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SOUTHEND United are through to the third round of the FA Cup after beating Oxford 3-0. Click on the link below for full report.

SOUTHEND will face a derby against Dagenham and Redbridge in the third round of the FA Cup after they saw off Oxford 3-0 at the second attempt. The orginal tie was a dour goalless draw, but Southend got the perfect start on five minutes when a deflected

THE head of Thames Gateway has left after just a year in the post. Judith Armitt's departure as the project's chief executive comes less than two weeks after Prime Minister Gordon Brown launched a £9billion delivery plan, which he said would make the

TRAVELLERS are hoping to set up a "tent city" next door to their sprawling illegal camp should they be kicked out. Campaigners at Dale Farm, Crays Hill, say they could qualify for help from charity Shelter Box who will provide them with emergency tents

A TEENAGE robber who left a student with horrific injuries after hacking at him with a meat cleaver will be spending Christmas behind bars. A jury at Basildon Crown Court took just a few hours to find Reggie Warmisham, 19, guilty of wounding Phil Blake

A BUSINESSMAN made a citizen's arrest after an armed thief stole one of his lorries during a destructive crime spree. Terry Phillips, 58, confronted the man at Prittlewell rail station after the man had used the lorry to knock over and drag away a phone

THE company that manages Southend's council homes has come under fire for closing two housing offices in the borough. South Essex Homes shut its area offices in Mendip Crescent, Westcliff, and Delaware Road, Shoebury, at the end of November after introducing

YOUNGSTERS who missed out on their school's Christmas play when a ceiling collapsed will get the chance to put on a performance after all. Hadleigh Junior School was closed for a week while emergency repairs were carried out to seven ceilings after

A MAN had a knife held to his throat during a street robbery. The 21-year-old was left with cuts to his thumb and neck after he tried to tackle the two thugs. He was walking in Lincoln Road, on Basildon's Craylands estate, when he was grabbed by one

ETHEL Merrickin, of Hadleigh, celebrated her 109th birthday yesterday. She has been a fully qualified singer and a top-ranking civil servant, as well as maintaining a happy family life. It's amazing what you can pack into a mere 109 years.

THE planned offshore turbine farm along the east coast must become a reality as soon as possible. The arguments in favour of wind power are too compelling, and the alternatives are too frightening to contemplate. Without a huge new boost to our power

CONGESTION caused by rush-hour traffic at a busy roundabout could be eased with new keep clear road markings. Resident Stan Williams, 63, said the painted signs would be a cheap way to warn motorists not to block the Waterside Farm interchange on Canvey

RESIDENTS heckled members of the far-right British National Party after they set up an election stall in Benfleet. The BNP had set up a stall outside South Benfleet Primary School, in High Road, to start their campaign for the St Mary's ward by-election

A REMARKABLE boy has been awarded the title of "most helpful pre-schooler 2007" for his selflessness in looking after his younger brother. Connor Miller, four, of Bourne Avenue, Laindon, was nominated for the national award by his mum and bosses at the

MP John Baron has hit out at claims he is "anti-gipsy" and says people who oppose traveller sites are not racist. Tory Mr Baron said the accusations from Dale Farm campaigners show they are running out of arguments. Mr Baron spoke out after the claims

TEEN campaigners spent a cold, wet weekend surviving on basic rations in makeshift slums to raise thousands for poverty stricken families in Latin America. Eleven members of Thundersley Congregational Church braved the frosty weather for two nights eating

A CAMPAIGN to stop sex offenders being housed in a hostel near a children's playground has failed - despite a series of serious incidents. The Ministry of Justice has refused to ban sex offenders staying in Felmores bail hostel, claiming there have been

A WOMAN was threatened with a screwdriver by two would-be carjackers. The 21-year-old student was in her Mini waiting for her boyfriend on the Kendal Estate, off London Road, Purfleet, when two men pulled up in a grey BMW. They told her she was sitting

