Projects in Buckinghamshire, Essex, Suffolk and Northamptonshire will receive funding.

The annual outdoor event will take place on 22 December in Priory Park.

The development will raise about £20m to help Southend United redevelop their stadium.

It is thought as many as 19,000 pensioners in Essex might be eligible for the payments.

The Shrimpers say Tony Bentley's contributions to the club will "forever be cherished".

A suggestion to install fake trees in Southend-on-Sea has been dubbed "utter nonsense".

Charity Shelter calls for more social housing to help tackle rising homelessness in the east region.

Money made from the song is going to be sent to two children's charities.