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David Beckham had lunch with his mum Sandra at Tony's Pie & Mash shop in Waltham Abbey

'Kindest man ever' - David Beckham spotted in Essex pie and mash shop for lunch

New Road in Rainham is closed after reports of a crash

New Road in Rainham is closed after reports of a crash

Rainham road blocked both ways after crash

The site subject of the notice in black

The site subject of the notice in black

Havering Council

Cutting down trees 'without permission' near Noak Hill Traveller site ordered to stop

Traffic on the M25 near Romford

Traffic on the M25 near Romford

Three lanes SHUT after multi-vehicle crash along M25

TfL has not confirmed when works are expected to commence on the replacement of the flyover

TfL has not confirmed when works are expected to commence on the replacement of the flyover

Replacement of major Dagenham flyover on A13 set to last TWO-AND-A-HALF-YEARS

Works are ongoing in Mawney Road in Romford

Works are ongoing in Mawney Road in Romford

'Delays likely' as works on major Romford road set to last two weeks

Alec's restaurant in Navestock

Alec's restaurant in Navestock

'Popular' Brentwood restaurant loved by celebs gets permission for extension

Jude Winstanley has left the company

Jude Winstanley has left the company

Southend Airport boss set for departure to 'take up new role'

Havering Lived Experience Advisory Group members stand in the foyer of the Lumiere Cinema before the screening

Havering Lived Experience Advisory Group members stand in the foyer of the Lumiere Cinema before the screening

‘Our mission is to make suicide prevention everyone’s business’

LIVE updates as car and lorry crash blocks M25 lanes with rush-hour queues building

LIVE updates as car and lorry crash blocks M25 lanes with rush-hour queues building

Car and lorry crash blocks M25 lanes with rush-hour queues building

Gas works have shut Babington Road and Southdown Road, and are impacting traffic in Hornchurch Road

Gas works have shut Babington Road and Southdown Road, and are impacting traffic in Hornchurch Road

Emergency gas works shut TWO roads in Hornchurch and cause likely 'delays'

Rainham Hall has been used to film scenes for the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation

Rainham Hall has been used to film scenes for the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation

Rainham Hall used as filming location for major new period drama hitting cinemas

Brentwood's town centre post office will shut when TG Jones (formerly WH Smith) closes

Brentwood's town centre post office will shut when TG Jones (formerly WH Smith) closes

Brentwood High Street

Brentwood’s only town centre post office will disappear when high street store shuts

Syd Ibrahim, owner of The Lunch Box, said he is

Syd Ibrahim, owner of The Lunch Box, said he is

'The closure of Gallows Corner was devastating - it's a relief to get back to normal'

News

Westfield Stratford City has two new experience-led attractions opening soon

Westfield Stratford City has two new experience-led attractions opening soon

Westfield boss on catering for Gen Z and wish for international trains at Stratford

A Mind, Body & Spirit Mystical Fair is coming to Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall this weekend

A Mind, Body & Spirit Mystical Fair is coming to Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall this weekend

Fair with psychic readings and holistic therapies coming to Kelvedon Hatch

Planning and development

Havering home plan includes rear extension, loft conversion and new parking bay

House hunters in Shenfield will soon have a new choice of premium homes on their doorstep, as Redrow Eastern prepares to release the first properties at its new King’s Gate development this October

House hunters in Shenfield will soon have a new choice of premium homes on their doorstep, as Redrow Eastern prepares to release the first properties at its new King’s Gate development this October

Shenfield’s 191-home development to open with 67 affordable properties

Many Spotify users have reported issues with the app

Many Spotify users have reported issues with the app

Why is Spotify not working? Thousands of users report issues with app

Sarah Lewis, 46, first began to notice occasional difficulty swallowing alongside difficulty typing at work in early 2021.

Sarah Lewis, 46, first began to notice occasional difficulty swallowing alongside difficulty typing at work in early 2021.

Three quarters of parents neglect health issues while caring for children

A Reliant Regal Supervan III from Only Fools and Horses is up for auction

A Reliant Regal Supervan III from Only Fools and Horses is up for auction

Only Fools and Horses

Only Fools and Horses memorabilia set to sell for £40,000 at auction

'Coupon king' reveals hack to get Nando's burger for £3 less

Libby Fox is reportedly returning to Albert Square this year

Libby Fox is reportedly returning to Albert Square this year

EastEnders star lined up for return to BBC show 20 years after soap debut

Atik, in South Street, closed in 2024

Atik, in South Street, closed in 2024

Planning and development

Decision made on plans to bulldoze lost Romford nightclub for almost 300 flats

The new Tony's restaurant in Billericay

The new Tony's restaurant in Billericay

Much-anticipated new restaurant reveals launch date for Essex high street

Goldex is opening a new ladies-only gym in Hornchurch

Goldex is opening a new ladies-only gym in Hornchurch

Company 'really excited' to bring new ladies-only gym to Hornchurch High Street

Sport

There was a Green Takeover as Harold Wood Running Club hosted the Raphael parkun on Saturday (Image: HWRC)

