Work to build a new £200,000 fitness centre at Seevic College is now well under way with the aim of providing top-class sporting facilities for students and the community. Underway - the foundations are in and the steelwork has arrived Picture: MAXINE
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace admitted drink-driving when she appeared before Southend magistrates today. Wallace, who lives in Wanstead, east London, plays the character Kat Slater in the BBC soap. Prosecutors were outlining their case against Wallace
While much of the country is being warned about serious water shortages, the South-East has more than enough water for its needs. Following the long, hot summer the Environment Agency has revealed much of England and Wales can expect problems next year
A 96-year-old woman has become the latest victim as bogus callers blitz Colchester. The number of conmen trying to steal from people in the town has shot up this week, prompting a warning from police to be on guard for the cruel criminals. In the most
St Thomas Church in Brentwood will be resounding with seasonal music and readings for Advent and Christmas on December 7 at 3pm when the Brentwood Choral Society present a concert partly in aid of Sir Malcolm Sargent's cancer charity for children. The
Friends and family today heaved a sigh of relief as hunger striker Simon Chapman was freed from prison on bail after nearly nine weeks without food. Mother Jackie Chapman, of Berdens, Vange, spoke of her delight and hoped his release from the Greek jail
People needing wheelchairs this winter will be forced to search elsewhere after the announcement that the Southend Wheelchair Service is to close. The service, run by Southend Primary Care Trust, will be closed from Monday December 8 until Monday January
A host of well-known television stars will be kick-starting the new spring season at the Mercury Theatre. Mini-series stalwarts such as Stephanie Cole and Gwen Taylor along with ex-EastEnders stars Louise Jameson and Michael Greco are just some of the
A primary school is a step closer to building a memorial library after several successful fundraising events. Planning ahead - Dominic Carver and Parent Teachers' Association chairman Cheryl Ellis show plans for the new library Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
A 94-year-old woman was so excited about the opening of Hadleigh's new Lidl store that her family arranged for to her be the first to step foot inside. Special honour - Mildred Faux with store manager Lauren Burdett and mayor Chris Freeman Picture: STEVE
Fifty years ago their eyes met across a smokey dance floor and it was love at first sight. Today Stuart and Patricia Irene Styles from Cattawade Link, Basildon, are more in love than ever and celebrating their golden wedding. Golden - happy couple Stuart
My name is John Smith and I am looking for relative and old friends. We left the UK in 1995 and used to live in fabulous Frinton. Please write to us at xxxxxxxxx or e mail smith @ vvvv,co.uk
Little Livvy Patten is an independent young lady. So when she went to the toilet, she decided to lock the door. Freed - Livvy Patten with her mum Lucy and brothers Henry, Arthur and Louis, after she was rescued from the toilet in their Manningtree home
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace admitted drink-driving when she appeared before Southend magistrates today and was banned from driving for three years. Arriving at court - Jessie Wallace with her boyfriend Dave Morgan in Southend today Picture: ROB WELHAM
A tough crackdown on rowdy youngsters is being launched by police in response to residents' complaints. Operation Fenwick swung into action to combat drug taking and other anti-social behaviour in Hockley, Hullbridge and Hawkwell. Ten officers from Essex
Heavy rain could not prevent some good weights being recorded at Breakaway AC's match at Hockley. Winner on the day was J Srivener with 49lb 2oz, while J Wyatt was runner-up with 42lb 9oz and T Nixon third (40lb). Hockley Angling Club will be running
A 94-year-old woman was so excited about the opening of Hadleigh's new Lidl store that her family arranged for to her be the first to step foot inside. Special honour - Mildred Faux with store manager Lauren Burdett and mayor Chris Freeman Picture: STEVE
St Thomas Church in Brentwood will be resounding with seasonal music and readings for Advent and Christmas on December 7 at 3pm when the Brentwood Choral Society present a concert partly in aid of Sir Malcolm Sargent's cancer charity for children. The
Southend's police commander today vowed to leave no stone unturned in the investigation into the deaths of two teenage girls who plunged 120ft from a Southend tower block. Chief Supt Mick Thwaites moved to reassure the parents of Lisa Utton, 18, and Danielle
Community support officers have been given powers to issue fines for dog fouling, litter dropping and people riding bicycles on footpaths. The £30 fixed penalty notices are being handed out by the newly launched wardens to cut police officers workloads
An military collector has lost his military memorabilia to thieves who raided his garage. A satellite navigation system, an army rucksack, a beret with a silver badge and survival kits were among the £2,000 haul stolen from Birch Green, Wickford. Power
A pioneering music project for young people was celebrating today after receiving £25,926 of funding. Band Train in Basildon was set up to bring young people aged between 12 and 18 together to play in different musical styles. The aim is to encourage
Undercover police could be used to crackdown on young vandals who pelted dozens of missiles at a bus smashing its windows. The driver was left so shaken he was forced to abandon his route along Eastern Esplanade, Canvey, following the attack. Chris McCormick
