A HORSE which was struggling to get back onto its feet was given a helping hand by firefighters.

A LIFEBOAT crew was rushed to the rescue of a man who had fallen from a fishing vessel into the water.

New figures show how bike crime was impacted by lockdown in Essex, with there being a sharp drop.

WITH the rules relaxing and the weather warming up, here are a selection of Essex attractions and activities residents can look forward to this May half-term.

These are the rose gardens in Essex opening as part of the National Garden Scheme in June and July.

Readers have been voting on what is the most beautiful street in Colchester town centre - here's what they choose

A historic former wheelwrights cottage dating from the 16th century has gone up for sale in Essex - for £700,000.

THE rules for recycling cans and glass across Colchester are changing this week.

By Sir Bob Russell

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

Essex County Council is consulting on plans to transform Colchester town centre, creating new cycle and walking routes.

Here are the new bars, cafes and restaurants which have opened recently in Colchester or are set to open soon - perfect for visiting now lockdown has relaxed.

This interactive map shows where radioactive gas radon is present in north Essex which is colourless, odourless and tasteless.

Colchester may not be the first place that springs to mind when we think of the term ‘luxury homes’.

School’s out but the McDonald’s offers are in!

Experts predict that warmer temperatures are on the way this weekend which could bring risk to drivers.

Boris Johnson has reportedly married Carrie Symonds in a ceremony planned in strict secrecy.

A MAN has been charged as part of an investigation into the sale of drugs in Colchester.

AN APPEAL for information has been made following an assault which left a man with injuries to his head and face.

TWO men were stabbed in an early morning incident which has seen parts of a busy high street closed today.

AN IMAGE of a man has been released by police after the theft of a vehicle in Great Notley.

POLICE are seeking a man who claimed to be a police officer and attempted to illegally take money from an elderly woman.

A FESTIVAL is set to flush away the memories of missed events over the past year and get the community dancing again.

We interview Kevin Bentley, Colchester councillor and new leader of Essex County Council, on his priorities for Essex.

AS we all hope the ongoing pandemic is drawing to a close, many are looking forward to future plans.

Angie Jones' new book, Walks in The Slow Lanes of Essex, showcases some of the best walking routes in Essex.

ESSEX Police are among the forces with the highest number of drugs seized, figures have revealed.

DRIVERS should be aware of long-term road closures on Mersea Island.

A CHEF has swapped kitchen utensils for a keyboard to write about his “tumultuous journey” living with diabetes.

Clacton Pier is hosting a bumper Bank Holiday weekend of family fun, including fireworks, this weekend.

STANSTED Airport is welcoming travellers back with a £70million baggage system revamp.

COLCHESTER is the second most affordable location for first time buyers within an hour's commute of London, it has been revealed.

The new leader of Essex County Council says there will be no library closures –a stark U-turn after years of turmoil and one of the council’s most controversial plans.

WITH the weather set to finally show some signs of summer this weekend, it is the perfect time for a stroll outside with the family - particularly with a Bank Holiday weekend on the way.

Here are five of the venues in Colchester town centre where you'll be able to watch Euro 2020 this summer, provided Covid restrictions aren't tightened.

Take a look at our gallery of Google Maps which shows how Colchester has changed over the past decade.

A new app is allowing car drivers to help survey the nation’s insect populations by counting the number of bugs squashed on their car registration plates after a journey.

Health workers get the worst deal, as the only sector with an average figure in excess of £500 a year. 

We've rounded-up some of the highlights to look out for in Aldi and Lidl this weekend.

Police are seeking "early advice" from prosecutors over the case of a man who was arrested on suspicion of the indecent assault and murder of Stuart Lubbock at the home of entertainer Michael Barrymore in 2001.

Colchester takeaway business Burgers, Wings and Ribs has made the final of Just Eat's British Takeaway Awards for the South East region.

Supporters of convicted killer Jeremy Bamber believev they are on step closer to getting his appeal granted due to new alibi evidence.

SCHOOL teachers have warned the fight to protect their school is far from over, despite academy trust bosses agreeing to pause a staff shake-up.

A STRICT parking ban on a north Essex island is “farcical” and is having a detrimental impact on small businesses, an oysterman has claimed.

A SAME-SEX couple who were worried having a child was “taboo” are now celebrating their youngest son’s first birthday.

PATIENTS had to be recalled to be re-vaccinated after an error meant they were given the wrong dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

Plans to create two new cycle routes linking up Colchester town centre have been set out in detail and the public are being asked to give their thoughts.

A MUM who feels school bosses have “played God” with her son’s education wants the school system reformed so other children do not slip through the net.

A FAMILY have been left homeless after a house fire.

The ringleaders of a organised crime group in Essex which supplied drugs to county lines gangs have been jailed for a combined total of more than 40 years.