Archive

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This is how old you have to be if you want to fly alone - did you know?

You might have a child wanting to jet off on their first holiday with friends, or you have encountered a situation where a young person in your life wants to visit a family member abroad and no one can take them. In these circumstances, wondering

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Rachel Reeves appointed as first female UK chancellor in Keir Starmer cabinet

Rachel Reeves has been appointed as the UK's first female Chancellor. Newly elected Prime Minister Keir Starmer began assembling his cabinet on Friday afternoon shortly after addressing the nation from Downing Street.  It comes after Reeves

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reveals new cabinet in full - see their roles

New Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his new cabinet appointments, hours after he addressed members of the public outside 10 Downing Street for the first time in his new role. He has promised to rebuild trust in politics and restore

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Blues youngsters to line up in two leagues next season

SOUTHEND United’s youth team will be playing in two different leagues next season. The Shrimpers will be lining up in the National League Under 19s Academy South League and also the National League Youth Alliance Under 19s League. The decision

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Why Japanese Knotweed is a problem and what to do if you find some

Brits up and down the country worry about invasive plants - like Japanese Knotweed - causing chaos to their homes and gardens. Rightfully so since experts have described the likes of Japanese Knotweed as a "horticultural horror story". The 

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Builder in £26k Essex warehouse burglary was 'stupid, unwise and immature'

A GROUNDWORKER who helped burgle a warehouse has avoided a prison sentence. Harry Bloyce and Liam Martin, who were both 18 at the time, raided the Commodity Centre in Great Braxted in July 2020 after forcing open a window. No alarm system was

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£11.4M roadworks on major Essex road to start this month with long diversion in place

A MAJOR £11million project to repair the “cracked” concrete foundations of the A120 between Colchester and Harwich is set to start this September.  National Highways will be carrying out road surveys on the A120 between Crown Interchange and Little

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Essex Police launch murder probe as man dies following ‘serious assault’

Detectives from Essex Police’s Serious Crime Directorate have launched a murder investigation following the death of a man. Police were called to reports of a serious assault in Willingale Road, Loughton, at around 10.20pm on Wednesday July 3.

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Tiptree's Wilkin and Sons announces it is set to close tea room site in Essex

TIPTREE jam maker Wilkin and Sons said it is with "great sadness" it is closing one its tea rooms after the company recorded a £1.8m loss this year. The Lordship Tea Room in Writtle - which employs up to 20 staff - will not have its lease renewed

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Blues free to add to squad after transfer embargo is removed

SOUTHEND United are no longer restricted by a transfer embargo. The Shrimpers had been banned from making new signings since mid-May following winding up petitions from Stewarts Law and PG Site Services. But, after both petitions were settled

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'Been waiting a very long time for these' - discontinued chocolate back at B&M

A popular discontinued chocolate bar is back at B&M. It has been a difficult few months for lovers of sweet treats in the UK with several chocolates being axed by major confectionary companies including the likes of Cadbury and Nestle.

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Let's go girls! Shania Twain at BST Hyde Park: 5 things you need to know

The legendary Shania Twain is heading to American Express presents BST Hyde Park to welcome thousands of music fans this week. The annual concert series sees some of the biggest names in music on the Great Oak Stage in previous years including

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West tunnel at Dartford Crossing to CLOSE for 14 hours this Saturday

The west tunnel at the Dartford Crossing is set to close for 14 hours this Saturday night.   We’ve rounded up all the details regarding the diversions and affected routes across the weekend ahead.   The Dartford Crossing, linking Dartford in

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New speed limit law that will 'change how we drive' to come in this weekend

A new speed camera law that 'will change how we drive' will come into effect this weekend. A change in EU legislation - despite the UK no longer being part of the Union - is set to have a considerable effect on motorists up and down the country

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Ex-MP Baroness Smith of Basildon appointed leader of the House of Lords

Baroness Smith of Basildon has been appointed the Labour leader of the House of Lords in Sir Keir Starmer’s Cabinet.  Lady Smith, who served as Basildon’s Labour MP from 1997 to 2010, will be leader of the House of Lords and Lord Privy Seal, having

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WATCH: Nigel Farage congratulates new Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock

Nigel Farage has said “go on my son” to the new Reform MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock as the party won their fifth parliamentary seat. After a recount, Reform UK won the Basildon South and East Thurrock constituency with a majority of

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Reform gains South Basildon and East Thurrock from Tories after full recount

Reform has gained the South Basildon and East Thurrock seat from the Tories after a night filled with drama and a full re-count today. James McMurdock has won the seat with a majority of just 98 votes from Labour candidate Jack Ferguson after a

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What were the results in South Basildon and East Thurrock in the last election?

