Women are better off than men working for Castle Point Council. Newly released figures show the council has bucked national trends by paying part-time female workers more than men. Nationally, men earn on average 11.8 per cent more than women for part-time
Garden waste is rotting outside homes because it hasn't been collected for a month. Fingringhoe is the latest area suffering, after Colchester Council introduced its new waste collection scheme. Ann Chamberlain, 65, of Chapel Road, said: "Everyone has
A concerned resident has called for action after watching vehicles race past her home at speeds of up to 100mph. Helen Turner, who has a home on the B1414 in Beaumont, is organising a petition to campaign for the speed limit, which is currently 60mph,
A summer swoop on night-time troublemakers will be launched in an area of Colchester. Police will be patrolling the streets of Greenstead in the early hours to combat anticipated rises in anti-social behaviour. From Thursday, July 1, high-profile police
The future of a skatepark for Canvey will no longer be a mystery after two clairvoyants offered to help with fundraising. Clairvoyants Grace Kennedy and Daniel Pitt have agreed to hold a charity evening on July 1 at the Paddocks, in Long Road, Canvey.
Plans for a second runway at Stansted will come under a two-pronged attack in the High Court. Opponents of proposals for aviation expansion in the UK - which include a second runway at Stansted - have been given permission for a full judicial review of
Insurance giant Marsh, crippled when 295 employees died in the Twin Towers atrocity, is determined to be ready for any future catastrophe. The firm wants to erect seven portable buildings behind its offices in Newland Street, Witham. The idea is that
A Southend restaurant stocked up with icecream to pay its last respects to a very special customer today. Eva's favourite - restaurant owner Paul Van Looy will greet the cortege Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL At least two or three times a week Eva Clark, 81
A school battling to come off the Government's "failing" list wants new sports facilities, which could be opened to the public. Thorpe Bay School, in Southchurch Boulevard, is seeking permission for an all-weather sports pitch with floodlights as well
One of the music world's biggest and brightest stars shone on East Anglia. Saturday Night's Alright (on a Wednesday!) - arms raised, Sir Elton revels in the applause. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (36426-1) Elton John and his entourage wowed thousands of fans
A finance consortium, which helps small businesses grow without resorting to banks and loan companies, has opened a branch in Maldon. Advantage Business Angels (ABA) represents more than 700 people looking to invest amounts from £10,000 to £3,000,000
National stores in Maldon High Street are letting the whole town down because of their lack of community spirit. Peter Nickolls, chairman of the town council's Maldon in Bloom working party, says the absence of co-operation from many of the larger chain
Injury-hit decathlete Dean Macey could return to action at next month's Hexham international meeting as he attempts to qualify for this summer's Olympic Games. The 26-year-old has not competed since winning a bronze medal at the 2001 World Championships
People living near Stansted airport are becoming increasingly irate about the 'nightmare problem' of flyers leaving cars parked in nearby villages. Some travellers park their cars in nearby towns and villages to avoid paying the airport's long-stay parking
A new recruitment firm has been set up to help office staff find work in Essex. The company, L&K Consultancy is based at Takeley near Stansted Airport. Its two principals are Louise Taheny and Kerrie Wiseman, who have both had long experience in the
The mother of a woman with learning difficulties has slammed Southend council plans to cut support services for carers. Worrying - Toni Mann, who at 66 still cares full-time for her 38-year-old daughter Julie is shocked at plans to cut respite care Picture
A multi-million pound riverside development which will transform the north east of Chelmsford town centre has been unveiled. Land bounded by the High Street, Waterloo Lane and Springfield Road will be brought back to life with restaurants, a new river
A charity formed by a handful of parents in Dunmow 14 years ago has been honoured in the 2004 Queen's Golden Jubilee Awards. Learning disability support group Fragile X, based in Stortford Road, Dunmow, was one of 12 voluntary organisations in the East
Cadet Christian Foreman became the youngest ever winner of Rochford's Captain's Day prize when he swept all before him on Sunday. The 14-year-old hails from one of the best known local golfing families - his father is a teaching pro at Leigh Driving Range
A pervert who raped a vulnerable young woman in a twisted "revenge attack" on the residential home where she lived has failed in his Appeal Court bid to have his life sentence reduced. Raymond Hatter, of Milton Keynes, left the "intensely fragile" disabled
Braintree Tennis Club's Amy Rumble is settling back into her normal routine after two of the most exciting days of her life. Rumble was one of 16 children from around the country who made it through to the final stages of the Ariel Ace Tennis Ace talent
Tennis fan Christie Brackett is lining up a match against former Wimbledon champ John McEnroe when the Grand Slam tournament gets underway next week. The 12-year-old from Canvey Island met the American legend at the Ariel Tennis Ace finals this week,
Generous customers and staff at a Clacton store are helping to keep the Essex Air Ambulance flying high. They have raised so much money for the effort that extra buckets have been flown in for the Co-op Fiveways site in Bull Hill Road. So far more than
Three men were injured when their speedboat hit Southend Pier last night causing minor structural damage. The men from Southend, all in their late thirties or early forties, suffered leg, head and arm injuries after crashing into the pier at 40mph. They
A Hi-tech travel centre is set to be built on the site of the existing bus station in Southend. The scheme will form part of the multi-million pound second phase rejuvenation of Southend town centre proposed by consultants Buro Happold. David Watts, Southend
