Homeowners should brace themselves for the annual invasion of spiders this autumn, experts have warned.

The arachnids have been thriving in the September warmth, with the mild temperatures coupled with easier access to food making them bigger.

The researchers added that when the nights become colder the creatures will move indoors.

Autumn is also the time they spend looking for a mate, while as it gets colder, they will dash to find new places to live.

What spiders are you likely to find in the house?

According to the British Arachnological Society (BAS), the most common arachnids to be found in the house include the familiar house spider, the spitting spider, the Daddy Long Legs spider, the house mouse spider, and the jumping spider.

What to do if you find one?

The BAS's advice is to not panic - killing them is almost pointless as they are soon replaced by a new colony, which finds its way through windows, doors and drain pipes. During the autumn, many also come in via the 'ballooning' process, that is, flying in through strands of silk.

The advice is to:

Carefully sweep up the spider and put it outside, or better still put in an outside shed, garage or similar place as the 'outside' is not their habitat and it is a bit cruel. 

If one gets trapped in the bath or sink put a towel on the edge of the bath or sink so the spider can climb out. They do not come up through the drain hole that is a 'P-trap' with a water seal in the elbow.What happens is that they are out and about hunting at night and either slip into the bath or are attracted to a drop of water in it and slide down. The poor spider cannot then climb up the slippery sides of the bath and so are trapped.

It is a good idea to leave a towel over the edge of the bath at night even if a spider is not in it just in case one should fall in.

Have you seen one? Tweet us your pictures @Essex_Chronicle, or post them to our Facebook page.

Today is the anniversary of Baron von Richthofen's first aerial combat victory.   Ten, twenty, thirty, forty, fifty or more …

Q1)17th September saw Baron von Richthofen win his first aerial combat: during which year of World War 1?

Q2)The fight took place over which French town: Lille, Cambrai or Dunkirk?

Q3)One of the men he shot down was Captain Tom Rees.   Captain Rees was a member of what: the British Army, the Royal Air Force or the Royal Navy?

Q4)Over all, the Baron made how many confirmed kills: sixty, eighty or one hundred … ?

Q5)What was Baron von Richthofen's first name … ?

Q6)He was also known as the 'Bloody' … what?

Q7)Von Richthofen's German title — Freiherr, the German equivalent to Baron — translates as what: free man, free lord or free mason?

Q8)The squadron von Richthofen led — Jagdgeschwader 1, or JG1 — became known as Baron von Richthofen's Flying … what … ?

Q9)"10, 20, 30, 40, 50 or more," is a line from a song about the Baron: released by The Royal Guardsmen.   What was the song called?

Q10)Finally … The Baron was mentioned in the 'Peanuts' comic strip, as the flying enemy of who: Charlie Brown, Peppermint Patty or Snoopy?

Here's last week's questions and answers … 

Questions.

Q1)10th September saw American Express open for business in the UK.   In which year of the 1960s?

Q2)The company charged an annual fee to its new card holders.   Of £3 and how many shillings: ten, twelve or fifteen?

Q3)American Express started its life as an express mail service in the USA: back in 1850.   What was its better known sister company called?

Q4)The original US American Express Card was what: a credit card, or a card card?

Q5)American Express was the second card of its type to open in the US.   What was the first: Barclaycard, Visa or Diners Club … ?

Q6)The standard American Express card is green, and has a picture on it.   Of what: the Roman god, Herpes, a centurion or the Emperor Trajan?

Q7)American Express are also the world's biggest issuers of what: credit cards, prepaid debit cards or travelers cheques?

Q8)What colour is American Express' most exclusive card: gold, platinum or black … ?

Q9)American Express have issued a card with which well known London shop: Selfridges, Harrods or Hamleys?

Q10)Finally … according to American Express' famed adverts, you shouldn't leave where, without it?

Answers.

A1)1963.

A2)Twelve.

A3)Wells Fargo.

A4)A charge card.   (I've had neither: so couldn't tell you what the difference is.   All I know is that you pay the money back after it's spent: unlike a debit card, where you only spend the money if you've got it.)

