Job Title: Senior Reporter Department: Editorial Responsible to: Editor Main Objectives: Writing high quality copy in accordance with Newsquest (Essex) editorial code of practice and style. Provide a variety to stories fro
Seven years ago every town in the UK was told it had to have a vision. This request from Downing Street did not mean councils could have a free hand in what that vision should be. Rather, the vision would be long-term and people living in the town had
Police are renewing their appeal for information about a lorry hijacking. A Polish trucker was gagged and bound during a four-hour ordeal by thieves who ambushed his lorry. He was driving a green and white globetrotter HGV on the A120 at its junction
A Colchester dancer could see her dreams of the stage dashed by the costs of transport. Seven Roberts-Curtis, 11, won a place at Italia Conti Stage School in London after auditioning alongside hundreds of others. Although the youngster is looking forward
A flytipping victim says no-one will help him stop people dumping stinking rubbish outside his home. Tenant John Reynolds lives in Bennett Court, Colchester, where he claims there has been a waste problem for three years. Sofas, rabbit hutches and junk
A cemetery which has seen burials spanning 2,000 years has been shortlisted for a national award. Colchester Cemetery and Crematorium, on Mersea Road, will represent the region at the Cemetery of the Year Award 2007. The Colchester Council-run site
A top police watchdog has hit back at critics who labelled police community support officers (PCSOs) as cheap "con tricks" who can't solve crimes. The comments came as Essex Police refused to reveal crime solving rates for the hundreds of PCSOs it employs
A protester who was spared jail after super-glueing herself to Department of Transport property says she does not regret the stunt. Madeleine Evans, environmental student officer at Essex University, in Colchester, took direct action as part of a campaign
An elderly woman whose mobility scooter was stolen from outside her home has praised a man who has loaned her a replacement. Jean Abbott, 65, feared she had lost her independence when thieves stole the £2,500 scooter from the block of flats on Berefield
Cold callers are to be banned from more streets in Essex - including parts of Colchester. Figures show fear of crime has been slashed among people living in existing cold caller-free zones in the county. Trading standards and crimefighting officials
A mum took her toddler for a drive in her van while more than three times the legal drink-drive limit. Magistrates heard Mallisa Cook's two-year-old child had to let police into the vehicle as her 37-year-old mother was unconscious at the wheel. Banning
Bath tubs ahoy! Two friends will be sailing down the River Stour in a bath tub in memory of a father and son. Steed Doe was a close friend of Rob Townrow, who died in Halstead Hospital in December of a brain tumour. Mr Townrow's son, Richard, died
Primary school education is failing to give youngsters a good grounding in reading and writing, according to local businesses. Ian Ferguson, policy manager for the Essex Chamber of Commerce, said he believed education needed to be less about "ticking
A huge landmark building has been given the go-ahead. Stansted's largest airline Ryanair can build the aircraft maintenance facility next to the SR Technics diamond hangar in the airport's Long Border Road. The building will be 24.5 metres high and
With tree roots growing through his lawn, David Wyncoll is at the end of his tether. For the past two-and-a-half years, the 65-year-old and his wife Judy, 57, have been embroiled in a row with the council over the tree. Plans show it is planted on the
A teenager who was in a coma after being in a road accident is recovering at home. Rhys Doherty suffered serious head injuries when his bike was in collision with a car in Greenstead Road, Colchester. He was taken to Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge
Champions of Tendring's sunshine resorts have been defending UK holidays on TV. Council leader David Lines and veteran Frinton-based DJ Mike Read were talking on the Richard and Judy Show, after claims that UK holidays were good for the environment,
Controversial plans for a wind farm between Clacton and St Osyth have been criticised by the area's MP. Douglas Carswell has written to Hazel Blears MP, secretary of state for communities and local government, calling for a full public inquiry into the
Stunned residents have been getting a pizza the action. Intrigued onlookers watched as a 1.5-tonne wood fire oven had to be lowered into its new home in Manningtree. Traffic slowed as a tractor crane was needed to manoeuvre the oven through the doorway
The calls are still rolling in for a veteran rocker hoping to put a band back on the road. Roy Speed, 74, of St John's Road, Clacton, sent out an appeal through the Gazette for musically-talented pensioners to contact him, with the goal of creating a
American-style yellow school buses could soon be a common sight on Essex roads, thanks to a campaign by a local bus company. First is spearheading a bid to reduce the number of cars used during the school run by encouraging children to take dedicated
A Network Rail employee is making his way to Scotland, not by train but by bike. William White is cycling from Lands End to John O' Groats to raise money for a children's charity. Colchester worker Mr White, 44, is embarking on the trip which is almost
Watch out for your bait, there's a thief on the loose! This cheeky seal has been pinching the bacon from crabbing lines as children try to catch the crustaceans from the pontoon at West Mersea. The seal has been seen in the estuary over the past few
Health bosses have been told the omission of Tendring from its proposed new name is unacceptable. Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust is bidding for foundation status. It is changing its name as part of the process and is suggesting Colchester Hospitals
Plans to close a mental health unit in north Essex have been described as "pathetic", "disgraceful" and "suicidal" by councillors. Tendring Council's community leadership and partnerships committee last night said it cannot support ward closures in Clacton
The tragic death of teenager Natasha Coombs has led to calls from a council for answers. During police investigations, it emerged closed circuit television (CCTV) at Manningtree railway station had been broken for at least six weeks before the 17-year-old's
An artist and a jeweller have taken on an extra role - being the new owners of a Harwich pub. Kelly Francis, 46, now runs the Alma Inn, in Kings Head Street, with her partner David Connolly, 49. She said everyone had been really welcoming. "Everyone's
A train guard at the centre of a two-day strike will appear in court. British Transport Police have charged Paul Yarwood, 44, of Brightlingsea, with threatening behaviour. He was sacked by One railway company following an incident with an alleged fare
A gang of quick-fingered tricksters are conning shops on the coast out of hundreds of pounds. Three stores, in Clacton, Frinton and Dovercourt, were approached by a group of Asian women who asked staff to change a large amount of cash. It is not clear
A disabled badge holder has been left immobile after thieves stole hers. Stephanie Sharland, of Dahlia Close, Clacton, was upset when she found the window of her Vauxhall Astra had been smashed. But she was further dismayed when she realised her disabled
Vandals left a trail of destruction when they damaged 16 vehicles over two nights. Police described the pate of vandal attacks as "random" and "motiveless". The vandals struck in Kirby, Frinton and Walton. A few incidents also happened in Great Holland
Essex have agreed a three-year deal with Leicestershire fast bowler David Masters up until the end of the 2010 season. The 29-year-old began his first-class career with Kent in 2000 before joining Leicestershire for the 2003 season. Masters has taken
Mark Pettini has very fond memories of last year's Essex County Cricket festival at Colchester. He scored 97 in a Championship three-day innings win over table-toppers Surrey and held four spanking catches in the Sunday match against Nottinghamshire.
Colchester United could be lining up a move for Northern Ireland international striker Dean Shiels. The 22-year-old is currently out of favour at Scottish Premier League club Hibernian and U's boss Geraint Williams is thought to be considering a move
New Colchester United signing Adam Virgo today revealed his delight at linking up again with Micky Adams. The utility man, who has arrived from Scottish giants Celtic on a six-month loan deal, will get the chance to rekindle his association with U's