A FULL recount will soon be starting for the tightly-contested South Basildon and East Thurrock seat. Candidates were sent home and Thurrock Civic Centre was closed at 6am this morning as it was confirmed a full recount would take place at 2pm

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'We will rebuild Britain' - Keir Starmer addresses nation for first time as PM

Leader of the Labour Party Sir Keir Starmer has addressed the public for the first time as Prime Minister of the UK, saying "we need to move forward together." Speaking in Downing Street this afternoon, where he was greeted with applause, he said

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Red Arrows issue update after being scheduled to roar into Southend Airport

The Red Arrows have issued an update after being scheduled to roar into Southend Airport today. The iconic Red Arrows were expected to return to Southend Airport today as they had planned to take part in another display at Headcorn. However

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Recap as Reform gain South Basildon and East Thurrock after full recount

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Jam-busting measures including 'box junction' being considered at Cuckoo Corner

TRAFFIC chaos at Southend’s notorious Cuckoo Corner bottleneck could finally come to an end as jam-busting measures - including a box junction - are investigated. The roundabout, which links Victoria Avenue with the A127, Priory Crescent and Manners

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'This is a difficult day' - Rishi Sunak gives final Downing Street statement as PM

Rishi Sunak apologised to the country following a landslide Conservative defeat in the 2024 general election, describing it as a "difficult day". Labour swept to victory, having claimed 412 seats at the time of writing with just two left to declare

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Police appeal after reports of 'man committing indecent exposure' in Benfleet

A police appeal has been launched following reports of a man committing indecent exposure in Benfleet. Essex Police has urged two witnesses to get in touch after being called to London Road, Benfleet, after 1:15pm on Tuesday. This was following

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'Do not eat': Asda crisps are a 'possible health risk' as recall issued

Asda has recalled some of its crisps, as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) issued a “do not eat” warning, because they may be a “possible health risk”. The supermarket is recalling its Asda Extra Special Sea Salt & Chardonnay Wine Vinegar Hand Cooked

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When will Sir Keir Starmer announce his first cabinet as new Prime Minister?

Sir Keir Starmer will take over the role of Prime Minister from Rishi Sunak after the Labour Party won this week's general election. Labour won a 403 majority with the Conservatives only winning 110 seats bringing to an end 14 years of Tory governments

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Traffic building after lane closure on major south Essex road due to broken-down car

A lane has been closed on a major south Essex road with traffic building due to a broken-down car. There are delays on the A130 Southbound as the road is partially blocked with one lane closed. READ MORE >> Notice issued as Red Arrows

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Warning issued as Red Arrows set to soar into Southend Airport today

A notice has been issued as the Red Arrows are set to soar into Southend Airport today. The iconic Red Arrows are expected to return to Southend Airport today as they take part in another display after thrilling residents last week. However

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When Sir Keir Starmer will offically become Prime Minister of the UK

The results of the general election are in and the Labour Party has won the majority seeing Sir Keir Starmer become Prime Minister. The results were not a surprise to many as polls from the day before the election showed that the Labour Party had

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Rishi Sunak takes responsibility for 'disastrous' Tory election campaign

Rishi Sunak shouldered the burden for a “sobering verdict” at the General Election, as competing Tory factions began their battle over the diminished party’s future. The outgoing Prime Minister said it had been a “difficult night” and apologised

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Full recount to take place after South Basildon and East Thurrock 'too close to call'

