A 21-year-old South Woodham woman suffered neck and hip injuries after her car overturned on the A130 this week. The accident happened on Tuesday at around 8.50am on the Chelmsford-bound carriageway, north of the Wickford turn off. Firefighters worked
An RSPCA inspector has been given the runaround by five wild guinea pigs. They have been dumped in an area of waste ground in Lodge Lane, Tendering. Jim Farr went out to pick them up and discovered two dead guinea pigs and did see others but was unable
Two men have been taken to hospital following a head-on crash in mid Essex. Two vehicles were involved in the collision in Little Maplestead at about 11.10pm last night. Drivers of both cars were trapped and had to be freed by the fire brigade. A 33-year-old
Southend angler Tim Robinson might be a newcomer to carp fishing, but he has already got a big fish under his belt after landing a cracking 23lb mirror carp at Basildon's Northlands Park. Tim's big carp came during a weeks fishing at different venues
A consultation on traffic-calming measures in a Hadleigh rat-run has been abandoned following opposition from residents. Some residents wanted the full closure of St Michael's Road at its junction with the A127 to stop traffic using adjacent Bramble Road
Opponents of a multi-million pound port scheme have questioned its long-term job prospects. They argued Harwich suffered high unemployment in the past and could be badly hit by investing in an unstable shipping industry. A public inquiry is currently
Oxney House retirement home in Writtle is set to be remodelled to provide residents with more space, comfort and enhanced facilities. The package of works includes converting 19 bedsits into 12 one bedroom apartments - each with private bathrooms. These
The nightmare of crack cocaine addiction was spelt out today at the start of a new police campaign. A 34-year-old mum told how her obsession with the drug led to five of her children being taken away from her. The former addict described her experiences
A major international company behind the rejuvenation of one of Clacton's largest seafront hotels today told why it is pumping more than £1 million into the resort. Days Inn - which has 36 properties in the UK and is expanding to 60 by the end of the
A £49,000 wish-list of equipment and improvements are on their way to Basildon Hospital thanks to fundraising group League of Friends. In the money - Basildon Hospital chairman David Hooper, second left, receives the cheque from league members Picture
Southend Hospital has achieved the highest level possible in a Government initiative promoting commitment to employees. The accolade comes days after the hospital was named fifth best in the country for staff satisfaction. The Working Lives Initiative
Five jobs will be created when Britain's fastest growing video games retailer opens its first Basildon branch. The latest Gamestation boots up on Friday, in time for the Bank holiday. The new Basildon branch is at 12 East Walk. As well as new products
Investigations are being made into an assault on a woman in Clacton. She was kicked by a man during the attack outside Magic City arcade in Pier Avenue. Details of the attack, which happened at 7.15pm on Monday, have not been released until today. The
On a very busy weekend of athletics, Colchester Harriers sent a team to the National Veterans Eight Stage Road Relay Championships at Sutton Coldfield on Saturday for the first time. Competing over an undulating course against 70 teams from around the
Southend Swimming Club's team of divers had just a short journey for their latest competition - and came home with four gold medals, a silver, a bronze and an abundance of good performances. Swooping to glory - Danny Osborne, Faye Ratcliff, Victoria Stoneham
Blood donors are being sought to help keep stocks at a high level as the summer approaches. Sessions will be taking place at The Institute, Bocking End, Braintree, on Wednesday, June 2. The National Blood Service (NBS), which organises the sessions, is
Ton-up hero Nasser Hussain must go on playing Test cricket for England! That was today's verdict from the former England captain's international colleague and fellow Essex star Ronnie Irani. Nasser Hussain in action for Essex "You're a long time retired
A 51-year-old man has died after he was thrown from his tractor when it was in collision with a lorry on the A13 at Basildon. The married man, from the South Ockendon area, suffered severe head injuries and a broken leg in the crash at 9.20am yesterday
Town councillors have issued a "lukewarm" response to plans for the future of community halls in Witham. Witham Town Council was responding to a consultation exercise over Braintree Council's proposals for the future of Spring Lodge Community Centre and
A giant lorry which blocks Maldon High Street twice a week, every week, giving motorists a wilting feeling, is to continue to cause traffic chaos. The lorry is a delivery truck from Holland which drops off flowers to the Talking Flowers shop. Drivers