A junior hairdresser proved she was a cut above the rest when she won an award. Award smiles - junior hairdresser Jessica Carpenter of Scizors holds up the trophy she won, flanked by Scizors owner Kathy Greaves, right, and Donna Martin Picture: DAVE HENDERSON
A woman has been praised for her actions after she stopped a bogus caller from getting into her home. The incident happened at a block of flats in Porter Way, Clacton, some time between 10.30am and 11.30am on Tuesday. Elaine Seymour, of Clacton police
Thurstable School in Tiptree has opened its new state-of-the-art football pitch. The full-size floodlit pitch is one of only four of its kind in schools across the country and features the latest in surface technology. The £400,000-plus pitch, approved
Richard Fitch wants to repay the faith shown by ARW Suzuki by turning in a top-ten performance at the Maxxis British Motocross Championships. Fordham's Fitch will be competing against the countries elite on his 250cc Suzuki bike at Little Loveney Hall
Former Southend United defender Neil Jenkins will today sign for Conference side Crawley Town. Jenkins was released from his Roots Hall contract in May after making 61 appearances for League Two outfit. But the ex-England U20 International is now relishing
Industrial action by fire crews could hit Southend again after a breakdown in the deal that ended the last conflict. The Fire Brigades Union discussed at its annual conference yesterday whether to hold a ballot which could lead to walkouts within a month
Arena Essex were made to battle hard before collecting two more league points when they overcame Eastbourne 47-43 after the visitors put up a dogged fight at the Purfleet Raceway last night. The ever-reliable Mark Loram was again the pick of the home
A £370,000 hi-tech system to combat car park queues has been switched on. A new electronic guidance system is now up-and-running in Chelmsford and aims to banish the sight of motorists queuing to get into the town's car parks. Drivers will be able to
Two passers-by who battled in vain to save a man's life after a heart attack were today praised for their efforts. They tried to revive the man with help from a 999 ambulance operator, who talked them through the procedure as paramedics raced to the scene
Garden waste is rotting outside homes because it hasn't been collected for a month. Fingringhoe is the latest area suffering, after Colchester Council introduced its new waste collection scheme. Ann Chamberlain, 65, of Chapel Road, said: "Everyone has
A distraught daughter has hit out at thieves who stole special flowers from her father's grave. Upset - Georgina and Peter Serghiou beside the grave. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (36358-20) Georgina Serghiou, 53, bought the flowers while she was on holiday in
Engineering chiefs today vowed the Pitsea flyover will not be closed during refurbishment work. The vital repair work to tackle corrosion will be starting on July 19. The first phase is likely to take 18 weeks and is costing £4m. Tony Ciaburrro, head
Organsiers of an annual charity cycle in Billericay are hailing this year's event as the biggest and best ever after the amount of cyclists participating increased three-fold. The Life Cycle 4 attracted more than 300 keen cyclists of all ages and raised
Southend Council's local taxation and benefits team is running a series of advice clinics. There will be sessions at Rethink, in Queen's Road, Southend, between 10am and noon on July 1, and at SAVS, in Alexandra Road, Southend, from 2pm to 4pm on the
Ipswich Town defender John McGreal has agreed a three-year deal with Championship rivals Burnley. The 'pull of the north west' was the major factor in the Liverpudlian's decision to move closer to home. McGreal has already passed his medical and is poised
Stansted celebrated a major landmark when it welcomed its 20 millionth passenger in a year. The new passengers-per-year landmark for the airport occurred on Thursday, June 10. The unsuspecting passenger was Jane Summers from Tunbridge Wells, who was checking-in
Final preparations are being made for the 59th Southend Ladies' Open Bowls Tournament, which will be opened by Southend mayor Roger Weaver on July 21 at 9.15am. It will run until Sunday August 1 at Priory Park, Victoria Avenue, Southend. This year the
Southend United skipper Kevin Maher is expected to sign a new two-year contract with the Shrimpers. Kevin Maher - is set to sign a new contract with Southend United Picture: LUAN MARSHALL The influential midfielder has been considering his options in
Brendan Cook described walking out in an England Lionhearts shirt for his international debut as 'the greatest feeling in the world'. The 20-year-old, from Colchester, won his first cap in England's 28-26 victory over Scotland when the rugby league amateur
A Chelmsford firefighter rescued a man with a bottle of rum in his hand and his dog from the River Can on Tuesday afternoon. Sub-Officer Gary Bishop dived into the town centre river after the fire service was called by anxious members of the public. The
An animal sanctuary is warning against con artists who are supposedly collecting for charity on its behalf. Veronica Mepham, of Rescuers Wildlife Sanctuary in Benfleet, said there have been reports of people asking for money and goods for the sanctuary
Cash-strapped pensioners in Colchester have persuaded EU chiefs to look into claims they are being crippled by spiralling council tax hikes. Flashback - Tony Constable with the 50,000-signature petition he collected last year Picture: TERRY WEEDEN More
A Southend pub has cancelled a gig following claims the band glamourised football hooliganism. Acarine, a band which recently signed a record deal, were due to play at the Alex, in Alexandra Street, on Saturday. In the light of trouble caused by England
Masked men have ram-raided two north Essex village businesses. Damage - workmen boarding up the front of the Co-op store in High Street, Dedham, following today's ram raid (36487-1) First, in the early hours of this morning, they smashed a stolen Land
A shocked mother of two has told police how she survived an apparent drug rape bid. She was rushed to Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, after drinking a glass of wine spiked with what doctors believe was the potent tranquiliser rohypnol. The woman felt
One of Colchester's oldest department stores has undergone another facelift. Williams & Griffin in the High Street has officially unveiled its new-look cosmetic department. The change is just part of Williams & Griffin's ongoing refurbishment.
