Big-hearted volunteers are doing their bit to brighten up Christmas for Southend's needy. Treats for the needy - Rotarians Phil Gaff, Ian Downie, Peter Randle and Tony Hastings collect another load of goodies from Lesley Pond, of Asda Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
An off-duty police officer was slashed on the nose after intervening in a frenzied attack involving a ten-strong mob at a south Essex train station. PC Philip Price, of Rochford, was attacked with a crushed beer can as he stepped in to rescue a detective
Essex council taxpayers could be made to stump up the cash for a new Airwave system to be used by the county's police force. The threat has been made by the Essex Police Authority following the recent announcement by the Home Office, which showed the
A date rape drug has not been found in drinks tested at a Chelmsford nightspot, it has been revealed. In-depth tests on spiked drinks at a venue in the town found no traces of the drug Rohipnol. Essex Police carried out a study of empty glasses at a venue
Controversial plans to slash the number of primary school places for Harold children were agreed by Havering's Cabinet despite huge protests from parents and pupils. The massive shake up of primary school education will see more than 300 places for Harold
A medieval forest and a number of historic villages are set to be demolished by the expansion of Stansted airport conservation groups have said. Following the publication of the Government's White Paper conservation groups have predicted the increase
Kind-hearted Amy Bates has been sharing the Christmas spirit by donating a 6ft cuddly toy to a children's hospice. Amy, ten, won the giant toy Simba in Asda Colchester's raffle, held recently to raise money for the BBC appeal Children in Need. But Amy
A new housing scheme that would provide an £80,000 boost to a nearby environmental area has been given the thumbs-up. Tendring Council approved outline permission for the Colchester and East Essex Co-op to build houses in Main Road, Dovercourt. The plan
Police have been trawling south Essex boatyards in an effort to indentify a man found washed up on a Southend beach. The body was discovered off Western Esplanade yesterday morning sparking a massive search by Thames Coastguard and Southend lifeboats.
The leader of Uttlesford Council has described the White Paper on aviation as a Government wish list that "won't wash down". Immediately after the announcement on Tuesday that Stansted was Whitehall's first choice, Councillor Alan Dean said: "Despite
Detectives investigating a shooting outside a nightclub have released CCTV pictures of the gunman and his accomplice. Do you know them? - one of the CCTV pictures released by police The men were caught on camera less than two hours before a security man
Colchester's grammar schools are flying high in the key stage 3 tables released today. At Colchester Royal Grammar School, every pupil gained level five scores or above in science, maths and English. And Colchester High School had 100 per cent of pupils
With guitars blazing and drums crashing, Billericay's Battle of the Bands stormed into town. On the mic - guitarist Dominic Sacco, of Capsize, one of the bands who took part Organised by Billericay Youth Town Council, the event at the Canon Roche Social
A teenager was today fighting for her life in hospital following a road accident. The 15-year-old girl was walking to a friend's house when she was involved in a collision with a car. She was today said to be in a "critical" condition at Great Ormond
One of Colchester's top-performing schools has had its English key stage three results annulled by the Government. Philip Morant School and Technology College has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding its English results. The children
A motorcyclist has died following a road crash in Maldon last night. The 41-year-old man died after his silver Honda motorbike was involved in a collision with a black Fiat Punto and a silver MG sports car on the A414 Spital Road at about 7.15pm. It is
Cap that! While John Kennedy joined team-mates Steve Ward and Chris Duffy in being honoured by England for their international selection against Belgium earlier in the year at Park Lane last night, he had three extra reasons to smile. Take your hat off
A shortlist of possible new locations for Colchester's travellers' site will be revealed from an award ceremony-style sealed envelope. Colchester councillors last night agreed they will put responsibility for drawing up the latest shortlist into the hands
Teenage tearaway Ronnie Tretton, from Leigh, has been sentenced to another six months in jail. Tretton, 19, the first youth in the area to be given an anti-social behaviour order (ASBO), is already serving a 23-month prison sentence Yesterday, at Southend
