A heartbroken dog owner has warned against the dangers of slug pellets after her beloved pet died. Gloria Bradley, of Kents Hill Road North, Benfleet, bought Bio Slug Mini Pellets made by Home and Garden Ltd thinking they wouldn't cause any harm to domestic
Chelmsford councillors look set to consider if ordinary glasses and glass bottles should be banned in pubs and clubs in the borough. The council's community health and safety committee has been responding to a petition signed by more than 800 young people
A newspaper seller is recovering at home after being kicked and beaten in a brutal robbery. The 49-year-old man had finished selling the Evening Gazette in St John's Street, Colchester, near Wilkinsons at about 6pm on Monday. He went to the nearby public
Angry kiosk holders have slammed Maldon District Council for allowing an outside business to sell ice cream in the town's Promenade Park. Lynn Dogan, who runs Ripples Ice Cream and Coffee Bar in Maldon High Street, has successfully applied to the council
A young boy has been left devastated after cruel thieves stole his dream quadbike. Five-year-old Connor Martyn was bought the four-wheel-drive off road machine for Christmas after he set his heart on having one. His dad Dominic Martyn, 29, worked overtime
Alan Halsey took the top weight in Tony Cheeseman's Colmic sponsored Northlands Park evening match with nine bream for 26lb 9oz. Alan fished the swim next to the wooden jetty where he presented maggot and worm baits on quivertip tackle. The next match
The Body Shop is set to open a new depot store in Braintree, creating 12 jobs. The natural cosmetic giant plans to open its third depot store in the country at Freeport Factory Village. Body Shop bosses say the store is expected to be larger than its
Legal experts were poised to launch "extremely vigorous action" to snatch back the former AMF bowling alley site on Southend Pier. The borough's nine-member cabinet was expected to back new measures yesterday (Tuesday) to end the bitter deadlock with
Budding cricketers from schools across Essex bowled over crowds at the County Ground, Chelmsford, for the England v South Africa women's international with a lunchtime demonstration. Girls from Honywood School, Coggeshall, and The Harwich School, enjoyed
Most of the roadworks have now been completed on the A12 and the cycling fraternity are eagerly awaiting a return to the racing programme that normally takes place each weekend during the summer months. The scheduled events have been seriously curtailed
A school is celebrating after becoming a centre of excellence for technology, science and the internet. Chelmsford County High School for Girls has been awarded technology college status by the Government in a move which should benefit the whole community
Students sitting a maths paper left the exam room to find valuables stolen from their bags. The theft happened while 120 students were sitting a maths paper at Tendring Technology College's upper school in Frinton. The sneak thief snatched the valuables
One of the front-runners to become Tory candidate for Billericay has backed Teresa Gorman's calls for a relaxing of drug laws. Telegraph columnist Paul Goodman is among those shortlisted to stand in the high-profile fight to hold on to her seat at next
Swimmers have been warned to beware of strong tides after a man died off the coast of Southend. A massive search operation in the waters off Thorpe Bay and Shoebury was launched on Monday and the 27-year-old victim was plucked from the water by helicopter
Ambulance unions have insisted that "cynical and indefensible" plans to close 12 out of Essex's 31 ambulance stations will mean a poorer service for residents. Option Five: Saving the Essex Ambulance Service, which was published last week by the public
An £18,000 shot in the arm could be on its way to an activity group for Basildon's over 55s. The one-off grant looks set to push the Active Life Programme in a new direction for older people in the district. The programme was relaunched in 1995 to provide
A new McDonald's on Canvey will create mess, noise and disturbance, residents have claimed. Ten letters and a 49-signature petition have been today (Wednesday) sent to Castle Point Council, registering disgust at plans for a £1 million drive-thru restaurant
Billericay has been hit by a marked jump in criminal damage and car crime, according to new figures. Police have seen reported incidents in some categories rise by more than a quarter in the last twelve months. Lake Meadows and Crown Road are highlighted
