Police and Commissioner Nick Alston admits that rural Essex...

THERE is unlikely to be a visible police presence across the Dengie, Essex's Police and Crime Commissioner admitted during a meeting at which high-ranking police officials were put under the spotlight.Attending a meeting of Maldon District Council's crime and disorder committee, Nick Alston joined Alan Cook, District Commander for Maldon and Chelmsford and Superintendent Steve Ditchburn, to discuss the extensive cuts required across the force.Across Maldon and Chelmsford, 31 PCSOs will be...

Flood alert issued for River Colne, Blackwater and Crouch...

A flood alert has been issued for the River Colne, Blackwater and Crouch estuaries.The alert, which was issued this afternoon by the Environment Agency, says that home and land owners in the area should 'be prepared' for the possibility of flooding in the early hours of the morning. A statement on the agency's website said: "We are expecting high tide levels on the Essex coast due to a combination of spring tides, a tidal surge and strong winds. "The forecast high water is due at...

Five sorts of people you'll see while out Christmas shopping in...

With just four Christmas shopping weekends to go before the big day, people begin to get a little crazy.But there are five definite sets of people that you'll see when out and about on any high street, be it in Chelmsford, Braintree, Maldon or Witham. We've pulled them together in a list that we hope will raise a smile…1.The Dasher This one can't help but walk speedily from place to place in fear of missing out on that present for their spouse, child or dog – and their stress level...

Find the best shopping bargains for Black Friday

Each of us is set to spend an average of £110 this Black Friday, with all the big-name retailers offering seemingly excellent bargains to rake in an estimated £1.4 billion from UK shoppers today, according to the Money Advice Service.But which deals offer real bang for your buck, and how can you make sure Black Friday doesn't spell doom for your credit card?We've rounded up some of the best bargains on the High Street and online:SHOESOffice is doing a 20 percent discount with the...

Where to meet Santa: The best Christmas grottos in Essex

With Christmas just around the corner, we've put together the best places in Essex to take the kids (and big kids) to meet Father Christmas.From local grottos to charity meet and greets, there's something for everyone, wherever you are in Essex…Abercorn Plant & Garden CentreBeehive Lane, ChelmsfordSanta is available to see Children from the beginning of DecemberSaturday 5th December 12 - 4pmSunday 6th December 12 – 4pmSaturday 12th December 12- 4pmSunday 13th December 12 –...

Maldon's St Mary's church blesses laptop to herald arrival of new...

BLESSING a laptop with incense may be one of the stranger things that church-goers have seen, but hopes are high that the unusual ritual could spark a revival of one of England's forgotten traditions.To mark the launch of a new website to promote choral evensong, St Mary's in Maldon joined a host of other cathedrals and churches around the country in the unorthodox ceremony.Colin Baldy, who directs the choir at St Mary's, said: "I expected everyone at church to think that it was completely...

Essex Police issue fraudster warning to shoppers as con artists...

Essex Police have warned shoppers to be vigilant ahead of the discount buying day Black Friday tomorrow, as online fraudsters look to take advantage of bargain hunters.Sgt Julie Mackay from the Local Policing Support Unit has issued advice on how to avoid becoming a victim of online fraud, urging shoppers to be wary of "too good to be true" deals."Black Friday and Cyber Monday offer big opportunities for fraudsters and con-artists" said Sgt Mackay "The internet is always...

Last Royal Mail posting dates for Christmas 2015 revealed

It's time to get writing those Christmas cards and wrapping those gifts with the most festive day of the year being only a month away.We don't just give them to family at home – but also send packages further afield to countries hundreds if not thousands of miles away. And according to the Royal Mail this year, we will be sending the most gifts and goodies to the USA, Ireland, Australia, Canada and France. But with this extra strain on the postal service at this time of year, when is the...

Three Essex fire crews called to tackle fridge fire in Heybridge...

