One of the first babies born on Christmas Day in Scotland interrupted her parents’ Christmas Eve movie night after arriving early. Anne-Marie Hunt and Gordon Wilson, of Livingston, were just settling ...

Almost 800 runners, many wearing Father Christmas and elf costumes, crossed the finish line at the landmark Belfast venue.

Brave outdoor swimmers wore Father Christmas hats as they kicked off their celebrations with a festive dip. Sea surface temperatures across the country were between 8C and 11C, the Met Office said.

Sir Keir Starmer has condemned Russia’s strikes on Ukraine’s energy grid “with no respite even at Christmas”. Russia launched a massive missile barrage on Christmas Day, with the aim of crippling ...

Elsewhere in the world, Hanukkah started on Christmas Day for the first time since 2005 and celebrations were muted in Germany.

A palliative care charity has announced the return of its Christmas tree collection service. Havens Hospices, which offers hospice care in Southend and Benfleet, have confirmed they will collect ...

This sensitive pup has been in kennels for some time and is desperate to find her forever family. She is looking for an adult-only home with few visitors, and can be anxious around men. Due to a fear ...

The Christmas romantic comedy Love Actually was released back in 2003, but have you clocked its Essex connection?

A CHARITY has been granted almost £1million to purchase a landmark store in Westcliff ... but still needs to raise £240,000 more ...

Panto season’s not behind us yet so it’s the perfect time to remember how there really is nothing like a dame. Dressed in flamboyant costumes and with double entendres galore rolling off the tongue ...

Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin is giving the Christmas Day sermon from Canterbury Cathedral (Andrew Matthews/PA) Bishop of Dover Rose Hudson-Wilkin is giving the sermon at Canterbury Cathedral in ...

Migrants have been crossing the English Channel in small boats on Christmas Day. Several boats were seen making the dangerous journey from France on Wednesday morning, with more expected to follow ...