A5)Diners Club.

A6)A centurion.   (You've never heard of Herpes1?   Roman god of decorated archways … )

A7)Travelers cheques.

A8)Black: it's their Centurion Card.   (Exclusive is possibly the right word: you only get one if you've already got their platinum card, AND met other criteria.   You're not just rich.   You're Stinking!)

A9)Harrods.   (They do loyalty points … ?   Oh, well, I'll have two, then … )

A10)Home.

If you'd like a frequent challenge, you can visit Nik Nak's Old Peculiar, and try the Daily Teaser: today's is at the top.

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Enjoy the week, folks.

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BRAINTREE Town comfortably 3-1 at Aldershot Town on Tuesday evening thanks to a fine attacking and passing game by their players from start to finish, plus some tactical nous by manager Alan Devonshire.

With several players not fully fit and without the influence of suspended captain Kenny Davis in midfield, Devonshire pulled a master stroke by replacing him with winger James Mulley in central midfield alongside Chez Isaac and allowing Danny Sparkes on the right and Simeon Akinola on the left to run free down either flanks.

It meant a steady stream of fine through balls to strikers Jordan Cox and Michael Bakare all evening and they caused mayhem in the home defence every time they went forward leading to Cox grabbing a brace and Bakare unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet.

A delighted Devonshire said afterwards: "It's all credit to the players really who showed what a good footballing side we are and they all worked their socks off and I'm really proud of each and every one.

"Some were not really fit enough to play but they gave their all and they deserve credit," he continued. "We needed to improve our away form this season and this was the right way to do it and I thought we were never in danger of losing the game.

"It was certainly one of the most satisfying away performances and win since I have been at the club."

Mulley was a revelation in midfield, well supported by Isaac who chased the ball down at every opportunity, although Devonshire added special praise for the four-man defence and keeper Nic Hamann.

"We knew the home side were big and physical and we are one of the smallest steams in the league but our defence was magnificent and did not gave them an inch," he continued. "I knew they wouldn't cope with the pace of our boys with the ball on the ground and so it proved."

Little wonder the 27 Iron fans in the crowd of 1,295 made more noise than the home supporters as right from the kick-off their side took the game to their hosts who simply couldn't cope with the swift passing movement.

The writing was on the wall in only the second minute when Sparkes cut in from the right wing and sent a dipping shot to the far post which keeper Phil Smith just managed to get a hand to push it round for a corner.

Sparkes didn't have to wait long for his goal though as he repeated the feat on 14 minutes with a curling shot again from the right which flew into the top corner of the net.

With the confidence of a goal the Iron continued to push forward and dominate the game with first Akinola and then Cox both going close before, on 25 minutes, defender Mitch Brundle moved up for a corner only to see his glancing header shave the upright.

In a rare attack at the other end Brett Williams saw his header strike the Iron post before being cleared on 39 minutes as the home side at last started to create some attacks, but with the outstanding Alan Massey marshaling the Iron defence, they stood firm.

As on the previous Saturday with a one goal lead the Iron needed a second goal early on in the second half to give them breathing space and it came on 52 minutes when Isaac and Akinola combined down the left flank with the latter threading a great final ball through splitting the home defence for Cox to run on to drive the ball into the net past the stranded Smith.

The Iron continued to dominate the second half with only the occasional attacks from the home side which the Iron defence coped well and only once in this period did Hamann have to pull of a proper save when Josh Scott escaped a defender to fire a shot straight at him.

The icing on the cake for the Iron came on 78 minutes when again young Akinola's clever dribble on the halfway line allowed him to slip the ball through to the unmarked Cox who had the simplest of task to tap the ball into the empty net at the far post.

Three minutes into stoppage time the home side made one final attempt to score and they did when Damon Lathrope poked the ball into the Iron net during a scrappy final minute.

It was all too little too late then because by then the Iron were comfortably over the line as deserved winners with an exemplary all round team performance that pushed them up seventh place in the league.

