School students are training for a challenging adventure aimed at building self-esteem and strengthening relations with the police, Army and community. Throughout this month, 12 boys aged between 14 and 17 from the Colne Community School, Brightlingsea
Property recovered by Essex Police following crimes has benefited 19 charities to the tune of £44,125. The Police Property Act Fund, set up more than 20 years ago, allows such property to be sold at auction, and cash can also be kept. David Stevens, Essex
Five teenagers escaped from their blazing car when it burst into flames after colliding with a broken-down lorry on the A12 at Kelvedon. The five teenagers, four of them girls, were in a Vauxhall Nova which went under the back of the lorry on the London-bound
A switch to Roots Hall is sensible Jeff King must surely be joking when he said that if his Canvey Island side meet Southend United in the FA Cup 2nd round that he would fight to play the match on their tiny Park Lane ground. Both teams face replays tomorrow
All-rounder Danny Law is poised to leave Essex County Cricket Club to join Second Division Durham. The 25-year-old has already had talks with the northern county and it is understood the move will be signed and sealed in the next few days. He is set to
Even the elements conspired against Billericay Town in their hour of need as they crashed to their second Ryman League Premier Division home defeat of the campaign. The New Lodge side battled against a near gale force wind and driving rain during the
Chelmsford is set to benefit most from more uniformed fire personnel working in Essex from next year than for most of the 1990s. A decision to increase service strength by 10 to 929 would see four of the new people working in the borough's stations. A
A pedestrian was still fighting for her life at the weekend after being struck down by a hit-and-run driver. The recently-married 21-year-old was left in a critical condition when she was hit by the car in Thorpe Esplanade, Southend. It is not known how
Medical staff in Brentwood are to undergo special training to help them cope with depressed patients. At 1pm on Tuesday November 28 surgeries and clinics across the town will close for an afternoon on as over 100 people, including doctors, nurses, practice
Police have appealed for witnesses to a vicious attack which left a Witham man with severe face and head injuries. The attack on the 28-year-old man took place in Alan Road in the town and left him needing more than 50 stitches and staples in his head
Green-fingered youngsters from Wix and Wrabness Primary School swapped their cosy classrooms for the great outdoors to help their village's parish councillors plant a new spinney of trees at the Harwich Road playing field. The project, costing about £600
A handful of troublemakers have been blamed for most of the crime on a Colchester estate. Greenstead residents have told police and council staff months of vandalism and verbal abuse are down to just a small group of known offenders. Victims are at the
The owner of a Harold Hill pie and mash shop is fighting Havering Council for later opening hours, claiming current restrictions cost him too much business. Ronnie Dance opened Kelly's East End Pie and Mash Shop six months ago on Petersfield Avenue, but
Tony Lock's red card capped a week to forget for Colchester, held to a goalless draw by Wycombe Wanderers. Lock's 80th minute foul on Alan Beeton led to the red card being shown to the former Chelmsford City player during the Division Two clash. Third
Tony Lock's red card capped a week to forget for Colchester, held to a goalless draw by Wycombe Wanderers. Lock's 80th minute foul on Alan Beeton led to the red card being shown to the former Chelmsford City player during the Division Two clash. Third
Only two Bukta Southend District League games survived the weather with Thundersley Rovers climbing to third place in the Premier Division with a 5-3 win over Steelers, who dropped to eighth. Salter, Shamshoum, Woods, McMahon and Hammer scored for Rovers
SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Aldershot Town 1, Canvey Island 0; Billericay Town 0, Enfield 2; Purfleet 1, Maidenhead United 1. Division 2: East Thurrock United 1, Banstead 1; Great Wakering Rovers 3, Leyton Pennant 1. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR
In the only Schweppes Essex Senior League game to survive the weather, Bowers United continued to show good form by giving themselves a healthy push up the table. They visited Canvey to take on Concord Rangers at Thames Road and returned with all three
A much-loved but crumbling landmark at the heart of Little Warley could be set for a major facelift, if a bid for National Lottery cash gets the thumbs-up. The century-old Little Warley and Childerditch Village Hall has begun to look its age in recent
The Mayor of Brentwood's trusty limo is to be retired after years of steadfast service to the town. The Ford Dorchester Limousine has been ferrying Brentwood's first citizen to and from official engagements around the borough for nearly 15 years, but
