Tom Bull
Local Democracy Reporter, Bexley

Image source, Bombardier

"Once in a generation" plans to get Crossrail extended into Kent through Bexley have taken another step forward.

The C2E (Crossrail 2 Ebbsfleet) programme has submitted to the Thames Estuary Growth Commission, which was set up by the Government to explore growth in the south east.

This has been described as a major milestone for the campaign, which wants the Elizabeth Line to be extended through Bexley and Dartford all the way to Ebbsfleet.

London mayor Sadiq Khan included the extension in his transport strategy, saying the project would support the thousands of homes earmarked to be built in Bexley and Dartford.

Once fully operational in December the Elizabeth Line will carry 200 million passengers a year, and boost the economy by £42 billion, according to Transport for London (TfL).

The line will hit 41 stations across a 60 mile stretch running through the city, taking passengers from Abbey Wood to Paddington in just 28 minutes.

Teresa Pearce MP said: "C2E will deliver transformative growth to part of South East London, Bexley and Kent. It is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle the poor connections to London and Kent that have held the area back for so long - evidenced by the fact that Bexley is one of the few boroughs without metro style tube or train services".

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

A woman's been injured in a hit and run in Uckfield.

The 54-year-old was knocked down in the High Street close to Bell Lane.

She was taken to hospital with concussion and injuries to her ribs and legs.

Image source, Google

The car involved, which was blue, stopped briefly but then drove away.

It happened at 14:15 GMT on 7 March.

Johnny Cantor
BBC Sussex commentator

Grab yourself a cuppa and join me for the latest episode of Albion Unlimited.

Tune in to BBC Sussex on Tuesdays at 18:00 BST, or listen online any time at the BBC iPlayer.

Lauren Moss
Education and social affairs correspondent, BBC South East

Potentially deadly pills are being passed off online as the anti-anxiety drug Xanax, a BBC South East investigation has discovered.

A High Court judge says the barristers of two separated parents "constantly interrupted" each other.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

The A299 at Cliffsend, near Ramsgate was closed for nearly seven hours after a motorcyclist was killed.

It happened at 13:51 BST on Monday, between the Sevenscore roundabout and the tunnel underneath Foads Lane.

A red Honda 250 collided with the central reservation and the rider, a local man in his 30s, died at the scene.

The road was reopened at 20:45 BST.

Image source, Google

The private contractor G4S has apologised to a 73-year-old woman left waiting six hours for hospital transport.

Sharon Mullen says she was forced to get a taxi home to Cliftonville, in Kent, at a cost of £112.59 following an NHS eye operation under general anaesthetic at St Thomas' Hospital in south London.

She had been told she would be taken home by G4S, which provides a non-emergency patient transport service, shortly after 15:00 GMT on 22 January.

She was still waiting at 21:00, and finally made the 80-mile journey home in a Uber car after a friend offered to pay the cost of the fare.

G4S patient transport services managing director, Russell Hobbs, said it had contacted Ms Mullen to apologise for "the poor service".

"We are investigating this complaint and will reimburse any costs incurred."

A convicted burglar is on the run after going missing from Hollesley Bay open prison in Suffolk.

Simon Knights, 42, failed to return after being released on temporary licence to go to an address in Newhaven, East Sussex, on 22 March.

Image source, Suffolk Police

Knights, who is serving a five-and-a-half year sentence for burglary was due to return by 16:00 on Monday.

He is described as white, 5ft 9in (1.75m) tall, of medium build, with brown hair and a tattoo of a British bulldog on his right arm.

Danny Pike
Presenter, BBC Sussex and Surrey

Today I'm talking about the vaginal mesh scandal.

I want to hear from you if you've been affected.

Join me on BBC Sussex and BBC Surrey from 09:00 GMT, and call on 03459 57 00 57.

Kate Kinsella
BBC Weather

Tuesday afternoon will be pleasant after this morning's wet start.

Here's my forecast.

Bob Dale
BBC Live reporter

Rail services in and out of Brighton are badly disrupted this morning, after all lines were blocked for an hour by a trespass incident.

Services have resumed, but Southern Rail says it will take until the rest of the morning for them to return to normal.

The station had to be closed because of overcrowding, but it has now reopened.

Image source, Emily Wilson

Image source, Karol Kuczera

BBC London Travel
BBC Radio London Travel

Minor delays on London Overground between New Cross Gate and Crystal Palace, and between New Cross Gate and West Croydon due to faulty train.

Delays of up to 30 minutes and some cancellations on South Western Railway between Wimbledon and Clapham Junction due to points failure.

Service suspended on Gatwick Express between Brighton and Gatwick Airport due to trespass incident at Brighton.

Tickets being accepted on local buses, Great Western Railway, Southeastern and South Western Railway services.

For the latest travel updates follow @BBCTravelAlert, external

Police investigated after BBC Panorama broadcast undercover footage of Medway Secure Training Centre.

An Army instructor accused of bullying said his leadership had been criticised as "lacking bite".

Image source, Met Police

A man has been found guilty of murdering his sister’s friend.

Rodney Parlour, 51, died of multiple injuries inside his home in Hood Road, Rainham, on 30 September.

Police were called to the address on 2 October where they found the body of Mr Parlour.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of his death as multiple injuries.

In total 67 injuries were inflicted on the victim.

Marc Croxson was arrested on suspicion of murder on 5 October and was taken to an east London police station, where he was charged.

Det Insp Gary Holmes "Having been convicted of murder, Croxson now faces a lifetime in prison where he can no longer pose a threat to the public."

Croxson will be sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Friday, 20 April.

The fake anxiety drug sold to teenagers contains substance linked to several deaths.

About 800 children are left awaiting mental health assessments as an NHS contract changes hands.

The 13-mile route will link drivers to the M25, the A2 and the A13.

Amanda Akass
Reporter, BBC South East Today

The family of a young woman from Lewes, who was killed fighting Islamic State, say they're desperate to bring her body home.

Lucy Vladev
Reporter, BBC South East Today

Do you want to build your town in Minecraft? Students at the University of Brighton have found a way to do just that.