Michael Maloney became a docker instead of an artist. Now he is having a second chance, finds JANE O'CONNELL As a boy, Michael Maloney was happiest when he was drawing and painting. Art, however, wasn't considered as a career option at the comprehensive
A Braintree firefighter has proved he is just as good in water as he is at using it to put out fires. Firefighter Lee Addington, 21, of Chapel Hill, Braintree, gained two silver medals when he took part in the Fire Brigade National Swimming Championships
Several of Brentwood Swimming Clubs younger members were in action at the recent Stone Trophy Gala at Southend. Up against strong competition they swam superbly, especially considering that many were competing for the first time and they battled on to
The threatened Colchester Rotary Music Festival suffered a second blow today (Wednesday). The future of the festival was put in jeopardy when Colchester Rotary Club announced that after ten years of leading the festival it felt it was time to hand over
The inaugural Evening Gazette/Fresh Start Cricketer of the month is Stuart Mills of West Mersea, whose batting exploits have earned him £100-worth of sports vouchers from Colchester store Harpers. Mills, of High Street, West Mersea, who was nominated
A business partnership has launched an investigation to see if the south Essex economy can be boosted by a better use of Two Tree Island, off Leigh. However, the group of leading figures from the business community and council representatives rejected
Out-of-work former Colchester United star Richard Wilkins has been hit by yet another setback. The 35-year-old promotion-winning skipper has been forced to postpone his pre-season benefit match. Forced to retire prematurely late last season because of
A fed-up pharmacist is considering turing his shop into a fortress after a spate of break-ins. Burglars have made life a misery for Ahmed El Dabbeh, who manages Medi-Pharm in London Road, Wickford. In the latest incident - the fifth in two years - a thief
A campaign has been launched to clamp down on troublesome travellers who leave Basildon fields in a mess. Dominic Schofield, the Tory prospective parliamentary candidate for Basildon and East Thurrock, wants to see controversial issues concerning travellers
A swimmer who died in the sea off Thorpe Bay has been named as James O'Gorman, a partner in a Westcliff restaurant. Mr O'Gorman, 26, of Argyll Road, was pronounced dead at Southend Hospital after being pulled from the water by an air sea rescue helicopter
Rat infestations in Brentwood have rocketed by 24 per cent in a year as Britain faces up to a national plague of the pests. Brentwood Borough Council reports that it dealt with 1,011 complaints about rat infestations last year, up from 813 the previous
Police investigating the alleged murder of a man in a north Essex village were today (Wednesday) still questioning a 35-year-old woman. She was taken by police car from an address in Alresford at about 12 noon yesterday. She was later arrested and held
A man has been described as acting like a Dobermann Pinscher dog when he attacked another man and broke his hip. George Hughes ended up in hospital for 12 days after he was attacked outside the Playhouse pub in Colchester and a court heard how he will
England's victory over Germany brought the house down in one Colchester pub - literally. Simon Peacey, landlord of Molly Malones, ordered a large screen projector specifically in time for sports fans to watch Saturday's crucial match. Contractors fitted
Children with special needs in Southend look set to benefit from more opportunities for education, it has emerged. The announcement follows a pioneering report which was due to be considered by councillors yesterday (Tuesday). A wide-ranging special needs
Developers behind a controversial housing scheme in Basildon have bowed to the wishes of angry neighbours by agreeing to provide car parking. Members of the central Basildon area committee agreed outline planning permission for seven two-bedroom and 16
Nick Anderson was the star turn as Marks Tey salvaged a tie from their Osborne League division three showdown with Halstead Fenns. All-rounder Anderson smashed 52 and took four for 32 as Fenns battled in vain to overcome their target of 175. They got
Clearview Ladies won the Essex Intermediate Cup when the final was held at Woodford Wells on Sunday while Gidea Park men just missed out on winning the Essex Senior Cup when they lost out to Westcliff Hard. Clearview ladies took the Intermediate Cup honours
Disgruntled parents have fuelled a dispute at Basildon Swimming Club by forming their own breakaway organisation. Phoenix Swim School is based at Wickford pool and claims to have attracted more than 100 members thus far - many from the Basildon club.
