A dusk-till-daylight ban is to be slapped on boy racers who have brought summer weekend misery to families. An extensive car park at Maplin Way, Shoebury, will be locked at nights after residents complained of cars racing in the late and early hours,
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
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,
There is no magic formula for success - that is the message from Essex cricket chiefs after meeting with a members' delegation. At the instigation of the county, chairman David Acfield and chief executive David East met Paul Lucas and other members concerned
Martijn Reuser believes former team-mate Finidi George would prove an explosive addition to the Ipswich Town squad. Blues boss George Burley has ended days of speculation by confirming the identity of his mystery international target. A fee - thought
Stuart Law's future with Essex County Cricket Club has yet to be resolved following his widely-publicised verbal onslaught against county officials. "All I can say is that we, at the request of Stuart, are in discussions with his agent," explained the
Captain Calamity Stuart Hill is in trouble again - after once more setting off on his round-Britain trip. He is now near Sheringham but coastgards said today (Tuesday) the intrepid sailor was going round in circles. And, soon after setting off on his
The villagers of East Tilbury have united behind police as the desperate search for abducted schoolgirl Danielle Jones enters its sixth week. The community has rallied to help officers by manning a special mobile police station which has been set up yards
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
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
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
The start of the summer holiday season in Maldon has been marred by the emergency closure of the lake in Promenade Park. Kiosk owners in the park and parents are up in arms after the first day of the summer holiday was ruined for many of Maldon's youngsters
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
A teenage boy suffered gruesome injuries when he was shot in the back of the head in Thundersley by a sniper with an airgun. Doctors at Basildon Hospital discovered the pellet had hit the boy's skull and slipped under his scalp around to the side of his
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
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
Granded Ted Duke had a double reason for celebrating after the birth of his grandson Harry who he delivered on the lounge floor. It came on the day when he netted another big catch. On one of his very first fishing trips he come home with a ten pound
Shoppers are shunning out-of-town centres and heading for the high street, a new survey has revealed. And among those faring well in the survey was Clacton, showing an improved rating as a place to run a store or set up a new one. According to the new
Heartbroken relatives have been left picking up the pieces after vandals wrecked headstones of loved ones. About 20 graves at Bocking Cemetery were damaged. Headstones were shoved on to the ground, lying face down in the dirt with flowers, and pots smashed
More than 25 firefighters today battled a house blaze in Southend triggered by a massive explosion. Glass and rubble was set flying across Hamlet Road following the blast at around 5am today (Tuesday), sparking the evacuation of neighbours. Fire crews
Cyclists have handed over a petition calling for a popular cycle route in Colchester to be reopened. A stretch of the Sustrans national cycle route off East Street has been closed by owners Wesleyvale Limited and a security guard is there 24 hours a day
Children and staff at a Basildon playgroup said an emotional farewell to their supervisor of 30 years on Friday. Jean White decided she had come to the end of the road at the Ghyllgrove Playgroup. The 63-year-old said: "I have had a wonderful time, but
A man of 62 who claimed he took drugs because of ill health has been jailed for 15 months. As well as becoming an addict to amphetamine, George McLean supplied a circle of friends with the class B drug, Basildon Crown Court heard. McLean pleaded guilty
Police have issued a fresh warning about conmen after elderly women - three in their 90s - were victims. A bogus electricity board worker talked his way into the house of a 68-year-old woman in Baxter Avenue, Southend but was asked to leave before he
Southend United owner Ron Martin and manager David Webb will be in the firing line at Boots and Laces today (Tuesday). Both men will be taking calls from the floor at a questions and answer session organised by Blues' supporters club trust. The doors
Southend United continued their unbeaten pre-season winning run last night (Monday) by beating local Ryman League opponents Heybridge Swifts. The visiting Southend side are now looking forward to their mid-week clash against Premiership side Leicester
Hadleigh Carport Southend Borough Combination Premier title holders White Ensign A could truly sing "We are the champions" at Rochford Festival of Sport finals day. For their A team collected the senior football champion of champions crown at King George's
Colchester and East Essex cricketer Beth Wild hit top form as Essex under-17s recorded their fourth straight win in the women's county league with an 87-run win against Sussex. Beth, from Feering, scored 64 and shared a third-wicket stand of 67 with Alexis
South Woodham's Postbag shopping arcade has lined up a series of Saturday activities to attract shoppers to town. Kicking off on Saturday will be displays from Riverside Majorettes, Swallows Gymnastics, live band music from Cheap Genes and Mr Happy the
