On another key night in the thrilling Ryman League Premier Division title race, Canvey again stole a march on runaway leaders Farnborough. Jeff King's magnificent overworked braves pulled off their fourth League triumph in seven days to narrow the gap
Repeated attacks on a children's playground on Canvey are costing the taxpayer thousands of pounds. Vandals have struck repeatedly at the playground behind the Paddocks on Canvey. Glass has been thrown in the sandpit and paddling pool and vandals have
The students of Colchester Sixth Form College beat Gerard Houllier's Liverpool to Catalan glory. They returned victorious from Barcelona yesterday (Thursday) after winning the Calafell Cup from a four-team soccer tournament. Colchester beat Casta dell
Canvey's leading scorer Wayne Vaughan reached the landmark of 25 goals in his first season at Park Lane as Gulls kept up their fantastic bid for Ryman League Premier Division honours on Wednesday night. The 21-year-old former England Youth international
These lucky little McDucklings should not go short of food as they have hatched in the undergrowth outside Tendring's first drive-through restaurant. The mallards were already living on site when the McDonalds at Weeley was being built earlier this year
A £20m building programme for 12 primary schools in Tendring has been announced under a privately-financed initiative. The agreement comes just weeks after it was revealed £25 million was to be spent on a new secondary school for Clacton under another
Excited youngsters had a whale of a time when a new holiday club helped beat boredom. Rascals kids club opened its doors at St Michael's pre-school in Talbot Avenue, Rayleigh. The non-profit making club, which is run by a committee made up of parents,
A new five-point plan is being proposed in a bid to help small businesses affected by the foot-and-mouth crisis. The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has launched the plans following a snap-shot survey it carried out of small businesses, which shows
Police are issuing a warning about leaving power tools in vans overnight following a spate of thefts in Witham. The thefts took place last night (Thursday) in the Chipping Hill and Powers Hall End areas of the town. A Ford Transit van belonging to Braintree
Scores of caravan owners were left heartbroken after their holiday homes were ransacked by burglars. More than 40 caravans were broken into at Millfields caravan park, off Station Road in Burnham - the fourth attack in months. Televisions and microwaves
A young sufferer of ME has been awarded a certificate after setting up a website about her illness. Rachael Twinn, a 12-year-old from Springfield in Chelmsford, has suffered from ME most of her life and felt that is was a little understood disease, which
A man is starting a jail sentence for setting fire to the door of his boss's home. James Phillips went to a filling station in Colchester and bought a can and some petrol before dousing the door of the house. A court heard how 32-year-old Phillips tried
A group of youths set light to three rows of plastic seats at Witham Football Club. Football club members, who were opening up the bar for last night's game against Ashford, discovered the youths at about 6.30pm setting light to the seats at the far end
Travellers encamped on a building site are costing the owners thousands of pounds. A convoy of about 30 caravans and other vehicles moved on to the old British Gas site at Whitehall Road, Colchester, after leaving the town's Sheepen Road car park. Owners
A call has gone out to build a multi-storey car park in Witham. Braintree district councillor Keiron Boylan, also a member of Witham Town Council, made the suggestion after plans to renew planning consent to hold Sunday markets and weekday parking on
A man is lucky to be alive after he cheated death in the latest car attack by arsonists at Southend's Kursaal Estate. Kevin Chamberlain was found unconscious by firefighters as they fought the flames in a smoke-logged car park underneath Candy Steps.
