Underwater lecture for Essex students
Students at the University of Essex in Colchester have been given lectures 18 meters underwater.
Children's waiting room transformed at Essex Hospital
A waiting room has been given a makeover to make it more appealing to young patients
Family fight to cut knife crime
A march has taken place in Colchester in memory of Jay Whiston the teenager stabbed to death at a party last year.
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Para's family win fight to claim compensation
The family of a Colchester paratrooper killed in Iraq are among several to win the right to bring compensation claims against the Government after a Supreme Court hearing today.
Private Lee Ellis, was killed in an explosion in 2006 becoming the first member of 2 Para to die since the Falklands.
Lee's family claim his snatch land rover was not adequately armoured and that had he been in a warrior vehicle he may have survived. Relatives said they would be launching claims for damages.
Royal Salute
Airborne gunners have fired a Royal Salute in Colchester to mark The Queen’s Official Birthday.
A battery of six guns from Colchester-based 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery fired a 21-gun salute in Castle Park at noon.
Lord Petre, the Lord Lieutenant of Essex, was the Inspecting Officer and the Band of The Parachute Regiment performed.
For the first time, a public viewing area was open in Lower Castle Park to allow the public to get closer to the guns and band.
Major Justin Baker who commanded the guns, said:
“Firing a Royal Salute is a great honour and an opportunity to show the Battery in all its finery to the public. We’ve been rehearsing through the week and the men enjoyed performing for an appreciative crowd who joined us to send their congratulations to the Queen.”
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Bikers hope to raise thousands for charity
Bikers leaving Merville Barracks in Colchester heading for a D-Day memorial in Rettendon. They're hoping to raise £8,000 for the ABF and the family of Drummer Lee Rigby.
Hundreds take part in charity rainbow run
Runners were taking part in a colourful charity event in Essex today. After each kilometre they get covered in a different colour of paint.
It is taking place to raise money for Headway Essex, a charity which works with people with acquired brain injuries.
Colchester burglar jailed for three years and seven months
A Colchester burglar who targeted the homes of people while they were on holiday has been jailed for three years and seven months.
Daniel Cornell, who is 36, was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court for raids on three properties in the town. He was caught when he tried to sell to second-hand shops.
Hospital faces more scrutiny
Hospitals are under fresh scrutiny after concerns over the service patients are getting.
A survey of Britain's A&E departments shows waiting times at a 9-year high, with more than 300,000 people waiting longer than 4 hours to be treated.
The report comes as inspectors arrived at Colchester General Hospital to investigate high mortality rates.
It's one of 14 hospitals across the UK with higher than expected death rates.
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Hospital under review
A team of senior doctors, nurses, and patient representatives are monitoring a hospital in Essex.
Colchester General is one of 14 trusts across the UK whose mortality rates have been higher than expected over the last two years.
The two day review will see the team interview both patients and staff. The findings should be released in a few weeks.
Top cyclists gear up for event in Essex
Some of Britain's top cyclists will be in Colchester tonight for a national cycle challenge. It is the second stage of the Johnson Health Tech Grand Prix. The women's elite race begins at 5.30pm. The men's race starts at 7.30pm.
50th birthday for Colchester Zoo
One of our region's top tourist attractions is celebrating a noteable milestone this week. Colchester Zoo is about to mark its 50th birthday, having originally opened as Stanway Hall Zoo Park in 1963. But as Serena Sandhu reports, the zoo's focus has changed over the last half-century...
Colchester Zoo celebrates 50 years
Footballers will kick off Colchester Zoo's official 50th birthday celebrations today.
Players from Colchester United will be visiting some of the animals this afternoon. Karl Duguid and Kem Izzet will even give Amur Tigers, Igor and Anoushka, a birthday gift of footballs.
The zoo will be 50 years old this weekend and a range of activities will be taking place between now and then.
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