Essex cricket captain Ronnie Irani has admitted he has been interviewed by police over alleged match-fixing while playing for England - but stressed his innocence. The Essex skipper revealed he and his county colleague, England captain Nasser Hussain,
Colchester wheelchair athlete Hadj Lahmarr suffered the ultimate frustration of every athlete when he was forced to pull out of the Flora London Marathon. An injury to his thumb caused his physio and coach to withdraw him from Sunday's race to avoid any
Ford UK's Visteon car systems supplier will become an independent company later this year, it was today announced. The company, which employs hundreds of workers in Basildon, is to separate from its parent company Ford UK. Visteon, which has been linked
Canvey is not one of the ambulance stations which are earmarked for closure, an official list confirmed today. Staff at the island's station had already been reassured by ambulance chiefs that the Canvey station would not be among those closing. Now an
Wakering had two entirely different teams playing an equally important part as they moved closer to their first time Ryman League Division Three promotion dream with a priceless point. First into action were the magnificent squad who turned up at their
New Iron manager Ben Embery's first game in charge ended on a low as Braintree were beaten 2-0 at Worthing. But it was an encouraging performance from Braintree who probably deserved something from a game in which they played well. Worthing took the lead
Housing bosses in Southend have signed a £1.1 million partnership deal which will speed up modernisation of the Kursaal Estate. Work on an eight-year programme of upgrading flats and houses on the estate was launched three years ago by the Estuary Housing
A knifeman who threatened a teenage girl near a graveyard in Westcliff on Saturday night could be the same man who attacked two women in the area last November. Police are not linking the attacks at the moment but have said they are not ruling it out.
A disabled man from Old Leigh fought off two men with his crutches as robbers tried to grab his video camera. The man was stabbed in the stomach with a screwdriver during the scuffle as he left a Leigh pub at the end of an evening out. The 59-year-old
Steve Whitton cited Colchester United's 3-0 humbling against Wycombe Wanderers as the poorest performance of his managerial reign. The U's boss, forced to make an 11th hour change to his line-up after Ross Johnson pulled a hamstring before the game, watched
Defiant biker Andy Blueman Jnr today vowed to race on with a broken ankle following a 125mph smash in the British championships at Donington Park. Andy was thrown from his machine while cornering during practice and ended up on the gravel track. He was
One national newspaper predicted Stephen Hendy's first round match against Basildon's Stuart Bingham would be a stroll for the reigning World Champion. But Bingham, who qualified for the tournament with a world ranking of 92, stunned Sheffield's famous
Colchester's carnival, street festival, torchlight parade and millennium street arts festival are all in jeopardy after the company set up to market the town was wound up with £25,000 debts. Retailers and politicians were yesterday left embarrassed by
Civic chiefs are to resist plans to further expand Stansted as low cost airlines help boost the number of passengers at Essex's international airport. In the year ended in March nearly 10 million passengers used the airport, a 33.7 per cent increase on
The best cup of cappuccino in the country is made in Colchester - it's official. Waiter Ollie Blackman, 18, proved himself to be the cream of the crop when he won the PizzaExpress competition. Battling it out against 15 other regional representatives,
Brave Bethany Mizen, who lost an eye to cancer, was given a holiday of a lifetime thanks to a generous charity. The four-year-old was whisked away by limousine for an all-expenses paid weekend to EuroDisney in Paris. Bethany, of Coombes Grove, Rochford
The roof of the Palace Hotel in Southend is in such a bad state of repair that putting mobile phone masts on it would improve and strengthen it, claims the firm which wants to do it. Bosses at One 2 One have rejected claims by conservation campaigners
