More than £5,000 used for Colchester's city status bid would have been better spent on improving transport for the community, it has been claimed. Colchester's bid - which is doomed according to a leaked Home Office document - should never have been made
A disused sports ground could be turned into a major new health complex after it was finally sold. The former Crittall Sports and Social Club in Braintree - unused for five years - is set to be sold to a health and fitness firm. Norcros Estates - owner
Top Colchester nightclub the Hippodrome has been sold as part of an £8.5 million deal. Entrepreneur Steve Peri spent millions of pounds giving the historic Hippodrome a total makeover after he bought the nightclub in 1998 from Rank Entertainment. Now
A drinks giant is to create 40 jobs as part of an ambitious multi-million pound project. Chelmsford-based Britvic Soft Drinks needs fresh staff to add extra fizz to the launch of a new series of products. The company - which is the British producer of
Essex Ford is still in advanced negotiations with Perry Group to take over the Southend Ford franchise, its chairman revealed yesterday. Perry's lost its valuable Ford franchise earlier this year and the future for its garages in Rayleigh Weir, Kent Elms
Westcliff rugby club's under-11 side jetted off to Italy today for a ten-team international tournament in Rome. The youngsters will pit their skills in friendly games against local teams before playing against teams from England, Italy and France in the
Former Billericay Town striker Steve Jones is set to join Southend United on loan for the rest of the season from Bristol City. The 29-year-old hitman was expected to link-up with Shrimpers' players in training this morning and should make his full Shrimpers
Police are searching for a gang of men who went on a spree of thefts across Essex totalling nearly £5,000. The thefts started in Witham on Tuesday when the group of four men left Clarks shoe shop in the Grove Centre with a purse containing credit cards
Burglars escaped with £100,000 of computer equipment after a raid on Chelmsford Council offices. They stole chips, hard-drives and memory units from the housing and engineering offices in Coval Lane, between 7pm and 8.30pm on Monday. Details of the raid
Around 50 people a year are dying from cold in the West Chelmsford constituency. That was the message given to the House of Commons by MP Simon Burns last week when he co-sponsored a Private Member's Bill aimed at alleviating "fuel poverty." The Warm
A bold new initiative has been launched to boost transport in the Ongar and North Weald district. EFFECT, which stands for Epping Forest Fast Efficient Community Transport, is designed to make a major contribution to improving life in rural areas. The
Fitness-conscious women look set to lose hundreds of pounds after a ladies-only gym closed without warning. About 300 members of Oranges Health Club, Eld Lane, Colchester, paid up to £200 up front for one to three years' membership. But when they went
Pagans in north Essex are teaming up to revive the nature-based religion. Pagans from Colchester, Clacton, Braintree and Harwich have expressed an interest in forming a Colchester Pagan Council. The organisation aims to unite Pagans to work for the environment
The Queen's Theatre, Hornchurch has a lot to be very proud of. It enjoys full houses, a talented resident repertory company, a foresighted artistic director in Bob Carlton and, most recently, it has been awarded the entire grant from the London Art Board
A health group has been set up to monitor the care of asylum seekers in Clacton and to look into screening them for diseases. Dozens of asylum seekers are currently staying in the town in hotels and Tendring Primary Care Group has established a working
The boss of the firm whose 26-tonne lorry crushed a small car has offered to buy the driver a new one. Robert Lee, 76, escaped with nothing more than shredded nerves after the lorry tipped over and crushed his Fiesta at a railway bridge in Hockley on
Emergency patients were left waiting in two ambulances outside Colchester General Hospital's accident and emergency department. They had to remain in the vehicles on Tuesday afternoon because there were no beds or even trolleys for them to use. Eventually
Brentwood is on course to raise a magnificent £100,000 in an amazing community effort to take clean drinking water to thousands of people living in one of the poorest regions of India. The Stepping Stones water project - which aims to provide fresh water
