Proposals to reduce costs of refuse collections in the Maldon district by introducing a four-day week collection service have been rejected by councillors. At a meeting of the district council's planning committee, members agreed to maintain the current
Fire crews came to the rescue of a panic-stricken couple when they discovered their dog was trapped - in an underground drainpipe. Chimney sweep rods, thermal imaging cameras and special lighting were used to free the terrified terrier after a tense three-hour
A little boy who has been fighting against cancer has taken a step towards recovery. Oliver Headon, of Broomfield, Chelmsford, has spent the last five months in Great Ormond Street Hospital. He was diagnosed with a rare form of aggressive cancer, Non
Union officials have requested a meeting with the health secretary to discuss plans to close wards at Chelmsford's Broomfield Hospital. Chelmsford Trades Union Council (CTUC) has written to the Secretary of State for Health, Frank Dobson, asking him for
A 15-year-old boy devastated at the prospect of losing his family home has attempted to take his own life. Daniel Noddings' father, Colin, yesterday said the pressure of knowing their mobile home in Billericay would have to be pulled down had proved too
A 15-year-old eco-warrior is to appear in court today accused of trespassing. Wildlife campaigner Christiana Tugwell and other youngsters who have set up camp in Hockley, have been summoned to Southend County Court. Rochford Council, which has brought
Police looking for drugs stumbled on a counterfeit coin factory which was nearly ready to go into production. Officers were thinking drugs could be hidden in the Heybridge factory unit, but what they discovered was a well-organised machine shop ready
Pub landlords worried about the Paras causing trouble when they come to Colchester have called for a meeting with the Army. Although licensees do not believe the Paras will be a serious problem to them, they want to ensure there is co-ordination with
A power struggle is on the cards at County Hall after a breakaway group caused a hung council. No party is in overall control after two Liberal Democrats left to form an Independent group. Liberal Democrats James Gordon (Rayleigh south), and Edgar Davis
Brave firefighters today told how the traumatic experience of searching rubble for survivors of Turkey's worst ever earthquake had left them "humbled". The five south Essex fireman revealed how they came across scores of dead bodies during the vast operation
Furious firefighters have hit out after chemicals left unattended for more than a year sparked a major safety alert. Roads into Towerfield Road, Shoebury, were sealed off as firefighters donned chemical suits to investigate a spillage in a unit previously
The BMX Summer Regional Series involved the best five results from seven rounds throughout the East of England and there were 13 Braintree BMX Club riders whose results have featured in the Regional Rankings for next season. They are: Boys and Girls Six
Saturday's Cup tie was always likely to be a tight affair with both sides unbeaten in Division One so far and Leyton also being aware that on the last occasion they visited Cressing Road 12 months ago they were slammed 8-2. Right from the start this time
The Lions Club of Maldon will be holding their Annual Charity Golf Tournament on Wednesday, October 6. at the Benton Hall Golf Club in Witham. The day will include a full 18 holes of golf, and a four course evening meal together with prize giving and
With only two matches remaining, Wickford and West Essex, who both have 180 points, share top spot in the Ibex Sunday League Premier Division. Wickford maintained their joint pole position with a 131-run triumph over Harold Wood, as run blasters Greg
A taxi driver who drove a fare while more than three times over the legal limit of alcohol today escaped a jail sentence. Nig#el Wilkinson, 47, of Fronks Road, Dovercourt, was stopped with two passengers in his cab. He told police that earlier that day
Prompt action by a Brantham teenager saved the life of a three-year-old boy. Modest hero Neil Jenkins, 18, of The Street, was working as a lifeguard at a swimming pool at Las Brisas in the Canary Islands when he spotted the youngster lying face down at
Council leaders in Southend have pledged to help fine tune next year's carnival procession after last weekend's parade was held up by a mum and her pram. Carnival organisers apologised today for the hold-up but said "several incidents" delayed floats
