One of Essex's leading bosses has given her face to the biggest advertising campaign ever launched by the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Barbara Cassani, chief executive of Stansted-based Go airline, is appearing on advertising hoardings throughout
A call for more minicabs which can be used by wheelchair users in mid-Essex has been answered. Disabled friendly taxis will be appearing on the streets of Braintree, Witham and Halstead from now on after councillors agreed more were needed in the area
A debate over the use of speed cameras has moved into high gear after a motoring organisation attempted to drive a wedge through police statistics. Nick Arden, Essex region representative of the Association of British Drivers, claims evidence quoted by
A tile worker is recovering in hospital after crashing his white pick-up truck through a brick wall into a garden in Laindon. Justin Parks, 31, was taken to Basildon Hospital after the accident in Dunton Road, Laindon. He was kept in overnight pending
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton has received a boost with the news Karl Duguid has agreed a new two-year contract at Layer Road. The U's boss said: "Karl has had a good couple of seasons and been playing particularly well at right-back in the absence
This happy couple are engaged a week after meeting - and it started with a text! Dial a bride -- Maurice and Marilyn met texting Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 7CNTB2 Champagne corks were today popping for a Southend man who was celebrating his engagement to
The genius that is Dave Dulake and his band Virgo Intacta will be appearing at the Sun Rooms in Market Place, Southend on Thursday February 21. For those of you who've been under a rock for the past year, Dave is Leigh's own mix of Ian Dury, Ben Folds
A series of art works valued at £12m, including a painting by John Constable, have been saved for the nation, it was announced today. The items include furniture and tapestries from a former home of Britain's first prime minister, Sir Robert Walpole,
Stansted boss John Stent will be asking Continental Airlines to return to the airport. Continental shut down its Stansted to New York service in the wake of September 11. In the next three months, Mr Stent, Stansted's managing director, will ask the American
Witham race ace James Winslow showed his true potential in a crucial testing session on Friday. James clocked one of the fastest times ever at the 3.7 mile-long Bedford Autodrome driving a Parma-Audi sports car on Friday. Winslow's time of 1m 01.570 was
An anonymous businessman has offered a £1,000 reward to catch and convict armed robbers who attacked staff at a social club. The two balaclava-clad men raided the Great Wakering Rovers Social Club in the early hours of Sunday, February 10. They then brutally
Southend Hospital's Building Blocks appeal received a boost of more than £40,000, thanks to the Rotary Club of Thorpe Bay. The proceeds came flooding in from last year's Foulness Bike Ride where thousands of fundraisers took part. Essex MacMillan Cancer
Applications from three different companies to erect mobile phone masts at Aveley Football Club have been rejected by Thurrock Council. BT Cellnet, Vodafone, and Hutchinson 3G all asked to replace existing floodlight towers at the ground in Mill Lane
The boss of Essex's Stansted Airport is confident that the industry has weathered the worst of the storm that followed in the wake of the US terror attacks. The airport industry has been in turmoil following the events of September 11, as passengers judged
A controversial development that has divided Wickham Bishops for more than a decade has been given the all-clear. Developments Wickham Bishops village hall working group chairman Henry Bass holding an artist's impression of the planned village hall with
An ambitious Basildon-based freight forwarding company has tied up a multi-million deal to buy up its warehouse facilities. Alpi UK, an Italian owned warehouse and distribution firm which moves cargo overland around the world, has completed the purchase
At Forrester Park Golf Club, all sections enjoyed beautiful weather for their competitions this week. The ladies played a 12-hole divisional stableford with Anona Straker and Irene Hoffman both scoring 21 points in the first division, with Anona winning
Police have launched a desperate appeal for witnesses to a horrific road accident which claimed the life of a young man. Lai Koon Yee, 23, was killed as he attempted to cross the A127 at Prince Avenue, near the junction with Hobleythick Lane in Westcliff
Tony Cross has resigned as manager of Ryman Two Tilbury after less than three years in charge. Reserve team manager Bill McMeekin took over for the weekend's surprise victory at Marlow and is likely to fill the role in a caretaker capacity until the season's
Greenpeace toxics and incinerator campaigner Miranda Holmes will be the special guest at a free Friends of the Earth recycling seminar next week. The 'Residues? What Residues?' event takes place at the Quaker Meeting House in Rainsford Road, Chelmsford
A multi-million pound scheme to create new homes and community facilities on the eyesore site of a former village school is finally to get off the ground. The Priory Meadow School at St Osyth closed ten years ago because it was no longer financially viable
The headteacher at Torells School in Grays was more than happy to be accosted by three of his year ten pupils last week. Garry Fitzhugh met Pauline Bennett - community fundraiser for Cancer Research UK - who was at the school to congratulate the girls
Troubled St Martin's Church is in danger of falling apart unless leaders, who already owe nearly £1m in belltower debt, find more than £100,000 for repair works. Leaders of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) have plugged holes in the roof of the building
