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Passion - Cafe owner, Rebecca White, having a cuddle with one of the cafe cats

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Pictures: Colchester welcomes purr-fect first cat café to city centre

Meeting - Colchester Town Hall where the planning committee meeting took place

Meeting - Colchester Town Hall where the planning committee meeting took place

Local government

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Plans for 'detrimental' new business park near Colchester have been put on hold

Happy - councillors, students and Adrian in front of the new mural

Happy - councillors, students and Adrian in front of the new mural

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Colchester's rich heritage celebrated in new mural from students and local artist

Venue - Leisure World in Colchester

Venue - Leisure World in Colchester

Cultural attractions

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Leisure World flumes to close for whole of summer for 'urgent repair work'

Warning - brilliant sunshine in Old Leigh

Warning - brilliant sunshine in Old Leigh

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Yellow heat-health warning issued as Essex set to bask in 28C next week

Iconic – the Birch Church spire can be seen from miles around

Iconic – the Birch Church spire can be seen from miles around

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Campaigners trying to save Colchester church from demolition get good news

Event - Queen Street Brewhouse is the host homeless charity event

Event - Queen Street Brewhouse is the host homeless charity event

Annual event in aid of homeless charity set to rock Queen Street Brewhouse

News

There will be a few late night road closures in Essex over the weekend, including on the M25 and Dartford Crossing

There will be a few late night road closures in Essex over the weekend, including on the M25 and Dartford Crossing

M25, Dartford Crossing and A12 road closures in Essex this weekend

Jailed - Dennis Carroll was jailed by a judge sitting at Chelmsford Crown Coutr

Jailed - Dennis Carroll was jailed by a judge sitting at Chelmsford Crown Coutr

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Pictured: The Essex man who hid camera behind poster to spy on victim

Legal - Essex County Council have launched legal action against broadband provider Gigaclear, (inset) Councillor Lee Scott

Legal - Essex County Council have launched legal action against broadband provider Gigaclear, (inset) Councillor Lee Scott

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Council launches legal action against broadband operator after 'breach of contract'

Delicious - Sam Garton and Amber Woodman enjoy an ice cream

Delicious - Sam Garton and Amber Woodman enjoy an ice cream

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Pictures: First Clacton food and drink festival welcomes thousands of visitors

Award - Food Leigh-on-Sea in the top 100

Award - Food Leigh-on-Sea in the top 100

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'Classy and cool' Essex restaurant named among top 100 best restaurants in UK

Nominated - Clacton Pier has been shortlisted in the UK Theme Park Awards 2023

Nominated - Clacton Pier has been shortlisted in the UK Theme Park Awards 2023

Cultural attractions

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Essex seaside attraction nominated for prestigious Theme Park Awards

Signage - The massive sign informing Northern Gateway visitors of the car park location

Signage - The massive sign informing Northern Gateway visitors of the car park location

Local government

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Huge signs directing people to car park at Northern Gateway put up after fines saga

Campaign- The Essex Suffolk and Norfolk pylons campaign group.

Campaign- The Essex Suffolk and Norfolk pylons campaign group.

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Pylons scheme is just one of four 'obscene' schemes set to affect small villages

Opening - the new wellbeing garden

Opening - the new wellbeing garden

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'Invaluable' and 'beautiful' new green space opens at Colchester Hospital

Injury - Essex Police have said a Save the Wick protester's arm was injured on July 1, (inset) a Skylark on the Wick

Injury - Essex Police have said a Save the Wick protester's arm was injured on July 1, (inset) a Skylark on the Wick

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Police probe as man 'assaulted' while protesting Middlewick grass cutting

Captivating - Gaia is a six-metre in diameter piece which is now ready to be viewed at Colchester Castle

Captivating - Gaia is a six-metre in diameter piece which is now ready to be viewed at Colchester Castle

Colchester Castle

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Colchester Castle is now displaying a huge 3D artwork depicting the Earth's surface

Could you give any of these Essex pets a home?

Could you give any of these Essex pets a home?

