Sunseekers lapped up the rays as south Essex made the most of the weekend's blistering heatwave. Temperatures soared to the high 80s as daytrippers flocked to find a spare square inch of sand on Southend and Canvey beaches. Seafront traders reported a
Demonstrators have picketed the gates of Basildon Zoo in a protest over the animals' captive conditions. Around 25 protesters turned out from animal rights' group Basildon Animal Concern, including members of Viva Essex and Southend Animal Aid. They claim
This week's match at Brookhall Lake, Tiptree was won by John Coster of Team Ockendon with 161-8-0. John fished peg 32 with pellet, up in the water, and his haul included 40 carp. Second place went to Dean Swift of Baitstream with 147-8-0. Dean fished
Southend United continued their pre-season build up with a 2-0 victory at Ryman Premier League neighbours Billericay Town last night (Monday). First-half goals from strikers Daniel Webb and Tony Richards put Blues in the driving seat. And Southend manager
Steve McGavin will today (Tuesday) turn his back on Colchester United, claiming boss Steve Whitton wasn't interested in keeping him at the club. The attacking midfielder is set to move to Nationwide Conference side Dagenham and Redbridge after his contract
Ronnie Irani was an angry and disconsolate figure after his Essex side had crashed to a ten-wicket defeat against fellow strugglers Northants. It was not so much losing that left him venting his fury as the manner of it. "With 75 minutes remaining a draw
Train guards are squaring up to their c2c bosses again by staging another one-day strike tomorrow (Wednesday). The company has admitted it will only be able to run a quarter of its normal trains - meaning commuters can expect cramped, uncomfortable journeys
Talks aimed at finding a backer for a trail-blazing cocktail stirrer which detects so-called date rape drugs have been launched by a leading south Essex charity. The Drug Rape Trust, based in Thorpe Bay, is in discussions with a leisure company keen to
Plumes of choking smoke hung over Southend as a tyre-filled factory went up in flames. More than 100 firefighters, 80 of them in breathing gear, battled the blaze at Gilson's Fish Factory behind the seafront on Monday night. Smoke was visible from four
The new Chancellor of Anglia Polytechnic University is to be Lord Ashcroft, treasurer of the Conservative Party. International entrepreneur Lord Ashcroft has committed more than £5m to the university's new centre for business and management which is being
Essex Chief Constable David Stevens presented the country's top police life-saving team with their trophies at Riverside pool. The six-strong Essex team beat eight opposing sides to win the National Police Life-saving Championship over two days at Bognor
This mix of nostalgic memory had a real 21st century twist. The Colchester Military Tattoo was back and thousands of people turned out to see the event after an absence of ten years. As the sun set, all eyes turned skywards as the Red Devils performed
"Potentially toxic" algae has been confirmed in a popular Maldon bathing lake. After the Marine Lake in Promenade Park was closed to summer holiday visitors following the spread of blue green algae, tests have confirmed the polluting plant is above an
A 20 year old man was intimidated, attacked, and robbed of credit cards by a group of 20 white youths as he walked near Staples store on the Riverside retail park at 11 pm last Friday. He was in the company of two women friends when the gang, including
The Council for the Protection of Rural Essex has called for a public inquiry about future growth at Stansted. A meeting attended by a number of organisations agreed that any planning application for expansion beyond the currently permitted 15m passengers
A man has been jailed for life after a judge told him he would remain a danger to the public for a "considerable time." George Gelderbloem was involved in two ferocious attacks which left his victims with a series of injuries including a fractured skull
It may be possible to block the building of waste incinerators via the waste management strategy, Chelmsford Borough Council was told. Cabinet member for the environment, Cllr Trevor Miller, told last week's council meeting, legal opinion was that in
Colchester Harriers' latest trail race held at Lavenham saw a fine win for the talented triathlete Colin Lewin. He finished the 14-mile course in joint first place with Tiptree's Alan Fisher. Both men clocked 1hr 42mins in the extreme weather. RAF Harrier
Police and Royal Society for the Protection of Birds officers have launched a joint investigation into a spate of incidents involving cruelty to birds in Jaywick. In one incident it is alleged that a cygnet was hanged by a youngster. There have also been
