Two members of Southend Swifts made their debuts for the senior England basketball team in a four-nation tournament in Luxembourg. Vikki Willmore, 17, played in all three matches, beating Iceland by 15 points, finishing 19 ahead of the host nation, and
A diver is preparing to take the plunge and stay there for as long as possible to break a world record and raise money for charity. Mick Brown, 50, will be diving under the water at Walton swimming pool on February 1, with only one 12-litre high-pressure
A young mum who has suffered a year of vandalism and abuse is terrified to leave her flat and petrified to stay after an arsonist firebombed her neighbour. Police are investigating links between the arson attack in Waldringfield, Fryerns, on December
A new £56million centre at Southend Hospital could open four years early - because of a pioneering funding scheme. But union bosses fear the centre could turn into a private hospital carrying out contract work for the NHS. Consultation documents say the
Rail passengers travelling into London faced delays this morning after a points failure. The problem was reported at 6.20am and engineers for Network Rail Eastern Region, which is responsible for maintaining the tracks, were on the scene shortly after
An exhibition with a distinctly eastern European feel opens at Billericay Library tomorrow. Polcraft, a company specialising in the import of Polish arts and crafts, will be showing a selection of works until January 31. The company showcases the art
A new weapon in the war against bogus callers has been set up in Colchester. A number of groups have joined forces to form Colchester Community Alert - a new forum dedicated to defeating scam artists in the Colchester area. The new forum includes the
The plug has been pulled on plans to create a mobile phone station on a listed structure in Dovercourt. Hutchinson 3G UK wanted to use the water tower in Fronks Road for its equipment. The company said it needed the base to improve its reception in the
Rules for renting out council homes in Rochford district are likely to be made easier for members of the Armed Forces who want to return to the area. Under proposals which are due to come into force at the end of next month, service personnel would be
A blaze which caused about £400,000 of damage to coaches on an industrial estate remains a mystery. Investigators have been examining the wreckage of the vehicles, which were gutted by flames on New Year's Eve in Grange Farm Road on the Whitehall Industrial
The Essex fire service cost £53million to run in 2002. The service spent £40million on firefighting and rescue operations, £4.8million on premises inspections, almost £1million educating people about fire prevention and £7.3million on the firefighters
ASDA in Chelmer Village has set up a Christmas gift amnesty for customers to get rid of all those unwanted gifts they unwrapped on Christmas morning with a clear conscience. People can anonymously drop off all of their unwanted presents in store where
Tresor Kandol has only been at Purfleet a matter of weeks but is already something of a treasure. Six goals from three starts suggests he may prove another valuable attacking addition after his move from struggling Chesham evoked memories of last year's
Southend United have completed a short-term deal for experienced Norwich City utility man Daryl Sutch ahead of tomorrow's marathon slog to Carlisle. The 31-year-old has signed an initial month-long contract, but Blues manager Rob Newman hopes his former
A major community centre is facing a cash crisis after its playing fields were invaded by travellers. Hockley Community Centre in Westminster Drive was one of a number of sites in the Rochford area where the travellers camped. It cost the centre £11,663
A controversial £500,000 seafront funfair could be just months away from becoming a reality, it emerged today. Island Leisure boss Scott Petty first announced he wanted to build a theme park on Canvey's Labworth recreation ground in June 2001 but almost
Family and friends are mourning local legend Norman Kingston, who has died at his Rayleigh home after battling a long illness. Mr Kingston, 88, of Great Wheatleys Farm, in Great Wheatley Road, grew up in Rayleigh and was a farmer in the town for almost
A village garage has reopened after being closed for about eight months. Father and son, Peter and Dick Barnard, have bought the former Thorpe Cross Garage in Frinton Road, Thorpe. The pair already have a similar operation in Wix, which they have run
Police today revealed the identity of a teenage girl killed in a horrific road accident in south Essex on New Year's Day. Faye Andrews, 18, of Westwood Avenue, Brentwood, died when her Renault was in collision with a Ford being driven by a 42-year-old
Families in a south Essex village today called for urgent action after rainwater and sewage flooded their homes. Houses in Fen Close, Bulphan, were under more than a foot of water while nearby homes in Church Lane were only saved by heroic efforts from
Police today appealed for witnesses to an assault which took place in a Braintree pub on New Year's Eve. A 20-year-old man received serious facial injuries and a broken jaw while out celebrating at the Litten Tree pub in the High Street between midnight
Paddy Dunston hopes his title-winning experiences as a player with professional outfit Wasps can boost London One Southend's promotion charge. Dunston, Southend's coach, begins the new year with his side six points clear at the top of the division. If