Arsonists have destroyed a Colchester school's religious education department. As firemen checked the charred debris, the school said lessons will still go ahead next week. A prefabricated classroom building at Philip Morant School in Rembrandt Way, Prettygate
Southend United fans plan to raise funds for the family of referee Mike North, who died during Monday's Roots Hall match against Mansfield Town. The game was abandoned at half-time, with the score deadlocked at 0-0, after the 41-year-old collapsed in
George Burley believes Ipswich Town fans have still to see the best of Alun Armstrong, their two-goal hero at Middlesbrough. The Blues boss said: "Alun has done extremely well since joining us but he's still far from being the finished article. "Before
Soccer violence erupted when a referee was struck by a spectator. Police were called to the non-league Witham match against visiting team Aveley, in the Ryman League Division Three clash. As referee Jim Bavister was coming off the field at half time he
Canvey Island continue their "impossible dream" of snatching the Ryman League title from runaway leaders Farnborough with two key games over the next 24 hours. They follow last night's (Wednesday's) home clash with struggling Maidenhead United by visiting
Colchester United are determined to make us sweat all the way as they struggle to get past the winning post that brings Division Two football back to Layer Road again next season. Is a hard-earned point from this draw with East Anglian rivals Peterborough
Southend United striker Neil Tolson has revealed he is looking forward to a medication-free footballing future. The 27-year-old hitman made his long-awaited comeback for Blues' reserves last week, playing 45 minutes and setting up a goal in a 2-1 defeat
The past few weeks have been memorable for Colchester United new boy Kemal Izzet. First he had a Football League debut to celebrate and now, just three games later, he's scored a first League goal during Tuesday's 2-2 tie with Peterborough at Layer Road
Southend Wednesday League champions Lodgers are through to the final of the Lamkin Cup. They defeated c2c Rail 4-0 thanks to a brace from Willis and strikes from Smith and Eves. Lodgers will now meet Upminster LUL in the final at Eastwoodbury Lane on
It was a case of youth to the fore for Great Wakering Rovers at their Burroughs Park home on Wednesday night as the village side won their East Anglian Cup area final clash with Jewson League Ipswich Wanderers. And the youngsters who came in did manager
Cameras from Channel 4 were on hand to film some of the action for a forthcoming documentary at Canvey ABA's well-supported junior boxing show at Astairs Nightclub, All bouts were well matched with clubs from Kent plus south and east London going into
Basildon United are going back home for tomorrow's (Saturday's) Schweppes Essex Senior League clash with leaders Brentwood. The new towners had their Gardiners Close ground closed last week by League boss Robert Errington due to a "health and safety issue
Southend hitman Ben Abbey could be set for a trip to the operating table. The 22-year-old has been taking anti-inflammatory tablets to ease a pain in his side and is expected to see a specialist. Blues fear the ten-goal striker may need to have a hernia
Jason Dozzell is still hoping to play first-team football for Colchester United again before the end of the season. But the former Ipswich and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder, who is struggling to shrug off the effects of a foot operation, admitted yesterday
A review of all the taxi ranks in Southend will begin next month. Southend Licensed Taxi Drivers' Association has called for an analysis of whether the ranks are in the right places for the public. A date for a meeting between officers and leaders of
A Basildon school is set for a £531,000 revamp as part of a country-wide modernisation drive. The Government awarded Essex County Council the cash to redevelop Swan Mead Infant and Junior schools which are being merged. Pupils will turn out on Monday
Nicholas Wybacks booked their place in the second round of the Basildon Sunday League Senior Division Cup with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory over Great Knightleys. The score was 2-2 after 90 minutes and then Wybacks made it 3-2 in extra time. Knightleys
A thankful mum was today (Friday) taking her little boy and his heroic friend for a trip to Southend's Adventure Island. Susan Clarke, of Carmania Close, Shoebury, cannot say thank you enough times to the boy who saved her eight-year-old son's life by
Southend United are running the rule over trainee West Ham striker Amos Foyewa, who played the full 90 minutes of Wednesday's Roots Hall reserve team draw with Bristol Rovers. But despite demonstrating a lightning turn of pace and some nice touches, 19
Former student teachers are planning to "go out with a bang" as they stage their last ever reunion in Clacton to mark the end of an era. The event is being put on at St Osyth Training College - known better as Toosie College - which is now the Clacton
The Cranston Park tennis club, Upminster has gone into partnership with the Coopers Coborn School and the London Borough of Havering to introduce the area's first Community Tennis Partnership (CTP). CTP's are an initiative introduced by the Lawn Tennis
