Residents and teachers were celebrating after an application to install a mobile phone mast was refused amid health fears. Headteacher of Great Totham Primary School, Peter Foreman, had protested about plans to site a 15-metre pole next to Beacon Hill
A Colchester school was today celebrating after being given the go-ahead to become an arts college. Sir Charles Lucas School in Greenstead was among 34 schools in England granted special status and given extra money to develop expertise in arts or sport
An exciting four-week arts festival has been launched to inject new life into the centre of Brentwood in the run-up to Christmas. The St-ART project intends to utilise every empty shop and as many of the occupied retail units as possible in the town centre
Young Billy Overall is one of Canvey FC's biggest fans - and one of the youngest at just two-years-old. Billy is no stranger at Canvey's Park Lane ground as he went to his first match when he was two days old. The toddler has his sights set on playing
It may only be December 1, but already, Essex cricket supporters are warming to the prospect of next summer's cricket with the county club warning that the Vodafone Challenge Match against Australia is set to be a corporate sell-out. Although bookings
A knockout night is in store for Ongar traders and revellers when the town's Christmas lights are switched on by former world heavyweight boxing champion, Frank Bruno, tomorrow (Friday). Many shops will be open to join in the fun when the lights go on
The family of a newly-wed woman seriously injured by a hit-and-run driver have pleaded for witnesses to come forward. Sarah Rafi, 21, of Carnarvon Road, Southend - who only recently married Mohammed Umer, 22, in Pakistan - was hit by a car as she went
A review of the meals-on-wheels service in Essex has been completed and a final decision will be made on its future in December. The ''best value'' review by Essex County Council's health and social services select committee has made a number of recommendations
Councillors and officers have been given an insight into plans for a massive bird sanctuary on the banks of the River Thames. Bill Oddie, television personality and well-known birdwatcher, joined RSPB officers - including site manager Mark Underhill -
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed the war on truancy in Basildon schools. In an exclusive interview with the Echo at No 10 Downing Street, Mr Blair vowed to reduce the number of young people skipping school. He said: "I realise there is a problem with
A wealthy widow of an oil magnate with connections to Colchester has left more than £5.5 million to charities and her friends. Margaret Leonard died in Brighton in the spring just after her 95th birthday and has left the proceeds of the sale of Horkesley
District and county councillors are facing a dilemma over the Epping to Ongar railway after it emerged that the trackbed alone could cost up to £1m to buy back. Following his decision to pull out of running a commuter service on the line, Epping Ongar
Punters across south-east Essex will be flocking to the bookies in the run up to the match to place their bets on the outcome of the big match. Ladbrokes were quick off the mark to get their odds for the outcome of the Canvey v Southend FACup 2nd round
When Canvey Island and Southend United clash in their FA Cup second round tie, Glenn Pennyfather and David Webb will confront each other firmly on opposite sides of the camp. However, the pair have known the joy of celebrating great soccer success in
Castle Point Council has received the lowest percentage increase in Government spending in Essex. The council is analysing the new Standard Spending Assessment figures - and the early indications show Castle Point has received the smallest percentage
Council tax payers in Essex will get a boost thanks to a handout from the Government. A £2.8 billion increase in funding for key services nationwide has just been announced by Local Government Minister Hilary Armstrong. Essex County Council is being awarded
A pedestrian has died after he was involved in an accident with a van on a country road. Michael Rylands, 60, a patient at Severalls Hospital, Colchester, was walking along Boxted Road when the accident happened on Tuesday just before 7.45pm. The victim
