A ten-year-old schoolgirl is recovering after she became impaled on a mattress wire. The girl, a pupil at Coppins Green Primary School in Clacton, was playing at a friend's house using the mattress to jump on when the wire burst through the material and
Thousands of people flocked to the seaside on one of the hottest October days ever recorded. Temperatures soared to around 75 degrees Fahrenheit in London and 70 on the south coast on Saturday, which was good news for businesses in Southend. A spokesman
Clacton's new secondary school is back on track. Schools adjudicator Sir Peter Newsam has backed Essex County Council's proposal for a community school and given the all-clear to proceed. The county council wants to have a new temporary site ready for
Police and Dunmow town council have joined forces to tackle the continuing problem of vandalism at recreational areas. In the latest incidents nuts have been loosened on the children's play equipment including seats on swings designed for the disabled
At Forrester Park Golf Club it was a busy day for the handicap secretary after the men's monthly stableford as the scores were high in spite of the early mist which reduced visibility to about 100 metres until the sun broke through. The gold division
Three is the magic number for Resin Those Benfleet boys Resin did themselves proud - again - by winning Rocksoff battle of the bands at the lovely Chinnery's on Southend seafront. That's three in a row by my records. C'mon, lads, you're too good, let
A motorcyclist was recovering in hospital today (Tuesday) after a road crash. The motorcyclist suffered serious leg injuries when he was involved in a collision with a car at 2.30pm on Sunday. The incident happened between the motorcycle and an Audi in
A woman is appealing to the owner of a nine-year-old female barn owl to come forward. Janice Hope, of Guinea Close, Braintree, opened her front door to greet her son but instead had a barn owl fly on to her arm. The "extremely tame" bird has typical markings
A military bomb disposal team was called to Stansted Airport to carry out a controlled explosion. Normal security checks on freight were being carried out last night (Monday) when concern was raised over a package being handled by worldwide company Federal
A lorry driver who admitted causing the death of a Colchester father by crashing into his road maintenance vehicle has been jailed for 30 months. Victim Paul Scrutton was thrown through the air "like a rag doll" by the force of the crash and into the
A decison on plans for a halfway house for recovering drug and alcohol addicts has been postponed. Chelmsford Council's planning committee decided last night (Monday) that plans to build eight flats for use by addicts in Arbour Lane, Chelmsford, could
A motorist had a lucky escape after ploughing through a fuel pump at a filling station, as a fuel tanker was unloading next to it. The man, a 35-year-old care worker from Romford, was driving a Renault 18 along the A12. He came off the road into the Rivenhall
Residents at a residential home in Leigh awoke in terror after a firework shot through an open window. It exploded in a corridor of the Avro Centre, in Avro Road - which houses people with learning difficulties - setting off the fire alarm last night
Southend councillors have refused to back plans for a multi-million pound David Lloyd leisure centre in Eastwood. The town's Tory cabinet believes the site near Cockethurst Farm in Snakes Lane, would be "unsuitable" for the complex. Talks are now to be
Bleary-eyed residents in Southend were woken early today (Tuesday) as the police helicopter swooped low over the town. The chopper, based at Essex Police HQ in Chelms-ford, began flying circuits over Southend and Westcliff at around 12.20am. It continued
The boss of Ford Motor Company Ian McAllister is to be the main speaker at Essex's key annual public examination of its future prosperity, the Essex Business Debate. At the meeting on Tuesday October 30 Mr McAllister is to describe Ford's five year plan
Feminist Germaine Greer was among more than 500 people at the Red Cross's Annual Plant sale. The sale at Cressing Temple Barns near Witham featured plants from more than 36 nurseries throughout the county and should raise more than £2,000 towards the
Two bogus callers posing as council workmen made off with £70 from the home of an 88-year-old brother and sister. The pair - who live in Madeira Road, Holland-on-Sea - were left shocked and distressed by the incident but were unhurt. Det Sgt Martin Brough
Braintree Leos Club showed its support for Breast Cancer Awareness Week with a charity event. The group's members raised money for the Cancer Research campaign by using 2,400 bras to make a chain nearly two miles long on Saturday. More than 25 people,
A heroin addict who beat up a young girl has been jailed. Alex Barraclough, of Twelve Acres, Braintree, admitted cruelty and ill treatment and was sentenced to four years in prison. He received another 18 months for burglary, attempted burglary and shoplifting
