A lamp-post left leaning precariously after being hit twice in three hours by two different motorists has had to be cut down. The bizarre accidents - which left two cars badly damaged - baffled police who were called to deal with the incidents. It is
Great Eastern aims to replace aging 'slam door' trains which currently operate via Chelmsford and Braintree, with 21 new 100mph Siemens-built four-car sets leased as part of a £75million deal - by summer 2002. The new trains will be added to the existing
"The standard is not as high in the Colchester area as it is in, say, Chelmsford where the matches are much faster, so we're working hard to improve the quality of play here." Reaching out - youngsters taking part in the Netball 2000 launch. Converted
BILLERICAY 170 all out GIDEA PARK 172-4 (Gidea Park won by 6 wickets) Billericay remain in next to last place after failing to capitalise on a cracking start - but no-one at the club is panicking. Bowler Gary Marshall said:"There are nine games left and
Essex will be hoping Stuart Law is fit enough to take his place in the side to do battle with Second Division leaders Worcestershire at Chelmsford on Wednesday. The Aussie star is still suffering from back trouble which forced him out of action earlier
Former Spurs youngster David Lee earned himself a full-time Roots Hall contract with an impressive display during Southend United's opening pre-season match at Gravesend and Northfleet. The 20-year-old was rewarded with a one-year deal following an awesome
It has been a week of mixed news on the Braintree jobs front. Electronics and telecom enclosures manufacturer EPS, based on the town's Springwood industrial estate, announced the creation of 50 new jobs. The new posts, for welders, sheet metal workers
As part of Play Tennis 2000, an initiative run by the Lawn Tennis Association, members of Braintree Lawn tennis Club were generating interest in the sport at George Yard on Saturday. Children were given the challenge of serving a ball through the gap
Southend United are holding an open night for their matchday staff, both old and new, on Wednesday evening. Current stewards, turnstile operators and other workers are asked to attend Roots Hall's Shrimpers bar at 7.30pm to prepare for the start of the
Chelmsford's Alenia Marconi radar company will be designing and maintaining equipment for the new £5 billion range of Royal Navy destroyers announced by the Government this week. The company will be involved in the guided missile systems for the new type
Youngsters in Wivenhoe had a chance to discover all about bugs and even design their own during an afternoon in the woods. The children found out about the creatures from countryside ranger Sharon Larkin, who explained why different bugs look like they
A woman and her three sons were evacuated from their home when a 19th century pavilion was destroyed by a fire. Their home, in the lodge next to the building in Old Heath recreation ground, Colchester, sustained smoke and water damage. The well-known
The future of bus lanes in Essex has led to a clash between the county council's ruling Conservative group and the Labour opposition. With feelings running high over Chelmsford's bus lanes, neither of which is operational at present, the Labour group
Claus Jensen will be on his way to Ipswich Town if the Premiership newcomers match Bolton's £4 million valuation. The former Denmark Under-21 international has emerged as one of Town boss George Burley's top summer transfer targets. But Ipswich will have
Veteran Blues defender Rob Newman has spoken for the first time about his new coaching role at Southend United. The 36-year-old stopper will become a member of Blues boss Alan Little's backroom staff this season after agreeing a two-year contract with
An elderly woman who died when fire swept through her caravan had been suffering delusions and confusion in the months up to her death, an inquest has been told. Peggy Duarte imagined members of the Ku Klux Klan were staying at her home, and on one occasion
Mike Holoway is a well-known performer from TV and stage. He can't wait to return to his native Essex to front the summer show at the Palace Theatre, he tells SALLY KING The Palace Theatre, Westcliff is planning a summer sensation of music and fun for
A leading member of Southend's Tory council has acted to reassure worried parents - by insisting the future of the town's special needs schools was under no immediate threat. Sally Carr, executive member for education, stepped in on Friday to allay parents
Detectives hunting the killer of Chelmsford transsexual Bryan Hooley, whose naked body was found in chains on a beach, have studied a psychological profile of the possible murderer. Det Supt Adrian Braddy, who is leading the hunt for the killer, contacted
Tributes have been paid to former Bishop of Colchester the Right Rev Roderic Coote who has died. He passed away peacefully in Zimbabwe, where his wife, Lynette, was helping plan a new hospital building project. He was 85. The Rt Rev Coote was Bishop of
