Pupils in Witham are being asked to keep their ears open in the playground and tell police if they hear boasting about an act of weekend vandalism. The front window of the Spread Eagle pub in Newland Street was smashed on Saturday night. Police believe
An angry shopkeeper has claimed he had been let down by police after a walk-in theft at his store. Chris Keeble, of Sound and Vision Electronics at The Triangle, Frinton, said a thief made off with a £245 Dyson vaccum cleaner in August. But 12 weeks later
Samantha White lived for her horses and her passion for teaching. Yesterday (Tuesday), a heartbroken father spoke of his "lovely bubbly" daughter who died trying to save the horse that meant so much to her younger sister. On Sunday, Miss White, 24, of
A trucker has vowed to fight a £10,000 fine after five illegal immigrants were found in his lorry outside Dover. Martyn Parker, 44, of Stratford Gardens, Stanford, insists he and other British drivers are being made scapegoats by the Government. He was
Canvey Island were at their irresistible best at Park Lane last night as they moved five points clear at the top of the Ryman League Premier Division. Home fans worried that their idols might have one eye on Sunday week's big FA Cup tie with Port Vale
Ongar Rugby Club is looking to recruit new players of all abilities to strengthen its first and second XV's. The club's training sessions are held every Tuesday from 7.30pm to 9.15pm at Ongar Sports Club, Love Lane. Many of Ongar's established players
The Leopards got their American tour off to a winning start with a 23 point victory over College side , Bucknell on Thursday. The game finished 85-62, with five Leopards finishing with more than 10 points. Rashod Johnson finished as top scorer with 20
Brentford goalkeeper Andy Woodman has accused Southend United of breaking their word over a permanent move to Roots Hall. The 29-year-old shot-stopper has returned to Griffin Park following a three-month loan spell with Blues, during which time he has
Tick Steward set off to the USA today (Wednesday) to defend his Legends Cars world title. The Great Bromley driver is returning to the scene of last year's triumph, Sears Point, San Francisco, in an attempt to beat the Americans at their own game once
A state-of-the-art zoom lens has been fitted to a seafront security camera on Canvey thanks to a donation by a local businessman. Security firm boss Dave Stephens handed over the cash to community project leaders at Canvey 2000 because he said he was
A trucker has vowed to fight a £10,000 fine after five illegal immigrants were found in his lorry outside Dover. Martyn Parker, 44, of Stratford Gardens, Stanford, insists he and other British drivers are being made scapegoats by the Government. He was
A row has broken out in North Weald over controversial plans for a new medical centre. Councillors from the district's area planning committee are due to inspect the site of the old Nuclear Printing and Publishing building, off North Weald's High Road
One of Essex's most famous unsolved mysteries is being brought to the TV screen with the help of a Braintree investigator. The Beast of Essex is to be the star of an episode of Animal X on Sky TV's Discovery Channel. Called The Essex Panther, the episode
Cabinet minister Clare Short was greeted with a tuneful blast of Romanian pipes on her visit to Frinton. The Secretary of State for International Development was in the town to attend a meeting of charity workers from across Tendring to personally acknowlege
Concerned residents say it is not safe to cross their road and are calling on rush hour motorists to slow down. Homeowners in Faulkbourne and White Notley are demanding the road be made safer and have written to Essex Police asking them to slow cars using
A controversial bus lane route in Chelmsford is being axed in an attempt to improve traffic flow through the town. Signs will soon go up telling motorists to use all available lanes in Parkway and ignore bus lane markings on the road. The future of the
Atrocious weather will bring further misery to rush hour commuters in Colchester as extensive flooding has delayed the completion of important road works. For the last four weeks, motorists have faced diversions and long queues of slow-moving traffic
A long-established and pioneering boat-building company has been put into liquidation. Colvic Craft plc, based on the Earls Colne Industrial Park, was put into liquidation after an application was made against the company at the High Court in London on
A pensioner was found dead with gunshot wounds in the grounds of her home. Elizabeth Stanford, 66, was discovered in the garden of the house in The Street, Tendring, while her husband Julian was away in London. PC Nick Waltham, coroner's officer at Clacton
On a pleasant autumnal afternoon Brentwood travelled to Cottons Park, Romford on Saturday to meet Campion in the third round of the RFU Intermediate Cup. After the euphoria of the previous week's league win against Braintree the visitors were hopeful
