A leading councillor has been banned from driving and fined for careless driving after an accident in which a motorcyclist died. James Fyfe, chairman of Braintree Council, was driving a Ford Fiesta van which turned across the path of a motorcycle in Boars
Southend ABC fighters John Cullinane and Jordan Gosling will be hoping to bring success to the Lifstan Way club this weekend. Club captain Cullinane has come back from a hand injury sustained five months ago and will defend his Eastern Counties ABA middleweight
Millwall are keen to extend Ipswich Town front-man Richard Naylor's loan spell at the New Den. The striker himself is unsure whether he wants to stay with the Lions or return to Portman Road. "I'm open-minded at the moment and know I can go back to the
Rayleigh-based national customer management group Vertex has taken its first steps into the international marketplace with a new multi-million pound contract. The company, which employs around 600 people at its call centre in London Road, Rayleigh, has
Engineering and servicing support firm FLS Aerospace is looking to cut 50 jobs at the airport in the wake of September 11. Essex MEP Richard Howitt was due to meet with management and union representatives from the company today (Friday) for a fact-finding
Five south-east Essex players have booked their places in finals of the county winter championships. Westcliff Hardcourts pair John Harris and Trevor Stone defeated Frinton duo Colin Minter and Nigel Castle 1-6 6-1 6-2 in the semi-final of the over-45
A developer is handing over more than £500,000 to pay for a low-cost housing scheme in Tendring. The company which is to build 90 homes on the Highlands Chalet Park in Thorpe Road, Clacton would normally provide a number of affordable properties on the
Essex indoor bowlers will be going all out tomorrow to reach the final of the prestigious Liberty Trophy for only the second time in the history of the tournament. They clash with Devon at the Westlecot Indoor Bowling Club in Swindon to try to secure
It may have been old news even to the ancient Egyptians - but that has not stopped an updated form of bartering making an astonishing comeback in Essex. Trade key - Ken Mills, of Sports Review, Basildon, with Matthew Harding, of Bartercard. 75C8J1 The
Steve Whitton has explained his reasons for releasing Colchester United defender Anthony Allman. The U's boss yesterday said he had told the former Charlton Athletic player he can leave Layer Road with immediate effect. Allman has joined Third Division
Angry taxi drivers have vowed to blockade Rayleigh town centre as part of a bitter dispute with Rochford District Council over trade union representation. The Transport and General Workers' Union, which is staging the protest next Wednesday, apologised
Essex wicketkeeper James Foster says he is hopeful of playing in England's final two one-day internationals after admitting feeling mentally drained by a tough tour in New Zealand. Marcus Trescothick stood in behind the stumps for last Saturday's defeat
A teenager who petrol-bombed a kebab shop and caused a £45,000 blaze has walked free from court. Mercy was shown to 17-year-old Sean Anderson despite the inferno almost spreading to homes above the Renown shopping centre in Shoebury. Anderson, a youngster
A little bit of Chelmsford will rocket into space on board the world's most advanced Earth observation satellite. Marconi Applied Technologies (Mat), based in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, is one of 11 UK firms to have played a vital part in developing
Just as East Thurrock are involved in the match of the day in Ryman Two so are Aveley in Ryman Three. It's third hosting top with the free-scoring Croydon Athletic likely to attract the best league crowd of the season to Mill Field. Whilst Millers are
Jobs are safe at Stansted in spite of cost-cutting plans resulting from a £60m operating shortfall by National Air Traffic Services. The company, which runs Stansted's control tower, and was subject to part-privatisation by the Government last year, needs
The proposed site of Boxted's new primary school has come under fire from local residents. Essex County Council wants to build a replacement for the village's outdated school on a greenfield location on Carters Hill. The land was chosen from nine possibilities
Women in Southend have told of their fears about carjacking following a spate of high-profile attacks. A recent survey revealed nearly a third of women drivers are afraid of being carjacked, with most cases taking place when vehicles are waiting at traffic
The head of Thurrock Council's regulation department, Derek Allen, has left to become executive director of the Local Authority Co-ordinating Body for Food and Trading Standards (LACOTS) in Westminster. Mr Allen, who lives in Orsett, was born and bred
