Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

A bright and sunny start to the day, with showers developing through the late morning.

It's likely that some of these showers could be heavy at times.

Feeling chillier than yesterday, with temperatures peaking at 14C (57F).

The showers will fade overnight, leaving clear skies and a touch of ground frost.

You can find a more detailed forecast on BBC Weather.

Caroline Kingdon
BBC Local Live

Hello and welcome to a new day on Essex Live.

Throughout the day we'll bring you the latest news updates from around the county.

If you've a story you'd like to share, just lick on the "Get involved" button at the top of the page to get in touch.

It's a nippy start to the day, but what about the rest of Friday? The weather forecast follows shortly.

That's all from the Local Live team - we shall return tomorrow at 08:00.

If there's any breaking news beforehand, you'll find the details here.

In the meantime, if you've a story you'd like to share - click the "Get involved" button at the top of the page to get in touch.

Have a good night, and thanks for joining us today.

The Centrica 'fast response' plant will provide back-up energy when renewable sources cannot, supplier says.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

Rather cloudy with scattered showers across the BBC East region this evening, with the rumble of thunder possible across Norfolk.

Showers dying away after midnight for most, with clear spells later as the temperature dips to 6C (43F), although places like Santon Downham in Suffolk and Writtle in Essex could be lower.

Friday will see a mainly dry start, but thickening cloud will bring outbreaks of rain, and then a mixture of sunshine and scattered heavy showers later.

The temperature will peak at about 14C (57F).

Prince Harry joins students as they take part in activities including shelter building and fire lighting.

Two men have been arrested following an incident in Colchester yesterday where two police officers were injured.

A car failed to stop for officers in Barrack Street at about 20:30. The vehicle was then in collision with three police cars.

Two officers were injured, one suffered injuries to their wrist and hips, while another was left with cuts and bruises.

A 22-year-old man and a 24-year-old man from London were arrested a short while later on suspicion of attempted assault, dangerous driving and drug offences.

They remain in custody.

During his visit to a conservation project near Chelmsford, Prince Harry met children learning about the value of the countryside.

He also met youngsters taking part in a mentoring scheme, run by the Wilderness Foundation.

Its TurnAround project is designed to help them overcome family, social and personal problems.

One young girl said it was "nice to see somebody so high up admit they've still had their falls and got through to the other side".

Essex have bolstered their bid for a first Specsaver's County Championship crown in 25 years, with a victory over Warwickshire at Edgbaston this afternoon.

They won by an innnings and 56 runs, with spinner Simon Harmer taking eight wickets in the match.

He said they'll enjoy their win tonight, but will be watching closely to see if Lancashire can keep the title race alive by beating Somerset.

Image source, Getty Images

A woman is recovering after she was sprayed in the face during a robbery at a cash machine in Clacton-on-Sea.

The victim, who's in her 30s, approached by a man and a woman as she was withdrawing cash from a machine in Magdalen Road at about 00:15.

She was sprayed in the face with an unknown substance by the female assailant, who then demanded money.

Both the suspects punched the woman in the face before making off in a small red hatchback car.

Essex Police say there's nothing to indicate the substance was acid.

Essex bowl out Warwickshire for 112 to win by an innings and stand on the brink of a first County Championship title since 1992.

The investigation follows the jailing of 12 men connected with an attack on the woman's husband.

Essex Police say they're investigating the deaths of 25 mental health patients at nine different centres in the county since 2000.

The force initially announced that it was looking into several cases earlier this year, including the death of Matthew Leahy (pictured), at the Linden Centre in Chelmsford.

Image source, Leahy family

Detectives have spoken to a number of people. So far no arrests have yet been made.

The new Essex Partnership University Trust offered their "deepest condolences to the parents, families and friends for the loss of their loved ones".

Up to 25 deaths dating back to 2000 at North Essex Partnership University Trust are being investigated.

One theory is that Callum Brown went to the riverbank to urinate before he fell in and drowned.

Increasing amounts of showers will develop throughout the rest of the day, and these could be heavy at times.

Feeling cool in the breeze, with a top temperature of 17C (63F).

Here's a selection of photos from around the county, taken by our merry band of BBC Weather Watchers:

Maria Rossi, know as Olga, and her husband Dario collided with a vehicle that crossed the barrier.

Prince Harry has arrived in Chelmsford...

He's here on a visit to a conservation project that teaches youngsters about the value of the countryside.

The Chatham Green Project educates over 3,000 pupils each year.

As part of his visit, Harry will join a group of pupils from Felsted School who're taking part in a nature immersion programme.

Police say they are no longer treating the death of a woman in Colchester earlier this week as suspicious.

Officers were called to a property on Avignon Close, near Abbot's Road, shortly after 19:45 on Tuesday where a 37-year-old woman was found dead.

A 43-year-old man from Colchester was arrested on suspicion of murder.

He's now been released without charge and faces no further action.

A man remains in a critical condition in hospital following a stabbing in Wickford yesterday.

Emergency services were called to Nevendon Road at around 13:30.

The victim was flown to a London hospital with suspected face and stomach injuries.

A police investigation is under way.