In today's Gazette: Jacks Famous Supplies has gone into administration.

Dave Williams, who has run the well-known hardware store in St Nicholas Street, Colchester, for 35 years, said: "We are still trading at the moment but who knows for how long."

*Apache pilot Simon Beattie, from Colchester, has told of his friendship with his colleague and wingman Prince Harry.

Army Air Corps captain Beattie, 30, said: "He's just one of the guys."

* Colchester Council has performed a U-turn and will freeze its part of the council tax bill.

The authority had planned an increase of 1.95 per cent to raise an extra £189,000 but will instead raise funds from a Government grant and reserves.

* A gang of robbers brandishing a meat cleaver and knives burst into a house and stole cash and mobile phones.

The five teenagers forced their way into the house in Orwell Road, Clacton, and threatened the occupier.

For more on these and other stories, see today's Gazette. There is always more in the paper than there is online.