Historic St Laurence Church in Southend has stood proudly for more than 1,000 years and there is "no reason" to move it now, its rector has claimed. The Rev Nigel Ransom spoke personally for the first time after English Heritage moved to upgrade the church
Despite the fact that the run without a win now stretches to 11 games, Billericay Town boss Gary Calder believes his troops have "turned the corner." Speaking to a packed fans' forum called by the club's Supporters Association at New Lodge on Monday night
Dovercourt is to stage its first-ever real ale festival. The event will be staged in December and it is hoped to pull in visitors to the town from the Continent. The three-day winter ale festival will showcase around 20-25 beers and there will also be
Urgent action to safeguard the future of Essex's rural communities is being demanded after a major report has highlighted a lack of basic services. Rural areas in Essex are blighted by limited job opportunities, poor public transport and a lack of affordable
A drug addict feared for his partner's safety because of the people he mixed with - so he bought her a stun gun. She kept the gun in an underwear drawer at their home in Pall Mall, Leigh. However, the gun - purchased at a boot sale - was seized by police
Southend Airport has received a major body blow after historic St Laurence Church was named one of the UK's most treasured buildings. Centre of controversy - the airport church has been granted Grade I listed status which will make it difficult to be
A crime-busting campaigner has been recognised for her achievements. Carole Dennis has been commended for "tireless fundraising and team-building" in jump-starting Colchester's Neighbourhood Watch into a force to be reckoned with. Tireless work - Neighbourhood
Historic St Laurence Church in Southend has stood proudly for more than 1,000 years and there is "no reason" to move it now, its rector has claimed. The Rev Nigel Ransom spoke personally for the first time after English Heritage moved to upgrade the church
Braintree Town's scheduled clash with Purfleet in the Essex Senior Cup has been postponed. The Iron have been drawn away to Hull side North Ferriby United in the last 32 of the FA Umbro Trophy. Published Wednesday January 16, 2002
Novelist Jonathan Buckley will be visiting Hockley Library on March 6 at 7.30pm as part of the Essex Book Festival 2002. Mr Buckley, who has written three novels, will give a talk on the theme, Secrets. Rayleigh Library's Booktalk group was impressed
A Billericay dog lover has been left shocked by a savage attack on his pet during an early morning walk. Robert Norris's dog Tess was set upon by two other dogs on a footpath through Little Burstead's Frith Wood. Mr Norris, of Second Avenue, said he had
Lauren Finch from Bradwell-on-Sea, has been chosen as a member of the Great Britain 2002 Accenture (Under 18 Riders) Junior Rider Squad Programme. The squad of 10 riders will follow a structured programme throughout 2002 and the most successful riders
The campaigning parents of sightless youngster Andrew Bourne have been left devastated after a landmark compensation bid in America was thrown out - before it even started. The family flew out last week, having waited nine years to get the groundbreaking
A mother is just waiting for the phone call which will let her know the daughter she "loves to bits" is safe and well. Fears are growing for teenager Lisa Goodbrand, 14, who disappeared last Tuesday from the Little Clacton children's home where she had
Baby-naming without a church event, gay "wedding" ceremonies and non-religious funerals could be coming to Essex as the county updates its registration services. Individual - Scott and George Waters, New parents are already shunning traditional church
A question mark still hangs over the future of the Salvation Army hall in South Woodham Ferrers. Question mark - over the future of the Salvation Army hall Bosses at the charity have warned that unless they can build an extension to the premises in Hullbridge
Jubilant Adrian Gray hailed the spirit within his Shrimpers side after watching them fight back from behind to sink neighbours Clacton. Harwich were 2-1 down at half-time but clawed their way back into this East Anglian Cup tie, scoring the eventual winner
Anthony Burdis, a senior Information and Communication Technology (ICT) with Essex LEA has won the Advice and Support category of the British Educational Communication and Technology (Becta) ICT in Practice Awards. Mr Burdis leads a team of 10 curriculum
Kemal Izzet is ready to play through the pain barrier to help Colchester United into the Second Division promotion play-offs. Ready to play through the pain barrier - Kemal Izzet X-rays have revealed that the all-action midfielder has fractured a bone
Battling Leigh man Tony Greenan has overcome redundancy and ageism to become the owner of a groundbreaking new business. Tony, 54, has just opened Cartridge World Leigh in London Road, offering a new cartridge recycling service for private and business
Great Dunmow Round Table is in urgent need of some dry secure storage for its Christmas sleigh and other items associated with its many charitable functions. A garage or large outbuilding with easy access would be ideal and spokesman for the round table
Chelmsford had hoped to enter 2002 with better fortunes than last year and had one of the best opportunities when they took on Wymondham on Saturday at Coronation Park. Both teams are struggling at the bottom of London NE3 and need every point they can
Goalkeeper Simon Brown has waited all season for his big chance to prove himself in League action for Colchester United. And prove himself the former Spurs keeper did on Saturday, with a string of tremendous second-half saves and the U's first clean sheet
A shopkeeper has called for action over fly tipping at a busy road junction - but Southend Council says it can do little unless the perpetrators are caught in the act. Dumped - Richard Noyce is pressing for action against fly tipping. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
