Motorists in Braintree and Witham are facing police stop checks. But officers remained tight-lipped about the details of the dragnet, other than to say it was part of a joint exercise to fight vehicle crime and bogus callers. A spokesman for Witham police
Essex disaster planners have admitted they failed to understand the chilling implications of an accident or terrorist hit on Bradwell Atomic Power Station. An official report on the simulated jumbo jet crash exercise last spring revealed confusion and
A unique Canvey nature spot could be spared from the developers - at the expense of green belt land. Government agency English Nature has been in last ditch talks with the land's owners to save the site, which has been earmarked for a £5m development.
Southend United boss Rob Newman believes tomorrow's Roots Hall clash with high-flying Rushden and Diamonds is a must-win game if his side are to keep their own promotion hopes alive. Blues are currently 13th in Division Three, seven points adrift of the
A hospice has received a much-needed cash boost from a Castle Point charity. The Iris Club, based in the London Road, Hadleigh, raised a whopping £2,500 for St Luke's Hospice in Nethermayne, Basildon. Club representative Lisa White said: "St Luke's is
Essex brewer Ridley's are to sponsor of the 18th Great Baddow Charity Races on Sunday May 18. The event, which has been renamed the Ridley's Great Baddow Charity Races, is organised by the Rotary Club of Chelmsford Mildmay and raises money for local charities
A lone woman driver told this week of her terrifying road rage ordeal during a journey through Chelmsford. Nineteen-year-old Lucy Trim said that her car was repeatedly rammed by another at the White Horse roundabout at Widford. Miss Trim was driving to
Anti-war protesters are planning to take to the streets of Southend if and when war breaks out with Iraq. Members of the Southend Stop the War Coalition will make their way to pre-arranged demonstration points as soon as bombs start falling on Iraq. The
Bosses at a Hadleigh photography studio today thanked the families who helped them in their fundraising crusade for Little Haven children's hospice. Jill Thomas, office manager at Photography by Carole Anne in London Road, and Carole Anne herself launched
A bus driver targeted in two violent attacks in the past three months today said: "I must be the unluckiest person the world." Richard Jordan, 33, was left badly shaken after being slashed across the neck and robbed of his cash box in St George's toilets
Broadband internet access is on its way to Halstead after a BT-set trigger level of interest was achieved. BT set a trigger level for 350 Halstead residents to register their desire to use broadband before the town exchange would be converted to handle
Westcliff will be looking for revenge when they play Billericay in a friendly at home tomorrow, while Billericay will be looking to complete a double. It was back in October, on the day after the Westcliff club's 80th anniversary dinner that a fragile
A woman who spent her life helping elderly people has died aged 73. Sheridan Mount, of Braintree, grew up in east London and moved with her late husband William to Nayling Road in 1979. A magistrate for 25 years, Mrs Mount followed in Margaret Thatcher's
Basildon Council chairman had a tour around the "absolutely brilliant" St Lukes Hospice to thank him for his support. Joe White joined Thurrock mayor Gordon Barton in the tour around the Basildon centre. Catching up - Joe White, second left, and Gordon
A driver was airlifted to hospital after his car hit an electricity pole. The 34-year-old man is believed to have suffered spinal injuries in the smash which happened in Apton Hall Road, Canewdon, last night, causing a power blackout to nearby homes.
