Tory MP Sir Teddy Taylor and his wife Sheila have told of their delight at having a new mental health resource centre named in their honour. The South Essex Partnership NHS Trust is opening the Taylor Centre in East Street, Southend, tomorrow. The centre
Passing motorists sounded their horns in support of anti-war demonstrators as they unveiled banners across the A127. Go home - protesters on the A127 at Kent Elms Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL A dozen members of Southend Stop the War Coalition fixed the banners
Plans to build a multi-storey car park and fast food restaurant in Witham have been deferred in a surprise decision by councillors. Members of the Witham area committee passed a recommendation last night to give planning officers at Braintree Council
A town centre was gridlocked following an accident in which a bus driver had to be cut from his crushed cab. Six passengers were taken to Basildon Hospital following the head-on accident. The road chaos -- which brought most of the traffic in Grays to
A goal right before full time has put Southend into the second round of the FA Cup. Jay Smith was the hero for the visitors as he netted twice including the winner as the visitors beat Canvey Island 3-2 at Park Lane The reward for Southend is a second
The number of children being looked after by Southend Council has risen sharply, according to new figures. Between May and September this year, figures rose from 265 to 293 and the trend appears to be continuing upwards, social care director John Nawrockyi
Councillors are set to begin early discussions of plans to transform a south Essex town centre. Rochford District Council's planning committee will be examining preliminary proposals for a new complex, including a supermarket, a library, shops and more
Fans travelling to tonight's big match are reminded that there will be no parking at the ground or in surrounding streets. Supporters are asked to park some way from Park Lane as advised by police and complete their journey by foot or to travel by c2c
First aid should be taught in schools as part of the national curriculum, says Colchester MP Bob Russell He is championing a Bill put forward in the House of Commons, which would provide for the subject to be taught, and is today due to have ten minutes
A 66-year-old woman fought off a thug who repeatedly punched her as he tried to snatch her handbag in Victoria Road in Laindon. The victim, from Laindon, was taken to Basildon Hospital with a large lump to her head and cut eye. She received treatment
In a tense and very physical battle, Southend Swifts recorded a very hard-earned 80-65 victory against Thames Valley Tigers at Greensward College in their Men's Junior League area south match. Southend struggled early on and soon found themselves trailing
Blues captain Kevin Maher has admitted he would welcome the appointment of Stan Collymore as the club's new player manager. Collymore is interested in becoming the latest Shrimpers boss and has held talks with the Roots Hall hierarchy to discuss the possibility
The foster mum of one of the girls who fell to her death from a tower block has blamed teenage binge drinking for the tragedy. Dawn Attridge cared for 18-year-old Lisa Utton for three and a half years and described her as a "lovely, bubbly girl" who had
Paul Lees collected his second silver medal in two months at the West Essex Bowman Portsmouth competition. Lees, who shoots for Rayleigh Town, won the afternoon session with a personal best score of 543 to tie with morning leader Philip Krausbauer. But
A vicious attack was launched on a Brentwood man as he fought to stop a street robber from snatching his bag. According to police the 33-year-old victim was left "battered and bruised" after the incident at around 6pm on Thursday, November 13, but his
Free advice to existing and start-up businesses in Clacton have been given through a business awareness event organised by Colchester Business Enterprise Agency. In addition to the services it already provides in the Colchester area, COLBEA has recently
Residents of one Basildon street take Christmas very seriously - because it is an opportunity to raise hundreds of pounds for charity. Redgrave Road in Vange is holding a Christmas event this year with plenty to entertain children and adults. There will
Battle lines were drawn up at the Paddocks, Canvey, where tactical war games fans met up to build bases for their manoeuvres. Tiny brushstrokes - nine-year-old Billy Quaife paints a space marine for a role-playing game at the Paddocks on Canvey Picture
Braintree's very own High Street Honey was still smiling despite losing out in a competition to be a cover girl. Model contestant - Alexandra Khan, who just missed out on a cover picture for FHM magazine. Picture: STEVE ARGENT Alexandra Khan, 19, came
