Macclesfield Town chalked up their first ever League win against Southend United to leave Blues' promotion play-off hopes hanging by a thread. Lee Glover's highly debatable first-half penalty condemned the Shrimpers to their first defeat in five games
Tonight's (Monday's) Essex Senior Cup final at Southend United's Roots Hall ground, the big prestige county game of the season, is off. Ryman League Premier Division Canvey Island, who have won the trophy for the past two years, were hoping to make it
Jim Magilton was in seventh heaven after helping Ipswich Town virtually seal their place in Europe - but refuses to settle for second best when it comes to which competition they play in next season. The Blues beat Coventry City 2-0 at Portman Road on
Essex-based recruitment publisher Jobserve, one of the most succesful dot.com companies in the UK, was today (Monday) due to announce the doubling of its workforce. More than 60 people work for the Tiptree-based business, named as one of the country's
Police divers have been called in to help search for a missing Maldon pensioner. Hopes are fading for the safety of 74-year-old Elizabeth Gallaway, who was reported missing on Friday night at 10pm from Middleton Manor residential home in Wantz Road. Police
North Essex farmers fear the lifting of movement restrictions caused by foot-and-mouth could be delayed by one landowner. The movement ban was imposed in a ten-kilometre (six-mile) radius around the last outbreak, at Rye Farm, Layer de la Haye, 33 days
A man is fighting for his life after his car crashed head-on into a dual carriageway's central reservation. The 24-year-old Colchester man, who was in a critical condition, had to be cut free by firefighters from the wreckage of the 4x4 Ford Sierra estate
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
Police officers and a dog unit were called in after a fight broke out in New Street, Brightlingsea. Two people suffered facial injuries in the incident, which happened just before midnight on Friday. One of the injured refused hospital treatment while
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
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
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 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
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
Parents dropping children at school are being warned to be extra vigilant after a series of raids on cars in Benfleet. Mums and dads leave vehicles unattended with valuables on the seats - easy targets for thieves who have got away with bags, wallets
One of the most colourful figures on the Colchester music scene has died. Professor Norman Tattersall died aged 76 on April 20 after a fall. Mr Tattersall, of Greenstead Road, Colchester, was a fellow of the Royal Academy of Music and former head of singing
The latest venture of the Le Talbooth Group is set to open its doors to views immortalised by John Constable in his study of Dedham Vale. Customers will get their first glimpse of Milsoms today (Monday) as the informal bar/bistro serves its inaugural
An announcement is due within weeks on new tenants for a regenerated former gin factory in Laindon. Barberry House Properties, in Worcestershire, was last year given the green light by Basildon Council for plans to transform the former Gordon's Gin site
Two men were today (Monday) being questioned by police after a high-speed chase through Southend early today. Officers gave chase to a vehicle shortly before 3am after it allegedly failed to stop for a routine check. The pursuit around Southend and Westcliff
Billericay Town's top star Joe Baker celebrated his 24th birthday in stunning style on Thursday 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
A company in Wickford has been commended for its innovation with the Queens Award for Enterprise 2001. Segnet Ltd won the award for their patented RPM-S broadband communication cable system which they designed after they were established in 1988, to manage
On another key night in the thrilling Ryman League Premier Division title race, Canvey again stole a march on runaway leaders Farnborough on Thursday. Jeff King's magnificent overworked braves pulled off their fourth League triumph in seven days to narrow
Police are probing a suspected hit-and-run accident in Basildon which put two people in hospital. Officers are hunting a blue Fiat Croma after it came off a sliproad on the A13 and collided with two other vehicles. A 30-year-old man and a teenage girl
Police are hunting two men after a woman taxi driver was robbed at knifepoint. The woman's ordeal began after she drove the men from Rayleigh to Basildon. When she picked them up at 6.45am on Friday in Rayleigh, they asked to be driven to Carlisle Way
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
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
Big-hearted fundraisers held a marathon four-hour darts session to help an eight-year-old boy suffering from muscular dystrophy. Around £8,000 was raised by six regulars at the Watermill restaurant in Pitsea to pay for a wheelchair for Daniel Messenger
Fans are reminded that tickets for Canvey Island's FA Umbro Trophy final with Forest Green Rovers on May 13 at Villa Park went on sale today (Monday). The ticket hotline number for credit card bookings is 01268 510346 and opening hours for this, and personal
