Join us today as we report live from across north Essex as gyms, non-essential retail and pubs reopen for the first time this year

WALKERS, runners and dancers are being encouraged to dress like the rainbow and take part in a fundraising event bursting with colour.

A YOUNG entrepreneur is hoping to inspire people her age to follow their dreams as she opens the doors to her own beauty studio.

A COUPLE of long-standing councillors have decided against standing in this year’s elections, for the first time in more than 20 years.

The Imperial College London map predicts the likelihood of areas becoming Covid hotspots over the coming weeks.

Parts of Essex have woken up to a dusting of snow as pub gardens prepare to welcome back punters after more than three months.

A Walton mum who falsely accused a headteacher of child abuse on Facebook has been fined.

Residents are at loggerheads over who should be responsible for overflowing dog poo bins in a north Essex town.

PREGNANT women will be allowed one person to support them at Colchester Hospital appointments after changes to restrictions.

The race to control Colchester Town Hall is on with the candidates now being declared for May's Colchester Council's elections.

The Prime Minister has urged the nation to “behave responsibly” when pub gardens reopen and restaurants resume outdoor dining in a major easing of England’s coronavirus lockdown.

Police have launched a search for a man who went missing in the early hours of this morning.

Essex is many things and many places. It’s vibrant, surprising, eccentric – and there’s no better way to discover its character than by visiting locally-owned shops, attractions and hospitality venues.

A man, aged in his 70s, and a woman, in her 60s, were found dead at a property in Tankerville Road, Leigh, on Saturday

We will be one step closer to normality as lockdown rules ease again in England.

Martin Stokes has been charged in connection with an attempted murder probe launched after a crash outside TOWIE's The Sugar Hut club in Brentwood.

Braintree police officers helped recover three suspected stolen dogs from an address in Hertfordshire.

Here's an updated list of all the bars, restaurants and cafes in Colchester which are set to reopen from Monday, April 12.

These are four of the most controversial planning applications which have not yet been decided on in Colchester - and one which has been withdrawn.

Lion Walk Shopping Centre in Colchester has given customers a sneak peak of its new secret garden before it opens on Monday.

The man arrested in connection with the death of Stuart Lubbock at Michael Barrymore's home has been released under investigation.

ORGANISERS of a car boot sale have announced it will be returning with an extra event.

The plans, codenamed Operation Forth Bridge, will have been changed because of the Covid-19 crisis.

PARISH council elections will also take place in four places across Colchester.

Green-fingered residents who want to bring their garden project to life are invited to apply to the new series of a BBC Show.

HM Passport Office is telling travellers to allow up to 10 weeks to receive their documents.

TODAY we can bring you another selection of pictures from a new website that has unearthed hundreds of incredible school photos.

This week a vitural high street service launched in Colchester with the aim of supporting independent businesses.

SOME live in them, others laugh at them. It’s fair to say Essex has its fair share of rude, funny and frankly unexplainable road and place names.

HERE are the death notices published in the Gazette this week:

Salmonella poisoning, food allergies and pieces of plastic are just some of the reasons behind a number of urgent product recalls across the UK.

Brits enjoyed their fair share of takeaways in 2020 during lockdown.

This week an image showing how Colchester’s iconic Jumbo tower could be transformed was revealed.

A man has been arrested after a delivery driver reported being threatened with a gun in Wivenhoe.

Police have closed the A120 near Great Notley this afternoon due to a serious collision.

Bootsales are expected to see a bumper turnout this year as locked down Brits make the most of the chance to cash in their clutter.

Haven Road in Colchester flooded again on Saurday as tides rose in the River Colne.

Buckingham Palace has announced the date for Prince Philip's funeral, which will take place entirely within the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Tributes left to honour Prince Philip have been found in Colchester town centre on Saturday.

Police arrested a man on suspicion of drink driving after a crash in Maldon Road, Stanway, not far from Colchester Zoo.

THE trial for electric scooters in Colchester is now underway - but what are the rules riders must follow?

Prince Charles has paid tribute to his father the Duke of Edinburgh in an emotional speech from his home in Highgrove.

A diversion route is in place whilst police investigate a serious collision which saw a woman hurt on the A120 near Great Notley.

The old home of Grain restaurant will be revived and reopened as new eatery Kintsu by one of its owners after plans were approved.

Almost all of Colchester is now 'Covid free' according to the latest Government hotspots map.

The online queue to get tickets for Colchester Zoo had almost 8,000 people in this morning, as the attraction prepares to reopen after lockdown.

PARK and ride and using public transport have long been ways suggested to help the environment and reduce congestion across the country.

Prince Philip has passed away aged 99. But who will inherit the Duke of Edinburgh title?

AN eagle-eyed photographer looking to capture barn owls on camera ended up taking pictures of Hollywood actor Tom Hiddleston.

Gun salutes will sound out across the UK on Saturday in tribute to Prince Philip, it has been announced.