A teenager who set up an anti-bullying web-site has become the youngest member of an elite group of business people. Oli Watts is managing director of pupiline.net , which he set up with friend Katie Riddle after both were victims of bullies. The Gilberd
A pensioner has been left shocked and angry after vandals smashed down a concrete garden fence to trample through his garden. Alan Grainger, 72, of Walton Road, Walton, said for months youngsters have been using the garden of his block of flats as a cut
A 50-mile trail of diesel led to road problems in Essex and Suffolk over the weekend. A tanker travelling on the A12 began leaking the fuel at Kelvedon on Saturday morning, but it was not discovered until the vehicle had reached the A143 at Coddenham
A man is being questioned by police after an armed siege in Colchester. Part of the town's Greenstead estate was sealed off for 11 hours yesterday (Sunday) after a man forced his way into a house in Blackthorn Avenue and held a woman hostage. Armed police
Borough councillors have pulled back from calling openly for the demolition of Chelmsford's Army and Navy flyover. A resolution for axing the flyover, supported by chairman Andy Johnston's casting vote at an earlier meeting of the environment committee
A conman cleverly confused an 83-year-old war veteran into handing over £100 cash. Police in Pitsea were so touched by the bizarre incident they clubbed together to give the prisoner of war his money back. The older man was approached in London Road,
A school has been told it may have to pay for pedestrian and road safety measures if it wants to create a playing field nearby. Thurrock Council's development control committee heard that the highways department was concerned about the safety of children
Youths accused of rowdyism have apologised for their behaviour -after reading complaints about themselves in the paper. Police praised the youngsters for coming forward. Maldon residents had raised concerns over youths congregating in Promenade Park.
Maldon police are warning residents about buying expensive security systems. A Lancashire-based company has made cold phone calls to retired residents to make appointments for sales reps to visit. When they arrive, they have sold overpriced security equipment
A £71 million development plan has been proposed for Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. The aim is to make it one of Britain's top hospitals. Mid Essex Hospitals Trust chiefs have been working against the clock over the past few weeks to put together a
Canvey's hopes of going into tomorrow's (Tuesday's) FA Cup replay at Port Vale boosted by victory at Aldershot were ended when Wayne Andrews grabbed the only goal of the game after 55 minutes for the Hampshire hosts. Ironically, both teams were overhauled
There can be few Ipswich Town fans around these days without bruises on their arm. Because pinching yourself has become something of a mandatory task since the Blues set off on their journey through fairyland back in August. Certainly the latest leg of
Disgraced Colchester United striker Tony Lock is likely to escape a club fine following his rush of blood and sending-off in the U's rain-drenched goalless draw with Wycombe Wanderers. Lock had only been on the pitch for eight minutes as a 70th minute
Southend United's Third Division promotion credentials took a severe battering at Roots Hall on Saturday as Cheltenham Town inflicted Blues' first home defeat since August. Veteran Robins striker Neil Grayson's first-half goal momentarily lit up a dour
The mayor of Witham has stepped down from his post while an investigation into an alleged breach of local government rules is carried out. A press release issued by Witham Town Council on Friday reported a formal investigation would be undertaken with
The manager of Kings nightclub on Canvey has died after a burst blood vessel in his brain caused a stroke. Steve Fordham, who lived at Kings Residential Park, was found dead after visitors to his home failed to get an answer at the door. The father-of-two's
Police in Clacton are preparing to launch their Christmas crackdown on crime. Extra officers are to be sent out on to the streets in a bid to deter offenders and make the town a safer environment in the build-up to the festive season. And Insp Peter Smith
This explosive, windswept and rain-sodden, Layer Road Division Two clash will be remembered for four very contrasting reasons. One, it was the first ever goalless draw between old rivals U's and Wycombe in 16 Football League, cup and Conference outings
Thousands of taxi drivers are set to seek compensation from a cab manufacturer which recalled vehicles after identifying a safety flaw that could put passengers at risk. The Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association said it would be encouraging its members to
The Chelmsford & District Introductory Table Tennis League (CLICK 2000) continues to be dominated by ECC N who top the table with 29 points out of a possible 30. This is a level of domination that only the mighty Rawreth A in the first division of