Braintree Town: Hamann; Peters (Case 81), Massey, Brundle, Habergham; Sparkes, Mulley, Isaac, Akinola; Cox (Smith 88), Bakare (Walker 65). Unused sub: Pentney 

Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood will be looking out for leakage as the remaining Great British Bake-Off contestants prepare to launch headlong into pastry week.

Mel Giedroyc and Sue Perkins will set the bakers three tasks, involving pastry, starting with signature savoury parcels, before the technical challenges sets them the task of preparing the kouign amann Breton cake, which originated in Brittany in France.

The recipe is deliberately ambigious, and the contestants have just three-and-a-half hours to bake 12 individual cakes

The showstopper round will see them asked to create two different types of 24 eclairs in the space of four hours.

Who will be star baker?

The Great British Bake-Off is one BBC One tonight at 8pm

A BUMBLING robber who stole £200 and used scratchcards from a Co-op store in Galleywood after threatening an assistant with an imaginary gun - while carrying a steak knife - has been jailed.

Convicted thief Robert Downey, 33, of Wordsworth Court, Chelmsford, waited until the Barnard Road store's till was free on July 13 before ambling up to the counter.

After fetching his stash he escaped by running to the neighbouring Greenfields flats, but was pictured on a shopper's mobile phone.

The 33-year-old, who was high on drugs at the time, was then arrested within an hour, only to spit in a police officer's face four times while in custody.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (September 12) he was sentenced to five years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, possession of a bladed article in a public place and assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty.

Downey, cloaked in a hoody and baseball cap, was also caught on CCTV idling into the store at around 6.50pm. He is then seen motioning to a "firearm" in his pocket at the counter.

In fact this was merely his hand and fingers fashioned into the shape of a gun.

After making his bizarre escape a store assistant called for the supervisor, who lives locally, to come into the shop and identify him from video footage.

Downey was also convicted in June for stealing four bottles of perfume totalling nearly £150 worth from Debenhams in Chelmsford.

Chelmsford Star Co-operative's head of food Stuart Hammond said: "To threaten anyone is a very serious offence and the fact that Robert Downey has been caught and sent to prison for five years is a warning that crime doesn't pay."

Mr Hammond also commended his colleagues for acting calmly during the incident.

An Essex Police spokesman said: "For some reason he took some used lottery tickets, those that have been handed in.

"Whether or not he thought they were live or scrap tickets we don't really know."

Thousands of prospective students will be upping sticks and heading down from across the country and around the world to start their degrees in earnest at Anglia Ruskin and the University of Essex.

The pain of A Levels is over, so its time to start afresh in one of England's newest cities - but how much do you know about Chelmsford?

See our guide to the city below as your very first lecture.

Business history

• Guglielmo Marconi set up his famous New Street factory in Chelmsford all the way back in 1912, a pioneering venture into the transmission of wireless signals. 
• Chelmsford also saw the founding of soft drink giant Britvic, the UK's second largest producer, in the 19th century. It remained in Chelmsford until the company headquarters were relocated to Hertfordshire in 2012. 
• Dunton is home to Ford's major automotive research and development facility.

Geography

• Chelmsford is Essex's county town, in addition to being its only city
• Channel 4's Location Location Location voted it as the eighth best place to live in the United Kingdom in 2007. 
• Other large towns and district relatively nearby include Southend (home to the world's longest pier), Thurrock and Basildon.

Music

• Essex boasts two major summer music festivals, V Festival and Brownstock. 
• Both have regularly hosted the biggest names in music, this year saw Justin Timberlake, The Killers, Lily Allen and Razorlight coming to the county.
• There is also a thriving music scene in the city, with Ayslum a key alternative music venue

Shopping

• Lakeside Shopping Centre, home to more than 250 shops and services, reigns supreme as Essex's biggest shopping district.
• Freeport Designer Outlet in Braintree is next in line to the consumer crown, with Basildon, Chelmsford and Southend centres each providing an excellent array of retailers. And just over the M25, there's always Bluewater

Sport

• July this year saw Essex proudly host the third stage of the Tour de France as the world's greatest cyclists pedal through parts of Uttlesford, Braintree, Chelmsford and Epping Forest.
• Famous sporting heroes of the county include England's 1966 World Cup winning manager Sir Alf Ramsey, former Essex and England cricket captain Graham Gooch, former world champion swimmer Mark Foster former Olympic champions Fatima Whitbread and Sally Gunnell.
• Essex County Cricket Club, based in Chelmsford are one of the 18 major county clubs, and boast current England test and one-day international captain Alistair Cook.
• Southend United and Colchester United are Essex's best known football teams, both playing in the Football League.

