Colchester United head of sport science Kem Ismail on the important of pre-season

AN aspiring chess champion from Colchester has represented Europe in a prestigious competition - at the tender age of 11.

NINETY-NINE years after he first set foot on Clacton Pier, and 77 years after his last performance there, Filbert the dummy returned to the scene of his many triumphs and enjoyed a ride on the town's new Big Wheel.

NEVER more had hairdressers been appreciated than during lockdown.

When Karina Duke and Louise Foot took over The Little Beach Hut Company a year ago, it was very much a leap into the unknown.

Shoppers will be able to get discount parking if they purchase items at a number of town centre businesses in Colchester.

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

A map shows the unhealthiest places to live in north Essex, ranking areas by things like pollution as well as the number of nearby takeaways.

Here is your round-up of some of the cases heard by magistrates in north Essex over the past week.

With holidays abroad looking increasingly unlikely this year due travel restrictions, many British tourists will be opting for a staycation this summer.

TAKE a look at Colchester’s dazzling, revamped Mercury Theatre.

Fundraisers across Essex are being urged to sign up for Race for Life events across the counrt.

New research has suggested that Covid is common in pet cats and dogs whose owners have the disease.

Colchester United boss Hayden Mullins was team-mates with England star Jack Grealish

The concern comes this summer because their AstraZeneca vaccines are reportedly not recognised by the EU.

TWO supermarket chains which will implement a "hold" for those fueling and paying at the pump have explained whether it will apply inside the kiosk.

Essex Police sent armed officers and a dogs unit to Jaywick followings reports a man had been shot - before stopping a vehicle on the A12.

POLICE have urged Essex residents to behave themselves as England play Ukraine in the quarter final of Euro 2020 this evening.

These are the parts of Colchester with the highest Covid infection rates - each of them way above the average for England.

A man in his 30s was rushed to hospital after being stabbed during an assault in Catchpool Road, Colchester, in the early hours of Friday.

Essex Police have launched an investigation after a Volvo was badly damaged after being deliberately set on fire in London Road, Clacton.

Colchester Zoo is advertising for four jobs roles at the moment - here is what you need to know.

Essex Police's Colchester Community Policing Team deployed metal detector arches in the town centre on Thursday.

If the lack of sun has put you in a gloomy mood, you’re not alone.

SCHOOL trips always linger in the memory - and that surely applies for a group of Colchester students who experienced an ill-fated trip to France in May 1968.

The school summer holidays are fast approaching and our wonderful county has hundreds of attractions for people to enjoy.

Following the last review on June 24 the next look into the UK's travel list is expected in the week commencing July 12.

E-scooters are becoming a hugely popular mode of transport in Colchester due to the Spin trial scheme - we spoke to those behind it to find out more.

DRIVERS should be aware of a three-day road closure in Colchester.

Wearing face masks and social distancing could remain part of life for the next five years, under contingency plans being drawn up by the government.

England take on Ukraine in the quarter finals of Euro 2020 on Saturday night - here are some places in Colchester which are playing the game.

One of the first music festivals to be held after the easing of coronavirus restrictions is set to go ahead in Essex later this month.

Ahead of England's crunch clash football fans will be able to enjoy a discount on every menu item making mealtimes one less thing to worry about.

A JUDGE conceded the vulnerable victim of a "despicable" carer who stole almost £10,000 from her client will feel "no justice" after a suspended prison sentence was imposed.

The owners of Music Warehouse in Colchester have said an emotional farewell to the town after 37 years serving musicians in the area.

If you're planning a weekly supermarket shop, it might help to know when the quietest times to go are.

Here is the hour-by-hour weather forecast for Colchester - with thunderstorms set to arrive in the borough on Saturday.

This month's round-up of cases before the crown courts in north Essex includes a talented footballer jailed for slashing a man across the face with a machete and a careless driver who killed a popular musician by ploughing his car through a pub's smo...

A number of bank branches across Essex have closed their doors since the start of the year.

The number of human trafficking offences recorded by Essex Police since 2015 have been revealed.

COLCHESTER United have signed Wales under-21 international Cameron Coxe on loan

Colchester United's players have begun pre-season training

Videos are uploaded under the search term #fakecovidtest where teenagers can find them with more than 6.5 million views.

Luke Hannant signed a two-year deal with Colchester United earlier this month

A man suffered a life-changing head injury after being assaulted in Central Park in Chelmsford.

Essex dad Rajinder Singh has been discharged and will return to a hospital in the county after five months fighting Covid at Royal Papworth in Cambridge.

Stacey Solomon has revealed her and fiancé Joe Swash are having a baby girl in an adorable Instagram post.

Essex Police Colchester have urged residents of the town not to get too carried away during England's game against Ukraine on Saturday at Euro 2020.

Anglian Water is conducting repairs in Haven Road and Whitehall Road, in the Hythe, Colchester, due to a water leak.

COLCHESTER is to be the host of a ground-breaking exhibition - with a little help from historian Dan Snow.