A Madonna fan won tickets to an exclusive concert by baring her flesh to the elements. Mandy Halsey, 20, braved freezing temperatures to skinny-dip on Southend beach - and earn the prized tickets to Tuesday night's sell-out Brixton Academy gig. On Monday
Violent patients across north Essex excluded from their GPs' practices will be coming to Maldon. North Essex Health Authority (NEHA) has been searching for a site to send the aggressive patients to, and has decided on the town. It is launching a scheme
An active pensioner who liked to wear high heels died after falling down the stairs, an inquest heard. Margaret Nicoll, 88, of Constable Avenue, Clacton, fell when she caught her heel on the small spiral staircase at her home. Son William Mulligan told
Precious family heirlooms and exhibitions are being placed at risk by poor security at a museum, it has been claimed. David Martin, 55, of Hilltop Court, Dovercourt, fears his father's medals and uniform from his days in the Royal Navy are in danger of
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
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
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
Essex cricket captain Ronnie Irani is resigned to losing Danny Law for next season. The 25-year-old former England under-19 all-rounder is poised to leave Essex to join Second Division Durham on a two-year contract. Law's impending departure comes amid
Former Southend United and Chelsea striker Bill Garner is offering parents the chance to do their last-minute Christmas shopping in peace. For his "Sport Action" organisation are staging a Festival of Football, to be run by qualified coaches and open
If you want your youngster to learn to play the West Ham way there's a perfect chance in the New Year. For West Ham in the Community are holding Friday night training sessions for youngsters starting on February 2 next year at Basildon's Gloucester Park
Southend United are being linked with Plymouth Argyle's 20-year-old centre-half Adam Barrett. Reports in the west country suggest the defender was pencilled in as a trialist for Blues' cancelled reserve match at Bournemouth yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon
Getting their kicks - these pupils from Thundersley's King John School have been hitting the high spots in the world of karate and showing the boys (left to right) Joe Simmonds, Scott Dunlop and Mark Pullen how it's done are Kimberley Hughes, April Dunlop
McDonach came away with a hat-trick when Purfleet YFC beat Wilburn Wanderers in the under-eight Mars Division. Tooks grabbed a brace for the visitors but his team were unable to find the equaliser. Results UNDER-EIGHT Jupiter Division: Forest Glade Blue
Southend Junior League side Island Boys need two players for their under-12 Premier Division team. Anyone interested in joining the Canvey-based club should contact Steve Blackaby on 01268 512493 between 6pm and 9pm Monday to Friday. Island Boys are also
Richard Barham is in confident mood as Essex bids to make the top flight in the LTA Inter-County Championship at Swansea this weekend. The Westcliff Hardcourts player has been selected along side club-mate Simon Bonham for the three-day event which will
Basildon matchman Brian Hemmings added another win to his list, by taking first place at Sunday's Gloucester Park Open Match. He weighed in a total of 17-9-0 at the scales, consisting of roach and tench, after fishing from a peg in the little bay. He
Mark Alexander, the reserve for the Olympic Games, is to undertake his training at Team Trampoline Promotions based at Brentwood High School. Mark, since returning from Sydney, has joined Middlesex University to study for a Sports Science Degree and has
Members of Team Trampoline Promotions, Brentwood County High School, travelled to Worthing on Saturday for the Grade 2 National Trampoline finals. Competitors have had to qualify in order to compete atthe National Finals and although Team Trampoline Promotions
Chelmsford looks set to have 57 borough councillors in 24 wards, as opposed to 56 in 27 wards, if final proposals by the Local Government Commission are agreed by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott. In the last stage of a review of electoral arrangements
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
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
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.
