NEIGHBOURS are hoping to scupper a popular pub’s bid to extend the hours it can play music and serve alcohol in its garden. The Bread and Cheese pub, in London Road, Benfleet, has applied to extend the hours it can play live, or recorded, music
HUNDREDS of furious parents have signed a petition against a school’s decision to ban boys from their prom over a so-called “lewd” dance route. More than 700 parents have supported the petition after the decision by the headteacher at Woodlands
CRITICS have slammed the decision by health bosses to move ahead with controversial plans to shake up healthcare in south Essex despite despite them not yet being officially confirmed. Last week, bosses behind the Mid and South Essex Sustainability
A DRUG den in a block of Southend flats has been closed after major issues with anti-social behaviour, drug use and drug dealing. Earlier this month, the Echo reported that officers from Southend Council, Essex Police and South Essex Homes served
ESSEX icon Gemma Collins will appear on a Channel Four hit show TONIGHT. The reality TV star will make an appearance on Crystal Maze, in which during a preview of the show, she struggled to get to grips with her teammates instructions. Collins
SOUTHEND Pier's entrance has reopened to visitors after a major revamp. The new entrance has better access for wheelchair users, a new reception, café, seating area, and toilets. The total cost of the project is £480,000 following additional
A vicious thug who left one of his victims partially paralysed during a campaign of violence has been jailed for ten years. Connor Warner was jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday June 18 for attacking five men in three separate incidents
Six fire crews rushed to a busy hospital after a chemical leak. Firefighters were called to Southend Hospital, Prittlewell Chase, Southend last night at about 7pm. The crews reported that a container filled with formaldehyde was leaking.
A CAR has overturned outside the front of a busy train station, blocking the road. Passersby took to social media to inform residents about the incident which happened outside of Laindon Station, Station Approach, in Basildon, earlier this morning
HARRY Wheeler believes Billericay Town’s future is bright after becoming self-sustainable. The National League South side have cut the wage bill ahead of the forthcoming campaign. And Wheeler, who returned for a second spell in charge of Town
A WESTCLIFF man has reached the finals of an international photography competition for people with Down’s syndrome. Jonathan Grosvenor captured the imagination of the judges for his photo entitled ‘Mops’, which saw him reach the final of the Down
A SCHOOL for children with special needs has been rated as outstanding for its “excellent” teaching and standards. The Pioneer School, in Ghyllgrove, Basildon, was praised by Ofsted inspectors for helping pupils – who have profound and multiple
Southend’s new administration plans to spend £250,000 on extra street lighting in a bid to improve safety and prevent accidents. The increase has been added the council’s spending plans and is expected to pay for 100 extra streetlamps. Authority
THE major redevelopment of Canvey’s seafront is set to move forward after Castle Point Council approved the release of £200,000 from its reserves to fund the project. It means a planning application will soon be submitted detailing the overhaul
A two vehicle crash is blocking the A13. The major road is affected London bound between the Orsett Cock for the A128 and the M25. It happened at 7:02am today. There is also another crash on the road near the Wennington Interchange, towards
A biker has been left injured after a lorry and motorbike crashed. The crashed happened on the A13 London bound and is blocking one lane between the M25 and the Wennington Interchange. Drivers are facing delays due to the incident. It happened
SOUTHEND is being targeted by 26 separate London drug gangs, a report has revealed. The public health report highlighted so-called “county lines” drug-dealing as a real problem. The gangs target and recruit children and young people in the borough
A DELIVERY duo told how they chased a thief who broke into their work van and stole goods. Ashley Murrel, 27, and Dale Howsego, 25, both from Basildon, were working for online retailer, AO, through a recruitment agency for a year when their company
CAMPAIGNERS are calling for action after three accidents in as many weeks in a Rayleigh “rat run”. The three incidents took place in The Chase, with the most recent happening on Wednesday. Councillors and residents are now calling for speed humps
THOUSANDS of drug users in the borough should consider the consequences of their actions, a councillor has warned. The message comes from Martin Terry, Southend’s councillor for public safety, after a report has revealed there are 9,000 recreational
TWO brothers have admitted setting fire to a parked BMW before trying to set a blaze in the owner’s home. Aaron and Craig Johnson targeted the home, in High Road, Laindon, in October last year. Aaron Johnson, 32, admitted his role in the two
A GROUP of schoolboys have been banned from attending their end-of-year prom after performing a “lewd and inappropriate” dance routine during a leavers’ assembly. The youngsters from Woodlands School, Takely End, Basildon, took to the stage to
