Missing Syd the vulture, may not be all he seems. The English School of Falconry found their missing bird just five miles away from their Bedfordshire base on Thursday after 11 days at large. But it appears another vulture may still be on the loose in
Kim Wall continued her great season on the track by capturing bronze and gold medals for Great Britain in the European Junior Championships in Grosseto, Italy. After winning her heat of the women's 400 metres in 54.21 secs on Thursday, Kim took third
Hadleigh 111 Hainault &Clayhall 115-2 (Hainault won by 8 wickets) Hadleigh crashed to defeat in their Premier Division clash after Ronnie Barker crucially lost the toss in his first game as skipper. Hadleigh were inserted on a damp wicket and couldn't
Rochford beat the weather-decimated programme to defeat their title rivals at the top of the Sirco Southend Evening Cricket League. The club outplayed leaders Eastwood to draw level on points at the top after restricting their foes to just 88-5 off 12
Spanish import Pablo Counago shone as Ipswich Town brought the curtain down on their tour of Finland and Estonia with a 5-1 routing of FC Flora. The under-21 international scored twice - including a strike in the final minute - to seal another emphatic
Wakering started their first campaign under the managership of ex Leyton Orient striker Alan Hull with a comprehensive win at last season's Essex Senior League champions. A 14th minute long range effort from Danny Scopes gave the village visitors the
Around 150 residents were evacuated from their homes as Army experts blew up a suspicious package in the heart of Southend. Roadblocks were put up in Southchurch Avenue after the package - the third in the last two months - was found underneath a car
Pedestrians will benefit from new Puffin crossings, which are being gradually introduced across Essex, according to the county council. They will eventually replace older Zebra and Pelican crossings, and provide new crossings in some areas. Puffins stand
A woman has mysteriously died while on holiday in Spain. Laura Davies, 32, of Compton Road, St Anne's, Colchester, had gone on a canyoning holiday with her mother. The trip involved wading, swimming and scrambling over rocks in a canyon near Barcelona
Canvey Island carried on where they left off in their first outing since winning the FA Umbro Trophy at Villa Park just over two months ago. In their first pre-season friendly of the new campaign they comprehensively outplayed their Dr Martens League
Colchester MP Bob Russell is calling for disgraced Lord Archer to be stripped of his peerage. Mr Russell has added his voice to a motion placed by Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay calling for the ex-cabinet minister to lose his title. Millionaire novelist
True to showbiz tradition, Suki Fusi believes that the show must go on. So when she gave birth to a strapping 9lb 8oz boy fours hours before curtain-up on the Saint Theresa's Repertory Society's show in Colchester, she was still on hand to conduct before
Marks and Spencer is spearheading its national recovery with a £1m facelift for its Chelmsford store - one of the busiest in the county. And the town is to get a 40-seater coffee shop as part of the new-look store, scheduled to be ready by the August
A Writtle College study of the foot-and-mouth crisis has concluded that the outbreak may have cost Essex £1.3bn. The study was commissioned by Essex Economic Partnership. The report says that although the financial impact is potentially enormous, positive
Firefighters came to the rescue of a mother who had become locked out of her house while her child was locked inside. A fireman climbed through a window at just before 11am on Friday, in Farmleigh Avenue, Clacton. He then managed to open the door to the
More than 400 people packed out East Tilbury Village Hall for a public meeting called by concerned residents into the disappearance of missing teenager Danielle Jones. Thurrock divisional commander superintendent Ian Gruneberg reiterated appeals for information
Environmental campaigners battling against incinerators in Essex are poised to bring their Mad Hatter's Tea Party to Southend. The display of costumed characters from Alice in Wonderland aims to highlight the "madness" of the recent vote by Essex County
One of the most popular annual events in Dovercourt has again attracted thousands of people and raised thousands of pounds. The fete on Saturday at the Harwich Hospital in Main Road, Dovercourt, was organised by Harwich and District Fellowship for the
Canvey residents have demanded protection for the island's historic buildings after the demolition of a First World War army camp. The dilapidated buildings near Thorney Bay Beach Park were taken down because they were dangerous for inquisitive children
Emergency services were today (Monday) called out after a car and boat trailer got stuck in the sand on the beach at Holland-on-Sea. It is believed the owners got into difficulty after lowering a boat into the water at Haven Avenue, near Clacton Sailing
