Essex's top haunted stations as police force celebrates 175th...

Bodiless footsteps and unexplained chills are some of the things staff have experienced in the supposedly haunted police stations around Essex.As Essex police force turns 175 this year, Danny Segeth has found that it has a host of ghost stories to its name. Danny, 30 from Chelmsford, is an amateur folklorist and worked with Essex Police for 8 years. His role was a Specialist Performance Adviser Essex before he left in May this year. He was astounded by the response he got from staff when he...

Essex MP Bernard Jenkin reiterates fears over potential Bradwell...

HARWICH and North Essex MP Bernard Jenkin has expressed concerns over a new power station at Bradwell, highlighting the possible impact on marine life and ecology.The 56-year-old, who has represented the constituency since 1992, said: "My views on the possibility of a new build at Bradwell have not changed; there should be no new nuclear plant at Bradwell, unless the concerns about damage to the estuary and storage of nuclear waste on site can both be unequivocally resolved. "There...

Goldhanger sex offender Liam Cann should expect lengthy prison...

Convicted sex offender Liam Cann has been warned he should expect a lengthy custodial sentence, after being found guilty of 23 counts relating to the sexual abuse of boys as young as eight at Chelmsford Crown Court this afternoon.After more than a day of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts to all 23 counts, which occured over an eight-year period between 2006 and 2014, with six different under-age boys.The counts include attempted rape, sexual activity with children under the age of...

Tesco worker one of two Essex contestants to make it to X Factor...

A former shelf-stacker from Laindon was one of two Essex singers to make the final 12 on The X Factor on Sunday.19-year-old Che Chesterman, who worked at Tesco in Langdon Hills, was chosen by mentor Nick Grimshaw to go to the live shows, after footage was shown of his performance in the judges' houses round. Che wowed Nick and guest judge Mark Ronson with a soulful rendition of Don't Know Much by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville.The new format of the talent show saw contestants wait to find out...

Frustration grows as Maldon hospital plans continue to stall

THE leader of Maldon District Council is "increasingly frustrated" at the lack of progress on a new hospital now 12 years in the waiting.Plans were first launched in 2003, with a renovation of the current St Peter's site, or a new build in Maldon both possibilities.However, progress has stalled, with council boss Councillor Miriam Lewis, and chief executive Fiona Marshall, pointing the finger at the changing face of the NHS and a subsequent lack of stability.Cllr Lewis said: "I'm...

AA Dog Rescue given reprieve after Maldon councillors vote to...

A CHAOTIC planning meeting with close to 200 attendees resulted in a controversial dog rescue centre being given a stay of execution.AA Dog Rescue, based off Burnham Road in Latchingdon, would have faced closure if Maldon District councillors had voted against its planning application, but deferral has handed founder Charley Nathan a lifeline.Speaking outside Burnham's Ormiston Rivers Academy after Monday night's decision, Ms Nathan said: "I had an idea that was going to happen, but I'm ...

Second arrest made as Essex Police investigate Maldon facial...

Police investigating the stabbing of a 25-year-old man in Maldon have arrested a second man.The victim received facial injuries shortly before 2am on Sunday, October 18, when he was assaulted in Butt Lane.A 26-year-old man from Maldon was arrested on Monday on suspicion of GBH and bailed pending further enquiries until December 4.And yesterday, October 22, a 29-year-old man from Maldon was arrested on suspicion of GBH and drugs offences and released on bailed until the same December date.Any...

Chinese sign deal for new nuclear power station at Bradwell-on-Se...

Chinese corporations will have a majority share in a new power station set to be built in Bradwell-on-Sea, after signing a deal yesterday (Wednesday).French firm EDF Energy reached an agreement with the China General Nuclear Power Corporation (CGN) to help fund a new plant at Hinkley Point in Somerset, with a wider partnership in place for both Bradwell and Sizewell in Suffolk. The signings took place in the presence of the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and the British Prime Minister, David...

Witness heard "screaming and shouting" as 25-year-old...

A witness claimed she heard "running and shouting" around the time a 25-year-old man was stabbed in the face just off Maldon's High Street.Police and paramedics were called to Butt Lane, near the Rose and Crown Wetherspoon's pub, shortly before 2am on Sunday.A 25-year-old was this week arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm in connection with the incident.Butt Road resident Poppy Ann Miller says she saw men running down Butt Lane away from the High Street, and was so...

Village hoping for 'tilt tourism'

Villagers who believe their church tower tilts more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa are hoping to see a rise in visitors after work to restore it.

Conservative councillors in Essex reject proposed pay increases

Proposed pay increases suggested by the Independent Remuneration Panel for Essex County Council have been rejected by Conservatives at County Hall.The report will be debated at the full council meeting tomorrow (Tuesday, October 13) where Conservative councillors will amend the report to ensure there is no additional burden on the Essex taxpayer. The leader, deputy leader and cabinet members will not take any pay increase and having taken a pay cut of 3% at the start of this council in 2013...

Maldon District Council reclaims almost £85,000 in costs...

Maldon District Council will not be involved almost £85,000 in costs incurred by the inspection of their under-fire Local Development Plan.The Planning Inspectorate agreed to write off £84,685.97 after accepting that "the procedural handling of the examination fell somewhat short of the service that they would normally seek to deliver".The examination-in-public stage of the LDP was suspended when inspector David Vickery ruled that not enough provision had been made for...

Police called to South Woodham Ferrers as family dispute descends...

