Colchester's Jewish community has won its battle for a dedicated Jewish section in the local municipal cemetery.

Welcoming the decision, community chair Jennifer Levy Halford said: "We wanted to have a Jewish cemetery here so that when our time comes, we can be surrounded by close friends from shul.

"It is the most beautiful cemetery with a calming atmosphere. There is a Muslim, Catholic and Anglican area already there."

Members of the 100-strong community are currently buried in the Waltham Abbey or Bushey cemeteries, more than 70 miles away.

Colchester cemetery and crematorium manager Penny Stynes said: "We are actively pursuing an extension of the cemetery and are also considering the options available within the existing land that will enable us to meet their needs.

"Colchester Borough Council has been working for some years to procure the extension land and negotiations with the owner of the land are ongoing."