An 18-month-old child died today in a blaze at a south Essex flat. The girl, named by neighbours as Analise, died after flames swept through the council flat in Cranell Green, off Stifford Road, South Ockendon. Firefighters were called just after 7.20am
Colchester heart patients have been told not to be sceptical about the location of a new £56 million specialist heart and chest centre for Essex. The next stage of development for the caridothoracic centre at Basildon and Thurrock University Hospital
A Frinton store's plans to get tough on underage drinking have been welcomed. Convenience shop, Spar, in Connaught Avenue, has brought in a strict new policy to only sell alcohol to people over the age of 21. The new measure, made public with a notice
Elderly bus passengers living inside Frinton's railway gates face a long walk during the peak holiday period. Buses have been banned from going into the resort for much of the day in a bid to ease town centre congestion in the traffic-clogged streets.
Prisoners barricaded themselves into part of Chelmsford prison during an eight-hour disturbance. Officers there had to put out several small fires, believed to have been started deliberately, while four fire engines stood by in case they were needed.
Heave ho me hearties. Pub teams from Wivenhoe and Fingringhoe battled it out in a traditional tug o'war contest across the River Colne in front of a huge crowd. Teams from both sides of the river will be sharing the trophy it will be on display at the
A 20-year-old man has died following a car crash at Ulting, near Maldon. The man had been driving a Renault Clio along the B1019 between Maldon and Hatfield Peverel when he was involved in a collision with a Ford Fiesta car at Doe's Corner yesterday evening
The carp anglers had a productive week with the better fish all being landed once the cloudy, windy conditions arrived at Doggett's of Rochford. Regular Bob Brogden from Kent took advantage of the overcast conditions and his haul stands at three mirrors
A cyclist was taken to hospital after he was knocked from his bike in Dovercourt on Sunday night. He had been cycling along Parkeston Road, towards Main Road, when he was hit from behind by a car at 10.15pm. The cyclist fell to the ground and hit his
Plans for a £2billion superport on the banks of the Thames as part of the Gateway development would lead to the "rape" of the area, it has been claimed. Thurrock Council last night unanimously opposed the port scheme, which would create 14,500 jobs and
The order has been placed for Great Notley's first skateboarding ramp. After two years of asking for more play equipment, youngsters in the village will finally be getting their own equipment. Angela Balcombe, Great Notley Parish Council clerk, ordered
The father of a rugby player who died after a diving accident has warned others to stop jumping into the sea. Andrew Dunsire, 20, of Station Road, Wrabness, died on Monday after the accident at Dovercourt on July 20. His father, Michael Tidmarsh, thanked
Several small strips of land have been sold off by Castle Point Council in a bid to clean-up areas of the borough. Part of a car park in School Lane, Benfleet has been sold to four residents who want to extend their gardens. Asset management councillors
The speed at which Tendring Council is dealing with planning applications has improved - but it will have to do even better in the future. The council was placed under special measures last autumn and set targets to achieve by the Government. Planning
Thomas Gaardsoe was today on the verge of completing a cut-price move to West Bromwich Albion. The Ipswich Town defender negotiated personal terms with the Baggies yesterday after the clubs agreed a fee, thought to be in the region of £500,000. West Brom
Southend United's attacking central midfielder Jay Smith has stepped up his rehabilitation programme, Blues boss Steve Wignall confirmed today. The 21-year-old has suffered a frustrating five months battling to overcome a troublesome groin injury, but
A long-awaited sensory garden may never be completed unless thousands of pounds in sponsorship can be found. The designer of a new garden at the Tyrells Centre in Thundersley has expressed concern just days after volunteers moved into clear the land.
