Essex FM gets Heartbroken

Essex FM, owned by the massive UK radio group Global Radio is set to be re-branded.

Global Radio has plans to re-brand 29 of their UK commercial radio stations either to "Heart" or to "Galaxy", and Essex FM will reportedly be rebranded to be "Heart". Also set to go, is Kent radio station "Invicta FM".

The loss of the Essex FM identity could take up to 18 months to take effect. Possibly not good news for Essex listeners who've grown up with Essex Radio / Essex FM brand since 1981. More on Essex Radio's history.

Not happy to see the loss of Essex FM? Comments welcomed below...

No Southend Christmas Lights in 2008

Bad news for visitors to Southend as the famous seafront illuminations are set to remain off in 2008.

The Southend-on-Sea Christmas lights weren't on in 2007. The reason? The Southend Seafront Illuminations and Business Association chose not to light the lights in 2007 due to the "spiralling costs and increasing maintenance" needed to keep the bulbs burning.

Originally set to return in 2009, a news story on the Echo News website earlier this year highlighted that the seafront illuminations may now be un-illuminated until 2010.