Chelmsford City will face at least three new clubs next season - Stamford, Spalding and Wisbech Town - if proposals for a major shake-up of the Dr Martens League are accepted by clubs at the annual meeting in Bournemouth tomorrow (Saturday). Out will
Excited boxer Georgie Smith has revealed the two-fight plan that could "transform my whole career". Georgie, 28, from Basildon, has not fought since losing his Inter-continental welterweight crown to Charlie Kane last October, but has lined up a UK title
The likes of Manchester United and Arsenal may have a new face joining them on the pitch next season when Billericay referee Andy D'urso begins his first season officiating in the dizzy heights of the FA Carling Premiership. Andy, who lives in Crays Hill
Braintree town and country folk defied the dreadful weather on Saturday, turning out in the streets in their thousands to turn a rain-soaked carnival into a day of sunshine and smiles. Spectators packed the town centre route in torrential rain, dancing
Residents who campaigned to stop communications equipment being put up close to their homes are being backed in their fight. People in Seymour Road, Jaywick, signed a petition against the plans by the Orange mobile phone firm. The company also wants to
Two brave schoolgirls who rushed to help the victim of an armed robbery in Colchester have received a rare award. Guides Jennifer Bines, 12, of Heatley Way, Greenstead, and Sarah Gregory, 14, of Primrose Walk, Greenstead, have been recognised for their
An elderly woman is being forced to remove a surround and angel from her husband's grave. Daisy Tompkins said the Rev John Pratt had told her the items had to go from the immaculately-kept grave as they did not have diocesan approval. Her husband George
Abberton Cricket Club's ambition to be one of the best-equipped as well as biggest clubs in the area has moved ahead after they netted a national lottery grant. Their numbers came up when they were given £6,250 and now, with money they raised themselves
A search has begun for a historical treasure which slipped through the hands of a Southend fisherman. The experimental torpedo fired more than 130 years ago off the Southend coast was netted by a trawler - only to be lost again when the boat owner threw
Colchester United manager Mick Wadsworth explained the reasons for the growing exodus from Layer Road. His comments came after Paul Buckle became the latest player to quit the club. Effervescent 28-year-old midfielder Buckle has turned down a new deal
Struggling seaside towns and coastal resorts in Tendring are facing a fresh crisis. And councillors have called for them to be classed as a regeneration priority. New sources of cash to provide leisure facilities to enable resorts to keep up with the
Raindrops were falling on their heads but music lovers at Lake Meadows did not let the bad weather dampen their spirits. For the second year running, a torrential downpour sent the 1,800-strong audience at Billericay's Music from the Lake outdoor concert
An 84-year-old woman escaped unhurt after the house she was in suffered a direct lightning strike. The house in Frog Hall Close, Fingringhoe, had part of its roof destroyed by fire after it was hit, just before 6pm on Saturday. Firefighters from Colchester
Firemen tried in vain to save the dog of a former colleague when they were called to a house in Great Wakering. Nine-year-old border collie, Patch, was found unconscious in the upstairs of the house in Lee Lotts. Retired fireman Roger Sampson, 56, and
Southend soldier Colin Orbell made the most of the unusual combination of soccer and safari when he represented the Army on a 15-day football tour of Zimbabwe. Staff Sargeant Colin played five matches against Premiership and First Division opponents,
Colchester's troubled market could be moved out of Vineyard Street and trading back in the heart of the town by Christmas. At last night's meeting of the planning and transportation committee members voted after much debate to: Bolster the borough Market
Post Office staff cowered behind the counter in fear when a youth strode into the Basildon store brandishing a sawn-off shotgun. Detectives were today seeking witnesses to the attempted raid which happened in Timberlog Lane just before lunch yesterday
Disgraced former vicar Michael Taylor was believed to be back on British soil today after serving 22 months in a Romanian prison for paedophilia. He was the Anglican vicar of St David's Church in Eastwood Road, Rayleigh, when he was arrested in Bucharest
Police have discovered the identity of a mystery man found lying unconscious in Laindon. Christopher Wahab, 28, was finally named by a pal after being discovered in Somercotes, Basildon, at around 6.50am on Monday morning. He was initially taken into
Chelmsford City Football Club has secured additional sponsorship for the next three seasons with £25,000 a year backing from Countryside Properties plc. This welcome pre-season boost for the Dr Martens League side comes at a crucial time for the club
Plans for a racecourse in Essex moved a step forward with the developers asking for a formal meeting with council planning chiefs. Arena Leisure wants to build an all-weather track at South Ockendon on 200 acres of green belt land to the north of Grangewaters
Chelmsford darts professional Rod Harrington has retained his World No.1 spot in the PDC world rankings after beating Phil Taylor by four sets to one in the Golden Harvest Canadian Championships in Saskatoon. Harrington, 41, from Boreham, has held 'top
Perky pensioner Reg Griggs revealed how he overcame walking problems and a cataract operation to return with yet another six-wicket haul. Yet Rayleigh Fairview's record wicket-taker, 67 next month, is finally considering defeat - on the advice of a surgeon