More than 200 mourners attended the funeral of a 20-year-old man who died when a car full of friends crashed. Mourners - more than 200 people attended Richard Ellis's funeral service at Chelmsford Crematorium Picture: ROB SAMBROOK Moving tributes were
Birdlovers could mount a vigil at a quayside to protect the famous swans that gather there. They fear the white-plumed birds at Mistley are being picked-off, killed and mutilated and are considering keeping guard over them. As reported in the Evening
A man claimed that he thought a schoolgirl he met on Southend seafront was about 17 or 18. She was, in fact, 15 and happy to date 32-year-old Wilhelme Wibbeke, Basildon Crown Court was told. Wibbeke pleaded guilty to rape and was jailed for two-and-a-half
Elderly patients are waiting more than a year for hearing tests, the matron of a Frinton nursing home has claimed. Rosemary Dandy, who works at Reed House residential home for the elderly blind, says two of her patients, aged 94 and 86, have been told
Essex came within a whisker of being promoted to the top flight of the men's County Week competition in Norfolk. The county lost out on elevation from Group Two at Cromer by one set after the Essex men finished level with Berkshire on three wins each.
Plans for a £2billion superport on the banks of the Thames as part of the Gateway development would lead to the "rape" of the area, it has been claimed. Thurrock Council last night unanimously opposed the port scheme, which would create 14,500 jobs and
A number of different areas in south Essex are to benefit from a huge cash injection via the Thames Gateway. A cash injection of almost £30 million for Southend could herald the start of the long-awaited outer bypass for the town, according to senior
Children have been celebrating the first anniversary of their school by parachute jumping and disco dancing. Pupils at Briscoe Primary School in Felmores Way, Basildon, joined staff in a fun day to mark the end of a hard but successful 12 months. The
Bungling burglar Derek Pallett made life easy for police - he left pictures of himself on the floor of a house he raided. Police were soon able to recognise 21-year-old Pallett, of Cagefield Road, Rochford. He pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to
Lottery jackpot winner Doug Wood has been found dead at his home. Mr Wood's body was discovered late yesterday afternoon by the sons of his cleaner, Mrs Susan Nice, who lives a few doors away and has a key to his house in Midhurst Avenue, Westcliff. Mr
Boyce Hill Ladies have reached the seventh round of the prestigious Mail on Sunday Golf Club Classic -- the biggest club team championship in the world. They have been crowned Essex champions after following a first-round bye with wins over Orsett, Thorpe
Rising Essex stars Graham Napier and Will Jefferson have been picked to play in all-star side chosen by the Professional Cricketers Association. The duo will line up alongside a host of experienced internationals against the touring South African side
Maldon has one of the best councils in the country when it comes to recovering costs for dumped cars. The district council's environmental services spokesman Martin Walker made the claim following news that the authority has recovered nearly £700 in the
Adrian Coote scored in Colchester United's 2-1 win at Ryman League division one north side Berkamsted Town last night. The U's joint record-signing, who spent most of last season on the sidelines, was joined on the scoresheet by teenager Craig Johnston
A very consistent day from five handicapper Ray Weidner saw him carry off Rochford Hundred's much-coveted Billy Bines trophy -- a 36-hole bogey competition -- on Sunday. Weidner had three birdies and 13 pars in the morning to come in on plus four and
West Ham triallist Rob Lee has warned his future team-mates to get ready for a scrap if they want to bounce back to the top flight. The classy Hammers squad have been installed as red-hot favourites to romp to the first division championship, but looked
Green activists told the Government today not to pump money into road building but instead inject funds into public transport. Members of the the South east Green Party handed out leaflets to commuters at Benfleet railway station this morning urging them
Two heroes who rescued a suicidal woman from a river in Chelmsford, are to be honoured with a top award. Steven Lane, of Hilary Close, Chelmsford and Steven Brewer, of Mersey Road, Witham, risked falling into near freezing water at the meeting point of
Hadleigh has been placed even more firmly on the map. A new town sign has been erected to welcome people into the community. Members of Hadleigh Village WI admire the new sign erected to welcome newcomers to the community Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Members