RYMAN LEAGUE Division 3: Great Wakering Rovers 2, Corinthian Casuals 2. SOUTHEND BOROUGH COMBINATION SATURDAY Reserve Division: Leigh Ramblers 1 (Mason), Catholic United 1 (Hubbard); Sibar Sports 1 (Sexton), Earls Hall United 1 (Clark). Division 1: Thames
Team with a tale to tell - that's Canterbury Harriers under-10s who, after playing mini-soccer in the South-east Essex Primary League, will move up to the 11-a-side game next season. Sponsored by Industrial Metal Services of Shoeburyness they are looking
Wakering had two entirely different teams playing an equally important part as they moved closer to their first time Ryman League Division Three promotion dream with a priceless point. First into action were the magnificent squad who turned up at their
A waterlogged pitch brought an abrupt end to Southend United's Third Division match with Torquay United at Roots Hall on Saturday. Blues' game was officially cancelled at 1.30pm by Nottingham referee Frazer Stretton who decided that the Seasiders' pitch
Big-hearted stars came out in force at Billericay's Stockbrook Manor for a pro-am charity golf match in aid of children's charities Sparks and Little Havens. Vinnie Jones, Bobby Davro, Trevor Brooking, Lawrence Dallaglio, Joe Kinnear and London's Burning
Seven goals from Taylor led the way as Weir Athletic celebrated being crowned Division Two champions with a 15-4 away win over Rayleigh Olympiads in section B of the Spring Cup. Athletic, who still have a game to play, won the Second Division title when
All of Witham Town's scheduled matches at the weekend, all being away from Spa Road, were postponed, due to waterlogged pitches. The matches that fell to the weather were the first team's Ryman League Division Two fixture at Edgware Town, the Reserves
Swimmers from Rochford and District Swimming Club finished the Essex 2000 age group championships in the same fashion as they started - with a clutch of medals. The club contested the third and final round of the series at Fulwell Cross pool at Barkingside
The top four snooker players in the world are on cue for a £125,000 shoot-out at Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre next month. Mark Williams, who will end the season as the pro game's number one whoever wins the Embassy World Championship at Sheffield
A world premiere is lined up to launch the new season at the Palace Theatre Westcliff. Noel Coward's play Volcano has been kept locked away for decades, apparently to protect the identities of those that the plot is based on. The main character in the
From the war until today George Cross has treated life as one long adventure no matter what fate deals out, finds Tom King George Cross's exploits as a paratrooper in the Second World War were the stuff of movies - action movies. There were years of violent
A jobless husband found guilty by a jury of fiddling cash benefits while on the dole was ordered to work 120 hours of community service. Alan Thompson, who must also pay £215 court costs, was claiming money while his wife worked as a cashier at Savacentre
Lakeside Shopping Centre at Thurrock is cooking up a treat next week. TV cook Rustie Lee will be getting spicy on Tuesday and Wednesday when she shows shoppers some Caribbean dishes to cook up at home. Before that the week begins on Easter Monday with
Budding gardeners of the future were on hand to launch the prestigious Southend in Bloom competition. The youngsters, from West Leigh Juniors, won the schools' category of the contest last year. They were given a ride around Southend on a horse-drawn
Toddlers and staff from a Canvey playgroup joined together to bid a fond farewell to their leader who has retired after 40 years. Amelia Blackwell has stepped down from her job running the Amelia Blackwell playgroup. The 79-year-old founded the playgroup
Southend United's longest-serving player Julian Hails has been forced to quit professional football after losing his two-year battle against injury. The popular 32-year-old finally admitted defeat today in his quest to regain full fitness, following a
Burnham Ramblers are on the verge of being expelled from this season's Eastern Floodlight Competition - at the semi-final stage! Ramblers have officially announced they won't be sending a team to Canvey Island's Park Lane ground for the semi-final tonight
