SOUTHEND United manager Chris Powell has refused to rule the fit-again Dru Yearwood out of tomorrow’s clash with Fleetwood Town at Roots Hall. Yearwood has yet to figure this season after suffering a hamstring problem on the final day of the previous
LABOUR councillors in Basildon have elected Gavin Callaghan as their leader tonight. Councillor Adele Brown, who had served in the role, made the difficult decision to step down as leader of the Labour Group due to health reasons. Mr Callaghan
A SCATHING critique of Southend High Street has been published by a former council leader. Nigel Holdcroft has raised concerns over the future of Southend High Street and in a blog criticised the council’s long-term plans for Southend as a waste
A yellow weather warning has been issued for Essex as Storm Bronagh is set to hit. The warning from the Met Office is in place from 6pm tonight until 9am tomorrow. There is a warning of: Some damage to buildings, such as tiles blown from
A DRUG dealer who avoided prison after setting up a secret lair to grow drugs has now been jailed, following a hearing at the Court of Appeal. Police raided James Brooks, 24, home in April and found a secret hideaway where he was growing large
GREAT Wakering Rovers manager Garry Kimble says he got the response he wanted from a weekend defeat despite losing on penalties in the Isthmian League Cup. Goals from Jake Gordon and Jason Ring took Tuesday’s first round tie against Coggeshall Town
A MOTHER whose son was murdered by an online predator has spoken out about the importance of raising awareness about the dangers of the internet. Lorin LaFave is backing production of the film Breck’s Last Game after son Breck Bednar was murdered
A FORMER leader of Southend Council has called for large town centre shop units to be broken up into smaller shops to save the High Street from rampant decline. Nigel Holdcroft called for immediate measures to prevent more store closures in the
SOUTH Essex sports fans have a host of football and rugby clashes to look forward to this weekend. Southend United welcome Joey Barton’s Fleetwood Town to Roots Hall for a League One encounter on Saturday, while a number of south Essex’s non-league
CANVEY’S major seafront regeneration plans are not dead – despite missing out on initial funding for the scheme. Initially, Canvey’s coastal communities team had hoped that the government would release all £45 million available to projects, but
ESSEX fast bowler Jamie Porter is hoping for an England call-up ahead of this winter's tour of Sri Lanka. The 25-year-old is finishing the domestic season in style and tormented Worcestershire in this week's Specsavers County Championship Division
Stuck for something to do this weekend? Fed up with the same park? Bored of being stuck inside? We've come up with a list of great events taking place this weekend with something for everyone, from culture to family, wildlife to fitness. 1. Art
The decision by the Metropolitan Police to discontinue the investigation into a serial cat killer after concluding it was foxes has been criticised. The Metropolitan Police announced the findings today after reports that a serial cat killer, known
WORCESTERSHIRE have been relegated to County Championship Division Two after suffering an innings and 129 run defeat to Essex. The county had only been promoted to Division One last season but defeat means they will return straight back to the
Did your little ones start school this year? Look out for our supplement in Tuesday's Echo, which will feature professional photos taken by our photographers of the following schools. We contacted all schools to ask them if they wanted to take
A company is offering free transport to Spurs fans wanting to travel to match against Watford in Milton Keynes Wembley Stadium, where Spurs have been playing home games, is unavailable due to the Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight title fight being hosted
TIMOTHEE Dieng insists Southend United must ‘show more’ against Fleetwood Town this weekend. The Shrimpers head into the clash on the back of three successive League defeats and Dieng is desperate to return to winning ways at Roots Hall. “Shrewsbury
We conceded in the last minute to draw 3-3 with Aveley on Tuesday night and I think it was a fair result. The way we conceded was disappointing - it was the best way for them to draw and the worst way for us to draw. It was two good attacking teams
SCORES of Leigh Striders members have been put through their paces in a number of events. Two representatives took on the Colchester Stampede, a half-marathon which starts inside Colchester Zoo before going across the backroads and fields of Colchester
James Bond is well-known for his shaken but not stirred martinis and now a book has been released paying homage to the world's most fictional spy. The Ian Fleming Estate, which manages the author's novels, teamed up with London's Bar Swift to compile
Up to 500 cat killings were not the work of a serial killer, but foxes, police have decided. Following a thorough examination of the available evidence, Met Police officers working alongside experts have concluded that hundreds of reported cat mutilations
FORMER Southend United favourite Roy McDonough feels footballing hardmen are becoming a dying breed. McDonough was nicknamed ‘Red Card Roy’ throughout his own playing career which saw him sent off a record 22 times. But the ex-Shrimpers striker
TRIBUTES have been paid to a former chairman of the Royal British Legion. Edward Jobson CBE, who lived around Basildon and Benfleet, will be remembered as a “lovely father” and national hero. He died aged 90. During his life he became a lieutenant