The dedication of a group of volunteer gardeners has seen them scoop a medal at a major competition. A team from the Brightlingsea in Bloom committee beat off tough competition from other major UK towns to win a silver medal at the RHS National Flower
Schools are being urged to collect old copies of the Yellow Pages and win cash. Rochford District Council has teamed up with Yellow Pages, the Woodland Trust, and the Directory Recycling Scheme for the project. Schools simply collect old copies of the
Villagers who narrowly escaped death when a jet crashed near Stansted Airport in 1999 reacted angrily this week when an official report confirmed suspicions that the plane took off with an unrepaired fault The pilots failed to respond properly when a
Blues had a Clarets fan seeing red when the Southend United's football bus went to Chelmsford. Diehard Chelmsford City fan Basil Monk was furious when he saw the Shrimpers' roadshow set up in Chelmsford High Street on Tuesday. The 73-year-old was "incensed
Youngsters made good use of their wild west skills when they tried the latest bucking bronco - called a Wotsit Wobbler. The South Woodham Ferrers branch of store chain Asda, in Queen Elizabeth II Square, hired the Wobbler to give young people in the area
Colchester singer-songwriter Peter Brame has made it into BBC's Fame Academy. His bravura performance in front of a television audience of millions won him a place in the £35 million Fame Academy country mansion. Playing the fame game - Peter Brame has
Canvey Island will be aiming to bounce back form Tuesday night's 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Gillingham when their Kent neighbours Gravesend and Northfleet are the guests at Park Lane. Jeff King's men will be keen to get one over on their old Ryman Premier
The manager of a Pilgrims Hatch off-licence robbed at gunpoint by Daniel Grimes during a terrifying raid has told of her relief that he is now behind bars. Mita Barry, of Unwins Wine Merchants in Ongar Road, was in the shop with her daughter, who was
A mother's plans to move to a better house for her physically and mentally disabled son have been dashed after her housing association blocked the move. Kerry Flanagan, who lives with her two-year-old son Joe and three daughters in Seaforth Avenue, Southend
Tony Palladino earned warm praise from head coach Graham Gooch after turning in the best performance by an Essex bowler this season. The paceman, playing in only his second Championship match, returned figures of 6-41 from 15 overs as Kent were bowled
A young woman had a lucky escape after vandals threw objects at the bus she was on. The objects smashed through a nearby window, shattering fragments of glass across her face and body. The attack was directed at a First bus as it was driving through Millennium
The Celts are coming to Cressing. A historical re-enactment of the Iron Age will be set up at Cressing Temple today comprising basket weaving, pottery making, Celtic warriors, wool spinning and traditional tools. Children and adults can take part in crafts
An entrepreneur has handed in a petition after he was asked to move his car cleaning business from a Colchester business park. Asked to move - David Salmon, the valeting man, with his petition Picture: STEVE ARGENT David Salmon, who employs two other
Green-fingered volunteers busy creating a sensory garden welcomed a group of teenagers to help with the ground work. The garden is being built at the Tyrells Centre, in Seamore Avenue, Benfleet, by people involved with the Volunteer Bureau. Digging in
It has been a busy month for Basildon's lady golfers and Daphne Saitch in particular has turned in some memorable performances -- including become one of three members to score a hole-in-one this month. Basildon's silver team has won three of five matches
Only a dubious off-side decision prevented Thurrock from gaining a draw from their friendly with highly-fancied Conference club Margate. Terry Bowes was the man who saw his 'goal' ruled out in a solid first-half during which the home side enjoyed the
Businesses in the Maldon district are being warned about thieves who claim to be from TV film companies in order to steal goods. Police said the thieves have struck across the county. Companies receive a phone call from someone claiming to be from TV
Youngsters keen on following in the footsteps of Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski got a taste for tennis at a summer camp run by Basildon Council this week. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH The event started on Monday and finished today at Mopsies Park in Timberlog
Leaders Halstead triumphed in the crunch match in division one, defeating close rivals Copdock by 45 runs. Hosts Copdock, who were third in the league going into the game, could only make 163 in reply to Halstead's 208 for seven. Halstead moved marginally