Chelmsford Swimming Club youngsters turned in some brilliant performances at the final session of the Essex Swimming Championships, which were held at Barkingside. The pick of the bunch at the event in Barkingside was King Edward VI School pupil Joshua
Concerns that Essex's Nasser Hussain would be forced to quit the tour of Pakistan because of an arm injury were removed last week with the England captain given the all-clear. Hussain had received only three deliveries in his side's second innings and
Southend United fans who like a flutter could start placing their bets on Roots Hall matchdays from Saturday. Bookies Coral have opened two booths in the East and South West Stands at the ground which will give Blues supporters the chance to both win
Westcliff's St Bernards High reached their goal when Prittlewell School staged an eight team under-13 girls' soccer tournament. The Saints marched in for victory with the host club runners-up and Westcliff in third place. Prittlewell stage an under-16
Gould took advantage of a rain-affected Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination reduced programme to grab a hat-trick for Estuary Athletic in a 5-2 Division Four win over Corinthians. Wyles and Rutter completed the scoring for Estuary with Kemp
One of Essex's most historic medieval churches has been enhanced by a £4,000 hand-built black wrought iron porch gate and windows. All Saints' Church, Doddinghurst, which boasts the longest wooden Tudor porch in the county, had the additions made and
Maldon Volunteer Development Agency faces closure at the end of the year. Lottery funding for the Agency ends in December but staff are hopeful a new future will emerge from the work the agency has done for the past four years. When funding ends services
A tug-of-war over the ashes of a woman who died nearly five years ago is threatening to tear two Essex families apart. The dispute between rival siblings has seen their mother's ashes dug up from a cemetery, planted in a back garden and dug up again.
A young Grays woman has died of meningitis - less than 24 hours after first showing symptoms of the illness. The unemployed woman, who shared a flat in the town, died at Basildon Hospital from acute blood poisoning caused by the infection meningococal
A pensioner has died following a collision with a car in Dovercourt. Pedestrian Ruby Spain, 77, of Fronks Avenue, Dovercourt, was in a collision with a white Rover car at 11am on Saturday in Main Road. She was taken to Colchester General Hospital, but
Businesses have been left counting the cost after travellers camped on a Colchester industrial estate. Travellers, parked outside Falcon Plumbing and Heating Supplies on the Cowdray Centre, moved off just hours before a court order was served on Friday
Police are appealing for witnesses to a vicious attack which left a Witham man with severe face and head injuries. The attack on the 28-year-old man took place in Alan Road and left the victim needing stitches and staples in his head. A fight broke out
An investigation is being launched after a person was believed to have fired an airgun at the front window of a passing train. The suspected shooting happened at the Motts Lane footbridge in Witham shortly before 2pm on Saturday. The driver of the Ipswich-bound
Nearly-completed units on a South Woodham industrial estate were refused revised planning permission on Monday - to the approval of nearby residents who claim the construction is a danger to drivers. People living opposite the three industrial units on
The local soccer scene suffered the worst weekend so far this season for postponements with the continuous rain making many grounds resemble swamps rather than pitches. Although clubs at Ryman League level suffered badly - Grays, Aveley and Tilbury were
Wakering returned to winning form in this home Ryman League Division Two game. However, the encounter against lowly strugglers Pennant will be best remembered for two unsavoury brawls - the second of which ended with the visitors having two players sent
More than 50 Afghan asylum seekers involved in the Stansted hijack may be allowed to stay in the UK. The hijack took place in February when an Arian Airlines Boeing 727 landed at Stansted. The airport became the focus of the world's media as what was
Concerns about whether people are able to tell the difference between pooper scoop bins and post boxes have been raised by councillors. People posting letters in dog litter bins is a real problem according to some councillors on Basildon Council's environment
A villager got a shock when a bag left near her home moved and she found a huge snake inside. The nine-foot python was discovered wrapped in a duvet and left in the black plastic bag near to Marks Tey station at about 2pm on Thursday. And RSPCA officers
A Maldon man has told how he was injured after a brick was hurled at him from a car in a cowardly attack last Tuesday. Robert Cox left the Welcome Sailor pub on Fullbridge at around 11pm, where he had been enjoying a quiet drink with a friend, when the
Buying a home is set to become quicker and less stressful thanks to a new "sellers" pack piloted by the Government, according to a Leigh surveyor. Victor Beadle is one of the first people in the country to win accreditation to prepare the new packs which