Building work is about to begin on the first Helen Rollason Cancer Care Centre. A four-bedroom detached house in Springfield, Chelmsford, will form the base of the cancer care centre, which will offer complementary therapies, counselling and drop-in facilities
Ongar's Christmas Capers event is once more set to prove a big hit after it was confirmed that former world heavyweight boxing champion Frank Bruno is to switch on the Manor Square tree lights. A spokesman for Ongar Town Partnership, which is organising
Fresh plans to build a 60-bedroom hotel on Southend's derelict gasworks site on the seafront have been drawn up. Barratt Eastern Counties has stepped in with the plan for the land, at Eastern Esplanade, after after two failed attempts to build a new hotel
Union bosses at Marconi in Chelmsford are hopeful the "tide was turning" for the embattled company. Trading conditions remain "tough" as it reported second quarter figures in line with previous estimates. The group said in its much-anticipated trading
Police are investigating the death of a man whose body was discovered at his home in Dovercourt. Scenes of crime officers spent several hours at the property in Main Road. The 49-year-old man, who has not been named by police, was found in the kitchen
A Chelmsford woman was rushed to hospital by helicopter after falling 20ft from cliffs in Cornwall. Jackie Rowlands, of Chelmsford, was walking on a cliff path at Lamorna, east of Land's End at 12.25pm on Sunday, when the accident happened. She had left
One of Southend's historic landmark buildings is set for a new lease of life after a troubled 30-year history. Hotelier Richard Perry was so impressed with the Royal Hotel when it hosted his engagement to 22-year-old Carey Martin, he has taken over the
Over 60s will now be able travel anywhere for £5 on the First Great Eastern network that stretches through East London, Essex and into Suffolk. The specially priced 'travel anywhere for a day' tickets can be purchased until November 23. The offer will
Concern is growing in nearby roads over a council plan to fell trees at the Warley Hospital site. Brentwood Borough Council's landscape and environment manager, Steve Plumb, has asked the council's own planning department for permission to chop down trees
"We're strong, we're powerful, we're magnificent" chanted the barefoot volunteers, the first people in Colchester to attempt a firewalk. Minutes later they proved it, walking one by one across wood embers which would normally melt their feet. And they
A fireworks display to be staged at The Green Man pub in Howe Street, near Great Waltham, on Sunday November 4, and will raise funds for the Chelmsford and District Cardiac Support Group. The display will start at 7pm and admission is priced at £3. Tickets
A Southend United shareholder has called for an emergency meeting to discuss the club's future. Hugh Cumberland, of Pudsey Hall Lane, Canewdon, wants to quiz the directors on the club's future as he says it "looks very bleak." It follows the resignation
Stanway Rovers provided a tonic for out-of-sorts manager Steve Ball with a 3-0 Jewson League division one success at Whitton on Wednesday. Ball was unable to attend the match because of illness so handed the reins to assistant Jimmy McIntyre. Julian Hazel
Chelmsford City Football Club's dream of coming home to the borough has been thrown into limbo. Local Government Secretary Stephen Byers announced this week that he has "called in" plans for a new £2m stadium at Boreham and ordered a public inquiry, which
Twelve members of Basildon Dolphins Disabled Swimming Club made a splash at the regional National Association of Swimming Clubs for the Handicapped gala. The club's combined efforts were enough to see Basildon awarded a shield as the top club. Six competitors
A team of football-mad Billericay youngsters took on the long arm of the law when they tackled a team of police officers in a specially-arranged match. The game at the Gloucester Park Bowl in Basildon was arranged to boost community links and raise money
Ipswich Town are again being linked with unsettled Chelsea striker Eidur Gudjohnsen. His agent told Icelandic TV that the Blues are among a clutch of Premiership clubs interested in his signature. Also on the transfer front, Keith Branagan could be on
Giant Walsall target man Brett Angell and young West Ham striker Richard Garcia have turned down the chance of a move to Colchester United. U's boss Steve Whitton revealed yesterday (Monday) that his attempts to bring the two players to Layer Road on
Brightlingsea United are looking to put their Jewson League form behind them tonight (Tuesday) and record a derby win against neighbours Stanway. A dismal run of results have left the Oystermen stranded just one place off the bottom of the division one
Groups of anti-war protesters from south Essex were among the demonstrators who brought London to a near standstill in a peace rally over the bombing of Afghanistan. Dave Murray, of the Basildon Peace Coalition, said: "The terror attacks were terrible
An inquest is to be held into the sudden death of a Dovercourt man. Police investigations began after the body of the 49-year-old man was discovered at his home in Main Road by his father. Scenes of crime police officers spent several hours at the house
