Gymnast Lauren Buck and her team-mates from Stourdale Gymnastics Club have been breaking records and picking up a number of trophies in county and regional competitions. The 11-year-old's three victories on the floor, bars and beam saw her crowned county
Up-and-coming child star Darcy Perry turned down a golden opportunity to appear on television so she could take part in her school's Christmas play. Darcy, nine, of Labworth Road, Canvey, is no stranger to the stage and screen. Thank you - Darcy Perry
Members of the The Essex Golf Complex at Garon Park played their first major of the new golfing season on Sunday. Fifty-eight members turned out to compete for the SMAC Trophy in difficult cold, wet and windy conditions. Well here it is, Merry Christmas
The homes of nine elderly people in the Maldon area were targeted by con men in one day. Many of the incidents, which all happened last Wednesday, are being linked. In three cases, a burglar imitated a police officer, and Maldon police crime reduction
Sixty-five schoolchildren were stopped and questioned in less than three hours by Chelmsford's first truancy patrols on Wednesday. Two of those detained by police were teenage boys who were carrying cannabis. They were detained and taken to Chelmsford
A Castle Point councillor today told of his crusade to stamp out anti-social behaviour after an act of vandalism went a "step too far". Leader of the council Dave Wells condemned the vandals who hurled a brick through a bus window, leaving a senior citizen
A pet shop could be facing closure after 30 years if a housing development gets the go-ahead. Tiptree Pet and Aquatic Centre, in Church Road, Tiptree, will not get its lease renewed if permission is granted to build 12 homes in front of it. Pet shop owner
A television challenge could prove a winner for the Evening Gazette's Sparkle Appeal. Channel 4 breakfast television programme Rise threw down the gauntlet to two teams in Colchester to compete in one of their daily charity confrontations. U's mascot
A new tourism guide for Southend was launched in a blaze of glory - but there's no mention of the landmark Bandstand which was blighted by recent landslides. All references to the historic Bandstand - one of the jewels in Southend's crown - were removed
Essex has a good council according to an Audit Commission report - which puts Essex County Council in the top 50 per cent of councils in the country. All 150 of the country's major councils were rated as either excellent, good, fair, weak or poor. Essex
Police were today hunting the driver of a car which smashed into the front of a house in Dudley Close, Chafford Hundred, last night. The Nissan driver received slight injuries to his hand and mouth, but then fled. Police are trying to trace him. A spokesman
The brave exploits of a Canvey man who took part in a daring Second World War raid on German ships at Bordeaux in France were being commemorated today - 60 years on. Bill Sparks was among a group of ten Royal Marines who set out in canoes on December
Thurrock Council has been told to "significantly improve" its services to the public, a survey has revealed. In the first all-England examination of unitary authorities by the Audit Commission released today, inspectors concluded that the council provides
Drug barons made life hell for 29-year-old addict Keeley Hensey. Easy-going Hensey claimed they forced her to sell heroin and crack cocaine to pay off drug debts. She was also ordered by the "bullying" dealers to go shoplifting to buy more of their class
Residents fighting for car parking space on land to be sold off by Braintree Council have threatened to chain themselves to a building. About 20 residents from the Bradford Street area of Braintree have met their MP, Alan Hurst, who has suported their
Steve Whitton today confessed to being 'gobsmacked' at the Football Association's decision to order Colchester United to answer charges of misbehaviour by their players. U's boss Whitton said angrily: "I can't believe we have suddenly been hit by this
A kind-hearted grandma brought Christmas smiles back to her family's faces after their beloved festive snowman was stolen from outside their home. On Monday abominable thieves whisked three-and-a-half foot Frosty from the family's doorstep in St Michaels
A man who went missing from a psychiatric centre hanged himself, an inquest heard. Steven Kay, 39, of Brabner Gardens, Ramsden Heath, was found hanging from a tree in Broomfield on September 14, coroner's officer Derek Sewell told an inquest at Chelmsford
Two potential sites have been identified for a bus station for Clacton. Residents and a developer have put forward the options after it was revealed Essex County Council is to provide the facility for the town as part of its plan to get more people on
The way is now open for Southend United to realise their dream of a new 15,000-seater stadium after a major warehouse was given the green light to move with the club. The council's development control committee agreed plans by site owner Lansbury Retail
As Southend United's promotion plans continue to falter in Division Three, they are probably unaware that another outfit bearing their name has already achieved that goal. Fronted by 21-year-old Blues fan Sherif Harding, the Southend-On-Sea kart racing
A man was taken to hospital today after his scooter collided with a car. The accident happened at 7.15am at the Great Notley roundabout on the Chelmsford-bound carriageway. The man, who was driving a 49cc Aprilia scooter, was not seriously hurt but was
A bus company is working with Essex Police to clamp down on vandals attacking buses in the Braintree and Witham area. Passengers lives are being put at risk by a spate of attacks where youngsters have thrown bricks, stones and other objects at moving
