Britain's only woman football agent has begun a court battle against the Professional Footballers' Association for sex discrimination after she was barred from its annual awards dinner. Rachel Anderson, 41, of Westcliff, is claiming exemplary damages
Have-a-go hero Andrew Maude didn't think twice before dashing in to grab a man fleeing from a crashed stolen car. Daytrippers enjoying the sunshine in Southend had a lucky escape as the BMW convertible sports car sped past them and dodged police cars
Ground-breaking technology is being used in a bid to unravel the mystery surrounding a charred and mutilated body found in a Harwich bunker. It is the first major investigation in Essex - and possibly in the country - to go on the new Holmes 2 (Home Office
A pioneering children's university has proved such a success in its first year it is to be extended next year. More than 500 Basildon youngsters are being taught about the environment at the town's first children's university. Now the organisers are busy
Attempted child abductor Paul Dean was kicked out of another charity before setting up the Dream Team. Bosses of the Medical Care Foundation said police prevented them from checking his background when he joined in 1996. Dean, of Woodgrange Drive, Southend
Following the advice of a recent book, Braintree Tennis Club's Ladies team headed out of town to Earls Colne and the Essex Country Club for their last match of the season against Essex Ladies B. Captain Sue Spinks, partnered by Jenny Gillingwater, and
Team spirit coupled with some outstanding swims ensured Basildon and District Swimming Club returned with the winner's trophy after visiting Braintree to participate in their annual gala. It was the strength of the younger age groups that helped to build
A violent flare-up during the game and in the dressing room between Shoebury-based defender Lee Shearer and Dover team-mate Dave Clarke overshadowed Canvey's most impressive pre-season show yet. Dover were yesterday thought to be contemplating whether
One of Clacton's largest companies is to axe more than 50 jobs by the start of next year, it was revealed today. Bard - one of the leading multinational developers, manufacturers and marketers of health care products - is to sell off its cardiopulmonary
Newly-crowned World Professional Matchplay darts champion Rod Harrington has walked out of his victory celebrations into a major row over rankings. As he targets the Professional Darts Council's world championship crown in December - the only major title
LAKENHEATH.................................210 all out BRAINTREE..............................................211-3 (Braintree won by seven wickets) (Jaygate Homes Championship Division Two) Braintree collected a further maximum 20 points haul on Sunday
Benfleet Bowls Club members rallied round to make sure their green was fit to play on after vandals struck. The yobs dragged concrete furniture across the green denting and cutting the turf on Saturday night. They also smashed empty vodka bottles over
Benfleet's "adopted" high jumper Tyrone Peacock has set his sights on the Millennium Olympics - after a new personal best earned him silvers in the national championships of both Britain and his native South Africa. The 22-year-old, a sports massage therapist
Colchester Harriers' senior men's team has criticised Colchester Council and the Army after they were relegated from division three of the Southern Track League. The Harriers, after five successive promotions, had their relegation confirmed at a boiling
Emergency services have been stretched to the limit as scorching weather led to a soaring rise in demand. Essex Ambulance Service saw a 13 per cent rise in call outs as it dealt with 500 incidents on Tuesday. Many people collapsed in the heat or had difficulty
Fourteen thousand bottles of champagne worth almost £200,000 have been stolen from a Colchester warehouse. Police are looking for anyone who has been sold the Moet et Chandon at knock-down prices. A team of burglars made off with the expensive bubbly
The wife of attempted child abductor Paul Dean has dramatically resigned as a trustee of children's charity the Dream Team. Her resignation comes as a result of our revelations about her husband's murky past. Maree Dean worked alongside Paul Dean and
The gay partner of Colchester man John Light, killed in the Soho pub bombing, has welcomed Government plans to review compensation payouts to crime victims. Gary Partridge said today the plans were "brilliant news for the gay community." Under a review
