Campaigners battling the proposed closure of Matching Green Primary School have this week signalled that they are prepared to take their fight to the High Court if necessary. Save Our School campaign spokeswoman Jane Dewhurst confirmed that one of the
A unified approach to dealing with the growing problem of abandoned cars across Essex is being sought by county councillors. At present practice varies from district to district, with some councils waiting seven to fifteen days before taking action, and
George Burley admitted Ipswich's Worthington Cup exit could be a 'blessing in disguise'. The Blues boss said: "Obviously, we wanted to win the tie but with such a hectic schedule it might be a blessing. "We knew it was going to be a tough game against
An elderly woman was subjected to a terrifying ordeal in her own home by a raider demanding money and drugs. The pensioner was left shaken and upset by the intruder who made off with just £7 in cash. The man called at the bungalow in High Oaks, Ramsey
A furious c2c commuter today blasted the rail company after enduring "two days of horror" on her journey to work. Joanna Bull, 26, claims she not only had to endure the usual delays and overcrowding, but she also had a toilet door slide open on her as
Organisers have shelved an idea to turn the popular Orsett Show into a two-day event. The show regularly notches up more than 10,000 visitors, but those behind the event would rather build on its one-day popularity rather than extend it. Although the
The funeral will take place on Monday of Mary Andrews, a former Thurrock councillor and tireless worker for the community. Mrs Andrews of Lenmore Avenue, Grays, died peacefully at Basildon Hospital on Friday after a spell of ill health. She was 82. She
The women's awards at Basildon Golf Club's presentation evening were dominated by lady captain Eileen Prendergast, who won ten of the events. These included the Three-Club Trophy, Flag Cup, Ted Preedy Trophy and, quite deservedly, the special awards for
A parking dispute led a man to cause more than £3,000 damage to a car which was blocking his route. David Leavers, 46, lost his temper when he saw a T-registration Peugeot in his way and caused "extensive damage" to the vehicle, which belonged to his
Residents are split over an ambitious development plan in Colchester. A football stadium, 1,700 homes and a new road from the A12 bypass to the middle of town were at the centre of controversy at a public meeting last night. The Myland Parish Council-organised
Neil Foster, one of English cricket's greatest strike bowlers, is returning to Essex. Back to Essex - Neil Foster The 39-year-old Wivenhoe-born paceman, hero of 430 First Class and one-day games for Essex and England between 1980-93, is teaming up again
Negotiations between Thurrock Council and the Essex Magistrates' Court Committee may lead to courts remaining in Thurrock. Council leader Andy Smith explained the situation to Wednesday's meeting of the full council. He said that the committee was re-organising
Thurrock's top education councillor has made an impassioned plea for everybody to rally around to support schoolchildren in Tilbury. Coun Carl Morris, the cabinet member for lifelong learning, made a statement to Wednesday night's meeting of the full
A caller to BBC's Crimewatch believes a Wickford man - who is being sought by police for his involvement in a £1m fraud - could now be living in Spain. Sought - Stephen John Hurford Police appealed through the programme last night in the hope of tracking
Paul Jones, much to the surprise of everyone (including himself) was the star of Thurrock Harriers' challenge in the Chelmsford 10k Road Race. A leading figure in the early 90s, the demands of a teaching career has in recent years limited his time to
A new classroom block, named in memory of a former headteacher, has been officially opened at a Braintree school. The new early years centre at St Michael's C of E Primary School, in Maple Lane, was officially opened yesterday. It was built to replace
A towering economic performance by Brentwood-based construction company Countryside Properties has been hailed as a success story for the town. This week the company, which has been based in Brentwood for seven years, announced record results with both
Members of the public will have opportunity to view an exhibition of the planned A120 Stansted to Braintree route, and have their questions about the scheme answered by project personnel. Earlier on this year the design and build contract was awarded
A driver was left badly shaken after a brick was thrown from a bridge on to her car windscreen. The woman had been travelling along the A120 Braintree bypass in the direction of Chelmsford at about 11.10am yesterday. Her car had just passed under the
Boarding schools are back in fashion. Harry Potter's life at Hogwarts boarding school is the book and cinema hit of the year and the new children's programme 24/7 is proving popular. Living and enjoying a Harry Potter moment are, left to right, New Hall
