Cash grants worth thousands of pounds could be offered to council house tenants to get them to buy homes privately. Colchester Council hopes the idea of handing out cash sums will help preserve its housing stock as well as saving public money. The council's
Pablo Counago insists there is no danger of him toning down his 'aggressive' edge - despite the looming threat of suspension. The Ipswich Town striker has already clocked up five bookings this season and was resigned to missing tomorrow's Division One
New signing Lee Bowyer is set to make his West Ham debut tomorrow as his side entertain Newcastle United. The controversial new acquisition has been troubled with an achilles problem in recent weeks, but should play at some part against the Magpies. And
Tomorrow's game at Leyton Pennant is a classic six-pointer for East Thurrock United. Rocks have had just one win in 16 games, against Hertford, and know defeat against one of the three teams below them in the table could increase the pressure on manager
An £80,000 appeal to help make Chelmsford more accessible to people with mobility problems has reached its target just 18 months after it was launched. The Meadows Shop-mobility appeal, adopted for support by the Essex Chronicle over the past year, has
Hauliers today hit out at "dreadful" conditions on roads in and around Castle Point and Southend and blamed poor gritting for the problems. The Brook Road estate, at Rayleigh Weir, used by lorries carrying heavy loads, was singled out for criticism. Slippery
Councillors have agreed to allow a new entrance to be built at Queensway House, Southend. The development control committee granted planning permission for an entrance screen, canopy and roller shutter to be installed on the second floor of the building
Alan White can't wait for tomorrow to get stuck into visiting Crewe Alexandra. The whole-hearted Colchester United central defender is sweating on a recall from U's boss Steve Whitton after missing out on last Saturday's 2-2 draw with Tranmere Rovers
A dramatic drop in crime has been seen in Tendring but more work still needs to be done. Chief Supt Dick Madden said reported crime had fallen to its lowest in years before Christmas. But he added that problems of car crime and criminal damage needed
Monday rubbish collections are set to be scrapped in Colchester. Waste bosses at Colchester Council plan to introduce a four-day week. The idea is to fit collections normally spread over five days into just four. It will mean the problem of bank holiday
Basildon MP Angela Smith is behind tough new measures, including jail, for those who flout planning laws in Northern Ireland. Spot listing to give immediate protection to buildings at risk of demolition, major increases in fines and a greater role for
This was the scene on the A12 today after a van overturned crashed into the central reservation at Witham. The driver was trapped in the Ford Transit but it is believed his injuries were minor. The scene of the accident There were two miles of jams following
Thailand, Chile, Australia.... and now to the humble town of Chelmsford. The world's biggest Scouting event is to be held in Essex's county town. It marks a major coup for the borough council to host the World Scout Jamboree. And while the British venue
Plans for a new restaurant in Braintree have prompted renewed claims there are too many eating places in the town. Chef Mark Keenan and his brother Paul are to run the new restaurant and wine bar which will be called Keenan's. It will be in the former
Cyclist and pedestrian safety is top of the agenda for Castle Point's transport leader. In his yearly report, Brian Wilson stressed pedestrians and cyclists will be given particular attention as he looked forward to a new year of traffic management. Top
Essex faces a critical shortage of teachers over the next three years, county National Union of Teachers general secretary Jerry Glazier has warned. His comments follow this week's announcement by the General Teaching Council (GTC) that a third of all
Essex Spartans are about to return to training ahead of the upcoming American Football season. The Basildon-based club, who play in Division Two of the Southern Conference league, will be going through their paces on the Gloucester Park astroturf at 11am
Promotion-chasing Southend face a stiff test of their progress tomorrow when they travel to take on Haywards Heath. Southend lead London One by four points, but their challengers at the top have games in hand and defeat may open up a bit of daylight for
A landscape garden designer will this year exhibit one of his creations at the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show. James Donoghue, 35, of Hedingham Road, Halstead, will be constructing and exhibiting his revolutionary concept garden at the Chelsea Flower
Jubilant council number crunchers were today praised for their outstanding achievements. Lead member for resources, councillor Jackie Reilly, today congratulated the council's accountants for their efforts during a very busy new year period. Their hard
Baby elephant Kito has been a crowd-puller with thousands of visitors flocking to Colchester Zoo to catch their first glimpse of him. The elephant, who is gaining between half a pound and a pound in weight each day, was born on December 6 and has proved
Pupils, parents and nearby residents are set to benefit from two up-to-date multi-media and art centres. Bardfield Primary School, in Basildon, has received a £350,000 grant for the centres which will allow people in the community to paint, sculpt, make
With much of the county in the grip of a big freeze Labour councillor Reg Copley is reminding people they may be eligible for heating grants. The St Luke's ward councillor said grants of up to £1,500 were available towards the cost of improvements in