Colchester United manager Mick Wadsworth was on the brink of signing a new goalkeeper today after contract rebel Carl Emberson failed to meet yesterday's deadline. And Wadsworth revealed Queens Park Rangers' Nigerian international Ademola Bankole was
The rain may have curtailed more than half of the Jaygate Two Counties Championship programme. But it did not stop bowlers Simon Larkin and Gary Dench from setting the Tattingstone v Copford Division B contest alight with a remarkable hat-trick apiece
Braintree's record scorer Gary Bennett has joined neighbours AFC Sudbury. Bennett, 28, was allowed to leave Cressing Road as his contract had run out. The former Colchester United striker missed most of last season with a groin injury but has been told
Jubilant campaigners were today celebrating after councillors threw out controversial proposals to build a unit for mental patients near their homes. A spontaneous round of applause from a packed public gallery greeted Castle Point councillors' vote to
A lucky Basildon woman had a very happy 40th birthday when she scooped top prize in a pub draw. Annette Younger, of Sandon Road, has been a regular at the Winged Horse for 22 years. She won £500 after entering a free prize draw run by the owners of the
Organisers of Maldon's Town Fair have been amazed at the community's response to a day of celebration. The High Street will be closed on June 26 from 7am to 7pm for a market twice the size of the normal Saturday venture, entertainment from 9am to 4.15pm
A Braintree youth band is desperately seeking sponsorship despite increasing success in competitions and being invited to perform at numerous international events. During this year the 'Braintree Dimensions' have sent out over 125 letters looking for
Years of hard work for the community have earned veteran former councillor Alf Dove a top honour - his very own MBE. The 80-year-old Labour stalwart was delighted to read in the weekend papers he had been chosen. He said: "I feel very honoured and yet
England may have been humiliated in the cricket World Cup but one group of Billericay youngsters hope to be starring at the thrilling finale. Billericay School's West African drum band has been invited to play during the lunch interval at the tournament's
Detectives have launched a national hunt for an Essex golf pro suspected of a string of crimes. Tom Mansford-Stewart, a former golf professional at Rivenhall Oaks Golf Club, Witham, is believed to be responsible for a string of crimes across Essex in
Steve Freeman brought his tally of Chelmer Cycling Club records to six, when clocking 20 minutes 26 seconds in the Colchester Rovers Open "10". He took third place to Colchester's Rik Van Looy, whose 19m 5s ride over the new course was also a record for
Essex captain Nasser Hussain will remain silent on predictions that he will become the new England skipper. Hussain has been touted by national newspapers as Alec Stewart's successor - even though Stewart's future has yet to be decided by selectors. Hussain
Fishing downriver aboard the Danzel at the weekend Rick Marshall and boat owner Dave Marshall enjoyed a frantic Thornback session. The pair managed no fewer than 16 quaility specimens, ranging from 6lb to 18lb. Fresh mackerell and squid was used on small
The oldest school in Hadleigh could be bulldozed to make way for new houses, it was revealed today. Plans are in the pipeline for a new Hadleigh Junior School to be built next to the infant school in Bilton Road. The existing school land and buildings
Four people were injured following two separate crashes involving fire engines on 999 calls in Colchester. Both Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service have launched inquiries into the incidents. In the first, two firefighters were taken
Southend boss Alan Little has clinched his second major signing within 24 hours from his former club York City - then revealed his promotion-seeking revamp was only half-finished. Right-winger Gordon Connolly, 21, is joining Blues for an unspecified "
A good second-half recovery allowed Belfairs Bowling Club's H Cohen to take control of his rink and win against Southchurch Bowling Club's F King in the Parren Shield. K Wood was in fine form for Belfairs as he comprehensively beat R Walker, while A Davies
One of the greatest club servants to south Essex sport was given a surprise send-off this week - but pledged to continue in another major role. Peter Hyde, 78, who has been at the heart of Basildon's Barstable Badminton Club since 1957, was presented
Ireland beat Great Britain in the final to win the inaugural European Pitch and Putt championships held in Chelmsford. Despite the poor weather over the weekend top seeds Ireland also overcame teams from Austria, France, Italy and Catalonia in the prestigious
The fathers of two runaway Colchester schoolgirls today pleaded: "We need to know we will see you again." Alfred Aldridge and Ian Barham told of the living hell they have been going through since the 14-year-olds disappeared 10 days ago. They are worried
A multi-million pound compensation claim in America involving a Frinton boy who was born without eyes is due to be heard later this year. For Andrew Bourne and his campaigning parents Chris and Maggie, it will be the end of long wait to have the case
Staff at Southend airport are to work to rule as a bitter row develops over contracts. Firefighters, refuellers and warehouse staff are furious that pay increases are being used as a lever to make them do more work. GMB Union spokesman Gerry Graham claimed