A REMARKABLE boy has been awarded the title of "most helpful pre-schooler 2007" for his selflessness in looking after his younger brother. Connor Miller, four, of Bourne Avenue, Laindon, was nominated for the national award by his mum and bosses at the

A SEX predator faces a long jail term after being convicted of sexually assaulting three schoolgirls in a park. Stephen Lott, 29, targeted the girls, aged between nine and 12, while they played at Aveley recreation ground, in High Street, Aveley. At

A SPINE-chilling production of Dickens's A Christmas Carol had drama students on the edge of their seats. The Tiny Giants theatre company performed the famous ghost story to Year 7 pupils at FitzWimarc School, Rayleigh. The Victorian morality tale,

A RESCUE centre hopes to find a Christmas home for a fluffy bunny left behind by owners who could not cope. Nine-month-old Pepper was brought into Warren Lodge Rabbit Rescue Centre, Osbourne Road, Bowers Gifford, by a young family. Lesley Collins, manager

BROKEN traffic lights near a school and shopping parade are forcing families to take their lives in their own hands, a frustrated parent has claimed. Mike Gibson, 48, said the lights operating the crossing near William Read Primary School, in Long Road

DETECTIVES are hoping to reunite a stash of valuable gems with their owners. The expensive haul, recovered by police after they arrested a suspected burglar, includes a gold diamond-encrusted Vivaldi watch, a Gucci watch and a diamond and sapphire ring

A SEX predator faces a long jail term after being convicted of sexually assaulting three schoolgirls in a park. Stephen Lott, 29, targeted the girls, aged between nine and 12, while they played at Aveley recreation ground, in High Street, Aveley. At

GREEN campaigners have welcomed Government plans for up to 7,000 wind turbines around the British coast. However, fishermen said the proposals could have a huge impact on their industry in the Thames Estuary. The proposals announced by business secretary

GREEN campaigners have welcomed Government plans for up to 7,000 wind turbines around the British coast. However, fishermen said the proposals could have a huge impact on their industry in the Thames Estuary. The proposals announced by business secretary

A MAN in his forties had to be cut free from his car this morning, following an accident at a junction in Benfleet. Ambulance crews called on firefighters to cut the door off a Toyota Avensis after it was in collision with a Citroen Saxo at the junction

MORE than 100 children took to the dancefloor to raise over £4,000 for the hospitals which helped their pals recover from serious illnesses. Youngsters at the Bailar Dance School at Tarpots, in Benfleet, took part in a danceathon for Great Ormond Street

SEEVIC College's Lisa Nepean is back from Bulgaria a hat-trick heroine after playing for England in the World Deaf Futsal Championships in Sofia. The women's team beat Norway in the third and fourth play-off game to pick up the bronze medal after losing

CHARLIE MacDonald is aiming to impress when Southend United take on Oxford United in tonight's FA Cup second round replay at Roots Hall. The striker, who has made just four starts so far this season, looks set to replace the unavailable Leon Clarke in

Southend United's Adam Barrett has been forced out of tonight's clash against Oxford with a rib injury. The centre back picked up the problem during Saturday's 2-1 triumph over Swindon Town. And, although X-rays have since confirmed there is no fracture

LUCAS Neill has urged West Ham manager Alan Curbishley to keep his chequebook in his pocket during next month's transfer window. The Australian was one of six players to join the Irons last January as Curbishley embarked on a £17million spending spree

SOUTHEND-on- Sea Swimming Club dominated proceedings when local hopefuls competed at the Canvey Island Spirit Gale Trophy. Southend collected the Top Club award with 389 points, with hosts Canvey third on 222 and Borough of Southend fifth at a competition

SOUTHEND Swifts under-14 girls blazed their own trail in the National League south one conference game with South-ampton Trailblazers at Ray-leigh's FitzWimarc School. They won 65-41 in their first ever meeting with this opposition to make it three