A NIGHT filled with drama has led to a full recount being called for the South Basildon and East Thurrock parliamentary seat. At 6am this morning candidates were sent home and Thurrock Civic Centre closed as it was confirmed a recount will take

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Labour's Bayo Alaba takes the first Tory scalp at the Southend count

BUSINESSMAN Bayo Alaba delivered the first blow to the Tories, winning Southend East and Rochford for Labour by a comfortable margin. The former Parachute Regiment member was the first winner to be announced at the Southend Leisure and Tennis Centre

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'I’ll work tirelessly' - Labour makes history with a double win in Southend

LABOUR delivered a crushing general election defeat for Southend Tories who lost not one but both city seats for the first time in history. Labour supporters cheered loudly as Anna Firth was ousted from the Southend West and Leigh seat, which she

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M25, Dartford Crossing and A12 road closures in Essex this weekend

Several motorway closures will impact Essex traffic this weekend, according to National Highways England. There will be a mixture across the A12, Essex sections of the M25 and the Dartford Crossing. If you are set to be travelling along these

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Tory chairman Richard Holden clinches win by 20 votes in Basildon and Billericay

Tory party chairman Richard Holden has clinched victory in Basildon and Billericay by just 20 votes following two recounts and a bundle check.  Mr Holden was declared MP of Basildon and Billericay with a total of 12,905, just 20 more votes than

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Vue cinema hailed 'first step' to reversing ‘decline’ of Basildon town centre

BASILDON’S new Vue cinema will open in less than three weeks time – sparking hopes it will kickstart the revival of the town centre. The new £2.7 million cinema has been heavily delayed since it was first announced back in 2020, with a series of

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2,158 bike thefts over last five years in Southend due to 'organised crime gangs'

ORGANISED crime gangs are targeting cyclists and stealing bikes worth thousands of pounds, it has been claimed after figures revealed 2,158 bike thefts have been reported in the last five years in Southend. According to new figures 2,158 bikes

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Online system in the works for residents to track grass-cutting schedule in Southend

A NEW online system allowing residents to check when grass will next be cut is in the works to tackle frustrations over overgrown and untidy verges. Southend Council has been hit with a series of complaints in recent months with overgrown grass

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'Excited'- Basildon traders share their thoughts on £27 million Vue cinema

EXCITED traders are preparing for a long-awaited boost in business when Basildon’s town centre cinema finally opens later this month. Yesterday, Vue confirmed the cinema would start screening blockbusters from July 25 and businesses based in the

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FIVE months of works set to hit major Southend road in 'busiest time of year'

FIVE months of roadworks are set to hit a major road in Southend, sparking fears residents and businesses will face severe disruption. Cadent has announced a major upgrade of gas pipes along the length of Southchurch Road, kicking off on July 22

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Devastated family's charity tribute to Laindon nan who died from brain tumour

THE heartbroken family of a grandmother have revealed how she passed away just months after being diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour as they prepare to raise cash in her memory. Donna Challis, from Laindon, was initially told she was suffering

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General Election 2024: Interactive map of results from every constituency

With millions of votes cast, Sir Keir Starmer looks set to become the next Prime Minister of the UK with Labour expected to win more than 400 seats. Mr Starmer said “you have voted, it is now time for us to deliver” in his speech after winning

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Sir Keir Starmer holds Holborn & St Pancras and is set to become Prime Minister

Sir Keir Starmer has held his Holborn and St Pancras seat as he is set to become the next Prime Minister of the UK. Starmer collected 18,884 votes to win with a majority of more than 11,000 votes. The Labour leader is set to become the next

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Nigel Farage becomes MP at 8th time of asking with Clacton victory

Nigel Farage has won Clacton for his Reform Party, becoming an MP at the eighth time of asking. Mr Farage, who had been given a 95% chance of winning the Clacton seat ahead of the election, claimed 21,225 votes, a majority of nearly 9,000.

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Southend turns red as Labour claims both seats from the Tories - Anna Firth out

History has been made as Labour snatched the Southend East and Rochford and Southend West and Leigh seats from the Tories.  Bayo Alaba claimed the Southend East and Rochford seat with 15,395 votes.  Turnout was 56.68%. The seat had been