A call has been made to make hunt organisers pay for any police needed to oversee the controversial pastime. Anti-hunting Liberal Democrat MP Bob Russell says it is not fair for organisers of carnivals and football clubs to fork out for police officers
Plans to build a £2.75 million state-of-the-art health club have been thrown out. The proposals would have transformed Witham's Benton Hall Golf Club by doubling the size of the existing clubhouse and creating a gymnasium, aerobics studio, sauna and 20
Sports minister Kate Hoey has reaffirmed the promise she made to This Is Essex partner the Gazette by pledging to consider legislation concerning the safety of mobile goalposts. Miss Hoey was speaking during a House of Commons debate in which Braintree
A man was treated in hospital after a vicious attack in a Kelvedon bar. The young man, who has yet to be identified, suffered what police described as "severe facial injuries" during the assault, at the Angel Hotel. He was attacked by two men. The incident
A major shake-up of Essex Police's traffic and operations division will mean a reduction in senior officers, it was confirmed today. Four inspector posts will be lost through natural wastage across the county when the two divisions merge in April. And
Southend councillors could be set to get a laptop computer each instead of a desktop PC under new proposals to thrust council business into the 21st century. The hi-tech proposals to cut paper and improve communication were originally put before councillors
Maldon's famous sea salt company is expanding its business premises. Plans to build a new processing, packaging and storage plant on the outskirts of the town have been submitted to the district council for approval - but it has nothing to do with TV
It has taken Billericay 's Ralph Overill just four years to gain his black belt in shotokan karate. Ralph, 13, who attends classes at Phoenix Karate Club at Hannakins Farm Community Centre in Rosebay Avenue, was thrilled to have finally earned the belt
Colchester United have made a five-figure offer for 23-year-old Luton defender Alan White. The bid is believed to be between £20-£30,000. White is in a similar situation to David Greene, who this week was the subject of a £30,000 offer from Cardiff City
So how do you keep a £38 million lottery win a secret? That's the question on the lips of telly addicts as ITV's new six-part series, At Home with the Braithwaites, hits the screen. Avid viewers watched last week as Mrs Braithwaite (Amanda Redman) won
Clash of the titans was a great advertisement The 1-1 draw between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on Monday night was the perfect advertisement for the Premiership, which I firmly believe is the best league in the world. This fixture was
Two youngsters swam their way to a golden hoard in Holland. Colchester Phoenix ASC's Natalie Jones, 15, and Robert Pulford, 14, returned home in triumph from an international swimming event held in Deventer, Holland. They brought back a haul of nine golds
A tribute has been paid to a popular coach driver who died tragically in a road accident. The coach firm boss also laid flowers at the crash scene at Weeley Heath where David Newall, 58, died on Friday. Robert MacGregor, managing director of Hedingham
Police have seized gallons of beer and spirits from teeny boozers in a campaign against under-age drinking on the streets. Youngsters have found their cash being poured down the drain - literally - by police keep to stamp out the trend. Corringham Police
An innocent family say they have been the victims of a witch hunt after their next door neighbour was exposed as a paedophile. Gary Neil Hudson, 47, of Ricklings, Basildon, was jailed by Basildon magistrates for three weeks after he admitted making indecent
A pedestrian was today recovering in hospital after being hit by a fire engine as it answered a 999 call. Robin Adams, 31, was hit by the appliance as made its way with a second Basildon fire crew to an emergency at Basildon Hospital. Essex fire service
A father and his two-year-old daughter were treated in hospital after a fire at their home. The 24-year-old soldier was asleep downstairs on the sofa when a candle fell over and started the blaze. His daughter was asleep upstairs but he managed to rescue
On a bitter afternoon, Ramblers warmed their supporters' hearts with a battling performance which deserved the narrow victory. Aside from a strong freezing wind and a heavy pitch, Bowers provided rugged and well organised opposition. Though generally
