Graeme Hick is delighted to have bounced back after his final Test disappointment as England prepare to begin the one-day internationals in Sri Lanka tomorrow. Hick notched a welcome 86-ball century in the 51-run victory over a Board President's XI and
Another case of foot-and-mouth was today confirmed at a farm near Colchester. The grim discovery brings the total number of cases in Essex to ten. Samples were taken yesterday at Rye Farm, in Rye Lane, Layer de la Haye, near the confirmed outbreak of
Basildon College is celebrating after a report hailed "significant improvements" following a stormy 18 months. Today's (Thursday) report shows the college has achieved the second greatest level of improvements ever recorded by the Further Education Funding
Saturday's eagerly awaited WBU light welterweight title clash between Rettendon champion Jason Rowland and Ricky Hatton is off. Influenza combined with a chest infection ruled Rowland out of action a fortnight ago and he has now vacated the title so that
Detectives are still waiting to talk to a man who lost his legs after a train ran over him. The victim of Tuesday night's incident at Wivenhoe station called police on a mobile phone to say he had been tied to the track. The man, believed to have a history
Half the animal classes planned for this year's prestigious Tendring Show have been axed due to the foot-and-mouth crisis. Show secretary Anne Taylor told the Gazette today that all cattle, sheep and goat classes had been cancelled for the leading agricultural
A new package of schemes worth £250,000 will aim to give Tendring residents new skills and better access to computers. The cash from Essex Training and Enterprise Council will be handled by Tendring Council to provide four new projects. They will aim
Researchers looking into the prestigious Victoria County History of Essex (VCH) have moved to Essex University's department of History. The VCH is a highly respected work of reference which will enhance the local history resources based at the university
Delighted teachers and parents of a Harold Hill infant school are set to get the zebra crossing they have been campaigning for - after a battle lasting nearly two years. The proposed crossing outside Brookside Infant School, Dagnam Park Drive, took a
Police were celebrating this week after new figures revealed a big drop in burglaries in Brentwood last year. The 26.6 per cent fall comes after police had been accused of spending too much time persecuting motorists at the expense other crimes. Crime
The two MPs who could soon be locked in battle for Brentwood and Ongar have performed a joint engagament in the constituency. Sitting Tory Eric Pickles and Independent Martin Bell launched a new website aimed at improving voter democracy. The site, www.askyourmp.co.uk
Frank Bruno has failed to land a knockout blow to end confusion surrounding his bid to become an MP. The former world heavyweight boxing champ sparred with the Echo as he said he still wanted to stand at the General Election - and then threw in the towel
Skateboarders in Kelvedon Hatch have been left heartbroken after Brentwood Borough Council workers scrapped home-made ramps they had set up in the grounds of an abandoned old people's home. Youngsters from across the village were at a loss to understand
The owners of Stansted Airport claim to have won the backing of the local community over controversial plans for a second runway. Proposals to increase the number of passengers to 25 million a year have previously met with opposition locally - with Ongar
Work to set up a new unit to help reduce waiting times and improve efficiency in dealing with patients with heart problems is soon to get under way at Colchester General Hospital. The project, costing between £200,000 and £250,000, involves centralising
Detectives investigating the disappearance of Basildon mother-of-two Nicola Ray have called in a criminal psychologist to draw up a profile of a possible murder suspect. Det Supt Dick Madden, senior investigating officer, said he hoped Colin Johnston,
Thorpe Bay School is celebrating a dramatic improvement in performance . A new Ofsted inspection recorded progress in: Literacy - new initiatives are working and there is evidence of improving standards Teaching and learning - the quality of teaching
Roll up, roll up and meet Rizla - the five-year-old Staffordshire bull terrier who is possibly the world's only pool-playing pooch. Normally, pub-dwelling dogs lie in front of roaring log fires or trail listlessly around the bar area. But not Rizla, who
