ESSEX Police Authority chairman Robert Chambers has pledged policing in villages near Rochford will not be affected by the planned merger between Southend and Rayleigh divisions. Mr Chambers made the assurances at a special meeting called by Hawkwell
SEEVIC College's seven-a-side rugby team pulled off a superb triumph when they travelled to Norwich to compete in the East England Colleges' Championships. A place in the British Colleges finals at Loughborough was at stake for the winners . . . and Thundersley's
Another High Street shop has gone up in flames in a town centre plagued by fires. However, firefighters believe the blaze at The Abode, in Halstead, was down to an electrical fault rather than arson. The interior design shop caught light just after 5am
A TAXI driver who hit two men on the head with a torch after a kebab was shoved in his face has been ordered to do 80 hours of unpaid work. Gordon Bond, 31, from Basildon, was at a kebab van in Ashlyns, next to Northlands Park, Pitsea, at around 12.45am
AN unqualified doctor who worked as a gynaecologist at Southend and Basildon hospitals faces being kicked out of the profession. Dr Henry Akpata, 62, qualified as a doctor in Germany, but was not eligible to work in the UK. He failed a membership exam
Who wants to be a millionaire? A Maldon teacher has been left "on cloud nine" after scooping £32,000 on ITV's big money game show. Paul Callow's appearance on Who Wants to be a Millionaire was watched by millions on Saturday night. But it had been an
More than £1.3 million is to be invested in improving facilities at one of Tendring's premier holiday parks. Big investment - general manager Rob Jenkins surveys the work at Highfield. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (45884-2) Park Resorts, which owns Highfield
A rescue operation was launched by emergency services after a deer was spotted in the sea off Clacton. Recovering - the deer is examined by Rosie Catford, of Wildlives animal centre, Thorrington, and vet Ana Lapaz after its ordeal. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN
A teenager who turned to cannabis after a motorbike accident developed mental health problems and killed himself on the railway. A freight locomotive travelling at more than 60mph collided with Mitchell Buchanan between Kelvedon and Marks Tey stations
BOOKWORMS at Bardfield Primary School, in Clay Hill Road, Vange have been devouring the books in their brand new library. More than 1,000 books have so far been donated by pupils. Books were also donated by publishing companies and Barleylands Farm donated
RESIDENTS have reacted angrily to plans to put the biggest waste plant in south Essex on their doorstep. More than 100 protestors packed into a public meeting called by the Northlands Park Neighbourhood Committee. They claimed they had not been properly
A headteacher has warned both teachers and parents that drugs are a bigger problem in Colchester than ever before. Alan Whelan, who is in charge of St Benedict's College, in Norman Way, Colchester, said he would not rule out random drugs tests like those
Shanee Martin wants to finish the year with a bang by holding on to her unbeaten record. The Colchester boxer takes on France's Valerie Rangeard in the Elephant and Castle in London on Saturday. It will be her fourth bout since turning professional a
Planting work has started to restore the grounds of Hylands House, Chelmsford, to its 18th century appearance. Spade work - Roy Whitehead, leader of Chelmsford Council, with Duncan Lumley, Mayor of Chelmsford, oversee Hylands Park tree planting. Picture
INJURY-PLAGUED Southend United winger Mark Gower is hoping to get back into the groove by following a fitness course made famous by pop star Madonna. The former Barnet man has endured a series of frustrating spells on the sidelines since being voted the
DETECTIVES were today searching for a car they believe may lead them to the murderer who torched Andrea Daly's home. A small white hatchback was spotted with its engine running near the family home in Rochford Road, Southend, about an hour before the
Mid-Essex soft drinks firm Britvic has announced its intention to float on the London Stock Exchange. The Chelmsford-based company, which has a head office in Broomfield Road and has grown to become the UK's second largest soft drinks retailer, said yesterday
A family today warned that anyone battling with alcohol addiction should seek urgent help before it's too late. Maureen Hodges was devastated when her husband, Peter, died after he collapsed at their Frinton home. Her daughters, Wendy and Anna, have been
Schoolchildren were delighted to meet some beautiful feathered friends who swooped in for a visit. Making friends - Chalky the snowy owl with pupil Leon Threton. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (46256-a) A tawny owl, snowy owl, barn owl, eagle owl, long-eared owl
Use it or lose it! That was the warning today over a children's nursery which is threatened with closure. Help us! - Kerry Finch, right, with pre-school manager Tracey Spalding with children and parents of Little Finches pre-school in Clacton, which is
