Runnymede Swimming Club had yet another excellent weekend, this time at the first block of this year's Essex County ASA Age Group Championships, held at Waltham Forest Pool. The weekend included all the 50m events for various age groups and Runnymede
A baby in hospital with a suspected case of meningitis was today continuing to make progress. The six-month-old is expected to be released within the next few days after a week-long stay at Basildon Hospital. The child, who was rushed to the hospital
Rochford residents face a rise in council tax of around 6.5 per cent. Although the district council has agreed an increase of nine per cent, head of finance Dave Deeks said taking into account the proposed budgets from the county council and the policy
Members of a motorcycle sprinting club held at Beauchamps School in Wickford, are celebrating after a rider scooped the top place in a nationwide competition. The six pupils took part in the championships organised by the National Sprinting Association
South Woodham's languishing market is being thrown an inspirational lifeline in a bid to save it from disappearing altogether. Every Thursday and Saturday, starting February 5, the market will double up as a boot sale site as well as a market. Organisers
Young families are being given more support thanks to a new breakfast club which has been started by a local charity. Witham, Braintree and Halstead Home-Start have recently set up the club at the Community Office in Howard Close, Braintree, with a great
A snake has been discovered dumped among rubbish on land in Lawford. Shocked Onyx workers from the Clacton depot discovered the reptile after a caller alerted Tendring Council's Waste Crusader hotline, which deals with complaints of flytipping. The caller
A student who does voluntary work at his school has been nominated for an award. Happy to help - James Townsend helps out in the library at the Harwich School. Picture: STEVE ARGENT James Townsend has been recommended for the Harwich Young Citizens' Award
Southend United midfielder Jay Smith feared another long injury lay off after limping out of Saturday's clash at Mansfield Town with a serious looking knee problem. The 22-year-old former Aston Villa trainee, who was out for seven months with a stress
The future of a historic 14th Century house in High Laver is in doubt following a split among the trustees charged with maintaining it. Mashams, a beautiful timber-framed medieval hall house which until 1998 was the home of Derek Shuttleworth, has been
Two travellers admitted obstructing bailiffs during the eviction of a site in Little Waltham. Darren Jefferies, 26, chained himself to a gas canister and 19-year-old Alan Perrin chained himself to a wooden gate, Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard yesterday
Youngsters across Tendring are missing out on valuable opportunities because there are not enough youth workers to keep projects going. A number of schemes have had to close down across the district due to a shortage of staff and new ones have been unable
Two lucky girls dropped into Debenhams to pick up prizes for winning a competition to design Christmas cards. Prize ahoy - Jonathan Sheppard, deputy store manager, presented Robyn Broadbent, six, with a pirate ship Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY At the Southend
The cause of a fatal accident when a car drifted across the road remains a mystery, an inquest heard. Mother-of-two Susan Winterbottom, 55, had been driving home to Pownall Crescent, Colchester, when her car drifted across into the path of an oncoming
Development bosses have promised to protect wildlife on Canvey when they construct their multi-million pound business park. The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) firmly believes it can create jobs for islanders as well as preserving wildlife on
The 11-year-old grandson of murdered widow Jean Dicker broke down in tears as he made an emotional plea for her killer to be caught. Michael Knight is comforted as he appeals for information to catch the killer of his grandmother Just one day before the
The Hutton Inquiry has concluded that a north Essex MP acted properly when asking questions which had been linked to the death of Dr David Kelly. Lord Hutton said parliamentary questions by Bernard Jenkin were "entirely proper" when giving a conclusion
Police today praised drivers for their careful driving on Colchester's "treacherous" roads. Officers at Stanway road policing unit were bracing themselves for the rush hour today as motorists made their way across icy roads. More snow and black ice had
Colchester United chief executive Marie Partner has hit back at allegations that the club is trying to cash in on the forthcoming cup games with Coventry City and Southend United. There has especially been unrest among the U's student following who are
The 11-year-old grandson of murdered widow Jean Dicker broke down in tears as he made an emotional plea for her killer to be caught. Michael Knight is comforted as he appeals for information to catch the killer of his grandmother Just one day before the
An Ingatestone firefighter helped save a plane full of passengers from disaster following a terrifying air-rage incident on a packed jet. Station commander Calvin Goody, 41, intervened while returning from a two-week holiday in the Indian resort of Goa
