Essex news

• Did you know these 10 celebrities were from Essex? Some might surprise you

  24-02-2026 21:35
  
  Essex is home to some of the nation’s favourite and most recognisable celebrities.
  
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• Braintree gardens flooded with water up after main burst

  24-02-2026 20:20
  
  Residents' gardens have been completely flooded after a water main burst at a Braintree primary school.
  
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• Part of M25 still shut after crash brings down cables

  24-02-2026 18:50 via bbc.com
  There are queues on the motorway in Essex, with motorists warned it could be closed for some time.
  
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• Share your obits, wedding, births and anniversaries in new look Gazette

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  Every Thursday, we’ll be sharing readers’ announcements across five key areas
  
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• Revealed - how many shoplifting cases could not be resolved by police last year?

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  Police recorded 1,687 shoplifting incidents in Colchester in 2025, with most cases unresolved due to no suspects identified, data.police.uk reveals.
  
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• Residents share they 'absolutely' love living in historic Roman city in Essex

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  From beautiful green spaces and historic landmarks, residents say there’s plenty to love about living in the historic Roman city.
  
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• Residents share reasons on why they love living in historic Roman city in Essex

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  From beautiful green spaces and historic landmarks, residents say there’s plenty to love about living in the historic Roman city.
  
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• New sports bar-café 'opening soon' in vacant unit on busy Colchester street

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  New venue is set to open in Colchester city centre after a premises licence was granted for a long-vacant unit on St John’s Street.
  
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• New Colchester debate forum sees 'every seat taken' at 14th-century pub

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  Newly launched debate society, Forum Colchester held its first meeting on Sunday seeing success with every seat at the Queen Street Brewhouse filled.
  
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• Headteacher springs into action after traffic lights broken on first day of term

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  Pupils and parents at North Primary School and Nursery were met with frustration on Monday morning when a set of traffic lights were out of service.
  
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• Darts legend Bobby George to visit fundraising event in Colchester

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  A darts legend will be attending a Colchester fundraising event.
  
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• Colchester job fair coming to town hall this week

  24-02-2026 18:00
  
  Colchester Town Hall hosts The UK Careers Fair on 25 Feb, offering free entry, networking with top employers, and job opportunities across multiple sectors.
  
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• M25 remains partially closed after lorry 'tyre blowout' causes incident

  24-02-2026 17:58
  
  The situation has now been made safe by the power network.
  
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• Two primary schools evacuated almost 1,000 pupils due to burst water main

  24-02-2026 17:30
  
  At about 11.40am, a water main burst at the edge of St Michael’s Primary School’s premises in Maple Avenue, Braintree.
  
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• Owner sentenced after emaciated dog put down

  24-02-2026 17:20 via bbc.com
  The RSPCA says all the bones in Ruby's body were visible and she had infected skin and sores.
  
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• Colchester Museums to offer children 50p entry in flash sale

  24-02-2026 17:10
  
  Colchester Museums have launched a flash sale offering children 50p entry to Colchester Castle and Hollytrees Museum.
  
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• Orphaned baby otters found in field are on the mend

  24-02-2026 16:28 via bbc.com
  The two cubs will be looked after by South Essex Wildlife Hospital for a year before their release.
  
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• Plan to ban face coverings 'would be unenforceable'

  24-02-2026 15:34 via bbc.com
  Southend-on-Sea City Council is set to reject a proposal to ban ski masks and balaclavas.
  
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• Ex-boss Dunne back at Colchester in youth role

  24-02-2026 15:26 via bbc.com
  Former Colchester United manager Joe Dunne returns to the club as lead coach of their under-18 team, replacing Eddie Keen.
  
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• Essex County Council to invest £1.45m into county's bus services

  24-02-2026 14:38
  
  Essex County Council is investing more than £1.45 million to boost bus usage across the county.
  
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• Essex firefighters urge drivers to stay in vehicles amid M25 lorry crash

  24-02-2026 14:08
  
  Firefighters are urging drivers to stay in their vehicles as crews work at the scene of a lorry crash on the M25.
  
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• Mersea Road in Colchester ranked as the 21st most polluted in the UK

  24-02-2026 14:02
  
  It follows a 2018 audit by Friends of the Earth’s finding Mersea Road had the most pollution in Colchester.
  
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• Police appeal for footage of man smashing car windows in overnight crime spree

  24-02-2026 14:00
  
  The incidents are understood to have taken place in the early hours of Monday morning when a man broke into at least five cars in the New Town.
  
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• Colchester anti-racism group hosting Greenstead community supper aimed at 60 people

  24-02-2026 13:19
  
  The group are also hosting the upcoming Love Music Hate Racism multi-genre music gigs, with ska, rap, indie, rock and DJ sets being performed.
  
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• LIVE: M25 closed in both direction after lorry crash brings down power cables

  24-02-2026 13:05
  
  Hello and welcome to our live blog. Here we will keep you updated on the M25, which is blocked in both directions after a lorry had a 'blow out' and went down the embankment.
  