Members of the public will have opportunity to view an exhibition of the planned A120 Stansted to Braintree route, and have their questions about the scheme answered by project personnel. Earlier on this year the design and build contract was awarded
Stamp duty is to be abolished on the sale of both domestic and commercial properties worth up to £150,000 in some of the country's most disadvantages areas, including some in Thurrock. In his pre-Budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown
Essex motorists who make mistakes on the road could avoid prosecution - if they take a retraining course costing £140. The driving scheme, run by Essex County Council in partnership with Essex Police, starts this weekend. It will free bad drivers from
Hundreds of elderly and vulnerable people were invited to spend on hour learning how to defeat bogus callers during a day-long conference in Witham Public Hall on Monday. Stan Culley, inspector Alan Cotgrove, Witham mayor Paul Heath and Lillian Culley
A towering economic performance by Brentwood-based construction company Countryside Properties has been hailed as a success story for the town. This week the company, which has been based in Brentwood for seven years, announced record results with both
Stamp duty is to be abolished on the sale of both domestic and commercial properties worth up to £150,000 in some of the country's most disadvantages areas, including some in Thurrock. In his pre-Budget statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown
Sweeping reforms of Basildon Council were today revealed to thrust decision-making into the 21st century. Senior councillors have backed plans for a modernising blueprint with a ten-strong multi-party executive cabinet backed up by area committees and
Eleven-year-old Charley Lewis had her dreams come true when she met chart-topping group S Club 7 for a TV show. Eye eye - Charley meets her heroes on the London Eye The bubbly youngster so impressed TV bosses she has now been asked to try her hand at
The National Motorboat Museum at Wat Tyler Park is to lose part of its name as it no longer fits a necessary criteria. Change of status - the museum is no longer a national treasure. Picture TERENCE BUNCH The museum will now be known just as the Motorboat
Children could be sent into Colchester pubs to test bar staff. Landlords are incensed by plans to trip them up. But police say it will stop licensed premises selling to under-age drinkers. The new measure part of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
A dance champion has smashed a world record by dancing for 12 hours on an electronic dance machine. Lord of the dance - Brian Milton. Picture: STEVE ARGENT Brian Milton, 21, of Marine Parade East, Clacton, went on an endurance marathon yesterday when
Billericay-based stockbroker City Deal Services' commitment to its customers has seen it walk off with a prestigious national prize. The company, which has its headquarters on Radford Way, took the top small and medium sized organisation award in the
Fencer Sara Green has been picked to represent Great Britain in Germany early next year. The 14-year-old Southend High School pupil is set to fly out to the country's former capital Bonn on the weekend of January 12/13 to take part in the first cadet
It's all systems go for Colchester's belated hi-tech bus information service. The Essex Bus Telematics system was delayed for six months in May to allow the installation of a more powerful £18,000 radio transmitter. Now that problems with radio coverage
Children could be sent into Colchester pubs to test bar staff. Landlords are incensed by plans to trip them up. But police say it will stop licensed premises selling to under-age drinkers. The new measure part of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001
Colchester boss Steve Whitton is still seeing red today following the sending off of club captain Simon Clark and young midfielder Gary Redmond. The dismissals happened during the first half of yesterday's 2-1 reserve team defeat at home to Gillingham
Residents are split over an ambitious development plan in Colchester. A football stadium, 1,700 homes and a new road from the A12 bypass to the middle of town were at the centre of controversy at a public meeting last night. The Myland Parish Council-organised
Teacher Hugh Thomas has said goodbye to his whiskers, to raise money for an Aids charity. Mr Thomas, the head of religious studies at Colchester Royal Grammar School, decided to shed his 20-year-old moustache together with his beard to raise cash for
Little Lily Beck, the "shining star" who lit up the lives of everyone she met, has lost her valiant fight against cancer. Lily - sadly missed Lily, who had seemed to be recovering well after lengthy treatment for neuroblastoma, a highly malignant form
Students at Mayflower High School are continuing to build on links with a school in India which shares its name. Cheque it out - Rotary Club of Billericay Mayflower president Reg Gilbort is pictured with Mayflower students Daniel Howett and Lauren Aldous
A university could pull the plug on its Thundersley campus because staff feel "under siege" from vandalism and intimidation. Prof Chris Green, the man in overall control of the Kiln Road site, told how the situation had escalated in recent weeks. He said