Campaigners calling for traffic calming measures after a 14th Century cottage was hit by a stolen car have launched talks with councillors. Residents in a row of buildings at the High Street end of Norsey Road, Billericay, have been lobbying for a one-way
Southend's trip north for a National Women's Trophy round two match ended in disappointment as they lost to Sheffield Hatters at the English Institute of Sport. Injury and illness had left Swifts depleted and they were forced to include cadet captain
Bob De Vries scored a hole-in-one on Hanover's Georgian Course in the senior November medal. His ace came on the 186-yard par-three eighth hole -- but Ray Wood proved the winner from Richard Maggs on countback. Both carded 73s. Frank Aylott won the Division
Southend Priors overcame a sluggish start on a waterlogged pitch to nick a 24-22 win over Eton Manor II. They were trailing 17-5 at the interval, with their only score coming from Ally Gavin's try from a rolling maul. Priors lifted their game after the
A secret police mission is starting next week to tackle young hooligans on Canvey, it emerged today. PC Jessica Fisher outlined the scheme at Canvey West Area Forum but she refused to disclose any details of the campaign set to last for at least three
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Motorists in Essex face further headaches on the A12 next year as more roadworks are planned. If the works run through the summer, they will clash with major rail improvement works on the main line to Liverpool Street. Following improvement schemes along
A 51-year-old woman was held up by knifepoint after letting a man into her shop after closing time. The manager of Martin The Newsagent in Timberlog Lane, Basildon, re-opened the store after a man knocked on the door yesterday. He pulled out a six-inch
Free bus travel for the over-60s and the disabled is being introduced into Thurrock - giving them the best transport deal in Essex. All aboard - Andy Smith and Jash Gupta with residents of Pigg's Corner after announcing free bus passes for Thurrock Over
A car dealership which has been operating for 18 years could have to shut to make way for new flats, it emerged today. Graham Hutchinson has been running Chalkwell Park Motors in Leigh Road, Leigh, since 1985 but now the lease on the site has run out
Alan Mahon looks to have played his way back into contention for Ipswich's Nationwide League Division One trip to Cardiff City on Saturday. The Ipswich Town loanee has been out since last month after picking up a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win against
Essex men face a tough task as they bid to remain in the top flight of the county indoor tennis scene. Injuries and unavailabilities have robbed non-playing captain Jamie Willson of four players for the LTA Winter Indoor County Championships. Janice Torr
Three remarkable Brentwood residents who have potentially saved hundreds of lives were paid a special tribute at an awards ceremony. The National Blood Service honoured the trio who were among 64 lifesavers honoured because they have donated blood on
Shrimpers supremo Ron Martin is still being frustrated in his attempts to discuss terms with managerial target Ian Atkins. Martin is keen to bring the current Oxford United chief to Blues, but has so far been denied permission to talk with the 46-year-old
Zimbabwean maestro Andy Flower is delighted by the selection of Essex team-mates Ravindra Bopara and Graham Napier for the England Academy side. Flower, 35, is certain they are two gems who have the ability to become world-class players. "Young Bopara
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace admitted drink-driving when she appeared before Southend magistrates today and was banned from driving for three years. Arriving at court - Jessie Wallace with her boyfriend Dave Morgan in Southend today Picture: ROB WELHAM
Braintree MP Alan Hurst has accused the county council of not keeping its word over the reopening of Chapel Hill School. Essex County Council has said the earliest the Braintree primary school could reopen is 2007/08, while in May it renewed its pledge
New equipment used by Braintree police to interview vulnerable witnesses has been hailed a success. Police from the division have recently taken delivery of new kit consisting of a DVD recorder and two cameras which is intended to be used on witnesses
Getting the breaks - that is 17-year-old Jay Asgar (left) at the Victoria Snooker Centre after collecting the Hills Drinks Autumn Shield from the company's sales manager Dave Pierson. Picture: DAVE HENDERSON It was Jay's first competition and he took
Thorpe Hall ladies medal competitions had to be played over 16 holes as work is being carried out on the other two and silver victory went to lady captain Anna Leslie with a net 65 - beating Lorna Lawrie on countback. Countback also sorted out the Bronze
New Colchester United signing Jamie Cade today signalled that his decision to turn down offers from bigger clubs was simply because of the U's burning ambition and the belief that next season he could be playing Nationwide League Division One football
An inventor definitely isn't barking up the wrong tree with his top design. Adam Lucas, of Pole Barn Lane, Frinton, has invented a new dog collar aimed to make dog walking easier. Promising to make dog walking easier - Adam displays the collar. Picture
A speeding motorist who admitted careless driving after an accident in which a 30-year-old pedestrian died today had his two-year driving ban cut at London's Court of Appeal. Labourer Terry Mitchell, 19, of Queen Elizabeth Way, Monkwick, Colchester, was
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