Twin town friends are set for an emotional reunion, a year after tragedy hit the heart of both communities. Billericay residents last year had their bags packed and were ready to visit Billerica in Massachusetts when disaster struck America. Now, the
Canvey's Prout Catamarans - once one of Britain's largest boatbuilding firms - has suddenly closed leaving staff jobless. Workers at the company were ordered to pack up their tools and go, former employees said. Josh Richardson, former specifications
'Layer Road must become our fortress' is the battlecry of Colchester United skipper Scott Fitzgerald ahead of the Division Two visit of Bristol City. Steve Whitton's mid-table troops play tomorrow having only won once at home this year, against Wrexham
Military memorabilia will be on sale when Tilbury Fort stages a collectors fair. Badges, uniforms and field items will be among the scores of wartime artefacts on offer between 8am and noon on Sunday, March 3. Normal admission prices to the fort - £2.90
A masked gunman threatened a shopkeeper and elderly customer before escaping with cash from the till. The balaclava-clad robber burst into the Parsons Heath post office and general store in Harwich Road, Colchester, at about 2.20pm yesterday. He brandished
East Thurrock are involved in the match of the day in Ryman Three when the new league leaders travel to third-placed Horsham. Rocks went top for the first time since the end of last year following a sensational 6-2 victory at Marlow in midweek. And Marlow
The regeneration of South Woodham Ferrers is set to begin with a seven-figure expansion and refurbishment of the town's only hotel. The town's rail links and the opening of the new A130 bypass has made other towns across the county easily accessible from
Great Wakering Rovers look like again being without their first choice strike force of Andy Jones and Mark Hampshire for tomorrow's Ryman League Second Division clash at Wembley. Both men missed Tuesday's 3-1 home win over Cheshunt -- along with Gary
Fire crews were called to a house after reports of a kitchen fire. Crews went to the house in Falkenham Rise, Basildon, to find 70 per cent of the ground floor of the house well alight. However, they were soon able to bring the blaze under control although
A metal spike was blown off the top of the Wilson Marriage education centre in Colchester and crashed into the reception area below. High rise repair - experts examine the tower Structural engineers today declared the Barrack Street building safe to re-open
Town leaders have called on residents not to squander a chance to put their councillors under the spotlight. Last week, just one person turned out to pose questions to members of Basildon Council's full council - former councillor Alf Dove MBE. Tories
Extensive improvements to Chelmsford Borough Council's street cleaning and refuse collection services are to be introduced in the latest stage of the war on litter and rubbish. New far-reaching proposals were agreed by councillors last week, in line with
More than 1,000 people have visited a website in just a few days to pledge their support for New York Twin Towers widow Deena Gilbey as she battles to stay in the US. The 37-year-old, formerly of Hockley and who lives in New Jersey, lost her husband Paul
A new south Essex nightspot is to finally open its doors today after months of refurbishment and a massive recruitment drive - and a new gym is opening on the same complex. A brand new branch of the Chicago Rock Cafe is to burst onto the scene when doors
A charity is looking for daredevils to take part in a sponsored abseil. The Royal National Institute for the Blind wants to find volunteers to abseil 130ft down one of Tilbury's giant grain silos. A spokesman for the charity said: "This is the chance
A man appealed against his three-year sentence after being found guilty of stealing a car and removing its tracking device, saying it was an "opportunist crime." Jeffrey Pinnock, 45, was found guilty of stealing the £22,000 vehicle. But unknown to him
Southend fencer Joanne Reynolds will be putting her winter injury behind her when she fights for Britain this weekend at Ipswich. Reynolds will be the Eastern Region's representative for the unique "Coupe du Monde". The event attracts the top women's
Weekend sport In Nationwide Division Two Colchester United managed a 1-1 home draw against Blackpool at Layer Road while Southend United failed to get anything from their away match against Swansea City on Friday night which they lost 3-2. Monday news
A little bit of Chelmsford will rocket into space on board the world's most advanced Earth observation satellite. Marconi Applied Technologies (Mat), based in Waterhouse Lane, Chelmsford, is one of 11 UK firms to have played a vital part in developing
Campaigners battling for better bus services in Brentwood are celebrating after securing a meeting with the Government where they hope to put their case. Brentwood's Bus Task Force and the town's MP Eric Pickles have been calling for a high level meeting