Harold Wood Running Club

Green takeover and race success cap busy weekend for Harold Wood runners

Raider Barret Kirwin celebrates scoring against Basingstoke (Image: DSY Media)

Raider Barret Kirwin celebrates scoring against Basingstoke (Image: DSY Media)

Romford Raiders

Romford Raiders edge Bison to make it three wins from four league games

Upminster HC 3rd XI in action against Southend HC (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo)

Upminster HC 3rd XI in action against Southend HC (Image: Gavin Ellis/TGS Photo)

Upminster men claim first win in style with stunning 14-1 hockey triumph

The JIRC individual event, featuring Charlie Maule-Lidbury

The JIRC individual event, featuring Charlie Maule-Lidbury

HAVOC juniors Charlie and Hugo Maule-Lidbury represent East Anglia at championships

Woodford Rugby Club is looking for a coach as the women's team marks first year (Image: Woodford Rugby Club)

Woodford Rugby Club is looking for a coach as the women's team marks first year (Image: Woodford Rugby Club)

Woodford Rugby Club

Woodford women's rugby side looks to build on successful debut year

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London News

House hunters in Shenfield will soon have a new choice of premium homes on their doorstep, as Redrow Eastern prepares to release the first properties at its new King’s Gate development this October

House hunters in Shenfield will soon have a new choice of premium homes on their doorstep, as Redrow Eastern prepares to release the first properties at its new King’s Gate development this October

Shenfield’s 191-home development to open with 67 affordable properties

L-R: Daphne (pupil at Anson Primary School), Nick Hoare (Store Manager), Martin Hastings (CEO, Leyland), Simon Pile (Headteacher, Anson Primary School), Mira (pupil), Natasha Bisnath (Deputy Store Manager), Naivasha Elworthy (Head of Marketing)

L-R: Daphne (pupil at Anson Primary School), Nick Hoare (Store Manager), Martin Hastings (CEO, Leyland), Simon Pile (Headteacher, Anson Primary School), Mira (pupil), Natasha Bisnath (Deputy Store Manager), Naivasha Elworthy (Head of Marketing)

London schools invited to compete for share of £10,000 makeover prize

D-Day veteran who inspired schoolchildren as ‘Grandad Ken’ dies aged 101

Households urged to stock up on emergency supplies

Seven hospice charities are joining forces for the second year of a powerful nationwide campaign encouraging people to consider leaving a gift in their Will, as new data highlights the vital role legacies play in funding hospice care

Seven hospice charities are joining forces for the second year of a powerful nationwide campaign encouraging people to consider leaving a gift in their Will, as new data highlights the vital role legacies play in funding hospice care

Seven Essex hospices join campaign as legacy gifts fund 400,000 nights of care

13 Medals have been won for Romford & Dagenham Taekwondo at the Scottish Championships

13 Medals have been won for Romford & Dagenham Taekwondo at the Scottish Championships

Romford and Dagenham taekwondo club wins 13 medals at Scottish Championships

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London Calling

Ronnie Scott's first opened in 1959 in a basement in Gerrard Street Soho and moved to its current location in Frith Street in 1965.

The world famous London jazz club that started in a humble Soho cellar

I got a selfie with Moana at The Park Lane Hilton for a delicious Moana and Disney themed afternoon tea.

I got a selfie with Moana at The Park Lane Hilton for a delicious Moana and Disney themed afternoon tea.

We tried a Moana afternoon tea and the Disney themed cakes were welcome

I stayed at the Four Seasons Tower Bridge Heritage Suite and tried out the new Copper’s Cut restaurant - it was a delight

I stayed at the Four Seasons Tower Bridge Heritage Suite and tried out the new Copper’s Cut restaurant - it was a delight

Four Seasons Hotel

‘London’s serene and luxurious hotel, spa and steakhouse - I felt like royalty’

Fulham Pier Hotel was described as an ‘urban resort’ - and it definitely felt like it

Fulham Pier Hotel was described as an ‘urban resort’ - and it definitely felt like it

‘I stayed at London’s new urban resort hotel next door to a major football stadium’

The main bar at Upstairs at Ronnie's which opens to the public on February 6, 2026 at the world famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz club in Soho.

The main bar at Upstairs at Ronnie's which opens to the public on February 6, 2026 at the world famous Ronnie Scott's Jazz club in Soho.

