AN UP and coming female comedian is putting her unique Essex girl-inspired comedy in the national limelight after being given the chance to perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Comedy writer and actress Abbie Murphy set off for Scotland, where she will premiere her one-woman show Girl On Fire, which features loveable Essex girl and 'it girl' Stephanie Vange.

"My inspiration came from the Alicia Keys song Girl on Fire," the dancer turned comedienne told the Chronicle.

"I decided to make a YouTube video of an Essex girl struggling in her high heels. It branched from there, taking the character from a silent physical comedy, and bringing her to life."

Abbie, who also runs iHeart Productions, which supplies Bollywood dancers for films and music videos, has been testing her character on the London comedy circuit.

It's billed as a "totes amazeballs" show charting the highs and lows of an endearingly clueless Essex girl looking to find her place in the world and make it rich.

It clambers through her bid for success, stardom, love and life in general, but aims to demonstrate today's obsession with social status, celebrity lifestyle, mobile phones and social networking sites.

"I love and loathe the Essex stereotype, I think people from Essex have huge hearts and a great sense of humour, but perhaps I'm biased," she said.

"I also think we are good at laughing at ourselves, and I've enjoyed observing different characters and portraying those traits through my character Stephanie. She's not quite as exaggerated as the personalities of shows like Towie, she's a lot more real, a normal girl not sure who to look up to, or where to aim in life.

"I applied for the Fringe Festival in January with nothing written. I made it my new year's resolution to start doing stand up and sketch comedy.

"I didn't find out I got the slot until March. It was pretty daunting as I had a 55-minute slot at fringe, and I was still only doing five minute gigs at open mic nights.

"I made my first draft in May and tested it on London comedy circuits as stand up, but now I'm previewing it as a one woman show," added Abbie, who featured as a dancer in the Bafta-nominated BBC3 show Bollywood Carmen and recently worked with Little Britain star Matt Lucas for his new comedy series Pompidou.

"I decided to take a course at Fringe on stand-up comedy with the Laughing Horse Company.

"I had to do a five minute stand up at the Fringe Festival last summer as part of that course. Although it was only 40 people watching it felt like thousands. I thought if I can get through this without dying then I could do it again."

And it seems to have worked after Absolutely Fabulous star Jennifer Saunders urged her followers on twitter to go and see her, saying: "If you're at Ed fest check out Abbie Murphy, Very new but very good."

Abbie, who has a part time job at Independent London Estate Agency, told the Chronicle: "I used to be a professional dancer before I started comedy so I've dealt with nerves before, but nothing like the anxiety of stand up!

"To keep myself calm, I just make sure I put in the hours of practise

"It is an incredible amount of work to pull off a show at fringe, physically, mentally and financially, but it is truly magical – they shut down everything for the arts festival for a whole month, there's no city like it," added Abbie.

"Edinburgh Fringe gives artists a platform to try things out, it is how great things start. The Fringe festival is unlike anything else for that reason, freedom to create something that may not fit anywhere else, anything goes.

"I've got nothing to lose, except cash, self respect and self esteem, but who needs that anyway?"

If you are heading to the festival this summer, Abbie is performing at The Counting House, Attic Room at 1.10pm until August 24.

A Met Office weather warning remains in place for this afternoon, while the remnants of Tropical Storm Bertha threaten to wreak havoc on the county on Sunday. 

So all in all, not a great weekend in prospect so far weather-wise. So why not cheer yourself up with these pictures of Essex in sunnier times.

From public parks to magnificent landmarks - the county certainly looks glorious - when the sun is shining anyway.

WITHAM Town assistant manager Brad King believes that the squad that took them into the Ryman Premier will hold their own in that league.

Town have kept hold of many of the side that won promotion from the Ryman North through the 2013/14 playoffs.

And King believes that with the new additions to bolster the squad, they can remain in the league for some time to come.

He said: "We have all got faith in the boys that we have got. Of course, we have added one or two to get a little bit more strength in depth, which is important. But we believe in the boys that took us into the Ryman Premier and we are all hoping that we can establish ourselves in that league.

