Convicted Rettendon killer Michael Steele fears he could die in jail if he cannot overturn his conviction. Steele, 63, yesterday lost his bid to clear his name as his appeal was turned down at the Royal Courts of Justice. He is serving life for the murders
CHILDREN are taking responsibility for their own safety by shaming motorists who park on zig zags and yellow lines outside their school. A team of pupils at Richmond Avenue Primary School in Shoebury are standing outside the school every morning and afternoon
A CHARITY that helps deaf people by letting dogs lend them an ear will benefit from a fashion fundraiser organised by Southend's oldest family-run department store. Ravens, in Clifftown Road, is working with Southend East Rotary Club to hold its third
The planned 2.7 per cent increase of Colchester's share of council tax has been approved by the borough's full council. At a meeting last night, 31 councillors voted for the proposed budget for 2006/07 and 24 against. The rise will see an average Band
Gareth Williams has netted his second hat-trick for Colchester United almost three years after he recorded the first. Former Wales Under-20 international striker Williams hit his latest trio in a 5-2 Pontin's Combination win over Barnet at Layer Road
A NEW railway line through the mid-Essex countryside and the long-awaited dualling of the Great Notley bypass could become reality under ambitious plans to overhaul transport within the county. A completely new train line is being proposed to cope with
Taxi drivers look set to face a Colchester version of The Knowledge, the gruelling exam faced by London cabbies. March of technology - driver Derek Hannah, of Hawaii 5-0, with the new routefinder in his taxi. Picture: NIGEL BROWN (47980-3) Every applicant
A man is critically ill after suffering serious injuries in a pile-up which closed the A120 today. Wreckage - the three vehicles involved in the accident on the A120 today. Picture: ROB SAMBROOK (47979-5) A lorry and two cars were involved in the accident
TERRY Nelson went great guns at the British air rifle shooting championships to take top spot in his class. The Basildon Disabled Sports Club member pipped club-mate Adam Fontain in the Class A section for disabled shooters. But 15-year-old Fontain was
A TOUCH of France is coming to Basildon next week. A French food market will be in town from Wednesday, March 1, to Saturday, March 4, next to the Costa pavilion in the town square. The market includes 20 stalls selling varieties of pastries, cheese,
PLANS for new sports facilities vital to the £24million Craylands regeneration project have been approved. Councillors voted in favour of proposals to develop three playing pitches, a hardball court and new changing rooms by the Frypa Hall community Centre
VOLUNTEERS who don't mind getting their hands dirty are needed to help build a Thundersley charity's sensory garden. The garden, at the Tyrells Centre, in Seamore Avenue, involves water features and bird baths, seating, wind chimes and music, designed
A man has admitted strangling his mother as part of a suicide pact. Paul Weber used the cord from his dressing gown to kill his 75-year-old mother Marie Winter after she took a drugs overdose. Chelmsford Crown Court heard how Weber, 48, realised his mother
The wife of convicted killer Michael Steele has spoken of the family's devastation after he lost his appeal. Steele, 63, of Great Bentley, and Jack Whomes, 42, of Brockford, Suffolk, are serving life sentences for the notorious Essex Boys murders. They
A DEVELOPER has spoken of his plans to transform Southend seafront - including his hope for a multi-million pound glass pavilion on the pier. John Remblance spoke after adding Talk nightclub to his Southend property portfolio. He already owns three seafront
FORGET marshmallows and jacket potatoes - today's Scouts are just as likely to be roasting squirrel over the campfire. Survival cookery classes at a weekend scout camp in Hawkwell saw guides and scouts cooking up squirrel, rabbits and pigeons. The idea
A 16-year-old "went back to help his friend", but ended up punching a teacher to the ground. Harwich Youth Court heard the man was left with a broken bone in his face, a dislocated finger and bruising to the ribs. Dave Deeny, a geography teacher at St
POETS James Armstrong and Geraldine Aldridge encouraged children to let their imaginations run wild as they used puppets and costumes to inspire verse. Youngsters at Edward Francis Infants School, in Rayleigh, dressed as fairies, butterflies and ladybirds
Vandals caused hundreds of pounds of damage to cars in four separate incidents. Yobs caused £60 of damage to the windscreen of a Ford Granada car in Leas Road, Clacton. Vandals also attacked a car in a village. They caused more than £500 of damage after
LANCE Corporal Joe Levey certainly earned his stripes when he was called up into the Army's tennis development squad. Nineteen-year-old Levey, from Hockley, was selected after making his mark at the Army Indoor lawn Tennis Championships at Aldershot.
BUSES across Basildon have been fitted with CCTV cameras in a bid to curb vandalism and threats on drivers. First Essex Buses, which operates the majority of services across Basildon, Billericay and Wickford, decided to trial the infra-red cameras following
THE new driving force behind Southend's Victoria Plaza believes it can be transformed from a tired 1960s-style shopping centre into a modern mall. Jonathan Poole, 39, who lives at Great Notley, near Braintree, took up his new job a few days ago after
Colchester's international athlete Sarah Claxton believes the lack of a major sponsor could cost her and the country a medal in future high profile games. Money worries - Great Britain athlete Sarah Claxton feels her chances of winning medals in major
SEEVIC played exciting, fast, direct netball to secure their well earned position in the British Colleges finals taking place in Loughborough this year. To qualify for the finals, Thundersley's SEEVIC had to get past nine teams at the regional event.
A teenager has been banned from going near a school after he repeatedly fired a BB gun into the playground, hitting two pupils in the face. A girl was left with swelling on the temple, just 3cm away from her left eye, and a boy suffered bruising to his
A man died after falling out of a loft while getting his Christmas decorations, a coroner's court heard. Andrew King, 40, of Main Road, Danbury, died on December 15 in the Royal London Hospital having fallen out of his loft on December 11, an inquest
