Essex PR professionals are offering companies free on-line access to their big-city expertise in a bid to help the local economy survive the tough economic times ahead. Even the best products can fail if their potential buyers do not know about them -
Sir Teddy Taylor has quizzed government leaders in the Commons to find out why Southend was not included in plans to revive deprived areas through the abolition of stamp duty - and has been told the desicion will be reviewed. The Rochford and Southend
Coggeshall's convivial host Bruce Norton, a confidante to many including colourful restaurateur Peter Langan, took the secrets he heard to his grave. The village and its visitors will remember him at the helm of Musketeers Wine Bar and later when he briefly
Essex County Cricket Club were today reeling from the loss of batsman Stephen Peters to Worcestershire. The former England under-19 star has quit the county to join Tom Moody's team at New Road. Peters, 23, was offered a new contract by Essex but instead
Southend's shelter for the homeless is bracing itself for an anticipated record number of people seeking refuge over the Christmas period. While most families will be tucking into turkey, Southend Night Shelter for the Homeless, in York Road, is preparing
Shops are to be asked to provide public loos if Colchester Council goes ahead with plans to shut toilets around the borough. The council is likely to axe four public conveniences and develop a new scheme in which major shops will allow free access to
Colchester could have a full-time town centre manager by the middle of next year. The move is part of proposals being drawn up by Town Centres Ltd, a firm appointed by the borough council to come up with ideas on how to rejuvenate the area. The manager
Experts today demanded a public inquiry over plans to move a historic church as part of Southend Airport's expansion. On the move? St Laurence Church The Government's heritage watchdog spoke out over the controversial proposal to shift 11th Century St
Surveys are being carried out to find a way to bring relief and new hope to hundreds of victims of last months floods in the Braintree and Witham area. Work has started by the Environment Agency to pinpoint what can be done to prevent further serious
Police are hunting for thieves who took a gold ladies watch and other valuable items. They managed to gain entry in the house in Park Road, Brentwood, by placing a garden bench under the double glazed UPVC window and forcing it open. Once in, they forced
The Essex police dog unit has been praised for its continuing improvement in training and development. The report highlighted "strong leadership at all levels" and identified positive initiatives to ensure standards of excellence remain high. The commendations
Surveys are being carried out to find a way to bring relief and new hope to hundreds of victims of last months floods in the Braintree and Witham area. Work has started by the Environment Agency to pinpoint what can be done to prevent further serious
Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Liam George will be in the Colchester United line-up to face Queens Park Rangers tomorrow. Kemal Izzet - in line for a shock return? And there could also be a shock return for injured midfield ace Kemal Izzet
Weekend sport Colchester had another bad weekend in division two matched by Southend's in division three as both the county's sides lost to Bury and Shrewsbury respectively. Monday news A serious fire over the weekend caused extensive damage to the Britvic
A campaign to crack down on Christmas crime is under way. On patrol - PC Richard Ferrier and Sgt Steve Kilcoyne. Picture ROBIN WOOSEY 4WJWN26 Southend police are handing out audio tapes to be played in Southend stores offering crucial crime prevention
West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns has raised in the House of Commons his concern over the number of teacher shortages in Essex. He was told in a written reply to a Parliamentary question that Essex, with 220 vacancies, headed a list of 35 authorities including
Stylist Aidee Phelan was today toasting a double triumph at the 2001 British Hairdressing awards. Heading for the top - Aidee Phelan, of Staffords in Leigh, who wants to go on TV. Picture STEVE O'CONNELL 4XGN73 The event, held at the plush Grosvenor Hotel
Plans to pump thousands of pounds into a Westcliff shopping centre for a major facelift were revealed today. The future - an artist's sketch of how the road could look The Hamlet Court Road Business Association is to bid for funding to carry out an extensive
A host of south-Essex youngsters travel to the Stowe School in Buckinghamshire tomorrow looking for national glory. Five teams from the area are out to capture the honours when the annual English Schools Cross Country Team Championship takes place at
Essex police officers are to be armed with an extra weapon - baton guns firing rubber bullets - in the New Year. The guns are to be introduced in the county after being given the go-ahead by the Home Office following a successful trial scheme carried
Plans to extend and widen two main waterways in mid-Essex could provide a major boost to tourism in the area, claims a river expert. For nearly 20 years, the Inland Water Association in Chelmsford has dreamed of extending the existing Chelmer and Blackwater