Essex legend Graham Gooch is considering a return to the role of England selector. The former Essex and England captain, who played 118 Test matches and 125 One-Day Internationals, has admitted he is interested in the newly-formed role of national cricket

WESTCLIFF tasted defeat for the first time this season and are out of the EDF Senior Vase at the fourth round stage, losing 15-3 at London Three North East rivals Diss. They are still unbeaten in the league but Diss, the team that are breathing down

WITH several new faces catching the eye for Southend on Saturday, coach Kevin Harman admitted that selecting his starting line-up for this weekend's National League Two clash with Blaydon will be no easy task. The Seasiders' coach made several changes

WESTCLIFF Lions lost 31-0 at home to Thurrock seconds at Aviation Way. Thurrock showed the form that has seen them move to the top of the Merit Table but it was not until the last 15 minutes of the match that they really started scoring. Westcliff set

Stanford-le-Hope's second side suffered a 20-5 defeat at Brentwood thirds. Liam Morley crossed the line for a rare try, while Dean Barter was named man-of-the-match. Runwell's second team ran out 22-12 winners over Dagenham thirds. Dennis Mason, Matt

SOUTHEND Rugby Club may have crashed out of the National Trophy at the hands of Cornish side Mounts Bay on Saturday, but coach Kevin Harman was still delighted by his side's display. The Seasiders, who made numerous changes to their starting line-up,

ESSEX Senior League Concord Rangers have been granted another home tie as they bid for a place in the last-16 of the Carlsberg sponsored FA Vase. In the fourth round on January 19, Canvey based Concord will host West Midlands Premier top-six side Shawbury

CANVEY Island could face a new injury problem when they bid to move into the Ryman One North play-off places tonight. Gulls took their unbeaten run to nine matches in all competitions when they drew 2-2 at home to Arlesey Town on Saturday. And the Islanders

BILLERICAY Town's caretaker bosses Jason Broom and Grant Gordon will be bidding to extend the unbeaten run since they took over to four games when they visit Tonbridge Angels in the Ryman League Premier Division tonight. With the hosts third from bottom

BUTTSBURY Junior were the stars when the Billericay knockout stages of the Basildon District Schools' seven-a-side competitions were staged. Brightside Primary again hosted the event and the year five competition went to Buttsbury with the home school

HAWKWELL Athletic are fielding two new girls teams, at under-11 and 12 age group level, in the Essex County Girls League this season. They were formed from the summer school at Apex Corner, Hockley, for girls only, organised by Darren Hawkes and coached

A TEENAGE girl had to be treated for internal injuries after being viciously beaten in the street by a man. The 18-year-old was walking through an archway, near the shops at Felmores, Basildon, when a man walked up and punched her to the ground. He

A CABBIE was punched and kicked before his taxi was stolen. The driver, 40, had stopped on the Felmores estate, near to the Watermill pub, Basildon, when he was approached by two men. One got into the front seat and demanded the keys. The victim refused

A LEIGH dancer's latest performance has been watched by a record audience - 2.4 billion people. Jenny Gayner, 29, has understudied the role of Roxy Hart in the sellout West End production of Chicago for the past two years. The job has meant she has

The quest for another England football team coach borders on the ridiculous. UEFA president, French- man Michel Platini, suggests an Englishman should be the new coach. However, the English spokesman for the premier league, Dan Johnson rejects this

If Southend gets a new-look Warrior Square I think it would make an ideal location for the bandstand. Warrior Square is almost in the heart of Southend, with easy access for visitors. There would be less chance of the bandstand being vandalised if it

In the years leading up to the relaxation of the licensing laws, the Government stated in their white paper the later hours would only occur in non-residential areas. Residential areas would be open no longer than midnight. Southend Council, on the

Biometrication is a big word. It is also a big idiot. It means measuring your life details, fingerprints, eyes etc. All of these can be duplicated, faked or distorted. The Government and the police want to use biometrication for ID cards. It has a naive

