Worshippers at a Billericay church may have their prayers answered if plans for long-awaited church halls are given the go-ahead. The £500,000 project at Emmanuel Church, Laindon Road, will complete an ambitious complex on the site of the old Archer Hall
Police are appealing for a teenager who went missing to get in touch. Holly Sale, 15, has not been seen for two weeks and police are becoming concerned for her safety. Holly, of Maplin Way, Shoebury, was last seen leaving her parents' house at around
Environmental campaigners in Harwich have said they are "cautiously encouraged" by the results of a survey which show Harwich beach to be cleaner than last year. This year's beach watch survey was conducted on Sunday over a 100-metre stretch to the north
A woman was allegedly subjected to a rape by a man on home leave from prison. The 52-year-old woman had become friends with Roddy Henry, 39, while he was serving a prison sentence. But a jury at Chelmsford Crown Court heard on Monday how Henry allegedly
Parents could be banned from driving if their children ride off-road motorbikes on the roads. Canvey police officers, determined to stamp out the menace, have revealed that courts can punish parents as official owners of the machines, by slapping penalty
Swifts began brightly, hoping to emulate similar FA Cup campaigns but the stalemate in this second qualifying round was broken by the visitors in the 18th minute, Trevor Paul netting courtesy of slack Swifts' defending. Swifts reacted well, a Tony Adcock
They could not have cut it any finer and with almost the last kick of the match Braintree grabbed the decider to move up to second place in the Division One table. Having met twice already in the FA Cup, this was the third time the teams had faced each
Ten major orchestras are coming to Southend for the new season of classics at the Cliffs Pavilion. A feast of top talent is coming from as far away as Moscow and Hungry, with programmes rich in classical and romantic works. The New Queen's Hall Orchestra
Hundreds of people have signed a petition in a bid to save a Colchester petrol station from being sold off. News that Shell was proposing to sell its service station on East Hill was announced to staff in a letter earlier this month. Since then between
They could be the next big thing to explode onto the pop scene - but this week all-girl band Atomic Kitten went back to school. The trio strutted their stuff at Basildon's De La Salle school and left fans purring with excitement. The three-piece are being
A builder slammed a gas company after his supply was turned off without warning. Ken Williams, of Cumberland Avenue, Southend, was told his gas was being turned off that day and he would have to arrange an appointment to have it restored. He claimed gas
Standards achieved by 11-year-olds in Southend have improved vastly in the last 12 months, it was revealed today. The results of the 1999 Key Stage Two Standard Assessment Tests are well up on those for 1998 in all three core subjects, Southend Council
A football-mad family will be able to see a crucial match - thanks to This Is Essex partner paper the Gazette. Matthew and Josie Sheppard, of Anchor Road, Clacton, contacted the Gazette in desperation after they found out digital satellite equipment needed
A grieving family today told how Ronald Sayer, who was killed in the Luton plane crash, was passionate about flying. Father-of-two Mr Sayer, 50, of Grangeway, Thundersley, died instantly in the horrific crash at Luton airport on Saturday. He was one of
Prime Minister Tony Blair has today pledged more than £1 million to fight cancer in Colchester. And the handout means the town's Essex County Hospital is among the first in Britain to share £93 million of national lottery cash. The cash - from the new
Essex all-rounder Graham Napier has vowed to come back better than ever following an operation to save his county cricket career. The England Under-19 international and Colchester and East Essex big-hitter underwent surgery for a long standing back injury
Stuart Law has signed a new contract with Essex which will see him parading his immense talent for the county for the next two years. The 30-year-old Australian batting star finally put pen to paper on Sunday - just 48 hours before he was due to fly home
Eight-year-old Steven Sewell from Great Dunmow became East Anglian champion for his age group on Sunday at the Peterborough Raceway after having easily won his three motos. The eight rider final was a close fought race with a visiting rider just crossing
What an arresting line-up! These policewomen from Clacton were more than a little miffed when they spotted an advert for Virgin Atlantic which referred to a "surprisingly beautiful policewoman". They wrote to Richard Branson to put him in the dock - but
Stuart Law and Ronnie Irani are the 1999 winners of the Essex Boundary Club's batsman and bowler of the year supporters' trophies. The awards go to the batsman and bowler who score the most runs and take the most wickets for Essex in Championship, one-day
Quick-thinking police officers stopped a man from killing himself and may have prevented a gas explosion. The policemen were called to the incident at Wilshire Avenue, Chelmsford, at 6.30pm on Saturday after reports the man had intended to kill himself