A Tory proposal for Thurrock Council to "employ" police officers to patrol parts of the borough has been turned down. Conservative group leader Anne Cheale put forward the plan at Wednesday's meeting of the full council. Her motion said the scheme should
Canvey Island will have little time tomorrow to dwell on Sunday week's massive live TV FA Cup second round Match of the Day against Nationwide League Northampton Town. For they start the defence of the FA Umbro Trophy they won in such fabulous style in
Grays have signed Melvin Capleton from Southend, but the goalkeeper will be having the day off tomorrow. He wasn't registered in time to be eligible to play at Bishop's Stortford in the FA Trophy and although Blues have a Thameside game with Aveley on
Plans to pump thousands of pounds into a Westcliff shopping centre for a major facelift were revealed today. The future - an artist's sketch of how the road could look The Hamlet Court Road Business Association is to bid for funding to carry out an extensive
Two people were taken to hospital following a catalogue of crashes on south Essex roads yesterday evening. Huge traffic jams built up on the M25 near the junction with the A13 after the driver of a trailer carrying two Bobcat diggers lost his load. The
Experts today demanded a public inquiry over plans to move a historic church as part of Southend Airport's expansion. On the move? St Laurence Church The Government's heritage watchdog spoke out over the controversial proposal to shift 11th Century St
The mother of murdered teenager Stephen Lawrence was the headline speaker at a conference in south Essex aimed at tackling racism in the classroom. Doreen Lawrence was invited to Basildon to address the event organised by Essex County Council and was
Elderly and disabled council tenants in the Epping Forest district are to benefit from a £173,000 funding boost - aimed at financing a series of adaptations and improvements to their homes. The money, which has been reallocated from within Epping Forest
A soldier on standby for Afghanistan drank an "extraordinary quantity of alcohol" before he was spotted wielding an axe. Daniel Fitzsimmons was seen on CCTV raising the axe towards two women in Colchester town centre before he was caught by police. And
Another three Thurrock groups have hit the jackpot with cash boosts from lottery grants. Awards For All, which distributes small grants from £500 to £5,000, have given a total of £12,917 to Thurrock Lawn Tennis Club, Special Needs Activity Club (SNAC)
A Colchester hospital is being brightened up for children. Colchester interior designer Gina Everett volunteered to paint a room set aside for youngsters at Colchester General Hospital in a fundraising effort for Children in Need. The 26-year-old had
Marcus Bent reckons self-belief is the key to Ipswich Town climbing up the Premiership - an ingredient he says his new team-mates have in abundance. Bent, recently signed from Blackburn for £3m, is preparing for his home debut tomorrow when high-flying
Stylist Aidee Phelan was today toasting a double triumph at the 2001 British Hairdressing awards. Heading for the top - Aidee Phelan, of Staffords in Leigh, who wants to go on TV. Picture STEVE O'CONNELL 4XGN73 The event, held at the plush Grosvenor Hotel
East Thurrock United have never known such times. Not only does the first team sit five points clear at the top, but the reserves too lead their competition. Tomorrow in Ryman Two, Rocks take an unbeaten run of 11 games to mid-table Barton whom they drew
A campaign to crack down on Christmas crime is under way. On patrol - PC Richard Ferrier and Sgt Steve Kilcoyne. Picture ROBIN WOOSEY 4WJWN26 Southend police are handing out audio tapes to be played in Southend stores offering crucial crime prevention
Furious parents held down a man they thought was taking photos of their young children in Maldon's Promenade Park until police arrived, a court heard. And Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard yesterday, that a search of the man's home then revealed indecent
Shops are to be asked to provide public loos if Colchester Council goes ahead with plans to shut toilets around the borough. The council is likely to axe four public conveniences and develop a new scheme in which major shops will allow free access to
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is waiting to hear if Cardiff City are ready to accept his improved bid for two players. Whitton is chasing the Bluebirds' big target man Kevin Nugent and left-sided midfielder Matt Brazier. And yesterday he revealed
With Canvey Island moving towards the limit of 3,000 for their big FA Cup second round clash with Northampton Town on Sunday December 9, there is a further chance for fans to buy their tickets at the Kings Club tonight. Supporters are reminded that there
An 85-year-old Chelmsford woman disturbed a mumbling would-be burglar as he tried to break into her home. The man was reaching through the woman's small kitchen window to try to open a larger window. When he was spotted by the pensioner, he mumbled something
