Archive
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Basildon: Appeal to give little eggstra
A funeral director is giving eggstra support to youngsters this Easter. John Taylor, manager of Co-operative Funeral Service in Southernhay, Basildon, is collecting Easter eggs for the town's social services department, which will give them to community
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Soccer: Clark on the mark
Southend United winger Steven Clark was pleased as punch after firing his team mates to a 1-0 Third Division victory at Lincoln City on Saturday. On the up -- Southend's stand-in keeper Daniel Gay made the most of his first team chance at Lincoln City
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Shoebury: Amputee jailed for £9,730 benefit swindle
A wheelchair-bound 60-year-old is starting a six-month prison sentence for fraudulently claiming nearly £10,000 in income support. George Lamb, of Jena Close, Shoebury, pleaded guilty to four charges of illegally claiming benefits and asked for another
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Grays: Performers' perfect record
Pupils of Grays' Celebration Theatre and Performing Arts School recorded a 100 per cent pass rate in their latest round of exams. But the performance of two pupils shone out above the rest. Ross Honeywill and Sam Meleady, both aged 12, were nominated
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Soccer: Colchester United 3-1 Queens Park Rangers (Nationwide League Division Two)
Colchester United's Second Division status is almost certain for another season following their three-goal demolition job on promotion-chasing QPR at Layer Road. Two goals from Kevin Rapley either side of half-time and one from leading scorer Scott McGleish
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Colchester: No more city status bids, implores MP
An MP has pleaded for time to be called on Colchester's bid to become a city in the wake of its latest failure. Colchester was last week turned down in its bid for city status as the honours went to Preston, Newport in Wales, Stirling in Scotland and
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Chelmsford: Man scarred following assault
An unprovoked attack on a stranger in a Chelmsford nightspot left a man scarred for life, a court heard. Colin Winestein, 22, of Pyms Road, Galleywood, was jailed for three years and nine months. He admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Ashley Baker
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Tilbury: Court hug as pair freed
A couple hugged and kissed in court after they were cleared of a raid during which a man was battered with an iron bar. When a jury returned not guilty verdicts Ken Hamoniaux yelled out "yes" and embraced girlfriend Kate Merchant in the dock at Basildon
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Clacton: Foodstore vows to fight on
An international foodstore chain has said it will not give up its fight to build on Clacton's largest market. German-based giant Aldi wants to build the supermarket on the Warwick Castle car park in Pier Avenue. But twice plans have been thrown out. The
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Colchester: Army defends decision after 2 Para return
The Army has defended its decision to house soldiers returning from Afghanistan in a row of cabins at Colchester's Garrison. The 100 members of 2 Para came back from a two-month peacekeeping mission in Kabul and moved into the temporary buildings while
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Essex: Time for better train services
Punctuality of rail services throughout Essex took a nosedive in the later half of last year. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) performance tables show that between July and September, 79 per cent of c2c trains ran on time, but this fell to just 74.3
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Brentwood: Bus talks hope
A new route forward on boosting Brentwood's flagging bus services could emerge following "positive" talks between local campaigners and Transport Minister John Spellar MP. Forcing the issue: Cllr David Kendall, centre, and other members of the delegation
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Soccer: Blatsis makes assured debut
Australian international Con Blatsis, making his debut for injury- and illness-ravaged Colchester United, was happy to mark his return to first-team football with a win over QPR. The former South Melbourne central defender, signed on a non-contract basis
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Soccer: No resting on laurels, warns U's boss
Although highly delighted by the win over QPR, Colchester boss Steve Whitton said: "That doesn't mean we take our foot off the pedal and stop playing. "There are still six games left and 18 points to play for, and although the mood at Layer Road was somewhat
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Basildon: Laughter at Crown Court
Happy smiling faces, laughter and fascination. Not the sort of reactions you would normally get inside Basildon Crown Court, but Saturday saw a very special day. The simple idea of opening up the combined court in the Gore was to help demystify the work