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• LIVE: M25 blocked near A12 after 'blown out' lorry went down embankment

  24-02-2026 13:05
  
  Hello and welcome to our live blog. Here we will keep you updated on the M25, which is blocked in both directions after a lorry had a 'blow out' and went down the embankment.
  
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• Forgotten WWI women football champions return to spotlight in Colchester

  24-02-2026 13:00
  
  The Invincibles, written by acclaimed playwright Amanda Whittington, tells the true story of the Sterling Ladies of Dagenham.
  
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• Brightlingsea's WinterFest prepares for weekend finale after month of activities

  24-02-2026 13:00
  
  Men are invited to come along to a free Mental Health Matters session on Saturday at the Kings Head pub in Brightlingsea.
  
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• M25 blocked in both directions after lorry had 'blow out' and went down embankment

  24-02-2026 12:57
  
  M25 is blocked in both directions after a lorry had a 'blow out' and went down the embankment, reportedly bringing down power cables.
  
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• Greater Anglia extends contactless ticketing to 20 extra stations

  24-02-2026 12:42
  
  Passengers travelling on the Grater Anglia network will be able to use pay-as-you-go contactless ticketing at 20 additional stations from next Sunday.
  
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• M25 carraigeway near A12 partially blocked with delays due to collision

  24-02-2026 12:36
  
  A carraigeway on the M25 anticlockwise between Junction 28, A12 and Junction 27, M11 is partially blocked due to a collision.
  
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• Man accused of rape duct taped door to imprison woman, court told

  24-02-2026 12:27
  
  The trial of Brian Lyttle, of Stanway, Colchester, has begun at Ipswich Crown Court. Lyttle has denied rape, attempted rape and false imprisonment.
  
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• Five people die and 60 seriously injured on roads in one month in Essex say police

  24-02-2026 12:18
  
  A total of 141 mobile phone offences took place in January.
  
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• Jaywick man sentenced after neglecting 'barely responsive and weak' pet dog

  24-02-2026 11:01
  
  A man from Jaywick has been handed a suspended prison sentence after leaving his emaciated Dogue de Bordeaux, Ruby, to suffer from an untreated skin disease and pressure sores.
  
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• Most drivers don't understand these common road signs - do you know them?

  24-02-2026 10:31
  
  UK motorists are being urged to revisit their Highway Code knowledge after new research revealed widespread confusion over road signs.
  
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• This simple daily habit could help you save money - and it is free

  24-02-2026 10:30
  
  People who follow this habit are more confident about their finances and have firmer plans on how they'll save and spend.
  
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• Lord Peter Mandelson released on bail by Met Police after misconduct arrest

  24-02-2026 10:29
  
  Lord Mandelson has been accused of passing sensitive information to paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein during his time as business secretary.
  
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• Martin Lewis clashes with Kemi Badenoch over student loans on Good Morning Britain

  24-02-2026 10:28
  
  Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis told the Conservative leader: “I am not saying nothing can be done, I am saying what you should do.”
  
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• A12 northbound partially blocked with delays back to Ardleigh after collision

  24-02-2026 09:16
  
  The A12 northbound is partially blocked with delays after a collision.
  
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• Oak tree in felling fight is diseased, says council

  24-02-2026 07:27 via bbc.com
  Wivenhoe Town Council says it has been told by an expert that the tree has acute oak decline.
  
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• Car business says flyover works have killed trade

  24-02-2026 07:22 via bbc.com
  Dave Thompson says he will shut the doors of his car repair firm at the end of the month.
  
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• Tributes paid to ‘shining light’ Colchester mum as she loses battle with cancer

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Beverly’s mother Sylvia,92 described her as "forever my baby girl. Never forgotten, with me always. You was so brave."
  
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• Save the Wick campaigners stop legal action after national 'pause' in policy

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Mr Pugh said without the SSSI there is no legal guarantee for protection from the landowner.
  
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• Man to play darts during marathon after sport helped him through cancer journey

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Veran Tull, 37, was diagnosed with skin cancer two years ago after his wife urged him to get a mole checked out.
  
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• Influencer praises 'dumb cheap' prices at Essex designer outlet store

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  A viral TikTok highlights JD Sports Outlet at Clacton Shopping Village, Essex offering discounted trainers, Nike, adidas, and more at bargain prices.
  
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• Five-star Uber driver denies running over customer at busy Colchester supermarket

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Walid Khan, 52, appeared before Ipswich Crown Court on Monday following an incident in June last year at the Tesco Superstore in Greenstead Road.
  
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• Cygnet Hospital Colchester receives 'outstanding' rating from CQC

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Cygnet Hospital Colchester has received an 'outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
  
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• Councillor helps launch 'Dancing with Dementia' classes

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Colchester councillor, Alison Jay is joining up with a specialist team to put on dance classes for residents living with dementia.
  
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• Brightlingsea hosting health and wellbeing day open to all residents

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Organisations across Brightlingsea are hosting a health and wellbeing day for all residents.
  
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• Blur member to return to Colchester Arts Centre next month

  24-02-2026 06:00
  
  Renowned musician and drummer for Blur Dave Rowntree is headlining the Colchester Arts Centre and there will be discussion about his photography and the band.
  
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