Burnham started the match in confident style taking the lead after 12 minutes when Lisa Lory fired home strongly following a good move down the right involving Kate Attreed and Sue Wilson. The goal stung Dunmow into action and they pinned the home side
After a comfortable win in the Crowe Insurance Division Three League over Maldon on Saturday, Sunday saw Witham prepare to do battle against a Division One team in the Hockey Association Cup. Henley-on-Thames had a good cup run last season and with a
Billericay Town may only be sitting in 11th place in the Ryman League Premier Division, but there is currently no stopping them in knockout competitions. On Tuesday night they went to former manager John Kendall's Chesham for a League Cup quarter-final
Art projects in north Essex have been granted cash by the Eastern Arts Board to help celebrate the year of the artist. The money has been granted to help fund artist residencies, which will bring artists out of their usual studios or rehearsal spaces
The Archbishop of Canterbury is to make a morale-boosting visit to a church which is undergoing a major rebuilding programme. The Most Rev George Carey will be meeting with members of the appeal fund, who are trying to raise £870,000 for St John's in
A project which provides vital aid to war-torn Kosovo has made a desperate appeal for cash to get a lorry through to one of the worst-hit areas of the country. The Ark Project - which was set up by Clacton Jubilee Rotary Club with help from the Harwich
Former Southend United soccer ace Tony Hadley was Captain Richard Campbell-Carr's choice as Rochford Hundred's golfer of the year at the club's presentation night on Monday. Hadley, who played for Blues in the late '70s and '80s, was named after his superb
The opening possessions of Sunday's game said much about the current philosophies of both coaches, Leopards relying on quick ball movement while the Tigers were looking to pound the ball inside. It came down to speed against size. Initially, the Leopards
Southend United's longest serving player - Julian Hails - today spoke of his relief at finally getting back into Blues' first-team. The right-sided defender/winger has endured an injury nightmare over the past couple of seasons, following cartilage damage
The Essex Girls Under 15 Basketball Squad reached the English National Finals in dramatic fashion, after beating a strong Northamptonshire side 65-60 at Greensward College, Hockley. Having defeated Suffolk and Hertfordshire easily in the preliminary round
Saturday's game saw visitors Billericay score through Richard Holdgate within the first five minutes, from a line out won by Steve Clow. However, Holdgate was injured during the process and had to leave the pitch. Maldon attacked and were awarded a penalty
This Is Essex partner the Evening Echo is backing Billericay's football team as they prepare to stage one of the biggest games in their history. Billericay Town host arguably the best non-league team in the country, Nationwide Conference giants Rushden
Wivenhoe's 15-year-old Katy Osborne is applying for a place at musical theatre colleges. Katy takes her GCSEs this year at the Colne Community School, Brightlingsea, but before that she has a stint with the National Youth Music Theatre, involving a £700
Residents who were told to buy up or get out by their health trust landlord have been saved by a last-minute rescue bid. Several tenants faced homelessness after eight households in Maltings Lane, Witham, were told they would have to leave by the end
Pland to build a Tesco supermarket in Tiptree have moved on another step. A meeting of Colchester Council's planning and transportation committee discussed the plans to transform the old Tiptree Book Services site into a supermarket, housing, a community
Tony Heightman hit the roof when he returned home from a night out with wife Jean and found a gaping hole in the tiles. And he was amazed to find it was not burglars or vandals who had caused the damage but a bolt from the blue - a thumping great piece
The distraught family of a young father killed in a collision with a fire engine have put up signs at the scene of the accident in the hope that fresh witnesses will come forward. Jamie Hierons, 22, of Pulpits Close, Hockley, died earlier this month at
Campaigners today claimed a crucial victory in their battle to have mobile phone masts removed from a building on Canvey. Mercury Communications said it would look at alternative sites for the ten-metre masts which it installed on the Transport Museum
The curse strikes again! It's a well-known fact in local soccer circles that receiving a top award on the day of a game often leads to a bad result. That tradition continued at Burroughs Park on Saturday when Wakering boss Eddie Nash (left) received the