Great Eastern and Anglia Railways are patting themselves on the back after bucking the national trend to show improvements in service during the last year. Figures published by the shadow strategic rail authority have revealed performances worsening on
An extraordinary double attempt to destroy a familiar Harold landmark has been foiled - thanks to the bravery of firefighters. Crews were twice called to the old Smith and Nephew building on Colchester Road, Harold Hill, over the weekend as two blazes
Angry Colchester United manager Steve Whitton described his team's defending as "laughable" after they allowed relegation-haunted Oxford to snatch an injury time winner. Whitton said today: "We must have had three or four goes at clearing the ball around
Clacton's synchronised swimmers are among the best in Essex. Lindsay Mann, 19, has just become Essex champion for the fourth successive year and two of her Clacton Swimming Club colleagues will join her in the county squad. Runner-up in the championships
Hullbridge Sports continued their climb up the Schweppes Essex Senior League table last night with a 3-0 win at Stansted - their second success in four days. The three points gained with the victory at a side lying bottom lifts Hullbridge to ninth. In
David Cole won the men's singles title against his old rival Rik James in the final of the Colchester and District Table Tennis League's annual tournament. It was the sixth season in a row the two have been pitched together in the final and Cole won a
Robert Demeger was teaching English at a Canterbury secondary school, when he felt that there was something missing from his life. As time went on, he realised that the need to act ran through his soul "like a river under ground", so he packed away his
Hold the front page. Pupils from schools in Colchester may soon be giving our partner papers a run for their money as they sampled a taste of the newspaper business. At Thomas, Lord Audley tight deadlines and teamwork were required to get the Griffin
The police and council are working on a plan to clear people from Braintree town centre in a bomb scare or similar emergency, like a gas leak. The town centre could be split into four zones to help evacuate shoppers and workers quickly. The system requires
Harold health bosses say NHS Direct, the new 24 hour nurse-led telephone advice line is going from "strength to strength". The Barking and Havering Health Authority (BHHA) is basing its comments on statistics published last week. They said it revealed
A battling Wickford man was today celebrating after winning his fight to save two oak trees from the chop. Ron Simmonds, 69, of Rectory Grove, has been campaigning against a planning application submitted to Basildon Council to site four new homes on
West Ham United supporter, Glen Brighton, has been chosen to join a unique panel of 20 dedicated football fans -- one from each Premier League club -- to debate the game's top topical issues with football presenter, Ray Stubbs. Glen, 32, from Northumberland
Brentwood School Fencer Matthew O'Connell, who is ranked second in Great Britain at Under 17 (Cadet) Sabre and 21st at senior level, has been selected for the World Championships, which are to be held in Indiana at Easter. The top three British Fencers
Brentwood School's Under 19 squash team will defend the national title they won in 1999 at Winchester Tennis and Squash Club at the same venue today. The team, comprising brothers Phillip and Peter Barker, Daryl Selby, Andrew Cunis and David Robinson,
An 82-year-old man has appeared in court charged with murdering his wife. Leslie Parsons, of Frost Farm Cottages, Golden Lane, Thorpe-le-Soken, was charged on Tuesday - two months after the death of his 87-year-old wife Dorothy from gunshot wounds on
Brentwood Police have appealed for help hunting down a pair of knife-wielding robbers who held up an Ingrave petrol station. The two men, one of whom was carrying a knife, walked into the Ingrave Service Station on Brentwood Road at around 11.10 on Monday
Concerns were raised over the safety and mental well being of five record-breaking 'eco-moles' at Gorse Wood in Rettendon as bailiffs drew ever closer to finally breaking through their underground defences this week. The three women and two men were still
South Essex rail passengers will get an improved service after a poor performance last year, train bosses have pledged. Official figures out today showed rail punctuality had worsened on 39 of the 77 routes run by the 25 passenger train companies in 1999
Crooks will have to get fit if they are to get away from the long arm of the law. Sgt Dave Rout is gearing up for his fourth London Marathon and the Harwich policeman is putting his legs to good use. He joked: "They will have to be quick to get away."
