Thieves struck in a Colchester church, stealing a woman's handbag. It was taken, along with bank cards and cash, from Lexden Evangelical Church, London Road, then found dumped nearby with the valuables removed. Two people described as "lads" were seen
A family are keeping their Christmas lights sparkling until their father is able to come home from hospital. Andrew Ward, 47, of Hillie Bunnies, Earls Colne, suffered a brain haemorrhage and was rushed to Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, two days before Christmas
West Ham are on the verge of unveiling their first signing of the transfer window, if Lee Bowyer agrees terms at Upton Park today. The midfielder, who has refused a new contract with current club Leeds, has been in talks this week after the two clubs
Heybridge Swifts head into their Essex Senior Cup quarter-final clash at home to Chelmsford City (kick-off 7.30pm) without the services of several key players. Andy Tomlinson (knee), Kingsley Banks (illness), John Pollard (stomach), Danny Wornham (groin
Environmentally-friendly Prince Charles has been called upon to back the campaign against expanding Stansted Airport. But the heir to the throne has declined to get involved, though said he understands residents' concerns. His staff have vowed all concerns
Injury-jinxed former British sprint champion Sarah Wilhelmy today said she was unlikely to make a competitive comeback until 2004. The Southend AC athlete is still suffering from back pain and has all but ruled out running competitively this year. Non-starter
Three men who have helped control each other's mental illnesses have been forced from their home by a torrent of abuse. The men, who suffer paranoid schizophrenia, manic depression and are hyper-active, will have to cope alone as they can only be rehoused
A war veteran who was attacked and robbed at his home has died of natural causes. A post-mortem examination has been carried out on 81-year-old former submariner Reg Lockwood, of Broadway, Jaywick, following his death in Colchester General Hospital at
Unwanted baby rabbits and cockerels were abandoned in freezing conditions outside an environmental centre. Animal rescuer Maureen Taylor said she was appalled at the way boxes of animals were dumped outside Mistley Place Park on consecutive nights. She
What a racket! A 64-year-old has given a sigh of relief after an alarm which rang continuously for seven days and nights behind his house was finally turned off. Derek Threadgall had his Christmas and New Year ruined after an alarm began ringing in the
Castle Point MP Bob Spink has vowed to try to bring in new laws to combat under-age drinking. Mr Spink spoke of his determination while blasting youth crime and anti-social behaviour during a speech to the House of Commons. He told MPs he intended to
A man who headbutted his ex-girlfriend in the face narrowly avoided jail. Robert Arthur, 36, of Ness Road, Shoebury, bombarded the woman with text messages and threatening phone calls after she walked out on him three days earlier. He went to her flat
Witham job centre is closing for refurbishment. The Newland Street centre will shut next Monday prior to reopening as an upgraded Jobcentre Plus office on February 10. The changes are part of a national Employment Service programme to combine the job-filling
More than half a million pounds is needed to complete Chelmsford cathedral's development appeal. The appeal was launched 18 months ago and aims to fund essential maintenance work and the development of the Cathedral. Since its launch the appeal has already
Police and fire investigators were today searching through the remains of Basildon's most popular pie shop after it was gutted by arsonists. Firefighters were alerted after a call from a member of the public at around 3.45am today, saying they could see
A mother was today behind bars for failing to send her teenage daughter to school. Romaine Sabini, also known as Peacock, 42, of Cambridge Road, Southend, has been locked up for four weeks by Southend magistrates. Her daughter Lois, 15, was in tears when
Motorists in south Essex slipped and slithered to work today as the first snow of winter caused chaos on the roads. Gritters were out all night trying to ensure a smooth passage to work, but freezing temperatures well into the morning rush-hour meant
Harold MP Angela Watkinson is calling on Post Office bosses to reveal details of any plans they may have to close sub-post offices in the area. Her concern comes after plans to phase out 3,000 urban branches across the country - around a third of the
Victorian Burnham-on-Crouch station is to get a spring facelift from First Great Eastern. First Great Eastern, in partnership with the Strategic Rail Authority, is investing £85,000 on improvements including a new ticket office and waiting room, with
A Basildon schoolgirl has been locked up after she kicked another pupil in the face, fracturing her jaw and injuring her arm and back. The 15-year-old attacker, who cannot be named, admitted at Basildon Crown Court causing grievous bodily harm. She was
Newly-made mums and dads in the area are set to benefit from a range of activities to help them with their new baby. The Basildon, Billericay and Wickford National Childbirth Trust are holding a post natal group and talks on nutrition for babies. The