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Basildon: Police shock over tachograph tamperers
More than 30 out of 61 lorry drivers stopped by police in Basildon had interfered with their tachograph, it has been revealed. Police who carried out Operation Mermaid said they were "shocked" at the number of people still committing offences in relation
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Southend: Shopping mall for Odeon
A landmark cinema is set for a new lease of life as a state-of-the-art shopping centre thanks to a £2m deal with the company behind Southend United. Empty - the former Odeon site may be turned into a new shopping centre. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 88KY46
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Linford, Basildon: Jenna wins part in hit TV sitcom
Linford sitcom fanatic Jenna Cromey was jumping for joy when she won the chance of a lifetime - a walk-on part in the hit TV show Friends! Fizzing with joy - the champagne treatment has already started for Jenna, who celebrated her good news with workmates
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Rivenhall: Rector inquiry goes on
Police have said they are seeking advice from the Crown Prosection Service before pushing ahead with an investigation into claims that an Essex rector incited racial hatred. An inquiry was launched after a parishioner complained about an article by the
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Maldon, Colchester: Farmer's wedding hope
Farmer Carl Keeble is taking part in a campaign run by a national magazine in the hope of finding a bride. This farmer wants a wife. Picture: SEANA HUGHES (20280-a) He may even appear on television if Channel 4 decides to make a series about the project
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Soccer: Maidenhead United 0-1 Canvey Island (Ryman League Premier Division)
Canvey stayed top of the Ryman Premier Division thanks to Lee Boylan's solitary goal at Maidenhead United. The Seagulls won't mind the fact that this was, predominantly, a dour affair with very little to separate two sides struggling to find form after
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Frating: Roadworks affects pub trade
A village pub is losing trade because of roadworks at an accident blackspot which have blocked the building off from the rest of the road. The King's Arms pub in Clacton Road, Frating, on the junction of Great Bentley Road and Bromley Road, has been completely
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Brightlingsea: Fish saved from bubble vandals
Firefighters had to rescue hundreds of fish after washing-up liquid was poured into a town pond While praising the swift action of Brightlingsea fire brigade, mayor Jo Ruffell blamed a small minority of youngsters for the vandalism at the town's centrepiece
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Langdon Hills: Jackie trains to be a marathon mum
An infant school teacher is swapping finger-painting for running as she prepares for the London Marathon. Class act - marathon hopeful Jackie May trains before an appreciative audience. Picture: ROBIN WOOSEY 86HJL4 Jackie May, 46, of Lincewood school,
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Chelmsford: Long wait for teenager
A Chelmsford teenager waited for a year to learn whether he would be locked up for his part in violence in a Springfield pub. Landscape gardener Ian Stewart was 17 when he hit a 16-year-old boy in the Two Saxons pub, Springfield, on March 9 last year.
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Southend: Shopping mall for Odeon
A landmark cinema is set for a new lease of life as a state-of-the-art shopping centre thanks to a £2m deal with the company behind Southend United. Empty - the former Odeon site may be turned into a new shopping centre. Picture: TERENCE BUNCH 88KY46
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Essex: Farmers' green deterrent
Fears that land taken out of agricultural production will remain permanently uncultivated could deter Essex farmers from entering environmental schemes. The Country Land and Business Association (CLA), a rural business and landowners pressure group has
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Witham: Man bitten by intruder
A Witham householder's son received antibiotics after he was bitten by a man he thought was a burglar, a court heard. Stuart Cason chased and caught James Morris after seeing two men attempting to scale his father's six feet high back garden fence, Sarah
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Soccer: Uxbridge 1-3 Bishop's Stortford (Ryman League Division One)
Bishop's Stortford went top of the Ryman League Division One after a hard-fought success at mid-table Uxbridge on Saturday. Stortford look odds-on for a place in the Ryman Premier next season, although only two points separates them from 3rd-placed Ford
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Soccer: Grays Athletic 1-3 Purfleet (Ryman League Premier Division)
Purfleet took the plaudits in the battle of Essex on Saturday, condemning Grays Athletic to a rare home defeat. Athletic took the upper hand early on, showing all the style and aggression that has helped them achieve their lofty 3rd place in the table