"We have signed Leon Antoine, Josh Burnett and Josh Mayhew, with Tom Wraight agreeing to stay, which is a real boost for us. So it is good that we have kept the nucleus of the side that we are sure can perform at this level."

Witham have had a decent pre-season so far, with wins over Burnham Ramblers, Hertford and Southend Manor.

And with the new season kicking off this Saturday at home to Lewes, King believes their good results can breed a winning mentality.

He added: "People say it is not results in pre-season, but I am a bit of a believer that winnings becomes a good habit.

"But the performances are what we are concerned about and from the beginning of pre-season there has been big progress and the boys have been implementing what we have wanted them to do. They have played some great stuff and we should be ready for Saturday."

CHELMSFORD City skipper Mark Hughes believes that a club of its size should be aiming for the Conference South play-offs this season.

The Clarets endured a difficult time of it during the 2013-14 season, finishing 17th thanks to a rejuvenation under Mark Hawkes after he took over in November.

But now Hughes believes the disappointment of last year can help drive on the team for bigger and better things.

He said: "Everybody is aware how disappointed the fans and the players were last year. But we got our team right towards the end of the year and finished on a high.

"Before I came here Chelmsford were in the play-offs four out of five years and that is what is expected. That will be no different and the club this size should be in the play-offs.

"We just want to get set in August, have a good start and then you can set your targets. Everyone is really optimistic and it should be a good season."

The Clarets get underway this Saturday when they welcome Gosport Borough to Melbourne Stadium.

And with a couple of goals to his name in pre-season, Hughes is raring to go with the new term.

The 30-year-old said: "With the shape I'm in I am getting into the box a lot more and that could really help this year. We'll see how long it lasts and hope that I haven't used all my goals up.

"Last year was poor really, I only managed one but my target is to get more for the team this year. I just want to play every game and make sure I stay fit. I know that if I can do that then I am pretty confident that I'll have a good season. I want to chip in with more goals if I get the chance, captaining the side and leading by example.

"We got a lot out of pre-season, a lot of minutes and we haven't picked up many injuries. I can't wait for Saturday and it has come round quick.

"You get a bit sick of pre-season games because there isn't that competitive edge, which is what my game is all about and so I can't wait to get stuck in.

"Without saying too much about last year, we didn't get enough minutes during pre-season, which is probably why we started off slow. But there is no excuse this year."

THE scaffolding surrounding a house Tuner Prize winner artist Grayson Perry is designing in Essex came down this week.

Described as a  "secular chapel", the holiday home in Wrabness will be revealed in full as part of a Channel 4 show, Grayson's Great Design, next year.

The programme will follow the project's trials and tribulations over a year as Perry attempts to bring the project in on time and on budget.

The artist, who won the Turner Prize in 2003 and is a former pupil of King Edward VI Grammar School,  designed the house with the inspiration of the "single mums in Dagenham, hairdressers in Colchester, and the landscape and history of Essex".

The gaudy-looking property, funded by Living Architecture, is causing consternation.

It features a tiled facade, with statues and images set into the tiles, and a roof with a brass finish.

The design is said to be a far more sober than his original design, created while "doodling wildly and quite drunkenly in front of the TV".

A SECURITY guard has appeared in court charged with dealing and possessing heroin and cocaine in Chelmsford.

Michael Ekwue, 29, went before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, August 6 accused of possessing more than 200 wraps of heroin and cocaine with intent to supply, and possession of criminal property on Waterhouse Lane.

Ekwue, of Claribel Road, London, was remanded into custody and is due to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, October 13.

A MAN has appeared in court charged with robbing a taxi driver in Chelmsford.

In July Billy Leftwich, of Ongar Road, Writtle, was charged over the incident that happened on April 19 in Writtle Road, Chelmsford.

The 29-year-old appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Tuesday (August 8).

Leftwich did not enter a plea and his case was sent to be heard at Chelmsford Crown Court on October 27.

The hordes of festival-goers are set to descend on Chelmsford for the V Festival at Hylands Park on August 16 and 17.

