Cosmetics worth £200 have been snatched by a couple visiting Boots in Rayleigh's High Street. The man is described as white, 20 to 30, 6ft tall. He was wearing a green quilted jacket. His female accomplice was also white, aged around 17, 5ft 8in with
Castle Point's MP Bob Spink has thrown himself into the votes at 16 campaign urging the Electoral Commission to be "brave and innovative". The Tory MP spoke before the House of Commons Electoral Commission committee yesterday, as the debate into voting
If your New Year resolution was to keep off some of those unwanted Christmas pounds then why not carry out your promise and sign up for the annual Ridley's Great Baddow Charity Races? For the past 18 years Chelmsford Mildmay Rotary Club has organised
Let's get ready to rumble! A one-off American wrestling event could mark the return of regular wrestling shows to Chelmsford. Former star of the World Wrestling Federation Jake "The Snake" Roberts will be making a guest appearance in the first show of
A South Essex construction firm has won two of the British building industry's most coveted awards, on the basis of "principles as well as achievements." The prize for Best Private Sector Housebuilder was presented to Warley-based Countryside Properties
Post-Christmas 'dumpers' are being urged to exercise patience this weekend, with long queues expected at civic amenity sites around the county. This weekend - the first following Twelfth Night, when all decorations are supposed to be taken down - is the
A man who was found dead on New Year's Day in Southend has been named as Steven Watkins. The homeless 35-year-old was found on the top walkway of Romany Steps on the Woodgrange Drive Estate, off Beresford Road. A post mortem revealed that he had died
Braintree Town and Halstead Town have set up a mouth-watering Essex Senior Cup quarter-final clash. The two teams will collide at Cressing Road next week after both negotiated their way through tricky fourth-round matches last night. Ridgeons League premier
In The Last Samurai, two recent Hollywood trends come together. Firstly, it fits with the continued resurgence of the historical epic over the last decade, prompted by the success of Braveheart and Gladiator. Secondly, it demonstrates the popularity of
Former tennis player Olive Dean was given an ace of a party to mark her 100th birthday. Mrs Dean marked the occasion at Anchor Lodge retirement home, Walton. Mrs Dean was born and brought up in Dovercourt, the second of six children. Her brother Bert
Canvey decathlete Dean Macey has stepped up his preparations for this summer's Olympic Games by joining a whole host of top British athletes in a South African training camp. Macey plus heptathlete Denise Lewis, long jumper Jade Johnson and triple jumpers
A former chairman of the committee who helped South Woodham Ferrers residents get many of their community facilities has resigned. Bob Massey had been a member of the town council for more than 12 years and joined the leisure committee and became chairman
A motorcyclist was today being treated in hospital for serious head and back injuries following a crash at Sadlers Farm which caused traffic mayhem. The male rider of a blue and white Suzuki GSX bike lost control heading towards London at the Benfleet
Plans to redevelop two office blocks in Victoria Avenue in Southend have won the support of a senior Labour councillor. David Norman, who represents Victoria Ward where the blocks are set to be either demolished or revamped for affordable housing said
A Victorian church in a remote village could become an important meeting and entertainment venue thanks to an inspired initiative by its pastor and worshippers. Having looked at the under-used meeting spaces available at Tollesbury Congregational Church
A new leaflet is to be handed out, promoting plans to develop Bathside Bay at Harwich. Support Port Expansion and Kill Off Unemployment Threat (Speakout) is to give out the leaflets to residents. In it, it lists 21 groups and individuals who support the
A play had to be cancelled after cheering football supporters drowned out the actors on stage. The Squeaky Clean theatre group was due to perform its version of Samuel Adamson's Clocks and Whistles on Saturday night, upstairs at the Spread Eagle in Victoria
Carers are being welcomed to a meeting which will discuss carer support services in the area. The Basildon, Billericay and Wickford Council for Voluntary Service is holding the meeting and is hoping to get views from carers about how they think the existing
An 87-year-old retired army nurse lost nearly £1,000 when burglars searched her Southend home while she was in the living room. The woman, who also used to work for the St John Ambulance Brigade, heard banging on the front room window of her Eastern Avenue