Canvey Island coach Richard Smith and skipper Jason Carter are threatening to quit over their side's poor attitude to training. The duo are feeling the frustration after their struggling team again went down at Tewkes Creek. They have not now won a league
Campaigners who have been calling for better road safety measures in residential streets around Southend town centre look set to have won their battle. There have been major concerns about traffic speed and parking problems in areas around the existing
Burglary squad officers fear raiders who stole a decommissioned rifle may use it to scare off victims. The gun was taken from a house in Leasway, Westcliff, and police have made an urgent appeal for help to track it down. A collection of rare stamps was
Clacton Town manager Richie Powling hopes his side prove a point tonight when then entertain Ipswich Wanderers. The Seasiders boss still has painful memories of September's 2-1 defeat against the Suffolk club at Humber Doucy Lane. "They annihilated us
A fake postman snatched a bag of mail destined for Colchester homes. The "scruffy-looking" man went into Johnson Newsagents in London Road wearing a Royal Mail jacket, said "hello" to the staff, picked up a sack and walked out. When the real postman turned
Plans for the next stage of work on Hylands park and house start to go on display to the public this Friday. The scheme includes the restoration of the parkland to the designs of the renowned early 19th century landscape gardener, Humphrey Repton. It
A former hospital chaplain has described conditions at Basildon Hospital surgical assessment unit as "appalling" after visiting an elderly friend. Rev Grace Swift, an ex-nurse, of Church Street, Great Burstead, said she saw an uncovered, used commode,
A digger operator has been banned for three years for drink-driving, a court heard. Peter Guyton, 36, of Sunbeam Avenue, Jaywick, admitted the offence before Colchester magistrates yesterday. Thomas John, prosecuting, said Guyton was stopped by police
Southend United travel to Dagenham and Red-bridge in a hastily arranged Essex Senior Cup quarter-final tonight, kick-off 7.45pm. And the Shrimpers' reserve team boss Steve Tilson said his men should be prepared for a difficult 90 minutes at the Conference
Teacher Jen Davies won applause from pupils as she collected a top award from supermarket Asda. Shoppers at the Tilbury store were asked to nominate their favourite teacher with the one receiving most votes collecting a goody bag. Simply the best - pupils
Lee Bradbury has turned his back on Colchester United to play for Sheffield Wednesday. The Portsmouth goalgetter, who is returning from cruciate ligament injury, has thrown in his lot on loan with the First Division strugglers only weeks after he told
Sensitive information detailing security arrangements at Essex County Council buildings was accidentally posted on an internet website. The Evening Gazette found the information on the council's website. Ironically, the increased terror threat in the
Leigh Lanham, who is set to start his sixth season for the Arena-Essex Hammers in the forthcoming season, started 2003 by finishing runner-up in the annual New Year's Classic meeting at Newport. He joined 11 other competitors on a dry but cold afternoon
Lisa Ingall is in the right frame of mind for an assault on the women's snooker World Championships in April. The Wickford player cruised through to the semi-finals of the Regal Welsh Open at Cwmbran at the weekend before losing in a close-fought encounter
Motorists in south Essex slipped and slithered to work today as the first snow of winter caused chaos on the roads. Gritters were out all night trying to ensure a smooth passage to work, but freezing temperatures well into the morning rush-hour meant
Freemasons funded a Christmas party for children from the Little Treasures Parent and Toddler Group, at the residents' hall in Delaware Road, Shoebury. Soft play equipment, a children's entertainer as well as food and drink were all provided and every
A man is receiving hospital treatment after he armed himself with a kitchen knife and robbed a Clacton chemist. Staff at Moss Chemists in the town's Old Road were left shocked and shaken after Andrew Goldsmith confronted them and demanded drugs, a court
The "Wivenhoe GM Two" today walked free. The case against Jack Upton 22, of Charles Street, Colchester, and Andrew Abbott, 33, of East Street, was discontinued at Colchester Magistrates' Court. The pair had been charged with criminal damage (destroying
High chlorine levels which left children with streaming eyes and sore throats forced Southend's Warrior Swim centre to close completely only a day after it reopened. Action was taken after young members of a swimming club jumped from the pool complaining
The red-carding of Stanford's prop for stamping helped Billericay to victory in a closely-fought derby. Darren Watkins got his marching orders in the second period with Billericay leading 6-0. And the visitors took advantage to make it 13-0 with a penalty
Jamie Clapham was in talks with Birmingham City today to discuss a shock £1.5 million move to St Andrews. The Ipswich Town midfielder travelled to the Midlands this morning to negotiate terms with Brum boss Steve Bruce. Town and Birmingham have agreed
Elderly residents who have problems crossing an Eastwood road to get to nearby shops are set to be given a boost by Southend Council. The traffic and parking committee will be asked on Thursday to back changes to parking rules and introduce road humps
