THIS coronavirus heat map shows the number of active Covid cases in each part of Essex

TWO Essex  businesses have made it onto a league table ranking Britain’s private companies with the fastest-growing profits.

THIS month marks a special anniversary and eagerly-anticipated royal visit for one of the most invaluable charities in north Essex.

Here are the worst streets in Colchester for pavement parking - according to Gazette readers.

WITH the easing of lockdown more Colchester restaurants and cafes are reopening to serve their food outside or offer a takeaway service.

THE filming of a new period drama along the Essex coast has certainly drawn the eyes of many residents.

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

More than 100 areas in England are experiencing a rise in Covid-19 infection rates as pubs reopen.

HISTORICAL finds discovered by an underwater archaeologist and TV presenter will be revealed in a Colchester-based episode of a Sky TV series.

We all know when it comes to lunch by the seafront or a satisfying dinner at home for two, there aren't many choices finer than fish and chips.

Shoppers hoping to grab a bargain or two have less than a month to make the most of the Debenhams closing down sale.

KNIFE held against her throat, Rebecca Kingsley pushed against the blade to reach the front door, where neighbours were trying frantically to get in.

THE nation will celebrate the Duke of Edinburgh’s life during his funeral today following his death last week at the age of 99.

COLCHESTER United's crunch game with Walsall today will kick off at 5.30pm due to Prince Philip's funeral.

All but four parts of Colchester are almost 'Covid free' according to the latest Government hotspots map.

The Green Room restaurant in Colchester has been forced to cancel its bookings after the council said its garden greenhouses didn't meet Covid rules.

THE lockdown in England is easing and people are enjoying more venues reopening.

Five fire crews were called to tackle a tractor blaze on a farm in West Mersea on Friday.

Thieves stole a box containing the ashes of an Essex 93-year-old's late-wife's ashes.

A RADIO station got in trouble after it played a song containing sexually suggestive material – at 8am.

The Green Room and North Hill Hotel in Colchester has announced it has been told its greenhouses do not meet Covid requirements.

New restaurant Zhoosh World Food is opening soon in Colchester - with takeaways on offer from Monday via Colchester Eats.

MORE than half of people in Colchester have received their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine - but almost a quarter of the county’s care home staff are yet to have theirs.

ONE of Colchester’s oldest manufacturing companies has reverted to its original name to “reconnect with its heritage”.

MORE than 55,000 people were waiting to start treatment at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital at the end of February, figures reveal.

A woman was assaulted after a man on a bike attempted to steal her dog on a footpath between Berechurch Hall Road and Richard Day Walk in Colchester.

The British actress played Clair Dowar in the 2012 James Bond film Skyfall and portrayed Aunt Polly in BBC hit Peaky Blinders

A Greggs has opened at an A12 service station just off the A12 in Rivenhall.

THE weekend is here and for many this means an exciting first trip back to the pub.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a school crossing patrol officer was hit by a car.

14 more sites are being added to where residents can pick up Covid tests in Essex.

A DISGRUNTLED man has been fined after his car was caught in a bus lane after being seized by police officers half an hour earlier.

CHANGES to a law which could’ve seen abusers put on the violent and sex offender register have been reversed in Parliament.

A date has been confirmed for the full inquest into the death of TV star and businessman Mick Norcross.

former EastEnders star and Queen of the Jungle Jacqueline Jossa has given fans a sneak peak of her family's new home in Essex.

The discovery of 77 UK cases of a coronavirus variant first detected in India could be a cause for concern, an expert has said.

A Banksy-style artwork has appeared in a city centre street.

World-food store Matha Supermarket is set to open it second store in Essex at Colchester Retail Park, in Sheepen Road.

A WOMAN is set to stand trial for allegedly breaching an order banning her from ringing 999.

The Ipswich Road roadworks in Colchester are now complete - but 15 months later than originally planned.

Campaigners have raised concerns after learning Colchester Council's planning committee won't vote on a controversial ramp linking student flats.

CHILDREN, young people and families have been inspired to get active after the easing of lockdown restrictions.

TODAY’S Nostalgia spread is a patriotic trip down memory lane.

Essex could yet see more snowfall before the end of the month, according to the county's weather centre.

THOUSANDS of parents will discover the outcome of their primary school applications today.

A PAIR of Southend superstars are set to take centre stage on the big screen as film-lovers prepare to head back to the cinema.

NO-ONE should suffer in silence.

Experts have outlined key differences between symptoms of hay fever and coronavirus following the arrival of spring.

A CANCER survivor who only decided to visit his doctor after reading about his musical icon’s battle has raised hundreds of pounds for charity.

A BIKE relay challenge is being organised to raise much-needed funds for Help for Heroes.