Thames Coastguards at Walton were stretched to capacity as they dealt with one of their busiest days of the year with rescues including yachts, boats, jet bikes and swimmers. In just 12 hourson Sunday, in a mixture of sunshine and thick fog, they tackled
A teenage swimmer spoke of the moment she was plucked to safety after spending almost two hours in the water. Hannah Winslow, 13, was rescued by Southend lifeboat after a search involving two other lifeboats, the coastguard and a rescue helicopter. She
An anonymous Southend businessmen has come to the rescue of a woman told she was not disabled enough for an electric wheelchair - despite having had both legs amputated. The man contacted Gerda Byrne, of Surrey Avenue, Leigh, after reading of her plight
Defiant Colin Noddings was behind bars yesterday after losing a long battle to get planning permission for his home. He was first fined £1,000 for breaching two Basildon Council orders to demolish his mobile home in Break Egg Hill, Billericay. Then Noddings
Witham Town have sacked manager George Young - after a 4-0 win over St Neots in the FA Cup. The club committee made the decision at a meeting yesterday evening after a string of poor results in Ryman League division two so far this season. Acting chairman
Goalkeeper Mel Capleton was both the hero and villain of Southend United's 2-1 Third Division victory at Hartlepool United on Saturday. The Shrimpers custodian allowed a tame free-kick from Hartlepool winger Paul Stephenson to squirm through his grasp
Town centre shops were today once again counting the cost of a bomb scare which cut short a busy afternoon's trading for the second time this year. The Royals in Southend was closed off for more than two hours on Saturday as bomb disposal experts from
JANE O'CONNELL meets Geraldine Afifi, a woman with an intense passion for music - and life Geraldini Afifi looks like Joan Collins (big eyes, excellent bones and skin), dresses like Jackie Collins (leopardskin and glitz) and is flamboyant down to the
Essex County Council has denied blocking an adoption application by two gay Bicknacre men. Millionaire fathers-to-be Barrie Drewitt and Tony Barlow have since turned to a surrogate mother in America to give them children of their own. They are reported
The Basildon Marathon could become a regular fixture, organisers today revealed - despite teething problems. The weekend's inaugural event may become a yearly occasion if given backing by local services and organisations. Searing heat didn't stop 6,000
A Braintree concert venue made a loss on a pop concert featuring ex-Coronation Street heart-throb Adam Rickett. Braintree Towerlands Arena played host to the multi-act line-up of the TV Hits/Twix Roadshow on Wednesday - but was hit by a disappointing
A taxi driver has been hailed a hero after three men were saved from a blaze by firefighters in a dramatic rescue. Firefighters went to a house in Rayne Road, Braintree, after a passing taxi driver saw smoke coming from the roof at around 4am on Sunday
An Essex student was airlifted to hospital with a broken leg and back injuries after she and her boyfriend fell 20ft while rock climbing. Giulia Vincenzi, 19, of Broome Grove, Wivenhoe, was climbing at Edale in the Peak District when the accident happened
A youngster was today praised after he saved his baby brother from drowning. Nathan Barham, who has just learnt to swim, gave no thought to his own safety as he plunged into deep water to rescue 17-month-old Jack, who had toppled in head first. Then the
A taxi driver has been hailed a hero after three men were saved from a blaze by firefighters in a dramatic rescue. Firefighters went to a house in Rayne Road, Braintree, after a passing taxi driver saw smoke coming from the roof at around 4am yesterday
One-legged veteran parachutist George Cross is taking to the skies over Holland once again to commemorate the 55th anniversary of the Battle of Arnhem. The 80-year old Billericay man, who lost many friends in the doomed parachute drop, will make the jump
The distraught family of murdered ex-model Rosemary Neale have spoken of their grief at the loss of their "wonderful mother". Rosemary Neale was found dead at her son's flat in Colchester last Thursday. She died from head injuries at Colchester General
