Anglia London News

Thousands of runners from across our region are heading into the capital for the annual London Marathon. There are nearly 40,000 runners taking part today, including Amy Childs from the ITV reality show The Only Way is Essex.

Many will be travelling from the Anglia region to run the 26.2-mile course. After the events at the Boston Marathon, organisers are hoping runners and spectators will be out in force to show their solidarity.

• UK
• LONDON
• Essex

A pilot killed when his helicopter crashed in central London had recently been flying for an air ambulance in the region.

Peter Barnes was the only person on board when the helicopter hit a crane and burst into flames.

He died, along with a pedestrian who was hit by falling debris.

12 others suffered injuries. Recently, Mr Barnes had been flying the Warwickshire and Northamptonshire Air Ambulance. T

his afternoon a spokesperson said he would be greatly missed.

"Pete will be greatly missed and added,..Our thoughts are with his family and with all the families affected by this tragedy."

• UK
• London

Anglia Route: lines out of Liverpool Street including Great Eastern main line

There are several big developments on this line. The completion of the overhead line upgrade on the Great Eastern main line, track renewal and new signalling is a major component of the 2014 - 2019 plans.

Another priority is finishing the Crossrail service from Shenfield to Liverpool Street.

That development will lead to:

• More seats and direct services to Thames Valley, central London and Heathrow Airport.

• New Crossrail station at Liverpool Street will free up platform space, enabling opportunities for more services on the Great Eastern main line.

In addition Network Rail are committed to examining how to improve journey times on the line.

• UK
• Norwich
• London

Emergency services were called at around 11.30 yesterday morning (August 30) to the coast off Southend, after a member of the public spotted a man in difficulty in the water.

The Coastguard Service, RNLI and police marine unit immediately launched a search, however no one was found. RNLI officers searching the beach found clothing and personal items.

Police say these relate to a 52 year old man from London and are trying to locate his next of kin. A thorough search of the water off the Western Esplanade continues and emergency services will remain to search the area as the tide recedes.

• UK
• Southend
• London

Disruption between Milton Keynes Central and London Euston due to earlier over running engineering works at Bletchley.

• UK
• London
• Milton Keynes

Delays of up to an hour and five minutes on London Midland between Euston and Northampton and between Euston and Milton Keynes. Tickets are being accepted on Virgin Trains services.

• UK
• London

A man from Stevenage is due to appear in court today following the armed siege in Tottenham Court Road in London on Friday. Michael Green, who's 48, has been charged with possession of a weapon, false imprisonment and making a bomb hoax.

The incident brought the area to a standstill. He'll appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.

• UK
• London
• Stevenage