An early try saw Southend's year get off to a blistering start, but they could not press home their early advantage against the league leaders on Saturday. When New Zealander Jamie Connors touched down to give the visitors a five-point lead after just
Shocked colleagues of a part-time porter found hanging in a Basildon flat have paid tribute to the "valuable" member of the team. Catherine Smith, 23, was discovered at the flat in Polsteads, Vange, on Saturday. Katie, of Neville Shaw, Basildon, had worked
A new £100,000 library in memory of a popular headmistress was today one step closer to being built. Planning project - headteacher Dominic Carver and PTA chairman Cheryl Ellis with the library plans Picture: MAXINE CLARKE South Benfleet Primary school
A troubled school's fight to improve standards was given a boost this week by the hiring of seven new teachers. The Thorpe Bay School, in Southchurch Boulevard, is on special measures and a leaked Ofsted report revealed there was low morale among staff
Headteachers in Castle Point have already said no to the use of mobile phones in school, after a Southend school banned picture phones after they were used to take inappropriate photos. Shoeburyness High School has banned the hi-tech equipment after they
Posh nosh is on the menu for weary homeward-bound commuters. Rail-users not in the mood to cook can pick up the likes of pork pattie braised in apple and cider sauce at their station as part of a new business venture. Rail fare - chef Nick Knight talks
Crunch talks were due to be held today over the future of one of the town's biggest employers. Flakt Woods employs 500 staff in the town and plans to move from Tufnell Way to a new site in Severalls. But as the Evening Gazette revealed last week, unless
Controversial plans to site a new cement mixing company in Benfleet are still on hold. Castle Point Council said it was still waiting for a traffic assessment to help decide the scheme from RMC Readymix looking to build the plant on the Manor Trading
A man leapt out at a woman as she cycled along an alleyway in Colchester late at night. He left his victim shocked by the prank, which happened in the alley which runs from Paxman Avenue near Alderman Blaxill School. The stranger did not say anything
A belt of machine gun blanks was handed to police by a woman who flagged their car down in a street. Handed in - reporter James Tute examines the belt at Colchester police station. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK The officers were driving along in West Mersea when
Great Wakering Rovers will tonight hope to add to their New Year's Day triumph at highly-placed Dunstable in their bid to move clear of the bottom three in Ryman Division One North. That bright start to 2004 was only the second win on visiting territory
Joe Royle today issued a note of caution after Ipswich Town were paired with Sunderland in the fourth round of the FA Cup. The Nationwide League Division One rivals go head-to-head in a Portman Road showdown on January 24. And, reflecting on yesterday's
Motorists have been warned not to leave valuables on display in their vehicles after a spate of thefts. A selection of video games worth £300 were stolen when the canvas top of a Suzuki Vatara was unclipped in Castle Walk, Chalvedon. A suitcase full of
Colchester kicked-off 2004 with a home friendly against Saffron Walden, who lie in fourth place in London Division Three - the league above the All Blacks. Both sides were looking for a good work-out before the league programme starts again next Saturday
Southend United striker Tes Bramble is doubtful for this Friday's visit to Cheltenham Town, having suffered a hamstring strain during the 1-1 draw with Scarborough on Saturday. The 23-year-old hitman, who has netted seven goals this season, was substituted
Bullwood Hall in Hockley has been highlighted following a 60 per cent national increase in suicide rates at women's prisons. Research by the Howard League for Penal Reform revealed 14 women killed themselves in 2003 compared to nine the year before. Inmates
The importance of good customer care is highlighted in a new campaign launched by the Brentwood Town Centre Partnership. It is distributing questionnaires asking people to give their views on the service they receive in Brentwood shops and businesses.
