Moving tributes were made at the funeral of a young car crash victim "who loved life from the moment she was born". Sarah Johnston, 20, died after the car she was driving, which was full of her friends, collided with the central reservation in Essex Yeomanry
More than 200 youngsters joined in the fun when a church was transformed into the Wild West. Summer showdown - youngsters practice their hard stares as part of the fun at Thundersley Congregational Church Picture: ROB BROWNE Thundersley Congregational
Essex County Council will be allowed to spend more on buildings and roads - but is unlikely to take advantage. A change in funding rules from next year will give councils the freedom to decide how much to spend on capital projects like major new roads
Police are appealing for help from the public to find a man missing for four days Paul Sizer, 38, of Faber Road, Witham, was last seen by an acquaintance on Monday evening He has not returned to work and his car has not been used since that day, police
Colchester United's plans for a new 10,000 all-seater stadium on north side of the town at Cuckoo Farm took a big step forward last night when outline planning consent was given by the local council. The planning proposals for the six-part development
Families campaigning to clean up one of the most overcrowded areas in Britain today vowed to reclaim their streets from flytippers. They have launched a Stop the Rot campaign to try and save the Westborough ward in Westcliff from its downward spiral into
Basildon-based gymnasts Nicola Willis and Danny Lawrence flew out today in search of world glory. The duo, both members of the South Essex Club in Cranes Farm Road, are off to the United States for the World Championships, which begin in California on
Their perfect pre-season record in tact, Justin Edinburgh's Billericay are shaping up nicely on the evidence of this win over Orient. With four wins out of four and a defence that looks a tough one to break down -- the goal conceded at new lodge last
A £120,000 project to see how people walk around Colchester town centre has been commissioned by the borough council. Space Syntax's study will help develop a master-plan which will underpin the overhaul of the St Botolph's area. The work also considered
Families campaigning to clean up one of the most overcrowded areas in Britain today vowed to reclaim their streets from flytippers. They have launched a Stop the Rot campaign to try and save the Westborough ward in Westcliff from its downward spiral into
Southend United chief Steve Wignall admitted he was looking forward to locking horns with his former Colchester team in tomorrow's final Roots Hall pre-season friendly. The Shrimpers supremo enjoyed four successful years in the Layer Road hot-seat during
Firefighters from Brentwood took part in a daring and carefully carried out rescue after a woman slipped and fell underneath a train at Shenfield Station. The woman, in her mid 50s, fell from platform three just as a train was pulling into the station
A pair of quick-witted rescuers have spoken about the day they saved the life of a 15-year-old Halstead school pupil. Georgina Cook, 50, of Sandmartin Crescent, Stanway, and Alice Moore, 20, of Hawkwood Road, Sible Hedingham, who both worked at the Halstead
Police and fire investigators were today still probing the cause of a blaze in which an 18-month-old girl died. They are working on a theory that the blaze was accidentally started by the girl's brother playing with matches in her bedroom. The girl has
Clowns, magicians and puppets are set to entertain shoppers over the summer holidays, with Basildon's Eastgate Centre starting its summer festival today. For the next month the centre will play host to dozens of entertainers and performers. Eastgate promotions
A hard-working fundraiser was celebrating today after bringing in more than £900 for sick locals. Royal visitors - Southend Carnival queen Laura Lowen and princess Amanda Gillard accompany Malachy O'Sullivan and Liz McNally from the renal unit on a visit
Thorpe Bay's girls' first team have been crowned Essex champions after finishing top of the county junior league's Division One. The team beat Westcliff Hard in the final play-offs at Great Baddow to secure first place. Captain Sammy Malik, Jade Blackman
The battle over the car park in Old Ship Lane, Rochford, has finally been won by protesters who opposed it being sold off for development. The full district council backed a committee resolution to demolish the derelict public toilets next to the existing
Council gardeners have been accused of indiscriminately dumping graveside mementoes. The family of a dead 17-year-old have accused the workmen of ripping out memorial plants and a commemorative hockey stick from his grave and dumping them. The grim discovery
Three people have been banned from a popular area of Clacton seafront in a new move to help clean up the resort's image. Tendring Council has joined forces with Tendring police for a ground-breaking initiative following complaints about anti-social behaviour
Canvey quickly recovered from their midweek 7-0 thumping at the hands of Gillingham with a comfortable win over the Gills' Kent neighbours. A quick-fire brace from striker Ollie Berquez and a Neil Gregory goal put the Gulls in the driving seat before
Work has begun to ease road safety worries and traffic congestion around Southend High School for Girls, in Southchurch Boulevard. It is being carried out by Southend Council as part of its Safer Journeys to School programme. A purpose built turning facility
An initiative designed to encourage children to keep reading books over the summer holidays has been launched at Colchester Library. The scheme, called the Reading Maze challenges children to read at least six books during their holidays, and those who
