Serial conman Norman Fowler was arrested by Spanish police in Alicante after going on the run.

A dedicated wheelchair ballroom dancer from East Hanningfield near Chelmsford has had the chance to take to the dance floor at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, thanks to a donation from a woman who won £1m on Euromillions in 2016.

Image source, Camelot

Jane Hambling, 27, who was born with cerebral palsy, used to dance with her electric chair but says as she progressed she realised she needed a manual sports version.

She launched a justgiving page, but only raised half of what she needed.

Lynne Groves, who lives in Chelmsford and whose daughter is a friend of Jane's, offered to help out and gave her the remainder.

She said one of her greatest joys of winning is the "ability to help out where I think it's needed most".

Jane said: "I'm still getting the hang of my new chair but I’m improving day by day and have big plans. My ultimate aim is to reach the Nationals and from there compete on the international circuit."

Image source, Camelot

An investigation has begun into the cause of a fire in a flat in Westcliff-on-Sea near Southend.

It's understood a mother and daughter have been left homeless by the blaze, which broke out last night in St Helen's Road.

There are no reports of any injuries.

Neighbour Sylvia Andrews described what she saw: "I was just going to take the dogs for a walk, got to the gate, and all the lights went off in the street.

"I glanced down the road and there were two fire engines and an ambulance, as far as I could see, and smoke pouring out of one of the houses.

"There were lots of people about but the smoke seemed to be absolutely pouring out of one of the houses."

Anglia Ruskin University has been given the go-ahead to open Essex's first undergraduate school of medicine to train doctors.

The General Medical Council has approved the university's medical education programme, meaning it now officially has School of Medicine status.

Image source, Anglia Ruskin University

Construction of the School of Medicine building at Anglia Ruskin’s Chelmsford campus, including specialist teaching facilities, has alread begun and, subject to receiving Government-funded student places, the first students will start their degree in September 2018.

Dr Ruth Jackson, Pro Vice Chancellor for the School of Medicine Development, said: "We are passionate about making a significant contribution to the medical workforce in Essex.

"At the moment, there is no pathway in Essex for the most able students in regional schools to practice medicine.

"We hope that the School of Medicine will change this and help the county and wider region to train and retain its own doctors."

The 30-year-old was sentenced to eight months in jail for hitting the barriers then driving off.

A lorry driver has been jailed for eight months for crashing through the barriers of a level crossing before driving off. The incident happened near Roydon station in Essex at about 10:45 on 21 June. Tencho Hristov, 30, from Immingham in Lincolnshire, caused £23,000 of damage, British Transport Police said. He was found guilty of obstructing an engine or carriage using the railway, wilful omission or neglect and of failing to report a road accident.

A department store boss says he's concerned about the potential impact of a proposed out-of-town retail park in Colchester and that's why new legal action is now being taken.

Last month the government said the Tollgate development should go ahead, despite the borough council being against it.

Now, a new legal challenge has been launched by town centre retailers, including Fenwicks department store, external.

Group Trading Director Hugo Fenwick said he felt they had to act: "It's of great concern if an out-of-town development of this size is built just three miles outside of a town centre.

"It will naturally undermine investment in the future and really will lead to an irreverisble decline wt think in the town centre."

A man has suffered life threatening injuries after being hit by a lorry at Weeley near Clacton.

The collision happened on the A133 in the early hours of this morning, say police.

The pedestrian - in his 30s - has been taken to hospital and the road remains closed.

A 57-year-old man from Scotland has been arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving following a crash on Edinburgh Way in Harlow on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency services were called at about 13:40 to reports of a collision involving a lorry and a bicycle.

The cyclist, a 59-year-old man from the town, was airlifted to hospital in a life-threatening condition, police say.

The road was closed for several hours following the crash.

Elizabeth Rizzini
BBC Look East weather

Much of the day will be dry and bright with sunny spells.

It will be quite breezy though, especially on the coast, and cloud will build up at the end of the afternoon.

Top temperature - about 19C (66F).

Get the full forecast where you live from BBC Weather.

Philippa Taylor
BBC Local Live

Thanks for joining us, as we prepare to scan the county from east to west, north to south, to find out what's going on so we can share it with you.

You can join in too, by letting us know what's happening where you live - you can contact us via the "Get involved" link at the top of this page.

I spotted a beautiful sunrise as I drove into work this morning - I just hope the old saying "red sky in the morning, shepherds' warning" doesn't bode badly for the day.

We shouldn't have too long to wait to find out, as Elizabeth Rizzini will be here next to tell us what we've got to look forward to, weather-wise.

New champions Essex are bowled out for just 76 by Hampshire but fare better after following on at the Ageas Bowl.

That's it for Wednesday's live updates for the county - thanks for joining us. Scroll down the feed to look back at any stories you may have missed.

We'll resume our live updates at 08:00 tomorrow, but any breaking news stories will appear here in the meantime.

Have a good evening.

David Keller
BBC News

We've had an update from police about the crash between a lorry and a cyclist earlier today.

They say they've arrested a 57-year-old man from Scotland on suspicion of causing serious injury by dangerous driving.

Emergency services attended the crash on Edinburgh Way at about 13:40. A 59-year-old male cyclist was airlifted to hospital in a life-threatening condition.

The road is partially closed and this is expected to remain the case until at least 19:00 while investigation work is carried out.

Alex Dolan
BBC Look East weather

This evening will stay mainly dry with clear intervals. It will turn cloudier later in the night with some light rain or drizzle.

Light winds and lows of 11C (52F).

It will be a fine and dry start to Thursday, with outbreaks of rain later.

Light to moderate winds and highs of 21C (70F).

BBC Weather has more.

Orla Moore
BBC Local Live

Ambulance crews and police are still at the scene of a crash in Harlow involving a lorry and a cyclist.

It's understood it happened on Edinburgh Way at about 13:40 today.

Local residents are being asked to avoid the area for the time being while investigations are under way.

Police have made an urgent appeal for anyone who may have dashcam footage to get in touch.

Let's have a look at what some of our local papers are reporting today...

• The Daily Gazette, external tells the story of a motorcyclist who's completed a 70,000-mile trip for charity
• Meanwhile, The Harwich and Manningtree Standard, external writes about free men's health checks at Harwich Football Club

Sarah Jenkins
BBC Local Live

A third person has been arrested over the death Kevin Malthouse in Grays.

The 24-year-old was found dead on Blackshots Lane on 1 July following a fight. He died at the scene.

An 18-year-old man from Grays was arrested on suspicion of murder this morning.

He remains in custody for questioning.

Dusan Samardzija, 22, of Cypress Path, Romford, is charged with murder and three counts of grievous bodily harm.

Jack Taylor, 18, from Oakley Close in Grays, is also accused of killing Mr Malthouse and is due to stand trial on 20 November.

Mr Malthouse, from Stanford-le-Hope, played for Tilbury Football Club between 2011 and 2014.

BBC Weather

Most places should see a dry day with some bright or sunny intervals.

Cloud may be thick enough at times to give the odd spot of light rain here and there.

Maximum temperature: 18C (64F).

For the full forecast where you are, visit BBC Weather.

The mother of Mike Lilley grew up on the Falkland Islands, which were invaded by Argentina in 1982.