Chelmsford City FC hope to release who their new chairman is before the start of the upcoming Vanarama Conference South season.

The Essex side known as "The Clarets" had the task of finding the new chairman after Mansell Wallace shocked everyone by handing in his resignation in June.

The Essex side who start their campaign on saturday at home against Gosport Borough. Commercial Director Trevor Smith is hoping business is finalised during the week.

 "We are interviewing this week and hope to make and announcement before the beginning of the season. It has been going along nicely and had a fair bit of interest. But at the end of the end of the day it is about getting the right person."

"If we cant find that person by the end of the week then there are some people on the current board that could step up to the plate. Those people that have really come to the fore since we had our restructure." Smith stated.

If we can't find that person by the end of the week then there are some people on the current board that could step up to the plate. Those people that have really come to the fore since we had our restructure." Smith said.

Smith also, has been delighted with the preparations including the marquee signing of Glen Southam.  "He is a winner and only wants to come to a club that is going somewhere. He wouldnt have come here if he didnt that we had a chance. It is all down to the management team with their powers of persuasion to get him here"

AN ICONIC pirate pop radio ship has dropped anchor in the River Blackwater for the first time since the mid-1990s, with plans to take over the airwaves.

Radio Caroline, the world's most famous pirate radio station, which is housed on the ship MV Ross Revenge, has docked just off the shore of Bradwell after leaving its home of 10 years in Tilbury docks last Thursday (July 31).

The station altered the face of pop music by challenging the established radio format in the 1960s, 70s and 80s by playing 24 hours of pop music a day, and tracks that other radio stations wouldn't.

Now the team is back on the Blackwater for the first time since 1993, and plan to use a temporary 28-day radio licence to give Maldon and the Dengie a taste of the famous station whilst they apply for an AM licence to operate permanently.

Manager of the Ross Revenge Peter Moore, 67, who lives in Maldon and who has been involved with Radio Caroline since 1976, said: "It's nice to be back at Bradwell on the Essex coast again.

"We've had a lot of support from the local community and we hope to get more involved.

"It was a hard old slog to get the boat here and we're glad to be back – we've had a great reaction so far from the local community."

The radio station, currently based on its third ship, has a cult following throughout Europe, after a turbulent history of international police raids, fires, shipwrecks and financial ruin, all of which inspired the movie "The Boat That Rocked" starring Bill Nighy and Phillip Seymour Hoffman.

At the height of its power the station had up to 20 million listeners from the UK and Europe and changed the face of radio as we know it by challenging the BBC's monopoly over the airwaves.

Peter told the Chronicle: "It's a totally different time now to when Radio Caroline was over the airwaves and to think of the risks that you took even getting on the ship and playing music is hard to believe.

"Legally you could find yourself in prison for two years for just playing music and the boat was hardly sea worthy.

"But it was a fantastic time to be involved with music. Radio Caroline is like an addiction now we all work here as volunteers and love it."

Self-confessed Radio Caroline geek Ray Clark even wrote a book on the subject entitled 'Radio Caroline: The True Story of the Boat That Rocked' about the history of the ship.

He said: "I used to listen to Radio Caroline when I was nine years old and I just loved it. It excited me.

"Before Radio Caroline I had a number of jobs but after going on the Ross Revenge in 1987 finally radio stations wanted to listen to me, it was so hard to get on any stations back then."

In fact the first time Ray boarded the Ross Revenge – in 1987 – he was picked up by a trio named Cosmic, Captain Keith and DJ Kevin Turner and taken to the ship via a ferry to Zeebrugge and on to Dunkirk, taking 48 hours, to avoid detection by police.

On arrival he spent eight weeks on the ship and first played under the pseudonym Mick Williams – a real-life friend from Witham.

"It was all very cloak and dagger back then – but I learned more about radio in those eight weeks on board than most do in a lifetime," he added.

"I suppose it's hard to imagine now, but pop music wasn't around like it was after Caroline. After that, radio bosses took note and new stations followed."

The station relies on donations, running on a laid-back philosophy which welcomes contributions but doesn't push them.

In recent years it has enjoyed a revival with the rise of internet radio described by Peter as a "miracle".

He said: "It's a marvellous invention and we know anyone can listen from anywhere in the world, and indeed our DJ's can if they want to."

