TWO cafe workers have been hailed as heroes after rescuing a drowning woman off Southend seafront. Paul Thompson, 33, and John Johnson, 35, risked their own lives by jumping into the water fully clothed to drag the distressed woman back to safety. The
AN ELDERLY couple have suffered from the effects of a water leak for three weeks. Kathleen and Leslie Pick, of Eastwood Old Road, Leigh, have criticised water companies Anglian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water for not acting on their complaints and
POLICE were called after a rubbish truck was in collision with a family car. The red Corsa containing two adults and two children was in collision with the white Daff vehicle outside Laindon railway station at just before 2pm today.
NINE girls represented Wickford's Carousel Gym Club at the Bury Spectrum novice competition and came back with a large haul of medals. In the seven and under age group Chloe Stone performed exceptionally well and won the silver medal, a place higher
Former Navy communicator Vicky Jones is hoping to win this year's UK Songwriting Contest. Vicky, 26, of Stanford-le-Hope, wrote many of her tunes aboard HMS Norfolk, where she served in the Gulf for four years. Vicky, a former St Clere's School pupil
BILLERICAY Tory MP John Baron has left his post as a shadow junior health minister, following David Cameron's shake-up. Mr Baron had been in the role since 2002. He resigned from it in early 2003 over his party's backing of the war in Iraq, but was
BASILDON councillors are expected to reject calls to increase the numbers of legal travellers sites in the district. The East of England Regional Assembly is proposing two options for future provision in the region. One sees Basildon make room for 157
GOBSMACKED residents have been warned they're putting lives in danger... because they have pretty potted plants outside their homes. Tenants living in the sheltered housing block, in Azelia Avenue, Wickford, have been ordered to shift the pots and colourful
ROBIN Williams will be swapping Southchurch Park for Mulawi later this week. For the Rayleigh based coach - who works with Southend Manor's under 10 Lions side - is heading off to Africa. And while there he will be working with the local children
A BULLY grabbed a schoolgirl by the hair and smashed her glasses because she refused to hand over her mobile phone. Charlene Carr, 19, admitted attacking the 14-year-old and was ordered to carry out 200-hours unpaid community work and pay the victim
BRAVERY, service above and beyond the call of duty and dedicated work to help the community have been recognised at an awards ceremony in Essex. Essex County Fire and Rescue Service has staged its second community awards to recognise front-line and support
PUPILS at a Basildon school are hoping their inspiration has created a best-seller. The pupils, from Fairhouse Junior School, inspired author Ben Myers to pen a novel about each year and their fictional adventures. Entitled The Day that Everything Changed
CARP fishing newcomer Alex Court added more than three pounds to his previous personal best when he landed a cracking 20lb common carp at Basildon's Gloucester Park Lake. Court was fishing with his brother Matt when he made contact with the fish from
A VIOLENT heroin addict who stole a Jamaican drug dealer's car after stabbing him to death has been locked up for five years. Lee Sullivan, 32, of Whitcroft, Basildon, arranged to meet Clifton Robinson in Laindon to buy drugs, but ended up killing him
RAYLEIGH Fairview extended their lead at the top of T.Rippon Mid-Essex League Division Three to a staggering 40 points with a fine 83-run win over South Woodham Ferrers. Batting first, the leaders adapted well to a slow, low-bouncing wicket to total
SIR Terry Farrell's plan for the mouth of the Thames involves artificial islands, a road bridge stretching five miles from Shoebury to Kent, and a new town in the middle of the Thames Estuary. Others have conjured up similar schemes in the past, often
THE body of a man who died up to eight months ago has been discovered in his home. Colin Latimore, who was in his 50s, was found after police were called to his house in Witchards, Basildon, by the owners of the property, St George's Housing. Neighbours
YOUNG John King may have saved his mum's life, thanks to skills he picked up in class. Diabetic Maureen, 53, of Rayside, Basildon, was with John, 13, in Grays market when she had a fit and collapsed. Maureen said: "He put a bag under my head and put
CANVEY residents have started a petition to protect green open spaces on housing estates. People living on council-owned estates on the island last week celebrated the withdrawal of an application by Swan Housing to build on a number of green patches
A MAN plans to sue a bank over claims he was repeatedly harassed about an unpaid debt. Keith Hall, 38, said he contemplated suicide after being bombarded by phone calls from Lloyds TSB collection centre, in Southend. The paint sprayer, from Malvern,
REPORTS that archery in schools is on the decline were rubbished as more than 150 youngsters turned out for the Essex Archery Youth Games. Amid the buzz of excitement, John Willson - joint organiser with Sandra Neil - said on the school archery decline
COULD the "beast of Brentwood" have made its way to leafy Laindon? Two unsuspecting joggers think it might have done, after they got the shock of their lives and came face to face with a "panther-like" beast in Langdon Hills Country Park off Mandeville
AN ELDERLY couple have suffered from the effects of a water leak for three weeks. Kathleen and Leslie Pick, of Eastwood Old Road, Leigh, have criticised water companies Anglian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water for not acting on their complaints and
