In an amazing coincidence, Billericay Town must make a quick return to the Havant and Waterlooville team who knocked them out of the FA Cup just 10 days ago. Repercussions from that 3-1 setback in Hampshire are still being felt at New Lodge, three players
A 90-year-old man was left shaken after he found two raiders in his flat. The break-in took place at Howard Vyse Court in St John's Road, Clacton, at about 6.30pm yesterday It was discovered about £50 in cash had been taken. The men are described as both
Coastguards leaped into action after a report of a package containing a dead body floating in a river. A fisherman told Walton coastguard about the bag, off Bradwell Power Station, on Saturday lunchtime, but the bag turned out to be full of soggy cardboard
A woman from Braintree has criticised Anglian Water for taking 23 days to fix a leak which has caused damage to her home. Water from an underground pipe on neighbouring property has been pouring on to Barbara Farren's house, in Rosemary Avenue, and is
A block of flats in Braintree had to be evacuated after a man threatened to set fire to himself and his home. Police and firefighters were called to Marlborough Road, Braintree, after a neighbour raised the alarm. Officers said they had received a 999
Police are hunting thieves who broke into a house in Hillway, Westcliff and stole jewellery worth £11,500. Items including a ladies Gucci wristwatch and a diamond and sapphire ring were among the haul grabbed between last Tuesday and Friday. Anyone offered
Firefighters rolled up their sleeves to clean cars and help make a little girl's dream come true. The crews joined family and friends at Wickford fire station and raised £1,100 for five-year-old cancer victim Aaliyah Reading to visit Disney World in Florida
An elderly and partially blind pony could die this winter thanks to arsonists who set fire to the animal's barn home. Saskian, who is 31 years old, blind in one eye and suffers from heart problems, faces the winter without shelter along with her stablemates
Thurrock's inconsistent season continued when they crashed to defeat at the bottom club. A converted try put Twickers on top early and Thurrock's cause was hindered further when wing forward Ben Partridge was lost to injury. Tees bossed the line-outs,
Murder investigators are continuing appeals for witnesses to the "vicious" stabbing of store manager Barry Redsull. Police are still trying to find a motive for the killing and hope to find the knife used in the attack on the Woodgrange Drive estate,
Colchester United chief executive Marie Partner said today the club has no immediate plans to tighten up its code of conduct after incurring a spate of early season red cards. Her statement came after central defender Alan White was sent-off in the 80th
Vandals caused £4,000 damage after they smashed windows on a coach. The thugs broke ten windows on the Leyland Tiger 51-seater vehicle. Police said the incident happened on a layby just off the A127 in Leigh. The suspects targeted the coach owned by Southend-based
Demonstrators from Basildon joined forces with other protesters to oppose the use of incinerators to get rid of waste in Essex. More than 20 campaigners with banners and placards backed an option as an alternative to the county's waste consultation which
Sergeant Neil Phimister and Detective Constable Edwin Mayo, both from Chelmsford, were among seven Essex Police Officers awarded a Chief Constable's Commendation last week for good work in the course of duty. Sgt Phimister from the dog unit at Sandon
A row could be brewing as a school is in talks to secure permission to use an area of open land Philip Morant School and Technology College, in Rembrandt Way, Colchester, said it has been speaking to Essex County Council about using the land adjacent
Witham Town's manager Tony Last cannot wait for tonight's Essex Senior Cup clash with Braintree. Last spent 25 years at Cressing Road as a physio, player and youth-team coach and is delighted to welcome the Iron to Spa Road. He told the Evening Gazette
Youngsters in Little Clacton should have their new BMX track by Christmas. Plans for the facility have been drawn up and it is hoped to give contractors the go-ahead to construct the site in the next few weeks. The track will be built at Plough Corner
Castle Point's two biggest taxi firms have joined forces, with the King family in the driving seat. Canvey Football Club manager Jeff King and his brother Graham, who own Steve's taxi company, have extended their empire by buying up Wheels, which is also
The last independent greengrocers in Braintree has shut its doors. The present tenant of Gowlings greengrocers, in High Street, has been forced to close his grocery business due to ill health. Ann Anderson, manager of the neighbouring Cancer Research
The full weight of Braintree Council has been firmly placed behind campaigners trying to save a nursing home from closure Town residents have been trying to stop the Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception from closing the St Francis
Harwich and Parkeston will switch their focus from their current bottom-placed Jewson League premier division status as they entertain Harlow Town from the Ryman League division one north in the cup. However, the Shrimpers have not faired well in cup