If you had told Tilbury that they'd go into the first Saturday of the new year in tenth place in Ryman One even their most loyal of supporters would have given you a funny look. The Dockers have exceeded all expectations under manager Bill McMeekin, although
More than 1,500 teachers, lunch-time assistants, classroom helpers and even caretakers are still waiting for security checks so they can start work in Essex schools. Figures compiled before Christmas show 379 teachers, 182 teaching or learning assistants
A campaigning mother who pleaded with the NHS to give her a revolutionary drug for breast cancer has died. Karen Elliott, 38, of Dickens Close, Braintree, died in Farleigh Hospice, Chelmsford, despite being given the drug by the NHS. The mother-of-two
A valuable letter signed by King George V was unearthed by a charity shop manager as he rifled through a bag full of donations. It is believed a mystery benefactor deliberately left the historic letter in the bag of bric-a-brac as a kind-hearted gesture
The issue of delays in health checks for Essex heart patients has been raised in Parliament by MP Mark Francois Mr Francois, whose Rayleigh constituency includes South Woodham, has highlighted delays of up to one year faced by patients in Essex waiting
Adventurous hikers are being urged to trek to Hadleigh Castle and Two Tree Island, behind Leigh railway station, over the weekend. Members of the Rochford and Castle Point Ramblers Association will be taking part in a six-mile stroll through the area,
Collections for Leukaemia Research Fund based in Billericay has raised a huge sum of £25,521 this year. Stamps, postcards and other donations were sent to Brenda and Nigel Lawley and then sold to fund vital research for leukaemia patients. Mrs Lawley
Colchester United are facing a massive loss of £130,000 on this season's home gates unless they improve dramatically in the second half of the season. Worried U's chief executive Marie Partner said as she looked ahead to tomorrow's Layer Road clash with
It's becoming a scene increasingly familiar across Southend and south Essex. Flooded - youngsters paddled in a roundabout in Bournes Green, Shoebury after it was closed off Picture: DAVE HENDERSON Police closed off this roundabout in Shoebury after much
A group set up to combat drug abuse in Colchester is hoping to get half of the town's schools involved in its education programme. The next meeting of the Colchester Drug and Alcohol Reference Group's education in schools project is planned for the autumn
A new community development officer has been appointed to improve the standard of living and organise social events for residents of the Five Links Estate in Laindon. The role, taken by Linda Green, has been created by Single Regeneration Budget co-ordinator
Vital repairs to a £30million Basildon shopping complex have been completed without a single complaint. Work carried out the the Westgate Shopping Park, in the town centre, began in August last year. The three-and-a-half-year-old centre needed urgent
A teenager who had a miracle escape when he was catapulted off a motorbike and hit a crash barrier at 60mph is back in the saddle, making a name for himself in the world of road racing. Lee Chisnall, of Marlowe Road, Clacton, was 13 when he came off the
The Southend Borough Combination has become the first confirmed weekend victims of the weather. Tomorrow's fixtures have all been postponed following negotiations between the league and Southend Council. The sustained wet weather has left council pitches
Each year scores of people break out from Chelmsford prison. It happens always with the permission of the governors and raises thousands of pounds for charities across Essex in the process. The annual charity Jailbreak organised by Essex Association of
Getting on your bike has never been this much fun. Bike enthusiast John Malseed has lovingly restored a 117-year-old, four-wheeled Sociable bike, designed for couples to ride side by side. He spent months researching the history of the bike and restoring
Provisional fixtures have been announced for the upcoming American football season -- and the campaign will start with a cracker. Southend Sabres travel to local rivals Essex Spartans on April 13 to raise the curtain on their Southern Conference Division
A teenage girl today made a desperate appeal for the return of a picture of her dead father. Zara Arthur of The Ridings, Canvey, was left stranded by bouncers who refused to let her go back inside a Southend nightclub after she realised her bag was still
The big-hearted owner of a taxi company was so moved by the plight of Wakering residents who had their tyres slashed by vandals he has offered half-price fares to everyone affected. Nigel Laverick, owner of Wakering Taxis, said: "I first heard about this
Rules for renting out council homes in Rochford district are likely to be made easier for members of the Armed Forces who want to return to the area. Under proposals which are due to come into force at the end of next month, service personnel would be
Police today warned a steering wheel lock shaped like a baseball bat on sale in Basildon could become a lethal weapon. They said they would give "serious consideration" to prosecuting anyone found outside a vehicle with the device for possessing an offensive
An exhibition with a distinctly eastern European feel opens at Billericay Library tomorrow. Polcraft, a company specialising in the import of Polish arts and crafts, will be showing a selection of works until January 31. The company showcases the art
