Farm death inquests
The inquest is due to open today into the deaths of two men who died after being trapped in a slurry pit at a farm in south Essex.
Fight to save family home of 73 years
Two brothers whose family have lived in the same council house for 73 years in battle to stop eviction
Picture Gallery: The Queen opens Essex academy
The Queen has officially opened a new school in Essex today, touring the £250 million site, which staff and students moved into last month.
Live updates
Acid victim: 'I don't understand why this has happened'
A woman who had acid thrown in her face as she opened her front door in Romford, London says she does not understand why a stranger attacked her and is appealing for anyone who may know something to contact police:
– Tara, 28 years old"I don't understand why this has happened to me. I feel devastated and am coming to terms with the fact I might have to bear the scars of this cowardly attack for the rest of my life.
"I was at home with my family at the time. It doesn't bear thinking about that this could have been one of the children instead of me as the man didn't even look up when threw it at me.
"He is a coward. Please call the police if you know anything at all."
Woman scarred for life after doorstep acid attack
A woman has been left scarred for life after having acid thrown in her face by a stranger as she answered her front door in Romford, London.
It is believed Tara aged 28, answered her door shortly before 9.00pm on 30 April to a man asking for someone called Michelle.
A short time later, the man returned and when Tara answered the door he squirted an acidic substance in her face.
The victim managed to close the door and rinse her face with water as she called an ambulance.
Tara was taken to an East London hospital then transferred to a specialist burns unit where she remains in a stable condition.
Police have released an e-fit of a man they wish to speak to in connection with the acid attack.
Advertisement
Where the winners live: top 10 lottery postcodes
The top 10 postcodes for big-money National Lottery wins are:
- 1. RM – Romford
- 2. SR – Sunderland
- 3. NE – Newcastle Upon Tyne
- 4. L – Liverpool
- 5. EN – Enfield
- 6. WA – Warrington
- 7. BR – Bromley
- 8. WV – Wolverhampton
- 9. DA – Dartford
- 10. DD - Dundee
These areas have more "top-tier" winners, per head of population, than anywhere else in the UK. High tier prizes refer to prizes of over £50,000 across all National Lottery games.
Romford flies flag as 'UK's luckiest town'
The National Lottery has presented Romford with a ceremonial flag, to honour its status as "the UK's luckiest town".
Since the National Lottery launched in 1994, 40 millionaires have been created in the RM postcode, and 317 prizes of at least £50,000 have been banked.
That means there are more big-money prize-winners, per head of population, in Romford than anywhere else in the country.
A spokesman said:
"Romford is the first postcode to ever fly The National Lottery ceremonial flag, let’s hope it brings a further dose of luck for RM residents in the year to come."
Slurry deaths ruled accidental
The inquests into the deaths of two men killed on a farm in Essex have returned verdicts of accidental death.
27-year-old Craig Whipps, from Denton in South Norfolk, became submerged in slurry from a tank while working at Albyns Farm in Stapleford Tawney on the 15th of July 2011. His colleague Paul Gray was overcome by fumes as he tried to help him.
Jurors at Chelmsford Crown Court heard how the farm's owner had tried but been unable to save the two men. Post mortem examinations revealed that they died of immersion.
Farm owner tried to save men
Serena Sandhu reports from Chelmsford Coroner's Court...
Advertisement
Men died after release of toxic fumes
Paul Gray - a father to three daughters - and his colleague Craig Whipps died after gallons of slurry escaped from a tank at Albyns Farm in Stapleford Tawney near Romford, Essex, causing toxic fumes to be released into the air.
Lawyer Keith Barrett, who specialises in helping families who have lost loved ones in accidents at work, said: "The Gray family have been left devastated by the loss of Paul and they hope the inquest will provide answers about the circumstances that led to his death."
The inquest into their deaths is at Chelmsford Coroners Court and expected to last two days.
Farm death inquests
The inquest is due to open today into the deaths of two men who died after being trapped in a slurry pit at a farm in south Essex.
Read the full storyHave you seen this woman?
Police are appealing for assistance to help trace a missing woman from Romford.
32-year-old Sharifah Winnett was last seen at around 1pm yesterday in Romford town centre.
Sharifah suffers from depression and her family and friends are worried about her present state of mind.
She is described as 5ft 4inches tall, of slim build, with long dark hair and brown eyes.
Sharifah was last seen wearing a brown fur coat, blue jeans, black hat and sunglasses.
Anyone who has seen Sharifah, or knows of her whereabouts, is asked to contact Havering Police on 101 quoting CAD reference 6398/22Feb.
Alternatively call the charity Missing People on 116 000.
Romford ice-rink row
Romford is set to get a brand new ice rink in two years time - but not everyone is happy.
For those who use it, that's two years without a rink at all, as the existing one is pulled down to make way for a new supermarket.
And parents fear that some talented youngsters will miss their golden window to develop into top-class athletes.
Nick Thatcher reports.