Steve Whitton is set to sign Brighton midfielder Andy Arnott as part of his bid to pull Colchester United away from the relegation places. Whitton said yesterday he was hoping to sign the 26-year-old powerfully-built former Manchester United loanee in
Swifts will be looking to bounce back from their sad FA Cup exit when they go to Aylesbury for a Ryman League Premier Division match on Saturday. Without the distraction of the cup, Swifts can now start to get their league form rolling, and there will
Drivers on the A13 were caught up in long tailbacks in last night's rush-hour after a lorry overturned following a collision with a car. It took emergency services more than two hours to clear the Southend-bound track and diversions were put in place
A network of crimebusting cameras could be extended in a bid to create a crime-free zone. Plans are in the pipleine to boost the level of CCTV cameras in Witham. The plan aims to stamp out crime and nuisance behaviour by extending the current close circuit
Traders are set to benefit from a new scheme to improve customer service and bring in more shoppers. Witham shopkeepers are being urged to pledge support for a High Street version of the Oscars aimed at improving standards. The project, which is yet to
A couple are preparing for a charity trek with a difference - travelling through India on motorbikes. White Notley couple Jim and Karen Patten decided against sponsored walks, silences and swims and opted for a biking fundraiser. Mr and Mrs Patten, of
Plans to alter priorities on West Mersea's main traffic system have been branded "pure madness". Colchester planners, deciding the future of the Fountain Hotel site, look set to give vehicles on the adjacent East Road right of way over those on Mill Road
A former painter and decorator was spotted writing graffiti on a High Street wall by CCTV cameras, a court heard. Stuart Masters, 24, of Affleck Road, Greenstead, Colchester, wrote his "trademark" name "UMALE" four times on the facia of Angel Court on
Essex batting star Stuart Law has been named as the county's player of the season. Days after signing a new two-year deal with Essex, Law received a cheque for £1,000 by Greg Jephcott, managing director of Ridleys brewery, at an end-of-season dinner.
Another mammoth catch highlighted a busy round of matches for Hockley Angling Club. Peter Rue triumphed in the top lake contest with a catch of 117lb 6oz. Lee Ceurvels's haul was 98lb 10oz, with Sharon Brown third on 72lb. Fourth place went to Jeff Long
Great Wakering Rovers gave themselves a giant push up the Ryman League Third Division table last night with a superb 2-1 win at Essex rivals Tilbury. It was the village side's seventh game in all competitions without defeat and sets them up superbly for
Brightlingsea stalwart Mick Barry has waved a controversial goodbye to the Two Counties League club's second eleven captaincy after a reign of more than 15 years. And the 44-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman blamed the league's move to play cricket only on
One of the oldest businesses in Southend will close next week. Curtis Shoe Fitters, of Alexandra Street, has been a family firm for more than 100 years and owner Jill Curtis is devastated she will be shutting up shop for the last time on Tuesday. She
The headteacher of a school branded as failing its pupils has vowed to turn it around within the next 12 months. Graham Blois, head of Thorpe Bay School, was responding to criticism by Government inspectors who have placed the school on special measures
South Essex commuters faced more chaos this morning after problems with trains in Shoebury continued to affect services into Fenchurch Street. Engineers were still working on a derailment on the LTS line at Shoebury depot. On Monday evening part of an
Police were today quizzing two youths after a Southend pier train packed with passengers was hit by a workman's truck. The young men, aged 19 and 20, were arrested on suspicion of endangering lives after they were alleged to have pushed the truck into
Relieved Kirsty Williams gave her beloved dog Spot a cuddle after he was rescued from a river by firefighters. Spot, who is terrified of water, fell into the river during his afternoon walk. Owner Garry Williams said he had been with his wife, Jayne,
It was described by the trial judge as one of the most extraordinary cases he had heard - how Thomas O'Connor killed his father then made it look like suicide. He later made an emotional confession. This is the story of a man, brutalised by his father
Another maternity service is to be closed due to a freak shortage of midwives. In-patient overnight stays are being stopped at William Julien Courtauld Hospital's maternity unit in Braintree so staff can cover for 18 pregnant midwives in clinics across
Police in Harwich have appealed for help to find a missing teenager. Gary Foster, 18, of Church Hill, Ramsey, was last seen when he left his family home shortly after 11.30pm on Sunday September 12. Gary is believed to have gone missing before but never
Three fire engines were called to Ford's research facility at Dunton on Monday night after a test vehicle caught fire. The west wing's sprinkler system quickly put out the blaze. Two fire engines from Basildon and one from Brentwood were called to the