Watch the birdie is the golfing phrase of the moment at Rochford Golf Club after Thorpe Hall's Jonathan Neal won the prestigious Essex Keating Trophy - despite having his golf ball stolen by a large black crow. Neal was in the running, two shots off the
A successful Tiptree dot com entrepreneur has received two awards in one day for his recruitment website. Jobserve owner, Robbie Cowling, collected the awards at the National Entrepreneurs of the Year ceremony organised by Ernst and Young yesterday (Monday
A lorry driver suffered minor injuries when his lorry overshot a flyover and came to a halt hanging over the edge of the road. Firefighters helped the shaken driver to safety from his cab as it hung perilously in mid-air, and his minor cuts were treated
Calls have been made for security cameras to be installed and a greater police presence in Brightlingsea after an armed raid on Barclays Bank. A raider wearing a balaclava and holding a handgun threatened staff at the High Street branch on Friday morning
A year on from the torrential storms and flooding that deluged the district, Epping Forest Council has established new contingency plans and produced an advice leaflet for residents. A council spokesman said: "The leaflet contains information on what
The number of patients being treated at Runwell mental hospital could nearly triple if plans to massively redevelop the site go ahead. More than 50 beds for medium security patients are included in the scheme - but project leaders insist the public will
People in Colchester's Castle Park had an opportunity to buy the castle and its surroundings at the launch of Essex Monopoly today. The eagerly-awaited county edition of the game was launched at the castle, which replaces the prestigious Park Lane square
Harry Potter may have been made famous through the books of J K Rowling, but Tiptree has its very own claim to the name. Eight-year-old Harry Potter lives in Tiptree with his mum Melanie, dad Mark and brother Thomas, five. Although a fan of the books,
Jobs could be lost at a Colchester insurance company. Crowe Insurance, of North Station, has made the announcement after management buyout negotiations came to a halt. Crowe's management put forward the bid after it's current owner Stockton Reinsurance
Investigations are under way after a man died in a fall from scaffolding on Canvey. The man, aged 31, was working at the Wilcon Homes site, in Thorney Bay Road, when the accident happened on Friday. The man, who is believed to be from Kent, was taken
Essex Police and road safety officers from Uttlesford District Council were in Saffron Walden this week, reminding paper shop owners and teenagers delivering papers about the need for lights on their bikes. The officers visited shop owners and talked
Veteran Labour stalwart Roy Smith today (Tuesday) vowed to fight a complaint made against him which could lead to him being kicked out of the party he has served for 32 years. Mr Smith, 74, who is both a Tendring district and Essex county councillor,
Worried workers at travel agencies in Brentwood were this week facing an uncertain future after holiday giant Airtours announced job losses in the aftermath of the terror in America. Staff at Going Places in Chapel High and the High Street were waiting
When you get to 104 years old you are entitled to something a little bit different on your birthday. And staff at Longleat Residential Home in Carnarvon Road, Clacton came up with just that for Chrissy Buchanan's special day. Miss Buchanan, who is originally
In a disjointed display, Chelmsford Hockey Club opened their Division One campaign with a disappointing defeat at St Albans on Sunday. The start of the game was delayed for an hour as umpire Leo de Salis failed to arrive, although the teams and spectators
Trained negotiators had to be called in after a husband barricaded himself into the family home armed with a knife. John Wreford, of Coppins Lane, Clacton, had been drinking heavily and after a row was asked to leave and hand in his keys. But he later
Soccer-mad Canvey youngster Carly Roache is gunning for the big time after joining the highly-rated Arsenal Ladies academy. Castle View pupil Carly, 13, used to play for Billericay-based Perry Street before her talents earned her a place with one of the
A fighting fund has been set up by football fans to buy Southend United. Members of the Southend United Supporters Club Trust have issued a rallying call to fans of the seaside team to dig deep and secure its future. The call for cash follows revelations
Canvey Island's thoughts are on their return to Ryman Premier League action tonight (Tuesday, 7.30pm) when Maidenhead United visit Park Lane. Should Gulls win the game it will see the Islanders move up to second, two points behind Braintree with a game
A 14-year-old schoolboy showed the adults how it's done when he stepped in to referee a senior rugby match. Grant Coombes, who goes to Basildon's Woodlands School, was attending Rayleigh Wyverns' fixture at Old Bealonians when the ref failed to show.
