NO pharmacies in Colchester were open on Easter Sunday, it has been revealed.

Patients needing prescriptions had to drive to Clacton.

Many residents were not aware of the problem until they attended Colchester’s walk in centre.

Wendy Bailey, from Colchester, attended the walk in centre with a swollen foot.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it."

Dr Donald McGeachy, medical director at primary care trust NHS North Essex, said most people needing routine medication take a common-sense approach and plan for the holiday periods.

Mr McGeachy said the primary care trust it put out reminders via surgeries, pharmacies and media to make sure that people had the medication they needed ahead of the closures.