Witham high street has been neglected and left scarred by empty premises claimed a local politician.

In a parliamentary debate on small and medium sized businesses in Witham MP Priti Patel called on the Government to take action on tax, regulation and access to credit to help save them.

She also asked for Essex to be considered as a prime candidate to become an enterprise zone which would stimulate the area through tax breaks, reduced planning restrictions and the introduction of superfast broadband.