Plans for a village referendum over whether the Colchester village of Stanway should become a town have been scrapped. Stanway Parish Council has cast out the plan by a vote of 11 to two. The idea was put forward by parish councillor Ian McCord who claimed
A Rettendon farmer whose land has been dissected by the route of the planned A130 bypass has not received a penny in compensation. Sixty-nine-year-old John Little, who farms Runwell Hall and Rettendon Place with his son, Richard, said that the 80 acres
Long-serving Garry Britnell turned from villain to hero as Canvey Island shared the spoils with relegation-threatened hosts Hitchin in this incident-packed Ryman League Premier Division affair. Gulls' boss Jeff King rung the changes after last week's
A crazy ten minute first half spell, and a Lee Parish hat-trick, cost Wivenhoe this clash on a dull afternoon at Broad Lane. It was largely uninspiring stuff from the Dragons, who looked to still be feeling the effects of their Thursday night defeat at
Brightlingsea secured a well-earned point at North Road as they held visiting Haverhill to a goal-less draw. The home side currently third from bottom of the Jewson League's division two need every point they can grab to keep them away from the relegation
A last-minute own-goal gave Heybridge some much needed breathing space in their fight against Ryman League premier division relegation. The match was not a great spectacle, but the grit and commitment shown by the Heybridge team earnt its reward when
"Men against boys" was Shrimpers boss Tony Hall's reaction to their defeat at the hands of Wroxham. Harwich went behind by two goals in the first half and didn't look as if they would pull anything back before the interval. If anything it was the home
Halstead sunk further into relegation trouble as they were convincingly beaten by a resurgent Diss side. With just three games remaining before this one, Shaun Bailey's team knew that they desperately needed something to pull them away from the teams
Arsonists are believed to have started a fire which ripped through a farm building and carpentry workshop. Investigators were on Friday looking through the charred wreckage of the single-storey barn containing Fiveways Farm Shop and Simon's Carpenters
A company has admitted bulldozing a badger sett which could have killed up to 20 animals. Newcastle-based firm Blue Lark said on Friday it was carrying out work on the Safeway-owned site when one of their JCBs ran over the sett on the former Occidental
Residents angered by troublesome youths have been told calling out police may not be the best solution. The comments came as householders in Great Notley Garden Village said they feared vandalism and crime from youths hanging around the community centre
Concerned residents who have "shopped a cheat" in Maldon have saved taxpayers more than £200,000 in a year. And now Maldon District Council is thanking those who contacted the Benefit Investigation Team about fraudulent claims, and is urging more people
Witham is set to become more eco-friendly thanks to a ground-breaking new recycling scheme. The four-year project - expected to cost several hundred thousand pounds - is part of a major drive to reduce levels of waste. The initiative involves Essex County
The campaign trail has started. The deadline for anyone wanting to put themselves forward for next month's Colchester Council elections passed at noon today. Three high-profile Liberal Democrats - former council leader Steve Cawley (Shrub End), and husband
Colchester United fans will have to pay more to watch their team in Football League action at Layer Road next season. The club revealed on Thursday that an extra £1 is being added to admission prices across the board with the exception of concessionary
Transport chiefs are bidding for £15 million to unlock Colchester's congested roads. They have drawn up a five-year plan to make significant steps towards a long-term solution to the traffic problems in the town and rural areas. The long-term strategy
Arena Essex speedway manager Martin Goodwin, a former star of the track, was looking forward to his first season in charge as it kicked off with the visit of Isle of Wight at the Purfleet raceway on Friday. Goodwin may not have been the only old face
Fire investigation officers have visited a Rochford school to probe the cause of blaze which gutted one of its outbuildings. Police believe arsonists may be responsible for the fire which wrecked the building at the King Edmund School in Vaughan Close
Romford bantamweight Francis Ampofo headed the bill at York Hall, Bethnal Green when he took on Adi Lewis for the vacant Commonwealth title. Other Matchroom boxers due to feature on Saturday's undercard were Barking featherweight Marc P. Callaghan against
Dull, desperate and diabolical are just three words which describe Southend United's Third Division bore draw with York City at Roots Hall on Saturday. The second-rate Shrimpers trudged off the pitch to chants of "what a load of rubbish" from their long-suffering
New £176,000 lifts at Basildon rail station have been officially opened by Basildon Access Group. The lifts, which took two months to install, will provide greater access for disabled people with walking difficulties and benefit parents with children
If you're feline in need of four-legged companion like pretty pussy Morley, then pop along to a special re-homing day organised by the Southend Cats Protection League. It is being held at the Rocheway Centre in Rocheway, Rochford, on Saturday and members
'It's good to talk' is a new motto for Southend police following the launch of a communications strategy. The force recognises that much of its work in wiping out crime in the borough is intelligence led and this information can only be gained by working