Police were called to South Woodham Ferrers in the early hours of Sunday morning as a family disturbance escalated into a fight.Two cars and officers from Essex Police attended Melville Heath, off Inchbonnie Road around 2am to reports of two brothers involved in a scrap. The warring siblings were separated by police, who then left the scene.One brother suffered minor facial injuries, but refused to give police details of what had occurred and was uncooperative.

ESSEX LOOKALIKES: Who does your favourite celeb most resemble?

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Burnham fancy dress shop that provided Carnival clothing to...

A MUCH-LOVED fancy dress shop which has provided outfits for the Burnham Carnival for more than a decade will bow out in style with a bumper auction of all 1,500 items.The Fancy Dress Box, which has been run by carnival committee members John Randall and wife Marlene since 2000, used to be based in Ormiston Rivers Academy before relocating to its current High Street site.However, with the committee unable to fund rents for a new premises, or find someone willing to put them up for free, the shop...

Unemployed man to appear in court after South Woodham Ferrers pub...

An unemployed man will appear in court later this month charged with causing grievous bodily harm after a fight erupted at a pub in South Woodham Ferrers.Two men were involved in an altercation outside The Railway Public House in Hullbridge Road at around 10.45pm on Saturday, April 25.One man, aged in his 30s from Chelmsford, suffered facial injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment.Carl Coombe, 35, unemployed, of Ash Grove, Burnham, was charged with wounding or inflicting grievous bodily...

PICTURES: A138 Chelmer Viaduct Replacement Update

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Essex sex offence suspect Liam Cann sent nude photos to under-age...

ALLEGATIONS of "uncomfortable" meetings, nude photos and overhearing sex noises all emerged as the first witness gave evidence in the trial of a 22-year-old man accused of a string of sex offences.Liam Cann, from Goldhanger, denies 24 counts relating to the sexual abuse of under-age boys over a period of eight years from 2006 to 2014.In a police interview from November 2014, one of the alleged victims, now 16, told an officer about a meeting between himself and Cann in a Burger King....

Domino's Pizza could bring 25 jobs to Burnham-on-Crouch if new...

ONE of the most popular takeaway chains in the country could be on its way to Burnham-on-Crouch, with plans in place to bring Domino's Pizza to the town, along with 25 jobs.A planning application has been submitted to Maldon District Council, aiming to transform St Mary's Church Hall, on Station Road, into a branch of the much-loved pizza chain. Currently, the nearest branches of Domino's are in Maldon and South Woodham Ferrers.Helen Tosney-Collins, Communications Manager at Domino's Pizza...

Essex bellringer used FIFA video game coins to bribe underage...

AN EX-FACTORY worker and bellringer sexually abused boys as young as eight by bribing them with cash and video game currency, a court heard.Liam Cann, 22, of Goldhanger carried out his sexual activities around the county across an eight year period from 2006 to 2014, the prosecution claimed on the first morning of his trial.Cann faces a 24-count indictment involving six alleged victims, a number of whom he met while playing Xbox online.Opening the case for the prosecution in front of Judge John...

Ten things you need to know about the carrier bag charge that...

From today (Monday, October 5) shoppers will have to pay at least 5p for carrier bags. Here are ten things you need to know:1. The charge will be at least 5p for a bagRetailers have been told to charge at least 5p for single-use bags.2. The charge applies to single-use bagsThese are the thin plastic ones you often get in the supermarket. The law says that for the charge to apply the bag must be unused, plastic, have handles and be 70 microns thick or less. Bags for life are thicker and larger,...

Arsonists attempt to burn down AA Dog Rescue in Latchingdon

ATTEMPTS to torch a dog rescue centre home to more than 80 animals were foiled when the suspected arsonists were chased away by the site's guard dog. In the early hours of Thursday morning, suspects targeted AA Dog Rescue, based in Latchingdon, spilling petrol on the ground but fleeing the scene before the fluid could be lit.A spokeswoman from Essex Police confirmed they were looking into the incident, saying: "Police are investigating an attempted arson at AA Dog Rescue in Burnham Road,...

APPEAL: Can you adopt any of these animals from AA Dog Rescue?

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Is this your dog? Social media appeal to track down Essex pup...

If you recognise the dog in the picture, you might be able to help reunite it with its owner.The female pooch was found in Chelmsford and handed in to Wallace Kennels in Brentwood yesterday.And now, the home, who has taken care of the dog in the meantime, is trying to track down its owner. Their picture of the pup has been shared more than 50 times already, and now the Chronicle is calling on its readers to help the appeal.If you know who owns the dog, get in touch, as the owner needs to contact...

Woman taken to Broomfield Hospital after being hit by car outside...

A woman in her 30s is recovering in Broomfield Hospital after being hit by a car in Burnham-on-Crouch this afternoon.The incident, which happened just before 3pm today (September 30) saw the woman involved in a collision with a red Kia Cee'd by the supermarket in Church Road.Staff from Essex Police and the East of England Ambulance Service attended the scene, and while the woman was taken to Broomfield with a lower back injury, it is not thought to be life threatening. The road was partially...

A12 could gain new £80 million expansion at Hatfield...

The A12 could be set for a blockbuster expansion plan worth up to £80 million as efforts are made to relieve the traffic burden between Hatfield Peverel and Maldon.Plans announced by the Heart of Essex panel, which consists of Chelmsford City Council, Maldon District Council and Brentwood Borough Council has outlined a new junction at Hatfield Peverel as a way to ease congestion and improve access routes.And while talks are still in their infancy, the project could link to the A12 widening...