Chelmsford City have made a move to strengthen their midfield by signing young Leon Bell from neighbours Braintree Town. City have put in the formal seven days notice of intended approach to the Ryman League Division club for the 21-year-old, and if all
Colchester and East Essex are in danger of losing their two county cricketers - England Under-19 stars Ian Flanagan and Graham Napier. Both left-handed opener Flanagan and exciting all-rounder Napier are adamant they want to continue playing for Colchester
Tape breaker - Allan Fisher, from Tiptree, is first across the line in Basildon's first-ever marathon. The event was a huge success, helping to raise cash for the town's St Luke's Hospice. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Converted for the new archive on 19 November
Basildon 85 Harlow 86-3 Rock-bottom Basildon's hopes of ending the Shepherd Neame League Third Division season with a win now rest on their ability to triumph at Southend next week. On Saturday they crashed to a predictable defeat at Harlow, who, despite
Witham Town have sacked manager George Young - after a 4-0 win over St Neots in the FA Cup. The club committee made the decision at a meeting on Sunday evening after a string of poor results in Ryman League division two so far this season. Acting chairman
Star-spotting spectators may have had difficulty keeping their eye on the ball at the William Roache Celebrity-AM charity golf gala. On Sunday, glorious sunshine brought out the crowds along with a host of celebrity golfers. Held at Eddy Shah's Golf and
It was refreshing to hear Blues chairman John Main giving a big pat on the back to fans for supporting the team this season. I know of many people who had followed the club for a number of years who suddenly turned their backs on Roots Hall for what they
He has been hailed the pride of Castle Point and has even had a pub named after him. EMMA THOMAS catches up with Canvey decathlete and World Champion silver medallist Dean Macey to see how he is coping with his new-found fame Since winning a silver medal
At the Essex County Championship Marathon in Basildon on Sunday, Tiptree Road Runners' Alan Fisher ran through midday heat which hit the 80s to win the race with a fantastic time of 2.44.22 on a testing course. The two-lap course took runners over the
Basildon 85 Harlow 86-3 Rock-bottom Basildon's hopes of ending the Shepherd Neame League Third Division season with a win now rest on their ability to triumph at Southend next week. On Saturday they crashed to a predictable defeat at Harlow, who, despite
Tape breaker - Allan Fisher, from Tiptree, is first across the line in Basildon's first-ever marathon. The event was a huge success, helping to raise cash for the town's St Luke's Hospice. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Converted for the new archive on 19 November
An MP who caused a stir after failing to support Colchester's bid for city status has defended his actions. Bernard Jenkin, Conservative MP for Essex North, said by speaking out against the plans he was simply representing the views of his constituents
Pitsea rail station is set for a £400,000 revamp under ambitious proposals revealed today. Railtrack and LTS Rail are teaming up to spearhead the station refurbishment, due to be completed by spring next year. The scheme's blueprint - which has been lodged
A blaze which killed 15 cats and kittens and destroyed a stable block was today being investigated by police and fire teams. The fire ripped through the single storey building in Durham Road, Hawkwell, late last night. A spokesman for Essex Fire and Rescue
Hundreds of new jobs could be created in Castle Point after the borough was earmarked as a new enterprise grant area, it emerged today. The Government has designated Castle Point Council as an authority which will get special help. Only nine areas in
It proved quite a day for Amy Blackwell in the Colchester and District Individual Tennis finals held at Frinton. She won four of the titles at stake on Saturday including a walkover in the girls under 16 singles against her doubles partner Lauren Thompson
Sta-spotting spectators may have had difficulty keeping their eye on the ball at the William Roache Celebrity-AM charity golf gala. On Sunday, glorious sunshine brought out the crowds along with a host of celebrity golfers. Held at Eddy Shah's Golf and
