Part of a former family-owned department store is set to be transformed into a brand new entertainment venue. Plans are in the pipeline to open a nightspot called The Piazza on the site of the former Keddies store off Southend High Street. Now project
Staff shortages have forced a hospital's minor injuries unit to cut its opening hours by nearly half and GPs are saying they will be withdrawing their cover for the unit. Vickie Williams, Harwich health campaigner, outside the hospital The double blow
Manager Neil Farlie could hardly contain his delight after Tiptree United progressed to the quarter-finals of the FA VAse at the expense of holders Taunton Town. A last-gasp strike by 39-year-old Steve Parnell steered the Jam-makers into the last eight
Inconsiderate drivers are being given one week to improve their parking habits -- or face the wrath of police. Alert -- PC Joanne Fairchild checks cars parked near the station. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7CFDZ2 Officers are set to put up posters in and around
Chelmsford City regained that winning feeling on Saturday, hitting four past hapless Welling United at Park View Road. City began the day in 10th spot while hosts Welling have been on the edges of the relegation zone for much of the season. The match
Woodside Primary School in Grays is joining the Queen and Thurrock Carnival in celebrating its golden anniversary this year. The Grangewood Avenue school is planning a series of events to mark its 50th anniversary but is on the lookout for pupils and
A top swimming coach dubbed the "pool pervert" after molesting boys in his training team has had his sentence cut. Michael Drew, of Laindon, pleaded guilty to indecent assault at Snaresbrook Crown Court in April 2001 and was given an eight-year jail sentence
Graham Barrett was at the centre of a 'dive' storm after winning a penalty that earned the U's a draw against visiting Blackpool on Saturday. Arsenal loanee Barrett was once again the jewel in Colchester's crown, causing problems for the Tangerines all
Basildon's service advice centre - run by just two people - has become the smallest organisation in Essex to be awarded Investor in People status. Busy pair - Sue Lawley and Mary Owen The centre, which is the latest in a series of Basildon Council departments
New Lodge witnessed an entertaining afternoon of football on Saturday as Kingstonian claimed a point against Billericay. Andy Tomlinson went close early on for the home side with a thunderous drive that former England semi-professional keeper Lance Key
Police are cracking down on yobs who put motorists' lives at risk by hurling stones at fast-moving cars. Shattered - motorist Tony Cole, behind the car windscreen which was smashed by stone-throwing yobs who are targeting vehicles on the busy A13. Picture
They have arrived! The Rev Martin Flowerdew and his wife Julie are now the proud parents of twin girls. Martin Flowerdew and the two new arrivals Mr Flowerdew, vicar of St Peter and St Paul Church, St Osyth, had held a competition for people to guess
A 26-year-old man is in a critical condition after being stabbed in the stomach. The attack happened in the early hours of Saturday in St Botolph's Street, Colchester. The victim was rushed to Colchester General Hospital where he received emergency surgery
Purfleet showed no sympathy to St Albans' heavy financial problems with all three points at Clarence Park on Saturday. Having been suspended from playing for a month on Isthmian League financial grounds, St Albans were keen to secure points on the field
Batsman Aftab Habib could be heading to Essex after buying himself out of his contract with Leicester-shire. Habib, who has played two Tests for England, has agreed to pay a five-figure compensation fee to the Grace Road club and is now a free agent.
A seafront blockade designed to tackle cruisers and boy racers wreaked havoc for motorists and caused major congestion. Hundreds of cruisers descended on Southend on Saturday night prompting police to close new gates shutting off the Golden Mile to Shoebury-bound
Joan Collins' glitzy fifth wedding brought out an Essex connection - the filming of the marriage to director Percy Gibson, at London's Claridges hotel yesterday, was carried out by Colchester-based Coverdale Studios. A spokesman for the firm confirmed
An undercover police operation to rid a Braintree estate of drugs has ended with two men being jailed. Operation Padstow was set up three years ago on the town's Beckers Green estate when drugs squad officers posing as addicts moved into a house. They
Enterprising ice cream man Ernie White is mounting a fresh bid to set up shop on Frinton's prim and proper seafront. Previous bids to build a kiosk got the cold shoulder from councillors after sparking a storm of controversy in the high-brow resort. But
Heybridge Swifts' recent upturn in form came to an end on Saturday with a 5-2 hammering at struggling Bedford Town. The Swifts were looking to continue their climb up the league table after a confident start to 2002, though fell behind on 24 minutes when
Stars of the television show Robot Wars are putting on a half-term show in Lakeside shopping centre's central atrium. Sir Chromalot, from South Ockendon, will feature heavily in the five-day show, to be hosted by his co-creator Steve Merrill. Robotzone
A procression of 140 cars led its way through south Essex to Southend seafreont in memory of motorbike crash victim Michael Morrell. Motorcade -- 140 cars joined the tribute procession Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7DCEP4 Friends and family of the 24-year-old
Colchester United managed to get a point thanks to Joe Keith keeping a cool head from the penalty spot to cancel out an earlier strike from Blackpool's Richard Walker. Blackpool took the lead at Layer Road through Walker in the 41st minute as he slotted