Leisure centre staff have been praised after they rushed to the aid of a teenager who fell off a moped and suffered head injuries. The accident happened in the car park of Clacton Leisure Centre at about 7.30pm on Tuesday. Pc Kevin Carter, of Stanway
Musicians from 10 schools in Essex will be taking part in a concert to give a grand finale to the Thomas Clark Appeal in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. The concert is being held at King Edward V1 Grammar School in Chelmsford, on Friday March 5, to celebrate
The 11-year-old grandson of murdered widow Jean Dicker broke down in tears as he made an emotional plea for her killer to be caught. Michael Knight is comforted as he appeals for information to catch the killer of his grandmother Just one day before the
Dave Hemmings finished on top at Wednesday's silver-fish-only match at Hockley Angling Club. He laneded a top weight of 15lb 15oz to see off the challenge of Len Mason, who was sitting on the golden peg and had to settle for the runners-up spot with 14lb
An innovative project aimed at providing accommodation to older people with dementia and respite care for long term carers has been launched. The new unit which has been boosted by a £1.3 million grant from The Housing Corporation will hopefully open
The newly enthroned Bishop of Chelmsford, the Rt Rev John Gladwin, was welcomed to west Essex at a special service held at St Thomas Church in Brentwood. The service of welcome for the Bradwell Episcopal Area was conducted by the Bishop of Bradwell, Dr
Castle Point MP Bob Spink held a reception at the House of Commons to look at new ways of tackling drug abuse. Around 100 MPs and industry experts attended and heard Mr Spink explain improvements in the treatment of heroin. Mr Spink said: "Heroin addicts
Detectives have interviewed 100 people in their investigation into the deaths of two south Essex girls who fell from a tower block. The inquests into the deaths of 18-year-old Lisa Utton from Lesney Gardens, Rochford, and Danielle Waddington, aged 16,
Swimming star Louise Gowens has yet to decide whether to compete in this year's Olympic trials. The former pupil at Rayleigh's FitzWimarc school, who is currently studying at the University of Cincinnati in the USA, is still deliberating her plans for
Up to 60 social services jobs are set to be axed and a day nursery closed in Southend Council budget cuts of almost £3million. Half the posts under threat are currently vacant and it is hoped the remaining 30 employees will be found alternative council
Motorists were facing another day of treacherously icy roads today. Dozens of drivers endured a longer-than-usual journey home last night as heavy snow fell in Tendring during rush-hour. Although all the main roads were gritted, there were long queues
Southend Swifts senior women's team made the long trip to the West Country for two games and came back empty-handed after very exciting matches. Both were in Women's National League division two south encounters and they lost to Taunton Tigers 63-56 and
A charity today criticised a company for "putting lives at risk" after elderly householders were left to brave sub zero temperatures when their gas was turned off. Fending for himself - resident Christopher Coote, 68 Picture: MAXINE CLARKE Nine homes
A new basketball team have formed in Maldon. The side, christened Maldon Predators, are thought to be the first in the town's history. Slam-dunk - one of the newly-formed Maldon Predators shoots some hoops at the Blackwater Leisure Centre. Picture: STEVE
Canvey folk have been fooled that Beagle 2 was looking for life on Mars - when really it was on a mission to find Canvey's demolished barge! Well that's the latest development in the online world of the internet auction site eBay anyway. Selling for 99p
Tommy Miller and John McGreal are the latest injury worries ahead of Ipswich Town's weekend trip to Coventry City. The Blues are in Nationwide League Division One action at Highfield Road and may also be without Chris Bart-Williams. The influential midfielder
When the draw for Saturday's FA Trophy fourth round paired Stafford Rangers with Canvey Island, it brought back bad memories for their fans - and for assistant-manager Mark Grew. Four years ago Rangers suffered their worst FA Cup humiliation of recent
Groundbreaking new powers are being employed by police in Aveley to tackle anti-social behaviour. Under the Anti-Social Behaviour Act 2003, police can now disperse groups of youths loitering in the area of Hall Road, Hall Avenue, Hall Crescent and Church
Rayleigh Town Archery Club and Deanes Sports College aces have smashed the British Schools record. Paul Lees (541), Alexander Johns (534), Claire Tayeg (531) and John Guiton (528) set a new record of 2134 to beat the previous best of 2050 set by Kent's
EastEnders star Jessie Wallace has dropped her court appeal against a drink-drive conviction. Wallace, 31, was due to make the appeal at Basildon Crown Court. But the actress's Manchester-based solicitors withdrew the case. Wallace, who plays Kat Moon
A 15-year-old boy has been shot with an airgun. The youth was left bleeding after being struck by a pellet close to the playing field in Cranfield Park Road, Wickford. The incident is being treated as assault occasioning actual bodily harm. An Essex Police
Westcliff Lions carried far too much fire power for Maldon II as they ran out comprehensive 75-0 winners. James Braithwaite, who also kicked five conversions for a personal 30-point tally, led the way with four tries closely followed by Vap Chaturverdhi
