A man has been accused of behaving like a "drunken thug" after an assault in a town centre. Gary Orton punched another man in the face after trouble flared in Chelmsford, a court heard. Orton, 21, had been out in the town with friends at about 2am on
STANFORD-LE-HOPE based boxer John McDermott insists he cannot wait to face Matt Skelton for the British heavyweight belt at London's ExCel Arena next month. The 28-year-old will take on the undefeated champion after a contractual dispute forced Scott
Two swimmers from Maldon were toasting success after competing in the recent ASA National Masters competition in Sheffield. Tony Shrimpton, aged 70, came home with two silver medals, one for the 1,500m freestyle and the other for the 400m freestyle. Hannah
MORE than 50 birds may have died from potentially lethal bird flu at a south Essex quarantine centre, a Government investigation has revealed. A National Emergency Epidemiology Group report commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
A BOGUS gynaecologist who worked in south Essex hospitals should never have been allowed to work, the General Medical Council heard. Henry Akpata lied on his CV saying that he was a member of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists . In
GLOUCESTER Park regular Sid Hammond enjoyed a hectic session at the venue's cockle bank when he landed more than 20 carp. Hammond fished a quivertip, casting a varirty of baits close to the Basildon lake's island to land fish steadily throughout his visit
Police today issued a warning after it was believed unscrupulous teenagers took money intended for a charity. Four girls have been approaching people using genuine charity sponsorship forms downloaded from the internet. The money collected has not been
YOUNG entrepreneurs who are hoping to start their own business in Southend have been given a boost by the council's Youth and Connexions Service. The service has been converting the former community information shop in Cluny Square into the new Young
Chris Iwelumo is loving life at Layer Road. The towering Colchester United striker has described his move to Essex as 'perfect' after scoring his eighth goal of the season in Saturday's 2-1 win over Rotherham in Coca-Cola League One. Iwelumo was U's boss
More than 50 birds may have died from potentially lethal bird flu at a south Essex quarantine centre, a Government investigation has revealed. A National Emergency Epidemiology Group report commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural
Lewis Price is poised to make his long-awaited senior Wales debut in tonight's friendly against Cyprus. The Ipswich Town goalkeeper has been told by boss John Toshack that he will start the match at the Tsirion Stadium. Price has had to be patient, having
TWO inspirational kids from south Essex were honoured at a ceremony for Britain's bravest children. Ellie May Chalice and Ashley Godsell were among the seven winners at Closer magazine's Young Heroes Awards at the Dorchester Hotel in London. Ellie May
CANVEY Island Swimming Club star Alyson Moran hit great heights at the Essex Senior County Championships at Waltham Forest with a trio of wins in the 50, 100 and 200 metres breaststroke. She showed great determination and spirit to start the weekend off
Two multi-million pound landmarks could be developed off the Essex coast if major new proposals get the green light. Grand design - architects Anne Niemann and Johannes Ingrisch, designers of the Lost Town sculpture proposed for Walton. The projects were
SOUTHEND United winger Mitchell Cole has dismissed Nottingham Forest as "just another League One team" ahead of his side's trip to the City Ground this Saturday. Forest started the season favourites for promotion following their relegation from the Championship
ONE of Basildon's longest-serving charities is set to close down, it has been revealed. Basildon Crossroads, Caring for Carers, would have celebrated its 25th birthday in April next year. However, the Basildon branch of the charity is to shut on January
Two entrepreneur workshops are being held in Chelmsford and Colchester as part of national enterprise week in Essex. Students aged 15-18 are being invited to an entrepreneurship masterclass at the Marconi social club in Chelmsford on November 17. This
JUST three per cent of parents responded to a consultation over whether Barstable and Chalvedon schools in Basildon should merge into a federation in the new year. Chalvedon headteacher, Alan Roach, said he saw the low response rate as a positive thing
RESIDENTS are opposing a booming Rayleigh pub's plans by to extend its opening hours. The Paul Pry, in High Road, has recently undergone a significant refurbishment and is now a popular venue with office workers during the day and the 20 to 30 age group
Two senior fighters from Colchester Amateur Boxing Club marked the club's move to a new home by both recording victories in front of a star-studded audience. Talented duo - Lee Taylor (left) and Lloyd Clarke (right) with Carl Barton. ADRIAN RUSHTON (46179
Police are hoping new powers for Braintree Council officers will clear vandals and yobs from the district's streets and parks. Council employees will become the latest group of uniformed staff in Essex granted targeted police powers to reduce anti-social
Proposals which could see Bradwell Power Station site cleared within 25 years - 75 years ahead of schedule - could be finalised by next March. Over the past three months, the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has been holding a major public consultation
TEENAGE Southend United sensation James Lawson has been pumping extra iron to beef himself up for the rough and tumble of League One football. The gangly young gun muscled his way to a breathtaking goal for the reserves during yesterday's 2-1 Pontin's
COUNCILLORS and residents have welcomed an initiative to slash crime and improve health across Vange. The area is the latest in Basildon to take up the council's Community Safety Action Zone (CSAZ) programme, which has also run successfully in areas including
Ram raiders have targeted cash machines at a service station and shop in Witham. The machines at Witham Service Station, in Maldon Road, and Sam Stores, in Laurence Avenue, were targeted in the early hours of yesterday. Police said three people in a 4x4
A man has been jailed for attacking his father. A court heard yesterday that trouble between Simon Miller and his father, Kevin, had been simmering for some time over his son's drug addiction. Matters came to a head after the family had a meeting and
Emergency repairs are needed on a town museum after squirrels chewed through cables. Stick to nuts! - marketing officer Marie Taylor warns a squirrel to stay away after animals damage electrics at Holly Trees Museum in Colchester. Picture: NIGEL BROWN
A LORRY driver miraculously escaped unhurt after his vehicle rolled on to its side and he went flying into the road. As the 40ft vehicle toppled over, the windscreen shattered and the man shot through where it had been. The accident which happened at
Children at a Black Notley nursery have been in festive mood making a two foot high Christmas fairy for Braintree's Freeport designer village. The fairy took pride of place in the Christmas decorations at Freeport where the lights were switched on by
Two teams of school pupils battled it out as part of a national enterprise challenge. Enterprising - Colchester Sixth Form College students Laura Hook and Amy Cazneaux help Manningtree High School pupils Daniel O'Hare, Andrew Hammond, Guy Hebden, Tom
A 14-year-old girl was robbed after being assaulted when she was stopped by a gang of youths. The teenager had her Sony mobile phone stolen after being swung around by her coat twice by one of the girls in the group. The group of five girls and three
TEACHING staff at Basildon and Thurrock College were today manning picket lines as they launched a one-day strike over pay. The industrial action, by members of the lecturers' union NATFHE, is the latest development in a long-running struggle by further
NEVER Never Land could be revived as part of entrepreneur Philip Miller's masterplan for Southend seafront, following an olive branch from the Civic Centre. The council has granted Mr Miller a 99-year lease on the site of his Adventure Island theme park
A rescue team to deal with terrorist attacks and major incidents across the region is to be based in Colchester. The urban search and rescue team (USAR) will be trained and equipped to deal with terrorist attacks, unstable and collapsed buildings, and
BLUES will face MK Dons in the second round of the FA Cup after they beat Lincoln City 2-1 in their first round replay last night. The two sides drew 1-1 at Sincil Bank 10 days ago. Southend's League One rivals will visit Roots Hall on Saturday, December
A health chief has pledged to look into whether a minor injuries clinic in Witham would make financial sense at the official unveiling of the controversial health centre. Officially open for business - Witham mayor Kathy Tearle and town councillor Phil
