More than 4,000 homes and businesses were left in the dark after a major power failure in the centre of Colchester. The power went off at about 4.30pm yesterday Engineers from Electricity company 24seven immediately set to work to try to find the source
Arena Essex Hammers meet Isle Of Wight in a Premier League match tonight (8pm) at the Purfleet raceway without new recruit Carl Baldwin. Following his crash last week against Edinburgh, the 37-year-old had decided against resuming this week despite having
A Hospital Trust today defended itself against claims that a young woman was left to deliver her premature baby alone Toni Malseed, 20, criticised staff at Colchester General Hospital, saying they failed to spot she was in labour and left her alone to
If you marvelled at Big Brother's Bubble as he ate his way through hundreds of sweetcorn kernels to earn a world record, your chance has come to better his efforts. Officials from the Guinness Book of World Records will be at the Crane pub, in Denys Drive
A doctor's surgery in Dedham is to be closed over fears it is not safe for staff to be there. The Constable Country Practice in Parsons Field has been branded unfit for staff and patients and practice bosses fear it will fail health and safety inspections
A cocaine addict has been locked up for eight months for headbutting and biting a police officer, a court heard. Michael Cannon, 20, of Point Clear Road, St Osyth, admitted assaulting the officer before magistrates on July 4. He also admitted damaging
Five representatives from beneficiaries of cash raised during last season's Southend Charity Football Competitions were at Eastwoodbury Lane to receive cheques from president Harry Stennett (third left). Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL They are: Roy Fitchens
Southend United boss Rob Newman said his men were focused on scoring their first Third Division win of the new season over the weekend. Blues travel to Oxford tomorrow, before taking on Cambridge at Roots Hall on Bank Holiday Monday (3pm). And having
Scores of people are filling in questionnaires on what they think about £3.9million plans for a swimming pool in South Woodham Ferrers. The plans have been on show in the William de Ferrers centre. Centre managers say feedback has been overwhelmingly
Ashley Cowan may declare himself fit enough to turn out for Essex in Sunday's crucial Norwich Union League duel against Northants at Colchester. The paceman has been a victim of a troublesome knee for much of the summer and has missed the County's last
Financial services group Countrywide Assured is to build up its estate agency business through a tie-up with Friends Provident. The group, which already owns the UK's largest estate agency chain Bairstow Eves, will acquire the life assurer's 104 agency
Chelmsford police fear that a town centre nightclub drinks deal could lead to an increase in public disorder incidents. Meanwhile, Essex health chiefs warned this week that alcohol-related problems were outnumbering those of drug abuse. Licensing officer
The threat of legal action over the use of an emergency entrance at a residential home has been lifted - at least for the time being. Council bosses warned the Grange in Wickford that if people continued to use the entrance for emergency vehicles only
Despite capping a marvellous season by winning their final Eastern Young Athletes League match of the term, Basildon Athletic Club have been pipped for the Division One title by the narrowest of margins. At Welwyn Garden City, on a warm day and with a
Thorpe Hall Golf Club stage their Junior Open today and it includes one of the last qualifying rounds for the 2002 Daily Telegraph/Kellogg's Championship finals, to be staged in Sun City, South Africa. A total of 50 local golfers were set to tee off from
Some mid-Essex businesses are subjecting their employees to unacceptable health and safety risks, inspectors have warned. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) spot checks on several industrial estates in Witham on Wednesday resulted in 21 notices being
Billericay Town boss Gary Calder has admitted that Joe Baker might benefit from a change of scene. Baker burst upon the New Lodge action in style two years ago when he joined the club after being a pro with Leyton Orient and soon established himself as
A Shopkeeper has claimed a neglected Braintree fountain and symbol of the town gives the place a poor image. Jonathan Chase, Braintree Town Centre Strategy Group member and partner of La Maison, Sandpit Lane, spoke out against the state of the fountain
The Essex Economic Partnership has poured scorn on Government claims that its company law revamp could save small businesses millions of pounds. Ministers claim the White Paper, Modernising Company Law, will cut red tape and save small businesses £170million
Great Wakering Rebels youngster Rhys Naylor did the cycle speedway club proud with an excellent race at the East Anglian Grand Prix. Competing at Eaton, near Norwich, the nine-year-old claimed second place in the under-10s B final. And with a good tally
Revellers have been warned of the dangers of glass after one thrown into traffic narrowly missed a car. Shelley Eagle said she was left shaken and shocked when the glass "came from nowhere" and smashed next to the window of her car as she drove along
A mother who has successfully undergone a life-saving liver transplant has urged people to become donors. Olive Tierney who is still recovering from the operation last November said it was "impossible to put into words" the gratitude she felt. She is
Five swimmers from the Borough of Southend Club competed with distinction in the 2002 National Age Group Championships at the Ponds Forge Pool in Sheffield. On the first day of competition Sammy Ace improved her best long course time by over eight seconds
The sight of joysticks wagging and the sound of mice clicking are common-place at a new Wickford gaming centre. Cyber Realm, in the High Street, is the brainchild of former IT manager Mike Raistrick and has been a hit since its opening a few days ago.
