A gang of robbers attacked four men with an iron bar before fleeing with cash. The thieves pounced on three men as they walked along Honeypot Lane, Basildon, at around 2.30am yesterday. They beat them with either a metal pipe or bar, before smashing a
Basildon's longest established football club are to form a ladies team for the 2004-2005 season. Basildon Town FC, formed in 1946 confirmed the formation of the team at their annual meeting and have joined the Essex County Women's Football League for
West Chelmsford Conservative MP Simon Burns has questioned Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons on the implications of extending postal voting. Following allegations of abuse in areas of the country (not the East of England) which had all
A teenager suffering from mental torture brought on by a brutal beating was today on the road to recovery, thanks to a surprise meeting with his hero, comedian Lee Evans. Hero worship - Bobby Penn shows mum Suzanne the prized Lee Evans' DVDs Picture:
Essex were forced to settle for a draw in their match with Derby as steady rain swept across the county ground. The county were 222-3 overnight with Andy Flower on 88 and Ronnie Irani 51, the duo having added 124 in an unbroken stand. There was the promise
Essex skipper Ronnie Irani wants his side to show its steel to turn around a dismal season. Irani today urged Essex supporters to get right behind the team as they set out on a major assault to win a one-day title. Without a win from any of their nine
Two reluctant teenage heroes have played down their part in going to the aid of an elderly woman who fell over in the street suffering injuries to her face and mouth. Simon Clarke and Chris Harriot were on their skateboards in Frinton's Connaught Avenue
A 'disturbing' man has left a young girl upset after cycling up to her and exposing himself. The seven-year-old girl was playing in a field near Malyons, in Basildon, when she was approached by the stranger. The man pulled down his shorts and waited for
Billericay continued their recent revival with an exciting 49-run victory away at Old Parkonians. Billericay batted first and reached 184 for the loss of eight wickets before declaring. Paul Wakefield -- not out on 51 -- was his side's top score. But
A motorcyclist was today in the intensive care unit at Colchester General Hospital after his moped was involved in a collision with a fire engine on its way to hoax call in Clacton. The 23-year-old, who lives in the town, was in a stable condition. A
Witham runner Graham Hedman is confident he can muscle his way into the Olympic 400 metres relay team when he goes head to head with the best of British. Hedman is aiming to book a place in the Great Britain team bound for Athens when he competes at the
Health services in Essex are getting more responsive, convenient and personalised for patients. Essex Strategic Health Authority is making good headway with its 10-year NHS Plan, according to the Government. Over the next four years, the NHS will focus
It's great to be home. Harwich MP Ivan Henderson and his wife Jo left Harwich Maternity Unit with their first child Joseph. He was born at Colchester General Hospital before he and his mum were transferred to Harwich. Mr Henderson is looking forward to
It's not quite Glastonbury but Kelvedon is putting itself firmly on the festival map. Music from band Landslide at the Kelvedon music festival The Essex village bravely went head-to-head with the world's most famous festival on Saturday and came out with
Graffiti, a menace creeping across walls in Brentwood, is about to be promoted as an art form to a group of young people. An arts organisation which specialises in working with socially excluded youngsters is to run a workshop on graffiti for residents
Essex is leading the way on collecting fines from people who appear at the magistrates courts. The 94 percent success in collecting the cash is down to a tougher approach in cracking down on fine defaulters says the Department for Constitutional Affairs
A crack den has been shut down as part of a trailblazing crackdown on Class A drugs launched by Southend police. District Judge Kevin Gray agreed the closure of a ground floor flat at 82, Lonsdale Road, Southend. It was the first notice of closure order