The weather was the real winner in the Southend Borough Combination Veterans League this weekend with only four matches surviving the deluge. In Division Three, Haydon Manor secured the title without kicking a ball as their only challengers, Old Southendian
Bell Sports and Royal Bank of Scotland will meet in the final of the Southend Sunday League's Section D Cup. Both pulled off good semi-final successes yesterday in a Sunday programme which saw a number of games cancelled due to the torrential rain that
As the local soccer season moved towards a close, rain ravaged the Southend Borough Combination programme with only ten of the scheduled 20 games being played on Saturday. Biggest casualty was the semi-final in the top knockout competition, the Walton
A builder who was unfairly dismissed said his company tried to make him leave of his own accord when his girlfriend fell pregnant. Edwin Wright, 22, felt JL Knight Roadworks, based in London Road, Kelvedon, showed a "lack of heart" in not allowing him
An innovative community project has been set up in Colchester to forge better understanding between youngsters and the elderly. Children on the St Anne's estate will volunteer to do jobs for pensioners in the area. The idea is to bridge the gap between
A rape crisis line is in desperate need of more volunteers. At present the Colchester Rape Crisis line has ten people who take calls on two days of the week, Wednesdays from 2.30pm to 9.30pm and Sundays from 2pm to 4pm. On the days the line is not operated
Local history was brought vividly to life at Colchester Castle museum. Historical exploits from throughout the years were told by visual storyteller John Row. Also telling a range of folk tales from around the world, Mr Row encouraged audience members
Sporty Rachel Norman is so disgusted at what she feels is council discrimination that she is boycotting Teen Zone, one of her favourite activities. Rachel, of Tyehurst Crescent, Colchester, loves the Sunday sport session in High Woods sports centre. But
Choristers from Southend are performing Britten's War Requiem at London's premier concert hall. Boys aged eight and above from the Southend Boys' Choir join the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra and two major choruses at the Royal Albert Hall on Maundy Thursday
Tory MP Sir Teddy Taylor has paid tribute to Graham Blois who has resigned as headteacher of the troubled Thorpe Bay School. Mr Blois quit his position on Friday following a difficult year for the school which was put on special measures after failing
A man has admitted burning down his own home in Maldon. Neale Barter, 39, appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday and pleaded guilty to arson at his home in Fambridge Road on April 2 last year. Sentence was adjourned for reports and Barter was granted
A vicious gang ambushed a man on a Wickford industrial estate and attacked him with a machete, leaving him seriously injured. The victim almost lost the fingers of one hand and needed six hours of reconstructive surgery to repair damage to his legs. Police
Budding footballers get the chance to enhance their skills when Football for Fun bring their much travelled soccer courses to Basildon this Easter. Football for Fun has been run in association with Arsenal FC for over five years, catering for both boys
The club fished its monthly competition at Dunwich beach on Saturday night. Thirteen anglers braved the wet and cold and were rewarded with catches of Whiting, Pouting and a Dogfish with lots a small undersize fish returned. The result was: 1st Ray Nice
Budding footballers get the chance to enhance their skills when Football for Fun bring their much travelled soccer courses to Basildon this Easter. Football for Fun has been run in association with Arsenal FC for over five years, catering for both boys
Richard Wright is ready to put Ipswich before his England career by sticking with the club - promotion or no promotion. The Ipswich goalie, who is expected to be named in Kevin Keegan's Euro 2000 squad, is desperate to lead his hometown club into the
A teenager collapsed at a junior golf tournament today. The 18-year-old was given mouth-to-mouth resuscitation by a two members of Five Lakes hotel, golf and country club, Tolleshunt Knights. The Essex Air Ambulance was called to the club at 11.35am.