A single-minded cyclist who was badly injured has ridden 100 miles between two hospitals to promote a future ride to Siberia. Stuart Green, of St Mary's Close, Panfield, set out from Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford, on a lonely ride to the Norfolk and
Let's brush up the borough. This is the aim of Castle Point councillors Joe Cooke, lead member for health and environment, and Brian Weller, lead member for transportation, who are showing the way. They are urging residents to highlight where rubbish
Southend Airport was today playing host to thundering military aircraft ahead of their performance at the Clacton Airshow. Dozens of planes used the airport as a base before flying to the event in north Essex. Wheels down - a military jet joins other
With just three Saturdays remaining in the Shepherd Neame Essex Cricket League promotion and relegation issues are hotting up in all divisions. Division One sees both Westcliff and Hadleigh involved in the fight to go up while both Billericay and Old
A cash-pot worth nearly £500,000 is to be shared between businesses and shopkeepers in Walton. The latest award of £468,000 is part of an on-going regeneration bid to get the seaside resort back on its feet. It is hoped to breathe new life into the street
An assurance has been given following fresh calls to clamp down on dangerous water bikers It follows a number of incidents this summer at Frinton. Beach hut owners and visitors are calling for the main launch site at the bottom of Fourth Avenue to be
Essex and Durham have been halted in their match by rain in their County Championship encounter at Colchester's Castle Park. Durham are currently on 117-2 after losing the wicket of Gordon Muchall for 16 during the morning session to John Stephenson.
Disability charity John Grooms is to hit Southend residents with a major awareness campaign next month. The national charity, which runs Dolphin Court in Southend, a group of flats for the severely disabled, is using the town as a pilot to look at ways
If you go down to Canvey Heritage Centre this weekend you're in for a big surprise - for dozens of teddy bears will be there to greet you. The teddy bear exhibition, at the centre in Canvey Road, Canvey, is being held for children during the summer holidays
One of Basildon's most historic buildings has finally been preserved for future generations, it has been revealed. The 12th century All Saints Church, in Vange, has been taken over by a conservation group which will now start planning urgent repair and
A police officer has been specifically assigned to a Braintree estate to help stamp out vandalism and other anti-social behaviour Several complaints about vandalism and other disturbances on Tabor estate off Panfield Lane has led Braintree police to allocate
An undefeated 54 from Graham Napier and contributions from Ravinder Bopara and Jonathan Dakin have helped Essex fight their way back into their match against Durham at Colchester's Castle Park. By the close of play on day two of the County Championship
Agent Jonathan Barnett today admitted Aston Villa were 'miles' out in their bid to sign Ipswich Town skipper Matt Holland. The midfielder was in Birmingham yesterday to discuss personal terms after the Blues agreed a £4.5m fee with Villa. But Holland
Canvey Island soccer boss Jeff King has appealed to the club's "Yellow Army" of fans to muster strong vocal support for the team to help lift them from their early season slump. Gulls have uncharacteristically lost their first two Ryman Premier games
Essex and Durham are playing the waiting game as the rain interrupts their County Championship match at Colchester's Castle Park. Durham were on 193-5 at just after 5pm today and so far this afternoon have lost the wickets of Nicky Peng (0), Gary Pratt
A new state-of-the-art casino has opened its doors for the first time. Spielers on Western Esplanade, Southend, is a new high-tech casino which also offers a trendy bar and a pizza restaurant. State-of-the-art - Spielers has opened on Western Esplanade
Clacton's spectacular air show looked set to reach new heights with thousands of spectators thronging the seafront. One of the many aircraft involved in the Clacton Air Show An estimated 80,000 were expected to have watched the two-day festival of acrobatic
Thorpe Bay Tennis Club proved tennis trailblazers by hosting a Thunderball Tournament -- only the second ever to take place. This new-style event was played on a league basis, instead of knockout format. Eight rounds of singles were played with each round
Braintree Council has objected to an application for an extra temporary classroom at a Great Notley primary school. Essex County Council wants to put another relocatable classroom at Notley Green Primary School, Blickley Road, Great Notley, where there
A new Chelmsford bus station is to built in a £50 million redevelopment of the existing site. The project, which will include offices, shops and homes, is a key stage in transforming the West End area of the town, but work will not begin for at least
A parrot with a love of chips escaped from home after his owner believed he couldn't fly. Rizla the African Grey flew off from owner Mandy Newbon's home in Barkstead Road on the St Anne's estate, Colchester. He was later found in a West Mersea cafe -
A second exam mix-up has struck a Colchester school. Just a month after 200 SATs exam papers were found to be missing three months after being sent to markers, the Gilberd School has been left waiting for GCSE results for six pupils. It means the pupils
A new club triple jump record of 13.96 metres by Mitchell Wilkin in the under-17 boys' event highlighted Southend Athletic Club's performance when they hosted the final round of this season's Eastern Young Athletes matches at their Garon Park Track. Wilkin
Arsonists were today being blamed after a blaze engulfed three cars in Thorpe Bay. Crews from Southend and Leigh had to use breathing equipment as they battled with the flames consuming the vehicles at the junction of Station Road and Maplin Way at 3.54pm
Great Wakering Rovers are looking for a fayre Bank Holiday deal from the village people. For Alan Hull's men, having made a bright start to their first campaign in the Ryman First Division North, are hoping to pick up new followers on Monday. Their match
Commuters were today reeling from 24 hours of chaos after a train tore down more than three miles of power lines on the c2c line from south Essex to London. Thousands of people endured hours of delays today following a nightmare journey home in last night's
A recruitment drive for special constables could be the answer for better policing in South Woodham Ferrers, says the town's MP. The call from Mark Francois comes after he went out on a night shift with officers in the town. Mr Francois said he accepted
Joint record-signing and pre-season leading scorer Adrian Coote laid down a 'pick me' plea to Steve Whitton as the Colchester United boss sorted out his starting line-ups for the U's Bank Holiday double at home to Brentford tomorrow and at Peterborough
Essex Probation Service today moved to quash rumours that a Westcliff hotel was to be turned into a young offenders' centre. A public meeting was due to be held tonight by residents worried over suggestions that teenage tearaways were to be housed on
An 11-year-old boy suffered eye irritation after fishing at Kelvedon and health bosses have warned people to stay away from the water. A spokesman for the Essex Health Authority said: "We are advising people to refrain from coming into contact with the