Thorpe Bay's Peter Thompson successfully defended the Velsheeda Trophy despite light winds which slowed down sailors on Sunday. He came in at the front of a field of more than 20 vessels from the Thorpe Bay and Essex Sailing Clubs. Organiser David Johnson
Sunday sees Grays' Gary Rouse bidding for glory at the Groom Motorsport Millennium 50 at Arena Essex. The 50-lap race is the longest in the Group A hot-rods calendar and was won by Rouse last year when he eclipsed teenage Erith star Chris Smith. Rouse
Oysters could be used to put Maldon on the map. Maldon District Council chairman John Archer has revealed plans to start an oyster fair in the town now that there are reasonable stocks in the River Blackwater. Maldon Oyster Company has recently spent
An initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour in Chelmsford has been launched by Essex Police and Chelmer Housing Partnership (CHP) The Safer Estates Agreement will enable the partners, including Swan Housing, the Guinness Trust and William Sutton Trust
A new business park for Canvey will not encourage more jobs, but will leave another industrial unit as a "ghost town", it was claimed today. Labour opposition leader at Castle Point Council, David Blackwell, believes the £6million cash injection from
A Chelmsford market trader is spearheading a campaign for the immediate release of a widowed father of triplets who was jailed for two months on Monday for his first criminal offence. Fast food trader Swales Howell joined relatives and friends outside
An eight-year-old girl has been killed on a zebra crossing. The youngster was crossing the road in Billericay with her mother when a sports car collided with them. She died instantly. Her 38-year-old mother was also injured in the crash in Southend Road
Traders along Southend seafront were left without power for five hours after underground electric cables burned out. Firefighters from the town's fire station were called to Pier Hill at lunchtime yesterday after shops reported the electricity cutting
Talks aimed at reshaping central Chelmsford by replacing the old gasworks with prestigious riverside apartments were held on Wednesday Executives of Second Sight, the property arm of British Gas, discussed the matter with senior planners at the Civic
A man will be braving the cold as well as the disbelief of his work colleagues as he takes the short route to raising cash for a good cause. Len Heathfield, 42, of Spurgeon Street, Colchester, has agreed to wear shorts to work every day for the next year
The Southend Ladies Open Bowling Tournament mixed pairs final saw Jean Durrant (Victoria) and her husband Ken (Essex County) narrowly defeat Gwen Burke (Ramsgate) and Clive Jones (Shoebury Park). Burke , singles runner-up two years ago, and Jones did
Police will be again be targeting Basildon's Paycocke Road this weekend as part of their crackdown on boy racers cruising south Essex. It will be the third weekend of Essex Police's operation Cerberus to end dangerous driving and illegal racing. A police
Residents whose homes are set to be just metres from the new road have almost given up hope of ever fighting the experts. Pearl Frost, 75, has lived in her Romulus Close bungalow for 40 years. Not a happy lady - Pearl Frost says she has almost given up
James Middlebrook grabbed his first hat-trick at Championship level to leave Essex with a sporting chance of victory against Kent at Canyterbury later today. The 26-years-old off-spinner wrapped up the innings by removing Martin Saggers, Muttiah Muralitharan
An eight-year-old girl has been killed on a zebra crossing. The youngster was crossing the road in Billericay with her mother when a sports car collided with them. She died instantly. Crash scene - the emergency services working by floodlight last night
Multi-million plans for hundreds of homes, a police station, school, new road junction and football stadium last night got the go-ahead from Colchester Council. Colchester United chief executive Marie Partner said today: "I am absolutely delighted as
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
After their aggregate success over Newcastle in the Premier League Knockout Cup, Arena Essex will look to add a league win tonight over the same opponents at the Purfleet Raceway. The Hammers took a 14 point advantage from the first leg of the cup tie
A man has been cleared by a jury of causing brain injuries to another man after a fight on Mersea Island. Trevor Nicoll got involved in a fight with Gary Bramhill and it ended with Mr Bramhill in hospital with serious head injuries. Mr Bramhill remembers
David Connolly has become West Ham's first signing of the summer -- and goes straight into the squad for tonight's pre-season game with Dutch champions PSV Eindhoven. The 26-year-old is linking up once again with Glenn Roeder -- the manager who handed
A large panther-like animal has been sighted again in the Broxted area Parish councillor Roger Clark was out walking his dog when he spotted the black beast. The incident occurred at around 8am on July 6, between East End Road and Brown's End Road "I
It took some time ... but one of the biggest developments Colchester has ever seen is finally on its way. Six crucial planning applications for the Cuckoo Farm and Severalls scheme were last night given the conditional green light by the council's planning
An Essex dad is baffled after being sent family tax credit forms and ID cards for his daughter Valley - in Welsh When bemused parent Martyn Cook tried to claim the credit he was sent the information in Welsh. It's a mystery to me - Martyn Cook and daughter
A motorist has spoken of his disbelief at seeing a mobile camera monitoring speed on a road which is gridlocked due to resurfacing work. Sid Javis, of Roosevelt Avenue, Canvey, thought his eyes were playing tricks on him as he crawled his way up Long
A Fyfield restaurant has proved it has the ingredients for success after two of its cooks were awarded prizes in a district wide competition to find the 'hottest' curry chef. Abdul Haque and Ayub Miah from the Haque Empire restaurant in Ongar Road are
