Justin Bartholomew was drinking up to 15 cans a day before he died in August.

The disgraced publicist died after collapsing in his cell in Littlehey Prison in Cambridgeshire, on 10 December.

Sue Nicholson
BBC News

Thieves in Surrey have used a tractor and a digger to rip a cash machine out of a shop front.

The Londis store at the Texaco garage, on the A25 at Gomshall, was badly damaged in the raid, which happened just before 03:00 GMT.

The suspects are believed to have driven off in two other vehicles, leaving debris scattered on the forecourt and in the road.

The tractor and the digger were abandoned at the scene.

Hamish Mureddu-Reid
BBC News Online, South East

Image source, Ebbsfleet Development Corporation

Plans for 6,250 new homes at Ebbsfleet Garden City have been approved.

The development at Eastern Quarry, which was approved by Ebbsfleet Development Corporation’s planning committee, will include a market square with shop, bars and restaurants, as well as offices.

One third of the area will be open spaces, the developers said.

"There will be a series of smaller neighbourhood greens, local parks and play areas, all creating a unique garden city feel," a spokesman said.

Here's the BBC's Political Editor Laura Kuenssberg on Damian Green's sacking.

Christmas came early for these gorillas at Port Lympne Reserve as they were given a tree with edible decorations.

Gillingham football players have made a Christmas visit to meet sick children at the Medway Maritime Hospital.

Tens of thousands of mothers and babies in England have been harmed by potential lapses in maternity care in the past two years, the BBC has learnt.

Wendy and Ryan Agius are from Eastbourne.

Their daughter, Talulah, was stillborn.

Read more on this story here.

Lizzie Massey
BBC Live reporter

Image source, PA

Damian Green, one of Theresa May's closest allies, has been sacked from the cabinet after an inquiry found he had breached the ministerial code.

He was "asked to quit" after he was found to have made "inaccurate and misleading" statements over what he knew about claims pornography was found on his office computer in 2008.

He also apologised for making writer Kate Maltby feel uncomfortable in 2015.

Laura Kuenssberg said the PM "had little choice but to ask him to go".

The BBC's political editor said the departure of a close friend left Mrs May a "lonelier figure".

Mr Green, 61, who as first secretary of state was effectively the PM's deputy, is the third cabinet minister to resign in the space of two months - Sir Michael Fallon and Priti Patel both quit in November.

Mr Green is the Ashford MP.

Read more here.

Image source, Getty Images

The Argus, external: Shopkeeper’s dismay over police response to theft

Kent Online, external: Manhunt launched after taxi driver's car set on fire at petrol station

Get Surrey, external: Epsom Hospital trust charges its staff more than almost anywhere else in the UK for parking, according to union figures

Brighton and Hove Independent, external: Bus company boss ‘regrets’ fare rises

Kent Live, external: Kent's quietest railway station has just 11 passengers a day

Worthing Herald, external: Town’s bowls history ‘under threat’ over parking decision

Crawley and Horley Observer, external: Little Ellie Mae is a Christmas star

Chichester Observer, external: Husband pleads for missing woman to come home for Christmas

Hastings Observer, external: Bailey is loving it after building giant replica of McDonalds from gingerbread

Mid Sussex Times, external: Rail union announces strike action

Former 'pirate' station given old BBC World Service frequency in an "ironic twist".

Danny Pike
Presenter, BBC Sussex and Surrey

Sara Thornton
BBC Weather

And it'll stay cloudy today.

Here's my latest forecast.

RMT members at six train operating companies plan a series of new year strikes.

It's going to be a damp and miserable start to Thursday for the South East.

A number of homes in the Rainham area of Medway have had outdoor decoration stolen in the last week.

One perpetrator was caught on CCTV stealing a family of light-up reindeer.

Christmas came early for these gorillas at Port Lympne Reserve as they were given a tree with edible decorations.

Police searching for drugs carried out dawn raids in Gravesend and south London.

Cumbria Police says a teenager from Carlisle who has gone missing may have travelled to Peterborough or Hastings.

Joseph Charlott,16, has been missing since 25 October and has family connections to both areas.

Image source, cumbria Police

The niece of former Bishop of Chichester George Bell calls for his reputation to be restored.