Basildon United's home clash with leaders Brentwood tops the bill in tomorrow's (Saturday's) Schweppes Essex Senior League programme. Also at home are Concord Rangers, who entertain Barkingside, and Southend Manor, who have bottom club Woodford Town visiting
SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Canvey Island v Aldershot; Enfield v Billericay Town (at Borehamn Wood). Division 2: Leyton Pennant v Great Wakering Rovers. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Basildon United v Brentwood; Burnham Ramblers v Bowers United
George Burley insists there will be no room for sentiment when he pits his wits against former team-mate Gordon Strachan at Portman Road. The Ipswich Town boss knows a win will virtually guarantee his side's place in Europe next season - and plunge Coventry
Essex have made a strong start to their first County Championship match of the season despite losing their first wicket for just one run. The newly-promoted side are facing Leicestershire in their first Division One clash, in a game which began today
Steve Whitton takes his Colchester United squad to Northampton Town tomorrow (Saturday) with Keith Scott and Barry Conlon still fighting it out for the target man's shirt. Scott has been in the starting line-up for the previous two matches, against Bristol
The Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination's Easter Tournament was won by Kings Field Casuals. They triumphed 3-0 over Southend Collegians in the final after just edging through a well-contested Group A on goal average from Shoebury Old Boys. The
Canvey-based Island Boys Wolves certainly have nothing to howl about. For they moved up to third place in the Under-9 Fifth Division of the Bukta South East Essex Mini-Soccer Primnary League with a 3-1 win at local rivals Benfleet Villa. Two goals from
A THIRD road off Canvey may not be built for at least ten years if the public do not get behind ambitious road developments on the island, a tense public meeting has been told. More than 200 residents expressed anger at plans to put in one way systems
A NEW youth centre has been given the go ahead - but special equipment may be used to control noise levels. Plans to turn a former Colchester housing sales office into a youth centre for three years, was given the thumbs up at a meeting of Essex County
A golf trip of a lifetime awaits amateur Bradley Walker and St Cleres Hall PGA professional David Wood if they can come through the next stage of Europe's biggest pro-am competition, the Lombard Trophy. Walker took his first big step towards a luxury
A date will be set next week for the multi-million pound retrial of 11 Afghans after the Stansted hijacking of an aircraft carrying 164 passengers. Taxpayers face a bill estimated at more than £20 million after an Old Bailey jury failed to reach a verdict
A HERO of a forgotten battle 50 years ago says he stills remembers it as if it were only yesterday. Harry Chalk was one of 650 British soldiers of the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment who fought up to 10,000 Chinese soldiers at Imjin River during
VITAL telephone lines into and out of Southend Hospital were plunged into chaos for several hours after thousands of gallons of water flooded basement electrical equipment. A water main at the rear of the hospital in Prittlewell Chase burst at about 12.30am
Felmore Youth have won their way through to the Southend Junior League's Under-12 Cup final - for the second time this season. Their previous 2-1 win over Falcons Youth was ruled null and void as Felmore fielded an ineligible player. The replay, however
A man arrested on charges of kidnap and assault hanged himself in his prison cell on the day he was due in court, an inquest heard. William Clemenson, 33, of Ditton Court Road, Westcliff, was found dead at Pentonville Prison, London, on July 31. St Pancras
The RSPCA has stepped in to save more than a thousand sheep stranded on Foulness. Around 1,750 ewes and lambs, were stranded on Foulness because Bud Brignall, the Kent farmer who owns them, was unable to transport them because of foot-and-mouth movement
A farmer has branded the handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis a disgrace after he was given conflicting advice about a dead deer on his land. Peter Ratcliffe, of Ashes Farm in Cressing, near Braintree, was told about the animal yesterday (Thursday) by
THE round Tendring bike ride in aid of the Little Haven Children's Hospice has been postponed in the name of safety. The ride organised by the Clacton and North East Essex Friends will now be held in late August or September. The pedal power fund raiser
A staggering 10,693 sick days were taken by uniformed firefighters across the county during the last year. However, figures published by the Essex Fire Authority show the number has dropped by 334 days compared to the same ten-month period from April
A first-half penalty from Macclesfield Town striker Lee Glover was enough to beat Southend United at the Moss Rose Ground on Saturday. The spot-kick was awarded in the 29th minute when Blues left-back Damon Searle was adjudged to have fouled Richard Tracey
Leigh Lanham's excellent start to the season has delighted Arena-Essex. Having broken his thigh back in March of last year there was always the strong possibility that he would struggle to regain his previous form which made him the track's top rider.