The ladies at the Forresters Golf Club played their autumn meeting competition which consisted of 18 hole strokeplay in the morning and afternoon a nine hole permutation stableford two from three. Mornings results winner was Muriel Loveridge net 69, second
Despite the score line this was not the one-sided affair that the points may indicate and it was Burnham who started the stronger with confidence and for about 20 minutes had all the possession. It was only strong defence by Beccles and handling errors
Braintree's hopes of a money-spinning cup run were dashed in wet and windy Suffolk on Saturday at the hands of a committed and well drilled Newmarket outfit. Matt Wadforth's makeshift side had an uphill task on their hands even before battle commenced
Colchester Ladies will be joining the country's elite when they compete in this year's Travelsphere National Club Bowling Championships at the weekend. Skip Brenda Brown and her Colchester team of ten will be doing battle with seven other clubs - Blackwell
A former newsagent put a noose around the neck of a paperboy in a bid to find out about money which had supposedly gone missing. A court heard on Monday how Robert Robinson tightened the noose around the 16-year-old's neck and demanded to know the whereabouts
Youngsters in Clacton are missing out on their education because the town's primary schools are full. A total of 17 pupils are at home because they cannot be found places in local schools. And they could be off school for weeks and even months while a
Senior citizens' groups have reacted angrily to the news that round-the-clock residential care for the elderly could be scrapped. Basildon Age Concern chairman David Downton said the proposals were "unacceptable", and former Basildon Council chairman
Personal safety and accident awareness are among the crucial lessons being learnt by children. More than 900 youngsters from local primary schools across the Maldon district have been taking part in Crucial Crew Week, at Maldon's Promenade Park. The event
A man has complained to the Chief Constable of Essex and Harwich MP Ivan Henderson after he had to wait 44 minutes for police to arrive on an emergency call. The man said he called the police after he was forced off the road by another car. The incident
A cargo handler at Stansted Airport drove home after a 17-hour shift and was involved in an accident which killed another man. A court heard yesterday how a fatal crash could have been caused by Nigel Wright falling asleep at the wheel. Wright, 27, of
Rapist Thomas O'Connor was today facing a long prison sentence after being found guilty of a series of brutal sex attacks. Barman O'Connor raised his middle finger and shouted "I hope you die in pain" to the jury after they delivered their verdict. O'Connor
BRAINTREE........................259-3 COPFORD................................135 By virtue of Saturday's abandoned match at Lakenheath, Braintree arrived at Copford on Sunday as Division Two champions. Despite winning the championship before a ball was
These cute little bunnies are looking for loving homes after their mum was dumped, pregnant and infested with maggots, at a Pitsea sanctuary. Derek Chittenden, who runs Basildon Bird Rescue Service from the garden of his home in Broomfields, found the
Burnham Carnival is celebrating its 90th birthday this year with a brand new float for the carnival queen. The carnival on Saturday begins at 11am in Burnham High Street and promises to be an action-packed day of fun for all the family. In the morning
Medical experts will be helping to dispose of drug users' needles and syringes as part of a new safety scheme. Under the scheme, launched by Braintree Council, a team of medical professionals will be called in to arrange proper disposal of used syringes
Colin Lewin, Colchester Harriers' number one triathlete, represented Great Britain in the ITT World Triathlon Championship in Montreal. Lewin, whose form has been his best ever in 1999, strode through the Canadian heat to finish tenth out of the 190 competitors
Tributes have continued to pour in today to former Southend United chairman Vic Jobson, who died in America on Sunday. The ex-Blues supremo handed over the reigns of power at the Roots Hall club to Billericay-based property developer Martin Dawn plc last
Essex University has been blacked out by a fault on the telephone system at of its busiest times of the year. New and old students were unable to get through to the campus and engineers were working throughout last night and again this morning to try
Soldiers who had just returned from Bosnia enjoyed their first cup of tea on British soil and raised cash for charity. Troops from 10 Transport Regiment have been returning from a peacekeeping tour over the past two weeks. One hundred and eighty more
Charles Stewart has bowled over members of Carreras Bowls Club by becoming a county champion. The vice-chairman of the Basildon-based club was victorious in the Essex County Bowling Association Unbadged final in only his second full season playing the
Colchester United manager Steve Whitton's attempts to sign two new players this week have been blocked. The U's boss was keen to bring in Southampton's David Hirst and Brighton's Andy Arnott on loan ahead of Saturday's Division Two clash at Millwall.