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
Plans to find an alternative site for One 2 One's mobile phone masts on Canvey have come to a standstill, and concerned parents are demanding to know how this is affecting their children. The mobile phone giants had promised to try to relocate their three
Brentwood bobbies have been getting in a little high tech training in advance of this year's anti-drink driving campaign. Officers across the Harlow Division, which includes Brentwood, are being taught how to use the new intoximeter, which provides conclusive
Two Castle Point planning applications are at the centre of a major High Court test case challenging the deputy Prime Minister's right to make decisions. Holding and Barnes, a car salvage company on Canvey, and Premier Leisure, which was involved in the
Voters in the Maldon district are set for change as the Boundary Commission makes its final recommendations. Wards in the area are due to be altered, but a controversial plan to move the parish of Asheldham under the ward of Southminster has been axed
Radical changes are being made to speed up the removal of dumped cars littering Basildon streets. Instead of cutting through miles of red tape trying to trace the owners through the DVLA, Basildon Council will now be able to access information directly
Submitting proposals for the £7.5 million revamp of Stanway School will be headteacher Ian Carrington's swansong - but a swansong it looks set to be. After seven years as headteacher of the school in Winstree Road, Colchester, Mr Carrington is set to
Steps to improve the state of Chelmsford Prison were backed by MPs in a House of Commons debate. Improvements recommended in a damning report by Chief Inspector of Prisons, Sir David Ramsbotham were backed. These include staff working with young prisoners
A three-year-old girl was denied treatment at Harwich Hospital when staff shortages closed its emergency unit. The minor injuries unit of the hospital is usually open from 7.30am to 9.30pm. But on Monday it was closed by 5pm because of staff shortages
A £7.5 million revamp of a Colchester school could be paid for by selling land for housing. Outline plans for the ambitious upgrade of the Stanway School were revealed today (Thursday) in a project providing facilities which pupils and the community have
A retired jeweller drowned while cruising the coast of Spain on his prized yacht - but exactly what happened remains a mystery. An inquest heard Alan Cooley, 68, of Connaught Avenue, Frinton, was on a dream trip sailing around the Mediterranean this summer
Billericay High Street could be about to go on-line, after council chiefs revealed they had kick-started talks to open an internet cafe. Discussions have taken place between Trevor Stansfield, chairman of the town council, and an un-named south Essex
A vasectomy is up for grabs at a charity auction in Colchester - and it might go for a snip of the normal price. An auction of promises raising money for Colchester Citizens' Advice Bureau will be held at the town hall. Last year's auction raised about
Mindless vandalism attacks have failed to deter the work of Harold Hill's Citizens Advice Bureau and the team has bounced back and is ready for a profitable new year. A spate of attacks resulted in the CAB having to shell out valuable resources, not only
Up to 300 jobs could be threatened as crop science firm Aventis halts research and development at its Ongar premises. A brain drain at the town's largest employer may see 150 jobs moved to the international company's sites in Frankfurt and Lyon. The switch
An inquest into the death of a man whose body was found in a cupboard of a flat in Thorpe has been opened and adjourned. Coroner's officer PC Nick Waltham said that 25-year-old Justin Chant, of Byng Crescent, was found in the hallway cupboard after police
A group of environmentalists are finally seeing their dream for a town centre project being realised. They have found a shop in Colchester and started transforming it into En-form - Colchester Environmental Information Centre. It is planned that the venue
A dramatic video showing the police pursuit of alleged Triad gang members from the scene of a killing has been shown to a jury. Vehicles from both Essex Police and the Metropolitan Police, including armed response units, tailed a "convoy" of three high
A promising young Billericay historian has impressed a host of celebrity judges with her outstanding entry in a UK/US essay writing competition. An essay by Alexandra Hill, 15, a student at St Martin's School in Hutton, Brentwood, was picked out by a
Victims of hate crime in Harold are being urged to call their local Community Safety Units (CSUs). They are being encouraged to support a drive against the problem as part of a massive publicity campaign by the Metropolitan Police Service. The Harold
Southend United's Player of the Millennium, Steve Tilson, insisted there will be no divided loyalties when his Canvey Island club go head-to-head with the Blues in the FA Cup second round on Saturday week. Wickford-based Tilson, who left Blues on a free