Plans to introduce traffic-calming measures to a Colchester accident blackspot have been opposed by residents who say it is not enough. They have continually campaigned for years about the safety of Defoe Crescent, Mile End, which has a junction with
Jubilant Mary O'Callaghan was today (Wednesday) celebrating after being cleared of cheating an elderly people's nursing home out of thousands of pounds. She smiled and said after her trial collapsed: "I'm so glad this is over. It has been two years of
Ambitious plans to revitalise Wickford Market have been unveiled by its new manager. Former London-based sales executive, Steve Harvey, 33, is determined to restore the market's reputation and place it at the centre of the Wickford community. He had to
A major shake-up of primary schools in the Laindon area has been recommended by education bosses. Essex County Council's education panel will discuss the strategic plan for the provision of primary school places in the Laindon and Langdon Hills area on
Harwich police station's front desk is to shut for ten hours a day, it has been revealed. A new service desk is being set up which will be based at Clacton police station. Once it is up and running, Harwich station's front counter will shut from 10pm-
About £50,000 is earmarked to repair pot-holed roads around Colchester left damaged and mottled by the floods. Poorly-maintained ditches and road drainage have been blamed, along with some of the wettest weather in recent years, for leaving roads needing
All households in Colchester should get forms for a postal vote, it is claimed. As it currently stands voters have to write to the council to get a postal vote. Tim Young, leader of the Labour group, has written to the director of administration at Colchester
Braintree Cricket Club is taking a lead in encouraging girls to take up the game. The club is seeking planning permission for an extension to the pavilion in Panfield Lane, Braintree to include changing accomodation for male and female use. Also included
After the Lord Mayor's procession always comes the dust cart. That's the best way to describe this below-par performance from a Colchester United squad that had previously played out of their skins to beat both Walsall and Brentford. The U's are an enigma
Yet again, the England showed steely character and determination to win the Third Test match to claim a 2-1 series victory against Sri Lanka. The revival owes much to the sterling work of coach Duncan Fletcher and his lieutenant Nasser Hussain who have
Harwich hot-shot Matt Carmichael rifled home his 16th goal of the season to earn his side a 1-1 draw at Wroxham. The goal king latched onto a pass in the box and turned his defender before slipping the ball into the far corner. That was after the hosts
Disabled football fans will soon get the chance to try out the game they love under the watchful eye of specialist coaches - thanks to a new pilot scheme launched by Castle Point Council. The Fair Play scheme will allow dozens of handicapped youngsters
Powerful anti-aircraft machine guns, hand grenades and a mortar were among a terrifying arsenal of weapons seized by detectives targeting a major gun-running gang. Six people were arrested after 50 armed police swooped on Woodside cemetery off Fane Road
Police this week alerted lone drivers from the Ongar and North Weald area after a woman foiled a carjacking. The 26-year-old mother of one driving a black X-reg Mercedes convertible bravely fought off a man who tried to drag her from her car. The woman
A Great Holland farm is at the centre of a foot-and-mouth scare, the first in the Tendring district. Anxious farmer Tom Sanderson now faces several agonising days of waiting before he knows whether his hand-reared flock of sheep will have to be slaughtered
Colchester harbour could be closed within weeks. MPs have approved a parliamentary Bill meaning the town council no longer has a legal responsibility to maintain the River Colne for navigation. Graham White, council director of administration, said the
Governors at Chapel Hill School have a highly-recommended new headteacher lined up to take over the reins if it escapes the axe. And campaigners battling to save the Braintree school from closure, are due to put its plight to Government Education Secretary
A man who threatened to commit suicide was dramatically rescued by police from Southend seafront. He was discovered shortly after 11pm on Tuesday with suspected hypothermia and taken to Southend Hospital for a check-up. The drama began at 9.20pm when
