The Shrimpers were today toasting a successful bank holiday weekend after back-to-back wins. Rob Newman's men defeated Oxford 1-0 on Saturday thanks to Mark Rawle and picked up another three points with a 2-1 victory over Cambridge United at Roots Hall
Silver wedding couple Elaine and Michael Revell wanted to celebrate their special day but did not want presents from friends and family. They wanted children to benefit from their happy day so they staged an open house for more than 200 and raised £1,200
Essex Police was one of the first forces to have the new kind of baton guns unveiled by the Met police Since last November, specially-trained officers in the county have had access to the plastic bullet guns - but so far they have not been fired during
A record-breaking village fete has exceeded targets for a second year running. Despite some ominous clouds, more than 2,500 people flocked to the August Bank Holiday fete in the grounds of St Michael's Church, Kirby. Even though it attracted half the
Robbers left a student with concussion and a suspected fractured leg after knocking him to the ground. The vicious attack, in which a bag was stolen, happened early on Sunday morning in Greenstead Road, Greenstead, Colchester. As the student walked along
Two men fled empty-handed after a bus driver pushed a panic button when they threatened him with a knife and demanded he hand over cash. The driver was left badly shocked after the men - the last two passengers on his bus - pulled out a three inches long
Stuffing doughnuts at a rate of knots might not be everyone's idea of fun - but for record breaking regulars at a Basildon pub it was all for a good cause. Record scoffer - Kevin Nicholas. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE D7GEG2 Regulars at the Crane pub in Denys
A public meeting to discuss the proposals for the billion-pound development at Shell Haven is being held early next month. Now that the date for the first public inquiries into P&O's plans for the former refinery has been set for January 21, 2003,
High-flying Wanstead crushed Orsett to send the south Essex side into relegation trouble. Orsett picked up just two points from the game and this, coupled with South Woodford's victory, leaves them in severe peril just one place above the drop zone. South
A congregation turned out in force to welcome their new rector at an induction ceremony at St Cedd's Church, Crammavill Street, Grays. The church was bursting at the seams when Andy Higgs was installed into office after a wait of more than a year for
Bleary-eyed families kept awake by maintenance work on a First Great Eastern rail line are desperate for a full night's sleep. What an ear-bashing - Jennie Galgey, one of many residents in Hockley kept awake by rail maintenance work. Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
Up to 400 rail enthusiasts were believed to be aboard a train which hit the buffers at Walton on the Naze station yesterday afternoon. About 30 were injured in the collision when the accident happened at 1.50pm. At least one person was taken to hospital
Heybridge Swifts failed to halt St Albans' winning run, falling 2-0 at Clarence Park this afternoon in the Ryman League Premier. Defeat drops the Swifts into the relegation places, with only only one point to show from their opening three league matches
Nasser Hussain's England endured a dispiriting final day of the third Test at Headingley - but that did not stop the captain aiming a parting shot at India. The Essex man's manful hundred failed to get anywhere near preventing the tourists levelling up
A driver was today in hiding "for his own safety" after he was viciously attacked in Thurrock. The victim received knife injuries to both his hands after in the attack in Moore Avenue, South Stifford. Police are appealing for witnesses to the attack,
An excellent strike from Joe Keith strike gave Colchester United the win against a Peterborough side who lost for the fourth successive time at home. In a low-key bank holiday encounter, Keith found the top corner of the net with a free-kick 10 minutes
Tent pitcher Natalie Lilienthal could be on her way in to the Guinness Book of Records for putting up a tent in the fastest time. Speedy - Vikki and Michael Cohen from the Cressing Scout Group, who attempted the record for putting up a tent. Picture:
The revamp of Billericay's War Memorial is being pushed further this week with renovation plans going forward for planning permission. The new look World War II memorial and triangle is estimated to cost around £60,000 and include new birch trees, repaving
Southend United's loan star Jay Smith capped a dream home debut for Blues with the winner in yesterday's 2-1 Roots Hall success against Cambridge. It's there - Home debutant Jay Smith crowns a fine display with Southend's second goal in their 2-1 win
Just call him Beckham! After all, had Joe Keith's stunning 80th minute winner had been scored by charismatic England skipper David Beckham the national media would be going bonkers about it for weeks to come. Sadly for the modest Colchester United hero
About 20,000 people enjoyed the Colchester Free Festival. Crowds enjoy some of the feast of free music at this year's festival. Pictures: TERRY WEEDEN 23317-16 The festival, now in its third year, sees a number of stages and arenas set up throughout Castle
Fresh from their 6-1 demolition of Leicester, a sense of expectation had swept round Portman Road last night as Ipswich fans turned up praying for more of the same against winless Bradford. And they duly observed two classic long-range goals - the only
Westcliff's promotion bid suffered an unlikely blow when their derby clash with Old Southendian was abandoned with five balls left. Howzat! -- Hadleigh's Duncan Paveling celebrates the wicket of Billericay's Steve Johnson Picture: ELISE GOW D9BXY1 The
Chinnery's has an absolutely cracking September lined up for new music fans, kicking off with Easy World on September 4. This remarkable three-piece from Eastbourne will be visiting the Southend seafront venue and you can guarantee they'll play their