Gangs of nuisance yobs hanging around a trouble hotspot in Billericay and plaguing residents could be combated as a new youth club for the area gets underway. The new club is due to be set up in the town to rid Outwood Common from gangs of nuisance youths
The sparkle in the eye and the smile on the face tell you imediately that all is well in the life of Colchester United's Sam Stockley. Back in the side and clearly firing on all cylinders again, the former Southampton, Barnet and Oxford United defender
The axe has finally fallen on Chelmsford's Kings Road and Trent Road post offices. The closure of Trent Road on April 29 and Kings Road on April 30 was confirmed by the Post Office organisation on Wednesday as part of a nationwide programme designed to
Liam Chilvers signed a second month on loan for Colchester United today and said he hoped it would earn him a chance to play in a higher grade of football. The tough-tackling, but stylish 21-year-old Arsenal defender, happy to play anywhere along the
A young football fan is to see her name in print and her soccer poem published in an anthology. Charlotte Finch, 13, a pupil at Honywood School in Coggeshall, wrote the poem called Winter Night Football about her experiences watching Colchester United's
Teenagers have been getting their hands dirty in an effort to revamp a Benfleet club dedicated to keeping them off the streets. Members of the Appleton youth club, aged between 13 and 19, have been spending their half-term holiday armed with donated paint
Joe Royle believes Ipswich Town 'must win' tomorrow's showdown with strugglers Grimsby. The Blues, still licking their wounds after being beaten 4-2 by fellow promotion hopefuls Wolves on Wednesday, entertain the Mariners at Portman Road. And Town boss
Bob Sees of Tiptree Road Runners took advantage of Sunday's flat fast course at Great Bentley to take nearly six minutes off his personal best over ten miles. Clearly showing the benefits of his build-up for the London Marathon, Bob started at an easy
Southend's outgoing council leader has spoken of his sadness over the "gradual erosion" of councillors' powers to control the town's destiny. He told the full council which fixed this year's 16 per cent increase in council tax: "I feel that local councillors
Unemployed people in Castle Point could now find it easier to get work thanks to a state-of-the-art centre on Canvey. The new Jobcentre, plus office, will open its doors in Furtherwick Road on Monday for the first time, complete with its modern layout
Both V2003 headliners had reason to smile at last night's Brit Awards with Coldplay and the Red Hot Chili Peppers scooping trophies. Coldplay took home two awards and performed their latest single Clocks during the ceremony. They won Best British Group
Trade in Southend High Street is being badly damaged by utility works, it was claimed today. Large parts of the pedestrianised town centre are being dug up leaving mountains of rubble, pipes and heavy machinery surrounded by wire mesh fencing. Transco
A man has been jailed for four years for a nightclub attack which left a man needing metal plates inserted in his jaw. Gavin Eales was told by a Chelmsford Crown Court judge the attack at the Hippodrome club in Colchester had been "vicious" and there
Billericay Town go into home action with Kingstonian tomorrow with a "I want people who will die for the cause" warning from manager Gary Calder. The New Lodge boss admitted to being bitterly disappointed at his side's demise from the Essex Senior Cup
Runnymede finished a close third behind Romford and Colchester at the first Mini-League Gala in which Newham and Basildon were also involved. Many of the Runnymede swimmers were at their first competitive galas and their performances were beyond expectations
Harold Wood residents battling the threat of development on the Maylands Field site next to the A12 have vowed to oppose a planning application submitted by the man believed to be the new landowner. Fears that travellers could move onto on the 23-acre
A Clacton home reputed to be the most haunted house in Essex may soon be on our screens yet again. Anglia TV wants to film Treasure Holt, Burrs Road, for a new spooky series. Owners Charles Sambridge, a Little Clacton parish councillor, and his wife Pamela
The vibrant colours and aromas of a bustling fresh food market are being brought to Basildon. Plans to bring a Farmers' market to the centre of Basildon are being finalised. Kerry Whittaker - has her hands full organising the farmers' market Picture:
For the Leopards this game was about character, fitness and the desire to fight back against adversity. On Saturday night the Leopards suffered defeat at the London Towers and lost Yorick Williams through injury. Meanwhile, the Rocks produced an outstanding