Plans and warnings are being put in place for the inevitable disruption, and it seems some are already dreading it, or at least dreading the complaints

The light-hearted photoshopped picture above appears to outline in one sentence, what this person thought.

Details on the roads to be directly affected will be released early next week, from August 11, with all the latest on the Essex Chronicle in our V Festival section.

Are you looking forward to it or can't you wait for it to be over? Vote in our poll, comment below, or visit our Facebook page.

The identity of a helicopter spotted flying only feet away from houses in Chelmsford yesterday (August 7) night has been confirmed as from the RAF.

The RAF Merlin aircraft from 28th Squadron was given permission to swoop at a low altitude over the city and could be heard after 10pm. It was on a regular training exercise and stopped off on the e2v football pitch as part of a pre-arranged "drop and land" activity.

It sparked the curiosity of dozens of people who took to Twitter and the Essex Chronicle Facebook page to report the disturbance caused by the sighting.

Experts immediately identified it as an military helicopter:

@phil_space@Essex_Chronicle I second that, definitely a Merlin, was very low over the flats on the village

— Matthew Cuff Smith (@cuff9) August 8, 2014

@essex_chronicle Yes, a Merlin from RAF Benson I believe, id guess at night time flying training

— Martin Francis (@phil_space) August 7, 2014

@Essex_Chronicle I can confirm military, the RAF logo could be seen on the undercarriage

— Tom Clarke (@essextc) August 7, 2014

An RAF spokesman said they were using nearby helicopter landing sites, which include Boreham, and e2v, for training. The aircraft was back at RAF Benson by midnight.

"It's something that they do on a regular basis," she said. "They never know when they are going to be needed and they will practice in various areas around the country.

"They have to be prepared for landing at any time."

An e2v spokesman confirmed prior authorisation for landing had been granted.

A man may have suffered "life-changing" injuries to his face and hands after a chemical incident in Witham today (August 8).

Emergency services have arrived at an address in Bramble Road which has been cordoned off as fire crews are working with ambulance and police teams to make the area safe.

The man was subsequently taken to Broomfield Hospital.

A police spokesman said: "Police were notified by the ambulance service at 10.45am today that a man had suffered injuries at an address in Bramble road, Witham.

"Officers attended to find that the man had suffered injuries to his hands and face consistent with the use of a harmful liquid. 

"The man's injuries are not believed to be life-threatening but are potentially life-changing.

"Police are conducting an investigation at the scene to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.

"An area in the road has been cordoned off while police carry out forensic examinations and to ensure safety to members of the public.

An Essex and Herts Air Ambulance landed in a field near Spring Lodge.

Six fire engines including two from Chelmsford and Colchester plus one from Maldon and Witham are trying to contain the incident.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call Essex police at Braintree CID on 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

TODAY (August 8) is World Cat Day and across the globe pet owners are celebrating their feline friends. 

Not to be outdone Chronicle readers have responded in their droves to our appeal for pictures of their cute cats with more than 100 of you posting images on our Facebook page. 

Black cats, tabby cats, kittens and even a 21-year-old cat still going strong - they're all included in images posted by our proud pet owners. 

And difficult as it is we've compiled a list of the top 25 cutest cats based on your 'Likes' on our Facebook page. To take a look click here or click below.

A man is in hospital after he was reportedly attacked with chemicals in Witham - causing possible "life-changing" injuries.

A section of Bramble Road was cordoned off from around 11am today (August 8) during the 'chemical incident'.

Police, six fire crews, ambulances, paramedic cars, a hazardous area response team and the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance descended on the quiet residential street.

The victim was then flown to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, before fire crews left the area at about 12.40pm. Police were there well into Friday afternoon, to make the scene safe.

Inspector Dean Stratford told the Chronicle: "A man has been assaulted and chemicals were involved. We're making sure the area is safe for the public and the cordon will be in place until that time.

"At the moment we are trying to ascertain the circumstances around what happened and the investigation is ongoing."