A school headteacher has praised emergency services and the community for their help in treating pupils involved in a head-on bus crash. Pupils from St Benedict's College, Colchester, formed the majority of the passengers on board the Windmill Coaches
A group of disabled people were yesterday (Tuesday) involved in the third bus crash in Essex just over 24 hours. Five or six disabled young adults and their four carers were believed to be on board the minibus when it overturned on Bromley Road, Elmstead
An emergency helpline is now up and running to help cope with more flood misery in and around Braintree. The telephone hotline has been launched by Braintree Council as it prepared for the worst after further downpours on Monday and with more expected
An angry mum is taking on supermarket giants Safeway after she was charged more for a packet of Jaffa Cakes in the cafe - even though it is only a few feet away from the main store. Samantha Collins, 26, went to the supermarket's store in Centenary Way
An angry mum has condemned thoughtless dog owners who let their pets foul Brentwood pavements regularly used by unsuspecting toddlers. Maria Heywood, of Capon Close, was appalled by the amount of dog dirt her son Benjamin, four, and buggy-bound daughter
A social club which has been part of the Colchester community for nearly 100 years is to close. Paxman's Athletics and Social Club in Hythe Hill has been told to shut at the end of March, though it will probably cease trading next month. Eight workers
Young Isaac Lesser raised money for starving children in Africa just by skipping a couple of meals. The big-hearted ten-year-old from Long Riding, Basildon, decided he wanted to help others and reckoned the best way was to do a sponsored fast. Mum Sue
A £1.5million endowed fund to support local voluntary and community groups has been launched by Essex County Council. The Essex Millennium Fund has been set up to mark the millennium and councillors believe the initiative is the first of its kind for
There is something missing from Colchester United's make-up! It's hard to put one's finger on what it is, apart from the obvious -- a proven scorer with a goal-a-game appetite. The U's football from penalty box to penalty box is as good -- in many cases
Southend United's two-goal hero Ben Abbey was all smiles after shooting down Macclesfield Town at Roots Hall on Saturday. The substitute frontman, recently signed on a free transfer from Oxford United, marked his home debut with a stunning brace in a
Chalvedon Boxing Club's John Denard has won through to the latter stages of the National Association of Boys Clubs championships. The 15-year-old from Wickford had two fights at under-67 kilos level, beating Finchley's M Smythe and Ryan McDonald of Bushey
Hockley Schools dominated the mini-soccer tournament organised by Rochford Council Sports Development Officer Jason Fergus. A total of 12 primary schools competed and, after battling through groups, the youngsters took part in quarter and semi finals
Both teams performed well in an exciting league match on Sunday. Billericay took an early lead with a fine shot from Lauren Gardiner. But the celebrations were shortlived with Perry Street netting two goals by half-time. Billericay demonstrated in the
Bob Donewald Junior became coach of the Leopards Basketball Club during the 1999/2000 season, having gained previous experience with Leicester Riders and Derby Storm. The 1999-2000 campaign was not an easy time for the Leopards as the club relocated from
Southend United supporters club trust is organising a coach to Carlisle for this Saturday's Third Division clash. Coaches depart from ASDA Shoeburyness and will pick up at the usual points - White Horse, Odeon Southend, Chalk-well Park, The Elms, Hadleigh
Southend United are laying on cheap travel to get as many Shrimpers fans as possible to their FA Cup First Round clash at Torquay United on Saturday, November 18. The Third Division club took nearly 1,000 supporters all the way to Blackpool last month
The operator of Clacton's premier hotel has announced plans for a dramatic transformation after being told it can no longer house asylum seekers. Dozens of asylum seekers have been staying at the town's premier hotel, The Royal, for the past year. A planning
An angry shopkeeper has claimed he had been let down by police after a walk-in theft at his store. Chris Keeble, of Sound and Vision Electronics at The Triangle, Frinton, said a thief made off with a £245 Dyson vaccum cleaner in August. But 12 weeks later
Esme Lowrie can do nothing but watch helplessly as flood water threatens her home for the second time in just over a week. Mrs Lowrie, is one of the residents of Riverside Walk, Colchester, facing an anxious wait to see if her home is safe from the swollen
Designs for the new £5 million swimming pool and fitness centre in Braintree will be finalised today (Wednesday). After a two-month consultation process councillors are set to rubber stamp final plans for the complex at the Freeport shopping village.
