Southend's 7,000 council houses could be set for a £59 million package of improvements under ambitious proposals which have been revealed. The five-year programme of renovations would get under way if the homes are off-loaded to the Southend Housing Partnership
The remarkable story of Colchester's Mercury Theatre will be featured in a special national radio programme in the New Year. It will be the subject of BBC Radio 4's Shop Talk, its business programme for non-business people, today at 4pm. Heather Payton
Self-defence classes will be set up for teachers as part of a bid to boost security in schools. Lessons on how to diffuse and avoid problems as well as break away techniques will be taught to teachers who work in schools where there is deemed a need for
Seasonal drink-drivers ignored warnings and got behind the wheel, according to figures released by Essex Police. Since December 1, 10,811 motorists in the county have been breath-tested by police officers. Of these, 283 have given positive alcohol readings
Two men riding a three-wheeled motor tricycle were recovering following a road smash. A 37-year-old Vange man suffered minor neck injuries after the trike collided with a Vauxhall on Friday in London Road, Vange. His 18-year-old passenger from Pitsea
A man has died following a road smash in Tilbury. Police have now renewed their appeal for witnesses to the accident on Friday on Dock Approach Road. Glen Hopson, 22, of Arisdale Avenue, South Ockendon, was driving a Ford Escort RS Turbo when it left
A family is starting the new year homeless after a devastating fire swept through their first floor maisonette. Firefighters battled searing heat and billowing smoke for two hours to bring the blaze under control in Westminster Drive, Westcliff. However
Two hardy humans risked instant refrigeration with a madcap bathing dare. Polar pair Nigel Kimpton and Freddie Spring shivered along for a new year dip off Chalkwell. They decided it was essential to plunge this early into 2001 - they're planning to swim
Newborn babies have brought new year joy to parents across Essex. Little Emily was the first baby to be born in 2001 at Colchester General Hospital. She arrived at 6.23am on New Year's Day, weighing a hearty 9lb 11oz. Proud parents Lucy Archer and Tim
Investigations are underway into a blaze which destroyed three beach huts in Dovercourt. Arsonists are being blamed for the fire near Harbour Crescent at about 5.40am on Monday. Police were alerted to the incident by firefighters, who were already at
A motorist has died in a two-car road accident on New Year's Day. The man, believed to be in his early 20s, was driving along the B1024 Colne Road in Earls Colne towards Coggeshall at about 6pm on Monday. His red Toyota Carina lost control on a right-hand
Thurrock Sea Cadets have been given a lift from local firms in providing even more training for young people from Thurrock, Essex and Greater London. The cadets own the ex-Royal Navy minehunter HMS Iveston, berthed in Tilbury Docks as a training base.
The new year was marked with new life at Southend Hospital as bouncing bundles made their way into the world. The first birth to mark 2001 was Alice Louise, weighing six pounds and eight ounces. She arrived just 26 minutes past midnight to the joy of
Bosses at Billericay's swimming pool are celebrating after completing an expensive refit. Thousands of pounds have been spent on new boilers and changing room floors, as part of a drive to renovate the council-owned facility in Radford Crescent. Tenant
Essex Blues for popular Stud Stud 100, those fanatics of soul and Motown, will be presenting themselves for your delightful delectation on December 27 for a night of musical marvellousness (that's not a word, but you get the gist). Amazingly enough, they
Essex Police enjoyed a peaceful new year with no major incidents to report. However, officers were called to deal with scores of minor fights and disturbances between 10pm on New Year's Eve and 5am on Monday. They received 591 emergency 999 calls and
Suddenly shoppers in Southend High Street have got more time thanks to the new millennium clock. The rotating £50,000 creation, designed by schoolgirl Nichola Whale, has been unveiled by Southend mayor Graham Longley and specatators waited eagerly to
Nature lovers are furious that a pair of 180-year-old-year-old trees in the heart of Billericay are at risk of getting the chop. The Billericay Society is concerned at town council plans to revamp the War Memorial, which they fear will jeopardise the
Southend yachtsman Tony Bullimore has been left stranded at the beginning of his latest global challenge. Mr Bullimore, who grew up in Southend and played in the sea round the pier as a child, ran into trouble at the launch of The Race, a 27,000 mile
Major resurfacing work to reduce traffic noise on the A12 at Brentwood will recommence Monday, January 8th. Lane closures will be necessary during the work, which will continue around the clock until it is completed. To keep delays to a minimum on weekdays
Shopkeepers were today (Tuesday) counting the cost as vandals left a trail of destruction through Colchester town centre. Several store front windows were smashed by youngsters or drunken yobs returning from New Year's Eve celebrations in the early hours
High winds which swept across north Essex caused morning misery with power cuts striking outlying areas. Residents of about 50 homes and businesses in Dedham started the New Year in darkness when an overhead line fault blacked out the Ardleigh Road area
One of the county's top police officers has received recognition from the Queen in her New Year's Honours List. Charles Clark, Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police, was awarded the Queen's Police Medal in honour of his 30 years' service to the community
A family of four are facing the new year without a home after fire swept through their house. Fire crews were called to the house of John and Jane Rendall and their sons David, 14, and Michael, 11, in Skitts Hill, Braintree, at 3.05pm on New Year's Eve
Brave off licence staff who twice foiled the same knife-wielding raider are worried he may strike again. Their terrifying ordeal began when the man buying soft drinks and sweets at Victoria Wine, Southend Road, Stanford-le-Hope, pulled a knife on cashier
Ambulance crews across Essex face "exceptional" pressure as emergency call numbers reach record levels. The numbers of calls received by Essex Ambulance Trust over the festive period have risen massively, with the figures breaking the 600 barrier on Monday
A young man bravely fought back when he was attacked by a knife-wielding mugger. The attack happened as the man was heading towards Manningtree. As he walked under the railway bridge, the attacker came up behind him, grabbed at the rucksack on his bag