George Burley believes his Ipswich Town charges need to relax and express themselves when they tackle Arsenal at Portman Road. But the Blues chief isn't under any illusions about the magnitude of tomorrow's task. He ranks the Gunners as one of leading
A major ministerial visit to Southend has been called off at the last minute. Margaret Hodge, Minister of State for Lifelong Learning and Higher Education, was due to visit the South East Essex College in Carnavon Road on Tuesday. She was to have launched
A crackdown on street crime on a notorious south Essex estate has been hailed a success by police officers. On patrol - PCMark Hayes plods his Five Links beat. Picture TERENCE BUNCH 4WKPE2 Extra bobbies have been on the beat on the troubled Five Links
Southend United manager Rob Newman is anxious for Blues to pick up three points against Lincoln City tomorrow ahead of a trio of away days. Following tomorrow's Roots Hall game against the 15th-placed Red Imps, the Shrimpers, who are 16th, are away against
A 34-year-old man died after his motorcycle was in collision with a dump truck, an inquest heard. Andrew Hywood-Nash, of Oakhurst Drive, Wickford, died from multiple injuries after the accident on Runwell Road, Rettendon, on July 4, Chelmsford Coroner's
Women in mid- and north Essex needing surgery for gynaecological cancer will have to travel to Ipswich Hospital for their operations after a re-organisation of services announced by the Mid Anglia Cancer Network. The changes have been criticised by a
A lot of water has flowed under the bridge since Colchester United and Queens Park Rangers last clashed in Football League action. The U's have been out and back into the League, while QPR have risen to the dizzy heights as runners-up in the old First
Sir Teddy Taylor has quizzed government leaders in the Commons to find out why Southend was not included in plans to revive deprived areas through the abolition of stamp duty - and has been told the desicion will be reviewed. The Rochford and Southend
Thurrock Council has agreed to hold an event on January 27 every year to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day. The proposal - put forward by council leader Andy Smith and seconded by opposition leader Anne Cheale - was endorsed unanimously at Wednesday's
A nine-year-old boy suffered "severe" bruising after being crushed beneath a tumbling goalpost. Ryan Sparrow - this keeper had the goalposts collapse on him Ryan Sparrow was goalkeeping during a football match in Brightlingsea between his school, Elmstead
A proposal to add almost an hour to the school day at the John Bramston School, Witham, was put to parents at a meeting on Wednesday evening. In the annual report, principal Ted Rowley suggested that students would benefit from an added "enrichment hour
House burglaries in Wickford have dropped away to nothing since the launch of a crime-fighting initiative in the town. Officers in the town are delighted with the success of high visibility patrols and other initiatives. However, they have urged homeowners
Seven youngsters from the Stourdale Gymnastics Club enjoyed success in the Essex County qualifier of the Recreational Individual Apparatus Championships. Five of the girls entered the eight to ten section, with four getting their first taste of competition
Fears for the future of another Thurrock school in special measures - Torells, in Grays - have eased a little, cabinet member for education Carl Morris told Wednesday's (28) meeting of the full council. In his statement outlining proposals for St Chad's
Colchester could have a full-time town centre manager by the middle of next year. The move is part of proposals being drawn up by Town Centres Ltd, a firm appointed by the borough council to come up with ideas on how to rejuvenate the area. The manager
Billericay Town have Kevin Jordan and Joe Baker fit and available for selection tomorrow as they bid to bounce back from the "embarrassment" of Tuesday's 2-0 Isthmian League Cup defeat by Division One strugglers Bromley. The Kent outfit have won just
Thoughtless thugs have left a family heartbroken after destroying a bench installed in loving memory of a Billericay couple. Jessie and Charles Lacey lived in Billericay for more than 80 years so when they passed away within a few months of each other
A network of cycle and pedestrian paths accessing parks and green space in Basildon is to go ahead, thanks to a £40,000 charity project. Sustrans, a charity which works on practical projects to encourage people to walk, cycle and use public transport
George Burley has been given a boost as his injury-plagued Ipswich Town squad prepare for their next Premiership clash with Arsenal. The Blues boss could welcome back several key players for the showdown at Portman Road tomorrow. Titus Bramble (calf),
A devastated girlfriend has paid an emotional tribute to her "soulmate and sweetheart" who died on a flight home from the US. Sweethearts - Charlotte and Peter Peter Spencer, 31 of Elmsleigh Drive, Leigh, was pronounced dead at Gatwick Airport following
Brentwood TV celebrity Billy Murray will be helping to light up some children's lives this Christmas at a charity event, with a difference this Saturday. Mr Murray will be visiting the home of Don Brooks of Station Road, West Horndon and will be switching
