A PAIR of officers who helped extinguish a man who had set himself on fire at an Essex petrol station have won a prestigious police bravery award. 

As the man soaked himself in flammable liquid and threatened to set himself on fire on the station's forecourt, PC Keith Lucas and PC Shane Robinson ran towards him, ordering him to drop his lighter.

But as the officers got to within a few feet of him, he ignited and turned into a huge fireball.

Engulfed in flames and screaming in pain, the man stepped towards the officers as they instructed him to drop to the floor. PC Robinson removed his fleece, ran towards the man and began to beat the flames.

The man's upper body was engulfed in flames but PC Robinson continued to try to smother the flames and, with help from the fire service, the man miraculously survived the incident in December 2012. 

The two officers have now won the eastern region Police Bravery Award at a ceremony in central London attended by the Home Secretary, police minister Mike Penning and Met Police commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, among other dignitaries, which took place last night (October 16). 

The same day the two also joined 64 of their colleagues from 31 forces round the country for a reception at 10 Downing Street with Prime Minister David Cameron as a mark of recognition for their heroic acts.

PC Lucas said: "When you look at the other nominees it's an absolute honour to have won and I feel very proud. It is unbelievable.

"When you look at the CCTV it brings home what the dangers were – how close to the pumps the man was and how dangerous it was. It's an absolute pleasure to attend the event but it is no more than other officers would do."

PC Robinson added: "Other officers nominated and that I work with are very brave on a daily basis. Even with hindsight I don't think I would really change what we did that night.

"This event is a lovely way of recognising what we do as police officers up and down the country."

Police are appealing to the public for their help in finding a missing man from East Herts who may be in the Braintree area of Essex.

Officers want to trace Shaun Felstead, 37, from Anstey, after receiving reports on Thursday (October 16) concerning his welfare.

Shaun has connections across East Herts however he is believed to have been travelling in a vehicle, possibly a white Ford Ranger, today and is currently thought to be in the Great Dunmow or Braintree areas of Essex.

He is described as a white man, of slim build and 5ft 8in tall. He has short dark brown hair, brown eyes and a tanned complexion.

Officers are concerned for Shaun's welfare and ask that anyone who sees him, or knows of his whereabouts, contact police straight away via the non-emergency number 101.

A woman will appear in court this morning (October 17) accused of knowingly hiding a man wanted for attempted murder at her home.

Tina Smith, 53, is alleged to have hidden 51-year-old Gary Jeakins, of Canvey Road, Steeple, at her Palmer Road home in Newham, London, between Saturday, February 15, and Wednesday, October 1.

Jeakins was arrested in London on Wednesday, October 1 and charged with attempted murder and breach of a non-molestation order.

It relates to an incident in The Street, Latchingdon on February 15 at 2.30am when a 29-year-old man was struck by a car. He sustained serious leg injuries and was taken to Broomfield Hospital.

Jeakins appeared before Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday, October 2 and will appear before Chelmsford Crown Court on Monday, December 8.

A CEREAL that has a place in many a childhood memory, Sugar Puffs, is to be re-branded and renamed under plans to boost plummeting sales. 

Following customer concerns over sugar content, owner Halo Foods is set to relaunch the breakfast cereal under the new name 'Honey Monster Puffs' later this month. 

Under a revised recipe it will have less sugar, but 20 per cent more honey, and will also feature traffic light labelling to advise people on nutritional content. 

The Sugar Puffs brand's sales have fallen by more than 16 per cent in value in recent years, with a value now at £14.4m. 

"We feel the product ­relaunch, coupled with our move to bring the product name in line with the Honey Monster character, can help grow our share of the cereals category," Halo Foods marketing director Andy Valentine, told The Grocer. 

The highly anticipated Chelmsford Marathon, in aid of J's Hospice will take place this Sunday October 19, taking in Chelmsford's parks, but how will the route the competitors take affect your journey?

Between 9am and 5pm, the following roads in Writtle will have various closures:

Bridge Street will be closed for through traffic at the Blue Bridge Restaurant side of the junction with Lodge Road. However, up until the point of closure, full access will be permitted.

Paradise Road will be closed at the junction with Lodge Road with partial access for residents and emergency vehicles via Rectory Road.

Lodge Road will be also only have one lane with the South bound side closed, affecting access to Roman's Way and Penrose Mead.

St John's Green through to the St John's Road junction with Wykeham Road, Lawford Lane and Melba Court will be closed completely, only accessible for emergency vehicles.

If residents in this area have any special requirements that could lead to an exception, they should contact 01787 237509 in advance so that the traffic management company can assist them on the day.

