Government minister Stephen Twigg was accused of being responsible for the deaths of 500,000 Iraqi children during a visit to Colchester. Seven representatives of the Colchester Peace Campaign turned out to lobby Mr Twigg, the youth and student minister
Bomb disposal experts were alerted after an unidentified object was spotted just yards from Clacton's historic pier. The metal object was showing just above the waterline to the east of the structure and the area was cordoned off yesterday afternoon as
Southend United's multi-million-pound move to a new stadium could be under threat because of tough new Government guidelines. The new rules, unveiled today by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, could also scupper proposals for a B&Q warehouse on
Five projects could get the green light next week when councillors hand over cash from public funds. Braintree District Council's Witham Area Committee is expected to agree to helps towards five schemes ready to be launched in Witham, Feering, Kelvedon
Plans for a housing development on the site of a former factory would contain safe levels of contamination, a meeting heard. Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society wants outline permission for 70 homes at Capitol House, Main Road, Dovercourt.
Vets today warned pet owners to be alert to the dangers of buying and caring for rabbits at this time of year. As the weather gets warmer the fatal disease myxomatosis spreads faster. Pet owners are advised to have their rabbits vaccinated by vets every
Thieves have struck for a second time at LaFarge Aggregates in Chelmsford, just over two weeks after the company was broken into for the first time. The Roxwell Road company was burgled on April 14, when thieves smashed windows on eight machines, taking
Carers across Canvey were celebrating today after they received a richly-deserved financial boost - thanks to a funky jazz cruise. Members of the island branch of Crossroads organised a boat cruise down the Thames and managed to raise £700. Crossroads
We're Gunner have a great time . . . that's the message from hundreds of youngsters who've been enjoying top soccer coaching during the Easter Holidays. The grassroots soccer academy of Arsenal scout Bob Woolf, with support from Echosport through competitions
Two of Maldon's major new events for 2003 will be launched at a special opening ceremony tonight. Maldon's first-ever beer festival, organised by Dengie Camra, will be giving lift-off at the town hall tonight. The stage will also be set for the launch
Getting to grips with a toothbrush isn't easy when you're a dog. But that didn't seem to prove much of a problem for Oscar, a four-year-old Hungarian Viszla, when he went along for a dental check and tips on avoiding tooth decay. Smile, please - a brush
The operator behind Stansted Express could soon be running rail services for the whole of East Anglia. Rail services are set for a shake-up next year when the region's new franchises are awarded. Stansted Express route director Alex Warner is delighted
Braintree shopping village owners Freeport Leisure today played down reports it could be bought out. Shares in the property company, which specialises in factory outlet shopping villages, like the one off Braintree's Millennium Way, have been rising following
A revolutionary drug which gives heart attack victims a far greater chance of survival is being trialled in south Essex ambulances. The drug - which costs £600 an injection - will be used in emergencies after patients have been evaluated by paramedics
Computer expert Irene Parsons told today how she started studying for a degree course as a man - and completed it as a woman. Gaining an Open University degree was a life-changing experience. Success - Irene celebrates after getting her degree Picture
Victims of vandalism in a village are joining forces in a bid to fight back. Residents in Holland-on-Sea have had enough of their homes and gardens coming under attack and have printed a leaflet in an effort to combat crime. More than 500 have been put
The south Essex home of West Ham boss, Glenn Roeder, was vandalised just hours before he collapsed with a stroke. Roeder, who lives in Shenfield, is in the Royal London Hospital after he suffered a blockage of a minor blood vessel in his brain. It was
Monday's defeat at Boston was not a particularly memorable day for most Southend United fans, but Dave Worton was an exception. After clocking countless miles, Worton ticked York Street off his list to complete a trip to each of this season's 92 League
Southend United striker Tes Bramble was expected to make his comeback in the Shrimpers' reserves against Barnet at Roots Hall today. The 22-year-old frontman has missed Blues' last four Third Division outings with a combination of illness and injury.
This summer residents in Ongar, North Weald and Abridge are being urged to get their boots on and do the walk of life. On Thursday, May 1 Epping Forest District Council will celebrate the second birthday of its popular and successful walking for health
Are satellite dishes a blot on the urban landscape or should they be allowed anywhere? The Government wants to know what you think. Under current regulations, householders in most areas do not need planning permission to install a satellite dish, but
A family which has rescued animals for nearly nine years has appealed for the public to rescue them and their own pets. Four dogs, five cats, 11 chickens and around 30 birds may be put down after the Wickford family, which did not wish to be named, was
The tears flowed for S Club fans when the group announced they were to split - no more so than in the south Essex home of schoolgirl Annie Cummings. In fact, her tears went national when she appeared on GMTV with her cousins when they told of their sadness
A 12-year-old boy was assaulted as he walked home from the shops with friends. Police said they were walking into Vincent Road, Shoebury, after visiting a newsagent's when they were approached by three men. One grabbed the boy by the neck and punched
There was traffic disruption after bomb disposal experts were called out to remove an unexploded mortar shell found dumped in a ditch. A road had to be closed off for more than two hours while Army personnel dealt with the dangerous discovery. The military
Sporting hero Dean Macey is defying a decision to close his favourite running track - by jumping the fence to use the crumbling facility. Dean, who is gearing up for this summer's World Athletics Championships in France, told how no one is going to stop
Thousands of warning leaflets are to be distributed to the areas of Southend worst hit by burglars. Southend Neighbourhood Watch came up with the idea and design for the fluorescent leaflet, which says: "Burglars have been active in your area lately.