Steve Haney blasted ten points for Basildon but was powerless to halt high-flying Romford. The fly-half hit a first-half penalty as the new towners trailed 6-3 at the break, before adding a second-half try from a penalty move which he converted himself
Mohammad Ali could be putting on an Essex sweater next summer after turning down the offer of a new contract with Derbyshire. The east Midlands county have confirmed that Essex have written to them stating they intend to speak to the 27-year-old fast
Campaigning pensioners have won the first round in their fight against increased charges for swimming at council pools. The proposals at Clacton Leisure Centre and Walton Swimming Pool as part of a review of fees for leisure facilities prompted an outcry
Canvey's bottom-of-the-table clash with Maldon descended into farce as the referee sinbinned four Islanders. Three of them -- Dave Gillespie (raking), Brett Smith (barging) and Jason Carter (dissent) -- were off the pitch at the same time. John Cutts
Mystery surrounds the continued closure of a village pub. Frinton and Walton town councillors are concerned the Lions Den pub at Great Holland has not been open for business for some months. Alan Large, who represents the village, said he knew no more
Police have launched a major crackdown on street robberies in Southend as part of the Evening Echo's End The Violence campaign. Detectives swung into action after revealing there had been an increase in street crime of nearly 36 per cent during the past
A Colchester PE teacher is now a Scottish International basketball player. Kirsty Clark of Philip Morant School and College has recently been promoted to full Scottish International honours. She plays for Ipswich Bobcats in the Women's National Conference
Open space and land used by Braintree and District Athletics club could be developed under plans lodged by Braintree Council. The council has made an application for residential development of a 2.55 hectare piece of land at Gypsy Corner, Panfield Lane
Three Colchester off-licences could be one sale away from losing their licence They were snared by a joint operation between police and trading standards in which a teenage boy was sent in to try to buy alcohol. Of seven places tested in and around the
A shopkeeper who is faced with a £2,000 bill after her shop window was smashed was today at the end of her tether after constant vandalism attacks. Sharon Clearey, owner of Dry Cleaning Plus in the Asda complex in North Shoebury Road, Shoebury, claims
Police today appealed for help in tracing a car driver who deliberately ran down a young couple outside a popular nightspot. The couple, a 20-year-old man and a 21-year-old woman, were injured in the attack outside the Circus Tavern in Purfleet. The man
The sky's the limit for Rebecca Hatch, who has her sights set on stardom. Rebecca, aged nine, from Billericay, top achiever at the San-Marie school, is performing at the London Palladium in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Apart from understudying the role of
Rejuvenated Rochford stormed to their second win of the season in a bottom-of-the-table clash against Brentwood. The visitors had no answer to Rochford's forwards, who dominated line-out, loose and tight behind the inspirational display of skipper Jon
A river crossing near Southend is to be controversially backed at a special meeting tomorrow. Southend councillors are being urged to throw their weight behind plans for a new Lower Thames Crossing. Members of the cabinet will be urged at a special meeting
Colchester's former Essex cricketer Ian Flanagan was today celebrating the launch of a new career with Kent. The 22-year-old left-handed opener has been given a one-year contract by the Division One county. And he confessed to being 'very excited' about
A grandmother told today how a firework smashed through her car's rear windscreen, narrowly missing her 18-month-old grand-daughter. Glynis Manning, of Falkenham Row, Basidon, thought they had been hit by another car but turned in shock to see the window
Magician Paul Burrell has smashed two world records for wriggling out of handcuffs. Paul, 26, escaped from 301 pairs of handcuffs in an hour and set the fastest time for escaping from a single pair - less than ten seconds. Picture: DAVE HENDERSON He said
Former Southend Sunday League secretary Jim Sewell and his wife Hazel were handed a surprise double award at the weekend to acknowledge more than two decades of loyal service. Jim, 82, and Hazel made their way to Southend's Victory sports ground on Sunday
Southend overcame two key losses to continue their march at the top of London One. Scrum-half Simon Webb was KO'd by a late tackle after 15 minutes and had to be replaced. Then flanker James Hyde was red-carded after 64 minutes to leave Southend down
A racing yacht skippered by a Colchester woman has finished the starting race in the first leg of a round-the-world race. The New York, one of eight boats taking part in the prestigious Clipper race, has managed to take fourth position as the boats arrived
Angry Frinton residents are bemused over how their town centre pub has got the all-clear to expand into a glazed conservatory area at the back of the building which they fear will create extra noise for neighbours. Tendring council originally refused