A 70-year-old Basildon man has won a writing competition just a year after learning how to use a computer. Albert Lee, of Bonnygate, was encouraged to write by his daughter and is now a member of the Essex Writers' Circle, which organised the annual competition
Plans for a new skateboard park in Braintree have passed their final hurdle. Braintree area committee councillors voted overwhelmingly last night in favour of building a skatepark in Weavers Park in Coggeshall Road. Several members of the public spoke
Billericay Town striker Paul Fewings has unwittingly found himself at the centre of an FA Trophy upset. Fewings is on loan at Town's Ryman Premier rivals Bishop's Stortford, who have been thrown out of the Trophy over a mix-up involving the New Lodge
A new policing team has hailed its first week a success - after arresting a man in connection with 22 car crimes. Sgt Ian Collins, who is heading the newly formed proactive community unit, told how the team has enjoyed early success in the Rayleigh division
Steve Whitton is confident the good times could be just around the corner for Colchester United. And although he and his players are facing a tough end of year programme in games against Luton, Cardiff, Peterborough and Blackpool, the U's boss has declared
Southend United striker Mark Rawle is winning his fitness battle ahead of former club Boston's first Roots Hall visit this Saturday. The 23-year-old limped out of last weekend's 1-1 FA Cup draw with Bournemouth, after grabbing his fourth goal of the campaign
A world champion has packed up his mallets and is on the way back to Colchester. Robert Fulford has gained his fifth world croquet championship crown in New Zealand. Colchester-born Fulford regained his title by defeating New Zealand's Toby Garrison 3
Plans for a major block of 92 flats have been given the green light. However, the scheme for the site at the corner of Christchurch Road and Southchurch Road, Southend, was described by Graham Longley (Lib Dem, Blenheim Park) as "yet another prison development
A robber sliced an elderly woman's hand as they battled over a handbag. The victim was walking in Affleck Road in Greenstead, Colchester, when a woman in her 20s tried to snatch the bag. She courageously clung on to it so her attacker pulled out a knife
Jeremy Bamber has failed in his appeal against his murder conviction. Bamber, now 41, was jailed in in 1986 for the murders of five members of his family. He was found guilty by a jury of killing his adoptive parents June, 61, and Nevill, 61, his adoptive
A series of violent attacks on bus drivers has resulted in a drastic suspension of services while police and company bosses thrash out better security plans. Arriva buses dropped all services to Shoebury East Beach after 6pm yesterday after the latest
The staff behind Southend's award winning parks and gardens have done it again - this time scooping top honours in a national competition. Employees from Waterers Landscapes received the award in the grounds maintenance of public grounds section of the
Police have identified the first convicted criminal who will be splashed on billboards across Brentwood as part of a name and shame campaign. Gary Ellis, 27, from The Meads, Ingatestone, was jailed for six months for burglary at Basildon Crown Court yesterday
Police were today probing the cause of a crash which left a man dead in the obliterated remains of a high-powered sports car. The driver apparently lost control of the £65,000 Audi on the old A130 near Howe Green and ploughed into trees and bushes. He
County captains have launched a bid to return the LTA Indoor Winter Championships to a six-man playing team. The Lawn Tennis Association introduced a four-person structure for the first time this winter and the move was not welcomed by captains. They
Essex County Council has effectively accepted the expansion of Stansted Airport to 40 million passengers a year in a bid to head off more runways. Up to three new runways are proposed at the airport in current government consultation on the future of
Joe Royle has got an early Christmas present he certainly didn't want with news that John McGreal will be out until the new year. McGreal damaged knee ligaments during Ipswich's 1-1 draw at Brighton on Tuesday night. The central defender was replaced
A man who punched a teenager to the ground was acting under "extreme provocation" a court has heard. Danny Govier, of Weeley Road, Clacton, appeared before magistrates in Colchester yesterday for sentence having admitted a charge of common assault at
Anglers will get the chance to cast into new waters under plans to open a lake at Great Notley to fishermen. The six-acre lake at Great Notley County Park is to become a course fishing venue next year for people of all ages and abilities. Up to 40 swims
The surviving members of convicted mass murderer Jeremy Bamber's family have welcomed the news that his appeal has failed. Bamber last night announced on his website he had lost his appeal against conviction for the murders of five members of his family
Stanway Rovers progressed to the semi-finals of the Jewson League first division knock-out trophy following their 3-2 aggregate victory against Godmanchester. Following their goalless draw last month poor defending from both sides resulted in four goals
The final date for letters to be sent on the planned new school in East Clacton is fast approaching. The chairman of the St Paul's Residents' Association is urging residents to make their views known to Essex County Council. The closing date for the consultation