Colchester United's plans for a new 10,000 all-seater stadium on north side of the town at Cuckoo Farm took a big step forward last night when outline planning consent was given by the local council. The planning proposals for the six-part development
The town's first house for homeless teenage mothers and their babies has officially opened. The Heygate Avenue Project, in Southend, is providing seven temporary beds to would-be mums and parents as they wait for a long-term solution to their housing
Three members of the same family have touched back down on British soil after serving in the Gulf. Married Steve and Tania Finch and Steve's brother Paul were all posted to the region during the war in Iraq and, after a brief holiday, have now returned
Police at Robbie Williams' next gig will be prepared if the fans don't all behave like angels - thanks to Essex Police. Staff at the force's TV unit have made a briefing and recorded it on DVD for their colleagues at Hertfordshire Police. It will help
A couple whose living room wall was demolished when a car ploughed into it have been told they face months of building work to restore their home. Sandra Ball, 45, was horrified when a Vauxhall Nova crashed through her front room wall where her husband
Fitness fans who fancy a bit of a trek this weekend are in luck. A new Walk Tall outing will take place tomorrow at John Burrows Sports Ground, in Rectory Road, off Hadleigh High Street. Meet at 10.30am in the car park. The scheme, launched in February
Colchester United's longest-serving player Karl Duguid was today looking ahead to a bright new era. A U's player for the past ten seasons, Duguid has been boosted by the exciting news that Colchester is set to get its new community stadium at last. Speculation
Tristan Davison is in the throes of making a big name for himself in the world of athletic field events. Coached by Paul Hart, 14-year-old Davison is a member of Southend AC and attends Thorpe Hall School. Calling the shots - Tristan Davison has been
Fear of travellers moving onto a farmer's field forced a local hospice to cancel its fundraising day at the last minute, leaving the charity thousands of pounds out of pocket. The St Clare's Hospice Summer Fete was due to take place this weekend but a
Drissa Diallo is counting the hours until he strides out for his first appearance at 'beautiful' Portman Road. Ipswich Town's new recruit has already caught the eye since signing from Burnley, impressing on the pre-season tour of Scandinavia and in Saturday's
A three-man gang attacked a petrol station manager, punched him in the face and bundled him into a cupboard. Then the thugs snatched £156, a mobile phone and £120 worth of cigarettes from the Jet service station, Southend Road, Stanford-le-Hope. Only
A mother-of-three has had no hot water or cooking facilities for two days - but so far no-one has even tried to fix the problem. Cara Osbourne, 25, of Lincoln Road, Craylands, Basildon, lost electricity at 8pm on Wednesday night. Everything in her fridge
A couple whose living room wall was demolished when a car ploughed into it have been told they face months of building work to restore their home. Sandra Ball, 45, was horrified when a Vauxhall Nova crashed through her front room wall where her husband
James Middlebrook grabbed his first hat-trick at Championship level to leave Essex with a sporting chance of victory against Kent at Canterbury later today. The 26-years-old off-spinner wrapped up the innings by removing Martin Saggers, Muttiah Muralitharan
A robber held a knife to a woman's face and threatened to cut her during the first of two robberies in Colchester The attacker, who struck in the early hours of today, told his traumatised victim to hand over all her money after approaching her in the
More than a thousand children will be having fun while they learn this summer holiday as they take part in a "children's university". Youngsters at three schools in the Basildon District have already started finding out more about the environment and
Poor weather conditions once again caused problems on day four of West Mersea Sailing Club's annual Cadet Week. Racing had to be postponed in the morning because of a lack of wind but, after lunch, one long race was held in the afternoon. It was a day
Southend proved with a massive winning margin at St Albans that when they turn out in force they are a match for anyone. They romped to an emphatic victory, with 65 wins on the day and a host of outstanding performances in their penultimate summer meeting
A determined grandmother is seeking legal advice in a bid to save her beach hut. Maddie Fuller, along with other hut owners at Walton's South Beach site, mounted weeks of all-day vigils at her hut after being told to dismantle it. New Walton Pier, who
A clothing giant is applying for an alcohol licence in preparation for its boozy Christmas range. Next, in Southend High Street, is to ask magistrates to grant a licence so it can sell alcohol gift sets. A spokeswoman for the chain said: "There's not
Police leading the hunt for the killer of murdered Clacton widow Jean Dicker are disappointed with the public response to their latest appeal for help. Mrs Dicker's son, Steve, and daughter, Tracy Kinton, faced a press conference on the six-month anniversary
A grieving father has spoken of his anger at the sentence received by the driver of a car which crashed, killing his teenage son. Sta Wright spoke out after magistrates disqualified 19-year-old Christopher Cox from driving for nine months and fined him
Witham's long-awaited rail bridge project has finally hit the buffers. The idea of linking the Easton Road car park with the platforms by a pedestrian footbridge was first mooted 26 years ago. It was given the go-ahead in principle at a cost of more than
