Talks over the future of an ancient monument along the Jaywick coastline are due to take place next month. A number of suggestions have been put forward for the Martello Tower, among them a home for the 95th Rifles, a regimental organisation. Essex County
Grays hopes of bringing classy defender Sam Sodje back to the Rec appear to have stalled. The Stevenage player, who made a few appearances last term when on loan, had been expected to be available for tomorrow's visit to Aldershot. But earlier this week
North Essex estate agent Fenn Wright is opening a new office in Witham. The firm - which was established in 1768 in Colchester - is to move into a listed building in the town's Newland Street. "We are determined to take care of this wonderful, listed
A nervous dog which ran in panic from his loving new home has been found dead. Two-year-old Harvey, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, was settling in with vicar Andy Drake but slipped his collar after only three days. The dog, rehomed by Gemini Kennels
Plans to open a reptile house in place of Basildon Zoo have been criticised by animal welfare campaigners. A storm of protest has been whipped up after a decision by bosses at the zoo to transform the flagging site into a centre for snakes and lizards
The Essex business community's biggest night of the year will help establish the county at the forefront of green innovation. For the first time, this year's Essex Countywide Business Awards will feature a new category highlighting the achievements of
As Alex Coomber sped her way to Britain's first medal of the 2002 Winter Olympics, some of the biggest cheers of support were in Colchester. Pam Coomber, mother-in-law of the new women's skeleton bobsleigh bronze medallist, spent a nervewracking few hours
Police are appealing for witnesses who may have seen a brutal unprovoked attack which left a 16-year-old with a broken jaw. The young student was walking home from Basildon town centre when he was approached by a gang of four youths near the bus station
Being a Tilbury fan hasn't been much fun. Not since Boxing Day when Dockers defeated East Thurrock have they seen their team win at St Chad's. Now the followers have a new man at the helm with Bill McMeekin having been appointed in a caretaker capacity
The hunt is on for a woman who put naked photos of a friend on the internet to get him to propose. Stephen McPherson, 24, of Grosvenor Road, Orsett, is desperate to trace the friend who he claims he has never had a relationship with - let alone considered
With the single currency now operating across mainland Europe, UK businesses have been bracing themselves for its impact on the economy. Experts are divided on the short-term implications but, overall, the expectations are positive, according to the chief
Plans to turn unused farm buildings into offices and factory units have been given the go-ahead. At a meeting of Braintree Council's area committee on Tuesday night members gave permission and listed building consent to convert former farm buildings at
Action is to be taken to stop traffic speeding through Hatfield Peverel. Residents have become fed up with rush-hour traffic clogging up their streets and the speed at which motorists hurtle through their village. District councillor for Hatfield Peverel
The festivities really took off for Italian food-lovers who raised cash for the Essex Air Ambulance appeal. Dramatic -- Donna Ilett and Joelle Teixeira join Dr Terrence Bollard's sketch. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 75ME619 Visitors to Mamma Amalfi, in Southend
A new international trade centre aimed at helping small and medium-sized firms is to open in Essex. The Essex Trade Centre, based in County Hall, Chelmsford, will put companies in touch with an extensive network of contacts in Europe and further afield
An all-star line up is set to scrum down for a charity rugby match being organised by Brentwood Rugby Club. Famous faces set to make an appearance when the Brentwood President's XV and Richard Langhorne Trust Ex-International XV include ex-England captain
A traditional south Essex carnival is battling for survival because of new road safety demands. Ashingdon Carnival Association today issued a plea for helpers to man road junctions for the procession day on Saturday, August 17. The problem has arisen
Weather is affecting the fishing at Ramsden's Crowsheath Fishery. On the carp lake, the wind swung around and came from the north-north-east and the fish were harder to catch. The fish hate the high pressure and frosty nights, notoriously a bad combination
Troopr from Colchester based 2 Para will feature in a Panorama documentary about Afghanistan. The film crew feature the work of D company of 2 Para, led by Major Mark Christie and follows patrols in the Afghan capital, Kabul. They spoke to platoon commanders
Colchester United stopper Andy Woodman is to spend another month on loan at Oxford United. The keeper impressed during his first month with the Third Division side, who want to keep him permanently. U's boss Steve Whitton has a 24-hour recall option on
A Benfleet cycling team which races at national level has been given a new lease of life, thanks to a bright new kit. Yellow and proud of it - Jason White, left, models the new kit with Andrew Brown, Dean Shannon and Tony Crowly. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
