Stories for 30 December 2005

Basildon,Echo,Essex News

Wickford: Dead mum's identity confirmed

A pensioner found strangled in her own home has been formally identified by police.   more...

Basildon: Call for protection after savage attack on 85-year-old

A terrified pensioner today called on Basildon Council to introduce urgent security measures to a sheltered housing complex after her 85-year-old neighbour was savagely assaulted in her home.   more...

Basildon: Carer group given fresh hope

Vital support services for carers across Basildon could yet be saved, despite the demise of the town's Crossroads charity.   more...

Laindon: Plans to insulate doomed homes

Residents whose homes face demolition in the summer have been left dumbfounded by a free offer to insulate their houses.   more...

Eveninggazette News

Colchester: Teenager's painful fall on ice

Teenager Carl Hauton is heading to Disneyland Paris with a broken wrist after taking a tumble on Colchester's icy streets.   more...

Tendring: Crackdown on boozy yobs a hit

A major operation to combat binge drinking and alcohol-related offences in Tendring over Christmas has been hailed a success.   more...

Harwich: Man ,77, fell from sea wall

An elderly man was taken to hospital after he tripped while climbing down a sea wall.   more...

Mid-Essex: Alarm over hooded thieves

Hooded thieves are being hunted by police in mid-Essex.   more...

Chelmsford: Tributes paid to crash victim

An inquest has been opened and adjourned on a Chelmsford man who died in a road accident.   more...

Alresford: Runners are Dubai-bound

A builder who was one of the finalists in a national competition to find people whose lives have been changed by exercise is preparing to run in two marathons.   more...

Clacton: Speed camera fight lost

Residents on one of Clacton's busiest residential estates have lost their battle for speed cameras to be introduced in a bid to slow down traffic.   more...

Braintree: Heidi's `hi' to TV's Bradley

A slimming group leader had a special Christmas treat when she met Coronation Street actor Bradley Walsh, alias cheeky charmer Danny Baldwin.   more...

Gosfield: Appeal by house owners

House owners are appealing against a decision to stop them building a new home, garage and driveway on their property.   more...

Colchester: Fire family says thanks

A family facing a homeless Christmas thanked friends and strangers who helped them have a "wonderful" time.   more...

Dovercourt: Broken lift strands arthritic resident

A retirement home has apologised after a resident was stranded over Christmas because of a broken lift.   more...

Rettendon, Great Bentley: Freedom hope

Family and friends of convicted murderer Michael Steele are confident he will be freed after an appeal hearing next month.   more...

Great Bentley: It's a towering achievement

Hallelujah! Villagers are celebrating the end of a major £100,000 repairs of their historic church's tower.   more...

Colchester: Woman attacked niece at family party

A family birthday party ended in violence when a woman whacked her niece with a metal pole.   more...

Eveninggazette Sport

Soccer: Snags still blight U's fans' hope

Another delay has hit the deal which would give the green light for a community stadium and hundreds of new homes in north Colchester.   more...

Swimming: Gibson ready for defence

Witham swimmer James Gibson will defend his Commonwealth breaststroke title after being selected in the England squad for next year's Games.   more...

Soccer: Nervous time for Ipswich

Richard Naylor today admitted that Ipswich Town have started `looking over their shoulder' as they slip closer to the relegation zone.   more...

Soccer: All for one, says Fitz

Top-of-the-table Brentford are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to play Coca-Cola Championship football next season.   more...

Soccer: Payback time for Halford

Greg Halford is ready to test his mettle against the top team in Coca-Cola League One.   more...

Soccer: Worrying slide for Royle's Town

Ipswich Town's worrying slide towards the Coca-Cola Championship's relegation zone will look even gloomier if they fail to pick-up any points from their New Year holiday programme against Luton Town tomorrow and at Stoke City on Monday.   more...

Southend,Echo,Essex News

Southend: Woman pens book on her relationship with Ripper

A woman is writing a book about her "relationship" with the Yorkshire Ripper that will include dozens of previously unseen letters, poems and sketches from the serial killer.   more...

Shoebury: World walker hit in wagga Wagga region

Days after completing his epic circumnavigation, a worldwide walker from south Essex has been felled by a tropical condition acquired during his global trek.   more...

Southend: Man jailed for party plan with stolen booze

A man who planned to use more than £1,000 worth of stolen champagne and spirits for a bonanza New Year's Eve bash is now starting 2006 behind bars.   more...

Southend: Airport set for European take off

Foreign destinations such as France, Spain and Portugal could be available from Southend Airport soon, it has been revealed.   more...

Thurrock News

Raiders sought

POLICE are appealing for witnesses to a botched armed robbery in Aveley.  more...

Council see red

THURROCK Council is waging war on lazy postmen who dump red elastic bands on the borough streets.  more...

Thurrock Sport

Tough double for Grays

GRAYS will be looking to avenge this week's shock home defeat to Canvey Island when they travel to Park Lane next Tuesday lunchtime for the return fixture.  more...

Thurrock seek to keep run going

THURROCK will be looking to maintain their own promotion chase in the Conference South by picking up maximum points against lowly Carshalton on Saturday and then at home to promotion rivals Welling on Tuesday.  more...

Rocks at home

East Thurrock UNITED will be looking to complete a double over Heybridge Swifts in a Ryman Premier League Essex derby at Rookery Hill on Monday.  more...

Dockers seek new year boost

At Chadfields Tilbury will be hoping to make a bright start to 2006 on Monday after a simply awful 2005.  more...

Day job confirmed

AVELEY have finally announced the permanent appointment of Keith Day as manager.  more...