Travel

• Stansted Airport is Essex's major airport offering flights to destinations across Europe, North America and North Africa. The county is also served by the smaller London Southend Airport with flights across Europe. 
• There are three main c2c lines from City of London to Southend-on-Sea, two from Fenchurch Street and one from Liverpool Street. Epping Forest is served by the London Underground Central line.
• Greater Anglia serves stations through Essex from London Liverpool Street to neighbouring Suffolk and Norfolk and Stansted Airport.
• Crossrail, a railway line poised to open in 2018, will link stations from Shenfield, via central London to Reading.

Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho is aiming to win his third Champions League title in as many weeks when his side start this year's campaign against Schalke at Stamford Bridge tonight.

Striker Didier Drogba could feature in the first 11 for the opening group G game after recovering from an ankle injury, while Petr Cech is hoping for a start after being displaced by Thibault Courtios

The Blues also played Schalke in the group stages of last season's Champions League winning 3-0 both home and away.

They'll be anticipating a positive result against a side which sits only 16th in the Bundesliga.

Tonight's game is live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky 1 from 7pm, with kick off at 7.45pm

ANGRY ticket-holders to the cancelled Hylands Park concerts have still not got their money back – despite a promise by organiser UK Events and Production.

People took to social media to vent their frustration after they did not receive refunds, especially as others who bought tickets from third parties were repaid in the past week.

Sidney Moore, 29, who spent £125.65 on three tickets to the 80s Flashback Festival as a 50th birthday present, said: "I'm pretty angry and frustrated with the whole situation.

"To not have any communication from the company except outright lies and to find out via a news article on the Chronicle website that the event was cancelled is extremely poor customer service.

"I'm annoyed with myself for not paying on my credit card too. I think they are trying to buy time, as I don't think anyone has had any money back from them except those that bought via Groupon, for example."

Ms Moore received an e-mail from UK Events explaining that there was a backlog due to the high volume of refunds, but said the company offered to transfer the money into her account after she e-mailed several times. However, despite sending her bank details she has received nothing.

Dominic Wilson, 41, from Danbury, wants a refund for the two tickets he bought for the Flashback Festival, after he was promised a refund on September 2 "within seven to ten working days".

"I'm annoyed, as we were excited about going to the concert. I bought my ticket direct from UK Events and paid with a credit card so hopefully I will get the money back either way, but that's not the point.

"I have tried calling about 50 times but with no joy".

Mr Wilson is not alone in being kept in the dark, with people commenting on Facebook they were still waiting for their money.

The Essex Chronicle attempted to contact UK Events for a comment but had no response at the time of going to press.

Wet Wet Wet, the Flashback Festival and a Last Night of the Proms, featuring Aled Jones, were all scheduled to take place on September 7, 13 and 14.

The organiser tried to blame the state of Hylands Park after the V Festival for its decision to cancel, but this reason was quickly rebuffed by the council.

HEYBRIDGE Swifts boss Keith Wilson bemoaned a poor first half display during his team's 3-2 defeat to AFC Sudbury on Tuesday night.

Neil Richmond's brace for Swifts were not enough as Ryan Hervel, Aryton Coley and James Baker gave the visitors all three Ryman One North at Scraley Road.

Wilson said: "Being honest I think they totally dominated us in the first half and we were lucky to be at 1-1 with a minute to go in that first 45. We didn't really have anything about us, but in the second half the players gave me everything that I asked of them.