A garden shed was damaged when a 3ft firework "spear" plunged to earth and pierced its wooden roof. The firework stick made its mark on Lisa Goodman's shed in Marina Avenue, Rayleigh. Ms Goodman said: "It looked like a holder from a rocket firework, as
They say money can't buy you class - but it can get you a title. For a price, Colchester residents are being offered the chance to become a bona fide lord or lady of the manor. The historic manorial title Lord or Lady of Colchester Hall is up for sale
Richard McKinney stepped back into the Colchester United limelight today after three months in the injury wilderness. Richard McKinney in action The talented Northern Irish goalkeeper was named in the U's squad for the reserve-team game against Reading
A much-needed youth centre could be built on the site of the bus garage in Braintree. The site in Fairfield Road has been identified as the favoured of five options by Essex County Council. It has decided to investigate the feasibility of a youth centre
There were mixed fortunes for local clubs last night when second round matches in the Ryman League's Bryco Cup were staged. Premier Division basement club Billericay Town saw their misery continue when they crashed out 2-1 at home to Division One North
Attackers left a man badly beaten up after assaulting him as he walked home. Their victim suffered serious facial injuries and needed hospital treatment after the attack in Colchester. Police said the man, who was in Magdalen Street, New Town, was left
Unusually for a non-league side taking on professional opposition, Canvey Island are favourites to win tonight's replay with the bookies. Ladbrokes give odds of 7/5 against about Gulls with Blues 6/4 and the draw 9/4. All prices are for the result at
A paranoid schizophrenic stamped his neighbour to death weeks after being released from a mental health unit. Derek Field killed his lifelong friend, 56-year-old Sean Hand after the pair had dinner and drinks in Mr Hand's Laindon home. Today, Mr Hand's
Billericay Rotary Club has marked its 44th birthday in style with a celebratory lunch. Club members piled into the Ivy Hill Hotel and Restaurant, in Margaretting, to mark the big occasion. Formed in November 1959, the Billericay Rotary branch became the
President George W Bush was met today with regal pomp - and protests. Protesters make their point during a demonstration against US President George Bush As the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh welcomed him to Buckingham Palace, a small group of demonstrators
A thief reached a new low in street crime when he snatched a handbag from a 91 year-old woman as she sat in her mobile scooter. The crook distracted the pensioner and then grabbed her bag at the junction of Lonsdale Road and North Avenue, Southend at
A host of classic beers, ciders and perries are on offer at the Rochford Beer Festival being held at Freight House in Bradley Way, Rochford. Beer lovers from the Campaign for Real Ale want to see traditional British beers on tap at local pubs across the
The first stage of consultation has been launched on a revolutionary rail scheme which could transform public transport for commuters in Brentwood, Billericay and Wickford needing to get across London as quickly as possible. Cross London Rail Links (CLRL
Parts of a school are being sealed off as asbestos is removed The potentially hazardous material is being removed from walls at Colbayns High School in Clacton as part of an ongoing improvements programme But parents of children at the school are being
Basildon matchman Dave Hemmings weighed in a cracking 32lb 14oz mixed haul to take a clear win at the Gloucester Park Open. Dave fished the bear pit swim using pole tactics and a variety of bait and started catching fish almost immediately - and continued
A rescue operation swung into action after a person, believed to be suicidal, was reported to be on the edge of a cliff. Emergency services carried out a search by land, sea and air in Walton when the alarm was raised at about 9.21pm. A man from the town
A dumping ground for rubbish has been transformed into a prestigious new beach hut site. Transformation - pier manager Barry Vaughan shows off the new beach hut site. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN Earlier this year, more than 90 hut owners were given notice by
A trio of regional champions are closing in a place in the National Association of Boys Championships after winning their weekend bouts. Canvey team-mates Aaron Dainty, John Begley and Ryan Mahoney all defeated London region opposition to win their quarter-final