Southend United boss Alan Little was honest enough to admit his team had been beaten by the better side following last night's 1-0 loss at Oxford United. A solitary second-half goal from midfielder Matt Murphy was enough to settle this Worthington League
A fire which destroyed 200 bales of straw at a farm in Wix is being treated as suspicious by police. Fire crews from Manningtree and Dovercourt were called to the fire in a field at Green farm, Oakley Road, at about 3pm yesterday. Acting Sgt Alan Coley
A farmers' market is set to take advantage of consumer demand for naturally-produced food. Produce including pork, plants, potatoes and pears will be up for sale when Witham stages its first such market next month. The long-awaited launch will take place
A campaign group has today launched a last ditch attempt to persuade Essex County Council to build a primary school. The Heybridge West campaign for a primary school and adequate play area wants the council to take up an option to buy land for a school
An inquest was today due to hear how a 16-year-old girl was found dead at the foot of a multi-storey car park on the day she was due to take a German GCSE examination. Amy Burgess had told teachers at the Philip Morant School in Colchester that she could
Mystery surrounds how an 18-year-old woman sustained serious injuries after allegedly jumping from the roof of a Southend nightclub. The woman claims she plunged from Ad-Lib in the early hours today. However, the nightclub said CCTV footage does not show
Students at a Laindon school who are still waiting for GCSE exam results have today been told by college and careers chiefs not to worry. Reassurances have been given by Basildon College principal Chris Chapman and Basildon Careers area manager Francesca
Southend's mayor is to try his hand at wingwalking - balancing on the top of a bi-plane. But daredevil councillor Tony North has chosen to undertake the feat not in his home town, but round the coastline in Clacton. He will be joined by Julia Amess, wife
Teenage goalkeeper Andy Walker was to step back into the limelight last night as Colchester United travelled to Crystal Palace looking to dump the First Division club out of the Worthington Cup. The match also marked a big occasion for 16-year-old first-year
A brave teenager lashed out and managed to fight off a man who had indecently assaulted her in the street. The attacker limped off after the plucky 16-year-old punched and kicked him hard when he grabbed her around the neck. The victim was approached
Concerned students were today wondering whether they would still get onto the courses they picked. One parent even threatened to "take the matter further" after her son was told he would have to wait up to two weeks to secure his future. Pauline Hanness
Southend United's second string romped home to a 3-0 victory over their West Ham counterparts at the Premier League team's Chadwell training ground. Teenage striker Yemi Abiodun, plus defenders Tom McDonald and Chris Perkins were on target for the Shrimpers
Continuing vandalism at a village playing field could lead to the removal of play equipment. Fed up with constantly having to repair the roundabout at Mistley's Furze Hill, parish councillors at their meeting on Monday agreed the time had come to seriously
Pollution experts were yesterday investigating any dangers posed to the Essex coast after a collision between a cruise ship and container vessel. Emergency services were alerted at around 1.15am yesterday after the two vessels collided around 15 miles
A South Essex woman was abandoned in a locked train after falling into a diabetic coma. Susan Kelly was left unconscious in railway sidings for around four hours after suffering the insulin-induced coma, which can be fatal. It was during her journey home
A national consultation document on the future of community hospitals poses no threat to those in Clacton, Harwich and Halstead, according to an Essex health trust. Essex Rivers Healthcare Trust yesterday reaffirmed its commitment to the community hospitals
Saturday was Witham's first visit to the Unwin Ground in Ely, and they did not get off to a good start. They went behind within four minutes when a free kick by Steve Wilkinson sailed into the net, completely deceiving Tony William in the Witham goal.
