What would you do if a delivery man handed you a brand new washing machine? Would you sign for it or come clean and admit he had knocked at the wrong home? That was the dilemma facing one Basildon householder. He plumped for the former and landed himself
Pensioner power brought traffic to a standstill as more than 20 residents from Balkerne Gardens Trust home marched for the right to a safe passage into Colchester. With an average age of 90, some walked with the aid of sticks and walking frames, others
Four towns could be elevated to city status, it has emerged - and Chelmsford is still in the hunt. Such has been the response to the Government's plan to mark the millennium by creating one new city it is now looking at creating four. Wolverhampton and
A new performance project has been launched to help monitor council workers - and it could indirectly save up to £1.5 million a year, it has been claimed. The initiative is aimed at improving staff teamwork and their personal objectives at Tendring Council
Some workers at one of Colchester's largest employers have criticised proposals to change shift patterns. Bosses are in discussion with staff and unions at Betts in Ipswich Road over the proposed new system. Some members of staff are unhappy and say it
Castle Point was today celebrating a massive boost after the Government announced a possible cash injection to blast away years of neglect. As John Prescott unveiled his major housebuilding programme in the Commons, it emerged that much of south Essex
On the run-in: Our season is still alive We're quickly approaching the final furlong of the season, which is the most exciting time of the year for the majority of football fans. This is the most entertaining period of the season for football supporters
Essex County Council's emergency plans unit admits it could have got involved quicker in dealing with the impact of the Korean air crash last December. A report being discussed by the council's community safety committee today said: "As the incident did
The number of children deemed at risk of neglect or abuse in the Colchester and Tendring area has spiralled to an all-time high. The social services' Child Protection Register helps social workers keep an eye on children deemed at risk. During the past
A former tramp who roamed the streets of Colchester has launched his campaign to become the Mayor of London. Author and former drug addict Stephen Smith, 57, walked the streets of Monkwick in a drug-induced haze about 20 years ago. He regularly travelled
A Vange health carer who risked jail by smuggling medicine to dying Iraqi children today said the country's situation had spiralled out of control. Sanctions-buster Martin Thomas, who claims his efforts are blighted by ignorance, is due to leave for the
Poppy the palomino miniature horse is 11 months old and, although fully grown, is just 25 inches high. She has been living happily at Mistley Place Park Environmental Centre for most of her life and along with all the other young animals at the New Road
Work appeared to be starting today at a new housing development site in Ashingdon - despite protesters' efforts. Wilcon Homes has approval to build 73 houses on the site off Golden Cross Road - much to the dismay of eco-campaigners. Owen, a 25-year-old
A rescue package has been drawn up to reopen the Towngate Theatre as a live entertainment venue. Consultants have just completed a £10,000 survey looking into the options for the building in St Martin's Square, Basildon, which closed after going into
Brentwood's eleven-game winning streak came to an end on Saturday. The home side took the lead midway through the first half via a short corner. A quick switch from left to right set up Rob Hart whose powerful flick flew over the keeper and onto the roof
Ace marksman Andy Jones took his career tally of goals for Canvey Island past the 250 mark as his team claimed a place in the final of the Essex Senior Cup. Two goals from the Islanders' longest-serving player on Monday night were enough to see Gulls
Ex-media mogul Eddie Shah has won his Essex tennis bubble battle - game, set and match. Planning inspectors have ruled that a giant airdome can stay in place at Mr Shah's Essex Golf and Country Club despite claims that it "sticks out like a sore thumb
A meeting is being held to gauge the views of fans about plans to move Braintree Town Football Club to a new home. Club bosses have been eyeing up an alternative site at the former Crittall Sports Ground on Springwood Drive. But first they want to hear
Billericay under-16s were left to ponder what might have been after beating their Woodford counterparts 17-15 at Willow Brook. Woodford are the newly-crowned champions of the Essex Cup, but Billericay feel they would have given them a run for their money