With Heybridge down to the bare bones for Saturday's match with six front line players out through injury, illness or suspension, Mark Cranfield moved into the centre of the back four and Ashley Bond had a rare outing at full back, and both gave a consistent
Gipsies have been given the green light to have their own caravan site in Crays Hill - to the dismay of neighbouring residents and businesses. The group has been told it can stay on at the Oak Lane site thanks to plans which have formalised permission
A green protester has accused Essex County Council of wasting taxpayers' money by building a road which will not reduce traffic problems in south Essex. Fred Matthews, for the Ramblers' Association, submitted his evidence at the A130 inquiry being held
A leading railway enthusiast has issued "a call to arms" to clear the holdup over the controversial Ongar to Epping line. "It's time to bang heads together and find a way of getting trains running again," said John Glover, chairman of Ongar Railway Preservation
A children's home is set to close after years of complaints. It follows the final all-clear for an alternative site at Little Clacton. Neighbours have welcomed the news that Lane Cottage in Walton will shut. Town district councillor Mick Page said residents
An elderly fisherman told yesterdayday how he and his brother-in-law were dramatically rescued after their boat capsized. Derek Ling, 72, and Ivan Beckett, 61, were rescued by a passing tug boat after they spent nearly an hour in freezing water. Eventually
Customers at Colchester's Leisure World were plunged into darkness after a power cut wiped out electricity to hundreds of homes. At least 1,500 customers of Eastern Electricity were affected by the teatime blackout including firemen at Colchester fire
An unemployed gardener had not taken his animal to the vet for five years because he was scared of the cost of treatment. Richard Dale, 35, of Broadway, Silver End, was banned from keeping animals for two years after admitting causing unnecessary suffering
Ex-U's boss Dick Graham has urged Colchester United's youth team to recapture the spirit of 1971 against mighty Leeds United tonight. The former U's boss, who masterminded the famous 3-2 FA Cup defeat of Don Revie's Leeds side, is convinced they can recreate
Old Romfordians look favourites to retain the mens title at the halfway stage of the H & K Commissions Indoor Tennis League. The League is held at the Clearview tennis centre in Brentwood and Old Romfordians lead their division ahead of Hadleigh and
Following their League victory over Colchester the previous week, Brentwood were keen to maintain the momentum with another win over stronger opposition on Saturday. Starting the match in freezing conditions, both sides looked dangerous on the counter
A leading school has introduced reflexology sessions to help sixth formers manage stress. The sessions are on the timetable for pupils at Colchester County High School for Girls. They will complement other methods already in place in the school for managing
Brentwood people are being asked to help lighten the load of the victims of crime by making their appearance in court less of an ordeal. Thurrock and Brentwood Victim Support is looking for volunteers so that its Witness Service - which has already proved
Psychiatric reports have been ordered on a former North Weald man who made death threats to two of his neighbours. The order was made by Judge Gareth Hawkesworth at Chelmsford Crown Court after he heard that the threats were contained in anonymous letters
The rebirth of Brentwood's town centre has already been tarnished - with the proposed closure of two established High Street shops prompting fears for the future. Just days after local business people and councillors came together and launched the Brentwood
A Colchester church has been vandalised again - just a day after youths were warned their attacks were endangering children. The United Reformed Church in Plume Avenue, Prettygate, appeared in Tuesday's This Is Essex news upload following a spate of smashed
Grays welterweight Darren Bruce will be making the first defence of his IBO Inter Continental title at York Hall on Saturday, February 5. The contest has been billed as the chief support for the vacant Commonwealth welterweight title clash between Scott
A mainline train could have been derailed after it ploughed into a shopping trolley that had been dumped on the track. The train was not damaged and no-one was injured in the collision which happened at around 2.45pm yesterday on a stretch of line near