Legendary jazz club Ronnie Scott's reveals opening line-up for glamorous new venue

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FIND LOCAL EVENTS

Things to do

David Beckham had lunch with his mum Sandra at Tony's Pie & Mash shop in Waltham Abbey

'Kindest man ever' - David Beckham spotted in Essex pie and mash shop for lunch

Jude Winstanley has left the company

Jude Winstanley has left the company

Southend Airport boss set for departure to 'take up new role'

Alta is known as the City of Northern Lights...and what a breath taking sight it is

Alta is known as the City of Northern Lights...and what a breath taking sight it is

Our offers and promotions

Northern Lights cruise with Ambassador is more than meets the sky

Rainham Hall has been used to film scenes for the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation

Rainham Hall has been used to film scenes for the new Sense and Sensibility adaptation

Rainham Hall used as filming location for major new period drama hitting cinemas

A Mind, Body & Spirit Mystical Fair is coming to Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall this weekend

A Mind, Body & Spirit Mystical Fair is coming to Kelvedon Hatch Village Hall this weekend

Fair with psychic readings and holistic therapies coming to Kelvedon Hatch

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National Sport

Anthony Gordon celebrates his opener against Czechia (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Anthony Gordon celebrates his opener against Czechia (Bradley Collyer/PA)

England win in Prague after day of domestic drama

Yeovil stretched their unbeaten run to four matches (Nick Potts/PA)

Yeovil stretched their unbeaten run to four matches (Nick Potts/PA)

Yeovil hit back against Worthing to extend unbeaten run

Manchester City were found to have engaged in an almost £1billion scheme to either inflate revenues or reduce costs through a series of “sham” arrangements (Nick Potts/PA)

Manchester City were found to have engaged in an almost £1billion scheme to either inflate revenues or reduce costs through a series of “sham” arrangements (Nick Potts/PA)

Man City face threat of severe sanctions after financial breaches guilty verdict

Jay Bird bagged a brace for Boreham Wood (Cody Froggatt/PA)

Jay Bird bagged a brace for Boreham Wood (Cody Froggatt/PA)

Jay Bird bags brace as leaders Boreham Wood beat Kidderminster to stay unbeaten

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged the ‘ultimate sanction’ for Manchester City could be expulsion from the Premier League (Lucy North/PA)

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy acknowledged the ‘ultimate sanction’ for Manchester City could be expulsion from the Premier League (Lucy North/PA)

Lisa Nandy warns of ‘ultimate sanction’ after Man City guilty verdict

Trent Alexander-Arnold starts for England (Joe Giddens/PA)

Trent Alexander-Arnold starts for England (Joe Giddens/PA)

Trent Alexander-Arnold handed first England start under Thomas Tuchel in Czechia

The Prince and Princess of Wales surprise Sir Kevin Sinfield at the DIY Kitchens Stadium (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Prince and Princess of Wales surprise Sir Kevin Sinfield at the DIY Kitchens Stadium (Mike Egerton/PA)

Prince and Princess of Wales surprise Sir Kevin Sinfield at final MND challenge

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National News

Mr Trump met with top executives of AI firms at the White House (AP)

Mr Trump met with top executives of AI firms at the White House (AP)

Trump says top tech firms have signed accord to ‘self-police’ AI development

A banner reading Garvaghy Road Says No displayed on Garvaghy Road (Liam McBurney/PA)

A banner reading Garvaghy Road Says No displayed on Garvaghy Road (Liam McBurney/PA)

Garvaghy Road residents launch fresh legal bid to stop parade

Caleb Flynn has been convicted of murder (AP)

Caleb Flynn has been convicted of murder (AP)

Former American Idol singer Caleb Flynn convicted of fatally shooting wife

Emergency services near Wearmouth Bridge (PA)

Emergency services near Wearmouth Bridge (PA)

Teenager arrested after three youngsters killed when car entered the River Wear

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy leader Michelle O’Neill (PA)

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald and deputy leader Michelle O’Neill (PA)

O’Neill says she has not been contacted by police and does not expect arrest

Edward Rukidi Nyabongo was crowned king of the Tooro Kingdom (Hajarah Nalwadda/AP)

Edward Rukidi Nyabongo was crowned king of the Tooro Kingdom (Hajarah Nalwadda/AP)

TV journalist crowned king of traditional monarchy in Uganda

The Prime Minister appeared to hold back tears, before taking a pause, which promoted a member of the audience to shout ‘go on Andy’ (Peter Byrne/PA)

The Prime Minister appeared to hold back tears, before taking a pause, which promoted a member of the audience to shout ‘go on Andy’ (Peter Byrne/PA)

Andy Burnham holds back tears as he speaks of late father Roy at conference

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