Ballot papers will shortly be going out to Chelmsford Borough Council's 7,000 tenants asking them whether they want their homes transferred to a housing association. The suggestion is that council homes should transfer to the specially set up Chelmer
The husband of a woman who died when paramedics arrived too late to save her is planning to launch a petition calling for a better ambulance service on Canvey. Peter Hammond's wife Maureen had been suffering from a heart condition. She collapsed and died
Smoke detectors at a house in Middlemead, Rochford, stopped a minor fire becoming a major incident. The town's firefighters were called to the house by neighbours who heard the detector go off. They found the owner was out but had left a saucepan of food
Southend United boss David Webb was pleased with his side's display after Wednesday night's slim 2-1 Roots Hall friendly defeat against Premiership Leicester City. Turkish international Muzzy Izzet converted a penalty to give the Foxes the lead, before
Southend United chiefs Ron Martin and David Webb painted a rosy future for the club to fans. At a supporters meeting, Blues owner Mr Martin revealed he and property developers Delancey and Lansbury will meet with Southend council chief executive George
Campaigners fed up with the authorities' apparent inability to clear land of illegally camped travellers have launched a petition to Prime Minister Tony Blair. Jacky Court, from Aveley, has been investigating the problems faced by landowners, the council
England captain Nasser Hussain has come to the defence of Essex coach Keith Fletcher, who has been blamed by members for the county's woeful performances this season. "A lot of people appear to be on his back, but he's a bloke who's given his all in over
A woman has been ordered to carry out 140 hours of community service after admitting making false statements to obtain more than £17,000 in benefit. Caroline Kendle, 30, of Mill Road, Maldon, admitted 11 charges of making a false statement for the purpose
Coggeshall Town have received a £500 sponsorship boost ahead of this week's first Cricket Week especially for Colts. The Nat West Colts Cricket Week will see some of the top young talent in the area perform at Coggeshall's Hare Field ground against some
Wickford under 13's long run of league successes came to a gripping end on Sunday at Woodside Park when they were just pipped to the post by Benfleet in the final over. Wickford now share the league leadership with Benfleet and North Stifford with one
WILLOW HERBS 201-9 GREAT WALTHAM II 144 all out (T Rippon League Division Four) (Willow Herbs won by 57 runs) The Herbs bounced back to winning ways at Blackmore on Saturday. After winning the toss and electing to bat first they compiled a disappointing
The annual Southend Ladies Open Bowls Tournament came to a perfect climax at Priory Park when Ann Nevison clinched the singles' title with the last word of the match. Having knocked out defending champion Shirley Cohen (Fairways) in the semi-final, Mrs
South Woodham couple Elaine and Stephen Fairley are the toast of the town after winning the Best Kept Garden competition. The pretty Cornwallis Drive garden was a first-time entry into the Town Council run competition, and is the result of 18 months of
Southend Athletic Club continue to make their mark in their first season in division one of the Southern Men's League and, after five matches, stand 11th of the 25 competing clubs. In their latest encounter, they finished on 109 points, just two-and-a-half
Convicted killer Jeremy Bamber's appeal against his conviction is due to go ahead in the new year. Judges at the Court of Appeal in London said yesterday that the appeal hearing should be held "as early as practicable in 2002". Lord Justice Rose, sitting
Defiant Gary Grange has vowed to continue giving out ice creams from a hut on Frinton promenade - despite threats to close him down. Mr Grange, 42, has fallen foul of Tendring Council which leases him the building. He claims he is allowed to hire out
The Green Party is calling for Braintree councillors to say "No" to a new Eastern route for the A120 between the town and Marks Tey to prevent the more damage to the countryside. Councillors James Abbott and Phil Hughes say the council should back improvements
Elderly people in the south east of England wait an hour and 20 minutes longer than others for emergency treatment at hospital casualty departments, it has been revealed. A damning report by the Association of Community Health Councils for England and
SOUTH WOODHAM FERRERS I 178-6 BENTLEY I 182-6 (Bentley won by four wickets) (T Rippon League Premier Division) Bentley returned to winning ways thanks to a fine unbeaten half century by Ross Marder (59 not out) in partnership with skipper, Gavin Johnson