5 pets at RSPCA Essex who are searching for their forever homes

Incident - The incident took place on Grigson Drive

Incident - The incident took place on Grigson Drive

Dog seized as police probe attack in Clacton which left young girl seriously injured

Zoo’s plan to play music and sell alcohol agreed by council bosses

Zoo’s plan to play music and sell alcohol agreed by council bosses

Cultural attractions

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Zoo’s plan to play music and sell alcohol agreed by council bosses

New - signage for the new Costa Coffee branch

New - signage for the new Costa Coffee branch

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New Costa Coffee site to open only metres away from its other branch

Delays - Dame Priti Patel with Royal Mail leadership staff at

Delays - Dame Priti Patel with Royal Mail leadership staff at

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Royal Mail 'trying to ensure residents receive post on time after complaints'

Sentencing - Colchester Magistrates' Court

Sentencing - Colchester Magistrates' Court

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Man denies two counts of sexual assault at Colchester pub, court hears

Retiring - Colchester Headteacher Linda Exley is retiring after 27 years at The Gilberd School

Retiring - Colchester Headteacher Linda Exley is retiring after 27 years at The Gilberd School

Colchester Gilberd School headteacher retires after 27 years at the helm

Sport

Transfer talk - Colchester United sporting director Dmitri Halajko (right, with Robbie Cowling) says Danny Cowley will always have the final say on new signings

Colchester United FC

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The transfer window trait Dmitri Halajko feels can be 'real advantage' for U's

New start - John Akinde has signed for National League side Braintree Town after leaving Colchester United at the end of last season

New start - John Akinde has signed for National League side Braintree Town after leaving Colchester United at the end of last season

Colchester United FC

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John Akinde signs for National League club after Colchester United exit

Optimistic - Colchester United are hoping for a successful 2024-25 season

Optimistic - Colchester United are hoping for a successful 2024-25 season

Colchester United FC

Last chance to get unlimited Colchester United coverage for £4

Decision time - Colchester United head coach Danny Cowley says he is likely to leave it until late in pre-season before appointing his new captain

Decision time - Colchester United head coach Danny Cowley says he is likely to leave it until late in pre-season before appointing his new captain

Colchester United FC

Danny Cowley drops hint on new Colchester United captain

Forward thinking - Brad Ihionvien is looking forward to a productive season with Colchester United

Forward thinking - Brad Ihionvien is looking forward to a productive season with Colchester United

Colchester United FC

3

Bradley Ihionvien reveals his Colchester United targets ahead of new season

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National Sport

The Eiffel Tower was part of a groundbreaking opening ceremony (Joel Marklund/PA)

The Eiffel Tower was part of a groundbreaking opening ceremony (Joel Marklund/PA)

Olympics day one: Spotlight on sport after rain dampens unique opening ceremony

Pep Guardiola has not ruled out a contract extension at Manchester City (Adam Davy/PA)

Pep Guardiola has not ruled out a contract extension at Manchester City (Adam Davy/PA)

Pep Guardiola not ruling out signing new Man City contract

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed Team GB’s athletes to inspire a new generation to take up sport with their exploits at the Paris Olympics (Carl Court)

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed Team GB’s athletes to inspire a new generation to take up sport with their exploits at the Paris Olympics (Carl Court)

Sir Keir Starmer hails ‘excellent’ Team GB athletes ahead of Paris Olympics

Spectators shelter from the rain at the Trocadero during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony (Mike Egerton/PA).

Spectators shelter from the rain at the Trocadero during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony (Mike Egerton/PA).

Rain puts a dampener on Paris Olympics opening ceremony

Heavy rain falls at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Paris (Joel Marklund/PA).

Heavy rain falls at the Trocadero during the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games in Paris (Joel Marklund/PA).

Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony in pictures

Spectators shelter from the rain at the Trocadero during the Paris 2024 opening ceremony (Mike Egerton/PA).

Spectators shelter from the rain at the Trocadero during the Paris 2024 opening ceremony (Mike Egerton/PA).

Rain puts a dampener on the Paris Olympics opening ceremony down the River Seine

Great Britain flag bearers Tom Daley and Helen Glover and Team GB team-mates during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony (John Walton/PA).

Great Britain flag bearers Tom Daley and Helen Glover and Team GB team-mates during the Paris Olympics opening ceremony (John Walton/PA).