Colchester United manager Steve Whitton must be congratulated for a brave move that ultimately led to the salvage of a point against Blackpool. He had watched his side generally outplayed for the first 45 minutes. Blackpool's play was as bright as their
The country's first privately financed road, the A130 bypass, had almost 300,000 vehicles drive along it in the first 11 days it was open to the public. On Thursday February 8, 29,238 vehicles used the five and half miles northern section - the highest
Canvey Island Swimming Club's Chris Chenery, 11, booked his place at the National Age Group Championships during the Ipswich Open meet. The 400m freestyle ace smashed his previous best by more than eight seconds to book his spot for August's event in
Pupils at Moreton Primary School have been helping to restore a piece of their schoolyard heritage - a bronze school bell dating from the 1850s. Ringing the changes are (front) eight-year-old Kane Trendell; Ben Jordan, six; and Francesca Clark, aged six
Southend United boss Rob Newman was left to contemplate a night of sloppy defending from his side following their narrow 3-2 defeat at Swansea City. Welsh wizard - Blues defender Damon Searle tries to beat Swansea's Gareth Phillips in Friday night's Third
This could be the shape of Southend seafront in the future - providing planners give the go-ahead to a new 60-bedroom hotel on the former gasworks site in Eastern Esplanade. View of the future - the hotel which will be built on the gasworks site if the
Arsonists have been blamed for a fierce blaze which destroyed two caravans and seriously damaged another at a Canvey holiday park. Blaze scene -- the wreckage inside one of the fire-hit caravans at Thorney Bay Caravan Park. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 7GCAS1
Police are appealing for witnesses to a "nasty" attack on a woman who was thrown to the pavement by a bag snatcher. The thug knocked the woman to the floor where she hit her head as he tried to steal her handbag. The 41-year-old victim from Pitsea was
Two heroes who dragged a semi-conscious woman out of her burning car have been praised by police - who said they probably saved her life. Praised - Ian Lusher and Christopher Rodie who came to the aid of the woman. (19785-1) Ian Lusher and Christopher
An alternative site has been earmarked for a new village school but education bosses are keeping tight-lipped about its location. Two Village Primary School, which currently operates from two locations, has faced severe delays in its wait to be rehoused
A totally tropical experience was had by the youngsters at Canvey Junior School with a visit by Caribbean steel band Juma. Lesson in sounds - pupils Luke Gard and Billie Ingram get a few tips from Ken Mason, a musician of the Trinidad and Tobago steel
Unemployment levels in Essex remained unchanged last month, despite a slight fall in the national total. According to figures published by the Office for National Statistics, while unemployment in the UK fell unexpectedly last month to its lowest level
Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith has congratulated the Echo and thrown his support behind the campaign to safeguard vital south Essex cancer services. Support -- Iain Duncan Smith backs the Echo's campaign. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 7CJ8311 Mr Duncan Smith,
A pensioner was been left penniless after her bank account was cleaned out by callous cash card thieves. The 93-year-old Billericay pensioner -- who has not been identified by police -- only realised thousands of pounds had been taken from the account
A job well done was the general feeling after the U's came back from a goal down to claim a point against visiting Blackpool. U's manager Steve Whitton said: "After the first half, being a goal down, it was important we didn't lose the game. "In fairness
A soldier was still in intensive care today after being stabbed in the stomach in a street brawl in Colchester. St Botolph's St, Colchester Police have launched an attempted murder inquiry after the 26-year-old man, based in Colchester, was attacked in
Anger over his brother-in-law led to a Chelmsford man being ordered to do 150 hours community punishment. Peter Bridge, 45, of Mayne Street, Springfield Chelmsford, told his wife he would kill her brother and drove from the house taking a large carving
A London council which sends its homeless people to Southend did not strike a deal with the Estuary Housing Association to do so, it is claimed. Islington Council said it had an agreement with Estuary to relocate people waiting to be rehomed within Southend
As half-term starts today parents are once again left with the job of finding fun and interesting things for children to do. For the children in Pitsea, the Eversley Leisure Centre is offering a helping hand. A whole week of activities have been set up
It may have got off to a slow start, but the Queen's Golden Jubilee year is soon set to explode into a right royal rave up - thanks to the efforts of a south Essex company. Getting in the jubilee mood -- PMS sales co-ordinator Robyn Whiteley. Picture:
Canvey hit three past ailing Boreham Wood on Saturday to reassert their title credentials. The Islanders went back to the top of the Ryman League Premier, capitalising on Gravesend's inability to beat Hendon away. And unlike recent league displays, there
Owners of the land on which Thorpe Bay's prestige Thorpe Hall Golf Club is based are urging the club to move elsewhere, it has been revealed. Thorpe Estates, freehold owners of the prime-site plot in Thorpe Hall Avenue, are hoping to persuade the club
A man who murdered his estranged wife's lover in Witham has been jailed for life. Michael Hewson, 53, nodded, but remained otherwise emotionless, as a jury returned a unanimous verdict at Basildon Crown Court on Friday. The jury found Hewson guilty of