To tune into Radio Caroline go to www.radiocaroline.co.uk

A THREE-DAY-OLD premature baby who died after catching an E.coli infection from his mother could have been saved by a dose of antibiotics – if medical staff had spotted it sooner.

Logan Baker was born at Broomfield Hospital by Caesarean section on Thursday, January 30, and doctors sent him home to Marlborough Road, Braintree, two days later, unaware that the bug was poisoning his blood.

He was taken ill the next day and, despite being rushed back to hospital, died at 1.36pm of pulmonary haemorrhages and neo-natal sepsis caused by the bacterial infection.

At an inquest into his death at Chelmsford County Hall on Thursday (July 31), area coroner for Essex Eleanor McGann heard that a number of clinical failings contributed to Logan's death.

Irene Scheimberg, a consultant perinatal paediatric pathologist at the Royal London who conducted the post-mortem examination, told the hearing: "There are several risk factors for neo-natal sepsis, not just that he was premature, but because his mother had a urinary tract infection strand of E.coli when Logan was born.

"It's like he acquired the disease around the time of birth because there were ruptured membranes and it can get through the birth canal and a baby's immune system is not very well developed.

"The mother should be given antibiotics and kept longer in hospital to be monitored, but it's hard to know for sure as the symptoms are very non-specific."

The inquest heard the right questions were not asked by nurses when Logan's mother Samantha called William Julien Courtauld Hospital, in Braintree, for advice as his condition deteriorated.

Christine Berner, a specialist midwife for risk management and a supervisor of midwives at Broomfield Hospital, investigated the death.

She said: "Two red flags were that Logan was described as crying inconsolably and constantly vomiting throughout."

Since the death of baby Logan, both Broomfield and William Julien Courtauld Hospitals have made a number of changes to procedure.

Any unwell mother and baby should now be transferred to a consultant-led unit and seen by a paediatrician, changes in the way handover notes are recorded have been made so that more information about a patient is passed between doctors and nurses when their shifts begin, and prompt cards have also been placed near hospital phones so the correct questions are asked during queries.

Mrs McGann was told the hospital accepted all the failings made in the report by Mrs Berner.

Recording a narrative verdict, Mrs McGann said: "There was a failure to identify the indication of sepsis and so he did not receive antibiotics at birth or later.

"This has been a very sad time for Mr and Mrs Baker and I'm sure you have been through some very hard times since the beginning of the year."

A spokesman for Mid-Essex Hospital Trust said: "The trust would like to take this opportunity to express its sincere condolences to Logan's family.

"Despite seeming well at birth his condition deteriorated on the morning of Monday, February 3, and he was readmitted to the hospital suffering from neonatal sepsis.

"Although every effort was made to save him he did not improve and sadly died later that day.

"The inquest into his death has now been held and the trust will reflect and act upon the coroner's findings and those of its own extensive review of the treatment provided to Logan.

"Once again, the trust offers its heartfelt condolences to Logan's family for his loss."

The salary of the boss of the county's ambulance service has been branded "obscene" as it emerged he is racking up a £400 weekly bill on taxis.

Health Minister Dr Dan Poulter said he felt the £232,000 paid to the chief executive of the East of England Ambulance Service NHS Trust (EEAST) Dr Anthony Marsh was excessive.

Dr Poulter said: "There's no doubting that Anthony Marsh is a very skilled man with a lot to offer to the ambulance service... but when you're in a leadership role you have to set an example."

Dr Marsh is also the head of the West Midlands service and took over the East of England remit in January, which brought him £50,000 rise.

The trusts say the dual role brings an overall saving of £130,000 but the minister said this sent out the wrong message.

He earns more than £90,000 more than the Prime Minister.

Dr Marsh also takes a taxi from his West Midlands home to the EEAST headquarters in Cambridgeshire so he can deal with "hundreds" of emails.

Dr Poulter continued: "Effectively Dr Marsh is being paid two salaries at the same time, even though he's only doing half a job for each ambulance service.

"It's obscenely high and a profligate waste of money.

"I'm going to be raising the issue directly with the chairs of the ambulance trusts and calling them in for a meeting to make sure they can explain what they're doing with public money, and explain why they're not prioritising front-line patient care with the money they're given by the NHS and then by the government."

An EEAST spokesperson said: "Since his appointment, Mr Marsh has saved taxpayers approximately £8m of back office functions and management savings to help fund the recruitment of 400 new staff, with more than 120 already having joined the trust, and brought in 147 brand new ambulances and more than 60 rapid response vehicles.