The closure of a traffic policing unit will see south Essex officers taking care of the busy motorways. The traffic unit at Brentwood will close by April as part of a costcutting initiative aimed at improving front-line policing. Officers and responsibility
The last thing Braintree Town boss Ben Embery needs right now is an Essex derby - but that's what the club faces with the visit of Heybridge Swifts to Cressing Road tonight. Braintree are preparing for one of the biggest games in their history when they
SEEVIC College's under-19 netball team are in the middle of what could be a great season. In high spirits -- the SEEVIC under-19 netball girls. Back row (left to right): Gemma Boatwright, Vicki Haydon, Toni Watson and Natasha Chignell. Front row: Shari
John Halls has paid tribute to Steve Whitton and his former Colchester United team-mates after ending his short stay at Layer Road. John Halls (right) - returning to the Gunners The defender made the surprise decision to return to Arsenal after his month-long
A family told of their sadness after their pet dog had to have a leg amputated following a hit-and-run accident. Doberman Labrador cross Macs suffered horrific injuries to his right hind leg when he was hit by a car in Somnes Road, Canvey, late on Wednesday
A 24-year-old mechanic from Ernest Doe and Sons was crushed underneath a digger arm. The accident happened while he was working on the machine with other staff. It was being checked over at the plant machinery firm, at Doe's Corner in Ulting, near Maldon
A five-metre high chimney is the oddest feature of Colchester's newest park. The 16-hectare site, as yet unnamed, is located on Shrub End's former rubbish tip, off James Carter Road. Securely fenced but clearly visible, the flare stack burns off any gases
Canvey Island will be hoping to put more points between themselves and fellow Ryman Premier League title challengers Gravesend this evening. Tonight the islanders host second-from-bottom Croydon, while their Kent challengers face a tricky task in hosting
Police are hunting for a man who tried to lure a 12-year-old girl away. The girl was walking up Green Hill, between Chadwell Hill and Thames Drive in Chadwell St Mary, when she was approached by the man. He asked her to go with him and the girl ran home
The plight of firms in Tendring's holiday industry, which is suffering because of proposed changes in the law, has been raised in Parliament. The Government is looking at a number of new regulations covering amusement arcades and is currently considering
A conference in Maldon could be about to give the Essex fishing and restaurant industries their biggest boost for years. With 400 miles of coastline ripe with fish, Essex could be sitting on a goldmine. Now a scheme has been launched to help tap into
Pupils spent a whole night at their primary school as part of a reading project. Youngsters at the Warren Primary School in Gilbert Road were invited to bring in sleeping bags and toothbrushes and settle down to night of sponsored reading. Half the school
A Basildon transport company is forecasting that 2002 will be a bumper year after noting a major increase in business in spite of the downturn afflicting the UK economy. Balin Distribution has reported that in spite of talk of belt-tightening and cutbacks
A leading Thurrock councillor has called the intended increase in the number of police to be stationed in the borough during this year as "unbelievably small". Essex Police have announced that there will be around 144 more police officers in the county
Talented Witham student Simon Palmer, 18, has won a place at a prestigious dance school. He auditioned for a place at the Leeds-based Northern School of Contemporary Dance and was accepted the same day. Simon Palmer Simon, of Elizabeth Avenue, Witham,
Basildon snooker pro Stuart Bingham is just one step away from winning through to the final stages of the World Championship at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre for the second time in his career. Two years ago Bingham, now playing out of the Executive Club
Another scheme to build 'social housing' on the site of a former St John Ambulance headquarters has been rejected by borough planners who say it would be over-development. Thurrock Council's development control committee has voted against granting planning
Callous conman Mark Gonzalez stole more than £10,000 from a workmate who had saved for his wedding day. Lying Gonzalez said he needed £2,000 to repair his mother's gravestone and cash to buy his disabled father a false leg. But as his vulnerable pal Perry
Members of an anti-genetically modified crops group in Wivenhoe are to attend a meeting looking at a product which has been trialled in the area for the last two years. Concerned Residents of Wivenhoe (CROW) has campaigned against the trials of the genetically
A harsh overnight frost failed to deter competitors at Sunday's Ridley Angling Products Gloucester Park Open where Roger Naylor claimed victory after taking a string of runner-up places and section wins in previous matches. Roger fished the cockle bank
A family was left with three broken windows after a council dustcart blew a tyre outside their home. The incident happened as the lorry was collecting refuse in Hawthorne Road, Corringham, where Natalie Phillips lives with her husband Kevin and their
An owl display proved to be a right hoot for youngsters in Southend. Birds of a feather -- Charis Mound is wiser following the display. Picture: ELISE GOW 6WJWA22 The graceful birds have captured the imagination of youngsters following the blockbuster
One thriving Colchester small business has found the secret of success - in April this year Dusters celebrates 15 years as a domestic cleaning company. Marianne Beaumont, 55, started the Lexden Road company for the best of reasons - she could not find