A brave Corringham schoolgirl fought off a man who tried to grab her on her way to school. The 12-year-old girl was walking alone through Corringham when the attempted abduction took place at about 7.20am on Monday morning. The man approached her as she
Burglars raided a charity's office, taking cash donated for leprosy sufferers. The intruders targeted Lepra's office at Fairfax House in Causton Road, Colchester, over the Christmas and New Year break. They took £15 to £20 from a collection box, took
Smashed bottles on the pavement and in the gutters could soon be a thing of the past. All go - Andrew Wong with containers used to collect glass Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY A new deal with Basildon Council means Raw Glass Ltd will collect the leftovers from
A disabled man has hit out after a traffic warden fined him for not displaying his badge clearly enough. Angry - Stanley Edwards and his wife Joyce are furious they got a parking ticket despite displaying their badge permit Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Stanley
There are no longer any homeless families left in bed and breakfast accommodation in Castle Point, council chiefs said today. The council's target to have no homeless families left in bed and breakfast accommodation by March this year has been achieved
Southend United will receive £30,000 after the BBC confirmed that highlights of the Blues cup replay at Scarborough next Wednesday would be featured on "Match of the Day". And the Blues have been handed a further cash incentive to win the replay on January
Mid-Essex rail commuters have reacted angrily to finding their season ticket fares going up far more than they bargained for. Witham passengers were shocked when they went to renew their annual season tickets to London and found the price had gone up
Concerns expressed by Chelmsford West MP Simon Burns over the potential misuse of hallucinogenic mushrooms legally sold over the counter to adults in a Moulsham Street shop have been echoed by the Home Office. Mr Burns wrote to the Home Office after an
MP Angela Smith was on hand to unveil new signs marking the launch of a new specialist technology college. The Basildon and East Thurrock MP was invited to Hassenbrook School in Hassenbrook Road, Stanford-le-Hope to join the celebrations. She said: "Hassenbrook
Members of a historic church have been left reeling after thieves smashed through a stained glass window and stole from the building for the second time in as many weeks. Counting the cost - the Rev David Parrott surveys the window that was smashed during
A teenager involved in mob drunken street violence in Chelmsford last summer was locked up by a judge on Tuesday. Apprentice electrician Alan Neale, 19, of Cherry Avenue, Brentwood, admitted affray when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. He received
Colchester's walk-in medical centre could be housed in the former Royal London offices. The building, in Middleborough, is the first choice location for the new unit. Colchester Primary Care Trust's board discussed plans for the centre at its meeting.
Police are warning people in the Harwich area to beware of counterfeit cash in circulation. There have been four false notes found in four days two fake £50 notes and two counterfeit 50 Euro notes. Sgt Peter Wood, of Harwich police, said all the notes
A movie lover had her cinema experience ruined by having to sit through hours of a film with distorted music. Wendy Bailey, of Maldon Road, Colchester, paid her first visit to Colchester's Odeon cinema with a group of friends to see the latest Lord of
The Browning Wickford Angling Centre team stole the show at Sunday's Gloucester Park Open. Not only did Frank Thomas take a clear win with a 26lb 7oz haul, but his team-mates filled the next three places - with his own son taking fourth spot - on a day
The writers behind the vfestival.info website put together a wish-list of bands they'd most like to see at V2004... Perhaps not everyone's favourite choices but almost certainly there's something in here to perk the interest of even the most cynical festival-goer
An angry headteacher hit out at "mindless vandals" who smashed seven windows during the holidays and forced the school to fork out hundreds of pounds in repair bills. Smashed - caretaker Chris Willet stands behind one of the vandalised windows Picture
A brave two-year-old has been hailed amazing Daisy after beating a brain tumour the size of a tangerine which doctors feared could have claimed her life. Delighted - George Locker with a photo of daughters Daisy, left, and Sophie Determined Daisy, of