"The organisation has turned a corner thanks to the actions Mr Marsh has put in place."

A VIOLENT booze and drug addict who spat in the face of a police officer as he was being arrested in Ongar has been locked up for four years.

Wayne Moseley, 24, from Buckinghamshire, left five vulnerable women terrified after he scoured the streets of Chelmsford on his moped looking for victims to rob.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard last Thursday that on March 22 at about 3.30pm, police were told a Ford Transit had been stolen from Ladygrove Caravan Park on the A414. The van was being driven by Moseley and it belonged to his partner.

It was tracked by a police helicopter which saw Moseley park up in Orchard Close, Ongar, and switch into the passenger seat, before officers swooped and arrested him.

Prosecutor Samantha Lowther said: "When police officers arrested him on suspicion of theft he became aggressive and began to swear and was asked to calm down but he continued, lashing out and attempting to head butt PC Bignall.

"He was restrained on the ground and his legs were put in restraints to prevent him injuring the officers.

"They became aware he had been drinking from his breath and he spat at PC Bignall's face and mouth. He immediately drew back his head and was making more spit sound when PC Bignall clenched his fist and punched him in the face.

"The defendant was arrested and in the Transit they found an axe and a meat cleaver on the passenger side."

Scrap metal dealer Moseley only had a provisional licence. When breathalysed, he had 76mgs of alcohol in 100mgs of blood, more than twice the legal limit.

A few days later on March 30, Moseley embarked on a terrifying campaign in Chelmsford city centre, seeking out five vulnerable women on his moped to rob.

One was Paige Amooty, who was sitting in a bus stop outside Marks and Spencer when she heard a moped heading towards her. Miss Lowther said: "It stopped in front of her, blocking her from getting up and the driver said 'give me your phone... don't let anyone know just give it to me, I will break your nose' raising his arm and clenching his fist."

Gavin Burrell, mitigating, said: "Moseley has serious problems with drink and drugs and emotional problems with the death of his brother. He's come to the realisation he needs to deal with it and can get help inside."

Mr Burrell said the meat cleaver and axe were used by Moseley for his metal scrap business.

He said: "They are not the usual tools for the business but they clearly weren't being waved around at the time."

Judge David Turner said: "Perhaps the only mitigation available to you is you pleaded guilty and it is my unhappy duty to sentence you. You are 25 years old, your life I accept has not been initially straight forward and free from sadness, but none of that begins to justify it."

He revealed Moseley had 13 convictions for 24 offences in nine years.

"PC Bignall had the disgusting experience of being spat on full-on in the face and mouth," Judge Turner said. "The work of the police is difficult enough without being exposed to this animalistic conduct – I hope you feel thoroughly ashamed."

Mosely admitted two counts of possessing a pointed article in a public place, two counts of drink driving, two counts of driving without a licence and two counts of driving without third party insurance.

He also pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery, three counts of attempted robbery, assaulting a constable and possession of class B drugs.

Moseley was jailed for a total of four years and also banned from the road for three years.

Judge David Turner said: "The trauma for all of these people needs no imagining at all.

"Perhaps the only mitigation available to you is you pleaded guilty and it is my unhappy duty to sentence you.

"Taking that into account I've read a lot from you in relation to the grave offences and some regret and remorse at quite how unpleasant the experiences of March 30 was for your victims here in the city.

"You are 25 years old, your life I accept has not been initially straightforward and free from sadness, but none of that begins to justify it."

He revealed Moseley had 13 convictions for 24 offences in nine years.

"PC Bignall had the disgusting experience of being spat on full-on in the face and mouth," added Judge Turner. "The work of the police is difficult enough without being exposed to this animalistic conduct – I hope you feel thoroughly ashamed.

"On March 30 you embarked on a period of an hour or so in the evening on a robbery spree here in the city.

"You were storming around on a moped with a helmet and visor and embarked on a string of street robberies, in two cases direct violence. These women were left absolutely terrified.

"Your motive was money for drugs."

He added he did not believe Moseley kept the weapons in his van for his scrap metal business.

CLASSIC cars made by one of Britain's most iconic car manufacturers roared into Chelmsford as part of an enthusiast club's 25th anniversary celebrations. 

The Jaguar Enthusiasts' Club, Essex Thameside Region, held a meet at Essex Police Sports & Social Club  on Sunday (August 3).

