Stories for 20 December 2005

Basildon,Echo,Essex News

Wickford: Police link ram-raids on car showrooms

Detectives today linked a daring break-in at a car showroom to a similar incident at the company's previous Southend address last month.   more...

Laindon: Fight to save Basildon's oldest social club

Battling members of Basildon's oldest social club have vowed to fight "tooth and nail" to stop it being turned into flats after it emerged one of it's new owners is a current member.  more...

Coryton: Superport plans delayed until New Year

The final decision over plans for a superport and business park at Shellhaven has been delayed until next year.   more...

Eveninggazette News

Essex: A12 chase

Three police cars were damaged as officers stopped a car thief after a chase down the A12.   more...

Witham: Traders angry at negative remarks

Market traders say they feel let down by their town council, after one of its offshoot groups criticised the size of the market.   more...

Kirby Cross: Traveller Tim to add TLC

Commuter Tim Ward will be keeping his village station on the rails in future.   more...

Colchester: Drinkers as young as 12 dump booze haul

Police seized a haul of booze dropped by fleeing underage drinkers.   more...

Clacton: Man, 33, jailed for craft knife attack

A long-running dispute between two men ended with one of them being slashed across the face with a Stanley knife.   more...

Maldon: Morrisons fined for advertising banners

A supermarket giant has been hit with a fine for putting up advertising banners without planning permission.   more...

Hatfield Peverel: This one's just for you Dad

Memories of a beloved father are the inspiration for a poet's latest book.   more...

Chelmsford: Woman dies in crash

A motorist died after a head-on collision between two cars.   more...

Essex: £1.25m expenses are claimed by councillors

Representatives at County Hall have claimed more than £1.25 million in expenses during the last year.   more...

Clacton: Resort's £2.4m facelift plan

The first impression of what Clacton town centre will look like if a major £2.4 million facelift gets the green light has been revealed.   more...

Witham: Vandals scupper fundraising effort

Heartless vandals have ruined a fundraising festive display in the front garden of a home by cutting all the wires connecting it.   more...

Wivenhoe: Urgent talks over housing plan

Council chiefs have called for urgent talks over a major housing redevelopment scheme in an Essex town.   more...

Braintree: Reindeer's festive visit

Furry reindeer were befriended and stroked by children at a shopping centre as they paid a flying visit.   more...

Colchester: All that glisters is not gold

A touch of sparkle has been added to Colchester Zoo's rhino breeding plans.   more...

Eveninggazette Sport

Soccer: Gnohere handed a trial

Arthur Gnohere is set for a trial with Ipswich Town.   more...

Soccer: Danns aiming for victory

Neil Danns is desperate to give Colchester United fans an early Christmas present.  more...

Soccer: U's are hoping to break Dons duck

MK Dons - formerly Wimbledon - and Colchester United have met only twice before in cup or trophy action.   more...

Soccer; Danns aiming for victory

Neil Danns is desperate to give Colchester United fans an early Christmas present.   more...

Gnohere handed a trial

Arthur Gnohere is set for a trial with Ipswich Town.   more...

Soccer: Fringe players get a chance to shine

Colchester United's footballers will be aiming to step beyond the fringe at Milton Keynes Dons `theatre of dreams' tonight.   more...

Southend,Echo,Essex News

Hawkwell: Christmas tree wrecked by vandals

Vandals have wreaked havoc on a village's showpiece Christmas tree causing thousands of pounds of damage.   more...

Southend: Man caged for life after mum murder

A man was today starting a life sentence after being found guilty of murdering his mother by setting her on fire.   more...

South Essex: Traders ready for Christmas rush

Traders were today gearing up for the last-minute Christmas rush with many shops staying open late to cope with the volume of shoppers.   more...

South Essex: Magistrates' strike for the first time in 800 years

Dozens of staff in magistrates' courts across south Essex are on strike today for the first time in the service's 800 year history.   more...

Thundersley: Spink calls for reopening of toilets

Castle Point's MP rallied in Parliament yesterday for a Thundersley toilet block used by "sexual perverts" to be reopened.   more...

Castle Point: Council on road to recovery

Castle Point Council is on the road to becoming a better authority, according to a report published today.   more...

Southend,Echo,Essex Sport

Last-gasp draw is humbug for Harman

KEVIN Harman failed to muster any Christmas cheer despite seeing his Southend team scrape a last gasp draw with bogey side Lydney at Warners Bridge.  more...

Canvey gear up for City slickers' visit

CANVEY Island have again been drawn at home against opposition from a lower level for the second successive round as they bid for a place in the last 16 of the FA Trophy.  more...