This hoverfly was photographed during one of our rare sunny moments at Highwoods Tescos.
I believe it to be Xanthogramma pedissequum, but would welcome comments. If it is this hoverfly it does not appear to be too common on the Essex species account.
Incidentally it appeared with a Large Skipper and a Comma. Butterflies seem to have taken a real hammering this year, very few being noted in the North East.