A national award has been won by the South Essex Rape and Incest Crisis Centre (SERICC). The Thurrock based team was presented with the Emma Humphreys Memorial Prize by Jo Brand, one of the patrons of the prize, at the Greater London Authority Offices
A name and shame campaign may be launched in a bid to fight the yob culture. The initiative is the latest in a campaign led by councillors in the Frinton and Walton area. They are also to look at the possibility of bringing pressure on stores and shops
Traffic chaos will bring a large chunk of south Essex to a standstill tonight as thousands of football fans flood onto Canvey during the rush hour. The 3,500 supporters with a ticket for the crunch FA cup game between Canvey FC and Southend are being
Competitors were tempted out for the seventh race of the Adnams Cruiser Winter Series at Brandy Hole Yacht Club on the Crouch by glorious weather and a gentle Force 3 north-westerly wind. Due to the tide, an afternoon shorter course was set to beat the
Angry campaigners protesting against a block of flats planned for Canvey seafront have handed a 2,000-signature petition to Castle Point Council. Residents and business bosses on Eastern Esplanade have already said they would rather see a tourist attraction
Schoolchildren were today warned not to play truant to protest at President Bush's visit to Britain. The warning came as Essex officials announced that a truancy sweep yesterday netted 26 children bunking off in just two hours. The campaign by Essex Police
Victims of "neighbours from hell" and rowdy youngsters are being urged to keep a diary of anti-social behaviour to help police. Special new-style incident diaries have been launched by Thurrock Council and Essex Police in a bid to help communities battle
Hotel chain Travelodge could be taking up residence in one of Colchester's most distinctive buildings. Plans have been put forward to open a 57-bedroom hotel in part of the former Royal London House in Middleborough alongside offices, a restaurant and
Police today renewed their warning to people not to let strangers into their homes, after bogus gas men searched an elderly woman's house. The woman was left distressed after the incident at her home in Common Lane, Benfleet. Acting Inspector Kevin Diable-White
President Bush should be offered the same level of safety as Iraqi people who come to Britain, according to a south Essex soldier's mother. Veronica Mepham, 64, who lives and works at the Rescuers Wildlife Sanctuary in Watlington Road, Benfleet, spoke
Thurrock bowed out of the FA Cup with a 3-1 defeat at Kenilworth Road last night. Adrian Forbes scored a hat-trick for the home side with Cliff Akurang getting the consolation for Thurrock in the 49th minute. Forbes put Luton ahead on 38 minutes when
Thurrock's FA Cup dream came to an end at Kenilworth Road last night as Colin McBride's brave side were narrowly beaten by Second Division Luton Town. But they pushed their professional opponents right to the wire before yielding to two goals in the closing
An elderly woman suffered serious injuries in a crash which brought rush-hour chaos to Wivenhoe. The 86-year-old from St Osyth was a passenger in a Nissan Micra car driven by her 83-year-old husband when it was in collision with a stationary car. Police
Attackers left a man badly beaten up after assaulting him as he walked home. Their victim suffered serious facial injuries and needed hospital treatment after the attack in Colchester. Police said the man, who was in Magdalen Street, New Town, was left
Residents in Witham can look forward to more frequent bus services now an operator has stepped in on two routes dropped by First Essex. Stansted-based Locallink has announced the launch of its "network Witham" services 38 and 39 from December 8. The routes
A soft-porn actor was today celebrating after being found not guilty of intending to peddle £1,000 worth of Ecstasy. Doormen found a bag full of 100 pills on Elliot Woolf, of St Helen's Road, Westcliff, as he attempted to enter Southend's Talk nightclub
A major retailer could be poised to move into Southend's Victoria Plaza shopping centre, giving the town a massive trading boost. It is understood American giant Walmart, which owns the Asda supermarket chain, is in discussions with the leaseholders of
Stan Collymore is set to be named as Southend United's new player-manager - with Lee Sharpe on the coaching team. The former Blues striking star has been in talks at Roots Hall over the past few days and it is thought a deal is close to being struck.
A driver is angry after receiving a £30 parking ticket despite having a permit. Proof - Michael Bates with the ticket he was given when his parking permit came unstuck from the windscreen. Picture: NIGEL BROWN Michael Bates, 58, stuck his new permit to