News the planned eight-day strike by firefighters has been called off has been welcomed in south Essex. The strike was due to start tomorrow but the Fire Brigades Union has decided not to go ahead with the planned action in order to pursue further negotiations
West Ham boss Glenn Roeder has leapt to the defence of Joe Cole as his side continue to struggle in the Premiership. The young midfielder -- who celebrates his 21st birthday this week -- has suffered a dip in form since making a bright start to the season
Business is booming at the new Big Mac...but not everyone is happy. Customers flocked to the restaurant in Hadleigh High Street while a few campaigners mounted a protest outside. Picture: LUAN MARSHALL Manager Peter Tassel said: "I am very pleased with
This is the face of the latest victim of violence in Southend. Former squaddie Daryl Tompkins was left battered and bruised after an evening out in the town turned into a nightmare. Three thugs attacked the 23-year-old as he walked along the High Street
Stanway Rovers will rest first-team players ahead of their away Essex Senior Cup third round fixture at Tiptree. Rovers boss Steve Ball has one eye on their FA Vase match this Saturday and travels to the fixture at Chapel Road with fringe players likely
A Malaysian man who lost his leg in a motorbike accident which killed his brother was today getting a new limb fitted. Amir bin Ahmed, 20, was due to travel to Queen Mary Hospital, in Roehampton, to have the artificial leg fitted. Amir, who is staying
More than £6,000 worth of computer equipment has been stolen from a Chelmsford School. The equipment, was discovered missing when staff and pupils at Tyrrells School, Tavistock Road, Springfield, returned from the half term break. Two digital projectors
Southend United supremo Ron Martin today pledged his full support for Shrimpers manager Rob Newman. The Third Division club have lost their last five games, but Seasiders co-owner Martin believes Newman will get Blues bouncing back to form. "Our recent
Kind-hearted pupils have clubbed together to help out their less fortunate foreign friends. Students at Janet Duke Junior School, in Markhams Chase, Basildon, have filled shoe boxes full of essential provisions to be shipped to war-torn areas of Europe
A £300,000 scheme to provide a dedicated community transport service in Harwich is set to hit the road. Two 15-seat minibuses and a van have been bought and it is hoped to get residents using them within the next few months. The project has come about
Fearful traders were today hoping an increased police presence will keep troublesome youths under control during tonight's fireworks celebrations. Over the weekend, more than 100 hooligans went on the rampage at Tarpots, Benfleet, letting off fireworks
Police are trying to trace a maroon Mark 3 Ford Escort that might have been used by burglars after a morning raid on a house in Basildon. In broad daylight, the crooks climbed over a secure back gate and forced open the patio door of a house in Great
There was an extra bonus in store for church fundraisers at Frinton. Just before a silent auction to raise funds for the Methodist Church in Ashlyns Road was held, a cheque for £1,000 was donated anonymously. The auction itself, the fourth to be held
Residents in Clacton and Frinton are to benefit from four new road safety schemes, costing more than £60,000. The initiatives have been designed to help pedestrians and all are expected to be completed in the next couple of months. Harry Shearring, Tendring
College lecturers at Colchester Institute today joined colleagues nationwide in one-day strike action, in protest at a 2.3 per cent pay rise offer by college employers. A spokesman for the National Association of Teachers and Higher Education said the
A jury was today due to retire on day 12 of Ian Jarvis's murder trial to decide whether or not he killed his brother's girlfriend. Jarvis, of Second Avenue, Canvey, is accused of strangling Ann Marie Couldridge, 28, in her flat, in Hilton Road, Canvey
The Stars and Stripes will be flown again at Boreham Airfield for this year's Remembrance Day memorial. During the Second World War, the airfield was a USAF base used by many American aircrew who flew from there never to return. On Remembrance Sunday,
Bus chiefs said today they would consider running late buses out of Southend - but only if it was safe and someone else paid for them. Chief Supt Mick Thwaites, at Southend police, has called for better public transport out of the town on Friday and Saturday
Southend United chief Rob Newman today admitted he was desperate to restore frontman Tes Bramble to the Shrimpers' misfiring frontline. The 22-year-old striker has missed four of the last five games -- during which time shot-shy Blues have scored just
Two women have told how the man accused of abducting and murdering his niece took topless photos of them in his bedroom 15 years ago. Former St Clere's schoolgirls, Kelly Fuller and Jennifer Cairns took the witness stand at Chelmsford Crown Court in the
Christmas pickpockets are preying on seasonal shoppers in Basildon, sparking an urgent warning today from police. They are telling shoppers in the town to be vigilant and keep their belongings close at hand after two shoppers were targeted. Police said
