Hundreds expected at candlelit vigil for Burnham mother-of-two...

MORE than 100 people will attend a candlelit vigil in memory of pregnant mother-of-two Becky Parker on Saturday.Friends, family and neighbours will attend the service outside Becky's home in Booth Place, Burnham, to say goodbye to the popular 23-year-old, who was found dead in her flat last Friday, July 17.Everyone is welcome to the vigil, which will start at 6pm, with guests asked to wear either baby blue, Becky's favourite colour, or pink, in honour of her and partner Shane Anderson's...

Essex Police announce new Deputy Chief Constable to Stephen...

Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Horne is to become Essex Police's new Deputy Chief Constable (DCC), it has been announced.Mr Horne currently leads the joint Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate and will succeed current DCC Derek Benson on his retirement in October.The appointment follows a selection process held this week which concluded with an interview panel chaired by Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh and including Essex Police and Crime Commissioner Nick Alston and Rob Tinlin, Chief...

Chernobyl children ride the crest of a wave on trip to Southminst...

A DOZEN children affected by the Chernobyl nuclear disaster enjoyed a day on the waves as they took a trip to a sailing club on the Dengie.Since 1992, national charity Chernobyl Children's Life Line has organised holidays in the UK for youngsters from Ukraine and Belarus.These two nations were the hardest hit by the nuclear reactor meltdown in 1986, which created radioactive fall-out that has caused untold health damage to generations of Eastern Europeans.On July 8, the group visited the Marconi...

Teenager punched in face in Stock robbery

Detectives are appealing for information after a 17-year-old boy was the victim of a robbery in Stock. The boy was walking along Mill Road at around 10.30pm on Monday, July 27, 2015 when he was approached by a man close to the All Saints Church. The man punched the boy in the face and tried to snatch his iphone from his hand but was unsuccessful. The victim ran off and the suspect fled down a nearby alleyway. The suspect is described as 30 to 35 and white. He had stubble, a thin nose and was...

Essex's growing army of elderly bucks the trend as senior...

A LOW level of immigration and a healthier lifestyle could be behind an unprecedented increase in the county's elderly.Figures have revealed there are 107,603 people aged between 65 and 69 in Essex, compared to 85,148 children aged between zero and four years old.The statistics, which bucks the national trend that shows there are more babies than pensioners, raise questions about how we can care for the elderly and why Essex is so dramatically different."A longer life expectancy could...

Maldon District Council refuses rehashed plans for 173 homes in...

A REVISED proposal for a 173-home development was refused at an explosive council meeting after votes to first defer and then accept the application both narrowly failed.The application, submitted by developers Charles Church, had been deferred at the end of April.After some minor alterations, including a slight reduction in the number of properties, the plans were reconsidered by councillors at Three Rivers Golf Club in Cold Norton on Thursday evening.The proposal, for land off Green...

Save the skylarks, say protesters of 47-acre Maldon Hall Farm...

COMMUNITY groups banded together to launch a placard protest against a proposed development for more than 300 homes, a new supermarket, GP surgery and care home, which they say will destroy the local population of skylarks.The Chronicle reported earlier this month that developers were keen to rush through the application for a 47-acre site at Maldon Hall Farm, off Spital Road, sparking a response from concerned residents.The Leech Farm and Maldon Hall Farm Group consists of local residents,...

Maldon MP John Whittingdale at the heart of review into future...

MALDON'S Member of Parliament stood centre-stage in national news as he announced an over-arching review of the BBC.John Whittingdale, who was made Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport in the aftermath of May's General Election, spoke in the House of Commons on Thursday, as he presented his "green paper", an outline of his vision for the future of the broadcaster.With the BBC's current Royal Charter due to expire at the end of 2016, Mr Whittingdale said: "The BBC is at...

Party time for pooches at £5k Burnham bash run by salon...

WHEN you think of a girly treat, you might picture someone dressed all in pink cruising around in a convertible Mini. You might not expect, however, that girl to be a miniature poodle called Venice.But that is exactly what happened when a boutique owner splashed the cash for a luxury VIP dog party.Daniela Forshaw, who owns and runs grooming salon Daniela's Dogs in Burnham-on-Crouch, spent more than £5,000 on the special invite-only event, which even boasted canine canapés and...