"It wasn't scintillating going forward but we have worked hard and hit the woodwork twice, so we just aren't getting that rub of the green at the moment. But we can't turn up for 45 minutes and we have lost the game purely on the first half performance.

The second 45 minutes were much-improved by Swifts, with Wilson admitting that there were some frank words said at half-time.

He said: "I try and get my point across in an intellectual way, I asked them if they thought they had worked hard enough in the first half and they said no. You get out of it what you put in and in the first half we didn't put anything in. We had a go second half and it just wasn't quite enough."

Swifts are now 19^th in the league and travel to Wilson's former club Burnham Ramblers on Saturday.

Wilson appreciates just how much of an important game that will be, but urges his players to overcome their recent misfortunes.

He added: "Saturday is massive but I have said to them that we have to play the match and not the occasion. We need the three points as nine from 27 doesn't take a genius to work out it's not very good. We need to make sure it becomes 12 from 30 on Saturday."

TERRY SPILLANE believes he was a victim of his early success at Maldon & Tiptree after leaving the club in his third season in charge.

The Jammers announced the departure of their manager after the 2-1 defeat to Soham Town Rangers on Saturday, their third loss on the bounce.

And Spillane believes that the high expectations after his outstanding first season at the club – reaching the Ryman One North play-off final – led to negativity this season.

He said: "It is a good team there, a new team, but there are some good players. I just felt that I had didn't have time and was just under pressure to win every game. I don't mind that but every time we lost there was just negativity, which I didn't like.

"That is not how the get the best out of me, I needed people to back me.

"Without a doubt it was because of getting so close to promotion in my first season.

"No disrespect to anybody, before I came I don't think the club were regarded as potential league champions or a major force in the league and I think I changed that.

"Everybody wants to be at Maldon & Tiptree and they know that if they come to Maldon and do well then they will be in a good side.

"That is something I am proud of and it is fine margins, because we missed out on getting into the Ryman Premier by a penalty shoot-out.

"I just got that feeling that when we were losing that it was the end of the world. You need to know how to lose and I think certain people at the club have just got so used to me building sides that are winning or are up there that they expect it every week.

"That is just impossible and you can't be the best all the time, unless of course you have the money to do that. There are lots of clubs that have more or much more money than Maldon and all these things add up.

"But the main thing for me leaving was that I just wasn't enjoying it as much, it's as simple as that."

However, Spillane paid tribute to chairman Ed Garty, who is now on the search for a manger to take over at the Jammers.

He said: "I have a lot of time for the chairman. He is a good guy and we are friends away from football, which made it even more difficult. But that is football and I am sure it was the right decision for me and for the club. I genuinely hope they get on a good run and do well."

BRAINTREE Town winger Dan Sparkes expressed his delight at being named in the England C squad this week.

Sparkes will travel to St George's Park after the Iron's weekend game with Eastleigh for a training camp with the team ahead of fixtures against Turkey and Estonia in October and November.

The 22-year-old was originally named in the contingency squad, but due to injury he has been promoted.

Sparkes said: "I am absolutely delighted to have been called up into the squad, to be honest I have only just found out so it hasn't really properly sunk in yet. I gave myself a couple of aims at the beginning of the season, one of those was to get more goals and the other was to be selected for the England C team.

"I play for Braintree on Saturday then have a long weekend with the squad at the training camp and hopefully will be involved in the two games in October and November. To be fair I am slightly surprised that none of the other Braintree lads have been called up as well.

"We have had a great start to the season and all the guys are young and keen to do well."

Sparkes will be hoping to impress England C manager Paul Fairclough, who will trim the squad for their Challenge Trophy Group A qualifying matches against Turkey on October 14 and Estonia on November 18.

The winger scored his third goal in five games in the 3-1 win over Aldershot on Tuesday night. And with boss Alan Devonshire only able to field four substitutes because of injuries and the suspension of captain Kenny Davis, Sparkes paid credit to the club's strength in depth.

He added: "I don't think that I have ever been in a squad that has had so many injuries. Even Tuesday night we had people with knocks playing and it is just a credit to everyone that we can beat teams like Aldershot.