Ipswich have announced that tickets for their friendly with PSV Eindhoven at Portman Road on August 4 will cost £12 for adults, £8 for children and £4 for concessions. They will be available from July 27 and sold on a priority basis via the booking line
A charity golf day in memory of an Ongar man who died of a rare form of leukaemia has delighted organisers by raising over £1,000 more than they initially hoped for. Kettlebury Way resident John Collins, who was 58 when he died in November, had himself
Gulls have announced a special deal for young fans attending their second friendly, at home to Foresters Essex Senior League Bowers United on Tuesday. They will be admitted free of charge provided they are accompanied at Park Lane by a paying adult. Converted
A car passenger revealed how she cried "Stop!" and put her hands over her eyes moments before a pedestrian died in an accident. Marie-Jose Bititi, speaking through an interpreter, told an inquest of the seconds before Southend student John Wheal was struck
PREMIER DIVISION Horndon-on-the-Hill 137 Fives & Heronians 139-2 (Fives won by eight wickets) Wanstead 181 Gidea Park & Romford 182-3 (G Park won by seven wickets) Hadleigh & Thundersley 111 Hainault & Clayhall 115-2 (Hainault won by eight
The draw for the Essex Senior Challenge Cup has been made. The full draw is: Round One (to be played on or before September 22) Brentwood v Waltham Abbey; Saffron Walden v Barkingside; Southend Manor v Burnham Ramblers. Second Round (to be played on or
Ipswich Town fans are being kept in suspense over the identity of the Blues' latest transfer target - an international midfielder who plays in Spain. Boss George Burley revealed on Thursday a fee had been agreed with a club in La Liga and terms are being
Developers of the Shell Haven site at Corringham are seeking the views of local people. A glossy leaflet has been produced by P&O highlighting the basics of the proposal for a new port and ancillary developments on the 1,500-acre site. It includes
A Canvey football fan is to have a train named after him on the London Underground. "Mad Al" Jenkins, who died in his sleep, was a stalwart fan of Canvey Football Club but his other main passion was trains. The machine operator had worked for London Underground
Work to create a nursing home in Pitsea has been delayed, developers have revealed. Diggers and builders were expected to move on to the site of an old petrol station, in Rectory Road, some time this month but that now looks unlikely. A hotline set up
The sailor nicknamed Captain Calamity has set off successfully on his latest attempt to sail around Britain for charity. Businessman Stuart Hill, 58, of Maltings Wharf, Manningtree, set off again in the 14ft boat Maximum Exposure on Saturday, putting
Pupils have said goodbye to their temporary home - but do not know what the future holds for them. Colchester's Sixth Form College stepped in to provide a temporary home from home for staff and pupils from St George's Infants School after the school was
Police have not yet announced the identity of the man found dead in a mid-Essex river. A member of the public on their bike saw his partially-submerged body in the River Blackwater in Braintree at about 7.15am on Friday. Police were contacted and officers
Pupils at Manningtree High School have been designing and creating a magnificent array of carnival costumes. All age groups have enjoyed taking part in a weekly creative workshop with a multicultural theme, learning how to make some spectacular clothing
Wanted: brave volunteers to hot-foot it across 20 feet of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit glowing embers. That's the challenge from the Colchester-based Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, which hopes to find 75 people to try the spectacular stunt. The charity
Roadworks on one of Colchester's busiest roads, which are due to cost £1.2m, are being carried out to stop flooding at just three homes. But residents in the properties have said the work is "wonderful". The work, which has so far sealed off Church Lane
A school on special measures is celebrating a glowing report from Government inspectors. The Barstable School in Basildon was visited by a team from Ofsted which concluded that the school was continuing to improve in almost every aspect. Jonathan Oddy
Buildingon the good work which has already taken place across the district in the aim of Badildon District Council's new housing strategy. Following a meeting of the housing committee last week they vowed to carry on working with a range of partners in
BBC Essex Radio presenter Tim Gillett got a huge shock when he opened his car door to find a tramp asleep on the back seat. Tim, who lives in Shoebury, was about to drive to the radio station's Chelmsford studio for his regular show when he made the startling
Detectives are baffled by a bizarre attempted robbery in which a 71-year-old man is believed to have been sprayed in the face with CS spray. He was in his Mitsubishi at traffic lights in Bournemouth Park Road, Southend, when a man approached his passenger