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Paris welcomes Olympics Games with groundbreaking opening ceremony on the Seine

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Colchester United

Transfer talk - Colchester United sporting director Dmitri Halajko (right, with Robbie Cowling) says Danny Cowley will always have the final say on new signings

Transfer talk - Colchester United sporting director Dmitri Halajko (right, with Robbie Cowling) says Danny Cowley will always have the final say on new signings

Colchester United FC

2

The transfer window trait Dmitri Halajko feels can be 'real advantage' for U's

New start - John Akinde has signed for National League side Braintree Town after leaving Colchester United at the end of last season

New start - John Akinde has signed for National League side Braintree Town after leaving Colchester United at the end of last season

Colchester United FC

6

John Akinde signs for National League club after Colchester United exit

Optimistic - Colchester United are hoping for a successful 2024-25 season

Optimistic - Colchester United are hoping for a successful 2024-25 season

Colchester United FC

Last chance to get unlimited Colchester United coverage for £4

Decision time - Colchester United head coach Danny Cowley says he is likely to leave it until late in pre-season before appointing his new captain

Decision time - Colchester United head coach Danny Cowley says he is likely to leave it until late in pre-season before appointing his new captain

Colchester United FC

Danny Cowley drops hint on new Colchester United captain

Forward thinking - Brad Ihionvien is looking forward to a productive season with Colchester United

Forward thinking - Brad Ihionvien is looking forward to a productive season with Colchester United

Colchester United FC

3

Bradley Ihionvien reveals his Colchester United targets ahead of new season

Ground work - Colchester United's friendly against Peterborough United has been switched to Posh's training ground (not current picture)

Ground work - Colchester United's friendly against Peterborough United has been switched to Posh's training ground (not current picture)

Colchester United FC

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Colchester United's friendly is moved to Peterborough to protect U's pitch

New start - former Colchester United goalkeeper Sam Hornby has signed a one-year deal with Walsall

New start - former Colchester United goalkeeper Sam Hornby has signed a one-year deal with Walsall

Colchester United FC

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Sam Hornby signs for League Two side after Colchester United exit

What's On

Happy - councillors, students and Adrian in front of the new mural

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Colchester's rich heritage celebrated in new mural from students and local artist

Event - a previous Murder: Staged Live event and an inset image of expert Cheish Merryweather

Event - a previous Murder: Staged Live event and an inset image of expert Cheish Merryweather

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Psychopath expert to conduct 'psychopath test' on Colchester audience at new show

Announcement - Mercury Theatre's next panto will be The New Adventures of Peter Pan

Announcement - Mercury Theatre's next panto will be The New Adventures of Peter Pan

Colchester Mercury Theatre announce cast and team for upcoming Peter Pan panto

Band - Level 42

Band - Level 42

80s legend Mark King of Level 42 on playing Colchester and his £3million thumb

Win a pair of tickets to UB40 The Legacy at Clacton's Princes Theatre this August.

Win a pair of tickets to UB40 The Legacy at Clacton's Princes Theatre this August.

How to win tickets to UB40 The Legacy

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Nostalgia

Flashback - the white marquees of the Tendring Show, pictured in 1982 at its current Lawford Park home

Flashback - the white marquees of the Tendring Show, pictured in 1982 at its current Lawford Park home

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In pictures: a look back at the historic Tendring Show as its 107th event looms

Quick Dip - Swimmers enjoy the cool water during the baking summer

Quick Dip - Swimmers enjoy the cool water during the baking summer

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Clacton beach has always been the place to be ... especially during a heatwave

Dave Pearce - DJ

Dave Pearce - DJ

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International superstar DJ Dave Pearce to bring his new show to Colchester

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Find Local Events

National News

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts following an assassination attempt. (AP Photo/Gene J Puskar, File)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump reacts following an assassination attempt. (AP Photo/Gene J Puskar, File)

Trump struck by bullet during assassination attempt, FBI says

What the papers say (PA)

What the papers say (PA)

What the papers say – July 27

Academics said that they have found that a common bacteria can ‘melt’ some cancers (Alamy/PA)

Academics said that they have found that a common bacteria can ‘melt’ some cancers (Alamy/PA)

Common mouth bacteria found to ‘melt’ certain cancers in ‘surprising’ discovery

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is facing criticism after he claimed there would be no austerity under Labour. (Jane Barlow/PA)

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is facing criticism after he claimed there would be no austerity under Labour. (Jane Barlow/PA)

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Sarwar’s no austerity under Labour pledge coming back to bite him, SNP warns

Narcis Titianu, one of the four men who died in a collision on the A436 (Gloucestershire Police/PA)

Narcis Titianu, one of the four men who died in a collision on the A436 (Gloucestershire Police/PA)

Families pay tribute to four men killed after their car crashed into a tree

Celine Dion (Ian West/PA)

Celine Dion (Ian West/PA)

Celine Dion makes return to public performance at Olympics opening ceremony

EuroMillions tickets (Victoria Jones/PA)

EuroMillions tickets (Victoria Jones/PA)

UK ticket-holder wins £24 million EuroMillions jackpot

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