News in Thurrock

MEMBERS at a health and fitness club in Thurrock have played their part in a major charity fundraising operation.

The Bannatyne Health Club in Chafford Hundred is one of a number in the chain in the South East that have come together to help hundreds of children in the developing world receive life-changing surgery.

THURROCK Council is warning private landlords renting shared houses or flats in the borough to ensure their properties are licensed correctly.

The council's Private Housing team recently held two days of action in Corringham and Purfleet, to crack down on private landlords renting unlicensed shared houses or flats to three or four unrelated people – known as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).

THURROCK Council is up for an award after promoting its work against anti-social behaviour including littering, fly-tipping, illegal encampments by travellers, nuisance bikers, graffiti and the ongoing menace of young people getting high on nitrous oxide canisters and the debris they leave behind.

The council's environmental enforcement team was recently announced as a finalist for Environmental Team of the Year in the prestigious Keep Britain Tidy Awards 2020. Nominations in this category are said to champion a team that is integral to an organisation, has an impact on the local area and continues to achieve top results.

IT'S that time of year again and this week Southend's Cliffs Pavilion launched its 2019 panto - once again featuring Thurrock's Ashley Banjo and the Diversity dance group.

It was a welcome return this year for the 2009 Britain's Got Talent winner and a refreshing change to see Robin Hood and The Merry Men (and women) as this year's panto.

A SOUTH Ockendon teenager has been recognised as "Young Talent of the Year" at the recent Essex TV awards.

Grace Brazier, 13, was given the accolade after being nominated by her teacher, Principal Julie Barker, from TipToe Stage School which has branches in Ockendon and Romford.

THURROCK Council is calling on borough residents To do their bit to stay green and recycle this Christmas.

Special small electrical recycling drop-off points will be made available throughout the borough to safely and responsibly dispose of items such as kettles, toasters and hairdryers over the festive period.

TRAFFIC on the M25 was disrupted this morning after a vehicle crashed into the barriers.

The accident happened at around 6.30am when it is believed a car and lorry collided close to junction 29 on the M25 clockwise.

THURROCK'S Foodbank will be one of the beneficiaries after the Safeguarding team at South Essex College hosted a Christmas food bank collection across all campuses to help those in need this Christmas.

The collection ran for one month where staff and students were encouraged to donate food and/or toiletries into boxes at each reception across the campuses.

ACTION by a security team at intu Lakeside regional shopping centre to deal with a vagrant at the adjacent bus station has drawn criticism on social media.

Film has been posted online of a number of security guard manhandling the man.

THE continuing frequency of random fire-setting and arson in Tilbury is concerning local residents.

Many have taken to social media to express their fears after a surge in blazes in recent times and local councillor John Allen says he is taking up their worries with the borough council and emergency services.