We'll bring you updates from across Essex throughout the day as lockdown restrictions are eased further on Monday, May 17.

The parents of a woman left scarred for life after glass was smashed into her face arrived at a pub to find her seriouly injured.

THE victim of a horrific glass attack has told of how she narrowly escaped with her life, and was left millimetres from death.

The inside spaces at Colchester Zoo will reopen on Monday as lockdown rules are eased further.

A NEW kind of nurse specialist has joined the ranks at the trust which runs Colchester Hospital.

A DELIGHTED museums manager has been shortlisted for a coveted award in recognition of her hard work during the height of the Covid pandemic.

A Rabbi was taken to hospital after being attacked in what police say was a "religiously-aggravated assault" in Essex.

A racecourse has decided not to welcome spectators back just yet.

East of England Ambulance Trust staff paid a special visit to a young cancer patient from Chelmsford.

A FIREFIGHTER has bravely opened up about his own personal mental health struggles with the hope of encouraging others to seek support.

HUNDREDS of people lost network coverage or experienced connectivity problems after arsonists callously set fire to a mobile phone mast.

A MUM kept the secret she was having twins throughout her entire pregnancy surprised her dad with the news on a video call.

Reaching step 3 of the government’s roadmap brings with it hopes of a summer well spent.

A MAN has been arrested following a police pursuit through Braintree town centre.

Seven cluster areas across Colchester are now showing as recording new Covid cases over a seven-day period.

BARS and pubs will be welcoming guests indoors form Monday after months of restrictions.

THE roads where the new e-scooters are being ridden most in Colchester have been revealed by the firm behind the trial.

A pedestrian has been airlifted to hopsital with serious injuries after a crash.

The Covid-19 Indian variant has been detected in an area of Essex, according to the county's public health chief.

Police are still hunting for the parents of a newborn baby girl whose body was found at a recycling centre a year ago.

Police are at the scene of a serious crash in Essex.

New evidence gives a "high degree of confidence" that coronavirus vaccines work against the Indian variant, Matt Hancock said as he urged people to get jabbed to prevent the new strain spreading "like wildfire".

THREE teenagers have been arrested after reports of a knife-point robbery.

The single-use carrier bag charge will increase from 5p to 10p and extend to all businesses in England from Friday May 21, the Government has confirmed.

We've all been enjoying a lot more time outdoors over the last 12 months.

LIKE those riding the town’s new big wheel, we were left on a real high after receiving these archive photos from Clacton Pavilion.

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

FOLLOWING a Government announcement, it looks like, if everything goes to plan, lockdown rules will again be easing from May 17.

The changes will come into effect from January 1, 2022 and will affect whether a person qualifies for state pension or not.

This week's round-up of cases to come before magistrates include a fraudster who used his victim's bank card to withdraw £12,000.

Food allergies, salmonella poisoning, Hepatitis A and chocking hazards are just some of the reasons behind a number of urgent product recalls

A NURSE who spent five days in hospital after he caught Covid-19 bounced back to help lead Colchester Hospital's vaccine programme.

A COLCHESTER gym has been transformed during lockdown, adding new facility for Covid survivors and those with Multiple Sclerosis.

HAVING conversations about dying, death and bereavement are be no means easy - but they are ever so important.

AN iconic former hotel made headlines this week after it was announced the building was to return from the rubble and open its doors once more.

A dreams expert has revealed what the most likely reasons are behind the 10 most common nightmares.

Tickets are still available to enjoy a special day-trip and luxurious train journey to the south coast.

As the weather gets warmer, more and more of us are likely to be out and about for walks with friends and family.

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

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.

Several Debenhams stores across Essex will close their doors for the final time today.

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?

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.

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

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

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.