The hot weather has caused an increase in 'creeper' burglaries, police have reported. Chelmsford police are urging people to keep their windows shut despite the hot weather to stop burglars getting in and stealing cars after finding car keys. Crime prevention
A Billericay school is to place a sundial outside its building to give staff and pupils bright memories of a former headmaster. Brightside Junior and Infant School wanted to create something to commemorate the first headteacher, Bill Granath, who died
A nine-year-old boy stumbled across a drunken intruder who fled with cash from the family home. The man entered the house in Main Road, Dovercourt, through a door which was closed, but unlocked, and appeared to fall asleep in the lounge. When the boy
Fire crews were called to a Basildon home after a youngster believed to be playing with matches in his bedroom set a mattress alight. A mother and father and their four children were outside the house in Clay Hill Road, Vange, when firefighters arrived
Essex will have its own digital account of the county's history after it was awarded a £300,000 Lottery grant. Essex is to use its share of a £1.2m National Lottery New Opportunities Fund award as part of a consortium with Cambridgeshire, Norfolk and
Essex Police today (Tuesday) launched their summer drink-drive campaign. The slogan is "Stopping for Another? It's Time To Take The Train," with the month-long campaign set in motion at Chelmsford Railway Station. First Great Eastern Railways is supporting
A Witham firm may close with the loss of up to 120 jobs. There is speculation that JDS Uniphase, which has three units on the Eastways industrial estate, is proposing to shut its fibre optics production in the town. An agenda for an employees' meeting
More than 100 firefighters battled the huge blaze which engulfed a tyre depot and badly damaged a Southend fish warehouse. It was believed the old tyre store in Beresford Road - next to Gilson's Fish Yard - also contained numerous poisonous gas canisters
A three-year-old child was trapped under a car when five pedestrians were hurt in an horrific smash on Southend seafront today (Tuesday). Firefighters from Rayleigh and Southend were helped by passersby as they lifted a silver Peugeot 106 off the little
Police are hunting a jumpy pink-haired girl who tottered about on four-inch heels when she robbed a Basildon newsagents. The bizarre robbery took place at Martin's newsagent, by the Jolly Friar pub in Whitmore Way, Basildon at 6.45am on Friday. The girl
An incident in which medical records were left lying around a disused hospital has been branded "inexcusable, unacceptable and indefensible". An urgent inquiry was launched after confidential medical files were found scattered at the derelict St Mary's
Toursit chiefs are keeping their fingers crossed after a record-breaking summer sizzler. As Britain baked, sunseekers flocked to the east coast resorts of Frinton, Walton, Clacton and Dovercourt to cool down. And while it was not the 91F recorded at Heathrow
Residents in Frinton and Walton look set to win their battle for more dentists carrying out National Health Service work - and extra capacity may be in place within months. People living in the area were finding it difficult to gain access to practices
A full-scale alert was sparked after security guards accidentally triggered the alarms on their van while it was parked in Thorpe Bay. Police rushed to Maplin Way North, at 10.37am on Thursday fearing a robbery had occurred. But when they arrived, red-faced
Twelve-year-old Charlotte Taylor of Colchester and Tendring produced the best race of her young career when competing for Essex over 800m at the inter county meeting held at Kings Meadow track Kingston. In scorching weather and against the top 20 youngsters
Dean Holness, star of TV soccer soap Dream Team, will get the chance to play football for real after signing a short-term contract with Southend United. The 25-year-old star of Sky's Dreamteam put on an exciting 90-minute display during Blues' 2-0 friendly
Colchester United may have to wait up to five years before it can move to a prestigious new stadium. Plans for the new community stadium in Cuckoo Farm, Colchester, are expected to be lodged with Colchester Council this autumn. But news that the club
Animal rock There's a little piece of armoured rock coming your way thanks to the great Rockin' Armadillos. The band have been dug deep in the studio for the past few months to produce the brilliant blues/rock album - Armadillo In The Road. You can find
Around 8,200 homes and businesses were left without electricity twice in three days following two massive power cuts. The double whammy hit the same properties in Brentwood, Great Warley, Navestock, Pilgrims Hatch, South Weald, Harold Hill, Gidea Park