Stone-throwing teenagers smashed a window on a double decker bus as it drove along Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill, at 4.10pm on Friday. No passengers were injured. Pc Craig Lloyd said: "The driver heard a smash and turned to see that a window on the lower
Ambitious plans to revitalise Wickford Market have been unveiled by its new manager. Former London-based sales executive, Steve Harvey, 33, is determined to restore the market's reputation and place it at the centre of the Wickford community. He had to
A farmer whose flock of sheep is stranded on Foulness has launched a scathing attack on agricultural bosses, accusing them of penny pinching over the foot-and-mouth crisis. David Hull made a heartfelt plea for his 1,750 sheep and lambs to be culled or
A leading doctor has welcomed a cash handout which spells an extra £5,000 for each surgery in Colchester. But Dr Max Hickman, chairman of Colchester Primary Care Group, warned the extra money would not help solve the doctor recruitment problems plaguing
Southend United boss David Webb has dared a fan who labelled his team as "gutless" to come forward and train with his players. The Blues supporter criticised Webb as he stepped off the team coach at Brentford on Tuesday night, ahead of the LDV Vans Trophy
Hopes that Brentford skipper Paul Evans would be a Colchester United transfer deadline signing today were diminishing by the minute. U's boss Steve Whitton said: "I have made two bids for the player, but have heard nothing from Brentford since they won
Residents are living in fear as young thugs hold a reign of terror in their neighbourhood. Bleach has been thrown at a child, rocks were thrown at a baby, syringes have littered the floor and excrement and hate mail have been posted through letterboxes
A north Essex eye expert has said people will have to pay more for their glasses and contact lenses under new plans by Customs and Excise. Steve Cole, chairman of the north Essex Local Optical committee, has said the nation's eye health could be damaged
A period house which makes up part of a Colchester school has been put on the market in a bid to raise funds for school improvements. The late Victorian building, next to Colchester Royal Grammar School in Lexden Road, is expected to sell for more than
The eldest niece of Derek Hills, who was found dead in his home, has paid tribute to a "special and kind-hearted man". The 75-year-old was found dead in his home in Southview Drive, Westcliff, on Friday. It is believed his house had been burgled after
Assaults on Essex police officers have nearly doubled in a year, according to new figures. Data compiled by the force shows that in the 12 months to December 31, 2000, a total of 287 officers were assaulted resulting in a loss of 466 working days. This
We're watching you! That was the message being sent to shoplifters and troublemakers on Canvey after a £10,000 security revamp to the Knightswick shopping centre. The centre in Furtherwick Road has completed the installation of new CCTV cameras both inside
Southend Swimming Club's young novice divers had a chance to show off their potential when they took part in the Southern Counties ASA competition at Crystal Palace. This was a special event for novices and many of the Southend divers were competing in
Northlands Park regular Martin Camp fished the venue's cafe lake to land four big bream and lose three others. Martin fished the Christmas tree swim using a quivertip and groundbait feeder to land fish to almost five pounds. His bream were taken during
Wickford's Carousel Gym Club started the competition season in great form following their Basildon Sports Council club of the year award. They attended the prestigious compulsory levels four and three at Hemel Hempstead with the top four gymnasts in the
Maldon's dreams of glory in this competition disappeared as Lowestoft came from a goal down to steal the semi-final berth. Disappointed manager Colin Wallington said: "We let ourselves down. We are better than that. "If we had won this game, I was confident
Runwell Cricket Club has been forced to abandon its home of 18 years blaming the abuse it has had to endure from travellers. The club claims that while playing at Runwell Park its members have been targeted by catapults, rock throwing and foul and abusive
Magic Joe may be climbing the ladder to success but the young group are keen to keep their heads out of the clouds. The Colchester band, formed just a year ago, have just signed a year-long deal with BAM Management. Now Magic Joe are to perform on the