Shoplifting gangs are targeting a mid-Essex town, it has been revealed. Police believe Braintree is the focus for gangs some of which are travelling hundreds of miles to steal. Officers believe Freeport designer shopping complex has lured the crooks to
The bravery of a Southend lifeboat crew has been recognised by the RNLI after a daring rescue at sea. Helmsman John Foster and crewmen Michael Whistler and Ian Rees have all been approved for accolades from the institution. The crew was responsible for
Champion hurdler, TV presenter and now a careers guru, Kriss Akabusi is set to share the secrets of success. He talks to SALLY KING Think of athlete Kriss Akabusi and the chances are that you will think of records, both those that he made and broke as
Animal doctors have carried out a rare life-saving heart operation on a puppy. Jack Russell puppy Jess's chances of survival were slim when vets discovered she had been born with a serious heart defect. But the tiny nine-week-old pet pooch has been given
Manager of Billericay's Quilters Matt Sterry will be appearing on the TV's Blind Date on Saturday February 5 and now the Laindon Road venue is hosting its own version to coincide with the programme. Matt, 27, from Chestnut Avenue, said: "I hardly remember
Southend Hospital's head of operations and service development, Andrew Pike, has been named new chief executive of troubled Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust. The journey to the top post started when Andrew joined a hospital management training scheme
Man's best friend is proving to be public enemy number one for would-be drug smugglers at Chelmsford Prison. A 14-month-old springer spaniel has been working at the prison for more than a month. And already Toby catches two or three potential drug-smugglers
Special twin boys Charlie and Daniel Harris are celebrating their second birthdays today. To parents Andrea, 31, and Mike, 36, of Adstock Way, Grays, the day means more than just wrapped presents and birthday cake. They faced a life without children when
Virgin bosses could scrap plans to build a giant leisure centre in south Essex and opt to build a smaller complex - in an effort to avoid a lengthy and costly public inquiry. Planners have received a sketch from Virgin Active based on old planning permission
Colchester United have accepted an offer from Second Division rivals Cardiff City for contract rebel David Greene. Greene has been on Cardiff's shortlist for some time and he could find himself travelling to meet manager Frank Burrows and his backroom
Residents are on target to transform their housing estate by getting youngsters to let off steam in a five-a-side football festival. The Humber Road Residents Association, in Witham, is hoping to score a success with the festival for young football fans
Brian Launders' legal action against Colchester United could cost the club more than £250,000, it has emerged. The 23-year old midfielder and his agent Barry Silkman both have separate actions pending against the U's. Launders, who was sacked by the U's
Harwich's Tom Jacobs, right, takes a blow from Mick Murnane, of Chalvedon, during one of 15 bouts at Harwich ABC's Annual Open tournament at Dovercourt Haven Caravan Camp. Picture:CLARE BANKS Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images
A preacher is challenging people to hand in stolen goods in amnesty bins at Colchester's Charter Hall on Saturday. Speaker J John is holding a series of talks based on the Ten Commandments at the hall and last week took "thou shall not steal" as his theme
The High Street branch of one of Wickford's oldest family businesses was wrecked by fire on Saturday afternoon, but escaped further damage after the blaze burst a water pipe. According to Lee Baxter, managing director of Moore's Shoe Repairers, the premises
Best by a long throw - that's Tony Gilbert. The 17-year-old, of Rye Mill Lane, Feering, has acquired a reputation as the owner of the fiercest throw in the Colchester Youth League. Tony, who plays for Feering in the Ke-Connect League when he is not on
Hornchurch-based disability swimmer Callum Hanslip came back from the Double Dutch Open in Deventer with a six-medal haul. The Havering Herons swimmer won a medal for each event entered and achieved six personal best times. More importantly, Callum has
Brentwood show jumper John Renwick looks to have started the new year where he left off in 1999, after showing top form at a special Millennium Derby competition that drew riders from several counties. The Derby took place at Patchetts Equestrian Centre
