Seven Days

Colchester United were victims of a classic FA Cup giant-killing story when they were thrashed 5-1 by non-league by Nationwide Conference leaders Yeovil Town.

Ryman League side Canvey Island netted twice in the last two minutes on Sunday to force a replay with Nationwide League Division Two side Port Vale, the game finishing 4-4.

Southend United forced a replay away at Torquay United.

U's striker Karl Duguid and Yeovil's Anthony Tonkin keep their eyes on the ball.

Monday

In News

Police launched an inquiry after the half-naked body of a young man was found in a cupboard at a council flat.

Women and young girls were warned to be on their guard against a pervert who has struck a dozen times in the past few weeks in Grays.

Essex Police lowered their eyesight test standard in a bid to attract new recruits. The pilot scheme, agreed by Chief Officers is due to last a year.

In Sport

A late header from Fabian Wilnis allowed Ipswich to draw level with Liverpool giving Town a 1-0 victory away to Coventry City.

Tuesday

In News

A devoted Southend mother was being comforted by relatives after her four-year-old daughter Lauren Key-Marer plunged to her death from a 300ft clifftop in California.

Two hundred jobs were due to be created after telecommunications manufacturing company SDL, based at the Waterside Business Park, Witham, announced it was expanding.

Crane accident- a tree worker was rushed to hospital after his crane toppled over onto a house in Great Bentley.

In Sport

Southend United fans were asked to join forces and put their names to a petition in support of the club's ambitious £12.5 million stadium plans for Fossetts Farm.

Canvey Island boss Jeff King insisted his immediate thoughts were on the game against Essex Senior League newcomers Barkingside at Park Lane after the team's FA Cup exploits at the weekend.

Teenage striker Kelechi Opara was booted out of Layer Road for reasons of "persistent serious misconduct."

Wednesday

In News

Youngsters from Basildon were given a taste of prison life Chelmsford in a bid to deter them from a life of crime and all those who have taken part in the revolutionary scheme have vowed to stay on the straight and narrow.

Basildon magistrate and district councillor Mo Larkin accompanied the youngsters to the prison.

Fears that a waste incinerator could be built at the weapons testing base in Shoebury were dismissed by Southend Council.

Pier we go again- Eastenders actor Dean Gaffney, who plays Robbie, was on Southend Pier which was used as a backdrop for the soap.

The town was also a location for Essex Boys starring Sean Bean.

In Sport

League of Ireland striker Garry Haylock could become a Colchester United player by the weekend.

If so it will come as a massive boost to U's boss Steve Whitton as he plans to overcome the disasters of the past few days with a victory over old rivals Wycombe Wanderers at Layer Road on Saturday.

Thursday

In News

Teenage girls in Basildon could soon get the so-called "morning after pill" from their local chemist.

Basildon primary care group hopes the move would help reduce the notoriously high number of unwanted teenage pregnancies in the town - the highest in south Essex.

A part-time firefighter from Shoebury was on the scene within seconds of a blaze at a car repair shop - because he worked next door.

Making a splash - Canvey residents found Deepwater Road was as good as its name after a leak caused 30ft water jets to shoot into the air.

In Sport

Yeovil Town chairman John Fry dismissed reports linking his star striker Barrington Belgrave with a move to Southend United. Belgrave, a scorer in the Glovers' 5-1 FA Cup first round win over Colchester United on Saturday, has expressed an interest in joining Blues.

Friday

In News

A man charged with murder following the discovery of a decomposing man in a cupboard was granted bail by Colchester magistrates conditional upon a £21,000 security.

Lee Smith, 21, of Seymour Road, Clacton, was making his second appearance in court on Thursday after being remanded in custody overnight.

He will be remanded in custody until November 30.

Property recovered by Essex Police following crimes has benefited 19 charities to the tune of £44,125.

The Police Property Act Fund, set up more than 20 years ago, allows such property to be sold at auction, and cash can also be kept.

A 40-strong film crew has been mingling among Christmas shoppers in Maldon over the past fortnight, recording scenes for a £1.3 million feature film. A Lawless Heart

Snakes alive - A Marks Tey villager got a shock when she found a nine-foot python in a bag left near her home.

In Sport

Concerns that Essex's Nasser Hussain would be forced to quit the tour of Pakistan because of an arm injury were removed this week with the England captain given the all-clear.

Basildon cruiserweight Mark Quirey 'McManus' enjoyed a winning debut at York Hall, Bethnal Green after his opponent Jason Brewster retired on his stool at the end of the second round of their scheduled four round contest.

Chelmsford Swimming Club youngsters turned in some brilliant performances at the final session of the Essex Swimming Championships, which were held at Barkingside.

King Edward VI School pupil Joshua Ker won gold in the county Junior Boys' 200m Butterfly and also set a new Under 16 club record with his heat time of two minutes 18.43 seconds.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.