A chain of events after a fall led to the death of an elderly man, an inquest heard. Stanley Martin, 87, of Vicarage Hill, Benfleet, slipped as he climbed out of his shower on August 12 and broke his left leg. He died 16 days later in Southend Hospital
We're forever blowing bubbles! That was the cry from the fans as they greeted West Ham United manager Harry Redknapp with thousands of pretty bubbles at a charity evening in Thundersley. The Premiership boss was the special guest of honour at a gentleman's
Rebel girl pupils were sent home from school for turning up in trousers. The girls, of William De Ferrers, South Woodham, said the school was the only one in the area which banned them from wearing trousers in the classroom. They claimed that more than
A man is being questioned by police after an armed siege in Colchester. Part of the town's Greenstead estate was sealed off for 11 hours yesterday (Sunday) after a man forced his way into a house in Blackthorn Avenue and held a woman hostage. Armed police
A much-loved but crumbling landmark at the heart of Little Warley could be set for a major facelift, if a bid for National Lottery cash gets the thumbs-up. The century-old Little Warley and Childerditch Village Hall has begun to look its age in recent
Thieves have stolen £5,000 of equipment from a children's choir putting a programme of festive engagements at risk.. The 120 members of Kids Choir 2000 were today still coming to terms with the theft. The equipment was stolen from the car park of Makro
Horse-lovers are furious a popular bridleway will be closed for six months for repairs after it was ploughed over. The horse track between Panfield and Rayne, near Braintree, has been out of use since April when riders discovered the damage. And Essex
Recent heavy rain made Rochford Hundred's course play to its full length and scoring was tough in the November medal. Saturday's Division One saw victory go to Darren Lee who maintained his recent good form with birdies on the 12th and 14th, plus 12 pars
Nearly three-quarters of Brentwood people think local bus services need to be improved, a newly published survey has revealed. An astonishing 71 per cent of people questioned by Brentwood Borough Council insisted that the town desperately needs more buses
Mindless vandals have run rampant across the Braintree district. Nearly a dozen cars were damaged in late night vandalism attacks while the front window of a fish and chip shop was smashed to pieces at the weekend. In Braintree on Friday night five cars
Basildon Town under-15s, who play in the Chelmsford Youth League, are looking for a number of players of good standard to add to their squad. Anyone interested should ring Lee Maire on 01268 555042. Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some
Only one South-East Essex Sunday League game beat the weather with Castle Point United taking advantage of Simco having to field a weakened side due to injuries to pull off a 10-0 win. Daniel Godfrey grabbed a hat-trick and Darren Godfrey scored two.
Edwards was the five-goal star as Rayleigh Town triumphed 6-0 at Hatfield Peverel in a heavily reduced Essex Intermediate League programme. Rayleigh's success came in Senior Division One and the scoring was completed by a single strike from Murray. Converted
A lifetime of learning has filled the past 35 years for Barbara Grover. And many parents of the current pupils who were taught by the long-serving teacher will also be sad to see her retire from Prettygate Junior School in Colchester. Mrs Grover started
A man has been bailed by police in connection with an alleged rape on Canvey. A 27-year-old woman said she was attacked in Church Parade in the early hours of Saturday. A 30-year-old man was arrested and bailed to return to the police station while officers
Harwich International Port looks set to benefit from a Government vision about the future of UK ports. In the first Government statement about ports in 20 years, four objectives were due to be outlined in the House of Commons this afternoon (Monday).
Away-day gangs of Albanian and Bosnian immigrants are targeting Basildon with a series of lightning pickpocket raids. Children as young as nine are being used as decoys while their adult accomplices make a stealthy approach and steal purses and wallets
Police in Clacton are preparing to launch their crackdown on crime for Christmas. Extra officers are to be sent out on to the streets in a bid to deter offenders and make the town a safer environment in the lead up to the festive season. And Insp Peter
The traditional meet of Maldon's Boxing Day hunt will go ahead in the High Street - despite a councillor's claim it was "a family celebration day that was becoming a battleground." Maldon district councillors, at the full meeting on Thursday night, were
A woman was still in a serious condition in hospital today (Monday) after a weekend road accident. The mother-of-two received serious head injuries after a Nissan car in which she was travelling with her husband and two children was involved in collision
