Police have thanked the public after a 78-year-old man who went missing from his home in Benfleet was found safe.

More and more drivers are returning to the road after lockdown, but do you know what is considered a driving offence?

AS summer begins to descend on us and more freedoms await, many people will be flocking to the beaches to enjoy the better weather.

Here is a list of the pubs in Colchester and the surrounding areas which are reopening from Monday as lockdown is eased.

LOOK out for road closures because of this weekend’s Colchester Zoo Stampede event.

IT goes without saying that climate change is important now more than ever.

Ready-made Cow & Gate and Aptamil formula milk are both in short supply due to “an issue with an ingredient used to prevent foaming”.

The plans to make St Nicholas Street in Colchester town centre one-way as part of the revamp of a public square have been revealed.

A POPULAR discount store is set to be demolished and replaced with nine flats and two new retail units.

A COUPLE have followed their passion for food to launch their own mobile food van.

Two roads in Essex have been placed in the UK’s 20 most dangerous roads.

THE number of children arrested for drug crimes in Essex since 2015 has been revealed.

With staycations rising in popularity, road trips are on the cards for many this summer while we await for international travel to return.

CINEMAS are finally re-opening next week, and we're all really looking forward to crunching through some popcorn during your favourite film.

Matt also confirmed he will be working with Little Britain and Come Fly With Me co-star David Walliams again soon.

A raft of new brands are opening at Bond Street in Chelmsford.

Boris Johnson has warned the Indian Covid variant could delay the future lifting of lockdown restrictions.

Ronnie Tudilo has appeared in court charged with drugs offences.

PLANS for doors to open at popular Essex pubs have been revealed ahead of the long-awaited reopening on Monday.

A VILE rapist who subjected child victims to years of “serious, systematic and sustained” abuse hid behind the “mask” of his community standing.

A THUG who left a vulnerable partially-sighted woman scarred for life after he smashed a glass into her face has been locked up for six years.

Eco Colchester, which aims to make the town a greener place to live, has launched a new website with tips for residents.

Essex Police's colchester team have urged residents to keep their dogs on leads near livestock.

THE new owner of a bridal shop has said she cannot wait to “make brides’ dreams come true” as she herself prepares to fulfil a life-long goal.

Tributes have been paid to an Essex dad with "a heart of gold" who died after being hit by car.

A SEAFRONT hotel’s trendy new dining experience will finally open following the easing of the lockdown.

ZOOKEEPERS are overjoyed to announce the long-awaited arrival of Bornean orangutans Mali and Tatau at Colchester Zoo.

A man who sexually assaulted two women has been ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register.

MILLIONS of pounds is being injected into the trust which runs Colchester Hospital to try and speed up the recovery of NHS services.

There were delays on the A12 at Colchester after a boat came off the back of a trailer into the carriageway.

REALITY TV star Stephen Bear has been charged in connection with revenge porn allegations.

Essex Police have charged a man with attempted murder after a woman sustained serious injuries during an incident in Baddow Road, Chelmsford.

FAST-THINKING police officers were forced to use the stinger to bring a vehicle to a halt following a dramatic car chase.

A FIREFIGHTER who found herself in a “dark place” following the death of her boyfriend and while in toxic relationship has spoken about her mental health fight.

Colchester Council says residents' glass and cans recycling must be separated into two boxes going forward.

POLICE officers and firefighters joined forces this week as they offered out free smoke alarms and safety advice to residents.

The average Covid infection rate in Colchester has more than doubled in a week, with five areas now included on the hotspots map.

CRIME hotspots across Colchester have been revealed in new data which shows more than 200 incidents were reported from the town centre - in one month.

AN education watchdog is inspecting a top grammar school weeks after scathing criticism from a former student.

A HANDFUL of adorable duckings which hatched in a hanging basket outside of an office have been safely led to water by their mother.

We take a look back at the life of Colchester Zoo's famous former resident Rajang the orangutan, who was beloved by keepers and visitors alike.

Column: Roddy Ashworth says conspiracy theories about the vaccine represent a menace to the way we live.

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AN artisan coffee shop described as being “rustic meets contemporary” is set to open in a seaside town later this month.

From Monday holiday makers will be able to resume international travel to a select number of countries.

A MILESTONE has been reached in a tree planting initiative in Tendring with the last of 30,000 saplings bedded into the ground.

The changes are designed to help Royal Mail reduce its environmental impact.

The Prime Minister has said there is "increasing concern" about the variant.

A VULNERABLE patient was ordered to leave a hospital due to not wearing a face mask... despite donning a large face shield instead.