Sharp-shooting David Kenyon certainly has an eye for goal - as he proved by scoring after just four and half seconds of a recent match. The striker, who lives in Brantham and plays for Grundisburgh, hit the net almost straight from the kick-off during
Both Colchester Utd and Southend Utd had an evening to forget as they lost out at the expense of division two sides. Colchester went down 1-0 to Layer Road visitors Swindon Town during their division two encounter. Michael Reddy scored the winner for
Police are investigating claims a man whose legs were severed by a train had been tied to a railway track. The man, believed to be in his early 40s and from the Wivenhoe area, managed to call for an ambulance on a mobile phone after the train ran over
Official Government figures reveal education quality in Southend is a "postcode lottery", it has been claimed. Results of the national Key Stage Two tests - taken by 11-year-old children in the final year of primary school - vary alarmingly, concerned
Southend United's bid to make the first major cup final of their history ended in a brave defeat during last night's LDV Vans Trophy southern final second leg at Brentford. Blues travelled to Griffin Park knowing they had to overturn a one-goal deficit
A new political group has been launched in Harold Hill, led by a local man who aims to represent the area's working class. Neil Stanton, former chairman of the Labour constituency in Upminster, will spearhead the Harold Hill Independent Working Class
Former Colchester mayor John Bird has died after a seven-month battle with cancer. Labour councillor Mr Bird, 63, was made mayor in 1983. Always keen to make people sit up and take notice, he sparked controversy before his appointment as mayor by suggesting
People are being warned to be on guard against bogus callers posing as police officers. The alert comes after a caller telephoned a local business claiming that bosses had promised to sponsor a leaflet on drug awareness and asked them to send their money
A headmaster has warned potential pupils and their parents that they may not get a place at his school. St Benedict's, a Colchester Catholic secondary school, has places for 162 pupils each year but gets applications for 250 to 280 children. Headmaster
There will be something in the air in Earls Colne - or rather the airwaves. For radio station BBC Essex will be broadcasting their Village Voices programme live from Earls Colne to an audience of 250,000. Taking part in the broadcast are the parish council
Harwich police station's front desk is to shut for ten hours a day, it has been revealed. A new service desk is being set up which will be based at Clacton police station. Once it is up and running, Harwich station's front counter will shut from 10pm-
Angry campaigners battling to save Ingatestone's Trueloves care home are calling for independent inquiries into the closure plans of its owners, the Shaftesbury Society, and Essex County Council. Both were accused of "breathtaking arrogance" at a meeting
A protestor staged a one-man picket outside a Brentwood company after being sacked. Malcolm Geffen, 44, of Sycamore Drive says he was fired from European Financial Data Services (EFDS) in King's Road because he was sick and did not provide references.
Petrol power could be on the way out, after car giant Ford unveiled a series of "green" vehicles. Ian McAllister, chairman of Ford Britain, has announced the Think@bout London project, where 15 London businesses and organisations will be asked to run
A worried mum has claimed traffic problems will increase on a village road - by the arrival of two new recycling bins. Louise Herbert said the junction at Plough Road and Station Road, Great Bentley, was already dangerous. So she was shocked to find out
A new strategy to combat crime in Tendring has been revealed aiming to cut drug use and vandalism. The three-year plan also looks to tackle criminal damage, reduce car accidents and prevent domestic violence. The strategy was launched by John Hawkins,
The county's top police officer has opposed plans to change stop and search procedures. The Home Office is asking for feedback to proposals that officers should record more details every time they stop a member of the public. But Essex Chief Constable
Hopes of staging a 30th anniversary Weeley pop festival this year have been abandoned in the wake of the foot-and-mouth crisis, it was revealed today. Instead the organisers hope the event, which had been planned for the summer, could be restaged next
Brentwood School fencers, Matthew O'Connell, 16, and Ross Tremeer, 17, have been selected to represent Great Britain at the Junior and Cadet World Championships which will be held in Gdansk, Poland in April. Selection is based on the top three fencers