Colchester United's supporters will be able to pick out their favourite players more easily in the new season - thanks to the A HREF="http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/scripts/addarticle.asp?id=00000047">Evening Gazette. The U's traditional blue-and-white
Although he narrowly failed to win a place in the starting line-up for the Open Championship there's still plenty of top golfing action coming up for Thorpe Hall amateur star Richard McEvoy. Next big event is the English Amateur Championship, which goes
Maldon Town Council wants your views on the future of St Giles Leper Hospital. Earlier in the year the historic ruin was subject to vandalism. One resident has suggested that the surrounding fences should be removed as they believed opening up the area
Angry council tenants could launch their own probe into the pros and cons of switching landlords. In a survey earlier this year, more than 70 per cent voted for Castle Point Council to provide more information about the effects of transferring homes from
Essex County Council's decision to approve the new county waste plan without specifically ruling out incinerators has provoked reaction among district councils and in the House of Commons. County council Leader Lord Hanningfield said there were no plans
A price tag of more than £140m has been put on Army land and property in Colchester. The total was calculated from the Government's new National Asset Register and includes land, buildings, sports facilities, armouries and the military corrective training
The villagers of East Tilbury have united behind police as the desperate search for abducted schoolgirl Danielle Jones enters its sixth week. The community has rallied to help officers by manning a special mobile police station which has been set up yards
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 on Monday by taking on a Leyton Orient XI at their Blunts Wall Road ground
A woman was rescued from her smoke-logged flat by a neighbour. Firefighters from Grays and Orsett raced to the Davall House high-rise in Grays High Street to find the man and woman suffering from smoke inhalation. Crews gave first aid before the pair
Police are appealing for witnesses after a man, who has suffered a heart attack and a stroke, was left dazed and bleeding in an unprovoked attack in Basildon. The 44-year-old registered disabled man from Moss Close, Vange, was sleeping on a recliner in
A ban on large vehicles going through Manningtree is being altered to allow through buses and coaches... ten years after it came into force. But Essex County Council says public service vehicles had access through the town and were not using the High
Vandals have damaged a charity playgroup's new shed just days after it was delivered. Volunteers had worked for months to raise the £1,000 needed for the new storage for Brightlingsea Play Centre's play equipment. It was installed at the recreation ground
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
Players, officials and supporters joined forces at Park Lane on Saturday to pay tribute to one of Canvey Island Football Club's greatest fans. "Mad Al" Jenkins, who covered his Link Road home with posters, pictures and banners of his heroes prior to May's
Armadillo In The Road There's a little piece of armoured rock coming your way thanks to the great Rockin' Armadillos. The band have been dug deep in the studio for the past few months to produce the brilliant blues/rock album - Armadillo In The Road.
A leading mental health charity has moved in to a desperately-needed new centre in Chelmsford - thanks to an article in the Essex Chronicle Services provided by the Dove Centre run Chelmsford and District MIND, which has been established in Chelmsford
There was standing room only as villagers discussed Tiptree United's plans to build a new football ground. But it was clear residents are not united in support of the scheme. Instead, the majority at the meeting were opposed to it. More than 150 residents
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 second demonstration is to be held outside a south Essex zoo this weekend as animal-lovers make a stand over conditions. Hundreds of people have put their names to a petition against Basildon Zoo over its handling of animals and the conditions they
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
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
The village of Good Easter is holding a special celebration this Sunday. The community is celebrating the opening of its millennium play area after two year fundraising effort. In September 1999 the Good Easter Sports Field Committee launched a £5,000
A student was knocked off his bicycle by a hit-and-run driver as he rode to school in Southend. The 12-year-old was on his way to Cecil Jones High School, in Eastern Avenue, when he was struck by a red Ford Escort at around 8.30am on Thursday. He was
Residents in a deprived area of Clacton have called for more facilities for youngsters. More than 400 people in the Bockings Elm ward were quizzed on their views and what they wanted to see improved as part of a new initiative. The community assessment
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
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
The athletics career of Somma Power is really blooming in the summer. July is turning out to be a fabulous month for the Basildon Athletic Club shot putter. Earlier in the month she claimed the English Schools' Championship intermediate shot put title
Former Football League goalkeeper Brian Horne seems certain to be given a great reception by Canvey Island fans when he brings the Bowers United side he now manages to Park Lane tonight (Tuesday) for a pre-season friendly (7.30pm). Horne was a big favourite