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Soccer: Lincoln City 0-1 Southend United (Nationwide Division Three)
Southend United moved up a place to 12th in the Division Three standings after recording their first away win of the year at Sincil Bank this afternoon. Right flankman Steven Clark gave Blues the perfect start after seven minutes when he latched onto
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Essex: Time for better train services
Punctuality of rail services throughout Essex took a nosedive in the later half of last year. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) performance tables show that between July and September, 79 per cent of c2c trains ran on time, but this fell to just 74.3
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Southend: Pizza drivers banned from 'danger' estate
A fast food retailer has ordered its drivers to stop delivering pizzas to a Southend estate because it is too dangerous. Bitter taste - Scott Andrews shows the leaflets and menu he received through his letter box from Pizza Hut advertising home deliveries
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Chelmsford, Brentwood: Community penalty for clubber
A young woman found in possession of Ecstasy pills in a Chelmsford night club was on Friday ordered to do 80 hours community service. Saffron Chambers, 19, of Coram Green, Hutton, Brentwood, admitted possessing 20 Ecstasy pills. She denied and was cleared
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Southend: Monster problem
Young artists gave judges a monstrous headache when they took part in a special scary competition. Southend libraries, Odeon cinemas and Ottakars' bookshop got together and launched a competition to tie in with the release of the Disney film Monsters
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Rochford: Tip row decision hope
Rochford District Council is expecting news soon of what Essex County Council is proposing to do to try to solve the crisis over civic amenity sites. There has been an ongoing row between the Rochford and Castle Point areas and Southend after the unitary
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Athletics: Macey prays he's ended injury hell
Canvey's Dean Macey is hopeful his injury jinx is finally behind him - thanks to coach Greg Richards. Macey, 23, was forced to beat the pain barrier to win world championship silver and bronze in the past three years - not to mention that heartbreaking
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Purfleet, Aveley: L-driver's car takeaway
L-driver Daniel Parker went to a takeaway restaurant - and ended up taking a car. Parker, 18, claimed he was sitting in a McDonald's when a youth left the premises and abandoned a stolen Escort in the car park. The defendant took the car and was next
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Soccer: Whitton signs Blatsis
Australian international Con Blatsis has signed for Colchester United. The 24-year-old Melbourne born central defender today signed for the U's on a non-contract basis until the end of the season and goes straight into the squad for tomorrow's vital home
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Tilbury: It's not Danielle
Police have this afternoon confirmed the body of a woman found in a north Kent cement works is not that of missing Tilbury teenager Danielle Jones. Over the weekend there had been fierce speculation that the body found on Friday at the Blue Circle cement
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Soccer: U's a differert team
Any gambling man would have bet his last penny on Colchester United putting Queens Park Rangers to the sword after producing their worst performance for many a year at lowly Peterborough a week earlier. So it proved - with U's running out convincing 3
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Basildon: Witness plea as pals are robbed
Basildon detectives are appealing for witnesses after two teenage boys were threatened with a weapon and robbed. Det Con Scott Fleming of Basildon CID said two boys, aged 14 and 15, got off of a train at Pitsea railway station on Saturday night at 11.10pm
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Soccer: Billericay Town 1-2 Heybridge Swifts (Ryman League Premier Division)
Dominic Gentle's injury-time penalty saw Heybridge snatch all three points from Saturday's visit to Essex rivals Billericay. A sizeable New Lodge crowd of 685 saw both sides struggle to gain the advantage over the first half-hour with resolute defending
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Soccer: Burley says justice was done
George Burley felt it would have been an 'injustice' if Newcastle had snatched maximum points in the dying seconds at St James' Park. The Ipswich boss said he was fearing the worst when Alan Shearer stepped up for a last-gasp penalty during Saturday's
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Frinton: Heirlooms go in house raid
A family have been left distraught after raiders got away with a haul of antiques worth thousands of pounds. The raiders struck some time between March 8 and Saturday, taking many items including valuable family heirlooms with a total value of £7,600.
