This week, we bring you a report on Braintree MP James Cleverly who announced he is running to be the new leader of the Conservative party during an exclusive interview with the Braintree and Witham Times on Tuesday.

Mr Cleverly joins 10 other Tory MPs vying to succeed Theresa May, who announced her departure from number 10 last Friday.

During his interview with us, Mr Cleverly said he would bring change to his party and would be able to deliver Brexit.

He also said he would pursue a deal with the EU but was prepared to leave with no deal should Parliament fail to agree by the October deadline.

Elsewhere in this week, we bring you:

  • 600 jobs at risk as chicken firm announces plans to close Witham factory
  • Armed Witham robber who fled to Spain is jailed
  • Deal nearly struck to secure first stage of £100 business park
  • Callous thieves target 87-year-old woman in her own home
  • 575 homes plan goes in for Towerlands
  • Probe launched after council recycling bag turns up on illegal landfill 6,000 miles away
  • BBC road trip returns to Braintree Antiques Centre
  • How swimming helped turned Vicky's life around
  • Firm fined £54k after forklift truck incident