Maldon teenager Kim Wall is the fastest female under-20 relay runner in the world. Kim, 17, has returned from the World Junior Athletics Championships in Santiago, Chile with a gold medal and, at 33.82 seconds, a new national junior record in the 4 X
Maldon could be destined for international fame. London-based company MP Productions is using the town as the backdrop for Lawless Heart, a feature film due to be screened around the world next autumn. Using the town as a location was the idea of director
Great Wakering gave themselves a confidence boost for Saturday's FA Vase trip to Stotfold with a comprehensive Ryman League Division Two victory at Burroughs Park. The match kicked off 20 minutes late after visitors Leighton got stuck in traffic, but
Continental confidence tricksters are planning to pray on the increasing desperation of the poorest members of society in the run up to Christmas, Essex Trading Standards has warned. The onset of winter has seen a marked increase in the number of scam
Essex County Hospital could continue to play a major part in Colchester healthcare. A plan to centralise services at Colchester General Hospital in Turner Road, revealed by the Evening Gazette last month, signalled closure for the Lexden Road hospital
Colchester Council will have to pay out £233,000 if its top officer retires immediately. Colchester Council's chief executive and town clerk John Cobley, 52, has asked to leave now on the grounds it is in his and the council's best interests. On Monday
A tiny Essex village is waiting with bated breath after the US presidential election went to the wire. Before 8am today (Wednesday) Democrat Al Gore conceded defeat as Florida fell to Republican George W Bush. But then just before 9am he withdrew that
A group of youths have targeted a school car park with fireworks. The teenagers threw bangers at staff cars and into the grounds of the Ravenscroft School, Clacton, on three separate occasions. A Clacton Police spokesman said they are worried about a
A man who sent a parcel bomb to a young mother and her 13-month-old baby in Pitsea has lost an Appeal Court bid to clear his name. Martin Diggines, 39, of North Weald, was jailed for eight years in November last year after he admitted attempting to pervert
Pensioners in Essex could be missing out on thousands of pounds of war pension funds. The unclaimed cash could help curb the debt and poverty many ex-servicemen and widows are facing, according to The Royal British Legion. A legion spokesman said: "We
It's good news all round for Barry Hearn's Matchroom boxers. Saturday evening saw good results at York Hall, Bethnal Green, and, after several months' inactivity, Darren Bruce has a world title shot lined up at Wembley Conference Centre on Saturday, December
Clacton Town boss Steve Dowman was left rueing a string of missed chances after his side capitulated to a 1-0 defeat against Woodbridge Town at Rush Green Bowl. He said: "There wasn't a lot of difference between the sides and we certainly created enough
SWIFTS 71-69 BRIGHTON MAGIC Swifts advanced to the Women's National Trophy semi-final with a sensational victory over BrightonMagic at Greensward College. The Swifts fielded perhaps their youngest ever line-up in a senior match after Louise Saville and
Southend United crashed to a heavy Avon Insurance Combination League defeat during atrocious weather conditions at a rain lashed Roots Hall yesterday afternoon. Former Sunderland goalkeeper Chris Porter, trialling for Blues, gifted Oxford's Jamie Cook
A firm devastated by the floods is pulling out of Halstead - less than two months after moving to the town. Bob Burton is shutting up shop after having to wade through two feet of water to get to his joinery business. He says the devastation has forced
It was billed as a nostalgic reunion between the protege and his mentor. In reality, it culminated in heated debate and a war of words. So much was said and written in the build-up to this fixture about the history between George Burley and his former
Traffic police in the Brentwood area were caught up in a bout of 'Survey Rage' when they stopped motorists to interview them about journey starts and stops. Acting on behalf of the Highways Agency and Greater London Authority in a bid to glean information
A firm devastated by the floods is pulling out of Halstead - less than two months after moving to the town. Bob Burton is shutting up shop after having to wade through two feet of water to get to his joinery business. He says the devastation has forced