One of Southend's most popular tourist attractions could remain closed through the Easter holiday after droppings from a flock of starlings sparked health fears. Never Never Land on Western Esplanade will stay locked up until operator, Mike Dolby can
Steve Whitton admitted he had been given a huge lift after watching Colchester United's reserves grind out a 1-1 draw against Fulham yesterday. The U's boss, still reeling from the 3-0 humiliation at Wycombe last weekend, saw Jack Wignall's goal earn
Canvey Island are the county soccer kings for a second successive year. At Southend United's Roots Hall ground on Monday night, Jeff King's Gulls flew high over Ryman League Premier Division rivals Purfleet to retain the Essex Senior Cup they captured
An 83-year-old man was threatened with a knife minutes after he opened his grocer's shop one day last summer. But a court heard how shopkeeper Stanley Johnson refused to hand over any money and a teenager wielding an 8in knife left empty-handed. The 14
Thieves targeted two Co-op stores and made off with thousands of pounds worth of stock. Burglars forced the doors of the store in High Street, Kelvedon, taking cigarettes worth £5,000 and £500 cash on Monday morning. At the weekend, fruit and vegetables
Forget Ronan Keating and Robbie Williams - there's a new kid on the block. Teenager Fred Jenkins is hoping to follow in the footsteps of the two boyband singers after he won a place in what could be the new BoyZone. Fred, of Tolleshunt Major, near Maldon
Steve Whitton cited Colchester United's 3-0 humbling against Wycombe Wanderers as the poorest performance of his managerial reign. The U's boss, forced to make an 11th hour change to his line-up after Ross Johnson pulled a hamstring before the game, watched
Defiant biker Andy Blueman Jnr today vowed to race on with a broken ankle following a 125mph smash in the British championships at Donington Park. Andy was thrown from his machine while cornering during practice and ended up on the gravel track. He was
The possibility of a major new leisure complex in Maldon has been given a resounding thumbs up by residents. Plans for the £2.5 million development - including a 25-lane bowling alley, snooker centre, children's play area, bars and a restaurant - have
A remote farmhouse in Essex was used as an illegal drink warehouse and labelling centre. Nine Customs and Excise officers who raided the premises near Chelmsford seized 55,000 bottles of French wine. In a second raid on a farm in Sussex they seized another
'Allo, 'allo, 'allo - what have we here then? Special needs youngsters at a school in Basildon know they could feel the long arm of the law if they misbehave while riding their bikes in the playground. Repeated offences could see them lose their licences
A would-be firefighter made hoax calls to the fire brigade - weeks after he was given probation for similar offences. Brian Garrett, 22, of Witham Road, Black Notley, appeared before Chelmsford magistrates yesterday charged with making eight false fire
For many the thought of seeing a snake is enough to make them run a mile - but a new campaign is hoping to change all that. The Snakes Need Friends project has been launched by an Ashingdon man, backed by various wildlife charities including Frog Life
A feast of summer entertainment has been promised by the Cliffs Pavilion as it launches its spring and summer season. Veteran entertainers Danny La Rue, Jimmy Tarbuck, Ken Dodd and Max Bygraves are all lined up for nights of top-class fun. If it's music
From the war until today George Cross has treated life as one long adventure no matter what fate deals out, finds Tom King George Cross's exploits as a paratrooper in the Second World War were the stuff of movies - action movies. There were years of violent
The only complete performance in Essex of Hopes and Dreams, a musical especially for the millennium, will be held at Shoeburyness High School, Caulfield Road, Shoebury at the weekend. It will be performed by more than 100 people in front of an audience
Youngsters who care about their environment are being urged to unite and form a new youth group in Castle Point. The Castle Point Young People's Opportunity wants to set up a forum for teenagers aged between 13 and 19. The group will give them the chance
The skies over Essex were full of romance when Shalainder Aurora proposed to his partner, Susheel Panesar, in the middle of a surprise balloon trip. Brentwood dentist, Susheel, was thrilled when she saw the Virgin balloon waiting for them in a field just
Glad all over - Leigh Ramblers seconds won the Gladwin Cup with a 4-2 victory over White Ensign seconds in last night's final at Southend Borough Combination's Eastwoodbury Lane headquarters Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD Converted for the new archive on 19 November
Essex County Indoor bowlers saw their Liberty Trophy dream shattered by a stunning comeback from Lancashire. Essex stormed into a six-shot lead on the first end and were 24 ahead by the seventh. But Lancashire stepped up a gear to gradually reduce the