More than 100 club members turned up for the meet, which also involved a barbecue and a Colchester band The Curves entertaining the crowd.

Among the highly polished models where the E Types and Mark IIs, similar to the car featured in the TV Series Morse starring the late John Thaw. 

There were Jaguars from every decade going back to the 60s including XJ6s, XJSs, XK8s, S & X Types, a 420 and 420G as well as a British Racing Green SS100 replica.

The day also saw members Roger Petheram and Sue Hawthorn were presented with awards for their continuous 25 years' membership since it founded.

The club consists of more than 110 members based around central and south Essex, who meet up on the first Tuesday of the month at 8pm at Langdon Hills Golf and Country Club at Bulphan, 

It will next exhibit at the 28th Grand Motorbilia Day at Battlesbridge on Sunday, 28 August.

Visit  www.jecessexthameside.co.uk

Police have released these images of three shoppers after a 49-year-old woman had her purse stolen.

In CCTV images a woman appears to spot a purse lying on the counter in Currys PC World, left by a previous shopper, in the Chelmer Village retail park at 7.32pm on Friday, June 27.

A second woman appears to nod and is passed the purse before the group pays for an item which the man appears to walk out the shop with.

Police would like to speak to these three people in connection with the incident.

Anyone who recognises them is urged to contact police on 101.

A SHOCKED Chelmsford mum had to deliver her own baby in a moving car whilst her husband rushed them to hospital.

Amy Burton, 27, called husband, Gareth, at around 4pm on July 31 to say she was having contractions and thought she was in the early stages of labour.

Gareth, 26, immediately left his job at Essex County Hall, Chelmsford, arriving at their Boreham home about 20 minutes later, the pair made their way to Broomfield Hospital, expecting Amy to be checked out and then sent home.

But barely five minutes into the journey, Amy's waters broke and she knew baby Luca was on his way.

"I couldn't believe it," said Gareth, who works as a press officer at Essex County Council.

"When Amy first said she needed to push I was convinced we would still have time to get to the hospital and carried on driving.

"The next thing I knew she said she could feel the head and within a minute she was sat in the passenger seat with an entire baby in her arms and was saying 'we've got another boy'. It was unbelievably quick.

"It was just so fast, Amy was amazing. One minute she said she felt like she needed to push and the next thing she was holding him in her arms and telling me we'd had another little boy.

"We panicked at first but once we heard him cry and knew he was OK we both went into auto pilot really and I just knew I had to get us to the hospital as quickly and safely as possible."

Gareth had phoned ahead to the hospital before leaving and explained Amy was going into labour, but when the couple arrived clutching little Luca, they were greeted by a stunned midwife and a team of nurses.

"I wasn't scared at the time, I more scared afterwards. At the time I just did what I had to do and got on with it, any woman would have done the same thing, just try and get him out as safely and cleanly as possible," said Amy, a former PE teacher at St Margaret's Preparatory School in Gosfield.

"Gareth didn't get a chance to give me much encouragement, it was very quick, my last labour was quick too.

"He didn't really believe me at first, I said, 'the head is coming' and he said 'no it isn't' then he looked down and could see he was coming.

"As soon as we heard him crying it was a relief, given the situation, and we knew he was fine," she said.

As the couple were driving from their home in Boreham to Broomfield Hospital, Luca was actually born in White Hart Lane, which was a pleasant surprise for life-long Tottenham Hotspur fan Gareth.

"When it dawned on me where he had actually been delivered I was so shocked," said Gareth.

"The chances of him being born in a car, never mind in a road named White Hart Lane, are so slim.

"When I told my family and friends he had been born in White Hart Lane all of the Spurs fans said he was destined to play for the club.

"The more cynical ones claimed it was just part of a deliberate ploy to make sure he supports them," he added.

However Little Luca was named by his mum and not after former Spurs midfielder Luka Modric.

Both Luca and Amy are well and now at home with Gareth and the couple's other son Reece, 4.

SIX people across Essex and Suffolk have been arrested as part of the James Attfield murder investigation.

The 33-year-old was attacked earlier this year and stabbed over 100 times in Castle Park, off Guildford Road, in Colchester, at around 6am on Saturday, March 29. 

He died a short time later from his wounds.

Today six people were arrested at houses in Colchester, Ipswich and Southend, two of these had been previously arrested during the police probe and were on bail.

