A headteacher has vowed to turn around a school branded as failing by education watchdog, Ofsted. Tony McDonald was drafted in as acting head of Bournemouth Park Junior School, Southend, after it was put on the Government's special measures list amid
Purfleet's hopes of making major improvements to its ground have been rekindled after councillors overturned their planning departments' advice. The club has applied for planning consent to build a new stand and snack bar, put a roof over existing terracing
Basildon BAE Systems workers are breathing a sigh of relief after escaping a severe job cull in the wake of the US terror attacks. In the latest of a series of blows to afflict the beleaguered aerospace industry in the aftermath of September 11, the company
A hero who stopped people wandering into the path of a sword-wielding man has spoken of the terrifying night. Jason Worley, 30, of Beche Road, New Town, Colchester, said it was a miracle no-one was injured or killed on October 31 when he spotted Howard
A tube train driver described to an inquest how he spotted a shadowy figure fall forward in front of him as he approached a station. Martin Wilson, 49, of Woodberry Road in Wickford, died on February 26 from multiple injuries after being run over by the
A fast-moving thief nearly made a special delivery of his own after stealing a Post Office van loaded with Christmas cards. The large red van was driven off after its driver made a delivery in Durham Road, Laindon, at around 11am yesterday. Police say
Developers have been granted permission to build flats for the elderly at the site of a Braintree merchant builders' warehouse. McCarthy and Stone construction company has been given the gohead to build 49 sheltered apartments and house manager's accommodation
Darren Bent was delighted to open his Ipswich Town goal account in the Worthington Cup mauling at Newcastle. But the teenage striker admitted it was agonising watching from the bench as the Blues' leaked four goals in a first-half onslaught. Town steadied
Police hit-squads are blitzing illegally parked motorists in Colchester town centre. Officers will be bidding to clear the streets of vehicles flouting double yellow lines after complaints from businesses. Insp Paul Fieldsend, of Colchester police, said
It was like a scene from the Italian Job as one of the most expensive production cars in the country performed a precarious balancing act as its owner watched in horror. The £60,000 black Jaguar XK8 convertible was left perched on a crash barrier on the
A Dickensian Market will be held in Chelmsford High Street on Saturday December 1 from 10am until 5pm, organised by Farleigh and Little Haven Children's Hospices. There will be seasonal gifts, toys, calendars, diaries, crafts, decorations and jewellery
New moves which will help boost the economy of Tendring's poorest areas were today welcomed as a vital shot in the arm for the district. Chancellor Gordon Brown yesterday announced stamp duty is to be scrapped on properties worth up to £150,000 in the
Formal consultations over the setting up of a Care Trust in the Braintree district to combine services for the elderly in one new authority are set to start in January. Braintree Council "Carecall" and sheltered housing staff could be transferred to the
The number of families in urgent need of housing in Colchester has rocketed in recent months, putting severe strain on council resources. In the past few months, the number of people seeking accommodation from Colchester Council's housing services has
Another battling performance from Colchester United saw them eliminated from the FA Cup on penalty kicks by third division York. The U's looked to be heading out of the FA Cup in 90 minutes. Defender Chris Brass had put York ahead with his ninth minute
The NHS, pensioners and entrepreneurs were at the forefront of Chancellor Gordon Brown's thoughts as he unveiled his pre-Budget statement. Laying out his financial plans for the coming years, the Chancellor said the aim of the report was to set out how
New commitments for pensioners have been given the thumbs up. Mr Brown announced that all pensioners with modest savings, individual pensioners with a retirement income below £135 a week and couples with less than £200 will get more money. The basic state
The vicar of St Laurence Church has told of his shock at proposals to move the 11th century building to make way for the planned expansion of Southend Airport. Thousand of jobs could be created and a new train station built with up to 300,000 travellers
As far as Thurrock are concerned Zoe Hills is not only a star in the pool but out of it too. The club's top female swimmer was awarded a £200 prize from a charitable organisation known as the Jack Petchey Foundation for gaining a place next year with
A Colchester motorist jailed for causing the death of a top speed cyclist he left fatally injured on a deserted road has failed to overturn his conviction at London's Appeal Court. Dismissing John Lecomber's conviction appeal, Lord Justice Latham said
Women suffering gynaecological cancer will have to travel to Ipswich for surgery under another shake-up of services. Patients who would have been treated at Colchester General Hospital and St John's Hospital, Chelmsford, will see surgery centralised to
Millennium money has reached almost £725,000 in Essex. As part of the national lottery's focus on good causes, the Millennium Commission has revealed the five-year total given to community ideas. Amid congratulations for kindhearted residents, it has
Teenagers in Great Notley near Braintree are set to win their plea for a skate park in the village after taking their case to the parish council. Ten skateboarding youngsters attended a meeting at the Discovery Centre in Great Notley to talk to members
Police are hunting for a man who tried to lure a boy into his car in Feenan Highway, Tilbury. The incident happened at about 7.30pm on Tuesday, when a 13-year-old boy was approached in the street by the man, who was driving a brown Ford Sierra or Granada
Essex business applauded the emphasis in the Chancellor's speech on the small businessman. Particularly warmly received were the decision to extend the 10p rate of corporation tax and the proposed introduction of a new flat rate of VAT and a simplified