Nearby resident Mark Andrews, 39, who lives in Bramble Road, opposite the block of flats police cordoned off, said: "I was just walking down the road and it all kicked off a bit.

"Loads of ambulances and fire engines came down the road. Then the air ambulance came and took someone to hospital.

"It's normally quiet down here, it's never normally like this."

Anthony Jefferson, 32, who lives in flats behind where the incident happened added: "Lots of people were rushing around the back of the flats and there was activity everywhere."

Police confirmed the incident happened partly inside and outside the block of flats and that as of yet no one has been arrested.

Rain or shine, there's so much to do in Essex this weekend. You can choose from outdoor shows and getting close to nature, to live music and theatre:

OFF ROAD TOUR SUMMER SAFARI Highwoods Country Park, Visitor Centre, Turner Road, Colchester CO4 5JR.Click here for more details

11.30am – 12.30pm or 2.30pm – 3.30pm on Sunday, August 10. £8 per person (£5 for those registered disabled). High Woods Country Park is one of Colchester's beauty spots. Take in the views around the Park in this gentle off-road vehicle tour that features thousands of different birds and mammals with Ranger commentary along the way.

LIVE MUSIC BEST OF MUSIC FEST Valentines Mansion & Gardens Emerson Road, Ilford, IG1 4XA. 11am-3pm on Sunday, August 10, all ages Free. No need to book.

Click here for more details Enjoy a delightful selection of acoustic music performances in a beautiful setting, showcasing different musicians & music styles. Picnics are welcome.

NATURE BAT WALK Castle Park, High Street, Colchester CO1 1TJ 8.10pm on Saturday, August 9. Adults £4, children free. Click here for more details

Spend an exciting evening listening and looking for the many species of bats that live in and amongst the beautiful, mysterious surroundings of Castle Park in Colchester. The meeting point for the bat walks is at the Cafe in the Park.

GARDENS OPEN GARDEN Ingatestone Hall, Ingatestone CM4 9NR. Sunday, August 10, 12-5 pm. Adults: £4, children under 16 go free. Click here for more details

Ingatestone Hall is grade I-listed, 16th-century manor house and opens this weekend for public viewing. Wander in its 10 acres of peaceful gardens, which contain a nut walk, stew pond, walled garden and rare clock tower. The admission is for the gardens only and proceeds go to the Red Cross.

DOG EVENT GREYHOUND WALKS ANNUAL AND FUN DOG SHOW Great Notley Country Park, Great Notley CM77 7FS. Sunday August 10, gates open 10am. Free entry to showground, car park £2.50. Dog show entry £2 per dog per class. Click here for more details

The Greyhound Walks Annual Show is one of the most popular and much anticipated events of its kind in the UK. There will be two judging rings for Greyhound/Lurcher classes, plus a Fun Dog Show open to any breed. There will be family games and fun, charity and trade stallholders, as well as refreshments.

NATURE SUMMER BUTTERFLIES WALK Belfairs Woodland Centre, Eastwood road North, Leigh-On-Sea, SS9 4LR. Saturday, August 9. 11am - 2pm. £5 per person.

Click here for more details

Belfairs Woodland Centre are hosting a walk through their beautiful reserve to spot and identify summer butterflies. Woodland Ranger Ashley hosts the walk through the Belfairs reserve and will lecture about the conservation work being undertaken to promote butterflies in this area. Meet at the Belfairs Woodland Centre.

COUNTRY SHOW IT'S SHOWTIME Purleigh Halt, Barons Lane, Purleigh, CM9 6PF Sunday, August 10, 10am-5pm. Adults £6. Under 16s go free. Click here for more details This annual show in aid of Little Haven has grown year by year and raised more than £55,000 in total. The show contains over 130 stalls selling a variety of products, plus heavy horse show, Suffolk Punches, motorcycles, tractor displays, steam engines, demonstrations, and lots more. Refreshments and live music will be available throughout the day.

KIDS' THEATRE TREASURE ISLAND Hedingham Castle, Castle Hedingham, CO9 3DJ. Sunday, August 10, 6pm. Adults £14, children & concs £10, families £40.

