A teenager skipped school because he was being bullied, a court heard. The 13-year-old boy from Colchester made few appearances at school between February and July this year. His mother, whose identity along with the youngster's cannot be revealed, admitted
A mother who is preparing to bury her beloved son faces an agonising three-month wait to find out what killed him unexpectedly. Phillip Collings, 20, of Wenham Drive, Westcliff, died outside Talk Nightclub, in Lucy Road on December 4. His funeral takes
A Green Party councillor fears that a waste disposal plant could be built at Rivenhall Airfield after plans for a new draft waste management strategy were approved. On Monday, Braintree Council cabinet approved plans to adopt the draft Joint Municipal
Drug dealing is the problem which residents in Jaywick most want to see tackled. A survey was filled out by residents who attended a public meeting aimed at coming up with an action plan for how to improve the area. At the meeting, representatives from
Nearly 60 names have been suggested for Harwich's new multi-million pound hospital. The current Captain Fryatt Memorial Hospital, in Main Road, Dovercourt, is being rebuilt. Private finance company The Mill Group is investing £13.3 million in the new
Europe's first coastal and marine regional park has been launched, with Essex at its heart Local authorities with coastlines on the southern North Sea have banded together to celebrate the cultural and natural diversity of the region. The area covers
Grandad Colin Stebbing got to introduce his first grandson to his own grandmother. Meet the family little Oliver Rumgay, six months, with mum Clare, granddad Colin Stebbing, great-grandmother Sylvia Stebbing and great-great-grandmother Ida Joy. Picture
Train users in north Essex could see their journey times to the capital slashed under an innovative multi-billion pound rail scheme unveiled today. Drawn up by a group of experienced former rail bosses, the proposal, known as Superlink, involves a £13.2
Residents are alarmed at the lack of action being taken to fix a light on the top of a police communications mast, which is used to warn low-flying aircraft of its location. High Garrett residents are worried about the 100ft tower in their village after
Warrior Square and Victoria Avenue in Southend have been suggested as alternative sights for a new supercasino to save views across the Thames estuary. The deputy leader of Southend Council's Labour group Stephen George attacked plans to turn Southend
Bus services could be based back at Braintree's Victoria Street for the first time in 20 years. A potential £1.5m redevelopment of the Braintree site was agreed at last night's meeting of the council's Braintree area committee. The venture would see the
Southend boats have been landing a few codling, along with whiting and some good dabs. There are also Thornback catches to be had for anglers who target this species. Codling, whiting and dabs are being taken by Wallasea vessels. Highlight of the week
Colchester United's heroic youngsters overcame Premiership giants Chelsea in the FA Youth Cup. Joe Dunne's young charges recorded a major scalp thanks to a 2-1 victory at Layer Road. Close to 700 people turned out to cheer on the young guns last night
Chelmsford will come to a standstill permanently if there is no control on the number of taxis allowed to operate. That is the claim of the Chelmsford Taxi Association (CTA) in its fight to persuade Chelmsford Council not to go ahead with a move to delimit
A man died after his car crossed a central reservation on the outskirts of Colchester. The car that the dead man was driving (39997-5) The accident happened on the dual-carriageway between Elmstead Market and the traffic lights for the University of Essex
The commitment of a customer adviser at a Chelmsford store has won him a home makeover worth thousands of pounds. Richard Rankin, 31, who works at B&Q warehouse at Homelands Retail Park, Chelmsford, has been crowned the divisional winner of the Big
The Palace Theatre, which has been fighting for survival in recent years, has chalked up its most successful autumn season ever in its 40-year history. The 51 performances at the Westcliff theatre sold 22,500 seats over the two months they were on sale
It was celebrations all round as members of the 7th Colchester Brownie Pack marked the 80th anniversary of their group being set up. Happy birthday to us - 7th Colchester Brownie Pack celebrate 80 years of existence with Susan and Richard Scales, Jane
Southend United striker Wayne Gray is confident the Shrimpers can sustain a push for promotion this season. Steve Tilson's side currently sit sixth in the League table, but the in-form forward is expecting a tough few weeks for the Seasiders. "I think
Family and employers today paid tribute to a young man who died in a road crash. Jason Wiegand, 21, of Hawkins Way, Braintree, died on Sunday when his Renault Clio car hit the kerb on the town's Millennium Way dual-carriageway, went on to hit the central
Live wire family the Scriveners are lighting up their street this Christmas for charity. Bright idea - Lauren, Christopher and Stacey Scrivener collecting for Essex Air Ambulance outside the lit-up family home. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (40029-1) The family
Southend United midfielder Jay Smith today declared he would return from his latest injury setback stronger than ever. The attacking youngster is currently sidelined with a ruptured Achilles, but is determined to fight his way back to full fitness and
A large contingent of swimmers from the Canvey Island club travelled to Dartford for the third annual B Grade meet and achieved some amazing results. Their total of 48 medals, including eight gold, six silver and seven bronze, earned them runners-up spot
The site of the former Great Bradfords farm will now be extended to create 34 residential units. The decision was agreed by councillors at the Braintree area committee last night after being deferred from a previous meeting. Councillors had asked for
Christmas came early for Northlands Park regular Tom Bohea when he landed a superb common carp of 28lb. Not only was the fish 10 pounds bigger than his previous personal best, it also set a new lake record for the Basildon venue. The big carp came from
A five-year-old boy whose mum died suddenly has been given a helping hand by the friends she left behind. Fantastic response Michelle Rann, Bev Sanderson and Jodie Wells with the whopper of a cheque for Kieron. (40163-a) Tammy Warren, 30, of The Meers
A new charity shop has opened in Braintree. Open for business - Lynne Newton, RSPCA branch retail consultant, congratulates Bob Fernando, general manager of the the Danaher animal home, on the opening of the new RSPCA shop in Fairfield Road, Braintree
Matt Richards is prepared to be patient in his quest to get back in Ipswich Town's starting line-up. The young defender has had to be content with a place on the substitutes' bench in recent weeks with boss Joe Royle handing the full-back spots to Fabian
Clacton maintained their winning ways after another top performance against fellow high-flyers Saffron Walden. Once again, their strikers laid the foundations for victory with a tireless display of running which constantly put the home defence under pressure
A motorcyclist has escaped serious injury despite losing his helmet in a four-vehicle smash in Rochford. The 38-year-old came off his blue and white Kawasaki yesterday.750cc bike in Southend Road shortly after 4pm on Tuesday. While the motorcycle came
A £50,000 scheme to turn a churchyard in to an "environmental haven" is set to begin in the new year. St Peter's Churchyard, at the junction of High Street and Market Hill, Maldon, will be transformed into a green and serene oasis of calm with new shrubs
A man has admitted indecently assaulting two girls. William Watts - admitted charges of indecent assault and child cruelty. (36042-1) William Watts, of Stour Road, Harwich, was due to stand trial on nine charges of indecent assault and one of child cruelty
The war on waste has gone into pantomime mode with the latest protest. Panto protest - Charles Bather, Hildegard Hill and Paula Whitney of Friends of the Earth stage their protest Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (40072-1) Friends of the Earth is campaigning against
A middle-aged man has had a lucky escape after a chip pan fire threatened to turn his flat into an inferno. The man, in his fifties, left the pan on the hob at his flat in Christchurch Road, Southend, while he watched television on Tuesday. When he returned
