A estimated £40,000 of repairs could be needed in a sports hall at a school severely damaged by a burst water main. The sports hall at St Clere's School, Butts Lane, Stanford-le-Hope, is below ground level and was left under a foot of water when the main
Police have vowed to crack the problem of youth nuisance after a series of incidents in Ongar and North Weald. Patrols have been stepped up after vandalism and damage in the Chipping Ongar Primary School area of Greensted and the playground at the top
Plans to restore and revitalise the valued but rundown Shenfield Parish Hall have received a serious blow, with the refusal of lottery cash. The National Lottery Charities Board has turned down requests for cash to help the £500,000 project. Parish hall
Young protesters fighting to save a beauty spot from developers are facing eviction from their tree-houses. Rochford Council is set to take action to turf out the youngsters, who have set up camp in Etheldore Wood in Hockley where 66 homes are to be built
A £1 million investment in the fight against lung cancer is set to benefit patients in Essex. Part of the money will be used to improve lung cancer services at Princess Alexandra Hospital. The money will be targeted at speeding up diagnoses, reducing
A 72-year-old woman disturbed a night prowler raiding her home. The pensioner was asleep at her house in Stanley Road, Clacton, when the burglar broke in during the early hours of Thursday morning. But he switched on the light when he went into her bedroom
Hundreds of visitors had a day out full of animal magic at the Remus Memorial Horse Sanctuary open day, raising thousands of pounds for mistreated and abandoned animals. Visitors flooded into the Buttsbury sanctuary on Sunday, taking advantage of the
Transfer-listed Richard Wilkins is a shock inclusion in Colchester United's starting line-up for tomorrow's big Division Two kick-off at Chesterfield. And exciting French-Zairos winger Lomana Tresor Lua Lua, who scored on his League debut at Chesterfield
New signings Jermaine Wright and John McGreal face a baptism of fire when they make their Ipswich Town debuts against Nottingham Forest at Portman Road tomorrow. Wright snubbed a move to David Platt's free-spending side in favour of a £500,000 move to
It was a fantastic Sunday morning for the Essex Roads Cycling Club to promote their annual 50 miles time trial on the new Boreham to Galleywood, then out to Stanway and back to Boreham again. There was a star studded field of a maximum 120 riders who
Colchester United managing director Stephen Gage has slammed a report which claimed the U's are the poorest club in the Football League. "How can we be the poorest," asked Gage, "when Crystal Palace, Chester City, Luton Town and Portsmouth are still in
Brave bride Carol Marrable walked without a stick for the first time in five years - down the aisle at her wedding. Carol married James Swaine at Holland Methodist Church. She has suffered from back pain since she had an accident at work five years ago
Janice Torr of Billericay opened up with a win in the girls U16 singles of the 'Save & Prosper' Essex Open Junior Tennis tournament at Gidea Park. The tournament, which has 300 young competitors from all over the country participating, started on
Brentwood & District Table Tennis League team manager Bill Wall and his five teams travelled to Peterborough to play in their annual Challenge Shield match on Sunday. This prestigious challenge evoked table tennis of the highest order. Bill's opposite
A depressed man who was arrested after police found a live grenade in his flat confessed he had hidden two bombs on Canvey. Police were alerted by the man's friend who feared for his safety. Officers stormed his Ilford flat and found the volatile Second
Jubilant campaigners are celebrating after plans for a multi-million-pound sports complex on their doorsteps were quietly dropped. For more than two years, people in Beauchamps Drive, Sharlands Close and Highcliffe Way in Wickford have been protesting
Gays and transexuals are to get a new voice in a police crackdown on homophobia. A panel has been established for gays and transvestites in a bid to encourage them to come forward when they fall victim to crime. Gay and lesbian officers will now be available
An attempt to defer a consideration of plans to restore the old mineral workings at Sandon quarry with the use of local domestic waste failed by one vote at a meeting of Essex County Council's planning committee on Friday. Instead, councillors agreed
The head of a Braintree private hire car firm this week vowed to fight a Braintree Council licensing committee decision to suspend his operator's licence. Jahangir Ahmed, 44, who heads Direct Line Taxis in Manor Street, also attacked Braintree taxi drivers
Police have revealed the probable identity of the charred and mutilated body found in a Harwich bunker. They believe the body is that of former Harwich School pupil Gregory Chung. His family have provided blood samples for DNA testing. Forensic tests
The supergrass who nailed the Rettendon murderers considered telling police he lied to escape the constant fear of being tracked down. Darren Nicholls, who is now living at a secret address under a new identity, went national with his story last night
