Weekend sport

Colchester United reversed the problems of recent weeks with a 3-1 victory over QPR at Layer Road in Nationwide Division Two.

There was also good news for Southend United in Division Three as they beat Lincoln City away with a Steven Clark goal.

Monday news

A fast food retailer has ordered its drivers to stop delivering pizzas to a Southend estate because it is too dangerous.

Pizza Hut claims it is acting in the interests of its workers by banning them from the Woodgrange estate, formerly the Kursaal estate, despite sending out promotional offers to residents.

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 year, when he stopped to help the driver of the van, which was blocking the inside lane.

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!

The 21-year-old sales co-ordinator, who works in Basildon, is to travel to Los Angeles to meet the cast and prepare for her appearance.

Prison officer, Stan Rodwell, 59, who once guarded East End gangsters Ronnie and Reggie Kray received the Imperial Service Medal at Chelmsford prison

Monday sport

Two Premiership strikers were set to arrive at Southend United on trial.

Blues will look at Aston Villa hitman Andrew Marfell and Southampton forward Adam Wallace.

Tuesday news

An exorcist rather than an electrician may be called in to deal with flashing lights at an Essex castle as staff fear ghostly goings-on.

The phantom flickerings started at Mountfitchet Castle, Stansted about a year ago, and happen most days at midday.

A teenage girl told of her terror after a dart was thrown at her from a block of flats in Southend.

Elizabeth Smith, 15, was walking home with her boyfriend Mark Abbs, 20, when she felt a piercing pain in her head.

Colchester's cattle market reopened after more than a year's break.

The livestock auction was close in Februrary 2001 amid fears of the foot-and-mouth disease spreading.

A motorist had a lucky escape after gales blew down a tree in Wickford - straight onto his car. The driver was not inside the Ford Fiesta when disaster struck, police revealed.

Tuesday sport

Third Division championship chasers Luton Town have denied any interest in Southend United's midfield contract rebel Kevin Maher.

Hatters boss Joe Kinnear admitted he was aware that the 25-year-old could be available on a Bosman free transfer at the end of the season.

Wednesday news

Nearly £20m has been poured into Basildon's ailing Towngate Theatre since it was built, it emerged.

The theatre, which has been shut since 1998, costs Basildon Council around £1m a year in loan repayments, running costs and grants.

A man who plummeted 50ft from the top of a multi-storey car park had a "remarkable escape" from death.

Shoppers saw the 21-year-old man fall from the fourth level of the Meadows multi-storey car park in Baddow Road, Chelmsford.

Two Essex Health authorities were criticised for "failing to provide an adequate service" to critically ill patients.

Essex Rivers Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs services in Colchester, Clacton, Harwich and Halstead, and Mid Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust, which covers Chelmsford, Braintree, Witham and Maldon, were both criticised after inspections by the health ombudsman.

Anita Morris, of Lexden, has received some surprise house guests two gnomes Ernie and Nigel which were mysteriously left at her home.

Wednesday sport

Oxford United keeper Richard Knight was set to play for Colchester United reserves as part of a deal that could take Andy Woodman the other way.

Thursday news

A mystery investor wants to open Essex's first ever cannabis cafe in Witham.

The Dutch-style pot smoking den could open in Witham, if drugs laws change.

Powerful doses of the female hormone oestrogen are creating hermaphrodite fish in the River Blackwater, says an Environment Agency study.

But despite assurances from the agency and the water companies involved, environment groups fear men's fertility could also be affected.

Police were hunting burglars who left a trail of "absolute devastation" and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage

Between £20,000 and £50,000 of damage was caused when a ceiling collapsed into Dovercourt Discount Store, in Main Road, after burglars left taps running in the flat above.

Ole! -- Norman Lowing charged into his year of office as Castle Point Golf Club captain by dressing as a matador.

Thursday sport

Hard-hitting Colchester United boss Steve Whitton revealed there will not be deals for every one of his players currently seeking new contracts.

But the U's manager plans to speak to 24-year-old Australian international new-boy Con Blatsis with a view to keeping him at Layer Road on a long-term basis.

Friday news

Colchester's first out-of-town security camera system will be set up on the town's biggest housing estate.

Five new colour CCTV cameras, which switch to infra-red for night-time filming, are set to be installed on the Greenstead estate to cut down on crime and make people feel safer.

Essex's head of education was set to step down after seven years in the post.

Paul Lincoln, 55, was well-known for bringing a "see-through" philosophy to the Essex County Council department. But he has confirmed he will leave in the autumn.

Children at Willows School in Basildon, have enjoyed their Christmas dinner - three months late.

The school, in Church Road, missed its original festive dinner because of a suspected arson attack.

Essex's oldest man Harry Laverick, who lives in Maldon, has celebrated his 108th birthday - and put his long life down to being a bachelor!

Friday sport

Southend United boss Rob Newman wants his side to take revenge on Scunthorpe United when they visit Roots Hall over the weekend.

In the away tie earlier in the season Southend lost 2-0.

Colchester United had some good news ahead of their weekend game against Wycombe Wanderers with the signing until the end of the season of Con Blatsis.