Marks and Spencer has warned customers they could be forced to wait for gifts, after it suffered problems with its delivery service.

The delays have reportedly been caused by a backlog of orders on Black Friday, which became the busiest shopping day of the year.

M&S has also been forced to suspend its next day delivery service.

A Marks & Spencer spokesman said: "Our customer is always our top priority and that is why we've extended some of our delivery options.

"The vast majority of orders are delivered on time. If we do miss a delivery date, we will do all we can to rectify it for the customer."

It comes as predictions estimate up to £750million will be spent online today in what has already been dubbed Manic Monday.

This is 40 per cent up on this time last year.

Arsenal will face stiff competition from Manchester United to nab Dutch defender Ron Vlaar away from struggling Aston Villa in January.

Vlaar has been out of Villa's last four league matches after suffering an injury on international duty but his performances for his country during this summer's World Cup brought admirers to Villa Park.

No deal materialised in the summer but it is understood that Arsenal and Manchester United are both still interested in making a move for the defender.

Vlaar has come out and openly admitted he can't commit his future to Aston Villa and is unsure what will happen if a club comes in with an offer.

An offer of £8 million is reportedly what Aston Villa would want in return for their dutch international.

CHELMSFORD City have signed Harlow Town centre-half Michael Toner.

The 29-year-old has made 27 appearances for the Ryman North leaders since joining them from Heybridge Swifts in August.

Toner will add extra cover to City's back line with Mark Haines set to be out for up to six weeks, after sustaining a fractured eye socket in Sayurday's 4-0 win over Hemel Hempstead Town in the Conference South.

Tottenham have reportedly joined the long list of admirers of Celtic defender Virgil Van Dijk and are prepared to make a bid in January.

Spurs will be looking to offload a handful of players in January including Jan Vertonghen and will be looking to recuperate some of the money made from that sale with a move for the Dutch-man.

In Spur's favour is their new head of recruitment Paul Mitchell who they nabbed from Southampton last month.

He was responsible for Southampton's capture of Victor Wanyama and Fraser Forster from Celtic and his connection with the Scottish club will surely hand the advantage over to the North London club.

Bids were made by various clubs in the summer for Van Dijk, including Southampton, but no deal materialised and the defender admits his head was scrambled by the on-going talks but it is believed that when the upcoming transfer window opens, he'll be ready to negotiate a move.

One of the victims of a fatal two-car collision in Gosfield Road yesterday was a teenager from Braintree.

James Simmons, 18, of Hillside Gardens, was the back seat passenger of a Volkswagen Polo. He was pronounced dead at the scene. 

The driver of a Ford Fiesta involved in the collision also died at the scene. He has been identified as David Bradley, 30, of Beckers Green Road.

Two other people in the Polo, a man in his 20s from Gosfield, and a 16-year-old girl from Braintree remain a critical condition in hospital.

A woman in her 20s from Suffolk, who was the front seat passenger from the Fiesta, was taken by land ambulance to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford with serious injuries.

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to contact them, as well as anyone who saw the pre-incident driving of the cars, to contact officers at the Serious Collision Investigation Unit on 101 or email collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.

New research from Crucial.com has revealed that Brits would prefer to spend their free time sleeping rather than going on a romantic date with their partner. According to the study, a third of Brits would choose to take a nap if they had a few extra hours leisure time whereas only 13% would choose to spend this time socialising with their other half. UK partners may be feeling suitably put out, as 1 in 5 people would rather spend their free time hitting the gym and 18% would prioritise catching up on work over a date night with a loved one.

These findings are a result of research from Crucial.com, revealing that people in the UK are wasting over 39 hours each year waiting for frustratingly slow technology to complete everyday tasks, with some individuals wasting as many as 121 hours (or five full days) a year. For the whole of the UK, this equates to a staggering 2.1 billion hours of wasted time each year.

For those who reported that they had wasted time on slow computers, over a quarter said they would rather spend this time cooking a family meal, and 24% said they would prefer to spend more time with their children. 42% would simply like to catch up on TV or a movie. Thinking about the 39 hours of wasted time each year, this could equate to: 78 bedtime stories for children, 39 family meals, 26 gym sessions, 16 movies or 10 date nights.

Roddy McLean, a computer upgrade expert from Crucial.com, said: "Families and couples today have such busy schedules and often find it difficult to make time for each other, without everyday annoyances such as slow-running technology adding to this problem." He continued: "A simple computer memory upgrade is quick and easy to complete and will speed up a slow laptop or PC – with the overall hours saved, people can spend more time with family or keep their partner happy by treating them to a few extra date nights."

It appears that Brits may benefit from some quality time with their partners as the research showed that 14% of couples have even argued over the use that one or both of them makes of technology and, surprisingly, more than 1 in 10 (11%) people claimed to spend more time at home with technology than with their significant other. Half (50%) of people admitted that they spend more time using technology at home than a year ago and almost a quarter (23%) of those surveyed believe that they are spending too much time using technology such as laptops, PCs and tablet devices.

