THERE have been some big stories in Maldon this week from revelations of an ongoing police drug-busting operation to the illegal shooting of a bird of prey.

Here at Nub News we like to make your life easier so if you've missed any of the local news this week, don't worry.

We have you covered with 10 of the top stories right here.

1. A rare falcon – a hobby bird – was shot at Blue House Farm Nature Reserve in North Fambridge, near Maldon.

Essex Police have appealed for any information. You can find out more here.

2. It was revealed that in an ongoing operation by Maldon's town centre policing team around £85,000 in drugs and cash had been seized.

Arrests were made after three separate police raids in the town. Read about what happened here.

3. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service launched a new 18-month recruitment drive for full-time firefighters and appealed for people not to let stereotypes get in their way when thinking about whether to apply.

You can explore what the role's all about here.

4. One of Maldon's heritage assets, the Thomas Plume Library in the town centre, could do with help from the community to make sure its future is secure.

Find out about the history of the library and how residents and local businesses could help here.

5. The former Maldon District Council leader, Councillor Adrian Fluker, was found in a new independent report to have deliberately humiliated a gay councillor.

The news came two weeks after Cllr Fluker resigned from the leadership, claiming he was the victim of social media bullying. You can read about what the report concludes here

6. There were yet more shocks from Maldon District Council with news of the sudden resignation of Councillor Bryan Harker, who also served on Heybridge Basin Parish Council.

Councillor Harker was first elected more than 25 years ago – read more about it here

7. Then in a new Maldon District Council twist, a report carried out internally claimed that another councillor had "brought the council into disrepute".

Now a council committee will decide whether or not the report's conclusions are justified on 3 September. Get a clearer picture here

8. Maldon has missed out on government funding to help make the town centre greener and healthier.

Find out why here.

9. Four out of the 211 Covid-related deaths registered in Essex care homes happened in Maldon, figures show.

Read more about this and the latest numbers for Covid-19 cases in the district here

10. Wildlife was once again the focus when Essex Police appealed for help from the people of Maldon district to stop hare coursing. They have dealt with 32 cases of the cruel sport in the county in two weeks.

You can read the news report here.