News in Thurrock

PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has highlighted the potential of Tilbury and plans to regenerate the town through the Tilbury Town Fund.

He was speaking in an interview with borough MP Jackie Doyle-Price, who he likened to Queen Elizabeth the first!

POLICE have made a pledge to increase their profile in a Grays residential area after a spate of garden raids.

Last week a number of homes were targeted by thieves who broke into garden outbuildings and one property had a summer house trashed as well as property stolen.

An investigation into the cause is being carried out. Southend Road was reopened by 8pm. .

AVELEY'S position at the top of the Isthmian North division improved today after an emphatic win at Parkside, while their nearest title rivals were held to a draw in one of the surprise results of the day.

Grays Athletic also enjoyed a good day - though a single goal win at Felixstowe was marred by two players getting sent off.

STUDENTS at Aveley's Ormiston Park Academy recently completed a successful production of the musical Annie.

Ormiston principal Mark Roessler said: "It was fantastic to see our students' hard work and professionalism demonstrated so clearly through the unequivocal success of the show. They all very much deserved the standing ovations at each performance.

TWO apprentices who work at Amazon's fulfilment centre in Tilbury are encouraging others to become apprentices and pursue their careers.

They have been featured as part of a campaign by the sales and distribution company which is expanding of its apprenticeship programme with the addition of 1,500 full-time positions across the UK this year including more than 200 degree-level apprenticeships.

THE long-running battle by a father to establish how his son died after his body was discovered in a Thurrock farmyard 20 years ago has returned to a courtroom.

Les Balkwell believes that the circumstances of the death of his son Lee have not been properly established and he has been challenging the opinion of Essex Police, who deemed the death to be a 'tragic accident' ever since the 33-year-old's body was found between the drum and chassis of a cement mixer at Baldwins Farm in South Ockendon early on 18 July, 2002.

A COUNCILLOR has welcomed the installation of target hardening measures to prevent flytipping on a rural lane that has been blocked and blighted by rubbish for many years.

Cllr Sara Muldowney is celebrating the arrival of a gate and bollard to block illegal access to Sandy Lane in her ward of Chadwell St Mary.

SUPPORTERS of three of the borough's non-League clubs face lengthy journeys today (Saturday, 5 February).

In the Isthmian Premier East Thurrock United travel to promotion-chasing Lewes on the south coast. The hosts at the famous Dripping Pan ground sit fourth, while the Rocks are seven points adrift of safety at the other end of the table and have also suffered the loss of loanee striker Alex Hernandez this week who has been recalled to parent club Concord Rangers - so it could be a tough afternoon for the borough side.

THURROCK Council has commenced a consultation about designated green spaces across the borough and three ward councillors have now championed a second site on their patch.

The council is seeking views of residents on local community and amenity areas as it picks up pace in its bid to complete the much-delayed local plan.