In today's Standard:

A fresh push for funding is made as part of renovation at historic cinema is scrapped due to costs, thousands is raised to fund festive hampers for the poorest families in North Esses, and three men in their 70s are branded the three wise men of weight loss.

Safety improvements are installed at a village accident blackspot after a fatal crash, campaigners take the next step to try and save Manningtree library, and Christmas presents are handed out on Christmas Day at the Fryatt Hospital.

Plus a look at the rise in outdoor toddler groups, our first installment of the Standard's review of the year, and what makes the Standard's most prolific postbag entrant put pen to paper.

Plus all the latest news, sport and entertainment.