An inspirational teenager who has been battling a brain tumour for five years was today honoured for his academic success. Fighter - Adam Leveridge, centre, received his award from headteacher Carol Skewes, left, and examination officer Tom Walker, right
Southend Airport chief Roger Campbell said he was upbeat about the airport's long-term future just hours before a crucial council debate. The airport has been thrown into doubt after councillors hit out at a safety plan airport bosses wanted to introduce
Teachers and pupils are to get the best Christmas present of all - a long-awaited new school. Education chiefs says work on the new Two Village Primary School should begin in February, if everything goes to plan. The project is expected to take about
Police searching for missing woman Sandra Gant were today preparing to carry out door-to-door inquiries in Clacton town centre. The 48-year-old has been missing for more than four weeks. Detectives believe she may have been murdered. She was last seen
Anti-runway campaigners have described the conclusions in the Government's White Paper as 'pie in the sky'. "Governments don't build runways," said Stop Stansted Expansion chairman Norman Mead. "BAA could only proceed with an extra runway at Stansted
A pro-aviation group has welcomed the Government's White Paper which has decided the future of air travel in the UK for the next 30 years. Commenting for the Freedom to Fly Coalition, chairman Brenda Dean said: "This is a bold and very welcomed announcement
The British Air Line Pilot's Association (BALPA) has welcomed the Government's Aviation White Paper. Jim McAuslan, general secretary of the pilots' union, said the Government had shown refreshing common sense in arguing that economic growth and environmental
The path into working life looks set to be smooth for students at a Canvey school which has been named an educational institute of quality. So proud - Cornelius Vermuyden School careers adviser Patricia Hill and assistant head Martin Horn reflect on the
A car crashed into a church after being involved in a collision with another vehicle. Police and paramedics were called to the scene of the accident, in Connaught Avenue, Frinton, at 11.30am yesterday. Two motorists in their 80s suffered minor injuries
Firefighters had to break down two doors to free a man after he spent six hours locked in railway station's toilets. The incident happened at Basildon railway station last night after the man, aged in his 30s, had been drinking and fell asleep in the
Police in riot gear were called to a "domestic incident" which ended with a man being arrested. Officers in protective equipment with riot shields were called to a home in Waltham Crescent, Southend, at about 5.30pm yesterday. Six squad cars and 12 police
Low-cost airline Ryanair welcomed news that Stansted is in line for a new runway. The Irish carrier said a second runway at the airport would be good news for passengers, allowing Stansted's capacity to double from 20m to 40m a year. Ryanair's head of
Essex business leaders have welcomed the opportunities that the proposed expansion of Stansted airport will bring to the county. "The announcement by Transport Secretary Alistair Darling that Stansted is to get a second runway was no surprise," said Nicholas
Stansted will get an extra runway, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has confirmed. The Transport Secretary ended months of speculation when he released the long-awaited aviation White Paper to Parliament this afternoon. It sets out how ministers believe
An Essex museum has been picked to host one of the world's most prestigious photographic exhibitions. Chelmsford Museum will play host to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition which runs until January 18. Chelmsford is one of only four museums
Colchester United hero Simon Brown said today he has to get 'even better' if the U's are to go on and achieve promotion this season. Setting the standard - Simon Brown knows he must maintain his current good form if the U's are to challenge for the play-offs
Gloucester Park regular Sid Hammond weighed in a tremendous 41lb 12oz carp haul to take a clear win at Sundays Gloucester Park Open. Sid fished a peg at the Eastern end of the cockle bank where he landed six carp to a best of 12lb 2oz. His haul fell to
Canvey's Concord Rangers must travel if they are to win a place in the last 16 of this season's FA Vase competition. For they will be visiting either Stone Dominoes, from the North West Counties League, or Northern Counties East League Sheffield in round
Essex County Council has revealed it is considering mounting a legal challenge against the plans. Branding the move "unwanted and unworkable", leader of the council Lord Hanningfield said lawyers would be consulted. "The case for expansion is far from
A Westcliff piano virtuoso has beat off the competition to become the youngest semi-finalist in this year's BBC Young Musician of the Year competition. Semi-finalist - virtuoso young pianist Benjamin Grosvenor Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Benjamin Grosvenor