Fire crews were called to battle a fridge fire that erupted in a bungalow this morning (November 24).Three crews, two from Maldon and one from Witham, attended the address in Holloway Road, Heybridge, shortly before 11am.Wearing breathing apparatus, firefighters used two hose reel jets to extinguish the fire by 11.11am.Smoke was cleared from the house using a positive pressured ventilation fan.

Police release CCTV image in hunt for suspected Burnham burglar

Police would like to identify this man in connection with a burglary at a house in Maldon Road, Burnham.It took place sometime between 9.45am and 12.15pm on Thursday, November 5. The rear glass door of the property was smashed open and jewellery and bank cards were stolen. One of the bank cards was then used at the Co-Op store in Burnham just after lunchtime on the day of the burglary.Anybody that can identify the man in the CCTV image is asked to contact Dc Martin Amundsen at Chelmsford CID on...

Thieves smashed kitchen window of Essex property before making...

Police are appealing for witnesses to a house burglary which happened in North Fambridge.Thieves broke into a house in Franklin Road after smashing a rear kitchen window and stole jewellery and cash. It happened sometime between 1.30pm and 4pm on Friday, November 13.Anybody who noticed any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact Pc Sophie Moore at Chelmsford CID on Essex Police 101. People can also give details anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

'Hidden castle' campaign gains support

A petition to stop the demolition of a mock-Tudor castle built without planning permission gains more than 1,200 signatures.

Essex pensioner pedestrian, 89, hit by car

Police are appealing for information following a road traffic collision on Connaught Avenue, Frinton, which happened at about 7.10pm on Saturday, November 21.A grey VW Polo and an 89-year-old woman pedestrian were in collision near to the junction with Forth Avenue. The pedestrian was treated for leg and facial injuries by paramedics at the scene before being conveyed to hospital. She continues to receive hospital treatment. Anyone with information is asked to contact Pc Andy Fitch at Stanway...

Three fire crews battle 4,000 Essex hay bale blaze

Gallery created by GuyBell

Christmas 2015: Essex light switch-ons, markets and events

There are those of us who simply can't get enough of Christmas. For those of you who want to sample the magic of a lights switch on more than once this year, we've pulled together all the Christmas markets, light events and other festivities that we could find from across the county in a handy list. BrentwoodLighting Up BrentwoodSaturday, November 28, 12pm to 6pmBrentwood High Street, Brentwood, CM14The Gruffalo will be switching on the Brentwood Lights at the biggest event to date, stalls...

WhatsApp date request goes viral

A student who asked a woman on a date with a WhatsApp message-style handwritten note is surprised to find it went viral.

Storm Barney: 60mph winds recorded near Braintree as gale-force...

Winds of almost 60mph have been recorded tonight near Braintree as Storm Barney makes its presence felt across Essex. The storm, only the second one in the UK's history to be named, has prompted a yellow 'be aware' weather warning to be issued. Motorists in unsheltered car parks have also felt their cars rocking when stationary, such is the strength of the gusts.Power lines are said to be down in the following postcode areas: CM0, CM3, CM11, CM12, C02, C09, SS2, SS6 and SS7. The high winds have...

Stansted Airport train delays after overhead wire problems

People travelling to Stansted Airport by train this morning could experience delays because of overhead wire problems.The delays have been caused by a tree falling onto the wires yesterday near Sawbridgeworth, with trains being unable to run between Broxbourne and Bishop's Stortford. Engineers are hoping to have the repairs completed by 8.30am this morning, but there could be delays while trains get back on schedule. A Greater Anglia statement reads: "Customers travelling from London...

Storm Barney: Essex powercuts - when will my power be back on?

Storm Barney's 60mph winds have caused power outages in a number of areas across Essex tonight. The Met Office have issued a yellow 'be aware' warning covering much of southern England and the peak of the wind began at around 10pm and will finish around midnight. But it has already caused a number of issues with power cuts across Essex. We've created a handy list of what power is out and when it is estimated to come back on, according to UK Power Networks. Aythorpe Roding (High Easter area):...

QUIZ: Where in Chelmsford should you live?