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
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 as the squad prepares for Saturday's game against Nottingham Forest. The Blues boss had tabled a
Billericay's rising race star Matt Davies is in confident mood going into the Marlboro Masters of Formula 3 in Holland this weekend. The driver is currently sixth in the UK Formula 3 championship, but will be taking on the best in Europe at the annual
From being also-rans in 1998, Arena Essex Hammers have become one of the hottest teams in the Premier League. Almost certain of reaching the end of season play-offs, Peter Thorogood's seven are already in the semi-final of the Knockout Cup, were runners-up
In Group One of the Raffingers Matchplay Cricket Competition, a competition for clubs' under 16 teams, Hornchurch recorded an emphatic 116 run win over South Woodham Ferrers. Hornchurch were dismissed for 180, Greg Singleton top scoring with 42, and they
Colchester United Wembley winner Paul Abrahams has turned down a chance to stay in the Football League with Exeter City. The 25-year-old, a key member of the U's promotion play-off final win over Torquay United 14 months ago, revealed on Thursday he has
Awesome pedal-power earned the roadmen of Southend and County Wheelers a top six finish in Essex race meetings. Phil Holloway came fourth in the Glendene CC Hell of the Ends competition at Great Saling over 140kms and in the Chelmer CC ERRL contest over
Life begins at 40 - and that's certainly the case for one lucky lag. Stunned Michael Kelly was spared a long jail sentence after a magistrate decided it would be unfair for him to spend his birthday in jail. Alcoholic Kelly, 39, was told he would be out
Southend United chairman John Main has called on the town and its football supporters to get behind the Third Division club this season - starting with the Roots Hall curtain raiser against Plymouth on Saturday. The Blues supremo is settling into his
Chelmsford City manager Gary Bellamy faces an injury crisis as the team prepares to play their 'landlords,' Billericay Town. With Saturday's game at New Lodge, the last pre-season friendly, approaching fast Bellamy's already limited resources have been
Two big south Essex promotion derby vie for the limelight tomorrow with important Premier Division games for Billericay and Wickford. However, fourth-placed Westcliff , who travel to Hadleigh & Thundersley (third) in Division One, are reeling after
Rebecca Gallantree, from the Bramston Diving Club in Witham, is the new junior one metre springboard diving national champion. Rebecca pushed the current European champion into second place at the Junior National Championships in Sheffield. The one metre
Alan Little is confident that his Southend United side can get their new Third Division campaign off to a flier when Plymouth Argyle visit Roots Hall. The Blues boss believes his men are in the best possible shape to get the new season underway following
A valiant display, then an agonising wait, took Basildon's senior men back to Division One of the Southern League. Three athletics clubs had virtually sealed promotion leaving four teams to battle it out at Ealing for the remaining two. Daryl Stone and
TheCorinthian Otters, the junior section of the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, continued their success at the Cadet National Championships in Torbay. Sophie Harrison and Nick Johnson won the B fleet, for helms aged under 15, and their clubmates, James and
The Three Rivers Golf Club Ladies Section held their Club Championship on Monday and it was played over 36 holes. The Ladies Champion for 1999 is Kirsty Lane, who returned a gross score of 84 in the morning and 88 in the afternoon. In second place was
WICKFORD 241-6 BASHLEY 164 all out (WICKFORD WON) Wickford overpowered leading Hampshire side Bashley in an annual tour match that kicked off the Southern League club's cricket week. Wickford, 25-2 early on in their 40-over innings, recovered through
Alarmed villagers have been told not to panic over the appearance of racist graffiti. The letters RNF - meaning Rayne National Front - have been scrawled in black pen across road and village signs in Rayne. Parish council chairman Roger Jiggins has assured
Animal lovers are being warned of a heavy crop of deadly ragwort growing next to the road between Colchester Zoo and Heckfordbridge. The plant, which has yellow daisy-like flowers and ragged leaves, can also be found in smaller clumps along the verge
For most people a total eclipse of the sun is a once in a lifetime experience but for Mildred Howard it will rekindle memories of more than 70 years ago. The 78-year-old was fortunate enough to glimpse the eclipse as a small girl in 1927. Now she is looking
A woman has told how armed police stormed through her farm in the hunt for a suspected gunman. Officers brandishing machine guns tracked the suspect to the farm in Canewdon with the help of members of the public, using mobile phones to keep tabs on him