Essex County Council could become a national example for adoption practice. It has been shortlisted to become a Beacon Council - used nationwide as a model for best practice within local authorities - in the specialist area. More than 60 councils have
Police hit-squads are blitzing illegally parked motorists in Colchester town centre. Officers will be bidding to clear the streets of vehicles flouting double yellow lines after complaints from businesses. Insp Paul Fieldsend, of Colchester police, said
Southend United have parted company with transfer-listed goalkeeper Mel Capleton and striker Jason Harris. The pair, who were contracted to Blues until the end of this season, have agreed a financial settlement with the Third Division club and are now
Southend's reserves take on Bristol City at Roots Hall today in the Avon Insurance Combination League, kick-off 2pm. Left-winger Scott Forbes is expected to make his latest comeback from a hamstring injury. Right sided Stoke City midfielder Matthew Bullock
There was a glimmer of hope for hard-pressed hauliers after Mr Brown promised to penalise foreign truck drivers taking their business. The Chancellor suggested that road haulage taxation could be reformed on a time-based or distance-based charging basis
A famous composer is to return to his south Essex school to officially open a new performing arts centre. Mark-Anthony Turnage is to lead the ceremony at Hassenbrook School, in Hassenbrook Road, Stanford-le-Hope on Friday, November 30. Headteacher Dr
Colchester United defender Joe Dunne was today coming to terms with the fact that his season could already be over. And while the popular Republic of Ireland Under-21 international contemplated his playing future, his U's team-mates were getting used
Commuters who have suffered disruption due to the industrial action on c2c services have been urged to claim compensation by Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles. Mr Pickles said: "I have received a considerable number of complaints from commuters who
Stamp duty has been abolished in the St Andrew's area of Colchester, to the annoyance of neighbouring St Anne's ward. The move, which will affect both homes and businesses, is aimed at encouraging investment and enterprise in the poorest areas of the
There was double delight for the Savill twins at the Chelmsford U/13 tournament. Stephen beat the No.1 seed and Essex Restricted champion, Andrew Brunning, in a thrilling final by 17-16 while brother Daniel and Niall Barber won the doubles 21-18 over
Doctors in south Essex were today wary of the Chancellor's pledge to increase NHS spending by £1billion, bringing the total rise to £6billion. However tax rises to pay for the overhaul could be in the pipeline. Dr Lawrence Singer, whose surgery is in
Two Tilbury schools are to close and merge into a "new" learning campus - possibly as early as next September. St Chad's secondary in St Chad's Road and Jack Lobley Primary, in Leicester Road, are both in special measures the primary school's "failing
It might have been an extra-time horrow-show, but the key moment to this first round Isthmian League Cup tie occured just after the hour. Tilbury, seeking revenge for their unlucky defeat to Wealdstone in the FA Cup, had deservedly gone ahead with a brilliant
Developers today hit back at claims that raw sewage is spilling on to the streets around a new housing estate in Hockley. Residents living near the controversial Etheldore Avenue estate say the system needed to transfer sewage, produced by the estate,
The Government was today slammed for ignoring deprived areas of Southend after abolishing stamp duty in other poor parts of south Essex. Chancellor Gordon Brown, in his pre-Budget statement, said that stamp duty on the sale of domestic and commercial
A Dickensian Market will be held in Chelmsford High Street on Saturday December 1 from 10am until 5pm, organised by Farleigh and Little Haven Children's Hospices. There will be seasonal gifts, toys, calendars, diaries, crafts, decorations and jewellery
A Wickford man being sought by Essex Police for his involvement in a £1million fraud is to feature on Crimewatch tonight. The police have a warrant out for the arrest of Stephen John Hurford who failed to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court earlier this
Out-of-hours cover for hospital patients in Harwich has been taken over by Healthcall to relieve pressure on GPs. The system was brought in to improve cover from doctors who can be called to see patients in hospital wards. It comes shortly after Dovercourt
After defeat in the Ryman League Cup on Monday Purfleet are back in cup action again this weekend in the FA Trophy. Regular followers of Purfleet will of course not be too surprised at Monday's loss because Division One sides have often upset them. But
Basildon matchman Wayne Candy enjoyed the sweet taste of success at Sunday's Gloucester Park Open when his 35lb 8oz haul saw him finish almost14lb clear of the field. Wayne fished a peg on the cockle bank where he used a swimfeeder and maggot bait to
Stunning Lucie Bower was today on cloud nine after being selected as one of 12 Oxford and Cambridge students to appear in the 2002 Oxbridge calendar. Beauty with brains - Lucie Bower on the 2002 Oxbridge calendar Lucie, 20, of Westcliff, is in her second
The proposals for a new joint primary and secondary school campus is both "innovative and far-reaching", says Thurrock's cabinet member for education Carl Morris. "We are acting quickly to transform the whole education system in Tilbury. "We are showing
Basildon BAE Systems workers are breathing a sigh of relief after escaping a severe job cull in the wake of the US terror attacks. In the latest of a series of blows to afflict the beleaguered aerospace industry in the aftermath of September 11, the company
Developers today hit back at claims that raw sewage is spilling on to the streets around a new housing estate in Hockley. Residents living near the controversial Etheldore Avenue estate say the system needed to transfer sewage, produced by the estate,
Members of Basildon Jujitsu Club were all smiles after winning medals at the BJJA World Championships in Gillingham, Kent. Four members of the club earned gongs for their performances with 11-year-old Michael Baldock taking the club's only gold for sparring
