Despite another excellent bowling performance from Nathan Batson, who took 6-59, Billericay were beaten again. At least, however, their seven-point haul was more than that collected by basement pair Southend and Old Southendian. They will be disappointed
Chris Williams hit an unbeaten century while skipper Tim Wade enjoyed a great day with bat and ball, but Westcliff had to settle for a frustrating draw at Hornchurch. Opener John Pratt (46) laid the foundations for Westcliff's 288-5 in 48 overs batting
Hundreds more villages and hamlets than the Government predicts will be bombarded by noise pollution and residents' lives made a misery if three new runways are built at Stansted Airport, it was warned this week New noise maps, produced by Stop Stansted
A cross-dressing cocaine user broke into the home of his wife's friend and stole some of her clothes as he wanted to wear them, a court heard. Dale Johnston knew the woman was away at the time so he drove to her home and broke in through a window. When
Heart patients are being saved a long journey with the opening of a new service at a mid Essex hospital A new cardiac angiography suite will be officially opened today at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital. It will cater for patients of the Mid Essex Hospital
Crooked accountant Colin Marco, who cheated clients out of £500,000, is behind bars. But his sentence of four years and ten months came under attack by unlucky investors who attended Basildon Crown Court. One woman, who parted with £10,000, fumed: "It's
Yobs who threw a missile at a train, smashing a window and causing widespread delays, have been criticised by police. The incident comes just days after National Railway Crime Week urged young people to stay away from railway lines. The train was attacked
Firefighters from across south Essex will compete against each other to raise money for child burns victims. Pat Wade from the Burned Children's Club, which has helped hundreds of children regain their confidence after suffering severe and disfiguring
Thousands of folk fans headed to the coast at the weekend for one of Essex's largest musical events. Going green - Chris Stone from Border Dash The three-day Southend and Leigh Folk Festival, held in Leigh Broadway and in Old Leigh, attracted performers
The cream of Southend's sporting youngsters have been awarded for their success at the Essex Youth Games. Well done - Southend mayor Charles Latham takes steps to meet representatives from each of the main groups who took part Picture: MIKE NEVILLE About
Weekly refuse collections may return to South Woodham Ferrers under a review currently being undertaken by the borough council. Chelmsford Borough Council is rethinking its policy on the collection of refuse in the town, where recyclable and non-recyclable
Big-hearted runners have sprinted up £600 to help boost school funds. Around 170 people, from teenagers to grown-ups, dug deep into their pockets to take part in the FitzWimarc School five-mile-run and raise cash for the school. Paul Heale, a governor
The eighth annual Concert in the Park is thought to have attracted nearly 7,000 people on Saturday night. The world famous Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with support from soprano Helen Lyons and Hockley-based Kids Choir 2000, entertained a huge crowd
Commuters faced long delays today after a four-car pile up on the A12 brought traffic to a standstill. The accident happened on the Colchester-bound carriageway of the A12, on the Witham bypass, shortly after 6.30am. A car left the road and hit the steel
The master plan for the redevelopment of the St Botolph's quarter of Colchester has met with mixed feelings by traders in the area. Most agree the area needs a boost, but some have concerns about the loss of parking. Steve Miller, owner of Miller Stationary
Romantic Dean Wilcox made a desperate escape on his way to jail -- because he was missing his girlfriend. Wilcox, 25, later met up with the girl in Southend, but she decided to turn him in for his own good, Basildon Crown Court was told. He pleaded guilty
A garden which can survive a drought without the need for sprinklers and hose pipes has won a prestigious water efficiency award. The Dry Garden at RHS Garden Hyde Hall, Rettendon, which covers 1,500 square metres and consists of 5,500 plants, has won
Landlords and private homeowners across the district are set to be given a helping hand by Basildon Council. The council will assist with vital repairs and modernisation if members give the go ahead to a new finance policy. The government has scrapped
Canvey Island soccer boss Jeff King has made his first summer move into the transfer market to capture the services of ex-Nationwide League player Ty Gooden. The 30-year-old midfielder, on Arsenal's books as a trainee, announced earlier this month that
Basildon & Pitsea's pressure failed to reap any reward as they lost by three wickets at home to the Division Three leaders. Frank McCloud (82) was the cornerstone of the new towners' innings, while Luke Daw contributed 22. But Hain (4-41) and Spooner
A driver died after he was thrown out of the passenger side window of his car which overturned near Clacton town centre. The 29-year-old, who has not been named by police, went through the window of the red Vauxhall Nova, which then landed on him. He
