Millions of international passengers have passed through London Stansted Airport during the pandemic, figures suggest.

Network Rail is conducting emergency repairs to the Great Eastern Main Line at Ingatestone.

Efforts were stepped up over the weekend to vaccinate north Essex's most vulnerable residents against Covid-19.

FURIOUS seaside residents have branded the dumped remains of a cannabis farm discovered by police officers as the “icing on a very distasteful cake”.

It was reassuring to read our esteemed local Tory MP, Giles Watling, admit to being a jobbing actor recently, because he certainly isn’t a scientist or epidemiologist.

The UK's unemployment level has soared to its highest level since 2016, Office for National Statistics figures show.

A COURIER took part in a con which saw a fraudster pose as a police officer in order to convince five elderly victims to hand over thousands of pounds in cash, a court heard.

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for the Government to treat nurseries in the same way as schools for the safety of children and staff as lockdown continues.

A LORRY driver was given a heart-rending send off in an American-style truck by his family and friends.

ELECTIONS cannot be held safely during the coronavirus pandemic, council leaders have insisted despite the Prime Minister’s pleas for them to go ahead.

A SUPER slimmer who shed more than nine stone has credited his weight loss with helping him beat coronavirus.

The Health Secretary has revealed the four key areas which will be reviewed by the Government before the lockdown is lifted.

The first mass coronavirus vaccination centre in East Anglia opens today.

ONE of the men convicted of the "Essex Boys" gangland murders can be freed from prison, the Parole Board has said.

Stay with us for updates from today's Downing Street press conference on the coronavirus crisis.

A FRAUDSTER who conned more than £12,000 out of 16 people by taking payments for designer handbags before leaving her victims empty-handed will not pay a penny in compensation.

Tributes have been paid to former Colchester Mayor Terry Sutton, who died after testing postive for coronavirus.

Tributes have been paid to Alinjavwa Siwale, who died after being stabbed in Affleck Road, Greenstead, in December.

Online retailers Boohoo has purchased Debenhams website, but remaining stores, such as in Colchester, are set to close.

More than 2,700 new cases of coronavirus were recorded across the whole of Essex over the weekend.

A SEAL rescued from Frinton beach is on the road to recovery after being found with infected bite wounds.

COLCHESTER'S Debenhams store will close permanently in what has been described as a huge blow for the town.

A TALENTED musician who worked tirelessly for the Royal British Legion has died, aged 90.

THE organisers of a popular road rally have cancelled the event for the second year running due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

ANOTHER 21 patients have died after testing positive for coronavirus at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital.

TRAIN services have been cancelled and delayed following a landslip in north Essex.

Decision made over plans for 100 new homes in St Osyth

YOBS on bikes have been terrifying young families and dog walkers using alleyways in Clacton by shining bright torches in their eyes.

THE Essex Weather Centre has explained why some areas of Essex missed the snow over the weekend.

With England back under the instruction of essential trips only during the third national lockdown, cars across the country are gathering dust on driveways and in garages.

BURGLARS stole £1,000 worth of furniture after breaking in to a building in Colchester.

Indications the mutant coronavirus variant which emerged in the south of England may be more deadly and be more transmissible are a “serious turn for the worse”, a leading scientist has said.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said some Covid lockdown measures could be eased by the middle of February.

Sainsbury's, Co-op, Asda and Waitrose are recalling chilled and frozen seafood products because of possible contamination with salmonella.

SCHOOLCHILDREN have tapped into technology to get the most from their lockdown learning.

WE'RE heading back to the midway point of the last century for this slice of classroom nostalgia.

A NURSERY based at a university campus has been rated outstanding by an education watchdog following an inspection.

A SUPERMARKET has submitted plans for a new store to replace one that has major structural problems.

ESSEX high streets are set to lose well-known retailer Debenhams in the coming weeks after it was snapped up by Boohoo.

Will you miss Debenhams from the high streets of Essex? Vote in our poll here.

CAMPAIGNERS are calling for the Government to treat nurseries in the same way as schools for the safety of children and staff as lockdown continues.

A WEATHER warning has been issued for the whole of Essex, due to freezing temperatures causing icy conditions on the roads.

A FORMER police officer who helped investigate the horrific killing of a young woman is set to star in a documentary about the notorious killer he believes was responsible.

THE longer the Alumno Cultural Quarter debacle goes on, the more byzantine it gets.

Colchester Council is preparing to increase its share of residents' council tax bills by £5 for an average household.

A BROKEN down lorry is blocking a section of the A120 in Marks Tey.

A NINE-year-old boy had to undergo surgery after swallowing a lithium battery which almost burned a hole through his oesophagus.

DISMAYED pet owners were left feeling “sick to their stomachs” after their cat was shot with an air gun pellet.

A CYCLIST who is riding from Frinton to Land’s End has raised more than £2,500 in memory of two beloved family members.

Essex drivers ended up in court three times last year for allegedly abusing the Blue Badge parking scheme, figures reveal.