KIRSTY McGee describes herself as a “human scrapbook”. She hitched her first ride aged 12 and went on to hitchhike around the country for years, braving long periods of homelessness and sleeping everywhere from friends’ sofas in Manchester to a beach
Bottom club West Ham were again frustrated as Blackpool's all-changed XI held them to a goalless draw at Upton Park. Ian Holloway had threatened to quit if fined for making 10 alterations for the midweek defeat at Aston Villa, and had recalled his
SOUTHEND Operatic’s choice of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers as their latest show is the result of an unusual problem - the sort every am dram group would love to have. The Wild West musical contains some of the most demanding and athletic dance routines
FIRE crews were twice called to Chalkwell Park in Westcliff after arsonists torched toilets then some bushes. The first call was about 1.30pm after toilets seats in the park were set alight, seemingly by toilet paper piled on top of the seats
A MAN had a lucky escape after his mattress went up in flames. Firefighters from Leigh station were called to sheltered accommodation in Fairfax Drive, Westcliff, about 10.30am today after being alerted by a fire alarm. Leading firefighter
A MAN has been arrested after a police chase sparked by a suspected theft near a railway line. The man on the run was seized by officers in Pendle Drive, Basildon about 12.30pm today while a second man, from Basildon, was arrested at the scene
BILEL Mohsni bagged his first goal in the English game for Southend United this afternoon, but it was only enough to secure a 1-1 draw at home to Accrington Stanley. The French centre-back became the first Blues defender to hit the back of
A 40-year-old man has been hospitalised after a vicious attack by thugs. Police are appealing for witnesses after the man was assaulted in Laindon last night and suffered a large cut to the side of his face. The attack happened near
SOUTHEND United manager Paul Sturrock has opted to make four changes to his starting line-up against Accrington Stanley this afternoon. Glenn Morris is back between the sticks in place of Rhys Evans, while Sofiene Zaaboub has replaced the injured
SNIFFER dogs were sent into Southend pubs to search for class A drugs last night. A team of 40 officers flooded the pubs and sealed off the exits and toilets. They then searched anyone who was picked out by the drugs dogs as a possible
CIVILIAN police workers have hit out at the “shoddy” way they were told their redundancy payments are to be slashed by half. Instead of having the bad news broken in a letter, e-mail or a formal meeting with bosses at Essex Police, the force told its
THE future of a popular Canvey seafront paddling pool is now secure after the town council agreed to take over running it. Castle Point Council’s decision in January to demolish the pool sparked a public backlash, with thousands of residents
AN unsung hero has won an award for combating antisocial behaviour across Southend with her innovative ideas. Anita McGinley has helped set up community circles which encourage residents to get together and work through their problems.
HUGE potholes outside an NHS outpatients’ clinic are a danger to elderly patients, a councillor has warned. There are about six large holes in the parking area outside the former Canvey Island Urban District Council offices, off Long Road, Canvey, which
RAUNCHY fire-breathing and dazzling acrobatics come to Element this weekend as the Fuel Girls touch down in Southend. Describing themselves as a “high-impact, ultra-sexy, fire-eating, fire-breathing strip-tease dance, entertainment and stunt show” the