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Soccer: Great Wakering Rovers 1-1 Tilbury (Ryman League Division Two)
The caretaker is now the boss, with Tilbury having decided to appoint Bill McMeekin as replacement for Tony Cross. The club's reserve team manager, McMeekin had initially only agreed to do the job until the end of the season, but because results have
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Soccer: Ilkeston Town 3-3 Chelmsford City (Dr Martens League Premier Division)
Chelmsford battled for an honest point at Ilkeston Town on Saturday in an entertaining 3-3 draw. The home side lost influential defender Matt McKenzie after only five minutes, though that loss didn't seem to deter the Robins who soon after notched their
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Benfleet: Joseph's colourful show to amaze
Children from South Benfleet Primary School were putting in colourful performances at the dress rehearsal of their latest school play. Rehearsals - Leah Skelton gets into her role of Joseph in the show. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 85G2L2 The full production
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Pitsea, Benfleet: Dad dies after car breakdown
A heartbroken son is desperate to track a lorry driver who battled in vain to save his dad after he suffered a heart attack at Sadlers Farm roundabout. Thanks - Thomas Carr's son Mark, left, wants to hear from the lorry driver who tried to save his dad
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Soccer: Braintree Town 2-3 Enfield (Ryman League Premier Division)
Braintree threw away a two-goal lead at the weekend though remain 6th in the Ryman League Premier standings, despite three successive defeats. Visiting Enfield had been suffering something of a relegation haunted season up until the last couple of months
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Soccer: Harlow Town 2-1 Yeading (Ryman League Division One)
Harlow Town put on a spirited late fightback to take all three points against Yeading on Saturday. After recent dropped points, Town knew that nothing less than the full quota on Saturday would be enough if they were to stay in the promotion hunt. And
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Holland-on-Sea: TV date for our Karen
Was it love at first sight? That's the question the audience was asking when Karen Whitham, of Aylesbury Drive, Holland-on-Sea, was picked on the television programme Blind Date. Karen, 36, an aerobics instructor, appeared on the show on Saturday and
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Benfleet: £3,000 of cigarettes stolen
A haul of cigarettes valued at £3,000 was stolen from a supermarket in High Road, Benfleet. The thieves broke in by smashing a side door and window causing £1,000 worth of damage. Information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 Published Monday, March 18,
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Leigh, Kelvedon: PC's death was tragic accident
A police officer hit by a car as he directed motorists away from a broken-down van on the A12 died in a "tragic accident", an inquest jury decided. PC Rod Daniels, 53, of Leigh, had been driving along the A12 at the Kelvedon bypass on February 8 last
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Basildon: Car crash victim named
Suffolk Police have named the teenager who is fighting for his life in a Cambridge hospital after the car he was travelling in was involved in a head-on crash with a horse-caravan. Tony Slattery, 17, from Basildon, was a passenger in a red Ford Granada
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Soccer: Ryman League Round-Up (Divisions 2 and 3)
Tilbury put a dent in Great Wakering's Ryman Division Two title ambitions on Saturday, holding Rovers to a 1-1 draw in the all-Essex derby. It was a worthy point for mid-table Tilbury, who went close early on through Steve Jones. Gary Ewers then threatened
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Soccer: Makin a mistake - it was no penalty
Chris Makin said he would have been 'absolutely devastated' if the last-gasp penalty he conceded had cost Ipswich Town a point at Newcastle. The Blues emerged with a unlikely share of the spoils thanks to Marcus Bent's double in Saturday's 2-2 draw. But
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Stock: £10,000 antiques taken from home
A 76-year-old man had almost £10,000 in treasured antiques stolen while he was away from home. Police have repeated a warning to other antique owners to be on their guard against doorstep callers. The pensioner was "upset" after thieves broke into his
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Dunmow, Little Canfield: Oil thieves fined
Fines and costs totalling over £1,000 were imposed on a couple who stole two bottles of engine oil from a Dunmow supermarket. Peter Barlow, 52, and his wife Lou Barlow, 54, of Stortford Road, Little Canfield, were sentenced at Chelmsford Crown court on
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Essex: Famous graduates from university
What do world-renowned TV news correspondents, feted authors and prominent scientists all have in common? They are all about to graduate from Essex University. The honorary degrees will be awarded to a host of famous faces, in recognition of people who
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Chelmsford: Krays' guard gets his medal
A prison officer who once guarded East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray has received a long service medal. Stan Rodwell with his medal Stan Rodwell, 59, was presented with the Imperial Service Medal at Chelmsford prison by prison governor Paul Haley
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Hadleigh: Search on for street attack gang
Police are hunting teenagers who left a man with two chipped teeth after kicking him in the face in an unprovoked attack in Hadleigh. The 49-year-old man was walking along London Road when he was assaulted by a gang of white youths aged between 14 and
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Soccer: Newman liked Lincoln display