New Southend United capture Phil Whelan is relishing his Third Division challenge with the Seasiders. Blues boss Alan Little made the 28-year-old central defender his first summer signing after persuading the towering stopper to leave Second Division
Thank God it's over! England's footballers well and truly shot themselves in the foot again and finally put us out of our misery by making an early exit from Euro 2000. The thought of dear old St George embarrassing himself further by stumbling and spluttering
Clacton Town manager Steve Dowman has swooped to make a treble signing to boost the club's forthcoming promotion campaign. Midfielder Shane Bailey has signed for the club from Chelmsford along with striker Mark Farmer and midfielder Paul Champ, both from
The trial of a policeman accused of stealing money from a fundraising event has been stopped. PC Pat Lane, 35, denied a theft charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court and the prosecution was coming to the end of its case when trial Judge Gareth
Southend Council is set to pull the plug on £33 million plans to build the Swine rollercoaster at the end of the town's world-famous pier. Executive councillors have given businessman Tony Garner just six weeks to prove his financial muscle before the
A young driver has died after suffering injuries in a horrific road accident which left an onlooker in need of treatment for shock. Paul Hammond, 24, of Hawkwell Road, Hockley, died after being hit by a lorry as he stood in a layby on the A13 between
Former Colchester United star Johnny McKim has died in hospital. He was 74 and a classy old-style former Chelsea inside forward who scored 46 goals in 136 League and cup outings for the U's between 1950-55 before moving on to non-league Clacton Town.
A lifelong Frinton resident has hit back at the portayal of his town. Pensioner David Ball was provoked to react following the latest feature about the resort in the Daily Telegraph's Saturday travel section which describes it as "the lawns and teacups
The Body Shop is set to open a new depot store in Braintree, creating 12 jobs. The natural cosmetic giant plans to open its third depot store in the country at Freeport Factory Village. Body Shop bosses say the store is expected to be larger than its
A community production of T SElliot's Murder in the Cathedral is being boosted by two professionals, an actor in the lead role and a director, says SALLY KING Even though the Towngate Theatre has closed its doors, there is still plenty of opportunity
A policeman kept money raised for cancer for more than a year before handing it over to charity. And a court also heard how PC Pat Lane allegedly went on exotic holidays while he still owed money to the charity. By the time some of the money was repaid
West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns has complained about problems with the planned new bus lane in New London Road. "A considerable number of people in Old Moulsham, including myself, were utterly opposed to the waste of public money on a bus lane in New London
Children as young as three have been visited by firefighters and psychologists as part of a campaign to stamp out arson among youngsters in Essex. More than 130 children aged three to 16 underwent counselling during Essex Fire and Rescue Service's Juvenile
Fed-up residents have demanded action as swarms of flies continue to invade their Benfleet homes. Locals claim the fly population in Benfleet has reached epidemic proportions and despite investing in gallons of fly killer and expensive electronic zappers
A Laindon woman has died after being found hanging from the window bars of her cell in Holloway Prison. Cheryl Hartman, 20, was discovered by staff hanging at the north London women's prison at 10.35am on Sunday. Staff and paramedics attempted to resuscitate
A man was robbed by youths brandishing a knife as he sunbathed in his front garden. The crooks struck in Conan Doyle Close, Braintree, at about 7.30pm on Monday and demanded cigarettes. They threatened the man at knifepoint before he handed over cigarettes
Fire chiefs are urging Harold residents to install smoke alarms following a chip pan fire in Keats Avenue, Harold Hill. Fire appliances from Romford attended the scene of the blaze at around 1.30pm last Tuesday. They arrived to find thick black smoke
Despite it being the close season, Heybridge Swifts manager Liam Cutbush has been hard at work as he aims to build a squad capable of challenging for a Ryman League Premier Division top six place next season. The team showed last year that at full strength
