In today's Gazette: An investigation is set to be launched into death rates at Colchester's two NHS hospitals.

Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust is one of ifve trusts in the country to be investigated, the NHS Commissioning Board has revealed.

* A gangland killer serving life behind bars for the notorious Essex Boys murders, has failed to have his conviction reviewed.

Michael Steele, 68, was jailed in 1998 alongside Jack Whomes for the murders of Patrick Tate, Anthony Tucker and Craig Rolfe. He asked the Criminal Cases Review Commission for a second appeal but it refused and now his bid for a judicial review has also been dismissed.

* A pensioner died in a freak accident when he walked into a glass door and his neck was punctured as the glass shattered.

William Saunders, 72, who had worked as a bus driver in Clacton, had been making a cup of tea in his kitchen when the accident happened, an inquest heard.

* A vicar whose church had lead stolen from its roof on the day of a wedding is appealing for donations to pay for CCTV.

The Rev Stephne van der Toom made the request after four sheets of lead were ripped off the roof of St Mary the Virgin church in East Bergholt.

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