Carl Hutchings predicted a bright future for Southend United after last night's (Monday's) thumping 4-1 triumph at Stevenage Borough in the first round of the LDV Vans Trophy. he midfielder was joined on the scoresheet by forwards Tes Bramble and Mark
Wingback Joe Keith handed Colchester United boss Steve Whitton a timely boost today (Tuesday) by finally agreeing a new contract. And there could be another big bonus for the U's chief with the news that he is very close to sealing a new and improved
Tendring's two maternity units are celebrating a major cash windfall of more than £500,000 to modernise facilities. Harwich Maternity Unit, at Harwich Hospital, will receive £461,036 while the unit at Clacton Hospital will get £96,100, it was announced
An ambitious scheme for a large convenience store, 34 apartments and a state-of-the-art car showroom could help to revitalise an important gateway into Colchester. Luton-based developer Eastern Square Property Group's plan is for a two-acre site in Magdalen
Detectives are hunting two men and a woman who "terrified" customers and staff as they robbed thousands of pounds from a building society. The gang leapt over the counter of the Bristol and West Building Society in Rayleigh High Street, and forced the
Detectives have been trying to piece together the last hours of a Basildon student who may have been the victim of a racist murder. They said they were treating the drowning of 22-year-old Talaal Omer as suspicious and that one line of inquiry was that
An 85-year-old Colchester man used walking sticks to cut power to his cooker after a chip pan fire started. Then Alfred Nickoll, whose Oaklands Avenue home was smoke and fire-damaged by the blaze, used damp towels to smother the flaming pan before neighbours
David Webb has revealed he turned his back on Southend United because he didn't feel 100 per cent committed to the job. The former Chelsea defender resigned from his position as manager on Tuesday to bring an end to his third spell as Shrimpers chief.
Colchester United are launching an ambitious project to double their home crowds. Target Six is being introduced for the U's next two League games - against Cambridge United on Saturday, October 20, and Wycombe Wanderers three days later - in a bid to
A Southend couple have been celebrating after winning a £200,000 dream cottage. Karen and David Ross, from Branksome Road, scooped the home in a Daily Mail competition. Karen, 38, said: "It has not sunk in yet. I have not slept since being told that I
Essex Police have scotched a terrorism scare story doing the rounds across the county. The tale involves a good Samaritan who returns a dropped wallet stuffed with money to a middle-eastern man. As a reward, the man warns him to stay out of London on
Eight of Colchester Council's most experienced officers are leaving in a major shake-up. The "efficiency drive" is not aimed at cutting costs, the council has insisted. Labour group leader Tim Young said it supported the move, but added: "I'm disappointed
John McGreal and Alun Armstrong have emerged as injury doubts for Thursday's UEFA Cup second round first leg tie with Helsingborgs at Portman Road. Both have aggravated back injuries they suffered last week but hope to be fit in time for the match, which
Detectives hunting the killers of a Westcliff pensioner have revealed that he was robbed while he lay dying in a Southend car park. Former bus driver Ronald Dennis, 67, was found dead by his car in Nelson Road, near Clifftown Road, Southend. A post-mortem
If there's one golf tournament Tiger Woods might not win, the mud golf competition on Mersea Island could just be it. There was no question of replacing the divot as golfers braved the elements to play a round of mud golf at Cudmore Country Park in East
The Ministry of Defence is ending its 'bunker mentality' towards the local media with the creation of eight regional press offices, including East Anglia. Lt Col Stuart Green has been appointed by the Ministry of Defence as its first East Anglia press
Southend United chief Ron Martin has pledged he will get the right man for the job as he stepped up his hunt for Blues' next manager. David Webb brought an end to his year long stay in the Roots Hall hotseat on Tuesday and Martin met his fellow directors
A string of deceptions ended in a prison sentence for a carer left depressed by an investigation at her workplace. Kelly Fairweather, 24, of Meadow Way, Jaywick, was yesterday (Monday) jailed for three months by Colchester magistrates. She had admitted
A banned driver who moved a car to make way for an ambulance has been jailed for ten months. The sentence, for a total of five offences, means Philip Green, 21, of Alvis Avenue, Jaywick, will lose his chance to win custody of a child, magistrates were