Southend Borough Council and Essex County Cricket Club are in talks aimed at saving the town's county cricket festival. A cloud of uncertainty has hung over the event since the Echo revealed earlier this year that Essex was considering the future of the
Colchester United utility man Aaron Skelton has turned his back on Luton Town and re-signed for the U's. Skelton told the Gazette: "I have had a few chats with manager Steve Whitton and I have agreed to stay with Colchester. The former Kenilworth Road
Drivers are set to benefit from slashed parking charges across Southend after a pledge by the new Tory administration. On-street parking could be returned to 1999-2000 price levels, in a drive to boost town centre trade. Parking meter charges in the south
Chelmsford's Paul Ray is in Holland and Belgium for Euro 2000 as both a fan and in his official capacity as a member of the Football Supporters' Association. He will be one of a number of people working to provide a mobile embassy service which will offer
Southend United boss Alan Little was expected to make central defender Phil Whelan his first summer signing yesterday (Tuesday). The 28-year-old Oxford United stopper was due to put pen to paper on a two-year contract with the Shrimpers yesterday afternoon
A dance display with punching power bowled pupils over. Burly dance troupe Kick Start brought its own particular brand of stomping to entertain youngsters at Rickstones School at Witham. The dance troupe from Brighton University was invited to perform
Local groups, organisations, churches and schools have until Tuesday June 27 to send in their team entry for the 'Spread the Net' 24 hour Internet Competition which will be held on Saturday July 1. The competition is open to all young people, aged 11-
The Magnus company of Brentwood, Vauxhall main dealers, have again demonstrated their tangible support for Youth Cricket by sponsoring the Hutton Colts Cricket Teams for the 2000 season. Mike Walker the club chairman said that Magnus have been generous
They think it's all over - and it is now, at least for England. These celebrating football fans didn't know of the traumas to come as they cheered one of England's goals against Romania at the Bread and Cheese pub in Thundersley. Footie fanatic manager
Police have launched a murder inquiry after a man's body was discovered in a quiet village. Unarmed officers were called to the house in Ford Lane, Alresford, by ambulance crews at 9.34am yesterday (Tuesday). They found a man lying on the floor with a
The burying of time capsules is not a new habit - as the minister of Maldon United Reformed Church has discovered. During refurbishment work on the back wall of the church on Market Hill, a corked and sealed bottle containing a parchment dated 1801 was
The fight against car thieves in the district is being won - with reported incidents of auto crime falling by a massive 14 per cent since a major partnership group started. Basildon District Council, Basildon Police, and the owners of car parks throughout
A mother said she was "overwhelmed" after her daughter underwent a gruelling transplant operation to save her brother's life. Iris Watts from Canvey said the amazing gesture left her reliving events of 28 years ago when her husband Peter had surgery for
A motorist who died in an accident in Heybridge is believed to have suffered a heart attack. Horrified onlookers saw a Rover car mount the kerb after it had been in collision with another car. Police, fire brigade, ambulance and air ambulance attended
Green activists who jumped on board a lumber ship off Southend Pier are refusing to budge. Six Greenpeace protesters boarded the MV Enif and made their way up to walkways at the top of the mast - in protest at the timber trade which plunders Amazonian
A pensioner who set up Colchester's first charity shop is being forced to live on the breadline after her pension went unpaid for ten weeks. Connie Hazell, 80, of Rayner Road, Shrub End, claims her problems are set to worsen as she will not receive her
The closure of an old people's home in Braintree has begun. Under Essex County Council's plans to sell off or lease 13 of its old people's homes, Monken Hadley, in Broad Road, Bocking, failed to attract interest from the private sector. A bid by a Braintree
New high-tech trains on the troubled Southend to Fenchurch Street line have been withdrawn from service four weeks after they were launched, it has emerged. The £300million fleet of air-conditioned trains was meant to signal a new beginning for LTS -
A lonely hearts club is struggling to survive - because Cupid's arrow has struck most of its members. Club Eclipse in Witham has seen more than 200 lonely hearts either get married, engaged or move in with their partner in the past four years. The love-struck
