Weekend sport

Colchester United turned in one of their worst performances of the season to lose 3-1 away at Peterborough United.

For Southend United in Division Three there was a scarcity of goals as the drew 0-0 with Rochdale.

Monday news

Southend's prestige was dealt a blow today as Essex FM revealed it is set to quit the town in favour of Chelmsford.

The radio station has been broadcasting from Clifftown Road, Southend, for the past 20 years.

A new lap-dancing club was set to open in a seaside resort.

The Sanctuary Bar, on Walton seafront, revealed plans for a private members' lap-dancing club above the bar.

Worried protesters have joined forces in a renewed fight against plans for a mobile phone mast on a Canvey industrial estate.

Parents had thought their battle was at an end when members of Castle Point Council's planning committee threw out a proposal by mobile phone giant Orange for a mast in The Point.

But, just days later they discovered bosses at the phone firm were still hunting for a site in the area.

Fitness trainer Lance-Corporal Jim Mazzoni-Dalton of 3 Para based at Colchester Garrison was preparing for a tough challenge crossing the hot Sahara Desert.

Monday sport

Apologetic U's boss Steve Whitton made a vow to Colchester fans that the club will only make the drop to Division Three over his dead body.

A hot under the collar Whitton blasted: "It was our worst performance since I have been manager and probably in all my time at the club as a player."

Tuesday news

Hundreds of asylum seekers could apply for Essex council homes if their application to stay in the UK is successful, it was warned.

Southend social services chiefs fear a "potential major problem" in the town if asylum seekers ask the council to provide them with council houses in the future.

Police feared there could still be lethal knives on the streets of Basildon after a one-month amnesty to retract the weapons proved unsuccessful.

A Colchester school has just four days to raise £4,000 to bid for the first business and enterprise college status in Essex.

St Benedict's College needs the money to attain the £50,000 sponsorship money required by the Government in order to submit its bid.

Irish setter Boyci and his owner Terry Ringe are celebrating success after Boyci, who competes under the name Tardelli the Wanderer, came first in the graduate dog class for his breed at Crufts.

Tuesday sport

Five footballers who were in the squad that lost so woefully at Peterborough on Saturday are battling to save their careers at Colchester United.

U's boss Steve Whitton admitted today that goalkeeper Simon Brown, defenders Alan White and Ross Johnson, midfielder Bobby Bowry and utility-man David Gregory have another seven games to prove they deserve another contract.

Wednesday news

A prestigious £50m regional heart centre is set to be based in Basildon after the town's hospital won out against a rival bid by Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

They ruled Basildon the preferred site - largely due to its "track record of innovations in cardiac services and developing a successful cardiac network."

A police investigation was under way after a council refuse worker was shot at while on his daily round in Vange.

The worker, who has not been named, escaped injury after a pellet ricocheted into his van in Ravenscourt Road.

Around 70 off-duty police officers from across Essex were attending a mass protest in London over the Home Secretary's plans to reform the service.

The officers were to join more than 5,000 of their colleagues from across the UK outside the Houses of Parliament to lobby MPs about proposals to shake up their pay structure and introduce new civilian wardens with police-style powers.

Changing man? - Blues' Kevin Maher tussles with former colleague Carl Hutchings in Southend's match against Leyton Orient but might soon be joining him at Brisbane Road.

Wednesday sport

Beleaguered U's boss Steve Whitton was forced to quarantine four squad members after 'flu hit the Colchester United camp.

The U's boss will be keeping a close eye on all his players over the next few days.

Southend United midfielder Kevin Maher's future was the main topic of conversation, following Blues' 2-1 Third Division defeat at Leyton Orient last night.

O's boss Paul Brush, a former Southend defender, admitted he was desperate to recruit the 25-year-old, who will be available on a Bosman free transfer during the summer.

Thursday news

Essex was snubbed in its bids for city status, and Preston, in the North of England, was set to become England's newest city.

The announcement means bids from Colchester, Chelmsford and Southend have been ignored.

Schools across south and west Essex were closed as a bitter pay dispute deepened between teachers and education bosses.

Thousands of parents in the area were making desperate contingency plans as a result of the 24-hour industrial action

Grandmother Georgina Wheeler of West Mersea is preparing to cycle from Newcastle to London to raise awareness of a campaign to reunite families.

Thursday sport

Southend United manager Rob Newman hoped to give his ailing firing line a boost by signing a loan striker before the weekend.

Groin injuries are expected to again force crocked frontmen Tes Bramble, Mark Rawle and Tony Richards out of Saturday's Third Division trip to Lincoln City.

Friday news

A landmark cinema was 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.

Developer Martin Dawn confirmed it had bought the former Odeon cinema in Elmer Approach, Southend, leaving South East Essex College's £30m relocation in chaos.

The college wanted to use the Odeon as a high-profile gateway to its new campus on the former goods yard in Elmer Approach.

An arson attack at Philip Morant School in Colchester was the second in a week, it was revealed.

Staff and pupils at the school in Prettygate, Colchester, were evacuated yesterday as smoke began pouring from ground floor changing rooms shortly after pupils changed for a sports lesson.

The largest independent care home in north-east Essex was being sold - but elderly residents at Walton's award-winning Blenheim House were assured they would not have to move.

Martin Jenkins, the owner for 20 years, said one of his reasons for selling was the introduction of new care standard requirements next month.

Carer Sam Spalding fell down a Colchester storm drain after its cover had been removed by pranksters.

Friday sport

Australian international Con Blatsis signed for Colchester United.

The 24-year-old Melbourne born central defender signed for the U's on a non-contract basis until the end of the season and went straight into the squad for Saturday's vital home game against Queens Park Rangers.