Arena Essex meet Oxford in a SkyBet Elite Speedway League match at their Purfleet Raceway tonight. The last time the teams met at the Hammers home track was when they knocked out the Silver Machine from this season's Knockout Cup competition. Having lost
Essex Eels suffered a 108-7 defeat on their National League Three trip to Bradford Dudley Hill. But head coach Stuart Hogg has been pleased with the attitude his injury-hit troops have shown in training since the weekend drubbing. "The side we sent was
A teenage girl was today starting seven years behind bars for killing a dad-of-two after stealing his £30,000 sports car. Monique Dwyer, 19, of Sycamore Grove, Southend, took Franklin King's Mercedes from an A13 petrol station as he clung desperately
Canvey Island have three players in the England National Game XI squad to play the Iraqi international side tomorrow night. But one of them, star striker Lee Boylan, looks like missing out on his first cap after picking up an ankle injury in Sunday's
Actress and former Steps star Faye Tozer helped to officially open the new Ladybird Nursery at Southend Hospital. Faye, who has just finished her stint in Tell Me on a Sunday at the Cliffs Pavilion, cut the ribbon with hospital chairman John Bruce. She
Travellers have occupied land on a new housing development. Between six to eight trailers at various times were reported to have been parked on land between the Maltings Lane spine road and the A12 in Witham from last Tuesday. The land is expected to
Firefighters evacuated children from a park after a fire broke out and spread fiercely across the grass. The blaze started at 7.30pm yesterday when a large number of car parts caught fire after being dumped in a ditch in Tip Road, Canvey. The flames spread
Work on a new skate park on Canvey will be delayed by five months because there is no planning permission for the site yet. The first phase of the £100,000 project was due to start in July on land next to Waterside Farm, in Somnes Avenue, but plans are
More than a year's hard work has resulted in a football club's arson-hit premises rising like a phoenix from the ashes. Braintree's Sporting 77 football team held a footballing fun day to mark the unveiling of their newly revamped changing room and clubhouse
Residents and councillors were left stunned after plans for a block of retirement flats were given approval. The development of 24 two-bedroomed flats in Stock Road, Billericay, had been expected to be rejected by Basildon Council's development control
Commuters today suffered a reminder of the old Misery Line days when c2c services were disrupted as overhead power lines failed between Shoebury and Southend. Passengers arriving at Southend Central station during the morning rush hour were told no trains
A teenager has been banned from driving and will have to serve 150 hours of community punishment after being convicted of dangerous driving. He was seen by police doing hand-break turns and wheelspins in a Chelmsford car park, a court heard. Bradley Rogers
Major support has been secured for the future of Maldon district's older generation. Maldon District Council has launched a radical new strategy, its first ever for older residents of the Maldon district, to make the lives of older people living in the
Maggie Cooper is adding a fundraising trek to the contribution she has made to the Headway Essex charity. As speech and language therapist, trustee and former chairman, she has worked for the benefit of people living with a brain injury for 20 years.
Angry residents could take to the streets to protest against delays in a flagship regeneration project. People living in Colchester's Hythe district are frustrated with the lack of progress of a multi-million pound facelift designed to breathe new life
A man was today recovering in hospital after his car overturned on the A12. The man, believed to be in his 30s, was driving along the Colchester-bound A12 at Witham at 8.30pm yesterday when his car overturned and left the road. It came to rest on its
A seven-year-old boy has given his old bike to a boy with a potentially crippling condition who had his stolen. Kind-hearted - a delighted Peter Kelly tries out the bike given to him by George Pinkerton Picture: STEVE ARGENT George Pinkerton, saw an article
Striker Leon Constantine today hit back at claims he was a "money grabber" after quitting Southend United for Second Division football with Peterborough United. Gone Posh - Former Blues striker Leon Constantine Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL The gangly target-man
The RSPCA needs the help of eagle eyed residents in Harold to help track down the cruel owners of a neglected greyhound who was tied to sign post and left to die. The starving male greyhound was found in Patternosta Row, Noak Hill, near the footpath to
A partnership aimed at meeting the growing skills needs of the Thames Gateway South Essex area has been created. It is being run through the NOVA Partnership and unites 15 colleges and training centres in the area. The partnership has an annual training