East Thurrock United and Great Wakering Rovers both recorded 3-0 home successes at the weekend to remain in the top four of Ryman League Division Two. With leaders Lewes held to only a draw at Hemel Hempstead, Thurrock joined the Sussex club at the top
The Blues remain 14th in the Third Division standings this morning after going down 3-2 at Vetch Field. A brace from defender Chris Todd and a final strike from Mali-born striker Mamady Sidibe did the damage as the Shrimpers embarked on the first of three
Eccentric tramp John Perfett has been jailed for seven years for wounding a Conservative club bar steward. A judge told the 58-year-old there had to be a substantial sentence for such a grave offence. Perfett was cleared by a jury of attempting to murder
Police are appealing for witnesses after a woman was thrown to the floor as a would-be robber tried to steal her handbag. The 41-year-old Pitsea woman was on her way to work at Festival Leisure Park, Basildon, on Saturday morning when she was approached
The deputy headteacher of a Witham school has stepped up to take on the role of headteacher. Deputy headteacher of Elm Hall County Primary School Jennifer Woolsey has been acting headteacher at the school since the former headteacher Hilary Allen left
Nicky Simpson's opener set Braintree on their way to a 15th league win of the campaign and 5th spot in the Ryman Premier Division. Just one point separated these two sides before the start of play, and that appeared so in the opening half of a lethargic
The former Mayor of New York has pledged to see what he can do to help World Trade Centre widow Deena Gilbey in her bid to stay in the US. Rudy Giuliani told the Echo: "I will try to help her. If you give me the information I will see what I can do."
Bishop's Stortford remain one of the favourites for promotion from Ryman Division Two, and they confirmed their aspirations with a hard-fought win in South West London on Saturday. The home side led on nine minutes at Sandy Lane with Micky Desborough
Harlow Town's promotion ambitions suffered a shock on Saturday as Slough Town romped home surprising 4-1 winners in Essex. Despite the loss of manager Ian Allinson in the week, Harlow seemed to easily find their stride early on with Martin Young's goal
A grandfather has been treated for burns to his face after leading his two grandsons from their blazing Laindon house. Check -- a firefighter examines the roof of the home. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 7DL7L3 Firefighters were called to the fire which ripped
Loan star Ian Selley has vowed to help re-ignite Southend United's play-off bid when the Blues start a run of three successive away games at Swansea tonight. The former Arsenal midfielder is on standby to play the first match of a one-month loan spell
An 89-year-old man was taken to hospital with burns to his face after a blaze ripped through an entire house. The man and his two grandsons, aged 12 and ten, escaped through the front door after dialling 999 from the house in Menzies Way, Laindon at about
Grays overcame some recent indifferent form to record their 15th league win of the campaign against struggling Hitchin Town. They did it the hard way though, allowing their visitors to take a 5th minute lead as Stuart Beevor's through-ball found Matt
An hotel kitchen was left badly damaged by fire and smoke after a frying pan was left on a gas ring. Firefighters were called to the Haven House Hotel in Heygate Avenue, Southend at about 8.30am yesterday morning to find the kitchen well alight. Today
A Basildon toy firm is to sue teen pop sensations S Club 7 after three of its members were arrested for smoking cannabis. PMS International, which has a branch in Cricketers Way, Basildon, has issued a writ for £800,000 to the group's management company
Protesters at Frinton have pledged to continue their fight against proposed seafront flats which have been described as looking like "a medical centre." They are also concerned over the continued erosion of seafront houses and their replacement by blocks
A country club has won planning permission for a redevelopment which includes two new motel blocks and a school and theatre for a performing arts group...all on green belt land. Thurrock Council's development control committee has granted consent for
All revved up and ready for the open road - that's motorbike-mad pensioner Albert Scott who has just collected the keys to his 40th motorcycle. Bike-lover Albert Scott Mr Scott, 69, of Kestrel Way, Clacton, enjoys nothing better than opening up the throttle
Building work has begun on a care home for people with learning difficulties in Basildon. The site in Glenroyd, High Road North, Laindon, is being given a facelift and converted into an eight-bed care facility. The care home is already fully booked with
A 4km stretch of the A12 between Romford and the M25 is the third most dangerous road in the whole of the UK, a new study has revealed. The section of the A12 has an accident rate more than seven times higher than the national average. Between 1997-1999
A teenage bully was locked up for 12 months after he robbed a 13-year-old boy of his mobile phone. Christopher Clarke, 18, threatened the smaller boy: "I will get nasty and hang you from your feet if you don't give me the mobile." The boy, fearing for
The grieving British widow of a World Trade Centre victim has learned the date she is due to be deported from the US - September 11, the anniversary of her husband's death. Deena Gilbey, 37, faces deportation with her two young sons aged seven and three
Red roses marked the lives of the hundreds of people who lost their lives on the roads of a south Essex borough during a safety campaign. Saying it with flowers - road safety officer Sarah Condon offers student Tom Bowers a rose. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