A critical report has said Maldon is letting down residents in need of housing. Families on a low income and homeless people are the main losers, according to the Best Value review commissioned by central government. Rising homelessness, a lack of temporary
Chelmsford's CCTV surveillance systems are to get a boost with a £37,000 injection from the borough council. This will pay for new schemes at Meadgate Avenue, Melbourne Avenue, Kings Road and Trent Road. The sites were selected following a survey by the
Police have announced a new air assault on speeding motorcylists - as Essex has just become the most dangerous biking county in Britain. More bikers have died on the county's roads in the past year than anywhere else in the country, it was revealed today
Billericay Town fans will enjoy the prospect of seeing Nationwide League Division Three opposition at New Lodge twice in three days. For they follow their clash with Southend United next Monday (July 30) by taking on a Leyton Orient XI at their Blunts
Labour chiefs were celebrating after winning the by-election for St George's Ward in Benfleet. Roy English won the seat, pipping Conservative Jackie Govier to the post by more than 100 votes. Around 712 people voted for former councillor Mr English, who
Advance notice of road works can now be found on the Essex County Council's internet site. From the home page, www.essexcc.gov.uk, the details are found via Roads, Transport and Travel followed by Road Works Ahead. Lists are provided for seven days, one
Police have urged parents and children to be extra vigilant after a sex pest struck several times in Laindon. The warning comes as youngsters prepare to break up from school for their summer holidays. The pervert is described as white, fat, between 40
An allegation of abuse of power has been lodged against a leading Colchester politician. Tim Young, the Labour group leader on Colchester Council, could be brought before the standards committee over allegations he has damaged the reputation of the council
Drivers suffered confusion today (Monday) as a set of traffic lights went out at a busy town centre junction. The lights were out at the junction of Wimpole Road, Magdalen Street, Barrack Street and Brook Street at the weekend. And today (Monday) two
Southend firefighters have called for urgent action after yet another arson at a derelict pub. Firecrews were called in after piles of rubbish were stacked up and set alight outside the Invisible Man pub in Hamstel Road, Southend. Station officer Rudy
Braintree BMX Club hosted Round Seven of the East Anglia BMX Summer series on Sunday with 109 riders taking part. The introduction of the electronic start system and freshly tarmaced start hill contributed to a slick and highly successful meeting for
Barnet striker Tony Richards will join Southend United today (Monday) for £36,000. We first revealed last month that Blues boss David Webb was chasing the 27-year-old targetman to add some muscle to his forward-line. Richards, who watched the Shrimpers
A double bogey on his penultimate hole in the Open Championship at Lytham St Annes left a sour taste in the mouth of East Bergholt professional Paul Curry. Curry had played steadily over the first two days to make the halfway cut with rounds of 72, 71
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is still waiting to hear from Bobby Bowry after offering the midfielder a contract at Layer Road. Triallist Bowry, who made his name with Crystal Palace and Millwall, impressed the U's chief with another eye-catching
Proud parents have told how their son and daughter helped save a three-year-old girl from drowning in a swimming pool in Majorca. Darren and Danielle Griffiths, of London Road, Clacton, were on holiday in Cala D'Or, playing around the poolside by their
Colchester is among the best places in the country to run a store, a survey has revealed. According to the report published on Friday, shoppers are shunning out-of-town centres and heading back to the High Street. And Colchester's popularity has increased
A genetically-modified crop has been destroyed at a Wivenhoe farm in the second attack in two weeks. The crop is part of a trial into GM maize at Sunnymead Farm on the Alresford Road and the biotechnology firm Aventis, which provided the seeds, on Friday
More than 100 confidential GP patient notes were sent to a medical newspaper because of an administration blunder. The forms, which name patients in the Chelmsford and Colchester area, were sent to Doctor, a weekly publication for GPs. A branch office
"It was too late for us to do anything and we had more than 2,000 spectators at the match. "The players were disappointed and we were disappointed big time. West Ham do use our facilities a lot and as a club we feel aggrieved. "But I feel sorry for the
