A wartime hero who rescued people from a burning factory has died aged 94.

Great-grandfather Bertie Upson, who was born and bred in the town, spent much of his working life as a fitter and turner at Hoffmann’s ball bearing factory in Chelmsford, which was struck by a huge German V2 rocket in December 1944.

It annihilated parts of the factory and nearby Henry Road.

Mr Upson and his colleagues spent hours during the night rescuing people from the burning rubble of the factory and several homes.

One of 11 children, he lived in Pitt Green from 1954 until a couple of years ago, when he moved to Park View care home in King Street.

See this week's Witham Times for the full story.