Hospitals, care homes and police across Essex are being asked to check if the description of the body of a woman found on Foulness Sands matches anyone on the missing list. Essex Police have already carried out a check and a spokeswoman said the woman's
Police and fire crews are investigating a suspected arson attack on a family home. The four-bedroom detached house in Clayhall Road, Clacton, was severely damaged by the blaze at 11.50pm last night. Neighbours Sara Sheavills and partner Gary raised the
Australian cricket star Shane Warne has made his county debut at Chelmsford in the Benson and Hedges clash between Hampshire and Essex. The leg spinner, his country's top all-time Test wicket-taker, was due to play his first game in today's vital cup
New Iron manager Ben Embery's first game in charge ended on a low as Braintree were beaten 2-0 at Worthing. But it was an encouraging performance from Braintree who probably deserved something from a game in which they played well. Worthing took the lead
Canvey Boxing Club suffered mixed fortunes with three of its fighters losing out at the Eastern Region ABA finals tempered by a successful open show. Matt Woodcraft, John Martin and Tommy Maxwell were representing Essex at the finals in Great Yarmouth
An appeal has been launched for residents of the Ongar and North Weald area to join forces to help tackle crime in the community. Police crime reduction officer Tony Ellis is seeking to double the number of Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators in the Epping
A waterlogged pitch brought an abrupt end to Southend United's Third Division match with Torquay United at Roots Hall on Saturday. Blues' game was officially cancelled at 1.30pm by Nottingham referee Frazer Stretton who decided that the Seasiders' pitch
St George's Day at a Leigh pub will once again be celebrated in style - without the annual fight to extend opening hours. Val Bates at the Ship Inn has achieved national fame in her campaign to get St George's Day recognised as a public holiday with longer
An action-packed holiday programme for young people is planned in an Easter Eggstravaganza for the Ongar and North Weald area. A Heroes and Villains day for five to seven-year-olds is being staged at Queens Hall Community Centre, North Weald, next Tuesday
With its picturesque views over the River Crouch, rail network and weatherboarded cottages, Burnham has a wealth of attractions on which to build. Amanda Brandon spoke to Terry Quinlan, who is involved in two organisations which are working on improving
A Hadleigh church has been accused of being "mercenary" as a last-ditch bid to save its historic hall was launched. Councillor Charles Smith said St James the Less Church was not acting in the interests of the local community by putting its building on
The flagship Tesco Metro store in Southend High Street is to close just two years after it opened in a blaze of glory. It will be replaced by trendy US clothing giant GAP. Dozens of staff could face the axe as a result of the move, although Tesco bosses
Bullies could be stopped in their tracks thanks to a unique initiative by the parents of intimidated youngsters. A telephone support network was today in place after horrified parents decided to do something to stop their own children's misery and help
Police recruitment in Essex could face serious problems unless pay is improved, according to Southend's retiring police chief Mike Benning. Metropolitan Police officers already receive extra pay because they live and work in the capital. But proposals
Pro-active neighbours in Vange are taking to the streets to combat the growing youth problems. Fed-up residents in Swanstead are joining forces to get to the root of the problem which is making their lives a misery. Nine cars have been attacked in the
Politicians have called for an urgent debate to find out the full facts which led to Colchester Town Centre Management Company being wound up. Labour's David Canning, shadow cabinet councillor for economic development, has made a last minute request to
Richard Wright is ready to put Ipswich before his England career by sticking with the club - promotion or no promotion. The Ipswich goalie, who is expected to be named in Kevin Keegan's Euro 2000 squad, is desperate to lead his hometown club into the
The appointment of Ben Embery as their new manager was confirmed by Braintree Town and he took charge of the team for the first time for the visit to Worthing on Saturday. Once it had been announced that Iron were seeking a replacement for John Bennett
Basildon Freestyle Kickboxing club's biggest-ever fight programme proved a huge hit as a 600-plus crowd witnessed an action-packed evening at the Eversley Centre. The highlight of the night was Basildon fighter Dave Jenkins' eagerly awaited title defence
Boss Steve Whitton is still counting his walking wounded following Colchester's dismal defeat at Wycombe Wanderers. Yesterday four players had still not trained since Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Adams Park because of injury or illness. Skipper David Gregory