A proud family have achieved their very own football team after celebrating the birth of an 11th baby. Parents Sue and Ivan Dyer welcomed 8lb 2oz Eloise to their home in The Chase, Great Tey, where she joined her brothers and sisters with days to spare
The fight against plans to build a new airport at Cliffe in Kent has been taken to the House of Commons. Castle Point MP Bob Spink has spoken out against the plans by raising an Early Day Motion. Tory Mr Spink's plan received all-party support, with signatories
Thurrock stages its biggest game of the season so far when Purfleet and Grays clash at the Hotel in the FA Trophy. The facts point to a comfortable win for the Fleet, who have the best home record in the Ryman Premier with 10 wins from 13 games. Blues
A former chairman of Braintree Mencap and member of Essex County Council's social services committee has died. Jim Hall, 81, of Greenstead Green, near Halstead, died on January 2. Born in Clapton, east London, Mr Hall spent his childhood years in north
Travellers blocked a road to stop their opponents getting to a key hearing to decide the fate of a controversial campsite in Crays Hill, it has been claimed. Oak Lane residents - who have accused the travellers of making life "unbearable" - told a planning
Hard-hearted thieves have walked off with a four-year-old's treasured glider. The remote-control glider was given to Rian Morgan, of Honywood Way, Frinton, as a Christmas present. On Monday afternoon, Rian and his dad Andrew, took the new glider, which
The cold snap has kept hospitals busy, treating patients who have fallen over in ice and snow. As the cold weather continues, staff at Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford have warned people to take care on slippery roads and pavements. Staff in accident
Billericay Town are appealing for fans to come to the rescue to ensure tomorrow's Ryman Premier home derby with Braintree goes ahead. The New Lodge surface is covered with snow and officials are hoping supporters will join a working party to clear it
The old snooker adage "pot as many balls as you can" will have special meaning for Basildon pro Stuart Bingham over the coming week. For, starting on Saturday, he will hope to be playing eight matches in ten days if he is to win through to the main stages
Bargain videos, cassettes, CDs and books are on offer at the Giant Booksale opening at Brentwood Library on Monday, January 13. The sale starts at 9.30am and will continue until next Sunday throughout the New Road library's normal opening hours. Cabinet
An organisation representing disabled people has hit out at lack of consultation over work at Chelmsford railway station which will mean closure of its lifts for three months. The £250,000 work is due to start today and will result in improved facilities
Southend United goalkeeper Danny Gay has a double agenda at FA Cup heroes Shrewsbury Town tomorrow -- to lift the pressure off Blues chief Rob Newman and cement his place in the first team. The 20-year-old made his first start of the season at Carlisle
Canvey Island are confident of beating the cold spell tomorrow and getting into action in an FA Trophy competition which is so warm to their hearts. Gulls won the trophy in 2000 and manager Jeff King admits his side are hungry for a repeat performance
Pop sensation Busted - including Southend boy James Bourne - are to return to a popular gay event in London. James, Matt and Charlie are returning to the Astoria which hosts the famous G-A-Y night. They will be performing their pop-punk tracks from their
In a novel twist to the abandoned car an abandoned speedboat has been reported on a Colchester street. The speedboat, which is not on a trailer, has been washed up in Cannon Street in New Town for the last five weeks. The abandoned speedboat in Cannon
Eager homeowners who braved the elements and queued through the night were today hoping to snap up a dream £500,000 seafront apartment. Scores of people eager to take their pick of one of the 24 luxury flats, in Western Esplanade, Westcliff, wrapped up
Basildon Council has promised to investigate the case of a woman with a young baby who cannot go in to her kitchen because of mice. Lisa Woni, of Merrylands, Laindon, says she is concerned about the health risks, especially because she has an 18-month
Three of four puppies found in a box of rubbish in south Essex have found new homes. However, one of the six-week-old Jack Russell cross-breeds didn't make it as he was suffering from hypothermia. Safe - three of the dumped dogs await their new owners
British chess champion Nigel Short is coming to Corringham later this month to pit his wits against the county's best players. Grandmaster Short will be competing against 30 players at the same time in a 30-board simultaneous display. Your move - chess
Plant some lasting roots on Canvey, islanders are being urged. They are being invited to sponsor trees in a new patch of woodland being developed along the edge of the Canvey Heights Country Park - formerly Newlands amenity site. Creating history - Dave
Children from Earls Hall Junior School in Southend have celebrated using two new zebra crossings. They were joined by Southend Council's cabinet member in charge of transport, Roger Weaver, and Tory ward councillor Murray Foster. The crossings, one in
Celebrities Tamara Beckwith and Stacey Young kickstarted a fundraising bid for children's charity Barnardo's by donating some of their coveted childhood toys. They were at Lakeside shopping centre in Thurrock to spearhead the Big Toy Box appeal for the
A managing director left homeless after a blaze gutted his luxury home today vowed to stay strong for the sake of his young children. Ian Beatwell, 36, managing director of Universal Planning Services, in Victoria Avenue, Southend, was home with his family
Changes to the A13 in the centre of Southend have come under attack from a senior councillor. Roger Weaver, cabinet member in charge of transport: "There is dissatisfaction with both the contractor failing to meet the timetable which was agreed with the