Police are still seeking a mystery caller who may have witnessed a serious assault in Billericay in the early hours of Thursday, February 17. A man ended up in Basildon Hospital with a fractured jaw after the incident in Outwood Common Road close to the
The parents of children involved in a school bus crash in Billericay last week, are calling for seat belts to be fitted for the safety of those who use the special bus service. The daily service takes students from across mid Essex including Chelmsford
A "superb" multi million pound college development is set to bring the entire world within the reach of everyone in the Harold community. Fulfilling its long-held aim to bring education to all, Havering College has announced plans for a new £2million
A second Burger King restaurant may soon be coming to town after council bosses agreed to a planning change of use of an empty Royals Shopping Centre unit. The planning application by the Co-operative Insurance Society was to change the use of the one-time
Hornchurch-based disability swimmer Callum Hanslip hardly had time to draw breath after his return from the Ukrainian Open Disability Swim Championships last week when he travelled north to Darlington to compete in the BT Swimming National Junior Championships
Wildlife enthusiast Brian Dawson will be taking Onward, a refurbished lifeboat, on a another birdwatching cruise this weekend. This will give wildlife lovers the chance to see the varied and beautiful winter birds that visit our shores at this time of
Twelve titles were on offer during the recent Brentwood Table Tennis Closed Championships with everyone being competed for at the highest level of table tennis. The Championships provided a feast of delight for the enthusiast. Under 21 Singles brought
Janice Torr, a member at the Billericay tennis club, won six out of six matches when she represented Essex in the LTA 18 & under Junior County Cup at Basingstoke last weekend. Janice was in fine form as she helped the Essex girls beat Northumberland
A large crowd at the Brentwood Centre witnessed a one sided game where the Bears were outclassed by a Leopards side who dominated the first half, leaving the Brighton demoralised after being held to just 17 first-half points. With the game effectively
Cloud Nine Trampoline Club members, Hannah Davies, 12, and James Davies, 9, were recently selected to train with the Welsh national trampoline squad. Following a successful first weekend training they have now been asked to return each month. These sessions
Matchroom welterweight Darren Bruce will find himself on the Prince Naseem Hamed/Vuyani Bungu world title undercard at the Grand Hall, Olympia, London on Saturday evening. Bruce, from Grays, will face Brummie Mark Ramsey in a six or eight round contest
Rebel butcher Dave Stephens went straight to 10 Downing Street yesterday in his continuing battle against metric measurements. Mr Stephens, who runs Mandy's Chop Shop in Leigh Broadway, met officials from the Department of Trade and Industry and demanded
Ipswich Town might have reclaimed an automatic promotion place but they must still be wondering how they failed to put some distance between themselves and Manchester City. The win their performance richly deserved could have sent them three points clear
A priceless goal from Simon Cox allowed Southend Manor to triumph over Woodford Town at Southchurch Park on Tuesday night and keep alive their Schweppes Essex Senior League title hopes. The three points gained in a 1-0 success see Manor back into second
A shocked pensioner has called for urgent action to save one of Colchester's outstanding buildings from ruin at the hands of vandals. The 15th century Siege House pub, East Street, has stood empty since January. Now the diners and drinkers have gone,
Police are trying to track down the man who knocked a 72-year-old dog walker down to the ground on Laindon Common in Little Burstead. Donald Whatley was walking his terrier at around 9am on Saturday March 4 when a Staffordshire Bull Terrier attacked them
Children, pensioners and young mums are being put at risk on 'the most dangerous crossing in Brentwood', a concerned safety campaigner has claimed. Ron Fine, who lives on nearby Shenfield Common, has been fighting for five years to get something done
Ongar youngster Ellie Parish, who suffers with spina bifida, dreams of being able to play with her sisters. Now that dream could at last come true, thanks to a pair of caring mums. Jackie Osmon and Karen Hawkes, both of Peartree Close, were so touched