Despite defeat in this Division One clash, Orsett did manage a 10-point haul. They made 250-6 declared thanks to a fine knock of 88 from Paul Shaw, backed by Stuart Moon's 51. T Rodda hit 100 in reply and this, plus a top gear 56 not out from Matt Austin
Thousands of visitors will be flocking to the countryside for the show of all time. The Tendring Show is on Saturday, July 10, and attractions will soon be packed into the fields at Lawford House Park, near Manningtree, in preparation. Organisers are
A firefighter narrowly escaped injury when a chunk of metal flew from an exploding car. Crews went to Buckerills, Basildon, at 2am on Saturday after reports of a Ford Fiesta on fire. When the car exploded, a shard of metal embedded itself in a metal locker
A fire which ripped through a derelict industrial building is being treated as suspicious. Children had been seen playing at the former John Carr joinery manufacturing base, off Boars Tye Road, Silver End, shortly before the blaze last night, a fire service
Brazen thieves stole from a vicar's jacket while he preached just yards away. They sneaked in to the vestry of St Peter's Church in Eastbourne Grove, Westcliff, while the Rev Graham Steel, vicar, was taking a service, and stole a mobile phone, palm top
A crack den has been shut down as part of a trailblazing crackdown on Class A drugs launched by Southend police. District Judge Kevin Gray agreed the closure of a ground floor flat at 82, Lonsdale Road, Southend. It was the first notice of closure order
Patients, relatives and staff are set to benefit from major improvements being carried out to the cafeteria at Maldon's hospital. The work will be carried out under the Enhancing the Healing Environment programme, which is financed by the King's Fund.
A hotel owner in Clacton has appealed for plans for a former site to be developed for flats to be given the green light. Rovestar Estates has put in an application to create 23 sheltered apartments at the former Chelsea House Hotel and an adjoining property
Victims of the world's worst nuclear accident are enjoying a respite holiday to Billericay thanks to kind hearted charity workers. A total of 12 children aged between 11 and 14 who have suffered at the hands of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster are
Wedding functions held at a Colchester site will be forced to stop after councillors issued an enforcement notice on the owner Michael Wheeler has been holding functions at The Stream in Layer Road, Kingsford, without planning permission for more than
Commuters today spoke of their frustration as figures revealed a drop in the number of trains running on time on the c2c line. The figures for the period from January to March 2004 showed 88 per cent of trains running according to the timetable for the
As Canvey Island report back today to prepare for their first season in the Nationwide Conference, the club are bidding farewell to one of their longest-serving players. Retiring - Micky Bennett Micky Bennett is retiring from the playing side of the game
Benfleet woman Pamela Brown, of Ullswater Road, has been prosecuted for illegal dog breeding as part of a new crackdown in Castle Point. She admitted breeding dogs at her home without a licence and was given a two-year conditional discharge at Southend
Harry Potter stole the show at Great Bentley Carnival as the village came to life for its annual celebration. Great Bentley Carnival The theme for this year was films and the six floats taking part had taken a great deal of time and trouble to get into
Leigh-on-Sea suffered a narrow three-wicket reverse at home to second-placed Woodford Wells on Saturday. Leigh, batting first, reached a respectable 243-8 with Neil Goodman top scoring with an impressive knock of 55. Goodman's innings included a number
Sade may not have been there, but plenty of people did turn out for Frinton's Flower and Music Day. Some of the entertainers at Frinton's Flower and Music Day Connaught Avenue, the town's main shopping street, was busy throughout, despite the weather.
