Bosses of a new Tesco Express store have given £500 to a cancer charity. The store in the Royals, Southend High Street, gave the money to Macmillan Cancer Relief nurses. The nurses were nominated for the money in an Echo competition by Caron Wiggins after
SOUTHEND United are believed to have stepped up their interest in former Stoke City forward Chris Greenacre. The goal-getting forward, who was released from the Britannia Stadium at the end of last season, is currently available on a free transfer and
Eighteen glammed-up students took a huge limo to their school prom last night as they celebrated the end of their school days. The former Year 11 students from Castle View School, in Meppel Avenue, chose the stylish ride so they could all travel together
A cash bonanza of more than £800,000 will be shared between two of Basildon's most under-privileged communities, it was announced today. And people power will prevail as residents in Craylands and Queens Park, in Billericay, will get to decide exactly
A woman who played a leading in the town's fight against crime has passed away after a long battle with cancer. Shirley Morris, of Leigh, died on Monday. Mrs Morris was crime prevention officer for Southend Council and also played a leading role both
Residents today called for urgent action after a group of travellers moved on to a popular beauty spot. Encampment - travellers at Holland Haven County Park in Holland-on-Sea. (43681-2) Five vans turned up at Holland Haven County Park in Holland-on-Sea
Bosses at Pitsea Tip could still face prosecution over a spate of foul stenches that pumped from the landfill site. The Environment Agen-cy confirmed today it is still investigating if Cleanaway breached any of its licence conditions by allowing the smells
A sailor today told how he was rescued after his dinghy capsized in torrential rain and strong winds. Survivor - Andy Cowie back on dry land. (43691-3) Andy Cowie, of The Avenue, Witham, was sailing in the Blackwater Estuary just off Northey Island, near
Police in Castle Point have vowed to make up to 20 arrests a day next week, despite having 11 officers at the G8 summit. All leave has been cancelled to ensure when those officers depart to Scotland the borough does not suffer. A total of 150 officers
Police have been accused of hypocrisy after they blocked pubs late night licence applications...only to ask to keep their own social club bar open until midnight seven days a week. The Southend police division, which is opposing virtually every late licence
A brave milkman has been praised for blocking the path of an armed robber who pointed a gun at him as he made his getaway from a petrol station. Brave actions - Vince Southon. Vince Southon became a have-a-go hero when he rammed the side of the criminal's
A freak hailstone shower wreaked havoc in Colchester. The pea-sized missiles smashed conservatories, cut hanging baskets to shreds and even made a paperboy's head bleed. The storm, complete with thunder and lightening, struck just after 4pm yesterday,
A police chief today spoke out about the imminent traveller evictions and told how those facing the boot from Basildon had already started to leave. Basildon's Supt Peter Sheldrake said a several of the 11 plots at Gypsy Hill, Hovefields Drive, Wickford
Hopes were today rising for the future of the threatened Palace Theatre, with talks going ahead with potential management companies. Campaigners are now optimistic the council-owned theatre in London Road, Westcliff, can avoid closure in October as had
A severe storm which battered parts of mid Essex caused flooding, power cuts and two buildings were hit by lightning. Thunderstorm - lightning strikes in Braintree. The downpour caused most chaos in Colchester after torrential rain and hailstones fell
Families are being urged to sign up for Basildon's first ever 5k Fun Run. Starting at Gloucester Park at 11am on Sunday August 7, runners of all age and ability can take part in Little Havens children's hospice charity run. The first man, woman and under
A schoolgirl suffered severe injuries when she was knocked down by a car. The accident happened yesterday as the 15-year-old was crossing Ashingdon Road in Rochford at 11.30am. The girl's head hit the windscreen and she also suffered a fractured thigh
Police are again asking Echo readers to help them identify unknown suspects caught committing crimes on CCTV cameras. So far more than 200 criminals have been identified for thefts, criminal damage and assaults in and around the Basildon, Billericay and
Alan Dilloway has been left deflated after being told cash-strapped Clacton Town's negotiations for players will be taken over completely by owner John Shuttleworth and chairman Mick Watson. Boss Dilloway, who guided the side to a top-ten finish in the