The following are new members of Essex Chambers of Commerce Allied Resources, Great Clacton 08702 411252 Bax Global, Feltham 020 8899 3163 Bondlabels Limited, Basildon 01268 590555 Central Business Lines, Wickford 01268 570031 Cradle of the Sun, Colchester
Defender Gary Waters is set to be the only regular starter absent for Braintree Town's FA Trophy fifrth round clash at Margate on Saturday. Ex-Swifts centre-back Waters was stretchered off having suffered suspected knee ligament damage during Iron's 2
A magic bus bringing music-making experiences to children will be making a stop at the Brentwood Centre for some half term fun. Parents and children are invited to climb aboard the bus at the Doddinghurst Road leisure centre today between 10.30am and
A motorist drove through a red traffic light when a police car stopped behind him at road works in Patchinghall Lane, Chelmsford. The police car followed, a chase ensued and Peter Cousins was eventually booked for dangerous driving, Samantha Leigh prosecuting
Householders living in Maldon face a 9.5 per cent rise in their council tax, while Chelmsford faces one of the lowest rises. The average bill for a band D property in Maldon is set to rise by £96.90 in 2002/3, from £885.64 to £982.54 - an increase of
Leyton Orient are believed to have tabled a paltry £20,000 offer for Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher. Blues' Third Division rivals want the Shrimpers' Player of the Season to aid them in their fight against relegation. And the struggling O's are
A project to help business develop their electronic skills has been launched by Essex's main colleges. The e-Essex.net project - funded through the European Social Fund - has been put together by Anglia Polytechnic University, Chelmsford College, Epping
Peeved parish councillors are threatening to resign over Government demands for them to declare extensive interests similar to elected borough, county and national representatives. They received some sympathy from Chelmsford borough's mayor elect whose
A traffic chief has called for all 60mph roads to be made 40mph zones in a bid to cut road deaths and accidents. The plea comes amid plans to prioritise possible speed limit changes on Colchester's roads - nearly all of which have met with police objections
Are you looking for a new job or career? If so, the Thurrock Adult Community College is offering invaluable advice. Careers interviews are available at the Richmond Road, Grays, college, free of charge to anyone who is not in employment, or who is in
A senior councillor has launched a blistering attack on vandals who went on the rampage on Canvey, causing hundreds of pounds of damage. Now police have pledged to crack down on the problem by increasing patrols in areas where large groups of youths are
A back to work project has been launched to help Laindon residents set up in business. Training is provided in preparing a business plan to establish if an idea is viable. The scheme will be based on the Five Links estate but is open to anyone. If you
A 95-year-old woman has something to celebrate after the birth of her first great, great grandchild. Five generations of her family live in and around the area and they had a get together to celebrate the birth of the youngest member, Ryan. Ivy Edwards
A gang of teenagers targeted the homes of elderly residents after conning their way into a warden-controlled flats complex in Southend. The gang members, including a girl, are thought to have gained entry to the flats in Salisbury Avenue after being let
Police are hunting thieves who cut through a plate-glass shop window and made off with nearly £9,000 of musical goods. The crooks struck Woolworths store in High Street, Billericay. Officers believe the large window was removed using a glass cutter and
A 14-year-old girl has been off school for more than a year - because she has her tongue pierced Stephanie Piscina has not attended Notley High School in Braintree since January last year. Stephanie, of Manor Street, Braintree, had her tongue pierced
Commuters were left seething and stranded after high winds virtually shut down the c2c line into south Essex at the height of the rush-hour. Fuming rail travellers likened carriages to cattle trucks after damaged power cables caused severe delays last
Students and the public will be able to keep in shape when a new fitness centre opens next month. Fit - health and fitness manager Mark Stanley tests the equipment. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL 7DMC610 Kings Health and Fitness Centre has been funded by the
A clothes store has revealed fears of a slump in trade if proposals for a new hardcore sex shop get the go-ahead in Southend. Agents acting for Long Tall Sally, in Alexandra Street, have fired off an angry letter to Southend Council opposing the bid for
Great Dunmow Maltings has beaten off international competition to win a coveted Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Award for building conservation. The former brewery and 16th Century building in Mill Lane won the award for its restoration
