A fearful family have claimed they will be forced to move off Canvey if a peanut factory moves onto their doorstep. Lynn and Vic Day say that having peanut firm Percy Dalton as a neighbour would be tantamount to living next to an unmonitored and unrestricted
Campaigners were claiming victory on Friday after an apparent last-minute change of heart by banking giant Barclays. The bank closed 172 rural branches - including Dedham, Hatfield Peverel, Sible Hedingham, Coggeshall and Thaxted - because of the changing
Plans to create a barrage across the River Blackwater have been sunk by Maldon district councillors. Following a long debate at Thursday night's full council meeting, the idea of a 500m tidal bar from the former tip on the Maldon side of the river to
ROCHFORD HUNDRED 27 SHELFORD 7 Rochford proved they were worthy champions by signing off with a win against the team who had led London Three for much of the campaign. Shelford, out to prove a point, came out in determined mood but Rochford were in the
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has defended his players after relegation candidates Blackpool came within an ace of recording their first win at Layer Road. The Tangerines, currently struggling in the Second Division's bottom three, threatened to
The long range shooting skills of Steve Blaney continue to play a leading part in Billericay Town's late Ryman League Premier Division rally. Little more than a week ago, the New Lodge side feared being dragged into the relegation dogfight, but three
Canvey boss Jeff King slammed his "cheating" players as they took their Ryman League Premier Division run to just one point from four games with an abysmal display against bottom side Boreham Wood. Gulls have slumped alarmingly since their outside hopes
Crews filming the Essex Boys blockbuster took their production to heart when they allegedly shot scenes at a Southend nightclub without permission. The film, starring Sean Bean and due for release on July 14, features a gang of criminals involved in the
A pensioner was attacked by two robbers in his own home. The OAP struggled with a raider after disturbing two men at his home in Hatfield Peverel at about 7pm on Thursday. Rather than flee after they were disturbed, they stayed at the house and carried
The performance was not important - it's results that count at this stage of the season. That's the general view of the pundits at this point of another fraught campaign and it's a theory which the vast majority of the Ipswich Town faithful will subscribe
Last Sunday saw the Over 60s Double Fours rinks from the Jacks Centre Latchingdon, play for the second time in three years in the finals of the County competitions at Chigwell Indoor Bowling Club. In 1998, after a valiant struggle, they were beaten by
Disabled rower Andrew Halsey has abandoned his epic attempt to row across the Pacific Ocean. Epileptic Mr Halsey, 42, from Clacton, was picked up by a Korean fishing boat on Thursday after sending an emergency signal, the Ocean Rowing Society said. Colleagues
Two "dangerous" bullocks caused havoc on Friday when they escaped from a livestock market and made a run for freedom towards the A120. After evading capture for nearly two hours police marksmen were forced to shoot both animals. The two bullocks broke
Canvey may not be the centre of the universe but to lovers of pub rock music it is the Holy Land. One man who recognises the importance of Canvey and the surrounding area to the wider musical world is songwriter and drummer with Southend band the Kursaal
Chelmsford Borough Council's entire housing stock of 7,300 homes could be transferred to a new, not-for-profit social landlord in a deal believed to be worth about £89 million. The council said that the move was being put forward as it could not, as an
Pupils from Prittlewell School in Southend got a lesson in construction work as part of an initiative linked with a local skills college. The 15 and 16-year-olds got a taste of life on a real building site at a Crowstone Properties development in Hockley
Versatile Lucy Schofield is looking forward to competing in the Essex Swimming Championships at Barkingside this weekend. She will be competing in the 200m medley, 100m freestyle and the 200m backstroke. But 12-year-old Lucy, a pupil of Clacton High School
Emma King scored a double success as members of Rochford and District Swimming Club rewrote the record books at the Harlow Penguins Sprint Meet. The team smashed four records on the day, with Emma breaking two on her own in winning both the under-12s
A couple have been left without a venue for their wedding day after Colchester Council announced plans to close the Moot Hall for refurbishment. Tara Beecham and Darren Bodice had booked the impressive venue at the Town Hall for their wedding breakfast
A disappointing financial year has triggered a round of redundancies at Fair Havens and Little Haven hospices, it has emerged. Job cuts at the hospices in Thundersley and Southend have been announced by umbrella organisation South East Essex Christian
Motorcycling prospect Andy Blueman was facing a race against time at the weekend to get his machine ready for the biggest day of his sporting life. Andy had been specially invited by organisers to race in the British Championships at Donington Parkon
Football agent Barry Silkman has confirmed he will be taking Colchester United to the civil courts following the Brian Launders affair. Silkman insisted on Thursday: "Although no date has yet been fixed to hear the case, there is no question that Brian
An Army wife, who faced deportation and being split from her two young children, has been told she can stay in Britain. Geraldine Thomas cried when she heard the news she would not have to leave after she split from her husband, Keith, in September last
A service of thanksgiving for the life of Peter Edwards, secretary/manager of Essex County Cricket Club who died last month, has been confirmed at 11.30am on Monday, May 8, at Chelmsford Cathedral. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some
A vet is calling for dog-owners to keep control of their animals after a pregnant deer was killed. The muntjack deer was being looked after by Braintree veterinary assistant Robin Creighton, who believes the animal was savaged by an Alsation dog. The
Southend councillors could soon be voting themselves a huge rise in allowances following a report by an independent panel. Reporters CHRIS HATTON and ISABEL GOMPERTZ take a look at the increasing workload of our elected members. April 1, 1998 marked a
Council supremo George Krawiec has hit back at criticisms about ideas to solve the problem of traffic congestion clogging up Southend. Chief executive and town clerk Mr Krawiec spoke out as he defended the way the public had been told about Southend Council's
Southend Manor kept up their challenge on top dogs Saffron Walden for the Schweppes Essex Senior League title with a thrilling 4-3 home win over Sawbridgeworth. The Southchurch Park side stayed three points behind Walden, who won 2-0 at Hullbridge, and
It was difficult not to feel sympathy for Great Wakering Rovers as they continued their bid to obtain the five points needed to guarantee first-time promotion from the Ryman League Third Division. Forced to field an understrength side due to injuries,
Matt Holland was beginning to think he could only score away from home. The Ipswich Town skipper had not struck on his own patch since the 4-1 home defeat against QPR last year. But he's been having rather more success on his travels around the country
A horse died in a suspected arson attack on a stable block. Fire crews made a desperate bid to save the animal, which was trapped inside the burning stable in Honeysuckle Way, Witham, at 9.30pm on Sunday. But the animal had already died in the blaze.