Angry Andrew Baker today hit back at a new report which claimed headteachers lacked the necessary skills to drive forward major building projects at their schools. Mr Baker, head of Westcliff High School for Boys, said the Audit Commission study was "
Mystery was today surrounding the death of a man in Rochford who was brutally beaten by two men just days earlier. A post mortem examination failed to establish why 39-year-old Glen Riley died at his girlfriend's home in Malting Villas Road. However,
If their new year resolutions were "must do better" then Purfleet and Grays have clearly failed to keep them. Both Thurrock's major clubs faced different goals -- Fleet to try and win a first-ever Ryman Premier Division championship and Blues to justify
Great Wakering Rovers will fancy their chances of keeping their recent high-scoring ex-ploits going tomorrow afternoon. For they host a Hertford side currently bottom of the Ryman Division One North table with the worst defensive record. Hertford, seven
A pilot battled to avoid a plane crash as his stricken aircraft circled over Colchester The Cessna light plane eventually landed safely on a concrete, floodlit area at Roman Barracks as fire engines and paramedics stood by in case it burst into flames
A crash in which a 21-year-old man died is today being investigated by police. The driver was pronounced dead at the scene of last night's two-car collision on a bend in Tollgate Road in Colchester. He was driving his white Citroen Visa car from the Maldon
Distraught Alan Brunton today paid touching tributes to his 35-year-old brother who suddenly died just months before he was to be married. Raymond Brunton died of a heart attack at his home in Waters Close, Leigh, hours after enjoying a night at his local
Residents who object to plans to brighten up Billericay should "go live in Vange" where they will not get such investment, according to one councillor. Town councillor John Buchanan spoke out before controversial plans to build a £10,000 fountain in Lake
Fire officers have issued a stark warning to child arsonists who are believed to have set a barn alight twice a week. Crews were called to large empty buildings in Rose Lane, off Billericay High Street, yesterday afternoon. It took an hour to bring the
Gary Bellamy admits he doesn't know which Braintree Town side will turn up this weekend. The Iron were terrible in their 3-1 defeat to Bishop's Stortford last Saturday, but they bounced back with an excellent 2-0 win over Bedford on Tuesday. Bellamy's
Robbers posing as police raided the home of an elderly Copford couple after forcing their way in. The three men, who knocked at the terrified victims' door, shouted "Police!" and held up an official-looking piece of paper, struck last night in London
Deanes Sports College's £800,000 indoor tennis centre is due to open next Wednesday. Work started on the three-court facility at the Thundersley school last July and the finishing touches are now being put to the new building. Room with a view - head
Southend's bandstand could be rebuilt near its original location on the cliffs. The first choice for any new home would be between the Cliffs Pavilion and Queen Victoria's statue, said Tony North, executive councillor for leisure. Mr North told last night's
Police are hunting a man who indecently assaulted two teenage girls. Officers are appealing for anybody who was in the Ford Place area of South Ockendon at 1.20pm on Monday to contact them. The teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were walking along Stifford Road
A voucher scheme bringing special offers and huge savings to visitors of Basildon's Festival Leisure Park has been snapped up by 1,000 people in its first month. Yet despite the successful launch, complex manager Warren Blanchfield wants to keep up the
Athletes from Hockley's Greensward College have enjoyed success on two fronts. They produced a series of medal-winning performances at the inaugural Essex Indoor Champion-ships at Chelmsford's Melbourne Park Stadium and helped the county to victory in
The Evening Gazette can today exclusively reveal the real shortlist of three for the vacant Colchester United manager's job. They are current caretaker boss Geraint Williams, Reading player-coach Phil Parkinson and Southend United coach Stewart Robson
Essex Leopards England international Yorick Williams is receiving treatment on the injury he sustained during the recent game with London Towers. During the match, Williams fell, landed on his chest and for moments lay motionless on court. After receiving