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
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
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 yesterday
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
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
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
A drop in the number of road accident deaths in Essex has been aided by the air ambulances. Official figures released this month show that 106 people died in road accidents in 1999 - but last year the figure was 86. The overall number of casualties from
Remember this face? It belongs to the man who at one stage was reputed to have the fastest serve in tennis. And this week one-time Wimbledon finalist Roscoe Tanner served up a blast from the past for members of Frinton Tennis Club. Tanner, who lost to
Braintree town centre could be left in the dark this Christmas unless money can be raised to put up lights. Traders and community leaders are calling for town businesses to support the Christmas light display now, to prevent a pathetic effort. Braintree
A merciless Kent side have condemned Essex to an innings defeat inside three days in their County Championship clash at Southend. On Friday Essex were bowled out for just 114, losing by an innings and 132 runs. The visitors had chosen to declare just
Vandals smashed up the garden of a 62-year-old retired man who suffers blackouts and lives for his gardening. Thugs targeted the front garden of Colin and Margaret Thake, of Mountbatten Road, Braintree. They tore out flowers, knocked over pots and ran
Gulls have announced a special deal for young fans attending their second friendly, at home to Foresters Essex Senior League Bowers United today (Tuesday). They will be admitted free of charge provided they are accompanied at Park Lane by a paying adult
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
The Bees are buzzing again... that's the great news from Gardiners Close after Basildon United shook off fears that they might lose their senior status. They will be happily in action in the Foresters Essex Senior League in the coming campaign confident
It was a free parking ticket bonanza for motorists as this meter experienced a malfunction. The parking meter in Western Esplanade, Westcliff, proved to be in a generous mood as it spewed out a long reel of tickets in one fell swoop. But honesty must
The owners of a Grays eatery are celebrating after being included in the Good Food Guide less than two years after the business got off the ground. Vincent Tice, 31, and Jamie Brooks, 26, are brothers-in-law who run Bruv's Sandwich Bar in Orsett Road.
A controversial housing scheme for Great Totham has been thrown out by councillors. Forty-one homes were to be built on land off Hall Road in the village if Maldon councillors gave the go-ahead. But they shunned officers recommendations and blocked the
The dangers of the railway were spelled out to youngsters living near one of the region's worst stations for trespassing and vandalism. The warning to students at Hilltop Junior School, in Hill Avenue, Wickford, comes just as children break up for the
A rowing team have named their new boat after their late treasurer. The Royal Marine rowing team, based at the Royal Marine pub in Old Pier Street, Walton, had a naming ceremony of their new clayton skiff, which they named after Ken Coombes. Mr Coombes
Two men walked into Tesco at Pitsea picked up a computer worth £1,000 and walked out again without paying for it. The first suspect is of medium to large build, aged between 35 and 40, 5ft 11in tall with black wavy hair. The other is slim, aged around
Workers facing redundancy at B Braun Medical have a good chance of finding another job, an employment consultant has said. The advisor was called in after 59 people were told last week they would lose their jobs at the Braintree company. Judy Rayton,
More than 25 firefighters today (Tuesday) battled a house blaze in Southend triggered by a massive explosion. Glass and rubble was set flying across Hamlet Road following the blast at around 5am, sparking the evacuation of neighbours. Fire crews initially
A pensioner is fighting for her life after being involved in an accident with her husband's car as they checked its brake lights. Police were called to the couple's home in Woodberry Way, Walton, at 7.20pm last night. An Essex Police spokesman said the
Parts of Hadleigh Castle could be lost for ever if land continues to slip, experts have warned. Heavy rain over recent months has caused serious landslides to the west of the main tower at the landmark, experts revealed today (Tuesday). It is feared that
Firefighters have branded pranksters "insane" after a makeshift paint bomb was hurled at the windscreen of an engine dashing to an emergency call. The vehicle was on Mersea Road, Colchester, just past the Odd One Out pub, at about 9.10pm yesterday (Monday
A dream visit to Australia has come true after a woman scooped top prize on the National Lottery Winning Lines. Teresa Debenham became the third person in the current BBC television series to have won the once in a lifetime three-weeks round the world
The popular Five Parishes Summer Show has been cancelled for the first time since the war - because of foot-and-mouth. The show is held on the approach to the Army's Fingringhoe Ranges, off Mersea Road, Colchester, and although some footpaths around them
A grieving father told how no prison sentence would help him get over the death of his son in a hit-and-run tragedy. Tony Shoulder, of Devereux Way, Billericay, was speaking after driver Ganzanar Mahmood was jailed for four years for killing 19-year-old
