A MIDWIFE delivered the perfect present when tiny Wynter Clarke came into the world – on Christmas Day.

A warning has been issued due to flood waters causing problems on the county's roads this morning.

North Primary School headteacher Alan Garnett reflects on a tumultuous week.

A CHARITY is launching a virtual half-marathon to help raise vital funds.

WARM tributes have been paid to a “living, breathing force of nature” who left a community orchard as “a legacy of his vision and hard work”.

A MUM who lost identical triplets after they were born prematurely is setting up a fundraising page to buy them a headstone.

The £29 million Northern Gateway Sports Park in Colchester is set to open this spring.

A coronavirus mass vaccination centre is set to be created at Colchester United's stadium over the coming weeks.

THE devastated family of a teenage motorcyclist who was killed when his bike crashed have slammed vandals for destroying his memorial site.

A GANG of thugs broke into a home armed with machetes and hammers before spraying a substance in a man’s face and beating him.

Debenhams, tonight issued an update on its future as it continues to wind down the business.

The number of coronavirus cases in Essex, Southend and Thurrock increased by 1,769 in the last 24 hours, official figures show.

COLCHESTER Zoo is offering passholders the chance to extend their membership following the latest national lockdown.

A MAN had to be rescued by firefighters after badly injuring his ankle following a fall which left him trapped on a roof.

COUNTY council bosses have hit back at claims the testing capacity in Essex is not high enough.

THESE are challenging times for local businesses.

A PRINCIPAL is celebrating after clocking up 25 years working at her Colchester school.

SHOPPERS have shared their relief after several major supermarket chains announced that they will turn customers away who refuse to wear a mask during the Covid crisis.

The owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill has secured a deal to rescue the brand from disappearing for good after it crashed into administration last year.

A man who killed his wife has been sentenced to a minimum of 18 years in prison.

GOVERNMENT ministers could make the decision to tighten lockdown restrictions within the next few days as they strive to curb the spread of coronavirus.

POLICE who were concerned for the welfare of a missing 79-year-old from Stanway say he has been found.

Almost two dozen new coronavirus deaths have been recorded at the East Suffolk and North Essex Trust in the latest 24-hour period, the latest official figures show.

PUBLIC health chiefs have issued a warning to residents in Tendring over the fast-spreading new strain of Covid-19.

CALLS have been made for clarity on the definition of “local” when it comes to lockdown restrictions after police stopped people going for a walk in Dedham.

A COMMUNITY worker says she was “disgusted” by the way supermarket staff treated her when she tried to purchase supplies for her holiday hunger programme.

A MUM has taken to creating free workout videos after being put on furlough to help support those struggling during the pandemic.

Tesco, Asda, Aldi and Waitrose are the latest to tighten their rules around shoppers wearing face coverings.

A DESPERATE mum was left distraught after receiving a "manky" free school meal package to feed her daughter during the lockdown.

VOLUNTEERS at Colchester Hospital have been helping to pack thousands of Covid swap tests.

COLCHESTER town centre is normally a hive of activity - the heartbeat of our community and somewhere alive with the hustle and bustle of people and traffic.

A LUXURY spa say they're "hoping for a miracle" following being forced to put the spa up for sale after only being open for just eight weeks.

TOUGHER coronavirus rules could be on the cards amid concerns “you wouldn’t think we are in lockdown.”

BY his own admission, Phil Coleman has a bulletproof mentality.

The body responsible for car tax and vehicle licensing has warned drivers to be on the lookout for new phishing scams this new year.

THE visionary founder of a longstanding estate agency legacy who has been described as a “real Clacton character” has died.

A DENTAL patient says he was removed from a surgery’s books for missing for a single appointment.

RAPID Covid tests should be available for residents once a week, council bosses have urged.

KIND-HEARTED Keith Lynch has been wowing families with spectacular projections onto the front of his house.

AN urgent appeal for neighbours to report drug activity in their area has been issued after police rammed their way into a flat in a morning raid.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a “dedicated” firefighter who died suddenly while on duty.

TWO people have been bailed in connection with an attack that saw a man dumped in a layby.

DRIVERS had "no reason" to travel across Essex after they were stopped by police.

A WOMAN stabbed her partner five times in a "vicious" attack and "extreme set of violence".

Home Secretary Priti Patel will host a Downing Street press conference at 5pm

One part of north Essex now has the tenth worst infection rate in the country, the latest figures show.

DO you know someone who has gone the extra mile during the pandemic?