A bid to attract funding for a bypass to the east of Southend is the culmination of an eight-year campaign by MP Sir Teddy Taylor. The Tory MP for Rochford and Southend East has hailed news of the £1.5bn bid as a "great breakthrough". Last week, the East
An airline has illustrated its zero tolerance approach to antisocial behaviour on its flights by announcing it has slapped bans on eight passengers. Ryanair, based at Stansted Airport, revealed it has barred the eight passengers from flying with the low-cost
Angry pensioners voiced their discontent at a heated meeting called to discuss the future of a day centre. More than 100 members of the George Hurd Centre in Fauners packed a meeting, the majority of whom objected to a possible relocation of the facility
Canvey Island were beaten at the death by a late strike from Hednesford in their FA Trophy clash at Villa Park. Hednesford took the lead on 27 minutes against the Ryman Premier League champions through Anthony Maguire. Canvey struck back with a goal from
Members of a football club have been left "absolutely gutted" after their club's heritage was destroyed in a suspicious fire. The fire at Witham Town FC, which is being treated as suspected arson, destroyed a demountable building next to the main clubhouse
Germans came to Seevic College last week as part of an exchange scheme, their timing couldn't have been better. Janice Taylor, college co-ordinator for the exhange, said: "It's happened at an ideal time because it means the Germans could help the English
A new Tesco store should open on the outskirts of Clacton next year after plans cleared the latest hurdle Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has decided not to call the plans in for a public inquiry, so the construction company can get the finer details
Police today appealed for witnesses to a road crash which claimed a woman's life. The 60-year-old victim, who lived in Suffolk but worked in Colchester, was travelling to Stansted Airport in a taxi to catch a flight when the accident happened. The crash
Nine charities will be holding displays in the High Chelmer Shopping Centre in Chelmsford to celebrate National Volunteers Week, which runs from June 1 to 7. Among them will be Chelmsford Agency for Volunteering (CAV) who help recruit volunteers for all
A man died today after a blaze swept through a flat in Shoebury. Wrecked - the top-floor flat in Delaware Road Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL A police officer was also injured rescuing an elderly couple from the blaze, in Delaware Road. The incident began at
Andy Marshall admitted having mixed emotions after his heroic performance in Millwall's FA Cup final defeat against Manchester United. The former Ipswich Town goalkeeper, who lives on the outskirts of Colchester, was the Lions' man-of-the-match in their
Training facilities for young people on Canvey are set to improve after a new learning centre opens its doors. Island base - marketing manager Chris Boreham with college staff Bev McMillan and Toni Corsini Picture: LUAN MARSHALL The centre, which will
Star bowlers Darren Gough and Danish Kaneria have been honoured by Essex for their service to cricket and position in the international game. England ace Gough, who recently returned from the One-Day International series in the West Indies, and Pakistan
Hundreds of cyclists took to Tendring's highways and byways for one of the district's biggest charity money-spinners. Some of the many fundraisers taking part in the Tour de Tendring Cars were left on the driveway yesterday and bikes taken out for the
A South Essex firm has been ordered to pay more than £22,000 after admitting safety lapses which led to a man losing a leg in an accident. Boss - Seaborne's Alan Tann leaves the court Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Alan Jackson, 38, from Pitsea, was severely
Southend United manager Steve Tilson admitted today he was disappointed by Leon Constantine's decision to quit the Shrimpers for Second Division Peterborough. The striker, who netted 25 times last season, signed a two year deal with Posh over the weekend
Canvey Island were beaten at the death by a late strike from Hednesford in this afternoon's FA Trophy clash at Villa Park. Hednesford took the lead on 27 minutes against the Ryman Premier League champions through Anthony Maguire. Canvey struck back with
A spate of thefts from cars has prompted a warning from police. There has been a rise in car break-ins happening overnight in Frinton and Walton and in-car entertainment stolen. Police have urged car owners to be on their guard and, if possible, put their
A young couple are furious after their wedding invitations were ruined by vandals who pushed excrement into a postbox. Mail - Kate Eshmade and Martin Kershaw post their new invitations Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Martin Kershaw, 27, posted 40 invites for
A major development comprising flats, offices and restaurants could be on the cards for the Hythe. The mixed-use development would include 153 apartments, children's play areas and piazzas. Also included in the plans is a riverside cycle and footpath
The tears flowed as Canvey's dream of creating soccer history faded and died yesterday. Shattered - a dejected fan after Canvey's 3-2 defeat Picture: LUAN MARSHALL The team, having already won the Ryman Premier title to gain promotion to the Conference
James Foster took on board the philosophy of coach Graham Gooch while putting together a career-best score in Essex's drawn match against Leicestershire at Chelmsford. "He's always stressing to batsmen they should not think their job is done once they
Canvey Island were beaten at the death by a late strike from Hednesford in their FA Trophy clash at Villa Park. Hednesford took the lead on 27 minutes against the Ryman Premier League champions through Anthony Maguire. Canvey struck back with a goal from
Plans to build 8,000 new homes in the Basildon district over the next decade have been given the green light after a heated debate. The Basildon Local Plan - which sets out proposals for how the district will grow until 2015 - has now been adopted as
A full-scale police operation involving armed officers and a helicopter was launched after children were seen waving a gun on a traveller site. Police officers, wearing protective body armour and equipped with MP5 hand guns, swooped on the Oak Lane traveller
Colchester's Gavin Cowan ended up on the losing side in yesterday's FA Trophy final. Former Braintree Town skipper Cowan played in Canvey Island's 3-2 defeat to Hednesford. Hednesford took the lead when Anthony Maguire slotted in from close range after
Budding entrepreneurs at a Wickford school have scooped three top awards for their business brains at a competition. Year 10 pupils from Beauchamps High School proved they are businessmen and women in the making at the South West Essex Business Company