The writers behind the vfestival.info website put together a wish-list of bands they'd most like to see at V2004... Perhaps not everyone's favourite choices but almost certainly there's something in here to perk the interest of even the most cynical festival-goer
An injured rider thrown from a horse was rescued when a police helicopter spotted her lying in a field. The 18-year-old girl was riding a horse north of Stevens Farm near Bullwood Hall Lane, Hockley, when it suddenly bolted. The girl was thrown to the
Motorists face at least another decade of snarl-ups at the busiest roundabout in the county, it was confirmed today. However they can look forward to £32million being injected into major improvements to the Sadlers Farm roundabout - but not before 2013
The year 2003 proved to be an exceptional year for Hockley schoolboys Lewis Taylor and James McLean and both are looking for even brighter times ahead. They only took up athletics during the spring of 2003 and have excelled beyond all expectations. All-round
Fabian Wilnis would love the opportunity to lead Ipswich out as captain again this season. The right-back was still beaming today after skippering Town to a 3-0 FA Cup victory against Derby County at Portman Road on Saturday - and admitted the news of
Leading British tennis player Helen Crook has given a cautious welcome to plans to cover Wimbledon's Centre Court. All England Tennis Club chiefs announced their intention to build a retractable roof over the world-famous arena yesterday. The canvas canopy
Youngsters were celebrating today after a £12,000 revamp at their school playground. Swinging time - children are thrilled with the new play equipment Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Pupils at Hadleigh Infants School, Bilton Road, were delighted when the climbing
An Eastwood internet designer with his own world wide web of ambition has completed his first major international contract. Thrilled - Scott Whitehead looks at the Antonio-Bizhere.com website he has won a contract with Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Scott Whitehead
Blues midfielder Jamie Fullarton faces another lengthy spell on the sidelines after breaking his collarbone in yesterday's 2-1 reserve team defeat at Northampton Town. Jamie Fullarton - facing new spell on the sidelines with a broken collarbone The 29
A father and his half-brother flew into a "impulsive rage" and blasted a man with a shotgun outside Basildon Hospital after hearing his baby had been dropped on its head, a court heard. Keith Hayhow, 39, and Shay Backhurst, 21, were today starting lengthy
Struggling Great Wakering Rovers have suddenly found a new lease of life away from home. After winning their opening Ryman Division One North game of the season at Berkhamsted, Rovers went 11 league games without a win on opposition territory. But all
A brave two-year-old has been hailed amazing Daisy after beating a brain tumour the size of a tangerine which doctors feared could have claimed her life. Delighted - George Locker with a photo of daughters Daisy, left, and Sophie Determined Daisy, of
Pupils of the present got a taste of the past when they celebrated 50 years of their school. 50 years on - Ella Warren, the first headteacher of Kings Ford Infant School meets the pupils of today at a special assembly to mark the school's 50th anniversary
Steve Tilson could be in for an extended run in the Southend United hotseat after impressing as caretaker-chief. The former midfielder has helped revitalise the struggling Shrimpers during his short time at the helm and club co-owner Ron Martin has been
The writers behind the vfestival.info website put together a wish-list of bands they'd most like to see at V2004... Perhaps not everyone's favourite choices but almost certainly there's something in here to perk the interest of even the most cynical festival-goer
A bus link between mid-Essex communities and Broomfield Hospital is to be axed barely a year after it started. The 344 service currently operates three times a day on Tuesdays and Fridays between Witham, Hatfield Peverel, Terling, Flacks Green, Gambles
A Leigh cleric will become the next Bishop of Reading in a controversial promotion that sees him filling the post originally offered to gay Canon Jeffrey John. Former Belfairs High School pupil Canon Stephen Cottrell, 45, used yesterday's announcement
A teenager from Witham has begun a challenge to raise almost £4,000 so she can spend a year in Thailand. Globetrotter - Amy Goldring, of Witham Sixth Form Centre, plans to fly half-way around the world to teach English in Thailand for a year. Picture:
Phil Parkinson could be forced to move into the loan transfer market if a mystery back injury to his Colchester United ace Andy Myers fails to clear up quickly. And one of the players the U's boss is eyeing-up is his former Reading team-mate and defender
