A WING at Chelmsford Prison is to reopen as bosses look to resolve an overcrowded cells.

The Ministry of Justice has confirmed part of the building on Springfield Road which had been closed off will be used again to help create more space for prisoners and people being held in custody.

It comes after the Echo reported last month how people being remanded in custody from Southend Magistrates' Court were having to be sent to Bedford to be held due to no room being available in Chelmsford.

A MOJ spokeswoman said: "A wing at Chelmsford prison is to be reopened as a proportionate and sensible response to ensure that we continue to have enough prison places for those sentenced by the courts."

No date has been set for when the wing will officially reopen.