A young couple were robbed by thugs who clubbed the boyfriend with a wooden pole. The pair were walking along Roots Hall Drive in Southend, at 10.55pm on Friday when they were pounced on from behind by two men. They wrenched the handbag from the 21-year-old
Youngsters are stealing expensive projection equipment from schools and offices to enhance their computer game experience. Schools in south Essex have been hit by a spate of projector thefts in the past few months, apparently so young people can stream
Billericay suffered a six-wicket defeat at Woodford Wells on Saturday despite a fine all round performance from Nathan Batson. Having been put into bat, Batson top scored with a fine knock of 86 and was well assisted by Andy Bethell (45) and David Cole
A manhunt for a serial flasher was today stepped up a gear after police expressed their fear he may soon commit a more serious offence. There have been at least six reports since March of the culprit jumping out of a bush and flashing his private parts
A boy was seriously hurt in a road accident which left three others needing hospital treatment. The eight-year-old suffered head and facial injuries, including a broken jaw, in the crash on the A120. It happened between Ramsey and Wrabness at the junction
Residents concerned about how major road improvements in Benfleet will affect them will have their say next year. A newly-published "timetable" chartering the proposed works on the Sadlers Farm roundabout, has revealed that while the £32m scheme will
A new bypass for mid Essex could be on the cards. The road, which would link the A12 to the A130 to the north-east of Chelmsford, is one of the schemes for which funding is being sought by the East of England Regional Assembly (EERA). It is part of the
International dancers from south Essex have returned from a competition in the USA laden with trophies. Winners - from left, Demi-Louise McGovern, Abbie Havis, Natalie Buckley and Michelle Buckley Picture: ROB BROWNE Members of Starlight Dance Works,
Billericay Town manager Justin Edinburgh has received a twin boost as he prepares his squad for next season in the Isthmian Premier Division. Not only has he appointed vastly experienced non-league player Matt Jones as his assistant but full-back Danny
Life continues to be tough for Westcliff following their promotion to the Premier Division. After restricting Loughton to 198-9 declared they could only make 167 in reply to lose by 31 runs. Westcliff collected only five points from this latest encounter
A man who took tea with a couple whose house he had broken into received a two year drug treatment and testing order when he appeared at court last week for sentence. Darren Dawson, 37, of no fixed address, but formerly of Stubbs Lane, Braintree, admitted
Newly-promoted Wickford are going great guns at the top of the First Division after winning each of their first three games. Hitting out - Hadleigh batsman Kim Bazeley strikes a blow against Wickford But they were given a real game by Hadleigh and Thundersley
Leigh clung on for a draw away at Stanford following a strong innings from the home side, who batted first. Stanford reached a well worked 216 for eight wickets before declaring with Mo Alszelle and John Elliott both taking four wickets to lead the hard-working
Castle Point Tory MP Bob Spink has launched a new battle against plans to cover the borough with concrete. He is spearheading a campaign to protect green spaces from over-development and to stop town-cramming in the community. Tories are nationally pledging
Rayleigh Tory MP Mark Francois is calling for more details on new Government plans to compensate 60,000 pensioners who have lost their savings from occupational pension schemes in companies that have gone bust. His demand, in the House of Commons, was
A woman has hit out at vandals who may have ruined her prized car in a case of mistaken identity. Lorraine Mann's Citroen Saxo was covered in paintstripper. It will cost £2,300 to put right, and so the car is now a write-off. Ms Mann, 44, of Portland
Orsett came so close to winning their second successive Division One game, but in the end had to make do with six points from a drawn affair. Orsett only made 146 all out thremselves, but then the County Ground hosts were holding on at 114-9 at close
Canvey Island were beaten at the death by a late strike from Hednesford in their FA Trophy clash at Villa Park. Hednesford took the lead on 27 minutes against the Ryman Premier League champions through Anthony Maguire. Canvey struck back with a goal from
Labour councillors launched their local election campaign with a strong message of change for voters. Hoping for votes - MP Angela Smith with the Labour team at the election launch Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL Basildon MP Angela Smith joined Labour leader
Essex lost their totesport League match at The Oval yesterday leaving Surrey to celebrate their first win of the season in any competition. A spirited performance by Andy Flower gave the visitors some semblance of hope, but they finished 31 runs short
A nightclub faces strong opposition in its bid to extend its opening hours, with claims the move will result in more crime, noise and disturbance in the area. JBR Leisure has applied to extend the opening hours of Route, in Colchester's Queen Street.
A teenager was left needing reconstructive surgery to her face after accepting a lift from a stranger. The 19-year-old, of West Mersea, accepted a lift home from Colchester when she was unable to find a taxi in the early hours of Friday morning. A police
A man was today behind bars for assaulting a policeman who was trying to arrest his friend. Gary McCready, 20, of Newberry Side, Laindon, elbowed the officer in the head because he felt police were being too aggressive, a court was told. McCready pleaded
The sports students and staff from Southend's South East Essex College raised £402 for Southend YMCA from their annual charity football matches at Roots Hall. Aerial duel - between the first and national diploma teams Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY Two games were
Police seized nearly £250,000 worth of drugs from a house raid yesterday and warned other drug dealers their stashes would be next. The raid took place at a house in Wharf Road, Grays, as part of an ongoing clampdown on drug dealing in the area. PC Grant
Students at Westcliff's St Bernard's High School will try to manage and promote the pop band McFly. Promote - this all-girl team get to grips with their business project Picture: ANNA LUKALA Their organising, budgeting and ICT skills will be put to the
A manhunt for a serial flasher was today stepped up a gear after police expressed their fear he may soon commit a more serious offence. There have been at least six reports since March of the culprit jumping out of a bush and flashing his private parts