A riveting Tetley's Bitter Vase tie left Pegasus with just a scintillating opening try to compensate for a narrow loss. Pegasus matched their hosts in every department, bar the scrummaging, which ultimately proved decisive. Ongar appeared dominant for
Colin Lewin, Colchester Harriers' number one triathlete, represented Great Britain in the ITT World Triathlon Championship in Montreal. Lewin, whose form has been his best ever in 1999, strode through the Canadian heat to finish tenth out of the 190 competitors
A haul of 11 podium placings out of a possible 30 left South Woodham Ferrers & Wickford Rollerspeed Skating Club delighted with their day's work in Birmingham against most of the country's top performers. Competing in glorious sunshine, South Woodham
A great 6-0 home win over Somersett Ambury V and E saw Canvey through to the third qualifying round of the FA Youth Cup at Park Lane last night. Liam Bright grabbed a hat-trick and single strikes from Dean Clarke, Jamie Robinson and Chris Elms saw the
Former Southend United chairman Vic Jobson fought for his life for ten days in a New York hospital, his son revealed yesterday. The man who devoted so much to the Blues finally lost his battle on Sunday and his body has now been flown home for burial.
A have-a-go hero who saved a woman he saw screaming for help vowed he'd do the same again - despite being punched and bitten by her attacker. Witham-based cabbie Richard Hearn was attacked when he tried to help the woman, who was being dragged by a man
A Great Wakering shopkeeper claimed today he is being forced to auction his business because trade in the village has hit an all-time low. Rochford district councillor Rob Allen says he must sell up after the bottom fell out of trade at his Tofs DIY and
Computer equipment at more than half of Southend's schools is expected to fall prey to the millennium bug, a survey revealed today. Various checks need to be undertaken on all computer chip-controlled equipment to ensure it will recognise the 2000 date
Staff at Basildon Hospital were celebrating today after getting the go-ahead for a new MRI scanner. The equipment will improve the hospital's reputation for cancer care, reduce waiting lists and mean patients no longer have to make the journey to Southend
It was bad enough when contractors sprayed tar over Joe Bruce's car parked in the driveway of his home. But when they later returned - without his permission - to clean off the mess, things were definitely not good. To add insult to injury, Mr Bruce,
"Play for me and Colchester United or get out!" Angry U's boss Steve Whitton issued that ultimatum to his players after watching them slip to second from bottom in Division Two following another below-par display away to new table-toppers Burnley. Whitton
An appeal for leukaemia sufferers in Southend could get a huge boost - thanks to a fundraising scheme by bank workers. Seven local branches of the HSBC Bank are to stage a support day for Southend Hospital's Leukaemia Unit Appeal on Friday. They will
A dazzling display of Christmas lights moved a step closer for Rayleigh High Street thanks to the vocal efforts of a children's choir. Young members of the Kids Choir 2000 sang their socks off as they launched their millennium tour with a rock concert
SALLY KING casts her eye over a collection of modern treasures created by talented Essex crafts people. Craftsmen and women from all over Essex have been planing, sawing, painting, etching and sewing to produce a beautiful array of arts which are on display
Cult rock-opera Return To the Forbidden Planet is coming to the Cliffs Pavilion on Monday. So are the entire cast, junior company and artistic director of another local theatre - the Queen's, Hornchurch. The reason that one theatre will be effectively
Top drummer Terry Bozzio is in Southend this Sunday for a unique drumming extravaganza. Terry performed with Frank Zappa for many years as a member of his band and has also performed with other well-known artists such as Jeff Beck, Missing Persons and
Warden Brian Edwards, beaten black and blue by a teenage thug after he asked a group to keep the noise down, today spoke of his ordeal. The brutality of the unprovoked attack has shocked detectives. Youth nuisance has been a problem outside the warden-controlled
A diesel spill may have caused a crash which left a driver seriously ill in hospital. Richard Webster, 59, of Broad Road, Bocking, was driving a Ford Fiesta which was in collision with a Renault lorry in Maldon Road, Tiptree, at 11.10am yesterday. He