There will be plenty of diversion signs in place and buses will also follow an alternative route.

UP TO 29% of children are living in poverty in Chelmsford, according to figures released this month by the End Child Poverty campaign. 

According to the data the highest levels of child poverty in the city can be found in the Marconi ward, with 29.12% of youngsters growing up poor, after housing costs after taken into consideration. 

This is closely followed by the St Andrews area, with 27.4%, Great Baddow West with 26.5% and Great Baddow East with 22.34%. 

The lowest levels of poverty are in The Lawns area, in Springfield, with 7.93% - more than 20% lower than just a few miles down the road in the Marconi ward. 

Chair of End Child Poverty David Holmes said: "These figures reveal just how widely and deeply child poverty reaches into our communities, even those areas generally regarded as well off.

"Far too many children whose parents are struggling to make a living are suffering as a result and missing out on the essentials of a decent childhood that all young people should be entitled to. We can and must do better for our children.

"Poverty ruins childhoods and reduces life chances. Failing to invest properly in children is a false economy: already child poverty costs the country £29bn each year and in the long run taxpayers will foot an even higher bill for correcting the damage.

"We are calling on politicians of all parties to urgently set out a clear road map towards ending child poverty which includes the additional actions needed and the measures by which progress will be tracked."

Tom Daley, Tulisa and Gemma Collins are among the names to be linked with an appearance on the annual event that is I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here.

ITV is set to screen a special Wizard of Oz style trailer this evening.

Hosts Ant and Dec are seen entering a magical and mysterious land by entering a wooden shack, before following a long, winding yellow road.

The Geordie pair then discuss what the celebs will need to survive, before another exchange ends with Dec revealing his bright red slippers.

I'm a Celebrity, Get Me out of Here, will be screened on ITV from the middle of next month

Former KEGS student Grayson Perry CBE hosted Channel 4's new primetime show "Who are you?" which aired last night (October 22) for the first time.

The artist, sculptor and winner of the 2003 Turner Prize interviewed X Factor star Rylan Clark and former energy secretary Chris Huhne asking them to create images of themselves through art.

Channel 4 said the show was "exploring notions of modern identity and personal meaning through art."

And the former Bicknacre-resident ,with a reputation as a cross-dresser as his alter ego "Claire", turned his attention to identity as he created portraits - from tapestries to sculptures and pots - of individuals who are all trying to define who they are.

In his work Grayson Perry's vases have classical forms, decorated in bright colours, depicting controversial subjects such as violence and sex. 

A review of the show by The Independent: "Here, Grayson – as Grayson, rather than alter ego Claire – looked at four modern individuals whose stories would be told in artworks created for his show at the National Portrait Gallery, which opens on Saturday.

"It was quite an hour of TV.

"I'm not sure quite how much I gleaned from it. But Grayson is a fine, thoughtful host and anything that can skirt between a behind-the-scenes look at one of modern politics' grubbier moments and X Factor Existentialism deserves a wide audience."

The next episode of the show will be aired on Channel 4 next Wednesday at 10.05pm. 

Real Madrid will renew their fierce rivalry with Barcelona in the ever eaglery awaited El Clasico La Liga derby on Saturday.

The reigning champions go into the day buoyed by their comprehensive 3-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League. Luis Suarez is set to make his debut for the Catalan giants.

But fans looking forward to the clash are set to miss the first 15 minutes because of broadcasting rules.

The eagerly-awaited clash, which kicks off at 5pm, will air on Sky Sports  5.

But, a screen 'blackout' of live games between 2.45pm and 5.15pm, means viewers will have to wait to see any action until then.

The rules were put in place so as to not affect attendances at grounds for 3pm kick offs.

Two men have been locked up for their part in a horrifying attack on a registered blind man and his brother at Chelmsford railway station.

The 31-year-old victim was attacked on the platform, while waiting for a train with his brother and a friend. His brother was then attacked after coming to his aid in an assault which saw them both thrown onto the tracks.

Daniel Webster, 23, of Colchester Road, Coggeshall, was jailed for 22 months after admitted grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm against both victims.

Fellow assailant Niall Martin, 24, of Speedwell Road, Colchester, pleaded guilty to ABH against one of the men and was locked up for nine months.

Chelmsford Crown Court was shown CCTV footage yesterday (October 22) of the victim's 28-year-old brother coming to the aid of his sibling, only to be thrown onto the track by Webster and attacked by him while he tried to clamber to safety.

The court heard the incident happened in the early hours of Thursday, February 20 this year, as footage (pictured above) showed Webster and Martin attacking the 28-year-old on the platform.