Masked men have ram-raided two north Essex village businesses. Damage - workmen boarding up the front of the Co-op store in High Street, Dedham, following today's ram raid (36487-1) First, they smashed a stolen Land Rover into the Co-op in Dedham High
Homeowners sent two sets of bills for maintenance work are to fight back against rival firms who claim to have the maintenance contract for their flats. Last night residents from Chestnut Road, Vange, met at the Barge pub, off the High Road, and started
Bouncers at a Billericay pub will today demand ID from punters to stop a repeat of trouble which broke out after England lost to France on Sunday. As fans stream into Quilters pub this afternoon to watch the second England group game against the Swiss
Hard-working students had their nerves severely tested when they sat a GCSE exam and found that they had been taught the wrong syllabus. The St Peter's College, Chelmsford, students turned over their English literature paper to find that they had not
A law student who raised £900 by shaving her hair has given the money to Cancer Research and St John Ambulance. In the money - Hayleigh presented the money to Cancer Research UK's Gerwyn Davis and St John Ambulance's Neil Fenwick. Picture: ANNA LUKALA
Police are taking new steps in a bid to crack down on home burglaries this summer. Thurrock police have launched Operation Handiwork, which will see them distributing a picture of a burglar's footprint to residents' homes which have been left unsecured
Youngsters at a Hadleigh pre-school have become artists to help a hospice. Kind arts - pre-school children wield their brushes Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Pupils aged just three and four at St Barnabas have painted a sunflower for a competition being judged
If you can't afford a castle, why not try a rose? What a beauty - mayor Dr Chris and Elizabeth Hall with Roger Pawsey admire the new Cant's rose, which has been named Colchester Castle. Picture: STEVE ARGENT (36385-3) Colchester Castle - the floral one
Intrigued children sparked a rescue effort after getting trapped a mile off the Shoebury coast as they looked at the sunken Mulberry Harbour. Thames Coastguard was warned seven children were stuck on the mudflats, at 4.42pm yesterday. They had apparently
One of three Canvey secondary schools is to face the axe next year because of falling birth rates, it was revealed today. Headteachers will now have to battle it out with each other to keep their school open. Essex County Council is in talks with Cornelius
Anxious parents have four weeks to find new places for their children after learning that their Braintree nursery is to close. Parents have been told the Seymour House nursery at St Michael's Hospital in Rayne Road is to close on July 30 after 14 years
Police are hunting a man who indecently assaulted an 11-year-old schoolgirl in broad daylight. The girl was walking along Old Road in Clacton. She was followed by her assailant and was attacked in an alleyway running from Key Road. The man put his hand
A founder member of the Essex Carpet Bowls Association has died, aged 78. Henry Gowlett was treasurer of the association for 11 years and also bowled for the county. Mr Gowlett represented the English Carpet Bowls Association and organised tournaments
Teenagers are turning South Woodham parks into no-go areas by holding night-time drinking sessions in them, a resident has claimed. Youngsters congregating in Compass Gardens are making the park, next to Saltcoates, an area which other residents are frightened
Southend Golf Club held their guest day on Sunday and the heat of the day was matched by the golf from the winners. It was really a one-horse race with Dave Pepper and Boyce Hill guest Steve Neale winning both morning and afternoon rounds to triumph overall
BT has admitted that "illicit access" into the telephone network has led to residents in the Braintree area getting charged for expensive calls they did not make. More than 20 residents in the tiny village of Bardfield Saling first complained last month
History buffs can take a peek into the past as the gates to the historic Fyfield Mill are opened to the public to raise money to save other historic landmarks across Essex. The picturesque mill, which is privately owned, has recently been restored to