A big crowd is expected at Billericay Town's New Lodge ground for tonight's first ever Ryman League Premier Division local derby with Canvey Island. It's the first ever clash at such a high level between the two sides - Gulls having been promoted to the
Rivals of newcomers Great Wakering Rovers in the Ryman League Third Division look like coming in for a lot of Flack in the coming season. There were those who suggested that, when the village side gained promotion to the Ryman from the Essex Senior League
Southend Hockey Club is eagerly looking forward to the coming season having just completed a very successful summer of league hockey at Chelmsford. The club, which incorporates Southend and Benfleet Ladies, runs four Saturday men's teams, two Saturday
An absorbing clash of many twists and turns ended with Essex suffering yet another National League defeat. It was their eighth loss in succession - and the second time they had come face to face with Worcestershire in eight days at Chelmsford. However
Following hot on the heels of their Ladies recent divisional win, Braintree Tennis Club's Mixed B team also have cause for celebration after they travelled to Castle Hedingham to play their last fixture of the season -- a postponement from the night that
An early kick off on Saturday, when the conditions were more suited to cricket rather than football. Manager Robbie Nihill was back from holiday and was forced to make changes with both Nicky Simpson and Tony Adcock injured, whilst Alex Fiddes & Ross
Ramblers manager Colin Wallington described as 'unspectacular but workmanlike,' Saturday's performance which took Burnham to the top of the table. Due to injury he was down to a bare squad but said afterwards: "Given the players that were missing, I thought
There is a lot more to libraries these days. A project at Colchester's Central Library - the first of its kind in Essex - has tapped into the internet boom and is proving a big hit with users. The library-based Cyber Centre offers anyone from students
A primary school is to reopen to youngsters two days late - because of delays in an £80,000 heating refit. Pupils at Vange County Primary School, in London Road, Vange, can look forward to a couple of extra days on their summer break. Instead of returning
Children at a Witham school have been given an extended summer holiday after building work delayed the start of the new term. Youngsters at Howbridge Juniors should have gone back today with thousands of other children across the county. But the ongoing
Heybridge Swifts are to play Stamford or Congleton Town in the third qualifying round of the FA Cup - if they beat Romford on September 18. The area's other surviving non-league side, Witham Town, face a trip to Chesham United or Baldock Town, if they
Derelict fire-ravaged maltings at Mistley have been sold at last. After weeks of rumours, Jonathan Frank, has confirmed Lexden Restorations have bought the School Lane maltings for an undisclosed sum. A director of the Colchester-based company, Mr Frank
A Tiptree family who lost their dog on holiday in the Peak District had him safely returned - all thanks to a Colchester couple. Steve and Maggie Hutchinson and their children Kerry and Jonathan, of Keeble Close, were panic-stricken when they returned
A teacher has finally won her lifelong battle of the bulge. When Ruth Helm, of Coniston Close, Braintree, was a young girl, doctors told her she would only live to middle age because she was so overweight. Throughout her life she has constantly struggled
They thought Maud Coleman was in pretty good shape for 93. Then amazed staff at Runwell Hospital, Wickford, discovered she was really seven years older. Ward key worker Vania Hutchins said: "She's wonderful for 100." Maud, who worked in the kitchens of
Thames Coastguards at Walton were stretched to capacity as they dealt with one of their busiest days of the year with rescues including yachts, boats, jet bikes and swimmers. In just 12 hours yesterday, in a mixture of sunshine and thick fog, they tackled
Defiant Colin Noddings was behind bars today after losing a long battle to get planning permission for his home. He was first fined £1,000 for breaching two Basildon Council orders to demolish his mobile home in Break Egg Hill, Billericay. Then Noddings
A police sergeant from Chelmsford falsified a log and made up statements to cover a bungled surveillance operation, the Old Bailey heard. City of London Police Sgt Douglas Bigg and Det Con Paul Blumson took the action after losing the trail of a pair