WHERE is the perfect place for you to live in Chelmsford? We reckon we can tell you in nine easy questions. Do you live in the right place or do you need to move? Take our quiz to find out!

Chelmsford City councillors ask for pay rises and tax breaks

Elected members of Chelmsford City Council are demanding more money for their roles, with one requesting that the councillor allowance becomes tax-free.Members shared their view with an Independent Remuneration Panel, which turned down the requested allowance increase that some members made, finding that the allowance was similar to other councils of the same size, and 'could be justified'.Its report said: "The Panel received views from a number of members who feel that the level of...

EUROMILLIONS RESULTS: winning numbers for Friday November 13,...

Could you be a lucky winner tonight? Better check that lottery ticket as tonight's Euromillions jackpot is worth a whopping £92 million.The winning numbers are: 10, 17, 18, 33, 40 and lucky stars 2 and 8.In addition, one lucky UK player has won a guaranteed £1 million prize with the millionaire make code: NQN563801The total number of winners this week is estimated to be 4,863,715, with players taking home anything from £6.00 to upwards of £1 million.

Essex Schools set to take on Gepp & Sons LLP legal debate at...

Selected schools from around the county are set to face off at an annual legal debating competition.Brentwood School, Ursuline, Chelmsford County High, Felsted, Great Baddow High School, New Hall School and Ormiston Rivers Academy will all compete to take the title from KEGs, which has won the competition for the last two years running.The competition, organised by Gepp & Sons LLP, will this year be held at Anglia Ruskin University on Wednesday, November 18, with teams debating the motion...

Young girl suffers leg injury after being hit by a car in...

A young girl, thought to be of primary school age, was taken to hospital after being hit by a car on Southminster High Street yesterday afternoon (November 9).A rapid response vehicle and an ambulance crew were called to the scene shortly after 3.20pm to reports of a collision. While the girl suffered leg injuries and was taken to Broomfield Hospital, her injuries are not thought to be serious or life-threatening.The ambulance remained on site until close to 5.30pm, while paramedics treated the...

Essex County Council spends £874k on private health...

Essex County Council spent almost £1 million on private health insurance for employees over three years, despite needing to make £49 million in cuts.The council's £874,640 private healthcare bill for last year and two years prior to that covered 300 employees and their families, including its executive director for corporate and customer services, Margaret Lee, who last year earned a total package salary of £150,000 and claimed £1,291 in medical insurance.Ms Lee is...

Remembrance Day 2015: Is there a 'right way' to wear your poppy?

Dating back almost 100 years, the poppy was first worn in remembrance by an American teacher, Moina Michael, who came up with the idea in 1918, having been inspired by the poppy imagery in John McCrae's poem In Flanders Field.By 1921, poppies were being sold to commemorate the fallen and proceeds have since been used to support wounded soldiers and their families.But how should you wear one? The most common belief is that the poppy should be worn on the left side by men and the right by women...

PICTURES: Schools Cross Country Event in Chelmsford

Gallery created by Chris_Rushton

Revealed: What are the most wanted toys for Christmas 2015?

It's that time of year approaching again: Christmas.And what are predicted to be the most hotly sought-after toys this year that your little ones (and perhaps adults alike if they're still a kid at heart) will be clamouring to get? It appears that it isn't a 'hoverboard' or Playstation that your youngsters will want to get their hands on this festive season – but practical toys that spark their imagination. The top 12 'Dream Toys' list by the Toy Retailers Association is belowCity Deep Sea...

c2c's parent company say 'we'll turn around Abellio Greater...

c2c's parent company is pushing ahead with plans to take over the Abellio Greater Anglia network.The rail firm, which runs services on the London Fenchurch Street – Shoeburyness line via Basildon and Upminster, has a higher satisfaction than AGA according to the latest national passenger survey (86 per cent of people surveyed content with the service rather than 75 per cent) along with newer trains. And according to a c2c spokesman, its parent company, National Express, could be taking...