Warning signs were today being placed on Tendring's beaches after another oil slick hit the area. Several birds were found dead following the discovery of pollutants yesterday Tendring Council was today set to go to several beaches to place warning signs
A businessman today vowed to bring cheer back into the life of a severely disabled woman whose wheelchair was stolen. Jean Buhler, 58, of Oakfield Road, Benfleet, was left housebound when her wheelchair was taken from her son's van. Mrs Buhler has severe
Witham's long-awaited town sign was erected in Newland Street on Tuesday afternoon. It will be formally unveiled tomorrow, just 10 weeks after the first ceremonial launch had to be abandoned when it was found the foundations were not strong enough. Braintree
The line up for V2003 has received another boost with PJ Harvey the latest act to confirm attendance. PJ Harvey and her band will be supporting two of the biggest names in live music - Coldplay and The Red Hot Chili Peppers - who both announced two weeks
The lead singer of V2003 headline act Coldplay criticised George Bush at last night's Brit Awards. Chris Martin - who accepted awards for best British group and album - spoke out against the American President's plans for war on Iraq. He told the 5,000
With results from the junior boys race not available at the time of going to press, Essex took two of the five team prizes on offer at the inter-county schools match held at Fawley, near Southampton, Hampshire. It was the two intermediate teams that captured
Housing for people with learning difficulties has been unveiled. New Essex Housing Association, with Bellway Homes, worked with Thurrock Council's social services to set up the scheme on the Chafford Hundred estate in Grays. New home - tenant Daniel Copeland
A lorry driver had to be cut out of his cab today after a serious accident involving two HGVs on the M25 near the junction with the A127. Rush-hour traffic was reduced to two lanes after the crash halfway between junction 29, Upminster, and junction 30
West Ham United face a vital game on Sunday when they travel to fellow relegation strugglers West Brom. Defeat would leave the Hammers four points adrift of their Midlands rivals, and reeling from a huge psychological blow with just ten further games
Detectives investigating the stabbing of a 15-year-old have released descriptions of his attackers. The teenager was stabbed when a gang of four or five men wielding knives and baseball bats forced their way into the home he shares with his mother. The
Essex MPs are supporting moves by two animal charities to bring tighter controls on the sale, use and noise levels of fireworks. Guide Dogs for the Blind is urging MPs to support the second reading of a Private Members Bill to help bring tighter controls
An elderly couple living next door to the Bocking bungalow wrecked by a gas blast today spoke publicly for the first time about the drama. Just one ceiling remained in Doreen and Robert Russell's semi-detached council-owned bungalow in Church Street,
A Stansted firm is marketing a revolutionary new anti-terrorism device which could save hundreds of lives if a bomb is found in a plane or at an airport. CMC (Conflict Management Consultants) is acting as the UK agent for SEMA-World, based in Paris, which
Just five hotspots in Colchester account for nearly 60 per cent of crime in the town. There are 27 wards in Colchester - but 58 per cent of all recorded crime occurs in just five of them. They are St Andrew's, New Town, Castle, Harbour and Mile End. The
A man has been jailed for a high-speed chase on the A12 from Colchester to Chelmsford Police clocked 23-year-old Joseph Larsh at speeds up to 130mph in a turbo-charged Mazda RX as he weaved in and out of heavy traffic on the road. When he was eventually
The owner of Basildon Zoo may face prosecution for her part in the sale of Carla the lioness. Yolande Surcouf, who hit back at an undercover operation by the BBC's UK's Worst Pet Shops saying she was caught in a sting, may face court. The programme showed
An Essex village could become a mecca for witchcraft pilgrimages if the bones of a sorceress are brought to the village. St Osyth Parish Council voiced its fears after hearing villager Jeff Nunn had tracked down the bones of Ursula Kemp, who was hanged
Arena boss Ronnie Russell has hit out at the fixture compilers over the delay in producing the fixture list, which has left him without one of his heat leaders for the Good Friday cup-tie. He fumed, "Because of a u-turn by Elite League clubs, I'm having
Canvey Island go to Essex rivals Braintree tomorrow hoping to gain a psychological boost over main Ryman Premier title rivals Aldershot Town. With the Hampshire side out of action as scheduled opponents Aylesbury are playing in the FA Trophy, Gulls will