Youngsters face a "dangerous" trek to and from their village school after Essex County Council withdrew their bus service, it has been revealed. The county has cancelled the bus from next term because, parents have been told, their children were not eligible
Pop legend Sir Elton John was due to perform two concerts at Hylands House, Chelmsford, on Saturday and Sunday. The concerts were part of his Stately Homes tour, and he was to be accompanied only by his piano as he sang songs from his inexhaustible repertoire
Tributes have been paid to an "amazingly brave little boy" who died after a long battle against cancer. Frederick Hartigan, aged nine, was remembered for his wacky sense of humour and outstanding courage. The pupil at Messing cum Inworth Primary School
North Essex still has one of the largest waiting lists in the country, new figures have revealed. The health authority has moved up a couple of places from its ranking in the Government's NHS performance indicators last year - but this year it is still
Police have arrested a former Colchester borough councillor after letters were intercepted at the town hall. Kim Naish - former Labour councillor for Mile End - was arrested on Thursday afternoon by detectives and held at Colchester police station. He
A long trek to the loo will soon be a thing of the past for children at a pre-school. Elmwood Pre-school in Guys Farm Road, South Woodham, has been without toilet facilities since an outdoor toilet block, owned by Elmwood Primary, was condemned and removed
A company taking over a derelict gasworks site in Southend has revealed its preliminary development plans. The prime patch of land along the seafront, in Eastern Esplanade, is currently contaminated and has remained unused for years. However, it could
Supporters of the newly-reinstated Harwich Foot Ferry shunned the 10-minute service from Felixstowe to Essex in favour of a 45-minute coach journey. The 22 Suffolk-based members of the Foot Ferry Society, including chairman Doreen Savage, said the service
Detectives are widening their inquiries into an incident where a woman's body was found on the Essex coast. The woman's body was found washed up on the shore at Foulness Island, near Southend, on April 16. Det Con Mark Jones, of the Ministry of Defence
The tears of a clown flowed freely at the last ever Canvey Carnival at the weekend. Jamie McDade, aged 11, who came second in the fancy dress competition, summed up the feelings of many with his mournful face as hundreds flocked to see the procession.
A motorist escaped serious injury after his car hit the central reservation of the A12 and overturned. The Ford Sierra, travelling towards Colchester near Dedham, took out about 50 metres of barrier before coming to rest. The driver, a 30-year-old Ipswich
Essex County Cricket Club's festival matches at Southend are set for a boost following a brainstorming meeting. On Wednesday club chiefs met with representatives from organisations - including Southend Council, the Chamber of Trade, the Seafront Traders
A completely naked man leapt out on a woman exercising her dog on fields in Colchester. The woman was walking along Hilly Fields, Lexden, on Saturday afternoon when the naked man jumped out of bushes before running off. Although shocked by the indecent
Simon Green and Liz Turk became Springfield Striders' club champions on Sunday at the Thrift Green 10k. The race also incorporated the Essex Championships, but times were generally down due to the hilly nature of the course and the humid conditions. Green
A charity campaigner was today (Monday) seriously ill with malaria. Merlin Matthews, 27 - called Mr Bike because he runs charity Re-Cycle which sends old bicycles to poor countries - nearly died when he contracted the most deadly strain, cerebral malaria
A father has hit out at water officials for failing to swiftly clear unsightly sludge from his garden, which was left there by flash-floods. Peter Tuckfield's home, in Queens Road, Laindon, was flooded during the heavy rains a week ago. The house was
BekriI Bajraktaraj could become the latest crowd-pleaser at Layer Road. The 23-year-old Dutchman, currently on a fortnight's trial with Colchester United, was the star turn as the Second Division club cruised to a 4-0 victory against Cornard in their
There were thrills galore at Southend's Priory Park as five finals were staged to bring the 69th Southend Men's Open Bowls Tournament to a tremendous climax. During the second finals afternoon, no fewer than five trophies were contested - and an extra
Investigations are underway after a replica aircraft was damaged in an incident at Andrewsfield airfield, Stebbing. The replica Sopwith Dove came to a halt, nose down, on the runway last night (Sunday). Other light aircraft were diverted to nearby airfields