A pair of plucky midwives hitched a ride with 999 crews to beat the floods and reach a stranded mum-to-be as she was about to give birth. Sally Watkins and Edwina Chaplin thumbed lifts with the emergency services in a race against time to get to Allison
Work has started to extend and rebuild Southend Hospital's accident and emergency department. The £3.2 million improvement programme will provide facilities including a much more spacious observation ward and a new look main department to deal with the
A young Colchester man, only 13 when severely injured in a crash which cost his mother her life, has won more than £1.7 million agreed damages at the High Court. The 23-year-old - referred to in court yesterday (Monday) only as "W" - was a back seat passenger
Traffic was delayed for almost two hours on and off Mersea Island after a school bus went into a ditch as it approached the Strood. Only a few people suffered minor injuries in the crash, which happened at about 4.30pm on Monday, as the pupils were making
There will be no waste incinerators in Essex, a leading county councillor pledged at a green conference in Chelmsford. Cllr Kay Twitchen, who specialises in waste for the controlling Tory group on the council, was speaking at the event on Saturday organised
Eleven men are starting jail sentences totalling almost 60 years for their part in one of Basildon's biggest drugs rings. Meanwhile, the mother of one of the dealers, Mathew Nicholls, has spoken of the agony she experienced during his seven-year struggle
A nurse who forged references and lied to get a job at Basildon Hospital has been struck off. Ushan Bissessur was found guilty of misconduct at a hearing of the professional conduct committee of the UK Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health
The operator of Clacton's premier hotel has announced plans for a dramatic transformation after being told it can no longer house asylum seekers. Dozens of asylum seekers have been staying at the town's premier hotel, The Royal, for the past year. A planning
The future of Marks & Spencer's three south Essex stores is secure despite a drop in half-yearly profits. The beleaguered retailer has seen its share price nosedive over the last 12 months from a high of 335.75p to 185p yesterday (Tuesday). Profits
Essex lifeboat crews were plagued by scores of hoax distress calls on bonfire night as pranksters set off emergency distress flares for fun. And it has emerged that Canvey was one of the worst places for pranks for the second year running. Coastguards
Halloween may be a time for a bit of spooky fun, but Wickford Police have revealed it also saw a worrying increase in egg attacks on people and property across the town. Whether linked to trick or treating or just mindless vandalism, police have said
A shop selling saucy lingerie and sex toys is to open in the middle of Southend High Street. The Ann Summers shop opens next Thursday in the space vacated by Our Price, which closed last month. As part of the opening, a live mannequin will stand in the
Billericay Town fans were given a perfect tonic after their team's midweek FA Cup demise - and there could be further good news on the horizon in the coming few days. For striker Colin Simpson, who made such a major impression at New Lodge last season
Essex County Cricket Club are ready to co-operate fully in any "official investigation" alleging match-fixing in two games involving Lancashire back in August 1991. David East, the county's chief executive, said on Monday: "I haven't received any formal
It was back to the training ground for Colchester United's players on Monday to sharpen up their game in both penalty areas. U's boss Steve Whitton is unhappy with his team's lack of awareness in and around both boxes -- qualities sadly missing in their
After a day of some confusion, Canvey Island have finally set admission prices for their FA Cup first round clash at Park Lane on Sunday week (November 19) at 1pm. Ground admission charge will be £13 (£10 concessions) with a limited number of seats available
Ongar's winning run in the East Counties League 3 continued with a morale-boosting victory at Burnham. Ongar scored two tries (both by No 8 Glenn Peggie) with flyhalf Richard Jones slotting two penalties and one conversion in extremely testing conditions
West Ham United boss Harry Redknapp will be the guest speaker at a specially arranged charity dinner in Benfleet this month. The Premiership chief has agreed to attend a gentleman's evening at Benfleet's Hollywood Restaurant, Shipwrights Drive, on Thursday