As if taking home one of the treasured trophies was not enough, the winners of this year's Basildon Business Awards have now received a healthy pat on the back from their colleagues. Well done - Basildon Business Association members and organisers of
An investigation was today under way after a total of 31 people were injured and two taken to hospital when a train hit railway buffers at a seaside station. How did it happen? British Transport Police and rail officials at the scene after the train hit
An evil and cowardly thug who put an 86-year-old woman in hospital for the sake of just £30 was today being hunted by sickened cops. The robber punched the elderly woman in the face when she opened the front door of her Pitsea flat and as she fell she
Harlow Town climbed into the promotion places in Ryman Division One North with Bank Holiday Monday's comfortable win at Hemel Hempstead Town. The Essex side joined Hornchurch at the top of the table with three wins and a draw from their first four league
Childhood friends have been reunited after nearly 50 years by a Braintree woman. Tracked down - Sheila Ambrose, left, who put Jennifer Smee, right, in touch with long lost friend Tina Bareham (in held-up photograph). Picture: ADRIAN RUSHTON (23284-2)
Six people were rescued from blazing flats in Braintree and taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation and shock. Firefighters were called to a block of flats at Peel Crescent, Braintree, at 1.58am this morning A spokesman for the fire service
Brutal Mark Court wanted to get even with his best pal after they argued over a girl. So drink-crazed Court went to the home of Paul Sinclair and hit him over the head with a hammer. When Mr Sinclair asked why he had done it, Court produced a craft knife
A motorcyclist and his passenger were rushed to Colchester General Hospital by helicopter after an accident. The A12 at the Ardleigh interchange was closed as the air ambulance landed to pick up the man and woman at about 10am today. No other vehicles
Colchester MP Bob Russell has called for police to investigate Manchester United footballer Roy Keane's foul on another player. The MP has written to police reporting Keane's tackle on fellow player Alf Inge Haaland during a Manchester derby game as a
A rescue operation was launched after two yachts got trapped off a sandbank near Clacton. The alarm was raised after crews from the yachts became stranded on Long Sand, ten miles off the coast. An RAF helicopter from Wattisham and lifeboats from Walton
An initiative which aims to take the hard work out of networking has been devised by Essex Chambers of Commerce. The 'Buddy' scheme has been developed for new or shy members to ensure that they are not left on their own at networking events. Membership
Citizens Advice Bureaux in Billericay and Wickford may face closure if they do not get vital extra funding. The bureaux have been providing help and advice to local residents for nearly 40 years and need extra funding desperately. Billericay CAB, based
Daredevil duo Laura-Jo Chandler and Jade Relton had a five-hour rollercoaster ride to raise cash and awareness to save the world's forests. The 14-year-olds from Pitsea rode on the Green Scream at Adventure Island, Southend, in aid of Rainforest Concern
More than 40 windows at a Colchester school have been broken by vandals. One of the smashed panes at St Anne's. 23279-a The problem at St Anne's Primary School, in Barnardiston Road, has been so bad that the school has deliberately waited until near the
A former boatman who worked off Southend Pier believes he might hold vital clues to the death of pioneering aviator Amy Johnson. She was the first woman to fly solo from England to Australia in 1930. But while her exploits in her single engine Gypsy Moth
Essex woodland businesses and processes are being urged not to overlook £400m in European cash being made available to them. The Forestry Commission has published 'Your Guide to Funding', outlining the support available for companies looking to expand
Police have told women in Southend not to panic after a man was arrested on suspicion of raping a teenager in the town. Officers arrested a 20-year-old man in connection with the attack - but emphasised that it was not an allegation of a random attack
A village pub took the plunge to raise much-needed funds with a charity bungee jump. The 160ft jump, from a platform at Tendring Tavern, Heath Road, Tendring to raise cash for Essex Air Ambulance, attracted as many as 26 people. Landlord Alan Bowman and
Part of a former Ministry of Defence complex is to be used for company team-building exercises involving military-style training. However, no guns or other armaments, or even paint ball guns, will be allowed, according to Rochford District Council. Potton
Troubled cable giant Telewest is preparing to offload its multi-million pound stake in a major media group in an effort to bite into its massive mountain of debt. The cash-strapped company, which employs hundreds of people in Basildon and Southend, has
Hundreds of Basildon shoppers flocked to their local Argos for a fundraising day on Saturday. The store, in the Westgate Shopping Centre, along with other branches across the UK, conducted a fun day to raise cash for children's charity Barnados. A face
Two friends enjoying a night out in Chelmsford were attacked by a teenage gang as they made their way home. The two 20-year-old men, were set upon by up to 10 youths as they left McDonalds restaurant, High Street just after midnight on Friday. Acting
Michaela Knighton admitted to being "surprised but pleased" at being named the UK's sexiest fitness instructor. Michaela, 26, an instructor at LA Fitness in Thorpe Bay, took part in the ITV programme Britain's Sexiest to find the sexiest people in the
The Essex Wildlife Trust has built a bike shed in one of its nature reserves - and every part of it is environmentally friendly. Eco shed - Melanie Lengden outside the new building. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH DACMP2 The wood to build the shed in Lower Dunton