Both victims were taken to hospital, where the 31-year-old old man had surgery on a fractured foot.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Alan Reed said: "This is one of the most appalling incidents I have investigated.

"Webster and Martin showed a savage disregard for their victims, and one of the brothers is still suffering from the injuries sustained to his foot.

"It is no exaggeration to say the brothers could have been killed after being thrown onto the tracks.

"I would like to pay tribute to the victims, who have shown great dignity following what was a terrifying ordeal for them '

"I hope today's sentence will provide them with some sense of closure, although in truth, the impact this has had on both of them is likely to remain with them for the rest of their lives."

Now we know it's nearly winter. The clocks are due to go back on Sunday, October 26, at 2am, giving us all an extra hour in bed.

But it will see the evenings get considerably longer. So what's behind the change and why do we do it, and who was behind this biennial disruption in the first place?

See below for a timeline of how it came to be:

1. The clocks change once in the Spring and again in the Autumn to make the most of the light. 

2. New Zealander George Vernon Hudson first proposed the modern idea of daylight saving in 1895, but British Summer Time was suggested by William Willett in 1907.

3. He was a keen horse rider and frustrated by the "waste" of daylight in the early mornings during the summer months as most people were still in bed when he was out riding.

4. He published a pamphlet called The Waste of Daylight campaigning for a scheme to change the clocks, but he died in 1915, before he could see it come into being.

5. But one year later, in 1916, the rule was enforced during the First World War, in a bid to save money and effort fighting during the war.

6. But clocks and watches were very different back then as many could not have their hands turned backwards without breaking. Therefore, owners had to put the clock forward by 11 hours when BST came to an end. Special posters were distributed to let people know about the change.

7. Some now argue British Summer Time is good for physical and psychological health, particularly in terms of relieving the symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

8. People are also generally said to be more productive if daylight hours are extended in the evenings. The lighter evenings are also said to reduce road traffic accidents and crime.

Another landmark natural history show from Sir David Attenborough and the BBC will air tonight with the legendary naturalist travelling to South Africa.

Meercats are the focus of the first episode of Life Story as Sir David monitors the progress of a new batch of pups born into a meerkat mob, as they take their first tentative steps outside of their underground homes.

"This is when they are the smallest and most vulnerable," the 88-year-old said.

"Many animals face their greatest challenges within days or even hours of entering the world."

Within two months, the young meerkats must learn to catch and eat their own food, and we see a hungry pup being taught to tackle a feisty scorpion.

"It's a test every member of the family has to go through," explained Sir David.

"One of the great benefits of being raised in meerkat society is that adults without young of their own help with the child care for the others.

"They will spend hours teaching the youngsters important lessons, such as how to hunt for food."

This series tells the astonishing and often dangerous story of the journey through life for many different fascinating species.

Sir David details that epic quest in its six vital stages: first steps, growing up, finding a home, gaining power, winning a mate and, finally, succeeding as a parent.

"The drive and inventiveness of animals is breathtaking," he added.

GARRY KIMBLE has declared his Witham Town team will be ready to go for the "biggest game in the club's history" on Saturday.

Town welcome Conference South side Weston-super-Mare to Spa Road for the FA Cup fourth round qualifying, looking to book their place in the first round proper for the first time.

Kimble's men have already reached the furthest they have ever done in the prestigious cup competition, but are just one win away from potentially facing a League One or League Two team.

He said: "It is going to be hard to keep the players' minds on just the game and not the occasion, but hopefully they will not be overawed by that and put in that decent performance.

"They have got one chance at this and they can make history for themselves and for the club.

"There will be a great feel-good factor around the club and everyone will be buzzing during the week.

"As long as they can just give me what they have done this year then I won't be annoyed. I think that I have got everyone back for Saturday and should have a full squad going into the biggest game in the club's history.

"At the end of the day I kick every ball with the players but I am just going to treat it as another game. But I want to win every game; even if it is a game of tiddlywinks then I want to win. As long as they give me 100 per cent then win or lose I will be proud of them."

The Seagulls are currently second-bottom in the league above Witham and Kimble has done his research on them, sending two of his coaches to watch their 2-0 defeat to St Albans City on Saturday.

He added: "Johnny Ray and Curtis Whyte went down to their ground last weekend to make the three and a half hour trip, which was not pleasant.

"But I was really grateful that they went and hopefully when we get into training on Thursday [tonight] then they can run us through what they saw.

"It is just going to be about who wants it more on the day and just hopefully it will be us."

Kimble is also hoping that the town will come out and support his men, providing a wall of sound that the players will be able to use to push them forward in this vital game.

