Engineers are promising disruptions will be kept to a minimum during 12 weeks of work, which started in part of Colchester's town centre this week. The second phase of a £250,000 National Grid scheme to upgrade gas mains in Colchester's St Botolph's
Moves are afoot to make Colchester's hoped-for A12 junction happen - regardless of whether a developer puts up the cash. Council bosses have applied for money for the scheme from the Government's £200 billion community initiatives fund (Cif). Town MP
Estate agents in Colchester insist there is no need to panic despite large regional falls in house prices. The Royal Institution for Chartered Surveyors (RICS) said the east of England had seen the sharpest fall in prices in the UK during March. But
A parking boss has said he would be happy to meet the chairman of a small business group to discuss ways to boost the number of people coming into Colchester. Richard Walker, parking services manager at Colchester Council, said the council and the North
A councillor has called for allowances to be frozen amid plans to boost them by 3.1 per cent. Members of Tendring Council are set for an increase in their allowances and special expenses. Every councillor will get an extra £150 and politicians in the
A pensioner has slammed British Gas after being left without without heating or hot water for more than two weeks. Anthony Harrison, 76, who has been living off microwave meals, finally lost patience with the company, and got a local firm to do the work
College lecturers in north Essex are set to join teachers in taking strike action next Thursday. Further Education (FE) lecturers in 250 colleges, including Colchester Institute, joined colleagues from the University and College Union (UCU) nationwide
THE finishing touches are being made to a series of daring and colourful outfits inspired by pop star and plus-size champion Beth Ditto. The rising star threw down a design gauntlet to fashion and textiles students at Colchester Institute for them to
FIVE years' hard work has led to a national award for a butchers. Chapman's in the Triangle Shopping Centre, Frinton, has been given the traceability prize from Farmers Weekly, celebrating its efforts to source and refine local meat. It is the only
READER support for Colchester United appears to have wavered following news of their relegation, the results of our web ballot reveal. We asked if readers would still attend U's games next season. More than 150 people had their say with 69.7 per cent
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For years now, learning to drive has been a rite of passage for 17-year-olds. Getting behind the wheel of a car means freedom and adulthood, but with the number of young people being killed or seriously injured on the increase, there has been talk of
A pensioner died after he was trapped under his own car - and a man who came to help accidentally reversed over him. Walter Sebley, 78, of Feering, was involved in an accident at Kelvedon and Feering Cricket Club. Mr Sebley was at Kelvedon and Feering
A man has been jailed for setting fire to his house. David Ashkettle had been given an eight-month suspended sentence with conditions, but a court heard how he failed to keep appointments with the probation service. He was jailed for six months. Judge
A student is preparing to jump from a plane to raise funds for Burmese refugees. Jessica Stevenson, of Regent Road, Brightlingsea, is organising a sponsored sky dive next month, in aid of the Burma Education Partnership. The money she raises will go
A couple in their 80s fear they have lost nearly £500 - handed over as a deposit to a letting agency which has suddenly closed. Mervin and Lavinia Wright agreed a deal with Hot Lets to move to a property opposite their current home in Clarendon Way,
A heroin addict started shoplifting again to pay off his drug debts. Terry Higson, 36, walked out of Asda's Colchester store without paying for a 32-inch plasma TV worth £450 on Christmas Eve. He also stole trainers from TK Maxx and asked for three
A drug addict fled from a store with a basket of stolen clothes, but ran straight into an off-duty policeman. Prolific shoplifter Henry Evans, 35, had convictions for more than 100 thefts, a court heard. He tried to steal £100-worth of clothing from
A sex offender failed to register with the police after he came out of prison, because he was too drunk. Mark Nixon, 27, had three days to tell the authorities where he was living after being released in January but failed to attend Colchester police
Nine jobs are in jeopardy in Colchester as a discount fashion chain hits financial difficulties. Ethel Austin, which has a branch in Short Wyre Street, where the Swag Shop used to be, was put in to administration yesterday. The firm employs 2,800 people
Police investigating a suspected machete attack are today hunting for the victim. Two people were arrested yesterday after a witness reported a serious assault in London Road, Clacton. It is understood that two cars pulled up, close to the junction
A Clacton secondary school has revealed plans to sell part of its site. Colbayns High School could sell the east side of its premises in Pathfields Road, thought to be about five acres. Cash raised will be ploughed into improving the school. The site
KENT BLAXILL ESSEX AND SUFFOLK BORDER LEAGUE Premier Division: Alresford Colne Rangers 0 Hatfield Peverel 4, Brightlingsea Regent 1 Great Bentley 1, Coggeshall Town 1 Little Oakley 3, Dedham Old Boys 6 Lawford Lads 1, Earls Colne 1 West Bergholt 4,
AFTER a 12-year break, Jenny Binns made a triumphant return to competitive tournament table tennis at the Clacton and District Table Tennis League's 2008 Closed Championships. Jenny was the outstanding individual player at the championships at Colbayns
JASON Levermore has never previously played in Wales, never mind the specific course which hosts this month's Ryder Cup Wales 2010 Welsh Open Young PGA Professional Championship, but that will not stop him attacking from the start. The 28-year-old has
Police closed the road between Horsley Cross and Manningtree after a crash this morning. Officers were still on the scene after the single vehicle accident which happened shortly after 7.30am.
A GYMNASTICS club is celebrating after receiving a prestigious award. After a very successful start to the year Stourdale Gymnastic Club of Great Bentley have been awarded the prestigious eastern region small club of the year. Following the Essex and
IT was a case of so near and yet so far for WITHAM TOWN last night in the Ridgeons League division one north. With just six minutes to go it looked as though they would pull off a surprise and beat promotion-chasing Redbridge at the Spicer McColl Stadium
A lATE goal from Sam Newson gave STANWAY ROVERS a creditable 1-0 win at Leiston, in the Ridgeons League premier division. Newson headed in Tim Dennis' corner with nine minutes to go to give Rovers all three points. Ray Turner hit the woodwork and George
ESSEX'S young guns could make fire with both bat and ball this summer. All-rounders Ravi Bopara and Tom Westley and pace bowlers Mervyn Westfield and Maurice Chambers have all been tipped to shine in 2008 by the county's chief executive David East.
ANDRE Nel is hoping to get Essex's season off to a flying start this morning - just hours after stepping off a plane from his native South Africa. Fast bowler Nel, was originally expected to miss today's LV County Championship opener against Northamptonshire
FABIAN Wilnis can still play a part in Ipswich Town's season, according to first-team coach Bryan Klug. The long-serving Dutchman last played at the turn of the year, in the FA Cup third-round defeat by Portsmouth. He was an unused substitute the following
STRIKER Chris Fagan is likely to be the first of many trialists assessed by Colchester United over the coming weeks. The U's are already planning for next season, following their relegation to Coca-Cola League One. Boss Geraint Williams is eager to
... find out about the Man U triallist playing at Layer Road ....read the debate on raising the driving age to 21 ... win a cleaner for your home for a year, courtesy of housebuilder Persimmon ... and see the latest home-making ideas in our Homes and
FLORAL competitors hope broom power will sweep them to success at the Britain in Bloom contest. Frinton is representing East Anglia in the national best small town section and is preparing for a secret visit from judges at any date until May 4. David