A 64-YEAR-OLD cleaner found unconscious inside a locked town centre bar is now in a coma after being attacked last week. Police have confirmed the man was the victim of a serious assault. He is said to be in a stable but critical condition at Queen's
CASTLE Point Council has announced plans for a major shake-up in the provision of sports facilities. The improvement committee outlined six potential strategies for building sports facilities in an effort to curb rising obesity rates and reverse years
BUS drivers fear someone could be killed in a controversial bus lane, after two teenagers were involved in accidents in two days. A 14-year-old pedestrian was left with an arm injury after a collision with a bus in the lane, in Chichester Road, opposite
THE number of benefit cheats being snared by Basildon Council has soared - with 27 caught in three months. The prosecutions since the start April mark a huge increase, as only 16 people were collared during the 12 months before. Council bosses say the
LAKESIDE went down by 14 points at Monmore Green where Wolverhampton gained a 52-38 victory - but a wretched night for the Hammers top two proved the defining factor. A hailstorm 90 minutes prior to the start made track conditions difficult and brought
TWO cafe workers have been hailed as heroes after rescuing a drowning woman off Southend seafront. Paul Thompson, 33, and John Johnson, 35, risked their own lives by jumping into the water fully clothed to drag the distressed woman back to safety. The
A MEMORIAL walk has been held in honour of a dedicated primary school teacher who died of cancer earlier this year. More than 300 pupils, parents and staff at Heycroft Primary School, Eastwood, took part in the charity walk to remember Alex Storrar,
COUPLES could soon be married at Rayleigh's historic windmill - as long as they don't invite too many guests. The mill has been restored using money from Thames Gateway. Owner Rochford District Council looked at the idea of weddings after the work was
THE pain of watching two much-loved mums suffer from a crippling disease has prompted their daughters to dust off their walking shoes to help raise funds for a cure. Nahla Kharas and Caroline Lynch have been friends since they attended Holy Family Primary
WORKERS at Choice discount stores in south Essex have raised thousands of pounds for the Lady McAdden breast screening unit at Southend Hospital. The unit celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and it is trying raise £10,000 for further improvements
A BAR in Wickford's town centre is set to be transformed into a complex of flats and shops, including a dentist and restaurant. Developers have been given planning permission to knock down Frasiers bar, in London Road, Wickford, and build 36 flats and
YOUNGSTERS went on a world tour... without leaving Thurrock. Year 6 pupils from junior schools across the borough participated in a language day at St Clere's School, Stanford-le-Hope. A European village was set up, which allowed pupils to practise
ESSEX County Council plans to spend £4million on a new computer system that will allow pupils and staff across the county to communicate online. If agreed, the new infrastructure would be phased in over the next three years. Tracey Chapman, cabinet
ESSEX chief executive David East believes the county's new leadership team will bring even more success to the Ford County Ground. The former Essex wicketkeeper is convinced rookie captain Mark Pettini, vice-captain James Foster and newly-appointed
TWO friends who share a strong emotional tie to Great Ormond Street are staging a celebrity football match to raise money for the children's hospital. Darren Vickery, 28, and Harry Bennett, 56, both from Canvey, met seven years ago through work and discovered
THE pain of watching two much-loved mums suffer from a crippling disease has prompted their daughters to dust off their walking shoes to help raise funds for a cure. Nahla Kharas and Caroline Lynch have been friends since they attended Holy Family Primary
A FAMILY-OF-EIGHT recently evicted for anti-social behaviour has begun a new reign of terror in Chadwell St Mary. Sarah Clarke and her seven children - aged two to 17 - were evicted by Thurrock Council from Aluric Close, Chadwell St Mary, in May, after
YOU can tell the children at Wickford Church of England School love their school dinners. Posters they have stuck up around the dining hall insist they are the "best in the world". Yet head cook Jackie Boswell doesn't dish out the sort of food you would
A WELL-known Ray-leigh resident who lived in the town for most of his life has died peacefully at the age 84. Born in London in 1923, Ken Bocking moved to the town at the age of four and was educated at Westcliff High School for Boys, where he excelled
IMAGINE looking out at the Thames Estuary from Southend seafront. Picture three, huge man-made islands just off Southend Pier with a new national park and a road and rail crossing from Kent to Shoebury incorporating a flood barrier. Click here to
ESSEX hopes of enforcing the follow-on in their match with Nottinghamshire at Chelms-ford were thwarted by three visiting batsmen reaching centuries. It allowed the visitors to end the third day on 579-7, a deficit of only 121 runs, with Chris Read
SOUTHEND United midfielder Alan McCormack believes the Shrimpers' pre-season schedule will take on extra importance this year. Steve Tilson's side face a flurry of friendlies -with the first coming at Witham Town this Saturday. And McCormack also