Top things people would like to do with the time wasted on slow computers:

Watch TV/a movie

42%

Take a nap

33%

Cook a family meal

26%

Spend more time with children

24%

Go to the gym

20%

Catch up on work

18%

Read my child a bedtime story

15%

Go for dinner/drinks with friends

15%

Go on a date with their partner

13%

TEN men Witham Town suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat at Grays Athletic in the Ryman Premier on Saturday.

Witham were up against it from the start and it did not help matters much when after 39 minutes defender Conor Mead was sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

Grays had an early chance when Dumebi Gb-Dumaka was put though but shot wide with just the keeper to beat. Both Luke Callendar and Lewis Godbold shot over for Witham, this being the visitors' best effort.

Mead then received his marching orders after a couple of tussles with Joao Carlos albeit 50-50 challenges yet Witham held on to keep the game scoreless at half-time, in fact Tom Wraight shot just over from two free-kicks just outside the area.

The big and physically powerful home side had a good spell directly after the break with Gb-Dumaka heading in two corners in the 52nd and 62nd minutes and Fredrick Ladapo heading in a free-kick in the 54th minute.

Witham were disheartened and for a while lost their way, making all their substitutions and although they did their best to get back in the game they could not prevent Grays from going further ahead when Ladapo dribbled through and shot under Martyn Guest with four minutes to go. 

A mystery National Lottery winner from Colchester has just days to collect an unclaimed ticket if they want to collect a prize worth £389,998.

The search is still on to find the owner of the winning ticket, who matched all six numbers in the Lotto draw on June 21 this year,

The winning Lotto numbers on that date were 3, 7, 13, 17, 27, 40 and the bonus ball was 19. The lucky ticket-holder has until18 December, 2014 to make their claim1.

A National Lottery spokesman said:"Time really is running out for the winner of this prize, but we are still hopeful that someone will come forward at the very last minute to claim the money.

"We're urging everyone to check their old tickets one final time or look anywhere a missing Lotto ticket could be hiding. This life-changing prize could really help to make dreams become a reality for someone out there."

If no-one comes forward with the winning ticket before the prize claim deadline, then the prize money, plus all the interest it has generated, will go to help National Lottery-funded projects across the UK. 

In Colchester alone 820 individual National Lottery grants have been awarded to help projects across the arts, sports, heritage, health, education, environment, charity and voluntary sectors.

Anyone who believes they have the winning ticket for any of the National Lottery draws within the 180-day deadline should call the National Lottery Line on 0845 910 0000.

Anyone concerned about lost or unchecked tickets may like to consider either setting up a National Lottery Subscription or playing online at www.national-lottery.co.uk. 

I have to address our most recent decision taken last week to close the walk-in service at the North Chelmsford Healthcare Centre in Springfield.

This decision is part of a much bigger and more fundamental change in the way we will deliver health care in the area over the next five years.

We are working with GP practices to look at improving services, expanding the support and advice you receive from your local pharmacies and raising awareness of the NHS 111.

Part of the first phase of our plans is moving the Out of Hours GP service to Broomfield Hospital – this will give patients quicker access to a wider range of services if they need it.

We are also working with Broomfield Hospital to make sure that, if you need urgent care, you can see the right people in the right place, first time. We're asking you to help us by making one simple change when you need NHS help or advice – call 111.

It's FREE to call from landlines and mobile phones and is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

NHS 111 was set up more than a year ago to give advice and support to people when they need it quickly – trained advisers can direct you to the nearest NHS service that's right for you – whether it's your local pharmacy for self-care, a GP service or, if it's an urgent need, they can dispatch an ambulance for A&E.

Myself and my colleagues would also like to use this column to share health advice and tips too.

At this time of year, I see many people in surgery who have a winter cold or sore throat who ask for antibiotics.

So what's the best advice I can give you if the seasonal sniffles strike?

Stay at home, get plenty of rest and fluids and make sure you have a well-stocked medicine cabinet to help ease those aches and pains.

Visit www.midessexccg. nhs.uk/your-nhs to find your nearest pharmacy.

The potential for gusts of up to 60mph have been forecast to batter Essex later this week.

Met Office forecasters have issued a yellow weather warning for the entire east of England region for Thursday night (December 11) into Friday (December 12).

The heavy winds will then last for much of the day before slowly subsiding from the west by the end of the day. 

Turning milder next week with strong winds on Wed/Thurs. Next weekend could bring first sleet/snow of winter 2014/15 to Essex.

— Essex Weather Centre (@EssexWeather) December 7, 2014

It will coincide with heavy rain and snow over higher ground in Scotland and in the north of England.

The Met Office chief forecaster said the gales were likely to be severe, with gusts reaching up 70mph around the county's coastal areas.

