SOUTH Essex star Kara Tointon has been crowned champion of Strictly Come Dancing. Kara, who went to St Hilda's School in Westcliff, burst into tears as host Bruce Forsyth announced the winner. Former EastEnders actress Kara, 27, described
ESSEX players Alastair Cook and Ravi Bopara have been selected in the 30-man squad for England's Cricket World Cup team for 2011. The squad will be halved on January 19 for the six-week tournament starting a month later. The tournament is being
Junior Stanislas earned West Ham a priceless point with a 78th-minute equaliser at Ewood Park that denied caretaker Blackburn manager Steve Kean a win in his first game in charge. With West Ham boss Avram Grant enduring another week of speculation
THE A13 was brought to a standstill after a 30 car pile-up. The crash happened on the London-bound track of the A13 at Corringham when the cars all collided. Part of the road was blocked while police dealt with the aftermath.
MATT Cardle is the frontrunner in the race for Christmas number one with his debut single When We Collide. But there are a few challengers this year. Not only is Cage Against the Machine – a re-recording of John Cage’s famously silent composition
FOOTBALL games have been called off due to the heavy snowfall. The Blues were due to take on Wycombe at Roots Hall on Saturday but the match was called off due to the artic conditions. Great Wakering Rovers were also due to clash with Wingate and Finchley
THE way of the Norseman warrior is a long and stony way, but it is my destiny and the path I have chosen, so there can be no turning back. The outside world sees me as a respectable journalist, if there is such a thing. Inside, though, is a raging Viking
HEAVY snow has been falling across South Essex. Motorists are being advised to stay off the roads as heavy flurries fall across Essex. Snow showers began late on Saturday morning in most parts of the county and at around 12.30pm in Southend
A MAN is being hunted by police after failing to attend appointments with his probation officer. Mark Bowling, 36, was jailed earlier this year for a burglary in Leigh. He failed to report to his supervising officer, putting him in breach of his licence
FIFA president Sepp Blatter's proposal to play the 2022 World Cup in Qatar during January has provoked a mixed reaction from Premier League managers. Wolves manager Mick McCarthy branded it "nonsense" and Blackpool boss Ian Holloway as "crazy", but
UNDER-FIRE West Ham boss Avram Grant knows full well pressure at the top and bottom of the game can "kill you", but would not have it any other way. The Hammers are facing a battle for top-flight survival, currently lying four points adrift of safety
SOUTH Essex's non-league teams have seen today's scheduled league matches wiped out by the weather. The games affected were: Thurrock v Havant & Waterlooville in Blue Square South; Aveley v Carshalton, Billericay Town v Maidstone, Concord Rangers v
THIS weekend the Railway Hotel is set to take punters on a magical mystery tour through the Beatles back catalogue at a special convention in tribute to the Fab Four. It’s the second time the Southend pub has held the convention. It’s the brainchild
SOUTHEND United's home clash with Wycombe Wanderers has been called off because of a frozen pitch. No new date for the game at Roots Hall has yet to be confirmed.
SOUTHEND Rugby Club's home clash with Hinckley has been called off because of a frozen pitch at Warners Bridge. No new date for the clash has yet to be confirmed.
MORE than £1.4million of taxpayers’ money was wasted after the completion of building work on a school for special needs children was delayed by almost a year. Essex County Council’s executive scutiny committee criticised ISG Jackson Ltd, a contractor
A KNIFE arch has been erected in Basildon to detect people carrying weapons. The device was set up at the main bus station to deter offences in the run-up to Christmas. The metal-detecting device can catch out anyone who chooses to carry a blade in public
A HOMELESS man who was living in dilapidated shed during the severe weather conditions is ecstatic over his temporary move. Earlier this month, John Masser, 42, contacted the Echo to say he had been refused a room to stay in by Basildon Council, despite
MPS told Ford’s British bosses they have a moral obligation to rescue former factory workers’ devalued pensions. A group of 15 MPs grilled Joe Greenwell, chairman of Ford of Britain, and a delegation of senior executives from the motoring giant
COUNTY council bosses have been criticised for pushing ahead with a £4million bus information scheme despite facing severe cuts to its budget. Yesterday it was revealed Essex County Council was facing a £126million shortfall in its budget due