As a boy I had a structured and secure upbringing and have never fallen foul of the law. For years I was a schoolmaster with a reputation as a disciplinarian; I co-operated with authority; I helped bring up my children to be responsible and law-abiding

Christmas is fast approaching and the time when we poor geezers get dragged around the shops like beasts of burden to carry and advise on the suitability of presents for individuals, some who we do not even know from Adam! You can sometimes spot us lingering

THE fight to stop a huge waste plant being built in south Essex is facing its toughest battle to date. Campaigners supporting the Echo's Don't Dump on Basildon campaign are fearing the worst after Essex County Council moved closer to securing £90million

ECO-FRIENDLY pupils were paid a visit by Rayleigh MP Mark Francois to show him how they make their school sustainable. Year 10's Eco Club at Sweyne Park School, Rayleigh, spoke to the MP about how they recycle waste. They have special bins in the school

A SPURNED lover who stalked his ex-partner was spared jail and ordered to attend a domestic violence programme. Steven Burgin, 37, of Maple Square, Southend, bombarded the woman with abusive telephone calls and text messages and repeatedly turned up

A TEENAGE driver sustained minor injuries after a collision with a police car. Kelly Stimpson, 18, from Hullbridge, was the passenger in a blue Renault Clio being driven by her friend when they pulled out of the Webster's Way car park, Rayleigh, and

CANVEY Town Council has agreed to help fund a £10,000 study looking for ways to clean up Canvey Lake. Councillors have agreed to pay £5,000 towards the study, with the other half coming from the Groundwork Trust, a group dedicated to improving the environment

DEATH with dignity at home. For those coping with a terminal illness, it is often a cherished final wish. Helping achieve that peace of mind is the aim of the Fair Havens Hospice at Home scheme, which is allowing an increasing number of people to die

A TORY MP has called on the Government to review its policy on police salary levels following anger over its 2.5 per cent pay rise for officers. Dr Bob Spink tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on the Government to re-think its plans urgently

PLANS to give top councillors a "parachute payout" after losing office in an election have been rejected by a former leading councillor. The proposal has come from the independent Councillors Commission, which will soon report to the communities secretary

TRADERS fear plans to turn a rundown shelter into a juice bar could force their business to shutdown. Leslie and Selman Clapham own the No 10 Beachside Cafe, in Chalkwell, and are concerned there is not enough trade to support two similar businesses.

A WOMAN was threatened with a screwdriver by two would-be carjackers. The 21-year-old student was in her Mini waiting for her boyfriend on the Kendal Estate, off London Road, Purfleet, when two men pulled up in a grey BMW. They told her she was sitting

The Essex branch of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has condemned plans which would open up a coastal corridor for walkers. A document from Natural England, the agency behind the footpath proposals, says "free access to its coastline

MORE than 200 people gathered in Knightswick shopping centre on Canvey to support Havens Hospices. The hospices' Light up a Life scheme gives visitors the opportunity to remember friends and family who have passed away. With each donation, bereaved

IT will be anything but a silent night in Basildon tonight with more than 200 people expected to pack into St Martin's Church to join in an evening of glorious carol singing. Palmer's Solicitors is organising its first ever community carol concert, which

A WELL-KNOWN great-grandmother who valiantly fought two separate bouts of cancer before helping others cope with the disease has died. Iris Ford, 77, from Leigh, is fondly remembered at Southend Hospital for the tremendous support she gave to fellow

EMPLOYEES at a call centre in Rayleigh are worried about their jobs after bosses announced it is cutting the opening hours. Powergen, based in London Road, currently operates its call centre 24 hours a day, but is changing to 8am to 8pm on weekdays and

ESSEX councillors are lobbying Government ministers over a feared £8million cash shortfall for a new free bus travel scheme. Local authorities across the country say they will struggle to meet the cost of the national scheme, which is expected to be