CALLS for a forum to bring travellers and residents together have been dismissed by villagers in Crays Hill. Travellers' supporter, Ameri-can student Zach Scott believes residents should meet travellers, so each can gain a better understanding of
SOUTHEND United defender Che Wilson today confirmed he was contemplating his future with the Shrimpers. The full-back has been offered a new one-year deal to stay at Roots Hall. And he is currently weighing up his options. "I don't want to leave
WEST Ham have smashed their transfer record with the £7.5million signing of Wales captain Craig Bellamy. The forward, 28 on Friday, has signed a five-year contract with the Irons after finally completing his long-awaited move from Liverpool -held up
YOUNG riders and skaters are celebrating the opening of the long-awaited external ramps at the Legacy XS Centre, in Richmond Park, Benfleet. More than 100 young people arrived to try out the new large outside ramps, which have doubled the riding area
A SWIMMING pool that has been closed since January for £200,000 worth of repairs will be shut until next month because of delays in the work. The pool at the Waterside Farm Sports Centre, on Canvey, was damaged when winds whipped out roof panels, exposing
SOUTHEND Council leader Nigel Holdcroft has called on urban regeneration company Renaissance Southend to be more transparent. Mr Holdcroft said he believed the company should impose a stricter code of conduct on its directors, much like the code that
COUNCILLORS have called for action to spearhead a range of short-term schemes to revitalise Southend seafront. Last month, Southend Council released a study suggesting themed markets, buskers, events on the former bowling alley site, maritime events,
A PROPOSED booze ban could go ahead in Leigh after it won the support of the town council. The alcohol exclusion zone, suggested by the Leigh Crime Prevention Panel, would be imposed along the Cinder Path between Bell Wharf and Chalkwell railway station
SKATERS in Leigh are a step closer to getting a long-awaited skatepark after lottery funding of more than £400,000 was granted to Southend Council for play spaces. The Big Lottery Fund has awarded the council a total of £403,291, of which £150,000 could
A MAN who suffered a massive electric shock at an electricity sub-station may have been trying to steal copper piping. The 38-year-old man is said to have ignored warning signs on the substation, in Great Wakering. He was left with 25 per cent burns
SOUTHEND'S two en-tries in the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show came up smelling of roses to win coveted silver awards. The Miller's Garden, a colourful creation by the council's parks department, was the only exhibition from a local authority and took
I AM looking for Fiona Curran, who was last heard of in the Southend area. Fiona has a younger sister called Angela and also a younger brother. She would now be 39/40 years old. Fiona's dad was in the Royal Irish Rangers, as was my dad. They knew each
A COMMUNITY garden project has benefited after the Southend Fund dug deep and awarded it a £2,500 grant. Growing Together Gardens is an initiative by Trust Links charity which will use the cash to continue its work with about 40 people a week with mental
RESIDENTS are celebrating after a housing association withdrew applications to build on green open spaces on Canvey. Swan Housing submitted five planning applications to Castle Point Council to build eight houses on patches of land on council estates
TRAFFIC chaos at Southend Hospital is delaying ambulances called out to attend emergencies. They are losing precious minutes getting out of the car park as a result of queues of cars waiting to get in via Prittlewell Chase, which is closed off by a barrier
THE University of Essex has announced £12million plans to turn a town centre office block into classrooms, offices and exhibition space. The university's Southend campus will take over much of the former Prudential building, on the corner of the High
AN ELDERLY couple have suffered from the effects of a water leak for three weeks. Kathleen and Leslie Pick, of Eastwood Old Road, Leigh, have criticised water companies Anglian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water for not acting on their complaints and
GOVERNMENT proposals for an independent commission to decide major planning schemes are set to be opposed by Essex County Council. The new commission would take over decisions on applications such as extensions at Stansted Airport or a new nuclear power
SOUTHEND Airport is worried proposals to reorganise airspace around London could have a negative impact on its future operations. National Air Traffic Services is currently looking at possible changes to the use of airspace, north of London, which would
PLANS to merge two Basildon schools and turn them into a plush academy educating potential entrepreneurs of the future have been rubber-stamped. Proposals to close Barstable and Chalvedon schools, and forge them into a multi-million pound educational
THE summer rain may have damaged many plants in the running for Canvey Horticultural Society's show, but it didn't dampen the enthusiasm of those who did enter. With 141 entries - just over half last year's 239 - there was a distinct lack of garden plants
MARRIED couples would get a tax and benefits boost potentially worth thousands of pounds a year under a Conservative plan to avert family breakdown. A policy review commissioned by Tory leader David Cameron called for spouses to be allowed to transfer
CAMPAIGNING residents have spoken of their relief the Post Office has agreed to replace a postbox which was removed by developers. The Golden Cross post office, just off Ashingdon Road, Rochford, closed about two years ago, but the large, free-standing