Southend ABC boxer John Cullinane triumphed in his biggest fight to date when he beat hotly-tipped Billy Ayre. Cullinane won on points after getting the better of the Londoner in the second and third rounds. Ayre, who is regarded as one of the best light-middleweights
Simon Brown has revealed how he turned his back on a chance to join FA Premiership Bradford City to carry on playing Nationwide League football for Colchester United. The giant 23-year-old former Tottenham Hotspur trainee said: "Bradford wanted me to
Billericay poet Victor Tapner has gained international recognition for his writing - just as he comes to the final stage of finishing a major work. Mr Tapner, 49, will be seeking a publisher in the near future, so being awarded this year's Academi Cardiff
A long-established and pioneering boat-building company has been put into liquidation. Colvic Craft plc, based on the Earls Colne Industrial Park, was put into liquidation after an application was made against the company at the High Court in London on
An explosion started a chain of problems which will keep Chelmer Valley High school closed until next week. A five-year-old boiler exploded during its annual inspection as more than 1,000 students sat in lessons. The blast was heard throughout the school
A man is lucky to be alive after falling asleep while cooking sausages. His flat in Gunners Road, Shoebury, filled with smoke as he slept in a front room chair last night (Tuesday). Smoke detectors alerted neighbours who banged on his door. After failing
Essex kept their unbeaten record in the British Inter Counties Darts Championship with a 22-14 away win over London. The result came after a 20-16 opening game defeat of Staffordshire. The men's B team set the scene for Essex with a 8-4 sets win. Essex
Jim Magilton has been given the all-clear to maintain his 100 per cent appearance record for Ipswich Town this season when Charlton Athletic visit Portman Road on Saturday. The Northern Ireland international underwent an x-ray this week on an ankle injury
Basildon angler Tony Ridley is making his mark on the local match fishing scene taking his second successive win at the Gloucester Park Winter Series. Tony's latest win came at Sunday's match where he weighed in seven carp for a tremendous 53lb 6oz. Nick
Basildon cruiserweight Mark Quirey, 26, is set to make his professional debut at York Hall, Bethnal Green on Monday evening. Quirey began boxing at the age of seven at Blue House ABC before moving on to Bury ABC, Laindon. He notched up five Essex ABA
A pregnant mare endured an incredible ordeal after being spotted struggling to give birth next to a railway line. Shetland cross Annette spent more than 12 hours in labour without medical attention, then had to walk more than a mile, with the foal partially
It's about time! That was the view today of Essex survivors of Japanese prisoner of war camps after hearing they had finally secured a £10,000 cash payout. Thousands of survivors were celebrating after a 15-year battle for compensation came to a successful
Jobseeker Nick Lovegrove was just dying to get a new job - but found he may have to do exactly that after a visit to Southend job centre. The 34-year-old, of Alexandra Road, Southend, stumbled across a chilling advert which stated the applicant must be
A killer is facing a jail sentence for stabbing a man in a Colchester pub. James Dillon was cleared of murdering former friend Andrew Wilson at the town's Playhouse pub in February this year. But a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court convicted him on the lesser
Drugs education in Essex is set for a major cash injection, with the Government supplying more than £300,000 of extra funding. The Government is to boost its spending on drug education from £7.5 million this year to £17.5 million in 2003/4. A slice of
A widow fighting eviction from her South Weald almshouse faces the prospect of being made homeless in the run up to Christmas. Lynda Baldwin, 56, was told the deadline for her to leave the house in Wigley Bush Lane was last Friday. She is now awaiting
An urgent call for action has been made by the residents of Havering-atte-Bower for improved road safety in the village following the deaths of two people this summer. The village has been a magnet for road accidents in recent years and this was highlighted
Two teenagers have been banned from a school bus after a boy and a girl were hit by a missile. The 11-year-old boy was struck on the head by the piece of metal and the driver had to divert her vehicle for him to get treatment. The youngsters were on a