Police are trying to trace the owner of a caravan following a crash in Heybridge. The white Avondale Firefly was being towed by what appeared to be a 4x4 vehicle along Langford Road when it was involved in a collision with another car on the night of
Ipswich face a potential banana skin when they take on Nationwide Conference high-fliers Morecambe. But the Blues have history on their side. Exactly two years ago, the Shrimps fell 3-0 at the hands of George Burley's side at this stage of the cup. Goals
Shoppers have backed a stinging attack on Hadleigh by a boss who labelled the place a "ghost town". George Prentice, company secretary of Choice Discount Stores' shop in Rectory Road, Hadleigh, said the town was a "sad and dying place". He was backing
Police using CS spray have arrested a man in Waltham Abbey following an incident in which a 62-year-man suffered serious head and back injuries, several cars were damaged and thousands of pounds damage caused to the Abbey Church. A stained glass window
Provisional fixtures have been announced for the upcoming American football season - and the campaign will start with a cracker. Southend Sabres travel to local rivals Essex Spartans on April 13 to raise the curtain on their Southern Conference Division
A village garage has reopened after being closed for about eight months. Father and son, Peter and Dick Barnard, have bought the former Thorpe Cross Garage in Frinton Road, Thorpe. The pair already have a similar operation in Wix, which they have run
A new weapon in the war against bogus callers has been set up in Colchester. A number of groups have joined forces to form Colchester Community Alert - a new forum dedicated to defeating scam artists in the Colchester area. The new forum includes the
Riverside homeowners were keeping one eye firmly on the clouds today as river levels rose even higher through the night. Residents of Riverside Walk in Colchester were visited by four vans full of Environment Agency workers who had to pump surface water
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder has already resigned himself to the fact that his troops look almost certain to face inactivity tomorrow for the third time in four matches. After the Boxing Day washout at Canvey, the New Lodge side did manage a home
A group set up to combat drug abuse in Colchester is hoping to get half of the town's schools involved in its education programme. The next meeting of the Colchester Drug and Alcohol Reference Group's education in schools project is planned for the autumn
Essex Police have appealed for witnesses to an attack by a gang of men who struck a 37-year-old man with a hammer and a baseball bat. The victim escaped with facial bruising and cuts after he was approached as he walked along Eastwood Lane South in Westcliff
The future of memorial plaques placed on wards and the chapel of Orsett Hospital is being discussed. The demolition of part of the hospital means that the plaques -- recognising people's contributions to the work of the hospital -- are, at the moment,
Royal snapper for The Sun, Arthur Edwards, has been capturing the Royals for more than 25 years and has now been awarded an MBE for his dedicated service to the newspaper industry. Mr Edwards, 62 has lived in Hanging Hill Lane, Hutton, for 27 years and
A teenager who had a miracle escape when he was catapulted off a motorbike and hit a crash barrier at 60mph is back in the saddle, making a name for himself in the world of road racing. Lee Chisnall, of Marlowe Road, Clacton, was 13 when he came off the
Jason Briggs, a pupil at Fitzwimarc School, Rayleigh, was a member of the England under-16 boys team which won the gold medal at the Gordon Woodlands Schools International Pentathlon. England were up against Ireland, Scotland and Wales in Glasgow and
Great Wakering Rovers will need to keep a watchful eye on striker Danny Curran at Aveley tomorrow. The former Leyton Orient youngster has scored in four of the last five games and manager Steve Mosely must be regretting only having him on the substitutes
A worker at the B&Q store in West Thurrock clinched a runners-up spot in the company's national Best Of The Best competition. Roy Ward was presented with the award by celebrity DIY expert and TV favourite Tommy Walsh and Bill Whiting, B&Q's chief
Former Colchester United striker Steve McGavin has left the managerial hot-seat at Harwich and Parkeston by 'mutual consent'. The club, which has propped up the league for much of the season, decided McGavin's record of three wins in 13 games wasn't good
Provisional fixtures have been announced for the upcoming American football season - and the campaign will start with a cracker. Southend Sabres travel to local rivals Essex Spartans on April 13 to raise the curtain on their Southern Conference Division
Three men were recovering in hospital today after a vicious street fight that left one man stabbed and another two injured. Up to five men were involved in the fight in Victoria Road, Laindon, at 9.15pm yesterday. Police believe that weapons were used
Children in Basildon are attending after-school clubs in record numbers as they work hard to glean extra knowledge. The district's schools are leading the way in offering after-school clubs, breakfast clubs and even a children's university during the
A group set up to combat drug abuse in Colchester is hoping to get half of the town's schools involved in its education programme. The next meeting of the Colchester Drug and Alcohol Reference Group's education in schools project is planned for the autumn
