"SURPRISED and disappointed” – that’s how MP James Duddridge described his emotions when he found out he had lost his Government job. The Tory politician, who has represented Rochford and Southend East since 2005, was serving his fifth year as
SOUTHEND AC’s under-15 girls team finished the season in style by winning their age group at the East Anglian League final at Bury St Edmunds. The youngsters put in an impressive display to finish well clear of second placed Cambridge & Coleridge
RESIDENTS have been briefed about the £10million works which are to start soon on the Stanford-le-Hope junction of the A13. About 50 residents attended a public meeting at the Pegasus Club, in Corringham, where representatives from DP World and
ROYAL Mail will lose swathes of customers if it goes ahead with plans to axe delivery offices, according to a leading councillor. The Echo reported yesterday how the company announced it would be closing offices in Leigh , Shoebury , Rochford ,
AN Olympian passed on words of wisdom to schoolchildren as he officially opened their new school. Former British athlete and Olympic 400m hurdles champion, Dr David Hemery, cut the ribbon at Castle View School , Canvey , yesterday. Dr Hemery
A CORONER has called on the Government to strengthen safety guidelines on hospital windows following the death of a pensioner. Dr Peter Dean said he did not blame Southend Hospital after a jury at an inquest concluded Robin Blowes, 69, died of
A LIGHT aircraft has crash-landed at Southend Airport. The twin engine Piper Aztec plane, believed to be based at the airport but privately owned, came down at lunchtime. It had a collapsed nose wheel on landing causing it to crash.
POLICE raided a house in Southchurch to find cannabis growing in the loft. A 63-year-old man was arrested at the house in Park Lane at about 10.30am today. FOR FULL STORY SEE MONDAY'S ECHO.
CONCERNS have been raised over the rise of supersized supermarkets across Basildon and the power big brands have over the council. Nigel Smith , leader of the Labour group at Basildon Council, also worries the supermarkets are being put into areas
SOUTHEND United goalkeeper Paul Smith is pushing for a recall between the sticks at Plymouth Argyle tomorrow. The 32-year-old is rated 50/50 for the game at Home Park after being knocked out during Blues’ 1-0 defeat at Gillingham 10 days. But
BASILDON Council’s spending on external consultants is “out of control” according to a whistleblower who revealed more is being spent despite a huge cuts programme. Council bosses have to shave £6.2million from the budget by April 2016, but the
DAVID Martin is loving being back in Southend United’s first team. But the winger is still unsure where his future lies. The 27-year-old was made available for transfer at the start of the season before working his way back in to favour.
A GREAT-grandmother, aged 77, who broke her wrist after falling over on Canvey , waited an hour and 20 minutes to be taken to hospital. Pauline Browne was not considered a priority by ambulance bosses as she was still conscious having suffered
POLICE have used a new law to prevent suspected drug dealers from squatting in two Southend flats. Using the law for the first time in Southend, officers stormed the flats in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff , and Sutton Road, Southend. The teenage squatters
A VICAR has credited his daughter when she was a toddler for inspiring him to create a book. The Rev Rick Williams has published Animal House, his first book, which he has both written and illustrated. The book is in comic verses and has been
AFTER narrowly missing out on the job of his dreams, Olly Pike took matters into his own hands. The Rayleigh-based 26-year-old just failed to land a presenting job on two satellite children’s channels and immediately set about creating his own
ROCHFORD Hundred enter the unknown in London One North this weekend when they travel to Old Haberdashers. Rochford will be looking to build on last Saturday’s 46-17 triumph over Ruislip. But their first team manager Graham Pratt is unsure
THE Great Wall of China beckons for three friends from south Essex who will trek the world-famous landmark to raise £10,000 for charity. Lauren Fuery and Helen Henley, both 24, and Danielle Fowles, 35, are gearing up for the challenge that will
WESTCLIFF will be hoping to end a run of three successive defeats when they travel to Westcombe Park in National Three London & SE tomorrow. Westcliff started the season by beating Tring 55-19 but since then they have suffered three reverses
SOUTHEND’S director of rugby Chris Green takes his team to Clifton tomorrow warning them not to be fooled by their hosts’ indifferent start to the season. Clifton have lost all four of their matches so far. But Green feels that will count for
BASILDON'S Lukas Volskis cannot wait to get back in action for the Essex Leopards at the Sporting Village this weekend. Leopards host the Medway Park Crusaders in Basildon on Sunday in the group stages of the National trophy. And the
SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock will not let his heart rule his head at Plymouth Argyle this weekend. The Scotsman spent two spells in charge of the Pilgrims, bossing 277 games in the process. And despite remaining incredibly fond of
A TOP cop is to launch an investigation into a company accused of “bullying” residents out of thousands of pounds. Insp Matt Bennett, of Southend police, has promised to investigate two cases where residents of the 1,800-home Burges Estate, Thorpe
A SUPERMARKET was evacuated after a suspected gas leak. Staff and customers at Sainsbury’s, at Rayleigh Weir, raised the alarm after a strong smell of gas in the store. Two engines from nearby Rayleigh Weir fire station went to the store
A MUM who feared she was about to deliver her baby in the car ended up in the right place at the right time when by chance they drove into an ambulance service car park. Lisa Clark, 23, of Hawkesbury Close, Canvey , was en-route to Southend Hospital
A young pedestrian was hospitalised with facial injuries after a collision with a vehicle this morning. A 22-year-old man from the local area was taken to Southend Hospital after he was hit by a vehicle in Honiton Road, Southend, at 12.35am. The
ROYAL Mail has announced the closure of five delivery offices which could leave some people with a 15-mile round trip to collect parcels. Despite previous assurances delivery offices in Leigh , Shoebury , Rochford , Great Wakering and Canewdon
TRAVELLERS living on the roadside near to the former Dale Farm site in Crays Hill, should have their health and welfare urgently assessed, according to a report from MPs. The travellers – now living in about 20 caravans at the roadside in Oak
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