Patrick Byrne
BBC News

That's it from the Essex Live team for this week so goodbye and enjoy the weekend whatever the weather brings us.

We'll be back from 08:00 on Monday, bringing you the news, sport, travel and weather updates as they happen.

Today we've covered a wide range of stories and here are some of them.

• 'Home care will continue' as provider prepares to pull out in November, county council leader says
• Firefighters visit high-rise flats to reassure residents with safety fears after the Grenfell Tower tragedy
• An ambulance driver is found not guilty of causing death by careless driving

For details of these stories and more just scroll down the page and if you want to comment use the "Get involved" button at the top of the page.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Cloud will develop from the north west bringing a small chance of isolated sharp showers across the BBC East region tonight.

But it will remain dry for many areas with clear spells later.

Light rain or drizzle is possible across western counties later as the temperature falls to 12C (54F) in places.

Saturday will be another dry day with sunny spells and some cloud and it will be cooler on the coast.

Maximum temperature: 23C (76F)

More details from BBC Weather:

Tom Croasdell
BBC Essex

A man who robbed a cash delivery van in an armed raid in Witham, stealing £235,000 in cash, has been jailed for 15 years.

Joe Turner, 29, wearing a balaclava, was one of a gang armed with a shotgun who attacked two security guards at the Asda store in Highfields on the morning of 14 December 2016 as they stopped to refill an cash machine.

Image source, Essex Police

One guard was forced onto his knees and the other was ordered to remove money from their security van.

The men then made off in a BMW 4x4 driven by a third man and later found abandoned in Speedwell Close, Witham.

DNA and fingerprints found inside this vehicle were linked to Turner, of Vincent Road, Dagenham who was arrested on 4 April 2017 and later charged.

He pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an offensive weapon at Chelmsford Crown Court last week.

He returned to the court today and was jailed for a total of 15 years.

It seems some dog owners are still unaware of the dangers of leaving pets inside locked vehicles during the height of summer, but these police officers in Chelmsford came to the rescue of this grateful dog.

A report gives a rare glimpse into the procedures and dangers of removing people from the UK after convictions.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Two men who robbed a village supermarket near Dunmow are being sought by police.

One of the men climbed over the counter at the Co-Operative in Hallett Road, Flitch Green, on Wednesday morning and demanded money from three staff members.

The other pushed one of the victims and threatened him with a hammer. They stole a four-figure sum of cash, police said.

Two men and a woman were left shaken but unharmed.

The raiders were described as white, about 5ft 8ins tall and had their faces covered. One wore a grey tracksuit, the other a black tracksuit. Both wore baseball caps and hooded tops.

Robby West
BBC Look East

Squatters have taken over the four-storey former Job Centre, Regent House, in Basildon claiming they've moved in due to lack of housing.

Closed over a year ago, the building now houses four squatters and three dogs.

Tom Keys said he gained access to the building through the old staff entrance door which was unlocked and protected only by a catch he was able to push open.

He does not feel he has done anything wrong as he was homeless and said: "Everyone deserves a roof over their head."

He had been in another squat and discovered Regent House as he was looking for somewhere else to live.

Basildon councillor Kerry Smith, external said incidents like this are due to the government not allowing councils to borrow money to build houses.

Telereal Trillium, which currently owns the building, is now attempting to regain possession.

BBC Weather Watchers

Our BBC Weather Watchers have pictured some strange cloud formations over the county today heralding another dry night.

The skimpy cloud of the day will thicken as twilight arrives and a few spots of rain are possible in the early hours.

For some it may be another uncomfortable muggy night for sleeping.

Minimum temperature: 17C (63F)

More details from BBC Weather.

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Patrick Byrne
BBC News

Fire service staff are visiting residents living in 4,725 individual flats in high-rise buildings across the county to reassure them of their safety following the Grenfell Tower tragedy in London.

Technical fire safety officers have been carrying out full checks on high-rise flats in Essex, and have already completed 56 audits with no related fire safety issues flagged up.

Image source, REUTERS/Hannah McKay

Essex fire crews, community teams and volunteers are also giving residents fire safety advice.

They have visited 95 blocks to meet residents of 4,725 individual flats.

Acting Chief Fire Officer, Adam Eckley, said: "Since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower we have received lots of questions from concerned residents who live in high-rise buildings.

"Over the coming weeks, we will continue to visit the remaining high-rise flats to reassure the residents and give them fire safety advice," he said.

Faye Parson's ambulance was on a 999 call when it struck a 77-year-old man on a pelican crossing.

Chris Flynn
BBC Essex

A mural has been unveiled at Chelmsford railway station to mark the contribution made to the city by Giuseppe Marconi, external who was credited with the invention of radio and the company he built up which became a leader in aerospace technology and communications.

"He was a tremendous influence in his time and up to today in space exploration and the development of worldwide communications, " Jude Deakin, councillor for the Marconi ward in Chelmsford said.

"Without his wireless invention we would not have the worldwide communications network that we have now.

"It's also a striking mural that the city and county councils as well as the railway have got involved with.

"People want to see more of this type of heritage activity and this is a very good first step."

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

A man from Tiptree has been charged with causing death by dangerous driving after a fatal crash between a Mercedes and a Ford Transit van.

The 31-year-old man was charged in connection with the death of Mischa Bond, from Tiptree, who died after the collision in Witham Road, Tolleshunt Major on 13 January 2016.

He is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on 2 August.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

An ambulance driver on an emergency call whose vehicle hit and killed a man on a pedestrian crossing has been found not guilty of causing death by careless driving.

Faye Parson, 41, was responding to a 999 call on 4 February last year when she collided with Michael Daly, 77, in Danbury near Chelmsford. He died later.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard that according to the ambulance's data recorder Ms Parson had been driving at 29mph (46.5km/h) - under the 30mph speed limit.

The defendant, of Church Street, Braintree, pulled into the wrong lane to overtake a queue of traffic as she approached the crossing, the court was told.

Dentist Mr Daly was crossing the A414 Main Road on his way home from his surgery when he was hit.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

An ambulance driver has been found not guilty of causing death by careless driving over the death of a 77-year-old man on a pedestrian crossing while on a 999 call at Danbury in Essex.

More to follow.

A day before the Village Green festival gets under way school pupils and college students have been given the stages and facilities to demonstrate their talent, expertise and commitment to art, music and culture.

More than 4,000 of them are at Chalkwell Park in Southend and having a great time in the sunshine.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The jury in trial of an ambulance driver who denies causing death by careless driving has retired to consider its verdict.

Faye Parson was on a 999 call at Danbury when she hit a 77-year-old dentist on a pelican crossing.

The 41-year-old defendant denies the charge at the trial at Chelmsford Crown Court.

More from the Village Green festival, external day for young people - showing the diversity of culture in Southend.

Patrick Byrne
BBC News

The Village Green festival, external at Chalkwell Park in Southend has again extended its activities a day before the main event to include performances exclusively by and for Southend schoolchildren.

This year today's events are in partnership with South Essex College and Southend Borough Council.

Village Green: Next Generation is taking advantage of all the facilities set up for Saturday's programme and young people have the opportunity to showcase their music, film, visual art and performing talents on a full size festival stage, organisers Metal said.

"It is also a chance to try out all kinds of new skills through art, music and performance activities, journalism workshops and much more - through workshops with professional artists," a spokesman said.

East Anglian Daily Times

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

Image source, Archant

A Staffordshire bull terrier owner says they are "no more dangerous" than other breeds of dog.