IDEAS for the revamp of empty office blocks in Victoria Avenue, Southend, go on display for the last time on Wednesday. The public exhibition on the top floor of the Victoria Shopping Centre started earlier this month and has been organised
Basildon is hoping to inject a touch of Hollywood magic after unveiling its new sign in the style of Tinseltown. The new "BASILDON" sign has been unveiled at the side of the A127. Each letter is five feet tall while the US counterpart
THEY say the only way to have a true friend is to be one – which is something big-hearted lad Billy Ross knows all about. The six-year-old youngster couldn’t wait to share his prize when he won an Echo competition for a free afternoon of bowling. Billy
A MAN has been charged with dangerous driving after a road crash involving an elderly pedestrian. The 67-year-old will appear before magistrates following a road crash that saw a man in his 80s rushed to hospital. The crash took place
CURTAINS, picture frames and pot plants are just some of the items putting pensioners at risk, according to Thurrock Council. Residents at Rookery Court, in West Thurrock, are furious after receiving a letter from the authority saying all personal belongings
DOUBLE-parked cars are causing road chaos and halting rubbish collections for dozens of homes. Vehicles parked along both sides of Tinkler Side, in Basildon, have been regularly forcing rubbish collectors to turn back, affecting residents in the street
A TASK-FORCE is being set up by Essex County Council to consider new rules on the location of hazardous installations, such as oil refineries and gas storage facilities. The county council’s South Essex Area Forum agreed to form a dedicated group to
A GRIEVING family have been left in anguish after vandals desecrated their 12-year-old child’s grave for a second time. Lynne and Adrian Fletcher said they could not comprehend why yobs would trash the grave of their son. Martin died
FOUR years in the making and combining the talents of local artists, historians and pupils, an illustrated history book has been a true community endeavour. The textbook, which is aimed at Castle Point schoolchildren, guides the reader through the borough
MP DAVID Amess is continuing to put pressure on the Government over the British Consulate’s role in helping a mother from Leigh when her son died. Jan Oliver took her complaint to the Tory MP for Southend West, when she was left alone to cope with flying
A YOUNG man was left with a fractured eye socket after he was robbed in Westcliff. The 23-year-old victim was in Pembury Road,when he was approached by two men who struck him over the head and left him unconscious on the floor. They stole his iPod and
SOUTHEND’S White Ensign battled back from falling a goal behind and having young goalkeeper Joe Robbins sent off to claim a Premier Division point at Ongar Town. The hosts had taken a 61st-minute lead and were then awarded a penalty seven minutes later
A DRUG dealer is facing a lengthy jail term after he became involved in the sale of cocaine from Southend’s tower blocks. Greg Kedinhon was caught by police after he spat a wrap of cocaine into his hand outside SFC takeway in Southchurch Road
A FOAL which was unable to walk at birth is now standing tall and proud following a second successful operation. Lilly came into the world with bent legs when she was born at Essex Horse and Pony Protection Society, in Pitsea, almost a year ago. Vets
PLANS to use a Canvey sports centre as a park and ride site for the 2012 Olympics could lead to traffic chaos, it is feared. Essex County Council has revealed Waterside Farm Leisure Centre, in Somnes Avenue, will be one of three park and ride sites for
Relegation-doomed Grays continued to frustrate boss Julian Dicks as they were sunk without trace at Cambridge. The ex-West Ham defender had been encouraged by his side’s display at home to top dogs Stevenage on Tuesday night when they suffered a narrow
THIS defeat in a seven-goal thriller with second-placed Kingstonian may have been the beginning of the end of Millers’ hopes of making a late push for the play-offs themselves in their first season in the top flight. They are down in 12th spot now and
GULLS’ fleeting play-off hopes were just about kept alive by Jason Hallett’s header in the third minute of injury-time. The goal earned the Islanders a point at their relegation-haunted Sussex hosts, who are now bottom of the table. With six games