An eight-year-old girl was in shock today after coming face-to-face with armed raiders trying to steal a cash machine from her parents' pub The bungled burglary at the Half Butt Inn, in Nayland Road, Great Horkesley, was the latest in a series of similar
Free-scoring Kim Beazleigh grabbed his first league century of the season as Wickford returned to winning form in Division One. Beazleigh, who has notched a number of scores in the 70s this term, led the way with 118 as the table-toppers approach next
West Chelmsford Conservative MP Simon Burns has questioned Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons on the implications of extending postal voting. Following allegations of abuse in areas of the country (not the East of England) which had all
Basildon's council leader was today challenged to a public debate over proposals to shut two sports centres at the weekend. Chris Bayliss runs a line dancing class at the Bromfords Sports Centre, which Basildon Council is considering closing at weekends
Charity workers will be forced to spend precious donations on removing a truck load of rubbish dumped on their shop doorstep. Mess - Lesley Richardson will spend the charity's cash to clear the rubbish Picture: ANNA LUKALA An old wheelbarrow, dustbins
New housing developments in Rayleigh and Hockley could overcrowd schools in the area within five years, a new report has revealed. Rochford District Council's environmental services committee will be told at a meeting this week that the worst hit in five
Chanel Moore narrowly missed out on victory at the third round of the 2004 outdoor inline speed skating championship. The South Woodham Ferrers RSC and Team Rollerblade member was among eight skaters taking part in the event at Tatem Park, Enfield. Moore
Churchmen fear plans to open casinos in Clacton would lead to "very real dangers". The Rev David Titley and Major Peter Dickson, of the Salvation Army, have written a report called Gambling with Clacton's Future on behalf of Churches Together in Clacton
The future of a Maldon shop is looking brighter following the news it could reopen just nine months after it was almost destroyed by fire. The Paper Shop was ravaged by fire last November, leaving the five adults and two children who lived upstairs homeless
A man had to be cut free by firefighters after his foot became impaled on the spike of a 10ft gate on Saturday. Emergency services rushed to Union Lane, Rochford, at around 1.15am to discover the man, believed to be in his late 20s, writhing in agony.
Chelmsford Borough Council has been rated as a good authority by the public spending watchdog, the Audit Commission. The inspection was part of a comprehensive review of all English councils which awards ratings of excellent, good, fair, weak, or poor
A disappointed developer today told how he was barred from a meeting called to mount a campaign against him building new homes on part of a school site in Clacton. Carl Symes wants to put up to 35 homes on 3.2 acres of land at Windsor School, Holland
David Beckham's missed penalty left a disabled children's charity out of pocket after his autograph sold for just £14 at an auction fundraiser. Organisers were banking on a rare signed Beck's photo being a big money-spinner. But their star lot flopped
Firefighters battled to control a blaze at a scrap yard in the early hours of Saturday morning. Crews from Southend and Shoeburyness rushed to Towerfield Road, Shoeburyness at 3am after reports that salvage vehicles had been set alight. On arrival officers
Westcliff gave Premier Division rivals Ilford the bird -- but failed to pick up their fourth successive victory. However, the nine points they collected from their drawn game enabled them to maintain their fifth position in the table. Vince Bird led the
A Brentwood head teacher was hailed as a 'perfect ambassador for the profession' when she received a top regional award for lifetime achievement. Helen Penny, who will retire from Brentwood Ursuline Convent High at the end of this year, received her accolade
Shoebury golfer Richard McEvoy received a boost prior to setting out on one of the toughest challengers of his career today. This morning McEvoy was up with the birdies for a 7.06am start to join a star-studded field of 120 for the International Final
Up and coming Hadleigh judo ace Alex Goodrich is targeting a international success following a silver medal in the English Open. The 17-year-old beat top competitors Sam de la Haye and Bobby Rich at the English Senior Open at Worthing, West Sussex, to
Southend United manager Steve Tilson today defended his decision to demote Shrimpers shot-stopper Darryl Flahavan down the Roots Hall pecking order. Tilson sealed a free transfer swoop for experienced keeper Bart Griemink late last week but, despite reports
Bringing more jobs, improving skills and boosting tourism in Essex has come under the spotlight A draft plan to improve the economy in eastern England was discussed at a gathering of representatives from the region's councils and businesses. The annual
Guests were led to safety from a hotel after a fire broke out in its roof early today. One of them was taken to hospital suffering from the effects of smoke inhalation. About ten per cent of the roof at the Kingscliff Hotel in Clacton was destroyed during
A man has been cleared by a court on a charge of assaulting a policeman. John Bundy was also cleared by a Chelmsford Crown Court jury of possessing cocaine, but was convicted on a charge of possessing an offensive weapon. Bundy, a 35-year-old scaffolder