A new director of Maldon and District Council for Voluntary Service has taken over. Kevin Wearing will be working with five full and part-time staff. He comes from a business start up and acquisitions and mergers background, working in places such as
It's a case of happiness begins at home for south Essex teams still competing in this season's AXA sponsored FA Cup. Both Billericay Town and Canvey Island have been drawn to host Dr Martens League Premier Division sides in the fourth qualifying round
Southend United put four past Stevenage Borough as they progressed to the second round of the LDV Vans Trophy. The Blues were three up in 26 minutes last night (Monday) as they asserted their superiority over their opponents with goals from Tesfaye Bramble
There was a hectic end-of-season for members of the Dunmow Bowling Club which finished on a high note recently with the annual dinner and prize presentations before they took to the floor to music from Kid Tidiman's New Orleans Jazz Band. The dinner,
Watch out Tiger Woods -pupils at St Benedict's College could soon be hot on your heels out on the fairways. In a change to the traditional football, hockey, rugby and netball, year eleven pupils will be practising their driving and putting skills during
Bored young people in Abridge are being asked to "put their case" for the after-school and weekend activities they would like to see provided in the village. The message from parish council chairman Pat Price follows a consultation meeting in Abridge
One lane of the new A130 by-pass is now complete. Good progress is being made on the by-pass construction, following delays which were caused earlier by the bad weather. Once completed, the new by-pass will run from Chelmsford down to the A130 just south
Speedy Walton lifeboatmen are back in the saddle. For the past 17 years, the lifesavers have been using ex-Post Office bikes to help them get to their lifeboat, which is moored at the end of the pier. And the crew used the bikes to get into action as
A charity is still hopeful about raising funds - despite another setback. The Salvation Army in Maldon has already had to close its Care and Share shop on Wednesdays until more volunteers are found. Now a choral extravaganza has been cancelled because
Cub and Beaver Scouts from Monkwick washed and polished their way through a two-day fundraiser. The youngsters from the 5th Colchester Scout group offered their services as car washers while volunteers repaired their hut, which has been repeatedly vandalised
Frustrated parents who claim their children are victims of bullying at a Canvey school have joined forces to tackle the problem. They said they had nowhere else to turn over the situation at the Wintergarden Junior School. Head teacher Mike Blant said
Thousands of people thronged to the new-look Pitsea Market - and hailed the revamp a stunning success. Bosses at the market were delighted with the turnout on Saturday as they unveiled three months of hard work to the public. Steve Brook, new market manager
Union leaders have given a cautious welcome to news that troubled telecoms firm Marconi, which employs 500 staff in Basildon, is heading for a revival. The news that the firm's massive debts have been cut slightly and operating loss improved is an indication
A crunch meeting will go ahead tonight (Tuesday) over plans to put a mobile phone mast on top of a church belltower in Thorpe Bay. People living near St Augustine's Church have launched a campaign against the mast, claiming it presents a health hazard
A former builder has been jailed for allowing more than £50,000 of drugs to be stored in his garage lock-up. Alan Cooper, of Mill Lane, Witham, admitted possessing more than 1.1g of cocaine, and of aiding and abetting the possession of £37,200-worth of
Holiday flights to France, Holland and Spain could be on the cards if Southend Airport's expansion plans take off, it has been revealed. An extra 3,000 new jobs within five years would also be one of the rewards if the airport builds new public safety
Two police officers have been praised after tackling a man wielding a four-foot sword at terrified passers-by in a Colchester street. Police rushed to Magdalen Street at 8pm last night (Monday) after a report of a man heading towards the town centre attacking
Southend United's board have stepped up their hunt for a new manager to replace departed boss David Webb. The Shrimpers' directors held a two-hour emergency meeting at Roots Hall on Thursday night to discuss their options. And the Third Division club's
Questions were due to be raised in Parliament today over the crisis in Colchester General Hospital's neurology department. Colchester's Lib Dem MP Bob Russell was due to ask the Secretary of State for Health Alan Milburn why promises that a second consultant
