Colchester's media education centre, Signals, has a new director.

Rachel Hipkiss took over the role as head of the centre for film-making excellence at the end of October, and has already been looking at ways of promoting the organisation and getting more funding.

In February last year, Colchester Council was forced to backtrack on plans to cut its annual grant by more than half, after a passionate plea from supporters.

But the grant was still cut by £6,750, and Signals still struggles to fund its core costs, she said.