People protesting against the planned closure of Canvey ambulance station marched through the streets to raise awareness of the issue. Around 30 banner-waving protesters walked from the junction of Furtherwick Road and Long Road on Canvey to show widespread
White Ensign have threaded their way to the Southend Borough Combination Premier Division title - thanks to the goal-scoring efforts of Cotton. His two-goal show had team-mates reeling with delight as they beat close rivals Shoebury Town 3-2 to keep the
A car fire nearly killed a man when flames blocked his door and filled his flat with smoke. The Fiat Uno was parked so close to the door of 23-year-old James Markam's flat in Burdett Avenue, Westcliff, that he was unable to get past the car to safety.
A raincoat worn by transexual Bryan Hooley may hold the key to his killing. Murder squad detectives are keen to trace the whereabouts of the calf-length raincoat Mr Hooley was wearing when he was last seen alive. They have set up a mobile police station
Police have launched a major inquiry after a woman was subjected to a horrifying rape just yards from a busy town centre pub and railway station. The 20-year-old from south Essex was attacked in a shop service area near Southend Central railway station
A teacher is leaving the profession to launch a crusade to cut youth crime. Simon Taylor, 26, wants to stop youngsters hanging around on the streets and give them somewhere safe to go. Mr Taylor will leave Hazelmere Junior School, Greenstead, at the end
The Parachute Regiment flag is set to be raised in Colchester for the first time in the Paras' 60-year history. The ceremony, set to be held on Thursday, will mark the arrival of the 2nd Battalion The Parachute Regiment into Colchester Garrison. The Paras
Southend United boss Alan Little was able to lavish some rare praise on his team following Saturday's plucky 0-0 draw at Third Division leaders Rotherham United. Blues' players had come underfire from club chairman John Main last week for a string of
Mister Morris married a Morris dancer ... who arrived on the day in a Morris Minor. Care worker Jody McQuie's wedding was one to remember when she tied the knot with Peter Morris at Colchester Town Hall on Saturday. The Priory Morris Dancers club of St
Internet shopping and 24-hour opening has come to High Woods in Colchester. From today Tesco's High Woods store will be joining the Hythe branch by opening its doors to shoppers at 8am Monday until 10pm Saturdays. Sunday opening hours will be 10am to
A Colchester soldier has been praised for quickly raising the alarm after he was knocked off his feet by a bomb attack in Northern Ireland. Private Andrew Welch, 20, of the 1st Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, was on duty in a guardroom at the barracks
Gosfield villagers are furious after the parish council used poisonous chemicals to gas rabbits in a public nature reserve - and then proposed to reopen it two days later. The council closed the reserve, a popular beauty spot where villagers walk their
It wasn't pretty, but in the end it was worth a point. And if Colchester United go on to avoid relegation from the Second Division in a few weeks' time - which I predict they will do with plenty to spare - then this result will be looked upon as one of
Cameras rolled on Clacton Pier - and the results are due to be screened at the National Film Theatre in London. The Purple Orange Film Company were in the town shooting the 15-minute short film Holiday with George. Writer director Linus Lindell said everyone
Southend police station is so overcrowded, some officers are forced to work in the corridor. Essex Police have now won permission for a new temporary building in the station car park to ease the pressure. A report to Southend councillors said: "The unit
Essex Police have been told they will receive no help from the Home Office in meeting the estimated £343,000 costs of the Korean Airlines plane crash. The force - currently locked in talks with the airline's insurers following December's crash at Stansted
Young Pearly Queen Kim Wedley takes her three dogs for a charity walk along Southend seafront. She was one of many walkers who raised money for the Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, based at Pitsea. The five-mile walk yesterday started at Leigh
The airwaves around Essex will ring to the dulcet tones of one of our own native sons. Chelmsford-born TV star Chris Rogers is coming back to his home county to join Essex FM as a disc-jockey. Chris 25, who fronts the popular ITV animal show Brilliant
A Colchester teacher has been suspended for his work as youth officer for the Pagan Federation. Ralph Morse, 44, who teaches music and drama at Shenfield High School, near Brentwood, was suspended last Monday on full pay after an article about him appeared
Teenage night Intrigue opened once more at a completely new seafront venue in Southend. The troubled under-18s club night launched new weekly Sunday events at Bar Central in Lucy Road, Southend. It is the first time the night has gone ahead since its