A doctor from Essex County Hospital in Colchester today urged parents to protect their children from the sun in holiday hotspots. Consultant dermatologist David Shuttelworth has advised parents to use powerful sun block on youngsters and make them wear
Ambitious plans for a 65-acre marina centred on Southend's corporation loading jetty are back on the agenda. Developer Lewis Harris Partnership was upbeat about the proposals after Southend Council failed to find a suitable project for the disused pier
Thousands of people flocked to Hylands Park this weekend for the Essex leg of Elton John's Stately Homes Tour. The music legend, who was accompanied on stage by just his piano, played hits from throughout his career to an audience of about 12,000 people
A master burglar is being hunted by police for a frightening one-man crimewave spate of break-ins. He has been linked to up to 20 burglaries so far in Billericay and Wickford, but officers have warned the total could rise yet further. Police said he leaves
The father of a missing backpacker feared dead in Central America said today (Monday) he had not given up hope of finding his son alive. Brian Winder said his son Paul, and his travelling companion, could have been murdered or kidnapped by paramilitary
Tragic Colchester fisherman John Sibley was swept to his death after a 13ft-high wave caused by a high-speed ferry. Both the Stena Line ferry company and the skipper of the 10ft-long angling boat could have done more to prevent the accident, according
What a way to spend a day! Four hunky firefighters oiled their chests and flexed their muscles for a one-woman audience. Mother-of-two Dena Clarke, of Parr Drive, Colchester, had a close up view of modelling as she watched a photoshoot for the firemen's
Placard-carrying residents clashed verbally with asylum seekers at a public meeting at Clacton. The noisy meeting, which was attended by about 40 people, had been called to drum up support for refugees living in Tendring. Several hotels in Clacton and
A controversial water treatment works has finally been given the go-ahead. Essex and Suffolk Water has been given the green light to operate the water recycling plant at Langford by Maldon District Council. The company will be discharging up to 40 million
Three men are starting jail sentences totalling 18 years after police smashed a drugs organisation. The village of Boxted was the base for the trade but a court heard how police broke the gang through a sophisticated undercover operation. Officers were
Around £12,000 was taken in a wages snatch outside a Laindon store, police have revealed. The money was grabbed from the back of a car believed to be owned by the manager of Sanders store, Powell Road, Laindon, at 9pm last night (Sunday). Police have
A 29-year-old expert South Woodham BMX racer who was being treated for depression died in a collision with a train and inquest has heard. Robert Indri, of King Edwards Road, died on January 29 this year on the railway line near Arbour Lane, Springfield
Hundreds of frustrated families were stuck in a car park for hours after faulty traffic lights caused mayhem. Shoppers returning to their vehicles at the NCP car park in Osborne Street, Colchester, were queuing up to the top floor to get out. The problem
A teenager stepped out in front of a bus after a Christmas drinking session with workmates, an inquest has heard. Christopher Clark, 18, died at the Royal London Hospital in Whitechapel on December 29 last year, six days after the accident in Church Road
Southend United chairman John Main has demanded financial assurances from the cash-strapped Third Division club's two main benefactors, property developers Delancey and Martin Dawn. The news came today (Monday) as Blues face a winding up order from the
Colchester has been singled out as one of the most important towns in the whole of eastern England. Britain's oldest recorded town comes out with flying colours in a survey about people's perceptions of the region. And Essex has been branded the best
A new organisation set up in Braintree - which works with hundreds of voluntary groups across the district - has won £210,000 from the National Lotteries Charities Board. The cash for Braintree District Voluntary Support Agency (BDVSA) will pay for a
Joining up to the Thames Gateway is the key to regeneration in Basildon. That is the view of Basildon Council which has given the thumbs-up to news the gateway is to expand to include the town. It could see up to £65million a year being available to invest
Extra weight has been thrown behind the Echo's campaign against possible changes to the meals on wheels service. Rochford Council is to tell Essex County Council that it is "totally opposed" to any proposal to switch the hot meals delivery service to
Entertainer Dottie Wayne was recovering in hospital on Friday after falling off stage during the opening night of Clacton's Cascade Revue. Whistling wonder Dottie and comedian Don Maclean both fell from the West Cliff Theatre's stage during the show.
