内容摘要：As the weather warms, photographers have also been out and about capturing the colourful scenes as early spring flowers bloom.

As the weather warms, photographers have also been out and about capturing the colourful scenes as early spring flowers bloom.

Runners in Stroud were celebrating on Saturday as the weekly parkrun marked its 200th event.Adults, children and even dogs took part took part in Stratford Park's 5km (about three-mile) with some travelling from as far away as Birmingham and Swansea.

And walkers played a big part too, with more joining in the event than ever before.Race director Marcia Thompson said: "We've had lots of new people. It's amazing.", Ms Thompson said the event was not about speed, but about getting outdoors and being part of a community.

"Fresh air, in a beautiful park, with lots of friendly people, what's not to like?" she said.Emma and Andrew Crowley regularly take part in the weekly run with their labrador, Barley.

"She loves everybody, she loves the puddles, and she always gets a lot of fans," said Mrs Crowley.

Stroud broke its record for the number of walkers taking part at Saturday's event, after more were encouraged to take part.Councils in Essex are due to be dismantled and replaced and the public are expected to

The recommendations by the Essex Caring Communities Commission include:The report said Essex was home to some of the most deprived areas in England, and levels of deprivation had doubled in the last 15 years.

, which concluded that six out of 10 of the "highest need communities" in England, were in Essex.Laindon Park in Basildon, Canvey Island East and Canvey Island North were the three "highest need" neighbourhoods.