VILLAGE side Wakering’s bid to complete their best ever season with a rousing finish continues to flounder on their inconsistency. They are now down in ninth spot after a lacklustre display at a Cheshunt side who won an instantly forgettable affair
CONCORD Rangers, who were without a game, were the biggest winners on the day as Rocks, who had looked their keenest rivals for runners-up spot, suffered a shock defeat at Redbridge. It means that Canvey-based Concord are still nine points clear of
THE Dockers may not have any interest themselves in the end of season promotion race, but they proved here that they can play a major part in the outcome. Play-off chasing Enfield Town came to Chadfields and left with no reward after suffering a 1-0
LEADERS Stansted, who had twice scored nine goals in midweek in victories over Clapton and Tiptree, had their title march halted on Saturday when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hullbridge Sports. Skipper Chris Brown gave Hullbridge the lead after five
THURROCK'S hopes of ending their best-ever season with a place in the end-of-season play-offs would appear to be coming to an end. This goalless draw at bottom club Weymouth leaves Hakan Hayrettin’s men down in seventh spot. But, with just six games
BLUES supporters can relocate to the North Bank for the forthcoming home games against Yeovil Town and Stockport County. Fans are being given the opportunity to sit in half of the away end at Roots Hall for two matches that are expected to have small
AN EMPTY former hostel in Westcliff is to be given a new lease of life as a care home. Saxon Lodge care home in Shoebury is home to eight people with learning disabilities and will be relocated on the site of Shelford House which closed in 2005. Southend
BLUES boss Steve Tilson felt his side should have taken at least a point from Saturday’s dramatic clash at Bristol Rovers. An injury time own goal from Anthony Grant settled an exciting encounter in favour of the Pirates. But Tilson did not feel the
SCOTT Vernon has stressed Southend United cannot afford to feel sorry for themselves after Saturday’s sickening 4-3 defeat at Bristol Rovers. The Shrimpers, who had Franck Moussa sent off for violent conduct during the second half, raced into a 2-0
UNCERTAINTY surrounds David Webb’s future at Southend United. Former Chelsea defender Webb returned to Roots Hall as assistant manager at the start of March following the departure of Paul Brush. But he has now not been seen at the club for more than
A DEVELOPER has submitted a second application for a care home at an empty office block in Southend town centre. Runwood Homes wants to turn derelict Victoria House in Victoria Avenue into a 61-bed residential care home, plus four flats. Its first application
A SOUTHEND councillor is hoping to help Britain's bees by calling on the council to create insect-friendly wild flower areas in the town. Anna Waite, Conservative councillor for St Luke's ward, and executive councillor for transport and planning, is
HIGH Tide Times Monday Apr 5th are at: 0327 and 1538 Tuesday Apr 6th are at: 0416 and 1625 Wednesday Apr 7th are at: 0520 and 1727 Thursday Apr 8th are at: 0657 and 1903 Friday Apr 9th are at: 0811 and 2022 Saturday Apr 10th
A ROAD safety documentary has been launched following the death of a 14-year-old girl in a crash in Thorpe Bay. Ben Gemmell, 18, lost control of his car in Tyrone Road, Thorpe Bay, on March 6 last year, injuring 18 young people, eight seriously
A £63MILLION improvement scheme at the notorious A13 Sadlers Farm roundabout can now go ahead, after the cash was secured. The Government gave funding approval for the £63million plans in July 2006, and now transport minister Sadiq Khan has signed off
TWO people have appeared in court after they were caught by police running a brothel in a quiet residential street. Tony Lester and Vicki Stansfield were arrested after police raided A13 Bliss in Carlton Drive, a dead-end road just off Kiln
FED-UP residents living in a antisocial behaviour hotspot have hit out after learning a hostel housing ex-offenders is in their street. It has emerged an unmarked address in Second Avenue, Canvey, is owned by a charity specialising in rehousing ex-cons
PUPILS from Millhouse Infants School have been busy spinning their parents a few yarns – but all in the name of learning. Youngsters from the infant school and nursery, in Tavistock Lane, Laindon, have been taking part in a storytelling week. The children
