Rumours that Colchester celebrity Dermot O'Leary is poised to marry have been scotched. A national newspaper claimed yesterday that the Big Brother presenter had agreed to tie the knot with 25-year-old TV producer Deborah Koppang. But a spokesman for
A pig had to be put down and others rescued after a blaze at a Little Clacton barn. Five fire engines and crews from four stations battled the blaze at Cooks Green Farm, Little Clacton, at the barn which housed 20 pigs. Firefighters wearing breathing
West Ham manager Alan Pardew will be forced to compound the disappointment of play-off defeat by releasing several players before the squad can be rebuilt for next season. The 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at the Millennium Stadium means another year of
Reckless drivers are organising race nights on the A127 between Basildon and Southend with speeds reaching up to 140mph. Fanatical crowds of more than 100 people have been gathering on grass verges near the Dick Turpin pub, on the Arterial Road, Wickford
Coastguards from the Bradwell and Southend Sector got to walk their walk at the weekend in a bid to raise cash for the Jubilee Sailing Trust, which provides holidays aboard tall ships for disabled children. The Golden Jubilee walk started at Land's End
A woman dived into the sea to rescue her father after he fell into the water. The man, in his 60s, was walking with his family in Mersea when he collapsed and fell into the sea at Mersea Stone. His daughter dived into the water and, with the help of two
The life-saving charity which funds the Essex Air Ambulance has got a new man in charge. The former chief executive of Essex Chambers of Commerce, David Crozier, has taken up the top position. As the new director of the Essex Air Ambulance Fund, Mr Crozier
A trip of a lifetime will be had by a teacher who is visiting African school to deliver £800 worth of football kits and sports equipment raised by Wickford pupils. Year three and four teacher at Grange Primary School, Lyn Corderoy is going to northern
A student has died after plunging from the window of a 13th-floor flat at Essex University. The 25-year-old's body was discovered at 5.30am yesterday on the ground beneath Bertram Russell Tower. Police were called and established that the man had fallen
Will Jefferson and Andy Flower rewrote the record books as Essex overwhelmed Nottinghamshire by 184 runs at Trent Bridge to book a quarter final tie away to Worcestershire in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Trophy. Both scored centuries while putting
Accident-prone Maldon residents are being urged to make more use of a local health clinic rather than face a trek and a wait at Broomfield Hospital, Chelmsford. The accident and emergency department at Broomfield has seen a 19 per cent increase in patients
Two teenage girls were injured in an accident at Frinton railway gates. Firefighters from Clacton, Frinton and Colchester went to the incident after a Ford Fiesta car and a Ford Focus car were involved in a collision at the entry to the crossing gates
Emergency services today praised the behaviour of the 250,000 crowd at this year's Southend Airshow. Breathtaking display - the world famous Red Arrows team in action above Thames barges moored near the pier Pictures: MAXINE CLARKE zgp2m And police said
West Ham manager Alan Pardew will be forced to compound the disappointment of play-off defeat by releasing several players before the squad can be rebuilt for next season. The 1-0 loss to Crystal Palace at the Millennium Stadium means another year of
An escalator at the centre of a probe into an elderly woman's death is set to be ripped out and replaced, it has been revealed. The news emerged as a five-strong team of safety inspectors examined the staircase at Northgate House in Basildon to try and
Holiday misery could hit Stansted Airport this summer following a decision by check-in and baggage workers to strike. More than 1,000 members of the GMB union, who work for airport ground handling agent Aviance, voted on Friday to take strike action after
George Borg believes he has found a central-defensive partnership that can lead Braintree Town to success. Iron boss Borg was speaking after signing Paul Lorraine from Erith and Belvedere. The 21-year-old defender has penned a contract with the Cressing
Highly-controversial plans to build a new annexe at the historic All Saints' Church in Maldon High Street are nearly ready to be submitted. Maldon District Council should receive the application for the £300,000 building during the next fortnight. The
A woman died after the car she was in was involved in a crash today. At midnight, emergency services were called to the Brightlingsea Road north of Wivenhoe. Two cars, one of which had rolled, were involved in a collision. Ambulances from Frinton, Harwich
A goal from Crystal Palace skipper Neil Shipperley denied West Ham United Preimership football next season. The goal in the 61st minute was enough to settle the tie at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. Goalkeeper Stephen Bywater was able to block Andy
Residents were left holding their noses as a result of another rubbish collection mix-up in Colchester. Families in Salisbury Road were supposed to have their bins emptied on Thursday - but were still waiting in vain for the refuse collectors to arrive
Fears that a popular community hall could close have been quelled by councillors at a "rowdy" meeting. Users of the Frypa Hall, in The Fryth, Fryerns, Basildon, are concerned they may be forced to move out to make way for an elderly people's day centre
A major crash was avoided on the A12 thanks to quick-thinking drivers. An Essex Ambulance Service spokesman said a 28-year-old man, whose car came off the A12 and crashed through the central reservation, was lucky to be suffering from just back pain.
Major repair work is set to take place soon on the A120 near Harwich, it has been revealed. The Highways Agency is to put down a new surface on some sections and replace many of the missing cat's eyes. Ramsey and Parkeston parish councillor Keith Tully
A Brentwood church and school are already on the starting blocks for the Olympic Games by hosting their own themed event. The South Weald Festival 2004 has been given an Olympic flavour and promises to be a record-breaking weekend. The festival is one
Chimes echoed across the countryside as bellringers from all over the world congregated in Essex. Members of the Central Council of bell ringers visit All Saints Church, Maldon on Saturday The county is hosting the 107th annual meeting of the Central
A man left disabled after being dragged 100 metres by a car driven by a thief was today outraged after his attacker was jailed for three years. Changed man - victim David Lever, right, with PC Alan Barley. Mr Lever now keeps his garden ornaments chained
Charlie Jeffs, 12, was one of only six people to pass black belt exams in the national Shindo-Ryu karate exams. Basildon boy Charlie, who assists Stephen Grayston (10th Dan Master) in teaching both children and adults at his various classes around Essex
New Colchester United Ladies manager Steve Downey has a five-year plan that will make the club a force to be reckoned with. Downey, who has a UEFA level three coaching badge and is community projects manager with the Colchester Sports Trust, takes up
Convicted murderer Jeremy Bamber has been stabbed in the neck in prison by a fellow inmate. Bamber was taken to hospital after the attack, at HM Prison Full Sutton near York. He had been on the telephone at the time of the assault. He needed stitches
Organiser's of this year's Basildon Festival have vowed it will be bigger and better as it moves to a new site. The festival will take place on the weekend of July 17-18 in the north part of Gloucester Park, which offers more space for attractions at
Police are hunting a motorist who decided to get his or her own back by trying to set fire to a safety camera. The angry criminal took issue with the yellow Gatso camera in London Road, Vange, placing a tyre at its base before setting fire to it. A Basildon
