A DRINK driver who crashed into two vehicles while she carried a child as a passenger has narrowly avoided a jail sentence.

TV presenter Denise van Outen celebrated her 47th birthday with a trip to Mersea Island - posting some lovely pictures on Instagram.

Work to create Colchester's third Lidl supermarket is underway, with photos showing progress at the former Homebase site, in St Andrew's Avenue.

Residents have hit out at Tendring's Council's new home in Lotus Way, Jaywick, claiming they block their light.

Colchester nightclub Atik will be offering GoPros to drinkers this summer to help them remember their boozy nights out.

Further disruption is expected at Ipswich Road in Colchester due to repairs to the Cowdray bridge getting underway from Monday, June 7.

AN elderly woman was injured in a suspected acid attack after a boy who was being chased by a gang took refuge in her home.

Three woman from Essex, and one from Wiltshire, are set to row across the Pacific Ocean to raise money for charity.

Visit Essex has launched its new tourism campaign to promote the wonderful Essex coast.

A CLACTON-based charity dedicated to helping youngsters stay out of trouble came to the aid of a child who was being exploited by a county lines drug gang.

The new community art and charity project Octopus Ahoy! takes place this month across north Essex.

Octopus Ahoy! is an engaging, family-friendly art trail taking pride of place in parks, on streets and in open spaces across the Tendring District.

Here is a first look at the new glamping side in Brantham, Constable Park, before it opens to its first guests in July.

HEARTFELT tributes have poured in for a “no-nonsense” landlady who spent 30 years running one of Southend’s most iconic seafront pubs.

A THUG attacked a woman before going on an illegal driving rampage and smashing a window at McDonald's.

A new Crown Decorating Centre has opened in Smeaton Close, in the Severalls Industrial Estate in Colchester.

Amusingly, three in 100 (3%) non-drivers admit that they are ‘too lazy’ to learn to drive. 

The UK’s vaccination programme is offering a “false sense of security” amid a mounting third wave of infections, according to Government advisers who have called for next month’s unlocking to be delayed.

A WOMAN has died after a caravan burst into flames.

A BOMB squad detonated a Second World War explosive after it was uncovered in a quiet village.

North Essex residents gave recovering pubs and tourist attractions a much-needed boost by making the most of the Bank Holiday sunshine.

Tolleshunt D'Arcy Parish Council has applied for planning permission to create an £870,000 community hub in the village.

A woman has died after a caravan fire at Highfield Grange Holiday Park, in London Road, Clacton, on Bank Holiday Monday.

A MAN has been taken to hospital after being stabbed in a "targeted attack" in Southend last night, prompting a police investigation.

Public Health England data suggests another case of the Indian variant of Covid has been found in Colchester.

A bomb disposal team were called to Middlewick Ranges in Colchester after a teenager found a historic mortar round.

Drivers have been told to avoid the area as crews tackle a caravan fire at Highfield Grange Holiday Park in Clacton.

The former grade-II listed home of Victoria Wine off-licence in East Street, Colchester, could be turned into flats.

Every neighbourhood in Colchester is almost Covid free, according to the latest Government hotspots map.

STARS of the future helped a performing arts company mark a milestone anniversary by staging a musical theatre extravaganza.

AN informative online event for north east Essex residents living with diabetes will help people explore ways to manage their condition.

A man has been charged with two counts of GBH with intent in connection with a double stabbing in Essex.

A DRIVER was left shaken after a rogue golf ball crashed onto his windscreen while waiting in traffic.

Save Our Libraries Essex believes that the threat of many libraries morphing into community hubs manned by volunteers remains.

Colchester residents Alan Ayres was caught with 17 wraps of cannabis by officers.

Back in February, Boris Johnson announced a four-stage plan to end lockdown restrictions in England with the final stage just three weeks away.

OUR recent nostalgia feature on Princess Diana’s visit to Colchester brought back vivid memories for nurse John Garbett.

I have just read the article telling of the possible changes to Crouch Street (Gazette, May 28) but I did not choke on my cornflakes - but what I did do was spit my dummy, because prior to that I had read the article concerning the floods in Haven...

FORMER long-serving footballer, manager and chairman Mike Jones has hit the back of the net with this archive picture of Tiptree Heath FC.

Joey Essex has spoken of the pain he was feeling over the death of his mother at the same time he was rocketing to fame on The Only Way Is Essex.

A NEW pop-up attraction which is sure to prove a hit with motor racing fans and petrol-heads has pulled onto a seaside landmark.

FIREFIGHTERS have given smoking safety advice after a cigar sparked a shed fire.

DAREDEVIL midwives will be taking part in a skydive in a bid to raise cash for a stillbirth and neonatal death charity.

A SINGER-SONGWRITER who has been writing music for quarter of a century has told of his excitement as he prepares to release his debut single.

A CONSERVATION group has raised concerns over how a developer has been conducting itself in gaining support for a planning application.

Colchester former leading Lib Dem and Labour coalition has announced its new shadow cabinet to take on the new Tory-led administration.

Things Brits would like to savour include a first kiss, the ‘newborn’ baby stage, time with the children – and Line of Duty.

Celebrity hair stylist Sarrah Hamid, has teamed up with Vitabiotics Perfectil to warn people of the damage they are causing to their hair.

The streaming giant has released a whole host of new shows and movies coming in June.

ELEVEN phone numbers used by drug dealing gangs in west Essex have been shut down as part of a police operation.