An amateur investigator has been deluged with e-mails from conspiracy theorists across the world after posting details of a mid-Essex mystery on a website. Witham real ale enthusiast Peter Fox recently stumbled on a spooky connection between four country
Essex ambulance service has been given permission to create a new station in the heart of Southend. The facility will be located in Short Street and will provide space for four ambulances and three response vehicles. The service was told last October
Police officers from Tendring will be awarded with commendations from the Chief Constable of Essex in recognition of their bravery. PC Mike Bignell, who is based at Clacton, and PC Mike Suley, based in Harwich, are to receive a Chief Constable's commendation
A shop worker was bitten on the arm as he tried to detain a thief who had stolen 400 cigarettes. The incident happened at about 7.45pm last night at Somerfields, Spa Road, Hockley. A white man, wearing dark clothing entered the store and grabbed the packets
After a series of disappointing defeats, Southend Swifts' senior women's team finally found some reward for their consistent hard work throughout the season, with a convincing 78-56 victory at Cardiff Clippers. Injuries and work commitments had again
Controversial plans to build 150 homes on a flood plain have been unveiled. The developer is seeking outline permission for the development on land between Colchester's Leisure Centre and the former Bypass Nurseries. The land is on a flood plain between
Fans' favourite Alan White is hoping he will be the man to lead Colchester United's push for promotion. Alan White (right) is hoping Phil Parkinson (left) hands him the captain's armband Picture: ROB SAMBROOK The no-nonsense defender wants to slip on
Five year 10 students of the Boswells School in Springfield, Chelmsford will get to sample some Asian culture after winning a trip to Pakistan by finishing second out of 129 teams in a national ICT competition. The 15-year-old girls, Vicki Chamberlin,
Southend Hospital is to fight the introduction of controversial parking plans designed to ease congestion problems around the hospital. Angry - residents Sylvia and Graham Gentle, Monica McLaren, Sidney and Janis Prendergast and Keith McLaren, who have
We are looking for any information on Paul Martin Robinson, born in January, 1949 or 1950 to Jeanette Campen. Paul may or may not know he is adopted, or that he has family looking for him. We want nothing more than to make contact, share our history.
A stew in Parliament over school dinners ended with Castle Point MP Bob Spink and others being offered seconds - if they were not satisfied. The row blew up last December over Essex County Council axeing arrangements for primary school dinners and leaving
South east Essex players will be gunning for glory when the county winter finals are held on Sunday. Essex County LTA's headquarters at Redbridge are playing host to the event, which will see four local clubs represented. Westcliff Hard boast the most
Plans are afoot to make Braintree district's town centres safer. The current closed circuit television (CCTV) system, which operates more than 100 lenses, could be in line for a six-figure boost. CCTV cameras in Braintree and Witham town centres could
A teacher in Colchester is unable to visit her critically-ill mother in a Canadian hospital after the Home Office lost her passport. Passport problem - Tara Haddrell, with daughters Claudine, two, and Maisie, six months, is unable to visit her sick mother
Southend United midfielder Neil Jenkins was full of smiles after helping the Shrimpers record a vital 2-0 victory at relegation rivals Boston United last night. Mark Bentley - scored Southend's first goal after just six minutes Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
A soldier had to be cut from his car with serious injuries after it smashed into a road sign. Accident scene - the damage caused to a road sign after today's crash. Picture: SEANA HUGHES The 22-year-old was driving the Ford Focus car along the A12 slip
I am trying to find my birth Dad as i would love nothing more than to get in contact with him. His last known whereabouts was in Hare Street Springs, Harlow, Essex and would be about 60 years of age. His wife is called Lucy and I think he has another
West Ham's dreams of Youth Cup glory were shattered in a 10-minute spell either side of half-time. The Hammers competed well early in this quarter final tie and probably shaded the first half, although chances were few and far between. But Villa goals
Rail company c2c has moved quickly to squash rumours that a vital village railway station is set to close. According to Brentwood and Ongar MP Eric Pickles, fears had surfaced that c2c was planning to shut down West Horndon station. Mr Pickles said: "
A grim picture is the latest shock weapon being used to stop fires caused by cigarettes. A poster of a young girl hovering between two graves has been designed by the Southend and Rochford Community Command team. The scheme is part of the Government's
Relegation-haunted Basildon Ladies looked anything but a team doomed to the drop, but then it all went horribly wrong as they lost 6-1 at home to East Thurrock United. Bees' two star players, midfielders Emma Chumley and 15-year-old Candice Eyre, combined
Crossrail bosses agreed not to pursue plans for a massive train depot on the Green Belt buffer which separates Brentwood from the sprawl of outer London. The company behind the £10 billion plans for a new rail link connecting Brentwood to central London
Motorists are being advised of future closures on the A12 at Ingatestone starting Monday, March 8. Resurfacing and maintenance work will take place on the dual carriageway for 10 nights between Maryland Interchange (junction 12) and Webbs Farm Interchange
Parents, teachers and pupils at a Maldon primary school are threatening court action to fight a proposed phone mast. Mobile phone company Orange want to place a mast about 100 metres away from All Saints primary school in Highlands Drive. The district
A man was slashed in the face and stabbed in the back during a vicious street attack. Collapse - Rectory Road, in Pitsea, where an attack victim was found slumped after being slashed in the face and stabbed in the back Picture: LUAN MARSHALL The 29-year-old
Hundreds of pounds of damage has been caused to centres in Billericay and Noak Bridge after a wrecking spree by 'mindless vandals' The vandalism to a cricket pavilion in Lake Meadows and the Noak Bridge Community Hall has caused misery to residents, according
