Phill Jupitus is hoping the force is with him when he guest stars at a charity event in aid of the New Empire Theatre. The comedian and BBC Radio Six DJ has vivid memories of visiting the Southend venue in its former guise as an ABC cinema. "I saw
Essex is now officially suffering a drought. The Environment Agency confirmed it had moved the county's status from potential drought to drought. Catherine Harvey, spokesman for the Consumer Council for Water Eastern - said: "Although none of the
More than 10,000 people had to be evacuated from Basildon's Festival Leisure Park as a power cut struck homes and businesses across the district. The entertainment mecca of Basildon was one of 670 homes and businesses affected by what power firm EDF
A Tory MP has accused Essex County Council of "betraying" its residents after stalling on a decision to close a walkway over the tracks at Benfleet station. Dr Bob Spink has written a letter to Tory county council leader, Lord Hanningfield, after hearing
Parents and pupils have thrown their weight behind plans to create a new community college in Southend. The Thorpe Bay School and Prospects College are joining forces for the project which would be eligible for millions of pounds of extra funding.
An animal behaviour expert will launch the UK's first register for home-based pet sitters and groomers in south Essex. Charlotte Fisher, 38, has set up the British Association of Professional Pet Sitters and Groomers. The association will hold a
Every picture tells a story, but meet the ones that sing, dance and rap. SoundArt, the new system that turns paintings and photographs into speakers, was launched this week at Paul's Studio in Southend. Two years ago, the Echo covered the early
Billericay hit five goals on Monday as they comfortably beat basement club Redbridge to record their biggest win of the season. In a scrappy first half, Billericay created the first chance of note when a looping Nathan Elder header hit the top of the
Grays edged closer to confirming a play-off spot on Monday after a devastating first half salvo blew Aldershot away in a 3-0 victory. Strikes from Michael Kightly, Glenn Poole and Aaron McLean, during a whirlwind 17 minute period, leaves Grays needing
West Ham boss Alan Pardew lamented his strikers' lack of precision in front of goal as his team suffered a 2-0 defeat away to Middlesbrough. But he refused to accept claims that his team had suffered a psychological blow as they prepare to face the
Southend United are just one win away from promotion, following a 2-2 draw at Barnsley on Monday. Blues bounced back from 2-0 down to claim a dramatic share of the spoils as both Mark Gower and Freddy Eastwood scored during a stunning second half display
Defensive giant Steve Ward admitted he was delighted that Canvey had marked his club record 408th game with a battling 2-2 draw at Dagenham and Redbridge. The "Ginger Sex God" earned visiting man of the match honours for his towering display at the
THE needs of crime victims and their families must be put at the heart of the justice system, Tony Blair has told the mother of a teenager killed on his birthday. The Prime Minister was responding to questions on law and order from Echo readers.
Essex Ambulance Service received at least seven calls to an accident which saw two teenage moped riders colliding with a car in Leigh. The accident happened on Rayleigh Road, near Eastwood School at about 2.35pm yesterday on Monday. An ambulance
More illegal immigrants could come into the UK through smaller ports like Tilbury Docks as security tightens in major ports, the Home Office has admitted. The warning comes after four men from Liberia nearly died after spending more than two weeks
A mother's quick thinking helped her son and the family pets to escape unharmed from their burning house. The blaze ended up destroying one fifth of the semidetached bungalow in Hambro Avenue in Rayleigh on Monday night, leaving the family homeless
THE swift onset of Alzheimer's disease suffered by Coronation Street character Mike Baldwin is something Pamela Routh could empathise with. In circumstances not dissimilar to the soap plot, Pamela Routh's husband Walter was so confused that he disappeared
Tilbury has been named as the site of Britain's first clean coal' power station as part of an £800million scheme. The Swindon-based electricity generating company RWE npower will develop the riverside site of the current power station in the town to
Political leaders in south Essex have dismissed suggestions to use greenbelt land for housing. Free market think-tank Adam Smith Institute said converting 3 per cent of Britain's farmland could accommodate 950,000 new houses. The argument has particular
Southend will get a new swimming pool to replace the tatty Warrior Square swim centre, according to council leader Anna Waite. Secret plans are already in the pipeline to build a new facility, although building work will not begin for at least another
Tide times for week commencing 17th April 2006.... High tides for Monday April 17, are at: 0129 and 1348 High tides for Tuesday April 18, are at: 0204 and 1424 High tides for Wednesday April 19, are at: 0248 and 1506 High tides for Thursday April