"This is a very dynamic situation, and details of this development will likely change," he said.

"As such, this alert will be updated in the coming days as confidence grows in track and timing of this low pressure system."

THREE former carers accused of assaulting and neglecting elderly residents at a Braintree home have denied the six charges of ill-treatment.

Anita Ray, Adeshola Adediwura and Lorna Clark all appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court today to deny six counts between them of the ill-treatment of dementia sufferer Joan Maddison, who they were caring for at the time.

Ray, 46, of Challis Way, Braintree, denied the ill-treatment of the 82-tear-old between November 23 and February 8 and assault by beating on November 24 last year.

Adediwura, 32, of Clockhouse Way, Braintree, pleaded not guilty to ill-treating a person in her care between November 29 and February 3 as well as assaulting Mrs Maddison on February 3.

And Clark, of Hammond Place, Braintree denied harassment of a person in her care between October 25, 2013, and February 8.

The 44-year-old also pleaded not guilty to causing Joan Maddison to fear physical violence and handling her with excessive physical force.

Undercover filming by a BBC Panorama reporter led to the sacking of seven carers, including the three defendants, in May.

All three appeared in the dock together and were released on unconditional bail until June 15 when the will have to return to Chelmsford Crown Court for a 10-day trial, when expert witnesses will be called to give evidence on care processes.

A man whose body was discovered floating near the mouth of the River Crouch near Burnham has been identified as Stephane Loic Cogez from France.

The 38-year old, who was from Nord-Pas-de-Calais, was discovered by passing yachtsmen on November 27.

He was wearing a wetsuit when he was discovered.

An inquest opening into the death is due to take place at Essex Coroners' Court in Chelmsford tomorrow (December 9).

Two people have been remanded in custody in connection with the alleged theft of Royal British Legion poppy collection tins from stories in Essex.

Anthony Archer, 53, of Ongar Road, Writtle, appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court today (December 8) charged with 17 counts of theft.

He was followed by a tearful Roma Taylor, 51, of Cedar Avenue, Tiptree, who was charged with 16 counts of theft.

Neither entered a plea. 

Prosecutor Ian Allen said: "These are particularly mean offences and clearly they're offences of dishonesty."

Defending the pair, James O'Toole asked if Taylor could be given conditional bail, but the request was denied by magistrates.

The duo will reappear Chelmsford Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on January 6, 2015.

Stargazers will be in their element this week - with Saturday (December 13) set to bring the peak of the annual shooting star display known as the Geminids meteor shower.

Clear skies are currently forecast in Essex for those who wish to brave the cold (and wind) to witness the display.

The best times to see it will be after 10pm, and particularly during the hours of 2am to 4am.

But what do we know about the Geminids meteor shower?

1. It is known as the Geminids meteor shower because the elements which make it up are said to come from the Gemini constellation

2. Unlike other meteor showers - which come from comets - Geminds originate from an asteriod, the 3200 Phaethon

3. It is ranked as having the most meteors of any annual display, with up to 150 per hour

4. The types of dust and rock which make it up are also known as the most colourful 

5. The constellation Gemini rises just after sunset on December 13 and it sets just before sunrise on Sunday (December 14) so the meteor shower SHOULD be visible overnight

6. Geminids were first seen in the 1800s, after other showers such as the Perseids and Leonids, which were first sighted in AD

7. When a meteor appears, it seems to "shoot" quickly across the sky, hence the name 'shooting stars'

The A120 has been closed in both directions between Colchester and Coggeshall following a serious injury multiple road traffic collision.

Police and other emergency services are currently at the scene close to Little Tey.

It comes on the same morning motorists on the M25 have been warned to expect serious disruption all morning as a result of a multi-vehicle collision.

Motorists are advised to avoid the A120 if at all possible.

More to follow

Edinson Cavani has reportedly asked Paris Saint-Germain to lower his transfer value of £50 million to force through a move to Arsenal.

Cavani is said to be frustrated by the lack of opportunities he's had to play down the middle of the PSG attack with coach Laurent Blanc favouring Zlatan Ibrahimovic in that position.

Instead he has been played out wide and it is believed that he favours a move to Arsenal to be the focal point in attack and has previously admitted his admiration of Chilean Alexis Sanchez.

PSG will unlikely lower the asking price dramatically and it would be a huge shock for a move to materialise in January but, with the promise of a central role, the Uruguayan could try to force through a move.

Tottenham could receive a major boost ahead of their Europa League clash away to Besiktas this Thursday with Kyle Walker set to return to the squad.

The right-back has been out of first team action since March after having to undergo abdominal surgery to cure a constant hip problem.

He completed a 90 minute run-out with the under-21s on Saturday and the club now believe he is ready for a return to the first-team.

The match on Thursday would be somewhat risky for Walker to return as they have already qualified but will need at least a draw if they have hopes of winning the group.