A pilot scheme launched in mid Essex which uses the internet to encourage younger people to read books is to be used elsewhere. The scheme was trialled in mid Essex after Dr Margaret Keeling, head of libraries information heritage and cultural services
A man who fought for his life after being discovered lying unconscious outside a social club has died. Christopher Dunne, 52, of Gainsborough Avenue, Tilbury, died from serious head injuries. He had been in a critical condition in Oldchurch Hospital,
Basildon Hospital has become one of the first trusts in the country to sign up to a new university-like partnership. Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Trust has joined forces with the NHSU - the new corporate university for the NHS - to help
Shops, apartments and a bistro restaurant could form the centrepiece of plans to redevelop Southend's former corporation loading pier. The old loading pier Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL The plans, spearheaded by businessman John Cross, owner of the Boatyard
People with diabetes are being asked to help the health service develop diabetic services. The aim is for patients who have experience of the condition to have a voice in the future planning and provision of services. Braintree Care Trust is planning
Angry Westcliff residents have vowed to fight a school's appeal to put floodlights on a sports pitch for night matches. The pitch in the grounds of St Thomas More School, in Kenilworth Gardens, Westcliff, has caused controversy among residents. They claimed
A £400,000 walk-in centre in Colchester will provide faster medical treatment and advice. Minister for Health John Hutton announced the town's bid for the centre had been successful. People will be able to get expert help with minor injuries like cuts
West Ham could face one their most controversial former players in the FA Cup Fourth Round. The Hammers have been handed a trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers or Kidderminster Harriers, and a Molineux visit would bring them up against Paul Ince. Ince began
A headteacher has criticised Essex County Council after the roof of his school collapsed over the holidays Critical - the headteacher of John Bunyan School, Graham Cooper, believes there should have been a programme of repairs and refurbishment at the
Colchester United greeted news of their prospective FA Cup trip to 1987 Wembley final winners Coventry City with subdued professionalism. Easy listening - U's players (from left) Pat Baldwin, Andy Myers, coach Brian Owen, Jamie Cade, Greg Halford and
Southend Council faces a £5,000 repair bill after vandals went on a spree of destruction at buildings in Southend's Priory Park. Annoyed - Paul Jenkinson with one of the broken windows Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Yobs hurled bricks and stones smashing 132
Two shops in Tendring have been caught selling alcohol to underage customers in a major clampdown. The licensees or staff who carried out the sale now face possible prosecution for the offence. A joint operation was carried out by police and trading standards
The full vision for the multi-million pound conversion and refurbishment of Grade II listed Warley Hospital has finally emerged after the company behind the project submitted a formal application to Brentwood Council. City and Country Residential Ltd
Arena-Essex Speedway Promoter, Ronnie Russell, has announced the fifth signing for the A F Stocktaking Hammers for the 2004 season. The Hammers, who will compete in the Sky Sports Elite League this coming season, have now added the name of Kelvin Tatum
A raider who was found guilty of hurling a beer keg through a Canvey store's glass door and stealing a computer game has been jailed. Jimmy Stevens, 23, was said to have driven away at high speed with two other raiders. But he crashed the car following
Chelmsford landlords will be letting for less after reaching a compromise with the Borough Council. Two new schemes have arisen in response to high house prices and a shortage of affordable homes in the borough. These schemes will enable people identified
Hair today gone tomorrow! One woman will be wearing a lot more hats to keep her head warm on cold winter days after having all her long blonde locks chopped off for charity. Suzie holds her chopped-off locks Picture: STEVE ARGENT Brave Suzie Bradley,
Safety measures are to be reviewed after a pensioner plunged 20ft to her death off a seafront promenade. Eileen Grellier, 85, was on her mobility scooter when it toppled over the edge, near the Chase, at Holland-on-Sea as she took her dog for a walk.
A cash boost worth thousands of pounds has been pledged towards a major new tourist attraction for Harwich. The East of England Development Agency has awarded £9,000 towards the Harwich Railway and Shipping Museum. The cash will go towards producing a
Thurrock could climb to the dizzy heights of second place in the Ryman Premier Division tonight if they can beat Bognor Regis at home. The runners-up spot behind runaway leaders Canvey is currently filled by Carshalton. But the Surrey side have lost their
The widow of a man who died after fire engulfed his campervan today told how she cannot move on. James Johnson, 24, accidentally dropped his cigarette as he fell asleep in the van last September. Today, heartbroken widow Shelley, of Hilton Road, Canvey
Southend United bosses and players are cock-a-hoop at the prospect of playing Premiership giants Chelsea in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Roots Hall. But both clubs must first win their respective replays next Wednesday. The Shrimpers travel to non-league
Motorists were today warned to brace themselves for 16 weeks of tailbacks and disruption during vital gas works on the A13 into Southend. Drama - drivers faced this misery today outside Westcliff's Palace Theatre Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Drivers found
Police are warning elderly residents to be careful after another person fell victim to a bogus caller. A man approached a home in Bendlowes Road, Great Bardfield, at around 2pm yesterday. He told the elderly woman who owned the house that he had been
A Hockley travel agent has devised a compromise deal to head off a proposed government ban on term-time holidays. Bright idea - joint managers Faye Worsdell and Clare Dunn came up with the plan Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Education minister Ivan Lewis wants
A Witham man shook hands with a police sergeant on Boxing Day when he saw him in the town. Leigh Lewis had assaulted the officer last summer when police came to his house to calm a domestic row, Joanne Eley, mitigating, told Chelmsford Crown Court on
West Ham boss Alan Pardew has outlined the areas he wants his team to work on as they bid for promotion in the second half of the season. Hammers have recorded back-to-back victories for the first time under Pardew's charge, but there are still questions
Angry beach hut owners at Walton have called for extra police patrols after 16 huts were attacked. Doors were kicked in and some prised open. It is not yet known what has been stolen as many of the owners live away. The huts on the Southcliff area of