Click here for more details The acclaimed Contemporary Theatre present Treasure Island with buccaneers and buried gold! Stevenson's classic tale of Pirates, Parrots and Pieces of Eight brought magically to life in the open air. With picnics welcome, the event seems like the perfect evening to enjoy some theatre in a relaxing setting.

CARNIVAL CLACTON CARNIVAL PROCESSION Clacton Town Centre, Clacton. Saturday, August 9, 6pm. Free event.

Click here for more details Watch the fun carnival procession as it makes its way through the town centre. This year the theme is fairytales so see how many of your favourite characters you can spot. Don't forget to try your hand at the local sandcastle competition.

FUN ON THE FARM SIX WEEKS OF SUMMER - TREASURE HUNTERS Barleylands Farm Park, Barleylands Farm, Barleylands Road, Billericay CM11 2UD. Thursday, August 7 and Friday, August 8. Admission: Adults £10, children £9, children under 2 go free.

Click here for more details

As part of the third week of summer fun, join the staff as they go on an expedition around the farm, searching for treasure. Can you solve the puzzles and find the treasure chest that is bursting with sweet and treats? Don't miss all the usual farmyard fun including animal activities, sheep racing, new crazy farmers' croquet and the mini train.

The roads and areas facing disruption this year because of the arrival of the V Festival in Hylands Park in Chelmsford.

Widford Park Estate and Writtle Estate will be closed to traffic, as will Viaduct Road beside the railway station.

The measures have been put in place to ease congestion. See all the action Essex County Council will be taking below:

Widford Park Estate

From 7am Friday August 15 - 6am Monday August 18

Whitebeam Close, Widford Road, Widford Grove, Links Drive, Widford Chase, Widford Park Place, Widford Close, Wood Street (part of)

Writtle Estate

From 7am Friday August 15 - 6am Monday August 18

Lucerne Way, Buglers Rise, Hunts Close, Paradise Road, Pound Fields, Hunts Drive, Rectory Road, Shakeston Close, The Priory, Romans Way,

From 7am Saturday August 16 - 6am Monday August 18

Margaretting Road from its junction with Lodge Road to the roundabout with Greenbury Way.

Prohibition of right turn: A414 Greenbury Way

From 4pm Thursday August 14 - 6am Tuesday August 19

Gaps in Three Mile Hill

Between 7am on August 14 and 3pm on August 18. The Essex County Council (A414 London Road (Three Mile Hill), Margaretting and Chelmsford) (Prohibition of Driving) Order 2011 shall be temporarily suspended. The two gaps that this Order closes will be open between 9pm on August 17 and 2am on August 18, 9pm on August 18 and 2pm on August 19.

Viaduct Road, Chelmsford

7pm Saturday August 16 - 6am Sunday August 17, then, 7pm Sunday August 17 - 6am Monday August 18

Margaretting Road (South of Greenbury Way Roundabout), Writtle Road, Wantz Road

9pm Saturday August 16 - 6am Sunday August 17, 9pm Sunday August 17 - 6am Monday August 18

This closure will only affect vehicles wishing to travel North from the Furze Hill Slip Road

A414 London Road/Three Mile Hill

9pm Saturday August 16 - 5am Sunday August 17, then 9pm Sunday August 17 - 4pm Monday August 18

From its junction with Webbs Farm Roundabout travelling in a northerly direction towards Chelmsford

A414 Greenbury Way Roundabout with Margaretting Road

9am to 4pm Monday August 18 

No ahead movement and no right turn from Margaretting Road (north of the roundabout) also no right turn from the A414 Greenbury Way East Bound into Margaretting Road (south of the roundabout)

B1002 A12 Slip Road Roundabout

9am Friday 15th August - 8pm Friday 15th August

9pm Saturday 16th August - 5am Sunday 17th August

9pm Sunday 17th August - 5am Monday 18th August

8:30am Monday 18th August - 4pm Monday 18th August

On the Western Side of the roundabout preventing traffic travelling in a northerly direction

A414 Greenbury Way Roundabout with A414 London Road

Between 9am and 8pm on August 15, between 9am and 4pm on August 16, between 9am and 4pm on August 17 and between 9am and 4pm on August 18

No ahead movement and no right turn from A414 Greenbury Way (west of the roundabout) also no right turn from the A414 London Road North Bound into Widford Road (east of the roundabout)

A414 Greenbury Way Roundabout with A414 London Road

No ahead movement and no right turn from A414 London Road (south of the roundabout) also no right turn from Widford Road (east of the roundabout).

