Southend Pier should be handed over to amibitious entrepreneurs if it is to survive as a tourist attraction, businessmen have warned. Southend Council cabinet members have approved recommendations from a public consultation that showed people who participated
There are still problems with smells from a sewage disposal works despite ongoing measures to upgrade it, councillors will be told. Rochford District Council's environmental services committee will discuss the continued difficulties at the Stambridge
Serious cases of MRSA infections have risen by more than half at Southend Hospital, but overall infection rates have plunged. Last January, the hospital launched a hit squad of germ busters to scrub the wards in an effort to stop bugs spreading.
A pair of litter louts have become the first people to be fined for throwing their rubbish on to the street. Castle Point Council issued their first £75 fixed fines to two residents as part of its campaign to keep the borough tidy. It is the council's
Two quick-thinking engineers have been hailed as heroes after breaking into a flat to stop a fire spreading. Chris Fralkus, 33, and his colleague Timothy Ward, 34, acted swiftly after spotting smoke coming from the windows of the two-storey house in
New life could be breathed into a rundown part of Basildon town centre if ambitious plans for a seven-storey block of flats and shops are approved. Developers want to create a "landmark gateway" tower block leading to the main shopping area of the
Five-year-old Ayoola Ishola has made a great start to her school life, with a 100 per cent attendance record - and a prize bike to show for it. She won it when her name was picked at random from all Key Stage One pupils who did not miss a day of classes
A thug who battered a 60-year-old man leaving him needing surgery to rebuild his face has been jailed for three-and-a-half years. Sean Barclay, 20, of Pomfret Mead Road, Basildon, punched and kicked Trevor Chopping to the ground outside the Cutley
The heartbroken family of a schoolboy who lost his fight for life have paid tribute to a young man who "touched the lives of everyone he met". Adam Hattley, 14, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in July 2005 and died on Christmas Eve. His funeral
The £200million controversial rebuild of the rundown Craylands estate could start by the end of the year, developers hope, after plans have finally been submitted to Basildon Council. The first phase includes eco-friendly homes, 18m-long bendy buses
A former Tory councillor has spoken out in defence of a cabinet minister criticised for sending her child to a private school. Former education secretary Ruth Kelly has come under fire for sending one of her children - who is believed to have learning
Gas and fuel plants in south Essex could be protected by military police because of terror fears. The Home Office is considering bringing in Ministry of Defence police to guard industrial plants such as Coryton, in Thurrock, and possibly the Calor
Katie Thorpe suffers from severe cerebral palsy and needs constant care. She is wheelchair-bound, fed through a tube in her stomach and still wears nappies. Katie, who is 15 in March, is now almost five feet tall and still growing. Katie's devoted
To many, they are nothing but pranks that damage crops. To others, they are the mysterious harbingers of tumultuous events. Whatever your view, there is no denying the beauty of crop circles. The intricate, swirled patterns which have appeared in
A developer has withdrawn a controversial application to redevelop shops and flats in Benfleet after council officers recommended its refusal. Business owners at the site, in High Road, have welcomed the decision by Linatrop to retract its plans to
The Echo can today explain a riddle that has puzzled villagers for weeks. Confused families in Great Wakering have spotted a series of signs appearing in the window of the White Hart pub, in the village's High Street. A fortnight ago, passers-by
Eagle-eyed residents are being urged to turn in flytippers who left this mess near Festival Leisure Park. The rubbish was dumped within the last few days on an old slip road leading off Cranes Farm Road, Basildon. It contains household rubbish and
A school has come up with a poetic new way to pass the time for people who call the switchboard and are put on hold. Belfairs High School, in Leigh, has a recording of two pupils reciting poetry while callers are put through to the right department.
A PEDESTRIAN died in a crash in Southend, becoming the county's first fatal road accident victim this year. Barrie Neville, 59, of Christchurch Road, Southend, was pronounced dead at Southend Hospital, where he was taken following the crash in Bournemouth
Spencer Prior is hoping to see his Shrimpers side use the hostile atmosphere at Cardiff City this Saturday to their own advantage. Prior made 96 appearances during three years with the Bluebirds before returning to Roots Hall in the summer of 2004.
Former Southend United favourite Damon Searle knows all about the size of the task facing the current day Blues at Ninian Park this weekend. The reliable left back, who made 145 appearances during three seasons with the Shrimpers at the start of the
Nigel Quashie is likely to make his West Ham debut in Saturday's vital Premiership clash with Fulham at Upton Park. The Hammers continued their new year's spending by signing Scottish international midfielder Quashie late on Monday evening. The
Wayne Candy enjoyed sweet success when he weighed in a 40lb 1oz mixed bag to win the Gloucester Park Open. The catch put the Browning Wickford Angling Centre squad member almost three pounds clear of the field on a day when nearly all of the competitors
I've a question for you - did you give or receive CDs this Christmas? If so, what was the source of your tunes? Did your music come from a supermarket or via downloads and online stores? When was the last time you bought a CD from a record shop? During
I've a question for you - did you give or receive CDs this Christmas? If so, what was the source of your tunes? Did your music come from a supermarket or via downloads and online stores? When was the last time you bought a CD from a record shop? During
It's Pottermania! Queues of 2,000 or more are anticipated outside south Essex bookshops for the launch of the seventh Harry Potter book. Cash-down orders are already being taken. The midnight queues of eager readers could offer fertile opportunities
WH Diment's comments have missed the point regarding Camp Bling (Letters, Jan 4). What he describes as the desecration is temporary and unavoidable given the conditions they are living in for our benefit. Or would you rather save three minutes on a
The family of young Katie Thorpe finds itself in a similar position to the parents of Ashley, the American girl, whose parents decided to limit her physical development - in effect, keeping her a child for life. Ashley's parents have been vilified for