A headteacher suspended following a critical Ofsted report is appealing against the decision. Sandra Smith, headteacher at Old Heath Primary School in Colchester, was suspended from her post in November last year. Trudy Halls, chair of the school's board
Problems with boy racers speeding through a Colchester estate have prompted residents to field a candidate in the borough elections. Great-grandfather Peter Farley, 62, is bidding to become an independent councillor for the ward which covers the Old Heath
Hijacked planes should no longer be directed to Stansted, say Essex county councillors. Last month's hijack of an Afghan aircraft, and its subsequent four day stand-off at Stansted Airport, causing inconvenience to thousands, and costing millions, has
A former foster parent today admitted taking part in making sex videos. John Hudson lost his job as a foster carer with Essex Social Services after it emerged he had taken part in many filmed sex sessions. But, speaking exclusively to This Is Essex, he
A railway crossing used often by children has been criticised by an official report. HM Railway Inspectorate has refused to approve the crossing in Maria Street, Harwich, and has told Railtrack to carry out repairs within six months. But Harwich Town
The white Siberian tiger which killed its mate may be able to remain at Colchester Zoo. After the incident which killed partner Anna in November, zoo bosses said Sacha would ultimately be moved back to France. But yesterday curator Anthony Tropeano said
Colchester MP Bob Russell has launched a motion in the House of Commons to curb the "parasitic" powers of agents within professional football. Russell's two-day parliamentary motion - Behaviour of football agents - comes just a week after the Gazette
Southend United's transfer-listed striker Neil Campbell is on the verge of making a £15,000 move to Doncaster Rovers. Blues boss Alan Little confirmed yesterday that Campbell had travelled north to thrash out a deal with the Conference League outfit,
It survived the Napoleonic and world wars - but now a village shop has been defeated by the motor car. Parking chaos has forced a Kelvedon newsagent's to close after more than 200 years. Shopkeeper Valerie Deacon and son David, who own the shop, will
A trio of top police officers have won a prestigious award for work with the district's schoolchildren. Constables Denise Jeakins, Kevin Moore and Steve Wynn will be presented with the High Sheriff's Award tomorrow to mark their involvement in the community
An 82-year-old man was due to appear in court yesterday charged with murdering his wife at their north Essex home. Leslie Parsons, of Frost Farm Cottages, Golden Lane, Thorpe, was chargedon Tuesday afternoon - two months after the death of his 87-year-old
Shocked Debbie Warbis found a newspaper reporting the Titanic disaster - down the back of her radiator. Debbie, 26, of Lake Walk, Clacton, was clearing up her home when she found the 1912 Daily Mirror newspaper. The undamaged paper is dated April 20 and
A disabled youngster left without vital therapy after thieves stole her bike was today smiling again thanks to generous readers. Four-year-old Annlease Summerfield suffers from behavioural condition Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and needs her
Police are hunting "sick" vandals who sabotaged play equipment so it would collapse when children used it. Braintree Council, which owns the play area in Witham's Bramble Road, said a youngster could have been seriously injured after vital bolts and fixings
Hundreds of Brentwood youngsters have watched their dreams of soccer stardom going up in smoke after heartless thugs torched their clubhouse. The arson attack on the Sawyers Hall Lane headquarters of Great Danes Football Club at lunchtime last Tuesday
Raw sewage is seeping into a protected river - yards from a popular footpath. Tests conducted by Essex University on the Stour Estuary near Wrabness showed evidence of human sewage along with the potentially deadly E-coli bacteria. The affected area is
Danny Hunt made it two in a row when he won his second pro fight on Monday night. The Eastwood boxer defeated Birmingham's David Hinds on a unanimous points decision after four rounds at Bethnal Green's York Hall. "I boxed his head off," said the 18-year-old
A community centre is set to be extended just four years after opening- because it is too small. Overwhelming demand for use of the Great Notley Garden Village community centre has resulted in new £100,000 expansion plans. The Notley Green Community Association
A cup clash between two soccer rivals has been postponed at short notice. Ryman League Wivenhoe Town and Jewson Leaguers Clacton Town were due to meet at the Rush Green Bowl last night in the quarter final of the East Anglian Cup. Clacton's owner Jeff
Southend United's transfer-listed striker Neil Campbell is on the verge of making a £15,000 move to Doncaster Rovers. Blues boss Alan Little confirmed yesterday that Campbell had travelled north to thrash out a deal with the Conference League outfit,
Everyone wants a roof over their head - and the Essex Air Ambulance is no different. Since it was introduced nearly two years ago the helicopter has been kept outdoors at its Boreham Airfield home, near Chelmsford but now Essex Air Ambulance Service wants
A junkie who stole from his own family was shopped to police by his father, a court heard. His father Geoffrey Smith said calling police was the only way of getting his son off the killer drug. Heroin addict Gavin Smith drew a knife and threatened to
SPALL KNOCKOUT CUP THIRD ROUND Chris Woolf netted for Heath Park 'B' who were thrashed 6-1 by Warley Stars for whom Paul Ruby (3), Paul Webb, Colin Falkard and Danny Ball netted. Essex Arms moved into the next round by virtue of a 3-1 win over Swan Athletic
A controversial school bus service is to be re-routed in the wake of a smash which left dozens of children in hospital. More than 30 pupils from Southend were taken to hospital following the head-on collision between the double-decker bus and a car in
