Patients and visitors at hospitals across north Essex will be asked to take a rapid Covid test before arriving.

A GRATEFUL dad has raised thousands of pounds on a 47-mile charity trek for the hospital which saved the lives of his wife and premature daughter.

A FED-UP councillor has called for the “dreadful spate of fly-tipping” to be brought to an end once and for all.

A KEEN swimmer who has swum in the Stour Estuary every day since the Covid-19 pandemic began has praised the wonders the water has had on her health.

A FATHER “swore on his kid’s life” to police that no-one was run over by his partner’s car, a court heard.

THE mother of a man who died after being struck by a car has unveiled plans to commemorate his life and help people battling addiction.

Councils across Essex have worked together to make it easier to claim £500 if you need to self-isolate - here is how and when you can claim.

DISGUSTING messages were scratched into cars in what police are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime.

SHOCKING footage has captured the chilling moment an arsonist started a fire in a front garden before a have-a-go hero rushed to put it out.

THE family of a murder victim have been left heartbroken after flowers and pictures were removed from his grave - and were told they are not allowed to leave personal mementos.

A missing 15-year-old has been found after a police appeal.

A TV weather presenter was stalked by her controlling husband who placed a tracking device on her car to check if she was having an affair.

THE county’s top police chief has heaped praise on officers who rescued a woman in crisis from a car park roof after a four-hour stand-off.

SLOWLY but surely, life is returning to normal.

COLCHESTER’S mayor will be leading a one minute silence for the Duke of Edinburgh this weekend.

A FORMER X-Factor winner and a celebrity magician are combining their talents in a bid to say thank you to the NHS.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a trailblazing engineer whose inventions influenced the modern world.

Traffic is stationary after a crash involving three vehicles on the A12 near Colchester on Wednesday afternoon.

Loungers, which is opening its first restaurant in Colchester this year, has revealed its planned opening hour for the venue.

Falkland House, the old home of Colchester County Court and Family Court, is set to be turned into an HMO and flats.

A SCHOOlCHILD had to be taken to hospital after being hit by a car on Monday.

A WOMAN was brought to safety from the top of a car park after concerns were raised for her welfare.

Colchester Royal Grammar School has responded to scathing criticism from a former student.

A SECTION of a village road is scheduled to be closed for an entire day while engineers from a telecommunications company carry out works.

Essex Police seized 37 dogs, including deceased puppies, after conducting a raid at a property in Langley Green, Feering.

AN adorable kitten who “loves being silly” has finally found her forever home after being cared for by an animal charity.

Nearly all of Colchester remains almost Covid free, with just three areas recording three or more cases.

Essex influencer Zara McDermott has had an Instagram post banned for failing to make it clear to viewers it was an ad.

SITES across Essex will begin to stop offering rapid tests for people as of next week.

A HISTORIC seaside attraction was illuminated in orange lights to raise awareness of an aggressive disease and inspiring young girl.

A football team featured as an impossible answer on the popular BBC game show 'Impossble'.

Waldegraves Holiday Park in Mersea has created a new outdoor courtyard for visitors, ready in time for reopening after lockdown.

The majority of users experiencing difficulties say the problem is with Virgin’s cable internet.

FEARS have been raised over drug dealers using e-scooters, which are too often driven dangerously on pavements, it has been claimed.

New restaurant Kintsu from one of the former owners of Grain will open in Colchester town centre after plans were approved.

CHICK this out.

A former Second World War airfield hangar which has been transformed into a luxury home has gone on the market for £1.4m.

The item has been removed from the Sainsbury’s website and point of sale notices will be displayed in all stores across the UK.

Colchester Fringe is hosting a Mayday Shop Window Takeover in Colchester town centre - bringing drag, cabaret and magic to the town.

A POLICE chief has heaped praise on officers who saved a person in a mental health crisis.

OFFENSIVE messages were scratched into a car in Clacton in what police are treating as a racially-motivated hate crime.

A teenager seriously injured in a crash in Bicknacre has died in hospital, police have announced.

A THEATRE has launched its new programmes to develop the future talent of those who work in the creative industry.

AN elderly couple have been reunited to celebrate their 35th wedding anniversary after having to live in separate countries during lockdown.

I read with interest your article about council staff pay both for Essex and Tendring councils (Gazette, April 8, “Council has 40 staff earn more than £100k”).

TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving and “inspirational” politician who started her career in north Essex.

Ofsted will visit 'a sample of schools and colleges' where cases of sexual abuse have been highlighted.

A leading scientist has raised fears lockdown easing may need to be reversed after dozens of cases of the South African Covid variant were discovered.

A MAN has been sentenced to four years in prison after a fatal collision.

A MAN had to be transported to hospital in an air ambulance after suffering from a serious medical incident.