Colchester United boss Mick Wadsworth is ready to make a last-minute dash into the transfer market following injuries to key strikers Lomana Tresor Lua Lua and Jamie Moralee. The exciting Lua Lua and Moralee are both rated extremely doubtful by Wadsworth
Essex star Peter Such spoke of his delight after receiving a shock recall to the England squad for the third Test against New Zealand. The 35-year-old off-spinner has been overlooked by the selectors since his last appearance against Australia in Sydney
RAYLEIGH FAIRVIEW 240-2 RANKINS 239-4 (RAYLEIGH WON) Spencer Collins' truly outstanding show of stylish power enabled Rayleigh to further ease their Mid-Essex League Division Four relegation fears in the most convincing way possible. Woods displayed fine
A series of spectacular somersault routines helped Southend Swimming Club diver Karen Smith clinch a top ten placing at her European Championships finals debut in Turkey. Karen, who recently finished second in the UK national finals, jetted out to Istanbul
Essex meet Kent at Canterbury today in a County Championship fixture with a severely-depleted bowling attack. Mark Ilott is continuing his recuperation from a cartilage operation whilst the county's leading wicket taker, Peter Such, has been called into
EastEnders star Tamzin Outhwaite will bring a touch of glamour to Southend when she turns on the town's seafront illuminations. The blonde actress - better known as Ian Beale's girlfriend Melanie Healy in the BBC soap - will be lighting up the seafront
Matt Davies is in confident mood going into the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 in Holland this weekend. The Billericay driver is currently sixth in the UK Formula 3 championship, but will be taking on the best in Europe at the annual race at Zandvoort.
Southend United fans were put firmly in their place by the Blues' first team - but still had the night of their lives. They also had the memory of netting a goal that Shrimpers goalkeeper Mel Capleton rated as one of the best he had ever seen. Blues supporters
Ipswich Town are ready for the new season - whether or not boss George Burley succeeds with a last-minute signing. That was the message from Portman Road today as the squad prepares for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest. The Blues boss has tabled
Silver End crashed to an all-time low on Sunday as they were bowled out for just 18 runs against Chappel and Wakes Colne. Chasing a huge total of 323 for 3 - in which openers Jay Hope (108) and Bill Maytham (100) put on 201 for the first wicket - End
It was like a snowstorm in summer. There was a white-out in a road in Feering when a lorry shed its load of thousands of tiny polystyrene balls. Children passing by found it funny and climbed on to the unusual mounds before the clean-up operation started
Stanway School's multi-million pound bid to move sites has been dealt a major blow. The 700-plus pupil secondary school's appeal for financial backing from the Department of Education and Employment has been rejected. The department has turned down the
It was like a snowstorm in summer. There was a white-out in a road in Feering when a lorry shed its load of thousands of tiny polystyrene balls. Children passing by found it funny and climbed on to the unusual mounds before the clean-up operation started
Former Southend United chairman Vic Jobson has been cleared by a court on a charge of dangerous driving. Mr Jobson, 62, of Benfleet Road, Benfleet, had been accused of driving his P-registered Jaguar dangerously in Fairfax Drive, Southend, on October
An 18-year-old woman has just accepted a prestigious award for her skills in the travel business. Wickford-based Debbie Williams received her Trainee of the Year Award at Intatravel. Debbie is completing her training at the Wickford branch of the travel
Childhood sweethearts Frank and Doris Richardson celebrated their diamond wedding with a fish and chip supper. The couple, of Rayleigh Road, Rayleigh, met while they were at school in London's Kings Road. Frank, 78, said: "I can't remember a time when
Teenager Tony Ready didn't have to ferret around to find the fun at a Laindon summer fair. The youngster from Billericay was only one of up to 200 fun-seekers who made their way to the first event staged by the King Edwards Joint Estate Management Committee
Police were today questioning three people after a massive punch-up between mourners at a wake. More than 20 police officers waded in to break up the fight after ten police cars, two dog units and a foot patrol were sent to the fracas at the Crown Hotel