A temporary scheme to help calm town centre traffic has been made permanent. The proposal to make the temporary measures in Maldon town centre permanent was given the green light by councillors at a meeting of Essex County Council's development control
High London house prices are driving potential home-buyers out of the city and into mid-Essex to look for places to settle. The influx of interest has caused house prices in the area to rocket by as much as 20 per cent in some areas. Matthew Burdon, manager
A pubgoer left temporarily blinded after being savagely kicked on the ground by a gang of thugs has been recovering in hospital. The 28-year-old victim, from Colchester, had gone with a friend to the town's Cambridge Arms pub, Military Road, New Town,
Four generations and 60 members of the same Essex family came together for a reunion. One branch of the family, originally the Reillys of Chelmsford, even made the trip from Virginia in the United States for the gathering in Great Tey. The rest of the
Daredevil stunt pilot Martyn Carrington wants a driver with nerves of steel for a perfect landing. Martyn, 27, who began flying in Clacton at nine, is looking for a new driver to drive his Kia Aerobatic Stunt Team around the country this season. It's
A tribunal is considering the amount of compensation to award a black teacher branded a "golliwog'' and "jungle bunny'' by racist pupils. Pricilla Bennett, 40, suffered clinical depression and a nervous breakdown due to repeated racial abuse by white
An islamic group is prepared to step in and buy St Martin's church hall in an effort to bail out Basildon's debt-ridden belltower project. Bosses at the Basildon Islamic Centre are to approach St Martin's Parochial Church Council with an offer to transform
Children as young as seven are believed to have caused a spate of dangerous fires. Firefighters were called to eight rubbish or shrub fires and three false alarms in the area of Nayland Drive, Bluehouse Avenue, Maldon Way and Mendlesham Close in Clacton
A protest group has been set up to combat plans for a multi-million pound tourist attraction near Colchester. Bunting and Sons hopes to create more than 300 jobs by transforming their former tomato nursery site and additional land in Great Horkesley into
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 hero of a forgotten Korean War 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
A group of single mothers is planning a mercy mission to help persecuted tribespeople in Africa. The Sahrawi people were driven from their homeland about 20 years ago after they were invaded by Morocco. But three mothers from Colchester have started a
About a dozen custom motorbikes pulled in the crowds and helped to raise more than £300 for a Harwich charity. Members of the north Essex branch of the Virago Star Owners Club took their sparkling machines to the town on Saturday and caused quite a stir
A man was stabbed twice in the back during a fight. The incident started in Colne Road, Clacton, at about 11.15pm on Saturday and spilled into Pallister Road, where the man suffered two one-inch stab wounds to his lower back. He also sustained facial
Soccer shows it has a heart Football has shown a much needed compassionate face following last Monday's tragic death of referee Mike North at Roots Hall. Both the club and fans are poised to raise money for the family of Mr North, who dropped dead from
An injury to Mark Ilott cast a shadow on Essex's impressive innings and nine runs victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road with well over a day to spare. The 30-year-old left arm seamer left the field during the course of an over with a pulled hamstring
A man set himself alight after filling up his lighter, sparking a major blaze which engulfed his Laindon home, firefighters revealed. Experts believe the 60-year-old, who was in the house in Debden Green with his son, spilled some lighter fuel on his
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 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
Traders in Maldon are set to distribute thousands of leaflets in a bid to attract shoppers from around Essex. The leaflets will have vouchers offering discounts from May 26 until June 3 to incorporate the busy Spring Bank Holiday period. They may also
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 on Thursday by a passing
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
Colchester boss Steve Whitton says he doesn't want to rely on other results to ensure the U's continued Division Two status. But having suffered two defeats and only a draw in his last three matches, Whitton might just have to settle for that. Oxford,
Hundreds of boys and girls took the salute from Southend's mayor and MPs in a celebration of their commitment to the Scouting movement. Members of more than 30 groups of Sea Scouts, Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Ventures marched along Clifftown Parade to
Young models at a Colchester school have been left dejected after a planned fashion show had to be cancelled just days before the show. Bosses at the Arcadia Group agreed in January to town branches of Dorothy Perkins, Top Shop and Top Man supplying clothes
A youth who threatened to shoot a witness to a blaze was ordered by a judge at Basildon Crown Court to be locked up for 15 months. Wayne Houghton, 19, was convicted earlier of intimidating neighbour Steven Grimsey, 18, following a £10,000 fire at his
A Horslery Cross farm can be used for craft workshops. New House Farm, in Clacton Road, has been given the go-ahead to use the building for workshops to produce pottery, ceramics and paintings. There can also be a storage area for art materials. Tendring