SOUTHEND United defender Harry Lennon expects to be back in action at the start of October. The centre-back has been sidelined since the opening day of the season when he fractured a toe during the 3-2 defeat against Doncaster Rovers. But the
A SHOW which "showcases the glory of Irish Culture" but "brings it into the 21st century in a way that's never been done before" via stunning dance, theatre and music, is on its way to the Towngate Theatre in Basildon next month. Emerald Storm will
Looking for ways to ease those weekly food bills? Vicky Shaw seeks some simple suggestions. With budgets tight, many households may be looking for more ways to reduce mealtime costs. With a bit of planning, research and forethought, it's always
THIS month marks the 50th birthday of the opening of Basildon’s original Arts Centre. The venue which stood on the site of today’s Towngate Theatre, was a big deal for Basildon- in fact the bells literally rang out to celebrate the arrival of the
HERE are some more never-before-seen photos from our archives. These vintage pics all come from 1930 and show what was happening across Southend during that year. Among the images show the building of a new church for Leigh - St Margaret’s in
THORPE Hall Golf Club members Richard McEvoy and Matt Southgate will be looking to build on their fine form when the Portugal Masters gets underway today. McEvoy and Southgate go into the latest PGA European Tour event, which is being held at Vilamoura
DANIEL Brooks is hoping a long-term wrist injury will not cause havoc as the Portugal Masters gets underway today. Brooks suffered a freak injury at Basildon’s Festival Leisure Park in February, which saw him catch his fingers on some netting while
HULLBRIDGE Sports boss Darren Manning has hailed the impact Southend United full-back Ben Coker has made to his defence. Coker, who made his 200th appearance for the Shrimpers in the defeat at Shrewsbury Town last weekend, recently passed on some
A knife-wielding thug stole cash, cigarettes and a bottle of whisky in a robbery. A man entered Leigh News in London Road, Leigh, shortly after 11am yesterday. He threatened a staff member with a knife and demanded money, before leaving with
Feeling a bit down after the summer? Not looking forward to winter? Lakeside Shopping Centre has the answer with a giant 50-foot artificial sun being installed to help you enjoy that summer feeling a bit longer. The glowing, bright orange sphere
Passenger number at Southend Airport have increased by almost 40 per cent in the first half of this year. Stobart, which bought the airport in 2008, is hoping to increase passenger numbers to 5 million a year by 2022. Ryanair will begin flying
A MAJOR road will be closed for nine nights for maintenance works. A13 Vange Bypass will be blocked for drivers from Monday September 24 between 9pm and 5am. Essex County Council will carry out repairs during these times. The closure is
DEAN Brennan is looking to bring an ‘attack-minded philosophy’ to Billericay Town after being appointed as the club’s manager. The former Hemel Hempstead Town boss was appointed by owner Glenn Tamplin on Tuesday - signing a three-year deal along
SOUTHEND’S 99p cafe has struck a deal with the Salvation Army to help feed the homeless. Grafters Cafe, on London Road, has devised a voucher scheme with the Southend Salvation Army which will see homeless residents cash in vouchers for breakfasts
FURIOUS campaigners have claimed surveyors spotted at the Paddocks Community Centre were there to prepare for development. Following months of delays a business plan for the site still has not been publicly revealed. There are fears the cable
AN MP candidate has apologised after releasing incorrect figures about class sizes in Southend. Ashley Dalton, who is Labour's candidate for Rochford and Southend East, gave information which suggested that a number of schools across the area had
A MUM is trying to “shatter the taboo” of talking about brain donations after the tragic death of her daughter. Five-year-old Olivia Gregory, from Wickford, was diagnosed with a terminal brain tumour called diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma last
ANGRY residents have complained about homeless people camping on their doorsteps. Tents and drug syringes have been spotted at a grassy area near Queensway and York Road, Southend. Maxie Jackson raised serious concerns on social media. She
A DANCE school with a difference has let the genie out of bottle with a photoshoot ahead of an upcoming production. La Danse Fantastique promises to transport audiences into a whole new world with their portrayal of Aladdin Jr at Towngate Theatre
A BUDGET supermarket is planning to expand by knocking down two “historic” buildings. Aldi, The Broadway, Wickford wants to increase the shop floor from 980sq m to 1,254 sq m, making it the same size as about 12 tennis courts. The company has
ROBOTS could soon be used in Southend to help people live in their own homes for longer. A project exploring how robotics, artificial intelligence and new technology could support independent living was discussed by Southend Council at a cabinet
A NEW Southend bypass is being seriously considered as part of a long term strategy for Southend in 2050. While some have criticised the council for planning so far ahead, when there are problems to solve now, those in positions of power claim
THE first carriages of brand new trains set to be used by Essex commuters are nearing completion. Bombardier are manufacturing 111 new electric trains on behalf of Greater Anglia which will replace stock in the county and in Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire
A major new project aimed at helping to protect boys from online grooming has been launched in Essex. Breck’s Last Game is a film based on the real-life murder of 14 year-old Breck Bednar in Grays in February 2014 by then 18-year-old Lewis Daynes