A major brewery chain has offered to step in and save a threatened village pub, it has been revealed. G & K Groundworks want to convert the White Hart pub in Harwich Road, Wix, into a private house. But a planning meeting last night heard Greene King
Protesters fighting plans for 50 flats on Canvey were warned the island's young adults needed somewhere to live. The controversial Homestead development of 27 one-bedroomed flats and 23 two-bedroomed homes in Long Road was finally approved by Castle Point
Basildon's Phoenix Swimming Club held a sponsored swim to raise money to help buy some new equipment for the club and for a local children's charity. The charity chosen was the Little Haven Children's Hospice and their community fund raiser TomNewtonattended
Southend United progressed to the quarter finals of the Essex Senior Cup with a comprehensive 3-0 victory at Eastern Counties League side Clacton Town last night. Blues player manager Steve Tilson bagged a well-taken brace - while young midfielder Anthony
A major employer in Heybridge has announced it is to close, with the loss of 70 jobs. Shocked workers at Highfield Timber Products have been told the company will stop manufacturing and will close down in the early part of 2004. The business has been
For most people, it's a pipe dream. Winning £5million on the lottery, being able to lavish expensive gifts on friends and family, and splashing out on a £20,000 England rugby shirt are ambitions which will never be realised. But Ann Ullah, 52, and husband
Heathrow-based airlines have welcomed the Government's Aviation White Paper but have promised to fight any attempts to make them pay for the Stansted runway. Following the Alistair Darling's announcements on Tuesday, December 16, British Airways and BMI
The Shadow Transport Secretary has described the Government's White Paper as a 'fudge'. Responding to Mr Darling's announcement, Theresa May MP said that he needed to strike a "difficult balance" between competing needs. "That is why the government's
A trade union has welcomed news that there are to be two new runways in the south east. Commenting on the publication of the Aviation White Paper, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said: "The decision that there will be two new runways in the south
Budget airline easyJet hailed the Aviation White Paper as step in the right direction. The Stansted carrier welcomed the Government's decision to provide for a second runway at Stansted and said it was encouraged to see Parliament put forward a far-sighted
A long-held ambition to build a youth centre in Billericay has come a step closer with the submission of a planning application. A purpose-built youth centre on land at Hannakins Farm in Rosebay Avenue, has been a dream of community leaders and youngsters
A team of business and council leaders has been handpicked by the Government to spearhead the revival of Thurrock as part of the multi-billion pound Thames Gateway initiative. The group will run the new Urban Development Corporation overseeing all development
A Maldon-based pet therapy scheme for people with mental health problems has won a silver award for innovation and good practice. The animal assisted therapy project is led by Tracey Brannan in conjunction with Pets as Therapy charity (PAT). Her two dogs
South Woodham tax payers will pay an extra £1.58 to the town council through their council tax bills during 2004-5. The four per cent increase on last year's precept will be used to cover £137,000 worth of contributions to the swimming pool, improved
A nursery for 50 children has been given the go-ahead. Tendring Council has passed plans for the nursery in the grounds of Harwich Community Primary School in Barrack Lane. It would be run by the Ark Family Resource Centre and be the first in the ward
A rush-hour train was brought to an abrupt standstill when a psychiatric patient pulled the emergency cord because she missed her appointment at Runwell hospital. The woman, believed to be in her late 40s, was travelling on the 6.10pm First Great Eastern
Concerns about vandalism at Canvey's long-awaited new cemetery were being aired today, just 24 hours before the first person will be buried there. Labour councillor Terry Blackwell complained of a lack of security around the graveyard in Northwick Road
Southend United midfielder Jamie Fullarton has resumed training following a frustrating seven-week spell on the sidelines with a groin injury. Jamie Fullarton - back in training The return of the battling central midfielder is a boost for Blues injury-hit
Stansted will get an extra runway, Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has confirmed. The Transport Secretary ended months of speculation when he released the long-awaited aviation White Paper to Parliament this afternoon. It sets out how ministers believe
