Colchester United hero Alan White today welcomed news of the U's Carling Cup, first round home draw against Plymouth Argyle. And there was home joy for neighbours Ipswich Town too. They will entertain Third Division Kidderminster Harriers at Portman Road
Law-breakers in Essex are among the best in the country at paying their fines, according to figures released today. The county ranks eighth out of 42 areas in the percentage of fines collected between April 2002 and March 2003. Almost three-quarters of
Last year's crown was snatched away from him, but Westcliff race ace Robbie Watts has made a flying start to the 2003 British Roadsports Championships. Four wins from the first five rounds -- there are 14 in all -- have seen him take a 20-point lead in
Two female security guards are today recovering in hospital after armed raiders stormed their van at a supermarket. At about 10.15am yesterday three men swooped on a Securitas UK van while it was delivering money to a cash machine at Safeway in Wycke
The plight of a Colchester school set to be closed will be raised in the House of Commons. The Evening Gazette revealed plans to close St Anne's Primary School, which has been in special measures for more than two years. The school, in Barnardiston Road
After nearly 18 years as a member of the St John Ambulance Brigade, a Lawford man is to receive one of the charity's highest honours. Basil Jowers, 74, of Linden Close, has been admitted as a Serving Brother in the Order of St John. The investiture goes
Two of Essex Eels' brightest propsects, Elliot Levy and Elliot Harvey, missed out on silverware but gained some invaluable experience at the York International Nines tournament. Turning out for the representative London Koogas side, who were the defending
Architects and designers are to battle it out for the chance to design and construct Colchester's new £15 million visual arts facility. The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) is running a competition, open to designers and architects, to design
Plans to extend White Notley golf club have been altered in a bid to address residents' concerns. Residents and parish councillors were invited to White Notley Village Hall to view draft plans to expand the Notleys Golf Club at Witham Road, The Green.
Ninety-two not out -- that was the proud boast of two adminstrators who picked up Essex County FA long service awards at the annual meeting of the Southend District League at Eastwoodbury Lane from official Alan Watkins. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL They
Residents in Laindon today told how they have had to put up with overflowing toilets for seven months - because of a council botch-up. Basildon Council has admitted drainage work started in November, but was suspended when a senior contractor suffered
The flag flew at half mast outside the headquarters of Colchester's Red Caps today. The Garrison and the whole town was in shock at news that six Royal Military Police officers had been killed in Iraq. The flag flies at half mast at the headquarters of
Traders fear another shutdown of their Billericay village could prove disastrous to their businesses. The warning was made as plans to restart disruptive drainage works in Ramsden Bellhouse start to move forward despite Essex County Council becoming the
Parents have backed staff and teachers at St Anne's Primary School. But news of the possible closure or Fresh Start scheme facing the struggling primary school and nursery has hit parents hard. And many fear what will happen to their children if the option
Seaside pleasure seekers across Tendring are outraged at being banned from using launching ramps. Tendring Council has sent letters to registered users of boats informing them the designated launch ramps at Holland-on-Sea, Frinton, Clacton and Dovercourt
Things went prehistoric when a special guest dropped in at Eastwood school. On hand to judge the school's Stars in their Eyes-style talent contest was actress Lucinda Rhodes-Flaherty, known to millions of teenagers as Big Sis in the BBC children's comedy
Detectives were today hunting a dangerous gang armed with hammers and machetes who have already attacked one man. Police have revealed descriptions of the three armed robbers - who terrorised a man and stole his baseball cap - in the hope they can catch
A woman was taken to hospital after her car ploughed into railings as she tried to get out of the way of two vehicles which were racing each other, firefighters said today. Firefighters were called to the crash scene in London Road, Hadleigh, near the
A newsagent said he and his wife will be left jobless and homeless if plans to demolish shops to make way for houses are given the green light. Alf's Newsagent, in High Road, Benfleet, has been established for 40 years and Thakor Patel has run the shop
A secondary school is celebrating three years of success as a language college and looking forward to many more. The Harwich School invited various sponsors and community leaders to a lunch. Staff and pupils showed how the school had benefited from having