Maldon and Heybridge Horticultural Society's summer show is going...

A FLOWER exhibition celebrates a milestone anniversary at the weekend.The Summer Show, run by the Maldon and Heybridge Horticultural Society, will be held on Saturday, from 9am, and will mark 120 years since the first event.Horticultural societies in Maldon and Heybridge, which have had a long-standing tradition of exhibiting homegrown flowers and produce, only recently discovered the origin of the show.Karen Hutchings, of the Maldon and Heybridge Horticultural Society, said: "We stumbled...

River Roach herpes outbreak could wipe out Essex oysters

An outbreak of herpes which could wipe out Essex oysters has been found in the River Roach near Rochford.The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas) has confirmed that the virus has been discovered in molluscs in the river, which is connected to the river Crouch.An outbreak of the virus in Whitstable, Kent, in 2010 is estimated to have killed over eight million oysters. Oyster herpes occurs only in Pacific oysters when water temperatures rise higher than 16C (61F).The...

One hundred people view Essex property as house prices shoot up...

Research from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors shows that the number of homes for sale has dropped to its lowest level in six years, driving up property prices across Essex.Leading estate agents, Balgores Property Group say that housing supply in Essex is drying up, leading to inflated property prices. According to Balgores, there is so little on the market that up to 100 potential buyers are chasing each property and houses are selling sometimes well above asking price. Furthermore,...

Best friend of Burnham murder victim Becky Parker pays tribute to...

One of the best friends of pregnant mum-of-two Becky Parker, who was strangled to death in her home, has paid tribute to a "great friend".Police were called to Booth Place in Essex Road, Burnham-on-Crouch, on Friday, where they found six month pregnant Isobel Rebecca Parker, known as Becky, dead in her bathroom.Becky's ex-boyfriend and father to her two children, Matthew Smith, 23, from Wood Corner Caravan Park in Maldon, was arrested on Friday afternoon, before being charged with the...

Year 6 Primary school leavers gallery 2015 (1)

Gallery created by Essex Chronicle

Rooney inspires United victory

Manchester United maintained their 100 per cent winning start to pre-season with a 3-1 victory over Barcelona in California.

'Glass floor' protects middle classes

Middle-class parents create a "glass floor" to protect their less able children from slipping down the social scale in Britain, a study of 17,000 people concludes.

Arsenal fire six past Lyon

Arsenal continued their preparations for the new Premier League season with a 6-0 win over Lyon in the Emirates Cup.

Tsar to target late payment billions

A small business commissioner will help firms tackle the problem of the billions of pounds in late payments they are owed, under government plans.

Lowly Castelli eye Balotelli approach

Mario Balotelli could be offered the chance to end his Liverpool nightmare - by making a move to ambitious Serie C outfit Lupa Castelli.

'Laughing gas' party teenager dies

A teenager believed to have taken nitrous oxide - also known as laughing gas - at a party in south-east London dies in hospital.

Schoolgirl abuse fears raised in 2008

Concerns about a girl abused by a gang of men in Buckinghamshire were raised by a charity several years before the men were arrested, the BBC is told.

LvG expects to have De Gea

Louis van Gaal is confident David de Gea will be ready to start the season in goal for Manchester United.

Criminals 'drive up UK house prices'

Foreign criminals are laundering billions of pounds by purchasing expensive UK properties, pushing up house prices, the National Crime Agency says.

Delph injured in City defeat

Fabian Delph was injured 18 minutes into his debut as Manchester City were beaten 4-1 by Real Madrid in Melbourne.

UK music streaming passes 500m mark

A surge in music streaming in the UK sees it pass 500 million streams in a week for the first time - almost double the amount of this time in 2014.

Zlatan willing to play for Van Gaal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says there would be "a lot of fights" if he joined Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, but the PSG star admits "that's something I like".

Eurotunnel warns of more disruption

Passengers trying to cross the channel are facing further disruption due to ongoing "migrant activity" in Calais.

