WE'VE rounded up some of this week's headlines from Basildon, Castle Point and Southend.

1. A man was left bleeding in the street after he was pulled out of his car and hit over the head in a terrifying car jacking.

The 24-year-old was driving along Ballards Walk, Laindon, in the early hours of the morning when a black car suddenly swerved in front of him.

The motorist, who was driving a blue Ford Fiesta ST, was forced to carry out an emergency stop in a bid to avoid a crash.

2. Southend Pier’s ageing railway track and the old bowling alley site are in line for a £2million boost.

Council leader Ron Woodley has also spoken of his appetite for a new “entertainment building” on the old bowling alley site, which was burned out in the pier fire in 1995.

Southend Council has revealed to the Echo it is now carrying out two studies – costing £150,000 each – into how it can improve the pier areas.

3. Firefighters last night tackled a blaze at a seafront restaurant in Southend.

Four engines from Southend, Leigh, Shoebury, and Rochford, were called to the fire at Marriotts Restaurant in Western Esplanade at around 6.30pm.

The road was closed as a result, causing delays.

4. GUN-TOTING gangsters will hold up a Leigh jewellers on Sunday (March 20)...but don’t worry, it’s all for a film.

5. A CHEMICAL was thrown in a man’s face in a daylight attack.

Police and firefighters closed Wickford High Street after reports of a suspected acid attack outside Clarks shoe shop at about 11am Monday.

The victim ran into the store for help, before fleeing in the direction of the train station. 

6. DOG owners are being alerted to a deadly tick-borne disease that has been found in the UK for the first time. 

7. Forget Costa...rival coffee chain Starbucks is set to revive a seafront unit which has sat empty for over a decade.

Costa was due to take over the circular Pier Hill shop, in Western Esplande, Southend, before pulling out at the last minute after negotiations fell down.

The Echo can now reveal fellow High Street favourite Starbucks will take over the prominent unit, which has remained vacant since it was built in 2004 as part of the £6million Pier Hill redevelopment, funded by the European Union.

8. A RULING by a Government planning inspector will ensure another Basildon town centre office block will be converted into flats.

Basildon Council had rejected plans to convert Northgate House, above the BHS department store, into 87 homes in July last year.

But, after developer AA Homes appealed the decision, a Government inspector has overturned the council ruling, which will allow the scheme to go ahead.

9. A MEMORABILIA trader hopes a jacket worn by a rogue banker whose fraudulent deals brought down a major bank could be sold for more than £20,000.

10. A BUSINESSMAN was hypnotised live on television as part of a hit game show.

Shane Parkin, of Eastern Esplanade, Canvey, said he had an “unforgettable time” filming footage for You're Back in the Room.