Twenty-two Rochford swimmers competing at Southend's Open at Warrior Square collected trophies. RADS were particularly delighted to see two ten-year-olds, Rebecca Frost and Lewis Fitzpatrick, pick up their first open awards. Rebecca collected gold in
The third and fourth rounds of the Essex Age Group Championships saw Borough of Castle Point swim star Chris Chenery in outstanding form. He won golds in 11 years 50 and 400 freestyle plus 50 fly to be voted top boy for the second year. His total Essex
A cafe owner has criticised a bus company for axeing a service to the holiday resort where he is based. Mick McQuillan, 47, owns the Sailor Boy cafe in Beach Road, St Osyth beach, where there is also the Sailor Boy pub and Sailor Boy chip shop as well
A student will rub shouders with some of the most influential figures in the food industry after winning a major prize. Wendy Peacock, a student studying for a degree in hospitality at Colchester Insitute, was named Industry Young Gun placement student
Workers at New Holland tractor plant in Basildon have launched a fresh round of strikes in their ongoing dispute over pay and conditions. Production line workers staged a one-day strike today after a pay offer from bosses earlier this month was rejected
Basildon's Depeche Mode have revealed they "hated" their hometown - and still do. In an interview with a national magazine, the remaining trio - Dave Gahan, Martin Gore and Andy "Fletch" Fletcher - spoke candidly about their multiple rise and fall over
Jubilant George Burley described his troops' almost certain qualification for Europe as an "unbelievable achievement". Only a disastrous quirk of fate will prevent the Blues qualifying for the Champions League or UEFA Cup next season and the Ipswich Town
Canvey Island suffered a hammer blow to their hopes of winning the Ryman League Premier Division title on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Aldershot at Park Lane. However, Gulls boss Jeff King was in no mood to concede the championship crown
Reach for your passports - Ipswich Town are heading for Europe! The Blues may have become accustomed to heartbreak in recent seasons but nothing would now prepare for the devastation of missing out on a Champions League or UEFA Cup berth. Thankfully,
An old family business has come to Maldon. Clothing retailer Townrow opened its newest store in High Street on Saturday and Maldon Mayor Peter Roberts cut the ribbon. Owner Richard Townrow said the store had been running successfully for more than 130
Teen genius Oli Watts has scooped an international award for his web work. Sixteen-year-old Oli Watts set up and is now managing director of the award winning website www.pupiline.net . The accolade is the second he has won in the space of one week. In
A gang of youngsters fled after ploughing a powerful sports car through a hedge and crashing it just inches from the front door of a house. London Leopards basketball player Gareth Davis came home late on Saturday night to find police on the scene and
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
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
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
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
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,
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
Colchester United goalkeeper Andy Woodman has enjoyed many claims to fame in his colourful professional football career. Known variously as the "Camberwell Clown" or "Woody Woodpecker," he has been a Wembley winner with Northampton Town and a Division
Essex began life in Division One of the County Championship in the best possible way with an innings victory over Leicestershire at Grace Road. Ricky Anderson made sure Ronnie Irani's newly-promoted side came away with the honours with a first innings
Staff and patients at Colchester General Hospital are to take part in an important medical research programme. It has been chosen to take part in a 16-month "telemedicine" research project funded by the Department of Health to find out how cost-effective
The former producer of the Colchester Searchlight Tattoo - who commentated at the very first event in 1960 - has died. Major Philip Crutchfield, of Clare Road, died in hospital on April 5 aged 81. His wife, Pamela, described him as a kind but private
Decontamination work at a former petrol station site is now complete - and the building is set to be demolished to make way for a new community centre. A £1 million community centre will be created at the former Total petrol station site in Hawthorn Avenue
The fish man of Canvey is to receive a dignified send-off at his funeral on Thursday. Bill Rose - well known as the mobile fish seller on the island - passed away on Easter Sunday. His daughter, Michele Brackett, has arranged for a horse and carriage
Rising fuel prices could spark another front line protest by truckers, a south Essex haulier has warned. Ian Gordon said he "could not rule out" another picket at south Essex oil terminals if petrol prices were to rise to £4 a gallon. Mr Gordon, who led
The organiser of a 6,000-kilometre cycling event has called on Colchester to do more for the riders. Colchester is the first destination for the UK stretch of this year's North Sea Cycle Route. The riders will arrive in Harwich and spend the night in