Chelmsford-based Global Marine Systems rolled out the red carpet at its Portland cable and sub-sea depot when the Duke of Edinburgh visited as part of celebrations to mark the 150the anniversary of the Dorset port. Global Marine Systems' Chelmsford-based
Smoker Darren Moore popped out for a packet of cigarettes - and ended up being jailed for nine months. Moore, a banned driver, was spotted by police and then stepped on the accelerator to reach speeds of up 80mph in several 30mph zones. It led to a dramatic
Summertime fun is well under way with youngsters taking an interest in outdoor activities in the sunshine. Eleana Brown, ten, took a trip to Wat Tyler Country Park, in Pitsea, to see what marvels she could unveil. During an organised session, as part
Cadfael actor Sir Derek Jacobi is making a flying visit to Hedingham Castle to present a television documentary about the identity of William Shakespeare. Sir Derek is the patron of a society which believes Edward de Vere - the 17th Earl of Oxford who
Home friendlies are set to take Billericay, Canvey and Great Wakering a major step closer to finalising their plans ahead of the Ryman League kick-off on Saturday week. Canvey, who face Tonbridge Angels after a fluctuating pre-season to date, are still
Basildon cable giant Telewest is set for a major expansion - bringing 161 new jobs to the town. The communications company is spreading its services across the country as technology takes a leap into the new millennium. A number of sites have been picked
A group of 70 people, aged from seven to 83, have been picking up pairs of metal rods -- most made from old coat hangers -- at the historic Cressing Temple site, in a mass experiment to find out whether the ancient art of divining, or dowsing, really
A project to slash youth nuisance and prepare teenagers for the dangers of driving has chalked up its first success. To celebrate the hard work of the youngsters who took part, they will be given a free driving lesson on Sunday. First Gear, which has
A tube train caused chaos on Southend's seafront - when it got stuck on a roundabout! Sweltering drivers fumed as miles of jams built up when the train, on a low-loader, was caught at the mini-roundabout at the bottom of Pier Hill on Wednesday afternoon
This is the first photograph of Galleywood widow Violet Dunderdale, 77, to be released since she was found battered to death at her home last Monday. Police hunting her killers are awaiting the results of further forensic tests as they continue house-to-house
Wivenhoe Town turned in a fine performance as they drew 1-1 at Romford last night. Romford are a division above Wivenhoe in the Ryman League, but it was the Dragons who took the lead after half an hour through Tony Chatters. They then defended valiantly
Young Sam Morrison was the pride of South Woodham & Wickford's rollerspeed skaters after scooping second prize in a European inter-club event in Belgium. Sam clinched a magnificent trophy in the contest, sponsored by Essex firm ECL Consultants Ltd
Ipswich Town signing John McGreal revealed the lure of Premiership football was behind his decision to leave his beloved Merseyside. McGreal - who signed for the Blues last night in a £750,000 deal from First Division rivals Tranmere Rovers - admitted
A drunk motorist who was four times over the limit stopped and asked police officers for directions - to the nearest police station. Hapless Richard Kitchener told officers he felt "as good as gold" as he asked them the way to Corringham police station
A £1.2 million bid for Government cash to extend Southend's spy camera network was unveiled today. Councillors were backing moves to increase CCTV coverage in the town centre, in a fresh attempt to slash crime levels. The existing 24 cameras have helped
WALTHAMSTOW I.........................204 all out CHELMSFORD I......................................208-4 (Chelmsford won by six wickets) (Shepherd Neame Essex League Division One) Chelmsford produced a good performance on Saturday to bounce back to winning
Children in Chelmsford have the chance to spend their summer holidays trying out exciting sports and learning craft skills as well as making a whole host of new friends. A summer camp for children aged between five and 15 is being held at Chelmsford County
Witham put up a spirited display before going down 4-1 to a Southend United side that included eight players with first-team experience. The result was effectively decided by half time as Republic of Ireland under-18 international Trevor Fitzpatrick hit
The ladies of the Danbury Bowling Club have been the scourge of Essex ladies bowls this season. Dilys Linnett and Pat Thornton bowled their way through to the semi-final of the Essex County Womens Pairs Competition. Then Dilys was hospitalised, but enter
Seventeen Mark Mountney, a six-handicapper, grabbed two eagles and a birdie in his second-round 70 to clinch Castle Point Golf Club's major title - the Scratch Club Championship. His one-over par total of 143 from both rounds left him two shots better
Police have warned youngsters to stop diving off piers and boats in Harwich harbour. They fear that someone will be seriously injured - and are also concerned about the damage being done to fishermen's boats. Sgt Peter Wood said a number of incidents
