Up to 50 new jobs are to be created at a new day nursery and play centre. Councillors have approved plans to convert the former Royal Mail sorting office in Clarendon Way, Colchester, providing the developers provide adequate car parking. The day nursery
Chelmsford City face five tough games within the next fortnight that could decide the fate of their promotion prospects and they start tomorrow with a match at Tonbridge Angels with only 14 recognised first team players available. Along with Grant Strong
Xandra, the Hustler 32 owned jointly by Derek Willshire and Jim Haylock, romped away with the Crouch Yacht Club's Red Insurance Nutcracker Trophy last Sunday. She scored her third successive victory to maintain her 100 per cent record in the series, a
The Grove girls team from Chelmsford won the unrated division of the new Essex County LTA Junior League when the final play-offs were staged at the Southend Indoor Centre last weekend. Grove took the title courtesy of a 4-2 win over Westcliff Lawn by
Matchroom boxers Richard Evatt and Darren Bruce are young men in a hurry. Yet again, both boxers secured convincing victories at Cheshunt's Grundy Park Leisure Centre last Friday evening. First up was featherweight Richard Evatt. The IBO Inter Continental
Traffic chaos could soon be eased - despite Basildon losing out on a £10 million Government cash bid. More than £500,000 could be ploughed into improving the district's road network if county councillors give the go-ahead to a jam-busting scheme early
Watch out for The Curse of Frankenstein -- not the famous old Hammer horror film, but the shadow of doom which hangs over this year's Shoebury panto about the man who made a monster. Frankenstein the Panto features a mad doctor by the name of Professor
At the Runnymede 'Jingle Bells' Open Gala, Brentwood Swimming Club demonstrated their quality with outstanding performances from all their swimmers, and rostrum positions in nearly all the age groups. In the 10 year age group, Lauren Cogdale was in winning
In what proved to be a more difficult match than they might have been expected, Chelmsford were fortunate to come away with a point. Chelmsford took the lead on five minutes when a quick pass from Paul Bass let in Rob Earley to score. West Norfolk equalised
Saturday saw a sub-standard performance from a Jekyll and Hyde Chieftains team who appeared intent on frustrating their patient fans. It was a game they were expected to win following the home victory over the same opponents a week before with a vastly
After their success in the southern final of Megabowl's National Fax League, Chelmsford Sliders (Debbie Edmonds, John Edmonds and Mike Rogacs) were at the national finals in Manchester on Sunday and gained a well earned fifth place. The team ended the
Football came home for young Mark Watson when he met two Southend United players at a special party in the Kursaal. Mark was a guest at the Fantastic Festive Feast, run by charity the Dream Team for sick or terminally ill children, their brothers and
Young and old were captivated when they attended the Salvation Army's annual Carols in the Barn. The event, now in its 11th year, brings together a host of performances, ranging from line dancing and gospel choirs to brass bands and nativity plays. Captain
Excited children from a Shoebury infants' school were delighted to be rewarded for helping brighten up a dingy underpass in Shoebury with a colourful mural. Youngsters from Friars Infants School in Constable Way met up with Southend mayor Nora Goodman
A worried woman rang police to claim a prowler was stalking her neighbour. Officers heard the mystery man had been seen hanging round the house in Horkesley Way, Wickford. She claimed she had seen him several times in the last two weeks. He is 6ft tall
The Dartford River Crossing could be paralysed if staff go on strike over a pay dispute, it was feared today. Toll-booth operators and other workers who operate the twin tunnels and the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge are to be balloted over industrial action
After their success in the southern final of Megabowl's National Fax League, Chelmsford Sliders (Debbie Edmonds, John Edmonds and Mike Rogacs) were at the national finals in Manchester last Sunday and gained a well earned fifth place. The team ended the
Donkeys Twinkle and Christabel helped a group of senior citizens get into a festive mood. The pair joined pensioners at the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society's Christmas tea for its oldest members. The highlight of the afternoon was a tour around
Detectives hunting a man who tried to strangle a young girl are pleading with the public to shop him before he strikes again. The attack, which happened three months ago, has left the 13-year-old with terrible mental scars. She is now too afraid to go