Mourners turned out in their hundreds to pay final respects to a Leigh teacher who died suddenly on a flight home from holiday. Tributes to Sue Fuller, who was deputy head of St Michael's Preparatory School in Leigh, spoke of shock and sadness at her
Councillors today came under fire for allowing controversial plans to go ahead which protesters claim will destroy an attractive Westcliff landmark. Trevor Bell, of Holland Road, Westcliff, is furious that a house built in 1948 is to be demolished to
Rehearsals are under way for a school performance which will premiere in the Millennium Dome next year. Professional artists joined 50 pupils from Southend schools to start workon the production at Eastwood School. The multimedia performance, using stories
JANE O'CONNELL meets Geraldine Afifi, a woman with an intense passion for music - and life Geraldini Afifi looks like Joan Collins (big eyes, excellent bones and skin), dresses like Jackie Collins (leopardskin and glitz) and is flamboyant down to the
A teenage swimmer spoke of the moment she was plucked to safety after spending almost two hours in the water. Hannah Winslow, 13, was rescued by Southend lifeboat after a search involving two other lifeboats, the coastguard and a rescue helicopter. She
A mother has hit out after her asthmatic daughter was told to walk down a "lonely country lane" to get to school. Gloria Stageman has been told her 11-year-old daughter Hannah will not get a free bus pass as they live less than three miles from school
Town centre shops were today once again counting the cost of a bomb scare which cut short a busy afternoon's trading for the second time this year. The Royals in Southend was closed off for more than two hours on Saturday as bomb disposal experts from
Police are hunting an arsonist who set fire to a house leaving a mother and her young disabled son homeless. No-one was in the end terrace house in Victor Road, Colchester, at the time of the blaze, which left it badly damaged. Detectives believed the
Big-hitting Colchester and East Essex cricketer Graham Napier has come within a whisker of creating a new chapter of club and Shepherd Neame Essex League history. Teenage Essex all-rounder Napier blasted five sixes and a four in the final over to bludgeon
Only a fraction of the expected protesters took part in a march against ward closures at Broomfield Hospital. The rally was hailed a success despite a lower than expected turnout. Only 30 people arrived at the meeting point on time - though the number
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton today revealed former Brighton manager and U's loanee Jeff Wood has been brought into the club as a goalkeeper coach. Former West Ham, Norwich and Millwall defender Kenny Brown, son of former Hammers and England central
Detectives have launched an urgent appeal for two witnesses who may hold vital information about the attempted abduction of a baby boy. The toddler's brave grandmother threw herself over the child's buggy to foil the would-be snatchers and had to be taken
A beer fan from Billericay has sunk his final pint after a six-month charity pub crawl of every Firkin pub in the country. Mike Smart, 22, was given thousands of free pints as landlords supported his visit to the 189 outlets. Mr Smart, of Second Avenue
A man has been sentenced to 60 hours community service after using threatening and abusive behaviour in a Basildon pub. John Bailey, 44, Little Lullaway, Basildon, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court. Bailey had been drinking all night at the Beehive
Only a fraction of the expected protesters took part in a march against ward closures at Broomfield Hospital. The rally was hailed a success despite a lower than expected turnout. Only 30 people arrived at the meeting point on time - though the number
The distraught family of murdered ex-model Rosemary Neale have spoken of their grief at the loss of their "wonderful mother". Rosemary Neale was found dead at her son's flat in Colchester last Thursday. She died from head injuries at Colchester General
The world of the Neale family finally fell apart on Friday. Rosemary Neale was found unconscious in her son Jonathan's flat in Colchester. She later died from head injuries. It was the latest and saddest chapter in the tragic tale of the Neale family.