"We said at the start of the season that this is a strong squad with competition for places. And the starting line-up on Tuesday didn't do themselves any harm in pushing for a place.

"I gave myself the aim of getting into double figures this season. Last year I only managed three goals, which I have already reached this year. I have decided just to be a bit more greedy around the goal and so far it is working for me."

MIDFIELDER Lee Sawyer says Chelmsford City must sort out their second half starts if they are to win games in the Conference South this season.

The Clarets have given away penalties in back-to-back games straight after the break, with the previous week's one missed at Bromley as they won 1-0.

But in Saturday's 4-0 defeat by Boreham Wood, Mark Hawkes' men were not so lucky as Luke Garrard stepped up to send substitute keeper Nik Freund the wrong way.

Sawyer said: "You can't come out after half-time and do what we did. It seems to be a bit of a problem coming back after half-time. I don't know what it is but it is up to us to sort it out now.

"I thought we did well in the first half, similar to the way that we started against Bromley last week.

"When you are away you don't get a lot of patience on the ball but we were doing well, right up until they scored that first goal, where a couple of us should have gone out to the corner and the keeper dropped it."

The Clarets were the masters of their own downfall on Saturday, gifting the league leaders all four of their goals.

Sawyer added: "The goals we gave away were terrible, kids' stuff really and you can't do that in any league. We need to sharpen up and we can't keep doing that, otherwise we will find ourselves in a bad position.

"I think everything that could have gone wrong for us actually did.

"It is fine to look at the score-line and it says 4-0 but I thought we were happy with what we were doing right up until they scored.

"If you look at the results it does look inconsistent but I think we will be all right."

With Glen Southam moving to Sutton United earlier this month, Hawkes has the option of keeping Sawyer – on loan until November from Sutton – at Melbourne Stadium for the rest of the season.

Sawyer has played every minute of the campaign this season and is enjoying a more central role in the team.

The 25-year-old said: "I am enjoying playing for the manager, I have played every 90 minutes so far, and so staying on will be something I will look at when my loan ends.

"I much prefer being in the middle of the park, somewhere that I feel that I am in the game at all times.

"I think I have been doing well in that position and want to stay there for the rest of the season.

"Obviously, if I want to stay in that position though I am going to have to start scoring some goals, so that is something that I am looking to do."

A NANDO'S chef heroically pulled a woman from her car after it overturned on Corporation Road in Chelmsford on Monday (September 15).

Adam Sainsbury, 21, was walking back to his house in the same street when he heard a loud bang and saw a Vauxhall Astra car had flipped onto its roof.

"I was just walking back from the shops when I heard the noise," he said. "I saw that the car overturned and there was a woman inside it. She was panicking.

"She was screaming and struggling to get her seatbelt off. I tried to calm her down and I told her to see if she could undo the seatbelt or try to wriggle out of it.

"Eventually she wriggled out of it and I helped to pull her out of the car. I called for a passing driver to phone the ambulance and I went into my house to get her a towel and just tried to calm her down.

"I don't think she was seriously injured, apart from the shock, and she had cut her knee."

The woman's car flipped over after it hit a blue Peugeot parked at the side of the road.

An ambulance, as well as a fire engine and police attended the incident, which attracted a crowd of bystanders who were amazed to see the overturned vehicle in the middle of the street.

PC John Holmes said: "It appears that the lady was driving from Broomfield to Kings Road and for an unknown reason collided with a parked car.

"Witnesses said there was not excessive speed. It is quite unusual for a car to overturn in these circumstances – it appears the cars met in a wheel to wheel collision."

The woman who was pulled from the car, who is in her fifties and from Halstead, was taken to Broomfield Hospital as a precaution. She was reported to police for driving offences.

FIVE football-mad friends raised more than £5,000 for Little Havens Hospices by travelling to all 92 football league stadiums in 92 hours.

South Woodham Ferrers lads Nick Smith, Mike and Matt Crawston, Tony Baker and Andrew Scullion started at Southend United's Roots Hall stadium and finished at Colchester United in a time of 87 hours, 49 minutes and 14 seconds.