Buses linked by satellite could soon be on the roads of south Essex. Traffic lights will give priority to the buses in a bid to ease traffic congestion on roads in Southend, Castle Point and Rochford. Electronic bus shelters, already used in large cities
Education minister Charles Clarke took time off from Government business to open a Stanford-le-Hope school's new library. Mr Clarke cut a ribbon to officially open the library which is part of a £1.5 million investment at Hassenbrook School. The Margaret
Matchroom boxers Richard Evatt and Darren Bruce are young men in a hurry. Yet again, both boxers secured convincing victories at Cheshunt's Grundy Park Leisure Centre last Friday evening. First up was featherweight Richard Evatt. The IBO Inter Continental
Following their National Trophy victory at Cardiff the previous Saturday, Chelmsford Swifts went into their National League Division Two fixture on Saturday in confident mood. Their opponents, Tyneside, had not made a particularly good start to the season
Police in the Southend division have mounted a series of raids on homes in the area. An Essex Police spokesman said several houses were searched on Saturday, and various items were seized and are awaiting examination. A total of six people were arrested
Police are hunting for a motorist who tried to drag a young girl into his car. The 14-year-old was walking along Stambridge Road in Rochford on Thursday evening when a car pulled alongside her. Its driver wound down the window and told her to get into
A major investigation was under way today following a serious chemical spill at a sewage plant in Southend. Six Anglian Water employees were rushed to hospital after two substances mixed to form a potentially lethal chlorine gas. People living next to
A 34-year-old man was due to appear in court today in connection with a series of sex attacks on women in Southend, London and Brighton. Part-time disc jockey Richard Baker has been charged with 19 offences in connection with attacks on 10 women from
Police have appealed for help in tracking down a convicted murderer who has absconded from an Essex hospital. An Essex Police spokesman said officers were called to Runwell Hospital in Wickford near Basildon after Philip Wilkinson, 53, disappeared on
Dick Whittington and his Kool Kool Kat is a brash, beaty rock 'n' roll panto for the nineties being premiered at the Queen's this Christmas. Dick's cat Tommy talks with her master via her saxophone and is very jealous of his romance with spunky Alice
Cinderella Cliffs Pavilion, Southend Stars: Bobby Davro, Bella Emberg, Bob Carolgees Date: Dec 18-Jan 16 Box Office: 01702 351135 Snow White . . .The True Story Theatre Upstairs, New Empire Theatre, Southend Strictly for adults only. Live music by The
Plans for a giant rollercoaster at the end of Southend Pier are back on track. The £16m Swine ride looks set to take off after borough councillors backed plans aimed at easing the car parking crisis. Swine developer Tony Garner had to find a suitable
Old people's homes across the county have been saved from privatisation - by one vote. At a tense extraordinary meeting at County Hall, councillors voted 39 to 38 to overturn the sale of the 33 homes. That blocks a decision made by social services committee
He may be called Timmy, but this 23-year-old cat has earned the nickname Lucky. The aged cat was unconscious when he was rescued by firefighters from his burning home. But with the aid of some carefully administered oxygen, the cat was revived and is
A Witham school is celebrating an early Christmas present with news that they have achieved a turn-around in educational performance in just 18 months. Howbridge C of E Junior School has been taken out of "special measures" by HM Inspectors of Schools
Xandra, the Hustler 32 owned jointly by Derek Willshire and Jim Haylock, romped away with the Crouch Yacht Club's Red Insurance Nutcracker Trophy on Sunday. She scored her third successive victory to maintain her 100 per cent record in the series, a feat
Plans are being finalised for the take-over of the Colchester-based Crowe Insurance Group. But none of the 220 Colchester jobs will be affected. The deal is in the final stages for Stockton Reinsurance to take over firm, which has its headquarters in
Southend United's Scott Houghton destroyed Hartlepool at Victoria Road on Saturday, but the modest left-winger playeddown his own performance. Houghton pulled the Seasiders out of the mire with an equaliser and then set up two more goals for Rob Newman
The Grove girls team from Chelmsford won the unrated division of the new Essex County LTA Junior League when the final play-offs were staged at the Southend Indoor Centre at the weekend. Grove took the title courtesy of a 4-2 win over Westcliff Lawn by