Witham and Braintree Homestart -- the counselling charity that helps families in crisis -- is to launch a major recruitment campaign for volunteers. It needs to find and train another 20 volunteers for its team working across the Braintree district to
The trees of the ancient lost continent of Gondwanaland will be celebrated in the new walled garden at Marks Hall Estate near Coggeshall. Gondwanaland is the name given to the super continent that joined Australia, Antarctica, New Zealand, Africa, India
Four German teenagers were injured when they were shot at with airguns on Frinton seafront. The students, who are staying with host families in the town, were sitting in a shelter at the bottom of Connaught Avenue when the attack took place at about 9.30pm
Southern Area cruiserweight champion Dominic Negus will be taking part in a British title eliminator bout later this month. The popular Havering-atte-Bower boxer will face the Northern Area champion, Chris Willis, at York Hall, Bethnal Green on September
Big-hitting Colchester and East Essex cricketer Graham Napier has come within a whisker of creating a new chapter of club and Shepherd Neame Essex League history. Teenage Essex all-rounder Napier blasted five sixes and a four in the final over to bludgeon
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has brought former Brighton manager and U's loanee Jeff Wood into the club as a goalkeeper coach. Former West Ham, Norwich and Millwall defender Kenny Brown, son of former Hammers and England central defender Ken Brown
Braintree and District Athletic Club's Senior Men's team completed their season of six fixtures in Southern League division three with their final match, at High Wycombe. There was a season's record turnout of 17 athletes for this fixture in which success
It was refreshing to hear Blues chairman John Main giving a big pat on the back to fans for supporting the team this season. I know of many people who had followed the club for a number of years who suddenly turned their backs on Roots Hall for what they
Rivals of newcomers Great Wakering Rovers in the Ryman League Third Division look like coming in for a lot of Flack in the coming season. There were those who suggested that, when the village side gained promotion to the Ryman from the Essex Senior League
Canvey Island moved up to a top six position in their first season of Ryman League Premier Division soccer with an exhilarating second-half display of attacking soccer at sunshine Park Lane on Saturday. For the second successive home match Gulls, due
Southend Hockey Club is eagerly looking forward to the coming season having just completed a very successful summer of league hockey at Chelmsford. The club, which incorporates Southend and Benfleet Ladies, runs four Saturday men's teams, two Saturday
Wickford 135 Wanstead 136-2 (Wanstead won) Wickford are already relegated from the Premier Division of the Shepherd Neame League, but could still have a big say in who makes the drop in the First Division with them. They go to second from bottom Loughton
Trading Standards officers have seized hundreds of pirated films from a Frinton home. The raid, which followed "high quality intelligence", came after hours of undercover work by officers. As a result hundreds of copies of films not yet released on video
Uproar broke out when up to 100 rowdy teenagers went on the rampage at Pitsea railway station. They charged off a late-night train after visiting a Southend disco, Basildon Crown Court heard. At one point only a handful of police confronted the angry
News that a new NHS dental surgery may open in Billericay has prompted a flood of calls from would-be patients. Staff at the Billericay Health Centre have been swamped with requests since we revealed the chronic shortage of NHS dentists at Billericay
Councillors have agreed to try to find alternatives to rare tropical trees when they repair Southend's sea defences. Committee chairman Peter Wexham said Southend councillors should keep to their environmental charter and not buy tropical hardwoods. A
Maldon's Maritime heritage will be celebrated this weekend with the town's regatta. Traditional boats and fishing smacks will be racing along the river on Saturday in an event reputed to date back from the early 1700s. The event coincides with the Old
Visitor numbers to Maldon and Burnham have been up this summer. International coverage of the district through specialist magazines and links in with the district council's website have all helped attract the tourists believes tourism development officer
A trio of Southend United midfielders have been transfer-listed by the Third Division club as Blues boss Alan Little continues to rebuild his squad. The Shrimpers chief today revealed that he has told Adrian Clarke, Simon Livett and Kevin Maher that their
A budding Benfleet soccer star has made it through to the finals of a football competition run by the world's biggest club - Manchester United. Chris Reed, who attends the town's Jotmans Hall primary school, was one of four boys to receive a special invite
An absorbing clash of many twists and turns ended with Essex suffering yet another National League defeat. It was their eighth loss in succession - and the second time they had come face to face with Worcestershire in eight days at Chelmsford. However