The future of a major initiative to get Tendring's unemployed back to work is in doubt because of "apathy" among the jobless, a meeting heard. The area's Environmental Task Force is £12,500 in arrears and despite efforts to get people to attend, it is
Vandals have attacked a St John Ambulance headquarters for the third time in 18 months. The Frinton and Walton branch of St John's was attacked and daubed with offensive graffiti. Several of its windows were also shot at with an airgun. Bill Atkinson,
Police in Maldon are still appealing for help in tracing two men involved in violent incidents in the town. Det Con Julian Cole, of Maldon CID, is urging anyone who can help to identify the man who injured a security guard in Woolworths after he lashed
Suspended headteacher Sandra Smith is understood to have been dismissed by a governors' panel. Mrs Smith was suspended last November as head of the failing Old Heath Primary School in Colchester. Last week governors held a formal meeting to decide her
Paul Clarke, of Hanover's Regency Course, made it two out of three when taking Division Two of the monthly medal. Net 52 gave him a two-stroke win over Reg Freeman and another medal to add to the one he won just two months ago. Pat Packer captured the
The internet boom is sweeping through the county. Utility company Telewest is offering its customers unlimited access to the internet for £10 a month - and thousands are signing up to Surf Unlimited. To be eligible they must also spend at least £10 a
A girl was left terror-stricken after a man indecently exposed himself to her as she was walking down the road. The 16-year-old girl was walking towards the shops in Spa Road, Witham, when a man pulled up beside her in a transit van. The front passenger
It has been a wet and windy winter and many of the region's golf clubs are feeling the effects with soggy greens and wet fairways. In fact, it has been so bad at Harwich and Dovercourt Golf Club there has been no play for some time and phone callers to
Meet bouncing baby Myles Russell -- one of the largest tots around. Myles was eight-and-a-half lbs when he was born and immediately afterwards he began to grow -- and grow and grow. Now at just eight months old, he weighs in at a whopping 25lbs -- more
Police have released this computer likeness of a man wanted in connection with a serious assault on a foreshore inspector. The inspector had to be taken to hospital following the attack with a weapon at Bell Wharf in Leigh. The Shoebury man's injuries
A time-stopping ceremony is to be held in Basildon to conserve the first 50 years of the town. A special time capsule is to be placed at the top of the St Martin's Church bell tower, in St Martin's Square, Basildon. Residents and businesses across the
A club that turned Wickford pupils into super-sleuths has won a prestigious prize. The Sherlock Holmes Club scooped the High Sheriff's Award as a top community project. Organisers Wickford police and Basildon Council will be presented with a cash prize
The victim of an arson attack on her home has said she is so frightened she is having to move. Leonie Ridgewell, 29, was staying with her three children at her mother's house on Monday night when the incident happened. She returned to her Sandringham
Detectives are hunting a man who indecently assaulted a woman in her own home. The 41-year-old woman was alone at her home in Chantry Close, Clacton, when the incident took place between 12.30pm and 1pm on Tuesday. Det Con John Wright said: "A woman who
Dog owners are risking their lives by walking their pets along the runway at Southend Airport, a leaked document has revealed. They are using a public footpath which crosses the taxiway, oblivious to the dangers from aircraft using the main runway, claims
Oh baby, look at you! These three youngsters are just one of the many handfuls to arrive at the Basildon Zoo, in London Road, Vange. The tiny meerkats were born three weeks ago and are being cared for by the staff and volunteers at the growing zoo. These
A Southend school is facing an annual bill for £8,000 because vandals regularly damage its outdoor swimming pool. The pool at Temple Sutton Primary School in Eastern Avenue has been damaged up to five times nearly every summer since it was built using
Little Burstead's 700-year-old church St Mary the Virgin is threatened with "rack and ruin" as its small congregation struggles to find the £20,000 needed to cover essential repairs. The picturesque church off Rectory Road is a cherished landmark and
Work on Brentwood's derelict Hart Street site could start in a matter of months after borough councillors gave the green light to a £15million development scheme. Councillors at last Wednesday's full council meeting approved plans for 62 flats, an office
