News in Maldon

If you're already thinking about how to dispose of that Christmas tree, here's a reminder of how Maldon and Burnham residents can do so from their doorsteps - and raise cash for a local good cause.

Those living in the district can have their Christmas trees taken away and recycled from their doorsteps once the festivities are over for the cost of a donation to Farleigh Hospice.

A new weather warning for snow and ice across the Maldon district has been issued.

The yellow warning - which indicates a small chance of disruption to travel and power supplies, runs from 10am on Wednesday, 30 December until 6am on New Year's Eve.

The seven-day Covid-19 infection rate for Maldon district now stands at 694.5 cases per 100,000 population.

The figure has been calculated using Public Health England data for the seven days up to 23 December and shows 451 new cases were recorded. This has allowed five days for test results to come back in, though could increase further due to any delays caused by the Christmas holiday period.

Fans of the music of the seventies may be pleased to hear that Maldon's local radio station will be bringing listeners a Boxing Day special today.

You can tune in to Caroline Community Radio today to listen to the Radio Caroline Flashback at 12 noon and join Dave Foster for a special Christmas 1973 Retro Top 20.

Weather warnings issued by the Met Office for strong winds in the wake of Storm Bella indicate that the Maldon district will be most affected between 7pm today (Boxing Day, 26 December) and 6am tomorrow.

The yellow warning was issued a few days ago, with amber warnings since issued covering an area further south. The latest forecasts predict wind speeds of between 40 and 50mph for Maldon and the surrounding villages, mostly overnight.

If you're running out of something at home today (Boxing Day, 26 December) there are some supermarkets and pharmacies open.

In Maldon, the following supermarkets are open today:

Maldon MP John Whittingdale has welcomed news of a "Christmas present" post-Brexit trade deal with the EU.

The deal with Europe was announced this afternoon (Thursday, 24 December) after months of negotiations - including the detail on fishing rights - came to a successful conclusion.

NHS health providers for the Maldon district have issued a Christmas and New Year message with details of what to do in a health emergency as area enters the holiday period on Tier 4.

Clinicians are reminding people to call NHS 111 first for urgent medical advice before attending hospital A&E except when it is life threatening.

Christmas morning is set to be icy in Maldon, according to the latest weather warning from the Met Office.

Over the last few days, there have been a number of weather warnings for the area with a yellow warning remaining in place for the overnight period from Boxing Day to Sunday, 27 December, for very strong winds.

The leader of Maldon District Council has issued an open letter to the area's business community as some of those in a "desperate situation" wait for grant help.

The letter tells how council officers are processing grant applications as fast as possible and have made a plea for patience as they work through many hundreds of applications by local businesses stricken by the current pandemic situation.