Jessica Day-Parker

Essex Fire and Rescue Service has ended its two-week response at Highlands Farm near East Hanningfield after an industrial fire and fertiliser explosion injured or hospitalised 20 firefighters. More than 100 firefighters were deployed, and the blaze destroyed three fire engines and two officer cars. The fire was brought under control the following evening, with crews remaining to dampen hotspots. The site has been returned to the landowner while Essex Fire and Rescue Service and the Health and Safety Executive continue investigating the cause and whether workplace safety regulations were breached.

Water companies supplying Essex say hosepipe bans will remain in place until water resources recover and supplies return closer to normal. Anglian Water, Affinity Water, Essex and Suffolk Water, and Thames Water are monitoring conditions, with bans expected to continue through the summer but lifted as soon as possible. The restrictions prohibit activities including garden watering, car washing, window cleaning and filling pools; breaches can result in fines of up to £1,000.

Six-month-old puppy Monty, a black Poodle-Shar Pei cross, was stolen during a burglary at a property in Danes Way, Pilgrims Hatch, near Brentwood. He was later found fit and well near his home and reunited with his owners. Essex Police continue to investigate the burglary and theft and are appealing for CCTV, dash-cam or other footage, with anonymous reports accepted through Crimestoppers.

Three Essex residents won £100,000 each in the August 2026 Premium Bonds draw. Essex recorded 798 winners overall, including prizes of £50,000, £25,000, £10,000, £5,000 and £1,000, making it the UK county or region with the most winners that month. The winning bonds ranged in value from £5,000 to £25,000, and readers can check for prizes using their NS&I or bond-holder number through the Premium Bonds prize checker.

Stansted Airport highlights five lesser-known destinations accessible by direct flights for last-minute summer travelers: Gdańsk in Poland, Kalamata in Greece, Brno in the Czech Republic, Perugia in Italy, and Santander in Spain. The destinations are promoted for their beaches, culture, food, scenery, value, and lower visitor numbers. Stansted marketing head Neringa Ohrstrom says the airport’s extensive network offers options for beach holidays, cultural breaks, and alternatives to crowded summer resorts.

Whitbread plans to close ten separately branded Table Table, Cookhouse + Pub, Brewers Fayre and Beefeater restaurants across Essex during the first two weeks of September. Table Table and Cookhouse + Pub venues are due to close on September 3, Brewers Fayre sites on September 7 and Beefeater restaurants on September 10. The closures form part of a wider plan to cut 3,800 jobs across the UK and Ireland, save £250 million over five years and refocus Whitbread as a hotel operator centered on Premier Inn, with restaurants located inside its hotels.

Emergency repair work on the A12 between Kelvedon and Witham has concluded, allowing both lanes to reopen, with the remaining slip road expected to be cleared by early morning following resurfacing. Cadent Gas completed the repairs in coordination with the local authority after delays and congestion affected the area.

Lloyds Banking Group will close its Braintree branch on October 29 as part of a national plan affecting dozens of Lloyds and Halifax locations. Several other Essex branches, including Chelmsford, Southend and Clacton, are also scheduled to shut. The shift reflects increased customer use of digital services. Lloyds is considering phasing out the Halifax brand, though no final decision has been made. Customer accounts and deposit protections will remain unchanged under the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.