A woman biker who was injured in a horrific road smash on the A13 in Thundersley has died. The 24-year-old, from Southend, was riding a blue Kawasaki 900 motorbike which was involved in an accident with a Ford Escort at around 6.25pm on Monday. The crash
A note left by a girl at an address searched by police led to officers discovering she had 81 ecstasy tablets. The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, admitted to a judge on Wednesday that she had the tablets with intent to supply and
A man was lucky to escape injury following a blaze at his Southend flat. The blaze started when a resident of Pennine, a block of flats in Queensway, fell asleep with his chip pan on the cooker. The pan caught fire and smoke filled the kitchen in the
Nobody at Thurrock is going to take anything for granted, but they have every right to feel pleased with themselves - Tees are nine points clear at the top of the the Printwize Fifth Division. The club's magnificent form since the turn of the year continued
Internet shopping provided a silver lining for a Braintree woman who had her car stolen. Alyssa Jarvis receiving her Sainsbury's prize Alyssa Jarvis, of Bradford Street, Braintree, decided to do her food shopping on the internet for the first time after
The case of a pensioner who died after her runaway scooter collided with a dog litter bin, may force a change in the design and maintenance of electric mobility buggies. An inquest at Colchester Town Hall yesterday heard that Phyllis Woodmore, 82, of
A Dovercourt businessman has claimed he would sell up tomorrow if he got the chance after the umpteenth attack on his garage. The Atkinsons survey they damage at their Dovercourt garage After vandals turned their attention to Smith's Motors in Dean's
When it comes to a team out of form then you can't beat Boreham Wood. The visitors to Purfleet haven't won since mid-November when defeating Aldershot. Meanwhile their hosts are undefeated in their last six league games and moved up to sixth place and
Patrice Tano has further staked his claim for a Colchester United contract by producing an impressive performance for the reserves. The Ivory-Coast-born striker played in midfield in yesterday's 3-2 Layer Road defeat to Northampton and impressed U's boss
Southend United boss Rob Newman is attempting to persuade midfielder Kevin Maher that his future lies at Roots Hall. Maher is being head-hunted by Blues' Third Division rivals Leyton Orient, who are believed to have bid £20,000 for the 25-year-old. Maher
A man who spent six weeks too long in jail because of a series of legal blunders has had a claim for damages thrown out "with regret." Darren Quinland, formerly of Downhall Road, Rayleigh, was jailed for two-and-a-half years at Chelmsford Crown Court
Colchester Toyota hosted the Colchester Chamber of Commerce January networking lunch for 80 people at Kingsford Park, Layer de la Haye - and on show was the full range of Toyota cars. A business card draw was held for the free use of a Toyota Rav 4VX
Leigh Lanham has had a successful operation to remove the steel pin from the thigh he broke in the opening meeting of the 2000 season. The Arena Essex rider was to spend the rest of the year on the sidelines, but returned last summer to recapture the
A keen angler has offered a £200 reward after thieves stole his fishing gear worth more than £2,600. The crooks broke into the victim's green Ford Escort on the Festival Leisure Park, in Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, and completely cleared the car of nearly
Braintree Town Reserves claimed the Essex Senior Trophy against Great Wakering Rovers 3-2 after extra-time in a gripping final at Cressing Road. With the home team set to celebrate a 2-1 victory, the visitors, who were down to ten men, levelled with a
Further success for Essex and once again they've been indebted to Harriers' youngsters. A week after the county won the U/15 team title at the Reebok Inter-Counties, they were at it again at the Inter-Counties Schools Cross Counrty at Banstead. And this
Andy Marshall is counting the days until Ipswich Town return to Premiership duty. Due to an enforced three-week break, the keeper and his team-mates flew out from Heathrow yesterday for a five-day training camp in Cyprus. But Marshall, now established
Council-run leisure facilities could be contracted out to the private sector by a future Conservative administration to reduce rocketing costs. Jeffrey Stanley (Con, Canvey South) made his pronouncement after Castle Point councillors rubber-stamped the
Pet lover Joanne Robinson is appealing for help to track down a cruel sniper who shot her cat with an air rifle. Joanne found her three-year-old cat Gumpy bleeding on her doorstep in Dunlop Road, Tilbury, and he needed surgery to remove the pellet. Joanne
More than 100 Essex Chambers of Commerce members took part in a recent e-mail survey. The preliminary report received from Cranfield Business School shows most businesses believe finding customers and recruiting key staff are the main difficulties. Dealing
Canvey Island's defence of the FA Umbro Trophy was thrown into chaos for their fans on Tuesday night. With play having been washed out three times previously due to a waterlogged pitch, Nationwide Conference third placed side Yeovil were eventually able