A Colchester bank worker was today celebrating after scooping £107,000 at bingo. And Patricia Smith, 52, of Ipswich Road, has decided to share the money with her best friend and next-door neighbour Rita Phillips, 60. Mrs Phillips may use the cash to pay
Witham were on a high for the start of Saturday;s' match, after the previous week's league win over Dagenham. They were looking forward to showing local rivals Burnham in this friendly match how much they had improved over the last season but cold and
A pair of kittens who were left for dead in a black plastic bag have been getting used to a brand new life with a loving family. The fluffy bundles were found in two carrier bags wrapped inside a bin bag in Greenstead, Colchester. And, eager to see them
Shipping giant P&O is to redevelop Shell Haven refinery as one of the biggest container terminals in Britain, handling up to a million containers a year, it was announced today. Shell revealed it had granted exclusive rights to P&O to redevelop
A farmer who was nearly killed by a train while driving his tractor across a level crossing has voiced his concerns over the safety of a planned bypass. John Little, of Rettendon Place Farm, Rettendon, miraculously escaped when his tractor became stuck
Youngsters at a playgroup had a lucky escape when a car ploughed through the front window of the shop next door. People dived for cover as the out-of-control automatic Rover Metro mounted the pavement and crashed headlong into the front of Sutton Place
Harold Hill is now sitting pretty on a windfall of almost £15million as it looks forward with optimism to an exciting 21st century. Last week an amazing £6.4million was allocated to build a new swimming pool complex at Harold Hill. A further £350,000
The Colchester Sea Angling Club fished their first competition of the new year on the River Orwell on Sunday but catches were disappointing with just over 12lb of flounders weighed in. The result was as follows: Willie Duncan: 3lb 3ozs Ralph Sibbins:
Tiptree United are currently celebrating after picking up two Jewson League monthly awards. The first division leaders were named as club of the month and also collected a cheque for £100 for winning the league's Good Behaviour Award for December. The
The year nine football team from Billericay's Mayflower School are through to the last 32 of a national competition. The English Schools event, sponsored by Heinz Ketchup, started with over 300 teams back in September. Mayflower reached round six after
The mother of a teenager killed in a freak bike accident spoke today of the trauma of missing her son's inquest. Irene Cannon, of Prospect Close, Southend, travelled up to London to hear the coroner's verdict on Keith's death - but were given wrong directions
Luck ran out for gambler Darren Mimms when he turned to burglary to fund his betting sprees. He was eventually caught because he left his fingerprints in at least three of the ten homes he raided. Mimms, 20, pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court to burglary
Southend town centre managers have launched a new project to win back shoppers. And they announced that they had already signed up 15 stores to the scheme to improve shop staff skills. The European Union funded scheme, called Talking Shop, will feature
A youngster with the apt name of Keegan kept Southend Junior League Methane Boys on the Under-13 East Anglian Cup trail. For he grabbed the only goal of the game as the Canvey-based side triumphed at Bushfield Park. Also winning through were Ekco Whitecaps
Fixtures Essex Junior Trophy Fifth Round: Global v Byron Red Star 'B'. Essex Junior Cup Group Final: Havering Nalgo v Heath Park 'A'. Senior Division: Byron Red Star 'A' v King Harold; Prince Albert v Harold Hill; Romford Town v Elm Park. Division One
A worried father has told how he got the shock of his life during a family dinner after he bit into a needle buried in his trifle. George Hall, 35, of Abberton Road, Layer de la Haye, said he was tucking into a strawberry flavoured trifle with his children
Heartless vandals created double misery for an infant school when they smashed windows there twice last week, causing damage estimated at £2,500. More than 20 windows were shattered at Brookside Infant School, Dagnam Park Drive overnight between 6pm on
Arsonists have attacked a Colchester library. Police are hunting youths suspected of starting the blaze at the building in Prettygate Road. It is the latest in a string of criminal damage attacks and vandalism in the area. Police promised to step up patrols