A mobile phone saved four youngsters from drowning off Southend. The group, aged from ten to 13, were waist high in water when they were hauled to safety by the lifeboat crew. The group, from Southchurch, had walked out from the beach to the Mulberry
Concern about accidents and the increased volume of traffic on one of Maldon's main roads has led to a package of safety improvements. Essex County Council is now drawing up a list which could be implemented by the autumn. It follows Dengie Hundred Group
Rampant Hammers underlined their domination with three successive heat maximums against a visiting Exeter side for whom only Michael Coles threatened. Leigh Lanham stormed to victory in the first race, with John Wainwright pouncing on Exeter guest Wayne
Ipswich Town target Andreas Jakobsson yesterday turned down the chance of a £1m move to Portman Road. The Helsingborgs defender - part of Sweden's Euro 2000 qualifying squad - had been in negotiations with boss George Burley but decided against the move
With only tomorrow's friendly against Histon Town and another at home to Maldon Town on Saturday before they have to get down to serious Ryman League Division One business next week, time is fast running out for Braintree as they attempt to find a winning
Armada Sports are on the lookout for footballers to strengthen their Premier and First Division teams in the Basildon Sunday League and the Premier Division of the Southend and District League, which plays on Saturdays. Sports also have a new under-15
Braintree's Simon Williams entered the Funakoshi Cup which was held at the Whitechapel Sports Centre in London, and after competing against some high standard Karate Ka, Simon took first place in the senior Black Belt Kata section. Then, as a member of
A 21-year-old record was shattered twice when Essex Roads Cycling Club member John Yates promoted a 50-mile tandem race. Essex pair Ewan Hendon and Les Palmer beat the previous best by clocking 1hr 37m 59s - but that was still well behind Yorkshire's
AZTECS 180 ESSEX CARRIERS 177-8 (AZTECS WON) Essex Carriers suffered a last-gasp defeat in this tight Reefers 90 League encounter with Hainault-based Aztecs. The Hadleigh side got back into the game thanks to a 104-run stand from Steve Rogers (69) and
Sunday saw Braintree Athletic Club host the third Eastern Young League Division Two match. A fixture clash saw a number of athletes travelling to another venue, nevertheless those at Braintree enjoyed a hot afternoon's athletics. For the Under 13 Boys
South Woodham Ferrers residents are to benefit from a hi-tech £3.2 million scheme to bring a council closer to those it serves. The innovative project will make full use of modern technology to keep locals in touch with Chelmsford Council. Among the new
Legislation governing charities has been branded inadequate by Essex County Council chiefs, following the conviction of Dream Team co-founder, Paul Dean, for attempted abduction. Mike Leadbetter, the county council's director of social services, called
This is a tale of two women. They hail from different backgrounds and have followed quite different careers. Both, however, have been single parents. All their lives they shared an identical dream. This month, for both Padma Amliwala and Toni Stacey,
The look of love says it all. Yesterday fire victims Mike Hambling and Caro Moore were married - less than a week after watching their home, the historic Bell Hotel, burn down before their eyes. The couple lost everything in the blaze. Everything, that
A charity which provides computer support for the disabled is looking for someone to help with administrative work. The Computers for the Disabled charity has celebrated its first year with the launch of a web site on the internet. Chairman Paul Harris
Police today revealed a fire which ripped through a portable building, caused £17,000 of damage. The blaze broke out just before 2.20am yesterday morning in a portable building at the Village Country Club, Southend Road, Corringham. Two pumps from Corringham
Rogue trader Nick Leeson is set to rock Southend with a guest appearance at a charity punk rock weekend. The former futures dealer who broke Barings Bank will appear at Club Riga over the weekend of August 17-19 playing with punk jokers the B*****k Brothers
Plans have been unveiled for a major office development in Radford Way, Billericay - which will be built in classic Georgian style. The 2,600 square metre development is planned to include four separate units, split across two buildings. One building
A doctor who failed to record the vital signs of a man who died hours later has been criticised by an independent inquiry. Healthcall, the GP answering service, has also been blasted in the review panel's report after Richard Joiner, 53, waited almost