The rearrested people included a 27-year-old woman and a 27-year-old man from Colchester. 

Three others, a 25-year-old woman from Southend, an 18-year-old man of no fixed address, and a 57-year-old man from Colchester were arrested on suspicion of murder. 

A 23-year-old woman from Ipswich was arrested on suspicion of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

All six people are being questioned by detectives at police stations across Essex and Suffolk and a number of properties in Suffolk and Essex are also been searched by police.

Two men, aged 33 of no fixed address, remain on police bail pending further enquiries until Wednesday, September 17, after also having been arrested in connection with James Attfield's murder.

People in Chelmsford have been disturbed by a military helicopter flying low over the city.

Sightings, reported via social media this evening (August 7), indicate an Apache-style helicopter monitored the railway line, swooping over the city centre, Old Moulsham and Springfield between 10.15pm to 10.45pm.

It reportedly landed at E2V in Waterhouse Lane, before taking off again.

The sound of it was loud enough to encourage some householders to peer out of their windows and doors.

Twitter user @_Number_Six wrote: "It's like Apocolypse Now here in #Chelmsford. Bloody helicopter 50 feet above the houses."

@Essex_Chronicle it circled the railway line adjacent to Upper Bridge Rd/L Anchor St then followed the line possibly landing at E2V briefly

— Tom Clarke (@essextc) August 7, 2014

@Essex_Chronicle yes we saw it circling and hovering low over the railway line between Marconi ponds and falcons mead

— Hannah Grimoldby (@Hannah_Lou85) August 7, 2014

The most likely explanation at this early stage is of a day-to-day training exercise, although it is unusual for a helicopter to be flying at such a low altitude.

The closest air base to Chelmsford is at Wattisham Airfield in Suffolk.

Did you spot the helicopter, or take a picture. Let us know by registering and posting below, or visit our Facebook page.

AN ARMED robber who punched pub staff and pulled women's hair during a terrifying knifepoint raid to pay off drug debts has been jailed for 40 months.

Craig Winskill, 24, stormed the Sun Inn, Feering, with his accomplice, Jaymes Lang on Monday April 14 just after 11pm.

Wearing hoods over their heads and scarves over their lower faces, they punched a chef in the face, and rounded up customers into the kitchen to lie on the floor.

Three women and two male members of staff were assaulted as cash, jewellery, handbags and mobile phones were taken from the victims and put into a bin bag.

A necklace was even ripped from a female customer waiting for a taxi during the attack as Winskill and Lang brandished three knives in their continued attempt to get to the pub's safe.

However, a waitress managed to escape and fled to a nearby pub to raise the alarm.

The robbers fled the scene and Winskill was found by police tracker dogs in a nearby garden hiding in some bushes. When he was arrested, Winskill told police: "I'm just the bait, the other guy was the one who did it."

Lang evaded capture and committed another robbery at a Braintree Co-op store on April 22 at around 4pm.

The 23-year-old, formerly of Witham and Greenstead in Colchester, was sentenced to four years in jail at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 21.

Laura Kenyon, prosecuting, said: "This case was aggravated by the fact it was in a public place with use of a weapon to threaten and the use of a disguise to conceal their identities.

"There was also an element of preplanning to the robbery."

On Monday (August 4), Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Winskill's life "went to pieces" after the breakdown of a relationship with the mother of his two-year-old daughter.

As a child he had also witnessed his dad being attacked with a hammer and his mother become the victim of domestic abuse at the hands of a later partner.

The talented footballer, who was a Colchester United youth player until he was struck down with a crippling dislocated knee injury, developed a cocaine habit and decided to rob the pub after owing money to drug dealers.

"Lang was the ringleader and Winskill had considerable debt after becoming addicted to cocaine and felt the only way to deal with it was to rob the pub," said Anna Perera, defending Winskill.

"He chose a pub because he wrongly thought there wouldn't be any customers at that time.

"During the robbery he was petrified and sought to reassure the customers that everything would be all right.

"He has taken several courses in prison and doesn't want a life of crime and is determined to lead a normal life."

The court heard how Winskill, of New Park Street, Colchester, had 11 previous convictions for 14 offences dating back to the age of 14, including common assault, shoplifting, burglary, theft and criminal damage.

The father-of-one had served 24 weeks at a young offender's institute for breaching conditions of a suspended sentence for burglary and theft from 2011.