Last orders at the Bard! Patriotic pub landlady Theresa Lee is challenging punters to get poetic "for Harry, England and St George". Theresa, of Ardleigh's Crown Inn, wants visitors to pen Shakespearean sonnets to celebrate St George's Day today The patron
Police in south Essex today issued a warning to parents that their children could be breaking the law by riding motorised scooters. The scooters - known as "buzz boards" - have become hugely popular in recent weeks as the price plummets and the temperatures
Micky Stockwell has announced his retirement from League football. The evergreen former Maldon Plume schoolboy will hang up his boots at the end of the season. His professional playing career has spanned 21 years and 757 Premiership, League and cup games
Police are trying to track down a young girl on a bike who may have witnessed a vicious assault. A 29-year-old man was left with serious cuts and bruises to his face after he was headbutted in what police believe was an unprovoked attack in Hamstel Road
An angina sufferer claims she was forced to stop faulty hospital equipment falling apart after alarms sounded to tell nurses she was dead. Sylvia Hickman, of Harwich, said she held wires linking her chest to a heart monitor for more than an hour because
Maths has taken on a new twist at a Canvey school where a sculpture garden is being created based on a spiral design. Plans - Lisa Hawker and friends start work on the project Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Bricklayers led by Vernon Cocks, of LC Construction,
One of the most experienced managers in football has called on West Ham's players to repay the dedication of Glenn Roeder by winning their remaining games and salvaging top flight status. Lawrie McMenemy, who took charge of more than 1,000 games at club
Marconi Group, which has offices in Chelmsford, has announced that its creditors overwhelmingly back the proposed restructuring of the company. It said more than 90% of its creditors support the plans. As part of the restructuring, Marconi will hand over
A red Peugeot car smashed into the gates of a primary school on Sunday evening - but the driver and passengers fled before police arrived at the scene. A member of the public called police after seeing the impact at Vange Primary School, in London Road
Allotment holders anxious about losing plots in one of the best-kept sites in Thurrock were sent a message of reassurance this week. Gardening enthusiasts with plots at Hogg Lane, Grays, were frightened about losing their tenure after finding the site
A pub was today celebrating a victorious bid for a public entertainment licence, despite fierce opposition from neighbours. However, there are strict licence conditions on the Benfleet Tavern, in High Road, Benfleet, and it will be restricted to between
Ipswich Town skipper Matt Holland believes 'miracles do happen' and that the Blues can still capture a top-six spot. Town's hopes of edging into the play-offs were dealt a cruel blow on Easter Monday as Rotherham completed the double over them with a
A packed guide of information on Chelmsford for parents of young children has been published by the Chelmsford and District branch of the NCT, National Childbirth Trust. Costing only £2 Chelmsford for Children, a survival guide for parents of under fives
Police in Maldon could be coming over all Dixon of Dock Green if plans to install an old-fashioned blue gaslight get the go-ahead. A scheme to plant a tree as part of improvement works in West Square was thwarted by a mystery underground pit. Now Maldon
Shoppers and workers are furious after being caught out by a bank holiday parking blitz Over recent years bank holidays were treated as Sundays allowing people to park on North Hill and along the High Street unrestricted. But over the Easter weekend Colchester
Residents in Frinton have given Aussie comedian Mark Little top marks for his portrayal of their town on television. Despite causing consternation by lighting up a barbecue on the prized greensward, they were generally more than happy with the presenter's
Plans to name new streets after local war heroes have been warmly welcomed by the public. The idea of naming new streets on Witham's Maltings Lane estate after the town's dead war heroes was put out for public consultation at the end of last year and
Essex Police today dismissed claims that EastEnders star Jessie Wallace was given special treatment when she was whisked away in a police car after a brief court appearance. The 31-year-old star who plays Kat Slater in the soap, is due to stand trial
Lake Meadows regular Len Smith has taken the lake's biggest-ever carp haul by banking 17 fish in a 12-hour session. Smith arrived at the park soon after the gates opened at 5pm, but spent nearly two hours looking for signs of feeding fish before deciding
Angry traders in Rochford are raising petitions, backed by parish councillors, to stop the proposed sale of a free public car park in the centre of the town. Parish council chairman Myra Weir, her husband David and council vice chairman Maureen Vince
A woman who stole from her grandmother was today starting a 12-month community rehabilitation order. Southend Magistrates heard Carleah Day, 22, of Stevens Close, Canvey, admit one count of theft and two counts of obtaining property by deception. Prosecutor
Organisers are hoping the second farmers' market in Basildon goes down as well as the first. Town centre bosses were delighted with the success of the first market three weeks ago and hope to see a similar response to the next one on April 30. Town centre
Apologetic leaflets distributed by power company 24seven have been described as "confusing" and "out-of-date" by a county councillor. Roger Walters, county councillor for Braintree West, even said he is sceptical about the figures stated in the leaflets
The nurses from Farleigh at St Clare's Hospice are taking part in their annual sponsored walk on May 11 to help raise funds for the organisation. Even though the walk is known as the Nurses' Annual Sponsored Walk it is open to anybody who wants to help
Flytippers dumped rubbish in a cemetery as families paid respect to their loved ones. Dumped - Geoff Dawson checks the mess Picture: MAXINE CLARKE The car park of the cemetery, in Hall Road, Rochford, was scattered with bags containing concrete posts