An Essex army of plumbers, electricians, telephone men and office workers are on standby to fight for Queen and country. Although none of the 500 reservists and members of the reserve forces stationed in the county is involved in a first-wave call up
A temporary set of traffic lights caused rush hour chaos in Witham. Fuming motorists found themselves in a three quarters-of-a-mile queue when the lights, just metres apart, brought the flow of traffic to a halt just 100 metres from the Lynfield Garage
The search is on for the next generation of artists from Essex who have the potential to make it big. YOUNG@ART is a pioneering project in partnership with the contemporary visual arts organisation, firstsite, which aims to discover and exhibit work by
Schools have shut down during the freezing weather rather than risk being sued by angry parents. Essex county councillor Iris Pummell, executive councillor for education, said the claim culture was a major factor behind many of the 50 south Essex schools
The jewel in the crown on the historic Shoebury Garrison site has been sold for a cool £1.15million. A mystery buyer has splashed out the cash on the 6,000 sq ft old commandant's building which has been converted into a mansion within an acre of spacious
An individual success for Basildon AC's Nick Wetheridge in the men's race and a team triumph for Thurrock Harriers in the ladies' competition summed up the main glory for local clubs in the Essex Cross-Country Championships at waterlogged Gloucester Park
Patients at Basildon Hospital can now watch tv from their beds - but it will cost them. The televisions have all the basic channels and several satellite channels. In the children's ward, youngsters can watch a children's channel for free. Basildon Hospital's
Steve McGavin will use this weekend to map out the next stage of his footballing career. The former Colchester United star is a free agent after his contract as player-boss of Harwich and Parkeston was terminated by 'mutual consent' last week. Ryman League
A disabled villager was today fighting to hold on to his beloved collection of pet monkeys. A planning oversight has meant the cages in which the miniature Marmoset monkeys are housed are too close to 65-year-old Ted Millard's home. Now neighbours have
A £100,000 windfall aims to help disabled people find jobs and set up in businesses. Organic dream - centre members at Home Farm nursery Picture: TERENCE BUNCH Staff at Hadleigh Salvation Army Training Centre have been celebrating ever since they found
The heartbroken parents of a Brentwood teenager who died in a car crash have told of their daughter's last poignant loving New Year's phone call made hours before she died. Just half a day later they were engulfed in tragedy when 18-year-old Faye Andrews
Professional boxers in south Essex are hoping the new year will bring some good news on York Hall. The east London fight venue is under threat of closure following a report by property consultants Hillier Parker. Tower Hamlets Council is now considering
Give it up for a new crew in town who are here to spread the word of God - with rap. Take note Eminem, a group of youngsters is using rap music to show the church is in touch with youth culture. So spiritual crew - members of Kelvedon's Youth Alpha Cristian
Great Wakering Rovers boss Alan Hull could enjoy the rare luxury of having a full squad to choose from for tomorrow's home game with Barton Rovers. Darren Twidell is back after a one-match ban, while both John Heffer and Stuart Munday are set to return
A businessman who saw his car repairs shop devastated by a huge fire today revealed how he has battled to reopen part of it. More than 20 firefighters tackled the blaze at Charfleets Tyre Service, Charfleets Industrial Estate, Canvey, just before Christmas
Braintree is set for a double boost if a new swimming pool is given the go-ahead next week. While the facility will offer a multi-million pound boost to leisure in the area, it will also bring a smile to rail commuters who make the daily dash from Braintree
A popular local cricketer has died at St Helena Hospice, Colchester. Richard Travis, 53, died on January 4 after a long battle with cancer. A one-time pupil at Holmwood House, Lexden, and the Ipswich School, Travis, as he was known, became a local entrepreneur
Two good Samaritans who helped an unconscious woman out of a club were allegedly attacked by a gang of thugs as they looked after the female clubber. Basildon police are appealing for the woman to come forward as a witness to the alleged assault outside
Drivers are being advised to steer clear of a key road link between Benfleet, Hadleigh and Canvey when water main repair work begins on Monday. Essex and Suffolk Water workers are due to start mains replacement work in Benfleet Road, Benfleet, between
A drunken man phoned for an ambulance because he had too much to drink. Ambulance chiefs in Essex have called on people to use the emergency service only when they need to. The call comes after the service dealt with its busiest time of year. Essex Ambulance
A lucky 74-year-old is planning a luxury holiday and a new car after scooping £51,672 at bingo - and will share half with a friend. Lady luck was smiling on the great granddad, born and bred in Southend, when he went to the Mecca club, Greyhound Way,
A Margaretting woman is being forced to retire early from her job of 30 years because her only form of transport to work is being axed. Now Mrs Elsie Hills is warning that other unprofitable links to rural areas might disappear in the same way that her
A van skidded on ice and crashed through a brick wall just hours after residents warned police and the council the road had become a "skating rink". The smash, in Albion Road, Benfleet, comes after Castle Point Council leader Dave Wells criticised Essex