Witham Town were unable to bridge the gap of two divisions as they were knocked out of the Essex Senior Cup last night (Wednesday), beaten 1-0 by visiting Ryman League division one side Romford. Despite the result, manager Tony Kinsella was upbeat, commenting
Armed police officers scoured Clacton seafront after reports of a man with a shotgun. The drama was sparked when an elderly couple contacted officers reporting they had seen a man in Marine Parade East and he appeared to have a sawn-off shotgun in his
A decision on whether the Canvey v Southend FA Cup match takes place at the Gulls' Park Lane home could be made this afternoon (Thursday). Canvey chiefs are keen to maintain home advantage for the December 9 second round tie but there have been calls
Micky Cook's Colchester United youngsters are still in the running for a glamour tie in this year's Times AXA FA Youth Cup. The Layer Road kids drew 2-2 in last night's (Wednesday's) round two clash at Stevenage Borough, thanks to a Dean Morgan strike
Colchester's chief executive has been ordered back to work - a month after he was told he could take early retirement. At last night's (Wednesday's) specially called Colchester Council meeting, councillors refused John Cobley's request to take early retirement
Colchester Council last night refused chief executive John Cobley an early retirement package that would have cost the authority £230,000. All 60 councillors met in private last night (Wednesday) to decide whether the money should be found from the public
Essex Police have been called in to investigate a town mayor. Witham Town Council has asked them to look at a possible breach of the Local Government Act, which regulates councillors' behaviour. Last week the council said a formal investigation would
The last butcher's shop in a north Essex town could close if an expansion plan by a neighbouring store gets the go-ahead. Brian Jose started thinking about selling up his business after he was approached by the Spar Stores in Wivenhoe on the Cross. Falling
The recent wet weather forced Rochford Ladies to play their Essex Centenary Stableford competition over 14 holes but that did not stop club champion Jo Rumsey continuing her recent rich vein of form. Jo ran out a comfortable overall winner with 30 points
A man accused of breaking into a Colchester home and unlawfully imprisoning his former partner has appeared before magistrates. James Yardley, 57, of no fixed address, is accused of assaulting and unlawfully detaining Betty Bruce, of Blackthorn Way, against
A police officer serving in Harwich is being put forward to represent Essex Police in this year's Community Police Officer of the Year award. The award looks for the best bobbies and most community-minded coppers in the land. This year Essex will be represented
Wood you feast your eyes on what we made out of wood! Three youngsters show off their impressive blue tit birdbox they created at a special day at Langdon Hills Country park. People from all around visited the park to make useful items out of wood including
Plans to move Southend ambulance station to a new site at the Tesco superstore in Westcliff have have been delayed. Expansion plans at Southend Hospital mean the town's ambulance station in Cardigan Avenue has to move from the site by early next year.
Spiralling numbers of youngsters wanting to study at Essex University is forcing the institution to expand. An application to build 80 new offices and new seminar rooms at the Wivenhoe Park site, near Colchester, has now been lodged with Colchester Council
Festive rhyming treats will be on offer at Billericay Library during December. Local poet Derek Edwards will be sharing a selection of Christmas poems on the Rhyme Time board between December 4 and 30. Derek. who was born in Walthamstow but has lived
Radical new measures designed to boost road safety and cut traffic congestion around two Billericay schools are to be introduced as part of an innovative partnership scheme. The Safer Journeys to School project has been developed to help deal with major
Motorists and bus users could see the end of months of misery as roadworks in Colchester were due to be completed today (Thursday). The new scheme of bus lanes, traffic lights and a two-way system around Middleborough was expected to come into operation
Ever since Sir Alf Ramsey put the men from Portman Road on the soccer map with his championship side of 1962, plenty of great names have become the talk of Ipswich Town. But who are the greatest players ever to wear the blue shirt? As a member of Bobby
Goalkeeper Andy Woodman is set to play his last game for Colchester United - unless the U's make a move to extend his loan period or sign him permanently. With regular number one Simon Brown currently sidelined with a foot injury, Woodman, who has kept
