The most read stories of 2018 on the Gazette's website have been revealed.

And the story which certainly caused most debate was also one of the most clicked on.

In March the Gazette revealed high profile educators Nardeep Sharma and Catherine Hutley had both been suspended.

The original story was viewed more than 43,000 times by Gazette readers.

Mr Sharma was the chief executive officer of the Thrive Partnership Academy Trust, which is a partnership between Philip Morant School and College in Colchester and the Colne Community School and College in Brightlingsea.

Ms Hutley was the principal of Philip Morant School and College and the executive head of the Colne School and College.

Mr Sharma left his role in October.

His resignation came weeks after that of former colleague Ms Hutley.

Braintree and Witham Times:

The trust, which has since been disbanded, has never revealed why the duo were suspended.

Mrs Hutley is now understood to have a new education job at Essex County Council.

However, neither Mr Sharma or Mrs Hutley have been able to speak about what happened since they were suspended.

It understood both received payouts with the caveat to not disclose what happened.

Mr Sharma and Mrs Hutley were credited with running highly successful schools before the suspensions and were rewarded with pay packets in excess of £100,000.

This is a full list of the most read stories online for the Gazette...

1. School bosses suspended pending 'investigation' - 43,369 views

2. Yellow warning for snow issued for Essex - 41,777 views

3. Police cordon off St Mary's car park, in Colchester - 41,104 views

4. Inside Colchester's new £3m restaurant and bar... which opens today - 38,616 views

5. Porsche crashes through wall onto Colchester subway - 37,553 views

6. Pensioner taken to hospital after 'falling from bridge' - 34,808 views

7. Up to 20 vehicles in crash on A120 - 34,700 views

8. DIY giant announces shock store closure... but what will be in its place? - 32,746 views

9. A12 is set to close for four months of roadworks - 31,275 views

10. Teenagers arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after stabbing - 30,693 views