RON Greenwood, the man who led West Ham United to their first major honours, has died aged 84 after a long illness. He passed away peacefully in his Suffolk home on Wednesday evening, it was announced at lunchtime. A minute's silence will be held before
A dopey thief put police on to his trail when he left his mobile phone at the amusement park he was stealing from. James Whitlock used tape to cover up motion sensors at the Emporium in Walton when he visited on May 11, 2004, a court heard. He went back
A motorcyclist died after his bike hit a tree. The accident happened just after 9pm last night in Bovingdon Road, Braintree. The 29-year-old man, of Braintree, lost control of his black Yamaha motorbike. He was confirmed dead at the scene. He was the
A SHAKE-UP of cancer services in Essex could threaten the future of the Southend cancer centre, MPs fear. Even though there are no current plans to close the unit at Southend Hospital, they have launched a campaign to save it in the face of major changes
AMBITIOUS plans to transform Basildon town centre as part of a blueprint worth hundreds of millions of pounds was finally revealed today. Up to 3,000 new homes will be built in the town centre over the next 20 years as part of the 2030 vision masterplan
More schools in mid-Essex have reported high levels of winter sickness among pupils, with absence rates now reaching up to 50 per cent. Hundreds of pupils and teachers have been unable to attend schools around Braintree and Witham because of illness.
CANVEY schoolchildren inspired by a popular television dancing programme were able to try out a few moves for themselves, thanks to a new after-school club. Ballroom dancing classes have been organised for youngsters at Year 4 and above at St Katherine's
A mother today told of her "little angel's" comeback from a flesh-eating strain of meningitis. "She's a miracle" - Lisa Home and her daughter, Leale, who suffers from a flesh-eating form of meningitis. Picture: NICK OBANK (47644-2) Lisa Horne said her
NATIONAL Lottery players in south Essex are being urged to check for old tickets - because a prize of £61,372 has gone unclaimed. Five numbers selected by the Lotto draw on January 11 matched those on a ticket bought in the Basildon area. Camelot, which
A woman who got a parking ticket for displaying a disabled badge upside down has accused Tendring Council's parking attendants of being over-zealous. Jeanette Murphy, 68, and her disabled husband, John, left their car in a parking bay in West Avenue,
A LAINDON day nursery was today celebrating after a Government inspector sang its praises in a report, making it one of the best in the country. The Laindon Neighbourhood Nursery at James Hornsby High School, in Leinster Road, provides "outstanding" all-year-round
Colchester United's stunning run of wins means it's Christmas every week for U's fans - and one young supporter in particular. Superstitious mind - David Birkin, 9, still wearing his Colchester United Christmas hat for good luck. Picture: STEVE BRADING
A NEW music store firm has taken over failed MVC stores in Basildon and Southend. Electric Avenue, which has taken over the national chain's outlets in Basildon town centre and London Road, Southend, revealed it plans to tailor the merchandise sold in
A NUN who has travelled the globe, visiting more than 250 countries to spread the Christian word, has arrived in south Essex. Sister Ruth, 65, will be popping into pubs, shops and strolling through high streets to offer spiritual guidance and help with
A PROPOSAL to increase council tax by 3.97 per cent will be recommended to Thurrock councillors later this month. Council house rents will rise by an average of 3.71%, if agreed by councillors. The council tax increase is considerably less than the Government's
A pensioner has paid out thousands of pounds in a bid to stop a group of tearaways using her garden as a shortcut. Scared - Doris Field shows some of the barbed wire she has had put up to deter intruders. Picture: TERRY WEEDEN (47668-1) Doris Field has
Concerns about travel were raised as plans to shake up cancer services in Essex were discussed. Medical staff and patients' representatives debated the Essex Strategic Health Authority's (SHA) plan to create specialist surgical centres for rare cancers
THE much-delayed final decision on plans by P&O to build a super- port and logistics park in south Essex could now be just days away. The final deadline for comment on amendments to the Shell Haven development at Coryton will pass tomorrow. The Office
Danny Haynes has been ruled out for a month after suffering ankle ligament damage in Ipswich Town's 2-1 derby victory at Norwich. The 18-year-old striker suffered the knock in the closing stages of Sunday's showdown at Carrow Road. Scans have revealed
Colchester won the under- 15s Suffolk Trophy in impressive style with a 46-5 victory against Sudbury. It was their final game of the tournament. Colchester began in pole position, having already beaten Ipswich, Bury and Woodbridge. The home side gained
GRAYS haven't had too much home comfort in recent months having not won any of their last six league games at the Rec and boss Mark Stimson knows that statistic must change when his side host lowly Crawley Town on Saturday if they stand any chance of
Colchester United's greatest FA Cup legend Ray Crawford could barely contain his excitement on hearing the U's will be playing Jose Mourinho's Chelsea millionaires in the fifth round. The runaway Premiership leaders beat Everton 4-1 in a fourth-round
THURROCK have been boosted for Saturday's Conference South trip to Dorset by the signing of striker Dave Sadler from fellow Conference South club. The former Derby County, Luton and Hinkley player goes straight into the side to play fellow promotion contenders
EAST Thurrock United play host to Hendon in the Ryman Premier League on Saturday and will do so without defender Mick Stanbrook who starts the first of a two match suspension. However, coming back into the starting line-up will be Jon Turnbull and Stuart
Colchester General Hospital could be in "direct competition" with a new private hospital. Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust chief executive Peter Murphy revealed the Government has earmarked an independent treatment centre for Essex - and there is no shortage
Relegation-haunted Aveley will be on their Southern League Division One East travels to Essex rivals Wivenhoe who after, a bad start have picked things up and are now safely in mid-table. In the side to face Aveley on Saturday are likely to be three ex
TILBURY face AFC Hornchurch in the semi-final of the Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy at Chadfields on Saturday and will be hoping to beat the Urchins at the sixth time of asking this season after the morale-boosting win at Sawbridgeworth last week. Dockers
A man who went missing while on business in Belgium has been found alive and well. Police confirmed today that 29-year-old Matthew Jones, of Margaret Close, Brightlingsea, was on his way back to the UK. The IT consultant had been missing since January
ARRANGEMENTS have been finalised for a live music extravaganza in Thundersley next month. Four bands, three of them from Castle Point, will play a concert at Runnymede Hall to help the Castle Point mayor's charity appeal. The concert is the brainchild
PLANS for a new Tesco Express store in Benfleet have finally overcome their last hurdle. Castle Point Council gave the company permission to convert the Q8 garage and New Classic Car Centre, in London Road, after hearing the company was willing to install
A GOVERNMENT inspector will make the final decision over a housing development which has been the subject of fierce controversy for the last five years. Southend Council gave outline approval for plans to build new homes on the site of the former college
RESIDENTS and campaigners have been left in limbo after a decision by Thurrock Council Cabinet to delay a decision on the future of Elizabeth House care home. Controversy has dogged the council since it first mooted plans to close the home several months
