Council tax bills in Colchester are set to increase by more than the rate of inflation. However, Colchester Council has said this year's increase is half the amount the tax was raised by last year. The council's cabinet is due to recommend the budget
Bowers and Pitsea United 1, Tilbury 2 A late, late goal from Chris Sorainhdo gave Tilbury victory in this hard fought Thameside Trophy tie played out in horrendous conditions. On a pitch barely fit for play, both sides found it difficult to find their
Darren Bent admitted a 'massive weight' had been lifted from his shoulders after grabbing two goals against Coventry City. The Ipswich Town striker netted a brace in Saturday's 3-2 Coca-Cola Championship success at Portman Road. Strike partner Shefki
Basildon snooker star Stuart Bingham must be sick and tired of the name of Stephen Maguire after suffering defeat at the hands of the game's top up-and-coming young star for the second time in five days. Last Thursday the new towner was crushed 5-1 by
The 2005/06 council tax rise in Witham looks set to be a lot less controversial than last year's increase. Last night, Witham Town Council discussed the 2005/06 rise in its precept, the portion of council tax paid by Witham residents to the town council
Andre Adams has signed a one-year contract as an overseas player for Essex. The New Zealander spent the second half of the 2004 season at the County Ground, first as a replacement for Danish Kaneria and then Scott Brant. All-rounder Adams joins Kaneria
An Essex farmer's potatoes could be the holy grail for chip-lovers - slimming spuds. Heading for success - farmer Ian Mitchell, right, with his 'slimming spud'. Picture: STEVE ARGENT 40543-2 US researchers claim adora potatoes, produced and sold by Ian
A gardener who unearthed a live grenade in his back garden has described his brush with death admitting he was "quite lucky". Lucky - Lee Farrow and Martin Dunne re-live the moment when they found a live grenade in the garden. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK (40563
Village residents are angry a controversial housing proposal has been given the go-ahead behind closed doors. Frinton and Walton councillors had recommended the proposal in Turpins Lane, Kirby Cross, be turned down. Residents said in view of the controversy
A special bus with neither wheels or seats is launching a new service in West Mersea. All aboard! Mersea Island School pupils climb aboard their new school bus. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON 40533-2 The vehicle is, in fact, a walking bus of accompanied youngsters
Police rushed onto Southend pier after they received an call reporting that a man was trying to take his own life. An Environment Agency officer conducting a coastal survey on the mudflats in Southend sparked alarm when he was spotted by a member of the
A woman whose baby was stillborn is battling for compensation. Donna Cantwell, of Pintail Crescent, Great Notley, is suing Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust for damages after the stillbirth of her child in September 2001. In a writ issued at London's
Residents and groups across Tendring are to be given the chance to put their views forward on how money should be spent in the district. A cross-section of the community is being invited to a special meeting to discuss proposed council tax increases.
A mother battling to stop her children being put up for adoption was given a glimmer of hope at the Court of Appeal. The mother, who cannot be named for legal reasons but is from the Colchester area, "dearly loves" her young son and daughter, top judges
A quarter of children in Colchester and a fifth of youngsters in the Tendring area are NOT immunised against the three childhood illnesses measles, mumps and rubella (MMR). The Health Protection Agency figures have fuelled fears the district could see
A petrol filling station that has been run by the same family for three generations is closing down after nearly half a century. Service Garage in High Street, Great Wakering, will close its convenience store and petrol forecourt tomorrow Wednesday and
Manningtree, Mistley and Lawford could link up to fund police community support officers. Lawford Parish Council is asking the two other councils to join with it to carry out a feasibility study. Councillors at their meeting last night heard Frinton and
An elderly woman had her handbag snatched by a boy and girl as she walked along a Colchester street. The victim was in Conifer Close, Greenstead, when the youths grabbed the bag and ran off, leaving her unhurt but very shaken. Police said she later got
Canvey must travel again in their quest to reach the last 16 of the FA Trophy. For, in yesterday's draw for the fourth round, they came out of the hat second to take on Southern League Premier side Aylesbury United on Saturday February 5. The Buckingham
A worker suffered a hand injury after a mechanical press landed on his thumb. The accident happened at the Seco Aluminium plant in Crittal Road, Witham. An ambulance and emergency care practitioner were sent to the scene after the alarm was raised at