Southend United's loan star striker Kevin Rapley is losing his battle to be fit for tomorrow's crunch Third Division match at Hartlepool United. The 21-year-old, who is on loan from Brentford, has been confined to the treatment room this week with Blues
The term "football fixture" has two definitions, and Howard Southwood is one of them. The presence of the sports writer's familiar lean and lofty frame in the Roots Hall press box is a Saturday afternoon institution. It remains as solid as one of the
Chelmsford Pro-Am Kickboxing Club and its associated Chelmsford Junior and Chelmsford Young Adults Kickboxing Clubs recently returned from a successful weekend. Members won many of the trophies on offer at the 1998 WUMA National Kickboxing and Martial
Six Anglian Water workers were taken to hospital after mixed chemicals produced noxious fumes at a Southend depot. An Essex Police spokesman said the incident happened at the company's works in Stock Road, Southend-on-Sea, on Saturday. At around 8.30am
The battle for the first division title in the Chelmsford & District Table Tennis League shows every sign of being the closest for many years with four teams still in contention at the halfway stage. Danbury 'A' have taken over pole position with
Springfield Striders just held off the hosts, Grange Farm Trotters, in the first Mid-Essex Cross Country League fixture of the season to take an early lead in the table. In a close fought race, the lead changed hands frequently, and three Striders, Richard
Chelmsford Athletic Club's Keith Cullen rounded off his cross country year with what Brendan Foster described as one of his best runs. Cullen was the first Briton home in the European cross country championships at the undulating parkland course at Ferrara
Chelmsford Pro-Am Kickboxing Club and its associated Chelmsford Junior and Chelmsford Young Adults Kickboxing Clubs recently returned from a successful weekend. Members won many of the trophies on offer at the 1998 WUMA National Kickboxing and Martial
The tragic triplets whose mother died just days after their birth have been allowed home from hospital in time for Christmas. Jane England, 30, from Benfleet, died a week after giving birth to the two boys and a girl. Her grieving husband, Martin, now
Youngsters from across Basildon, Billericay and Wickford are to get into the Christmas mood at two special discos being held this week. A special bus service is to be run from Billericay and Wickford to the events at the Ikon and Time nightclubs in Basildon
The term "football fixture" has two definitions, and Howard Southwood is one of them. The presence of the sports writer's familiar lean and lofty frame in the Roots Hall press box is a Saturday afternoon institution. It remains as solid as one of the
A controversial scheme to build a South Ockendon supermarket may still be on track, with terms almost agreed with a company hoping to set up the store. The plan had faltered when a proposal from the Co-op fell through at the last minute, but councillors
Clacton winger Barry Roberts may have played his last game for the club. Roberts refused to take his spot on the bench for Tuesday's Jewson Division One Knockout Cup tie at home to Tiptree. Clacton's assistant boss Terry Quinn, who took charge for the
David Adekola came back from injury to get the goal which took Billericay Town up to second place in the Ryman Premier Division. After missing five matches with Achilles trouble, Adekola netted his 12th goal of the season. The strike was enough to condemn
A paranoid schizophrenic threatened to arm himself and hold Southend Council officials hostage, it was revealed today. Labour's Reg Copley spoke of the terrifying ordeal as planners considered proposals for a new community care home in Southend. He said
Police are appealing for a group of youths to come forward after a girl was indecently assaulted in Laindon near Basildon. An Essex Police spokesman said officers were called to the Laindon Centre at 12pm on Sunday to investigate reports of an indecent
Another of Ipswich Town's exciting crop of youngsters is about to get a taste of the big time. Titus Bramble, at 17, is set to make his debut for Ipswich Town in their vital Nationwide Division One clash at Sheffield United, on Sunday. And 16-year-old
Golden girl Lara Carty has rounded off her year of astonishing success by shattering her personal best on her international debut - to help England win the home countries pentathlon championships in Scotland. The Basildon 14-year-old, who showed grit
Thieves have stolen a shield which could be unique from a village church near Clacton. The icon was was wrenched off its mounting in the porch of Little Bentley Church in Church Road, Little Bentley, between December 13 and 18. The black metal crest with