Joe Dunne was back at Layer Road today ready to take on his new role with Colchester United. The popular 30-year-old U's favourite, who was forced into premature retirement through injury at the end of last season, has been invited back to take up a coaching
A robber punched a taxi driver in the face then snatched his takings. The attack happened in St Andrew's Gardens, in the St Anne's area of Colchester, while the driver was parked up after dropping off a passenger. It left the victim, who works for PDQ
Police have appealed for witnesses who have come across a man claiming to be from the electricity board. The scruffy suspect conman has knocked at addresses in Benfleet and his presence has prompted calls of concern to police. The latest incident happened
Cyclists now have somewhere to store their bikes while at a Leigh school. New cycle storage facilities which take 50 bikes for both staff and pupils, together with lockers for helmets, have been unveiled at Darlinghurst Primary School, in Pavilion Drive
A foggy night in Liverpool cleared the path for a life-changing encounter for Bill and Elsie Andrews. The couple, both 82, of Woodside Avenue, Benfleet, who are now celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary, may never have met if the mists had not descended
Maldon all-rounder Glen Batticciotto admitted he was shocked when he found out he was playing in the same side as England Test captain Nasser Hussain for Essex Seconds at Colchester's Castle Park. "It was quite a surprise to see him there when I turned
A young family would almost certainly have died within seconds if they had been at home when a massive explosion devastated their house in the middle of the night. It sent glass from the front windows flying across the road in Merrivale, South Benfleet
Two grandmothers who launched a campaign to re-open Canvey police station will soon see their 5,000 strong petition presented in the House of Commons. Maggie Robbins, 61, of Craven Avenue, Canvey, and Maureen Campbell, 61, of Southwick Avenue, Canvey,
A teenage boy today told how he pleaded for mercy as a vicious attacker bit off half his ear in a horrific seafront attack. The 15-year-old - who lives in the town centre - will now need up to four operations to rebuild his ear after the sickening incident
A park was filed with the sound of music when more than 20 marching bands took part in a competition. Style - the Hadleigh Marching Militaire perform at the annual Colchester band competition Picture: ROB SAMBROOK The 22 bands from around the country
Four people, including an 11-year-old boy, were taken to hospital after a three-car crash on the outskirts of Clacton. The boy is believed to have suffered a broken wrist in the accident in St John's Road, near Pumphill Garage, on Saturday night. PC Robin
A traditional Sunday walk in the park took on a whole new look when more than 100 dogs and their owners arrived. The walkers at Highwoods Country Park in Colchester were all taking part in the annual Headway Dogathon, an event which is itself becoming
Residents who spot low-flying military aircraft roaring over Castle Point are being urged to contact borough MP Bob Spink Mr Spink is researching the issue after a resident contacted him and complained about an increase in sightings. He said: "A constituent
Schoolchildren in Dovercourt were left stranded on Friday when their coach for a day out to London failed to turn up. Eighty pupils from years five and six at Mayflower Primary School were due to arrive in London at 10.15am to visit the London Aquarium
A resurgence of form has seen Leigh climb to fourth place in the table after two straight wins. It's a far cry from a fortnight ago when Leigh were in complete gloom after being bowled out for 80, but they followed up only their second win of the season
Skipper Devang Gandhi smashed his first century of the season but to no avail as his Hadleigh side were well beaten by title contenders Gidea Park and Romford. Indian Test star Ghandi played a dominant innings of 119 but found little support from the
Stanford kept up the pressure on leaders Hutton with a five-wicket triumph away to Harold Wood. Nadeem Sohail (84) was the architect of the hosts' innings as he combined with D Hollingsworth for a 121 second wicket stand. But Harold Wood then started
A man was today starting a four and a half year jail sentence for indecently assaulting an eight-year-old girl and taking indecent photographs of his young victim. Laurance Oliver, 44, of Second Avenue, Canvey, was sentenced at Southend Crown Court on
Commuters from Southend, and the north of the county using the rail route to Liverpool Street,will see their services taken over by new operators next year. FirstGroup, the company which operates the Great Eastern franchise from the London terminus has
Basildon band Depeche Mode kept the crowds entertained at this year's Glastonbury festival - as the event was hailed the best ever by organiser Michael Eavis. As the event drew to a peaceful close and more than 100,000 ticket-holders gathered at the 1,000
A woman was left with a two-inch laceration to her scalp after her husband attacked her with a kettle, a court heard. It was one of a catalogue of injuries David Tweed inflicted on his wife, Linda, after he returned to his Stones Green home on May 3.