An Osea Islander has been convicted of driving across the Causeway between the island and Heybridge while over the legal alcohol limit. Jeremy Planton, 43, had denied the offence and his defence solicitor Joanne Ely had argued the road, which is uncovered
Two Essex students helped the England Cadet volleyball team to fourth place in the World Youth Games. Thorpe-le-Soken's Chris Morris, 16, and Frinton's Tom Robinson, 15, were part of the under-16 side that narrowly lost out in the third place play-off
Colchester United manager Steve Whitton finally got his man when Luton Town's Alan White agreed to move to Layer Road. Whitton on Thursday confirmed the 24-year-old central defender's arrival on a two-year deal means he has now lost interest in former
A coroner has warned against the perils of drugs after a Southend man died from a heroin overdose. An inquest heard Paul Frederick, 37, of Pantile Avenue had trouble relating to life and had been expelled from school. His father, Peter, said: "We all
A total of 28 voluntary organisations have received grants totalling £60,036 from Essex Community Foundation, in a special European Social Fund programme which has just been completed. The grants will help the organisations to run more effectively and
Police investigating the death of a 30-year-old man have gained two new possible sources of information after appealing to the public near Prittlewell Station. Officers probing the death of Adam Welley, who was fatally stabbed on June 30, have been appealing
The intensive care unit at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, is to receive an injection of an extra £745,000 to fund more beds. The allocation, which has come from the Department of Health, was given a warm welcome and it is hoped that it will help meet
These toe-tappers will be flying the Essex flag at a national dance competition after beating hundreds of others from across the Anglia area. Zoe Russ, 14, Helen Rowe, 14, Hayley Pearson, 15 and Kelly Rowe, 16, - all from Wickford and Laindon - will be
Angry drivers had to endure hours of inching their cars along when traffic problems once again left a Colchester car park at a virtual standstill. Cars were backed up to the top floor of the NCP car park in Osborne Street on Saturday because of the volume
A Colchester firm of solicitors could face a legal battle with the British Government as it represents five Serbian victims of a NATO bombing raid in Belgrade. Fisher Jones Greenwood, based in Southway, is acting for the relatives of four employees killed
As the 10th anniversary of the Gulf War approaches, RAY BRADLEY talks to former hostage Jim Payne When Jim Payne drives to work in Woodham Ferrers every morning he counts his blessings for precious gifts like health, family and freedom. Almost exactly
The weather left hundreds of schoolchildren disappointed after their schools sports day was cancelled. Children from schools in Witham, White Notley, Stisted and Rivenhall were due to take part in the small schools sports day at Wethersfield Primary School
Local talent shone through at the National Rollerskating Championships 2000 when Rollerworld team members scooped top awards. About 100 top-class skaters from around the UK travelled to Rollerworld in Colchester for the prestigious championships. Kym
Leading Labour councillors in Southend have hailed Government moves to impose more controls on mobile phone masts. Ministers are considering a shake-up of legislation forcing all companies to secure full planning permission before masts can be installed
A man was robbed in the street as he walked home after a night out. The victim was approached from behind as he walked past the Drury Arms on Drury Road, Colchester, at 2.30am on Saturday. He told police he was assaulted by a man who scratched him and
Essex farmers and growers are hoping for the best after a soaking start to July. Heavy rains and freak winds have caused problems for farmers and residents alike. In Little Waltham, a large tubular steel and polythene gazebo took off in Monday night's
There are now more old people in the northern part of Essex than in any other part of the country. That news was given to Essex County Council's health and social services select committee by Mr Nigel Beverley, chief executive of the North Essex Health
Every woman wants to say "yes" to a knight in shining armour. But Dawn Goodall was left speechless when boyfriend Jason George went down on one knee and proposed dressed as her medieval hero. Surrounded by bemused shoppers in Chelmsford High Street, Jason
The £12.6 million raised from the sale of William Foyle's private library is a record. A spokeswoman for auctioneer's Christie's said the amount was the highest ever achieved for a library at auction in Europe. Christie's pre-sale estimate for the 4,000
The father of Ecstasy victim Leah Betts has slammed the hit film Essex Boys and urged cinemagoers to boycott the movie. Anti-drugs campaigner Paul Betts said today (Monday) that the film glamorised drug-taking and glorified the dealers he holds responsible
Police have issued an appeal for witnesses after a crash on the new bypass at Little Clacton in which two drivers were trapped. The drivers were injured in the accident which involved four vehicles and which blocked the A133. The drivers, an 18-year-old