Two brothers were today guarding a burned-out house after arsonists started a blaze which almost wrecked their home. Wrecked - Robert Lee and his daughter Lisa are counting the cost after arsonists torched their vehicles which almost destroyed their home
Taxpayers in the Basildon district forked out £133,455 to pay their councillors last year, it has been revealed. However councillors in Basildon are much cheaper than other parts of the county. Between April 1 2002 and March 31 2003 they claimed an average
A taste of training like a world champion has spurred Danny Hunt on to greater things. The Leigh lightweight has just returned from a five-day training camp in Portugal, where he endured a tough regime akin to those used by top pros such as Lennox Lewis
A secluded warehouse has been burnt to the ground in Wickham Bishops. Firefighters from Witham and Chelmsford were called to the scene at 6pm yesterday in Church Road after reports of a blaze were lodged. But the building was reduced to charred rubble
The bacteria which causes the potentially deadly Legionnaire's Disease has been found at a leisure centre. Chelmsford Council has revealed that the legionella bacteria was found in part of the pipework that feeds the showers at Riverside Ice and Leisure
A rise in taxi fares in an effort to cut late night violence has received a mixed reaction. It is planned to up fares in Southend particularly between midnight and 4am to encourage more drivers to work to help cut violence. However, some fear the higher
Supermarket chain Tesco has denied there is a problem with trolleys being taken from its Braintree town centre store. Shopper Keith Shoat claimed there was a lack of trolleys at the Market Place store and he had to wait to get one when he visited the
Sainsbury's supermarket has been fined £28,000 and ordered to pay costs of £3,500 after being found guilty of 13 charges of selling food past its use-by date. The store pleaded guilty to the charges brought by Essex County Council at Epping Magistrates
A campaign has been launched to block changes to rubbish bin collections in Braintree. Residents fear if fortnightly collections are introduced, it will pose a health hazard with rotting rubbish hanging around attracting rats and flies. Resident Carol
A Braintree firm has axed jobs, workers said today Nineteen redundancies have been announced at Braintree engineering firm R&T Swann, staff said. Employees walking in to work at the factory, on the Springwood industrial estate, today said staff were
A state-funded authority will be created to pay for remaining decommissioning work at Bradwell Power Station if a new Bill is passed by Parliament. The Government is this week due to publish a draft Bill that would see financial responsibility for Bradwell
Outstanding students have completed their English literature GCSE exams a year early. This is the first time youngsters at Appleton School, in Croft Road, Benfleet, have had the opportunity to study for the exam in year ten. And staff said the results
Education chiefs were told they were playing with children's lives by planning a radical shake up of special needs schools. A panel of council bosses faced a grilling from tearful parents of Kingsdown School pupils at a consultation meeting over its future
Doggetts has been producing good sport for anglers visiting the Rochford venue. Terry Weekly from Rayleigh pole-fished 30lb of bream up to 5lb and Steve Stone found rich pickings at the east bank where he landed about 25 tench to 5lb. Rochford's Alan
Billericay & District Angling Club have landed a place in Division Three of the Embassy National Angling Championship. The club squad finished in 13th spot in Division Four and that was enough to clinch the upgrade under National Federation of Anglers
Hundreds of brightly coloured helium balloons were released over Southend to mark the revamp of a mental health charity. The Rethink User Forum has relaunched its service in a bid to increase membership. Ready, steady, go - deputy mayor Roger Weaver,
Stan Rollison claimed the top two spots in Nevendon FC latest pigeon race from Stonehaven. His winning bird was a Kirkpatrick Grizzle Cock, followed in second place by a Maurice-Matheu's Belgium Cock. A total of 73 birds were released in Scotland at 7.05am
Rayleigh's Tory MP Mark Francois has challenged trade and industry secretary Patricia Hewitt to make the Government's position clear over the future of community pharmacies. Mr Francois presented a petition signed by 2,500 constituents to Parliament in
A man whose dead body was found beside a farm pond was today named as Sean Finnigan. The 44-year-old, who comes from the Harwich area, was discovered by farmer James Fairley junior on his land in Wolves Hall Lane, Tendring. Detectives leading the inquiry
A popular tourist attraction at Mistley has been damaged by water seeping into the walls. The Adams' Towers, at the eastern end of Mistley Walls, attracts the attention of visitors to Mistley and many take the opportunity to look inside on the few open
Another fine innings from Andy Flower helped Essex to a two run win over Middlesex in the Twenty20 Cup at the County Ground last night. Flower's 83 was the highest score of the evening and with useful contributions from skipper Ronnie Irani (30) and Paul