A delivery driver fled in terror today after he was confronted by what he believed to be a black panther outside a Benfleet school. The man was delivering bread to the Appleton School in Croft Road at about 3am this morning when he spotted what he described
A former foster parent took part in making sex videos on board a yacht in Benfleet. John Hudson lost his job as a foster carer with Essex Social Services after it emerged he had taken part in filmed sex sessions on the floating HQ of Benfleet Motor Boat
Today is the day of reckoning for the Citizen Advice Bureaux in Billericay and Wickford. The two CABs annually provide help and advice to more than 12,000 people, but they say if they do not receive adequate financial support from Basildon District Council
A furious mother is seeking legal advice because of a bullying campaign she claims is being waged against her son. For months, 12-year-old Michael Millar has been bullied by fellow pupils at Colchester's Thomas, Lord Audley School. This week, as he was
Colchester soccer referee Dave Duffett is on his way to Wembley again. Duffett, 48, of Furrow Close, Stanway, has been named as one of the assistant referees to run the line at the England v Hungary Under-18 international under the famous twin towers
Basildon taxpayers could be asked to foot the bill to keep a theatre in their town. Around £100,000 a year needs to be found to re-open the ailing Towngate Theatre and secure its future. If the cash were to be found from council tax payers, it would mean
Teenage eco-warrior Christiana Tugwell has celebrated a court victory - with help from the This Is Essex partner paper the Evening Echo. Christiana, 16, fought to get newspaper reporting restrictions lifted after being accused of unlawful obstruction
Shocked Debbie Warbis found a newspaper reporting the Titanic disaster - down the back of her radiator. Debbie, 26, of Lake Walk, Clacton, was clearing up her home when she found the 1912 Daily Mirror newspaper. The undamaged paper is dated April 20 and
Ministers should drop all plans to do away with grammar schools in the wake of the "futile and expensive" ballot of parents at a North Yorkshire school, says the headteacher of a Southend grammar school. Andrew Baker, head of Westcliff High School for
The caring cuddle is to go. At the end of next week the logo for one of Colchester's biggest employers, Royal London will be changed to reflect the company's new image. The cuddle has been the same for 19 years and, when it was originally introduced in
A police helicopter was used during a police operation in the Billericay area on Tuesday. Police were following a car in the Potash Road area of Billericay, but lost the vehicle as it headed towards the town centre. Officers alerted the police's air support
The voice behind some of Southend's biggest open air events has quit in protest at the council's decision to charge people with learning disabilities for day care. BBC Essex's Rick Morgan, who has been the commentator at Southend Airshow for the past
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has again scotched speculation that his talented teenager Lomana Tresor Lua Lua is set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur in a deal worth up to £2 million. Whitton stressed yesterday: "I can categorically state that I have
A teenager who helped give a town the highest crime rate in the district has escaped a jail sentence. Desperate Gary Sharpe committed almost a third of Billericay's recorded offences during a two-month crime spree. The 18-year-old stole bread and milk
A crime-busting community scheme was today celebrating after scooping a top county award. The car-crime crackdown, steered by the Basildon Community Safety Partnership, has been vital in reducing incidents in the town by almost half in three years. In
A £76,000 National Lottery grant has enabled the trustees of the Five Star Youth Club, Gooshay Drive, Harold Hill, to open a new gymnasium. The extension, which was officially opened on Wednesday, has been long awaited, says Tony Conway who, for the past
Pupils at Thorpe Bay School downed pens and walked out of lessons in protest at a lack of teaching staff today. More than 50 year 11 pupils set up a protest on the playing fields of the Southchurch Boulevard school, claiming their GCSE work was being
Hard-working sports coaches from all over the county are to be given a special thank-you, at a ceremony to mark their achievements. Essex County Council chairman Mrs Joan Beard and Essex FM sports presenter Roger Buxton will be at County Hall on Friday
Thorndon Park Golf Club hosted the annual Challenge Cup between the Essex PGA and the Essex Ladies County Golf Association. After the morning foursomes the EPGA led by 3.5 to 1.5 points with a significant win of 4/3 by Patricia Cronin and Amanda Colgate
Colchester Men's Hockey Club wrapped up their home programme in the Crowe Insurance League with a 4-0 win at Leisure World. But player-coach Arthur Wormington was the first to admit they were flattered by the margin of victory. He fumed: "Three points
Matt Wadforth's Braintree side were unlucky to lose Saturday's tightly contested London North League Two encounter at King Georges Playing Fields in Brentwood, after giving one of their most committed performances of the season. Only the home side's mastery
A 22-year-old man was dragged to a secluded spot before being robbed, assaulted and threatened with rape and murder. The victim was walking along Vicarage Road, Chelmsford, in the early hours of March 4 when he was grabbed by his attacker and taken to
A nurse has been struck off the register after being found guilty of indecently touching a patient. Samuel Bovell, 68, of Great Baddow, Chelmsford, had denied allegations of indecently touching the woman - known only as Miss A - who now works as a nanny