COLCHESTER United crashed to a goal in each half at mid-table Northampton Town to leave their Second Division future still in doubt going into the final two weeks of the season. A debatable 34th minute David Savage penalty and a 61st minute deflected
There is a new meaning to the phrase "a glittering smile" in Frinton. Jill Bartlett has become trained in the use of Smile Gems - small coloured stones which are stuck to a tooth with dental adhesive - and she hopes this will open the gates for other
Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher admitted he was left shell-shocked by the death of referee Mike North. The 41-year-old suffered a suspected heart attack during Monday's Third Division match against Mansfield Town, falling to the ground just a few
New homeowners on Shoebury's Garrison site may secure the future of High Street shops, a leading resident has said. Five butchers once thrived on the main street but one by one they closed down due to competition from supermarkets and the winding up of
Move over Emma Bunton, here comes Essex police officer Joanne Barry. The Spice Girl may be top of the pops at the moment, but PC Barry, based at Stansted Airport, has set her sights on number one by releasing a single. Her cover version of the Indie band
Small businesses in south Essex affected by foot-and-mouth will not get any rate relief because the Government says they are not rural enough. The announcement came yesterday (Thursday) as Tory leader William Hague was meeting Foulness farmer David Hull
A Red Cross centre has been given a boost with the first multi-purpose vehicle in the county - thanks to a legacy. Volunteers had been without a permanent vehicle for a year after their previous one was found to be unroadworthy. The new vehicle can be
A Roman mosaic which lay forgotten in the kitchens of a Colchester hotel for 15 years could soon be on display in a more visible location. Hidden in a cardboard box in a kitchen storeroom at the Red Lion Hotel, under stock including bread, flour and ingredients
A pregnant woman was treated for shock and smoke inhalation after her son accidentally set fire to a bedroom in their Ashfields, Pitsea home yesterday (Thursday). Station officer Colin Lidbury, of Basildon fire station, said: "The woman's young son caused
A Colchester paratrooper has been badly injured on holiday - after a parachute jump went wrong. Corporal Stuart Pearson is being treated in an Israeli hospital after breaking his leg during a holiday parachute jump. Cpl Pearson, who serves with the 3rd
Tributes have been paid to an Essex soldier who volunteered to serve in Kosovo and died in the troubled area helping to keep the peace. Trooper Adam Slater, from Felsted, who was engaged to be married, was killed on a peace-keeping mission in Kosovo on
A black teacher was driven to a nervous breakdown by children who branded her a "golliwog'' and "jungle bunny." Pricilla Bennett, 40, claimed she suffered clinical depression due to repeated racial abuse by white children while she was acting head of
George Burley is taking nothing for granted in the race for Europe - and believes his Ipswich Town high-flyers must keep looking over their shoulders until qualification has been secured. The 2-1 win at Middlesbrough on Monday left the Blues just a point
Runwell Raiders pulled off an 8-4 win at Old Island Boys A in the South-East Essex Sunday League's Premier Division Group A Cup thanks to four goals from Whitney. Church scored threee and Davis one. Harrison, Wisby and an own goal were responsible for
Essex showground owner John Holmes is taking legal action in his bid to create his own racetrack. He plans to build Britain's first new race track for 70 years at the Great Leighs showground near Braintree. However, the Great Leighs bypass route will
A woman has been inspired by her father's courage to run the London marathon in aid of the Chelmsford Centre for the Blind. Collette Morris, 39, will run Sunday's marathon in aid of the centre where her father Sadru Bhanji is treasurer. From an early
Fabian Wilnis is facing a desperate race against time to be fit for Ipswich Town's weekend clash with Coventry City. The Dutch defender, who missed the 2-1 triumph at Middlesbrough on Monday, has suffered a setback in his bid to shake off an ankle problem
The funeral of referee Mike North will be held at Witchampton Methodist chapel in Dorset at 12 noon on Wednesday. The 41-year-old Poole official died after collapsing from a suspected heart attack during Southend's Third Division match against Mansfield