He said: "I am hoping for a good crowd and the locals to come out in force to be the 12th man. I don't think that Weston will fancy playing on our pitch because it makes it a bit of a leveller.

"It's just all about 11 v 11 and whoever wants it on the day will win. I don't really want a replay because we will have to do a long journey on a Tuesday night. But if it has to be a replay then we'll deal with that, but I am very confident that on Saturday we will come away with a win. If my players can't get motivated about this game then they never will."

Singer Alvin Stardust has died following a short illness, his spokesman said.

The 72-year-old former glam rock star and legend, who was active with voluntary work in Essex, was diagnosed with prostate cancer. He was working on a new album due for release later this year

The singer, whose real name was Bernard Jewry, started out in the music business in the 1960s, but shot to fame in the 1970s, racking up nine top 10 singles.

He also, infamously, appeared in the Green Cross Code adverts, giving advice to youngsters on how to safely cross the road.

In 2004, Alvin helped launch a new category in the Essex Achievement Awards scheme, now known as the Pride of Essex awards. It was set up in Chelmsford to give a wider range of well-deserved recognition to special people.

He said at the: "Last year's ceremony was a really memorable occasion and I was amazed at the achievements of the people receiving awards. I am very pleased to give my backing to this year's awards."

The awards scheme, instigated 11 years ago, is run by the Chronicle in association with disability campaigner Susie Cornell.

A man has been arrested in connection with the alleged theft of EuroMillions lottery tickets from Martins convenience store in Melbourne.

A man handed himself into Chelmsford police station in New Street today (October 23) after the force released a CCTV image yesterday.

A 50-year-old suspect from Chelmsford was subsequently arrested on suspicion of theft and was bailed pending further enquiries until November 21.

Police say a man stole tickets from the store at about 2.10pm on October 21, with no intent to pay, after initially placing £100 on the counter.

AMERICAN fast food restaurant Taco Bell has been given the green light to open in Chelmsford. 

The Tex-Mex chain has been given permission by the city council this week to set up shop at 213 Moulsham Street and transform it from a retail unit, to a restaurant and takeaway. 

The unit used to be occupied by the Futon Company before it moved to its new home opposite the Co-operative store and The Farm Shop, also in Moulsham Street, in February last year.

The fast food outlet, which sells a blend of Mexican and Texan inspired foods such as tacos, burritos and nachos, has more than 6,500 stores worldwide.

Motorists on the A12 have been warned to expect rush hour delays after a serious collision between J21 and j22

East of England Ambulance Service said a man in his 30s was taken to Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford with multiple injuries after the collision, which happened at around 3.40pm today (October 23)

Both sides of the carriageway were partially closed for a period while the air ambulance landed.

Crews left the scene shortly before 5pm, but congestion currently stretches back to junction 24 at Kelvedon.

A BAKER turned designer beauty consultant who transformed his image after being teased has been crowned the men's Essex Face 2014.

Terry Mounsey, 28, of Chelmsford, and female winner Natasha Deeth, 25, from Burnham on Crouch, were voted by Essex Chronicle readers as the most glamorous pair to enter our countywide competition, sponsored by Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf and Spa near Colchester.

And proving they're both worthy of your votes, the pair showed off their good looks in a one-hour photoshoot, from which they'll be provided a framed print and three mounted pictures, before indulging in an overnight stay at the four-star hotel.

"I didn't used to be into my image, or brands. I wore glasses, and didn't even use hair products – I look back at photos now and think is that actually me?" said Terry, who now works for Tom Ford Beauty, based at Stansted Airport.

"People just used to say things like, 'oh you still wear glasses'. I didn't change for those people but I think it was more because I wanted to show that I can look different.

"I used to work as a baker in the Co-operative, now I work for a multimillion pound fashion designer brand – I suppose looks and appearance must have helped.

"Now winning this has given me the confidence to go for it, I would never have dreamed of entering a competition like this before."

For lab technician Natasha, entering herself into our online hunt for the best-looking people in Essex has ended rather better than her previous foray into modelling.

"I did actually try to get into modelling when I was 16 but the agency did a runner with my money.

"You went to a hotel in London to see if you get picked at all, I got through but they said I would have to pay £150 for a portfolio and cards. I rang them a week later and they didn't exist any more," she told the Chronicle.

"I just entered Essex Faces for a laugh really, just to take advantage of it, and see what happens. It was a bit of a shock to hear I'd won. My parents are over the moon."