Southend Airport has received a major body blow after historic St Laurence Church was named one of the UK's most treasured buildings. Centre of controversy - the airport church has been granted Grade I listed status which will make it difficult to be
Clever Colin Taylor is out to prove that he is the UK's brainiest cabbie - in front of a television audience of millions. Taxing - cabbie Colin is on television tonight. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 6EKZK7 Colin, of Cranleigh Drive, Leigh, beat off thousands
Ipswich Town's Gary Croft is being linked with a loan move to Wigan and Wayne Brown with Norwich. Jim Magilton has joined Alun Armstrong as a possible fitness doubt for Saturday's Premiership trip to managerless Derby. Both have missed training so far
Billericay Town's depressing run of 11 games without a victory finally came to an end last night when they triumphed 4-2 at New Lodge over Witham in the fourth round of the Essex Senior Cup. The Ryman League Premier Division hosts were shocked when the
A fox named Fearless was today recovering after being caught in an illegal snare. Fearless - the fox recovers after being found in Billericay. The fox, which was trapped with wire around its body, was found at around 8am yesterday by a farmer who was
South Essex rail company c2c is set to make millions by off-loading London's Fenchurch Street station, it has been revealed. The firm, which runs trains from Shoebury into the capital, will hand over the busy station to Railtrack by April. Alan Wheeler
A jealous woman who plotted to have her love rival killed by a hitman was behind bars today after being jailed for seven years. Paula Robinson, 57, of Walton Road, Kirby, stood in the dock with her head bowed as a judge at St Albans Crown Court told her
A 60-year-old candidate for the up-coming Braintree Council by-election has called for Dutch-style cannabis cafes to be created in Braintree. Don Barnard, who is standing for the Legalise Cannabis Alliance, said a more tolerant view of cannabis possession
A murderer who stabbed a Good Samaritan to death in a "wanton, mindless" attack in Southend is starting a life sentence. Murder scene - the corner of York Road and Southchurch Avenue Steven Day, 32, formerly of Boscombe Road, Southend, plunged the kitchen
Great Wakering Rovers midfielder Dan Trenkel has admitted he is desperate to make the grade in full-time football with Southend United. The 18-year-old impressed during a week-long trial at Roots Hall last week and also caught the eye guesting for Blues
A popular Colchester cycle path, which briefly reopened over Christmas, is again barricaded against users. A caravan, with power and a television aerial, is now parked across the path and chain fences bar access on the stretch of path between East Street
Drivers can expect road closures around Corringham for the next few months as work begins to refurbish bridges on the Manorway dual carriageway. Work is due to start there on Tuesday and will last about 14 weeks, a spokeswoman for Thurrock Council said
Colchester and Basildon are two of the top five fastest-growing employment hot spots in the east of England, according to a new study. The research, which is being carried out by economic analysts Business Strategies, shows that the number of people employed
Ambitious plans for a new 41-bedroom hotel have been revealed for Thorpe Bay seafront - but only at the expense of a 40-year old yacht club. Fed up - the club's Commodore Christine Clark-Maudsley and Dave Hewitt ponder the future with other club members
Ricky Anderson, one of Essex County Cricket Club's young stars, has decided to move to Northamptonshire, it has just been revealed. The bowler, one of Essex's most promising players last season, today confirmed he has signed a long-term playing contract
A knifeman has robbed a woman on her own doorstep. The 57-year-old woman was at her home in Bennett Close, Walton, yesterday when three teenage attackers knocked on her door and forced their way in. One of the men then threatened the woman with a knife
A contest-crazy mother is adding up the price of success after winning hundreds of prizes. Winning wonder - Sheila MacRae and family. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (19200-b) Mother-of-two Sheila MacRae has notched up thousands of pounds worth of wins and now
Thames Gateway bosses are to offer cash and staff to help Thurrock Council deal with the Shell Haven port development proposal. Mary Spence, chief executive of south Essex Thames Gateway, met with principal officers at Thurrock yesterday to discuss ways
Hockley-based Swifts Basketball Club are flying high after receiving a grant from the Royal Air Force. Net gain - for Swifts basketball club and their RAF visitor, Sergeant Rick Knott. Picture: NICK ANSELL 68CZ87C Sergeant Rick Knott made a flying visit
The owner of Clacton's premier seafront hotel has taken a major step towards reopening the building to holidaymakers this summer. Ron Stocks is working on a £200,000 refurbishment scheme for The Royal, Marine Parade East. But first he had to empty the
Neighbours who want a street party to celebrate the Queen's golden jubilee should submit applications for road closures as soon as possible. Thurrock Council has decided it will waive the fee for closures - usually around £400 - to encourage as many as
Leyton Orient manager Paul Brush has given Matt Lockwood two weeks to decide on his future with the club. Southend-based Lockwood is out of contract at the end of the season, and Orient want to cash in on him before then if he decides to leave. The 25
Booklovers are being urged to support a new reading club being set up at Wickford Library. The adult Booktalk club is being set up to give people the chance to chat to others about their favourite reads. Staff at the Market Road library hope it will prove
