A CREATIVE primary school pupil who started his own business during lockdown has big plans this year.

A BUDDING sports star has received a welcome funding boost to support his dreams of becoming a professional racing driver.

A COCAINE addict who twice set fire to his home and barricaded himself in his bedroom during a psychotic episode has been spared jail.

A KNIFE-WIELDING thug told his girlfriend “someone’s getting killed” before injuring a man with a knife.

Ofsted said it had made insufficient progress

ESSEX Police received the second-highest number of spiking reports across the country, according to figures published by a security firm.

Armando Dobra still has a part to play for Colchester United

A PROPOSED monument commemorating an historic army barracks in Essex could cause “harm” to the remains of an ancient Roman chariot racing track sharing the site, Historic England has said.

JAMES Duddridge has been promoted to a new role as one of the PM’s closest advisors – but critics believe it may mean he does not pay enough attention to Southend.

A ROCHFORD man has been jailed for his role in a drug gang who flooded the south east with 30kg of cocaine.

Jacqueline Jossa will be among the stars testing their vocal chords in the new All Star Musicals special.

Shoppers will need to be quick as B&M predict the range will sell out for a second year running.  

Symptoms for Lassa fever include vaginal bleeding and deafness.

Royal Mail will introduce new "reinvented" stamps after a successful trial of the new designs. 

Your favourite local newspaper is giving you the chance to win one of the most popular games consoles on the market, worth over £250!

TESCO has been given the green light to open a new shop inside an empty historic building in Colchester High Street.

MORE than 20,000 people are set for the return to one of Essex’s biggest agricultural events of the year.

Collins reveals her self-harm experiences to loved ones

A HEARTBROKEN wife who has “felt every emotion” since her husband disappeared has pleaded with him to return home, saying: “We miss and love you so much.”

DETAILED plans for a retail and housing complex in Dovercourt have been recommended for approval by planning officers.

A VILLAGE is coming together to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with the “biggest fete it has seen in years”.

Colchester United's unbeaten run under interim head coach Wayne Brown was ended at Mansfield Town

The League Two club have acted after a losing run

COLCHESTER residents are being given the opportunity secure tickets for a huge forthcoming concert ahead of its official general sale.

The new generation may well reverse the assumption that millennials are most comfortable indoors.

A SPECIAL event is giving residents a second chance to dance the night away and attend the prom of their dreams... all while raising money for a worthy cause.

NEW owners of a popular café were left frustrated after their new business was broken into.

CANNABIS plants were seized from a drug den discreetly hidden in a seaside town after a large team of officers conducted a raid.

AN upside down house is being built on Clacton seafront as part of a major new attraction.

AN award-nominated comedian described as a “blazing talent” who is “profoundly moving” is set to perform at a historic town centre venue this month.

A WOMAN was hospitalised with a broken ankle after a car crash on a busy main road which saw all three emergency services rushing to the scene.

Colchester United's unbeaten run came to an end at Mansfield Town

A KIND-HEARTED dad is preparing to put his struggles aside and raise money for an autistic charity by running his own version of a marathon.

DANGEROUS drivers have been urged to slow down by a “sickened” resident after a helpless badger was struck by a car before being squashed several more times.

There are a number of animals at the RSPCA who need a new home

A YOUNGSTER who set up her own businesses in her dogged pursuit to get a new pet is delighted after her pup is set to star in a new book.

A UNIVERSITY student says she no longer feels comfortable going out after being sexually assaulted while working in a nightclub.

A VETERAN councillor has said he “completely disagrees” with figures which place England’s smallest town among the top 20 most dangerous places in Essex.

A PERVERT who scoured the dark web for sick child abuse images “catalogued and stored” a collection of more than 20,000 pictures.

THE friend of a man who had both of his legs amputated after he was bitten by a dog with bacteria-infested teeth has rallied to get him a holiday.

Colchester United's under-23s claimed victory at Mansfield Town

A murder trial is underway at Chelmsford Crown Court

Ahead of National Pizza Day, here's some of the best places to go for the classic Italian food in Colchester.

MORE than 300 children have been protected from harm and countless online predators have been jailed in the last year.

Braintree Town boss Ryan Maxwell on Chelmsford City draw

Braintree Town battled back to claim a point against Chelmsford City

The Prime Minister was speaking during this week’s instalment of Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.

National Pizza Day is celebrated on February 9 every year in the UK

We’ve put together a list of some of the best pizza ovens on the market to take your homemade pizza to the next level.

Pandora is celebrating National Pizza Day with this stunning pizza charm and here's how you can get a slice of the action. How to get yours.