A Colchester primary school has turned to Suffolk to secure hot meals for children, but will not be dishing up the first dinners until late April. Hot meals have been off the menu at Kendall Primary School, in Recreation Road, Old Heath, since December
A racehorse owner is celebrating after his steed beat the odds at 66-1 to win one of its first races. Celebrating - Tony Clifford admires the winners' plate won for him by his gelding, Tiger Hunter. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON 40498-1 Tony Clifford feared
Southend United supremo Ron Martin today admitted he was not surprised to see the Shrimpers named as the second biggest payers to football agents in League Two. A report issued by the Football League, revealed Blues have handed over £35,000 to agents
A mural featuring notable Wivenhoe events has been unveiled in the town council's offices on the High Street. Wivenhoe encapsulated - artist Susannah Bradley with her mural that was unveiled last night, showing various aspect of the town's life. Picture
London Four North East trio Basildon, Rochford Hundred and Westcliff all won through to the semi-finals of the Essex Intermediate Cup. At Gardiners Close, Basildon cruised past Chelmsford 42-8. Westcliff survived a scare against Essex One South Woodham
Police are trying to track down a man seen performing an indecent act in a Colchester car park. He was spotted by a woman who had been to the gym at Leisure World in Cowdray Avenue. It follows a report just over a week ago from a woman who saw a stranger
A man has been told he may be jailed for indecently assaulting a teenage boy. Philip Elwell, 33, also admitted charges of sexual activity with the boy when he appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court. Sentence was adjourned for reports and Elwell was bailed
A woman was treated for smoke inhalation at Southend Hospital after her house went up in flames in the early hours of Tuesday. Firecrews from Shoebury and Southend were called to a detached two storey house in Picasso Way, Shoebury, at 4.08am. A fire
Gutsy Southend put up a brave fight before going down at league leaders Barking in their Essex derby clash on Saturday. The Seasiders couldn't have asked for a better start as they stunned their high flying hosts after just three minutes. Southend secured
Colchester United are battling to stay clear of the relegation zone. Skipper Wayne Brown believes the U's are now fighting for their Coca-Cola League One status following their disastrous 2-0 defeat at Milton Keynes Dons. The loss came only seven days
A man has been found dead in the cubicle of a public toilet in Clacton. Discovery - police outside the toilets where the man was found 40535-2 The man, who comes from the Clacton area, was found by a member of the public yesterday at 4pm. The ambulance
Football academy students at South East Essex College are promoting the national campaign to "Kick Racism Out of Football." The 17 students came up with the idea before Christmas and, with the help of the Marketing Department at the College, purchased
Southend United take on Canvey Island in the quarter-finals of the Essex Senior Cup at Roots Hall tonight - but Blues boss Steve Tilson couldn't care less! "I don't give a monkeys about this competition right now," confessed the Shrimpers chief. "We have
Members from Colchester and Tendring Athletics Club produced some fine performances in the South of England Indoor Pentathlete Championships in Bedford, with over ten personal bests set and a bronze medal claimed. Louis Persent showed star potential by
A thief who attacked a security guard has been jailed after breaching her drug treatment order. Tracey Smith, 26, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday, after the Probation Service said she had breached the terms of her drug treatment
The Witham to Hatfield Peverel link road has again been debated - with the possibility of adding a third lane to the existing A12. Last night Witham Town Council heard a presentation from Mansour Motlagh, principal engineer of road project specialists
Pensioners could be stopped from using half-fare bus passes outside Southend as part of drastic budget cuts. Southend Council subsidises the passes allowing the elderly cheap fares to travel on buses throughout the county. However, a town hall funding
A man kicked and punched his partner's car when she failed to park it where he told her to, a court heard. Guy Alexander, 33, appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court yesterday to be sentenced for criminal damage, driving without insurance and failing
A new rubbish dump is set to open in Braintree. Plans for a civic amenity and recycling centre have been proposed by Essex County Council. The site earmarked is at the end of Springwood Drive, near to the Springwood industrial estate. A county council
Pop fans will be in their element at a sale which will see rare and valuable vinyl records be sold off for charity. Record - Maureen Chaplin with some of the records on sale. 40516-1 Sales at St Clare's Hospice shop in Maldon High Street have proved very
Police in the Braintree division are advising householders to be on their guard following a big increase in bogus caller burglaries. Latest figures show a total of 73 bogus caller crimes were reported in the Braintree division during 2004 an increase