Sentencing him, Recorder Malcolm Davis-White said: "This involved a serious assault on members of the public you committed because you had a drug habit, and were unable to pay your suppliers.

"It's very fortunate serious injuries were not sustained.

"These were stupid offences, it was very dangerous and it's time for you to try and turn yourself around by not offending again."

The judge ordered the destruction of the knives used in the robbery and sentenced Winskill to three years and four months in prison as well as ordering him to pay a victim surcharge.

FORMER BBC and Hospital Radio Chelmsford DJ Mike Smith has died aged 59 following complications from major heart surgery.

The ex-King Edward VI Grammar School student died on Friday after a 40-year career in radio and TV, which all started in Essex.

His old friend Ken Oliver, the programme controller who took on Smith as a teenager into the hospital radio team, has paid tribute to the "cheeky" chap.

"I remember an enthusiastic young teenager," said Ken, 62, also a former KEGS pupil.

"He was very much the man who came to be known by the nation as a fun-loving chap with his cheeky remarks here and there.

"In retrospect I could easily say yes, it was clear he would go on to bigger things, but there were a number of talented young people I saw at those stages.

"Mike clearly had a great deal of talent, but it's not just about talent, it's about luck and making your own success, but certainly he had the drive to do that."

Despite Hornchurch-born Smith's early ambition to become a train driver, the youngster started work fresh from his A levels backstage for Newpalm Productions based at Chelmsford Civic Theatre.

He joined the hospital radio station in 1974, but four years later started work at the London commercial station Capital.

Within a year he was presenting the Sunday afternoon chart programme, its breakfast show from 1980 and by 1982 was presenting on BBC Radio 1.

He went on to co-present The Late, Late Breakfast Show with Noel Edmonds, front the BBC's Live Aid coverage in 1985 and help launch Comic Relief.

He hit the headlines in 1988 when he and fellow TV presenter Sarah Greene were both seriously injured in a helicopter accident in Gloucestershire. He proposed to Sarah a few weeks later.

Since 2003 and in the run up to his death he headed up Flying TV, which provides aerial footage for producers, as managing director.

"I am absolutely shocked at the news," said Ken, who grew up in Witham but now lives in Wiltshire.

"I caught a headline off the BBC on Saturday night and I truly had a reality check. He is a young man at 59, and I don't think anyone had an inkling that he was ill.

"I'm truly shocked, and my thoughts clearly go out to Sarah, his wife, and his family. My sincere condolences to all of them."

Station manager of the hospital radio Hal MacLean, now based on the Broomfield site, said Smith would have been invited to the radio's 50th anniversary dinner party in September.

"I remember when he took over from Mike Read on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show," said Hal.

"Mike Read was a legend and when Mike Smith took it on you thought he will never be the same as Mike Read, and you know what? He was not – he was much, much better.

"He just brightened up your morning."

Noel Edmonds, a long-term friend of both Smith and his wife, has said in a statement: "I am totally stunned and heartbroken for Sarah and his family.

"Mike introduced me to motor racing and I introduced him to radio.

"He was so much more than simply a presenter. Mike was that rare individual – the consummate broadcaster in an era when professionalism, dedication and hard work were truly valued.

"I am typing this through the tears. I wish I had told him more forcefully and frequently how much I admired his talent and valued his support."

A CAT sanctuary has opened a dedicated maternity unit to cope with a huge rise in the number of pregnant felines and new-born kittens being abandoned.

Chelmsford Cat Protection in Deadmans Lane, Galleywood, is currently providing shelter for seven mothers and their litters of kittens, and has helped and rehomed 160 this year alone.

Kieron Adams, Adoption Centre manager, told the Chronicle: "Four kittens came to us in June that had been found in a cardboard box in the Chelmsford area. They were only four to five weeks old and in a state of poor physical health.

"One of them had an injured leg as well."

The new maternity unit helps the cattery cope with a slow re-homing process, by assisting pregnant cats to give birth and looking after them until new homes can be found for them and their kittens.

In May the adoption centre housed 44 cats and kittens, but only 22 got new homes.

"We have no space left here to look after more cats at the moment," said Kieron.

"It is especially difficult knowing that there is a huge waiting list of over 200 cats and a six month waiting list for us to take in kittens.

"We simply cannot find enough homes for them."

For this reason, Kieron is urging people to make sure their pets are neutered.

