Firefighters shared their frustration after being unable to send a crew to a house fire only two minutes away.

A house in Turret Court, Ongar, where a family of five lived, was completely destroyed after a fire started in the kitchen.

The fire station in High Street, Ongar, - less than a mile away – confirmed they did not have enough firefighters on-call that day.

Crews from Loughton, Harlow, Old Harlow, Brentwood and Chelmsford fire stations instead attended the blaze at 7.10pm. It was put out by 11pm.

The Only Way Is Essex star Lewis Bloor has denied conspiring to defraud investors in an alleged £3 million diamond scam.

The 29-year-old from Buckhurst Hill appeared at Southwark Crown Court and pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to defraud around 50 investors by “dishonestly” marketing and selling coloured diamonds, knowing they did not represent a legitimate investment opportunity.

Bloor and the co-defendants were released on unconditional bail. The trial was adjourned to the week of September 1, 2020.

A primary school held its own climate protest on the day of the global climate strike in September.

Ivy Chimneys Primary School, Epping, held a mini demonstration on September 20 which children were encouraged to walk around their daily mile track and earn more about climate change.

Pupils also sent a letter to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Cllr Dave Plummer (Green Party, Waltham Abbey South West) said: “The school strikes, along with Extinction Rebellion and others, are highlighting how important it is that we take action now.”