Taxpayers could soon provide councillors with thousands of pounds of computer equipment and IT training Tendring Council's 60 members will each get a laptop computer and broadband internet access in their homes under plans. It is preparing to spend
An outraged MP has branded a three-year wait for a hearing aid "ridiculous". Harwich MP Douglas Carswell has taken up the fight of 80-year-old constituent Jack Wolff, who was placed on the waiting list for a new hearing aid in June 2004. Mr Wolff, of
Drivers have been praised after a police campaign to keep Colchester's roads safe proved a success. Traffic officers handed out 25 fines during a four-hour operation to net motorists seen flouting mobile phone and seatbelt laws. But road officers say
Colchester television presenter Dermot O'Leary has proved he has the X Factor by being appointed to present the hit TV show. Rumours that the former Sixth Form College and St Benedict's student was favourite to get one of the best presenting jobs in
The boat was big, very blue, stunning in its simplicity and a seminal moment in artist James Dodds' life. It also ended the blind panic he was in over what to include in a forthcoming exhibiton at the Minories art gallery in Colchester. He had stood
A sports scheme which uses football to motivate pupils' learning has been rewarding its young learners. Colchester United Community Sports Trust (CUCST) launched the Playing For Success scheme in September last year, and has been celebrating the achievements
Rail operator One has ordered carriage doors to be closed 30 seconds early in a bid to make more trains run on time. Commuters travelling back from London to Essex will have to give themselves an extra half a minute or risk being stranded on the platform
An Essex reservoir is to double in size as part of a scheme which will see 16 years of gravel extraction. Essex County Council approved the development, despite concerns the gravel extraction at the site was not necessary and went against the local plan
A rail company has been fined £4 million for health and safety breaches which led to a crash in which a Colchester man died. Accountant Andrew Thompson, of Marlowe Way, Lexden, was among 31 people killed in the 1999 Paddington rail disaster. The 52-
Gurkhas from Colchester joined a march on Parliament to call for equal rights. A group of 20 veterans from the town took part in the protest about their pension entitlement, organised by the campaign group Gurkha Justice. Rajendra Rai, of Barnardiston
Witham Town bounced back from their disappointing defeat against Flackwell Heath last week with an important 1-0 Ryman League division one north win over Bury Town. Manager Ken O'Donnell made several changes and employed Glen Revell in attack. He said
Geraint Williams had nothing but praise for his players after watching them overwhelm Norwich City at Layer Road. The Colchester United manager had seen his normally free-scoring side fire blanks in their previous two home matches in the Coca-Cola Championship
We're still focused on the task in hand. That was the message from buoyant Ipswich Town striker Danny Haynes after his side's 3-0 victory against ten-man Plymouth. With nothing left to play for this season in terms of promotion or relegation, the Blues
Let's create more history. Chris Iwelumo is confident either he or strike partner Jamie Cureton can become the first Colchester United player to break the 20-goal mark since Tony Adcock achieved the feat for the U's in 1985. The pair have been in prolific
Hail the all-conquering 3 Para boxing champions. The Colchester-based squad beat the 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, formerly the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, in this year's British Army Boxing Finals. Fielding a completely new
Police swooped on a disused quarry to put the brakes on illegal off-road bikers. Traffic officers, police community support officers (PCSOs) and PCs descended on the site in Stanway prepared to seize motorbikes, as part of a major crackdown on the problem
A leading Colchester stockbroking company is to be taken over. Moscow-based investment bank Otkritie announced it will be taking over ABC Clearing today. Bosses on both sides are staying cagey about the exact terms and cost of the deal, but it is expected
Making lunchtime a time for play and not a time for bullying has earned recognition for a ten-year-boy. Dale Garton, a year six pupil at Old Heath Community Primary School, in Colchester, was presented with the Diana Anti-Bullying Award at an end-of-term
A man bought £50 bottles of champagne and other expensive drinks with cheques which turned out to be worthless. Tom Stephenson had no money in two bank accounts, but he still wrote out cheques to pay for the drinks at the Ha Ha bar in Colchester. A
Scores of workers could be left jobless after a call centre announced its closure. Bosses at UK firm Capita have decided to shut one of its Colchester bases by September. The decision was made after Norwich Union announced it was bringing its claims
A motorcyclist is fighting for her life after she was in a collision with a lorry on Weeley bypass. The 26-year-old woman, from Colchester, suffered severe head injuries when her 125cc scooter was in a collision with a Volvo truck, driven by a 46-year-old
A teacher from Thorpe is set to run up funds for a campaign to build a new sports hall. Matt Bibby, who teaches physical educational at Tendring Technology Collage, in Thorpe, will be taking part in the London Marathon to raise funds for school's much-needed
A headteacher is taking a stand against violent pupils at a school in Tendring. Caroline Haynes is warning pupils at Tendring Technology College that they will be expelled if they are abusive or violent. She said there is an increasing number of pupils
A man was due to appear in court today after a pub landlady's partner suffered knife wounds. The incident took place at the Crab and Pumpkin pub, in Jackson Road, Clacton, at 11.30pm on Saturday. A 55-year-old man, of Clacton, suffered a collapsed lung
Eight drivers were arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in just a few hours. Police charged seven motorists with drink-driving during a busy weekend in the Tendring and Colchester area. It was said to be the highest number of drink-drive arrests
What's On This Week Monday until Wednesday - Drama Workshop, Headgate Theatre, Colchester. 01206 366000, 9.30am to 4pm. Monday until Wednesday - The Sorcerer's Apprentice, New Wolsey Theatre, Ipswich, 11am and 2pm. 01473 295900. Monday until Thursday
IF you cannot blow you own trumpet once in a while then what's the world coming to - that's what I say anyway. And while there are plenty of other workshops, fun days and shows for children taking place this Easter I will first have to tell you about