Ever thought of growing your nails? Then Ruth Ward is something of an expert. Ruth has been growing her nails for the last four years and now they are a chilling eight and a half inches long! The Southend mum, who also helps run the family auto-electric
Police are launching a clampdown on boy racers speeding through a car park because they pose a "serious danger" to McDonald's customers. Insp Kevin Jacobs, of Maldon police, said urgent action is needed before someone is seriously injured, and he has
A frustrated father has vowed to pursue a claim for compensation after his daughter fell down a manhole with a broken cover. Robert Lee received a telephone call from his daughter Lisa, 13, as she got stuck in a manhole in Jackson's Lane, Billericay,
Nearly 1,700 years after being buried, the remains of a Roman resident of Colchester have been discovered by archaeologists near to the former St Mary's hospital. Archaeologists found the body of the unknown Roman adult of the third century along with
Long jump specialist Mitchell Wilkin was the star of the Southend Athletic Club squad who made the short journey to Basildon for a Bank Holiday warm-up meeting. For many it was a pointless exercise as the cold strong wind made it difficult for runners
CHELMSFORD CITY....................5 BURNHAM...................................0 (Dr Martens League Eastern Division) City completed an tremendous Easter weekend goal blitz with this comprehensive demolition of Burnham at New Lodge on Wednesday evening
A record-breaking goal blitz of 20 goals in four games over the Easter holidays has put Chelmsford City on the brink of promotion and a return to the Dr Martens League Pre-mier Division after a gap of four years. This is a marvellous achievement for a
A jubilant Heather Sinclair from Romford, and her team-mates on board Norwich Union were celebrating on Tuesday as their yacht grabbed second place in the hardest leg of the BT Global Challenge so far. Norwich Union crosse the finish line beating Quadstone
Southend United forward Daniel Webb said Blues were fully focused on their Third Division trip to Macclesfield Town tomorrow, despite the tragedy surrounding referee Mike North. The 41-year-old Poole official collapsed and died from suspected heart failure
A charity group is almost 20 per cent of the way towards its ambitious target of £20,000 to buy vital equipment for Clacton Hospital - but it needs more help. Clacton Hospital Community Friends wants to buy a prostate scanner for the urology department
While they continue their fight for Ryman League Premier Division title honours, thoughts at Canvey Island are turning to the most important game in the club's history. On May 13 at Premiership Aston Villa's home, Gulls take on Nationwide Conference Forest
Piles of rubbish dumped in the street outside his home in Humber Road have angered Witham man Charles Taylor. He said that the piles had risen steadily over the four and a half years since he moved to the town. "I have phoned the council so many times
There was speculation yesterday (Thursday) of a celebrity mid-Essex wedding after Prodigy star Liam Howlett got engaged to be married to All Saints star Natalie Appleton. Liam, 29, who hails from Braintree, popped the question in London and Natalie said
Billericay Town's top star Joe Baker celebrated his 24th birthday in stunning style last night - by scoring his second first-half hat-trick in successive games. Baker grabbed a trio in Monday's Bank Holiday bonanza at New Lodge when Gary Calder's men
Home Office minister Charles Clarke is to talk to top officers in Clacton over targeted policing. Mr Clarke will be briefed by chiefs on how they have tackled crime in the west Clacton area with a pro-active approach. The minister will be at the town's
A cash windfall of more than £3.5 million could be heading for Jaywick - if a bid for Government funding is successful. Tendring Council has selected the resort for new neighbourhood management and regeneration projects. And if it is chosen as one of
Detectives trying to unravel an unsolved murder are to reconstruct the crime on television. Karl Morris, 23, died from head injuries after a fight on Good Friday, 1999, but two years later police are no nearer to solving the case. Mr Morris's family,
BATTLE plans are being drawn up against bogus callers. Police officers, Neighbourhood Watch representatives and other expert speakers will be among about 300 people expected to attend a council of war at Essex Police headquarters in Chelmsford. The special
Great Wakering Rovers face a hectic schedule of three games in five days when they visit relegation strugglers Leyton Pennant in the Ryman League Second Division tomorrow (Saturday). On Monday they host Schweppes Essex Senior League Burnham Ramblers bidding