"We have a budget to neuter cats from our postcode area CM1, CM2 and CM3, which helps prevent this problem," she said, "But some cats are simply left to wander outside and so it is very easy for them to become pregnant.

"It's a big problem so they're producing more unwanted kittens, and although we're here to pick up the pieces, we've only got limited space and resources."

The new cat pens have replaced ones which were over 20 years old, and include landscaping, which is not only attracting butterflies and bees, but is also enriching for the mother cats and their kittens by maintaining a spacious and tranquil home for them.

The public can visit the new maternity pens at the centre's family fun day tomorrow (August 9) between 11am and 3pm.

Visit the sanctuary's website at http://chelmsford.cats.org.uk/chelmsford for more details.

ANTON & ASH

Anton and Ash are five months old now and have been at the sanctuary since March.

Staff at Chelmsford Cat Protection believe that they are from the same litter, although it is difficult to tell because they came from a household of 20 cats, along with two other litters containing many black cats.

They are a mischievous and playful pair. No challenge is too scary for this inquisitive duo to undertake.

Kieron said: "Anton and Ash would suit even the busiest of homes. A family environment would nurture their playful natures."

SCOOTER & SNOOKI

Scooter and Snooki are 16-week-old kittens from the same multi-cat household as Anton and Ash.

The household's adult cats were left unneutered and so there were several litters of kittens from the female cats.

Kieron explains: "The owner of these cats called the adoption centre for help and so we helped neuter the cats and took in as many of the kittens as possible.

"Scooter and Snooki are far more shy and nervous about things.

"They would be more suited to a quieter household and gentle handling."

JUPITER & JUNIPER

This brother and sister came from a feral mother that could not be handled and are 15-weeks-old.

Kieron says: "They would need continued handling and support in order to integrate them into a household."

Despite this, they are far more settled now and much happier to be around people than before.

A TEEN comedy featuring a former Chelmsford schoolboy has broken UK records for takings on the opening night of a comedy film.

The Inbetweeners 2 took £2.7m on its opening night on Wednesday, debuting in 495 venues across the county.

It beat The Inbetweeners' opening night's takings of £2.58m in 2011 and becomes the third-highest Wednesday opening for any film.

Only Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King performed better.

The film sees the socially awkward school friends Will, Simon, - played by former King Edward VI Grammar School pupil Joe Thomas - Jay and Neil reunite for an adventure set in Australia.

Creators Iain Morris and Damon Beesley said they had been caught off guard by the success of the first film, and "fan power"  persuaded them to make a sequel.

But they ruled out a further film, saying the current one would be the Inbetweeners' "last hurrah".

THERE remains a 40 per cent chance ex-hurricane Bertha will hit the Essex on Sunday.

Forecasters say that nearly a month's rainfall, could fall on the county in the space of a few hours and strong winds, could cause flooding as the remains of hurricane Bertha reach the UK.

The average rainfall for the country in August is 69mm, and the Met Office is warning of "potential for widespread rainfall totals of more than 50 mm and coastal gusts of more than 60mph, along with large waves".

But with the strength and direction of the tropical storm, downgraded from a hurricane on Wednesday, remains unpredictable. 

A spokesman for the Met office said: "The system may pass harmlessly to the south of the country or spread heavy rain even further north. The public are advised to keep up to date with warnings.

"This is a particularly volatile situation, and this warning is likely to be changed as the event approaches."

A severe weather warning is still in place for Essex today (August 8) for heavy rain, thunder and possible travel disruptions as a result.

HUNDREDS of loyal Chronicle readers took the opportunity to meet our team at the weekend as part of our 250th birthday celebrations.

We rewarded visitors to our event on Chelmsford High Street on Saturday with a variety of goodies, while they gave us dozens of story ideas to chase.

The Chronicle's newspaper sales manager Zoe Fullalove said: "We were taken aback by how many people came to see us and tell us how long they had been taking our paper for.

"Our anniversary cupcakes were all gone within minutes and I think our mascot Presston was all hugged out by the end of the day.

"As in Braintree and Maldon when we held celebrations there recently, you had plenty of ideas of how you would like the paper to grow and we'll be taking them on board, so thank you."

Family tickets to the Essex Country Show in Barleylands in September and shows at Chelmsford Civic Theatre were also awarded to competition winners.

Zoe added: "I'd also like to thank Thorntons, Tesco, Debenhams, The Body Shop, Boots and the Fragrance Shop for their goodies."