Motorists face traffic chaos after a huge hole appeared in the middle of a major route through Dovercourt. Engineers discovered a sewer had collapsed in Main Road, and the road was in danger of collapsing into it. A 20ft-wide hole has now been dug and
MoD police are on the look out for a hairy fugitive - a tarantula spider. A cast of the eight-legged stuff of nightmares was found in the locker room of the MoD's UK headquarters at Wethersfield, near Braintree. Spokesman for the MoD police Mervyn Dadd
Need a holiday? Or perhaps you've got the post-holiday blues and need to book another one! Look no further than www.thisisessex.co.uk for a passport to your next holiday destination. Whether you fancy sipping margaritas in Mexico or sangria in Spain,
An investigation has been launched following the death of a nine-year-old boy at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. It is believed that Tony Clowes was due to have the top of a finger stitched back on after slicing it off in a bike accident. But the air
Detailed plans for the £1bn redevelopment of Colchester Garrison have gone on show for the public's verdict. If approved, they will create a campus-style garrison on 160 hectares of the 300 hectares which the Army currently occupies. The remaining land
A trader has been dodging regulations banning the sale of ice creams on Frinton's promenade by giving them away free. But he has now been ordered to stop providing the ices as he is breaking his operator's lease. Gary Grange, who lives in Weeley Heath
A sixty-three-year-old cyclist viciously beaten by a gang of three men armed with a baseball bat is recovering from his injuries at Broomfield Hospital. The man, who has not been identified by police, was knocked unconscious and suffered a suspected broken
Fraudsters swindle up to £37.5m from health services in south Essex every year, it has been revealed. Inflated invoices, fake sick leave and pilfering of stock by doctors, health service workers and suppliers has amassed the huge bill - and not a single
A Colchester teenager was raped in Ipswich by a man who gained her trust. The 19-year-old Colchester woman trusted the man to help her after she was left alone following a row with friends. But he lured her down a footpath before raping her. The distraught
The future route of the A120 east of Braintree will be vigorously debated at a full meeting of Braintree Council this week. Green councillors James Abbott and Phil Hughes have tabled a motion for council discussion tomorrow (Wednesday) calling for Braintree
A 30-year-old man was thrown to the ground when he refused to hand over cash to a man who tried to rob him. The attempted robbery happened around 3.30am on Saturday morning in Sutton Road, Southend, when the victim was grabbed from behind in a necklock
Two council departments have failed to agree on whether a new Southend High Street amusement centre is granted the go-ahead. Southend's licensing committee gave it a licence to operate - if environmental health chiefs approved the conversion of an empty
Leopards Basketball Club's Head Coach Bob Donewald has been released by the club to take up an assistant coaching role in the NBA. Donewald, 30, has been offered the post of assistant coach at the Charlotte Hornets and is returning to the United States
An Essex mum has been chosen to represent the views of some of the most passionate football fans in the country. Marion Williams, 44, has been elected chairperson of Newcastle United's pioneering fans liaison committee. Ms Williams, of Owls Hill, Terling
Copford Primary School has been highly praised by Ofsted inspectors. It was described as "a very good school with some excellent features" and significant improvements have been made since its last inspection four years ago. There was praise for provision
Colchester United midfielder Jason Dozzell faces an anxious wait to see if he will ever play professional football again. The experienced playmaker has struggled with a toe injury since Colchester United's 1-1 draw away to Oldham last season. And despite
A drug addict died of a potent mixture of drugs prescribed by his GP only hours after his sister had begged the doctor not to keep fuelling his habit. The sister had gone to see Dr Madeline Pretty at her surgery in the Dipple Centre, Wickford Avenue,
Rochford and District Swimming Club will be gunning for glory when they contest the National Age Group Championships this week. Competition at Ponds Forge, Sheffield, got underway yesterday (Monday) and the Rochford club will be sending its biggest squad