Their highlights included stumbling across Port Vale manager Micky Adams and being asked by Accrington Stanley to return Luton Town's training kit to the club on their behalf.

Nick, 29, a teacher, said: "Although we faced several difficulties, such as traffic and road closures, we managed to visit all 92 grounds.

"It was an incredible experience which was made even more special knowing that we were raising money for Little Havens.

"After visiting the hospice the five of us were inspired to raise as much money as we could for such a fantastic organisation."

The quintet, most of whom have grown up playing amateur football – Andrew for Focus Ferrers and Matt for Latchingdon FC – say they were inspired after visiting a Little Havens Hospice open day in April.

They set off by car on Tuesday, August 26, and completed the trip the next Saturday.

The group, who aimed to raise £2,000 but have collected £5,500 so far, singled out Southend, Fleetwood Town, Liverpool and Sunderland as being the most hospitable.

"The donations received kept all of us motivated throughout the challenge, especially when completing the more difficult legs of the journey," said Nick.

Little Havens community fundraiser Peter Hall said: "The guys did a fantastic job and have doubled their fundraising target, so we can't thank them enough.

"Little Havens Hospice can only exist because of the kindness of our supporters like Nick and his friends."

The charity aims to open a two-storey £16.5 million spa hotel for as many as 16 inpatients and 20 daycare patients in Southend by 2019, replacing the current Westliff-on-Sea hospice.

To sponsor the boys visit www.92in92challenge.org and for more information on the charity visit www.havenshospices.org.uk

Police investigating the murders of two English backpackers in Thailand say DNA sampled from two British men held for questioning doesn't match up with the traces found on the deceased.

Officers also say DNA found on the body of University of Essex student Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Norfolk, doesn't match DNA found on 24-year-old David Miller.

The pair were found battered to death lying on a beach about 100 yards from a party spot on Koh Tao island in the early hours of Monday.

The two British men questioned have been named by media as brothers and childhood friends of David Miller – James and Christopher Ware.

Eleven Burmese people have also been questioned over the deaths, in an investigation which has roped in 70 officers.

Six of these Burmese people have been detained.

Police Colonel Kissana, deputy Thai police spokesman, said: "We have detained six Burmese suspects who were around the scene of the crime.

"We have strong evidence that led us to the Burmese suspects as blood stains were found some of their clothes. DNA tests are being completed and we should hopefully have a report tomorrow.

"We also have two British suspects but they have not been detained. We cannot rule them out. They were close friends and knew all about the victims."

Meanwhile, Thai premier General Prayuth Chan-O-Cha has admitted there are always safety problems when travelling his country.

In a speech broadcast live on Thai TV on Wednesday, he said: "There are always problems with tourist safety.

"They think our country is beautiful and is safe so they can do whatever they want, they can wear bikinis and walk everywhere. Can they be safe in bikini?"

A cow is believed to have been struck dead by a vehicle on the A12 in Hatfield Peverel.

Commuters reported spotting the animal lying motionless on the hard shoulder of the southbound carriageway shortly after 6am this morning (Thursday, September 18).

Patrick Duffy tweeted: "Just saw a dead cow on the side of the A12"

Joey tweeted: "anyone see the giant road kill just after Witham? Was it a horse? A cow? It looked like a baby elephant!! so sad whatever it was."

The Highways Agency report that traffic is queuing on the busy road back to Kelvedon after one lane had to be closed off.

Firefighters extinguished a van which burst into flames this morning (Thursday, September 18).

One crew from Wickford rushed to Lower Burnham Road, donned breathing apparatus and extinguished the inferno by 7.29am.

An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: "Police were also brought in for traffic control on the road and they recorded the cause of the fire as an accident."

The end of the paper tax disc is nigh, with little over one week to go until they are banished for good in favour of an electronic vehicle register. 

See below for DVLA video tutorial

New rules issued by the DVLA means vehicle tax will be dealt with online from October 1.