Southend's Victoria Plaza shopping centre is alive, well and facing the future with great optimist, according to a leading trader. Tenants' association chairman Tony Belyavin spoke of his hopes for the 1960s complex and declared - we are facing our brightest
Defending champions Ipswich stormed back to the top of the Elite League table with a stunning 58-32 victory over Eastbourne Eagles as Foxhall Stadium. On a track made particularly grippy by the torrential rains which had hit the stadium overnight, the
The most expensive hairdressing scissors in the world are now being used in Westcliff. The John Barry salon has invested in a revolutionary hair cutting system which promises to prevent split ends forever. The computerised system which heat seals the
A roving eye has joined the Chelmsford Police crime fighting ranks. A £2,000 portable CCTV has been presented to police chief Supt Brian Storey (left) by Geoff Ireland, chairman of the Crime Reduction Group. PC John Hill, Chelmsford Police Crime Prevention
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
Southend United chiefs are busy trying to get the doors of their newly-refurbished Shrimpers bar open in time for Saturday's Third Division kick-off at Roots Hall against Plymouth Argyle. The Blues supporters' social club used to be a hive of activity
Spectators were treated to show jumping of the highest calibre at the weekend when the Essex County Showground Equestrian Club hosted its third annual Grand Prix show. The event attracted many of the top showjumping names, including former European champion
Few people will have an excuse not to take part in Basildon Marathon day after the town's Club Kingswood finalised details for a far less demanding three-mile fun run. Other events backing the 26-mile main race already include a tractor pull, sideshows
Either Jason Dozzell or Kelechi Opara is set to be given the nod if Colchester United new boy Jamie Moralee is not fit enough to lead the attack in Saturday's opening game of the season at Chesterfield. Former Brighton striker Moralee is looking a certain
When John Elliott and Davina Plumstead got engaged they knew just what they wanted as wedding presents. So they headed off to Argos to make their wedding list which included garden furniture, a barbecue and a lawn mower. But with just four weeks to go
The cut-price fashion store TK Maxx has signed the contract to move into the Royals Shopping Centre. The store could be open by spring next year after Royals owners, CIS Ltd, have gutted the food court and gallery shops by February 2000. Although the
Youngsters got to grips with nature - as they explored Norsey Woods using more than just their feet. The group, aged eight to 12 years old, were taken around the Billericay woodland as part of a fun learning day. These children donned blindfolds to explore
Evacuees are being called back to Chelmsford for a reunion on Wednesday, August 11. The event organised by the Evacuees Reunion Association is open to everyone with an interest in the story of the evacuation, especially those who were evacuated or who
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder has agreed terms with former Charlton Athletic midfielder Paul Linger, who spent last season with Conference side Welling. He is expected to line-up when the Blues play their final pre-season friendly at home to Chelmsford
Essex started the third day of their County Championship match with Kent at Canterbury still needing a further 218 runs to avoid the follow on having reached 174-3. After Kent were eventually dismissed for 541, the visitors lost the early wicket of Paul
The last fortnight has been busy for Chelmsford Chieftains as they continue to build their squad for the forthcoming season. With light training having started and several training camps for junior players having taken place, Head Coach Erskine Douglas
A British ex-pat moved his young Brazilian family back to Blighty after 35 years abroad - following a holiday romance with a difference. David Peacock, 56, arrived in England last month from his home in Fortaleza, Brazil, and the visit has changed his
Several hundreds of letters and cards went missing from St John's estate in Colchester earlier this summer. It was reported last week that Royal Mail had apologised to an estate resident who lost three items of post in a month. And the latest blunder
Workers in Colchester could be charged £650 a year for using company car parking spaces. Under plans being put forward by Colchester Council the charge would reel in £1.7 million a year to improve public transport. The proposals - to be discussed on Tuesday
Rogue trader Nick Leeson will NOT be appearing at a Southend punk music festival, his lawyer said on Thursday. Leeson, back in this country after serving four years in a Singapore jail for defrauding Barings Bank, was supposed to be singing My Way at
White Notley model, Amy Jones, has won the title of Miss East Anglia. Amy, 18, beat nine other girls in the competition at Ghosts nightclub in Colchester on Sunday. She said: "I have only been modelling for a year so this came as a big surprise. I was
