Hot dinners could be taken off the school menu next year to cut costs at a primary school. Jotmans Hall Primary School, in Benfleet, is expecting to close its kitchen from the end of March 2007 because there are not enough pupils taking up the option
Stallholders have called for Basildon Market to be moved into the Town Square. The stalls have been in Market Square, on the outskirts of the town square, for more than 50 years. But traders are worried about falling profits and believe the time
Frustrated shopowners in Pitsea say they will stand united against the teenagers terrorising them. It comes after three schoolchildren were arrested on their lunch-break from Chalvedon School, for a suspected racial assault on Kenyan-born newsagent
Basildon MP Angela Smith has admitted it will be difficult for her to retain her seat at the next election due to the boundary changes, but denied the game is over. Mrs Smith, who won by a majority of 3,142 in 2005, faces a tougher challenge in 2009
Residents will be able to choose the next Tory candidate to take on Basildon MP Angela Smith at a special selection vote. People of all political persuasions, including loyal Labour voters, are eligible to take part in the revolutionary selection process
Southend's troubled winter ice rink has lost its main sponsor, Mayhem nightclub - only hours before it finally opened to the public. But Kerry Whitaker, director of operators Cascade Ice, insisted it would not affect the operation of the rink. The
Demand for allotments in Basildon is rocketing - and the green-fingered among us are getting younger. Rocket, pun intended, is just one of the countless members of the fruit and veg family which hundreds of plots spread around the district grow today
It's not the kind of response that you'd imagine a make-up artist would be happy with, but the words "that looks awful" are music to Michelle Court's ears. With blood slowly trickling down your face and what looks convincingly like a shard of glass
Traders and councillors are convinced Leigh's lights switch-on will go without a hitch - despite a car accident which accidentally tore down part of the display. The crash may leave part of Leigh Road without any sparkle, but Leigh Town Council is
A handful of schools are celebrating after being singled out for providing outstanding education to pupils. Education watchdog Ofsted praised 19 schools and 29 early years classes in Essex for the quality of teaching revealed in inspections in the
A lorry park labelled a "council tip" by users is to be turned into a modern truckstop, the Echo can reveal. The parking area, in Courtauld Road, Basildon, had come under fire after becoming a haven for flytippers who used it to dump everything from
The new year will bring a new start for disabled people who are moving into a £5.5million purpose-built care home. The John Grooms charity has been fundraising for more than three years to make the new complex in Oakhurst Road, Prittlewell, possible
...Congratulations to Southend United on beating Man United and also getting as far as they have in the Carling Cup. Having queued for hours, but failing to get a ticket for this fixture, I had hoped a better system would be put in place for the next
I am tired of people moaning about Southend United's planned new stadium. I am a true Blue and Southend is my past, present and future. My father was the head fire marshall at the Blues before he passed away. His ashes are scattered on the Blues turf
Having just received my gas and electricity statement, I was quite happy with the fact they were both in credit - but the Gas Board isn't. Three days later I open my mail and I'm shocked to find two letters from British Gas, increasing my payments for
To reduce costs and cut back on the £9million overspend, the director of technical and environmental services, the director of leisure services and the director of social care have been encouraged to terminate their employment with Southend Council.
Southend will be one of the first areas in the UK to get a "supernanny" to root out antisocial behaviour. Tony Blair has announced plans to place parenting experts in 77 pilot areas of the UK - one of which is Southend. The new initiative will draw
Tesco's largest ever clothing department will open in Pitsea on Monday. The new department - which cover an area of 16,000 square feet - will be part of a massive first-floor extension, which will create 50 new full and part-time jobs at the town's
A primary school teacher has been cleared of five charges of serious professional incompetence by the General Teaching Council. Jeanette Wyman was accused of failing to provide satisfactory teaching, follow behaviour management procedures, plan lessons
Southend United full back Stevie Hammell is hoping his first ever Essex derby can help Blues to return to their best. The struggling Shrimpers, who sit bottom of the Championship, have still won in the League since mid-August. But Hammell is praying
Southend United striker Lee Bradbury continued his comeback by bagging another brace for the reserves at Roots Hall yesterday. The experienced front-runner, who also scored two goals for the second string at Norwich City last week, hit home two more
An improved second half showing from Billericay Town helped them see off Harrow Borough 3-0 at New Lodge last night. Matt Jones's men hit hime a trio of strikes after the break with Darren Blewitt, Leon Hunter and Ricky Burbridge all working their
Great Wakering Rovers went into their game at third placed Enfield Town third from bottom with their hosts occupying a top three position. But the difference between the sides was negligible with the village visitors being desperately unlucky to lose
Canvey Island continued their push for a play-off spot with a 2-1 win over Redbridge in last night's Park Lane derby. Gulls took their recent run to just one defeat in nine games in all competitions with a confident display that saw Lee Jay give them
Gloucester Park regular geoff Byatt took a clear win at the first of the winter's opens at the Basildon venue, weighing in a tremendous 32lb 15oz catch. Byatt fished the cockle bank where he used a quivertip and luncheon meat baits. About an hour