One year after the Echo launched a campaign to help victims of the Kosovo conflict, aid workers report the country is still struggling to come to terms with the effects of war. But, as the south Essex branch of the United Nations Children's Fund has revealed
Kids Choir 2000, the Hockley-based pop and rock group, are returning to the New Empire Theatre with other youngsters in mind. On April 8 the group, which is made up from children from all over south Essex, will be performing a night of entertainment to
Tiptree chalked up another fine win to open up a five point gap at the top of Jewson division one. Starting the game in determined mood the Jam-makers opened their account within the first five minutes when David Barefield prodded home from close range
Maldon manager Ben Embery was full of praise for his side after their exemplary performance at Gorleston. Maldon made the long journey to Gorleston with a depleted side missing regulars Dean Kelly, Darren Weeden and Lee Edwards. But it didn't affect their
Fears are growing for the welfare of a pregnant teenager who has gone missing from a children's home. Karina Williamson, 14, disappeared from Kites children's home in Valkyrie Road, Westcliff, on Friday. The youngster, who is seven-and-a-half months pregnant
Parents and pupils have been celebrating after winning an 18-month battle for free school transport. The county council has agreed to lay on free transport to children from Wickford who attend the Catholic Our Lady of Ransom Primary School in Rayleigh
The second annual Malcolm Frost memorial football celebration in aid of Fairhavens Hospice will be staged at Southend Manor's Southchurch Park Arena home on the May Bank Holiday (May 1) at 11am with admission by programme costing £1. Malcolm, one of the
SATURDAY RYMAN LEAGUE Premier Division: Hitchin 3, Canvey Island 3; St Albans 1, Billericay Town 2. Division 3: Great Wakering Rovers 0, Egham 1. SCHWEPPES ESSEX SENIOR LEAGUE Bowers United 0, Brentwood 1; Hullbridge Sports 2, Eton Manor 3; Southend Manor
Kind-hearted youngsters brushed up their decorating skills when they helped paint over graffiti sprayed on a newly-refurbished toilet block. Members of the Canvey Youth Centre based at Furtherwick Park School gave up their Saturday to help re-paint the
A model space rocket stolen from a car in north Essex could cause serious burns, warn police. The rocket, known as The Outlaw and sold in kit form, contains three small motors filled with solid fuel chemical propellant. The rocket kit and three empty
The only known female Spitfire pilot in the world escaped injury when her 56-year-old aircraft was in a collision with a parked helicopter. Carolyn Grace, 47, of Halstead, was taxiing at low speed following a practice flight when the collision occurred
One of the biggest matches in Rayleigh Town's history, the Essex Intermediate Cup final, had to be postponed on Saturday when the water system at Heybridge Swifts ground was left on and flooded the pitch. A new date for the clash with Harold Wood Athletic
BASILDON 23 BILLERICAY 17 Basildon beat their neighbours to win the Essex Senior Cup final in front of up to 2,000 fans at Ilford - but Billericay were kicking themselves after a late gamble went spectacularly wrong. New towners were leading 20-17 towards
Anxious Colchester United boss Steve Whitton is ready to get back to basics as he bids to keep the U's out of relegation trouble. "The defenders have got to defend properly and the midfielders have got to win and pass the ball better," he said after watching
Southend United boss Alan Little branded Saturday's 0-0 Roots Hall draw with his former club York City as Blues' "worst Third Division display of the season". However, the down in the mouth Shrimpers chief, who was desperate to beat the club he coached
Taxpayers face footing a legal bill of up to £100,000 unless a non-local firm scraps its petition against the closure of Colchester's historic port. A bill is currently going through Parliament to close Colchester's historic port by 2001. No objections
A major Colchester employer has dropped a planned change to a controversial shift pattern following strong opposition from workers and unions. Bosses at Betts in Ipswich Road have decided it would not be in the best interest of the staff to make the changes
Taxpayers face footing a legal bill of up to £100,000 unless a non-local firm scraps its petition against the closure of Colchester's historic port. A bill is currently going through Parliament to close Colchester's historic port by 2001. No objections
THURROCK 24 ROMFORD & GIDEA PARK 20 Back row man Dwayne Bishop bagged two tries as Thurrock came from behind to win a dour end-of-season friendly. London One side Thurrock gave debuts to forwards John Stapley and Christian Rate but were unable to
Girls from South Essex Gymnastics Club did outstandingly well when seven of them competed in this year's levels four, three and two competition. In level four (nine-years-old) South Essex, based at Cranes Farm Road, Basildon, had four gymnasts attempting
A large entry for the third race in the Waterside series saw hectic preparations for a 9am start at Pewsey Wharf on the Kennet and Avon last Sunday. Early frost was soon banished by the sun with the occasional shower passing almost unnoticed by already
Ambulance chiefs have been considering closing smaller stations across Essex. Vehicles and paramedics will be attached to health centres, community hospitals or by the roadside if the board of Essex Ambulance Service Trust decided to agree to the proposal
Aggressive beggars are being targeted in a high-profile crackdown by Colchester police. Officers from the newly-formed town community unit are blitzing problems caused by people living on the streets for the next two weeks. But they stress they are offering