A world premiere is lined up to launch the new season at the Palace Theatre Westcliff. Noel Coward's play Volcano has been kept locked away for decades, apparently to protect the identities of those that the plot is based on. The main character in the
Theatregoers in Chelmsford can look forward to a packed summer of entertainment at the town's Civic Theatre. From ballet to cabaret, folk, country and jazz to opera and children's films the summer season is sure to provide something for everyone. Highlights
The fight to save the Seven Arches pub looks set to go the distance after Brentwood councillors voted to oppose plans to send in bulldozers. Ignoring the advice of council officers to let the demolition of the historic Hartswood Road pub go ahead, the
Billericay launched their own version of The Simpson Show at New Lodge last night - and had the last laugh on an Aldershot line-up still harbouring dreams of winning the Ryman League Premier Division. For attack leader Colin Simpson cracked a brilliant
Is this election fever gone crazy ... or just a sign of the times? A Labour Party member asked for roadworks signs to be taken down in Colchester because they were yellow - the Liberal Democrat colour. With just weeks before the May 4 borough elections
Nathalie Brown continues to be the splash queen of the Borough of Southend Swimming and Training Club. She is just back from the third and final round of the Essex Open and Age Group Championships at the Fulwell Cross Pool, Barkingside, where she won
Parish councillors have come under fire from outraged villagers over their decision not to buy a piece of land. Langham Parish Council decided - by three votes to two - not to buy an acre-and-a-half of land, which was bought by a group of villagers called
A remote farmhouse in Essex was used as an illegal drink warehouse and labelling centre. Nine Customs and Excise officers who raided the premises near Chelmsford seized 55,000 bottles of French wine. In a second raid on a farm in Sussex they seized another
Work to clear a backlog of bulky rubbish in Southend, after residents seized the opportunity to shed unwanted household items, has finished at last. Southend Council's "refuse amnesty" was launched as part of the Millennium Makeover to get the town ship-shape
Personnel managers at Essex County Council are not performing well on a consistent basis, according to a survey. Results from a questionnaire showed that on average, they failed to reach a benchmark figure of consistently meeting requirements on performance
Rayleigh town councillors are considering taking out a private prosecution against a man caught damaging the Millennium Clock. Bemused shoppers in the High Street thought the clock had slowed just months after it was installed as part of the millennium
The weapons testing base at Shoebury could be off-loaded to a private company under new proposals have revealed. Government minister Baroness Symons has announced plans to turn over around 75 per cent of the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency to the
Up to 12 ambulance stations across Essex face closure under the new service improvement proposals put forward by ambulance chiefs. Essex ambulance bosses revealed the list of stations which face the axe under new plans to base crews at strategic points
A Tory councillor caused uproar and was blasted a racist after he demanded that "bogus" refugees be banned from Rochford. There were calls for Peter Webster to resign after he said the council should refuse to house asylum seekers who he believes do not
The future of five promising teenagers hangs in the balance this week after they were suspended from their prestigious Ingatestone school amid allegations of drug abuse. The five boys, all aged 16, were suspended by the Anglo European School after head
Refugees flooding south Essex should be detained for their own safety, a Tory councillor has demanded. Castle Point councillor, Enid Isaacs (Con, Victoria), spoke out after Kosovan refugee Nrek Kuveni was left battered and bloody by two thugs in Southend
Talk of two up and two down from the Conference League and Division Three must send a few shock waves through clubs like Southend. But personally I feel the basement division desperately needs a shot in the arm and some new faces which this move would
Team with a tale to tell - that's Canterbury Harriers under-10s who, after playing mini-soccer in the South-east Essex Primary League, will move up to the 11-a-side game next season. Sponsored by Industrial Metal Services of Shoeburyness they are looking
The club fished its monthly competition at Dunwich beach on Saturday night. Thirteen anglers braved the wet and cold and were rewarded with catches of Whiting, Pouting and a Dogfish with lots a small undersize fish returned. The result was: 1st Ray Nice
Talk of two up and two down from the Conference League and Division Three must send a few shock waves through clubs like Southend. But personally I feel the basement division desperately needs a shot in the arm and some new faces which this move would