Swifts earned their first point of the season on Saturday, substitute Terry Warwick netting a late equaliser, and the goal was his first for the club. A 5-3-2 formation gave the Swifts line up more solidity, and they started well. Simon Parker scuffed
Ramblers will be disappointed at Saturday's early cup exit at the hands of a side they looked capable of beating. The opposition, from a seemingly higher standard, contained the offspring of both Chris Hughton and Ossie Ardiles. Hoddesdon were well organised
Two goals from player/manager Steve Parnell were enough to see Tiptree through to the next round of the FA Cup. Parnell's first goal, which was a thunderbolt shot, after the ball had run loose in the penalty area, came five minutes into the second half
A senior teacher has been suspended from a Laindon school for delaying the release of hundreds of GCSE exam papers. The scripts were found in a cupboard amid claims from the teacher she "tidied them away". Most students at James Hornsby High School, in
Billericay Town have parted company with star striker David Adekola. Transfer-listed at the weekend after being left out of the starting line-up for the trip to Aldershot, where the New Lodge side won 1-0, Adekola has joined fellow Ryman League Premier
MALDON......................177-6 WORMINGFORD.......180-1 (Wormingford won by nine wickets) Maldon batted first on a damp pitch, the ball kept low and the Wormingford opening bowlers maintained a good line and length, thus making run scoring difficult
After starting life in the top flight with two victories, Canvey Island are suddenly finding things tougher in the Ryman League Premier Division. Following Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by a slick St Albans outfit rated third favourites for title honours
Essex County Cricket Club are resigned to the fact they will be without star players Nasser Hussain and Ronnie Irani for much of next season. Cricket's 18 counties on Monday agreed to implement central contracts for leading players, which gives England
Frinton Summer Theatre didn't make a drama out of its crisis last night - but it did delay the second act for ten minutes. The crisis in the kitchen on the first night of the thriller Edge of Darkness produced an unusual behind-the-scenes drama. Friends
A group of children living in the same street have discovered an exceptional bond. At birth they all need a little extra help and were treated at Colchester General's Special Baby care unit. Now they have decided to thank the life-saving medical facility
A club manager today told of his terror as he was beaten and tied up by armed robbers. Alan Ashley was in such a panic he forgot the keys to Wickford Snooker Club's safe were in his pocket. Instead he told the robbers they were in another room - and the
Convicted murderer Michael Steele has been ordered to hand over more than £2,000 of his assets following a lengthy Old Bailey probe into his finances. Prosecutors had been attempting to seize assets they believe were acquired with drugs cash. These included
A train company claims it is a "complete mystery" how an unconscious woman came to be left on a train parked in sidings. Sue Kelly, 33, spent four hours in the carriage of the Great Eastern train after she fell into a diabetic coma on her journey home
David Thompson marked his late call-up with a career best performance as Essex dismissed Somerset for 246 on the opening day of their championship clash at Chelmsford. The 23-year-old fast bowler, playing in only his third game at this level, took four
Canvey's Dean Macey today stands on the threshold of becoming a medal marvel at the World Athletic Championships. The former lifeguard, who before the start had even written off his own glory hopes after a lengthy spell out through injury, ended the opening
Colchester United have parted company with their manager Mick Wadsworth on the same night they crashed out of the Worthington Cup. A veil of secrecy surrounded the Division Two club today, but Wadsworth is no longer in charge of team affairs at Layer
A disabled man has been made homeless after a fire destroyed his home. John Frost, 56, who lives in a council bungalow, in Shaw Road, on the Rickstones estate, Witham, had to flee from his home last night, after a neighbour spotted smoke and called firefighters
Two humanitarian aid workers are to receive a cash boost to replace the van they use on their mercy missions. George and Marion Mills, who run the charity British Aid for Deprived Children, have been providing aid to war-torn countries for around ten
A grieving wife today paid tribute to her husband who was killed in a motorcycle crash on the A12. Tim Anslow, 35, who worked as a lorry driver in Witham, had decided to go to work early on Monday so he could be back in time to see his three young children
The tearful husband of shamed teacher Gill Hearsey has told how his wife is on medication to deal with the result of her "innocent mistake". Mrs Hearsey, of Downham Road, Wickford, is taking tablets given to her by her doctor to cope with the stress of