A victory has been scored for elderly and vulnerable people in Leigh with the cancellation of the planned removal of a BT payphone. The phone's removal has been held up for at least a year after a last-gasp intervention by the town's council. BT announced
A pub boss has finally ended a football team's 77-year search for a kit sponsor. The Benfleet Tavern, in Richmond Avenue, has became the first sponsor of Thundersley and Hadleigh FC. Pub manager Darren Cook said: "It's great to help out. "A lot of the
Southend United gained another three precious points on the road last night as they beat Boston United 2-0. An early goal from Mark Bentley on six minutes helped settle the Blues before Neil Jenkins made the game safe on 65 minutes. Boston were reduced
Resurgent Southend United eased their relegation worries at the York Street Stadium last night with a confident and classy 2-0 triumph in a crucial basement battle with Boston. The well deserved win saw the Shrimpers surge up to the 16th in the table
A gang of robbers pinned two men against a wall then mugged them of £70 cash and their mobile phones. The 19-year-olds were approached by the six-strong group of youths on Chalvedon Avenue, Pitsea. They were grabbed and searched by the suspects, who then
Persuasive youngsters were celebrating today after sealing £2,500 to bring the long-awaited Canvey skate park nearer to life. Skate heroes - Sam Mott and Luke Philips, both 17 Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY The hard work of Sam Mott, Luke Philips, James Caulfield
An arsonist has been jailed for six years for setting fire to the home of a woman who was due to give evidence against him in court. Michael Thomas started a devastating blaze in Ruth Cox's first floor flat in Craylands, Basildon, after he broke in, poured
Rochford Hundred ace Richard Barnbrook's rich vein of form continued when he led the weekend qualifiers in the AA Thornton. Barnbrook, who won the club's Division 1 medal last month, stormed to glory on Saturday with 68-3=65. Peter Davies (96-28=68),
A long summer of disruption and delays could be on the cards for drivers in Witham. A second major route through the town looks certain to be closed by roadworks this summer. Gas supplier Transco has given notice that the gas main underneath Bridge Street
More bus firms in the Braintree district are threatening to change their routes or axe them altogether in the face of increased vandalism. Buses have been targeted by school children for the second time in a week in the town. Tabor High School pupils
Nursery owners are not holding out much hope that a selection of garden ornaments, including a concrete bulldog, will ever be found. Missing - Sarah Mummery shows ornament similar to the ones that were stolen Picture: ANNA LUKALA Thieves used barrows
An angry motorist is on the road to nowhere - as the pavement outside his house is higher than his driveway. Clive Jones, of Frinton Road, Kirby, said the problem had arisen since repairs were carried out on the pavement outside his house. The walkway
Traffic bosses have looked at five alternative routes for the widening of Priory Crescent following the discovery of a Saxon king's tomb. But a public inquiry into the controversial scheme was told each of the alternatives was ruled out as none was preferable
Marion Reid is my cousin and lived with her parents in Ward Avenue Grays Essex. Marion married and lived possibly in the Hogg Lane area but may not live there now. Our grandparents name was Tyler and we have a cousin Glenda who lived in the Southend Road
Sixty years of married life has taught John Plummer, 82, how to avoid getting a plate smashed over his head. Diamonds - John and Sarah Plummer Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY He revealed the secret while celebrating his diamond wedding anniversary to wife Sarah
A £10m contract has been won by a communications company in mid Essex The deal will create 14 new jobs at EWA, based at the Widford Industrial Estate, Chelmsford, which has a staff count of 81. The three-year contract is the biggest in the history of
A school has unveiled a £367,000 project, including new lifts and disabled toilets, on its grounds. Notley High School in Notley Road, Braintree, officially opened the development this week after work began last June. Lifts have been installed in the
I am trying to make contact with my Daughter Michelle. Michelle stayed with me for a while in Leeds but decided she wanted to stay with her mother in Colchester. The families last known address was BOADICEA WAY SHRUB END. Please phone me on my mobile
A rival to the Virgin Active leisure complex in Castle Point has been approved - but today Sir Richard Branson's firm welcomed the news. Plans for a £10m sports centre and tennis club have been given the green light by Southend Council. The state-of-the-art
Residents can carry on getting advice on their money and benefits after the future of a vital service was secured. The financial advice service Impact has been given £60,000 by Basildon Council to offer welfare services over the next three years. The
An 11-year-old boy was left shocked and shaken after he was grabbed in a Southend underpass while walking to school. The child was with his 15-year-old sister when he was grabbed in the Queensway underpass at 10.20am yesterday. His attacker seized the
A patient is being treated at a Colchester hospital for suspected meningitis. The patient, who has not been named, is currently being treated at Colchester General Hospital. A spokesman for the hospital said that while meningitis is a serious disease,
An urgent review of security is to take place at a supermarket after a man wandered into the warehouse, attacked the manager and locked him up. Boss Tony Hought had gone to the back of the Co-op store in Church Road, Thundersley, when he came across the
Southend children were warned about the dangers of drugs in a special road show held at the Cliffs Pavilion. Power play - singer Tina Cousins, centre, and radio presenter Mike Porter with the cast of 2smart4drugs at the Cliffs Pavilion Picture: MAXINE
Two teenage girls who plunged to their deaths from the 11th floor of a Southend tower block killed themselves, a coroner ruled today. Lisa Utton, 18, of Lesney Gardens, Rochford, and Danielle Waddington, 16, of Castledon Road, Wickford, jumped 120ft from
Parents were today advised to contact their GPs after two firms working at a Colchester school admitted exposing pupils and teachers to asbestos. Repairs at the Stanway School exposed staff and up to 600 pupils to asbestos fibres three years ago. The