Westcliff gained their revenge for an earlier mauling at the hands of the professional side's juniors with their best performance of the season. Irish had given Westcliff a 47-5 hammering at their place, but were no match for a home side full of gritty
Great Wakering moved another giant step towards capturing the Third Division championship in their first season as a Ryman League club when Tommy Dalgarno gunned down hosts Tring on Tuesday night. The 1-0 victory gained by Dalgarno's 65th-minute strike
Woodham's Tim Cramphorn was left red-faced when he received a call on his answerphone telling him to head over to Rochford for a game. For when he arrived at Magnolia Road he discovered the message had actually told him to go to Romford! But the day ended
Police are warning people to watch out for teams of criminals stealing wheels from cars in the area. Since the beginning of February 12 cars have been hit in this way and police are calling on people to contact them as quickly as possible if they see
Driver patience was tested to the limit after a second gas leak - on top of major roadworks - forced part of the A127 to close. Traffic chaos ensued as the Southend-bound carriageway was shut for several hours yesterday afternoon after a pipe was severed
Dressed in rags and caps, youngsters from a Laindon school stepped back in time in the name of education. The year one children from Merrylands Infant School, in Cumberland Drive, put on Victorian outfits and spent a day in a time warp to experience life
Colchester United manager Steve Whitton today threw his weight behind a drive by Second Division rivals Reading to ban agents from the game. Whitton's revelation comes just hours after the U's were involved in a second Football League tribunal to hear
Billericay's motor racing protg Matt Davies and his Renault Elf Promatecme F3 Team are in confident mood following testing at Snetterton and Oulton Park last week despite rain being the week's real winner. The lightning 23-year-old topped testing times
Restless Southend United fans were today demanding answers regarding the building of a brand new £20 million stadium for the struggling Shrimpers. The club have three years to find another ground following the £4m sale and leaseback of their current Roots
Ronnie Irani was today named as the new Essex cricket captain. The all-rounder replaces Test captain Nasser Hussain who was one of the 12 players contracted by the England and Wales Cricket Board last week. Hussain, who now becomes club captain, informed
Two villages have competed in a shield competition named after a dedicated footballing pensioner. Parkeston and Wrabness under-16s competed for the Bill Rowland Shield as part of the millennium celebrations. Parkeston Villa manager Peter Clarke spoke
The long-suffering villages around Brentwood, Ongar and Billericay are to share in a multi-million pound government cash handout designed to improve rural bus services. Transport minister Keith Hill last week announced that Essex's rural transport grant
Toxic asbestos has been cleared from a Billericay farm, following concerns from residents and councillors. Debris had been strewn across the site at Crowndale Farm in Rosebay Avenue for almost a month after a blaze burnt the building to the ground. Owners
More than 1,000 new jobs could be created at Shoebury's New Ranges as the future of the military site is finally revealed. A mystery company has stepped in with pioneering plans to house its hydroponic or organic "process" for fruit, vegetables and pharmaceuticals
A man who had part of a healthy leg amputated because of a psychological condition wants to extend his house -- because he is now disabled. Kevin Wright had his right leg removed above the knee in an operation two years ago at the Falkirk Royal Infirmary
A call has been made for zero tolerance policing on the Greenstead estate, Colchester. Residents fed up with vandals want them to be arrested by police -- no matter how minor the offence. In recent years, zero tolerance policing was hailed a success in
A top American firm could be in the running to buy Woods Air Movements. Speculation over who will buy the award winning Colchester business is heating up as the end-of-March sale date approaches. But until the sale of Marconi-owned Woods is complete,
Plans for a massive hike in charges for home care have been placed on the back burner. Thurrock Council met to consider a proposal which would have seen a rise in charges from £8.65 a week to £37.10. However, an increase in the price of meals on wheels
A Basildon warehouse is set to expand bringing 25 new jobs to the town. The warehouse, which is used for the storage and distribution of baby and children's goods, is to be expanded to include an extra 2,765 sq ft of floorspace. Planning permission has
