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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

A VEHICLE which burst into flames on a busy road is causing traffic congestion.

WORK is being carried out to investigate and permanently fix a 'sinkhole' which opened up in a busy Colchester road.

POLICE investigating the disappearance of student Richard Okorogheye are conducting searches in Essex after a new confirmed sighting last placed him in the area.

ONE lane remains closed on the A12 following an accident this evening.

ESSEX’S public health chief has warned that cases of Covid-19 will increase following the easing of restrictions... and urged all adults to get vaccinated.

POLICE are advising residents on how to reduce the risk of having their catalytic converters stolen.

THE new headteacher at a leading independent school has said it will be a “real privilege” to take the reins in September.

Three men arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs at a Colchester property have been released under investigation.

A FATHER who killed his son by shaking him as a baby has had his jail time cut.

The C3 Church is launching its new Colchester location this Easter inside the town's former garrison gym.

A STRONG-willed lecturer endured a three day hunger strike as part of a global protest against climate change inaction.

As Easter weekend fast approaches, forecasters have revealed what weather we can expect to see over the bank holiday.

A teenager has died after falling from a railway viaduct in Spring Road, Ipswich.

A COUPLE were surprised after leaving their car for a moment – and coming back to a spring tide flooding.

The closure of Colchester's iconic Paxman factory has been delayed whilst the final orders are completed at the site.

Covid cases have almost hit zero in these nine parts of the Colchester borough, according to Government figures.

A MAN has been arrested after a teenage girl suffered serious injuries in a crash in Colchester.

A man and woman had to be cut free after a crash between two cars.

A new fish and chip shop could open inside part of a convenience store in West Bergholt if a planning application is approved.

THE family of a young man given just weeks to live is desperately trying to fund specialist treatment which could give him a chance of survival.

The nation’s hottest ever March temperature of 25.6C (78F), was recorded in 1968 at Mepal in Cambridgeshire.

Dog owners are being warned to keep their pets’ paws away from chocolate this Easter after a little Chihuahua needed life-saving treatment.

POLICE officers were left smiling from ear to ear after appreciative and thoughtful students sent them “beautifully written” letters which made their day.

An Essex drug dealer who concealed £1.6 million, or 20kg, of cocaine within an armchair has been locked up.

GENEROUS Easter bunnies have delivered tasty treats to children and spreading seasonal joy throughout a seaside community.

A POPULAR walking route has been recognised as one of Britain’s finest by an ITV show.

A new membership portal has been launched for Colchester Zoo passholders, with the attraction reopening in two weeks.

New rules allowing commercial premises in England to be converted into homes are to come into force.

Essex County Council has warned recycling centres may have to be temporarily closed by police if they get too busy over the Easter Bank Holiday.

DAYTRIPPERS from across Essex are now allowed to travel to beaches without fear of being fined, it has been revealed.

A man had to be rescued after getting stuck on a reed bed when the sun set.

WITH the coronavirus pandemic profoundly impacting people's mental health, a wellbeing consultancy will be delivering online workshops throughout 'Stress Awareness Month' this April.

A NEW multi-million pound extension is due to start next month at a north Essex school.

Aldi is on track to have all product packaging reusable, recyclable or compostable by the end of 2025.

SPRING has sprung, lockdown restrictions have eased and it appears it’s not just us humans emerging from a winter of hibernation.

MEET Carl Martin - the very first baby born at Colchester General Hospital.

Column: Alan Hayman, who lives in Colchester, says the Covid-19 pandemic is no excuse for ignoring troubling symptoms that could be cancer. Here he talks about personal experiences of treatment during lockdown

SEASONAL bans on animals on some beaches in Tendring are set to come into force.

THE boss of leading airline Ryanair believes “all Covid restrictions” will be removed on summer holidays to European countries by the summer.