Witham turned in a good all-round performance against the team fifth in the league to keep alive their slender hopes of avoiding relegation. Witham had chances as early as the sixth minute when Glen Driver and Chris Bassett were put through but on both
Record signing Leon Gutzmore returned to haunt his old team-mates and put a big dent in their promotion hopes. Gutzmore signed for the Iron from Bedford earlier this year after an unhappy spell there. And now the promotion contenders will be rueing letting
A Rettendon farmer whose land has been dissected by the route of the planned A130 bypass has not received a penny in compensation. Sixty-nine-year-old John Little, who farms Runwell Hall and Rettendon Place with his son, Richard, said that the 80 acres
Health chiefs plan to sell off a Chelmsford town centre site as part of £1.6 million move to base all its services at Broomfield Hospital. Under plans by Mid Essex Hospital Services Trust a new mortuary will be built at the hospital. All pathology and
Disabled people are "out of sight, out of mind" once they are discharged from hospital, according to a Benfleet pensioner. Eric Naylor, who suffered a stroke two years ago, echoed an Audit Commission report that NHS disability equipment services were
Last Saturday saw Chelmsford Athletic Club hold their first meeting of the season and Braintree school of excellence sent along four of their girls from year 4/6. Sarah Smith won the under 11 shot put and came fourth in the under 13 age group. Faye Jolly
Last Sunday's County Cup Final at Witham Town saw Chelmsford City looking to make it an unprecedented third County Cup success in a row with an unknown Dagenham & Redbridge outfit from the Greater London League being their opposition. Chelmsford made
Vandals broke in to a sewage treatment plant and released sludge into a river. They caused £1,000 damage at Anglian Water's sewage works in Great Tey Road, Little Tey, and sludge overflowed from tanks on to the ground. Alarms were set off at about 5.35pm
Clacton triumphed 1-0 in the much-hyped East Anglian Cup battle with Wivenhoe at the Rush Green Bowl. Simon Gray's 75th minute strike on Thursday night decided a match which was always fierce and competitive but lacked real entertainment value for a healthy
A worker at fast-food giant McDonald's claimed he was forced to resign because he was not allowed enough food during his shift. Eighteen-year-old Kristin Saddington agreed to work extra hours and felt he was entitled to more food, which he ate. But Mr
Hair today - gone tomorrow. April Fool's Day can lead to acts of shear stupidity but this time it was all for a good cause. Gary Izard, 22, of Kiln Shaw, Basildon, may be feeling a bit short at the moment but the kids at St Luke's Hospice are £500 better
Grateful toddlers were all smiles when they said a big "thank you" to their mums in time for Mother's Day yesterday. The tots, who all go to the Fairview under-fives playgroup in the Pavilion in Fairview Park, Rayleigh, made cakes and gave presents to
The cost to Southend Council of providing vital home care services could rise by 3.6 per cent. Executive councillors have backed plans to increase the amount paid to companies who supply personal care services to the elderly and infirm. The price of residential
Concord Rangers are through to the final of the Schweppes Essex Senior League's Harry Fisher Memorial Trophy. Having won the home leg of their semi-final with Woodford Town 5-2 last week, Canvey-based Concord triumphed 3-1 in Saturday's second match for
9 years later it's still the same Nothing it seems ever changes down at Roots Hall. A pal gave me a cutting from a Sunday newspaper back in 1961 when Blues lost 1-0 at home to Watford. The report of the match began "what a tough job manager Ted Fenton
Billericay Town almost certainly put all fears of being dragged into the Ryman League Premier Division dogfight behind them with a well-deserved success over a St Albans side who went into this game in fourth place in the table. A return to form of midfielder
Eco-warriors joined forces with concerned residents on a march through Ashingdon to protest against a major new housing development. The 40-strong group took to the streets in a bid to muster up support for their campaign against plans to build 73 houses
Police have revealed they have "grave concerns" over the way in which a Canvey nightclub is run. The club's director, however, said it had always worked closely with police and Castle Point Council. Officers today voiced their fears about King's Club
Wealthy Billericay businessman Tony Mudd, who locked horns with MP Teresa Gorman in a famous libel case, has died. The funeral of Mr Mudd, 70, was held at St Mary the Virgin Church, Little Burstead, on Friday. Mr Mudd clashed with the outspoken Billericay
A teenager who kept her cool and struggled to save the life of a stranger is to be honoured for her bravery. Rebecca Wells, 15, and her father Barry, 47, stayed calm and took charge at the scene of an horrific road accident - while others stood and stared
A mother led her seven children to safety after a smoke alarm alerted her to a fire in their home. When firefighters arrived at the house in Layer Road, Colchester, at about noon yesterday, they found the woman and her children already outside. Two firefighters
An April Fool's Day prank in which a caller claimed a young boy was stuck down a well, was today branded "dangerous and foolish" by police. Thousands of pounds were wasted as emergency services rushed to the Wat Tyler Country Park in Pitsea on Saturday
You could say that Ryman Division Three leaders Great Wakering Rovers were left with Egham on their faces on the day that League chairman Alan Turvey came to watch them play. Not only did their understrength side suffer a setback to their title aspirations