Chairman of Essex County Cricket Club David Acfield has resigned. Mr Acfield, 54, played for the club between 1966 and 1986 and took over the role from Doug Insole as chairman in 1993. He said: "In the present circumstances it is in the best interest
Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is looking to make Notts County striker Kevin Rapley a permanent member of his squad. Rapley was yesterday (Monday) set to become Whitton's third new recruit within a week following the signing of Anthony Allman and
Canvey's Furtherwick Park School year seven soccer boys have taken a leaf out of the Island's hugely successful senior soccer side. While Gulls conquered all and sundry to win the FA Umbro Trophy, the Furtherwick youngsters had a smashing campaign to
The League of Friends of Orsett and Thurrock Hospitals is planning its annual draw early next month. Returning chief executive of the Basildon and Thurrock Hospitals Trust, Sue Jennings, will be making the draw at the out-patients department, Orsett Hospital
Colchester;s leading bowler Brenda Brown has added another title to her impressive portfolio by winning the Essex County singles crown. She beat Maureen Newman, of Rayleigh Bowls Club, 21-20 at Clacton to achieve one of her long-standing ambitions. Brown
Sir Viv Richards and Brian Lara - two of cricket's greats - are expected to be in action at Chelmsford on August 5. The pair, together with West Indian colleagues Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, will parade their talent in a charity cricket match at
Six fundraising athletes put themselves through a gruelling sporting marathon to raise money for a friend suffering from cancer. The intrepid team began with a five-mile run from Thorpe to Frinton, where they played 18 holes of golf. They then took to
Bomb disposal experts were called to two Southend beaches after First World War mortar shells were found. One device, around 2ft long with a 6in calibre, was uncovered by a worker for QinetiQ - the Ministry of Defence agency formerly known as Dera, the
Devastated villagers are heartbroken that children's play equipment has been vandalised in Marks Tey - just a day after protective railings were removed. The £60,000 playground on London Road is due to be unveiled on September 22 with a special ceremony
A Canvey woman has hit out at Government warnings against a pyramid investment scheme spreading across Britain. Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt condemned the Women Empowering Women cash-making pyramid as a "nasty scheme which preys on vulnerable
A man who underwent a heart transplant is hoping to pedal to glory. Alan Lees is taking part in the British Transplant Games in the cycling events. Mr Lees, 50, of Parsons Heath, Colchester, had a heart transplant four years ago after it was discovered
The successful recycling trial covering 9,000 homes in Witham is to be extended to cover 2,200 homes Kelvedon and Feering during the next two weeks. The Braintree Council eight-strong new executive has already announced it is also committed to extending
Tourist Information Centre staff from Essex, Kent and Hertfordshire have been taken on a tour of the brightest attractions in Brentwood and Billericay. It was part of the first ever Essex Familiarisation Trip organised by the Essex Tourism Association
We have been asked to point out that the Bus Stop Bakery in South Walk, Basildon, is no longer owned by David Smith, who was jailed for two years fiddling £400,000 from the taxman. The shop was bought eight months ago by Gary and Christine Bernard and
The response to an appeal for information on the rape of a Colchester teenager has been disappointing. Police said the sight of a young woman crying on a bench near Ipswich Station should have stuck in people's memories. Yesterday (Monday), an incident
Intrepid sailor Stuart Hill has told how his solo round-Britain trip was progressing well - despite sailing into an RAF bombing zone. Mr Hill, 58, of Maltings Wharf, Manningtree, is in anchor north of Hartlepool after strong winds forced him ashore. Last
A man could be deported after he admitted possessing indecent pictures of young children. Julian Griffiths was caught with a "large quantity" of images downloaded from the internet after a computer was examined. Chelmsford Crown Court heard yesterday
David Acfield has blamed the demands of juggling business and cricket commitments for his decision to resign as Essex chairman. Acfield quit the post he has held since 1993 at the weekend before jetting off on holiday to Spain. "The role of chairman in
Burnham-on-Crouch Golf Club's ladies section played for the President's Prize in glorious conditions which was well reflected in the scoring. The winner was Joyce Leach, with Dee Wells second and Tessa Beer third. On Sunday, the third Sundae Special was