Traffic came to a standstill as mourners paid tribute to road smash victim Michael Morrell. Farewell - Michael's funeral cortege winds its way along the seafront where he enjoyed many hours cruising. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7CDRC8 Hundreds of friends and
A radical overhaul of driving laws could be launched following a horrific car smash which killed three young men in south Essex, Transport Secretary Stephen Byers has revealed. Flashback - the wrecked car is lifted onto a transporter after the A127 tragedy
Southend United midfielder Marek Szmid is hoping to make his big first team breakthrough at Hartlepool. Marek Szmid -- hoping to make his League debut for Blues tomorrow. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 4VCQ55C Szmid spent six years rubbing shoulders with the
Blind and visually impaired people in Thurrock are being urged to come forward in a drive to increase awareness of the support available to them. Thurrock Council's social services department is working with national charity Action for Blind People (AFBP
YOUNG musicians and budding thespians had a rare chance to work with professionals at a music and drama workshop in South Ockendon. Golden notes - young musicians form a brass section at the music workshop. Picture: DAVE HENDERSON 7ALWQ1 A group of eight
Traders in Maldon will be breathing a sigh of relief as roadworks have finally ended. But more work is following hot on its heels, to remove a controversial High Street zebra crossing and return bus lay-bys to the town centre. Work to widen pavements
Vandals caused havoc in gardens across Billericay. Front gardens of homes in Knightbridge Walk, Lakeside, Upland Road, Raven Crescent and Perry Street have all suffered at the hands of hooligans. In each incident, garden ornaments were broken and plants
Grappling fans will be heading for Clacton tonight as World Association Wrestling (WAW) hits town - and a local couple will also be stepping into the ring. While bad boy Jake 'The Snake' Roberts will top the bill at the Princes Theatre, Jayne Cox and
The new Morrisons superstore in Grays is taking shape ahead of its scheduled completion in eight weeks' time. On site - councillors were impressed with a tour of the new supermarket now taking shape in Grays. Picture: DAVE HENDERSON 7AL259 Grays councillors
Thomas Pinault today appealed to Colchester United boss Steve Whitton for a chance to prove an explosive return to form. The Frenchman is bidding for a recall to the first-team when the U's host Bristol City in Division Two tomorrow. Pinault caught the
The housing firm aiming to build 71 new homes on the former Ongar Comprehensive School site has denied its plans are at risk of being jeopardised by a last-ditch bid to have the building listed. A spokesman for the Department of Culture, Media and Sport
A terrified ten-year-old boy escaped from a naked man who tried to sexually assault him in a leisure centre's showers. The youngster had gone to Colchester's Leisure World in Cowdray Avenue with his grandmother. He had just got out of the leisure pool
Residents have called for urgent action to shore up a railway bridge they fear is crumbling under pressure from traffic. Weakest link - Joseph at the bridge which he claims is a danger. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 7HH9B5 The wall on the railway bridge in Norsey
England rugby star Jason Leonard lined up on a different sort of field to open a playground for children with burns injuries. Jason Leonard with some young families enjoying the new playground The prop-forward swapped the turf of Twickenham for Broomfield
Nicky Simpson has set the Ryman League alight this season - and puts his success down to greater freedom on the pitch. The 27-year-old midfielder is having his best season in a Braintree Town shirt and he is looking to take this form into tomorrow's crunch
Basildon snooker professional Stuart Bingham is aiming to put a black year behind him and get his career back in the pink in two upcoming major tournaments. Call me number one -- Stuart Bingham dreams of hitting the snooker high spots. Picture: MAXINE
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder last night completed the signing of experienced top non-league goalkeeper Jerome John. He has played for a number of quality clubs but is best known for being the regular stopper with Kingstonian in the 1997/98 season.
A security officer has told of her desperate attempts to stop a man flinging himself from the top of a multi-storey car park. Despite pleas, Edward Yong, 62, from Park Drive, Wickford, leapt to his death from the eleventh floor of the car park at Basildon's
Canvey will look to the positive side of the fact that the latest chapter in their defence of the FA Umbro Trophy has been put on hold for three days. Tomorrow Gulls should have been stepping out on a big Trophy fifth round tie at either Yeovil Town or