Rodgers: Benteke will fit in

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has dismissed claims that Christian Benteke does not fit into his side’s style of play.

Internet firms face 'tax crackdown'

Internet companies may have to provide more information on people and businesses who sell goods and services online, in a crackdown on tax evasion.

Swansea held by Reading

Swansea City geared up for the start of the Premier League season with a 1-1 draw against Reading at Wycombe's Adams Park.

Soldier dies from Afghanistan wounds

A British soldier has died in hospital from wounds sustained in Afghanistan in 2012, the Ministry of Defence says.

WATCH: Ibe's screamer

Jordan Ibe spared Liverpool's blushes with a stunning individual goal as Brendan Rodgers' side ended their pre-season tour with a 1-1 draw against a Malaysian XI.

Farah roared on to London victory

Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah receives a rousing reception as he wins the 3,000m at the London 2012 Anniversary Games.

Liverpool held in Malaysia

Jordon Ibe scored the equaliser as Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur.

Steam trains on Borders Railway

The first steam trains will run along the new Borders Railway in September, ScotRail confirms

Bamford makes debut in Palace win

Patrick Bamford made his Crystal Palace debut in the Eagles's 4-0 pre-season victory over Supersport United in Cape Town.

Shareholder power 'hitting growth'

The Bank of England's chief economist has expressed concern that shareholders' power is holding back economic growth.

Rooney happy with forward role

Wayne Rooney says he is ready to take on the "mantle" of being the main striker for Manchester United this season.

Two Britons killed in Austria crash

Two British men die after their car falls 1,300ft (400m) off a mountain road in Austria, police say.

Szczesny has Gunners future

Wojciech Szczesny has a future at Arsenal despite his impending loan move to Roma, insists manager Arsene Wenger.

Pedro 'has Barca doubts'

Sergio Busquets admits his friend Pedro could be forced to leave Barcelona in order to play first team football.

Don't leave the EU, Obama tells UK

The UK must stay in the European Union to continue to have influence on the world stage, US President Barack Obama tells the BBC.

Rudd criticised for climate plans

The energy and climate change secretary is accused of "grotesque hypocrisy" ahead of a speech she will deliver about the government's plan to tackle climate change.

Milner welcomes Benteke

James Milner says he is relieved he will not come up against fellow Liverpool new boy Christian Benteke next season.

Ben hunt police 'to return to Greece'

Detectives investigating the disappearance in 1991 of Sheffield toddler Ben Needham on the Greek island of Kos, say they will return to the country.

Diaby set for West Brom medical

Former Arsenal midfielder Abou Diaby is set to undergo a medical with West Brom this weekend, according to Sky sources.

Corbyn urges end to 'silly remarks'

Jeremy Corbyn has responded to his critics in the Labour leadership contest by calling for an end to "silly remarks".

Carra urges caution over Firmino

Jamie Carragher has warned Liverpool fans who see Roberto Firmino as the new Luis Suarez that the new signing could just as likely be "another Alberto Aquilani".

Hundreds of police officers convicted

At least 309 police officers and police community support officers in the UK have been convicted of offences in the last three years, figures show.

Palace sign keeper McCarthy

Crystal Palace have signed goalkeeper Alex McCarthy from QPR on a four-year contract.

Carrier bag charge cuts use by 147m

Making people in Scotland pay 5p for plastic carrier bags reduces their use by 147 million in the first year.

Saints' Gardos out for months

Southampton centre-back Florin Gardos will be out of action for up to seven months with a knee injury.

Poor pupils 'no better in academies'

A report suggests many academy sponsors are struggling to improve the results of poor pupils despite several years in charge of schools.

Ramos 'not going to United'

Rafa Benitez is "100 per cent sure" Sergio Ramos will not leave Real Madrid for Manchester United this summer.

Lingard keen to stay at United

Manchester United midfielder Jesse Lingard has vowed to fight for a first-team place at Old Trafford.

Body found on Eurotunnel train

The body of a teenager has been found on a Eurotunnel train at the Channel Tunnel terminal in Folkestone.

My Dog Red The Best Football Playing Dog in the World and Family Representing Burnham