Stuart Law is still in talks with Essex that will hopefully lead to him parading his rich talents with the county again next summer. "I want to return but nothing is signed and sealed yet," said the Aussie run machine. "We are still in discussions and
It was third time lucky for Southend United as they finally picked up their first away win of the season against Hartlepool United. A polished performance from the Shrimpers at Victoria Park on Saturday finally got Blues off the mark on their Third Division
Saturday's journey was Witham's first ever visit to Rowley Park and they found the pitch in perfect condition. Witham took the lead after seven minutes when captain Justin Pearce forced the ball over the line following their first corner. Witham were
The much-changed Braintree line-up still seems unable to fulfil the potential expected of it and after several below par performances the biggest disappointment so far came with Saturday's surprise dismissal from the FA Cup. Just when the club could have
With the end of Burnham Week and many of the Burnham players committed to sailing it was decided to field a mixed side for the remaining players on Saturday and although the players came from the three sides of last season they seemed to gel well. From
Braintree's first team opened the new season with an impressive victory at sun baked Colchester on Saturday. With temperatures touching the 90s and a rock hard ground beneath their feet the new Braintree first string looked to have their work cut out
Horndon runner Elin Engdahl defied stifling heat to steal the south Essex honours on Basildon's first ever marathon day. Tiptree's Alan Fisher triumphed ahead of Ilford's second-placed Nick Berrill to become the inaugural champion of the new town's 26.2
End of term - Thorpe Bay based Sport Action brought their soccer and other activity courses to a close at the weekend and will be opening their doors again at Thorpe Hall School during the half-term holidays. This youngster gives a demonstration of the
East End hard man turned best-selling author Mad Frankie Fraser left his mark on the people of Southend. The 75-year-old was at Hammicks Bookshop in the Royals shopping centre to sign copies of his second book titled Mad Frank and Friends. A large crowd
A man has lost his fight for life eight days after a road accident in Southend. Paul Cascarino, 33, of Philpott Avenue, Southend, died on Friday in the Royal National Hospital, London. Police have renewed their appeal for witnesses to the accident in
A driver and his passenger had a lucky escape when their car became sandwiched between two lorries on the Eastwood stretch of the A127. One lorry shunted into the back of the red Proton, pushing it the back of the other one, completely crushing the bodywork
A Benfleet school was today counting the cost after thieves broke in and stole valuable computer equipment - days before the start of the new school year. Police investigating the theft warned schools to be more security conscious following the theft
The people of Colchester have raised thousands of pounds for the victims of the Turkish earthquake - but more is still needed. Money donated in collection boxes placed in bars, restaurants and take-aways around Essex is being counted this week and sent
Armed with spades and forks, diggers have been relishing the chance to unearth a piece of history held in the mud of the River Colne. The water level has been lowered at Middleborough bridge to allow the river's flood defences to be revamped by the Environment
Businesses in Colchester town centre closed their doors to the public during a power cut. The half-hour failure yesterday afternoon affected offices, businesses and the traffic lights at the top of North Hill, Head Street and parts of the High Street.
Police were today hunting an arsonist who set fire to a house leaving a mother and her young disabled son homeless. No-one was in the end terrace house in Victor Road, Colchester, at the time of the blaze, which left it badly damaged. Detectives believed
Detectives have launched an urgent appeal for two witnesses who may hold vital information about the attempted abduction of a baby boy. The toddler's brave grandmother threw herself over the child's buggy to foil the would-be snatchers and had to be taken
A hit TV show which could make people instant millionaires has had another Essex winner. A Braintree banker was celebrating today after he scooped £64,000 on the quiz show Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? Neil Read's win follows on from Jonathon Green,
A large fleet of Basildon taxis took 120 children on a day out to the seaside. About 30 drivers gave up their fares for the day to take the youngsters to Clacton in their orange and white Hackney carriages. The cabs were specially decorated with balloons
A hostel for people with learning difficulties looks set to be split up - with residents moved into houses throughout Basildon. The run-down Mellow Purgess Hostel, in Laindon, fails to meet registration standards because of the poor decor and condition
An anonymous Southend businessmen has come to the rescue of a woman told she was not disabled enough for an electric wheelchair - despite having had both legs amputated. The man contacted Gerda Byrne, of Surrey Avenue, Leigh, after reading of her plight