Southend United manager Rob Newman, who also played himself in attack, praised Blues' gutsy display in their 1-0 win at Lincoln City on Saturday. "We were down to the bare bones for bodies at Lincoln, but I couldn't fault any of the lads at Sincil Bank
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Clacton: Hair-raising cutting by blindfold
Brave volunteers will be putting their hair in the hands of the experts - even though the stylists are being blindfolded. And to add the extra touch of danger, they will also be wearing rollerskates. The hair stylists from Oxygen, in High Street, Clacton
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Colchester: Jubilee gig planned
Plans have been announced for a special concert in Colchester to celebrate the Queen's Golden Jubilee. The concert will be held at the Charter Hall on Monday, June 3, as part of the four-day bank holiday to mark the jubilee. Details were unveiled by the
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Southend: No more patients at crisis-hit hospital ward
A staffing crisis has prompted a ward for elderly people at Southend Hospital to be shut down to further admissions. Patients on 26-bed Paglesham ward will continue to be treated there until they are discharged, hospital bosses assured. Once it is empty
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Soccer: Tring Town 3-0 Aveley (Ryman League Division Three)
You strike the woodwork once then count yourself unlucky, but for a player to do it three times, - well, it's just not his day is it? Unluckiest footballer of last weekend therefore was Aveley midfielder Gary Lynch with two well-hit efforts from range
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Harwich: Seawall repairs
Repair work on Harwich's promenade and seawall is due to start next month. Tendring Council, which looks after the seawall, has contracted workers to start coastal protection work between Wellington Road and Harbour Crescent. The scheme will mainly be
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Benfleet: Site gang nab digger after drive
A search has been launched today for a mini-digger worth £27,000 stolen from a Benfleet building site. Workers, who had been installing a phone mast at the building site in Watlington Road, returned to work this morning to find that the CAT mini-digger
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Mid-Essex: Shellfish ban extended
Harvesting of shellfish off the coast of mid-Essex has been halted after dangerous toxins were found. A ban has been placed on fishermen to stop them taking bi-valve molluscs, such as cockles and oysters, from the water near Maldon and the public is also
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Mid-Essex: Prison van involved in fog crash chaos
The "thickest fog" seen in years caused a string of road accidents which saw a prison van tipped on to its side. The van driver was taken to hospital in Romford, with a suspected broken arm along with the occupants of two other cars after two separate
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Leigh: For your convenience as new super-loos are built
Temporary toilets are to be installed in Leigh while a new £300,000 rest room is built. Work is underway to demolish the public toilets in the alley between Rectory Grove and the Broadway West. However residents raised their concerns to the town council
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Brentwood: Adults' chance to catch up
Adults wanting a boost in their education are being urged to 'Catch on and Catch up' in a new scheme launched by the Brentwood Learning Partnership (BLP). The programme is designed at encouraging adults who feel they have a problem with a certain area
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Laindon: Witness appeal as murder inquiry continues
A murder investigation is progressing after a 57-year-old woman from Laindon was killed in a "particularly vicious and determined attack." Forensic experts at the block of council flats. Pictures: ROBIN WOOSEY 8AN5B26 Post-mortem results showed Anita
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Canvey, Grays: Four axed as dairy depot closes
A dairy firm is making four people redundant when its Canvey depot closes next month, it has just emerged. On April 27, Arla Foods is to pull out of its base in Trevia Avenue, Canvey, and will merge its operation with its Grays depot. The company released
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Soccer: Young guns to ease striker crisis
Two Premiership strikers will arrive at Southend United on trial today. Blues will look at Aston Villa hitman Andrew Marfell and Southampton forward Adam Wallace. And both players are expected to get a Roots Hall run out this week, with Luton Town agreeing
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Woodham: Needled? Not new Mr Tattoo
A South Woodham body artist has been acclaimed as Mr Tattoo by a national magazine. New title - Jason Butcher gets set to work. Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL 88FM51 Customers travel from across the county to visit Immortal Ink in Trinity Square, South Woodham
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Southend: Church plans street party for jubilee
Southend Vineyard Church and local residents are planning a huge jubilee street party in the town. The event, which will take place in Bircham Road, Redstock Road and the car park and premises of Southend Vineyard Church, will provide a range of entertainment
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Colchester: Manager's train anger
A Colchester councillor is taking Anglia Railways to task after he was turfed out of the first-class standing area on a packed train. David Canning, a City project manager, pays £3,500 a year to travel standard class to London. But, when the 7.30am from
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Laindon: Murder inquiry launched
Detectives investigating the death of a 57-year-old woman whose body was found in her Laindon flat have launched a murder inquiry after a post mortem revealed she died from a severe head injury. The body of 57-year-old Anita Gordon, of Rowenhall, Laindon