A firm has been convicted of breaking safety rules after a man working at Stansted Airport fell through a roof. Peter Lawley was working on a new smoke duct under the airport concourse when he slipped and fell seven metres through a fragile roof on to
Southend United's bid to make the first major cup final of their history ended in a brave defeat during last night's LDV Vans Trophy southern final second leg at Brentford. Blues travelled to Griffin Park knowing they had to overturn a one-goal deficit
Following last minute practice at their Courage Hall venue in Brentwood on Saturday (with an impromptu display to a trampolining party underway at the same time), three of Cloud Nine's Grade 1 competitors, Sarah Ainsworth, James Davies and Hannah Davies
In the Brentwood and District Table Tennis League, the Handicap Cup semi-finals saw Brentwood B lose 5-3 to South Weald A and South Weald D narrowly beat Buttsbury C 5-4. In the Premier Division knockout Cup semi-finals, Brentwood A defeated a weakened
Cheale meats, the Warley-based abattoir blighted by the first detected case of foot-and-mouth more than a month ago, is to reopen its doors today (Thursday) after weeks of inactivity. Jobs have been axed at the plant in an attempt to keep the business
The husband of a wheelchair-bound woman is planning a mass protest in his fight to create and improve disabled parking spaces in Basildon. Ted Hucks, 78, of Holden Gardens, Basildon, feels disabled parking facilities in the town centre are inadequate.
A new prostate cancer screening service is being launched on Friday, at the private Springfield Hospital in Chelmsford, at the start of national Prostate Cancer Awareness Week. More than 500 men in Essex are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year and
Southend United's supporters club trust are appealing for the family of a fan hurt in a Roots Hall match against Macclesfield Town to come forward. The youngster was hit by a ball kicked into the crowd by Macclesfield's red carded goalkeeper Tony Bullock
A unique project involving schools across Colchester has been launched in the town. Pupils at schools across North Essex are being encouraged to take part in the School is Cool Quiz, which has been master-minded by Colchester United in what is thought
Bag snatchers who go thieving while pushing children in buggies are preying on elderly shoppers in Braintree town centre. Police are warning shopkeepers and shoppers to be on their guard against the pair, whose last victim was a woman in her 70s. Both
Animals have been valued and were today (Thursday) to be slaughtered at the tenth Essex farm to contract foot-and-mouth disease. Samples were taken on Tuesday at Rye Farm, in Rye Lane, Layer de la Haye, near the confirmed outbreak of the disease at Wick
Schools funding in Colchester was today branded "perverse" by the leader of the Liberal Democrats. Charles Kennedy today went to speak with teachers and children at St Benedict's College, Colchester. Speaking about the differences in the way schools in
A burglar burst into tears and pretended to have lost his cat after being caught red-handed by an elderly woman in her home. The callous ruse confused the pensioner, believed to be in her 90s, so much that the burglar managed to escape with a handbag
Powerful anti-aircraft machine guns, hand grenades and a mortar were among a terrifying arsenal of weapons seized by detectives targeting a major gun-running gang. Six people were arrested after 50 armed police swooped on Woodside cemetery off Fane Road
A special unit for pupils with severe learning difficulties at a Witham school faces closure. For many years Templars Junior School has had a 12-place support unit which caters for pupils, aged six to 11, with severe and complex emotional and behavioural
The Campion School from Hornchurch are through to the final of this season's Daily Mail Under 18 Schools Cup competition having beaten RGS Newcastle, 17-16, in a nail biting semi-final match at Castlecroft Stadium, Wolverhampton, on Saturday. Trailing
Southend United striker Martin Carruthers has completed a cut-price £20,000 move to Scunthorpe. The 28-year-old forward, who has hit ten goals this season, tied up the deal after agreeing personal terms with Blues' Third Division promotion rivals. And
A children's hospice is battling to maintain its services, it has emerged. Little Haven, in Daws Heath Road, Thundersley, has been forced to make cutbacks on the number of staff it employs, to concentrate its funds on caring for the children. Tim Heaney
