Not good news from this end of the world today. Only a few miles away from us, an off-duty policeman was shot dead when he apparently ran to the help of a couple who were being chased by a gunman. Not what you expect on the Essex coast. There have been several police helicopters circling within earshot and we've started to see police cars passing the end of our road now, as they fan out looking for the man.

Of course, it all happened while Emma was having a ballet rehearsal on stage at the theatre and Gaby was rehearsing on stage at school - so we had both girls out with a madman about. They are both home safely now though.

The police have named the man they want, so there is little chance he will stay on the loose for long, but he has wasted a policeman's life and for what?