Education chiefs are tightening the rules over fines for children who bunk off school. Parents who take their children out of school to go on holiday during term time could be fined up to £100 if the pupil's attendance record falls below 95 per cent.
Furious taxi drivers have demanded a meeting with county transport chiefs about changes to Clacton town centre. Not happy - John Cooper, of Tendring Taxi Proprietors Association, with John Brigden and Alan Kirkham, of Tendring District Taxi Association
There were more than a few hurdles in front of Sarah Claxton on her way to securing her place as Colchester's top sporting personality of 2005. Honoured - Sarah Claxton's award was accepted by her mother Althea from Colchester's mayor Terry Sutton. (47693
COUNCIL house rents in Southend are set to rise by five per cent next year, provided cabinet members approve a recommendation from borough treasurer David Andrews. Although the housing stock is now administered and maintained by a new management organisation
The priority scheme for tickets for Colchester United's big FA Cup fifth round tie against Chelsea or Everton has now been confirmed. The U's await the winners of the replay tomorrow night. Tickets will go on sale for the match on Friday, February 10
A man was left with no testicles after surgeons cut off the wrong one in a botched operation, health chiefs confirmed today. Essex Strategic Health Authority (SHA) admitted the appalling error had been recorded in confidential files of medical blunders
A 102-YEAR-old barge which has been left to rot in Benfleet Creek could one day sail again. The Scone is currently languishing in the mud after being abandoned by its owner, but barge enthusiast Peter Lynam, from Leigh, is determined to raise up to £150,000
Let's go for it! Colchester United midfield general Kevin Watson says he and his U's team-mates can go on to eclipse the club's all-time 12-match winning record. That milestone was set way back in the 1938-39 season, when, as a thriving Southern League
BASILDON'S beleaguered town centre fountain should be working again by March. The water feature has been empty for several months because of pipework failure and, due to the age of the equipment, Basildon Council struggled to track down a replacement.
Police called off a high-speed car chase in Colchester as they feared people could be injured. A court heard how officers were chasing a Porsche car towards the town centre on a Friday night when it was decided to back off. Later on, one officer saw the
A primary school is suffering from declining standards and is in a "precarious position", a damning report has stated. Struggling - St James' C of E Primary School in Colchester, which has been put into special measures. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK (47635-1
A supernatural apple is being hailed as the lucky charm behind Colchester's United's record-winning streak. A real charmer - Colchester United supporter Simon Williams with his lucky charm. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (47545-1) Cautious bookies have slashed
Mothers are seeing red over dog mess on the pavements near their children's school. We've had enough - Thomas, Joseph and Carlyn Potter with Joanne Pinkney and her sons, Tom and George, who point out the annoying dogs' mess. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (47639
A group of students from Colchester Institute have successfully concluded a week-long residential visit to Colchester Garrison. Give me ten - students are put through their paces by fitness instructor Ross Knevett. Picture:ADRIAN RUSHTON (47617-1) Learners
Aidan Davison has told his young goalkeeping prodigy Dean Gerken he will have to wait it out again. Colchester United's number one returned between the sticks to replace youngster Gerken on Saturday in the U's 3-1 win over Bradford City. Gerken had played
A pensioner was pelted with stones after yobs turned their anger on the woman at a seaside play area. The woman, who lives nearby and walks with the aid of a stick, went out to tackle the youngsters who were at the Crossways site at Jaywick. She had watched
The West Mersea branch of Lloyds TSB bank is to shut in April, it has been revealed. Notices have been put up at the branch in the island's High Street to forewarn customers of the closure. A spokesman for Lloyds TSB, said: "After a review of the presence
A man has appeared in court charged with attempted murder after the homes of two police officers were firebombed. Chelmsford Magistrates' Court ordered Angelo DeBono, of Windermere Court, Clacton, to appear at Chelmsford Crown Court on February 14. He
MULTI-million pound plans to transform Basildon town centre can be viewed by residents when a two-week public consultation begins. Radical changes that could see the Towngate Theatre and Basildon Centre demolished and rebuilt, Gloucester Park linked to
AS the lack of tradespeople and skilled workers continues to frustrate the nation, one school is throwing its weight behind vocational subjects in an effort to stem the shortage. King Edmund School, in Rochford, has opened a new £450,000 building dedicated
SOUTHEND Swifts under-18s completed their third win of the season against Reading Rockets, building on the euphoria of their previous success against Southern Conference Leaders Sevenoaks. Swifts had recorded comfortable victories in the two previous
Essex residents will have to shell out an extra £6.18 a year for the police portion of their council tax. The police authority approved a 5.9 per cent rise in the rate at yesterday's meeting. Chairman Robert Chambers promised cash from the rise will be
A DELIGHTED mum has welcomed home her triplets. Tina Thomas, of Blyth Walk, Benfleet. gave birth to Jay, Kieran and Billy, conceived by IVF, on New Year's Eve, since when they have been monitored closely by staff in the special care maternity unit at
A teenager was in hospital today after suffering multiple stab wounds. The 17-year-old's condition was said to be serious but not life-threatening following an incident in Clacton's Nayland Drive. A second older man who is also believed to have been stabbed
SURFBOARDING and beach volleyball facilities could soon transform the beach along Southend's Golden Mile. This week, councillors look set to back plans proposed in a consultant's report for regeneration company Renaissance Southend. The proposals aim
A homeless man with a passion for football could soon be representing England on the pitch. Final trial - John Richardson, who has got through to the final trials to represent England on the pitch in the Homeless World Cup. Picture: NICK OBANK (47524-
SOPHIE Drake and Alyson Moran both won gold as Canvey Island Swimming Club got off to a great start in the Essex Championships. Drake, 13, won the 50m backstroke at Blackshots Pool, Thurrock after a thrilling final which saw her take two seconds off her
Police have named a man who died in a head-on road crash near Maldon. James Luck, 36, of London Road, Leigh on Sea, died when his Toyota Celica car was in a collision with a lorry on the B1010 Lower Burnham Road between Althorne and North Fambridge. Mr
SOUTHEND'S National Three South slump continued on Saturday as they slid to a third successive defeat against Westcombe Park at Warners Bridge. This latest reverse leaves the Seasiders seventh in the league table and director of rugby Kevin Harman was
EDUCATION chiefs are tightening the rules over fines for children who bunk off school. Parents who take their children out of school to go on holiday during term time could be fined up to £100 if the pupil's attendance record falls below 95 per cent.