Orders for Canvey FC football kits have been flooding in from around the world as the team prepares for its FA Cup clash with Southend United. Non-league side Canvey meet third division Southend on December 9 after they both won their first round FA Cup
The possible creation of an all-Britain football team, suggested by home secretary Jack Straw, was today (Thursday) criticised by Colchester MP Bob Russell in his capacity as shadow sports minister. Mr Russell said: "It would seriously reduce our influence
Colchester and Tendring Athletic Club's Grace Greenhalgh finished ninth out of 100 runners on her international debut in Belgium. Grace, 22, represented England in the senior ladies' 5000m cross country event against rivals from Belgium, France and Switzerland
A bare wasteland on the doorstep of Warley looks set to be transformed into picturesque green woodland for the benefit of local people under a deal announced last week. Essex County Council is planning to sell 34 acres of dreary Warley Hill grassland,
Proposals which would award some south Essex police officers a pay rise of more than £2,500 have been drawn up by union chiefs. Talks of a new pay deal came about after it was announced officers working in London, who joined after 1994, would get an extra
A smoke detector alerted a Writtle mother who rushed her three children to safety as clothes being dried in their kitchen erupted in flames on Wednesday afternoon. A neighbour with a garden hose tacked the blazing clothing until Chelmsford firefighters
Burnham town councillors have agreed to spend extra cash next year on a summer swimming scheme and town improvements. Members of the full council prepared estimates for next year's budget last week and earmarked £9,000 to extend a swim session for residents
Pupils at Sir Charles Lucas School, Colchester, are in sombre mood today (Thursday). They are marking World Aids Day wearing black brightened only by a red ribbon as they read poetry and perform dance and drama in a special show. Converted for the new
A teenage mother-of-three who battled against post natal depression has been cleared of allowing a rabbit to starve to death. Southend Magistrates acquitted the 17-year-old of causing unnecessary suffering to the animal. They concluded there was not enough
Eastwood High School has been awarded arts technical college status which will guarantee £100,000 in extra funding. The school on Rayleigh Road, Leigh, was one of 34 across the country to receive special status in the latest announcement by the Department
Seventeen Colchester boys have represented East Anglia at the 28th National Swimming Championships for Independent Schools, held in Coventry. A large part of the team was made up of pupils from Colchester High School - and they excelled. A total of 13
Three young men were rescued from a flooded ford at Mashbury on Friday as continuing rain put the county's rivers on flood watch for the 12th time in four weeks. Floodwatch is the basic warning level imposed since September by the government's Environment
County engineers say Saturday is a crucial day for trying out new spiral lane lines on the notorious Odeon roundabout at Chelmsford. The new layout is designed to guide cars gradually on their intended path off the roundabout reducing queueing at the
Closed circuit TV will be used in a bid to catch vandals who have tried to ruin Basildon's town centre Christmas tree. The lights on the 40 foot tree, which were only lit up last week, have been yanked down leaving half the tree in darkness. Kerry Davison
An angry bus passenger has collected almost 400 signatures complaining about a bus service. Heather Cant, of Upland Drive, St John's, Colchester, regularly uses the number two Arriva bus service to get to and from her workplace at the George Hotel in
A bumper gift of £100,000 of high-tech equipment, which has 'kick started' a new unit, will help cut hospital patient waiting times, say delighted health chiefs. And now they have said a heart-felt thank-you to the Harold Wood Hospital League of Friends
Braintree police division headquarters will be staying in the town, it has been revealed. The Braintree boys in blue will get nearly £6 million of central Government cash to spend on upgrading existing facilities - built just seven years ago at a cost
Saturday night in front of the TV will be anything but dull for proud Brentwood parents David and Jane Gilchrist as they watch their talented daughter make her broadcast debut. Emily Gilchrist, 18, plays the title role in the opera 'Zoe' which is being
A farmer has told how he could only watch in horror as his office building went up in flames, destroying all his records and paperwork. James Macdonald, of Old House Farm, Harwich Road, Beaumont, was alerted to the blaze at about 2.30am yesterday (Wednesday
Appealsfor a speed limit to be introduced on a "dangerous" stretch of road linking Ramsden Bellhouse and Ramsden Heath have been given a cool reception by Chelmsford Borough Council. Ramsden Bellhouse parish councillors had hoped the council would support