A battling fifth wicket century partnership between Matthew Walker and Mark Ealham held up Essex's victory bid in their Championship duel against Kent at Chelmsford yesterday. They came together with 25 still needed to clear off the arrears after Nasser
Multi-million pound plans to upgrade education facilities in Clacton have been given top marks. Essex county councillors met on Friday to discuss a new permanent school building for Bishops Park College, in Jaywick Lane, as well as major improvements
Road plans which have caused a storm of protest in Southend are to be finally decided by a Government inspector at a public inquiry, it was revealed today. Because of the number of objections to the £8million plans for widening Priory Crescent, transport
Although the Old Boys picked up only three points from this defeat -- one less than neighbours Southend, the only team below them in the Division Two table, they were far from downhearted. They gave second-placed Brentwood a good game despite being without
The pong which has been getting up the noses of residents for months has finally disappeared, the Environment Agency claims. Meanwhile, a new draft independent report has revealed the concentration of potentially harmful substances in the air is not high
A 15-year-old girl died in a car crash after the 4x4 vehicle she was a passenger in careered off a quiet country road in Halstead. Police have arrested a 15-year-old girl who was believed to be driving the car in connection with the incident on Saturday
A popular nursery group is to close after 20 years. Founder Lyn Mann, 56, is closing the group, which she has run from her home in Old Road, Frinton, due to ill health. She said: "I have had the most wonderful children and the most wonderful support from
Council tenants in Basildon are getting a better deal than ever before, a survey revealed today. The results of a poll carried out in January 2003 suggest 85.5 per cent of residents in council accommodation are satisfied with the service they receive.
Four thousand women braved top temperatures to take in the Race For Life at Hylands Park in Chelmsford to raise money for Cancer Research. The annual 5km race goes on at venues all over the country raising thousands of pounds for the charity and numbers
A young family were today lucky to be alive after a massive explosion devastated their home. It sent glass from the windows flying across the road in Merrivale, Benfleet, and left the back of the house gaping open. Miraculously, the semi-detached house
Family members today told of their shock after the wife of murdered Braintree businessman Derek Salmon was jailed for life The family of Rita Salmon have told of their "distress" after a jury on Friday took less than two hours to find her guilty of murdering
World championship medalist and record holder Mark Foster thrilled fans when he appeared at his old swimming club. Mark - who grew up in Thorpe Bay -- visited Southend-on-Sea Swimming Club squad's training session at the Warrior Swim Centre after he offered
Helen Crook's Wimbledon campaign ended with straight sets defeats in both the ladies' and mixed doubles. The Basildon player lost out to Grand Slam veteran Martina Navratilova before another defeat in the mixed to the tournament's number three seeds on
Two coveted tickets for the Wimbledon ladies final are up for grabs at a charity auction to raise funds for the Helen Rollason Cancer Care Centre Appeal. The Felsted fundraising group for the centre is holding the auction for the tickets, including parking
A new children's centre is being planned with a view to giving youngsters in disadvantaged areas a better start in life. The Government is set to provide funding amounting to £744,503 over the next three years to establish the centre, which is a new requirement
Arena Essex gained a 14-point lead to take to Newcastle in the return leg of this quarter final Knockout Cup tie between the sides when they beat the north-east side 55-41 on Friday night at the Purfleet Raceway. An enthralling match produced two star
A school conjured up enough magical activities to keep even the most ardent Harry Potter fan happy at its summer fete. It's magic - Harry Potter look-alike Martin Potter, with Danielle Fuller and Francesca King at the Downhall fete Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
Councillors and officers have acted swiftly to quash fears that Castle Point jobs and services could be cut to save cash. They were speaking as they prepared for tonight's meeting to approve the council's statement of accounts for 2002/3, and wanted to
Hundreds of revellers enjoyed the summer sunshine at the Witham Medieval Fair. Medieval dress was optional but certainly order of the day at the event in and around St Nicolas Church, Chipping Hill, on Saturday. This year's theme was Caxton and the birth
Paul Bennett won the toss for the first time this season, but that was as good as the day got for Horndon as Orsett raced to victory on Saturday. "I hadn't won a toss all year . . . and I wish I hadn't this time after the way things worked out," said
Three teenage soldiers have been sent to a young offenders' institution for an unprovoked attack on two men. The Army careers of Ben Duff, Zak Khan and Mark Bannister lay in tatters on Friday after they were sentenced to between three and six months The
Benfleet kept on the winning trail with victory over lowly Epping at Woodside Park by six wickets. Sibley made a very quick 22 for the visitors before Stephen Scott (2-40) and Ben West (4-59) claimed wickets to leave Epping at 49-4. But Oliver (51) and
Carnival revellers basked in the sunshine as Great Bentley staged its annual event around England's largest village green. The procession proved a popular draw for residents, who also enjoyed all the fun of stalls and sideshows, funfair, children's races
New Southend United goalkeeper Carl Emberson has set his sights on claiming a hat-trick of Third Division promotions. The 29-year-old giant has joined Blues on a free transfer, putting pen-to-paper on a two-year contract with the Roots Hall club. Carl
