a dead whale that was reported floating off Harwich on [Saturday] 20 May.

"The species of this whale has not been identified yet.

"A third decomposed whale was also reported floating off the Suffolk coast yesterday [Saturday], but there has been no further confirmation of this sighting as yet.

"The two confirmed stranding events are unlikely to be related given the differing degree of decomposition."

The CSIP hopes to attend the stranded minke whale and the decomposed whale at Felixstowe to collect some samples and to attempt to carry out a field necropsy (a surgical examination of a dead body).

Results will be posted if appropriate.

So, it's not really clear how many whales we are talking about at the moment...

BBC Essex political reporter Simon Dedman answers listeners' questions about the 8 June general election and Jackie from South Woodham Ferrers wanted to know about fox hunting.

A 26-year-old man is due to appear before Colchester Magistrates' Court on Tuesday charged with burglary following an alleged incident at Clacton Town Hall hall where human excrement was also found.

There are fears more whales could be close to the coast in shallow water, following the discovery of two dead mammals off the Suffolk coast and another off Harwich.

Image source, Felixstowe Coast Patrol Rescue Service

John Cresswell, from the Felixstowe Coast Patrol Rescue Service, external, said: "There's possibly going to be other ones in the next few days.

"We're having reports coming in from vessels all over the place, they've all been briefed to keep a look out for whales.

"As soon as we know where they are, we'll try and do what we can to actually take them further out off the coast, but that is very, very difficult to do.

"They're already stressed up, that's why they're this close in shore."

East Anglian Daily Times

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

Image source, Archant

Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather

Dry, sunny and warm through today but cloud may increase this afternoon.

Remaining warm in light winds and strong spring sunshine into the evening although cooler towards the coast.

Maximum Temperature: 23C (73F)

More details on BBC Weather:

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Welcome to Monday's Essex Live beginning a new week in sunshine.

Between now and 18:00, the team here will bring you the news, sport, travel and weather updates as we get them.

Entertainer Michael Barrymore goes to the High Court today where a judge is to decide the amount of compensation over loss of earnings he will receive from Essex Police following his arrest in the Stuart Lubbock investigation.

Also, the deadline to register to vote in the 8 June General Election is at midnight today.

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.

Essex police are looking into about 20 deaths, according to the mother of one of those who died.

Jamie Porter takes seven wickets in the match as Essex beat Hampshire by an innings and 97 runs inside three days.

Coastal volunteers believe the three whales could be part of a much wider pod.

A group of female boxers have their say on what gets their vote in the 2017 General Election.

Essex take charge on day two of their County Championship Division One game with Hampshire by reducing their opponents to 92-7.

A school's memorial garden dedicated to a seven-year-old girl has been trashed by vandals.

Alastair Cook and Tom Westley both hit centuries as Essex take control on a rain-affected first day against Hampshire.

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