An investigation was today under way to discover the cause of major disruption on the First Great Eastern line through south Essex. The probe will try to establish how and why power lines came down on to the track - which forced the closure of the service
The boys and girls of Hockley Primary School are getting into rugby in a big way. After winning the Higgins Tag Rugby Festival for clubs in the Castle Point and Rochford council districts, Hockley's mixed team represented the area at the Essex Youth Games
A Basildon electrical goods store has donated a television and video recorder as a prize for the town's St Luke's Hospice annual raffle. It's a gift - store manager Gary Love hands over the TV to hospice fundraiser Allison Jones Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
Thorpe Hall School is celebrating success at the Independent Schools Association regional athletics championships. The Wakering Road, Thorpe Bay, school had 42 senior pupils and 18 juniors representing them at the regional championships at Colchester
Experienced nurse Georgina Gordon has returned to Essex as the new director of nursing and quality at Colchester Primary Care Trust (PCT). Ms Gordon has worked for the NHS for 25 years and joined the PCT earlier this month, taking over from Penny Buchan
Jamie Oliver eat your heart out - another Jamie is hoping to put Essex on the map. Jamie Kelly from Shoebury won the final round of a county-wide search for a culinary star of the future. Cooking up a treat - Jamie prepares the beans Picture: MAXINE CLARKE
Staff at Thurrock Ambulance station were left disappointed after not one person showed up to a charity tea in aid of hospices in Essex. Colin Travers from the station in Hogg Lane, Grays, said the event, which was organised in conjunction with BBC Essex
The hunt is on to find a new post office to serve Canvey. Time is running out for the island as the old branch in Furtherwick Road is due to close in just over a month's time. However, Post Office bosses have vowed to keep a main post office on the island
Volunteers are being asked to come forward to help an estate community office which is under threat. A public meeting is being held tonight to discuss the future of the office, which serves the Bartram Avenue area in Braintree. The office, which has been
Mark Rawle revealed today he had turned his back on Southend United because he did not feel wanted by the club. The striker has made himself unpopular with Blues' fans after joining Third Division rivals Oxford on a free transfer, despite agreeing a new
The West Horndon Park Association, which is overseeing plans to create a new park in the village, is set to receive an interest-free loan of £88,000 from Brentwood Borough Council. The association has applied for a £75,000 grant from the Government's
Concerns have been raised about safety at an accident blackspot following a crash on an A12 Hatfield Peverel slip road. A man was left with a broken pelvis when the car he was travelling in collided with another vehicle. The Hyundai car, carrying three
Andy Flower's third half-century in the space of four days laid the foundation of Essex's thrilling two-run triumph over Middlesex in front of another big crowd at Chelmsford last night. The left-hander followed up his 71 against Sussex and 52 in the
Chief coach Rob Park experimented with his Canvey Swimming Club squad for the trophy gala at Strood in Kent and it paid dividends. Park rested most swimmers from their top strokes and his charges rose to the challenge to claim overall second. Nine-year-old
An appeal is being made for volunteers for a Disability Sports Festival being held on July 12 and 13 by Chelmsford Sport in partnership with Chelmsford Borough Council. The event will take the form of a big "Come and Try" and is open to people of any
The flag flew at half mast outside the headquarters of Colchester's Red Caps today. The garrison and the whole town was in shock at news that six Royal Military Police officers had been killed in Iraq. A British military spokesman said the killing of
About 100 people attended a meeting to protest at plans to develop Bathside Bay in Harwich. Residents Against Port Expansion (Rape), an umbrella group which is against the planned container terminal, met at The Royal in Main Road, Dovercourt. Guest speakers
A school was today celebrating after raising £2,500 at its summer fete. St Joseph's Primary School, in Vaagen Road, Canvey, held its annual garden fete and is overjoyed with the figure. Jumping for joy - children and adults enjoy some bouncey fun at St
Police in Wickford are warning people to keep their money secure after two thefts in shops. A handbag containing £55 was stolen in a charity shop and £80 was taken from a staff room in another store in the town centre last week. PC Geoff Whiter from Wickford
A bid to secure cash so children can visit a historic ship has been approved but money for a VIP reception has been turned down The Rotary Club of Harwich and Dovercourt asked for £1,000 to allow discounted entry on to a replica of Captain Cook's Endeavour
