A broken down lorry is causing long delays for drivers on the A12 northbound this morning.

A GIRL was raped and sexually assaulted over the course of four years by a man who tried to “buy her silence”, a court heard.

A FRAGILE feline who “dragged” himself home after being hit by a car is now in desperate need of expensive surgery in order to survive.

A VULNERABLE teenage boy was filmed being thrown to the ground and punched by two young thugs who stole his prized bicycle.

AN inspiring young man who attempted to take his own life has completed a gruelling fitness challenge in aid of mental health awareness.

AN inspirational five-year-old has featured in the promotional video for the Captain Tom 100 challenge in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital.

AN eco-friendly shop which kept people supplied throughout the pandemic

SHOPS are open again and customers are heading back to our town centres.

A HOUSE builder wants feedback on a controversial 600-home development.

A LANDMARK radio studio was the stage for a new documentary about a ground-breaking album by one of the UK’s biggest rock bands.

A WILDLIFE charity says it is “fundamentally opposed” to plans to build 1,000 homes at a popular beauty spot.

Families whose relatives died at the Linden Centre in Chelmsford have received the backing of a Labour MP who has called on the Government to “do what is right” and establish a statutory public inquiry.

A DEVOTED son spent more than a week camping in a tent near a hospital just so he could visit and care for his paralysed dad every day for an hour.

COVID infection rates have risen in several areas of Colchester as shops, pubs and restaurants reopened again.

A COCAINE user “fearfully” agreed to act as a drug runner to fulfil a £5,000 debt owed to dealers who paid a threatening visit to his home.

CHANGES to European Union regulations have come as another setback to Mersea’s oyster fishing industry.

AN off-duty worker has told an inquest into the death of a Colchester father of the moments leading up to him being restrained.

A POPULAR festival which had to be shelved last year due to the pandemic will return to Colchester this summer.

THE most in-demand Colchester primary schools for the next academic year have been revealed.

A DRINKER has avoided prison after he smashed a glass over the head of a man for talking to a girl – causing a three-inch gash which needed five stitches.

A RAIL passenger has criticised train operators after he said it was “impossible” to comply with social distancing rules on a train.

A nan was left stunned when she found a 12-inch Rambo machete in a sofa she had bought on Facebook marketplace.

TWO people have been taken to hospital after a car crashed into a lamp post and fence in Manningtree.

A father who died after he was restrained at a Pontins holiday park had “lunged” at an off-duty worker in the resort’s ballroom bar during an argument about a child’s behaviour, an inquest heard.

People in Essex are donating blood plasma for medicines for the first time in more than 20 years.

THE Tendring candidates standing in the forthcoming local elections and hoping to receive the support of residents have been revealed.

Katie Price is engaged to her partner Carl Woods who reportedly asked her son Junior's permission to pop the question.

SHOPPERS have praised Morrisons for a discreet initiative launching in stores which provides free period products for those who need them.

Crews and stars and writers of the Stars Wars series were seen filming at an Essex site, according to Star Wars Sessions.

TODAY’S Camera Club spread is the seal deal - and very much a case of little and large.

Colchester historian Sharon Mooney has been doing some digging and could have uncovered a scandal. Have a read and make your own mind up about Roland Kiley

LITTLE ones sprang into action to raise much-needed funds for their pre-school.

VOLUNTEER lifeboat crews from Harwich were called to the aid of stranded sailors in the River Deben and River Orwell.

WETHERSPOON is to open more of its pubs across the country next week as the easing of the lockdown continues, the company has announced.

WELLBEING and fitness legend, Mr Motivator is beaming into more than 70 care homes across Essex to give residents and staff a much-needed boost.

A number of UK retailers and banks have been name-dropped in an attempt to dupe unsuspecting victims out of their hard-earned cash.

From Thursday, you will have to be 18 to play any National Lottery games.

A NEW data tool has revealed the fastest and slowest times it takes to sell a house in Essex.

FAMILIES turned out in force for some long-awaited fun at Clacton Pier following the easing of lockdown.

HEALTH experts will be answering questions people may have relating to the Covid vaccine, fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

A TERMINALLY-ill man has appealed for help to fulfil his final wish to fly in a helicopter in the skies above Essex.

A SALON has shown how it is using client’s hair in a battle to reduce waste and help the environment.

A VANDAL was caught on camera dangerously launching a brick through a family’s window during a broad daylight attack before fleeing the scene.

A YOUNG boy valiantly battling a debilitating condition is preparing to tackle a walking challenge to raise money for life-changing therapy.

PATIENTS are being urged to have their say over plans to move two "outdated" doctors surgeries into Clacton Hospital at a virtual event.

Colchester United are aiming for a precious derby win over Southend United

A WEDDING venue manager says he was “flabbergasted” to learn new couples looking to tie the knot will have to wait until October for their big day.

ALL but four areas of Colchester recorded nearly zero Covid cases in the last week, figures reveal.

POLICE have spent hours on the scene of a huge cannabis farm discovered in an abandoned warehouse.

Plans which could see a building formerly used as a pharmacy turned into a beauty training school have been revealed.