Two Paratroopers are being flown back to the UK after a shooting incident in Afghanistan in which a civilian was found dead. A Ministry of Defence spokeswoman said it was standard procedure to fly people back to the UK after such incidents. The two men
Former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani has vowed to do all he can to to help World Trade Centre widow Deena Gilbey threatened by deportation from the US. Thank you -- former New York mayor Rudy Giuliani accepts the cheque in London from pupils Richard Donovan
The Chief Constable of Essex, David Stevens, has given an assurance that Essex police officers will be encouraged to attend the new area assemblies in Thurrock. At last week's Police Authority meeting in Chelmsford, Thurrock councillor Tim McMahon asked
A garden centre owner is counting the cost of a break-in which has forced him to tighten security. Out of pocket - centre owners must replace four strimmers and install security systems after break-in. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7DGX64 Alan Chadwick, who
Southend United chief Rob Newman has warned his players to beware of an FA Cup backlash at Cheltenham Town. The Robins ended the Third Division's interest in this season's competition at the weekend, bravely bowing out 1-0 at First Division high-flyers
Few things are less likely to inspire a ruthless businessman than an invitation to do good. After all, at the end of the day, companies have to make money and there is little profit in philanthropy. Confidence building - students at Crown College. Picture
Aerospace giant BAE Systems has insisted its future looks bright - despite the terror attacks of September 11. The company, which employs around 1,400 people in Basildon, saw its pre-tax profits fall from £179m to £70m in 2001. This was partly due to
Rail services were thrown into disarray today after a station platform collapsed at Alresford. Commuters at Colchester North Station faced overcrowding and delays after the Clacton to Colchester line was closed. Surveyors inspect the sinking platform
Pot smoker Ian Casey invited youngsters into his Chelmsford flat to smoke joints and buy cannabis from them, but also prevent them making a mess outside, Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Friday. Casey, 35, of Purbeck Court, Chelmsford, received 12 months
It may be a little L8R than most but the 21st century is finally hitting Chelmsford Crown Court - in the form of mobile text messaging. A new pilot scheme is being launched using modern technology such as mobile phone text messages to keep people informed
Wickford swimming star Adam Puddick has racked up the medals both nationally and internationally. Now he wants the authorities to cater properly for himself and similarly talented sportsmen. ANDY LEES hears the views of the international ace Wickford
One of the country's top financial services company has chosen Basildon as the new hub of its operations. Optimistic about the future - John Stewart. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7CLPP5 PMI Independent Financial Advisers, which has branches scattered around
Great Wakering Rovers boss Alan Hull could face some tricky selection posers before naming his line-up for tonight's Ryman League Division Two home game with lowly Cheshunt. For, in Saturday's Burroughs Park clash with Leatherhead -- which they won 2-
A mother has claimed a fabric deodoriser has left her two-year-old daughter with burns to her legs and feet. Sore point -- Cherie Grant believes a deodoriser spray was the cause of burns on her daughter Leah's legs and feet. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7CCSX2
Southend has lost one of its best known characters with the sudden death of a former mayor who "brought sunshine and fun" into so many lives. Family, friends and politicians of all parties were devastated today to learn of Beryl Scholfield's death at
Campaigning residents were today protesting at proposals to use a cul-de-sac as a route for construction traffic to the former Shoebury Garrison site. Six homes in Westgate, which have enjoyed a tranquil setting overlooking Gunners Park, are set to have
A collection of war medals belonging to a veteran who has now died have been stolen by burglars. The precious medals were left to the man's nephew after he passed away, who treasured them at his home in Woodhill Road, Danbury. But now the heirlooms have
Despite a spirited second half rally, Chelmsford went down 2-1 at Bournville on Sunday. A half-time reshuffle, which saw the removal of player/manager Andrew Kennedy with a calf strain and a change of formation to a four-man midfield, was not enough to
The family of Colchester mother-to-be Andrea Dykes, who was killed in a nailbomb attack, are calling on the Government to fund help for bereaved relatives. Mrs Dykes, 27, was in a Soho pub with her husband Julian, 25, and friends celebrating her pregnancy
A woman was fighting for her life and a man was seriously injured today after two motorcycle accidents on south Essex roads within minutes of each other. Wreckage - the remains of the Kawasaki block Kiln Road after the crash. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL 7GTQ728
A brute who beat up his elderly father over a property dispute was today starting a 12-month jail sentence. David Collison, 42, of Avenue Road, Westcliff, pleaded guilty to causing his father actual bodily harm. He has no previous convictions. He punched
Extra protection is in the pipeline for some of the world's toughest and best-trained troops - a neighbourhood watch scheme. Colchester Neighbourhood Watch is in the process of launching a new initiative called Garrison Watch. The Colchester watch group
Former Southend United supremo John Main could be set for a return to football with ambitious Ryman Premier League outfit Billericay Town. The 56-year-old has been out of the game following his controversial removal from the Roots Hall board at an extraordinary