The headteacher of Jack Lobley Primary School in Tilbury has said she is "disappointed" at the decision to close the school. Maureen Benson, head of the Leicester Road school, said in a statement: "I lead a very dedicated and hardworking team who are
In a fiercely contested local derby, Clacton fought back from a two-goal deficit to defeat a depleted Colchester side in the Printwize East Premier League. Clacton deployed the remarkably brave tactics of playing their central midfield in very high positions
Billericay-based stockbroker City Deal Services' commitment to its customers has seen it walk off with a prestigious national prize. The company, which has its headquarters on Radford Way, took the top small and medium sized organisation award in the
After a meeting at Jack Lobley school on Wednesday one of the parents said she was disgusted that the council had made the decision to close it without any consultation. St Chad's secondary in St Chad's Road, Tilbury is to close along with Jack Lobley
A tough new clampdown on Southend seafront cruisers is to be launched following a disturbing catalogue of intimidating incidents. Cruisers - police are cracking down Police commander Supt Mick Thwaites has ordered the closure of a section of Western Esplanade
Some pupils have been refused bus passes because of a county council mix-up over catchment areas. And the youngsters have been told they will have to pay for passes if they want to remain at the same school. Essex County Council has sent letters out to
A couple died following a road accident during a three-month holiday in Alicante, Spain, an inquest heard. Barbara Dedman, 61, died at the scene of the accident on August 12 from multiple injuries, while her husband Ephraig Dedman, 62, died 17 days later
Green locals could soon be using environmentally friendly rubbish bags -- which degrade leaving no waste. Castle Point health and housing director Alan Longford is keen to look into using the bags to collect residents' green waste. In a report to the
Free parking on Thursday evenings and special rates on Sundays in the run up to Christmas have been announced by Chelmsford Borough Council. On Thursday November 29, December 6, 13, and 20, free parking is available at the High Chelmer multi-storey and
Experts in geology are proving that time travel is possible after uncovering the secrets of life in Brentwood 50 million years ago. The Essex RIGS Group, which stands for Regionally Important Geological Sites, are exposing a sand pit in Thorndon Country
A police officer who grappled with a burglar has won praise from a judge. Det Con Charles Cadwallader - chased burglar in his pygamas Bowls club members looked on in amazement as Det Con Charles Cadwallader, wearing only a coat and pyjamas, burst into
A school today paid tribute to a "very special" teacher whose sudden death shocked pupils and staff English teacher Lynne Oldacre, 43, taught at Thomas, Lord Audley School and Language College in Colchester. She suffered a brain haemorrhage over the weekend
Detectives have appealed for help following a string of burglaries in which £60,000 of goods have been stolen. In the latest incident, on Monday afternoon in Hawkwell, around £1,000 of damage was caused to a house before thieves made off with Christmas
Thieves have stolen £500-worth of silver antiques from Danbury Antiques. Police were called to the shop at Eves Corner just after 9.30pm last Wednesday, after somebody heard a smash at the property. When police arrived they found a rock on the ground
A clean-up operation swung into action on Canvey after raw sewage poured from a ruptured main. Firefighters from Canvey fire station were called to Thames Road after foul-smelling effluent erupted from the island's main sewage pipe, which takes waste
James Holland from the East Thurrock club has gained a notable triumph by winning the singles at the Chelmsford U/17 tournament. Another East Thurrock junior, 15-year-old Jack Hook, was runner-up. Holland and Lewis Brand had started their American matches
An action plan has been launched to break down the barriers which prevent disabled people from finding work. The plan is being launched in Thurrock where it is estimated that there are as many as 7,000 disabled people but only half of them are ever likely
Southend United's reserves allowed Bristol City to escape with a point from yesterday's 1-1 Avon Insurance Combination League draw at Roots Hall. Blues enjoyed the greater territorial advantage against the Robins, but failed to turn possession into the
A brave four-year-old boy, who has had three operations for a heart condition, has been given an early Christmas present. Hornby give Christmas present set to train fan Blake, Early toy Blake Sellors, 4, with his parents, Peter and Rowena, and Clacton
Chelmsford is going radio mad to celebrate the aspiring city's contribution to the Marconi wireless legend. After more than 100 years association with the genius of wireless Guglielmo Marconi Chelmsford is to declare to the world its birthplace of radio