The bed blocking crisis in south Essex has been eased, thanks to Castle Point Council. Councillors spoke out after south Essex was named and shamed by the Government because around 15 per cent of beds were blocked. This means they are taken up by people
Young people are to get hands-on advice on mobile phone safety in a pioneering experiment by police. The Smart card will be small enough to slip inside any wallet or purse and will provide essential tips to users on how to avoid becoming the next victim
Colchester's two branches of Fred Olsen Travel scooped the most awards at the firm's fourth annual awards evening. The branches in Sir Isaac's Walk and Williams and Griffin are both members of Colchester Chamber of Commerce. Fred Olsen Travel nationally
Researchers from Essex University are spearheading research into forms of electronic voting that could be in place by the next General Election. It is believed that Remote Voting by Electronic Means (RVEM) could be a solution to the low turn-out of voters
A 1-0 Roots Hall defeat against Cambridge United destroyed Southend reserves' four-match unbeaten run in the Avon Insurance Combination League yesterday afternoon. Eye on the ball -- Barrington Belgrave battles with Cambridge at Roots Hall. Picture: LUAN
Essex Chambers of Commerce can now receive subscription renewals by direct debit. A mandate will be enclosed with all future subscription renewal letters. Subscriptions can also be renewed by credit card. To do so, phone the Colchester office on 01206
Manufacturers are being forced to put customer satisfaction above profitability while battling their fourth recession in ten years. A new survey reveals that although three quarters of businesses are finding it hard to satisfy customer expectations, this
A secure centre for asylum seekers - similar to the one recently ravaged by fire in Bedford - could open in Essex. Three sites near Stansted Airport are being looked at by the Home Office. The secure centre, which would be like the one badly damaged in
Campaigners have lost their battle to save a historic building on Clacton seafront from being redeveloped. The Secretary of State has decided not to hold a public inquiry into plans to convert the former Grand Hotel on Marine Parade East into flats. It
Business travel management company Gray Dawes has been given the Investor in People (IIP) award. BBC Essex broadcaster Liz Mullen presented the Investor in People plaque to Gray Dawes' managing director Ray Hopkins and the firm's personnel director Nigel
Police have reminded residents to lock their doors and windows after burglars broke into two homes in Upland Road, Billericay, while the homeowners slept. In both incidents, crooks forced open back doors and raided downstairs rooms. Credit cards, mobile
A devastated mum fears her pet could be used in illegal dog-fighting after it was stolen from outside her Westcliff home. Jasmine, a friendly Staffordshire bull terrier, was snatched by a mystery woman who called the dog over while she played in the family's
A young mother searched by customs officers at Stansted Airport had £208,000 worth of cocaine strapped to her body, Chelmsford Crown Court was told. Paula Nedd, 33, of Marcouria, French Guyana admitted illegally importing 2.52 kilos of cocaine. She was
Employees of a Colchester catering company providing meals to more than 20,000 NHS patients could be heading for a bonanza payout when the company floats in the next five years. Taste of success - Anglia Crown managing director Neil Kirk with staff Sonya-Jayne
Wildlife experts are keeping their fingers crossed that breeding otters have returned to the upper reaches of the River Colne. Volunteers, organised by the River Colne Countryside Project, built two artificial otter holts on stretches of the river above
Crime in Thurrock has been halved following a police operation to hunt down those responsible for the borough's high car crime and burglary figures. Operation Rhodes, which started on February 1 and was to be concluded today, has cut incidents in Thurrock
Angry residents of Harold Hill's Briar Road estate are preparing to kick up a stink over controversial plans to convert a disused factory into a chemical storage facility. Fears of a public health risk were sparked when it emerged that ammonia in plastic
Essex Chambers of Commerce is to use the electronic and print media the streamline its news service to members. Newsquest, publishers of Evening and Business Gazettes, will be one of its major outlets. The chamber will also increase use of its e-mailing
A family escaped unharmed today after their car burst into flames on the A130 at Canvey. The husband, wife and their young child were safely out of the Vauxhall when fire crews and police arrived. Both tracks between Sadlers Farm roundabout and the A127
Essex Wildlife Trust has been forced to recruit a trained marksman to cull foxes invading one of its reserves. The controversial decision has been taken with "reluctance," says the Trust, but sheep and ground nesting birds on the Trust's Tollesbury Wick
Protesters fear they have missed their chance to object to a mobile phone mast planned for a nature reserve -- because of delays in the application. Anyone objecting to the mast on Basildon reservoir in Leysings, Lee Chapel South, only have until tomorrow