Between 10pm on August 16 and 2am on August 17 and between 10pm on August 17 and 2am on August 18

Speed Limit: A414 Greenbury Way, A414 London Road/Three Mile Hill and Margaretting Road (South of the Roundabout)

30 mph

6pm August 14 until 8pm Monday August 18

Coval Lane

Suspension of Parking bays and introduction of no waiting accept buses Thursday August 14 at 6pm and continue in effect until 3pm Monday August 18.

Waiting prohibited

A414 London Road, A414 Greenbury Way, B1002, Main Road, Private Road, Widford Road, Margaretting Road, South Romans Place, Romans Way, The Priory, Penrose Mead, Loves Walk, Long Brandocks, Millfields, The Coverts

From 7am on August 15 until 7am on August 18

Waiting and loading prohibited

Lodge Road

From 7am on August 15 until 7am on August 18

There may be eight days to go but forecasters are now turning their attention to next weekend and the V Festival in Chelmsford.

Although changes are likely, it is currently predicted both Saturday and Sunday will be a cloudy affair.

But campers may still want to pack their wellies, as rain is expected on Friday.

Showers are also likely on Wednesday of next week too.

Forecasters suggest temperatures will peak at a pleasant 20C on both V days, with overnight lows of 13C.

Whether or not you're a fan, the V Festival has certainly had its highlights since it was founded in 1996.

Hylands Park in Chelmsford has played host to some massive names and has also played a significant role in some of their careers.

See below for some highlights and lowlights for the stars since 1996:

A man seriously injured in a liquid chemical attack in Witham was not the intended target, police said today.

The 56-year-old victim had gone down to collect his post from the communal entrance to a block of flats in Bramble Road shortly before 10.45am today (August 8) when he encountered the two men banging on the door.

Following a brief exchange the two men threw the unknown liquid  over the man, which was in a glass bottle, and ran off.

He has suffered injuries to his hands and face before being taken by ambulance to Broomfield Hospital for treatment.

The vicitm's injuries are not believed to be life threatening but are potentially life changing serious chemical burns.

Detective Inspector Leighton Hammett, of Braintree CID, said: "The information that we have currently gathered suggests that the victim was not the intended target of this attack. Unfortunately he appears to have been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

"The two suspects are described as a white man and a black man and if anyone saw them, either in the area prior to this attack or afterwards, we would urgently like to speak to them."

Police are conducting investigations at the scene but a cordon initially put in place in the road has now been released.

Officers want to hear from anyone with information about the incident and are asking for those with information about the attack to call Essex Police at Braintree CID on 101 or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

AN OFFICE worker with 38KK breasts fighting for NHS-funded reduction surgery says she could take her fight to the European Court of Human Rights.

Kim Mills, of north Springfield, claims the decision to deny her funding for the second time last week denies her the chance of a better life.

The desperate single mother, who suffers from arthritis of the spine, says her chest is so heavy she struggles to bathe her four-year-old daughter or even sit down.

"I'm so deflated I feel there is no justice in this world right now," said the 32-year-old of Trenchard Crescent.

"These are my human rights and they're taking them away. My life is very restrictive all due to two boobs which I can't get rid of.

"If I could do it myself I would but it's completely out of my hands.

"I don't know where else to go, or where else this can be taken – where else can I take the NHS when I think they're doing wrong?

"I feel I'm a little woman right now chasing a massive institution."

'Not just a pair of boobs'

Miss Mills was first turned down funding in June despite arguing the weight of her chest exacerbated her arthritis.