A mother was sickened to find a dead dog under her house after investigating a nasty smell. Karen Stevens, 29, said the smell had got so bad in the recent hot weather she was unable to stand on her doorstep or leave the front door open of her house in
A mother-of-eight has told how a television programme helped her keep a toddler alive after he was in collision with a car. Good neighbour Tina Taylor rushed into action and gave two-and-a-half-year-old Fahmed Choudhury the kiss of life after the accident
Ever-reliable Aussie Stuart Law has defied Essex's mediocre season by opening up a healthy lead in the national batting rankings. Law is the county's only representative in the latest PPP Healthcare top 24 - although two Essex players have squeezed into
Junior Blues are now holding their weekly football meetings on two separate evenings at Southend United's Boots and Laces training ground in Eastern Avenue. Training will continue on Thursday nights for four to 11-year-olds, but children aged 12-18 now
Brazilian star Jose Antunes Fumaca could be in line for a shock return to Colchester United. The 22-year-old former Benfica forward was being touted as the mystery player lined up by U's boss Mick Wadsworth yesterday if his injured strike force of Lomana
Southend United boss Alan Little is close to securing the signature of an experienced midfielder - who he believes is the final piece of his Roots Hall jigsaw. The Shrimpers have agreed an initial five-figure fee and personal terms with an experienced
Second division Brightlingsea's Jaygate Two Counties Championship successes could be counted on two fingers before their latest encounter with Coggeshall. But the riversiders made up for lost time when recording only their third victory in 16 matches
Wivenhoe player-boss Julian Hazel and new Harwich defender Glen Cowan face early-season suspensions after being sent off in a pre-season friendly last night. The sides' clash at Broad Lane, which Wivenhoe won 2-0, was far from friendly and things turned
Detectives investigating the violent death of a Chinese man in Colchester are set to carry out a fingertip search of undergrowth along the length of the A12 after recovering a machete. The weapon was recovered close to the road near Colchester by a specialist
A mother has paid tribute to the unknown heroes who saved her son's life. Cameron Tunbridge, of Deford Road, Witham, fell into a weir and was stunned after smashing his head, almost drowning. But he was saved by four modest heroes who left the scene without
A police search was launched after youths with shotguns were seen firing in an area where children play. Police warned anyone carrying firearms and using them illegally that they face arrest. Residents in Wivenhoe heard gun shots coming from the port
A team of young cricketers have been denied a place in this summer's Raffinger Matchplay quarter finals - despite finishing all their group matches with a 100 per cent record. Maldon have been eliminated following a dispute involving the outcome of their
Colchester United manager Mick Wadsworth said he was "in the dark" today about a Football League handout that will benefit the club by an extra £60,000 this season. But with the new Second Division season just three days away and his new-look squad facing
A former under-age drinking den is set to re-open as a country and western club under new owners. Mr Gray's Banqueting Suite in Station Road, Westcliff, was closed down after more than 30 police officers raided the premises last year and discovered young
Supermarket bosses are expected to announce the new occupier of the Sainsbury's building in Pitsea in the next couple of weeks. A number of companies have expressed an interest in the Northlands Pavement site. The store closed in May because of tough
IRIS CLAPP talks to Joe Edwards, a new assistant chief constable of Essex Police There is a resemblance. Joe Edwards doesn't deny it. In fact, he has been told on more than one occasion he could be mistaken for Robert Carlyle. He doesn't mind. He finds
'I've just come off stage, had a shower, removed my tan and I'm waiting for my husband to come back with six chicken McNuggets,' gushed Gwen Taylor in reply to the usual meek 'How are you?' The thing that first strikes you about this bubbly actress is
After nine long hours spent giving birth, Stessa Short not only produced a beautiful baby boy, but also raised more than £250 for the animal charity by being sponsored for the number of hours she was in labour. Stessa, 20, of Burlington Road, Colchester