A family are keeping their Christmas lights sparkling until their father is able to come home from hospital. Andrew Ward, 47, of Hillie Bunnies, Earls Colne, suffered a brain haemorrhage and was rushed to Oldchurch Hospital, Romford, two days before Christmas
Heads were bowed for a minute's silence at last night's Castle Point Council meeting for three colleagues who died in the last three weeks. The show of respect was for former mayor Peggy Grant, Canvey councillor Brian Weller and the borough's first mayor
Frustrated Tiptree manager Neil Farlie has dismissed fears of a fixture pile-up and insists his side will pull out all the stops to beat Waltham tonight (kick-off 7.45pm). Waterlogged pitches and problems with the London side's floodlights and travel
Marc Chandler was the hero as Thurrock surged back from 14-6 down to KO fellow strugglers Twickenham. Chandler scored two tries and Dave Stevens one as Tees left it late to secure victory at Oakfield. First-team manager Kevin Hymas said: "Mark was outstanding
A headteacher today told of her devastation after vandals went on a spree of destruction at a garden used by children with learning difficulties. Carol Clifton spoke after garden ornaments were smashed and furniture destroyed in the sensory garden at
A women's prison has won high praise for its work with young offenders despite operating amid a serious staff crisis. Last year, Bullwood Hall in Hockley was on average 16 per cent short on officers representing between 12 and 15 vacancies, the Board
A decision to close down a post office provoked concern today from councillors. Bosses at Post Office Limited, which controls the franchise, want to shut its branch in Maurice Road, Canvey. Protest - Dennis Williams, who wants a rethink over the proposed
An eye-catching way of displaying jewellery has become a bit of a talking point among Leigh traders since new jeweller David Roberts came to town. Newcomer - jeweller David Roberts and his eye-catching display in his shop in Leigh Broadway Picture: STEVE
Basildon is to have the Union Flag flying over its council offices every working day from today. The Conservative administration decided to get the flag flying on the offices in St Martin's Square to inspire patriotism in its residents. Council leader
Essex Royal British Legion raised more than £600,000 for the national Poppy Appeal last year and spent £84,000 assisting 275 members-in-need with grants. County Secretary Eric Seymour says membership has remained stable with recruitment from post war
Lakeside shopping centre's first charity Big Toy Box appeal is to be launched on Thursday by celebrities Tamara Beckwith and Stacey Young. They will each donate a childhood toy to the Barnado's appeal and Chris Hanvey, UK director of operations, will
Youngsters in Castle Point were celebrating today after a £125,000 youth centre and skatepark was given the go-ahead. Smiles filled the public gallery at council headquarters last night when members of the charity Legacy XS heard councillors unite to
Southend's police chief today said he was disappointed after a teenage tearaway escaped being locked up. Ronnie Tretton, 18, of Birch Close, Leigh, was the first teenager in the area to have an anti-social behaviour order to prevent him terrorising his
Eileen and Alf O'Connor celebrated in style as family and friends joined them to mark their golden wedding. The couple now live in Kings Park, Canvey, moving to the island 18 months ago after a lifetime in Grays -- living in London Road and Parker Road
A vital service for elderly and vulnerable residents in Tendring faces the axe unless new cash can be found to save it. The Clacton and Ramsey befriending circles are run every month by the North East Essex Advocacy Teams for older people who live alone
Firefighters in Essex are on stand-by today to deal with the threat of icy roads. The risk of road accidents in the area have increased with the county expecting more snow during the day. Motorists on roads around Halstead were urged to take particular
Furious builder Alan Atkinson has let passers-by know exactly what he thinks about a thief who stole his tools. Placards on a building site at Tye Common Road, Billericay, are giving a scathing message to "scumbags" who took the £1,200 equipment. They
Six youngsters from the Basildon district have achieved gold Duke of Edinburgh awards after taking part in a wide range of volunteering activities and exciting challenges. A young man from South Woodham Ferrers was also given an award at the special ceremony
Water use in Colchester is set to spiral by more than four million litres each day because of new housing in the town. Anglian Water will be keeping a careful eye on the the town's population explosion during the next few years. Ideas for meeting demand
A riverside village with just 61 homes is to lose the heart of its community, its pub. The historic Anchor, in South Fambridge, is to be demolished to make way for more housing. Owner Ray Flowers, 65, said he had been running the pub at a loss. It will
Billericay Town have brought back a popular former player to strengthen their squad following the £10,000 departure of Roy Essandoh and Martin Carthy to Grays. Dean Morris is the "old boy" to return from Dr Martens League Erith and Belvedere as the New