The lucky pair will now be treated to a one-night bed and breakfast stay at the Stoke by Nayland four-star hotel, as well as a 10x8 framed print, and three 8x6 mounted prints with electronic copies, from their hour-long photoshoot.

HUNDREDS of people flocked to Burnham-on-Crouch to pay their respects at a moving and uplifting tribute to "inspirational" Laughlin Whiteley.

More than £2,000 was raised for charity in his name as friends, family and supporters laid down thousands of sunflowers at a memorial service to the seven-year-old, from Mildmay Road, Burnham, who was killed by a lung infection on October 12 after beating cancer twice.

Laughlin, or Lockey as he was known, survived a brain tumour and leukaemia, and his family had raised more than £10,000 for cancer charity Brain Tumour UK in just two years, plus another £2,000 for Delete Blood Cancer UK in the past year, all from donations to their Unlock A Life For Lockey appeal.

He died just three weeks after receiving the award for most inspirational child of the year from Prince Harry, on behalf of sick children charity WellChild, for his courageous battle against the disease, which he had just discovered had returned.

The celebration of Lockey's life, held at Millfields, heard readings from a local vicar before sunflowers were laid at the seafront, which spelt out his name.

The fire service was represented with sunflowers on the front of their truck, while the Willie Nelson song You Are My Sunshine was sung by all present.

Family friend Michelle Richardson, who was part of the Unlock A Life For Lockey charity, read a poem and thanked everyone who attended the event.

She said to the crowd: "On behalf of Lockey and his family I would like to say a huge thank you for what you have done today.

"I am sure you will all agree that Lockey was a caring and inspirational little boy that always managed to give a smile to anyone."

There was then a two minute silence before those present carried sunflowers and lights up to the seafront and laid them on the ground.

Laughlin's illness was charted by his father online after he was found to have a brain tumour, aged four.

In February, Lockey had a stem cell transplant for a rare leukaemia and was given the all-clear, but suffered a relapse of the blood cancer recently.

Lesley Hawkins, a family friend who organised the event, said: "When I heard the news last Saturday I thought something had to be done as I knew a lot of my friends wanted to pay their respects.

"Lockey was an absolutely inspirational young man and so was his family.

"The amount of support and help has been absolutely overwhelming, everyone has gone over and above.

"For everyone to come together as a community and just show solidity and our support for the family and pay our respects, I couldn't have asked for anything else – it has been amazing."

Laughlin's parents John and Andrea set up a charity earlier this year to distribute craft boxes to children at Great Ormond Street Hospital, where their son was being treated.

The money raised on the night will be donated to Lockey's parents who will decide how to use it at a later date.

A farewell procession for Laughlin will take place on Saturday with a procession up Burnham-on-Crouch High Street from the Clocktower at 10.30am before a private funeral.

A DRUNKEN man lay down in the road to stop a learner driver passing after years of torment from rookie motorists practising on his street.

Michael Sawyer, 39, of Kings Road, Chelmsford, admitted losing his cool after the learner attempted a three-point-turn outside his home.

Chelmsford Magistrates' Court heard on Friday how Sawyer approached the learner driver's door aggressively, banged on the window and lifted the windscreen wipers, before shouting "I'm going to belt you."

As the driving instructor, Paul Rawlings, and his pupil tried to drive away, Sawyer also began to walk away.

But once they had turned around, they were forced to pass Sawyer again, who then threw himself to the floor.

Katherine Wilson, prosecuting, said: "Mr Sawyer was lying in the middle of the road in a star shape until a member of the public got out and had words with him and he got up. Mr Rawlings feared for the safety of himself and for his student."

Sawyer eventually left the scene after an angry van driver, who could not pass, had words with him.

The former security worker was arrested shortly after, but it took a handful of officers to restrain him before he kicked the door of the QX07 Volvo police car, causing £200 of damage.

He pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words and behaviour, wilfully obstructing a highway and criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

The court heard how Sawyer had lost his job as a security guard just a day earlier and had been seen by the Linden Centre mental health team as recently as October 3 after he threatened to take his own life.

Sawyer, dressed all in black, represented himself during the hearing.

He said: "For the last three years I've had nothing but mayhem down the road.

"I'm out of order and I apologise for all that I done to the instructor, to the learner driver and for the police car.

"They drive up and down all day long, I had been drinking and I was at the end of my tether.

"I had lost my job but I will try to start my life again with my family and friends."

Chairman of the bench, Mrs Macallan said: "It must have been frightening for the learner driver."

Sawyer, who has six previous convictions was given a community order for 18 months and must undertake 60 hours of unpaid work. He was made to pay £200 for the criminal damage to the police car door and a £60 victim surcharge.