But this morning (September 17), the RAC warned the changes could result in a rise in tax dodging after a survey of more than 2,000 drivers showed that almost two-thirds believe the changes to the rules on tax discs would encourage people to avoid paying, 

Worryingly, one third of those who took part said they weren't aware of the changes.

See below for answers to any unanswered questions

So how do I pay now?

This is largely unaffected, drivers will have the option to pay by direct debit. And as now, tax can be paid annually with no extra cost, but choosing to pay twice a year, and incur a monthly additional charge of five per cent.

Can I still visit the Post Office to tax my vehicle?

Yes, you can, especially if you feel more comfortable doing do or you have documents (such as those relating to disability exemption)

What happens when I buy a vehicle?

From October 1, vehicle tax will no longer be transferred with the vehicle, so any buyers will need to get vehicle tax before driving it on the road

DVLA are unable to check the vehicle insurance details for new keepers in Northern Ireland online or by phone. If you're a Northern Ireland new keeper, you will need to tax at a Post Office® branch that deals with vehicle tax.

What happens if I'm selling my car?

Those selling used cars will get a refund on any full calendar months left on the vehicle tax.

How do I check/prove if my vehicle is tax exempt?

You will be able to visit this section of the DVLA website, by providing the vehicle number plate, and the make of the vehicle by visiting www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax. Alternatively, visit the Post Office to show the Vehicle Registration Certificate V5C or the DWP eligibility certificate if available.

Will I still get a reminder when the vehicle tax runs out?

Yes. There will be no change to the issue of the Renewal Reminder (V11s and V85/1s).

What if I need a tax disc to get a parking permit/car parking space?

Don't worry, all councils and local authorities will be made aware of the change to law where tax discs will no longer be available, so there will be no feasible reason for this to affect your application.

If there is no tax disc, this could also mean that there is no insurance or MoT for a vehicle. How will this be checked?

This already exists, with the technology available to check details between the DVLA, Insurance Industry and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.

Police can also access details at the roadside.

How do I get a refund?

The registered keeper will be issued with an automatic refund when they tell the DVLA that they no longer need to tax the vehicle any longer such as it being sold/transferred or declared off the road (SORN).

A MOTHER of two has admitted fraudulently claiming benefits and council tax, three years after a conviction for a similar offence.

Sarah Whale, of Turnpike Place, Braintree, pleaded guilty at Chelmsford Crown Court yesterday (September 17) to two counts of claiming £2,440 in housing benefit and council tax between April 11 2012 to October 21 2012, by not notifying Braintree District Council that her partner had begun earning more money.

The 30-year-old pleaded not guilty to four counts at an earlier hearing.

The court heard on Wednesday that Whale's partner started earning more money in overtime through his UPS delivery job because of the Olympic Games.

This had only come to the attention of the authorities because Whale told Braintree District Council she had begun earning money at the Tabor Centre in Braintree, a facility that helps disabled people.

The court heard Whale had a previous conviction for dishonestly claiming £24,000 of housing benefit in 2011 and was given a two-year suspended sentence that ended on November 17 last year.

But Judge Anthony Goldstaub said this case was an "honest mistake" and should not be punished too harshly.

"The public should understand there is a difference between dishonest non-disclose and simply a failure to notify of a change of circumstances.

"It would not be right in my judgement to punish her further, my view is there is no dishonesty.

Whale has already paid back £850 and was ordered to pay £500 towards the prosecution costs.

She was also given a supervision order to remain at her home address as well as a to pay a victim surcharge of £15.

Count three and four of the original charges were left to lay on file.

This autumn will see something of a spider infestation in homes, according to experts, and this is already in evidence if your pictures are anything to go by!

It's a nightmare time for arachnophobes, with the recent unseasonably warm weather prompting fears that spiders could be larger than normal.

Many of them are also heading indoors in an effort to find a mate. 

But it seems that some of you have taken them into your hearts as well as your homes.

Laurence Bee, of the British Arachnologial Society, said: "The conditions have been better so there may be more around, and it's just the fact people are seeing them more and being aware of them more. 

"This is particularly the case for house spiders. '

Take a look at your pictures by scrolling above - if you're not squeamish.