A Territorial Army brigade was barred from taking part in the main Colchester Remembrance Day ceremony. While the Army said it was to ensure there was room for veterans to attend, members of 45 Essex Signal Squadron say they were told it could not participate
London APSA 0, Tilbury 1 AFTER the disappointment of their 2-1 Essex Senior League defeat at Southend Manor on Saturday, Tilbury bounced back with a 1-0 Thames-side Trophy win against London APSA at Aveley on Tuesday night to restore confidence for Saturday's
Thurrock and Basildon College has shelved plans for the first phase of the £5.2million redevelopment of its Nethermayne Campus. College principal Denise Fielding admitted a "review of further education" being carried out by the Government's Learning and
Essex Police bosses said today they want to resist Government merger proposals and become a stand-alone force. This is despite a Home Office push to merge Essex with neighbouring constabularies under a national shake-up. The police authority and chief
SOUTHEND captain Ben Green was left to reflect on a Jekyll and Hyde performance from his side as they lost at Bridgwater & Albion for the second time in eight days. The Seasiders' previous visit had ended in a 19-13 setback in the Powergen National
Tiptree-based Ali Carter is heading into the China Open qualifying in bouyant mood after securing his place in another overseas event, the Malta Cup. The world number 16 beat Marcus Campbell 5-3 in the qualifyer in Prestatyn to book his trip to the Mediterranean
Phil Parkinson has denied rumours he is about to swoop for Reading youngster Darren Campbell. The 19-year-old winger spent last week on trial at Colchester United. However, manager Parkinson has said there will be no immediate deal. He said: "There is
ESSEX schools dominated the English Schools Cross-Country Cup regional final at St Albans - again demonstrating the county's strength in depth. Competing against teams from across the whole of the East of England, and with three teams qualifying from
A SONGWRITER about to quit the music business was stunned to discover Britney Spears wants to record one of his songs. The American pop star and her team of managers and musicians are currently working on the song Betterman, penned by Lloyd Scott, of
AN investigation has been launched into why the first couple exposed to deadly bird flu in Britain were allowed to continue working at Southend Hospital for almost a week before receiving treatment. It is thought the Government probe will in no way hold
Police are appealing for witnesses following two purse thefts in Maldon High Street. The first theft happened in Card Fair on Friday. A woman from Great Totham was shopping in the store but was "jostled" by someone. A few minutes later she realised her
Two first-half goals were enough for Tottenham Hotspur Reserves to beat Ipswich Town's second string at Portman Road last night. The result may not have gone the Blues' way, but there were positives for Town as first-team striker Adam Proudlock put in
A scheme to offer £10 shopping vouchers to council tenants who attend meetings looks set to cost at least £3,400. Braintree Council is offering the vouchers to people who go to one of a series of meetings across the district. The meetings are the next
Canine capers has raised more than £1,000 for charity. The Coastal Dogathon for Headway Essex, which helps brain injury patients and their families, saw dogs pound the streets for the cause. Dogs of all shapes and sizes took part in a sponsored walk along
BATTLING residents stepped up their campaign to block controversial plans to build a new pensioners' day centre on a playing field, by handing a petition signed by nearly 300 residents to Basildon Council. Proposals to replace the existing George Hurd
Thurrock 7, East Thurrock United 0 FLEET began their defence of the Essex Senior Cup in style on Monday night by smacking their hapless borough neighbours for seven. Martin Carthy and the impressive Lee Hodges both bagged a brace apiece with Scott Wallis
THE prosecution and defence teams in the trial of Wayne Doherty, who is accused of raping and murdering Norah Trott 27 years ago, have delivered their closing speeches. Martyn Levett, prosecuting, told the jury in Basildon Crown Court they had heard overwhelming
A father and son have handed over thousands of pounds to a school for children with special needs after a gruelling trip across France. Worthy cause - Tim and Neil Barbrook with pupils and staff at Lexden Springs School, Colchester. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK
A policeman was in jail today for stabbing his former partner. A court heard yesterday how Peter Marley could not accept his relationship with fellow officer Diane Frew was over. There was a row in May at their home in Chiltern Close, Colchester, which
Police were today investigating allegations of a serious sexual assault. Sealed off - the Arts Centre in Colchester, where a woman told police she was sexually assaulted. Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (46209-1) A woman in her 30s claimed she was attacked in
Thurrock and East Thurrock United have been handed away draws in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy. Thurrock will be away to Eastbourne Borough while Rocks travel to Ryman Division One side Tonbridge Angels. Fleet were knocked out by Borough