As part of her appeal she had five minutes to argue her case in front of about 10 clinicians on the Mid Essex Clinical Commissioning Group Exceptional Cases Panel three weeks ago.

Miss Mills received a three-page rejection letter from the panel on Thursday explaining an approval would "set a precedent".

The panel also advised she reduce her BMI to 28 to ensure her breasts decrease in size, despite already losing five stone this year to no avail.

"I'm feeling a whole barrel of emotions. This is my life, not just a pair of boobs," she said.

The NHS website however specifies an individual is entitled to surgery if large breasts are causing poor posture, backache or psychological distress.

Online campaign

The Mid Essex CCG however overspent its £400 million budget by £9.1 million last year and is now embarking on a two-year financial recovery plan.

"I just think they're tight. The be all and end all is there is not the money," she said.

"I am 100 per cent sure that they were always going to say no from the beginning and were never going to change their mind."

While Miss Mills is considering taking the case to Strasbourg, she will also appeal within the 42-day limit and obtain a second-opinion from an orthopedic surgeon, paid for out of her private medical insurance.

Meanwhile her friend Lorelle Toomey has launched an online campaign for donations to fund the surgery privately, costing an estimated £7,000 as quoted by MYA Cosmetic Surgery in New Street, Chelmsford.

Yet Miss Mills says the state should fund the operation, arguing: "As hard as I work I can't commit financially to an operation right now.

"It's going to change my life and it's the little things that come with that, the ability to have a normal life with my children, to wear normal clothes, to exercise normally, to be able to wear a sports bra.

"It's a life-changing operation, it's not just in order to spunk the money away just for the sake of it."

For Ms Toomey's fundraising page visit: http://www.gofundme.com/ahud3g

To see a list of where public Mid Essex CCG consultations are happening over the following months, click here.

WHEN pregnant Lindsay Masvaleix sat down to watch a movie with her husband, she never dreamed that an hour later they would be holding their new-born son.

But not far into the Hollywood movie Lincoln, about famous US president Abraham Lincoln, the 37-year-old mother-of-one went into labour and was forced to call 999 after their calls to the maternity unit went unanswered.

This week she met the paramedics to say thank you for delivering baby Théo safely.

"Me and my husband were watching Lincoln and I began to feel pains in my tummy," said Lindsay of Helson Road, Chelmsford.

"The midwife had visited earlier that day and had warned me that because I was several days overdue I might feel period-type pains, so I thought it was that at first. Then I realised that it was far more than that and I was in labour. As I shifted positions my waters broke.

"I screamed at my husband 'I think I'm having a baby, stop watching the film'."

After husband Fabien's calls to the maternity unit were unsuccessful, the worried couple turned to Lindsay's brother, Lee Cutter, a paramedic of nine years' experience, who raced to the scene to find his sister leaning over the bed screaming.

"I got a panicked call from my brother-in-law telling me Lindsay's waters had broken and so I grabbed my car keys and rushed straight over. Luckily I only live around the corner," he said.

"When I got there I told her to take her leggings off because I could tell the baby was well on the way.

"I told Fabien to call 999 and ask for an ambulance because I did not have any of the equipment which we carry in the ambulances to deliver a baby."

The ambulance carrying paramedics Karen Frost and Ian Jones, who were close to finishing their shift on that bank holiday Monday night on May 26, arrived swiftly.

"I had never delivered a baby before in my service with the ambulance," said Ian, "Although I have two children of my own, delivering one is something very different."

But 20 minutes later baby Théo was born.

"The paramedics did an absolutely brilliant job," said Lindsay. "Childbirth is loaded with things that can go wrong quite quickly but luckily everything went so smoothly and Karen was excellent at keeping everything calm."

Lindsay's four-year-old daughter Emmeline slept through the entire ordeal.

"She usually wakes up and stampedes into my room like a little dinosaur," added Lindsay.

"When she came into my room the morning after I gave birth and saw Théo for the first time in my arms she gasped and a huge smile spread across her face."

"I was utterly shell-shocked afterwards but I am relieved it was all over so quickly," she added. "My husband still wants to find out how the film ended."