Rush-hour traffic across south Essex was plunged into chaos after two accidents involving a digger and a fire engine. Drivers travelling into London along the A13 faced severe tailbacks as all six lanes of the carriageway, affecting traffic from both
Young members of a dance school have danced the day away in aid of charity. Youngsters from the Bebop dance school in Comac Yard, Old Road, Clacton, danced throughout the day to raise money for disadvantaged children in the Third World. The group, who
Swan-minders are keeping vigil over a snowy-plumed bird who has taken to waters in Dovercourt. Mistral, a seasoned visitor to the town, arrived at the model yacht pond in March and is mothering six cygnets born earlier this spring. But the plight of the
Governors at axe-threatened Chapel Hill County School in Braintree on Friday said they are looking forward to a positive future after receiving an encouraging report. But education chiefs warned there is still a long way to go to bring the troubled school
Parents in East Tilbury have been urged to keep a close watch on their children with no sign of a breakthrough in the hunt for abducted teenager Danielle Jones. The warning came at a packed meeting of more than 400 anxious villagers yesterday (Sunday)
Pint-sized nine-year-old Edward Caton pleaded with a meeting of Chelmsford Planning Committee to veto a microwave radiation mobile phone mast being put up near his school. Nine last month, Edward is the youngest person ever to address councillors at public
A nurse who abused and humiliated elderly residents of an Essex nursing home has been struck off the national register. A professional misconduct hearing heard how Lesley Platt, 37, had insulted and bullied vulnerable old people at St Joseph's Nursing
Commuters are set for further transport chaos after union leaders upped the pressure on train operator c2c by announcing a 48-hour walkout. The two day strike is expected to effectively wipe out services on the line for a three day period from midday
A hi-tech engineering firm has temporarily laid off about 35 workers due to a downturn in the mobile phone market. The staff at Dalau in Clacton have been informed of the decision. Sales director David Sage said as a supplier in the chain to major manufacturers
London Leopards basketball hero Brian Moore was on hand to officially open a new £40,000 building at a Laindon school. From September, the block will be the home of learning mentors who will work with pupils having difficulties fitting in at James Hornsby
Fire chiefs warned vandals to stop setting fire to bins before a serious incident occurs. Following a spate of 11 bin fires in the last week Basildon's station commander Olly Holford said: "A simple act of vandalism like setting fire to a bin could soon
Essex cricket captain Ronnie Irani issued a "lay off our coaches" warning on Thursday as Keith Fletcher and Geoff Arnold bore the brunt of the county's dismal performance. Head coach Fletcher and Excellence coach Arnold are facing increasing flak from
A greenkeeper who started off by looking after the pitch at Halstead Cricket Club has now taken over at the helm at an Earls Colne Golf Club. Tom Smith, 28, started greenkeeping at Halstead Cricket Club, before spells with Gosfield Golf Club. He is now
Colourful baskets of flowers are appearing around Basildon town as business leaders attempt to brighten up the shopping centre. The Basildon In Bloom project is under way but more firms are needed to get involved. Kerry Whitaker is also urging garden
Southend bowls club were too strong for their Rochford counterparts as they clocked up a 93-70 win. Scores (Southend first): Mike Smith 14 GSellears 18, Ron Baines 27 JJeffrey 20, Geoff Bromley 27 DBrewer 17, Derek Swann 25 PCottrell 15. And Pegasus were
Staff, students and friends of Basildon College all gathered for a grand party. A live band and buffet were laid on at the college to celebrate 30 years of further education in Basildon. There was also a disco and a string quartet to keep the guests,
A Conservative councillor alleged to have branded council estates as inferior to private homes has been censured and called on to apologise. Stephen Horgan (Con, Billericay West) declined to comment despite the passing of a motion by Basildon's full council
Courtney Walsh, the most devastating bowler in cricket history, is all set to make a comeback at Hadleigh's John Burrows Ground. The retired West Indies pace ace has been pencilled in to play in the annual charity cricket match hosted by Hadleigh and
Southend United have agreed a £36,000 fee for Barnet striker Tony Richards. Blues boss David Webb has been searching for a targetman to compliment his current forward-line and the aggresive former Leyton Orient man would seem to fit the bill. Richards
Another Essex batting collapse handed Hampshire victory in yesterday's one-day National League clash at Southchurch Park, Southend. Hampshire won the toss and elected to bat first, and Zimbabwean opener Neil Johnson repaid his captain's faith with an
