A PROLIFIC crook who punched a shop worker during one robbery and targeted the same Tesco store four times has been jailed.

RESIDENTS of a coastal town are experiencing a power cut this morning.

AN oysterman who tried to take his own life has spoken of his joy after becoming a father.

A COLCHESTER gallery will receive almost £700,000 to support the public launch of its tenth anniversary programme.

A WOMAN was left disgusted after a man performed a sex act on himself over a video call before offering to clean her son’s carpets.

A FORMER coffee shop which closed due to the pandemic now appears to be being turned into a cocktail bar, while a new café also looks likely to open.

Is there post today? Royal Mail deliveries for Good Friday, Easter Sunday and Easter Monday.

A PET cat “dragged himself home covered in blood” after being shot with an air rifle which shattered his leg into a “bag of bones”.

IN the week, Mike Carran works as a Tendring Council officer.

Here are some of the best things to watch this Easter Weekend in 2021.

ANIMALS were kept in “appalling” conditions by a rescue shelter which had claimed it was able to care for them.

A POST box is helping residents and excited children get in the Easter spirit after being decorated with a colourful knitted covering.

Gardens, parks and countryside locations run by the National Trust will be open this weekend.

The Easter long weekend has arrived and lots of us may be taking advantage of lockdown rules relaxing and enjoying a day out.

Some will offer a wide array of marinated meats cooked to perfection while others will offer dry burgers and a poor selection of condiments.

A RESORT famed for its lengthy pier, wildlife, beach huts and spanning cliffs has been dubbed one of the best coastal towns to visit outside of London.

Textile recycling collections will restart in Colchester in the coming week - this is what you need to know.

Essex County Council has revealed how many Covid cases were reported in Essex in the week to March 25.

People across Essex have been urged to "not mess this up now" as the Easter weekend begins.

A group of teenage girls reported a man exposing himself to them near a nature reserve in Witham, with police linking several similar incidents.

HUNDREDS of patients are believed to have contracted Covid at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital, new figures suggest.

Haven Road in Colchester flooded again leading to renewed calls for action to sort the recurring issue.

The county of Essex, that is a bastion of the Conservative Party, sits at number seven of the wealthiest counties in England, according to the Office for National Statistics, with gross value added (GVA) assets in excess of £35.861billion.

A NATIONAL anti-nuclear campaign group has spoken out against the technology proposed for a new nuclear power station at Bradwell B.

COLCHESTER could be one of the most accident prone areas in the country, a study has revealed.

Police have visited Gosbecks Archaeological Park after concerned about nesting skylarks.

Trotters Bar in Colchester has announced it will be reopening this month - and opened bookings for tables.

A BRAVE teenager who suffered devastating injuries in a hit-and-run crash may never walk unaided again.

A MAN who held a knife to the throat of his former partner before striking a neighbour who tried to come to her aid has been spared an immediate prison sentence.

A YOUNG artist from Harwich has been handpicked to paint an Octopus sculpture that will form part of a public art trail.

POLICE have confirmed the closure of the A12 this morning was due to concerns for the welfare of a man.

Detectives investigating the disappearance of a student have released CCTV footage of his last known sighting.

The Easter bank holiday is nearly upon us so we have taken a look at what the weather has in store for the next four days.

We take an exclusive look at the Park Holiday UK's new £1.2 million bar, restaurant and entertainment complex at West Mersea Holiday Park.

AN otherworldly but somewhat unconvincing monolith has appeared in a quiet village, much to the delight of a curious dancing ape.

PRANKSTERS across Essex have conjured up some rather creative April Fool’s jokes to trick people with this morning.

The Metropolitan Police are investigating allegations that two female officers were raped by a male colleague.

VISITORS are being asked to avoid disturbing breeding pairs of skylarks which are nesting in the long grass areas at Gosbecks Archaeological Park.

I am grateful to Sir Bob Russell for his letter (Gazette, March 30) for again reminding residents that I helped secure £19.2m to regenerate our wonderful town.

Column: John McAllister has a challenge for readers - can they produce a better short video them him? Mr McAllister offers advice on the best software to use. He is a keen musician, having recorded 13 albums of his own compositions over the past 2...

Column: For the past year, North Primary School headteacher Alan Garnett has been writing a weekly diary for the Gazette, providing a fascinating insight during what has been a momentous 12 months. This is his final entry

Watchdogs and consumer websites have urged Brits to get to grips with financial changes being made in April.

A DETERMINED mum is hoping to raise thousands of pounds so her little boy with autism can enjoy the benefits of a “life-changing” support dog.

AN inspiring father is walking two miles every day with his walking frame to raise awareness of brain tumours after losing two of his closest family members in the same year.

PARKING restrictions are set to be put in place on Frinton seafront to prevent “unruly” motorists from creating another summer of traffic chaos.

HORSERIDERS have been left upset following a clampdown on riding on Frinton beach.

YOUNG frontline workers are hesitant to receive the coronavirus vaccine through fear it could hinder their chances of conceiving a child.

THE coronavirus vaccine programme is like “painting the Forth Bridge” and will require years of effort and collaboration, according to health bosses.

A new bank holiday should be introduced in September to help the tourism industry in the UK recover from Covid.

THE transgender flag has been flying outside Essex Police's headquarters today to mark International Transgender Day of Visibility.