Boyce Hill jeweller James Parker produced a gem of a performance at Braintree, to finish second in the qualifying competition of the finest Essex Amateur Golf Union event of the season, the Keating Trophy. Forty-five of the county's best golfers played
Free car parking across Castle Point looks set to be virtually scrapped in a controversial bid to boost council coffers. The cash-strapped authority is looking to introduce charges at many of its free car parks and increase prices at others to raise an
Most people know that the film Clockwork Orange was withdrawn by its own maker Stanley Kubrick. Fewer people know that, even before the film's recent re-release, it was possible to see it on stage. The story tells of a violent young thug called Alex who
One of Southend's most famous daughters Gemma Craven is coming back to town with the touring show Shakespeare Revue. While here she will spending time with her seriously ill father. She talks to SALLY KING Actress Gemma Craven likes to get back to her
EastEnders fans will be flocking to the Dixon Studio in the Palace Theatre Centre when the next production opens. Boxed is a new play written by, among others, Mark Homer, who is best known as the local news reporter in the BBC soap. He will be appearing
Felines found friends at a special cat homing event put on by a Southend charity. The show was staged by the Southend Cat Protection League and aimed to find a home in a day for some of the many cats it is looking after. Pussies were laid out in cages
Hard-working Basildon College students dug deep to raise £250 for the flood victims of Mozambique. Students spent the day elbow deep in soap suds as they washed dozens of cars to help raise cash for the appeal. Others held table top sales and raffles
A Colchester hotel opened a coffee shop in the town. The Red Lion Hotel has taken over the unit in Red Lion Walk beneath its High Street premises. The building has been empty since December when Mr Bumbles Eating Parlour moved out. It has been replaced
A twenty-year-old who attacked a Chelmsford teacher after he was asked to leave a school playing field was ordered to do 80 hours community service. Kevin Setterington of Wheatfield Way, Chelmsford, was before Chelmsford Crown Court, on Friday for sentence
A man was seriously injured after being involved in a collision with a van in Chelmsford. The 61-year-old pedestrian was injured in the incident which happened near Widford roundabout at the junction of the A1016 and A414 at about 5.30pm on Friday. The
A man who burgled his next-door neighbours was today behind bars, having avoided prison for the past four years. Tony Hosnu, 32, was living in Ramuz Drive, Westcliff, when he broke into the homes of both his neighbours, two months apart. He was arrested
Basildon Freestyle Kickboxing Club set the scene for Saturday's big night at Pitsea's Eversely Centre with a spectacular display at Epping Forrest Country Club. This coming weekend sees Eurosport's TV cameras and Combat magazine covering one of the biggest
Steve Peters' form in the weekend friendlies against Durham has provided Essex with plenty of encouragement for the summer. The 21-year-old right-hander, who scored a century in helping England lift the under-19 World Cup two years ago, struggled to carve
SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Billericay Town 1, Basingstoke Town 0; Canvey 0, Boreham Wood 1. Division 3: Flackwell Heath 1, Great Wakering Rovers 0. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Concord Rangers 3, Woodford Town 0; Eton Manor 3, Brentwood
Snooker's greatest natural talent Ronnie O'Sullivan could be in line for his first world title - and is likely to have fans flocking to the Evening Echo's big date next month. Yesterday, O'Sullivan won the final ranking event before the Embassy World
one of the county's top police officers was involved in a collision with one of the force's patrol cars. Essex Deputy Chief Constable Charles Clark was left uninjured following the four-car shunt on the A12 at Hatfield Peverel on Friday afternoon. Mr
Drug dealers have been sent a warning after police raided three homes. Cannabis, speed and ecstasy were found in the raids. Sgt Andy Hooke said that on Friday night officers entered three homes in upper Dovercourt and Harwich. Cannabis was found in one
The hills are alive to the sound of - Elvis! The King - alias John Curtis - has been wowing holidaymakers at a skiing resort in Austria just a few months after quitting his job as an insurance broker. John, from Stambridge, quit his job in the City last
A Turkish man has been shot in the face and beaten up in what police are treating as a retaliation attack following last week's football murders. Basildon police have confirmed they will consider a racial motive in their investigation into the attack
An investigation is underway into a school blaze from which more than 300 children were evacuated. Fire investigators were today due to visit Templars Junior School in Witham to look into a suspected arson attack. The Cressing Road school will be closed
Asylum-seekers lodging in Southend now face even more uncertainty, after councillors voted to oust them from some of the town's hotels. Southend Council development control committee decided unanimously to take enforcement action against hotels and guest