The Eastwoodbury Veterans League annual meeting were left a team short of an ideal number for the forthcoming campaign when Hockley H unexpectedly withdrew on the night. The seven remaining clubs are therefore on the lookout for at least one new outfit
It is the height of the cycle racing season and the Shaftesbury CC are more than holding their own in the area and its riders are covering all branches across the spectrum, from juniors to veterans. Grant Lampiere has taken part in two Ironman Triathlons
A Canvey football fan is to have a train named after him on the London Underground. "Mad Al" Jenkins, who died in his sleep, was a stalwart fan of Canvey Football Club but his other main passion was trains. The machine operator had worked for London Underground
Happiness began at home for Hockley's Greensward College when they hosted Rochford Festival of Sport's inter-schools competition. They not only won the overall honours, but also captured glory in both the boys and girls competitions. Individual sportswise
Southend AC's fair sex are still in with a chance of promotion from Division Four East of the Southern Women's League after piling on the points in a home fixture at Garon Park. The club finished on 237 - with nearest rivals Loughton on 183. In fourth
Teenagers Justin Bishop and Ashley Cowan provided Essex with their brightest moments against Kent at Southchurch Park on the second day of their Championship battle. Each picked up a couple of wickets either side of a lengthy stoppage for rain, but they
A jury has convicted Aaron Baker after he made insulting gestures to witnesses across a courtroom. Baker, 21, of Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, used his fingers as if to fire a gun in the direction of assault victim John Edwards and members of his family
Preparations for this year's community show on the Dengie are well advanced. The group that staged Hopes and Dreams last year will be rehearsing for the next show entitled Dangerous Journey during the week commencing August 4 - but they are still short
Foresters Essex Senior League side Hullbridge Sports are following in Southend United's footsteps. For they are taking on Potters Bar Town, beaten 4-0 by Blues away last Wednesday, in one of four home pre-season build-up games they've got planned for
A former member of the chaplaincy team from a Colchester college is preparing to work with Aids orphans in Kenya. Sister Helen Furness will work at a new primary school being set up in Kericho. She will work with children whose parents have died from
Starss of stage, screen and television are due to turn out in force at a memorial service in London for Frinton actor Jack Watling, who died earlier this year aged 78. The service is due to be held at the actors' church, St Paul's in Covent Garden, on
Brentwood County High School has announced that current deputy head Carol Mason will succeed head teacher Michael Trett when he retires at Christmas. Mrs Mason, 48, said she is "absolutely delighted" to get the top job at the Shenfield Common school.
A superstore is closing for a £2.5m facelift. The Sainsbury's store in Toft's Walk, Braintree, will close for six days from 6pm on Thursday, August 2. Builders are coming in to remove all the furnishings and replace them with the latest designs. A meat
A lovestruck woman is ready to put her passion to the ultimate test. Dawn, 21, who comes from Benfleet, is one of eight people willing to prove they can withstand temptation in a new TV show Temptation Island. The swimwear model and her boyfriend Adam
A supermarket war has broken out between Maldon's two biggest food stores. After hearing that Tesco at Fullbridge has been given permission to expand into a superstore, Safeway has hit back with its own plans. The supermarket's bosses are asking for permission
A trucker who caused a fatal accident when he veered across the road while sending a text message to his girlfriend, failed in an Appeal Court bid to have his five-year sentence cut. Paul Browning, 36, infamously ended his message: "S***, call you back
About 30 police officers were called to the fourth in a series of an all-night raves across north Essex. About 100 cars gathered at Broomhills Industrial Estate in Braintree on Saturday night and drove in convoy to Brickhouse Farm in Little Dunmow. Officers
Reward! Sunday lunch for catching a thief. An extraordinary reward has been offered in a bid to catch thieves who snatched garden furniture. The gang stole a set of garden umbrellas from the courtyard of the Shepherd and Dog pub at Langham. The four umbrellas
Southend United owner Ron Martin and manager David Webb will be in the firing line at Boots and Laces tomorrow (Tuesday). Both men will be taking calls from the floor at a questions and answer session organised by Blues' supporters club trust. The doors
Work on refurbishing Romford's oldest shopping centre, The Liberty, has started, as part of the Romford Revival programme. A new pedestrian entrance is being constructed with a ramp and a lift, providing easier access between bus stops on Mercury Gardens
