TWO Tory MPs have come out against plans to build up to 6,000 homes on green belt. Basildon MPs John Baron and Stephen Metcalfe spoke out against Dunton Garden Suburb, Basildon and Brentwood councils’ joint proposals for between 4,000 and 6,000
11:48pm With the budget now approved, we'll have a report in Monday's paper. This is the end of the line for the blog for tonight, though. If anyone has viewed this, thank you very much!
South Essex is a hotbed of entrepreneurs. What’s your view on small businesses here, how could they do better? Is the climate right for them to flourish at the moment, and, should you be elected, what more would you do to help small businesses succeed
SHOPKEEPERS have backed proposals for private security guards to prevent crime in the town centre. Businesses on Canvey have given plans for a new traders’ association their support, which could hire security guards to patrol Furtherwick Road.
Three Echo journalists have been recognised as the region’s best at an awards ceremony. Southend and Castle Point crime reporter Helen Barnett was named daily print journalist of the year at the EDF Energy East of England Media Awards today.
Police have renewed their appeal to find a man wanted on suspicion of breaching a court order. Craig Hughes, 23, was last known to be living in the Basildon area, and also has links to Harlow, Loughton and Chigwell. He is described as white
POLICE are searching for two men in connection with the theft of a white Ford Fiesta from a residential street in Leigh. The car, registration EF62 DHP, was stolen at about 10.40pm on February 5 from an address in Fairview Gardens. Police want
RAPE is a terrible crime, and at least until recently, an under-reported one. Yet there is another, mirror-image crime, which can be almost as devastating in its consequences. Anyone who doubts the appalling impact a false rape claim can have
STAV Economou will end a year long wait for a fight when he takes on Kamil Bazelack in the main event of UWC 25 on Saturday. The Westcliff based Economou saw off Bazelack when they last fought 14 months ago. And Economou, who is nicknamed Crazy
Police are appealing for information after a series of graffiti images appeared in Hadleigh and Benfleet. Castle Point Council property and items including BT cable boxes and traffic lights have been vandalised. Officers have released images
Indian politicians have visited Basildon to discuss possible trade and investment opportunities. A delegation from the Kerala state government came to Basildon on a fact-finding mission and to discuss partnership work. Kerala has a population
SOUTHEND'S Danny Scotland will be making a huge sacrifice in honour of his best friend Joe Emmons at UWC's latest fight night this weekend. Scotland was best man at Emmons' first wedding, while Emmons was godfather to the 38-year-old's son before
IT won’t be just the cake that’s in tiers, customers at Fancy Nancy will be as well after news the shop is being moved out of Leigh. Owner Juliet Sear, plans to move the business to London. She said: “The shop’s lease is up in April and it
A mobile caterer has been imprisoned for 57 days for failing to pay their council tax. On February 25, at Southend Magistrates Court, Malcolm Dearman of Willow Walk, Canewdon, was committed to prison for 57 days for non payment of council tax.
MATT Pearce surged through to the final of the touchtennis Maidstone Open but was unable to find a way past world number one Simon Roberts. Pearce was one of nine players from the Southend based Essex Storm club to descent on Kent for the latest
DANNY Cowley believes Concord Rangers need to consistently win against teams they are expected to beat if they are to evolve as a team. The Beach Boys manager was speaking after Concord’s 2-0 win over Ryman Premier League outfit AFC Hornchurch
BARONESS Doreen Lawrence visited South Essex College, in Grays, and urged youngsters to vote in May’s general election. Baroness Lawrence is the mother of Stephen Lawrence, 18, who was murdered in a racist attack in 1993, in Eltham, southeast London
A SMALL child and two men were taken to hospital following a smash in Laindon. Emergency services were called to the junction of Hatterills and Gower Chase in Laindon at about 10.25am this morning. A black Nissan Micra and a red Renault Megan
TWO men have been arrested for burglary. A 23-year-old man and 19-year-old woman, both from Laindon were arrested yesterday afternoon. Both are accused of breaking in to a house in Cromer Close, Basildon yesterday. The pair are still being
CONCORD Rangers’ Matt Fry says he wants to experience that winning feeling again after helping his team to a second consecutive Essex Senior Cup final. The 24-year-old scored and kept a clean sheet in Tuesday night’s 2-0 win over AFC Hornchurch
SOUTHEND’S Richard McEvoy takes to the fairways at the Joburg Open today buoyed by one of his best ever showings on the European Tour last weekend. The Thorpe Hall professional finished tied seventh last weekend at the Indian Open, firing himself
Two men have been arrested following a robbery at a Canvey jewellery store. A 27-year-old man from Canvey and a 28-year-old man of no fixed address are currently being questioned in connection with the offence that took place at the Gold and Diamonds
AFTER her grandmother died from complications linked to diabetes, a Benfleet woman is taking a colourful approach to raising funds in her memory. Laura Adair, 23, wants to fill her year with as many “colour” events as possible and has already signed
LEIGH based goalkeeper Rees Hawkins is nervously waiting to find out whether or not he has been accepted into the Nike Academy for next season. But whatever the outcome the 17-year-old Concord Rangers shot-stopper admits he has already enjoyed
AFTER suffering our second defeat in a row last weekend, we had the players in on Sunday and plenty of talking was done. I know Dave Worrall and Gary Deegan have already touched on it in the Echo this week but I thought it was important for us
AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after a fire at a sheltered housing block left an elderly woman homeless. Paramedics treated five people after a fire at Pintails in Crest Avenue, Pitsea, at about 8.15pm yesterday. A woman in her nineties
SOUTHEND United manager Phil Brown has warned goalkeeper Daniel Bentley he will not start against Carlisle on Saturday unless he is fully fit. Bentley is currently suffering with a groin injury and was not able to take goal-kicks in last Saturday
SERVICES are now returning to normal after rail passengers faced delays getting in to London this morning due to electrical supply problems. The issue, between Forest Gate and Romford, resulting in delays to services between Shenfield and London
A RUGBY coach from Rochford wants to set up a youth club for the district’s teenagers because there is little for them to do. Darren Parsons, 48, who has coached at Rochford Hundred Rugby Club for ten years, is frustrated at the lack of activities
Homeowners who allow filth and rubbish to blight front gardens will be targeted by Southend Council in a new crackdown. The council is piloting a new scheme in which it will give landlords and homeowners just over a month to clear up overgrown
AN inspirational Thundersley woman has been named as the first youth ambassador for a worldwide charity that supports terminally ill children and teenagers. Lucy Watts, 21, was handpicked for the prestigious role at the International Children’s
FANCY taking in some history this weekend? We've put together a list of the top historic sites across the county. 1. Audley End House and Gardens, Saffron Walden Audley End is one of England’s most magnificent stately homes. The Jacobean Mansion
Southend United want to add homes and a cinema to its multi-million pound for a new stadium at Fossetts Farm. Blues bosses are seeking Southend Council’s views on the proposals before a formal application is submitted for Fossetts Farm and the
SIX pubs were targeted by two thieves in a one-night crime spree. More than £5,000 in cash was stolen in the raids, which took place across Southend, Rayleigh and Benfleet. Essex Police’s CID are probing the incidents at Bellini, in London