A former police officer has been given an eight-month jail sentence for stealing electrical goods belonging to Essex Police. In a nine-month period, David Bruce took three televisions, a computer monitor and computer keyboard for his family's use, Colchester
A failed asylum seeker who had unlawful sex with a mental health patient shocked friends with his crime, a housemate said today. Tawanda Machingura, an illegal immigrant, was jailed for two years for having unlawful sex with the patient while working
A couple who spent 22 years building up their restaurant have decided to call last orders, but new owners will keep the popular eatery alive. Handover - restaurant owners Margaret and Les Slassor with new owner Martin Traylor and business partner Nina
James Middlebrook became the third Essex player in less than a week to record his maiden Championship century as the County ran up a total of 400-9 declared on the opening day of their clash against Somerset at Taunton. The 27-year-old Yorkshireman hit
The future of more than 50 jobs have been secured in Clacton with the management buyout of a major holiday firm. Anthony Staines, who inherited Crusader Holidays from his father Roger three years ago, has decided to sell the company. It has been bought
West Ham goalkeeper Stephen Bywater has the full backing of manager Alan Pardew as he prepares for Saturday's play-off final against Crystal Palace. The young shotstopper has grown so comfortably into the first team shirt that his predecessor - England
Beach hut vandalism at Frinton is increasing. The resort's beach hut owners' association said it has suffered the second worst year since records began. Patrol officers report vandalism occurred on 55 days with a total of 139 incidents of damage to huts
Writtle College was awarded two medals for its two entries at this year's Chelsea Flower Show. A display called Tell Tale Plants won a silver gilt medal while a new range of foxgloves and a millet displayed as a pyramid was awarded a silver medal. Mick
The Environment Agency is celebrating a successful prosecution against a recycling company which polluted the River Roding in Ongar. Waste Recycling Group (Central) Limited pleaded guilty a breach of the Water Resources Act 1991 at Epping Magistrates
A family was left heartbroken as their dog died just days after being savagely kicked by burglars. Tasha Beckett, 16, of Hereford Walk, Craylands, Basildon, returned home to find the timid mongrel, Pee Wee, slumped on the sofa in pain. He died two days
Cheeky burglars got into their victim's homes through unlocked or open doors. They then kept the owners talking while a partner in crime searched the property. Two homes were struck in the Clacton area on the same day although police are not currently
A man who died after being overcome by toxic smoke in a flat fire has been named as 23-year-old Barry Young. He was sleeping at his flat in Delaware Road, Shoebury, on Monday when his sofa caught fire. Firefighters said the old sofa gave off toxic fumes
Helping the visually impaired stay healthy is the aim of a special course organised by the Keep Fit Association (KFA) and being held at Hogarth Primary School in Brentwood. Expert tutors from both the KFA and the Royal National Institute for the Blind
A Canvey have-a-go hero has been given a bravery award for stepping in to stop an attack on a doctor. Hero - Anthony Farnum helped prevent a doctor being robbed Picture: ROB BROWNE Anthony Farnum, 23, didn't have to think twice about intervening when
Four teenage tearaways who terrorised an estate for three years have been landed with antisocial behaviour orders (Asbos). The court orders were imposed on Frank Cooper, 14, of Grange Road, Pitsea, twins Aaron and Jason Cullen, 15, of Hartford End, Pitsea
A procession of scarecrows will be among the highlights of Writtle Village Fun Day on bank holiday Monday, May 31. The village will be the focus of a wide range of festivities for the event, which will involve all ages. The parade around the village will
A leading spokesman for mid-Essex rail users has criticised "misleading" performance figures from a new rail firm. According to rail operator One, it has performed well during its first month in charge of East Anglia's main services. Ninety-two per cent
Queen's Award winning Chelmsford firm e2v technologies has developed a new 24-hour video camera that can give sharp images even in overcast starlight. The new device is usable for perimeter surveillance, as a night driving aid, and for security using
The re-launched Burnham to Wallasea ferry has been greeted as a new chapter in the special relationship between the communities. Back in service - the ferry is boarded by owner Robin Levy, left, Tracy Chapman of Essex County Council and Rochford Council
Most people do sponsored walks or have their head shaved to raise money for charity, but Maureen Plant went one better - she climbed Mount Everest. Boots made for walking - Maureen Plant Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Maureen, 38, joined an intrepid group of