Chloe, the bull terrier is in line for a steak dinner after she saw off a would-be raider - twice. He went to investigate and saw a thief making his getaway. Twice, the five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier managed to wrestle the would-be thief to
Bosses at the Post Office today pledged to do "everything possible" to keep going in a thriving shopping street in Southend. Tesco has bought the One Stop Shop in Hamlet Court Road, Westcliff, which is being converted into a Tesco Express. The firm does
One of Basildon's top shops will relaunch as a "store of the future" next week following a £500,000 refit. Marks and Spencer, based in the Town Square since 1971, has closed its upper floor and will introduce its new Per Una ladies' fashion range as part
Torrential rain was the winner for the second time within the space of 24 hours as Essex and Hampshire were again left settling for a point from an abandoned Twenty20 Cup match. But at least last night's 5,000 plus crowd did see some action, unlike at
A school has built a £300,000 hi-tech lab - the first of its kind in the country. Stanford-le-Hope's Hassenbrook School Specialist Technology College has an innovation-lab as part of a £750,000 re-fit of its IT facilities. The i-lab has been created through
A major environmental clean-up operation is under way after raw sewage overflowed and contaminated a water course. Tankers have been working round the clock in Jaywick and west Clacton to deal with the crisis, which resulted in high levels of ammonia
Hundreds of Crays Hill villagers look set to launch more council tax appeals following the success of a neighbouring businessman who had his bill slashed. Len Gridley's Oak Road property, which backs on to the illegal Dale Farm traveller camp at nearby
Nearly everyone has an opinion on the Turner Prize - or at least wonders whether the work of those shortlisted for the prestigious art award can truly be defined as art. In the past the public have been presented with contributions which ranged from the
Brentwood may be home to the all-revealing Jodie Marsh, but there is nothing cheap about this house, even if it is in the same town. Hillcrest is a former rectory which sits on the edge of Thorndon Country Park in Little Warley. The five-bedroom property
Vandals who destroyed an award-winning children's play park in a axe-wielding frenzy have been labelled "despicable mindless yobs". The gang left play gear lying in ruins after they hacked through a timber support and used equipment as chopping blocks
A part-time sales assistant faces a possible prison sentence after stealing £1,800 worth of DVDs, CDs and cash from the store where he worked. Gareth Thomas, 19, from Southend Road, Stanford-le-Hope, pleaded guilty to stealing £500 worth of DVDs and CDs
A woman accused of stabbing her husband wept in court yesterday as she told how she acted in self defence after he tried to strangle her. Paula Amin, 35, from Egbert Gardens, Wickford claimed she had pushed Aslam Amin, 54, because he had grabbed her by
Many schoolchildren only need the slightest sign of a cough or cold as an excuse to stay away from school. But Eva Majid has not taken one day off sick in 11 years of schooling. Tonight she will receive an award for her perfect attendance. Eva, 16, of
A multi-million pound mission to safeguard Canvey Island's future has officially started. The £6million project, estimated to take 18 months to complete, will see an intensive overhaul of the island's drainage system helping to protect islander's from
Fans heading for the Live8 concert this Saturday will be treated to extra seats on One rail services. The company aims to double the length of some of its trains to ease overcrowding for people going to and from the huge fund-raising gig in London's Hyde
Musician and presenter Jools Holland was one of more than 500 people checking out classic cars which are going under the hammer today in Rayleigh. Crowds flocked to marquees at Gables Service Station, in London Road, Rayleigh, to see more than 200 classic
Colchester United boss Phil Parkinson has told the Layer Road faithful to show the same patience in the transfer market that he is. Some U's fans have hit out in frustration at the lack of wheeling and dealing from Parkinson ahead of the new season. However
Hospital staff are having to face a "totally unacceptable" level of violence, shadow health minister Simon Burns, who is MP for West Chelmsford, said this week. He spoke out after figures he requested in a parliamentary question showed that over two years
